| Frequently Asked Questions |
What is Kentucky Baptists Connect?
Kentucky Baptists Connect is a special five-year emphasis of the Kentucky Baptist Convention to reach the lost, strengthen churches and develop leaders. It has grown out of the work of a special Mission Study Committee of the Mission Board that has set major objectives and goals to help the more than 2,400 churches of the KBC seize an important opportunity to reach out to lost people in our state in an unprecedented way.
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 Why is it needed?
People need the Lord. While the Kentucky Baptist Convention is blessed with many growing and thriving Christians and churches, so many of our neighbors have yet to discover a vital relationship with Christ. In doing its work, the Mission Study Committee found that as a Convention we are failing to keep up with population growth in reaching our state for Christ.
In 2002, there were more than 400 Kentucky Baptist churches that did not bring a single new Christian into their fellowship by baptism. Statistics are showing that we are especially falling short in reaching children, youth and young adults.
At the same time, many churches are struggling in their efforts to disciple members who come into the church. Many come into the church excited but fall away and stop participating after a short time.
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So how is Kentucky Baptists Connect the solution?
Kentucky Baptists Connect first puts emphasis on prayer and on joining God where He is already at work. It also helps to bring focus to the fact that we are all in this together.
One of the strengths of Baptists has always been our cooperative spirit as evidenced by our use of the Cooperative Program to work together in ministry and missions. Kentucky Baptists Connect leverages this strength to maximize the partnerships that already exist between the local church, the associations, the KBC Mission Board and our Kentucky Baptist agencies and institutions for greatest effectiveness.
By establishing common goals and working together to reach the goals, those things that seemed impossible become very doable. It’s like any team effort. Having others alongside make the difficulties seem easier to deal with and the victories taste sweeter.
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How can participating help my church?
Kentucky Baptists Connect is for all Kentucky Baptist churches – those that are growing rapidly, those whose growth has slowed or reached a plateau, and those who see themselves in decline and are wondering where God is leading. Networking is a major focus of Kentucky Baptists Connect so no matter how well or poorly you feel your church is doing, there will be opportunities for you to connect and grow.
 Strong, healthy churches will benefit from the interaction with peers as they share new ideas, experiment with new forms of ministry and partner with other churches to help them become revitalized. There is no sitting on the sidelines in Christianity. It is only by exercising the faith and continuing to grow that a healthy church remains healthy.
Churches whose growth has reached a plateau or struggling churches will benefit from the teamwork involved in setting and achieving goals with partners who are eager to help them succeed. These churches will quickly benefit from the knowledge that they are not in it alone and that as a Kentucky Baptist Convention church they have a vast array of resources at your disposal to assist you.
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What will my church be doing as part of Kentucky Baptists Connect?
Connecting is easy because it is very likely that your church is already striving to achieve the common goals of Kentucky Baptists Connect. As a connecting church you’ll seek to:
- Increase the number of baptisms in your church each year. Statewide, Kentucky Baptists are seeking at least 125,000 new Christians by 2010.
- Disciple new Christians so that they grow in Christ and remain active in your church. Statewide, Kentucky Baptists are seeking at least 80 percent of new members remaining active in their churches a year after joining.
- Start at least two new Bible study units. You may want to start more.
- Launch a new ministry to reach a group of people your church has not reached before.
- Train new and current leaders each year for church ministries.
You won’t be alone in achieving these goals! Not only will hundreds of other churches be striving to accomplish the same goals, the Kentucky Baptist Mission Board and your other partners will be active in providing your congregation with consultation, training and resources to help you achieve them.
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My church already has goals and a plan? Why should we participate?
Each church should develop goals as it seeks God’s leading. Kentucky Baptists Connect is designed to complement the goals and plans of your church, not to replace them. A church that already has goals can still be a Kentucky Baptists Connect church as part of its cooperative efforts to reach Kentucky for Christ!
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 What if we don’t participate? Will we still receive Mission Board services?
Your church will always have access to the high quality services of the Kentucky Baptist Mission Board. You will also continue to be eligible to participate in all conferences and events and to receive ongoing consultation services – even those labeled as being specifically tied to Kentucky Baptists Connect. Committing to be a Kentucky Baptists Connect church simply means that you are joining publicly with other churches in the Convention to achieve the Kentucky Baptists Connect goals.
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Is there a cost involved?
There is no cost to participate in Kentucky Baptists Connect. All Kentucky Baptist Convention churches are encouraged to participate. Your continued giving through the Cooperative Program and other missions giving options makes Kentucky Baptists Connect possible.
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Where can I find out more and see the entire list of statewide Kentucky Baptists Connect objectives and goals?
 Read Kentucky Baptists Connect, the report and recommendations from the Mission Study Committee as affirmed by the KBC Mission Board. You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can get free. Or, call 502-489-3578 or 866-489-3578 to request a Kentucky Baptists Connect information packet.
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