The Gathering - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina

November/December 2009 • Vol. 14, Issue 6 Bringing Baptists of North Carolina Together for Christ-Centered Ministry
In This Edition
Page 3
Page 4
The Gathering
Page 5
Eddie Hammett to Serve as CBFNC
Church and Clergy Coach
Pages
6-8
2010 CBFNC Theological Education
Scholarship Recipients
Missional Collaboration
Conversations
Page 8
Cultivating Quality Leadership for a
Sustainable Church
by Stephen Lewis
Page 9
Win-Win with Interns
by Rick Jordan
Page 10
Creating a Village of Hope
by Len Keever
Collegiate-Congregational
Internships Through CBF
by Wanda Kidd
Theological Education –
Foundational to Our Fellowship
by Larry Hovis
It’s Raining…Kids
by Jenny Folmar
of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina
E
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T
H
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Sharing love,
sharing hope
National Goal: $6.1 million
www.thefellowship.info/give
November/December 2009
The Gathering
of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina
phone: 336.759.3456 • phone: 888.822.1944 • fax: 336.759.3459 • [email protected] • www.cbfnc.org
Larry Hovis........... Executive Coordinator
[email protected]
Rick Jordan.......... Church Resources Coordinator
[email protected]
Linda Jones.......... Missions Coordinator
[email protected]
Jim Hylton..... Business Administration Coordinator
[email protected]
Jack Causey....Ministerial Resources Coordinator
[email protected]
Wanda Kidd....College Ministry Consultant
[email protected]
Eddie Hammett...Church and Clergy Coach
[email protected]
Nancy Parks..... Programs Manager
[email protected]
Natalie Aho..... Communications Manager
[email protected]
Laura Barclay....... Ministry Support Manager
[email protected]
Gail McAlister...... Financial Assistant
[email protected]
Coordinating Council
Greg Rogers, Greenville, Moderator
Gail Coulter, Hendersonville, Past-Moderator
Steve Little, Marion, Moderator-Elect
Glenda Currin, Wilmington, Recorder
Donna Bissette, Winston-Salem, Treasurer
Ray Ammons, Gastonia
Tommy Bratton, Asheville
Don Gordon, Durham
Gary Knight, Winston-Salem
Martha McDowell, Laurinburg
Glenn Phillips, Goldsboro
Bert Young, Bladenboro
Janice Young, Whiteville
Faith Development Ministry Council
John Vestal, Raleigh, Chair
Allen Winters, Hillsborough, Chair-Elect
Todd Blake, Fayetteville
Gay Gulick, Winston-Salem
Beth Heffner, Rutherfordton
Garin Hill, Shelby
Rebecca Husband Maynard, Elkin
Kathy Naish, Hickory
Katie Fam Roscoe, Southern Pines
Tony Spencer, Forest City
Missions Ministry Council
Kenny Davis, Wise, Chair
Kent Cranford, Gastonia, Chair-Elect
George Fuller, Raleigh
Christopher Ingram, Smithfield
Andrea Jones, Raleigh
Len Keever, Dunn
Alicia Porterfield, Wilmington
Susie Reeder, Fayetteville
Jose Villasenor, Durham
Linda Winslow, Jamestown
Leadership Development Ministry Council
Mark Ashworth, Kernersville, Chair
Scott Hovey, Durham, Chair-Elect
Joseph Alexander, Winston-Salem
Ed Beddingfield, Fayetteville
Larry Glover-Wetherington, Richlands
Rendell Hipps, Hickory
Tommy James, Sylva
Shane Nixon, Burlington
LeAnne Spruill, Durham
Mari Wiles, Murfreesboro
CBF National Council Members from NC
Paul Baxley, Henderson
Lee Canipe, Murfreesboro
Jack Glasgow, Zebulon, CBF Past-Moderator
Betsy Newton Herman, Raleigh
Don Horton, Zebulon
Beth McConnell, Charlotte
Jim McCoy, Weaverville
Robin Roberts, Raleigh
Endowment Management Board
Scott Hudgins, Winston-Salem, Chair
Jack Buchanan, Shelby
A. G. Bullard, Raleigh
Joe Harris, Mocksville
John Hewett, Charlotte
Financial Report:
July 2009 Contributions Undesignated - $129,985 August 2009 Contributions Undesignated - $54,974
April 2009 - March 2010 Monthly Undesignated Goal: $98,798
2010 CBF General Assembly in Charlotte, NC
June 23-25 is the date for the CBF GA
at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Many volunteers from nearby churches
will be needed for the numerous
assignments necessary to host the
event in the tradition of Carolina
hospitality. Jim Martin, chair, local
arrangements, is hoping that every
CBFNC church will provide volunteers.
Enlistment will begin in earnest in
January, but please consider now
what you can do for North Carolina to
“put our best foot forward” as we host
the annual General Assembly. You can
contact Jim ([email protected]) to volunteer as an individual or as a team
from your church. Registration is now open at www.thefellowship.info/assembly.
