THE CONNECTION
A NEWSLETTER FOR THE GREAT LAKES CONFERENCE
Fall greetings,
I trust you are encouraged in life and ministry. The season before us is one of the greatest opportunities for new outreach of the entire year. Below you will find an abridged article that I like to read
occasionally to help focus on the number one priority. I’ve read this in several publications and have
had it in my file for decades. I hope you are encouraged in your ministry as you read.
With prayer in Christ,
Bishop John
OCT. - DEC.
2014
IN THIS
ISSUE:
Pg. 1
Bishop’s Message
Pg. 2
Equipping for
Ministry Courses
BICWM
STEP Program
BICF Grants
Mennonite World
Conference
Pg. 3
Holiness
Leaders’ Day
WCA Global
Leadership Summit
Autumn Retreat
GLC Pastors &
Spouses Retreat
Pg. 4
MHC Highlights
Youth Quest
Fall Youth Retreat
Conference Office
Transition
Pg. 5
News from
Our Churches
New Church
Planting Sheboygan, WI
Bible Quizzing
Pg. 6
Bishop’s Schedule
NOW IT CAME to pass that a group existed who called
themselves fishermen. And lo, there were many fish in
the waters all around. In fact the whole area was surrounded by streams and lakes filled with fish. And the
fish were hungry.
Week after week, month after month, and year after
year these who called themselves fishermen met in
meetings and talked about their call to fish, the abundance of fish, and how they might go about fishing.
Year after year they carefully defined what fishing
means, defended fishing as an occupation, and declared that fishing is always to be a primary task of fishermen.
Continually they searched for new and better methods of fishing and for new and better definitions of fishing. Further they said, “The fishing industry exists by
fishing as fire exists by burning.”
They loved slogans such as “Fishing is the task
of every fisherman,” “Every fisherman is a fisher,” and
“A fisherman’s outpost for every fisherman’s club.” They
sponsored special meetings called “Fishermen’s Campaigns” and “The Month for Fishermen to Fish.” They
sponsored costly nationwide and worldwide congresses
to discuss fishing and to promote fishing and hear about
all the ways of fishing such as the new fishing equipment, fish calls, and whether any new bait was discovered.
These fishermen built large, beautiful buildings called
“Fishing Headquarters.” The plea was that everyone
should be a fisherman and every fisherman should fish.
One thing they didn’t do, however; they didn’t fish…
Some spent much study and travel to learn the history
of fishing and to see faraway places where the founding
fathers did great fishing in the centuries past. They
lauded the faithful fishermen of years before who
handed down the idea of fishing.
Further, the fishermen built large printing houses to
publish fishing guides. Presses were kept busy day and
night to produce materials solely devoted to fishing
methods, equipment, and programs to arrange and to
encourage meetings to talk about fishing. A speakers’
bureau was also provided to schedule special speakers
on the subject of fishing.
Many who felt the call to be fishermen responded.
They were commissioned and sent to fish. But like the
fishermen back home they engaged in all kinds of other
occupations.
They built power plants to pump water for fish and
tractors to plow new waterways. They made all kinds of
equipment to travel here and there to look at fish hatcheries. Some also said they wanted to be part of the fishing party, but they felt called to furnish fishing equipment…
Now it’s true that many of the fishermen sacrificed
and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near
the water and bore the smell of dead fish every day.
They received the ridicule of some who made fun of
their fishermen’s clubs and the fact that they claimed to
be fishermen yet never fished.
They wondered about those who felt it was of little
use to attend the weekly meetings to talk about fishing.
After all, were they not following the Master who said,
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men?”
Imagine how hurt some were when one day a person
suggested that those who didn’t catch fish were really
not fishermen, no matter how much they claimed to be.
Yet it did sound correct.
- by John M. Drescher
PAGE 2
DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
Equipping for Ministry has
three categories of study intended to further the training
of those involved in professional or lay ministry in the
Brethren in Christ Church.
The three categories are
the Directed Study Program, Core Courses, and Impact
Opportunities.
Impact E-Seminars – Current seminars available are:
• “Women as Pastors”
• “Bible Study that Works”
• “Security of the Believer”
• “Living Simply”
To register go to www.bic-church.org/equipping/impact/
impact_e.asp. The next term begins January 5, and finishes
February 13, 2015.
Core Courses – The 2015 core course schedule includes:
• “Theology of Salvation”
June 8-11, 2015, Roxbury Camp, Roxbury, PA
• “Brethren in Christ History and Values”*
June 22-27, 2015, Revolution BIC, Salina, KS
• “Leadership and Structure
Within the Brethren in Christ Church”
June 29 – July 2, 2015, Refton BIC, Refton, PA
• “Theology of the Church
August 10-13, 2015, Grantham BIC, Grantham, PA
* Live Streaming is for those who do not live in close proximity to any of the core courses offered.
