The Gathering CBFNC Newsletter - July–August 2008

The Gathering of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry July/August 2008 Volume 13, Issue 4

In This Edition ~ Page 3 CBFNC Upcoming Events Pages CBFNC Partner Churches 4-5, 11 Page 6 Yearly Budget Report Fellowship on the Move Page 7 CBF General Assembly Page 8 Missions: CBFNC and the Baptist Association of Belize

by Antolino Flores

A Calling to Belize for Eric and Julie Maas

by Linda Jones

Page 10 Reference and Referral: Choosing an Interim Pastor

by Jack Causey

Interim Ministry Network

Page 11 Ministers on the Move New Contributing CBFNC Partner Churches

Missional Christians in a Missional Church?

by Harry Rowland, Director of Missional Church Ministries, CBF

The phone rang at 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning. I groggily answered and lied, “No, I’ve been awake a while, and it’s okay that you called.” The voice on the other end was that of Bill (not his real name). Bill begins every phone conversation with just “Hello,” and I am expected to know it’s Bill. In Beaufort, SC, this is one of the idiosyncrasies of the “Born ‘n Raised here” crowd. Every time Bill calls, two memories replay. The first is that of a church business meeting concerning the renovation of our historic building. The goal was to make the platform area as flexible as possible, so as to be creative in the ways we reached out to our community. At the meeting, Bill stated that the back wall of the church would be torn out only over his dead body. The second memory forwards to shortly after our 18-month 2.6 million dollar renovation and seeing Bill proudly show a visitor where we had knocked out the wall and had built a new platform. Things do change and even people can too, I remind myself as I try to awaken.

Bill jumped right in, “Harry, last night I had a dream.” Before images of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his speech in Washington could fully develop in my mind, he corrects himself. “Well, maybe it was a nightmare.” I knew he had received the weekly newsletter where I announced the recruitment of a church Futuring Team and that I would be preaching a sermon series entitled: Missional Christians in a Missional Church.

Bill continued, “The nightmare was that God had given you a vision and now we are in for change. Tell me it’s not so.” I responded, “Your dream is right in a way. God is working a new

vision within the church, and it is scary, I agree.

I can relate to the nightmare because I realize that before anything else can change the way God wants it to, I’m going to have to change first.” I tried to encourage Bill to be on board at the beginning this time. I asked him to open to Isaiah 43:18-19, the text I was preaching on Sunday. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not see this?

I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” We read the text together and prayed. That Sunday, I preached this scripture and as I did, I began to change, Bill began to change, the Baptist Church of Beaufort began to change, and we experienced God’s pleasure.

God is up to a new thing that is as dynamic and powerful as the new thing God did 400 years ago called The Reformation.

In the First Reformation, God gave his word back to his people. In this Second Reformation [missional church], God is giving his work back to his people. Missional is not semantics for doing or promoting missions. Missional is the cry of the Holy Spirit for a transformation to occur in the very culture/DNA/life of the church. Missional church is not about an adjustment in how we do church, but rather it is a return to why God created church.

When I began that series of sermons, I was pastoring my second church. During those years, I found it relatively easy to make church successful. However, I felt it had little to do with the Kingdom I always discovered in scripture.

Continued on page 9.

July/August 2008

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 Rick Jordan ......... Church Resources Coordinator RJordan@cbfnc.org Linda Jones......... Missions Coordinator LJones@cbfnc.org

Jack Causey ...Ministerial Resources Coordinator JCausey@cbfnc.org Jim Hylton .... Business Administration Coordinator JHylton@cbfnc.org Wanda Kidd ...College Ministry Consultant asyougo5@aol.com Nancy Parks.... Programs Manager NParks@cbfnc.org

Natalie Aho .... Communications Manager NAho@cbfnc.org Gail McAlister ..... Financial Assistant GMcalister@cbfnc.org Laura Barclay...... Administrative Assistant LBarclay@cbfnc.org

Coordinating Council Greg Rogers, Greenville, Moderator Gail Coulter, Hendersonville, Past-Moderator Steve Little, Marion, Moderator-Elect Glenda Currin, Wilmington, Recorder Donna Bissette, Winston-Salem, Treasurer Ray Ammons, Gastonia Mack Dennis, Mount Gilead Carolyn Dickens, Raleigh Don Gordon, Durham Gary Knight, Winston-Salem Glenn Phillips, Goldsboro Bert Young, Bladenboro Janice Young, Whiteville

Faith Development Ministry Council Blythe Taylor, Charlotte, Chair Elizabeth Edwards, Nashville, Chair-Elect Jennifer Baxley, Henderson Garin Hill, Burlington Cindy Joy, Oxford Rebecca Husband Maynard, Elkin Kathy Naish, Hickory Tony Spencer, Forest City John Vestal, Wake Forest Allen Winters, Hillsborough

