Proposed 2015 Budget for CBC

     The CBC stewardship committee has finalized the 2015 budget proposal.  This process has been an arduous and sometimes painful one.  This budget reflects an 18% overall reduction.  (The 2014 budget is $2.14 million.  The proposed 2015 budget is $1.75 million).  The reductions include a 25% reduction in direct ministries, a 14% reduction in personnel, a 15% reduction in ministry support and a 28% reduction in missions.  While the biggest percentage reduction was in missions (which includes a reduction of percentage points from 20% to 17.5% of the total budget), the biggest dollar amount reduction was in personnel.  Missions was reduced by $121,454 and personnel was reduced by $151,764.  Needless to say none of the reductions were pleasant!

     We realize that we have a discipleship/worship ministry to carry on for our congregation of approximately 1,300 which is the “engine” of our church.  Missions is the objective of our church!  We need personnel in order to equip and mobilize our members.  And we have been entrusted with facilities where we gather for discipleship and worship. We could make an argument about how any of these are really important.  The reality is that they are all very important.  But apparently, according to how are congregation is giving now, we need to do less of each in order to be responsible stewards.

     David McDaniel, chairman of our stewardship committee expresses it in the following way,

     The 2015 budget that has been under consideration for several months has culminated in this proposed budget.  It came about through much deliberation, prayer and concern for not only the ministries but for the Calvary Campus.  The stewardship committee felt that the budget should more closely reflect the 2014 giving incomes but still rely on God’s provision on a weekly basis.  We also deliberated the issue of the Mission’s percentage of the overall budget.  Many of us on the committee have a true heart for yet a greater commitment in this area but in the end all agreed that for 2015 we would agree to that necessary reduction.  Also of concern and prayer is the giving attitude of Calvary and how the church might have an impact on the hearts of individuals for obedience in this area and we lift this up to God as yet an unanswered prayer.  For the ministers part we thank you for your diligent efforts to work with the committee to reach what we feel like is a very reasonable expectation of a budget for 2015, thank you for your support and prayers.

     In the past, the term “Faith Budget” has been used to describe a budget that is challenging.  On occasion there has been some controversy about this idea of “faith” versus “responsible stewardship.”  The reality is that these two concepts are not contrary to each other.  This proposal constitutes a faith budget because it is the result of prayer and seeking God’s direction, because it is relying on God to provide what we need, and because it is exercising responsible stewardship of the resources God has already given us.  Although our 2014 budget consisted of $2.14 million, our congregation has given at the rate of $1.75 million.  We are not currently meeting our budget but we praise God for entrusting us with such financial resources!  If God decides to give us another $1.75 million next year, we will rejoice at the privilege and responsibility of administering it for His glory.

     Please note that this budget includes the staff reductions that have been implemented this fall, including the elimination of some positions, changing some to part-time, and a reduction of medical benefits for pastoral staff.

    This proposed budget will be mailed to the congregation next week and will be recommended by the stewardship committee to the Church in Conference on November 23.  As one of our key CBC leaders, I will ask you to do five things (I cannot overemphasize the importance of your voice in this process): (1) continue to pray for God's direction in the budget adoption process; (2) share information with your respective groups and/or teams; (3) plan to attend the November 23 Church in Conference; (4) encourage other CBC members to attend the Church in Conference; (5) pray that you and each member of our church would follow God's leadership in giving.  Ultimately, more important than budget amounts we want to know that each of us is being obedient and faithful in our giving.  When we do, there will be individual blessing and kingdom advance.

     The budget is shown below in JPEG format, for quick view purposes, and it is also available for download in PDF format by clicking here.

Jared Solis Steps Down from Staff Role

 

     As you know we have recently announced some staff reductions and changes here at Calvary.  This time of transition has been difficult as might be expected but every individual staff member has been gracious, cooperative and amazingly supportive (including those who are staying and those who are leaving).  I’m so thankful for them.  In the midst of this transition, I have received some news that add a little twist to our staff situation.

     Jared Solis has recently informed me of his desire to step down from his staff position as media & worship associate.  He shared with me personal and spiritual reasons for doing so.  Jared desires to stay connected to Calvary and focus on growing spiritually as a member of the church, something that has been difficult to do while remaining on staff.  While this is difficult news for me, I highly respect Jared’s decisions and reason for doing so.

     Jared’s last day to lead the 11 o’clock worship will be November 2nd.  His last day as a Calvary staff member will be November 14th.  While we make a decision on worship leadership for the 11 o'clock service, I have asked Chad Mason to lead that service during the remainder of this 2014 year.  I am working on making arrangements to staff the media and communications aspects of Jared's job.  I will communicate those as the decisions are made.

     I am grateful to Jared because he has been instrumental in bringing structure, consistency and stability to every area he has worked in: contemporary worship, Sunday morning production, and communications.  He has been a valuable asset to our team in a critical time of transition when we lost our Pastor for Music and Worship.  I have been blessed to know him personally and to see a heart that is truly sincere before God.  Jared is an individual who is serious about growing as a disciple of Christ.  I’m thankful for that.

     Although this is difficult, Jared and I both feel that God is leading this process and that it will be a blessing to both Jared and to Calvary.  Rather than being anxious, we are trusting God for His perfect provision and timing.  I look forward to continued ministry alongside Jared as he steps down from a staff role and enters a volunteer member role, but most importantly, a growing-disciple mode.

