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September 2012
National 
Back to Church
Sunday
September 16 
 
Last year over 7,600 churches participated Outreach, Inc's third year of this growing national movement and on average saw a 25% increase in their attendance on that day! This year we are praying for 10,000 churches to band together and bring spiritual renewal to their communities through Back to Church Sunday!  It's free to just announce that you are doing it, so you may want to participant.
more information 
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Total Money 
Makeover
with
Dave Ramsey 

One of the best, largest, most exciting events on personal finance is coming to Southern California on Saturday, October 6, 2012. 
Only $34.99  
12:45pm to 6:00pm
Join Dave as he proves that, no matter what those "other guys" say, finances don't have to be complex and complicated. Come, laugh, learn, and prosper!
more information 
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CB Annual
Meeting
March 3
2013
Save the Date
2012 annual meeting
 Calvary Baptist Church
Huntington Beach

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Harvest Crusade
Dodger Stadium
Sept 8, 9
more info
Harvest Crusade 
At Angel Stadium in August, the two-day total attendance was 78,000 people and more than 8,100 of those registered professions of faith after having walked onto the outfield. More accepted Jesus from other locations on Sunday.


Doing Better

A few days ago, another leader of a church association and I were comparing notes and sharing ideas over lunch. Many of his ideas were great and I committed to trying to implement them. A few other times, at conferences or over coffee, I have heard some ideas and figured that there was no way I could ever do them. Have you ever felt like you should be doing better, working harder, trying more than you are right now--the feeling that some others are doing better than you are and you are just not doing enough. Well, there is always room for improvement, but remember that you are asked to serve where you are with what you have, doing what you can, for the glory of God. Don't let the demon of comparison, or a low self esteem or broken dreams stop you. You are doing a good work. Broken dreams will not stop you, but stopping after the dreams are broken will. 

     The Jews were stuck in a foreign land, far from home, looking for something better, wishing to go back to the promised land. The Lord pretty much told them to "bloom where you are planted." This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: "Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare." Jer. 29:4-7 
     Remember on this Labor Day, as you serve the Lord in the little corner of your world, your labors are not in vain. The things you do, the people you meet and work with, and your time, efforts and attitude are appreciated by our Lord. Be encouraged.
 
 
 
Jim Smith  

Executive Director
CBSC

Men's Fall Retreat

October 12-14

It's time to register for Men's Retreat up in the cool and refreshing mountains around Big Bear Lake. Once again our retreat will be held at the new and improved Pine Summit. 

 

This weekend is a great investment you will truly appreciate now and in the future. You'll be glad you came. We have plenty of food; recreational opportunities like the climbing wall, paintball and volleyball; seminars; late night comedy videos; four main sessions; early morning devotionals; a great Coffee Shoppe, and free time to do nothing...or take a nap.  

Bert Downs will be our guest speaker for the English retreat. He is a great communicator who teaches God's Word in a very practical way. He is speaking on "A-game Living in a B-game World." Bert is the Southwest Church Connection Executive Director, and has also served as the Western Seminary President, Pine Summit Director, consultant and coach. He and his wife live in the Phoenix area, but he also gets away to Washington to enjoy the great outdoors.

 

The Spanish Retreat speaker is Pastor Aoki Reyes Uriostegui, Senior Pastor of Casa de Avivamiento, in Morelos, Mexico. Pastor Aoki is a highly recommended communicator. We will have a joint Spanish / English praise and worship time on Saturday evening along with a talent show.

 

Three ways to sign up:
 

1) Visit our web site: English or Spanish
or

2) Call the CB office at 909.944.5900
or
3) Contact your church's retreat coordinator
 

**To sponsor a Hope Again Resident, you may call our office as well.

Cost is only $110 for a cabin bunk bed, or $170 for deluxe housing in the Lodges or Houses.
 

