The Gathering CBFNC Newsletter - November–December 2009

November/December 2009 • Vol. 14, Issue 6 Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry

In This Edition Page 3

Page 4

The Gathering

Page 5

Eddie Hammett to Serve as CBFNC Church and Clergy Coach

Pages 6-8

2010 CBFNC Theological Education Scholarship Recipients

Missional Collaboration Conversations

Page 8

Cultivating Quality Leadership for a Sustainable Church

by Stephen Lewis

Page 9

Win-Win with Interns

by Rick Jordan

Page 10

Creating a Village of Hope

by Len Keever

Collegiate-Congregational Internships Through CBF

by Wanda Kidd Theological Education – Foundational to Our Fellowship

by Larry Hovis

It’s Raining…Kids

by Jenny Folmar

of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

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Sharing love, sharing hope National Goal: $6.1 million www.thefellowship.info/give

November/December 2009

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

Jack Causey....Ministerial Resources Coordinator JCausey@cbfnc.org Wanda Kidd....College Ministry Consultant WKidd@cbfnc.org Eddie Hammett...Church and Clergy Coach EHammett@cbfnc.org

Nancy Parks..... Programs Manager NParks@cbfnc.org Natalie Aho..... Communications Manager NAho@cbfnc.org Laura Barclay....... Ministry Support Manager LBarclay@cbfnc.org Gail McAlister...... Financial Assistant GMcalister@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 Tommy Bratton, Asheville Don Gordon, Durham Gary Knight, Winston-Salem Martha McDowell, Laurinburg Glenn Phillips, Goldsboro Bert Young, Bladenboro Janice Young, Whiteville

Faith Development Ministry Council John Vestal, Raleigh, Chair Allen Winters, Hillsborough, Chair-Elect Todd Blake, Fayetteville Gay Gulick, Winston-Salem Beth Heffner, Rutherfordton Garin Hill, Shelby Rebecca Husband Maynard, Elkin Kathy Naish, Hickory Katie Fam Roscoe, Southern Pines Tony Spencer, Forest City

Missions Ministry Council Kenny Davis, Wise, Chair Kent Cranford, Gastonia, Chair-Elect George Fuller, Raleigh Christopher Ingram, Smithfield Andrea Jones, Raleigh Len Keever, Dunn Alicia Porterfield, Wilmington Susie Reeder, Fayetteville Jose Villasenor, Durham Linda Winslow, Jamestown

Leadership Development Ministry Council Mark Ashworth, Kernersville, Chair Scott Hovey, Durham, Chair-Elect Joseph Alexander, Winston-Salem Ed Beddingfield, Fayetteville Larry Glover-Wetherington, Richlands Rendell Hipps, Hickory Tommy James, Sylva Shane Nixon, Burlington LeAnne Spruill, Durham Mari Wiles, Murfreesboro

CBF National Council Members from NC Paul Baxley, Henderson Lee Canipe, Murfreesboro Jack Glasgow, Zebulon, CBF Past-Moderator Betsy Newton Herman, Raleigh Don Horton, Zebulon Beth McConnell, Charlotte Jim McCoy, Weaverville Robin Roberts, Raleigh

Endowment Management Board Scott Hudgins, Winston-Salem, Chair Jack Buchanan, Shelby A. G. Bullard, Raleigh Joe Harris, Mocksville John Hewett, Charlotte

Financial Report:

July 2009 Contributions Undesignated - $129,985 August 2009 Contributions Undesignated - $54,974 April 2009 - March 2010 Monthly Undesignated Goal: $98,798

2010 CBF General Assembly in Charlotte, NC June 23-25 is the date for the CBF GA at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Many volunteers from nearby churches will be needed for the numerous assignments necessary to host the event in the tradition of Carolina hospitality. Jim Martin, chair, local arrangements, is hoping that every CBFNC church will provide volunteers.

Enlistment will begin in earnest in January, but please consider now what you can do for North Carolina to “put our best foot forward” as we host the annual General Assembly. You can contact Jim (jmartin@providencebc.org) to volunteer as an individual or as a team from your church. Registration is now open at www.thefellowship.info/assembly.

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Designated - $194,450 Designated - $108,934

Eddie Hammett to Serve as CBFNC Church and Clergy Coach CBFNC Press Release Eddie Hammett was elected as the Church and Clergy Coach for CBFNC during a meeting of the CBFNC Coordinating Council on September 17 at Millbrook Baptist Church in Raleigh.

