Reproducing Yourself

I read a news release some time back about an organization that had announced that it would be giving away grants to local churches that motivate young Christians to enter into ordained ministry. Evidently, there is a shortage of new clergypersons to take the places of an aging ministry force.

In my years as a pastor, I have witnessed this shortfall. Fewer seminary students are seeking a career as senior or associate pastor. Many of those who graduate with advanced degrees do not plan to work in the local church. Bottom line: there is a shortage in many fellowships of newly assigned spiritual leadership.

This past week, I was speaking at an event and a young lady introduced herself to me at the conclusion of my talk. She delivered a message to me from her dad, whom I had baptized 25 years ago. Then she said, "My dad is now attending seminary, and he is reading one of your books." I was amazed. All of those years had passed, but God continued to work in that man's life — eventually directing him into ministry.

That event of a few days ago caused me to stop and think of the many in my congregations who had followed the Lord's call full-time. I am sure you can see the faces of those you influenced who are now walking in your footsteps. Can there be a greater thrill than to see the hand of God directing the path of those you shepherd?

I can also think back to the many times, as a teenager or college student, that a man of God would preach a message imploring those present to "surrender" to God's call. They would often quote from Acts 16:9, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Or from Matthew 4:19, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

You know what I think? I think that we would have more of our congregants entering into ministry if, one, we were more positive about the experience; two, we would challenge them; and three, we would recognize the value of God's unique call.

When was the last time you presented a message like that? I found the following outline in my Bible today. It's all yours.

• God's Purpose.
• God's Timing.
• God's Person.

Be blessed and be a blessing.

[by H.B. London]

CGP Selects New Presbyters

The Church of God of Prophecy International Presbytery meeting in Greensboro, NC has produced three new General Presbyters to lead regions of their global efforts. The new Presbyters will be announced in the first general session of the International General Assembly Tuesday morning, July 27, 2010.

Bishop Steve Gilmer Returns to Pastor

North Carolina State Overseer for the Church of God of Prophecy, Bishop Steve Gilmer, has announced that he will return to pastoral ministry. Bishop Gilmer is the son-in-law of former General Overseer Fred Fisher. The following email was released today by Bishop Gilmer:

"I gave the North American Presbyter and General Overseer the following information on Friday, July 23, 2010. They both received it with regret, yet understanding and respect. I received permission to give you: fellow Pastors, State Staff, friends and family this information."

Rockingham (NC local church) Deacons gave scripture, admonition and announced that after two weeks of prayer, fasting and meetings, the Rockingham Committee unanimously agreed that they felt it to be the will of the Lord for Steven Gilmer to become the pastor of Rockingham. "Vonnie and I were installed at Rockingham by the Church Committee and accepted by the church. We are excited about the future."

[July 22, 2010 Letter]

Fellow North Carolina Pastors:

May 17, 2010, the North American Presbyter, Bishop Sam Clements informed me by phone that there would be a leadership change in North Carolina. That was confirmed by letter on June, 2010 and again by email on July 16, 2010. Since the phone call in May, my wife and I have been in constant prayer, fasting and consultation with spiritual mentors and prayer partners. Our time spent in prayer and consultation have been honest before the Lord concerning where the Lord would have us to continue ministering for Him.

On May 17, 2010, Bishop Clements stated that he wanted me to remain with his team of North American Overseers and stated that he wanted to appoint me as State Overseer of Virginia. While we would be honored to serve the beautiful state of Virginia and her wonderful people, we feel it is the Lord's will to decline the appointment as State Overseer of Virginia. We will fulfill our current responsibilities in North Carolina until August 31, 2010.

I was appointed as your State Bishop by Bishop Billy Murray at the International Assembly in 2000. The past ten years as your State Bishop has been fruitful and rewarding. I have given all of myself to this administrative work. Vonnie and I have given you our hearts as we tried to shepherd pastors. We feel that our state is more united than any of the 20 years we have served in North Carolina. We have successfully developed lay leadership and ministerial leadership. Many of the young leaders we have invested in are serving in the local churches and in the pulpits across our state. We have tried to model relational leadership instead of positional leadership. But most of all we have simply loved you with all of our hearts and you have loved us in return.

We regret that major projects, potential leadership development and independent churches desiring to unite with our organization are unfinished. However, our prayer is that our successor will be able to complete the work that has been started and soar to even greater successes. I pray that you receive our new State Bishop and his family with open arms and open hearts. They deserve the best efforts that North Carolina has to offer.

Since May 17, 2010, my wife and I have been earnestly and open heartily seeking God's will for our continued ministries. July 6, 2010 God opened a door to fulfill our heart's desire. After several meetings with the local church committee and suggesting other individuals, the church committee unanimously asked us to accept the pastorate at our Rockingham church. Vonnie and I are honored to return to the Pastoral ministry.

