January 2023

MINISTRY MATTERS

Dr. Jim Hamacher

I Take Thee, My New Beloved Church, for Better or for Worse

Every pastor I know begins a new pastorate with the dreams of success, high resolve and a silent pledge to God, a commitment that is not dissimilar to the marriage vow:

I Take Thee, My New Beloved Church,

for Better or for Worse

However, we all know that things change after the honeymoon, not only for a new bride and groom, but also for a pastor and congregation.

Here are three comments I have heard recently – and they broke my heart:

(to continue...)

We must all try to empathize before we criticize.

Ask someone what's wrong before telling them they're wrong. - Simon Sinek

Our search committee has done a wonderful job in prayerfully selecting a candidate for the new Executive Director position.

All ministers, staff and church leaders are invited to come meet him on Thursday, January 26 and hear his testimony of why he feels called to

this role. More info will be available on our website beginning Wednesday, January 25. Contact brenda@mdba.org to register.

Resources written in search bar on virtual screen

Add Middle District as a resource for your church family! Simply put a link to our website on your website as a partner in ministry!

A Guide to Employment Practices for Christian Employers

Beginning on January 1, 2023, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

65.5 cents per mile driven for business use, up 3 cents from the midyear increase setting the rate for the second half of 2022. (Click here for more info...

Download: 2023 Church Trends to W atch

CHILDREN'S CHURCH CURRICULUM

Preaching Matters

2023 Preaching Conference

March 12 -14

Eagle Eyrie Conference Center, Lynchburg, VA

Join others across the Commonwealth for times of worship and reflection on the important role of preaching.

More Info

An encouragement-filled day of worship, speakers, shopping

and fun!

Stand Together Women’s Conference

January 28, 2023

9:00AM – 3:00PM

Fairmount Christian Church

6502 Creighton Road

Mechanicsville, VA 23111

More Info/Registration

Church and Clergy Tax Seminar

Help church staff and church

lay leaders understand and comply with the tax laws!

February 23, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the BGAV offices in Richmond. Those who cannot attend the seminar have the option to receive a link to the seminar recording for future viewing.

More Info

6 Ways to Use QR Codes at Church

For kids’ ministry, outreach, and giving, QR codes improve communication in churches. QR stands for quick response. Much like its name suggests, a QR code’s main objective is to transfer data as fast as possible. In essence, it’s a fancy bar code. And you don’t have to be tech savvy to use it, just open your phone’s camera and scan.

Click here to read more...

5 Ways to Improve the Safety and Security of Your Place of Worship or Community Spaces

MISSION GRANTS

Every year WMUV offers Grants to churches who are affiliated with the Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia (WMUV) by their participation in giving through the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV), the Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions, or the Missions Network of WMUV.

We are offering grants in 2023 to our participating churches within the following areas:

· Feeding ministries

· Financial Assistance ministries

· Providing online and on-site training related to mental health, domestic violence, and human trafficking

· Missions ministries to support women’s and children’s outreach ministries with a hands-on involvement component

· Other creative ministries that align with the core work of WMUV

Please submit a request for a grant to be considered! These grants are made possible through gifts to the Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions.

YOUTH CONFERENCE

3 Things Worship Leaders Must Consider for the Upcoming Year

10 Effective Ways to Repurpose Your Sermon Videos

On a light background there are black paper clips_ a pen_ a burgundy notepad a wooden board with the text IMPORTANT NEWS

A SPECIAL CALLED BUSINESS MEETING will take place on

Feb. 5, 3 pm at Tomahawk Baptist Church. The purpose of this meeting is to amend the budget to reflect the new salary/housing allotment, that is jointly recommended by the Leadership and Finance Committees, for the candidate for Executive Director, as well as to meet and vote on the candidate for the Executive Director position. Bio on the candidate will be available on our website beginning Wednesday, January 25.