Women's Retreat Time
English Women's Retreats are THIS MONTH and we are getting so excited about seeing you all there! There is still some room available at both retreats, so if you still want to go, sign up right here online for either September 21-23 or September 28-30! You can pre-order your shirts and retreat merchandise online at a discounted price until September 3. The theme is "What to Wear" based on Eph.4:24. Our guest speaker is Noel Robbins, the new pastor's wife at our Wrightwood Church. Noel is ready to teach us from God's word about what to wear in our spiritual lives. This is your weekend to rest, relax, revitalize and recommit to our Lord. See you soon up at beautiful Big Bear!

Our Spanish Women's Retreat is also coming up soon on October 5-7. The theme is "Como Vestirnos," Ef.6: 11-18 with guest speaker Hermana Marisa Delgado. Click here for all the details or contact Oralia Cuellar at (909) 374-8533 or femenilcbsc@msn.com. We hope to see you there!
Hope Again NewsLos Angeles

Hope Again is a Christian Transitional Housing Agency serving the poor, homeless and disenfranchised in the Hollywood area. 


Celebration:
They are celebrating their 20th Anniversary with a luncheon on Saturday, October 20 at Journey of Faith in Manhattan Beach. You all are invited to attend. Please RSVP to information@hopegain.org or call (323) 661-4004.


Hope Again Needs:

-Anyone who could give an estimate on a leaking roof would be greatly appreciated--before the winter rains come.
-An IT person is needed to assist with their computer questions.
-Sponsor a woman or man to attend the CB Fall Retreats (see article on retreats above).

 

If you can help, contact Hope Again at (323) 661-4004 or information@hopegain.org, http://www.hopeagain.org/.

TM Fall Conference
Transformation Ministries' Annual Transforming Churches Conference is being held at High Desert Church in Victorville on Thursday and Friday, October 18 and 19. The cost of the conference is $129. TM again has invited any CB church to come and join them if you are interested. Speakers include Tom Mercer, Rick Rusaw, Albert Tate, Willie Nolte and comedian Jeff Allen. More information can be found here.
Election 2012 and the Church 
What Can a Church Say and Do?

by Matthew Staver with Liberty Counsel

I would encourage pastors to throw off their muzzle and pick up a megaphone. It's time pastors and churches became the moral conscience of the community. Outside of express endorsement of or opposition to candidates for political offices, pastors and churches may engage in many other permissible activities. Churches may host voter registration drives, be a host site for balloting, or host a forum where candidates address the congregation or answer questions from a moderator. .... Pastors can preach on biblical, moral and social issues such as homosexuality and abortion. Pastors can urge the congregation to become involved in the political process, urge them to register
, read more and vote. Pastors can acknowledge visiting candidates. Pastors can personally endorse or oppose political candidates, personally work for political candidates, and personally contribute to them. read more
 

Christian Voters' Guide

Running in the London Olympics
Pastor Greg Atkinson, Senior Pastor of Bayview Baptist Church in Guam, a CB church, had the opportunity to watch from the stands as his daughter Amy ran in the Olympics this past month. On August 8, as she competed in the first heat of the 800 meters at the Olympics, Amy set a Guam national record of 2:18.53.  Although she did not qualify in the finals of the 800 meters, they say that entering the stadium during the Opening Ceremony at the Olympics is one of the greatest things an athlete can ever experience. Few athletes have ever experienced that moment, but this summer, Amy Atkinson can now count herself as one of them. Congratulations to Amy.
Resignation in Barstow jay

On Sunday, July 29th, Pastor Jay Crosier of Trinity Baptist Church in Barstow announced that he will be resigning as the Senior Pastor. Jay had been the Pastor of Trinity, faithfully serving for 14 years and recently has struggled with some health issues. The church has a former member and Marine, who is now at Bible School, filling in as pulpit supply during these summer Sundays. Trinity will form a pastoral search team soon. 

