MBC leaders to travel state for church listening sessions
Some corrected dates, times announced
By Bob Baysinger
Managing Editor
Editor’s note: The March 2 issue of The Pathway incorrectly reported some dates and times for the listening sessions. The ones below are correct.
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Baptists will be given an opportunity to ask questions and share ideas when one of the 2004 Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) listening sessions makes a stop near their home.
“The purpose of these sessions is to get within 100 miles of all pastors and churches to hear their heartbeat," said David Clippard, MBC executive director.
The first session will be conducted at South Gate Baptist Church , Springfield , from 9:30 a.m. to noon on April 20. Other stops will be made at St. Louis , Wentzville, Blue Springs , Kansas City, Bethany , Houston , Jefferson City , Lancaster and Sikeston .
“We want to hear about the struggles and the victories," Clippard said. “From the information we gather, we will tailor our convention’s ministries to meet the needs of the churches."
Clippard said he expects to entertain questions about the convention’s legal issues, but intends to spend most of the time listening.
“This is something we will be trying to do on an ongoing basis," he said. “We want to get around the state every 12 to 18 months so we can stay in touch with Missouri Baptists."
The 2003 tour was the first MBC listening tour since Clippard became executive director in 2002. Clippard said attendance at the first statewide tour was better than expected. “We had an excellent response last year," he said. “We had a greater turnout than what was anticipated. All in all, the first tour was very, very positive."
David Waganer, MBC associate executive director who is coordinating the sessions, said pastors and church members will not be restricted to attending the session nearest their home.
“If anyone has a conflicting date, they will be free to attend any session they choose," he said.
The 2004 listening schedule is:
April 20 – Greene County Association, 9:30 a.m. to noon, South Gate Baptist Church , Springfield .
April 22 – St. Louis, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Tower Grove Baptist Church, St. Louis;Twin Rivers Association – 2-4:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, Wentzville.
May 13 – Blue River-Kansas City Association – 9:30 a.m. to noon, Plaza Heights Baptist Church, Blue Springs; Clay-Platte Association – 2-4:30 p.m., Gashland Baptist Church, Kansas City.
Aug. 11 – Concord Association – 9:30-noon, Concord Baptist Church , Jefferson City .
Aug. 12 – Harrison Association, 2-4:30 p.m., First Baptist Church , Bethany.
Aug. 17 – Texas Association, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Ozark Baptist Church , Houston .
Aug. 18 – Kirksville Division, 2-4:30 p.m., First Baptist Church , Lancaster .
Aug. 19 – Charleston Association, 2-4:30 p.m., Miner Baptist Church , Sikeston .
March 18, 2004