Baby Scan

Time Management

[From LifeChurch.tv : swerve by Craig Groeschel]

Many people say, “I don’t have time for ______________.”

This statement isn’t true. The truth is, we have time for what we choose to have time for.

Too many people today allow the expectations of society to consume most of our time margin.

When God sends us an opportunity to make a difference, we often think we don’t have time.

This is a huge problem for churches. In my opinion, most churches do WAY TOO MUCH! We get busy managing ministries of the past and miss divine opportunities in the present.

The way we create margin in our schedules is simply by doing less.

What do you need to stop doing to create margin for God to use?

Advice to a Church Planter

[From Goodmanson.com by D. Goodmanson]

Go somewhere where a church plant will take you and help you plant. Be mentored first. Plant with a team, a group who are on mission and have that dna. Don't plant in such a way that you become forced to try to 'market' to Christians in order to get tithe up and pay yourself. Plant a church that seeks to be a gospel-centered, city-changing movement. Start one relationship at a time.

Church of God of Prophecy Shifts Television Ministry

The Administrative Committee of the Church of God of Prophecy has announced that the television ministry, Voice of Slavation, is being shifted to a joint project with funding from the Center for Spiritual Renewal. This shift will eventually result in the Voice of Salvation continuing under the leadership of the Center of Spiritual Renewal.

The International Center for Spiritual Renewal has been established to bring before the Church on a continuing basis the primary need for revival and renewal, both personal and corporate. The Center seeks to accomplish this purpose through the conducting of research, the development of material, the facilitating of special meetings, and the sponsorship of an academic chair.

IFCSR is a non-profit corporation that works with all denominations, as well as non-affiliated local churches and ministry agencies. (http://www.icfsr.org/index.cfm). This move is seen as a very positive opportunity to take for the church.

For the first time ever, the COGOP is taking steps to project their vision through the budgeting process of what is supported at the International Office. But this is not the first time that an Administrative Committee has made the decision that the VOS television ministry was not the highest priority of the International Offices.

Back in 1996 that Administrative Committee made the decision that the International Office could not afford to continue to fund the media ministry. They felt those ministries should be carried at a local level from a strong local church for the most part. It was then that they asked both media directors (English and Spanish) to seek out locations where they could shift the television ministries. That was never fully realized, but the decision and intent of that Administrative Committee was clear. They apparently did not feel the media ministries contributed in a manner strong enough nor direct enough at the International Office to be a central factor in advancing the Turning to the Harvest thrust at that time. Therefore it was decided to move them from the International Office umbrella of support for the most part.

It was in the year 2000 that the Administrative Committee again came to a decision concerning the media ministry of the Church of God of Prophecy. After it was apparent that costs for these ministries would continue to escalate, the Administrative Committee reviewed each ministry and came to a conclusion. The feeling was that the International Office could not afford to continue to support these ministries with increasing funds annually. Therefore the Administrative Committee at that time made a decision that no further budget funds should be allocated for the media ministry - in effect a line was drawn so that no greater support would be expected from the International budget. At that time, the Administrative Committee asked these ministries to begin to raise funds through their media channels that would provide the additional funds they felt were needed. They were asked to report those funds raised in good accountability for their efforts.

That brings us to 2007 when the Administrative Committee decided to accept the offer of transition that William Wilson offered to the Administrative Committee. The idea was to benefit all parties.

This transition gives VOS an opportunity to continue the ministry track that the Church of God of Prophecy had supported for over 50 years. It also gives the International Office the opportunity to allocate resources once used for VOS to the values more closely connected with current vision. Finally, the transition gives the Center For Spiritual Renewal the opportunity to voice their vision and activities on a wider scale via television, as well as raise funds more broadly.

