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No Hype ~ Just Prayer
Pastors, you are cordially invited to attend GLBC's Pastors' Prayer
Gathering
Sept. 15-16, 2008
(noon to noon)
Salem Baptist Church
1210 E. Clairemont Ave.
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Contact Dr. Stu Dix
drstudix@yahoo.com
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For
Your Quiet Time
O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I
involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me.
O Israel, hope in the LORD. From this time forth and forever.
Psalm 131:1-3 NASB
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Prayer Requests
You're Invited to Pray!
1. You 'n God You are invited to set aside some
extended time to so you can just "be with God" this month. No
agendas, just leaning in to our Shepherd as he leads us by still waters.
(Ps. 23)
2. Please pray for GLBC's worship leaders across the district Many
worship leaders and musicians offer their skills for weeks at a time. Pray
that God will provide a special stamina and encourage their own hearts
before they lead us to the Throne of God.
3. Please pray for our Annual Meeting Hosts
Though it is a couple of months before we get together on October 24-25 for
the GLBC Annual Meeting, please ask God to lead and bless all those
involved in planning for us at Salem Baptist Church in Ashland, WI.
4. Please pray for our district finances Due to rising expenses and
less income than projected, we show a deficit. As of 6/30/08, our 10th
month report shows that we are experiencing a deficit in our core
ministries of $7176. Our fiscal year ends August 31, 2008 and we ask you to
partner with us in interceding that God will bring in the resources we need
to finish in the black. Thank you!
We sincerely thank you for your prayers. Let us know how we can
pray for you, too.
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Dear
Ministry Partners,
We hope you're slowing down and enjoying the summer pleasures found so
briefly in Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan! In this issue, Dr
Perry reminds us of the need to be still, even if it's hard for us
to do! Let's urge one another to regularly reflect on God and His
unending love and kindness to us. This discipline will help us
refuel as we disciple others and live the life of Christ whereever we
are.
"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among
the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10 NASB
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 From the Desk of Dr. Dwight
Perry
Learning to Be Still
Vacations are something that I've always looked
forward to, but at times I've come home more tired than when I was
working. Can you relate to that? Cynthia and I have raised four children
and tried to do vacations on a limited budget. Many of our vacations were
incorporated into ministry activities or events such as the BGC Annual
Meetings or some type of speaking engagement.
These were wonderful opportunities which have allowed us to travel all
over the United States on a "preacher's salary" while the kids
were young. But in all honesty, it often left us wiped out. Though it was
tiring, I've learned lessons along the way. I have mulled over that
season in our lives and I am filled with thankfulness.
This year my wife and I decided to do something different for a vacation.
We took a wonderful, week-long cruise to the west Caribbean. This
vacation was actually given to us by a very gracious donor. And the other
three weeks? We were at home, doing nothing.
That's right! Can you believe it? Dr. Dwight Perry did nothing!
For those of you who know me, you are probably thinking that sounds very
odd. I know. Yes, my name is Dwight Perry and I am a workaholic.
You see, this year, Cynthia and I decided together that the best vacation
we could have was one that did not involve trying to get up and go
somewhere. But instead, we needed one that allowed us to sleep in our own
beds and enjoy our home. We did little things like going to an
outdoor concert and taking an evening stroll. I don't know about you, but
in this fast-paced life of ours, why is it that we forget to slow down
once in awhile and do nothing?
For many of us who were raised in the aftermath of the World War II by
parents and grandparents, who some have called the Greatest Generation,
work is something that has been ingrained in our mind and heart as
valuable. For those of us who grew up without many material things, work
was the way to vindicate ourselves. Work is God-Ordained and
God-Approved. However, THE REALITY IS THIS: EVEN GOD RESTED ON THE
SEVENTH DAY!
The Psalmist would encourage us like this, "Be still and know that I
am God." (Psalm 46:10) I don't know about you, but it is
hard for me to be still.
