The Gathering CBFNC Newsletter - July–August 2013 by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

The Gathering

of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

July/August 2013 • Vol. 18 Issue 4 Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry

PAGE 2 Means and Ends — Part 3 by Larry Hovis

PAGE 3 Young Ministers Series by Matt Johnson

PAGES 4-6 Partner Churches and Individuals Continue Strong Support of CBFNC by Jim Hylton

PAGE 7 CBFNC Salutes 2012-2013 Interns by Ka’thy Gore Chappell

PAGE 7 North Carolina Students Serving in CBF Summer Missions by Wanda Kidd

PAGE 8 Done in Love — The New CBFNC Mission and Ministry Offering by Larry Hovis

PAGE 9 20th Anniversary Vision Team Report by Guy Sayles

Means and Ends — Part 3 Making it Personal

Something different was in the air as the deacons of First Baptist Church in Anytown, NC, gathered for their monthly meeting. Excitement may be too strong a word, but there was an extra dose of energy accompanied by unusual anticipation.

Chairperson Beth Hopkins opened the meeting with prayer. She then said, “Since our last meeting, many of you have told me how much you appreciated the discussion of ‘ends and means’ introduced by our pastor last month. I’d like to call on Pastor Chris to lead us in resuming that conversation.”

“Thanks, Beth,” said Chris. “Our previous discussion concluded with Beth asking us to think about how we would complete this sentence: The End of our church is __________. What have you come up with?”

Sarah Barker was the first one to speak. “As I said last month, I don’t know what all the fuss is about. It seems perfectly clear to me. The most important thing we as a church can do is support missionaries. That’s the heart of our Baptist faith. We are called to study missions, pray for missions and give sacrificially so that we can send missionaries to the ends of the earth.”

“That’s all fine,” countered Bob Carothers, a member of the choir, “but there are lots of organizations that do good in the world, even missions organizations that send missionaries around the world. But the church is the only organization that is uniquely charged to worship God. I believe the End of our church is to promote the kind of orderly, dignified worship of Almighty God our church has executed for a long time.”

“But what if one day no one comes to our sanctuary to worship God?” challenged Nan Cummings, a mother of three and a member of the youth committee. “Let’s be honest. The group that gathers in our church on Sunday morning is getting older and smaller. My kids are bored with our worship services. I think the End of our church is to minister to the next generation. If we don’t, we might not have a church at all.”

“Nan, I think you’re getting closer,” said Sam Jones, president of the local bank and one whose family had been in key leadership roles at First Baptist for several generations. “It takes money to keep this church going. Everything you all have mentioned costs money. Missionaries. Worship personnel and equipment. Youth and children’s programs. The buildings where we meet. Even our pastor’s salary. And it takes people to give that money. I think our focus ought to be on recruiting enough new members to sustain our church financially so that it will exist for future generations.”

Greg Pickens spoke next. “I don’t disagree with anything any of you have said. Missionaries, worship, youth programs

by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator

and the church budget are all very important. But in my view, and please don’t brand me as a heretic, all of these worthy things are Means toward a greater End. Why do we send missionaries? Why do we worship God? Why do we minister with youth and maintain our buildings and give our money? Is it enough simply for the congregation to exist tomorrow? I’m not sure I know the answer, but I believe it must have something to do with the Kingdom of God.”

“I’m with Greg,” said Sue Ferguson. “Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven more than any other topic. We’ve been studying Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom in our Sunday School class. In his model prayer, Jesus prayed, ‘Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.’ As Hugh Halter and Matt Smay make clear in their book, The Tangible Kingdom, I believe the purpose of the church is to make the Kingdom of God ‘tangible’ in our communities and world. Our worship and missions and buildings and programs and staff are the means through which we seek to help make the Kingdom of Heaven a reality to the people God allows us to meet and influence.”

Pastor Chris looked around and could see that most heads were nodding as Sue spoke. Even those with questioning looks on their faces seemed to be trying to take it in rather than putting up defenses. “Thanks, Sue, for this explanation. I think you’re onto something. The End of our church must have something to do with the Kingdom. How’s this for a preliminary working statement of our church’s End or purpose? ‘First Baptist Church exists to follow Jesus Christ in making the Kingdom of God tangible in Anytown, NC, and around the world.’”

“It sounds good,” said Sam Jones. “I can see how a focus on the Kingdom of God as our ultimate purpose would help us ‘keep the main thing the main thing.’ But that still leaves lots of other questions about all the other things we’ve talked about.”

“Yes, Sam. Absolutely,” affirmed Chris. “We have much work to do in determining the Means God is leading us to utilize in pursuing the End. But maybe, just maybe, if we all can agree on a larger End or purpose, we won’t be quite so possessive over our particular programs, and we’ll be a little more willing to listen to the Spirit and one another as we make hard choices about how we spend our time and money as a church.”

