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We are pleased to join all of you here in the CB Southern California Newsletter. We are Vision Builders Group, a Design-Build Contractor with years of experience in building churches. We would like you to visit us at www.VisionBuildersGroup.com. There are some bright spots in these difficult economic times. Construction costs are down; material and labor shortages are a thing of the past. Smart people are taking advantage of these opportunities and doing their building, remodeling and facility updates while it is still a buyer's market. For a no-obligation review of your needs and plans, please contact us at (818) 897-6200 or info@VisionBuildersGroup.com |
| Kids and Cell Phones |
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Twenty percent of six to eleven year olds have their own cell phone, according to MRI's American Kids Study. Cell adoption among children is fast-paced; ownership has grown 68% in the past five years, and more than 12% of parents say they intend to buy their children a cell phone within the next 12 months. Most kids cite communication--calling their parents and friends, emergency purposes and text messaging--as their top-ranking reasons for cell use. |
| Plateaued Churches |
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According to a Gary McIntosh study, a plateaued church is one that has a growth rate between plus or minus 25% over a decade. He states some reasons why churches plateau.
1. Plateaued churches exhibit a high turnover rate of pastors.
Declining churches averaged 3.68 years, plateaued churches averaged 5.04 years and growing churches 6.0 years.
2. Plateaued Churches place a priority on internal fellowship.
The morale in plateaued churches is very high, but a strong focus on fellowship results in only enough outreach to replace people they lose, but not enough evangelism to grow.
3. Plateaued churches rely on older programs and ministries.
Plateaued churches do not start new ministries on a regular time schedule. Some have not started something new in the last 5 years. Since it takes new ministries to reach new people, the lack of new ways to serve contributes to a church remaining on a plateau.
4. Plateaued churches make ministry decisions at the board or congregational level.
Growing churches tend to place a larger degree of decision-making into the hands of the pastor. |
| Top-Grossing Movies 2009 |
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1) Avatar: $505,067,000
2) Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen: $402,111,870
3) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: $301,959,197
4) Up: $293,004,164
5) The Twilight Saga - New Moon: $292,424,000
6) The Hangover: $277,322,503
7) Star Trek: $257,730,019
8) The Blind Side: $227,739,000
9) Monsters Vs. Aliens: $198,351,526
10) Ice Age - Dawn of the Dinosaurs: $196,573,705
11) Alvin and the Chipmunks - The Squeakquel: $196,092,000
12) Sherlock Holmes: $181,918,000
13) X-Men Origins - Wolverine: $179,883,157
14) Night at the Museum - Battle of the Smithsonian: $177,243,721
15) 2012: $164,105,051
16) The Proposal: $163,958,031
17) Fast and Furious: $155,064,265
18 G.I. Joe - The Rise of Cobra: $150,201,498
19) Paul Blart - Mall Cop: $146,336,178
20) Taken: $145,000,989
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| Recommended Reading |
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Research shows that over time, most churches plateau and then eventually decline.
Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson surveyed 300 churches from across ten different denominations that recently achieved healthy evangelistic growth after a significant season of decline. What they have discovered is an exciting method of congregation reinvigoration. This is a very helpful and practical book. |
|
Church Security Conference |
March 26, 2010
Saddleback Church
Responding to the following situations at your church requires a
trained safety/security team:
· Domestic violence
· Trespassers and intruders
· Violent or disruptive members
· Vandalism
· Theft
Although not all acts of violence or emergencies are preventable,
every church can take steps to be prepared.
At this conference, experts will share their knowledge, resources,
and experience with you so you can bring practical tools back to
your church or ministry.
You will be trained on how to:
· Protect your people, property, and ministry
· Limit your exposure to liability
· Develop policies and procedures that are tactically and legally sound. |
Cost:
Individuals $70
Groups up to 5 people $150
(Registration includes lunch.)
Two Ways to Register
2) Mail:
3741 Bloomington St. Suite 306
Colorado Springs, Colorado
80922
Sponsored by
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| Radicalis
Conference
February 9-12
Saddleback Church |
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A great line-up of plenary session speakers and worship experiences that encourage radical fellowship, radical growth, and radical worship, including Rick Warren, Mark Driscoll, Perry Noble, Dino Rizzo, Kerry Shook, and Andy Stanley
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Shepherd's Conference
March 3-5
Grace Community Church
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General session speakers include John MacArthur, Tom Penninick Holland, Al Mohler, Phil Johnson and Steve Lawson. With nearly 30 seminars to choose from, you'll have access to a variety of teaching from pastors and elders of Grace Community Church and professors from The Master's College and Seminary.
