Partners In The Mission:
Associations: Partners In The Gospel
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| Release Date: 05/20/2008 |
| a message from Dr. Bill Mackey, executive director |
Associational Missions week is May 18-25, which makes for a great time to pray for your association. It is certainly a privilege for me to praise God for the wonderful partnership between the Kentucky Baptist Convention and Baptist associations in Kentucky.
By definition, associations are churches partnering together in missions locally and around the world. Each church is autonomous but they choose to cooperate on mission together in order to extend the gospel. Through fellowship, prayer, training, and ministry, churches are strengthened to carry out the Great Commission.
Here are just a few of the areas in which the KBC and associations partner:
Public Affairs – Associational leaders help churches stay informed about public affairs issues of concern. The battle against expanded gambling during this past General Assembly session is a great example.
Evangelism – Associations often sponsor evangelism projects and crusades, which the KBC then helps to fund through the Evangelism Growth Team and other ministry areas. For instance, the Youth Ministry Department has assisted with funding for numerous associational events with Brock Gill and the Freedom Experience, which has resulted in hundreds of decisions for Christ.
Vacation Bible School – Associations partner with the KBC in training workers for Vacation Bible schools. In 2008, KBC will provide funding for VBS in mission churches and in churches that have not conducted VBS recently.
Training Sunday School and Discipleship Leaders – Associations partner with the Church Development Team as it provides training for church and associational leaders. In 2007, Super Saturday conferences provided training for 3,800 leaders from 450 churches.
Prayer – For the fourth year in a row, associations will partner with churches and the KBC in a special prayer emphasis this year. “With One Voice” prayer gatherings will be held in churches across the state on Sept. 10.
Disaster Relief – Associations partner with churches and KBC in training workers, utilizing equipment and mobilizing teams in disaster readiness and response.
Promoting Missions – Associations partner with the KBC, Woman’s Missionary Union, International Missions Board and the North American Missions Board in promoting prayer, education, giving, and participation in missions and ministries locally, across Kentucky and around the world.
Associations also partner with KBC in ministries, new work, leader support and training, worship, special events, associational missions support, collegiate ministry, etc.
In his newsletter, The Bridge Builders, Dr. Phillip Basinger listed numerous important roles played by associations. Associations nurture harmony and fellowship, call churches to be on mission, provide resources, develop and encourage leaders, maintain communication and relationships, plan and conduct the association’s work, manage resources, and provide information about the churches to the denomination.
These partnerships are effective in extending the mission of our Lord and deserve our best involvement and support!
Dr. Mackey's column appears weekly in the Western Recorder. To subscribe to the Western Recorder, call (502) 489-3535. |
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