Missions Ministry Council Shirley Kool, Sylva, Chair Kenny Davis, Wise, Chair-Elect Kent Cranford, Gastonia Jim Everette, Wilmington Christopher Ingram, Smithfield Judy LeCroy, Lexington Alicia Porterfield, Wilmington Susie Reeder, Fayetteville Jose Villasenor, Durham

Endowment Management Board Tom Smith, Greensboro, Chair A. G. Bullard, Raleigh Joe Harris, Mocksville Scott Hudgins, Winston-Salem Drag Kimrey, Laurinburg

Financial Report:

Leadership Development Ministry Council Steve Zimmerman, Mebane, Chair Burke Holland, Belhaven, Chair-Elect Mark Ashworth, Kernersville Larry Glover-Wetherington, Richlands Rendell Hipps, Charlotte Terry Honeycutt, Rutherfordton Scott Hovey, Durham Jerry Richards, Apex Sheila Russ, Winston-Salem Mari Wiles, Murfreesboro

CBF National Council Members from NC Lee Canipe, Murfreesboro Scott Hagaman, Marion Betsy Newton Herman, Raleigh Don Horton, Zebulon Crystal Leathers, Hickory Jim McCoy, Weaverville Mickie Norman, Leland

April 2008 Contributions

CBFNC Budget - $102,968; Other - $240,752

May 2008 Contributions

CBFNC Budget - $84,439; Other - $126,250 2008-2009 Monthly Budget Goal: $90,746

NC Mission Initiative

CBF Announces Newly Endorsed Chaplains from North Carolina

Born out of a desire to see Christ’s riches significantly impact the lives of neighbors living in poverty...

Buddy Corbin, Asheville Hospice Chaplain

October 24 - 26, 2008

Northeastern: Vance, Warren, and Halifax Counties Western: Madison and Rutherford Counties Painting, renovation, feeding the hungry, a children’s carnival, yard work - there is something for everyone!

For families, church groups or individuals. $25 per person ($65 max per family) due September 29.

Find registration and further details at www.cbfnc.org.

2 • The Gathering – July/August 2008

Gary McFarland, Charlotte Pastoral Counselor Steven Mills, Rutherfordton Hospice Chaplain Elizabeth Sexton, Cary CPE Resident Learn more about chaplaincy and pastoral counselors at www.cbfnc.org or www.thefellowship.info.

CBFNC

Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry We are a fellowship of Baptist churches and individuals who voluntarily cooperate to do together what we could never accomplish alone, for the Kingdom of God. We bring together people of shared interests, activities, beliefs and experience while preserving historic Baptist freedoms.

We provide companionship along our shared journey to be the presence of Christ in the world, calling out God’s gifts in Christians and churches.

We serve each other as equals, sharing a commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

You are invited to attend our assemblies, participate in our ministries or call our staff members or volunteer leaders for information on becoming involved with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina.

2008 - 2009 Upcoming CBFNC Events

Find more details, information and registration for these events at www.cbfnc.org.

Fellowship/General CBFNC • Fellowship on the Move September 22,23,25 and October 20,21 See page 6 for more details.

• Fall Fellowship Dinner - November 11 First Baptist Church, Greensboro

• CBFNC General Assembly - March 20-21 Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, Fayetteville

• CBF General Assembly - July 2-3 Houston, Texas

• Monthly Regional Fellowship Groups Visit our website, www.cbfnc.org, for locations and details.

Youth Ministry • Fall Retreat - September 19-21 or 26-28 Myrtle Beach, SC

• Ski Retreat - January 23-25 or January 30February 1 Winterplace, WV

• Spring Mission Trip - Date TBD Place TBD - Eastern and Western NC

College Ministry • College Ministry Discussion - August 9 First Baptist Church, Greensboro

Missions • NC Missions Initiative - October 24-26 Halifax/Vance/Warren Counties and Rutherford/Madison Counties, NC

•

Find ongoing mission opportunities on our website or through our e-newsletter.

Children • Children’s Missions Day November 8 - College Park Baptist Church, Winston-Salem

November 15 - Hayes Barton Baptist Church, Raleigh

Adult Retreats • Staff Ministers’ Retreat - February 16-19 Myrtle Beach, SC

• Adult Spiritual Formation Retreat March 6-8 Caraway Retreat Center, Asheboro

Music • Children’s Choir Festival - Date TBD (Winter 2009) Place TBD

• Youth Choir Festival - March 13-14 First Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC The Gathering – July/August 2008 • 3

CBFNC Partner Churches

Partner Churches October 2006 - March 2008

Churches contributing to CBFNC are listed in bold type. Churches that contribute to CBF National only are listed in regular type.

This list does not include churches who partner with CBFNC or CBF in other, non-financial ways and may not include churches who support CBF National through Plan C of the Baptist State Convention Cooperative Program Missions Budget, as this information is not consistently reported to CBF. Also, designated in blue are churches who participate in the CBFNC Mission Resource Plan, providing financial support for other Baptist ministries through CBFNC. For additional information about the Mission Resource Plan, visit www.cbfnc.org.

