June 2006

In this issue of Momentum we bring you an update on plans for General Conference, stories of successful church planting, and an encouragement to keep Cooperative Ministries giving strong. We’ve included a way to keep up with what’s going on with Mark Garis, General Church Board chair, as he recovers from surgery and to break up all the talk of business, a hint of romance at General Conference meetings of the past. As summer begins, don’t forget to soak up the warmth of God’s love!

8 observations on 25 years of church planting

A survey of 25 years of BIC church planting, compiled by Bishop Ken Letner, provides a treasure trove of historic data about our shared commitment to extending the Gospel message by starting new congregations. Equally impressive, and perhaps even more important to the denomination’s commitment to starting and sustaining healthy congregations, are Bishop Ken’s observations on what’s worked and what hasn’t with our church planting efforts. More>>

Information on Mark Garis

Mark Garis, chair of the General Conference Board, underwent surgery on Wednesday, May 28, to remove a tumor in his brain. This was discovered after a car accident which was caused by a seizure. His pastor, Tom Delk, has established a blog so that Mark’s many friends and well-wishers can keep in touch with developments in his recovery. Please use the blog link below to read current updates and then feel free to post your own comments and prayers for the family.  http://markgaris.blogspot.com/

Bringing the church to ordinary people

What began in 2002 as a house group in a Lewistown, PA neighborhood has grown into a thriving congregation that attracts and aims to serve ordinary people—particularly those who have given up on the concept of church. More>>

 

Keeping in touch during General Conference

Watch your e-mail on Thursday, June 29 for a short version of Momentum, coming to you direct from Miami and including a link to a blog page that the Communications staff will update throughout General Conference. It’ll include wise (or otherwise) words heard around conference, a link to a photo gallery, and highlights from the business sessions for each day.

 

North to Toronto

As Leadership Council headed north to Toronto in early May, it felt a bit like the last lap in a several months-long race toward General Conference. The next stop is Miami and then it’s full speed ahead toward the goals stated in the denomination’s Impact 2010 Ministry plan. More>>

 

CM update

If giving to Cooperative Ministries continues at the current pace through the three quarters of 2006, we can look forward to one of the church’s strongest giving years in recent history. See chart>>

Finding Love at General Conference

Although church business is the order of the day when it comes to General Conference, there’s also time for celebrating and renewing the close ties that hold our church together between the biennial gatherings. For some individuals in our midst, those ties have an even deeper meaning. More>>

Share your insights

You receive Momentum because you are a leader in the church within a congregation, a regional conference, the General Church, or all three. You may have asked to be included on the mailing list for Momentum or your name may have been picked up automatically when you entered your current position of leadership. Regardless of how you have come to Momentum, your feedback is important. Please let us hear from you.  

Darrell Winger and Warren Hoffman
General Church Leaders

Contact Information:
Email: bic@messiah.edu
Phone: 717.697.2634
Fax: 717.697.7714
Web: www.bic-church.org

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