Hello Folks,
This week has already become a very busy week. We started Camp Meeting here in East Tennessee this past Sunday p.m. with a unity service and Bill Konstontoupolos was the preacher. He preached a marvelous message on the things that God desires for the Church and he spoke about unity in that sermon. God used him to speak in a very clear and pointed manner now the only question is whether we will live that truth out.
Last night at Camp Meeting Richard Mansfield preached and once again God used the speaker. He spoke out of 2 Kings 6 where Elisha made the ax head to float and how we need to believe that God will do miracles and all we have to do to pick it up. Richard Mansfield, as you who know him realize, is uniquely gifted by God and we were all blessed and challenged to believe God for miracles. Praise God for calling and using men and women who will be available to Him.
Next week Ruth and I will go to Missouri to preach the camp meeting at Mountain Grove. I ask all of you to be praying for us as we travel and as we serve the church family in that area. Johnny Creasong, the pastor in Pekin, Il is the worship leader and I also ask you to pray for him that he would be used greatly by God. While I know that God has called me to preach I still desperately need to have the Spirit guide me and use me as I realize that I cannot achieve what needs to be done in my own power. I need Him to direct and use me or it will all be in vain.
Ruth and I will then take a week vacation and visit with our friends, Mike and Jeannie Ebert, I am really looking forward to a couple of days with them. Then we will go to Indiana and visit with our son and daughter-in-law, James and Michele. We will also get to spend time with Jordyn and Alexis, two of our granddaughters. I truly look forward to that. Pray that we have safety.
We have our house up for sale and I ask you to pray that we get it sold.
Have a great day.
HGRudd
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Hello Folks,
This week at Greeneville First Church of God we are celebrating VBS. Children will come in from our community and from our congregation to be part of the activities that we offer. One of the things that we do is next Sunday morning in our worship services we will allow the workers and participants of VBS to lead our worship. I will then have the opportunity to preach to the all of those who will be here solely to support their children or grandchildren and would not enter our doors if it were not for that. We have attempted to make VBS a type of outreach for us over the past few years. Every year on that Sunday we will have a number of visitors and family members will sit in our services hearing the message of Jesus Christ. I ask you to pray for me that I will be able to preach the gospel of Jesus and that lives will be changed because of what happens here.
I tell you about this because this has been the mindset that I have approached the ministry of this congregation. It has been my idea to use the normal things we do in an effort to reach people for Christ. So our special events will attempt to get people into our doors and to point them to Jesus. One part of that is to attempt to have good follow up on those who have attended. This has not always worked well as it seems that most folks know that if they give us their address that opens them up to being contacted whether it be by phone, letter or in person. It would seem to me that if all we do is for those who are a part of this congregation we have missed the idea of the Great Commission. If a congregation is not living out the Great Commission then it seems to me that they are not being what God has directed us to be.
Well, I pray this summer gives you great opportunity to share the message of Christ to our world. May He bless you and use you in this endeavor.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
This week at Greeneville First Church of God we are celebrating VBS. Children will come in from our community and from our congregation to be part of the activities that we offer. One of the things that we do is next Sunday morning in our worship services we will allow the workers and participants of VBS to lead our worship. I will then have the opportunity to preach to the all of those who will be here solely to support their children or grandchildren and would not enter our doors if it were not for that. We have attempted to make VBS a type of outreach for us over the past few years. Every year on that Sunday we will have a number of visitors and family members will sit in our services hearing the message of Jesus Christ. I ask you to pray for me that I will be able to preach the gospel of Jesus and that lives will be changed because of what happens here.
I tell you about this because this has been the mindset that I have approached the ministry of this congregation. It has been my idea to use the normal things we do in an effort to reach people for Christ. So our special events will attempt to get people into our doors and to point them to Jesus. One part of that is to attempt to have good follow up on those who have attended. This has not always worked well as it seems that most folks know that if they give us their address that opens them up to being contacted whether it be by phone, letter or in person. It would seem to me that if all we do is for those who are a part of this congregation we have missed the idea of the Great Commission. If a congregation is not living out the Great Commission then it seems to me that they are not being what God has directed us to be.
Well, I pray this summer gives you great opportunity to share the message of Christ to our world. May He bless you and use you in this endeavor.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Hello Folks,
This coming Sunday I am going to preach a sermon on where a person fits in the life of the church, Lord willing. I am going to take a page from the National Assn. Mid Year Leadership Conference (thank you Charles Myricks) and see if we can give an illustration of what that means. We had a picture of our sanctuary turned into a 250 piece puzzle and I will have one piece given to each family. The outside edges of the puzzle will have already be put together on a table and I am going to ask each family at the end of the worship, and for another 3-4 weeks, to put their piece in place.
