Churches:

Argenta

Arthur

Atwood

Boody

Calvary

Emmanuel

Fellowship

Findlay

Forsyth

Galilee

Hammond

Heyworth

Lincoln

Lovington

Mt. Zion

Shiloh

Sullivan

Summit Avenue

Tabernacle

Tri-Valley

Trinity

The Mission of Central Baptist Association is to encourage and facilitate Cooperation, Fellowship, Missions Awareness and Missionary Activity among our churches; and to assist and resource our churches in the areas of Church Renewal, Leadership Development and New Work!

In This Issue: Front Page-Annual Meeting & Restructuring

Page 2-Coming Events

Page 3-Did You Know? Back page-CBA Calendar & Is Your

Church Experiencing

Difficulty?

Central Baptist Association (217) 428-1730

Email: CBADecaturOffice@yahoo.com

Volume XVII No. 7

October 2014

1255 S. Lake Ridge Ave. Decatur, IL 62521

Website: www.cbadecatur.com

Central Baptist Association’s

65th Annual Meeting Saturday, October 11th, 2014

10 AM-3 PM Registration 9:30-9:55 a.m.

At Forsyth Baptist Church 144 E. Cox St., Forsyth

Annual Sermon will be brought by Pastor Don Lusk, Southern, Sullivan; the Alternate is Pastor Al Hodges, Shiloh.

12 Noon to 1 PM-Lunch Available

The Task Force held two Town Hall Meetings to share what the nine of them came up with after much prayer and discussion. The diagram below gives a picture of the

proposed restructuring of the Central Baptist Association to be voted on at the Oct. 11th, 2014, 65th Annual Meeting. The Town Hall Meetings were held

Saturday, Sept. 20th and Monday, Sept. 22 at Emmanuel. We had representation from 15 of our 21 churches and some good discussion.

The key difference between this structure and the one we have been operating under is: the old one is “program driven by the Association” and this new structure is “local church driven.” It’s about Relationships instead of Programs. As Eph. 4:12, states the purpose of the church is “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Attend the Annual Meeting and let’s hear

what you think about this proposal.

From 9:30-9:55 a.m. will be registration time. EVERYONE needs to sign in either as a Messenger, Alternate Messenger or a visitor. Visitors are welcome to attend, but if you are a visitor, please do not vote. Please make a sign up sheet and have your Annual Meeting Messengers, Alternates and any visitors coming, sign up for the meal, so we know how much to prepare. The CBA secretary will contact the churches Monday, Oct. 6th to get the totals.

Central Baptist Association exists to foster relationships among churches in order to assist them in fulfilling the Great Commission.

The Vision of Central Baptist Association is to see churches collaborating together to build the Kingdom of God.

Birthdays

8-Diane Peterson (Heyworth)

10-Lois Henderson (Hammond)

15-Bridget Ferguson (Argenta)

17-Taylor Smith (Mt. Zion)

18-Macy Smith (Fellowship)

30-Katie Ferguson (Argenta)

Church Anniversaries

1998-Steve Lindstrom (Findlay)

2001-Christine Granda (CBA Secretary)

Also, we at Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services want to encourage women to become a part of our Women of Compassion. Our Forum will be October 24th at 6 p.m. at the Schweinfurth House on the property of Cedarhurst, Mitchell Museum in Mt. Vernon. Membership is extended to women who contribute $500 or

more to the Women of Compassion fund. The women will vote by ballot to decide where a portion of the money will be designated. Join forces with other women across the state to meet the

needs of children and families through the ministry of BCHFS.

Elevate Marriage Strengthening biblical foundations

in today’s shifting culture.

Thursday, October 16th 10 AM-2 PM

Lunch will be provided

IBSA Building, Springfield Andrew Walker: The latest on changing laws and cultural values

Dr. Kevin Smith: The prophetic role of the pulpit Jill Finley: Creating role models in church

Ministry plans and better by-laws

Registration required * www.IBSA.org/Marriage

Baptist Children’s Home

and Family Services

17th Annual Golf Scramble is October 4th, 2014

Green Hills Golf Club in Mt. Vernon, IL

They need golf sponsorships, golfers and volunteers for this event. This is a four-person best ball scramble. Two tee times are scheduled, the first at 7:30 am and second at 1 pm. Registration closes Sept. 26th or when they have 32 teams and 36 teams respectively. The $65 per player entry fee covers greens and cart fees, a team photo and lunch at noon. Prizes are awarded for the longest drive, longest putt and closest to the pin competition. There are also multiple Hole-in-one prizes including a Golf Cart and a Fabulous Trip for 2 to Hawaii. On-line registration is encouraged at www.bchfs.com. You

can make a secure entry fee payment or donation by credit card. Contact Paula Joy @ 618-731-1323to volunteer for both

the So. Golf Scramble or the Fall Festival.

