Dear subscriber,

A Word From Our National Coordinator

I just finished a three day retreat with bivocational ministers and their wives in Tennessee. It was a very rewarding experience. The theme was “A Heart After God”. Our goal for these annual retreats is personal development and relationship building. We purposefully do not make it a “how to do ministry” event. That subject can be covered at other events. This retreat is designed to strengthen the personal life and relationship of each couple in attendance.
Jesus told His disciples to come aside and rest a while. This is so important. It keeps us fresh and helps prevent burnout.

I challenge you to find the time at least three or four times a year to get away as a couple and enjoy time alone. You will be a better pastor and minister if you do.
Make plans to attend the National Celebration to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico during April 16-18, 2010. The details are located in this newsletter. You can also find helpful information at our website bivosmallchurch.net.

Sermon Attention Getter

"Question... What is more evil than Satan, More powerful than God, and more important than your salvation? (long pause)

The answer if Nothing!"

Adrian Rogers

WANT A BIGGER CHURCH? Grow the One You Have

Not many young men preparing for the ministry dream of being the pastor a small country church in rural America. Most think they will end up in a medium size church in a county seat town. Some even see themselves as leader of a mega church. Success in the ministry is often viewed as moving to a larger church every few years.

The reality is that among Southern Baptist churches only about 10% run over 200 in average Sunday School attendance. Seventy-five percent of all Southern Baptist churches run 100 or less in Sunday School. The large church is the exception and not the norm. The size of a church is not nearly as important as the significance of a church in its community.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a bigger church if your motive is God-honoring. Desiring a bigger church to build a name for yourself or to receive greater recognition is not the right motive. However, if your motive is to reach more people for Christ, to make disciples who will impact the world for Christ and to have a greater involvement in mission work across the globe, your goal is for all the right reasons.

If you study most of the larger churches in America, you will discover that the church was built by someone who planted his life there and worked through the difficulties of building a larger church. With the average Southern Baptist pastor staying at a church for only three to five years, he has not been there long enough to fully unpack much less win the confidence and support of the people in his church and community.

Many make the mistake of trying to duplicate a Saddleback, Willow Creek or Bellevue in their community. God only wants and needs one of each. Every church must develop its unique personality and significance.

If you want a bigger church, plant your life where you are for twenty five to forty years and never stop growing yourself. Let God build the church He wants through you.

2010 Celebration Details

National Bivocational and Small Church Leadership Network Annual Celebration and New Mexico Bivocational Minister’s and Family Retreat

“Balancing Your Life “
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

WHEN: April 16-18, 2010
WHERE: Del Norte Baptist Church, 5800 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 Phone: 505-881-9711 www.dnbc.org MAP
 

CHILDCARE PROVIDED FOR ENTIRE CONFERENCE
 

Thursday, April 15, 2010
6:00pm Dinner (Dutch) Pre-celebration gathering at Furr’s Fresh Buffet
6111 San Mateo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
PHONE: 505-298-6886 MAP
 

Friday, April 16, 2010 (Del Norte Baptist Church)
9:30am National Conference Preliminary Meetings (Del Norte West Wing)
Resource Network – (Room 117 & 118) (State Convention Bivo workers)
Educators – (Room 119 & 120) (College & Seminary workers)
PALS – (Room 116) (The wives)
2:00pm Coordinating Council Meeting – (Room 117 – 120)
4:00pm Executive Committee Meeting – (Room 117 – 120)
5:00pm Registration – (Eastside Patio)
5:30pm BBQ Dinner (Eastside Patio)
6:15pm Child Care Available
Babies/Preschoolers (0-4 years)
Children (5 - 19 years)

General Session (Auditorium)
6:30pm Praise & Worship – Jimmy McCaleb
6:45pm National Coordinator’s Report – Ray Gilder
7:00pm SBBMA President’s Address – Larry Lehr
7:30pm “My Forever Friend” – Country Gospel Concert with Myra Green
8:15pm BCNM Executive Director’s Address – Dr. Joseph Bunce
(Please pick up your children)

8:45pm Evening Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)
 

Saturday, April 17, 2010 (Del Norte Baptist Church)
8:15am Child Care Available
Babies/Preschoolers (0-4 years)
Children (5 - 19 years)

General Session (Auditorium)
8:30am Welcome & Morning Prayers
8:45am Breakout Conferences Session 1
*Time Management – Lloyd Elder (Room 122)
*How to Keep Your Husband Organized – Joyce Byrd (Room 119-120)
*Honoring Your Wife – Ray Gilder (Room 125-126)
*Bivocational Music Ministry – Jimmy McCaleb (Room 116)

9:45am Break (Refreshments in the Fellowship Hall)

10:00am Breakout Conferences Session 2
*God is Good All the Time – Susan Ward (Room 123-124)
*Balancing Your Life – Ray Gilder (Room 125-126)
*Managing Conflict – Dr. Joseph Bunce (Room 117-118)
*Bible Alive Theater – Myra Green (Auditorium)

General Session (Auditorium)
11:00am Business Session
11:30am Praise & Worship – Jimmy McCaleb
11:45am Message – Steve Long
“When Perfect isn’t Good Enough” Matthew 25:14-30
12:15pm Adjourn (Please pick up your children)

Afternoon free
Meet back at the Del Norte Baptist Conference Center, 6100 Montgomery Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 (Southwest corner of Montgomery and San Pedro) MAP

5:30pm Banquet Dinner

6:30pm Child Care Available
Babies/Preschoolers (0-4 years)
Children (5 - 19 years)

General Session (Conference Center) Herb Gage Presiding
6:30pm Business Session
6:45pm Hannah’s Song: A Bible Musical – Myra Green
7:30pm NM Bivo President’s Message – Scott Tafoya
8:00pm Prayer Time - Leonard Foster
8:30pm Adjourn (Please pick up your children)

Sunday, April 18, 2010
Monterey Baptist Church, 12501 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112
Phone: 505-294-7679 http://montereybc.org/ MAP

9:30am Sunday School (All age childcare and Sunday School available)
10:50am Praise & Worship – Jimmy McCaleb
Message – Dr. Claude Cone

LOCAL CONTACT:
David Red, BCNM Leadership Development Team Leader, 505-924-2330
Mark Devine, 1st Vice President Program, Southern Baptist Bivocational Ministers Association, 575-887-0917

PRINTED MAPS ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST. Just let us know you need them.

AREA HOTELS: (NO rates negotiated with hotels)

La Quinta
5241 San Antonio Dr NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-821-9000
lq.com

Hampton Inn
5101 Ellison NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-344-1555
hamptoninn.com

Homewood Suites
5400 San Antonio Dr NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-998-4663
homewoodsuites.com

Best Western Executive Suites
4630 Pan American Freeway NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109-2201

Get Directions
(505) 830-0900
bestwesternnewmexico.com

FUTURE NEW MEXICO BIVOCATIONAL MINISTERS AND FAMILY RETREATS:
September 16 - 18, 2011, Glorieta
September 21 - 23, 2012, Glorieta
 

Quotes that make a point!

“My father said there were two kinds of people in the world; givers and takers. The takers may eat better, but the givers sleep better.” Marlo Thomas

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” Mother Teresa

“A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.” Yogi Berra

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” Albert Einstein

“Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.” John D. Rockefeller

“Love is blind, but marriage is a real eye-opener.” Paula Deen

“The best mind-altering drug is the truth.” Lily Tomlin