INSIDE: Sunday School Focal Point. . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2 Men’s Summit 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4 ‘Loving Muslims’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6 Beautiful Feet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9 Press Toward The Mark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12
New pastor/ staff orientation
VBS Follow-up Page 7
Page 3
Praying, Equipping, Sowing, Harvesting Page 10
Publication of the state Convention of Baptists in ohio
Ohio Baptist Messenger August 2011 | Volume 59 No. 4
WRAP-UP: SBC spotlights ethnicity, unity, unengaged By Michael Foust
2011 Southern Baptist Convention
ing and Elliff emphasized the unengaged, while Page introduced an “Affirmation of Unity and Cooperation” pledge that was signed by entity leaders, state executives and ethnic fellowship leaders. The document had five core points, with the heart of it a pledge to “walk in unity as brothers and sisters in Christ.” During the Executive Committee report, the leaders stood on stage together. “Our convention is fracturing into various groups, some theological, most methodological,” Page told messengers. “Sometimes there is an honest difference of opinion, but often there is self-centeredness that frequently mirrors our own culture. “Christ-like selflessness is our only hope,” Page said. Page also urged Southern Baptists to take the “1 Percent WRAP-UP ~ con’t. on page 5
Photo by Matt Miller
packed a North American Mission Board luncheon to learn PHOENIX (BP)—Southern about the entity’s new Send Baptist Convention messengers North America church plantmeeting in Phoenix June 14-15 ing strategy. On the final night adopted an historic report en- of the convention, hundreds of couraging ethnic diversity, wit- messengers flooded the front of nessed dozens of leaders stand- the convention hall at the end ing together in support of a of the International Mission landmark unity pledge, and saw Board report, having signed hundreds of pascards pledging to tors and laypeople lead their church “I think this was volunteer to lead to embrace an the most unified their churches to unengaged peoconvention around the embrace one of ple group. An the world’s 3,800 Great Commission that IMB representaunengaged peoI have experienced. tive will contact ple groups. them later. People came here It was the Each mission with anticipation of board report lowest-attended annual meeting also featured a that unity.” in 67 years, with commission ~ Pres. Bryant Wright just over 4,800 in ing service, with attendance, but the substance of Southern Baptists meeting the meeting led plenty who at- their newest missionaries. tended to argue it shouldn’t be “Coming back to the aujudged on numbers. thority of Scripture was a cor “I do believe it could prove recting point that had to take to be the most spiritually sig- place, but the mission is to nificant convention over the fulfill the Great Commission,” last 50 years,” Southern Baptist Wright said. “I think this was Convention President Bryant the most unified convention Wright, who was re-elected to around the Great Commission another one-year term, told that I have experienced. People Baptist Press after the Phoenix came here with anticipation of gathering. Wright pointed to that unity.” the sluggish economy and to Wright practiced that the travel time from most SBC unity during his press conferchurches as possible reasons ence, inviting the presidents for the low attendance. of NAMB, Kevin Ezell, IMB, From beginning to end, Tom Elliff, and the Executive messengers heard biblical pleas Committee, Frank Page, to for Southern Baptists to join sit on the platform with him the church planting movement and participate. It was the first in North America and to adopt convention as president for all an unengaged people group four men, and each one had a around the world. And mes- unique emphasis during his resengers responded. More than spective report to messengers. 1,000 pastors and their wives Ezell highlighted church plant-
Newly elected officers of the Southern Baptist Convention are: Bryant Wright, president and pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta Ga.; Fred Luter, first vice president and pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, La.; Eric Thomas, second vice president and pastor of First Baptist Norfolk in Norfolk, Va.; John Yeats, recording secretary and communications director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Not pictured is James H. Wells, registration secretary and director of missions for the Tri-County Baptist Association in Nixa, Mo.
Page 2 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | August 2011
Sunday School Focal Point Mt. McKinley
Jackie and Dwayne Lee
T
he caption on the sign states that from where my wife (Jackie) and I were standing, we were 40 miles away from the highest point in North America. That place is the snow capped mountain in the background, Mt. McKinley, Alaska. I wanted to show you this picture to illustrate how easy it is to miss the mountain in the background all together. Here is a picture of Mt.
McKinley close up. On this day we were able to see the top of the mountain. Jackie and I were told that only 30% of the people that come to visit are able to see this view. Why do I mention this — because many of us do not see the full picture when we look at our Sunday school classes. We miss things that we should have caught, or we overlook things that need attention. Just like in
the picture above, our attention could be drawn to the sign, the trees, or the couple in the middle. Sunday school remains vital to the health of the church. It has been said “Sunday school is the church organized for mission!” The question is, “Is it?” The answer is, “It could be…it should be…it needs to be!” Some wonder if Adult Sunday school has served its purpose. Is it an antiquated system that simply needs to be put to rest? I say NO! I believe that Sunday school still has the ability to take a church well into the future. The facts reveal that individuals who are a part of Sunday school (or some type of small group) are 77% more likely to be more active in their church than those that are not. Our Sunday schools are not perfect. There are issues to be addressed, but its success starts with YOU - the Pastor, Sunday school Director, Teacher, class member.
