Filed under: Weekly News and Events
NEW THIS WEEK - August 25, 2008
Ministry Happenings
Adult Ministries:
Touch the World Pre-trip Honduras Meeting: Wednesday, September 20, 6:00-7:30pm at the Cross Street Offices. For information or directions contact Jackie Corn at the Church Office (765) 642-2000.
Holiness in the 21st Century: Tuesday, September 16, 8:30am - 3:45pm at Madison Park Church. A working day to engage the minds and hearts of leaders in our common call to holiness in fulfilling our mission. Proclaiming holiness to tansform our communities. Featuring Rev. Dr. JoAnne Lyones, Executive Director, World Hope International and General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church. Including two panel discussions: Young Leaders - The voice of the younger generation regarding the relevancy of holiness and Heritage - Experienced leaders and scholars in understanding the importance of the holiness message in the past. Admission is free. Register by August 31, 2008. Contact: Indiana Ministries of the Church of God (317) 773-6477 or email: cblake@indianaministries.org.
Filed under: Jim Lyon - Posts
Speak the Truth In Love
by Jim Lyon, Senior Pastor
On April 21 of this year, Robert Scott resigned from the Anderson Community School Corporation (ACSC) Board of Trustees. Shortly thereafter, ACSC invited interested persons to submit “letters of interest,” to be considered for appointment completing the remaining two years of Scott’s “at-large” term. The Board President explained that interviews would be conducted from the pool of prospective candidates. State law requires the Trustees to fill Board vacancies within 30 days. The law does not outline a process for doing so.
The deadline for submission of “letters of interest” was set for May 9–three days after three incumbent members of the Board were to face re-election on May 6. Two of these (Teddy Bohnencamp and Wally Fitch) were subsequently defeated at the polls. In a three-way race, 62% of those voting voted against incumbent Bohnencamp. By May 8, Bohnencamp had declared her intention to seek appointment to the Board, hoping to move into Scott’s at-large seat (after surrendering her own).
Eleven other candidates also submitted “letters of interest.” Without even a day’s notice to any of the applicants, the Board met on May 20, announced that “the three most sincere candidates” would be interviewed and then a decision made. The interviews consisted of one question each and took less than five minutes. Bohnencamp was interviewed last. Just minutes later, the Board voted unanimously to appoint her to complete Scott’s unexpired term, fourteen days after the public had denied her another term at the ballot box.
So, Jim, what’s the point? Well, I was one of the 11 other citizens who submitted a “letter of interest,” after prayerful and thoughtful reflection. Here’s my story:
Woven Into God’s Tapestry
Christian ministries and missionaries worldwide depend completely on God for purpose, direction, and provision. We invite you to embrace that same kind of faith as we are challenged during September to consider what it means to trust God with our lives and resources and to provide for us in ways we can hardly imagine.
The Board of Outreach and Missions, under the leadership of Pastor Keith Stork, helps Madison Park Church stay connected to the world. Faith Promise is an essential element for meeting ministry opportunities. As Pastor Stork shares, “I used to believe Faith Promise was an effort to raise funds for missionaries. Now I believe that Faith Promise is more an exercise of increasing my own trust in God. When I ask God to provide something that I don’t yet hold, and then continue to watch and wait for Him to provide it, I believe it teaches me to trust Him for everything. It teaches me to keep my eyes on him and the work that He is doing around me.” The Board of Outreach and Missions’ vision for our congregation is immense. “We dream that Christ’s impact upon our own lives will result on His impact on the world,” said Pastor Stork
The Faith Promise Sundays are September 14, 21, and 28. Come expecting to gain insight into the big picture of what God is doing around the globe and to catch a glimpse of how our local thread is woven into the tapestry. Also be in prayer about the pledge you will make for kingdom work. In the end, Faith Promise is not just about financial support to worthy ministries worldwide. “It is a love program that stems from the heart and relies upon an individual’s faith in God.” Anticipate what God will do in the coming year by the exercise of your love and faith in Him.
Faith Promise is a personal venture of faith promising to God what we cannot see in order to support mission efforts throughout the year. Begin praying now about how you can participate. Contact Pastor Keith Stork.
