Our American Baptist Relationships
Parts I &
II
Introduction & York Association
October 2009
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October 2009
PART
I: Introduction
A local church should never try to do ministry alone. It is arrogant to think that God will provide everything we need for ministry from within our congregation. It is wise to take advantage of the wisdom, resources, and gifting that God has given to churches around the globe. We can (and do) come together with other Christians in a variety of ways. In these next few newsletters, I will share about our more formal relationships in ministry.
As a church, we have chosen to voluntarily associate with other American Baptist churches. Our associations take place on three geographical levels: county-wide [York Association], state-wide [The American Baptist Churches of Maine, ABCOM], and nation-wide [The American Baptist Churches – USA, ABC-USA]. Our goal in coming together is to provide mutual help and encouragement and to take advantage of the gifts, skills and resources God has provided through each local church. There are things we can do together that we can’t do alone, like supporting missionaries.
Each of these three “geographical levels of associating” are in transition. Over the past few years they have come under a variety of stresses: financial, relational and theological. Although these difficulties are hard, they actually provide an excellent opportunity. Financial shortfalls and theological questions give us an opportunity to identify what is most important about our call to follow Jesus together.
Our most important relationships are with the churches closest to us geographically: the American Baptist Churches of the York Association.
When I arrived as pastor in
The American Baptist churches of York Association used to meet as a whole twice annually. Pastors gathered frequently, and other men’s and women’s groups met throughout the year. Over the past six years, much of this has changed. As churches, we have mostly lost connection with one another over this time.
Earlier this year, I was asked by the ABCOM to serve as the “Transition Monitor Team Leader” [TMTL] for the York Association. This is a temporary role created to help increase communication between the ABCOM and the York Association. I was asked to serve in this role because I have already been working to build relationships between pastors in the York Association and because of my past involvement serving with the ABCOM. As TMTL, I was asked to write a letter sharing recent developments in the York Association. This letter follows:
Greetings from
York Association,
Similar to
many, the past few years have been a season of decline in the
associational life of York association.
Our organizational structure has almost disappeared with
little to no nominees to fill association and regional positions.
Our official gatherings have been anemic including no fall
meeting this year. I
believe it is accurate to say there is currently little sense of our
churches partnering together in ministry.
However, in
this year, associational renewal has begun.
For the past year a number of pastors along with a few lay
leaders have been gathering monthly for the primary purpose of
building relationships and trust amongst one other.
We have found a great deal in common including personal
devotion to Jesus Christ, passion for the spiritual health of the
local church and desire for the Good News to be shared with our
communities.
Many pastors
who have come more recently to our association have come from
backgrounds other than American Baptist.
Our earlier meetings included the honest question of, “Is it
even worth while to come together as an association?”
As we have discussed our responsibility as Christians and
shared some of our association history, we have gladly concluded
that it is worth while and important to come together as an
association! We believe
we have a biblical mandate to encourage the body of Christ outside
of our local congregations and we value the opportunity that comes
from the historic relationships amongst American Baptist Churches in
York Association. We
recognize group wisdom and group resources that can only be obtained
as we come together in ministry.
We have a
distance to go as we determine specifically which areas to first
focus in ministry together.
For now, we recognize that building trust and growing
relationships amongst pastors and leaders is a necessary first step,
although it is only a first step.
Our congregations will also greatly benefit from a stronger
associational life.
During this
time, some of our churches have needed outside guidance, especially
in the area of pastoral search.
ABCOM has helped ensure these churches have received quality
help. Bob Hinckley has
provided caring and wise guidance in the area of the pastoral search
process. Al Fletcher
has also been an important resource to our churches.
This year we
have said good bye to Pastors Beth and Ken Keating as they have
retired after many years of ministry in Springvale.
We will also miss Pastor Jason Vigue who has left Shapleigh.
We ask for your prayers for these two churches along with
Kittery Point as they search for pastors.
We welcome Pastor Don Nelson and his family to Cape Neddick.
Because of our
currently loose associational structure, I know that I do not
adequately speak for all of our churches.
Not all pastors have been able to attend our meetings, and it
is likely many in our congregations are not even aware of what is
happening at the associational level.
As we follow God’s leading over the coming year we expect our
associational life to grow.
Looking
forward,
Travis
Glatter, Pastor First Baptist Church of South Berwick
TMTL, York Association
I know that as a church, we have not participated strongly in associational life. Frankly, there has been little to participate in. I do want you to know that I have personally benefited from the relationships and resources provided by other York association pastors. Their encouragement has helped me to continue serving as a pastor. You should know that we a number of gifted and godly men and women serving in York Association.
Next month I’ll share more about our state and national relationships through ABCOM and ABC-USA. Let me close with a list of churches and pastors in York Association. Remember these churches in your prayers. [church list available upon request]