July/August 2013 newsletter

In This Edition

PAGE 2 Means and Ends — Part 3 by Larry Hovis

PAGE 3 Young Ministers Series by Matt Johnson

PAGES 4-6 Partner Churches and Individuals Continue Strong Support of CBFNC by Jim Hylton

PAGE 7 CBFNC Salutes 2012-2013 Interns by Ka’thy Gore Chappell

PAGE 7 North Carolina Students Serving in CBF Summer Missions by Wanda Kidd

PAGE 8 Done in Love — The New CBFNC Mission and Ministry Offering by Larry Hovis

PAGE 9 20th Anniversary Vision Team Report by Guy Sayles

The Gatheringof the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

July/August 2013 • Vol. 18 Issue 4 Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry

2 • The Gathering – July/August 2013

Something different was in the air as the deacons of First Baptist Church in Anytown, NC, gathered for their monthly meeting. Excitement may be too strong a word, but there was an extra dose of energy accompanied by unusual anticipation.

Chairperson Beth Hopkins opened the meeting with prayer. She then said, “Since our last meeting, many of you have told me how much you appreciated the discussion of ‘ends and means’ introduced by our pastor last month. I’d like to call on Pastor Chris to lead us in resuming that conversation.”

“Thanks, Beth,” said Chris. “Our previous discussion concluded with Beth asking us to think about how we would complete this sentence: The End of our church is __________. What have you come up with?”

Sarah Barker was the first one to speak. “As I said last month, I don’t know what all the fuss is about. It seems perfectly clear to me. The most important thing we as a church can do is support missionaries. That’s the heart of our Baptist faith. We are called to study missions, pray for missions and give sacrificially so that we can send missionaries to the ends of the earth.”

“That’s all fine,” countered Bob Carothers, a member of the choir, “but there are lots of organizations that do good in the world, even missions organizations that send missionaries around the world. But the church is the only organization that is uniquely charged to worship God. I believe the End of our church is to promote the kind of orderly, dignified worship of Almighty God our church has executed for a long time.”

“But what if one day no one comes to our sanctuary to worship God?” challenged Nan Cummings, a mother of three and a member of the youth committee. “Let’s be honest. The group that gathers in our church on Sunday morning is getting older and smaller. My kids are bored with our worship services. I think the End of our church is to minister to the next generation. If we don’t, we might not have a church at all.”

“Nan, I think you’re getting closer,” said Sam Jones, president of the local bank and one whose family had been in key leadership roles at First Baptist for several generations. “It takes money to keep this church going. Everything you all have mentioned costs money. Missionaries. Worship personnel and equipment. Youth and children’s programs. The buildings where we meet. Even our pastor’s salary. And it takes people to give that money. I think our focus ought to be on recruiting enough new members to sustain our church financially so that it will exist for future generations.”

Greg Pickens spoke next. “I don’t disagree with anything any of you have said. Missionaries, worship, youth programs

and the church budget are all very important. But in my view, and please don’t brand me as a heretic, all of these worthy things are Means toward a greater End. Why do we send missionaries? Why do we worship God? Why do we minister with youth and maintain our buildings and give our money? Is it enough simply for the congregation to exist tomorrow? I’m not sure I know the answer, but I believe it must have something to do with the Kingdom of God.”

“I’m with Greg,” said Sue Ferguson. “Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven more than any other topic. We’ve been studying Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom in our Sunday School class. In his model prayer, Jesus prayed, ‘Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.’ As Hugh Halter and Matt Smay make clear in their book, The Tangible Kingdom, I believe the purpose of the church is to make the Kingdom of God ‘tangible’ in our communities and world. Our worship and missions and buildings and programs and staff are the means through which we seek to help make the Kingdom of Heaven a reality to the people God allows us to meet and influence.”

Pastor Chris looked around and could see that most heads were nodding as Sue spoke. Even those with questioning looks on their faces seemed to be trying to take it in rather than putting up defenses. “Thanks, Sue, for this explanation. I think you’re onto something. The End of our church must have something to do with the Kingdom. How’s this for a preliminary working statement of our church’s End or purpose? ‘First Baptist Church exists to follow Jesus Christ in making the Kingdom of God tangible in Anytown, NC, and around the world.’”

“It sounds good,” said Sam Jones. “I can see how a focus on the Kingdom of God as our ultimate purpose would help us ‘keep the main thing the main thing.’ But that still leaves lots of other questions about all the other things we’ve talked about.”

“Yes, Sam. Absolutely,” affirmed Chris. “We have much work to do in determining the Means God is leading us to utilize in pursuing the End. But maybe, just maybe, if we all can agree on a larger End or purpose, we won’t be quite so possessive over our particular programs, and we’ll be a little more willing to listen to the Spirit and one another as we make hard choices about how we spend our time and money as a church.”

“Excellent discussion,” interrupted Beth Hopkins. “As spiritual leaders, this is the kind of conversation that needs to be our focus. So where do we go from here? How do we help the whole congregation join us as we think about the End of our Church? And how will we use this concept to determine ministry priorities moving forward? Please make this a matter of prayer between now and next month’s meeting. I’m wondering if we might enlist a congregational coach to help us develop a process for conducting a three-way conversation between us, the congregation, and, most importantly, the Spirit.”