If your church contributes through Plan C and is not listed, if your church is not listed and should be, or if your church is listed in error, please contact our office at 888-822-1944 or cbfnc@cbfnc.org.

Earlys .............................. Ahoskie First ................................. Ahoskie First .................................. Albemarle Angier .............................. Angier Baptist Fellowship .......... Angier Neill’s Creek .................... Angier Woodhaven ..................... Apex First ................................. Arden First ................................. Asheboro Oakwood Park................ Asheboro West Asheboro ................ Asheboro Calvary ............................ Asheville First ................................. Asheville Grace ............................... Asheville Connaritsa ...................... Aulander Lily Branch ...................... Bakersville Calvary ............................ Beaufort First of Smithton ............ Belhaven Benson ............................. Benson First .................................. Biscoe First ................................. Black Mountain First ................................. Bladenboro Lennons Cross Roads .... Bladenboro First ................................. Blowing Rock Boiling Springs ............... Boiling Springs First ................................. Boone Boonville.......................... Boonville Charity ............................ Boonville Mount Moriah Calvert ..... Brevard First ................................. Bryson City First ................................. Buies Creek Memorial......................... Buies Creek Bullock ............................ Bullock Burgaw ............................. Burgaw First ................................. Burlington Iglesia de la Comunidad .......................................... Burlington First ................................. Burnsville First .................................. Butner Calypso ............................ Calypso Hominy ............................ Candler First ................................. Carolina Beach Greenwood Forest .......... Cary Westwood ........................ Cary Casar ............................... Casar North Wilmington Community .......................................... Castle Hayne Chadbourn ...................... Chadbourn Piney Forest ..................... Chadbourn Lystra .............................. Chapel Hill Mount Carmel ................ Chapel Hill 4 • The Gathering – July/August 2008

North Chapel Hill........... Chapel Hill University ........................ Chapel Hill Mount Zion ..................... Clarkton Grace Crossing ............... Charlotte Park Road ......................... Charlotte Pritchard Memorial .......... Charlotte Providence....................... Charlotte St. John’s ......................... Charlotte Sardis............................... Charlotte First ................................. Clayton White Oak ....................... Clayton Clemmons First .............. Clemmons First ................................. Clinton Rowan .............................. Clinton McGill.............................. Concord First ................................. Cramerton Cullowhee........................ Cullowhee The Summit .................... Cullowhee First ................................. Denton First ................................. Drexel First ................................. Dunn Westfield .......................... Dunn Calvary ............................ Durham Cedar Fork ....................... Durham Durham Memorial ......... Durham Glenn School Road......... Durham Hope Valley ..................... Durham Lakewood ........................ Durham Lowes Grove ................... Durham Temple ............................. Durham Watts Street .................... Durham Yates ................................ Durham First ................................. Eden Edenton ........................... Edenton Blackwell Memorial ....... Elizabeth City First ................................. Elizabeth City First ................................. Elkin Elm City .......................... Elm City First ................................. Elon Emerald Isle.................... Emerald Isle Antioch ............................ Enfield Enfield ............................. Enfield Enka ................................ Enka Fair Bluff......................... Fair Bluff First ................................. Fairmont The Chapel Door .............. Fairview First ................................. Farmville Cedar Falls ...................... Fayetteville First ................................. Fayetteville Lake Lynn ....................... Fayetteville Mount Pisgah.................. Fayetteville

Snyder Memorial............ Fayetteville First ................................. Forest City Florence ........................... Forest City Mount Vernon................. Forest City First ................................. Four Oaks Pauline............................. Four Oaks Burningtown ................... Franklin Franklinton ..................... Franklinton Aversboro Road .............. Garner Covenant ......................... Gastonia First ................................. Gastonia Loray ............................... Gastonia New Hope ........................ Gastonia Ranlo ............................... Gastonia Reynoldson...................... Gates First ................................. Goldsboro Rosewood First ............... Goldsboro First ................................ Graham Brandt Oaks ..................... Greensboro College Park ................... Greensboro First ................................. Greensboro Guilford........................... Greensboro Korean Mission .............. Greensboro Lindley Park ................... Greensboro Southeast ......................... Greensboro Arlington Boulevard ...... Greenville Immanuel ........................ Greenville The Memorial ................. Greenville Oakmont ......................... Greenville Pleasant Hill ..................... Grover Hallsboro ......................... Hallsboro First .................................. Hamlet Flat Rock ......................... Hamptonville First ................................. Henderson Providence....................... Hendersonville First ................................. Hickory New Hope ........................ Hickory Penelope .......................... Hickory Viewmont ........................ Hickory Hiddenite......................... Hiddenite Emerywood ..................... High Point First ................................. High Point Parkwood ........................ High Point Cane Creek ....................... Hillsborough First ................................. Hillsborough Mars Hill .......................... Hillsborough Hobbsville ....................... Hobbsville First .................................. Huntersville Lake Norman ................... Huntersville Jackson ............................ Jackson First ................................. Jamestown

