Some topics we consider dangerous. Our innate reaction is to avoid them as long as possible. In our marriages we know what subjects are best left alone, usually as a result of some past experience with a similar situation. So for years we will think about the matter and even allow thorny hedges to grow up around the topic. But we know full well that a day of reckoning is coming. It will be that day when the thorny hedge can no longer be contained as it breaks through our comfort zone and jabs us until we bleed.

One such subject is conflict and its related sisters disagreement, differences, and tension. All of us have seen this in our congregations, and many of us have felt the heat and pain on the day of reckoning when it became so bad that everything seemed to explode. Though the explosion is all too unfortunate and common an outcome of these well-fed sisters, it doesn't have to be. There are definite and even productive alternatives to an explosion.

Churches frequently operate from an unrealistic position in regards to conflict. We have been led to believe that conflict and disagreement will happen in the business world or among people outside the body of Christ, but not in the church where we are all brothers and sisters sharing a common love and faith. This is simply not true, and to expect heaven on earth in a congregation made up of more than one imperfect person is a fantasy. Study carefully what follows.
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As you plan your summer activities, please keep this week in mind. (We are in need of volunteers who are willing to lead a class as well as volunteers to accompany the children as they rotate through the various music opportunities that week.) More details will follow at our Website and in upcoming issues of The Spirit newsletter.

Guest speaker is Roger Roller. Special Music will be presented by Mark Andrist, concert artist/worship leader at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond, and Drexel Rayford, musician/pastor of Walnut Grove Baptist Church, Mechanicsville.

Sessions to choose from include: Basic Training for Deacons, Becoming a Contagious Christian, Leading Your Church in FAITH, Turning Inside Out with Ministry Evangelism, How to Become an Evangelistic Church, You Don't Have to be a Mega-Church to Grow, Connecting with Unchurched People in the 21st Century, Reaching People through Major Community Events, Share Jesus without Fear, Reorganizing Your Church for Outreach and Ministry, and Sharing Your Story.

For more information, go to Virginia Baptist Mission Board.

Women on Mission: Thaxton is leading devotionals at Oakwood Manor in April; Sedalia will lead them in May. Palestine will host the April birthday party for residents of Bedford County Nursing Home; Flint Hill will host it in May. One of the main activities for Radford WMU is nursing home ministry. Also, the group provides desserts for Christmas in April each year; conducts occasional fundraisers in order to contribute $50 a month to Radford church's building fund; contributes $50 quarterly to St. Jude's Children's Hospital—Joey Willis, one of their own, received help there; recently, gave $500 to help with medical bills for a member; provides help with other community missions. Recently, Flint Hill's WMU made and delivered 25 bibs for adults at the Bedford County Nursing Home.

To see our new elected Leadership Team for 2006-2007, please click here.

We thank Steve Manuel for providing the special music, leading the singing, and presenting the challenge to the leadership team. Thanks, also, to Suck Spring for their warm hospitality and for the use of their facilities for the meeting.

Featured Speakers: "A Look Back" by Dr. Fred Anderson, Executive Director, Virginia Baptist Historical Society; "A Look Forward" by Dr. John Upton, Executive Director, Virginia Baptist Mission Board.

Special Music: Clifford Baptist Church Young Ladies Ensemble; Mt. Hermon Baptist Church Youth Choir; Virginia Baptist Male Chorale. Virginia Baptist Women's Chorale

Lunch and Dinner available in the Dining Hall at $5.00 per meal. Overnight accommodations available upon request at $20.00 per person. Join us in Celebrating 50 years of Ministry Together!

Bedford news for April:
The Children's and Preschool choirs will present their spring music program entitled "Our Heroes from the Bible" on April 2 after a picnic dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m.

On April 9, the Adult and Handbell choirs will present a musical entitled "Beautiful Savior" in the morning worship beginning at 10:55 a.m.

The Sanctuary Choir and Disciple Drama Team will present a "Living Portrayal of the Last Supper" on Maundy Thursday April 13, at 7:00 p.m.

Music for the Easter service will include the Sanctuary Choir and Instrumental Ensemble.

Bethlehem's revival services will begin April 9, 11:00 a.m., and continue each evening at 7:00 through Wednesday, April 12. Evangelist Larry Ross will bring the messages. Special singing each evening. A nursery will be provided.

REVIVAL...restyled! Big Island's revival services will be the weekend of May 5-7 at the church as well as at a nearby park. Activities include food and games for all ages, a ministry project for our armed forces, and testimonies from various individuals. Dr. John Adams, pastor of First Baptist Church of Easley, SC, will be the guest preacher.

Flint Hill will have revival services April 30-May 3. The Sunday morning service will be at 11:00, and evening services, Sunday-Wednesday, will be at 7:00. Dr. Charles Fuller will bring the messages.

The women of Flint Hill have just completed a ten week Bible study by Beth Moore, "To Live is Christ, The Life and Ministry of Paul."

In March, Flint Hill held a winter Bible study of the book of Nehemiah. Rev. Larry Ross led the study.

North Bedford has called Chris Seal as Youth Pastor, effective February 1, 2006. He and his wife Katie live on campus at Liberty.
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The Reverend Nathan Campbell Napier died at his residence on March 23, 2006. His pastoral ministry included 18 years at Thaxton and 17 years at Mount Hermon. He was inducted as Pastor Emeritus at Thaxton in 1994. Visitation at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory in Bedford on Saturday, April 8, 5 to 9 p.m. Memorial service on Sunday, April 9, at Mount Hermon at 2 p.m. Burial at Mount Hermon cemetery, with the Reverend Eugene Campbell officiating.