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 Love
God is love. (1 John 4:8) Love is a verb. The Apostle Paul writes of some of the actions that love does and does not do. We all need to be loved and to show love. This month, we are reminded to show our love to those who are close to us. Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday this year. I am preaching that week up at Sunrise Church in Wrightwood. Not sure how we will celebrate that day, but we will--as long as I plan ahead. We all could use a celebration of love in our lives these days. Even if you're not married, love from relatives and friends is important; but still, the most valuable expression of love is what we receive from God. It's good to know that He still cares and is in charge. It has been rough for many as we look back. The terrible earthquake in Haiti and the tough economic times for many. We have felt the tough times even here. For January, we are down in our giving recieved by 75%. But God is faithful and loving. He cares and will not fail to meet our needs. In turn, we need to be loving to those around us. Expressions of compassion and love from around the world are directed toward Haiti and rightly so. We also need to express our love to those around us. Love is the main character trait Jesus wanted the world to see in his followers. "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35 ESV).
Happy Valentine's Day
Jim Smith
CB Southern California
Executive Director
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| Haiti Earthquake |
Strongest in 200 Years
The massive 7.0 earthquake struck just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 about 10 miles southwest of the Haitian capital, Port-Au-Prince. This was the strongest earthquake Haiti has experienced in over 200 years, destroying their Presidential Palace and killing maybe 100,000 people or more. Aftershocks made the rescue operations difficult. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and has little infrastructure to handle this catastrophe.
Eyewitness Account
 Joaquin Vargas, Missions Door Vice President of Latino and Caribbean Ministries, traveled immediately to Haiti to assist their missionaries in the country. Here are a few of his emails...
Jan. 15 - what we see in the news is 10% of the reality of Haiti. Two team members were inside Port-Au-Prince two days trying to contact the Pastors and churches, and sadly, this is the report: Around 70 Baptist Pastors died when their buildings collapsed. They were working with Guillomettre Herode from Missions Door and the Haitian Baptist Convention. Also, the biggest Baptist Church in Haiti which had around 500 people in the moment of the Earthquake, has around 400 dead. Jan.19 - Today was an extremely difficult day for me. I had to go to the mountains to see some of the churches that were affected by the earthquake. The Mission only has 10 churches, but 50% of our churches are partially or totally destroyed. I am full of sorrow, especially for Guillo who has worked for 20 years to build a ministry, only to see it now in ruins in only 10 seconds....The damage is so severe that it is difficult to say where to begin. I honestly do not know how they will be able to do it. I believe that the nations need to develop a Marshall Plan as they did in Europe after WWII, if not, there will be a chaotic civil war. Relief Donations CB Southern California and CBAmerica are partnering with Missions Door to assist in the relief effort. Missions Door has had effective ministry in Haiti for many years, capably led by indigenous Haitian missionaries. Our two couples (Guillomettre & Edline Herode and Jonathan & Alexandra Joseph) and one single missionary (Francklin Alexis) are alive, shaken but ready to serve in the relief efforts along with the capable staff of Missions Door. If you would like to donate to Missions Door through CBSC you may donate here. There are numerous other Christian agencies who are assisting relief efforts as well, like World Vision and Samaritan's Purse. This is just the first action to save lives and to minister to our brothers and sisters. Second Responders
DELTA Ministries International, a non-denominational, short-term agency  based in Vancouver, Washington, in partnership with Missions Door and CBAmerica, has activated a relief and recovery plan formulated in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. "We know this plan works," said Tory Ruark, DELTA's Short-Term Mission Director." It was successfully applied after we trained and sent more than 1,000 volunteers and 80 church teams to give aid and help rebuild in the months following Katrina." They anticipate that they will be heavily involved as 2nd responders. Their hope is that they will have teams on the ground in the next 6-8 weeks that will begin to assist with clean-up and eventually with rebuilding and outreach. If God is calling you or your church to be a part of His plan to restore Haiti, contact Tory Ruark at DELTA Ministries by email at toryr@deltaministries.com.
World Vision One other good Christian agency we would like to mention is World Vision. They have been in Haiti for over 30 years, with nearly 800 staff members and connections...their storehouses / office / staff weren't hit, and they are working hard on the ground. We have additional information on their work in Haiti and how you can get involved on our mission page on our website.
