The Global Advocate - Nov/Dec 2022

a publication of the Churches of God, General Conference

Reimagining Metrics

Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3b).

THE GLOBAL ADVOCATE (ISSN 0009-630X) is published bi-monthly by the Churches of God, General Conference.

Vol. 187, No. 6

Established June 5, 1835 as THE GOSPEL PUBLISHER, re-established on May 1, 1846 as THE CHURCH ADVOCATE, and re-estab lished on October 1, 2019 as THE GLOBAL ADVOCATE.

Rachel Foreman, Managing Editor

The Global Advocate, official publication of the Churches of God, General Conference, exists to encourage members of the CGGC to maximize their collective potential for Kingdom impact.

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© 2022, Churches of God, General Conference

How do You Measure Mission Effectiveness?

by Jacob Clagg, Director of Communications

The process of reimagining has taken us to a number of different areas. We’ve reimagined missions, evangelism and discipleship, the use of our physical space as churches, and even the reason behind why we gather at all. Looking ahead, it would be good to know if all these new ideas are actually working or if they are less effective than we had hoped. In short, we need a way to measure whether or not we are achieving our goals and our mission. So, what are our performance metrics? How do we, as a church, measure if we are achieving the mission set out before us?

Weset out to create a panel consisting of pastors from across the denomination and from a diversity of churches. We brought them each a set of questions about how they measure success and what metrics they count. We openly discussed their methods, their trials, their successes, and their failures. What follows is an analysis of their responses and key takeaways for churches of any size and in almost any context. Panelists are credited at the end. We are grateful for their cooperation and wisdom.

What's Wrong with the Old Metrics?

The most common metrics in our current era, and especially pre-covid, are the metrics of money and people, or “nickels and noses,” as one panelist said. It is becoming clearer and clearer that while having more people show up at your church is almost never a bad thing (unless those people have pitchforks and torches), ‘more people’ communicates almost nothing about the depth of those people’s discipleship. Indeed, we may in hindsight realize that Covid, despite its devastation, was also used as a tool by God to realign the church with His vision. When churches reopened, and large portions of our congregants never came back, there has been a realization that those old numbers were no longer a viable metric for charting our course; in fact, they probably never were. It is then timely, prudent, and imperative that we get these metrics right.

Effectively, all our panelists recognized that the metrics of nickels and noses were not the metrics of success. They had been at one time. Indeed, so vital and obvious were these metrics that they might be found in any number of locations plastered around the church building. One panelist even told stories of actual scoreboards being put on display in front of the congregation each week. If we are under the impression that what we count communicates what is important to our congregations, then it’s no wonder that shallow metrics like these communicated a shallow vision for the church, and has, dare we say it, produced shallow Christians.

This is not to say that counting these things has no purpose and no benefit. One key takeaway from our panelists was that abandoning these trusted metrics may make churches feel unanchored or directionless, like an old ship at sea without a compass. Instead, panelists suggested repurposing the metrics for good but different meaningful outcomes. For instance, counting money and displaying that quarterly or yearly for the congregation is largely about financial transparency, legitimizing the ministry as diligent,

above board, and faithfully stewarded. Tracking money can be an indicator of the congregation’s generosity or of the church’s high responsibility. Likewise, counting people is a practical necessity for shepherding well, especially in large congregations. Systems that measure attendance can be used for the express purpose of pastoral care. It can tell us who needs a visit from a pastor or leader, or who is new and needs to be introduced to the community of believers. This is to say that these metrics do serve a purpose, but it is not the purpose we have often thought they served. They do not tell us if we are correctly aligned with God’s mission. They do not tell us if we are effective disciple-makers for Christ.

New Metrics

So, if it’s not money and people, what are the metrics church leaders should be measuring? It's important to note that many of the CGGC churches are still experimenting with metrics, and given the nature of a panel, there is not one monolithic answer, nor are all the panelists in the same developmental space. That being said, let’s talk about the trends we noticed from our panelists.

All our panelists spoke clearly about the need for community engagement. How they measured this was different, but a defining feature of success is whether or not the church has meaningful impact on the community outside of the walls of the church building. For some panelists, this looked like backpack programs, feeding programs, community centers, or even affordable housing. It also included hosting outside organizations inside of the church. For instance, one panelist's church hosted a back-to-school drive. The hosting church neither organized the event nor helped to operate it but supplying a space and, thereby, providing a service for the community, was a metric for success.

