What Pastor Rick Warren tells his church members.

“I often tell you that I love you because I do. But let me explain how that impacts how I lead our church family.

1. Leading you is a RELATIONSHIP. It is not a position or title. If I did not trust and love you, I could not lead you. If you do not trust and love me, you won’t follow my leading. Real leadership is based on love and trust, which is earned through a track record of serving and sacrificing that gives credibility.

Thank you for placing your trust in me as I’ve tried to do what I believe is God’s will and in your best interest.

2. Leading you is a STEWARDSHIP. True leaders know they own nothing - it all belongs to God - but they will be held responsible and accountable to Him for how well they managed it. Some leaders give the impression that they own everything - facilities... finances... and followers. But godly leadership has the exact opposite attitude! The greatest leader - Jesus - literally owned nothing. Saddleback is GOD’S church, not mine, and I’m simply a steward of whatever God wants to do through HIS church.

3. The only way TO LEAD anyone is TO SERVE them. Jesus was crystal clear that leadership is about service, not “serve-us.” It’s not about me. It is about fulfilling God’s purposes in your life. My job is to see what God sees in you, then help you become that person - even when you can’t imagine it yourself.

4. Leadership is FUTURE-FOCUSED. Most people are too busy with the present to think ahead about the future - but that’s OK - as long as someone you trust is thinking ahead for you. It is a leader’s responsibility to think ahead when others can’t, so I’m always thinking and looking at your life from the long-term perspective to help you maximize your future.

5. Leadership is ALWAYS BY EXAMPLE. Leaders lead by doing it first. I am to show you with my own life, not simply tell you. If I don't lead by example I don't lead at all. For 30 years I’ve lived by the principle of Jesus: I will never ask you to do anything that I’m not already doing. I will never ask you to serve or sacrifice more than Kay and I do.

The Story of Jonah

The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.

21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity;” Jeremiah 29: 12-14a

January 1-21, 2011

Don't Do Christmas on Credit

Christians Against Poverty is urging people not to give in to the temptation of a loan to cover the cost of their Christmas celebrations.

The U.K.-based debt counseling charity says it is not out to kill the festive season but that it wants people to have a clear spending strategy to see them safely into the New Year.

CAP Chief Executive Matt Barlow believes such a strategy is wise as yet more economic uncertainty looms on the horizon.

“These are difficult times for a lot of us and the temptation is to say 'at least we’ll have a great Christmas' and use that as an excuse to spend what we haven’t got,” he said.

“If you’ve already caught yourself saying this, we want your alarm bells to be ringing loud and clear."

“The New Year is full of uncertainty: job losses, VAT will be going up, benefits are changing, energy bills are rising and we don’t know what interest rates will do," he noted. “If we were ever going to get our spending under control at Christmas – it should be this year.”

The charity said that around half of its clients with “out-of-control” debt had taken out a loan at some time to help cover the cost of Christmas.

It warned that many of them went on to lose their homes, suffer mental health problems, contemplate suicide and find themselves unable to feed and clothe their children.

“We’re not party poopers," Barlow said. "We just want people to enjoy Christmas and not be anxious about whether they will be able to pay it all back.”

The charity has released its top ten tips for avoiding festive debt. In addition to never taking out a Christmas loan, they include being honest with family members if things are tight, not buying gifts for others out of obligation, and collaborate with relatives to buy the kids’ presents.