I challenge you to focus your attention on your Sunday school classes for one year. I am confident that you will see your classes grow (maybe even multiply). You will see developmental results in your teachers and leaders, your worship attendance will increase, there will be more baptisms and more consistent converts. Who doesn’t want to see that happen in their church? It starts now, and again it starts with YOU! We can help you develop teachers and leaders by providing quality training. The State Convention of Baptists in Ohio is conducting two State Sunday school Worker Training events in August. August 6, 2011 First Baptist Church of Vandalia August 20, 2011 Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church, Elyria OH
To register go to www.scbo.org Invest in your teachers, leaders, workers, helpers, and the future of your church! I want to see you at one of these events. Look me up, I’m the guy in the picture. Let’s get focused! In His Service, Dwayne Lee Associate Team Leader to the Bible Teaching / Leadership Resource Group
The Ohio Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0472-7096) is published every other month by the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio; 9000 Antares Avenue; Columbus, Ohio 43240-2011. Periodicals Postage Paid at Columbus, Ohio. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Ohio Baptist Messenger; 9000 Antares Avenue; Columbus, Ohio 43240-2011.
Jack Kwok, Ohio State Convention Executive Director-Treasurer, Editor; Linnett Snodgrass, Administrative Assistant; Spangler Production & Design, Publication Layout. Published every other month for members of Southern Baptist churches in Ohio. Subscriptions provided out of each church’s Cooperative Program gifts. Member of Baptist Press, news service of the Southern Baptist Convention.
August 2011 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 3
(L-R) Bruce Raley, Mike Harland and Jeff Pratt from LifeWay conduct session.
Transformational Church Tour NEW PASTOR/ STAFF ORIENTATION September 15 , 2011 • 9:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. th
An orientation for new pastors and new staff in Ohio churches is September 15th, 2011. Orientation will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude around 3:00 p.m. The orientation provides opportunity for meeting state staff and learning of Cooperative Program resources available to the local church through the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio. Spouses are invited to attend. There is no fee, but advanced registration is required. Contact Linnett Snodgrass (lsnodgrass@scbo.org or 614-827-1776) to register.
By Steve Hopkins “There is no template for ministry that will eliminate our absolute dependence on the Father and our need to talk to Him daily,” said Mike Harland. Bruce Raley added, “Every church today must decide who we are, and what does God want our church to do.” We no longer live in the ‘five star church’ era of the 50’s and 60’s, and we are growing out of the ‘what’s hot now’ era of the 80’s and 90’s. In this ‘customized church era,’ leaders must be strategists, there is no ‘plug and play’ app for today’s church. Just as our relationship with the Father is foundational, relationships with others must be a high value for today’s church. Jeff Pratt notes, ‘young adults know very quickly whether you are treating them as a project or a person.’ Discipleship takes place best in relationships, and we must be intentional in creating a system for connecting both inside the church and with those we have been called to reach. Over 180 pastors and church leaders attended the Ohio Transformational Church Tour May 31-June 2. The three locations – Toledo, Columbus, and Cincinnati – provided an opportunity to learn more about the new tool. Bruce Raley, Mike Harland and Jeff Pratt from LifeWay led breakout sessions for pastors, church leaders, worship leaders and student leaders. According to Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer, authors of Transformational Church, “Too often we’ve highlighted the negative realities of the declining American church but missed the opportunity to magnify the God of hope and transformation.” Based on the most comprehensive study of its kind, including a survey of over 7,000 churches and hundreds of on-site interviews with pastors, Transformational Church takes us to the thriving congregations where truly changing lives is the norm. Churches where: • More people are following Christ • More believers are growing in their faith • More churches are making an impact on their communities Based on the research findings, the Transformational Church Assessment Tool (TCAT) gives you a snapshot of the perceived present reality based on seven elements: missionary mentality, vibrant leadership, relational intentionality, prayerful dependence, worship, community and mission. This powerful online tool can help you quickly assess where your church is strong now and the areas that need development. The assessment is now available through the SCBO website (www.lifeway.com/tc/ohio/). We have 15 trained consultants in Ohio ready to partner with you to develop strategy recommendations for your church. Contact Steve Hopkins (SteveHopkins@ scbo.org or 614-827-1820) or Dwayne Lee (dlee@scbo.org or 614-827-1824) for information on how you can enlist a Transformational Church consultant. A ministry of the Cooperative Program giving of Southern Baptist churches in Ohio.
Page 4 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | August 2011
Men’s Summit 8
by Mark Daubenmire
Urbancrest Baptist Church in Lebanon has been honored to host the annual Men’s Summit conference. The first Summit was introduced as an interdenominational event to reach a few hundred men in the local area. After seven years, it has grown to exceed 900 in attendance. In addition to our local guests, men travel from as far away as Kentucky and Indiana. The Men’s Summit is illustrated by the theme “Where God Sharpens Man”. This principle establishes the intent of Summit leaders to resolutely expose biblical manhood as it is to be lived out in today’s world. The Summit challenges men to strive for excellence in three areas of their personal lives. By seeking God’s will without wavering, men can achieve the objectives of commitment to their wives, consistent involvement in the lives of their children, and a deepened desire to
follow hard after Jesus Christ. Many men seek answers to the growing cultural problems in our nation. Divorce, fatherless homes, abortion, juvenile disrespect, and other issues progressively erode family structure. Traditional governmental assistance, intended to alleviate these problems, is insufficient to deal with the complexities of a burdened legal system, radical changes in culture, financial instability, and increasing lawlessness. The odds of providing safety and comfort for families are increasingly difficult. What makes it even worse is that many churches have compromised their message and no longer serve as a refuge or guide for families. So, what is the answer? The Men’s Summit teaches this: If you want to change a child . . . change the father. If you want to 4.854ʺ change a marriage . . . change the husband. If you want to change the world . . .
change the man. The Men’s Summit seeks to empower men to regain the integrity of what has been lost. Our world needs men with trained minds, Godly biblical character, and a multi-generational vision. Today, more than ever, we need men with the spirit of a warrior who will choose to live as Christ taught. We invite you to join us for the Men’s Summit on September 9-10, 2011 at Urbancrest Baptist Church, 2634 Drake Road, Lebanon, Ohio. This is a FREE event and open to youth and men of all ages. Registration and information on guest speakers, event times, and lodging is on the website at www.mens-summit.org. You can see what others are saying about the Men’s Summit on the ‘Testimonies’ page. For additional information contact Mark Daubenmire at 513-9324405 or mdaubenmire@urbancrest.org.
