God First

HIS WORD: "When the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: “Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them."            2 Kings 17:34-36 

PASTOR TO PASTOR

The theme of this year's District Assembly's will be God First. (I borrowed the idea from Dr. J. K. Warrick). 
As you can imagine, it we can take it a number of ways. God First in my personal life, professional life, family, finances, and on an on. We will marry this theme to our conviction that we must revisit our missional strategy for healthy churches in Louisiana and Mississippi (see last month's blog) I trust it will be a theme that will energize our local churches, much like "Takin' It To the Streets" and "Deeper Roots...Greater Fruit".


I wanted you to read a blog from a close friend of mine that certainly carries this theme into our daily activities and ministries. (Used by permission of Rev. Brian Wangler, pastor of Ottawa First CON in Ottawa, Il.)

As part of our commitment at OFC to be principle driven leaders, I have made a list of more than 80 principles that guide our actions and decisions.  Recently, Dr. Crawford Howe reminded me of this one from J. Hudson Taylor:

“Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him.” (J. Hudson Taylor)

Regardless of what you lead, leaders are “on” from the time they open their eyes until they close them again. The phone rings and regardless of what time it is, you’re on.  It’s a long concert and a tough one because we never know for sure what music we’ll have to play next, or when the day’s concert will end.

Dr. Dan Boone helped me in this area a few years ago.  As a pastor I wear several hats.  I am a shepherd, guiding His flock through the mountains, valleys and meadows of life.  I am a military leader, leading God’s people to rescue and recover what the enemy has taken. I am a priest in that I am responsible for the care of His people.  Sometimes I feel a bit schizophrenic.  The shepherd in me says “Slow down, the sheep are tired.” The military leader says, “Tough, get over it, we have a battle to fight.” And the priest in me says, “Why are we talking about slowing down or fighting battles? We just need to pray.”  If you have encountered me on one of those days, I’m sorry.  Knowing which hat to wear and when to wear it is one of the differences between successful leaders and unsuccessful ones.  If you wear a baseball cap to play in a football game, you’re in trouble. On the other hand wearing a football helmet to a monopoly game sends an entirely different message.  (Although in my family, the football helmet is appropriate for any game.)

Recently, I had a meeting with a mentor where he reminded me of the importance of getting my head and heart right early in the day.  Yesterday’s events need to be filtered through today’s grace and time with God will do that.  Too often I have drifted into a day without proper preparation. If my heart is not in tune with the Father, how can I lead His people? How can I sing His song or play His music?

When an orchestra is in tune and together, there aren’t many sounds more beautiful.  When it isn’t, there aren’t many sounds worse.  Leaders are like that.  In tune, we do what God wired us to do, we lead.  Out of tune, we throw temper tantrums and whine a lot.  (Not you or me of course, but some leaders I know.)  The church is the same way.  In tune, we are God’s “Plan A” and we change the world. Out of tune, well…we are still God’s “Plan A” but we don’t change much of anything.

So, whether you’re leading a church, or a business, or a family, get in tune and let the music begin!

DISTRICT NEWS

Rev. William Bonee has accepted a call to pastor Baton Rouge (LA) First Church of the Nazarene. He will begin his ministry on Easter Sunday. He and his wife Susan come to us from Muscle Shoals, Ala. where he has served for 12 years. They have two daughters, one in Nashville, and one who is a sophomore at North Alabama University. Welcome them to our team.

GracePointe (LA) hosted the Southern Nazarene University Chorale and University Singers for the Northwest Mission Area on  March 5th. Several pastors shared a lunch with Dr. Terry Toler the same day.  

Congratulations to Dr. Matt Friedeman and the DaySpring (Clinton, MS) congregation on the dedication of their new worship center on January 15th. It is beautiful and located right on Interstate 20.

We are gearing up for the various district conventions and District Assemblies. Please remember that as a local church pastor you are a delegate to each of these (on your respective district) and are expected to attend. (Even if you do not have any other delegates attending)

The LA District Advisory Board has voted to plant a church in Mandeville, LA. Rev. Jesse McKinnon is coming to plant the church. He is currently pastor of the Elk City, Oklahoma church. He previously pastored in Slidell and Denham Springs. We welcome he and his wife Nancy back to the district. 

