Traits of the Leader

His Word:  Ephesians 3 (The Message) ^7-8This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details. When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God's way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities.
^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 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.

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!!!

OPEN CHURCHES
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

STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED

His Word: 2 Timothy 2:14 (NKJV) Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

PASTOR TO PASTOR

Verse 15 of the above quoted passage says "study" in the KJV. It is the way many of us memorized it.
Study, including reading, is an important part of our work. Obviously that starts with the Word of God. We must be men and women of THE BOOK.
However, we should attempt to read or listen to other resources as well. Being a life long learner assumes that we will read.
Some find reading easier, more enjoyable, more fulfilling than others. I have very successful friends who read very little. I like to read and so find it more fulfilling. However, if we are going to be effective, all of us need to embrace some reading.

I like all kinds of reading. It won't surprise you to know that I read books on theology, preaching, leadership, and the church. It probably won't surprise you that I read books on sports and sports figures. It may surprise you that I like to read about American Presidents and Louisiana/Mississippi history. You may not have known that I like to read crime and courtroom novels like James Patterson and John Grisham.

I wanted to share with you some very good reading that I have done recently and then to share with you some very inexpensive resources to enhance your own reading.

READING ENRICHMENT (0-5 Stars)
The following books are some I have read recently that have interested me. Some have helped me more than others. Some of these I have recommended or highlighted in past blogs. I keep a diary of books I read and try to average one book a week. (I am slow.) In my journal I rank books between 0 and 5 stars. Very few get less than 3 stars, because if they are that bad I usually don't finish them.

They are listed in no particular order. You can find reviews of all of these books on Amazon and elsewhere so I will not spend too much time on most of them.

1. LOVE WINS by Rob Bell - this is the most controversial "religious" book published in recent months. It is Bell's observations centered on eternal life including heaven or hell. It has been quoted (generally out of context) and roundly ridiculed as heresy. I will agree that in the wrong hands, it is a dangerous book. It is mostly questions (day dreams if you will) with very few answers. It is interesting to think about some of the things Bell ponders, but he is very non committal about anything. I will say that the last couple of chapters are pretty good. ***

2. PRIMAL by Mark Batterson -- The author uses the Great Commandment as the stage for reviewing the basics of living out our faith in the post modern culture. He explores loving God with compassion, wonder, curiosity, and power. This is a great book. *****

3. RADICAL by David Platt -- Really Good ****

4. RADICAL TOGETHER by David Platt -- Living out Radical in community or in the church. I liked this one better. It is more practical. Great *****

5. LOVE MADE PERFECT by William Greathouse -- A wonderful book on Holiness. Read it years ago and then just last month. (See below about downloading classics from NPH). When you read it you will say, "I didn't know that's what we believed, but that's what I believe." Really good ****

6. CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan -- Awesome. Read it twice. *****

7. FORGOTTEN GOD by Francis Chan -- Good. Not as good as CL but worth the read. ****

8. A HOLY PURPOSE by Bill Wiesman, et all. Strategies for Making Christlike Disciples. Very practical. Our own Matt Friedeman has a great chapter in this book. Really good. ****

9. PLANTING MISSIONAL CHURCHES by Ed Stetzer - Just getting into it but it has been recommended by lots of my colleagues. As I have scanned it I am challenged by the chapter titles, etc.

10. THE HOLY BIBLE -- didn't expect to see this here did you. It's a given. However, I recently picked up a new version that I had seen for a couple of years but had not purchased. It's the ESV published by Crossway. I got a mock leather type at LifeWay for about $15 I think. I have been using it for my devotions. I kind of like it. ***

 11. DISCIPLESHIP IN THE HOME by Matt Friedeman -- I would recommend this book for every parent. It is good for grandparents to give as gifts to your children. Parents of six kids Matt and wife Mary present some outstanding practical helps in "training up a child in the way he/she should go." I wish I would have had this book when I was starting my family. *****

12. HEAVEN IS FOR REAL by Todd Burpo -- The story of a 4 year old's insight into heaven. A quick read but very meaningful.


BOOKS FOR CHEAP I, like some of you, have shelves upon shelves of books and don't know what to do about it. They are about the only thing of value that I own, and yet I cannot envision reading most of them a second time. So they collect dust. And like cars, once you buy them they lose their value. (See the difference in prices on Amazon between new and used books)
I decided I was about finished with buying books that are just for fun. I have shelves at home filled with very nice hardback books that are worthless now that I have read them, i.e. Patterson, Grisham, etc. I first started using the local library. What a thought. Free books. Then I invested in an e-reader. In fact I invested, with the help of my family and friends at Christmas time, in an IPad so I could have all of the e-readers on one device. When you have an e-reader (which you can also download to a smart phone), you also have it on your computer. Therefore you can read the books you purchase or get for free, on your reader, phone, or computer.

HERE IS THE GOOD PART -- Nazarene Publishing House has republished 100 classics as e-books. (That's where I found Love made Perfect) These include the Beacon Bible Commentary and many, many more. When you choose the book you want to buy or at least consider, you find out that many of them are very inexpensive. Love Made Perfect was $1.49.

