2015 Annual Gathering
#AOBgathering
April 17-19, 2015
Northside Drive Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA
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WELCOME FROM ZACH BAY,
CHAIR OF ANNUAL GATHERING PLANNING TEAM
I attended my first Alliance of Baptists’
Annual Gathering in Monterrey,
California in 2010. That year, we met
at Asilomar Conference Grounds. I met
kind people who believe passionately. I
sat on the floor in a small room while
Tere Canzoneri introduced me and a couple dozen others to
Transcendental Meditation and Centering Prayer. I stood in
one of the retreat center’s large halls as a big group of Baptists boldly recited a litany. I had
heard that litany—or litanies like it—many times before. The exact words escape me, but
they were something like:
“All people are welcome in this sacred space, to full communion with this body of people
and with the God of love.”
They were simple words. Words I had heard before in other places. Words like others that
I had mumbled through many times. And yet, there in Asilomar, as if it were the first time I
had ever heard anything like that, I was greatly moved. I had heard the words said before.
I had just never heard the words meant before.
“All people. Full communion.”
If you are new—if this is your first Gathering—welcome to a place where that’s true.
Whether you are black or white, gay or straight, female or male, liberal or conservative, or
somewhere in between: you are welcome among this beautiful group of Baptists. Roll up
your sleeves and do faith with us. Make yourself at home.
If you are a veteran—if you remember when Gatherings were Convocations and founders
gathered in this very building to launch a new movement of progressive Baptists—thank
you for being you, and thank you for staying connected through the years. Welcome again
to the place you once dreamed of: a place where all people are welcome to full communion
with one another and with God.
We’ve a Story to Hear…and that’s it. Lean in and listen closely. God is still speaking.
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WELCOME FROM MIKE CASTLE,
ALLIANCE OF BAPTISTS’ PRESIDENT
It is a great delight to welcome you the 28th Annual Gathering of the
Alliance of Baptists meeting in Atlanta, Georgia! I hope that you find our
time together alive with the Spirit of God, rich in fellowship with both new
and old friends, and inspired by the Gospel of Jesus to acts of love and
justice in his name!
What a joy it is for us to gather and celebrate 25 years of ministry
partnerships. Indeed, “We’ve a story to hear from the nations!” Listening to
those stories over the years has certainly shaped us and challenged us as
Alliance of Baptists. And we are grateful to God for such gifts. I pray that during our time
together this weekend we will listen with attentive ears and open hearts so that we will
continue to be shaped and challenged anew by these living stories.
I have attended all, but one, Alliance of Baptists’ Annual Gatherings since 1997. I treasure
this time together and make it a priority to attend each year. Gathering in the Easter
season each year, I find my spirit resurrected among this mighty bunch of Baptists who
share my commitments to thoughtful, progressive and engaging theological engagement,
courageous justice work and extravagant hospitality. We share hope-filled excitement and
wisdom about the work of the church in these rapidly changing times.
Please join me in thanking Zach Bay and his team for their leadership in coordinating this
Annual Gathering. As you will discover, they have a done a fabulous job! Let us also thank
James Lamkin and all the good folks at Northside Drive Baptist Church for their warm and
welcoming hospitality. We are blessed.
With gratitude,
Michael D. Castle
President / Alliance of Baptists
Senior Pastor / Harmony Creek Church, Dayton, Ohio
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ALLIANCE OF BAPTISTS ANNUAL GATHERING
2015 SCHEDULE
Friday, April 17
8:30 AM.... Registration Opens
(Narthex)
9:00 AM .....Multicultural Training Workshop by RJM Community
(Chapel)
11:30 AM.... Box Lunch and Community Gatherings
1:00 PM.... Workshop Session I
2:30 PM .....Break, Exhibits, Snacks
3:00 PM .....Annual Meeting: Part I
(Chapel)
4:30 PM .....Worship I: Paco Rodes, preaching
(Sanctuary)
Saturday, April 18
8:30 AM .....Registration Opens, Children & Youth meet for
trip to Berea Farm
9:00 AM .....Bible Study with Karen Thomas Smith
(Chapel)
10:15 AM .....Break: Alliance author meet & greet and book signings
(Undercroft)
10:45 AM .....Workshop Session II
12:00 PM .....Box Lunch and Community Gatherings
1:30 PM.... Annual Meeting: Part II
(Chapel)
3:30 PM.... Worship II, Rusudan Gotsiridze, preaching
(Sanctuary)
Sunday, April 19
9:30 AM.... Bible Study with Karen Thomas Smith
(Chapel)
11:00 AM .....Worship III: Mahan Siler, preaching
(Sanctuary)
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PROCLAIMERS AND BIBLE STUDY LEADERS
Paco Rodes, Fraternity of Baptist Churches of Cuba
Paco lives in Matanzas, Cuba where he is the Executive Director of the
Kairos Center and the Coordinator of the Cuban Prison Chaplaincy Project.
