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E-Challenge February 2015
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| Greetings! |
One of our values at Tarrant Baptist Association is strategic engagement. We see this demonstrated by God-directed connections that result in Kingdom advancement. Our mission is Investing in relationships to connect others with Christ. Part of our strategy to accomplish this mission is community engagement. We facilitate collaborative efforts to serve our communities in the name of Christ.
This Kingdom-focused ministry is modeled by extending the Good News to all people groups, identifiable involvement in community life, and building bridges among community domains, entities, and groups.
Our vision is Creating a culture of Christ-centered catalysts.
These are lovely words that took months of hard work to write and to set in order. However, they mean nothing if they do not give direction to our daily actions.
Last fall our staff began visiting pastors around the association to talk about this mission and vision. This spring we are beginning the process of discovering community needs and best practices for living the character of Christ within the different community domains.
We are adjusting our lives and ministry to the mission and vision God has given us. Pastors and evangelists have said for many years that we are to keep the main thing the main thing. I always said Amen to that, but wasn't always clear what the main thing was. Now we know what it is for TBA. We are taking steps to live out what we believe God has placed in our hearts.
This clarity has the benefit of simplifying our approach. We do not attempt to do everything associations have always done. Instead, we plan, schedule, and facilitate ministry activity that empowers church leaders to fulfill their God-given missions and visions. As Will Mancini says, "Clarity isn't everything, but it changes everything."
Take a look around this newsletter at the training options available to you through TBA. From Church Unique to re:FOCUS to Hearing God retreats to leadership coach training to LifePlan, our staff is working to equip you with the skills you need to strategically engage Tarrant County in Jesus' name.
How may we assist you in gaining clarity for your church and for your personal life? What skills do you need to lead and to serve in your community?
Clarity changes everything,
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Pastors' Conference and Executive Board
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Pastors' Conference and Executive Board Schedule
February 2- Wendell Campbell, Pastor of West Mt Moriah Baptist Church
February 9- David Cecil, Pastor of Eagle Mountain Baptist Church
February 16- Executive Board at University Baptist Church, 2720 Wabash Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76109
February 23 - Bill Atchley, Pastor of Living Water Baptist Church
March 2 - Gene Wilkes, President of B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary
All Meetings, unless otherwise noted, will be held at Cornerstone Assistance Network in the Creation Cafe (3500 Noble Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76111). Lunch is $7.00 at the door.
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Upcoming Events
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Hearing God Retreats have been planned throughout the year to help make space for you to spend with God. The next retreat is April 23-24 at Riverbend Retreat Center. The retreat will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday and end at noon on Friday. The cost is $50 and includes a private room, dinner and breakfast. This is a retreat. You will have two large blocks of time to spend with the Lord, sleeping and/or taking a walk. You will be guided through some Bible readings and other readings to help you connect with the Lord. If you are interested, please contact Becky Biser at becky@tarrantbaptist.org or sign up online here.
re:FOCUS - Ever feel like you are on a ministry treadmill? It never stops. You feel isolated. You are exhausted and running on fumes. Jesus set the example to get away, get quiet and focus on God. Come join a cohort of other ministers and go on a two year journey together focusing on God, making disciples and what that means in your setting. This journey will involve four two day retreats, monthly peer group meetings and group reading assignments. If this is something you have thought about, don't wait, be a part. Start the renovations. The next journey begins March 19-21 at Riverbend Retreat Center. We will start with dinner at 6:00 p.m. Thursday and end Saturday at noon. The cost is $125 and includes lodging, meals, snacks and materials.
Professional Coach Training - Needing some new communication skills to make a bigger impact in the lives of others? You can renovate your listening skills along with other skills to help others achieve their goals through coach training. You will learn to listen on multiple levels. To hear what is not being said. To ask powerful questions that will peel back layers to get at the heart of what is holding others back in their lives. These "Ah Ha!" moments are empowering. Perhaps getting their health under control has been a challenge all of their lives. Or, perhaps when they meet barriers they give up. Want to help them succeed? If this is something you would like to be able to do, then make plans now to attend Modules 1 & 2 of Professional Coach Training the week of March 23-27 at the Tarrant Baptist Association office. Click here to register.