HERE IS THE GREAT PART -- I received an Amazon gift certificate from one of my kids for Father's Day. I decided to see what I could find on the NPH classics list. I scrolled down the list and clicked on Amazon. There I discovered a pearl in a field. I noticed that they had H. Orton Wiley's Christian Theology, Vol. 1, for free. YEP! FREE!. So I downloaded it. When I did, Amazon (as always) showed me similar products. I discovered dozens of free books. I got the rest of Wiley's, Vol. 2 and 3, FOR FREE!. (I have these in my library, but now I have them wherever I go.)
I also downloaded E. P. Ellyson's "Bible Holiness", FOR FREE. I could have downloaded books from Bresee, Wesley, Andrew Murray, and so many others. FREE.

I know some will find the Kindle or Nook readers a tad expensive but they cost less now than ever. In order to get my IPad I just told those who asked what I wanted for Christmas to get me a Best Buy gift card. When it was all said and done, I had quite a down payment on this helpful tool. But if you have a smart phone, you can download these to your computer for FREE.

All of us can "study" to show ourselves as workman who need not be ashamed...for less that ever before.

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES

Since I last blogged I have been to Cleveland First (MS) Revival, Magnolia (MS), Columbia (MS), Baker (LA) Revival, Senatobia (MS), Clarksdale (MS), Bossier City (LA), Natchitoches (LA) Installation, Meridian Northside (MS) Installation, Lucedale (MS), Emmanuel (MS), Greenville (MS), Rosebloom (MS), Gracepoint (LA), Crosspoint (LA), GracePointe (LA) Installation.

June 26 -- Slidell (LA)
July 3 -- Lake Charles First (LA) am, 
July 10 -- Hazlehurst (MS) am and pm
July 17 -- Meridian Fitkins (MS) am and pm
July 24 -- Ft. Jesup Camp Meeting am and pm
July 31 -- Vacation
August 7 -- Pearson Chapel (MS) am
August 14 -- Available (preferably LA)
August 21 -- Available (preferably MS)
August 28 -- Inglesia Del Tellar (MS)

To schedule me please contact Pam. I would love to come to your church.

NEWS Both District Assemblies and all of the Conventions were great. We have completed youth and children's camps in MS and Family Camp in LA. These have been great.

The MS District Advisory Board has voted to close the Lucedale church. We are appreciative of Rev. Ruby Walters for many years of faithful ministry. The Inglesia Tellar church in Pascagoula is working to start a new Hispanic work in the building.

Rev. Darwin Enicks has retired from Baker. He and Lucy will be moving to San Antonio to be near their daughter.

Rev. David Craig has accepted a call to Gracepointe (LA). He comes to us from Lufkin First on the South Texas District. He is married to Dawn and has two sons Caleb and Adam. We welcome them to Louisiana. He was installed on June 12th.

Rev. David Kelly has accepted a call to Blountstown on the North Florida District and has resigned Crystal Springs. We will miss David, Nancy and the boys.

Rev. Rob Pocai has resigned as pastor at Bridgepoint in Brandon (MS). He and Holly will be moving to Kentucky where he will pursue his DMin at Asbury. We appreciate their ministry in MS.



PRAY FOR Remember Rev. Raymond Teston (Moss Bluff Trinity, LA) who underwent recent gall bladder surgery and immediately contracted shingles. He is in deep pain and misery.
Pray for Rev. Howard Green (Grenada First, MS) who is suffering from cataracts and is awaiting surgery in July.

Please pray for Sis. Johnnie Childress, mother of Bubba Childress and Brenda Hatcher. She has been diagnosed with kidney cancer.
Pray for our teens and sponsors from both districts that will be attending NYC in Louisville the first part of July. This is a once in a lifetime event.

OPEN CHURCHES
MS -- Bridgepoint, Crystal Springs
LA -- Family Community, Baker

The following pastors have had outstanding reviews: Wayne Williams, (Laurel First, MS), David Colegrove (Greenville First, MS), Jerry Hatcher (Rosebloom, MS), Stephen Deese (Gloster, MS)

COME ONE -- COME ALL

DISTRICT BOARD LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

LOUISIANA
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.

After a Long Hiatus

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other. From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire. Because he loved your ancestors and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength, 38 to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today.

Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time." Deuteronomy 4:35-40

PASTOR TO PASTOR
I am writing this in the aftermath of yet another "natural" disaster. (Isn't that an oxymoron?) After a conversation with one of our pastors I read again Matthew 24. Wow! I was then reminded of some scripture I read last week that is copied above.
God is in charge. And God is constantly reminding us that He is in control, He is our sustainer and Savior, and that we need to depend on Him.
As a pastor I get that. What surprises me sometimes is that I notice that when these things happen, there is little mention of God, His plan, or His ability to see us through. Some in our culture never consider that the things that are happening around us are a part of a bigger plan, a greater scheme, a larger picture. Just listen to the prognosticators. They talk about the science of it, or the cost of it...never the purpose of it.
That is why God was so adamant about parents and communities teaching these things to their young. They need to know what God has done, and what He can do.
This is why you and I are in the disciple making business. We need to teach and to train each generation to see God and to hear His voice in these days. To naturally and sincerely know that there is a God thing happening here. That these disasters, troubles, tests, and each challenge of life have divine responses and options attached to them.
Matthew 24 says "the love of many will grow cold". How can that be during these days? Perhaps because they don't know. Perhaps because people have forgotten...there is a God!

