God's Instrument

(This pastor appreciation poem is about how God uses pastors in our lives. October is Clergy Appreciation Month. Please let your pastor know they are appreciated.)

I see the hands that hold God's word

And fold in prayer to seek His will.

I see the feet that walk the path

And offers of praise as from lofty hill.

I see the hands that serve Him well,

The ears that seek to hear His call,

The mouth that speaks truth and wisdom,

The busy feet that carry the message to all.

I see the heart that was priked and entered

When God's man answered the gospel call

And yielded His life as a humble servant,

A man who is willing, as was Apostle Paul.

I see all of this as he stands in the pulpit,

An instrument through which God speaks

The words of wisdom, of love and peace,

To lead and guide all those whom God seeks.

[by Judy Crowe]

Strong Vibrant Local Churches

A happy, healthy, growing church cannot continue to widen the base of its constituency without an adequate support system in place to assist its Pastors. One or two Pastors can only care for a limited number of people in this fashion. Beyond that point, without some additional help the quality of the care to that congregation will begin to diminish. As the church grows, so do the needs of its congregation.

[H. B. London]

"2020 Vision" Strategic Plan

The Church of God of Prophecy has been working on a new strategic plan for the organization for several months, and the plan was presented as "2020 Vision" at the recent International Assembly in Greenboro, NC.

As a part of strategic planning, all of the church's assets are being reviewed. To assist with that process, ARKS Inc. was consulted. The asset review was released on Oct. 6, providing the Church a clear picture of its property value and presents multiple options for implanting the church’s 2020 Vision strategy.

Findings of the report were presented at a special meeting attended by the General Presbyters, members of the Assembly Standing Committees (BDP, F&S, and Administrative), the Tomlinson Center Board, and the International Offices staff.

Before releasing the report, General Overseer Randall E. Howard noted the findings would propel a process that would include acting on options suggested from the consulting firm as well as the input received from the membership of the church.

The study suggested the Keith Street campus, a 6.3-acre office complex which includes the International Offices, the Communications building and the White Wing Publishing House, should be sold for a fair market value. Church operations should then relocate to a new International Offices complex built on the former Tomlinson College campus on Lee Highway.

The study also suggested the former Tomlinson College campus, a 94-acre-lot, should be redeveloped for more functionality, including the new International Offices complex, new and repaired Tomlinson College buildings used for leadership development in the new Tomlinson Center, and income-generating rental housing which could include senior citizen housing and apartments.

“Options for Tomlinson Center are wide and include development of a college on the campus to considering strategic partnerships with other accredited colleges,” Howard added.

The study suggested the approximately 200 acres Fields of the Wood biblical-theme park near Murphy, N.C., be closed and developed or sold to alleviate a current $100,000-a-year budget deficit, which does not currently include repairs and restoration.

2020 Vision, presented during the 96th International Assembly this past July, stresses three core values of the Church, including prayer, the harvest and leadership development.

During his annual report to the Assembly, Howard said, “The General Presbyters and Administrative Committee felt it would be highly beneficial to hire outside expertise to do a comprehensive study and analysis of our properties and the best uses for these. This is a part, a small component of our Vision and Strategic Planning process going on now.”

“We are grateful to our friends from ARKS for their detailed analysis of our assets,” Howard said. “Their findings are only recommendations that must be discerned over the next few years. We invite prayer and input from all levels of the field through this phase of decision-making.”

The report is part of a future vision and not the result of any type of “crisis” situation, Howard added, but a strategy for growth and avoiding future economic challenges.

“We are not in a moment of crisis,” he said. “The financial status of the International Offices has remained solid even in the midst of economic downturn, only due to our faithful churches, leaders and members, as well as conservative investment policies.

In June, Raleigh, N.C.-based ARKS, Inc. was commissioned to evaluate the denomination’s three main campuses — the International Offices office complex on Keith Street in Cleveland, the former Tomlinson College campus in Cleveland, and the Fields of the Wood.

