The Gathering CBFNC Newsletter - March–April 2013

March/April 2013 • Vol. 18 Issue 2 Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry

In This Edition PAGE 2 Means

and Ends — Part 1

by Larry Hovis PAGE 2 20/20

Campaign Update

by Larry Hovis PAGE 3 Coach

for the Pastor Search Committee

by Jack Causey PAGE 3 A

The Gathering of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

PAGEs 4-5

Letter from the Heart

CBFNC General Assembly

PAGE 6 CBF’s

Collegiate Congregational Internships

by Wanda Kidd PAGE 7 CBFNC

General Assembly — Dorcas Style

by Lisa Rust PAGE 8 Getting

in FRONT of a Problem

by Steve Sumerel PAGE 9 CBF

National General Assembly

Means and Ends — Part 1

by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator In Lewis Carroll’s classic book, Alice in Wonderland, Alice chases the White Rabbit down its hole and eventually encounters the Cheshire Cat. Here is a bit of their conversation: “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”

“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. “I don’t much care where–“ said Alice.

“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat. –so long as I get SOMEWHERE,” “ Alice added as an explanation.

“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”

I’m afraid that many churches and ministries in our time are a lot like Alice. We’re not sure where we are trying to go, so we busily travel down lots of different roads hoping they will take us somewhere interesting. The problem is, we have no idea whether or not we’ve reached our destination.

Organizationally, this challenge results from an inability to distinguish between Means and Ends. Unfortunately, the only exposure many people have to this concept comes from Machiavelli’s famous statement, “the end justifies the means.”

That’s not what I mean. From a Christian ethical perspective, no end, no matter how noble, ever justifies immoral means.

John Carver, a recognized authority on organizational governance and leadership, explains, Organizational activities, no matter how complex or “ important, are always means. External outcomes, results, and impacts are ends.”

Boards That Make a Difference: A New Design for Leadership

in Nonprofit and Public Organizations

What are the implications for your church or ministry? Spend some time evaluating all the different activities, programs, services, events or ministries in which you are engaged. Do you treat them as Ends in themselves, or do you understand them to be Means to greater Ends? If so, what is the End they are supposed to serve?

Sunday School is an easy example. Sunday Schools were originally, literally, schools. Children in England worked in factories six days a week. Sunday was their only day off. British Christians started these schools on Sundays to free poor children from a life of illiteracy. The Bible was a text used to teach the children to read, so religious education was a benefit, but it wasn’t the primary purpose of the Sunday School in the beginning.

In Britain and America, after compulsory state education was established, Sunday School curriculum was limited to religious education. A few decades ago in Baptist churches in the South, the stated purpose of Sunday was to teach the Bible. Then it was assigned the task of outreach. Many Sunday School classes 2 • The Gathering – March/April 2013

today spend a great deal of time on fellowship and caring for one another. Bible teaching and reaching new persons are secondary.

It seems to me that most churches today treat Sunday School (historically a Means) as an End, with little understanding as to its desired outcome or impact.

It’s perfectly valid for the End of a particular ministry to change over time, as long as all involved are clear about it. It’s not valid to have no idea of the End because then there is no way to evaluate the ministry to determine if it is accomplishing its purpose and whether or not it is worth the expenditure of precious resources (time, money, personnel).

Here are some questions to ask of the programs and ministries of your church: • Why does _________ ministry exist?

• What is the ultimate goal of __________ ministry?

• What is the desired impact of ____________ ministry and who are the intended beneficiaries?

• What will success look like for ______________ ministry?

• Given changes in our context, what changes need to be made to ____________ ministry in order for it to achieve its End? • If ______________ ministry no longer serves a greater End, should it be discontinued?

If you don’t know where you are going, any old road will get you there. But if you want the journey to make a difference, you’d better be clear about where you want to end up.

In a future issue, Means and Ends – Part 2: The “End” of Your Church

20/20 Campaign Update The 20/20 Campaign is CBFNC’s effort to educate our fellowship about the importance of individual membership.

The vast majority of financial support for CBFNC comes from congregations, and we are extremely grateful for that support.

We pray that it remains strong for years to come. But for our mission to expand and our ministries to grow, we will need to secure resources beyond those that congregations can provide.

We are excited to report that 199 persons or families made contributions to CBFNC in 2012, a 49% increase over 2011. Thank you to all who have participated in the campaign already. The campaign will continue through the first part of 2014 when we will recognize all participants at our 2014 General Assembly and 20th anniversary celebration.

