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

Arrivals, Departures, Celebrations, Concerns

§ The First Baptist Church of Monroe celebrated its 175th anniversary November 7-9. Established in 1831 and incorporated in 1833, the church has grown over many years in dedicated service to Christ and the community. A worship celebration of both history and rededication took place on Sunday, November 9, with Pastor Kenneth Dunn preaching on "Building the House." The service, filled with wonderful expressions of music and praise, included the presentation of a plaque presented by the American Baptist Churches of Michigan honoring the congregation on this significant occasion.

§ On Sunday, November 9, the congregation of Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church gathered to celebrate the 9th anniversary of their pastor, the Rev. Dr. Deedee M. Coleman. Music by the Russell Street Mass Choir and a special Mime performance by the youth of the Fellowship Chapel highlighted the service as friends, family members, and colleagues added their testimonies of how Dr. Coleman had touched their life and deepened their faith. The recipient of many accolades, including the prestigious Edwin T. Dahlberg Peace Award which recognizes outstanding leaders who advocate for peace, Dr. Coleman is the founder and Executive Director of "Wings of Faith, Inc.", a one-stop resource center for offenders. Dr. Coleman also implements the "Mentors of Faith" initiative where she provides mentoring services for violent youth offenders. A well-sought after teacher and preacher, Dr. Coleman was recently the key Preacher at the Annual Equipping Event of the American Baptist Churches of Michigan. Dr. Coleman holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration from William Tyndale College, a M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from Marygrove College and a D.Min. from United Theological Seminary. Since being called to Russell Street, Dr. Coleman has led the church in renovating its structures, renewing its life of faith and revitalizing its community. When asked what her motto is, Dr. Coleman responds, "If I can help somebody along the way, then my living won’t be in vain."

§ Please continue in prayer for Rev. Dr. Roy Greer, pastor of the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, who is now home from the hospital but still dealing with a debilitating physical situation. Pray for the Mt. Olive church as they continue in active ministry without the regular leadership of their senior pastor.

Michael Dunkelberger

§ The Rev. Michael Dunkelberger is the newly called pastor of Christ Community Church of Greater Lansing (formerly First Baptist Church).

§ A report on the recent Morikawa Conference on Peacemaking in the Middle East may be seen http://tinyurl.com/6r8q2e. It was written by David Crumm, who maintains the readthespirit.com website.

§ A new Ministerial Leadership Group, led by the Rev. David Swink, is forming in the Metro Detroit area. If you are interested in being part of this group, please contact Pat Hernandez (phernandez@abc-mi.org) or David Swink (dwswink@hotmail.com).

Ministry Leadership Certification Program Returns

Are you sensing God's call to professional ministry?

Are you a lay leader who wants to explore the next step in ministry?

Do you want to engage in serious and challenging study as you further explore God's call?

Then the Ministry Leadership Certification program may be for you. This is a serious program with challenging and engaging study. If you want to take ministry seriously, then we are preparing to assist you. For further information and a brochure, click on the logo at left.

Church Health Resource Review

by Ron Cary

Who Stole My Church? What to do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century, Gordon MacDonald, Thomas Nelson, 2007

The subtitle of Gordon MacDonald's book, Who Stole My Church?, is one many pastors are pondering as they attempt to lead their church toward greater health and growth. The truth is that a significant number of our churches are stuck in the past. As one pastor said to me, "If the 1950's ever return, my church is ready."

MacDonald's book is not a "how-to" manual, despite the subtitle. Rather, it is the unfolding story of a pastor's multi-session meetings with a small group of church members, largely over 55-60 years of age, These older members are disappointed with the changes that have taken place in their church as the leadership has attempted to minister in new and different ways, particularly to younger members and the unchurched.

Although the story line is fictional, MacDonald effectively captures the concerns, the struggle, and ultimately the transformation, that occurs among these dedicated members who eventually come to understand what change represents and why it is so important for effective ministry in today's society.

The turning point begins when this group of older members meets and talks with the young people who comprise the churches contemporary worship team. At this point in the story, MacDonald does give the reader a clear indication of the positive effects of intergeneration dialogue, a piece often missing in our churches. Several other "surprises" plant the seeds of a plan that pastors and church leaders can learn from in their attempt to deal with congregational change.

The story ends with an exhortation by MacDonald to "go to work." "Be patient," he writes, "be prayerful, seek allies, build alliances with other generations. You'll probably have to convince a lot of people, and they'll come dragging their feet. But somehow the spirit of God will grab at hearts, and you may just see a miracle -- a hundred year old church that acts with the spirit of an enthusiastic teenager."

The book, including questions for discussion on each chapter, would be a good study resource for any group of church members, young or old. And who knows, that might become the basis for effective ministry in the 21st century in your church!

Companion books for dealing with intergenerational issues and ministry include:

Unchristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity and Why it Matters, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, 2007
Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60, Edward Hammett, 2007

Ministry Leadership Groups

Recently, Dave McMahon's MLG met at Camp Lake Louise for a time of rest, renewal, reflection, and recreation, embodying the purpose of Ministry Leadership Groups, which are committed communities of learning with the purpose of

† Stimulating minds
† Enhancing health
† Nurturing relationships and
† Deepening spirituality

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.