Partner Churches October 2006 - March 2008 First ................................. Jonesville First ................................. Kannapolis First ................................. Kernersville Main Street ....................... Kernersville Union Cross .................... Kernersville Iglesia Cristiana San Frontera .......................................... King Quaker Gap ...................... King Spilman Memorial ......... Kinston Oak Ridge ........................ Kittrell Knightdale ...................... Knightdale First Reformed ................. Landis First ................................. Laurinburg Sandhills Community .... Laurinburg Goshen............................. Leland North Brunswick Fellowship .......................................... Leland College Avenue................ Lenoir First ................................. Lenoir Churchland ..................... Lexington First ................................. Lexington Jersey............................... Lexington Reeds ............................... Lexington Mount Pleasant............... Liberty Lillington......................... Lillington First ................................. Lincolnton Bear Swamp .................... Littleton Littleton........................... Littleton Mission ............................ Locust Louisburg ........................ Louisburg First ................................. Lumberton First ................................. Madison Antioch ............................ Mamers First ................................. Marion Mars Hill ......................... Mars Hill First ................................. Marshall First ................................. Marshville First ................................. Mayodan New Bessemer ................. McLeansville First ................................. Mebane Mount Adar .................... Mebane Eatons .............................. Mocksville First ................................. Mocksville First ................................. Monroe Aaron ............................... Montezuma First ................................. Morehead City First ................................. Morganton Calvary ............................ Mount Airy First ................................. Mount Airy Flat Rock .......................... Mount Airy First ................................. Mount Gilead First ................................. Mount Holly First ................................ Mount Olive Murfreesboro .................. Murfreesboro First ................................. New Bern Kendalls .......................... New London First ................................. Newland Trinity.............................. Newton First ................................. N. Wilkesboro Oak City ........................... Oak City Oak City Hispanic Mission .......................................... Oak City

Union Grove..................... Oak Ridge Enon ................................ Oxford Hester .............................. Oxford Oxford ............................. Oxford Roberts Chapel ............... Pendleton Mount Gilead.................. Pittsboro Pittsboro ........................... Pittsboro Polkville........................... Polkville Hephzibah ........................ Princeton Athens Drive .................... Raleigh Comunidad Cristiana la Roca .......................................... Raleigh First ................................. Raleigh Forest Hills ...................... Raleigh Greystone ........................ Raleigh Hayes Barton .................. Raleigh Hillcrest ............................ Raleigh HomeStar Fellowship..... Raleigh Hope Fellowship ............. Raleigh Longview ......................... Raleigh Macedonia ........................ Raleigh Millbrook ........................ Raleigh New Hope ........................ Raleigh Ridge Road ..................... Raleigh St. John’s ........................ Raleigh Tabernacle....................... Raleigh Temple.............................. Raleigh Triangle ........................... Raleigh Trinity.............................. Raleigh First .................................. Red Springs Calvary ............................ Reidsville First .................................. Reidsville Richfield ........................... Richfield First ................................. Richlands Rosemary ........................ Roanoke Rapids Bethel............................... Robbinsville First ................................. Robersonville First .................................. Rockingham Lakeside .......................... Rocky Mount Rileys Creek .................... Rocky Point Rolesville ......................... Rolesville Rose Hill .......................... Rose Hill First ................................. Roseboro First ................................. Rowland Lamberth Memorial ...... Roxboro Roxboro ........................... Roxboro First .................................. Rural Hall First ................................. Rutherfordton Enon ................................. Salisbury First ................................. Salisbury Neel Road ........................ Salisbury Ephesus ............................ Sanford First ................................. Sanford Flat Springs ...................... Sanford Jonesboro Heights .......... Sanford Double Shoals ................. Shelby Double Springs ............... Shelby Dover................................ Shelby First .................................. Shelby Poplar Springs .................. Shelby Ross Grove ....................... Shelby Sandy Plains ..................... Shelby

