What Fills You Up?

THE CENTRAL CONNECTION

October 2021

"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

Reimagining Ministry:

The Surpassing Power is from God and Not to Us

Life is very chaotic and unsettled. We are facing changes at an incredible pace. Whatever we thought was normal is slipping away and our longing to get things “back to the way they were” are diminishing. Certainly many things have returned to reflect the past and we have settled into those adjustments. Other things are still very uncertain. We are often being overwhelmed in ongoing cultural battles that impact us constantly unless we choose to hide from the collateral flashpoints. We are dealing with social injustice, changing paradigms, philosophical conflict, religious turmoil and reeling from the ruptures in our sense of community. Christians, unfortunately, have been tossed to and fro in this political, societal and church storms that have left many maneuvering to figure out how to navigate to a safe haven through the flack of all this posturing. The only thing that seems constant is that everything is constantly changing. The question is how do we operate in this environment? What do we focus on in this journey? How do we reimagine our life and ministry in this firestorm?

Pastor Brad Little, Regional Executive Director

Venture Church Network Midwest (CBNC)

Network Vlog- Making Disciples vs Attendees

In Kyle Idleman’s book, “Not a Fan,” there’s a part where Kyle speaks to a father whose daughter had left the faith. The father says to him, “My wife and I were diligent in raising her in church. But we were not in raising her in Jesus.”

It forced me to ask myself, “Have I raised my son in church, or have I raised him in Christ?” Not everybody that attends church wants to follow Jesus. For more click here.

Pastor Craig Hardinger, Director of Venture Church Network

of Northern California and Nevada

Take this opportunity to connect

with other pastors throughout the region.

The ENGAGE forum is done through Zoom

and if you haven't experienced it yet,

we invite you to join others for ENGAGE later this month.

Tuesday, October 26, 9:00am (CST)

with an alternative repeat session

Wednesday, October 27, 3:00pm (CST)

WATCH FOR YOUR ZOOM INVITE COMING SOON!

The Purpose of ENGAGE is to address gospel and missional critical issues and challenge our thinking related to pastoral ministry, leadership and the purpose of our churches.

The Goal of ENGAGE is to continue to become gospel-centered, grace driven, biblically anchored churches passionately committed to fulfill the mission of Christ.

Let's Get Together!

Pastors & Leadership Retreat

Mon thru Weds, November 8-10, 2021

at Lake Geneva Conference Point Center

300 Conference Point Rd, Williams Bay, WI

Theme: Re-Alignment-

Re-Affirming our Love and Intimacy

with God and His Mission

Who is invited to attend? Senior Pastors, Lead Pastors, Associate Pastors, Youth and Worship Pastors, Interim Pastors

Click Here for More Information

AROUND THE REGION. . .

Rollie (Roland) Whitcomb

pastor of Morrison Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN for 38 years, passed away at the age of 91 on 9-25-21. Rollie was a faithful servant of God with a passion to lead people to Christ. We are thankful for his many years of dedicated service. Please support his family with your prayers.

Services will be held at Straitgate Church in Minneapolis, MN Friday, October 8th - 11:00 reviewal, 12:00 funeral.

What Fills You Up?

With the first month of school ending and entering October, my wife and I both sat down one night, looked at each other, and gave each other an exhausted sigh. Between our own kids starting school, our one kid’s activities, youth group starting back up, students sporting events, See You at the Pole, and contacting parents, I have felt like I have been going, going, going. Read More

In Christ,

Chuck Babbitt, Youth Pastor

Bloomer, Baptist Church, Bloomer, WI

youth@bloomerbaptistchurch.com

Preaching About Money

I believe that pastors should preach about money, from the pulpit, on Sunday morning – every year. As much as we’re told that money can be a taboo topic in church, I have found that people really do like to talk about money and people are curious about what God thinks about money. I know you are keenly aware that people are extremely worried about money and the issues around money. Read More

Pastor Rob Buhl, First Baptist Church, Whitehall, WI

PLEASE PRAY for the Following Churches in Transition

First Baptist church - Colfax, IA

Calvary Community Church - Lancaster, WI

Venture Church Network (CBAmerica) Chaplaincy

Making Airborne Disciples: Paratroopers Dig Deeper Into God's Word

Our travel schedule remained as busy as ever for this quarter, but one incredible blessing was the increase in one-on-one discipleship meetings each week. I have several Paratroopers that I meet with on a regular basis, and their desires range from wanting to grow deeper in their faith to wanting to prepare for a future in ministry. We ordinarily meet once a week, and during that time discuss Scripture passages that we have been studying, as well as trying to prayerfully answer the question, “what is God saying to me?” Read More

-by Sean Callahan, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC

"These moments remind me that no matter how I may be feeling, or how much we all miss home, or however remote our location, God is always at work."

Rev. Randy L. Brandt, Chaplain, Colonel, USA Ret.

Director of Chaplaincy, Venture Church Network

venturechurches.org/chaplaincy

r.brandt@venturechurchnetwork.org

Cell: 913-904-8746

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. . .

He Already Knows the Answer, But God Still Calls Us To Pray

"Recently, a question about God and faith has been stirring in my heart, especially amid great tragedy and pain and loss: If he already knows the answer and has decided the outcome, why do we need to pray?" Read More -by Kristy Fry, Churchleaders.com

Five Dangers of Speaking in Hyperbole and How It Can Backfire

Most pastors communicate with good intentions, and most pastors are genuinely excited about God’s work in their churches. In fact, one of the main questions I get when I consult with pastors is How can I get my church more excited? Read More

-by Sam Rainer, Churchanswers.com

5 People You'd Rather Not Pray for...But Really Should

Let’s be honest. There are certain types of people we are conditioned, by our culture, to not like. These are the people that nobody is going to give us credit for liking, the people we tend to distance ourselves from. For good reason. And yet, these are the sinners Christ most likely would have sought out to save, the people we should, at the very least, pray for. Read More

-by Daniel Darling, Churchleaders.com