CHURCH OF GOD
Evangel JULY 2016
MEDITATION • FASTING • SERVICE
CONFESSION • SECRECY • PRAYER
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
Contents
july 2016
volume 106 n issue 7
SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES are for all Christians. They are Biblical practices that help believers grow closer to God. Paul told Timothy, “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; . . . godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:7-8 NASB). • We should meditate on God, His works, and His Word (Ps. 63:6; 77:12; 119:15). • We must “confess our sins” (1 John 1:9). • We should do good deeds “in secret” (Matt. 6:4). • We should “pray . . . in the secret place” (v. 6 NKJV). • There is time for feasting, and a time for “fasting and . . . mourning” (Joel 2:12). • We must “serve one another” (Gal. 5:13).
spiritual disciplines 10 The Cleansing of Confession by Charles Hollifield Covering our sins is ruinous. 12 Off-the-Platform Ministry by M. Darrell Rice The discipline of secrecy 14 Do You Practice Fasting? by Morris Chalfant Adding power to prayer
15 Catching Fish... and Hearing God’s Voice by Robert Morris God still speaks.
16 Let’s Pray Together in Nashville by Doug Small We must hear from God. 21 A Call Beyond Ourselves by William Lamb Sacrificial service columns 22 Obey Your Deepest Thirst by Sharon Arthurs 5 In Covenant, Mark L. Williams Meditate on God’s Word. 7 On My Mind, Lance Colkmire 34 Church of God Chronicles, David Roebuck features departments 24 A Living Epistle in Newark by Lance Colkmire Interview with Clive McBean 4 Ministry Snapshot
6 By the Numbers 26 Missions Motivates This Church by Christopher Moree 8 Currents Cooper City Church of God 17 GlobalConnect
30 Viewpoints 28 Equipping the Church for Ministry 32 People & Events Church of God Discipleship Division EVANGEL • july 2016
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PUBLICATIONS MINISTRIES DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR M. Thomas Propes DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS Terry Hart MANAGING EDITOR Lance Colkmire CENTRAL DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Robert McCall
MINISTRY SNAPSHOT Through the ministry of New Hope Church of God (Harlan, KY), 18 women from a local rehabilitation center were recently baptized at Martin’s Fork Lake. Six local Church of God congregations came together to give a study Bible to each woman, as well as provide food and transportation for this special event.—Debbie Vanover
CFO Wayne Walston PRINTING DIRECTOR Mike Burnett
EVANGEL STAFF EDITOR Lance Colkmire EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Elaine McDavid COPY EDITOR Esther Metaxas GRAPHIC DESIGNER Bob Fisher
EDITORIAL AND PUBLICATIONS BOARD Tony D. Cooper, Les Higgins, Ray E. Hurt, David W. Jarvis, Cheryl Johns, Antonio Richardson, T. Dwight Spivey
INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Mark L. Williams, David M. Griffis, J. David Stephens, Wallace J. Sibley, M. Thomas Propes
CHURCH OF GOD congregations meet throughout the United States and in more than 180 other countries. To find a church and times of services near you, access the church website, www.churchofgod.org, or fax your request to 423-478-7616. Publication of material in the Evangel does not necessarily imply endorsement of the Church of God. The Church of God Evangel (ISSN 0745-6778) is edited and published monthly. n Church of God Publishing House, 1080 Montgomery Ave., P.O. Box 2250, Cleveland, TN 37320-2250 n Subscription rates: Single subscription per year $17, Canada $24, Bundle of 15 per month $17, Canada $28, Bundle of 5 per month $7.50, Canada $11.25 n Single copy $1.50 n Periodical postage paid at Cleveland, TN 37311 and at additional mailing offices n ©2016 Church of God Publications n All rights reserved n POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Evangel, P.O. Box 2250, Cleveland, TN 37320-2250. (USPS 112-240)
If you have a ministry photo to be considered for this page, send it to
[email protected].
Church of God DECLARATION OF FAITH WE BELIEVE: 1. In the verbal inspiration of the Bible. 2. In one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 3. That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor. 4. That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins. 5. That justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. 6. In sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost. 7. Holiness to be God’s standard of living for His people. 8. In the baptism with the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart. 9. In speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost. 10. In water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 11. Divine healing is provided for all in the Atonement. 12. In the Lord’s Supper and washing of the saints’ feet. 13. In the premillennial second coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth a thousand years.
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MEMBER OF THE EVANGELICAL PRESS ASSOCIATION AND THE INTERNATIONAL PENTECOSTAL PRESS ASSOCIATION
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14. In the bodily resurrection; eternal life for the righteous, and eternal punishment for the wicked.
IN COVENANT mark l. williams general overseer
final thoughts
G
ROWING UP IN the 1970s, I remember watching The Carol Burnett Show. Each program closed with Carol dressed as a tired theater worker, sitting on an upside-down mop bucket, singing a closing theme written by then-husband Joe Hamilton, beginning with the line, “I’m so glad we had this time together.” My tenure as presiding bishop is quickly coming to a close, but before leaving I must say how honored I have been to meet you here each month. “In Covenant” has given me an opportunity to communicate heart-to-heart about issues we face and the relationship we share. It has been a pleasure of a lifetime. This month, the global constituency of the Church of God will gather in Nashville, Tennessee, for the 76th International General Assembly. Our theme of “GO!” signifies this to be a mission-advancing meeting. We will seek to inform, inspire, and mobilize our movement to join the Holy Spirit in helping to fulfill the purpose for which Jesus died. Focused attention will be given to vital issues such as urban evangelism and community outreach, multisite strategies for multiplication, leadership development, mentoring a new generation, the sanctity of marriage—all calling us to be in touch with the times without losing touch with the timeless. Together we will pray. We will worship God. We will hear the Word of the Lord from trusted voices. We will declare that all other gods are idols, but the Lord made the heavens (Ps. 96:5). In preparation for our gathering, I am particularly pleased to present this issue of the Evangel, for it calls us to a renewed commitment to spiritual growth.
Discipleship is a work of the heart, and spiritual growth leading to spiritual maturity is the goal of all sincere believers. We are not overly fond of the word discipline, for it suggests sustained effort toward the realization of a goal. It requires something of us. The objective of spiritual discipline is the training of our inner being. Although that development begins at salvation, it progresses only as we spend time in the Word of God and prayer. These two practices form the heart of spiritual discipleship and set the stage for further masteries. Richard Foster, in his classic Celebration of Discipline, and Dallas Willard, in his The Spirit of the Disciplines, outline numerous helpful practices, grouping them into useful categories. They identify inward, outward, and corporate disciplines. Inward disciplines include prayer, meditation, fasting, and study. Outward disciplines embrace simplicity, solitude, submission, and service. Corporate disciplines involve worship, celebration, and fellowship. Other writers add to the list with practices of frugality, chastity, and sacrifice. Practicing spiritual disciplines enables us to draw closer to God, become more like Christ, and submit to the guidance of the Spirit. The end result is spiritual growth toward maturity. It moves us in the direction of a life that is “perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4 NKJV).
The objective of spiritual discipline is the training of our inner being. Although that development begins at salvation, it progresses only as we spend time in the Word of God and prayer.
Now, the time has indeed come for me to say goodbye. I truly am glad we had this time together. The future is bright and the promises of God are certain. The Church of God belongs to Him, as does “the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen” (Matt. 6:13 NKJV). EVANGEL • july 2016
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BY THE NUMBERS
RELIGION IN EVERYDAY LIFE A NEW PEW RESEARCH CENTER study of the ways religion influences the daily lives of Americans finds people who are highly religious are more engaged with their extended families, more likely to volunteer, more involved in their communities, and generally happier with the way things are going in their lives. For example, 65% of highly Most people rely on their own research when making major life decisions; religious Amerihighly religious also rely on prayer. cans—defined as those who say they pray every day and attend religious services each week—say they have donated money, time, or goods to help the poor in the past week, compared with 41% who are less religious. And 40% of highly religious U.S. adults describe themselves as “very happy,” compared with 29% of those who are less religious. However, in several other 6
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areas of day-to-day life—including interpersonal interactions, attention to health and fitness, and social and environmental consciousness—Pew finds people who pray every day and regularly attend religious services appear to be very similar to those who are not as religious. For instance, highly religious people are about as likely as other Americans to say they lost their temper recently, and they are only marginally less likely to say they told a white lie in the past week. The Religious Landscape Survey asked U.S. adults whether each of a series of 16 beliefs and behaviors is “essential,” “important but not essential,” or “not important” to what their religion means to them, personally. Among Christians, believing in God tops the list; yet only 86% say belief in God is “essential” to their Christian identity. The survey shows a clear link between what people see as essential to their faith and their self-reported day-to-day behavior. Simply put, those who believe behavBelief in God, gratitude, forgiveness and honesty top ‘essentials’ of what it ing in a particular means to be a Christian. way or performing certain actions are key elements of their faith are much more likely to say they actually perform those actions on a regular basis. When asked where they look for guidance when making major life decisions, Americans overall say they rely more on their own research than on direction from experts. Among those who are highly religious, nearly 86% say they rely “a lot” on prayer and personal religious reflection when making major life decisions, which exceeds the share of the highly religious who say they rely a lot on their own research.
ON MY MIND lance colkmire editor
NARROW-MINDED? J UST SOUTH OF the TennesseeKentucky border, “Adult World” sits along I-75. Disgracing the end of a dead-end road, people have to pass by a 100-foot-tall metal cross to get to the smut shop. As I drove by that exit in May, Chris Tomlin’s song “White Flag” was playing on XM Radio. The refrain says, “Lift up the Cross; lift it high.” Is this not a snapshot of our society? Living in a sin-saturated world, Christians are called to lift up the story of the sinless One, who prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) as He hung on a wooden cross. Days earlier, Jesus had prophesied, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32 NET). Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is still attracting all people to Himself. His Spirit is drawing pornographers, addicts, prodigals, agnostics, atheists, hypocrites, idolaters, and everyone else. Those who say yes to His call will be saved; those who reject Him will be lost. R. C. Sproul remembers the first time he was asked if he believed Jesus is the only way to God. He was a college student,
and a professor asked him the question. After Sproul quietly said yes, the professor replied, “That’s the most bigoted, narrowminded, arrogant statement I have ever heard” (ligioner.org). Jesus made that exclusive claim about Himself, saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except though Me” (John 14:6 NKJV). Jesus said this for our benefit, revealing there is only one way to God . . . and He is the way. For two children in Indianapolis, there was only one way out when their family’s apartment caught on fire in May. The kids were screaming for help from a two-story window when a man showed up with a ladder and rescued them. News reporters did not call the man “narrow-minded” for providing the lone escape route. Instead, he was deemed a hero. When Jesus said He is “the Light . . . the Door . . . and the Way” (John 8:12; 10:9; 14:6 Amp.), He was declaring Himself to be the only way to escape the coming judgment. This is not a harsh, unloving statement; just the opposite, for God “does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent” (2 Peter 3:9 NLT).
Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) wrote: A fire broke out backstage in a theatre. The clown came out to warn the public; they thought it was a joke and applauded. He repeated it; the acclaim was even greater. I think that’s just how the world will come to an end: to general applause from wits who believe it’s a joke.
As Christians in a secular society, we are the “clowns”; or, as Paul put it, we are “fools for Christ’s sake” (1 Cor. 4:10). We are called to warn people about the fire, and lovingly point them to the only way of escape—Jesus Christ, who draws them to Himself. We are the rescued pointing others to the Rescuer. On my return trip from Kentucky in May, I took exit 141, drove past the giant cross, and stopped in the pot-holed parking lot of Adult World. Staying inside my car, I rolled down the window and took the photo you see here. Incredibly, as I drove away, Natalie Grant’s song “Clean” was playing on XM radio. She sang, “There’s nothing too dirty that You can’t make worthy,” and I thought of Christ’s offer to everyone inside that porn shop (and to the rest of us): “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9 NKJV).
Four ways to contact the editor: •
[email protected] • 423-478-7592 • Church of God Evangel on Facebook • Box 2250, Cleveland, TN 37320-2250
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CURRENTS The purpose of CURRENTS is to inform readers of trends and events influencing the culture.