Hammett served 19 years with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, most recently as the regional discipleship and leadership consultant in western North Carolina. In this new part-time role, Hammett will work with CBFNC churches and the CBFNC employed staff and elected leadership as a consultant and coach in the areas of clergy coach training, lay leadership and church staff team development, spiritual formation, transitioning issues for churches, discipleship, and deacon ministry.

Larry Hovis, Executive Coordinator, stated that Hammett has achieved national recognition as an author, consultant, and coach in his work with clergy, churches, and denominations across the country.

“We are pleased to welcome Eddie Hammett to the CBFNC leadership team,” Hovis said following Hammett’s election. “Eddie brings

to the table a unique awareness of the challenges and needs of congregational life in the 21st century. His background as a staff minister in local churches, coupled with his experience and expertise in coaching and consulting, will be an invaluable asset to what CBFNC is already doing in bringing Baptists together in North Carolina for Christ-centered ministry.”

Hammett, a founding member of The Columbia

“The days of challenge and opportunity are here for churches that embrace their calling and giftedness...”

Partnership that offers consulting and coaching services to churches and clergy, expressed his desire to complement the work of the current CBFNC leadership team.

“I look forward to my partnership with CBFNC with excitement, openness, and the privilege of serving in and among very capable CBFNC leaders and congregations,” Hammett said. “As Church and Clergy Coach for CBFNC, it is my desire to provide coaching and consulting that will maximize the dreams and leadership of CBFNC congregations that desire to impact and influence those in the pew and those in their communities.”

“The days of challenge and opportunity are here for

leaders, churches, and groups that embrace their calling and giftedness in ways that renew and preserve traditions, as well as the hopes and dreams that birth the future for all generations that move forward with faith, courage, and intentionality.”

Hammett, a native of Greenville, South Carolina, also served as senior coach for Lake Hickory Learning Communities at Hollifield Leadership Center from 2004 through August of 2009. A graduate of North Greenville College, Furman University, and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Hammett has led conferences across the country, and has consulted and coached churches and clergy across denominational lines. He is a professional certified coach with the International Coach Federation, and has written six books.

Learn more about Eddie at www.thecolumbiapartnership.org or www.soulful-leadership.com.

For more information, contact Larry Hovis at LHovis@cbfnc.org or Eddie Hammett at EHammett@ cbfnc.org.

Missional Collaboration Conversations For several months, CBFNC has been facilitating a process with our ministry partners that we’ve referred to as “missional collaboration conversations” (partners are those who participate in the Mission Resource Plan: WMU of NC, Baptist Men, NC colleges and universities, Baptist Children’s Homes, Baptist Retirement Homes, School of Pastoral Care, NC Baptist Foundation, BWA, BJC, BCE, ABP, and Baptists Today). The purpose of these conversations is to discover how we can better work together to pursue God’s mission in our state and world.

Conversation teams have been formed for each partner. These teams consist of representatives from the partner, CBFNC elected and employed leaders, and representatives from among CBFNC congregations.

Though the conversations may cover different topics, depending on the type of ministry performed by each particular partner, all conversations were asked to include four basic factors: • Missionally appropriate uses of Mission Resource Plan contributions • Avenues for missional collaboration beyond financial • Missional enhancement of congregations and CBFNC • Strategies for mutual public affirmation As of this printing, at least an initial meeting had been held with all except three of our partners, and those meetings have been scheduled. The result of these conversations will be written agreements or plans that will provide specific ways CBFNC, congregations and partners will work together to pursue God’s mission in the months and years ahead.

We will include an expression of celebration and commitment to missional collaboration at the CBFNC General Assembly at First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, March 19-20, 2010.

The Gathering – November/December 2009 • 3

www.thefellowship.info/collegeinternship

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship you

Collegiate-Congregational Internships Through CBF

by Wanda Kidd, CBFNC Collegiate Ministry Consultant

Do you want to do more than just go to church? www.thefellowship.info/collegeinternship Maybe God is calling you to serve in one.

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earn by doing . The

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Collegiate Congregational Internship gives you an opportunity to explore a vocational calling by serving for a summer in a CBF partner church. If you’ve ever thought God might be calling you into ministry, this internship is for you. Learn more and apply online.

