who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
Author:
- Various
Date Given:
July 29, 2010 Bethlehem Baptist Church
Family Discipleship Department
August 2010 News & Calendar
Vol. 5 No. 8
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Fighter Verses:
Start memorizing the verse on this date:
August 1 Matthew 6:19-21
August 8 Matthew 6:22-23
August 15 Matthew 6:24
August 22 Matthew 6:25-26
August 29 Matthew 6:27-29
Fighter Verses Online
Stop in at the website below to find the Bethlehem Fighter Verses online to help you memorize.
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FEATURE ARTICLE BY David Michael, Pastor for Parenting and Family Discipleship
Educating “Our” Children in the Christian Faith
My aim in writing this article is threefold:
1. I want to urge you to join me in earnest prayer over these next few weeks for all the people needed to staff our nurseries, Sunday School and Wednesday Connection for the 2010-2011 School year.
2. As you pray I want to also urge any of you who are not involved already, to consider becoming involved this year.
3. As you continue to pray, consider asking others to consider becoming involved.
Toward this threefold aim-- I would like to first remind us the parental and the congregational responsibility we have to instruct our children.
Admittedly, it is a bit awkward during our Covenant Affirmation Service when we ask a group of new members often including singles and couples without children if they promise “to educate their children in the Christian Faith.”
The question is taken from the statement in our church covenant which reads, “We also engage ...to educate our children in the Christian faith.” The reason it seems awkward to ask this question to people without children is because we are applying the promise individually. God has entrusted children to every parent in the church and by affirming our covenant, these parents promise to faithfully educate their children in the Christian faith. The awkwardness goes away however, if we apply the statement collectively. Single, married, young, old, with or without children, together we the people of Bethlehem resolve to educate “our” children—all 2500 of them!---in the Christian faith.
Even though it is unlikely that the author of our church covenant was thinking of “our children” in the collective sense, the Author of the Bible makes it clear that the call to educate “our” children is both a parental and a congregational responsibility. I could devote the rest of this article to unpacking the Biblical support for the previous statement. Ephesians 6:4 is one of several texts that make clear the parental responsibility to instruct their children. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children,” clearly is an instruction to parents, but it can be argued that this instruction implies congregational responsibility as well.
Beyond this, the New Testament makes it clear that teaching is a priority of the Church. In Ephesians 4, Paul includes teachers in the list of those who are given to the church so that the saints are equipped (4:11) “for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (Eph. 4:12-14). Paul instructed Timothy to entrust “what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses…to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2Tim. 2:2). These would be two of several texts that make clear that the church is called instruct. If children are to be counted among those who are identified with a congregation, then they must also be counted among those we are responsible to teach.
So in keeping with our Church Covenant and more importantly in keeping with God’s Word, may we never minimize or forsake our calling to faithfully instruct “our” 2500 children at Bethlehem. And may any success that God gives us in this endeavor only serve to strengthen parental instruction at home.
When Sally and I assumed responsibility for children’s ministry, we needed about 75 volunteers to staff our various programs for about 300 children. 14 years, 3 campuses, and 2500 children later we need over 600 people. In 1996 we resolved we would not beg, coerce, and plead with people to help us instruct “our” children and in 2010, by God’s grace, we have sustained that resolve. Instead we pray for the help we need. We make the needs known. We invite others to join with us in fulfilling our calling as a church and then we wait until every need is met. Even though there have been some years where we have waited longer than we hoped, God has been faithful to provide. May God grant more grace for this coming year not only to fill every vacant position but fill every child with fullness of God as they grow in instruction and admonition of the Lord.
Please review the various openings that we have by clicking here and pray that the Lord would fill each one.
If you or someone you know would like to further explore the various opportunities, visit this link to begin the application process, or for further information, contact: Madeleine for nursery DT/S, Carmen for nursery North, Lori for child & youth and young adult North, Suzy for child & youth DT/S, and Megan for young adult DT/S.
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5 R-R-R-R-Reasons to get you goin’ to the
2010 FALL TRAINING EXPERIENCE
8:45am-1:30pm, August 28, Downtown Campus:
1. Rev up with a Vision and Ministry Charge from David and Sally Michael
2. Realize what it is like with a Mock Classroom experience
3. Ready yourself with role-specific training from seasoned ministry partners
4. Relate by re-connecting with previous ministry partners and connecting with new ones
5. Rejuvenate yourself with breakfast and lunch provided!
We are really looking forward to being with you on August 28!!!
