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

Issue 2010.25, December 20, 2010

Comings, Goings, Celebrations, Concerns

The Rev. S.L Roberson, Pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Ypsilanti since 1954, passed away in his 91st year on December 4. His Home-Going service was held on December 18 at Metropolitan Church. According to the obituary in annarbor.com,

Dr. S.L. Roberson was a man of God, but he never was one to shy away from danger. A former Marine who served at Okinawa and Iwo Jima during World War II, Roberson twice interjected himself into hostage situations that could have easily cost him his life during the 1970s at the Ford Motor Co. plant in Ypsilanti.

During his ministry, which lasted well into his 80s, Roberson was chaplain to the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department and was an active member of both the American Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention. He was also a member of the board of directors of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). >> more

Update on the Rev. Galen and LeeAnn Lowery: "We are recuperating in Indiana at my mother's house until January 1. Not sure if we are coming back home after that, or going to Grand Rapids to stay with our oldest son for a month. LeeAnn had a doctor appointment last week to remove the staples from the back of her head. Stitches were removed from her right arm, and the 12" bandage covering the incision in the middle of her back has also been removed. She has to wear a 'clam-shell' like device until at least May 1 anytime she is out of bed. We have so much to be thankful for. Our lives are truly miracles by the grace and mercies of the Lord." (from message sent to Trina Knox of Region staff). The Lowerys were in a serious auto accident on November 16.
Linda Bear, wife of the Rev. Jim Bear, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Alma, has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and will undergo surgery on December 23 at Gratiot Medical Center in Alma.
Patty Babian, wife of the Rev. Wesley Babian, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Birmingham, will be undergoing a bone marrow transplant some time after the first of the year.
Bankers Baptist Church of Hillsdale has called Dan Davis to be their new pastor. Dan previously served as lay Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church of Marshall after completing the Ministry Leadership Certificate Studies in 2004. Dan is a Certified Lay Pastor and also previously served as the interim minister at Bankers. After his contract with them expired, and after a long search by the church, they felt led by God to extend an invitation to Dan to candidate. Dan has brought to the church a new sense of vitality and hope for the future, and has helped them to begin moving outside the walls of the church to reach people in their community. We welcome Dan as one of our new pastors to the Region and are blessed to have Dan as part of our clergy here in Michigan.
Pastor Ken Dunn of First Baptist Church of Monroe has retired from ministry. The church has called the Rev. Jack Glupker to be their interim. Glupker comes to us from outside the ABC family, having served churches in British Columbia and Grace Bible Church of Ann Arbor. He brings many years fruitful ministry experience and is helping to lead the Monroe church to become a vital, missional church. We welcome Rev. Glupker to our ABC family and are blessed to have him as part of our team of interim ministers.
Rev. Laura Lee Strawser has been appointed as the interim minister for Michigan Ave Baptist Church in Saginaw. She began her ministry in October. She follows the Rev. David Van Brakle, who served the church for three years and has moved with his wife Erica to DeWitt Community Church in New York. They have both taken positions of pastoral leadership with Dr. Mark Sommers who is the lead pastor of the church. Strawser previously served as co-pastor with her husband Ray at First Baptist Church, Owosso, and as Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church, Birmingham/ She is a member at First Baptist Church, Owosso, where her husband Ray is the pastor. We are blessed to have Laura Lee as a new member of our interim ministry team.
The Rev. Paul Prochazka completed his interim ministry at First Baptist Chuch, Dearborn. The church has called the Rev. Michael Sanders to be their interim through June of 2011. Sanders comes to us from a United Methodist and Community church background. He has served five UM churches through successful turn-arounds, and a community church in Toppinnabee, MI which grew from 25 to over 100 in the six years of his ministry. He previously served as interim minister at First Baptist Church, Mt. Morris. Sanders is also an author of devotional books and has gifts for helping churches become more missional. He and his wife Kathy live in Ann Arbor where Kathy works as a Kindergarten teacher. Once their ministry with Dearborn is completed, they will be planting an American Baptist Church church in Michigan. We are blessed to have Michael continuing as an interim minister.
The Rev. Matt Brown has resigned as pastor of First Baptist Church, Marshall, after serving there for three years. He has moved with his wife and daughter back to Ohio to be near his parents as he waits for his next call. An interim has not yet been appointed.

