Psalm 46:1--3

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we  will  not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in their surging."
THE PILOT - a newsletter of the Pilot Mountain Baptist Association AUGUST 2016


As we think about helping the PMBA fulfill its mission "to help member churches build lifelong followers of Jesus Christ," it is fairly self-evident that we should do all we can to help church leaders become more efficient and effective ministers of the Gospel in an ever-changing world. This plain declaration represents another one of our ministry areas we call Leadership Development. Leadership Development encompasses such activities as coaching, ordination, training and support designed to grow leaders of deep character and impactful capacities. It is without a doubt that the saying "healthy churches have healthy leaders at the helm" reflects the crucial importance of making sure that each congregation is building a strong culture of leadership development.
 
Unfortunately, there are a few obstacles that make this worthy goal more difficult to fulfill. For instance, pastors can too easily become isolated. In Baptist life we recognize that the blessing and curse of  congregational polity is that each church has the full responsibility and authority to make decisions for itself. If a pastor is not careful he can become so myopic in his mission that he loses out on being a part of a community of leaders where he could obtain support, insight and even participate in cooperative partnerships of Kingdom ventures. In order to counteract this tendency we are planning to launch several Impact Groups throughout our footprint. These groups would be made up of those who serve in a pastoral capacity in our member churches. They would meet on a regular basis providing training, fellowship and opportunities for collaborative ministry in a region. We are already having some success in both "Lunch and Learn" and "Learning Community" meetings. Impact Groups would be designed to combine these solid approaches into one entity. 
 
Another obstacle to building a positive culture of leadership development in our churches is the tendency to pile too much on our pastors, thus leaving them overwhelmed. The primary reason for this is that in most of our churches the pastor is the only full-time staff member, and this causes them to become "a jack of all trades and a master of none."  This can make the pastor put aside the call to equip the saints for the ministry, and by default become the mercenary Christian of the fellowship who practically does almost anything and everything because that is what he is paid to do. The unalterable fact is that if churches are going to be effective in making disciples they will need to develop a culture of identifying, growing and releasing all types of leaders. In order to assist in this process I will be offering a "Strengths Finder" workshop for any pastoral staff in the PMBA and following up with one-on-one coaching to help them hone in on what they do best. When this happens not only will their overall ministry improve, they also will be freed up to help members become leaders of other areas of ministry. The Strength-Finder materials, the workshop and any coaching will be done free of charge for any of our pastors.
 
These two shifts in our Leadership Development Strategy represent concrete, positive and customizable approaches designed to make our pastors better leaders. Other actions will follow, but this will be our major emphasis over the next year. I am very excited about these changes and believe from past experiences that this will not bring blessings to our churches but even to our communities. Please keep all of the Leadership Team of the PMBA in your prayers as we seek to serve the leaders of our churches in a more efficient and effective manner.
 
Blessings,
 
Walker Armstrong
Interim Director of Missions
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PMBA Churches Say "Goodbye" to Our Summer Interns

Friday, July 29, we said our "thenk  you" and "goodbyes" to 4 terrific young people who served as PMBA Summer Interns.  They assisted with Backyard Bible Clubs, Vacation Bible Schools, Sports Camps, Community Outreach Events, Foster Care Camp, Student Life Projects, Deep Impact Projects, Multi-housing Ministries, the Bread of Life Food Pantry, Youth Mission trips, and endless other events -- helping PMBA churches reach out to the youth and adults in their communities.

As usual, I heard wonderful things about the impact our summer interns made. I learned their gifts and abilities to connect with the young as well as the elderly.  I witnessed first-hand their hearts for ministry and their love for serving our Lord.  I do believe that the summer intern programs is one of the greatest ways we support our churches.  

This year we had four summer interns; next year I would like for us to be able to sponsor 6 interns.  In hiring summer interns, we are able to provide jobs for students who are looking to invest themselves in the lives of others.  We are also able to assist the smallest church to the largest churches with an intern for one or more events.  We plan to appoint a team in January to begin the process of scheduling the summer interns. When they arrive at PMBA the first week in June, we want them already booked for all types of events.