2 • The Gathering – November/December 2009
Designated - $194,450
Designated - $108,934
Eddie Hammett to Serve as CBFNC Church and Clergy Coach
CBFNC Press Release
Eddie Hammett was elected as
the Church and Clergy Coach for
CBFNC during a meeting of the
CBFNC Coordinating Council on
September 17 at Millbrook Baptist
Church in Raleigh.
Hammett served 19 years with
the Baptist State Convention of
North Carolina, most recently as the
regional discipleship and leadership
consultant in western North
Carolina. In this new part-time role,
Hammett will work with CBFNC
churches and the CBFNC employed
staff and elected leadership as a
consultant and coach in the areas of
clergy coach training, lay leadership
and church staff team development,
spiritual formation, transitioning
issues for churches, discipleship,
and deacon ministry.
Larry
Hovis,
Executive
Coordinator, stated that Hammett
has achieved national recognition as
an author, consultant, and coach in
his work with clergy, churches, and
denominations across the country.
“We are pleased to welcome Eddie
Hammett to the CBFNC leadership
team,” Hovis said following
Hammett’s election. “Eddie brings
to the table a unique awareness of the challenges and
needs of congregational life in the 21st century. His
background as a staff minister in local churches, coupled
with his experience and expertise in coaching and
consulting, will be an invaluable asset to what CBFNC
is already doing in bringing Baptists together in North
Carolina for Christ-centered ministry.”
Hammett, a founding member of The Columbia
“The days of challenge
and opportunity are
here for churches that
embrace their calling
and giftedness...”
Partnership that offers consulting and coaching
services to churches and clergy, expressed his desire to
complement the work of the current CBFNC leadership
team.
“I look forward to my partnership with CBFNC
with excitement, openness, and the privilege of
serving in and among very capable CBFNC leaders
and congregations,” Hammett said. “As Church and
Clergy Coach for CBFNC, it is my desire to provide
coaching and consulting that will maximize the dreams
and leadership of CBFNC congregations that desire to
impact and influence those in the pew and those in their
communities.”
“The days of challenge and opportunity are here for
leaders, churches, and groups that
embrace their calling and giftedness
in ways that renew and preserve
traditions, as well as the hopes and
dreams that birth the future for all
generations that move forward with
faith, courage, and intentionality.”
Hammett, a native of Greenville,
South Carolina, also served as
senior coach for Lake Hickory
Learning Communities at Hollifield
Leadership Center from 2004
through August of 2009. A graduate
of North Greenville College, Furman
University, and the Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary, Hammett
has led conferences across the
country, and has consulted and
coached churches and clergy across
denominational lines. He is a
professional certified coach with the
International Coach Federation, and
has written six books.
Learn more about Eddie at
www.thecolumbiapartnership.org or
www.soulful-leadership.com.
For more information, contact
Larry Hovis at [email protected]
or Eddie Hammett at EHammett@
cbfnc.org.
Missional Collaboration Conversations
For several months, CBFNC has been facilitating a
process with our ministry partners that we’ve referred
to as “missional collaboration conversations” (partners
are those who participate in the Mission Resource Plan:
WMU of NC, Baptist Men, NC colleges and universities,
Baptist Children’s Homes, Baptist Retirement Homes,
School of Pastoral Care, NC Baptist Foundation, BWA,
BJC, BCE, ABP, and Baptists Today). The purpose of
these conversations is to discover how we can better
work together to pursue God’s mission in our state and
world.
Conversation teams have been formed for each
partner. These teams consist of representatives from
the partner, CBFNC elected and employed leaders, and
representatives from among CBFNC congregations.
Though the conversations may cover different topics, depending on the
type of ministry performed by each particular partner, all conversations
were asked to include four basic factors:
• Missionally appropriate uses of Mission Resource Plan contributions
• Avenues for missional collaboration beyond financial
• Missional enhancement of congregations and CBFNC
• Strategies for mutual public affirmation
As of this printing, at least an initial meeting had been held with all
except three of our partners, and those meetings have been scheduled. The
result of these conversations will be written agreements or plans that will
provide specific ways CBFNC, congregations and partners will work together
to pursue God’s mission in the months and years ahead.
We will include an expression of celebration and commitment to missional
collaboration at the CBFNC General Assembly at First Baptist Church,
Winston-Salem, March 19-20, 2010.
The Gathering – November/December 2009 • 3
www.thefellowship.info/collegeinternship
CooperativeBaptistFellowship
you
Collegiate-Congregational Internships Through CBF
by Wanda Kidd, CBFNC Collegiate Ministry Consultant
Do you want
to do more than just
go to church?
www.thefellowship.info/collegeinternship
Maybe
God is calling you
to serve in one.
L
you
earn by doing . The
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s
Collegiate Congregational
Internship gives you an opportunity
to explore a vocational calling by
serving for a summer in a CBF
partner church. If you’ve ever
thought God might be calling you
into ministry, this internship is for
you. Learn more and apply online.
