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
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.April 8 -- Easter -- Available
April 15 -- Crystal Springs/Hazlehurst (MS) am
April 22 -- Available
April 29 -- Available
May 6 -- Available
May 13 -- Vacation
NEW OFFICE STAFF
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 
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