THE CENTRAL CONNECTION March 2018 "We are an organization of churches that is committed to the mission of Christ to multiply disciple-making churches through evangelism, leadership training, and connection with other like-minded churches."

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FROM THE DIRECTOR "Courage To Share"

" From 1947 to 2005, more than 2 billion people in over 185 countries and territories on six continents have either attended or watched the Crusades on television, video, webcast, or listened to his “Hour of Decision” radio show. When Graham issued the invitation to come forward, more than 3 million people walked to the Cross to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. That’s amazing. One of my many thoughts when this hero died was, “Who will take his place to influence so many for Christ?”  Read more

Pat Phinney CB North Central Regional Director Read some evangelistic tips by Ed Stetzer: "I do not have the gift of evangelism, but I do hold evangelistic interest as a high value. I am glad those who first shared the gospel with me did as well." Read more -by Ed Stetzer, EdStetzer.com

 Hi friends, February 28 was a big day for us, as Karen started her second round of chemo therapy for her Ovarian cancer. She had a treatment of Doxol, which is designed to kill cancer cells and then 15 days later she will have Avastin, which is designed to keep the cancer cells from reproducing. Hopefully it will be a one two knockout punch. After three cycles or months of 28 days each, Karen will get a CT scan to see if the treatments are working (probably May). If all is well, she'll have three more 28 day treatments and we're done mid July 18. Please continue to pray with us that these new treatments will work and yes, we're still trusting God for a miracle.  Pat

Moody Pastor's Conference 2018 May 21-24, 2018 Chicago, IL

Don't Delay, Reserve Your Spot TODAY! Take a look at the pricing on the Moody website, but REGISTER through CB North Central AND SAVE! 50% OFF Registration Moody Early Bird Registration is $199 Register through CBNC and you'll pay $99.50! (Meals & Lodging are Additional) Because we register as a group, Moody is giving us an incredible savings. Right now through Friday, March 30th your full package Conference Registration/Shared Lodging/10 Meals $349.50 Please see the Moody website for additional options, i.e. single room/meal plan, day passes, etc.

What are others saying about the conference?

"I have found the Moody Pastor’s Conference to be a blessing in a host of areas: Great Biblical expository preaching; worshipful music from a variety of genre’s; good food; and cross pollination of ministry ideas with a great bunch of guys. It is well worth the time and money."  -Eldon Carlson, Bloomer, WI “The Moody Pastors Conference is my annual “go to event for go to guys” .. it is full of top shelf preaching, worship, workshops and fellowship. This is an awesome event to be deeply refreshed and to recharge for ministry.”  - Grant Willett, Oak Grove Church Golden Valley, MN

"The Moody Pastors Conference offered me an opportunity to break away from the rigors and demands of ministry to receive encouragement from other pastors, inspiration from the general session speakers, challenge from the Word of God, and helpful information from the workshops I attended. It’s also fun to explore the downtown area of Chicago.  There were several years in the past where I could not find a conference that seemed well-suited to me, but the Moody Pastors Conference gives me a boost for continued pastoral ministry." -David Johnson, Storden Baptist  Storden, MN “A conference not on techniques or programs, but one which focuses on God and the power of his Word. Highly challenging.”  – Dave Breederland, Faith Community West Concord, MN

For more information about the schedule of events and speakers visit the Moody Bible Institute website for the Pastor's Conference.

Call or email the CBNC office to register. 763-205-9330 or wendyj@cbnorthcentral.org 2 Options to Pay for Your Conference Fees Mail a check to CB North Central, PO Box 490441, Blaine, MN 55449 or pay online.

PAY FEES ONLINE

Contact the CBNC office for information about scholarships.

Henry C. Spicer Scholarship The HENRY C. SPICER SCHOLARSHIP is awarded each year to high school seniors planning to attend college in the Fall. To qualify, an applicant must be a committed Christian and a regular attender of a CBNC affiliated church.  For more information and an application, visit our  website. More questions?  Contact the CB North Central office by phone 763-205-9330 or email  wendyj@cbnorthcentral.org.   Applications must be postmarked no later than April 1st.

PASTOR'S WIVES. . . JUST FOR YOU "The Father's Sacrifice vs The Pastor's Wife's Sacrifice" Do you, as a Pastor's wife, ever struggle with the sacrifice it requires? I do, especially lately. A gentleman in our church recently mentioned not being able to see his kids for 8 days because he'd had the flu. I thought to myself, "8 days? Are you kidding me?!"  Read more Donna Jentink Wife of Pastor Jay Jentink Calvary Baptist, Cedar Rapids, IA

CLUSTER GROUP DIRECTOR "Jesus Sent Disciples 2 By 2"

"As a teen, we sang a song at church: “When you know the Lord you need nobody else, to see you through the darkest night.…” Praise God we don’t sing that song anymore, at least in the circles I worship! I see it as a flat out lie, but it does appeal to our American culture of the lone-strong-need-no-body-else philosophy."  Read more

Pastor Eldon Carlson CB North Central, Regional Cluster Group Director

Teach the Everlasting Gossip Stopper Everywhere I go I teach church attendees a method for dramatically decreasing the amount of gossip that goes on in a congregation. You can teach this to your church in a few minutes, though you will likely need to do it repeatedly, and here’s why.  Read more , see the Video   Redevelopment Transitional Pastor, Brian A Thorstad Presently at Oak Park Community Church, Blaine, MN

WORDS OF WISDOM - Advice Through The Ages

As you read this month's advice to pastor's from Pastor Michael Frey, remember to pray for our pastors, new and not so new.  “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service” (1 Timothy 1:12 NIV). Paul went on in the next few verses to express his awareness of how undeserving he was of that role and how much grace and mercy and patience the Lord had extended to him (read 1 Timothy 1:12–17).

