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<channel>
	<title>namb &amp;laquo; WordPress.com Tag Feed</title>
	<link>http://wordpress.com/tag/namb/</link>
	<description>Feed of posts on WordPress.com tagged "namb"</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:34:32 +0000</pubDate>

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<item>
<title><![CDATA[NAMB Video Update]]></title>
<link>http://bcmddavid.wordpress.com/?p=89</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:53:51 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>bcmddavid</dc:creator>
<guid>http://bcmddavid.wordpress.com/?p=89</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Hey everybody, NAMB just announced that it&#8217;s posted a large up to date, continually-dynamic v]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hey everybody, NAMB just announced that it's posted a large up to date, continually-dynamic video gallery on its website, at <a href="http://www.namb.net">www.namb.net</a>.  You'll find the VIDEO GALLERY button on the left margin.  All videos there are downloadable in four different formats.</p>
<p>A new 30-second commercial entitled "We Are Southern Baptists" is also posted at the <a href="http://www.namb.net">www.namb.net</a> site listed above.  It was used in Indianapolis just before the SBC Annual Convention took place in June of this year.  Look on the right margin to find this. </p>
<p>By the way, the lead story at NAMB's website is about church planting in Baltimore's EMBRACE process today.  Read about it <a href="http://www.namb.net/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=9qKILUOzEpH&#38;b=227361&#38;ct=5736729">here</a>.</p>
<p>In addition, all of the ESSENTIALS videos are now available online at NO COST at <a href="http://www.essentials.tv">this site</a>, including their very popular "Man on the Street" interviews.</p>
<p>Take advantage of these resources; they can impact your ministry for the sake of the Gospel.</p>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Last Day at the NAMB Summer State Leadership Meeting]]></title>
<link>http://bcmddavid.wordpress.com/?p=85</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:50:22 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>bcmddavid</dc:creator>
<guid>http://bcmddavid.wordpress.com/?p=85</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s been a very good meeting.  The spirit has been great among those here, and state personn]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It's been a very good meeting.  The spirit has been great among those here, and state personnel I've talked to have suggested support and encouragement for the church planting staff at NAMB.  No doubt, it's a very challenging, high profile job for anyone who is serving our convention in such a place.  I am thankful to know and partner with so many dedicated, hard-working Christ-followers. </p>
<p>Last night we celebrated what Christ has been doing among us in the past year.  Among the recognitions made were the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>Florida as the state convention with the most church plants last year</li>
<li>Tennessee as the state convention with the most people baptized last year</li>
<li>Steve Fowler of Montana as the recipient of the Dennis Hampton Rural/Town and Country Planter of the Year</li>
<li>Stan Smith (of neighboring Pennsylvania/South Jersey) as the People's Choice State Director of Missions (what a great choice!!! Stan is an incredible encourager and strategist)</li>
</ul>
<p>On a personal note, I've been able to network with a number of key leaders among NAMB's staff, our partnership state of Kentucky and among the Nehemiah Project professors at our SBC seminaries.  Several of them have shared a few moments of their time with me in ways that will be passed on to you in the days ahead.</p>
<p>So on to the events of today, and a focus on my counterparts as we, the State Directors of Missions, get together to plan and learn together.</p>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Day 2 -- Summer State Leadership Meeting]]></title>
<link>http://bcmddavid.wordpress.com/?p=81</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:54:28 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>bcmddavid</dc:creator>
<guid>http://bcmddavid.wordpress.com/?p=81</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This morning our meeting with the North American Mission Board staff is focusing on the newly-adopte]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This morning our meeting with the North American Mission Board staff is focusing on the newly-adopted National Evangelism Initiative (NEI).  This strategy, adpoted by the SBC Annual Convention meeting in Indianapolis last month, is a twelve year focus on "making the main thing, the main thing."</p>
<p>This initiative started with a challenge from former SBC President Frank Page, following his election in 2006, to develop an evangelism emphasis as a rallying point for Southern Baptists.  This strategy then proceeded through national listening groups and NAMB staff, including Dr. Hammond and was eventually embraced by him, state evangelism leaders and the SBC as a whole.  Earlier this year an NEI planning team, made up of NAMB staff and Acts:18 partners, convened state leaders and planning groups to put together a plan for this national strategy.</p>
<p>After adoption last month, the plan has been rolled out for our national, state and local leaders to implement in the coming days.  Under the central theme of GPS: God's Plan for Sharing (Every Believer Sharing, Every Person Hearing by 2020), the initiative has been focused around four sub-theme: Praying, Engaging, Sowing and Harvesting.  Pilot projects will take place in 2009 and a media campaign is in place to "set the stage" for the NEI.  Full launch of the strategy will take place in 2010.</p>
<p>In the coming days, when I am back in the office I will <a href="http://www.mybcmd.org/files/pdfs/cm/neit.pdf">post HERE the entire strategy plan </a>for your perusal.</p>
<p>A couple of thoughts on this initiative.  First, it's long overdue...the last attempt by NAMB to implement a national strategy was not "shared" well with state partners and that doomed it from the start.  This time around it has been handled better, with many voices and the SBC as a whole behind it.  In fact, historically the SBC has always seen growth and development after such a national campaign.</p>
<p>Second, it fails to consider other evangelical denominations and what they are doing for the sake of the Gospel, too.  While I believe we should maintain doctrinal purity and integrity as we share the Gospel, I also believe that God will never allow a single denomination to accomplish an initiative like this on their own, lest they get the credit instead of God Himself.</p>
