The Gathering CBFNC Newsletter - May–June 2013

May/June 2013 • Vol. 18 Issue 3 Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry

Sacred Rhythms of Jesus followers

See pageS 8-9 Come.

Abide.

The Gathering

John 15:5

Go.

John 15:12-17

of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

In This Edition PAGE 2 Means

and Ends — Part 2

by Larry Hovis PAGE 3 How

Can Music Ministry Serve Community?

by Rick Jordan and Linda Denny

PAGE 3 Hope

Beyond Fears

by Danny Russell PAGE 4 A

Teaching-Learning Congregation

by Nathan Parrish

PAGEs 5

iving Children a Hope G and a Future

by Hilary Canipe

PAGE 6-7 Summary

of Individual Contributors

PAGE 8-9 CBFNC

General Assembly

by Steve DeVane

Means and Ends — Part 2 The “End” of Your Church: A Parable

by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator Pastor Chris was excited about the upcoming meeting of the Diaconate at First Baptist Church. Usually these meetings were anything but exciting, but the pastor had an idea for the agenda that would be both productive and interesting. Beth Hopkins, the chair, presided over the routine matters that FBC’s deacons always covered: reports on families and prayer concerns; a financial report from the church treasurer; reminders of key events coming up in the next month; and the inevitable discussion of a better way to handle distribution of the Lord’s Supper (it never ceased to amaze Chris that relatively intelligent church leaders who had received the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands could mess up and then obsess over how to line up to pass out trays of crackers and grape juice!).

“I’d like to turn over the remainder of our meeting to the pastor, who has an important issue to discuss with us,” Beth explained. She had long ago gotten bored with the discussion of Communion logistics.

“Thank you, Beth,” said Chris. “Tonight, I’d like for us to discuss a topic I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. I guess if I had to give it a title, I’d call it ‘The End of Our Church.’”

Bob Carothers immediately jumped in, “No offense, Pastor, but if this is another one of those hand-wringing talks about the decline and death of traditional churches, I’m not interested. We’ve all read the articles and we even had that consultant who came in last year and showed us all those alarming statistics. I’m not in denial, but neither do I think we need any more of that kind of shock therapy.”

“Bob, I couldn’t agree with you more,” Chris replied. “I’m tired of those conversations as well. I admit that I was captivated by them for a while, but I’m not sure focusing our attention there will move us forward. I’ve come to believe that focusing on the End in a different way could be just what we need to renew our congregation.”

Jane Evans then spoke up. “What do you mean by End? If not death, then what?”

“I’m thinking of Ends as opposed to Means,” Chris continued.

“End refers to goal, purpose, destination, fulfillment or outcome.

Means are the pathways or tools that enable us to reach the End. “End comes from the Greek word, telos. It appears forty times in the New Testament. An example is Romans 8:28 where Paul says, ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (telos).’ Another example is 1Timothy: ‘The end (telos) of this command is love, which comes from a pure conscience, a good conscience and a sincere faith.’

“It seems to me that we spend an awful lot of time in this body, and throughout our congregational leadership structure,

In times of great transition and anxiety ... it’s important to be clear on the Ends.

2 • The Gathering – May/June 2013

struggling with Means issues, and very little time clarifying Ends. That’s probably OK when everyone has a common, clear understanding of why we exist and what we are called to do. But in times of great transition and anxiety, like the times in which we now live and minister, it’s important to be clear on the Ends.

Otherwise, we are at risk for confusion of purpose, competition for resources and conflict over direction.”

“Kind of like the way church feels much of the time to me,” said Greg Pickens, a newer member who had married into First Baptist five years ago, but who had become very involved in the church and earned the respect of the older families. “I hate to say it, but it seems like we spend a lot of time spinning our wheels and majoring on minors. I feel like we’ve lost sight of the big picture.”

“I agree with Greg,” commented Sue Ferguson, a member of the Young Adult Sunday Class along with Greg. “What you are saying reminds me of two things. First, several years ago I read a book by Stephen Covey who said that it is important for people and organizations to ‘begin with the end in mind.’ I think that’s the same understanding of End you are using.

“Second, I serve on the board of directors of a non-profit agency that was struggling in just about every way: with programs, fundraising, high staff turnover, and a poor reputation in the community. We brought in a consultant who told us that the problem with the organization was that it had lost sight of its core purpose, and that our job as the board was not to manage the staff or the programs, but to make as our first priority discerning the mission of the organization. The reason it had encountered so many problems, he said, is that we had lost sight of why we exist. And the word he used over and over was this word: End.” “I’m sorry, but I’m confused,” confessed Sarah Barker. Sarah was the teacher of the Fidelis Class, the church’s oldest women’s Sunday School class, and also director of the WMU. “I think I know the purpose of the church and I can’t imagine that there would be any confusion about that.”

“Thanks, Sarah, for speaking up,” responded the pastor.

“I’m sure you speak for many others in this room and in the congregation. That’s why I think the next step in this conversation is for us to share our various understandings of the End of the church as we see it. I think we might be surprised at how many different ideas we have of this important subject.”