Currently, each of the Ministry Leadership Group is open to new members. Furthermore, those who have participated in a specific MLG are invited to explore a new group. If you are interested in exploring a particular group, please contact that Peer Leader or e-mail Pat Hernandez (phernandez@abc-mi.org)

Rev. Robin Crouch
pastor@FBCchar.org
Third Thursdays at 10:00 am
Meetings move around to MLG members' churches

Rev. Roger Dahlen
bethel1@ameritech.net
Second or Fourth Thursdays, 11:00am -- 1:30pm
Meetings move around to MLG members' churches

Rev. Jerry Koller
revkoller@yahoo.com
Third Tuesdays, 10am -- noon
Meetings move around to MLG members’ churches.
In winter usually meets at FBC Battle Creek

Rev. Ross Lucas -- Bi-vocational MLG
RTLucas@aol.com
Meetings determined by members' schedules

Rev. Dave McMahon
dave@firstbaptistcadillac.org
Second Mondays, 9:30am -- 11:30am
Usually meets at Markey Church, Roscommon

Rev. Chuck McNeil
glfederated@yahoo.com
This group meets twice a month.
First Thursdays, 9:30am-12noon.
Meetings move around to MLG members -- churches Also meets the third Wednesday of each month for lunch, 11:30am until about 1:00pm, usually at the Chinese Tonite in Chelsea.

Rev. Gretchen Sanewsky
revgcs@tds.net
Meeting days determined by MLG members (Usually second or fourth Tuesdays)
Usually meets at FBC Jackson

Rev. Ray Strawser
fbcowosso@michonline.net
Second Tuesdays
Meetings move around to MLG members' churches

Rev. Kevin Turman
kturman@flash.net
Third or Fourth Thursdays depending on members'schedule
Meetings move around to MLG members' churches

Rev. William Wyne
secondmbchurch@comcast.net
Fourth Tuesdays, 9:30am -- 11:30am
Lunch with West Area Clergy Second Tuesday of each month
Meetings move around to MLG members' churches

Mrs. Josie Wyne -- Clergy Wives MLG
secondmbchurch@comcast.net
This is a new group whose schedule is still emerging.
Usually the group meets monthly on a Saturday, though is open to meeting at other times.

Let Others Know About Upcoming Mission Trips

Is a group from your church going on a short-term mission trip? Please inform the Region of your plans, and whether others may be invited to join you. When you return, a brief report of your trip (with pictures, of course) would be newsworthy for the Region. (Send your story and pictures to editor@abc-mi.org).

Getting to know our American Baptist missionaries through our own International Ministries Discovery Team trips is an excellent way to do a short-term mission trip. You can learn more by going to www.internationalministries.org/discovery_teams. The coordinator is Jonathon Hilsher. His email address is: jhilsher@abc-usa.org.

If you are looking for some good material to help you prepare for a short-term mission trip, consider "Going With God (A Short-Term Mission Team Leader's Tool Kit)", written by Rev. Ann Borquist. (Bruce and Ann Borquist are American Baptist missionaries serving in Brazil). This material is available at www.internationalministries.org.

Youth Worker Training Set for Next March

With great excitement the Family Ministry Team of the Region would like you to Save the Date for an upcoming conference for all those who work with Youth (or who would like to). Youth Worker Connect: Inspiration and Training for Youth Ministry will be held on March 14, 2009 at the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, 9:00am - 3:30pm. Danette Matty will offer the plenary address and also lead workshops in both workshop sessions. Danette is a member of Group's national training team and author of many articles concerning Youth (and leading Youth). Information and training will benefit pastors, church school teachers and any volunteer or professional who works with Youth or comes into contact with Youth. There will even be tips on how to start a Youth Ministry and how to run a Youth ministry with very limited (or no) funds. Registration materials and information will be sent to all ABC-MI churches in January. Discounts will be available for congregations that send more than one person to the event, so bring your whole team of Youth workers, church school teachers as well as any potential volunteers! >>> Click to see announcement.

Advent Calendars Available

The Region's Family Ministry Team and Commission on Christian Education are once again offering Advent calendars free of charge to local churches. These 8 1/2 X 11" calendars are brightly designed for families with children and are filled with daily Scripture verses, activities and "thought starters", helping families focus on the true meanings of preparing for Christmas. A limited number of Advent calendars for teens will also be available. Calendars can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/5lmnxs

Each local church may request up to 30 of each kind of calendar. Simply send a request to Sue Ellen Glover (sueellen@fbca2.org ; phone 734-663-9376; fax 734-821-0361) stating the church name and address, person to whom the envelope should be addressed, and the number of calendars requested. Please specify how many teen and/or children calendars you wish. Order early before we run out! Advent begins on November 30 so requests need to be received by November 20.

It is our hope that through these calendars our churches can support families by helping them to set aside a brief time each day during Advent to participate together in activities that focus on the Good News that Jesus brings and on serving others.

Short Notices

The Global Gift and Crafts Shop Is now open at First Baptist Church of Birmingham. See the brochure at this link.

Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit will offer the course on Baptist History and Polity (4 credits) in winter term 2009. The class will meet 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on four Saturdays (1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7) and will also require some work via Internet. Dr. Joseph I. Mortensen, adjunct professor at ETS, is the instructor. This course meets a requirement for ordination or recognition of prior ordination in ABC-MI. For more information contact the Seminary or the instructor.

This week's Prayer Call for ABC International Ministries calls attention to the needs of the our missionaries. > > > Go to Prayer Call. To subscribe to the Prayer Call Mailing List register at http://tinyurl.com/6sbgs8.

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 next issue of E-Link Online will be published on December 1, 2008. Please send news items and notices to the Editor (editor@abc-mi.org) by November 27.

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, inquiry, and an occasional laugh. Caveat lector. Suggestions for "Trips" and readers' comments are welcome. Send to editor@abc-mi.org.

The Editor

»»  Missing Pages from Church History -- http://tinyurl.com/668n7y
»»  One Big Reason the World Doesn't Take Christians Seriously -- http://tinyurl.com/5v767b
»»  Vacationing Pastor Lets PowerPoint Fill In -- http://tinyurl.com/6jfua3
»»  Garrison Keillor at Washington National Cathedral -- http://tinyurl.com/6ambx2