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The Blessings of Reconciliation

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II Corinthians 7:1-16
by Dennis Baker • Brotherhood President

Paul’s first letter to the Corinth church dealt with many the moral and spiritual problems of the church. The letter has been called a “painful letter” because it was difficult for Paul to write. Because of his love for the people it broke Paul’s heart that there was division and immorality in the church. The members were following specific Christian leaders rather than Christ. Their desire to sue each other rather than settle their disputes within the church showed their immaturity and their misplaced trust in human wisdom. Sexual sin had become a problem within the church. The Corinth church was a gifted church but in their immaturity and pride they had abused their gifts.

Paul had to remind them that spiritual gifts come from God and are to be used to unify and edify the church.
Chapter six concludes with the biblical doctrine of separation and teaches us the spiritual responsibilities of believers is to cleanse ourselves once and for all of anything that keeps us from having close fellowship with Christ and other believers. It is not enough to ask God to cleanse us; with God’s help we must clean up our own lives and get rid of those things that make it easy for us to sin. No believer can legislate for any other believer; each one knows the problems of his own heart and life.

In chapter seven Paul shares his feelings concerning the suffering he endured because of his involvement in the spiritual problems of the church. His integrity, honesty, and love had been questioned. Paul shares three spiritual blessings that he had experienced because of the Lord working in his heart and the hearts of the members of the church to bring about reconciliation.

The first blessing, that Paul shares, was the blessing of restored relationships. It is difficult to rebuild shattered relationships because of false allegations and mistrust that caused the division. Unfortunately, there are many shattered relationships in homes, churches, and ministries. Shattered relationships can be repaired only when people face problems honestly, deal with them biblically and lovingly, and seek to get right with God. When people are willing to build relationships based on biblical principles, relationships will be based on integrity, honesty, and brotherly love. Paul received a blessing from Titus as he reported that the Corinth church had received his letter of instruction. There was an opportunity to “mend fences” and restore fellowship.

The second blessing that Paul writes about was the blessing of repentance. Titus reported that the church had read Paul’s “painful letter” and had repented of their sins and disciplined the members who had created the problems. He also reported that the disciplined members had repented and had been restored to fellowship. Paul had regretted that he had to write a “painful letter’ to the Corinthians, but since it had cause the Corinthians to repent and return to God his sorrow was transformed to joy. Godly sorrow produces repentance. Sorrow for sins leads to change of mind and heart and a turning to God. Repentance means turning to God. Christians need to repent, not in order to be saved, but in order to restore our close fellowship with God and other believers. Psalms 51:10-12, Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

The third blessing was the blessing of problems being resolved. The suffering Paul endured was worth it because the problem was resolved. The discipline of the immoral brother was not for vindication or avenging a wrong. It resulted in the brother being restored to the fellowship of the church.

As you and I examine our own lives, we must determine to be a part of the answer and not a part of the problem. We must show appreciation, practice separation, and encourage reconciliation if God is to use us to restore broken relationships.

Camp Garwood Update

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With school starting and Fall coming on strong, I’m sure camp has become a distant memory to most of you.  It’s been a great camp year. Once again we made a lot of progress on upgrading our facilities. We had a lot of fun with no serious injuries. Okay, maybe some wounded pride from the ball game. But it was all a great time in the Lord!

I’d like to remind you about the Fall Retreat. October 17-18. Sure, we play paintball. But it’s still a great opportunity to visit and enjoy one last trip to camp in 2014.

I would also like to remind everyone to help camp with the background check expenses. If you filled out a worker application it cost us $15.

Please pray for us as we prepare for Camp ’15 it’s gonna be awesome!
Do the DEW!
Chris Polk, P.O. Box 271
Matthews. MO 63867
573-380-1975

September 2014 – Mission Director’s Report

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It was my joy to preach this year at the Meramec Association Jesus Camp. The weather was beautiful and over 250 campers came together for the full week of camp. We know of at least 12 professions of faith and hope there were others made as the kids returned back to their homes. Once again, the Camp Committee did a great job of putting the camp activities together.

I was able to attend the annual district meeting of the BMA of Southwest Missouri at the Oak Ridge Baptist Church near Cassville, MO. Bro. John Herring and Matt Barker shared about the work at Nixa, MO and Pastor Larry Henbest delivered the annual message.

September 12 and 13, I will be hosting a Coaching Workshop at Friendship Baptist Church in St. Clair, MO. The training will begin at 9 a.m. each morning and end at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $25 to cover the cost of the student manual. If you are a pastor, a lay leader, or just someone who wants to help people to move forward in their goals for life and ministry, then this training will really help you. You will have the opportunity to learn the following skill sets:
1. How to listen actively
2. Ask powerful questions
3. How to draw out insights and discovery
4. How to set up SMART action steps that lead to ownership and success.

If you have questions about this training, please contact me at danny@youneedcoaching.com or call me at 314-265-6265. This training will change how you minister and serve others.

