Our American Baptist Relationships
Part III: the American Baptist Churches of Maine
November 2009
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November 2009
This is
the second article in a brief series about our relationships within
our American Baptist church family.
On October 23rd & 24th the ABCOM held their 205th Annual Meeting. Some exclaim, “That’s amazing!” Others query, “What’s an abcom?!”
ABCOM is the collection of American Baptist churches in the state of Maine. Although the most local gathering of churches is at the association (county) level, the regional (state) level is the place where we begin to find a significant organizational structure. Churches have pooled resources to provide full and part time ABCOM staff. Representatives from each association provide direction by serving on the ABCOM board. An ABCOM executive minister (this position is currently being redefined) has provided leadership for this gathered organization. Following is a portion of the ABCOM mission found on their website:
American
Baptist Churches are in mission...with each other...and to each
other. . . Whether
speaking of overseas mission or home church, the American Baptist
Churches have organized together to affirm, support and challenge
local churches as they live out their Biblical mission together.
ABCOM is Maine churches gathering together to help Maine churches. We recognize that God enables us to do things together that we cannot do apart.
At times in the past, the ABCOM was a large and influential organization. A strong central organization brought many advantages for mission. A large staff was able to visit and directly support all of our local churches in many ways. A strong regional identity drew hundreds of churches together for teaching, conferences, and celebrations. Men’s, women’s, and children’s ministries were strengthened at the local, associational, and regional levels. Communication was good and church members in the local churches understood they were part of something big. ABCOM events were often large, energized, and exciting. The ABCOM grew for many good reasons. But, it is easy for strong organizations like this to continue for years in apparent health and strength even as problems begin on the inside [think of Polaroid, GM and other once-strong companies that did not respond adequately to changes].
Currently the ABCOM is in the midst of significant challenges. Old structures and old thinking have not kept up with changes in culture and mission. These challenges probably have their roots decades in the past. As long as finances were okay, we could ignore many of the problems related to vision, communication and mission. However, over the past few years, reserves have disappeared with the downturn in financial markets. The ABCOM was hesitant to reduce expenses or eliminate personnel with churches in need of leadership and support. Presently, because of strict financial constraints, most positions have been eliminated or changed to part-time status. The financial problems also made clear a lack of a clear sense of mission together.
Even as the ABCOM has faced these challenges, many local churches and associations are struggling to understand what it means to be in mission with each other. Different people have different understanding of how ABCOM should support ministry in the state. Some want to again see a strong top-down organization, others see the need for a ground- up renewal of the ABCOM. The past two years have been especially difficult, but they also provide a great opportunity to reclaim an understanding of what it means to together be a part of God’s mission to the world. This is the primary focus of the ABCOM in 2010…understanding and communicating our mission together.
In spite of these challenges, the ABCOM continue to serve local churches with their mission. Because it can be hard to picture how the ministry of the ABCOM helps a local church, let me identify some of the ways our church has been helped over the past six or so years:
· The ABCOM helped us find an excellent interim pastor, Rev. Bob Hinckley, when our church was in need.
· The ABCOM provided training and support for our church to perform a pastoral search. Because our church was in decline with a small congregation of mostly older people, Al Fletcher, Executive Minister of ABCOM, suggested a creative and challenging process for church transformation. Our congregation, ABCOM, and myself eagerly partnered in a “three year experiment” of church transformation. The way was not always clear and we worked and prayed through numerous challenges. God has used this partnership to powerfully move our church in a positive direction.
· The ABCOM provided financial support and helped us receive financial support from the Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (a national ABC organization). We received over $20,000 in assistance in a three year period.
· The ABCOM initiated and currently encourages pastors to join TMT’s (Transitional Ministry Teams) to support one another in leading God-directed change. I joined the first TMT in Maine which was formed because of the partnership mentioned above.
· The ABCOM staff and programs helped us understand and develop new directions in church structure and governance.
· The ABCOM staff trained our church leaders (finance and elders) in how to develop a ministry plan and pastoral compensation.
· The ABCOM Insight conferences provided training for our church leaders.
Even when we are not immediately benefiting from the ministry of the ABCOM, other churches in our association are. Rev. Bob Hinckly works for the ABCOM and provides guidance to local churches in the pastoral search process. Four churches in our association are either in this process or have just called a new pastor.
Our church might not exist today if it were not for the ABCOM. I hope we will have an active role in helping other churches thrive in mission in Maine.
These articles are just an introduction to our relationships with other American Baptists. Much that is important has not been said, but I hope you will be able to learn more about these important relationships as you continue in your relationship with our local church. Next month I will share some about our relationship with our national organization, the American Baptist Churches – USA.
Looking forward,
