ABCNJ Regional Pastor's Musings

ABCNJ Katrina Mission Trips - Update

2006-04-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

ABCNJ has supported a number of regional churches who have or are ministering in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. Here is a short report from one of them - FBC, Woodstown:

1st BAPTIST Of WOODSTOWN went 3/25-4/1 to New Orleans. Our group consisted of 7 men and 2 from the Mennonite church [retired paster & daugther]. We had a great team, worked hard, ate good, and had very good time. We ranged in age from 27 to 74, with several in their 40s. Only 2 had been on mission trips before and I beleve it will not be their last!!!! They were really touched and are motivated. We thank you (ABCNJ) for the $500 given to the church for our transportation. Thanks, Raymond Ward

2006-04-11T19:45:00.000-04:00

Loving Our Neighbors
A Pastoral Meditation on Immigration

by Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. Your forefathers who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.
(Deuteronomy 10:17-22)

Our nation is engaged in an intense debate over immigration and the status of almost 12 million non-documented people in our country. As American Baptists in New Jersey consider all the proposals being debated, I would like to ask us all to consider a number of points. These remarks will not be partisan in nature, but rather, I hope, reflective of our ministry situation in light of the Jesus’ mandate to love our neighbor (Matthew 19:19; 22:39).

Thousands of our ABCNJ members are first generation immigrants to the United States. They have arrived from countries such as Cuba, Mexico, Brazil, Haiti, Korea, the Philippines, Jamaica and Liberia (as well as many other countries), and they have become valued participants in our fellowship and productive residents throughout our state. Accordingly, on their behalf I have written to our political leaders, asking them to address the current immigration debate in a compassionate and fair manner so that this century’s current wave of immigrants may experience the same kind of American welcome that my grandparents received when they arrived from Europe one hundred years ago. I lifted up the following principles advanced by Church World Service:

Provide an opportunity for undocumented immigrants, who are contributing to this country, to meet reasonable criteria and, over time, pursue a path to legalization and citizenship (earned legalization - not amnesty)
Reform the U.S. family-based immigration system to significantly reduce waiting times for separated families who currently wait many years to be reunited
Create legal avenues for migrant workers and their families to enter the US and work in a safe, legal and orderly manner with their rights fully protected
Develop policies that are consistent with humanitarian values; treat all individuals with respect; allow the authorities to identify and prevent terrorists and dangerous criminals from entering the country, and bolster our national security through enhanced border security and effective enforcement
Protect individuals and organizations who act as Good Samaritans by offering help to persons in need without regard to their immigration status
Safeguard asylum seekers and assure them an opportunity to prove they deserve asylum

These specific principles flow from a more generalized Biblical perspective that arose from the experience of the Israelites from Abraham’s day to the Exodus. God declared to Abraham that “the whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God” (Genesis 17:8). Moses named one of his sons Gershom, because he had become “an alien in a foreign land” (Exodus 18:3). God commanded the Israelites to identify with aliens in their land: “Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt” (Exodus 23:9). Leviticus 19:33-34 clearly depicts the attitude God’s people should have toward non-citizens:
“When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”

The Psalmist writes, “The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked” (Psalm 146:9). Having just returned from a mission trip to Egypt in February, I am reminded that this verse was literally fulfilled in Jesus’ childhood. His family fled from Herod’s wrath and became aliens for a time in Egypt (Matthew 2:13-20). Joseph no doubt was a “guest worker” there, with uncertain status. Nevertheless, God watched over Jesus’ family, blessed them, and when circumstances were better, they returned to Israel.

As members of the ABCNJ fellowship, let us minister with love and compassion to all the immigrants in our localities, and let us encourage our country to treat immigrants with justice and fairness.

ABCNJ Katrina Ministry Update

2005-10-30T07:31:00.000-05:00

This past week, Pat Gardiner (FBC Mount Holly) and I took Nicole Greene, a Hurricane Katrina evacuee who lives in Browns Mills, to Wal-Mart to buy some items for her new baby, who is due next week. Thanks to FBC Mount Holly, Delran High School and ABCNJ for the contributions we used to buy her a portable crib, a stroller and some other items. Please keep Nicole Greene and her family in your prayers.

--Dr. Lois Spitzer

Katrina Ministry Report from Mississippi

2005-10-30T07:28:00.000-05:00

Just a short summary which may not do justice to a special week in MS.

I arrived on Sunday 10/16 and was quickly adopted by a work team from Dayton, OH.

Everyone at the Gulf Coast Worship Center did everything possible to attend to our needs. The food was phenomenal - first from the Church and another work team, then a meal provided by the Rotary Club and then the Southern Baptists.

Our team of 7 Ohioans and one from Jersey managed to meet a variety of tasks. We assisted the Long Beach School District, helped in the clean-up of the Distribution Center at the Church, did clean-up and salvage at six homes and then spent two days in a combined effort with all the work teams to get the Long Beach recreational field and facilities ready for the delayed opening of their football season on Saturday 10/22. In addition, I was able to carry a financial donation from our Church, which was gratefully accepted.

Two special moments - the incredible story of Marie Anthony who survived the storm after a house floated into her home and rode out the floodwaters by hooking her cane on a support and holding on for hours. Her home was essentially destroyed and we were only able to salvage a few items but she is still with us.

On Friday afternoon as we were nearing the end of the work on the field, a father and son came up to us and spoke a heartfelt thank-you to all who were working.

