Iowa Baptist Conference
eNewsletter |
|
|
|
Dear Friends,
This eNewsletter comes to you from the
district office of the Iowa Baptist
Conference... keeping pastors and
leaders informed of activities across
the state... and opportunities and
resources available through the IBC &
the BGC.
If you are NOT viewing this in HTML
format... you are missing a LOT!
|
|
WE MUST BE
DEAD! |
|
I
Have to Laugh... by Skip
Hansen 
I have to laugh. To paraphrase the
great writer Samuel Langhorne Clemens,
better known as Mark Twain, "Rumors
of my death have been greatly
exaggerated!"
I sometimes wonder... regarding the
ministries known as the IBC... who would be
THE person who would speak carelessly about
God's work and God's people... saying
something like: "The IBC is dead."
Honestly, I wonder.
God is alive and working in Iowa... in the
IBC!
Check the pulse!
IBC's I-380 LEAD team
has connected with a wonderful small town
church family in Wellman, IA. The result?
They decided they want to be like us. The
church recently voted to seek affiliation
with the IBC! WE MUST BE DEAD!
IBC's NW LEAD team has
connected with a group in Webster City that
is seeking help in considering re-starting
their church... or planting a new one. They
came to us. WE MUST BE DEAD!
IBC's NW LEAD
team has been spending months
seeking and interviewing prospective church
planters for a new church in Fort Dodge.
Hmmm. People moving to Iowa to plant a
church with us! WE MUST BE DEAD!
|
|
|
|
IBC's SE LEAD team
is already preparing a war-chest for its next phase
of church planting in the Quad cities area. And get
this: Iowa's Vietnamese church planter (Andrew Le)
is becoming a recognized national leader-a spiritual
catalyst for planting 1000 new Vietnamese churches
across America! Just last week he asked me, "Pastor
Skip, are you praying for me?" WE MUST BE DEAD!
IBC's NE LEAD church planter (Marlan
Mincks) has become the co-leader of the
national church planter's assessment center. Hmmm.
Hundreds of future church planters under the direct
influence and impact of an IBCer? WE MUST BE DEAD!
IBC's NEIGHBORS! Listening to
the leadership of our four neighboring districts has
left me with one lasting impression-every one of
these districts is really attracted to partnering
with us! Bringing 40+ Iowa churches into their
district would be a positive addition for all of
them! YEP. WE MUST BE DEAD!
And finally... here's the confirmation.
Converge Worldwide (BGC) has authorized
$50,000 for our LEAD teams... specifically for
planting new churches across Iowa! WE MUST BE
DEAD!
It must be for the funeral!
I have to laugh.
Thank you Jesus!
God is not dead!
So if you hear anyone say, "The IBC is dead..." |
|
SPECIAL TASK
FORCE MEETING |
|
November 15th at Pine Lake... 
TASK FORCE members are getting ready! They
are evaluating proposals, filling out
surveys and worksheets!
Interested IBC'ers are invited to attend and
watch the TASK FORCE work together
face-to-face on November 15! You will
see God's
will... unfolding before your very eyes!
Task Force members will be "narrowing the
funnel..." determining what (if any) options may be
"taken off the table," and removed from further
consideration.
NOTE:
This meeting will not be an IBC annual
meeting. It will be more of a large-group
working committee meeting.
Limited
opportunity for input from
visitors/observers may be provided. It is
anticipated, however, that the demands of
the work-at-hand will not permit the Task
Force members to divert attention toward
visitors/observers.
|
|
aNEWthing!
UPDATE |
|
Puzzle Pieces
are Being Flipped Over...
Last month we said, "Once the proposals are
formulated, and finalized, we will flip them
over and begin to see what God is creating...
and how it all fits together!" That's what
is happening! IBC is receiving proposals from
our neighboring districts and reports from
our Work Groups! We are beginning to see some
of the shape of the picture. God's NewThing is
being revealed!
Here is an update of where we stand right now.
 RESTART
WORK GROUP has posted its
second survey to the P+2 group... with more
than 83 responding to their first survey and 46
(so far) to the second!
The first survey explored what essential
ministries and services were desired in a
"restart" district.
The second survey is exploring the potential
funding options for a "restart" district. So if
you are one of those who has been contacted...
please proactively engage the process! Your
 voice
is essential!
