Miamisburg, Centerville OH Churches Merge

From the Tri-State Fellowship blog:

July 1, 2009

Two Churches Become One

Cornerstone Grace, which was meeting in Miamisburg, Ohio, for the last 3-4 years,
and Centerville Grace, have merged effective July 1st to become one combined church. Cornerstone Grace was hit especially hard with the economy and about 70% of their families were transferred out of the area. Through this rather rapid decline, they sensed God's leading to look for other ministry opportunities, rather than trying to rebuild on their own with the small group of families that remained.

Through the months of April, May and June, the leadership of Cornerstone Grace and Centerville Grace were meeting, and praying that God might use them together as a new church, to be stronger and more vibrant than the original two churches were individually. Effective July 1, both churches approved merging together at the Centerville Grace facility, and approved a budget for four pastoral staff:

Dave Holmes as lead pastor
Ned Denlinger and Tim Nixon as Associates
Matt Trego as Associate of Worship Arts

The two churches are now one, and are enjoying getting to know each other better, and discovering how each member's gifts might be used to begin ministering to the Centerville community. Five to ten years from now, we want the Centerville/Miamisburg community to be transformed through the grace of the Lord Jesus as we are obedient in loving our neighbors.

Forero Examined, Licensed in Florida

Word comes from Jesus Munoz in Florida that Javier Forero, who is a pastor at Iglesia Comunal La Esperanza, a Grace Brethren church in Valrico, Fla., has been examined by the Florida-Caribbean District of Grace Brethren Churches and has been recommended for licensure. At right, Javier shows members of the La Esperanza congregation around the property that the church purchased in January.

Iowa Memorial for Don Bowlin Set for June 27

Via Pastor Gary Austin of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Grace Brethren Church, we have learned that an Iowa memorial service will be held for longtime Grace Brethren pastor Don Bowlin, who died last week in southern California (see Editor's Blog).

The memorial service for Don in Iowa will be on Saturday, June 27, at 3:00 p.m. at Fellowship Community Church, 225 North Ave., Norwalk, Iowa.

Aiken Calls Jim Murray to Pastoral Staff

Jim Murray, who has served as an intern pastor of youth since January, has been unanimously called as Pastor of Youth and Young Adults by the congregation of the Grace Brethren Church of Aiken, SC. He is a recent graduate of Columbia Biblical Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. He will begin his duties September 1.

Sunnyside Church Has Two Summer Interns

From Chuck Winter in Sunnyside, WA:

Nathan Dick, a member of the Wooster (OH) GBC and a senior at Grace College (graduating this December) , is the summer youth intern at Sunnyside (WA) GBC and began his ministry May 24th. Collin Curfman, a junior at Westminster Seminary in Escondido, California, is the associate intern and will begin his ministry June 7th.

GBC in Howe, IN, Looking for Lead Pastor

Lead Pastor

The body of believers at Brighton Chapel in Howe, IN, is seeking the man called by God to fill the position of Lead Pastor at our church.

Brighton Chapel is a vibrant, family-oriented church that is on the grow with roots seated deeply in the conservative, rural farming community of Brighton in northeastern LaGrange County, Indiana. We stand out because of our strong worship and youth programs and our effective small group ministries.

We are a unified and healthy church that recently became an affiliate of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. Our vision is to reach up in intimate worship of God, to compassionately reach out to the community and to reach in for authentic fellowship with our brethren.

Our church averages an attendance upwards of 200 in Sunday morning worship with the most prevalent demographics being the married thirty-somethings and their children in the zero to ten age group. We recently completed a building project that included the addition of classrooms, offices and a new foyer.

We have a strong foundation in biblical preaching and teaching and strive to provide concrete instruction for the application of biblical principles in everyday living. Our congregation is seeking a man who is a passionate preacher with dynamic leadership skills. He should be of an age that will enable him to relate well to the young adults of our church. He should have well-developed interpersonal relations skills and be willing to spend time with the members of his flock. He should also be self-motivated and organized.