It was a true joy to work with people from OH, NY, KY and GA. I will not soon forget these people and the work we were able to do in providing a small lift to this community.

If you hear of others that may be thinking of going and would like to have some insights on what to expect, please have them contact me. The Church has compiled an inventory of over 600 homes requesting assistance of some kind.

At a minimum, continue to pray for those in MS and along the Gulf coast.

Blessings to all.

Larry Merrill
Central Baptist Church of Palmyra-Riverton

Katrina: From New Hope Hackensack

2005-10-17T09:37:00.000-04:00

In response to Hurricane Katrina, one of the properties we own (195 James Street) has been refurbished and is being turned into a 3BR sanctuary for a family of 3 - 4 persons who will be interested in relocating to the Northern N.J. area.

In order to furnish and make it fully ready for this family we will need everything from "soup to nuts" . We have already been blessed with a washer/dryer, microwave, and refrigerator from a major appliance dealer. You may participate in this effort by providing Hope House with household furnishings from three major retailers..Bed Bath and Beyond, Linen 'n' things and Target. The following registries have been established at these stores online:

Bed Bath and Beyond: www.bedbathandbeyond.com Registry #: 2035885
Linens'n' Things: www.LNT.com Registry # 500569106033
Target: www.target.com Registry #010001330000051 (May not yet be available online)

When you log on, you may also enter first name New Hope Baptist Church and last name Katrina to access our wish list/gift registry.

Thank you in advance for your generosity in assisting us in this mission effort.

Sincerely,
Rev. M. Frances Manning
Senior Pastor
New Hope Baptist Church of Hackensack

Katrina OGHS Update

2005-10-17T09:35:00.000-04:00

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 10/17/05)--Gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) following hurricanes Katrina and Rita topped $1.85 million as of Sept. 30, with more funds on the way from churches and regions. Ken George, National Ministries’ national coordinator for Intercultural Ministries, Direct Human Services, says this figure marks a quick, generous response that outpaces any previous contributions to disaster relief in both size and timing. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of American Baptists, George reports several disbursements, now totaling $163,500. George’s office just released $50,000 in OGHS-designated funds to Church World Service (CWS), earmarked for relocating hurricane survivors through CWS’s Immigration and Refugee program in collaboration with partner denominations.

Katrina: Mississippi Mission Trip Info

2005-10-01T20:30:00.000-04:00

ABCNJ has contacts and needs workers in two areas in Mississippi:

1) Rev. Royce Jones, with AB Men, is working in Wiggins, MS 39577.
There is a need for both workers who can:
· use chain saws (bring your own if you have them)
· haul and carry branches and things

There is housing in the public school gym, including showers. Bring your own air mattresses, etc., and bedding. The local church is providing meals for workers. Wiggins is about 35 miles from the Gulfport/Biloxi Int’l Airport. If driving, it’s down Highway 49 from Hattiesburg. At Wiggins (it’s a small town), go to the high school. Stone High School : 400 E Border; Wiggins, MS
Royce can probably only stay until the middle of October. After that, whoever goes there will be on their own. Royce would like to know a day ahead of time when folks are coming.

2) Gulf Coast Worship Center, 18381 28th St. (at Simmons), Long Beach, MS.
There is need for workers of all abilities. They need work in the distribution center (5,000 cars per day coming through), and also now have chain saws and tools and need help with clean up.
When a group goes down there, they will assess what your skills/abilities are and assign you to work accordingly. They, too, need chain saw operators (and now have some tools on hand). But they also need many, many others, doing various things at the distribution center and beyond. The Distribution Center (at the church) is open Tues, Thurs, & Sat from 10-5, including a medical clinic. Needs there also include damage repair/clean up. Housing is in church gym. BYO air mattresses, bedding, etc. 2 showers available. Food is provided by other local churches (and they’re on the list for Red Cross kitchen). They are 5 miles from the Gulfport/Biloxi International Airport. By auto it’s about 1250 miles (19.5 hours) to Long Beach. A bit shorter to Wiggins (1200 miles) (Air Tran has some cheap flights (via Atlanta): $89 one way. Other airlines go there, too.

Contact me (revtice@msn.com) or 732 985-0822 when you know when you want to go.

Kathleen Tice (ABCNJ Public Mission Committee)

Katrina Update: Pemberton Family Helped by ABCNJ Efforts

2005-10-01T19:32:00.000-04:00

I visited Nicole on Thursday, a woman who is now living in Browns Mills with her father, 8-year-old son and husband. She hails from New Orleans from where she was evacuated a few weeks ago. She is also 7 months pregnant (and having a boy).

I brought to her gift cards, clothes and household items from concerned members of both First Baptist Church of Mount Holly and ABCNJ. She was elated and blessed!

We chatted for 45 minutes and I learned a lot about her. Her husband is going back to New Orleans next week to review the damage to the house and try to recover anything he can; however, they both realize that probably everything is ruined. She doesn't know what her future holds but I assured her that we will continue to help her and that she is always welcome to fellowship with us at FBC Mount Holly. She said that she would be visiting us there soon! If you have anything else you'd like to give to Nicole or her family, please contact Lee at ABCNJ.

--Dr. Lois Spitzer

Another ABCNJ Church Ministry Story!

