LEADERSHIP UPDATE of the Southeast Region
Volume
3, Issue 1 January 2008
Pastors:
Please distribute this to your delegates, leaders & congregation
THE $64,000
QUESTION
Im inspired by stories of
individuals who face challenges, and yet they continue on, overcoming obstacles
as they reach for their goals. In a PBS interview, Sonny Fox a former host of
the game show The $64,000 Question
related a story about a memorable contestant. This young stay-at-home mom with
a degree in psychology applied to be on his show. She was turned down, as the
producers were looking for contestants who had more colorful, unusual lives.
Determined to get on the show, this young woman decided to become a boxing
expert so she read all she could on the subject and attended boxing matches.
A year later she re-applied to be a contestant on the game show, now describing
herself as a housewife, psychologist and boxing expert. She not only got on
the show, but she won the $64,000 grand prize. But the story doesnt end there.
She used her winnings to complete her doctorate degree and she leveraged her
game show celebrity status to kick-start her career. You may recognize the name
of this woman; she is Dr. Joyce Brothers.
I uplift this simple illustration to
you, not because I like boxing, but because it illustrates the power of focus.
Joyce Brothers had a dream, and she would not let roadblocks stand in her way.
She was willing to learn new skills and to try new approaches to reach her
goal. As we anticipate the new year, I imagine we all hope that the coming year
will be better than the one behind us. I believe our human yearning for
something better is a desire God has placed within us, to draw us closer to
Himself. Throughout Scripture, God assured His followers that He desired for
their tomorrows to be better than their todays. Here are but a few examples . .
. . God told Abram & Sarai that
their childless marriage would become the birthplace of a great nation. God
assured Moses from a burning bush that his days of obscurity herding sheep
would end and he would instead shepherd Gods chosen people. God revealed to
David, while a fugitive in the wilderness, His plan to give His people a
capital city, a temple and a throne that would last forever. And God spoke
through John the Baptist, announcing that it was time to prepare the way for
the arrival of the Messiah!
I believe God wants the coming year
to be the most significant and fulfilling one you have ever had. The threshold
to that preferred future, however, lies in where we are focusing. Fulfillment
begins with shifting our focus from what has been to what might be, from who we
are with our limited resources and weaknesses, to the One who is the source of
all possibilities, purity and power.
And now, the $64,000 question: Are
you ready to risk asking God to begin a new work in your life? in your family?
in your congregation? Are you willing to own your fears and frustrations, and
to lay them before the Lord? Are you ready to quit telling God what you want
Him to do, and are you ready to listen for what He wants you to do? Are you
willing to act quickly and boldly upon what He says? Remember, from Genesis to
Revelation, our God is revealed as One who desires to offer us a brighter
tomorrow, for He is a God of continual renewal:
He who was seated on the throne said, I am
making everything new!
Then he said, Write this down, for these
words are trustworthy and true! (Rev. 21:5)
May you be empowered by His
transforming touch as you enter 2008.
Supt/ Darrel Riley
QUOTES
FOR THE NEW YEAR
Christ
has turned all of our sunsets into dawn.
Clement of
Regret
looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks up. John Mason
Triumph
is just UMPH added to TRY. unknown
MAKING A
LIST, AND CHECKING
IT TWICE!
No, its not December . . . its
January. But ushering in a new year does require annual completing of reports
and paperwork by those in church leadership. Pastors and delegates should
check this list twice when meeting to talk and pray together at your January
Monthly On Purpose meeting. All
forms are due no later than January 31.
Need a copy of any of the forms
listed below? Contact Peggy at riley661@yahoo.com or 407-277-1428. Soon
all forms will also be posted on the Southeast Region website.
q
SER
On Purpose Annual Form
During 2007 Supt. Riley introduced the On
Purpose Process for all churches in the Southeast Region (SER). At the
end of the year, each churchs leadership was to have completed the Annual
On Purpose Form together, which guides congregations through a process
of assessing ministries in 2007 and hearing from God what their priorities
should be for 2008. Pastors are to bring a copy of the Annual On Purpose Report
to their January meeting, or mail / email their Annual Report to their District
Leader:
AL
Pastors turn in the report to Andy Bunn at your January mtg.