Rev. Kevin Rankin is planting a new multi-cultural

church in Vicksburg. He is a graduate of Wesley Biblical 

Seminary. He is working with Dr. Johnson, and Pastor 

Chuck Parish and the Vicksburg congregation.

Rev. David and Phyllis Hoffpauir welcomed a new granddaughter into the world, Caitlyn June Hoffpauir. Congratulations. She needs our prayers as she was born with a cleft palate.

Rev Keith Matthews (Lifepointe Community, MS) had a very successful review. Congratulations.

Rev. Charlie Ashby, youth pastor at Marksville, LA was elected NYI president for the new year at the LA NYI Convention. 


Rev. Stephen Deese, pastor at Gloster, MS was elected NYI president for the new year at the MS NYI Convention.


We are in the process of redoing our websites. The MS website is under construction so please be patient while it is being overhauled.

DISTRICT ASSEMBLY

Note Dates

MISSISSIPPI

DaySpring Community Church

DR. JESSE MIDDENDORF, PRESIDING

             APRIL 18-19      SDMI/NMI CONVENTION 

             APRIL 19-20           DISTRICT ASSEMBLY

LOUISIANA

Rocky Creek Campground

DR. STAN TOLER, PRESIDING

             MAY 16 - 17       DISTRICT ASSEMBLY

             MAY 18          SDMI/NMI CONVENTION

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES

Churches visited most recently for services or meetings: 

DaySpring (MS), Laurel First (MS), Baton Rouge (LA), Crowley (LA), GraceWay (MS), Starkville (MS), Lifepointe Community (MS),   

Scheduled Visits:

March 4 --  Starkville (MS)am

March 11 -- Baton Rouge First (LA) am and pm

March 18 -- Sulphur (LA) am

March 25 -- West Monroe First (LA) am

April 1 --     Baton Rouge First (LA) am and pm
April 8 -- Easter -- Available
April 15 -- Crystal Springs/Hazlehurst (MS) am
April 22 -- Available
April 29 -- Available
May 6 -- Available
May 13 -- Vacation
  

If we have not been to your church in the past year or so please let us know. We would love to come. Please contact Renee in the District Office.

NEW OFFICE STAFF

Renee Parish - Office Manager  Email: renee@districtoffice.org  

601-642-7300

Elaine Mason - Secretary          Email: elaine@districtoffice.org 

601-988-2301

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please continue to pray for Rev. David Ching (Houston Fellowship, MS). He is concluding horrific treatments for throat cancer. He has lost 65 pounds and cannot take food or liquids by mouth. Pray that the treatments have been effective and that his throat will heal. Pray for Angela and the kids as well.

Remember Rev. Larry Ferris, (Monroe First, LA) who is facing recurring heart issues.

Remember Rev. Mike Howard (Westlake, LA)

Linda Sherer, pastors wife at Sulphur (LA), had surgery last week. She is recuperating. 

 

BOOKS I AM RECOMMENDING: 

Simply Jesus by N. T. Wright 

BOOKS I AM READING: 

The First 100 Days by Dr. Scott Daniels 

NEW YEAR-NEW OPPORTUNITIES

HIS WORD:  “I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”  Isaiah 42:8-9

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19

PASTOR TO PASTOR

Have you ever heard the expression, "Can't see the forest for the trees"? Sure you have. I think we all know what that means. Some times the singular details can get in the way of the big picture. Related to our work together we can get so consumed by the details, the pressures, the trivial, the routine ...that we forget the mission, the big picture.

I confess it happens to me. I get a little down or discouraged because the view of this church or that situation is troubling, but then, I realize I need to step back and review the entire picture. Recapture the vision if you will.

So that is what I am doing. In lieu of this here are some observations:

1. I came to LA/MS with the conviction that our local churches need to be healthier to be stronger. Healthier stronger local churches mean a healthy, vibrant district.

2. I am convinced that we have established a platform that will enable us to get healthy, or as the medical community likes to say..will promote health.

