November 2009 Kbf Newsletter

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KENTUCKY BAPTIST

FELLOWSHIP Equipping & Empowering. Cultivating Partnerships. Engaging in Missions. Kentucky Baptist Fellowship 225 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy., Suite 205 Louisville KY 40222-4929 Phone: Fax: Office email: Website:

502-426-1931 502-426-1612 offi[email protected] www.kybf.org

Coordinating Council Officers: Moderator: Linda Caldwell, Elizabethtown Moderator-Elect: Don Rogers, Louisville Secretary: Mary Edinger, Middlesboro Treasurer: Susanne Jenkins, Louisville Past Moderator: Robert Davis, Louisville Term Expiring in 2010: Naomi Walker, Frankfort; Robert Davis, Louisville; Susanne Jenkens, Louisville; Margaret Barlow, Louisville; Kitty Baird, Danville; David Platt, Louisville; Nancy Fields, Covington; Patsey Jacobs, Lexington; and Iraline Craig, Midway. Term Expiring in 2011: Bob Coons, Owensboro; Charlotte Benningfield, Owensboro; Jane Brake, Frankfort; Renee Purtlebaugh, Louisville; Don Rogers, Louisville; Amanda Phelps Taylor, Morgantown; Lynn Huff, Corbin; Don McFadden, Winchester; and Kristen Terry, Louisville. Term Expiring in 2012: Dwight Lovan, Owensboro; Clarice Johnson, Owensboro; Laura Albovias, Louisville; Naomi Colliver, Covington; Susan Reed, Louisville; David Wells, Shepherdsville; Tim Doremus, Mt. Washington; and Mary Edinger, Middlesboro. Term Expiring in 2013: Nibby Priest, Henderson; Richard Mason, Owensboro; Bill Thomas, Madisonville; Jeff Stone, Georgetown; Larry S. Curtis, Winchester; Carole Cook, Elizabethtown; Tara Edwards, Horse Cave; Adam Schell, Carlisle; and Beth Parker, Middlesboro. CBF Coordinating Council: Barry Birdwhistell, Elizabethtown; Jeremy Colliver, Georgetown; and Lynn Smith, Covington. Coordinator: John Lepper [email protected] Associate Coordinator for Missions: Joshua Speight [email protected] Administrative Assistant: Valarie Shoulta [email protected]

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Louisville, Kentucky Permit # 976

On the Road Again: Traveling Around Kentucky With Our Coordinators John Lepper, Coordinator Oct. 3: Christian Education Conference, Lexington Oct. 4: First Baptist Church, Corbin Oct. 11: Hempridge Baptist Church, Shelby County Oct. 12: Northern Kentucky Cluster Visits Oct. 15-16: Kentucky Council of Churches, Natural Bridge Oct. 27: Faith Comes by Hearing Luncheon, Broadway, Louisville Nov. 1: Eminence Baptist Church, Pastor’s 30th Anniversary Celebration Nov. 2: Consultation with FBC, Corbin and FBC, Middlesboro Nov. 3: Breakfast and conversation with Daniel Vestal and pastors, Woodland Baptist Church, Louisville Nov. 8: Installation service for David Smith, new pastor at Grace Baptist Church, Lexington Nov. 8: (PM) Melbourne Heights Baptist Church, Louisville (KBF Story)

Joshua Speight, Associate Coordinator for Missions Oct 3: BSK Education Conference Oct 7: FBC Shepherdsville, Wednesday Evening Fellowship Oct 17: Kaleidoscope, KBF Children’s Mission Day at Faith Baptist Oct 12: Nada, KY Oct 18: FBC Middlesboro, Tail Gate Party - Fall Missions Event Oct 21-25: Christian Community Development Assoc. Conference - Cincinnati Oct 27: “Faith Comes By Hearing” –Broadway Baptist, Louisville Nov 3: Breakfast/Conversation w/Daniel Vestal - Woodway Baptist, Louisville Nov 7: Morocco Partnership Lunch - Highland Baptist, Louisville Nov 14: Woodland Baptist Site Visit to McCreary County John Lepper and Joshua Speight are available to speak/teach/lead at your church. Please contact the KBF office at 502-426-1931 for information and availability. Schedule seen here was up-to-date at time of printing.