Ministers' Tax Seminar -
Are you as an ordained minister maximizing your use of the ministerial housing allowance?
Is your compensation package configured to allow you to pay the least amount of taxes possible?
These and many other questions will be addressed at The Ministers' Tax Seminar on February 19 from 11:00am - 2:00pm. It is your chance to get an overview of the nuances and intricacies of filing the federal income tax return for those who qualify as a minister for tax purposes. There are many pluses and pitfalls that figure into the preparation of returns for this special category of taxpayers. The cost of $10 includes lunch and the opportunity to get answers to all your questions about this important topic. Make your reservation by responding to frontdesk@tarrantbaptist.org. The event will be held in the conference room of Tarrant Baptist Association.
Legacy Giving Dialogue -
What values do you most want to communicate to your children?
How would you describe what you want your legacy to be?
Do you want to know how to potentially save thousands of dollars of taxes for you and/or your family on the transfer of assets?
The Legacy Giving Dialogue on February 28 from 9am-noon is a unique opportunity for those who wish to make current decisions about their resources that can bless generations now and yet to come. There will be an overview of Kingdom investment options that will be informative and beneficial. Expect to leave with answers to your questions and a plan to take decisive action in this critical area of estate planning. In order to enhance the opportunity for interchange during this event, the number of participants is limited. There is no cost, but it is important to respond to frontdesk@tarrantbaptist.org to reserve your seat for this date. The event will be held at Southcliff Baptist Church, 4100 Southwest Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76109, Fort Worth, Texas.
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Associational Bible Drill
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Thank You Adlin!
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 Thanks to Adlin Cotto for serving Tarrant Baptists for 15 1/2 years. Adlin has directed the Ethnic Ministry Training Center and enlisted and directed leaders for Spanish Bible Study and Vacation Bible School training events. Adlin has also used her skills to translate training materials and documents over the years. Adlin has taken a position with B. H. Carroll Institute as the Director for Hispanic Studies and the Masters Programs. We are very proud of Adlin and hope to continue working with her on various projects in the coming years. Adlin and her husband, Robert, have three grown children and three grandchildren.
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Why Should I Consider re:FOCUS?
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Why should I consider re:FOCUS?
Focus Retreat #1 - Re:Connect : Bring together or into contact so that a real or notional link is established.
 Ever feel that you are on a treadmill that never stops and people keep putting more and more weight on your back? You are exhausted. You are working hard, and no one around you seems happy. Especially you, you are just going through the motions and the joy is gone. God seems far away. You have given your life for Him, but you can't feel or hear Him. The first Focus Retreat places participants into a position where they reconnect with God and others. If you feel that God seems far way, or that you really don't have any friends where you can just be yourself, you might want to consider signing up for Focus Retreat #1 on March 19-21. The retreat will take place at Riverbend Retreat Center and begin with dinner at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday and end at noon on Saturday, March 21. You will focus on three areas: Abiding in Christ, Obedience to Christ and Walking in the Light. You will be given scriptures to read and questions to ponder. Our prayer is that these will position you for personal transformation and renewal. Sound interesting? Sign up today!
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Get on Board: New Church Starting
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Get on Board: New Church Starting
There is a great movement of God's hand in our day; He is calling out people to become Church Starters. The old church starting paradigm was that of a church putting a very large commitment of people, money and other resources into one church start usually made up of their people and resulting a new church that looked just like them. The new mental model is that of great numbers of church starters, called of God to start new churches that are reaching people who are not being reached by established churches.
They may be ethnically focused, multi-ethnically focused.
They may use a unique approach to worship that appeals to one group that is not being reached.
They may plan to not ever own a building of their own.
But all are targeting those who are not being reached, in places of need, with an exuberance for the work of the Lord that is inspiring.
The challenge to our established churches is for us to open our eyes to the opportunities of new church start sponsoring. We have large and small TBA churches sponsoring the works but it is still a very small percentage of the almost 400 TBA churches.
In the sponsoring role your church can provide prayer and mentoring support, a limited funding commitment, space for meeting, materials or furniture, office space or equipment and /or whatever you have that they may need.
