What’s next?

By admin | Published: July 12, 2011

Thank you so much for following Dr. Bill Mackey through this blog.  Kentucky Baptists have been truly blessed to have such a wonderful leader, and we wish him well in his retirement.

We will no longer be posting updates to ‘Partners in the Mission.’  We will leave the blog in place for a time, so you may enjoy archive posts.  Comments are now closed.

We encourage you to follow the new Executive Director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, Dr. Paul Chitwood.  Dr. Chitwood has begun blogging at http://www.paulchitwood.com.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with you to carry out the Great Commission, here in Kentucky and around the world!

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments closed

The Sharing of the Church

By Editor | Published: June 28, 2011

One of my favorite books, “All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” was written by minister and author Robert Fulghum. In it, Fulghum lists lessons normally learned in kindergarten classrooms and tells us how the world would be better if adults practiced the same basic rules we teach children (sharing, playing fair, cleaning up after themselves, being kind to one another, etc). I began thinking, what would happen if churches practiced this kind of behavior, especially the “sharing” part?  

Churches of every size and tradition have something to share. What if we began dreaming about how we can share our resources to benefit the Kingdom of God? We don’t just need to ask what we need as a church, but what do we have to share?  

I learned recently of a new church plant that shares more than 50 percent of its income by giving to missions, supporting local ministries and giving back to the community. 

Just last week, a Louisville church communicated that it had an older congregation and a large facility that is not being used. The members are willing to open it up to the community and want help in determining how to most effectively share what God has given them. 

Sharing allows a church’s impact and influence to spread far beyond its own local body.  The early church believed what they had was not their own and shared everything with those in need (Acts 4:32-37).

Here are some things that I see churches sharing today: 

  • ·         Tangible materials –Sunday school curriculum or vacation Bible school decorations can be used again, so pass them on to another church. A portable sound system can be loaned or an unused TV/DVD player might be shared permanently. 
  • ·         Ideas and partnerships – That innovative idea for reaching the community that is too big for just your church can be shared with other churches by inviting them to work together for the sake of the Kingdom. Consider partnering with other churches to purchase needed resources and supplies in bulk quantity to share the savings.
  • ·         Real people – Imagine your members sharing themselves with another church to provide VBS or help canvass a neighborhood.  Encourage your gifted musicians, administrators or teachers to train and help other churches. 
  • ·         Space – Consider sharing your building with a new ethnic or language church plant that needs a place to worship. Underutilized land can be shared to allow a sister church to provide a sports camp, ball league or community garden. 
  • ·         Finances – What a testimony it is when an established church puts off building a larger building in order to help a new church build their first place of worship.  Additionally, the Cooperative Program allows the shared offerings of Southern Baptists churches to share Christ around the world. 

Every church has something unique to share with others. Get creative and discover how God has blessed your congregation. Then, start sharing it with other churches as you share the Gospel of Christ with your community!

Eric Allen is the director of the Mission Services and Ministries Department of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.

Posted in Children, Church Planting, Cooperative Program, Offerings, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School | Comments closed

Grow Sunday School with VBS

By Editor | Published: June 21, 2011

Each year, Vacation Bible School is the largest prospect discovery effort for most churches. In fact, about 25 percent of baptisms in Southern Baptist churches are a result of VBS. In addition to key prospect information about participants in VBS, additional information is discovered about their families: parents, siblings, and others residing with attenders. On top of that, ministry needs are discovered.

These are opportunities for Sunday school to step in to care and follow up. Often VBS has required so much time and energy that afterwards leaders walk away with relief at a good experience. They stack registration cards on a shelf and don’t think about them until next year. What a wasted opportunity!