ABC-USA General Secretary Speaks on Religious Liberty at Muslim-Christian Dialogue

On December 2, 2010, at the invitation of the Arab Group for Muslim-Christian Dialogue, Dr. A. Roy Medley, General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches, USA, delivered a major address in Beirut, Lebanon, on the theme "Religious Liberty in the American Political Experience," at the prestigious Makassed Foundation. His remarks were released on December 15, the anniversary of the passage of the Bill of Rights and the Constitutional guarantee of religious liberty in the United States. Medley offers a good synopsis of the Baptist view of freedom of conscience and freedom of worship and also touches on the debate about the Islamic Center at Ground Zero. >>> Read the full text of Dr. Medley's address. >>> See also related news story. [h/t John Dick]

Highlights of December ABC-MI Executive Committee Meeting

by Mary Ivey, President, ABC-MI

The ABC-MI Executive Committee welcomed new Executive Committee members Mr. Mark Stephenson, Vice-President; Rev. Chuck McNeil, LMT Chair; Mrs. Sue Ellen Glover, FMT Chair; and Mr. Russell Kirksey, AMT Chair. Returning members included Mr. Ed Ritzler, Treasurer; Rev. Dave Leisman, Secretary; Rev. Tom Roberts, CMMT Chair; Dr. Michael Williams, Executive Minister; and Ms. Mary Ivey, President as we met December 2. It was a full day addressing a host of matters. >>> Read the full report.

Successfully Responding to Haiti’s Cholera Epidemic

In the face of the political turmoil that is part of the presidential election process in Haiti, International Ministries (IM) missionaries, partnering with groups like the Convention of Baptists in Haiti (CBH) and Doctors Without Borders, have mobilized to respond to a cholera epidemic that has ravished this poorest of Caribbean nations.

Hundreds of cholera patients in the north of Haiti are receiving free care and treatment in tents bordering the CBH hospital in Quartier Morin. Sectioned off in neon orange snow fence, the cholera center provides 24/7 care that includes re-hydration through oral re-hydration solution and IV serums. Patients arriving at the center are admitted while doctors assess vitals and interview those bringing the sick. The soles of shoes are sprayed in a bleach solution and hands are also rinsed by everyone coming and going. [more]

ABC Missionaries Available for Speaking Engagements

ABC missionaries, Pieter and Nora Kalkman, will be on home assignment for another 6 months and welcome opportunities to tell about their ministry at your church for a worship service, Bible Study group, or at men's prayer breakfast, women's meeting or Sunday school time.

Pieter joined us in October at the Annual Gathering and spoke briefly about their ministry. Their mission is to share the love of Jesus and to glorify God through networking with Baptist churches in Europe, developing Mission awareness, and coordinating skills and interests of Short Term Mission volunteers with the needs of the 50+ Baptist Conventions. They are based in the Czech Republic and serve through International Ministries with its partner the European Baptist Federation. With only 2.4% Evangelicals, Europe is a priority mission field. Their ministry impact multiplies through volunteers that help people COME to Christ, GROW in Christ, and CHANGE their world for Christ.

If you are interested in this opportunity, you may email Pieter directly at pnkalkman@gmail.com or contact Debbie Hart at 800.632.2953 ext. 221 or dhart@abc-mi.org. Thank you!

ABC-MI Women in Ministry Month

American Baptists have ordained women in ministry for over 100 years, probably longer. As someone has said so well, “we ordain women as pastors because we baptize girls.” Despite this, many members of our churches rarely see or hear a woman preaching from the pulpit of their church, some have never had that experience.

We would like to change that, by setting aside the month of March as “Women in Ministry Month” and offering our Region churches the opportunity to hear one of our ordained ABC-MI women in ministry. A dozen of our Region women in ministry have indicated they will be available to preach in one or more of our Region churches in March. Now we need our churches to extend the invitation.

More detailed information about Women in Ministry Month will appear in the next edition of E-Link. However, if you would like to know more about this opportunity or if you would like to invite someone to preach at your church, contact Ron Cary (rcary@abc-mi.org / 1-800-636-2671).

Coaching for Region Pastors

A structured coaching relationship with an experienced coach is a great way to sharpen your God-given skills in order to maximize your effectiveness as a leader. Some of the nation’s most influential pastors have participated in a coaching relationship and now you have an excellent opportunity to do so.

