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Alliance of Baptists Convocation
April 17-19, 2009
Just 8 Days Remaining to Register for the Convocation!
As of April 9th, 367 individuals have registered for the 2009 Alliance of Baptists Convocation. This includes 94 First Timers and 47 Students. Let us greet our many new friends with lots of Alliance hospitality at this year's convocation .
Convocation Proclaimer Update
At Diana Butler Bass' request she will not be preaching in worship. However, Diana will offer a key note from 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. as well as lead a lunch conversation with college and seminary students.
We are delighted to welcome Diane Lipsett, Divinity School Professor at Wake Forest University as proclaimer in worship. Diane Lipsett teaches courses in New Testament and Christian origins at the Divinity School of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
 Diane brings a background in literary criticism and an ongoing interest in literary and rhetorical theory to her study of early Christian texts.
Born in Canada, she also spent parts of her youth in Australia, Texas, and Alaska, participating in a variety of Protestant congregations. Diane has been actively involved in the teaching and youth ministries of many churches. Diane has also published on the rhetoric of perfection in the Sermon on the Mount, and on motifs of desire and self-restraint in early non-canonical texts. She was selected one of four "Regional Scholars" recognized in 2002 by the Society for Biblical Literature.
As one of Diane's former students at Wake Forest, I am elated to share the good news of Diane's poignant and powerful preaching at this year's convocation. This is some proclaiming you won't want to miss!
Horizons of Hope Church in White Settlement, Texas Joins the Alliance of Baptists
The Horizons of Hope Church, our newest affiliate congregation, shares these thoughts:
"On Sunday, Horizons of Hope Church celebrated its fifth birthday as a congregation. Horizons of Hope is an independent church committed to empowering our fellow faith travelers to live passionate and hopeful lives in service to Jesus Christ. The founding pastor, Linda Seymour, led us to create a community in which all participants will learn the Christian faith as based in the Bible, and will be equipped to minister in love to all of God's people. Our church is a loving and open community in which all are welcome.
We thank God that we were able to dedicate our beautiful new church worship center and education buildings in September, 2008. This physical plant is the foundation for our ministry in our community. Our people minister to a large nursing home weekly, provide food for the needy, host an alzheimer's support group, provide weekly bible study for a senior living community, participate in a city beautification program, support Girl Scouts, and support other need-based ministries.
Our senior pastor is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University, and Brite Divinity School.
Prior to receiving her call to preach, Linda was with the FBI, and held positions in banking, hospitality, and other business areas. Her husband, Elliott, is the associate pastor who is a retired business executive with an M.Div. equivalent."
Rev. Linda Seymour said, "Our church family is excited about our affiliation with the Alliance primarily because it will connect us with missional outreach that we could not fund by ourselves."
perspectives … on -30-
by Stan Hastey, Minister for Mission and Ecumenism
 Radio and television broadcasters long have signed off with phrases or statements that over time become signatures for their work. Walter Cronkite, who late in his career came to be called broadcasting’s “conscience of the nation,” ended each evening’s CBS Evening News program with his inimitable, “And that’s the way it is….”
During the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979-1981, he began adding to that sign-off sentence the number of days Americans kidnapped from our embassy in Tehran had been held captive. Some have argued that in so reminding listeners from one agonizing night of the 444-day crisis to the next he helped bring down President Jimmy Carter.
More recently Keith Olbermann of MSNBC has resurrected Edward R. Morrow’s sometimes suave, often sardonic sign-off, “Good night … and good luck.”
Print journalists, though, traditionally have signed off on their stories or commentaries with a simple mark intended to let the editor know the story has ended: -30- . This month’s column is my -30-, the last time to file an article in connections, the last time to file this piece of opinion and analysis.
As such it must include, first and foremost, a word of heartfelt thanks for every reader who has given me the privilege of writing it and the even larger honor of paying it at least fleeting attention from time to time. For me it’s even more important to thank readers because this newsletter does not have a letters-to-the-editor section or another device for readers to talk back to writers.