Beth Hopkins jumped in at this point. “I think that’s an excellent idea. Unfortunately, we’re running out of time. So, we will continue this conversation at next month’s meeting and make it the top agenda item. Your homework assignment is to think about how you would complete this sentence: The End of our church is_________. Please be prepared to discuss it.”

Wally Myers, who didn’t have a serious bone in his body, then piped up with a big grin on his face, “Just one more thing, Beth.

Could you remind me of where I’m supposed to stand this Sunday for the Lord’s Supper?”

Next Edition – Means and Ends – Part 3: “Making it Personal”

How Can Music Ministry Serve Community?

by Rick Jordan, CBFNC Church Resources Coordinator, and Linda Denny, Minister through Music, First, Mount Airy

Rick: Linda, tell us about your latest attempt to reach into the community through the music ministry.

Linda: Our church was asked to recruit volunteers for an excellent after-school enrichment program at J. J. Jones Intermediate School in Mount Airy (third-fifth grades). Several of our members now volunteer, either assisting teachers in the program or as teachers on a topic on which they have expertise.

In the fall of 2011 associate minister Steve Ayers, Jr., and I, aided by a couple of church volunteers, loaded up Orff instruments (glockenspiels, metallophones, xylophones and percussion) and spent several days with fourth graders. In the spring we did the same for fifth graders. We did not use church music, but involved the children in singing and playing. Teachers in the program were amazed at the level of participation, especially from some very shy or fearful students.

At the end of each series, invitations were sent home with students to participate in our choir program at FBC. In the spring of 2012, nine children from various race/ethnic groups participated in our church choir programs. They rode the school bus to church for choir and dinner, and were picked up by parents. An older men’s Sunday School class donated money to pay for meals.

In 2012-2013, only two students participate, though when we have been back at the school and see students from last year, they all talk about how “awesome” it was. We are discussing options to get the children home after dinner to see if that helps participation.

Rick: What resistance or barriers, if any, did you need to overcome?

Linda: While children may attend choir regularly, they and their families seem to attend worship only when the children sing. Some of them have their own churches and some do not. A barrier for us may be the image of us as the big church where rich people go — how wrong! We work hard to overcome that image in our soup kitchen, which feeds weekly about 150 people from the community.

All are made welcome.

Rick: What fruit have you seen produced from this ministry?

Linda: Children feel loved. They can feel competent at something very special when they don’t feel so competent at other areas of school.

continued on page 10

Young Ministers Series: Hope Beyond Fears

by Danny Russell, Pastor, Chadbourn, Chadbourn

While people seek to find hope beyond their fears, many times the difference between the two is a fine line. Still, there is great hope for the Church and in particular the Baptist church.

When we have lost our own hope, our brothers and sisters in Christ share their hope with us. This sharing happens in a local church context and allows people to find their hope again.

Our hope is found in Christ as we partner together with so many people faithfully following Christ.

Living in the hope of Christ can be compared to the edge of a quarter. In Changing Signs of Truth: A Christian Introduction to Semiotics, Crystal Downing describes a life lived on the edge through the metaphor of the quarter. She states, “One side [of the quarter] therefore represents tradition while the other side represents change.” 1 Downing develops this perspective through the image of President George Washington on one side representing tradition, while new images of the different states and territories on the other side represent change. She continues, “[Therefore], a position on the edge looks to both past and future, to tradition and change.”2 As Baptists follow Christ, we live on the edge looking to the past and future, continued on page 4

The Gathering – May/June 2013

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3

A Teaching-Learning Congregation

Hope Beyond Fears

from page 3

embracing both tradition and change. When living on this edge the hope of Christ is Peace Haven, Winston-Salem, began a process realized and expressed through our lives.

My internship at Peace Haven in 2009 that is changing our congregational life I am hopeful because many churches are Baptist Church had a profound and ministry. Peace Haven chose to convert a faithfully living on this edge as they follow impact on who I am as a person, traditional associate pastor staff position into partChrist, but I am also fearful because some minister and student. I was time ministry roles to be filled by Wake Forest churches are content to follow Christ by loved, welcomed and encouraged University School of Divinity students. Peace staying on one side of the edge. The only and I will be grateful for the Haven decided to invest in the ministry formation way to live on one side is to do so at the invaluable experience for the of future leaders and become what some call a exclusion of the other side. People either rest of my life. Jonathan Redding, Ph.D. “teaching-learning” congregation. What we are look to the past and embrace tradition or student, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN discovering is that formation is a two-way street. look to the future and embrace change.

Peace Haven Baptist is changing and being changed Faithfully following Christ is living in the by the presence, leadership, and gifts of divinity student ministers. Peace Haven is mystery between these two perspectives. realizing that we have as much to learn as teach, that we have as much to receive as Life on the edge is messy and difficult, and offer, that sharing ministry leadership with divinity students strengthens our ministries, it is the very place we experience Christ in and that there is every reason to be hopeful our world and lives.

When I interned at Peace Haven about the future.