LET'S TRADE PRAYERS

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES
We have most recently visited Gloster (MS), Lucedale (MS), Laurel First (MS), Holly Grove (LA), Friendship (LA), Crowley (LA), Kosciusko (MS), Natchitoches (LA), Family Community (LA), Jackson Emmanuel (MS), Meridian Northside (MS), Columbia (MS), Pearl River (LA), Hispanic Ministries/Slidell (LA),

March 13-16 Revival at Cleveland First (MS)
March 20 - Magnolia (MS) am, Columbia (MS) 2:30
March 27-30 Revival at Baker (LA)
April 3 -- Available
April 10 -- Available
April 17 -- Available
April 24 -- Easter
May 1 -- Available

To schedule me please contact Pam. I would love to come to your church.

SPECIAL NOTES

Rev. Thomas (Carolyn) Allen was honored for his 25 years of pastoral ministry to the Pearl River (LA) congregation recently. What a wonderful record. Congratulations to the Allen's.

Rev. Alejandro Murillo and his wife Paula were honored last week for 25 years in the ministry. It was a gala celebration held at Slidell First (LA). Four Hispanic churches as well as the Slidell congregation, and other area ministers celebrated the occasion. Congratulations to the Murillo's.

Renee Parish, pastor's wife at Vicksburg (MS) has been appointed by the MS DAB to serve as District Secretary, replacing Dr. Ray Easley who has moved off of the district. Renee has worked for several years in the General Secretary's office at Nazarene Headquarters and brings valuable experience to the assignment.

Rev. Eric Nelson, pastor of Slidell (LA), has accepted the appoinment of the LA DAB as the new District Secretary, replacing Rev. Joe Talhelm who has resigned after many years of valuable ministry. Eric served in a similar capacity on the NWIL district.

Elijah Friedeman, pastor's son at DaySpring (MS) has been announced as a winner of the prestigious McClurkan scholarship at TNU. Only two of these are given each year.

Rev. Marlin Betts (Debbie) has resigned as pastor at Family Community (LA). Rev. Betts has done a wonderful job their helping to launch the school and other community ministries. He is seeking God's will for his next assignment.

Rev. Michael Perkins has accepted a call to Natchitoches (LA). He is married to April and they have a son Ethan. They are coming from a staff assignment in Midland, Tx.

Rev. John Sadler has accepted a call to Meridian Northside (MS). He is married to Beth, and they have two sons and a daughter. They are coming to us from Charlotte, NC.

Rev. Rev. Edwyn Carias and his wife Ligia, are pastoring our newest church in Gretna (LA), the Inglesia Del Nazareno Adulam. They will be serving under the direction of Rev. Murillo. They currently have a congregation of 25.

Rev. James Gillette (Magnolia, MS) will celebrate 10 years at the church with a special service on March 20.

The New Orleans Westbank church board has voted to close. The district has agreed to allow Inglesia Del Nazareno Adulam to occupy the building.

The board at Columbia (MS) has voted to close the church. There will be a celebration service at the church on Sunday, March 20, at 2:30. Pastors and churches in the area are encouraged to attend.

The following have had outstanding reviews: Rev. Bob Bradley (Crowley First), Rev. Jamey Robertson (Holly Grove), Rev. Steve Joiner (Columbus First) Rev. Randy Witbeck (Starkville Wesley)


Open Churches: (MS) GraceWay
(LA) Gracepointe, Family Community

Important Prayer Requests:

Rev. David Kelly (Crystal Springs, MS) continues to go through cancer treatments.

Continue to pray for Rev. Mike Howard (Westlake, LA)

Rev. Thomas Allen (Pearl River, LA) and wife Carolyn have had multiple physical battles recently. Carolyn will face another surgery on Monday. She recently had gall bladder surgery. Thomas had surgery (brain) on the pituitary gland.

Rev. Gary Harper, elder in MS, fell and broke his kneecap, and is immobilized.

We were saddened to hear of the death of Sis. Eileen Cargill, wife of retired pastor Vernon Cargill. Their daughter Claudia is a member of the MS district NMI council. She was a faithful member of the Gulf Coast Family church.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

MS DISTRICT ASSEMBLY AND CONVENTIONS
APRIL 12/13 - NMI Convention
APRIL 13/14 - SDMI Convention
APRIL 14/15 - DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
April 16 - NYI Convention

Justin Wells, Special Music
Dr. Eugenio Duarte, General Superintendent

LA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY AND CONVENTIONS
MARCH 11/12 -- NYI Convention
MAY 4/5 -- DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
MAY 6 -- SDMI/NYI COMBINED Convention

Adams Voice, Special Music
Dr. Eugenio Duarte, General Superintendent

Book I am Recommending: "Holy Purpose: Strategies For Making Christlike Disciples" by Bill Wiesman, et al. This book was sponsored by the USA/Canada Missions department as a way of highlighting the 5 strategic emphasis being encouraged and studied as a means of church renewal in North America. They are: 1) Intentional Leadership Development, 2) Vibrant Church Renewal, 3) Clear and Coherent theological Identity, 4) Passionate Missional Outreach, and 5) Multifaceted New Church Development.
Each strategy is highlighted in the book by chapters written by various authors. Our pastor at DaySpring (MS), Matt Friedeman has a chapter entitled Following the Leader, which describes the leader as tone setter in missional outreach.

I highly recommend this book.

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: ASHES TO FIRE - Many churches are using the emphasis as a time for deep spiritual renewal in their local churches running from Ash Wednesday to Pentecost. I pray you are walking through the daily material. I heard one of our pastors say that without Pentecost, Easter and Christmas don't matter. He is exactly right. May this season of the Christian calendar be rich with renewal and revival.

