TABCOM Notes June 2022

PRAYERS FOR UVALDE, TEXAS

From American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary Dr. C. Jeff Woods:

 
Our prayers are with the people and friends of Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on the day of this senseless massacre.
 
I was bewildered to see this news come across the screen: an 18 year old shooter; 19 children murdered; the lives of two teachers taken, all in an elementary school location.
 
Sometimes there are no words, but there is always scripture and the presence of the Lord is always with us. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)
 
“On the day I called, you answered me, you increased the strength of my soul.” (Psalm138:3)

NEW PASTOR’S DAY 2022

ETHICS & BOUNDARIES CLASS

New Pastor’s Day 2022 has been rescheduled until September. More to come.

Mark your calendar for Saturday August 6th.
Details TBA.

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE MINISTER

In light of the recent headlines regarding the Southern Baptist Convention’s mishandling of sexual misconduct, we are re-sharing an article written by our Executive Minister a few years ago: 

  |  MARCH 1, 2019

I am proud to be an American Baptist. Our denomination is not perfect; far from it. But we have been on the right side of history more often than not. On this day, I feel compelled to point out what distinguishes us from Southern Baptists and Independent Baptists, who are much in the news for their incidence of clergy sexual abuse and subsequent cover-ups.

American Baptists are Baptists. This means that we believe in congregational autonomy. Autonomy means that each church chooses its own pastoral leadership. However, we have accountability within our system that provides a layer of protection for our churches. A system like this has been in place in the American Baptist family for decades.

A pastor who has American Baptist “standing” has completed a number of steps. In my region of Massachusetts, these include a background check, a course on ethical boundaries in ministry and an evaluation at a professional counseling center (as well as other educational requirements). Each pastor agrees to sign the American Baptist Clergy Code of Ethics. When a minister receives standing, this is a nationally recognized credential.

However, just as American Baptist standing can be given, it can also be taken away. A person or a church can bring a charge against a minister, which is processed by our Ministerial Standing Committee. If the charges are found valid, standing is withdrawn, and this information becomes part of that minister’s record on our national database. Depending on the type of charge (not all of them involve sexual abuse, for example), there may be an opportunity for rehabilitation.

In every case where a minister breaks the law, police are notified. If an individual or a church will not call law enforcement, we will.

Only a local church can ordain a pastor, or rescind that ordination. But creating and maintaining accountability for American Baptist standing has protected us from the kind of widespread abuse that has been experienced elsewhere.

Yes, sometimes people slip through the cracks. There are evil people in this world, and some of them are very crafty. Jesus called them “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

I acknowledge that the system has not always worked perfectly. But let me be clear: as an American Baptist leader, I take the issue of clergy misconduct very seriously. I want to be heartfelt in my support of the vast majority of our clergy who are people of integrity. But I will be vigilant in dealing with those who are not.

Amid the damage done to the Gospel witness and the untold harm inflicted upon victims of abuse, we are called by Jesus to “be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO THE FAMILIES OF

Rev. Dr. Roberto S. Miranda

We honor the memory of Dr. Roberto Miranda, dynamic pastor of Congregación León de Judá, an American Baptist Church.

The funeral service, celebrating the life of Pastor Roberto, took place on Friday, May 27th, in the main sanctuary of Lion of Judah.
 
Pastor Miranda, was the Senior Pastor of the Congregation Lion of Judah for nearly 40 years. He passed away suddenly on Saturday evening, May 21st. He was accompanied by his wife of 38 years, Mercedes (“Meche”) Lopez-Miranda when he went on to be with the Lord.
 
Please keep his immediate family as well as his church family in your prayers.

THE MABIT HABIT

Does your church have reserve funds, endowment funds or memorial funds that help provide monetary resources for your ministries? How are they invested or dealt with? Are they in bank savings accounts or bank CD’s? Does a “finance committee” carefully oversee them with members who are knowledgeable about investment strategies and products?

However you answer these questions, you may want to consider the “MABIT Habit” regarding your church’s financial resources. MABIT – the Mass. Baptist Investment Trust – is a financial ministry related to TABCOM that enables churches and TABCOM related organizations to pool their resources and take advantage of professional money managers with a Merrill-Lynch group to invest those resources wisely, safely, and ethically.

Granted, we are in a difficult fiscal time nationally and rates of return aren’t what they were over the past ten years or so. But…the MABIT investment strategy is geared to the long term rather than short term gains. If you and your church are interested in exploring how MABIT can be of service to you, reach out to our president David Lambert, an involved lay member of First United Baptist Church of Lowell, for more information. He can be reached via email at lambert@mit.edu.

