Questions & Answers about First Baptist Redlands' Discernment Process

Things are going well at First Baptist, why do we need to have a discernment process?
Churches, like individuals, experience different ages and stages of life. Many church theorists talk about the life cycles of congregations and how churches grow and mature over time. This November, The First Baptist Church of Redlands will celebrate 123 years of mission and ministry. We have a lot for which to be thankful. The faithfulness this congregation has demonstrated through the years provides a legacy on which we can build.

We ought never, however, take for granted the ministry God has given us. Each generation contributes in important and new ways to the reign of God’s love that dawns in our lives through Christ. We must ever be asking, “What is God doing in this stage of our church’s ministry and how does this good work call out the
best in us?”

Church theorists would argue that it is best for congregations to have such discussions in seasons of health and vitality. Most churches, however, wait until there are severe problems before asking these important questions. Seeking to be proactive, our church’s Executive Council has been discussing the value of entering into a time of discernment in order to better articulate and to affirm how God is calling us to grow in mission and ministry as we enter what appears to be a new life cycle or chapter in our church’s history.

What is the "Discerning God's Call" Fall Retreat?
Over the past few months, our church Executive Council has been discussing how this might be a good time to ask ourselves some serious questions about who we believe God is calling us to be as a congregation and how God is calling us to grow in mission over the next few years. We are experiencing a generational transfer of our ministry and that this is a good time to reflect upon our past and affirm together the steps we believe God is leading us to take as we move forward into the future. The retreat will serve as an opportunity for the church family to reflect upon who we are and how God is calling us to extend the reign of Jesus in our lives & world.

When is the "Discerning God's Call" Fall Retreat?
Saturday, October 2, 2010
8:30-3:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall
8:30 breakfast. Lunch will also be provided.

Who is invited?
Members, friends, and those who are seeking to live out our discipleship at First Baptist Redlands are encouraged to attend.

Can my children attend?
Definitely! We will provide childcare and a children's program for ages 0-5th grade with a reservation.
Children are welcome to join their parents for breakfast in Fellowship Hall. Those who have already eaten can be brought to their classrooms starting at 8:20 a.m. A healthy morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack will also be provided with a reservation. We are requesting for parents with infants and toddlers to bring a lunch and beverage for your little ones and our staff will help feed them.
Infants & Toddlers (ages 0-3): Please bring to Nursery/Toddler Rooms
Children ages 4 and older: Please bring to the Arts & Craft Room

Is there a charge?
Since we are hoping for as many of our members and friends to participate in this process, a special gift has been given from the Omer Robbins Endowment Fund to cover expenses for the retreat.

Can you provide a brief summary of topics that will be covered?
Morning Session: Congregational identity —
who we are as a congregation and what that means for understanding the ministry and mission God is giving us.

Afternoon Session: Identifying mission priorities —
the concrete ways in which God is empowering us to Connect Grow & Serve.

Will the food be good?
Great question! Yes.

How can we register to attend the retreat?
Please contact the church office or email register@fbcredlands.org.

Who is Dr. Jeff Woods and why was he selected to serve as our guide and facilitator for this process?
Over ninety people attended a Sunday afternoon workshop in March which introduced the whole idea of beginning an intentional process of discernment. Based on the strong congregational support that was evident after the workshop, the Executive Council sought to identify leadership that could help guide our congregation through a discernment process. Four different consultants were considered, and after two months of discussion and investigation, the Executive Council voted unanimously to invite Jeff to work with us.

Dr. Woods is no stranger to us. Jeff serves as Associate General Secretary for Regional Ministries for the American Baptist Churches USA. In his role as Associate General Secretary, Jeff consults with two or three congregations a year, helping churches like First Baptist discern God’s leading at critical junctions in their life cycles. When Jeff heard that we were looking for leadership for a consultation process he offered his
services to us because he sees our church as a strategic partner in the larger American Baptist mission. In addition to his professional training as a consultant, Jeff brings years of experience as a local church pastor and regional executive. We believe the experience, training, and passion for ministry Jeff brings to the process will be a great gift to us as we seek to articulate and to affirm who we are at our best and how God is calling us to be faithful in the years ahead.

Can you provide some more information about Dr. Woods?
Of course. Click here to read Jeff's bio.

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