The Church as Community

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:16-19
PASTOR TO PASTOR

The Church and (the) Community
When I grew up ( and some of you reading this) everything was done in the neighborhood. We went to neighborhood schools, attended neighborhood churches, shopped at neighborhood stores, and even played ball in the neighborhood vacant lot. Not only that,,,we actually knew our neighbors. In fact, on more than one occasion it was a neighbor who yelled at me to correct my behavior or clean up me language.
This small community within the larger "world" community, made life easier and less overwhelming. Everything was connected; the neighborhood was an eco-system. I believe that I am better for having grown up in this environment or "village".
It seems that all of society has become more segregated and polarized. The smaller, more intimate community has been replaced with bigger institutions, i.e, box stores, supermarkets, campuses.
When I go to any of the aforementioned places now, I get in my car and drive out of my neighborhood. I only know two of my neighbors first names. We are not connected in any way, shape, or form. I believe I am weaker for having so few connections.
The church is a place of community. Or it should be. It is a place where life is meant to be lived together. Jerry Appleby writes in the book "Live Compassion", "An ekklesia was not a voluntary association or a corporation. Its members were seen as children in the same family, parts of the same body, and citizens of the same colony. In other words, the church was a true community that was more than the sum of its members."
This is how life was meant to be lived. Especially for the Christ follower. God created us to be relational beings, to live in community, and to share our faith and the revelation of God with each other.
I am so glad to be a part of the ekklesia. It is one of the things for which I am most thankful. That in a world that has become disjointed, where our most intimate contacts are through Facebook, I am glad that I can be a part of a family, a body, a colony that strengthens me, values me, and holds me accountable.
In short...I am thankful for the church because it allows me to be a part of your life, and you a part of mine.
LET'S TRADE PRAYERS

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES
We have most recently visited Tupelo (MS), Clarksdale (MS), New Orleans First (LA), Rosebloom(MS) We look forward to visiting the following churches:

November 21 -- Rosebloom (MS)
November 28 -- Houlka (MS)
December 5 -- Meridian Northside (MS)
December 12 -- Monroe First (LA)
December 19 -- Available
December 26 -- Vacation
January 2 -- Available
January 9 -- Available
To schedule me please contact Pam. I would love to come to your church.

SPECIAL NOTES

Rev. Nathan Middleton has resigned as pastor of Natchitoches (LA). He and Kelly will be relocating to the Kansas City area. We will miss them and their precious family.

Rev. Paul Decker has resigned (retired) as pastor of New Orleans Westbank Church. He and Micky will be relocating near children in Canton, OH. We appreciate their ministry on our district.

Rev. Rev. Edwyn Carias and his wife Ligia, are pastoring our newest church in Gretna (LA), the Inglesia Del Nazareno Adulam. They will be serving under the direction of Rev. Murillo. They currently have a congregation of 25.

Rev. Byoung Cho (Issac) has joined the staff of Red River Korean (Bossier, LA) as associate pastor. He and his wife Rebecca come to us from the Chicago Central district.

Dr. Ray Easley, District Secretary in Mississippi has resigned his position at Wesley Biblical Seminary and will be starting a business as a consultant to Christian Educational institutions around the world. He has been a wonderful servant of the district. His wife Dianne served as district office secretary for a time and helped with the Katrina office administration. We will miss this outstanding couple.

Rev. Steve Holtz (Cleveland First, MS) and Rev. Eric Nelson (Slidell, LA) both had outstanding reviews.

DaySpring (MS) Community celebrated their 10th anniversary with a weekend that included their teens helping to clean up a worship space for Jackson Northeast New Start.

Most are aware of the passing of Rev. Doug Reid, Sr. at the age of 84. Rev. Reid was an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, and had pastored an independent holiness church for many years. He was a mentor to several of our current Mississippi pastors and will be deeply missed.

Open Churches: (MS) GraceWay, Meridian Northside
(LA) Kenner First, New Orleans Westbank, GracePointe, Natchitoches

Important Prayer Requests:

Rev. David Kelly (Crystal Springs, MS) continues to face cancer treatments.
Continue to pray for Rev. Mike Howard (Westlake, LA)Rev. Alvin Clay (Laurel Bresee, MS) was recently hospitalized and needed to have two stints put in his heart.
Rev. Scott Howell (W. Monroe Faith) has had significant kidney damage as a result of earlier kidney stones. Pray that several things will work together to restore his kidney function.
We are saddened to hear of the death or Mel Surges of Baton Rouge First. Mel pastored for many years in various places and had most recently been an active member of BR. He was a great help in pulpit supply. Pray for his wife Audrey.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

DISTRICT CHRISTMAS PARTIES
MISSISSIPPI
December 3, 2010 7:00pm Jackson Emmanuel

LOUISIANA

December 10, 2010 7:00pm Rocky Creek

LOUISIANA/MISSISSIPPI PRAYER SUMMIT
January 21-22,2011
Rocky Creek Campground, Pineville
Cost: $25 per person (Includes 2 meals/snacks)