Between now and then, we will unveil additional opportunities to contribute in support of particular ministries.

God has blessed CBFNC tremendously in our first 20 years. May we continue to be faithful stewards of God’s mission in the next 20.

A Coach for the Pastor Search Committee

by Jack Causey, CBFNC Ministerial Resources Coordinator Some things have changed in pastor searches since CBFNC’s beginning almost twenty years ago. The process has become more complex and complicated. Years ago a search committee simply had a pastor referred to them, and they would go to hear him or her preach. If they were interested, they would then have a conversation that may or may not lead to the committee presenting the minister to the congregation for consideration as their next pastor.

Now, a search committee must consider a minister’s leadership abilities with staff and congregation, relationship abilities, positions on social issues, theological perspectives, denominational alliances, preaching styles and support of missions, not to mention the need for criminal and credit checks.

The good news for a pastor search committee is that they do not need be alone in their work. CBFNC’s Ministerial Resources Coordinator or any one of our eight Regional Coordinators are trained to assist a search committee to develop a healthy search process and to provide appropriate resumes of ministers who might match up with their needs for their next pastor.

CBFNC now has several coaches trained to assist in a more intentional and continuing basis.

The benefits of having a coach for your pastor search committee include: n B uilding

a sense of community and trust the spiritual discernment process D eveloping the skill of reading resumes F raming good questions to ask candidates H elping a distracted committee stay focused A sking the right questions to guide the search

n I mproving n n n n

The search committee of the First Baptist Church of Elkin had a CBFNC-trained coach assisting them. Committee Chair Evalynn Davis said, “ He served us in a very compassionate and competent way. At no point did he try to influence our selection, but his deep spiritual faith and his administrative talents helped our committee, and thus our church, have a very positive experience and outcome.”

While the initial assistance from CBFNC given to a search committee comes at no expense, should a committee desire to have a coach work with them throughout the entire process, there is a cost involved. But as Richard Poindexter, former chair of the Pastor Search Committee of the First Baptist Church of Monroe, puts it, “The cost of not having a coach could be far greater than the minimal cost associated with this service.”

In addition, a CBFNC partner church receives a discount.

If you are interested in having a trained and experienced coach work with your search committee, you can contact the CBFNC offices at (336) 759-3456 or contact Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator at jcausey@cbfnc.org or at (704) 838-3436.

A Letter from the Heart Dear Friend, I am writing to tell you about the miraculous changes that have happened in my life. The Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC) program’s mission is to help women find jobs, build confidence, and improve the overall quality of their lives.

Since I’ve been in this program, I’ve developed a closer relationship with God. I feel more spiritual and in tune with God’s plan for my life. I’ve always been a spiritual person, but now I feel renewed, with a better understanding of God’s Word, and because of that my faith has been strengthened.

CWJC’s Lifeskills has provided me with a multitude of skills. I have taken business, computer, budgeting, nutrition, and crafting classes. These newfound skills I’ve acquired have made me feel so much better about myself. I feel as though I can do anything and become anything because I have been educated. In my time with this program I have also become a better parent. I now realize that the best gift I can give my daughter is a role model.

I feel that now she has someone to look up to and be proud of. CWJC has not just changed my life.

It has changed my child’s life as well. She is more confident and self-assured.

I am eternally grateful for the help, guidance, and friendship they have given me. I hope one day I can pay it forward and help someone else the way they have helped me. I hope that by writing to you, my friend, that I have encouraged you in some way. I pray that my story is an inspiration and that if you find yourself in need that you will seek their help as well.

CWJC has given me so much. The only way I can think to repay them is to sing their praises to everyone I know and everyone I meet.

Your friend, Veronica April 1 – July 31, 2013

The Local Mission Engagement Grant seeks to foster partnership between local churches and humanitarian organizations such as CWJC for the purpose of missional engagement in their communities. Partnership is required with a community organization and one or more churches of any denomination.

Visit the CBFNC website for an application, www.cbfnc.org.

The Gathering – March/April 2013

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3

Sacred Rhythms of Jesus followers

Come. Abide.

Abide. Go. Go. Come.

John 15:5

John 15:5

John 15:12-17

John 15:12-17

March 15-16, 2013 First Baptist Church Lumberton cooperative baptist

fellowship

of north carolina Learn more at www.cbfnc.org.