“Excellent discussion,” interrupted Beth Hopkins. “As spiritual leaders, this is the kind of conversation that needs to be our focus. So where do we go from here? How do we help the whole congregation join us as we think about the End of our Church? And how will we use this concept to determine ministry priorities moving forward? Please make this a matter of prayer between now and next month’s meeting. I’m wondering if we might enlist a congregational coach to help us develop a process for conducting a three-way conversation between us, the congregation, and, most importantly, the Spirit.”

“I’m glad you mentioned the idea of a congregational coach, Beth,” responded Pastor Chris. “Let’s talk to our friends at CBFNC. I feel sure they can help with that.”

Young Ministers Series: Matt Johnson

We are at our best when we tell our stories.

“If only we…”

I wish we If only we our best

“I wish we…” Sometimes as a pastor I become overly focused on what I think my congregation can do better. In the same way, it can be tempting to concentrate on the deficiencies of the CBF movement. Instead, maybe we should ask ourselves, “When are we at our best?”

The folks in my church come from all over. They were raised in North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Maryland. They were Baptists, Catholics, Methodists, Disciples, and agnostics. In order for us to understand, appreciate, and love one another, we have to tell our stories. We have to tell each other what we value, where we came from, and where we hope to go.

In the same way, the people that make up the CBF come from all over. Many were not raised as Baptists, or were not old enough to remember the “Baptist Wars.” We need to tell our stories. We need to tell the stories of our 400 years of faithful Baptist witness. We need to tell stories about living an authentic Christian faith in this 21st century, technology-driven society. We need to know and be known. We need to tell our stories.

We are at our best when we focus on what we do.

The diversity of my church extends beyond our backgrounds. The people vary in their theological beliefs from conservative to progressive. They categorize themselves as Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, and Other. But we are united in Christ and united in serving one another and our community. People who could be at one another’s throats over doctrine or politics instead work together to distribute groceries to food-insecure families at the local food pantry or register patients for the dental van. We are united around the things we do more than the specifics of any creed.

and who is out. But our Cooperative Baptist movement has always been at its best when it has avoided defining doctrine on behalf of churches and instead focused on empowering churches for ministry. I hope we can continue to be a people known for the good deeds we do, rather than the beliefs we don’t.

We are at our best when we don’t care who gets credit.

Recently, our church led a team in building a wheelchair ramp for a local family. The project was initiated by the North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry who called our church asking us to help. A significant financial contribution came from the local Senior Center. One of our members contacted the Southern Baptist church in town and several of their men came out to help us build the ramp. It was truly a team effort. The only thing that mattered was that the project was done. CBF and CBFNC have led the way in partnership missions and ministry. As human and financial capital continue to grow scarcer, we should resist the temptation to reinvent the wheel. We must continue to partner with ministries who are already doing the work we feel led to support. We shouldn’t care who gets the credit, only that the work gets done.

As Baptists look to the future, let us avoid the temptation to always concentrate on what we don’t do or haven’t done. Instead, let’s focus on what we have done well. Let’s remember to ask ourselves, “When are we at our best?”

Whenever the future is uncertain, there will always be a tendency to craft a statement codifying “essential” beliefs. In troubling times, it is comforting to know who is in

Matthew Johnson is the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Smithton in Belhaven. He holds degrees from WFU (BA, MDiv) and the University of North Texas (Master of Music). He enjoys WFU sports, reading, movies, and alternative comedy. He is married to the Rev. Clare Conway Johnson, a community counselor with at-risk youth. They have one son, McCall, a curly-headed two year old.

Partner Churches and Individuals Continue Strong Support of CBFNC

by Jim Hylton, CBFNC Business Administration Coordinator

Giving Trends: 2009 through 2013

Designated

Undesignated

In the 2012-2013 budget year, undesignated gifts exceeded $1.4 million and designated gifts exceeded $2.6 million. For the third consecutive year, total gifts exceeded $4 million.

CBFNC continues to be gratified by the trust congregations and individuals are placing in us as evidenced by giving of all types. We are taking great care to be good stewards of these resources through the ministries we coordinate and the cultivation of positive relationships with our cherished ministry partners.

To view the 2013-2014 budget, visit www.cbfnc.org.

Partner Churches (Churches making contributions October 2011 - March 2013)

Churches contributing to CBFNC are listed in bold type. Churches that contribute to CBF National only are listed in regular type. Designated in blue are churches that participate in the CBFNC Mission Resource Plan, providing financial support for other Baptist ministries through CBFNC. For additional information about the Mission Resource Plan or for more information on partnering with CBFNC, visit www.cbfnc.org. This list does not include churches who partner with CBFNC or CBF in other, non-financial ways.

