The Banner
In this issue:
1 – Supporting Our Students Ministering This Summer at GHLC
2 – New Pastoral Staffing Paradigm
3 – Summer Services @ BSBC
4 – Letter to the Congregation from Pastor Steve
5 – Love Offerings
6 – Bereavement
7 – Spring Business Meeting
8 – New Life Camp Funding Request
9 – This Sunday’s Services
10 – 5 Year Overview of Pastoral Staffing @ BSBC
11 – Around the World with Our Missions Committee – India
12 – The “United Nations” @ BSBC
13 – “Brunswick Street Cares!” Facebook Ministry
14 – Pews Available
15 – Wednesday Library Openings
16 – This Week @ BSBC
1. It's That Time of Year: Our Youth Serve at GHLC
Even in the midst of a pandemic, Green Hill Lake Camp prepares to welcome children and youth to the potentially eternity changing experience of Christian camping. And, once again, some our brightest and best youth are taking up the challenge to minister to those who come to experience God’s love in so many ways.
As a church, we have the opportunity to financially support these students who take up this work which precludes them from finding other, more lucrative summer jobs. I invite you to encourage them with a tax-deductible donation.
To learn how to give and to meet the team, please click the button below.
2. 5-Year Overview of Staffing at BSBC
In last week’s e-newsletter, I provided a “5 Year Overview of Pastoral Staffing at BSBC” and I promised that this week I would share the overview of the staffing plan approved by the congregation in October 2020. It is on the basis of this plan that our NextGen Search Committee was empowered, at the same meeting, to search for pastors to fill the two new positions: (1) Community Connections Pastor and (2) NextGen Pastor.
The balance of internal and external ministries
First, I invite you to consider a balance that is essential for a vibrant witness for Jesus. This balance is between ministries that are focused on (1) those inside the church family and (2) ministries which are expressed in and to the community — our church family touching the world by living faithful lives for Jesus.
Examples of internal ministries would be discipleship, teaching/exhortation, worship, fellowship and serving. While exterior ministries are based on a sensitivity to community needs, responding to those needs in order to build loving relationships.
And so, the new staffing model seeks to focus on these two elements. We discern that this will lead us not only to a new iteration of staffing but, a pastoral staff that positions us for growth as they focus on equipping the saints to do the work of ministry. I like what William Temple said, “The church is the only organization that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.”
Lead Pastor & Preaching Pastor
In July 2020, when the congregation voted to appoint me as Lead Pastor, that motion also created a new, part-time position of Preaching Pastor, currently filled by Dr. Keith Bodner. This allows me to have a more hands on role in ministry leadership as the preaching ministry is largely covered by someone contracted to fill that purpose. In this case, Dr. Bodner’s contract extends to June 30, 2022. These positions contain these primary roles:
Lead Pastor (Full-Time) Position Summary
Overall Church Vision and Engagement
Staff Enrichment/Supervision
Administration Including Boards, Various Committees and Teams
Oversee Benevolent Ministry
Oversee Children’s Ministry
Oversee Ministry to Seniors
Preaching Pastor (Part-Time) Position Summary
Primary Pulpit Presence
Lead the Preaching Ministry in Consultation with the Lead Pastor
Engaging in Vision-Casting for the Ministry of the Entire Congregation
Community Connections Pastor & NextGen Pastor
The next two positions were shaped by the work done by the Refresh Working Group, who, in 2019, released their report on our Children’s and Youth & Young Adult Ministries. This work was carried out following the departure of these former pastors.
The Refresh Working Group worked tirelessly to review our current ministries; interviewed users of these ministries, including parents and leaders; sought insights from both denominational and individual church leaders deemed to excel in ministry to the NextGen population (infancy to age 25). Their work was not a call to abandon our current ministries with other ages, but, recognizes that the future of the Church is in making disciples of all nations and ages. BSBC should become sensitive to the needs of those who will carry on gospel work in the years ahead. Many of whom will not, at this time, know Christ, personally, but will be sensitively engaged through individuals living a faithful life of faith and inviting those they meet to join a “family” that welcomes and encourages them.
