GHC Annual Ministry Report | 2017 by Growing Healthy Churches

GROWING HEALTHY CHURCHES GrowingHealthyChurches.org | Growing Healthy Churches.com

ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Serving churches & their leaders since 1889.

OURVALUES

INDEX

FAITH We value being Christ-centered, therefore everything we do will display and announce Christ. We value reliance on the Spiritâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power working in us & through us. We value prayerful engagement with Scripture in shaping our ministry.

HOPE We value the Church as the primary catalyst in the Kingdom of God, therefore resourcing churches is our central focus. We value developing leaders in their spiritual, emotional, relational and physical health. We value cultivating environments for learning, networking, encouragement and accountability.

LOVE We value the multiplication of Christ-followers, churches, and leaders; therefore, we will serve churches in the areas of evangelism, church renewal, church planting and leader development. We value listening attentively to God, one another, other Christfollowers and to our culture in order to be more effective in doing Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work on earth.

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

INSIDE ABOUT GHC

WHO WE ARE WHAT WE VALUE CLUSTERS

CELEBRATION INFO

SCHEDULE SPEAKERS RECOGNITIONS EXHIBITORS

MINISTRY REPORTS BOARD PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE MINISTER DIR. RECRUITMENT LEAD REGIONAL PASTOR REGIONAL CONSULTANT CHURCH STARTING ADMINISTRATOR FINANCIALS

WELCOME Welcome to the Growing Healthy Churches Celebration! We are excited to connect with you in person and on mission.

We know that God is using His church to reach His people and we exist to serve you on your unique journey. As always, please let us know how we can better serve you! Call (888) 290-2229 or email info@growinghealthychurches.org

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

SECTION

ABOUT GHC

Health y Ch urch es, Led by Health y Leaders C han gin g the World!

WHAT WE VALUE

Being Christ Centered Being Spirit Empowered Being Biblically Directed Being Church Focused Healthy Leaders Supportive Relationships Reproduction Listening

GROWING HEALTHY CHURCHES Serving Churches & Their Leaders Since 1889

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

Growing Healthy Churches is an association of churches working together in covenant to help advance the Kingdom of God by pursuing the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.

GHC BOARD MEMBERS Ms. Felicia Woods, Corporate President Ms. Marjie Burgin, Corporate Treasurer Rev. Kevin Wood, Corporate Secretary Dr. Tim Brown, Executive Minister Dr. Bob Cherry, At Large Representative Mr. Terry Clark, At Large Representative Dr. Gerald Mann, At Large Representative Rev. Al Marks, At Large Representative Rev. Pablo Zelaya, At Large Representative

REGIONAL PASTORS Rev. Bob Cherry, Pastor First Baptist Church - Tulare, CA Rev. Tom Cullen, Pastor The Church on the Corner - Albany, CA Dr. Curtis Mitchell, Pastor Antioch Baptist Church - Sacramento, CA Dr. Pete Shaw Pastor & GHC Lead Regional Pastor CrossWalk Community Church - Napa, CA Rev. Mike Shelton, Pastor First Baptist Church - Porterville, CA Rev. Kevin Wood, Pastor First Baptist Church - Ukiah, CA Rev. Kevin White, Pastor Crosstown Community Church - Stockton, CA Rev. Pablo Zelaya, Pastor Primeria Iglesia Bautista - Stockton, CA

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

GHC CLUSTERS BECAUSE PASTORS UNDERSTAND PASTORS

NEW CLUSTER SERIES | SHRINK Get Connected Today!

I am excited and a little nervous to encourage our clusters to chew on Tim Suttle’s book, Shrink : Faithful Ministry in a Church-Growth Culture, over the next ministry year. Tim Suttle started a church in the Kansas City Area, birthed with the help of a local mega church. His experience from both contexts pushed him to grapple with the answer to the question, what does success really look like for churches and pastors? Parts of his book I loved, other parts made me cringe, and most importantly, the whole thing made me process the question for myself and the church I pastor. I am confident that you will have a similar experience as I did, but perhaps you’ll be tweaked by different aspects of what Suttle has to say. That’s why I thought it would be worthwhile for us to discuss it as pastors in

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

community at GHC Clusters. In chapter four of Shrink, Tim Suttle wonders if the way we think about church is based more on models oriented toward growth and conversion than about a more comprehensive understanding of what the Gospel is all about: “The church’s job is not to grow and thrive. The church’s job is not even to survive. The church’s job is to die for the life of the world — to literally spend itself, pour itself out in service to the world. In the words of Jürgen Moltmann, ‘The real point is not to spread the church but to spread the kingdom.’” ~ Tim Suttle Dr. Pete Shaw Lead Regional Pastor | Pastor, CrossWalk Napa, CA

You’ll find other leaders who actually know what you deal with. You’ll discover other pastors who really do care about your well-being. And you will be provided training that will help resource your church for greater health and effectiveness.