Instead, there are so many ways that Sunday school can capitalize upon the great investment of time and energy during VBS. Consider some of the following:

  • Enlist a VBS follow-up director to mobilize Sunday school leaders to visit all VBS prospects and families.
  • Ask Sunday school classes to set aside a specific time to pray for VBS and prospects to be enrolled and won to Christ.
  • Set a goal for enrolling VBS prospects and families.
  • Enlist Sunday school leaders to help with advance and daily VBS registration.
  • Collect thorough records of VBS participants and families.
  • Set up a follow day immediately after VBS for Sunday school leaders (and VBS workers) to visit all VBS prospects and families.
  • Send Sunday school class information home with every prospect on the final day of VBS along with other age appropriate church activities.
  • Ask the pastor to write a letter to every VBS prospect the week after VBS with information about the location of age appropriate Sunday school classes.
  • Share VBS reports with your congregation so they can share in the excitement, follow up, and prayer.
  • Plan VBS Day on the Sunday after VBS. Don’t remove decorations or allow children to take home their VBS materials until then. Invite parents and families to Sunday school and worship. Celebrate VBS in worship. Sing VBS songs. Share testimonies. Show pictures set to a VBS song. Recognize each age group. Share information about Sunday school classes with everyone.
  • Allow VBS attenders to earn tickets. Have Sunday school classes sponsor a Carnival on Sunday night after VBS to provide games and refreshments. Share Sunday school class information.

Take advantage of all the great VBS effort. Plan to follow up. Connect the Sunday school. Pray. Reach. Care.

Guest Writer: Darryl Wilson is the Director of the KBC Sunday School Department. He is also the author of The Sunday School Revolutionary blog which can be found at http://www.kybaptist.org/revolutionary.

 

Posted in Children, Family, Prayer, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School | Comments closed

More for Christ

By Editor | Published: June 14, 2011

The word “more” is simple, yet profound.  Webster describes “more” by defining it as a word to describe “a greater in amount.”  The New Testament definition declares it a pronouncement of a “great deal of increase.”

In relationship to our life in Christ, Paul declares, “Finally then brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from me how you ought to walk and to please God” (I Thess. 4:1 NKJ).

Jesus himself embodied the word more. He was asked on numerous instances to do more. For instance, more wine was needed at a wedding in Canaan; more fish and bread were required to feed the multitude; more of a catch was promised for simple fishermen who had toiled all night without success. Jesus encouraged each to have more obedience, more trust, more faith, more love, more forgiveness, more understanding and more for God’s kingdom.

As Kentucky Baptists, we have been challenged to embrace the instruction of the Bible and the example of Jesus in our “More for Christ” emphasis. More for Christ summons us to grow stronger in our faith, as we give more of ourselves to live out our service to Christ from day to day.

Three More for Christ invites you to accept the challenge of adding $3 each week to your offerings through your local church. While this seems like such a small amount, it could add up to more than a million additional dollars for mission causes in your church, your association, nation and the world. Each ministry would be impacted.

Children Changing the World provides an opportunity to enlist the enthusiasm of children. You can encourage the children of your church to give offerings through Vacation Bible School to be designated for Cooperative Program ministries. Celebrate with your children when they do more for Christ.

A Million More for Missions is a way to encourage students to collect funds for mission support through the Cooperative Program. $1 million more dollars for Christ could be raised should just half of Kentucky Baptists’ 2,400 congregations contribute an average of $835.

Increase your Cooperative Program percentage for missions through your church and multiply redemptive potential.  Each church is encouraged to increase the amount of their gifts through the CP for the next 10 years.  A downward trend for mission support can be reversed through such a partnership.

Provide a legacy gift to the Cooperative Program that will enable the KBC and SBC to accomplish more for Christ.

We can do more together than we can do alone!

“He must increase but I must decrease.” (John 3:30 NKJ)

Guest writer Billy Compton is the executive associate for Cooperative Program and resources for the Kentucky Baptist Convention. Find out more about “More for Christ” at www.moreforchrist.com.

Posted in Children, Cooperative Program, Evangelism, Gifts, Missions, More for Christ, Offerings | Comments closed

Time of Transition

By Editor | Published: June 7, 2011

The following is a guest post from Steve Thompson, interim executive director: 

When I relinquished the pastorate at First Baptist Church, Morganfield, in 1996, David Bratcher followed me as the interim and served all of one Sunday. Mark Galloway became the new pastor the following Sunday. This shows how difficult it was to replace me. Actually, I had been serving as the interim pastor for three months after being called as the director of missions for Green Valley Association. David remarked that this was probably the shortest interim on record.

 On May 10 the KBC Mission Board elected me to serve as the interim executive director-treasurer until a permanent replacement for Dr. Mackey is elected.  Last Thursday, June 2, the Mission Board elected Dr. Paul Chitwood to be our new executive director-treasurer. He will begin his service July 1. So I have the privilege of serving in the interim for the month of June.

