Short Notices

Editor's Trips

Issue 2010.02, January 25, 2010

Haiti Earthquake Map

Haiti Update (updated 1/29/09)

To our brothers and sisters in Haiti and our brothers and sisters of the ABC Haitian Alliance within the United States, we pledge our continued prayers and support now and throughout the recovery. -- Dr. A. Roy Medley, General Secretary, American Baptist Churches USA

For recent news updates and resources for responding to the situation in Haiti check these links:

Local church offerings for Haiti should be directed to One Great Hour of Sharing and specified for “Haiti Earthquake Relief” and remitted through the normal mission giving channels. This assures the church is properly credited for gifts to American Baptist Mission Support.

America for Christ Offering 2010

America for Christ Offering

Our surveys reveal countless people in need of Jesus’ love and healing touch. It’s a difficult challenge, but we believe that as American Baptists working together, we can make a difference by supporting the 2010 America for Christ Offering (AFC). This special annual offering is normally collected in March, but will be accepted at anytime during the year when it’s convenient for your church.

This year’s theme ~ “With Willing Hands: Connect. Care. Celebrate” ~ is a powerful reminder that Jesus’ public ministry was all about connecting and caring for people in need. Through the work of National Ministries, which is supported by the AFC offering, we can participate with our Lord in connecting, caring and celebrating the power of the Gospel:

>> Read more about AFC.

Church Health Resource Review

By Ron Cary

Got Style? Personality-based Evangelism, Jeffrey Johnson, Judson Press 2009

Ron CAry

I’ve often wondered why so many of us who name Christ as Lord and Savior are so timid about sharing our faith with others. In fact, honesty compels me to wonder mostly about myself! Oh, I have preached about evangelism, led a number of Bible studies on it, taught a course or two on methods, even read few good books on the subject, I just haven’t done all that much faith-sharing in my daily life.

Along comes Jeffrey Johnson, a pastor and leader of the National Evangelism Team for American Baptist Churches, USA, suggesting that I might engage in faith sharing more frequently if I understood how I might do it through the natural strengths of my own God-given personality.

In his recent book, Got Style?, Johnson makes it easy to determine which of the six biblical styles of evangelism a person might put into practice: assertive, analytical, storytelling, relational, invitational, and incarnational. Each “style” is described in detail and provided with biblical and contemporary examples. A personal assessment form is included through which a person can then discover their own predominant styles. This is followed by a chapter on understanding the assessment and putting it into practice.

A small group or a congregation could use the assessment to discover its collective strengths or predominant styles, and then develop training around those strategic styles. If members of your church could discover their personal style of evangelism, perhaps they would engage more frequently and more naturally in sharing their faith. Healthy churches motivate healthy Christians to fulfill the Great Commission, and Johnson’s book is a significant resource in helping to accomplishing that goal.

PS: Pastors in particular will appreciate the sermon/Bible study at the end of the book on the miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand plus, as well as the chart on maintenance and missional mindsets in the church.

Conversation Café Final Report

by Patricia Hernandez

Pat Hernandez

2009 Annual Equipping Event: Renewable Energy, that which sustains us

Hope for the church is dependent upon the quality of our conversations. Conversations build relationships and relationships build hope. Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” The key to our future is as simple as welcoming Jesus in our midst; it is as complicated as tending to our conversations. -- Bishop John Hopkins, UMC

The 2009 Annual Equipping Event featured a unique process known as the Conversation Café, an innovative yet simple method for hosting conversations about questions that matter. The goal of the Café model is to help to unearth the wisdom and common interests that exist among a diverse group of people. The questions which formed our Café process were:

What does it mean to foster a generation of Christian leaders?
What are our resources for navigating through tough times?
How are we using our resources to be salt and light?

What did we hear during the conversations?

What is emerging overall?

conversation Cafe

At the closing worship service of the Annual Equipping Event, the Rev. Dr. McCray preached from Nehemiah, reminding us that while Nehemiah’s central task was to give leadership to help people rebuild the walls of Jerusalem what really happened was a rebuilding of lives which led to a rebuilding of community. In the process people rediscovered themselves as their best resource and remembered their work as God’s. The call for the Church today in the midst of hopelessness and despair is to serve as Nehemiah, engaging people in rebuilding lives through rediscovering the resources amongst us and remembering our work as God’s that we might say with Nehemiah :this work has been accomplished with the help of our God.” (Nehemiah 6:16)

Thus we rebuild hope, helping people who are in despair
restore faith by walking closely with people through their struggles
and refuse to give up, reflecting God’s abiding presence and sustainable energy by inspiring partnerships for the sake of reaching one more person for Christ.

To read the final report of the Conversation Café, click on the thumbnail image of the report shown above.

FCC Ruling Requires Churches to Replace Wireless Microphones

The Federal Communications Commission has issued an order that could have far-reaching — and very expensive — consequences for organizations or individuals using wireless microphones.

The commission said wireless microphone users have until June 12, to modify or replace equipment that operates on the 700-megahertz frequency. Common users of wireless microphones include theaters, arenas and churches.