CBFNC 2013 General Assembly Speakers:

A sample of the workshops offered this year: Teaching Children about Wealth and Poverty

Friday evening March 15, 2013

Ministering with Twenty

n

Somethings

n

Let Them Come: Mak-

ing Worship Welcoming for Children n

Preaching: Greg Rogers, Pastor, Oakmont Baptist Church, Greenville

A Community Youth Group: Reach-

ing Beyond Your Walls and Your Resources

Difficult Discussions: Pal-

n

liative Care

Saturday morning March 16, 2013

n

A Baptist Bar Mitzvah

n

Divinity Student Panel Discussion:

What are the thoughts, ideas, and

Presenting sermon in dialogue: Kasey Jones, Senior Pastor, National Baptist Memorial Church, Washington, D.C., and Tommy Justus, Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Mars Hill Musical presentation: The Friends of Jesus adult special needs choir from First Baptist Church, Lumberton

questions of today’s divinity students?

Seeking Hopes, Dreams

n

and Ideas

Losing the “Nones” and

n

“Culture-Privilege”: What are Christians to Do?

n

Sabbath Joy!

n

Disci-

ples in Mark: Committed, Warts and All

God Calls Us All: Four Patterns

n

of Calling in Scripture and History Partnering with Public Schools

n

n

God

& Country -- Patriotism and the People of God

n

A Look at Ministering

with American Indians

n

The Baptist

Fair Trade Project: Bringing a Taste Greg Rogers

Kasey Jones and Tommy Justus

of Justice to Your Congregation

n

Racial Reconciliation and the Body of Christ n Exploring a New Template for Successful Church Events

Friday, March 15 11:00 a.m. - Registration opens 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Welcome Reception sponsored by Wake Forest Baptist Health Division of Faith and Health Ministries

12:30 p.m. - Welcome and Orientation 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. - Workshop Session 1 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. - Fellowship Time in Exhibit Hall 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. - Workshop Session 2 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. - Meet-Up Groups 4:45 - 6:15 p.m. - Serving Lines open for Fellowship Dinner 6:45 p.m. - Worship 8:15 p.m. - Fellowship Reception in Exhibit Hall

Faith

and Film n Intergenerational Ministry Dialogue

n

Her Place at the Table:

Creating a Church Culture in which Women are Welcomed as Ministers and Leaders n Introducing…The Congregational Health Checklist

n

CBF

101: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About CBF but Were Afraid to Ask n

n

“What Not to Say, When...”

When Helping Hurts

n

From Build-

ers to Millenials: Teaching the Bible to Different Generations

n

Missions

Opportunities in the Mid-Atlantic

n

Is This a Vacation or a Mission Trip? n

Saturday, March 16

Welcoming God & Other Strang-

ers

n

PTSD

n

Planning Preaching

n

Walking Prayer: Learning the Laby-

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. - Workshop Session 3 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. - Ministry Celebration and Business Session 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Worship

rinth

n

Using Social Media

n

Practi-

cal Suggestions for Growing Your Church Through Your Website

n

Poverty: It’s Not Just Economics

n

The Benefit Bank of North Carolina

CBF’s Collegiate Congregational Internships

by Wanda Kidd, CBFNC College Ministry Coordinator

Three years ago CBF implemented a project funded by a Lilly Foundation Grant that placed students in local congregations across our Fellowship. Its purpose was to provide interns with a hands-on look at the value and reality of ministry in the local church, and for churches to experience a mentoring relationship with young adults.

The project was a great success. Over the duration of the project, 250 students and 200 churches had the opportunity to work together as pastor, staff and intern to implement worship, visit hospitals, attend deacon’s meetings, chaperone mission trips and the myriad of other activities that make up the day-to-day ministry of our churches.

North Carolina churches hosted more than 35% of the interns over the three years and provided the opportunity for about half of them to respond to a call to ministry.

When the grant funding was depleted, CBF reviewed the impact of the project and decided that it was such a valuable tool for churches and young adults that we should make every effort to continue this ministry to churches and young adults. We explored several approaches and we are delighted to say that we are able to continue the project on a smaller, but equally impactful way.

For the summer of 2013, the CCI project will be placing 50 students in 50 churches across the country. Some of the placements are going to be some exciting places like Davis, CA; West Yellowstone, MT; and Wilton, CO. The application for churches and students as well as information about the project can be found at www.thefellowship. info/collegeinternship.