Bible Study and Discipleship Resource Giveaway The Bible Teaching and Leadership Resource Group has done some summer cleaning and has developed a collection of outdated materials from the Resource Lending Library that we would like to give away. We are inviting anyone who is interested to come and take materials that would be useful to you or your church. The giveaway is based on a first come, first serve basis. If you would like to come and view our materials just give us a call or email to set up a time. A list of the materials is also available upon email request. For more information please contact: Ashley Stickel Ashley@scbo.org 614-827-1822 Bible Teaching and Leadership Resource Group
...to teach and portray biblical manhood and how it is to be lived out in today’s world.
Service Honored In appreciation for his faithful service to Grace Baptist Church, located at 142 Olive Road, Dayton, OH 45417, Pastor Clyde Bowen was designated Pastor Emeritus in December of 2010. Pastor Bowen began his service at Grace in the 1960’s and continued as Senior Pastor until 1971. From 1971 – 1980 he served as an Administrator in Seneca Lake and returned to Grace Baptist Church in 1992, 5.875ʺ 1994 and again in 2009-2010 as Interim Pastor. To the congregation he will always be the Pastor of this great fellowship. We will be forever grateful for his love, service and dedication as Pastor, friend and mentor. In addition, we recognize his wife Juanita who has been a faithful helpmate, servant and prayer warrior serving faithfully with him by his side all these years.
SEPTEMBER 9-10, 2011 at URBANCREST BAPTIST CHURCH DEADLINE TO REGISTER: SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
WWW.MENS-SUMMIT.ORG
OR CALL
513.932.4405
Need to submit Church News? Send all church news and information to Linnett Snodgrass at lsnodgrass@scbo.org
August 2011 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 5
WRAP-UP ~ Continued from Page 1 Challenge” — leading their church to increase gifts to the Cooperative Program by 1 percent-of-budget point. Doing so would lead to $100 million more for Southern Baptist ministries and worldwide missions, including funding for 380 more IMB missionaries, Page said. The Executive Committee’s landmark report on ethnic diversity was the focus of national media attention, as was the election of New Orleans pastor Fred Luter to first vice president. He is the first African American to hold that post. The report’s language encourages the SBC president, when he makes his various appointments, to “give special attention to appointing individuals who represent the diversity within the Convention, and particularly ethnic diversity.” It also encourages the committee in charge of the annual meeting to reflect the ethnic diversity of the convention in the meeting program. A motion that would have struck the ethnic diversity language was defeated by a margin of 3-to1. The Executive Committee report, delivered after a twoyear study, cites the “need to be proactive and intentional in the inclusion of individuals from all ethnical and racial identities within Southern Baptist life.” During a press conference, messenger Paul Kim, who made the 2009 motion that led to the report, urged ethnic Southern Baptists to get more involved in the convention in this “history-making moment,” saying, “This is the time.” Ethnic diversity, Wright told BP, is “vitally important to the future of the church in America.” “We have not reflected what is happening in America in both the makeup of our churches but especially in the leadership in our convention,” Wright said. The convention’s resolutions — which express the sentiment on often hot-button theological and cultural issues — once again made news. In a surprising move in the convention’s final session, messengers overruled the Resolutions
Committee by at least a 2-to-1 margin and voted to consider a resolution -- promoted by messenger Tim Overton -- highly critical of the NIV 2011 Bible translation. The resolution passed nearly unanimously. The resolution’s text says that because of “inaccurate gender language,” messengers “cannot commend the 2011 NIV to Southern Baptists or the larger Christian community.” It “respectfully request that LifeWay” not sell the new NIV in its retail chain. Messengers also passed resolutions: • supporting the Defense of Marriage Act. • affirming the historical, biblical concept of hell in a resolution that mentions Rob Bell’s “Love Wins” book. • condemning the actions of those who protest funerals, burn the Koran, and pray for the deaths of public officials. But a resolution on immigration and the Gospel, coming at a convention partially focused on ethnic issues, had the most floor debate. By a 4-to-1 margin, messengers adopted the resolution, which includes key language asking “our governing authorities to implement, with the borders secured, a just and compassionate path to legal status, with appropriate restitutionary measures, for those undocumented immigrants already living in our country.” That sentence was nearly struck but survived on a ballot vote, 51-48 percent. The resolution gained more support when the Resolutions Committee proposed adding a sentence that says the resolution “is not to be construed as support for amnesty for any undocumented immigrant.” Mostly overlooked in the controversy was the rest of the 22-paragraph resolution, which calls on churches to take the Gospel to all people, “regardless of country of origin or immigration status.” The main focus of the convention was on fulfilling the Great Commission — both in North America and around the world. “With less than 4 percent of our churches directly engaged
in church planting, we’ve got to do better,” Ezell said at the NAMB luncheon. “We must do better. We are going to do better.” Churches—and not NAMB — plant churches, Ezell emphasized, adding that over the next couple of years, NAMB will develop church-planting coalitions in 25 urban areas around North America. He said the coalitions will be made up of local pastors, church planters, representatives of local state conventions and associations, along with partnering pastors and state convention leaders from elsewhere. The coalitions will develop local strategies for planting new churches in their area. “It’s a new day,” Ezell said. “It really is. Pastor, we’re not going to make it harder for you. Associations and states, we’re not . We’re going to make it easier. We’re going to make it easier for you to engage in missions and to pray and partner. We can do this together.” Birmingham, AL, pastor David Platt preached the convention sermon, quoting statistics on the world’s unreached and telling messengers, “This is not a problem for the International Mission Board to address. This is a problem for every pastor and every local church to address.” Other convention speakers — including several during the Pastors’ Conference and Wright himself during his sermon — made a similar point. Elliff, in his report, spotlighted the need to embrace unengaged people groups, but said, “This convention has been one long sermon… There is not one thing I could say” that messengers have not already heard. A lost world, Elliff said, needs churches who consider it unacceptable that there are people groups “who do not have somebody deliberately trying to engage them with the Gospel.” “Really, all there’s left for me to do is to give the invitation,” Elliff said, moments before hundreds of messengers came forward holding cards that said, “I will lead my church to embrace an unengaged, unreached people group.”
