A More ‘Conventional’ Way of Supporting SBC Church Plants
My last article was rather long, and included in the piece was specific information regarding how you and I can support the church plants that will be de-funded by the Missouri Baptist Convention in a couple of weeks.
As I understand it, while there are nine Acts29/SBC churches in the MBC, only four are being immediately affected financially. Here’s how it breaks down:
>> CHURCHES <<
Believer’s Church (losing $1,000 a month)
#1 YMCA Drive
Hannibal, MO 63401
573.221.8889
Pastor: Sam Byers
Genesis Church (losing $1,000 a month)
4525 Highway 109
Eureka, MO 63025
635.549.3179
Pastor: Mike Hubbard
Karis Community Church (losing $500 a month)
P.O. Box 572
Columbia, MO 65205
573.823.4130
Pastor: Kevin Larson
The Journey St. Louis (see Darrin’s comment below)
7701 Maryland Ave.
Saint Louis, MO 63105
314.863.8448
Pastor: Darrin Patrick
>> GIVE <<
For the upcoming year, a total of $30,000 will be needed to maintain current support for the three churches above (Believers, Genesis, and Karis). There are a number of ways we can help meet this challenge. Here are some ideas:
1. If you a minister or pastor, consider taking up a special offering on behalf of these churches sometime in the next three months.
2. Consider contributing a small amount each month to the “Show Me Church Planting Fund.” If a total of 300 people end up giving a total of only $100 (per person) next year, then the $30k goal could be met.
3. If you know you will be receiving additional income, for instance, from you income tax refund next year, then perhaps you could give a portion of that in a one-time offering.
So where are we to send our financial gifts? Below is the information and directions for sending all checks and financial contributions:
St. Louis Metro Baptist Association
(designate it for the “Show Me Church Planting Fund”)
Mailing address:
St. Louis Metro Bapt. Assoc.
attn. Darren Casper
3859 Fee Fee Road
Bridgeton, Mo. 63044
You may contact Darren at 314-571-7579, extension 103.
>> PRAY <<
Friends, let us also not forget to pray about this situation. Pray for these pastors and young church plants. Pray for the MBC and those behind this motion. Pray for the SBC at large. Pray for the Acts 29 Network and future church plants, including those associated with the SBC.
Lastly, we need to get some perspective on this whole situation. The Missouri Baptist Convention next year will have $10.5 million in their piggy bank to use at their discretion. We are talking here about $30,000. Doing the math will tell you that $10.5 million can be broken down to 350 different $30k blocks. We are talking about only one. Now, what the MBC does with the other 349 blocks of $30k you and I have no idea. But I tell you now, I feel much more comfortable with my Southern Baptist dollar in the hands of the “Show Me Church Planting Fund” than the MBC piggy bank. Let us put our money and pool our resources together in a way that we are fueling front-line church plants, not a back room bureaucracy.
Tags: Acts 29 Network, Burning Bridges, Fundamentalism and Folly, Missouri Baptist Convention, SBC
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December 16, 2007 at 6:18 pm
[...] The defunded MBC church planters. Posted by: Michael Spencer @ 6:18 pm | Trackback | Permalink [...]
December 16, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Hey Timmy,
Just for the record, we are not affected financially by this decion. Our church has never been supported by the MBC. We simply took a low interest loan that was offered to us by the MBC convention leadership to help us with our building that is being used for worship and church planter training.
December 16, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Thanks Darrin for the clarification. I am ever hopeful that the financial needs will be met by God’s people both within and without the SBC.
BTW, has the debate with Roger Moran been scheduled? Just curious.
December 16, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Timmy,
I thought you guys might want to know that we (www.shapevine.com) will be doing a live videocast interview on Shapevine this Tuesday (Dec 18th 2:30pm CST) with Darrin Patrick. It is free and only requires a quick login membership.
Thanks,
Lance
Lance Ford
Co-Founder, Shapevine
December 16, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Thanks Lance passing the news along.
December 16, 2007 at 11:20 pm
Just an FYI– the addresses listed above are just where the churches meet. I’m not asking people to send money to me, but if you send anything to the address above, it might not get to me– it’s just our Sunday morning space.
Karis Community Church
P.O. Box 572
Columbia, MO 65205
All the love and support has been amazing!
December 16, 2007 at 11:24 pm
Timmy,
I am getting with Roger and our interium ex director David Tolliver in January.
My guess is it will happen after easter
December 16, 2007 at 11:42 pm
Kevin,
I just posted some excerpts from your interview with Tom. Brother, your gracious words and encouragement has been wonderful to hear. Thank you for being a Christ-honoring example during this very difficult deal. My heart goes out to you, your churches, and the others involved. If there is anything I/we can do besides praying, giving, and informing, please let me know.
And thanks for the updated address!
December 16, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Darrin,
Cool. I look forward to hearing more in the future. In the meantime, I will be remembering you guys in my prayers. May the Lord richly bless you during this time.
December 17, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Timmy,
Thanks for this encouraging post.
Keep in mind that the $$-figures you quotes are only what the MBC gives them. If MBC churches who sponsor these plants follow the lead of their state convention, the need could become much greater.
Eric
December 17, 2007 at 3:45 pm
Eric,
That’s true. Kevin mentioned that 1/3 of their support comes from the MBC or something like that. My hope is that the recent events will do just the opposite by leading many others to give more than the MBC could or would offer to begin with. My wife and I don’t have much, but we are looking forward to supporting them with whatever we can.
December 19, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Hey Timmy,
Thanks for helping to get the word out about the Show Me Partnerhsip fund.
These are some rock solid dudes that are going to need our support come January ‘08
Darren
St. Louis Metro
December 21, 2007 at 7:05 am
[...] the final morning of the conference. The idea is somewhat similar to Timmy Brister’s post on another way to support Southern Baptist churches. Needless to say, we were all on board with having an [...]