National Health Insurance Plan
I am giving my space today to introduce a national Health Insurance Plan from Church of God Ministries Inc. Health insurance is a huge cost for all of our churches and finding quality affordable health insurance has been allusive. Take time to read Dr. Duncan’s letter and review the FAQ link. Each congregation will be receiving a mailing from the National Office in the next few days, if you have not already received it. It is my hope that this insurance will be a help to our pastors and churches. This plan requires Medical Underwriting, which means that persons will have to be medically approved. Be sure if you have medical insurance that you do not leave you present carrier until you are certain that you have been accepted in this new plan. Pastor Bill
GuideStone Providing Church of God Ministers Health Plans
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Providing health insurance benefits for Church of God ministers and church employees can be a challenge, especially when budgets are tight. For many years, Church of God Ministries has explored the potential for providing health insurance options to those in dedicated ministry service. That’s why we are delighted to announce an exciting opportunity through GuideStone Financial Resources that is available to Church of God ministers and church employees.
GuideStone has spent nearly a century serving those who serve the Lord, and now they are available to serve Church of God ministers and church employees. Each health plan features quality medical and prescription drug coverage with access to the nationwide Blue Cross Blue Shield network. Health plans will be available beginning May 1, 2012.
We will begin sharing this good news with our U.S. churches in late April, but we wanted you to be aware in case you receive inquiries about the health plans and services that will be available. Please note that rates for Church of God ministers and church employees will not be available until May 1.
For more information about the insurance plans specially designed for Church of God ministers and church employees, contact Ron McDowell at 1-888-98-GUIDE (888-984-8433), extension 4677. We believe that coverage through GuideStone is consistent with the values we all share.
For more information, read the Frequently Asked Questions document, prepared by GuideStone for the Church of God.
Grace and peace,
Ronald V. Duncan, D. Min., General Director
Send your comments/thoughts to Bill regarding this eAction article.
(previous eAction articles)
April 2012
Justice and the Cross
I am presently reading the Doctoral Dissertation of Rev. (soon to be Dr.) Bonita Laudeman. She has spent the last several years of her life working on the issues of modern slavery that is called Human Trafficking. It is hard to believe, yet very true that men, women, and children are held in slavery not only in foreign lands, but here in America...here in Michigan. To read the accounts of how people are treated who are held here by force, fraud, or coercion breaks one’s heart. I am deeply moved by Rev. Laudeman’s call to the church to stand up for justice and to battle injustice. She points out in the scriptures that over and over again our God is described as one who loves justice and requires it of His people.
This month we morn the death of Jesus Christ and celebrate his resurrection. Paul states the fact that we have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. We are lost! We are separated from God by a huge chasm that we on our own can never cross. Recently, in a conversation with Matt Stone, Associate Pastor at Greenville, he illustrated how far short we fall in our attempts to reach God. “It is like Payton Manning telling me to go out for a pass. He is standing in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and he tells me to go Ford Field to receive the pass. Even with the mighty arm of Payton Manning he cannot deliver the pass to Detroit, in fact he cannot get it out of Lucas Oil Stadium.”1 So also, do our attempts to reach God in our own righteousness fall short. God’s justice had to be satisfied against sin. The Apostle Paul says that the wages of sin is death (separation from God). Throughout scripture, God, the righteous Judge has said that the only way to pay sin’s penalty is through a sinless sacrifice. Yet in our world there is none righteous, not even one. This is the great chasm between ourselves and God. So the Judge made a way to span the great chasm by sending his sinless Son, Jesus. God loves you and me so much that he gave his one and only son that if we believe in him, we would not forever be condemned, but be allowed an eternal relationship with our creator. God did this not because we are deserving, but while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus paid the penalty on the Cross that we all deserve to pay, and made possible a relationship that not only makes this life worthwhile, but promises us the joy of heaven...forever! God’s need for justice is served.
Apart from Christ, we are slaves to sin. We experience the tyranny of a master that will kill and destroy. God hates slavery and he wants us all to be free to be the men and women he created us to be. It is because of the justice of God, that we know the grace of God that sets us free! We are called to be his instruments of justice in this world. As people who have been set free, let us devote ourselves to setting others free by sharing the message of God’s salvation plan, and by combating injustice wherever we many find it. Jesus paid a debt he did not owe at a price that we could not afford so that we could be free. There is someone for whom you can do the same. Be an instrument of God’s justice and grace!
1 A general summary of Matt’s great illustration.
March 2012
To Serve and Assist
A couple of weeks ago I attended a conference of “middle judicatory leaders.” These are persons who do the same kind of work that I do in denominations around the country. We have covenanted together to meet for three years to learn from one another, share ideas that work, pray for one another and find ways to grow the Kingdom of God through relationships and the sharing of experiences. We all see that the Church world is changing rapidly. We see changes in attendance patterns, giving patterns, and many traditional ministries are struggling while ministries outside the walls of the church are multiplying. While the church world is being changed by technology and communication, so too is the ministry of State and regional offices like the Church of God in Michigan.
The local church once existed in a mono-optional world. That means that if your church needed help, it would turn to the Movement or Denominational office. Movement and Denominational offices were a monopoly where churches went to find help with curriculum, programs, finances, and staffing. That world no longer exists. Now churches are as likely to call David C. Cook at Warner Press, or seek help from Willow Creek as they are their State Office. We now live in a multi-optional world. Neither Church of God Ministries (National Office) nor the Church of God in Michigan (Regional Office) can arrogantly act as if a local church has only one place to go. It is critical that your state office become more and more service oriented. Our service will come through the dissemination of information, the resourcing of ministries, the coaching of leaders, and the networking of congregations and pastors.
It is our heart’s desire that we serve our congregations in Michigan with excellence. In this edition of e-Action you will find resources for your ministry, information about what other churches and ministries are doing, and access to both educational, inspirational, and psychological resources. We are here to serve you! You can help us by letting us know how you would like the Church of God in Michigan to serve you. We want to be alert and responsive to the needs of our congregations and pastors across Michigan. Contact me at billjones@choginmi.org, text me at 517-282-0225, or call us at 800-369-5890.
You will find a large cadre of services at our website: www.choginmi.org. Last week your church received the mailing on our 360 Christian Leadership Convention coming up April 14 from 9am to 3pm at Pennway Church of God in Lansing. We have designed an excellent and inexpensive way to develop your ministry and leadership skills. Put the date on your calendar and bring a group with you. Working at ministry alone is a sure route to failure. We are always looking for ways to better serve our churches and pastors, so please be in touch with ideas that you believe can help us serve you better.
February 2012
The Timid Dreaming The Tremendous
Ever felt awkward? When I was a boy, I was shy and always afraid of saying the wrong things, never wanting the adults to laugh at me. So I stayed quiet. When I was a teen, I did not "feel cool" and thought that if I would get ridiculed for speaking my mind. Not wanting to look foolish, I seldom ventured an opinion. In my adult years I have heard our culture say, "keep your beliefs to your self" or "you have your truth and I have my truth; don't impose your truth on me." Am I the only one who has felt these pressures, or are these the thoughts of a backwoods hick from central Indiana?
