The most vital question confronting the church in North America as it approaches the twenty-first century relates to whether the church knows who it is, what it is called to do, and, especially, whose it is.  The question can be stated: Is the church a household of God?  Phrased another way: can the church remember its origins and its stories and live them out? The danger is that the church is so caught up in the allures and mentality od a consumer society that it is not the household of God that God calls it to be.

Is the church a household of amnesia instead of being a household of God? The answer for the North American church in the waning period of modernity, as it enters a postmodern age, seems to be that the church is a household of amnesia.  Can the church be free of the spell of amnesia and remember that it is called to be a household of God?  What does a faithful household of God look like?  How does stewardship as "household management"  relate to becoming a household of god?  How can meaningful change take place? How can a Christian congregation become a household of God -- a household of Jesus Christ?

Among mainline denominations, giving by members to the church has averaged around 2.5 percent of income for decades.  Changing methodologies and using specialized "kits"  have had minimal effect.  The problem is deeper and requires different measures.

At this point church leaders and members may despair and say, in effect, "What's the use? The die is cast. Nothing we say or do can make a difference."  But change is possible.  There is a biblical and theological rational for hope that real change can take place.

What is needed is the Spirit of God  working to bring about a reversal.  The message needs to be.  God is alive and at work.  God can change a household of amnesia into a household of God. Persons who know that they are disciples and stewards of the living God and members of the household of God will give abundantly and generously to support God's mission.  Then, the church will not have to beg for money. God's people will do what God calls them to do.

Interested?  Dr. Vallet provides seminars and consultations that are available to pastors and lay leaders of congregations (or groups of congregations).  The seminars are in two-hour and four hour formats. Six and eight hour formats, which work well in a retreat setting, are also available.

Each church receives a packet of materials for stewardship promotion in June so the materials can be ordered for a fall stewardship program. Dr. Vallet can help interpret these materials but can also offer the seminars mentioned above.  Call him at  315-682-5565 or e-mail him at rvallet@dreamscape.com
 
 

The following is feedback received from the Advocates at Burnt Hills on October 3, 1999 about the Retreat for Mission Advocates  May 19-20,  2000.  Each pastor may select a Mission Advocate.  If you have not done so,  chose one now and send that persons name and address to Ron Vallet.

1.    They would like to have a missionary presence and presentation. Suggestions were John Sundquist, Charles and Alice Moore, Bob Roberts, or an IM missionary on leave.

2.    Pastors should be invited.  They feel the participation of pastors is a missing factor in the Mission Advocates program.

3.    Include dramatizations of 7-to-8 minutes. The Covenant Players and Peter Sprigg of Clifton Park  were mentioned as resources.

4.    Themes and emphases on IM, NM, EM, and region should rotate from year to year.

5.    They would like more information on missionary recruitment, training, and support.

6.    Include the Syracuse member of the X-treme team.

We now have 132 Mission Advocates across the American Baptist Churches of New York State!  Our numbers continue to grow.  Each Mission Advocate serves as a resource to her or his pastor in all areas of mission education  and works with the pastor to encourage a strong mission emphasis in the congregation.

We rejoice that American Baptist International Ministries has appointed 60 New missionaries since March 1, 1997. In addition to supporting the World Mission Offering, American Baptists can pray for our overseas mission effort and help International Ministries identify able, faith-filled persons willing to serve overseas.  The names of potential candidates may be forwarded to Elmo  Familiarian,  P. O. Box  851,  Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851.  Potential candidates should be able to respond affirmatively to these questions.

    Are you:
                    A member of an American Baptist church?
                    Led to a life of discipleship to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
                    Committed to the mission of the church in the world?
                    Committed to partnership with other Christians in our global community?
                    Committed to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ across cultures?

    Do you:
                    Have the ability to adapt to life and work in a culture and place other than your own?
                    Have a bachelor's degree?
                    Have experience in your profession?
                    Have any overseas experience (work groups, visits, continuing education trips, work assignments)?
                    Have a basic love for people?