2012 November.pdf - International Baptist Convention

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IBC Welcomes Two New Churchesand Approves 2013 BudgetBob Marsh• The International Baptist Convention votedto accept two new member churches as part ofits business sessions at its 49 th Annual ConventionMeeting, held 22-25 October at the Berlin InternationalBaptist Church, Germany. Joining theconvention as associate members were ConvergeInternational Fellowship, Darmstadt, Germany,and International Grace Community, Timosoara,Romania. CIF Darmstadt is the first church plantedas a result of the partnership between the IBCand Converge Worldwide to join the convention.Messengers to the ACM also approved a397,757.94 € budget for 2013, representing a3.33% decrease over the 2012 budget. Budgetand Finance Ministry Team Coordinator AllisterMcCallum wrote in his report that the ministryteam tried to ensure that a lack of funds is not anobstacle to achieve the essential aims and objectivesof the convention and its ministries.During the first business session, Vice Presidentand President-Elect Scott Corwin was inducted asthe new IBC President. Corwin, pastor of the hostchurch, had been elected during last year's ACM.During his presidential address to the convention,Corwin shared his vision for the year’stheme, “Growing Healthy Churches through Partnership”(see related article on page 7).During the final business session, Erik Nielsen,pastor of First International Baptist Church, Copenhagen,Denmark, was elected vice presidentand president-elect. Allister McCallum, elder at InternationalChristian Fellowship, Oberursel, Germany,was elected treasurer. Lorraine Stringer, IBCadministrative assistant, was elected clerk. SamOwens, pastor of Aviano Baptist Church, Italy, willserve as Past President.In other business, convention messengers approvedthe nominations for the ministry teamsand heard reports from the general secretary, theexecutive council, and the ministry teams.During his report, General Secretary JimmyMartin reflected on his 10 years in that position.He reported: “We see continuing change in conventionlife, just as our churches see constantchange. New churches now flourishing and othersthat did not make it, formerly strong U.S. militarychurches that are now entirely internationaland multicultural, vibrant churches from theAmericas that were not even on our radar screen,a growing culture of church planting awareness,increased missions involvement with local nationalBaptist unions, church closures, and an everwideningcircle of pastors from around the world– these are just a few of the changes we havewitnessed during the last decade.“ He also highlightedsome of the ways that the six areas of theIBC mission statement – proclaiming the Gospel,planting new churches, strengthening memberchurches, enhancing fellowship, supporting otherBaptist groups, and promoting world-wide Christianmissions – have been supported.Presentations about the work of their respectiveministries were made by Christoph Haus, EuropeanBaptist Mission; Regina Claas, Baptist WorldAlliance and the German Baptist Union; HansGuederian, European Baptist Federation; DanielTrusiewicz, Indigenous missionary Partnership;and Gene Selander, Converge Worldwide.Bob Marsh was the keynote speaker during theACM. His theme was “Questions & Answers fromthe Gospel of John.” In his message on Mondayevening, Marsh looked at “The Word MadeFlesh.” Jesus is the Word (identification) Whocame to live among us (incarnation), and God hasmade Him known to us (revelation).On Tuesday evening, Marsh addressed “Whois Jesus of Nazareth?” The entire Christian faith isbased on this questions. Acts 2:14-37 testifies thatclaims of Jesus are true. On Wednesday MarshBill Tully (l) and Darryl Evetts (r) pray for the twonew churches in the convention.looked at “The Gift of the Paraclete.” The ministryof the Holy Spirit is to make Jesus real to you.He is an encourager, helper, teacher, and coach.On Thursday morning, Marsh addressed the issueof the “Self-Identity of Jesus.” Jesus had been sent.As churches, we too, have been sent to do the Father’swill, speak His words, and do His work.Sixty-one messengers representing 27 churcheswere part of the business sessions.Next year's ACM will be held 21-24 October atthe International Baptist Church, Sofia, Bulgaria.This will be the first time the ACM is held in anEastern European country.•6 | Highlights 11/2012