GHC CLUSTERS

Because Pastors Understand Pastors CENTRAL VALLEY

SOUTH VALLEY

SPANISH SPEAKING

Kevin White Meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 12pm - 2pm

Mike Shelton & Bob Cherry Meeting on the 1st Thursday of every month from 10am - 1pm

Pablo Zelaya Meeting on the 3rd Saturday of every month from 9am - 12pm

N. SACRAMENTO

SACRAMENTO

GHC Website

Kevin Wood Meeting on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 10am - 1pm

Curtis Mitchell Meeting on the 1st Thursday of every month from 9am - 12pm

Visit the GHC Website for up to date Cluster info, dates, times and handouts.

NORTH BAY AREA

SF BAY AREA

GHC App

Pete Shaw Meeting on the 4th Thursday of every month from 11am - 1pm

Tom Cullen Meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 12pm - 2pm

Download the GHC App for up to date Cluster info, dates, times and handouts.

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

rel·e·vance:

SECTION

the quality or state of being closely connected or appropriate

CELEBRATION PACIFICA, CA

OCTOBEr 2017

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AT THE GHC CELEBRATION! We are community of leaders growing together. Walking along side eachother as we overcome hurdles & barriers in our unique ministries. Growing Healthy Churches is honored to partner with the Church in reaching communities for Christ.

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

RELEVANCE 2017 A LEADERSHIP EVENT FOR CHURCH LEADERS REACHING THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION

SCHEDULE Saturday, October 7, 2017 8:30 AM

Business Meeting

9:00 AM Session I | Dr. Paul Metler Session I begins in the main sanctuary. 10:30 AM Break 11:00 AM Session I | Dr. Paul Metler Session I continues in the main sanctuary.

12:00 PM Lunch Box lunches will be available 1:30 PM Session II & Recognitions | Dr. Tim Brown Session II will be held in the main sanctuary and will include Recognitions & Remembrances. 3:00 PM

Celebration Concludes

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

CELEBRATION SPEAKERS

TAB

DR. PAUL METLER VP of Content Development of Initiative One and Co-Author Paul is passionate about helping others discover positive transformation. Currently, Paul serves as Vice President of Content Development at InitiativeOne where he draws from vast experience to encourage and equip leaders. As a minister, Paul has over twenty years of pastoral ministry experience and has served as a church planter, teaching pastor and lead pastor. His academic experience includes development and instruction of numerous leadership courses as an adjunct professor. Dr. Metler has enjoyed opportunities to speak and teach in a number of countries outside the U.S. including Canada, Guatemala, Ecuador, Brazil and Russia.

Education Includes: B.S. M.Div. Ph.D Organizational Leadership CONTACT INFO pmetler@initiative-one.com twitter.com/paulmetler facebook.com/paul.metler.3

DR. TIM BROWN Executive Minister of Growing Healthy Churches God has not only blessed Timâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts as one of the most effective leader pastors in GHC but has opened up doors of ministry across denominations and geographical boundaries. Tim is a highly respected leaders in GHC and in many other parts of our nation and around the world. He knows how to network the ministries over which he has a stewardship including ministries in his community, within GHC and beyond our national borders. He also has a desire to help others do the same. Education Includes: Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY Master of Divinity in Ministerial Studies

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard, IL Doctor of Ministry in Church Growth & Leadership CONTACT INFO tim@growinghealthychurches.org twitter.com/TimBrown121314

REACHING THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION We value the Church as the primary catalyst in the Kingdom of God, therefore helping to resource churches is our central focus. Let’s work together to reach the millennial generation!

HEALTHY CHURCHES LED BY HEALTHY LEADERS CHANGING THE WORLD!

