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For
Your Quiet Time
Proverbs 3:7,8
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will
bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Titus 2:11-14; 3:8
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It
teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and
to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while
we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and
Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all
wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager
to do what is good. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress
these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to
devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and
profitable for everyone.
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Prayer Requests
Thanks for remembering to pray!
1. Pastor Drs. Dwight and Cynthia Perry We
are so grateful for the selfless ministry and leadership they offer our
district. We thank God for this special couple and ask Him for His
continued provision, protection and peace to be theirs in abundance.
2. Please pray for churches in transition Whenever there's change,
there's bound to be a need for extra patience, kindness and self
control. Pray for churches who have no pastor or have a new pastor. May God
give them strength and wisdom as he guides their paths.
3. Please pray for our new Urban and Ethnic Ministries Please pray
that God continues to bless and prosper these initiatives as we co labor
with Pastor Chuck Ells in the American Indian Initiative and with Pastor
Carlos Bulalayao in the Filipino Church Plant Initiative in the Janesville area.
4. Please thank the Lord Jesus for His help in the time of need. You've
been there, right? Just in the nick of time, God prompts someone to
reach out. Please pray that God not only continues to prompt people to be
generous, but that we respond "promptly" in giving our time,
money and talents in our churches, communities and to the district
ministries.
We sincerely thank you for your prayers. Let us know how we can
pray for you, too.
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Dear
Ministry Partners,
Are you eager to get "out there" and get rejuvenated and
healthy now that spring has come? This month, Dr Stu Dix, Associate
DEM-Mobilization, humorously (and seriously) reminds us to avoid being a
"dangerous procrastinator". You'll find all sorts resources here for your life as you seek
to be healthy in every way. We believe in you and are eager to help you
grow, as Peter teaches in 2 Peter 3:18, "But grow in the
grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory
both now and forever! Amen."
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 From the Desk of Dr. Stu Dix
Dear Ministry Partners,
Are
you a Dangerous Procrastinator?
A
few years ago, when my son Nathan was on his way to becoming an Eagle
Scout, his troop leaders circulated the dreaded 'sign-up to sleep a night
at Canyon Camp' sheet to parents. Having some margin in my life, I
signed up for my one night on a camp cot. It was after we signed up
that we were told that we would need a physical exam (official BSA form
provided) in order to sleep at Canyon Camp. This is not a joke.
Parents needed a physical examination by a licensed physician just to see
if we were fit enough to walk a few hundred yards from our car to a camp
cot for the strenuous task of sleeping. My doctor laughed too --
and charged the full price for my brief office visit.
I
have been told that it is a 'guy thing' to neglect or put off an annual
physical examination. I went for my 'just turned 40' exam when I
was about 45. Because of some less than encouraging family health
history, I do need to do better. I turn 50 this year and don't plan
on waiting five years before I let the doc pop the hood and give me a
good going over. The stakes are higher than being fit enough to
sleep a night at camp!
I
think we can be more proactive in checking the health of our churches
too. We need not let the apprehension we feel towards health examinations
prevent us from actively pursuing church health. There are some
dangers in not being proactive about church health. Let me suggest
a solution: How about a church health team that does an annual
checkup to determine how your ministries are doing?
More
and more churches in the GLBC are discovering a church health tool called
Natural Church Development (NCD). NCD can serve as an
affordable, accessible, attainable, annual church health checkup.
Pastor
Bob Marsh, Gateway Community Church says, "The NCD Survey allowed
us to accurately determine the areas of our church culture that most
needed our attention. We were able to take our area of greatest
need and make it one of our greatest strengths! We intend to use
the surveys each spring as part of an "annual check up" of our
church health, striving for ongoing improved effectiveness."
At
the present time there are six GLBC churches involved in the NCD process.
Here
are some NCD informational basics:
- NCD focuses on eight key factors
for church health and growth and measures how your church is doing
in each area.
- This incredibly insightful and
helpful information can be yours for about $250.
- A flexible, five step, coached,
NCD process moves you towards 2-3 targeted solutions to the key
obstacles to your church experiencing greater health.