August 2014 – Mission Director’s Report

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Recently I traveled to Conway, AR and attended a coaching training for Church Mobilization sponsored by the BMA Missions Department and DiscipleGuide. Church Mobilization is an intentional coach-driven process intended to increase the health and mission of congregations.

All churches over time will experience difference phases or stages of the Church Lifecycle. The Church Lifecycle can be considered in three primary stages. Incline is the stage of church lifecycle when the ministry capacity of the church is increasing. Over time, the church is doing more and more ministry and the quality of that ministry is better and better. Incline is a strong stage featuring health, growth, and multiplication.

Recline is the stage of church lifecycle when the ministry capacity of the church levels off into plateau. Over time, the church is doing the same ministry over and over at more or less the same level of quality. Recline is a tepid, tread water stage featuring ministry management by routine, filling in the blanks.

Decline is the stage of church lifecycle when the ministry capacity of the church is decreasing. Over time, the church is doing less and less ministry and the quality of that ministry is more and more compromised. Decline is a weak stage featuring decreases in membership, attendance, giving and overall impact in the community.

It is most helpful when a church does not wait until they are in a steep decline before they choose to change course. With a deep decline comes also a great loss of vitality and resources to turn things around. Preemptive mobilization makes the most sense and creates the greatest probability that growth can occur once again.
So what can Church Mobilization do for our church? To help you to understand how this process works, I have included the following introductory statements which come from the Church Mobilization Toolkit:

A Coach-Driven Process
Each participating congregation will have a professional ministry coach who has been equipped to guide the leaders of the congregation through the mobilization process. This will require the congregation’s willingness to change and the leadership’s willingness to follow and complete the process of each phase. Pay particular attention to necessary outcomes required to move to the next step in the process.

The majority of the work will be accomplished by the Church Mobilization Lead Team. There will be an open meeting for the congregation as part of each step in the process to keep the congregation informed and involved. This meeting should be led by the pastor with the assistance of the coach as needed.

Coaches will be provided with a toolkit including a large variety of tools for use with leaders and congregations. Tools will be used at the coach’s discretion. Not every tool will be used in every congregation.

If you or your congregation would like to know more about this process, please contact me at: danny@youneedcoaching.com or at 314-265-6265 and I will be glad to set up an appointment and explain further how this may be the very thing that will help your church move forward and begin the incline once again!

Another Great Camp!!

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Some of the precious souls saved at camp 2014July 28th through August 1st approximately 300 gathered at Camp Garwood for the 2014 state encampment. Excitement was in the air from the time folks began to arrive until everyone had departed for their homes.
God blessed with at least 13 souls saved and many rededicating their lives to the Lord.
Bro. Caleb Houston and Bro. Jordan Bowen preached the Word with fervor in the morning and evening worship services and God’s Spirit was working in many hearts and lives.

Bro. Chris and many helpers had the camp grounds and buildings in great shape, which helped everyone enjoy their surroundings; Bro. Rick and his helpers had plenty delicious food which kept the campers happy; the teachers and other workers were well prepared which made class time and recreation time very enjoyable; the Harpers and others led us in praising God through wonderful music, which lifted our spirits; and God not only blessed spiritually but He gave us beautiful weather, which helped us stay comfortable! What a wonderful week for all!

Thanks to everyone who gives of their time, money, work, prayers and in any other way makes camp possible. Your support and cooperation make this mission outreach successful. Please keep up the good work. Many are already looking forward to July 27-31, 2015, when we will do it again!

July 2014 – Mission Director’s Report

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My wife and I recently moved our church membership to Bethany Baptist Church in St. Louis. We have really enjoyed the fellowship of the church family at Bethany and the wonderful pulpit ministry of Pastor Hoffmann. After serving this church faithfully for over 26 years, Bro. Hoffman is making preparations for retirement in the near future. Please pray for the pulpit search committee and the church as they seek God’s man.

I was privileged to be asked by the National GMA to attend the GMA Encampment at Daniel Springs Camp near Gary, TX this past month. I did a brief coaching workshop with the Counselors over two days of the camp. I had an enjoyable time making new friends and visiting with old acquaintances. The campground has really changed since I last visited there back in 1984…and all for the good!

If you are interested in a full day Coaching Workshop that will help you to be a better counselor and leader, then I have good news for you. Friendship Baptist Church in St. Clair, MO will be hosting this workshop on Friday and Saturday, September 12-13, 2014. It will begin at 8:30 AM each day and end at 4:30 PM. Cost is only $25 and this covers the cost of the student handbook. Reduced lodging will be offered at the Budget Lodging in St. Clair. Please mark your calendars for this important workshop!

Contact me for more information and to register.

Danny Kirk

Mission Director’s Midyear Report

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I am very happy that Bro. Larry Barker, John Herring, and Jamie Jones could come to our Symposium this year and share with us the work of missions. Several of you shared with me that you enjoyed the panel discussion with the three missionaries and that much was learned about church planting through this format. Our attendance was somewhat lower than last year, so if you enjoyed the Symposium, please encourage others to attend next year.
Bro. Jamie has come to the end of his 5 years of support and the mission will soon organize into a New Testament Church. North Lake Church has just recently moved into bigger facilities that also provides more visibility to the community. Let’s continue to pray that God will give North Lake great success in the years to come as they strive to win the people of Smithville to Christ.

