Blog

tbc Worship & Fellowship

A Word from our Pastoral Intern, Kristen Koger

What a wonderful whirlwind of experiences! This summer has been full of both chaotic and peaceful moments, days filled with emails and filled with relationship-building, times of overwhelming busyness and of unexpected relaxation, experiences filled with challenging questions with even more challenging answers (and several easy questions with easy answers)- and I have enjoyed every moment of it. I have spent my time chaperoning camp trips, visiting members in care facilities, facilitating Bible study, wearing crazy costumes for VBS, and getting to know the people that make Tabernacle a wonderful “home” for me.

The one thing that surprised me the most about this summer was something I learned about myself. For the past 3 years, my answer to the question, “What do you want to do after seminary?” has been, “Children’s ministry.” And while that is still very much a part of my ministerial identity, throughout the last three months, I also had the opportunity to do a lot of things that an Associate Pastor would do, because I was helping Dan and Judy find their balance in a world without Sterling.  So while Dan was focusing on senior pastor roles, and Judy on music ministry and the unexpected details of church life, I found myself embarking on an internship more focused on the tasks of an Associate Pastor- and I loved it! This was an unexpected turn in my journey, but one for which I am grateful. I am grateful for a church that believed in gifts and talents I didn’t even know were a part of me. I am grateful for a church that allowed me to explore a new part of my ministerial identity and affirmed me over the course of the past three months. I am grateful that this summer I was able to witness “church” happening all throughout the week, not just on Sunday mornings at 11. And I am grateful for a God who is constantly reminding me (and us) to be ready for the unexpected.

As my summer internship comes to a close, I find myself wondering, “What’s next?” While I will still be serving on the pastoral staff as an intern, my job responsibilities will be changing. I will be a part-time intern instead of serving full-time; many of my jobs this summer will shift back to their original owners, while new jobs are assigned; and I will have to find a new balance between work and school as I enter into my last year of seminary. Even though the class assignments are starting to find their place in my planner and books are arriving for the upcoming year, I cannot wait to continue to minister alongside you and continue to explore the unexpected things when it comes to church ministry. This summer has opened up so many doors of ministry that I never considered. I may not know where the path is leading, but I know that it is going to be fun along the way. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the opportunity to learn about myself and to learn what “church” should look like and live like.

Grace and peace,

Kristen Koger

tbc Worship & Fellowship

Embracing a God-Sized Vision: Next Steps

New God-Sized Vision Construction & Renovation Committee: On Sunday, July 27, 2014, the church met for a quarterly business meeting after morning services.  Nelson Melton presented the new committee structure and answered some questions relevant to the proposed construction. After his presentation the majority voted to proceed with the new Construction & Renovation Committee, charged with managing and planning the upcoming construction and renovation work.  Meetings for the new committee are starting, and updates will be regularly provided in the TAB and other church communication tools.

 

Background Information

The original Renovation Committee was formed in 2008 and was charged with recommending what the church should do with the two houses adjacent to the church and not used by the church in over 10 years.  Later the objective was broadened to include a ministry-based study of all the space needs of the church.

The original committee recommended that the two houses be demolished and a new addition erected in their place.  The new space would house the new church offices and new Child Care Center offices.  Also recommended was the addition of an elevator in the Williams building which would serve the three floors of the Williams building, plus two floors of the church.  The Child Care Center space would also be updated to receive a new kitchen and dining room area.   Other related renovations would be carried out in the Sunday school areas, office areas, as well in the basement in and around the Fellowship Hall and Community Room.  As funds and plans permit, the third floor area of the Williams building could house a new summer intern bunk room area and two apartments which might be used by visiting missionaries or church interns.

The congregation voted in 2011 to proceed with planning to accomplish the proposed construction, with estimated costs that would require the raising of an estimated $2,000,000.

Tabernacle contracted with Don Campbell of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board to act as our consultant for the fundraising campaign.  Several new teams were formed, including the Campaign Leadership Team who would manage the fund raising program.   The Campaign Leadership Team began work in February 2014 and completed its primary mission in June 2014, when $1,401,784 was committed to the construction program by our congregation.

 

Purpose of the Construction & Renovation Committee

This new committee is charged with the complete oversight of the construction and renovation project, including the management and expenditure of all current and future committed funds required for the project.

Reporting to the Construction & Renovation Committee will be three teams.

Construction Management Team – will be responsible for the decision-making and supervision of the architect, engineers and contractor who have been hired for the construction and renovation work.

Follow Up Team (carry-over from fund raising campaign) – will continue to raise additional funds to meet construction costs

Communications Team – will develop and maintain a high level of communication with the congregation, with particular focus on reporting of the spending of donated funds and how the work is progressing.

