Posted January 29, 2007 in GARBCnews, PrayerLink
Please pray for Randy Charlton, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Chatfield, Minnesota, who recently had major surgery due to severe ischemic colitis. After being released from the hospital, he had to be readmitted because of a pulmonary embolism. He is now at home but will be on blood thinner because of blood clots. You may send a note to Randy and his wife, Rita, at 108 - 7th St., SW, Chatfield, MN 55923.
Posted in Jan 2007, GARBCnews, Synergy
Synergy, a GARBC e-newsletter, provides practical ministry ideas and helps. Written by ministry leaders and pastors and wives for their colleagues, Synergy articles are church-tested. Share your ministry ideas. Together We can Accomplish More!
Enjoy this winter issue:
Posted January 25, 2007 in Jan 2007, Greeting, Synergy
Greeting
We recently had the opportunity to share the gospel with a man with whom we were conducting personal business. We had listened to him over a two-day period. During that time he had dropped comments about his religion. Rather than pouncing on him with a witness each time the topic surfaced, we waited patiently until our business was completed. At that time, we thanked him for his work and asked if we might have a few minutes more of his time. We briefly and clearly summarized the gospel. By referring to his previous comments, we bridged the truth of salvation to his familiar world. We did not push for a decision but left him with a specific verbal explanation of the gospel as well as an appropriate tract. He listened quietly and attentively. He thanked us for our kindness as we finished. Being always ready to share the gospel does not necessitate abandoning social graces. We may accomplish more by remembering the advice in Proverbs 25:11, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
We trust that the articles in this issue of Synergy will serve as golden apples for you.In service with you,
John and Daria Greening,
GARBC
Posted in Jan 2007, Building Your Ministry, Synergy
At times it may be difficult for church visitors to know how to get started in their Christian walk or how to become better acquainted with your church. Bible Baptist Church in Kokomo, Indiana, publishes the following text on the back of its church bulletins to assist people in growing in their Christian walk and in becoming assimilated into church life.
Posted in Jan 2007, Reach Out, Synergy
They were a young couple in their early-to-mid twenties. He carried the baby in an infant seat. The parents didn’t appear to be carrying Bibles. He looked semiprofessional. She had sandy brown hair; he had dark brown. I had never seen them before and was almost certain they were first-time visitors. They stepped hesitantly from the front lot to the church building.
I’m a greeter at my church, First Baptist Church, Ferndale, Washington. As I held the door for an elderly member, I watched the couple from the corner of my eye. I thought, They’ll need to be escorted to the nursery. Who can I seat them by who would make them feel comfortable? What other couples with young children can I introduce them to? I had better make sure Jeff Hathaway meets this family. (Jeff teaches a class for young married couples.)
Posted in Jan 2007, Building Your Ministry, Synergy
Building Your Ministry
For five consecutive years our church, First Baptist Church, Bronson, Michigan, has held an annual Sunday School contest during the month of October with a sister church, Colon Baptist Church, Colon, Michigan. The two Sunday School superintendents, Doug Elkins of Colon and David Farrell of Bronson, formulated the following plans for the contest last fall.
The theme: That I May Know Him—Growing in God’s Word
We had one special emphasis for each Sunday: Men’s Sunday, Ladies’ Sunday, Couples’ Sunday, Children’s Bible Club Sunday, and Enrollment Sunday. Also, we asked our people to memorize one of the following verses per Sunday and to recite the verse to the Sunday School secretaries: John 15:10, Philippians 4:13, Psalm 199:11, Matthew 6:33, and Philippians 3:10.
We awarded the following points:
Every Sunday afternoon the superintendents called each other to report their total points. Each church announced the results in its evening service and published the scores in its bulletins.
In addition we encouraged our people’s involvement by holding an in-house contest. This year we hosted a “Super Sundae” on Sunday, November 5, during the time between Sunday School and church. Participants earned a bowl, spoon, ice cream, toppings, whipping cream, and a cherry by reciting the verses for the Sunday School contest in October. The qualifying participants received a bowl the first Sunday of the contest, a spoon the second Sunday, etc.
Posted in Jan 2007, Idea Exchange, Synergy
Continuing education might seem costly—but ignorance is more expensive.
Here are five ways to build support and funds so you and your team can keep on learning.
Reprinted by permission, Rev! Magazine, Copyright 2006, Group Publishing, Inc., Box 481, Loveland, CO 80539.
Posted in Jan 2007, Inward Look, Synergy
Inward Look
January is often the month when the GARBC Resource Center receives résumés from pastors who think the Lord may be leading them to new ministries. Maynard Belt, retired representative for the Michigan Association of Regular Baptist Churches, offers pastors valid and invalid reasons for moving to a new ministry.
Valid reasons for leaving (no-brainers)
Invalid reasons for leaving (the Devil’s devices)
Feasible reasons for leaving (only if your heart is right)
Maynard Belt
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posted in Jan 2007, Idea Exchange, Synergy
During baptismal services our church shows the testimonies of baptismal candidates on video. As the believer enters the water, screens in the front of the auditorium show the believer giving his or her testimony. Some young Christians struggle with giving a testimony in front of a congregation, but they are not as reluctant to share their testimony in front of a camera.
We purchased a quality video camera and a photographer’s backdrop. On the video a pastor interviews each candidate, asking about his or her salvation and reasons for getting baptized. Then the video is edited before its public use. The video allows the congregation to see each believer up close and to hear his or her testimony.
Often those getting baptized invite their families and friends for this special occasion. The testimonies of these new Christians do a great job of sharing the gospel with their guests.The video testimonies have become one of the highlights of our baptismal services.
Brad Quick, Pastor
First Baptist Church of Elyria
Elyria, Ohio
Posted in Jan 2007, Ministry Toolbox, Synergy
Ministry Toolbox
This humorous quotation captures the essence of procrastination. A procrastinator’s powerlessness and compulsiveness are similar to the behavior patterns of an addict who is trying unsuccessfully to break an addiction. Chronic procrastinators know what they want to do but have difficulty translating their desires into action. Procrastinators often feel helpless. They know that procrastination will not allow them to avoid pain, but will only delay the inevitable. Nevertheless they put off doing what they know they should be doing. Someone has called procrastination the Devil’s chloroform, rendering a person unresponsive, unable to act.
Why procrastinate?