RMCN News

I spent nearly two weeks in the Northeast seeing how God is working through churches and church leaders to make a greater Gospel impact. It was truly exciting.   Although to experience that joy not only was I away from home and family, driving nearly 2,000 miles (for which you get double points since it is the congested Northeast), but I also endured an undiagnosed gallbladder attack.

I returned to Colorado anticipating a quick trip to Wyoming to work with First Baptist of Basin as they navigate a pastoral transition. Kent Dempsey has had a great ministry in Basin and the church is healthy, but due to his desire to care for aging parents, Kent is stepping into an associate role.

While staying in Powell, WY with our son and family, preparing for the meeting with the leaders and Pastoral Search Committee on Friday night, I experienced a full on gallbladder attack. Our son, a surgeon, recognized the seriousness of the situation so with a swig of whiskey and knives from the kitchen we cleared off the dining room table and he cut that sucker out! Ok, maybe it was not quite like that, but I did get to enjoy the accommodations and care of the staff at the local hospital. And yes, my son did end up removing the gallbladder.

Unfortunately, due to the surgery, I was not able to speak at Good News Community Church on Sunday as was planned. My apologies to their pastor, Matthew Fite, who was on a month long sabbatical. I trust he received the rest and refreshment that was so well deserved. Thanks to Lorrie Schroeder for assuring me that they would cover for my human frailty.

We just finished two days of meeting with the other directors of the CBAmerica missional network. Very valuable time spent bringing clarity of mission and vision. Please note the statement published by the CBA Board with regard to the Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage. There are several resources there that each church needs to process as soon as possible.

I would love to hear from you. What is going on in your church? How can we as a region best assist you in the days ahead? I would love to come share with you, your leadership or your congregation what God is doing through the region to increase Kingdom impact and ministry vitality in these challenging days.

Blessings,
Stan Rieb
Executive Director

 

At the meeting of the Regional Executive Directors in Denver on June 29th, 2015, Dr. David Whitaker led the board in a discussion of the recent Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage. The following was adapted from an earlier statement created by Dr. Whitaker and is the board’s official response to that decision:

CBAmerica’s Statement Here

Resources:

Here is the update from Christianity Today: Supreme Court: States Can’t Ban Same-Sex Marriage

Here is a statement from Al Mohler: Mohler Responses to Supreme Court’s Same-Sex Marriage Decision

Here is a statement from NAE: Supreme Court Redefines Marriage and God Defined Marriage

Here is a statement made by a diverse coalition of evangelical leaders assembled by the ERLC: Here We Stand: An Evangelical Declaration on Marriage

Here is a Christianity Today Editorial written by Mark Galli: Six Things To Do after the Supreme Court Decision on Gay Marriage

Here is a statement by Ray Ortlund about Marriage and the Gospel: What is Marriage, According to the Bible?

Here is a summary of the decision by Joe Carter: Explainer: What You Should Know About the Supreme Court’s Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

Here is a statement from John Piper: So-Called Same-Sex Marriage: Lamenting the New Calamity

Here is a statement by Erik Stanley, Alliance Defending Freedom, for churches to consider: What Your Church Needs to Know – And Do – About the Court’s Marriage Ruling

It is an honor to have been appointed as the Executive Director by the board of the Rocky Mountain Church Network. I want to thank Dr. Paul Borden for the partnership in ministry we have shared and will continue to share as he stays connected with the RMCN in church and associational coaching role.

Having served in RMCN churches in Colorado and Wyoming for nearly all of my 35 year ministry career, and having now served both the regional and national association for the last 10 years, I have a passion to see the local church thrive in the Gospel ministry to which it has been called.

In the days ahead we will continue to focus on the core values that both the regional and national office share of Church Health, Leadership Development and Church Multiplication. Over the next couple of months we will be revealing new strategies for helping churches fulfill their mission.