KBF News November 2009

KBF News is a newsletter of Kentucky Baptist Fellowship.

KBF commemorates 9/11 through three positive, local responses Current’s Eleven-on-11 Current, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s young leaders network, wanted to find a positive response to the horrible events we witnessed on September 11, 2001. Eleven-on-11 is that response. Each year, Current hosts Eleven-on-11, simultaneous missions projects held in over 11 states in remembrance of September 11, 2001. Kentucky Baptist Fellowship participated in this event on Saturday, September 12 through three sites: Broadway Baptist in Louisville, First Baptist in Corbin, and Repair Affair in Owsley County.

Fourth Annual Owsley County Repair Affair About 75 volunteers gathered in the parking lot of the Emma Quire Owsley County Mission Center in Booneville, Kentucky, Saturday, September 12, ready to disperse into the community to help repair the homes of nine families. After feasting on a wonderful breakfast prepared by Jerry and Suzie Lacefield of First Baptist Booneville, Jo’e Short and Diana Bennett of Partnership Housing, Inc. organized crews and sent them on their way. Repair Affair is a oneday community effort led First Baptist in Corbin by Partnership Housing, Inc. where residents apply for assistance which is offered through the resources of grants and volunteers. Repair Affair provides updates and repairs to families that may not be able to do so otherwise. Along with Kentucky Baptist Fellowship and Partnership Housing, Repair Affair is grateful to the following sponsors: Booneville BP, Booneville Funeral Home, Christian Appalachian Project, Farmers State Bank, First Baptist Church of Booneville, Holy Family Catholic Church, Jackson Energy, Kentucky Housing Corporation, Lee County Building Supply, Modern Woodmen of America, Owsley County Action Team, Partnership Housing Inc., Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative, and Together For Hope. More pictures from these events included on page 6!

Broadway Baptist Church

We are a fellowship of churches and individuals who share a commitment to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.

A Word from the Coordinator By John Lepper I recently attended a meeting in Vancouver, Canada on “Innovating Missional Life.” The meeting was for leaders of “mid-level” organizations, such as Kentucky Baptist Fellowship, and was facilitated by Craig Van Gelder and Alan Roxburgh. Both of these leaders helped co-author a seminal book titled: Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America and both have consulted with numerous churches to help facilitate a movement toward missional church. In addition to the conveners, eleven leaders from the U.S.A. and Canada representing five denominations attended this meeting. We were asked to write case statements to describe and set the context of our respective organizations. The case statement included such issues as opportunities, challenges, strengths, and weaknesses. We were then asked to reflect from a Biblical/theological point of view on all that we had written and to answer the following two questions: What is God up to and what does God want to do? I gained much inspiration from those present as I shared answers to these questions and learned how God is working in other areas and in other contexts. Even though our backgrounds were diverse in origin as well as tradition, we discovered each of us faced similar challenges. I reported about this meeting to the Coordinating Council and asked them to continue the conversation regarding what God is up to and what God wants to do in and through Kentucky Baptist Fellowship. The list that follows contains our combined answers. Perhaps the list reflects the fact that God is indeed at work in and through Kentucky Baptist Fellowship. We are part of a renewal movement.

Regarding Kentucky Baptist Fellowship: What is God up to? What does God want to do? • • • • • •

• • • • • •

Connecting people with one another through networking opportunities and opportunities for service, which in turn provides strength to individuals and congregations. Providing opportunities for women in ministry (although a significant need is for more opportunities for women). Providing opportunities for service (living out our faith) through programs/events, such as Morocco Partnership and Mountain Hope (rural poverty initiative). Providing hope and help to people on the margins: rural poverty initiative, ministry to refugees in Morocco, partnership with struggling congregations in Morocco. Strengthening congregations via workshops and consultation. Examples include helping congregations via the “Bridge to the Interim” program and working with search committees. Helping congregations move from attractional to missional. The majority of congregations that are affiliated with KBF/CBF have plateaued or are declining in membership and participation. Perhaps we can capitalize on people’s passion for missions by providing resources to congregations, helping them become missional in their own context. God is working in and through a remnant-type people to be the incarnate people of God in difficult and challenging situations. God is stirring the pot to make our world smaller. We are finding our voice while also helping others find their voice. God wants us to partner with community organizations that may not be church related. God wants to draw us to Himself in an ever-deepening relationship of love and trust. Send us toward those who do not yet have this relationship with God. Continue to tear down walls and move toward partnerships.