Finding life on this edge is discovering a Baptist Church, I quickly learned The vision of Peace Haven is to invite renewed sense of the hope that Christ offers. that I was walking in a community student leadership into the life of our church When people idolize the past and hold tight of learning and grace. The church and to provide a context for divinity students to tradition, they may discover a fear of the created a space for me to discover my to learn about congregational ministry while future. When people mystify the future and gifts and my growing edges without receiving relational support during their loosely accept change, they can discover a pressuring me to be perfect. journey. We have embraced this path as a fear of the present. The hope of Christ is the Kim Sturgill, Minister with Children, ministry of our church for the formation of mystery holding the past and future together First Baptist Church, Memphis, TN divinity students who we believe will continue through an embrace of tradition and change. to live, lead, and serve in contexts beyond our congregation.

Hope is found on the edge because life in the The process for identifying new student ministers has been organic, growing out twenty-first century requires it. Hope is found of relationships with and among divinity students, as well as formal, working with on the edge because this is where Christ is.

Divinity School Staff and Faculty to I am hopeful because many churches are I really believe that Peace Haven Baptist determine students of interest. The following Christ on this edge in their own Church is modeling how to call and support communities. Some have become hopeless result of the presence and participation of divinity students has been a stretching divinity students in ministry. The church in the labeling of limiting our lives to one experience for our congregation and an balances flexibility and expectation; side or the other, but others are energized they genuinely care for students and the opportunity to serve and lead for the and empowered to live in the paradox of congregation sets an example for healthy divinity students. living between two perspectives. Christ As we have called students into staff and diverse church life. is found through this both/and approach, John Carroll, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Danville, VA ministry roles, other divinity students which welcomes all to Christ’s table. Being have found ways to connect with our Baptist is being faithful to this approach. church, fulfill various aspects of their academic journey, and lead within the church I am hopeful because the Baptist church without serving in paid ministry roles. Divinity students participate in Sunday morning equips people to faithfully follow Christ worship in a variety of ways every week. Other divinity students join us on Wednesday on this edge. Within the Baptist church, nights for meals, attend/participate in Sunday worship, and participate in a bi-weekly people express their faith on both sides discipleship group for young adults meeting at Peace Haven. of the edge, and we come together to the As a congregation, we are investing in the formation of future leaders by inviting edge to partner in ministry and service. I them into our life as a church. Along the way, we are gaining life as these students serve find hope in this act of coming together as with and among us. We are blessed with churches collaborate in their local contexts As a current intern at Peace Haven the gift of proximity to divinity schools and and in ministries throughout the world. I Baptist Church, I am thankful for the we are seeking to be good stewards of that am hopeful for the Church today as so many opportunity to develop as a minister gift. But all of us, regardless of our location, are following Christ into the future through with a congregation that is welcoming, have the opportunity to explore new ways Christ’s work in the present. grace-giving and motivating to divinity to share leadership and invite those God is 1 Crystal Downing, Changing Signs of Truth: A Christian students. The church nurtures my growth calling into roles of ministry. I am confident Introduction to Semiotics (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity as a minister with compassion, energy Press, 2012), Kindle Location 513. that the blessings we are experiencing are and knowledge. Abigail Pratt, M.Div. student, 2 Ibid, Kindle Location 522. transferable and translatable.

Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC

by Nathan Parrish, Pastor, Peace Haven, Winston-Salem

hope

support

connect

invest

4 • The Gathering – May/June 2013

Giving Children a Hope and a Future

by Hilary Canipe, member, Mufreesboro Baptist Church, Murfreesboro Riverview Elementary School in Murfreesboro was struggling. There were multiple reasons for this, most related to the overwhelming poverty so pervasive in northeastern North Carolina. End-of-grade testing scores were poor and morale was low.

For those in the community, the issues at Riverview seemed so large that most did not even try to help. The inclination was to do nothing because the problems seemed insurmountable. As a result, the school became gradually more and more isolated from community.

Murfreesboro Baptist Church began to look for ways to engage with the Riverview Elementary community. Afterschool tutoring, school supply drives, a yearly back-toschool luncheon for teachers during teacher workdays, and apples for teachers during the school year were some of the tools used to express caring concern. Other churches, including First Baptist of Murfreesboro and Murfreesboro United Methodist, were also working independently to support the school.

Eventually the three churches began working together with others in Hertford

Join us at the Sheraton Four Seasons in Greensboro, N.C. for dynamic worship, fresh ideas and warm fellowship.

County in an effort to form a local affiliate of Communities in Schools (CIS), a national non-profit that seeks “to surround students with a community of support empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.”

As part of the development of CIS in Hertford County, Susan Pennock, a consultant with CIS of North Carolina (CISNC), led a poverty workshop at Murfreesboro Baptist Church in January of 2012. More than 70 people from four counties representing various churches, agencies, and schools gathered for training in understanding generational poverty, and beginning to consider where we might become involved to make a difference.

Susan’s work with CISNC has now led her to focus more of her attention on forming church-school partnerships. She challenges Christians to realize they can be the presence of Christ to those who are struggling with poverty by working through the local school.

For those who are a part of the developing church-school partnership in Murfreesboro, this new opportunity has been a blessing as God uses us to help give these children a hope and a future.

