USA > North Carolina > Cabarrus County > The First fifty years : a history of the Cabarrus Baptist Association of North Carolina > Part 4
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3. The Reverend A.J. Brewer Resolution, pastor for twenty-five years at First Baptist Church, Kannapolis: Whereas, Reverend Mr. Brewer was called to be with his Lord that he served so faithfully following a heart attack on Monday, October 25,1971;
Whereas, the Reverend Brewer provided his church and our community with constructive leadership through his denomination, through the Kannapolis Bible Teaching Association, and other city-wide endeavors; Be it therefore Resolved that the Cabarrus Baptist Association meeting at the Shadybrook Baptist Church on Tuesday, October 26, 1971, do hereby:
1. Extend our heart-felt sympathy to the members of the First Baptist Church of East C. Street, Kannapolis, due to the death of their pastor;
2. Convey our Christian concern and compassion to the wife and members of the family of the Reverend A.J. Brewer, and that his life and commitment to our Lord will be a source of strength and guidance.
Resolution by Dixie Upright. Whereas, the schools of Concord and Kannapolis have provided a Bible Teaching Program on a volunteer basis for the students who so desire to participate in the study of God's Word;
Whereas, this ministry is sponsored mainly through contributions from the churches of our area;
Whereas, there is an evident lack of knowledge of the Word of God among the youth of our community :
Whereas, this program provides an opportunity for students to study the Bible more extensively where irresponsible parents do not encourage Bible Study in the home nor even active church participation;
Be it therefore Resolved that the Cabarrus Baptist Association meeting at the Shadybrook Baptist Church on Tuesday, October 26, 1971, do hereby:
(1) Express our appreciation to the Concord and Kannapolis Bible Teaching Association for making possible this ministry which undergirds what the church is seeking to do through the study of God's Word;
(2) Acknowledge with gratitude the support that the Administrative units of the Concord and Kannapolis Public Schools render to this valuable endeavor;
(3) Urge the Baptist churches who have students within these school districts to participate in these Bible teaching programs;
(4) Express our appreciation to the churches of
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our Association who financially support this ministry and encourage others who are not doing so to give this undergirding ministry our prayerful consideration.
Trustees Report. As of September 1,1971, the deeds and title opinions for the real property owned by the Association are in safety
deposit box number fifty-three in the Cabarrus Bank and Trust Company, Concord, North Carolina, together with hazard
insurance policy number 61C-201-187-C issued by
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company insuring the pastorium and office building for the sum of $40,000. The Trustees also hold Nationwide Insurance Company owners-landlords-tenants liability policy number
61-GA-984-020 and Nationwide
employers' and
non-ownership automobile liability policy number
61-GA-985-161 insuring the Association in the sum of $100, 000/$300, 000/$25, 000.
The Executive Board recommended that no further action be taken at this time against the pastor of Bright Light Church concerning the allegation that he had used abusive language toward other pastors of the Association.
Special Information: Phaniels Baptist Church held a Seventy-five year celebration in September 1971. Bright Light gave $4,000 to Waldport, Oregon Mission to help in the construction of a building. October 23-24,1972. - Annual Meeting with Memorial, Grace, and Southside Baptist Churches.
Cabarrus Baptist Association Takes Initiative Toward Securing Property For Re-locating Missions Office.
The appointment of a committee. Reverend J. Marion Rector, pastor of Kerr Street Baptist Church and chairman of the Missions Committee, brought two recommendations from the Missions Committee. (1) That the Moderator appoint a committee of three to study the office space needs of the Association; that the committee survey the availability of property in the general area of Cabarrus Memorial Hospital upon which an Associational office building could be located; that the committee be authorized to place an option which £ it deems worthy of upon such property
consideration, and that the committee report its findings to the Executive Board. (2) Furthermore the committee recommends that when the Association has taken action to re-locate the office, that the present office-parsonage be sold, the money received be applied to the new building, and that the Director of Missions be paid a housing allowance in lieu of a parsonage being furnished by the Association. The committee appointed: Raiford Troutman, chairman, Brice Beam, and Reverend W. L. Hollar.
