Kingdom Growth in 3D:
Discipling Disciples to Disciple
11201 Old Highway 49
Gulfport, Mississippi 39503
(228) 832‐4311
FAX (228) 832‐0995
www.gulfcoastba.com
Email—[email protected]
Vol 53 No. 8 October 2017
SAVE THE DATE
NOVEMBER 16, 2017 @ 6:30pm GCBA Training Center, GCBA’S Annual Ministers
and Mates Banquet
JANUARY 16, 2018 11am-1pm New Hope
Baptist Church, Senior Adult Conference
JANUARY 20, 2018 10am-2pm GCBA Train-
ing Center, Protecting Your Reputation and Your Church
YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS:
Monday October 2 @ 7PM Executive Board Meeting @ GCBA Training Center
Monday October 16 @ 6:45pm Association Fall Meeting @ Lakeshore Baptist Church
FALL MEANS… MEETINGS ARE COMING
What is our purpose?
Perhaps you have heard the old joke about a man running past a neighbor’s house. The neighbor asked, “Where are you going in such a hurry? The breathless reply came, “I’m headed down to the Baptist church.” “Why? What is going on?” the neighbor asked. The running man said, “There is a scrap going on down there, and I want to get in on it!”
It is sad at times that we are known more for our fussing and feuding than our loving and soul-winning. Sometimes we get too caught up in peripheral things and allow those things that promote our calling and purpose as people of God to be pushed aside.
I hear comments to the effect that attendance is down, finances are down, etc. Those are very real situations, for sure. But, I have a question. If this is true in your church, what are you doing to address those problems? There may be a myriad of answers offered in re-sponse. May I offer an observation?
There is an adage, “The resources are in the harvest.” Is attendance declining? Reach out to the community. Are offerings down? Reach people. If baptisms are down, and have been down over sev-eral years, that is one reason for the decline churches see on several fronts.
Now, I know what some will say, “We will just take what God sends us,” or “God must have not wanted us to grow more last year.” My response to that is this, isn’t this something of a cop out? The same God who calls us to share the gospel is the same God who said through Peter, “The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to per-ish but for all to come to repentance.” (2Peter 3:9 NASV) If the heart of our Father is for all to come to repentance, then our goal should be to reach them with the gospel, so that they may repent, be saved by our Father and grow in faith as part of the church of God.
So, what is your church’s purpose? Is it not to “make disciples” as reflected in Matthew 28:18-20? I encourage you to take steps to re-claim your purpose in the plan of God.
October is the month set aside by Southern Baptists as Pastor/Staff Appreciation month. Your pastor and staff could use a pat on the back. Give them a gift card to a restaurant and pay the baby sitter. Why not give him a Sunday off, unexpected, just because! Have Children’s SS classes write appreciation notes. If you have trouble thinking of appropriate ways, give us a call. We will be glad to help you come up with a good way to say, “Thanks!”
Remember :
Complete your ACP and return it by October 5,
Elect messengers for Fall meeting (October 16 at Lakeshore Baptist, Bay St Louis)
Pray for one another.
Blessed to serve you,
Dr. Steve
AMD’s AMD’s AMD’s
DESKDESKDESK Dr. Steve Mooneyham
Ministers’Conference:
When: Tuesday October 3, 2017
Guest Speaker: Dr. Bill Warren, pastor , Jacobs Well and Professor of New Testament and Greek at NOBTS
Time: 10am-Noon (Note time change, we will be meeting earlier than usual to cover the bible study overview. Fellowship begins @ 9:30am)
Place: GCBA Training Center
Dr. Warren will lead the overview of the 2018 January Bible Study. The study will be the book of 1Peter, a timely study. “Peter wrote to Gentile believers facing suffering and persecution be-cause of their faith in Jesus. The message...has great relevance for today as more pressure is be-ing exerted by a growing secular mindset cloaked in ‘tolerance.’” (back cover of study guide)
Please support Gulf Coast
Community Ministries!
Slow‐Smoked ‘Daddy’s BBQ’
Award‐Winning Pork Bu Sale
Dona on of $40 each; 8lb. Average
Hot, foil‐wrapped, ready‐to‐serve
Pickup will be Thurs., Oct. 26, 2017 @
Bayou View Bap st Church
To Volunteer for this event or ques ons
call 228‐868‐8202
FEED THE COAST MOBILE
FOOD PANTRY
WILL BE COMING IN NOVEMBER
For more informa on call GCCM @
228‐868‐8202
h p://www.gulfcoastministry.net
MOUNT CHAPEL Waveland is in need of an energetic and Christ filled individual to help build their Youth Ministry. Call Renell Singleton 601-520-9579 for more information.
