The Ohio Independent Baptist, February/March 1991

Where else can you get a news– letter subscription for $3 per year? Support the Ohio Associ ation in its efforts to keep you informed. Lloyd Learned, former pas tor of Faith Baptist in Greenville, went to be with the Lord on January 14. He bad been pastor of the First Baptist Church of North Tonowanda, NY, since June 1988 . It's a bargain ! Sha"Wnee Hills Saves $100,000 Shawnee Hills is debt free ! Former pastor Thomas Fillinger (left) burns the mortgage as Ass istant Pastor Mark Kordic (center) and Senior Pastor Denn is Henderson look on. The congregation of Shawnee Hills (Jamestown) Baptist Church celebrated its fi nancial freedom during a special mortgage ceremony during the morning worship service on January 20. Pastor Dennis Henderson provided an update of the accomplishments of the church since it was founded in 1974 . Pastor Henderson was joined by Assistant Pastor Mark Kordic, former pas tor Thomas Fillinger and State Representative Larry Fetzer, in the mortgage burning ceremony. The congregation of Shawnee Hills paid off the debt on its 6,200 square foo t building in just ten years th rough a variety of debt reduction programs instituted by Pastor Henderson. The note was scheduled to be paid off in the year 2000. In 1986, Pastor Henderson commis- ioned the hurch Growth Task Force, which concl uded that the church needed to build to accommodate the needs of the congregation but could not do so because of the debt on the present building. Hender on initiated two debt reduc ti on campaign , dubbed Operation Heartshare and The Joa h Projec t, to eliminate the $16 , 0 debt. Motivated by the desire to "store up treasures in heaven" based upon Matthew h pt.er , the ongrega– tion rallied together to pay off the alan e in just four y ar . on equently, th bur h realized a aving of n arly $1 ,0 , wjth th la t payment made in em r 1990. Pastor Learned was 42. Working Together: Honte 8t Church Part lof 2 by Jean Fisher Associate Professor of Church Education Cedarville College "Parents' attitudes toward leaders and ministries are 'caught' by children." Sunday school began as an extra- church movement in 1780. Church leaders reacted with dismay-such activity desecrated the "Sabbath!" As the Sunday school moved into the church the re– sponse was concern. Would the church replace the home as God's agency for teaching children and youth? Tension be tween home and church continued as churches added more educational agencies, leaving less time for family activities. Then the break– down of family values caused churches to evaluate their ministry to the home . Some found it lacking or non-existent. Now both the home and church were recogni zed as necessary fo r effective Chri stian education. Cooperation must replace tension. This articl e speaks to you who are parents about the home in cooperation wi th the church. As parents, you have tJ1e God-given responsibi lity for, and autJ10rity over your children (Dt. 6 :l -9; Ps. 78 :5-8 ; Eph. 6: 1-4) . Don ' t expect church leaders to assume thi s responsibility or to solve problems not deal t with at home. Rather, work witJ1 teachers to resolve problems. Parents' atti tudes toward church leaders and ministries are "caughl" by children. Pray togetJ1er for tlle leader , show tllem appreciation, invite tllem into your home . ncourage your child ' involvement in learn ing and servi ce opportuniti es by your own involvement. Get adequat res t Saturday night. Plan al1ead, avoid hecti unday mornings, and get to chur h early, ready to study and worship . unday dinner is an cellent time to Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you We Can't Thank You Enough! Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Mrs. Merle Brock for faitllful service to the OIB since January 1982. Columnists Ben Kendrick and Ken St. Clair for their contributions to the OIB. Ron Coriell and the Cedarville College Public Relations Department for their assistance with our redesign. Many pastors and people who con– tributed ideas and sugges tions. Keep them coming ! Garrison Rice available for Bible conference ministry or pulpit supply Over 30 years pastoral experience Call 614-876-6944 di scuss truths learned. Plan toge tJ1er how to live tJ1e e trutJ1s a t home, at school, and a t work . Use take-home materials in famil y devotions to rei nforce learning and en ourage Scriptu re memorization . ou might also u e thi s time to assist witJ1 Sunday school lesson preparation. Plan toge ther your tinancial support for church mini stries . Open your home to missionarie and church groups . E peel God to bless our home as you cooperate with your chu rch .