KBF Clusters
From its inception, Kentucky Baptist Fellowship has faced numerous challenges. One significant challenge is our large geographical area, less dense population of Fellowship-Baptists in some parts of the state and the need to feel connected with others of like mind. The recent visioning process addressed this challenge by recommending the formation of clusters.
Clusters will provide more opportunities for people to experience Kentucky Baptist Fellowship relationships, share resources, and collaborate on missions within easy driving distance.
The Networking and Communication work group of the Coordinating Council was given the task of developing these clusters. At the recent council meeting much progress was madetoward the implementation of clusters.
The work group decided to hold Cluster Listening Meetings in seven locations across Kentucky. These initial meetings will begin in October and end in March. The purpose of the first meeting in each area is to listen to those present and discern the specific needs and desires of each cluster. For example, one cluster may wish to develop a mission project, another cluster may develop an education event and another cluster may wish to have an event focused on fellowship. The council approved a recommendation by this work group to provide each cluster with $500 seed money to jumpstart cluster activities. The $500 seed money will not go toward the initial meeting of clusters but toward a subsequent meeting.
The work group decided on seven geographical clusters:
- Western Kentucky
- Elizabethtown/Mt. Washington/Shepherdsville
- Louisville (and surrounding area)
- Lexington (and surrounding area)
- Northern Kentucky
- Eastern Kentucky (Morehead and others along I-64)
- Southeastern Kentucky (Corbin and others along I-75)
The work group faced some significant challenges in deciding on the number of clusters as well as where to locate clusters. They were aided by a “cluster” map of Kentucky with push-pins representing KBF/CBF Churches. While the clusters were formed because of a given number of churches in each area, it is hoped that individuals who are sympathetic with the Fellowship but who are not in Fellowship-aligned churches will become involved in Cluster activities.