     Please join me in praying for Jared, for our staff and for our church in this time of transition.  I am certain that God is at work helping us not to rely on anything or anyone else beside Him.

100 Year History of BGCT's Executive Board

     I don't know about you but I enjoy reading about church history, and about Baptist history.  Recently my wife attended a meeting of the BGCT's executive board.  The Baptist General Convention of Texas (otherwise known as Texas Baptists) is the state convention with which we are affiliated at Calvary.  At this meeting, the chairman of the board, Dr. Ron Lyles, shared a brief historical sketch about Baptist work in Texas and how it led to the development of the current executive board in 1914.

     Although this may be more reading than you care to do, I share it with you because I think it is good for us to know something of our heritage.  I'm also inspired by the innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Baptist pioneers in Texas.  Our nation and our state have changed drastically over the last several decades.  I believe the best way for us to make a kingdom impact today is to continue the legacy of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, that characterized our Texas Baptist forefathers, in the cause of discipleship, missions, education, advocacy and humanitarian ministry.

     As Calvary Baptist church we have a responsibility to discover what that means to us in terms of our direct involvement, our strategic partnerships, and our support of our state convention as we continue to be a mission force imbedded in a mission field.

     Below is the link to the PDF version of this interesting (and often colorful) history:

1914-A Hinge Year for Texas Baptists 

If you'd like to access the audio file or the power point that accompanied it, you can access it by clicking on the link below:

PDF, Powerpoint and Audio Versions 

Deacon Screening and Nominating Process

     Finally we have a complete deacon screening and nominating (DS&N) committee, thank God!  We received a total of 131 ballots over the two Sunday process and the church ratified the election of Paulo Gatan, Marno Sienes and Lina Salinger (who had been nominated at the Church in Conference when we were short of quorum).

     Once these three were elected I was able to confirm with three other fine individuals their willingness to serve.  (The deacon body had already elected the other three previously).  The committee list is below.  You’ll see that it is a great cross-representation of our congregation consisting of very qualified and dear individuals to the life of our church.

1. Ken Munn (elected by deacons)
2. Brent McBain (elected by deacons)
3. Freddy Vaughan (elected by deacons)
4. Paulo Gatan (elected by church)
5. Marno Sienes (elected by church)
6. Lina Salinger (elected by church)
7. Sam Rodriguez (appointed by lead pastor)
8. Efraín Solis (appointed by lead pastor)
9. Tony Worley (appointed by lead pastor)

     The committee will hold their first meeting this Sunday evening (October 19th).  Please be in prayer for them.  We will be asking the congregation to submit recommendations for deacon candidates this week.  

     As a Calvary leader, I am asking you to prayerfully (1) consider individuals who you would like to recommend for consideration; and (2) encourage those in your circle of influence at Calvary to do so.  Below are links to the recommendation form which also has the list of qualifications.  You can download these and submit them in hard copy at the designated boxes around the church campus or you can scan the completed form and email it to me (julio@calvarymcallen.org).

Recommendation & Qualifications Form (English) 

Recommendation & Qualifications Form (Español) 

     Additionally, for your information, I am sharing with you the questionnaire that will be sent to those whose names are submitted.  There are two versions.  One is for those who are recommended for first time deacon service at Calvary.  The other "abbreviated" version is for those who have previously served as deacons at Calvary.

Questionnaire for First Time Deacon Prospects

Questionnaire for Those who Have Served Previously

Cuestionario para Candidatos al Diaconado

Cuestionario para Diáconos que Han Servido Previamente

     Your cooperation and your prayers make all the difference.  I really mean that!

     Thank you in advance for your service and love to the Lord through this great church.

Paulo Gatan: Interim Pastor for Administration

     In the recent adjustments made to our staff, the personnel committee approved replacing the position of Business Administrator with that of Pastor for Administration.  The primary idea with this change is that this new position will oversee the Business Administrator functions of the church (delegating some of those to Ministry Assistants) and have additional pastoral responsibilities that would assist me.  Those additional responsibilities include working with administrative committees, the deacon screening & nominating committee, and general worship functions.  Since our music & worship ministry has been divided up among several people (Dan Cather, Chuck Olson, Jared Solis and Benjamin Aguirre), who are each spending a portion of their time in specific areas, in addition to their other jobs, we need someone who will provide coordination to music and worship resources such as budget, space, etc.

     Paulo Gatan is the individual I have asked to serve in this role as an interim.  (Eventually the church will conduct a search process).  Paulo has begun his work at a Part-Time level today, October 13.  He will move into a Full-Time role at a later time but no later than January 2nd, 2015.  Initially his focus will be on administration, which includes overseeing finances, facilities, custodians, IT, etc.  Eventually, he will assist me, as Lead Pastor, in areas related to worship coordination also.  (He will not be a worship leader).  As those changes take place, we will keep you informed.

     Paulo is a Calvary member, who has served as an ABF leader and an active deacon.  He holds Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Divinities degrees from De La Salle University in Manila (Philippines) and from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, Lynchburg (Virginia).  In addition to church ministry Paulo also has experience as a business partner/manager (Cleveland Health Care, LLC, McAllen, TX, Managing Partner and Privacy Officer; Lighthouse Staffing Solutions, LLC, McAllen, TX, Managing Partner; North Point La Union Corp., San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines, Operations Manager).

