Hello Folks,
In the congregation I pastor I have a retired pastor and his wife who are from another faith group who have become part of what we are doing as a congregation. They are extremely committed to doing ministry even though they have some physical restrictions that keep them from doing all that they would like. Yet they are very supportive of the ministry and of myself as the senior pastor of this congregation. I also have some retired pastors from Church of God congregations that are just as supportive and active in ministry. It is truly a blessing from God to have people like that in this congregation. While I hope to continue pastoring for some time it is my desire that when I reach retirement, if I reach it, that I would give the same kind of support to my pastor and congregation. What a joy it is to have people who give me such an example to follow.
That makes me wonder what kind of example each one of us give to our children, grandchildren, and others for them to follow. Could it be that there are people whose actions and attitudes are not good because they have been following our examples? That is something that must be considered by all of us! I see fathers and mothers whose actions are filled with things that I find to be questionable at best and they do even seem to consider that their children are acting just like they are acting. Parents do you want your children to have your habits, taken on your actions, use the same language that you use and become the same kind of person that you have been? That is something that should be asked by all of us!
May the joy of the Lord be in your life today.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Hello Folks,
I pray that all is well with all of you. Just today one of my staff members talked to me about the "twitter" account issues. Now, so you will know I do Facebook, email, and I blog here but that is about all. I do not do twitter or any other form of social media. But he was telling me of someone who was blogging using an assumed name and wanting to challenge leadership. What a struggle that is for someone to defend themselves against an unnamed and unknown source who can make any claim, whether it is true or not. It would seem to me that we would be far better to follow the biblical example of going to the person first, then taking someone with us, and then calling on the church to make a decision. While someone might be correct in their accusations it just might be that their method of attempting to settle them is something far less than correct. I personally have not followed this twitter battle and I really do not want to be involved in it there must be a better way, a biblical manner, to face such differences. Could it be that someone just might not like the decision of the church and wants to bring an issue up again even though it has been settled? I do not know but I ask you to think about these things when you are on the social media and ask yourself as to whether you would want those who are angry at you to treat you in such a manner? Just a thought.
Stan Toler led a conference, called The Vibrant Church, here at Greeneville First Church of God this past Saturday and did a wonderful job. I have never been in any other conference that has given such practical handles for a pastor or other leadership in the church to plan and progress in ministry. If you ever have an opportunity to attend any of his conferences I would highly recommend it. Pastors you will never find someone who is more generous with his materials than Stan Toler and he comes from a Wesleyan background. He has served as a Pastor who has led 3 different congregations to over 1000 in attendance. He also served as the General Superintendent in the Nazarene Church. His spirit is wonderful and He is empowered by God to present the material that he has to the local congregation.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
I pray that all is well with all of you. Just today one of my staff members talked to me about the "twitter" account issues. Now, so you will know I do Facebook, email, and I blog here but that is about all. I do not do twitter or any other form of social media. But he was telling me of someone who was blogging using an assumed name and wanting to challenge leadership. What a struggle that is for someone to defend themselves against an unnamed and unknown source who can make any claim, whether it is true or not. It would seem to me that we would be far better to follow the biblical example of going to the person first, then taking someone with us, and then calling on the church to make a decision. While someone might be correct in their accusations it just might be that their method of attempting to settle them is something far less than correct. I personally have not followed this twitter battle and I really do not want to be involved in it there must be a better way, a biblical manner, to face such differences. Could it be that someone just might not like the decision of the church and wants to bring an issue up again even though it has been settled? I do not know but I ask you to think about these things when you are on the social media and ask yourself as to whether you would want those who are angry at you to treat you in such a manner? Just a thought.
Stan Toler led a conference, called The Vibrant Church, here at Greeneville First Church of God this past Saturday and did a wonderful job. I have never been in any other conference that has given such practical handles for a pastor or other leadership in the church to plan and progress in ministry. If you ever have an opportunity to attend any of his conferences I would highly recommend it. Pastors you will never find someone who is more generous with his materials than Stan Toler and he comes from a Wesleyan background. He has served as a Pastor who has led 3 different congregations to over 1000 in attendance. He also served as the General Superintendent in the Nazarene Church. His spirit is wonderful and He is empowered by God to present the material that he has to the local congregation.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Hello Folks,
This past week Ruth and I went to Birmingham, Al to attend the Mid-Year Leadership meeting of the National Assn. of the Church of God. I must tell you that it was a great time of refreshing. We were able to stay Tuesday and Wednesday. The services were filled with great worship and powerful preaching. Pastor James Marshall preached on Tuesday night and the presence of God was among us. Dr. James Earl Massey preached on Wednesday night and God continued working through the messages. As Brother Massey said: "It is not over until it is over" and went on to remind us that we are in the battle until it is finished and it is not finished as long as we are in this world. I guess I needed that reminder for my life as it was of great impact in my thinking. If you wanted that sermon you might be able to get it through Charles Myricks who is the Chief Operating/Development Officer or Miki Merritt who is the Presiding Elder of the National Association. I know that it was recorded and offered for those who were there. Dr. Cheryl Sanders and Dr. Diana Swoope were the speakers on Thursday but unfortunately I had to come back that morning and did not get to hear them.
The sermon topic of "it's not over until it's over" was of great importance for the followers of Jesus as it seems that some of us would like to stop and take it easy. We have fought the fight and we are just tired about 20-30 years of ministry and we want to have someone else take over the leadership. My friend, should we not remember that we are to complete the race? Should we not be committed to fighting the fight until it is really over? Maybe you need to just consider that it is not over until it is over and not turn aside or look for others to take your place! We are engaged in this warfare until it is over and God will use us for His glory if we will continue the race!
Have a great day,
HGRudd
This past week Ruth and I went to Birmingham, Al to attend the Mid-Year Leadership meeting of the National Assn. of the Church of God. I must tell you that it was a great time of refreshing. We were able to stay Tuesday and Wednesday. The services were filled with great worship and powerful preaching. Pastor James Marshall preached on Tuesday night and the presence of God was among us. Dr. James Earl Massey preached on Wednesday night and God continued working through the messages. As Brother Massey said: "It is not over until it is over" and went on to remind us that we are in the battle until it is finished and it is not finished as long as we are in this world. I guess I needed that reminder for my life as it was of great impact in my thinking. If you wanted that sermon you might be able to get it through Charles Myricks who is the Chief Operating/Development Officer or Miki Merritt who is the Presiding Elder of the National Association. I know that it was recorded and offered for those who were there. Dr. Cheryl Sanders and Dr. Diana Swoope were the speakers on Thursday but unfortunately I had to come back that morning and did not get to hear them.
The sermon topic of "it's not over until it's over" was of great importance for the followers of Jesus as it seems that some of us would like to stop and take it easy. We have fought the fight and we are just tired about 20-30 years of ministry and we want to have someone else take over the leadership. My friend, should we not remember that we are to complete the race? Should we not be committed to fighting the fight until it is really over? Maybe you need to just consider that it is not over until it is over and not turn aside or look for others to take your place! We are engaged in this warfare until it is over and God will use us for His glory if we will continue the race!
Have a great day,
HGRudd
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