Paco is the retired pastor of First Baptist Church Matanzas, where he
served for 36 years. He is also one of the 3 founders of the Fraternity of
Baptists. Paco and his wife Lila have two daughters and a grandson
(Lisset, Judy and Gabriel) all of whom live in Atlanta and are members of
Oakhurst Baptist. Paco will preach in the Friday evening worship service.
Rusudan Gotsiridze, Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia
Rusudan is a bishop of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia
(EBCG). She is responsible for Central Georgia, which includes a region
occupied by Russian troops since the Russian-Georgian war in 2008.
She is the first woman in Georgia to be consecrated a bishop and a
longtime researcher of women’s ordination practices in different
Christian traditions. She holds a master’s degree in Christian Theology
from Tbilisi State University. In her master’s dissertation Rusudan
explored theological and ecclesial issues related to women’s ordination.
In 2014 she received an “International Women of Courage” award by the U.S. State
Department presented by Michelle Obama. Rusudan is married to Michael Saralishvili and
has two teenage children. Her hobbies include painting, photography and tree climbing.
Rusudan will preach in the Saturday evening worship service.
Mahan Siler, an Alliance of Baptists’ founder
Mahan's vocational life happens to fall into roughly two
equal parts: 27 years as pastor; 27 years working with pastors.
He and Janice, married for 56 years, are parents to Jeanine,
Marshall, Julia and Mark and grandparents to six young adults.
They moved to Asheville, N.C., in 2003 to be close to family.
Mahan will preach in the Sunday morning worship service.
Karen Thomas Smith, chaplain at Al Akhawayn University
Karen has been chaplain to the Christian Community at Al
Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco since 1996. Karen has spoken,
written and led seminars on Muslim-Christian relations in the United
States, Morocco, France, Germany, Italy, and Madagascar. Karen is
married to Kevin Smith, Dean of Science and Engineering at Al
Akhawayn University. They have a fourteen year-old daughter, Claire
Amal, who attends the Al Akhawayn School of Ifrane. Karen will lead
our Bible Study times.
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WORKSHOPS
Friday Morning Workshop, 9 AM-11:30 AM
Multicultural Training: Listening for Love of Justice—Building skills for listening
across racial and cultural differences
Location: Chapel
Facilitators: Tina Lopes and Tammerie Day
Whether we are working in a multiracial or multifaith coalition, whether we are crossing borders or
cultures, listening is foundational for relationship and
for the love we are called to embody as followers of
Jesus Christ. In this workshop, we'll explore listening
as an act of faith in a life of discipleship and
partnerships. We'll discern together the challenges we
face when we seek to hear each other into justice, in
love.
We'll learn how to listen as part of living into responsibility and transformation, with
the humility and grace that can sustain us for the long haul together. Our work together
throughout the Annual Gathering will give us opportunities to return to what we've
learned, and renew our learning with practice, so that we can take our skills into our work
wherever we are seeking to live into the reign of God. We are looking forward to building
on the excellent and practical learning begun at last year's gathering, and adding to our
capabilities for working across differences, toward justice, in love.