The report summarizes its commission by stating, “Today, with a renewed commitment to the enhancement and expansion of leadership training, and the financial pressures facing every level of the church in every country it serves, COGOP has recognized the potential for more effective utilization of its Cleveland assets.”

After months of reviewing documents, interviewing staff, inspecting buildings, factoring in external influences and analyzing alternate actions, the group presented recommendations to COGOP leadership during the October meeting.

“Options for the Fields of the Wood include everything from sale, to finding ways to make it self-sustaining through offerings or profit endeavors,” Howard added.

“We do want to guarantee in the discernment process that we aim to maintain and augment our heritage in the Shearer School House where the Spirit fell before 1900, the First Assembly House, and other locations, as well as historical writings, film, video, and other materials that would secure our heritage in years to come.”

Howard also explained the history of the Church of God of Prophecy extends far beyond Fields of the Wood.

“We believe our heritage is far wider than only the Fields of the Wood property and therefore our commitment to heritage includes dedication to secure, preserve, and promote our history and heritage in its varied forms.”

After the presentation, ARKS representatives answered questions from those in attendance on how they arrived at their findings and recommendations.

Bishop Howard once again explained the recommendations are the first step in taking action, a process that will include plenty of time for membership interaction.

“This information is not going to be kept from anyone,” he said. “We want every member of this church to know that they have a voice to express on this subject.”

In the year leading up to the 2012 International Assembly, convening in Louisville, Ky., Howard said members can express their thoughts to his office, members of the Administrative Committee, and their local/state/regional/national leadership. A special e-mail address, Vision2020@cogop.org is also available for members.

The executive summary of the ARKS report, which includes a variety of additional suggestions for each property, is available to leadership and members on the Church’s web site, www.cogop.org.

Forgiveness - Accountability

Some of us confuse forgiveness and accountability. When a perpetrator has committed a crime against us, he or she breaks the laws of God and of man and will suffer the consequences for it, whether in this life or the next.

Is it possible to forgive someone for a rape, for example, but still take them to trial and prosecute them? Yes! Not only does the rapist need to be accountable for his crime, but other women need to be protected from his assaults in the future.

COGOP Overseer's Only Son Dies In Plane Crash

An investigation is underway to determine what caused a Cessna twin-engine aircraft to crash into a lake in the Bahamas shortly after taking off from the international airport.

The incident yesterday resulted in the deaths of all eight people on board – the pilot and his seven passengers. All of them were Bahamian.

It was around 12:20 pm when the plane, which took off from the international airport in the capital and was headed to San Salvador in the southern part of the Bahamas, went down in Lake Killarney.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham extended condolences to the families and friends of the victims and promised a probe.

“All relevant government agencies are lending their assistance in this tragic matter. Further, a thorough investigation of the crash will be conducted by the relevant authorities,” he said.

The aircraft was registered to Acklins Blue Company, an air charter company based in the Bahamas.

Condolences are pouring in from all over the world for those who died in the plane crash in lake Killarney, Bahamas.

The Cessna 402 driven by veteran pilot, Nelson Hanna, crash-landed just after takeoff at the Lynden Pindling International Airport. A member of the advance lighting team of the popular group Visage were headed to San Salvador along with others for an event during the island’s homecoming weekend. The event is to kick off on Friday night.

The passengers included Nat Williams (pictured), the son of Bishop Clarence N. Williams, overseer of the Turks and Caicos Islands for the Church of God of Prophecy.

“We are saddened to hear of Nat’s tragedy today. He is a dear friend and loving husband. The couple had recently welcomed into the world their first child. This is a sad story indeed,” a friend of Williams said.

Meetings at the International Offices of the Church of God of Prophecy in Cleveland, Tennessee were interrupted yesterday to announce the tragic news. The General Presbyters, BD&P Committee, F&S Committee, Tomlinson Center Board of Directors, and the Administrative Committee (Corporate Board of Directors), are all meeting this week. Everything stopped for prayer for the families of all victims.

The other victims are BEC technician, Cory Farquarson, set setup technician, Devin Storr, Sasha Mildor, Lavard Curtis and Delon Taylor. The last victim is still not confirmed at this time.

The aircraft is submerged in waters off the runway in Killarney where the air Cessna 402 broke apart on impact shortly after noon yesterday.

Holiness - Faith & Living

The Pentecostal Theological Seminary is offering a special class on Holiness - Faith & Living.

Order Your Textbook NOW - Foundations of Wesleyan-Arminian Theology [Paperback] Mildred Bangs Wynkoop (Author).

$11.10 at http://astore.amazon.com/relaticlinic-20/detail/0834102544

Lodging: Mountain View Inn (formerly Holiday Inn on the hill) in Cleveland, TN is offering a special room rate of $49.99 per night with FREE buffet breakfast for each person in a room.

Mountain View Inn

2400 Executive Park Drive NW

Cleveland, TN 37312

(877) 747-8713

The normal cost for a one hour course, $455. This special course, the price - $100. For those who might need to miss a portion of the course, for those who are registered, arrangements can be made.

This class that deals with Holiness - Faith & Living will have reading requirements so register early.

You may register by going to the Pentecostal Theological Seminary http://www.ptseminary.edu/

You will see the second role over about the course, that takes you directly to - http://www.ptseminary.edu/cogopenr.html

The school has a special program that will allow ministers who are thirty-five years or older with fifteen years or more of ministry in a special program that allows you to work on your masters. The school has more information.

If you are involved in a graduate (masters) program, this course could transfer for credit being a fully accredited offering.

Dr. Steven Land, president of the Seminary and recent special guest for the 2010 International Assembly of the COGOP, will be leading this special Seminar Course in theological studies exclusively for Church of God of Prophecy ministers, students and those interested.

"Holiness: Doctrine and Practice" can be taken for audit or Seminary credit (1credit hour).

Classes will meet Tuesday-Friday, November 2-5, from 1:30-5:30.

There is a place for you in the new PTS!

• At the heart of Pentecost is Holiness
• Your entry into cutting-edge seminary training
• "Be ye holy" is not a Christian option!
• "Peace" and "Holiness" reflect two sides of the same person

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A. Description: Central to the mission of this Seminary, its sponsoring denomination and the history of the Pentecostal movement is the holiness or Wesleyan interpretation of and approach to Christian faith and ministry. The vision statement of the Seminary asserts that our model for ministerial development "was drawn from the Scriptures and the heritage of Wesleyan-Pentecostalism."

This course will develop the substance and implications of a holiness hermeneutic in order to facilitate a deepening of the understanding, wisdom, experience and way of life associated with the doctrine of sanctification. Biblical, historical and pastoral perspectives will be brought into dialog with critical (Freudian, Marxist) and liberationist concerns in order to serve the ministerial needs of the contemporary missionary movement. The systemic, theological, personal- formational and Church polity-process implications will be addressed through a process of reading, reflection, case studies, class discussion, lectures, and spiritual exercises.

B. Outcomes: That each student:

1. Be able to research and inductively synthesize biblical and historical sources in order to arrive at working definitions of perfection, holiness and sanctification;

2. Be able to make "systemic" connections of this doctrine to other key loci (doctrines) of our faith;

3. Develop in his/her ability to do Wesleyan-Pentecostal theology-ethics in relation to actual pastoral cases and everyday concerns (special attention will be given to narrative-virtue ethics).

4. Undergo an encounter which deepens their knowledge of the Holy One.

For more, contact the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, info@ptseminary.edu, 800-228-9126.

Holiness Seminar

The Holiness Seminar at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Clevaland, Tennessee is fast approaching. If you have not registered, now is the time to do so. Go to (www.ptseminary.edu) to the flashing panel (item 2). Complete the Registration Form and click to send it.

If you have a minister friend nearby, perhaps you could call and invite him/her, and travel together You may order the required reading books. Book prices will be sent with the syllabus.