The Affirmation of Unity and Cooperation pledge — signed at the Executive Committee meeting June 13 and presented to messengers the next day — includes five key “pledges.” In summary, they are: • “We pledge to maintain a relationship of mutual trust … • We pledge to attribute the highest motives to those engaged in local church ministries and those engaged in denominational service in any level of Convention life … • We pledge to affirm the value of cooperative ministry as the most effective and efficient means of reaching a lost world. • We pledge to embrace our brothers and sisters of every ethnicity, race, and language as equal partners in our collective ministries to engage all people groups with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. • We pledge to continue to honor and affirm proportional giving through the Cooperative Program as the most effective means of mobilizing our churches and extending our outreach as Southern Baptists…” In other matters: • More than 1,100 Arizonans made professions for Christ during the pre-convention Crossover 2011 evangelistic effort. • Paul Thompson, one of the 10 Baptists held in a Haiti jail in 2010, appeared before messengers during the Executive Committee report, telling them, “I have never been so proud to be a Southern Baptist as I was in the 19 days in a lonely but yet Godfilled prison cell in Haiti.” • Ezell promised that, under his watch, future financial stewardship at NAMB will demand “accuracy, transparency, effectiveness and efficiency — not smoke and mirrors.” He then clarified and put into perspective some oft-quoted NAMB statistics — for instance, that Southern Baptists planted 769 new churches in 2010, not the 1,400 to 1,500 a year usually reported in the past. “When the old NAMB count-
ed church plants, they didn’t ask for church names or addresses or planter names. The new NAMB is asking and only counting churches for which those details can be obtained.” Ezell generated laughs and applause when he said, “If Walmart can track how much toilet paper it sells every hour, we should be able to track how many churches are planted each year.” • Wright, pastor of the Atlanta-area Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, was re-elected president over Wiley Drake, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, Calif., who nominated himself. The vote was 2,274 (95 percent) to 102 (4 percent). Luter, senior pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, was elected first vice president over Rick Ong, a member of First Chinese Baptist Church in Phoenix. Luter received 1,558 (77 percent) votes to Ong’s 441 (22 percent). In three elections without opposition: Eric Thomas, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Norfolk, Va., was elected second vice president; John Yeats, director of communications for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, was re-elected recording secretary; and Jim Wells, director of missions for the Tri-County Baptist Association in Nixa, Mo., was re-elected registration secretary. • There were no night sessions. Next year’s meeting will be June 19-20 in New Orleans. Michael Foust is associate editor of Baptist Press. With reporting by Mickey Noah, Barbara Denman and Mark Kelly. Copyright (c) 2011 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press 901 Commerce Street Nashville, TN 37203 Tel: 615.244.2355 Fax: 615.782.8736 email: bpress@sbc.net
Page 6 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | August 2011
Pastor/Staff and Spouse Retreat September 22-23, 2011 NOTE NEW FORMAT Begins with fellowship reception Thursday 7:30 pm – Concludes at 4:30 pm Friday Cost $129.00 per couple Includes lodging Thursday, breakfast & lunch Friday Limited Scholarships available
New IMB resources point believers toward ‘Loving Muslims’ By Ava Thomas RICHMOND, Va. — Cade Rutledge* used to wave his American flags and get really fired up about “getting those terrorists.” From most people’s viewpoint, he had a right to feel that way. His brother was working in the Twin Towers nearly 10 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001. He made it out alive, but the attack was still way too close to home physically and emotionally for Rutledge to consider the idea of loving terrorists, or loving any Muslims for that matter. Until Jesus showed him a different way. “I asked myself, ‘How can we possibly love the lost — the Muslim terrorists — who attacked my city?’ Our answer should always be yes because our Jesus-centered faith demands it. Our Christian response must never resemble the world’s,” Rutledge said. A heart of love for Muslims is something the International Mission Board hopes to cultivate through the new Loving Muslims resources, which are being released in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington D.C.
