The Messenger August 2013

The Messenger
August 2013
Cumberland Plateau Baptist Association
“The Cumberland Plateau Baptist Association is a network of Churches committed to evangelizing, teaching
and ministering to our World.”
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15
Over the past few weeks I have listened to several pastors and church members lament the lack of attendance at church. A few of these
conversations pointed to the declining numbers in Sunday School. Mentioned several times was the growing trend between the number
of Christians who attend Sunday School and the worship service compared with those Christians that attend church for the worship hour
only. The margin between these two seems to be getting wider. Not too long ago, the majority of worship attenders also attended Sunday School. Now, the number is high if only 50% of worship attenders are also in Sunday School.
Dennis Pethers recently stated, “One hundred years ago, about 94% of people in
England went to church. Today about 94% don't. America is heading toward the same future if things don't change immediately.”
One of the things that can help our churches to grow is a healthy emphasis on Sunday School. Harry Piland helps our churches understand this with his nine basics of Sunday School growth:
1. Make a Commitment to Grow
2. Identify and Enroll People
3. Start New Units (Classes)
4. Enlist Workers
5. Train Workers
6. Provide Space and Equipment
7. Conduct Weekly Workers Meetings
8. Conduct Weekly Visitation
9. Teach the Bible to Win the Lost and Develop the Saved
Let me remind you that our state convention offers Sunday School Training every year in August. “Road Map To A Vibrant Sunday
School” is this year’s training. Your Sunday School teachers can attend this on August 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at First Baptist
Church in Kingston, Tennessee.
Kirk
Sunday School Conference
There will be a Sunday School conference on Mon. August 26th from 6:30pm-9:00pm @ Kingston First Baptist Church 215
North Kentucky St. Kingston, TN.
The Messenger
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From the Pastoral Counseling Center August 2013
Recently I viewed a dramatization of the power of communication either to heal or to destroy individuals and
groups of people. In the first series of interactions, one player began by over-reacting in anger to a minor
inconvenience, verbally attacking another. In turn each person carried the hurt on to the next person he or
she encountered. This quickly destroyed the personal confidence of each member and the morale of the entire group. Then in this lesson, the story was reversed, showing how a kind, forgiving reaction could lead to
more kindness and greater spirit of cooperation and hopefulness in the group.
One person can make a saving difference by creating a cascade of blessing. Good communication is the “life
blood” of a family, a marriage, and every organization. This is the way our Lord instructed us to behave in
stressful situations:
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray
for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and
on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-48 (King James Version)
Be your task great or small, God wants to use you to be a part of His plans and what He is doing in your
world today. All we need is to be available. As the anonymous poet wrote:
One song can spark a moment, One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship, One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea, One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation, One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness, One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey, One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits, One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom, One heart can know what's true.
One life can make the difference, You see it's up to you!
In the words of Edward Everett Hale:
"I am only one. But still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
Don't ever forget how very important you are, not only to your loved ones, your work, but also to God. Remember, too, if it's going to be, it's up to you and me!
We are blessed in the Cumberland Plateau Baptist Association to work together with so many dedicated servants of God to share the Love of God with our community. Thanks to everyone who has supported this
counseling ministry with prayers, financial support and referrals of clients for help. It is a privilege to be a
part of this work. –Rev Bob Ridley, LPC
The Messenger
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THE CPBA WMU HELD THE SUMMER MISSIONS EMPHASIS MEETING THURSDAY JULY 18 TH AT 6 O’CLOCK
AT BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH. OUR THEME WAS “OUR STORY LIVES ON” IN “THE SHEROES AND HEROES OF WMU”. THERE WERE 138 IN ATTENDANCE, THANK YOU TO ALL THAT ATTENDED. OUR FALL EMPHASIS MEETING WILL BE OCTOBER 10, 2013 @ PINE EDEN BAPTIST CHURCH @ 6:00 P.M.
