The Gathering CBFNC Newsletter - May–June 2017

gathering the

of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

May/June 2017 • Vol. 22 Issue 3 Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry

our

hopeful future

A A standing standing ovation ovation at at CBFNC’s CBFNC’s Laugh Laugh in in Peace Peace event. event.

More More Annual Annual Gathering Gathering moments moments on on pages pages 4-5.

4-5.

let’s discuss fit

church

Health and fitness are on everyone’s mind these days. From debates over health insurance to everchanging dietary guidelines to a proliferation of gyms and exercise programs to the construction of new hospitals in many communities, physical health is front and center in our lives.

What are the contributors to good health?

What practices keep us fit? Proper nutrition, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, effective stress management, and access to healthcare resources are commonly accepted as necessary elements of a healthy lifestyle. New research points to less obvious factors in producing health, such as having a purpose in life, enjoying supportive social networks, and engaging in spiritual practices.

We spend a great deal of time, money, and energy keeping our bodies healthy and restoring them back to health when they become ill. What about the church? The Bible, especially the writings of Paul, refer to the church as “the body of Christ” (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 3:6 and 5:23; Colossians 1:18, 24). What are the contributors to the health of the body of Christ? What practices produce fit churches? What are the dimensions of congregational health?

We will be exploring this topic in upcoming issues of The Gathering and in other ways in CBFNC life, culminating with the next CBFNC Annual Gathering at Knollwood Baptist Church in Winston-Salem on March 15-17, 2018. Our motivation for this exploration comes from the 2014 CBFNC Vision statement, The Road Ahead, which identified four “areas of focus” as worthy of exploration. We have already addressed two of these and now turn our attention to “Nurturing Healthy Congregations,” described in the document as follows: We will encourage the flourishing of congregations, which are the primary communities in which followers of Jesus develop practices of faith that express the love of God and neighbor. We recognize a great diversity of congregations. There are established churches, some of which feel significant anxiety about their vitality and do not have a sense of a hopeful future, and others of which are experiencing renewal and growth. There are also new and yet-to-emerge groups of disciples who are exploring new expressions of Christian community.

CBFNC will nurture opportunities for mutual learning about the dynamics of healthy congregations, facilitate the discovery and sharing of life-giving innovations, and encourage the thriving of a wide variety of Christian communities.

2 • The Gathering – May/June 2017

by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator

Though there are many dimensions of church health, we will focus on the following in The Gathering in the coming months: Generosity (July/August) – God is generous and so are healthy churches. Generosity is expressed financially and in other ways.

How are churches expressing generosity toward congregants, their communities, and God’s mission in the world?

Practices (September/October) – What are the individual and corporate practices that lead to congregational health? What classic spiritual disciplines do healthy churches teach and share?

What other habits, practices, or disciplines characterize such congregations?

Innovation (November/December) – We jokingly describe the seven last words of the church as, “We’ve always done it that way before.” But healthy churches are always looking for new ways to engage in mission and ministry. What innovative practices are partner congregations exploring in our time?

Diversity (January/February 2018) – What expressions of diversity do healthy congregations exhibit? What blessings does diversity bring? What challenges? How do healthy congregations capitalize on the former and respond to the latter?

New Expressions of Church (March/April 2018) – The Christian Church has been around for two millennia. It has seen many changes during that time. At its best, it has given birth to new expressions of church. What new expressions of church are emerging in our Fellowship that we should celebrate, support, and allow to guide and shape us?

In the current issue, we are exploring the idea that healthy churches have a Hopeful Future. Yes, churches are facing many challenges today, ones that produce anxiety and lead some to despair. Healthy churches, in spite of the challenges, are characterized by hopefulness about both present and future. How is this kind of hopefulness experienced and expressed?

We would love to hear stories of how the congregations of our Fellowship are practicing and exhibiting these dimensions of health.

Is your church healthy? If not, what would contribute to your church’s fitness? How can our Fellowship celebrate expressions of church health and support one another when we face health challenges?

