We Are Not Alone

Highland Hills has long been a part of CBF Georgia. We have long sent our children and youth to their events, sometimes hosted the annual gathering, and now we rent out the area behind the chapel for their offices. As I write this, we even have some of our folks driving back from attending the annual CBFGA Senior Adult Retreat in St. Simons. CBFGA is an important organization for us to partner with because they provide us with connections with like-minded local churches and great events for our folks to participate in. Our roots run deep in this organization, and I'd be willing to take a strong guess that we have been a partner church almost since the organization began (although whomever knows for sure, I'd love to know!).

Because of that deep history and connection as a church, this year I have had the delight and honor of serving as the moderator for CBFGA. Through the role, I've gotten a crash course in Robert's Rules of Order (something I snuck through seminary without ever learning) and have gotten to know similar church leaders across the state. I get to serve on a few different committees, which is a daily reminder at how much time and energy you all give to make the life of the church run. In my role as moderator, the shoe is on the other foot, per say. I try to represent our church well!

I think my favorite part of serving as moderator for CBF Georgia is getting to collaborate with others from across the state. Sitting in various meetings and interacting with pastors and lay leaders is full of reminders that we are not alone in the ministry we do here at Highland Hills. I learn so much from the more experienced leaders, and hope to offer what experience God has gifted me. There are plenty of other churches across the state who are trying like us to be a moderate Baptist in an ever-changing world. And we all do it differently, but faithfully to fit our unique contexts and locations.

This role gives me a glimpse of what the big "C" church is like—the universal church of God. One body with many different experiences and perspectives all trying to love God and serve others well. You and me, and all who follow Christ, are part of a larger body of all sorts of people who follow Jesus, and our membership in CBF Georgia is one good reminder of that! For our fellowship in CBF and beyond, I am grateful.