NC Pastors Connection Newsletter January 2016 Promoting Healthy Churches through; loving relationships, praying, developing leadership, biblical stewardship and harvesting. Author Rick Warren said in a magazine article, I didn t have to tell my children to grow, as long as I kept them fed and healthy they grew. Well, I think the same principle applies for the church; if we keep the church fed and healthy, the people of God will grow into the stature of the fullness of Christ, and the church will grow as it finds GRACE IN THE EYE OF THE PEOPLE. Rather than trying to manufacture church growth; we should rather work to create an environment that releases the biotic potential that God has put into the church for growth to happen. We must minimize the obstacles, and maximize the potential for growth. Biotic: An estimate of the maximum capacity of living things to survive and reproduce. Throughout 2016 I will share with you some of the characteristics of healthy churches that I have been introduced to over the years. These are principles that will help our churches to create the environment by which it can become healthy and grow into the design that God desires. There are 11 Characteristics of a Healthy Church, many of which are found in Acts 2. They include: Preaching Jesus; Loving Relationships; Passionate Spirituality; Holistic Ministry; Empowered Leaders; A Spiritually Gifted Church; A Worshiping Church; A Harvesting Church; Biblical Stewardship; and A Grace Filled Church. Page 1 of 5
Preach Jesus! Everything that took place centered on Jesus. When the Bible says in Acts verse 41, Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls, this dramatic growth was a direct result of preaching Jesus. When confronted with why they were so full of joy, happiness, singing and celebration, Peter s response was Jesus! He preached Jesus; Jesus the Son of God. Born of a virgin, God incarnate, the rejected outcast-jesus, The falsely accused, crucified and slain Jesus; The Jesus - Who paid my debt of sin The Jesus - Who was raised by God The Jesus David prophesied about, Who never saw corruption, the resurrected Jesus, loosed from the pains of death, victorious over the grave Jesus - Who ascended into Heaven, and is sitting on the right hand of God the Father; the Jesus, Who makes intercession for you and for me The loving Savior; Jesus; King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus the miracle, signs and wonder working Jesus Author and Finisher of our faith, the center of our joy Friend of the publicans and the sinner Forgiver of ALL SIN; Jesus Water of life; Living Water, water walking Jesus Jesus the bread of life Jesus at the center of it all; The redeeming Jesus The Jesus Whose blood reaches to the highest mountain, flows to the lowest valley, and breaks every chain By Whose blood we are Sanctified, made righteous, just and whole The life GIVING Jesus; the giver of the Holy Spirit The Jesus that I don t know where I d be without! Who without I could do nothing! I d fail; my life would be drifting like a ship without a sail. The Head of the church Omnipresent Jesus, all powerful Peace Giver, addiction breaking, life giving, Alpha and Omega Jesus! If the environment will be right, if the biotic potential is going to be released, it will be so because we preached Jesus!! It was after the preaching of Jesus by Peter that the hearts of the people were pricked, and they asked, Acts 2:37, what shall we do? And about 3000 souls were added to the church in one day. In Acts 4:4; 5000 men believed following the preaching of Jesus!! When we preach Jesus in Faith and Jesus in Hope and in Love, we release THE MIRACLE WORKING, WONDER MAKING, SIGN PRODUCING POWER OF GOD INTO OUR ENVIRONMENT! It was after preaching Jesus name above all names; that about 3000 souls were added to the church in one day. Peter calls him the Glorified Son. His name is Jesus! Page 2 of 5
Upcoming Calendar Events: Hour of Power 2016: Pastor, I am inviting you to come and participate in the Hour of Power (HOP) Prayer Meeting held at the State Office on Wednesdays, beginning at 10AM. If you or your members are ever in the Jamestown area on a Wednesday, I want you to know that you are welcome to come and join in this special time of prayer fellowship. Let us know that you are coming, so that we can prepare a seat for you. January 24 United in Prayer Live Simulcast Prayer Event 7PM February 2-March 20 Seek God for the City 2016 March 5 Connect 2016 Eastern Regional Rally March 12 Connect 2016 Western Regional Rally March 18-19 Leadership Conference - Flyer Application March 31 Lifeline Prayer Clinic Webinar April 1-2 Camp Training Weekend April 9 As One Prayer Walk Spring Pastor s Cookout Page 3 of 5
The 2016 Seek God for The City Prayer Campaign begins February 10, 2016. Join us as we intercede for our cities and towns. If you haven t ordered your materials, it s not too late!! www.waymakers.org/ Leadership Conference 2016 is coming! Our Guests will be: Bishop David Bryan & Bishop Adrian Varlack Come and learn about how to be A Church with Impact. Applications are available on the website. For more information, contact Bishop Carswell Leonard at carswell.leonard@nccogop.org Make your plans today. As One Prayer Walk Schedule 8:30 AM Festival Park opens 9:30 AM Lineup 10:30 AM PRAYER WALK starts Invite your entire congregation. Let s Unite in Prayer AS ONE!!! Pastor s Spring Cookout (following the prayer walk) Pastor, join us at the Fayetteville, Breezewood Church for the Pastor s Spring Cookout (For Pastors & Spouses and their Family) Page 4 of 5
Leadership Development Opportunities: Bishop Jeffery A. Davis State Overseer Church of God of Prophecy North Carolina 336 454-4118 Healthy Churches; Glorifying God through loving relationships, praying, developing leadership, biblical stewardship and harvesting Page 5 of 5