Momentum - March 2007

As a church, we devote the first full week of the year to prayer. The 40-day Lenten season is another good time to fast and pray in solidarity with other believers, now and through the centuries. This issue of Momentum identifies several prayer needs. As you can, please join us in Lenten intercession for these concerns.

New in 2007: BIC-specific church health resources

Within a few days, pastors of all BIC churches in North America will receive an introductory packet of church health resources. The first, a Vital Signs Continuum, helps guide a congregation in a big picture overview of its ministry. The continuum is designed to encourage conversation about where a congregation is healthiest and also where there’s room for growth. The second resource is a Vital Signs Checklist that highlights commonly agreed upon characteristics of healthy churches. Read more>

Exploring health care options

With each month that passes since the discontinuation of the Brotherhood Health Plan, growing numbers of BIC churches in the U.S. report that providing health insurance coverage for their ministry teams is one of the most significant financial challenges facing them today. Both Leadership Council and the General Conference Board share the concern of local leaders over the issue and so have asked Don McNiven, General Secretary, and Gene Blessing, CFO for the General Church, to explore what it will take to implement a new health plan by early in 2008 . Read more>

An invitation to Share

Over the next few weeks, the Brethren in Christ Foundation will roll out a new publication aimed at encouraging joyful generosity through careful estate planning. Titled Share, the quarterly newsletter highlights the stories of giving by Brethren in Christ individuals in support of Brethren in Christ ministries. The newsletter will be mailed to a limited number of BIC homes. To request copies of Share for distribution at no charge to persons in your church, contact Jim Smiley by telephone at (717) 697-2634, ext. 5438.

Testifying to the power of tithing

Brian Bell, bishop of the Canadian Conference, passed along a testimony from the Port Colborne (ON) BIC Church about their decision to choose confidence in God’s abundance over the world’s message of scarcity. We share it as encouragement to all BIC congregations as, together, we seek to “love boldly, give generously, and serve joyfully” (Core Value #9, Living Simply). Read 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.

Don McNiven and Warren Hoffman
General Church Leaders

Contact Information:
Email: bic@messiah.edu
Phone: 717.697.2634
Fax: 717.796.4781
Web: www.bic-church.org

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