For most panelists, this missional approach was seen as fundamentally reciprocal. It provided a blessing to the community but also had immediate, wide-ranging benefits for the congregation as well. It might bring more visitors to the church, but it also had the effect of boosting engagement and commitment to missions, which in turn often meant church members contributed more giving. This means that community outreach has counter-intuitive benefits which are often overlooked. It is assumed by many churches that community engagement will cost and will therefore ultimately be a drain on resources, but the panelists’ experiences suggest that while missions certainly take up resources, congregants are far more likely to contribute additional resources when they believe in a mission. The theme

has been that churches believe that they lack sufficient resources to start a missional expression, but our panelists suggested that resources became available after the mission was initiated, not before. This requires, on the part of church leadership, faith not only in God’s direction but also in the congregation.

Panelists measured both the number of community outreach events and the number of volunteers for these events. This was typically done in group meetings with church leaders or volunteers to see which outreach opportunities were most effective, and to gauge congregational interest in continuing the ministry. The quality/value of impact on the community and the increased engagement of the congregation were both measurable and clear indicators of success. Those who volunteer are almost by definition more dedicated and, therefore, more likely to be discipled people. Counting volunteers and their engagement becomes a health metric. If proportionally, we have few volunteers, the same volunteers, or no volunteers, then we have a strong indicator that something is amiss. This may indicate that the outreach expression is a mismatch for the congregation.

Panelists put a heavy emphasis on the importance of congregational engagement, and when that was lacking, it was the outreach expression, not the congregation, that typically needed changing. Most outreach opportunities are good things, but not all outreach expressions fit all churches. This runs counter to the narrative of pastors begging their churches to line up with the mission. Instead, the panelists suggested that a church will, in most circumstances, align with an outreach opportunity that it finds meaningful. I.e., the church isn’t lazy; it’s just not the outreach for them.

For easier measurement, one panelist mentioned counting baptisms. It sounds obvious but the idea was postulated that baptisms are a key indicator of life in the church and of the commitment of believers. If new believers are being baptized, or if past believers are recommitting themselves, then new life is happening, and disciples are being made. Unlike counting noses, counting baptisms is a “hard” number. It really tells us something about what is happening. An entirely apathetic person could show up in a church pew, but an

Panelists:

Rob Bergman (First Church of God, Columbia City, IN)

apathetic believer is unlikely to be baptized or make a public declaration of their faith.

While it’s not a data-driven metric, stories and anecdotes are the core elements of what we’re looking for. If we are looking for changed lives or for genuine discipleship, then speaking to people and hearing about how they have changed is the correct metric to measure. Admittedly, it’s a difficult metric to quantify, and catching those stories on a large scale becomes a logistical nightmare. Still, as an additional metric, perhaps a supplemental metric, stories are a key indicator.

Measuring stories could be framed as ‘answered prayers.’ Often pastors do the good work of checking back with congregants with urgent prayer requests to find that God has made mountains move. There is much rejoicing, but rarely is this documented. It would be profoundly helpful, particularly at the end of a year, to have a list of answered prayers in the church. Such a thing is near tangible proof of God’s active presence in the lives of the believers around us and would be a powerful reminder that despite the waxing and waning of ministry, God moves anyway.

One pastor offered the metric of ‘resolved conflicts.’ If we are actively growing in our discipleship, then we ought to be displaying the fruit of God’s spirit in our lives. This should mean less gossip and more honest conversations with those we disagree with. It should mean that we resolve our differences and our conflicts in ways that bring understanding, not division. It’s a tough metric to keep track of because we are prone to move on from conflict swiftly or avoid it completely. Reconciliation ought to be a hallmark of Christian discipleship, especially between disciples, and if so, it ought to be a metric for success.

Lastly, it is probable that failure is itself a metric. Counting what doesn’t work could be an effective tool to get us back on track. On the other hand, we were reminded by all our panelists that God’s vision for our churches is far greater than our own. Just because our vision is getting squashed doesn’t mean God’s vision is failing. It is perhaps true that in chasing after God’s mission and vision requires persistence in the face of apparent failure to see how God works all things for the good of those who love Him.

Kendall Hughes (Leadwood First Church of God, Leadwood MO)

Craig Flack (Celina First Church of God, Celina OH)

Dwight Lefever (Providence Church, New Providence PA)

Mitch Johnston (McMechen First Church of God, McMechen WV)

Tim Welsh (Manteca Church of God, Manteca CA)

Healthy Christianity in a Post-Christian West

Yet no cruelty of yours, though each were to exceed the last in its exquisite refinement, profits you in the least; but forms rather an attraction to our sect. We spring up in greater numbers as often as we are mown down by you: the blood of the Christians is a source of new life.  —Tertullian, 1890

Western Christianity is a dying institution. Within several decades Christians may be one of many minority religious expressions in the United States of America.2 The age of Christendom may be over for the West, at least as it relates to worship services, one of modern western Christianity's significant and centering attributes.

