Health and Faithfulness Initiative and
Reach Up! Reach Out!

In October 2004, Executive Minister Lee Spitzer announced the ABCNJ Small Church/Small Community Health and Faithfulness Initiative.  Lee described it as a renewal consultation process with our small churches employing the region’s Church Health and Faithfulness Bible study materials and surveys, and that over a two year period the regional ministry team will journey with initiative churches to facilitate their intentional growth in congregational health and faithfulness.

The two year cycle includes, in part –

Initial Health and Faithfulness evaluation by the congregation

Consultation with church leadership

Development of initiatives to increase Health and Faithfulness

An ongoing evaluation process and the celebration of the progress made. Participating churches need to meet certain criteria including being in good standing in the region, having an annual income of less than $250.000, located in a community of less than 50,000 people and with an average attendance of less than 150 people. 

The churches that began the two-year process are: 

1.                   Memorial Baptist Church of Yardville

2.                   Berlin Baptist Church, Berlin

3.                   First Baptist Church of Beverly

4.                   Fairview Baptist Church, Camden

5.                   First Baptist Church of Gloucester City

6.                   Taylor Memorial Baptist Church of Paulsboro

7.                   Calvary Community Baptist Church, Pennsauken

8.                   First Baptist Church, Vincentown

9.                   Central Baptist Church, Woodbury

10.                Calvary Baptist Church, Hackensack

11.                 Ramapo Valley Baptist Church, Oakland

12.                 First Baptist Church, Sussex

13.                 Stelton Baptist Church, Edison

14.                 First Baptist Church, Morristown

15.                 First Hispanic Baptist Church, Morristown

16.                 First Baptist Church, Woodstown

17.                 Pearl Street Baptist Church, Bridgeton

18.                 Salem Memorial Baptist Church, Salem 

By completing the surveys, the congregation got a picture of where they were according to their own members’ perspectives.  Baseline scores were compiled for both the Health and Faithfulness surveys.  The average score for the first Health Index for all churches was 3.24 and the average for the Faithfulness Index 2.62 (on a scale of 1-5).  By setting priorities and next- steps, churches were able to identify specific areas that needed immediate attention and other areas to be prioritized with next steps to be taken so that they could make a greater impact for Jesus Christ in their communities.  At the first meeting of representatives of these each church presented a written report of their priorities and next-steps.  We celebrated together what God was doing in their midst through this Initiative.    

In January of 2006 members of this first class met with Region staff for a series of workshops entitled, “Looking Forward to Year Two”.  In addition to the lively discussion about what was happening in these churches, the staff presented four workshops:  Organization and Use of Gifts (Ned and Karen Flexer), Discipleship and Disciplines (Vernl Mattson), Mission Giving and Stewardship (Elmo Familiaran); and Evangelism (Glenn Porter).  Financial grants have been provided by ABCNJ to stimulate new ministries. 

In this second year, ten churches from this class of 2005 have completed the survey for the second time, giving them an opportunity to see any progress made and on-going areas of concern.  Three churches have decided not to continue in the Initiative.    

Does participation in the Initiative make a difference?  So far, 10 churches have re-taken the Health and Faithfulness Surveys.  Using the 1-5 scale, the average score for the Health Index was 3.53 and the average for the Faithfulness Index 2.99.   Both results represent a significant increase over the 2005 baseline numbers!  Seven out of ten churches reported an increase in health (one stayed the same, while two declined slightly), while eight out of ten churches reported an increase in faithfulness (the other two stayed the same; none declined). 

The Class of 2006-2008 includes:

1.                  Oaklyn Baptist Church

2.                   Alloway Baptist Church

3.                   First Baptist Church, Mannasquan

4.                   Belmar Baptist, Calvary 

Because of the continuation of grants and financial backing there is still no cost to the churches who participate.  Grant money from National Ministries of ABCUSA is covering the cost of continuing education materials, outside consultants, special events for participating churches. We truly rejoice in our ministry together! Rev. Ned and Karen FlexerRegional Coordinators for Small Church/Small Community Health and Faithfulness Initiative