E-Link Online -- News of the American Baptist Churches of Michigan

Camp Lael
60th Anniversary
Open House

Everyone Invited
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Beginning At 2:00pm

Join Us For:
Northwestern Bath House Dedication
Celebration Of Arleen Lloyd's
15 Years Of Service
To Camp Lael
Directors Renovated House Tour
Chicken Dinner Served At 5:30pm

The Waterfront Will Be Open All Afternoon.

RSVP No Later Than July 20th, To Camp Lael By Email To Jimdavis@camplael.Com
Or Call Camp Lael At 1-800.636.8452
Or Fax Us At 810.664-7031

A Good Will Offering Will Be Taken To Cover The Cost Of The Meal.

Arrivals, Departures, Celebrations, Concerns

§ The ABC-MI Commission on Ordination and Standing has two new officers who will begin on July 15. Dr. Mary Beth Sarhatt, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo, will serve as chairperson, and the Rev. Gretchen Sanewsky, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Jackson, will serve as secretary. Dr. Sarhatt succeeds Dr. James Bolin as chair of the Commission. Other members of the Commission are: David McMahon (Cadillac), Ron Gregg (Ann Arbor), Allan Bendert (Dearborn Heights), Cheryle Hanna (Detroit), Robin Crouch (Charlotte), and James Unger (Davison). The Standing Rules of the Commission are available on the Region website (www.abc-mi.org) by clicking on "document library" and selecting "Licensing and Ordination Information."

§ The Rev. Thomas G. Roberts was installed as pastor of the West Highland Baptist Church, Milford, during a special service Sunday, June 10. Roberts served as the church's interim pastor for nearly a year while also serving for more than thirteen years as the director of the Michigan Lupus Foundation and later president of the National Lupus Alliance. Prior to serving as interim pastor at West Highland, he served as interim pastor at the First Baptist Church of Marshall, MI. Both interim positions were part-time while he continued his full time work with the Michigan Lupus Alliance. The sanctuary was nearly full as family, former co-workers, friends from across Michigan, and members of the congregation joined together for this special service. Participants in the program included:

¶  Dr. Linnea Berg, Executive Director of Friendship House
¶  Rev. Dr. Michael Williams, Executive Minister, ABC-MI
¶  Rev. Dennis W. Roberts, Senior Pastor, Faith Baptist Church of Fort Wayne, IN
¶  Rev. Galen Lowery, Interim Minister, First Baptist Church of Walled Lake
¶  Rev. Dr. Gary Evans, Senior Pastor, Highland Congregational Church

In addition, members of the congregation contributed through music, Scripture readings, and more. A dinner followed the service. Click here to view image of local newspaper story about Roberts.

News from Camp Lake Louise

There are a few openings for Family Fun over the Fourth Family Camp. Call Dave Johnson 800-440-1238.

Camp Director Dave Johnson is offering a FREE week to a pastor, associate pastor, or youth pastor. Three cabins are available. Call Dave Johnson 800-440-1238.

Deep Dialogue, Deeper Learning

William Wyne MLG (back row, l to r: David Laisum, Kim Wilcox, Jim Bender; front row, l to r: David Masten, William Wyne, Dick Schlee

by Pat Hernandez

"I belong to several groups of pastors, but I learn the most from this group!" So exclaimed one member of William Wyne's Ministry Leadership Group as they sat around the table discussing issues of church health. What is it that makes the difference?

Was it books or resources?
Teaching or techniques?

All agreed that the difference was in the dialogue.

This wouldn't surprise leadership guru Peter Senge, who encourages the formation of 'learning communities' as a way of supporting the creative transformation of leaders for the future. In books such as The Fifth Discipline and Presence, Senge decries what he calls machine-age thinking with its emphasis on control, predictability, and 'faster is better' dictums as well as an over-reliance on experts, information, and hierarchical organization. Such thinking only perpetuates ineffective and increasingly irrelevant institutions.

True innovation and real transformation emerge from learning communities which invite an environment where trust is built, awareness is enhanced and connections created. Out of this process, a deeper level of learning emerges which is key to creating long-lasting change in ourselves, our churches and the communities in which we serve.

Ministry Leadership Groups (MLG) are learning communities with the purpose of

Stimulating minds
Enhancing health
Nurturing relationships and
Deepening spirituality

William Wyne's MLG is one of eleven MLGs currently active in the region. If you would like to engage in deep dialogue and even deeper learning on your journey to becoming a transformational leader, please e-mail Pat Hernandez (phernandez@abc-mi.org).

Short Notices

The Center for Excellence in Preaching and the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship are sponsoring a presentation by Thomas G.Long, "Accompany Them with Singing: The Recovery of Authentic Christian Funeral Practices," at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 28, 2007, at Calvin Theological Seminary Student Center, Grand Rapids. This presentation reflects of one Dr. Long's keen interests, as he has been researching a significant book on the theology and practice of funerals in the Christian tradition. Thomas G. Long is Bandy Professor of Preaching at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and author of The Witness of Preaching (Second Edition, 2005) and Testimony: Talking Ourselves Into Being Christian (2004). This presentation is free and open to the public. More information: http://tinyurl.com/yo3pp4.

The SPE Resource Center at St. Francis Retreat Center has scheduled a book discussion of Riding the Dragon, by Robert Wicks on Thursday, September 6, 2007, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. This is a great chance to prepare for the Robert Wicks Conference on September 21. $5.00 with registration (lunch included). Facilitated by: Jan Haselschwerdt and Sr. Betty Gaiss.

Riding the Dragon
Strengthening Your Inner Life in Challenging Times
Friday, September 21, 2007
8:30 am 3:00 pm
Cost: $50.00

Please register for each event individually at our website: www.spe-stfrancis.org or call toll-free 866-669-8321, Pre-registration is required for each event.

SPE Resource Center at St. Francis Retreat Center
703 E. Main Street
DeWitt, MI 48820
Phone: 517-669-8321 Fax: 517-669-7332
Email: tfeuka@stfrancis.ws

The Cooperative Ministries Committee of the Central Area is sponsoring a Senior Fall Fling on Thursday, September 20, 2007, beginning at 11:00 AM at Olivet Baptist Church, 5455 Willoughby Road, Lansing. Lunch will be served followed by a fantastic music program by Bob and Becky Brunton. Bob and Becky have been performing all over the United States and in several foreign countries since 1979. Their concerts feature original compositions as well as familiar favorites. Reservations can be made by calling the church office by September 11 at 517-887-0988. The cost is only $5.00 per person.

Bulletin Inserts for the ABCUSA 2007 Biennial in Washington, DC, are available at http://tinyurl.com/yuspua.

Read the latest issue of International Ministries Prayer Call: http://abc-mi.org/elink/prayer-call.pdf.

Read the latest issue of Friendship House Virtual Family Shop Newsletter: http://abc-mi.org/elink/vfs_june.pdf.

Read the latest Friendship House newsletter: http://abc-mi.org/elink/fh.pdf

The next issue of E-Link Online will be published on July 2. Please send news items and notices to the Editor (editor@abc-mi.org) by June 28.

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

§  Hospitality to the Stranger -- http://tinyurl.com/2wrx6f
§  The Case for Seeker Unfriendly Worship -- http://tinyurl.com/2hnm2g
§  Joint ABC-CBF Press Conference at Biennial --http://tinyurl.com/29qe5q
§  Rich People Need Jesus, Too -- http://tinyurl.com/23rfob
§  The Poured-Out Church -- http://tinyurl.com/yq8nae

About E-Link Online