 I want to express my appreciation to the Administrative Committee and the Mission Board for their vote of confidence in me. Jim Hawkins, my predecessor in my regular job, served as the interim for just over a year and did a wonderful job. I was on the committee that asked him to serve when Dr. Bill Marshall left. However, I think 30 days is about right for me. Surely, I can’t mess things up too badly in one month.

 I think, however, that I have an even more important role, one that I share with all our staff and all Kentucky Baptists as well. That role is to make the transition to a new leader for Kentucky Baptists as smooth as possible and includes helping Dr. Chitwood experience a successful beginning to his tenure as our leader.

 Of course, we have an advantage in that he is one of us, even if he did start out in Tennessee. He has served as KBC president, as pastor to four of our churches, and in many other ways, having been connected to Kentucky Baptist life for more than 20 years. He is already a friend to many Kentucky Baptists. That being said, however, there will still be a time of learning. Kentucky Baptists are many and varied, and it takes a good while to build a good working relationship.

 On behalf of the KBC staff (if I may take that liberty), let me say that we will continue the dedicated service that has been our custom, under and with our new leader. Transitions are always a time of adjustment, and this will be no exception. Adjustments are inherent in growth and a normal part of being a disciple of Jesus.

 It is my prayer that all of us Kentucky Baptists will grow to love Paul, Michelle, Daniel, Anna, and Cai as we have Bill and Kay.

Posted in Mission Board, Prayer | Comments closed

Transitions

By Editor | Published: May 31, 2011

There are many transitions that are in process as Kay and I conclude our formal ministry with Kentucky Baptists. During the month of May I have had the privilege of:

I am grateful for all the recognitions that have been made by the KBC Administrative Committee and Mission Board, the KBC team leaders and staff, and the book of letters from SBC and KBC leaders and staff, and another book from directors of missions. Praise God for all that He has done.

I am grateful that the mission board staff has a direction for the next 15 months with objectives and goals contained in the Kentucky Baptists Connect strategic plan.

The “More for Christ” emphasis is in place to challenge Kentucky Baptists to do more personally, and as families and churches, to reach people for Christ, and to develop their stewardship.

Also, there is a national emphasis on the Cooperative Program called “Cooperative Program: Together We Are There,” that is supported by all state conventions and SBC leadership.

State conventions are committed to move toward a “50/50” division between SBC and state missions’ causes with shared expenses allowed for state conventions to promote CP, collect the funds, receipt all gifts, provide accounting and audit reports, and distribute the funds.

It seems that NAMB does plan to have a funding agreement with “old line” state conventions which is a welcomed relief.

With new leadership at major SBC positions and a recommendation for executive director-treasurer of the KBC Mission Board, I am hopeful that Southern Baptists will experience a new era of advancement in fulfilling the Great Commission.

With new leadership, it is my prayer that Kentucky Baptists will move forward with confidence in God to reach people, encourage one another; grow in sacrificial and joyful giving and witness; plant churches; meet needs and extend the Gospel message to every person.

Once more I want to thank you for your prayers during my illness and recovery in 2008, and request your prayers as Kay and I transition to a new home and opportunities to serve our Lord Jesus Christ. Be assured of our prayers for Kentucky Baptists on a daily basis as you embrace new opportunities from our Lord.

Posted in All Posts, Cooperative Program, Kentucky Baptist Colleges, Kentucky Baptist Connect, Mission Board, More for Christ, NAMB | Comments closed

Associations Are Vital Partners

By Editor | Published: May 24, 2011

Cooperation has been a key word in Southern Baptist life since before the organization of the convention in 1845 and has been more specifically identified with the Cooperative Program since it was launched in 1925.

In 1984, Dr. Peter Wagner of Fuller Theological Seminary introduced our Church Growth II class to the concept of interdependence in Southern Baptist Convention organization. For example, the SBC entities maintain their separate identities and emphasis through convention-elected trustees. At the same time, however, the entities are dependent on the conventions for funding and on the churches for participants (missionaries, students). The same concept is true for state conventions and state entities.

