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Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking. There is an almost universal quest for easy answers and half-baked solutions. Nothing pains some people more than having to think. -- Martin Luther King, Jr.
A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom. -- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. -- Martin Luther King, Jr.
The picture of King is cropped from a photo of him with President Lyndon Johnson taken by White House photographer Yoichi R. Okamoto on 3/18/1966. It is in the public domain. Click on it to see original full image.
Save This Date: Feb 24
8th Annual Men's Prayer Breakfast
For the Men and Boys
of the Metro Detroit Association
Saturday, February 24, 2007, 8:30-10:30am, First Baptist Church, 300 Willits, Birmingham, MI.
Our guest speaker will be Dr. Samuel White III, Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church, Detroit, MI.
There's no charge for the meal. A special mission offering will be received.
When Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Warren Buffet fork over billions (billions!) of dollars to deal with poverty, eradicate disease, find clean water, freshen the air, and educate the young, could God (just humor me here!) be saying to those who (like myself) claim an essential orthodox foundation of belief, "If you will not be known for doing these things unto to the least of my brothers, then I will use others not of your fold to get the job done." -- Gordon MacDonald, Leadership,Journal.net
The key to mission is always worship. You can only be reflecting the love of God into the world if you are worshiping the true God who creates the world out of overflowing self-giving love. The more you look at that God and celebrate that love, the more you have to be reflecting that overflowing self-giving love into the world. -- N.T. Wright, interview with Tim Stafford, Christianity Today, 1/5/07
We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. -- Albert Einstein
Arrivals, Departures, Celebrations, Concerns
§ First Baptist Church, Kalamazoo, will honor the Rev. Cal Mastin at a coffee hour on January 21 after the 10:55am worship service. Coffee generally begins around 12:00. All who've known and worked with Cal are invited to come and say "thank you." Cal has ministered at the church and in the Region for many many years as campus minister at Western Michigan University, a position funded by an ecumenical group of churches in Kalamazoo; as counselor to men who wanted to apply for conscientious objector status during the Vietnam war; and as the pastor at Cooper Congregational Church near Kalamazoo. He's been an advocate for support of American Baptist campus ministry at Michigan colleges and universities.
§ Eddie Hammett, who led the sessions the the Annual Training Event in November, has endocarditis which he describes as "a serious health problem that has many challenges." He is scheduled for valve replacement surgery today, January 15, at Owens Heart Center at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. Hammett wrote, "While the surgeon and cardiologist assure me I'm stronger than most endocarditis patients they have had going into this surgery, they also caution me that the infection could still be in the valve. If they find this it will complicate surgery and recovery significantly. Please pray about this. They feel this is a minimal risk, but is possible. My infectious disease doctor will also be in my surgery in case they run into this. I'm feeling very hopeful and deeply grateful for my medical team and am looking forward to having my full energy. My recovery will be 6 to 8 weeks and I'll likely be in the hospital a minimum of 5 to 6 days. You can get updates by visiting www.missionhospitals.org/forpatients.html." He welcomes emails and cards.
The Special Calling of a "Starter Church"
Each Christmas I am fondly reminded of my first church. Someone from the congregation always sends us a Christmas card and update. I cherish this greeting each year because I deeply treasure this church family. I am not sure they were ever fully aware of it, but they had a very special calling in their relationship with me. I had just graduated from seminary, was newly ordained, then began pastoral ninistry in this small town in New York State.
In the current climate of church ministry, it is not always considered a cherished position to call a recent seminary graduate as pastor. Based on personal observation, it is the small churches with great financial limitations who must "settle" on calling a pastor who is new to ministry. I have heard it expressed that a new pastor must pay her/his dues through sacrificial service to a "starter" church. Yet, this was not at all my experience.