We need to remind ourselves on a regular basis that it is an undeserved privilege to serve in pastoral ministry. Like Paul, we too are sinners who need grace, mercy, and patience extended to us—by the Lord and also by those to whom and with whom we minister. That awareness is helpful for maintaining a spirit of humility and love as we relate to others, especially those who create the greatest challenges for us. Let’s set an example of being patient and forgiving, knowing that we will need others to be patient with our weaknesses and forgiving of our failures. Remember, we are feeble and flawed servants. As Paul wrote elsewhere, “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV). It’s not about the servants; it’s about the Master! Be grateful, as Paul was, for the opportunity to serve the Lord as a leader in his church, but only the Lord has the power to produce lasting, life-changing results, so all of the honor and glory belongs to him. May we be humble and faithful stewards, making the most of whatever opportunities he graciously gives us to serve him and his church.     Pastor Michael Frey Calvary Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, IA

CBAmerica Chaplaincy "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" "For a moment I froze – what was I going to do? There were about 200 soldiers waiting to hear the brief, the unit had rescheduled the day on my account, I had a wedding to perform … but I had to minister to the soldier." Read more -by Chaplain John Hatfield, Rhode Island Army National Guard

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Rev. Andy Meverden Director of Chaplaincy CBAmerica.org 3686 Stagecoach Rd, Unit F Longmont, CO 80504 ChapAndy@cbamerica.org

Thank You, Billy Graham "We can learn to love our family and others with a greater love. We can learn to have a greater humility, understanding that we are nothing without Christ. We can learn that the simple things in life are those that really matter. And we can learn that this life is not about us." "It’s all about Jesus." Read more -by Thom S. Rainer, ThomRainer.com 9 Unbiblical Statements Christians Believe "Often, we’ll hear someone quote a statement that sounds nice to us, and we’ll begin repeating it as though it’s biblical truth without ever researching it in the Scriptures. Several of these unbiblical statements have gained enough traction that many people believe they’re actually Bible verses. Not only are the statements unbiblical; most of them teach the opposite of what the Bible teaches." Read more - by Shane Pruitt, ChurchLeaders.com 10 Things No One Ever Told You About Being A Pastor "Those of us who have been in the field throughout all our adult years wish someone had told us a few things about this work. So, assuming we are speaking to beginnin g  pastors , here are a few things we’d love to share…" Read more - by Joe McKeever, ChurchLeaders.com This article was first brought to our attention by Pastor Steve DeKok of First Baptist Church, Jackson, MN. Thank you Steve. 4 Reasons You Shouldn't Be Colorblind "When I speak with people about ethnic and racial diversity, it’s not long before I hear, “I don’t see color. I’m colorblind! My parents taught me not to see color.”' "I’d like to suggest that we aren’t colorblind, we don’t need to be colorblind, and we actually should strive to not be colorblind. Colorblindness leads us in the wrong direction. Instead, I want to encourage us to be colorsmart. Here are four reasons why." Read more -by Trillia Newbell, The Gospel Coalition

PLEASE PRAY for the Following Churches in Transition

Noelridge Park Church - Cedar Rapids, IA First Baptist Church - Colfax, IA Oak Park Community Church - Blaine, MN First Baptist Church - Jackson, MN First Baptist Church - Minneapolis, MN Faithbridge Church - Park Rapids, MN 

CB North Central Cluster Groups Central Minnesota Monday, March 12, 10am to Noon Meeting at River of Live Church, Hastings, MN Steve Schoenwald, River of Life Church, Hastings, MN 651-437-3965 sdschoenwald@gmail.com Southwest Minnesota Tuesday, April 3, 11am - 1pm Bring a lunch Meeting at First Baptist Church, 921 Hills Ave, Jackson, MN Walt Moser, First Baptist Church, Luverne, MN 507-283-4091 PastorWalt.Moser@gmail.com Wisconsin Tuesday, March 20, at 8:30am Meeting Suzie's Cafe, 16 S 3rd St, Barron, WI Eldon Carlson, Bloomer, WI 715-568-1979 ecarlson@bloomer.net Wade Duroe, Crossroads Church, Chippewa Falls, WI 715-723-1054 Wljc12@hotmail.com Iowa Tuesday, April 10, at Noon Meeting at Squaw Creek Baptist Church, Marion, IA Jay Jentink, Calvary Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, IA 319-396-3233 office@calvarycr.org Illinois Next Meeting to be Announced Art Georges, Living Hope Community Church, Bartonville, IL 309-633-0028 art@livinghopecentral.org Michigan Next Meeting to be Announced Nate Wagner, Sparta Baptist Church, Sparta, MI 616-887-8813 nate@spartabaptist.org 

SERVICES & INFORMATION PROVIDED BY CB NORTH CENTRAL Below you will find a partial list of the many services provided by CB North Central, click on any image for more information.

Placement Services for Pastors Seeking a Position

FREE Demographic Report for Your Church & Community

Listing of All CB North Central Churches

Church Assessment Tool How Healthy is Your Church?

501c3 Tax Exempt Status for Associated Churches

Discount Software thru Microsoft Volume Licensing

Compensation Guidelines for Pastors & Staff

Interim Pastor Services through IPM

Henry C. Spicer Scholarship Awards

Background Check Resources

Retirement Information

Placement Services for Churches Seeking a Pastor

CB North Central PO Box 490441, Blaine, MN 55449 Pat Phinney Regional Executive Director patp@cbnorthcentral.org Pat's Office: 952-322-7173 Pat's Cell: 952-500-3743 Wendy Jonasen, Administrative Assistant wendyj@cbnorthcentral.org 763-205-9330 Administrative Office Hours: Tues. thru Fri. 8am - 1pm Stay Connected www.cbnorthcentral.org

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