If you benefitted from the Summer Intern Program this year, please remember to give generously to the Jim Hamblen Local Missions and Ministries Offering. This offering helps to pay for the summer intern program and expenses connected with it.  Make your checks payable to Pilot Mountain Baptist Association and mark it for the Summer Intern Program.  You can mail your check to PMBA, PO Box 11843, Winston-Salem, NC 27116.

May God continue to use us as we seek ways to reach the lost in our communities and care for those God sends our way.  We are grateful for  every opportunity to assist you.

Going His way,
Karen Taylor, Community Missionary

PMBA FAIR MINISTRY WEEK - SEPTEMBER 26--29

Before we know it  is here, we will be in the midst of the PMBA Fair Ministry Week.  This is an important week in the life of many of our people.  Last year we had volunteers form 48 different PMBA congregations helping out during the week before the Dixie Classic Fair, witnessing and caring for fair workers.

We had another 17 churches involved in collecting items for our Canteen and for our Thursday Hot Dog Supper. We hope you will begin collecting items now for the CANTEEN and Hot Dog Supper.  We need: snack cakes, cookies, individual bags of chips, lemonade mix, coffee, creamer, coffee, and lots of water!

Again this year, we need to provide bag meals for the Fair Workers as well as our volunteers.  Church groups are asked to provide 50 - 100 bag meals for 3 days.  We actually need 150 bag meals on Monday, and 300 bag meals on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Each bag meal should contain:  sandwich, chips, cookies, and a piece of fruit.  Please consider including a 3x5 card with a special Bible Verse and a note that your church is praying for the individual receiving the bag meal. Call Barbara Benge as soon as you can to tell her how many your group can provided (336) 816-4375.

We are very short on health kits and they are crucial for our fair workers;  Each health kit needs to contain:  bar of soap, wash cloth, comb or small brush, tooth paste and tooth brush, deodorant,  razor, shampoo and pair of white socks (if possible).  We have been collecting some of the items at the PMBA office, so if you need an item check with us.  We may just have it.  We need groups to provide 25, 50, or more health kits. We are trying to collect 400 kits to give out to the fair workers.  Any kits left over just go to our collecting for the Prison Ministry in December. Nothing goes to waste.  

We need volunteers willing to work in shifts:  8 AM - 12 Noon; 12 Noon - 4 PM and 4 PM - 8 PM.
 If you have some people in your church who want to volunteer, please have them call Barbara Benge at 336-816- 4375.  If you can help with our setting up of the Canteen and Medical Tent, please call Harold Cox at 336-978-3407.  (We have to set up the site, the Saturday before we open on September 26.

If you can help Wilma Rogers with the Medical Registration Desk, please call her at 336-985-0644.  If you need to see a dentist on the Community Day, which is Monday, September 26, please call Wilma or Karen Taylor (336-414-0812 or 336-830-8189).  We want to fill up these slots as soon as possible.

Most important, please pray for our PMBA Fair Ministry Week.  Pray that hearts will be turned toward our Savior and lives will be changed for His Glory!  Pray for many to serve as chaplains and other volunteers.  Pray that we will have the necessary funds to fill the prescriptions of the fair workers as well as pay for the lodging of our bus driver and spouse as well as the expense of each persons using the Dental Van during that week.

We look forward to another week. See you at the Fair Grounds, September 26 - 29!!
Dear Pastors:

I so often hear from associational missionaries and pastors about the great need for worship renewal in our churches. We have many churches that seem to have worship that is non-engaging, non-missional, and somewhat routine. Many churches know they need help, but don't know what to do.

The Worship Leader Boot Camp is a response to this great need in our churches. It is an event for pastors, worship leaders, instrumentalists, singers, technicians and more to help them understand the biblical and missional foundations of worship and how that translates into helping a congregation really participate in worship.

On Friday & Saturday, August 26-27, we will be holding the biggest Worship Leader Boot Camp of the year with extended teaching time, great times of worship led by the NC Baptist Renewing Worship Band, and much more. Check out the event website at www.worshipMOORESVILLE.org for much more information. Please take time to listen to the video near the top of the site where I tell more about the event.