Men are like Waffles, Women are like Spaghetti Understanding and Delighting in Your Differences!
Bill and Pam Farrel – relationships experts and authors of
The resources include free study guides for small groups to use for one session the week before Sept. 11, 2011 and one on the anniversary itself, as well as an eight-day prayer guide for use the week in between. The first session focuses on loving Muslims, and the second on reaching Muslims with the Gospel. The prayer guide leads believers through praying for their Muslim neighbors and ways they can show hospitality to their Muslim neighbors. The website, lovingmuslims.com, also includes feature videos, stories, photos and other resources for learning more about Islam, Muslim culture and ways to reach out to Muslims and share Jesus Christ with them. For more information and free downloadable resources, visit http://lovingmuslims.com. The site opens Aug. 1. *Name has been changed
Ava Thomas is an IMB writer/editor based in Europe.
Buckeye Baptist Builders News 2011 Builders Request Aug. 15 – 20, 2011 Loraine Baptist Church 3640 Palm Ave. , Loraine, Oh 44055 Demo 2800 sq. ft. Roof Replace Trusses & Shingle Sept.12 – 16, 2011 FBC of Marysville 645 Chestnut St. , Marysville, Oh 43040 Install Trusses & Shingles Over Flat Roof Building
These projects have committed to a build as of 3/8/11 and will provide meals & lodging as needed. For additional information contact: Raymond E. Morris State Coordinator Buckeye Baptist Builders 1-513-593-5130 Raymor1@peoplepc.com
over 30 books, including Men are Like Waffles, Women are like Spaghetti, 10 Best Decisions a Couple Can Make, The Marriage Code and Red Hot Monogamy. Their practical wisdom, personal style and humorous presentation will encourage and enrich your marriage as you make the differences work FOR you. (www.lovewise.com) Bill has served in numerous ministry roles and has experience as a senior pastor and youth pastor, and most recently, he helped revitalize the small group ministry at Shadow Mountain Community Church under the leadership of David Jeremiah. Pam has served as director of women’s ministry, a pastor’s wife, and a mentor. She is also the founder and president of Seasoned Sisters, a ministry to women 40-65 (www.SeasonedSisters.com). Please register at www. scbo.org For more information contact Ashley Stickel at ashley@scbo.org, 614-8271822, or toll free 877-SCBOORG (722-6674). Registration deadline is August 26 – $65 due with registration Scholarship applicants must pay registration in full.
LOCATION:
Crowne Plaza Hotel Columbus - Dublin 600 Metro Place North Dublin, OH 43017 614-764-2200 www.crowneplaza.com/dublinoh Thursday, September 22 Hotel check-in, each couple dinner on their own 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fellowship Reception Friday, September 23 7:30 am - 8:30 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Breakfast 9:00 am - 10:30 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Session 1 10:30 am - 10:45 am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Break 10:45 am - 12:15 pm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Session 2 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lunch and hotel check out 1:15 pm - 2:45 pm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Session 3 2:45 pm - 3:00 pm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Break 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Session 4 Couples have the option of booking their room for Friday night, at their expense.
August 2011 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 7
The ABC&D of VBS Follow-up By Dwayne Lee By the time many of you read this a number of you will have completed your Vacation Bible School week. Which makes this article very timely! One of the biggest challenges to Vacation Bible School is an effective follow-up plan. This article is designed to help you in this area. For more information please contact the Bible Teaching/ Leadership Resource Group at 614827-1824.
The ABC&D of VBS Follow-up?
Determining the target follow-up groups starts at VBS Registration. You can do so by including a question regarding whether the registrant attends church, and if so, where? Additional questions can be asked on the VBS Registration card relating to a desire for followup. Why not include a place for them to request more information on the church’s ministries and/or a visit or call from the Pastor. Target VBS follow-up groups for Doorstep Visits. This would include: 1. unchurched children/families; 2. families requesting contact by the pastor; 3. those desiring more information about the church; 4. children who made salvation decisions; 5. and families where a ministry need was discovered during VBS. For Door-step Visits, Gift Bags provide an easy stated purpose for each visit. Gift bags can include inexpensive VBS-themed items such as bookmarks, pencils, ABC cards, & Parent/Family VBS Devotionals, plus church brochures/info & a food item (microwave popcorn or homemade cookies). For children who made salvation decisions, in addition to the Gift Bag, a VBS New Testament can be delivered along with a “new Christian” booklet: I’m a Christian Now or Survival Kit for Children. Encourage parents to assist the child in working through the booklet.
Homegoings
Charles Abney
Go to www.SCBO.ORG and search Homegoing for more information.
Get more people involved in making followup contacts: by letter, phone call, and more. Follow-up can also include letters to all guests and/or all VBS participants, including those from your own church. Phone calls to all guests are another, even more personal, option. These two follow-up options allow for more participation in VBS follow-up. Additional follow-up strategies include Children Music Series, VBS Family Night events (Open House, Meal/VBS Program, Sunday VBS Musical, Concert in the Park & more), and “Follow-up in Just One Hour” approaches to Visits/Phone Calls/Letters (see Lifeway VBS Follow-up Brochure). Additionally, “ABC&D” offers strategies for Discipleship follow-up. After sharing the ABC’s (admit, believe, and confess) of the Gospel during VBS, Discipleship can be encouraged for parents and children. Consider these actions: 1. connect them with Sunday School for ongoing care and discipleship; 2. offer I’m a Christian Now Class for Kids; 3. offer a Parenting Workshop for Parents (ideally simultaneously with #2); 4. plan summer events for Parents/Children (interaction w/families of your church); and 5. invite them to your Children’s Discipleship Ministry (children’s choirs, children’s missions, AWANA, TeamKid, Family Ministry Summits, etc.).