CooperativeBaptistFellowship
www.thefellowship.info/collegeinternship
Collegiate-Congregational Internships
•
College students serve in CBF churches in NC
and other states for 10 weeks, summer of 2010
For the student:
• Grant-funded $1,200 scholarship
• Pre-field orientation and a post-field debriefing
• Coaching from off-site church coaches
The church provides:
• Mentoring
• Living expenses for the summer
Mid-Winter College Retreat
February 6-7, 2010
Mundo Vista, NC
Conversations around social justice
Cost: $35 (includes lodging and food) for early
bird regist. by January 22. Cost is $40 after this
date. Register by January 29 at www.cbfnc.org.
4 • The Gathering – November/December 2009
Would your church see the value addition of children, and the “church
in offering a college student an bounce” is delayed from their midopportunity to serve in your church twenties to early thirties, if at all.
The trend of moving away from
this summer? Or do you know of
a student who is exploring a call local church involvement has
to serve Christ in a congregational even been reflected in those who
setting? Either way, we have a are attending mainline Protestant
divinity schools. Statistics show that
possibility for you.
For the next three summers, over 50% of those entering seminary
national CBF is offering a in 2006 did not want to serve in a
summer internship program called local congregation upon graduation.
C o l l e g i a t e - C o n g r e g a t i o n a l Those statistics are somewhat
Internships. CBF received a altered when they graduate and
grant from the Lilly Foundation need employment, but the fact
to help students and churches remains that young adults are not as
explore the value of ministry to connected to the local congregation
local congregations. This is not an as they were twenty years ago.
Last summer Mt. Pisgah Baptist
internship that hires college students
Fayetteville,
offered
to be a church’s youth minister for Church,
the summer. These internships are Meghan Beddingfield, recent UNC
designed to help students get a broad graduate and FBC Fayetteville
www.thefellowship.info/collegeinternship
based experience in congregational member, an opportunity to serve in
ministry and for churches to mentor their church for the summer with
a student to serve alongside the staff funds from CBFNC. The pastor,
to get an up close look at ministry in Todd Blake, was so pleased with
the impact that the experience had
a local church.
A great deal of conversation is on Meghan and their congregation,
happening in Christian circles about that he encouraged a group in a CBF
young adult involvement in church gathering recently to take advantage
or the lack thereof. The rule of of any internship that brought a
thumb for several decades has been young adult into their congregation.
that those in their late teens and early He felt it was a growing experience
twenties will probably drift away for all involved.
Maybe a college intern is just
from regular church attendance, but
when they marry and have children, what your church needs to work
they will return to the fold and take through the changes in young
up leadership and be an integral part adults. Or maybe you need a
healthy environment to discover
of the congregation.
That trend has shifted as children if God is calling you to ministry.
and youth have lived their church Whether you are a church or student
lives in separate programs and, in interested in this opportunity, more
many cases, separate buildings from information and expectations can be
the rest of the congregation. By the found at www.thefellowship.info/
time they graduate from high school collegeinternships.
You can also contact Wanda Kidd
and move on to college or careers,
they are increasingly disconnected at [email protected] for more
from the church. Added to that information.
Learn more about CBFNC and
disconnection is the cultural shift
of later marriages and an even later Collegiate Ministry at cbfnc.org.
Theological Education - Foundational to Our Fellowship
by Larry Hovis, Executive Coordinator, CBFNC
Editor’s Note – This is the sixth in a series of articles
describing the ministries of partners who participate
in the CBFNC Mission Resource Plan (MRP). To learn
more about the MRP, visit www.cbfnc.org.
When the Fellowship movement was birthed in the
early 1990s, the first ministries that we collectively
supported were missionaries who were losing funding
from their traditional sources of support. Funding for
and engagement in Global Missions has been central to
our shared identity and ministry since the beginning of
our movement.
Close on the heels of Global Missions came support
for emerging channels of theological education. Though
CBF does not own and operate institutions, from the
beginning our movement has embraced a partnership
approach to relating to a large network of ministries.
None of these ministries has been as foundational to
our congregations and our Fellowship as theological
schools.
Of the fifteen schools who relate to CBF, four are
in North Carolina. The Baptists of North Carolina
have been strong supporters of theological education
throughout our history, first with Wake Forest College,
then Southeastern Seminary. The best of that tradition
is carried on through the divinity schools at Campbell,
Duke, Gardner-Webb and Wake Forest.
Before the establishment of the Mission Resource Plan,
CBFNC included funds in our budget for scholarships
for students at the four North Carolina schools, as well as
for students from North Carolina engaged in theological
studies outside our state. With the advent of the Mission
Resource Plan, that support has grown significantly. The
basic version of the Mission Resource Plan allocates
sixteen percent of its funding for theological education.
