August 2019
In this month's edition:
  • A Healthy Transition
  • 2020 Proposed Budget
  • DBC Receiving Resumes
  • Baker State Mission Week
  • FBC Miller Van for Sale
  • Summary of the Executive Board Meeting
  • Dakota Baptist Ministry Training Institute
  • Register for the 2019 Dakota Baptist Gathering
A Healthy Transition
In the 35 years of serving in the Dakotas, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. I have witnessed and been a part of every search for an executive director since Dewey Hickey. Some times the search took place as a result of a firing. Sometimes in the midst of acrimony. And sometimes in an atmosphere of distrust and even anger.
 
More times than not the executive director spent the first months of his job trying to function without the help of the last executive director or in the midst of disharmony, wondering if the convention would hang together. I hope we can avoid this during this transition. I want to finish strong. I want to be a resource and help to my successor. I hope the next guy gets a great start and lead us to new heights. 

So with that in mind what can we do to set the stage for this for a healthy transition. 

I would like to urge you to do the following! 

Pray.  
  • Pray for the search committee
  • Pray that God will reveal the person to the committee
  • Pray for unity
  • Pray for a smooth transition
  • Pray for the staff 

Trust. 
  • Build a profile to inform your search
  • Build a process so things can be done and in order
  • Trust the people doing the search
  • Trust the process and let it work
  • Most of all - Trust God. Remember you cannot control everything but he is sovereign and he will bring the person to light! 

Support  
  • Don’t threaten
  • Decide right now that you will remain committed to working together no matter who the person maybe
  • Don’t threaten to pick up your toys and go home
  • Help the next guy be a success
  • Have patience and understanding 

Share and Seek 
  • Seek don’t manipulate
  • Reject any ones else’s attempts to do so
  • Don’t let people inside or outside the Dakotas manipulate the process and don’t let the candidates do so or their advocates
  • Share names of possible candidates, ask for resumes, advice and help, but above all: 
  • Seek God’s will not your own 
  • Seek God’s man not your man 

At the end of this process we want to be able to stand before the convention and say without a doubt we have found God’s man. And we want the man we call to be able to say, “because of the process, because of seeking God and seeking his face, I am certain I am where God wants me.” That way he will know that he is here not as a sole result of man or manipulation but as a result of God moving in his life and the life of our convention.

Let’s walk through these months of discovery depending on God and praying for each other. 

- Garvon 
Summary of the Executive Board Meeting
The Executive Board of the Dakota Baptist Convention met in Bismarck, North Dakota on August 16 & 17. The Board heard reports from the Executive Director/Treasurer, our Missions & Church Planting Director, our Church Leadership Development Director, the President of our Convention and representatives from our associations.

Financial reports were discussed and approved and the Administrative/Personnel Team reported on the beginning of the Executive Director/Treasurer Search:

  • A profile building process was begun with items displayed on tear sheets. The Board was invited to add to them.
  • A profile will be built and a process for the search established.
  • The current Executive Director was authorized to send out an announcement that the Administrative Team will be receiving resumes until October 8th (forthcoming).
  • The Administrative Team encourages our pastors and churches to make recommendations to the Administrative/Personnel Team of any candidate(s) they would like.

The hope is to have someone identified and ready to call by the first of the year.

The Executive Board approved the following proposals:

  1. Adopted the 2020 Budget to be approved at the Baptist Gathering
  2. Adopted the 2020 Calendar to be approved at the Baptist Gathering
  3. Set aside $15,000 for Executive Director/Treasurer Search & Relocation
  4. Set aside $10,000 to replenish the DBC Continuing Education Fund
  5. Approved the 2020 dates for Executive Board Meetings:
  • March 13-14: Pierre, SD
  • August 7-8: Bismarck, ND
  • October 9: Rapid City, SD (organizational meeting)
6. Approved Christmas bonuses for state staff

The next meeting of the DBC Executive Board will be an organizational meeting, October 11, in Fargo following the Dakota Baptist Gathering.
Proposed Budget for 2020
Churches will be receiving a hard copy of the proposed budget for 2020 in the coming month. In the meantime, you can look over the proposed budget below.
Dakota Baptist Ministry Training Institute
"Intro to Hermeneutics"
begins September 9th.
Click on the image below to enlarge it.
We are counting down to our first class for the Dakota Baptist Ministry Training Institute. You still have time to register for "Introduction to Hermeneutics" for the Fall 2019 term and begin working toward your Certificate in Dakota Ministry. Class will begin on September 9, 2019, so be sure and register early so you can get your texts and be ready to learn.

This will be a 13-week course and is our initial offering toward creating an online learning space for people who minister in the Dakotas. We will be offering additional classes in the spring and beyond to enable students to earn a certificate and college credit from Spurgeon College and Midwestern Seminary. Courses will be taught by Dakota Baptist instructors. Additional courses will be in Church Administration, Evangelism and Discipleship and Biblical Care and Counseling. 

Each course will be worth three credit hours and upon completing four courses you will be awarded your certificate. These credits can be used for up to 25% of credits in a degree program at either Spurgeon College or Midwestern Seminary. The courses will cost students in the Dakotas $100 per course plus the cost of books. Do not miss this cost-effective way to get started or to continue your education. Visit  Dakotabaptist.com/onlinelearning  for more information or to enroll for the fall. Contact Jeff Musgrave with any questions.

Dakota Baptist Convention
Receiving Resumes
The Dakota Baptist Convention is receiving resumes for the role of Executive Director/Treasurer of their convention. The Dakota Baptist Convention is a group of 84 churches in North and South Dakotas working together to Strengthen Churches, Plant Churches, Reach the Lost and Develop and Encourage Leaders and Pastors. 

Resumes can be sent to the Address Below: 

Dakota Baptist Convention 
P.O. Box 549 
Rapid City, SD. 57709 
Attention: DBC Administrative/Personel Team 

Or email resumes to:


The convention will be receive resumes through October 9th, 2019.
Baker State Mission Prayer Week
September 8-15
First Baptist Miller Selling Church Van
First Baptist Church in Miller, South Dakota, is looking for a buyer of their 2003 Ford E-350 XLT Superduty with 190,000 miles. They are asking $3000 for it. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Will Page at pastorwill.millerfbc@gmail.com or 701-609-0197.
October 10-11, 2019 at Temple Baptist Church

Convention Hotel:
Candlewood Suites (701) 499-7381
Mention the Dakota Baptist Convention to get the special rate of $84/night + tax. RESERVE EARLY! This is the same weekend as NDSU's Homecoming!