I really don't want a public psychoanalysis right now, but I do want to think with you about why it is so hard for many Christians to talk with others about faith in Jesus Christ. There are some of us who are shy and find it difficult to share openly with anyone, but there are many of us who are outgoing and have never seen a stranger. My father-in-law is one of those persons and I admire him greatly. Most of us are somewhere in between these two extremes. Most of us don't have trouble talking about sports, or the newest App we downloaded from iTunes, or the most exciting new program for our Cricket.
In a meeting a few months ago Rev. Dr. Milton Grannum, pastor of a mega Church in Philadelphia, and a long respected pastor in the Church of God, said that evangelism is not in the DNA of our Movement. We were established as "come-outers", meaning that we encouraged persons in other denominations, that we called "Babylon" to join us and be separated from man-made denominations. This message though powerful was one that encouraged Christians to join us. But what about the unchurched? What about persons who had not heard the gospel? They were important to us. The Church of God has for all our history sent missionaries all over the world and many people have come to Christ. When I was young I remember going to church every night for two weeks while our church was in revival meetings. A really good revival might last four weeks!
Reaching lost people was something that the evangelist or a missionary did, not the person sitting in the pew. Dr. Grannum is a man with whom I am not worthy to compare myself, but I would want to tweak his observation. I would suggest that personal evangelism, done by the average person in the pew is not in our DNA. We believe in reaching the lost, we just don't think that it is not our job. The pastor, the evangelist, and the missionary are the ones called and equipped to do that heavy lifting.
It is critical that we change our mind. Jesus said in the great commission that we are all his witnesses. A witness who is silent is no witness at all. A witness who is timid is not a very good one. With all this said, our world needs a witness from every Christian. If we have experienced Christ's freedom, his joy, and his peace, then let's share it. Jesus does not want us to be an obnoxious church, and he does not want us to be a silent church. He wants us to be His Church, sharing his message of salvation, freedom, power, and joy. It is a wonderful message! Please pray in the days ahead that God will give you the boldness to love someone who does not know him and pray that through that loving relationship you will have courage to share what you have discovered about Jesus. This year's Focus 40 fasting and prayer emphasis is build around the audacious dream that this year through the Church of God 25,000 people will come to know Jesus. That is a God sized vision. You and I can help make it happen if we are not afraid.
January 2012
Something a Leader Must Do...
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8 NIV
I have been reading a book by Dr. Henry Cloud, 9 Things a Leader Must Do. (Henry Cloud, 9 Things a Leader Must Do., Integrity Publishers, Nashville, TN. 2006.) He quotes the Proverb above as he describes one of the things that leaders must do. His insight is very appropriate for this New Year.
Cloud discusses how leaders are called on many times in their lives to do something really big. Our first response is to say, “no, not me.” Our second response is usually to list all the reasons why it cannot be done. Our third response is too often procrastination, hoping the task will go away or that someone else will pick it up. Cloud suggests that we ought to be like the ant.
The word “sluggard” is an interesting place to begin looking at this passage. The word is not used much today...it sounds so crude. Its meaning is indolent, adverse to activity, habitually lazy. I do not know many leaders like that. Most leaders I know are very active, very responsible and certainly not lazy. I then read another part of the definition- “causing little or no pain.” As a leader I have been there. Avoiding pain for me or others is something I often try to do. It is a pain to convince others that something needs to be done. It is a pain having people tell you they disagree with you. It is a pain to plan out a step by step process to accomplish something big. It’s a pain to ask for money or time. Yet somewhere I was taught: “no pain...no gain.”
This passage then goes on to tell us how to accomplish something big. Like the ant, we achieve great things a little bit at a time. Like the ant who has not boss, you must be self motivated enough to get out and do a little bit every day, not because you are being pushed by an “overseer”, but rather because you are doing something for God.
What “big thing” faces you this year? Have you been saying, “Not me”? Have you been giving excuses for why it cannot be done? Have you been procrastinating? Will you commit with me to not be a sluggard this year, but begin tackling that thing that must be done. God has undoubtedly called you for such a time as this! There may be some pain, but nothing worthwhile comes easily. Start today by taking the first step toward accomplishing the great goal God has put before you. Step by step, it can be done. Do not look at the whole project, it will overwhelm you, but ask, “What can I do today to get closer to accomplishing what must be done?” Let’s be less sluggardly and more ant-like this New Year.
There is great joy when those “big things” are accomplished!
December 2011
Christmas Year Round
Christian Women Connection publishes each year a daily meditation journal to accompany the annual Christ Birthday Observance. The book is excellent and I would encourage you to use it this Christmas to help make the season more deeply meaningful. This year’s theme is “Making Room.” In the December 10 mediation, Angie Swonger writes about being moved by an old hymn, God of Grace and God of Glory. In that hymn there is a phrase that says, “Grant us wisdom; grant us courage, less we miss thy Kingdom’s goal.” How can we who are Christ followers miss His Kingdom’s goal? Let me suggest a few ways… Getting so busy “doing” Christmas that we miss being with Christ. Spending so much for Christmas that we cannot give to the real needs of others. Practicing overt generosity during this month-long season but forgetting that generosity is not seasonal, but a lifestyle. Becoming cantankerous because of the season’s demands rather than practicing the love of Christ so beautifully seen by his coming as a baby. Doing religious activities rather than loving others as Christ loves them. I hope this season will be marked by relationships rather than religion… By generosity and not grouchiness… By being more than doing… May the love and peace of the Christ Child bless your Christmas season… less we miss His Kingdom’s goal! Your Service Center Staff wish you a Merry and Blessed Christmas! Bill Jones November 2011 The Health Club
During our General Assembly, Rev. Theron Kersey brought me a booklet called The Church We Need that he had found helpful. It is from RBC publishers and in it I found this illustration that speaks volumes! "Picture a health club where all the members are committed to keeping their bodies and minds in optimum condition. On-staff wellness advisors provide carefully monitored exercise, diet, and stress-reduction clinics. Daily classes are held for different ages and special-interest groups. Room after room of exercise equipment, spas, pools, and lecture facilities are available to help people get into excellent physical condition. Why this club looks so efficient, however, is that those who aren't meeting the ideal standards are kicked out. Quickest to lose membership are those who develop heart disease, cancer, or any other serious illness. People who get a bit hefty are likewise removed and their club keys called in." pp. 19-20. What a health club. It looks good, but is it really helping people? The church was never meant to be a place that served only the healthy and most disciplined. In fact Jesus spent most of his time with lepers, the poor, the deaf and the blind. I know what it is like when folk in the fellowship make bad choices. I have often thought, "they know better," and my first inclination is to go and chew somebody out. During my 36 years of ministry I have seen Christian marriages dissolve, Christian parents disown their kids, and Christian kids rebel against their parents. I have seen Christian men and women choose to have affairs, or embezzle money. I have seen Christian students cheat on tests and Christian workers steal from their employers. How we react to those who fail and fall says a lot about our relationship with Christ. The Church has always been filled with people who fail. Listen to Paul as he writes the church in Thessalonica: "God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ...Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing...warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all." (1 Thessalonians 5:9,11,14-15) Real ministry is messy. We work with people who do not have it all together. Some are Christian and some are not. The real joy is getting in the mess and helping those who have fallen, who have failed, and those who have fled to get their feet back on solid ground. Jesus compels us to sacrifice for those who are weak and in need of our encouragement, comfort, and support. Yes, the Church is more of a hospital for sinners than a hotel for saints. Whether saint our sinner that we help, I trust that we all hear someday these words of Jesus, "I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me." (Matthew 25:34-36) October 2011 Smell the Roses It is October and the colors are beautiful, Pastors are given appreciation (it is pastor appreciation month!), and the Michigan General Assembly is just around the corner, the Tigers are in the pennant race, and the Lions are undefeated…it cannot get much better in Michigan! For this month check out the great opportunities that are available for growth, and take time for your Spirit to see the beauty and enjoy the blessings that God has provided. This is the time of the year when our ministries are really getting going and family life is full of expectations. Take some time to slow down and see the colors, enjoy your friends, and worship your God. When we pace our life it is amazing how much more we actually get done. When I was a young pastor (back when there were no computers) I found myself working a crazy number of hours; thinking that that was what pastors were supposed to do. My wife described it as if I had a mistress, and it was the church. How could she complain that I was not with her enough, after all I was doing God’s work. She did not want to compete with God and felt that she couldn’t. When I almost lost her because of my mix of passion for ministry and marital stupidity, I cut back on my time at work and was amazed to discover that the Church still grew and my family life became a joy. Whether you are a pastor or an auto mechanic, remember that life is short, and there will always be more work to do, but you will not always be able hold your wife, or play catch with your kids. Another one of life’s pleasures is our annual Assembly. November 4-5 we will gather in Lansing at the Lexington Hotel for inspirational worship led by Jay and Amy Rouse, and be able to learn from God’s Word from one of the greatest preachers and expositors of the Word living today, Dr. James Earl Massey. You will be in a beautiful setting and have many opportunities to once again share with friends and fellow servants. We have themed this year’s Assembly, “Connections” because we want you to be able to come, connect and be revitalized in body and spirit. The older I get, the less I rest on those accomplishments of my life, and the more I rejoice in the friendships that nurture my soul. The Youth Ministry is sponsoring a break out time on Friday afternoon for youth leaders. We believe that will be a great time to connect with those who have a common ministry experience. Finally, it is Pastor Appreciation Month. Be sure this month to do something special for that person who is there for you in both joy and sorrow, who provides nourishment for your soul weekly. We are blessed in Michigan to have pastors and associates who daily lift high the cross of Christ; they deserve whatever blessing you can bring them. Another great way to “smell the roses” is to find a way to be generous to someone who loves you. September 2011 "You can't go home again"...So create a new home! The old saying "you can't go home again" is not true. But you cannot go back to the same home! Every moment things are changing. The home is getting older, the yard has been infested with moles, or the house has been painted and the interior has been remodeled. Probably the old well has been replaced with city water and the septic has given way to city sewer. Improvements have been made which makes the old place a new place. Not only is your old home not the same, but neither are you. Every moment of life we are a moment older. We have experienced another day of joy, sorrow, victory, and disappointment. A few brain cells have died and a new ache has become noticeable in your back. Today you have experienced things that both thrilled you and disappointed you. Many of these things will inform your experiences for the rest of your life. How do we respond to the inevitable changes in life? There are three obvious ways. Do nothing. After all we just fool ourselves when we believe we can make difference in this upside-down world. Right? Edmund Burke once said, "all that is necessary for evil to triumph, is for good people to do nothing." To do nothing is short sighted. If our only concern is for ourselves, we can hunker down and just try to survive. The reality though is that we have children and grandchildren whose futures depend on what we do today. Many of our congregations and pastors today are hoping that tomorrow will be 1953 (a great year, since it is when I was born). But doing ministry like we did 50 years ago or even 15 years ago does not work. An oft quoted definition of insanity is to keep doing the same things, hoping to get different results. The souls of men, women and children are too important for churches or pastors to decide to nothing. Let's look at at the second option ... Do less. A basic principle of budgeting is to make sure your outflow does not exceed your income. I have noticed many churches while working hard to obey this principle, are looking only at one side of the equation. In many congregations we have taken on a survival mentality that causes us to ask what can we cut to balance the budget. The budget principle suggest two options when confronted with a shortfall. What do we cut expenses, and how do we increase revenue? In the life of the church we must ask both questions. If our answer is always to cut, there will come a time when there is no more to cut. I call this the survival mentality. Churches and pastors in Michigan are in an age and economy that makes cutting the easiest option. We need to ask, through prayer and counsel, how can we grow the church for God's glory. We live in a time when this lost world desperately needs help and we will not reach this world unless we intentionally make ways to help the hurting with a cup of cold water in Christ's name. Which leads a to our third option ... Do more strategically. Most congregations do things that once brought fruit, but does so no longer. We complain because so few attend, or people don't volunteer, or we cannot fill all the positions for which the Bylaws call. Those ministries that are not producing fruit should be pruned. Those ministries that are most productive must be increased. Finally, if there are ministries that we know need doing; we must fund a way! Jesus cursed the fig tree for not producing, and I believe he would do the same to many of the churches ministries. The scripture has always been true that the fields are white unto harvest. If we are not not regularly seeing persons come to Christ, if we are not known as a shining light in the community where God has called us, then we must stop doing what does not work to build the Kingdom of God and we must be willing to take on the work necessary to be Christ in our community, to share Christ with those who do not know him. Let us prayerfully ask the Lord, what he would have us do, what he wants us to change, and what he wants us to stop doing so that his Kingdom comes on earth, even as it is in Heaven. August 2011 Ten Principles for Success in Life I re-read an article by Bob Buford in the Christian Management Report recently that I had put a way for while. He was sharing insights that he received from one of the great Christian and Business minds of the past century, Peter Drucker. Drucker had written an article about finishing well in the second half of one's life, but I believe these principles are good for any time in life, no matter what one's age. Below is a summary of Drucker's ten principles. I will comment in italics. It is my prayer that some of these principles will challenge you to more effectiveness in life and in Christ's Kingdom. Adobe PDF file of Dr. Jones' August eACTION. June 2011 Michigan State Youth Convention a FANTASTIC Success!
