The Bricker Amendment

Posted January 25, 2008 in 1955, Social Concerns, Resolutions, GARBCnews

1955 Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers.

The Bricker Amendment (25 KB)

Church Planting Think Tank

Posted in GARBCnews

GRAFTON, Ohio—“Church planting—we may be closer than we think.” That was the conclusion of a church planting think tank after a full day of discussion at the Baptist Church Planters offices in Grafton, Ohio. Representatives from BCP and the GARBC met recently to discuss how the churches, state and national Regular Baptist Fellowships and affiliated ministries could reach the goal of launching a church planting movement in our network. The think tank was a follow-up to a November Council of Eighteen discussion of the great need for church planting among churches in the GARBC. The participants noted that many essential components for church planting already exist within the churches, ministries, and fellowships. The challenge is to identify the catalyst that will bring the components together. A cross-section task force is being assembled to design a suitable and effective strategy. John Greening, national representative for the GARBC, said that members of the Council of 18 are praying daily that an aggressive church planting effort can be generated through our Association. “We really may be closer than we think,” said Greening. “As someone once said, ‘Together we can accomplish more.’”

Pastors Book Club Begins

Posted January 17, 2008 in GARBCnews

Illinois-Missouri Regular Baptist Church Representative Bernie Augsburger led 12 men in the first Chicago-area Pastors Prayer and Book Club meeting on January 15 at Village Baptist Church in Aurora, Illinois. Bernie said the purpose of the meetings is “to expose pastors to dynamic books of the day and give them resources they need for ministry.” After refreshments, each pastor shared personal prayer requests and then, during a time of prayer, prayed for the requests of the person seated beside him. Following that, the men sang one verse of a hymn before Bernie began the discussion of Philip Ryken’s book City on a Hill. Bernie opened by saying, “We need to discuss great Biblical themes because we are in a battle for truth.” Bernie led the hour-and-a-half meeting with stimulating questions about how the key points of Ryken’s book applied to various aspects of pastoral and congregational ministry in a postmodern society. The next meeting of the Chicago book club will be on March 18 in Aurora. The book club is one of six Bernie is currently leading in different regions of the state. Other book club sites include the Peoria region, which meets at Germantown Hills Baptist in Metamora, Illinois; the Decatur region, which meets at Riverside Baptist in Decatur, Illinois; the Quad Cities region, which meets at Berean Baptist in Davenport, Iowa; the Quincy region, which meets at Columbus Road Baptist in Quincy, Illinois; and the St. Louis region, which meets at Brown Street Baptist in Alton, Illinois. Some groups meet monthly, while others meet every other month. Pastors interested in joining can contact the churches listed for the next meeting date or call the Illinois-Missouri representative at 720-244-1720. The next book the clubs will be discussing is Erwin Lutzer’s Ten Lies about God.

Couples Enjoy Getaway

Posted January 11, 2008 in GARBCnews

Eighty-two couples enjoyed a Holiday Getaway Retreat on December 27 & 28 at the Radisson Hotel in Corning, New York. The husbands and wives benefited by practical messages on marriage from Jim Murphy, pastor of First Baptist Church in Johnson City, New York. In addition to enjoying the messages and fine meals, couples had opportunities to shop on famous Market Street, play table games, view a video, swim, ice skate, relax, and win candy if they could respond fast enough to crazy questions. Forty-one churches, mostly from the Empire State Fellowship of Regular Baptist Churches, were represented at this year’s 15th annual Getaway, which is held between Christmas and New Year’s. Participants found the time to be fun, relaxing, and spiritually profitable.

GARBC Winter ‘08 Prayer Partner Guide

Posted January 7, 2008 in GARBCnews, PrayerLink

The GARBC Prayer Partner Guide is available to friends who would like to support the Association through prayer. When we unite in prayer, the Lord is gracious in listening and answering. Together we can accomplish more in prayer!

Winter 2008 Prayer Partner (487 KB)

Tribute to Dr. Wendell Kempton

Posted in GARBCnews

The heart of Christ contained a single vision that He imparted to His understudies—that vision was the Great Commission. By precept and example Christ mobilized His followers to carry out His vision on a global scale.

Wendell Kempton embraced the Master’s vision. By God’s enablement over the decades of Dr. Kempton’s ministry, Wendell mobilized countless people and churches to embrace that vision. He helped us raise our eyes to the harvest fields. He made us believe it was our obligation to reach the world and that we could make a difference for the cause of Christ. He taught us how to evangelize. He was never satisfied with the inaction of bench sitters. He always wanted us in the contest, giving it our all. His passion translated not only into words which exploded from his lips but also into his actions.

On behalf of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches and as a member of the Kempton “team,” I express deepest respect and sympathy to the Kempton family and to the family of ABWE. We will miss our coach. We have lost a champion. But we will carry on because our greatest tribute to Dr. Kempton is to embrace the vision of the Great Commission of Christ as we have been taught by our exceptional leader.

by John Greening, GARBC National Representative

An obituary for Dr. Kempton is posted by the Baptist Bulletin.

World Council of Churches Meeting

Posted January 4, 2008 in 1954, Agencies, Resolutions, GARBCnews

1954 Annual Conference resolution, passed by voting messengers.

World Council of Churches Meeting (29 KB)

E-Info: January 2008

Posted January 3, 2008 in GARBCnews

E-Info, a GARBC newsletter, communicates information about Association happenings, ministry development, church events, and service opportunities. Share your ministry-related information; contact the GARBC Resource Center. Together We Can Accomplish More!