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

www.thefellowship.info/collegeinternship

Collegiate-Congregational Internships •

College students serve in CBF churches in NC and other states for 10 weeks, summer of 2010 For the student: • Grant-funded $1,200 scholarship • Pre-field orientation and a post-field debriefing • Coaching from off-site church coaches The church provides: • Mentoring • Living expenses for the summer

Mid-Winter College Retreat

February 6-7, 2010 Mundo Vista, NC Conversations around social justice Cost: $35 (includes lodging and food) for early bird regist. by January 22. Cost is $40 after this date. Register by January 29 at www.cbfnc.org.

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Would your church see the value addition of children, and the “church in offering a college student an bounce” is delayed from their midopportunity to serve in your church twenties to early thirties, if at all.

The trend of moving away from this summer? Or do you know of a student who is exploring a call local church involvement has to serve Christ in a congregational even been reflected in those who setting? Either way, we have a are attending mainline Protestant divinity schools. Statistics show that possibility for you.

For the next three summers, over 50% of those entering seminary national CBF is offering a in 2006 did not want to serve in a summer internship program called local congregation upon graduation.

C o l l e g i a t e - C o n g r e g a t i o n a l Those statistics are somewhat Internships. CBF received a altered when they graduate and grant from the Lilly Foundation need employment, but the fact to help students and churches remains that young adults are not as explore the value of ministry to connected to the local congregation local congregations. This is not an as they were twenty years ago.

Last summer Mt. Pisgah Baptist internship that hires college students Fayetteville, offered to be a church’s youth minister for Church, the summer. These internships are Meghan Beddingfield, recent UNC designed to help students get a broad graduate and FBC Fayetteville www.thefellowship.info/collegeinternship based experience in congregational member, an opportunity to serve in ministry and for churches to mentor their church for the summer with a student to serve alongside the staff funds from CBFNC. The pastor, to get an up close look at ministry in Todd Blake, was so pleased with the impact that the experience had a local church.

A great deal of conversation is on Meghan and their congregation, happening in Christian circles about that he encouraged a group in a CBF young adult involvement in church gathering recently to take advantage or the lack thereof. The rule of of any internship that brought a thumb for several decades has been young adult into their congregation. that those in their late teens and early He felt it was a growing experience twenties will probably drift away for all involved.

Maybe a college intern is just from regular church attendance, but when they marry and have children, what your church needs to work they will return to the fold and take through the changes in young up leadership and be an integral part adults. Or maybe you need a healthy environment to discover of the congregation.

That trend has shifted as children if God is calling you to ministry. and youth have lived their church Whether you are a church or student lives in separate programs and, in interested in this opportunity, more many cases, separate buildings from information and expectations can be the rest of the congregation. By the found at www.thefellowship.info/ time they graduate from high school collegeinternships.

You can also contact Wanda Kidd and move on to college or careers, they are increasingly disconnected at asyougo5@aol.com for more from the church. Added to that information.

Learn more about CBFNC and disconnection is the cultural shift of later marriages and an even later Collegiate Ministry at cbfnc.org.

Theological Education - Foundational to Our Fellowship

by Larry Hovis, Executive Coordinator, CBFNC Editor’s Note – This is the sixth in a series of articles describing the ministries of partners who participate in the CBFNC Mission Resource Plan (MRP). To learn more about the MRP, visit www.cbfnc.org.

When the Fellowship movement was birthed in the early 1990s, the first ministries that we collectively supported were missionaries who were losing funding from their traditional sources of support. Funding for and engagement in Global Missions has been central to our shared identity and ministry since the beginning of our movement.

Close on the heels of Global Missions came support for emerging channels of theological education. Though CBF does not own and operate institutions, from the beginning our movement has embraced a partnership approach to relating to a large network of ministries.

None of these ministries has been as foundational to our congregations and our Fellowship as theological schools.

Of the fifteen schools who relate to CBF, four are in North Carolina. The Baptists of North Carolina have been strong supporters of theological education throughout our history, first with Wake Forest College, then Southeastern Seminary. The best of that tradition is carried on through the divinity schools at Campbell, Duke, Gardner-Webb and Wake Forest.

Before the establishment of the Mission Resource Plan, CBFNC included funds in our budget for scholarships for students at the four North Carolina schools, as well as for students from North Carolina engaged in theological studies outside our state. With the advent of the Mission

Resource Plan, that support has grown significantly. The basic version of the Mission Resource Plan allocates sixteen percent of its funding for theological education.

In our 2008-2009 fiscal year, CBFNC facilitated over a quarter of a million dollars in financial support for theological education. We estimate that figure will grow to over $330,000 in the current fiscal year!

Baptists believe strongly in the Reformation doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. We also believe strongly in the role of educated vocational ministers to “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12).