Ohio Evangelism Response Center The Evangelism Response Center (ERC) of the North American Mission Board provides a network of believers in North America trained to communicate the message of our Lord Jesus Christ to people through the telephone and the internet 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These Telephone Encouragers (TEs) and Internet Encouragers (IEs) make up a new and exciting category of Southern Baptist Mission Volunteers. The photograph above depicts an ERC billboard that was
strategically placed at the entrance of Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio. For more information about how your church or associa-
tion can place an evangelistic billboard in your community, please contact Jack Helton at 614.827.1781 or JackHelton@ scbo.org.
Missions & Ministries
Page 8 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | August 2011
Women’s
Kids Kamp and Girls for Missions Camp 2011 The 2011 Seneca Lake Camp Season has had an amazing start with two weeks of Kids Kamp and one week of Girls for Missions Camp. Kids Kamp week one had 274 in attendance with 31 decisions. Kids Kamp week two had 172 in attendance with 22 decisions. The Columbus Zoo paid a visit to Kids Kamp on Monday night! Julie Hannah and a variety of animals from the Education Center entertained the campers. Girls for Missions Camp had 94 in attendence with 3 decisions. The girls enjoyed their Missions Cruise through Asia. Can’t wait to see you next year! Kids Kamp week 1 will be June 11-15, 2012. Kids Kamp week 2 will be June 18-22, 2012. Kids Kamp week 3 will be July 30-August 3, 2012. Girls for Missions Camp will be August 6-10, 2012.
Upcoming Events Date
Event Location
August 1-5
Kids Kamp 3
Seneca Lake Baptist Assembly
August 12-13
Living Proof Beth Moore
Columbus, Ohio
September 16-17
Women’s Fall Retreat
Seneca Lake Baptist Assembly
October 14-15
Mother Daughter Retreat
Seneca Lake Baptist Assembly
November 3
Pastor’s Wives Luncheon
West Central Baptist Association
For more information on these events visit www.scbo.org/wmm
BLOG
www.scbo.org/wmm
Join Us On Facebook!
OWN-Ohio Women’s Network
August 2011 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 9
July 16 Impact West Central Baptist Association My soul, praise the LORD, and do not forget all His benefits. - Psalm 103:2
Hillcrest Baptist Church
Pastor Greg Haisley, Hillcrest Baptist Church shares: “As I reflect on this verse (above) and what ‘all His benefits’ means to me as a Believer, I am overwhelmed by His grace and transformation. I also consider the benefits of being in the Southern Baptist Convention and the Cooperative Program. As we cooperate together as a Convention supporting missionaries, we are also cooperating in state missions together. Beautiful Feet came to Bellefontaine on July 16 along with fellow Christians from all over the state of Ohio. There was a great turnout from a large church and there were great turnouts from smaller churches. This reinforced the Cooperative Program principle to me that we’re not all the same size, but we all can give proportionately for the mission God has given each of us. Please consider how you, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, may join the cooperative spirit that is Beautiful Feet and beyond!”
Gas Buy-Down
Potential Church Plant in Ft. Loramie
20 Salvations
Pastor Eric McDunnell, Wapakoneta Baptist Church thanks Ohio Baptists: “Wapakoneta Baptist Church participated in the Beautiful Feet outreach for the first time this year. Half of our congregation was involved in the experience. It was a rousing success. We had a booth at the annual Moon Festival and with a little face paint, a few balloons, and 1,000 bottles of water; we shared the love of Jesus with our community. We gave 15 Bibles, countless tracts, and verbally shared the truth that Jesus saves with numerous of our neighbors. Through this one day effort our VBS enrollment has increased and our people are energized. It is my hope to use the Moon Festival to give a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus every year.”
Wapakoneta Baptist Church 22 churches from 8 associations sent volunteers Wapakoneta Annual Moon Festival
Page 10 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | August 2011
Every Believer Sharing, Every Person Hearing by 2020 Any Christian leader knows the challenges involved in mobilizing individuals to share their faith. But we believe there has never been a time when more tools are available to equip and inspire believers to simply share with others what Christ has done for them. GPS breaks the process down into four distinct biblical markers that can help you coordinate efforts in your church with others across the continent. The four biblical markers are:
Reaching Across North America | 2012 Just imagine the impact of 50,000 Southern Baptist Churches in the Spring of 2012 doing community reaching coordinated evangelistic events! Participation is easy! Across North America is four simple steps: • An eight-week media saturation campaign during March and April, 2012 • Participating churches hosting, planning, and
implementing a community-reaching event sometime during March or April, 2012 • Participating churches prayer walking and distributing invitations* to the event one to two weeks beforehand • Afterward, participating churches doing follow-up with those who attended the event **Caution: Be sure to follow all local rules, regulations, and laws in placing promotional materials (i.e., home owners associations, private property, and mailboxes)
Timeline PRAYING EQUIPPING SOWING HARVESTING ASSIMILATING Pray and Prayer Witness training “Hope. Find it Here” Community-Reaching Five week Walking Invitation Distribution Event follow-up plan www.Findithere.com Promotion Personal Testimony Sharing the Gospel Get Ready Training
Contact Jack Helton at 614.827.1781 or JackHelton@scbo.org or visit GPS2020.NET
Church Planting Q & A Day Urban Churches
Rural Churches
African American Churches
IF you have serious questions about being a Church Planter; IF you have casual questions about Church Planting; IF you want to know more about the process, qualifications, and opportunities to plant a church in Ohio; IF you are a pastor and want to dialogue with state leaders about being a sponsor church to a new church plant; IF you want to know where the opportunities are to sponsor a new church plant in Ohio; THEN , this potential church planters and potential sponsor church Q & A Day is just what you are looking for! Join us in an informal setting where you can find out more about planting or sponsoring a new church in Ohio. You will be able to meet the Church Planting Resource Group leaders, church planters, and church starter catalysts who will be able to answer your questions and give church planting information. Lunch will be provided. Join us on October 13, 2011 at the State Convention offices at 9000 Antares Avenue, Columbus, Ohio from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Charlotte Barbo at cbarbo@scbo.org or 614-827-1804 or Gary Odom at GaryOdom@scbo.org or 614-309-9743. Registration Deadline is October 3, 2011.
