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APRIL 1 deadline!
Pastors and Wives
Retreat
April
24-26
Heidel
House Resort
Green Lake, Wisconsin
This is the place to relax and be refreshed. Our speaker
 is Steve McVey of
GraceWalk Ministries. Dr. McVey is a dynamic author and speaker who
inspires Christians to develop a deeper, more intimate relationship with
God.
Before establishing Grace Walk Ministries, he served as pastor
of local churches for over twenty years. Dr. McVey hosts the
nationwide daily Grace Walk radio program where he shares his biblical view
of grace-filled living.
 The ladies will have a
special brunch with Jill Swanson, a nationally recognized speaker, image
consultant and author. At conferences and seminars she inspires
people to look "simply beautiful." Learn her amazing
personal story of faith and joy in overcoming an incredible health
challenge she has faced since birth and how to make each day count.
Jill's passion is to see people become their best, both inside and out by
experiencing God on a daily basis.
Friday night's entertainment will be from Paul
Arneberg. As the founder and director of JUGHEADS Youth Juggling Co.,
Paul's full-time tentmaker youth ministry develops youth through the
performing arts.
More information about the speakers and entertainment is
available on our website. Register online or by mailing in your
registration from the invitation sent in the mail. There is a special first-time
rate
and a discount if you have a first-timer sign up.
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Henry
Spicer Scholarship
DEADLINE APRIL 1
High school seniors: This scholarship is for those attending college this
fall. The student must be a committed Christian AND a regular
attendee of a NCCBA affiliated church.
Three $900
scholarships were awarded last year. The amount and number awarded
varies from year to year. For more information and an application, go
to our website or call the office at
715-538-2298.
APPLICATION MUST BE POSTMARKED BY APRIL 1.
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How to Survive the Reality of Conflict
A reality that is part of the life of ministry is
conflict. This is not only affirmed
by experience but is also clearly seen throughout the pages of
Scripture. One of the sources of
conflicts comes from the collision of believers who are truly pursuing
righteousness and those who are not pursuing righteousness. Jesus makes this clear, "Blessed are
you when men cast insults at you and persecute you, and say all kinds of
evil against you falsely, on account of Me."
Conflict, however, is not just limited to the pursuit
of righteousness in a world of unrighteousness. It is also found within the church. Those of us in ministry are very much
aware of this reality and the difficulties that accompany it. For the most part church conflict seldom
has anything to do with Truth. More
likely it has to do with things that, while couched in Scripture, are
personal preferences.
The reason I am focusing on the issue of conflict is
the result of reading Congregational Leadership In Anxious Times by
Peter Steinke. In the book Steinke
not only asserts the reality of conflict within the church, he also gives
some very good advice for dealing with it.
The things he lists are based on twenty years of experience dealing
with church conflict. What are listed below are his suggestions:
- Respect the
sheer strength of survival instincts. The point is as soon as there is the
perception of a threat people begin to react instinctively rather than
stepping back and thinking rationally.
As time passes people will begin to think more thoughtfully rather
than instinctively.
- Seek clarity. Ask questions,
determine the reliability of information and stay on course. At the end of the day people prefer truth
over distortion.
- Observe
behaviors. The actions of others have a huge impact
on those that are part of the group.
It is not an accident that Paul uses the picture of a human body in
his description of the church. When
one part of our body acts up, it has a profound effect on the rest of the
body. As humans we have the ability
to evaluate acts and to respond not by instinct but with thoughtfulness.
- Inform. In the early
stages of conflict it is almost impossible to over inform. Open communication limits the need for
speculation and gossip.
- Work with the
healthy. You will be more successful when you work
with the most mature and motivated people in the congregation. These people may be on both sides of the
conflict.
- Structure a
process. When people sense that there is an
orderly effort in place, they think things are not totally out of
control. People desire for clear and
decisive action. Good structure
corrals anxiety.
- Reframe the
situation. Instead of bemoaning what is happening,
see the conflict as an opportunity for growth.
- Build up the
congregation's positive emotional bank account. Once the
conflict has subsided, provide aftercare.
In other words, provide ways in which there can be a steady flow of
positive and affirming communication.
The goal is for the church to see what it has of value rather than
the negative.
- Bring in a
third party. There are times when both sides are so
focused on their point of view that is only what they can see. Bringing is a neutral and fair minded person
from the outside can help both sides see the other and then develop a
constructive outcome.
The goal when conflict arises should not be to win but
to determine what in the final analysis is best for the glory of God. In order for that to happen we who are in
the position of leadership must take these or similar steps to bring a
positive resolution.
Don Shaw,
Regional Director
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"TWO EARS, ONE MOUTH"
What
does a person do when it is time to write a newsletter article and he
doesn't have a burning issue to present? There is an old adage that goes
something like, "If you don't have anything valuable to say, be quiet
and listen." That advice goes along with the idea, often used by
parents with their children, that there is a reason why we have two ears
and only one mouth. The conclusion, therefore, is that this month I am
going to ask for some in-put from those who read this newsletter rather
than giving it.
