When the Leader is Attacked Unjustly ...

Leaders MUST be willing to make unpopular decisions at times …and when that happens you can bet on the fact that arrows are going to fly in your direction. So … when the arrows fly … what are your options?

1. You Can Cry - the problem is – people can’t stand to hear other people cry! Seriously … no one has ever been inspired to do anything great from the whining of another person. Trust me, I’ve done my share of crying. And while it may bring some brief apathy and sympathy, it never accomplishes anything significant for the Kingdom!

2. You Can Die - I know people who have allowed the attacks of others to literally kill the joy inside of them. If you are a leader, then you are mistaken if you actually think that everyone is always going to embrace you and/or your ideas. Do not allow the voice of those who know you the least to shape you the most – to do so means certain death to the fire inside of your soul!

3. You Can Fry - I remember once several years ago having an incredibly difficult time with some things that others were saying about me, and it was stealing my joy. I would read the blog site around 10 times a day and steaming over the comments … until a mentor told me, “I call what you are doing 'verbal pornography!' Reading that site is not helping you. It is only damaging you!" BAM! I was allowing to voice of the enemy to focus all of my attention in the wrong place … thus ignoring my wife, my daughter and my church. Yes, we will get angry when attacked unjustly. But, to dwell in and feed that anger does nothing but give the enemy a foothold into our lives. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

4. You Can Lie - We can say things don’t hurt us and try to laugh it off … but reality is when we do that we are lying! Attacks by the people in the cheap seats always sting. So, the best thing you can do is honestly admit to a group of people you trust how you honestly feel! The sooner you admit the truth the more people will be able to help you walk through this. (And trust me, God doesn’t intend for you to be on the battlefield alone!)

5. You Can Try - (BEST option!) When knocked down we can get back up! When attacked we can stay focused and keep doing what God has called us to do. We are NOT called to quit, but rather KEEP trying! If you are a leader, then you cannot afford to waste time defending yourself and making sure the opinion polls are always in your favor. We’ve GOT to be passionately obsessed with listening to God and then doing EXACTLY as He says … EVERY SINGLE DAY. We can never allow the voice of the enemy take the calling that the MOST HIGH GOD put into our lives! Don't give up. What we do is SO worth it! Keep trying your best to desperately run after Jesus and the vision HE gives … and don’t allow the snakes to scare you … Jesus CRUSHED the head of the serpent … and in HIM we can do the same! WALK IN VICTORY!

[from Perry Noble dot com by perry]

Happy 4th of July

Today's Quote

"Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance. It is also owed to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong." - James Bryce

United Methodist Members Dying Faster than Americans

Offering a new perspective on the reality of aging denominations, The United Methodist Church studied the death rates of Methodists and the general American population and found that the church is dying faster.

The death rates for members of the nearly 8 million-member denomination are about a third higher than the national average, according to the "Pockets of 'Youthfulness' in an Aging Denomination" report.

In 2005, the United Methodist death rate was 134 percent of the U.S. death rate among those 15 years and older.

Among UMC's 62 annual conferences, or regional bodies, in the United States, 34 of them (representing 41 percent of UMC membership) reported death rates 20 percent or higher than their general population.

"There is no future for The United Methodist Church in the United States unless we can learn to reach more people, younger people and more diverse people,” said the Rev. Lovett Weems, director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, which compiled the report, as reported by the United Methodist News Service.

The graying and declining membership has led to numerous multi-million dollar ad campaigns in an effort to reach more people, particularly young ones.

"Rethink Church" is the United Methodist Church's newest campaign targeting 19- to 34-year-olds who may not be familiar with the church or who are seeking to make their lives more meaningful.

More than $20 million in ads are being launched over the next four years.

"Reaching new populations – which tend to be younger and more diverse than traditional United Methodist constituents – needs to be a high priority," Weems told UMNS.

According to the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, members in mainline denominations were younger than the general U.S. population in the 1960s. But over the last several decades, membership has continuously grown older.