This seminar is especially designed for the Church of God of Prophecy, the Church of God, and other interested parties. We look forward to this historic gathering to discuss a doctrine we mutually embrace.

What is happening to clergy in America?

It seems today that the church and its leaders are experiencing a genuine and increasing attack by Satan. Why is this? It might be due to stress or burnout in the lives of clergy, or it could just be carelessness. Whatever it is, it is sin and it must be addressed. What we have found most often is that moral or ethical failure can be partially categorized in three phrases.

1. A lack of accountability and too much power.
2. Unresolved conflict at home.
3. Limited time spent along with God.

Failure to address any one of these three challenges can lead to great sorrow and ministerial failure.

[H.B. London]

Pastor Eddie Long Denies Accusations

The famed pastor of a Georgia megachurch said Sunday that he will fight allegations that he lured young men into sexual relationships, stressing that he’d be back to lead the church the next week.

Addressing a New Birth Missionary Baptist Church sanctuary packed with thousands, Bishop Eddie Long declined to discuss specifics of lawsuits filed against him - or flatly deny the accusations. But he drew thunderous applause when he told his church that while he’s not perfect, the picture painted by the allegations is far from accurate.

Long told the crowd that his lawyers had advised him not to “try this case in the media.” While the remarks were short on details of the legal case, Bishop spoke at length about enduring painful situations.

“We are all subject to face distasteful and painful sitauations. Bishop Long, Eddie Long - you can put your name in that blank - will have some bad situations,” he said. “The righteous face painful situations with a determined expectancy. We are not exempt from pain, but He promises to deliver us out of our pain.”

Long is scheduled to speak again at a 10 a.m. news conference and 11 a.m. service.

About 100 people waited at the doors of the church more than an hour before the first service. Some held signs of support, while others prayed for their embattled leader. A small group sang the hymn “White as Snow” while outside.

Members in their seats clapped and swayed as the service began around 8 a.m., with several people with microphones singing on stage. Later in the service, hundreds began dancing and chanting, “Jesus, Jesus.” A small group of young people held Apple iPads high over their heads, with the screens scrolling white letters against a black background reading, “It’s time to praise him.”

Long took the stage to loud applause from the crowd.

The lawsuits claim Long - who is an outspoken opponent of gay marriage - lured the four into sexual relationships with gifts including cars, cash and travel.

Long, a married father of four, previously denied the allegations through his lawyer but has not spoken publicly about them.

Over the past 20 years, Long became one of the most powerful independent church leaders in the country. He led New Birth as it grew from a suburban Atlanta congregation of 150 to a 25,000-member powerhouse with a $50 million cathedral and a roster of parishioners that includes athletes, entertainers and politicians.

He flashed his prosperity by wearing diamonds and platinum jewelry, while building strong political ties and a close relationship with the family of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The 2006 funeral for King's widow, Coretta Scott King, was held at New Birth. Their daughter, the Rev. Bernice King, is also a pastor at Long’s church.

Bernice King took the stage at the first of Sunday’s services.

Three of the young men who filed lawsuits this week live in Georgia, while the other was a member of a satellite church in Charlotte, N.C., run by Long.

Two of the plaintiffs were once members of a youth program called the LongFellows Youth Academy, which teaches teenage boys lessons on financial discipline and sexual control. In their lawsuits, the men say Long used the program to groom them for sexual relationships and lured them into trysts with cars, jewelry and cash.

The other two plaintiffs make similar claims that Long served as a mentor, gave them gifts, then convinced them to engage in sexual acts.

[AOL News]

Prayer - Harvest - Leadership Development

Pastors in the Chattanooga Area

J103 radio is hosting a 4 state wide pastor breakfast at the Chattanooga Convention Center on October 12th from 7am to 10am. This is a total free morning set aside to show appreciation to shepherds in the J103 listening area who faithfully devote their lives to Kingdom building.

Click on the link below to RSVP. Each church can have up to 4 represent at the breakfast.

