Caring As Churches – “The CPR Initiative”

You can also download a PDF of the May 2008 Baptist Testimony (1 mb PDF; PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 54 Number 5 May 2008

Caring is a key dynamic of “Church Partnering Relationships” (CPR).  So far a dozen partnerships involving 24 churches have been arranged for this summer.  Remember to uphold these opportunities regularly in prayer in the weeks ahead.  Prayerfully consider ways in which you can be personally involved in demonstrating godly care for others this summer.

Church Partnering Relationships with 3 primary goals:
Caring:  a proactive vision towards mutual edification
Praying:  regular sharing of requests and initiatives that promote mutual prayer 
Resourcing:  embracing the mission of practical encouragement by outsourcing materials and personnel

Church Partnering Relationships (CPR) offer a variety of opportunities:

• Consider a sister church relationship with a ministry in another part of the state that would emphasize a co-operative partnership.
• Sharing of ideas, prayer requests, and resources.
• Form a consortium of sister churches in your area for joint strategy for church planting and/or missions ventures.
• Send a missions team to help with a building or repair project.
• Send youth or singles groups to conduct DVBS, canvassing ministries, etc.
• Share Sunday School and Bible study materials.
• Share media resource materials.
• Offer pulpit sharing opportunities for summer vacations.
• Receive special offerings for the needs of the sister ministry.
• Conduct a pastoral internship program to help train a sister church’s next pastor.
• Add the sister church to the missions budget of the church.
• Receive a 5th Sunday offering on behalf of the sister ministry.
• Support mutual missionaries.
• Conduct joint mission trips to a foreign field.
• Offer to transport materials and resources when traveling to another area of the state.

Be sure to read the three articles regarding the MARBC’s new initiative called “CPR” – Church Partnering Relationships in the January-March 2008 issues of the Baptist Testimony.  These issues are available to download in PDF format, along with a brochure by clicking here  [269kb PDF Download] detailing this ministry and Ken Floyd’s message regarding “CPR” at the 2007 Annual Conference by clicking here. For information about practical ways in which you or your church can be involved, contact the MARBC office.