Full list:

1. Decide what you have to spend. Make a list and be realistic. Paying in cash may help you keep control. Let your children see your careful planning – you’ll be teaching them a valuable life-long lesson.
2. Manage expectations early. If things are tight don’t be afraid to say so to family members. You’ll probably all be in the same boat and it may lead to a happier Christmas for them too!
3. See if relatives will club together with you to buy children what they would like, rather than individually over indulging them and all feeling out of pocket.
4. Buy fewer presents but more cheaper trimmings like paper chains and crackers. They all add to the fun without costing very much.
5. Never take out a Christmas loan! Remember the possible consequences could be disastrous for you and your family.
6. Give ironing or baby-sitting vouchers or make presents as opposed to buying them. For example, delicious homemade biscuits, chocolates and fudge make a lovely gift and show you've spent time and care.
7. Remember, you can't buy love. Don't feel guilty if you can't afford the latest present for your children. Your love and affection will last longer in the memory than any toy can.
8. Don't fall into the trap of reciprocal gift giving and don't buy out of obligation.
9. Don't overspend in the January sales, in spite of how good a bargain you might see. Make a budget and stick to it and if possible, leave those credit cards at home.
10. Enjoy all the low cost things on offer – the lights in town, get togethers, making mince pies, playing family board games, seeing your kids in the school nativity – and have a very Happy Christmas!

[By Charles Boyd - Christian Today Reporter]

First Sunday of Advent 2010

NOVEMBER 28, 2010

OLD TESTAMENT

Isaiah 2:1–5

1 The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

2 Now it will come about that

In the last days

The mountain of the house of the LORD

Will be established as the chief of the mountains,

And will be raised above the hills;

And all the nations will stream to it.

3 And many peoples will come and say,

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,

To the house of the God of Jacob;

That He may teach us concerning His ways

And that we may walk in His paths.”

For the law will go forth from Zion

And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

4 And He will judge between the nations,

And will render decisions for many peoples;

And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not lift up sword against nation,

And never again will they learn war.

5 Come, house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.

PSALM

Psalm 122

A Song of Ascents, of David.

1 I was glad when they said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

2 Our feet are standing

Within your gates, O Jerusalem,

3 Jerusalem, that is built

As a city that is compact together;

4 To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the LORD—

An ordinance for Israel—

To give thanks to the name of the LORD.

5 For there thrones were set for judgment,

The thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

“May they prosper who love you.

7 “May peace be within your walls,

And prosperity within your palaces.”

8 For the sake of my brothers and my friends,

I will now say, “May peace be within you.”

9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,

I will seek your good.

NEW TESTAMENT

Romans 13:11–14

11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

GOSPEL

Matthew 24:36–44

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

37 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.

38 “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,

39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

40 “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.

41 “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.

42 “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

43 “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

44 “For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

[Revised Common Lectionary. 2009. Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.]

Advent

Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming") is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday, called Levavi. The Eastern churches' equivalent of Advent is called the Nativity Fast, but it differs both in length and observances and does not begin the church year, which starts instead on September 1.

Advent typically starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25, the Sunday from November 27 to December 3 inclusive.

Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming of Christ. We believe that the season of Advent serves a reminder both of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah as well as the waiting of Christians for Christ's return.

This Sunday, November 28, 2010 is the first Sunday of Advent this year.

• November 28 - First Sunday of Advent
• December 5 - Second Sunday of Advent
• December 12 - Third Sunday of Advent
• December 19 - Fourth Sunday of Advent

An Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches representing eternity. On that wreath, five candles are typically arranged. During the season of Advent one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a part of the Advent services. Each candle represents an aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Set on the branches of the wreath are four candles: three purple candles and one pink candle. In the center of the wreath sits a white candle. As a whole, these candles represent the coming of the light of Christ into the world.

On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit. This candle is typically called the "Prophecy Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. This candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

Each week on Sunday, an additional candle is lit. On the second Sunday of Advent, the second purple candle is lit. This candle typically represents love. Some traditions call this the "Bethlehem Candle," symbolizing Christ's manger.

On the third Sunday of Advent the pink, or rose-colored candle is lit. This pink candle is customarily called the "Shepherds Candle" and it represents joy.

The fourth and last purple candle, oftentimes called the "Angels Candle," represents peace and is lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent.

On Christmas Eve, the white center candle is traditionally lit. This candle is called the "Christ Candle" and represents the life of Christ that has come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior. Also, those who receive Christ as Savior are washed of their sins and made whiter than snow.

