Addressing Difficult Issues:
Sex Abuse in Church
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Written by John Upton, BGAV executive director
Rereading the story of Jesus in the wilderness being tested by Satan reminded me of the harshness of that story. I could feel the harshness in the verb, “the Spirit drove him out.” It didn’t say the Spirit let him out, or invited him out, or called him out. The Spirit drove him out into the wilderness.
That is our story too. The mind we have been given is not meant to always be peaceful; it is also meant to grapple with painful circumstances and difficult questions. Life is not always smooth sailing—sometimes we must face the tough stuff.
I believe God is currently driving us out into a wilderness of church life that we have wanted to avoid, but we can’t. In recent weeks different newspapers across the country have forced the church—particularly the Baptist church—to face the truth that many people have been sexually abused and assaulted within our churches either by clergy, deacons, Sunday School teachers, youth ministers, and others. Over 700 people have reported they were sexually abused or assaulted in Baptist churches in the past 20 years. The truth of this will make you sick on one hand and angry on the other. This is one of the most urgent items we need to address and own. This is our moment to start to get it right and make our churches the safest places a person can be. I regret it has taken us this long to own this crisis.
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Fresh Expressions Vision Days Coming to a Location Near You!
Over 80 church leaders gathered in Stuart's Draft for a Fresh Expressions Vision Day on Saturday, February 16. The next Vision Day is Tuesday, March 19, in Mechanicsville.
A Vision Day is a day-long workshop that helps leaders know what Fresh Expressions is, why fresh expressions of church are important for every church and how you can begin a fresh expression of church!
Do you have an idea for a fresh expression of church but need help getting started? Fresh Expressions is offering $500 micro-grants to 50 BGAV churches! All grant applications are due June 1.
Get more details.
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Kairos Leadership Initiative (KLI)
Retreat Kicks Off Seventh Year of Developing Young Leaders
Written by Karin Goude
Before the buzz of the spring semester began, nine young adults gathered in the mountains for a time of personal reflection and community building.
The 2019 class of the Kairos Leadership Initiative (KLI) kicked off the program year with their first retreat over the third weekend of January. This was the first in-person gathering for the student and staff team since the interview and selection process in October.
There is different energy when finally meeting face-to-face, and the cohesion of this year’s group was evident from the start.
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2019 Virginia Baptist Combined Handbell Festival Was a Huge Success
More than 140 participants joined their musical gifts together at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Glen Allen on February 8-9 for this popular event. Guest Director David Harris of The Raleigh Ringers led the festival.
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2019 Nominations and Expectations for Service within the BGAV
Virginia Baptists are a rich and diverse body of believers! Since 1823, we have empowered our leadership to make a difference in the Redeemer’s Kingdom. We need your help to continue!
The Committee on Boards and Committees is responsible for enlisting capable people to serve on the various committees, boards and agencies that relate to the Baptist General Association of Virginia. We invite you to help us identify gifted individuals to serve in the coming year by sharing the names of those Virginia Baptists, both laypersons and ministers, whom you believe have the qualifications and commitment to advance the Redeemer’s Kingdom.
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For the month of March, we are showcasing nontraditional outreach initiatives that some include in their ministry. Two Fresh Expressions churches - At the Table and Farm Church - utilize dinner church to reach their communities, and a breakfast ministry called Open Table that also uses food to reach others outside the church; Kairos Initiative provides an annual retreat for its Kairos Leadership Initiative students to enhance creative thinking in the church; and Camp Piankatank organizes a winter camp weekend each year for teenagers.
There are also worship slides to help promote various BGAV ministries and upcoming events. If you need additional resources, please email
Jennifer Law
, marketing associate.