We also are encouraging churches to have a Hope Sponsorship Sunday at your church were you can have individuals sponsor a child through World Vision. You can specifically sponsor kids from Haiti or any country they have sponsorship available. Sign up by contacting Terrah Brown, a local World Vision church advisor, for more information. Her phone number is (310) 383.6450. Back to top. |
| CB Southern California Annual Meeting |
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Grace Church of Glendora
March 7
3:45- 8:00 pm
Theme
 This year we are encouraging all our churches to set a goal of increasing their church attendance by a minimum of 5% in 2010: "Five 'n Ten." We will have three Pastors, Gene Wood, Rick Klug and Chris Gillespie, share their stories on leadership principles they learned as they have seen their churches grow. Mike Harris will be here to update us on "What is Going On at Pine Summit." Come out and hear what they have to say and see how it might have a positive impact on your ministry. Helpful Afternoon Seminars
This year we are offering some practical seminars for a variety of people:
Churches Helping the Hurting in Their Communities
Dennis Bachman, NewSong Church, San Dimas
Four Easy Steps for Freedom in Relationships, Life and Ministry
Vicki Smith, CBSC Women's Director
Celebrate Recovery Ministry - 3 Years Later
Dave Metzger, Lakehills Community Church, Lake Elsinore
Special Session with the CBSC Spanish Ministries
Tony Pezzotta, CBSC Ethnic Director
Handling Your Finances in Tough Times
Michael Lindsay, Finances on the Rock
Approximately Four Things Every Youth Workers Should Know
John Hill, Sunrise Church, Rialto
MealGrace Church of Glendora will be offering a $10 meal for all those present. Dinner will be served from 4:45 - 5:45 pm. RSVP needed for the meal. Please call the CBSC office at (909) 944-5900 to reserve your meal, or email us at cbministries@cbasc.com.
Schedule
3:45 - 4:45 Afternoon Seminars
4:45 - 5:45 Catered Dinner ($10 per person)
6:00 -8:00 General Session
We hope to see many of you at our Annual Meeting. Plan now for a full day of Worship at your home church and then gather together with your extended church association. You May Register Here By Emailing Us with the names/number of attendees for the Afternoon Seminars, Meals and General Session.
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| Amazing Race Through Theology |
March 12-14
 It's here already. A great week of Theology. That's all we do. Ten sessions on ten key doctrines, taught by knowledgeable Pastors and Leaders. Topics are on the Holy Spirit, Man, the Church, God, Angels and Demons, The Bible, Jesus, Salvation, End Times and Sin. This is a great weekend for leaders, volunteers, and teachers who have never been to Bible school but would enjoy getting some great foundational studies on doctrine. Stay at the beautiful Pine Summit Lodge in Big Bear Lake and enjoy the mountain air and Pine Summit food. Price includes all materials, instruction, food and lodging. Cost: $200 (only $150 if registered before March 1). Register here or call our office (909) 944.5900.
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| Men's Retreat |
May 14-16
 Come up and enjoy the great facilities at Pine Summit and take a weekend to focus again on the Lord. This spring we have invited Pastor Jay Pankratz from Sunrise Church in Rialto to be our main speaker. Leading the music again this year will be Gregory Hooper, Worship Arts Pastor at Sunrise Church. Relax in the mountain air, swim in the heated pool, take a nap, see a movie, play in some good competitions, hear a great message from the Bible, go on a hike, etc.... It all can happen if you come. Bring a friend.
Cost is $155 for a room in the lodges or $99 for a bed in the A-frame dormitories. You may register here.
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| Church Assessments |
First Baptist Commerce
 CB Southern California just completed an assessment for FBC in Commerce. The Assessment Team consisted of Jim Smith, Ed Reingrover and Dennis Mohler, all whom have been trained by Dr. Bill Hoyt at the Assessment training offered by CBAmerica. The CBAmerica office also helped by evaluating and compiling the survey results. The five prescriptions given for greater church health and growth will be voted on, and then CBSC will begin coaching them through these action steps.
If your church work like an assessment done for you, please call our CBSC office: (909) 944-5900.
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| George Vouga Turns 100 |
Who is this guy?
 George just celebrated his 100th birthday in November. Sooner than you think, we'll be there as well, but it is always good to remember the words of Paul that "such men deserve recognition." (1 Cor. 16:18) George Vouga is one of those Christian Warriors who has done much for the Lord during his energy filled days years ago and was instrumental in establishing many organizations that we are familiar with today. - One of the founders of WorldVenture
- Instrumental in the start of the Evangelical Christian Credit Union (ECCU)
- Had the vision to help purchase and start Pine Summit
- Led CBA in Arizona 1948-55
-General Director of CB Southern California 1960-70
George is now living in a care home in Tustin which houses just a small number of residents when he is not staying with one of his sons. George can receive calls, but has difficulty with his memory: 714.338-1022. Anyone wanting to send George a belated birthday card can send it in care of his son:
Dr. George Vouga
c/o Mr. Richard Vouga
6151 Country View Drive
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
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| To Save A Life |
Opening Weekend
 The Movie written by New Song Church Youth Pastor Jim Britts opens this weekend. Go see it in a theater near you. This weekend means a lot to the success of this movie. To check out a location near you, click here.