During the work of the SBC Great Commission Task Force, some discussion centered on the organization/structure of the SBC. I agree with David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, who said that there is nothing wrong with the SBC structure (churches, associations, state conventions, Southern Baptist Convention). It is a matter of using the structure well.

One of the best areas to see the interdependence in Southern Baptist life is in the work of the local associations. At its best, the local association is an advocate for all that happens in Southern Baptist life at the national and state convention levels. In some cases the role may be supportive while in other cases it may be to be very directly involved.

Associations develop strategies to reach people, minister to needs, equip believers, coordinate the work and encourage ministers and churches. The associational leaders are the closest denominational persons to local churches.

Associations assist the denomination and churches with church planning, mission trips, training events, language work, disaster relief, On Mission Celebrations, missions education and projects, Bible drills, Super Saturday, camping, promoting the Cooperative Program and missions offerings, etc.

Here in Kentucky, the state convention provides financial support for about 25 associations, coordination of ministries like disaster relief, the “Find It Here” evangelism emphasis, Super Saturday and other training events, Go Metro partnership missions efforts, ethnic work, church planting, research, workshops for leaders, resume services, etc. And much of the funding for state missions comes from the Eliza Broadus Offering for state missions promoted by Kentucky Woman’s Missionary Union.

Due to personal involvement in associational work as a pastor and denominational leader for 30 years, I am absolutely sold on a strong partnership with local associations in order to fulfill the Great Commission. May God continue to bless the work of associations and DOMs in their vital work for Great Commission advance here and around the world.

I want to encourage you to pray for and get involved with and through your association in Great Commission ministries and missions!

Posted in Associations, Cooperative Program, Disaster Relief, Find It Here, Missions, Offerings, Super Saturday, Uncategorized, WMU | Comments closed

Gratitude to God

By Editor | Published: May 17, 2011

As I approach my retirement date coming up on May 31, it is a grand privilege to express gratitude to our awesome redeemer God, our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and our comforter and guide, the Holy Spirit, for the opportunity to serve with Kentucky Baptists.

It has been a high privilege, under God, to serve as executive director-treasurer for the Mission Board and the Kentucky Baptist Convention. This role has given me the opportunity to work closely with the Mission Board staff and the KBC’s agencies, institutions and auxiliary.

It has been a joy to work with staff and Kentucky Baptists in developing and implementing a strategic mission plan known as “Kentucky Baptists Connect.” It has been especially exciting for me to see staff members working together across team and department lines in order to accomplish strategic objectives and goals.

I will never forget the way the Mission Board staff worked with associations, churches and the Kentucky Woman’s Missionary Union in jointly sponsored emphases like “Crossover Louisville, ’09,” “Find It Here 2010” and “Find It Here 2011.”  Through these emphases, more people and more churches were involved in prayer walking and sowing a Gospel witness than ever in our history as Kentucky Baptists

I am grateful that members of the staff are serving because they have been called by God and by the Mission Board to utilize and develop their God given strengths and talents. It has been rewarding to see new staff members mature over the years as creative and effective leaders.

 It has also been my privilege to observe the effectiveness of our KBC agencies and institutions. Kentucky Baptists should be grateful to God for what I believe are the best entity leaders in any state convention.

Even with reduced resources and these challenging economic times, our agencies and institutions are making a big difference in the lives of those they serve. Just this week, a Japanese student at Campbellsville University shared with me that she had become a believer and asked that I pray for her parents and more than 250 other international students.

I am also grateful for the recognition that the Mission Board provided for my wife, Kay, and me at last week’s meeting. The Mission Board gave us the key to the fleet car that I use and a check for a special trip. The board unveiled a portrait that will be displayed near the Board Room which will carry the name “Bill Mackey Board Room.”

I recognize that service and our very existence is due directly to the grace of God and we are grateful for His grace and all Kentucky Baptists. Please know that we love each of you in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Posted in All Posts, Find It Here, Kentucky Baptist Connect, Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention, WMU | Comments closed

Kentucky Baptists Connect Update

By Editor | Published: May 10, 2011

The Mission Board staff recently prepared progress reports on Kentucky Baptists Connect goals. These are goals established by the Kentucky Baptist Mission Board for 2009-12 and focus on efforts to help Kentucky Baptists develop leaders, strengthen churches and reach people with the gospel.

In reviewing the reports, I was delighted to see an abundance of innovative approaches being employed to help Kentucky churches. Coaching and mentoring networks have been established with youth ministers, ministers of education, children and preschool ministers, pastors, music ministers, church planters, directors of missions, and other groups.

Youth Ministry Director Joe Ball has even enlisted 173 youth ministers to connect on Facebook. John Bennett has 864 children/preschool workers on an e-mail list he uses for communications.

The KBC also now has numerous blogs with growing readerships. A list of KBC blogs can be found at www.kybaptist.org/blogs. The KBC website also has a wide range of resources that can be accessed and downloaded from all Mission Board ministries.

It was encouraging to learn that 448 churches grew by 2 percent or more in three of five vital growth areas (resident membership, baptisms, Sunday school/small group attendance, worship attendance and undesignated receipts).

Although the annual church profiles are reporting some decline statewide, I am encouraged that 280 churches reported a 6 percent or more increase in Sunday school attendance in 2009-10.

Also, 1,583 churches have grown by 3 percent or more in undesignated receipts.

Although the number of baptisms reported is down 752 from the previous year, we are grateful for the gospel sowing efforts that have been made with Find It Here the last two years. About 33,000 Kentucky Baptists were involved in praying and fasting for three unreached friends 21 days before Easter. (Two of our friends from other countries went to church for the first time with us on Easter Sunday!) About 70,000 marked scripture portions were delivered to prisons, jails and nursing homes.

The reports also show that 36 Anglo churches and 15 ethnic churches were planted last year.

Thousands of Disaster Relief workers have been trained and hundreds mobilized in disaster relief, recovery and rebuilding. Disaster Relief teams have reported 241 professions of faith and 5,171 ministry contacts.

In the Mission Service and Ministries Department, the number of short term volunteers reported by Teresa Parrett in 2010 reached 60,018 (goal 26,000).

I could not possibly include all of the information that I received from staff in this one column. I am grateful to God for the privilege that He has given me to work with such a creative, committed and talented staff. Please continue to pray for them during the time of transition that will come with my retirement at the end of the month.

Posted in Baptism, Children, Church Planting, Find It Here, Kentucky Baptist Connect, Prayer, Preschool & Children's Ministry, Sunday School | Comments closed

Influence of Mothers

By Editor | Published: May 3, 2011

As a part of preparations for retirement and downsizing, I have been going through boxes of books. I discovered a book of sermons by my mentor, R. Truett Miller. I served as his associate at the First Baptist Church of Middlesboro for three years following seminary graduation.

He had a sermon in the book entitled, “A Challenge to Mothers” based on Luke 2:40-52. The passage provides an interesting account of the activities of Mary during an incident in the early life of Jesus.

Obviously the responsibility of the mother is more than just giving birth to a child. It is also to rear the child to adulthood. Luke 2:40 shares that Mary did this: “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”

The first years of a child’s life are the most influential in shaping the character of the child. Miller states, “…the entire tenor of a child’s life is basically formed here … mothers will consciously or unconsciously teach a child how to live.”

The passage tells us that the parents of Jesus were focused on His spiritual development when they went up to the synagogue to observe the Feast of the Passover and took Jesus with them. Thus, when Jesus encountered Satan on the mount of temptation, He knew the scriptures and answered each one with the word of God.

Miller wraps up his sermon with the challenge, “recognize mistakes and correct them.” Mary and Joseph went a full day’s journey without knowing where their son was. But upon discovering that he was not with them, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. Miller concludes, “If we make mistakes, as we often will, let’s hurry to clean them up in order that we might know and not just suppose what is happening to our children.”

The very next verse states that Jesus returned to Nazareth with them “… and was subject unto them.” (verse 51).  “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man” (verse 52).

Miller concludes, “I think there are lessons that mothers of today could learn from Mary of long ago and apply them right now; and if they do, there is hope for tomorrow.” 

I thank God for my mother who dedicated me to the Lord before I was conceived. She spent her life serving her family, her Lord Jesus Christ, her church and others. When she died, a neighbor and leader in the church and community said, “We have lost our missionary.”

Mother’s Day is a great time to thank God for your mother and to pray for all mothers who HAVE been given an awesome opportunity by God.

Posted in Bible, Children, Family, Prayer | Comments closed