The decision to transition VOS was a decision to do everything possible direct funding toward those things that contribute to Harvest and Leadership Development. Though VOS does speak the Gospel to a wide range of nations and people, it was felt that this ministry is a seed sowing ministry and not a discipling evangelization ministry. It was also felt that the VOS English as a church sponsored ministry through the years, contributed little to local church outreach. These factors were important in justifying $200,000 to $250,000 of Church of God of Prophecy budget support annually.

While the seed sowing aspect of the television ministry is certainly biblical and vital, the question faced by the Administrative Committee was whether to merely sow seed, or evangelize, win the lost, bring them into a body of believers, nurture them, disciple them, and equip them to go out and win others, even possibly planting other bodies of believers. As they looked at the environment, they felt there are many that are doing great seed sowing in the Kingdom of God through television. They have even succeeded in funding their own ministries through their television presence. At the end of the day, the Administrative Committee did not feel that the COGOP needed to add to the contributions of so many others, and felt more strongly that what they do should be aimed at the more profound goal of evangelization, and even church planting, rather than seed sowing alone.

The economic environment of the International Office was certainly another factor in the decision making process. While funds were available to support all the ministries which have existed for many years, it was not a pressing issue to evaluate VOS (or any other ministry) based on our callings and values. But when funds became an issue, and the ministries of the International Office had not realized an increase in support for five years or more, then the pressure was felt to evaluate all efforts and see clearly what was contributing to the core and what was contributing elsewhere. Naturally, the media ministries came under scrutiny more quickly since they held larger budgets than many other ministries, almost $500,000 together.

The pressure to fund the core activities of Harvest (church planting) and Leadership Development amply, if not more abundantly was real. The sense that all ministries were not equal in their contributions to the core values became more and more apparent. As core ministries seemed to contract due to lack of resources, it weighed heavier upon the hearts of the Committee that less contributing ministries should not detract from the main callings of Harvest and Leadership Development. The fact that a ministry has been in existence for a long time does not justify allocating resources to it for the present or for the future.

What do you think about this move? (Click "comments" below).

Does the Institutionalized Church Help or Hinder in its Fulfillment?

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you . . .. (Matthew 28:19-20)

. . . Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)

You and I feel free to speak honestly and openly of our own family. But if our family is, in the least, criticized by others, it burns our bacon. A blowhard French journalist writes a book about America that is full of arrogance and stupidity, and we want to let all the air out of him and mail him back home flat.

And when we do take an honest look at our church family, some things are so obvious that it becomes clear that we simply love the church too much for some things to be ignored any longer. The time for pretending is over. The time is past to expect that the decades-long challenges related to the institutionalization of the church will vanish. They won’t.

These challenges are not exclusive to any one church family or denomination. They are true, in varying degrees of severity, for all church groups and denominations everywhere – globally.
Let me state my personal view of the obvious. The institutionalized church, for the most part, does not help in the fulfillment of the mission of the church.

It hinders.

Read More ...

Assimilation Into Your Church

[From Missional Church of God by travjohnson]

Check out the notes from today’s Church Leader Insights’ concerning the Fusion Seminar (on assimilation). Good stuff.

Read more about it here.

Do You Get Visitor Feedback?

Check out this church web site set up for visitor feedback. Each church visitor is sent an e-mail thanking them for their visit and directing them to this site.

http://www.bigcreekvisitor.blogspot.com/

Restoring Honor To The Clergy

[From Pastor Steven Furtick by sf]

I hope that, in my lifetime, God will allow me to be a part of restoring the virtue of honor back to the pastoral ministry. Beyond that: I want to help restore honor to the body of Christ in general. My generation has done a pretty phenomenal job of obliterating the concept of honor and discarding it, regarding it as old fashioned. If you ask me, we've sucked all the honor out of many of our ministries by being a little too cavalier and far too critical for our own good.

As for me, by God’s grace I’ll do my part to model and inspire honor in my generation by:

• Living an honorable life. (Keeping my pants on, keeping my hands off the money, keeping my word, etc. A good place to start, for sure.)
• Speaking honorably of other ministers and ministries. There’s a time and place to evaluate critically.
• Giving honor to other men of God who are a blessing to me. Even to the point of going overboard … I want to honor those God has used in my life. This is Scriptural, and I find it to be deeply gratifying and rewarding.