While death rates may not be exact indicators of age, the Center – which set out to examine age trends in the United Methodist Church – pointed out that they do help show patterns that should correspond generally to age, considering that 75 percent of deaths in recent years occurred among people aged 65 and older.

The Lewis Center recommends that United Methodist churches not only reach new populations, but also begin new congregations as they tend to reach younger people at a higher rate than existing churches.

[By Audrey Barrick, Christian Post Reporter]

Obit - Betty Ann Stockdale Hayes Sexton

Funeral services for Betty Ann Stockdale Hayes Sexton, of Mount Olive, Ala., formerly of Camden, age 64, were held Tuesday, June 9 at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home with Gene Weakley, Wayne Hall and Bro. Bryant officiating.

Bob and Ronnie Stockdale delivered the eulogy. Burial followed at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, South, in Hoover, Ala. Currie- Jefferson Funeral Home of Hoover. was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Sexton passed away Saturday, June 6. She was born Nov. 2, 1944 in Old Hickory to the late R. W. and Anna Stockdale. She was the former owner of Betty’s Sweet Shop, in Paris, formerly worked in dietary at Henry Co. Medical Center, and was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy, also in Paris.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husbands, Richard Hayes and Eldon Sexton. She is survived by a daughter, Anna Lorene “Lori” (Tim) Naramore, and a granddaughter, Anna Elizabeth Naramore, all of Birmingham, Ala.; a sister, Jean Wheeler, of White Bluff; and three brothers, Buddy (Pat) Stockdale, of Somerville, James M. “Bob” (Virginia) Stockdale, of Big Sandy, and Ronnie (Debby) Stockdale, of Bartlett.

Dr. Mark Rutland Takes The Helm at ORU

The former president of Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla., officially stepped in Wednesday to take charge of Oral Roberts University, marking another new start for the historically charismatic institution.

Dr. Mark Rutland, who was elected in January following a 14-month search, marked his first official day Wednesday as ORU’s third president and the first without the Roberts name.

And unlike the previous president, Richard Roberts, Rutland will not be leading an institution more than $50 million in debt.

Following a highly-active clean-up campaign spurred by the resignation of its second president, ORU today finds itself with less than $700,000 in debt.

"I am incredibly excited about the debt being reduced by such a significant amount," said Mart Green, chair of the ORU Board of Trustees. "Debt is one of the dragons that ORU needed to slay to ensure economic sustainability, and we are almost there."

According to Green, the reduction of the school’s debt has been strengthening the new ORU and paving a “clear path” for it as the new president.

For the past nearly two years, the Tulsa, Okla.-based school has been working to recover from the financial scandal that stemmed from a lawsuit filed in October 2007 by former ORU professors who claimed they were forced out after uncovering financial and ethical wrongdoing by the school's former president and family.

Roberts, son of the school’s namesake founder, televangelist Oral Roberts, and his wife were accused of using university money for shopping sprees, home improvements and a stable of horses for their daughters at a time when ORU was more than $50 million in debt.

The suit was finally settled late October 2008 after a court-ordered mediation session, bringing to a close the scandal that engulfed the charismatic school.

Regarding the selection of ORU's new president, Green said he was excited and expressed confidence in Rutland’s ability to lead the school. “He brings great wisdom and experience to this role and will strengthen the university’s mission to provide an excellent, whole person education to our students," Green said.

At Southeastern University, Rutland is credited with engineering a turnaround after he became president in 1999. He also founded Global Servants, which has a church-planting ministry in West Africa and a large girls’ home in Thailand.

"Much prayer, time, and thought was put into the presidential search process and I am excited that Dr. Rutland was chosen as ORU’s third president,” commented Green.

According to ORU, Rutland will begin his service to ORU with many tasks on his agenda. With a new school year to begin in August, Rutland will be busy developing short-term and long-range plans for the university.