In our 2008-2009 fiscal year, CBFNC facilitated over
a quarter of a million dollars in financial support for
theological education. We estimate that figure will grow
to over $330,000 in the current fiscal year!
Baptists believe strongly in the Reformation doctrine
of the priesthood of all believers. We also believe
strongly in the role of educated vocational ministers to
“equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building
up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12).
In addition to funding, CBFNC works closely with
the leaders of our theological schools. We meet twice
a year with the deans of the schools to share ideas and
collaborate on joint ministries. A significant number of
students participate in the General Assembly and other
CBFNC ministries. Many of these students serve on
the staffs of North Carolina congregations. Students
have provided leadership for CBFNC youth events and
other ministries. Our Fellowship is richer, deeper and
stronger because of the students, faculties and staffs of
our partner schools.
After speaking in a church about the changes in
Baptist life and the ministries of Cooperative Baptist
Fellowship, an older lay leader shared a wise insight:
“I think I figured out what all this fuss is about. We love
our pastor. But some day our pastor will retire or move
to another place of service. This is about where our
church is going to get our next pastor!”
Baptist
Theological
Education
Institutions
in North
Carolina
Baptist House
of Studies at
Duke Divinity
www.divinity.
duke.edu
Campbell
Divinity
www.campbell.
edu/divinity
Gardner-Webb
Divinity
www.gardnerwebb.edu
Wake Forest
Divinity
www.divinity.
wfu.edu
Learn more
about CBFNC
and theological
education at
www.cbfnc.org.
Save the date for the 2010 CBFNC General Assembly!
March 19-20, 2010
First Baptist Church
Winston-Salem, NC
Friday, March 19
Welcome and Orientation
Ministry Workshop Sessions
Fellowship Dinner *
Evening Worship
Fellowship Reception
Friday Worship Speaker:
Dr. Cecil Sherman, Visiting Professor of Pastoral
Ministry, BTSR and Founding Coordinator, CBF
Saturday Worship Speakers:
Voices of the Next Generation
Saturday, March 20
Vocational & Affinity Network Groups**
Ministry Workshop Session
Ministry Celebration (incl. adoption of
‘10-’11 budget & council election)
Morning Worship
* Friday Evening Fellowship Dinner requires a pre-registration.
** New opportunity at the CBFNC General Assembly! More info. coming soon.
Generations Connected:
One Family,
One Faith,
Many Journeys
“Lord, you have been our dwelling
place in all generations.”
Psalm 90:1
Learn more about ministry workshop titles,
General Assembly details, discounted
hotel options, childcare reservations and
registration at www.cbfnc.org.
The Gathering – November/December 2009
•
5
2010 CBFNC Theological Education Scholarship Recipients
Each scholar included their hometown, church
and vocational goal. To learn more about giving to theological education through CBFNC, visit www.cbfnc.org.
Scholars from North Carolina who attend Out-of-State Schools
Baptist University of the Americas
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Eduardo Alvarado, Sanford, NC
Iglesia Bautista Nuevo Comienzo
Pastor
Jessica Chastain, Murphy, NC
Cullowhee BC, Sylva
Master of Divinity
Baptist University of the Americas
Baptist University of the Americas
Carlos Chavez, Sanford, NC
Primera Iglesia Bautista, Sanford
Pastor
Ada Cruz, Sanford, NC
Primera Iglesia Bautista, Sanford
An educator of the word of God
Vanderbilt Divinity School
Beeson Divinity School
Dustin Frye, Bakersville, NC
Pine Branch BC, Spruce Pine
Chaplaincy, Pastoral Counselor
Peter Haley, Gastonia, NC
First BC, Monroe
Minister of Music
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Baptist University of the Americas
Chris Howell, II, Huntersville, NC
First BC, Cleburne
Serve teenagers in an urban setting
Luis Juarez, Sanford, NC
Primera Iglesia Bautista, Sanford
Youth Pastor
Baptist University of the Americas
School of Theology at the University
of the South
Yessenia Juarez, Sanford, NC
Primera Iglesia Bautista, Sanford
Minister of Ministries to the Community
McAfee School of Theology
Union Theological Seminary
Phillip Stokes, Charlotte, NC
Hickory Grove BC, Charlotte
Professor
Chrissy Tatum, Davidson, NC
First BC, Huntersville
Social Justice Ministry
The Divinity School at
Wake Forest University
www.divinity.wfu.edu, Winston-Salem, NC
Degrees Offered: Master of Divinity, MA of Religion, M Div/Juris
Doctor
No photo
available
Rebecca Mathis, Whiteville, NC
First BC, Chattanooga
Missions, Social Justice Ministry
Bert Sanders, Winston-Salem, NC
Ardmore BC, Winston-Salem
Chaplaincy, Pastoral Care-Leadership, Legal
6 • The Gathering – November/December 2009
Brian Layman, Howe, TX
Churchland BC, Lexington
Senior Pastor
Charles Smith, Independence, MO
Emerywood BC, High Point
Youth Ministry
M. Christopher White School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb
www.gardner-webb.edu/admissions/graduate/divinity, Boiling Springs, NC
Degrees Offered: Master of Divinity, Doctor of Ministry
John David Barnette, Lincolnton, NC
First BC, Lincolnton
Chaplaincy
Kyle Chastain, Canton, NC
Double Springs BC, Shelby
Pastoral Work
Jeremiah Childers, Shelby, NC
First BC, Shelby
Minister
Barrett Freeman, Lenior, NC
College Avenue BC, Lenoir
Pastor
Sheila Gibson, Sylva, NC
First BC, Sylva
Minister of Christian Education
Stuart Greene
Asheville, NC
Pastoral Care
Meredith Jones, Charlotte, NC
University City Fellowship, Charlotte
Church Planter
Aileen Mitchell Lawrimore, Asheville, NC
First BC, Asheville
Ministry in a church
Brian Simpson, Gastonia, NC
First BC, Lincolnton
Pastor
Thomas Whitley, Charlotte, NC
Eastside BC, Shelby
Professor
Campbell University Divinity School
www.campbell.edu/divinity, Buies Creek, NC
Degrees Offered: Master of Divinity, MA in Christian Education,
M Div/MBA, Doctor of Ministry, M Div/MA in Community
Counseling
Cindy Bolden, Cary, NC
Westwood BC, Cary
Pastoral, Preaching
Joshua Breazeale, Raleigh, NC
Oakmont BC, Greenville
Minister of Christian Education
Judy Butler, Mebane, NC
FBC, Mebane
Pastoral Counseling, Senior Adult
Ministry
Rick Hollings, Fayetteville, NC
Forest Hills BC, Raleigh
Master of Divinity
Diane McClary, Mooresville, NC
Grace Community, Angier
Counseling, Youth/College, Higher
Education
The Gathering – November/December 2009 • 7
Baptist House of Studies at
Duke Divinity School
www.divinity.duke.edu/programs/baptisthouse, Durham, NC
Degrees Offered: Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, MA of
Theological Studies, Doctor of Theology
Andrew B. Herring, Reidsville, NC
First BC, Reidsville
Minister
David John Hailey, Raleigh, NC
Hayes Barton BC, Raleigh
Pastoral or Music Ministry
Aaron J. Walton, Gates, NC
New Hope Missionary BC, Gates
Pastoring, Teaching, Social Justice
Cultivating Quality Leadership for a Sustainable Church
by Rev. Stephen Lewis, National Director, Calling Congregations, The Fund for Theological Education
The roots of quality leadership
run deep in the Cooperative Baptist
Fellowship of North Carolina.
That’s something I know as well as
I know my own story—growing up
as a Baptist in Charlotte, discerning a
call at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, following
that call to Duke University Divinity School and forming
enduring bonds with colleagues throughout the state and
region.
The ability as a church to gather together and serve
the community in creative ways depends on leadership.
It depends on an intergenerational conversation that
captures the imagination of gifted young leaders among
us who feel called to serve the church. For North
Carolina churches and communities—for the entire
church—quality leadership is the foundation for vital
and sustainable Christian institutions. It’s about thriving,
not just surviving.
Strong congregations depend on strong leaders. And
we know that God calls them. But the church across
denominations must reawaken to the essential role of
congregations in God’s call.
Week after week, your congregation calls people to
faith. But within your congregation, young people – and
even those who are not so young – want to know that
what they do with their lives matters. They want to know
that their faith bears on the choices they make. They
need congregations who will prepare them to hear and
respond to God’s call in their lives, whatever it may be.
These “calling congregations” engage in practices
that build a capacity to notice, name and nurture
Christian vocations and the call to ordained ministry.
They understand that a robust “culture of call” – shared
8 • The Gathering – November/December 2009
practices and habits developed over time – ensures that the church has the
leadership it needs with gifted men and women serving in church professions
now and in the future.
That is why, with visionary funding from Lilly Endowment Inc., The Fund
for Theological Education in 2005 launched a national movement to engage
congregations and church-related organizations in these practices. The goal?
To form an energized network of people and institutions committed to the
cause of quality leadership for the church. What’s at stake is nothing less
than the future church and the quality of leadership that will help guide it.
This Calling Congregations movement is taking shape across the country
and across the North Carolina landscape in particular.
Ask Paul Baxley and Rusty Edwards at First Baptist Church in downtown
Henderson, a vital connecting point for the community. First Baptist was
awarded a 2009 Fund for Theological Education “Cultures of Call” grant
to launch Vocational Mystagogy. This innovative program helps students
explore vocation and pastoral ministry through an Early Church teaching
model.
Ask Jack Glasgow at Zebulon Baptist Church in Wake County, known
for its intergenerational Samuel Project, which engages members in open
conversation around the question of vocation. It’s a model program that is
inspiring others.