Friday Afternoon: 1 PM-2:30 PM & Saturday Morning: 10:45 AM–12 PM
1. Developing Compassionate Conversation: What the ARCUS Grant means for
Congregational Dialogue on LGBTQ Inclusion and Racial Justice
Location: Room 105
This workshop provides information about the scope of the ARCUS grant
and how a congregation might benefit from the grant as it relates to
developing compassionate dialogue around LGBTQ inclusion and racial
justice. Opportunity will be given for dialogue about how the grant’s
opportunities might best be tailored to meet the needs of individual
congregations.
Facilitator: Michelle McClendon - Associate Pastor at Providence Baptist
Church, Hendersonville, NC.
Panelists:
• Cody Sanders, Assistant Minister of Pastoral Care at Unitarian Universalist Church of
Davis, California
• Mahan Siler, an Alliance founder
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2. The History and Mission of the Alliance: Celebrating 25 Years of Ministry
Partnership
Location: Chapel
Partnership ministry has characterized the Alliance’s missiology since
early in the organization’s history. This session seeks to address changes in
the history of missiology within the Alliance and more broadly, and how this
history can inform our partnership ministry in the Alliance of Baptists and
local congregations.
Facilitator: Andrew Gardner, student at Wake Forest School of Divinity
Panelists:
• Rob Nash, Professor Arnall-Mann-Thomasson Professor of Missions and World
Religions and Associate Dean for the D.Min program at McAfee School of Theology
• Shanta Premawardhana, President of Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral
Education (SCUPE)
• Paco Rodés, Fraternity of Baptist Churches in Cuba
3. Policy and Perspective: Ministry Partners Reflect on U.S. Governmental Policies
Location: Room 203
How does the governmental policies of the United States help or hurt the
work of our ministry partners? This workshop will hear from those who are
doing ministry in diverse settings where American policy makes a
difference.
Facilitator: Steve Jolly, Secretary for the Alliance of Baptists
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Panelists:
Gustavo Yero Estrada, Fraternity of Baptist Churches of Cuba
Charles Watson, Jr., Baptist Joint Committee
Katie Cook, Editor of Seeds of Hope
4. LGBTQ Issues Around the Globe
Location: Room 204
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage the social, political,
and religious realities facing LGBTQ people in contexts beyond the United
States in order to acquire better ways of understanding, relating, and
supporting our brothers and sisters who are standing in solidarity,
striving for justice, and affirming their communities around the world.
Facilitator: Maria Swearingen, Assistant Chaplain, Furman University
Panelists:
• Beatriz Casal, Pastor in Cuba
• Joel Zeferino, President of the Alliance of Baptist of Brazil
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John Blevins, Associate Research Professor in the Hubert Department of Global
Health at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University
5. Connecting Congregations and Ministry Partners
Location: Room 116
This workshop will explore the nuts and bolts of church partnerships.
How can congregations grow from the experience? Hear from a long-time
partnerships expressed in a variety of settings.
Facilitator: Tommy Justus, Pastor at Mars Hill Baptist Church, Mars Hill,
NC.
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Panelists:
Jonathan Freisen, Pastor at Ellis Ave. Church, Chicago
Tiffany Henkel, Pastor of Metro Baptist Church and Executive Director of RMM, New
York City
6. Welcoming the Stranger: Sharing God's Love with Refugees and Immigrants
Location: Room 103
Attendees will hear stories from immigrants to the US and ways we can
advocate for comprehensive, just and humane immigration reform. We
will also learn about refugee crises in other countries around the world.
Facilitator: Carol Blythe, past-President of the Alliance of Baptists
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Panelists:
• Representative from Latino Fellowship at Calvary DC
Susan Allan, National Farm Worker Ministry
7. Leading Women: How Women Are Changing the Church
Location: Room 202
A panel of ministers, scholars and activists will lead attendees in a
generative conversation addressing three questions: Why do we still need a
conversation about women's empowerment? How are women changing the
church? What concrete examples can sharpen our understanding and motivate
us to action?