[By Eric Young, Christian Post Reporter]

Do People Still Respond to Door to Door Visitation?

Now more than ever, we need to look toward new methods to get the unchurched into our churches. Some people will be reached through door-to-door methods. Others will not.

While more than half of Americans would listen cordially as a stranger at their door invited them to church, more than 60 percent of the unchurched might tune us out before the invitation left our mouths. Now, the cross is always a stumbling block, but we also want to be sure that our methods are less so.

The message of the gospel is too important to be spread through just one strategy—and if God leads you and your church to a certain strategy, you should use it. Door-to-door methods can be and are used to reach people. This method can still be an important part of our evangelism strategies, but our study shows that not everyone is open to such an approach. Let us ask God to show us additional ways to reach the unchurched—through relationships, service, ministry, and invitations to visit.

Remember, God wants to see the unchurched connected to a family of faith even more than we do.

(Click on image to enlarge it.) Read the article ...

Today's Quote

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Nelson Mandela

Today's Quote

“Life is tough. Every weekend at church I look into the faces of thousands of people who have been beaten up by the world all week. They arrive with their spiritual and emotional batteries depleted. My job is to reconnect them with spiritual jumper cables to the restorative power of Christ." - Rick Warren

Obama Pledges to Ally with Gays for More "Progress"

Addressing hundreds of gays and lesbians and advocates at an event marking the 40th anniversary of the birth of the gay rights movement, Obama vowed again to overturn the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy and to repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

"I will not only be your friend, I will continue to be an ally and a champion and a president who fights with you and for you," he told an enthusiastic crowd.

The event was a first-of-its-kind Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month reception at the White House. Obama declared June 2009 LGBT Pride Month and was the first president to use the term transgender in his proclamation.

His predecessor, George W. Bush, never issued an LGBT proclamation during his eight years in office.

READ MORE ...

[By Nathan Black, Christian Post Reporter]

Jack Graham Has Cancer

The pastor of one of America’s largest churches is taking a two-month sabbatical following a surgery he underwent last month and kept secret until last week.

“It is perfect timing to begin that sabbatical now for the continued healing of my body, soul and spirit,” reported Jack Graham this past week to the more than 26,000 members of Preston Baptist Church in Plano, Texas.

“During this time, we will travel, relax, and enjoy our family. I also feel it is important to cancel my speaking engagements away and focus on my personal walk with Christ, fortify my faith, and make sure in all this journey that Christ is magnified,” he added.

It was in April that Graham was diagnosed with prostate cancer following a routine checkup and subsequent biopsy.

“This was not what we expected to hear, but received it as a part of God’s plan for my life knowing full well we can trust Him in everything,” recalled Graham, who served as the president of the Southern Baptist Convention for two terms.

After consultation with his doctors, Graham chose to have surgery on May 14 but kept it, as well as his prognosis, private “for a number of reasons.”

Following a successful surgery, Graham’s team of doctors assured the pastor that his prognosis is “outstanding,” he reported.

Still, following the surgery, Graham found it challenging upon his return to the pulpit ten days later despite having a “somewhat scaled-back schedule.”

“That was a push, but God has been faithful to strengthen me,” he reported last Monday.

It was likely even harder as the day after his surgery, a minister at the church who worked with married adults was arrested in a sex sting operation that Graham described as “disgraceful.” The ousted minister, Joe Barron, had only been with the church for about 18 months when he was arrested on May 15 after driving three hours to have sex with what he thought was a 13-year-old girl. Barron had had been chatting with “the girl” online for about two weeks.

“We are appalled by the disgraceful actions and subsequent arrest of one of our ministers,” Graham expressed in a statement dated May 18. “I am so sorry for the injury this grievous situation has caused.”

Though Graham said it “was a push” to get back to work following his surgery, he testified how “God has been faithful to strengthen me.”

Still, Prestonwood decided to give a two-month sabbatical to their senior pastor, who has served the congregation since 1989, when it was only 11,000-large.

