November 2018 FOCUS
Bowie Baptist Association
Just a Thought
I'd like to thank those of you who joined us for the 2018 BBA Partnership Celebration. Dr. Warren Haynes preached a great message, the praise and worship was outstanding, and the panel encouraging and constructive. All aspects of the meeting were well received by those in attendance.
In addition, I'd like to thank the following for their particular contributions to the meeting:
- The numerous ministry partners who together comprised the Mission Expo. Thanks for sharing your work and how we may partner with you.
- Chip Bricker, Morgan Morton, Roy Ford, Tim Watson and Dr. Warren Haynes for participating in the panel discussion, and Bro. Grant Sutton for moderating.
- Bro. Todd Reed for moderating the business session and the BBA Administrative Committee for completing necessary pre-meeting business.
- Pastor Steve Minter and Pastor and Wife Kelsey and Kelly Coleman for your words of testimony.
- Bro. Scott Neathery and the staff and membership of FBC Wake Village for being great hosts and providing the wonderful meal (shout out to Subies).
- And Dr. Warren Haynes of Gateway Seminary for your investment in our pastors on Saturday and timely encouragement from God's word Sunday night.
I used to consider meetings my last favorite aspect to ministry. They were the necessary inconvenience endured in order to do the really cool ministry stuff. But then we scaled back the number of meeting we had, and I realized a few things.
First, there is a lot of fellowship when we meet, and this fellowship is important. If we're not careful, we find ourselves isolated in the ministry silo of our own church. Then, when encouragement or fresh vision is needed, some know not where to turn. We need each other! Our pastors and staff especially need one another. Our associational gatherings provide this forum.
Second, despite all the technological advances, the best communication remains face-to-face. E-mails, newsletters, texts, and Facebook posts, help but cannot replace personal contact. The BBA serves our member congregations. To do so we must hear from you, just as you must hear from us to take advantage of the ministries we facilitate, which (to complete the circle) are base on what we hear from you.
Third, even the "dull and boring" parts of a meeting, such as financial and other reports, are meaningful. They reflect our attention to stewardship and accountability. The more engagement we have when discussing these matters, the better we can respond to new opportunities or changing circumstances.
So, rather than a necessary inconvenience, our meetings provide an essential foundation for the healthy function of our shared ministry. As Bowie County and the world form your mission field, you, your church, and 57 others across our association form ours.
Thank you for the privilege of being your missionary. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Bro. Jim
Administrative Team Meeting
The next Administrative Committee Meeting will be November 13, 10:00 AM, at the BBA Office. Meetings are open to participation from interested persons within the association.
BBA Pastor's Monthly Fellowship
NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO PASTOR'S FELLOWSHIP AT PLEASANT GROVE IN SEPTEMBER DUE TO THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY.
Monday, Nov 5, 2018, 10:00 AM
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Jones Lane, Texarkana, TX, United States
BSM Update
Bowie Baptist Association provides Baptist Student Ministry for Texarkana College and Texas A&M University Texarkana, with Bible study and activities on both campuses. If you know any students attending either campus, please pass their contact information to BBA Campus Missionary / BSM Director Heath Coston at hcoston@fbcwakevillage.org.
Churches Seeking Staff
Please continue to pray for the numerous churches in the Association that are seeking staff members.
Pastor:
- Victory City
- Midway FBC
- FBC Maud
- Calvary, Simms
Worship Leader:
- Hooks FBC
Youth Leader:
- Flower Acres (903-824-8412)
- Korean Mission
For more information, you may contact the respective congregations with the information provided, or contact the BBA Office.
Church Revitalization - What Can We Do?
Continuing a series of posts on the subject of Church Revitalization, I'd like to ask you to ponder a question. Who are you learning from?
What does this have to do with revitalization? Plenty! I think it's time we faced the reality that, in many congregations, people are doing all they know to do yet the ministry still struggles. They have outreach events, prayer meetings, Bible study and discipleship groups galore, but little fruit to show for it.
Should they just give up? Of course not. But if all we know to do is not bearing fruit, perhaps it's time to learn something new. I'm not suggesting that we run off and copy the methods of the latest ministry that's getting all the press. But those bearing fruit likely have something to teach us about being fruitful in our own ministry context. Many of them write blogs, journal articles, and books telling their stories. Check them out.
Better yet, pay them a visit. Aside from the help we bring to our ministry partners, one of my favorite benefits from taking a group of our people on a vision tour or mission trip is what we learn about their ministries. I love the trip home, when we get to discuss our observations and how they apply in our ministries.
The point is, for us to effectively reach our field, we still have much to learn. And, aside from scripture itself, there is no better source than a pastor, missionary, church planter or congregation that regularly bears fruit for Him. This applies whether they are with us in East Texas or places far away.
Think about it.
Until next time,
Bro. Jim
November 2018
3 Restorative Justice Conference, FBC New Boston
5 Pastor’s Monthly Fellowship at Pleasant Grove, 10 am
13 Administrative Team Meeting, BBA Office, 10 am
22-23 Thanksgiving Holiday (office closed)
December 2018
3 Pastor’s Monthly Fellowship at Pleasant Grove, 10 am
11 Administrative Team Meeting, BBA Office, 10 am
22-Jan 1 Christmas Holiday (office closed)
November Mission Texarkana (formerly Friendship Center)
- College Hill
- DeKalb FBC
- First
- Friendship
- Sand Hill
- Spring Hill
- Texarkana FBC
- Village Community
These churches have been asked by Mission Texarkana to get involved in the food drive for this month. The Center needs all kinds of canned goods, flour, corn meal, dried beans, macaroni and cheese, powdered milk, baby foods and formulas, and diapers. Any effort made for Mission Texarkana will be appreciated. Some churches have chosen to include Mission Texarkana in their annual budget and send a monthly check for support.
Runnin’ WJ Ranch needs financial support, volunteers, and supplies as well.
Associational Staff
Dr. Jim Turnbo
Associational Missionary
Tracy Smith
Financial Secretary
Heath Coston
Baptist Student Minister
Related Organizations
Affiliated Organizations
Cody Howard
Mission Texarkana
Collier "Szyd" Scyzdloski
Lakeview Baptist Assembly
Affirmed Organizations
Sam Clem
Runnin’ WJ Ranch
Edna Walker
Hospitality Director, Telford Prison Ministry Inc.
Bowie Baptist Association
Email: jimturnbo@bowiebaptist.org
Website: www.bowiebaptist.org
Location: PO Box 7740 Texarkana, TX 75505
Phone: 903-831-0194
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bowie-Baptist-Association-226712764011425/
Twitter: @drjim1963