In addition to funding, CBFNC works closely with the leaders of our theological schools. We meet twice a year with the deans of the schools to share ideas and collaborate on joint ministries. A significant number of students participate in the General Assembly and other CBFNC ministries. Many of these students serve on the staffs of North Carolina congregations. Students have provided leadership for CBFNC youth events and other ministries. Our Fellowship is richer, deeper and stronger because of the students, faculties and staffs of our partner schools.

After speaking in a church about the changes in Baptist life and the ministries of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, an older lay leader shared a wise insight: “I think I figured out what all this fuss is about. We love our pastor. But some day our pastor will retire or move to another place of service. This is about where our church is going to get our next pastor!”

Baptist Theological Education Institutions in North Carolina Baptist House of Studies at

Duke Divinity www.divinity. duke.edu

Campbell Divinity www.campbell. edu/divinity Gardner-Webb Divinity www.gardnerwebb.edu

Wake Forest Divinity www.divinity. wfu.edu Learn more about CBFNC and theological education at www.cbfnc.org.

Save the date for the 2010 CBFNC General Assembly!

March 19-20, 2010 First Baptist Church Winston-Salem, NC Friday, March 19 Welcome and Orientation Ministry Workshop Sessions Fellowship Dinner * Evening Worship Fellowship Reception

Friday Worship Speaker: Dr. Cecil Sherman, Visiting Professor of Pastoral Ministry, BTSR and Founding Coordinator, CBF

Saturday Worship Speakers: Voices of the Next Generation

Saturday, March 20 Vocational & Affinity Network Groups** Ministry Workshop Session

Ministry Celebration (incl. adoption of ‘10-’11 budget & council election)

Morning Worship

* Friday Evening Fellowship Dinner requires a pre-registration. ** New opportunity at the CBFNC General Assembly! More info. coming soon.

Generations Connected: One Family, One Faith, Many Journeys

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.”

Psalm 90:1 Learn more about ministry workshop titles, General Assembly details, discounted hotel options, childcare reservations and registration at www.cbfnc.org.

The Gathering – November/December 2009

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2010 CBFNC Theological Education Scholarship Recipients

Each scholar included their hometown, church and vocational goal. To learn more about giving to theological education through CBFNC, visit www.cbfnc.org.

Scholars from North Carolina who attend Out-of-State Schools Baptist University of the Americas

George W. Truett Theological Seminary

Eduardo Alvarado, Sanford, NC Iglesia Bautista Nuevo Comienzo Pastor

Jessica Chastain, Murphy, NC Cullowhee BC, Sylva Master of Divinity

Baptist University of the Americas

Baptist University of the Americas

Carlos Chavez, Sanford, NC Primera Iglesia Bautista, Sanford Pastor

Ada Cruz, Sanford, NC Primera Iglesia Bautista, Sanford An educator of the word of God

Vanderbilt Divinity School

Beeson Divinity School

Dustin Frye, Bakersville, NC Pine Branch BC, Spruce Pine Chaplaincy, Pastoral Counselor

Peter Haley, Gastonia, NC First BC, Monroe Minister of Music

George W. Truett Theological Seminary

Baptist University of the Americas

Chris Howell, II, Huntersville, NC First BC, Cleburne Serve teenagers in an urban setting

Luis Juarez, Sanford, NC Primera Iglesia Bautista, Sanford Youth Pastor

Baptist University of the Americas

School of Theology at the University

of the South

Yessenia Juarez, Sanford, NC Primera Iglesia Bautista, Sanford Minister of Ministries to the Community

McAfee School of Theology

Union Theological Seminary

Phillip Stokes, Charlotte, NC Hickory Grove BC, Charlotte Professor

Chrissy Tatum, Davidson, NC First BC, Huntersville Social Justice Ministry

The Divinity School at

Wake Forest University www.divinity.wfu.edu, Winston-Salem, NC Degrees Offered: Master of Divinity, MA of Religion, M Div/Juris Doctor

No photo available

Rebecca Mathis, Whiteville, NC First BC, Chattanooga Missions, Social Justice Ministry

Bert Sanders, Winston-Salem, NC Ardmore BC, Winston-Salem Chaplaincy, Pastoral Care-Leadership, Legal

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Brian Layman, Howe, TX Churchland BC, Lexington Senior Pastor

Charles Smith, Independence, MO Emerywood BC, High Point Youth Ministry

M. Christopher White School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb www.gardner-webb.edu/admissions/graduate/divinity, Boiling Springs, NC Degrees Offered: Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry

