Hello Good Shepherd Friends,
American Baptists have a strong history of promoting the separation of church and state but to protect our freedoms we must engage in the political process as individuals and hold our elected officials accountable by voting, making our voices heard, and working to improve our democratic republic.
“Freedom is not tangential to the Baptist identity; it is at the core of what it means to be a Baptist… Baptist freedoms are fragile; they are too readily relinquished from within and too easily pirated from without. Freedom can be abdicated. Freedom can also be stolen. Freedom-lovers have no choice but to be vigilant in the defense of freedom.”
–Walter Shurden
“…we dare not render homage to any earthly power which I and (other Baptists) are fully convinced belongs only to God.”
–Issac Backus, 1774
Featured events
This Sunday, Reverend Doctor Judy Gay will deliver a sermon titled, “All Shall Be Well” with scripture from 2 Kings 4:8-26 and Romans 8:28.
Sunday, November 3
10:30 AM
In-person
Good Shepherd Baptist Church
6915 196th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98036
or online via our Facebook page
Anti Racism Reflection by Jennifer Drury
As noted above, I just returned newly inspired and spiritually fed, from the Evergreen Association of ABC’s Conference in SLC. For those who don’t know, Evergreen operates under a unique governance system which uses a consensus model instead of Robert’s Rules (Parliamentary Procedure). Also, for the business meeting we break into Asian, Hispanic, Black and Euro Caucuses to discuss the issues at hand. Then we reconvene as a whole group where each caucus has equal time to discuss their ideas and concerns. If anyone objects to a decision, it does not go through. If you’re interested to know more about how it works, I’d be happy to share. This is one of the many ways that Evergreen seeks to elevate voices that are often marginalized.
One of the highlights for me, besides spending time with incredible leaders, was the Saturday evening worship service. It was the culmination of a weekend full of wisdom, connection, compassion, laughter, music, service, hugs and even tears. You can watch the service by following the link: Evergreen Association of ABC Conference Saturday Worship.
About the Preacher for Saturday’s Worship Service (whom I now feel honored to call a friend):
Rev. Dr. Lauren Lisa Ng is the Senior Program Officer for the Thriving Congregations Initiative to serve Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) churches with the Berkeley School of Theology. She has a distinct passion for fresh, alternative, and entrepreneurial models of ministry and the emerging leaders who pursue them. She completed her Doctor of Ministry in Creative Leadership at Central Baptist Theological Seminary. She earned her Master of Divinity from the Berkeley School of Theology and was ordained in 2005. Rev. Ng earned her BA in English and Creative Writing from Oberlin College. Her 20+ years of professional experience also include serving as the Director of Leadership Empowerment for the American Baptist Home Mission Society, serving on development staff with International Ministries, an advisor for American Baptist Women in Ministry, a board member of ABHMS, a trustee of Bacone College. She also served five years as associate pastor at First Chinese Baptist Church in San Francisco.
Lauren is also a creative artist as a poet (her work can be found by following the link to her website at laurenlisang.com); and as the songwriter, vocalist and bass player for her band. You can learn more by following the link to her band’s website at Whisperfight. She prides herself on finding the best vegan food wherever she goes. Lauren lives in Northern California with her husband Daniel, and together they have three children ages 18, 16, and 13, and a mini goldendoodle named Mochi.
Worship with us
Sundays 10:30am in person or
Sundays 10:30am on Facebook
First Saturday of each month: 4:00 p.m.
Worshiping and Office
6915 196th St SW
Lynnwood, Washington 98036
Mailing
PO Box 1044
Lynnwood WA 98046
425-774-1010
Email Pastor Aanenson
aanend@gsbchurch.com