“I’m glad you mentioned the idea of a congregational coach, Beth,” responded Pastor Chris. “Let’s talk to our friends at CBFNC. I feel sure they can help with that.”

Means and Ends — Part 3 Making it Personalby Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator

The Gathering – July/August 2013 • 3

We are at our best when we tell our stories. The folks in my church come from all over. They were raised in North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Maryland. They were Baptists, Catholics, Methodists, Disciples, and agnostics. In order for us to understand, appreciate, and love one another, we have to tell our stories. We have to tell each other what we value, where we came from, and where we hope to go.

In the same way, the people that make up the CBF come from all over. Many were not raised as Baptists, or were not old enough to remember the “Baptist Wars.” We need to tell our stories. We need to tell the stories of our 400 years of faithful Baptist witness. We need to tell stories about living an authentic Christian faith in this 21st century, technology-driven society. We need to know and be known. We need to tell our stories.

We are at our best when we focus on what we do. The diversity of my church extends beyond our backgrounds. The people vary in their theological beliefs from conservative to progressive. They categorize themselves as Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, and Other. But we are united in Christ and united in serving one another and our community. People who could be at one another’s throats over doctrine or politics instead work together to distribute groceries to food-insecure families at the local food pantry or register patients for the dental van. We are united around the things we do more than the specifics of any creed.

Whenever the future is uncertain, there will always be a tendency to craft a statement codifying “essential” beliefs. In troubling times, it is comforting to know who is in

and who is out. But our Cooperative Baptist movement has always been at its best when it has avoided defining doctrine on behalf of churches and instead focused on empowering churches for ministry. I hope we can continue to be a people known for the good deeds we do, rather than the beliefs we don’t.

We are at our best when we don’t care who gets credit. Recently, our church led a team in building a wheelchair ramp for a local family. The project was initiated by the North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry who called our church asking us to help. A significant financial contribution came from the local Senior

Center. One of our members contacted the Southern Baptist church in town and several of their men came out to help us build the ramp. It was truly a team effort. The only thing that mattered was that the project was done.

CBF and CBFNC have led the way in partnership missions and ministry. As human and financial capital continue to grow scarcer, we should resist the temptation to reinvent the wheel. We must

continue to partner with ministries who are already doing the work we feel led to support. We shouldn’t care who gets the credit, only that the work gets done.

As Baptists look to the future, let us avoid the temptation to always concentrate on what we don’t do or haven’t done. Instead, let’s focus on what we have done well. Let’s remember to ask ourselves, “When are we at our best?”

Matthew Johnson is the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Smithton in Belhaven. He holds degrees from WFU (BA, MDiv) and the University of North Texas (Master of Music). He enjoys WFU sports, reading, movies, and alternative comedy. He is married to the Rev. Clare Con-way Johnson, a community counselor with at-risk youth. They have one son, McCall, a curly-headed two year old.

Young Ministers Series: Matt Johnson

I wish we

If only we

our best

“If only we…”

“I wish we…”

Sometimes as a

pastor I become

overly focused on

what I think my

congregation can

do better.

In the same way,

it can be tempting

to concentrate on

the deficiencies of

the CBF movement.

Instead, maybe

we should ask

ourselves,

“When are we at

our best?”


Partner Churches and Individuals Continue Strong Support of CBFNCby Jim Hylton, CBFNC Business Administration Coordinator

Giving Trends: 2009 through 2013In the 2012-2013 budget

year, undesignated gifts exceeded $1.4 million and designated gifts exceeded $2.6 million. For the third consecutive year, total gifts exceeded $4 million.

CBFNC continues to be grati-fied by the trust congregations and individuals are placing in us as evidenced by giving of all types. We are taking great care to be good stewards of these resources through the ministries we coordinate and the cultivation of positive relationships with our cherished ministry partners.

To view the 2013-2014 budget, visit www.cbfnc.org.

Taylor Memorial .............. AberdeenEarlys...............................AhoskieFirst..................................AhoskieFirst..................................AlbemarleMount.Zion......................AlexisAngier...............................AngierBaptist.Fellowship...........AngierNeill’s.Creek....................AngierOlive.Chapel................... Apex.Woodhaven......................ApexFirst................................ ArdenFirst..................................AsheboroOakhurst..........................AsheboroOakwood.Park.................AsheboroWest Asheboro ................. AsheboroCalvary.............................AshevilleFirst..................................AshevilleGrace................................AshevilleMorningside.....................AshevilleConnaritsa.......................AulanderFirst .................................. BeaufortFirst.of.Smithton.............BelhavenBenson............................ Benson