CBFNC Partner Churches Zion.................................. Shelby Rocky River .................... Siler City Nobles Chapel ................. Sims First ................................. Smithfield Sharon ............................. Smithfield First ................................. Southern Pines First ................................. Spindale Spencer ............................ Spindale Ephesus ........................... Spring Hope First .................................. Spring Hope First ................................ Spruce Pine First ................................. Stanfield Mount Zion ..................... Stanley First ................................. Statesville Concord........................... Stedman First ................................. Stoneville Brunswick Islands .......... Supply East Sylva........................ Sylva First ................................. Sylva Antioch............................. Taylorsville First ................................. Taylorsville Teachey ............................ Teachey First ................................. Tryon Round Hill........................ Union Mills Cornerstone ...................... Valdese First .................................. Wadesboro Spring Hill........................ Wagram Heritage........................... Wake Forest Wake Forest .................... Wake Forest Woodland ........................ Wake Forest First Fellowship .............. Wallburg Warrenton ....................... Warrenton First ................................. Washington First ................................. Waynesville First ................................. Weaverville Crossroads Fellowship ... Weldon Baptist Tabernacle ......... Wendell Wendell ............................ Wendell First ................................. West Jefferson Fishing Creek.................. Whitakers Hickory ............................ Whitakers First ................................. Whiteville Mount Zion ..................... Whiteville New Hope ........................ Whiteville Wilkesboro ...................... Wilkesboro First ................................. Wilmington Masonboro ...................... Wilmington Winter Park .................... Wilmington First ................................. Wilson Five Points ....................... Wilson Wingate ........................... Wingate Ardmore .......................... Winston-Salem College Park ................... Winston-Salem Covenant ......................... Winston-Salem El Mesias ......................... Winston-Salem Fellowship ....................... Winston-Salem First ................................. Winston-Salem Knollwood ....................... Winston-Salem Mineral Springs................ Winston-Salem Northwest ........................ Winston-Salem Peace Haven.................... Winston-Salem Continued on page 11.

The Gathering – July/August 2008 • 5

CBFNC Yearly Budget Report for CBFNC 2007-2008 During the 2007-2008 budget year, CBFNC saw the following increases in giving: • Undesignated Gifts: Increase of $135,384 or 17% • Designated Gifts: Increase of $597,623 or 70% • Total Gifts: Increase of $733,007 or 44% CBFNC continues to be gratified by the trust congregations are placing in us as evidenced by growth in 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 2008-2009 budget, visit www.cbfnc.org.

Yearly Budget Report $3,000,000 $2,404,227

$2,500,000 $2,000,000

$1,671,220 $1,455,378

$1,500,000 $948,849 $1,000,000

$857,755

$813,465

$500,000 $0 Undesignated

Designated 2006-2007

Total Gifts

2007-2008

Fellowship on the Move (The 2008 CBFNC Regional Tour) Theme: Rooted for Action “You received Jesus Christ, the Master...You’re deeply rooted in him...Now do what you’ve been taught.”

Colossians 2:6-7 (The Message) Keynote Preacher: Jack Glasgow, Pastor, Zebulon Baptist Church and Moderator, CBF National

fellowship meal

ministry workshops

worship

FBC Mount Airy September 22 September 23 FBC Rutherfordton FBC Weaverville September 25 FBC Bladenboro October 20 Edenton Baptist Church October 21

Join others in your region for a gathering of the CBFNC for a time of fellowship, workshops and worship. This is a great opportunity to learn more about and introduce others to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship movement. $10 per person, pre-registration is requested. For more details or to register, visit www.cbfnc.org.

6 • The Gathering – July/August 2008

CBF General Assembly

Faces of Our Fellowship

The CBF General Assembly in Memphis, TN, allowed an opportunity for North Carolinians and others to gather and share in many ways: the collegiate Memphis Sessions, the prayer discernment meetings, various workshops and general sessions, and our annual state meeting. You can view photos and video and hear audio clips at www. thefellowship.info. This year at our NC state meeting, we focused on the New Faces of Our Fellowship:

Faces of Memphis – Wanda Kidd and participants of the Memphis Sessions trip encouraged us to dream of changes for those in poverty.

Faces of Theological Education – Rick Jordan and scholarship recipients Amy Canosa, Lauren Hayes, Kenny Chapman and Amber Essick shared words of thanks from our many theological education scholarship recipients.

Faces of Students on Mission – Larry Hovis focused on Karen Taylor and Carson Foushee, who are serving with the CBF United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals special project team through Student.Go.

Faces of Spiritual Formation – Rick Jordan with Elizabeth Edwards and Michelle Anderson updated us on past and future activities of youth, children, music, and adults.

Faces of Vocational Fulfillment – Jack Causey enlisted others to represent and read a dialogue between Lester Zeager, search committee chair, and Scott Conner, newly called pastor from Immanuel Baptist Church, Greenville.

Faces of New Missionaries – Linda Jones and the newly commissioned Field Personnel from North Carolina shared their stories.

“I’ve been to the river and I have a dream” Memphis Sessions 2008 - A Collegiate Missional Experience

The Gathering – July/August 2008 • 7

Missions CBFNC and the Baptist Association of Belize

by Rev. Antolino M. Flores The partnership between the Baptist Association of Belize (BAB) and CBFNC has been a wonderful experience and can be compared to a marriage relationship.

Two people from two different backgrounds and personalities enter into a covenant relationship which builds on and enhances that which is lacking in the other individual. The result is that together they can accomplish that which individually could not be done. BAB and CBFNC have been and will continue to do this.

I want to highlight one major achievement as a result of the BAB/

CBFNC relationship. The Crooked Tree Baptist Church, built in 1837, has survived the storms of life, but age took its toll on the aged old building. A new worship building was built and serves the congregation well, but the congregation could not find it in their hearts to tear down the old historic building. An appeal was made to BAB to assist in the repairs and restoration of the almost 170-year-old building.