This morning in my devotional, I got before God and asked His forgiveness
for how I have recently allowed myself to drift away from Him, especially
in the midst of doing ministry. Without even realizing it, I was becoming
a Martha who was worried and bothered about many things instead of a Mary
who sat still and listened at Jesus' feet to His Word as depicted in Luke
10.
If you are thinking that there is nothing wrong with working hard, you
are right! As a matter of fact, hard work it is good for the soul and God
honoring as it says in 1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whether, then, you
eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Just remember that it is also just as God-honoring to sit down and GIVE
YOURSELF PERMISSION TO REST.
God bless,
Dr. Dwight Perry
GLBC District Executive Minister
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A Book That Makes You Think
Sometimes a new way of looking at a topic can
revitalize how you live and think about the culture we're in. If we
genuinely want to reach our cities for Christ, it makes sense to learn
more about them. Consider this thought provoking book from GLBC Church
Planter, Pastor Mike Kleven (Bridges, Mequon, WI).
"One
of the books I've been reading lately is unChristian, by David
Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. Using survey data from non-Christians in
the U.S., unChristian, takes a
look at what Christianity looks like today to those outside the faith and
suggests approaches to reaching non-Christians with the love of Jesus
Christ. The perceptions about Christianity reported in the book by
outsiders are in many cases disturbing.
I
do not doubt some Christians may take issue with what is reported and the
suggested approaches to engaging non-Christians. However, if we are going to
reach people with the message of Jesus Christ it is vital that we
approach them aware of what they really think about the church,
Christians, and Jesus, rather than assuming incorrectly we already know. I
believe those interested in building bridges and making connections into
the culture to share the love of God in Jesus Christ will find this book
helpful."
 unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks
about Christianity... and Why It Matters
by
David Kinnaman by Baker Books
Buy Now
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You're Invited
GLBC Annual Meeting
October
24-25, 2008
Salem Baptist Church
Ashland, WI
Keynote: Dr. Tom Nebel
Registration Begins Mid-August
Heathy Churches Plant Churches
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Negotiating Church Conflict
Join us for GLBC's Fall 2008 Area Meetings
This Fall, resolve to become a more effective church
family!
1. Conflict in Church?
Yes, unfortunately, just like any family, church families also go through
times of conflict and sometimes hurt one another. Whether it's intentional
or not, the pain is real and can cause damage if not handled properly. This
free event is a preview of the specialized training for Pastors and Boards
offered in Spring 2009 from GLBC's Dr. Dwight Perry (District Executive
Minister) and Dr. Stu Dix (Assoc. DEM - Mobilization)! These meetings
are for pastors and other church leaders who'd like to learn healthy ways
to deal with conflict. Discover practical ways to get passed church
conflict and become a healthier church family!
2. Invest significant time interceding together in a Concert
of Prayer.
3. Hear more about the GLBC's Women's Speaker Team
and the expanding ministries available for your church! (see our website
for more information about the speakers' team: Women's Ministry Team
All Area Meetings are offered from 7-8:30pm
- Oct 27
North Area Meeting - 7-8:30pm (Salem Bapt, Ashland, WI)
- Oct 28
Southwest Area Meeting - 7-8:30pm (GLBC Office-Madison,
WI)
- Nov
3 West Area Meeting - 7-8:30pm (Faith
Fellowship, Luck, WI)
- Nov
4 Central Area Meeting - 7-8:30pm (New
Day Christian Church, Weston, WI)
- Nov 11
Fox Valley Area Meeting - 7-8:30pm (Date may change;
Location to be announced)
- Nov 17
West Central Area Meeting - 7-8:30pm (Salem Bapt, Eau
Claire, WI)
- Nov 18
Southeast Area Meeting - 7-8:30pm (Woodridge Community,
New Berlin, WI)
- Nov 24
UP Area Meeting - 7-8:30pm (Calvary Baptist, Escanaba,
MI)
- Dec 4
Bay Area Meeting 7-8:30pm (First Bapt, Sister Bay, WI) (Please
note the date change!)
You can find out more by contacting our office: 608.244.5000
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