Skip to main content

Spring Meetings

Hi folks,

As you've seen by the multitude of blog posts, this has been an extremely busy week around the state of Tennessee. With the multiple announcements of passing notices, our hearts are heavy for the families affected. In each case, those who have gone on have left a legacy for us to follow, and we have been honored to be associated with a part of this "cloud of witnesses." (Hebrews 11).

This week, the General Presbyters have been in from across the world for their bi-annual meeting. These meetings have been punctuated by tragedy and difficulties, but I am convinced they will be successful.

At the beginning of the General Presbyters meeting, Bishop Felix Santiago, the General Presbyter of Central America suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized in Knoxville. Bishop Miguel Mojica, General Presybter of South America was hospitalized in Cleveland for a heart-related issue. As you know, Bishop Randall Howard's father, Deacon Frank Howard passed away.

I have to share with you, that even in the face of all these events, the meetings carried on and business has continued for our world-wide movement. This week the BDP committee, F & S Committee, Global Outreach Committee and the Administrative Committee met with the General Presbyters to continue the work of the church.

I was in Cleveland for the Administrative Committee meeting, but I was able to meet with some of our pastors and enjoy a time of fellowship while in the area. In this midst of all this activities, we reached the deadline for pre-registration of proxies in the State Office, and I want to thank the faithful pastors/members of the church for participating. It appears that Tennessee has had about a 70% response, and while I am happy for that much participation, I am saddened that many of our congregations will "lose their voice" in the business of the upcoming General Assembly because the process was not followed at the local level.

Because of the Administrative Committee meeting again on Friday afternoon, I will return to Cleveland in the morning, but I will stay over for the visitation and funeral of Deacon Frank Howard. And Sunday morning, church visits will resume.

I appreciate your love, prayers and affection you have shown. We have two types of church folks in our churches in Tennessee:

1. Good folks
2. Better folks

Whichever category one is in, its wonderful to be associated with all of you. God bless.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Come Down From That Ivory Tower

Hebrews 11 has become known as the "Hall of Faith." The reason is quite simple. The writer spends a great deal of time giving a role call of the heroes of the faith. After all, this chapter is about faith, and what better way to teach faith than to illustrate with some real-life examples. Mos of the people in this chapter are well-known, at least by anyone who spent time squirming in a Sunday School class as a small child, or who watched the late-night movies on the local channels featuring their stories. Who were they? Abel, Enoch and Noah. Abel pleased God with his excellent offering, Enoch was so close to God that he actually walked with God to the point that one evening, while walking God said to Enoch, "we are closer to my house than we are yours, so why don't you just go home with me?" Of course, Noah built an ark (according to God's instructions) that saved mankind from total destruction. Then there was Abraham...the father of the faithful. He...

A question about your church...

This last few days I have been in the State of Kentucky. I came here with my wife, whose father was having medical tests as of the results of a probable heart attack. He seems to be doing well (as of tonight) and is scheduled for one more test, then hopefully he will be released and further treatments to bring him to health. While this is a scary moment for my wife's family it has also been a time to step away from the daily work and observe others around us. Since Debra's father is a pastor (Church of God of Prophecy, Central City, KY) there have been visits from the State Presiding Bishop, Scott Gillum, area pastors and of course some of his church members. It is heartening to watch the love and concern that is show by those visiting. There has also been quite a few of Debra's extended family here, along with her younger brother and his family. I've watch the nurses and technicians at the Owensboro Medical Center demonstrate concern and what seems to be good care...

On my way to a resurrection

Someone asked, "Are you on your way to another funeral?"  My answer was, "No, I am on my way to a resurrection."  Tonight, after having preached my sister's funeral, two church members funerals and visiting a friend whose brother had passed away, I had a little quiet time in my home office.  As I often do, I reach for an old book  I've found that some books written long ago can speak to my heart.  This time, it was a book published in 1946.  This passage from J.B. Chapman touched my heart, hope it does yours too.  Victor Hugo exclaimed, "The frosts of seventy winters are on my head, but the springtime of eternal youth is in my heart." "Sometimes we look at the gray hair of a ripening saint, and say, "Old man, the frosts of many winters are on your head."  But he answers, "That is not frost.  I am getting ready to wear the crown of life, and my hair is taking on tint agreeable to the color scheme."   We say, "Ol...