I would love to connect with you, the pastor, and your church to discuss how we might best serve you. Please feel free to shoot me an email – Stan.Rieb@RMCN.org, send a text (303) 746-8844 or even give me an old fashioned phone call to set up a time to connect. Additionally, you can follow the happenings of the RMCN on multiple platforms such as our recently updated website at www.RMCN.org. You may also Like our Facebook page, join our Google+ page and follow us on Twitter @connect_rmcn.

I look forward to hearing from you on ways we might connect.

Blessings,

Stan Rieb

Executive Director

 

The Rocky Mountain Church Network met last week to appoint a new executive director for the region. Rev. Stan Rieb will assume the position beginning June 1, 2015. Dr. Paul Borden, who was the previous executive director, is stepping down and will stay on in a coaching capacity for the region.

Read Paul’s Letter to the Region Here

 

Photo: Rev. Stan Rieb and his wife, Heidi

The Global Leadership Summit is a two-day event that is telecast live from Willow’s campus near Chicago every August to more than 300 satellite locations in North America. It exists to transform Christian leaders around the world with an injection of vision, skill development, and inspiration for the sake of the local church.

The Summit is designed for your entire leadership team’s staff and volunteers, key influencers and innovators within the community, emerging leaders, and students with leadership gifts. Churches and organizations are encouraged to bring large teams to experience the learning together.

CBAmerica has secured special discounted pricing for members of CBAmerica and associated regions:

$139/registration good until the Summit.
Priority Code: GLSCRFT15

With summer getting closer, we start thinking about our favorite outdoor activities. As we fire up our backyard grills, we anticipate the fun, food and fellowship this entails. Good News Church has decided to add a twist to this summertime tradition. They see it as an opportunity to reach their neighbors for Christ.

The plan is to encourage everyone in the church to throw a BBQ party and invite their neighbors. This is an easy, low-key way to get to know the people that live in their area. Many people today are so busy with their lives that they don’t even know who their neighbors are. This may be the first time they actually have a conversation with one another.

The bigger goal of these parties is to make a connection to the people in their neighborhoods. As these relationships develop,  they progress into a natural flow of inviting them to church and into a saving relationship with Jesus.

Please join Good News Church in praying for a huge turnout of participation, open hearts of neighbors and lots of people meeting Jesus.

The church is also looking at the possibility of starting a new outreach program for their community. They would like to provide a night out once a month for parents of special-needs children. There is nothing like this in the North Denver area. The church is working with a non-profit called Night Lights. Please pray as they explore this new opportunity.

Good News Church has had several people make a commitment to Jesus, however, they are not following in obedience of baptism. Please pray for hearts to be changed.

The church is also working with a dozen other churches to do a Youth Ministry event. Pray for the necessary strength and guidance as they are leading out on this project.

Pastor Matthew is taking a sabbatical for the month of June. Pray for it to be healthy and beneficial for both him and the entire church.

 

As submitted to the May 2015 issue of Military Officer by Chaplain Andy Meverden

Through his quick thinking – and his knowledge of military lore – a chaplain in the Army National Guard is able to keep a Vietnam veteran’s burial honors on track.

At the height of the war on terrorism, most military funeral honors for Army veterans were performed by the National Guard. As a Colorado Army National Guard chaplain, I often served as detail leader, folding and presenting the flag to the next of kin.

One day I arrived, per regulation, an hour before the inurnment of a Vietnam veteran. The funeral director pointed out the site of the columbarium and shared specific details of this ceremony. The decedent, a Denver native, had only one surviving brother, who was homeless and mentally ill. The funeral home had helped the brother prepare for the service with a shave, a haircut, and a new suit.

Read the full story here

 

 by Chaplain Jon Uyboro

 

This past April, over 200 Vietnam Veterans gathered at Camp Pendleton to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the involvement of Reconnaissance Marines in Vietnam. It was a bittersweet time for many of these men as they were able to reconnect with old friends, but were also reminded of their brothers-in-arms who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Read the full story here