GA
Pastors turn in the report to Brad Wilcox at your January mtg.
GCC
Pastors turn in the report to Monty Bower at the January 26th mtg.
SAC
Pastors turn in the report at a January Regional Training Event location:
Sat.,
Jan 12:
Sat,
Jan 26: West Coast: St. Pete Cornerstone, 9:30am - lunch
Mon,
Jan 28:
q
Year
End Report (2007 statistics for the next Yearbook)
Each January a statistical review of
your church from the previous year needs to be filed on-line with our
denomination in preparation for publishing a new Yearbook. The statistical form
is available in English and Spanish.
(HINT: The statistics chart on your Monthly On Purpose Forms will help
you complete this Year End Report.). Questions? Call Kelly at 1-800-342-5531.
Send the completed form to: KellyS@fmcna.org. Pastors needing someone to file
electronically for them should contact their District Leader or bring a
hardcopy of the form to their January pastors meeting.
q
2008
Appointment Confidential Report
As preparations begin for Annual
Conferences in 2008, now is the time for pastors and delegates to share with
the superintendent their reflections regarding the coming years pastoral
appointments. This year Supt. Riley is also including an additional document
with the Appointment Confidential Report.
1) CLERGY appointed to local churches are
also asked to read, sign & return a Pastoral Covenant with their
Confidential Form.
2) DELEGATES are asked to complete and
return a Delegate Covenant with their
Confidential Form
Return the reports & covenants
to Supt. Riley before Jan 31: riley661@yahoo.com or postal mail to him at
q
FMWM
Support for 2008 (Free Methodist World Missions)
Make
sure youve notified
(funds for supporting specific
missionaries & their families.) Those missionaries without 75% funding for 2008 may need to return stateside
to raise additional support.
Congregations
are also encouraged to support FMWM in these additional ways:
Country
Shares (fund basic ministries in a specific country = hospitals, schools,
etc.)
Extra
Mile Projects (above-and-beyond designated, bonus project giving).
Contact
FMWM at www.fmwm.org
or call 1-800-342-5531 to indicate support or ask questions.
Pastors
and delegates are encouraged to quickly complete these reports, and then focus
their energies upon leading their congregations and reaching their communities.
LOOKING
BEYOND OURSELVES TO OTHERS:
MISSIONAL RESOURCES
& OPPORTUNITIES
HANDS FOR THE
HARVEST (new 2008 RESOURCE PACKET):
In mid December all senior pastors /
churches were mailed the 2008 Missions Resource Packet. If you set it aside
with the holiday flurry of activities, find it and open it up now it is jam
packed with loads of FREE materials & resources. This years theme Hands
for the Harvest, reminds us to BE harvest hands as well as to PRAY for
additional harvest hands (Matt. 9:34
38). The packet provides helps for all ages (preschool adult), for use in
many settings (morning worship, small groups, teen & childrens programs)
for an entire year. Included are the following:
NITCHMANS:
Pastor Greg Nitchman announces that Hands of Hope, is the
new name given to the ongoing recovery
effort based out of Pass Christian, MS.
He reports that there are many opportunities both for work teams as well as
ministry teams along the MS Gulf Coast. Visit his website at www.gcfmc.com
and download an excellent 2 minute video The Second Wave.
The church plant also has a new
name. No longer the Gulf Coast Church Plant, the growing congregation has
chosen the name Word of Hope Church.
Contact Greg & Jeanne Nitchman
directly to set up a work team project in 2008, to financially support them,
and to receive their monthly newsletter. Each church in the South Atlantic,
Alabama-Georgia, and Gulf Coast Conferences should be personally involved with
the Nitchmans in this stateside relief / church planting effort. Email: greg@gcfmc.com,
phone: 228-254-0493.
