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News from the 2005 Area I Meeting April 8-9, 2005 Rock Springs, Wyoming
It’s April, so it must be time for Area meetings. We are covering each of the three Area meetings, and with this electronic issue of The Rocky Mountain American Baptist, you have access to details from the Area I meeting. After Areas II and III meet, similar reports will be added to this website.
The Friday schedule featured an afternoon mission presentation, a home-cooked beef dinner, and an evening worship service. After a deluxe continental breakfast, Saturday morning attendees heard reports about evolving Region ministries and took care of Area I business. In addition, after discussion and expression of opinions, those in attendance agreed to recommend to the Region Board that Black Forest Camp and Conference Center be sold. Details of each session follow. |
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For Dan Schweissing to attend an Area meeting in Wyoming was like coming to his ancestral homeland. Colorado-born, Dan has familial roots in Wyoming localities of Greybull, Lusk, Evanston, and Chugwater where his grandfather served as pastor. Dan and Estela have had, and will continue to have, high visibility in churches throughout the Rocky Mountain Region during their year-long assignment to the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Therefore, he chose to speak about his theology of mission, rather than to share personal stories from his work in the Bahamas. He presented an abbreviated form of a two-week course he teaches his students. Here it is in a nutshell: Mission is the vocation of the Church. It’s up to all of us, not just the professionals. Whether we serve God at home, a nearby community, or abroad, each of us should be able to find a role in which God has called us to serve. Mission is evangelism. Evangelism is verbal witness and proclamation of the Gospel in ways that non-believers can understand and respond. Evangelism results in discipleship and maturity. Many of our American Baptist missionaries teach locals how to evangelize. Mission is social activism. We address a broad category of needs. American Baptists have always been involved in social activism; Curtis Park Community Center in Denver is a prime example. In the local setting, we find ourselves working in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, counseling ministries, etc. Mission is political activism. We address and attempt to modify laws or improve conditions that perpetuate chronic social problems. The most "famous" and successful example of political activism carried out by American Baptists is our role in the ceasefire in Nagaland’s civil war. As a result, Nagaland is the largest "Baptist state" in the world today. Mission is radical obedience to God. Our obedience to God takes precedence over all other earthly priorities. When we take the mandates of scripture seriously, we open ourselves up to the likelihood of hardships. Why share this theology with laity and clergy at an annual Area meeting? Mission is an important topic. As a Region, we are in a period of transition, studiously trying to identify what our mission is and what God is calling us uniquely to do. What is the mission of ABCRM? What is our vocation? Who are the people that we should be reaching for Jesus? Who are the people who could benefit from our social and political outreach? Are we committed to radical obedience? These are becoming familiar questions to all of us. As we form Ministry Clusters and local churches begin to work together to do mission, may God’s spirit of discernment make the answers clear.
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We live in a society that’s continually changing. It’s changing at such a pace, it behooves us to keep up with it and strive to be like the tribe of Issachar (1 Chronicles 12:23-40). The small tribe of Issachar understood the times and knew what was to be done. It didn’t take a large group to help David turn things around in the biblical account. Pastor Dan asked, "Do we know what time it is? Do we have the skills of the tribe of Issachar? Do we have the vision and the perception of what needs to be done and then do it?" He went on to suggest that we Christians–and Baptists in particular–are victims of identity theft. People in the name of Christian–and Baptist, in particular–are being mean and hateful. They have stolen our identity and are in the process of destroying our influence. We must reclaim our Baptist heritage and principles. Indeed, we must reclaim our religious freedom and soul freedom for all people of the world. He said, "There will be no new day for Baptists if we give up on the centrality of the local congregation. The Church is where we gather, are nurtured, and stretched in our faith." "There will be no new day for Baptists if we don’t work together ecumenically and through interfaith relationships. Who are we going to be? True to our historic Baptist heritage? Or will we soften, give up, and give in?" "Theology matters. As Baptists, we need to reinstate the centrality of preaching. Nothing can substitute for the proclamation of the Gospel. It is central to our faith. We need leaders who will say, "This is what God says" with power and Spirit-filled enthusiasm." He concluded, "If Baptists are going to have a new day, we must get on with it." |
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Familiar paraphrases from Philippians 4:4-9 rang out in affirmation from those who gathered on Saturday morning at First Baptist Church in Rock Springs for the closing session of the 2005 Area I meeting. "Rejoice in the Lord always." "Don’t be anxious about anything." "Whatever is excellent or praiseworthy–think about these things." "The God of peace will be with us." These are the words that guided delegates in their discernment and decision-making throughout the morning.
