Moving Forward

The Transition Team was commissioned on Sunday, June 18, 2006, by the Rev. Dr. Allen Abbott, Regional Executive Minister for the American Baptist Churches of Vermont & New Hampshire (pictured on left). This commissioning was symbolic of the unique relationship between the congregation and the region. Dr. Abbott helped the congregation adopt a different type of interim ministry, called the "transformational track." This allowed the congregation also to signify its desire to be in transition, addressing short-term and long-term planning in a manner that a traditional interim period (a matter of months) cannot. For the next three years, the congregation covenants with the region and the intentional interim minister to be in a period intentionally set aside to carry out something other than "business as usual." Your prayers are welcome during this time of transition.

Update on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 at 07:12PM by Rev. Hugenot

The sermon "Seeding Faith" was given that day by the Rev. Hugenot. Please refer to the "sermons" link and read his thoughts on the transformational journey.

A Commitment to a New Chapter in Life

“The path only emerged as I walked it.” --Dr. Jurgen Moltmann, contemporary German theologian

In Fall 2005, the congregants of the First Baptist Church of Bennington, Vermont, affirmed that their next chapter in ministry needed to be a time for change and transition. Entering into the “transformational” track of interim ministry, First Baptist agreed to work closely with the regional staff of the American Baptist Churches of Vermont/New Hampshire and to seek out a “transitional interim minister” to provide pastoral leadership during a three-year period. As part of this commitment to set aside the next three years (2006-2008), the congregation covenants with God to a tithe of time to listen for God and explore what its next chapter in ministry will look like and move confidently into that future.

The intentional interim minister will be completing certification with the Interim Ministry Network and helping the ABC VT/NH region office staff in identifying helpful resources for promoting church transformation, healthy congregational habits, and a deepening faithfulness to God.The Transition Team will be made up of congregants who feel called to help the church discern its pathway ahead. Discernment, creativity, and organizational skills are key gifts needed of the participants on this team. The transition team members agree to give time to meetings, planning sessions, and helping coordinate events and opportunities for the congregation. The team will work closely with the intentional interim minister and resource with other congregations and the regional and national programming of the American Baptist Churches/USA.