The Alabama Messenger July 2023

IF YOU COULD HELP OTHERS COME TO KNOW JESUS, WHAT WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO DO TO MAKE IT HAPPEN?

For us, that challenging question led us to serve as U S Missionaries in Church Mobilization. Church Mobilization involves people across the United State joining together with local churches to help reach their communities by buildin and repairing structures where people can come together The very heartbeat o Missions is to reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and one way to empower the local Church to fulfill this Mission is to provide quality, state-of-the art places for them to gather

I was a lead pastor for many yea church to have the proper facilities understand how expensive it can be that you so desperately need. That’ churches who need help repairing or to help support the church’s vision needed.

We have many churches in Alaba funds and workers to able to help th spread the Gospel without having to and still have a generational impac appreciate the opportunity to sha congregation, even for just a 5-minute

Group Name: AL Ministers Gathering Code: AMG23

The Juvenilization of American Christianity

The reader may find the theme of this book and this review challenging, disconcerting, or even offensive. Nevertheless, I encourage you to read both with an open mind and a willing heart.

The Juvenilization of American Christianity, by Thomas E. Bergler. Eerdmans: 2012. 281 pages.

Thomas E. Bergler is a Professor of Ministry and Missions at Huntington University, Huntington, Indiana. There he has taught on youth ministry for many years, having previously served in various capacities of youth ministry. Berger has also served as Senior Associate Editor for the Journal of Youth Ministry. This book is the fruit of many years of education and ministry focused on the subject at hand. Juvenilization is a significant examination and evaluation of perhaps the most influential trend in American culture and the American church during the past one hundred years. That trend is a pervasive move away from a historic valuing of maturity and adulthood toward a devaluation of that and an accompanying elevation of youth culture. This cultural and ecclesial movement is now over ninety years old and has radically changed the values, priorities, and practices of most aspects of American culture and the American church. For decades this juvenilizing trend appeared to bear fruit quantitatively. But, the seemingly healthy growth trends harbored sickness within. The outward appearance of success belied the inward reality of weakness. This reality began to be revealed in the 1960’s and 1970’s, first in the mainline denominations and today in the most conservative evangelical groups.

Bergler’s work is historically deep and culturally engaged. He begins by tracing the widespread concern in the 1930’s and 1940’s over the threats posed to civilization by the Depression, WWII, and the Cold War. Cultural commentators began to point to the next generation as the hope for western civilization. At the same time Catholics and mainline Methodists, followed by other evangelicals began to create special age-targeted ministries for children and youth in their churches. Parachurch ministries such as Youth for Christ (founded in 1945) were founded to focus on the perceived “special needs” of teens and young adults.

These generationally focused approaches both within the denominations and in the parachurch ministries began to silo first teens and young adults, and later children, into special departments within denominations and local churches. The responsibility of parents in winning and discipling their children began to be assumed by the youth ministries of the church. Special services, special music, special curricula arose designed to continually simplify all aspects of catechizing - teaching and discipling - the younger generations in the truths of Christianity. Special events designed for children and youth proliferated on the calendars of churches and church families. Intergenerational worship and discipleship significantly declined.

Through the years as the culture continually lowered its formational, educational, and intellectual expectations of youth and young adults, the Americsan church followed it down. The churched juveniles formed in these decades became adults with very different expectations of what Christian education, formation, and worship should look like. The importance of a deep understanding of Scripture and doctrine was gradually but steadily transformed into a desire for the simplest, briefest explanation possible of the bare minimum of Christian doctrine. Deeply Christian character formation was replaced by what became widely known as

BOOK REVIEW

“WE HAVE HERE PERHAPS THE BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN ON MIRACLES IN THIS OR ANY AGE.”

Ben Witherington III, Asbury Seminary

Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts, 2 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2011, 1,172 pages.