For the past 11 years, plus four months, this column has appeared in connections. For all this time, the space has been given over to my reflections on a variety of issues, most having to do with public policy, others with matters of Baptist denominational concerns and, fewer still, with issues confronting the Alliance as such. Discounting the times others have contributed what we have called “perspectives,” my column count has reached 110. Read more...
Board Tightens the Belt – Pledges to
“Live within our means”
Making good on one of the tenets of a development plan adopted by the Board of Directors at its September 2008 meeting, the board trimmed roughly $100,000 from its original 2009 budget. Pledging to “live within our means,” the board made sweeping reductions including a restructuring of staff. The new budget of $398,415 is in line with average annual receipts for the past three years.
 “Cutting a budget is always painful,” said President Brooks Wicker, “and the choices are never easy. But we take seriously our fiduciary responsibilities to the Alliance. While these are incredibly hopeful times for the Alliance, we must temper our dreaming with a dose of reality.” Wicker went on to say, “Susan Burgess Parrish, our part-time Minister for Development, has only been at work since October 2008 and already we feel the positive effects of the development tools she is systematically putting into place. We are very excited about the future of the Alliance and know that the financial well being of our organization depends on generating this same excitement among our constituents. The upcoming convocation will be an excellent opportunity to generate this enthusiasm.”
Task Group to Recommend Changes to Alliance Constitution and By-Laws
A Task Group on Board Restructure has been hard at work the past year considering potential changes in how the Alliance is governed. Chaired by Vice-President Mike Castle, the Task Group will present their recommendations during the business session in Charlotte on April 18. The membership will have a full year to review and give feedback to the Task Group regarding the proposed changes.
The most significant change, in addition to reducing the size of the board, is the recommendation to create “communities” to do the ministry work of the Alliance and to expand the involvement of Alliance of Baptists people in its life and mission. Click here to review the recommended changes to the Constitution and By-Laws.
Arcus Grant Approved
In 2000, the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America (BPFNA), in partnership with the Alliance of Baptists, published Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth, A Resource for Congregations in Dialogue on Sexual Orientation. It was designed to assist clergy and lay leaders in leading healthy and respectful dialogue on the most difficult task of discernment facing the church in our times.
The book was an immediate success. It has been purchased and used widely by churches and individuals across the United States. It has been well reviewed and well received, with numerous glowing reports of its helpfulness. It was so successful, in fact, that it has nearly sold out. There are only a few copies remaining in the files of the publishers, and hardly a week passes that the BPFNA or the Alliance of Baptists does not receive a request for the book.
Thanks to the Arcus Foundation a planning grant for the second edition of Rightly Dividing the Word has been approved. The Alliance of Baptists will work in collaboration with the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America and the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists to develop this plan.
Alliance's Peace and Justice Committee Engages in Climate Change
by Carol Blythe Goodman, Peace and Justice Committee Chair
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus, it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. Isaiah 35: 1-2
In March 2009, Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches (NCC), at a joint meeting of Church World Service (CWS) and the NCC focused on Climate Change, encouraged us to reflect on matters of “eco-justice” and also reflect on the poor since poor people suffer more from environmental degradation. He ended his comments with the fact that we, as Christians, live in hope, the hope for the goodness of God’s earth that is expressed so beautifully in the Isaiah passage above. He concluded that the church, by the way we live, must be a sign of the wholeness of the created order.
I attended this meeting as a representative of the Alliance of Baptists. I learned that “Climate Change” is a more accurate term to describe the global effects of carbon emissions than “Global Warming”. Climate Change is a broader term which can include events like changes in rainfall patterns or changes in rainfall amounts and intensified natural disasters as well as the effects of rising seawaters due to global warming. Read more...
Alliance to Consider Statements During Convocation
Three statements have been submitted to the Alliance office for consideration by the membership at its annual meeting in Charlotte on April 18. Two statements, A Statement on Climate Change and A Statement on Economic Justice are being presented by the Alliance’s Peace and Justice Committee. The third statement, A Statement on Changing U.S.-Cuba Policies, is being presented by the Circle of Mercy congregation from Asheville, NC.