2005-09-20T18:17:00.000-04:00

This report comes from Rev. Dwight D. Gill, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church of East Orange:

New Hope Baptist Church of East Orange is currently providing assistance to 3 families that are connected through their family members here at our church.

Two of the families have completely relocated to New Jersey and the other has temporarily relocated to Memphis and we are assisting them with housing while in Memphis.

The families include a expecting-single mother of three (3), a couple and a family of 17 individuals. We plan to assist with permanent housing for the couple and for the expecting-single mother and we have forwarded funds to Memphis to assist with their housing situation.

We are committed to a long term relationship with these families, we are requesting that ABCNJ continue to keep us in their prayers and to provide us with any type of assistance available, during this time of need.

REPLY FROM Rev. Dr. Lee Spitzer: ABCNJ will be sending New Hope Baptist Church a financial grant from the ABCNJ Katrina Relief Fund, which is a relief assistance ministry funded by the generous donations of our ABCNJ churches.

Katrina: OGHS Update

2005-09-19T10:19:00.000-04:00

American Baptist News Service (9/16/05)--A total of $40,000 in emergency grants has been released by American Baptist Churches USA Office of World Relief and National Ministries’ Office of Direct Human Services to aid Hurricane Katrina victims.
Kenneth L. George, who coordinates national disaster response for National Ministries, announced that the One Great Hour of Sharing funds will provide emergency kits of hygiene, baby and school supplies and seed grants for long-term recovery through Church World Service (CWS).
Funds also will go to Sunlight Baptist Church in Lake Charles, La., to assist in their meal program that serves 300 people daily. An advance team from American Baptist Churches of Nebraska visited the church and learned that most people were taking care of seven or eight of their own family members, while many families were still searching for missing members. The church is housing 40 people temporarily in 10 Sunday School rooms.
Additionally, funds will go to the American Baptist Churches of the West region where people lost many relatives during the storm; in five congregations alone, members lost 100 relatives and many more are missing. Churches are adopting families being relocated to the region, while pastors are faced with the heightened spiritual and emotional needs of their congregations. “My prayer is that our ABCW congregations will continue to show the love of God as we feed, provide housing, and help those whose lives have been shattered by this powerful storm,” said the executive minister, Dr. Paul D. Borden.

Katrina Update: Pemberton Ministry

2005-09-18T20:38:00.000-04:00

From Dr. Lois Spitzer:

This is an update on ABCNJ's ministry with victims of Hurricane Katrina, taking place in partnership with the Pemberton Township Public School District:

I had the most wonderful conversations with 2 women today, Nicole and Melissa, who have family members attending schools in Pemberton Township. One has just taken her sister’s family (including 3 nephews, ages 17, 15 and 10) from Louisiana into her Browns Mills home, while the other has come from Louisiana with her young son (aged 8 and her soon-to-be-born son) to live with her father until she can return home.

My calls to offer assistance from First Baptist Church of Mt. Holly and other ABCNJ churches in the area were received warmly and with gratitude. With the help of others, I will be delivering gift cards, clothing and other supplies to these families shortly. If anyone would like to contribute store gift cards, please send them to ABCNJ, 3752 Nottingham Way, Suite 101, Trenton, NJ 08690.

Katrina Update: ABCNJ Pastor Goes to New Orleans

2005-09-18T18:11:00.000-04:00

Rev. Dr. Willard W. C. Ashley, Sr., Senior Pastor of the Abundant Joy Community Church, Jersey City, will be in New Orleans for the next week or two. The Department of Health and Human Services asked him to accompany the workers as they find bodies in New Orleans to give last rites and ensure the dead are treated with dignity. He will also notify the families in person or by phone. Please keep him in your prayers this week!

2 ABCNJ Katrina Mission Opportunities

2005-09-15T07:39:00.000-04:00

Here are two very important ways you and your church can play a significantpart in responding to the Katrina crisis:

1. One Week Mission Tour to Mississippi: Kay and Bill Rumford, from Oaklyn Baptist, have been on-site in Wiggins, MS this week. They report that there is great need for work teams to help in distribution centers and other clean up activities. The ABCNJ Public Mission Committee is going to coordinate the schedule for these trips. If your church would like to send a team, please e-mail Rev. Kathleen Tice at revtice@msn.com (Stelton Baptist phone: 732-985-1484); please cc Lee Spitzer at leespitzer@abcnj.org.

2. Pemberton NJ Student Project: ABCNJ has partnered with the Pemberton School District to minister to 4 students and their families that have been displaced by the hurricane. We will be calling churches near this school system to minister to the families. Watch this blog for updates on what we might need to collect for these families. You might also wish to contact your local district to see if a similar mission opportunity might exist in your locality.

These and other ABCNJ responses to Katrina cost money. Please remember ABCNJ in your Katrina Offering collection efforts.

Condolences to ABCNJ Staff Member

2005-09-15T07:33:00.000-04:00

Linda Porter, ABCNJ accountant and office coordinator, has shared that her uncle, Xavier Bowie, died in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He was a resident of New Orleans. Linda, please accept the condolences of the entire ABCNJ family.

Katrina Update: A Praise Report - Answered Prayer

2005-09-11T19:51:00.000-04:00

On Sept. 3 Pastor Mary Lovett asked us to pray about her father, whom she had not heard from. Today, she writes:

"Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow! I did hear from my father and he is okay. They were without power from about ten days AND he is okay. Thanks for your prayer support. Please pass the good news on!"