Revival in the mountain state n ON APRIL 10, Church of God evangelist Matt Hartley began what originally was set as four nights of services at the Regional Church of God in Delbarton, West Virginia. Weeks later, spiritual fire was continuing to spread throughout the region. The timing of the Delbarton services coincided with a spiritual awakening in Logan High School, some 25 miles away. There, a student made news by preaching in the hallways, resulting in dozens of students accepting Christ. Then, when the Mingo Central High School’s prayer club (whose organizer had walked the school’s halls praying for revival for three years) invited Evangelist Hartley to speak, revival erupted in Delbarton. So many were saved that the prayer club received permission to host an abruptly planned second meeting in a larger setting. Word of mouth brought nearly 3,000 people to the school’s football stadium. About 450 students from Mingo Central received Jesus in those meetings, and youth pastors baptized students two at a time in an inflatable swimming pool at the 20-yard line. Other schools’ prayer clubs invited Hartley to speak at their assemblies by day, while he continued to preach the revival at Regional Church of God at 8
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night. The results were similar everywhere: 400 saved in one school, 100 in another, 40 in another, and so on. Four nights of revival extended into a week, and by the following Sunday, the attendance spilled out the doors of Regional’s building. With an attendance that had doubled from the previous Sunday, 600 people packed into the sanctuary and two overflow rooms, and the livestream was jammed with visitors. A quick decision was made to move the revival meetings to a municipal auditorium in a neighboring town, where the attendance number instantly doubled at Williamson Fieldhouse. The highest recorded number at this venue was 1,750 (in a county where the population is only 26,000). Nightly the altar was lined with people coming to accept Jesus, receive healing, be delivered from addictions, and receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Not knowing how long these meetings would continue and evolve, the services have been advertised only three or four days out, with the end date being whenever it seems is God’s timing. People have come from Florida, Texas, California, and elsewhere to experience this awakening. One couple with a telltale British accent said they were visiting the area, had heard the buzz about the revival, and came to wit-
ness it for themselves. This couple, among others, began to compare this outpouring to the Welsh Revival of 1904-1905, which changed the spiritual landscape of a coalmining culture on British soil. In Mingo County, opposition from the Freedom From Religion Foundation prompted the Board of Education to stop allowing the prayer clubs to have Hartley (and others) speak during the school day. However, Hartley continued to receive requests from other schools’ prayer clubs. At 31, Matt Hartley is a protégé of the late T. L. Lowery, and has been preaching for 14 years. He has a gripping testimony of being radically converted as a troubled teen who struggled with ADHD. Hartley preaches a straightforward, no-frills Gospel message in fiery form. Students easily connect with him. His newlywed bride, Blair, is an effective altar worker; she accompanies him through the crowds to help pray for people. Matt repeatedly uses the phrase “prepare to get wrecked” by God, and indeed that’s what God has done to church-asusual in this season of outpouring. When not in the pulpit, Matt is a quiet, unassuming young man. Even outside the church services, Matt and Blair’s conversation focuses on the things of God rather than the hot topics of the day. They infect others with a hunger for God because they themselves are hungry. More than 3,000 people have accepted Christ through this revival. Many of these are elementary, middle, and high-school students. As the revival gained notoriety in the region, several area churches canceled their midweek services to bring their congregations to experience the outpouring at Williamson Fieldhouse (and then at the Logan Coalfield Jamboree), draping a sweet spirit of unity over the region. Churches have joyously posted photos on social media of the scores of new converts being baptized. Congregations with once-stagnant attendance are striving to disciple new followers. At Regional Church, the carpet
barely had a chance to dry in the baptistery area from one baptism service till the next. At the time of this writing, revival services had moved to Logan County, hosted by the West Logan Church of God, for a few services. On May 14, 2,000 people attended a one-night service at the Logan High School football stadium, where The Ramp’s Casey Doss preached. When scheduling the original event at Delbarton back in the winter, the lead pastor of Regional Church, Mitchell Bias, told his staff, “I feel in my spirit that this is not going to be just any revival.” Those words have proven prophetic. In a region where unemployment, drug abuse, and despair have threatened to cripple the pure simplicity of its rural way of life, hope has come.—Lisa Crum, administrative assistant, Regional Church of God
hand on the plow in siberia n IN RUSSIA, missionary Justus Walker is dubbed “The Merry Milkman”—an apt nickname for the bearded dairy farmer with an exuberant laugh. Walker’s Russian adventure began at age 11. In 1994, his parents sold their Idaho home, packed up their four kids, and moved them across the globe to Siberia as missionaries. When his family returned to the United States several years later, Walker felt led back to Siberia. He returned alone and worked four years in a recording studio, helping Russian musicians produce original Christian hymns. He met his future wife, Rebecca, during a visit home. Returning to Siberia, they planted several churches. They now live with their three young daughters 2,900 miles east of Moscow in the rural village of Takuchet, Siberia. Walker has worked a secular job in each place they’ve lived because there aren’t enough people in one village to support a full-time pastor. Working in a trade provides income and allows them to
befriend the locals, which opens doors to share the Gospel. Eventually they realized if they recruited urban Russian Christians to duplicate their bi-vocational model in other rural towns, the Gospel could be shared more efficiently. After trying various occupations— boot repair, a hair salon, a sawmill, breadmaking—they finally found raising dairy cows or goats the best fit and easiest to duplicate. Facing numerous challenges through the years, they chose to trust God. Arsonists twice set fire to their home, and once someone killed all their goats. “It’s about remaining focused on Christ. Thankfulness produces contentment, contentment produces joy, and the joy of the Lord is our strength,” Walker said. Most disappointing, though, was the difficulty of getting Russian Christians to come train with them. They grew discouraged and, after 10 years of struggling, were tempted to give up. In 2014, due to tensions between Russia and the West, the European Union and the U.S. placed sanctions on Russian banking, and Russia retaliated with its own import-export restrictions on agricultural
products, forcing them to depend more on their own country’s agricultural resources. A local Russian television station contacted Walker to get his perspective as an American farmer working in Siberia. That interview eventually led to another with Russian national media, which included a Walker quote that went viral on YouTube. “All of a sudden, we went from feeling so isolated to being nationally renowned,” Walker said. “It goes to show that God can use even the corrupt media.” As a result of the video, Walker gained his nickname and major exposure. People began contacting him for advice for starting their own ministries. In a year and a half, the Walkers’ farming model stimulated 14 church plants in remote villages. They offer one-year internships on their farm, and Walker does consultations by phone and on location. He’s also busy doing conferences about once a month. He travels to larger cities with a threefold presentation about how to share the Gospel, the value of home education, and farming techniques. “God is faithful to do the work He’s called you to do,” Walker said. “Just keep your hand on the plow.”—Sandy Barwick (WNS)
Justus and Rebecca Walker with their children
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T
HE PASTOR’S HEART is failing, and immediate surgery is required. Quickly he is ushered into the operating room in a life-or-death crisis. With all equipment in place and the anesthesiologist ready to put him to sleep, the heart surgeon approaches the patient with these words: “Reverend, before I perform this surgery, there is a confession I must make.” With a weak smile of grace, the minister nods. The surgeon continues, “I have to tell someone that I cheated on my final exam in medical school.” Not the best timing for a confession. Confessions can be sticky. When to confess and to whom has always been an issue for Christians. Should I confess to someone even though they never knew about the deed? . . . Is confession mostly for my benefit, to get rid of my guilt—or even worse, to transfer my guilt to someone else? • A young man stands before the congregation and reveals a sin he committed while stationed in Europe. His misdeed involved no one in the church but himself, yet he pours out his soul, begging the church for forgiveness. • A high-profile minister weeps on national television, confessing his immoral deed. • In the closing Sunday service of a college convocation, students begin to confess various faults—from cheating on Bible assignments to having a critical spirit. The service lasts well until the early hours of Monday morning. What prompts a person to confess a fault, and what does the Bible have to say about it? James 5:16 gives a formula for confession: “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (NKJV). Proverbs 28:13 instructs, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (NKJV). First John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive
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THE CLEANSING OF
CONFESSION “People who conceal their sins will not prosper” (Prov. 28:13 NLT). by CHARLES HOLLIFIELD us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (NKJV). A confession is the admission of a fault, a misdeed, or a crime−all fall into the category of sin. Confession is a release of that cancer of the soul called guilt. Consider Jacob’s 10 oldest sons standing before the second-most-powerful man
in Egypt. They do not recognize this potentate as their brother Joseph, whom they had sold into slavery many years before. When Joseph presses them for honest answers, the amusing manner in which they deal with their guilt reveals the self-inflicted torture they had experienced over the years (Gen. 42:8-22). Even after
the death of Jacob, they continue to spin the circumstances in fear of Joseph’s possible retribution (50:15-18). Thomas Dewar said, “An honest confession is good for the soul but bad for the reputation.” The fear of a reputation being scarred is one of the hindrances to true confession. Even more so, the fear of the consequences can also be a problem for the confessor. The late Chuck Colson found himself in such a situation over his involvement in the Watergate scandal of the Nixon administration. He had been assured of an acquittal for the Watergate break-in; he was innocent of all charges. However, something deep in his soul, like a burning ulcer, brought him to a place of confession for another crime about which the prosecutors had no knowledge. Knowing he would spend time in jail if he confessed to the unknown crime, this new convert to Christ came clean. If we choose to hold onto our guilt, we can find ourselves in David’s place, as seen in Psalm 38: There is no soundness in our flesh—no health in our bones. Our wounds are foul and festering because of our foolishness. We groan because of the turmoil in our heart. Carrying guilt can also create a judgmental attitude as a smoke screen. If I can point the finger at someone else and expose their errors, perhaps I can dodge my own responsibility. The benefits of confession are greater. There is a release of the guilt; no more hiding. Cleansing comes. A friend of mine was a closet alcoholic for over 35 years. He served as a youth counselor, Church Council member, and Sunday school teacher. To all appearances, he was a model Christian. Finally, with the guilt overwhelming him, he resigned his adult Sunday school class without explanation, thinking that would help him deal with his inner integrity. It did not. Then one Sunday morning, sitting in the same class for which he had been a teacher, during a time of prayer requests, he stood up and proclaimed, “I need
prayer.” With tears streaming down his face, he declared, “I am an alcoholic.” As my friend related this experience to me, he said it was the most difficult thing he had ever done. To his amazement, the group gathered around him, many of them weeping, and Sunday school turned into a prayer service. He told me, “It was like a tub of sweet oil moved over my soul.” Today, my friend is a retired minister. After continuing his education and receiving a pastoral appointment, he suc-
All confession must first be made to God. cessfully planted a new church, pastored a second church, and began a recovery group in his community. Two factors brought about these blessings: first was his willingness to confess; second was the mercy and grace of the class members. He felt the need to confess to them because of the deception he had perpetuated as their teacher. The young man mentioned at the beginning of this article needed to confess, but not to the whole church, for they had no knowledge of what he had done in Europe. It would have been more appropriate to confess his fault only to his pastor. He would have experienced the same
release, but the church would not have lost confidence in him. The high-profile minister who confessed to the nation had in the past been very stern in his messages. He had openly pronounced hard charges against fellow ministers, proclaiming himself holy and even indispensable. His failure had offended the body of Christ; therefore his offense mandated a public confession. The all-night service following the college convocation began with sincere confessions of transgressions that affected the campus as a whole. As the evening progressed, however, the atmosphere led to confessions of personal offense and self-cleansing admissions (including my own) that could have been revealed only to the individuals who had been offended. All confession must be made first to God. People can be hurt, but it is God the Father who is most deeply offended. In Jesus’ parable, the Prodigal Son made a clear-cut confession to his father: “I have sinned against heaven and before you” (Luke 15:18 NKJV). Two words of caution: First, beware that the confession to your brothers and sisters in Christ is not a transference of attitude in which you cast some guilt on them. Second, the word if should never be used in a confession. You may not have intended the offense, but offended just the same. An if implies doubt; instead, just come clean. It should never be a problem to receive a sincere confession. God chooses to forgive confessed sin, and we must follow suit. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32 NKJV). Finally, no confession should be made without asking the one who has been hurt to pray for you. Job 42:10 says, “The Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends” (NKJV). Confession is good for the soul and cleansing for the character. Charles Hollifield is care pastor at Enon Church of God in Chester, Virginia. EVANGEL • july 2016
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OFF-THE-PLATFORM
MINISTRY
The Spiritual Discipline of SECRECY
W
HILE THE U.S. presidential candidates are discussing all sorts of threats to Americans—terrorism, illegal immigration, dirty bombs, cyber attacks, economic downturn—there is no mention of the things that actually threaten the quality of life of most Americans. Even more interesting, these clear and present dangers are mostly preventable. Things like heart disease, obesity, smoking, and alcoholism are the products of lifestyles, not events. At the end of the day, it’s the small, daily decisions that make or break a life; not big, dramatic moments. This reality also applies to our spiritual lives, especially as Pentecostals. We have tended to focus on the big, breakthrough moments—important and necessary as they may be—when it’s the small, daily decisions that make or break a Christian life in the long run. I’ve come to believe most life lessons are caught, not taught. When it comes to understanding and practicing the spiritual disciplines, it was necessary for me to see them in action in the lives of role models and mentors. I remember attending a conference as a young pastor some 30-plus years ago where a speaker recommended a new book—Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. That was 1978.