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Gordon Heights asks to be re-instated. From the
Missions Committee: Having received a letter of explanation from the Gordon Heights Baptist Church concerning that church's request for withdrawal of fellowship from the Cabarrus Baptist Association in 1970, and finding no precedent in the Association's records, the Committee on Missions recommends that, due to the uniqueness of this situation, the Gordon Heights Baptist Church, at
their request , be re-instated into the Cabarrus Baptist Association with a waiver of the watchcare of new churches. He moved the adoption of the recommendation. The recommendation was adopted.
E. J. Daniels Concord-Kannapolis Crusade for
Christ. Evangelism Report: Dr. E.J. Daniels and his
team led in a tent revival, September 17- October 1,
1972, with fifty-two of our churhes participating. Attendance: 60,000 with some 879 recorded decisions.
November 27, 1972. Executive Board Meeting with West Concord Baptist Church. The sub-committee of the Missions Committee to seek a new Director of Missions
is
composed
of
the
following:
Norman
Brisson,
chairman, Reverend Ralph Brunson, Mrs. Faye Hollar, Reverend William D. Byrd, Moderator, and Reverend
J. Marion Rector, chairman of the Missions Committee.
February 26, 1973. Executive Board Meeting with First Baptist Church, Concord. Raiford Troutman,
chairman of the Property Study Committee, reported
they were seeking property near Cabarrus Memorial.
Hospital ( see Annual 1972, item 10), on which to
re-locate the Missions office. They have found several pieces of property but so far had made no commitment. They are still working on it.
August 27, 1973. Executive Board Meeting with Bethlehem Baptist Church. Raiford Troutman, chairman of Search Committee for Associational Property
reported: We recommend that we purchase a lot behind
the hospital on Concord Lake Road. It has approximately 125 feet frontage and 250 feet depth. It can be purchased for $20,000. He moved its adoption. It was seconded and discussion followed.
A motion was made by Jack Hill, pastor of First Baptist Church, Concord, to table the motion until the Annual Session in October. This motion was seconded and carried.
October 29-30, 1973. - Annual Meeting with Poplar Grove, Jackson Park and Brookdale Baptist Churches. The Moderator recognized Raiford Troutman, chairman of the committee appointed by the Moderator last Annual Session, to study the office space needs of the Association and survey the availability of property in the general area of the Cabarrus Memorial Hospital upon which an Associational office building
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could be located. Mr. Troutman spoke on his original motion made in the Executive Board meeting in August.
The Moderator also recognized Reverend Jack Hill, pastor of First Baptist Church, Concord, who spoke to his motion made in the same Executive Board meeting, that tabled the matter until this session.
After much discussion, a motion was made to purchase the lot on Concord Lake Road. It was seconded. The vote was taken by hand count. It was 41 "for" and 112 "against" the motion. The motion failed to carry.
A Joint Recommendation Concerning Housing and
Office Space. Reverend Jack Hill made a motion that the Missions Committee along with the Executive Board make a study of the many possibilities that can be worked out concerning and office space for the new Missionary, and that a new joint recommendation be brought before the Association in its Annual 1974 Meeting. That the above action be taken after the services of a Missionary have been acquired and he has moved on the church field. The motion carried.
A motion was then made to amend the original
motion to read:
that the Missions Committee along with the Executive Board make a study of the many possibilities that can be worked out concerning the housing and office space for the new Missionary, that a joint recommendation brought before the Association in its Annual 1974 meeting or a called session; that the above action be taken after the services of a new Missionary have been acquired and he has moved on the church field. The amended motion was seconded and carried.
March 14,1974. New Director of Missions is
extended a call. At a special called meeting on March 14,1975, the Board voted to extend a call to Reverend George E. Shore, to become Director of Missions for Cabarrus Baptist Association.
July 26,1974. Executive Board Meeting with Kerr Street Baptist Church. The Special Study Committee on Housing and Office Space, in conjunction with a committee of five from the Missions Committee, Sam Morris, chairman, made a motion: (1) That we establish a housing allowance, with a minimum of $350 per month for our Director of Missions. (2) Convert the present facility at 169 Spring Street,NW, to a better and more adequate office space. The plan to be approved and presented at our Annual Meeting in October for the approval of the entire Association. The motion was seconded. Coy C. Privette, pastor of North Kannapolis, made a motion that the entire question be tabled until additonal information can be presented. It was seconded and carried.