I
do, however, have an issue with which to prime the pump. It seems to me
that this time of year, especially at or near the end of a "long"
winter, many of us are feeling harried, depleted, too busy, etc. There are
a number of things I do that help to recharge my spiritual, emotional, and
physical batteries. I would like to hear from you what recharges you?
Please let me know-I really mean it. You can reach me by e-mail at: nsbell@peoplepc.com or by regular mail at: 452 Birchwood Lane, Davis Junction,
Illinois 61020.
Next month I will give you all the results.
I am waiting to hear from you.
Nicholas D. Bell, LMFT
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church
Streator IL 61364
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YOUTH
PASTOR/LEADER & SPOUSE RETREAT
at the Heidel House, Green
Lake, WI
Register
online
DEADLINE
APRIL 1
REST, REFRESH, RELATE, &
REFUEL!
April 25-27, 2008
Sure hope
you can join us for our annual weekend getaway at the Heidel House.
If you haven't received a flier yet, be sure to contact the NCCBA office,
715-538-2298. We will have our own schedule, separate from the Senior
Pastors & Spouses. The purpose is for rest, relaxation &
relationships. We have three sessions (Fri PM, Sat AM & Sun
AM). Thus, a lot of time is left to rest, enjoy the surroundings,
etc. .
By Dave Pikel, State Youth Fellowship, Illinois
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YOUTH: State Youth Fellowship-IL
WINTER RETREATS
Approximately 10-12 churches joined
together for our annual winter youth retreats in January! A Youth
Pastor from the State Youth Fellowship directs each retreat. Jr. High
Blizzard took place January 4-6, followed by Sr. High SnoCamp January
18-20. Pine Trail camp (Michigan) was our host for both
retreats. The primary purpose was for spiritual growth to take
place in each of the students lives.
Blizzard was directed by Jason Wilson, and co-directed by Joan
Vana. Our speaker was Joe Snyder - who did a great job speaking on a
jr. high level - challenging students and leaders to not compromise in our
walk with Christ. The worship band was from New Hope Baptist Church
in Alsip, IL. We had around 125 students & staff attend.
SnoCamp was directed by Andy Polheber. Our speaker was Bill
Jacobsen who reminded us we are 'Aliens &
Strangers" in this world as believers in Christ. Dave Pikel (me)
led a Concert of Prayer on Saturday Night - including a time for students
& leaders to pray for one another by school years, etc. The Josh
Weaver Band led us in worship throughout the weekend - wonderful times of
worshipping the Lord together! We had around 175 students & staff
attend this year.
"BREAKAWAY '08"
Our annual evangelistic outreach is coming
up March 29,30 called "Breakaway". Duane Keleman is
directing this event. Last year we had around 750 students (Jr.
and Sr. High) and leaders from around 25 churches attend! It was
estimated that 30% of the students attending last year were not yet
Christians! Thanks for your prayers for a great spiritual harvest
this year! If you plan to attend - download the info NOW
from the website below if you haven't already done so!
For more information on the IL State Youth Fellowship (SYF) -
go to www.syfil.org.
Grace n Peace,
Dave Pikel (Secretary - IL State Youth Fellowship)
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Cabin fever got you yet?
Are you ready
for a jump start that is not only going to recharge and supercharge your
batteries, but will also provide some much needed relaxation and
refocusing? For those of you in the Minnesota area, we've got just
the ticket for you. Northwestern College and Camp Lebanon are joining
forces to bring us a weekend that we can't afford to miss. Duffy
Robbins, along with a platform full of nationally known personalities will
be bringing it on May 8-10. The cost is CHEAPO, the food is exceptional,
the location is right next door to heaven and it's going to be good for
you! What more can I say? Contact Camp
Lebanon for more info. Phone: (320)
573-2125
By Nate Schroder, Discovery Church, St. Cloud MN
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Tim Klerekoper-Law Enforcement Chaplain
I noted as
I left my driveway that it was just turning 3 a.m. I have been
through this scenario a number of times in my career, and I could literally
visualize what would happen next. As I drove through the dark
isolated country roads I tried my best not to put myself into these
parent's shoes. That would happen soon enough.
I met the
deputy and Medical Examiner investigators at a rendezvous point. The
deputy had already scoped out the house. One of the investigators
jumped into my car and we headed to a house set back from the road. There
was no house number by the road, so we hoped our "educated guess"
was correct, and I knocked on the door. No answer. I rang the
doorbell and knocked again. Finally we heard some sounds, and a
sleepy voice said, "Who's there and what do you want?" I
identified myself as being with the Sheriff's Department and the mom opened
the door. Her face was illuminated by our flashlights, and you could
tell she was already beginning to sense that something was horribly
wrong.
I showed
her my I.D., and asked if we could come in. As she opened the door to
let us in, she asked me if there was something wrong, and I told her that I
did in fact have some very bad news for her. "Don't tell me it's
Jerry -- oh, God, please don't tell me it's Jerry." I asked
her if she had a son named Jerry and she whispered "yes." I
asked her if he drove a particular make of car and her eyes began to tear
as she said again "yes." I told her there was no way I
could make it easy for her, but that her son had been killed in a car
accident earlier that morning.