Call me and let's get together and talk about the rich blessing you can be to a new church start and how that new start will bless you and your church.
Jay Harris, Director, Church Starting
Jay@TarrantBaptist.org
817.927.1911 ext 215.
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Missions Fair
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Has your church sponsored a mission trip this year?
Do you have a partnership with another country or another association or another state?
Tarrant Baptist Association WMU is sponsoring a Missions Fair and would like for you to have a table at this event. You are invited to display pictures and artifacts or whatever would help tell the story of your mission activity.
(Some may want to provide a sample of food or drink, representative of a country or state.)
The purpose of this Missions Fair is to acquaint people with some of the varied ministries happening in our county, state, country and world It's a great opportunity for missions education for our area churches, and this will be a fun and informative time for all ages.
The Missions Fair is Saturday, March 7th, from 10-12 noon (set up at 9:30 a.m.) at University Baptist Church, 2720 Wabash Avenue, Ft. Worth, Texas 76109. Please consider being a participant; we need many to respond for this to be a successful event. Please contact Dottie Eastman 817-468-1331,
deastman@swbell.net or Joyce Ridings 817-468-2532, hjridings@sbcglobal.net. If you know someone or a group who would be interested in having a table at the fair, please forward this information to them.
We are anticipating tables set up for North American and International Missionaries, Church-sponsored Mission Groups, Texas Baptist Ministries, an emphasis for Annie Armstrong Offering for North American Missions, plus activities demonstrating WMU projects and Texas Mission Displays.
We hope you will plan to be a part of this great Missions Fair! "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." Phil 4:23
Joyce Ridings
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Bookmarks
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One of the most widely-quoted ministry leadership books of last year is The Rise of the Nones. If you are like me, you often wonder if there is value in reading a book you've already heard about so much. In this case, yes, there is significant value in reading this book for yourself.
There are gems aplenty in this book. There is also a fair amount of research located in the footnotes allowing for further investigation. One would expect no less from the author, Dr. James Emery White. Dr. White has written nearly twenty books and is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He served as president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Who, or what, is a None?
The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released a study entitled, "Nones on the Rise." The researchers discovered that one in five Americans claim no religious identity (p. 16). Rather than labeling themselves as unchurched, they choose the label, None. They are the nation's fastest-growing and second-largest religious category. They are fewer in number than Catholics, but more than Southern Baptists.
The typical None is a young white man who is spiritual, but not religous. He's a Democrat who approves abortion and same-gender marriage. He is liberal or moderate. He is not necessarily hostile toward religious institutions (pp. 21-23).
Nones are largely represented by three groups (p. 25):
- Those who were raised totally outside of organized religion.
- Those who became unhappy with their religion and left.
- Those who never really engaged with religion in the first place, even though they were raised in a religious household.
Part 1 of the book provides the statistics and insights into the Nones. Part 2 is about how to serve as missionaries to Nones.
Chapter 9, Grace and Truth, is in many ways the heart of the book, at least for me. Dr. White says, "When the church is at its best, mission is not something we do; it is something we are," (p. 111). He explains the three tasks of a missionary. The first is "to learn the language of the people you are trying to reach and then use it," (pp. 111-12.).
The second task of a missionary is "to become a student of the culture and then become so sensitized to that culture that you can operate effectively within it" (p. 112). The third task is "to translate the gospel so that it can be heard, understood, and appropriated," (p. 112).
Dr. White notes that, "Only authentic Christianity brings together both grace and truth," (p. 121). John 1:14 says that Jesus was "full of grace and truth." Grace and truth apart lead to license on one hand and legalism on the other. Grace and truth together hold the message the world needs to hear.
Reimagining the Church is the message of Chapter 13. These fifteen pages provide important instruction on the theology of the church. These are Dr. White's most passionate words. He is clear that the church is the hope of the world. No other institution can lay claim to that truth.
Two appendices provide additional interpretive insight into the mindset of the Nones.