 

 

 Members of the Construction & Renovation Committee and Supporting Teams

 Construction & Renovation Committee Construction Management Team: Sterling Severns, Nelson Melton, Kathy McGraw, John Gass, Jim McMurray, Jim Soyars, Bill Welstead, Nelson Melton

Fund Raising Follow-Up: Bill Welstead, Linda Southworth, Jim McMurray, Donna Soyars

Team Communications Team: Donna Soyars, Eleanor Brown

Note:  Additional committee/team members are under consideration at this time, and more information will be available regarding those resources in the near future.

 

Physical Handling of the Committed and Received Funds: Evanne Benson, the church’s Financial Assistant, has the responsibility to receive all commitment cards and actual funds.  A detail accounting will be maintained by Ms. Benson in order to control the cash funds received, as well as to match each person’s commitment to recorded received funds.

Received funds will be deposited in a separate account with Sun Trust Bank.  Tabernacle has a long running relationship with this bank

Disbursement of funds from the account will be only by check.  Each check will require the signature of two people.  Currently Jim McMurray, Bill Welstead and Nelson Melton are authorized to sign checks.

 

Next Steps

The Committee will be meeting over the next two months to further define project scope, create a committee implementation plan and initiate a potential schedule for preliminary tasks in conjunction with the selected architect.  The Fund Raising Follow-Up Team will also be working to continue fund-raising efforts.

We sincerely appreciate your interest and involvement in this important part of Tabernacle’s history.  Please use the “Embracing a God-Sized Vision” mailbox near the church Meadow entrance to deliver any questions you might have to our Construction & Renovation Committee.  We will respond to you in a timely manner.

tbc Media

Sunday Worship 9-7-2014

This Sunday we welcome back our Senior Pastor and his family after sabbatical!

Our worship service today includes an anthem by the Sanctuary Choir and the Karen Choir.  The scripture today is Matthew 7:24-29.  Bo Prosser joins us to bring the sermon.

tbc Media

Worship, Not Finished Yet, 8.31.14

“We shall not cease form exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” — T.S. Eliot

Summer Worship Theme, 2014

The summer of 2014 will be a special time in the life of Tabernacle Baptist Church. The congregation has unanimously voted to send our pastor, Sterling Severns, on a much deserved sabbatical of rest and renewal. He will spend the summer exploring and, in some cases, re-exploring those places he calls home.

However, Sterling is not the only one who will spend his summer exploring what it means to be “home” and, ultimately, what it means to be “home again.” As he goes, we will journey alongside him from afar as we, too, explore how home is so much more than a place. It is a great time to be a part of the Tabernacle family! We hope you’ll make plans to be with us throughout the Summer!

Home Again:

If nothing else, our journeys have a way of reshaping our perception of the familiar. It is as T.S. Eliot reminds us: when we leave home and go exploring, our return will bring us back to the same old home in an all new way. We are not the church we were ten years ago or five years ago or even one year ago. So how do we go about living into this home as it is now – not into what it was or what it will be, but into what it is now?

Aug 31:Not Finished Yet (Mark 16:1-8)

 

tbc Media

Worship, Guided (and not Blinded) by Love, 8.24.14

“We shall not cease form exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” — T.S. Eliot

Summer Worship Theme, 2014

The summer of 2014 will be a special time in the life of Tabernacle Baptist Church. The congregation has unanimously voted to send our pastor, Sterling Severns, on a much deserved sabbatical of rest and renewal. He will spend the summer exploring and, in some cases, re-exploring those places he calls home.

However, Sterling is not the only one who will spend his summer exploring what it means to be “home” and, ultimately, what it means to be “home again.” As he goes, we will journey alongside him from afar as we, too, explore how home is so much more than a place. It is a great time to be a part of the Tabernacle family! We hope you’ll make plans to be with us throughout the Summer!

Home Again:

If nothing else, our journeys have a way of reshaping our perception of the familiar. It is as T.S. Eliot reminds us: when we leave home and go exploring, our return will bring us back to the same old home in an all new way. We are not the church we were ten years ago or five years ago or even one year ago. So how do we go about living into this home as it is now – not into what it was or what it will be, but into what it is now?

Aug 24:Guided (and not Blinded) by Love (Luke 10:25-37)

tbc Media

Worship, A Nurturing Congregation (VBS), 8.17.14

“We shall not cease form exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” — T.S. Eliot

 

Summer Worship Theme, 2014

The summer of 2014 will be a special time in the life of Tabernacle Baptist Church. The congregation has unanimously voted to send our pastor, Sterling Severns, on a much deserved sabbatical of rest and renewal. He will spend the summer exploring and, in some cases, re-exploring those places he calls home.

However, Sterling is not the only one who will spend his summer exploring what it means to be “home” and, ultimately, what it means to be “home again.” As he goes, we will journey alongside him from afar as we, too, explore how home is so much more than a place. It is a great time to be a part of the Tabernacle family! We hope you’ll make plans to be with us throughout the Summer!