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by M. DARRELL RICE I purchased it in the conference resource center and began reading. After a while, I realized I had one eye on the text and another on people in my life who exemplified what I was reading, and that’s when extraordinary conviction gripped me. Up to then, my focus in spiritual development had been on what could be readily identified by those I served—the
“In the practice of secrecy, we experience a continuing relationship with God independent of the opinions of others.” —DALLAS WILLARD
public expressions of my ministry, often to the neglect of those hidden practices Foster was writing about: study, meditation, solitude, submission, confession, and so on. Although many of those practices were part and parcel to my “ministry,” their purpose served to enhance my public ministry rather than my own spiritual growth. Within 10 years of graduation from Lee College and enjoying “success” in ministry, I realized my dependence was on talent rather than the underlying, quiet, regular practices of those things that count when it comes to knowing God and representing Him in our world. I was living the tortoise-and-the-hare children’s story. Although my out-of-the-blocks race was impressive, colleagues whom I thought were “slower” than me in the talent arena were now blowing by me in their depth of spirituality often reflected in public expressions. A holy conviction, coupled with a sanctified competitiveness, set in. I seriously began a heartfelt path to spiritual growth. I certainly haven’t gotten it right all the time, but through reading and the help of God’s grace, it looks like I’ll beat the odds and serve in vocational ministry until retirement in a few years. But, frankly, competition with colleagues—in preaching ability, church growth, the opinions of others—was a motivator needing to be sanctified. One of the disciplines jumped out at me as
measure of my spiritual growth in this regard: secrecy. What exactly is the spiritual discipline of secrecy? It is choosing to perform acts of service for God without others knowing it is you performing them: avoiding selfpromotion; giving in secret; serving behind the scenes in a ministry that you are assured few will know about; not making your good deeds known except to God, so that He and others receive the attention. It is finding sufficiency in God alone. Here is where this article gets a bit tricky for me. After all, I’m writing a public article about a sacred secrecy that must remain so. I’m certainly not the paragon of spiritual growth, but my stumbling has brought life-lessons—many of which are the result of the practice of giving and serving in ways only God sees and knows. Therefore, my experiences must remain between the Lord and me. So without identifying my mentors, allow me to share a couple of ways they modeled this for me. I have a pastor friend who hosts the family of a single immigrant mother and her children for holiday meals. They’ve become part of his family. It started at a Thanksgiving many years ago when he discovered she and her three small children were all alone and broke. They were invited to spend Thanksgiving Day at the parsonage. After observing the loving care this mother extended to her three boys, the pastor and his wife decided to take the boys Christmas shopping to buy gifts for their mother. They gave the boys the cash they needed and watched them joyfully buy the gifts. Then the pastor’s wife took the single mother Christmas shopping for her boys, providing the funds. These were pre-Facebook days, so there were no public posts, pictures, or announcements. The pastor and his wife did what they did out of benevolent hearts in secret. No one to this day knows the care and provision they rendered their adopted immigrant family. The three boys are now grown with families of their own, and I am told the lessons they learned on Thanksgiving weekends year after year serve them to this day.
This is one of many examples a dear mentor taught me to abstain from making good deeds known and even taking steps to prevent them from being known—a necessary discipline for spiritual growth. A few years ago I was invited to serve on a lay-led spiritual life retreat called Tres Dias—three days of encountering the grace and presence of God. The pastor is called on to speak and pray on the weekend, but the greatest lessons rise from serving the lay leaders and giving up my normal role of being in charge. It’s a sequestered weekend retreat with extraordinary service acts performed in secret. Hidden in my heart are extraordinary lessons learned while “hiding out” with these dear brothers.
Back to the disciplines and life with Jesus. It’s easy to imagine the disciples lived in a constant state of shock-and-awe witnessing Jesus’ ministry and miracles. However, they spent most of their time with Him just following, watching, eating, talking, and listening. They got to know Him in the mundane. The mundane was their school of learning. So too are the spiritual disciplines. By practicing them, we get to know Jesus in the mundane, particularly in this specific area of secrecy. In The Spirit of the Disciplines, Dallas Willard said: “Few things are more important in stabilizing our walk of faith than this discipline. In the practice of secrecy, we experience a continuing relationship with God independent of the opinions of others (Ps. 31:2).” A 2015 Time magazine article, titled “Iron Man,” explored experiences of companies attempting to build a human-like robot. One statement jumped out at me: “Progress is glacial. . . . In robotics, if you don’t plan to fail, you’re going to fail. You have to just count on failure.” So too is the practice of secrecy and other spiritual disciplines. Failure is a necessary reality and part of the learning and development of our life in God. How do I know when I’m getting it right? Once again, I reference Dallas Willard: Secrecy at its best teaches love and humility before God and others. And the love and humility encourages us to see our associates in the best possible light, even to the point of our hoping they will do better and appear better than us. It actually becomes possible for us to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than [ourselves],” as Philippians 2:3 (NIV) advises. And what a relief that can be!
M. Darrell Rice is administrative bishop of the Church of God in the Heartland Region (Kansas and Oklahoma).
EVANGEL • july 2016
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DO YOU PRACTICE
FASTING? by
MORRIS CHALFANT
I
N THE SUMMER of 1876, the grasshoppers did much damage to the crops in Minnesota. In the spring of 1877, the farmers were worried because there was every indication this dreaded plague might destroy the rich wheat crop and bring ruin to thousands. The situation was so serious that Governor John S. Pillsbury proclaimed April 26 a day of prayer and fasting. He urged every man, woman, and child to ask God’s help against the terrible scourge. On that April day all schools, shops, stores, and offices were closed. There was a reverent hush over the state. What happened? The next day dawned bright and clear. Temperatures soared to midsummer heat. It was not normal April weather. Imagine the horror of the people when billions of larvae of the dreaded pest began wiggling into life. For three days the unusual heat persisted and the larvae were all hatched out, ready for their work of destruction. On the fourth day, however, the temperature suddenly dropped, and that night frost covered the earth. That frost 14
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killed the creeping, crawling locusts as surely as if poison or fire had been used. Grateful farmers never forgot that April 26. It went down in the history of Minnesota as the day God answered the prayer of the people. But the 1877 residents of Minnesota were not the first people to experience answers to prayer and fasting. The Scripture speaks of fasting approximately 55 times, with about an equal number of times in Old and New Testaments. The results of fasting are documented, but what does fasting really involve? According to Webster, to fast is “to practice abstinence from food voluntarily for a time as a religious exercise or duty.” However, it seems to be an increasingly common practice for us as Christians to enlarge on literal meanings of terms, practices, or instructions we find in the Bible—to “spiritualize” them, and thus rob them of their potency. Once the truth of the great Biblical terms, practices, or instructions becomes nebulous, it ceases to have any practical application. Its edges become blunted.
The great truth of fasting has suffered this from this practice. We are told, “Fasting is not simply abstaining from food, but from anything that hinders our communion with God.” Or, someone suggests, “Fasting means to do without, to practice self-denial.” It is true that there are many things besides food that may hinder our communion with God. It is also true that we need to practice self-denial in general. But the fact still remains that fasting means primarily not to eat. Fasting is a spiritual exercise. It strengthens and conditions the will. It is one of the quickest and most effective ways to reveal how much or how little authority we have over our bodies. We must have that authority or we cannot be victorious. Jesus employed the fast; His triumph over Satan in the desert followed a 40-day fast. It brought Him into unity with the Word, and that was the combination that defeated the devil. “Then the devil leaveth him” (Matt. 4:11). The apostles taught fasting and practiced it. Paul spoke of “[giving] yourselves
to fasting and prayer” in special seasons and on special occasions (1 Cor. 7:5), and also of ministers of God approving themselves in fasting, along with watchings and labors (2 Cor. 6:5). We are told in Acts 14:23 there was prayer “with fasting” when elders were ordained in every church. Fasting adds power to prayer that is obtained in no other way. Even a casual study of church history reveals how important fasting was to those who paved the way in spreading the Gospel around the world. Consider the early days of the powerful Methodist revival. John Wesley so believed in the importance of fasting he refused to ordain young men to the ministry who would not fast two days each week. Martin Luther fasted regularly, as did John Knox. Charles Finney said, “Sometimes I would find myself, in a great measure, empty of this power. I would go and visit, and find that I made no saving impression. I would then set apart a day for private fasting and prayer, fearing that this power had departed from me, and it would return upon me with all its freshness. This has been the experience of my life.” I’m grateful to have grown up under the tutelage of a mother who believed in and practiced the truth of fasting. During my rebellious teen years, Mother fasted three days during a revival for my salvation. Conviction gripped my heart, and I yielded my heart to Christ. Years later as I left for college, Mother declared Friday noon as the time she would fast and pray for her children. Throughout my adult life until her death on New Year’s Day 1976, I found great comfort and strength in knowing every Friday at noon Mother was beseeching heaven on my behalf. Jesus addressed His disciples, “When ye fast . . .” (Matt. 6:16). Let us not blunt the edge of this great truth; instead, let us make it an integral part of our lives.
C ATCHING FISH... AND HEARING GOD’S VOICE
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by ROBERT MORRIS
Y SON JAMES has always been an avid fisherman, ever since he was a young boy. He’s in his 30s today and busy with responsibilities at work and in family life. Yet when he was a boy, he was always watching TV shows about fishing, always reading books about fishing techniques, and always out fishing any chance he could get. One time we went to Colorado on a family vacation. A trout pond was nearby. James was 11 or 12 years old, and he wanted to fish that pond something fierce. First, he went to the pond, walked around it, and studied the area, and then he went to the local store and selected the bait he wanted. But when he took the bait to the counter to pay for it, the shopkeeper said, “Son, I’m sorry, but that bait won’t catch fish around here. The trout won’t touch that kind of bait.” I looked at my son, and he gave me a little nod, like he knew what he was doing and wanted this bait anyway. So I let him do what he thought was best. He was the fishing expert; I wasn’t. He purchased the bait. James went back to the pond. One side of the pond was already thick with fishermen, but James walked around to the other side of the pond to where no fishermen were. He baited his hook, threw his line in the water, and started catching fish, one right after another. Half an hour went by, and then an hour, and a funny thing started happening. One
by one, all of these grown men on the other side of the pond started asking James questions about what he was using. Slowly, they inched their way around the pond so they could fish closer to where he was fishing. Pretty soon, the whole crowd had moved to his side. What’s the point? Generally James knew how to fish really well. He studied fishing all the time, even when he wasn’t specifically trying to catch a fish. So when he specifically wanted to catch a fish, he knew exactly what he was doing, and he was able to catch many. Hearing God’s voice is like that. Every day we need to spend time in God’s presence so we hear God’s general voice. When we learn how to discern the general will of God on a regular basis, we are ready to hear God’s specific word. God comes to a prepared atmosphere. As we make and keep appointments to meet with God, we’ll learn to hear His voice. Do you value God’s voice? Do you value it so much that you regularly take time to hear Him? It’s important for us to set regular appointments to be with God in order to learn from His Word and to hear His voice. We may struggle to hear and recognize the specific word of the Lord for our lives if we don’t learn to seek and value the general word of the Lord through regular appointments with Him. To develop a regular time with the Lord, set an appointment, be still and worship Him, pray and read the Bible. Write down your prayers. Listen for His response. Jeremiah 29:13 holds out a wonderful promise to us. God says, “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (NKJV). Taken from Frequency: Tune In. Hear God, by Robert Morris. © 2016 by Robert Morris. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com EVANGEL • july 2016
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LET’S PRAY TOGETHER IN NASHVILLE
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by DOUG SMALL
NE HUNDRED YEARS ago, the Monday evening service of the 1916 General Assembly began with “songs, prayers, and mighty praises to our loving King,” the Minutes recorded. The next morning there were “songs and prayers and weeping and shouting.” During one of the evening sessions, after the last word of prayer, around 9:45 p.m., “The power of the Holy Ghost fell upon the mass of human beings, the brass band struck up wonderful music, and to describe what followed for 30 minutes would be impossible: the shouts, dancing, talking in tongues, music, weeping, and many manifestations of the Spirit of God.” Prayer was one of the principal purposes of that General Assembly. At the upcoming 76th International General Assembly in Nashville, delegates are asked to come to the Assembly and— given the challenges facing our world— pray! Beyond anything else that happens in Nashville, the church needs a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and that comes by prayer. General Overseer Mark L. Williams said: “Our General Assembly theme, ‘GO,’ signifies this is to be a mission-advancing meeting; one that will inform, inspire, and mobilize our movement to join the Holy Spirit in fulfilling the purpose for which Jesus died. The bottom line is that we want to hear from God. To that end we are saturating this meeting with prayer, gathering intercessors and prayer teams to bathe every moment of every day in holy, fervent, supplication.” Daily, the Prayer Room will be open at 7:00 for a Morning Glory prayer session, and remain open until service time in the evening. Prayer teams will rotate every three hours. Those who desire to join a 16
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prayer team can sign up at www.praycog .org/generalassemblyprayer. On Tuesday, July 19, General Overseer Mark L. Williams will lead Morning Glory. On Wednesday, J. David Stephens, second assistant general overseer, will lead the morning prayer. On Thursday and Friday, other church officials will lead in prayer, invoking God’s blessings on the day and asking Him to send revival to the church and awakening to the culture. Manna mealtime prayer services, at noon and at the dinner hour, will be held for the nations. The prayer leaders will be Peter Thomas (Africa), Ishmael Charles (Caribbean Islands), David Ramirez (Latin America), and Otoniel Collins (Central America). Hear fresh reports from mission leaders from around the world. In addition, there will be a special prayer service focused on Unreached People Groups. Videos will constantly provide a window on the world, lifting up the prayer needs of more than 100 nations. Faces and places representing those who have never heard the Gospel will be visually displayed with prayer cues. Individuals will be invited to adopt a people group for prayer and join a monthly unreached people update and call. The perimeter of the room will be filled with banners and prayer stations. Prayer exercises will be offered through-
out the day. A salvation board will allow folks to post pictures or write the names of people who need to be saved. A prophetic message board will record spiritual impressions. Anointing with oil will be available for the sick. There will be places for small-group prayer. And, if someone longs to find a corner for private prayer, the room will accommodate such. In the exhibit hall, the “People of the Cross” exhibit will allow registrants to view a display of Christian martyrs through the centuries, and encourage them to pray for brothers and sisters around the world who are experiencing persecution. Those wanting to submit a prayer need to the Prayer Room may do so by calling or texting the Church of God 24-7 Prayer and Crisis Referral Line, 855-514HOPE, during the meeting; or by sending an email to
[email protected]. Send prayer needs by Facebook and Twitter using #praycog. Those living near the Nashville area can send a prayer team for a day to experience the Prayer Room. The group will return home with ideas for prayer they had never considered. There is no charge to participate in the prayer activities at the Assembly. For more information, contact the prayer office at 704-996-5091.