My first church had a special and significant calling by God to partner in ministry with relatively inexperienced clergy. They were a people full of enthusiasm to try new things and to let it go when things did not work as planned. We fed off one another's energy and vision. These dear folks listened to many a bumbling sermon, a series of rather experimental messages, and everything in between. Their response was that of a child on Christmas morning receiving a precious gift. They also were never afraid to express feedback and helpful hints. I felt safe enough to do the difficult work of becoming more of who I am created to be in service to God through the church.
After nearly 6 years in this "starter" ministry, I accepted a call to another church. As I left it was strikingly clear to me that I had actually become a real pastor due to the encouragement and teaching of this congregation. I share this story to say that churches fortunate enough to call a pastor who is new to ministry are gifted by God for great works of faith and teaching. Whether the pastor is 25 or 65, starting out in ministry can be daunting! Congregations who receive and love these clergy are a huge part of creating the effective, healthy pastors they will become. This is not a calling to be taken lightly!
Let us acknowledge the high calling of churches with pastors who are new in ministry. Let us give thanks for their powerful ministry partnerships as we will all inherit the fruits of their labors!
The Rev. Gretchen Sanewsky is pastor at First Baptist Church of Jackson and a Ministry Leadership Group Peer Leader for ABC-MI.
Pastors Retreat: "Play and Soar"
A sticker in my mechanic's garage reads "I was overwhelmed yesterday; it's today already and I haven't even gotten to tomorrow yet!"
Can you relate? Here it is the first month of a new year, but already the calendar is filling up, deadlines are looming, and the 'to do' list is growing at a rate you wish your congregation were!
Rather than starting the year on a fast track to burn out, why not schedule a "play date?"
Kirk Byron Jones
Continuing the Region's overall concern for clergy health while promoting personal and professional growth, this year's pastors retreat (Feb. 19-21 at St. Francis Retreat Center, DeWitt, MI) will feature the Rev. Dr. Kirk Byron Jones, an expert on "Holy Play."
A pastor for 20 years before joining the faculty at Andover Newton Theological Seminary, Dr. Jones has served congregations in New Orleans, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Although he led each to renewed spiritual vitality, it came at great cost to his own life and the life of his family. After facing first-hand the debilitating effects of working at an ever-increasing speed and taking on ever more demands, Dr. Jones learned the importance of self-care and what he calls "Back of the Boat" living.
By attending this retreat, you will have the opportunity to hear Dr. Jones' journey from "addiction to hurry" to "living at a savoring pace." You will also be able to explore healthy models of ministry, develop self-care strategies, and most important, rest and relax! Indeed, Dr. Jones writes, "Exemplary care for others is rooted in vigilant self-care." In addition, you will have the opportunity to reflect with colleagues on these new patterns and paradigms for healthy ministry.
Brochures have been mailed out. To register, return the registration form on the brochure. Go to http://tinyurl.com/y53c6p or click on the "Play and Soar" logo above in order to download a printable brochure and registration form.
Once your registration is received, you will be mailed a New Life Grant application form. This event qualifies for New Life grant funds and is fully covered by such funds.
Respond immediately to reserve your space and start off the New Year by prioritizing healthy self-care!
For the love of Christ urges us on... - 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Since 1832, American Baptist Churches USA National Ministries, has been spreading the Good News of God's love across the United States by preaching the gospel, planting churches and ministering to those in need. Our mission has grown and expanded in the intervening years -- more than a century and a half!
February is the time of year we normally receive our Annual Offering for America for Christ (AFC). National Ministries is transforming leadership and transforming lives throughout ABCUSA. With so much change, American Baptists are urged on to share the gospel, ministering to all who are the least of these and often left out in the rush due to what is sometimes called "progress." Individuals, churches and American Baptist regions are:
‡ Sending volunteers for the National Ministries/Habitat for Humanity Katrina build;
‡ Becoming equipped for ministry through Got Style? evangelism training;
‡ Ensuring chaplaincy services can reach people in the midst of difficult life passages;
‡ And ministering to children in poverty.
Together, we're moving forward with real progress, seeing whole communities transformed to serve Christ. Together we continue to reach out from a rich heritage of mission and ministry -- thanks to your gifts to the America for Christ Offering. Please give generously!