“Riverview Elementary School is hopeless – I would never send my child there.”

“I don’t know any of the kids there – those folks can manage their own affairs.”

“They got so many problems at that school, it’s hard to know what difference I could make.”

“Maybe the state will take it over and then we’ll get somewhere.”

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

June 26-28 • Greensboro, N.C.

The CBF General Assembly is just around the corner… literally.

Plan your General Assembly experience with help from our program schedule.

To learn more about these events and pre-register for free, scan this code or visit

*Denotes events that may require additional registration

church school partnership

www.thefellowship.info/assembly

MONDAY 1 p.m. Pre-Assembly Prayer Retreat* 4 p.m. Greensboro Sessions for College Students*

WEDNESDAY 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. Leadership Institute on Dawnings*

7:00 p.m. Baptist Women in Ministry’s 30th anniversary worship and celebration THURSDAY 9 – 11:00 a.m.

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

2:45 – 3:45 p.m.

4:15 – 5:15 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Business Session I Workshops, Mission Communities and Business breakout sessions Workshops and Mission Communities State and regional meetings Commissioning Service for new field personnel and church starters

FRIDAY 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

1:30 – 4:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

9:00 p.m.

Business session II Workshops Worship and Communion featuring Kyle Matthews Welcome reception for Suzii Payter, CBF’s new executive coordinator

Summary of Individual Contributors

January 2012-December 2012

While the bulk of financial support for CBFNC ministries comes from church budgets, individual gifts are an important and growing source of mission and ministry funding. During the past twelve months, we have encouraged individual giving through an effort called the “20/20 Campaign,” in celebration of our first twenty years and in anticipation of our next twenty years.

CBFNC is grateful for all gifts, regardless of size, donor, or designation. May God continue to entrust to us God’s mission and provide the support necessary to carry it out.

Would you like to give to CBFNC as an individual, honoring/in memory of someone important in your life or in support of a particular ministry or project? You will find information on our website, www.cbfnc.org.

Name........................................... City/State

Name........................................... City/State

Clarence and Bonnie Adams . .................................................Charlotte Rennie and Sandy Adcock............Pfafftown Seth and Jennifer Asbill...............Knightdale Kesler and Ramona Askew...............Enfield Alfred and Hazel Ayscue .......................................... Rocky Mount Betty Babyak.................................... Raleigh J. D. and Margaret Baldree................ Shelby Laura Barclay and Ryan Eller . .......................................Winston-Salem Wayne and Anita Bare....................... Garner Cos Barnes............................ Southern Pines Emory Bass................................Huntersville Cecelia Beck...................................... Shelby Bill and Leigh Bigger...................... Durham David and Mavis Bissette.....Winston-Salem Donna and Steve Bissette............ Clemmons Eunice Bland.................................... Raleigh Erskine and Peggy Blankenship......Beaufort Ken and Gail Boaz...............Winston-Salem Brad and Sarah Boberg.............Red Springs Tom and Betty Bodkin..................... Raleigh Cline and Doris Borders.................... Shelby Dorothy Bowers................................... Eden Melanie Boyer..............................Greenville Mary Boyles........................Winston-Salem Joshua and Jessica Breazeale.......Greenville Dustin M. Brown...........................Asheboro Martha and Tom Bryson.................Charlotte Charles and Grace Bullard............Asheboro Dean Bumgardner.................. McLeansville Warner and Roberta Bumgardner .............................................. Wadesboro Linden and Alice Burch.......Lake Junaluska Hugh and Vickie Burlington.................Cary Morgan Burnett.........................Waynesville

Karen Burnette..................................... Sylva Don and Mary Byrd...................Mount Airy Robert and Cindy Canoy................... Shelby Tony Cartledge.....................................Apex Jack and Mary Lib Causey...........Statesville Kenny and Trishia Chapman............... Sylva Ka’thy and Russ Chappell....Winston-Salem James and Elizabeth Clark...Hendersonville Marie Clontz...............................Horse Shoe Edward and Nelda Cockman........ West End Beth Cockman-Wood and Richard Wood . ...................................................Sanford Austin and Betty Connors................ Raleigh Holland and Gail Coulter.....Hendersonville Jim Cross...........................................Oxford Carol and Danny Dalton.............Swannanoa Louise and Carl Dawson.................. Raleigh Barbara Doster......................Winston-Salem Carol Dunning............................Mount Airy Jennie and Edward Easterly...... Pickens, SC Charles and Julia Edwards...Winston-Salem Wallace and Martha Edwards... Spring Hope Jerry Ellington............................. Henderson Susan and Matt Ellington................ Zebulon Jane and Richard Eskew.......Winston-Salem Johnnie Evans............................ Morrisville Patsy and Robert Everhart........... Clemmons Steven and Barbara Everhart..... Wilmington Judy Farrow............................... Wilmington Sue Fitzgerald.......................Winston-Salem Woodrow Freeze..............................Bullock Hubert and Marguerite Garner.........Sanford Kelley and Greg Garris................Smithfield Jack and Ruby Gentry................. Clemmons Roger and Deidra Gilbert...........Mount Airy Jack and Barbara Glasgow.............. Zebulon