The delegates also agreed to recommend to the Region Board the sale of the Black Forest Camp and Conference Center property. |
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My introduction to Region life in the Rocky Mountains was at an Area I meeting in 1972. While I haven’t been able to pin down the location of that meeting, I recall some names and faces. One in particular is Margaret Prine’s. A knowledgeable leader from FBC/Laramie, she was a considerable influence on me as a young pastor’s spouse. I looked up to her, and I still do. She continues to be a central figure in Area I life as well as the life of the denomination as a whole. I thank God for role models like her. As the churches of Area I gathered in Rock Springs recently, God brought together a committed group of people. There were new names and new faces, but there were some familiar ones as well. There were memories shared from years gone by, and there were new ones created. There’s something about the American Baptist family, isn’t there? But what it is that makes us family? Maybe it’s something different for each of us, but for me it’s the fact that American Baptists are an accepting people who seek to draw the circle big enough to include me. Ingrid Dvirnak |
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 I am a mother who has sent our two daughters to camp at Black Forest. As a result, both have begun to walk a little closer with Jesus. I have also lived on the premises and volunteered my services while I was there. I have also served on the Board of Managers. I love Black Forest.
After prayerful consideration of all the options , and three hours of tearful deliberation at our last BFCCC Board meeting, I knew in my heart that Black Forest needs to be sold and that camping needs to be done at a different place and possibly in a different way. I wouldn’t be truthful if I said that the thought of having to sell the camp doesn’t bother me. However, after talking it over with my husband and others both inside and outside of my church, I realize that hanging on to a piece of ground for the sake of just "hanging on to it" is not an option. My heart still says: "No, we can’t sell the Camp," but my mind and God tell me differently. While living and working at BFCCC, I saw the day-to-day frustration of things breaking down and needing repair. I experienced the dilemma of always being short-handed staff wise. We were constantly getting complaints from guests about the lousy mattresses, shabby carpet, lack of air conditioning, and the loud noises the heaters made. The conference center roof will soon have to be replaced at a cost of over $30,000, as most roofs of that kind have a life span of around 20 years. There are many other things that are not up to code. As such, they are hazardous and costly to repair or replace. What about our children, you ask? My girls loved going to camp. They had amazing experiences at BFCCC. But, it’s not the location; it’s what we offer them. Both girls have experienced Christ in many places. They attended "Alien Encounter" in Loveland last October during the Annual Session and had a great experience. This year our church is taking 10 kids on a Mission Trip to Martin, South Dakota. That’s great, but what if we could make the group big enough to really–and I mean really–accomplish something? Why not take kids from around the entire Region on mission trips together? My family’s financial resources are limited. If my children had to choose whether they wanted to go to camp or on a mission trip, they would choose "mission trip" every time. I think that’s true for many families today. If the children were to choose "camp," camping can take place in many places. Charly Whisenhunt |
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Around the Region |
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10 – 15 volunteers to work in childcare. If you are currently working in child care you should have a back ground check and CBI. A copy of this would be helpful for us to have. Also two other persons are needed that are director qualified. We appeal to churches that have child care centers to encourage their staff to volunteer. Sharon Taylor Translation: Do you speak Spanish, French or American Sign Language? Are you interested in helping bridge communication barriers so that everyone can understand the speakers at the Biennial? If so, please consider being an interpreter for the evening sessions of the biennial. Two interpreters are needed per evening for each language. We are also looking for helpers to handle distribution of FM audio receivers to those who would like translation. If you are interested, please contact: Transportation: Two drivers are needed to transport VIP and others between DIA and the convention center and hotels in downtown Denver. POV’s will be used. Parking will be made available at the convention center and at the airport. We will work out of the convention center host desk. Also we will be available for any emergency needs. It is a great way to become involved and support our ABC Biennial. Call: Finances: We need finance team members to collect, count and bundle monies during our Biennial. You need to be available during meeting hours 7:00am to 9:15am, Friday, July 1 through Sunday, July 3, 2005. Please email me your availability for selected slots of time/s. Thanks for your willingness to help. Ticket Sales: Ticket Team Volunteers will assist in selling tickets, maintain records, collect and record money. Must be able to use calculators and/or adding machines. Will work in shifts of 2 to 4 hours. Contact Yvonne Whisenhunt at rywhiz@worldnet.att.net. |
