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| ‘Partnering’ Churches Being Identified |
| Release Date: 06/17/2005 |
 LOUISVILLE – Just a few months into the Kentucky Baptists Connect initiative, more than 70 Kentucky Baptist churches have already been identified as willing to partner with other churches to help strengthen the overall body of Christ.
Kentucky Baptists Connect is a five-year initiative to increase baptisms; disciple Christians more effectively; start new Bible study units, ministries and churches; and develop leaders.
One of its goals is to see 100 “partnering” churches – churches willing to assist another church in an area in which they have a particular strength -- in place by Jan. 10, 2010.
Mission Board staff members say they hope to achieve that particular goal before the end of the year, however.
“We are extremely pleased at the way churches are responding to this idea of partnering,” said French Harmon, associate team leader for the KBC’s Church Development and Evangelism Team. “Even though we are asking for a significant commitment, these churches seem to be excited about the opportunity to be involved in coming alongside another church.”
Harmon said partnering churches will team up to share encouragement, training, consultation and more with churches seeking strengthening in a particular area.
Recently, the Partnering Churches Advisory Group, a group of pastors, directors of missions, and Kentucky Baptist Convention Mission Board staff, met to discuss the basic needs and methods for facilitating these partnerships.
The group decided that there is a need for a “next level” conference that would bring together church leaders who desire to grow and allow them to hear from some who have recently seen growth in their church.
The use of technology to assist churches in a search for a partnering congregation was also discussed. The group also discovered that one of the best ways to facilitate partnerships is to provide a venue for pastors and church leaders to meet and discuss ideas and build friendships.
“It’s all about expanding the kingdom of God,” Harmon said. “It’s about doing missions.”
Harmon said the directors of missions were enthusiastic about the opportunity they have to help the partnering church process on an associational level.
The Partnering Church Advisory Group continues to seek other churches that are willing to be a partnering church or churches that would like to grow to the next level and would like to work with another church to achieve that goal.
Any church leader interested in participating in this strategy can call French Harmon at (502) 489-3571 or toll free in Kentucky at (866) 489-3571.
Release prepared by Jonathan Johnston, KBC Communications |
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