Please RSVP Here: or with Betty Dodge.Thanks!
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Sr. High Mentor Fall Training
Saturday, August 28, 2010 – 9:30 am - 5:00pm, Off-Site
If you are planning to volunteer in Wednesday Connection or Sunday School as a Sr. High Mentor during the 2010–2011 school year, please attend this important training.
The event will include teaching on Bethlehem’s vision for ministry to Young Adults, as well as specific instruction related to the volunteer role as a mentor.
Come early for breakfast snacks. Lunch and dinner will be provided as well.
For more information contact Megan Schaap.
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Bethlehem "Pure Heart" Conference – EARLY BIRD RATES END AUGUST 7th
September 10-11
Downtown Campus
Young women are invited to join us for the “Pure Heart” Purity Conference with Amy Vest, founder of Loving the Lord Ministries. The years of youth are a critically powerful time, full of potential for growth and glorifying God. This conference will give young women (ages 11–19) a firm biblical foundation in biblical womanhood and godliness.
Mothers are encouraged to attend with their daughters, and women who are mentors or guardians are also invited to attend with the younger women in their lives. Conference workbook and materials, snacks, and Saturday breakfast are included with your registration fee. See registration information below.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th
7:00pm Session One – The Heartbeat of Purity
8:15pm Session Two – Purity in Real Life
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th
8:00-8:30am Bagel and Juice Breakfast
8:30am Session Three - Relationships, Your Future, and the Will of God
10:15am Session Four - A Call to Transforming Purity
12:00pm Dismiss
REGISTER ONLINE AT: http://tinyurl.com/pureheart10
Early Bird pricing continues until August 7th
Early Bird Price $20.00/young woman $15.00/mother/guardian/mentor
Or you can download a registration brochure here: http://www.hopeingod.org/event/young-womens-purity-conference-0
AFTER AUGUST 7TH
Regular Price $25.00/young woman $20.00/mother/guardian/mentor begins on August 8th.
Registration closes on September 4th.
Conference workbook and materials, snacks, bagel & juice breakfast are included with your registration fee.
Please contact Betty Dodge with any questions: 612-455-3490 or family@hopeinGod.org
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Awaken '10 registration launches Saturday, July 24!
Awaken '10 is October 15-17 (This is NOT MEA Weekend)
Registration is open July 24 through September 19
Price is $60. Discounts and scholarships are available!
Theme: This year our theme is One. Some of the texts we are using to inform this theme are Romans 12:3-11; Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Corinthians 12:4-14; and 1 Peter 4:10-11. We hope to emphasize that every believer is a member of the greater body of the church, each believer is given gifts to exercise in service to other members of the body, we are expected to live with one another in ways that accord with the gospel, and we are called to minister to the world calling them to faith in the gospel and to join us in the body of Christ.
We need parents to host. A host home is one where small groups of students and their leader are offered hospitality and lodging during Awaken '10. Host parents will also receive up to two free registrations for their own children. See below for details.
We need parents to "help-a-host". These parents become part of the host home's team providing substantial support to host parents throughout the weekend.
Get more details at our website!
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Bethlehem 2010 Men’s Retreat
Manhood, the Gospel and Marriage
October 8-10
SPEAKER: Randy Stinson
Lake Beauty Bible Camp – http://www.lbbc.com
The Bethlehem 2010 Men’s Retreat is a 3-day getaway for men of all ages and stations of life – and for young men ages 12 and older attending with their fathers.
Conference Sessions include:
Session One - Be Strong and Prove Yourself a Man: The Character, Context, and Cultivation of Manhood
Session Two - Leading in the Home: Nine areas where a man should initiate.
Session Three - Raising Masculine Sons and Feminine Daughters
Session Four - Lessons in Ephesians 5
RANDY STINSON is Dean of the School of Church Ministries, Vice President for Student Life and Institutional Improvement, and Assistant Professor of Leadership at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He also serves as President of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW), an evangelical organization that seeks to promote the biblical teachings on the complementary differences between men and women, created equal in the image of God. Randy has been married to his wife Danna for nineteen years, and they are the parents of six children: Gunnar and Georgia (twin thirteen year-olds), Fisher (eleven years), Eden (ten years), Payton (eight years), and Willa (four years).