Who can you show honor to today? Do it.

What is your church polity on voting for pastors?

What is your church polity? Do you vote on the local pastor? What effect does a voting polity have on the congregational group dynamics?

While some groups like the Church of God of Prophecy and Methodist have Bishops making pastoral appointments, others like Baptist vote on the pastor within the local church. Which causes more disruption?

Members of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth voted Sunday to keep Brett Younger as pastor. The vote was 499 in favor of retaining him and 237 against, representing about a two-thirds majority. The historic downtown church has been in public controversy for months, first over whether a members' photo-directory would include gay couples, then over Dr. Younger's leadership.

“We are a church in need of God’s healing,” said a statement released by deacon chair Kathy Madeja after today’s vote. “We will need to listen carefully to each other about the things which have divided us and brought us to this day.”

A members’ group, Friends for the Future of Broadway, called for the vote on Dr. Younger. The group argued that he had been an ineffective leader and had led the moderate church in too liberal a direction theologically.

“We respect the will of the majority and pray for the congregation’s healing, recovery and continued service to the community that befits a 125-year-old church,” said Robert Saul, spokesman for the group, in a statement.

But Mr. Saul’s statement also said that 300 people “have or want to leave” the church because of the past months’ turmoil. Mr. Saul declined comment on whether he would leave.

Dr. Younger asked the church to stick together.

“I hope that we will move forward and be the church together, and that others will come and share church with us,” he said. “Broadway is an amazing congregation that’s willing to talk about difficult issues. This is a church that challenges its members to think and serve.”

The church voted on Feb. 24, as a compromise, to have a directory with group photographs, as opposed to family photos.

More here...

FOR YOUR INPUT: The issue aside… if the vote to keep you was 499 to 237, what would you do? Stay and fight, or call it a day? Would it not be tough to lead when nearly 1/3 of everyone was on record as opposing your leadership.

What's Your Church's Biggest Strength?

[From MMI Weblog by Todd Rhoades]

Leadership and management guru Peter Drucker once said, “Management is doing things right; Leadership is doing the right things.” When I read that recently, I thought that this statement could be very true in today’s American church. Here’s my theory: Could it be that while most churches are "doing things right," a smaller group of churches are "doing the right things?"

The percentage of churches in decline is America is substantial. (I've heard as high as 90%!) It’s my hypothesis that each of these churches (and if you take the conservative church count in the country of 200,000 churches, 90% would be a whopping 180,000 American churches!) have to be "doing things right" to some degree. Doing things right means things like conducting weekend services, maintaining property and facilities, making payroll, and caring for their attenders. In essence, as long as there are still people attending most churches, the churches, by and large, are "doing things right," at least from a management standpoint.

But what about the other 10% of churches in America that are growing and vibrant? Could it be that they have moved beyond "doing things right" to "doing the right things?" Every single one of the growing churches I've seen are very outwardly focused. They reach out and specifically target reaching their communities. They move beyond "management" to dare to try new things; new programs; and new approaches. They are not afraid of change. They are not afraid to confront the culture. They are leaders. And the result is a growing and community-changing church.

FOR YOUR INPUT: What’s your church’s strength? Management or Leadership?

Why Do People Leave Your Church?

Here are the top ten reasons LifeWay Research found why people switch churches:

1. The church was not helping me to develop spiritually. (28%)
2. I did not feel engaged or involved in meaningful church work (20%)
3. Church members were judgmental of others (18%)
4. Pastor was not a good preacher (16%)
5. Too many changes (16%)
6. Members seemed hypocritical (15%)
7. Church didn’t seem to be a place where God was at work (14%)
8. Church was run by a clique that discouraged involvement (14%)
9. Pastor was judgmental of others (14%)
10. Pastor seemed hypocritical (13%)

SOURCE: The Biblical Recorder… Read more here.