I began my ministry 40 years ago in Youth Ministry. I have always had a passion to see young people come to Christ and grow in their walk with the Lord. Over the years I have watch many of those kids become adults who serve Christ and follow His call upon their lives. The weekend of May 20-22 was our annual State Youth Convention held at Western Michigan University. We had 801 students and adults in attendance. This is a 150 student increase over last year. From the start one could sense God was going to do something special. Friday night is our concert night with a brief message by our speaker. On that night I watched more than 50 young people raise their hands to make a decision for Christ and it just got better with every service. I have not received the final report on spiritual decisions made, but I am confident it will prove to be one of the most productive Conventions in many years. Please pray for these young people as they have gone back now to their “regular” lives. Pray that they will be protected from the attacks of the devil. Pray that they will receive discipleship help from their local churches. Pray that those decisions made will bring eternal fruit not only for the students but for family and friends with whom they share. Below is an Honor Roll of leaders who planned and conducted this great weekend of spiritual victory: Kevin Kuehne, Chair and Security Thanks to all of you, and to all who prayed for the convention. It could not have happened without you. May 2011 There is so much good going on around Michigan! This past month I have been greatly blessed to see so many good things happening in our State. Revive Flint was a wonderful success. More than 250 persons decided to follow Christ during this nine day gospel emphasis. Scores of people requesting Bible Studies in their community have been recorded and these are being planned. The Church of God in Flint has taken a leading role in this time of revival. During Easter many of our congregations experienced record attendance, and reports of many persons coming to a personal relationship with Jesus have been received. I love Easter attendance, because it tells more about your church’s potential than any other number. The Baroda Church of God according to Pastor Kendall Holder has shown such dramatic growth that they have purchased a church building in Stevensville, Michigan, to accommodate increased ministry and growth. They will call their church Baroda Church of God Stevensville Campus. I worshipped with them on their first day in the new facility and the atmosphere was electric. It takes great courage and faith to make such a dramatic move. Good work Pastor Holder and the body of Christ in Baroda! NorthernLight, our church in Cadillac, led by Rev. John Mellish is completing a building makeover. The Wesleyan Church in Cadillac merged with our congregation there and has been running close to 100 people in attendance. This new partnership is energizing as the people of God commit to reach the Cadillac community and beyond! With the 40 days beginning with Easter a new evangelism outreach is targeting Detroit. Called EACH (Everyone a Chance to Hear); several of our Churches are actively involved in ministry. Below is an overview. If you want to get involved the website is www.eachtoday.com. Collaborating together with all the evangelical churches in our region ... Having blanketed our efforts in substantial prayer ... Using every good strategy available to us ... Having trained our people to be ambassadors for Christ in their world ... For Forty days beginning with Easter 2011 ... We will attempt to give everyone in our region (over 3.5 million people) a chance to hear the message of Christ and to take the ‘next step’ in their spiritual journey. Mission Statement: Working together as a body of believers, we will give everyone in the Metropolitan Detroit area a chance to take the next step in their journey toward Jesus. Lord willing, this will be the widest and most effective evangelistic campaign in the history of Michigan. The goal is not simply to give every person multiple chances to connect with the message of Christ; but also ... To see tens of thousands come to faith in Christ ... To see churches and church leaders working together as one body ... To see substantial growth in our existing churches ... To see momentum in the planting of many new churches in our region ... To permanently alter the spiritual landscape of Southeastern Michigan ... To make a statement to a watching world: Detroit IS rebuilding, and JESUS is the foundation of our comeback. More than 800 of our teens and leaders will descent upon Kalamazoo to both hear and share the gospel. Hundreds of our teens will go into Kalamazoo on Saturday to do service projects for the community. This is a time when many of our young people make decisions to follow Christ and even go into ministry. Please pray for our young people and their leaders that this weekend will make an eternal impact. The Convention opens Friday night with a concert by Leeland, with the hope that hundreds from the community will come, hear, and respond to Christ’s message. If your youth have not yet registered ... there is still time. Contact us at the State Youth Convention Web page to get all the information. 360 Christian Leadership Convention We all need to grow daily! 360 gives every person in your church a chance to learn more about their field of interest and calling. Many churches cannot afford the high cost of training these days. The Church of God in Michigan provides high quality training at a price everyone can afford. Plan to attend...you will be glad you did! Join us for 360. Learn more about how to improve your church's ministry and how to grow in your ministry leadership. This is a chance to get new ideas, ask questions, encourage and share thoughts with one another. There will be sessions on Children's Ministry, Church and Pastoral Health, Finances, Adult Ministry, Worship and Mission, and Youth Ministry. Registration information was mailed to churches and is available on the Web site. Get ready for 360! Remember to pray: For Japan and those devastated by Sunami and Radiation For those in Haiti who still are recovering from the great earthquake there. For those in the south. Alabama and Arkansas are states where hundreds have died and thousands are homeless after the terrible Tornados. Dr. Herbert Banks shared with me that his family alone lost five loved ones in these storms. Information on relief efforts will be passed on as it is received. Alabama Relief Effort: Thanks for your caring interest in assisting in the relief effort for our brothers and sisters in the Alabama disaster areas. We are receiving many gifts and requests for arranging for teams to go to assist in the tornado recovery and have been working on coordination arrangements over the last three days. First: No problem with sending funds whenever you are ready. Send to: Church of God Ministries, Box 2420 Anderson, IN 46018 and mark the check for Tornado Relief Acct. No. 45.04509 and that will get it where it needs to go. At this point 100% of what comes in, designated that way, goes to Tornado relief. We are sending an assessment team next week to work with the Church of God - Alabama state office in arranging team coordination so that our teams will know where and how to go and what their most effective work will be. Right now in most places outside teams are not allowed in because gas leaks haven’t been stopped, loose power lines are still on the ground, and all the bodies haven’t been found. Our hope is to have the logistics all worked out so that as soon as teams are permitted in, we can help them get to the places they need to be and prepared to do their most effective helping ministry. I will make a note here of the availability of your team so that we can let you know how to plan. Thanks so much. Blessings, Ruben Schwieger April 2011 Keeping Up On Details The church can get so busy doing ministry that important details of daily life fall through the cracks. Below are a few practical questions to remind church leaders of things that should be worked on every once in a while: Are you carrying health insurance on your pastor/minister? Have you checked recently into new money saving options available? Do you carry disability insurance on your Pastor? This is fairly inexpensive and helps the church avoid very difficult decisions if their pastor becomes disabled while serving the church. Are you doing criminal background checks on those working with children and youth? The church is the last frontier for pedophiles. Children must be protected! Have you checked around the church for hazards like uneven sidewalks and slippery floors, etc.? Have you bonded all persons who handle money? It does not cost much but can save you a lot of headaches. Check with your property and liability insurer. Have you checked to be sure that the church's name is the same on your deeds, incorporation papers, and bylaws? Churches who have changed names during their history often fail to change the names in these important documents. It is important to get these details accomplished. Are you providing a W-2 for your ministerial staff? Churches should not be using the