The CBNortheast@msn.com
E-Letter
www.missionnortheast.org
Editor: Dr.
R. Peter Mason, Executive Director
Volume 1, Number 4
Summer,
2001
Dear CBMissionNortheast
Family:
I hope you are
enjoying the beautiful summer weather. I have been anticipating
the ministry opportunities and the refreshment of this
season.
I enjoyed
spending the few days with Dr. Dennis Gorton as he visited a
number of our pastors and churches during the latter part of May.
I am excited about the passion for Christ, vision, and ministry resources our new
National Director brings to our CB
fellowship. I am looking forward
to a vital partnership with CBAmerica in which we network resources
for our churches.
I
am planning to meet with Dennis Gorton along with
the Regional Executive Directors at the CBAmerica National
Conference in Spokane, Washington (June 25-July
5). I will also be
meeting with the Area Directors of CBInternational. Andy Spohrer and
Norm Moran are modeling how we can effectively partner together in
ministry throughout our region. Please be in prayer for Andy as he
anticipates back surgery for a ruptured disk on July 10th at the
Albany Medical Center.
Then, Rhonda and
I are planning some vacation time during the remainder of the month of
July. I hope you find time for vacation with your family. The Lord
Jesus urged his disciples, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet
place and get some rest" (Mark 6:31) If you have special needs during
the month of July you may contact one of my associates including Wally
Holder (603.225.5649), Carl Crate (716.675.5069), John Johnston
(207.277.5251), Mark Marchak (212.873.1572), Carl Abrahamsen
(860.521.6550), or Glyn Evans (401.295.1325). While you are planning
ahead for times of refreshment, please remember to include the
CBNortheast Come Together at Word of Life Inn (October 1-3,
2001).
Please pray with
me as we search for a Regional Church Planting Specialist. I am
continuing to make contacts. We are convinced of the importance of
church planting in New England and New York. We want to encourage that
effort by mentoring our church planters, identifying future church
planting sites, and mobilizing resources for church planting. We
believe that a church planting specialist is vital to fulfill that
vision.
Our son, Ron, and daughter, Amy,
are involved in their summer work as counselors at Lakeside Christian Camp in Pittsfield,
Massachusetts. Ron is a lead counselor and Amy serves both as a
counselor and lifeguard. They enjoy investing themselves into the
lives of young people. I am grateful for their opportunity to develop
leadership skills in ministry.
May the Lord
Bless You and Your Family as You Serve Him,
Peter Mason
In
this E-Letter:
CBNortheast Come
Together
October 1-3,
2001
Cool fall days . . . colorful foliage . . .
delicious food . . . warm fellowship . . . great preaching from Dr.
Dennis Gorton and Dr. Hans Finzel . . . inspiring worship with John
Leon Lewis . . . updates from our CB ministries . . . informative
seminars . . . helpful exhibitors . . . all on October 1-3,
2001!
We share a wonderful tradition at the Word of
Life Inn on Schroon Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New
York. It is an annual reunion for our CB family. This is our
CBNortheast Come Together.
Our theme this year is "Just Ask!"--"Ask the
Lord of the harvest . . . to send out workers into his harvest field"
(Matthew 9:38). John Leon Lewis invites brass players to bring their
instruments and vocalists to join him for a special choir rehearsal
and presentation.
We have a relaxing conference schedule
planned for you, with free time for personal retreast, conversation
around the dinner table and a walk along the lake. For the more
adventuresome, you may choose to visit shopping areas on nearby Lake
George. And how about a tennis match, a round of golf or a swim in the
indoor pool?
The conference will also include helpful
seminars and an update on CBNortheast at the Annual Meeting. For more
information about the conference go to our website at www.missionnortheast.org.
Go to "News and Info" and "Come Together." To register call Word of
Life Inn at 1.800.965.7177.
Changing the Mind of
Missions
Andy Spohrer recently passed along a book to
me that is thought-provoking, Changing the Mind of Missions,
by James E. Engel and William A. Dyrness. The authors
challenge churches not only to proclaim the Gospel but also
to make disciples of Jesus Christ. They call for "dedication to
ongoing initiatives to plant and build churches that model and
proclaim the good news through their words (1 Peter 3:15) and their
lifestyle of personal holiness exemplified by Jesus Christ." The
content of this book is summarized by the following series
of questions regarding the mission of the church:
1.