6 • The Gathering – May/June 2013

CBFNC Honorary and Memorial Gifts Jan 2012 - March 2013

In honor of LaCount and Anna Anderson

By Christine and Allen Harker In honor of Jack Causey

By Bill and Leigh Biggers

In honor of Jack and Mary Lib Causey

By Kim and Robbie Ray In honor of Marguerite Garner

By Hubert Garner In honor of Terry Hamrick

By Emory Bass

In honor of Jim Justice

By Janice Sharpe

In honor of Aileen Mitchell Lawrimore

By Harold Mitchell In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lee

By Lisa and Kenneth Rust In honor of Randall Lolley

By Fred Kelly

By John and Anne Lawrence

In honor of Allen and Velvyn Shirley

By Matt and Michelle Norman

In honor of Ethel Smith

By Amanda Smith

In honor of Betty Stillwell

By Wanda and Dan Kidd ______________________________ In memory of Rob Blankenship

By Erskine and Peggy Blankenship In memory of Marie Deal

By Lucy and Wayne Rash In memory of Bill Dunning

By Carol Dunning In memory of J.J. Griffin

By Virginia Griffin

In memory of Kay Huggins

By Barbara Huggins

In memory of Arthur Insko

By Jim and Marion Summerville In memory of Harlee Joiner

By Kim and Larry Hovis

In memory of Caroline Rogers

By Paul Rogers In memory of Ed Vick

By Rick and Susan Jordan

Honorary and Memorial Gifts will be acknowledged in each bi-monthly newsletter.

Summary of Individual Contributors

January 2012-December 2012

Name........................................... City/State

Name........................................... City/State

Name........................................... City/State

Virginia Griffin.................................Monroe Irvin and Ruth Anne Grigg........Kernersville Mike and Kim Grizzard............. Winterville Shannon and David Hall..................Mebane Joyce Hamby..............................Yadkinville Christine and Allen Harker......... Winterville Rosalind and Ralph Harrell......Cedar Grove Cathy and Bill Hartsell...................Charlotte Pat and Asad Hashemi...................... Raleigh James and Doris Helvey.......Winston-Salem Rena and Bill Henderson............ Ridgecrest James and Linda Henson..............Albemarle Jerry and Carole Hepler..................... Supply Brenda Hipp.............................. Thomasville Donald and Jo Ann Horton.............. Zebulon Marion and Donald Horton.........Knightdale Larry and Kim Hovis.....................Pfafftown Barbara Huggins............................... Raleigh Jane Hunnicutt........................... Weaverville John Hunnicutt.......................... Thomasville Jesse and Lindsay Hunt..................Ft. Drum John Hunt............................. Boiling Springs Joshua and Sacha Hunt...........Anderson, SC Louis Hunter.............................Tobaccoville Rebecca Husband Maynard and Mark Maynard.........................Elkin Jerry and Peggy Isley................Kernersville Nancy amd Franklin Ivey.............Statesville Bob and Elaine Jeffcoat................... Durham Brenda and Mike Johnson..............Rowland Jont Gilmer and Frances Johnson.Asheville Paul and Vera Johnson...............Buies Creek Linda and Joseph Jones............... Clemmons Van and June Jones........................... Raleigh Rick and Susan Jordan.................Lewisville Larry Kallam........................................Elkin Fred Kelly.................................. Wilmington Dan and Wanda Kidd.................. Cullowhee Luther and Carolyn Kimrey....... Laurinburg Elissa Kincaid.................................. Hickory Lou Kline......................................... Raleigh Shirley and Dean Kool........................ Sylva Bob and Rhea Lamb......................... Shelby Mable Laney................................ Burlington John and Anne Lawrence................. Raleigh Aileen and Jay Lawrimore............ Asheville

Bill and Crystal Leathers......Winston-Salem Dianne and Van Lewis...................Farmville Melissa and Damon Long...... Hamptonville Dan Lunsford................................. Mars Hill Rick Matthews......................Winston-Salem Shirley and Aubrey McLellan.....High Point Marcia McQueen.................................. Eden Geneva Metzger.........................Greensboro Sarah Mitchell......................Winston-Salem Mark Munday................................... Raleigh Doug and Candace Murray............... Wilson Russell and Nancy Myers.............Albemarle Matt and Michelle Norman............... Leland Dee Dee Oakey.................................... Gates Daniel Odom...............................High Point Stacy and Sam Pardue..................... Raleigh Esther and Tim Parker...................... Raleigh Margie and Carl Parker.........................Cary Dan Phipps....................Surfside Beach, SC Betty and Carson Pittman............ State Road Jack and Dixie Porter....................... Raleigh Claire and Billy Presley....................... Gates Clara Privott............................ Rocky Mount Michael and Bobbie Queen........Greensboro Mary Lou Ragan....................Fuquay Varina David and Pattie Ramsaur...........Lumberton Kim and Robbie Ray......................Charlotte Paul and Anne Raybon.....................Candler Phillip and Betsy Reynolds............. Hickory Jan and Larry Rhodes.................... Asheville Jerry and Eileen Richards.....................Apex Kennon and Peggie Roberson ........................................Winston-Salem Paul Rogers.................................. Tabor City Lisa and Kenneth Rust................Lumberton Sandi Schneider................................ Raleigh Martha and Fred Senter.................Hallsboro Milton Sewell.............................Mount Airy Janice Sharpe................................Hiddenite Shirley Shelburne........................ Lillington Martha and Wilbert Simmons...Chapel Hill John and Priscilla Singletary.......... Pittsboro Amanda Smith............................... Low Gap Bobbye Smith.............................Yadkinville Charlotte and Roy Smith......Winston-Salem Christine Smith.................................Clayton

