Fighting to Keep Focus

THE

CENTRAL CONNECTION

October 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."

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FROM THE DIRECTOR

“Fighting to Keep Focus”

Focus (fo-kus) noun, [Latin] 1. A focal point 2. To concentrate 3. A center of interest of activity 4. To sharpen or clearly define. 5. The point at which an object is most clearly seen.

"There may be a lot of people out there who want summer to continue, but not me. I absolutely love the fall. It is time for wearing sweaters and drinking hot apple cider. Vacations are over and kids are back in school. Leaves are dropping from the trees as they go into a winter rest. The crisp fall winds are starting to blow and people everywhere are itching to get in their cars for some scenic driving. The binoculars get packed, hiking shoes get strapped on and the Instagram feeds get fired up for some autumn adventure. In all of the busyness that fall brings, we must STAY FOCUSED on what really matters." Read More

Pat Phinney

CB North Central Regional Director

Our Update

" We have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.” 1 John 3:21-23

"I can’t even tell how many times Karen and I have cried out to the Lord for His miraculous healing over this great adversary called cancer. We’re not alone. So many of you, our friends throughout the four churches we have served and also among the dozens of churches within the CB North Central family have communicated a similar cry for a cure before God. It is our life line of Biblical intercession." Read More

Confident that God is at work,

Pat and Karen Phinney

**Did You Miss This Announcement Last Month?**

CB North Central

Annual Conference/Meeting

Friday and Saturday, October 18-19

at Calvary Baptist Church, Eau Claire, WI

The deadline to register has come and gone, but there's still opportunity

for you to WELCOME the NEW CBAmerica President.

Dr. David Whitaker, CBAmerica President

is scheduled to speak twice at the Annual Conference

Friday, October 18 at 8pm

“Building Strong Leadership in the Local Church”

and Saturday, October 19 at 10am

“The Vision of CBAmerica”

AND. . . As an ADDED BONUS

you are invited to attend church service at

Calvary Baptist Church on Sunday at 10:15am to hear him speak once again.

Please contact Wendy at CB North Central about further details regarding attending the Annual Conference/Meeting.

763-205-9330

wendyj@cbnorthcentral.org

Gospel Hope

2020 Bethlehem Conference

for Pastors and Church Leaders

Monday, February 3 – Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Minneapolis Convention Center, Mpls, MN

INVITATION

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.

In the past we have enjoyed the Moody Pastors' Conference at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago as a group. That conference is no longer being offered and there are some of you who have expressed interest in the Bethlehem Conference in Mpls, MN. Please check out the information here for the 2020 Conference-GOSPEL HOPE. We have been offered a group rate of $115 per person for this 3-day event. If you are interested in attending, please contact the CB North Central office to obtain the discount rate.

763-205-9330 or wendyj@cbnorthcentral.org

AROUND THE REGION

Go MAD - The Recap

Over fifty men attended the most recent Go MAD (Make A Difference) men's retreat on September 27-28 at Camp Arrowhead near New Auburn, WI. Preachers from three area churches spoke to the men on Friday evening and Saturday about standing firm as mighty men of God, saying no to porno and relying on Jesus only. We played wild games of wiffle ball, round-robin carpet ball, frisbee golf and basketball. Men were shooting archery, fishing, boating, reading or relaxing. We ate good food, slept a little bit and sang praises to the Lord with a manly worship band.

The plan is to hold another Go MAD men's retreat for the sixth time in the fall of 2020. Join us, if you are man enough to do so!

Pastor Wade Duroe

Crossroads Church, Chippewa Falls, WI

Podunk Ponderings: Plain or Polished? xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx No. 3

"Recently I have been preaching through the book of 1 Corinthians. If you are acquainted with the book of 1 Corinthians, then you have likely noticed some of the similarities between the Greek world of the early Gentile church, and the contemporary Western world around us today. Particularly in the area of celebrity preachers and church “branding”. Devotion to celebrity preaching, and the branding that follows them, has reached epidemic levels in our nation." Read More from '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 .

Half Full or Half Empty? xxxxxxxxxxxxxx No. 4

“When you look at a cup, is it half full or half empty?” This question has become a popular cultural perspective on whether or not one is optimistic or pessimistic. It has been used to the point of becoming cliché and for many, it is no longer helpful. Yet the relevance of outlook is no less important especially for those of us in ministry. Read More

Pastor Gerad Hall

Quad Cities

CBAmerica Chaplaincy

" Working on “Loose Ends:” Four things to say at life’s end "

"She was a lot like many older patients I have talked with at end of life. She said she was eighty-four and did not think she had much time to live now. Often such patients are quick to share their strong personal faith in God and their confident expectation of “going home to be with the Lord” when they die. And she indeed forcefully shared those words.

"But then one question changed everything. She said, “How do I say goodbye to my children?”

- By Chaplain Gordon Ruddick, Hospital Chaplain

Rev. Andy Meverden

Director of Chaplaincy

CBAmerica.org

3686 Stagecoach Rd, Unit F

Longmont, CO 80504

ChapAndy@cbamerica.org

Oak Hills Christian College

Certificate Program in

Rural Leadership and Ministry

This certificate program is designed to provide foundational preparation and in-ministry training and mentorship to current lay and church leaders who will provide pastoral leadership in rural town and country churches. For more information click here .

Questions? Contact the Oak Hills Church Ministries team! Jim Hodgson or Rick Weinert

1600 Oak Hills Road SW Bemidji, MN 56601

(218) 751-8670 www.oakhills.edu/churchministries RuralMinistry@OakHills.edu

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

Sexual Abuse Prevention

-Church Mutual

"You're responsible for the safety of children and youth in your organization. We're here to help and provide you with peace of mind.

Many organizations make use of background checks to help ensure their employees and volunteers are fit to serve children and youth. While background checks are helpful, Church Mutual recommends that they not serve as the sole means of applicant screening.

"The solution? A comprehensive system that meets legal standards of care and reduces the risk of sexual abuse through preventative measures tailored to your organization’s unique needs."

Read More -ChurchMutual.com

Be sure to read the 'Claim Stories' for a 'dose of reality'.

A Pastor Dies By Suicide: Three Things We All Need To Know

"As many of us learned of Jarrid Wilson’s suicide, I’m reminded that pastors (and Christians) are not immune, and being honest about that is good for all of us."

Read More -by Ed Stetzer, ChrisitanityToday.com

Preaching is Easy, Unless You Want To Do It Well

"If you're OK with what R. G. Lee called “sermonettes by preacherettes to Christianettes,” then preaching is easy.

"However. If you are a God-called messenger who believes that the sermons should speak to the culture and address issues people sitting before you are actually dealing with, sermons in which you bring the light of God’s eternal Word to shine upon the decisions people make, if you truly want to make disciples of Jesus Christ and not just church members, then you have a problem." Read More

-by Joe McKeever, Sermoncentral.com