February2009

In times of economic distress and political jostling, we are prone to stick our heads in the sand and disengage, or to stress out and react to every rumor of impending doom. As those who are to be salt and light in our culture, how do we manifest the character of God in the midst of uncertainty? How do we reflect godly values and the security found in Him?
 
Our greatest battle is not against the political liberals, but against escalating apathy in the church. This displays itself in detachment or elitism, isolationism or compromise, tolerance or arrogance...but always independence. It is time to major on the majors; to focus compassionate eyes and hearts on others; to lift our vision above these troublesome times to those eternal values that find their source in our soon-coming Savior.
 
This is not a time to engage in petty battles of preference and self-seeking comfort. Rather, it is a time to give ourselves away, and in so doing find our lives. It is time for sacrificial commitment to eternal matters.
 
"Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. The wicked will see this and be infuriated."  -Psalm 112:6-10
 
Dr. Stephen LeBar

Executive Director 

CBAmerica 

2009 Giving

 

We cotinue to receive notice that, with the struggling economy, churches are having to cut back on their giving for the coming year.

 

If you are unable to give regularly to the ongoing support of CBAmerica or your region would you consider designating one Sunday in the coming year to receive a love-offering for the ongoing support of these local church support ministries. A special gift of $100 or $200 would be a great blessing to help your Regional office and the National office make budget in 2009.

2009 WINTER BOARD MEETINGS

Thirty six gathered for the annual board meetings last month, including some spouses who came along for the fellowship. Board members represent, and are selected by, the nine CBA Regional Fellowships. Uplifting reports were received from the Regional Directors, Dr. LeBar, Stan Rieb and Chaplain Al Russell. Elected officers for the year include President Dr. Bert Vitaliz (CB Mission Northeast), Vice-President Dr. Don Shaw (North Central CBA), Secretary Rev. Fred McCloskey (Mission Mid-Atlantic) and Treasurer Dr. David Hay (Rocky Mountain CBA).
 
Dr. Jim Leary was appointed to join Dr. LeBar on the CBGlobal Leadership Team, and was joined by Dr. Mark Hoeffner in reporting on our partnership with Docks Mission in Cape Town, South Africa. Al Russell reported on 247 active chaplains, and we celebrated the 27 who were new in 2008. The Board adopted the 2009 budget, and the "Restoration Outcomes" policy that had been approved by all the Regions. Next year's meetings were set for January 25-27, 2010, at a place yet to be determined.
 
Upcoming events include our 2009 Summer Summit on July 6-8 in Loveland, CO., as Bill Hoyt conducts the second of three training modules. This one is on Envisioning/Ministry Coaching, and is designed to train leaders in each Region to effectively move churches from an assessment to action steps for implementation.
 
Next month the REDs will convene in Phoenix, and will be mentored by the CBNW staff on maximizing transitional ministries in the local churches.
 
A special highlight was the presence of Rick and Annette Friesen, who serve with Peacemaker Ministries. They gave us valuable counsel in responding to conflict biblically. Their recommended primary responses to conflict encourage parties to: Glorify God; Get the Log Out of Your Own Eye; Gently Restore; Go and Be Reconciled.

Dr. Paul Null, NextGeneration Regional Executive Director, and his wife, Rene'e

 Dr. Paul Null, NextGeneration Regional Executive Director, and his wife, Rene'e

 

 CHAPLAINCY: Year End Report

CBAmerica is presently represented by 40 active duty chaplains; 3 Air Force, 7 Navy, and 30 Army. Eleven are stationed overseas and the others are stationed all around the USA. We also have 36 chaplains representing CBAmerica in the National Guard/Reserve of the military. There are 8 chaplains serving in Veterans Medical Centers, 10 prison chaplains, and 6 women chaplains. There are 25 chaplain candidates. These are men looking to go into chaplaincy when they finish school and complete pastoral experience required to be chaplains. The rest of our chaplains serve in the following ministries: Retired, Civil Air Patrol, Civilian Hospitals, Industrial Settings, Nursing Homes, Law Enforcement, FBI, Fire Departments, State Prisons, Professional Sports Teams, Bus Companies, Retirement Centers, Campus Ministry, and Music and Arts. There are over 247 chaplain families representing CBAmerica. Keep them in your prayers. This year we endorsed 27 new chaplains and 11 candidates. Several are waiting to hear from military accessions boards meeting in January and. February.
 
Army Chaplain Harry RauchI just returned from Washington, DC where we have several chaplains serving. One of the goals of the military is to "Honor the Dead". Army Chaplain Harry Rauch was hand picked to be the Senior Chaplain at Arlington Cemetery and in this role oversees some 30 funerals each day. The horse drawn wagons, band, trumpeter, soldiers and chaplain all help give a sad event a dignity and honor those who served their country deserve. Pray for Harry as he trains other chaplains to do this ministry and as he does many funerals himself. He has many opportunities to share Christ with the families of those being buried. We are honored to have chaplains in this high profile position. 
 
Air Force Chaplain Mark Campbell was just hand selected to begin a newly created chaplaincy position in the Pentagon with Military One Source. He will be serving those who assist families of deployed military personnel. Pray for Mark as he begins this new ministry and for his wife Shelly, an Air Force Nurse, who will be joining Mark soon at Andrews Air Force Base where she will work in the base hospital. They are on a waiting list for base housing. Pray a home will soon be available to them.
 
If you would like more information about chaplaincy please contact Al Russell at 218-776-2813 or chapruss@earthlink.net. 

 

Al and Carol Russell
 Rev. Al Russell, Director of Chaplaincy, and his wife, Carol

 CBAmerica Website Update

We continue to update the website.  The Church Search is up and working and we are getting more pages converted to the new navigation and login system.