Reflections From the October 16 All-Church Quarterly Strategy Meeting

Dear Bethlehem,

Thank you to all who participated in Sunday’s All-Church Quarterly Strategy Meeting. As a church, we voted on the following motion during that meeting:

The membership authorizes the Elders of the Church to take all actions necessary related to the separation of the Church and the creation of three separate and distinct churches.

The vote passed with 801 “yes” and 28 “no” votes. God helped us. The Lord was faithful to guide the church into the next chapter of our history—Bethlehem Baptist Church will “Multiply” into three independent churches along the 35W corridor, one Downtown in Minneapolis, one North in Mounds View, and one South in Lakeville. Praise God! Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your engagement. Thank you for preparedness to discern God’s will for our future.

Whether you voted yes or you voted no, let’s all rejoice together in this historic moment in the life of our church. Throughout our entire 151-year history, God has been faithful to Bethlehem. Remember that Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 4:15), and we are to be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3); and if one member suffers, all suffer together, and if one member is honored, all rejoice together (1 Corinthians 12:26). Above all, let’s rejoice that we have a good Savior and our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20).

Please continue to pray for God’s leading, wisdom, faith, and more of his strength as we continue on the trajectory toward becoming three separate and distinct churches. We aim to post updates on the Multiply web page along the way.

Praising God with you and for you,

Tim Johnson
Chairman of the Council of Elders