A significant limitation of modern church growth measurements is the focus on organized expressions of church –primarily attendance at worship services.3 Such measures, when alone, miss the ecclesiological purpose of the Church, focusing instead on the church's operations, not its mission.4 Measuring congregational assets and activities is vital for leadership's decision-making. However, it fails to address the Church's purpose in its various and unique expressions. Many of our measurements communicate that church is the thing to be attended, not to be a part of.5

Hirsch and Catchim6 shed the idea that faithful Christians are the ones that simply go to church, instead observing, “every believer ought to be considered a church planter and every church should be thought of as a church-planting church.” Church should be an extension of the very nature of being a Christian. One “goes to church” as much as one “goes to marriage” or “goes to friendship.” As observed by Ford, Wagner, and Hirsch, “[t]he church is not an activity but an identity.”7 When success for the Church is measured only in financial assets and regular attenders, the act of gathering takes precedence over the purpose of gathering. Marriages, measured only by the number of expensive dates, potentially miss vital metrics of a successful and healthy marriage. The challenge becomes not to look at the gatherings in the marriage as a measure of success; instead, we must look at the health of the marriage itself.

Health is not a measure of mass but missional functionality. Therefore, the health of a congregation is not measured in how big it can become or how many activities it puts on but in fulfilling its mission. In a postChristendom world, the measure of success is not "how many gather together" but "how far can we go together."8 The size of our gatherings may decrease in the West, but it was never about attendees. The “death” of Christendom and the cultural safety it provided for many worship services may be the change needed to refocus on the health and mission of our Church for the future.

Rendle explores a different way of measuring the missional success of churches, focusing on the metrics of changed lives and intentional congregations. He explores several critical questions for congregations to wrestle with and pray over to ensure that the congregation's purpose remains the center within any gatherings.

• First, a congregation must realize its environmental state. Only after coming to terms with its current condition and required decision-making will the congregation understand its opportunities in its current moment. A congregation might ask itself whether it feels successful at accomplishing its mission.

• Second, the congregation needs to define or redefine its specific success. Organizations are entities of "purposeful human endeavor. Hence, enterprises strive to accomplish something."9 The congregation's success is not in that people show up, but in that it accomplishes its mission. A church might ask: what is this church's mission?

• Third, the congregation must determine its accessibility to the purpose and mission. For many congregations, membership is limited, “where the only participation by the vast majority is through singing.”10 Leadership will need to ask: what does it mean to be a congregation member?

• Fourth, the congregation must establish its governing structure to fulfill the mission. What adjustments need to happen and what structures need to be refined to fulfill the mission are central and ongoing questions for the organization.

References

1 Tertullian. (1890). The Apology of Tertullian. Page 82.

2 Pew Research Center. (2022, September 13). Modeling the Future of Religion in America. https://www.pewresearch.org/ religion/2022/09/13/modeling-the-future-of-religion-in-america/

3 Newton, P.l A. (2007). The Package Matters: Problems with the Church Growth Movement. Areopagus Journal. Apologetics Resource Center: Troublesome Movements in the 21st–Century Church, 7(3).

4 Rendle, G. (2014). Doing the math of mission: Fruits, faithfulness, and metric. Rowman & Littlefield.

5 Barna. (2017, March 30). Meet those who “love Jesus but not the church.” https://www.barna.com/research/ meet-love-jesus-not-church/

6 Hirsch, A. & Catchim, T. (2012). The Permanent Revolution. Jossey-Bass. Page 209.

7 Ford, L., Wegner, R., & Hirsch, A. (2021). The Starfish and the Spirit. Zondervan Reflective. Page 59.

8 Ibid

9 Hoogervorst, J. A. P. (2017). Foundations of enterprise governance and enterprise engineering. Springer. Page 2.

10 Ford, L., Wegner, R., & Hirsch, A. (2021). The Starfish and the Spirit. Zondervan Reflective. Page 48.

References (Not Cited)

Wang, W. & Elhage, A. (2022, January 2). Here’s Who Stopped Going to Church During the Pandemic. Christianity Today. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/january-web-only/attendance-decline-covid-pandemic-church.html

Pathway and KCCM: A Story of Legacy

by Ben Tobias & Jacob Clagg

The metrics for succeeding at God’s mission may look different in different contexts and for different churches. Two CGGC churches are challenging what success looks like against the conventional metrics.

