THE
CENTRAL CONNECTION
December 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."
FROM THE DIRECTOR
“Christmas - Mall or Manger”
"To my shock and amazement, I just read in USA Today that consumers spent a record $7.2 billion on Black Friday. In addition, according to Forbes Magazine, Cyber Monday hit a new record of more than $9 billion in sales. Are you ready for this? $3 billion orders came through smartphones. That is unbelievable." Read More







Pat Phinney
CBNC Regional Director
Our Update
"On October 29, 1941, Winston Churchill was giving a speech at the Harrow School where he attended as a boy outside of Central London. He made this famous comment to the students, “Never give in, never, never, never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in . . .” That perfectly describes our mindset in December 2019. We continue to never give in against the battle of cancer. "  

Pat and Karen Phinney
PLEASE NOTE: 
The CB North Central Administrative office will be closed from December 25 thru January 1. God's blessings to each of you at this time of year as we reflect on the miraculous arrival of our Savior. As you are counting your blessings consider being a blessing to someone else.
YEAR END GIVING:
Gifts received by CB North Central postmarked on or before December 31st will be credited to the 2019 contribution records. Anything postmarked January 1st or after will go toward your 2019 giving records. Thank you for your continued support and blessings to each of you in the coming year!
CLUSTER GROUP DIRECTOR
The Business of Growing Fruit
"My wife & I are reading a daily devotional for December to each other around the nativity narrative. (My brother Greg had given a copy to all our siblings and we are reading it as a group, commenting via text message the things we are learning.)

"A thought struck me. . ."  Read More 




Pastor Eldon Carlson
CBNC Regional Cluster Group Director
Gospel Hope
2020 Bethlehem Conference
for Pastors and Church Leaders
Monday, February 3 – Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Minneapolis Convention Center, Mpls, MN
The Bethlehem Conference has many very good speakers and offers an opportunity for you to get together with other Pastors and Church Leaders for a time of fellowship and learning. Check out the information here for the 2020 Conference-GOSPEL HOPE.

If you are interested in attending, Pastor Ben Killerlain from Calvary Church at Village Green in Moorhead, MN has experience attending this conference. If you would like to be part of a CB group planning to attend at a discount rate, please contact Pastor Killerlain at 218-233-3921 or email office@calvarychurchvg.com.
AROUND THE REGION
SPIRITUAL ETT (EXPLORING TRUTH TALKS): xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx No. 2
The Beauty of Advent
" A dvent is a pretty common element of the Christmas season but there are so many nuances of Advent that we don’t often think about. The word “advent” does not appear in our Bible but it is derived from the Latin word adentus, meaning “coming” which in Greek is the word Parousia (arrival, or official visit).

"Historically, Advent was thought of differently."  Read More

Pastor Brad Little, Oak Grove Church, Golden Valley, MN
Board Chairman, CB North Central
Podunk Ponderings: For the King xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx No. 5
". . . if the Lord left enemies for the nation of Israel to fight, so that they might be tested and know war, why should we think the Lord would not do the same for us? A quick survey of church history will reveal that the battle for truth has never really simmered down. The battle for truth has been fought by every generation." Read More
A Podunk Pastor
-by Pastor Josh Emmel, Faith Baptist Church, Kenmare, ND
NEW CHURCH PLANT-
Gerad Hall is a pastor in the Quad Cities area (Iowa cities Davenport & Bettendorf; Illinois cities Rock Island, Moline & East Moline) who is planning a new church plant. For more information click here . If you would like to contact Pastor Hall you can email him at Gerad.hall@gmail.com .
Remember . . . xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx No. 5
" 'Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection .'–Winston Churchill. With each passing year, I find myself resonating with this quote more and more. The Christmas season is filled with nostalgia, but in order to reflect one must slow down. As we all know for most people this Christmas season will move by too fast with too many commitments making the act of reflecting an afterthought. 
For many pastors it isn’t much different. Pastoring in this season between Thanksgiving and Christmas usually moves at a blistering pace. Here are a few things that may be worth remembering while you pastor in this season: " Read More

Pastor Gerad Hall
Quad Cities

The CBNC newsletter includes many good articles. Pastors and chaplains share God's truth, words of encouragement and wisdom. If you feel led, I would encourage you to contact any of the authors to give your feedback. It's always nice to know that your words have been helpful.

Wendy Jonasen, CBNC Administrative Asst.
CBAmerica Chaplaincy
" Those Four Words "

"There I was, paying attention, at least fairly well, during what we call “discharge rounds.” Out of that mound of information can come hints, either directly or indirectly, letting me know who I might need to see today. But all that changed when those four words came blasting over the loud speaker : “Code Blue, Cath Lab!” ."

- By Chaplain Gordon Ruddick
Hospital Chaplain, Springfield Oregon 


Rev. Andy Meverden
Director of Chaplaincy
CBAmerica.org
3686 Stagecoach Rd, Unit F
Longmont, CO 80504
PLEASE PRAY for the Following Churches in Transition
First Baptist Church - Colfax, IA
Oak Park Community Church - Blaine, MN
First Baptist Church - Detroit Lakes, MN
Faithbridge Church - Park Rapids, MN
Cavalier Baptist Church - Cavalier, ND
Faith Fellowship Church - Cincinnati, OH
First Baptist Church - Shelby, OH
Sample Housing Allowance for Pastors
Ready-to-use resolution language for church board to set a clergy housing allowance in 2020. Read More
-Richard R. Hammar, Churchlawandtax.com

What to Include in a Severance Package
Determine what to include in a severance package by establishing your budget and reviewing the paid benefits that the employee receives. Read More
- SmartChurchManagement.com, adapted, Churchlawandtax.com

Could You Raffle Away Your Tax-Exempt Status?
Insights on a common misconception that gaming is a “charitable” activity. Read More
-Churchlawandtax.com
CB N orth C entral Cluster Groups
Central Minnesota
Monday, December 16, 10am to Noon
Reading "Evangelism in a Skeptical World" by Sam Chan
Meeting at River of Live Church, Hastings, MN
Steve Schoenwald, River of Life Church, Hastings, MN
651-437-3965 sdschoenwald@gmail.com

Wisconsin
Thursday, January 16, Noon
Meeting at Season's Cafe in 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, January 8, Noon
Meeting at Calvary Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, IA
Jay Jentink, Calvary Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, IA
319-396-3233 office@calvarycr.org

Michigan
Virtual meeting by Messenger, Thursday, January 16, 9am
Eldon Carlson, CBNC Regional Cluster Group Director
715-568-1979 ecarlson@bloomer.net


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
Placement Services for Churches Seeking a Pastor
Compensation Guidelines for Pastors & Staff

Interim Pastor Services through IPM
Henry C. Spicer
Scholarship Awards
Pat Phinney
Regional Executive Director
patp@cbnorthcentral.org
Office: 952-322-7173
Cell: 952-500-3743

Wendy Jonasen
Administrative Assistant
wendyj@cbnorthcentral.org
763-205-9330
Administrative Office Hours:
Tues. thru Fri. 8am - 1pm
Administrative Office closed December 25 thru January 1.

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