May 2021
Chicagoland Baptists,
You can join our weekly Wednesday prayer time tomorrow by clicking here at 9:00 AM or calling 331-218-1983 (Conference ID: 675 478 463#).
The Baptist Faith & Message (2000), Article VI states: “While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.” Does this represent the practice of all SBC churches? What exactly is meant by the office of ‘pastor’? If a woman can’t be a pastor, can she preach? Questions like these are currently swirling in our collection of churches. If you’re unaware, see here.
On the first Wednesday of every month we turn our weekly prayer time into an extended discussion of some pertinent topic. For June 2nd we will be engaging the debate on women in ministry. As always we want to have a civil conversation that brings more light than heat. It’s not an opportunity to argue, but to understand and sharpen each other. Here’s what we want to do this time. We’re looking for 3 volunteers to give their best, biblical, 5 minute case for:
Women can do anything in the church, including being Pastor
Women cannot be Pastor but can preach on Sundays under the authority of the Pastor(s)
Women cannot be Pastor or preach on Sundays
After a brief presentation is made for these 3 positions, then we will have a conversation together on the merits, weaknesses, and implications of each. Let us know if you’d like to take one of these!
Here’s someone to know about – Pastor Tom Schmidt. Tom Schmidt grew up in Montana and Nevada, became a Christian in college, taught middle and high school music in Las Vegas, served as a missionary in Scotland, and now pastors Cross of Christ Fellowship in Naperville. He came to Chicagoland to attend Wheaton College Graduate School. While there he got connected with an IBSA church in St. Charles called Redeemer Fellowship. That church invested in him, gave him pastoral training, and sent him out to plant in 2016. Cross of Christ is highly evangelistic and has utilized many creative ideas for connecting with non-Christians in their neighborhood (for example, check out this meetup group that Tom has organized). Tom is married to Rachel and has four kids. Pray for the advance of the gospel in Naperville through this church.
Here are some events to know about –
Brainard Avenue Baptist Church’s one day Pastors’ Conference – A Noble Task – is June 7th.
The SBC Annual Meeting is June 15th-16th in Nashville. More info here.
Camp is back at Streator! There’s an Opening Day celebration on June 5th, a Father-Son Camp June 18th-19th, and 3 options for Bounce Kids’ Camps in June and July.
Does your A/V team use ProPresenter? Could they benefit from some training? We’ll be offering it at Uptown Baptist Church on either June 8th or 22nd (finalized date TBD). Email Bryan if you’re interested.
Save the Dates:
September 17th – Training Night at the Romanian Baptist Church in Des Plaines.
September 18th – Training Night at Alpha Baptist Church in Bolingbrook
September 26th-27th – Evangelism Conference at Tabernacle Baptist in Decatur with Dr. Fred Luter as a keynote speaker and our very own Corey Brooks as a break out speaker.
Here’s something else to know about – Guidestone (formerly known as the SBC Annuity Board) is our convention’s financial services agency. They offer retirement, insurance, and investments based on biblical values. As a cooperating church, if your pastor opens a retirement account with Guidestone you automatically qualify for a free death benefit and disability coverage (see more info here). And through Mission:Dignity Guidestone offers support for retired SBC pastors in financial need.
We are starting to have lunches with clusters of pastors each week. This week we’ll be meeting with the Far Northwest Suburbs guys. Next week we’ll be down in Northwest Indiana. We’ll be making our way to you soon!
Here to Serve You,
Bryan R. Price
Zone 1 Church Consultant
Leadership Development Team
Illinois Baptist State Association – Chicago
630-908-0853 (Cell)
Nathan Carter
Zone 1 Church Consultant
Leadership Development Team
Illinois Baptist State Association – Chicago
312-493-3726 (Cell)
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Prayer Calls every Wednesday from 9:00 to 9:30 AM!
First Wednesdays of the Month are discussions from 9:00 to 10:00 AM.