The Rev. Mark Conn, pastor of First Baptist Church of Mt. Morris, has coached dozens of pastors in a structured tele-conference style of small group and personal coaching. He is offering our region pastors the opportunity to join a “coaching cohort” of 3-6 pastors who will tele-conference as a group once each month for 10-11 months. Each group coaching conference is followed by a one-on-one personal coaching/mentoring session with Mark. The cost is $100.00 each month.

The 2011 coaching cohort begins the first week of March. Registration deadline is February 4. For more detailed information, including monthly topics for the group coaching sessions, and to register, contact: Rev. Mark Conn, mark@fbcmm.com, or call Mark at 810-686-6767.

Legacy Initiative Webinars

The Rev. Dr. David Nichols, ABCMI Consultant for Stewardship & Discipleship, is offering a series of web-based seminars in conjunction with the Region Legacy Initiative. The Legacy Initiative will focus on preparing churches for major gifts and bequests, and will be of special interest to pastors, church treasurers and finance teams or boards of trustees.

Each of the free hour-long webinars will be offered twice as follows:

Articulating a Legacy Vision: Monday, January 10 at 7:00pm and Wednesday, January 19 at 10:00am
Developing a Legacy Process: Monday, January 24 at 7:00pm and Wednesday, February 2 at 10:00am
Promoting a Legacy Fund: Monday, February 7 at 7:00pm and Wednesday, February 16 at 10:00am

To register for the first webinar in the series, “Articulating a Legacy Vision,” click on the link for the date and time you wish to attend:

Monday, January 10 at 7:00pm: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/329449832
Wednesday, January 19 at 10:00am: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/207710745

Each of the webinars in the series will be offered twice. Register for the one that best meets your availability. Registration links for the next two webinars in the series will be available soon in E-Link.

Instructions for online participation through either a computer or telephone connection will be provided after you register. For more information about these webinars contact Dr. David Nichols, dnichols@abc-mi.org / 1-800-440-3579.

Position Available: Campus Ministry Director at The Peoples Church, East Lansing

The Director of Campus Ministry is responsible for developing and leading various programs and volunteer programs for college age adults. Included are such activities as Bible studies, book discussion groups, and volunteer projects on a local, national and international scale. Candidate must be able to work autonomously and with church staff, as well as interfacing with outside groups, including the Religious Advisors Association of Michigan State University and the Presbytery’s Higher Education Agency. Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree, a background in developing and leading church groups, experience recruiting and directing volunteers, excellent oral and written communication skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, experience with web design and social media web sites, and project budget management skills.

The position is the equivalent of 30 hours per week and a twelve month basis.

Salary is commensurate with background and experience.

Please send hard copy resume and contact information to: Search Committee for Campus Ministry Director, The Peoples Church, 200 West Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823.

Central Area Annual Meeting on January 8

The Annual Meeting of the Central Area Churches will be held on January 8, 2011, at the First Baptist Church of Jackson (9:30 – noon). The Rev. Glynis LaBarre, Transformation Specialist with the American Baptist Home Mission Society, ABC-USA, will be the guest speaker. She will describe the Missional Church Movement in which five Central Area Churches are involved. The Missional Church project is a partnership with ABC-USA in which small churches commit to forming a learning group with four training sessions over an 18-month period. Each church is awarded a small grant as seed money for a specialized community project designed by the individual congregations as a way to reach out and to bring the Gospel into the community. Bankers Baptist, Bethel Baptist, Federated Church of Grass Lake, FBC Jackson, FBC Marshall and Northside Community form the Michigan team, and representatives from these congregations will be on hand to discuss the impact of this project on their individual congregations. Please register by January 5 by contacting Sue Ellen Glover (gloverse@hotmail.com; 734-663-9376).