     Please pray for this time of transition.  I am confident that Paulo will be a blessing to our church.  We appreciate your patience as we make the necessary changes and adjustments.

Staff Reductions at Calvary

 

     At Calvary's Church in Conference on September 21st, where financial reports were presented showing that expenses have surpassed income for several months, I announced that drastic spending measures were being taken this fall.  (September is the first month in several where our expenses did not exceed income and we hope that will be the case in the remaining months of 2014).  As mentioned before, the missions committee adopted a revised budget reducing their expenses and some of their missionary/missions support.  Ministry leaders have been asked to finish the year at less than 80% of their budget.  The final measure involves staff cuts.

     In addition to not filling the Pastor for Music and Worship position, the personnel committee and I made some very difficult decisions to reduce our personnel costs this fall.  We have laid off one of our full-time custodians, Javier Ramirez, and do not have plans to fill that position anytime soon.  Additionally, two of our full-time ministry assistants, Kathy Herzberg and Onydia Garza were moved to half-time.  Finally the position of Business Administrator, which is currently filled by James McGinnis, has been replaced with a position titled Pastor for Administration (with worship/communication coordination responsibilities).  The rationale behind this big change has to do administrative and worship coordinating responsibilities that are currently being carried out by the Lead Pastor.  Since Dr. Joe Gerault and Mark Richardson left our staff, some of their responsibilities have been absorbed by the Lead Pastor.  Since there are no plans to fill either of these vacancies, in order to be effective moving forward, I need someone that can oversee the business administration functions, assist me with pastoral administration, and with worship/communication coordination.  By agreement of the personnel committee, and according to our Constitution and Bylaws, this Pastor for Administration position will be immediately filled with an interim to ensure a smooth transition.*  At the right time, a search process by the congregation will be set in motion.  Most of these changes are effective this next week.  Some of them will be in transition before the end of the year.

     These changes also call for additional responsibilities for the rest of the staff.  Primarily this means changes of responsibilities for our Ministry Assistants and our custodians.  Our two full-time custodians, Alonso Cano and Dino Ontiveros, will absorb the responsibilities of three full-time custodians.  Our ministry assistants will have the following new assignments:

• Anna Ruggles: Receptionist/Music & Worship/Adults
• Carmen Gaytan:  Finances/Spanish Language Ministry
• Alma Escobar: Lead Pastor/Administration
• Bianca Barajas:  Children & Student Discipleship
• Onydia Garza:  Communications (Part-Time)
• Kathy Herzberg:  Missions (Part-Time)

     Needless to say these decisions have been very difficult for me, the personnel committee, the staff, and those who are affected by them.  Javier Ramirez worked as a Calvary custodian for six years.  Kathy Herzberg and Onydia Garza have served our staff well and are now needing to make adjustments.  James McGinnis has served Calvary as Business Administrator for 12 years.  James has demonstrated an impeccable work ethic, a commitment to Calvary and an ability to cover a broad range of responsibilities.  We are very grateful for the service that each of these staff members have rendered to Calvary and to God.  Please join me in praying for those who will be seeking new employment elsewhere and for those who are making other difficult adjustments.

     We are trusting God to meet the ministry needs in our church, to meet the financial needs of both church and staff, and to provide for those who are on the receiving end of these difficult cuts.  Please pray that each person and family in our congregation will be sensitive to God's leading in terms of giving to support the ministry of Calvary.

     Please pray for the personnel, building & grounds, missions, and the stewardship committees which are engaged in Budget 2015 development.  They are all working very hard to prepare a budget that significantly reduces the 2014 budget.  They understand these reductions need to be somewhere between 15% to 20% (or between $350,000 to $400,000) less than our current budget.  Making these kind of reductions while ensuring that the missions, ministry and facility needs of our church are met is a very difficult thing.  However, the stewardship committee and I are convinced that our budget needs to correspond to our current level of giving.  This is not a lack of faith or reliance on God.  It is a responsible stewardship measure.  We believe God has already provided so we need to take steps to live within that provision.  Is there more giving potential in our congregation?  Most likely there is, but until that happens we need to live within our means.  When others discover the privilege of giving and join Calvary in this venture, we will certainly be aware of needs that need to be met and act accordingly.

     I am confident that these changes to our staff will allow us to live within our means and to still be effective in the work that has been assigned to us as we lead Calvary through this difficult time on a promising future by God's grace.  May God honor our faith and bless our future! 

*I will announce my choice for an Interim Pastor for Administration in a blog post next week

Dan Cather is the New Classic Service Worship Leader

 

     Daniel Cather has accepted the invitation to serve as our Classic Worship Service leader beginning this Sunday, October 5.  Dan has lead this service several times in the summer and for the entire month of September.  Dan possesses great talent in piano playing, leading both traditional hymns and contemporary songs blending the two smoothly, works well with the orchestra and with the choir,* and has a humble spirit that seeks to worship and lead others to worship.  His multiple talents and his character combine to make him the right fit for our Classic Service (9:30 AM).