October 10, 1974. Executive Board Meeting with
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Wil-Mar Park Baptist Church.
Office at the Mall Recommended:
A motion that the tabled motion at our Executive Board Meeting (7/26/74) be taken from the table for consideration. It was seconded and carried.
The original motion part (1) that we establish a housing allowance of $350 per month for our Director of Missions was seconded and carried. Part (2) that we convert the present facility at 169 Spring, N. W. , to a better and more adequate office space: this motion received a substitute motion that we sell the existing property at 169 Spring Street, NW. and lease office space at the Carolina Mall. (752 square feet of office space can be secured there for $345.76 per month, with a one-three year option). This substitute motion was seconded and carried 38 for and 17 against.
A motion was then made that we recommend to the Association in the Annual Meeting that we sell the existing property at 169 Spring Street NW., and lease office space at the Carolina Mall. The motion was
seconded and carried.
October 28-29, 1974. - Annual Meeting with Lane Street, Kerr Street, and Immanuel Baptist Churches. Another Effort of Disposing of Housing and Present Facilities. In accordance with item 71 in the proceedings of our 1973 Annual Session, the Executive Board brings the following recommendation: (item 6 of the Executive Board report this year, see item 9 of these proceedings ) . (1) We recommend that the Association establish a housing allowance of $350 per month for our Director of Missions, (2) That the Association sell the existing property at 169 Spring Street, NW., Concord, and lease office space at the Carolina Mall.
A substitute motion was made as follows: (1) That we establish a housing allowance of $350 per month for the Director of Missions. This allowance will include all utilities, taxes, payments, etc., (2) That we convert the present facility at 169 Spring Street, N. W. , into a more adequate office facility. The
following estimates are given as information concerning the conversion of the property.
Yard Landscape and paved parking lot $6,000.00 ( Includes removal of trees, etc. Modification of house 2,500.00
(Furnishings, furniture for reception room, used refrigerator for kitchen, 50 stock chairs, etc. 1,300.00 Total. . $9, 800.00
(Utilities, janitoral service, yard work will be a continuing expense). In addition (1) build a porch and cut a doorway into reception area. (2) Cut an archway from reception area into secretary's office.
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(3) Place a 32,000 BTU air conditioner in wall of large conference area and install a folding door so as to close off large conference room. A motion was made to lay the matter on the table. The vote was 47 for, 97 against. The motion to table failed to carry.
A motion to move the previous question was made. By common consent it was agreed upon.
A motion was made that we consider the substitute motion as the main motion. (the reference is to item 59 above) . The vote was 54 for, 88 against. The substitute motion was defeated. Another substitute
motion was made that the Associational parsonage remain intact for at least a year and that the office space in the Carolina Mall be acquired. The substitute motion was defeated so overwhelmingly there was no need to count the votes.
A motion was made that we divide the Executive Board's recommendation into separate items. The vote was 41 for, 77 against. The motion to divide was defeated.
We went back to the original Executive Board's motion ( number 58) recommending: (1) That the Association establish a housing allowance of $350 per month for the Director of Missions, (2) That the
Association sell existing property at 169 Spring Street, N.W., Concord, and lease office space at the Carolina Mall. The vote was 75 for, 64 against. The motion carried.
A motion was made to reconsider the Executive Board's recommendation that was adopted. (It is number 58 and 65 of these proceedings) .
There was a call to the point of order that we keep with the order of the day. A motion was made to extend the time. It was seconded and carried.
A substitute motion was made (to number 74 above) as follows: In asmuch as the motion carried to move our Associational Office to the Mall and to give our Missions Director a housing allowance, that we now go on record pledging our support to the decision made so that the earlier vote will not be interpreted as a division in our Association. The question was called for. The vote was taken. It was 67 for, and 70 against. This substitute motion was defeated.
The motion to reconsider and bring back to the floor the Executive Board's proposal (number 58,65, and 74) was voted upon. The vote was 76 for, 54 against. The motion carried.
The motion before the house is now: (1) That the Association establish a housing allowance of $350 per month for our Director of Missions, (2) That we sell the existing property at 169 Spring Street, NW. , Concord, and lease office space at the Carolina Mall. The vote was taken. The vote was 60 for, 63 against.
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The motion failed to carry.