There are deep discounts for sons attending with their fathers. REGISTRATION is now open at http://tinyurl.com/2010MensRetreat
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Union Gospel Mission (UGM) Outreach
Next Meeting: August 15
Who: Parents, young adults, and youth
What: Outreach of sharing food, friendly conversation, and the gospel to clients at UGM
When & Where: Every third Sunday at 3:30 PM (Downtown Campus) to prepare food, leaving for UGM via Bethlehem transportation at 4:15 PM
Note: Must wear closed-toed shoes and socks to help prepare food.
For more information: contact Megan at 612-455-3484 or srhigh@hopeinGod.org
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READ ON . . . Featured parenting resource recommended by Sally Michael:
Are we raising a generation of wimps? That’s a question Albert Mohler tackled. See his thoughts at the link below:
http://www.crosswalk.com/1311401/
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UPCOMING EVENTS
AUGUST
3 Tue- Sr High Sup N’ Stuff- Offsite
10 Tue- Last Sr High Sup N’ Stuff- Offsite
12 Thu- Last Jr High JAM- Offsite
15 Sun- Union Gospel Mission Outreach- Offsite
17 Tue- Senior High & Family Twins Game- Offsite
28 Sat- FDD Fall Volunteer Training- Downtown
SEPTEMBER
10-11 Fri-Sat- Bethlehem Pure Heart Conference- Downtown
12 Sun- Tentative Sunday School Start Date (if fully staffed)- All Campuses
15 Wed- Tentative Kid’s Connection Start Date (if fully staffed)- North & Downtown
18 Sat- Nursery Training- North & South
18 Sat- Foundation Builders 1- Downtown
19 Sun- Union Gospel Mission Outreach- Offsite
25 Sat- Make-up Training for Child/Youth
OCTOBER
8-10 Fri-Sun- Men’s Retreat- Offsite
9 Sat- Nursery Training- Downtown
15-17 Fri-Sun- Awaken 2010 (7th-12th grade)- Offsite
16-17 Sat-Sun- Child Dedications- All Campuses
17 Sun- Union Gospel Mission Outreach- Offsite
20-31 Wed-Sun- Missions Focus- All Campuses
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Family Discipleship Department Staff CONTACT 612-338-7653
Ministry Staff- Pastors & Ministers
Bud Burk- Pastor for Child & Youth Discipleship, DT/South
Joyce Heinrich- Minister for Early Childhood
Gil McConnell- Pastor for Child & Youth Discipleship, North
David Michael- Pastor for Parenting & Family Discipleship
Sally Michael- Minister for Resources and Program Development
Jon Nowlin- Pastoral Resident for Young Adult (Senior High) Discipleship
Kempton Turner- Pastor for Young Adult (Senior High) Discipleship, DT/South
Ministry Staff-Coordinators
Betty Dodge- Coordinator for Family Life
Brenda Fischer- Coordinator for Disability Ministry
Connie Oman- Coordinator for Training & Classroom Support
Thomas Rydland- Coordinator for Young Adult (SH) Discipleship, South and FDD Administrator
Carmen Tomaszewski- Coordinator for Early Childhood, North
Bonnie Williams- Lead Childcare Coordinator, South
Ministry Support Staff
Kevin Dau- Ministry Assistant for Family Discipleship
Madeleine Miller- Ministry Assistant for Family Discipleship
Lori Myers- Ministry Assistant for Family Discipleship, North
Suzy Plocher- Ministry Assistant for Family Discipleship
Megan Schaap- Ministry Assistant for Young Adult (Senior High) Discipleship
Tara Schmidt- Ministry Assistant for Family Discipleship
Childcare Coordinators
Sarah Vogel- Sunday Worship South
Bonnie Williams - Sunday Worship South, Lead CCC, MOMS & Bible Studies South
Kari Raia- Sunday Worship Downtown
Yvette Hatch- Saturday Worship Downtown
Cristina Hermann - Sunday Evening Worship Downtown
Lisa Burk - MOMS, Wednesday Connection Downtown
Kim Crouch- Special Events
Andrea Tjarks –Sunday Worship Downtown
Julie Harms - Bible Studies DT
Claire Olson- Saturday Worship North
Maggie Sporleder- MOMS & Bibles Studies North
Jessica Pluim- Sunday Worship North
Carmen Tomaszewski, Sunday Worship North, Coordinator for Early Childhood, North Campus
Karleen Witt- Wednesday Connection North