Short Notices

Camp Lake Louise has published a new issue of its newsletter. Read it here.
The Global Gifts Shop at First Baptist Church of Birmingham is now open, Wednesday through Friday 10:00 -3:00, Saturday 10:00-4:00. The shop offers Fair Trade Products made by the disabled, disadvantaged, and at risk peoples of the world, including food, jewelry, fibers, pottery and vessels, accent pieces, and holiday trimmings. For details see the Shop's website.
Save the Date for the 3rd Annual Comedy Fundraiser benefitting Camp Lael and Friendship House. Date: February 10, 2011. Place: Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle, downtown Royal Oak. Details to follow!
Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit will hold a Discernment Workshop, January 27, 6-8 pm. This workshop will help folks discern their call to ministry, including going to seminary and entering particular degree programs. We will also discuss the various types of calls to ministry including pulpit ministry, chaplaincy, etc. For additional information, please contact Rev. Dr. Julie J. Kilmer, jkilmer@etseminary.edu or call 1-313-831-5200, ext 224.
Ecumenical Theological Seminary will host the Women and Leadership Conference March 30 - April 2, 2011. The conference theme is "How Shall We Lead?: Women in Leadership in the 21st Century." Plenary speakers include Dr. Emilie Townes, Dr. Renita Weems, and Dr. Claudette Copeland. There will also be workshops, times for worship, and an evening with women and the arts! For conference schedule click here. The conference fee is $100 if you register before February 28, 2011 and $125 thereafter. Online registration is available here.
The most recent Friendship House Newsletter is available at http://abc-mi.org/elink/fh.pdf (PDF) or http://abc-mi.org/elink/fh.doc (DOC).
The next issue of E-Link Online will be published on Monday, January 10, 2011. Please send news items and notices to the Editor (editor@abc-mi.org) by January 6.

Attention All Professional Church Leaders

The 2011 professional registry questionnaire has been mailed to you. If you wish to be listed in the 2011 registry, you must return the completed form to the Region office by January 15, 2011.

If you did not receive the questionnaire or you have misplaced it, click here to download a copy.

All professional church leaders, ordained or non-ordained, are welcome to be listed in the registry provided they 1) hold membership in a Michigan American Baptist related congregation, 2) are employed for at least 20 hours each week in a professional capacity, and 3) receive some remuneration for their work. An exception is provided for retirees, seminary students and persons seeking professional placement, who must also return a questionnaire to be listed in the registry.

If you have questions about the registry, contact Ron Cary at 1-800-636-2671 or rcary@abc-mi.org.

CLERGY RETREAT – February 21 – 23, 2011 - St. Francis Retreat Center

Theme: Biblical Prophetic Imagination: “Spiritual Formation for God’s Servants Standing in the Gap”.
Resource Speaker and Facilitator: Dr. David Frenchak, Director of S.C.U.P.E. (Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education)

Dr. Frenchak has experience leading people in spiritual formation for over 40 years. Between being a pastor in Boston, and leading at S.C.U.P.E. for over 30 years, he brings a wealth of wisdom and experience. You will be blessed by his attentive ear and probing questions. How can we all grow toward Biblical Prophetic Imagination in our witness to the Kingdom of God in Christ?

Says Dr. Frenchak, “Freedom to preach in the spirit of the prophets requires preaching with the mind, body and spirit. Prophetic preaching in the city is an invitation to enter into the redemptive story of the gospel as it is evidenced in our urban world and requires not only a biblical and theological framework but also prophetic imagination, evidenced in a kind of playful energy that has the potential to both delight and shock the listener out of stuck thinking and stuck places while at the same time kindling and strengthening hope. We will apply the language and homiletic tools and resources of the arts, theater, and popular culture, to describe both the social context of urban life and the preached word.”

For a brochure and registration form, click here. Also, watch your mail! The brochure will be arriving along with the 2011 Professional Registry form. For questions, contact Pat Hernandez (phernandez@abc-mi.org), Don’t delay; register now!

Region Churches and Retool

Retool is a two-year journey that moves a congregation toward the development of a strategic missional vision and specific strategies and action plans for engaging the vision. Presently two of our Region congregations are engaged in Retool: Crosspointe Meadows Church in Novi and West Highland Baptist Church in Milford. You can get more details about the Retool Kit Pathway on our Region website (www.abc-mi.org). Then contact Rev. Danny Langley (Crosspointe) or Rev. Tom Roberts (West Highland) to discover why they chose the Retool Pathway. Or contact Ron Cary, our Region Retool Coordinator (rcary@abc-mi.org), for more detailed information about how your church can begin to “Retool.”

Editor's Trips

Every edition of E-Link Online features links to articles the Editor has tripped over while wasting time surfing the Web. Posting of these links does not imply that either the Editor or the American Baptist Churches of Michigan necessarily agrees with, endorses, or otherwise promotes the views expressed in them. Their value comes from whatever further thought, discussion, inquiry, discernment, fury, repentance, dramatic conversion experience, change of mind, or occasional laugh they may provoke. Readers are welcome to send their own suggestions to the Editor.