Lodging: $20 per person (dbl. occupancy) - Lodge

$10 per person - Dorm

Ministers and Laymen Invited to attend

Book I am Recommending: "Primal, A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity" by Mark Batterson. Wow, what a book. Batterson wrote "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day" and "Wild Goose Chase". However, I find this to be the best book. Like several I have read lately (Deep Church, Who Stole My Church, Radical, and Crazy Love) this book draws us back to the heart of the gospel and the essentials of the Christian faith. It reminds the reader that we have diluted or perverted the call of God to Christlikeness. Batterson affirms that the depth of Christian life is found int he Great Commandment. Then he spends a section of the book on each of the components of the Commandment- the heart (compassion), the soul (wonder), the mind (curiosity), and strength (energy). This is a must read.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From Rev. Chet Bush's Weekly E-Newsletter to the Oxford Church)
"Earlier this week Levi (soon to be 7 years old) wanted me to drive near some curious woods so he could get a closer look. We were on our way somewhere and I did not want to diverge so I argued it wasn’t a good idea. “Besides, it’s a dead end,” I replied motioning to the yellow sign and the lack of paved road. He was quick to respond. “But there is a little path after every dead end,” he said.

I was impressed. His attention to the insignificant, yet universal, detail had caught me off guard. Each time he had seen a dead-end street he had also seen a dirt-worn trail trickle from it. When I see a dead-end street I immediately think of how to turn around. Evidently, he wonders how he can keep going. He sees dead-ends less as stopping points and more as starting points for adventure.

The story of the people of God is marked by dead-ends, u-turns, road-blocks…moments where it seemed the God-directed journey had come to an end. The Red Sea stood in the way of deliverance. The dry desert stood in the way of quenched thirst. The fortified walls of Jericho stood between the people and a Promised Land.

But the journey is not all about geography. Sarai’s barren womb seemed a dead end to the Blessing. Wayward children seemed an end to David’s stable kingdom. The cross seemed a certain end to a revolution of healing and wholeness. But each obstruction served as gracious occasion. God made a way.

And your life? Have you hit a dead-end? Do you stand before an obstacle that is too big to overcome? Do you nurse a wound that is too painful? Do you carry a burden too heavy to bear? Do you face an intimidating task? Look for the thin trail that continues on. God’s way is seldom a broad path.

Dead-ends do not keep us from moving forward, but they do demand we travel differently. Your daunting obstacle may be God’s gracious occasion for renewal."

The Renewal of the Pastors Heart

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:" (Isaiah 26:3-4)

PASTOR TO PASTOR

PRAYERS FOR PASTORAL RENEWAL

What is our specific work? For what purpose are we raised up? The one reason for our church's life is that holiness may be preached and conserved in the earth. Any great continuous religious movement depends quite largely upon it preachers. Ordinary preachers cannot do this work. They must be men [and women] burning with holy fire, ... who have come to their Pentecost, who live under the anointing glory of the Holy Ghost, whose vision is so clear - looking through pure hearts - that God in Christ redeeming the world means salvation from all sin. ... who preach so that whatever their subject and whatever they say, people realize they are being led to the bosom of God, into the abundance of His life and fullness of His love.
There is no place in the Church of the Nazarene for ordinary preaching. It is
not learning nor eloquence nor education; it is only lofty thought with climaxes of intellectual power, but God speaking through His servant beseeching men to be reconciled to God. For him to preach anything less than the transforming fullness of God is to quit the heights and shut his eyes to the vision of God.
Phineas Bresee
With this charge in mind, I pray these prays for our pastors:

1. God sensitize and convict the hearts of our pastors to the threat of conscious or potential sin in their lives.
"Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5 . . . 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap." I Timothy 3:2-7
"If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9

2. Father give every pastor a renewed understanding of your Holiness.
"But the LORD Almighty will be exalted by his justice, and the holy God will show himself holy by his righteousness." Isaiah 6:3
"Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?" Habakkuk 1:13
"Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders . . . Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever. They lay their crowns
before the throne and say: 11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." Revelation 4:4-11

3. God, give us a renewed awareness that Holiness is your will and provision for all people... of all ages.
"And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way;" Isaiah 35:8
"It is God's will that you should be sanctified . . . 7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you His Holy Spirit." I Thessalonians 4: 3, 7-8

4. Lord give unction to our pastors to encourage believers to seek the Holy
Life
"10 . . . God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 14Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Heb 12:10

5. Lord give each pastor a renewed understanding of the meaning of the Sanctified life.
"Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.l2May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. I Thessalonians 3:10, 12-13
"May God himself the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." I Thessalonians 5:23

6. Help our Pastors to preach that holiness is a transformational act of God's grace
"For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will
put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." Ezekiel 36:24-27

7. Father I pray that every pastor will desperately seek the anointing presence and power of the Holy Spirit as they proclaim God's Word to their flock. Enable all Clergy will preach the Word of God with power, conviction and authority.
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Psalm 23:5
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. . ." Isaiah 61:1
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
1 John 2:20
As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit just as it has taught you, remain in him.
1 John 2:27
"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness." Matthew 9:35
'As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near." Matthew 10:7
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" Romans 10:14

MAKE THESE PRAYERS YOUR OWN

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES
We have most recently visited New Iberia (LA), Oxford (MS) and Oxford Hispanic, Sulphur (LA), Meridan Fitkins (MS) Revival, Moss Bluff Trinity (LA), Crowley First (LA), GracePointe (LA) Revival, Shreveport First (LA), Many (LA).

