Getting to Know Your Elders

Each month a different elder sends a brief message on behalf of the board of elders to share updates on some of the work we are doing and to invite you to get to know us a little better.

A Little About Me – Kyle McManamy: My wife, Mary, and I live in Chapel Hill, have been married for 12 years, and have been at the Bible Church for just as long. I am the Director of Strategic Projects in the Dean’s Office for Duke Divinity School, where I lead the design of projects and programs strategic to our mission. Over the last decade, my various roles in launching ministry start-ups, higher education, and branding have grown my love for the work of resourcing Christians for their public work and witness. Before being an elder, I was the college minister at CHBC and I founded and led Triangle Fellows in its first years. In my free time, I like to run, read, create, and explore the National Parks with my wonderful wife.

Updates

We are excited about the multiyear goals (or ‘Ends’) that came out of an involved vision process:

1. In order that we may better love Jesus, we will provide pathways for all members to become mature disciples of Christ.
2. In order that we may better love each other, members will grow in knowing one another through intentional service and relational investment.
3. In order that we may better love our neighbor, each member will cultivate active prayer for and witnessing the gospel before non-christians in word and deed in the Triangle.

I was especially encouraged by our recent Membership Gathering (11/1/23) where, after a delicious meal, we prayed and talked at our tables about how we wanted to grow in Christ over the next year. As we reported back from various tables, we heard again and again of desires to be shaped by Jesus in the practical, week-in and week-out rhythms of normal life. As elders, we are honored to serve a church with that kind of heart and we look forward to seeing responses to those longings roll out.

Prayer Requests

This year we have been reviewing our bylaws. A dedicated and gifted team recently met with the Deacons and the Elders to review their thorough and well-reasoned recommendations on how to update them to better serve and support the life and ministry of CHBC. Over the next few months, the Elders (with input from the Deacons) will be reviewing these with a fine-toothed comb. Please pray for our discernment and joy as we do this. 

(As a reminder, bylaw changes are made by a vote of the membership, normally conducted at the annual meeting at the beginning of June. We plan to provide multiple opportunities for you to engage with any proposed changes well before that meeting.)

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Kyle McManamy
Elder