Florida Baptist Assessment Team Arrives in Haiti
A two-person Florida Baptist Convention assessment team arrived in Port-au-Prince, Sunday, Jan. 17, and is in the process of determining how Florida Baptists can meet needs and provide assistance to the residents of the earthquake-damaged city.
The team consists of Dennis Wilbanks, associate, Partnership Missions Department, and Joseph Gaston, director of the Language Haitian Church Development Department. While in the Haiti airport, Gaston, a native of Port-au-Prince, led a Haitian woman to faith in Christ.
Wilbanks directed the Convention’s disaster response in Haiti after five previous hurricanes. In preparation for the response, the Convention has purchased 21 tons of rice to be transported to Miami and readied for shipment to Haiti.
Wilbanks reported that the Convention-owned mission house is severely damaged but may be useable.
“This will be among our first rebuild priority because it will allow us to facilitate construction teams and clean up crews much more quickly,” said John Sullivan, executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention.
The house, located in Port-au-Prince between the airport and city, will be the base of operations for the Convention’s relief efforts. The mission house sleeps nearly 50 volunteers at a time and provides food and safety for mission teams traveling into Haiti.
“We anticipate having a word this week about our churches in Port-au-Prince, as well as our pastors’ homes,” he added. “These are our brothers and sisters serving Christ in this difficult nation.”
Wilbanks will be working with seven national missionaries serving in Haiti as employees of the Florida Baptist Convention who have been reported to have survived the earthquake. They are believed to be assessing damage within their churches and communities.
“These men have been trained in disaster relief by the Florida Baptist Convention,” said John Sullivan, executive director-treasurer. “They know their country, their people and have experience responding in the aftermath of hurricanes. We are grateful to God that they are safe and are there to minister to the Haitian people.”
Craig Culbreth, director of the Convention’s Partnership Missions Department, who has traveled to Haiti 60 times in the past 11 years, and Fritz Wilson, director of the Disaster Relief and Recovery Department are scheduled to travel to Haiti on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Florida Baptists’ 15-year partnership with Haiti Baptists has resulted in the starting of 892 congregations across the nation.
Financial contributions are being received to secure food and humanitarian assistance. Florida Baptists and their churches can contribute directly to the Florida Baptist Convention. Every dollar donated will be used to purchase food and to provide humanitarian resources. All administrative costs are being underwritten by the Cooperative Program and Maguire State Mission Offering.
Gifts can be sent to the Florida Baptist Convention at 1230 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, Fl 32207, designated “disaster relief.” Contributions by credit card can be made through the Convention’s website: www.flbaptist.org.
Updates on the Convention’s response efforts in Haiti will be posted on the website: www.flbaptist.org.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Monday, December 21, 2009
Merry Christmas!
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! As your Director of Missions, I want to thank you for your support of the Association and our ministry together in 2009. I look forward to our life together as we move into this new year. My prayer and vision is to help facilitate at least a 15% kingdom growth in East Hillsborough county during 2010. I pray for you and your church in the goals you have set.
Several of the goals we began to work toward in January, 2009 have been accomplished. We have had churches like Parkway (formerly Berea) that has turned around with the revitalization efforts implemented by the Association in partnership with the Florida Baptist Convention. We are organizing pastors and lay persons to be Foundation Builders to help in the continual revitalization needs of this nature as we move into 2010. please, consider helping us.
As this year ends, we celebrate the completion of the “Missionary-Minister’s Apartment” in our facility. Our desire is to offer it for use as a place of rest and care for ministers and missionaries. As a part of the Association, we would like to give you the opportunity to express ways in which you, your staff or ministry could use the facility. Thank you to each and every volunteer and church for your support in completing this project. 
Two years ago we shared that we had a $50,000 note that we had paid down to $32,000. I am glad to report that this year that note is down to $20,000. As you and your church plan the 2010 budget, we encourage you to consider renewing your help and possibly increasing it so we can get that note down at least another $10,000.
Like many of our churches, we have had to adjust our budget this year because of the economy, however, we are planning to adjust and do more with less. Thanks for your continual support. Please let me know how I might better minister to you in the New Year.
On behalf of all of our Association family and staff, we wish you and yours a wonderful and prosperous New Year.
Several of the goals we began to work toward in January, 2009 have been accomplished. We have had churches like Parkway (formerly Berea) that has turned around with the revitalization efforts implemented by the Association in partnership with the Florida Baptist Convention. We are organizing pastors and lay persons to be Foundation Builders to help in the continual revitalization needs of this nature as we move into 2010. please, consider helping us.