We look forward to visiting the following churches:

October 17/24 -- Vacation
October 31 -- Tupelo (MS)
November 7 -- Clarksdale (MS)
November 14 -- New Orleans First (LA)
November 21 -- Rosebloom (MS)

To schedule me please contact Pam. I would love to come to your church.

SPECIAL NOTES

Rev. Daniel Lowe of Many (LA) had an outstanding review.

Sulphur (LA) under the leadership of Rev. Ron Sherer celebrated their 75th anniversary on September 26th.

Cenchrea (LA) had over 150 in their recent homecoming service.

New Iberia (LA) is nearing completion of an addition to their building.

Rev. Marvin Bonner has accepted a call to pastor the Waynesboro Trinity Church. This is his second time to pastor the church.

Many churches are planning special Fall Festival events for their communities. Several churches are reporting outstanding revivals.

Open Churches: (MS) GraceWay, Meridian Northside
(LA) Kenner First

Important Prayer Requests:

Rev. David Kelly (Crystal Springs, MS) continues to face cancer treatments.
Rev. Steve Holtz (Cleveland First, MS) had recent back surgery.
Continue to pray for Rev. Mike Howard (Westlake, LA)who was in the hospital earlier this week. He is having a hard time and the doctors are having difficulty diagnosing his problem.
Rev. Alvin Clay (Laurel Bresee, MS) was recently hospitalized and needed to have two stints put in his heart.
Rev. Scott Howell (W. Monroe Faith) has had significant kidney damage as a result of earlier kidney stones. Pray that several things will work together to restore his kidney function.
The daughter of Rev. Jim and Darlene Norcross (Bossier, LA) is suffering with kidney stones.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT'S PRAYER MEETINGS (Prayer Tour)
We continue to have our DS Prayer Meetings in lieu of having the DS Tours. I have felt led to simply come to each area of the district(S) and have a night of prayer with pastors, associates, and spouses. These prayer times will last from 7-8:30 pm each evening and will include a brief video from Jim Cymbala followed by a significant time of praise and prayer. The remaining schedule is as follows:

October 26 -- Grenada
October 28 -- Gulf Coast Family
November 8 -- Houston Fellowship
November 9 -- McComb (LifePointe Community)
November 15 -- Jackson Emmanuel
I hope to see you there if you have not yet attended a prayer time.

Book I am Recommending: "Radical" by David Platt. This book was recommended to me by several friends, and it is well worth it. Platt, who pastors a mega Methodist church in Birmingham is calling the church to reevaluate its prosperity, consumerism, and selfish style and calling the church and the Christian back to an authentic discipleship characterized by the serious teachings of Jesus.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: "In a culture where bigger is always better and flashy is always more effective, Jesus beckons us to plainly, humbly, and quietly focus our lives on people." David Platt

Prayer Power

VERSE OF THE WEEK: "And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding." Jeremiah 3:15

PASTOR TO PASTOR

I have been reading through Jeremiah the last couple of days. Tough book to read! It is filled with judgement, wrath, anger...mostly God's. But it is peppered with hope. Plowing through these hard places I get a sense that God is hoping, begging, the people of Israel and Judah to return to Him. To call out His name. To obey His commands. To seek His face.

I am drawn to God's hunger to be Lord of His people. As a means of drawing them back to him, he calls upon people like you and I. He calls us shepherds. Look at the verse above. Shepherds are a gift to the people that God is seeking to reclaim. Shepherds who will feed His sheep. It is obvious from the book that shepherds feed in numerous ways...teaching, convincing, encouraging, nurturing, pleading, rebuking, and caring for.

The tragedy is that the shepherds fail. Not as in, fail to have success. Not as in fail to convince. But they fail.

I was convicted by Jeremiah 10:21. Buckle your seat belts. "For the shepherds have become dull-hearted, and have not sought the Lord; therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered." Whoa!

The message is pretty clear. God hungers to deliver a troubled (and stiff-necked) people. Toward that end He gifts them with a shepherd. But according to Jeremiah, the shepherd becomes dull-hearted, out of touch with God, and the flocks scatter.

I hope this speaks to you as it does me. Shepherds are important. They are God's gift to the people. We cannot let them, or him, down.

Would you join me in praying...praying that God might return in power and majesty to His church and His people. Will you determine to seek His face, and to connect with His heart.

Who will shepherd His beloved people?

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES
We have most recently visited DaySpring Community (MS), Shreveport GracePointe (LA), Victory Praise and Worship (MS), Iglesia Donde Dios Vidas (MS), Crossroads (MS), LifePointe (MS), and New Iberia (LA)

We look forward to visiting the following churches:

September 19 -- Oxford (MS)
September 16 -- Sulphur (LA) 75th Anniversary Celebration
October 3 -- Moss Bluff Trinity (LA)
October 10 -- (Tentative- LA)
October 17/24 -- Vacation
October 31 -- (Tentative-- MS)
November 7 -- OPEN (MS)
November 14 -- OPEN
November 21 -- Rosebloom (MS)

To schedule me please contact Pam. I would love to come to your church.

SPECIAL NOTES

Rev. Don Wedgeworth (Joyce) has resigned as pastor at Meridian Northside (MS) due to health reasons. He has had a wonderful ministry there and has prepared the church for further leadership.

Rev. David Garner (Jackson Emmanuel) and wife Pam (District Admin. Asst.) welcomed a new baby granddaughter today in Bloomington, IL., Samantha joins two sisters and a brother.