<p>More to come as the day progresses...</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Van Kicklighter Shares on Church Planting]]></title>
<link>http://bcmddavid.wordpress.com/?p=75</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:32:18 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>bcmddavid</dc:creator>
<guid>http://bcmddavid.wordpress.com/?p=75</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Van Kicklighter, who previously served at the North American Mission Board in the Chuch Planting Gro]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Van Kicklighter, who previously served at the North American Mission Board in the Chuch Planting Group, two weeks ago assumed the interim Senior Strategist role for Church Planting.  Today he is sharing with everyone here about his role and the ministry of church planting at NAMB as it stands today.  Kicklighter is a former church planting missionary in the St. Louis area and as a state missions director in Illinois.  He served as a church planter earlier in life.  He is an excellent choice, and a godly man; one that makes me proud to be a partner with him and the North American Mission Board.</p>
<p>He shares that his theology is important to how he does ministry and how he will lead us.  1) Our God is a missionary God.  Our task is to join Him in what He is already doing.  He is missionary, so we are to join HIm as missionaries. 2) The Bible is a missionary book.  It shares with us the recounting of a missionary God and missionary people in redemptive work.  3) God is about seeking out a people for Himself, inviting us into relationship with Him so we can pour our lives in HIm into others.  4) God sent His Son into the world; they send us into the world, as a "sent" people.  We are sent to somewhere and to some group of people.  We take with us the message of reconciliation. 5) The New Testament tells us the patterns and ways of being and doing missionary work.  It will work again just like it did in the early church, as long as we recapture it and contextualize it. </p>
<p>NAMB is a missions agency, and we will be missionary in the way we carry out our work.  We are asking, what does it mean to be missionary in North America?  We will continue to do what we've been doing but we will also have to do some things differently in order to impact those we are not now reaching with the Gospel.  How do we reach them with the Gospel?  "We need to make it hard for people to go to hell from North America."</p>
<p>Another concept that will guide NAMB in the days ahead is that we will continue to increase our missionary focus.  What do mission fields require that cause them to cease being mission fields?  Missionaries.  There are three implications of this:  1) We need more missionaries. 2) We need more disciples doing missionary things. (Kicklighter states that not every Christian is a missionary; but all should do missionary things, something that Southern Baptists for decades taught, but in the recent missional surge has become an expressed theological tenet.) 3) We need more churches engaged in missionary advance.</p>
<p>NAMB will be involved in pilot projects across the continent to learn these new ways of doing the missionary work we must do.  These learning laboratories will be invaluable to assist us in reaching new people with the Gospel.  Some will be formal; some will be informal. </p>
<p>NAMB will continue to bring a people group focus to the work of NAMB.  We are no longer focused on places, but these people groups that are so numerous on our continent...at least 587.  Two-thirds of these groups are between 0-10% evangelized here in North America!!!  This is a holistic concept for our work...it's not just a component of our entire system.  Understanding how people group themselves will give us insights into how to reach them with the Gospel.</p>
<p>North America's best church planting work has been in the suburbs around our major cities.  We need to enter the cities in a new and better way.  They are among the most underreached places on our continent.  If we miss immigrants here, where they typically arrive in this country, then we miss a strategic opportunity to make inroads to new people groups with the Gospel.  Urban church planting will be one of the major focii of the church planting group at NAMB.</p>
<p>NAMB will be structured around a Field Services Team with a Strategic Planning and People Groups component and an Urban Church Planting component.  There will also be a Resource Development and Delivery Team, with a Resource Development and Equipping component and a Resource Delivery component.  Then finally there is a Missional Networks Team.</p>
<p>NAMB will also offer its resources as it has in the past.  However, it will also surface state and local resources that it can produce and distribute to others across the continent. </p>
<p>We will continue to try to connect with young planters and leaders, including their life with the larger SBC world.  We will continue to promote and strengthen the Nehemiah Project church planitng emphases on the seminary campuses.   </p>
<p>The goal of all this is to be more effective in fulfilling our calling and to enable our partners as we together  seek to reach every person in every place with the Gospel.</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Geoff Hammond Shares at SSLM]]></title>
<link>http://bcmddavid.wordpress.com/?p=68</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:15:18 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>bcmddavid</dc:creator>
<guid>http://bcmddavid.wordpress.com/?p=68</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Dr. Hammond, the president of the North American Mission Board, is currently sharing about NAMB.  H]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dr. Hammond, the president of the North American Mission Board, is currently sharing about NAMB.  He's talking about what NAMB does and how it does it.  NAMB, unlike IMB, partners with our state conventions to do missions here.  Now we have 5,643 missionary personnel serving in North America, about 400 up from last year.</p>
<p>In 2007 NAMB had helped mobilize 155,107 people to be on mission throughout North America to help fulfill the Great Commission.  He reminded us that North America is a mission field.</p>
<p>He shared experiences he has encountered on the mission fields of Utah/Idaho, Iowa, Wisconsin and Canada,  He reminded us that one of our greatest assets is our missionaries.  Our desire is to mobilize our people to pray for our missionaries in the field.</p>