John David Barnette, Lincolnton, NC First BC, Lincolnton Chaplaincy

Kyle Chastain, Canton, NC Double Springs BC, Shelby Pastoral Work

Jeremiah Childers, Shelby, NC First BC, Shelby Minister

Barrett Freeman, Lenior, NC College Avenue BC, Lenoir Pastor

Sheila Gibson, Sylva, NC First BC, Sylva Minister of Christian Education

Stuart Greene Asheville, NC Pastoral Care

Meredith Jones, Charlotte, NC University City Fellowship, Charlotte Church Planter

Aileen Mitchell Lawrimore, Asheville, NC First BC, Asheville Ministry in a church

Brian Simpson, Gastonia, NC First BC, Lincolnton Pastor

Thomas Whitley, Charlotte, NC Eastside BC, Shelby Professor

Campbell University Divinity School www.campbell.edu/divinity, Buies Creek, NC Degrees Offered: Master of Divinity, MA in Christian Education, M Div/MBA, Doctor of Ministry, M Div/MA in Community Counseling

Cindy Bolden, Cary, NC Westwood BC, Cary Pastoral, Preaching

Joshua Breazeale, Raleigh, NC Oakmont BC, Greenville Minister of Christian Education

Judy Butler, Mebane, NC FBC, Mebane Pastoral Counseling, Senior Adult Ministry

Rick Hollings, Fayetteville, NC Forest Hills BC, Raleigh Master of Divinity

Diane McClary, Mooresville, NC Grace Community, Angier Counseling, Youth/College, Higher Education The Gathering – November/December 2009 • 7

Baptist House of Studies at

Duke Divinity School www.divinity.duke.edu/programs/baptisthouse, Durham, NC Degrees Offered: Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, MA of Theological Studies, Doctor of Theology

Andrew B. Herring, Reidsville, NC First BC, Reidsville Minister

David John Hailey, Raleigh, NC Hayes Barton BC, Raleigh Pastoral or Music Ministry

Aaron J. Walton, Gates, NC New Hope Missionary BC, Gates Pastoring, Teaching, Social Justice

Cultivating Quality Leadership for a Sustainable Church

by Rev. Stephen Lewis, National Director, Calling Congregations, The Fund for Theological Education The roots of quality leadership run deep in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina.

That’s something I know as well as I know my own story—growing up as a Baptist in Charlotte, discerning a call at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, following that call to Duke University Divinity School and forming enduring bonds with colleagues throughout the state and region.

The ability as a church to gather together and serve the community in creative ways depends on leadership.

It depends on an intergenerational conversation that captures the imagination of gifted young leaders among us who feel called to serve the church. For North Carolina churches and communities—for the entire church—quality leadership is the foundation for vital and sustainable Christian institutions. It’s about thriving, not just surviving.

Strong congregations depend on strong leaders. And we know that God calls them. But the church across denominations must reawaken to the essential role of congregations in God’s call.

Week after week, your congregation calls people to faith. But within your congregation, young people – and even those who are not so young – want to know that what they do with their lives matters. They want to know that their faith bears on the choices they make. They need congregations who will prepare them to hear and respond to God’s call in their lives, whatever it may be.

These “calling congregations” engage in practices that build a capacity to notice, name and nurture Christian vocations and the call to ordained ministry.

They understand that a robust “culture of call” – shared 8 • The Gathering – November/December 2009

practices and habits developed over time – ensures that the church has the leadership it needs with gifted men and women serving in church professions now and in the future.

That is why, with visionary funding from Lilly Endowment Inc., The Fund for Theological Education in 2005 launched a national movement to engage congregations and church-related organizations in these practices. The goal?

To form an energized network of people and institutions committed to the cause of quality leadership for the church. What’s at stake is nothing less than the future church and the quality of leadership that will help guide it.

This Calling Congregations movement is taking shape across the country and across the North Carolina landscape in particular.

Ask Paul Baxley and Rusty Edwards at First Baptist Church in downtown Henderson, a vital connecting point for the community. First Baptist was awarded a 2009 Fund for Theological Education “Cultures of Call” grant to launch Vocational Mystagogy. This innovative program helps students explore vocation and pastoral ministry through an Early Church teaching model.

Ask Jack Glasgow at Zebulon Baptist Church in Wake County, known for its intergenerational Samuel Project, which engages members in open conversation around the question of vocation. It’s a model program that is inspiring others.