Friday 6-9 PM-Better, funner Sunday School Fresh ideas and breakout sessions

Saturday 8 AM-Noon-Big plans for Summer

Including LifeWay’s VBS preview

Register at www.IBSA.org/kids * (217) 391-3124

Central Baptist Association sponsored

Senior Adult

Thanksgiving Banquet November 18th, 2014

10 AM

Emmanuel Baptist Church

Cost: $ 6 Traditional Thanksgiving Meal:

Turkey, Dressing & Gravy Green beans

Roasted Glazed Carrots Cranberry sauce Rolls Pumpkin or Apple Pie

Flyers will be mailed out to the seniors and churches along with signup sheets by October 16th.

HELP! We still haven’t received VBS Reports from several of our churches. I sent out copies of the reports to directors to fill out and return to the CBA office. Please send them in ASAP!

IBSA Church Resources

Conference

Come fill your

Kids Ministry Toolkit October 24-25

at IBSA, Springfield

includes the 2015 VBS Preview

of Journey off the Map

Heyworth Baptist has a Pastor! After many years without, Heyworth has called Chris Baker to be their new Bi-vocational Pastor. His first Sunday is October 5th, 2014.

Did you know? That seven of our CBA pastors, staff and their wives

went on a Weekend Getaway? They spent the night at Hyatt Place, Champaign, IL and

had dinner at Alexander’s Steakhouse on Friday, August 15th. Spent the morning together and had lunch at a local place then separated to go back home. Here are some comments from the pastors who attended:

Pastor Paul Inda (and his wife, Julie) serving at Forsyth, had this to share: “Awesome time! Rich did a great job with helping us all rest, relax and get acquainted. We had a wonderful time of getting more acquainted in a relaxed atmosphere. Someone said, “No shop talk!” It turned out to be very insightful learning the backgrounds of not only the Pastors but their spouses and families. We shared our high times, low times and hearing of how God worked obvious and not-so obvious miracles in each family’s lives. It was good to know that I am not alone in our struggles

within the ministry. It was great to hear the stories of how others have overcome many obstacles to be able to serve the Kingdom. This has definitely fostered better relationships among

the various pastors. And the potential for strong comradeship in Associational Ministry with whatever form that takes. I hope that we are able to schedule more events like this in the future.” Pastor Dennis Shaw, attended with his wife, Kathy, and

they serve at Lincoln Southern. Pastor Shaw said: “We really enjoyed it. We got to meet some new people

and catch up with some old friends. Pastor Rich Ratts is a real nice guy and very intelligent leader. Jeff Yandell and Pastor Don Lusk are old friends we hadn’t seen in a while and it was so nice to catch up on their lives.”

Those who attended and are in the picture above are

from left to right: Pastor Ron Woodrum, Tri-Valley’s Pastor, (his wife, Bonna is to the left of him out of view); Vickie & Chris Vieth, Pastor Chris is the Music Minister at Tabernacle; LaDonna (behind Chris’ head) and Jeff Yandell, Music Minister at Southern Baptist in Sullivan; Pastor Don Lusk (behind his own camera) and his wife, Ruth Ann, who both serve at Southern, Sullivan; Pastor Rich Ratts and his wife, Nancy; Julie Inda is the last one on the right and her husband, Paul is taking the picture you see here. The Shaw’s arrived later.

2014 Women of Victory October 4th, 2014

Arthur Southern Baptist Church All Day Event: 9 AM-4 PM Registration is $25 and includes

Lunch and snacks during the day. We would like to take this opportunity to invite you and the women of your church to a women’s day out. Come hear Sue Buttry, Gina Yoder, and Leslie Davis, as we share how we can find Victory in Christ. It will be an amazing day in the Lord. You can register by calling Sue Buttry at (217) 521-7031 or going to IAmAWomanOfVictory.org .

Local Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers are the heart of Decatur Memorial’s hospice program. You can make and amazing difference in someone’s life—and it doesn’t require a superhero’s effort.

You can: *Offer companionship and a listening ear *Read to patients *Grocery shop or run errands *Assist with light housework *Help with projects in the hospice office If this sounds like something you would like to do, visit MemorialHomeServices.com/hospice or call 800-582-8667 and complete a volunteer application. You will also be asked to complete a screening process and attend a mandatory training for additional resources, encouragements and education.

First Baptist Church, Mt. Zion, is holding their

2014 Men’s Conference Next ManUp: Leading by Example

October 24th & 25th, 2014 Friday-6 PM Registration/Dinner

Saturday-7:30 AM Breakfast We will be focusing on Biblical Leadership for Men

(at home, at work and in the church). Our guest speakers are Mitch Abrams (Founder/Partner at Providence Energy Group, Founder and Chairperson at The Manna Foundation,

and President at Abrams Consulting & Design) and Bob

Elmore (Short Term Missions Coordinator for IBSA and Retired First Sergeant USA). Cost: FREE (but we will accept donations to help

offset the cost.) The Conference includes dinner on Friday, breakfast on Saturday and all attendees will receive a copy of Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success Playbook. To make sure we have enough food and Playbooks

we are asking that men RSVP by calling the office at (217) 864-2052 or email to office@fbcmtzion.org.