<p>Sharing Christ--Starting Churches--Sending Missionaries: these are the three objectives that are the focus of NAMB.  We want to do contextualized ministry in the field in these areas. </p>
<p>He gave an illustration of a developed Native American strategy that uses Haskill University, "the Harvard of the Native American educational world."  A church planting training center has started there on the campus. </p>
<p>"Parnership is about tearing down the walls, in order to pass things across the walls."  Lower the walls a bit, and let others pass something across the walls to you and your ministry.</p>
<p>Two hundred DOMs across North America are appointed missionaries.  David Meacham will be our first Senior Strategist for associations.  He will not work of them directly, but alongside state leadership personnel.  If the associations don't buy into the national evangelism initiatve, it will not be effective.</p>
<p>The National Evangelism Initiative, known as GPS (God's Plan for Sharing), will one of our major focal points in Southern Baptist life.  It has been germinated over the past two years; a comprehensive strategy for the next 12 years (through 2020).  Pray, Engage, Sow, and Harvest are the four objectives in the strategy.  "Every Person Sharing, Every Person Hearing."</p>
<p>We have to introduce the nation to Southern Baptists again.  A national media campaign can be found at <a href="http://WeAreSouthernBaptists.org">http://WeAreSouthernBaptists.org</a>.</p>
<p>In church starting, every church will be sought to engage all people groups in North America.  Now we have almost 48,000 churches and missions underway.  All ought to be involved in church planting in some way, not simply as a sponsor. </p>
<p>Every Southern Baptist involved in crossing cultural and spiritual barriers on short and long term mission endeavors is another goal of the NEI.  "Being a missionary is what every Southern Baptist can do...You will not recognize our convention in 2020 if God helps us reach these goals." </p>
<p>He shared growth expansion in Asian, Hispanic, Native American and African-American church in our convention.  Non-Anglo membership up 101% and churches up 48%.  In our hearts, we want to become a diverse convention. </p>
<p>We are working on a people group index for North America.  587 people groups are already categoried on our continent.  169 are less than 2% Christian.  54 ohters are less than 10% Christian.  The Groups Spectrum includes Kinship Groups (blood), Geographic Groups (place) and Association Groups (interest).   These changes are a kind of "moving target," as they assimilate into North American life.</p>
<p>What kind of leaders will it take for Southern Baptists to see every person to get involved in our mission efforts for Jesus?  It will take missionaries prepared to chase lions.  Missionaries like Daniel, who have Character (Daniel 1:8), Courage (1:12), Consecration (6:5-6), are Collaborative (Daniel 1:6), was Cross-Cultural (1:4) and he was a Catalyst for Change (6:26).  As a result, Daniel influenced two empires and four kings.  We must be Daniels in the 21st century.  So engage the culture, rather than embrace the culture.</p>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Reflections On Indy '08]]></title>
<link>http://revtread.wordpress.com/?p=64</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:08:27 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>revtread</dc:creator>
<guid>http://revtread.wordpress.com/?p=64</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I realized last week that even a delayed life blog is hard work. Hats off to those who were able to ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I realized last week that even a delayed life blog is hard work. Hats off to those who were able to do it. My family and I had a great time at the convention. This was my second SBC convention to attend and hope to make my 3rd next year in Louisville. However, with gas prices the way they are who knows!</p>
<p>A few Reflections:</p>
<ul>
<li>Congratulations to Johnny Hunt. He will be a great president and I look forward to his leadership. His sermon on Sunday night was one of the top 3 for the entire convention.</li>
<li>I am excited the resolution on regenerate church membership passed. It was much need in our convention and in our churches. I hope that we at our DBC will use this a "kick in the pants" to clean up our roles.</li>
<li>I am thankful for the kids programs during the convention. My 3 love them and talk about going to "conference" all year long. The staff seemed to really enjoy working with the kids and making sure they had a good time. It's the one time all year my kids are able to be with other kids and be "normal." Pastors kids are always treated a little differently and it's nice that they have a place to hang out with other kids just like them.</li>
<li>I have some real issues with <a href="http://www.namb.net/">NAMB</a> and their work with <a href="http://www.namb.net/site/c.9qKILUOzEpH/b.232948/" target="_blank">Crisis pregnancy</a>. There appears to be some conflict of interest with NAMB and <a href="http://www.care-net.org/" target="_blank">Carenet</a>. Not to mention it seems that NAMB does very little to support crisis pregnancy centers other than give their name as some sort of "seal of approval."</li>
<li>I enjoyed meeting pastors and hearing about their ministry. We can be an arogant bunch and I was reminded of how easy it is for me to sound arogant in general conversations. Sometimes the Lord uses others to reveal sin in our lives...he did that with me on this issue last week.</li>
<li>I had a wonderful conversation with Asheed at the hotel pool on Wed. night. Asheed is a computer programer who grew up in India and is a Hindu. We spent about 2 hours comparing Christianity with Hiduism, and while Asheed did not accept Christ as The Way, he did accept one of the "New Day" Guidestone New Testatments that were passed out at the convention. May the Lord cause such a stirring in Asheed heart that he reads the Gospel of John marked for him and comes to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.</li>
</ul>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Meeting Geoff &amp; Debbie Hammond]]></title>
<link>http://chadwickivester.wordpress.com/?p=586</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:55:22 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>chadwick</dc:creator>
<guid>http://chadwickivester.wordpress.com/?p=586</guid>
<description><![CDATA[

Picture #1: chadwick with Dr. Geoff Hammond (President of NAMB) at the INDY Airport.