First..................................BiscoeFirst..................................Black.MountainFirst..................................BladenboroLennons.Cross.Roads.....BladenboroFirst..................................Blowing.RockBoiling.Springs............... Boiling.SpringsFirst..................................BooneBoonville..........................BoonvilleMount.Moriah.Calvert...BrevardFirst..................................Bryson.CityFirst..................................Buies.CreekMemorial..........................Buies.CreekBullock.............................BullockFirst..................................BurlingtonNorthside..........................BurlingtonFirst................................ BurnsvilleFirst................................ ButnerCalypso.............................CalypsoSawyer’s.Creek................CamdenHominy.............................CandlerFirst..................................CantonFirst..................................Carolina.BeachGreenwood.Forest...........Cary

Westwood.........................CaryChadbourn.......................ChadbournPiney Forest ..................... ChadbournEphesus........................... Chapel.Hill.HillSong............................Chapel.HillLystra...............................Chapel.HillMount.Carmel.................Chapel.HillUniversity....................... Chapel.HillGrace.Crossing................CharlottePark Road ......................... CharlottePeace.Covenant...............CharlottePritchard.Memorial........CharlotteProvidence.......................CharlotteSt..John’s..........................CharlotteSardis................................CharlotteTogether.in.Christ..Intl..Ministries............... CharlotteFirst ................................ ClarktonFirst................................ ClaytonWhite.Oak........................ClaytonMosaic..............................ClaytonClemmons.First...............ClemmonsFirst................................ Clinton

Partner Churches (Churches making contributions October 2011 - March 2013)

Churches contributing to CBFNC are listed in bold type. Churches that contribute to CBF National only are listed in regular type. Designated in blue are churches that participate in the CBFNC Mission Resource Plan, providing financial support for other Baptist ministries through CBFNC. For additional information about the Mission Resource Plan or for more information on partnering with CBFNC, visit www.cbfnc.org. This list does not include churches who partner with CBFNC or CBF in other, non-financial ways.

Designated

Undesignated

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013


Grove.Park......................ClintonMars.Hill..........................ColerainMcGill...............................ConcordFirst..................................CramertonOpen.Arms..................... Creedmoor.Cullowhee........................CullowheeThe.Summit.....................CullowheeFirst ................................. DentonFirst..................................DobsonFirst..................................DrexelFirst..................................DunnWestfield...........................DunnCalvary.............................DurhamDurham.Memorial..........DurhamGlenn.School.Road..........DurhamHope.Valley......................DurhamLowes.Grove....................DurhamMount.Hermon................DurhamTemple..............................DurhamWatts.Street.....................DurhamYates.................................DurhamFirst................................ EdenEdenton............................EdentonBlackwell Memorial ......... Elizabeth CityFirst..................................Elizabeth.CityElizabethtown..................ElizabethtownFirst..................................ElkinCarolina.Crossing...........EllerbeElm.City...........................Elm.CityFirst..................................ElonEmerald.Isle.....................Emerald.IsleEnfield..............................EnfieldEnka.................................EnkaFair.Bluff.......................... Fair.BluffFirst.................................. FairmontFirst.................................. FarmvilleCedar Falls ....................... FayettevilleFirst.................................. FayettevilleLafayette.......................... FayettevilleLake.Lynn........................ FayettevilleMount.Pisgah................... FayettevilleSnyder.Memorial............ FayettevilleUnity.Christian.Center...FayettevilleFirst.................................. Forest.CityFlorence.......................... Forest.CityMount.Vernon................. Forest.CityFirst.................................. Four.OaksPauline............................ Four.OaksBurningtown.................... FranklinCenterpoint...................... FranklinFranklinton...................... Franklinton

Fremont.Missionary...... FremontGarland.......................... GarlandAversboro.Road...............GarnerCovenant..........................GastoniaFirst..................................GastoniaLoray................................GastoniaNew.Hope.........................GastoniaReynoldson......................GatesFirst..................................GoldsboroRosewood.First................GoldsboroFirst..................................GrahamCollege.Park....................GreensboroFirst..................................GreensboroGuilford............................GreensboroLindley.Park....................GreensboroSoutheast..........................GreensboroArlington Boulevard ........ GreenvilleImmanuel....................... GreenvilleThe.Memorial..................GreenvilleLa.Mision.Bautista..........GreenvilleOakmont..........................GreenvillePleasant Hill ..................... GroverHallsboro..........................HallsboroFirst .................................. HamletFlat.Rock..........................HamptonvilleFirst..................................HendersonProvidence.......................HendersonvilleFirst..................................HickoryViewmont.........................HickoryHiddenite..........................HiddeniteEmerywood......................High.PointFirst .................................. High PointParkwood.........................High.PointCane Creek ....................... HillsboroughFirst..................................HillsboroughHobbsville........................HobbsvilleFirst..................................HuntersvilleJackson............................. JacksonFirst.................................. JamestownFirst.................................. JonesvilleFirst..................................KannapolisFirst..................................KernersvilleIglesia.Nueva.Vision........KernersvilleMain.Street......................KernersvilleUnion.Cross.....................KernersvilleQuaker.Gap.....................KingSpilman.Memorial..........KinstonOak.Ridge........................KittrellKnightdale ...................... KnightdaleFirst Reformed ................. LandisFirst................................ Laurinburg