Taylor Memorial Aberdeen

Earlys............................... Ahoskie

First.................................. Ahoskie

First.................................. Albemarle

Mount Zion...................... Alexis

Angier Angier

Baptist Fellowship........... Angier

Neill’s Creek.................... Angier

Olive Chapel .................. Apex

Woodhaven...................... Apex

First................................ Arden

First.................................. Asheboro

Oakhurst Asheboro

Oakwood Park................. Asheboro

West Asheboro Asheboro

Calvary............................. Asheville

First.................................. Asheville

Grace................................ Asheville

Morningside..................... Asheville

Connaritsa....................... Aulander

First Beaufort

First of Smithton............. Belhaven

Benson............................ Benson

First.................................. Biscoe

First.................................. Black Mountain

First.................................. Bladenboro

Lennons Cross Roads..... Bladenboro

First.................................. Blowing Rock

Boiling Springs............... Boiling Springs

First.................................. Boone

Boonville.......................... Boonville

Mount Moriah Calvert... Brevard

First.................................. Bryson City

First.................................. Buies Creek

Memorial.......................... Buies Creek

Bullock............................. Bullock

First.................................. Burlington

Northside.......................... Burlington

First................................ Burnsville

First................................ Butner

Calypso............................. Calypso

Sawyer’s Creek................ Camden

Hominy............................. Candler

First.................................. Canton

First.................................. Carolina Beach

Greenwood Forest........... Cary

Westwood......................... Cary

Chadbourn....................... Chadbourn

Piney Forest Chadbourn

Ephesus........................... Chapel Hill

HillSong............................ Chapel Hill

Lystra Chapel Hill

Mount Carmel................. Chapel Hill

University....................... Chapel Hill

Grace Crossing................ Charlotte

Park Road Charlotte

Peace Covenant............... Charlotte

Pritchard Memorial........ Charlotte

Providence Charlotte

St. John’s.......................... Charlotte

Sardis................................ Charlotte

Together in Christ

Intl. Ministries............... Charlotte

First ................................ Clarkton

First................................ Clayton

White Oak........................ Clayton

Mosaic.............................. Clayton

Clemmons First............... Clemmons

First................................ Clinton

Partner Churches (Churches making contributions October 2011

Grove Park...................... Clinton

Mars Hill.......................... Colerain

McGill............................... Concord

First Cramerton

Open Arms .................... Creedmoor

Cullowhee........................ Cullowhee

The Summit..................... Cullowhee

First Denton

First.................................. Dobson

First.................................. Drexel

First.................................. Dunn

Westfield........................... Dunn

Calvary............................. Durham

Durham Memorial.......... Durham

Glenn School Road.......... Durham

Hope Valley...................... Durham

Lowes Grove.................... Durham

Mount Hermon................ Durham

Temple.............................. Durham

Watts Street..................... Durham

Yates................................. Durham

First................................ Eden

Edenton............................ Edenton

Blackwell Memorial Elizabeth City

First.................................. Elizabeth City

Elizabethtown.................. Elizabethtown

First.................................. Elkin

Carolina Crossing........... Ellerbe

Elm City........................... Elm City

First.................................. Elon

Emerald Isle..................... Emerald Isle

Enfield.............................. Enfield

Enka................................. Enka

Fair Bluff.......................... Fair Bluff

First.................................. Fairmont

First.................................. Farmville

Cedar Falls Fayetteville

First.................................. Fayetteville

Lafayette.......................... Fayetteville

Lake Lynn........................ Fayetteville

Mount Pisgah................... Fayetteville

Snyder Memorial............ Fayetteville

Unity Christian Center... Fayetteville

First.................................. Forest City

Florence.......................... Forest City

Mount Vernon................. Forest City

First.................................. Four Oaks

Pauline............................ Four Oaks

Burningtown.................... Franklin

Centerpoint...................... Franklin

Franklinton...................... Franklinton

Fremont Missionary ..... Fremont

Garland.......................... Garland

Aversboro Road............... Garner

Covenant Gastonia

First.................................. Gastonia

Loray................................ Gastonia

New Hope......................... Gastonia

Reynoldson...................... Gates

First.................................. Goldsboro

Rosewood First................ Goldsboro

First ................................. Graham

College Park.................... Greensboro

First.................................. Greensboro

Guilford............................ Greensboro

Lindley Park.................... Greensboro

Southeast.......................... Greensboro

Arlington Boulevard Greenville

Immanuel....................... Greenville

The Memorial.................. Greenville

La Mision Bautista.......... Greenville

Oakmont.......................... Greenville

Pleasant Hill Grover

Hallsboro.......................... Hallsboro

First Hamlet

Flat Rock.......................... Hamptonville

First.................................. Henderson

Providence....................... Hendersonville

First.................................. Hickory

Viewmont......................... Hickory

Hiddenite.......................... Hiddenite

Emerywood...................... High Point

First High Point

Parkwood......................... High Point

Cane Creek Hillsborough

First.................................. Hillsborough

Hobbsville........................ Hobbsville

First Huntersville

Jackson............................. Jackson

First.................................. Jamestown

First.................................. Jonesville

First.................................. Kannapolis

First.................................. Kernersville

Iglesia Nueva Vision........ Kernersville

Main Street...................... Kernersville

Union Cross..................... Kernersville

Quaker Gap..................... King

Spilman Memorial.......... Kinston

Oak Ridge........................ Kittrell

Knightdale ...................... Knightdale

First Reformed Landis

First................................ Laurinburg

- March 2013)