Before heading into his sabbatical, Graham urged men to get regular checkups, noting the preventive steps he took helped him to receive the healing from God he needed.

“So, guys, bless your family by making sure you maintain good health through regular checkups and taking good care of yourself,” he urged.

In addition to serving as senior pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Chuch, Graham is the voice of PowerPoint Ministries, Prestonwood’s broadcast ministry.

Founded in 1977 as a church plant of Northway Baptist Church, Prestonwood Baptist Church is today one of the largest megachurches in North America and one of America's 50 Most Influential Churches according to a 2007 survey of church leaders.

[By Eric Young, Christian Post Reporter]

Zach Barnes Elected Vice President of North Carolina TSA

Rising Scotland High School Junior Zachary Barnes, who has served as North Carolina Technology Student Association president for the Scotland County High School chapter for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 school years, was elected the NCTSA state vice president at the organization's 30th annual conference held earlier this year at the North Carolina TSA State Conference in Greensboro. Zachary, who has led other organizations in his capacity as student government vice president, Spanish Club vice president, and acting Key Club president, has participated in the Native American Student Association, the Principal's Student Advisory Committee, and on the debate team. Zachary expressed his appreciation at becoming the state level vice president of the NCTSA.

"It was a real honor to be elected to the position of state vice president," he said. "I will do my best to assist the TSA in all its endeavors."

Scotland County Schools TSA advisor Sharon Williams is impressed by Zachary's leadership abilities. "Zach has demonstrated leadership skills since his days in elementary school. He was the perfect candidate for TSA state office and was voted in as middle school representative during his eighth grade year at Carver. During my time working with Zach, he consistently demonstrated leadership skills in the classroom and school and already has a long list of accolades. I have complete confidence in him as a leader and role model." Becky Wilson, an English teacher from the School of Math and Science at Scotland High School, agreed with Williams' assessment. "Zach's innate leadership abilities are evident in his leadership though example," she said. "He is a rare student who is both driven and selfless. He continuously strives to make himself and his school better in whatever way he can, and his peers and teachers both appreciate Zach's determination to make himself and those around him as successful as possible."

A member of the Laurinburg Church of God of Prophecy and an evangelist for the past seven years, Zachary's plans for college are both ambitious and concise. "I plan to pursue a doctorate in theology from Harvard," he said.

To serve in his new position as state vice president, Zachary had to pass a state advisor screening committee based on his candidate application, school transcripts, teacher recommendations and an essay entitled “Why I want to be a North Carolina-TSA State Officer.” He also took part in an on-site interview process that included a 10-minute interview by a committee appointed by the NC-TSA State Advisor.

During his time in office, Zachary will be responsible for planning the NCTSA State Conference and will attend the NCTSA State Officer Planning Session and the Fall Leadership Conference.

Zachary plans to expand his leadership role by running for the National T.S.A. office of Treasurer at the national convention in Denver, Colo. this summer. Earning this honor would mean involvement in planning the 2010 national conference and the duty of promoting the general welfare of the TSA.

The Technology Student Association is a non-profit, nationally competitive student organization for middle and high school technology education. Visit www.nctsa.org and www.tsaweb.org for more information.

[by John Lentz, Laurinburg Exchange]

Dr. Elgarnet Rahming Awarded Distinguished Order by Queen Elizabeth

The spiritual father of the Church of God of Prophecy in the Bahamas, Bishop Elgarnet Rahming, has been awarded the Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11 in her birthday honors of 2009. He says the honor announced by Government House is an "encouragement and incentive" to continue with his work for the Lord.

"I would think that those whom I lead, whom I provide fatherly mentorship to and council, and give advice to, I would hope that they would see this honor as something that they too could be proud of, that their spiritual father has been recognized in this way," said Rahming, the presiding bishop and national overseer. He received the honor for his untiring efforts and invaluable contributions to the growth and development of the country in the field of religion.