Katrina: ABCNJ Working With 2 Churches

2005-09-10T20:55:00.000-04:00

This afternoon members from First Baptist Church, Mt. Holly met me in the parking lot of the Oaklyn Baptist Church. In their pickup truck were rakes, shovels, professional grade trash bags and a chain saw for Oaklyn members Bill and Kay Rumford to use once they arrive in Wiggins, Mississippi. They leave, God willing, tomorrow. They will work with ABMen and the Red Cross.

It was my pleasure to give to Oaklyn pastor Eric Hoheisel $1,000 in Wal-Mart gift cards for the Rumfords to distribute on behalf of the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey. Your offerings to the ABCNJ Katrina Response Fund will help cover this kind of ministry.

Let's remember to pray for the Rumfords as they travel and serve!

Katrina Response: ABCNJ Members to Mississippi

2005-09-08T17:27:00.000-04:00

Oaklyn Baptist Church members Bill and Kay Rumford will be leaving for Wiggins, MS, on either Sunday or Tuesday, depending on weather conditions down south. Wiggins is approximately 30 miles north of Gulfport. They will be working with the Red Cross and ABMen. Please pray for them. More on this mission trip later.

Neal Hatcher, a member of Emmanuel, Ridgewood Church, has worked with his boy scout troop to put together a box of 100 small first-aid Kits, which will be used by a Baptist church ministering to displaced people in Tennessee.

Do you have other stories of direct ABCNJ member mission involvement? Let me know!

Katrina: Another Important Prayer Request

2005-09-08T13:43:00.000-04:00

Rev. Patti Harris, ABCNJ Associate Regional Pastor for Prayer Ministries, has requested prayer for her family members who lived in Alabama, and who are currently missing. Please pray for Ruby Davis and her entire family, and for Rev. Harris, her father, sisters and family here in New Jersey and North Carolina as they face this difficult time of uncertainty.

Katrina Update: ABCNJ Pastor to Alabama

2005-09-07T14:27:00.000-04:00

Rev. Dr. Michael M. Mazer, pastor at East Dover Baptist Church in Toms River, in response to his family's request, will leave for Birmingham, Alabama where he will work with the Trauma Team at the Civic Center assisting victims of hurricane Katrina. "I'll be on the midnight to 7am shift," Pastor Mazer reported, "and will do whatever they request." He will leave on September 16, and return on the 22nd. Please pray for him!

Katrina News: ABCNJ Pastor Helps Out!

2005-09-07T09:36:00.000-04:00

One of our newest ABCNJ pastors, Rev. Michael Cox, has recently begun serving at St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair. He is from Houston and preached at Brentwood Baptist Church there. He has opened his home to a single mother and her two children who have had to leave New Orleans. Awesome!

Katrina Newsflash: Regional Teams Move In

2005-09-06T17:07:00.000-04:00

Here is news from two ABC regions:

1. ABCNE has an advance team of 3 people (a military person and 2 pastors) in Lake George, Louisiana, where we have an ABC church. They report, "Lake Charles was out of reach of Hurricane Kitrina, but not out of reach of the New Orleans refugees. Rev. Donalson and 35-40 other local area Baptist churches (all kinds) are working together to feed, counsel, house, and help families find each other that have been separated. They are managing 300 refugees without help from the government. Their initial guess at what this is costing them is $250 for lunch and then again for dinner – less than $1 / meal. But even at that, this is difficult for them – even with being very organized. The pastors said that it is frustrating for them because the same people are helping with this that do everything else normally, which stresses their organizational ability. They are, however, doing a great job."

2. The American Baptist Men of the West Virginia Baptist Convention have an excellent Disaster Response Team. Here is an update on their response: "We are getting up to 2000 evacuees in WV and our Disaster Relief team has been deployed to Mississippi."

Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the regional team could get no definitive response from the Governor's office concerning where and when displaced persons might be brought to NJ. However, WCBS-AM reports that a public housing project in Perth Amboy might receive some people. Also, my wife reports that Pemberton School District, where she works, may receive some children. More on ABCNJ's response to these and other possibilities later!

Katrina Alert: ABCNJ Letter

2005-09-06T10:50:00.000-04:00

A letter is going out from the region office today to update our churches on how we are supporting aid efforts. Please share it with your people! It will be released as an ABCNJNews E-Mail as well.

If you are not on the ABCNJNews E-Mail list, please send your e-mail address to abcnjnews@abcnj.org.

Katrina Update: ABW Project

2005-09-05T12:40:00.000-04:00

This is an excerpt from the new ABW Katrina Response Project Announcement:

You can do something right now to begin to alleviate the suffering of people who have lost everything in the flooding along the Gulf coast.

Donate wallets and gift cards -- gift cards from pharmacies, grocercy stores, gas stations, clothing stores, phone cards. Get your whole church involved in this project. Stores and business may even donate gift cards or wallets if you ask. For now, just start gathering gift cards and wallets. Insert the gift cards into the wallets, and organize them so you know how many wallets you've gathered with $20 worth of gift cards; how many with $50 worth of gift cards; and how many with $100, etc. Enclose a note from your group, so the recipient will know who cares. Details about what to do with the filled wallets will follow in the next few days. This immediate project need is endorsed by National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA and American Baptist Churches of the South region.