Mount Moriah Laurinburg

Goshen.............................. Leland

North Brunswick Fellowship

.......................................... Leland

College Avenue Lenoir

First.................................. Lenoir

Lower Creek.................... Lenoir

Churchland...................... Lexington

First.................................. Lexington

Jersey................................ Lexington

First ............................... Liberty

Mount Pleasant.............. Liberty

Lillington Lillington

First ............................... Lincolnton

Bear Swamp..................... Littleton

Littleton............................ Littleton

Mission............................. Locust

Hickory Rock................. Louisburg

Louisburg......................... Louisburg

First.................................. Lumberton

Rozier Lumberton

First.................................. Madison

Antioch............................. Mamers

First.................................. Marion

Calvary........................... Mars Hill

Mars Hill.......................... Mars Hill

First.................................. Marshville

First Mayodan

New Bessemer.................. McLeansville

First.................................. Mebane

Mount Adar..................... Mebane

Eatons ............................... Mocksville

First.................................. Mocksville

First.................................. Monroe

Mill Creek........................ Monroe

First Mooresville

First................................ Morehead City

First.................................. Morganton

Calvary............................. Mount Airy

First.................................. Mount Airy

Flat Rock.......................... Mount Airy

Piney Grove..................... Mount Airy

First.................................. Mount Gilead

First................................ Mount Holly

First................................ Mount Olive

Murfreesboro Murfreesboro

Rock Creek..................... Nashville

First.................................. New Bern

Kendalls........................... New London

First.................................. Newland

Partner

Churches (Churches making contributions October 2011 - March 2013)

Trinity Newton

First.................................. N. Wilkesboro

First Oriental

Enon................................. Oxford

Hester............................... Oxford

Oxford.............................. Oxford

Roberts Chapel................ Pendleton

Pfafftown.......................... Pfafftown

Iglesia Bautista Misionera Roca Fuerte

.......................................... Pittsboro

Mount Gilead................... Pittsboro

Pittsboro........................... Pittsboro

Athens Drive.................... Raleigh

Crabtree Valley.............. Raleigh

First.................................. Raleigh

Forest Hills....................... Raleigh

The Fountain.................. Raleigh

Greystone......................... Raleigh

Hayes Barton................... Raleigh

Hope Fellowship.............. Raleigh

Iglesia Bautista La Roca

.......................................... Raleigh

Iglesia Nueva Generacion

.......................................... Raleigh

Longview.......................... Raleigh

Macedonia........................ Raleigh

Millbrook Raleigh

New Hope......................... Raleigh

Ridge Road...................... Raleigh

St. John’s ......................... Raleigh

Swift Creek..................... Raleigh

Tabernacle........................ Raleigh

Temple.............................. Raleigh

Triangle Raleigh

Trinity............................. Raleigh

First.................................. Red Springs

Calvary............................. Reidsville

First................................ Reidsville

Richfield........................... Richfield

First.................................. Richlands

All Saints Episcopal Roanoke Rapids

Rosemary......................... Roanoke Rapids

Bethel................................ Robbinsville

First .................................. Rockingham

Dortches........................... Rocky Mount

Lakeside........................... Rocky Mount

Rileys Creek................... Rocky Point

Rolesville.......................... Rolesville

Rose Hill........................... Rose Hill

First.................................. Roseboro

First.................................. Rowland

Lamberth Memorial Roxboro

Roxboro............................ Roxboro

First.................................. Rural Hall

Iglesia Cristiana Sin Fronteras

Rural Hall

..........................................