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2015 Girls in Action Lock-In/Mission Study
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2015 Girls in Action Lock-In/Mission Study Sponsored by Tarrant Baptist Association GA Date: February 20 & 21 Time: 7:00 pm Friday to 8:00 am Saturday Where: Kid Central, First Baptist Church Mansfield, 1800 East Broad Street, Mansfield, Texas Cost: $10 Cash 1st - 6th Grade Girls and Leaders Theme: Send North America: Los Angeles 2015 North American Mission Study Come join the fun! Crafts, games, snacks, mission study, inflatable, indoor playground... Girls will need to eat before they come. Late night pizza will be served. Bring a sleeping bag, pillow & PJ's. Leaders may want to bring an air mattress. Register your group by emailing dwilliams@firstmansfield.com by February 13. Derinda Williams & GA Leadership Team 817.473-1889 Ext. 231 or 817.454.9046
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Annual Church Profile Results
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Thank you to the churches listed below who have completed their 2014 Annual Church Profile! If your church is not on the list, it is not too late! Please click here to fill out your 2014 ACP.
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App of the Month - Scannable
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Evernote is one of my favorite tools. If you want to know why, contact me and let's plan an hour or so for me to demonstrate all the cool things it does. It added another layer of functionality recently that further solidifies its ability to add value to my life.
Scannable is a new app that scans documents, business cards, photos, receipts, contracts, etc. and saves them to Evernote. You can also share scanned items via text message, email, Evernote's newly updated share functions, and more.
Since everyone on your team probably has a smartphone, they can use this app to capture important documents and share them with the whole team. If you have a ScanSnap scanner, they can share its functions via the Scannable app.
Check out this link for a great introduction.
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Vision Deck Exercise - Wittenberg Door
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 Here is an exercise from the Church Unique Vision Deck to do with your leadership team at your next planning meeting. It's called Your Wittenberg Door. On a whiteboard, make three columns: - Things we are presently doing, but should stop.
- Things the church should be doing, but are not.
- Things we are doing well.
Take 15 minutes for team members to individually consider these categories. Have each person select his or her top two in each category and write them on the whiteboard. Do not allow comments until everyone has finished and the list is complete. Talk through each item and rank the list. Be sure to include the "Whys" and "Why Nots" in your discussion. After the exercise, discuss what action steps, if any, should be taken.
For more information about Church Unique, contact David Bowman (david@tarrantbaptist.org; 817-253-9210).
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LifePlan - My Heart Construct
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One of the constructs in LifePlan that provides personal clarity is called My Heart. Write those words at the top of a clean page. Underneath them, write these words: What burden has God given me?
Divide the page from top to bottom into three columns. At the top of the first column, write this question: What do I care about?
At the top of the second column, write: What do I dream about? 
At the top of the third column, write: Opus Gloria -- How do I want others to describe me when I die?
Spend whatever time is necessary to ponder and answer these questions.
For more information about LifePlan, Click Here. If you are interested, email David.
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Disaster Relief Opportunities
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7 Habits of Highly Effective People
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Your Church Matters
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 One of our good friends and a former Tarrant Baptist Association pastor, Gerry Lewis, has a new podcast called Your Church Matters. Here is how I reviewed it on the iTunes store:
Ordinary pastors, rejoice! Here is a podcast that you are able to relate to immediately. Dr. Gerry Lewis is a skilled, tenured pastor and director of missions. He provides sage advice and hard-earned wisdom. He doesn't try to impress you with how important he is. He simply seeks to elevate you as you learn and grow together. How refreshing is that?
Try out Episode 001 There Is No Silver Bullet. You will quickly discover how practical Gerry's insights are.
Check out Gerry's website and blog here. There's a free book for those who sign up for his newsletter.
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Vacation Bible School
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Associational VBS Training
Pastors, VBS Directors, Teachers, and Leaders are invited to attend our VBS training. We will have break out conferences for Crafts, Music, Missions, Recreation, Bible Study, Preschool, and more!
April 18 9:00am - 12:30pm, Southcliff Baptist Church, Free of Charge
Materiales de EBV (Spanish VBS Materials)
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Tarrant Baptist Student Camp 2015
|  We would like to extend an invitation for you to join us at Tarrant Baptist Student Camp 2015. The youth camp, for ages finishing7th grade through 12th, is held in Glen Rose, Texas at Riverbend Retreat Center the week of June 16th-20th. More information about this camp can be found on our website at Tarrant Student Camp 2015
Contract and deposit deadlines have been extended. If you would like further information about the camp please contact our camp director, Luke Riley at Ash Creek Baptist Church 817-444-3219.