3. That platform consists primarily of pray, filled with faith, that seeks the face of God and anticipates the move of God. Our last two years of prayer emphasis and Spiritual Awakening the expectations and vision of many of our pastors has increased.

4. During the 2012 calendar year we will once again focus on Healthy Churches. Let me remind you of the Characteristics of Healthy Churches:

5. We will use training events and media to work to train pastors and key lay leaders to evaluate their health and to make necessary adjustments to become healthy as to become effective.

6. We will continue to emphasize new ministries, new churches, and new partnerships to enhance our work in both states.

v     Passionate Spirituality

v     Holistic Small Groups

v     Loving Relationships

v     Functional Structures

v     Empowering Leadership

v     Inspiring Worship

v     Gift-Oriented Ministry

v     Need Oriented Evangelism


I believe God would be pleased to do a new thing among us! How about you?

Let's Trade Prayers!

DISTRICT NEWS


DAYSPRING COMMUNITY WILL DEDICATE THEIR NEW WORSHIP CENTER ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, AT 10 AM. CONGRATULATIONS TO PASTOR MATT FRIEDEMAN AND CONGREGATION FOR THIS MILESTONE.

PRAISE THE LORD - ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, IT WAS A PRIVILEGE TO ORGANIZE BOTH THE MANA SLIDELL CHURCH UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PASTOR PAULA MURILLO, AND CAMINO DE SANTIDAD CHURCH UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF PASTOR JULISSA RIVAS. OVER 100 PEOPLE WERE IN ATTENDANCE AT BOTH SERVICES. BOTH CHURCHES RECEIVED ABOUT 50 CHARTER MEMBERS INTO MEMBERSHIP. WOW!

Congratulations to Rev. Tim and Stacey Burnett (New Beginnings, MS) who were married January 7th.

Rev. Derek Catron has resigned at Lake Charles First (LA) and accepted a call to Frankfort, KY. We will miss Derek, Amy and the girls.

Rev. J. D. Sailors has accepted a call to pastor the Vivian (LA) church. J. D. is a veteran pastor and has served in the General SDMI department. We welcome him and his wife Teresa.He was installed on January 15.

Rev. Artie Burnett has accepted a call to Jackson Emmanuel (MS). Artie is father to Rev. Tim Burnett, pastor of New Beginnings (MS) New Start. He is a long time pastor in the Church of God (Anderson) and teaches online at Ohio Christian University. We welcome him and his wife Pat.

Rev. Vonzella Askew is the new pastor at Southaven (MS). She comes from Memphis. She will be installed by Dr. Charles Johnson this Sunday at 3 pm.

Honore Calera is the new pastor at Mana Slidell (LA). He and his wife Medina have served the church for a number of years as lay persons. They have three boys.

Rev. Paula Murillo is the new pastor at New Orleans (LA) New Life (formerly Adullam), on the Westbank. 

Levi Ashby is the new Youth Pastor at GracePoint (LA) and Danny Rester returns as the Worship Pastor.

Dr. David Smith has agreed to return to GraceWay as a lay minister. Steven Willingham has agreed to serve the Kenner church as a lay minister.

Rev. Charlie Ashby has been appointed as the District NYI President for the LA District replacing Derek Catron.

Rev. Charles Parish has been appointed Mission Area Coordinator of the North Capital River Area (MS) to replace Dave Garner. Rev. Stephen Deese has been appointed to the same post on the South Capital River Area (MS).

Rev. Bob Lanier has been appointed to replace Rev. Dave Garner on the MS District Advisory Board.  

Rev. Marvin Denton (Crosspoint, LA), and Rev. Gary Jones (Marksville, LA) had very successful reviews.

NEWSTART NEWS

New Beginnings Community (Byram, MS - Tim Burnett) has finally secured a location for their church. Almost immediately the attendance has grown and they are almost out of space.  


One Accord (Jackson, MS - Bob Lanier) is experiencing exciting days. Last Sunday they had about 70 in attendance. They are meeting at Emmanuel. 


Jackson Emmanuel has given office space to both New Beginnings and One Accord. We applaud this support of these two churches.