Sharon and Paul Smith................... Gastonia Sylvia Smith........................................ Gates William and June Smith.......Winston-Salem Jo Ann and Ed Stancil...................... Raleigh Sandy Stillman-Alvin....................... Raleigh Doris Stocks.................................High Point Teresa and Chuck Stratton......... Youngsville Jim and Marion Summerville.....Chapel Hill Charles and Ellen Tabor.......Winston-Salem Susan and Michael Taylor..........Chapel Hill Jean and Theodore Thompson.......Charlotte Jerry and Audrey Thompson......Greensboro Susan Ulrich...............................Fayetteville Angela and David Vess.........................Cary Jeffrey and Tonya Vickery........... Cullowhee Betty and Bob Wainwright................Oxford Olivia and Andy Wakefield.......... Lillington Ann Wall........................................... Raleigh Johnnie Wallace..............................Charlotte Mitch and Donna Ann Watson...Fayetteville Kimsey and Renae Welch........Trent Woods Mary and James Williams............... Durham Candace and Dick Wilson...................Tryon David and Ann Wilson.......... Maryville, TN Wanda Wilson............................ Weaverville Linda Winslow............................Jamestown Lisa Wolfe.....................................Whiteville Marshall Woodall......................... Lillington Richard and Betty Wynne................ Raleigh Doris Yates............................Winston-Salem Tyanna Yonkers............................... Calypso Bert and Tiffany Young..............Bladenboro Wagner Agape Ministries....... McLeansville Western NC Baptist Network..........Ashville Estate of Harold T. Southern.........Greer, SC

NC Baptist Foundation Endowment Fund: Blanche Wall and William A. Brown Mary W. Brown Hannah and Frank D. Hills H.Manly Hocutt Lynn Camp Odom Elizabeth Simmons The Gathering – May/June 2013

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7

Be the Hands and Feet of God

by Steve DeVane

Sacred Rhythms of Jesus followers

Come. Abide.

Abide. Go. Go. Come.

Cooperative Baptists heard a straightforward challenge for spiritual transformation from one of their own at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina’s 2013 General Assembly.

About 900 people worshipped, found out about numerous ministry opportunities, started a new annual offering and learned about preparations for CBFNC’s 20th anniversary celebration next year during the meeting March 15-16 at First Baptist Church in Lumberton. The theme was “Sacred Rhythms of Jesus Followers: Come. Abide. Go.” Greg Rogers, pastor of Oakmont Baptist Church in Greenville, preached during the evening worship March 15. Rogers served on CBFNC’s Coordinating Council for six years, including two years as moderator.

Preaching from Ephesians 3, Rogers delivered a heartfelt call for the leaders of CBFNC congregations to consider what they have “deep down inside.” Rogers recounted his journey as a minister, saying he became an expert at “planning and

praying,” rather than “praying and planning.” Rogers said he came to realize that he was “running on spiritual fumes.” He said he was reading the Bible for information rather than formation.

The transformation of two congregations was highlighted during a “sermon in dialogue” at the morning worship service March 16. Kasey Jones, pastor of National Baptist Memorial Church in Washington, D.C., and Tommy Justus, pastor of Mars Hill Baptist Church in Mars Hill, talked about the partnership of their churches.

Justus talked about the importance of working together in ministry. Missions should be in partnership, he said.

Jones talked about how she was called to National in 2006 by a remnant in the once thriving church. The people were discouraged but wanted to be the presence of Christ in their community, she said.

Much of National’s large building was rented to tenants, but church members decided to take risks and start using the space for ministry, Jones said. She started

getting calls from CBFNC churches that wanted to help.

“You became a manifestation of God’s faithfulness,” Jones said. Members of National started “co-laboring” with people from Mars Hill and other churches, she said. “It’s deeper than just the labor,” she said. “It’s given our folks the courage to go themselves.”

Justus said Mars Hill’s members learned resilience from the people at National. The CBFNC church also learned the importance of feeding its community, where 80 percent of school children eat free or reduced cost lunches at school. “Finally, we learned how to ask for help,” Justus said.

Jones encouraged Fellowship Baptists to minister. “If you’re scared, I encourage you to go afraid,” she said. “Understand you will make mistakes. When you make mistakes, go again.”

Jones said people shouldn’t give up when they confront a problem. “There are going to be challenges, but God’s grace is sufficient,” she said. “I’m not talking continued on page 9

8 • The Gathering – May/June 2013

We Need All Our Voices

by Steve DeVane Workshops during the CBFNC General Assembly March 15-16 covered a variety of ministry opportunities.

Darlene Jacobs, executive director of the Robeson County Church and Community Center, led a workshop on ministering to Native Americans. She talked about demographics, cultural diversity and spirituality.

Churches that want to minister to Native Americans should understand their culture, Jacobs said. “It’s not a cookie cutter type of thing,” she said. “When you think about Native American people, be mindful of the history of the tribe.”

Susie Reeder, minister of missions and education at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in Fayetteville, and Richard Wood, associate pastor of family ministry at Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church in Sanford, led a workshop on partnering with public schools. Several members of Jonesboro Heights also participated.

The church currently puts together about 132 bags of food to go in backpacks, she said. Reeder said the cost of a filling a bag every week for one student is about $160 a year. Church members sponsor children, she said. The church also buys backpacks filled with school supplies each year from a website that works with non-profit groups, Reeder said. A member of the church can buy a backpack for a student for $12. “When you make it small, something people can do, they’ll do it,” she said.

Alan Jenkins, who works part-time with Equal Exchange, said the group promotes fair trade by helping small farmers form cooperatives that give them direct access to buyers and markets. By cutting out middlemen, Equal Exchange can provide high-quality foods at a fair price to consumers while paying small farmers more than they would otherwise get, according to the organization’s website.

Equal Exchange provides prices that aren’t subject to market fluctuations, Jenkins said. The organization also provides money to small farmers before they harvest their crops, he said. The organization also encourages the farmers to diversify, Jenkins said.

“So they don’t have all their eggs in one basket.”

Pam Durso, executive director of Baptist Women in Minis-

Hands and Feet of God from pg 8

about anything I don’t know from experience. God can transform.”

CBFNC also heard encouraging words from Suzii Paynter, new executive coordinator of CBF. She spoke briefly during the evening worship March 15 and talked with people at a reception following the service.

Paynter said she knows about missions and ministry work done by Fellowship Baptists from North Carolina.

“Over and over again, I met you in the far flung places of the world, being the hands and feet of Christ, being the presence of Christ,” she said. Paynter said God

try, led a workshop called “Her Place at the Table: Creating a Culture in which Women are Welcomed as Ministers and Leaders.” She said seeing women ministers is important, especially for young girls.

Leaders in churches need to be advocates for women ministers, Durso said. “We need to speak up,” she said. “Do it in kind, loving ways, but speak up.” Male pastors who support women in ministry can talk to their colleagues about the issue. “It doesn’t just take women’s voices to get women to the table,” she said.

“We need all our voices.”

Divinity school students talked with church and denominational leaders during a panel discussion that covered each group’s expectations of the other. Members of the panel talked about how to make sure divinity students are involved in dialogue in churches.

A divinity student asked about how to deal with potential differences with a church during an interview for a staff position.

Irma Duke, director of church relations at Campbell University Divinity School, said the student should realize that if the differences are major, they are not going to change the church and the church isn’t going to change them. “If there are major differences, you’ve got to decide if you can live with them,” she said.

Jack Causey, CBFNC’s ministerial resources coordinator, summed it up, saying, “Decide what’s ultimately important to you,” he said.

has great plans for CBF. “It is my pleasure to join with you,” she said.

CBFNC celebrated its ministries and handled business matters the morning of March 16. Outgoing moderator Donna Bissette highlighted CBFNC’s missions and ministry efforts. She said the staff works hard to make sure events became experiences for those attending. Bissette also talked about resources available on the CBFNC website and the organization’s partnerships and collaborations with other groups.

Guy Sayles, chairman of the 20th Anniversary Vision Team, said the effort will include a time of discernment about

CBFNC’s future. “Our early sense is that we will be answering the why questions more than the how questions,” he said.

About $4,750 was collected at the General Assembly for CBFNC’s Mission and Ministry Offering. The money will be part of the new offering, “Done in Love,” which will be launched this fall. The offering will support CBFNC ministries and provide educational resources to strengthen CBFNC’s identity with churches and people.

You can find these articles in their entirety on our website, www.cbfnc.org/Congregations/ 2013GeneralAssembly.aspx.

The Gathering – May/June 2013

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Music Ministry

continued from page 3

Rick: What are principles from this ministry that other churches could use to begin a similar ministry?

Linda: This is an effort to reach out and show Christ’s love, not an effort to gain new members. Families are always invited and warmly welcomed, but we are grateful to work with the children however we can get them. It is helpful to have other staff involved, as well as lay volunteers.

This takes a lot of time and an already slammed schedule gets a little crazier. Yet, every time we go to the school, I come away thinking that this was where I should be today, and it was probably more important than anything else I needed to accomplish in my office.

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

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.

In other words, we need you!

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

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

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

Ministers on the Move

Compiled by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved: Graham Culbertson has been called as Minister of Youth for First Baptist Church of Lincolnton.

Chadbourn Baptist Church in Chadbourn has called Danny Russell to be Pastor.

Mount Carmel Baptist Church of Chapel Hill has called Doug Thompson as Minister of Music.

