September 2020
Fellow Chicagoland Baptist Pastors,
How is the fall ministry season going so far? Has anyone come up with creative ideas for proactively engaging with your community, especially as it relates to serving families adapting to remote learning? We’d love to hear and share those stories!
Our weekly Prayer Calls are still happening every Wednesday from 9:00 to 9:30 AM. And the first Wednesday of the month is an extended discussion. We’ve already tackled race and politics. October’s topic will be – “The Pressures of Leadership.” Before that conversation we’d love to get your top 3 pressure points you’ve been experiencing lately. Just email them to Bryan or me. Mine would probably be: (1) boundaries between work and home, (2) insecurity surrounding people’s attendance and engagement, and (3) anxiety about the future state of the Church.
Here’s someone to know about – Pastor Nathan Brown. Nathan is the Lead Pastor of Real Church in the Logan Square neighborhood of the city. He and his wife Danielle and their two children (Leah, Shey) moved here from California in 2012 to plant the church. In the last eight years of leading Nathan has learned a deeper reliance on God and personal humility (ask him to share his story with you!). God continues to use Real Church as a leader training center and sending church. Real Church is a multi-ethic, multi-generational family. Before COVID-19, they were meeting in a local school. Currently, the church is meeting in small groups in member’s homes to watch the Sunday service online, which is produced in the basement of Nathan’s home. Nathan and his team are asking God for wisdom and praising Him for His constant provision. He is honored to serve in Chicago with fellow pastors and believers who are laboring for the gospel.
Here are some events to know about –
· This week is a Week of Prayer for our Illinois mission field. Find guidance here.
· Over the next 4 weeks, Starting Point Community Church is celebrating Hispanic Heritage. You’re invited to participate if you can or at least pray that the Lord uses it as they reach out to their largely Hispanic neighborhood through it.
· We had been planning local Training Nights in October, but… you know. Instead we’re offering a state-wide online event live on October 13 (with the ability to watch recordings of all 14 breakout sessions afterwards). This isn’t just for pastors, but for any leaders in your church. Register here and check out the great list of offerings like:
o “Elevate Your Church’s Social Media”
o “How to Develop Young Leaders in Your Church”
o “Kids Ministry Outside of the Box”
o Etc…
· The abbreviated IBSA Annual Meeting is at Tabernacle Baptist in Decatur on November 4 (the day after the elections!). More info here.
· And the AWSOM conference for teen girls is online November 6-7. Check it out here!
Here’s something else to know about – Did you know that if you’re a cooperating church and you have a hunger ministry, you could qualify for funds administered by CMBA? Email mindycmba@aol.com to find out more info. Just another benefit of being part of the bigger Baptist family!
Don’t forget to complete your ACP (Annual Church Profile) ASAP! This is one of the key ways that we communicate and cooperate with each other. If you have any questions or need any help, please reach out to us.
In Christ,
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)
Follow @ChicagolandBaptists on Facebook.