Clark Thompson

Church & Ministry Relations Director

J103-Partners for Christian Media

www.J103.com

423-424-1291 (office)

423-580-6058 (cell)

423-892-1633 (fax)

http://www.j103.com/pastors-breakfast

Questions to Ponder

• How do you hope your co-workers will think about you after you've transitioned to another job or into retirement?
• What would you like your spouse to say at your funeral?
• What legacy do you want to leave your children?
• How would you want your church or community to describe your involvement in it?

Koran Burning: How Dare the Muslim World Lecture America on Religious Tolerance

Let us first be clear on one point lest there be any doubt. The plan to burn copies of the Koran by Pastor Terry Jones in Florida was immature, insensitive, crass, and vulgar, and is to be condemned by all right thinking people.

However for significant parts of the Muslim world to react as it has – and no doubt will continue to do if the burning goes ahead – is the grossest hypocrisy known to man.

We have had Pakistan attempting to get Interpol to stop the burning, and the Iraqi Prime Minister and the Indonesian President have called on President Obama to ban the burning.

Meanwhile protesters in Afghanistan and Pakistan have already taken to the streets with their chants of "Death to America!" and have, perhaps ironically, taken to burning U.S. flags and effigies.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said that the burning of the Koran would "be used as a pretext by extremists for more killings and retaliatory killing," while Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that the burning would jeopardize "international peace and harmony."

One might think that they were talking about a conspiracy to launch a terror attack or perhaps a plan to invade Iran or some other unsavory regime. But no, they are talking about the actions of around 50 people at a dubious church in Florida who are bizarrely planning to show their love for their neighbor by burning that neighbor’s holy book.

Mr. Jones defended his actions saying, "We are burning the book. We are not killing someone. We are not murdering people."

This is perfectly true, but the sad fact of the matter is that when a crazy Christian decides to burn books, crazy Muslims (who, it has to be said, seem to be rather more numerous) decide to burn people. This, no doubt, is why so many people are begging him not to go ahead with his grotesque stunt.

This is precisely why the Muslim world has absolutely no right to ask Obama to deprive a U.S. citizen of his First Amendment rights – even if he chooses to use that right to offend others. Rather they should be preventing their own citizens from performing much worse acts.

In Iraq, an ancient and once-numerous Christian community has all but disappeared since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Those who have survived being murdered by Islamic militants have more often than not decided to leave for Europe or the U.S., where it is considerably safer.

In Pakistan, where the government has complained the loudest about the Koran burning, Christians are often not so fortunate as to be able to just leave. Generally among the poorest in society, they are often treated as sub-humans by the more ruthless of their Muslim neighbors, who are often their employers.

A Pakistani Christian may find that his Muslim employers decide not to pay the wages with which he supports his family. In extreme cases, if he complains, he will be murdered by his employers for his insolence.

The abduction and rape of Christian girls in Pakistan is also becoming increasingly common, with one 12-year-old being raped by seven or eight students from a madrassa in Rawalpindi who wanted to "teach these Christians a lesson." When the father of another girl of 16 suffered a similar fate (this time at gunpoint), he was kidnapped and tortured for reporting the crime. This all in the last couple of months and far from unusual but, unlike Mr. Jones, they did not get in the papers

If any country is to lecture America on the religious tolerance of its citizens, it should not be Pakistan, whose own authorities often take their time when dealing with such complaints and sometimes don't act at all until the local population protests in large numbers.

Egypt, which has also been warning about the Koran burning, faces similar – although not quite as severe – problems to Pakistan, while in Indonesia extremists content themselves just with disrupting the services of other religions and defacing churches.

Saudi Arabia, which is home to many of Islam's holiest sites, has been relatively quiet on the matter. Why? Perhaps because while it is well known the country regularly confiscates Bibles from visitors, it is perhaps less well known that the regime has been accused of shredding the Bibles, as presumably they have no other use for them.

Despite all this, and the fact that citizens of these countries are often found to be plotting terrorist attacks (does this not threaten "international peace and harmony," Mr. Malik?), such countries presume to tell Americans how to behave. Are they serious? We should be telling them.

