8-10And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along. Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!
11-13All this is proceeding along lines planned all along by God and then executed in Christ Jesus. When we trust in him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go. So don't let my present trouble on your behalf get you down. Be proud!
14-19My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
20-21God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!
PASTOR TO PASTOR
Pastoring is shepherding. Shepherds lead from the front. Shepherding then is leading. Pastoring then is leading.
I just looked at the 21 books I have stacked on my desk. I have read most of them already but I have them handy for future reference. Right. 10 of them are about leadership.
I was reading from a couple of blogs today and this one guy (Kenny Silva, Transforming Leadership) talked about how Paul, in his letter to Timothy (II Timothy) illustrates a number of leadership traits. I have read this chapter many times, but never saw these verses in this context.
1. Teacher 2 Tim 2:2 – “…and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
2. Soldier 2 Tim 2:3-4 – “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”
3. Athlete 2 Tim 2:5 – “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”
4. Farmer 2 Tim 2:6 – “It is the hard working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.”
5. Worker 2 Tim 2:15-17 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene.”
6. Vessel 2 Tim 2:20-22 – “Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”
7. Servant 2 Tim 2:23-26 – “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”
You can fill in the blanks here. What do these verses say to you about your role as leader in the kingdom of God? Where can you do better?
DISTRICT BOARD LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
LOUISIANA
Saturday, August 13
Rocky Creek Camp
9 am -- 3:30 pm
MISSISSIPPI
Saturday, August 13
Rocky Creek Camp
9 am -- 3:30 pm
MISSISSIPPI
Saturday, August 20
Jackson Emmanuel
9 am -- 3:30 pm
GUEST SPEAKER
Rev. Hal Perkins
Pastor, Author, Discipleship Expert
Author of Walk with Me: A Biblical Journey in Making Christlike Disciples , IF JESUS WERE A PARENT: COACHING YOUR CHILD TO FOLLOW JESUS, Meeting With Jesus.
Few understand personal discipleship like Hal Perkins. He will challenge and encourage your leaders and Sunday School teachers in the commission of making Christlike Disciples.
Jackson Emmanuel
9 am -- 3:30 pm
GUEST SPEAKER
Rev. Hal Perkins
Pastor, Author, Discipleship Expert
Author of Walk with Me: A Biblical Journey in Making Christlike Disciples , IF JESUS WERE A PARENT: COACHING YOUR CHILD TO FOLLOW JESUS, Meeting With Jesus.
Few understand personal discipleship like Hal Perkins. He will challenge and encourage your leaders and Sunday School teachers in the commission of making Christlike Disciples.
EXCELLENT ADVENTURES
Since I last blogged I have been to Slidell (LA), LA District Family Camp (LA), LA Children's Camp, LA Teen Camp, Lake Charles First (LA), Hazlehurst (MS), Fitkins Memorial (MS), Ft. Jessup Campmeeting.
Upcoming Schedule:
July 31 - Vacation
August 7 - Pearson Chapel (MS) (Homecoming)
August 14 -- Marksville (LA) am, Baker (LA) (afternoon installation)
August 21 -- Gulf Coast Family (MS) am
August 28 -- Inglesia del Tellar (MS) am
September 4 -- Available
September 11 -- District Superintendent Leadership Development
September 18 -- Available
September 25 -- Available
If we have not been to your church in the past year we would love to come. Set up a date with Pam by calling the district office.
NEWS
Rev. Daniel Mercado has accepted an appointment to Baker (LA). He and his wife Linda have been serving as Children's Pastors at Family Community. We welcome and their son Christian to this new assignment.
Rev. Artie Burnett has agreed to fillin at Crystal Springs for the rest of the summer. Artie is Tim Burnett's father and a veteran pastor.
Rev. Matt Newman has accepted a call to pastor the Bridgepoint (MS) church. Matt has been serving as associate there. We welcome Matt and his wife Jenn and their children to this new assignment.
Rev. Charlie Ashby has accepted a call as youth pastor to Marksville (LA) church. he has been serving at his home church of Blanchard.
Received this good note from Rev. Kaye Shelley at Philadelphia (MS): God is showing us something in Philadelphia! Today we had 34 for Sunday School and
37 in Worship Service! This afternoon we had baptisim services and we baptized 11 young people!!!
Received this good note from Rev. Kaye Shelley at Philadelphia (MS): God is showing us something in Philadelphia! Today we had 34 for Sunday School and
37 in Worship Service! This afternoon we had baptisim services and we baptized 11 young people!!!
OPEN CHURCHES
MS --
MS --
LA -- Family Community
PRAYER REQUESTS
Continue to pray for Joshua Rego, 6 year old son of Pastor Chris and Kelli Rego (Brookhaven, MS), who has been battling a leg infection. He has been hospitalized and required surgery. He has been very ill but it is believed he has made a start towards recovery.
Pray for Kathy Ferris, wife of Rev. Larry Ferris (Monroe, LA First) whose father passed away yesterday. Kathy recently lost her mother.
Continue to pray for Raymond Teston (Moss Bluff, LA). He is back to work but still gaining strength.
Pray for Michael Howard (Westlake, LA) who continues to battle cancer.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration for Dr. Charles and Shirley Johnson was fantastic. The concluding service lasted 3 and one half hours. Two General Superintendents were in attendance. The following pastors were there -- (these are the ones I know about) Gilmore, Witbeck, Bell, Lanier, Hairston, Shelley, Deese, Bush, Clay, Bonner, Boyd, Sadler
To read more about this great man and the celebration go to www.ncnnews.com
QUOTE: The first step in becoming a leader of a group of people is to fall in love with them and give them the opportunity to fall in love with you. Kennon L. Callahan