To register go to www.bic-church.org/equipping/core/
default.asp.
Directed Study Courses – – Spring Term 2015 begins Jan. 5
and runs through April, 17. Courses offered are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bible Survey
Biblical Interpretation
Pentateuch
Synoptic Gospels
Paul and His Letters
Wisdom & Poetic Lit.
Introduction to New Testament Greek
History of Christianity
Anabaptist Story
The Heritage of Pietism
Life and Thought of John
Wesley
Evangelism
Intentional Discipleship
The World Christian
Movement
Pastoral Care
& Counseling I
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Spiritual Formation
Focusing our Faith
Prayer Life of a Leader
The Church and Conflict
Transformation
Discerning God’s Call, My
Identity
Practical Tools for Pastors
Becoming a Coaching
Leader
Effective Children’s Ministry
Building a Safe and Successful Children’s Ministry
The Social and Spiritual
Lives of Today’s Adolescents
Ministry with Older Adults
Focusing our Worship
To register go to www.bic-hurch.org/equipping/dsp/
spring2015/default.asp.
Our STEP training will begin in
December. If you know any
young adults looking for a
cross-cultural internship, there is
still time to sign up. After training in December, the team will
fly to Honduras or Spain in January 2015. They will serve for
6 months. STEP provides these young adults with an opportunity to learn from international leaders, be immersed in local
language and culture, and serve in practical ways. It is a time
for discerning next steps in life and seeking God for clarification for their future. Interested young adults may check out
the STEP BICWM Facebook page or apply on line at http://
bic-church.org/wm/serve/short-term/step/ or contact Vicky
Landis at [email protected] for more information.
Vicky Landis
Mobilization Administrator
BICWM
717.697.2634, x-5407
THE BIC FOUNDATION &
THE GLC CONGREGATIONAL GROWTH TEAM
CAN ENABLE YOUR CONGREGATION TO INITIATE
UP TO $2,000 OF NEW OUTREACH
AT ONLY A $500 COST
TO YOUR CONGREGATION!
An initiative of the Brethren in Christ Foundation is providing a 50% matching grant per qualifying congregation to
launch new outreach programs. In addition, your Great Lakes
Conference Congregational Growth Team (CGT) will provide
1/2 of the congregational amount up to $500 in 2014.
This means your congregation may qualify for a $2,000 new
outreach project at a cost of only $500 to your congregation!
If your new outreach project is less than $2,000 and is approved by the BICF, your actual cost will be 25%, and you
will be reimbursed for 75% (50% from BICF and 25% from
GLC CGT). The program description and qualifications as
well as an application for the BICF grant may be accessed
online at: www.bicfoundation.org/ambas/index.htm.
Every congregation across the GLC
is encouraged to apply for this grant opportunity.
The Anabaptist churches of North America
have the opportunity to host the global Anabaptist body of Christ in July 2015.
Pennsylvania 2015 will take place on July 2126, 2015 in Harrisburg PA at which time representatives of the 1.3 million baptized members of the over 101 national church members of the Mennonite World Conference will gather for an historic time of worship, learning, sharing and visiting. The theme "Walking with
God" invites North American members to share their story
and to experience the story and diverse gifts of their global
family of faith.
For more information about this monumental event, check out
their website at: www.mwc-cmm.org/article/pennsylvania2015
Page 3
Event Highlights
HOLINESS
LEADER’S DAY
HIGHLIGHTS
5 GLC persons (4 pastors) participated in this event and
rated it 8.75 on a scale of 1-10. Comments included, “I will
celebrate sanctification more.” While the presentations by Dr.
Tom Hermiz, General Superintendant of the Churches of
Christ in Christian Union was quite traditional, his strong emphasis on the truth of God’s Word, and sin’s seriousness was
appreciated.
The day was a good emphasis and reminder of the holiness stream of our BIC theology and Dr. Tom Hermiz actually
quoted Dr. Henry Ginder, a former BIC Bishop, “It is possible
to be human and holy simultaneously.”
The next Holiness Leader’s Day for Northern Ohio will
take place on Tuesday, October 7th at Malone University in
Canton, OH. BIC Pastor Bruxy Cavey will be the featured
speaker. Both events qualify for Life Long Learning credit.
On Thursday & Friday, August 14—15, 43 persons - Pastors,
GLC Team Members and lay leaders from across the Great
Lakes Conference attended this year’s Global Leadership
Summit at nearly a dozen different sites over 6 states.