One critical dimension of individual health is being part of a supportive community. Congregations play a vital role for their members in this way. The same is true for churches. Isolation and extreme autonomy detract from church fitness. CBFNC provides a “beloved community” for churches, and therefore makes a significant contribution to congregational health. Thank you for being part of this Fellowship. In order to be Fit Churches, we need each other now more than ever.

The virtually untapped yet incredibly valuable assets in all of our churches are the life experiences of the people in our pews. Our churches are rich with people who have navigated family stages, careers, joys, and heartbreaks as people of faith.

Many of these wisdom guides would be willing to share their journey with young adults, but we struggle in congregational life to create the space and the time to authentically connect with each other.

Our superficial connections mean that we squander a rich trove of wisdom that should be bequeathed to other generations. We are told that a vast amount of money is going to be transferred between generations in the next thirty years, but we often overlook the wealth of information and encouragement that is going to be left on the table if we do not pass it on to those who follow.

I frequently hear that young adults only want to go to church with people who look like them, but that is not always true. Young pastors have spoken to me about the pressure they feel to advise young parishioners about how to be an adult, when they themselves are struggling to find the best way to parent, be married, and handle finances. They long for people to share that responsibility. Our culture provides few places beyond nuclear families and social media to untangle life’s complexities. Our insular lives have cut us off from ways to share wisdom and insights, and we are poorer for it.

It seems to me that church is a perfect place to begin to build those bridges. Church has a culture of mentoring and teaching in our DNA, and we have ample space and people to facilitate community. So how do we cultivate the process?

First, the senior pastor must think nurturing relationships is important or mentoring will struggle to find traction as a church movement. (The pastor does not have to do the mentoring, but they must bless it.)

Once we have that firm base, lay aside some of our preconceptions of young adults. Consider this: n I f

they are spoiled, they did not become that way without our help;

n I f

they are ill informed, do not assume they did not want our help but that they may not know how to ask;

n I f

they seem stingy, it could be because they are carrying a huge college debt and they are underpaid;

n I f

they seem standoffish, do not underestimate the impact we had on warning them about strangers and the unknown when they were young;

n U nderstand

the goals of mentoring but do not limit the outcome. When we begin to share our stories, amazing things happen. We may think we are only teaching someone how to quilt or use a hammer, but they may discover much deeper truths from a shared experience;

pass it on!

by Wanda Kidd, CBFNC Collegiate Engagement Coordinator

n R elationship

building needs to be on someone’s radar because it no longer happens naturally. Whether it is a staff or layperson, make sure it is someone who sees the value and is good at connecting people;

n O ffer

and expect mutual respect when reaching across generational lines. Hold each other accountable. If you agree to do something, treat it as important and valuable;

n S tart

with something easy like a discussion starter on each table the first Wednesday night of the month. For example, “I started coming to this church because …” or “I grew up …” or “My favorite holiday is …”;

n I f

you or your church have ideas that have helped you mentor young adults and build relationships, let us know and we will share those ideas.

We can continue to be frustrated about the lack of young adults in our churches or we can offer them something that they cannot find elsewhere. We can offer them compassion, empowerment, belonging, and wisdom, and through those shared experiences we can point them to Jesus.

The same Jesus who gave our life purpose and value sustained us through the tragedies and triumphs of life. That relationship is vital to them because their world is often defined by suspicion, manipulation, and broken promises. They need more than an invitation to church, they need to know Jesus.

We must not judge them for not believing, but love them through their unbelief.

The Gathering – May/June 2017 • 3

Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 (ISV)

as you g CBFNC Annual Meeting moments

MARCH 30, 2017, FIRST, HICKORY

Our Fellowship told us wholeheartedly that our annual “family reunion” was most valuable and that they wanted even more, and that was certainly reflected in

My favorite 2017 Annual

the expanded format and

Gathering moment was when

diverse opportunities for

Susan Sparks spoke and you

new learnings, meaningful

truly learned laughter is a

worship, and warm fellowship

part of worship.

in Hickory. This new model offers something for everyone and is a springboard for “going deeper” in multiple ways as we continue to bring Baptists in North Carolina together in mission and ministry.