Among a generation of new leaders, ask Charlene Brown, a 2009 FTE
Ministry Fellow attending Duke University Divinity School. “As a future
pastor,” Brown says, “I will preach, teach and remind others that a message
of hope and reconciliation is at stake, that we are called to resurrect places
in our communities that are perishing.” This young leader is bolstered by a
caring network of support rooted in her congregation, and the whole church
has a stake in her future.
We invite you to join us. You’ll be joining a movement to ensure
sustainable leadership and a thriving, sustainable church. Call us, come see
us in Atlanta, invite us for a visit, or learn more at www.thefund.org/calling.
Win-Win with Interns
by Rick Jordan, CBFNC Church Resources Coordinator
Many Baptist churches are
discovering an amazing opportunity
that has win-win written all over it.
Students from CBF-partner divinity
schools are available to be ministry
interns in their congregations.
First Baptist, Kernersville had
been in the search for a children’s
minister for 18 months and for a
youth minister for two months when
they interviewed students from the
nearby Wake Forest Divinity School.
Two students especially impressed
the church, so they invited
both.
Jeremy Fox was one of
the student interns. “I sensed
excitement in the way
they carried themselves.
They had a very positive
demeanor. Also, they were
willing
and
insightful
enough to adjust my job description
to match my passions and strengths.
That spoke loudly to me. The fact
that they had enough insight to not
make a person fit a job description,
but instead make a job description
around a person was icing on the
cake. From a practical standpoint,
I needed a place that was close to
Winston-Salem so my spouse could
go to school. Because of the nature
of ministry to younger generations,
the church needed someone they
knew would be around for a while
– at least long enough to develop
strong relationships. Honestly, the
situation could not have worked out
any better than it did.”
Ward Page is the other intern. He
reflects, “Being a minister and a
student is a special position in which
I find myself. On the one hand, it’s
very taxing and often difficult to
maintain balance and sanity! On the
other hand, I get a sense from my
congregation that the understanding
that I am a student as well as a
minister better allows for me to apply
the wonderful things I’m learning at
school in my ministry, and that they
are welcome to the experimentation.
They tell you that it’s never good to
rock the boat when you first begin
in a new church position, but I think
being a student allows for a little
more grace. I think a church that is
attracted to divinity school students
to serve as ministers, interns or
other supervisors expresses a
willingness to adapt to the changing
“If it weren’t for these
mentors, I honestly
doubt I’d be working in
a church today.”
world around us, and a little more
perspective never hurts anyone.”
Dr. Stephen Martin has been the
pastor at FBC for six years. He
recommends internships to fellow
pastors and churches. “The student
receives the experience of working
in a church and the church receives
the energy and enthusiasm of a
young ministry student who brings
a fresh approach to the ministry
demands of the local church. The
experience does demand sometimes
a more ‘hands on’ involvement with
the interns, but they in turn offer a
great contribution to the overall
ministry of our church. It has been
a wonderful experience for both the
church as well as myself.”
Rob Tennant, pastor of HillSong
Church in Chapel Hill, is sold on
internships as well. Heather Thomas
Folliard was a church member
who attended Duke Divinity
School. Although there were many
candidates for the position, “We
knew what she could do and we
expected her to grow and become a dynamic leader in our
church.” Heather began a ministry to graduate students
in the area. “It’s a win for her because in interpreting
her responsibility creatively, she experienced a success.
It’s a win for us because these young adults, in addition
to making the small group she leads lively and a rich
experience, have become needed volunteers on the
worship team and in youth ministry.”
Rob feels that, likewise, an internship challenges
the student. “When I was a seminarian and a part-time
church youth pastor, I wanted to do everything. Now
that I am a pastor of 12 years, I let the seminarians do
everything. When they don’t want to, I tell them they need
to give it a try. By everything, I mean baptisms,
preaching, leading communion, benedictions,
speaking at funerals. The only thing I have not
had seminarians do is speak at weddings, and as
the opportunity comes, I will do that too.”
Heather feels fortunate to be serving in a
local Baptist congregation. “So many of my
fellow Baptist students have had to do their field
education in Methodist churches because there
are so few Baptist churches offering their resources for
our divinity school students. Baptist students need the
experience of pastoral ministry within their own tradition
so they can think about the history and develop their
theology in order to faithfully serve a Baptist church
upon graduation.”
Such experiences lay the groundwork for a sustained
ministry. Jeremy concludes, “I have learned a lot from
the mentors I have had the last several years. They have
taught me about life in church – how to conduct myself,
how to listen to the needs of others, how to gently guide
people. They have also taught me how to maintain a
balance in my personal life. They wanted to make sure
that I started the habit of taking care of myself and my
relationships – especially my marriage. If it weren’t
for these mentors, I honestly doubt I’d be working in a
church today. It is cliché, but it is honest.”
Ministry internships are required for students at each
of the divinity schools, but there is always a need for
more churches to invite students to join their staff. Will
your church take up the challenge?