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Coordinating Council Report The Coordinating Council met at Kavanaugh Retreat Center in Crestwood, Kentucky on August 21-22, 2009. In addition to hearing reports from various work groups, four motions were affirmed by the council. Morocco Partnership. The Mission work group recommended that the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship affirm the continuation of the partnership with the Protestant church in Morocco (Eglise Evangelique au Maroc) and that the end date for the partnership be removed. A formal evaluation process will take place every other year beginning in 2010, facilitated by the Associate Coordinator of the KBF, the President of the EEAM, and Karen Thomas Smith. Academy of Preachers. The Executive Committee recommended that the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship enter into a partnership with the Academy of Preachers. The Academy of Preachers is a fresh initiative, largely underwritten by the Lilly Endowment, designed to identify, network, inspire, and support young people who sense a call to Christian preaching. They invite students in high school, college, university, and seminary—roughly between the ages of 16 and 28—to engage with one another in their common calling through Preaching Camp, The Festival of Young Preachers, and the Program of Certification. The Academy, led by executive director Dr. Dwight A. Moody, was launched in January 2009 with a regional pilot project center in Louisville, Kentucky, and surrounding region. Partnership includes: 1) a letter of endorsement; 2) attendance and an exhibit at Academy events; 3) an advertisement in Academy publications; 4) encouragement of students to participate in Academy events. Total cost for this partnership will be $300. Endowment Advisory Board. The Administrative work group recommended that an Endowment Advisory Board be created. This group will be accountable to the Coordinating Council of the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship (KBF) to recommend policy and to promote the endowment of KBF. Bill Ellis chairs this group; the council will elect the full group, which will be nominated by the Administrative work group. Ridgewood Baptist Church “Restart”. The Executive Committee recommended that we assist this struggling church. Ridgewood Baptist Church is a community of faith located in Pleasure Ridge Park on the Southwest side of Louisville. Hit hard by the ongoing economic crisis, this dynamic, progressive voice of faith in Southwest Jefferson County was facing its darkest times financially. Highland Baptist Church followed God’s leadership to partner with and thus, re-start this congregation by providing pastoral leadership and volunteer support to ease their financial burdens. Twelve months after starting the partnership, Highland expanded its role by leading Ridgewood to seek financial support from multiple sources, including Kentucky Baptist Fellowship and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, to help financially support a community pastor at Ridgewood. The council voted to give $5,000 toward hiring a pastor. Additionally the Baptist Principles and Church Resources work group will develop a partnering and mentoring relationship with this congregation. 7

calendar November 3: Breakfast & Conversation with Daniel Vestal (for pastors); Woodland Baptist Church, Louisville, 8 - 10 AM; Pastors register with KBF Office by October 28. November 7: KBF Friends of Morocco Lunch, Highland Baptist Church, 11:30am1:30pm; RSVP through the KBF office by October 30 December 29 - January 2: Antiphony - A Conference for College & Graduate Students - Decatur, GA January 7-9: Festival of Young Preachers: Sponsored by The Academy of Preachers; St. Matthew’s Baptist Church, Louisville, KY February 22-25: ChurchWorks Conference sponsored by Current - Nashville, TN April 23-24: 2010 Kentucky Baptist Fellowship Spring Gathering, Stanford Baptist, Stanford, Kentucky June 23-25: 2010 CBF General Assembly, Charlotte, North Carolina July 20-August 1: 20th Baptist World Congress, Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, Hawaii

Morocco Gift Cards: Alternative Christmas Gifts with Meaning Kentucky Baptist Fellowship is partnering with Morocco again this year to provide alternative Christmas gift cards during the upcoming holiday season. This project will assist the Moroccan refugee ministry. Alternative gift cards work by allowing people to purchase greeting cards for various amounts. The card carries a simple phrase like “A gift has been made in your honor to purchase one month of food for a refugee family in Morocco by [insert name] to celebrate the Christmas season.” The contents of each card vary according to the purchase amount: $5 for a blanket, $10 for a winter coat, or $25 for a month of food, to name a few. If you our your church would like to join in this meaningful Christmas project, contact Joshua Speight at the KBF office (502-426-1931 or [email protected]). Gift cards are available to any church choosing to participate.

