Spring Semester Courses Through the
Christian Leadership Network and the John Leland Center
January 24-May 12, 2011

The Campus Comes to You! The Christian Leadership Network, in partnership with the John Leland Center for Theological Studies, offers college-credit and Masters Bible classes in Southwest Virginia. Classes begin January 24, 2011. For information and registration, visit the CLN website or contact Gary Chapman at 877.977.2652.

 21-C Conference
"Endurance: Spiritual Leadership for the Long Haul"
January 27-28, 2011
Gayton Baptist Church, Richmond, VA

The life of the spiritual leader is not a race to be won, but it is a calling after which to endure. If God is to use us from the start line to the finish, we must prepare ourselves for the challenges associated with being successful in ministry for the “long haul.”  Conference facilitator is Dr. Calvin Miller, Research Professor and Distinguished Writer in Residence, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University. Register now for only $59!

Virginia Baptist Handbell Festivals
2-3 and 3-5 Octaves
February 4–5, 2011  
Eagle Eyrie, Lynchburg, VA

3-5 Octaves
February 18-19, 2011 
Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, Glen Allen, VA

Join with ringers from around the state as they gather to rehearse and perform special music under the direction of guest directors Marj Setnicky, Charm Peterman, and David Fitzgerald.  Tapestry, a community handbell quartet, will perform in concert on Friday evening at Eagle Eyrie.  For more information and to register, click on Handbell Festivals or contact Tom Ingram or Debbie Cobb.

Tax and Financial Planning Seminars
various dates/ locations in February

All-State Choirs Weekend
Feb 25–26, 2011

Youth EnCounter: Tappahannock
Feb 25–26, 2011

Certification in Children's Ministry
March 10–12, 2010

Senior High
Weekend
March 11–13, 2011

Youth EnCounter 2010 Wrap-Up

The vision for moving the annual Youth EnCounter (YEC) from an attractional to a missional model expanded in 2010 to provide eight (8) regional events across Virginia. Each Youth EnCounter featured a locally-planned, regionally-supported (and for the most part, FREE!) event customized for each area as to their particular budget, desires, and needs. Most were one-day events featuring bands, artists, and well-known speakers from across Virginia and the US.

Held at various times during the year, Youth EnCounter events occurred in Christiansburg, Roanoke, Mechanicsville, Chesterfield, Waterview, Danville, Clifton Forge, and Virginia Beach. Attendance for all eight events totaled 2,500 students with many students making significant decisions in their faith journey. In addition, each Youth Encounter event recognized and participated in the Change Matters offering for World Hunger. Students were simply asked to think beyond themselves and see if the “change in their pockets” could make a difference in the world. Students stepped up in an unbelievable way and gave from their hearts.

Youth Encounter events have already been confirmed for 2011 in eight (8) areas of the state and a few have been set for 2012. For Youth EnCounter location information in 2011, visit the YEC website. To host a youth encounter event for your area, contact Ken Dibble at 800.255.2428, ext. 2255.

Church Leaders in Crisis

During the BGAV annual meeting in November, messengers passed a resolution that expressed Virginia Baptists’ concern for a “silent crisis” among church leaders which “often creates spiritual lethargy, impedes church leadership, and causes some to explore vocations outside of ministry.” The Empowering Leaders Team provides resources for ministers in crisis through its Minister Care Services. The upcoming 21-C Conference also addresses this issue by inviting church leaders to “come and discuss the tension between addressing personal and congregational needs.”

How can we as Virginia Baptist churches carry out our part of the resolution to “express greater appreciation and care for those who work steadily on our behalf?”

How is your church caring for your ministers?

Share your stories with us by emailing Paige Peak. In upcoming issues, we will share your responses so that other churches can benefit from your suggestions.

Impact! Mission Camps

Yes, it is time to get your summer plans in place and put one of our student mission camps on your calendar. Registration for Impact! will open on January 1, 2011. Returning group leaders, please take note that there have been some significant changes to our registration process which we hope will make our process even easier than before. More information, including dates and locations can be found on the Impact! webpage or contact Dean Miller at 800.255.2428, ext. 7264.

Change Matters

Change Matters is the student mission emphasis for the Virginia Hunger Fund and it has been a HUGE success since its inception in 2009. Our unadvertised goal for 2010 was $10,000. The money collected will be used in three areas to meet the needs of hungry people around the world: community gardens in Virginia, microenterprise opportunities in South Africa, and feeding orphans in Haiti. As of December 1, Virginia Baptist students (and adults!) have given over $13,500 in 2010.

We are thrilled that students across the Commonwealth have given sacrificially while attending Virginia Baptist-sponsored events. But, what is even more exciting is the students who have taken the challenge back to their churches and encouraged youth groups, Sunday School classes, men's groups, and entire congregations to give their change to this offering – where the funds go directly to the field and change the lives of everyone who receives them. Find out who has been involved.

Haiti Update

Many people have been concerned about our response to the Haitian earthquake considering the current problems that the country is facing. Cholera and a recent questionable presidential election have definitely had a negative effect on the country. However, the cholera issue has been centered in an area distant from our current work, and the election created some localized rioting but has not stopped our hired workers. Despite all of these setbacks, volunteer teams are still encouraged to make plans to travel to Haiti and work with our Haitian brothers and sisters during 2011. We are in constant contact with local leadership as well as other key sources of information regarding the situation on the ground near our work. For more information on how your church can get involved in the work in Haiti, visit the Haiti Response webpage or email Dean Miller.

Helpful Links

• There Once Was a World by Peter L. Steinke
  
  There once was a world where the church functioned according to what some have called the "attractional" model (others have named it the participatory model). People come to a place, consume the spiritual goods, and serve as patrons to "meet the budget." But a shift has happened. North American culture has taken new turns. Read more.

Christmas is on everyone’s minds and hearts throughout this month. When I was growing up Santa Claus gave us an embarrassment of riches. My mother was a child of the Depression and she often pictured very modest Christmases from her childhood. She also possessed a sacrificial spirit especially when it came to her three children. In other words, Santa Claus always was too extravagant on Christmas Eve.

The excitement of Christmas has never left my own heart. I still find it difficult to fall asleep on Christmas Eve, anticipating the excitement of dreams fulfilled and the mysterious magic of Santa.

READ MORE