Mount Moriah .................. LaurinburgGoshen..............................LelandNorth Brunswick Fellowship .......................................... LelandCollege Avenue ................ LenoirFirst..................................LenoirLower.Creek....................LenoirChurchland......................LexingtonFirst..................................LexingtonJersey................................LexingtonFirst................................ LibertyMount.Pleasant.............. LibertyLillington........................ LillingtonFirst................................ LincolntonBear.Swamp.....................LittletonLittleton............................LittletonMission.............................LocustHickory.Rock................. Louisburg.Louisburg.........................LouisburgFirst..................................LumbertonRozier ............................... LumbertonFirst..................................MadisonAntioch.............................MamersFirst..................................MarionCalvary........................... Mars.Hill.Mars.Hill..........................Mars.HillFirst..................................MarshvilleFirst .................................. MayodanNew.Bessemer..................McLeansvilleFirst..................................MebaneMount.Adar.....................MebaneEatons ............................... MocksvilleFirst..................................MocksvilleFirst..................................MonroeMill.Creek........................MonroeFirst .................................. MooresvilleFirst................................ Morehead.CityFirst..................................MorgantonCalvary.............................Mount.AiryFirst..................................Mount.AiryFlat.Rock..........................Mount.AiryPiney.Grove.....................Mount.AiryFirst..................................Mount.GileadFirst................................ Mount.HollyFirst................................ Mount.OliveMurfreesboro...................MurfreesboroRock.Creek..................... Nashville.First..................................New.BernKendalls...........................New.LondonFirst..................................Newland


continued on next page



Trinity............................. NewtonFirst..................................N..WilkesboroFirst .................................. OrientalEnon.................................OxfordHester...............................OxfordOxford..............................OxfordRoberts.Chapel................ PendletonPfafftown.......................... PfafftownIglesia.Bautista.Misionera.Roca.Fuerte........................................... PittsboroMount.Gilead................... PittsboroPittsboro........................... PittsboroAthens.Drive....................RaleighCrabtree.Valley.............. Raleigh.First..................................RaleighForest.Hills.......................RaleighThe.Fountain.................. Raleigh.Greystone.........................RaleighHayes.Barton...................RaleighHope.Fellowship..............RaleighIglesia.Bautista.La.Roca...........................................RaleighIglesia.Nueva.Generacion...........................................RaleighLongview..........................RaleighMacedonia........................RaleighMillbrook.........................RaleighNew.Hope.........................RaleighRidge.Road......................RaleighSt..John’s..........................RaleighSwift.Creek..................... Raleigh.Tabernacle........................RaleighTemple..............................RaleighTriangle............................RaleighTrinity............................. RaleighFirst..................................Red.SpringsCalvary.............................ReidsvilleFirst................................ ReidsvilleRichfield...........................RichfieldFirst..................................RichlandsAll Saints Episcopal ......... Roanoke RapidsRosemary.........................Roanoke.RapidsBethel................................RobbinsvilleFirst .................................. RockinghamDortches...........................Rocky.MountLakeside...........................Rocky.MountRileys.Creek................... Rocky.PointRolesville..........................RolesvilleRose.Hill...........................Rose.HillFirst..................................RoseboroFirst..................................Rowland

Lamberth.Memorial.......RoxboroRoxboro............................RoxboroFirst..................................Rural.HallIglesia.Cristiana.Sin.Fronteras..........................................Rural.HallFirst..................................RutherfordtonFirst .................................. SalisburyEphesus ............................ SanfordFirst.................................. SanfordFlat.Springs..................... SanfordIglesia.Bautista.Nueva.Comienzo.......................................... SanfordJonesboro.Heights........... SanfordPrimera.Iglesia.Bautista.......................................... SanfordDouble Shoals .................. ShelbyDover ................................ ShelbyFirst................................ ShelbyPoplar.Springs............... Shelby.Ross Grove ....................... ShelbyZion.................................. ShelbyCentro.Familiar.Cristiano......................................... Siler.City.Rocky.River..................... Siler.CityNobles.Chapel.................. SimsFirst................................ SmithfieldSharon.............................. SmithfieldFirst.................................. Southern.PinesSpencer............................. SpindaleEphesus............................ Spring.HopeFirst.................................. Spring.HopeCentral............................. Spruce.PineFirst.................................. Spruce.PineFirst................................ StanfieldFirst................................ StantonsburgFirst.................................. StatesvilleFirst.................................. StonevilleBrunswick.Islands........... SupplyFirst .................................. SwannanoaEast Sylva ......................... SylvaFirst.................................. SylvaOlyphic........................... Tabor.City.Tabor.City...................... Tabor.CityFirst..................................TarboroAntioch........................... TaylorsvilleFirst................................ TaylorsvilleFirst................................ TryonRound Hill ........................ Union MillsCornerstone ...................... ValdeseFirst................................ Valdese.First .................................. Wadesboro