CAMP WORK GROUP has researched
several options, and met twice with the
Minnesota Baptist Conference. They are drafting
their report at this time, so we expect to
know more shortly.
Iowa is Blessed!
Every one of our four neighboring Converge
Worldwide (BGC) districts have expressed
heart-felt interest in the 40 churches in
the Iowa Baptist Conference! We are loved!
Beyond that... each of these districts have
clearly demonstrated the high caliber of
spiritual and organizational leadership at
their helm. Every one of them would make
wonderful partners for you and your church
family--a choice between the best, the
"best-er," and the "best-est!"
At this writing we have received
two district proposals... the
greater details of which you can learn by
talking directly to your pastor or your
elected church delegates. In summary:
 HEARTLAND
District proposes their adoption of
IBC's western churches, allowing other churches
to associate with districts closer to
themselves. Having no established district
camping ministry of their own, they propose the
emancipation of IBC's camping ministry at Pine
Lake.
GREAT LAKES
District proposes a complete merger of IBC
including our camp. However, they would
require an in-depth analysis before making
definitive commitments to the future viability
of PLCC.
MINNESOTA and MID-AMERICA
representatives have met face-to-face with IBC
leadership. However, in keeping with our past
practice, until written proposals are finalized
and received by the IBC we are unable to report
further to you. We ARE expecting
their reports very shortly.
|
|
ROGER'S RAMBLINGS |
|
 Words
From the Director...
by Roger Sutton
This flywheel sits at the Old Thresher's
Reunion
Site in Mount Pleasant, IA. It weighs
eleven ton--22,000
pounds! How much energy does it take to make
the
wheel move, spin, get up to the speed that
it needs to accomplish the work it was
designed for?
The answer, "It all depends..." How good are
the bearings? Are they oiled? What's the
load on the other end of the connecting rod?
How fast does it really need to go? It seems
like it could take a lot of work to simply
make it spin, let alone be able to
accomplish any work.
What does it take to make the flywheel of
the ministry we call Pine Lake Christian
Camp spin? Keep spinning? Operate at a
sustained speed?
The answer, "It all depends..." What are we
trying to accomplish? How many will we be
serving? How many days? What staff will we
need to provide? How many meals? What's it
going to cost? The list goes on.
We stand near a fork in the road, defining
the questions and seeking the best answers
that we can generate given the wisdom, faith
and resources available. The goal is to keep
the flywheel of this ministry doing the work
we feel called to do, providing and
protecting a place of ministry away from the
distractions of the world, where the love
and message of God can break through.
It's a given that more hands, put to the
work, pushing the flywheel in the same
direction will make it spin, lives will be
touched. Would you please join us in the
work? Can you serve? Give? Dig deeper to
find ways that you can help?
|
|
A TIME FOR PRAYER |
|
IBC Fall Prayer Summit...
Pray for AMERICA
This November 4th our nation will
choose its next president. America needs God's
direction!
 Pray
for IOWA
This November 15th the churches will
recommend a new direction for the IBC. We need
God's wisdom!
WHEN: Saturday, October 18,
10 am-12 pm (lunch will be served)
WHERE: Pine Lake Christian
Camp, Eldora
WHO: Everyone is invited
REGISTRATION: Call
641.858.3284
FACILITATOR: Pastor Paul
Smalley, Faith Community, Ida Grove
SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR KIDS:
Led by Juanita Stevens, First Baptist,
Forest City
|
|
EXTREME STEPS GIFT! |
|
Church Planting Support from our National
Office... 
Out of the Converge Worldwide/BGC portion of
ExtremeSteps we would like to offer the
Iowa Conference $50,000 for 2 church planting
grants. President Jerry Sheveland
realized that some districts did not benefit as
much from ExtremeSteps. This is our way
of encouraging your effort and partnership.
Gary Rohrmayer, the Director of ConvergeUSA,
will be our agent for the distribution of these
grants. I have asked Gary to work with you to
see that the grant will have the maximum value
both for the new church planter and the District
church planting system. Through a strong
expectation process this could be seed money
that comes back to the district for additional
district church plants. Gary will be our
representative in authorizing these grants.
We are excited that we could be generous with
your district! I hope you will share this news
with your board, churches and pastors.
Paul Johnson,
Senior Vice President, National Ministries
|
|
CONVERGE IOWA CITY |
|
A NEW THING in Church Partnerships...