PARTNER with our
SOUTHEAST REGION MISSIONARIES:
Recent newsletters, blogs and
support information on each missionary are available on-line at www.fmwm.org
(then click on Missionaries tab). You can also personally email these
families:
JFajardoM@aol.com Josh & Susy Fajardo (
Longmm@the.forthnet.gr Mike & Maria Long (
haitiforChrist@yahoo.com Jack & Jeanne Munos (
WORSHIP TECHS RESOURCE
The free magazine CHURCH
PRODUCTION is available to help train and resource your church sound
& light staff. Go to www.churchproduction.com to subscribe and
access web articles.
Thanks
to Pastor Jon Howery (Hope Fellowship:
FINAL CALL: FM COURSES
@ ASBURY SEMINARY,
The
following courses meet FM requirements for those in the candidacy process.
Wed Sat, Jan 9 - 12: Dr. Rob McLaren will teach a 4 day
intensive on Wesleyan Theology for 3 credits. This course has a pre-requisite of having already
taken a previous theology course.
Thurs Sat, Jan 17-19: Supt. Riley teaches FM
History & Polity, a 3 day intensive for 2 credits
Register
for either ATS class via Lizette (407-482-7565) or
Lizette_Acosta@AsburySeminary.edu
2008: EVERY
PERSON A PASSIONATE
PRAY-ER
Pray
daily for the following churches. Use the Southeast Region Pictorial Directory
to visualize each pastor as you pray. Emails are included for sending greetings
to one another; check the Yearbook or contact the Rileys if you need postal
addresses. When you are the prayer focus, please contact the Rileys to share
your personal & church prayer requests.
|
JANUARY 2008 |
|
AL-GA or GCC CONFERENCE |
|
Dec
30, 2007 Jan
5, 2008 |
|
East Bishop: David Roller
(Yvonne) |
|
Jan
6 - 12 |
Roberto
Silva (Creuzeli) |
Acme, LA: Acme FMC Pastors
Wade & Cindy Robinson |
|
Jan
13 - 19 |
Steve
Bell (Emily) Bellsj@aol.com |
Monty
Bower (Jo) |
|
Jan
20 26 DLEE:
Jan 21 - 23 |
District Leader
Equipping Event, Ron
Balzer Wes King Rex
Bullock Belarminio
Martinez Emmanuel
Eugene Valdir Mateos |
District Leader
Equipping Event, GA:
Brad Wilcox GCC:
Monty Bower |
|
Jan
27 Feb 2 |
David
Rigby (Linda) |
Fred
Summers (Faye) |
CHURCH HIGHLIGHTS
& POSTINGS
SOUTHEAST REGION: 2008
BIGGIE DATES
Wed Sat, Jan 9 - 12: Dr. Rob McLaren teaches Wesleyan Theology at ATS, Orlando
Thurs Sat, Jan 17 - 19: Supt. Riley teaches Free Methodist History & Polity at
ATS, Orlando
Mon Wed, Jan 21 23: EAST
DLEE (District Leader Equipping Event) at Sail Port Resort in
Thu, Jan 31: 2007
Year End Reports deadline for electronic report filing in
Thu, Jan 31: Confidential
Reports & Covenants from pastors & delegates due to Supt. Riley
Mon
Wed, Feb 4 6: ATS Ministry
Conference: Restore the Joy (Asbury Seminary, Orlando)
Wed, Feb 6: Ash
Wednesday
Sun, Mar 23: EASTER
Tues Thurs, April 22 24: Exponential:
The 2008 National New Church Conference in
Thu Sat, Aug 7 9: Willow
Creeks Leadership Summit;
numerous simulcast sites
Fri Sun, Feb. 22 -
24: Pastors & Spouses Retreat:
Holiness and Wholeness
AL-GA and GC pastors & spouses
will come together Friday PM Sunday afternoon, Feb 22 - 24, at the Edgewater
Beach Resort on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in Panama City Beach, FL
(11212 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL 32407; ph: 850-235-7380) for a
time of replenishing and challenge. Supt. Darrel and his wife will lead the 3
day, 2 night retreat. Two couples will share each 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom fully
equipped condo. There will be planned worship and meeting times, as well as
free time for couples to relax.