Pictures #2]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[[gallery]
<ul>
<li>Picture #1: chadwick with <a href="http://bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=28248">Dr. Geoff Hammond (President of NAMB) </a>at the INDY Airport.</li>
<li>Pictures #2 &#38; #3: Debbie Hammond helps Tina with her and chadwick's luggage.</li>
<li>Pictures #4 &#38; #5: Geoff Hammond goes through the rigorous task of adjusting the weight of his luggage to the 50 pounds and under rule. </li>
</ul>
<p>Thursday, at the INDY airport, Tina and I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Dr. Geoff Hammond and his lovely wife, Debbie. Geoff and Debbie were a tremendous blessing to us . . . they let us use their <em>mobile baggage scale</em> so that we could properly adjust the weight in our suitcase to weigh below the 50 pound minimum (See Pictures #2 &#38; #3).  Geoff and Debbie went out of their way to help us! Also, they even remembered our names as we met with them again boarding the plane (about an hour later.)  . . . very impressive! The SBC is blessed to have Geoff and Debbie to represent us all! :D</p>
<p>Selah,</p>
<p>chadwick</p>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Final Thoughts on the SBC 2008]]></title>
<link>http://jmmath.wordpress.com/?p=90</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:42:23 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Jeremy</dc:creator>
<guid>http://jmmath.wordpress.com/?p=90</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I didn’t know how to wrap up my experience at the 2008 SBC, so I decided to just make a list of st]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal">I didn’t know how to wrap up my experience at the 2008 SBC, so I decided to just make a list of stuff I am thinking.<span> </span>This list will be complete thoughts, but not expounded upon unless you want to hear more.<span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Thoughts in no particular order</strong></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">I didn’t      vote for Him, but I love and deeply admire Johnny Hunt and believe he will be a great      president.<span> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">The music      was wonderful.<span> </span>I was moved to tears      more than once.<span> </span><a href="http://viewers.316networks.com/viewer/viewerbroadcast_odc.asp?networkid=3001782&#38;setspeed=select&#38;oid=6252691&#38;MsoID=3000005&#38;OdcID=6252691&#38;CategoryID=1001799&#38;action=showformats" target="_blank">The Gettys</a> particularly, but also the combined choir from the final night<span>.  My favorite song is <a href="http://viewers.316networks.com/viewer/viewerbroadcast_odc.asp?networkid=3001782&#38;setspeed=select&#38;oid=6252719&#38;MsoID=3000005&#38;OdcID=6252719&#38;CategoryID=1001801&#38;action=showformats" target="_blank">here</a>. (</span>start at the 5:23 mark in this one)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">After seeing the IMB report, I am      deeply convicted that I need to go on a foreign mission trip.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">I only      saw 2 votes unopposed – Moving the schedule forward 15 minutes because the      order of business committee didn’t have any business, and appreciating 100      years of <a href="http://www.royalambassadors.org/" target="_blank">RAs</a>.  Every other vote had at least one person waving a ballot in the negative</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Frank Page runs a tight ship.  We were ahead of schedule nearly the entire time.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Folks      at the convention seemed generally positive.<span> </span>Different from the general tone of the      blogging world, and a great encouragement to me.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">For      some reason I really enjoy the business part of the business meeting,      where we have motions, amendments, and calls for the question and such.<span> </span>Is that weird?</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">I was      not there for <a href="http://www.bpnews.net/blog/article.asp?id=176" target="_blank">resolution 6</a>.  (I      didn’t get up when my sister-in-law tried to wake me.)  But it was the most      important of the convention.<span> </span>I’m      glad it was amended and hope it has some effect.<span> </span>Also, <a href="http://walkingtogether.typepad.com/walking_together/2008/06/why-resolution-no6-mattersa-lot.html" target="_blank">this</a> is a good summary/commentary.  Or you can watch it yourself <a href="http://viewers.316networks.com/viewer/viewerbroadcast_odc.asp?networkid=3001782&#38;setspeed=select&#38;oid=6252685&#38;MsoID=3000005&#38;OdcID=6252685&#38;CategoryID=1001799&#38;action=showformats" target="_blank">here</a> (it starts around the 15 minute mark)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Half      of all Guidestone claims are for “preventable” issues such as diabetes and      heart conditions.<span> </span>As a fat dude (though not Guidestone insured), I’m      ashamed of that.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">7300      messengers is more than I expected.<span> </span>Especially with the convention being held north of the Ohio.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">The      Annie Armstrong banquet was wonderful.<span> </span>The speaker was great, the fire alarm ruined it</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">The      falling dollar cost us $18 million as we tried to spend LMCO money<img class="alignright" src="http://www.x-rates.com/d/EUR/USD/graph120.png" alt="Dollar vs Euro" />...Wow</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>I’m not that popular but I saw a bunch of people I know pretty well</strong></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.centerbaptist.net/staff.htm" target="_blank">Mitch      Minson<span> </span></a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://mexicobaptist.org" target="_blank">Tim      Burdon</a><span> and family<br />
</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://donmathis.faithweb.com/" target="_blank">Don Mathis </a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Rick Hatley and family</li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.kirkseybaptist.org/?page_id=5" target="_blank">Carlton      Binkley</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://fbcmorrisville.com/About%20Us.htm" target="_blank">Myron      Yandle </a><a href="http://www.hocuttmemorial.com/children" target="_blank"></a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.hocuttmemorial.com/children" target="_blank">Drew      Farr</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Here's some other stuff not necessarily convention related but related to my trip.</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>For the first time ever I pumped ethanol.  $2.99 but it got much worse mileage.<img class="alignright" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3109/2574650668_b0edc3f150.jpg?v=0" alt="GPS leads through Lucas Oil Stadium" width="350" height="292" /></li>
<li>The GPS I borrowed tried to lead me through a football stadium.</li>
<li>My brother’s dog is humongous.</li>
<li>The TSA took my toothpaste.  Stupid liquid rule.  But I learned that saline is allowed in your carry-on.</li>
</ul>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[SBCEnquirer™: B.A.D. (Baptism Assistance Doll)]]></title>
<link>http://chadwickivester.wordpress.com/?p=496</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 30 May 2008 02:48:55 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>chadwick</dc:creator>