CHRISTIAN YOUTH CONFERENCE INVITES HIGH SCHOOL TEENS

On August 7th, teens from all over the Northeast will arrive to spend two weeks at the Christian Youth Conference in Ocean Park. Teens like “C” who arrived shy and reserved last year but soon became one who boldly shared her faith journey, explored her questions, and had fun with new friends. Teens like “A” who felt safe to express his doubts and be pointed toward resources to help. Teens with unique interests and diverse backgrounds who together with their counselors and teachers will quickly become a family.

CYC is a unique experience that focuses on faith and discipleship and fosters independence and leadership for teens. Throughout New England churches and across generations there are many Youth Conference alumni who will agree that it is an amazing, life-changing experience. We want to continue offering this experience to as many youth as possible each year and so we are reaching out to your teens with this special invitation.

CYC is familiar to many of you. Previously known as the School of Methods and then the New England Baptist Youth Conference, it is also connected to the legacies of the Royal Ambassadors’ and Camp Ataloa. It has been meeting in Ocean Park, Maine for over 100 years. We are proud of this heritage. We also continuously lean into the future seeking new ways to help teenagers grow as disciples of Christ.

We encourage you, or your high school age children and grandchildren, or the teens at your church to take advantage of this opportunity. Teens need connection with God and with each other – especially at this moment in history – and CYC has a long history of providing a positive venue for both.

Learn more and register at www.cycop.org.

Please feel free to contact Melinda Parry at outreach@cycop.org with any questions. For older teens (17+) who have never participated, we do have openings in our staff training program. Adults may be interested in teaching for one or both weeks. Please reach out to chair@cycop.org for more information.

We hope you will join us!

CYC 2022, August 7-20, Oceanwood, Ocean Park, ME
Website | CYC on YouTube
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MISSION MATTERS JUNE ZOOM GATHERING

Join us on Saturday, June 18th at 9:30am, as we hear from Rev. Charles Jones, International Ministries, Area Director for Europe, The Middle East and Liberia; Senior Area Director, who will update us on our Baptist Mission Partners and the work that is happening on the ground in UKRAINE 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://ministrelife.zoom.us/j/4307410515

Meeting ID: 430 741 0515

CREATION CARE

Are you looking for earth-friendly approaches to your spring cleaning? Experiment with this easy, non-toxic glass cleaner recipe.

Streak-Free Glass Cleaner

1/4 C rubbing alcohol
1/4 C white vinegar
2 C warm water
1 T corn starch

Combine and add to a spray bottle. Spray on surface and use a micro cloth to wipe away dirt.

SAVE THE DATE

The First Baptist Church in Attleboro is hosting a Senior Adult Vacation Bible School for those 55+ on August 1-5th from 9am-12pm.

Come join us for a time of fellowship, worship, and reflection as we explore the connection between our faith and our food through the stories of the Bible.

Stay tuned for registration information!

The Ohio region of the ABC is hosting a virtual contemplative worship service focused on creation care in July. 

CREATION CARE/ MISSIONS

 

 

TABCOM’s Minister of Creation Care, Rev. Rebecca Driscoll interviewing our Director of Missions, Rev. Christine Keddy on Sustainable Fashion and it’s place in mission and ministry.

 

 

PODCAST WITH REV. DAVID KILPATRICK

 

 

In this episode of Green Street Baptist Church Podcast, Pastor Riggins welcomes Rev. Dr. David Kilpatrick, Pastor of the West Medford Baptist Church to chat about Trends in the Church

 

 

OUR ASSOCIATIONS

UPCOMING EVENTS

AMERICAN BAPTIST WOMEN AND GIRLS

Dear Friends,

Save the Date: July 21-24th for the National Women’s Conference to be held in King of Prussia, PA and virtually. More info to come.

TABCOM VOICES BROADCASTS

TABCOM Voices broadcasts are on the second Sunday of every month from 5-6 PM.
 
Boston Praise Radio broadcasts over 30 radio, tv, internet, and social media outlets, including 102.9 FM Radio and on Facebook Live!
 
 

ABC 2023 BIENNIAL MISSION SUMMIT

 

We are excited to share our logo for the 2023 Biennial Mission Summit, around the theme “For Such a Time as This” #abcusa2023 #abcmissionsummit

JUNE HAPPINESS CALENDAR