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News from the 2005 Area II Meeting April 15-16, 2005 Breckenridge, Colorado
The scriptural focus for the 2005 Area II meeting, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. . ." (Romans 12:2) set the tone for the events that took place at Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center in Breckenridge, CO on April 22-23. Area II churches, like those in Area I and III, have usually met in a local American Baptist church. Each host church has always done its best to display great hospitality, and that gracious Baptist spirit has been appreciated by everyone. But that venue has meant significant travel distances for at least some of the attendees. This year, the Area II Advisory Committee chose a "central" location. Without any churches located centrally, the Committee made arrangements to meet in Breckenridge. While housing costs were higher, travel for everyone was significantly shorter. Registration numbers proved this arrangement to be attractive; there were 86 registrants. In his letter of invitation to local churches, Moderator Jim Simon (Aurora Hills Baptist Church/Aurora) clearly communicated the reason for this year’s meeting. In addition to inviting folks to come and hear Desmond Hoffmeister share his vision for both the Region and the Area, he said, "I have consistently heard people talking about gathering in smaller geographical areas for fellowship, encouragement, and mutual participation in mission for Jesus. This is our opportunity to help define how that will work out. Your participation and insights [are] invaluable as we pull our thoughts together to help create the future." The registrants embraced change by affirming the proposal to organize according to Ministry Clusters instead of Areas. In addition, they voted to recommend the sale of the Black Forest Camp and Conference property to the Region Board. Details of the Area II meeting follow. |
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Rev. Hoffmeister acknowledged, however, that change can be scary. Things are changing so quickly, we feel we are losing control. Because change is global, there’s no place to hide. Nevertheless, we must face change with a positive attitude; in other words, choose to change. He challenged attendees with the now familiar question, "What has God exclusively called us to do?" His answer to that question is that American Baptists in the Rocky Mountain Region are to be a people discovering God together. Our focus should be on God. We should be talking about what God is doing in our lives. And we should be doing God’s work in the world. The proposed vision statement: "ABCRM is a supportive relational community of churches and spiritual leaders, committed to Jesus Christ, collaborating to motivate, stimulate, and encourage each other to discern, discover, and obey the call of God in their sphere of influence" calls us to smash the spirit of isolation and provide authentic support for each other. We can do this by shifting
The formation of Ministry Clusters will help us make the shift. Go through change or grow through change! |
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After Area II members of the Administrative Task Force presented the idea of Ministry Clusters, At least a month before the 2005 Annual Session, bylaw changes will be sent to churches for consideration and deliberation. Areas will continue to function until the fall of 2005. The group gathered in Breckenridge responded positively to the Ministry Cluster proposal. Anticipating the forthcoming change, attendees agreed to ask the 2004 Area II delegates and alternates from district caucuses to the Annual Session to serve again in the same capacities in 2005.
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According to Dan, opportunities for theological education were very limited in the Bahamas until ten years ago. Due to the cost involved, overseas study was also limited. The courses that were available were little better than the education received in Sunday church school classes. Now with the availability of theological education through people like Dan, pastors can study at home at prices they can afford. As with seminarians in the US, many Bahamian seminarians are second-career students. In order to continue working to support their families, they take advantage of evening and weekend classes. International Ministries, the overseas mission arm of American Baptist Churches, USA is committed to training local people. Through Dan Schweissing’s ministry, national leaders are receiving quality training for ministry in the local church and community.
Due to impoverished conditions and political instability in Haiti, more than 50,000 Haitian immigrants now reside in the Bahamas. Estela works with women who need help to support their families. She shared her vision to have a center where she can teach them English and other skills to support themselves. Dan and Estella Schweissing are our missionaries-in-residence, |
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He concluded by urging the group to acknowledge the presence of the past and decide that it is time to move on. The Proposed Future of ABCRM Camping
Other camp entities can provide better facilities and offer new specialty camps. "We want to partner with ‘cutting edge’ groups, seek the ‘best of the best,’ and forge new relationships that will improve our camping ministry," Mike said. With that purpose in mind, conversations are currently being held with
Plans are underway to take ABCRM youth on a mission trip to the Bahamas in 2007. Plans for a 2006 Mission Trip will be forthcoming. The Proposed Investment Policy at a Glance Ann Mills currently chairs the investment committee at Calvary Baptist Church in Denver and manages the investment for two ABW Ministries scholarship funds (Jane Loring Jones and Student Grant Funds). She has been a member of the American Baptist Foundation Board since 1985 and was its founding chair. She is the current chair of the Foundation’s Finance Committee. In addition, Ann was the denomination’s budget review officer from 1992-1996. Other qualifications include her service as trustee of Ottawa University and past chair of Ottawa’s Investment Committee; trustee of four mutual funds, chair of two of them, as well as chair of the Audit Committee for a third. Her business background is with IBM. She is being recommended as the chair of the ABCRM Investment Committee (yet to be named). The proposed policy will be presented for adoption Area II Votes to Move Process Forward for the Sale of BFCCC
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Around the Region |
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The East Mountain United Church in New Mexico is initiating a search for a new pastor. The commitment made by their current pastor will expire in January 2006, so they are beginning their search now. At this time they are looking for a half-time pastor.
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| Go to ABCRM home page |
The catchy lyrics to "Change me on the inside" reverberated through the meeting room as the praise and worship music drew to a close at the Area II meeting on Friday evening, April 22. Worship leaders, Tom Jones (New Hope/New Castle) and Matthew Melton (FBC/Delta) encouraged everyone to make those words their personal prayer as the group entered into its annual session.
On Friday night, American Baptist missionary to the Bahamas, Dan Schweissing gave a brief overview of his work in theological education. Dan serves the Mission Baptist Consortium of Churches at Atlantic College and Theological Seminary in Nassau.
On Saturday morning, Estela Schweissing spoke of her ministry with Haitian women and children through the Mission Baptist Consortium of Churches in Nassau. Estela’s own experience as a Haitian in the Dominican Republic helps her identify with the people and bolster the work and testimony of Haitian Baptist believers in the Bahamas.
Moderator, Jim Simon (Aurora Hills Baptist Church/Aurora) opened the final session of the 2005 Area II meeting with a devotional thought from Daniel 5:26-28. After reviewing the story of Daniel and the handwriting on the wall, he asked the question: "What are the words God would use if God were writing on our wall today?" The prayers of God’s people spoken simultaneously throughout the meeting room constituted the morning’s music–music to God’s ears.
Using a conversational style, Desmond Hoffmeister shared his personal journey with respect to the future of Black Forest Camp and Conference Center. He encouraged the group to address the "elephant in the room" – trust. Every system needs a certain measure of trust. He assured those present that he will always act in the best interest of the American Baptist churches in the Rocky Mountain Region. 
Mike Oldham, Manager of Black Forest Camp and Conference Center, assured Area II attendees that the Region leadership will seek to improve camping and develop new partnerships. Mission trips will be a core component. A portion of the proceeds of the sale of the property will be set aside to fund camping ministries. In addition, attention will be given to developing new lay leadership for camping. The provision of adequate staffing will ensure that camping will thrive. 
Richard Salcedo, Associate Director of Business Administration for the Region, introduced Ann Mills (Calvary/Denver), a member of the team that developed the proposed investment policy for the Region. 
Vickey Bennett Shares Memories 
. . .for choir members
First Baptist Church of Torrington held morning worship services marking the retirement of Ron Liesmann on Sunday, April 10. Liesmann served as the church’s pastor for the past 8_ years. Desmond Hoffmeister, ABCRM’s Interim Executive Minister, was the guest preacher. The church held a farewell reception for Ron and his wife, Eunice in the afternoon.