When Crisis Comes Home Revised and Expanded A book written by our own John Lepper! The Bible is full of examples of how God’s people, with homes grounded in the faith, faced crisis after crisis. These biblical personalities and families were not hopeless in the face of catastrophe - instead, their faith in God buoyed them, giving them hope for the future and strength to cope in the present. When Crisis Comes Home: Revised and Expanded Edition will help you and your family prepare for, deal with, and learn from crises in your home. It will also help you help others in crisis - to point beyond the crisis, beyond the hopelessness, to the Bible and the biblical message of hope. With questions for reflection, a teaching model for small group study, and reproducible study sheets, When Crisis Comes Home will help families in crisis draw on the inner resources of faith in God, enable them to give and receive care from their church family, and help them discover ways to draw strength from one another. For more info, log onto www.helwys.com/books/when_crisis_comes_home.html or call 1-800-747-3016. 4

Third Antiphony The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship presents the third Antiphony, a conference for college and graduate students, set for Dec. 29, 2009 - Jan. 2, 2010, First Baptist Church, Decatur, Georgia. Kentucky Baptist Fellowship would like to help three students in Kentucky attend this worthwhile event. We are offering three (3) $200 scholarships. The total cost for Antiphony is $249. The all-inclusive $249 includes everything - all meals, a four-night stay at a nearby Holiday Inn, conference programming, t-shirt, and an unforgettable New Year’s Eve gala. To apply, please contact KBF at 502-426-1931 or offi[email protected]. Recipients will be notified on or before November 15, 2009. Please contact us at 502-426-1931 if you have any questions. Here is a link to the Antiphony info on CBF’s website: http://www.thefellowship.info/Antiphony

CBF General Assembly June 24-25: Charlotte, NC

Save the Dates: April 23-24, 2010 KBF Spring Gathering and Auxilary Events

You are part of something bigger than you—part of a movement of people who want to be the presence of Christ in the world. At the Fellowship’s General Assembly, you meet people like you, and you become part of the Fellowship family. The 20th annual Assembly is June 24-25, 2010, in Charlotte, N.C. Come for you. Come for the people you’ll meet. Come for the sense of togetherness. Come to connect.

Stanford Baptist Church, Stanford Special Guest: Robert Parham, Executive Director, Baptist Center for Ethics

Event Highlights:

KBF Leadership Conference “Helping My Church Become Missional” April 23, 2010, 2 to 5 PM Speaker: Michael Tutterow, Pastor, Wieuca Road Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA

Wed., June 23 - Various special learning opportunities during the day plus the evening Global Missions Commissioning Service at nearby Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church Thurs., June 24-Fri., June 25 - General Assembly events including worship, workshops, special events and opportunities for you to connect

KBF Pastor’s Luncheon April 23, 2010, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Speaker: Michael Tutterow, Pastor, Wieuca Road Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA

Sat., June 26 - Day for families

Baptist Seminary of Kentucky Banquet April 23, 2010, 5:15 pm to 6:45 PM

To register or for more information, go to http://www. thefellowship.info/Assembly. 5

Christian Education Conference The annual Christian Education Conference was held at Baptist Seminary of Kentucky on October 3, 2009. Burt Burleson, University Chaplain at Baylor University, spoke on the subject: “Talking, Texting, Twittering: Engaging the New, Empowering the Present.” This presentation, as well as eleven breakout workshops, helped those in attendance gain ideas on how to bridge the gap between the next generation and the church. The annual conference is co-sponsored by Kentucky Baptist Fellowship and Baptist Seminary of Kentucky.

Adam Schell (foreground), Keith Stillwell, and Russell Wethington enjoy a breakout workshop.

David Cassidy describes FaithElement, a new online resource that launches in January: http://www.faithelement.com At left, Rebecca Drinkard helped those in her workshop think creatively about how to use recreation ministry in their church. 3

At left, Trish Pelletier led a workshop titled: Adults: SOS— Saving our Stories.

KBF commemorates 9/11 cont’d from cover

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