-Lisa Rust, CBFNC Moderator

4 • The Gathering – May/June 2017

-Gretchen Overby, first-time attendee

My favorite moment from the Annual Gathering was the opening session Friday morning. The sound of the voices filling the sacred space in song proclaiming “we are called to be God’s people,” and the laughter and reactions to the stories and experience of Rev. Sparks filled my heart with joy and excitement.

-Jeremy Poplin, Minister of Music, Clemmons First, Clemmons

My favorite moment of CBFNC’s Annual Gathering was when Suzii Paynter walked into the Divinity Student Experience and shared in our activity discussing our visions of ministry.

-Breana van Velzen, Divinity Student

I loved the personal and local church illustrations everyone brought to the “equipping of the saints for the work of ministry”!! The topic is at the core of my call and ministry practice and has been for decades. Much of my writing has been driven by our shared passion.

My heart continues to leap with joy that CBFNC is bringing this to the forefront for pastors/ staff and congregations!!!

I always look forward to the Annual Gathering. It

-Eddie Hammett, CBFNC Church and Clergy Coach

has become like family reunion for me! Just being in the presence of CBFNC people inspires me and gives me great hope for our future. Though I have come to expect excellence from CBFNC, this year was the best ever. Susan Sparks was amazing, the workshops I attended were all superb, and the Laity Conference was “ icing on the cake”!

-Nancy Baxley, laity

My favorite moment was the Divinity School Experience exercise orchestrated

by Duke Divinity School students, creating a “patchwork” of drawings, verses, and meaningful words that provided context for the ministries and passions of all of the people in the room. It was a beautiful moment to see all of the different areas of the Church that people are being called to participation.

-Jordan Tripp, Divinity Student

The Gathering – May/June 2017 • 5

p

g L

In almost forty years of ministry, I suppose that I’ve met for retreats, called each other, encouraged each other, answered the telephone (now smartphone) thousands of and blessed each other in ministry. Sometimes we traveled times. Almost inevitably the caller wanted something from many miles to meet in some café to listen, challenge, and me or wanted me to do something for her/him. That’s the encourage each other to not give up and to keep the faith. I nature of ministry in the congregation. Very seldom has don’t believe that I would have survived in congregational the caller wanted to do something for me with few, if any, ministry without them. Several of them remain to this day strings attached. what Carlyle Marney called “friends of the long road.”

Peer Learning Groups (PLGs), supported by CBF Global Those CBF-related ministers serving in North Carolina and CBFNC, are shining exceptions. They do not exist to are most fortunate. CBF Global and CBFNC have partnered further the CBF “brand.” They to provide strong support for have no agenda or ulterior PLGs. You may ask, “How can motive other than to encourage I take advantage of this ministry excellence in ministry. They encouraging opportunity?” exist solely for the spiritual, Perhaps you would like to join

by Layne Smith, CBF Region 4 PLG Director emotional, vocational, relational, one. Perhaps you would like and even moral well-being of the to form a new PLG for youth participants. ministers, children’s ministers, associate pastors, pastors, or What does a PLG look like? Well, it’s all over the map. even a mixed group of ministers. Well, I’m glad you asked.