Falls................................ Wake.Forest.Heritage............................Wake.ForestWake.Forest.....................Wake.ForestWoodland.........................Wake.ForestFirst................................ Wallace Warrenton........................WarrentonFirst..................................WashingtonFirst................................ WaynesvilleFirst................................ WeavervilleCrossroads.Fellowship....WeldonBaptist.Tabernacle..........WendellWendell............................WendellFirst................................ West.JeffersonFishing.Creek..................WhitakersFirst................................ WhitevilleMount.Zion......................WhitevilleNew.Hope....................... WhitevilleWilkesboro.......................WilkesboroFirst..................................WilmingtonMasonboro.......................WilmingtonOgden...............................WilmingtonTemple..............................WilmingtonWinter.Park.....................WilmingtonFirst..................................WilsonCashie...............................WindsorWingate............................WingateArdmore...........................Winston-SalemCollege.Park....................Winston-SalemFellowship........................Winston-SalemFirst..................................Winston-SalemKnollwood........................Winston-SalemMineral Springs ................ Winston-SalemNorthwest.........................Winston-SalemPeace.Haven.....................Winston-SalemUnited...............................Winston-SalemVia.Faith.Community.....Winston-SalemWest.Side........................ Winston-SalemWinterville...................... WintervilleWise..................................WiseFirst..................................YadkinvilleMaplewood......................YadkinvilleFirst .................................. YanceyvilleBethlehem........................YoungsvilleGrace.Haven....................YoungsvilleYoungsville.......................YoungsvilleZebulon............................Zebulon

Visit www.cbfnc.org for more information on partnering with CBFNC.


CBFNC Salutes 2012-2013 Interns!by Ka’thy Gore Chappell, CBFNC Leadership Development Coordinator

An intern is defined as one who receives “supervised practical training.” This definition communicates what our interns receive as we seek to affirm the work and ministry provided to our fellowship by the 2012-2013 CBFNC Divinity Student Interns.

Elizabeth.Barnard (left), a student at Gardner-Webb School of Divin-ity, worked with Rick Jordan in the ministry area of Faith Formation. Elizabeth served on the planning team and worked the events for Children’s Mission Days. Elizabeth also attended monthly coordinator/staff meetings as an observer.

Justin.Thomas (center), a student at Wake Forest School of Divinity, worked with Laura Barclay in the min-istry area of Social Ministries & Social Media. Justin reviewed and edited the racial reconciliation curriculum, as-sisted in structure of workshops for our state general assembly and worked in areas of communication and fellowship development.

Lisa.Grissom (right), a student at Campbell School of Divinity, worked with Ka’thy Gore Chappell in the ministry area of Lead-ership Development. Lisa chaired the CBFNC Divinity Student Task Force (includes representatives from our four partner divin-

ity schools), developed the process for a divinity-student-led workshop at our state general assembly and facilitated the sessions for the annual divinity student experience.

CBFNC Interns are self-starters who tend to seek out these positions. Often, interns are serving in this capacity as part of their divinity school field education and/or supervised ministry experience. In some cases, interns are

simply serving with CBFNC for the networking and resourcing experience. We salute our 2012-2013 interns!

Along with vacations and traditional summer jobs, summer is often filled with ministry opportunities. CBFNC celebrates all of the ways that groups and individu-als will choose to serve this summer. We pray for all forms of mission experiences, whether working in community gardens, helping people in areas affected by natural disasters or outreach to those around us who are otherwise not reached by the gos-pel of Christ. These mission experiences can change lives for those who serve and those being served.

For several of our CBFNC students, this summer will be one that shapes their callings in a variety of ways. Through Student.GO and Collegiate Congregational Internships as well as through ministry partner Passport Camps, 36 North Carolina students will spend their summer serving across the state, country and the globe.

Please pray for the students listed and all of our students who are serving in other capacities this summer.

Collegiate Congregational InternshipBeth Arney First, SylvaMegan Currie First, MonroeAbbi Davis First, GoldsboroLacey Davis Memorial, HickoryEmily Granade First, Winston-Salem on 5thKena Hawkins First, AshevilleMiriam Juarez First, MarionIsaac Justus West Yellowstone, MTKassi Justus Mars Hill, Mars Hill Ku Khang First, MooresvilleRob Lee First, West JeffersonMelani Lippard West Yellowstone, MTSarah McCoy First, WeavervilleMallory Monroe First, ShelbyCameron Place New Hope, Raleigh Melissa Reynolds First, North WilkesboroLauren Robertson Mt Carmel, LenoirSarah Rome First, RutherfordtonBen Wines First, Elkin

North Carolina Students Serving in CBF Summer Missionsby Wanda Kidd, CBFNC College Ministry Coordinator

Student.GoChelsie Buffington Port City Community, WilmingtonAbarry Clubb Mars Hill, Mars HillCatherine Gordon Faith, Mount AiryMary Kaylor New BernAbby Pratt Peace Haven, Winston-SalemShekanah Solomon Bible Way Temple, RaleighLaura Tompkins First, Brevard

Passport CampsAshley Baucom Buies CreekCarter Benge Mars HillSara Bumgarner RaleighVanessa Clark BooneMargaret Corn RaleighEmily Davis WingateJD Granade AshevilleElizabeth Gumns MontreatChelsea Hearne ShelbyChris Hughes Winston-SalemJustin McDowell CherryvilleAlina Mosunova RaleighZelina Paupaw WingateDaniel Potter Chapel HillZeke Stephenson RutherfordtonAllison Wray Wingate

Baptist Joint Committee InternLauren Hovis

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Why is CBFNC initiating a special Mission & Ministry Offering?Actually, congregations have requested for several years that we establish such an offering. As CBFNC celebrates its 20th birth-day, the Coordinating Council believes the time is right to take up this practice that is so common among other Baptist mission and ministry organizations. This offering will bring three significant benefits:

• The offering will allow individuals (on their own and through congregational emphases) to sustain and grow our missions and ministries through prayer and financial support.