First.................................. Rutherfordton

First Salisbury

Ephesus Sanford

First.................................. Sanford

Flat Springs..................... Sanford

Iglesia Bautista Nueva Comienzo

........................................ Sanford

Jonesboro Heights........... Sanford

Primera Iglesia Bautista

........................................ Sanford

Double Shoals Shelby

Dover Shelby

First................................ Shelby

Poplar Springs............... Shelby

Ross Grove ....................... Shelby

Zion.................................. Shelby

Centro Familiar Cristiano

........................................ Siler City

Rocky River..................... Siler City

Nobles Chapel.................. Sims

First................................ Smithfield

Sharon Smithfield

First.................................. Southern Pines

Spencer............................. Spindale

Ephesus............................ Spring Hope

First.................................. Spring Hope

Central............................. Spruce Pine

First ................................. Spruce Pine

First Stanfield

First................................ Stantonsburg

First.................................. Statesville

First.................................. Stoneville

Brunswick Islands........... Supply

First .................................. Swannanoa

East Sylva Sylva

First.................................. Sylva

Olyphic........................... Tabor City

Tabor City ..................... Tabor City

First.................................. Tarboro

Antioch........................... Taylorsville

First ............................... Taylorsville

First................................ Tryon

Round Hill Union Mills

Cornerstone Valdese

First................................ Valdese

First .................................. Wadesboro

Falls Wake Forest

Heritage............................ Wake Forest

Wake Forest..................... Wake Forest

Woodland......................... Wake Forest

First................................ Wallace

Warrenton........................ Warrenton

First.................................. Washington

First................................ Waynesville

First................................ Weaverville

Crossroads Fellowship.... Weldon

Baptist Tabernacle.......... Wendell

Wendell............................ Wendell

First................................ West Jefferson

Fishing Creek.................. Whitakers

First................................ Whiteville

Mount Zion...................... Whiteville

New Hope....................... Whiteville

Wilkesboro....................... Wilkesboro

First.................................. Wilmington

Masonboro....................... Wilmington

Ogden............................... Wilmington

Temple.............................. Wilmington

Winter Park..................... Wilmington

First.................................. Wilson

Cashie............................... Windsor

Wingate............................ Wingate

Ardmore Winston-Salem

College Park.................... Winston-Salem

Fellowship........................ Winston-Salem

First.................................. Winston-Salem

Knollwood........................ Winston-Salem

Mineral Springs ................ Winston-Salem

Northwest......................... Winston-Salem

Peace Haven Winston-Salem

United............................... Winston-Salem

Via Faith Community..... Winston-Salem

West Side ....................... Winston-Salem

Winterville...................... Winterville

Wise.................................. Wise

First.................................. Yadkinville

Maplewood...................... Yadkinville

First Yanceyville

Bethlehem........................ Youngsville

Grace Haven.................... Youngsville

Youngsville....................... Youngsville

Zebulon............................ Zebulon

Visit www.cbfnc.org for more information on partnering with CBFNC.

by Ka’thy Gore Chappell, CBFNC Leadership Development Coordinator

An intern is defined as one who receives “supervised practical training.” This definition communicates what our interns receive as we seek to affirm the work and ministry provided to our fellowship by the 2012-2013 CBFNC Divinity Student Interns.

Elizabeth Barnard (left), a student at Gardner-Webb School of Divinity, worked with Rick Jordan in the ministry area of Faith Formation. Elizabeth served on the planning team and worked the events for Children’s Mission Days. Elizabeth also attended monthly coordinator/staff meetings as an observer.

Justin Thomas (center), a student at Wake Forest School of Divinity, worked with Laura Barclay in the ministry area of Social Ministries & Social Media. Justin reviewed and edited the racial reconciliation curriculum, assisted in structure of workshops for our state general assembly and worked in areas of communication and fellowship development.

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Lisa Grissom (right), a student at Campbell School of Divinity, worked with Ka’thy Gore Chappell in the ministry area of Leadership Development. Lisa chaired the CBFNC Divinity Student Task Force (includes representatives from our four partner divinity schools), developed the process for a divinitystudent-led workshop at our state general assembly and facilitated the sessions for the annual divinity student experience.

CBFNC Interns are self-starters who tend to seek out these positions. Often, interns are serving in this capacity as part of their divinity school field education and/or supervised ministry experience. In some cases, interns are simply serving with CBFNC for the networking and resourcing experience. We salute our 2012-2013 interns!

North Carolina Students Serving in CBF Summer Missions

Along with vacations and traditional summer jobs, summer is often filled with ministry opportunities. CBFNC celebrates all of the ways that groups and individuals will choose to serve this summer. We pray for all forms of mission experiences, whether working in community gardens, helping people in areas affected by natural disasters or outreach to those around us who are otherwise not reached by the gospel of Christ. These mission experiences can change lives for those who serve and those being served.

For several of our CBFNC students, this summer will be one that shapes their callings in a variety of ways. Through Student.GO and Collegiate Congregational Internships as well as through ministry partner Passport Camps, 36 North Carolina students will spend their summer serving across the state, country and the globe.

Please pray for the students listed and all of our students who are serving in other capacities this summer.