Community Connections Pastor
And so, the Community Connections Pastor seeks to encourage relationship building within the church family, so that we have a growing commitment to one another. This will be done through facilitation of ministries of fellowship and education for adults, offering leadership in the Contemporary Service, leading the congregation to understand opportunities for us to “join God in our neighbourhood,” equipping us for evangelism and aiding in vision casting for the whole congregation.
Community Connections Pastor (Full-Time) Position Summary
Adult Relationship Building and Discipling within the Congregation — Small Groups, Fellowship Events, New Attenders, etc.
Identify and Equip Leaders
Develop the Contemporary Worship Service — Focusing on Congregation Involvement, Diverse Worship Methods
Leading the Congregation to Engage Meaningfully with our Community
Engaging in Vision-Casting for the Ministry of the Entire Congregation
NextGen Pastor
The NextGen Pastor is not a traditional Youth Pastor. This individual oversees and develops a composite ministry to and with Middle & High School Youth and Young Adults by mentoring our leaders and creating opportunities for mentorship and relationship building between these groups and the whole church family. This pastor works with this NextGen population and their families to equip them for engagement in ministry opportunities within the BSBC family and in the community.
NextGen Pastor (Full-Time) Position Summary
Lead BSBC to Develop and Engage in Ministry to Middle & High School Youth and Young Adults and Their Families
Enable BSBC Family to Engage Sensitively With Contemporary Issues for This Demographic
Mentor and Develop Mentoring Relationships with This Demographic and the Broader BSBC Family — Developing and Caring for Leaders
Facilitating Discipleship, Creating Opportunities for and Training in Biblical Fellowship, Seeking to Encourage a Lifelong Commitment to a Life of Serving Jesus
Engaging in Effective Social Media Presence in Aid of These Goals
Engaging in Vision-Casting for the Ministry of the Entire Congregation
Additional Staff
This plan represents 3.5 full-time positions. For nearly 20 years, our staffing has been held at 4.5 positions. In this new iteration we would continue with the following lay positions which total an additional full time position:
Ministry Coordinators (1 Full-Time Equivalency)
Preschool Coordinator
Elementary Coordinator
Elementary Bible Teacher
Church Family Life Coordinator
Ensemble Director
We recognize that when the NextGen Pastor is in place, we would re-evaluate these positions to see if they can be rolled into an additional staff member based on the interests and giftedness of the then pastoral team.
Please be in prayer for the Search Committee as they seek God’s leading in terms of filling these positions. This working document will be refined as we identify and call individuals to serve, evaluating the gifts God has given them for use in the life of BSBC.
Yours in Ministry,
Pastor Greg
3. Summer Services at BSBC
I’m sure we are all looking forward to the coming of Summer, especially with the possibility of lessening public safety restrictions.
A new approach to summer ministry
In early 2020, the Board of Deacons and Pastors developed a plan for a new approach to summer ministry. Sadly, this was preempted by the coming of Covid. Yet, for a number of reasons, we look forward to launching this plan for July, August and the first Sunday in September.
Blended worship
Our summer worship ministry will have to different venues. In the sanctuary we will be offering a ‘blended’ worship service, bringing the church family together to engage in elements of both contemporary and traditional worship.
BSBC Café
In the gym, we’ll be offering a café setting where those who come will enjoy coffee/tea/juice at individual tables, with a background of worship music allowing for conversation until the sermon is offered in the sanctuary and fed to the gym. Our hope is this might encourage you to bring a friends and family who would enjoy a warm welcome, a congenial atmosphere and a Biblical expression followed by continued, relaxed conversation on the topic of the sermon or anything else.
Reservations will still be needed
For both the Blended Service in the sanctuary and the Café in the gym, reservations will still be needed and we’ll be grateful for your continued engagement in this way.
Worship online
We will continue with Sunday morning broadcasts of the Blended Service.
