TEAMtalk November 2007
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
The Advent Season
The first Sunday of the 2007 Advent season is December 2. Advent is the season of the year that the Christian church prepares their hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and anticipate His second coming (Advent). Advent includes the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. Local churches have a great opportunity to impart biblical truth while observing the lighting of the advent candle each Sunday during the month of December. Many local Bible book stores sell advent candle rings, or the Children’s Ministries, Youth Ministries, or Ladies’ Ministries could initiate a project to make an advent candle ring for the church. There is a sense of awe inspiring worship as each new candle is lit and Scripture read each Sunday in preparation for Christmas. A great way to get families to participate is to ask four different families, one per Sunday, to light the advent candle.
The first candle of Advent is called the Prophecy candle. This is the time that we focus upon the prophecies in the Old Testament that foretold the coming of our Messiah, Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah indicated that a virgin would birth the Deliverer into the world (Isaiah 7:14). Although many today tend to scoff at the virgin birth, the reality remains. Jesus was birthed into this world by the virgin Mary!
The second candle of Advent is referred to as the Bethlehem candle. How appropriate it was for Jesus to make His earthly debut in Bethlehem. Perhaps many would have conjectured that the King would be born in Jerusalem, the center of Judaism. However, God in His sovereign providence, decreed that the Christ would be birthed in the small village of Bethlehem. Bethlehem literally means, house of bread! Jesus, during His ministry, declared that He is the bread of life (John 6:48). Indeed, each local church needs to herald that there is Bread in the house!
The third candle of Advent is known as the Candle of Joy and Hope. This candle reminds us of the reason for the season that we celebrate. It is the only pink candle in the advent circle. All the other candles are purple. The pink candle is to stand out to us because it heralds a message of hope! Unfortunately, in our post-modernistic society, many are attempting to sanitize and revise all reference to Christ during this holiday season. Schools have re-invented the holiday season to be known as Winterfest instead of CHRISTmas. However, true hope and joy only come through knowing Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 29:11)!
Finally, the fourth candle of Advent is called the Angel candle. This candle reminds us of the central role that the angels played in heralding the message of the birth of the Christ child. In fact, the very Greek word from which we get the word “angel” (angelos), is translated as messenger. The repeated message from the angels to the main characters in that first Christmas pageant was Fear Not! To Mary (Lk. 1:30); to Joseph (Mt. 1:20); to the shepherds (Lk. 2:10-11) - the message was the same: Fear Not! This is indeed the message of Christ, do not be afraid!
From the Harper family to your family and from the Regional Office to your local church - may each of you enjoy a blessed, holy, healthy and prosperous Advent season! Merry CHRISTmas!
TEAMtalk November 2007
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
Laborers Together
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building (1 Cor. 3:9, NKJV). What an adventure it is to be invited by God to join Him in what He is accomplishing in this world! The building of the Kingdom of God and expansion of the Church of God is exciting.
Recently, it was mine and Karen’s privilege to host the Presbyter’s and their wives in a planning meeting for the work throughout our Region. Our Presbyters are very passionate about the possibilities that lie before us. As well, we had a great couple of days with our Regional Staff as they traveled to the Regional Office in order to make plans and provide direction for the future of Michiana.
It takes a team effort in order to get the work accomplished. I so appreciate our Presbyters, Staff, and Pastors who are indeed laborers together - God’s fellow workers.
Allow me to introduce you to a couple of newly appointed fellow-workers:
Harvest Ministries/Mission Coordinator
Retha Lawson has recently accepted the appointment as Harvest Ministries/Mission Coordinator. Her husband, Melvin, currently serves as Area Presbyter of Northern Indiana. Sis. Lawson brings to this ministry assignment a wealth of knowledge and a passion for missions as she and her husband have served on mission building teams to the continent of Africa on previous occasions. I encourage you to support her as she focuses not only on our mission endeavors throughout the world, but reaching our home mission fields as well.
Pastor of Adrian, Michigan
David and Belva Bolton have recently accepted the appointment as Pastor of the Adrian, Michigan congregation. Brother Bolton also serves as Area Presbyter of Central/Western Michigan. This is not a new assignment to the Boltons as they have previously served as pastor of this congregation. We welcome the Boltons to our team of Pastors in Michiana.