Candidates who feel this may be a good match for their gifts and skills should submit a resume and digital (CD, DVD, MP3) copy of a sermon they have delivered to Rev. Kenneth Bickel at kebickel@grace.edu. If a CE or DVD needs to be mailed, it should be sent to: 1115 S. 8th Street, Goshen, IN 46526.

End-of-Year Grace Seminary Awards Given

Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana, recently announced the recipients of its annual awards at the President’s Luncheon.

Congratulations to the following individuals for their outstanding work:

Darren D. Kloepper (M.Div. 09) - The Alva J.
McClain Award in Systematic Theology.

Dwight A. Shaver (M.A. 09) - The John J. Davis
Award in Old Testament.

Kevin R. Becker (M.Div. 09) - The Homer A. Kent
Jr. Award in New Testament

Armando Lucio - The Russell D. Barnard Award in
World Missions.

Timothy R. Clothier (M.A. 09) - Award in
Expository Preaching.

Peter W. Gross (M.Div. 09) - Faculty Award.

Continue Praying for Gordon Austin, Bob Griffith

Many have been praying for the health needs of former GBIM missionary Gordon Austin and retired Grace Brethren pastor Bob Griffith.

Gordon, who experienced significant internal bleeding and was operated on to remove a section of his colon, is now back at home and recuperating, though weak. He and his wife, Charlotte, will appreciate your prayers for his continuing recovery.

Bob Griffith, who for several months battled an insistent abdominal infection, was operated on and had his colon removed. He is now in the rehabilitation unit at Grace Retirement Village. He and his wife, Joyce, will appreciate your prayers for his continuing recovery and necessary adjustments ahead.

Boehm Admitted to D.Min. Program

From today's Ravenna, Ohio, News Leader:

Ronald E. Boehm has been admitted to the doctor of ministry degree program at Ashland Theological Seminary. Boehm received a master of divinity degree from Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Ind. in 1978. He is presently serving as senior missionary at VisionOhio in Macedonia.

The doctor of ministry is an advanced degree for professionals who seek to improve their practical expertise, explore the concerns of their own ministry setting and challenge their heart and mind.

Free Tickets Available to "Change Without Compromise" Conference

Free tickets are available to the “Change Without Compromise” Conference! The Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC) office has access to a limited number of free tickets for Grace Brethren pastors to this excellent conference.

The dates and location are May 14-16 in Plymouth, Mich. Go to http://www.changewithoutcompromise.com/ for more information. Tickets must be requested by 5:00 PM, Friday May 8. Email tomavey@fgbc.org to access this limited supply of tickets.

Brant Leidy to Pastor Children & Parents in Everett

After serving as the Children's/Christian Education pastor for 15 years at Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church, Martinsburg, PA, Brant Leidy (pictured) concluded there March 31. The church held a farewell service and dinner on Sunday, March 29th.

He begins a new ministry as the Pastor of Children and Parents on May 1st at the Community Grace Brethren Church in Everett, Pennsylvania, with Pastor Jeff Peeler, Lead Pastor and Pastor Lee Seese, the Pastor of Youth and Parents.

NCO Examines, Recommends Four Pastors

Last Thursday was a big day in the North Central Ohio district of the FGBC as four men were examined for their credentials as elders in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. Each of them was unanimously recommended to their local congregations. Congratulations to the following men.

Marty Ertel, East Side GBC – ordination

Keith Minier, Grace Fellowship of Pickerington – ordination

Larry Totzke, Capital City GBC – ordination

Drew Waggoner, Grace Fellowship of Pickerington – licensure

A fifth candidate, Andy Hupp of Lexington GBC, had to delay his exam because of responsibilities at a funeral. He will be examined in the fall for licensure.

Jonathan Herron Concluding at Catalyst

Jonathan Herron, who has been working at planting the Catalyst church in Kent, Ohio, the past four years, is stepping back from that position. According to a posting on his blog, Catalyst will now come under the umbrella of Pastor Jason Haymaker and the Macedonia church as it considers its next steps.