Craig Keener is an Ordained AG minister, graduate of AGTS, with a PhD from Duke University, and a premier New Testament scholar. He has written 25 books, including highly regarded commentaries on Matthew, John, Acts, and Galatians. Miracles grew from a footnote in Acts to what scholars are calling the most comprehensive book on miracles ever written. Miracles covers the entire spectrum of issues associated with supernatural miracles, from those in Scripture to the present day. Keener deals with all philosophical objections to miracles, as well as with the problems of false claims, psychosomatic illnesses, alternative explanations, and miracles in other religions. His documentation meet the highest scholarly standards, but his writing is warm and easy to read.

The author states his two-part thesis early on: 1) eyewitnesses do offer miracle claims beginning in the gospels and continuing to the present day, and 2) although supernatural claims are not always suitable explanations, they should be fully considered as possible explanations. He examines the ancient evidence for miracles, first with Jesus and his followers, then among Jewish and pagan sources. He compares these, demonstrating similarities and differences, revealing that the ancients were often skeptical, not gullible, about miraculous claims.

Keener then deals with the anti-supernatural arguments and bias pervasive in the West since the advent of rationalism. He provides an extensive explanation of anti-supernaturalism’s development and its effect on Western culture. He carefully explores the many weaknesses of rationalist arguments, and shows them to be based on inadequate data, personal experience, and biased presuppositions.

In Part 3 Keener surveys the vast amount of testimony to miracles from antiquity to the present day. His methodology is to seek reliable verification, carefully identify false claims, differentiate organic and psychosomatic diseases, and consider alternative explanations. The survey spans the entire historical and geographical expanse of Christianity, examining miracle reports from all faith traditions and from non-Christian religions. The author addresses the decline in frequency of miracles once the Church is established in a region.

Throughout his writing Keener interacts with primary sources, testimonies, and verifications, as well as objections or alternative explanations. One chapter organizes even more accounts according to the kinds of miracles claimed These amazing stories glorify God page after page! A final section gives detailed answers to objections offered by unbelievers, and then provides further examples of medically verified miracles from Western contexts. Keener includes his own eyewitness accounts and those of trustworthy family and friends.

The author deals with theological problems related to miracles, such as the “prosperity” or “hyper- faith” false teachings. He clearly affirms God’s sovereign right to grant or withhold miracles, regardless of the “faith” or “confession” of the one praying or in need. Numerous examples of unbelieving or non-Christian people receiving miracles are also included. Keener consistently writes from a solid biblical, historical, and theological base After 768 pages of research, substantiated throughout with copious documentation, Keener concludes with over 400 pages of appendices, bibliography, and indices. Subjects treated there include spirit possession and exorcism in antiquity and today, and miraculous dreams and visions.

Miracles is regarded by historians and missiologists as the best book on miraculous phenomena ever written. It’s scholarly acumen, documentation, and orthodoxy guarantees its powerful impact on Western Christianity for many years. Keener has done the entire Christian Church a monumental service. Pentecostal ministers should have this amazing book in their library.

- Michael D. Sharp, Network Secretary-Treasurer

UNDERSTANDING OUR FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

We sometimes find that, for whatever reasons, some of our ministers are not clear on our financial obligations to the Alabama Ministry Network. We have begun to publish these more frequently in order to clear up any misunderstandings proactively before ministers fall behind in their giving. Here are the Network Bylaws followed by an explanation.

ALABAMA MINISTRY NETWORK CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS ARTICLE VIII. FINANCES

Section 2 - Obligations of Ministers

a. All ministers shall be required to remit on a monthly basis 7.5% of their income earned from Gospel ministry and from secular work for the support of the Network general fund.

b. The following exceptions are permitted:

1. Ministers who receive wages strictly from secular employment and regularly attend a local assembly shall be required to support the local assembly with 5% of their income and shall also be required to support the Network general fund on a monthly basis with 5% of their income.

2. Evangelists shall be required to support the local assembly of which they are a member with 5% of their income and shall also be required to support the Network general fund on a monthly basis with 5% of their income.