If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact Debbie Hart at the Region Office by calling 800.632.2953 or dhart@abc-mi.org.
Give prayerfully. Give faithfully.
Ministry Leadership Groups: Time to Join!
Currently there are ten Ministry Leadership Groups (MLG) up and running, as the first two-year cycle comes to an end. If you are not yet part of an MLG and would like to start off the New Year by joining a group of colleagues intent on pursuing excellence in ministry in a healthy way, please e-mail Pat Hernandez at phernandez@abc-mi.org. This is the time to join!
Ministry Leadership Groups (MLGs) are committed communities of learning for:
♦ Stimulating minds
♦ Enhancing health
♦ Nurturing relationships
♦ Deepening spirituality
Attention Bi-vocational and Youth pastors: We are forming two new Ministry Leadership Groups to address the unique ministries of bi-vocational and youth pastors. If you would like to be part of such a group, e-mail Pat Hernandez right away.
MLGs address and engage each of the four dimensions of heart, mind, soul and strength as they seek to promote personal growth and professional development. The acronym S.E.N.D. indicates that as we embrace and live out the Great Commandment, we are able to live into the Great Commission. The Great Commandment is inseparable from the Great Commission. As we are centered on Christ, we are sent out as followers, making and multiplying disciples. Such vital spirituality results in a spirited vitality that fuels a professional and passionate ministry, one that is healthy in heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Consider joining today and being renewed and re-energized for ministry that makes a difference!
Spotlight on Healthy Churches: St. Helen Community Baptist Church
St. Helen is a small community located southeast of Grayling near Roscommon. Ken Peterson, one of many persons who have served long-term pastorates in the Great North Association, has pastored the St. Helen Community Baptist Church for 14 years. During his tenure in St. Helen he has witnessed continuing growth in the ministry of the church. These days, exciting, challenging things are happening in this small but growing congregation.
Outward-focused ministry has contributed to the health of the St. Helen congregation. The church's single board saw several years ago that taking care of the needs of its members, while important, was not the best or highest focus for ministry. The board took a more proactive approach in reaching out to the St. Helen community, a decision has led to a number of significant results.
Having members gifted in crafts, the church decided to sponsor a community arts and crafts fair last summer. Everybody got involved, and the community was invited in. This helped the church promote summer Vacation Bible School which involves many kids from the community. The fair also helped them promote their summer carnival for all ages, which in turn gave them the opportunity to promote a "body builders youth event" in November. The latter is specifically geared toward helping young people grow in faith, fun, and fellowship.
The St. Helen Community Church also believes that an outward focus for ministry means helping those in need. And yes, there are many persons in need, even in the small communities of our state. The church in St. Helen is the site for a food pantry that provides emergency food assistance to individuals and families. Other area agencies often refer people to the church's food pantry. The church also assists the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. In addition, 2% of all undesignated church income goes into a community action fund that helps people in need pay emergency bills.
Each year the church recruits members to walk in the county CROP walk. Some years the church has raised more money for CROP than any other in the county. Now and then one of the women's circles will make cookies to accompany Meals on Wheels food delivery to senior and handicapped adults. Member have also taken donuts to the local post office and police station to thank them for their service to the community.
The church's participation in the 40 Days of Purpose and the 50 Days of Faith programs has further encouraged an outward focus. These spiritual renewal events have helped increase participation in ministry, especially in small groups. To encourage this kind of ministry the church will soon engage in the 40 Days of Community program.
In all of its ministries, the church hasn't forgotten the needs of its members. People in the church really do care about each other and enjoy being together. They pay specific attention to the needs of visitors who are always made to feel welcome -- so much so that many of them decide to come back and to stay! The church has a full sanctuary most Sundays and is hoping to expand its facility by adding on to its building in the near future.
The St. Helen Community Baptist Church may be a small church in a small community, but they have a big heart for ministry and the idea that God is doing something special in their midst.