"But my greatest zeal and goal and objective really is to please the Lord — to serve the Lord, and to be faithful and consistent and steadfast in the work of the Lord while I help to build the lives of people. At the end of the day, this award is wonderful. It's an encouragement. It gives inspiration and it feels good, but at the end of the day, I am laboring for my eternal reward which the righteous judge promises to give to me, if I remain true and faithful." Rahming, 57, was one of 10 people honored for their contributions to either religion or the church.

"This surprise, and unexpected honor bestowed upon me by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II through the graces of the government of The Bahamas means a whole lot to me. It means that the work that I do, and have been doing over the years, has been noticed by the government to the extent that they deem it necessary to honor me in this way. More importantly though, anybody who knows me closely and intimately knows that I am what one would term a 'workaholic.' I am a 'workaholic' for the Lord. I enjoy working for the Lord, going the extra mile. In any 24-hour day I can work for the Lord 18-hours non-stop. And I do it not for selfish reasons, not for pride, not for show, I do it simply because of my love for him, and to uplift people, spiritually and socially — wherever I go, wherever ministry takes me," said Rahming.

He says it is his desire to improve the spiritual and social well being of people, and he believes that the medium of the gospel, and witnessing the gospel gives him the platform and the opportunity to do just that, and that he takes full advantage of it.

The announcement comes as the Church of God of Prophecy celebrates is 100th centennial anniversary of witness in the country.

"For me to have been selected for an honor at a time such as this is really a double celebration, and we certainly give God honor and thanks for that," said the son of Bishop Clifford Wenzel Rahming and the late Vera Chipman-Rahming.

Rahming accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour on Dec. 31, 1977, and became a member of the Church of God of Prophecy on May 28, 1978. He was licensed as an evangelist in July, 1984 and as a permanent evangelist in May, 1995. He was ordained and consecrated bishop in March, 1997. Rahming was appointed and installed as national overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy in the Bahamas on August 22, 1999.

Rahming obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, and is a graduate of the Church of God of Prophecy's Bible Training Institute. He has also completed a number of advanced courses, and holds numerous other diplomas and certificates from various theological institutions in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. He was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the Richmond Virginia Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A.

Government House also announced that Lowell Mortimer got an Order of the British Empire (OBE) honor for outstanding service to the public service, church and community.

Most Excellent Order of The British Empire (MBEs ) went to Sandra Moore (church and community); Canon Fitz Goodridge (religion); Basil Christie (community service, education, religion and Special Olympics); The British Empire Medal (BEM) is being awarded to Arthur M. Sherman Jr. (civics and religion); Wendell Carver Grant Sr. (civics and religion); Doddridge MacLagan Hart (public service, church and the community); Oswald Cory Munnings (financial services industry and the church) and Reverend Wilbur St. Clair Outten (community and religion).

[By SHAVAUGHN MOSS, Lifestyles Editor, The Nassau Guardian]

Chris Leggett Funeral Planned For Tomorrow

The funeral for an East Tennessee man killed by gunmen in Africa is set Tuesday in his hometown of Cleveland.

Thirty-nine-year-old Chris Leggett was killed June 23 on the streets of Nouakcott, the capital city of Mauritania.

An Arab satellite TV station aired an audio statement purportedly issued by a North African Al-Qaida group spokesman who said the group killed Leggett because he was allegedly trying to convert Muslims to Christianity.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Cleveland.

Christopher Ervin (Chris) Leggett, 39, formerly of Cleveland and a current resident of Nouakchott, Mauritania, Africa, passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2009, in Mauritania. He was greatly loved and respected by the Mauritanian people. The Mauritanian Minister of Justice stated that "his death was a great loss to Mauritania."

Chris lived and died for Christ. He and his family were residents of Mauritania for the past seven years where he directed a non-governmental organization with a focus to help the people of Mauritania. One aspect of his work involved working with the prison systems to train and equip women and young boys to re-enter society. He directed a training center providing training in such areas as computer skills, sewing, and literacy. He also oversaw a micro-loan program which fostered growth of small businesses; hundreds of projects were financed which impacted the lives of countless people.