A PLG consists of five or more ministers facilitated by a It’s not complicated. Go to www.cbf.net/plg/, where you’ll find volunteer convener. They may meet weekly, monthly, even lots of information about PLGs. quarterly. The groups that meet less frequently tend to meet CBFNC and CBF Global have partnered to provide for longer periods of time when they do meet. Every group resources and support for PLGs in North Carolina. I decides when and how often they meet as well as what work with Ka’thy Gore Chappell, CBFNC Leadership the focus of their group will be. The group may read and Development Coordinator, to make this ministry available discuss a book, they may go on retreat, attend a conference, to as many CBF ministers as possible in NC. CBF Global and discuss challenges in their ministry settings in an open receives the initial proposal for a PLG. Once approved, it and confidential way. Ministry can be a lonely profession. goes to CBFNC for consideration. Both CBF Global and Having a trusted group where challenging issues can be CBFNC offer grants up to $500 annually to support a PLG. processed with appropriate confidentiality is an incredible gift. Additionally, CBF Global is now offering a $250 financial Continuing to learn and be challenged to grow in faith and literacy grant to groups that apply. Information about that ministry is a biblical expectation. PLGs also provide a place to grant can also be found on the website. celebrate and give thanks for good things that happen in one’s Don’t miss out on this opportunity to strengthen and bless congregational setting. your ministry. You will be glad you did.

When I started ministry many years ago, I was blessed to have a peer group (long before PLGs existed in their current form) of four or five other fledgling ministers. We Contact Layne at lsmith@cbf.net or Ka’thy at kchappell@cbfnc.org.

shining examples

6 • The Gathering – May/June 2017

time & heart

by Jayne Davis, Associate Pastor of Discipleship, First, Wilmington

What heals a hurting world? Love Does!

“We’re taught to pray, not ‘Lord, get me to heaven as fast as you can,’ but, ‘Lord, may your kingdom come on earth – right here in Wilmington – as it is in heaven,’“ said Matt Cook, Pastor of First, Wilmington.

Have you ever wondered what that would look like? If God’s kingdom were to come right where you are? Have you ever seen it?

As a church, we have an opportunity to put that prayer into action in our lives – with our time, with our energy, and especially with our love. We can go into the broken places in our community and be the hands and feet of Christ, to let his heart be expressed in what we do. That’s what Love Does.

In May 2016, First, Wilmington, embarked on an adventure called Love Does, a two-year, church-wide missional journey to discover how God wants to use the best of who we are, as individuals and as a church, to meet the deep needs in our community and in our world.

For the past year, we’ve been on a mission trip in our own community.

We’ve called it KOG2ILM. That’s short for the “Kingdom of God to Wilmington,” an idea we adopted from our friends at First, Richmond.

KOG2ILM is a call to follow Jesus out of our church, out of our routines, out of our comfort zones, and into five different “places” of brokenness: Education, Hunger, Refugees, Homelessness, and Incarceration. We’ve taken a month or two at each “stop” along the way and focused our attention there as a congregation.

From prayer prompts to blog posts and from sermons to stories, we’ve tried to understand the issues and see the people involved through God’s eyes. For each area of emphasis, we have identified one or two mission partners in our community and asked them two simple questions: “What do you need?” and “How can we help?” Their answers have taken us to places that we might never have imagined on our own.

While we envisioned collecting school supplies, Alderman Elementary School said, “We need 30 people to commit to meeting weekly with a child as a mentor and a reading buddy.”

While we imagined helping Karen refugee students with their homework, Interfaith Refugee Ministry said, “We need teams to walk alongside a family after they arrive in Wilmington and help them to adjust to a new life in a new country.”

At the Tuesday Night Dinner Ministry, Gary Harris said, “We have plenty of people to cook and to serve food. What we need is people who are willing to come every week, sit at the same table, and build relationships with the people around them.”

There was a common theme in all of these requests: Build relationships and you will find your mission.

Each of the five areas of emphasis in KOG2ILM offered three ways to be involved: Low involvement - a mission opportunity that everyone can participate in, like collecting school supplies or canned food for the local food pantry. n

n

Medium involvement - a mission opportunity with a time commitment and deeper participation, like being a prayer partner for a teacher or getting an apartment ready with furniture and supplies for an arriving refugee family.

The High involvement mission opportunity was an “all in” commitment to build relationships through a deeper time investment, like walking alongside a person when they are released from prison or meeting weekly to read with a kindergarten student.

n

While the whole congregation was invited to be engaged at each “stop” along the way, every person at our church was encouraged to “go deep” by picking one of the five areas of brokenness and make a significant investment of both time and heart.