6 • The Gathering – March/April 2013

Basics for Collegiate Congregational Internships CBF provides for the Collegiate Congregation Internship: • $600 of the $1,200 stipend that the student is paid during the internship • Orientation and training for the interns at Wingate University in May • Support and encouragement for the interns during the summer • A debriefing at the end of the internship in Clayton, GA • Support and feedback for the participating churches Churches that apply to participate in CCI: • Need to have some affiliation or affinity for CBF/CBFNC • Understand that each church can only have one CCI intern this summer • Must commit to providing a hospitable environment for a young adult to explore, grow and learn about ministry in a local church • Provide housing and food for the student for the 10-week full-time internship • Cover expenses and travel funds for the ministry that the intern is required to do as part of the church’s ministry over the 10 weeks • Provide a background check for the intern • May find your own intern for your congregation, but the student will still need to apply and fulfill the student requirement.

collegiate

congregational internship

A Student Applying: • Needs to have completed their freshman year of college and be at least 18 years of age and enrolled in college or divinity school.

• Is exploring a call to live out their faith in a congregation setting, but not necessarily headed to a full-time call to ministry • Must be able to attend orientation at Wingate University May 19-23, 2013 The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is delighted to be able to continue the CCI project, and we look forward to working with your church and students to help create a culture of community and faith development between young adults and our churches. The opportunity for students to explore and experience ministry opportunities in a congregational setting is a valuable and important venture.

Join CBF/CBFNC on this journey.

CBFNC General Assembly - Dorcas Style

by Lisa Rust, 2013 CBFNC General Assembly Planning Team chair and member, FBC Lumberton

e e

One of my favorite heroines in the Bible was Dorcas (Tabitha).

While we don’t know very much about Dorcas, we are told in Acts 9 that she was “devoted to good works and acts of charity.” When Dorcas died and Peter was called to be with them, he found the widows and women to whom she had ministered weeping and showing him the clothing and other items she had provided for them. Even after her death, they gave testimony to her ministry and the ways she had touched them. Dorcas used her unique giftedness to serve others. She anticipated needs and quietly prepared to meet them so that she would be ready. I picture her being a truly missional woman — going about her daily work while keeping her eyes open for those in need, gathering or creating items to provide clothing or other essentials for the people around her.

Acts 9: 42 explains that because of her ministry and the testimony of others, along with her resurrection, “many more people believed in the Lord.” The life and actions of this one woman who allowed herself and her gifts to be used by God caused many more people to believe.

As we have planned the 2013 CBFNC General Assembly, Dorcas has been my inspiration. Our team is striving to use Dorcas’ model of anticipating needs to make our efforts most effective. We believe the following kinds of folks might come to the Assembly, and we are praying and preparing so that when they do, they will experience the presence and power of God.

Those who are students at colleges and divinity schools seeking a connection with someone who “gets them.” They often have a completely different outlook and attitude toward ministry, calling, self-care, etc. and are forward-focused, not wanting to rehash past denominational grievances.

Will they be welcomed, encouraged, and challenged?

Those who are weary. They are looking for a safe place.

They are weary from crisis and turmoil in their churches.

They are clergy who feel deeply wounded by those to whom they are trying to serve. Their souls are weary and depleted from seeing multiple needs and not feeling equipped (spiritually/emotionally/financially) to handle them. Perhaps they are clergy looking for a church or a church looking for clergy.

Those members and ministers from churches in financial crisis. They may even be trying to determine which minister to ask to leave because they just can’t make the numbers work. Perhaps they are struggling to maintain campuses and salaries that are overwhelming them. Or perhaps they are looking for a way to engage their congregations in more intentional stewardship.

Those who have never attended a General Assembly before. They might not even be a member of CBFNC. They might not even be Baptist. Perhaps they are curious and want to see what we are all about. Or maybe they have been brought here by a pastor who is hoping they leave more connected. Perhaps they want to know exactly what a “moderate” is. Maybe they want to understand how Baptists can “partner” with those who aren’t Baptist.

e

Those looking for inspiration. Things may be going well in their ministry and their churches, but they want to be refreshed and inspired by what they see and hear. They are looking for ideas, resources, and connections to move their ministry to the next level, and they see CBFNC full of possibilities.