TEAMtalk October 2007
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
October Clergy Appreciation Month
This month is appreciation month for our pastors. Our theme is Double Honor. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine (1 Timothy 5:17).
I encourage you to set aside time to communicate to your pastor your appreciation for his/her labors of love and sacrifices throughout the year. This is a time for you to encourage, appreciate, and invest into your pastoral family. Please consult the September issue of the Michiana News, or see page six to glean some unique ideas. You may also wish to visit these web sites for additional resources:
www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/clergy
http://www.parsonage.org/cam/index.cfm
http://pressroom.hallmark.om/clergy_appreciation_day.html
http://www.pastor-appreciation.net/
TEAMtalk September 2007
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
National Clergy Appreciation Month: Double Honor
Each year, the month of October is designated as National Clergy Appreciation Month. What a privilege and joy it is to have this special opportunity to communicate to our Pastors how much their lives and ministry have impacted our lives. The New Testament gives us clear insight regarding the esteem we are to show to those who shepherd us. The Apostle Paul counsels, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and "The worker deserves his wages” (1 Timothy 5:17-18, NIV). The original language for the phrase double honor, actually means double pay/wages; hence, Paul’s reference to the worker deserves his wages.
While many congregations may not have the resources to increase their pastor’s wages, they are able to bestow upon him/her a double honor in areas of respect and recognition. Consequently, I would like to declare the month of October as DOUBLE HONOR month for our pastors throughout Michiana. Make this month a month of double blessings, double respect, and even perhaps a doubling of the first Sunday offering! I encourage you to show Pastor and family how much you love and appreciate their labor of love for the ways in which they make double sacrifices for the ministry. This is a time to express a heartfelt thank you for those late night hospital visits, counseling sessions, baby dedications, funerals conducted, prayers prayed, sermons preached and lessons taught.
I realize that it is only September, but I want you to begin the planning phase of Pastor Appreciation DOUBLE HONOR now! Pastor boosters, Deacons, and key leadership should take the opportunity to organize a Pastor Appreciation Task Force that can brainstorm and implement ideas for appreciating the pastor and family during the entire month of October. I have listed a few ways to show appreciation; however, these should just be ideas to help get the creative juices flowing, don’t be limited by them!
- Gift cards to Pastor’s favorite restaurants
- Have Pastor’s car washed and waxed on the outside and detailed on the inside
- Host an appreciation dinner at church in Pastor’s honor
- Give Pastor a weekend off with the blessings of the church
- Send Pastor and family for an expense paid weekend getaway to enjoy some needed family time
- Honor Pastor’s children who are still living at home
- Shower Pastor’s companion with nice gifts – give her/him a shopping spree
- Have each family contribute a memory page to a book of thanks that will be presented to the Pastor and family
As we did last year, the Michiana News will be publishing some of the unique ways that our churches have loved on their Pastor. Take pictures, write a summary, and send in your news so that we can celebrate with you the gift of our Pastors.
TEAMtalk May 2007
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
Regional Convention: In the Power of the Spirit
Our Regional Convention is just weeks away! Excitement is building as we count down the weeks to July 12-15. Once again, we will be convening at the Grand Wayne Convention Center and Hilton Hotel in Fort Wayne, Indiana for our bi-annual convention. Plans are underway to make this a power-packed weekend of worship and anointed ministry. I encourage you to join me in prayer that the Holy Spirit will breathe upon us in wave after wave of His mighty power.
Our Evening Campmeeting Speaker will be Bishop Leroy Greenaway, Regional Overseer of the Mid-Atlantic States. Bishop Greenaway is a powerful pulpit minister and I am sure that you will be blessed by his anointed ministry. Also, our International Office Representative will be Dr. H. E. Cardin, Tomlinson Center Director and Faculty member of the Center for Biblical Leadership. Dr. Cardin is no stranger to the Michiana Region as many have been blessed by both his pulpit and teaching ministry.
Other important events include exciting workshops, a Youth Lock-In at the YMCA, Kid’s Konvention, and Pastor’s Breakfast. There will also be preaching times by our pastors, choirs will be singing, anointed worship will occur, and exciting reports of what God has done over the past two years! It will be a great time of fellowship and worship. You will not want to miss it!
When making room reservations with the Hilton Hotel, be sure you identify yourself as a delegate to the convention of the Church of God of Prophecy in order to get the discounted convention rate of $92.00. The Hilton has informed us that we are exceeding the number of reservations for this same time of two years ago. Make sure you make your reservation soon in order to ensure your having a room for the convention!