For Peyton Earey and her Vineyard Sunday School class, that has meant spending time in some of Wilmington’s most challenging neighborhoods through monthly involvement with Boots on the Ground. In addition to serving up thousands of hot dogs, Peyton says, “It has pushed us out of our respective geographic and social bubbles to meet, serve, and develop relationships with people in Creekwood, Hillcrest, and other communities that don’t necessarily look like the folks sitting in the pews with us on Sunday morning.”

Our hope is that every person at First, Wilmington, will bravely and eagerly search out opportunities to “expand their own bubble,” that God’s Kingdom may come and God’s will be done, right here in our community just as it is in heaven.

For more information on Love Does, visit www.BecauseLoveDoes.org.

The Gathering – May/June 2017 • 7

fine-tuning our future CBFNC’s Ministry Discernment Process (unveiled in the Jan/Feb 2017 issue of The Gathering) was further reviewed at our 2017 Annual Gathering. The revised priorities and sample ministry components are listed below. These priorities, built on the foundation of our Overarching Commitments (Transformation, Engagement, Community) and Areas of Focus (Clarifying Identity and Covenant; Empowering Laity for Missional Living; Nurturing Healthy Congregations; Showing Mercy and Seeking Justice) will shape our ministries.

Equip Ministers and Churches Ministerial Transitions – Assist ministers and churches navigating changes in ministry placement and employment.

Help churches with their interim process. n H elp churches have a healthy search process. n Assist ministers seeking places of service. n Strengthen relationships and help clarify identity between ministers, churches, and CBFNC. Ministerial Excellence – Provide resources for ministers to grow spiritually and professionally. n N urture ministers, including chaplains, to grow in their spiritual life as well as in professional confidence and competence to live into their full potential. n Offer professional development opportunities that meet needs of CBFNC clergy. n Promote professional development opportunities initiated by trusted partners.

Church Resources – Develop a network of resource providers including peers (leaders and churches) and partners (CBF Global and others) to respond to congregational needs. n D evelop communities of practice/networks who can be resources to congregations in specific content areas. n Maintain and expand the Virtual Resource Library. n Develop a database of trusted resources from partners and vendors for our churches and leaders.

Embrace Neighbors through Missions Culture Development - Develop a culture of embrace throughout the people and churches of our Fellowship. n T hrough various communication outlets, provide both information and inspiration (stories) of ways the CBFNC community can embrace neighbors in word and deed through mission action. n Conduct Fellowship-wide emphases (e.g. 40 Days of Prayer for our Neighbors) that encourage missional ministries to neighbors. n Develop a new “culture of reporting” that encourages churches to celebrate the ways they reach neighbors.

8 • The Gathering – May/June 2017

by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator

Supporting Catalysts - Help those who embrace our neighbors. n I n-state catalysts (CBF field personnel) n CBF field personnel outside NC n Church planters Hispanic Ministry – Support the work of the Hispanic Network. n n n n

ncourage, enlist, and equip Hispanic pastors and leaders.

E Conduct retreats for Hispanic churches.

Plant new Hispanic churches.

Facilitate Hispanic and Anglo church partnerships.

Resource Connection - Connect churches and individuals to resources (including CBF Global and other partners) that will help them embrace their neighbors locally. n D evelop a network of coaches and mentors. n Promote CBF resources (e.g. Pivot). n Provide referral to other resources.

Engage Students and Young Adults Faith Formation - Resource local church efforts to form faith. n P rovide on-site training (e.g. Annual Gathering workshops) to leaders who work with children and youth. n Provide online resources to support leaders who work with children and youth. n Provide retreats and events for children and youth.

Campus Ministry - Engage college students and young laity to discover and follow God’s call in their lives. n S upport established and create new Cooperative Baptist Student Fellowship (CBSF) groups under the leadership of trained campus ministers. n Connect college students and young adults with mission and ministry opportunities. n Collaborate with campus ministry leaders at historically Baptist universities in NC. n Resource local churches to minister with college students and young adults.

