The Connection-March 2010

the connection

a newsletter f

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March 2010 Volume 5 Issue 3

Missions Updates 3 Answers Conf. 3

NBCS Update 3 Upcoming Events 4

In January, the pastors and wives

of NBC withdrew to our top secret

second office in the woods of rural

Ohio for our annual planning

meeting and winter luau. One of

the results of that time was an

awfully big chart of all of the roles

we have in the church’s ministries,

and how many people it takes to

staff them. Another result was a

plan for a regular seminar, a

ministry seminar, to be offered to

our church family. It will focus on the basic

ministry concepts we want to talk about with

everyone who serves in any capacity within the

church—biblical instruction, NBC perspectives,

principles, and practices. The seminar’s first

offering will be in April/May. As I think about the

continued efforts to steer people toward service

opportunities, one issue always surfaces in my

mind. The fact that it came from my mind should

have two effects. The first is that it makes most

people uneasy. The second is that it indicates the

following was not a part of our meeting discussion

and simply reflects my own thoughts. The issue

surfacing in my mind is not spiritual gifts, personal

character, or the

NBC discipleship process.

The issue is time.

Like the issue of money, the issue

of time is deeply personal and risky to discuss; and

it is different for everybody. Also like the issue of

money, however, it must be discussed and pastors

must steer people in a reasonable direction with

good goals. Therefore, I am issuing the 12-Hour

Challenge.

We all have 168 hours per week. Again, like

money, we can spend time any way we want;

but we can only spend it once. If you sleep 50

hours per week, then you have 118 waking hours

per week. These 118 hours are spent working,

(Continued on page 2)

The 12-Hour Challenge by Eric Puff

Ministry 101:

Basic Ministry Seminar

Who

What

When

Why

The seminar will have four sessions of biblical instruction and practical training, led by Pastor Eric Puff.

Everyone who serves in any capacity at NBC is invited to attend.*

The seminar will encourage ministry readiness and greater teamwork.

It will initially be offered as our Sunday Evening Service (6:00 p.m.) on April 25, May 9, May 16 and May 23.*

*Ministry 101 will be offered on a regular basis.

Everyone serving at NBC will be asked to complete

the seminar at least once.

2 the connection

The 12-Hour Challenge is

a good goal for any

believer, but merely a

good start for those

who may be able to do so

much more.

I am encouraging you to

look at your whole

package of Christian

activity and accept the

12-Hour Challenge.

God gives us every hour

as a gift, and how we use

each one is either pleasing

or displeasing, honoring

or dishonoring to the

One that made us, saved

us, and has a plan for us.

The 12-Hour Challenge

traveling/driving, eating, learning, taking care of

family and household matters, personal matters

and spiritual matters. I am suggesting that of the

118 hours we have to work with, we commit at

least 12 of them to distinctly Christian enterprises.

If you’re keep score, you have noticed that 12 is

roughly ten percent of 118; but don’t get hung

up on formulas. This is not about writing rules or

installing a punch clock so others can see our

time cards. Some people may read this and

struggle to find 12 hours in their week to spend in

Christian activity. Others might regularly spend

more time than this. I believe the 12-Hour

Challenge is a good goal for any believer, but

merely a good start for those who may be able to

do so much more.

So what’s included in these 12 hours? First of all, I

would include personal/family devotions and

Christian reading. Then, I would add Sunday

Services and Adult Bible Fellowships. Growth

Groups or Wednesday Prayer Groups count, too.

Finally, Christian service and service preparation

are obvious elements as well. No, driving to

church does not count; unless it’s the time you

spend to go out of your way to provide

transportation for someone else. Looking at it this

way, 12 hours can go by quickly.

I understand that some people are looking to find

any spare minutes, let alone hours; especially

those with full careers and/or child requirements.

Let me encourage you that I understand this

situation; but I’ll also remind you that even though

it’s easy to put off time for Christian activity when

we’re tired or stressed, it’s also wrong. Not only

does it prioritize earthly matters over eternal ones,

but it also teaches our children that godliness is a

matter of less urgency than their grades or

games. I also understand that some people have

been blessed with schedules that allow them to

be more available. Perhaps God has blessed you

to have income without the need for

employment (retirement), or maybe He has

allowed you to remain single and less anxious

about earthly responsibilities (1 Cor. 7:32-33). Let

me encourage you to commit as much time as

possible to His service.

Consider the risks and rewards of following Jesus.

He said that whoever looses his life for Jesus’ sake

and the gospel’s will save it. He also asked what

profit it is to gain the whole world but lose your

own soul (Mk. 8:35-36). Jesus left no doubt that

following Him has consequences in this life and

the next. If you’re tempted to think that these

words merely apply to the decision to trust Him for

salvation, I don’t believe Jesus would be very

understanding. He knew full well that would-be

followers are hindered by unwillingness to let go

of their own comforts, their own plans, and their

own familiar lives (Lk. 9:57-62).

We have to work; we have to eat; and we have

to take care of our households or there will be

real consequences. These are factual realities in

this life that no one would question. There is

another factual reality: Christians have to spend

time in Christian activity. Just like money, time

can be returned to God under the wrong

motivations, or we could assign an artificial

number to something that is really between you

and God. From a discipleship coaching

perspective, however, we all have to be pointed

in good directions, set goals, and take the next

step. I’ve been careful not to write as if I am

asking you to “give” more time to the church.