Those seeking worship.

Many of our attendees are planners of worship. They look forward to attending a General Assembly and experiencing worship as more of a participant and less of a leader. They desire authentic, inspirational worship and music that are fresh and perhaps different from what they experience week to week in their home setting.

Those seeking connection and friendship. Perhaps they are new to North Carolina or have not been fully engaged with CBFNC. Perhaps they are of a different race or culture. Or maybe they are just seeking a safe place to fellowship and converse with folks who share similar needs and experiences.

There are obviously other kinds of people with specific needs who will attend the 2013 General Assembly — the list on this page contains only a few. My hope is that we follow the example of Dorcas and quietly and prayerfully prepare, plan, and share our giftedness through the Assembly so that many needs will be met.

And ultimately, as a result of those needs being met, long after the General Assembly is over, many, many more people will praise God and believe in the Lord.

The Gathering – March/April 2013

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7

Getting in FRONT of a Problem

by Steve Sumerel, Associate Pastor for Adult Learning, First, Greensboro

When I began my position as Minister of Adult Learning at First, Greensboro, a serious issue was waiting at my doorstep.

Like many congregations, our Sunday School classes were being taught by dedicated, faithful, but very tired saints many of whom needed a dignified transition to retirement.

However, the “bullpen” had been depleted making recruitment of new teachers extremely difficult. An encouraging word was all I was able to offer.

In the midst of this dilemma, I remembered reading Sara Covin Juengst’s Equipping the Saints (Westminster John Knox Press, 1998) many years earlier. This wonderful book introduced ideas that would prove to be critical in our thinking about long-range Bible-study leadership needs. The thesis of her book is really quite simple: the process of equipping the priesthood of believers to be the vessels of our faith into a new generation is vastly more important than frantically trying to recruit volunteers. Our Sunday School leadership got on board quickly. They agreed with me that we did not need a quick fix, but a sustainable solution. FRONT (Formation and Resourcing of New Teachers) was born.

Arm twisting, cajoling, and various forms of pleading are NOT part of the FRONT game plan. Rather, FRONT provides a means by which people can explore their sense of call, even while they begin an in-depth training process should God ultimately lead them to a classroom or some other area of service.

Although Juengst’s book provides a detailed nine-month training schedule with lesson plans, we choose to develop our own curriculum and resources. At its core, FRONT is a six-month process with classes that meet for just over an hour once a week.

Classes are conducted during the regular Bible study hour on Sunday, and sessions are repeated each Monday evening. This schedule allows current teachers to enroll even as they continue their teaching responsibilities.

The primary textbook is Christianity (Mercer University Press, 2010) by Lopez, Penny, Jonas, and English, four professors in the Religion Department of Campbell University. Areas of study include Old and New Testament, Church History, and Christian Theology. Each section is taught by a dedicated lay leader with particular expertise, including a retired pastor, current and former professors, and other lay leaders. Following the 8 • The Gathering – March/April 2013

presentation of primary and secondary source material, a “teaching coach” leads the class in unpacking the learning theories and methodologies that were used in the session.

Other elements of FRONT include the establishment of a resource room dedicated to biblical studies. The room contains the usual Bible commentaries, books, and periodicals as well as a computer to access some trusted websites. In addition, some members of the FRONT team have as their specific mission the canvassing of our congregation, watching for untapped gifts that could benefit from intentional strategies of development. Many teachers serve as mentors and coaches as student teachers become active in the classroom.

The advantages of FRONT are many. Primarily this process opens up conversation about future service on safe ground.

FRONT promises to give people an opportunity to explore, receive coaching, mentoring and the resources that will empower them toward active service. All that is asked of the participants entering FRONT is to take advantage of the program and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Some FRONT graduates go on to become called and equipped teachers, however many others do not. Many active teachers have found renewed energy and spiritual resources through the classes and relationships established through FRONT. Through all of these outcomes FRONT is helping to lay a foundation of a truly equipped priesthood of believers seeking to serve when and where the Holy Spirit leads.

June 26-28 • Greensboro, N.C.