Theological Education - Support divinity students in partner theological schools and help them transition to ministry. n P rovide theological education scholarships for persons who demonstrate the capacity and affinity for ministry. n Help students clarify identify with CBFNC. n Cultivate positive relationships with partner schools. n Establish internships and residencies to help students transition to vocational ministry.

Annual Gathering n O ffer a superior experience that includes meaningful worship, enriching continuing education, engaging fellowship, useful resources, and advances the mission of CBFNC. n I nvite clergy, laity, and those outside CBFNC’s community.

a time of transition

by Patrick Cardwell, Associate Pastor, Edenton, Edenton

Theology. Church history. Pastoral care. Preaching. Baptism. Christian ethics. Biblical studies.

These are all topics that I was trained in and prepared for at Wake Forest University School of Divinity. But in the three years I spent there, I didn’t take a single course on waiting. After I graduated, I wished that I had. Before I began as Associate Pastor at Edenton Baptist Church, I interviewed at a number of other churches in Dallas, Richmond, Kernersville, and Raleigh. For one reason or another, they all turned me down. I was discouraged, and I was afraid that I had gambled on the wrong horse. I was terrified that I had taken a step of faith in following my call, only to find that the ground gave out beneath me.

The eight months of searching, preparing, interviewing, and waiting were long, mentally exhausting, and spiritually draining. The roller coaster of hope-filled crests and heart-rending drops is one I hope never to ride again. But thanks to CBFNC and CBF Global, I found support and encouragement in the networks I built and relationships I nourished over the past few years. These crucial stepping stones helped me find a place in ministry, from serving on the Divinity School Task Force with Ka’thy Gore Chappell to attending a résumé building workshop at CBF Global’s General Assembly last June to the friendships with classmates and professors at Wake Divinity.

Actually, it was one of these friendships that opened the door to working at Edenton.

In the midst of a long search process, Daniel Potter sent me an e-mail that described the job opening, “an associate pastor position with responsibilities in children’s ministry, youth ministry, church education, and pastoral care.”

I quickly responded with my interest, and the senior pastor, David Brooks, contacted me in no time. Interviews and visits went well, and I began my work just three months later.

It’s also important for me to mention just how much my internship experiences in CBF churches helped prepare me for full-time ministry. My internships at First, Greensboro; Broadway, Fort Worth, TX; and Wilton, Wilton, CT, were essential to my ministerial formation and discernment of the kind of position I wanted. My work with each of those congregations illumined a different part of my sense of call, which became clearer in conversation with those pastors.

My position as Associate Pastor is one that encompasses broad responsibilities. That’s probably what I enjoy most. I get to stretch my legs and walk alongside this congregation from the preschool to the nursing homes. As Lent began this past Ash Wednesday, I dressed like the Cat in the Hat and read to some four-year-olds in the morning. That same evening, I had the privilege of imposing ashes on the forehead of a 96-year-old member who had made her way to the service. That’s a full day of ministry, and I left with my heart just as full.

The transition from divinity school to full-time ministry wasn’t an easy one. But, thanks to my friends in divinity school and CBF, I found my way by listening to the assuring voice of a certain God in the midst of an uncertain time.

The Gathering – May/June 2017 • 9

Donate to CBFNC today! www.cbfnc.org/give

CBFNC Financial Report February 2017 Contributions Undesignated: $79,975 Designated: $196,119 March 2017 Contributions Undesignated: $99,209 Designated: $161,270 April 2016 - March 2017 Monthly Undesignated Goal: $114,432