The Union (MS) church led by Rev. Donnie Carpenter had over 70 in attendance for homecoming services. Wow!

The Crossroads (MS) church led by Rev. Keith MeGehee was highlighted on television for their relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina on the 5th anniversary celebration.

Crowley First (LA) led by Rev. Bob Bradley, has made significant progress on their new Family Life Center.

Gulfport First Church is hosting a prayer seminar entitled, “Prayer Warriors: The Power of Prayer and Spiritual Warfare” on Saturday, October 9th from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. The seminar is being presented by Rick Huguenin of the Galion (Ohio) First Church of the Nazarene. A brief bio for Rick is included below. The seminar is FREE!! However, because we are serving dinner, PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! Anyone can register by calling the church at (228) 539-4188 or by e-mailing the church at gulfportnaz@att.net. There is no childcare for this event, and due to the nature of the discussion on spiritual warfare, it is recommended only for young people who have reached their teen years.


Open Churches: (MS)Waynesboro Trinity, GraceWay,Meridian Northside
(LA) Kenner First

Important Prayer Requests:

Rev. David Kelly (Crystal Springs, MS) had very difficult surgery last month but is recuperating at home. He continues to face cancer treatments.
Cathy Ferris, pastors wife at Monroe First (LA) lost her mother this past week. Pray for Cathy and the family.
Rev. Lisa McClesse, Gulfport First pastor, will have significant surgery on Sept.20. Please pray for her complete recovery.

Dr. Charles Johnson (Meridian Fitkins, MS) had shoulder surgery last week. He is home and recuperating.
Rev. Steve Holtz (Cleveland First, MS) has been suffering with his back in recent days.
Rev. Dustin McDavid (Pineville, LA) lost his uncle in an apparent suicide this week. Pray for his family.
Rev. Stephen Deese's (Gloster, MS) mother is battling cancer.
Rev. Keith Matthew's (LifePoint,MS) mother has been very ill and had recent surgery.

Continue to pray for Rev. Mike Howard (Westlake, LA)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT'S PRAYER MEETINGS (Prayer Tour)
Instead of having the DS Tours as usual this year I have felt led to simply come to each area of the district(S) and have a night of prayer with pastors, associates, and spouses. These prayer times will last from 7-8:30 pm each evening and will include a brief video from Jim Cymbala followed by a significant time of praise and prayer. You have been emailed a schedule. I anticipate that every pastor will do his/her best to be at one of these prayer events. For many there may be more than one within driving distance of you, making it possible to participate somewhere.

MINISTER AND MATES RETREAT is next week. Every pastor has received info. If money is the only reason you are not coming please let the office know. We do not want anyone to miss this great event because of finances. Dr. Eddie Estep, a great leader in our church will be speaking for us.

Book I am Recommending: "Radical" by David Platt. This book was recommended to me by several friends, and it is well worth it. Platt, who pastors a mega Methodist church in Birmingham is calling the church to reevaluate its prosperity, consumerism, and selfish style and calling the church and the Christian back to an authentic discipleship characterized by the serious teachings of Jesus.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: "This is how God works. He puts people in positions where they are desperate for His power, and then he shows his provision in ways that demonstrate his greatness." David Platt

Just Church

VERSE OF THE WEEK: Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. (Acts 10:27-29) (READ the Entire Section)

PASTOR TO PASTOR

“Feeling clearly called of God to the carrying of His work in the conversion of sinners, the sanctification of believers and the building up in holiness of those who may be committed to our care we associate ourselves together as a church of God under the name The Church of the Nazarene. We seek the simplicity and the power of the primitive New Testament Church. The field of labor to which we feel called is in the neglected quarters of the cities and wherever else may be found waste places and souls seeking pardon and cleansing from sin. This work we aim to do through the agency of city missions, evangelistic services, house-to-house visitation, caring for the poor, comforting the dying. To this end we strive personally to walk with God and to invite others so to do.” (Phineas F. Bresee)

There is much talk about the church these days. Much of it is angry, divisive, and judgemental. It is littered with labels and name calling. It is the "worship wars" on steroids. Everything the church does or does not do as come under scrutiny. If a pastor wants to introduce a new song he is labeled an "emergent". It is the similar to being called a communist and can have almost as tragic an effect as being called a philanderer.

On the other side, if a pastor believes in the authority of scripture he or she might be called a "fundamentalist", which is like being accused of burning witches.

I want to scream, "Can't we all just get along?" But I don't. I would rather say,"Shut Up"; all of you. In other words, let's quit picking at each other with a fine tooth comb, and let's start being who we say we are..."The Church of Jesus Christ".

We, you and I, would do well to be The Church of the Nazarene. Read Bresee's words again. Who can argue with this declaration, made at the very first gathering of a church that would be called the Church of the Nazarene. It would make a good mission statement.

Look at some of the identifying and profound phrases embodied in this text:
1. Clearly called...
2. The conversion of sinners...
3. The sanctification of believers...
4. The building up in holiness...
5. Neglected quarters...
6. To this end we strive personally to walk with God and to invite others so to do...

How are we doing? What are we doing?

When I was a sophomore I played on the JV Baseball team. We only had one field so we were always competing with the Varsity for field time. If they were practicing we had to use a smaller field that could not be used for games. It was impossible for both of us to have games on the same day. We were in the north so we had a short season. We hit, fielded, pitched. We took fly balls and ground balls. Coaches drilled us on the fundamentals; bunting, stealing, pick-off plays, running the bases. I say all of that to say that we practiced alot but had very few games.We would go two weeks without having any games. It got boring and was demotivating. We were there to play and we wanted to play.