The cry for help from the Crooked Tree Baptist Church was heard, and we turned to our partners at CBFNC to assist in this

Old Building of Crooked Tree Baptist Church

project. The challenge was taken up by the First Baptist Church of Bladenboro, led by Pastor Bert Young. In November of 2005, the old, dilapidated and almost completely destroyed building got a new lease in life.

The group of short-term missionaries

A Calling to Belize for Eric and Julie Maas

by Linda Jones, Missions Coordinator

Life doesn’t get any more hopeful and exciting than when God interacts with us on a personal level and brings a great thing to pass! Last spring I was leading a breakout at the CBF General Assembly on CBFNC missions, and Belize was one of the topics of the talk. Eric Maas came up to me afterwards and shared that he had a call to missions in Central America and was thinking of Guatemala, but…

Belize piqued his interest. Shortly after, I received an email from Julie, his wife.

She shared their passion for international missions, their call to Central America, their eagerness to find out what God was doing in Belize and if this is where he 8 • The Gathering – July/August 2008

was sending them. Julie wrote that they are a family with two small children, predicting a summer 2008 move prior to their daughter starting Kindergarten, with transferable careers that may be useful in the country. She shared that Eric has self-employed construction management skills (he is a general contractor/home inspector), and she has been a nurse for 11 years. Sounds perfect? Eric and Julie are members of Oakmont Baptist Church in Greenville, NC, and have two small children, Ciera, 5 years old and Josiah, 9 months. (At the time, Josiah was almost ready to be born!) They were also in the process of working through the initial paperwork for the Affiliate AsYouGo program for CBF. Here’s what happened: Eric made a quick trip to Belize in November to check out the possibilities - especially a school for Ciera - and the ministry possibilities. In the fall, the position of director of the Belize Baptist Training School was coming open. Eric, Julie and Ciera returned in February and enrolled her in the international elementary school in Belmopan. The board of the Belize

Baptist Training School interviewed Eric and Julie and offered Eric the director’s job. And then their house sold! They were commissioned at the CBF General Assembly in Memphis in June, and they leave for Belize in July: a family of four ready to serve the Lord.

Philippians 3:13 b, 14 “...Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Will you join me in praying for the Maas family and all our new NC field personnel as they follow God’s call to serve him away from home?

Missions from FBC were assisted by members of the Crooked Tree Baptist Church. They spent a week repairing, replacing and installing new windows, old rotted siding, a new floor, new roofing, inside walls and a double coat of painting to the historic building. The electrical wiring was also done, and new florescent lights and fans were installed. Today the restored building is a sight to behold and serves the congregation as Sunday School classrooms and a recreation center. The current worship building also received newly installed fans. Thank you, First Baptist of Bladenboro, for your contribution to the ministry in Crooked Tree.

We give thanks to the Lord for the partner

relationship we enjoy with CBFNC and its affiliated churches. Through this medium we thank all those churches which have come along side BAB to assist in establishing stronger churches and getting the Gospel out to a lost world. Together we have accomplished that which we could not have done alone. Much has been done, but much more remains. We invite those who feel the call to do short-term mission work to consider Belize.

Contact Linda Jones at LJones@cbfnc. org or Eric Maas at eric@maasnc.com to volunteer. Learn more about Belize missions at www.cbfnc.org.

Editor’s note: Tropical Storm Arthur has hit Belize since this article was

submitted. Affected areas include the Crooked Tree Baptist Church. Teams are heading this summer to help with cleanup and restoration. Contact Linda Jones at LJones@cbfnc.org if you are interested in assisting.

New Building of Crooked Tree Baptist Church

Missional Christians in a Missional Church?

by Harry Rowland - Continued from page 1.

I knew that for many the present church culture was not only irrelevant but also antithetical to our hopes and dreams for a different, better world. I was realizing that church had to be about more than attracting tons of people and telling them that God had a wonderful plan for their lives. It seemed to me that the Gospel was about an incredible adventure that took me far from meeting “my” needs to a wild journey to places where I would need to display the same kind of grace and love I had been shown by Jesus when I accepted him as my Savior and Lord.

The exciting aspect about this Second Reformation is that no one created it: it is not a program nor just an adjustment in church. Missional church is springing up all around us. So, where do I see this happening?

Trinity Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC, through individuals in its membership, developed a relationship with government and civil leaders in The Republic of the Congo. God is calling Trinity to minister in the Congo in such a way that true transformation will take place. This missional dream of Trinity arose from

within the church. Now a network of ministry partners consisting of CBF, several churches, Baptist schools, NPOs, individuals, CBF ministry partners, and Canadian Baptist Ministries has been developed to minister together to be God’s transforming agent in the Congo.