Ministry Internship Contacts
Baptist House: Curtis Freeman, [email protected]
Campbell: Irma Duke, [email protected]
Gardner-Webb: Robert Canoy, [email protected]
Wake: Melissa Clodfelter, [email protected]
The Gathering – November/December 2009
•
9
Creating a Village of Hope
by Len Keever, Pastor, First Baptist, Dunn
God often works in neighborhoods
to form and shape us; this was
certainly true in my life. Being
a Christian was a part of our
community identity. As a child my
faith was nurtured and encouraged
by the examples of faith my
neighbors demonstrated.
At the Village of Hope in Bucha,
Ukraine, CBFNC is working with
others to help create a Christian
community in which children may
be shaped and formed by God
through a common witness. Imagine
growing up in a place where
Christianity is not the norm or where
faith is spoken of in hushed tones
behind closed doors. Imagine not
having had parents, grandparents,
and an extended family who share
your faith in Jesus Christ.
What we are attempting to
create at the Village of Hope is a
neighborhood where children may
grow up with the advantages of a
fostering Christian community. The
Village of Hope is not an orphanage
where children live in dormitories. It
is a neighborhood where they grow
up in a home. They don’t have house
parents to watch over them, they
have a mother and a father, sisters
and brothers who are committed
to helping them grow up in a safe
and faith-shaping environment.
They aren’t wards of the state; the
children are family members loved
and adored, celebrated and blessed.
Their neighbors aren’t atheists or
agnostics; they are also Christian
parents who are caring for and
sharing in providing a place where
the witness of faithful living may
become a part of their story just as
it has become a part of our own faith
stories.
Soon, we hope to have as many
as 40 children living in the Village
of Hope. Progress is slow, but steady. By God’s speed
we are right on schedule helping to create what God has
called us to do. We are not just helping a child; we are
participating with God in creating a Village of Hope.
Perhaps one day Maria or Sasha, Vlad or Lena will
look back on their younger years and remember their
neighborhood with fondness. When this happens they
too will be grateful for all that God has done to help them
to grow in Christ. Then they too will want to be good
neighbors to someone else. I’m glad to be a part of this
vision. Do you share it too?
Foster Families of Village of Hope
•
•
•
•
•
•
A total of three families with 16 children (7
biological and 9 foster) now reside at VoH.
Four more foster children are coming - the
process takes much longer than we would want.
Pray for all the families at the Village of Hope.
Specifically pray for the Dershanovskiy family
who is greiving the loss of Edward, one of their
foster children, who had a brain tumor and died
after unsuccessful surgery this past summer.
Pray for the placing of more foster children.
Learn more at www.cbfnc.org.
It’s Raining ... Kids
by Jenny Folmar, Minister to Youth and College Students, Memorial Baptist Church, Buies Creek
When the Memorial
BC
van
pulled
into Mount Zion
Baptist Church in
Independence, Belize
one Tuesday afternoon
in June, the windows
were full of faces. The
children piled out like
clowns getting out of a small car in a circus trick.
By the end of the week, 140 kids attended the Vacation Bible School
led by the 34-member mission team. The team included families, youth,
and individuals from the church who ranged in age from the 4th grade to
grandparents!
Katelyn DeVane, who worked with the story-telling team, said one little
boy hugged her and asked her what was in her mouth. He had never seen
someone with braces.
Amber enjoyed “swinging on the new swing with my friend Giovani.” The
team built the swing-set from scratch. The new pine swing-set was a big hit
with the children. “Kids jumped out the window to go swing during class,”
10 • The Gathering – November/December 2009
Claire said.
The mission in Independence that week was twofold: in addition to VBS, our physical labor produced
an expanded building with new Sunday School rooms
for children, finished walls on the outside, restored
doors, tiled bathrooms, and a new swing. For more
detailed stories on this trip and to hear the experiences of
the Memorial team members, you can visit the blog site:
http://memorialbaptistchurch.typepad.com/.
Learn more about CBFNC & Belize at www.cbfnc.org.
New Ministers to NC Luncheon
January 19, 2010 (snow date: January 26) ~ 11:30-2:00
• For ministers (pastors & staff) and spouses who
moved to church/ministry position in NC during 2009
Church Start
Academy
• Complimentary luncheon, CBFNC Offices, Winston-Salem
• Fellowship, meet CBFNC staff & learn about CBF-NC
• Register at www.cbfnc.org or call 888-822-1944.
• Please invite ministers who are new to our state.
Knowing
yourself, your leadership team, your possibilities
New Contributing CBFNC Partner Churches
(As of September 30, 2009)
First, Clinton
(Formerly CBF only; new MRP* contributor)
Mount Pleasant, Liberty (New MRP* contributor)
Rock Creek, Nashville (New MRP* contributor)
Athens Drive, Raleigh (Formerly CBF only)
Richfield, Richfield (Formerly CBF only)
First, Taylorsville (Formerly CBF only)
Falls, Wake Forest
*Mission Resource Plan - visit www.cbfnc.org to learn more.