3. Financial obligations of missionaries, military and industrial chaplains, and nationally appointed home missionaries are as outlined in Article VII, Section 8c of the General Council Bylaws.

c. Compliance with the above requirements shall be a prerequisite for membership in the Alabama Network Council and for the renewal of credentials of all active ministers. Any minister whose obligation falls into arrears shall be require d to appear before his/her respective Sectional committee at the time of the Sectional Councils, and his/her credentials will be withheld until such time as his/her financial obligation is brought up-to- date.

d. All ordained ministers shall recognize their obligation to support our General Council headquarters office in Springfield by contributing from their tithes or as an offering, the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per month. Licensed ministers shall contribute the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00) per month, and certified ministers shall contribute the sum of ten dollars ($10.00) per month.

e. Each minister should accept the responsibility to provide a retirement income for himself and his/her family by contributing an amount equal to 5% of the minister’s salary to the MBA minister’s account.

Explanatory Note: If a credentialed minister receives any income from ministry, whether regular or irregular, parttime or full-time, or if they serve in a pastoral role in a local church, then they are required to remit to the Network office on a monthly basis 7.5% of their income from all sources, including secular work. If a credentialed minister receives no income at all from ministry, and only receives income from secular work, and does not serve in any pastoral role in a local church, then they are required to remit to the Network office on a monthly basis 5% of their income from all sources. Exceptions are only as provided in Paragraph b. In both scenarios, the remainder of the minister’s tithe should be paid to the local church they attend or serve. You may pay your tithes by mail, or online at the Alabama Network Website at www.adcag.org, or by Text at Text #73256 Message: ADCAG. If paying online, always enter your personal name in the memo box to ensure that your tithe is credited properly to your account.

Ministers who meet the following conditions: 1) are 59 ½ or older, 2) receive no regular income from ministry, 3) do not serve as permanent lead pastor, and 4) have formally requested and received a ministerial status change to SENIOR RETIRED, have no financial obligations to either the General Council or Alabama Ministry Network. Senior Retired ministers may still be volunteer chaplains, serve without regular remuneration part-time on church staffs, serve in pulpit supply and as short-term interim pastors for love offerings or honorariums, etc. Please contact the Network office with any questions as to your proper status.

Any exceptions based on category of ministry (missionary, evangelist, etc.) are as described in the Bylaws. Whenever you have questions about how the Network requirements apply to your particular circumstance, please contact the Network Secretary-Treasurer’s office.

- Michael D. Sharp, D.Min., Network Secretary-Treasurer, ALSOM Director

Our new schedule layout is below. ALSOM students may take any cou rses needed during each quarter.

Quarter 1

January – March

Courses Open for Purchase: January 1

Last Day to Purchase: March 10th

Tests Must be Submitted by March 31st

Quarter 2

April – June

Courses Open for Purchase: April 1

Last Day to Purchase: June 10th

Tests Must be Submitted by June 30th

Quarter 3

July – September

Courses Open for Purchase: July 1

Last Day to Purchase: September 10 th

Tests Must be Submitted by September 30 th

Quarter 4

October – December

Courses Open for Purchase: October 1

Last Day to Purchase: December 10th

Tests Must be Submitted by December 31 st

Each quarter, we will post our entire ALSOM catalog for purchase. The courses required for each level of credentialing are listed below.

Level One (Certified)

BIB 214 Old Testament Survey

BIB 212 New Testament Survey

BIB 121 Introduction to Hermeneutics: How to Interpret the Bible

BIB 114 Christ in the Synoptic Gospels

THE 211 Introduction to Theology

THE 114 Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine

THE 152 Assemblies of God History, Missions, and Governance

MIN 171 A Spirit-Empowered

Church: An Acts 2 Ministry Model

MIN 181 Relationships and Ethics in Ministry

MIN 191 Beginning Ministerial Internship

Level Two (Licensed)

BIB 115 Acts: The Holy Spirit at Work in Believers

BIB 117 Prison Epistles

BIB 215 Romans: Justification by Faith

THE 245 Eschatology: A Study of Things to Come

MIN 123 The Local Church in Evangelism

MIN 223 Introduction to Homiletics

MIN 251 Effective Leadership

MIN 261 Introduction to Assemblies of God Missions

MIN 281 Conflict Management for Church Leaders

MIN 291 Intermediate Ministerial Internship

Level Three (Ordained)