As this year ends, we celebrate the completion of the “Missionary-Minister’s Apartment” in our facility. Our desire is to offer it for use as a place of rest and care for ministers and missionaries. As a part of the Association, we would like to give you the opportunity to express ways in which you, your staff or ministry could use the facility. Thank you to each and every volunteer and church for your support in completing this project. 
Two years ago we shared that we had a $50,000 note that we had paid down to $32,000. I am glad to report that this year that note is down to $20,000. As you and your church plan the 2010 budget, we encourage you to consider renewing your help and possibly increasing it so we can get that note down at least another $10,000.
Like many of our churches, we have had to adjust our budget this year because of the economy, however, we are planning to adjust and do more with less. Thanks for your continual support. Please let me know how I might better minister to you in the New Year.
On behalf of all of our Association family and staff, we wish you and yours a wonderful and prosperous New Year.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Several years ago I was the pastor of a main line Southern Baptist Church in the same Association where two of the larger churches were served by Pastor Ken Kemphill and Pastor Max Brunson. You know them as nationally known SBC pastor personalities. I know both of them well and know they are just as human as you and I. Often I and other main line Baptist pastors were hurt when members left us and went to the larger churches. I made a prayer determination that I would be a friend and seek to learn whatever I could in my relationship with these pastors and churches that would strengthen me and the ministry of the church where I was pastor. It took a great deal of prayer, spiritual discipline, and working hard at keeping a Kingdom vision. I found that Holy Spirit synergy was the more effective approach than thinking negative competition thoughts about the larger churches. I spent more time declaring the mission and positive ministry of the main-line Baptist Church where I was pastor and limited time thinking negative thoughts about the larger churches. I don’t have all the answers to that issue. However, I do realize that the real reason our over all churches are declining is not a simple answer as members are moving from the smaller to the larger churches.
I want you to know that I am here for what I call the “main-line” Baptist church, the church planters, the smaller membership church, and the struggling churches seeking to survive in today’s changing culture.. I am hear to develop friendship support with all pastors, revitalization for churches and pastors in need, spiritual support groups with pastors and church leaders. Currently, I am helping three churches in some form of revitalization and participate with those in the Sunday and Wednesday Worship services. In one sense I am a not voting member at large at each of our churches. I have been participating in a Tuesday Evening FAITH evangelism with Michael Lewis. It is sharpening my skills in personal evangelism. I have had the joy of leading two to Christ. I am convinced that some plan is essential for each of our churches to grow. I am open to come along side of another pastor and church during the first of the new year and offer services to develop an evangelism outreach program on site of that specific church. One of our main line churches may invite me to assist and we might invite other surrounding pastors and church laity to participate with them going out into their community following the training.
Our churches and pastors are going through a tremendous transition. It is much more difficult to build bridges with one another and deal with the changing church culture. Some of you have indicated that you and your church are going through budget cuts and even some with pastor and staff salary reduction. That is not easy and I know that in some cases it will lessen your giving to missions and to the Association. That is why that I sent out a notice for our Administrative/Stewardship team to review our needs in December before the New Year begins. My human wish would be that the larger churches and the few who are doing well with their budget would make increases to the Association. That does not seem to be their passion. God’s call is for us not to lean on them but on Him and to be faithful realizing that God’s real call is for us to really do and be missionaries.
In the coming weeks I will be talking with you and taking notes of how we might make the kind of transitions that would be a great advantage for our pastors and churches. It is important to me that I be a greater blessing to you and your ministry. Also, it is important that you give open and honest information with me that would help us move toward being a greater Kingdom builder together.
We are one church as the body of Christ but we are on mission together in different demographics, people groups, and mission points to fulfill God’s Kingdom. It is important that we strengthen our smaller churches and new churches focused on ministry and mission points reaching people that the larger church can not reach.
In closing, I have felt a serious God calling need for us to become more acquainted, connected, and work together with other evangelical pastors and churches and evangelical outreach groups in our community. One of the ways I am recommending to do that is by developing prayer together and considers forming a International Evangelism Network. It begins here at home and reaches around the world. Actually the world and the international leaders have come to us. Thinking about that along with today’s technology it is only fitting that we think “International.”