Among a generation of new leaders, ask Charlene Brown, a 2009 FTE Ministry Fellow attending Duke University Divinity School. “As a future pastor,” Brown says, “I will preach, teach and remind others that a message of hope and reconciliation is at stake, that we are called to resurrect places in our communities that are perishing.” This young leader is bolstered by a caring network of support rooted in her congregation, and the whole church has a stake in her future.

We invite you to join us. You’ll be joining a movement to ensure sustainable leadership and a thriving, sustainable church. Call us, come see us in Atlanta, invite us for a visit, or learn more at www.thefund.org/calling.

Win-Win with Interns

by Rick Jordan, CBFNC Church Resources Coordinator Many Baptist churches are discovering an amazing opportunity that has win-win written all over it.

Students from CBF-partner divinity schools are available to be ministry interns in their congregations.

First Baptist, Kernersville had been in the search for a children’s minister for 18 months and for a youth minister for two months when they interviewed students from the nearby Wake Forest Divinity School.

Two students especially impressed the church, so they invited both.

Jeremy Fox was one of the student interns. “I sensed excitement in the way they carried themselves.

They had a very positive demeanor. Also, they were willing and insightful enough to adjust my job description to match my passions and strengths.

That spoke loudly to me. The fact that they had enough insight to not make a person fit a job description, but instead make a job description around a person was icing on the cake. From a practical standpoint, I needed a place that was close to Winston-Salem so my spouse could go to school. Because of the nature of ministry to younger generations, the church needed someone they knew would be around for a while – at least long enough to develop strong relationships. Honestly, the situation could not have worked out any better than it did.”

Ward Page is the other intern. He reflects, “Being a minister and a student is a special position in which I find myself. On the one hand, it’s very taxing and often difficult to maintain balance and sanity! On the other hand, I get a sense from my congregation that the understanding that I am a student as well as a

minister better allows for me to apply the wonderful things I’m learning at school in my ministry, and that they are welcome to the experimentation.

They tell you that it’s never good to rock the boat when you first begin in a new church position, but I think being a student allows for a little more grace. I think a church that is attracted to divinity school students to serve as ministers, interns or other supervisors expresses a willingness to adapt to the changing

“If it weren’t for these mentors, I honestly doubt I’d be working in a church today.” world around us, and a little more perspective never hurts anyone.”

Dr. Stephen Martin has been the pastor at FBC for six years. He recommends internships to fellow pastors and churches. “The student receives the experience of working in a church and the church receives the energy and enthusiasm of a young ministry student who brings a fresh approach to the ministry demands of the local church. The experience does demand sometimes a more ‘hands on’ involvement with the interns, but they in turn offer a great contribution to the overall ministry of our church. It has been a wonderful experience for both the church as well as myself.”

Rob Tennant, pastor of HillSong Church in Chapel Hill, is sold on internships as well. Heather Thomas Folliard was a church member who attended Duke Divinity School. Although there were many candidates for the position, “We knew what she could do and we

expected her to grow and become a dynamic leader in our church.” Heather began a ministry to graduate students in the area. “It’s a win for her because in interpreting her responsibility creatively, she experienced a success.

It’s a win for us because these young adults, in addition to making the small group she leads lively and a rich experience, have become needed volunteers on the worship team and in youth ministry.”

Rob feels that, likewise, an internship challenges the student. “When I was a seminarian and a part-time church youth pastor, I wanted to do everything. Now that I am a pastor of 12 years, I let the seminarians do everything. When they don’t want to, I tell them they need to give it a try. By everything, I mean baptisms, preaching, leading communion, benedictions, speaking at funerals. The only thing I have not had seminarians do is speak at weddings, and as the opportunity comes, I will do that too.”

Heather feels fortunate to be serving in a local Baptist congregation. “So many of my fellow Baptist students have had to do their field education in Methodist churches because there are so few Baptist churches offering their resources for our divinity school students. Baptist students need the experience of pastoral ministry within their own tradition so they can think about the history and develop their theology in order to faithfully serve a Baptist church upon graduation.”

Such experiences lay the groundwork for a sustained ministry. Jeremy concludes, “I have learned a lot from the mentors I have had the last several years. They have taught me about life in church – how to conduct myself, how to listen to the needs of others, how to gently guide people. They have also taught me how to maintain a balance in my personal life. They wanted to make sure that I started the habit of taking care of myself and my relationships – especially my marriage. If it weren’t for these mentors, I honestly doubt I’d be working in a church today. It is cliché, but it is honest.”