.jpg)
Following, is a brief summary of the
principles of Converge Iowa City...
a REALLY NEW THING in church partnerships! For
more detailed information, you can read the
Converge Charter.
" Converge Iowa City"
is established as a means for churches in the
greater Iowa City area to enter into ministry
partnership. Converge Iowa City is associated
with Converge Worldwide/BGC.
The mission and vision of individual Converge
churches should be expressions of the following
Converge principles of ministry:
- Principle 1: LOVING GOD
- Practice A: Empowering worship,
corporately
- Practice B: Nurturing the obedience of
faith, individually
- Principle 2: LOVING OTHERS
- Practice C: Engaging in fellowship,
within the church
- Practice D: Serving others, outside the
church
- Principle 3: MAKING DISCIPLES
- Practice E: International discipleship
and church planting, globally
- Practice F: Stateside discipleship and
church planting, locally
|
|
UKRAINE UPDATE |
|
|
Youth
Ministry Report... from Pastor Roman
Bevz
Dear Friends,
The very first thing that I want to acknowledge
is that it was a great summer because of you. I
cannot explain how awesome and strong a prayer
support was.
STAFFING: The interesting
things started happening two weeks before the
camp began. I got a message from one of the girl
counselors where she said that she would not go
to camp, another guy who was supposed to be a
sports leader also wasn't able to come... and a
few more people, just like those, didn't come
because of different obstacles.
Then in some days our cooks whom we primarily
invited for the youth camp (July, 15-25),
expressed their desire to come and cook for the
kids' camp (July 1-12) also. As the first camp
started they said: "Hey, we're not coming for
the second one".
So it was hard time, difficult time, but as I
said before - God was near. He was never, never
late. We prayed, made lots of calls, talked to
people and finally we found everyone we needed
and were ready to go. Some staff came from other
cities of Ukraine (2 to 6 hours away). It was a
great time together.
CAMPERS: According to camp
registration we had over 90 campers who signed
up for the camp. After we contacted all
campers, only 70 remained in the list. Over 20
campers refused to go because of different
(reasonable and unreasonable) excuses.
Still, we didn't despair as we saw God working
in the hearts of those 70 campers. The kids came
from fortunate and unfortunate families. But
every year it is getting harder to reach their
hearts.
Totally 30 young people accepted Christ or
rededicated themselves to Him!
PERSONALLY TESTIMONIES: I went
to one village where I picked up the kids for
the camp, and there was a 15-year old boy, his
name is Paul, he had a cigarette behind his ear
and more than that, he was drunk. I asked if he
had more cigarettes or any alcohol with him and
he said "no". But when I asked him to show what
he had in his plastic bag, he did, and there was
a bottle of beer, and he handed me the pack of
cigarettes. Both parents are alcoholics, and he
drinks together with them. After spending 10
days at camp, Paul's life changed, he received
the Lord. I asked if he was going to continue
smoking and drinking and he said "no". So praise
God, that those 10 days were very positive and
blessed in Paul's life!
Slavic was our sports guy (responsible for all
camp games), he grew up in the boarding school.
Slavic used to be an alcoholic, he drank a
lot... but then one day he came to our youth
club and church where he found Christ
Jesus. There at camp he shared his testimony and
told how he hated his parents because they left
him. Now he is different! Even though they left
him, he loves them.
SCHOOL MINISTRY: It's getting harder
to find people who will participate in the
school ministry as most of our youth is busy
during the week as they study and work. Schools
are still open for us, and as we planned before,
we will try to start small groups in the
evenings at these schools as well. If we start
the trips at the end of October, this project
will cost approximately $6000... of which we
still need over $3000.
I also pray for each month support ($300) for me
personally. This way I can be more involved in
the school ministry, have more time and be more
concentrated on discipleship of the teenagers
that we minister to. So, please keep all these
needs in your prayers and join us in this work.
Thanks again for doing your part!
Yours in Christ,
Roman Bevz,
Youth Pastor, Chernigov, Ukraine
|
|
WEBSITE COMMUNICATION |
|
|
Don't forget to
check the IBC Website
for the latest updates regarding
process and progress...
As
we seek God's direction for
"aNEWthing!'
|
|
CALENDAR OF EVENTS |
|
 Looking
Ahead...