I want you to know that I am here for what I call the “main-line” Baptist church, the church planters, the smaller membership church, and the struggling churches seeking to survive in today’s changing culture.. I am hear to develop friendship support with all pastors, revitalization for churches and pastors in need, spiritual support groups with pastors and church leaders. Currently, I am helping three churches in some form of revitalization and participate with those in the Sunday and Wednesday Worship services. In one sense I am a not voting member at large at each of our churches. I have been participating in a Tuesday Evening FAITH evangelism with Michael Lewis. It is sharpening my skills in personal evangelism. I have had the joy of leading two to Christ. I am convinced that some plan is essential for each of our churches to grow. I am open to come along side of another pastor and church during the first of the new year and offer services to develop an evangelism outreach program on site of that specific church. One of our main line churches may invite me to assist and we might invite other surrounding pastors and church laity to participate with them going out into their community following the training.
Our churches and pastors are going through a tremendous transition. It is much more difficult to build bridges with one another and deal with the changing church culture. Some of you have indicated that you and your church are going through budget cuts and even some with pastor and staff salary reduction. That is not easy and I know that in some cases it will lessen your giving to missions and to the Association. That is why that I sent out a notice for our Administrative/Stewardship team to review our needs in December before the New Year begins. My human wish would be that the larger churches and the few who are doing well with their budget would make increases to the Association. That does not seem to be their passion. God’s call is for us not to lean on them but on Him and to be faithful realizing that God’s real call is for us to really do and be missionaries.
In the coming weeks I will be talking with you and taking notes of how we might make the kind of transitions that would be a great advantage for our pastors and churches. It is important to me that I be a greater blessing to you and your ministry. Also, it is important that you give open and honest information with me that would help us move toward being a greater Kingdom builder together.
We are one church as the body of Christ but we are on mission together in different demographics, people groups, and mission points to fulfill God’s Kingdom. It is important that we strengthen our smaller churches and new churches focused on ministry and mission points reaching people that the larger church can not reach.
In closing, I have felt a serious God calling need for us to become more acquainted, connected, and work together with other evangelical pastors and churches and evangelical outreach groups in our community. One of the ways I am recommending to do that is by developing prayer together and considers forming a International Evangelism Network. It begins here at home and reaches around the world. Actually the world and the international leaders have come to us. Thinking about that along with today’s technology it is only fitting that we think “International.”
Thursday, September 17, 2009
I love to be known as a Friend, An Encourager, A Coach, and A Counselor with pastors. Building relationships and developing fellowship among pastors is a major part of my job as Director of the Shiloh Baptist Association.
I was ordained in one of the larger rural churches in central Kentucky, 1965. The church celebrated it’s one hundred and seventy-fourth anniversary last month. I was blessed by having one pastor who served from 1929 – 1965. He baptized my dad and mom when they where in their young years and he baptized and ordained me and then retired a month later.
I have served as pastor of seven churches in four different states and have been an intentional interim of three churches. My ministry duration at each church has been five to fourteen years. I came to the current position as Director of the Shiloh Baptist Association nine years ago, in 2000. There is a great congregation of uncounted hundreds looking down from heaven who have served with me.
My earned doctor’s degree from one of our highly accredited seminaries and the forty-three years of pastoral experience have given me credentials. I have served in small churches and larger ones. I have served in rural and suburban-city churches. Congregation members have shared with me that, “You are the greatest pastor we have ever had,” and “I believe you need to leave.”
My three children and six grandchildren have grown up in the family of a pastor. They each have a good walk with God as a result of God and their parents, sometimes in spite of the pastor-father and the church-congregation. I have had great enthusiastic excitement as well as discouragement to depression. My wife Brenda, and mother of my children, who shared thirty-seven years of that journey with me, knew what it was to be in the “fish bowl.” She modeled the way until God called her home six years ago, in 1993.
Brenda sometimes said, “We don’t have friends, we have church members.” Another, thing she said, “I wish we could sometime have the time and money to go off on a vacation other than our parent’s home.” Sometimes she would respond to family or friends who said life’s not fair by stating, “True, life is not fair. Get over it.” Not from scripture, but demonstrated by Jesus on his missionary journey to Calvary.
My wife, Joyce, has been on the journey with me for two years. She is a friend of pastors. Her saying is, “Keep it simple.” “Don’t think on it.” “What can you do about it?” “I can’t be bothered with that.” Her favorite prayer is “The Serenity Prayer.”
Here is what I have learned, “Pastor, you need a friend. You need a group of at least four to seven friends. Friends who will love you and not be judgmental. You need friends who will make a covenant with you, meet with you regularly, and develop a close trust and accountability.
