In Part 1 of our conversation Pastor Jennings told us that being balanced truly means to filter everything through the Great Commission in ministry.  In this part of the conversation, Pastor Jennings gives practical advice to Pastors and ministry leaders on how to lead their churches to be great commission oriented.

What are some things you can do to become more balanced /Great Commission Oriented in ministry?

1. Put evangelism time on your schedule.
2. Equip your people with tools.
3. Focus on your groups and Sunday School ministry for evangelism and discipleship.
4. Have a Discipleship plan for new Christians.

So many people think about ministry style or standards when they think about the issue of balance in the ministry.  Pastor Dennis Jennings says that balance isn't about style.  Balance is about aligning our personal ministry and our churches ministry with the Great Commission.

You may be wondering why the Baptist Church Ministry Network was started.  In this message, Pastor Frazier states the reasons why this network of Biblical, balanced baptists was begun.  Take a few moments and watch this great message simply entitled, "Why have the Baptist Church Ministry Network?".

Erik Sanders, Bible Baptist Church, Everett, WA

As I hear the words “capital campaign” my pulse quickens, and the stress level rises.  Raising funds for church projects can be tough, but if you have a few key steps in place it will  be manageable.  For a capital campaign to be successful you must plan the work, and then work the plan.  Below are several key components that should be considered when entering a capital campaign project.

 

Determine Your Needs. As our church began the planning process we thought our greatest need was Adult Sunday School space.  However, we discovered through conducting an assessment (done by our architect) of our needs, our greatest need was children’s space.  In reality, adult classroom space ranked 3^rd on the needs list.  

 

Ask The Hard Questions.   Here are some good questions to ask as you consider a capital campaign: 

• ·      Do I believe this is the leading of God or my own desire?
• ·      Is what we are considering a “want” or a “need”?
• ·      Is our church healthy enough for a capital campaign?
• ·      Are there key people that I can call on to help lead this campaign?
• ·      What other creative ways can we maximize the space we already have? 
• ·      What is the economic forecast for our area of the country?
• ·      As the pastor, do I possess the desire and excitement to cast vision for the campaign?
• ·      As the pastor, am I willing to sacrifice for the campaign? 

 

Solicit Help.  There are many good fundraising companies out there to choose from.  We decided to use a Pastor (Dr. Rick Carter) to help us chart a course for our campaign.  The point is… solicit help.  You will need the wisdom and insight from those that have conducted past successful campaigns.

 

Build A Team.  A capital campaign rises and falls on leadership.  Be sure to select people that the church respects, and will be champions of the capital campaign. 

 

Communicate Cleary and transparently.  If you desire for your church members to “buy in” to the capital campaign you must communicate clearly what you are asking of them.  Also, the whole process should be done with transparency and openness.  There are members in your pews that have been a part of past campaigns in other churches that have been train wrecks.  Show them that you can be trusted. 

 

Pray!  I saved the most important for last.  A capital campaign is an mammoth task, and should never be entered into without a time of prayer and fasting.

 

Capital Campaigns are polarizing moments for a church.  If managed well, it will be far more than a fund-raiser, it will be a faith-raiser.

Mentoring: It’s About Time  

Dennis Jennings,  BCMN Vice President; Cherry Street Baptist Church, Springfield, MO

I entered the ministry as a 20 year old bus kid that could lead music with tons of passion and little else. Thankfully I had a pastor that was patient when I needed it, stern when I needed it, and wise enough to hold me accountable along the way.

More than a decade later, while I had gained experience, I still lacked in so many areas when I was called to that first pastorate. Once again the patience of others was needed, but I needed more. I was now the leader. I was excited, still full of passion, ideas and energy. But there were areas of ministry that were completely outside my experience. I was a "blank slate."

Thankfully I had developed a number of relationships with some men who were willing to give me a bit of their time. Every time I needed help in one of those “blank slate” areas, I found 

 that the Lord had already put into my life a pastor friend from whose experience I could draw, who had a heart like Paul: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2).

I received help in those early years with our church missions program; Sunday School organization; discipleship program; budgeting; church finances; getting a loan; building a building; hiring staff; time management; counselling; and the list goes on and on. In every one of these areas, it wasn’t an internet article or a book; it was the personal input from someone who had walked the road ahead of me and was willing to give me the time to show me the way that made the difference in my ministry.

The Baptist Church Ministry Network provides today’s pastors and ministry leaders a place to find someone with experience and the willingness to give time to help. A recent article on pastoral mentoring stated, “[O]ne of the advantages to being in a denomination or network of churches is the accessibility of mentoring relationships…..[P]astors who go it alone are missing out on one of the great benefits of pastoral community.”

The need for these mentoring relationships is as great as ever. The good news is that we are already hearing of Network members taking advantage of this resource. One young pastor just shared with me the blessing of having someone willing to take his call for a quick question. In essence he said, “I feel like there is someone who cares about where I am, where I am going and how I’m going to get there.”

We all know Biblical, Balanced, Baptist people in ministry who are doing all they know to do with passion and energy. Some have a world of experience and godly wisdom, and would be a valuable resource for others in the network. They need to be made aware that just a little time on a phone call could expand their own personal ministry beyond their church. We all know pastors and ministry leaders who would be greatly helped by someone will to “coach” them through a problem or project.

Join me in reaching out to these fellow laborers and let them know that the BCMN is a place for them to belong and to make a difference. Send them to baptistcmn.org and let them check it out for themselves. We will all be stronger for it!