• The offering will provide an avenue to educate churches and individuals about the work of CBFNC and ways to become more engaged in that work.

• The offering will strengthen the identity of CBFNC among partner churches and individuals.

How will my support be used?The particular programs and ministries supported by the offering will be determined by the Coordinating Council. The Offering may support missions and ministries that are included in the annual CBFNC budget as well as those that are not. The offer-ing will not be used for administration, but only for mission and ministry projects.

What is the theme of this year’s CBFNC Mission & Ministry Offering?The 2013-14 offering theme is “Done in Love,” based on 1 Corinthians 16:14: “Let all that you do be done in love.” As followers of Christ, we are commanded to love God and to love our neighbor. Therefore, everything that we do must be done with love. CBFNC provides many opportunities to express that love to others through different ministries.

When will the offering be received?While churches may receive the offering any time of year, CBFNC will promote the offering in the fall of each year.

What are Pilot Churches and what is needed/expected from them?Pilot Churches* are those that participate in the initial “experi-mental” promotion and reception of the CBFNC Mission & Ministry Offering. They will agree to the following:

• Pilot Churches that sign up by early summer 2013 will be able to collaborate with CBFNC leaders to determine which particular education and promotion resources should be developed to best meet the needs of their church.

• Pilot Churches will conduct an Offering emphasis between Fall 2013 and Spring 2014.

• Pilot Churches will work with CBFNC leaders to evaluate the process and resources used to promote the offering in order to make improvements for subsequent years.

What resources will be available to churches?Depending on input received from early participating Pilot Churches, we will have some of the following available for the Fall of 2013:

• Week of Prayer guide (stories, photos, scripture, and daily prayer guide)

• Posters with blank line for each church to post goal• Envelopes• Video vignettes• “How to promote the Offering” suggestions• FAQ sheet of CBFNC Ministries• Study Guides — e.g. Sunday School, missions group,

adult, youth and children• Sermon suggestions for use with adults and children

What are the next steps for my church?To receive more information, ask questions, or sign up to be a Pilot Church, contact the CBFNC office by phone (888-822-1944) or e-mail Larry Hovis ([email protected]).

*Initial communication from CBFNC (2013 General Assembly brochure and subsequent mailing to all partner churches) described a slightly differ-ent process and labeled participating congregations as “Charter Church-es,” indicating they would receive special recognition. Since then, CBFNC leadership has determined to make the first emphasis a pilot project with a smaller group of churches functioning as a learning community. We will delay the Charter Church emphasis until the following year when both Pilot Churches and Charter Churches will receive public recognition.

Done in Love — The New CBFNC Mission and Ministry Offeringby Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator

done in love1 COR. 16:14

mission AND

ministry OFFERING

Frequently Asked Questions


The 20th Anniversary Vision Team began its work in the spring of 2012, and this report briefly summarizes our initial year of service to the Coordinating Council and the CBFNC family.

The Team’s initial task was to gather a sense of how the people and churches who comprise CBFNC experi-ence us, of what they affirm and value about our identity and ministries, and of what they hope, dream, and need for the future. We’ve also paid attention to insights and lessons from our history, and we’ve acknowledged our relationships with other partners in the broader moderate Baptist movement; but our main focus has been on the people who are a part of, and who lead, the current life of the CBFNC family.

What we have heard is very encouraging:1. There is a high degree of appreciation for, and

significant trust in, CBFNC and its leaders. Our people affirm both our identity and our current ministries.

2. There is, simultaneously, a lack of future focus. Acknowledging that there is a lack of focus is not a negative thing; instead, it is a simple awareness that the future holds challenges and opportunities for which we have not yet developed a clear sense of direction and response.

3. There’s a common belief that CBFNC’s long-term health is connected with the health of its constitu-ent congregations.

4. There’s a need and desire for CBFNC to clarify and articulate its essential identity.

The report and recommendations which the Vision Team will make to the Coordinating Council in late 2013 and early 2014 will address these four themes which the Team has heard. The Team is now beginning its more direct work on that report and those recommendations.

I hope and anticipate that our report and recommenda-tions will include a focus on crucial “Why” questions: Why CBFNC? Why does it matter to the Kingdom? Why are we “on mission” together? I think that our answering, or attempting to answer, the “Why” questions might be the most important contribution our Team can make to the CBFNC family. Of course, we’re likely also to get to “Whats” and, perhaps, to a few “Hows”; but it seems vitally important to take this opportunity especially to seek answers to “Why?”