I look forward to seeing you in Fort Wayne . . . In the Power of the Spirit!
TEAMtalk April 2007
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
Area Convention & Spanish Ministries Review
The Area Conventions were a great success. Our Area Presbyters did a wonderful job in planning and moderating. Great outpourings and demonstrations of the Spirit were witnessed as we gathered from around the Region in our particular presbytery areas for a time of worship and fellowship. Our attendances were up from last year and the power of God was evident among us!
It was wonderful to worship with several of our Spanish brothers and sisters from across the Region and hear how God is growing our churches. In particular, Pastor Juan Martinez and the Benton Harbor Spanish are excited as the final developments are being placed upon their moving to their new location/sanctuary in Benton Harbor.
Additionally, our churches in the Indianapolis area are seeing tremendous growth. Pastor Zoila, at the 16th Street church, has witnessed a growth from about fifteen in her congregation to an attendance of around forty. As well, the Puerta del Cielo congregation is growing and discipling new converts.
It was my privilege to meet Bro. Lopez from Shelbyville, Indiana at our Area Convention. Bro. Lopez is a new contact with a group of worshipers who is interested in the Church of God of Prophecy. We are excited about the possibilities of opening a new mission in Shelbyville. Finally, our mission in Kalamazoo, MI continues to thrive.
Make no mistake, God is doing some great things in Michiana! Pastors are receiving new members, new converts are coming to Christ, and disciples are being made. Pastor Gail Allen, from Flint, MI has just recently reported that eighteen (18) people have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Michiana – keep fanning the flames!
TEAMtalk March 2007
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
Michiana Regional Convention
In just a few months, we will be gathering for our bi-annual Regional Convention at the Grand Wayne Convention Center and Hilton Hotel in Fort Wayne, Indiana! Already, plans are underway in anticipation of a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us. Our theme will be In the Power of the Spirit. The dates of the Convention are July 12-15, 2007. The Hilton Hotel is presently accepting room reservations and may be contacted at (260) 420-1100. There are a limited number of rooms at the Hilton and several have already been booked. You will want to reserve as quickly as possible. Obviously, there are other fine hotels and motels in the greater Fort Wayne area should you want to reserve there and drive into the downtown area for the convention.
Our campmeeting speaker will be Bishop Leroy Greenaway, Regional Overseer of the Mid-Atlantic. Bishop Greenaway is a dynamic pulpiteer and I believe you will be blessed with his anointed preaching. Additionally, there will be dynamic messages from Michiana pastors/ministers, anointed choirs and praise teams, informative workshops, as well as events for children and youth. All in all it will be a great week and one that you will not want to miss. I encourage you to be a part of this spiritual renewal and celebration.
March to 2500!
In our march to 2500 members, God continues to favor us. Pastor Jesse Buie of Battle Creek, MI recently received fourteen (14) new members by covenant! Keep marching to 2500 Michiana!
With the Lord
Minister Curtis Jackson, of Harvest Worship Center in Taylor, MI went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 28, 2007. Bro. Jackson was a licensed minister in the Church of God of Prophecy for several years. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, Minister James and Nellie Jackson.
TEAMtalk January-February 2007
Regional Overseer
Bishop Tim Harper
Moving Forward
Great reports continue to be shared with us at the Regional Office of how our churches are moving forward all across Michiana. Pastor Imolyn Dobson, of Greenfield (Detroit, MI), recently shared that fifteen have been baptized. Pastor Larry Goodman, of Howesville (IN), has baptized nineteen in water. Pastor Anthony Rose, of Our Father’s House in Brownstown (MI), recently received twelve new members and Beulah Milsap, of Power in Prayer Worship Center in Utica (MI), recently reported having added another ten members! Others are receiving new members and organizing new members’ classes for those considering membership. We continue to move forward to our membership goal of 2,500 members by the 2007 Regional Convention in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
We must stay focused on our mission of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with a world that is in need of a Savior. This brand new year offers us the opportunity to enlarge our vision and minister in fresh ways to those who are hurting, confused, troubled, and in need of direction for their lives. Michiana, continue to fan the flame! Revival fires are burning. Let’s do all we can to win the lost to Jesus Christ and move forward in 2007!
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