From the Desk of . . .
J. David Pittman, Director of Missions

   May is the time of year that has been set aside by our denomination for Associational Emphasis Month. This is the month that we celebrate our ministry as churches on mission
together.
    Our associational Mission Statement is, “We are a network of autonomous Southern Baptist Churches cooperating to more effectively fulfill the Great Commission locally and globally.” (Matthew 28: 19-20, Acts 1:8) Just as no one Christian is an island unto himself, no one church is complete on its own. We draw strength from our cooperative efforts together.
   We are encouraged in Scripture to labor together in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. If they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth: for he hath not another to help him up.” These verses let us know that there is great profit in men holding faithfully to one another. Strength is gained by our combined efforts. The same thing can be said for churches joining together. We can more effectively minister through our combined efforts. J. C. Bradley wrote in describing an association, “A Baptist association is a self-governing
fellowship of autonomous churches sharing a common faith and active on mission in their setting.” In describing this statement he continues:

• Church- The churches of an association are free, independent, self-governing, autonomous churches that decide to associate themselves to do certain things together.

• Fellowship- The fellowship of churches involves oneness, shared life, mutuality, and koinonia.

• Sharing a common faith- The fellowship of an association is grounded in harmony in faith and practice.

• Active on mission- This refers to God’s mission for the churches individually and the churches together in association.

• Self governing- As association is created by the churches and is accountable to those churches through the messengers. Your association is what your local church and the other churches in the association decide to make it. Let’s all do our part in helping the Concord Baptist Association become all that God wants us to be.

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WMU Annual Business Meeting
May 12, 2008 - 7:00 pm
Christian Women's Job Corp Site
113 Stonewall Drive
Smyrna, TN 37167

Come tour the CWJC/CMJC facility prior to the business meeting.  See what new and exciting programs are available for the men and women in need within our community.  For your convenience we will provide shuttle service to Wherry Housing from Stones River Baptist Church from 6:15 - 6:45 pm.  If you are attending the business meeting only parking is available at Wherry Housing. 

 Ministry Project:  Please bring new or unused cosmetics to be given to program participants.

 No meal will be served

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Concord Baptist Association
Executive Committee Meeting

May 19th @ 7:00PM

Green Hill Baptist Church

Snacks and refreshments will be served following the meeting.