MILLENNIALS TODAY “Why have so many Millennials closed the door on church involvement? Why, even among those who grew up in church, have nearly six in ten dropped out at some point? Why have more than half been absent from church for the past six months? Why do three in ten Millennials say church is not at all important while an additional four in ten feel ambivalent, saying church is either somewhat important or somewhat not important?” ~ Barna Research

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

GHC RECOGNITIONS

TAB

NEW PASTORS Pastor Lamar Pringle | First Baptist Church, Sacramento CA Pastor Chris Sherwood | WayPointe Christian Fellowship, Richmond CA Pastor Matthew Skrabec | First Baptist Church, Benicia CA Rev. Dwight Williams | New Genesis Outreach Ministries, Stockton CA Pastor Bruce Yeager | Grace Chapel, Coalinga CA RETIRED Rev. Daniel Chung | Korean Church of the Valley, Danville CA Rev. Connie Chung | Korean Church of the Valley, Danville CA Rev. Ted Crandell | First Baptist Church, Willows CA Dr. Gillette O. James | Beth Eden Baptist Church, Oakland CA Rev. Mike Markley | Chapel Grace, Coalinga CA Rev. Gary Neilan | First Baptist Church, Hanford CA

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES 20 YEARS Rev. Denise Bowman Wylie Dr. David Cooke Rev. Mike Markley 30 YEARS Rev. Job Lara Rev. Dr. Yishey Latt Rev. Al Marks Rev. Charles Northrop Rev. Mike Pedlowe Rev. Henry Perkins

THANK YOU FOR SERVING! 40 YEARS Rev. Fred Delano Rev. Gary Neilan Dr. Ralph Wilson 60 YEARS Rev. Richard Buhler Rev. Gerald Cox Rev. Fred Pitman

IN LOVING MEMORY Rev. Dr. James Chuck Rev. Jessie Lee Ciupek Rev. Baltazar Garcia Rev. Mike Shelton Rev. Darrel Smith A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

CELEBRATION EXHIBITORS

TAB

AMERICAN BAPTIST HOME MISSION SOCIETY Partnering with American Baptists to promote Christian faith, cultivate Christ-centered leaders and disciples, and bring healing and transformation to communities across the US & Puerto Rico.

AVITUS GROUP Supporting businesses by taking responsibility for necessary, yet burdensome administrative tasks, like payroll, accounting and taxes.

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION Your Money Building God’s Kingdom.

CHURCH AND CASUALTY The exclusive insurance agency representing Church Mutual. Our allinclusive policies help you when you need us the most.

GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE & VISIT THE EXHIBIT TABLES! MMBB Our business is retirement benefits, our expertise is the church and religious world—and we serve more than 17,000 members across a wide range of denominations.

GROWING HEALTHY CHURCHES Pick up an Annual Ministry Report at our exhibit table.

REDWOOD GLEN

With both camp and conference facilities, Redwood Glen allows groups of all sizes and budgets to create a memorable, life-transforming event.

SEAFARERS MINISTRY OF THE GOLDEN GATE Caring for Seafarers n the Golden Gate Since 1946.

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

THANK YOU! NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP PACIFICA, CA

We couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have done it without you!