-
-
-
October 20-November 1 - PLCC Work Days
-
October 21 - IBC Board of Overseers - Ph
Conf
- October 31-November 2 - Breakaway in Des
Moines
-
November 15 - IBC Task Force Meeting at Pine
Lake (see article above)
-
December 9 - IBC Board of Overseers - Ph
Conf
-
January 17 - IBC Board of Overseers -
Meeting at Pine Lake
|
|
MINISTRY
RESOURCES |
|
|
Following are brief summaries of
some GREAT ministry tools.
You can check out additional
resources at the IBC website in
regard to:
-
RETOOL KIT
is a BGC resource
designed to help churches become
all that God wants for them. It
is not a program... it is a
pathway... guided by a trained
Mobilization Coach who helps the
church discover and develop
healthy leaders, a biblical
community, and a clear vision
for the future.
-
 One
of the the end results is a
clearer vision for ministry,
along with a three year future
plan. Additional outcomes are
the changing of the church's
DNA, spiritual growth, (both
personally and corporately),
stronger community, and more
effective Kingdom impact.
For more information, contact
Pastor Jeff Scherer,
IBC Director of Mobilization
at: 319-290-6874 or
jeffscherer6@msn.com
-
SHALOM HOUSE is
a pastoral retreat center in New
London, WI
 -
facilitated by Pinnacle
Ministries and providing a
comfortable, safe place for rest,
refreshment and renewal for those in
ministry - based on the philosophy
that the health of our
churches, and ultimately our
communities, rests in the strength
and refreshment of our pastors.
Pinnacle Ministries
offers three levels of services...
from just "hanging out" to
professional counseling services.
Shalom House can
also be utilized for church
board and leadership retreats,
church staff training, missionaries
and their families, and pastoral
sabbaticals.
If your pastor doesn't know about
Shalom, please tell him or her about
it - better yet, send them
for a refreshing, relaxing break to
recharge their batteries for future
ministry!
For more information, go to:
www.theshalomhouse.org
-
QUIET WATERS MINISTRIES -
offers a FREE,
24 hour a day, 7 days a week,
confidential phone consulting
resource for BGC pastors and home
assignment missionaries called
CARELINE -
funded jointly by IBC & BGC
 Call
866.526.2222 to be
put in touch with a licensed doctor
or master's level counselor from
Quiet Waters Ministries
to talk about EITHER
personal OR congregational
matters.
Services are available for up to 3 hrs
of assessment and consultation via
telephone per isolated incident per
year.
All communication with the
denomination, regarding these
services is consistent with
confidentiality laws and
requirements, and with BGC's
policies and guidelines.
For more information about
Quiet Waters, go to:
www.qwaters.org
-
BGC CORNERSTONE FUND
is a ministry
of the Baptist General Conference
with a mission
 to
extend BGC ministries - by providing
loans for building/remodeling
projects within our conference
churches and ministry centers.
Our ministry is possible because of
the support of our investors, who
receive competitive rates compared
to like term investments and have
the satisfaction of knowing that
their investment is being used to
help expand ministries of the BGC.
For more information, go to:
www.bgccornerstonefund.org
-
CHRISTIAN LIBRARY
INTERNATIONAL
is a Raleigh, NC, based ministry
that distributes
 used
Christian books (fiction and
non-fiction), Christian music tapes,
Sermon tapes, CDs, DVDs, video
tapes, bible study materials, and
tracts to prisons, shelters and
international missions free of
charge.
What a
great way to "recycle" those dust
collecting books! For more
information, to to:
www.cli-nc.org
-
CHERISH CENTER
is a ministry of Shepherd's
Fold - providing housing,
counseling, nurturing, training, and
spiritual guidance to young ladies
experiencing the crisis of an
unplanned pregnancy. They have the
capacity to care for six girls at a
time for a period of 3-6 months.
And because they are supported by
individuals and churches, they have
the freedom to make Christ central
in the home and in the training.
The Executive Director, Jan
Turner, is a member of the
Milford Baptist Church
and is also their worship
director. She has seen this project
through the from the very beginnings
- property purchase, building
construction and equipping, and
staffing. In their first year of
operation they served eight girls.
Shepherd's Fold
Ministries, Inc., is a
local, interdenominational,
non-profit corporation working
to provide a home and a
hope for young mothers in
need, located in northwest
Iowa.
|
|
IOWA
BAPTIST CONFERENCE
Magnifying God by Mobilizing &
Multiplying a Growing Family of Healthy Churches! |
|
|