It seems to me that a lot of folks are trying to figure out where they fit in the life of the church. Unfortunately I am not sure that we, the leadership, always gives individuals an opportunity to figure it out. They come to a congregation and might not know anyone and we think that they already know all there is about the classes, the ministries and other things in which they can participate. Or if they know what is available they might not know how to get involved.
One of the things that I am curious about is how many people will not bother to put their puzzle piece into place. Will that speak of laziness, a lack of caring, or will they merely forget to bother over a 3-4 week period. This will be an interesting time as I observe the congregation I pastor. I pray that it will be a help to those who are here.
Have a great one.
HGRudd
This coming Sunday I am going to preach a sermon on where a person fits in the life of the church, Lord willing. I am going to take a page from the National Assn. Mid Year Leadership Conference (thank you Charles Myricks) and see if we can give an illustration of what that means. We had a picture of our sanctuary turned into a 250 piece puzzle and I will have one piece given to each family. The outside edges of the puzzle will have already be put together on a table and I am going to ask each family at the end of the worship, and for another 3-4 weeks, to put their piece in place.
It seems to me that a lot of folks are trying to figure out where they fit in the life of the church. Unfortunately I am not sure that we, the leadership, always gives individuals an opportunity to figure it out. They come to a congregation and might not know anyone and we think that they already know all there is about the classes, the ministries and other things in which they can participate. Or if they know what is available they might not know how to get involved.
One of the things that I am curious about is how many people will not bother to put their puzzle piece into place. Will that speak of laziness, a lack of caring, or will they merely forget to bother over a 3-4 week period. This will be an interesting time as I observe the congregation I pastor. I pray that it will be a help to those who are here.
Have a great one.
HGRudd
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Hello Folks,
It is good to be back and settled in here in Greeneville. Ruth and I were in Anderson, In for the Global Gathering and General Assembly Meeting. There was some really good preaching even though I did not get to hear much of it as we arrived on Monday and left on Wednesday. On Tuesday Ruth became sick and I had to tend to her and finally took her the hospital where they treated her for a viral infection. After GA on Wednesday we left for Illinois and decided to just come home after church on Sunday. We arrived back here late Sunday night. Ruth is much better now even though she is still not fully recovered.
This past Sunday we celebrated Independence Day out at Locust Springs. We had hamburgers, hotdogs and the ladies carried in covered dishes. Then Paul and Kattia Jones along with their daughter, Tabitha, were with us and Paul and Kattia spoke at our worship services. Jeff Melton led us in songs and after dark we had a fireworks display. It was a great time with the folks of the church family and many people worked very hard to enable this celebration to take place. Locust Springs Christian Retreat Center also celebrated their 20th year of existence and shared that at least 200 people have come to the Lord while using the facilities out there. It was a great day in the Lord!
The General Assembly was rather disappointing to me. Our new General Director, Jim Lyons, spoke and did a very good job. He is an excellent communicator and I do believe that he will be able to give direction to the ministry through our national ministries I must say that I am praying that he will also provide a strong stance on the traditional message of the Church of God Reformation Movement. Time will answer that question. The GA decided to send a resolution on Christian Marriage back to be reworked. As I sat there what I seemed to hear was a call for us to use language that is more agreeable with the times. I wonder if it was a matter of political correctness as it seemed that the language they had a problem with was the biblical quotes that were used. I may be wrong, and hope that I am, but the question is what will be next? Where will we do and what will we wind up with in the long run. I am very conflicted on this issue and wait with great anticipation to see what the decisions our GA will make. I also wonder what all the pastors, ministers and others who can help make those decisions left it up to about 500 people to make the decisions? Time always answers the questions that we have.
Lord bless you all,
H G Rudd
It is good to be back and settled in here in Greeneville. Ruth and I were in Anderson, In for the Global Gathering and General Assembly Meeting. There was some really good preaching even though I did not get to hear much of it as we arrived on Monday and left on Wednesday. On Tuesday Ruth became sick and I had to tend to her and finally took her the hospital where they treated her for a viral infection. After GA on Wednesday we left for Illinois and decided to just come home after church on Sunday. We arrived back here late Sunday night. Ruth is much better now even though she is still not fully recovered.
This past Sunday we celebrated Independence Day out at Locust Springs. We had hamburgers, hotdogs and the ladies carried in covered dishes. Then Paul and Kattia Jones along with their daughter, Tabitha, were with us and Paul and Kattia spoke at our worship services. Jeff Melton led us in songs and after dark we had a fireworks display. It was a great time with the folks of the church family and many people worked very hard to enable this celebration to take place. Locust Springs Christian Retreat Center also celebrated their 20th year of existence and shared that at least 200 people have come to the Lord while using the facilities out there. It was a great day in the Lord!
