Today's Quote

"While pride destroys self and others, humility serves and builds."

What About The Other North Korean Prisoners?

As the nation rejoices over the release of two U.S. journalists, a ministry working with persecuted Christians reminds the world that tens of thousands – if not hundreds of thousands – of innocent people remain trapped in North Korean prisons without hope of a special pardon.

“North Korea is suspected of detaining more political and religious prisoners than any other country in the world,” wrote Jerry Dykstra, media relations director for Open Doors USA, in a column Wednesday.

His organization estimates at least 200,000 people are detained in North Korea, including 40,000 to 60,000 Christians.

In North Korea, it is illegal to criticize the government, leave the country, fail to have a picture of Kim Il-Sung in one’s house, own a Bible, or practice Christianity. Leaving the country to search for food in China will result in imprisonment if the person is caught, and owning a Bible or being found to be a practicing Christian will result in imprisonment or public execution.

Just last month, Ri Hyon-Ok, 33, was accused of distributing Bibles and “spying” for South Korea and the Untied States. She was executed by the North Korean government. Her husband, children and parents were sent to a political prison camp the day after her execution, The Associated Press reported.

The North Korean regime is known for imprisoning not only the suspected “criminal,” but also three generations of his or her family to “root out” the bad influence.

Open Doors this year ranked North Korea as the worst persecutor of Christians in the world for the seventh straight year. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department re-designated the rogue country as one of eight “Countries of Particular Concern” for systematic and egregious religious freedom violations.

For months, U.S. journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee had lived amid this lack of respect for human rights.

The two women were arrested in March while reporting on the border of China and North Korea. The North Korean government accused the women of illegally entering the country and carrying out a smear campaign.

In June, they were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor for the above charges.

“We feared at any moment that we could be sent to a hard labor camp and then suddenly we were told we were going to a meeting,” recalled Ling at a news conference Wednesday morning shortly after their plane arrived at a Burbank, Calif., airport.

“We were taken to a location, and when we walked through the doors, we saw standing before us President Bill Clinton,” she continued. “We were shocked, but we knew instantly in our hearts that the nightmare of our lives was finally coming to an end.”

Former President Bill Clinton made an unannounced visit to Pyongyang on Tuesday to discuss the journalists’ release. After several hours of discussion, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il issued a special pardon to the two Americans.

President Obama, former President Bill Clinton, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have all released statements expressing joy over the release of the American journalists.

“I think that not only is this White House … extraordinarily happy, but all Americans should be grateful to both former President Clinton and Vice President Gore for their extraordinary work,” Obama said.

Dykstra of Open Doors agrees that Americans should rejoice over the release of Ling and Lee who now have complete freedom in the United States. But he also urges people to pray and advocate “for those who have not received pardons; for those languishing in the ‘hell’ that is North Korea.”

[By Michelle A. Vu, Christian Post Reporter]

National Back to Church Sunday - September 13

Statistics show that three out of four formerly churched adults are willing to give church another try. More than a third feels a "gap" in their lives since they stopped attending. Almost half wish they could be "closer to God," and more than half would attend if they simply "felt like it was the right time" to go back.

In a new effort to reach the formerly churched, Outreach, Inc. offers a new resource series to churches specifically designed to bring people Back to Church . The program empowers current church members with the tools they need to invite neighbors, friends and loved ones who may have attended church before but have since stopped.

"People are busy. Their circumstances tend to control their schedules. Some had a bad experience in church," said Eric Abel, Vice President of Marketing Products at Outreach, Inc. "Sometimes people just can't decide which church to attend, and others are afraid there won't be anyone there like them. The Back to Church resources help churches to welcome these formerly churched folks with warmth and relevance” According to Lifeway Research, 38% of people are receptive or highly receptive to attending church. 82% say they would be open to attending church if a friend invited them. But, unfortunately only 21% of active church going Christians invited someone to church last year! The Back To Church Campaign was designed to encourage participation and empower church members to be inviters. Back to Church will include a variety of invitation styles and tools, including postcards, imagery, multimedia, sermon ideas and support, welcome signs and gifts, and other materials. All the resources focus on re-introducing people to the God who hasn't changed, even if they have, and who would meet them "just as they are" if they decided to return to Him.

More information about these resources is available at http://www.outreach.com/.

Over 30,000 Pentecostals to Assemble for 53rd General Council

Around 32,000 Pentecostals from around the world will be gathering in Orlando, Fla., this week for the 53rd Assemblies of God General Council, which officially opens Monday.

The five-day meeting of leaders from the 51-million-member body will be a time to conduct business, set policy for its ministers, elect officials, and allow the leadership to cast vision and set the course for where the largest Pentecostal movement in the world is going as a church.

“This fellowship was built with the philosophy that says collectively we really are stronger than individually. And that is so true,” says Doug Clay, general treasurer of the Assemblies of God.

“When you see how big we are globally, it’s motivational,” he adds. “So at General Council, you do get to hear reports from the world, you do get to see what God is doing in other parts – not only domestically, here in the United States, but around the world. And it sort of gives you a sense of belonging.”

In the United States, the Assemblies of God is one of a handful of denominations that has continued to grow in membership and influence in the past decade.

According to the recently released Annual Church Ministries Report, the Assemblies of God reported an increase in adherents for the 19th consecutive year and now claims more than 2.8 million followers.

Last year, the number of adherents went up by 1.3 percent – an increase that statistician Sherri Doty called a significant gain.

"The U.S. population grows by about one percent a year," she told the Assemblies of God News Service. "This is an indication that we are growing faster than the population. And in light of the steady declines in attendance by other religious organizations over the past years, this is encouraging news.”

Despite their growth, or perhaps as a result of it, Assemblies of God leaders this year will be making some adjustments to their General Council, kicking it off Monday with a first of its kind event – the Influence Leadership Seminar.

“’Influence: Leadership in High Definition’ was a desire to sort of morph General Council from just being a come-and-do-business to a come-and-learn experience,” explains Clay in a preview of the General Council.

“So we went after some of the premiere church leaders and persons that God’s using to expand His Kingdom through the local church today, and are bringing them to just equip, inspire ... to be catalysts for creating new ideas and new paradigms within our ministers,” he says.

Church leaders expected to speak during the Aug. 3-4 leadership seminar include Mark Batterson, lead pastor for National Community Church in Washington; Beth Moore, founder of Living Proof Ministries; and Ed Young Jr., founding and senior pastor of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas.

At the conclusion of General Council, the hope of the denomination's leadership is that more will have been accomplished than simply the election of a new executive leadership team or the approval or disapproval of the some 26 resolutions that will be presented.

“Our leadership has been really praying that there would be a spiritual chemistry about Council that takes place in the hearts of our credentialed ministers,” says Clay.

“We really pray that people will leave Council motivated and inspired in terms of their calling, renewed to go back to the place where they’re expressing their calling – whether it’s in a local church or a para-church ministry or overseas ...” he adds.

The General Council concludes with the National Fine Arts Festival Celebration Service Friday night at the Orange County Convention Center, where much of activities this week will be held.

[By Joshua A. Goldberg, Christian Post Reporter]

Today's Quote

"A weakness of many leaders is not trusting their followers! Free Markets and Ministries unleash God-given creativity. Let go!" - Pastor Rick Warren

Today's Quote

“When you do the things you need to do when you need to do them, the day will come when you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them.” – Zig Ziglar

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]