Loving Our
MISSIONARIES Carolyn Dirksen, member, Church of God World Missions Board
Every day Church of God career missionaries wake up to exotic noises, wind their way through crowded streets, and eat foods their friends back home have never heard of. Thousands of miles from home, they are immersed in other cultures, speaking languages they are struggling to make their own. Whether or not they have access to top quality medical care, good local schools, and 21st century technology; whether or not they can come home when their parents are sick, play with their grandchildren, or save money for a comfortable retirement—all day, every day they persist in living out their calling to bring good news. As World Missions Director Tim Hill explains, “Our career missionaries have stood the test of time regardless of the difficulties and the circumstances they have faced. We feel it is imperative for them to know the Church of God is interested not only in their success and accomplishments, but also in their personal well-being spiritually, physically, and emotionally.” In recognition of their extraordinary service, Hill and John D. Childers, assistant director, named this past year, “The Year of the Missionary.” Throughout the months, missionaries worldwide received 12 benefits, including a number of gifts. Culminating the emphasis is complimentary housing for this July’s General Assembly. The response from missionaries has been immediate and overwhelming: “As a career missionary I feel so supported by this initiative,” commented Kelly Myers in the Czech Republic. “I believe the current World Missions administration is being led by the Holy Spirit in this endeavor.” Neil and Jennifer Lawrence in Eldoret, Kenya, exclaimed,
TIM M. HILL Director
JOHN D. CHILDERS Assistant Director
Global Connect July 2016 WORLD MISSIONS LEADERSHIP Tim Hill, Director John D. Childers, Assistant Director Dee Raff, Missions Administrator EDITOR Bill George DESIGN EDITOR Mark Shuler CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Janet Polen Price
“Wow! We feel blessed by this initiative and look forward to more favor.” Paul Dyar in Honduras commented, “Praise the Lord, He has heard our plea and answered our petition.” In addition to gratitude for the 12 opportunities, individuals serving far from home appreciate the concern of World Missions staff. Debbie Thompson, who serves with her husband, Max, in Liberia commented. “I think the best thing is just that the church and the leadership are validating the fact that career missionaries make real and important sacrifices to fulfill the Great Commission. We’re just ordinary people doing what God has called us to do, and we don’t need a lot of patting on the back, but this initiative was well-timed and well-appreciated.” Thompson’s sentiments were echoed by Emily Green, who serves in Thailand. “I think it was a wonderful idea, and I’m so glad it came into being. I know that every missionary’s experience is different, but I sometimes feel disconnected while on the field. The Year of the Missionary helped me feel less isolated. It has also started the conversation about what optimal missionary care looks like.” “Our missionaries are currently in every time zone preaching the love of Christ,” Hill explained. “They are asked to do the impossible, go to difficult places, and yet must raise their total budget. Missionaries are serving in crucial and critical times. The Year of the Missionary was our attempt to prove in a more tangible way—“We are with you!” n
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Interview
AN
WIth
DR. tIM hILL DIRECtOR OF ChURCh OF gOD WORLD MISSIONS
World Missions Director Dr. Tim Hill answers questions from Dr. Bill George about the effect World Missions is having across the globe, along with the future of Church of God World Missions.
with the gospel. In new areas, we send missionaries, but their primary duty is to disciple local people to the point the work can be turned over to them. Except for a few field directors and superintendents—whose assignments include fund raising—and people tasked as educators, orphanage administrators, and medical personnel, the preponderance of the feet-on-the-ground ministry is performed by nationals.
Tell us abouT The scope of church of God World Missions. WhaT are The prioriTy MinisTries Well over 300 Christian denominations mark the U.S. church scene, and the Church of God is presently 25th in size among of World Missions? them. With about 1.1 million U.S. members, it is a surprise to many that the membership outside North America is remarkably higher. In 2013, there were five overseas members for each one in the United States, some 6 million. How is it possible to have experienced such growth? The foremost cause is the commitment of our congregations to the Great Commission. They understand they are fulfilling the reason Christ established the church only when they are involved in taking the message of the gospel into all the world, either by going, sending, or funding ministry. Outside the United States and Canada, the Church of God is established in 181 nations. Despite the broad expanse of the movement, we have a relatively small missionary force. From the beginning, we learned that people who live in a nation are the ones best able to reach their countrymen
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Job number one is global evangelism and global church planting. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” is the work assigned by Jesus. By studying the New Testament examples, we understand that the work is not complete when the gospel is proclaimed; hearers must decide to follow Christ, be discipled, and gathered into churches. I would say that making converts and establishing churches go hand in hand. It is hard for people to hear and grasp the message we preach when they are hungry and hurting, so we attach great importance to feeding the hungry and providing medical care, to the extent our resources permit it. Another main concern is training workers. To this end, we have established 124 Bible schools in 70 countries. They exist on four levels, according to the local need and our
opportunities. The more new churches, more church growth, the more passion to obey Christ and the Great Commission. Studies done discovered that the regions of greatest evangelistic and church planting success are the areas where we have good Bible schools.
WhaT abouT huManiTarian MinisTries?
Along with feeding centers, World Missions is concerned about helping people secure clean water and other basic necessities. A United Nations report says that in the Third World, a child under five years of age dies every 20 seconds because of unclean water and its complications. In Southeast Asia, our companion ministry, People for Care and Learning, facilitates wells and filter systems. In Africa, Latin America, and other nations of the world, Men and Women of Action has provided village wells that offer water and gain friends. Not only does the provision of clean water save people’s lives, it also earns us the right to speak to them about the Water of Life. World Missions also leads the charge when natural disasters occur. It is not unusual for the Church of God to be among the first on the ground when an earthquake, hurricane, typhoon, or other catastrophe strikes. Operation Compassion, another sister organization, is invaluable in undergirding the church’s relief efforts. The long journey back to normal continues as funds from Christ’s Birthday Offering and related income is sent to help repair and rebuild. Most of the 136-plus orphanages in World Missions were started by local initiative, and most are supported to some extent by national churches and territories. Our role in the operation of orphanages is to forward funds that are given for the care of children, in order to supplement their budgets, to provide training and guidance to the administrators of the homes, and to provide emergency relief when possible. Another missions partner, Serving Orphans Worldwide, provides extensive supplemental support.
WhaT does The fuTure of World Missions look like?
Our adopted and embraced plan for the future of World Missions is encapsulated in the FINISH Challenge acronym (F) FIND; (I) INTERCEDE; (N) NURTURE; (I) INVEST; (S) SEND; and (H) Harvest. During 2012-2016, World Missions has literally witnessed the fulfilled promise of Amos 9:13, and we are now standing on the threshold of the future. Our calling is clear and the picture authentic—4.2 billion people do not know Christ as Savior. World Missions continues to forge ahead with gratitude to all those who have joined their hearts and hands together, standing shoulder-to-shoulder to witness the culmination of the Great Commission. Two years ago at the 2014 General Assembly, Church of God World Missions reaffirmed its dedication to the Great Commission and is now moving toward the FINISH COMMITMENT. Our commitment is to seize every opportunity and utilize every medium available to communicate the gospel with people on every continent of the world! n
How is it possible to have experienced such growth? The foremost cause is the commitment of our congregations to the Great Commission.
I like the 19th century missionary Adoniram Judson’s confident declaration: “The future is as bright as the promises of God!”
EVANGEL • july 2016
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What’s Happening in Missions NEWs frOM arOuND THE GlOBE
LATIN AMERICAN LEADERS MEET
Recently, the six Latin America administrative bishops met in Cleveland, Tennessee, for in-service training, hosted by Field Director Dr. David Ramirez. These leaders represent the Latin America Executive Council: Dr. Francisco Jimenez, Dr. Otoniel Collins, Dr. Eduardo Drachenberg, Dr. Expedito de Melo, Bishop Julio Melendez, and Bishop Andrés Rincon. Sessions were conducted during an entire week, providing the opportunity for dialogue with World Missions Director Dr. Tim Hill, Assistant World Missions Director Dr. John D. Childers, Dr. Fred Garmon, General Overseer Dr. Mark Williams, Dr. Cheryl Johns, Dr. Bryan Cutshall, Dr. Sergio Matviuck, Art Rhodes, and Legal Counsel Dennis Watkins, among others. The Latin American church is renowned for its long-term vision, strategy, and planning.
COVERED BY PRAYER (MIDDLE EAST)
Career Missionaries in the Middle East face difficult circumstances on a daily basis. Terrorism and violent attacks surround them, and even passers-by are mistakenly killed during shootings. The missionaries experience God’s protection, and they affirmed in a recent communication that they know they are covered by prayer. A water baptismal service was conducted at a location north of their city (unnamed here for security purposes). Whenever there is a baptism event, non-believers join the congregation, providing open opportunities for sharing the Gospel.
UPSIDE DOWN
Agape Hope Children’s Center in Kenya, Africa, changes orphans’ lives. Robert Machogu’s life was turned upside down when his father died from HIV. That left him, his older brother, and mother to fend for themselves. But, tragedy struck again when the mother fell and died shortly after from a stroke causing brain damage. A close family friend introduced the brothers to the directors of Agape Hope Center, and Robert’s life was changed forever. Suffering from low self-esteem, Robert began to realize from interaction with other children who were worse off that he could be thankful to God. Now he motivates and encourages other children. Robert is attending a university, and is even more inspired to help children in need.
NEW CHURCH HOME IN CZECH REPUBLIC
Believing they have crossed the Jordan River into their Promised Land, the church in Prague is overflowing with gratitude to God. After attempting for 18 years to get a loan for a church building, the pastor and congregation have finally found a bank that will work with them. They will now have their own building with a location and facilities that have increased potential to reach more people, and will provide a permanent home. The project before them now is raising additional funds for needed repairs on the building. The church is doing all it can on its own, but it is an enormous task. The pastor and congregation know that God will provide before the move takes place this summer.
Visit globalCONNECT online at
www.cogwm.org
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for updated information weekly. EVANGEL • july 2016
Lee’s Leonard Center was recently awarded a NobleCause grant to bolster its service leadership program among students. Pictured are staff members Sydney Underwood, Elizabeth Sanders, Tyler Shores, Valerie Floyd, with the center’s director, William Lamb.
A CALL BEYOND OURSELVES by WILLIAM LAMB
It is incredibly easy as a college student to focus on the immediate needs of the classroom and get caught up in our busy schedules. Traditionally, the college experience is about furthering ourselves and focusing on our own success. Service hours keep us grounded by reminding us there is more that needs attention in this world than just our own needs and schedules.—Marisa Freeman, Lee University alumnus
D
URING THE 2015-16 academic year, Lee University students gave over 83,000 hours of service to the community. This means the typical student clocked between 20 and 25 hours serving the community. The service Lee students provide takes place in a variety of locations, domestic and international, and in a wide variety of types. Furthermore, faculty and staff serve alongside students during many of these experiences. The question that keeps emerging is whether or not all of the hours are considered “sacrificial service.”