Contemporary Churches
Language Churches
Traditional Churches
August 2011 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 11
What’s it take be a sponsoring church?
Sandy Wanner Commissioned By: Duane Floro On Sunday July 11th at the First Baptist Church of Gahanna, the church family commissioned Sandy Wanner to serve with the Christian Job Corp. Pictured ( left to right) Dr. Rich Halcombe, Metro Columbus Baptist Associational
Missionary; V.J. Sanchez, Metro Columbus Christian Job Corps; Jean Wanner Priddy (daughter and provided special music); Sandy Wanner; Pastor Tom Dove, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Gahanna; and Duane Floro, Ministry Evangelism Strategist, SCBO.
Remember 9-11!! By Sue Cordell, Neal Avenue Baptist Church Added to “Remember the Alamo,” “Remember Pearl Harbor,” and “Remember the Maine,” we now add an additional date that will remain in our memories in infamy. This year is the 10th anniversary of the most devastating attack ever perpetrated on American soil. On 9-11-2001, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners. The hijackers intentionally crashed two airliners into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, killing everyone on board and most of those working in the buildings. The hijackers crashed a third airliner into the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania after heroic attempts by passengers and flight crew to retake control of the plane, which the hijackers had redirected toward Washington, DC, targeting either the Capitol Building or the White House. There were no survivors from any of the flights. Nearly 3,000 victims and the 19 hijackers died in the attacks. A total of 836 responders, including firefighters and police personnel, died. Among the 2,752 victims who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center were 343 firefighters and 60 police officers from New York City and the Port Authority. Another 184 people were killed in the attack on the Pentagon. The overwhelming majority of casualties were civilians, including nationals of over 70 countries. The 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001 provides an opportunity to honor the memory of those who were murdered by the terrorists on American soil. Many churches are utilizing various formats to observe the 10th anniversary of 9-11. Against the backdrop of such devastation and destruction stands the message of the Gospel: eternal life is in Jesus Christ. The cost of this eternal life is the death of Jesus which paid the debt of sin. Yet, death could not hold Him. He arose from the grave. The terrorists gave their lives to kill others. Jesus gave His life to save others. The terrorists gave their lives to destroy. Jesus gave His life to deliver us from death and damnation. Let us remember this as well as September 11.
Recently I had the opportunity to spend four hours with forty of our Ohio church planters, asking the question “What do you want from a sponsoring church?” They were in four groups, and each group did not know the responses of the others. The consistency was surprising, as was the number one response. Each group echoed ‘It’s not about the money.’ Not that they do not need financial resources, but the most important thing they want from a sponsoring church is relationship. One planter shared how a sponsoring church pastor’s wife came about every six weeks to take his wife to lunch and the huge impact that had on his family and ministry. Another told how his sponsoring church would provide childcare and money for a date night for him and his wife. Planters spoke of the importance of the mentoring/ coaching relationship with the sponsoring pastor, the oneon-one time to share, and the opportunity to bounce ideas off someone with more experience. ‘I need someone I can call, it gets lonely planting a church,’ one planter commented. Others commented how much they appreciated a call at least once a month, perhaps as often as once a week, just to ask, ‘How’s it going.’ Prayer support was another huge request. When the sponsoring church enlists prayer warriors and encourages the church to pray with and for the church plant, everyone shares in the victories and the Father gets the glory. Again, more important than money, the church plant needs people, the right people. Volunteers who come should understand what church plant-
ing is about, and come prepared to work, not just fill a seat. In the beginning years children’s ministries are often a way to reach the community, and those who can come, stay long enough to train workers to continue the work, are priceless. Short-term mission trips are also valuable to the new work. A sponsoring church pastor can be a great help telling the story of the mission and helping to recruit others. He can facilitate building a network of support, connections, and bridges to others who can come alongside the work. When available, the sponsoring church staff can be a great assistance, sharing input on worship resources, providing administrative support, even the use of office equipment. Sometimes the ‘stuff ’ the sponsoring church has stored – chairs, tables, sound equipment, lights – can be just what the new work needs. When it comes to financial support, consistency is the key. Deliver what you promise, and when you promised it. We preach sacrificial giving, and we can illustrate that in the way the church gives to see the kingdom expanded. I then asked the question: ‘From your perspective, what have you seen as benefits to the sponsoring church?’ These planters have watched the Father honor the sacrifices made by the sponsoring churches. People grow spiritually as they see the answer to prayer. Sponsoring churches shift their mindset and begin to think more missionally. As they see the church plant reaching people they renew their commitment to evangelism. When people go to serve, they come back different, ready