Ministry internships are required for students at each of the divinity schools, but there is always a need for more churches to invite students to join their staff. Will your church take up the challenge?

Ministry Internship Contacts Baptist House: Curtis Freeman, cfreeman@div.duke.edu Campbell: Irma Duke, duke@campbell.edu Gardner-Webb: Robert Canoy, rcanoy@gardner-webb.edu Wake: Melissa Clodfelter, clodfem@wfu.edu The Gathering – November/December 2009

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Creating a Village of Hope

by Len Keever, Pastor, First Baptist, Dunn God often works in neighborhoods to form and shape us; this was certainly true in my life. Being a Christian was a part of our community identity. As a child my faith was nurtured and encouraged by the examples of faith my neighbors demonstrated.

At the Village of Hope in Bucha, Ukraine, CBFNC is working with others to help create a Christian community in which children may be shaped and formed by God through a common witness. Imagine growing up in a place where Christianity is not the norm or where faith is spoken of in hushed tones behind closed doors. Imagine not having had parents, grandparents, and an extended family who share your faith in Jesus Christ.

What we are attempting to create at the Village of Hope is a neighborhood where children may

grow up with the advantages of a fostering Christian community. The Village of Hope is not an orphanage where children live in dormitories. It is a neighborhood where they grow up in a home. They don’t have house parents to watch over them, they have a mother and a father, sisters and brothers who are committed to helping them grow up in a safe and faith-shaping environment.

They aren’t wards of the state; the children are family members loved and adored, celebrated and blessed.

Their neighbors aren’t atheists or agnostics; they are also Christian parents who are caring for and sharing in providing a place where the witness of faithful living may become a part of their story just as it has become a part of our own faith stories.

Soon, we hope to have as many as 40 children living in the Village

of Hope. Progress is slow, but steady. By God’s speed we are right on schedule helping to create what God has called us to do. We are not just helping a child; we are participating with God in creating a Village of Hope.

Perhaps one day Maria or Sasha, Vlad or Lena will look back on their younger years and remember their neighborhood with fondness. When this happens they too will be grateful for all that God has done to help them to grow in Christ. Then they too will want to be good neighbors to someone else. I’m glad to be a part of this vision. Do you share it too?

Foster Families of Village of Hope • • • •

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A total of three families with 16 children (7 biological and 9 foster) now reside at VoH. Four more foster children are coming - the process takes much longer than we would want.

Pray for all the families at the Village of Hope.

Specifically pray for the Dershanovskiy family who is greiving the loss of Edward, one of their foster children, who had a brain tumor and died after unsuccessful surgery this past summer.

Pray for the placing of more foster children.

Learn more at www.cbfnc.org.

It’s Raining ... Kids

by Jenny Folmar, Minister to Youth and College Students, Memorial Baptist Church, Buies Creek When the Memorial BC van pulled into Mount Zion Baptist Church in Independence, Belize one Tuesday afternoon in June, the windows were full of faces. The children piled out like

clowns getting out of a small car in a circus trick.

By the end of the week, 140 kids attended the Vacation Bible School led by the 34-member mission team. The team included families, youth, and individuals from the church who ranged in age from the 4th grade to grandparents!

Katelyn DeVane, who worked with the story-telling team, said one little boy hugged her and asked her what was in her mouth. He had never seen someone with braces.

Amber enjoyed “swinging on the new swing with my friend Giovani.” The team built the swing-set from scratch. The new pine swing-set was a big hit with the children. “Kids jumped out the window to go swing during class,” 10 • The Gathering – November/December 2009

Claire said.

The mission in Independence that week was twofold: in addition to VBS, our physical labor produced an expanded building with new Sunday School rooms for children, finished walls on the outside, restored doors, tiled bathrooms, and a new swing. For more detailed stories on this trip and to hear the experiences of the Memorial team members, you can visit the blog site: http://memorialbaptistchurch.typepad.com/.

Learn more about CBFNC & Belize at www.cbfnc.org.

New Ministers to NC Luncheon

January 19, 2010 (snow date: January 26) ~ 11:30-2:00 • For ministers (pastors & staff) and spouses who moved to church/ministry position in NC during 2009

Church Start Academy

• Complimentary luncheon, CBFNC Offices, Winston-Salem

• Fellowship, meet CBFNC staff & learn about CBF-NC • Register at www.cbfnc.org or call 888-822-1944.

• Please invite ministers who are new to our state.

