Marion | The needs of busy and discouraged pastors addressed in the Pastors Conference dovetailed with a new ministry emphasis introduced at the opening of the state convention’s 117th IBSA Annual Meeting November 8-9. “We believe that healthy pastors are needed for healthy churches,” IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams said to messengers at Cornerstone Church in Marion.
Adams told the messengers, numbering 384 along with 57 guests, that a new website will be a portal to a variety of existing opportunities, such as free pastor’s retreats at the two IBSA camps facilities, and new services including additional Multiply Hubs to bring pastors together next year.
Other actions and reports in the two-day meeting included passage of the 2024 Cooperative Program budget, delivery of Buckets of Blessing for six ministries, an interview with a couple serving international missions from a local base, two national SBC guests, and a sermon by IBSA President Michael Nave detailing his church’s confrontation of immoral actions by a staff member and the lessons they learned.
In his report, Adams said, “As 2023 draws to a close and we prepare to enter 2024, IBSA is beginning a ‘For the Pastor’ emphasis, designed to deliver practical care, encouragement, and forward momentum for IBSA pastors.
“Included in the emphasis will be surveys and focus groups to better understand pastors’ deepest needs, resources, retreats, and other encouraging gatherings for both pastors and spouses, and partnership with local associations and others to further expand IBSA’s capacity for delivering more intentional and consistent pastor care,” Adams said.
Dilbeck urges eternal focus
Hance Dilbeck’s message emphasized the vital nature of pastoral work. “Get focused and stay focused because your ministry has eternal consequences,” the President and CEO of Guidestone Financial Resources told pastors. “You’re dealing with the souls of men and women.”
Dilbeck preached, “Paul is writing Timothy, a young minister of the gospel, so that churches can thrive.” He cited 1 Timothy 4:16, “Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
“It’s refreshing to me to hear Paul say there are really only two things you must get right: the doctrine and yourself,” he said. “Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, he doesn’t call us to neglect ourselves,” Dilbeck said, crediting a colleague with the statement. “And there’s a difference.”
Dilbeck said pastors must persevere because “there is no burden like the pastor’s burden.” Having served as a church pastor and CEO of a multimillion-dollar corporation, he said, “I never carried a heavier burden like when I was shepherding the flock of God.”
“Because we’re dealing with the souls of boys and girls, of men and women! We don’t have that margin for error!” Dilbeck emphsized. “We’ve got to pay attention! We’ve got to get this right! We’ve got to get this right because our ministries have eternal focuses!”
Porter on CP@100
The 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program will be observed by Southern Baptists in 2025. Adams told the story of his grandmother, Effie Hooks of Kentucky, who pledged $25 to the SBC’s $75 Million Campaign in 1920. That was a precursor to CP intended to bring the convention out of financial distress. With money she saved from selling eggs, Hooks paid her pledge in three years.
The SBC Executive Committee, which disburses CP funds to mission boards and seminaries, was represented by Brandon Porter, editor of Baptist Press. “This is our day, this is our time, the Lord has given us this opportunity… to be part of his kingdom, to be part of his church,” Porter said. “I would encourage you to ask what your church could do to increase the reach and impact” of the Cooperative Program.
IBSA Board Chair Jeff Logsdon presented the IBSA Budget to messengers. The 2024 budget is based on a Cooperative Program goal of $6.1 million dollars with a CP ratio of 56.5%/43.5% (IBSA/SBC). The ratio remains unchanged from the previous year. The budget and ratio were approved by messengers with no dissent.
In his report, Adams outlined the network’s engagement with its churches throughout the year. It included the Health and Growth Teams’ direct engagement to revitalize 84 churches and 15 local associations. Adams said by midyear, nearly 1,000 students had been discipled at IBSA camps, and 93 students came to Christ at Lake Sallateeska and Streator Baptist Camps this summer.
In January, IBSA will again host in Springfield the 2024 Leadership Summit, where more than 1,000 Baptist leaders from across the Midwest are expected to attend. “National SBC leaders frequently tell me that MLS is one of the most practical and beneficial conferences they attend anywhere,” Adams said.
Multiply Hubs will be one the primary gathering opportunities IBSA provides in 2024 for the exchange of ideas, for practical training, and for facilitating transformational leadership groups to help pastors and leaders follow through on their ideas and strategies.
Adams reported 11 new churches will be planted by the end of the year, with about 50 plants in some stage of development.
Credentials Committee chair Don Evans presented six churches for affiliation which were approved by acclamation. The churches are
– Anchor Church, Palos Heights
– Empowerment Community Church, Chicago
– Life Community Church, Hillsboro
– New Nazareth Missionary Church, Chicago
– Oreana Church, Oreana
– Transformation Church, South Chicago Heights
Actions, resolutions, and elections
In addition to approval of reports and budgets from the three IBSA entities, including the Baptist Foundation of Illinois (BFI) and Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services (BCHFS), messengers approved the second reading implementing tweaks to the IBSA constitution and first reading for amendments for a vote next year.
Messengers also approved four resolutions. The Committee on Resolutions and the Christian Life brought motions that focused on church health, the wellbeing of pastors, and missions, along with a measure calling for prayer to end the conflict in Israel.
“Illinois Baptists are urged to honor, support, and uphold in prayer the work of Christians in Israel and the Middle East,” the resolution says, “both Messianic Jews and Palestinian believers, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with their unbelieving relatives, neighbors on all sides of the conflict…”
The document traces God’s covenant relationship with Israel and the admonition for his people to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. It passed without objection.
Michael Nave was elected to a second term as IBSA President. Nave is pastor of Cornerstone Church in Marion. Carlton Binkley, pastor of Tabernacle Church in Decatur, returned as Vice President. Charlene Moe was elected to serve a second term as Recording Secretary. Moe is a member of Chatham Baptist Church. Matt Philbrick, Student Pastor of First Baptist Church of Ramsey, returned as Assistant Recording Secretary.
‘Buckets’ bless kids, migrants
A steady stream of red, orange, yellow, green, purple, and blue buckets flowed into the lobby at Cornerstone Church. The blue five-gallon buckets were new this year, signifying an addition to the ministries supported by the collection of goods for Illinois Baptist compassion ministries.
The blue buckets were filled with toiletries and personal care items for refugees arriving in Chicago and migrant workers in Southern Illinois. “Shout out to churches in Southern Illinois” who have partnered in ministry with Hispanic churches, Pastor Jonathan de la O said enthusiastically at the Pastors Conference. In Chicago, de la O’s church has led outreach to migrants bussed from the Mexico border in Texas.
“Our church was really excited about supporting the ministries,” said Paul Cooper, pastor of Marshall Baptist Church. “One of our members heard about it at our associational meeting. She recommended getting a bucket for each of our small groups to fill.”
Messengers delivered the goods, as did churches across the state that filled 377 buckets and brought many more rolling carts and boxes of supplies.
“Buckets of Blessing” was started last year to supply the Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services and its ministries at Angels Cove Maternity Home and GraceHaven Pregnancy Resource Clinic, and Pathways Counseling. Christian Activity Center in East St. Louis is also a recipient of the outpouring of supplies.
The next IBSA Annual Meeting is November 12-13, 2024, at Ashburn Baptist Church in metro Chicago.