2016 STATE MINISTERS MEETING AGENDA

Transcription

1 South Carolina Church of God State Executive Offices Thomas S. Gillum, State Overseer P.O. Box 309, Mauldin, SC Phone: , Extension #2; Fax or 2016 STATE MINISTERS MEETING AGENDA OCTOBER 24-25, 2016 Praise Cathedral Church of God 3390 Brushy Creek Road, Greer, SC SCHEDULE Monday, October 24, 2016 In order to complete all of our electronic and sound preparation for our meeting, please note that the Praise Cathedral Church of God will not be open to everyone until 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 24. Registration: 1:00-2:30 p.m. *Women s Session: 2:00 4:30 p.m. (*Youth Worship Center) Business Session: 2:30 4:30 p.m. Evening Worship: 7:00 p.m.; Laity Welcome Guest Speaker: Dr. Tim Hill Tuesday, October 25, 2016 Registration: 8:00 8:30 a.m. Business Session: 8:30 11:30 a.m. Lunch Break: 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Business Session: 1:00 - *3:00 p.m. (*Or until Business before the House is completed) 1

2 1. CAMP MEETING DATES Page 13, VIII. Camps, Conferences and Conventions, A. For information purposes only, updating the Camp Meeting Dates: 2017 Date: Sunday, June 11 Friday, June Date: Sunday, June 10 Friday, June AGED MINISTERS Page 12, VI. Aged Ministers, C. Medicare Supplement Insurance/Health Insurance Assistance Recommendation: That we amend page 12, VI. Aged Ministers, C. Medicare Supplement Insurance/Health Insurance Assistance by striking the heading Medicare Supplement Insurance/Health Insurance Assistance and inserting State Program/Retiree Benefits. Reasoning: The State Council has removed proof of Medicare Supplement Insurance/Health Insurance as a requirement to receive State Program/Retiree Benefits. 3. AGED MINISTERS Page 12, VI. Aged Ministers, C. State Program/Retiree Benefits (Pending approval of heading change for C. per Item # 2 above). Recommendation: That we amend Page 12, VI. Aged Ministers, C. State Program/Retiree Benefits, by deleting All ministers and their spouses who retire in South Carolina because of age sixty-two (62) or disability and are eligible to receive other state program benefits may be assisted with a monthly stipend as determined by Q.R.M. (Qualified Retired Minister) and Q.S.W. (Qualified Spouse Widow) guidelines to assist with their health insurance if they meet all qualifications. And inserting: All ministers and their spouses who retire in South Carolina because of age sixty-two (62) or disability may be eligible to receive a monthly stipend as determined by Q.R.M. (Qualified Retired Minister) and Q.S.W. (Qualified Spouse Widow) guidelines if they meet all qualifications. Explanation: The Note paragraph, listed below, would automatically be moved up under the above paragraph. Note: Restrictions apply. Contact the State Overseer s office for an application or for more information. 2

3 4. AGED MINISTERS Page 12, VI. Aged Ministers, D. Retiree Benefits Recommendation: That we amend Page 12, VI. Aged Ministers by striking the letter D. Retiree Benefits. Explanation: The paragraph under D. would automatically move up and become the second part of paragraph C. State Program/Retiree Benefits. IV. Aged Ministers, C. State Program/Retiree Benefits All ministers and their spouses who retire in South Carolina because of age sixty-two (62) or disability may be eligible to receive a monthly stipend as determined by Q.R.M. (Qualified Retired Minister) and Q.S.W. (Qualified Spouse Widow) guidelines if they meet all qualifications. Applications and guidelines for retiree benefits are available through the State Overseer s office. Individuals must notify the State Overseer s office in writing regarding their official retirement and/or disability. All retiree benefits, guidelines, applications, and material submitted for retiree benefits are the responsibility of the State Council and Care Committee. Note: Restrictions apply. Contact the State Overseer s office for an application or for more information. 5. MUSIC MINISTRY Page 19, XIII. Music Ministry, A-C A. Music Ministries In recognition that Music Ministries VIP is a general organization of the Church of God, comprised of state and national chapters and that membership is open to all musicians in the Church of God, entitling each individual to benefits, publications, privileges, and programs thereof, we recommend that each church endeavor to have all its very important people partnering in music ministry to enroll in this fellowship for the purpose of promoting music ministry, establishing identity as a music minister, and further growth in spiritual realms. B. International Music Explosion Let it be noted that the International Music Explosion is held on an annual basis. This conference is the setting for refreshing concerts, stimulating seminars, and great fellowship. Church musicians and worship leaders are encouraged to participate in this conference as an investment in their individual ministry and for the impact they will bring back to their local churches. 3