old 1099 for their ministerial staff anymore. Have you looked at your bylaws recently? On our web site you will find some things that should be in every church's bylaws. As we do some literal spring cleaning, it would be good to clean up some of these details. March 2011 You are a Bridge to the World Last week I was in meetings with Jim Griffith. He is the founder of Griffith Coaching Network. He has planted five churches personally. Since 1996 he has assessed over 1900 church planting candidates, trained over 9000 planters, and coached over 1500 projects. He co-authored the book, The 10 Most Common Mistakes New Starts Make. He said some things that are not what I have heard from other books and training experiences I have attended in recent years. Following are some of my notes as we talked. If his thoughts resonate with yours, then take them and run. “Vision, Value, and Mission Statements have nothing to do with winning people to Christ.” The pastor spending time in the community and meeting people has everything to do with evangelism. He said that Church planters need to make 10,000 people contacts in the first two years of a plant if it is to succeed. He said pastors who are turning their church around need to spend at least 8 hours a week working in the community. He said we once judged a pastor’s faithfulness by how many hours they were in their office. No Longer! “Nothing good happens in the Pastor’s Office.” Yes, that is what he said. He suggested that alone in the office we think about how hard our life is, and wonder why the pastor in the next neighborhood has a larger church. He believes the way to evaluate pastoral work is to see how often the pastor is meeting with, networking with, and sharing with people in the community who do not attend the church. It is in strategic and chance encounters that the pastor has the opportunity to invite people, counsel people, and share the love of Christ with people who need Jesus. Though it is his/her job, every member of the church ought to make time for such Holy Spirit led encounters. I can hear “Time Clock Tom” say: “well how do we know if our Pastor is working then?” My answer is that the church will begin to grow and see new people visiting and new members joining. (Yea I know we don’t have members!) American working society is in turmoil because we have learned that showing up at work does not mean we are working! Jesus said we are to be “in the world, but not of the world.” Let’s get in the world again as salt and light in the darkness. See the golf course as your missional region; get involved in the chamber or county meetings not for political purposes but for strategic spiritual witness. Make friends with your neighbors, have a community cookout. As pastors and laity we must open doors to this lost world around us and pray every day that through those contacts we become bridges for the lost to find Christ. February 2011 Good News is For Sharing
I was thinking today about how God is blessing our Churches in Michigan! Oh, I know that we have churches that are struggling, but like the nightly news, we sometimes get bogged down with negative news and miss the good things that are happening. Let me point out some wonderful things God is doing. (I know I will miss some, but just off the top of my head.) We just finished our 29th Pastor's Institute. We had 58 in attendance and Jeff Jenness (A Church of God Treasure!) led us in a great three days of learning, devotion, rest. If you have not attended a Pastor's institute at Yarrow...come next year...the food alone is worth the price of admission. I was just speaking with Phil Palmer, who has reentered pastoral ministry at the Burlington Church of God. This church a few years ago was in severe decline but today is running almost 100 every Sunday! Member and former pastor of the church Rev. Wayne Halbleib just got back from Lebanon where he helped build a broadcast building for our International Radio Program, Christians Broadcasting Hope. I spoke last Sunday at Centre Avenue Church of God in Portage. This church also a few years ago was declining, but under the leadership of Pastor Richard and Diane Hertzel the congregation is averaging about 55 on Sunday morning and they just finished a major renovation with new restrooms, and enlarging their fellowship hall and it was all done debt free! Did you know that Clarkston Church just put in its first charging station so you can go to church in your electric car and refuel while worshipping! Demetrius Booker and Bob Confer are with a large group from First Church in St. Joseph, building a church in Paraguay. They started from scratch and when they leave next week the building will be finished! Dr. Herbert Banks and many churches in Flint are teaming together to bring spiritual revival to Flint. This will probably be the largest evangelistic thrust in Flint in a quarter century. Pastor Mike Harris from Crossroads Community Church in Howell is serving on a mission team to Africa right now. Hope Community Church of God in Niles had a great year of reaching the lost, growing to be the third largest Church of God congregation in Michigan. Floyd Church of God celebrated its 100th Anniversary last Sunday. Floyd is experiencing its largest attendance in its history under Pastor Jeff Eckman and Associate Pastor Bill Carafino. Happy Anniversary. Belding Church of God is progressing on a new addition required The Church of God is preparing for a North American-wide forty days of prayer and fasting. See "Focus Forty" below. We are trusting God for spiritual renewal, many persons coming to Christ as Lord and Savior, and new sense of unity as we storm the gates of Hell! This is African American History Month. Our movement has been shaped by great leaders like Dr. James Earl Massey, Rev. Raymond S. Jackson, Dr. Samuel Hines, Dr. Benjamin Reid, Dr. Edward Foggs, Rev. Ronald Fowler, Rev. Marcus Morgan, and many more. Take time to read about or from the works of these great leaders. The scripture tell us rejoice with those how rejoice with those who rejoice...let us do so...there is much for which we can praise our God! January 2011 Not Just Any Road Will Do There is an old saying that goes "If you don't know where you are going any road will get you there." As you approach this New Year do you know where you want to take your church? If you do not have a clearly defined goal in mind you will end up doing what you did last year and the year before that. When we don't know what to do we do what we know. Too many of us measure our success by how many hours we work rather than by what we produce. I would recommend that as you begin the New Year you spend some time deciding what the church will be like by the end of the year. What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the year? What are we as a church supposed to produce? Jesus said go and make disciples of all nations. Since this is the command of Jesus several questions will help us set some goals and strategies. How many persons do we (meaning the Church) hope to win to Christ this year? How many people do we hope to baptize into the Church? How many people will be in discipling relationships this year? How many people will know how to share their faith and lead someone to Christ this year? The answers to these questions provide outcomes that can be measured at the end of the year. Yea, Pastor Bill, but I have no control over many of these things...Right you do not. These outcomes give you specific things to pray for. They give you a way to measure your progress. Another old adage says "If you aim at nothing you will hit it." This New Year let's aim to fly higher and accomplish more than we did in 2010. If you are not sure how these will be accomplished that is okay. Gil Rendle and Susan Beaumont writing in the summer 2010 Congregations Magazine say in today's world "the leader who believes that he or she needs to know not only what is to be done but how to do it is a barrier to ministry." (p. 18). In ministry we do not know what the next year or even the next week will bring. Neither do we know who will find Christ or your church nor do we know what gifts, passions and abilities those new persons bring with them. God is the supplier and we are the laborers in His vineyard. Set goals that need God to make them come to fruition. Be willing to be measured; to be held accountable. Our Churches need leaders who have listened to God and are willing to step out in faith and attempt great things for Him! The Church needs leaders who after spending time in prayer and seeking God's face with confidence can say: "This is where we are going; I don't know exactly how we will get there, but with God's help we do all we can to get there!" It is my prayer that every pastor will lead every church in our movement to accomplish great outcomes, measurable outcomes of evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development. Not just any road will do. December 2010 God's Plan