The evaluations of the event were high- 8.9 on a scale of 1-10!
Comments included:
•
The greatest strength of the Conference was the quality
and variety of speakers.
•
I felt encouraged to keep taking steps of faith and leave
the results in God’s hands.
•
I appreciated the insight that “People join organizations people leave leaders.”
•
Speaker Don Flow encouraged me to remember to “Thank
people for their contribution to life and ministry.”
•
As a result of ideas presented at the Summit, our congregation is planning to meet with community leaders to help
the community fill the gaps in needs that are not being
met.
•
Felt encouraged to take on the mountain, one step at a
time.
•
I appreciated the insight that “leadership is not a process
of maintaining things and keeping them going; that is
what a manager does. Leaders implement change!”
Your Great Lakes Conference provides 100% subsidy for all
Pastors, Associate Pastors and GLC Team Leaders to attend
the Global Leadership Summit and also provides 50% subsidy
for up to two lay leaders per congregation. 21 of 24 responding feel this event should be subsidized in the future.
Highlights
The Twelfth Autumn Retreat (for older adults) was September
16-18 at Lake Placid Christian Conference Center in Indiana.
Galen & Malinda Oakes led sessions about The Perseverance
of the Seasoned Saints. Twenty-seven persons participated in
group sessions, fellowship, and relaxation.
Reported by Winnie Knepper
ENRICHMENT RETREAT FOR
PASTORS AND SPOUSES
SEPTEMBER 19- 2 1, 2 01 4
HIGHLIGHTS!
Forty-two persons including
pastors, spouses, interns and
resource persons attended this
year’s GLC Pastors & Spouses
Retreat held at the Farmstead Inn in
Shipshewana, IN.
The weekend event featured
speaker Lee Eclov who spoke on
the topic of Pastoral Graces.
Brethren in Christ National
Director Alan Robinson attended
the event on Friday and Saturday
morning and brought greetings and
words of encouragement from the
denominational offices. Worship was
led by Lakeview Community’s pastor
Jon Grimshaw and his worship team.
Pastor Keith Tyson from the Ashland
congregation led in a time of fun &
games and relationship building.
Bishop John Zuck led in a time of
prayer, worship and communion
during Saturday evening and Sunday
morning worship.
Everyone enjoyed a great time
including free time on Saturday
afternoon, a wonderful family style
dinner at the Blue Gate Restaurant
on Saturday evening and the
opportunity to be refreshed and
renewed.
Encouragement 2014
Page 4
MHC HIGHLIGHTS & YOUTH NEWS
Memorial Holiness Camp 2014
Highlights!
MHC Director Todd Hammond
& Evangelist Gilbert Romero
Bishop Zuck leads a dedication
of missionaries on Missions Day
Pam Arnold interviews missionaries preparing to go to Pakistan
New Young Adult Camp
participants share during closing
worship about how MHC has
impacted their lives
Numerous people participate in
the healing service during the
closing worship
During the 3rd full week in
July the 71st annual Memorial Holiness Camp was held
at the Church of God Campground (Formerly the West
Milton Christian Center).
More than 150 people from
our five state conference and
beyond came to be refreshed,
revived, renewed and challenged to live more intentionally as disciples.
Nursery, children, youth,
young adult and adult age
groups were all blessed by
the various programs offered
throughout the week. These
included Bible Studies led by
Pastor Keith Tyson and Dr.
Jason Vickers which were
uplifting and informative.
The importance of missions
was emphasized throughout
the week with panel discussions, a seminar on how to
support our missionaries led
by John Hawbaker, and a
tremendous Missions Day
celebration. More than
$9,000 was raised for missions beyond the MHC
Budget!
Evening worship was dynamic and inspiring. Led by
John Hawbaker and Gilbert
Romero, evening services
highlighted the need to produce good fruit for Christ to
further the work of the Gospel. On Friday evening more
than 180 persons attended
the closing service. Many
came forward to participate
in the service of anointing to
be strengthened to live lives
more deeply committed to
Christian discipleship.
At the end of the week we
had raised approximately
$19,000 towards the MHC
Budget!
To see more photographs
and other highlights from
MHC 2014 go to the Great
Lakes Conference website!
The deadline for early-bird
registration for Youth Quest
2014 is fast approaching.
Register by October 15 and
pay only $340 for three
awesome days (December
27 - 30) of fun, fellowship and spiritual challenge in Washington DC!
YouthQuest is open to all high school students - in all stages of
their spiritual journey. Whether you’ve been walking with
Christ for years or just teetering on the verge of making a commitment, there is something for you at YQ.