4 C. Teaching and Training Materials 1. Believing that the church must provide resources for its members to receive training and motivation, the Department of Music Ministry and Spirit Sound Music Group are available as resources for music ministry training materials and other services for local churches. 2. Such resources important to ministry are the Church Music Manual with its presentation of music ministry, ideas of operations and administration and advice in practical ideas. Other tools include the video Vocal Techniques, a children s musical production guide, and audio cassettes on specific music ministry topics. 3. Additional resources available through Spirit Sound are recording and production of recorded materials with which to impact the community. 4. Encourage state personnel and local churches to promote and attend state and general Music Explosions. Recommendation: That we delete Items A-C on page 19, XIII. Music Ministry and replace it as follows with Items A-B. A. Music Ministries In recognition that Music Ministries is a vital part of the overall ministry of the church, and recognizing that worship unto our God must be an emphasis for every believer, we recommend that every Pastor recognize the need for training of volunteers and staff pastors to continually improve the worship experience at every level, from pre-school throughout adulthood. This includes, but is not limited to, weekend training seminars, conferences, and other times that connect music ministers. B. Teaching and Training Materials Believing that the church must provide resources for its members to receive training and motivation, each church should provide opportunities for their leading music volunteers and/or staff pastors to attend conferences that train at every level ways to challenge all members to more skillfully minister to their congregations led by the Holy Spirit in all aspects. 4

5 6. STATE MINISTERIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD Page 21, XIV. State Ministerial Development Board, D. General Education, Item The Timothy Plan That each pastor be familiarized with The Timothy Plan and promote its usefulness and effectiveness to laymen with ministry potential. Recommendation: That we delete page 21, XIV. State Ministerial Development Board, D. General Education, Item STATE MINISTERIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD Page 21, XIV. State Ministerial Development Board, D. General Education, Item Ministerial Internship Program That the Ministerial Internship Program (MIP) be promoted in each state as a mandatory church program for the benefit of ministers seeking to advance in ministerial rank. Recommendation: That we delete page 21, XIV. State Ministerial Development Board, D. General Education, Item 3 Note: MIP is already a mandatory program in the General Assembly Minutes. 8. STATE MINISTERIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD Page 21, XIV. State Ministerial Development Board, D. General Education, Item Ministerial Development Institute Program That each minister and layman seek to expand his biblical knowledge and spiritual enrichment by participating in the annual Ministerial Development Institute (MDI). Recommendation: That we delete page 21, D. General Education, Item 4. 5

6 9. STATE MINISTERIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD Page 22, XIV. State Ministerial Development Board, D. General Education, Item 6, Christian School Conference 6. Christian School Conference That where possible, churches with Christian schools provide means for their teachers and administrators to attend the annual Christian school conference. Recommendation: That we delete page 21, XIV. State Ministerial Development Board, D. General Education, Item RETIRED MINISTERS Page 61, XXIV. Retired Ministers, B. B. That we encourage and assist each retired minister in attending the National Retired Ministers Conference in the spring of each year in Cleveland, Tennessee. Recommendation: That we delete page 61, XXIV. Retired Ministers, B. 11. NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES Page 62, XXV. Native American Ministries, A-D Native American Ministries A. That Native American Ministries be presented to the people through the use of promotional materials available through the International Offices-Native American Ministries. B. That churches be informed that any contributions sent to evangelism and home missions/church ministries department for Native American Ministries will receive home missions credit for the local church and state. C. That each church be encouraged to recognize and participate in Native American Ministries Day the first Sunday in February each year by receiving a love offering for the Native American Ministries and sending that offering to the International Offices-Native American Ministries. These funds will be used solely for Native American Ministries. D. That each church be encouraged to become a regular supporter of Native American Ministries. 6

7 Recommendation: That we amend page 62 XXV. Native American Ministries A-D by deleting and replacing it as follows: That we insert Cross Cultural Ministries as XXV. Items A-B. XXV. Cross Cultural Ministries A. That multi-cultural ministries be presented to churches and laity of SC through the use of promotional materials and/or available means of social media in connection with the International Department of Cross-Cultural Ministries. B. That churches who contribute to our State Office for Cross-Cultural Ministries or to the International Department of Cross-Cultural Ministries receive Missions Credit for those contributions. 12. CHURCH PLANTING COVENANT MINISTRY TEAMS Page 62, XXVII. Church Planting Covenant Ministry Teams Item A. Church Planting Covenant Ministry Teams A. That we be encouraged to support and cooperate with the Covenant Ministry Teams in church planting. Each team has set a goal of 125 new churches during the assembly period. Also, that we support the National Church Planting Conference as scheduled by the International Department of Evangelism. Recommendation: That we delete page 62, XXVII. Church Planting Covenant Ministry Team, Item A and replace it as follows: Recommendation: That we insert Church Planting on page 62 as XXVII. Item A. CHURCH PLANTING Inserting: XXVII. Church Planting A. That we encourage the support and cooperation of local pastors, state leaders and prospective church planters. That mentoring, training and ongoing networking be made available to maintain connectivity and encouragement. 7