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

Voices

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen. -- Advent Collect, Book of Common Prayer

When chaos strikes, faith-filled people look for ways to quit idolizing their fears. They seek strategies for pulling life back together. The challenge for most of us is to make the priority of Christ more than mere words. Who needs more talk of making Christ first in our lives? The world is full of religious talk. We need instead to act, to live as if Christ were indeed the head of the body, and not some extra equipment we strap on when it's "third and long." -- Peter Marty, Christian Century

The Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering (RMMO) gives us an opportunity to express our love and gratitude to retired American Baptist ministers, missionaries and their widowed spouses. Through their dedication, faithfulness and often sacrificial service, thousands of persons have come to know the love of God through Jesus Christ. The RMMO, an annual ABCUSA offering usually received in December, provides:

>> Thank you checks to over 3,000 retired ABC ministers, missionaries and their widowed spouses, based on 15 or more years of ABC service

>> Emergency and other financial assistance based on need.

The 2007 national goal for RMMO is $1,521,555.00. "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35) This permits us to connect our giving with the motive of love that Jesus exemplified in his sacrifice for us on the cross. The minister or missionary who led us to Christ loved us with sacrificial love and gave all that he or she could to enrich our faith journey. How can we do less than "Remember with Love, give with Gratitude" as the RMMO offers the opportunity? Please give sacrificially in return for what has been done unto you.

Your gift to the RMMO is
ONE WAY TO SAY
THANK YOU
In a tangible way

For more information please contact Debbie Hart at the Region Office at 800.632.2953 ext. 221 or dhart@abc-mi.org .

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35 (NRSV)

Arrivals, Departures, Celebrations, Concerns

Click on image for another picture

§ The First Baptist Church of Ferndale installed the Rev. Cathi Feldpausch as senior pastor during a special service held Sunday, November 11th. Participants in the service included:

† Rev. Robert Luxon, chair of the Search Committee who brought the charge to the minister
† Special Music by Jack and Joellen Ellis (FBC Birmingham) and the youth choir from FBC Ferndale
† Dr. Marjorie Lyda, pastoral counselor at FBC led the prayer of installation
† Hazel Boltwood who brought greetings from the MDAABC/MI
† Dale Feldpausch, husband of Cathi, led the worship
† Rev. Tucker Gunneman, who brought greetings from ABC/MI

Also involved were many members of the church and former pastor Rev. Dr. Donnis Reese. In addition Rev. David Nichols and Rev. Wes Babian from the MDAABC/MI, and Rev's Ray and Laura Lee Strawser from the North Area ABC/MI were there along with clergy from local Ferndale churches. Rev. Babian of FBC Birmingham, where Ms. Feldpausch served as associate pastor, shared words of encouragement and appreciation. The installation service ended with everyone joining hands and laying hands on Cathi, Dale, and their daughter. Rev. Laura Lee Strawser led the benediction and then everyone enjoyed a great time of fellowship and refreshements.

This was a great time of celebration, singing, and worship as the church, Region, Area, and community came together to welcome Rev. Feldpausch to her first ministry role as Senior Pastor.

Don and Susan Ketcham (click for larger view)

§ The Rev. Dr. Donald L. Ketcham was installed as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Ionia during a special service held Sunday afternoon, November 25. Participants in the service included:

† Rev. Tucker Gunneman, ABC-MI Consultant for Transitional Ministries who delivered the charge to the church
† Rev. Dr. Michael Williams, ABC-MI Executive Minister who brought the sermon
† Rev. Dr. Robin Crouch, Senior Minister of the FBC, Charlotte and Dr. Ketcham's Ministry Leadership Group Leader who read Scripture and led in the litany of installation
† Rev. Ed Owens, Senior Minister of the Olivet Baptist Church, Holt who read Scripture and brought greetings
† Rev. Nancy Patera, Ionia Ministerial Association representative who brought greetings and offered a prayer

Ketcham earned a B.A. in mathematics and philosophy at Hope College and his M.Div. from the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary, Jacksonville, TX. He also has an M.A. in philosophy from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL and a Ph.D. in religion from Baylor University. He has served congregations in Texas, New York, Illinois, West Virginia, and now Michigan.

Ruth Williams

§ Ruth Williams, wife of the Rev. Donald Williams, died on Sunday, November 18. The service was held at the First Baptist Church, Howell, on November 21. Her obituary is available on the funeral home website: http://tinyurl.com/yvthnx.

§ Roland Burks, the twin brother of the Rev. Ron Burks died suddenly and unexpectedly on November 23 in Columbus, Ohio. His funeral service was held on November 28 in Cleveland, Ohio. Rev. Burks is pastor of the Palestine Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit and is the current chairperson of the Metropolitan Detroit Association of American Baptist Churches. Please remember the family in your prayers.

Battle Creek Chin Baptist Church Welcomes Burmese Refugees

A flood of Burmese refugees is coming into the U.S., many of them to Battle Creek, MI. Although American Baptist congregations in Battle Creek have been resettling Burmese refugees for several years, First Baptist Church and the Chin Baptist Church are now opening their doors to many more.