In the summer of 2021, this approach allows us to give our small but faithful gym worship leaders a summer break to be refreshed for fall leadership. It also allows us the opportunity to make a number of technology and setting upgrades in that room, made possible by the use of the AV portion of the 2020 surplus.
Deacon Graeme Powell attends the gym service and I asked him to share a bit about how he feels about this summer plan.
"I am in support of our Café/Blended Service approach for July through to the first Sunday in September for a few reasons:
Joining of congregations. Currently due to COVID-19 policy around post-service gatherings we do not get to see each other the way we used to. This would allow for people from both services to see each other and join in a corporate worship time.
Less work for those who run the services. Currently we only have a few people running both services in regards to the technology and live feed. Combining the services would allow these people a bit of a break and the ability to join in worship rather than working to make sure it runs smoothly.
Less planning and coordinating for our pastoral staff. Due to our pastoral staffing situation, only having one service to plan, schedule and coordinate would be easier than two (especially over any vacation time)."
So, consider our summer plan and your participation in it. It can be said that we live in a ‘different’ time and this ‘different’ approach offers some much needed flexibility as we prepare for the fall.
Pastor Greg
4. Letter to the Congregation from Pastor Steve
Tuesday, May 24, 2021
Dear Church Family,
It is hard to believe that I am in my tenth year of service here at Brunswick Street Baptist Church (BSBC)! I have been privileged and blessed to have gained so much experience and growth under a large umbrella of ministries! Initially, I came to Brunswick Street as part-time Contemporary Worship Coordinator. I was able to continue to pursue my pastoral calling to enrol at Acadia Divinity College while God provided additional part-time work, a supportive church, and my wonderful wife and family to help encourage me in this endeavor.
During these past five years, I have been given additional opportunities to serve in full time pastoral capacity which has afforded me the pleasure to serve in preaching, senior’s visitation providing in-service nursing home worship, hosting of the senior’s luncheon, sitting at the benevolence table, participating at third Sunday supper, and most recently, serving as outreach pastor while engaging closely with the homeless population and other agencies who support the homeless in our community. I have also benefitted from sitting in as the pastoral liaison on the Social Action Team and on the Music Committee.
A highlight that I will always cherish is my ordination into the Canadian Baptist of Atlantic Canada Churches. This church community surrounded me with love, support and encouragement on that journey, especially on the evening of celebration in October of 2019!
Throughout these years, I have learned much and appreciate the grace and teaching that has been extended to me through Pastor Greg and other pastoral and church staff, and through many of you, my brothers and sisters in Christ. You have all contributed something of unique gifting that has enriched my own Christian walk.
Although I am not fully certain of what God has planned for me, I am quite certain that the time is now for me to take the next step in faith, as my current interim contract concludes at the end of June. I will take some time to pray and prepare for God’s call to a new avenue of ministry. So it is with a sense of gratitude, excitement and prayerful discernment that I step away from my time at BSBC. I sincerely pray God continues to faithfully shape the future of Brunswick Street Baptist Church in meaningful ways to bring glory to Him.
With great appreciation and love,
Pastor Steve
5. Love Offering
As is our tradition, the church family is invited to contribute to a Love Offering for Pastor Steve and a Love Offering for Pastor Charles. This allows individual members of the congregation to have the opportunity to give a financial gift as an expression of thanks for faithful service and as a sign of love. Each gives as he/her/they feel led. In the weeks ahead you can use any means to give (drop off/mail your gift at the church office, put it in the Sunday offering box or make an e-transfer. In this case, it will be very important to clearly label your gift “Pastor Steve Love Offering” or “Pastor Charles Love Offering” to ensure that your gift gets to the correct account. Any gifts that come in after Wednesday, May 26, marked “Love Offering” will be divided between these pastoral accounts. Thank you for seeking to make your donation by the last Sunday in June.
Please note that the Canada Revenue Agency will not allow us to give a charitable gift receipt for gifts that are designated to specific individuals. Thank you for your understanding.