Consider Jesus’ example. Mark 10:45 says, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (NLT). The acts of service completed by Jesus surely indicate an expectancy toward sacrificial service, considering He gave His life in a sacrificial death. As director of the Leonard Center, I can attest that some students are preparing breakfast for the homeless as early as 5 a.m. each week, others are tutoring for free, some are sitting with the elderly or building a Habitat house, while many are serving on-site in community agencies of good will. Can we assume that all of the hours of service by Lee students are completed inside the frame of sacrifice to others? I don’t know. But I do believe our students who serve have a grasp on what it means to be engaged in Christian service because we . . . • Understand the Biblical mandate for service
• Recognize that service to others is part of God’s purpose for them and it flows from His design of their uniqueness • Have insight into appropriate service—its source, its meaning, and its impact on both the performer and the recipient • Understand how they can use their vocation to serve God and others. One of my students, Hannah Weaver, recently wrote: “Serving is not about being seen, being known, being praised, or even seeing the fruits of your labor. Service is about dying to yourself, going out into the world, and being the hands and feet of Jesus, whatever that looks like.” The best approach is to avoid the urge to compare one’s service with that of another and instead embrace the call of Jesus in Matthew 16:24, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me” (NLT). Serving others should be a lifestyle, not merely an experience. EVANGEL • july 2016
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by SHARON ARTHURS
OBEY YOUR
DEEPEST THIRST
T
HE COCA-COLA Company recently relaunched its “Obey Your Thirst” campaign for its lemon-lime soft drink, Sprite. The implied claim is that Sprite is the only drink that can satisfy your thirst, so don’t waste time trying something else. The Sprite ad’s insinuated message is explicitly and unapologetically claimed by the Bible about itself in addressing a much deeper, eternal thirst in every human soul. The Word of God is put forth as indispensable to the believer’s spiritual life, helping to form the person’s identity: • “His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Ps. 1:2). • “Attend to my words. . . . For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh” (Prov. 4:20, 22). • “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Ps. 119:130-131). No mechanical reading of the Word is espoused here, but rather meditation flowing from a deep hunger for the God of the Word: 22
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Meditate on God’s Word
• “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Ps. 119:10-11). • Jesus said, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7). Throughout the ages, believers have hazarded their lives to keep, preserve, and pass on the precious Word. Corrie ten Boom, who miraculously survived the horrific Nazi concentration camps, risked her life sneaking a tiny copy of the Bible with her and her sister, Betsy, into captivity. With it, they were able to keep their spirits up through daily devotions among their group of women. Betsy, in accordance with 1 Thessalonians 5:18, maintained a thankful heart She gave thanks even for the bothersome fleas, which Corrie could not fathom until later she found out it was the fleas which saved the women from further abuse by the guards. From the heart proceeds our thoughts, decisions, and actions (Mark 7:21; Prov. 4:21); we cannot draw out what is not in
there. Thus, the psalmist urges us to treasure God’s Word in our heart so we will lead pure lives and not sin against God (Ps. 119:9-11).
Remain in God’s Word As a teen, an acquaintance of mine knew nothing about relationship with Christ, but was faithful to religion as he knew it. “Juan” loved basketball, and one day met a missionary’s son who was always playing on the local court. They became close friends, which spilled over even to a visit to the missionary’s home abroad. There Juan gave his life to Christ the night before he left, and the overjoyed missionary family presented him with a nice red Bible. Trying to find his way back home internationally but being a novice at traveling, Juan got stuck in an unsavory neighborhood when a stranger appeared and insisted on helping him, taking his bags and leading him through the maze of streets to a hotel. Once inside, the kind stranger told Juan, “It’s good that you have a Bible. Make sure that you memorize Romans 6, 7, and 8.”
Before Juan could thank him, the gentleman had disappeared. The hotel staff had not seen him, and a mad rush outside the doors yielded not a sign of him. In the ensuing years, despite opposition around him and no other believers in his household, the tiny bit of discipleship Juan received from the missionaries and the mysterious stranger helped him make it. He faithfully studied the Word— especially Romans 6, 7, and 8—and this helped him to lead a faithful Christian life. Today as a husband and father of teens himself, Juan is also an elder at his church, and he preaches regularly in a border nation for a church without a pastor. We cannot overestimate the value of remaining in God’s Word.
Commune With God The discipline of spending time in God’s Word and meditating on it is part of a love relationship with Him. This daily communion with God’s Word is intertwined with God himself. Jesus is called “the Word” (John 1:1, 14), and 2 Timothy 3:16 says the Scriptures are “Godbreathed” (NIV). The Bible is God’s self-revelation to us. Time in God’s Word allows us to get to know Him. It is not style, show, or religious obligation. In certain cultures and belief systems, sacred writings are revered by being placed on a high shelf (above the heart) in a home, or by being handled only by clerics. In the Christian faith, reverence for the Word of God is demanded, but in a different way. Not the handling of the physical item, but something far more profound is instructed. Christians are invoked to ingest the Word of God. Jeremiah said, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jer. 15:16). “Eating” the Word is not done with your teeth. Look at it this way: Whatever food goes into your bloodstream becomes part of you and affects your body. Likewise, the Word of God being ingested
gives it opportunity to have the desired effect. To not let the reading of Scripture produce its intended effect is to deceive yourself (James 1:22). We are to “meditate day and night” on God’s Word. Meditation is “the act of calling to mind some supposition, pondering upon it, and correlating it to one’s own life” (Holman Bible Dictionary). If we allow the Word of God to impact us as God intends, remarkable things can happen: • “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Ps. 107:20).
As readers of God’s Word, we are expected to interact with the Author and live in obedience. • “His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones” (Jer. 20:9). • “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). • “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life,” Jesus said (John 6:63).
• “For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name” (Ps. 138:2). • “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). We are what we eat, and what we put in is what comes out. A carnal diet, not centered on God’s ways, will produce a worldly life. Conversely, feeding on the Word affects the words that come out of us, helping us to be and act contrary to what the world expects.
Bear Fruit God’s people “live by faith” (Rom. 1:17), which comes “by hearing . . . the word of God” (10:17). What would a Christian be without the Word of God? Weak and ill-equipped. God’s people are exhorted to interact with His Word daily for guidance, instruction, comfort, growth, readiness to teach, and deliverance from temptation. In times of danger and persecution, the courage and strength put inside us through meditating on God’s Word will pour out. His Word never returns to Him “void” (Isa. 55:11), so we can expect fruit. However, this fruit does not grow automatically. As readers of the Word, we are not impartial bystanders; instead, we are expected to interact with the Author and live in obedience. Deuteronomy 12:28 reveals God’s heart in this matter: “Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God” (NKJV). Our good and loving God directs us to lasting satisfaction. We need not waste time seeking another source outside His Word. Instead, let’s obey our deepest thirst, and drink deeply from Him. Sharon Arthurs, a graduate of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, lives in Belize. She has written several volumes of the 24-7 Christian Lifestyle Devotional. EVANGEL • july 2016
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evangel interview
by lance colkmire
clive mcbean:
a living epistle in newark Clive McBean is pastor of the Praise Temple Church of God in Newark, New Jersey. What are the blessings of pastoring in Newark? Newark is a rich harvest field of over 280,000 people coming from many ethnic backgrounds. Our church’s face is changing—our membership encompasses people who were born in different countries. While some of these groups are small, we believe that with strategic planning, prayer, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can tap into what God is presently doing and build a worship community that is Biblical, holistic, and relevant. Newark and the neighboring cities are home to major institutions of learning. Anyone who desires to improve their personal and professional skills can find something that will complement their schedule. What are the challenges of pastoring in Newark? First, many productive church members have moved to other states for employment, more affordable housing, retirement, and a warmer climate. In the last 15 years, a number of our young people who went off to college were unable to stay connected to the church because of employment in other states. Second, today’s permissive culture is affecting the preservation of Christian marriages and homes. Many believers are not willing to work things out with their spouse as in years gone by. Consequently, the rate of church-related divorces has soared. Third, many women who have educated themselves are unable to find husbands to complement them on their academic/professional and spiritual journey. The pressure to marry nonbelievers with the hope that they could convert them to Christ is an ever-present reality. Living 24
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“happily ever after” is always a challenge in those relationships. Fourth, getting adult men to take advantage of educational and leadership development is a constant struggle. In most cases, they are unwilling to take initiative, while women are proactive in this area. Failure to make the sacrifices to advance their proficiencies has resulted in the lack of strong, capable male leadership in the church. Fifth, our ministry has a feeding and community outreach program; but the lack of resources to incorporate job training for young unskilled men and women hinders implementation of our vision. We desire to set up a transitional home for jobless, unwed, and homeless mothers; provide computer training; and open a job-placement center. We seek to encourage and develop men who can teach younger men in the community how to start a business, save and invest for their future, and change their environment. What is the history of Praise Temple? The congregation started as a mission on June 11, 1985, by Reverend and Mrs.
Eustace Douglas. In September 1989, they relocated to Florida and I was appointed as pastor. Prior to this appointment, I graduated from Bethel Bible College and served the New Testament Church God in Jamaica as pastor and district overseer for six years. After migrating to the United States in 1988, I became an associate minister at the Paterson, New Jersey, Church of God under the leadership of the late Bishop George Brooks. One night in September 1989, I received a call from State Overseer Harold Downing concerning the church in Newark. Bishop Downing said although I was relatively new to the country, he believed I was the person God wanted to place in Newark. After taking two weeks to pray and discuss the matter with my wife, Annette, we assumed the pastorate of the then Irvington New Testament Church of God on the first Sunday of October 1989. There were 20 members. For five years, I served the church in a bi-vocational capacity. In 1994, I took a leap of faith and began serving on a fulltime basis.
McBean family
The expression “God’s ways are past finding out” is the best way to describe what happened next. Our rented facility at Hawthorne Avenue was incapable of holding the emergent ministry, and leaders and realtors were dispersed across the city looking for a suitable place of worship. On the first Sunday of January 1995, our rented building was destroyed by a careless driver, and we were forced to take refuge in the basement of the New Life Church of God in Orange, New Jersey, for about 12 weeks. Through the working of God’s providence, the church acquired a lovely piece of property in Newark. On Easter Sunday 1996, we moved into our own facility on South Orange Avenue with a membership of 75. I preached from Isaiah 12:4, “And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord.” Being prompted by the Holy Spirit, I proposed that the church be called Praise Temple Church of God. Despite all the challenges and shifting of members we have encountered, God continues to save people through our ministry. The membership today is over 250, and the mortgage was recently paid off. Describe your call into ministry. From the moment of my conversion at age 9 and baptism in the Holy Ghost at age 12, I was nurtured in the Church of God. At age 19, while I was serving as the church’s recording secretary and youth leader, I became conscious of the call of God upon my life for ministry. The call did not come with dramatic thundering, but progressively and powerfully through the influence of the Holy Spirit. The journey into vocational ministry was not without personal apprehension and searching of heart. At first, my parents, particularly my dad, had misgivings about my desire to do ministry full-time. His concern was how I was going to support myself financially. God used dynamic witnesses—the leadership and members of my local church, the larger community of believers, the Holy Spirit (through tongues and interpretation of tongues, and prophetic utterances), and the Bible
to confirm God was calling me and would keep me by His power. Testify about the ministry of Praise Temple. The greatest blessing I have enjoyed from my years of ministry in Praise Temple is to see lives transformed by the power of God. For example, some of the children who were dedicated as infants between 1990 and 1994 (including my two daughters) have now graduated from college, are growing in their relationship with God, and are making a splendid contribution to the ministry. Some of the young couples I have joined in marriage have started their own families and are making valuable contributions. The present youth pastor was someone I baptized and added to the church when she was a college student; today she is a state-certified counselor, credential minister, and member of the Church of God State Youth Board. Presently, 10 credential ministers are part of the congregation, all of whom were set forth by Praise Temple. They all serve in different areas of ministry. The love of Paul for the Philippians fittingly describes my joy for those God has entrusted to my spiritual care: “My beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord” (Phil. 4:1 NASB). Our church’s mission is to be “living epistles, sharing the Gospel, giving hope.” We believe life in the Spirit should equip us with audaciousness to serve God and humanity. How have your ongoing studies at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary helped to shape you and your ministry? The master of counseling degree I obtained has empowered me to help people with a more realistic approach to life problems. Through God’s grace, I can humbly say I am a better husband, father, counselor, pastor, leader, and, above all, servant of God. Additionally, I am better positioned to identify my strengths and use them for the glory of God.