In the past year alone the influx of Chin refugees has more than doubled the size of the Chin Baptist Church. On behalf of the ABCUSA World Relief Office and the American Baptist Churches of Michigan, Rev. Patricia Hernandez presented a check for $4,000 to Rev. Van Lian, pastor of the Chin Baptist Church, to help respond to emerging needs associated with refugee resettlement.

About 100,000 Chin have been forced to leave their homeland as a result of religious persecution. These refugees first fled to Malaysia and various parts of India with the hope of one day returning. Because the situation in Burma has not improved and many face imprisonment and even death if they return to their homeland at this time, the U.S. State department has increased its resettlement efforts.

Two hundred new refugees are expected in Battle Creek in the coming year.

Two hundred new refugees are expected in Battle Creek in the coming year. They come at the invitation of the U.S. government which recognizes the severe oppression the Chin and Karen people have been under. These refugees enter the country legally with possibility of working and of obtaining citizenship.

However, coming from rural areas of Burma, most do not have a driver's license in their own country, much less in this new land they will come to call home. Thus, the two greatest needs the refugees have are learning English and obtaining a driver's license.

Gaining competency in English will increase the possibility of securing a job and gaining a driver's license will enable the refugees to get to that job as well as to attend to the myriad of tasks that foster independence. The gift from ABCUSA World Relief and the American Baptist Churches of Michigan will help defray the cost of driver education classes as well as the cost of gas for transportation to those classes. It will also help to cover the cost of transportation to English classes as well as to jobs, job training, and job interviews.

The Chin Baptist Church of Battle Creek was founded on January 7, 2001, with 41 members. These founding members were refugees who had fled the oppressive military regime in Burma, a regime which intimidates, threatens and even imprisons those who seek to live out their Christian faith. Unable to practice their faith and unwilling to live in fear, many Burmese courageously ventured out of the country and sought asylum in America.

Rev. Van Lian

Having a rich heritage as Baptists in Burma, those who came to Battle Creek deeply desired to form a church in which they could worship in their own language and maintain their traditions. Thus was born the Chin Baptist Church under the guidance of pastor Khua Tin Thang. In January of this year, the first full-time pastor was called, Rev. Van Lian. Rev. Lian previously served as Registrar and President of the Myanmar Theological Seminary and as Academic Dean of the Myanmar Evangelical Graduate School of Theology. He comes to Battle Creek with his wife, Rosemary and their 5 children.

If you would like to help our American Baptist congregations in Battle Creek respond to the needs of refugees, you may make a contribution to One Great Hour of Sharing and specify Battle Creek Refugee Resettlement. One Great Hour of Sharing is the American Baptist offering which responds to worldwide disaster relief, refugee work and community development. If you have any questions, please call Debbie Hart at the Region office ( 800 632-2953).

American Baptist Youth Convention 2007: "Make Your Mark"

Jason Raitz

The American Baptist 2007 Senior High Convention was held November 9-11 at the Holiday Inn South, Lansing. 235 youth and adult sponsors attended, representing 25 churches in the Region. Jason Raitz, youth pastor at Willow Creek Church, was the main speaker. "God Made the Stars" was the praise and worship leader. The event featured four worship services and eight different workshops, from which students could choose two. Cabinet elections for next year's student leadership team were held. The cabinet will plan and lead the next event. On Saturday night, we had a team dance contest, which was won by the kids from New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit. The evening ended with late night praise and worship.

On Sunday morning, Jason preached from Corinthians Chapter 13. His message to the group was simple. The best way to make your mark for Jesus in this world is to show love to those around you.

American Baptist youth in Michigan have a 120 year history of holding an annual event. The ABY Convention is sponsored by the Family Ministries Team of the ABC of Michigan. Gifts to United Mission and specifically the Region help fund staffing for this event. Thank you to all ABC of Michigan churches who helped make the 2007 Convention a great success.

Can Your Church Host a Political Candidate?

Although there is a tradition of churches and church leaders being involved in political campaigns, in fact, the Internal Revenue Service bans church involvement in activities such as inviting a candidate to speak during a worship service, enlisting volunteers for a particular candidate's campaign, collecting contributions for a candidate, etc.

The September/October 2007 issue of Church Law & Tax Report features an article titled, "IRS Clarifies Ban on Political Intervention," which we highly recommend each church leader read and make sure they are in compliance with. We have received permission from the publisher to reprint copies of the article for distribution to our churches via email or regular mail. If you are interested in receiving a copy of the important article, please contact Trina Knox at tknox@abc-mi.org or 800.632.2953, ext. 222.

Article summary: "In order to maintain their exemption from federal income taxes, churches and other religious organizations must comply with several requirements specified in section 501(c)(3) of the tax code. One of these requirements is that the organization not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office. Despite the importance and potential impact of this limitation on religious organizations, it has not been defined with sufficient clarity. The IRS has attempted to provide more clarification in recent years. Most recently it published a ruling that addresses 21 questions. These questions, and the IRS responses, are summarized in this feature article."

