Ways to Introduce CBF

Ways to Introduce CBF to Your Church

Adapted from an article by Larry Hovis, Coordinator-CBF of North Carolina

Many pastors and church leaders are sympathetic to the values, goals and ministries of CBF, national and state. They would like to lead their churches to a closer relationship with CBF but aren’t sure how to begin the process. Here are some practical ways to educate a congregation about the mission and ministries of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, in Tennessee and around the world, and equip your congregation for effective missions and ministry in the process.

CBF Gatherings – One of the greatest strengths of the CBF movement is the quality of our fellowship. Our meetings are inspiring, educational, and enjoyable to attend. A great way to introduce church members to CBF (especially those who are used to attending associational and convention meetings) is to take them to a CBF gathering. Here are a few of the types of gatherings we offer:

  • CBF State General Assembly – The annual TCBF General Assembly is usually held early to mid-April in a Tennessee church.
  • CBF National General Assembly – The National assembly is usually held at the end of June in a convention center in a large city.
  • Fellowship on the Go! – Regional fellowships are scheduled throughout the year.  These gatherings are advertised in our newsletters and on the website.
  • Retreats, Conferences, etc. – CBF and TCBF offer retreats, conferences and other educational/equipping events throughout the year. Check the website, newsletter or e-newsletter for upcoming events.

CBF Advocates

One of the best ways to introduce the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) in your church is by calling out members who are passionate about the Fellowship Community to serve as advocates. Advocates plead Fellowship causes within a local congregation and ensure your church is connected in meaningful ways with God’s work through the Fellowship. Advocates:

  1. Keep your church informed about what CBF is doing.
  2. Increase your church’s involvement in CBF: in giving, in praying, and in going.
  3. Improve how CBF connects with your church.

CBF Speakers – Invite a CBF speaker to come to your church. Speakers will work with pastors and church leaders to deliver a message or provide a program to meet your church’s needs. Whether a sermon on Sunday morning or a program at another time, CBF speakers enjoy being in churches. We offer several types of speakers:

  • CBF State Coordinators – TCBF state coordinators can be scheduled through the TCBF office.
  • CBF National Coordinators
  • CBF Global Missions Field Personnel – Invite a missionary to your church to tell how CBF is sharing the Gospel of Christ in word and deed “in a world without borders.”
  • “Face to Face” – This is the CBF Speakers’ Bureau. It is the best way to schedule speakers from CBF National, including missionary speakers. You can reach “Face to Face” through the CBF website, www.thefellowship.info or by calling (770) 220-1630.

Mission Education – Most churches have a mission education ministry, either the traditional WMU and Baptist Men structure, or something of their own design. CBF produces missions education materials for all ages, from preschool through adults. A good way to educate congregations about CBF, especially CBF Global Missions, is by starting new groups that use CBF missions education materials or by supplementing the materials used by existing groups (Mission Friends, RAs, GAs, adult groups) with CBF materials. These materials may be ordered from CBF through the website, www.thefellowship.info, or by calling 1-888-801-4CBF (4223).

  • Global Missions Offering Promotion – Most churches collect special offerings for missions, either the traditional Christmas offering for international missions and Easter offering for home missions, or another emphasis. CBF missions education and support can be included by either adding a new emphasis for CBF Global Missions or including CBF Global Missions as an offering option when receiving missions offerings throughout the year and especially at Christmas, Easter and other times. Some churches give members a choice regarding where to direct their offerings. Others determine a certain percentage to give to CBF. Whenever you choose to emphasize CBF Global Missions, do so with posters, bulletin inserts, offering envelopes, videos, missions speakers, etc. These materials may be ordered from CBF through the website, www.thefellowship.info, or by calling 1-888-801-4CBF (4223).
  • Mission Projects – Missions is a major focus for CBF, both state and national, as we seek to connect with what God is doing in the world. Many churches are no longer content to give financial support or pray for missionaries. They are becoming involved in “hands on” mission action. When planning your next church mission project, for youth or adults, consider partnering with TCBF or CBF.
  • Christian Education Materials – Many churches are discovering the days of securing all of their Sunday School literature and Christian education materials from one publisher are over. They are looking to multiple outlets to provide materials to help them teach disciples of all ages. As your church plans its Christian education ministry, consider supplementing existing curriculum with offerings from CBF (www.thefellowship.info, click on “Congregational Life”) or one of CBF’s partners like Smyth and Helwys, Baptists Today, or Upper Room.
  • Teach Baptist History and Heritage – Many Baptists are woefully unaware of their history and the foundational principles emerging from that history. Therefore, they have no context for analyzing the vast changes that have taken place in Baptist life the past twenty-five years. A solid process for educating congregations in Baptist history and heritage over the past four hundred years, including the past twenty-five, will help them understand why the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is essential for a healthy Baptist witness in the twenty-first century.