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NLT). This is the Christmas story from Jesus' lips. If you loved everyone, how would you try to save them from catastrophe? If your mission is to get as many people to heaven and keep as many people as possible from hell, what would you do? I would pull together the best minds to plan a large scale information blitz to be sure that all persons heard the gospel. I would plan concerts all over the world, and I would find the best preachers in the world to present the Gospel message. I would create websites and blogs and inundate Facebook and Myspace with the wonderful message of the Gospel of Christ. In America I would flood billboard space with the message of Christ's love, his death on the cross for all persons, and his glorious resurrection; promising eternal life. I would organize conventions and create foundations. But after reading the book Radical by David Platt (Multnomah, 2010), I am pretty sure that is not what Jesus would do. Jesus thinks so differently! He came with the mission described above to save the world. And he spent all his time wandering the streets of Palestine with a few men. " (Platt, David, Radical, Multnomah, Colorado Springs, CO. 2010, p. 88.) He was initiating a revolution, but his revolution would not revolve around masses or multitudes. Instead it revolved around a few men." He was going to change the world, his worldwide plan of transformation revolved around just a few people. Look with me at John 17 as Jesus prays his priestly prayer at the end of his ministry. One might think when Jesus spoke in that prayer of "completing the work" (vs. 4) the Father had sent him to do, he would talk about his miracles. He hushed the wind and waves...he healed the blind and deaf...he fed the masses with fish and bread...he walked on water...for heaven's sake, he raised the dead. Instead, he says: I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. (vs. 6) I gave them the words you gave me. (vs. 8) They knew with certainty that I came from you. (vs. 8) All glory has come to me through them. (vs. 10) While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe. (vs. 12). (NIV. John 17. 1984.) These disciples were his plan. He lived for them. "These eleven guys were the small group responsible for carrying on everything Jesus had begun." (Op.Cit. Platt, p. 89.) In this age of mega-(you name it), Jesus' plan has not changed. He called each of us to personally take on the challenge of making disciples one by one. History tells us that D.L. Moody was won to Christ by a shoe salesman who believed it was his job to make disciples. You never know when you might be the next "shoe salesperson" to win the next great preacher, evangelist, or missionary to Christ. We dare not hide behind the smokescreen that we are not gifted as evangelists. The Great Commission is for all of us to be witnesses in our Judea, Samaria, and the outermost parts of the earth. This Christmas and New Year please make a commitment to boldly love your neighbor, your friend, your co-worker enough to tell them that Jesus wants them in heaven. That is why he came, born of a virgin, lying in a manger. Merry Christmas, November 2010 91st General Assembly Great Success On November 5 and 6 Pastors, Associates, and Representatives from most of our Churches in Michigan gathered to be encouraged, to network, and grow in Christian Maturity. Rev. Dr. Richard Mansfield spoke with great humor and power that we are not competitors but companions with one another, and other churches where we live. He challenged us to seek God's Spirit to become again passionate about our faith and our mission to win the world to Christ. He spoke from the story of Elisha and the floating axe head, to have great faith and believe God to do great things through us. You can listen to each great service by downloading his messages from our Web site on the Media page. Timely conferences on Prayer, Proper Church Governance, Whole Life Stewardship, and Expanding Ministry through Multi-site Ministry. The 2011 budget was overwhelmingly approved. The spirit of our Assembly was wonderful. Thanks to Isadore Small, our Chair, and Dr. John Davey and the Program Committee for putting together such an inspirational event. The program booklet and the information shared at our G.A. is available on our Web site. Dr. Jones and Rev. Demetrius Booker set before us the challenge of change. Many of our congregations need to begin a new life-cycle to create a transformational future. Pastor Booker desires to speak with any church that would like to know more about what that means. Significant Milestones were celebrated in our colleague's lives. Rev. Darryl Babcock (Millington Church of God in Millington), Rev. Steven McDaniel (Faith United Church of God in Grand Rapids), and Dr. David Lunn (Joseph Campau Avenue Church of God in Detroit) were honored for 15 years of service to their respective congregations. Reverends Paul and Diana Stover were honored for twenty-five faithful and effective years of ministry here in Michigan. Finally, we celebrate with the following individuals as they were approved for various levels of credentials with the Church of God: Commissioned Denise Latham-Willis, Community Church of God, Ypsilanti. David Mulherin, New Creation Church of God, Flint. Michael Simmons, First Church of God, Greenville. Licensed Michael Case, Hilltop Church of God, Flint. Benjamin Kreider, First Church of God, Alma. Ordination Joshua Manning, Calvert Park Community Church of God, Burton. Cathleen Sprowl, First Church of God, Alpena. Ross Tarantino, Crystal Springs Church of God, Benton Harbor. We congratulate these servants as they achieve a new level of recognition and responsibility in the Body of Christ October 2010 Pastor Appreciation Month Each October churches across America are encouraged to show special appreciation to their Pastor and her/his family. It is not too late to plan something special. Your Pastor teaches from the Word of God each week. He/she is with you in the hospital and times of tragedy. Your Pastor officiates at weddings and funerals. They help to plan and implement the ministries that reach those separated from Christ in your community. They participate in evening meetings almost every week of the year. They provide wise counsel that is often not heeded. Pastors are often called home from vacation or asked to leave the warmth of their home in the middle of the night to care for those in trouble. These wonderful persons who care for your soul and the souls of those in your church and community deserve to be lifted up and encouraged. We have all heard the jokes about having a job where you only work one day a week. Though it is often meant to be humorous, those pastors (the majority) work many more hours than the average work week, and receive less pay than the average worker. So, believe me, when one makes fun of the work ethic of the Pastor, it hurts. Pastor appreciation should take place weekly as the called servant of God serves both in the church and in the community. October was set aside many years ago as Pastor Appreciation Month. Whether or not your church does something for the pastor, make sure you do. It can be as simple as a card and as extravagant as a weekend away at a nice resort. I have been pastor of two wonderful churches here in Michigan. Sears and Mio took great care to show Jalene and me that they appreciated our hard work and commitment to the Kingdom. We will always be grateful for their kindnesses. These churches would be so creative that Jalene and I looked forward to October, because we knew something fun was going to happen. If you are a church leader, be sure to appoint a committee or a creative person to plan your Pastor Appreciation event or activities. Make it a time of celebration for the whole congregation. Those who have been charged with the care of your souls deserve to be lifted up. We are told that there are fewer and fewer people going into the pastorate. If your Pastor is serving the church and community well; do all you can to love them and keep them lifted up. Your Pastor is a difficult person to replace! For more reasons why this is important and to find great ideas for this month go to www.pastor-appreciation.net. To all our Pastors and Associates in Michigan…Have a great month for you are greatly valued! September 2010 What Are Pastors of Growing Churches Thinking? Leadership conducted a survey in May 2008 asking nearly 700 evangelical pastors how their perceptions of the gospel and mission currently compare with their understanding a decade ago. The results clearly indicate that pastors' attitudes and beliefs are shifting. Whatever the particular cause for the shift in these pastors' ideas regarding the gospel and mission, five changes are gaining momentum in congregations all across the country: Affirming the whole gospel Not looking to a mega-church model Focusing on making disciples Encouraging a missional mindset as a means of spiritual formation Establishing partnerships to advance the gospel From proclamation to demonstration Today I want to comment on these five changes and how they affect our churches in Michigan. First, pastors are not looking to the mega church to provide a model for their ministry. This is a good thing since only about 1% of all churches in America would be considered mega churches. The best places to look for models for your congregation are churches that have attendance of 100-200 people more than you. It is also