We had another eTeam meeting this past Monday. I am impressed with the caliber of people on the team. Everyone on the team has a good handle on the task we are to accomplish and insight that is remarkable.
We are going to take a broad approach to listening to people in Arizona concerning their impressions / perceptions of how our convention structure is working. It is refreshing to have leadership who encourages us to connect with people however we can. As a result, we are going to communicate many ways - through a blog, downloadable documents that can be returned by email or snail mail, personal letters to every pastor in the state, and an offer to meet with groups of pastors wherever they want to get together (and these meetings don't have to be by Associational area either!!!)
And to top it all off, my computer died yesterday morning..... I'm working from home for awhile until a new one arrives or the old one is fixed, whichever happens first.
16 February 2006
09 February 2006
Desert Reign
Last night Desert Reign, a Country Gospel Music band performed in our church. They originally attended this church until they started traveling together as a band. They come back every year on their tours.
Last night I got to play my djembe with Breanna after everything was done and cleaned up. She received the CGMA-Western Region Songwriter of the Year award in 2005 and is the youngest person ever to do so. Needless to say, she is a talented musician.
Also found out last night that being an "entertainer" is not what I'm cut out for.... and that Elvis has left the building - one more time. But I did leave R.C. speachless with my Elvis imitation.
Last night I got to play my djembe with Breanna after everything was done and cleaned up. She received the CGMA-Western Region Songwriter of the Year award in 2005 and is the youngest person ever to do so. Needless to say, she is a talented musician.
Also found out last night that being an "entertainer" is not what I'm cut out for.... and that Elvis has left the building - one more time. But I did leave R.C. speachless with my Elvis imitation.
08 February 2006
February Meeting
Good trip this time! We got to talk about some policy issues with the lawyer for our Convention Council Church Planting Team. Good beginning for the discussion, but still have some things to work out. We were able to spend some money helping 2 churches reach their communities! We will be helping a third at some point - when some questions are answered. It appeared that they hadn't completely thought through all the issues they were facing, so we will readdress it when they find the answers.
We got to hear about what is happening with the Arizona Regional Campus of the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary - exciting stuff! They have 96 students taking classes this semester, and lots of money is being given for scholarships. Heard a story of a 70 year old man who has started taking classes, and another retired man who preached his first sermon in a church and they called him as pastor on the spot!!!!!
Also heard about the Desert Pines Baptist Association in the central north eastern part of Arizona. The churches in that Association are doing a good job reaching the people in their area using some creative ministries.
Mitch has promised me for awhile now that we would have a trailer. There was a reported trailer sighting on Monday night, so I'm fairly sure it exists......
Had a good afternoon drinking coffee and conversation with Sam on Monday. My lovely bride bought some new threads. She doesn't do that very often, so I was glad she found some she wanted, and they fit too! Two of my other women came home with new things too. Suppose that happens when they outgrow their old stuff.
We got to hear about what is happening with the Arizona Regional Campus of the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary - exciting stuff! They have 96 students taking classes this semester, and lots of money is being given for scholarships. Heard a story of a 70 year old man who has started taking classes, and another retired man who preached his first sermon in a church and they called him as pastor on the spot!!!!!
Also heard about the Desert Pines Baptist Association in the central north eastern part of Arizona. The churches in that Association are doing a good job reaching the people in their area using some creative ministries.
Mitch has promised me for awhile now that we would have a trailer. There was a reported trailer sighting on Monday night, so I'm fairly sure it exists......
Had a good afternoon drinking coffee and conversation with Sam on Monday. My lovely bride bought some new threads. She doesn't do that very often, so I was glad she found some she wanted, and they fit too! Two of my other women came home with new things too. Suppose that happens when they outgrow their old stuff.
05 February 2006
Headed to Phoenix
Tomorrow my women and I are heading to Phoenix. I hope to spend the afternoon with my friend Sam. I learn a lot and get encouraged every time we get together.
I have meetings with the Convention Council of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention. I look forward to these meetings because we get to assist churches do the things they feel led to do in order to reach the state of Arizona for the cause of Christ. The latest numbers I saw show that we are losing ground in the state. It appears that more and more people do not have a relationship with the risen Christ and have no affiliation with any church that is telling about Him.
I serve on the Church Planting Resource Team. We get to hear about how God is working in new church plants and decide how we can help them grow and become established.
Tonight in our evening services we talked a bit more about baptism. We are going to start the discussion about Prospective Member classes so that everyone who wants to be a member of this church will be able to know what we believe and how we want to operate. For some, this is old hat, for me, it is exciting news.
I have meetings with the Convention Council of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention. I look forward to these meetings because we get to assist churches do the things they feel led to do in order to reach the state of Arizona for the cause of Christ. The latest numbers I saw show that we are losing ground in the state. It appears that more and more people do not have a relationship with the risen Christ and have no affiliation with any church that is telling about Him.
I serve on the Church Planting Resource Team. We get to hear about how God is working in new church plants and decide how we can help them grow and become established.
Tonight in our evening services we talked a bit more about baptism. We are going to start the discussion about Prospective Member classes so that everyone who wants to be a member of this church will be able to know what we believe and how we want to operate. For some, this is old hat, for me, it is exciting news.
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