CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD, INC. Bishop T. N. Brown, Pres. Gen. Bishop Ivy Hopkins, V.P. Gen. Bishop Dr. L. D. Ward, Liaison George W. Ward, D.C.E. National Director of Christian Education 54 South Ridgewood Ave. Ormond Beach, FL 32174 (386) 527-3759 gwwardmba@gmail.com Volume 4 Issue 28 DECEMBER 2012 EDUCATE ENGAGE CONNECT Church of the Living God 2013 Conventions Calendar Sat. February 9, 2013Annual Pearl Grant Day combined with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Rally Day Celebration @ 11:00 AM Davis Temple CLG 1008 East Main St. Tupelo, MS 38801. Hotel: Hampton Inn 1516 McCullough Blvd. Tupelo (1-866- 307-2228 or (662) 840-8300). All Room $69.00 per night + 9.25% tax. Host Bishop(s): Dr. G.T. Howell & Hardy Coleman. Speaker: Rev. Kimetha Lee Morris. Bishop T. Brown, President Gen.; Bishop I. Hopkins, Vice President General. 53rd National Foreign Mission Convention CLG Tue. Fri. May 14 17 Ramada Inn & Conference Center 3536 Secor Road Toledo, Ohio 43606 Room Rates: $89.00 + 16.75% Sales Tax Reservations: (866) 307-2228 0r (419)535-7070 Deadline: April 16, 2012 FREE PARKING Theme: Chosen to Serve Acts 9:15 Bishop James Sherman Host Bishop Bishop Naomi Barber, Liaison Bishop Elder Edith Wilson, NFM President Sis. Trinisa Ruiz, Convention Coordinator SPECIAL THANK YOU The Church of the Living God expresses their thanks to Sister Gloria Reynolds of True Vision in Christ-Church of the Living God Orlando, FL. You did an excellent job in catering the delicious food during the General Assembly as we honored all of our pastors. May God continue to bless you. From the Desk of Bishop Naomi Barber Holy Greetings and a Blessed Holiday to you and your family. Special greetings to our President General, Bishop Theodore Brown, Vice President General, Bishop Ivy Hopkins, Executive Administrators, Bishops Harvey and Sherman, the General Board of Bishop, and all CLG ers. The Lord truly met us during our 83 rd General Assembly; we had an anointed time in the Lord. It was indeed great to see all the saints from near and far. Thank you for your vote of confidence as you has elected me to serve in the capacity of Liaison Bishop for the Board of Missions. The Board of Missions consists of the following departments - auxiliaries: Home Missions, Evangelist Board, Benevolent Society, National Foreign Missions and National Pastors (Churches) Jamaica, W.I.; Ghana, Africa; Tema, Africa; Liberia, Africa; Trinidad, W.I.; and the work in Haiti. Bishop Barber is looking forward to working closely with each auxiliary team to further build, grow, and flourish the vision, mission and purpose of each department within the Board of Missions. She is
available and welcomes each auxiliary to stay in close contact with her to build and enhance open communications to add value to our great church. Deacon George Ward states that - Bishop Naomi Barber is no stranger to Missions and exhibits a passion, faithfulness, and a servant leader in the work of missions. She has dedicated her life and work very diligently in every auxiliary within the Board of Missions. WE are honored and blessed to have such an invaluable resource in Church of the Living God. Thank you, Bishop Barber for accepting the charge to serve as our Board of Missions Liaison Bishop. Congratulations & Blessings to Trustee Deacon John Barber, Sr. Trustee Deacon Barber recently celebrated his 80 th Birthday on November 9 th. Thank you Deacon Barber, you are a pillar, faithful, dedicated, and loyal member of the House of God, which is the Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth. We honor and salute you. You are our five-star general in CLG. Bishop & Trustee Barber are committed to the leadership of the Rhode Island Massachusetts Diocese where she presides over the following churches: Overflowing Love-CLG, Springfield, MA (pastor); God s Way Ministries-CLG, Agawam, MA; Faith Outreach Ministries-CLG, Springfield, MA; New Hope-CLG, Providence, RI (pastor) and New Heights-CLG