critical to use models that come from a similar culture, i.e. rural, suburban, city, or inner city. Second, pastors are focusing on making disciples. The emphasis here is away from getting "converts" and toward helping people develop a living relationship with Jesus. In the Great Commission, Jesus said: "go into all the world and make disciples." Disciples are people who are devoted and faithful to Jesus Christ as the ruler of their lives. Third, pastors are helping people develop spiritually by teaching them to serve those in their community and the world. This kind of discipleship stems from Jesus' teaching on leadership. Jesus said; "He would be greatest among you must be servant of all." (Matthew 23:11). Jesus' definition of spiritual greatness is not found in how much knowledge one possesses, but how well one serves. Fourth, pastors are establishing partnerships to extend the Kingdom. This has become a necessity in our culture. Very few churches have the expertise and resources to serve their community. When we work together with sister congregations ... Church of God and non-Church of God we witness to our unity in Christ and our common commitment to His mission. Fifth, pastors are realizing that we cannot just say from the pulpit that God loves the world. We must say with our hands and feet that God loves every one of those he has created. John Maxwell said long ago, "that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." This saying has always been trite, but it is also very true. To say you love and not show it is a "clanging symbol." I applaud our churches that make a concerted effort to show Christ's love to a hurting and dying world. As a Pastor in Michigan, what are you thinking? What is your vision for the church? How are you communicating your vision? What is your plan to accomplish God's will for your life? There is an "old saying," that if you aim at nothing you will hit it. This is a great time to set goals, and communicate vision. Let your congregation know what you are thinking. Make those goals and that vision a matter of prayer with your people. See what great things God will do! August 2010 Reacting, Responding, Initiating “Stuff” happens. I received a text message from my wife. She and her sister are stuck at Detroit Airport…their flight was canceled. What do you do when the unexpected happens? What do you do when things don’t go your way? Seth Godin in his book, Tribes, says that when deciding what to do we react, respond, or initiate. Reaction is the easiest thing to do. It is also usually the worst thing to do. Zig Ziglar says that react is what your body does when you take the wrong medicine. It is what we say when we hit our thumb with a hammer. We react with words and actions that are more instinctive. Reactions are not thought out and they often get us into trouble. When Jalene told me her flight was canceled and she was stranded for an extra five hours, my reaction was bad thoughts about that terrible airline. Some people live their whole lives reacting to everything that comes their way. It is the easiest way to live, but it is the least productive way to live. We have all known preachers who strike out at news, disasters, and crises. Reactionary preaching often hurts someone. Churches should do as little reacting as possible. Reaction is the easiest thing to do but the least productive. Responding is the next easiest thing to do. It is a much better alternative. The world is responding still to the earthquake in Haiti. Our nation is responding to the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Responding involves thinking through what can and should be done. Responding is usually productive. It is not necessarily easy because it takes thinking and planning. But it is easy because the need is clearly defined. When I thought for a moment about Jalene and her sister being stranded, my response back to her was, “perhaps the Lord saved you from a crash?” Response is not as easy as reaction because it takes some thought and planning. Churches are regularly called on to respond to death, to disaster, to critical needs. Initiating is the hardest. Godin says, “Initiating is really and truly difficult, and that is what leaders do.” (Godin, Seth, Tribes: We need You to lead us, Portfolio, NY, NY. 2008 p. 86.) Initiating involves seeing needs that others are ignoring and setting out to meet those needs. It is hardest because the need is not necessarily obvious and the meeting of the need may take sincere thought, planning, and sacrifice. Our congregations around Michigan need to be willing and ready to respond in times of emergency, but we also need to become a body of people looking for opportunities to meet needs in our communities with the love, generosity, and power of the Gospel. If you are a small church you may be able to only move on one initiative right now, but move. Larger congregations may be able to attack several needs all at once, but attack. Christ has not called us to a holy huddle but to a fierce battle for the lives of women, men, and children. Do we believe that Jesus is the answer? Then let’s address a question. Do we believe that Jesus transforms lives? Then get in relationship with lives that need him. Do we believe that Jesus heals the sick and binds up the broken hearted? Then let’s go to the sick and the needy with Christ’s healing balm. May we be less and less reactionary, and become more and more purposeful in our ministries! July 2010 Passion to Win People to Christ During my Sabbatical I visited the Anderson School of Theology. I was impressed with the fine women and men who are studying there to serve Christ in many different fields. In one discussion the topic of church growth came up. The comment made by one young person was that all the older ministers care about are numbers; while we are more concerned with loving people and helping them grow spiritually. I have also received similar comments from leaders in churches who are very proud about the spiritual depth of their congregation, but would rather not talk about how many people have received Christ and been baptized in the last year. I have heard believers criticize the larger churches in their region because they were, “a mile wide and an inch deep.” It is to this topic that I would ask you to think with me and enter a dialogue. What is the calling and purpose of God’s people? Some would say the Great Commission (“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[b] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt. 28 NLT), others would say the Great Commandments (37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[e] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[f] 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matt. 22 NLT). Yet some might speak the words of Jesus in Nazareth: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,” (NIV). What is our calling and purpose…all of these! Christian friend, if someone criticizes you for being concerned about numbers, remember every number has a name. Every soul is important to God. It is God’s intent that none should perish, but that all would come to eternal life. Yes, we must be concerned with numbers because each number is a person for whom Christ died. For those who would speak badly of church growth, we must remember that every church must grow by about 4% per year just to keep up with those who move away or die. For attendance to stay even means a church must grow. Churches grow by transfer and by conversion growth. Both types of growth will occur in a healthy church. Is your church on a plateau? Then you are growing by about 4%. Is your church in decline? Then you are in trouble, for extended decline leads to a time when the congregation can no longer sustain itself. I am not advocating bigger buildings and I am certainly not advocating gathering a crowd. Remember, going into a barn does not make you a horse, and going into a church does not make you a Christian. I am advocating that we cannot lose our fervor for those who are separated from God and have no hope of heaven. Jesus said he came to seek and to save the lost. As his followers we must carry the same burden. Evangelism, discipleship, community service, healing the sick, and mending the broken are not mutually exclusive ministries. Combined they make a church into what Christ wants it to be: a city set on hill, a light in the darkness, leaven that lifts society, and salt that flavors our world with the love, mercy, and power of Jesus. Keep your fire burning for those who need Christ! February 2010 A Message from State Pastor It is hard to believe that I have now served the Church of God in Michigan as your State Pastor and Overseer for nine and one half years. It is time that I take a needed and much appreciated Sabbatical from March 1-June 1 of this year. Our office will continue to provide its full range of services during my absence. Our staff looks forward to serving you during my Sabbatical. Thanks in advance to Pastors Demetrius Booker, James Sparks, Robert Dulin, Dave Perry, and Mike Stadelmayer for faithfully and effectively covering for me. Trinidad-Tobago Mission Trip a Great Success On January 30, 2010, twenty-two persons headed to Arima, Trinidad, to help