We look forward to challenges that are ahead, as we fulfill a new vision and mission at the local church level. We have the peace of the Lord and desire to continue to work for Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Serving God - Reaching People,

Bishop Steven L. Gilmer

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A Quiet Place

About eight years ago, I spoke at a pastors conference at Hume Lake (www.humelake.org), a Christian camp outside of Fresno, like few others I have visited. It is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains at about 6,200 feet. There was autumn in the September air. The lake was alive with ducks and fish. The forest was full of bear, deer and other things you can hear, but cannot see. But above all, it was a quiet place. The forest road deadends in this beautiful spot ... and there is quiet. I think everyone — especially you, my colleague — needs a quiet place. Where is yours?

A quiet place? Yes, a spot where you can withdraw from the busyness of your assignment and recoup. A place where you can listen to music, if you wish, or just read or study ... somewhere — a place of your own — where the noises of the world are drowned out by the quiet of the Lord’s presence ... a stopping place.

Where is your quiet place? It need not be a distant destination point. It could be in a park near your home or the city library or a shady corner of your church property or a spot you have chosen on the coast or at a lake — somewhere free of distractions and interruptions where you just walk and talk with the Lord.

The psalmist talked of “still waters.” Jesus called his disciples to the other side of the lake. Peter went fishing.

I have not had many quiet places in my ministry. But this week, as I remembered my visit to a mountain retreat years ago, I was reminded how much I needed one. Where is your quiet place?

[by H.B. London]

Encourage Yourself First

Caterina S. Tudor, Ph.D. Professional Counselor in the State of Colorado, teaches the wellness of encouragement. She believes encouragement de-stresses and creates a positive atmosphere around the encourager. She says it is about “speaking life” to self and others. It starts with you and then cycles around to the next person and the next.

I submit that only when you know how to encourage yourself can you really encourage another.

To encourage yourself, act like a good parent or coach toward yourself. Identify your abilities and strong points. Acknowledge any progress you make. Remind yourself that mistakes are learning opportunities. Know how to nurture and rejuvenate yourself. It’s like a bank—the deposits and withdrawals have to balance each other.You can’t give away what’s not there.

It takes work, but it is worth it.

[from Howtoencourage by Kay the Encourager]

How Much Do We Owe?

Take a look at our national Debt Clock.

2020 Vision

President Says He Will NOT Secure U.S. Border

Barack Obama recently told a sitting United States Senator that he would NOT work to secure the US border unless he gets what he wants.

A few days ago, Arizona Senator John Kyl addressed a group of voters in Arizona and told them that in a recent one-on-one meeting with Obama in the White House, Obama told him that, “If we secure the border, then you all won’t have any reason to support comprehensive immigration reform.”

Simply put, the President wants to leverage the public’s desire for border security in order to get a “comprehensive” bill that would fast-track illegals to citizenship. In a word, AMNESTY.

Given that we have an estimated 20 MILLION illegal aliens, it would be the single biggest Democrat voter registration drive in history. And that’s why Obama won’t enforce the law until he gets what he wants.

To make matters worse, Obama is planning to have the federal government SUE ARIZONA for enforcing our nation's immigration laws.

And now Mexico is joining in. Mexico is suing Arizona in our own federal courts for enforcing our own laws.

Please Pray That Chaplains Be Allowed to Pray

Americans United, Military Religious Freedom Foundation, and others are pushing to ban prayers in Jesus' name by our military chaplains.

It is an outrage - and if we don't stop it, it will affect all of us.

Support H.R. 268, sponsored by Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC), specifying chaplains' right to pray according to their faith.

Call on President Obama to issue an Executive Order locking in our military chaplains' right to pray as they see fit.

We must preserve the right to pray in the military. Our own future freedom may depend on it.

Talent Is Never Enough

We are highly recommending John Maxwell's book, Talent Is Never Enough.

"One of the paradoxes of life is that the things that initially make you successful are rarely the things that keep you successful."

John Maxwell has a message for you, and for today's corporate culture fixated on talent above all else: TALENT IS NEVER ENOUGH.

People everywhere are proving him right. Read the headlines, watch the highlights, or just step out your front door: Some talented people reach their full potential, while others self-destruct or remain trapped in mediocrity. What makes the difference? Maxwell insists that the choices people make - not merely the skills they inherit-propel them onto greatness. Among other truths, successful people know that:

• Belief lifts your talent.
• Initiative activates your talent.
• Focus directs your talent.
• Preparation positions your talent.
• Practice sharpens your talent.
• Perseverance sustains your talent.
• Character protects your talent.