Does the proposed strategy of missions enhance localized efforts
and initiatives that infiltrate all segments of
society?
2.
Will local churches in both the sending country and the field of
ministry assume their central role in the world mission of Jesus
Christ?
3.
Does the envisioned strategy encompass the full gospel of the kingdom
in which there is no dichotomy between evangelism and social
transformation?
4. Is
the strategy based on the totality of the Great Commission, so that
disciples are taught and motivated to follow all that Christ modeled
and proclaimed?
5. Is
the strategy grounded in prayer and fasting, seeking the will of God
as he reveals where he wants us to join him in his work in the
world?
6. Is
proper stewardship being demonstrated by strategic thinking undertaken
in a commitment to be true colaborers with God?
7.
Does the initiative foster working together in partnership with other
local churches ministering together?
Back to Table of Contents
A Day Away
The next time you
need a break from the pressures and stress of ministry take a personal
retreat at Lakeside in the beautiful Berkshire Hills. Lakeside
Christian Conference Center, located in Pittsfield,
Massachusetts, offers our Conservative Baptist pastors the
opportunity for a personal retreat by providing free overnight
accommodations in their simple but comfortable lodge. Each private
room is clean and quiet with its own bathroom. The lodge is
a short walk from the lake, hiking trails, and recreational
facilities.
Reservations
are based on a first come, first served basis. If they are hosting a
group during the time you are there, you can also enjoy meals on a
donation basis. Call the Camp Director, Mark Watkins, and identify
yourself as a CB pastor. He will assist you in making plans for a time
of refreshment--for yourself or you and your wife. Call 1.800.444.0253
for reservations or e-mail at lakesidecc@aol.com.
Open Chaplain
Opportunities
by Terry H. Sutfin
Here at
the Bath, New York Veterans Hospital a colleague approached me
about the need for Chaplains in the New York Army National Guard. I
called their Head Chaplain, who is a Catholic Priest in Brooklyn, and
he was most enthusiastic in response saying that they were looking for
Chaplains from Non-Liturgical Protestant groups.
So I
wanted to call this need to the attention of our CBA Pastors. If you
are pastoring anywhere near a Guard or Reserve unit you would need to
contact that commanding officer, and find out if they have a chaplain.
If they do not have a chaplain, this could result in a wonderful
ministry. A fellow chaplain with me here in Bath is also a Chaplain
with the Naval Reserve in Horseheads, NY and just has a great ministry
there.
The
requirements generally would be:
1. Active pastoral
experience;
2. A Masters of Divinity
or close equivalent; and
3. Endorsement by the CBA
via Al Russell, Head of Chaplaincy, at the CBA National
Offices.
The
remuneration would be very good and they are so short of Chaplains
that now you would not have to serve your consecutive two days
a month on a Saturday and Sunday together.
In fact
my colleague here says that if they could secure a Chaplain at his
unit at Fort Drum they would "treat him like a
King."
Preferably the Military would look most
favorably on Pastors in their 30's and 40's.
Please
pray about this and check things out in your area!
Back to Table of
Contents
A
Church with Music Ministry
Needs
Barrington Baptist Church in Barrington,
Rhode Island is seeking an organist with synthesizer skills for
their worship ministry. This is a part-time position requiring about
ten hours per week. Please contact Pastor Jack Diamond at 401.246.0188
or bbc_ri@juno.com for more
details.
Back to Table of
Contents
Concert
Ministry
Beginning
this summer, Sue Slaiger is available for concerts. Sue is the wife of
John Slaiger, an urban church planter with Mission to the Americas in
Providence, Rhode Island. Sue has completed three albums including her
new album, "Time is Almost Gone." You may contact her by
calling 401.781.3738 or e-mailing her at sueslaig@ids.net. Her mailing
address is: Susan M. Slaiger, 98 Stanwood Street, Providence, RI
02907. Her albums are also available for sale.