The Herrons will appreciate your prayers for wisdom in their next steps of ministry. Jonathan's blog posting may be read by clicking here.

Kish Valley Seeks Student Ministry Pastor

Kish Valley Grace Brethren Church
99 Taylor Dr
Reedsville, PA


Student Ministry Pastor Job Description

Student Ministry

Current Vision: Be a family for the lost, hurting, and outcasts where they can be shown the glory of God and the joy of "Real Life" in Christ.

Train, work with, and equip leaders to oversee Student Ministry’s weekly gathering. Effectively address all levels of spiritual needs in the students. Guide the leadership team in a strategic, purpose driven plan for events and outreach activities. Communicate with student families, looking for opportunities to minister to them as well.

Additional Duties

Act on behalf of the Senior Pastor at his request or in his absence, including preaching. Be involved in cell group ministry. Meet regularly with the Senior Pastor for accountability and mentoring. Be responsible for the handling of the various needs that arise in a small church.

Note: While the above job description is important, we also place value on not being overly narrow with it, understanding that there will be freedom to dialog with the candidate according to his giftedness and interests.

Education
Bible College and/or seminary degree (negotiable)

Experience
At least 5 years of full time ministry (negotiable)


Job Category: Youth Pastor
Job Status: Full-time
Education required: Bachelors
Experience required (years):
Denomination: Grace Brethren
Organization Association: Willow Creek Association
Church Size: 101-250
Worship Style: Blended

Doug Sabin
pastor.doug@embarqmail.com
Tel:7176672500
Fax: 7176670044

Grace Brethren Pastors Take in Exponential

A number of Grace Brethren pastors attended the annual church planting conference, Exponential 09, which was held this week (April 20-23) in Orlando, Fla. Among workshop speakers were Neil Cole, executive director of Church Multiplication Associates, and pastor of Awakening Chapel, a Grace Brethren church in Long Beach, Calif., and Oscar Chavez, west coast director for church planting for Go2 Ministries and pastor of Iglesia La Cosecha, an Hispanic Grace Brethren church in Lancaster, Calif. In the photos below, Neil participates in a live, interactive podcast.

Go2 Church Planting Ministries also sponsored a workshop track at the conference.

Also among those attending, according to Ron Boehm, senior missionary with the Grace Brethren regional church planting organization, VisionOhio, (who attended with his wife, Chery), were Ned Denlinger, TriState district church-planting coordinator; Mike Stern, pastor of Southern Hills Church in Strongsville, Ohio (Cleveland westside); Ted Rastatter, worship leader and team member at Soma, Springfield, Ohio; David Black, team leader at Soma; Mike Tabor, pastor of the Happy Church, Jackson, Ky.; Clancy Cruise, church planter and senior pastor at Marysville, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church; Jeremy Bury, worship leader at Marysville; Sean Spoelstra, church planter at Encounter, a new Grace Brethren church in Jerome/Dublin, Ohio; Andy Wirt, church planter at Clearview Church, New Albany, Ohio; Terry and Debbie Hofecker, VisionOhio trainer, church planter and senior pastor at Northwest Chapel, Dublin, Ohio; Mike Silliman, pastor, Elk Creek Church, West Grove, Pa.; Javier Forero, associate pastor at Iglesia Communal La Espranza, a Grace Brethren church in Valrico, Fla.; and Dan O'Deens, pastor, Gateway Grace Community Church, Parkesburg, Pa.

Above, church planters from the TriState Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (southwest Ohio, southeastern Indiana, and Kentucky) visit.

Philiposians Welcome Rachael Elizabeth

Congratulations to Pastor Nick and Charlene Philiposian who are the proud new parents of Rachael Elizabeth, 7lbs 13oz, 20.5 inches.