Check out the January issue of E-Info:

• Putting Others First–Teaching teens to serve, new and improved TFC, church seeking VBS and work project assistance, Sanctity of Life Sunday
• Improving Your Ministry Skills-Experienced teachers/speakers available, Men’s Leadership Conference, The Living Word Bible Conference, Great Commission training
• Association Updates–Leader’s Digest now in BB, 37 Baptisms, Guyana-1st S.A. country in IPFBM, GARBC team on the road
• Classifieds–Editorial Assistant, Graphic Designer, Marketing Coordinator, Sr. System Administrator and Media Specialist openings at RBM, church pews available, Memoirs from a Glass House

Putting Others First: January 2008

Posted in January 2008, Putting Others First, e-INFO

Teach Your Teens to Serve

Would you like to get your teens active in serving the Lord in a greater way? Talents For Christ (TFC) provides teens with opportunities to develop their skills, enjoy friendships, and serve in the local church. New categories including digital media, art, vocal duets, are available this year. The expanded categories offer something for everyone! Check out the TFC website and view the TFC CD-rom arriving soon at your church. Use the short promo video to kick-off the TFC emphasis at your church. You have everything to gain by participating in TFC!

Church Seeking VBS and Work Project Assistance
Bethel Baptist Church in Pierceton, IN, is seeking a mature youth group or college group to assist them with VBS in the second or third week of June 2008. Also for spring 2008 the church is seeking men’s or missions’ groups that would like to help with a two or three-day work project involving roofing, drywall, concrete, etc. Contact the church at bethelpierceton@yahoo.com or 574-594-5249.

Sanctity of Life Sunday
Celebrate life! Affirm the importance of human life by observing the Sanctity of Life Sunday on January 20th in your church and by supporting a like-minded pregnancy care center in your area. The January/February issue of the Baptist Bulletin has an excellent article on the pro-life theme and lists Pregnancy Care Ministries that are sponsored or available to churches in the GARBC.

Improving Your Ministry Skills: January 2008

Posted in January 2008, Improving Your Ministry Skills, e-INFO

Build Strong Churches
Would you like to expand your thinking about ministry and develop your ability to serve? Invite a Regular Baptist Staff member to speak or conduct a workshop at your church:

• John Greening, National Representative, 888-588-1600 ext. 852
• Jim Vogel, Associate National Representative, 888-588-1600 ext. 855
• Chris Hindal, International Ministries Director, 888-588-1600 ext. 816
• John Murdoch, Chaplaincy Director, 765-455-9727
• Michael Nolan, Baptist Builders Club Director, 888-588-1600 ext. 853
• Chris Brown, Multimedia Specialist, 607-426-3161
• Jeannie Vogel, Women’s Ministries Director, 888-588-1600 ext. 877

The Resource Center has a highly experienced leadership team, ready and able to assist you. Together We Can Accomplish More!

Men’s Leadership Conference
Grace Baptist Church, Harlan, Iowa, is hosting its fourth annual men’s leadership conference, January 11 and 12. Join brothers in Christ for this enriching time of honing leadership skills in the home and in the church. The conference will feature the theme, Building Towards Spiritual Maturity, with speaker, John Greening. The registration fee of $15 includes notebooks, snacks, and breakfast on Saturday morning. See the Grace Baptist website or contact host pastor, Greg White, for registration and information.

The Living Word Bible Conference

Registration is open for West Cannon’s second annual Bible Conference and Pastors’ Seminar, February 25-27. The West Cannon Conference provides fellowship, encouragement, and renewal for those who are battling on the front lines and includes sessions geared just for women. The inerrancy, sufficiency, and the authority of God’s Word are being called into question by those who profess orthodoxy. This is not a new threat to God’s Word and the church, but its postmodern packaging demands closer examination. Walter Kaiser, Steve Lawson, Jim Grier, Jason Nightingale, and Jeannie Vogel are the featured speakers this year. Each of them is committed to the Word of God and has been uniquely gifted in communicating His Living Word. To register, visit the conference website at www.westcannon.org/thelivingword

The Great Commission Starts with You!

Every believer has the God-given assignment of sharing the gospel and building up people in their faith. Learn how you might more effectively teach God’s Word and engage people in serving by attending a BuildUP Seminar . Would you like a BuildUP seminar to come to your area? Contact Andrea Gower, 1-888-588-1600, ext. 899.

Advanced training for teachers
Learning to teach like Jesus to make an eternal impact

Spring 2008

• February 23: Orchard Avenue Baptist Church, Vacaville, California
• April 12: Ashburn Baptist Church, Orland Park, Illinois

Discover more about this helpful seminar.

Strategic planning for church leaders
Assisting church leaders in developing a comprehensive plan for building Christ’s church His way

Spring 2008

• February 22: Orchard Avenue Baptist Church, Vacaville, California

Learn more about this engaging and useful seminar.

Relevant training for youth workers
Developing a big-picture strategy that impacts students for a lifetime of godly living

Spring 2008

• January 26: Bethany Baptist Church, Salem, Oregon
• March 29: Calvary Baptist Church, Battle Creek, Michigan

Discover more about this new student ministry training seminar.