Resourcing the Vision of Our Churches

A Report to the Executive Committee and Executive Board

of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan

January 25, 2011

     “So how’s the transition going?” the pastor asked me as we gathered for an associational pastor’s breakfast. Many things raced through my head as potential responses … especially since I still haven’t figured out which closet the paper clips and paper are in or where there is a cutting board. My office is yet to be moved and so there are many things I can’t find … but the transition? … actually … the transition is going great!
     Why? Because the transition is not about those “things,” but about relationships. Relationships with the people we serve with and serve.

     My first day as your Lead State Missionary/Executive Director was a great day for our BSCM Ministry Team to serve together. We took our entire staff of Ministry Leaders and Ministry Assistants “into the field.” Not a very novel idea I know, but we loaded up the Westside Baptist Church van and ventured out into the January 3rd cold to serve a couple of our churches. Full details can be found on our new RESOURCE BLOG at www.BSCM.org/Blog (or HERE and HERE). In short, we first worked alongside Westside Baptist of Flushing in the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. After lunch, we helped The Tree Church on the campus of the UofM Flint for an outdoor BBQ for the homeless. Our team had a great time being the hands and feet of Jesus alongside two of our congregations.

     The spirit of servant hood that we shared on that first day must be characteristic of our daily ministry to our churches. My desire is for our Baptist State Convention of Michigan to be a shining example of Kingdom service.

     My prayer is that we exemplify Christ’s love and servant’s heart as we come along side our associations and churches. Our desire is to “Resource the Vision of Our Churches!” I love the way Carlos Liese has captured this idea on his office white board. He has written in large letters: “Your Vision … Our Mission!” That sums it up pretty well.  

     In a nutshell, let me sum up some of the things that your BSCM Team have started or accomplished in these first three weeks of 2011.

• On a trial basis, we are going to try publishing the Baptist Beacon on paper quarterly. (This will reap an annual savings of $35,060 in printing, postage and personnel costs).
• Secured monthly online version of Beacon.
• Secured permission to publish Baptist Press cartoons in our Beacon.
• Initiated a potential partnership for our Baptist Beacon with the Arkansas Baptist News.
• We are reducing our office lines from 6 to 3 at a savings of $1,200 annually. Our Ministry Leaders use cellular phones 70% of the time.
• Reevaluating our vehicle leasing program to save money and attempt to use a Michigan company.
• Studying the effective use of our building facility to save expenses. Present estimations will reap up to 20% annual savings.
• Launched http://BSCM.org/Blog (Our new Resource Blog developed by Art Werry).
• Our Ministry Leaders are building a new website at http://bscm.org/ to be launched in early February.
• Our Ministry Leaders have added over 200 new presentations to our web-training portal at http://bscm.e-quip.net/.  
• Launched social media sites for BSCM (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube & Vimeo Channels).
• Enlisted a Social Media Volunteer.
• Began gathering e-mail addresses for our new Resourcing E-Newsletter, for publication up to twice monthly. Sign up at http://BSCM.org/Blog.
• Enlisted 4 writers for our Baptist Beacon & blog publications.
• Evaluating systems and structures for most effective service to our congregations.
• Initiated a potential partnership for our Michigan Baptist Foundation with the Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma.
• Enjoyed many phone conversations with pastors, church planters and members of congregations.
• Worked with three associations related to their vacant associational missionary position.
• Met with students at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary about ministry in Michigan.

     It is a joy to serve you and the churches of our great Baptist Convention of Michigan. I am excited about the future and all that God has in store of us as we minister together.
     “So how’s the transition going?” Since it’s not about stuff but about relationships … I think it is going great. I am so glad you are on the journey with us.

 

Cooperative Partners in God’s Harvest,