Nick is the pastor of DayStar Grace Brethren Church in Union City, OH/IN. According to Nick, the two brothers are very proud of her. (from Tri-State newsletter)

Paul Woodruff Surgery

An unverified prayer request has come through one of the local church prayer chains for Pastor Paul Woodruff of the Eagle Creek Grace Brethren Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, who is reported to be scheduled for triple by-pass surgery this afternoon.

UPDATE: Tim Boucher was kind enough to send along this message: "Paul did have quadruple by-pass surgery on Friday and is recovering well...please continue to pray for a full recovery.

Tim Boucher
"Nephew in-law" to Uncle Paul"

Waterloo, Iowa, Church Seeks Lead Pastor

Lead Pastor

The body of Christ at Grace Brethren Church of Waterloo, Iowa, is searching for the man God has prepared to fill the Lead Pastor role in our congregation.

We are a thriving church body with a good mix of young families and older saints actively serving God through missions, outreach, community service, children and youth ministries, worship and discipleship. Our contemporary service is carried live on a local Christian FM radio station and is one of several efforts to live out our mission statement: G rowing together in unity (Fellowship) R esponding to God in heart and action (Worship) A ctively serving God (Servant Leadership/Ministry) C ontinually growing in Christ (Discipleship) E xtending the Good News (Evangelism)

We are searching for a self-motivated leader with established teaching experience in a pastoral position. Resumes may be sent to: Waterloo Grace Brethren Church, 1760 Williston Avenue, Waterloo, IA 50702 or emailed to jhearnest@forbin.net.

For further information on our church, please view our church profile at: http://www.gracebrethrenwaterloo.org/downloads/GBC_Profile2009.pdf

gbcwloo@gracebrethrenwaterloo.

Excerpt: Rolland McCune on Systematic Theology

Here is an excerpt from an interview with Grace Seminary alumnus Rolland McCune which is currently online. To read the entire posting, click here.

5. What is your favorite Bible doctrine? Why?

My favorite Bible doctrine is the Kingdom of God because it ultimately unifies the whole Bible as no other doctrine or principle can. Unmistakably grounded in the religion and thought of OT theology, God’s rule of loving sovereignty over and fellowship with his image-bearers, is, as I understand it, the unifying center for all of God’s activity external to Himself. This is also the unifying principle of the Scriptures. It began with the Creation Mandate and carries through to the eschaton—the Millennial, Mediatorial Kingdom of God and its transition to the Eternal Kingdom of God on the new earth. (I develop this on pp. 135-54 of STBC.)

6. How has your mentor, Alva J. McClain, influenced your ST?

The influence of my mentor, Dr. Alva J. McClain, is tremendous. His grasp of the idea of the Kingdom of God was influenced by George N. H. Peters’s massive 3-volume The Theocratic Kingdom. McClain was a master-teacher and a careful, thorough, biblical and theological scholar. He was quite lucid in his thinking so that a Bible student as well as the average person in civil society could understand him. Very few will not comprehend the biblical, theological development of his magnum opus, The Greatness of the Kingdom. (Interestingly, George Ladd wrote a very negative review [Evangelical Quarterly 32 (1960): 48–50], fundamentally because McClain often cited nineteenth-century sources and not the current Continental scholarship and because he did not embrace the already/not yet notion of the Kingdom of God.) The clarity of Dr. McClain would apply equally to anyone listening to his lectures and sermons.

7. Who are a few of your favorite dead and living theologians? Why?

In addition to Dr. McClain, who died in 1968, I found A. H. Strong of great help. His Systematic Theology was pretty much the standard text in Baptist seminaries and other institutions until the appearance of Millard J. Erickson’s Christian Theology. Strong had his quirks, to say the least, such as ethical monism, postmillennialism, et al., but his format of developing the doctrines I found valuable.

I appreciate the efforts of the older Reformed theologies, especially in the areas of God, Christ, scripture and salvation. Herman Bavinck and W. G. T. Shedd particularly come to mind, as well as B. B. Warfield and the Hodges. Those nearest to my thinking, especially in ecclesiology, pneumatology, and eschatology, would be Lewis Sperry Chafer, John F. Walvoord, and Charles C. Ryrie.