6. Bereavement
This week we’re praying for Von and Shirley Dunfield on the passing of Von’s sister, Helen. Helen Florence Beaman of The Jordan LifeCare Centre, formerly of Prosser Brook, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at the age of 76. She was born in Corn Hill on Dec. 23, 1944 to the late Ora and Bertha (Harper) Dunfield.
After attending teachers college in Fredericton, Helen went on to teach in various schools in the Petitcodiac area. She then met and married Paul Beaman in 1971, when they took over the family farm in Prosser Book and raised a family of four boys.
She was a faithful member of The Salisbury Baptist Church and a Dominion Life Member of the Baptist Women’s Missionary Society. She was involved in church ministries including youth group, Sunday school, Pioneer Girls, Little Lights program, and was always willing to cook and serve for any occasion.
Home life was always busy on the farm; raising four active boys, raking hay, and filling countless bottles of maple syrup. She loved entertaining at the sugar camp and feeding the masses; especially serving her famous brown bread. There was always room for one more around the table. She enjoyed working in her flower garden and always loved when her family got together, especially her precious grandchildren. Family reunions and Labour day camping weekend for turkey supper were favourite occasions.
Helen is survived by her beloved husband of 49 years, Paul Beaman; sons, Frank (Natasha), Stephen (Sherry), David (Debbie), daughter-in-law, Angela Sturgeon; 9 grandchildren; brothers, Guy (Betty), Vaughn (Shirley); brother-in-law, Tennesea Schwetz; and several nieces and nephews.
As you pray over Helen’s home going, please also remember Shirley, who, the same week, also lost a cousin.
7. Spring Business Meeting
The Moderator gives notice of the Spring Business Meeting on Wednesday June 23, 2021 at 7 p.m. The delay is due to the Covid-19 situation in Fredericton and so the meeting date is subject to change if public health notifies us of a change in public meeting restrictions.
The meeting will receive reports from the Board of Deacons, the Board of Management, the Chinese Congregation and the Search Committee. Also there will be a motion to approve the 2020 Financial Review. Reservations can be made by clicking the link below.
Dr. Calvin Smith, Moderator
Please note: Our sincere apologies for the issue with the registration link last week. This has been fixed and we look forward to seeing your registrations come in. As always, if you have any issues, please feel free to contact the church office to register.
8. New Life Camp Funding Request
The leaders of the New Life Ministry would like to bring to the congregation a current need for financial assistance to send four children of ladies in the program to Green Hill Lake Camp this summer. Two of the children would like to attend a full week program while the other two children wish to attend a 2–3 day mini-camp program. Total cost of the children’s attendance would be in the vicinity of $2,100.
We are grateful for the $1,970 that has been given thus far, with $130 remaining to be raised.
How to give
If you would like to help these children have the life changing experience of attending a Christian camp, please make a donation to BSBC and designate the funds to the “New Life Camp Ministry.”
9. This Sunday's Services
Communion Reflection: “Snake Bite” (Numbers 21; John 3) - Dr. Keith Bodner
As we prepare to gather around the Lord’s Table on this first Sunday of a new month, we turn our gaze toward the wilderness, specifically to a disturbing episode of snakes on a plain. Even more than usual, the volume of Israelite complaint reaches a new scale (“Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food!”), to the point that God sends poisonous snakes into their midst.
Despite the catastrophe, God also sends a message of healing, and whoever looks at a bronze snake on an elevated pole—a picture of their sin, and a visual acknowledgement of toxins in their spiritual bloodstream—receives healing from the venom.
Centuries later, in a nocturnal conversation with Nicodemus, the bronze snake becomes a central illustration of the message of the gospel, and as we move toward the Table, we are invited to look to the Lord Jesus in radically new ways as our healer, our sustainer, and the object of our trust despite circumstances or uncertainties.
Worship leaders
In the sanctuary, musical leadership will include David Steeves, Gloria Tranquilla, a vocal ensemble and duet offering from Talia Kennedy and Beth Snow. Sarah Hoyt will be the worship leader in the gym service.
Correction: The sermon description published in the newsletter on Wednesday, June 2 was incorrect. Please see above for the updated description. Apologies for any confusion.