Celebrating with an Advent wreath during the weeks prior to Christmas is a great way for Christian families to keep Christ at the center of Christmas, and for parents to teach their children the true meaning of Christmas.

Back Home

It has been an honor and a privilege to minister outside North America for the past several weeks. The world has become a smaller place with a need for a true and living God everywhere. The Great Commission still includes the ends of the earth, all nations and all peoples.

While the challenge seems great, there is a great revival underway in South America. To God be the glory.

As Thanksgiving passes and Advent arrives, we will go back to work providing resources for Pastors and churches on the Blog. It is an exciting time of year.

If you ever need us, we are just a phone call away.

On To Brazil

I will be in Brazil next week.

You can follow me on Face Book and Twitter.

Personal

Please pray for us as we minister in Dominican Republic this week.

Top 10 Reasons Why Christians Should Vote

1. Voting publicly recognizes that we submit to the authority of the political system in our nation as established by God. Romans 13:1-7
2. Voting recognizes the equality of all people and their right to speak and be heard. Deuteronomy 10:17-19
3. Voting is one way that we can obey God's command to seek the good of those around us and our nation as a whole. Jeremiah 29:7
4. Voting shows that we care deeply about who our leaders are as we are urged to offer prayer and intercession on their behalf. 1 Timothy 2:1,2
5. Voting is a simple yet significant way we can do something about politics in our nation. 'All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing', Edmund Burke. Psalms 34:14
6. Voting makes a difference the way a grain of salt makes a difference, and that is how we are to influence our society for good. Matthew 5:13
7. Voting is a privilege not to be taken for granted. Those of us who reap the benefits of living in a democracy should play a part in upholding democracy.
8. Not voting is a form of voting, as it will influence the outcome. We need to take responsibility for our actions, as well as our lack of actions. Luke 10:25-37
9. Voting is part of our stewardship to use all the resources we have been given in ways that honor God; to waste a vote is to squander a gift.
10. Voting is Biblical. The Bible contains numerous references to "casting lots." (ex. Proverbs 16:33) Acts 14:23 shows that the early Christians elected elders by voting.

[Source: Adapted from "Factfile: Top Ten Reasons to Vote" by Kandiah Krish in "Just Politics."]

October - Clergy Appreciation Month

Clergy Appreciation Month is a special time that congregations set aside each year to honor their pastors and pastoral families for the hard work, sacrificial dedication and multiple blessings provided by these special people. It is typically scheduled in October, but can be held at any time that is convenient for the church and the community. It is also important to remember that appreciation, affirmation and prayer support of our spiritual leaders is appropriate throughout the entire year.

The nature of the service provided by pastors and their families is unique. God has entrusted to them one of the most precious of assignments – the spiritual well-being of His flock. When a pastor becomes ineffective, the very souls of his or her parishioners are endangered. When eternity is in the balance, we should all be concerned.

Pastors and their families live under incredible pressures. Their lives are played out in a fishbowl, with the entire congregation and community watching their every move. They are expected to have ideal families, to be perfect people, to always be available, to never be down and to have all the answers we need to keep our own lives stable and moving forward. Those are unrealistic expectations to place on anyone, yet most of us are disappointed when a pastor becomes overwhelmed, seems depressed, lets us down or completely burns out.

That's why God has instructed us to recognize His servants.

"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching" (1 Timothy 5:17).

The good news is that we can make a difference! Clergy Appreciation Month is one way we can counter the negative erosion in the lives of our spiritual leaders with the positive affirmation they need. Be sure to lead your church in Clergy Appreciation Month!

5 Reasons Christians Should Vote

1. God has granted us authority. All authority belongs to God, but He has put human beings on the earth as caretakers. What is our task? According to Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20, we are to go out and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey God in every area of life. This includes politics. We must disciple people to make godly decisions about government, and promote the efforts of those who are already doing so.

