Spring 'O Spring, Where Art Thou?

THE

CENTRAL CONNECTION

March 2019

"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."

Visit Our Website

FROM THE DIRECTOR

“Power Under Control”

"I remember a terrifying experience as if it were yesterday. My two kids were small and we were invited to a friend’s farm to ride a horse. That sounds pretty fun and innocent, right? The first serious mistake I made was getting on this 6’ tall, 1,000-pound beast that can run 30 mph. The very second I hit the saddle, he could sense my fear and trepidation. And then the unimaginable happened. He reared up like the Lone Ranger’s horse Silver and took off in a full gallop. I froze in terror! Here I am held hostage on this massive out of control animal and all I could think of is, 'Today I am going to die, right in front of my kids.' " Read More

Pat Phinney

CB North Central Regional Director

Our Update

A good friend of ours from Oregon just sent this E-Card that says, “Faith doesn’t make sense. It makes miracles.” (Tony Evans) This ministered to my soul and Dr. Evans is correct. When Karen and I look upon this difficult trial that God has entrusted us with, He wants faith. Of course, we want a miracle of healing. Who wouldn’t? In our prayers over these 18 months, we have asked that we would be faithful to God and that our faith in Him would grow beyond our understanding. So, we continue. Read More

Pat and Karen Phinney

New President of CBAmerica Appointed

Dr. David Whitaker, President

CBAmerica

At the winter meeting of the CBAmerica Board, January 29 ^th and 30 ^th , held in Laguna Beach, CA, Dave Whitaker, lead pastor of Morgan Hill Bible church, Morgan Hill, CA and Regional Executive Director of Next Generation churches, was appointed president of CBAmerica.

He is taking on the newly defined position of president:

“In recognition of the covenantal commitment

of CBA, the President shall serve the member networks, facilitating national vision, coordinating and managing the network of national resources and services; he shall be a part of the selection process for any new Executive Director of a member network; he shall facilitate the expansion of CBA into more networks.”

CLUSTER GROUP DIRECTOR

Communication - WHAT??

A farmer came to a lawyer one day. “I want a divorce,” he said. The attorney asks, “Do you have grounds?” The man responds, “Yes, we own 80 acres.” “I mean” he goes on, “do you have a case?” “No!” the farmer says, “I just have John Deere’s.” “Sir,” the frustrated lawyer asks, “do you have a grudge?” “Why of course I have a grudge,” he says, “that’s where I park my John Deere.”. . .

Pastor Eldon Carlson

CBNC Regional Cluster Group Director

Don't Miss This Opportunity!

Time Is Running Out!

April 1st DEADLINE

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.

First Baptist Church of Minneapolis, MN is extending an invitation to fellow CB Churches to participate in a 10 month paid internship or training program. Each person will be trained in one of five different positions that correspond to five different ministry areas within First Baptist Church, Minneapolis. On completion, individuals will return to their desired church ministry context for continued Kingdom service. To find out more about this opportunity CLICK HERE.

AROUND THE REGION

When You Break It All Down, THIS Is What It's All About

Charles Perlos, Jr. coming up out of the waters of baptism.

"At Bethel Church in Jackson, Michigan we have been trying to be faithful to the command of Jesus to make disciples with a four-step evangelistic strategy:

1--Pray (how should we love them, Lord?)

2--Love--love them the way God has led and gifted us to love them. At best this is a team effort.

3--Invite. If we have a sense an invitation to an event or church would be fruitful, invite them.

4--Gospel Conversation. When it is natural and appropriate involve them in a couple kinds of gospel conversation. One we call the "stand-up" Gospel conversation. This is the "over-the-back-fence" talk. The other is the "sit-down" gospel conversation. This is when you gain permission to talk about the Bible or the gospel or their needs and God." Read More

Ken Pierpont

Lead Pastor-Bethel Church

Jackson, Michigan

Who Has Made a Difference In Your Life?

Bloomer High School's

Main Entrance

"This week I was challenged to remember how someone has made a difference in my life. When I first was given this assignment, I thought that this would be an easy task, but the moment you start thinking about all the different occasions someone might have done this for you, memories start flooding through your mind making this a very difficult task. God has blessed us so greatly!" Read More

Pastor Patrick Rhodes

Bloomer Baptist Church, Bloomer, WI

***Pastors: We have blank certificates for licensing and ordination available at the CBNC office. Please contact us if you need one.

CBAmerica Chaplaincy

"Do Hard Things: Memories of a Calvary Spur Ride" "

"As unique as the Airborne community is, my unit is part of the Airborne Cavalry Regiment. Essentially, they function as the reconnaissance element of the Brigade: scouting out areas ahead, behind, and all around the Brigade to provide actionable intelligence for the fight, as well as to seek out and destroy enemy reconnaissance elements. As a result, we come with a lot of vehicles and gunners. For us, typical Airborne operations entail not only dropping humans from the sky, but our gun trucks and scout vehicles so that we can be quick and highly mobile." Read More -by Chaplain Sean Callahan, Fort Bragg, NC

Rev. Andy Meverden

Director of Chaplaincy

CBAmerica.org

3686 Stagecoach Rd, Unit F

Longmont, CO 80504

ChapAndy@cbamerica.org

Announcing: 2019 IPM Summit

Leadership Training and Coaching Conference

June 10-12, 2019

Waybright Center, Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL

Keynote Speaker: Ken Sande, Relational Wisdom 360

Mark your calendar and plan to attend the 2019 IPM Summit. More details and the 2019 theme will be released shortly after New Years. Many are already familiar with the name “Ken Sande” from his work as founder of Peacemaker Ministries. His new ministry, Relational Wisdom 360, has lots of application to interim ministry and the mission of IPM. You’ll want to learn and gain insight from Ken and his teachings.

We look forward to seeing you there!

STRENGTHENING CHURCHES DURING PASTORAL TRANSITION FOR GREATER EFFECTIVENESS

Our mailing address is:

PO Box 113

Orleans, MI 48865

Click Here for More Information

2019 Church & Clergy Tax Guide

Find comprehensive help understanding United States tax laws as they relate to pastors and churches with Richard Hammar's 2019 Church & Clergy Tax Guide.

Read more about this valuable resource.

Armed Intruder Preparedness

"Instances of armed intruder attacks continue to occur in the United States. These attacks are not limited to a select few; any of Church Mutual’s policyholders could be impacted. Church Mutual has partnered with industry experts Firestorm and ALICE to help you develop plans and procedures to keep your people safe before, during and after a violent attack." See Video Church Mutual Insurance, ChurchMutual.com

This Lady's Birth Story Needs to Be Shared With Everyone

"When adoptee Claire Culwell went to meet her birth mother, she had no idea what she was about to discover regarding the circumstances surrounding her birth."

“'Nothing in my life could have ever prepared me for what she told me that day,' says Claire ." Read More and See Video -by Jessica Mouser, ChurchLeaders.com