For more information see this article: http://bit.ly/68wzX5. To see if your microphones are affected, check this list from the FCC: http://bit.ly/8HfQcX.

Mission and Evangelism Institute Focuses on Small Church Renewal

Anthony Pappas

Small-membership churches face unique challenges, but they’re also in a position to seize unique opportunities. Small but Significant: Missional Renewal of the Small-Membership Church is the theme of the Mission and Evangelism Institute at Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio, March 15 and 16. 

Leading the institute are Dr. Anthony Pappas (pictured at left), executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, and Dr. Robin Knowles Wallace, professor of worship and music at MTSO.

Pappas, the institute’s keynote speaker, has served as editor of “The Five Stones: A Newsletter for Small Churches” and has authored five books related to the ministry of small churches. Among them are “Entering the World of the Small Church” and “Mission: The Small Church Reaches Out” (with Scott Planting).

Wallace

Wallace (pictured at right) has served as a worship and music leader in churches small and large since she was in high school. Her publications include “Worshiping in the Small Membership Church” and “Accept the Challenge: Music in the Small Membership Church.”

The Mission and Evangelism Institute begins with registration at 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 15, and ends at 3:15 Tuesday, March 16. The tuition of $85 includes Monday dinner and Tuesday lunch. A certificate for one continuing education unit will be presented to those participants who request it. Attendance at all sessions is required for CEU credit.

The institute is a shared ministry of the East and West Ohio Annual Conferences and Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Complete information and a registration form are available: click here for brochure or go to www.mtso.edu/events/mei.htm or contact Dr. Joon-Sik Park, professor of world evangelism, at jpark@mtso.edu or 740-362-3367.

Camp Lael 2010 Winter Retreats

Has the coldness of winter gotten you down? Do you need a spiritual recharge? Does your Youth Group have a case of "cabin fever?" Camp Lael is holding a series of Winter Retreats in February that might have a spot for you for just that purpose. Check out more information at http://www.camplael.com/ and reserve your spot now!

Xtreme Team Headed to Egypt Next Summer

ABCUSA International Ministries has announced the next Xtreme Team venture. Set for June 14-July 13, 2010, the trip begins with training in Detroit and then heads for Egypt.

It's not your mama’s mission trip. What would you POSSIBLY do in Egypt?? Well, think X. How many commandments were there? Which Old Testament book in the Bible starts with X (okay, sounds like x)? How about Xtreme history? Religion? Culture? Climate? Food? Xtreme Leader Walt White?

Click here to view, download, and print an Xtreme Team bulletin insert.

Have Message, Will Travel

Does your church have an annual Camp Sunday or a regular time for guest speakers? Camp Lake Louise would love to be a part of it. Any way we can talk camp can be truly beneficial for our ministries. The Resident Director and the members of the Board of Directors are eager to spread the word about Camp Lake Louise through contact with churches and church groups. Contact Ryan Madis at 800-440-1238 or ryan.madis@lakelouiserocks.com if you're looking for pulpit supply one Sunday, would like to feature camps in a worship service, event or group, or just want to talk about collaborating in the future.

Last Call (This time we really, really mean it.)

LAST CALL for Professional Church Leaders to complete and return the 2010 Professional Registry Questionnaire. The deadline was January 15, but has been extended to January 29. If you did not receive the questionnaire or have misplaced it, click here to download a copy.

ABC-MI Pastors Encouraged to "Fan the Flame" at Upcoming Conference

Fanning the Flame

ABC-MI pastors are encouraged to take advantage of a life-transforming opportunity as they are ministered to at the Fanning the Flame Pastors' Renewal Conference May 24-27 at Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Come for a time of spiritual renewal, relaxation and relating to colleagues in ministry from all over the country. Click here for details.

Face to Face, February 26-27 in Indianapolis

The next Face to Face event will be held February 26-27 at Lynhurst Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN. Face to Face provides opportunities for initial contact between church search committees and clergy available for relocation, seminary seniors, or graduates in the ordination process. The registration deadline is January 25, 2010. For more information, click here.

Central Area Annual Meeting

Central Area Annual Meeting will be held on January 30, 2010, from 9:30 a.m. - noon at First Baptist Church of Stockbridge, 950 S. Clinton St. Every Central Area Church is invited to send delegates.

The meeting theme focuses on the challenge of leading churches to the next level no matter what your current size. Pastors Jon Good and Brian Johnson will lead our sessions. A brunch will be provided during the 9:30 a.m. registration time.

Reservations for the event are helpful for preparation and set-up. Please call the Olivet Baptist Church (517-887-0988) by January 26 with the number of people who will be attending from your church.

Click on image below for full sized version.

AB Men's Breakfast

Short Notices

Editor's Trips

The Editor

Every edition of E-Link Online features links to articles the Editor has tripped over while wasting time surfing the Web. Posting of these links does not necessarily mean that either he or the American Baptist Churches of Michigan agrees with, endorses, or otherwise promotes the views expressed in them. Their value, if any, consists of whatever further thought, discussion, inquiry, discernment, fury, or occasional laugh they may provoke. Readers are welcome to send their own suggestions to the Editor.