Venture Church Network Midwest April Newsletter

THE CENTRAL CONNECTION

April 2023

"We are an organization of churches that is committed

to the mission of Christ to multiply disciple-making churches

through evangelism, leadership training, and connection with

other like-minded churches."

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Multiplying Leaders

The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that, he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.

Exodus 18:13-18.

One of the more tedious issues in churches is reproducing and multiplying leaders. Some churches just never get around to training people for leadership. Others just don’t know where to start. Many do not even see a reason for it because they have had the same people in “leadership” positions for years so there does not seem to be a need to get more leadership; all the positions are filled.

Jethro knew that Moses was going to “wear out, which literally means “foolish. In other words, it would be foolish for Moses to try and carry out this responsibility for everyone and keep doing it alone. Read More

Pastor Brad Little, Regional Executive Director

Venture Church Network Midwest

Multiplying Youth Through Disciple Making

This Month I want to bring definition to an elusive term we throw around in ministry: Discipleship. Every follower of Christ is called to be a disciple maker, but what does that mean? How do we go about making a disciple, and how do we know if we are making disciples? Read More

Chuck Babbitt, Youth Pastor

Bloomer Baptist Church

VCNMidwest Youth Ministries Director

***Click below to watch the video.***

The Ministry of Money Multiplication

The biblical record is replete with examples of money and financial resources being multiplied. Two examples from the narratives of Genesis are easy to remember, God blessed Jacob to have his herds grow, and Joseph was blessed while working for Potiphar, in jail, and for Egypt’s Pharaoh. In 2 Kings 17 the widow of Zarephath had her jars miraculously refilled to meet her need. And, of course, maybe the most famous of all, Jesus trusted the power of God the Father to multiply small bread loaves and a few fish to meet the need for thousands of His listeners.

There are countless reasons why pastors might believe we shouldn’t attempt to multiply money, but these few accounts refute the first I think of – the More Money Myth. Read More

Pastor Rob Buhl

First Baptist Church, Whitehall, WI

FINAL DAY TO REGISTER

Friday, April 15th!

Pastors Retreat

Camp Lebanon

1205 Acorn Rd, Burtrum, MN

April 23-26, 2023

DON'T MISS THE FUN!

This retreat is an opportunity for you to step away from daily

demands and enjoy a time of relaxed fun, reflection and worship

DESIRING GOD

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-19

Who is invited to attend? Senior Pastors, Lead Pastors, Associate Pastors, Interim Pastors, Youth Pastors, Worship Pastors, Elders and Deacons.

Cost: $120 (Laser Tag and Zipline are available for $10/activity/person)

To Register: Email the Venture Church Network Midwest office at [email protected]. Let us know that you're coming, if you would like linen service ($12), and if you have any special dietary needs. (Camp Lebanon can accommodate many of your special needs.)

If you are interested in attending this retreat and

haven't received an email with detailed information

please contact the VCNMidwest office [email protected].