<guid>http://chadwickivester.wordpress.com/?p=496</guid>
<description><![CDATA[SBCEnquirer™ just received  a leak concerning the newest Baptismal Assistance Tool from the COSB]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="text-decoration:line-through;">SBCEnquirer™ just received  a leak concerning the newest </span><a href="http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28059"><span style="text-decoration:line-through;">Baptismal Assistance Tool from the COSBE </span></a><span style="text-decoration:line-through;">(<span style="color:#800080;">Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists</span>).</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.buytalkingjesus.com/?cid=541671"><span style="text-decoration:line-through;">CLICK HERE to view the newest Baptismal Assistance Tool recently approved by the COSBE (Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists) . . . and PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO!.</span> </a></p>
<p>Link:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://drjamesgalyon.wordpress.com/2008/05/19/what-do-southern-baptists-really-need/">What Do Southern Baptists Really Need?</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Selah,</p>
<p>chadwick</p>
<p> </p>
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<title><![CDATA[SBC...Church Planters.."DEAD MEN WALKING."]]></title>
<link>http://hottubreligion.wordpress.com/?p=559</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 17 May 2008 13:45:45 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>hottubreligion</dc:creator>
<guid>http://hottubreligion.wordpress.com/?p=559</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Dr.Danny Akin in an article posted on the SBC today&#8217;s web sight decried the low funding levels]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dr.Danny Akin in an article posted on the SBC today's web sight decried the low funding levels for a new church start and declared,"a church planter is "Dead on Arrival"when he is funded at a decreasing level for three years at a starting salary of just <strong>$20,000 </strong>dollars.In the <strong>Baptist State Convention of N.C.</strong>Church planters start even lower,at <strong>$14,000</strong> dollars.</p>
<p>In light of these shameful facts,I want to make some observations and suggestions to Chuch planters:</p>
<p>1.<strong>If you are married and have children...</strong></p>
<p><strong>(1)You qualify to go on welfare.</strong></p>
<p><strong>(2)Your children will get free lunch at school.</strong></p>
<p><strong>2.Your home church could sale chicken plates to raise money for your support.Also Chinese auctions and car washes are excellent ways to encourage people to get involved in your labor of love and work of faith as a Southern Baptist church planter.</strong></p>
<p><strong>3.In most towns there are food banks and Salvation Army stores.Try to buy your food necessities in bulk and avoid luxuries like tooth paste(instead use baking soda and salt)to brush your teeth.When shopping at the Salvation Army store,tell them that you are in the Army of the Lord as a Southern Baptist Church Planter and they may give you a ten per-cent discount on your purchase.</strong>This wiil enable you to give more to the Cooperative Program and in turn more Southern Baptist church planters will be sent out to reap a great harvest in the Kingdom of God.</p>
<p>4.<strong>If at times you become discouraged,call and talk with someone at the Baptist State Convention.He will say somthing like this,</strong>"Let's do lunch."<strong>He will meet you to "do lunch "at the convention's expense.Now you need to be aware that he will be in a hurry to get to another "brain storming session"at the Baptist Building,so don't be surprised if he keeps looking at his watch.</strong></p>
<p><strong>5.To help suppliment your income of $20,000($10,000 after you pay health insurance) your wife could teach school</strong> at an Indepndent,Fundamental,Pre-tribulation,Pre-mill,Seperated,Soul winning Christian school.<strong>If she doesn't have a college degree it will not matter.A high school drop out could teach there as long as she doesn't wear slacks or smoke.As a Southern Baptist church planter most of your work will be during the day so why not get a night shift job at the UPS.</strong></p>
<p><strong>6.My final thought is this and I hope it brings encouragement to you.Conservatives in our beloved SBC have only been in control for 30 years.Maybe in anothr 30 years or so they will have trustees on boards like the NAMB who will make sure Southern Baptist Church Planters are more than"Dead men walking."</strong></p>
<p>If you are ever close by,give me a call and <strong>"We will do lunch."</strong></p>
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<title><![CDATA[My Life So Far]]></title>
<link>http://jmmath.wordpress.com/?p=70</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 May 2008 12:34:43 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Jeremy</dc:creator>
<guid>http://jmmath.wordpress.com/?p=70</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Today is my 33rd birthday. Birthdays have a way of making me take stock of my life, and even though ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Today is my 33rd birthday</strong>.<span> </span>Birthdays have a way of making me take stock of my life, and even though I'm not freaking out today, I still like to look back.  (BTW I really freaked out over turning 29.)  I figure that, even with wishful thinking, at least a third of my life has passed.<span> </span>So, just for fun, I’ll break down my life so far into thirds and share some highlights.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Age birth – 11:<span> </span></strong>I really accomplished a lot, relatively speaking.<span> </span>Mostly, like other kids, it’s learning stuff.<span> </span>Here’s a partial list that is in no particular order.</p>
<ul>
<li>Successfully navigated the birth canal<img class="alignright" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2490742089_8219ab5777_m.jpg" alt="Me like 1 yo" /></li>
<li>Learned to walk</li>
<li>Learned to talk (possibly learned this one a little too well)</li>
<li>Inherited my brother and promptly, through regular beat-downs, established my dominance</li>
<li>Survived a bout with <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/encephalitis/DS00226/DSECTION=3" target="_blank">a life-threatening illness</a>.</li>
<li>Learned how to use the toilet and clean up after myself (very important skill)</li>
<li>Learned to tie my shoes even though in the early 80s we all thought <a href="http://www.velcro.com/" target="_blank">velcro</a> would replace laces</li>
<li>Learned to <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Ride-a-Bicycle" target="_blank">ride a bike</a> (this one took me a while)<span> </span></li>
<li>Learned to read and write<span> </span></li>
<li>Successfully passed Kindergarten through 5<sup>th</sup> grade (I turned 12 during the 6<sup>th</sup> grade)</li>
<li>Moved 10 times or so through 4 different cities  (Franklin KY, Somerset  KY, Bristol  VA, Hopkinsville  KY, Cerulean KY)</li>
<li>Became a <a href="http://www.thegoodnews.org/CD/knowing_god/knowing_god.html" target="_blank">Christian</a></li>
<li>Participated in a school play</li>
<li>Got pretty fat</li>