There have been significant contributions made rather recently by Wayne Grudem, Millard J. Erickson, John Frame, Gordon Lewis and Bruce Demarest, Robert D. Culver, and Robert L. Reymond. The one-volume put out by Broadman (Theology and the Church, ed. Daniel Akin), as well as that of Dallas Seminary (Understanding Christian Theology, ed. Charles R. Swindoll and Roy B. Zuck), are noteworthy. I’m sure I have overlooked many others, some of whom contributed single volumes on various doctrines (such as the Contours of Christian Theology series by IVP).

Ashland Seeks Worship Arts Coordinator

Worship Arts Coordinator

Ashland (Ohio) Grace Brethren Church is seeking a full-time Worship Arts Coordinator to lead worship, cast vision and provide overall leadership and administration for the worship arts ministry.

This person is responsible for planning, organizing, rehearsing and executing Sunday morning corporate worship services. Ashland GBC is a growing church of 1,100 that celebrates a multi-generational and blended worship environment. There are around 100 people involved in the worship arts ministry consisting of a worship band, choir, orchestra, small vocal ensembles and a hand bell choir.

You can check out the church at www.ashlandgbc.org. If you are interested in discussing the position, contact Pastor Dan Allan at dallan@ashlandgbc.org.
dallan@ashlandgbc.org

The Newsletter's In The Mail

The spring, 2009, issue of "Sharpening One Another," the periodical newsletter of the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers, is off the press and in the mail. It should be arriving shortly in the homes and offices of the 600+ members of the association.

The spring issue features Hispanic church-planter Oscar Chavez, a report of the teaching trip to Africa by AGBM president Joel Richards and Jason Carmean, an update from AGBM ministry director Jerry Young, and much more.

Articles or material for the newsletter should be sent to Liz Cutler Gates at lcgates@bmhbooks.com. Address corrections or subscription questions should be directed to Ann Myers at amyers@bmhbooks.com or by calling (574) 268-1122 or mailing to AGBM, P.O. Box 694, Winona Lake, Indiana 46590.

Greenwood Ordination Service April 5

The members and elders of New Life Community Grace Brethren Church, Souderton, Pennsylvania, cordially invite you to attend a service of ordination for the pastor of the Souderton church, Robert F. Greenwood.

The service will be Sunday, April 5 at 7 p.m. at 209 Green Street Souderton, PA. Light refreshments will be served after the service.

RSVP to Carla at (215) 721-2790.

North Central Ohio to Examine Five

The next district ministerial examing date for the North Central Ohio district is Thursday, April 16 at Grace Fellowship in Pickerington, according to Chip Heim, chair.

Three men will be examined for ordination: Marty Ertel (East Side GBC), Keith Minier (Grace Pickerington), and Larry Totzke (Capital City Grace).

Two will be examined for licensure: Andy Hupp (Lexington GBC) and Drew Waggoner (Grace Pickerington).

Tony Webb Earns Doctoral Degree

Tony Webb (pictured), pastor of Southwest Grace Brethren Church in the Grove City suburb of Columbus, successfully defended his dissertation at Ashland Theological Seminary on February 20, completing the requirements to be granted his D.Min. degree in an early June ceremony.

Congratulations Dr. Tony! His work on church planting is already being put to good use through Vision Ohio.

Broom Tree Pastor's Retreat Available

Chris Hay, former pastor of the Leesburg, Indiana, Grace Brethren Church, and his wife, Dawn, are now with Broom Tree Ministries. Their e-mail address is chrisdawnhay@gmail.com and they send along this invitation:

Dear Friends,

How important is your pastor in your life and the life of your family? God has called and installed these men of God to shepherd us and continually point us to Jesus. They have a huge job and tremendous responsibility. The jobs they perform are numerous; the burdens they bear are continuous.

