MARCH 19 & 20, 2010
THEME: FRUITFUL TRANSFORMATION 2010
Hosted by New Vision Church,
Pewaukee, Wisconsin,
N 14 W27995 Silvernail Rd. Pewaukee, WI 53072
The 53rd GLC Regional Meeting was held on March 19 and 20, 2010, hosted by New Vision BIC Church, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Special THANKS to all of the New Vision team who prepared, planned for, and gave their time, energy, and talent to coordinate and host a tremendous 2010 Annual Meeting! The attention to the theme was evident in the use of fruit!
Over 110 from our five state region churches gathered to enjoy delicious desserts, great fellowship, and to celebrate planting and resourcing churches and pastors across our conference.
The New Vision worship team, interviews and encouragement fed our passion to bear more fruit! “This is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:8)
22 individuals and couples signed up for the Prayer Team to pray regularly for fruitful transformation across our conference.
$1126.00 was given and committed for hosting the GLC Annual Meeting.
$5361.00 was given and committed for planting a new church in the Great Lakes Conference. $4392.00 was given and committed to resourcing churches and pastors.
$8829.00 was given on 3/19 & 3/20 and $2050.00 was committed, yielding a total of $10,879.00 for 2010!
The Great Lakes Conference Serving Tray, crafted from seven natural fruit and nut woods was presented to Paul Reese for a $500.00 bid, plus a sealed bid of $950.00 was donated, which resulted in a total of $1450.00 for BECP training / resourcing.
Three workshops were presented which involved the conference body and guests in enthusiastic participation.
- “Communication 101: Your Church May Stink and you May Not Even Know It” (Aaron Winn)
- “Adapting Ministry for Fruitful Transformation” (Mark Ballard)
- “Quizzing for Transformed Lives” (Paul Eberhard)
On Saturday, there were 72 registered delegates plus guests and the New Vision serving team.
Karen Dohner received the cherry wood bowl by random selection.
YOUTH RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
A youth retreat was hosted simultaneously during the annual rally and business meeting, focusing on the theme “Victorious Clay” led by Andrew Trapani and Cheryl Moore. 38 youth and leaders from across our conference participated. One teen commented, “We are having a blast!” Another absorbed from the sessions, “It’s not about what I want to do, but what God wants.”
THANKS to the Board for Congregational Life, leaders, hosts, and youth for this event of significant impact!
Please place the 2011 GLC Annual Meeting on your calendars for March 11 & 12. It will be hosted by our LAKEVIEW COMMUNITY Congregation, in Goodrich, Michigan. Thanks to each one of you for your prayers and continuing support of what God is doing across the Great Lakes Conference and beyond as we experience Fruitful Transformation 2010!
WILLOW CREEK LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
For the past number of years the Great Lakes Conference BECP has supported all interested pastors' participation in the Willow Creek Leadership Summit at a satellite site through the GLC membership in the Association. We desire to continue this support. There has been a change however, in the way Willow Creek will partner with us. Their desire is for each individual congregation to become a member of the Association. Since we have such a unique geographic spread of mostly small churches, they presented a special offer to us.
The significant benefits of membership are subscriptions to "Leadership Journal", one of the best leadership periodicals available, and "Defining Moments" in CD format. You can check out other membership benefits at the Willow Creek website.
Now, for the best news! Your GLC BECP will cover 100% of this one year membership rate for your church, 100% of the early bird registration rate for pastors for the August 5-6, 2010 Leadership Summit at a satellite site near you, plus half the early bird registration of $145.00 per person (half of $145.00 = $ 72.50 per lay person) for up to two lay leaders from your congregation. In order to take advantage of this, you must register for membership and the Summit through the Great Lakes Conference office.
Thanks to those who have responded. If you have not yet contacted our office, please do so before May 10.
WMCC Tabernacle Roof Project
Volunteers provided service to the roof project on the tabernacle at West Milton Christian Center on March 20 and 27, and a few other days in between. Meals provided renewed energy for the hard-working crew. Pray for safety for all workers and timely completion of this enormous project.
Praise & Prayer
Beavercreek Community, OH: The attendance averages about 30. There is good community relational dynamics taking place through monthly socials and worship. Cultivating relationships are the primary avenues of outreach. “Bring Friends Sunday” is on Palm Sunday. Praise God for the miraculous activity in two week old Aubrielle’s life. She had a serious heart malfunction and is the granddaughter of a regular attendee. The electronic prayer chain and a sweet time of prayer are powerful evidence of God’s intervention. The doctor and nurse used the word miracle more than once during the process of tests and multiple procedures. This precious person was released from the hospital on February 26.
CARLAND-ZION, MI: On Sunday evening March 7th Chris and Kara K shared an update on Spain ministry and their visionary plan to return in the fall of 2010 as missionaries to this needy country.
THE DIFFERENCE, OH: The congregation has baptized four persons and received 26 members last year with another person baptized at the end of February. Attendance is in the mid 50s with regular youth group, quiz team, and small group gatherings. A catalyst advisory team formed at the beginning of the year. Outreach happens primarily through cultivating relationships and new resident mailings. Pray for at least one family unit to be added to the congregation in regular participation monthly.
KING OF GLORY, OH: Nineteen people signed up to read the Bible through in one year, from February 15, 2010 to February 14, 2011! A fish fry meal and church activity /outreach involved a large number of people on March 13th. Games, music and activities for the children and youth were well attended, too.
VALLEY CHAPEL, OH: On Sunday February 28th, the focus was “Black Church for White Folks” in celebration of Black History Month.
Congregations & PASTORS in Transition
Bethel Community, MI: Stephen Mead has accepted the invitation to serve this congregation and installation is planned for Sunday, June 13. Stephen has served in pastoral ministry in Connecticut, New York, and Indiana. Pray for Stephen, his wife, Jemima, and their four children as they prepare for this transition. Pray also for the congregation and the Interim Pastor Paul Pawelski as they prepare to receive the Meads.
Bethel (MERRILL) MI: Pastor Mervin and Ruth Potteiger concluded their ministry on March 21, 2010 to move into semi-retirement in Pennsylvania. Pray for them and the congregation as they transition into the future. Pray for the pastor of God’s choosing to be identified by the Pastoral Committee.
Morrison, IL: This congregation is being served by interim pulpit supply as pastoral search interviews continue. Please pray for God’s wisdom and direction in determining the right-fit pastor to lead the congregation forward.
NEW VISION, WI: Pastor Neal Letteney concluded his ministry as Director of Music and Worship Arts at New Visio in February to accept a church planting assignment with Converge USA (formerly General Baptist Conference) in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Pray for God’s guidance for Neal and Sherry as they transition and for New Vision as they adjust ministry for the future.
Saturday, June 5 – Fairview BIC, Englewood, OH
TIME: 8:30 AM Registration—4:00 PM
The Brethren in Christ Church has affirmed the licensing and ordination of women since 1984 and today many BIC churches benefit from the gifted ministry of women in pastoral leadership. However, in some of our church fellowships there continues to be a reluctance to fully accept women as ordained pastors. This seminar will review the BIC story (both historical and contemporary) of women as pastors; examine the theological and hermeneutical foundations for the Brethren in Christ perspective; consider the practical issues which hinder women from full participation in pastoral ministry; and afford an opportunity for lively dialogue on this vital issue.
