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Mapping the Future

March 21, 2017

Everything has shifted.

Everything!

And if it hasn’t yet, it will and at lightning speed.

Where is the church? Reacting, ignoring, mimicking, stumbling, shrinking, dying.

You know this. We as the CBAC know this. And while we have made our own shifts, revamped our vision, focused on moving where God is moving and encouraging new growth, we are also deeply concerned. There are problems – we need to face them and we need to work to find solutions.

This winter we pulled together a team – a team of your leaders, chosen from our churches, Council and educational institutions – to rigorously look at the CBAC’s future trajectory. This group has met twice and will be meeting three more times before the summer.

Emerging from the conversations are focused statements on what we are encountering including issues such as leadership, culture, governance, and much more – all in the context of biblically connecting God’s good news in Jesus, through the church to our world.

God loves the church. And we want to reclaim this truth – that local, visible communities of believers around Atlantic Canada, can be effective and viable in fully living out the good news of Jesus through caring for the poor and marginalized, birthing new leaders, equipping disciples while fully meeting the realities of this secular age. Because God not only loves the church, he uses the church to love the world.

The CBAC still wants to be a part of God’s plan in Atlantic Canada. Would you pray for the future trajectory team knowing and trusting that it is always God’s purposes to move us from death to life? Once this team’s process is completed we will be bringing their findings to our whole CBAC community so that we can all participate in the conversation.

Here is who is on the team:

Pastor Tammy Giffen (Immanuel Baptist, Truro)
Rev. Kevin Matthews (The Point Church, Miramichi)
Rev. Dr. Rhonda Britton (Cornwallis Street Baptist, Halifax)
Rev. Norm Pearce (CBAC Council)
Rev. Dr. Stephen McMullin (Acadia Divinity College)
Rev. Dr. Harry Gardner (Acadia Divinity College)
Rev. Dr. Bruce Fawcett (Crandall University)
Rev. Dr. Robert Knowles (Crandall University)
Rev. Brandon Thompson (Atlantic Community Church, Hampton)
Rev. Dr. Todd MacLeod (Jacksonville Baptist, Jacksonville)
Rev. Dave Morehouse (The Journey Church, Moncton)
Rev. Renee Embree (CBAC Staff/ADC Faculty)
Rev. Kevin Vincent (CBAC Staff)
Rev. Dr. Garth Williams (CBAC Staff)
Rev. Greg Jones (CBAC Staff)
Rev. Dr. Peter Reid (CBAC Executive Minister)

A bit of background – The team was appointed from the Executive Minister’s office. The idea of the need for this came out of conversations at the Board of Ministerial Standards & Education around a crisis of leadership in the denomination. The team will be bringing their findings to the wider CBAC family for input later on. If you have questions or input, please contact Dr. Peter Reid, CBAC Executive Minister – [email protected].

Churches are welcome to share this video in worship services, through a link in a bulletin or newsletter, or on their social media channels.
Short link: https://atlanticbaptist.ca/2026-cbac

We’re excited to release the 2026 CBAC Highlight Video, capturing some of the ways God has been at work in our family of churches recently. Our hope is that this video will help leaders and churches see some of the wonderful things that can happen through our collaboration in shared ministry. You can also explore this website, particularly the Resources, to learn about the supports the CBAC offers.

Impact like this is only possible through the participation of many throughout our CBAC family. Below, you will find several ways to consider for your own personal and congregational support.

4 Ways to Support the CBAC

Overflowing with Hope

Financial

CBAC’s strategic vision for 2024-2028, Overflowing with Hope, includes inspiration for churches and plans for the CBAC team. The Church Appeal invites churches to rise in response by helping to secure the necessary funding to fulfill this vision. As your church budgets for the coming year, please consider your support.

We’re also thankful for individuals who support CBAC financially! You are invited to consider the Pastor & Ministry Leader Appeal or the Friends & Family Appeal.

Church Life Reports

Information

Each year, CBAC churches submit a report that includes statistics and stories about the ministry and life of their congregation. Sharing your report helps the CBAC team understand how to best plan support for you and churches like yours!
Watch for the next reports coming in February 2027

CBAC Sunday

Vision

This special video-based event gathers the collective focus of CBAC churches to our shared vision, including stories from local churches. The next CBAC Sunday is May 3, 2027, although churches can feature this on an alternate date.

Oasis

Mission

Oasis is our annual assembly, gathering our CBAC family to connect in community over meals and time together, to advance our shared mission through business sessions, to grow in workshops, to be inspired in worship, and to return to our local neighbourhoods overflowing with hope! Ensure that your church sends delegates each year. Oasis 2027 will be held August 5-7 at Crandall University in Moncton, NB.

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