They are on the front lines of spiritual battle and attack. But they are just men with all the frailties and weaknesses and strengths and joys as anyone else. They simply have a different calling. I hope you pray for your pastor and his wife and family on a regular basis—their spiritual well-being depends on it!

They also need rest, refreshment, and renewal. They need extended time to be alone with God and allow Him to minister cool water to their thirsty souls. They need a broom tree to crawl under, curl up, and go to sleep (see 1 Kings 19:1-6). That is what God has called Dawn and me to do—provide a "broom tree" setting for the pastors and wives of our churches in the West.

God has led us quite intentionally to a wonderful facility about two hours from our home. This is a strategic location as it is within a six-hour drive of millions of people and numerous churches and pastors including: Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, etc….

Collins Lodge is set in a beautiful valley on the grounds of Forest Home Ministries. It is a restored old lodge with seven B&B style rooms. It has a cozy library and a warm and inviting great room. The surrounding grounds offer a lot of room to hike or find a quiet spot to be alone with God. It is frankly perfect for a Broom Tree Retreat! (see the attached photo)

Our immediate goal is to conduct two Broom Tree Retreats per year—one in February and one in October of each year. Each retreat costs about $5000 and includes five nights of lodging and 14 meals—all at no cost to pastors. A typical retreat includes 6 pastor/wife couples and one host couple.

Now for the really good news: God has provided full underwriting for our first retreat, already scheduled for October 25-30, 2009! We have also seen some donations that have allowed us to begin buying books and CDs that will stock a resource basket for each room. Boxes of books are beginning to pile up in a corner of our dining room!

Information specifically about Broom Tree West should be on the website in the next couple months. This will allow pastors and wives to make reservations for our fall retreat. God is at work!

Now we need people who will commit to praying regularly for Broom Tree. Pray for God to prepare the way for pastors and wives to experience renewal, refreshment, and have a fresh encounter with God.

There is need for some additional funding for resources and training. We are currently praying for God to provide the funding for the February 2010 retreat. Ask God how He would have you participate in this strategic ministry. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email us. We would be glad to share our passion for this ministry with you.

You can contribute to Broom Tree West at the main Broom Tree website (www.broomtreeministries.org )using your credit card or PayPal account. You can also send a check to the address below. Be sure and specify your donation is for Broom Tree West.

If you use the website, let us know via email so we can be sure and designate your contribution for Broom Tree West. If you are committed to praying for BTW, send us an email and let us know you are out there standing (or kneeling!) with us!

Thanks for partnering with us!

For His Glory Alone,
Chris & Dawn Hay

Columbia City, IN, Seeks Lead Pastor

Lead Pastor

Community of Hope, the Grace Brethren church in Columbia City, Indiana, is seeking a lead pastor.

Information from the church says, "We can be described as a flexible, young, missional, downtown church. Our church has long been known as a group that is willing to accept people where they are. Our core values are known by everyone in the church: Advancing Hope, Building Intimacy, and Connecting People.

"The church is approximately 300 people with an average age of 30. Dan Gregory was our pastor for 14 years of strong growth and community impact. After Dan's departure to join the staff of a church in Norton, Ohio, the church has continued to grow.

"Community of Hope is ready for our next pastor. We are asking God to provide a leader who can communicate vision, disciple leaders, and model a passion for the lost.

"Send a resume to searchteam@cofh.com. Community of Hope is part of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches."

searchteam@cofh.com

Waldorf, Maryland, Looking for Youth Pastor

Grace Brethren Church of Waldorf, Md is looking for a full-time Youth Pastor whose primary responsibility is to provide overall leadership and personal ministry involvement to youth, both junior and senior high age groups.

The ministry will be highly motivational for youth and offer opportunities for the personal and spiritual development of youth that parents enthusastically endorse. There is a mixture of unchurched teens from the community, public school and our own Christian school. Additional duties will include speaking at chapel at our Christian school for the middle/senior hight students once a month.

Salary and benefits are included.