by Wanda Kidd, CBFNC College Ministry Coordinator

Collegiate Congregational Internship

Beth Arney First, Sylva

Megan Currie First, Monroe

Abbi Davis First, Goldsboro

Lacey Davis Memorial, Hickory

Emily Granade First, Winston-Salem on 5th

Kena Hawkins First, Asheville

Miriam Juarez First, Marion

Isaac Justus West Yellowstone, MT

Kassi Justus Mars Hill, Mars Hill

Ku Khang First, Mooresville

Rob Lee First, West Jefferson

Melani Lippard West Yellowstone, MT

Sarah McCoy First, Weaverville

Mallory Monroe First, Shelby

Cameron Place New Hope, Raleigh

Melissa Reynolds First, North Wilkesboro

Lauren Robertson Mt Carmel, Lenoir

Sarah Rome First, Rutherfordton

Ben Wines First, Elkin

Student.Go

Baptist

Joint Committee

Intern

Lauren Hovis

Passport Camps

Ashley Baucom Buies Creek

Carter Benge Mars Hill

Sara Bumgarner Raleigh

Vanessa Clark Boone

Margaret Corn Raleigh

Emily Davis Wingate

JD Granade Asheville

Elizabeth Gumns Montreat

Chelsea Hearne Shelby

Chris Hughes Winston-Salem

Justin McDowell Cherryville

Alina Mosunova Raleigh

Zelina Paupaw Wingate

Daniel Potter Chapel Hill

Zeke Stephenson Rutherfordton

Allison Wray Wingate

Chelsie Buffington Port City Community, Wilmington

Abarry Clubb Mars Hill, Mars Hill

Catherine Gordon Faith, Mount Airy

Mary Kaylor New Bern

Abby Pratt Peace Haven, Winston-Salem

Shekanah Solomon Bible Way Temple, Raleigh

Laura Tompkins First, Brevard

by Larry Hovis, CBFNC Executive Coordinator

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is CBFNC initiating a special Mission & Ministry Offering?

Actually, congregations have requested for several years that we establish such an offering. As CBFNC celebrates its 20th birthday, the Coordinating Council believes the time is right to take up this practice that is so common among other Baptist mission and ministry organizations. This offering will bring three significant benefits:

• The offering will allow individuals (on their own and through congregational emphases) to sustain and grow our missions and ministries through prayer and financial support.

• The offering will provide an avenue to educate churches and individuals about the work of CBFNC and ways to become more engaged in that work.

• The offering will strengthen the identity of CBFNC among partner churches and individuals.

How will my support be used?

The particular programs and ministries supported by the offering will be determined by the Coordinating Council. The Offering may support missions and ministries that are included in the annual CBFNC budget as well as those that are not. The offering will not be used for administration, but only for mission and ministry projects.

What is the theme of this year’s CBFNC Mission & Ministry Offering?

The 2013-14 offering theme is “Done in Love,” based on 1 Corinthians 16:14: “Let all that you do be done in love.” As followers of Christ, we are commanded to love God and to love our neighbor. Therefore, everything that we do must be done with love. CBFNC provides many opportunities to express that love to others through different ministries.

When will the offering be received?

While churches may receive the offering any time of year, CBFNC will promote the offering in the fall of each year.

What are Pilot Churches and what is needed/expected from them?

Pilot Churches* are those that participate in the initial “experimental” promotion and reception of the CBFNC Mission & Ministry Offering. They will agree to the following:

• Pilot Churches that sign up by early summer 2013 will be able to collaborate with CBFNC leaders to determine which particular education and promotion resources should be developed to best meet the needs of their church.

• Pilot Churches will conduct an Offering emphasis between Fall 2013 and Spring 2014.

• Pilot Churches will work with CBFNC leaders to evaluate the process and resources used to promote the offering in order to make improvements for subsequent years.

What

resources will be available to churches?

Depending on input received from early participating Pilot Churches, we will have some of the following available for the Fall of 2013:

• Week of Prayer guide (stories, photos, scripture, and daily prayer guide)

• Posters with blank line for each church to post goal

• Envelopes

• Video vignettes

• “How to promote the Offering” suggestions

• FAQ sheet of CBFNC Ministries

• Study Guides — e.g. Sunday School, missions group, adult, youth and children

• Sermon suggestions for use with adults and children

What are the next steps for my church?

To receive more information, ask questions, or sign up to be a Pilot Church, contact the CBFNC office by phone (888-822-1944) or e-mail Larry Hovis (LHovis@cbfnc.org).

*Initial communication from CBFNC (2013 General Assembly brochure and subsequent mailing to all partner churches) described a slightly different process and labeled participating congregations as “Charter Churches,” indicating they would receive special recognition. Since then, CBFNC leadership has determined to make the first emphasis a pilot project with a smaller group of churches functioning as a learning community. We will delay the Charter Church emphasis until the following year when both Pilot Churches and Charter Churches will receive public recognition.

CBFNC’s Local Mission Engagement Grants seek to foster partnership between local churches and humanitarian organizations for the purpose of missional engagement in their communities. Partnership is required with a community organization and one or more churches of any denomination. Grant period is April 1 through July 31, 2013. Visit the CBFNC website for an application, www.cbfnc.org.

Vision Day: Changing Church for a Changing World

Friday, August 16, 2013

9:30 am - 4:00 pm Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh

$30 (includes lunch and snacks)

Fresh Expressions is about empowering and equipping God’s people to develop creative expressions of church that can reach the increasing diversity of our society.

20th Anniversary Vision Team Report

by Guy Sayles, Co-Chair

The 20th Anniversary Vision Team began its work in the spring of 2012, and this report briefly summarizes our initial year of service to the Coordinating Council and the CBFNC family.

