Volume 113 December 2019 Issue 12

Cruise-In Reception for Roger

Thursday, December 5, 2019 1:00-3:00 pm (floating)

Raleigh Baptist Association

820 S. New Hope Road, Raleigh

Baptist Build 2020 Raleigh and Wake Missionary Baptists Building Together

We are thrilled with the wonderful response from our churches to come together once again to build two houses simultaneously. The two homes will be built in the Abington Ridge neighborhood in Raleigh starting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and going through the end of March. Baptist Build 2020 will begin with a Kick-Off Worship Celebration on Sunday, January 19 at 3:00 pm hosted by Grace Church for All Nations and Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh. For Information regarding the Baptist Build 2020 go to: https://www.habitatwake.org/faith/baptist

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Executive Director Roger E. Nix

From Second Thoughts to Some Final Thoughts

Over the past twenty-five years and nine months more than three hundred articles have appeared in this column. These monthly reflections, Second Thoughts, have now come down to a few final thoughts on the past and some encouragement for the future. Confessions and regrets from the Journey past The word confession(s) can have two distinctly different meanings. Confessions can be either a formal statement admitting one’s guilt and need of forgiveness or it may be a statement of beliefs setting out basic religious doctrine. I would like to address both meanings. First, I confess my intentions were to minister to all RBA churches without prejudice no matter their doctrinal or denominational preference in Baptist life. I regret my entire ministry was exercised during one of the most turbulent forty year periods of Southern Baptist history. The pain, hurts and divisions over broken relationships left most people confused and frustrated over what happened and why. I confess, serving a large diverse association with churches that claim an identity from fundamental Baptist to liberal Baptist was extremely challenging. I confess, I never attempted to change or challenge “church identity”. However, I vigorously encouraged each congregation to clearly define themselves. I sadly confess and regret that I was not as persuasive as I had hoped to be. I regret that denominational/doctrinal differences hindered some pastors and churches from participating and contributing to the RBA ministry. Optional affinity networks outside of traditional Baptist Associational relationships appealed to many of those congregations. I regret, churches continue to resist the difficult conversations surrounding identity since it necessitates agreeing to and embracing basic doctrinal statements. I have served and loved the churches of the RBA in spite of the differences we have been challenged to navigate in these changing denominational times. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to serve the RBA for almost twenty-six years. Encouragement and Prayers for the Journey ahead The constitution of the RBA states…...The RBA is a fellowship of congregations committed to joining God where He is at work in our world through the intentional pursuit of a future for every church and a church for every person. Let me take this opportunity to share a few thoughts about the general direction of this association of churches and my prayers for the future.

I encourage and pray that all leadership teams will remain focused on the worldwide mission field which has come to the Triangle. The RBA has grown from three ethnic congregations to more than forty. More than fifty other churches were started in the past two plus decades.

I encourage and pray leadership will keep RBA missional purposes in focus in order to assist churches in discovering mission opportunities and partnership possibilities, provide networks through which churches may offer mutual support and encouragement, encourage the building of relationships which will strengthen the bonds of fellowship among our churches, equip church leaders to fulfill the ministry to which God has called them, identify resources available for accomplishing their Great Commission vision and challenge churches to reach the unchurched.

Lastly, I pray the deep and abiding relationships which have been forged through times of growth, denominational distress, doctrinal discussions and decisions, growing diversity and exponential change will be our North Star. God has blessed the missional outreach of the RBA for more than 214 years. I wholeheartedly encourage each church and leader to continue this worthwhile pursuit of deep and abiding relationships into the future.

