196th Annual Gathering October 11 & 12
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We are pleased to share the news that we anticipate gathering in person with you again this year for the 2022 American Baptist Churches of Ohio Annual Gathering. The Gathering will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 11 & 12, 2022 at the Crowne Plaza Columbus North (6500 Doubletree Avenue, Columbus, OH 43229).
We are excited to have a full schedule of program events along with exhibits, personnel from various ABC Ohio-related organizations and of course, meals together around the table! Everything will also be available via livestream for those unable to travel or not prepared to join a large group.
Our 2022 theme is "Creating Community in a Polarized World". This year's keynote speaker will be Rev. Sharon Koh, CEO/Executive Director of International Ministries with ABC-USA.
We will spend time together each day in worship led by Pastor Benjamin Payne and the Praise Team of First Baptist Church of Seville. Our Bible studies will be led by ABC Ohio pastors from around the state.
Tuesday night will include the graduation ceremony for the Ohio Leadership Academy. We will also hear from American Baptist missionaries serving through the Board of International Ministries. In addition, we will hear ministry updates from those serving here at home in Ohio.
Please mark the date on your calendar. Registration materials and more details will be available soon!
Ohio Leadership Academy Set to Start New Year!
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The Ohio Leadership Academy is now accepting new applicants for the 2022-2023 Academic Year!
The Ohio Leadership Academy exists as a 3-year course of study to prepare men and women to serve American Baptist Churches in positions of leadership through leadership enrichment and professional ministry development. The Academy serves to further enrich the Christian faith of its students and equip laity as well as pastors for leadership in the local church. Upon graduating from the Academy, graduates have the opportunity to become licensed ministers by their congregations or candidates for Track Three ABC Ordination.
Subjects include: Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology, Baptist History and Polity, Church Leadership, Worship and Preaching.
Course requirements include (but are not limited to):
• Attendance at every intensive (both physically and online)
• Out of class reading
• Writing assignments
• Practical ministry experience
What are the Tuition and Fees for the Academy?
• Annual tuition is currently $375
• A $25 non-refundable fee is required to process prospective student application.
• Additional costs to students include books, other instructional materials, and travel expenses, including meals and overnight lodging as needed.
Where do students attend the weekend intensive classes?
There are a total of four intensive weekends. In 2022, the Academy began a hybrid model in which students met at The Bridge Church in Sunbury, Ohio for two intensive weekends (November/May) and online through Zoom for two intensive weekends (January/March).
How do I apply for the Ohio Leadership Academy?
For admission to the Academy, students must be given strong recommendations by their local church pastors or the appropriate participating ABC/Ohio church body. Applications can be found at abc-ohio.org under the Ohio Leadership Academy link.
The Ohio Leadership Academy is a ministry of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio.
The Central Ohio Cohort is overseen by Dr. Seth Fallon, Dean of the Ohio Leadership Academy. Dr. Fallon can be reached by phone 304-991-6918 or email jacknave (at) icloud.com
Nominees Sought for ABC Ohio Region Board Treasurer
Nominees are currently being sought for the American Baptist Churches of Ohio Region Board Treasurer.
Job Description (volunteer):
- The Treasurer is an active participant of the Executive Committee which includes the President, Vice President, Secretary, Past President and Executive Minister.
- Oversees all revenues, expenses and communicates this information to the Board on a quarterly basis.
- In cooperation with the ABC Ohio Staff as well as the Budget and Finance Committee, the Treasurer works to create the Budget Draft and present it to the Board for approval.
- In cooperation with the Senior Accountant, the Treasurer develops and presents the Annual Budget and an over view of the financial health of ABC Ohio at the Annual Gathering.
- Ensures development and Board review of sound fiscal policies and procedures.
- Acts as an official signer on the ABC Ohio bank account and works with Executive Minister and Senior Accountant on large monetary distributions.
- Oversees any financial agreements in consultation with the Finance Committee.
- Participates in revenue generation activities including cultivation and stewardship.
- Serves as the Chair of the Finance Committee.
- In cooperation with the Board Officers and Senior Accountant, accepts responsibility for filing annual tax forms as required by the State or the IRS.
- Provides a full financial report to the Board annually.
- Ensure the protection of funds from any potential misuse by any other members of the committee.
- Participate in the Annual Auditing Process
- Works with the Executive Minister to Plan and ensure adherence to the pre-determined financial budget for the year.
Please forward possible nominees to Rev. Mark Click.