Please send your resume to Pastor Dennis Fay, 13000 Zekiah Drive, Waldorf, Md. 20601 or email to dfay@gracebrethren.net. If you would like a detailed job description or more information on this position, please call the church office at 301-645-0407.
dfay@gracebrethren.net

Experts: Churches Need Security Plans

Churches need security plans, experts say

(CNN) -- Churches can stop a shooter or anyone else intent on harming church members with the proper security measures in place, an expert on protecting places of worship said Monday.

Police say the attacker walked into First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois, on Sunday and began firing.

"A church is not helpless when they have a plan, and properly trained security," said Jeff Hawkins, the executive director of the Christian Security Network.

First Baptist Church in Maryville, Illinois, had a security plan in place when a gunman walked into services Sunday morning and killed Pastor Fred Winters, said Tim Lawson, another pastor at the church.

Lawson told CNN he was not prepared to disclose details of his church's security plan on Monday.

But Maryville police Chief Rich Schardam said Winters was keenly aware of the security issues, had sought out police advice and had identified police and medical personnel in the congregation who could help in an emergency.

To read the remainder of the article, click here:

More Americans Say They Have No Religion

A number of versions of this story have appeared. This is an excerpt from Fox News--to read the entire article click here.

More Americans Say They Have No Religion

Monday, March 09, 2009

A wide-ranging study on American religious life found that the Roman Catholic population has been shifting out of the Northeast to the Southwest, the percentage of Christians in the nation has declined and more people say they have no religion at all.

Fifteen percent of respondents said they had no religion, an increase from 14.2 percent in 2001 and 8.2 percent in 1990, according to the American Religious Identification Survey.

Northern New England surpassed the Pacific Northwest as the least religious region, with Vermont reporting the highest share of those claiming no religion, at 34 percent. Still, the study found that the numbers of Americans with no religion rose in every state.

"No other religious bloc has kept such a pace in every state," the study's authors said.

In the Northeast, self-identified Catholics made up 36 percent of adults last year, down from 43 percent in 1990. At the same time, however, Catholics grew to about one-third of the adult population in California and Texas, and one-quarter of Floridians, largely due to Latino immigration, according to the research.

Nationally, Catholics remain the largest religious group, with 57 million people saying they belong to the church. The tradition gained 11 million followers since 1990, but its share of the population fell by about a percentage point to 25 percent.

Christians who aren't Catholic also are a declining segment of the country.

In 2008, Christians comprised 76 percent of U.S. adults, compared to about 77 percent in 2001 and about 86 percent in 1990. Researchers said the dwindling ranks of mainline Protestants, including Methodists, Lutherans and Episcopalians, largely explains the shift. Over the last seven years, mainline Protestants dropped from just over 17 percent to 12.9 percent of the population.

The report from The Program on Public Values at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., surveyed 54,461 adults in English or Spanish from February through November of last year. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 0.5 percentage points. The findings are part of a series of studies on American religion by the program that will later look more closely at reasons behind the trends

Youth Pastor Changes

CE National's latest e-newsletter carries this listing of youth pastor changes:

Brad Gromis is the new youth pastor at Community of Grace, Richmond, Va.
Brad Gibbs is youth pastor at Grace Church at Willow Valley, Lancaster, Pa. (Shannon Hollinger has taken a new position at the same church)
Ken Matteson has resigned from the Grace Brethren Church in Waterloo, Iowa, and is now ministering at Dallas Center Grace, Dallas Center, Iowa.
Tim Eames is the new youth pastor at Grace Church South Campus, Norton, Ohio, since Jon Sommers felt God leading him to make a career change.
Dave Pacheco is the new youth pastor at the Grace Brethren Church in Delaware, Ohio.
Steve Waller is no longer youth pastor at the Grace Brethren Church in Sunnyside, Wash. (Nathan Zakahi, Senior Pastor, is overseeing the ministry at Sunnyside.)