John and Alisha Herring are doing a great work in Nixa, MO. Currently they have three life groups meeting each week, have held monthly preview services, and they will be hosting two worship services per month beginning in June. I believe they have between 50-60 people in attendance in their worship services. They are gearing up for this summer with several mission teams coming to help them. If your church would like to send a mission team, I’m sure that Bro. John would love to talk to you.

I also want to extend my appreciation to the churches that brought an offering for the Missouri Baptist Paper. At the time of this report at the Symposium the offering total was $1499.00. The financial report states that in this fiscal year we have received $23,397 from the churches. This is a decrease of $1,448 over the same period last year. Our expenses have been $27,264; a slight difference of $153 more than the same period last year. If you look at the record of offerings provided by the churches, you will find that 12 of our churches have not sent a offering for many months. I would ask that you prayerfully consider adding the BMA of Missouri missions to your budget.

Thank you again for allowing me to serve you!
Danny Kirk
Director of Missions for the BMA of Missouri

The 2014 BMA of Missouri Mission Symposium and Mid-Year Meeting

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Friday evening,May 16, 2014, approximately 25 people from BMA Churches across Missouri met at Faith Baptist Church in St. Charles for the annual Mission Symposium. A very interesting program was presented by Missions Director Danny Kirk featuring Missionaries Jamie Jones and John Herring along with BMA of America Director of Church Planting Larry Barker.

Bro. Kirk led in a question and answer session giving each of these men an opportunity to answer questions regarding missions and how they go about planting churches, making disciples, and building a work for the Lord. It was a time of learning as we focused on the work that these men are doing.
Following the question and answer portion of the meeting, Bro. Larry Barker brought a challenging message about Our Vision based on Nehemiah chapter 2. He pointed out that Vision is usually born in the heart of an individual, 2:1-6; Vision grows with the help of many, 2:7-9; Vision dies because of a few, 2:10, 19; and Vision succeeds because of the faith of all, 2:20.

Each person attending went away with a greater appreciation for those who are planting churches for the Lord.
Several churches contributed offerings at the symposium for the goal which was the Missouri Missionary Baptist paper. You can see the report of offerings received before, during, and after the symposium on page 6. Thanks for the great support!

Saturday Morning, May 17, 2014, a larger crowd gathered for the mid-year meeting of the BMA of Missouri. President Claude Evans was well prepared and did a great job leading this meeting. Host Pastor, Justin Arender, brought a challenging devotional based on I Chronicles 12:18, which was followed by the seating of the messengers.

Bro. Don Burke was reelected as Recording Secretary with Bro. Dale Fish being reelected as Assistant. Bro. Wayne Gibson was elected to fill the term of Bro. Ted Hurley (who has moved out of state) on the Loan Committee.

Following each report a prayer was offered in behalf of that department or committee and the ministry represented.
During the Mission Report it was noted that Bro. Jamie Jones had come to the end of his five year support and was transitioning the mission to self-support. We voted to continue financial support for this work by sending them $500 a month designated for “rental or payments” on a place to meet. This support will be reviewed at each association meeting. The work in Smithville is progressing well.

A motion and second was passed to express our appreciation to Faith Baptist Church and their pastor for their hospitality by a standing vote of appreciation.

The business portion of the meeting was adjourned and a message, entitled “Giving Up or Looking Up” based on Luke 18:1-8, was delivered by Bro. James Hoffmann.

We then enjoyed a delicious meal provided by the host church, and visiting with each other before departing for home.

Our annual meeting will be at Landmark Baptist Church in DeSoto, Missouri, October 25, 2014. The starting time is 9:00 a.m. Please mark this date and make plans to meet in DeSoto.

Camp Garwood 2014

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Camp dates are July 28th – August 1st.
Remember, there are no camp packets being sent out this year! This site gives the camp schedule, an accident release form, and you may also register your group on the web site.

The boys dorm in almost finished. Bethel Baptist Church in Sikeston is coming to paint one weekend in June and hopefully it will be complete by early July.

We have also started a couple of other projects and there is always cleaning that needs to be done, so contact Bro. Chris to see what you can do before camp week arrives.

If you want to play softball remember to bring whatever equipment you need.

You can hear Bro. Jordan Bowen, our evening speaker by going to the camp facebook and listening to a video.

Pray for a great camp this year!

Happy Memorial Day!

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MEMORIAL DAYAcross our nation this Memorial Day, our citizens and veterans will gather to pay homage to America’s men and women who gave their lives in defense of freedom. We do not take this freedom for granted. We are humbled by the courage demonstrated by our veterans. We ask that you take a moment and pray for our men and women who are currently serving in foreign lands and here at home. We appreciate your service.

God Bless America!