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Churches Finding New Ways to Creatively Reach People in Their Communities: At the Table
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Churches Finding New Ways to Creatively Reach People in Their Communities: Farm Church
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Kairos Leadership Initiative (KLI) Retreat Kicks Off Seventh Year of Developing Young Leaders
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Camp Piankatank Winter Blast
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BGAV Scholarships and Ministerial Education Funds
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Virginia Baptist Disaster Response
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Ministry Equipping Network
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Journey: A Retreat for High School Students
March 8-10, 2019 - Lynchburg, VA
All high school students are welcome to this year’s Journey weekend retreat at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center in Lynchburg, VA, from March 8-10, 2019. Come listen to guest speaker Keith Farmer of
Straight Street
and worship led by Relinquish. The theme verse for the weekend is James 1:22, which says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourself. Do what it says.”
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BGAV Chaplain and Spiritual Care Training
April 9-12, 2019 - Henrico, VA
Registration for the BGAV Chaplain and Spiritual Care Training event is now open! This training includes 7 tracks of training - 16 hours each - for pastors, chaplains, their spouses, and invited guests
. Training highlights include coaching, leadership, disaster spiritual care, and Baptist distinctives.
Get more information
and
register online
.
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MORE UPCOMING EVENTS:
February 28, 2019
Henrico, VA
February 28, 2019
March 8-10, 2019
Lynchburg, VA
March 28-30, 2019
Alexandria, VA
April 9-12, 2019
Henrico, VA
April 25, 2019
Henrico, VA
Empower Coaching Classes:
Ministry Equipping Network:
- Best Practices of Teaching Preschoolers - March 2, 2019
- Youth Ministry 101 - March 7, 2019
- Choosing and Evaluating Youth Curriculum - March 9, 2019
- Inclusive and Supportive Children’s Ministry: Serving Children and Families with Special Needs - March 11, 2019
- The Bible and Church Finances/The Church as a Legal Entity - March 12, 2019
- The Family of God - March 13, 2019
- Choosing and Evaluating Children’s Curriculum - March 18, 2019
- Leading and Caring for Others - March 21, 2019
- State and Federal Tax Reporting Requirements - March 26, 2019
- Teaching Techniques and Approaches - March 30, 2019
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Complete the 2018 ACP Survey
LifeWay’s
Annual Church Profile (ACP) Survey is under way and accessible for completion online utilizing the unique log-in credentials assigned to each church. Please complete all 3 portions of the survey (questionnaire, BGAV supplemental survey, and leadership profile) as thoroughly as possible.
(The 2018 survey will close on March 31, 2019.)
As always, your diligence in providing statistical information to the state convention each year is vital and greatly appreciated. You are the key to the history of your church! If you have any questions about this process or need any assistance with your ACP survey, please contact
Melody Fowler at 800.255.2428, ext. 1207.
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Stay Connected to Your BGAV Family
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ARE YOU READING THE BGAV BLOG?
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The BGAV Blog contains stories, columns, resources, and news that can help your faith journey. View the latest posts:
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Churches and ministries are posting new jobs to our ministry jobs board every week. Below are some of the most recent postings:
- Senior Pastor @ Sycamore Baptist Church, Franklin, VA
- PT Minister to Children and Youth Intern @ College Park Baptist Church, Danville, VA
- PT Nursery Care Worker @ Shalom Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, VA
- PT Worship Leader @ Groveton Baptist Church, Alexandria, VA
- Senior Pastor @ Kenbridge Baptist Church, Kenbridge, VA
- Next Generation Pastor @ First Baptist Church of Conway, Conway, SC
- PT Associate Pastor – Young Adults @ First Baptist Church of Newport News, Newport News, VA
- Youth Pastor @ Hampton Baptist Church, Hampton, VA
- Pastor @ Lattimore Baptist Church, Lattimore, NC
- Associate Pastor for Worship & Arts @ West Hampton Baptist Church, Hampton, VA
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Lord God, we come to you as poor, heavily burdened people who often do not know where to turn. But we have trust in you, for you are love. Your love penetrates deep into our lives, righting what is wrong and making amends for our blundering. And so we are joyful and await your grace and your help on all our ways. Bless us, and help us find what is right in every situation, to your praise and your honor. Amen.
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Stay Engaged with the BGAV!
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Baptist General Association of Virginia
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