New Mission:
First Baptist Church, Kannapolis,
recently survey the Oak Grove community. They took the responsibility for a mission which
was re-named "Green Acres Baptist Mission". February 24,1975. Executive Board Meeting with
West Concord Baptist Church. The Missions Committee recommends that our Executive Board meet together in a called meeting on Monday, March 10, 1975, to discuss, with no decision being made at that meeting, the matter of better office facilities and a housing allowance for our Director of Mission. Since this has been a matter of great concern to us for four years, since several committees have given much thought, study, and work to the matter, and since we did not reach a workable solution toward the matter in our last Annual Associational Meeting, the Missions Committee makes this recommendation in the interest of finding a suitable solution that will be acceptable to our Association. After the open meeting on March 10, 1975, the Missions Committee will give study, thought, and prayer to the suggestions, ideas, etc., and then bring, hopefully, a recommendation at a later date for the consideration of the Executive Board and the
Association in a called meeting. The motion was seconded and discussed. The motion was defeated.
May 26,1975. Executive Board Meeting with Calvary Baptist Church.
A discussion of guidelines for the committee on office space and housing allowance. This was only a discussion on guidelines for the committee on office space and housing allowance. No action was taken: (1) That when those matters come up again, if they do, that they be presented as separate items. (2) Give our Director of Missions the facilities which will enable him to do his work. (3) The objection of some to moving from the present location was the proposed Carolina Mall location, considered to be unsuitable to them. (4) To be sure the present office space is inadequate. (5) Money is one of our problems. (6) If we have faith we can do what we need to do. (7) The Moderator suggested that the Executive Board members take the matter back to their churches and ask the church members to write letters to the Missions Committee, stating what they think would be a good thing to do.
August 25,1975.
Executive
Board Meeting at
Shadybrook Baptist
Church. £
A recommendation was brought by Reverend Claud Dick,
chairman of
the Missions Committee: That a housing allowance of $350 be given to the Director of Missions and that the present property be used as is for an Associational Office building, as of October 1,1975.
He then moved
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for the adoption of £ this recommendation. It was
disussed.
An amended motion was made that this matter be tabled until the Annual Session in October. It was seconded and the motion carried as amended. A motion was made to reconsider the previous motion to table the motion. It was seconded but failed to carry.
October 27-28, 1975. - Annual Meeting with North Kannapolis, Parkwood, and Concord, First.
The Moderator opened the floor for considering the tenth and final item in his Executive Board report, namely; a tabled motion from our last Executive Board Meeting on August 25,1975, to be considered at the Annual Meeting. "That a housing allowance of $350 monthly be given to our Director of Missions and that
the present property be used as is for an
Associational office building ( see number 10 of Executive Board's report in Reports section of these minutes, page 27).
Rising to a point of order a motion was made that the Executive Board's tabled motion was out of order and that it be tabled so that the matter can be brought from the floor for consideration.
The Moderator ruled that such a motion was out of order and asked the body for their feeling on the matter. A vote was taken and the body accepted the Moderator's ruling. A motion to extend the time was made. This was seconded and carried. A discussion period followed. The question was called for. A vote was taken on whether to close off discussion.
It carried. A motion then made to adopt the recommendation of the Executive Board. It was seconded and carried.
Associational Self-Study Program. For several months over sixty people, including personnel from the Home Mission Board have been involved in research, evaluation, and decision making, studying the areas of our Association. Some suggested specific ministries for 1975-76: (1) That we encourage our Evangelism Committee to promote an aggressive program of evangelism, (2) That we begin a part-time prison chaplaincy ministry at the Cabarrus County Prison Union 102. (3) That we invite a youth corp worker to work in our Association next summer for ten weeks. (4) That we encourage every church to have a Family Life Conference next year. Furthermore, the Steering Committee recommends that we begin a part-time Prison Chaplaincy Ministry at the Cabarrus County Prison Unit 102. A chaplain would minister twelve to fifteen hours per week in a counseling role with the inmates and their families. Supervision of the Chaplain would be the responsibility of the Association and the Chaplaincy Program of the Baptist State Convention in
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cooperation with the Program Director of the prison unit. The Baptist State Convention has agreed to invest $1,000 in the program for the first year with a larger investment next year. The report was adopted. Church Training Report: Associational Youth Night met at First Baptist Church, Kannapolis, with 325 young people in attendance.