"I Am the Alliance" Video Challenge
by Mary Andreolli, Minister for Outreach & Communications
Wednesday was the last day - until after convocation that is - for gathering "I AM the Alliance" video. I must admit, this project has been quite an adventure. We've had the opportunity to hear Alliance stories from chaplains, college students, founders, seminarians, missions partners and even a pastor with a magic 8-ball pink jesus. These stories are the beautiful and diverse threads that comprise the Alliance of Baptists movement over the past 22 years. In the days ahead these Alliance stories will be woven together into a film for the Saturday morning business session. They will also be posted on iamthealliance.org
for your viewing pleasure. Special thanks to all those who participated in this project. It was an honor and a privilege to collect the many voices and stories on film that are the fabric of the Alliance of Baptists. The story continues...
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Last days to learn more about the convocation
Join the Alliance of Baptists to become part of a nationwide movement of individuals and congregations committed to responding to the call of God in a rapidly changing world.
Renew your membership now to be a part of the exciting future of the Alliance.
Give generously to the transformative missions' projects our partners are engaged in around the world.
Building Relationships through our connections
Clear Voice Network
In a time when historic Baptist principles, freedoms and tradition need a clear voice...
Sign up for Action Alerts from the Peace and Justice Committee to be a part of the Alliance's justice-making work.
Clergy Call for Justice and Equality
The Human Rights Campaign would like to officially invite each of you to attend our second Clergy Call for Justice and Equality on May 4-5, 2009 at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, DC. Over 200 have already signed up to attend. But we need your voice to let Congress, and indeed the nation, know that LGBT issues are faith issues and that we won’t be silent in our commitment to justice.
Registration is completely free and open to clergy and religious leaders of all faiths. Register Now.
Locate an Alliance Church
Search and Call Update
Virginia Highland Church, an Alliance affiliated congregation, is searching for a Pastor.
Rev. Dr. Eileen Campbell-Reed has joined the Luther Seminary faculty as associate director for the Learning Pastoral Imagination (LPI) Project.
2009 Finances
Through March 31, 2009:
Operating Receipts: $105,095.93
Operating Expenses: $105,762.13
Missions Receipts: $28,757.34
Mission Goal: $133,000
Honoring Stan Hastey
Sign up for the Alliance of Baptists Convocation to attend a very special banquet Saturday night to honor Stan Hastey. We'll celebrate Stan's more than 20 years of ministry and leadership.
Support the mission and ministry of the Alliance of Baptists.
Love shopping @ amazon.com?
Now when you buy items on amazon.com you can purchase them for the Alliance of Baptists by shopping in the Alliance Amazon Store. For every purchase you make in the Alliance Store the Alliance receives between 5% - 6.25% of the sale. At the end of each month the Alliance gets a check from Amazon for the purchases you made. Each month in connections we'll update you on the dollars you contributed. Can't find what you're looking for in the Alliance Store?
Simply use the search box on the store page and select any items you wish to purchase. Don't miss this chance to Give to the Alliance with each purchase!
Now Available: The Green Earth Challenge
"Part travelogue, part hymn of praise, and part environmental primer, The Green Earth Challenge will change the way you view the planet, your faith, and your role as a steward of God's creation." -- Smyth&Helwys
Calendar
April 14-15: Lectures on Religious Liberty and Separation of Church and State, Mercer University. Lecturer: Randall Balmer
April 17-19: Alliance of Baptists Convocation
April 24-25: Wake Forest University School of Divinity will host the Southeast regional gathering of the New Baptist Covenant. Speakers: President Jimmy Carter and Maya Angelou
April 26-29: Mobilization to End Poverty, Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC
May 4-5: Clergy Call for Justice, Calvary Baptist Church, Washington, DC
Subscribe to connections
If you received connections from a friend or family member and would like to learn more about the Alliance of Baptists, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you.
Alliance Staff
Carole Collins, Director of Finance
Chris Copeland, Minister for Leadership Formation
Paula Dempsey, Minister for Partnership Relations
Stan Hastey, Minister for Mission and Ecumenism
Susan Burgess Parrish, Minister for Development
Now connect with the Alliance of Baptists online to discover the latest happenings in our rapidly changing world.
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