<li>Made it to the dice and bowtie (I can’t remember which is better) levels of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EngiYP404x8" target="_blank">Megamania</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Age 12-22:<span> </span></strong>Not so much about learning stuff, as accomplishing stuff or failing to accomplish stuff.  This is obviously what I would refer to as my formative years.  I am who I am mostly because of these 11 years.  Again, here’s a list.</p>
<ul>
<li>Managed to get through 6<sup>th</sup>-12<sup>th</sup> grade in one try<span> </span>(I won’t be saying that later on)</li>
<li>Survived the divorce of my parents</li>
<li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4TePrl7LPo" target="_blank">Saved the princess</a> in Super Mario Brothers<img class="alignright" style="float:right;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2031/2490742093_de98a4ef7f_m.jpg" alt="My Sr. Picture" width="172" height="240" /></li>
<li>Saw my Dad become a Christian</li>
<li>Inherited a step family (which included 2 more brothers and a <a href="http://thesuggs.com/" target="_blank">sister</a>.  Again I had to establish my dominance through regular beat-downs)</li>
<li>Actually went on a few dates</li>
<li>Played trombone in High School band</li>
<li>Totally graduated high school (again, it only took one try)</li>
<li>Lost a bunch of weight then got fat again</li>
<li>Moved away from home for college at <a href="http://uky.edu" target="_blank">UK</a></li>
<li>Spent a summer in Washington &#38; Oregon as a <a href="http://www.answerthecall.net/site/c.eeIMLROpGjF/b.795401/k.DFF3/Summer_Missionaries.htm" target="_blank">NAMB summer missionary</a> (This was life changing.  If you are in college and want to be used by God, apply at <a href="http://apply.namb.net/" target="_blank">apply.namb.net</a>)</li>
<li>Spent a summer as youth director at the church I grew up in</li>
<li>Went to the 1997 final 4 and <a href="http://jmmath.tripod.com/~Jmmath/images/final4.JPG" target="_blank">had great seats</a> (Sadly, Kentucky lost)<span><br />
</span></li>
<li>Served as youth minister at <a href="http://www.elkhorn.org/html/durbin.html" target="_blank">Durbin  Memorial Baptist  Church</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.as.uky.edu/advising/degree_requirements/Pages/USPR.aspx" target="_blank">Flunked out</a> of UK</li>
<li>Moved about 6 more times during this period</li>
<li>Worked for <a href="http://www.universalproperty.com/" target="_blank">Universal Property &#38; Casualty</a> insurance company (I didn't live in Florida.  It was operated by <a href="http://www.kynatins.com/" target="_blank">Kentucky National</a>.)</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal">
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Age 23-33:</strong><span> </span>I realize that I'm just beginning my 33<sup>rd</sup> year, but I can talk about the previous 10.</p>
<ul>
<li>Was licensed to the ministry</li>
<li>Served as youth minister at <a href="http://mexicobaptist.org/" target="_blank">Mexico  Baptist Church</a></li>
<li>Went back to college</li>
<li>Successfully led <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splinter_Cell">Sam Fisher</a> on 4 missions</li>
<li>Made straight A’s with only one B my second trip through college</li>
<li>Ordained to the ministry<img class="alignright" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2001/2490742085_ea3aacc61a_m.jpg" alt="My ordination cirtificate" /></li>
<li>Graduated from <a href="http://www.midcontinent.edu/" target="_blank">College</a> (after a mere 13 semesters and 2 universities) <a href="http://www.midcontinent.edu/" target="_blank"><br />
</a></li>
<li>Moved to North Carolina</li>
<li>Attended my first <a href="http://www.sbcannualmeeting.net/sbc06/" target="_blank">Southern Baptist Convention</a></li>
<li>Graduated <a href="http://sebts.edu" target="_blank">Seminary</a></li>
<li>Served as youth &#38; children’s minister at Pleasant  Grove Baptist Church</li>
<li>Moved 4 more times</li>
<li>Became youth minister at <a href="http://lagrangeparkbc.org" target="_blank">LaGrange  Park Baptist Church</a></li>
<li>Fished almost all the <a href="http://www.bragg.army.mil/wildlife/fish/Fisheries.htm" target="_blank">lakes on Fort Bragg</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxl4KoiBTEc" target="_blank">Survived</a> a bout with a silly, <a href="http://www.bellspalsy.ws/" target="_blank">non-life-threatening disease</a></li>
<li><strong>Started this rocking blog with tons of awesome readers</strong></li>
<li>Produced this list which became more boring as it grew longer</li>
</ul>
<p>Making that list was kinda fun.  Hope you enjoyed it</p>
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<title><![CDATA[State Funds Now Available For Missions?]]></title>
<link>http://hanswunch.wordpress.com/?p=62</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 May 2008 03:38:11 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>hwunch</dc:creator>
<guid>http://hanswunch.wordpress.com/?p=62</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In this article, we are told that the Executive Board has taken their proposal for the 2008 overage ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In<a href="http://www.baptistcourier.com/2444.article"> this article,</a> we are told that the Executive Board has taken their proposal for the 2008 overage (if there is one) and actually started it for the overage from 2007. So in that allocation $526,884 goes to the National CP and the other $526,884 is split 55% to IMB 25% to NAMB and 20% for "South Carolina mission trip scholarships (20 percent) $105,377"</p>
<p>My questions are simply;</p>
<p>1. How does one apply for these scholarships? Is there a board, a panel, a person that makes that decision?</p>
<p>2. Where are the guidelines for what the scholarships can be used for?</p>
<p>3. Is there a percentage that a church must give before they can receive funds?</p>
<p>4. Where will priority go? Overseas, National, SC, equally? Small churches, Medium churches, Large churches? Pastors, laypeople?</p>
<p>I pray the SCBC leadership and the Executive board has thought of these things, I am quite sure they have, it would just be nice for the common folk to know.</p>
<p>Now most telling in the article was this line, "With this newly approved allotment of funds, the final Cooperative Program percentage sent to the Southern Baptist Convention for 2007 totals 41.57 percent." WAIT A SECOND! Did I miss something? I was under the impression that if we increased our national giving by a 1% a year that all the SCBC institutions would shut down. But we just increased it by 1.57%! We can't afford that! That will cause all work in SC to grind to a halt.</p>
<p>Now what they don't tell you. That 41.57% is not 100% undesignated. No that is the 40.34% (roughly) undesignated gift to the SBC and 1.23% designated to the IMB and the NAMB. But it is as they say in Football, "Forward Progress".</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Church Planting Missionaries of the Year]]></title>
<link>http://excogitatingengineer.wordpress.com/?p=239</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:15:34 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>excogitatingengineer</dc:creator>
<guid>http://excogitatingengineer.wordpress.com/?p=239</guid>