Facilitator: Eileen Campbell-Reed, Practical Theologian and Faculty at
Central Seminary
Panelists:
• Melissa Browning, Assistant Professor and Graduate Program Director in Social Justice
and Community Development
• Chanequa Walker-Barnes, Faculty in Pastoral Care at McAfee School of Theology
• Karen Thomas Smith, Chaplain to the Christian Community at Al Akhawayn University,
Ifrane, Morocco
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8. Liturgical Reform and the Revitalization of Worship
Location: Sanctuary
Our interactive workshop will review the liturgical reforms that
have taken place both inside and outside of the United States in the last
several years and we’ll dream together of what could be next in the way
of liturgy and worship in our churches today. What has been the most
meaningful worship experience for you? What has renewed your
church? Come to share and learn abstract and practical ideas.
Facilitator: Leah Grundset Davis, Communications Specialist at
Alliance of Baptists
Panelists:
• Brett Younger, Associate Professor of Preaching at McAfee School of Theology
• Ken Sehested, Editor/Author at prayer&politiks, Founding Co-Pastor of Circle of
Mercy Congregation in Asheville, NC.
9. Generating a Serious and Savvy Congregational Plan for Faith Formation
Location: Room 200
Suddenly you have inspiration for faith formation at your church. But
then you realize there is no plan and the practice of your inspiration is
lost forever. How does such a plan come into being?
Facilitator: Ken Meyers, Faith Formation Specialist at Alliance of
Baptists
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Panelists:
• Mike Gregg, Associate Pastor and Minister of Education at
Northside Drive Baptist Church, Atlanta
Elizabeth Lott, Pastor, St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans
Karen Massey, Professor of Christian Education at McAfee School of Theology
10. Building Consensus: Engaging Diversity
Location: Choir Room
Consensus building techniques bring out best thinking of any group
on shared concerns and generates greater commitment to decision
made. Learn the attitudes, practices and skills that are essential for
consensus building.
Facilitator: Leslie Withers
Panelists: Mary Ann Downey and Bill Holland, from Decision Bridges
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11. Clergy Recognition and Endorsement
Location: Room 201
Facilitators: Carole Collins, Director of
Operations and Finance for the Alliance of Baptists
and Leah Lonsbury, Clergy Care Specialist for the
Alliance of Baptists
COMMUNITIES
Alliance communities will meet throughout the Gathering. Below is a listing of
communities, contacts and times. Those communities meeting during lunch, will enjoy the
lunch provided and meet in assigned areas. Please feel free to join a community that
interests you and learn more!
Mission and Ministry Partnership Committee*
Contact: Paula Dempsey
Meeting: Friday lunch
Location: Room 116
Racial Justice and Multiculturalism
Contacts: Michael-Ray Mathews, Marie Onwubuariri and Cody Sanders
Meeting: Friday lunch
Location: Room 200
Peace and Justice
Contact: Carol Blythe
Meeting: Friday lunch
Location: Room 204
Equity for Women in the Church
Contact: Jann Aldredge-Clanton
Meeting: Friday and Saturday lunch
Location: Room 202
Cuba Partnership
Contacts: Wayne Grinstead and Mark Siler
Meeting: Saturday lunch
Location: Room 103
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Justice in Palestine and Israel
Contacts: Leslie Withers and G.J. Tarazi
Meeting: Saturday lunch
Location: Room 105
Brazil Partnership
Contacts: David Gooch and Peter Carman
Meeting: Saturday lunch
Location: Room 116
LGBTQ
Contact: D. H. Clark and Delane Tew
Meeting: Saturday
Location: Room 200
Abolishing the Death Penalty
Contact: Jeff Hood
Meeting: Saturday lunch
Location: Room 204
*note: this is an Alliance committee meeting and not a community meeting
INFORMATION
Maps of Northside Drive Baptist Church is included in your registration packet.
Shuttles from the Hotel:
Friday
Morning (8:15 and 8:45 at the hotel) - Phill Nall
Midday (12:00 and 12:45 at hotel) - Richard West
Evening (6:00 and 6:30 at the church) - Phill Nall
Saturday
Morning (8:15 and 8:45 at the hotel) - Jonathan Spencer
Evening (5:00 and 5:30 at the church) - Bud Hidlay
Sunday
Morning (8:45 and 9:15 at the hotel) - Bud Hidlay
Midday (12:30 and 1:00 at the church) - Jonathan Spencer
Nursery Care is provided for pre-registered children age five and younger in Room 100,
Nursery. The hours are 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
**Parents are responsible for providing meals for their children during the
weekend. Parents are asked to visit their children during scheduled breaks and to
pick up their children promptly at the conclusion of each service.