He was a 1987 graduate of Cleveland High School. He attended Cleveland State Community College and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1990 with a degree in business administration. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Cleveland for many years and most recently was a member of Michigan Avenue Baptist Church of Cleveland.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Jay T. and Mildred B. Leggett and Ervin G. and Rachel A. Foreman.

Survivors include his wife, Jackie Beard Leggett; parents: Jay and Linda Leggett of Cleveland; four children: Hannah Marie Leggett, Jordan Christopher Leggett, Haley Rebecca Leggett and Erin Christian Leggett; brother and sister-in-law, Jay L. Leggett Jr. and Erica S. Leggett of Cleveland; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Charles and Shirley Beard of Cleveland; nephews: Jay L. Leggett III, Grant W. Leggett and Jonathan M. Rowland, all of Cleveland; and several other family members.

The funeral will be held Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at the First Baptist Church of Cleveland at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Jim Gibson and Dr. Alan Lockerman officiating.

Interment will follow in Fort Hill Cemetery in Cleveland with Jake Beard, Shannon Brown, Junior Burke, Stan Gibson, Brian Nerren, Jack Roach, David Souther, and Dennis Tweed serving as pallbearers.

The visitation will be held Monday, June 29, 2009, at the First Baptist Church of Cleveland from 5 to 9 p.m. and also 1 hour prior to the Tuesday service.

Memorials may be made to the family as follows: Directly to Jackie B. Leggett at 1112 Glenmore Drive, Cleveland, TN 37312 or through First Baptist Church of Cleveland, 340 Church St., Cleveland, TN 37311 and designated to the J. Mack Hall Fund or by going to www.clevelandfbc.com and selecting the icon for Chris Leggett. You may leave a message of condolence for the family at this Web site.

Messages of condolence may also be given at www.ralphbuckner.com.

Show Me Your Record For The Last 12 Months, then Your Vision For The Future

How easy is it for a leader to develop the God Syndrome? Just question someone who has it. Their decisions, no matter how debatable, are believed (by them) to be God's decision (divine). And, if you question their decision, you are accused of questioning God.

There does exist divine intervention, spiritual gifts, and divine illumination. But, I am reminded of the following Scripture: (Galatians 6:3) "For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." (NASB)

This theme reappears several times in Paul's letters (e.g., Rom. 12:3; Phil. 2:1-5). The problem of unjustified pride is a feature of a few antique church leaders today, but it almost seems viral in Paul's churches. Place this against the backdrop of meekness, which Paul taught was appropriate.

Interestingly, Paul does seem to allow that a person might legitimately think him or herself something in a certain circumstance, as we see in the verse that follows: (Galatians 6:4-5) "But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load." (NASB)

Nothing in these verses gives us any indication that Paul is spinning out some circumstance that could never happen. A person might have room for boasting because he or she carries his own load and has a "work" that proves worthy upon testing. No effort is made to reconcile such statements with other places where Paul prohibits boasting in relation to justification (e.g., Rom. 4:2). It is of course possible, however, that Paul has in mind the final judgment as the time of such boasting.

Most leaders who suffer from the God Syndrome refer back to "the day" when they were successful pastors or minsters. (Pastoring has changed drastically in the past 5 years.) Listening to them almost leaves the impression that no one else can do ministry like they did. But, what about their ministry results in the past 12 months?

Remember Jesus' teaching in Matt. 7:1-5 and Rom. 2:1? We are not to be tempted to think ourselves something as we restore those overtaken in a transgression. We are not to think ourselves superior to others or to boast in relation to others. We will have an opportunity to boast about our works at the judgment seat of Christ.

For now, I am far more impressed with today's ministry results, rather than boosting about the past. God's favor and anointing will be obvious without the minister having to tell people (in so many words), "This is God speaking."