Another area of study that has impacted my life powerfully is ministry-based strategic planning. As a part of a course I am presently taking, I was able to reevaluate and revise my personal and ministry proposals for leadership. I am committed to living the Spirit-filled life, maintaining the authority of Scripture as my primary source for teaching and doctrine, upholding the practice of spiritual disciplines, operating with a spirit of excellence, and maintaining integrity in all my undertakings. How is your family involved in church life? My wife, Annette, and I have three children. We have been married 30 years, and she is a credential Church of God minister. She holds degrees in education and psychology, and serves as the local and district Women’s Ministries president. In addition to being a loving and faithful companion, and my best friend, she also serves the ministry as counselor, teacher, and a special assistant to me in many areas of ministry. Our son, Clive Jr., is a fine young man with enormous potential and a discernible call from God on his life. Our twin daughters, Monique and Melissa, have grown to become delightful and dynamic contributors to the work of ministry. Monique serves in children’s ministry, women’s ministry, poetry ministry, and is the director of Radical Praise Youth Choir. Melissa serves as a leader in youth ministry and is director of praise and worship. Both of my daughters have completed college and initial ministry preparation through the Calling and Ministry Study program of the Church of God. What is one lesson other churches could learn from Praise Temple? I have never seen another group of people who support one another like Praise Temple does, especially in times of crisis. As a church family we have had our share of challenges, but a strong sense of community prevails. It is our prayer that our love will always be a true reproduction of God’s love and that the world will know we are the people of God. EVANGEL • july 2016
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by Christopher Moree
MISSIONS MOTIVATES THIS CHURCH Prioritizing the Great Commission for 30 years
D
WIGHT AND BONNIE ALLEN had to make a difficult decision about their ministry in August 1985. Their state administrative bishop, John D. Nichols, asked them to leave their 300-member congregation in Zephyrhills, Florida, to take the pastorate of the Miramar Church, just north of Miami. The Allens drove the 250 miles to Miramar to survey the situation. They found a largely Caucasian church in a changing neighborhood whose attendance had dwindled to just over 100, mainly due to the moral failure of the previous pastor. While there, they witnessed a mugging within a few blocks of the church. They decided this was not for them. On the way to Jacksonville to visit family members, Bonnie reminded Dwight that they had made the decision without having prayed earnestly about it. After much prayer and soul-searching, the Allens accepted the Miramar pastorate with two goals in mind: first, the congregation would have to reflect the changing ethnicity of the neighborhood; second, it would have to become active in outreach, beginning in their local area and extending around the world. The church was deeply in debt, unable even to pay the pastor his salary. Yet, at the urging of his members, Pastor Allen decided to involve the congregation in serious outreach ministry. He organized a missions and benevolence committee to focus on local ministries as well as world missions. The three-member committee was appointed in fall 1985, and immediately 26
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set about planning their first conference on missions. The three-day weekend event was held in February 1987 with two World Missions personnel participating: Luke Summers, field director of the Church of God in the Caribbean, and
Pastor Dwight Allen
a staff member from the international department. The people responded enthusiastically and generously. A congregation that was struggling to pay its bills gave $7,000 in cash and an additional $3,000 in faith promises. Interest in missions, both at home and abroad, lit a spark in the church. Attendance grew to more than 250 by 1986, and more than 300 the next year. A building seating 200 was no longer adequate. Rooms on the side of the sanctuary used for classes were incorporated into the sanctuary, but still there was not enough room. Parishioners had to get used to sitting within arm’s reach of
the preacher. To accommodate the growing Sunday school, the church purchased houses bordering their property. By 1992, when attendance topped 1,000, the congregation had to move in order to keep growing. After much prayer and searching for property, the congregation bought a 12-acre parcel about six miles away in Cooper City. Planning for the new campus, whose projected cost would be $4.4 million, began at once. Then came Hurricane Andrew. It swept across south Florida on August 24, 1992, with a vengeance seldom seen even in this hurricane-prone area of the state. Packing winds of 165 miles per hour, Andrew destroyed 25,524 homes and damaged another 101,241. It also damaged or destroyed 9,500 traffic signals, 3,300 miles of powerlines, 3,000 water mains, 59 health facilities, 31 public schools, 32,900 acres of farmland, and 82,000 businesses. Estimated damages were $26.5 billion. Under pressure for the catastrophic damage to buildings, city and county officials reviewed their building codes and found them insufficient for storms like Andrew. They adopted more stringent codes, which added greatly to the cost of construction across south Florida. When construction began on the new Cooper City campus in fall 1994, the new building codes were in effect. Building inspectors became overly diligent, making it extremely difficult for completed work to pass inspection, and often requiring work to be redone for no apparent reason. A project planned for $4.4 million under
the old codes rose to $11 million under the revised ones. This put a heavy financial burden on the congregation. However, the building was completed and the congregation held their first service in the new facilities on March 17, 1996. Knowing that some of the members from the Miramar location would not want to move to the new facilities in Cooper City, Pastor Allen turned the Miramar property over to them and brought in a new pastor to lead that congregation of several hundred members. Because of the heavy financial burden, the Cooper City Church experienced trying times. Nonetheless, the congregation continued to grow, and with that growth came increased giving. One thing remained constant during these rough times: the emphasis on missions. And the church never missed a payment on its debt. As the annual missions conference developed through the years, more and more missions personnel and groups, local and overseas, were invited to participate. A conference that began as a time of information and inspiration for the congregation evolved into a retreat for missionaries. Sometimes the conference lasted five days, and at others it stretched from Sunday to Sunday. The entire congregation gets involved. Members house the missionaries in their homes, with the church providing food and other needs. Classes are held in which subjects of interest to missionaries are discussed. The church provides many amenities for the missionaries, including financial gifts for shopping trips. Professionals are brought in to provide massages, manicures, pedicures, and haircuts. The church also provides a free shopping boutique. Everyone joins together to pamper their cherished guests. Ask Cooper City members what is the most exciting week on the church calendar, and you will get a resounding response— the week of the missions conference. For the Allens, their last missions conference as pastor took place earlier
From the 2016 Missions Conference photo booth
John & Suzie Pickens (missionaries to Malaysia) at the conference
this year. More than 80 missions personnel attended the 2016 conference, which was a bittersweet experience because of the Allens’ impending departure. After 31 years, they will be leaving the Cooper City pastorate effective August 14, yet they plan to continue in ministry. Reviewing the three decades of the conferences, Pastor Allen thanked God for the more than $10 million that has been given to home and world missions by the congregation. Comments from the attending missionaries summed up the impact the Allens and the congregation have made on them through the conference. One couple wrote, “We don’t have the words to adequately express our love for you—pastors, mentors, true friends. Our lives and ministry have been deeply impacted by both of you.” Another added, “Thanks for the ways you have poured your life into us as missionaries. We are so grateful.” Other statements included these: “You have challenged us to be more like Jesus, and for that we are so grateful. . . . Thank you also for believing in the call of God upon our lives. . . . Knowing we have a pastor like you, who understands what it
is to live by faith, is such an encouragement to us missionaries.” Dwight Allen’s impact on world missions extends far beyond the local church. Using the lessons he learned at Cooper City, he has lectured and preached across the country, inspiring other congregations to get involved in missions. He has traveled to many countries to teach and train ministers and laity. From 1994 through 2004, he served on the Church of God World Missions Board. For 22 years, he has served as the chairman of the Florida State World Missions Board, spearheading projects and teaching churches how to organize missions ministries. The Cooper City Church has had a worldwide impact on the Church of God while being a shining beacon in south Florida. Out of this congregation, Pastor Allen organized 27 other churches. All of this was done while local-church needs were met, the members continued to excel, and world missions remained at the forefront. Christopher Moree has held ministerial credentials with the Church of God for 64 years. In retirement he continues to serve on Florida’s World Missions Board and on the Church of God Historical Commission. EVANGEL • july 2016
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Light In, Light Out EQUIPPING THE CHURCH FOR MINISTRY The Discipleship Division of the Church of God exists to equip the body of Christ to do the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11-12). This is done by resourcing the local church with tools to evangelize the lost, disciple believers, develop spiritual and leadership gifts, and train believers to win others to Jesus Christ. Men’s and Women’s Discipleship, Youth and Discipleship, and Pathway Press are the ministries within this division.
LifeBuilders—Men Empowered By the Holy Spirit by David H. Gosnell, coordinator of Men’s Discipleship (coglifebuilders.com) JOHN WESLEY SAID, “Give me 100 men who love only God with all of their heart and hate only sin with all of their heart, and we will shake the gates of hell and bring in the kingdom of God in one generation.” The mission of LifeBuilders is to raise up an army of men, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to reach and disciple more men. God is using this ministry to rescue men and make disciples. LifeBuilders are committed to Christ and growing in Him. Discipleship is not an option. The priority of a disciple’s heart is, “That I may know Him.” Knowing about Him is important, but knowing Him closely only happens when we are with Him. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33 NKJV). LifeBuilders know the Word of God is vital for growing in Christ. I taught a small-group Bible study and asked the question, “What did God say to you through His Word this week?” A man quickly answered, “Christ chose me before He created the world. I was created to be with Him and be more like Him.” When men spend time in God’s Word daily, transformation occurs. Men’s Discipleship offers studies designed for small groups and personal study to help men grow spiritually. An app titled Church of God Discipleship is available in the iTunes store. This free app includes a discipleship survey that allows the user to receive Scripture verses to target spiritual growth and encouragement needs. Specific tracks are available to provide daily support for LifeBuilders Essentials and Enliven inductive Bible studies. In a sex-crazed culture, personal time with God in His Word is essential to living victorious. The psalmist asked, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (119:9-11 NKJV). LifeBuilders connect to other men through transformational small groups. Men gather weekly to study God’s Word, pray, testify, fellowship, encourage one another, and refocus on mission. One component of the small group is prayer time for lost men. On “Top 10 Cards,” LifeBuilders write the names of 10 men who don’t know Christ, pray for them daily, share their personal story of salvation and, as God directs, help to bring them to Christ. LifeBuilders are churchmen. Through the Pastor’s Prayer Partner Program, they pray and undergird the ministries of the pastor and church. They are committed worshipers inside and outside of church. LifeBuilders don’t just go to church; they are the church on mission with Christ.
by Lorna V. Gosnell, coordinator of Women’s Discipleship (womenofpowercog.org) JESUS SAID, “If your whole body is illuminated, with no dark part, it will be entirely bright [with light], as when the lamp gives you light with its bright rays” (Luke 11:36 Amp). The Pew Research Center’s “Religious Landscape Survey” of American women showed the following: • 69 percent of American women believe in God. • 64 percent said they pray at least daily. • 27 percent said they participate at least once a week in a prayer group, Bible study, or religious education group. • 31 percent believe there are clear standards for right and wrong. • 40 percent said they read the Bible at least once a week, while 41 percent said they read it seldom or never. • 34 percent believe the Word of God should be taken literally, while 28 percent believe the Bible is not the Word of God. Since 2010, Church of God Women’s Discipleship, through our Kindle the Power Bible studies, has been on mission to help women understand God’s Word is absolute truth and that it plays an important part in our everyday lives. Resources have been developed to help women (1) grow in Christ through prayer, (2) develop a heart to reach out to others, (3) develop a firm foundation through God’s Word, (4) effect change in their lives and in the lives of others by mentoring and being accountable, (5) tell their story/testimony, and (6) allow the Holy Spirit to direct every part of their lives. The following Kindle the Power Bible studies are available in English and Spanish, with more studies being developed: • Giants, Grapes, and Grasshoppers deals with pulling down the stronghold of your personal giant and reminding him that God is aware of you every moment of every day. • Coins, Covenant, and Character focuses on the healing oil of the Great Physician, helping you to take back what the Enemy has stolen: compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering, forbearance, forgiveness, love, peace, and gratitude. • Pots, Pans, and Prophecies explains how the Father is the Master Chef. It emphasizes becoming willing vessels to be used at the time and place the Father places you. • Shut the Door takes a look at 2 Kings 4, where two women were delivered as they allowed God to shut the door to their circumstances. You will understand from the Word of God how you can shut the door to the Enemy and his influence in your life. Our Enliven inductive Bible studies are designed to help us . . . • Discover and uncover the facts in a Scripture passage • Discern the meaning of the passage • Devote time to reflection and prayer, asking God to speak through His Word • Discipline ourselves to commit, apply, and live God’s Word through action. There are three studies currently available in the Enliven series: James: A Path to Discipleship; Philippians: A Path to Joy (both written by William A. Simmons); and Romans: A Path to Transformation, Chapters 1-8 (written by French L. Arrington). Several more exciting studies are in development and will be available soon.
Starting a Lifelong Journey by Gary Lewis, director of Youth and Discipleship (cogyouth.org) FOR ALMOST 90 YEARS, Church of God Youth and Discipleship has supported the local church in ministering to children and teens. We are fully committed to raising yet another generation of Spirit-empowered students through discipleship opportunities that bless youth and the local church. Eagles Leadership Initiative is a discipleship experience for carefully selected young adults held in Washington, D.C., during the week of July 4. Almost 300 “Eagles” have been prepared to serve since the launch of this successful ministry. Lead Institute is a yearlong residential ministry that allows students to gain college credit while being immersed in ministry and mentoring. Participants not only get to practice ministry, earn college credits, and experience real-life daily discipleship, but they also fulfill the rigorous requirements for CAMS and MIP for credentialing in the Church of God for ministry and leadership. Winterfest Discipleship Books are created for young people. This resource capitalizes on the amazing life change that occurs through Winterfest, the annual retreat for students around the U.S. and the globe. Experienced student pastors write this material to see students grow in Christ. The last four years, these books have been given away to every youth leader at Winterfest events. Youth Camp impacts thousands of children and youth each summer. Through daily Bible studies and personal mentoring, camp is assisting the next generation of Church of God youth in their discipleship journey. Understanding the importance of beginning the discipleship process early in the journey of a student, Children’s Ministry focuses on raising up disciples through curriculum development and ministry experiences. For almost 50 years, Girls Ministries (Girls Clubs) has successfully taught and mentored girls. New, cutting-edge curriculum is helping thousands of young lives flourish spiritually. Annual KidFest weekend events focus on impacting children and equipping leaders. Globally focused discipleship opportunities are emphasized through YWEA and Global Expeditions (STEP). These ministries develop students through global ministry and the act of giving. Youth and Discipleship is committed to leading Church of God students on a discipleship journey that will last a lifetime.