      Daniel is blessed to be part of the Classic Service worship ministry and to work with so many kind and talented musicians at CBC.  Daniel moved to McAllen when he joined the South Texas College Music Faculty in 2008.  He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Eastern Illinois University, where he studied piano and composition. As a student, Daniel graduated with departmental and university honors and 4.0 GPA.  From 2003-2008 he served as accompanist, choir director, and Praise Team co-director of the Mattoon First United Methodist Church (Illinois).  He was also blessed to be part of the EIU Christian Campus House and go on mission trips to Mexico City and Haiti. 

     During his tenure at STC, Daniel started the first Electronic Music classes south of San Antonio and also launched the STC Jazz Ensemble. He also teaches Music Theory, Class Piano, Applied Piano, Composition, and Sight singing & Ear Training courses, and serves as accompanist for the STC Choir.  He finds great joy in encouraging his students to improve their lives and the lives of those around them by attaining their education goals and sharing what they learn with others.  Daniel married his lovely wife, Amy in 2011 and they are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their little girl, Ella Elizabeth Cather in late October.  They joined Calvary in 2011 and are grateful for all the beautiful friendships, fellowship, and opportunities to grow in Christ that it has provided.  Every good thing that has happened in his life has been by God’s grace and strength and not of his own accomplishment.

    Calvary is thankful to have Daniel on board.  Please pray for him, his family and his ministry with us.  Take time to let him know how much you appreciate him.

     (For an explanation of how this relates to the vacancy of the Pastor of Music and Worship, see the two previous posts:

  

town-hall-meeting-digest

decisions-made-about-pastor-for-music )


*Chuck Olson will continue to serve as the choir director

Decisions made about Pastor for Music & Worship Position

     The position of Pastor for Music and Worship at Calvary has been vacant since the spring of 2013.  Since then Jared Solis has continued to lead the 11 AM (contemporary) worship service in addition to this media/communications responsibilities, and Benjamin Aguirre has continued to lead the 12:30 PM (Spanish language) worship service in addition to this pastoral responsibilities in the Spanish Language Ministry.  The biggest gaps the Pastor for Music and Worship vacancy has left are (1) the leading of the 9:30 AM (classic) worship service; (2) the directing of our choir; (3) the overall music & worship coordination (budget, seasonal programs, funerals, weddings, management of worship center resources, overall vision for music & worship ministry, development of programs, and some communication functions).

     During this time, I have asked various individuals to lead our 9:30 service.  They all have done an excellent job.  Our instrumentalists and other music and worship team members have been gracious and flexible during that time.  I also asked Chuck Olson to be our choir director.  Chuck has taken this role with passion and has developed and grown the choir in a very encouraging manner.  (Chuck will continue to occupy this role indefinitely).  I have personally taken on the role of coordinating the general music & worship aspects mentioned above.

     This past March the personnel committee, recognizing the importance of the music & worship ministry and seeing the need, recommended to the Church in Conference that a search would be set in motion to fill this vacancy.  The idea is that the search is a process that takes several months and the committee was hopeful that budget giving would be higher by the time a recommendation would be brought to the congregation.  However, the Church in Conference tabled this motion out of the concern for the church's financial situation.  During the summer I continued to have guest worship leaders for the 9:30 service.

     As mentioned in the previous post, during our Town Hall meeting in August, we determined that the financial situation at Calvary would prevent us from moving forward with the search of a Full-Time Pastor for Music and Worship as the position existed in the past and as the profile had been developed by the study committee.  The personnel committee agreed with this assessment and decided to "withdraw the motion" that had been tabled in March at the next Church in Conference.  

     The personnel committee did withdraw the motion at the Church in Conference on September 21.  (Although the Church in Conference did not meet quorum, our Parliamentarian, Gene Vaughan, informs me that according to Robert's Rules of Order a tabled motion that is not acted on by the congregation within 90 days dies automatically).  Additionally the personnel committee has approved the hiring of a Part-Time worship leader for the 9:30 service and approved actions that will allow me to delegate the general coordinating responsibilities to other staff.  (More about this in a later post).

     The implications of all these developments are that the position of Pastor for Music and Worship as it has existed at Calvary is no longer the way this ministry's needs will be staffed.  Several individuals will fill various roles on a part-time basis.  These roles are a worship leader for each of our services (9:30, 11 & 12:30) and a choir director.  The term "part-time" means that individuals will either fill these roles as a part-time staff member or it will be one of the multiple assignments given to a full-time staff member.  This format helps to meet the needs of our Sunday worship services.  The general coordinating of the music and worship ministry, which is discussed above, needs to be either carried out by me or by a person to whom I delegate it.

     Simply said, the needs of our music and worship ministry will be met in a different format than what we have used in the past.  I ask you to continue to pray with me that our congregational worship will glorify God and empower His people to be on mission with Him.  Worship is essential for the church and it is the ultimate purpose of all we do.  May all nations bow down before the King!

Town Hall Meeting Digest

     About 6 weeks ago, we held a Calvary Town Hall meeting.  As indicated in the previous post where this was promoted, the meeting consisted of fellowship, prayer and discussion.  The objective was to touch base as a church body and see how our church is doing.

     The meeting began by hearing reports from the pastoral staff.  Pastor Susan spoke about children's ministry and the exciting things which took place in the summer including VBS, Camp Tejas, and a developing special-needs ministry.  Pastor Marcus talked about the spiritual growth in the life of students, the record number taken to Camp Zephyr, the innovative "Valley Project" where students learned about and did missions with much excitement, and the strength of the college ministry.  Pastor Rolando talked about plans for the EQUIP ministry in the fall and about developments in the Spanish Language Ministry.  Pastor Chad shared about the refugee relief efforts in the summer, the upcoming India and Chiapas trips, and the difficult decisions made by the Missions Committee in regard to budget cuts, including reduced or removed funding for some missionaries.