Knowing

yourself, your leadership team, your possibilities

New Contributing CBFNC Partner Churches (As of September 30, 2009)

First, Clinton

(Formerly CBF only; new MRP* contributor)

Mount Pleasant, Liberty (New MRP* contributor) Rock Creek, Nashville (New MRP* contributor) Athens Drive, Raleigh (Formerly CBF only) Richfield, Richfield (Formerly CBF only) First, Taylorsville (Formerly CBF only) Falls, Wake Forest *Mission Resource Plan - visit www.cbfnc.org to learn more.

Ministers on the Move

Compiled by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved: Jason Braswell has been called as Minister of

Youth at Memorial BC, Williamston.

Josh Powers has been called as Minister of Youth

and Education at First BC, Rutherfordton.

Kenny Byrd has been called as Pastor at New

Hope BC, Whiteville.

Jonathan Redding has been called as Minister of

Youth and Families at Peace Haven BC,

Winston-Salem.

Richard Childress has been called as Pastor at

New Hope BC, Raleigh.

Kerrie Clayton has been called as Minister of Music

and Senior Adults at First BC, Smithfield.

Bill Fryar has been called as Pastor at Double

Springs BC, Shelby.

Rich Giersch has been called as Minister of Youth

at First BC, North Wilkesboro.

Jan Hemrick has been called as Minister to

Children and Families at Peace Haven BC,

Winston-Salem.

Matt Johnson has been called as Minister of

Worship and Education at Piney Grove BC,

Mt. Airy.

Mark Reece has been called as Pastor at Piney

Grove BC, Mt. Airy.

Andy Smith has been called as Minister of Youth &

Their Families at Providence BC, Charlotte.

Wayne Smith has been called as Pastor at Fishing

Creek BC, Whitakers.

Keith Vaughn has been called as Associate Pastor

at Westwood BC, Cary.

Dave Williamson has been called as Pastor at First

BC, Maiden.

Matt Wilson has been called as Minister of Youth,

Children and Families at Mount Carmel BC,

Chapel Hill.

Tom Kinman has been called as Pastor at Hickory

Grove BC, Gastonia.

When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, let us know at jcausey@cbfnc.org.

For vocational placement or search committee requests, visit our vocations page on our website at www.cbfnc. org or call 336-759-3456 or 888-822-1944.

The Gathering – November/December 2009 • 11

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

888-822-1944 www.cbfnc.org

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

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Upcoming Events ~ November/December Edition Youth Ministry Summit II November 5, 2009 Peace Haven BC, Winston-Salem Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.

New Church Start Academy February 4-6, 2010 Village Inn, Clemmons, NC See page 11. Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.

Youth Choir Festival March 5-6, 2010 First Baptist Church, Greensboro Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.

Children’s Missions Days November 7 - Hickory, NC November 14 - Raleigh, NC Details at www.cbfnc.org.

Hispanic Retreats Men’s - February 5-6, 2010 Women’s - March 5-6, 2010 Family - June 4-5, 2010 Children - July 30-31, 2010 Youth - August 6-8, 2010 Contact Linda Jones at LJones@cbfnc. org or 888-822-1944 for more details.

CBFNC General Assembly March 19-20, 2010 First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem Follow www.cbfnc.org for details.

Antiphony College Event December 29, 2009 - January 2, 2010 FBC, Decatur, GA - outside Atlanta Registration and details at www.thefellowship.info/antiphony.

New Ministers to NC Luncheon January 19, 2010 (snow date Jan. 26) CBFNC Offices, Winston-Salem, NC See page 11. Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.

Youth Ski Retreats January 22-24, 2010 or January 29-31, 2010 Winterplace, WV Registration with CTI Adventures at 800-285-7273 or twilson@skicti.com.

Details at www.cbfnc.org.

Mid-Winter College Retreat February 6-7, 2010 Mundo Vista, NC See page 4. Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.

Children’s Choir Festival February 20, 2010 First Baptist Church, High Point Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.

Staff Ministers Retreat March 1-4, 2010 Myrtle Beach, SC Details at www.cbfnc.org.

Adult Spiritual Formation Retreat April 9-11, 2010 Caraway Conference Center, Asheboro Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.

Missions Initiative - Eastern April 23-25, 2010 Halifax, Warren and Vance Counties Registration and details at www.cbfnc.org.

CBF General Assembly June 24-25, 2010 Charlotte, NC Registration and details at www.thefellowship.info/assembly.

The Gathering is published six times a year. 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.