What Should Pastors Give Attention To?

[From Pastor Steven Furtick]

Ephesians 4:1 begs me to “live a life worthy of the calling I have received.”As a pastor, I certainly realize the non-negotiable need for me to be pure, seek God, love my wife, stay off drugs … you know, the biggies.

But there are many less obvious demands that I believe come with the territory of pastoral ministry. If I’m going to represent Jesus and be the ambassador of God, everything about me matters. Everything.

Here are a few things that I started giving attention to after becoming a pastor that I didn’t monitor nearly as much before:

• My health. I feel like my credibility would be severely damaged if I had a big bulging pulpit bumper (belly). I have a metabolism that would render me quite fat and sloppy looking if I ate whatever I wanted and never worked out. So I usually eat pretty well, and I work out as regularly as possible. Don’t get me wrong, I’m far from a health nut. I’ll probably have a hot dog tonight, matter of fact. And I drink way too much caffeine. But I keep it in check.
• My dress. I think a minister of the Gospel should dress well relative to the culture he’s trying to reach. This means different things in different places to different people. I don’t intend to turn this into a discourse on whether it’s ethical for a preacher to buy a $2000 suit and wear a Rolex. I’m not really talking about price at all. I’m talking about maintaining a neat, current, appropriate, fashionable personal appearance. In other words, everyone can iron. We represent the most meaningful message known to man. We should look like able messengers.
• My hugs. I know it sounds gay, but roll with it. As I become more and more detached from those who serve with me at Elevation Church, I find myself becoming increasingly touchy and huggy. (Spell check is telling me huggy isn’t a word. Spell check is wrong.) I rarely walk by one of our volunteers or staff members without giving them a hug. Because what may take 4 seconds out of my day could literally make their day. As a pastor, I need to realize the value of a simple thank you or acknowledgement of the people in my life. Sometimes it makes all the difference, even when I don’t recognize it.
• My car. I keep it clean. It’s hard to set an example of a well ordered life with French Fries and Diet Coke cans piled up on the floorboard.

What little things could you begin tweaking today to make you a more accurate and credible representative of Jesus Christ?

Ecumenical Advocacy Days Conference Begins

[By Ethan Cole - Christian Post Reporter]

More than 1,000 Christian leaders gathered Friday for the 2008 Ecumenical Advocacy Days Conference to discuss and advocate for a wide range of U.S. policy issues outside of Washington, D.C.

The sixth annual conference, Mar. 7-10, brings together leaders from the ecumenical Christian community to learn, discuss and then mobilize the Christian voice to be a witness for justice and peace in regards to U.S. domestic and international policies. Attendees will hail from around the world including from Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Participants will explore new ideas on how U.S. policies can be transformed to embrace more just, peaceful and effective actions at home and abroad to improve security for the United States, its neighbors and around the world.

“As people of faith and hope, we believe our nation is entering – and must enter – an era of renewal and re-creation,” says a statement on the Ecumenical Advocacy Days Web site.

"It is time to move beyond the misdirected strategies of the past few years and envision a new pathway to true human security – one which seeks not only the absence of tension, but the presence of justice.”

This year’s moral statement is “Claiming a Vision of True Security,” with the main Scripture reference taken from Psalms 20:7: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

Organizers explain that Psalms 20:7, in today’s language, could read as: Some trust in violence and take pride in technologies of war, and some in military power, but our trust is in the unfailing love and faithfulness of our saving God.

"As people of faith and conscience, we envision a world where security is not measured by military power, closed borders or corporate profits, but by the capacity to achieve the common global good and share the resources which sustain communities,” event organizers wrote on its Web site.

“In such a world all children are treasured as sacred gifts and our elderly are regarded for their experience and wisdom,” they continued. “Each woman, man and child is safe from violence and has the resources for a life of dignity and sufficiency. Such a world looks to secure a safe and productive future for generations yet to come.”