Forest Hills Baptist Church, also in Raleigh, through their International Ministry developed close ties with the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. They received an invitation to host a multifaith delegation. Forest Hills contacted CBF, and in September we will jointly host a multi-faith Chinese Delegation in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. and will have key Asian field personnel meet with this religious delegation to address ministry in China. Once again, this missional calling was birthed within the church. God truly is at work in these churches and many others.

To see the Missional Church Movement as God’s New Reformation means that in fulfilling the purpose of the church found in Matthew 28:19-20, each church must embark on a quest of how to reach their own Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and

the utter most parts of the world. This is more than tacking on mission projects to an old church paradigm. It means letting the mission of the church be the new paradigm that transforms traditional church culture. For this to happen, the church must intentionally embark upon spiritual transformation with such studies as It’s Time, enter into a congregational visioning process based on prayer and preparation rather than predicting and planning, and understand they are called to engage their world globally and not to do so alone.

As The Baptist Church of Beaufort made the shift to becoming Missional Christians in a Missional Church, Bill and I both changed. But more importantly the Kingdom of God was enhanced. Two churches were started, mission giving increased $60,000, a coalition of four African-American churches and four Anglo churches adopted the poorest community there, and God grew the church with those who were answering his call to the New Reformation. Won’t you embark along the journey?

Learn more at www.cbfnc.org.

The Gathering – July/August 2008 • 9

Reference and Referral Choosing An Interim Pastor

by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator

As soon as a church loses its pastor, there is usually a high level of anxiety and concern in the congregation. They are worried about who will lead them in worship in the days ahead. Many times they are concerned about who will provide the congregation with pastoral care as well as other needs they may have.

Naturally, the leaders of the church immediately turn their attention to finding an interim to serve them until a new pastor can be called. And well they should. However, finding the right interim pastor is not always easy. Sometimes the appropriate leaders of a church contact

CBF of North Carolina to help them. We welcome this!

In order to serve our churches better during the interim period, we are creating an Interim Ministry Network. We have divided North Carolina, by counties, into twelve areas with a volunteer minister serving as a facilitator in each of these regions.

The responsibilities of these facilitators will be to develop a list of possible interim pastors in each of the areas. They will also make themselves available to the churches seeking an interim to assist them in any way they can. This may involve helping

them to determine whether they need a part time, full time or intentional interim pastor. The facilitator then may help them locate an interim pastor that will be appropriate to their needs.

Ministers who desire to serve as an interim pastor may contact the facilitator in his or her area. Likewise, churches may call on the facilitator in their area to assist them in determining the kind of interim they need and then to give them the names of ministers who are available to serve as an interim.

Interim Ministry Network by Area The counties of each area, along with the contact information for each of the twelve regional facilitators, is listed below: Far Western Area: Gail Coulter / 828.698.2385 Cherokee, Clay, Macon, Swain, Jackson, Transylvania, Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, Graham, Madison High Country Area: Bob Shepherd / 828.584.8797 Yancey, Mitchell, Avery, Caldwell, Alexander, Wautauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Iredell Foothills Area: Billy Honeycutt / 828.286.9278 McDowell, Rutherfordton, Polk, Burke, Cleveland, Catawba, Lincoln Greater Charlotte Area: Harry Poovey / 704.289.1144 Gaston, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union, Rowan Triad Area: Harry Smith / 336.623.8389 Surry, Stokes, Rockingham, Yadkin, Forsyth, Guilford, Davidson, Davie Central Area: Bruce League / 704.888.5850 Stanley, Anson, Montgomery, Richmond, Randolph Sand Hills Area: Drag Kimrey / 910.276.8865 Chatham, Lee, Moore, Harnett, Cumberland, Scotland, Hoke Durham / Chapel Hill Area: Marion Lark / 252.492.8205 Caswell, Alamance, Orange, Durham, Person Raleigh / Cary Area: Charles Allard / 919.363.4020 Granville, Warren, Wake, Johnston, Vance, Franklin Northeast Area: Jesse Croom / 252.482.3908 Nash, Wilson, Edgecombe, Halifax, Northampton, Gates, Martin, Washington, Chowan, Dare, Tyrell, Hertford, Camden, Currituck, Pasquotank, Perquimans East Central Area: Hugh Burlington / 252.756.1413 Wayne, Greene, Lenore, Pitt, Craven, Jones, Onslow, Pamlico, Beaufort, Neuse Southeast Area: David Stratton / 910.232.8282 Robeson, Bladen, Columbus, Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Duplin, Sampson 10 • The Gathering – July/August 2008

CBFNC Welcomes New Staff Member Rev. Laura Barclay has been hired by CBFNC as an Administrative Assistant for the office in Winston-Salem. Laura comes to us from Wake Forest Divinity School, and has worked for Crisis Control Ministry, Wake Forest Divinity School’s Admissions Office, and was the 2006 Bill Moyers Fellow at the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. She and her husband, Rev. Ryan Eller, attend Wake Forest Baptist Church in Winston-Salem. Laura began her duties with CBFNC on May 27. We are excited to have Laura on staff!

