A Word From The Coordinator

A few days ago I attended a workshop held on the campus of Georgetown College. The event, “Communication is Key,” provided excellent examples of two facets of our mission:  providing resources for churches and individuals and accomplishing work through partnerships.

 

Over 30 participants were provided with four key practices for a healthy congregation.  We looked at internal as well as external communication, and the cultural, societal and global shifts in communication processes. 

The Center for Congregational Health, based in North Carolina, actually planned and implemented the workshop through the capable leadership of Natalie Aho, Communications Specialist for the Center.  The success of the workshop is an example of the value of partnerships. The event, as I’ve already mentioned, was held on the campus of Georgetown College and was co-sponsored by the college, Baptist Seminary of Kentucky and Kentucky Baptist Fellowship.

In addition, the makeup of those who attended the workshop was different than most meetings KBF co-sponsors.  Leaders from several denominations attended, including Lutheran, Episcopal, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Baptist.  Fittingly, we can thank another KBF partner for the participation of these non-Baptists.  Marian McClure Taylor with Kentucky Council of Churches, shared information about this workshop with churches and individuals who partner with KCC.  Fourteen leaders from seven non-Baptist congregations responded by attending. 

We, at Kentucky Baptist Fellowship, take seriously our responsibility to provide resources for congregational leaders.  We also value partnerships and diversity. 

Sabbatical Update From KBF Coordinator

Several years ago when the Administrative Work Group developed the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship Employee Guidebook, provision was made for the coordinator and associate coordinator to take a periodic sabbatical study leave.  The Employee Guidebook’s “Sabbatical Leave Policy” states that the sabbatical shall provide the employee with “…the opportunity for a time of study, renewal, and growth that will enable [the employee] to continue to best serve the mission and ministry to which they have been called.” The policy supports two core values of KBF, namely: Lifelong Learning and Effectiveness. So as I come to the close of this sabbatical leave, let me reflect on my time and its benefits to me and to the organization, understanding that the four major components of a sabbatical are: study, renewal, growth and benefit to KBF. 

Study was a major component of the sabbatical and this was achieved in abundance.  Study was accomplished through individual reading, taking a seminary class, achieving all assignments in the class, and research and writing of a book on interim ministry.   The reading for the class included seven books as well as numerous articles.  Writing the book on interim ministry required study and research of the subject as well as the discipline of writing.  The working title of the book is: Building Bridges During the Interim: A Workbook for Congregational Leaders. As I write this report, the initial manuscript is complete and in the hands of a half dozen first readers (who are providing critique).  I hope to receive this critique, make needed changes and have the workbook ready for a publisher within a few weeks. 

Click to read more ...

Sabbatical Update: Bird By Bird

  My first four weeks on sabbatical/study leave continue to provide opportunities to read, rest, renew and write.   Colonial Williamsburg and this whole area provide a good context in which to remember our past as Americans. We have seen places where Civil War and Revolutionary War History took place. I have completed reading a large book on Civil War history and am in the middle of a book on the American Revolution.

        I continue to enjoy this change of pace with only occasional contact with business email and contact with the office. Ruth Haley Barton’s book, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership continues to bless and provide guidance.  I have also begun reading books that will be used in a class I will take at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond in January. 

 As in the first two weeks, in addition to reading and reflecting, I have also been productive.  A major focus of this sabbatical is writing and producing a resource that would be helpful to churches during the interim. These past two weeks have been characterized by stops and starts but, overall, much progress and forward motion.

Click to read more ...

Sabbatical: Report From Afar

  My first two weeks on sabbatical/study leave have provided opportunities to read, rest, renew and write.  I am in Williamsburg, Virginia and have spent time seeing Colonial Williamsburg and also visiting family who live about two hours away.

        While I have not been totally “off the grid” regarding Internet, telephone and email, I have been able to disconnect from the daily activities of ministry.  I have welcomed this change but, I must say, it has been a challenge for me to shift gears from focus on ministry to focus on renewal and reflection. 

        I came with a reading list—books to provide spiritual renewal, books focused on congregational systems, and books for leisure reading.  The book I continue to savor is titled Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton. I resonate with Barton’s quote of Barbara Brown Taylor when Taylor talks about how she had been drawn to a life of servanthood but ended up a service provider.  Reading and reflecting on the truths in this book have helped me pay attention to my soul, to inner realities and calling upon which life and ministry are based.

Click to read more ...