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

Tim Brown Executive Minister

Bill Hoyt Regional Consultant

Pete Shaw Lead Regional Pastor

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

Gilbert Foster Dir. Recruitment & Development

Tom Cullen

Church Planting Facilitator

Pam Breen Administrator

SECTION

ANNUAL MINISTRY REPORTS

Felicia Woods, GHC Board President

This has been an amazing year for Growing Healthy Churches (GHC). The GHC Staff has worked very hard with churches within our community, to continue with the healing process and in establishing GHC locally and globally. We actively worked on the 2017 budget throughout the year. Tim’s mission is to better serve our churches, find the best ways to maintain a healthy organization and revitalize the image of GHC. He has personally visited churches throughout the GHC community to rebuild and reestablish a strong sense of Kingdom building along with providing webinars and other helpful ministry tools for pastors, leaders and volunteers. While reaching the churches currently in our community, GHC is looking to partner and establish new churches where needed as well. There are a few highlights to talk about this year. We kicked the year off with the Leadership Retreat held in Cambria, CA. We were blessed to have Dr. Fred Johnson of InitiativeOne, an accelerated personal and professional growth company. He shared a condensed version of how he’s helped lead some of our pastors and other leaders through an extensive 8 week program, equipping them to better serve their churches and helping them grow and improve from the inside out. Church assessments have been vital in helping churches grow to new levels of health and as churches reach to better serve their communities. The assessment process has been invaluable in preparing churches for new growth, to serve and relevantly reach their communities. There have been many churches who participated in assessments this year, which has reflected in a positive outlook with members of the churches, the pastors and leadership, as they all come together to build the kingdom of God. If your church is motivated and looking to make healthy changes in serving the community that you’re in, I would highly recommend reaching out to Tim Brown for an assessment! GHC is reaching out globally, partnering with Nairobi Chapel, and creating a San Francisco church start. The GHC Team is in communication with the pastors and leaders in Nairobi to make this joint venture successful! We are all looking forward to seeing what God does through this partnership and for the kingdom of God! We closed out the year with an amazing guest speaker at the Annual Celebration with Dr. Paul Metler. He spoke on how to be relevant in today’s culture and how to connect with and keep millennials in our churches. GHC knows the importance of reaching this generation as well as bridging and incorporating other generations to all serve the Kingdom of God. This was a very powerful and impactful presentation. As churches left the Celebration, we are looking to positively impact our communities and keep our doors open to all who need Christ. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2018 brings to the community of churches we serve through GHC. May God continue to bless you all and have a wonderful 2018! Let’s work together to grow God’s Kingdom....one soul at a time! Sincerely,

Felicia A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

A YEAR OF INVESTMENT TIM BROWN | EXECUTIVE MINISTER Most understand the power and hope in investing. To invest is to devote one’s money, energy, time and/or effort with the expectation of a worthwhile result. I would describe the later part of 2016 and all of 2017 as an intentional year of investment for Growing Healthy Churches. We have purposely invested in pastors, church leaders and congregations in a substantial way.

X quis nscimainisciis ditio volo eos apel magnistrum eum dolupti venimus mnis ilore litiat

How? First of all, in the last year, Growing Healthy Churches has invested thousands of dollars in leadership development for church leaders. Lives and ministries are being changed as a result of leaders participating in a year-long intensive leadership process. Although, some have benefited more than others, most have gained valuable tools and new understandings of personal leadership effectiveness through our partnership with the InitiativeOne Leadership Institute. On a weekly basis I receive emails, texts and phone calls about how appreciative leaders are for our investment in them. As one participant recently said, “GHC’s investment in me saved my ministry and probably my family. I don’t know where I would be today if not for GHC’s belief in and dedication to me!” Those are powerful words and words that are becoming quite common in our association of churches. In the last year, fifty leaders were sponsored by GHC to begin the journey of personal leadership transformation through the InitiativeOne Leadership Institute. Second, we continue to invest in new church starts. Although we are starting fewer churches than in years past, we are focusing on making our starts more

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

sustainable and viable. This year we have helped to start an African American congregation in Stockton, CA. Additionally, we have developed an inspiring and unique partnership with Nairobi Chapel in Kenya to start a Bay Area congregation. Finally, we have purposefully invested in churches by helping to equip church leaders with tools to assist their churches in becoming more relevant in a culture where church is increasingly less relevant. In the fall of 2017, we will launch a training emphasis on reaching the millennial generation and how churches can become more influential in a post-Christian culture. I think we are more united and focused than we have been in many years. When we gather at events like the Annual Leadership Retreat, monthly leadership clusters, and at other times, there is genuine, loving interaction and fellowship with one another. I am certain that we are investing GHC resources in serving our leaders and churches and I get excited to hear about so many lives that are being changed. Our office team continues to offer essential support in the everyday management issues that our churches and leaders face, and they have proven to be vital in assisting with legal issues that churches sometimes experience. Our executive team provides excellent services with church-wide consultations and helping churches in the search process for new lead pastors. I’m frequently contacted by other regions or like-minded entities who want to know how we serve our churches like we do. GHC is healthy in many ways.

However, investment does not come without cost. While we have worked tirelessly to serve our leaders and churches better and have invested resources wisely, we have continued to experience a decrease in financial support from our member churches. In fact, about 44% of those who say they are affiliated with GHC give $0 per year and many have substantially reduced contributions. This stark reality has caused us to reevaluate what services we can offer in the future and how we offer them. So, while we are seeing amazing returns on our investment of time, money, energy and effort with our leaders and churches, we continue to struggle financially.

Healthy Churches Led by Healthy Leaders Changing the World!