I became a friend with Paul Pickern because he shared this passion for not only Baptists but all of our evangelical pastors. I applaud his passion and calling. I have asked him to address our Annual Baptist Meeting related to his pastoral care ministry. One of the strengths that our SBC churches has historically had has been the fellowship of pastors. Current cultural diversity and scheduling have weakened that fellowship opportunity. Now, All Pro Pastor’s is strengthening the fellowship.
It is my joy to be a part of a weekly support group and work across the denominational lines of this pastor care organization.
God used Paul to further expand my horizons and to enlarge my professional and a personal vision. I am expanding my professional and personal friendship to include all of you (all denominations) as God-called ministers.
I have coined the name “Foundation Builders” to include all of those in our Baptist and other denominational / non-denominational fellowships to team with Paul and offer support and encouragement to pastors and church leaders. I affirm Paul’s vision in the pastoral care support groups. I love being a part of my group and encourage you to “take a risk, don’t wait.” Volunteer or enlist to get in a friendship support group. Do it today!
Remember, you’ll never have a friend until you enlist and be a friend. The friends you enlist may not be perfect, so you and I may fit right in.
I leave you with this, “A friend is a person who says something good about you behind your back.”
I was ordained in one of the larger rural churches in central Kentucky, 1965. The church celebrated it’s one hundred and seventy-fourth anniversary last month. I was blessed by having one pastor who served from 1929 – 1965. He baptized my dad and mom when they where in their young years and he baptized and ordained me and then retired a month later.
I have served as pastor of seven churches in four different states and have been an intentional interim of three churches. My ministry duration at each church has been five to fourteen years. I came to the current position as Director of the Shiloh Baptist Association nine years ago, in 2000. There is a great congregation of uncounted hundreds looking down from heaven who have served with me.
My earned doctor’s degree from one of our highly accredited seminaries and the forty-three years of pastoral experience have given me credentials. I have served in small churches and larger ones. I have served in rural and suburban-city churches. Congregation members have shared with me that, “You are the greatest pastor we have ever had,” and “I believe you need to leave.”
My three children and six grandchildren have grown up in the family of a pastor. They each have a good walk with God as a result of God and their parents, sometimes in spite of the pastor-father and the church-congregation. I have had great enthusiastic excitement as well as discouragement to depression. My wife Brenda, and mother of my children, who shared thirty-seven years of that journey with me, knew what it was to be in the “fish bowl.” She modeled the way until God called her home six years ago, in 1993.
Brenda sometimes said, “We don’t have friends, we have church members.” Another, thing she said, “I wish we could sometime have the time and money to go off on a vacation other than our parent’s home.” Sometimes she would respond to family or friends who said life’s not fair by stating, “True, life is not fair. Get over it.” Not from scripture, but demonstrated by Jesus on his missionary journey to Calvary.
My wife, Joyce, has been on the journey with me for two years. She is a friend of pastors. Her saying is, “Keep it simple.” “Don’t think on it.” “What can you do about it?” “I can’t be bothered with that.” Her favorite prayer is “The Serenity Prayer.”
Here is what I have learned, “Pastor, you need a friend. You need a group of at least four to seven friends. Friends who will love you and not be judgmental. You need friends who will make a covenant with you, meet with you regularly, and develop a close trust and accountability.
I became a friend with Paul Pickern because he shared this passion for not only Baptists but all of our evangelical pastors. I applaud his passion and calling. I have asked him to address our Annual Baptist Meeting related to his pastoral care ministry. One of the strengths that our SBC churches has historically had has been the fellowship of pastors. Current cultural diversity and scheduling have weakened that fellowship opportunity. Now, All Pro Pastor’s is strengthening the fellowship.
It is my joy to be a part of a weekly support group and work across the denominational lines of this pastor care organization.
God used Paul to further expand my horizons and to enlarge my professional and a personal vision. I am expanding my professional and personal friendship to include all of you (all denominations) as God-called ministers.
I have coined the name “Foundation Builders” to include all of those in our Baptist and other denominational / non-denominational fellowships to team with Paul and offer support and encouragement to pastors and church leaders. I affirm Paul’s vision in the pastoral care support groups. I love being a part of my group and encourage you to “take a risk, don’t wait.” Volunteer or enlist to get in a friendship support group. Do it today!
Remember, you’ll never have a friend until you enlist and be a friend. The friends you enlist may not be perfect, so you and I may fit right in.
I leave you with this, “A friend is a person who says something good about you behind your back.”