10. 5 Year Overview of Staffing at BSBC
At the upcoming Spring Business Meeting, planned for Wednesday, June 23, the congregation will receive an update from the Next Gen Search Committee empowered to seek candidates to fill 2 new permanent positions: (1) Community Connections Pastor and (2) Next Gen Pastor. This move followed the adoption last October of a new staffing model for BSBC that includes:
Lead Pastor
Preaching Pastor
Community Connections Pastor
Next Gen Pastor
with some additional lay leadership.
Five years ago this month, pastoral transitions began at BSBC...
11. Around the World with our Missions Committee: India
Your Missions Committee hopes you’ll find blessing in this update on India from Suraj Komaravalli, who serves with Canadian Baptist Ministires (CBM), our national Baptist ministry that serves in many ways around the world...
12. The 'United Nations' at BSBC
Many know that head office of the United Nations can be found in New York city. BUT, did you know that there is a mini-UN meeting weekdays on the second floor of the Family Life Center? Yes, it’s quite something! Let me tell you the story…
13. "Brunswick Street Cares!" Facebook Ministry
Visit the BSBC Facebook page on Sunday and Wednesday evenings at 8 pm for Brunswick Street Cares!
Life is meant to be shared and we are excited to introduce a new way to experience prayer and fellowship together! In Acts 2:42, God’s people are encouraged to devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer.
Denise Mersereau, Host
14. Church Pews Available
We are sad to know that this fall, the Baptist Church in Harvey Station will be closing its doors for good. We received a call asking us to make known that the pews in the church are available for removal.
If they can't donate them to another church, they will sell them at $450-$500 per, solid oak, built-in cushion about 3" thick. Most are probably around 12 or 14 feet long and there are a couple longer and a couple shorter.
These are available now and must be gone before Nov. 1. For more information please contact Roger Shaw, 506-366-5645. Let’s pray for the remaining members of this church family as they engage in what must be a difficult task.
15. Wednesday Library Openings
Your librarians invite you to visit the library the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10 a.m. until noon. Come and engage with our huge collection of books – there’s something for everyone!
NEXT OPENING: Wednesday, June, 9
16. This Week at BSBC: June 2 to 9
Wednesday, June 2
6:00 Vocal Ensemble (Sanctuary)
6:30 Youth Bible Study (3rd Floor Assembly/Zoom)
8:00 BSBC Cares! (FBL)
Thursday, June 3
1:30 Ladies Bible Study with Carol Bray (Family Room)
1:30 Bible Study with Mary McMulkin (3rd Floor Boardroom)
7:00 Chinese Hymn Practice (Choir Room)
Friday, June 4
6:00 Friends Are Us Puppets (2nd Floor Kidztown)
7:00 Youth Groups (3rd Floor Assembly)
Saturday, June 5
9:30 Deacon’s Retreat (Gym)
10:00 Green Hill Lake Camp Annual Meeting (Sanctuary)
Sunday, June 6
10:15 KidzTown (2nd Floor Family Life Centre)
10:30 Traditional Worship Service (Sanctuary/thestreetonline.ca)
10:30 Contemporary Worship Service (Gym/Facebook Live)
12:00 Fresh Start Lunch (3rd Floor Assembly)
2:00 Chinese Worship Service (Sanctuary)
8:00 BSBC Cares! (FBL)
Monday, June 7
1:30 NB Right to Life (3rd Floor Boardroom)
6:30 Social Action Team (Zoom)
7:00 Chinese Bible Study (3rd Floor Assembly)
Tuesday, June 8
12:00 Chinese Prayer Meeting (2nd Floor Boardroom)
1:30 Full Staff Meeting (Family Room)
1:30 Quilters for Missions (Quilting Room)
2:15 Pastoral Staff Meeting (Family Room)
Wednesday, June 9
10:00 Library Open
6:00 Vocal Ensemble
6:30 Youth Bible Study CM
8:00 BSBC Cares! (FBL)