Pawtucket, RI. With all of this responsibility, the Barbers remain faithful to their immediate and extended family. True Christian Christmas Christmas isn't showy gifts Or glittering decoration; It's honoring our Savior, Jesus Christ In humble adoration. It's serving those less fortunate, Meeting their needs before our own; It's making sure at Christmas time That no one is alone. It's taking what we would have spent On things that no one needs, And using it to help someone With service and good deeds. Our Savior showed us how to live With charity, faith and service. It makes the holidays a joy, More peaceful, and less nervous. So let's remember Christmas is About our Savior's birth; That's the way to happiness, The way to peace on earth. By Joanna Fuchs What is the true meaning of Christmas? A Babe, born in Bethlehem The Christmas season is a time to celebrate the priceless gift of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His birth, which we commemorate during this season, is more than the symbol of a holiday. He is the Son of God, the Redeemer of all mankind, the King of kings, the Prince of Peace, and our joy and salvation. This Christmas season will have greater meaning as we seek to follow His example and live His teachings. The true meaning of Christmas is love. John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love. The real Christmas story is the story of God's becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ. Why did God do such a thing? Because He loves us! Why was Christmas necessary? Because we needed a Savior! Why does God love us so much? Because He is love itself (1 John 4:8). Why do we celebrate Christmas each year? Out of gratitude for what God did for us, we remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshipping Him, and being especially conscious of the poor and less fortunate. The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved
His own and provided a way the only Way for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. "But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Is It a JOB or MINISTRY? If you re doing it because no one else will It s a JOB. If you re doing it to serve the Lord It s a If you quit because someone criticized you It s a JOB. If you ll give God all the glory.it s a If you do it only if it doesn t interfere with other activities, chances are It s a JOB. If you ll do it even when it means letting go of other things It must be a If you ll do it only when everything is convenient It s a JOB. If you ll do it in spite of almost insurmountable challenges It has to be a If your reward is from people.it s a JOB. If your reward is in Heaven.It s a If you quit because no one thanked you or praise you It s a JOB. If you stay with it even when nobody recognizes your efforts It s a If you do it for the praise of men It s a JOB. If you do it to praise the Lord..It s If your concern is success..it s a JOB. If your concern is faithfulness.it s a Sometimes it s hard to get excited about a JOB. It s almost impossible not to be excited about a If God has called you to MINISTRY, don t treat it like a JOB. The Lord wants you to be excited while you re faithful to Him in Churches are filled with people with no anointing just doing JOBS. Powerful, Spirit-filed Churches are filled with people involved in If you have a JOB, Give it up and find a The Lord s Prayer Matthew 6:9 Twenty-Three (23) Elements in the Lord s Prayer (Article requested by Trustee Benjamin Johnson) Relationship Recognition & Faith Adoration & Worship Anticipation & Expectation Consecration & Submission Universality Conformity Supplication & Petition Definiteness Necessity Penitence & Confession Obligation Forgiveness & Compassion Love & Mercy Guidance & Dependence Protection Salvation Righteousness Our Father which art in heaven Hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil Faith & Acknowledgment - For thine is the kingdom Humility and the power Reverence Timeliness Affirmation and the glory forever Amen.