2. We need to stand against evil. St. Augustine said those who are citizens of God's kingdom are best equipped to be citizens of the kingdom of man. The alternative is unthinkable. In the 20th Century, atheistic and secular humanistic leaders gained control of nations all across Europe, Asia and Africa. What was the result? According to historian R. J. Rummel, almost 170 million men, women and children have been brutally murdered by these governments, all in the name of human progress. These facts led historian John Hallowell to note,

“Only through a return to faith in God, as God revealed Himself to man in Jesus Christ, can modern man and his society find redemption from the tyranny of evil.”

3. Christian values contribute positively to society. The Bible’s solutions make sense. It is Christian involvement in government through the ages that gave us hospitals, civil liberties, abolition of slavery, modern science, the elevation of women, regard for human life, great works of art and literature, a workable system of justice, education for common people, the free-enterprise system, and much, much more.

When we see the good that results from applying God's principles, and the horror that results from rejecting them, doesn't it seem cruel and irresponsible to keep Jesus teachings about truth, love and compassion to ourselves? At very least, we should vote to keep OUT of office those who attempt to oppose God's authority.

4. Obedience to authority demands good citizenship. The Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 13 clearly states that we must obey governmental leaders because all authority comes from God. Here's the catch: in America, the people are the leaders! Here, at least, we express our obedience to God by exercising our rights and privileges as citizens. That means voting.

5. Good citizenship sets an example for generations to come. Those who apply God's principles to government pave the way for generations of blessing. In 1768 a Christian minister named John Witherspoon became president of the College of New Jersey, now Princeton. While there he taught biblical principles of government to his students.

Of the 478 young men who were graduated during his tenure, writes author John Eidsmoe,

“114 became ministers; 13 were state governors; 3 were U. S. Supreme Court judges; 20 were U.S. Senators; 33 were U. S. Congressmen; Aaron Burr, Jr. became Vice-President; and James Madison became President.”

As a Christian, Witherspoon exerted an enormous influence on the direction of American government.

You and I may not have the gifts of John Witherspoon, but we can still make a big difference if we put our minds to it. Pass this on to friends and family, and encourage them to vote in the every election!

[Author: Jeffrey L. Myers, Ph.D. / from his book Vital Truth: Christian Citizenship (February 2003). Copyright 2002, LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. All rights reserved. Used by permission of the author.]

God's Instrument

(This pastor appreciation poem is about how God uses pastors in our lives. October is Clergy Appreciation Month. Please let your pastor know they are appreciated.)

I see the hands that hold God's word

And fold in prayer to seek His will.

I see the feet that walk the path

And offers of praise as from lofty hill.

I see the hands that serve Him well,

The ears that seek to hear His call,

The mouth that speaks truth and wisdom,

The busy feet that carry the message to all.

I see the heart that was priked and entered

When God's man answered the gospel call

And yielded His life as a humble servant,

A man who is willing, as was Apostle Paul.

I see all of this as he stands in the pulpit,

An instrument through which God speaks

The words of wisdom, of love and peace,

To lead and guide all those whom God seeks.

[by Judy Crowe]

Strong Vibrant Local Churches

A happy, healthy, growing church cannot continue to widen the base of its constituency without an adequate support system in place to assist its Pastors. One or two Pastors can only care for a limited number of people in this fashion. Beyond that point, without some additional help the quality of the care to that congregation will begin to diminish. As the church grows, so do the needs of its congregation.

[H. B. London]

"2020 Vision" Strategic Plan

The Church of God of Prophecy has been working on a new strategic plan for the organization for several months, and the plan was presented as "2020 Vision" at the recent International Assembly in Greenboro, NC.

As a part of strategic planning, all of the church's assets are being reviewed. To assist with that process, ARKS Inc. was consulted. The asset review was released on Oct. 6, providing the Church a clear picture of its property value and presents multiple options for implanting the church’s 2020 Vision strategy.

Findings of the report were presented at a special meeting attended by the General Presbyters, members of the Assembly Standing Committees (BDP, F&S, and Administrative), the Tomlinson Center Board, and the International Offices staff.