I so often talk with pastors who tell me this is just what they need, but they did know that we did these events. Can you help me partner with you in helping your churches in their worship? Please promote this event on your website, Facebook page, newsletter, and other avenues. 

If you would like to personally attend (you could offer to come with some of your churches), let me know and I will wave the registration fee for you.

Attached is a promotional graphic you may use to help you in promoting. I really feel that this event can be transformational for your churches. Please help me encourage them to attend.Don't hesitate to contact me with questions or other ways I can partner with you to help your churches.

I thank God for you.
Kenny Lamm
Senior Consultant, Worship & Music
Baptist State Convention of NC
205 Convention Drive | Cary, NC 27511

ANNOUNCING....
PMBA ANNUAL MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER  18 AT 
STANLEYVILLE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Begins with a meal at 6 PM

The Pilot Mountain Baptist Association announces the PMBA Annual Meeting, which will be held at Stanleyville First Baptist Church on tuesday, October 18, beginning with a meal at 6 pm.  Details and cost for the meal will be published next week.  Please look for updates on the website: www.pmba.org.   All updates should be posted by the middle of next week and you should be able to begin  purchasing  tickets online.

Important information concerning all PMBA congregations...a new look at our structure and reporting about the sell of the building, the new location for the PMBA (at this time), and much, much more.  Come, meet our full time Interim Director of Missions and learn about the new direction for your Association.

Enlist your messengers now.  Childcare will be provide this year.

AMONG OUR CHURCHES

Clemmons First Baptist Church has called Scott Hammett as their new pastor.  Scott will begin serving the first of September.

Main Street Baptist Church has called Walter Overman as their new pastor.  Walter begins serving during August.

Union Cross Baptist Church is seeking a full time pastor.  Resumes can be sent to the attention of the Search Committee, Union Cross Baptist Church,

Lewisville Baptist Church  is seeking an Associate Pastor for Children and Youth. Interested persons can submit resumes and references to the church by mail:  Lewisville Baptist Church, 125 Lewisville Clemmons Road, Lewisville, NC 27023 or by email to: [email protected]


Friendship Baptist Church is seeking a full time pastor. Send resumes to: Friendship Baptist, Pastor Search Committee, PO Box 213, Germanton. NC 27019.


 

Griffith Baptist Church is seeking a part time minister of music. Please send resumes to: Search Committee, Griffith Baptist Church, 1987 Old Salisbury Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27127


 

Advance First Baptist Church  seeks a part-time music/worship leader and/or pianist. A musical background is required. Email resumes to [email protected].


 

Mt. Calvary Baptist Church is seeking a missions minded part-time youth minister. Send resumes to PO Box 563, Walkertown, NC 27051 or email to [email protected]


 

Crestwood Baptist Church is seeking a full time pastor. Send resumes to Search Commitee, Crestwood Baptist, 530 Motor Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27105


 

Brim's Grove Baptist Church  is looking for an energetic part-time youth minister. This position requires a passion for discipling young people. Send resumes to Pastor Gerald Jones at [email protected].


 

Macedonia Baptist Church seeks a part-time youth director. Submit resumes to Angela Wilson at [email protected]


 

Mount Olive Baptist Church is accepting resumes for an interim pastor.  Please send your resume to the attention of the Search Committee, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 

 

LET US PRAY FOR...

Joyce Love , PMBA leader and member of Clemmons FBC, as she recovers from knee replacement surgery.

Alison Lusk, PMBA WMU team leader and wife of Rev. Todd Lusk of Olive  Grove, who is recovering from surgery.

Shelley Vestal, member of Lewisville Baptist Church, who is now serving as the ministry assistant with Pilot Mountain Baptist Association.  

Brenda Mabe's husband, who has been hospitalized recently and in serious condition.  Brenda serves on our Personnel Committee and is a member of Willow Oak Baptist Church.


Please keep these people in your prayers this month.  If you would like to send a note of encouragement, please contact the PMBA office at 336-830-8189 for their address.