Iglesia Tellar (Gustvo Santos - Pascagoula, MS) is reaching lots of people. They have started a Sunday evening service in Lucedale, and have just started a Thursday night service in Gulfport church. Thank you Pastor Lisa for partnering with this new church. 


Nouvelle (Lafayette, LA - Dale Hoffpauir) has almost finished remodeling the Merchant's Blvd. property and had their first public service on January 15. There were about 45 people in attendance. They will continue with monthly services until Easter, then move to weekly services with a Grand Opening/Official Launch in the Fall.


We have a pastor praying about coming to Mandeville, LA to start a church.

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES

Churches visited most recently for services or meetings: Shreveport First (LA), GracePoint (LA), Marksville, (LA), Kosciusko (MS), New Beginnings (MS), Jackson Emmanuel (MS), Baton Rouge First (LA), Crowley First (LA), Lake Charles First (LA), Vivian (LA), Camino de Santidad (LA), Mana Slidell (LA), Slidell (LA), Blanchard (LA), 

Coming Up:

January 29 -- DaySpring (MS) -- Dedication of New Building

February 5 -- Travel from South Carolina Ministers Retreat

February 12 -- DS's Conference in Kansas City

February 19 -- Southern Nazarene Foundation Board

February 26 -- Available

March 4 -- Available

March 11 -- Available

If we have not been to your church in the past year or so please let us know. We would love to come. Please contact Renee in the District Office.

NEW OFFICE STAFF

Renee Parish - Office Manager  
Email: renee@districtoffice.org  
601-642-7300

Elaine Mason - Secretary          
Email: elaine@districtoffice.org 
601-988-2301

DISTRICT ASSEMBLY

Note Dates

MISSISSIPPI
DaySpring Community Church

DR. JESSE MIDDENDORF, PRESIDING

             APRIL 18-19      SDMI/NMI CONVENTION 

             APRIL 19-20      DISTRICT ASSEMBLY

LOUISIANA

Rocky Creek Campground

DR. STAN TOLER, PRESIDING

             MAY 16 - 17       DISTRICT ASSEMBLY

             MAY 18              SDMI/NMI CONVENTION

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please continue to pray for Rev. David Ching (Houston Fellowship, MS). He is concluding horrific treatments for throat cancer. He has lost 65 pounds and cannot take food or liquids by mouth. Pray that the treatments have been effective and that his throat will heal.

Please pray for the father of LA District Treasurer Dajunna Howell (West Monroe Faith, LA). He broke his leg and had surgery, from which he has had several setbacks including a heart attack.

Please pray for Rev. Linda Francis (Restoring Hope, LA) who had to have a biopsy last week.

Rev. Steve Holtz (Cleveland, MS) has recently had two stints put in. He continues to battle problems with his feet.

Rev. Raymond Teston (Moss Bluff, LA) recently had rotator cuff surgery. He is mending.

Rev. Jamey Robertson (Holly Grove, LA) continues to recover from back surgery.

Remember Rev. Larry Ferris, (Monroe First, LA) who is facing recurring heart issues.

Tony Childress (pastors wife New Albany, MS) father has been very ill in LA. Please pray for him. 

Remember Rev. Mike Howard (Westlake, LA). 

Pray for Shirley Denton, pastors wife at CrossPointe Community, LA.

Rev. Julissa Rivas (Camino de Santidad) is expecting a child. Pray for her as she has been having some issues related to her pregnancy.

Rev. Jason Faminoff (Leesville, LA) recently lost his mother. Rev. Daniel Mercado (Baker, LA) also lost his mother over the holidays. Linda Sherer, pastors wife (Sulphur, LA) recently lost her sister to cancer.

Cheryl Beaty, wife of Greg Beaty, continues to fight a multitude of difficulties. Please pray for her.

BOOKS I AM RECOMMENDING: (2)

Bonhoeffer:Pastor-Martyr-Prophet-Spy, by Metaxas and Keller. 
The Pastor, A Memoir by Eugene Peterson

BOOKS I AM READING: (2)

Simply Jesus by N. T. Wright
Plain Account of Christian Perfection by John Wesley