While National Ministries is collecting information through Tia McCoun about who is willing to help and how, the ABC of New Jersey region office is set up to receive information about specific needs. If you know of specific needs of specific individuals, or the needs of persons who have been evacuated to your area, email LeeSpitzer@abcnj.org

Stay tuned…working together we can be signs of hope to God's world,

Virginia Holmstrom, Executive Director for AB Women's Ministries
and Lois Chiles, National President and Rev. Betty-Rae Taylor, National Coordinator for Church & Community Ministries

Katrina Update: Volunteering Information

2005-09-04T21:01:00.000-04:00

A massive pool of volunteer support will be needed over the next twelve months. Starting Tuesday, September 6, volunteers who wish to offer their assistance, both in the ABCOTS region and in your regions in the near future, should contact the Volunteers in Mission office, 1-800-222-3872, extension 2449 (Jacci White, Jacci.White@abc-usa.org ) or extension 2413 (Beverly Duncan, Beverly.Duncan@abc-usa.org). Volunteers in Mission will assist ABCOTS to coordinate availability, skills, and deployment of those who feel led to volunteer for relief efforts. Any social workers, medical and legal support will be especially helpful early on in the process.

Katrina Update: Urgent Prayer Request

2005-09-03T20:29:00.000-04:00

Pastor Mary B. Lovett, Fairview Bapist-Camden, writes "My father lives in Mississippi and I have not heard from him since before the storm. Please ask the ABCNJ family to pray for him, Lewis P. Bell, Sr. who celebrated his 82th birthday on Sept. 2. He needs oxygen to breathe. Thanks."

An Appeal to All ABCNJ Churches (9/3/2005)

2005-09-03T11:51:00.000-04:00

9/3/2005
An Appeal to All ABCNJ Churches:
Responding to the Hurricane Katrina Disaster

Dear ABCNJ family,

All of us have been touched by the plight of over one million of our fellow citizens who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina’s fury. Many have lost everything – homes, jobs, property. Worst of all, lives have been lost.

American Baptists in New Jersey, along with all others of good will, are ready to do our part in assisting those in dire need and in rebuilding devastated communities in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. On the ABCNJ Executive Minister’s Blog, http://abcnj.blogspot.com, I will be posting up-to-date information. You should also check the ABCNJ web site, www.abcnj.org and the ABCUSA web site, www.abc-usa.org.

How can your church help in the most effective manner?

We all would like to just jump in our cars and personally minister to people on site. However, aid agencies are advising us that this is not practical or what is most needed. Displaced residents will be in communities all over the South, and aid needs to be given in an efficient and coordinated manner to be most useful. Furthermore, once the disaster crisis efforts are completed, it will take years to rebuild once thriving communities. We need to think long-term in our assistance plans. Accordingly, I am asking that ABCNJ churches coordinate our aid efforts around the following action plan:

1. Giving Donations for Immediate Crisis Relief to ABCUSA’s One Great Hour of Sharing: This is our best way of assuring your members that 100% of their donation will go to Crisis Relief (as opposed to administration and advertising). You can use the regular ABC Missions Form for this. Our OGHS Offering money is distributed to Baptist, Church World Service and other agencies who are ministering on-site.

2. Giving Donations for ABCNJ’s Katrina Response Ministry. How will we minister? I propose two ministry needs, but no doubt others will come to our attention:

a. Providing Aid to Families who are Related to ABCNJ Churches and Members. Churches throughout the state will be confronted with requests for aid for family members or ex-church members who live down south. I propose that we pool our aid money so that it can be distributed fairly to people in need. Private insurance will not cover all that is needed to rebuild lives, and we all know government aid can be slow in reaching those in need. All funds disbursed on behalf of the regional family will be sent to the local church, which will then make sure it really gets to the family needing help.

b. Providing Aid to ABCUSA-related Churches in the South. I have already written to Dr. Walter Parrish, the Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of the South, assuring him of our aid when requested. Destroyed churches need to be rebuilt, and ministries restarted. Let us work with our brothers and sisters in the South to revive their witness!

I am asking that all ABCNJ churches take collections for the above relief efforts during their Sunday morning services on September 11 and 18. Please send in the donations as soon as possible. You will need to be clear regarding how you want your donations to be targeted (ABCUSA –OGHS and/or ABCNJ Katrina Response).

3. Providing Volunteers for ABCUSA-related Churches in the South. I anticipate there will be significant opportunities for personal mission involvement in the reconstruction of ABC-related churches (and other ministries) in the months and years ahead. Let’s begin preparing now for the call to serve! And let’s work together! To facilitate this, I am asking every ABCNJ church to send the region office a list of volunteers and their skills. We will need their names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail contact information.

4. Providing Assistance to ABCNJ Churches in Need this Winter. During this past week, a number of ABCNJ pastors shared with me their concern that rising oil and gas prices will severely strain the budgets of their churches. A church can’t minister to its community if it can’t heat its sanctuary and Sunday School rooms! Accordingly, I am asking that ABCNJ churches consider designating their November Thanksgiving Offerings or November/December Deacons Fund Offerings to meeting this looming need. Offerings should be designated ABCNJ-Winter Heating.

I recognize that this is an ambitious plan that can only have impact if we work together. I believe the ABCNJ family is up to the challenge! Please let us know hat your church is planning to do by writing comments on the blog or e-mailing me directly at leespitzer@abcnj.org.