We ought to quit talking, going over the plays ad nausem, and get in the game.

Dr. Bresee once stated, “Let the Church of the Nazarene be true to its commission; not great and elegant buildings; but to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and wipe away the tears of sorrowing, and gather jewels for His diadem.”

Amen!

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES
We have most recently visited GraceWay (MS), Hazelhurst (MS), Baker (LA), and the Fort Jesup Camp Meeting.

We look forward to visiting the following churches:

August 15 -- GracePointe (LA)
August 22 -- Victory Praise and Worship (MS)
August 29 -- Crossroads (MS), Pascagoula Hispanic New Start
September 5 -- Available
September 12 -- New Iberia (LA)

To schedule me please contact Pam. I would love to come to your church. (I am especially available on Sunday nights. If it looks like I am in your area on Sunday morning or might be passing through, and you would like me to come, please contact Pam)

SPECIAL NOTES
Rev. Jim Norcross (Darlene) has accepted appointment as pastor of Bossier City CON (LA). This is his second stint as pastor there. Jim and Darlene have been enjoying retirement in Homer, LA, while running an Antique store there. We welcome them back to the LA team.

The following have had successful reviews: Rev. Derek Catron (Lake Charles First, LA), Rev. Chris Rego, (Brookhaven First, MS), and Rev. Kaye Shelley (Philadelphia, MS)

Open Churches: (MS)Waynesboro Trinity, GraceWay
(LA) Kenner First and Bossier


Important Prayer Requests:

Rev. David Kelly (Crystal Springs, MS) has begun treatments for cancer. So far the pancreas has been ruled out, but the oncologist wants to look at it one more time. Please pray for him.
Rev. Don Wedgeworth (Meridian Northside, MS) is in need of our prayers. He is suffering serious heart problems and is on oxygen.
Rev. Stephen Deese's (Gloster, MS) mother is battling cancer.
Continue to pray for Rev. Jerry Cole, McVay Memorial (LA), and Rev. Mike Howard (Westlake, LA)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

BOARD LEADERSHIP SUMMITS 10am - 3 pm Cost $10 per person

Mississippi - August 7 at Bridgepoint Church in Brandon, MS Louisiana - August 14 at Rocky Creek Camp

Rev. Corey Jones, pastor of the Crossroads Tabernacle CON in Ft. Worth will be our guest speaker. His church is known for its very strong prayer ministry. He will be talking to us about prayer, a praying church, and the subsequent results of having a praying church. You will not want to miss this. Bring your church board and leadership team.

Everyone present will receive gifts, snacks, lunch, and materials. The whole district, one day, under one roof.


It is Nazarene Pastors night at the Mississippi Braves game on Friday night, August 27th in Pearl, MS. (Outside Jackson). Fireworks after the game. Tickets are $7. Call or email the District Resource Center to reserve your tickets. Your whole family is invited. Game starts at 7. Coming from a distance? We may be able to help if you want to stay overnight.

Pastor Lisa McCleese reports: The Gulfport (MS) church hosted an appreciation luncheon today for Gulfport City workers who have been working on the road widening project on Three Rivers Road (the road the church is on). They had around 20 workers come and the local news station, WLOX out of Biloxi, took some video and did a short interview with the pastor.

Pastor Joe Talhelm reports: Just thought I would let you know how the Lord blessed our church this past week in our Vacation Bible School - it was incredible, averaged 135 (81 kids) each night (altar services three nights) with a baptism service on Fri night - baptising 32 (28 kids and 4 adults). VBS Program on Sunday had 253 in the service with a great program and the Lord moving. It was, by far, the best VBS ever here in Ebenezer!(LA) God is to be praised!!!

Kenner First (LA) reports: Just a note to tell you about our Aug. 1 Sunday Service. It was a memorial to Hazel Blanchard Duxworth who passed away Sept. 20. It was a wonderful service with approx. 60 people attending. The church looked very full. We had 42 from our congregation and Filidelfia joined with us with at least 20 more people. Rev. Henry Siems, who formerly grew up in the area, pastor now at Stillwater, Ok, was our special speaker. He also brought his 6 boys with him to share in the service. Dale Adams, hosted the service. We had good music and a good service.


Book I am Recommending: "Deep Church" by Jim Belcher. I bought this book because of all of the "controversy" over the traditional church and the Emergent, Emerging, PostModern Church. Unlike the book above that is largely about style, the battle between the traditional and the emergent is more theological and more ecclesiological. The venom that is often used by adherents to both groups borders on the absurd. This book, according to Belcher is for people like me who aren't quite sure what all the fuss is about. It is a textbook on the Emergent church but it also calls for a reconsidering of the traditional church. It is first and foremost a call for a third option..."Deep Church."

Book I Am Reading: "Be Holy" by Joseph Coleson, et al. A book out of the Wesleyan church, it is compilation of writings on holiness. By the admission of the author it is written to stir a new flame for the subject of holiness and to do so in a way that is engaging for a new culture and generation.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Holiness is and always should be an identifiable trait of God's people. Holy people are called to be set apart for God's purposes in the world. " Thomas Armiger, General Superintendent, The Wesleyan church.