American Baptist Churches General Secretary Releases Statement on Clergy Abuse
The American Baptist Churches General Secretary released a statement today (June 10, 2022) in response to recent public awareness of allegations of sexual abuse in other Baptist traditions:
American Baptist Churches USA acknowledges and recognizes the great harm clergy abuse wreaks within victims, families, and congregations. This experienced harm unfolds for generations and can become a part of the silent or spoken legacy of any church related to it.
While all American Baptist congregations, regions, and national organizations are autonomous, regional organizations are encouraged to maintain a process for review of allegations of clergy misconduct and decisions made from such reviews are housed in a national database for regional access. American Baptist congregations are encouraged to adopt practices that seek to reduce clergy abuse; that deal with it justly and sensitively when it occurs, and to pray for the healing of those who have suffered harm.
Since their original conversations in 1991 with Marie Fortune (author of “Is Nothing Sacred”), American Baptist regional offices as well as other American Baptist entities have explored, developed, recommended, and adopted resources designed to prevent and process allegations of clergy misconduct. Such resources include a sample process for review of recognition of ordination, an American Baptist Ministers Council Code of Ethics, ethics and boundary training for clergy administered by regional offices, a database of clergy abuse decisions by regional offices nationwide, and a system for flagging the profiles of clergy persons subject to those decisions.
This database of clergy abuse decisions and the flagging of profiles of clergy persons is intended to prevent the unwitting relocation of persons found to have engaged in abusive conduct to other ministry settings.
In addition to the detriments that clergy abuse creates for victims, it violates the sacred trust held by clergy. The responsibility to maintain healthy boundaries always resides with the clergy person.
“I will strive for a disciplined life by tending to my mental, physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing in such ways as keeping hours of prayers, devotion and rest, endeavoring to maintain wholesome family relationships, sexual integrity, financial responsibility, constructive use of social media, and regularly engaging in educational and leisure activities for ministerial and personal development.” (American Baptist Ministers Council Covenant and Code of Ethics)
Dr. C. Jeff Woods
General Secretary
American Baptist Churches USA
Valley Forge, PA (06/10/22)
Further information can be found here: http://ow.ly/k2uF50Jv4B3
We Remember Rev. Kenneth Lew Damon
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Rev. Kenneth Lew Damon, born June 4th, 1957, to Sara Crabb Damon and Jack Almon Damon, passed away on Good Friday, April 15, 2022. He was a pastor at First Baptist Church of Bucyrus, Ohio for 10 years and the pastor of Shroyer Road Baptist Church for 25 years before retiring in January of 2020.
Ken received his Bachelor of Science in psychology and religion from Mount Union University (13 time football national champions!) and his Master of Divinity from Gordon Conwell Seminary.
He was winner of the Harry Manning award from American Baptist Churches for distinguished service. He was a lifelong learner and an avid reader. He had a perfectly-timed sense of humor. He had a zest for life, playing with electronic helicopters and nerf guns up until the day he passed. He LOVED food. He maintained a beautiful garden with his wife and kept a yard full of beautiful birds. He was a music buff, with an eclectic playlist for every occasion. He had a passion for social justice and fighting for those whose voices are often unheard. His empathy was palpable in every interaction.
Most of all, he was devoted to serving God through loving every person he came across. He was a man of patience and authenticity, loving his family and humanity without limitations or judgment. Humility and humor remain his legacy through the thousands of souls he impacted. To have known him was to have glimpsed God’s love. He will be deeply missed and remembered with the purest gratitude.
Ken is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jennifer, his sisters Amy and Janice, his daughter Julia, his sons Kyle and Joel, his daughter-in-law Nicole, his grandchildren, Jack, Skyler, Anemone, and his granddog Molly. Please keep the Damon family in your prayers.
Koinonia Summer 2022
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Coming to Koinonia Summer 2022:
Special Person’s Camp ~ June 8 - 11, 2022
Sr. High Camp ~ July 10 - 15, 2022
Primary Camp ~ June 19 - 22, 2022
**Advanced Horsemanship Camp ~ June 5 - 10, 2022
Elementary Camp ~ June 19 - 24, 2022
First Timers Camp ~ July 22 - 23, 2022
Junior High Camp ~ June 26 - July 1, 2022
**Horsemanship Camp ~ June 19 - 24, 2022
Jr. & Sr. High Horse Camp ~ July 3 - 8, 2022
Elementary Horse Camp ~ June 26 - July 1, 2022
Paintball Camp ~ July 3 - 8, 2022
Youth Special Person’s Horseback Camp ~ July 31 - August 3, 2022
Adult Special Person’s Horseback Camp ~ August 3 - 6, 2022
**indicates invitation only
Cost & registration information available through The Koinonia Camp office at 440-466-1278 and more information is available online at http://www.christiancampohio.org and on Facebook at facebook.com/koinoniacamp1.