Thank you for the privilege of serving the CBFNC family in this way. Please feel free to share your ideas, suggestions, and concerns with me at [email protected] or (828) 252-4781.

20th Anniversary Vision Team Reportby Guy Sayles, Co-Chair

Vision Day:Changing Church

for a Changing World

Friday, August 16, 2013 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh

Register under “training and events” at www.freshexpressionsus.org

$30 (includes lunch and snacks)

Fresh Expressions is about empowering and equipping God’s people to develop creative expressions of church that can reach the increasing diversity of our society.

CBFNC’s Local Mission Engagement Grants seek to foster partnership between local churches and humani-tarian organizations for the purpose of missional engagement in their communities. Partnership is required with a communi-ty organization and one or more churches of any denomination. Grant period is April 1 through July 31, 2013. Visit the CBFNC website for an application, www.cbfnc.org.


Ministers on the Move Compiled by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator

Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved:

Jeff Hensley has been called as Pastor to Iotla Baptist Church in Franklin.

Lisa Hood is now serving First Baptist Church of Forest City as Minister to Children and Youth.

James Copeland has been called to First Baptist Church of Wallace to join their staff as Youth and Children’s Minister.

Esther Soud Parker has been called to Watts Street Baptist Church as Minister to Children.

Tito Madrazo has been called as Pastor of Woodland Baptist Church in Wake Forest.

Oxford Baptist Church in Oxford has called Chris Aho as Pastor.

Julia Bauman is now serving as Interim Pastor of Children and Families at Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh.

Temple Baptist Church of Durham has called Mark Mofield as Pastor.

Jessica Tidwell has been called to First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton to serve as Minister of Youth and Outreach.

When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, let us know at [email protected]. For assistance to search committees and ministers seeking vocational discernment, visit our reference and referral page on our website at www.cbfnc.org or call 336-759-3456 or 888-822-1944.

Your gifts to a CBFNC endowment fund can

plant seeds of blessing, of hope, and of help.

Designate.a.gift.for.scholarships,.new.church.

starts,.or.where.it.is.most.needed...Contact.Jim.Hylton.at.jhylton@cbfnc.org.or.(336).759-3456.for.more.information.

Ardmore, Winston-Salem

Duke School of Divinity

Fairfield Mountains Chapel, Lake Lure

First, Asheville

First, Boone

First, Butner

First, Drexel

First, Elon

First, Jamestown

First, Raleigh

First, Taylorsville

First, Weaverville

Highland Baptist, Winston-Salem

Highland Presbyterian, Winston-Salem

Lafayette, Fayetteville

Longview, Raleigh

Mars Hill Baptist, Mars Hill

Peace Haven, Winston-Salem

St. John’s, Raleigh

The Memorial, Greenville

Viewmont, Hickory

Watts Street, Durham

Westwood, Cary

Coordinator Visits April 2013 - May 2013

CBFNC ministry coordinators are available to visit your church to speak, preach, teach, consult, lead and minister in ways appropriate to your context. Contact the CBFNC office for more information.

CBFNC Honorary and Memorial Gifts April 2013 - May 2013

In memory of Jane Earl Hall by Bob and Rhea Lamb

In memory of Dorothy Bowers by Barbara Dallas

In memory of Kay Huggins by Barbara Huggins

In memory of Roger Jordan by Jim and Joyce Camp

In memory of Anne Swain Lawrence by John Lawrence

________________________

In honor of Jack Causey by First Baptist Church of Statesville Ladies Circle

CBF Global Missions Field Personnel Off-Field Assignments in Our AreaDon and Janet Pittman serving in Middle EastJuly 1 - January 11, 2014off field in NC Gennady and Mina Podgaisky serving in Kiev, [email protected] 1 – August 15, 2013 off field in Black Mountain

Kim and Marc Wyattserving in Canada July 2013 - June [email protected] field in Wilmington

Check out free resources on www.cbfnc.org!new resources added daily!

July/August 2013


phone: 336.759.3456 • phone: 888.822.1944 • fax: 336.759.3459 • [email protected] • www.cbfnc.org

The Gatheringof the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

Larry Hovis ............. Executive Coordinator.................... [email protected]

Ka’thy Gore Chappell ... Leadership Development [email protected]

Rick Jordan ............ Church Resources Coordinator ......... [email protected]

Linda Jones ............ Missions Coordinator ..................... [email protected]

Jim Hylton ............. Business Administration Coordinator ... [email protected]

Jack Causey ............. Ministerial Resources Coordinator ..... [email protected]

Coordinating CouncilRay Ammons, Gastonia, ModeratorLisa Rust, Lumberton, Moderator-ElectDonna Bissette, Winston-Salem, Past ModeratorMarion Horton, Knightdale, RecorderMike Eddinger, Cary, TreasurerKathy Driver, RaleighHeather Folliard, DurhamDavid Hailey, RaleighJeff Mathis, SylvaRick Matthews, Winston-SalemDoug Murray, WilsonMike Queen, GreensboroSusan Taylor, Chapel Hill