Growing Healthy Churches through PartnershipsBy Scott CorwinPastor, International Baptist Church Berlin, Pastor and IBC President“I thank my God every time I remember you. In allmy prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy becauseof your partnership in the gospel from thefirst day until now, …” (Philippians 1:3-5,NIV, emphasisadded)• Partnerships have enriched my life personallyand as a pastor during the 10 years of my ministryin the IBC. The friendship of pastors in myIBC region and LEAD team has encouraged mepersonally. The camaraderie of working togetherwith the Interlaken and Missions Ministry teamsand serving on the Executive Council has supportedmy ministry as a pastor. Though I’ve appreciatedthis personal encouragement and pastoralsupport, it doesn’t compare to the gratitudeand joy of knowing that these partnerships are apart of God’s work to further the Gospel throughhealthy churches in the IBC.Paul tells the Philippians that he is grateful andfull of joy because of the partnership – literally koinonia– he shares with them in the Gospel. Paul’sdedication to the Gospel – that is, that God inChrist has redeemed us, is renewing us, and ultimatelywill restore all things – is the motivation,inspiration, objective, and goal of his life. Throughtheir partnership with Paul, the Philippian churchhas joined Paul’s gospel-venture not only in theirown church but also through the ministry of Paul.The Philippians were not simply “paper-partners.”They were partners through participation.In the same way, we, like Paul, can be gratefuland full of joy because of our partnership in theGospel as the IBC. We, like the Philippians, canjoin together and participate in our IBC partnershipfor the purpose of the Gospel through prayerand financial support.Pray for our Partnership – Paul prayed for thePhilippians (1:4) and the Philippians prayed forPaul (1:19). As individuals and as churches, wecan pray for one another, our IBC ministry teams,our IBC events, and our IBC staff. Through prayerGod works to accomplish His work through usand draws us closer together in our fellowship. Iexperienced this personally when I first came toBerlin through a Region 6 Skype prayer meetingorganized by our coordinator. We experience thiswhen we integrate our IBC partnership into a regularpart of our church prayer life. Prayer inspiresand empowers our partnership in the Gospel anddeepens the fellowship of the work we share.Provide Financial Support for our Partnership –The Philippians consistently supported Paul’s ministrythrough giving (4:10f). As churches, we canprovide financial support for our Gospel work togetherby consistently giving to our IBC budgetand special offerings. In the IBC – as in our churches– our budget is an expression of God’s missionand vision for our Gospel ministry. In our churches,we are dependent upon the faithful giving ofGeneral Secretary Jimmy Martin (r) presents thegavel to new IBC President Scott Corwin.God’s people; in the IBC, we are dependent uponthe faithful giving of God’s churches. Churchescan be an example of the importance of givingto the members of their congregation by settingaside a percentage of their budget to give to theIBC. Each IBC church should prayerfully considerhow they can give willingly, cheerfully, and sacrificiallyto our Gospel work together. Providing financialsupport enables us to accomplish our Gospelgoals and partnership objectives.Whenever I think of the IBC, I thank God forthe fellowship of our shared commitment to seeingthe Gospel of Jesus Christ come alive throughproclaiming God’s word, multiplying disciples, renewingchurches, going on missions, and plantingnew churches. May God powerfully use ourpartnership for the glory of His Gospel purpose.•On the occasion of the European Baptist Federation (EBF) Council meeting at theGerman Baptist Union’s (GBU) Elstal campus near Berlin, IBC Berlin enjoyed theprivilege of hosting many of our “partners” for worship on Sunday 30 September.Pictured (from right to left) – Regina Class (GBU), Jimmy Martin (IBC), Tony Peck(EBF), John Upton (BWA), Scott Corwin (IBCB), Jerry and Jenny Jones (VirginiaBaptists), and Helle Liht (EBF).7 | Highlights 11/2012
Page 4 and 5: Photo by Judith Lynn MaxwellJimmy M
Page 8 and 9: ACM Theme Interpretation:“Uttermo
Page 10 and 11: IBC CD Now Available for Download
Page 12 and 13: “Abandon” Theme for Euroventure
Page 14 and 15: Congratulation: ‘It’s a church!
Page 16: News from the ChurchesParis, France

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