A Healthy Church

In the second and third chapters of John's Revelation, we find the letters dictated to the seven churches. Here, in a uniquely direct way, we have the Lord's assessment of health indicators for local congregations.

What strikes me is that some of the usual indicators—evangelism, stewardship, church planting, attendance are not evident.  In a quick scan of these two chapters, the indicators that stand out are:

• holiness and dealing with sin.
• endurance—being "overcomers."  The Lord praises churches that face corporate challenges with vital faith.  That's an idea I hadn't thought much about, but churches do face difficult times—a rash of deaths or unemployment or natural disaster.
• confronting evil and heresy in the church.
• exclusive love for Christ.
• corporate growth in ministry—"you are doing more now than before."
• love for one another.  This is evident in the specifics of how the Christians are called to relate to each other dealing with sin, earnestness of purpose, etc.

[by Lee Eclov]

Sources of Congregational Conflict

Cleveland, TN Opens New Airport; Remembers COGOP History

Cleveland Municipal Airport Authority Chairwoman Lynn DeVault told a quick history of Hardwick Field during her opening remarks as the master of ceremonies as the new Jetport was dedicated.  She said the original airport was a grassy field owned by the Church of God of Prophecy.  The church flew white airplanes from Cleveland to mission fields throughout the Appalachians (The White Angel Fleet).

“Voice of Evangelism will have a hangar complex here and continue their mission work as Dr. Perry Stone flies around the country,” she said.

Lt. Gov. and former Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey said the airport is the next step in helping Cleveland grow and have more opportunities.

“The governor’s goal is to bring about an atmosphere in this state that helps bring prosperity.  The government doesn't create jobs.  You create jobs.  Our job is to try to get the atmosphere right for you to grow and prosper,” he said.

Evangelist Perry Stone offered the invocation to start the event.  “This will be an airport I will be flying in and out of several times a week. We definitely want to pray a really good prayer,” he said.

He expressed thanks “for the leadership that put this wonderful facility together for business and commerce, ministry and guests, and all of the activity that will be taking place.”