Endowment Management BoardRon Cava, HendersonByrns Coleman, WingateScott Hudgins, Winston-SalemAnissa Nixon, Mocksville

Faith Formation Ministry CouncilStella Perrin, Taylorsville, ChairKatie Fam Roscoe, Southern Pines, Chair-ElectGiles Blankenship, FayettevilleBeth Cockman-Wood, SanfordBrian Harrington, LibertyKerrie Clayton Jordan, SmithfieldBarbara Glasgow, ZebulonTyler Roach, MorgantonSophia Steibel, Boiling SpringsScott Thrailkill, Goldsboro

Leadership Development Ministry CouncilLayne Rogerson, Greenville, ChairShane Nixon, Mocksville, Chair-ElectEd Beddingfield, FayettevilleSarah Boberg, Red SpringsJerry Chiles, RaleighJohn Daniels, WaynesvilleKheresa Harmon, ShelbyMatt Johnson, BelhavenMark Reece, Mount AiryNathan Rice, Southern Pines

Missions Ministry CouncilLinda Winslow, Jamestown, ChairBlake Dempsey, Nashville, Chair-ElectElba Benitez, PittsboroEverette Clark, EnkaAllison Gallimore, OxfordBrandon Hudson, Winston-SalemMichael Lea, West JeffersonNate Leonard, Morehead CityPaula McCosh, FayettevilleMike Womble, Wilmington

Financial Report:

April 2013 Contributions Undesignated - $136,885 Designated - $254,607

May 2013 Contributions Undesignated - $111,972 Designated - $183,793

April 2013 - March 2014 Monthly Undesignated Goal: $127,140

Wanda Kidd ........ College Ministry Coordinator [email protected]

Eddie Hammett ... Church and Clergy Coach [email protected]

Javier Benitez .....Hispanic Network Leader Coach [email protected]

Nancy Parks ....... Programs Manager [email protected]

Sarah Mitchell .... Communications Manager [email protected]

Gail McAlister .... Financial Manager [email protected]

Derek Wilhelm .. .. Administrative Assistant [email protected]

Regional CoordinatorsRegion 1 – Western: Gail Coulter .............. [email protected] 2 – Foothills: David Smith ............ [email protected] 3 – Triad: Bill Leathers ................ [email protected] 4 – South Central: Drag Kimrey ...... [email protected]

Region 5 – North Central: Tom Jackson ..... [email protected] Region 6 – Capital: Mack Thompson .......... [email protected] 7 – Southeast: Mike Johnson ........ [email protected] 8 – Northeast: Jesse Croom .......... [email protected]

CBFNC College MinistersAshley Mangrum ............ UNC Chapel Hill ............... [email protected] Powers ........... East Carolina....................... [email protected]

Jeanne Cross ................ Duke University .................... [email protected] Towles ................. Wake Forest ........................ [email protected]

Family Day at Emerald Pointe

July 30, 2013Greensboro

Youth Rafting Retreat

August 31 - September 2, 2013 Asheville

Youth Beach Retreat

September 13-15, 2013Myrtle Beach, SC

Visit www.cbfnc.org to register and for more information.

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDWINSTON-SALEM PERMIT NO. 162

8025 North Point Blvd., Suite 205Winston-Salem, NC 27106

Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry

Return Service Requested888-822-1944www.cbfnc.org

Collegiate Ministry Meet and GreetJuly 9 in Asheville

OASIS 2013July 15-17, 2013Campbell University

Family Day at Emerald PointeJuly 30, 2013Greensboro

Collegiate Ministry Meet and GreetAugust 1 in Greenville

Selah Vie Collegiate RetreatAugust 3-5 in Clayton, GA

Youth Rafting RetreatAugust 31 - September 2, 2013

Fresh Expressions Vision Day #2August 16, 2013Forest Hills, Raleigh

Youth Beach RetreatSeptember 13-15, 2013

2013 Elevating Preaching ConferenceSeptember 23, 2013Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem

Servant-Leadership in a Secular Age: Deacon Ministry that Models Missional LivingSeptember 28, 2013Lowes Grove, Durham

Congregational Coach Certification Training - Cycle 2September 30 - October 1, 2013Black Mountain

Collegiate Fall RetreatOctober 4-6 in Asheville/Black Mountain

2013 Faith and Immigration Statewide SummitOctober 12, 2013Primera Iglesia Bautista, Sanford

Fashioning a Deacon Ministry that Works for Your ChurchNovember 9, 2013Hominy, Chandler

Christian Leadership Coaching exploration conference call (free)December 3, 2013

Christian Coach Training QuickstartJanuary 3, 2014CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem

Youth Ski RetreatJanuary 24-26, 2014

Building Blocks of Christian Coaching (501)February 3-4, 2014CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem

The Gathering is published six times a year. All questions may be directed to Sarah Mitchell, (336) 759-3456 or (888) 822-1944 or [email protected]. For story submissions, contact Sarah Mitchell for requirements and deadlines.

www.cbfnc.org

Upcoming Events ~ July/August Edition

Documents

July/August 2013 newsletter