It's what you add to your talent that makes the greatest difference. With authentic examples and time-tested wisdom, Maxwell shares thirteen attributes you need to maximize your potential and live the life of your dreams.

Get Your Copy Today!

Father's Day

As a father, can you honestly say the following?

• I often discuss things with my child.
• I praise my children for things they do well.
• I know what encourages my child.
• I am a good example to my children.
• I try not to vary much in the way I deal with my children.
• I read the scriptures with my children often.
• I express affection to my children.
• My child and I often do things together.
• I know what motivates my child.
• My children know what to expect from me.
• I pray with my children.
• I tell my children they are special to me.
• We have a family worship time in the home.
• I teach my children skills.
• I talk about spiritual things with my children.
• My child and I have fun together.
• I tell my children I am proud of them.

[National Center for Fathering]

10 Hard Questions

Too many times we believe that being busy is equal to being godly … when the Bible says quite the opposite.

Psalm 46:10 SLAYS me every time I read it … CONVICTED!

David said in Psalm 23 that the Lord makes him lie down in green pastures and leads him beside still waters.

The LONGEST, most detailed command in the 10 commandments is the one on rest.

Yet, all of us … especially those in the ministry … wrestle with this. One of our MAIN temptations is being busy … here are a few questions we can wrestle through to see how busy those of us in ministry are …

#1 – How many times a day do you check your email? Is there really any reason to check it as often as we do?

#2 – How many times a day do you check twitter?

#3 – How many times a day do you check your facebook page?

#4 – When you go home to do spend time with your family … or merely “tweet” about how you are spending time with your family?

#5 – Do you tell your kids you are too busy to go to their game … but then go to the game of the church members kid so you don’t get into hot water with them? (BTW … good luck explaining that one to your kids in 20 years!)

#6 – Do you have a time during the day when you turn off your cell phone so that you can uninterrupted study time, prayer time and time with your spouse?

#7 – Do you always have to have noise around you … such as do you always have to have the radio on in the car OR the TV on at home, even if you are not listening to/watching it?

#8 – How much time do you spend commenting on blogs and social media sites? (honestly, don’t know too many certified blog commenters that are actually changing the world!)

#9 – Are you accessible at any time of the day by anyone who needs you? (LOTS of pastors LOVE to make this claim … usually at the expense of their family and their own walk with God. If you want to walk with Jesus you can’t do it by always having a crowd around … you’ve got to have some time set aside.)

#10 – Are you willing to make the adjustments that you need to make based on the nine questions above? If not then you are most likely addicted to noise and being busy … which looks good to others but absolutely destroys our walk with God.

PSALM 46:10!

[Perry Noble]

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To celebrate the launch of The Leadership App, we're giving away the brand new Lunch & Learn based on John Maxwell's book "Today Matters." ($19 value). Download the app by Sunday, June 20, 2010, and use the code provided in the app to download your free copy!

Reports say Obama admitted he's a Muslim

Two media reports are serving to fuel speculation about Barack Obama's religious beliefs.

Since before he was elected, controversy has stirred over the extent of President Obama's ties to Islam. During the campaign, he spoke openly of both his Muslim upbringing and his adult conversion to Christianity. But now two major Middle East media outlets -- Nile TV International and Israel Today Magazine -- are reporting that the president has admitted in recent months that he is a Muslim.

Those outlets say that Obama, in a one-on-one meeting earlier this year with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, told Gheit that he was still a Muslim, the son of a Muslim father, and the step-son of a Muslim step-father; that his half brothers in Kenya are Muslims; and that he was sympathetic towards the Muslim agenda.

Pamela Geller, publisher of AtlasShrugs.com and author of the new book, The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America, says this most recent comment by Obama has been ignored by the mainstream media and should be of great concern to U.S. citizens.

"[In] this latest report ... Foreign Prime Minister Gheit on Nile Television ... said that, in confidence, Obama told him that he was a Muslim," says Geller, "and that after he straightened out domestic issues would show the Muslim world how to handle Israel."

Geller also says that while this topic is nothing new, it is further evidence of Obama's sympathetic tendencies towards those who mean harm to the U.S. and his intent to reshape America's religious foundation.

"If you look at the man's record, it's shocking," she laments. "[Especially] when you review how he declared an end to the -- quote, unquote -- 'war on terror' ... how he floated the idea that he would talk to the violent, genocidal Hamas, that he insisted and recruited for Muslims in his administration and created an actual new department that reported to Hillary Clinton for the Muslim 'ummah' [the whole Arab world]."

Geller goes on to say that Obama's embrace of Islam shows his hatred toward Israel and effectively abandons the Holy Land, surrounded by its enemies, to fight its own battles.

[Russ Jones - OneNewsNow]