<description><![CDATA[This is the time of year that I usually am compelled to write a post about the awards given out by]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is the time of year that I usually am compelled to write a post about the awards given out by the North American Mission Board called Church Planting Missionaries of the Year.  My post last year on these awards was called <a rel="bookmark" href="http://excogitatingengineer.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/planting-missionaries-of-the-year/" title="Church Planting Missionaries of the Year"><font color="#265e15">Absurd Award: Church Planting Missionaries of the Year</font></a>.  I was pleased to read this year's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=27564">Baptist Press release on the 2008 awards</a>.  The North American Mission Board changed the name of the award this year from Church Planting Missionaries of the Year to simply calling them church planting awards.</p>
<p>It is appropriate to call these church planting awards because the NAMB "missionary" strategists did the planting but God caused the growth.  As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth."  The only concern is that the North American Mission Board is rewarding "missionaries" with awards based on the number of churches they have helped start.  They are to be commended for their tireless work in planting churches but should there be such an award.  To the Excogitating Engineer, these awards communicate that the strategies employed by the NAMB missionaries are what caused the growth rather than God.  I am sure that is not what the North American Mission Board intended but I think that is the message that is communicated; that is, that the strategies used is what caused the growth.</p>
<p>The number of churches started is not what should be rewarded.  I am sure that there are many NAMB "missionaries" who labor tirelessly but their work does not result in large numerical growth but it may result in deep spiritual growth.  The number of churches planted does not necessarily represent strong churches, deep church members, etc.</p>
<p>What would be a more appropriate award to be presented by NAMB?  I don't know, but to my knowledge I don't think the IMB has an award for missionaries with the most baptisms or most CPMs.  Should NAMB have an award at all?  What do you think?</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Strategic Missions]]></title>
<link>http://missionandthechurch.wordpress.com/?p=19</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:55:39 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>missionandthechurch</dc:creator>
<guid>http://missionandthechurch.wordpress.com/?p=19</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I have been thinking a long time about how to be more strategic in missions.  This is not just pers]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p align="center"><a href="http://missionandthechurch.wordpress.com/files/2008/02/287_s.jpg" title="287_s.jpg"><img align="left" src="http://missionandthechurch.wordpress.com/files/2008/02/287_s.jpg" alt="287_s.jpg" /></a>I have been thinking a long time about how to be more strategic in missions.  This is not just personal missions, but missions for the church as a whole.  I think that it is amazing that there are 113 unreached people groups within the North American Continent.  Right now we are the most progressive and strategic minded continent as far as church and missions go.  Still, we have 113 unreached people groups.  Have we forgotten about our "Judea and Samaria."</p>
<p>I think that there is a way for us to continue to reach all the people of the world and also reach the unreached people groups on our own continent.  Like international mission, it is important to send missionaries to the people who have not heard the gospel here.  They could spend time with the people, learn the culture, and share Christ with them. </p>
<p>This is idea is probably nothing new under the sun.  I am sure the NAMB (North American Mission Board) has this all under control.  I fear that the American Church has lost its way.  We should not have an unreached people group here.</p>
<p>More thoughts coming soon....</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Brokers to follow the road of the Dodo bird?]]></title>
<link>http://savetheamericandream.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/brokers-to-follow-the-road-of-the-dodo-bird/</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:50:43 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>savetheamericandream</dc:creator>
<guid>http://savetheamericandream.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/brokers-to-follow-the-road-of-the-dodo-bird/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ Extinction huh?  Well, it seemed to work for us when the dinosaurs kicked the bucket.  

http:/]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="margin:0;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#ff0000"> Extinction huh?  Well, it seemed to work for us when the dinosaurs kicked the bucket.</font>  </font></span></p>
<p style="margin:0;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#993366">http://www.boston.com/realestate/news/articles/2007/11/07/mortgage_brokers_fear_extinction_if_new_bill_passes/?p1=MEWell_Pos4</font></font></span><span style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p>
<h1><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black;font-family:'Times New Roman';">Mortgage brokers fear 'extinction' if new bill passes</span></h1>
<h2><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black;font-family:'Times New Roman';">Losing yield spread premiums would destroy revenue model, group says</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';">By Tom Kelly  &#124;  November 7, 2007</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';">The Boston Globe</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';">The National Association of Mortgage Brokers is so concerned that recently proposed legislation would crush its revenue model that it scheduled national teleconferences and prepared sample letters for members to mail to their respective congressmen.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Times New Roman';">In an e-mail to all NAMB dated Nov. 1, Denise Leonard, the organization's government affairs chairperson, wrote:</span><em><span style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="Arial">"Mortgage brokers are facing extinction. The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a bill that will fundamentally change the way we are paid, outlaw YSP, and legislate underwriting guidelines into law. Additionally, we fear that all subprime lending will cease to exist due to excessive lender liability. …''</font></span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size:11pt;"><font face="Arial">[click on above link to read full story]</font></span></em></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Ed Stetzer on NAMB]]></title>
<link>http://bbcmin.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/ed-stetzer-on-namb/</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2007 20:04:31 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>John</dc:creator>
<guid>http://bbcmin.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/ed-stetzer-on-namb/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Ed Stetzer - missions, evangelism, and church planting guru (formerly of NAMB) - gives us a quick up]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/ed.html">Ed Stetzer</a> - missions, evangelism, and church planting guru (formerly of NAMB) - gives us a quick update on how well things are going at the North American Mission Board, even though the new president is not doing things 'right.'</p>
<p>Check it out <a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/2007/10/new_leadership_at_the_north_am_1.html">here.</a></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Changes at NAMB?]]></title>