Join me in encouraging and praying for the Leadership Teams, RBA staff and especially the Executive Director search team as they seek the right person to lead the RBA into the future. Finally, as Paul prayed for the Church at Philippi, so do I for the RBA, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” And as Paul encouraged the Church at Ephesus, so do I the RBA, “Finally, fellow believers, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

Roger E. Nix

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Upcoming Events and Missions Opportunities

Retirement Announcement: On June 1, 1995 I began a journey which I had no idea would continue for almost 25 years. It’s been a wonderful time of learning, growing and experiencing new challenges, joys, friendships and ministry opportunities. I have been richly blessed in my ministry with the Raleigh Baptist Association. I’ve loved my time and ministry at the Raleigh Baptist Association – working with new church starts and church planters, watching as hundreds of church members learned how to teach English to internationals, fellowshipping with language/ethnic pastors that have taught me so much and reminded me to be more thankful, leading senior adult rallies and getting to know many of the seniors in our churches, assisting churches in visioning sessions and understanding their communities through demographics, visiting farms and migrant day care centers while delivering hygiene kits along with many other ministries. At the same time, I also realize it’s important to know when to end a journey and begin a new one. I’ve felt a tugging for a while, that it’s time for me to leave the ministry at RBA and begin a new journey. Therefore, I am resigning my position on December 31, 2019. Because of the transition happening with the Executive Director, I will be negotiating the end date. I care deeply about the RBA and pray the churches and missions can be vital and healthy truly being a beacon of God’s light in their communities. Sincerely, Cindy Buffaloe

Mission Fair & Car Race

March 15, 2020

Registration: 1:00 - 1:45 pm Race Begins: 2:00 pm Host:

Rolesville Baptist Church 203 E. Young Street Rolesville, NC 27571 919.556.3654

Race Categories:

Lads - Boys Grades 1-3 Crusaders - Boys Grades 4-6 Challengers - Boys Grades 7-12 Girls - Grades 1-3 Girls - Grades 4-6 Girls - Grades 7-12 Adults - Men & Women Leaders

All race participants must have an individual mission project.

Link to Rules and Registration Forms:

www.raleighbpatists.org/news-events/

Spring Senior Adult Rally

March 24, 2020 Registration: 9:00 am Program Begins: 9:30 am, ends with lunch Host Church:

Salem Baptist Church 1821 N. Salem Rd Apex, NC 27523

Full Details Coming Soon…

The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® has been supporting missionaries among the unreached since

1888.

For more information and resources go to :

imb.org/lmco or

call 1.800.999.3113

Rolesville Baptist Church is seeking a part-time Outreach Coordinator. This person will be asked to develop a plan for reaching the Rolesville community, including social media skills, and doing assimilation within the church. This position will require 15-18 hours a week. Send resume to Outreach Coordinator Search Committee, c/o Jeannie Pulley, Rolesville Baptist Church, P.O. Box 185, Rolesville, NC. 27571.

RBA Calendar and Bulletin Board December 2019 5 Reception for Roger Nix-RBA 11 All RBA Committee Orientation 23 RBA Closed 24 RBA Closed 25 Christmas Day—RBA Closed 26 RBA Closed 30 RBA Closed 31 RBA Closed January 2020 9 Resource Commission 14 Church Relations & Credentials 19 Kick-Off Worship Celebration for Baptist Build 2020 - Hayes Barton 20 Martin Luther King Day 20 Baptist Build Wall Raising 21 Missions & Ministry Council February 2020 4 Meetings & Plans 6 Christian Education Team 11 Nominating Committee 14 Valentines Day 17 President’s Day

Save the DATE Children’s Music Camp

June 15-18, 2020 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

New Hope Baptist Church

CONNECTIONS, (USPS 020955) is published monthly free by Raleigh Baptist Association, 820 S. New Hope Rd., Raleigh, NC 27610. Mailing address (P.O. Box 46659, Raleigh, NC 27620--6659). Periodicals Postage Paid at Ra-leigh, NC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Raleigh Baptist Association, P.O. Box 46659, Raleigh, NC 27620-6659.

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RBA Team and Committee Orientation

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Members of the 2020 Leadership Teams and Committees are

invited to an Orientation session and free luncheon.

An overview of the staff

transitions taking place and the role of each team will be

addressed. Your participation is critical during this time of

transition.

RSVP to 919.231.3995

Church Staff Job Descriptions and Other Ministry Openings are avail-able on our website under “Ministry Placement”

Go To: www.raleighbaptists.org