to work at the home church. Many of them have been waiting for an opportunity to get involved; mission projects often discover new leaders. They see their Cooperative Program dollars at work, and are ready to give more. Sponsoring churches see the kingdom opportunities, not just their backyard. They think ‘Judea and Samaria,’ and the church looks more like the New Testament pattern. There is a sense of community, working together for the gospel, which creates joy and excitement. There is an investment beyond themselves, a desire to leave a heritage, a legacy for the next generation. The enthusiasm of birthing something new is contagious. Often it opens the door for the church to reach a new people group, perhaps another language group in their community. The sponsoring church often learns from the church plant. New ways to do things, innovative ideas, new technology can be shared learning for the sponsor and plant. The North American Mission Board reports that nationally, 4% of SBC churches are sponsoring churches. If we compare Ohio, currently 8% of SCBO churches are significantly involved in church planting. Sounds good, but if we are going to have one million believers in 2020 Congregations by the end of 2020, we must have many more sponsoring churches. If you would like more information about becoming a sponsoring church there are many ready to help. Contact your associational missionary, Steve Hopkins or Gary Odom. (SteveHopkins@ scbo.org, GaryOdom@scbo. org)
For more information contact Kent Spann at spann@highlandgrovecity.org or go to www.strategicrenewal.com
Christian
Page 12 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | August 2011
How to become a If you are not a Christian, have never surrendered your will to the Lord Jesus, let me share briefly how you can make this life changing decision. GOD WANTS YOU SAVED. First, you must believe that God loves you and wants you to have peace in your heart and an everlasting life (John 3:16). Second, you must recognize that you are a sinner, that you have done things which have displeased God and that you have separated yourself from Him (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Third, you must believe that Jesus came to this earth, was actually God in the flesh, lived a perfect life, and yet went to a cruel cross, dying for your sins, paying once and for all the
penalty of sin (I Peter 2:24). However, it’s not enough just to know these three things. Many of us knew them for years before we ever gave Jesus our lives. Fourth, you must personally ask Jesus to come into your life and forgive you of your sins (Revelation 3:20). You can pray this prayer now and if you mean it with all of your heart, Jesus will come in just as He said. He cannot lie. Dear Lord Jesus, I admit to you that I am a sinner. I believe that you died for sin, was buried, and arose from the grave. I am turning from my sin and trusting you to save me. Please save me and give me eternal life. Thank you for saving me. Amen.
Press toward the Mark Mission Ohio church planters, is the cooperative name of church, effort of Southern and location on the Baptists to reach at SCBO website. The least 1,000,000 bemailing address is lievers in 2,020 conomitted to deter adgregations by the ditional junk mail end of 2020 in Ohio. Jack Kwok, Ph.D. for church planters. Executive DirectorThe State ConvenAccuracy, transparTreasurer tion of Baptists in State Convention ency, clarity, and Ohio is the mission- of Baptists in Ohio honesty have been ary organization of values of Mission Southern Baptists in Ohio before the exOhio to assist Ohio Southern istence of the old NAMB or the Baptist churches and associa- new NAMB. tions to obey the Great Com- NAMB Vice-President mission of our Lord and Savior Steve Davis (who is a great Jesus Christ. friend to Mission Ohio) in Since the formation of the formed Mission Ohio that the State Convention of Baptists in State Convention of Baptists in Ohio missionary organization, Ohio leads the Midwest Region Southern Baptists from out- of state conventions in net gain side of Ohio have contributed of churches for the last 10 years. greatly to helping start church- The NAMB-SCBO partnership es to reach people for Christ. has produced much fruit in Southern Baptist lay people Ohio. came to Ohio and started Due to reduced funding, churches. They called South- NAMB has reduced its conern Baptist pastors to Ohio. tribution to Mission Ohio by As Southern Baptist churches $206,794 for 2012. The bulk multiplied, the Home Mis- of this reduction is in church sion Board and later the North planting. While the president American Mission Board, the of NAMB announced at the Kentucky Baptist Convention Southern Baptist Convention and other state conventions, that NAMB wants more misand hundreds of Southern sionaries, NAMB has comBaptist churches across the municated that they desire less convention have contributed missionaries in Ohio. people and money to assist Obviously, these are chalMission Ohio. Ohio Southern lenging days for the North Baptists are very grateful. American Mission Board and Since the inception of the State Convention of Bapthe North American Mission tists in Ohio. The State ConBoard, NAMB has partnered vention of Baptists in Ohio with Mission Ohio to start values the partnership with churches to reach people for NAMB. Mission Ohio will Christ. At the end of 2010, continue to cooperate with Mission Ohio has 202 new NAMB. congregations through this Ohio is a mission field. partnership. Millions of lost people live These aren’t fake church- here. It is our mission field. es, nor are they toilet paper. Ohio Southern Baptists must (See SBC Wrap-Up starting continue to cooperate to start on page 1 and continuing on and strengthen churches to page 5.) SCBO Associational reach the lost in our state. Missionaries report all church Southern Baptists outside of starts with the name of the Ohio want to cooperate with planter, name of the church, us in Mission Ohio. Let’s press and street location. Mission toward that mark. Ohio publishes the name of
For information about the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio and more Baptist Press news, go to our website www.scbo.org.