B'Jazz Vespers at FBC Birmingham
Sunday, January 21, 2007, from 6 to 8 PM, Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday with "STRAIGHT AHEAD"
A fresh celebration of joy, power and love featuring strong, innovative instrumentalists and vocalists, who have shown themselves poerful and imaginative composers and arrangers. These Grammy-nominated Atlantic Jazz Recording artists have performed extensively in the United States and Europe. Enjoy two sets of jazz with an interlude of worship. A free-will offering will be accepted on behalf of the musicians.
FREE - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Join us for an afterglow with the musicians in the church parlor after the concert! Church located at Willits & Bates, one block north of Maple Rd., one block west of Old Woodward Ave., across from "The Willits". Tel. 248-644-0550. No reservations required.
Short Notices
The ABC-MI website has had a makeover. Check out the new look at http://abc-mi.org/?q=node/50.
For information on Camp Lael Winter Weekends see the ABC-MI website: http://abc-mi.org/?q=node/81.
Heads Up! Churches and campers can expect to receive their 2007 Camp Lake Louise brochure on or about February 1. There is a small price increase this year after May 1, 2007. Campers registering before May 1 can take advantage of 2006 camp prices before the increase begins. -- David Johnson
Check out the Judson Press website for the current offerings and web specials: http://judsonpress.com.
Making New Connections is the Central Section Black Church Education Conference, scheduled for April 19-21, 2007, in Columbus, OH. For more information see http://abc-mi.org/?q=node/97.
Debbie Hart says, "ABC-MI is fortunate to have another missionary visit Michigan so early in the year. Glen Chapman will be here only for the weekend of February 24 and 25. I would like to find a couple of churches for him to speak about his ministry in the Congo for Saturday and Sunday nights. If you are able to take advantage of this opportunity, please contact Debbie Hart at 800.632.2953 or dhart@abc-mi.org."
The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center will present a seminar on "Leadership and Anxiety in the Church: A Family Systems Perspective" in Warren, Michigan, on March 2, 2007. "Leadership and Anxiety" is comprised of a series of PowerPoint presentations originally conceived for LMPC's Advanced Clergy Clinic in Family Emotional Process. Works of art illustrating Biblical themes from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque eras are used to evoke theological reflection on the themes being presented. The preregistration deadline is quickly approaching. Tuition for this event is $79 when registered by February 16, 2007 ($99 after that date). Brochures for this event, and all of our events, can be found on our website (www.LMPeaceCenter.org), on the schedule of events page.
Tour Israel from 3-18-07 to 3-28-07 with people from Coldwater First Baptist Church. Warner Reed will assist tourists. Call (517) 278-4022 for more data. The guide will be a Messianic Israeli.
Read the latest issue of International Ministries Prayer Call: http://abc-mi.org/elink/prayer-call.pdf.
The next issue of E-Link Online will be published on January 29. Please send news items and notices to the Editor (editor@abc-mi.org) by January 25.
Editor's Trips
Disclaimer: listing of these references does not imply endorsement of positions or policies advocated in them by either the American Baptist Churches of Michigan or the editor of E-Link Online. Caveat lector.
The Editor
§ Presenting the Gospel in a Postmodern World -- (N.T. Wright Interview in Christianity Today) http://tinyurl.com/y53gut
§ Top 10 Underreported Tragedies -- (Doctors Without Borders) http://tinyurl.com/y54afh
§ One Country, Many Faiths -- (USA Today) http://tinyurl.com/yegxba
§ Extraordinary Baptist Meeting Set -- (AB News) http://tinyurl.com/yfpszt
§ Protecting Kids from Abuse at Church -- (Ethics Daily) http://tinyurl.com/y4dt23
§ Why Income Inequality Matters -- (The Naked Economist) http://tinyurl.com/yx95ar
All Rights Reserved
Dr. Michael A. Williams, Executive Minister
Joseph I. Mortensen, E-Link Online Editor. 989.835.6923
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Last update -- Monday, January 15, 2007