The deadline for turning in to Peggy
Riley your $180/couple fee (made out to Gulf Coast Conference) and
registration form is Wed., Jan 16.
Remember to indicate if you want to add any extra personal nights at your own
expense on the registration form.
AL-GA CONFERENCE DATES:
District Meetings: DLs Andy Bunn (AL) and Brad Wilcox (GA) will be
in touch with district pastors regarding their January District meetings. Bring a copy of your Annual
On Purpose Report with you. Also, if you need help electronically
sending your 2007 Year End Statistical Report to
Wed., Jan 16: Deadline to
register for the Pastors & Spouses
Retreat at
Fri
Sun, Feb 22 24:
Pastors & Spouses Retreat: Holiness & Wholeness
Sat
Mon, Mar 29 31:
Supt Riley in AL-GA for Executive Team
Mtg & MEG Interviews; combined Pastors Meeting on Monday AM.
Fri
Sat, May 2 - 3:
ANNUAL CONFERENCE at
Wed.,
Jan 16:
Deadline to register for the Pastors
& Spouses Retreat at
Sat., Jan 26: DL Monty Bower will meet with District Pastors at Marthas Chapel.
Bring a copy of your Annual On Purpose Report with you.
Also, if you need help electronically sending your 2007 Year End Statistical
Report to
Fri
Sun, Feb 22 24:
Pastors & Spouses Retreat: Holiness & Wholeness
Sat
Sun, Apr 12 13:
Supt Riley & Peggy lead Sat. AM Pastors
& Wives meetings, followed by afternoon
Administrative and MEG meetings.
Mon
Fri, June 9 13: FAMILY CAMP at the
Sat,
June 14: ANNUAL CONFERENCE (held at Edgewood
FMC in Pineville)
Reminders:
FL Incorporation
postcards
are mailed out in January; respond to be exempt from taxation
Light & Life Work
Team Projects:
If your church facility or parsonage needs work, send your written request,
detailing project needs, immediately to the Financial Office (5421
SAC Conferences:
St. Pete: Cornerstone
Missions
Conference is Fri Sun, Jan 11 13
Central District
Round Robin Missions
Conference is Fri Sun, Jan 18 20; check with DL Ron Balzer for
rotation of missionaries between the 3 host churches.
Bob Bailey will speak mornings: Sundays at 10am; Mon Fri at 10:30am
Tom Ramundo will speak evenings: Sundays at 6pm; Mon Fri at 7:00pm
Upcoming Dates:
Fri,
Jan 4:
SAC District Leaders Mtg at Rileys,
gather at 9:30am, meeting 10am 3pm
Sat,
Jan 5:
SAC BOA Mtg at Rileys, gather at
9:30, meeting 10am - lunch
JANUARY REGIONAL TRAINING EVENT DATES & LOCATIONS:
Bring a copy of your Annual On Purpose Form; also 07 Year End Report if you need help
filing online
Sat.,
Jan 12:
Sat.,
Jan 26: WC FL at St. Pete:
Cornerstone. Gather 9:30am, meet 10am lunch; MEG follows
Mon,
Jan 28: Central FL at
Sat.,
Jan 26:
NEW - CONF WIDE YOUTH RALLY DAY in St. Pete, 9am 4pm. Flier coming!
Fri
- Sat, Feb 1 - 2: Fri
- DL Mtg 3 8pm; Sat AM - Conf. Cabinet Mtg, Sat AFT MEG;
Fri
Sat, April 18 - 19:
ANNUAL CONFERENCE at Light &
Life FMC in
Thu
Sat, May 15 17:
NEW: SAC LADIES RETREAT at
Mon
Fri, June 16 - 20:
SAC YOUTH CAMP at EBM in Summerfield
(near