Here’s an excerpt:

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Hence, this reminder of the celebration which was unanimously approved during the 65th National Assembly in January 2006 and subsequently acted upon by the Board of Trustees of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc. on February 3, 2006 as contained in the CPBC BOT 2006-020 document.

December – January have been declared as Ministers and Ministries Awareness Months to give recognition to the role of the ministers and the bible schools and to challenge youth and whole congregation for ministry.

Hope the the current officers and guide the future leaders of our organizations will be reminded of the struggles we have and the covenant to keep. 

Credit: REVIVAL 1020

RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CONVENTION OF PHILIPPINE BAPTIST CHURCHES, INC. TO DECLARE DECEMBER -JANUARY AS MINISTERS AND MINISTRIES AWARENESS MONTHS
(Approved unanimously during the 65th CBMA National Assembly Business meeting on January 27, 2006 at Camp Higher Ground, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo)

Whereas, the Convention Baptist Ministers Association (CBMA) Sunday has been celebrated during the Sunday prior to the CBMA Assembly on January 27 every year;

Whereas, such celebration has become an opportunity for the promotion of the ministers and their ministries to the churches;

Whereas, it has been noticed that many churches do not observe the occasion and the subsequent support to ministers and ministries for various reasons;

Whereas, there is an alarming trend of the decreasing enrollment in bible schools and theological institutions to pursue church ministries;

Whereas, it was observed that one reason is the lack of deliberate & systematic promotion/ campaign of the vocation/pastoral ministries and support to the aforementioned bible schools;

Whereas, the Convention Baptist Ministers Association has decided to assist the Bible schools in the promotion, curriculum standardization, and other technical support as requested by the former;

Whereas, the president of the Convention Baptist Bible College has proposed for the integration of campaign of Theological Education Sunday as part of the promotion of ministers and ministries which was well accepted by other bible schools in the initial partnership of bible schools and the CBMA;

Whereas, the integration of promotion and campaign will be beneficial for both the CBMA, the bible schools, local churches and the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches in general;

Now therefore, resolve as it is hereby resolve to request the Board of Trustees of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc. to declare December – January as Ministers and Ministries Awareness Months to give recognition to the role of the ministers and the bible schools and to challenge youth and whole congregation for ministry

Resolve further that CBMA Sunday and Theological Education Sunday be observed within the months of celebration;

Further resolve that the Special Offerings during respective celebration will be shared equitable by national and provincial chapter of the CBMA & bible schools, respectively.

I certify that the aforementioned resolution was approved by the Board of Trustees of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc. during the Regular Meeting on February 3, 2006 at the CPBC Board Room as contained in the CPBC BOT 2006-020 document.

(Sgd)DELICIOSA A. BACLAGON
Recording Secretary

Attested by:
(Sgd) REV. DR. ARMANDO S. KOLE
President, Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc.

I  could still recall the scene during the  2009 Convention Baptist Ministers Association  (CBMA) National Assembly, when an elder pastor stood up in response to  my insinuation  that we hold the next  assembly in the city. This was in reference to  inconveniences experienced by delegates at the Camp Higher Ground  due to lack of facilities. At that time, I seemed to feel some kind of guilt that for some  years, pastors were deprived of better accommodation because of  our advocacy for  the Camp Higher Ground.  He boldly said something like this:  If we had endured such inconveniences for the past four years, why stop now when we almost succeed in reclaiming the legacy of the Camp as icon of serenity, spirituality and renewal.

His subsequent motion was unanimously approved by the assembly to hold upcoming gatherings  at Camp Higher Ground.  I was humbled by such sincere gesture coming from a well meaning member. (It is this kind of unadulterated spirit that always serves as  glim of hope which keeps me going.)  At that time,  the Katipan Hall we initiated in 2006 was almost complete. True enough, the next two assemblies were held on same venue. Except for   administering  both the opening and closing ceremonies, I  was not able to fully enjoy those assemblies because of my critical health condition.

However, just when my health was quite improving  and intended to attend the assembly in 2012, the venue was no longer at Camp Higher Ground. I was told,  due to a request of  a local church for their anniversary. Although, it was met with various reactions including  some nasty criticisms which can be retrieved from archives of the Association’s FB Group, such assembly served as precedence in leaving  the Camp (and seemingly the corresponding advocacy). The  succeeding assembly was held no  longer at the Camp because of another request of local  church in commemoration of centenary   and the upcoming one in January 2014 will be held in another region as requested, again.

It remains to be seen whether the assembly would ever remember our  previous commitments and advocacy related to the Camp Higher Ground. Or  whether  the idiomatic expressions  “absence makes the heart grow fonder, but too much of it makes the heart wander” holds true in our organization.

But I, for one, won’t give up yet on Camp Higher Ground. Why? It’s because of  the breakthrough we once had which served as a symbol of solidarity among pastors. The KATIPAN Hall which was established by our collective faith and action.

Katipan is an Ilonggo term for Covenant. In the CBMA context it sums up the phrase Katuman sang Tingob nga Pagsalig kag Binuhatan. In English, this means “realization of collective faith and action.” True to its meaning, KATIPAN Hall has become a symbol of solidarity among pastors. Katipan has galvanized our relationship. It even boosted the morale of pastors who have been stereotyped to be always in the receiving end. Of course, not a few had raised their eyebrows questioning our capacity to sustain the project. Even engineers who volunteered their labor could not help but smile upon learning our start up budget.

(To be continued)