Attendees will rub shoulders with Atlantic, Overflow, Lost and
Found, Andy Hunter, Jeff Goring, Danielle Strickland and
more as well as having unique opportunities to hang out with
Bishops, Pastors and Youth Leaders from all over North
America.
There will even be time to sightsee in our capital city.
For more information, visit: www.yqbic.com
TRANSITION IN THE CONFERENCE OFFICE
Todd Hammond has accepted a call to full
time pastoral ministry at the Agape Church of
the Brethren in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, beginning
on Oct. 1, 2014. He has served in the Great Lakes Conference
in a number of roles. He has been the Pastor of the Highland,
OH, congregation for more than 6 years, he has served as the
GLC Office Assistant for nearly 5 years and has been the Director of Memorial Holiness Camp for the last 4 years. In addition to these roles he has been serving as the Interim Pastor
of the West Milton Church of the Brethren for the last 1 1/2
years. While Todd & Andi will greatly miss their connections
in the GLC and the BIC, this move will allow them to be close
to their sons and Andi’s aging parents who live in No. IN.
Page 5
News from Our Churches
NEWS FROM
OUR CHURCHES
ACROSS THE
GREAT LAKES CONFERENCE
•
•
•
•
•
Here are some happenings at some of
the churches in the Great Lakes Conference. Let us continue to bear one
another up in prayer.
Amherst Community, OH - Pastor Galen reports that the
congregation has been developing new mission and vision
statements for their ongoing ministry to the community.
These will be formally adopted by the congregation.
The congregation has learned that it is easier to convince the
unchurched to attend their worship service when they have a
casual, outdoor service in their pavilion. They held outdoor
outreach services each month, May through September.
A woman came to faith in Christ through one of Amherst’s
“Life Groups” held on Wednesday nights. In May she was
taken by ambulance to the hospital and was in the coronary
care unit for a month. The outpouring of prayers, cards,
flowers, visits, texts and love from the congregation was
overwhelming to her. She said she has never experienced
such love before in her lifetime. God is sustaining her in
difficult circumstances through God’s people. Praise His
Name!
Fairview, OH - A young woman and her “step-mom” gave
their lives to Christ on Easter—the next week she brought
her friend so she ‘could meet Jesus.’ Her dad had also accepted Christ in this process and all three were baptized at
the end of June - PTL!
Gethsemane, OH - A woman has lived a very stressful and
abusive life. She had a baby at 17 and struggled with drugs.
Since coming to church, she has witnessed the change and
excitement in her daughter and wanted the same experience.
She has since she trusted Jesus as her Savior. She has
jumped in to help pass out church fliers, children’s ministry
and nursery. She is singing for our church and using her
talents for Christ.
King of Glory, OH - Pastor Paul Meduri reports that the
congregation has moved from their current location to a
rented church facility at 935 Frost Rd., Streetsboro, OH,
44241. Their service time has been changed to accommodate the other church. They are now meeting 9:30 - 10:30.
Their new location is a residential neighborhood, on a heavily traveled road, and next door to an elementary school.
They are planning a fall fair and it will be a joint venture
with the other church. We'll now have twice the workers
and finances for this project! While they have made some
compromises in our services and independence, it appears as
though they will serve the Lord much better. God definitely
orchestrated this move and everyone was blessed.
Highland, OH - After six years of ministry, Pastor Todd
Hammond has announced his resignation effective Sept.
28th to accept a call to a full time ministry position at the
Agape Church of the Brethren in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. They
will miss their Church family greatly. Pray for Highland in
their search for a new Pastor.
NEW CHURCH PLANTING
HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH in
Sheboygan, WI will hold its launch
Sunday in October 2014. This new
congregation is being led by Pastor
Mike Lueck. In the two months before the official launch Sunday the congregation has been averaging
nearly 100 persons in attendance with 142 attending on a special
event Sunday. More than 40 persons have been participating in small
group meetings.
A number of the persons involved in this exciting new ministry
have worked with Pastor Mike in his Celebrate Recovery ministry.
Mike reports that over the past 6 years 1,500 persons have moved
through this program of which 90% are unbelievers. Nearly 450 have
trusted Christ as Savior through this ministry.
Pastor Mike reports the following exciting progress as they prepare
for their launch Sunday:
• An online database has been established which will better enable
the congregation to communicate with interested persons.
• Software has been obtained for presentations during worship and
teaching times.
• Small groups for the fall are being planned.
• Both Under 50 and Over 50 Groups have already been started.
Bishop John plans to attend Hope Community Church’s Sunday on
Oct. 5th. Pastor Mike Lueck has been supported by PRAYER and
subsidy of two days per week pastoral compensation since May 1st,
and 3 days since Aug. 1st, 2014.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS EMERGING CONGREGATION!