CBFNC Honorary and Memorial Gifts Annual Gathering offering for Collegiate Ministry Fund in memory of Cindy Vestal Seth Asbill; Ed Beddingfield; Gwen Bell; Carol Brown; Tom and Martha Bryson; Tony Cartledge; Austin Connors; Kathy Driver; Carol Dunning; Mary Foskett and Scott Hudgins; Marie Fox; Lou Ann Gilliam; Don and Elizabeth Gordon; Kathryn Hamrick; Dennis and Betsy Herman; Adam Horton; Don and Jo Ann Horton; Larry and Kim Hovis; Jont and Frances Johnson; Mike and Brenda Johnson; Linda Jones; Sheila Jordan; Andy and Amy Jung; Aileen Lawrimore; Kathy Lovedahl; Emily Hull McGee; Katie Medlin; Hal and Roberta Melton; Gene and Jean Millsaps; Jerry and Jane Myers; Suzii Paynter; Betty Pittman; Paul and Anne Raybon; Tyler and Laura Roach; Charity Roberson; Kenneth and Lisa Rust; Alan Sherouse; Michael and Barbara Shook; Beth Thompson; Manuel Vega and Heilyn Montalban; John Vestal; Candy and Dick Wilson Coach on Call Ministry in honor of Jack and Mary Lib Causey Kim and Robby Ray, Charlotte

Thoughts from across our state ... cbfnc.wordpress.com.

To contribute, e-mail smitchell@cbfnc.org.

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

Collegiate Ministry Fund in honor of Lauren Hovis Kim and Larry Hovis, Pfafftown

Coordinators’ Visits Feb. 2016 - March 2017 First, Hickory

John Thornton to First on Fifth, Winston Salem, as Associate Pastor of Youth, Missions, and Adult Formation

First, Lexington

Matt Wilson to College Park, Winston Salem, as Minister of Senior Adults and Family Recreation

Hope Valley, Durham

Wes Hunter to Masonboro, Wilmington, as Associate Pastor Meagan Smith to First, Lexington, as Associate Pastor Fred McGehee to Oak Ridge, Kittrell, as Pastor When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, let us know by e-mailing us at cbfnc@cbfnc.org.

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.

10 • The Gathering – May/June 2017

Hayes Barton, Raleigh

Loray, Gastonia Wake Forest, Wake Forest Watts Street, Durham Westwood, Cary Yates, Durham CBFNC ministry coordinators are available to visit your church to speak, preach, teach, consult, lead, and minister.

Contact the CBFNC office for more information.

The Gathering of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

phone: 336.759.3456 • phone: 888.822.1944 • fax: 336.759.3459 • cbfnc@cbfnc.org • www.cbfnc.org

Larry Hovis ............... Executive Coordinator....................... LHovis@cbfnc.org

Wanda Kidd...........Collegiate Engagement Coordinator WKidd@cbfnc.org

Ka’thy Gore Chappell.... Leadership Development Coordinator.... KChappell@cbfnc.org

Eddie Hammett ....Church and Clergy Coach.......... EHammett@cbfnc.org

Rick Jordan ............... Church Resources Coordinator............. RJordan@cbfnc.org

Javier Benitez ......Hispanic Network Leader Coach... Rocafuerte90@hotmail.com

Linda Jones .............. Missions Coordinator......................... LJones@cbfnc.org

Gail McAlister ..... Financial Manager................... GMcalister@cbfnc.org

Jim Hylton ................ Business Administration Coordinator.... JHylton@cbfnc.org

Sarah Mitchell ..... Communications Manager......... SMitchell@cbfnc.org

Vickie Traynum .......... Advancement Director....................... VTraynum@cbfnc.org

Ansley Fennell .... Programs Manager................... AFennell@cbfnc.org

Regional Coordinators Western: Gail Coulter ..............................

Foothills: Jay Robinson ...........................

Triad: Bill Leathers .................................