Evangelism Report: Our baptism rate across ten
years has been stable. We have averaged 577 per year. Last year all sixty-six of our churches baptized only 559, less than one member for each pastor, deacon, not counting teachers and other soul winning members. Special Information: Bright Light sponsored Dillard Morgan, Puerto Rico and Ralph Hoffman, Vancouver, Canada, for the past year and gave each $1,000 to use in purchasing a bus and other
necessities on the mission field.
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CHAPTER FIVE
1976-1986
October £ 25-26,1976 - Annual Meeting with Oak
Ridge, Franklin Heights
and Wil-Mar Park Baptist Churches.
The Petitionary Letters Committee recommended
Covenant Baptist Church be received into full
fellowship of the Association.
Resolutions Committee Report:
Concerning the operation of massage parlors: Be it therefore resolved that Cabarrus Baptist Association meeting in its Forty-first Annual Session on October 26, 1976, at the Wil-Mar Park Baptist Church, Concord, North Carolina, hereby calls upon the Cabarrus Board of Commissioners to enact appropriate legislation that will place restrictions, regulations, and supervision of massage parlors that are currently located in the county or those hereafter.
James Robison Crusade. The James Robison Crusade was held in Greater Concord-Kannapolis area, August 15-22, 1976. There were 1,000 decisions with 700 professions of faith. He later came back for a one night meeting at Brown Auditorium, March 15, 1978.
October 24-25, 1977. Annual Meeting with Enochville, First, Coldwater, and Blackwelder Park Baptist Churches.
Executive Board Report: World Missions Conference was held in our Association January 16-19, 1977. There were thirty-four churches participating. Evangelism Report: Leon Kilbreth led a Sunday School Revival, October 31-November 5, 1977, at Brown High Auditorium.
Special Information: First Baptist Church, Concord, celebrated their Ninetieth Anniversary with a Creative Arts Festival. McGill Avenue Baptist Church celebrated their Seventy-fifth Anniversary.
February 27, 1978. Executive Board meeting with Bethlehem Baptist Church.
Reverend George E. Shore, Director of Missions, brought the following matter before the Executive Board: For about two years Reverend Ivey Sipes has been talking with me about his forty acres of property which he wishes to dispose of-something like 28-30 acres now at $900 per acre (28 acres would be $25,200 with a payment of $8400 for three years plus interest on the remaining balance) .
The house and approximately ten acres of land he agrees to will to the Association at the time of purchase, only to be received upon the death of his wife and himself.
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The Missions Committee feels that such property will afford us the opportunity to build a Day Camping Facility. There could be Senior Citizens, prison ministry retreats, recreation, etc.
The immediate
needs are: Rest
room building for both boys and
girls, a pavilion shelter with a closed end for
storage
or
storage building,
used
tractor
with
bush-hog and mower . Well drilled, insurance coverage-liability and vandalism; recreation equipment needs: softball and volleyball, refrigeration or drink cooler.
We propose to finance this in the following ways: (1) Use existing surplus checking account for 1978 payment, (2) use savings account funds to pay for immediate needs as mentioned above, (3) invite our churches to contribute to a camp fund and lead the Brotherhood and R.A. 's, WMU, and auxilaries to adopt projects such as volunteer work in preparing ball field, nature trails, clean wooded areas, build rough camping cabins, buy recreational equipment, etc. (4) invite individuals within our churches to donate
building material, labor, recreational equipment,
tractor, bush hog, mower, and other items for a camping retreat facility.
We further propose, at the suggestion of the Church Building Department of our State Convention, to employ the Camp Consultant at the Church Architecture Department in Nashville to draw a complete Master Plan with recommended building phases. This service will cost approximately $400-$500.
Reverend Ralph Brunson, pastor of Odell Baptist Church, made a motion that we proceed in securing this property. The motion was seconded and carried after discussion.
February 27,1978. Executive Board Meeting Bethlehem Baptist Church.
with
Self-study program designed by the Home Mission
Board. In 1974, a consultant from the Home Mission Board met with our Steering Committee of the Self-Study Program to help the Association to see what it has accomplished in the past and what its purpose and opportunity of ministry and witness and specific goals for the future.
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