THE 311 Prayer and Worship

BIB 313 The Corinthian Correspondence

BIB 318 The Pentateuch

BIB 322 The Poetic Books

MIN 325 Preaching in the Contemporary World

MIN 327 Church Administration, Finance, and Law

MIN 381 Pastoral Ministry

MIN 391 Advanced Ministerial Internship

To enroll in an ALSOM course, please visit https://alsom.edvance360.com/. Across the top of the page, you will see several tabs. Click on “Store” to purchase a course. Once you add a course to your cart and proceed to check out, you will be prompted to login. If you are a first -time user, you will be asked to enter your email information. After you complete your purchase, an email will be sent to you to create a username and password. When you purchase the course, you will receive access to the course. To access the course, click on the tab “Courses.” This is where you will do all the work for your course. Each course has a pdf textbook. Some courses have additional content such as video lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and additional reading. Your test will come from content from all sources.

Rev. Robert "Tim" Timothy Cole

May 29, 1956 - June 28, 2023

Pastor Robert “Tim” Timothy Cole, 67, of Phenix City, AL entered Heavens Gates while at Columbus Hospice House, Columbus, GA on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 surrounded by his family.

Graveside Services was held at 10:00 AM (EST) on Saturday, July 1, 2023 in Lakeview Memory Gardens with Pastor Boyd Cochran officiating according to Vance Brooks Funeral Home, Phenix City, AL. The family received friends on Saturday from 9:00 AM until 9:45 AM at the funeral home.

Rev. Janice Curry Andrews

Janice Curry Andrews lovingly known as "Chee Chee" to her nieces, nephews and lifelong friends was born into this world on June 19, 1940. Born in Deer Park, Alabama, Janice’s family moved to Chickasaw, AL when she was a small child and resided in Chickasaw most of her adult life until relocating to Semmes, Alabama in 2002. Janice was a 1958 graduate of CF Vigor High School, and some years afterward went to work at Scott Paper Company where she worked until her retirement.

Ms. Andrews was a member of Oak Park Church of God at the time of her passing but also attended Calvary Temple in Saraland and The Refuge Church on Moffett Road. Later in her Christian walk she felt the need to go into drug and alcohol rehab centers and minister to both men and women on trusting in the Lord. She did this regularly to the end of her life when her health began to fail.

She was preceded in death by her husband James Andrews, son Jamie Mattox, daughter Toni Hall. Her Mother and Father, Jack and Minnie Curry. Sisters Linda Young, Virginia Harris, Vera Matheny, Freda Hammons and Fredna Waite. Brothers Rev. Woody Curry and Edgar Curry and recently her granddaughter Sara Moss.

She is survived by her sons; Roy (Brenda) Moss and John (Leigh Ann) Andrews. Grandsons; Jonathon (Petra) Andrews, David (Carleigh) Hall, Benjamin (Nichol) Moss, Jack Moss, and Phillip (Danielle) Moss. Granddaughters; Deidre’ Mattox, Jessica Worley and Mollie (Thomas) Wheeler. Great-Grandchildren; Breanna, Ella, Eli, Ethan, Brodie, Darrin, Paislee, Sawyer, Oaklynn, Kennedy, Hadley, Katie and Oliver. Sister-in-law; Donnie Hickman and Ola Curry. Brother-in-law; Jute Waite. Special Friends that assisted with her care DeeDee Maples, Ms. Angela Mosely and Arleen and Farrell Farley, nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.

Visitation was held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM from Radney Funeral Home in Saraland. The funeral service will began at 11:00 AM. Interment followed at Valhalla Memorial Gardens.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES

Transferred in:

Stephen Darnell (O)

Deceased:

Janice Andrews

Robert Timothy Cole

Pastoral Changes:

Cornerstone AG

Jasper, AL

Pastor Stephen Darnell

New/Upgraded CredenIals:

Asa Parnell (C)

Chris5ne Gipson (C)

Erin McQueen (L)

Grace Cormier (L)

Bobby James (L)

Sylvia James (L)

Sophia Simpson (L)