I will do whatever I can to ensure that we have a viable future as an organization. My commitment is to do everything within my ability to continue investing in leadership transformation, starting new congregations and training leaders and churches on how to be increasingly effective in a post-Christian culture. My hope and prayer is that we can continue on this journey together as an association of like-minded churches who truly want to see the Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven. Blessings!

Tim A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

GILBERT FOSTER DIR. RECRUITMENT 2017 shouts loudly to us that ministry and church leadership are not getting any easier. In truth, it’s getting harder. I doubt you need me to tell you that. Every pastor and congregation I’ve had the joy of working alongside this past year would agree with me. To add to Scott Peck’s classic bestseller’s opening sentence “life is hard” (The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck)- being a Christian Leader in 2017 is really hard! Here are some of the tough challenges our Pastors and congregations have encountered this year: We‘ve been working with some churches this year that would love to hire a full-time new Pastor, but declining attendance means declining income, which means they are unable to hire the full-time Pastor they need. For some, they cannot afford to replace staff. Some have had to lay staff off. This limits church progress and them reaching their maximum redemptive potential. Many of our churches are wrestling with the new normal – people attend church once every other week, if not once every three weeks. Commitment is very different in 2017 than it was in 1997. This restricts ministry output, sermon momentum, church budgets and overall impact. Some of our churches have hit a generational gap that is becoming too wide to cross. In some congregations there is a lost generation (between ages 22-39), which will accelerate the congregations decline unless urgently addressed.

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

Beyond these 2017 operational challenges, we are more and more functioning in a post-Christian society. We preach and lead in a culture where there is now no assumed Biblical knowledge, or belief in the Bible being truth. We teach in a ‘fake news’, fluid, alt-truth reality. No longer do societal values reflect our values. The Church and the Pastor now have much less influence than they had in 2007. This list could be longer. 2017 has been one of the hardest years to date for many of our Pastors and their congregations. I doubt if it’s going to get any easier in 2018. Yet in the midst of the challenges of ministry in a post-Christian, pluralistic, post-truth society many of our Pastors and churches are facing the challenges head on.

Here area few of the ways I’ve been noticing some of our Pastors and congregations are taking on the challenges:

are we meant to have all the answers. No longer are we meant to be perfect. That authenticity, that real-ness resonates.

Firstly, many effective Pastors are not shying away from teaching and preaching on topics that are a significant part of our shifting cultural reality. Topics such as: racism, immigration, human identity, abuse, sexuality and pluralism. Additionally I am hearing these Pastors speak a new language. Out has gone the classic Christian synonyms and they are making sure that from their pulpits and in publications they are speaking words a post-Christian society can comprehend. They are working hard at asking the right questions and avoiding answering questions no ones asking.

Fifth, they are getting themselves and their congregation out of a bubble. Not only are they empowering their congregations to be involved in their communities – serve on school boards, participate in local action groups, coach their local sports teams - but they are inviting the community onto their campus. They are opening up their space for the community to come inside. There is sacred sharing happening.

Secondly, many are seeing the need to empower the younger, emerging generation to have a voice, and bring their input to the leadership table now. The need to age-down is more than essential. For some of our churches they are too late to this and many of their Millennials have left. The day to have younger people with you and speaking into leadership is vital. Thirdly, most of our effective churches have been deliberate in being multi-ethnic in their church staffing, appointment of ministry leaders, and from the front of their church. In today’s America this is vital. Fourthly, I am seeing healthy, missional Pastors display an incredible amount of authenticity and honesty as they lead. No longer does the Pastor put on a face and pretend he/she has everything worked out. No longer

“Many are facing challenges head on.” Lastly, they do all this while remaining distinctively Christian. They display a deep spirituality. Not by practicing spiritual ditties or spiritual trivia. It’s deeper than that. It’s not about what they stand against, but what they stand for – grace, love, and mercy. It’s something beautiful. It is, after all, beauty that will save the world. Our goal is to work with all our Pastors and congregations so that the challenges of 2018, 2028 and 2038 can be met head on. We are excited to help as many as possible face the challenges well.