Providing Pathways to Christ by Terry Hart, director of Publications Ministries (pathwaypress.org) THE CHURCH HAS always emphasized the Biblical mandate to win and disciple individuals for Christ. For more than a century, Pathway Press has provided quality Christian resources to assist the local church in its efforts to fulfill this mandate. Over the decades, Church of God congregations have come together to study the Word of God through Sunday school curriculum from Pathway. In addition, more than a thousand churches that are not part of our fellowship order their Sunday school materials from Pathway. The Evangelical Sunday School Commentary has been a staple of adult Sunday school classes across America for more than 60 years. Congregations within and outside the Church of God use this tremendous resource to help study the Scriptures. Other Pentecostal fellowships make the Evangelical Sunday School Commentary available to their constituents. The guiding north star of Pathway is “resources you can trust.” This holds true for the books and resources we produce and sell in our new bookstore in Cleveland, Tennessee; in conferences across the country; and through our online bookstore. Whether it is a Christian title we have published or one that was self-published through our company, it has passed the litmus test of being a wholesome resource that will help Christians grow in their walk with the Lord. Our newest books are It’s Not My Turf (Bobby Duncan); Jesus Has My Back (T. David Sustar); I’m Spiritual, Not Religious (David Cooper); and When the Natural Meets the Supernatural (Chris Sustar). Pathway Press does not just produce resources a Christian can read to help them in their daily walk with the Lord; we also produce resources a child of God can sing to inspire and strengthen them in their daily walk with God. Pathway is the sole producer of one of the most beloved hymnbooks in the nation. The red-back Church Hymnal has served as a source of inspiration for millions of believers. The love for this shaped-note songbook spans generations and denominations. Its lyrics are sung in local churches, concert halls, hymnal singings, and family gatherings. How can one measure the impact the lyrics on its pages have had on generations of Christians since they were penned? At Pathway, we take the words of the Great Commission seriously. Doing our part in making disciples for Jesus Christ is a priority for our company. In the years to come, we will continue in our quest to develop and provide resources designed to help believers in their daily walk with the Lord.
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VIEWPOINTS
In your role as a long-term associate pastor, describe the most important lesson(s) you have learned. TRUST, SERVICE, AND VISION SCOTT SAULS is administrative pastor of the Farmington Heights Church of God in Wilson, North Carolina.
NEARLY 19 YEARS AGO, my wife and I moved to Wilson to be the youth pastor for Farmington Heights Church. We served eight years in that capacity before the church added a new staff position of administrative pastor. When offered the opportunity to transition into that role, I ultimately met with my pastor to ask how he felt I could best serve him. His response was a phrase that has stayed with me for over 10 years now and has been the bedrock for my role in serving him and the church. He simply said, “Well, I need someone I trust . . . and I trust you.” Looking back, that was a watershed moment for me as I stepped into an unfamiliar role primarily to serve my senior leader. Here are three of the most important lessons I have discovered and gleaned over the years. 1. The Value of Trust. In order to be successful in an associate or second-chair position, the trust of the senior leader is a necessary ingredient. Real trust is forged through time and experience, so serving in an associate role for nearly two decades has provided meaningful moments to build stability into the leadership of this local body. When the trust of a senior leader is valued, that trust provides the guardrails for every decision made and every action taken. Trust requires leaders to be kept in the know. Trust dictates that projects are handled with excellence. Trust demands the extra mile to ensure completion. Trust should always be handled with care. 2. The Unwritten Rule. Typically, a written job description is given to all church staff and associate pastors which outlines the duties, responsibilities, and expectations of each position. Regardless of what comprises that document, there is an unwritten rule that all church staff and associate pastors should realize. This unwritten rule is actually the primary responsibility of all staff—to serve the lead pastor. In my role as administrative pastor, my first responsibility is to serve my senior pastor to the point that I constantly aim to take as much off his plate as possible in order to free him to pray, preach, and lead. When associate pastors take it upon themselves to serve with this mind-set, it allows the shepherd of the local flock to be unencumbered by the logistics so he or she can be focused on the well-being of the flock. Pastors, churches,
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and the Kingdom all benefit when associates look to lighten the load of their leader. 3. The Vision of the House. When it comes to local-church ministry, there is only one vision of the house, and it is set by the senior leader. Therefore, it is imperative that associate pastors know the vision of their pastor so well that they internalize it and submit to it. Trouble looms where more than one vision is championed in a church, or when an associate pastor allows his or her vision to take them in a different direction than their pastor’s. God’s blessings exist when we submit to the senior leader’s vision and learn to channel our vision through it. Associate pastors should always look to complement the vision of their pastor, not compete with it. Associate pastors can be a tremendous blessing to their senior pastors and their local churches, especially when they value trust, follow the unwritten rule, and align with the vision of the house. There is also fulfillment and joy that comes from serving in the associate role when we know we are adding value to where we are planted.
PRIORITIZE PEOPLE
TOMMY HARVEY is associate pastor of the Praise Cathedral Church of God in Greer, South Carolina.
THIS YEAR, 2016, marks my 20th year of ministry and the half-century point in my life. In my role as a long-term associate pastor and church employee, the most important lesson I’ve come to learn is this: People are more important than tasks. I am a very task-oriented person, and my job fits me perfectly. In fact, every personality profile assessment I’ve taken ranks me off the chart when it comes to tasks. I am a church administrator who handles human resources, group benefits, church finances, risk management, benevolence, legalities, church employees, and a church-owned retirement community. I constantly set goals. I orient my life around goals. I write a task list for each day. Sometimes my goal is to finish the task list; sometimes each task is a goal all by itself. How do I measure success? By completing each task and accomplishing each goal. So, what happens when I’ve written my task list and am determined to reach my goals but the phone rings and someone needs me? What happens when I’m in the middle of a task and someone comes by the office to see me about a particular need?
What do I do when I’m in the middle of a project and the pastor calls and says he is sending someone to me for help? How do I respond when emails, paperwork, and the to-do list keeps growing and I have to choose between staying on task and taking time to meet with people? The answer is simple: I choose people over tasks. This has been a hard but necessary lesson for me to learn. At first I became annoyed and irritated, and my frustration could be detected in my voice and in body language. And why not? I had work to do, and people kept getting in the way! Things had to be done in order to make the business of the church run smoothly, but people were constantly bottle-necking the process. People, people, people . . . I completely identified with Martha when she became aggravated with her sister, Mary. Mary was focused on her relationship with Jesus while Martha was focused on her service for Him. Martha couldn’t understand how Mary could just sit and talk with Jesus when there was so much work to be done. And how could Jesus not see the importance of getting the housework
done first, so they could all sit and chat a while later? The answer is simple: people before tasks. Jesus never said tasks were not important. The Scriptures are filled with references that indicate the importance of work and staying dedicated to the tasks of improving and maintaining life. However, Jesus did not die for buildings and equipment, budgets and financial graphs. He came to bridge the gulf between sinful humanity and a holy God. He had work to do, but His focus was people. This is the most important personal lesson I’ve learned in ministry and in life: people are more important than tasks. I’ve been intentional about honing my people skills. I daily practice the art of making people a priority in my life. I still have a task list; I still set goals and develop strategies to reach those goals. But without people, the tasks and goals are meaningless. For people who are wired like me, a reordering of priorities is essential to longevity in ministry and meaningful relationships in life. Put people before tasks. The important people in your life will appreciate it, and your life will be more valuable because of it.
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PEOPLE AND EVENTS
Tony and Diana Angran
the power of prayer Centerville, IA—In January 2014, my husband, Tony—pastor of the Solid Rock Church of God—was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer of the esophagus. Appointments were made for a team of doctors to begin aggressively treating this cancer. Two days before the surgery, someone from the hospital called and said our insurance would not pay for the surgery. On this person’s advice, we proceeded with surgery on February 1, and then met with the oncologist and radiologist to begin treatments. During this time I completed numerous insurance applications, talked with social workers, and applied for every assistance program the hospital suggested, only to be denied at every level. Radiation began on February 17, and chemotherapy was scheduled for the next day, but Tony was called into the financial office and told our insurance would not pay for chemotherapy. Treatments could not continue until we could figure out a way to pay for them. We applied for insurance through the national government and were approved, but it would not begin until April 1.
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There was $91,577 worth of medical charges billed to our original insurance company for the first month of services, which was discounted to $71,298. I continued to apply for financial assistance and make payment agreements to work toward settlement of this debt. About mid-February, the mass had grown to the point that Tony could no longer swallow food or even water. So the “J-Tube” feeding line was a blessing to have already in place, but the nutrition would cost us $600 per month, and the pump to measure and dispense the nutrition was an additional charge. After working with the nutritionist at the hospital, we were given two months of nutrition from a donation made to the hospice unit. We only had to rent the pump; God is good! On March 16, a lady from our church contacted two local television stations about our situation. The next day, a news team interviewed us, and our story was aired on the 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. news broadcasts. The story was picked up by Fox News and other news media as well. (Search YouTube Tony Angran online to watch it.)
We sat at home waiting, praying, and believing God was going to heal my husband and take care of this situation. Our church, our community, and people around the world were praying for him. One morning while waiting for our new insurance coverage to begin, Tony’s phone rang. The caller was the person who had signed and sent a denial letter to our state senator, who had asked for our insurance coverage to begin sooner than April 1. The caller offered to pay our first month’s insurance premium of more than $800. Tony told the person this was not necessary, but the caller had just received a tax refund that was enough to cover our premium and needed to do this for peace of mind. Like a guardian angel, this person kept in contact with us for a limited time, saving us thousands of dollars by advising us concerning insurance-member services. Treatment finally began April 3 and ended in May. Tony received 28 radiation and six chemotherapy treatments. During the treatments, we made several trips to the emergency room for complications. We spent many sleepless and pain-filled nights praying for Tony’s healing. After the treatments were completed, Tony continued to have intense pain and burning in his chest. A scope showed his entire esophagus was inflamed. The four-hour surgery to remove the esophagus took place on July 18. As the surgeon made his last visit before discharging Tony, he told his associate to get a copy of the pathology report because Tony was going to need it. My husband thanked the surgeon for all he had done, but he shook his head and pointed upward, saying, “It wasn’t me, it was God!” The pathology report said, “esophageal cancer, stage 0. Nine
lymph nodes removed and tested, stage 0. Risk of reoccurrence—0.” The surgeon said less than 15 percent of people get this kind of report. Our financial responsibility would be $71,298 from the old insurance and $6,800 from the government plan. While going through the radiation and chemotherapy treatments, most of our lodging was paid for by the American Cancer Society so we would not have to travel four hours per day for treatments. Our neighbors had purchased gift cards that paid for all our gas for five of the six weeks of treatments. Our local church and community held a benefit to help with the medical expenses, and our church state office and international headquarters sent donations. With the donations, financial assistance programs, and personal savings, all medical bills have been paid. Prior to his cancer episode, Tony had been on heart medications for nine years (following a heart attack in 2005). The doctors were more concerned with the cancer, so they said to not worry about his heart issue during the cancer treatments. A few weeks after those treatments ended, blood work showed everything was in the normal range. God not only healed the cancer, but all of Tony’s disease! Tony never missed a worship service during his bout with cancer, even though he did not have the strength to be in the pulpit. Tony is doing well, and his non-Christian oncologist told him at the last follow-up appointment, “Your blood work is remarkable. Usually there are peaks and drops all within the normal range, but your numbers are in the middle of normal.” To God be all the glory, honor, and praise.—Diana Angran
For daily news updates about what’s happening in the Church of God and Evangelical world, visit FAITH NEWS NETWORK, at www.faithnews.cc.
Giving hope after the earthquake Quito, ECUADOR—Following the April earthquake that rocked the coast of Ecuador, killing more than 600 people and traumatizing thousands, the Church of God established the “Give Care” initiative—a collaboration between Project M:25 (missionaries Bobby and Tamitha Lynch), Lee University, and SEMISUD (the denomination’s seminary in Quito). Give Care is designed to provide immediate and long-term follow-up care for children who have suffered trauma from their nation’s devastating earthquake. In May, SEMISUD students were trained in techniques established by a psychology team from Lee to help the children with their trauma. Then, this group of 25 people began training church leaders. The Lynches reported, “Our first training session was supposed to be with 11 pastors. Instead, 150 people showed up. There were school teachers from many schools, church leaders, community leaders, a little bit of everything. . . . On Sunday, the team split up and visited five different churches, doing in-depth trauma programs with the children.” Trainings continued at other schools and churches, and then
trauma-care packages began to be delivered to the children. The initial plan was to distribute 2,000 of these packages at a cost of $5 each. The Lynches reported, “The situation in which the survivors are living is dramatic. There are villages of tents and makeshift homes. . . . One little girl, who had been having horrible nightmares and unable to sleep in her own bed for fear, with the help of the worry doll we gave her and trained her to use, calmed herself back down and slept the night in her own bed.” One of the Lee University team members wrote: “What could we offer people who went to ground zero and tried to pull bodies out of the rubble? Those who tried to be strong for others but were destroyed inside? The most we could do is let them be the weak one this time, to allow them to cry for the first time. “What do we say to teachers who want to help their students but feel overwhelmed by grief and loss? To offer them an outlet to express doubts and concerns; to be heard. We came to offer practical solutions but more importantly, we came to impart an unexplainable hope to a beautiful people.” For more information, visit projectm25.org.