     I shared about developments in the worship ministry.  In spite of the fact that we have not been able to fill the vacancy of Pastor for Music & Worship, our Sunday worship services have been vibrant.  The 9:30 service had several guest worship leaders throughout the summer.  Chuck Olson continues to lead the choir and do a phenomenal job at it.  Jared Solis and Benjamin Aguirre continue to lead the 11 AM and the 12:30 PM services respectively.  Our deacons continue to visit the elderly, serve in various areas of the church and provide spiritual support to the pastor and other leaders.

     In regard to Sunday worship attendance, the following charts* were shared with the group:

 The chart* above shows the attendance to the two English services combined.  It is evident that while 2013 showed a decrease, compared to 2012, 2014 is demonstrating a clear upward trend including a higher summer attendance than the two previous years. 

 This chart* shows our worship attendance for the three Sunday services combined.  Interestingly the summer attendance for 2013 & 2014 shows much less of a dip than 2012 (and than previous years).  Also 2014 is showing an upward trend and it seems like this fall we might be hovering at around 1000.

     In terms of giving to the budget, the following chart* was shared.  

 

It was noted that 2011, 2012 & 2013 had one exceptional giving month each (July, May & December respectively).  Removing those exceptional months, budget giving has hovered at roughly an average of $150,000 per month, which would render a rough annual average of $1.8 million.  The current year (2014) has not been much different than previous years with the exception that there has been no extraordinary giving month as there was in 2011, 2012 & 2013.

      Our 2014 budget consists of $2,141,159.  However, giving has been at approximately 81% of the budget and, if the current rate continues through the end of the year, our budget receipts are projected to be somewhere at around $1,742,425.  I shared with the group that we were taking measures in the fall to reduce spending as much as possible in an effort to end the year in the black.  I also shared with the congregation that our budget development for 2015 needs to work responsibly from this data.

     After these reports and information were shared with the congregation, we discussed things to celebrate, concerns, priorities and possibilities by tables and then at large.  The following comments were made in the group at large:

Things to Celebrate about Calvary Life & Ministry:

• the diversity of our congregation
• the level of missions engagement
• the commitment of volunteers
• Calvary's good reputation in the community
• Adult Bible Fellowships
• the staff
• the evidence of God's love through Calvary people
• the church's efforts with the Central American refugee humanitarian aid
• the number and quality of opportunities to be equipped
• grateful for what people have given financially
• the children and youth ministry
• new people coming and joining the congregation

Things that Concern Us as a Church Family:

• having to reduce missionary support and engagement because of finances
• the need for more volunteers, especially in children ministry
• the need to do staff cuts
• the need for organized prayer
• the need to mobilize equipped members for ministry
• the need to grow in financial giving
• lack of visitors
• lack of doing life together in some ABFs
• not meeting budget
• the need for worship ministry staff

What do we consider areas of Priority moving forward?

• leadership for worship ministry
• Children ministry
• neighborhood outreach
• taking care of the current staff
• building and grounds contracts
• communication to the entire church
• shift from paid staff to volunteers
• mobilizing the 80% of the congregation that is not serving
• revise the profile & job description that had been recommended for the Pastor of Music and Worship to meet our current financial reality
• ask people for commitment
• prayer
• fasting
• discipleship

The items in bold were the recurring themes throughout the evening:

1. Prayer
2. Volunteer mobilization
3. Children ministry
4. Budget  
5. the need to adapt the worship leadership plan

As lead pastor, and as a staff team, we have been working to address each of these areas.  I will be communicating in future blog posts some of the decisions that have been made in regard to these.  For example, you can see the following posts:

decisions-made-about-pastor-for-music and worship

dan-cather-is-new-classic-service worship leader

staff-reductions-at-calvary

     In the meantime, I invite you to join me in prayer for our church.  May God continue to guide, empower and use our church for His glory.

*the charts have been updated since the Town Hall Meeting

Calvary's DNA: Revisitng the CBC Vision

There a lot of great things happening at Calvary these days!  We have undergone important changes and are facing some challenges as well.  I am convinced that the future is bright for our church and that God has set some great opportunities for us to make a kingdom impact.

As we move forward it is important to occasionally, if not frequently, revisit our vision.  What is it that we are about?  What are we trying to accomplish?  How do we measure success?  What are the vehicles that we are using in order to accomplish our objectives?  How does each member, leaders and ministry of our church relate to the overall vision and purpose?

That is the purpose of the "Calvary's DNA: Revisiting the CBC Vision" class that I will be leading over the next four weeks on Wednesday nights (August 27, September 3, 10 & 17 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM).

It's important that our leaders will be there as we share the vision.  So, unless you are teaching elsewhere on Wednesday night, please come join us.  However, this is not exclusive to leaders, please encourage others to come: your team, your group, your friends.  Seasoned leaders and new comers can all benefit from this time together.  I hope to see you there.  Let's talk and pray together so that we can move forward to God's future together!

Townhall Meeting this Sunday

This Sunday, as we move to a back-to-school mode, we will have an opportunity to touch base as a church family.  Our CBC Townhall meeting will consist of fellowship, discussion and prayer.  The objective of this time is to hear from each other how we are doing as a church body.  

We will consider, under our purpose and vision statements, how we are doing in various ministries, what are our strengths, opportunities, challenges, and priorities moving forward.  Consider our purpose and vision statements below:
 

Calvary’s purpose statement:

Calvary Baptist Church exists to glorify God by loving Him with all our being and by loving people in the power of the Holy Spirit that they might become Christ followers.

 

Calvary’s vision statement:

We will be a community of Christ followers who love God with all [our] being and are sent into [our] world by Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit to love others and to encourage them to follow Christ in the same way, resulting in the multiplication of missional communities.

This meeting is open to the entire Calvary family.  So please communicate this to your respective team or group.  We are encouraging everyone to bring their favorite dessert to share.  The evening's schedule will go as follows:

6:00 PM  Dessert fellowship

6:30 PM  Brief reports from various staff members/leaders

7:15 PM  Discussion with congregation and time for prayer

I hope to see you there as one of our leaders.  This will be a time to contribute your input and to listen to the input from others as we discern God's continuing direction in the life and ministry of our church.

Calvary's Response to Refugee Influx*

Today I share with you an update from Pastor Chad Mason regarding Calvary's response to the Central American refugee influx in our city:

 

“And then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me I was in prison and you came to visit me… The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25: 34-36, 40

As you all know since about June 9th, the City of McAllen has been responding to the overwhelming needs of Central American Refugees who were being released by the Immigration and Customs officials to “sponsor” family members already living in the US.  They were being released at the McAllen bus station in anticipation of their immediate departure for other locations in the US.  Because of the conditions that these refugees were in, the need arose to provide a relief center to help provide for their immediate needs.  This includes providing a shower, clean clothes, a meal, some provisions for their immediate travel.  For the few that had to wait overnight a tent shelter with cots has been provided.  

Calvary became involved during the first week of the relief center’s operation.  Catholic Charities responded to the City’s need immediately and established the Relief Center at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  The Church’s Community Center proved to be the best location to host the center.  Since getting involved Calvary has responded in the following ways: 

• Recruited Volunteers to Serve at Sacred Heart with the Refugees
  
• Recruited Volunteers to serve at the Food Bank of the RGV.  
• Collected Items to be given to Sacred Heart & Flip Flops for the Unaccompanied Minors 
• Volunteered to host a Mobile Laundry Unit and staff volunteers to meet the daily laundering needs of the Relief Center.  
• Provided Leadership to the BGCT to engage teams from around the State that have a desire to help.  
• Acted in an Advocacy Role in representing the need to government leaders, officials, and media. 

We have responded in this manner with the heavy investment of volunteers over the last 60 days.  These volunteers have sacrificed massive amounts of time, invested of themselves with tremendous passion and skill.  Jeanette Ahlenius has been a God-sent as we first got involved and then transitioned to providing the Laundry service.  Her willingness to design systems, recruit and train volunteers, and to serve as a representative of Calvary has truly been a blessing.  Ron Corbett has been another tremendous blessing!  Since day one he has made himself available in any capacity that is needed, installation of the laundry units, pick-up and delivery of the clean and dirty laundry, and much sweat and some tears in interacting with the refugee families.  Lastly Denise Love has been involved since we first became involved.  She and her husband David have spent a great deal of time at Sacred Heart and recruited teams and leaders from other Churches to get involved.  She has been a huge support through out this time.  

There have been many other volunteers who have been heavily involved in the various ways Calvary is engaged, and I cannot thank them, you, enough.  I have never seen a need like this, and I have never seen the overwhelming response poured out by so many.  Thank you!!!!!

Today I want to update you on some of the changes that have emerged in the last few days.  

1.  Sacred Heart:  Since last Saturday Aug 2, the border patrol (BP) has begun to detain the Family Units that are defined as a Mother and her Children.  They are transporting them now to a facility just south of San Antonio.  The Relief Center has been seeing between 50-200 people a day since they started the center in June.  Now they expect to see 20-25 people a day.  The people we will now see at the Center will be the Family Units that are defined as a Father with Children, or Pregnant Mother’s.  These are the only population groups that the BP is continuing to release.  This changes the needs drastically.  The biggest is an immediate halt to collecting donations of items such as clothes, shoes, baby supplies…  The biggest ongoing need will be volunteers and funds.  

2.  Laundry Service:  Calvary has committed to continuing the Laundry service, but the volume will be much decreased.  This means that we will only need one shift per day in the morning.  Unless there are new changes, the laundry should be finished by 12 noon daily.  Jeannette has needed to step out of her leadership role with the Fall season approaching.  Tammie De Los Santos has stepped up to organize the Laundry need for the immediate future.  The initial mobile laundry unit was lent to us by Texas Baptist Men.  Our current mobile laundry unit, which is bigger than the first one, is on loan to us from Baptist Child and Family Services.  

3.  BGCT Mission Teams:  Calvary has been asked by the BGCT to take a role in hosting teams who are coming to serve from out of the area.  We will begin providing breakfast and a devotional for visiting teams (larger than 15) starting the week of Aug 15th.  This will be ongoing, and we are working to develop a team to take this need on.  Betty Flores will be organizing this ministry opportunity. (These teams may not be staying at CBC but at the Valley Baptist Retreat Center in Mission.  However, we will play an important role in receiving them and connecting them to volunteer opportunities).

4.  Border Patrol Care: Calvary has found that there is high interest in finding ways to care for the many Border Patrol Agents that have been overworked and highly stressed throughout the time that this crisis has occurred.  Several of our member have organized a Cookie-Bake on Friday September 12 that will seek to provide many dozens of cookies that can be given to Law Enforcement along with an encouraging thank you note.  This we hope will be the first event, that will help us to recruit a team to help us organize a larger BBQ for a Saturday late in September welcoming Law Enforcement Members and their families.  

5.  Calvary Relief Director:  Because of the many roles that Calvary is involved in with this Crisis the BGCT offered to provide us with some help in staffing. They have offered to fund a full time person on a month-to-month basis to be a liaison for our church at Sacred Heart and to direct the various ministry opportunities that we are involved in.  This person will provide onsite leadership to the Relief Center at Sacred Heart.  This person will provide Relief oversight in the various areas discussed above, in partnerships with the Missions Ministry Staff at Calvary.  Denise Love has been selected as the person to lead our Relief Response. 

6.  Southtexasrefugees.org website: Calvary has continued to develop and administrate the Relief Response Community Bulletin Board at www.southtexasrefugees.org.  We daily receive 10-15 emails inquiring how people can help and respond to the many needs that continue to emerge.  Because of the massive amounts of information and constant attention the site, and the information requests have required, we hired a 20-hour a week intern to manage the communications.  This has been Arnold Garza, who is returning to Truett Seminary this weekend.  We will seek to replace his position with a bilingual intern who is technologically proficient and able to respond to emails and phone calls, as well as daily update the website.  This position has been funded by designated funds for this cause.

7.  Partners:  We have been blessed to work alongside local partners such as the City of McAllen, Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army and the Food Bank of the RGV.  In addition, we have also received the support of our denominational partners such as the Rio Grande Valley Baptist Association, the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Texas Baptist Men, the Hispanic Convention of Texas, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (Diann Whisnand has secured multiple gift cards from churches around the country to provide supplies for our operation).

8.  Financial Cost:  We have received in excess of $8,553.42 in designated donations by individuals for this cause.  In addition, the BGCT has also provided other funds.  All of the financial cost for this operation, including utilities, supplies, staffing, etc., has been/will be covered by these designated donations. 

9.  Articles in State and National Media:  Because of our involvement, our church has been featured in multiple articles or news pieces by state and national media.  Here are some of them for your information:

Baptist Press:  

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=43018

CBN News: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2014/July/Border-Crisis-Why-Are-the-Kids-Coming-to-America/

CBN News:

 http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2014/July/Army-of-Christians-Ready-to-Help-Migrant-Children/

Buckner:

 http://www.buckner.org/buckner-shoes-offer-respite-for-weary-immigrant-children/

Fox News: 

http://video.foxnews.com/v/3668979027001/border-pastor-babies-are-passed-out-everywhere/#sp=show-clips

Facebook video:

 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=636707076420976

Facebook video:

 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152098379187493&set=vb.305044439587243&type=2&theater

At the beginning of September we will reevaluate our staffing needs and shift according to the emerging needs.  Thank you for all your help, your service, and your love for these, “least of these”.  I believe that God has been honored in our response.  

“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Hebrews 13:1-2

*Biblical basis for this ministry: Leviticus 19:10, 34; Job 31:32; Isaiah 58:7-10; Matthew 10:43-45; 25:34-46; Luke 14:12-14

Worship Leader and Style for 9:30 AM Service

     It has been more than a year since we have had a full-time Pastor for Music and Worship.  Each of our three services is different in style and one of them is different in language.  Benjamin Aguirre has been the worship leader for the 12:30 PM service.  He does this in addition to pastoral ministry responsibilities in the Spanish Language Ministry.  Jared Solis continues to be the worship leader for our 11:00 AM service, which is labeled “contemporary.”  Jared’s other responsibilities on staff include coordinating all of the media elements for each of our Sunday worship services and also overseeing communication elements, such as the bulletin production, graphic design, etc.  During the interim time, when we have not had a Pastor for Music and Worship who oversees all of the worship and music ministries, we have had several people lead our 9:30 AM service, including Chuck Olson, Diann Whisnand, Chad Mason, Jared Solis, Melinda Rodriguez, Jeff Bridwell, and guest worship leader, Andy Muskrat.  We are thankful for the great talent and spirit with which each of these have led our worship experience.  God has blessed us with talented folks who possess a servant heart.

     In regard to filling the full-time position of Pastor for Music and Worship, our Church in Conference voted to table the decision to begin the search until the next regular Church in Conference due to financial reasons.  Whatever the decision of the church might be at the next Church in Conference, given the nature of search processes, it is evident that we will not fill this position any time soon.  In fact, the position may not be filled until 2015, if then.  In the meantime, I have asked that Benjamin Aguirre continue to be the worship leader for the 12:30 service and that Jared Solis continue to be the worship leader for the 11 o’clock service.  So the next decision I need to make is the appointing of a part-time worship leader for the 9:30 AM service.  Your prayers for me as I make this decision are greatly appreciated.

