Getting Involved in Virginia!

Mary Beth Foust, Baptist Theological Seminary of Richmond student, moved to Virginia almost 2 years ago. Perhaps her story can help to encourage you if you are looking to find ways to plug into CBF life, even in new places. Mary Beth shares her story below as a part of a new series on CBF Young Baptists. 

I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into when my husband Caleb and I moved to Richmond to begin Seminary. We knew that we were taking a risk moving up to a strange city by ourselves and we also knew that we were embarking on a journey that would surely challenge us and change our lives.

2012 Task Force final report now available

The document 23-months and more than 100-listening sessions in the making is now in its final stages and ready for your review.

Please take a moment to download and read this important, historic document. Two years’ worth of work that will change the future course of the Fellowship community cannot be digested in a few minutes at the Assembly. You need to take the time to understand what will be presented, and, ultimately, what you will be asked to approve.

Not since the refugees of the Southern Baptist Convention gathered for the Consultation of Concerned Baptists has been there a meeting with such significance for the future of the moderate Baptist movement.

“Anyone involved in local church ministry knows the difference between those events that are important because of an attractive program or charismatic personality and those events that are strategic for the future,” said Daniel Vestal, out-going executive coordinator in his Words from the Executive Coordinator column this week.

Eight Years with CBF – From NC to GA to Chile!

Blake and Bekah Hart, CBF Field Personnel, moved from Atlanta to Chile about 6 months ago. Perhaps their journey into CBF life can help to encourage you if you are looking to find ways to plug in. Bekah and Blake share their story below as a part of a new series on CBF Young Baptists. 

Our connection with CBF began in our second year studying at Mars Hill College. As students at a local campus, we led the youth portion of a Lay Renewal Retreat at First Baptist Church in Weaverville, NC. At the time, neither of us knew much about FBC, CBF or each other. We also didn’t know how big a role those things would have in shaping our faith journey (nor that our journey would be a shared one). Eight years later, it’s fun to look back and remember.

Discovering Mission

Matt Norman, CBF field personnel member, moves beyond conventional, limiting definitions of mission and reflects on mission as an entire way of being to which God calls us. Matt and his wife Michelle will transition to Greece this summer to serve among Albanian immigrants through PORTA, a spiritual and cultural center for Albanian immigrants in Athens.

I continue to learn many things on this mission journey I know as life. Less and less do I think of mission as something one does in a far off location or in one’s own community. Rather, I think mission is really a way of being. It is a life orientation, an outlook, a modus operandi. And it seems that like any habit it requires practice and discipline. Living missionally grows as a way of being over time.

From Talk to Action

The following thoughts are posted from Terry Hamrick, coordinator for Visioning in the Missional Congregations initiative area.

The missional conversation has been going on intensely for fifteen years at CBF. We have been challenged and cajoled to embrace what’s next. We, like all institutions, have discovered that such transition is much easier to talk about that to actually do. We are at a point where we must move beyond conversation to action. Many congregations find themselves at the very same place. How do we get our churches, our leaders, our institutions, and ourselves to the “so what” of being missional?

Being A Young CBF Baptist in Connecticut

Jennifer Clamon, Yale Divinity School student, moved from Virginia to Connecticut almost 2 years ago. Perhaps her story can help to encourage you if you are looking to find ways to plug into CBF life, even in unfamiliar places. Jennifer (Jenny) shares her story below as a part of a new series on CBF Young Baptists.  

Most people thought I crazy when I told them I was going to divinity school at Yale and going to be living in New Haven, Connecticut.  I can’t say that I blame them because I had plenty of my own misgivings.  It was terrifying moving from Virginia, the only place I’d ever lived, to New England.  But every minute that I’m here I feel affirmed that this is where God wants me to be.  I grew up in a CBF church and always felt very spiritually and theologically comfortable there, so as soon as I got here I searched for CBF churches nearby.  There are, in fact, about ten CBF churches in New England, and the longer I live here the more baffled I am by it, because the society and culture of New England fits so well with what CBF is and stands for. 

Why I Love CBF – Daniel Vestal

Daniel Vestal, CBF Executive Coordinator, talks about why he loves CBF. Check back every Wednesday for more videos.

Why do you love CBF? Let us know! Leave a comment below or make your own video and e-mail it to eholladay@thefellowship.info.