THIS WAS A VERY SPECIAL MEETING. WE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE TENNESSEE WMU AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL WMU BY CELEBRATING BOTH OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS 125 TH ANNIVERSARIES.
WE HAD AN EVENING OF MANY INTERESTING AND FUN ACTIVITES, AS WE TOOK A WALK DOWN MEMORY
LANE AS INDIVIDUALS PROTRAYED MISSIONARIES AND MEMBERS OF WMU THAT HAVE HAD A VITAL
ROLE IN KEEPING THE WMU ALIVE FOR 125 YEARS.
IN ADDITION TO THESE “CHARACTERS” WE HAD THE HONOR OF 2 IMPORTANT LEADERS OF THE TENNESSEE WMU, BOBBY TURNER OUR TENNESSEE STATE WMU PRESIDENT AND JULIE HEATH THE PRESCHOOL, CHILDREN AND STUDENT MISSIONS SPECIALIST TO THE TENNESSEE WMU, BOTH THESE LADIES
WERE PRESENT IN PERSON NOT JUST REPRESENTED IN CHARCTER.
WE HAD TABLES SET UP FOR ALL THE ASSOCIATIONAL CHURCHES TO PLACE ITEMS FROM THEIR WMU
OR MISSIONS ARCHIVES.
YES, WE DID CONCLUDE THIS MEETING IN THE SAME ORDER AS OUR PREVIOUS MEETINGS IN THAT WE
FINISHED ON TIME. THE MEETING WAS 60/65 MINUTES AND THEN WE ENYJOYED A SUPERB MEAL FROM
BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH AND TOPPED OFF THE EVENING WITH A HUGH 125 TH ANNIVERSARY CUPCAKE TOWER MADE BY A MEMBER OF ONE OF OUR ASSOCIATIONAL CHURCHES.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT MADE THIS EVENING SUCH A SPECIAL EVENT. LET US NEVER FORGET
WHAT IT MEANS TO SERVE OUR LORD IN MISSIONS, WHETHER IT IS AT HOME OR ABROAD OR THROUGH
OUR PRAYERS, PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDING THE WMU MISSIONS EMPHASIS MEETINGS.
IT IS TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THE BABY COMFORT STATION. WE NEED YOU. PLEASE HELP US HELP THE
MOTHERS, FATHERS AND GRANDPARENTS BY GIVING THEM A CLEAN, COMFORTABLE AND PRIVATE
PLACE TO CHANGE THEIR BABIES DIAPERS. WE DO NOT BABYSIT, WE DO HOWEVER OFFER:
 Free Diaper Changing Area
 Free Private Nursing Area  Free Water  Free Freezer Pops
 Free Coloring Pages  Free Bibles/Tracts
Courtesy of the Cumberland Plateau Baptist Association WMU
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
IT IS CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST TIME. THIS EVENT DATES BACK TO 1927 AND REMAINS TIMELESS IN ITS
PURPOSE: TO HELP MISSIONARIES TELL THE GOOD NEWS. VISIT namb.net/Christmas FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF MISSIONARIES AND NEEDED ITEMS.
RESEPCTFULLY SUBMITTED IN HIS SERVICE
YOLANDA HEUSER, CPBA WMU DIRECTOR
The Messenger
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Annual Church Profile
A.C.P.s are due on September 1st. If your church has not completed their
A.C.P. please do so as soon as possible and send a copy to the Associational Office. If you have any questions please call the Associational Office.
Please Help Us Spread the Word! Jobs for Life Beginning in August
The Cumberland County Christian Women’s Job Corps, a non-profit 501c3 organization, will begin Jobs for Life
classes Tuesday, August 13, with student orientation held on Thursday, August 8th. Jobs for Life classes, offered
at no charge cover: Understanding my life journey and my value as an employee; Overcoming roadblocks;
Perseverance, positive attitude and conflict resolution; Succeeding through adversity; Integrity in the workplace; Effective communication skills and customer satisfaction; Developing a vocational plan and a stellar
resume; Managing employer expectations and taking responsibility for my actions, and much more.