Before releasing the report, General Overseer Randall E. Howard noted the findings would propel a process that would include acting on options suggested from the consulting firm as well as the input received from the membership of the church.

The study suggested the Keith Street campus, a 6.3-acre office complex which includes the International Offices, the Communications building and the White Wing Publishing House, should be sold for a fair market value. Church operations should then relocate to a new International Offices complex built on the former Tomlinson College campus on Lee Highway.

The study also suggested the former Tomlinson College campus, a 94-acre-lot, should be redeveloped for more functionality, including the new International Offices complex, new and repaired Tomlinson College buildings used for leadership development in the new Tomlinson Center, and income-generating rental housing which could include senior citizen housing and apartments.

“Options for Tomlinson Center are wide and include development of a college on the campus to considering strategic partnerships with other accredited colleges,” Howard added.

The study suggested the approximately 200 acres Fields of the Wood biblical-theme park near Murphy, N.C., be closed and developed or sold to alleviate a current $100,000-a-year budget deficit, which does not currently include repairs and restoration.

2020 Vision, presented during the 96th International Assembly this past July, stresses three core values of the Church, including prayer, the harvest and leadership development.

During his annual report to the Assembly, Howard said, “The General Presbyters and Administrative Committee felt it would be highly beneficial to hire outside expertise to do a comprehensive study and analysis of our properties and the best uses for these. This is a part, a small component of our Vision and Strategic Planning process going on now.”

“We are grateful to our friends from ARKS for their detailed analysis of our assets,” Howard said. “Their findings are only recommendations that must be discerned over the next few years. We invite prayer and input from all levels of the field through this phase of decision-making.”

The report is part of a future vision and not the result of any type of “crisis” situation, Howard added, but a strategy for growth and avoiding future economic challenges.

“We are not in a moment of crisis,” he said. “The financial status of the International Offices has remained solid even in the midst of economic downturn, only due to our faithful churches, leaders and members, as well as conservative investment policies.

In June, Raleigh, N.C.-based ARKS, Inc. was commissioned to evaluate the denomination’s three main campuses — the International Offices office complex on Keith Street in Cleveland, the former Tomlinson College campus in Cleveland, and the Fields of the Wood.

The report summarizes its commission by stating, “Today, with a renewed commitment to the enhancement and expansion of leadership training, and the financial pressures facing every level of the church in every country it serves, COGOP has recognized the potential for more effective utilization of its Cleveland assets.”

After months of reviewing documents, interviewing staff, inspecting buildings, factoring in external influences and analyzing alternate actions, the group presented recommendations to COGOP leadership during the October meeting.

“Options for the Fields of the Wood include everything from sale, to finding ways to make it self-sustaining through offerings or profit endeavors,” Howard added.

“We do want to guarantee in the discernment process that we aim to maintain and augment our heritage in the Shearer School House where the Spirit fell before 1900, the First Assembly House, and other locations, as well as historical writings, film, video, and other materials that would secure our heritage in years to come.”

Howard also explained the history of the Church of God of Prophecy extends far beyond Fields of the Wood.

“We believe our heritage is far wider than only the Fields of the Wood property and therefore our commitment to heritage includes dedication to secure, preserve, and promote our history and heritage in its varied forms.”

After the presentation, ARKS representatives answered questions from those in attendance on how they arrived at their findings and recommendations.

Bishop Howard once again explained the recommendations are the first step in taking action, a process that will include plenty of time for membership interaction.

“This information is not going to be kept from anyone,” he said. “We want every member of this church to know that they have a voice to express on this subject.”

In the year leading up to the 2012 International Assembly, convening in Louisville, Ky., Howard said members can express their thoughts to his office, members of the Administrative Committee, and their local/state/regional/national leadership. A special e-mail address, Vision2020@cogop.org is also available for members.

The executive summary of the ARKS report, which includes a variety of additional suggestions for each property, is available to leadership and members on the Church’s web site, www.cogop.org.