Ministers on the Move

Compiled by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator

Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved: Charlie Bryan is the Pastor at Stallings Memorial Baptist Church, Salisbury, NC.

CBFNC Partner Churches Continued Continued from page 5.

United............................... Winston-Salem Wake Forest .................... Winston-Salem Winterville ....................... Winterville Wise ................................. Wise First .................................. Yadkinville Maplewood ...................... Yadkinville First .................................. Yanceyville Grace Haven ................... Youngsville Youngsville ...................... Youngsville Zebulon ........................... Zebulon Visit www.cbfnc.org for more information on partnering with CBFNC.

Jerry Cloninger is the Pastor at First Baptist Church, Mooresville, NC. Blake Dempsey is the Pastor at Rock Creek Baptist Church, Nashville, NC.

New Contributing CBFNC Partner Churches (April - June 2008)

David Elks is the Pastor at First Baptist Church, Lumberton, NC. First, Aberdeen Melissa Frazier is the Minister of Children at The Memorial Baptist Church, Greenville, NC. Wayne Hager is the Pastor at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC. Fred McCall is the part-time Minister of Music at First Baptist Church, Boonville, NC. Paula McCosh is the Director of Preschool Ministry at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, Fayetteville, NC.

Hillsong Church, Chapel Hill Macedonia, Raleigh First, Rural Hall (Formerly CBF only)

New Live Praise, Sanford First, Yadkinville (Formerly CBF only)

Keith McKinney is the Pastor at First Baptist Church, Rural Hall, NC. David Phillips is the Pastor at First Baptist Church, Clyde, NC. Chris Schelin is the Minister of Youth and Congregational Life at Roxboro Baptist Church, Roxboro, NC.

Have You Heard...

Stephanie Swanson is the Minister of Congregational Life at Emerywood Baptist Church, High Point, NC.

Did you know that the Westfalls provide care through medical camps in India?

Jared Webb is the Director of Youth Ministry at First Baptist Church, Tarboro, NC.

... Or that WMU is hosting a mission trip to Nada, Kentucky in October?

Kevin Wilson is the Associate Pastor at Flat Rock Baptist Church, Mount Airy, NC.

... How about the Village of Hope updates about the churches serving this summer?

When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, let us know at 888-822-1944 or cbfnc@cbfnc.org. For vocational placement or search committee requests, visit our Vocations page on our website at www.cbfnc.org or call 888-822-1944.

Stay informed with CBFNC’s e-newsletter. Subscribe online at www.cbfnc.org today!

The Gathering – July/August 2008 • 11

Upcoming Events ~ August 9, 2008 College Ministry Discussion First Baptist Church, Greensboro For details and registration information, see www.cbfnc.org. $15 registration due August 1.

Fellowship on the Move September 22 - FBC Mount Airy September 23 - FBC Rutherfordton September 25 - FBC Weaverville October 20 - FBC Bladenboro October 21 - Edenton Baptist Church Visit www.cbfnc.org to register and learn more. Register one week in advance.

Register by September 29 and learn more at www.cbfnc.org.

November 11, 2008 Fall Fellowship Dinner First Baptist Church, Greensboro Details and registration coming soon to www.cbfnc.org.

Children’s Mission Day November 8, 2008 - College Park Baptist Church, Winston-Salem November 15, 2008 - Hayes Barton Baptist Church, Raleigh More information and registration coming soon to www.cbfnc.org.

September 19-21 or 26-28, 2008 Youth Fall Retreat Myrtle Beach, SC Deposit of $15 p/p due August 15.

Register and learn more at www.cbfnc.org.

January 23-25 or January 30February 1, 2009 Youth Ski Retreat Winterplace, WV Details coming soon to www.cbfnc.org.

Register with CTI at 800-285-7273.

October 24-26, 2008 NC Mission Initiative Eastern NC - Vance County, Warren County, Halifax County Western NC - Rutherford County, Madison County

February 16-19, 2009 Staff Ministers’ Retreat Myrtle Beach, SC Formerly the Youth Ministers’ Retreat.

Details and registration coming soon to www.cbfnc.org.

March 6-8, 2009 Adult Spiritual Formation Retreat Caraway Retreat Center, Asheboro Details and registration coming soon to www.cbfnc.org. Limited space available. Register by December 1.

March 13-14, 2009 Youth Choir Festival First Baptist Church, Greensboro Details and registration coming soon to www.cbfnc.org.

March 20-21, 2009 CBFNC General Assembly Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, Fayetteville, NC Keynote Speaker: Dr. Fred Craddock Details and registration coming soon to www.cbfnc.org.

July 2-3, 2009 CBF General Assembly Houston, Texas More information can be found at www.thefellowship.info.

The Gathering is published six times a year; mailed by the 5th of the month. All questions may be directed to Natalie Aho, 888-822-1944 or naho@cbfnc.org. For story submissions, contact Natalie Aho for requirements and newsletter deadlines.

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

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