Jay Fretz to Pastor at Brookville, Ohio

Jay Fretz, who in December concluded his ministry as pastor of Maranatha Brethren Church in Hagerstown, Maryland, has accepted the position of pastor of the Grace Brethren Church of Brookville, Ohio.

He and Beth are in the process of selling their home back east, relocating to Brookville, and will appreciate your prayers for a smooth and joyful transition.

Covenant Church Planter: Easier to Start a New Church

Here's a stimulating interview with the head of church-planting for the Evangelical Covenent Church:

10 Minutes with … David T. Olson

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald

(UNDATED) Booming megachurches might grab headlines, but the bigger story of American congregations is one of accelerating decline, according to David T. Olson, director of the American Church Research Project. Based on data collected from more than 200,000 churches, he projects that by 2050, only 10 percent of Americans will be in church on any given Sunday.

Olson, who’s also director of church planting for the Evangelical Covenant Church, analyzes the situation in his 2008 book, “The American Church in Crisis.” Some answers have been edited for length. Here is a sampling of the Q&A – to read the entire article, click here.

Q: Why do you say the American church is in crisis?

A: The big problem is America continues to grow in terms of population, but the percentage of Americans attending church on any given weekend keeps declining. In 1990, it was 20.4 percent. In 2000, it was 18.7. In 2007, it was 17.

Q: If many churches are not full on Sunday morning, then why not focus on filling the empty pews before building new structures and new communities?

A: It’s probably five to seven times easier to plant a new church than to help an established church that’s in deep difficulty to restore its vitality. I wouldn’t discourage established churches from doing that, but it’s much more fruitful and efficient to plant new churches.

February e-Newsletter Released

The February edition of AGBM president Joel Richards' e-mail newsletter has just been released. Here's his lead article. If you are not receiving the newsletter, please request it from Joel at jerichards@sbcglobal.net.

Every day when you read the paper there is more and more bad news. We are in difficult times. Brother, you have needs just like the rest of your congregation. Now more than ever you may need to find that partner(s) who can support you and keep you encouraged.

This will be a special time for you to minister to people. Your church will be called to do and provide things that are out of the ordinary. You too, will be looked to for support and encouragement. Stay strong and bring great hope to the people God has called you to minister to.

Remember the words of the old song: "This world is not my home, I am just passing through."

How true that is. Keep that has your focus.

Steve Makofka Concludes at Centerville Sunday

Here's a note from Tri-State coordinator Ned Denlinger:

This Sunday is Steve Makofka's last Sunday at Centerville, Ohio, GBC. There is a dinner for him after church on Sunday. You might want to contact Steve and wish him well as he leaves full-time paid ministry, and trusts God for what He has in His plan for the Makofkas.

Martinsburg, PA, to Baptize 32

Pastor Kurt Miller of the Grace Brethren church in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, sends along the following e-mail note:

"It will be another exciting Sunday again this month as 32 people are scheduled to be baptized as a public expression of their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. To God be the glory!"

SBC Makes Ministers Tax Guide Available

DALLAS (BP)--Ministers can receive additional help in preparing their federal income tax returns from GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The annual Ministers Tax Guide for 2008 Returns details recent changes to tax laws and their effect on ministers. GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins said the free tax guide includes sample tax returns with step-by-step instructions for active and retired ministers, as well as a special pull-out section regarding the federal reporting requirements for churches.

"Our goal as a ministry," Hawkins said, "is to be a lifelong partner with our participants in enhancing their financial security. The tax guide is a tangible example of that commitment."

Richard Hammar, a noted CPA, attorney and widely published author on legal and tax issues for ministers, once again authored the guide's overview of recent changes in tax laws. The guide is edited by GuideStone's legal and compliance staff to address the tax issues that affect the greatest number of Southern Baptist pastors.

The tax guide can be obtained in PDF format from the GuideStone website, www.GuideStone.org. Printed copies or a CD version also be obtained by calling GuideStone customer service at 1-888-98-GUIDE (1-888-984-8433) between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.