American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin

State of the Region

October 2004-Annual Meeting

Report from Rev. Dr. Arlo R. Reichter, Executive Minister

"Centered in Christ, United in Mission" was introduced at the October 2003 Annual Meeting as our region theme/vision for 2004-2010. This was the result of nearly two years of conversations and work involving over 350 Wisconsin Baptists. The theme focuses on five areas: communication, youth, evangelism/church growth, Camp Tamarack and outreach/mission. As the participants in the 2003 annual meeting reviewed these five focus areas, they reported back from their groups that evangelism/church growth must be linked with outreach/mission. Communication is necessary to be united and the focus on youth and Camp Tamarack indicates an orientation toward the future. With this theme and its focus areas in mind we entered 2004, our 160th year as Baptists in Wisconsin working together in ministry and mission. This theme has been the subject of the monthly FYI.com sent to every congregation.

Camp Tamarack is a ministry in direct support of local congregations with significant impact on children, youth and adults within our region. One year ago we announced the "Pass It On" capital campaign. With a challenging goal of $850,000.00 we are pleased to announce that we have reach $750,000.00. Because of this we were able to build and dedicate the Tamarack Lodge and Meeting Center, build a new maintenance barn and renovate the former nurses' cabin and name it the Cornelius Leadership Cabin. This honored the decade of service of the late Rev. Bill Cornelius on the region staff when he had responsibility for the camping ministry. Be sure to check out the new camp Website at www.camptamarack.org .

Encounter: The National Gathering of ABC Youth was held in Estes Park, CO. with forty youth and adults from Wisconsin among the 1800 in attendance. Perfecting the Connection: The National Black Church Education Conference was held in Raleigh, NC and Wisconsin was well represented. The 2006 National Black Church Education Conference will be held in Milwaukee. An invitational eleven region New Life 2010 Mid-Course Gathering sponsored by ABC National Ministries was held in Milwaukee-again Wisconsin was represented by a delegation. The 2005 ABCUSA Biennial will be held July 1-3 in Denver, CO and the Baptist World Alliance Centenary Congress will be held in Birmingham, England July 27-31, 2005. It is hoped that Wisconsin Baptists will be well represented at both of these significant gatherings.

A Missional Church Institute is in the formative stages in cooperation with Central Baptist Theological Seminary. The 2004 Ministers Council Retreat considered the "missional" church-a church focused outward seeking to serve and not just "maintain" structures and traditions at the expense of mission and ministry. Missional Associations will be a topic of discussion at this 2004 annual meeting as we seek to help associations rediscover their mission roots.

Programs this year included the Festival of Learning, two Small Church/Small Community Gatherings (Christian Education & Stewardship), Pastors' Theological Forums, Stewardship Sermon Workshop, Ministers Council Collegial Groups, Youth Winter Retreat (to be held in 2005 at Camp Tamarack), Youth Power of One Event in Green Bay, Youth Spring Gathering & Work Project in La Crosse and the Men's and Women's regional conferences planned by those respective organizations.

Mt. Zion of Madison and New Hope of Milwaukee each completed multi-million dollar additions to their facilities to enable them to be more effective in their witness. In the building dedication program, Rev. Richard L. Jones of Mt. Zion-Madison wrote: "The ministry of Jesus Christ is designed to touch the lives of people in tangible ways that they may be drawn to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We at Mt. Zion truly understand the significance of reaching out into the community to make a difference. I believe that the Lord intends Mt. Zion to use this blessing (new $3.1m sanctuary & educational space) as an instrument to bless and help others."

The Evalyn Blumer Estate proceeds have been received and totaled over $225,000.00. Mrs. Blumer made her first estate plans with the region 40 years ago and in more recent years worked with the American Baptist Foundation. These funds are invested and according to her wishes only the investment proceeds will be spent annually. Because of her generosity several ministries will continue and two new areas have been added. The new areas are continuing education scholarship for pastors of smaller congregations (100 or fewer in worship) and Indian Ministry.

Financially the region's investment funds performed much better in 2003 than 2002. (See Treasurer's written report.) Some ask why the region has such significant amounts in these investment funds. The answer is that these funds provide dividends and growth that are used annually to support the region budget. Much of what we do would not be possible without these funds. Another term one could use to describe these funds is an "endowment" fund. We encourage persons to make estate plans and to include the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin along with your local church. The American Baptist Foundation will provide helpful advice and guidance. You need not write an agreement with them to receive their free advice. You can make your plans with your attorney or financial advisor.

It is well worth noting that United Mission giving in 2004 is running ahead of 2003. United Mission is vital to the health of our ministry and mission both as a region and nationally. It continues to be the base from which all ministry is supported. We strongly urge every congregation to make this a priority.

Grants were received for New Church Planting $20,000; Small Church/Small Community participation in Natural Church Development $6000; Hunger Network in cooperation with the Wisconsin Council of Churches $30,000 and funds to aid New Hope Missionary Baptist in renovating an apartment house for low income persons $20,000. Additional funds were received by four Wisconsin pastors to participate in the Center for Excellence of Congregational Leadership at Green Lake and through the Ministers Council to fund several ministers collegial groups.

ABC Is Fastest Growing Protestant Denomination. The Yearbook of American and Canadian denominations has collected data for decades. In their most recent publication that compares membership 2001-2002, ABC was the fastest growing out of 215 denominations in the U.S. and Canada. That's the good news, the bad news is that we grew only 3% and that was the fastest growing. Much work remains to be done. Data collected here in Wisconsin for 2003 lead us to believe that there were well over 300 baptisms in our congregations last year. Praise God for each life represented. Three churches disaffiliated with the region in the past twelve months: Albany-First; Rhinelander-First and Ontario-Community. One new church plant became a fully cooperating congregation-Walworth-Friendship.

Women as Pastors was a special focus at last years annual meeting. A recent denominational report stated that 30% of our pastors are women-the most of any of the 35 ABC regions. The next closest region was at 23%. We celebrate all persons in ministry and the openness of our congregations to all persons gifted for pastoral ministry.

Gifted Leadership committed to Jesus Christ is the key to our common witness. We thank God for providing region officers, board members, commission members, association moderators, officers and leaders of affiliated organizations. We thank God for gifted staff both paid and volunteer.

Perhaps this year many of us feel this "thankfulness" a bit stronger because of the sudden loss of Bonnie Kirk who served in numerous region roles. She had been the annual meeting coordinator ever since I became executive minister and she was a member of the same church as me. Her sudden passing while attending the region spring women's conference at Green Lake had an especially deep impact on all of us who where there. She did pass from this life to life eternal in a place she loved and surrounded by those who loved her. We offer our continued prayers to her husband, Duane, and their family as they move forward in life.

Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to serve as your executive minister.

Last Updated on 10/11/2004