There is
no way to describe a mother's scream of pain. I've heard it at least
one hundred times over the past sixteen years. Each one is different,
and yet in some ways each one is identically the same. From the back
bedroom I could hear movement, and next an angry voice heading in my
direction yelling "what's going on here?" He called his
wife's name, but the anger was already beginning to turn to fear. She
screamed that their son was dead --and he first began to argue with
her, then slammed his fist on the table and added his scream to hers.
I reached forward just as he fell against the table. It was all I
could do to support his weight before he regained his feet
again.
The
explanation they both asked for and we gave them, didn't help at all.
By now there was a vacant look in their eyes as the unthinkable began to
sink deeper into their very soul, memories of a boy who had left a few
hours earlier. "I'm heading out with some friends, Mom.
Don't wait up for me." A voice they would never hear
again.
What many
people don't understand is that there were a number of victims that
morning. This mom and dad would never be the same. Their family
would do their best to come alongside, but they too would be immeasurably
impacted. The deputy did what he could to be strong, but I knew that
like me, he was thinking about his own children. Both investigators
answered questions quietly and professionally, but what they had witnessed
would be something they will never really forget. Undoubtedly
something down the road will trigger a memory of this incident, and perhaps
other situations like it.
As a
chaplain, my responsibility is to do everything in my power to insure that
the deputy takes as little emotional baggage away from that horrific scene
as is possible. My responsibility to the investigators would be the
same. After we had left the couple, we talked for awhile, and I made
plans to spend time with all of them again. Follow-up in these types
of calls is very important. It takes time, but it is time always well
spent. I would also drive out to see the family again, to make sure
they had the support they needed. My presence would hopefully bring
some comfort, but it will always be part of a memory they too could never
forget.
I share
this one call out of many I've been on in the past month to give you a
small glimpse into my world. This past month was filled with
counseling appointments, marriages to mend, people to follow up with -
officers to ride with and firefighters to visit. The more I meld into
my officer's and firefighter's world, the more effective I can be. It is
your prayers and encouragement that allow me the privilege of answering
pages like I did the other morning. It is one of the reasons I love
my job and the people to whom I've been called.
Thanks for your prayers for our chaplains as they minister to the
hurting people of our world. If you want to learn more about chaplaincy or
learn how your church can become involved in this great ministry contact Al
Russell at 218-776-2813 or at chapruss@earthlink.net.
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Conference
at Community Baptist Church March 28-29, Fargo, North Dakota
The CBC Annual Conference is intended to help individuals,
families and households better understand and practically apply a biblical
Christian perspective to all areas of life for the glory of God and the
advancement of His kingdom.
Conference description
Adversity is hard to endure, and can even be harder to
understand. It's easy to trust God when everything's going your way. But
what about when things go wrong? Have you ever asked yourself the
following questions:
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If God were really in control, why has God allowed this
situation to happen?
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Why does God allow horrible things to happen to people and
nations?
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Is anyone really in charge?
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If God is loving, powerful and wise, why am I in this mess?
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Is God punishing me by allowing these circumstances in my
life? What have I done wrong?
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Can I really trust God with my life and my future?
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Can God use adversity to accomplish good in my life and in the
lives of others?
If you have a desire to understand God's Sovereign hand in
this world and to trust Him more in every situation, you will not want to
miss this seminar.
About the speaker
Jerry Bridges is a well-known Christian writer and conference
speaker.
He is author of nine books including The Pursuit of
Godliness, The Discipline of Grace and The Pursuit of
Holiness, which has sold over one million copies. Altogether, his books
have sold over 2.5 million copies, and several have been translated and
published in 16 different languages.
Conference Registration:
The conference is open to the public. Pre-registration is
required. Attendance will be limited to 175 participants. A free-will
offering will be taken to help defray expenses.
To register or for more information contact:
Community Baptist Church
3535 25th St. S
Fargo, ND 58104
Phone:
(701) 235-5483
Email:
office@cbcfargo.com
Website:
www.cbcfargo.com
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Valuable
Information for Your Church Growth
NEW
in 2008! Customized
demographic information now available about your church location.
This is a free
service for all NCCBA churches. Call Don at 715-538-2298 or visit
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Natural Church Development
This
is a proven tool that can help your church with growth, not just in terms
of quality but in terms of evangelism.
NCB
will help you identify the eight qualities and six growth factors for a
healthy church. Healthy NCD is seeing a steady
growth through conversions and the ongoing discipleship of those who are
part of the church.
Give
us a call at 715-538-2298. Significant improvements have been made
in how to interpret and implement findings.
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Microsoft Software
and More
Microsoft Office Pro Plus
2007 is $122 plus $35 for the installation media. Other Microsoft products,
Adobe and hardware are also available. Call Jean at the office,
715-538-2298, for price quotes and to order.
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