BOLDLY REFRESH your mind and spirit

Highlights

• The Gathering Place- Connect with ministries and buy global goods • Networks and Mission Communities- Learn from Baptists who share your ministry interests • Fellowship and Auxiliary EventsAttend special gatherings hosted by CBF and partner organizations

BOLDLY REFLECT BOLDLY RESPOND

on being the presence of Christ

Highlights

• Friday Evening Worship- Participate in a dynamic and meaningful service • Commissioning Service- Share in a time of blessing for new CBF field personnel and church starters • Pre-Assembly Prayer Retreat- Rest and pray with fellow ministers and lay leaders

to the work of the Fellowship

Highlights

• Workshops and Business SessionsExplore relevant ministry topics and issues related to the work of CBF • Leadership Institute- Find your missional identity through the vision, formation and engagement of the Dawnings initiative • State and Regional CBF meetingsEngage and learn about local ministries

Hear from the new CBF Executive Coordinator during the Friday evening worship and stay for a welcome reception afterwards in The Gathering Place.

General Assembly will be hosted and held at the newly renovated Sheraton Greensboro Hotel. Eat, sleep, and attend all under one roof. Amenities include onsite restaurants, free onsite parking and the adjacent Four Seasons Town Centre shopping mall.

It’s never too early to make plans to attend Assembly. Pre-register for free and find a step-by-step planning guide at www.thefellowship.info/assembly or use your smartphone to scan this code.

It’s not the leaves of fall or the scenic view, It’s not the basketball or the barbecue,

Your gifts to a CBFNC endowment fund can plant seeds of blessing, of hope, and of help.

Designate a gift for scholarships, new church starts, or where it is most needed.

It’s you!

At this year’s CBF National General Assembly in Greensboro, we need volunteers to be the presence of Christ and the face of North Carolina for all in attendance.

Contact Jim Hylton at jhylton@cbfnc.org or (336) 759-3456 for more information.

Hospitality as a Spiritual Practice Adult Spiritual Formation Retreat April 19-21, 2013 Visit www.cbfnc.org for more details.

Ministers on the Move

In other words, we need you!

For more information about how you can help and to register as a volunteer, please visit www.cbfnc.org/ Events/UpcomingEvents/CBFNationalGAVolunteer.aspx.

Coordinator Visits December 2012 -January 2013 College Avenue, Lenoir

Greystone, Raleigh

First, Asheville

Knightdale, Knightdale

Compiled by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator

First, Elon

Lafayette, Fayettville

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

First, Fairmont

Longview, Raleigh

First, Graham First, Kernersville

Primera Iglesia Roca Fuerte, Pittsboro

First, Lumberton

Snyder Memorial, Fayetteville

First, Marion

St. John’s, Charlotte

First, Marshville

Knollwood, Winston-Salem

First, Morehead City

Temple, Durham

First, North Wilkesboro

University, Chapel Hill

First, Rowlands

WFU School of Divinity

First, Smithton

Wingate, Wingate

First, Taylorsville

Woodhaven, Apex

Jeff Carter is now serving as assistant minister of music and technology at First Baptist Church of Valdese.

Marcus McGill is now serving as minister of youth at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Mount Airy.

First Baptist Church of Wilmington has called Nathan Tuttle as minister of youth.

Dane Martin has been called to the staff of Cedar Falls Baptist Church as Minister of Youth and Discipleship First Baptist Church of Clemmons has called Christy Correll-Hughes as Minister to Children and Families.

Mark Ford has been called as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Highlands.

When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, let us know at jcausey@ 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 – March/April 2013

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

March/April 2013

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......... College Ministry 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 Ministry Leader Coach... Rocafuerte90@hotmail.com

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

Nancy Parks . ...... Programs Manager................... NParks@cbfnc.org

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

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

Jack Causey ............. Ministerial Resources Coordinator...... JCausey@cbfnc.org

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

Laura Barclay . ......... Social Ministries Coordinator........... LBarclay@cbfnc.org

Derek Wilhelm ..... Administrative Assistant.......... DWilhelm@cbfnc.org

Regional Coordinators Region 1 – Western: Gail Coulter . .............

Region 2 – Foothills: David Smith .............

Region 3 – Triad: Bill Leathers .................