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Children and Youth Programming
Have you ever noticed how getting down on your hands and knees to weed is also
the perfect posture for praying? Have you ever experienced God in nature, away from the
distractions of modern conveniences, in a new and deeper way? Do you know how to bring
peace and build community in a dying neighborhood through gardening? All these
questions (and many more) will be explored during a special opportunity on Saturday,
April 18th, during the Alliance of Baptists' gathering.
Alliance member, Josh Cowan, is a resident at Berea Mennonite Church/Oakleaf
Mennonite Farm in the East Atlanta neighborhood. Youth and children (1st grade and up)
will be able to visit this church-farm during the Saturday workshops time. They will learn
how God uses plants and animals to bring about peace and transformation in our lives
through simple lessons and instruction, powerful hands-on experiences and meaningful
times of guided reflection.
Youth and Children will leave for Berea at 8:30 AM on Saturday, spend the day and
have lunch together at the farm and return by 3:00 PM in time to prepare for worship. If
you have any questions, please contact Josh Cowan directly: [email protected].
Friday and Saturday Evening Meals are “On Your Own.”
Atlanta is known as a “Foodie City.” A listing of local eateries is provided in the
registration packet and also available at the registration desk.
Friday and Saturday Box Lunches will be available to all registered. Pick up your lunch
in the Fellowship Hall.
Social Media @ This Year’s Gathering
This year, the Alliance will be making good use of social media applications like
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to share about the gathering with friends old and new.
So, we’d like to encourage you to use your cell phones and mobile devices to tweet and
share during the gathering—except during worship.
Follow the Alliance on twitter: @alliancebaptist
Please use the following hashtag: #AOBgathering
Post pictures on our Facebook page: facebook.com/alliancebaptists
WIFI availability
WIFI throughout the building may be accessed using:
Network: ndbcwireless
Password: password not required
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EXHIBITS AND BOOKSTORE
Please take some time to visit our Exhibit Area in the Undercroft, on the lower level
of the church. In the exhibit area you will also find a Hospitality Station with café tables
and chairs and a Book Table, where books by Alliance authors will be available for
purchase.
The following groups will be sharing resources and information:
Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists
Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America/ Bautistas por la Paz
Educational Center: Bible Workbench and Teen Text
Equity for Women in the Church Community
Gardner Webb University School of Divinity
JourneyPartners: Zimbabwean Jewelry Micro-enterprise project
McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University
Ministries and Missionaries Benefit Board
Paula Buford Pottery
Sabbath House
Shine Curriculum
The Hymn Society of the United States and Canada
The Upper Room
Wake Forest University’s School of Divinity
GRATITUDE
Thanks to the following people, without whom the 2015 Annual Gathering could not
have happened.
Program Planning Committee
Zachary Bay, Chair, pastor at FBC Middlesboro, Ky.
James Lamkin, pastor at Northside Drive Baptist Church
Mike Gregg, associate pastor at Northside Drive Baptist Church
Barbara Atchley, Northside Drive Baptist Church
Cody Sanders, pastor-elect at Old Cambridge Baptist Church, Cambridge, Mass.
Sponsoring Congregation
Thanks to all the hospitable members and staff of our host congregation, Northside Drive
Baptist Church, Atlanta.
Alliance of Baptists’ Leadership Team and Staff
Carole Collins and Paula Clayton Dempsey
Sandra Blackwell, Leah Grundset Davis, Leah Lonsbury, Cathy McGaughey, Kenneth
Meyers, Kristy Pullen, Jason Smith
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Alliance of Baptists
3939 LaVista Road, Suite E-122
Atlanta, GA 30084
866.745.7609
allianceofbaptists.org
[email protected]
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