[by William Dove, The Christian Post]

Simple Praying

Remember when the Psalmist David wrote, "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth" (Ps. 86:11)? He was probably referring to the things he learned both through experience and meditation after he had prayed. He seemed to keep asking God to "Hear my prayer."

I learn a lot through my private prayer life, especially when I can just grow quiet and talk to the Father as a son would talk. Do you? It's after the prayer, when I reflect on our conversation, that I most often "hear" from God or, at least, find direction.

When I pray, I find myself somewhat removed from the norm of my everyday activity. All formality aside, I just communicate my feelings and often my frustration. In the end, I don't ask for much. I just talk and, then, when it is over (my part), I listen.

There were a lot of years in which I was guided by the "A-C-T-S" formula for praying. But as the years have passed, my time with the Lord is less emotional, not as animated, and much more conversational. I still wonder why we make such a "show" of prayer in public and why we need to pray so predictably.

I read again today Matthew, chapter 6, and our Lord's instruction regarding simple prayer. Remember what He said before He taught them how to pray?

"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. Here's what I want you to do: find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace" (Matt. 6:6 — The Message).

I find that the wording of Matthew 6:6 in The Message says it the way I need to hear it. It will say about the same in whatever Bible you read. Keep it simple!

[by H.B. London]

Prayers for Spiritual Awakening Marked 9/11 Anniversary

Christians nationwide marked the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks by gathering at their county courthouses to pray for God's mercy and a spiritual awakening in the U.S.

The third annual Cry Out America attracted participants from every state and more than 830 counties. Grassroots supporters prayed from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at their county seats, repenting and crying out for revival in their regions.

"The American church is being called to experience and lead a contemporary awakening so that new generations of Americans can know the power of Christ's love and this nation can be preserved," said the Rev. Billy Wilson, a Pentecostal minister and executive director of the Awakening America Alliance, which is sponsoring Cry Out America.

In Washington, D.C., a cross-section of Christian leaders—including Teen Mania founder Ron Luce, Tom Phillips of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Global Day of Prayer U.S. coordinator Bob Bakke—also prayed for the nation as they gathered at the Pentagon for a wreath-laying ceremony to remember the 3,000 victims of 2001 attack.

Wilson believes Sept. 11 was a prophetic sign of what was coming in the 21st century—including the collapse of structures thought to last for generations, the encroachment of non-Christian religions and terrorist acts that incite fear.

Nine years later "we see that replicated over and over in our nation," he said, pointing to bank failures in recent years, the spread of Islam in the U.S. and random shootings on college campuses.

"In many ways, 9/11 was just a loud prophetic sign, and we feel like it's very appropriate on that day to come before God to say in the 21st century, in this kind of environment-with the encroachment of other religions, an environment of fear and terrorism, an environment of collapse and uncertainty - that we need Jesus more than ever in America," he said. "We united together to cry out for that help and for that covering over our nation and, of course, for a new spiritual awakening."

In a prayer guide posted on its website, the alliance listed 20 indicators of spiritual awakening such as increased conversions and baptisms, a stronger emphasis on prayer and fasting, healthier marriages, and a greater Christian influence in media, politics and other cultural spheres.

Wilson believes the church is "on the precipice of seeing a fresh breakthrough." He says he's already seeing signs of awakening, including more talk of the need for spiritual renewal, unprecedented participation in his group's annual 21-day fast in January, and a growing emphasis on church planting and evangelism.

"Obviously the Holy Spirit is stirring the nation toward a new awakening," he said. "What will push us over the edge will be united intercession and this deep hunger that drives us to go beyond where we've ever been before with the Lord. And that's one of the things we hope Cry Out America on 9/11 demonstrates — the spiritual hunger in the American church and our desperation for God's help."

The Awakening America Alliance mobilizes prayer for the U.S. and is partnered with such ministries as the Assemblies of God, Aglow International, Youth With a Mission, the Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.) and Intercessors for America.

[by Adrienne S. Gaines, Chrisma News Online]