Ministers on the Move
Compiled by Jack Causey, Ministerial Resources Coordinator
Our encouragement and support go to the following ministers who have recently moved:
Jason Braswell has been called as Minister of
Youth at Memorial BC, Williamston.
Josh Powers has been called as Minister of Youth
and Education at First BC, Rutherfordton.
Kenny Byrd has been called as Pastor at New
Hope BC, Whiteville.
Jonathan Redding has been called as Minister of
Youth and Families at Peace Haven BC,
Winston-Salem.
Richard Childress has been called as Pastor at
New Hope BC, Raleigh.
Kerrie Clayton has been called as Minister of Music
and Senior Adults at First BC, Smithfield.
Bill Fryar has been called as Pastor at Double
Springs BC, Shelby.
Rich Giersch has been called as Minister of Youth
at First BC, North Wilkesboro.
Jan Hemrick has been called as Minister to
Children and Families at Peace Haven BC,
Winston-Salem.
Matt Johnson has been called as Minister of
Worship and Education at Piney Grove BC,
Mt. Airy.
Mark Reece has been called as Pastor at Piney
Grove BC, Mt. Airy.
Andy Smith has been called as Minister of Youth &
Their Families at Providence BC, Charlotte.
Wayne Smith has been called as Pastor at Fishing
Creek BC, Whitakers.
Keith Vaughn has been called as Associate Pastor
at Westwood BC, Cary.
Dave Williamson has been called as Pastor at First
BC, Maiden.
Matt Wilson has been called as Minister of Youth,
Children and Families at Mount Carmel BC,
Chapel Hill.
Tom Kinman has been called as Pastor at Hickory
Grove BC, Gastonia.
When you make a move or know of someone who has changed places of ministry, let us know at [email protected].
For vocational placement or search committee requests, visit our vocations page on our website at www.cbfnc.
org or call 336-759-3456 or 888-822-1944.
The Gathering – November/December 2009 • 11
Bringing Baptists of North Carolina
Together for Christ-Centered Ministry
8025 North Point Blvd., Suite 205
Winston-Salem, NC 27106
888-822-1944
www.cbfnc.org
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
WINSTON-SALEM
PERMIT NO. 162
Return Service Requested
Upcoming Events ~ November/December Edition
Youth Ministry Summit II
November 5, 2009
Peace Haven BC, Winston-Salem
Registration and details at
www.cbfnc.org.
New Church Start Academy
February 4-6, 2010
Village Inn, Clemmons, NC
See page 11. Registration and details at
www.cbfnc.org.
Youth Choir Festival
March 5-6, 2010
First Baptist Church, Greensboro
Registration and details at
www.cbfnc.org.
Children’s Missions Days
November 7 - Hickory, NC
November 14 - Raleigh, NC
Details at www.cbfnc.org.
Hispanic Retreats
Men’s - February 5-6, 2010
Women’s - March 5-6, 2010
Family - June 4-5, 2010
Children - July 30-31, 2010
Youth - August 6-8, 2010
Contact Linda Jones at LJones@cbfnc.
org or 888-822-1944 for more details.
CBFNC General Assembly
March 19-20, 2010
First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem
Follow www.cbfnc.org for details.
Antiphony College Event
December 29, 2009 - January 2, 2010
FBC, Decatur, GA - outside Atlanta
Registration and details at
www.thefellowship.info/antiphony.
New Ministers to NC Luncheon
January 19, 2010 (snow date Jan. 26)
CBFNC Offices, Winston-Salem, NC
See page 11. Registration and details at
www.cbfnc.org.
Youth Ski Retreats
January 22-24, 2010 or
January 29-31, 2010
Winterplace, WV
Registration with CTI Adventures at
800-285-7273 or [email protected].
Details at www.cbfnc.org.
Mid-Winter College Retreat
February 6-7, 2010
Mundo Vista, NC
See page 4. Registration and details at
www.cbfnc.org.
Children’s Choir Festival
February 20, 2010
First Baptist Church, High Point
Registration and details at
www.cbfnc.org.
Staff Ministers Retreat
March 1-4, 2010
Myrtle Beach, SC
Details at www.cbfnc.org.
Adult Spiritual Formation Retreat
April 9-11, 2010
Caraway Conference Center, Asheboro
Registration and details at
www.cbfnc.org.
Missions Initiative - Eastern
April 23-25, 2010
Halifax, Warren and Vance Counties
Registration and details at
www.cbfnc.org.
CBF General Assembly
June 24-25, 2010
Charlotte, NC
Registration and details at
www.thefellowship.info/assembly.
The Gathering is published six times a year. All questions may be directed to Natalie Aho, 888-822-1944 or [email protected]. For story submissions, contact Natalie
Aho for requirements and newsletter deadlines.