NORTH LONG BEACH will be having revival services October 8-11. Sunday service time 11am & 6pm and October 9-11 7pm. Matt Pittman pastor of Chunky BC with be the speaker. All are invited to attend.
PASS CHRISTIAN FBC is overjoyed to welcome their new pastor and his wife, Dr. Ronald and Sue Ballard.
PERKINSTON is looking for a part-time Youth Minister for Sundays, Wednesday evenings and occasional weekends for special activities. Con-tact Nell Murray of more information @ [email protected].
SHORELINE PARK is looking to fill two positions. Someone for 3rd-6th grade Sunday am & pm services and someone to work with their youth. Call 228-467-9461for more information.
WOOLMARKET is accepting resumes for a Part-time Minister of Youth. Resume’s can be mailed to the church; 12818 Lorraine Rd., Bi-loxi, MS 39532 attention Youth Minister Search Team or emailed to [email protected].
The GCBA is supported by contribu ons from our member
churches. These churches are encouraged to give at least
3% of their undesignated offerings to associa onal missions
and ministries. Your church’s faithful support of the GCBA
is greatly encouraged and appreciated.
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR AUGUST
F aithful Servants is a Southern Gospel Trio looking for
opportunities to worship with churches in our area. To
schedule please call Steve Moore 228-669-0378.
CHURCH NEWSCHURCH NEWS
CHURCHES WITHOUT CHURCHES WITHOUT CHURCHES WITHOUT PASTORSPASTORSPASTORS
MBCB Events Information Visit MBCB.org/events for the scoop
D ’ C
Dionne Williams
Associate AMD
Moving Beyond‐A One Day Leadership Event with Johnny Hunt on October 3, 2017 at Broadmoor Bap st Church in Madison,
MS. Register today h p:// nyurl.com/hunt2017
NetWorlding Summit: Building Chris an Fellowship with Women of All Ethnici es, Garaywa Camp and Conference Center,
October 13. Visit mbcb.org/wmu for more informa on.
Mother/Daughter Overnight, Garaywa Camp and Conference Center, October 13 @ 5pm‐October 14 @ 2pm
Student Day, Bap st Building, October 24 @ 9am‐2:30pm
WMU Annual Mee ng, FBC Jackson , October 30, starts at 2pm
Mississippi Bap st Conven on, FBC Jackson, October 31‐November 1 VISIT WWW.MBCB.ORG/MARGARET TO ACCESS
MARGARET LACKEY OFFERING MATERIALS
October is Pastor Appreciation Month
Here are 6 suggestions by Lifeway to show appreciation to your pastor;
1. Pray for them.
2. Write them encouraging letters.
3. Serve in the church.
4. Give generously.
5. Encourage their families.
6. Speak well of the church.
Merry Christmas 2017
For more than 50 years, Mississippi Baptists have enjoyed sending a new suit to pastors in “new work” areas. Many of these pastors have no suit nor do they have money to buy one. The churches in these areas are usually small and don’t pay much, and many of the pastors are bi-vocational. A new suit is a thoughtful gesture; letting these pastors know that we care about them and that we support their work. Since 2001, we have sent the pastor’s wives a gift card when we had enough money to do so.
Since the ministry’s inception in 1963, Mississippi Baptists have provided more than 8,000 suits and close to 2,600 gift cards. Rais-ing money for the Suit Project Ministry can be a special project for any group in your church: Men’s Ministry, Royal Ambassadors, Girls in Action, Youth, Sunday School classes or WMU groups. Monetary gifts are accepted year round.
Questions regarding The Suit Project can be directed to Deanna Vail, 601.292.3335, MBCB Men’s Ministry
ACP or Annual Church Profile….
What is that all about anyway?
Why do we even bother?
Here’s what it means to the Association:
Provides base for setting goals
Helps determine need for additional services
Identifies mission opportunities
Useful in updating mailing lists
Helps in evaluating past performances
Helps determine training needs
Helps in developing leadership training
Facilitates strategy planning
So, if you’ve already completed your ACP,
THANK YOU!
Otherwise, hurry, the deadline is October 5.
Please contact Robin @ 228-832-4311 or
you need help completing the ACP.