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Rev. John Roberts and daughter, Laura Grace Roberts, are both attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. Laura is working on her Master of Arts in Theological Studies, while her dad is working on his Doctor of Ministry in Evangelism and Church Growth. It may be unique to SBTS to have a father and daughter enrolled at the same time. |
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Please pray for Jackie Arnold’s (President, ABW Ministries/Colorado) sister and brother-in-law. Vernon's cancer has spread and he is in Denver again for radiation treatment. He will return to Bermuda in three to four weeks. The doctors are now just trying to give him quality of life and are telling us he has six to twelve months to live. His answer to them is, "It’s in God's hands". We should all have as much faith and courage. They and their family need our prayers. Jackie Arnold's husband, Jim, fell on Good Friday and suffered a compression fracture in his back. He is also experiencing quite a bit of pain in his shoulder. If he is not better within 2 weeks, he will go back to the Dr. for a reevaluation. Please keep them in your prayers. |
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| Go to ABCRM home page |
Representatives from 15 Area I churches met for their annual session on April 8-9, 2005 at First Baptist Church in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Host couple, David and Dona Heintzleman and a busy group of folks from First Baptist welcomed fifty delegates and five representatives from the Region. 
Dan Vincent, pastor of the American Baptist Church in Ft. Collins, Colorado, was the preacher at the Area I Friday night worship service. He gave attendees a glimpse into his background by talking about his boyhood on a cotton farm in South Carolina. His family was instrumental in leading him to Christ. Having had the advantage of a home church that prayed for him, encouraged him, and nurtured him, Dan recognized God’s call on his life at an early age. After introducing himself, Pastor Dan turned worshippers’ focus to the rich heritage we have as Baptists. 
Desmond Hoffmeister, Interim Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains, gave a presentation entitled, "A New Wineskins Vision for ABCRM." Admittedly, it is a work in progress as the people of the Region continue to discover God together and commit to the common ideals of obeying Jesus Christ, building real relationships, doing cooperative mission together.
Mike Oldham, Manager of Black Forest Camp and Conference Center, assured everyone that we as a regional entity are committed to the ministry of camping. It will look different; it will happen in different places, but camping will continue. In fact, we want to see it improve. We are in the process of developing new partnerships with other camps and ministries. Mission trips are part of the new frontier for youth in a global world. We will deal honestly with the obstacles and seek to build a new identity. He also presented an overview of what camping may look like in 2006.
Jackie Arnold, Chair of the Administrative Task Force (FBC/Loveland, CO), reported on the proposed change from three Areas to six Ministry Clusters within the geographic confines of the Rocky Mountain Region. The purpose of this suggested change is to create an environment in which churches work together to do ministry rather than serve the structure. Cluster churches will be encouraged to share ideas, support each other, share speakers, and access the expertise that exists in local congregations. Each cluster will have a coordinator; the program will be revisited in a year or two.
Richard Salcedo, Associate Director of Business Administration for the Region, presented the major points in the proposed ABCRM Investment Policy. The policy itself was put together by experts with vast experience and integrity. The policy protects the principal, gives guidelines for investment, allows for principal growth, requires a qualified investment committee, delineates and protects changes to the principal and/or policy.
Cynthia Rigsby, Area I Moderator, (FBC/Gillette, WY) chaired the business session. The regular business of the Area was attended to, enabling the Area I churches to operate as an Area until there are bylaws written to reflect Ministry Clusters. In addition to the regular business of the Area, the delegates voted to establish a committee to discuss and prepare a proposal for the governance and operation of Camp WYOBA. The committee will consist of five members from the WYOBA Board (to be named when they meet in two weeks), five members chosen by the Area I Advisory Board at the close of the Session (Wayne Beatty, Brenda Schladweiler, Whalen Woodward, Bill Mitchell, Deanna Dyer), and the Region Executive Minister or his representative. It is the intent that this Committee’s forthcoming proposal be submitted to the Region Board by August 1, 2005.
Child Care: