April 6, 2005
Dear Friends and Colleagues in Ministry,
“We’re all in the same boat so, can we move forward together?” Regional Minister’s Councils are meeting in an effort to answer that question. Your voice is needed to discover the answer. The process to discern God’s direction for us at this time is called “The Jerusalem Council Process” based on Acts 15.
The Jerusalem Council for Metro Chicago will be held at the First Baptist Church of Maywood, located at 401 South Fifth Avenue, Maywood, Il on Saturday, April 16, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Rev. Francine Stark will be our facilitator. And Dr. Kate Harvey, the Executive Director of the National Minister’s Council, has agreed to come and offer a national perspective.
The narrow issue before us is that this year the MC Senate will consider what defines a Senator in good standing. Specifically, can a homosexual person serve as a Senator? The Senate representative in attendance on April 16th will be listening in order to give voice this summer to the collective wisdom of our brothers and sisters. The broader issue is this; can we, as American Baptists, hold very divergent interpretations of scripture, yet continue to be in relationship with one another? Joe Kutter, the Ministers Council national President, at last summer’s Senate asked, “What will it take for us to continue to live together?”
The objective of the Jerusalem Council is not to come to a conclusion, or consensus of thought on this matter. The Jerusalem Council is to listen carefully to our colleagues and to prayerfully ask ourselves what it will take for us to continue to live together as American Baptists. You will want to attend this important event.
Any person serving in or retired from ABC Metro Chicago or surrounding area is welcome to attend, you need not be a member of the Minister’s Council. April 16th will include a time of preparation, engagement with Acts 15, personal testimony and time for Jerusalem Council conversations. A lunch will be provided for participants. Donations will be collected for the meal. Please let us know if you plan to attend by e-mailing, ferkat92@sbcglobal.net by April 12th. A written form of the process can be found at: www.ministerscouncil.com. Please keep the Jerusalem Council process in your prayers.
In His Name and for His Glory
Rev. Kathy L. Taylor, President, Ministers Council, Metro Chicago
The Minister’s Council
Jerusalem Council in Metro Chicago
April 16, 2005 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Francine Stark, Facilitator
Francine Stark is Staff Minister at Third Baptist Church of Chicago, a four thousand member African American congregation, where the Rev. Dr. Alan V. Ragland is Senior Pastor. Her responsibilities include leadership development, pastoral liaison for the development and implementation of ministries and programs, preaching and teaching, and pastoral counseling. Francine is an ordained American Baptist Churches clergywoman and has the endorsement of the ABC Committee on Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors. She is the ABC General Board representative for American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago. Along with her Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary, she has a background in nursing, mental health, alcohol and chemical dependency treatment, and pastoral care of survivors of childhood sexual abuse and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.