Thank you,

Gilbert A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

PETE SHAW | LEAD REGIONAL PASTOR It is not at all uncommon for pastors to be sitting across a table with someone who utters, “My marriage is crumbling.” Or, “I’ve been given three months to live.” Maybe, “My addiction finally caught up with me.” We sometimes hear, “I just found out my child has been victimized.” How about, “My spouse of many years just died.” We are entrusted with the most delicate parts of people’s lives. People know they can count on us to be compassionate, sensitive, supportive, prayerful, and hopeful. As pastors, we are called to come alongside those who are suffering. It is a holy honor. Sacred ground. I don’t know about you, but when I come out of such meetings, I may be exhausted, but I am also deeply humbled that I got to be used by God in some healing way. God shows up powerfully in such moments. We just get to be in on it. People who call our churches home know they have a pastor they can count on. But even people outside of our walls utilize us for similar purposes – and we gladly offer ourselves to help. Most pastors, however, don’t have a pastor to call on when they have need of a supportive ear or shoulder or friend. Unless, of course, they attend a cluster. Clusters provide the space for pastors to get pastored, and for pastors to provide pastoral care for their pastoral colleagues. It is a different experience pastoring fellow pastors – a different level of privilege, a different type of holy ground. When we care for each other, we are, by extension, caring for entire congregations, aren’t we? And when we care, it is somehow cathartic, because pastors understand the challenges pastors face. When we help peers work through stuff, we find ourselves working through our stuff simultaneously. It has never occurred to me after one of those pastoral care moments in my church to wonder what was in it for me. I have never asked the parent of a dying child what the value-add of our meeting was for me. One of the things that is difficult for me to empathize with is the consumeristic critique I sometimes hear from pastors who don’t attend clusters much: “it’s just not doing much for me.” Perhaps I need to be more blunt with such friends and ask them to politely wake up and see that maybe the value add in a cluster might

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

be that the Spirit of God flows through them as they support their peer, which just might fill their tank in the process. Or maybe I need to offer a crow bar to assist in pulling their head out of their... (current “how to” book?). If you attend one of GHC’s geographically based clusters, you know how critical they are for mutual support. Keep coming. You need it, and your cluster needs you. If you have yet to make clusters a priority because you are too busy, or think it’s just not going to do anything for you, please give that idea some intentional prayer time. My hunch is that the Spirit of God might just help you think and see otherwise. You need a cluster, and your cluster needs you.

“You need it, and your cluster needs you. Clusters exist to provide support for one of the most challenging, complex vocations on the planet. We make room for that support through intentionally checking in with each other at each meeting. But we also support one another as we chew on a training element. Face it, we might not be comfortable telling everyone we think our lives suck, but we might open that door by sharing that the climate of our Board sucks, which leads to more conversation. In years past, clusters have worked through various materials selected by their Regional Pastor who leads the group. This year, we are chewing on a book together throughout the year – Shrink, by Tim Suttle. Frankly, it’s a disturbing book for anyone who reads it, which is why I selected it. I am convinced, however, that if we choose to move beyond a casual critique and grapple with the issues the author raises (how do we truly understand success in a consumer-driven, bigger-is-always-better age), we will be better, more

clearly focused leaders faithfully guiding our churches forward in mission. Thanks for playing along! In closing, I want to express my deep appreciation for our Regional Pastors: Bob Cherry (South Central Valley), Tom Cullen (SF Bay), Curtis Mitchell (Sacramento), Kevin White (North Central Valley), Kevin Wood (Lost Coast and North Sacramento Valley), and Pablo Zelaya (Spanish Speaking Pastors). They have been committed and caring through the ups and downs as they have sought to pastor pastors throughout the last year. They faithfully prepare and show up ready to lead their entire group, and still lead with joy even if only one or two makes it. And I must give special acknowledgement to Mike Shelton, who deeply loved the pastors in his cluster, getting there as

often as he could while he battled cancer. As you know, Mike lost the battle with cancer, but the victory had already been won over death and he knew it. He has been celebrating heartily, I am sure, since he drew his first breath of heaven’s air. I will always remember Mike’s incredible testimony, his fierce loyalty, and his unshakable drive to reach others with and for Christ. Mike, you are missed. Can’t wait to hear some more stories when we meet again. Thank you,

Pete

TOGETHER. ONE IN CHRIST. a network of leaders growing together

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

BILL HOYT | REGIONAL CONSULTANT Charles Dickens etched his name in literary history with the opening words of The Tale of Two Cities. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times… Recently, while reflecting on those words, I first thought, “This describes today, our world, our plight.” Upon further reflection, I realized these are neither the best, nor the worst of times. But they are days of contradiction, paradox and irony. Here are just a few of the many contradictions and paradoxes of our day:

Every challenge is an opportunity and I love it when I am able to help you seize an opportunity for Christ and His Kingdom. And I know of no greater excitement than rejoicing as God blesses you, your efforts, and your church. Let me know the challenges and opportunities you face. I’d be delighted to walk with you as coach, consultant and friend. And if I can’t help you with your particular challenge or opportunity, I will help you find someone who can! I am looking forward to more excitement as we work together and see God’s hand of blessing. Thank you,

• Absolute truth has vanished from popular culture, but many Millennials are unabashedly seeking truth they can count on. • People like Jesus, but not the church. • Church attendance is declining and the “none’s” are increasing in number, but emerging adults are increasingly exploring Christianity: on-line though, not on-site. • Churches and denominational tribes that have historically helped the poor and fought for social justice are talking more while other churches and tribes that have historically emphasized sin, salvation and heaven are actively helping the poor and moving to the front lines of social justice. • In the form of social media, we have the most pervasive form of communication in history, but very few churches use it strategically, and some not at all. These are also days of challenge, opportunity and excitement. I am thrilled to be alive at this time in history. I am privileged to be part of Growing Healthy Churches where I get to partner with many of you as you face the challenges of life and ministry.

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

“Every challenge is an opportunity”

Bill

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

TOM CULLEN | CHURCH STARTING

This past year Rev. Dwight Williams launched New Genesis Outreach Ministries in Stockton, CA. with your help. And we are also having conversations with other church starting organizations to see how we might evolve our process to partner with other church starting ministries. One of those entities is a large church in Nairobi, Kenya who wants to explore starting a church in the heart of San Francisco with GHC. Stayed tuned! In the interim here are several ways you can be a part of church starting. • Make church starting a part of your personal and your church’s prayer life • Make church starting a topic of conversation in your GHC Clusters • Challenge your congregation to support church starting through their giving and budgeting • Let me know how I can help With you and with Jesus,

Tom

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

PAM BREEN | ADMINISTRATOR Our Events ... • The year started with a great Celebration at Primera Iglesia Bautista Del Norte in Stockton. Rev. Pablo Zelaya and many volunteers did a great job of hosting the event. • In May we held the Annual Leadership Retreat at Cambria Pines Lodge and it was a great time of fellowship and renewal. Our speaker, Fred Johnson, from Initiative One did an outstanding job. Our Resource Center... Michele, Heather and Ariana have been hard at work.

• Our website is up to date and easy to use. There are regular updates on Facebook and Twitter. We continue to work to find the best way to communicate well with our churches, pastors and lay people. • We have been working with churches to help them keep their websites fresh and inviting. Check out our website “Resource Central” to find a great list of resources you can use to help in your communications. • One of our changes this year is that we have begun handling the mission receipts again in house. It has been a good opportunity for us to connect with many people in the churches so that we can make sure the funds are going exactly where you want them to go. • We have also been working to get through files and scanning documents allowing us to get rid of a lot of the hard copies and to save in our storage requirements. We continue to work at that and at the same time make sure we are complying with all retention requirements. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work with so many of you throughout the year. We continue to help: • answer questions a church may have in order to save you time researching yourselves • help in the process of ordination and licensing • networking churches with resources and contacts May God continue to bless you and your church as you reach out to share The Great News in your community. Blessings,

Pam 26

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

GHC FINANCIALS

CHURCH GIVING 2012-2017

As many of you know, Growing Healthy Churches has been experiencing a decline in financial support. Total revenue through June 2017 is $254,963 which is $61,646 less than last year in June 2016. Total revenue from churches through June 2017 is $151,652 which is $41,472 less than last year in June 2016. Total operating expenses through June 2017 is $688,197 which is $41,967 less than operating costs than last year in June 2016. Growing Healthy Churches operating cost deficit is $433,234 and is requiring a draw of $866,468 (28% of total investments). We understand that this is unsustainable. In fact, at this level of expenditure GHC will be bankrupt within 4 years. We are working on options to cut costs more significantly in the near future, in order to sustain GHC. We thank you for your support as we continue to serve you to the best of our ability.

A N N U A L C E L E B R AT I O N

Growing Healthy Churches 2410 Camino Ramon, Ste 271 | San Ramon, CA 94583 growinghealthychurches.com | growinghealthychurches.org info@growinghealthychurches.org | (925) 277-3980 | (888) 290-2229