Classes will be held at Memorial Baptist Church, located at 1858 Sparta Hwy., Crossville, TN. Classes will meet
Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for 10 weeks (childcare is provided for student’s children
during class time at no charge). Night classes are also available Tuesday and Thursday night 6:00-8:30 p.m. (Sorry,
no childcare is available for night classes and children are not allowed in the class room). Registration is required
by August 6th. Applications may be picked up at the Plateau Baptist Association located at 291 Sparta Highway or
by calling 787-1806.
Jobs for Life is a Christian-based work-readiness program that empowers churches, members, businesses and
community leaders to make a positive difference in the lives of others while building deeper and stronger relationships with each other, their community and with Christ. Through the dignity of work, Jobs for Life provides the
platform for positive change and opens the door to new, unique ways to serve God.
The Christian Women’s Job Corps is looking for opportunities to bring Jobs for Life into your local church. Jobs
for Life give churches an opportunity for outreach as well as to help their own members find and keep employment. In addition, Jobs for Life help students to identify stumbling blocks present in their lives, find healing in
Jesus Christ, and find new direction to move towards the fulfillment of God’s plan for them.
Christian Women’s Job Corps is also looking for men and women to assist them with workshops given at Bread
of Life and Crossville Mission Bible Training Center. For more information, contact Carolyn Scott, executive director, at 931.787.1806.
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Church Events
August 11-12th
Lantana Road
Baptist Church
Crossville, TN
ANSWERS IN GENESIS Sunday, Aug. 11th 8:45AM Dinosaurs and the Bible 10am Genesis and Biblical Discernment 5PM Apologetics 101: Answering the Challenges 6:15PM 4
Power Questions to Ask an Evolutionist Monday, Aug. 12th 6PM Apologetics 201: Answering More Challenges 7:15PM The Second Upper Room. If you have any questions you can
contact the church office at 788-2844 or visit www.lantanaroadbaptistchurch.com.
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Save The Date
Cumberland Plateau Baptist Association Annual meeting will be October 6th
@ Lantana Road Baptist Church. Mark this on your calendar and plan on
being there. More details to come.
Plateau Missionary Baptist Church is having their homecoming service on August 18th @ 11:00am. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Attention All Disaster Relief Volunteers
Our annual disaster relief picnic will be on Saturday August 10th from 11:00am-3:00pm @ Centennial Park. All active disaster relief volunteers are welcome to attend.
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Non-Profit
Org.
Cumberland Plateau Baptist
Association
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
P. O. Box 2508
Crossville, TN 38557
Crossville, TN
Permit No. 3
Phone:931-484-1858
Fax:931-484-0203
E-mail: [email protected]
Return Service Requested
Associational Directory
Office Hours Mon.-Thurs.
8:30a.m.—2:30p.m.
Email– [email protected]
Web: www.cpbaptistassociation.net
Kirk Casey, Associational Missionary
[email protected]
Cell: 931-787-6565
Kelly Johnson, Ministry Assistant
Office: 931-484-1858
Fax: 931-484-0203
***********************
Robert M. Ridley, MA, MMin,
PCCCP Counseling
Phone: 931-544-1096
[email protected]
Andy Loomis, LMSW,
PCCCP Counseling
Phone: 931-787-8289
[email protected]
Carolyn Scott, Pastoral Counselor,
PCCCP Counseling
Phone: 931-787-9033
[email protected]
Dates to Remember
August 5th – Pastor’s Conference @ 10:30am
August 10th– Annual Disaster Relief Picnic @ Centennial
Park from 11:00am-3:00pm
August 11-12th– Free Answers In Genesis Conf. @ Lantana
Road Baptist Church
August 12th– Pastor’s Conference @ 10:30am
August 19th– Pastor’s Conference @ 10:30am
August 26th- Pastor’s Conference @ 10:30am