ALCBF Annual Meeting - Fall Gathering

October 9-10, 2011  
First Baptist Church, Huntsville

Register

Sunday, October 9

5:00 pm - Gathering - coffee and exhibits (more information soon for exhibitors)
6:30 pm - Worship - a joint service with FBC Huntsville & First (National Baptist) Church Huntsville
Reception to follow
8:30 pm - Opportunity for young ministers & leaders to go out after the reception

Monday, October 10

  9:00 am - Gathering - coffee and donuts
  9:15 am - Breakout Sessions
10:30 am - Business Session* and Worship
11:45 am - Lunch - $10 per person (pay at the event)

*A revision of our by-laws will be presented at the business session for approval. You can read the revisions ahead of time here. An opportunity for discussion during the breakout sessions will be provided before the vote (9:15 a.m.).

Breakout Sessions

• Immigration Conversation led by Robbie White, Pastor, Locust Grove Baptist, New Market
  • "I don't pretend to know the answer on this difficult issue. Indeed there are many voices to be heard concerning this bill. Perhaps it's time for the religious voice to be raised on this issue. How will we respond? I'm hoping that we will live up to our reputation, that we will be compassionate and neighborly."
    Dr. Robert White Jr., senior pastor of Locust Grove Baptist Church on County Lake Road in New Market, is an assistant professor of religion and philosophy at Athens State University, where he also directs the Center of Religious Studies and Ethics.
• CBF Meet TED: Inspiring Stories From and For Our Movement facilitated by Current
  • A typical TED talk is an open floor presentation for about 10 minutes and the presenter gives the talk of their life. Hear how these presenters are being CBF in their community: 
    • Jamie Mackey, Minister to Students, FBC Huntsville 
    • Jon Howell, CEO, Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, Inc. (HEMSI)
    • Emily Holladay, Student, McAfee Seminary
• By-Laws Revision Discussion led by Fisher Humphreys
• Northeast and International Mission Opportunities with ALCBF led by Terri Byrd, Associate Coordinator for ALCBF
  • This session will provide information on mission trips through Alabama CBF and mission engagement opportunities in Alabama.

• Optional - Social Media for Ministers Workshop at 1 pm led by Natalie Aho, ALCBF Communications Specialist, Chris Aho, Pastor, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Mobile and Mike Gregg, Associate Minister, Northside Drive Baptist, Atlanta, GA
  • Many churches have been slow to respond to the social media phenomenon. Not only has rapid evolution of social media become dizzying, the etiquette and responsibility one has to use technology wisely and appropriately has also increased.  The ability for people in the church to be conversant and agile within such media can be cause for anxiety and frustration. It doesn’t have to be that way. Natalie, Mike and Chris will talk about the philosophy, spirituality, and practicality of social media. They will also take participants through the basic use of Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ while presenting tips and tricks for more effectively using social media and technology within the church.

Free registration

Let us know you plan to attend, register for dinner, or for childcare. Childcare is free. Please register ahead of time.

Make plans now to join us for resources and fellowship at our annual General Assembly!

A unique part of this gathering will occur on Sunday night. Two pastor friends, Dr. David Hull of FBC, Huntsville, and Dr. Julius Scruggs of First Baptist Church (National Baptist), Huntsville, an African-American congregation, have invited us to join our meeting with their annual tradition of a joint worship service. We will be led by Dr. Scruggs, President of the National Baptist Convention, and his congregation in an evening of worship, followed by a terrific reception for all.

This will allow us to meet the good folks of First National Baptist and, frankly, to meet folks at FBC Huntsville who might not normally attend ALCBF gatherings. I hope you will make plans to travel to Huntsville to join in this time of worship and good fellowship.