BIBLE QUIZZING
2013-2014 SEASON
The 2013-14 Bible quizzing season has come to an end. New
Vision BIC in Pewaukee, WI, represented the Great Lakes
Conference at this year’s denominational finals held during
General Conference in Lancaster, PA on July 11-14.
They earned 2nd seed after the double round robin round
and finished 3rd overall. Dillsburg BIC (located about 20
miles south of Harrisburg, PA) won 1st place.
Great Lakes Conference Bible Quizzing Quiz Master, Jeff
Williams of the Nappanee, IN BIC, reports that he was impressed with the youth themselves. “This was such an impressive group of young people—youth who are committed to
growing in Jesus Christ, caring for each other and to serving
Jesus with their lives.”
The new Bible Quiz season will start in October 2014.
This year Bible Quizzers will be studying, reading, memorizing and meditating on the Book of Acts (NIV). Bible Quizzing
is open to those ages 8-19. Director Jeff Williams would love
to see more churches involved in this wonderful program.
If you have questions or need more information about starting
a Bible Quizzing Team in your congregation, contact:
Jeff Williams
[email protected]
574.773.3365
574.773.4925
Page 6
DATES TO
REMEMBER:
2014:
October Pastor Appreciation
Month
The Bible says, “Give a
bonus to leaders who do
a good job, especially
the ones who work hard
at preaching and
teaching.”
(I Tim. 5:17 - The Message)
Oct. 7
Holiness Leaders Day
with Bruxey Cavey
Malone University
Canton, OH
2015:
Jan. 4 - 11
BIC Week of
Prayer & Fasting
March 6 & 7
GLC Regional
Annual Meeting
Morrison
Morrison, IL
July 17 - 25
Memorial
Holiness Camp
West Milton, OH
Aug. 6 & 7
WCA Global
Leadership Summit
Multiple sites
Sept. 18-20
GLC
Pastors & Spouses
Retreat
Farmstead Inn
Shipshewana, IN
BISHOP’S SCHEDULE
October
2
5
7 8:30 - 3:00 pm
7:00 pm
12
14
21
25
2:00 - 4:00 pm
26
am
pm
November
2
8
9 am
3:00 pm
15
16
27
30
December
7
13
14
21
25
28
31
January
3
2:00 - 4:00 pm
4-11
Pastor Appreciation Month!
Highland , OH Past. Search Com. Mtg.
Hope Community, WI
Holiness Leaders’ Day - Canton, OH
RDT Meeting - Conference call
Installation message for Todd
Hammond at Agape Church of the
Brethren, Ft. Wayne, IN
S. OH Cluster meeting - Fairview
Westside Christian Community, OH
board meeting
Michiana Cluster meeting, Union
Grove, IN
Carland-Zion, MI
Christ Community ETC, MI
King of Glory, OH
La Roca Eterna, VA
Community of Faith, VA
Pastoral Search Committee Bethel, VA
SEC BOD meeting, FL
Community Bible Chapel, FL
Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Amherst, OH
New Vision, WI
GLC BOD meeting, Ashland, OH
Mt. Zion, IN
Calvary Bible Church, VA
Have a great Christmas celebration
Fairview Church, OH
New Year’s Eve
MI Cluster concert of Prayer at CarlandZion BIC
BIC Week of Focused Prayer!
SEND WORKERS FOR WITNESS & SERVICE
ACROSS THE GLC AND BEYOND
PARTNERSHIP
MINISTRIES 2014
Your congregation’s
goal of giving 10% of
offerings to Cooperative
Ministries is greatly appreciated. Each congregation’s timely and generous contributions facilitates SENDING WORKERS
FOR WITNESS & SERVICE
ACROSS THE GREAT
LAKES CONFERENCE AND
BEYOND.
Many thanks!
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: Items for our January-March issue of The Connection should be in our
office by December 20, 2014. MAILING LIST: If you do not wish to receive the Great Lakes Conference
newsletter, please email our office or call us. If you prefer to receive a hard copy of the newsletter, please
let us know. We will honor your request. Please notify us if your email or mailing address has changed.
VISION STATEMENT
“Every person reaching people for Jesus Christ by developing a framework of community that
encourages growing, discipling, and sending congregations.”
Bishop’s Office:
306 S. Miami St.,
West Milton, OH 45383
Phone: 937.698.6284
Cell:
937.232.4361
Fax:
937.698.1000
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 69, West Milton, OH 45383
Email: [email protected] (Bishop)
Email: [email protected] (Assistant)