wfn.org | AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS FOR DEC. 15 CONTINUED

[LEAH_MCCARTER.parti@ecunet.org (LEAH MCCARTER)]

To: wfn-editors@wfn.org

AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

Age-Group Resources to Replace Baptist Leader
 
 The production of the quarterly Baptist Leader 
magazine will conclude with the Summer 2000 issue, it was 
announced today by American Baptist Educational Ministries 
Executive Director Jean Kim.  
 "It is clear to us that local church needs can be 
better met if Educational Ministries focuses on resources 
for age group ministries and other specific areas of 
discipleship," Kim said.  Baptist Leader has served since 
1939 to support the teaching ministry and leader development 
of the church. 
 "Today people who are engaged in the teaching ministry 
of the church are looking for much more focused help," said 
the Rev. Jeffrey Jones, director of Educational Ministries' 
Partners in Discipleship Ministries.  He cited the examples 
of a youth leader who wants specific resources for youth 
ministry and the leader of an adult Bible study group who is 
looking for ideas and resources to help teach God's Word.  
 Educational Ministries will continue to develop 
specialized resources, such as the Young Adult Clipboard 
newsletter and ABY Bag.  "These focused resources offer 
significantly more help than a quarterly magazine that 
attempts to cover the breadth of discipleship and leader 
development issues," said Jones.  Increasingly these newer 
resources will be available on Educational Ministries' 
Websites.  In 2000 Educational Ministries will introduce 
Websites for older adult ministries and ministries with 
young adults.
 Next spring Partners in Discipleship Ministries will 
launch a discipleship service center, available to all 
American Baptist congregations and regions, to respond to 
specific needs of pastors and leaders.  "This new approach 
addresses immediate discipleship needs expressed by 
individuals," said Jones.  The service center will use 
current technology that includes phone, fax, e-mail and 
Websites to provide consultation and resource assistance.
 Current subscribers will be notified by letter that 
Baptist Leader will conclude with the Summer 2000 issue.  
For subscribers whose subscription periods extend beyond the 
summer issue Educational Ministries will offer credits for 
the unpublished issues. 
 "We celebrate the 60-year heritage of Baptist Leader 
as an important milestone in Educational Ministries 175-year 
history; it is time now to address emerging discipleship 
needs in more effective ways," Kim said.  

12/15/99
WFN1215B

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