Church Shooting During Funeral

A church shooting occurred where six people were wounded at a Chicago area church on Saturday, August 1, 2009 during the funeral of an admitted gang member.

A man approached a group of people standing outside the west side church and shot one man. As he fled, he turned and was able to shoot five additional people.

Inner city churches face violence on a daily basis, and many have an informal church security plan. It is apparent the sacred place of a church is no longer protected from anyone bent on violence.

At noon, the Gospel Truth Life Church at 5301 W. Madison was filled with an overflow crowd — with more funeral attendees standing outside when shots were fired, Chicago police said.

[from Church Security Member by Glen]

Obit - Bishop Larry Dotson

Larry J. Dotson, 66, Leesburg, FL passed away Monday, July 27, 2009 at Leesburg Regional Medical Center. He was born June 21, 1943 in Coeburn, Virginia son of the late William E. and Opal Dotson.

A local resident since 2000 from Alexandria, Virginia, he was the Presiding Bishop of Florida for the Church of God of Prophecy and was a member of Ocoee Church of God of Prophecy. He also served as Chairman of the Finance & Stewardship Committee of the International Assembly of the Church.

His brother Robert Dotson preceded him in death.

Surviving is his wife Frankie Dotson; son Larry J. Dotson, Jr., and his wife Heather and their daughter Skyler all of Minneola; siblings Phillip Lane, Billy Horton & Bonna Keeley all of Virginia and Jerry Dotson, Land O’ Lakes.

The funeral service for Bishop Dotson will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday August 1, 2009 in the Wesley Center in Clermont. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.

BECKER FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Clermont, FL. Telephone 352-394-7121.

Bishop Dotson had accomplished the following:

ACADEMIC PREPARATION:
BA in Business Administration, Antioch University, 1976
Masters in Ministry, International Bible Institute and Seminary, 1982
Doctorate in Theology, Christian Bible College, 1987
Graduate Work, Liberty University, 1998

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Air Force, Strategic Air Command, 1961 - 1965
Universal Communications Systems, 1970 –1981
Director of Field Operations for Eastern United States, 1977

Church of God of Prophecy:
Youth Pastor, Southeast, Virginia Church of God of Prophecy, 1969
Licensed As Minister, 1977
Finance and Appropriations Committee, Virginia and Ohio, 1979 – 2000
District Overseer, Roanoke, Virginia, 1979 – 1981
Alexandria, Virginia, 1995 – 2000
Ordained As Bishop, 1982
Pastor, Roanoke, Virginia, 1981 - 1984
Altavista, Virginia, 1987 - 1989
Brecksville, Ohio, 1990 - 1994
Alexandria, Virginia, 1989 – 1990, 1995 - 2000
Editor and Publisher, Wings Of Truth, State of Virginia, 1984 - 1987
New Field Director, Virginia, 1984 - 1987
State Treasurer, Virginia, 1984 – 1987
Missionary Evangelist, Holland, 1987
Cypress, 1990
West Africa, 1999
International Finance and Stewardship Committee, 1999 – 2006
Chairman, International Finance and Stewardship Committee 2006 – Present
State Overseer, Florida, 2000 – Present
President, Church of God of Prophecy State of Florida, Inc., 2000 – Present
President, Church of God of Prophecy, State Campground, Inc., 2000 - Present

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
Area Ministerial Association, 1987 – 2000
Civil Air Patrol, Chaplain, First Lieutenant, 1990 - 1996
FAA Licensed Pilot
AOPA Member

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:
Certified Instructor of Hermeneutics, LDI, 1992 – 2004

PUBLICATIONS:
Profile Of The Church Of God In Virginia

HONORS AND AWARDS:
Executive Committee Employee of The Year, Universal Communications Systems, 1980
Oxford’s Who’s Who; Elite Registry of Extraordinary Professionals, 1992, 1993

Funeral Arrangements for Bishop L. J. Dotson

Becker Funeral Home (in charge of arrangements)
806 W. Minneola Avenue
Clermont, FL 34712

352-394-7121

The service will be Saturday, August 1 at 1:00 P.M.
The Wesley Center
950 8th Street
Clermont, FL (directly behind the First United Methodist Church of Clermont on Hwy 50)

There is not visitation prior to the service.

There is not a specific memorial fund being set up. Sister Dotson has expressed just whatever people want to do.

So You're a Leader - Inspire Others

As leaders, we have two options: we can inspire others or injure others.

When we inspire, we cause others to strive to be their best.

When we injure, we cause others to never be their best.

When we inspire, we listen to what others have to say.

When we injure, we force others to listen to us.

When we inspire, we do whatever we can to serve others.

When we injure, we see others only as people that can serve us.

So you are a leader? Which are you doing? Inspiring or injuring?

Obit - Ruby Smith

Ruby Smith, mother of Dr. Sylvester Smith, Senior Pastor of the Praise and Worship Center in Anniston, AL, went to be with the Lord yesterday.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Collier-Butler Chapel.

Mrs. Ruby C. Smith, age 85 of Gadsden went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday-July 27, 2009. Revs. Dennis Johnson and Frank Tucker will officiate with burial at Wynnville Cemetery, Snead, AL. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services Directing.