Katrina Update: Responsive Prayer for Churches

2005-09-02T12:18:00.000-04:00

ABCNJ pastor Rev. Wesley Allen from Central Baptist Church, Palmyra, has composed the following responsive reading prayer for use in church services in light of the Katrina disaster. With his permission, I post it here for your use. If you plan to use it, please let us know by leaving a comment to this post.

Leader:
Lord, we are blessed with food, water, and homes

Congregation:
but there are many now with none of these things that we so often take for granted.

Leader:
We know that this is always true - but in the wake of the destruction Katrina has left, our shut eyes are opened again.

Congregation:
We have blessings, Lord, and it is time to bless others with them.

Leader:
Open our eyes to suffering in Mississippi, Louisiana, and next door.

Congregation:
Give us your compassion, so we might lift others up.

Leader:
Don't let us fall into helplessness, but give us eyes to see your grace.

Congregation:
Help us to see you, Jesus, in the lives of victims, rescue workers, and all those who are trying to rebuild.

Leader:
Challenge the selfish by your Spirit, convict looters, shame profiteers, and melt even the hardest of heart into acts of mercy and compassion.

Congregation:
Call your people, Lord, call us into action, and teach us to hear your voice.

Leader:
In the name of Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All:
Amen.

Note: Wes and I recommend an emergent movement video. It is a 4 minute visual display of the tragedy to a musical rendition of Pslam 137. Go to www.emergentvillage.com to download it.

Hurricane Katrina

2005-09-02T09:18:00.000-04:00

Torrents of water swept by; the deep roared and lifted its waves on high. (Habakkuk 3:10)

Dear ABCNJ Pastors, Leaders, Members and Ministry Team,

I’ve waited for 2 days to share with you in order to provide you with accurate information regarding our American Baptist response to the disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina. I am writing from home, where I do not have the ABCNJNews mail list, and so I ask that you pass this on to your colleagues and church members. Please consider reading all or part of this letter to your members on Sunday.

First, the situation and ABC response. You all know what is being reported about the disaster, and its magnitude is heartbreaking and incomprehensible. I do not need to share what you can get from the media. There are at least 5 ABC churches that have been affected by the disaster. Obviously, hundreds of other churches have been destroyed throughout the South. I hope ABCNJ will play a role in re-establishing the Christian witness in Louisiana and Mississippi after the crisis is over. As you would guess, we are accepting donations for relief work through One Great Hour of Sharing. Already, $10,000 has been sent, and of course, much more will be distributed in the days and months ahead. ABCNJ churches and members have demonstrated their generosity time and time again, and I have no doubt we will do our part in the present crisis. Please warn your members that, sadly, many scams will emerge and donations should only be given to recogniized national entities like ABCUSA/OGHS.

Second, how should we react to the news coverage? Obviously, with compassion and generosity. I am not only talking about finances. Let us be generous and compassionate toward those depicted in the media as lawless. Stealing televisions is clearly absurd and ludicrous and no one should be shooting weapons, but people in desperate need during a time when aid is nonexistent can be excused for taking water, food and clothing from abandoned businesses and places. Don’t they have a right to survive? Wouldn’t you? Let’s help and save them, and not judge too harshly. Let us also be generous and compassionate toward the civil authorities. Thousands of people are risking their lives to help others. People are doing the best they can, often heroically. In our dry homes, it is easy for us to play armchair critics and decry the mistakes being made. It is easy to second guess and to score political points, but none of this discussion helps save a single person. In the future, when the crisis is past, there will be plenty of time to reflect, learn lessons and critique the performance of local and national governments and officials, but this is not the time. Let us put our energies into constructive actions to help real people in need.

Third, how should we respond as Christians? We are people of faith and hope, and we put our trust in the Lord, Nevertheless, we sense that all of us are going to be affected by the disaster. Gasoline prices are rising daily, which will put stress on family budgets. As we head into winter, no doubt oil prices will be dramatically higher than last year, putting pressure on many church budgets. So, what do we do?

On a personal level, we can do our best to conserve fuel by temporarily limiting discretionary travel until prices, like the flood waters, recede. This is not an easy thing for many Americans to do (and it is easy to belittle); we do not like to sacrifice personal convenience or the pursuit of our lifestyles of affluence and pleasure. But the spirit of sacrifice is at the heart of the Gospel, and can be a blessing for us when we practice or exercise it as a spiritual discipline. Join me in practicing this discipline. Of course, such individual sacrifice will not solve the problem, but it makes us more responsible citizens and is better than doing nothing at all. At the least, such sacrifice releases funds so that we may continue giving to God’s work.

On a church ministry level, I would encourage churches that have “deacons” or special needs funds to begin planning now for helping your members who will have trouble with their heating bills. Such is clearly a ministry of love. In the same spirit, I would ask for more affluent churches to consider helping ABCNJ churches with less means with their heating bills. One cannot minister without heating sanctuaries and classrooms. Pastors have already expressed their fears to me about this prospect. ABCNJ can serve as a broker for this aid. Churches that are struggling could contact us for assistance, which we could distribute from designated mission gifts provided by churches that contribute. Isn’t this one way we can “bear one another’s burdens?” We have had no time to discuss this plan with Council, etc., and so I offer it in order to get us all thinking about ways we can support our ministries. If this idea makes sense for you, checks can be sent to ABCNJ and designated for “Church Heating Needs”. I promise that 100% of the donations will be distributed to churches in need.