Annual Missions Expo at Tabernacle Sunday, Oct. 19th 4:30-6 pm

We will have around 20-25 local organizations set up to give out information about what they do and how they help out people in the area. They will also have sign-ups for people to express interest in helping them out. Everyone is welcome to attend.

October 2014 PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH 3rd-4th-Girls’ Missions Celebration at IBSA Bldg., Spgfld.

4th at 9 AM-Women of Victory at Arthur SBC 4th-So. IL Golf Tournament for BCH&FS, Mt. Vernon 5th-Soul Winning Sunday 10th-11th-Disaster Relief Training at Lake Sallateeska

11th-(10 AM-3 PM) 65th Annual Meeting at Forsyth Baptist

13th-Columbus Day 16th-10 AM-2 PM-Elevate Marriage at IBSA Bldg., Spgfld.

19th at 4:30 PM-Missions Expo at Tabernacle

24th & 25th-Men’s Conference at FBC, Mt. Zion 24th-25th-Kid’s Ministry Toolkit Conference at IBSA, Sprgfld. Includes the 2015 VBS Preview of Journey off the Map.

Here are just a few ideas to show appreciation for your

Pastor.

Take Care: During Minister Appreciation Week, anonymously mow and edge your pastor’s lawn. Provide a generous book allowance for him in your church budget. Be sure that he's paid an appropriate salary. If he has houseguests coming again, deliver a great casserole. Exempt clergy from bringing dishes to pitch-in dinners. Love His Family: Do something special for your pastor’s wife. Help pay for his teens to attend the church's youth retreat. Babysit his kids for free during a wedding or funeral. Include his family in your holiday celebration. Help his children apply for college scholarships. Deliver a Thanksgiving turkey to his house. Quit Complaining: Quit complaining. Quit complaining. Quit complaining. Quit complaining. For more ideas, go to the IBSA.org website and click on Ministries/Church Strengthening/Church Health/Oct is Pastor...

Pastor Appreciation Month

As you know, many churches today are experiencing difficulty. Maybe your church is one of those. If you have been working on areas to address the lack of growth but not finding a solution, would you consider becoming a part of a pilot project? I am seeking out ten churches to participate in this project to determine a successful intervention strategy for declining churches. The process is intended to be customized by the church to meet their specific goals. The data gathered will be shared with all ten churches. If your church agrees to participate in

the pilot project, the church will receive resources, coaching, and consultation at no cost. The following strategy can be customized to meet your church’s needs. The three “big rocks”: Spiritual Development, Leadership Development, and Facility Development will be addressed at various levels of intensity based on the needs of your church. Church Revitalization Strategy

Requirements • The church will be asked to complete

a covenant asking the pastor and church leaders to commit to the process for a minimum of one year. • Pastor will commit to participating in

a Pastor’s Cohort group for minimum of one year. Mission: To assist churches in their

mission to produce Christ followers-men and women who love God and love others.

Goal: 1. Ten churches will be enlisted and

commit to being a part of this process. 2. Ten churches will set aggressive

goals stretching the church to increase in their baptisms, worship attendance, small groups, mission involvement, and giving. Resources Church Health and Staff Development will make resources like these available to churches: Church Renewal Journey, Transformational Church, Demographic Research, and other resources the churches need to complete their revitalization strategy. Action plan: Spiritual Development 1. Pastor and church leaders identify

the SHAPE. 2. Pastor and leaders meet weekly

for prayer and direction of church. 3. Use a community exegesis to

understand the people groups within their community. 4. Identify people groups within

their community that church members already have a connection. 5. Engage the community through

prayer walking, community mission projects and partnering with other community-based ministries. 6. Develop an organic Discipleship

process. 7. Use Choose2 as a prayer and

evangelism strategy. 8. Worship God in ways that are

relevant to their community. Leadership Development 1. Pastors will learn how to create a

cultural consciousness.

2. Identify affinity groups in their church and community. 3. Begin developing relationships

with the persons of peace encountered through prayer walking and ministry projects. 4. Pastors will develop plans to

meet the physical and spiritual needs. 5. Pastors will be challenged to

reach out to groups that are currently not being ministered to. 6. Pastors will learn to develop a

relevant evangelistic strategy for the new people groups discovered. 7. Pastors will learn how to

encourage organic discipleship, and equip new leaders. 8. Pastors will discover gaps in

ministry and they will be required to seek out a coach or mentor. He may be another pastor or their zone consultant. Facility Development The leaders will be asked to

invest in the church facility-“Does it say guests are welcome?” 1. Train members to make a good

first impression on guests. 2. Establish priorities that meet

the needs of guests. I believe these steps are scalable

to any size church that desires revitalization. This process is simple and will have a significant impact on a church’s spiritual and numerical growth. Contact Sylvan at (217) 391-3133

or SylvanKnobloch@IBSA.org to learn more.