The Team’s initial task was to gather a sense of how the people and churches who comprise CBFNC experience us, of what they affirm and value about our identity and ministries, and of what they hope, dream, and need for the future. We’ve also paid attention to insights and lessons from our history, and we’ve acknowledged our relationships with other partners in the broader moderate Baptist movement; but our main focus has been on the people who are a part of, and who lead, the current life of the CBFNC family.

What we have heard is very encouraging:

1. There is a high degree of appreciation for, and significant trust in, CBFNC and its leaders. Our people affirm both our identity and our current ministries.

2. There is, simultaneously, a lack of future focus. Acknowledging that there is a lack of focus is not a negative thing; instead, it is a simple awareness that the future holds challenges and opportunities for which we have not yet developed a clear sense of direction and response.

3. There’s a common belief that CBFNC’s long-term health is connected with the health of its constituent congregations.

4. There’s a need and desire for CBFNC to clarify and articulate its essential identity.

The report and recommendations which the Vision Team will make to the Coordinating Council in late 2013 and early 2014 will address these four themes which the Team has heard. The Team is now beginning its more direct work on that report and those recommendations.

I hope and anticipate that our report and recommendations will include a focus on crucial “Why” questions: Why CBFNC? Why does it matter to the Kingdom? Why are we “on mission” together? I think that our answering, or attempting to answer, the “Why” questions might be the most important contribution our Team can make to the CBFNC family. Of course, we’re likely also to get to “Whats” and, perhaps, to a few “Hows”; but it seems vitally important to take this opportunity especially to seek answers to “Why?”

Thank you for the privilege of serving the CBFNC family in this way. Please feel free to share your ideas, suggestions, and concerns with me at gsayles@fbca.net or (828) 252-4781.

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

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

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

Ministers on the Move

Compiled by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator

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

Jeff Hensley has been called as Pastor to Iotla Baptist Church in Franklin.

Lisa Hood is now serving First Baptist Church of Forest City as Minister to Children and Youth.

James Copeland has been called to First Baptist Church of Wallace to join their staff as Youth and Children’s Minister.

Esther Soud Parker has been called to Watts Street Baptist Church as Minister to Children.

Tito Madrazo has been called as Pastor of Woodland Baptist Church in Wake Forest.

Oxford Baptist Church in Oxford has called Chris Aho as Pastor.

Julia Bauman is now serving as Interim Pastor of Children and Families at Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh.

Temple Baptist Church of Durham has called Mark Mofield as Pastor.

Jessica Tidwell has been called to First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton to serve as Minister of Youth and Outreach.

When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, let us know at jcausey@cbfnc. org. For assistance to search committees and ministers seeking vocational discernment, visit our reference and referral page on our website at www.cbfnc.org or call 336759-3456 or 888-822-1944.

CBFNC Honorary and Memorial Gifts

April 2013 - May 2013

In memory of Jane Earl Hall by Bob and Rhea Lamb

In memory of Dorothy Bowers by Barbara Dallas

In memory of Kay Huggins by Barbara Huggins

In memory of Roger Jordan by Jim and Joyce Camp

In memory of Anne Swain Lawrence by John Lawrence

In honor of Jack Causey by First Baptist Church of Statesville Ladies Circle

CBF Global Missions Field Personnel

Off-Field Assignments in Our Area

Don and Janet Pittman serving in Middle East

July 1 - January 11, 2014 off field in NC

Gennady and Mina Podgaisky serving in Kiev, Ukraine Podgaisky@juno.com

July 1 – August 15, 2013 off field in Black Mountain

Kim and Marc Wyatt serving in Canada

July 2013 - June 2014 wyatt@thefellowship.info off field in Wilmington

new resources added daily!

Coordinator Visits

Ardmore, Winston-Salem

Duke School of Divinity

Fairfield Mountains Chapel, Lake Lure

First, Asheville

First, Boone

First, Butner

First, Drexel

First, Elon

First, Jamestown

First, Raleigh

First, Taylorsville

First, Weaverville

April 2013 - May 2013

Highland Baptist, Winston-Salem

Highland Presbyterian, Winston-Salem

Lafayette, Fayetteville

Longview, Raleigh

Mars Hill Baptist, Mars Hill

Peace Haven, Winston-Salem

St. John’s, Raleigh

The Memorial, Greenville Viewmont, Hickory

Watts Street, Durham Westwood, Cary

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

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

Ka’thy Gore Chappell Leadership Development Coordinator. KChappell@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