That is not the issue. I am encouraging you to

look at your whole package of Christian activity

and accept the 12-Hour Challenge. I don’t

know, and won’t assume, whether you do regular

devotions, or work hard to prepare the lessons for

the group you teach, or watch too much TV or

worship your children’s education or extra-

curriculars. That is for you to investigate. I do

know that God gives us every hour as a gift, and

how we use each one is either pleasing or

displeasing, honoring or dishonoring to the One

that made us, saved us, and has a plan for us.

Will you accept the challenge?

Discuss this article with Pastor Eric by writing:

[email protected].

(Continued from page 1)

Eric Puff is Pastor for Discipleship & Training

at Northfield Baptist Church.

A disciple can be forgiven if he does

not have great mental ability. He

can be forgiven also if he does not

display outstanding physical

prowess. But no disciple can be

excused if he does not have zeal. If

his heart is not aflame with a red-hot

passion for the Savior, he stands

condemned. —William MacDonald

3

In February, NBCS students, staff and families collected $814 for

Haitian relief, which was sent to Baptist Mid-Missions for 100%

dispersal. Students also collected personal hygiene items to be

sent to our military units in Iraq. Several large boxes of goodies

should arrive shortly after Kevin Salzman’s unit arrives in March.

Students are now practicing for the ACSI Regional Speech Meet

held at NBCS on Friday, March 12. We will be hosting six other

schools with a total of 218 participants. It is quite a large

undertaking, but it is nice not to always travel to events. The

building will be bustling with people and activity.

Spanish Club meets on Thursdays after school and has been well

received by students. Another four-week session will begin in

March for students grades 1-6.

Ken & Amy Lowe – Portugal (ABWE)

Recently their church in Ramada voted to bring on a young

Portuguese man as an intern to work with them for one year.

This is one of several significant steps in transitioning from

missionary to national leadership. They are praying for the

provision of money to fund a scholarship so that he can

continue his studies (about $400). Check out more information

at kenlowe.wordpress.com.

Chris & Darcy Vergiels – Brazil (BMM)

Vacation Bible School follow-up has provided many

opportunities to share the gospel in the homes of the children

who attended. Evangelistic Bible Studies have been started in

some homes. During this season of Carnaval, Victory Baptist

Church sent eleven teens to participate in Carnaval Camp, as a

means of drawing them away from participation in the

wickedness of Carnaval in Brazil. They are still inquiring and

praying about acquiring the adjoining property and house as a

parsonage for the church.

Dave & Ev Southwell – Administrator for Brazil (ABWE)

The Southwells are currently visiting missionaries in Belo Horizonte,

Natan, and Brasilia. They are meeting to provide

encouragement, training, and help in planning. Most of all the

ABWE ministries in Brazil now function under a Brazilian

organization ABEM.

Steve & Beth Gault – Cameroon (BMM)

The Gaults arrived back in the Cameroon on January 6. Steve is

doing a great job preaching in French again after living in

English for the previous six months. Recently a 49-year-ld man,

named Josue, made a profession of faith at the conclusion of a

message. Everyone is adjusting well into the culture and

climate, though it has been blistering hot for them having left

the winter temperatures in the States.

Bill & Lou Patterson – Military & Prison Ministries (BMM,

retired)

It has been 55 years since the Pattersons began their journey

with Baptist Mid-Missions that has taken them into church

planting and involved six states. In their retirement years, they

continue to serve within the prison walls in south Texas. Bill

continues to have health concerns with congestive heart failure

that involves breathing problems. He spends many nights in his

recliner because he cannot breathe well when laying down.

Continue to pray for them.

Coming Soon:

Joe Kelm, from Mission to Amish people, will be with us

on Sunday, March 28.

Mis s ions Update

NBCS

Update

Answers in Genesis ConferenceAnswers in Genesis ConferenceAnswers in Genesis Conference March 20March 20March 20---212121

Saturday, March 20

7:00 p.m. Youth Rally - Aliens, UFOs, and Incredible Creatures

9:30 a.m. The Consequences of the Path You Choose

11:00 a.m. Dinosaurs & Dragons - Fact or Myth?

5:30 p.m. Why Question Biblical Authority?

6:45 p.m. The Mystery of Ancient Man

Sunday, March 21

JAMES GARDNER Founder of Canopy Ministries and

adjunct speaker for Answers in Genesis

Jim has extensively taught on the subject of creation vs. evolution in the US and internationally in churches, schools, and colleges since 1993. Numerous trips for field work to Grand Canyon in the last 10 years have provided outstanding training on the subject of Grand Canyon and the global flood.

NORTHFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH

311 W. AURORA ROAD

NORTHFIELD, OH 44067

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Northfield, OH 44067

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Northfield Baptist Church

311 W. Aurora Rd.

Northfield, OH 44067 Phone

(330) 467-7939

Fax

(330) 467-1011

Newsletter E-mail

[email protected]

We’re on the Web!

See us at:

www.northfieldbaptist.org

March Events

Saturday, March 6

Men of God Conference

Sunday, March 7

Teens’ Nursing Home Ministry

PM - Communion and Special Business Meeting

Friday, March 12

NBCS Speech Meet

Friday-Saturday, March 12-13

Teen Guy Overnighter

Saturday, March 13

Men’s Prayer Breakfast

Sunday, March 14

Daylight Saving Time begins

PM - ABF Sunday

Saturday-Sunday, March 20-21

Answers Conference

Sunday, March 28

AM/PM - Joe Keim, MAP

PM - Teen Time Out