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BGCT Upcoming Events
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SBTC Upcoming Events
|  Women in Ministry Forum: February 6-7, College Station, TX Paul-Timothy Conference: February 9-10, Rock Hill BC, Brownsboro, TX Ignite Conference: February 20-21, FBC Colleyville Empower Conference: February 23-25, Euless, TX Senior Adult Ministry Leaders' Regional Training: March 19, SBTC Grapevine |
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Other Upcoming Opportunities/Events
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2015 NAMB Sponsored Vancouver Vision Tour - Feb. 9-11; Apr. 20-22; July 27-29
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How Can Children Use their Spiritual Gifts?
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Thursday, February 12, at 11:30 a.m. there will be a free lunch (Chick-fil-a®) at Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. During the lunch Clint May, President of L.I.T. Ministries, will reveal seven steps to disciple and empower children and preteens for ministry in your church and community. You will discover that God has a plan for children today and the future. You don't have to wait until they are teenagers to disciple and release them into ministry.
Please register your team at 682-224-6308 or email Clint with your count. Check out the video below for more information.
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Call of the Wild 2015 Sportsman's Dinner
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Travis Avenue Baptist Church offers churches in the Tarrant Baptist Association a unique opportunity to attract men to their fellowship through its Call of the Wild Sportsman's Dinner February 19. The event will take place at the River Ranch in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards and will feature guest speaker Hank Hough and the Kingdom Dogs.
Hough has a special kind of ministry. He's a master dog trainer and he uses a few Labrador retrievers to teach men about obedience and discipline. He says it is "teaching men about God through the eyes of a dog." Everywhere he goes and uses these dogs, men are saved. He has shared the stage with Jeff Foxworthy and Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson. You can watch a video about his ministry at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvzaz42UdsI.
As the members of the Call of the Wild team began planning this event, we realized we needed to consider the impact this could have on all of the churches around us in our area. We realize revival starts at home, but we want it to spread through all of God's churches in our city. We want churches to bring UNSAVED men to this event, along with some church members.
Please take advantage of this opportunity. Since we began the ministry three years ago, we've seen more than 1,500 men come to events hosted by the Call of the Wild men's ministry (including the dinners, campfires, and our annual sporting clays tournament). Fifty men have indicated their acceptance of Christ in the process. We believe Hank Hough's presentation will pierce hearts and bring more men into the Kingdom of God.
Doors for the vendor showcase, featuring firearms and outdoor outfitters, open at 5 p.m. Dinner is at 7 p.m. Reserved tables for eight are $400. Individual tickets in open seating are $35. Tickets can be ordered online at http://www.travis.org/node/387. Churches who purchase a table are welcome to resell the tickets within their congregation.
We hope you will partner with us in this endeavor. The event promises to be a great time of fellowship and an great opportunity to share the gospel with men who might not otherwise come to church. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Call of the Wild Ministry team at COTW@travis.org.
Please call me if you have questions. We also have a method of followup developed that will guarantee your prospects are connected with someone from your church.
Sincerely,
Dr. Greg Tomlin
Call of the Wild Men's Ministry Team
Travis Avenue Baptist Church
817.798.9260
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News from the Churches
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Lamar Baptist Church in Arlington celebrated their 30th anniversary January 25, 2015.
Two former pastors, Rick Lineberger and Charlie Cruse joined present Lamar pastor, Kevin Moore, preaching the anniversary sermon. Founding members and former staff were recognized. The full day of celebration was highlighted by a BBQ lunch.
First Baptist Colleyville is selling pews that will seat around 950 people. They are in excellent shape and were purchased new in 1997. White colonial ends with a teal fabric on the pew. A church could purchase a lesser number as needed. The pews will be available for removal in February 2015. All interested parties could contact David Sylvester at 817.281.4158. Click for a listing of pew lengths.
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Becky Biser
Tarrant Baptist Association
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