2013 May.pdf - International Baptist Convention

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We Are Not Home Yet Contents Highlights Volume 51, Issue 1 “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance. And having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on earth” (Heb. 11:13). Discipleship Focus of Leadership Conference .......... 4 Men’s Conference – Only the Strong Survive ......... 5 Highlights Turns 50! .............. 5 Learning about Team Leadership – A Book with No Words .7 Make Plans to Attend Interlaken 2013 ..................... 8 Partnering in the Gospel with the Baptist Union of Moldova ................................ 9 IBC / BEFG Discuss Legal Status .................................. 10 IBCM Meets in Fort Worth, Texas ................................... 11 IBC Finances Need Your Attention ............................. 12 Executive Council Meets at MLC ................................ 12 News from the Churches ..... 13 Highlights Published by the International Baptist Convention Am Dachsberg 98, 60435 Frankfurt/Main, Germany, Phone: +49 (0) 69 9540 8505, Email: admin@ibc-churches.org www.ibc-churches.org Jimmy Martin, General Secretary Judith Lynn Maxwell, Editor Cover photo: Judith Lynn Maxwell On the Cover: Palacio Arabe in Torremolinos • The people of God have always been outsiders. From Abraham – called to go to a place outside of all he had ever known – to Moses – called to bring 2 1/2 million slaves out of Egypt to go to a land that was promised them – to the Apostle Paul – called as a messenger to reach people he once considered outcasts, God’s people are challenged never to be completely settled where they are. The place we should consider HOME is a place where we have never been. The writer of Hebrews recognizes this tension of the saints of the Old Testament – “strangers and exiles on earth” is his description. Peter referred to Christ-followers as “strangers and exiles” also. We are challenged not to become so “at home” in our culture that we no longer are salt and light to a tasteless and dark world. IBC churches intuitively understand something of what it means to live in a place that is not their own. We recognize that, for most in our churches, we are indeed “strangers and exiles.” But regardless of where we are there is always a pull to create what is familiar to us and to associate with others who are “like us.” Without knowing it, we build walls that Christ died to tear down – walls of culture and race and social standing, walls of worship forms and preferences. We too easily lobby for our way of looking at things and doing things because our way seems to be the best way. In so doing, we isolate ourselves from the very people Christ calls us to reach. We can also isolate ourselves from brothers and sisters in Christ. We can unwittingly allow what should be one of the greatest strengths of the church in evangelism – our unity in diversity – to deteriorate through misunderstanding, division, and lack of genuine love and become a stumblingblock to a watching world. Remember what Jesus said “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” David Pederson, in his helpful book, Expatriate Ministry: Inside the Church of the Outsiders, speaks with admiration of the Apostle Paul’s church planting achievements. Paul traveled more than 10,000 miles, crossed distinct cultural barriers, worked in several large metropolitan areas and finished his work in perhaps 15 years with “no place left in these regions” (Rom. 15:23). How was he able to evangelize all the regions of Asia Minor and Greece Pederson suggests God’s timing, unbelievable courage, and passion for the Gospel, as well as other factors. One key, however, was that Paul’s target group was the expatriate and cross-cultural community. He did not reach every person, but he was able to touch larger society by focusing largely on expats and diverse people groups who became key to the spread of the Gospel. We should find encouragement that when IBC churches welcome and touch people from around the world we are planting Gospel seeds that, like the mustard seed of Jesus’ parable, may sprout and multiply to every corner of the world. IBC churches, as small as 20 or less and as large as 750, are finding the world at their doorsteps through English-language ministry. An Afghani refugee and and wife come to Christ in Bulgaria... a Chinese citizen hears the Gospel in Lubbock, Texas... a U.S. military member comes to Christ while serving in Europe and feels called by God to plant a church to reach others like himself... an Iranian Muslim finds Christ in Ukraine and devotes his life to reaching others from his country by starting Bible studies in universities across the country. This is the potential of IBC churches – to be more than merely oases where English-speakers find respite and encouragement, although they are that also. IBC churches can be launching pads for reaching the world that God is bringing to our doorstep. Of course there are challenges to being God’s people – a spiritual enemy and barriers from the outside like legal, language, economic, and cultural complexities. There are also challenges from the inside like division over leadership styles and personalities and worship styles and egos and prejudices. The IBC, through its churches and our combined work together, is touching lives around the world with the Gospel. We are not doing it perfectly, and we want to do it better, but we are making a difference. The real story is people changed and churches growing – God’s kingdom expanding. Wherever you serve, be encouraged that you are a vital part of God’s work. Through your prayers and giving and participation you are a part of our partnership in Moldova, the poorest country in Europe, but a country where the Baptist union is seeking to plant evangelical churches in every village. Read about some of our recent projects there (see page 9). I am grateful for the leadership of Bill Tully, who coordinates this partnership. You are part of our 2 | Highlights 05/2013
