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A Note to the Clergy of the
Mid-American Region
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Called by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to embody and proclaim
the Good News of Jesus Christ as Lord,
Mid-American Baptist Churches is a covenanting association of
American Baptist Churches in Minnesota and Iowa.
We are interdependent and diverse congregations and individuals
working and praying together to build up the Body of Christ.
--- Our Region's Mission Statement
Please consider attending this year.
Let's have a good group from Mid-America!!!!
Registration information below.
 
A word from the President of ABCUSA National Ministers Council
Happy New Year!
As the new President of the national Minister’s Council, I am privileged to be able to join you in our shared work of building collegiality, centeredness, and competence. Like each of you, the Minister’s Council has been hard at work through the pandemic, working to connect, encourage, and support our clergy as they do that same work in their own contexts of ministry. In my 13 years of pastoral ministry in Lawrence, KS and my 20-plus years of ministry in the Central Region, I have rarely seen as much creativity, commitment, and shared trust in God’s presence as I have in the last few years. Thank you for your faithfulness.
I am also privileged to announce that the proposed Code of Ethics update has been approved by our chapters, and is ready for implementation! Most of you know that this has been a multi-year process, including engagement with hundreds of our members through surveys, Facebook focus groups, chapter meetings, and numerous personal conversations. The current document was approved by chapter representatives on November 19, 2020 and ratified by vote of sixteen chapters over 2021-2022.
On February 1, the new Code of Ethics will go into effect, and a companion learning guide (with multiple translations) should be available by this summer. The attached document, also conveniently housed at www.ministerscouncil.com , should immediately replace the 2006 version in all your customary uses (ordination, credentialing, seminary education, etc.)
For more information on the process and vote, including any specific questions or clarifications you may have, please contact me.
I am indebted to you for your amazing ministry in these days, and look forward to joining your work in new and creative ways!
In the name of Christ,
Rev. Dr. Matthew Sturtevant
Ministers Council President
The updated Code of Ethics can be found HERE
Church and Clergy Taxes made easier with MMBB
Be sure to check out the many valuable resources that MMBB provides free to churches and pastors as you prepare to file taxes for 2022. The annual “Clergy Tax Guide” is not yet published but should come soon. Here are a couple articles to get you started
Clergy Tax Reporting: https://www.mmbb.org/church-finance/clergy-church-tax-reporting
Church Finance: https://www.mmbb.org/resources?category=church-finances
We are excited to announce the keynote speakers for the 2023 Biennial Mission Summit, to be held June 23-25, 2023 at the
Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico!
These engaging, dynamic American Baptist speakers will share a message during the four worship services scheduled: Rev. Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes III, Friday Evening Worship, June 23; Rev. Miriam Méndez, Saturday Evening Worship, June 24; Rev. Laura I. Ayala-Álvarez, Sunday Morning Worship, June 25; and Rev. Joy Martinez-Marshall, Sunday Evening Worship, June 25.
ABCUSA 2023 Mission Summit
ABCUSA’s 2023 Mission Summit will be held June 23-25, 2023 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Registration has not yet officially open but the website is available to learn more.
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Once registration officially opens, to register as a church delegate you must register using your church PIN Code.
The PDF document HERE will provide you with the pin code and the number of delegates available from each local church.
(You will need to rotate the file in order to read it correctly.)
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January Newsletter can be read HERE
ABCUSA General Secretary Search Team Update
After a year of research and extensive analysis of survey results, in-person meetings, and focus groups the General Secretary Search Committee is pleased to announce that the Position Description for a new General Secretary of American Baptist Churches USA will be available on the ABCUSA website beginning January 17, 2023. The position description and required application materials will be available for six weeks, from January 17 – February 24.
As we enter into this time of decision and discernment the committee requests the prayers of the denominational family to lead us to the person that God is preparing to assume this vital role in our denominational life.
