GREEN LAKE, WI (ABNS 10/19/06)-Repeatedly hailed as one of the best American Baptist Churches' conferences by past attendees, the Orientation to American Baptist Life ran from Thursday, Oct 19th to Sunday, Oct 22nd at the Green Lake Conference Center, WI.
The annual gathering is an in-depth look at American Baptist Churches for new ministers and seminarians. Attendees rotated through information sessions led by the various program boards and regional staff and were given an inside look at what the various parts of the American Baptist body do. "It was a very comprehensive presentation of the ministries involved and what they give to the local church," said Yuhshi Luh of Calvary Baptist Church in New Haven, CT.
Attendees were challenged by powerful speakers to be peacemakers instead of peacekeepers, to forego the solitary life and establish strong, supportive friendships with their fellow ministers, and to be an incarnation of Jesus Christ by changing the lives of the world's hurting people.
Each worship session incorporated elements from Hispanic American, African American, and European American traditions. Ann Colley from Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA said, "The worship services were good. The songs were great...they were unifying. Those were moments that brought everyone together and were very intentional in making us all one."
Voluntary evening sessions centered on topics such as Conflict Transformation, Conversations with the General Secretary, and an introduction to the Taizé style of worship. These sessions offered conference attendees a chance to look closer at some of the opportunities and challenges they will experience as they grow into their ministry areas.
Attendees left with a greater understanding of their denomination and a greater sense of unity with each other. When asked what he would remember most about the conference, Stuart Briggs of Beth Eden Baptist Church in Oakland, CA said, "The diversity of the people that came. The sessions were great but what really added to it was just getting to know different American Baptists from all around the country and finding out what they're doing."
Julio Gonzalez from Primera Iglesia Bautista de Santurce in San Juan, Puerto Rico echoed those sentiments when he answered the same question, saying, "The gathering... the knowing each other. To see that we came from all different places, different backgrounds, different cultures. But we are one. We are one in Christ."
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/