Mrs. Smith was born to Clarence S. Mathews and Mamie E. Herrington Mathews on September 19, 1923 in Blount County, She was a longtime resident of Etowah County, a member of Triune Baptist Church, and was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Aubrey L. Smith, daughter, Nadine Justice and son-in-law, Bert M. Stephens.

Survivors include her children: Gean Stephens, Cullman, Rev. Sylvester (Bobbie) Smith, Anniston and Loretta (Tom) Harper, Alabaster. Grandchildren: Jeanelle Mathis, Jeff Roden, James Justice, April Smith, Jonathan Smith and Holly Harper. Six Great Grandchildren and Two Great Great Grandchildren. Sister, Lois Hopson, Oneonta and brother, James W. Mathews, Blountsville. Numerous Nieces and Nephews. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Honorary Pallbearers will be nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the nurses and staff at Northside Health Care Center and the Nurses and Staff of 7th Floor at Gadsden Regional Medical Center. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. this evening at the funeral home.

Bishop Larry Dotson Passes

"We are all so sorry to share that Bishop Larry Dotson, Overseer of Florida for the COGOP passed away this evening. I know that we all join Sister Frankie Dotson, their son Joe and family in prayers for comfort and strength. We are all grieved and shocked at this loss of a wonderful friend, partner in ministry, and leader for this family of ministry."

Sincerely,
Bishop Randall E. Howard
General Overseer
Church of God of Prophecy

As details become available we will be sharing them online at http://www.cogop.org/.

Death Announcement

Pastor Sylvester Smith's mother went to be with the Lord this morning following a long illness.

The family will be receiving friends at Collier-Butler Funeral Home in Gadsden, Alabama, Tuesday evening, July 28, 2009, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

The funeral will be Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at Collier-Butler Funeral Home in Gadsden, Alabama at 11:00 AM.

Sylvester Smith is the Senior Pastor at the Praise and Worship Center in Anniston, Alabama. Please be in prayer for this precious family.

http://couragetoday.blogspot.com/

Today's Quote

"More would love Jesus if we who believe the doctrines of grace were gracious! Our lives must 'adorn' doctrine." (Titus 2:10) - Pastor Rick Warren

Indigenous Leadership

When building a team, you have two basic choices:

• Raise up from within
• Bring in from outside

Let’s consider the benefits of using people from within:

1. You develop a culture of leadership development. When people see others excelling and growing, it naturally produces a leadership culture. Instead of bringing in the “professionals” from outside, it promotes equipping and promoting from within.
2. People already understand your culture. When you bring someone in, it is always questionable whether or not they can catch the spirit and fit into the culture of your ministry.
3. Local people are generally more loyal to the vision. Those who come from within are generally more loyal to the vision. Rather than being another rung on their ministry ladder, most who come from within see your ministry as a life calling.
4. They can bring huge life experience. Those who have been successful in non-ministry roles can bring a wealth of wisdom from their life’s learning into a local church.

There are plenty more benefits. What are your thoughts?

[based on an article from LifeChurch.tv : swerve by Craig Groeschel]

Today's Quote

"Acceptance isn't approval. Jesus publicly defended a woman’s dignity without approving her sin. He corrected privately. Copy him!" - Pastor Rick Warren

Church Leader, Learn This Lesson

"Learn this lesson – if you are to do the work of a prophet, what you need is not a scepter but a towel and basin.” - Bernard of Clairvaux

[from Larry Duncan]

Perfect Pastor?

In my imagination, I sometimes think I could create the perfect minister. I'd take the eloquence of ______, the knowledge of ______, the zeal of ______, and the pastoral meekness, tenderness, and piety of ______. Then, putting them all together into one man, I'd say to myself, "This is the perfect pastor."

Now there is One, who, if he chose to, could actually do this; but he never did it. He has seen fit to do otherwise, and to divide these gifts to every man severally as he will. (Richard Cecil, Memoirs of the Rev. John Newton, p. 107.)

[by John Piper, from Desiring God Blog]

Pastor, God Loves You Immensely

Luke 12:6-7; "Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows" (NKJV).

Pastor, you need to hear what you so often share with others. You tell people on many occasions that God is truly interested in their life and the circumstances that they are facing. Be reminded today that there are times in which we need to reflect on those spiritual truths that we have deposited in the lives of others. Is it possible that the enemy seeks for us to forget those truths when we are facing our own personal adversity? It is at those moments that we need to remember the promise of Christ found in Luke; God watches the sparrows but people are more valuable than the sparrows.

Be reminded today that Biblical truth. God has not forgotten you. God has not forsaken you. You are significant to God and the service that you offer to Him is important. God is near to you during your adversity and He is aware of the fears that you are facing. But rest assured that God is for you and that He is not against you. Trust in Him with all of your heart and lean on the promises of God and He will see you through the struggles that you are facing.

Take time today to remember the promises that God has declared to you and over you.

Blessings on your walk with God.

[by Michael Willingham]

Growing Leaders

Leaders grow other leaders when they are focused on three things:

1. Growing themselves daily with the Lord through prayer and Bible study
2. Growing others through discipleship (one-on-one or one-on-few)
3. Growing the gifts of those around them by helping them to discover and focus those gifts on their personal passions

Review the list above - are you doing all three? If not, how will you change the way you lead to incorporate all three of these aspects of leadership growth into your weekly life?

[from Agile Ministry by James Higginbotham]

Today's Quote

“When I preach I teach; when I teach I preach.” - Martin Luther