If God speaks to you with better thoughts, insights or ideas, do let me hear them. I would like to pass them on to our fellowship.

Holy and Engaged Reading Habits

2005-03-25T07:40:00.000-05:00

The following reflection was published in the April 2005 ABCNJ Inserts. In addition to Sachs' book mentioned below, this month I am also reading Jim Wallis' God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It. I would enjoy hearing your thoughts on it. I am just at the beginning, but already he makes statements I agree and disagree with. All works should be read with both an appreciative (open-minded) and critical (reflective) spirit.

“For in him we live and move and have our being.” As some of your
own poets have said, “We are his offspring.” (Acts 17:28)

I have always been intrigued by the use of the above two quotes by the Apostle Paul. He employed them during a stirring sermon to a Greek crowd in Athens in which he sought to convince seekers that the resurrection of Jesus represents God’s desire to save people from all nations (Acts 17:16-31). Some people believed the good news, while others went away either unconvinced but open to pursuing Paul’s arguments further or closed to the possibility of a resurrection (Acts 17:32-34). Such is the nature of evangelism; we may not win all to Christ, but through the power of the Spirit some are called into new life.

Paul’s double citation interests me because they are not quotes from Scripture (Paul’s definitive and usual source for sermon illustrations). Rather, both appear to be authored by Greek pagan poets (my sources indicate Epimenides of Crete and the Cilician, Aratus) that reflect the philosophical perspectives of the Stoics and Epicureans that Paul desired to win to Christ. In doing so, Paul sought to connect with his listeners and provide a common language from which he could share the Gospel. This tactic also reflects the depth of his learning and his willingness to engage those who disagreed with him. The Christian apologists of later generations would imitate Paul’s approach, with great success.

In our pluralistic society, we have much to gain from adopting a similar strategy. We should certainly read our Scriptures regularly and reverently so as to become immersed in the revelation of God and the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. By extension, reading religious works that deepen our understanding of our faith makes obvious sense. We should also engage our culture by reading works written by people who may not share our faith, so that we might be conversant with the burning issues of the day. Not only might we learn something, but we will also find new hooks to relate the message of Jesus Christ to seekers in our world.

Accordingly, I am inviting my ABCNJ family to join with me in studying an important new book by the noted economist Jeffrey D. Sachs, The End of Poverty. It was featured in the March 14, 2005 edition of Time Magazine and is a significant challenge to the world to address an issue dear to the heart of Jesus. Let’s read the book in April and use my new ministry blog (abcnj.blogspot.com) to discuss it with one another. I’m looking forward to your insights!

One in Christ

2005-03-09T07:30:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, ABCNJ sponsorerd a "One in Christ" seminar at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset. With about 100 people in attendance, and a very positive spirit in evidence throughout the day, it can be considered a successful venture. Special thanks to Rev. Kevin Jones, ABCNJ One in Christ Associate Regional Pastor, for putting it all together. Also, thanks to the eight ABCNJ pastors who presented in the afternoon; each made a unique and solid contribution to the discussion.

One in Christ has been focused on how people from different races, cultures and nationalities can relate together as Christian brothers and sisters, and on how our churches should reflect the multi-cultural nature of the Kingdom of God. As a regional entity, ABCNJ does indeed demonstrate that God calls "us all" and favors no one culture over another; we come from many different backgrounds and experiences. Nevertheless, it is fair to say that there is still much room for growth in this area.

Some "One in Christ" follow-up questions on my mind include:

1. How do we encourage the growth of deeper friendships across cultural lines, so that our relationships with people of other cultures or races move beyond a superficial level?

2. When we gather together regionally, how do we bridge the linguistic divide so that people whose primary language is not English can participate more fully? With so many language groups being a part of our fellowship, can we develop a way to worship that allows us all to employ our primary language?

3. How may we pray for one another's ministries more effectively, and with a greater knowledge of the goals and needs that each one has?

4. Are there new and creative ways to cooperate across ethnic and cultural lines that we could embrace in order to foster a greater degree of partnership between churches of different backgrounds?

I'd be interested to hear from you about these and other follow-up questions you might wish to raise.

Starting Year Three

2005-03-02T19:30:00.000-05:00

"At that time," declares the LORD,

"I will be the God of all the clans of Israel,

and they will be my people."

(Jeremiah 31:1)

As I look forward to year three of my ministry as regional pastor of ABCNJ (which began on March 1), I can't help but feel thankful to God for giving me the privilege of serving as the region's pastor. From day one in 2003, I purposed to spend as much time as possible in our churches, and this decision continues to be a source of great blessing to me. This past weekend serves as an excellent example.

Although I had to start driving north from my home in Bordentown 90 minutes before the sun rose over the eastern horizon on Saturday morning, I was eager to begin a day filled with ministry experiences.

The first, the North Association's Annual Men's Breakfast at First Baptist Church in Sussex, began with a time of worship and communion. I especially appreciated taking communion before breakfast, as this set a specifically spiritual tone to the morning's get-together. Following breakfast, I was pleased to share on "Having a Healthy and Faithful Prayer Life" based on Ephesians 6:18-20. Paul says, "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" (v. 18). The "healthy and faithful" emphasis is the heart and soul of the vision of ABCNJ, and our prayer lives should reflect these qualities, to be sure.