Region 4 – South Central: Drag Kimrey ......

coulterig@bellsouth.net davsmith@charter.net wleathers@triad.com dragkimrey@roadrunner.com

CBFNC College Ministers Ashley Mangrum ............ UNC Chapel Hill . .............. amangrum@cbfnc.org Aileen Lawrimore ........... Western Carolina ............. alawrimore@cbfnc.org Lawrence Powers ............ East Carolina....................... lpowers@cbfnc.org Coordinating Council Donna Bissette, Winston-Salem, Moderator Ray Ammons, Gastonia, Moderator-Elect Steve Little, Marion, Past Moderator Lisa Rust, Lumberton, Recorder Mike Eddinger, Cary, Treasurer Tommy Bratton, Asheville David Hailey, Raleigh Marion Horton, Knightdale Rick Matthews, Winston-Salem Martha McDowell, Laurinburg Doug Murray, Wilson Mike Queen, Wilmington Susan Taylor, Chapel Hill Endowment Management Board Scott Hudgins, Winston-Salem Judy LeCroy, Lexington Bill McCullough, Youngsville Anissa Nixon, Mocksville Gene Puckett, Raleigh

Financial Report:

Region Region Region Region

5 6 7 8

– – – –

North Central: Tom Jackson ......

Capital: Mack Thompson...........

Southeast: Mike Johnson .........

Northeast: Jesse Croom ...........

pastortj@aol.com mackthompson1@att.net mikejohn303@earthlink.net jmacroom@hotmail.com

Jeanne Cross ................. Duke University . ................... jcross@cbfnc.org Chris Towles .................. Wake Forest......................... towlescj@wfu.edu

Faith Formation Ministry Council Allen Winters, Wilmington, Chair Stella Perrin, Taylorsville, Chair-Elect Beth Cockman-Wood, Sanford Bryan Harris, Smithfield Beth Heffner, Rutherfordton Brian Harrington, Liberty Tyler Roach, Morganton Katie Fam Roscoe, Southern Pines Sophia Steibel, Boiling Springs

Missions Ministry Council Kent Cranford, Gastonia, Chair Elba Benitez, Pittsboro Everette Clark, Enka Blake Dempsey, Nashville George Fuller, Raleigh Brandon Hudson, Winston-Salem Andrea Dellinger Jones, Raleigh Nate Leonard, Kannapolis Linda Winslow, Jamestown

Leadership Development Ministry Council Scott Hovey, Durham, Chair Layne Rogerson, Greenville, Chair-Elect Dennis Atwood, Mount Olive Ed Beddingfield, Fayetteville Sarah Boberg, Red Springs Rendell Hipps, Hickory Matt Johnson, Belhaven Shane Nixon, Mocksville Mark Reece, Mount Airy Nathan Rice, Southern Pines

CBF National Council Members from NC Darryl Aaron, Winston-Salem Roger Gilbert, Mount Airy Don Gordon, Winston-Salem Christopher Ingram, Elizabeth City Glenn Phillips, Goldsboro Alicia Porterfield, Wilmington Blenda Price Sloniker, Hickory

December 2012 Contributions January 2013 Contributions

Undesignated - $137,880 Designated - $219,166 Undesignated - $175,308 Designated - $487,113 April 2012 - March 2013 Monthly Undesignated Goal: $128,837

CBF Global Missions Field Personnel Off-Field Assignments in Our Area K eith Holmes and Mary Van Rheenen (The Netherlands) Raleigh: January-June 2013 holmes@thefellowship.info

2013 Mission Madness a weekend retreat for youth groups interested in mission service, worship, fellowship, and fun!

April 12-14, 2013, in Chesapeake, VA Visit www.cbfnc.org for details!

The Gathering – March/April 2013

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

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

Return Service Requested

Upcoming Events ~ March/April Edition Youth Choir Festival March 1-2, 2013 First Baptist Church, Greensboro

Mission Madness (Youth Retreat) April 12-14, 2013 Chesapeake, VA

New Ministers Luncheon March 4, 2013 CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem

Adult Spirituality Retreat April 19-21, 2013 Christmount in Black Mountain

Building Blocks of Christian Coaching (501 Class) March 8-9, 2013 CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem

Establishing a Dynamic Coaching Relationship (502 Class) May 20-21, 2013 CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem CBF National General Assembly June 26-28 2013 Greensboro

Sacred Rhythms of Jesus followers

2013 CBFNC General Assembly March 15-16, 2013 First Baptist Church, Lumberton

OASIS 2013 July 15-17, 2013 Campbell University 2013 Elevating Preaching Conference September 23, 2013 Wake Forest University, Winson-Salem 2014 Impacting Tomorrow May 16-17, 2014 Oakmont Baptist Church, Greenville

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

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