church-planting partnership with Converge Worldwide (CWW). Our LEAD teams, which are made up of 4-6 pastors and their churches committed to working together to plant churches and coordinated by Darryl Evetts and our Church Planting Ministry Team, recently met with Gene Selander and others from Converge. Selander announced that Converge churches in the U.S. are planning to help us by doing feasibility studies in 25 major cities around world with the aim of facilitating future church plants. CWW has also provided a church strengthening tool, ReFresh, which can help a church to recapture its Godgiven vision and mission. Mason Smith is offering assistance to churches interested in going through this process of church health. We continue a vibrant partnership with the International Baptist Church Ministries Corporation (IBCM). IBCM recently gave funds to help with various churches and ministries in the IBC. Read about this elsewhere in Highlights (see page 11). We are also partnering with evangelist Billie Hanks and the International Evangelism Association to provide Operation Multiplication training and resources for IBC churches to offer one-to-one training of new believers. Recently, we provided some initial training for pastors and leaders at the Ministry Leadership Conference in Torremolinos, Spain. IBCM provided some of the materials we used in our training. We are happy to talk with pastors and church leaders about implementing this disciplemaking process. Continue to pray for the IBC and its churches. The IBC is facing financial challenges currently (see Allister McCallum’s article, page 12). I encourage every church in the IBC to honor its commitment to participate financially in our work together. At the same time, I say thanks to the many churches and friends of the IBC from around the world who see the potential of cooperating for the sake of the Gospel. Another challenge, particularly for the IBC office and IBC churches located in Germany, is how to best to continue our legal standing in Germany. For many years we have maintained a healthy relationship with the German Baptist Union (GBU). They have provided legal covering for the office and our churches in Germany. Due to changing laws which necessitated changes in the GBU constitution, each church must now decide whether to join the GBU or find another legal covering (see article page 11). I am thankful for a task force of IBC trustees and pastors, as well as leaders from the GBU, who have been working on this issue. Pray also for our church planting efforts and partnerships around the world. Every IBC church needs your prayers. If you do not regularly receive CareNet, our weekly Prayer Bulletin that lists specific needs of churches and the IBC, let Lorraine Stringer know (admin@ibc-churches.org), and we will gladly add you to the recipient list. Some IBC churches are struggling due to the economic crisis; others due to lack of leadership or inadequate meeting space; others due to conflict. I am grateful for God’s provision of new pastors and wives such as Ian and Janice Bell, who recently came to Calahonda, Spain, after a good and long ministry in England; also for young pastor couples like David and Kristin Martin, who just arrived in Cologne, Germany. Pray that these and other new pastors will flourish in their ministries. Pray for interim pastors who are serving in IBC churches as they seek permanent pastors. A hallmark of every IBC church is high turnover, which means saying hello and good-bye often. It also means being exposed to more people from more places and more cultures and more religious backgrounds. Unity in diversity is hard work, but it can be a blessing if we realize that we belong to a “forever family” and that we belong to each other because we belong to Christ. The writer of Hebrews provides a secret to living as God’s countercultural people on earth: “Instead, they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:16). Strangers and aliens we are, all of us. I am thankful for the opportunity to work with some of the most committed Christian leaders anywhere, who each pay a price to serve the Lord in places that are not easy. I am also thankful for partners across the globe. A missionary family arrived in their home country after spending many years away. To their surprise, there was a large crowd of well-wishers who had gathered to greet a dignitary on board the large vessel. Banners, balloons, politicians and other VIPs, and a large band – all welcomed the dignitary home. The missionary husband noted that they had served the Lord for a lifetime far away from home, yet no one was there to greet them as they arrived home. It did not seem fair. His wife squeezed his hand and reminded him, “We are not home yet.” Nor are we. • Jimmy Martin IBC General Secretary 3 | Highlights 05/2013
Page 1: Highlights Volume 51, Issue 1 Publi
Page 5 and 6: Men’s Conference: Only the Strong
Page 7 and 8: uilding blocks that produce a healt
Page 9 and 10: Partnering in the Gospel with the B
Page 11 and 12: IBCM Meets in Fort Worth, Texas •
Page 13 and 14: News from the Churches Ramstein, Ge
Page 15 and 16: News from the Churches Calahonda, S

2013 May.pdf - International Baptist Convention

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