<link>http://geoffbaggett.wordpress.com/2007/09/04/changes-at-namb/</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 Sep 2007 21:49:02 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Geoff Baggett</dc:creator>
<guid>http://geoffbaggett.wordpress.com/2007/09/04/changes-at-namb/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I just received my fall edition of On Mission magazine from NAMB.   I can tell that there are alread]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I just received my fall edition of <em><strong>On Mission</strong></em> magazine from NAMB.   I can tell that there are already some significant, fundamental changes in our mission board.  How can I tell that from a magazine?</p>
<p><img src="http://www.namb.net/atf/cf/%7BCDA250E8-8866-4236-9A0C-C646DE153446%7D/Hammond-Geoff_featured.jpg" align="right" height="126" width="126" />I had to get all the way to page 64,  the last page of the magazine, to find a picture of the new NAMB president, Geoff Hammond.  How refreshing!  From all that I have read about Dr. Hammond, he wants to keep our missions and missionaries (not himself) front and center.</p>
<p>I'm looking toward a tremendously positive future for NAMB, and I will continue to pray that we will truly have a mission board ... not a "corporate entity."</p>
<p>Great start, Dr. Hammond!</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Spotlight Your Church - Marketing in Today's Culture (Part 2)]]></title>
<link>http://bryansbunch.wordpress.com/2007/05/04/spotlight-your-church-marketing-in-todays-culture-part-2/</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2007 11:52:53 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Bryan McKnight</dc:creator>
<guid>http://bryansbunch.wordpress.com/2007/05/04/spotlight-your-church-marketing-in-todays-culture-part-2/</guid>
<description><![CDATA[



re·search: NOUN: 1. a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) inform]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span class="quote_block_title"></span></p>
<p><span class="quote_block_title"></span></p>
<p><span class="quote_block_title"></span></p>
<p><span class="quote_block_title"><strong><img src="http://bryansbunch.wordpress.com/files/2007/05/magnifying-glass1.thumbnail.jpg" alt="magnifying-glass1.jpg" /></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="quote_block_title"><strong>re·s</strong></span><span class="quote_block_title"><strong>earch</strong></span>: NOUN: 1. a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding. (<span style="font-size:0.7em;"><em>Cambridge Dictionaries Online, </em>© Cambridge University Press 2003.)</span></p>
<p>In order for the church to market effectively, she must understand who she is trying to reach and why she is trying to reach them. I have come across several churches that have a specific age group or cultural group in mind that they are trying to reach. Although, there is nothing wrong with targeting a specific people group in your evangelical efforts, be careful being too closed minded when establishing your church and who you will reach. God did say to go to <em>all</em> nations and we better open our eyes when He begins to give favor with a certain audience.</p>
<p>With regards to research, I will stay focused on researching effective marketing strategies and media outlets. I will assume all the demographic data was gathered before you actually planted your church. If you are in an established church and don't know the demographics of your community then check out your denominational resources like <a target="_blank" href="http://www.namb.net/site/c.9qKILUOzEpH/b.1477835/k.CBAB/Demographic_ReportsCenter_for_Missional_Research.htm">NAMB Demographic Reports</a> (SBC), <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nazarene.org/ministries/administration/researchcenter/display.aspx">Church of the Nazarene Research Center</a>, or a host of free (Chamber of Commerce/SCORE) or fee-based services you can find on the Internet.</p>
<p><!--more-->When deciding to market for your church in anyway, it is a good idea to take out those demographic reports and look at the Community Tapestry Reports. If you don't have a Tapestry Report...find it, buy it, borrow it, finance it. Do whatever you have to do, just get one. Tapestry just means complexity. It is a very concise and complex report on the age, income, race, home value, occupation, educational level, marital status, lifestyle preferences with regards to consumer habits, technology, hobbies, recreation and religion for that particular community. It is broken down by percentages and real numbers and divided by where the people actually live. It will tell you how many and what percentage of whatever type of people your looking for live within a certain radius of your target area. And this is just a short sampling of what you can get with a Community Tapestry Report. Businesses use these reports to better serve, understand and get promotional results from their consumers. IT IS WORTH THE INVESTMENT and why should the church be inferior to what the secular world is doing to reach people. Don't just read the numbers; how many live in your town and how old they are, find out about their lifestyle!</p>
<p>Once you clearly understand your community, where they live and what they like or dislike (Are they readers, movie-goers, computer geeks, TV addicts, hi-tech nerds, outdoor oriented, music buffs? This will determine your future advertising like radio, TV, print, billboard or community events), then you can more effectively develop a marketing strategy. REMEMBER, marketing is not just advertising, it is effectively communicating who and what you are from the inside-out!</p>
<p>The next step in researching from a marketing perspective is determining the right media outlet for your group. Not all radio stations reach your demographic, even if they are cheap (<em>Don't discount Christian stations. Many non-christians and new move-ins tune right in. More on that later)</em>. Not all TV is effective, especially if you can only afford the cheap cable package rates when only a dozen red-eye viewers are watching. Billboards won't do it if you can't afford to change them on a frequent basis <em>(people can only stomach reading the same thing so many times. Events might work.).</em>Direct Mail might not get seen and the yellow pages is a service directory not an advertising outlet. You get the idea. Anytime you talk with a broadcast or print media company don't be afraid to ask how many viewers/listeners or impressions they get a week. Ask what the best day of the week is, the best time of the day and make sure to ask for the data supporting their information. Also it's very important to ask who their target demographic is and what they do to market to the demo.</p>
<p>Remember guys, this is Kingdom work. Don't just assume because you are excited and proud about an upcoming sermon series, the ingenious title and the awesome artwork you have developed, that you can throw it on 20,000 mailers and the lost and unchurched community are going jump out of their recliners and bass boats, come running to your church on the weekend and hail you as the greatest thing since <em>"motor-powered vehicles". </em>The cost of that one-time mailer might not get you the same return as a well thought-out, well researched plan might get you over the course of several months or years. God has blessed you and annointed the work, now go let the world know. <strong>More to come tomorrow!</strong></p>
<p>Be Happy!</p>
<p>Bryan<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.imforgiven.com">www.imforgiven.com</a></p>
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