Is it a confession to admit that I particularly enjoy teaching on prayer? It is a subject where theology (what we believe about God, ourselves, salvation, love grace), praxis (how we pray, where we pray, why we pray) and personal experience (what do we experience as we pray) are all significant and interesting. Our reflections on prayer can further its exercise in our lives. Why do we pray the prayers we say? What do we expect God to do in response? What is the role of silence as we enter God's presence? What does it mean when God is silent? How do we hear from God, and what role does Scripture - God's written revelation - play in guiding and sustaining our prayer lives? How should our prayer lives evolve as we grow in spiritual maturity? How do our prayers relate to God's will for our lives? These and many other questions have occupied my time when I am alone, and often in conversation with good friends.

As I taught, I was pleased to see a partial picture of the diversity that is one of the special attributes of ABCNJ regional life. Approximately 70 men from 14 churches were together - Anglo, Asian and African-American. Different clans united in prayer to our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Following the breakfast and prayer time, Associate Regional Pastor Glenn Porter, Rev. Jerry Johnson, Mr. Bob Keen (who came all the way from Toms River) and I met with David Cross, the northeast representative for ABMen. Our aim was to envision a stronger regional men's ministry, and it was a productive and encouraging brainstorming session.

Next on the agenda was a discussion with some of the members of the host church, FBC Sussex, regarding the region's Small Church/Small Community Health and Faithfulness Initiative. The initiative is a perfect example of the kind of proactive regional partnerships with local churches that I believe in. We had hoped for 10 to 12 churches to participate in the inaugural two year effort, but 20 have signed on or expressed interest! This overwhelming response may tax our ministry team, but we all believe the work is "kingdom-building" and at the heart of why God has called us to regional service. What could be a better use of our time than to journey with pastors and churches that desire to follow their Lord by becoming more spiritually healthy fellowships and more faithful mission centers?

With the sun higher up in the sky, I followed Route 23 south toward Newark, and then wound my way through the city in order to attend the tenth annual Hispanic Youth Meeting at Central Baptist Church, Elizabeth. I had no part to play in the event, and could have easily declined the invitation to attend, but I wanted to be there nonetheless. During the first two years of my ministry, I have come to deeply appreciate the spirit and vibrancy of our Hispanic youth and I see the future of ABCNJ in their devotion to Christ and the work and life of their churches. I was not disappointed. Although I arrived late, I caught some of the worship and enjoyed the excellent message by an ABCNJ female Brazilian pastor, Rev. Maria Regina Guedes. So here were another set of clans within our fellowship, also united in Jesus Christ.

By the time I arrived home, the sun had set on a varied but not that unusual day of ministry.

Sunday morning called me back north, to Grace Baptist in Belleville. The sanctuary was filled with the voices of people praying fervently, in chorus with the prayers of the pastor, Rev. Carmen Miranda. They were marching along the sides of the sanctuary, in imitation of Joshua and his followers around Jericho. A member shared with me that they were dedicating themselves to be God's soldiers who would take the Gospel to their locality. The level of commitment in response to this vision was evident. Then the service began, with a time of worship that was as varied as it was sincere. We sang softly, and then with louder voices; we clapped to melodies while others danced. It was not perfunctory, but heart-felt and authentic. The time flew by, and I said my farewells some three hours later.

Later in the afternoon I headed back up north to conduct a health and faithfulness survey session with the people of Ramapo Valley Church in Oakland. Even though we were very serious in our reflections, there was plenty of occasion to laugh with one another. They will hear the results on Sunday. This was the last church I would be with as my second year of service concluded.

The lights of Interstate 287 and the New Jersey Turnpike prevented the darkness of the evening from being complete. The Camry followed the road almost without my needing to steer it, as if it knew the path home by heart after so many journeys. I reflected on how many people I have met in these past two years, from so many clans. In Christ, we are one people, and I have felt accepted by all the groups that make up our ABCNJ fellowship. "At that time," declares the LORD, "I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they will be my people."

Why create a blog?

2005-03-02T10:37:00.000-05:00

As our society changes and communication tools evolve, new forms of sharing make their mark. Blogging is an exciting new tool for the Internet age. It is fast, accessible to all who surf the Web, and interactive. It is for these reasons that I have decided to test out this new form of sharing with our ABCNJ constituency.

When I first arrived back in the region, I started an e-mail series which celebrated the signs of the Spirit I was witnessing across the state. However, e-mail can be bothersome (when your inbox fills up with spam every day) and I never knew if the recipients wanted the e-mail. With a blog, this is no problem, since only the interested visit it.

I envision this blog as an unofficial and informal means of staying in touch with the 290 churches and missions, their members, and over 325 pastors who make up our great ABCNJ family. Please share with the members of your church the address to this blog: abcnj.blogspot.com. Visit it often, for I plan to update it at least a few times a week.

Ground rules for interacting with me on the blog:

1. Your feedback and comments are most welcome and desired! However, I ask that this forum NOT be used to air criticisms of other people, churches, programs, etc. Personal attacks of any kind are unacceptable.

2. Questions to me are most welcome, but I will not use this blog to do any counseling or to address specific problems a church or pastor might be facing. Remember - this a a public forum, and nothing is private once it is posted! If you have a personal concern, e-mail me directly at leespitzer@abcnj.org.

Above all, I plan to have fun with this tool, as I share my heart and thoughts with you. Join me often as we continue the journey together!