The General Assembly was rather disappointing to me. Our new General Director, Jim Lyons, spoke and did a very good job. He is an excellent communicator and I do believe that he will be able to give direction to the ministry through our national ministries I must say that I am praying that he will also provide a strong stance on the traditional message of the Church of God Reformation Movement. Time will answer that question. The GA decided to send a resolution on Christian Marriage back to be reworked. As I sat there what I seemed to hear was a call for us to use language that is more agreeable with the times. I wonder if it was a matter of political correctness as it seemed that the language they had a problem with was the biblical quotes that were used. I may be wrong, and hope that I am, but the question is what will be next? Where will we do and what will we wind up with in the long run. I am very conflicted on this issue and wait with great anticipation to see what the decisions our GA will make. I also wonder what all the pastors, ministers and others who can help make those decisions left it up to about 500 people to make the decisions? Time always answers the questions that we have.
Lord bless you all,
H G Rudd
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Hello Folks,
This week I have been reminded how our plans do not always work out. Ruth and I have four grandchildren visiting with us and we had planned on going to Dollywood as a treat for them yesterday. As we drover the approximately 75 miles it began to rain and it was still raining, off and on, when we got there. We decided to go to a mall for a little diversion and to wait to see what would happen. Then we went to get some lunch at McDonald's and as we were there one of the my granddaughters became ill. We made a decision that we would come back home and, hopefully, Ruth will be able to take them on Friday. I cannot go on that day due to other commitments.
I wonder how many people are planning, consciously or unconsciously, to wait for a particular time or event before they turn to Christ. The question becomes what will happen to change that decision and will they ever reach the place that they will become a follower of Jesus. What a shame it would be to make all those plans and find yourself in an eternity without God saying, "But I was planning on turning to Jesus." That is why we are told that today is the day of salvation.
Next week I will be making a trip to Anderson, In for our annual General Assembly meeting and will also attend the Global Gathering. Pastor's Fellowship has introduced a Resolution on Christian Marriage and we will see if it will reach the floor or not. I never look forward to meetings but I do look forward to what God will do there. Over the next couple of weeks I will not be sending this blog out as I will be gone from my computer.
May the Lord bless you all,
HGRudd
This week I have been reminded how our plans do not always work out. Ruth and I have four grandchildren visiting with us and we had planned on going to Dollywood as a treat for them yesterday. As we drover the approximately 75 miles it began to rain and it was still raining, off and on, when we got there. We decided to go to a mall for a little diversion and to wait to see what would happen. Then we went to get some lunch at McDonald's and as we were there one of the my granddaughters became ill. We made a decision that we would come back home and, hopefully, Ruth will be able to take them on Friday. I cannot go on that day due to other commitments.
I wonder how many people are planning, consciously or unconsciously, to wait for a particular time or event before they turn to Christ. The question becomes what will happen to change that decision and will they ever reach the place that they will become a follower of Jesus. What a shame it would be to make all those plans and find yourself in an eternity without God saying, "But I was planning on turning to Jesus." That is why we are told that today is the day of salvation.
Next week I will be making a trip to Anderson, In for our annual General Assembly meeting and will also attend the Global Gathering. Pastor's Fellowship has introduced a Resolution on Christian Marriage and we will see if it will reach the floor or not. I never look forward to meetings but I do look forward to what God will do there. Over the next couple of weeks I will not be sending this blog out as I will be gone from my computer.
May the Lord bless you all,
HGRudd
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Hello Folks,
Yesterday was a full day for Ruth and I as we traveled to Florence, Ky where we met our oldest son, Bob, and our daughter, Debby, to pick up four of our grandchildren who will be staying with us about 2 weeks. Bailey is 15, Breanne is 14, Camryn is 13 and Landon is 6. It was a long day with us driving over 600 miles total but it wsa well worth it. To be able to have some of our grandchildren with us is a great joy for us. We have a few plans and they include a trip to Dollywood one day.
I became a Christian in March 1973 and there has been a lot of things that have changed in the church world in that 40 years. One of the most marked changes has been the way Sunday night Worship is being abandoned by the vast majority of Christian people. While I realize that there are numerous things that are in competition for that time and that Sunday night worship is not necessarily a biblical mandate it still confuses me some as to why this has taken place. As a pastor I work hard to prepare the same level of sermons that I preach on Sunday morning. Our worship pastor puts a great deal of effort in making sure that the singing and other aspects of worship are not at a lower level thank Sunday a.m. Yet it appears that people just do not want to come regardless of what you do.
One of things that I think I see taking place is that the older generation is dying off and they make up at least 60% of Sunday p.m. attendance. The younger generations appear to have no desire to be there. They are busy with ball, hiking, and family time. While are some very clear exceptions to this the trend appears to be clear to me. As I said it is confusing and I wonder if there is something that would be far more productive for the church? I mean if people were being saved at the ballgames and other events that many give themselves to that would cause me to say lets do more of them. But then again if we were seeing people saved in the p.m. services maybe there would be a greater desire for people to come.