Regional Coordinators

Region 1 – Western: Gail Coulter coulterig@bellsouth.net

Region 2 – Foothills: David Smith ............ davsmith@charter.net

Region 3 – Triad: Bill Leathers ................ wleathers@triad.com

Region 4 – South Central: Drag Kimrey ...... dragkimrey@roadrunner.com

CBFNC College Ministers

Ashley Mangrum ............ UNC Chapel Hill ............... amangrum@cbfnc.org

Lawrence Powers East Carolina lpowers@cbfnc.org

Coordinating Council

Ray Ammons, Gastonia, Moderator

Lisa Rust, Lumberton, Moderator-Elect

Donna Bissette, Winston-Salem, Past Moderator

Marion Horton, Knightdale, Recorder

Mike Eddinger, Cary, Treasurer

Kathy Driver, Raleigh

Heather Folliard, Durham

David Hailey, Raleigh

Jeff Mathis, Sylva

Rick Matthews, Winston-Salem

Doug Murray, Wilson

Mike Queen, Greensboro

Susan Taylor, Chapel Hill

Endowment Management Board

Ron Cava, Henderson

Byrns Coleman, Wingate

Scott Hudgins, Winston-Salem

Anissa Nixon, Mocksville

Wanda Kidd College Ministry Coordinator WKidd@cbfnc.org

Eddie Hammett ... Church and Clergy Coach EHammett@cbfnc.org

Javier Benitez Hispanic Network Leader Coach Rocafuerte90@hotmail.com

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

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

Gail McAlister Financial Manager GMcalister@cbfnc.org

Derek Wilhelm .. Administrative Assistant DWilhelm@cbfnc.org

Region 5 – North Central: Tom Jackson ..... pastortj@aol.com

Region 6 – Capital: Mack Thompson .......... mackthompson1@att.net

Region 7 – Southeast: Mike Johnson mikejohn303@earthlink.net

Region 8 – Northeast: Jesse Croom jmacroom@hotmail.com

Jeanne Cross Duke University jcross@cbfnc.org

Chris Towles Wake Forest towlescj@wfu.edu

Faith Formation Ministry Council

Stella Perrin, Taylorsville, Chair

Katie Fam Roscoe, Southern Pines, Chair-Elect

Giles Blankenship, Fayetteville

Beth Cockman-Wood, Sanford

Brian Harrington, Liberty

Kerrie Clayton Jordan, Smithfield

Barbara Glasgow, Zebulon

Tyler Roach, Morganton

Sophia Steibel, Boiling Springs

Scott Thrailkill, Goldsboro

Leadership Development Ministry Council

Layne Rogerson, Greenville, Chair

Shane Nixon, Mocksville, Chair-Elect

Ed Beddingfield, Fayetteville

Sarah Boberg, Red Springs

Jerry Chiles, Raleigh

John Daniels, Waynesville

Kheresa Harmon, Shelby

Matt Johnson, Belhaven

Mark Reece, Mount Airy

Nathan Rice, Southern Pines

Missions Ministry Council

Linda Winslow, Jamestown, Chair

Blake Dempsey, Nashville, Chair-Elect

Elba Benitez, Pittsboro

Everette Clark, Enka

Allison Gallimore, Oxford

Brandon Hudson, Winston-Salem

Michael Lea, West Jefferson

Nate Leonard, Morehead City

Paula McCosh, Fayetteville

Mike Womble, Wilmington

Financial Report:

April 2013 Contributions

Undesignated - $136,885

Designated - $254,607

May 2013 Contributions

Undesignated - $111,972

Designated - $183,793

April 2013 - March 2014

Monthly Undesignated Goal: $127,140

888-822-1944

www.cbfnc.org

Return Service Requested

Upcoming Events ~ July/August Edition

Collegiate Ministry Meet and Greet

July 9 in Asheville

OASIS 2013

July 15-17, 2013 Campbell University

Family Day at Emerald Pointe

July 30, 2013 Greensboro

Collegiate Ministry Meet and Greet

August 1 in Greenville

Selah Vie Collegiate Retreat

August 3-5 in Clayton, GA

Youth Rafting Retreat

August 31 - September 2, 2013

Fresh Expressions Vision Day #2

August 16, 2013 Forest Hills, Raleigh

Youth Beach Retreat

September 13-15, 2013

2013 Elevating Preaching Conference

September 23, 2013 Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem

Servant-Leadership in a Secular Age: Deacon Ministry that Models Missional Living September 28, 2013 Lowes Grove, Durham

Congregational Coach Certification Training - Cycle 2

September 30 - October 1, 2013

Black Mountain

Collegiate Fall Retreat

October 4-6 in Asheville/Black Mountain

2013 Faith and Immigration Statewide Summit

October 12, 2013 Primera Iglesia Bautista, Sanford

Fashioning a Deacon Ministry that Works for Your Church

November 9, 2013 Hominy, Chandler

Christian Leadership Coaching exploration conference call (free) December 3, 2013

Christian Coach Training Quickstart

January 3, 2014

CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem

Youth Ski Retreat

January 24-26, 2014

Building Blocks of Christian Coaching (501) February 3-4, 2014

CBFNC offices, Winston-Salem

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