Friday, August 21, 2009
Berea Baptist Church Update
The church continues to move forward in health and growth. Their highest attendance for the regular Sunday Morning worship service occurred last Sunday with 65 in attendance. There were several visitors this past Sunday. Some of them come just by driving by and seeing the church and sign. The pastor and revitalization leadership team requested that I make a presentation to the congregation Wednesday evening, August 19, 2009 related to the promotion name that they have added to Berea Baptist. It is not a name change of the organization but the name they are adopting for the purpose of affirming the new day and the future. The plan includes changing the sign in front using this new sign and image. The bank account and all legal documents will include both Berea Baptist Church and the added name. This strategy was approved by the congregation last year but put on hold until the new transition with the new pastor had happened. The church will have an opportunity to affirm this action in a special business meeting, Wednesday Evening, August 26, 2009. The added name being presented is “Parkway Baptist Church”.
They look forward to printing promotional materials, letter head, business cards, stationary, and visitation brochures with the new name following the August 26, 2009 affirmation by the congregation.
Their finances are doing good. They do need approximately $5,000 to replace an A/C unit and they will also need an additional $1,500 to replace the letters on their church sign.
They look forward to printing promotional materials, letter head, business cards, stationary, and visitation brochures with the new name following the August 26, 2009 affirmation by the congregation.
Their finances are doing good. They do need approximately $5,000 to replace an A/C unit and they will also need an additional $1,500 to replace the letters on their church sign.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Update on Berea Baptist Church
Berea Baptist Church Leadership and Revitalization team met Wednesday Evening, July 26.
The pastor, Hal Sexton, reported that he had been there three months. The team indicated a very good evaluation of his leadership. The church has grown with twenty-one new members during that time. They had the highest Sunday Morning attendance that they have had during the eighteen months of revitalization. They have been able to pay the pastors’ salary, all their bills, and mission support and have a small amount of money in the bank. They report a great response in attendance and contribution of support for the recent Exchange Life Conference. The discipleship ministry touched those within the membership and ministers and laity from outside the church. They have a praise of God’s blessing.
The group recognized that they need to come up with support to purchase a new AC/Heating unit for their fellowship hall. Currently, they have air conditioning, however, as winter arrives they will not have heat. The church needs help from friends of
A discussion was made about completing the adoption of a new promotion name to add to the official
Westside Baptist Church
Bro. Jimmy Jones resigned from Westside Baptist Church. He is seeking a job and God’s next calling related to ministry. We want to pray for him. He and is wife and to sons are visiting Countryside Baptist Church. Let us keep him in our prayer as they go through this time of transition.
Westside Baptist Church is without a pastor. Bro Cliff Halford (813-754-4959) is the only deacon they have at this time. There may be another one coming back and possibly one in training. Financially, the church is very limited and does not know how much they can pay a pastor. They owe some back taxes and have a June income $3,515.06 deficient of their monthly expenses. July will probably not be as good. The attendance is down to 15 to 30 in Sunday Morning Worship. There are two or three men who have expressed a call into the ministry. They are serving in the church. Their influence seems to be significant on the small congregation.
Sunday Evening, August 2, one of these young men, Mike Fredette (813-755-5534) was elected as the associate pastor. Their reason was that they needed someone available who is in charge to sign legal document or represent the church in any matter. Mike has a computer business and is an investor and has rental property. His wife is a childrens teacher. His schedule is flexible. He and his wife took the children on a camping trip this week. Mike has negotiated with IRS to make monthly payments on approximately $16,000 back taxes owed. Michael makes the announcements and oversees the worship services. He and his wife do the children’s church. This past Sunday they had approximately 15 children in the services. Some of the children are picked up by the bus.
There is another young man, Bryan W. Mattair (813-754-4260) to preach both services next Sunday, August 9. Bryan is single and in search of a job. He is working with the children of the church and has an interest in preaching. The church secretary is Tracey Bailey. She does not have regular office hours. She works the day shift in the Emergency room of the South Florida Baptist Hospital.
John Campbell preached Sunday Evening, July 25. According to Bro Cliff Halford he brought a message very relevant to the needs of Westside. I preached this Sunday, August 2, the message focused on Matthew 7:24-28 related to being a foundation builder. Sunday Evening I brought a brief message on staying focused with the vision of Jesus, Phil. 3:12-14. I made presentation Sunday Evening on the services of the Association with the network of support from the Florida Baptist Convention and the North American Mission Board to assist them during this time.