Pastor Clinton Providence and his congregation. Our goal was to lay almost 9000 square feet of ceramic tile in the sanctuary, to provide Vacation Bible School for the children of the area, as well as teach, preach, and share in any way the church could use us. Eleven men and eleven women came from ten different congregations. African American and Caucasian, we ranged in age from 17-79 years old. We did lay the tile and host 51 kids in VBS. Demetrius Booker, Jerry Lyon, Wendell Thompson, and I spoke in four different churches. Pastor Booker and I also spoke on a radio program heard all around the Caribbean. We were able to visit three churches where we have done work in the past. We made friends that will last a life-time. Though we were busy, we experienced the Lord’s presence and blessing in the midst of our labor and our new found friendships. Our team worked hard and represented the Church of God in Michigan well! Below is a statement from Pastor Providence about our work and especially the young people who went with us. “Greetings to you, Pastor Booker, and the work campers in the name of Jesus. On behalf of the Church of God Centre of Ministries, and the General Assembly of the Church of God of Trinidad & Tobago; I extend heartfelt appreciation and thanks to you and the group for the labor of love and accomplishment during your time with us. You have demonstrated the very essence of John 13:34-35 to our people. The fellowship we shared transcends monetary appraisal. I was especially touched by the young members of the group. Their commitment and sense of purpose will serve as an inspiration to our adolescents. I pray that they stay connected to Jesus. We appreciated having Dr. Jones and his family with us. Both of you are models of the servant leadership concept that is so vital to the mission of the Church.” Those “young members” he speaks of worked and loved in amazing ways. They were Andrea Tippin, Hannah Bilby, Chelsea Thompson, Deanne Perry, and Jaela Jones. I want to say thank you to the following churches that sent, supported and prayed for this vital mission experience. Lansing, Pennway January 2010 I am reading a book right now by Jim Collins (Good to Great) titled How the Mighty Fall, (2009, Harper Collins). It is a very intriguing look at why businesses that once were great and profitable failed. It is a fascinating read, and I believe has great insights for Churches that are experiencing success. Collins suggests that one of the reasons that businesses fail is that they place a low percentage of the right people in the right places. In church the question is… “do we have the persons with the right Spiritual Gifts for the right ministry?” When I was pastor of smaller churches, I did not worry about giftedness as much as willingness. If “Sister Jones” was willing to take the teens to the roller rink; I had filled a spot, even though it was unwise for her osteoporotic bones. I, unfortunately have burned out many a willing Sunday School teacher, because they were willing to teach the two’s and three’s class but their giftedness was in the area of craftsmanship. How can you tell when someone is doing ministry outside of the area of their gifts? They find no joy, they are not effective, and they quickly burnout. In 1st Corinthians 12:18 the Apostle Paul states that “God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” In this same chapter verse 7 he says that these gifts are given for the common good. When the right people are in the right place, the church functions well. Collins makes an insightful statement about this principle when he writes: “One notable distinction between wrong people and right people is that the former see themselves as having “jobs,” while the latter see themselves as having responsibilities.”1 In the church we could substitute ministries for responsibilities. It is the difference in describing one’s self as a “youth leader” or as “one who loves teens and helps them find Jesus.” If asked, are you an “usher” or one who welcomes and assists those who come to worship? It is much better to be a trusted spiritual leader than a “board member.” Are you a “Pastor,” or one who is ultimately responsible for the spiritual well-being of your congregation and community? You are the right person if your title is not important, but you feel responsible for the calling that God has given. God wants his Church to function with passion and purpose. He does not want a legion of burned out saints, but an army of fulfilled men and women serving Him with vigor. God has placed each one of us in the body just as he wanted us to be. Have you found your place? Are you fulfilled? Would you describe your ministry as passionate? If not…seek the Lord, and talk with your pastor. Learn your gifts and where to use them. There is no more exciting place in life than when you are in your “sweet spot” in ministry. It is my prayer that you will find that spot and be blessed in building Christ’s Kingdom this New Year!
Demetrius Booker
Connie Graham
Robert Dulin
Dave Perry
Jim Sparks
Mike Stadelmayer
Goldie Kurtzhals
Becky Kurtzhals
People often try to reposition themselves after failure, when they should do so when they are succeeding. The greatest personal questions we can answer are who we are and where we belong. The scripture has much to say about these two questions.
Early in our careers we think in shorter terms of four to five years. It is hard to visualize beyond that length of time. After a few years of success we begin to visualize our future twenty to thirty years down the road. Thinking where we want to be and what we want to do in the long-run of life helps us choose wisely today.
"There is a high correlation between achievement and the ability to come to terms with life's basic questions." says Drucker, "I think most successful people are those who have a strong faith..." There should be a strong correlation between being a Christ Follower and impacting one's community.
Drucker states, "The only worthy goal is to make a meaningful life out of an ordinary one." We should set our sights on what really matters...character, Christlikeness, family, sharing the Gospel, forgiving, and reconciling.
"One has to be flexible, ready to seize the right opportunities when they come. Too much planning can make you deaf to opportunity." Over planning may cause us to miss the leading of the Holy Spirit. There a balance here. We should plan like its all up to us and pray for it is all up to God.
If you do not respect a job , not only will you do a poor job of it, but it will corrupt you." This is why great teachers, servers, and helpers become disappointed when they are "promoted" to a leadership positions...they value doing over governing...and there is a huge difference! We find fulfillment when we do what we value.
How do you want to be remembered? Most of us won't change the world, but there can/should be a group of people who will say, that our life made a difference for them. Making a difference in a few lives is a worthy goal. In whom are you investing so their life will be better, so they might do even greater things than you?
Our early life is often judged by what we have produced. As we get older we may not have the energy or strength to work like we once did. The second half of life may be more about harvesting what we have planted. There comes a day when the good seed we have sown begins to bring a harvest that is five, ten, and twenty fold what we planted. This is when the lives we have touched begin multiplying what we have done.
This is where productivity and accountability come into play. The old maxim says that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Jesus cursed the fig tree because it did not produce fruit. Faithfulness and fruitfulness go hand in hand. Drucker says that those with good intentions should partner with others who have expertise, knowledge, and discipline to get things done. (Ask Demetrius Booker pastordb1@sbcglobal.net) about how our Consultation Ministry for it is such a partnership!)
We all need to make a commitment to lifelong learning. There is always more to learn and more grow. When we quit growing...we begin dying.
Connie Graham, Staff Administrator
Randy Bennett, MC
Terry Blackford, Sold Out...Missional Ministry in Kalamazoo
Dick Forsman, State Youth Choir
John Grafton, Planning Professional
Jenny Haskins, Artist Contracts and Miller Auditorium Direction
Leo Robinson Jr., MC, and Videographer
Jim Sirks, Friday Night Pizza Party MC
Dan Steenbergh, Air games and gym tournaments.
Doc Stevens, Medical and all around support
Miranda Turner, Prayer Room and Communion
Dave Mason, Security
Dan Thomas, Security
Pastor Bill
Our State Youth Convention is May 20-21
Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Pennway Church of God in Lansing
Brothers and Sisters,
because of effective Kingdom Growth...Well done Pastor Kelly Munger and
Belding Church!
Pastor Bill
Dr. William H. Jones
Jackson, New Horizons
Redford, Lighthouse Community
Flint, Holbrook Avenue
Flint, West Court Street
Greenville, First Church of God
Niles, Hope Community
Grand Rapids, Faith United
South Haven, First Church of God
Ithaca, Edgewood
1. Collins, Jim. How the Mighty Fall, 2009 Harper and Collins, p. 57.