The Lord is my Shepherd I Shall Not Want PSALM 23 Perfect Security Perfect Satisfaction He maketh me to lie down in green pastures Perfect Rest Jehovah-Jireh (Provider) He leadeth me besides still waters Perfect Peace Jehovah-Shalom (Peace) He restoreth my soul Perfect Renewal Jehovah Rapha (Healer) He leads me in the paths of righteousness Perfect Guidance Jehovah-Tsidkenu (The Lord my Righteousness) For His Name s sake I will fear no evil Perfect Motivation Perfect Confidence For Thou art with me Perfect Protection Jehovah-Shammah (The Lord my Companion is Present) Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me Perfect Assurance Jehovah Raah (The Lord my Shepherd) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies Perfect Provision Jehovah Nissi (The Lord is my Victory) Thou anoints my head with oil My cup runneth over Perfect Consecration Perfect Supply Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life Perfect Care And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever Perfect Destination Psalm 23 Perfect Authorship by a Perfect Lord The Local Church A local assembly or church may be defined as that ordered body of professing baptized believers who, on the basis of common experiences of the Lord and convictions of the Word, in the bond of mutual love and understanding, in the common concerns and causes, and for the purpose of mutual spiritual benefits and fellowship, assemble themselves together according to the Word of God, conduct worship services in an organized and orderly manner, observe the Lord s ordinances, perform such functions as they deem advantageous to themselves and their community according to the Word of God, and discharge such other responsibilities as they judge their duty before God and man. The basic qualities of a biblical local church expressing the functional nature of the local church may be summarized in several statements: The church is the gathering together of baptized believers in Jesus Christ. The church is an ordered (structured) body of believers in Jesus Christ. The church is a united body of believers in Jesus Christ. The church is a brotherhood of believers in Jesus Christ. The church is a disciplined fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ. The church is a witnessing fellowship of believers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The church is a proclaiming and serving fellowship of believers in Jesus. The Church is a worshiping fellowship of believers in following the Word of God and in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The church is a living organism. The Underlying and Determining Principles of the Local Church: 1. First, the Church is a divine creation. It is not a product of spontaneous development in history, nor is it a construction of the natural genius of man. It is not a human invention. It does not belong to the natural order of history or nature of things. Neither has it evolved out of historical precedents. Moreover, the church is a continuously existing dynamic, purposive event which found its origin in a decisive and historical act of God on the day of Pentecost by the coming of the Holy Ghost/Spirit. It is a
new creation, indeed, a masterpiece of God. In which the manifold wisdom of God is being made manifest unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places. And this is according to the eternal purpose of God which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2. The Church is God s unique possession. It is the church of God, the church of Christ, the household of God, the habitation of God, the church of the living God. As we study in the Book of Genesis, everything that exists, God created it (except the church). God owns the church, because, He purchased it with His own blood. Therefore, I submit to you that God our father, the creator through His son Jesus the Christ holds the church in high regards. It s not your church, it s His church. 3. The church is principally divine functionalism and relationship. The church must be defined in terms of relationship and dynamism at least as much in terms of idealistic concepts and structure. The church is not principally a visible, hierarchical, institutional structure; it is a living organism. The church is intelligent purpose rather than structure, energetic wisdom rather than institution, living fellowship rather than hierarchy, dynamic idealism rather than defined constitution, vibrant organism rather than mere orderly relatedness or organization, the incarnation of the mind, ideals nd will of Christ under the headship of Christ rather than theological formulations, philosophical systems, creeds or dogmas. It is purposive, dynamic existence in an orderly and existential patter and with an eternal mission and destiny. 4. The church is a divinely ordered or structured society. The church is the temple of God, a divine household, a royal priesthood, a body of functioning in an orderly, coordinated manner. Every metaphor of the church speaks of order and design. Paul appointed elders or overseers in the churches and charged them with heavy responsibilities. He commanded Titus to set in order the things in the churches at Crete. Timothy received instruction that he might know how it behooves to behave in the household of God. 5. The church is the agent where the Holy Spirit gifts people for specific significant ministries and that the widely used inventories for helping people discover their gifts are useful. Ministry, requires both giftedness and consecration, to churches need to exposes all believers to the fivefold surrender that empowers laity to be world changers: The mind surrendered to be an intelligent The heart surrendered to be a loving The body surrendered to be a useful The spirit surrendered to be a dynamic The will surrendered to be an obedient 6 Surefire Ways to Kill Your Church 1. Don t have a clear leader, and let everybody call the shots. 2. Don t have a clear vision. 3. Vote on everything because democracy in a church brings unity. 4. Don t deal with problems. 5. Put the wrong people around you. 6. Don t live a life of integrity. A lack of integrity is always a recipe for messing up a church. I m convinced that staying in love with Jesus, staying in love with your spouse, and having great accountability in your life is key to leading strong for the long haul. If you don t lead with integrity, you won t lead for long, and you will paralyze what God wants to accomplish through the church.