The plan would include them doing the following:
1. Delay their selecting of a pastor search committee until a time of foundation building with an intentional interim and a foundation building team helps build a stronger church and prepares the church for calling of the pastor.
2. This program would be implemented over the months of August – October. Then evaluate to see where the church is related to their needs for additional development. The team evaluation would determine if the church is ready to select a pastor search committee. Then the team would work with the committee to coach in the pastor search and in a church and pastoral covenant as the pastor is called to the church.
3. One of the considerations would be the possibility of inviting the HopeWeaver congregation to join the Westside congregation and the two church leaderships develop a united philosophy of ministry.
4. The Foundation Builders team would have three representations from the Westside Baptist Church and three represented from the Foundation Ministry Team especially selected to meet the needs of the church. Danny L. Morris would serve as chairman and director of the Foundation Builders Ministry. The team would make a recommendation at the end of the three months related to the next pastoral ministry. Various ministers may be used in the pulpit during this first three months period to assist Dr. Morris. These would be ones the congregation would like to hear and ones with special ministry to assist in the foundation building.
5. The job description of the intentional interim would be approvedl in a written covenant with the church and pastor candidate.
The church leadership (church council) will set a schedule to meet with Danny Morris related to the details and the presentation to the congregation for approval. Some of their leaders are away on vacation and children’s camp and will not be back until next week.
Westside Baptist Church is without a pastor. Bro Cliff Halford (813-754-4959) is the only deacon they have at this time. There may be another one coming back and possibly one in training. Financially, the church is very limited and does not know how much they can pay a pastor. They owe some back taxes and have a June income $3,515.06 deficient of their monthly expenses. July will probably not be as good. The attendance is down to 15 to 30 in Sunday Morning Worship. There are two or three men who have expressed a call into the ministry. They are serving in the church. Their influence seems to be significant on the small congregation.
Sunday Evening, August 2, one of these young men, Mike Fredette (813-755-5534) was elected as the associate pastor. Their reason was that they needed someone available who is in charge to sign legal document or represent the church in any matter. Mike has a computer business and is an investor and has rental property. His wife is a childrens teacher. His schedule is flexible. He and his wife took the children on a camping trip this week. Mike has negotiated with IRS to make monthly payments on approximately $16,000 back taxes owed. Michael makes the announcements and oversees the worship services. He and his wife do the children’s church. This past Sunday they had approximately 15 children in the services. Some of the children are picked up by the bus.
There is another young man, Bryan W. Mattair (813-754-4260) to preach both services next Sunday, August 9. Bryan is single and in search of a job. He is working with the children of the church and has an interest in preaching. The church secretary is Tracey Bailey. She does not have regular office hours. She works the day shift in the Emergency room of the South Florida Baptist Hospital.
John Campbell preached Sunday Evening, July 25. According to Bro Cliff Halford he brought a message very relevant to the needs of Westside. I preached this Sunday, August 2, the message focused on Matthew 7:24-28 related to being a foundation builder. Sunday Evening I brought a brief message on staying focused with the vision of Jesus, Phil. 3:12-14. I made presentation Sunday Evening on the services of the Association with the network of support from the Florida Baptist Convention and the North American Mission Board to assist them during this time.
The plan would include them doing the following:
1. Delay their selecting of a pastor search committee until a time of foundation building with an intentional interim and a foundation building team helps build a stronger church and prepares the church for calling of the pastor.
2. This program would be implemented over the months of August – October. Then evaluate to see where the church is related to their needs for additional development. The team evaluation would determine if the church is ready to select a pastor search committee. Then the team would work with the committee to coach in the pastor search and in a church and pastoral covenant as the pastor is called to the church.
3. One of the considerations would be the possibility of inviting the HopeWeaver congregation to join the Westside congregation and the two church leaderships develop a united philosophy of ministry.
4. The Foundation Builders team would have three representations from the Westside Baptist Church and three represented from the Foundation Ministry Team especially selected to meet the needs of the church. Danny L. Morris would serve as chairman and director of the Foundation Builders Ministry. The team would make a recommendation at the end of the three months related to the next pastoral ministry. Various ministers may be used in the pulpit during this first three months period to assist Dr. Morris. These would be ones the congregation would like to hear and ones with special ministry to assist in the foundation building.
5. The job description of the intentional interim would be approvedl in a written covenant with the church and pastor candidate.
The church leadership (church council) will set a schedule to meet with Danny Morris related to the details and the presentation to the congregation for approval. Some of their leaders are away on vacation and children’s camp and will not be back until next week.
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