Conference plenary speakers include the Rev. Dr. Mark Lomax of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Ga.; Dr. Lisa Schirch, professor of peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University; and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).

The conference will hold a Town Hall forum Sunday evening and presidential candidates have been invited to participate in discussions on economic security, health care, the global impact of climate change and U.S. military presence abroad.

On Monday, the gathering will cap off with a visit to Capitol Hill where participants will lobby their congressional representatives on the new visions for national and global security as decided by the conference.

“Accordingly, in a truly secure world, the earth and all its people will receive the respect they are due as God’s creation and bearers of the divine image,” organizers envisioned.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice began in 2003 with some 400 religious advocates, and grew to more than 1,000 leaders in 2007.

International Assembly Update

[From Bishop E. C. McKinley]

In just a few short months, delegates from around the world will gather at the Sommet Center in the heart of downtown Nashville, Tennessee for "Awake!" the 2008 International Assembly of the Church of God of Prophecy.

This year's Assembly promises to be an unforgettable experience, as delegates will enjoy a number of new components to the Assembly activity schedule.

The programming for this year's meeting continues to take shape as general session presenters and speakers are confirmed, and special events are scheduled.

Each morning, Tuesday through Saturday, delegates will be invited to participate in a unique prayer and worship experience, led by anointed prayer minister Kay Horner of Cleveland, TN and bi-lingual worship team ensemble from the state of California. This special time of prayer and praise will help delegates focus their hearts and minds on the activities and needs of the day.

On Thursday and Friday mornings, delegates will participate in "Leadership Awakening" sessions, especially designed to encourage, inspire, and equip church leadership for ministry. Dr. Doug Stringer, founder and president of Turning Point Ministries International, will be sharing during each morning's session. Doug's passion for mobilizing churches to influence their communities has led his ministry to the development of a network of organizations impacting communities through unified grassroots efforts, a ministry that has spread to influence communities around the globe.

On Friday evening, Dr. Jerry Macklin will share an anointed message as delegates gather to celebrate 100 Years of Pentecostal Power. Bishop Macklin is Senior Pastor of the Glad Tidings Church of God in Christ (Hayword, California), a church of influence, with more than 50 active ministries impacting hundreds of lives each week. In addition to his duties as pastor, Bishop Macklin also serves as Chairman of the Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America (PCCNA), and in November 2007, Bishop Macklin was appointed to serve as 2nd Assistant Presiding Bishop for the Church of God in Christ, Inc.

Bishop Randall E. Howard, General Overseer, said of this year's guest speakers, "I am thrilled that Dr. Stringer and Bishop Macklin have agreed to minister at this year's Assembly. I have known each of these gentlemen for some time now and have been impressed and blessed to see how God is using both of them to help His people move into new arenas of ministry and outreach. I know delegates will receive this same blessing as they experience their teaching and ministry. I believe that God will use both of these presentations to awaken our leadership to ministry opportunities and inspire them to go forward into their ministries with great passion and power."

Worship is always in important component of each Assembly. The world-famous Bahamas Brass Band will once again delight Assembly delegates throughout the week with their exuberant musical selections. In addition to the Brass Band, this year's General Session worship will be lead by the powerful, excellent ministry of the Bahamas National Praise Team. Additional information will be forthcoming in future web postings and through Connections, the e-newsletter of the Church of God of Prophecy International Offices. Additionally, a complete schedule of events (regularly updated) may be viewed by clicking here.

2008 Bahamas National Convention on the Web

[From Michael Swann]

Please see link below for live Streaming of the 2008 Bahamas COGOP National Convention which commences on Sunday, March 9th.

A pdf copy of the program can be downloaded from "Downloadable Documents" in the right column of this Blog.

Audio streaming only during the Day Sessions ~ Both audio/video available in the Evenings only.
Website Link: http://www.cogopbahamas.org/