     (It should be noted that the full-time position of Pastor for Music and Worship entails much more than directing the 9:30 AM service.  This position is designed to be the pastoral level position in the church that oversees all worship and music functions in addition to aspects of communication.  This includes coordinating general direction of Sunday services, working closely with each worship leader, overseeing music and worship budget, supervising the music and worship ministry assistant, coordinating weddings and policies, coordinating funerals, leading seasonal musical presentations such as Easter, Christmas, etc., facilitating children's choir, handbells choir, adult choir, and resourcing multiple volunteers in the area of music and worship.  The full-time Pastor for Music and Worship also supervises the media associate making sure all aspects of worship production function appropriately.  In addition the Pastor for Music and Worship was overseeing bulletin and graphic design production.  Thus, having a worship leader for each of our services does not mean that all of the needs are addressed by them anymore than having a preacher for each service would mean that we have pastoral leadership.  Thus, in the meantime, I have given Jared Solis the supervision of the bulletin and graphic design, and since we do not have a Pastor of Administration, I will be the coordinating pastor for the rest of the music and worship areas not covered by worship leaders).
 
     Before making a decision on who should be the part-time worship leader for our 9:30 service, we must revisit the issue of music style for that worship service.  Although we want to avoid the worship wars we fought back in the 90s, we do need to address this issue.  The current label for our 9:30 service is “classic.”  Those that came up with it used this label in the same sense as “coke classic” versus “new coke.”  What they meant by it was a “blended” style of worship that utilizes the great hymns of the faith and combines them with contemporary songs in order to provide a meaningful worship experience for people of all ages who prefer not to worship in an all-rock-style format.  We believe keeping this balance in the 9:30 service will give the service longevity regardless of what generations are included in the congregation.  We don't intend for this to be a fully contemporary service but we do want it to be a vibrant and classy service.  That has been the design of the “classic” service for many years, regardless of the time it met (11:00 AM; 8:15 AM and now 9:30 AM).  However, many have interpreted “classic” to mean “classical” or “traditional.”  Some mistakenly have assumed that our 9:30 service is an all-classical or all-traditional style worship service.  Thus, two issues need to be addressed: (1) Since the "classic" label has proven to be confusing for some folks, consider changing the name from “classic” to something else that conveys more clearly the design of the service; (2) explore and communicate clearly what we mean by “blended” or whatever label we use.

     In order to explore this, I will be inviting various worship leaders throughout the summer.  These are not necessarily candidates who we are considering for part-time worship leaders.  Most of them would not be available for that!  They simply will help us explore with variations of “classic” (“blended”) worship style so that we can have a conversation about it.  During the summer I will be seeking feedback through various means in order to make a determination.  Determining a label and a description of that label for our 9:30 service will help us select the right worship leader.  Please be open-minded, worshipful, and prayerful through this process.  (John 4:23-24).  It is easy to get distracted with issues of worship style and song selection and forget that worship is about God and not about us.  So we must continue to focus on worshipping the FATHER in spirit and in truth.

     On Father's Day Benjamin Aguirre led our 9:30 worship service.  We are grateful for his willingness to do so.  He and his family brought a beautiful special song as we celebrated Father's Day.  The choir had a break and we missed them.  But we are thankful for all the instrumentalists and vocalists who participated and made it a meaningful worship experience.

     Yesterday we had a guest worship leader in the 9:30 service.  Carlos Rangel is originally from Brazil where he graduated from the Baptist Seminary in Rio de Janeiro with a B.A. in church music and a concentration in voice.  Since then he graduated from the Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio with a B.A. in Theology and from Baylor University with and M.A. in Divinity with a concentration on worship leadership.  He is currently pursuing an M.A. in Music at Baylor University with a concentration in church music.  He has recently served on the music and worship staff at Park Lake Baptist Church in Waco and Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio.  We are grateful for Carlos and his leadership of our worship service.

     Next Sunday, June 29, Dr. Marshall Johnston will be our guest worship leader in the 9:30 service.  Dr. Johnston serves as the Dean of Student Affairs for the South Texas School of Christian Studies which has a Corpus Christi and a McAllen campus.  He has served various churches in Texas as pastor and as worship leader.  We look forward to having him in our midst as God uses him to lead our congregation into His presence through music.

     Calvary is a blessed church!

Benjamín Aguirre accepts the Call

         Benjamín Aguirre has accepted Calvary's call to fill the position of Associate Pastor for Spanish Language Ministries.

         The Church met in Conference last Sunday, June 1st at 6:00 PM in order to act on the recommendation presented by the search committee for Associate Pastor for Spanish Language Ministries.  Iliana Garza, chairperson of said committee, presented Benjamin Aguirre as the committee's candidate for the position.

          The congregation voted by secret ballot, casting 65 ballots with 63 votes in favor and 2 against, resulting in a 97% affirmative vote.  The results were shared with Bro. Benjamin extending the invitation to him, which he gratefully accepted.

         We thank God for Benjamín Aguirre's ministry and availability.  We look forward to what God will continue to do through his life as he develops his pastoral ministry with the rest of the Calvary pastoral staff.  We count on the prayer support of the congregation as we move forward.

         Bro. Benjamín: welcome to this new stage of your ministry and the history of Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen.  May God bless you and your family as we serve Him together in the coming years.