South Central: Drag Kimrey ......................

coulterjg@bellsouth.net revjay313@gmail.com wleathers@triad.rr.com dragkimrey@roadrunner.com

Ministerial Transitions Facilitators Western: Terry Hamrick ............................ terryrhamrick@gmail.com Central: Jack Causey ............................... jcausey@cbfnc.org

CBFNC College Ministers NCSU and Raleigh-Area Campuses.......... Lawrence Powers, lpowers@cbfnc.org UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University...... Lawrence Powers, lpowers@cbfnc.org Duke University.................................. Danny Steis, dannysteis@gmail.com UNC-Asheville and Western Carolina....... David Stone, dstone@unca.edu

Coordinating Council Doug Murray, Moderator Andy Jung, Moderator-Elect Lisa Rust, Past Moderator Heather Folliard, Recorder Mike Queen, Treasurer Nancy Baxley Wayne Hill Beth Thompson Becky Keesler Shane Nixon Mary Cunningham Jeff Harris Seth Asbill Collegiate Ministry Team Renee Pouloit Bridges Lee Colbert Kevin Moore Ashley Mangrum Tommy Justus Tyler Ward Tiffany Seaford

North Central: Randy Carter ....................... randycarter@fbchillsborough.org Capital: Kathy Driver ................................ driver.kathy@gmail.com Triangle North: Ron Cava .......................... roncava@fbchenderson.net Southeast: Dennis Atwood ........................ datwoods@nc.rr.com Northeast: Jesse Croom ............................ jmacroom@hotmail.com

Eastern: Michael Cogdill .............................. cogdill@campbell.edu Southeastern: Mike Queen ........................... mqueen@ec.rr.com

Appalachian State University............. Curtis Privette, curtisdprivette@gmail.com UNC-Greensboro............................... Adam Horton, adam.horton@cbfnc.org East Carolina University.................... Taylor Crumley, tssmith0909@email.campbell.edu Wake Forest University...................... Chris Towles, towlescj@wfu.edu

Faith Formation Ministry Council Scott Thrailkill, Chair Louisa Ward, Chair-Elect Matt Roberts Richard Seagle Susan McConnell Kay Smith Jayne Davis David Jordan Mary Elizabeth Hill Hanchey Richard Wood

Missions Ministry Council Greg Burriss, Chair Mason Smith, Chair-Elect Sara Lamkin Kent Cranford Christa Warise Donna Bissette Paul Burgess Linda Winslow David Hawes Josh Lail

Leadership Development Ministry Council Kheresa Harmon, Chair John Daniels, Chair-Elect Nathan Rice Jeanell Cox Leah Reed Stacey Grimm Garin Hill Nelson Granade Neil Westbrook Brian Lockamy

Endowment Management Board Austin Connors Scott Hudgins Andrew Barnhill Norman Jameson Elizabeth Edwards

The Gathering – May/June 2017 • 11

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry 8025 North Point Blvd., Suite 205 Winston-Salem, NC 27106

888-822-1944 www.cbfnc.org

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID WINSTON-SALEM PERMIT NO. 162

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Upcoming Events

Foundations of Christian Coaching (501) May 1-2, 2017 Christmount Conference Center, Black Mountain

Companerismo Cristiano Emanuel events contact Linda Jones, ljones@cbfnc.org, for more information

WNCBF Spring Gathering May 7, 2017 First, Asheville

May 20, 2017 Family event at Iglesia Bautista Misionera Roca Fuerte

The Bible and Neighboring May 20, 2017 First, Raleigh

June 24-25, 2017 Children’s Camp at Camp Dixie

Pastors’ Health Summit June 1, 2017 Campbell University Divinity School

July 21-23, 2017 Women’s Camp at Ridgecrest August 4-6, 2017 Youth Camp at Camp Dixie September 22-23, 2017 Mens Camp September 30, 2017 Training for Youth October 14, 2017 Pastor’s retreat at Caraway

Establishing a Dynamic Coaching Relationship (502) June 8-9, 2017 Christmount Conference Center, Black Mountain Selah Vie Collegiate Retreat August 2-5, 2017 Nashville, TN Youth Beach Retreat September 15-17, 2017 Caswell Children’s Mission Days October 28, 2017 - First, Boone November 4, 2017 - Oakmont, Greenville November 11, 2017 - Zebulon, Zebulon