Please remember these dates: January 17 – February 24, 2023.
View past updates from the General Secretary Search Committee here.
ABCUSA Burma Refugee Commission calls for day of prayer
8:30PM ET on Tuesday, January 31.
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American Baptist Churches USA and the American Baptist Churches Burma Refugee Commission are issuing a Call to Prayer for Burma (Myanmar) for a special prayer service at 8:30PM ET on Tuesday, January 31. (The service will be live in Burma at 8:00 AM local time, and live in Thailand at 8:30 AM local time.) This prayer service is being held to observe the second anniversary of the military coup in Burma. American Baptists and mission partners are invited to join together as we set aside one hour to lift up prayers for the people of Burma via Zoom.
Tuesday, February 1, 2023 marks the second anniversary of the Military coup in Burma (Myanmar.) Since the coup in 2021 thousands have been killed, over 10,000 have been arrested and over half a million people have been displaced. Many churches from various backgrounds have been destroyed. There continues to be a great need for humanitarian aid. The Burma Refugee Commission members have worked with other groups to ensure the passage of the Burma bill, a U.S. government bill signed into law December 23, 2022. American Baptists continue to work alongside partners to advocate for freedom, peace and justice in Burma.
Remembering God’s call to intercede for those who suffer we will join in prayer on this solemn day. The prayer service will be held during the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington D.C., a summit dedicated to religious freedom for everyone, everywhere and all the time.
Interested persons may register to join the prayer service on Zoom by clicking this link.
The Burma Refugee Commission is a commission of the ABCUSA Board of General Ministries coordinated out of the ABCUSA Office of the General Secretary. It includes representatives from International Ministries, the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, the Regional Executive Ministers Council, Burmese Baptist Churches USA, Chin Baptist Churches USA, Chin Baptist Association of North America, Kachin Baptist Churches USA, Kachin American Baptist Association, and the Karen Baptist Churches USA. Click here to learn more about the Burma Refugee Commission.
[Click here to read more]
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ABWomen in Ministry Pilgrimage to Spain! April 9-19, 2024
American Baptist Women in Ministry and Illuminated Journeys invite you to "The Way," a Walk/Ride Pilgrimage across the Camino de Santiago in Spain, April 9-19, 2024.
This pilgrimage is especially designed for those who want to experience the historic Camino de Santiago and learn about the spiritual practice of pilgrimage but don’t have the time or the physical training to walk “The Way” in its entirety. Exploring some of the most interesting places and most evocative landscapes along the Camino, tour participants will walk and ride to the great cathedral city of Santiago and discover the beauty of the Spanish countryside in the region of Navarra, the riches of Spanish food in the region of Rioja, and the Celtic culture of Galicia.
American Baptist leaders Patricia Hernandez, associate general secretary of American Baptist Women in Ministry, and Jackie Saxon, executive minister of Mid-American Baptist Churches, will personally escort this journey, joining Brad Berglund with Illuminated Journeys, who is an experienced tour guide with special skill in the spirituality of pilgrimage. Along with Berglund, both Hernandez and Saxon have previously walked the Camino and will provide reflective leadership and a supportive presence throughout.
“I am very excited to experience the Camino de Santiago with fellow American Baptist Women in Ministry as we learn about the spiritual practice of pilgrimage by walking together in the beautiful countryside of Spain. It's a great way to taste and see the beauty of the Camino,” said Saxon.
“Walking the Camino is an opportunity to reflect on our journeys in ministry, the twists and turns, the barriers and blockades, the openings and awakenings. The multiple paths of the Camino invite us to reflect on the multiple ways we live out our calls and navigate our ministries.
Join us on this journey!” said Hernandez.
Learn more about the opportunity or reserve a space for “The Way," a Walk/Ride Pilgrimage across the Camino de Santiago here.
Preaching Hope for a Weary World
May 15 - 18, 2023 Minneapolis, MN
Register Now
As you begin to think about 2023.....
 
Here are some institutions that might have something to offer
that you may be interested in. Just click on the logo.
         
If you have some additional ones to add to this list -
please send them to me - exec@mid-abc.org
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