I am just conflicted with all of this and was wondering what some of you think about this. Do you see the same trends? What are your thoughts concerning this issue? Let me know if you will I am really curious to find out some answer.
Have a great day,
H. G. Rudd
Yesterday was a full day for Ruth and I as we traveled to Florence, Ky where we met our oldest son, Bob, and our daughter, Debby, to pick up four of our grandchildren who will be staying with us about 2 weeks. Bailey is 15, Breanne is 14, Camryn is 13 and Landon is 6. It was a long day with us driving over 600 miles total but it wsa well worth it. To be able to have some of our grandchildren with us is a great joy for us. We have a few plans and they include a trip to Dollywood one day.
I became a Christian in March 1973 and there has been a lot of things that have changed in the church world in that 40 years. One of the most marked changes has been the way Sunday night Worship is being abandoned by the vast majority of Christian people. While I realize that there are numerous things that are in competition for that time and that Sunday night worship is not necessarily a biblical mandate it still confuses me some as to why this has taken place. As a pastor I work hard to prepare the same level of sermons that I preach on Sunday morning. Our worship pastor puts a great deal of effort in making sure that the singing and other aspects of worship are not at a lower level thank Sunday a.m. Yet it appears that people just do not want to come regardless of what you do.
One of things that I think I see taking place is that the older generation is dying off and they make up at least 60% of Sunday p.m. attendance. The younger generations appear to have no desire to be there. They are busy with ball, hiking, and family time. While are some very clear exceptions to this the trend appears to be clear to me. As I said it is confusing and I wonder if there is something that would be far more productive for the church? I mean if people were being saved at the ballgames and other events that many give themselves to that would cause me to say lets do more of them. But then again if we were seeing people saved in the p.m. services maybe there would be a greater desire for people to come.
I am just conflicted with all of this and was wondering what some of you think about this. Do you see the same trends? What are your thoughts concerning this issue? Let me know if you will I am really curious to find out some answer.
Have a great day,
H. G. Rudd
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Hello Folks,
This summer has a lot of activities in it. We will have an all church visitation of seniors where we are asking all of those who can to come and help us give care to our seniors on June 10-11, 13 at 6:30 p.m., four of my grandchildren are due to come and visit June 9-June 22, Anderson Camp meeting, the Global Gathering, is June 20 through June 25, on July 7 we will have a celebration worship service at Locust Springs to celebrate their 20th year of ministry and our nations 4th of July celebration, our VBS on July 22-26, East Tennessee Camp meeting from July 28 through August 4, then I will be preaching the Missouri State Camp meeting August 5-11. That is a pretty busy summer especially when you take into account all the other "normal" things that will take place here. I ask you to pray for the congregation and the pastoral staff as we will are involved in all the ministry that comes to us in that time.
I am sure that many of you have a multitude of things planned for this summer. Vacations, family gatherings, church activities and numerous other events that will arise. In the midst of all of that I pray that we all will keep in mind that we are servants of the most High God and that His Son Jesus Christ died for us so we could live for Him and share His message with others. May we always keep balance where our livs are concerned. God wants us to care for our families but He does not want us to forget that we are participants in the ministry that He has called us to fulfill. It is easy to get so wrapped in all that we have to do that we forget the Person who has made it all possible for us.
May this summer be filled with the joy and wonders of God for you and yours! Prais His name.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
This summer has a lot of activities in it. We will have an all church visitation of seniors where we are asking all of those who can to come and help us give care to our seniors on June 10-11, 13 at 6:30 p.m., four of my grandchildren are due to come and visit June 9-June 22, Anderson Camp meeting, the Global Gathering, is June 20 through June 25, on July 7 we will have a celebration worship service at Locust Springs to celebrate their 20th year of ministry and our nations 4th of July celebration, our VBS on July 22-26, East Tennessee Camp meeting from July 28 through August 4, then I will be preaching the Missouri State Camp meeting August 5-11. That is a pretty busy summer especially when you take into account all the other "normal" things that will take place here. I ask you to pray for the congregation and the pastoral staff as we will are involved in all the ministry that comes to us in that time.
I am sure that many of you have a multitude of things planned for this summer. Vacations, family gatherings, church activities and numerous other events that will arise. In the midst of all of that I pray that we all will keep in mind that we are servants of the most High God and that His Son Jesus Christ died for us so we could live for Him and share His message with others. May we always keep balance where our livs are concerned. God wants us to care for our families but He does not want us to forget that we are participants in the ministry that He has called us to fulfill. It is easy to get so wrapped in all that we have to do that we forget the Person who has made it all possible for us.
May this summer be filled with the joy and wonders of God for you and yours! Prais His name.
Have a great day,
HGRudd
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