The Church conference originally scheduled for Sunday, March 15 to vote on our candidate for Minister to Youth and Children, will now be held on Wednesday, March 25. This called conference comes at the recommendation of the Pastor and Deacons.
The conference will be held via the Zoom platform we are using for many other gatherings as part of our online campus. Zoom will give the ability for you to join with video or call in via phone. You can find information on how to access Zoom below.
While irregular, Zoom is a way for us to gather, discuss, and vote (even by 'secret ballot' if needed). Utilizing Zoom does not violate our church by-laws regarding church conferences or hiring staff.
Please remember that you must be a member of the church to vote in a church conference
.
To find answers to some questions you may have, please scroll down.
|
Our Candidate for Minister to Youth and Children:
Michael Lasater-Sizemore
|
To view a letter from Michael regarding the position,
click here
|
What will he be doing in the weeks ahead, if we're not gathering at our building?
I (Lawrence) have reached out to Michael and he has laid out the following goals for the next few weeks to build connection with the youth, children, and parents:
- He will conduct weekly youth group meetings and Bible study via the Zoom platform,
- He will check in with our youth regularly via tech communication to ensure they are doing well, know someone is thinking of them, and to pray for them,
- He will work to build spiritual formation plans and activities to aid parents of children and youth in staying connected with faith even while we're not meeting on our physical church campus,
- He will be available for pastoral care for youth, children, and families via phone and video conferencing,
- He will share regular devotions via email, social media, and other online means,
- He will participate in the planning and facilitation of our online worship service and other offerings, including children's worship offerings,
- He will create and distribute recordings/live streams of story times for kids using Bible and other stories/books,
- He will find creative ways to record and distribute curriculum for children and youth for use by parents and others,
- He will host conversations for parents to discuss ideas and best practices for how to manage the isolation/distancing at home (emotionally, mentally, etc.) and how to practically structure time spent at home,
- Alongside the Youth and Children's Committee, he will continue to plan and work toward building a calendar for youth and children for after the virus is contained.
|
What about finances?
Our deacons discussed this and believe that financial concerns should not cause us to reconsider hiring a Minister to Youth and Children in the midst of the pandemic we face.
We know that we worship a God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine and we recognize that having someone on staff focused on the care and spiritual growth of our youth, children, and families is a critical need in the days ahead.
|
Where will he work?
As of now, the church office is open as normal. Michael will work in the office along with the other staff, while practicing good social distancing, as we have been doing already.
If the office is closed, he will work from home via our online campus.
|
How do I get on Zoom?
If you want to join via video, you'll need to download the app to your phone, or program to your computer in advance of the conference. You can find information on how to do this at:
bensonbaptist.org/zoom
.
If you want to join just by audio, you can call in from any phone (landline or cell phone):
Call: +1 929 205 6099. The meeting id is 947 792 8555
__________________________
There will be a few opportunities for you to do a "test" the call with Lawrence:
Thursday, March 19 from 11am-11:30am,
Monday, March 23 from 11am-11:30am,
Monday, March 23 from 6-6:30pm
If you cannot test it during these times, call the church office (919-894-4777) or email Lawrence at lawrence@bensonbaptist.org to set-up another time.
|
|