The 2008 Professional Registry

The 2008 Professional Registry questionnaire has been mailed to all Professional Church Leaders in Michigan. Every Professional Church Leader must complete and return the questionnaire in order to be listed in the 2008 registry. Failure to return the completed form may affect your listing in the national ABCUSA directory. The questionnaire must be returned to the Region office by January 15, 2008. To fill out the questionnaire online, go to www.abc-mi.org, click on "Document Library" in the left hand menu, and then click on "2008 Professional Registry Questionnaire." For more information on the Professional Registry, contact either Dr. Mary Beth Sarhatt, chair of the Commission on Ordination and Standing at 269-345-2195 (pastor@fbckazoo.org) or Ron Cary, Region Staff at 1-800-636-2671 (rcary@abc-mi.org).

Short Notices

A Global Gifts And Crafts Shop is open to the public for the thirteenth year in downtown Birmingham, from now until Dec. 19, 2007, at First Baptist Church of Birmingham. The shop is non-profit, staffed by volunteers, and all "profits" go to mostly Third World craftspersons and artisans who made the gifts and crafts. The Shop offers a large and varied inventory of quality merchandise at reasonable prices. The Shop is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Entrance is on Bates Street, just north of Willits Street or Downtown's Ring Road (Across from The Willits). Customers enter and walk down a half-flight of stairs to the Shops. Free parking for two hours is available adjacent to the Shop in the municipal parking lot. Indigenous crafts made by people who otherwise would have little income are for sale in the Shop from nations and cultures around the world, including the United States. Suppliers for the Global Gifts and Crafts Shop include SERRV, Ten Thousand Villages, and ABC World Wide Gifts. This year the Global Gifts and Crafts Shop will highlight hand-made items from Bangkok, Thailand. A women's crafts cooperative in a very poor neighborhood of that city make greeting cards and colorful silk flowers. These artisan sales provide primary income to low income families in that city.

Free -- The Region office has a large multi-panel fabric display board that could be used in your church as a permanent display to highlight the missions of your church body. We have used this in the past for annual gathering displays but it is larger than we now require. It is designed to be portable but is rather bulky. It is available for pickup at the Region office at any time. For further information contact Trina Knox at 800.632.2953, ext 222 or tknox@abc-mi.org.

Palmer Theological Seminary (formerly Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary) will hold its annual "Exploring Christian Ministries" conference March 7-9, 2008. There will be seminars exploring the variety of ministries such as pastor, chaplain, church administrator, missionary, educator and journalist. Palmer wants to work with individuals struggling to determine God's Will for their life and ministry. In their promotional materials, they state, "We want to work with you as you seek God's Will...we want you to be able to make a decisive difference for Christ as you translate God's Will into concrete action; therefore we are sponsoring this three day event." Registration fee for the event is $40 per individual or $65 per married couple. Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 27. For more information or to register, contact the Admissions Office at 1.800.220.3287 or e-mail: semadmis@eastern.edu.

The award-winning Detroit Handbell Ensemble will present a special Chriastmas program on Saturday, December 8 at 7PM at First Baptist Church of Birmingham. Please call the church at 248-644-0550 for more information on tickets. And new this year, the church will offer its very popular B'Jazz Vespers program on Sunday, December 16, 2007 -- 6 to 8PM, A Special Jazz Christmas Concert presented by The Paul Keller Jazz Ensemble. Join us for an afterglow with the musicians in the church parlor after the concert! Free, open to the public. The church is located on the corner of Willits and Bates in downtown Birmingham.

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

The Friendship House Newsletter is now provided in both PDF and DOC formats. The DOC format is a much smaller file and will take much less time to acquire on slow dialup connections. Read it in PDF at http://abc-mi.org/elink/fh.pdf or in DOC format at http:abc-mi.org/fh.doc.

The latest Friendship House Virtual Family Shop newsletter is here: http://abc-mi.org/elink/vfs.pdf.

The next issue of E-Link Online will be published on December 17. Please send news items and notices to the Editor (editor@abc-mi.org) by December 13.

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. They are provided here for further thought, discussion, and inquiry. Caveat lector.

The Editor

§  Moonlighting Pastors -- http://tinyurl.com/37mw5k
§  Religion's Role in 21st Century Public Life -- http://tinyurl.com/2u5oft (important special report from The Economist)
§  Resurgence of Calvinism Among Southern Seminary Graduates -- http://tinyurl.com/yuqzsu
§  "God Made Me Do It" -- http://tinyurl.com/2bt4nw
§  Super Glue -- http://tinyurl.com/yrafxg
§  Has Nehemiah's Wall Been Discovered? --- http://tinyurl.com/2w6cq7
§  The Virtues of Unbelieving -- http://tinyurl.com/2872ke

About E-Link Online