Oceanside Proclaimation
The City of Oceanside honored the film production "To Save A Life" in a city proclamation that was read aloud to a larger than normal crowd at the January 6, 2010 Council Meeting. The proclamation was presented and signed by Mayor Jim Wood, Councilmembers Jack Feller, Esther Sanchez and Jerry Kern, and states the following: Proclamation to Announce January 22-24, 2010 will be "To Save A Life Weekend" in the City of Oceanside.
Whereas, TO SAVE A LIFE, the movie, is a full-length feature film produced primarily in the City of Oceanside focusing on making a positive change in our community and beyond, regarding the major teen issues of suicide, teen pregnancy, alcohol and self abuse: and
 Whereas, TO SAVE A LIFE Weekend, January 22-24, 2010, is public recognition of the movie, TO SAVE A LIFE, and the film's producer New Song Community Church for the positive effect on the youth in our community this movie will make: and
Whereas, TO SAVE A LIFE, the movie, is recognized for utilizing Oceanside middle and high school students, Oceanside police and firemen, and features such notable Oceanside sites as our beautiful harbor and beach:
Now therefore, be it resolved, that the City Council of the City of Oceanside, California does hereby proclaim January 22-24, 2010 as "To Save A Life Weekend." We commend TO SAVE A LIFE, the movie, for its positive content to affect the youth of our community and applaud their efforts.
Among the speakers was Councilmember Jack Feller who stated, "New Song Church has truly committed their heart and soul to saving the children of our community. This educational and inspirational movie needs to be seen by every young person 13 years old and up. It may be just what one of those children need to "SAVE A LIFE." New Song Community Church Youth Pastor Jim Britts, who wrote the screenplay and Executive Pastor and Producer Steve Foster, received the proclamation.
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| Did You Here About.... |
Brit Hume's Christian Comments
 No doubt you have probably heard about Mr. Hume's comments. If not, here is a summary: The commentator said about Tiger Woods on Fox News Sunday, January 3: "He's said to be a Buddhist; I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So my message to Tiger would be: 'Tiger, turn to the Christian faith, and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world."
Hume described how he became a Christian. "Eleven years ago, my son committed suicide," he shared. "And as you can imagine, it was absolutely devastating. And yet throughout that whole horrible time, I had this sense that God was there for me, that he would rescue me, that he would save me -- and he did."
Asked later why all the attention he said, "It is certainly true in secular America today that the most controversial two words you can ever utter in a public space are 'Jesus Christ,'"He added: "I think it is true that for people who are not Christian, Christianity makes a fairly extravagant claim which is that the Son of God -- God made Flesh -- came into this world, lived, suffered terribly, and died for the remission of our sins, and then rose again." You can check out one the the many videos here. A great testimony Brit, stay strong.
HB London's Do Better List?
 HB London wrote:
"As I begin 2010, I have been asking myself, "What can I do better this year than I did last year?" Allow me to give you a little self-examination exercise:
1. Have you determined to get more physical activity this year than last? Just 20 minutes a day, four days a week, will do wonders for you.
2. Will you do anything about your eating habits? You really do not need to "crash diet" - but simply stay away from overeating sweets, starches, bread and red meat. Just "push away."
3. Have you thought of ways you might be able to adjust your schedule for greater productivity? Pastors have told me lately that making the most of the mornings gives them the greatest advantage. From wake-up through lunch can be your most effective hours.
4. How well do you communicate? I really need to work on this one. "Say what you mean and mean what you say" is a very good credo. Try very hard not to leave people guessing.
5. Put some excitement in your life. Are you in a rut? Do you have variety in your day-to-day routine? There should be. Every day, if possible, you need to experience something new.
6. Quality time: I could really make all of us feel guilty on this one, but are you giving your family the attention they need? If not, schedule them in. Are you spending precious moments with your Lord? Same time, same place, on a regular basis is the very best practice. Give quality time to these two areas and you will reap great dividends."
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One Last Thing
 It could be said that there are five terrorist cell groups that have been operating in many of our churches. They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin.
Their leader, Lucifer Bin Workin, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ. The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy.
However, there have been reports of a sixth group. A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church. Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along.
Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ. We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ to return.
NO CHURCH IS EXEMPT!
(However, you can spot them if you bin lookin and bin goin.)
Thanks for reading our newsletter, and keep prayin'.
Sincerely,
Jim Smith
CB Southern California |
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