Pastor Mentor Groups Stapastors groupsrt in September

Having a mentor in pastoral ministry is one of the best prescriptions for healthy growth in competence and protection from its vulnerabilities. Becoming a 'loner' in pastoral ministry is not only lonely, it can be perilous. There are a number of Pastor mentor groups that start up this fall.  Contact cbministries@cbasc.com for details.
 

Inland Empire: Sunrise Church, led by Jay Pankratz
September 5

Whittier: Whittier Hills Baptist, led by Robert Bishop
September 10

Oceanside: First Baptist of Oceanside, led by Jim Smith
September 13

San Diego: Led by Tom Mercer

Canoga Park: First Baptist Canoga Park, led by Jim Smith
September 20

'Must' Documents for Churches
Top Ten Documents Every Church Should Have


Richard Hammer, from Church Law and Tax, wrote an article detailing a top ten list of documents for churches. Church leaders should know or have someone on the church staff who is familiar with and able to identify the following documents. You should also be sure to update your membership every year.

 

1. Articles of Incorporation

2. Corporate Annual Reports

3. Constitution or By-Laws

4. Financial Records
5. List of Members

6. Minutes of Official Meetings

7. Insurance Policies

8. Tax Records
9. Employment Records
10: Deeds to the Property

For further detail about each of these documents, click here for the entire article.
 
TV's New Bible-based Game Show is #1

The American Bible Challenge is a new game show hosted by Jeff Foxworthy on the Game Show Network (GSN), that celebrates the Bible and its place in American culture. It garnered the network's highest delivery in its 17-year history with 2.3 million total viewers for the night and 1.7 million total viewers for its series premiere at 8 pm ET on Thursday, August 23. The show's prizing further reflects this celebration of faith as winning contestants will receive money towards their faith communities. Look for the show on Thursday nights at 8/7c. Your youth group, small group or some friends from church may just enjoy this show or may want to participant. If you are looking for an opportunity to be on the show, click here for more information.

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David Hay
New Leader in Rocky Mountain

With Dr. David Hay retiring from the position of Regional Executive Director of the CB Rocky Mountain Church Network on September 30, their board has announced that Dr. Paul Borden is to become the Catalyst of the Rocky Mountain Church Network starting October 1. 
 

Paul Bordon

Dr. Borden has served as the Executive Minister of Growing Healthy Churches, an association of 215 churches in Northern California and Northern  Nevada. Dr. Borden has also served as Executive Minister, Co-Pastor of Bear Valley Church, Denver, CO; and Academic Dean, Professor of Bible and Theology Western Bible College (now Colorado Christian University), Lakewood, CO. Additionally, he has maintained a long and ongoing relationship with Denver Seminary, having served as Director of the Doctor of Ministry program, Associate Professor of Homiletics (tenured), Executive Vice President, Academic Dean, and acting CEO at Denver Seminary (Denver, CO). 

Interesting Survey of Christian Teens
Mike Nappa, a Biola graduate and former youth pastor, published a book called The Jesus Survey this summer and it has some concerning findings. He surveyed over 800 christian kids on mission trips in various locations. Some numbers showed that while 86 percent of those surveyed reported that they viewed the Bible as at least somewhat trustworthy, 70 percent expressed persistent, measurable doubts that what the Bible says about Jesus is true. And these are "cream of the crop" youth group kids. Fully 1 out of 3 (33 percent) of the Christian teenagers surveyed believes that Jesus, Mohammad, Buddha and other great religious leaders all lead to heaven!  Read the rest of the article from the Biola Magazine. 
Again, thanks for reading our newsletter. Vicki and I will be spending the Labor Day weekend speaking at a retreat up at Mount Hermon, near Santa Cruz for one of our Northern California CB churches, Christ Great Commission Fellowship. We then fly back to our house, which will be filled with about 18 family members to celebrate my mother-in-law's 80th birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom Sutter!!!

Have a great Labor Day Weekend.
 

Jim Smith
CB Southern California
CB Southern California
2520 N Euclid Avenue, Upland, CA 91784
909-944-5900