Amanda Atkin has been called to serve Greystone Baptist Church in Raleigh as Minister of Spiritual Formation.

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 – May/June 2013

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

New Contributing CBFNC Partner Churches (As of March 22, 2013) Enfield, Enfield (1st MRP* Contribution) Grace, Asheville (1st MRP* Contribution) *Mission Resource Plan - visit www.cbfnc.org

Coordinator Visits February 2013 - March 2013 Baptist University of the Americas

Forest Hills, Raleigh

Calvary, Mount Airy

Memorial, Buies Creek

Duke University Baptist House of Studies

Gardner-Webb Divinity School

First, Albermarle

Meredith College

First, Burlington

Piney Grove, Mount Airy

First, Greensboro

Tabernacle, Raleigh

First, Lumberton

Via Faith Community, Winston-Salem

First, Madison First, Mebane First, Morganton

Wake Forest University Baptist Student Center

First, Raleigh

Wingate University

First, Valdese

Yates, Durham

First, Winston-Salem

Zebulon Baptist, Zebulon

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

May/June 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 Network 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 Ray Ammons, Gastonia, Moderator Lisa Rust, Lumberton, Moderator-Elect Donna Bissette, Winston-Salem, Past Moderator Marion Horton, Knightdale, Recorder Mike Eddinger, Cary, Treasurer Kathy Driver, Raleigh Heather Folliard, Durham David Hailey, Raleigh Jeff Matthis, Sylva Rick Matthews, Winston-Salem Doug Murray, Wilson Mike Queen, Greensboro Susan Taylor, Chapel Hill

Endowment Management Board Ron Cava, Henderson Byrns Coleman, Wingate Scott Hudgins, Winston-Salem Anissa Nixon, Mocksville Gene Puckett, Raleigh

5 6 7 8

– – – –

North Central: Tom Jackson ......

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

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

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

Leadership Development Ministry Council Layne Rogerson, Greenville, Chair Shane Nixon, Mocksville, Chair-Elect Ed Beddingfield, Fayetteville Sarah Boberg, Red Springs Jerry Chiles, Raleigh John Daniels, Waynesville Kheresa Harmon, Shelby Matt Johnson, Belhaven Mark Reece, Mount Airy Nathan Rice, Southern Pines

The Issues and Possible Solutions for 2013-2015

CBFNC offices in Winston-Salem

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 Stella Perrin, Taylorsville, Chair Katie Fam Roscoe, Southern Pines, Chair-Elect Giles Blankenship, Fayetteville Beth Cockman-Wood, Sanford Brian Harrington, Liberty Kerrie Clayton Jordan, Smithfield Barbara Glasgow, Zebulon Tyler Roach, Morganton Sophia Steibel, Boiling Springs Scott Thrailkill, Goldsboro

Christian Education Friday, May 31, 2013

Region Region Region Region

Missions Ministry Council Linda Winslow, Jamestown, Chair Blake Dempsey, Nashville, Chair-Elect Elba Benitez, Pittsboro Everette Clark, Enka Allison Gallimore, Oxford Brandon Hudson, Winston-Salem Michael Lea, West Jefferson Nate Leonard, Morehead City Paula McCosh, Fayetteville Mike Womble, Wilmington

Financial Report: February 2013 Contributions Undesignated - $105,926 Designated - $205,139

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

Visit our website, www.cbfnc.org, for more information.

The Gathering – May/June 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 ~ May/June Edition

Suzii Paynter Visit April 30, 2013 First, Asheville Peace Haven, Winston-Salem May 1, 2013 The Memorial, Greenville May 2, 2013 First, Raleigh St. John’s, Charlotte

Familias Transformadas (Family Retreat) June 7-8, 2013 Primera Iglesia Baptista de Sanford

Campamento de Mujeres (Women’s Retreat) August 16-18, 2013 Fort Caswell Retreat and Conference Center

CBF National General Assembly June 26-28 2013 Greensboro

Campamento de Jovenes (Youth Retreat) August 23-25, 2013 Camp Caraway, Sophia

OASIS 2013 July 15-17, 2013 Campbell University

Fashioning a Deacon Ministry that Works for Your Church May 4, 2013 Hominy, Chandler Encuentro de Varones (Men’s Retreat) May 17-18, 2013 Camp Mundo Vista, Sophia Establishing a Dynamic Coaching Relationship (502 Class) May 20-21, 2013 CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem Christian Education - The Issues and Possible Solutions for 2013-2015 May 31, 2013 CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem

Campamento Ninos (Children’s Retreat) July 27-28, 2013 Camp Caraway, Sophia Family Day at Emerald Pointe July 30, 2013 Greensboro SELAHvie August 5-7, 2013 Clayton, GA Fresh Expressions Vision Day August 16, 2013 Forest Hills, Raleigh

Youth Whitewater Retreat August 31-September 2, 2013 Asheville Youth Beach Retreat September 13-15, 2013 Myrtle Beach, SC 2013 Elevating Preaching Conference September 23, 2013 Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem Servant-Leadership in a Secular Age: Deacon Ministry that Models Missional Living September 28, 2013 Lowes Grove, Durham

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.