Home Again:

If nothing else, our journeys have a way of reshaping our perception of the familiar. It is as T.S. Eliot reminds us: when we leave home and go exploring, our return will bring us back to the same old home in an all new way. We are not the church we were ten years ago or five years ago or even one year ago. So how do we go about living into this home as it is now – not into what it was or what it will be, but into what it is now?

Aug 17:A Nurturing Congregation (Matt 13:1-9) [VBS Sunday]

 

 

 podcast Audio

 

 

tbc Media

Worship, Opening Doors, 8.10.14

“We shall not cease form exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” — T.S. Eliot

Summer Worship Theme, 2014

The summer of 2014 will be a special time in the life of Tabernacle Baptist Church. The congregation has unanimously voted to send our pastor, Sterling Severns, on a much deserved sabbatical of rest and renewal. He will spend the summer exploring and, in some cases, re-exploring those places he calls home.

However, Sterling is not the only one who will spend his summer exploring what it means to be “home” and, ultimately, what it means to be “home again.” As he goes, we will journey alongside him from afar as we, too, explore how home is so much more than a place. It is a great time to be a part of the Tabernacle family! We hope you’ll make plans to be with us throughout the Summer!

Home Again:

If nothing else, our journeys have a way of reshaping our perception of the familiar. It is as T.S. Eliot reminds us: when we leave home and go exploring, our return will bring us back to the same old home in an all new way. We are not the church we were ten years ago or five years ago or even one year ago. So how do we go about living into this home as it is now – not into what it was or what it will be, but into what it is now?

Aug 10:Opening Doors (Mark 5:21-43)

tbc Media

Worship, Room at the Table, 8.3.14

“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” — T.S. Eliot

Summer Worship Theme, 2014

The summer of 2014 will be a special time in the life of Tabernacle Baptist Church. The congregation has unanimously voted to send our pastor, Sterling Severns, on a much deserved sabbatical of rest and renewal. He will spend the summer exploring and, in some cases, re-exploring those places he calls home.

However, Sterling is not the only one who will spend his summer exploring what it means to be “home” and, ultimately, what it means to be “home again.” As he goes, we will journey alongside him from afar as we, too, explore how home is so much more than a place. It is a great time to be a part of the Tabernacle family! We hope you’ll make plans to be with us throughout the Summer!

Home Again:

If nothing else, our journeys have a way of reshaping our perception of the familiar. It is as T.S. Eliot reminds us: when we leave home and go exploring, our return will bring us back to the same old home in an all new way. We are not the church we were ten years ago or five years ago or even one year ago. So how do we go about living into this home as it is now – not into what it was or what it will be, but into what it is now?

Aug 3: Room at the Table: A Communion Meditation (Matt 15:21-28)

 

 

 

 

 

tbc Media

TBC STORIES: Dan Schumacher

Dan Schumacher from TBC Stories on Vimeo.

Check out our first story from TBC Stories! In this episode, Dan Schumacher tells how the ministers in his life shaped his experience and understanding of God.

God has gifted each one of us with different experiences. Please pray about how God can use your story to speak truth into the lives of others through our new video project: TBC Stories. We’re looking for 5-10 minute stories about anything you’d like to share. If you don’t have an idea in mind, we’re suggesting that people tell their personal faith testimony or recount an experience about home/exile. Amanda Rone will guide the recording session, and this footage will be edited into a short video. You will have a chance to view the video and give us final approval before it goes online.

For more information or to schedule a time to tell your story, contact media@tbcrichmond.org.

 

tbc Media

Worship, A Means for Experiencing God’s Hospitality, 7.27.14

“We shall not cease form exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” — T.S. Eliot

Summer Worship Theme, 2014

The summer of 2014 will be a special time in the life of Tabernacle Baptist Church. The congregation has unanimously voted to send our pastor, Sterling Severns, on a much deserved sabbatical of rest and renewal. He will spend the summer exploring and, in some cases, re-exploring those places he calls home.

However, Sterling is not the only one who will spend his summer exploring what it means to be “home” and, ultimately, what it means to be “home again.” As he goes, we will journey alongside him from afar as we, too, explore how home is so much more than a place. It is a great time to be a part of the Tabernacle family! We hope you’ll make plans to be with us throughout the Summer!

What is Home?:

The poet, Maya Angelou claims, “The ache for home lives in all of us.” If you were to ask yourself what it is that you ache for when you think of home, what might that be? Is it the safety and security of shelter? Is it a certain feeling or sense of nostalgia? Is it a freedom to be yourself without question? In this season, you are invited to reflect on what home means for you and how we, as a church, might become home for others.

*Each week features a 3 minute testimony from a church member on what home means to him or her. (???)

July 27:A Means for Experiencing God’s Hospitality (Luke 10:38-42)

Podcast