Sharing the News:
A weekly publication of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida
October 8, 2020
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In This Issue:
Praying and Giving: Generously Defining CBF
Invitations to Pray from around the Fellowship
Meet Jonathan and Tina Bailey, Field Personnel in Bali
Job Opportunities
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Generously Defining Our Relationship with CBF
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Dear ,
CBF Global's Executive Coordinator, Paul Baxley, likes to refer to the larger CBF family as "CBF generously defined." I like that phrasing.
CBF generously defined, including Florida's CBF, has been in a season of discernment brought upon us by transitions in our organizations, as well as cultural and global forces that have beset our nation and, indeed, the globe. It feels overly dramatic to write such a sentence, but COVID-19 is called a pandemic for a reason.
In an effort to be responsive to the realities of our time as well as to be faithful to our life in Christ, empowered as it is by Christ's Spirit, CBF Global and CBF Florida have been engaged in the difficult work of cutting budgets to reflect decreasing revenues. You may have seen the news releases related to CBF Global's cuts to its budget amounting to between $1.5 and $2 million. CBF Florida's Future Directions Team and Representative Assembly will likewise be considering a significantly smaller budget as we move forward.
Still, God is faithful. I read just this morning that CBF Global has been awarded a $1 million grant from the Lily Foundation for Lily's Thriving Congregations Initiative. The details of that initiative, which you can read here, are exciting for the Fellowship's life, generously defined.
Still, God is faithful. This past week, I have been working with CBF's disaster response teams as they continue to minister in the Panhandle and lower Alabama. I'm receiving a newly equipped Disaster Response trailer that can be deployed to communities where we are staging responses. I've been on the phone with friends in The Bahamas in order to minister to one of our pastors, Edwin Pinder, whose daughter has just been diagnosed with cancer. Along with nine others, I was on a webinar yesterday with Christen Green Kinard to learn about ways to enrich online worship services. I've spoken with some of our pastors and listened to their triumphs and concerns. These are just a few of the people and places that are part of the CBF family, generously defined.
In thanksgiving for the gift of being part of such a community of friends, I will be making my own gift to CBF Florida after I hit the send button on this mailing. If you'd like to do the same, I invite you to do so. You can donate to CBF Florida and/or to CBF Global. We are, after all, generously defined.
Ray Johnson
Coordinator, CBF Florida
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Boletín de CBF FL en Español |
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As you take time to pray this week, you are invited to remember the following concerns in the CBF family:
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Pray for Leotha Edgecombe. Leotha, the daughter of Pastor Edwin and Alma Pinder, has just been diagnosed with cancer. Edwin Pinder is the pastor of New Emmanuel Baptist Church in McLean's Town, Grand Bahama.
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Pray for Parkview Baptist Church in Gainesville and Emmanuel Community Church (Palm Harbor) as they search for senior pastors.
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Pray for the people along the Gulf Coast who are bracing for the impact of Hurricane Delta. In addition, pray for those who live on the Yucatan Peninsula who have already endured the passing of Delta.
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Pray for CBF Florida's Future Directions Team as their work continues.
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Continue to pray for the churches of East End Grand Bahama and Little Abaco as they continue to rebuild after Hurricane Dorian.
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Pray for Joe Boronat, a former youth pastor for Ray Johnson. Joe has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.
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Happy birthday to all of the following CBF field personnel, chaplains, counselors, church planters, and CBF Florida pastors!
Wednesday, October 7
- Daniel Brockhan, Cheektowaga, NY (Chaplain)
- Mary Kaylor (Staff North Carolina)
Thursday, October 8
- Lucas Dorian (Staff Alabama)
- Robb Small, Geismar, LA (Chaplain)
Saturday, October 10
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Larry Aaron, Danville, VA (Chaplain)
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Joseph Boone, Cold Spring, KY (Chaplain)
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Beth Duke, Smithville, TN (Chaplain)
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Cinda Smith, Batesville, AR (Chaplain)
- Jay Martin, Woodland Park, CO (Pastoral Counselor)
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Tina Woody, Spartanburg, SC (Chaplain)
Sunday, October 11
- Lesley-Ann Hix Tommey, New York, NY (Field Personnel)
- Randi McFarland, Lynchburg, VA (Chaplain)
- Laura Senter, Everett, WA (Chaplain)
Monday, October 12
- Melba Miller, Gainesville, GA (Chaplain)
- Terry Newell, Zebulon, NC (Pastoral Counselor)
- Ben Newell, Emeritus (Field Personnel)
Tuesday, October 13
- Lloyd Blevins, Fayetteville, NC (Chaplain)
- Bob Newell, Emeritus (Field Personnel)
- John Painter, Charleston, SC (Chaplain)
- Fran Turner, Emeritus (Field Personnel)
- Gretchen Watson, Louisville, KY (Pastoral Counselor)
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Jonathan and Tina Bailey
Bali, Indonesia
Jonathan and Tina Bailey serve in Bali, Indonesia, with emphasis on spiritual expression through music, dance and visual arts both inside and outside the local Christian community.
The majority of Bali’s population is Balinese who practice a unique form of Hinduism but many religions and cultures are represented on the island. Bali is also home to a diverse community of people from around the world who have migrated there for work or to explore a way of life that is less driven by consumerism. Many who migrate to Bali are involved in the arts, as Bali has a deep artistic culture.
Within the Christian church in Bali, the Baileys encourage artists to stay connected to their culture using the music, dance and visual arts of their native community, offering culturally appropriate forms for the local church. Outside the church, Jonathan and Tina encourage artists through the Narwastu Art Community, which they organized in 2005. This community is made up of musicians and dancers from around the world who learn and collaborate together alongside a core group of Balinese and internationals who call Bali their home.
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruit of the kingdom.
Matthew 21:43
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The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia is relaunching its search for the position of Coordinator of Young Baptist Ministries. The Coordinator of Young Baptist Ministries will be responsible for connecting CBF/GA’s programmatic and networking ministries related to young Baptists to partner congregations and their members. Specifically, half of the position’s responsibilities will be establishing and leading a Cooperative Student Fellowship collegiate ministry in the Macon area, with the goal of connecting other communities and collegiate ministries to the work and support of CBF/GA in the future. The other half of the responsibilities of this position will facilitate work across Children’s and Youth Ministries, providing support to ministers and working with committees to resource congregational efforts. The ideal candidate will possess a deep and abiding love of Jesus Christ; a strong commitment to Christ’s church and a desire to see the Church flourish; embrace the collection of historic Baptist principles that undergirds CBF/GA’s work; and possess excellent networking, communication, leadership, and administrative skills. Applicants must possess a Master of Divinity degree (or equivalent) from an ATS-accredited theological school or seminary, two or more years of experience in a ministry-related field – preferably within the local church, and a willingness to relocate to the Macon area. A more complete job description, including preferred responsibilities can be found by contacting the Search Committee at searchcommittee@cbfga.org. Compensation (salary and benefits) will be competitive, depending on experience. Applications will be accepted until November 1, 2020. Please send resumes and cover letter to searchcommittee@cbfga.org or mail to CBF/GA Search Committee, PO Box 4343, Macon, GA 31208.
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