DECEASED MINISTERS
LONAS, Melvin Junior; 91; ordained bishop; Tennessee; Dianne Lonas (wife)
ANSLEY, Ted Clarence; 81; ordained minister; Georgia; Joanne Shirley Ansley (wife)
ORELLANA, Osvaldo A.; 82; ordained bishop; California; Berta E. Vega (daughter)
AYERS, Robert Arthur; 70; ordained bishop; South Carolina; Judy Ayers (wife)
PARKER, Robert L.; 69; ordained minister; Oklahoma; Barbara Parker (wife)
BRILEY, James Harvey; 89; ordained bishop; North Carolina; Elsie Briley (wife)
PHILLIPS, Oliver Lee; 84; exhorter; Georgia; Waveolee Phillips (wife)
CHRISTIAN, David Eugene; 66; ordained bishop; Alabama; Kathy Christian (wife)
RAMOS, Carlos A.; 89; ordained minister; Washington; Rosey Ramos (daughter)
CLARK, Orville W.; 95; ordained minister; Tennessee; Anna Clark (wife)
ROUSE, Jesse Philip; 86; ordained bishop; Tennessee; Trecia Todd (daughter)
DAVENPORT, R. Edward; 72; ordained bishop; Georgia; Rosella Davenport (wife)
TANNEHILL, Margaret D.; 68; ordained minister; Alabama; Jerry Tannehill (husband)
GASKINS, Janie L.; 60; ordained minister; Maryland; Jim Gaskins (husband)
TURMAN, James Carl; 72; ordained bishop; Alabama; Bobbie Turman (wife)
HARRIS, Roy Charles; 104; ordained bishop; Georgia; Evelyn Dooley (niece)
WOLF, Vergil Eugene; 93; ordained bishop; Ohio; Sharon Wolf (wife)
JINKERSON, Joel Wayne; 72; ordained bishop; Texas; Joel Jinkerson Jr. (son)
YOUNG, Bernard Lange; 76; ordained minister; Georgia; Belinda Dove (daughter)
Letters to the EDITOR
I am enclosing a check to sponsor four subscriptions to be used for this ministry [EvangelCare]. I hope by doing so we bring blessings to those in prison and that through your Evangel they will give their hearts to the Lord. My father was E. M. Abbott. He was a great pastor, minister, husband, and father who loved the Church of God. He would want us to be part of this ministry. —Michelle Tozier
Send your comments to lance_colkmire @pathway press.org
Bobby Lynch with Ecuadorian girl
n MY MOTHER, who lives with me, receives the Evangel monthly as the widow of a deceased minister. She is unable to read the Evangel due to the loss of sight, so I read it to her and it is a blessing to both of us.
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CHURCH OF GOD CHRONICLES by david g. roebuck
The Faith Orphanage and Children’s Home
T
HE FAITH ORPHANAGE and Evangel, “Some of the members of this Children’s Home has become church could not come to the meeting for a reality and the work has want of clothing. . . . I saw little boys 6 or commenced,” J. B. Mitchell 8 years old barefooted wading through announced through the pages of the icicles, the ground frozen two or three August 1, 1911, issue of The Bridegroom’s inches deep, and the higher mountains Messenger. Readers should not have been covered with snow.” surprised that the Church of God had In response to these needs, Tomlinson opened an orphanage in Cleveland, Tenand Mitchell regularly used the printed nessee. Care for others was a vital concern for W.F. Bryant, matrons, the growing movement. and children at the Mitchell and his minshort-lived Faith istry partner, A. J. TomOrphanage and Children’s Home linson, had observed the poverty and hardships of life in the southern Appalachian Mountains during their first evangelistic journey sometime in 1895 or 1896. Their ministry was part of a steady stream of “home missionaries” who traveled throughout the region toward the close of the 19th century. The needs of the people in Appalachia were so great that Tomlinson relocated his family to Culberson, North word to solicit clothing and other resourcCarolina, in 1899, where he established a es for the poor. school and a fledgling orphanage. Of course, orphans needed more than Although greater opportunities led just clothing. When Mitchell penned his Tomlinson, Mitchell, and others such as account of the newly established CleveF. W. Bryant to shift the base of their land orphanage in 1911, he lamented, ministries to Cleveland, Tennessee, they “It is said there are at least 500 orphan did not abandon the mountain poor. children in these mountains that have Bryant, Mitchell, and Tomlinson freneither father nor mother, and are cared quently traveled throughout the mounfor only by some of their friends and tains preaching the Gospel and meeting neighbors, who have taken them through as many needs of the people as possible. charity and sympathy until they can find Having established a Church of God a home for them.” congregation in Hillview, Tennessee, At the time Mitchell established The Bryant wrote in the 1910 inaugural issue Faith Orphanage and Children’s Home of The Evening Light and Church of God Association in Cleveland, he was living in 34
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Jellico, Tennessee, so Bryant oversaw the ministry. The first few children stayed in Bryant’s home until he could rent a house and secure the services of two matrons. The orphanage officially opened with 15 children—from ages 6 months old to 15 years. Mitchell reported that applications were arriving at the rate of one a week, but he expected this to increase with cold weather. He anticipated there could be between 50 and 100 children at the orphanage by the end of the year, provided they could secure adequate housing and resources. Despite the hopeful beginning, when the Church of God General Assembly met six months later there was no mention of the Faith Orphanage and Children’s Home. No known copies of The Church of God Evangel from 1911 have survived, so whatever events led to the closing of the orphanage disappeared from Church of God history. The desire to care for orphans did not dissipate, however; and the 1912 General Assembly began to search for other ministry opportunities such as partnership with existing orphanages. Although it would be 1920 before the Church of God established a permanent orphanage, members and friends did not cease to support care for the poor and orphaned. David G. Roebuck, Ph.D., is the Church of God historian and director of the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center in Cleveland, Tennessee.
[email protected]
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I N T E R N A T I O N A L
G E N E R A L
A S S E M B LY
INTERNATIONAL GENERAL COUNCIL AGENDA
I. Official Opening II. Review of Schedule Tuesday, July 19 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 20 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 21 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday, July 22 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(International General Assembly Business Session)
III. Instructions to Delegates IV. Appointment of Commitees Ushers Teller Sergeant-at-Arms
Motions Parliamentarians
V. State of the Church Address – Dr. Mark L. Williams VI. Nominations / Elections
General Overseer First Assistant General Overseer Second Assistant General Overseer Third Assistant General Overseer Secretary General Youth and Discipleship Director Youth and Discipleship Assistant Director World Missions Director World Missions Assistant Director Council of Eighteen
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VII. Special Orders of the Day Wednesday, July 20 8:45 a.m. Great Commission and Urban Evangelism – Dr. Tony Evans 1:45 p.m. Spiritual Fathering and Mentoring – Larry Stockstill Thursday, July 21 8:45 a.m. Sanctity of Marriage – Dr. Jimmy Evans 1:45 p.m. Great Commission and Culture – Dr. Ed Stetzer
VIII. Ordained Ministers Included in International General Council That we amend page 59, S2. BYLAWS OF THE CHURCH OF GOD, ARTICLE VI, 2. International General Council, Members, by adding “ordained ministers 25 years of age and older and” so as to read: The International General Council is composed of all ordained ministers 25 years of age and older and ordained bishops of the Church of God, who shall comprise its voting constituency. (That all other references to ordained ministers be amended to reflect this motion.) Rationale: This motion seeks to affirm the value of a new generation of ministers by giving them voice and vote in shaping the future mission, vision, and core values of the Church of God. It also expands the International General Council to include ordained women, whose anointed insights and spiritual discernment are much needed in addressing the growing complexity of fulfilling the Great Commission. Ordained ministers are currently permitted to serve in the Church of God as pastors, ministers, chaplains, missionaries, and a wide variety of other vital ministries. As such, they are held accountable to the recommendations of the International General Council and decisions of the International General Assembly, yet they do not have opportunity to share their insights, ideas, experiences, wisdom, discernment, and concerns in the formation of those recommendations. This proposal seeks to remedy that situation. Additionally, the motion, if passed, provides greater incentive for attendance to International General Assemblies and ministerial credential advancement. Finally, if passed, service in an official elected or appointed capacity such as the presiding bishop, the International Executive Committee, the director and assistant director of Youth and Discipleship, the director and assistant director of World Missions, the Council of Eighteen (18), administrative bishops, and any other so identified by the Minutes will continue to be restricted to ordained bishops (S5. I. SELECTION, item 5, International General Assembly MINUTES, page 67; S22. III. RIGHTS AND AUTHORITIES, item 2, International General Assembly MINUTES, page 101).
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IX. State Overseers Term of Office That we amend page 125, S32. STATE OVERSEERS, V. Term of Office, by striking “12” in the last paragraph and replacing it with 16 (effective with the 2018 International General
Assembly Term) so as to read:
“The tenure of office [for the state overseer] is for a maximum of 16 years (effective with the 2018 International General Assembly term) in non-mission states. He may serve all or part of his tenure in any state or number of states depending upon the above-stated criteria. He may be eligible for reappointment as a state overseer after serving in some other capacity for at least two years.” Rationale: It has been clearly demonstrated that longevity in leadership roles provides for a more consistent vision, greater accountability, and better stability in an organization. Increasing the state overseer’s tenure from 12 years to 16 years allows for longer tenures in states, particularly when an overseer has a state financially stable, moving in a positive direction, and has the overwhelming support of his leadership team and the ministers. It recognizes the value of an experienced, effective, and approved state leader remaining in a place of leadership for a longer period. It acknowledges the benefits of continuity in leadership and aligns with the denomination’s core value of leadership training. It permits the state overseer to become increasingly familiar with the churches and pastors he supervises. It allows continuation of the present system of evaluation of overseers by ministers within each state as a condition of continuing appointment beyond the initial assignment. It affirms findings of the church that states and regions with continuity of leadership over longer periods have resulted in healthier growth, as opposed to those areas that have frequent leadership turnover.
X. Meaning and Usage of the Term “Bishop” Report After a detailed review by the International Executive Council of the meaning and usage of the term “bishop,” further study needs to be done that will better address whether it is necessary to change the current nomenclature in order to clarify and fulfill the intent of the International General Council with respect to the designation of the ministerial rank in the Church of God. We also recommend that the study include a detailed look at the title of “Ordained Bishop” and any effect it has on the legal and cultural issues of the International Church and on the IRS rulings concerning the national church. Further, that the following issues and relatedness of these issues be part of this report: 1. Titles for all Ranks of Ministry 2. Qualifications of Ministry 3. Women in Ministry That this study be brought back to the 2018 International General Council.
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XI. Ordained Bishop Qualifications That we amend page 100, S22. ORDAINED BISHOP, II. QUALIFICATIONS OF ORDAINED BISHOPS, 2 by inserting the following after the word “ministry” on line 3: or he has three (3) years of active ministry accompanied by a ministry-related degree or its equivalency from an accredited institution or one certified by the Church of God Division of Education, So as to read: An applicant for ordination as bishop may be ordained when he is twenty-five (25) years of age, provided he has had at least eight (8) years of active ministry, or he has three (3) years of active ministry accompanied by a ministry-related degree or its equivalency from an accredited institution or one certified by the Church of God Division of Education, or when he is thirty (30) years of age, provided he has had at least five (5) years of active ministry, if he is otherwise qualified. Rationale:
The purpose of this motion is to account for those ministers who have chosen to obtain a ministry-related degree or its equivalency rather than go directly into active ministry. •
Acknowledges the biblical truth that the church’s ministry should include younger ministers as well as older ministers (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17-18), passion as well as wisdom, and increasingly opens ministry to the sons of the church.
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Recognizes the experiential value of learning that takes place in the classroom under the tutelage of capable teachers as similar in value to the learning that takes place by field experience.
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Affirms the important task filled by Church of God ministerial, educational institutions.
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Follows the biblical injunction that a bishop not be a novice.
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Connects the oncoming generation in a tangible way with the church of today.
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Creates a responsible role for younger ministers in the Church of God, who are often courted by other denominations and movements.
XII. Contemporary Ministerial Development Committee Report This report focuses on the development of a culture of learning to prepare every minister for the challenges and opportunities of ministry by mobilizing every agency and all available resources to invest in perpetual ministerial training.
XIII. Resolutions Committee XIV. Motions From the Motions Committee
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