- The NCD process is led by 5-7
people from your church who commit to 2-3 meetings that produce
practical applications for your church life and ministry.
- Statistics indicate that NCD
churches grow in both quality and quantity.
Every
church can be healthier. What's your plan for increased
health? A check-up would help, so don't put it off. I would
love to talk with you about NCD and your ministry. Because I am a
'doctor', I might even be able to get you a cot at Canyon Camp.
Dr.
Stu Dix
GLBC Associate DEM-Mobilization
Cell:
608-482-2206
Email:
drstudix@yahoo.com
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Don't Miss This!
Dr. Henry Cloud to be in Fond du Lac, WI on April 12th!
Great Opportunity For Business and Ministry Leaders
Fond
du Lac Community Church will be hosting
Dr. Henry Cloud, author of "Integrity". He is coming to the
Fond du Lac Area on April 12. Check out more details on the church
website!
Get Tickets and Details Here!
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Find a Good Read!
Looking for a good book? Consider these as suggested
by GLBC pastors.
"I
have recently read two books that I feel were worth the read. They were
both about men and their personal lives and what they learned from life.
"The
Preacher And The Presidents" is about Billy Graham and the influence
he had upon many presidents, both Democrats and Republicans. The lessons
he learned and the opportunities he had as the pastor to the presidents
give insights into how he learned to value his influence for God in their
lives.
"My
Grandfather's Son" is an autobiography written by Clarence Thomas.
Mr. Thomas was raised in a time when prejudice was rampant, and he writes
of his personal battles due to all of this. He also writes of his faith,
how it came and went and returned when the going got really tough. I also
learned about the influence a grandparent can have upon grandchildren.
I
would recommend both of these books. They are not difficult, and they
both are beneficial." --Pastor Duane Jass, GLBC Central Area
Minister
 The Preacher and the Presidents: Billy Graham in the White
House
by
Nancy Gibbs by Center Street
Buy Now
"Team of
Rivals" is very interesting and challenging. It is about
Abraham Lincoln and his run for office and service as President. Though
not the most spiritual of men, he brought into his cabinet the men he ran
against for the Republican nomination. The book speaks to how he handled
all the difficult dynamics that ensued for the good of the nation.
Fascinating reading about dealing with adversity in the midst of great
crisis.
--- Pastor Alan Cleveland, Community Church, Oshkosh, WI
 Team of Rivals:
The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
by Doris Kearns Goodwin by Simon & Schuster
Buy Now
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 GLBC's
Pastor and Board Training
Creating
Team Vitality and Harmony-Spring 2008
1. Specialized Training for Pastors and Boards in YOUR
area from Dr. Dwight Perry (District
Minister) and Dr. Stu Dix (Assoc. DEM - Mobilization). Learn
how to build a cohesive team, gain effective tools for developing harmony
in core values, and create a healthy environment for your church leaders to
thrive. The cost is $150 per church, regardless of how many register! To be
eligible, the pastor must attend with other leaders from the church in
order to learn together. Simply contact your church office to
register.
2. Specialized Training
for Church Treasurers and others involved in the implementation and
financial direction of the churchwill be offered on the same day and
location, facilitated by Rev. Ben Garrett,(Assoc.
DEM-Finance/Admin). you'll come away with practical, current information
about accounting systems, housing allowances, pastoral benefits and ways to
inspire stewardship. The fee is $75 per church. Join us!
All Saturday Meetings
are offered from 9am-Noon
- UP Area -
Grace Baptist, Gladstone, MI on January 12
- Southeast
Area - Woodridge Community, New Berlin on January 19
- Southwest
Area - GLBC Offices, Madison, WI on January 26
- Central
Area - Community Church, Stevens Point, WI on February 2
- West
Central Area - Salem Baptist, Eau Claire, WI on February 16
- Fox
Valley Area - Community Church, Appleton, WI on February 23
- West
Area - Faith Fellowship, Luck, WI on March 1
- Bay
Area - First Baptist, Sister Bay, WI on March 29
- North
Area - Salem Baptist, Ashland, WI on April 12
You can register and find out more by contacting our
office: 608.244.5000
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