In the northwestern part of Toledo, Ohio, resides a small church that fully intends to leave a massive legacy. When we talk about legacy, the implication is one of death and dying. But Pathway Community Church of God is very much alive. Their legacy planning started about five years ago when the sudden closure of another church moved them to action. Pathway didn’t want to close, as Earnest Hemingway put it, “Gradually, and then suddenly.” Pathway has set out to plan for how they are going to move into the future, whether that means renewed growth, or more decline. More importantly, Pathway’s legacy plan means they are prepared now, more than ever, to have an impact on their community. Current Pastors Linda and Jim Davison talked extensively about their legacy plan, all that it entailed, and now that it’s finished, what they plan to do next. “We’ve got a hundred-year anniversary coming up in 2024,” said Pastor Linda, “and we are going to celebrate that.”

Birthed in 1924, Pathway has seen growth through some of the United States and Toledo’s, specifically, hardest days. Indeed, the church produced leaders throughout the denomination and has had an impact that was disproportional to its size. Pathway often supplied students and professors to Winebrenner Seminary and became a place where graduates could explore their own ministries.

The decline for Pathway started in the post-war period, as it did for both churches and whole denominations. Part of the legacy plan, “Phase 1,” as the Davisons call it, was to collect, document, and digitize the entirety of Pathway’s history. Doing this over the course of a year or two undoubtedly provided the Davisons with a condensed snapshot of Pathway’s nearly 100-year history. Such a task gives a broad perspective that probably few pastors have of their church. While Pathway is a small church now, there is a real appreciation for the history therein. This is to say that Pathway’s story of legacy is one that aims to see its impact grow not only in spite of its decline, but because of it. Rather than hold on to resources that it can no longer use, Pathway is inspired by its own history and is determined to continue blessing its community, other organizations, and even other churches with resources no longer needed for the current ministry.

“We are focused on working to the benefit of others. It is and always will be an active congregation. We want to go as long as we possibly can.” – Pastor Jim Davison

So, what is Pathway doing? Well, nearly everything you might expect from a church many times its size. Routinely Pathway holds food collections to feed their neighbors, and they have drives to collect items for their local schools, both in Findlay and in Toledo. Pathway doesn’t just do handouts; they show up, volunteering to read for the children of these schools. In similar fashion, for Operation Christmas Child,

they produce 60-100 boxes. Materials they no longer need are given away to churches that do. Their puppet ministry was no longer active, and so now a church in Oregon, Ohio, puts it to good use.

Perhaps Pathway’s most meaningful investment is also its most unorthodox. In 2014 a small family church called Kingdom Community Christian Ministries (KCCM – Currently led by Pastor Irene Blue) lost the space they were using for their Sunday services, and an agreement was struck between KCCM and Pathway to use Pathway’s building. The two services would be at separate times. KCCM would donate for the use of the building, and they would have access to a secure place to worship and do ministry. In our last issue of The Global Advocate, we explored different ways churches could reimagine their worship spaces for the community. It might not mean people come to worship at their service, but it might mean that they come closer to God. Pathway is a perfect example of how to utilize a worship space for God’s kingdom outside of just bringing people to church.

It should be noted that the churches have many differences, which undoubtedly could have prevented the burgeoning relationship. The worship style is different, both the songs they play and the instruments they use. They have different liturgies, different structures, and different sermon styles. Of course, it goes beyond the typical debate of traditional or contemporary, because on top of that are the different demographics between both age and race.

None of the aforementioned factors stood in the way of what has ultimately become a reciprocal and mutually beneficial relationship. There may have been hesitancy at the start to engage the other in what is essentially inter-cultural ministry, but you wouldn’t know it now. Pastor Irene’s own view proves the case.

“Pathway has been so gracious to allow us to use the space. I try to leave the space better than when I found it. There is relationship there. There is mutual care and concern. We’ve got Bob (a leader at Pathway) on our prayer list right now. We care.”

For Pastor Irene, the relationship has been powerful. “Having the support of seasoned pastors and an established ministry… All of that has been priceless.” Likewise, Pastor Irene has recently graduated from seminary, so she values the wisdom that Pastors Linda and Jim are able to offer her, and she views them as both mentors and peers.

Almost all their holiday services are held together, from Christmas to Easter, and likewise, summer picnics and other events are held in tandem. If church leadership needs time away from a service, the churches combine for a Sunday. It’s easy to see how this model could be a boon for smaller churches that may not have a backup pastor able to fill in.

What Pathway probably didn’t expect, but certainly supported, was the outreach KCCM would begin in the building. Every month KCCM hosts a grief support group called Healing Hearts. The support group has recently been helping the community work through the shocking gun violence and opioid crisis in Toledo by bringing in speakers who have been personally affected. The turnout for the group is sometimes more than double that of both congregations combined.

Through the lens of legacy, Pathway sees KCCM and their ministries as part of their legacy too. It’s all a part of what God is doing through Pathway and how He’s leveraging even small churches who don’t always meet the traditional metrics for success. Indeed, leadership from both churches are gradually exploring what it might look like to formally become one church and, in the meantime, how they can continue to do ministry together that helps bring about God’s kingdom.

When asked if Pathway or KCCM had any advice for churches who might want to try doing co-operative ministry, Pastors Linda and Irene offered this:

“Be open to opportunities that are already present. We have a great opportunity with KCCM. Longevity could be a piece of that, yes, but just the enrichment of two seemingly different congregations. It’s ‘what are we doing together to make an impact for the kingdom of God.’” – Linda Davison.

“I would encourage anyone if you’re starting out and you don’t have a building… why commit yourself? Why? Especially in this post-pandemic, clearly unchurched generation that we are entering into. Find a way to align with an established ministry where everyone is benefitting from the relationship, financially and collectively.” – Irene Blue

We hope that Pathway doesn’t just make it to their 100th anniversary. We hope that together, with KCCM, they have 100 more.

Pastor Irene Blue

November 2022

Global Advocate Prayer Calendar

Saturday

5 Lift up in prayer Jacob & Haley Day as they seek God’s will and live a life that pleases Him.

Friday

4 Ask God to raise up leaders for His mission in the U.S. and across the world.

Thursday

3 Request God for wisdom for the Project Help Executive Team as they meet this evening.

Wednesday

2 Beseech the Lord in prayer for the nation of Haiti ! Pray for safety, sufficient food and national unity.

Tuesday

1 Happy Birthday, Jenn Schlumbohm! Jenn serves as the Global Reach Assistant, supporting our international ministries.

Monday

Sunday

12 Thank God for our retired mission aries who continue to bless others: Geneva McNutt, Gordon & Annie Avey, and Mike & Dawn VanDervort .

11 As the USA observes Veterans’ Day, give thanks for all who have served in the armed forces. Take time to thank individ uals for their service.

10 Pray for Jim & Kay Baker* as they communicate with friends and donors of Navajo Ministries. Thank God for all who pray for their ministry and give.

9 Join together in prayer for Rod & Mila Ayers for their oversight of the Sister Church and School ministry in Haiti.

8 Intercede for countries impacted by food insecurity and ask the Lord to provide the nourishment they need.

7 Anticipate a harvest celebration as Jesus’ disciples give generous ly and joyfully to the Lord in worship. “Whoever sows gen erously will also reap generously” (2 Cor. 9:6)

6 Encourage Pastor John & Toni Thumma through prayer, espe cially for their health and for help at the Gamerco & Hooghan Nizhoni churches.

19 Continue to ask God’s blessings on Samir Singha as he provides many educa tional opportunities to children in the Uluberia community in India.

18 Happy Birthday, Candice Shoemaker! She serves as CGGC Executive Assistant, and works with the Directors and the Ad Council in coordinating CGGC activities.

17 Praise God for German & Silvia Quintero as they serve as field directors in Nicaragua.

16 Intercede for the churches in Mexico . Petition for unity and spiritual protection for those bringing God’s Word.

15 Trust the Lord to provide opportunities for Dave & Kenda Kapaku to witness to the people of Hawaii.

14 Today & tomorrow the Global Reach Commission meets in Findlay, OH. Trust the Lord to provide wisdom and discernment as they make decisions.

13 Many CGGC con gregations participate in Operation Christ mas Child. National Collection Week begins tomorrow. Pray for givers & receivers to be equally blessed!

26 Thank God for the new Latino churches in Chile and Honduras . Pray for gospel seeds to bear much fruit.

25 Black Friday is famous for shopping frenzies. “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of posses sions” (Luke 12:15)

24 Happy Thanksgiving! “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good! His love endures forever” (Ps. 107:1). Praise God today for who He is and what He has done.

23 Praise God for the renewed connections being made in Bangladesh as Dr. John Costa visits remote villages.

22 Ask God to continue to provide stamina and creativity for school children, teachers and staff throughout this 20222023 school year.

21 Pray for Everett & Mary Teller as they reach their fellow Nava jo in the Tsaile Church community. Seek the Lord’s direction as they navigate challenges.

20 Ask God to help us follow the lead of brothers and sisters in Venezuela who regularly join hands to pray for their cities.

30 Call upon the Lord to bless Latino Ministries Directors Caleb & Christina Acosta as they do His work throughout their many fields.

29 On this Giving Tuesday , thank God for our International Field Leaders and their selfless dedication! Support them generously!

28 Unite in prayer for Fremio & Evelin Jimenez as they serve as field directors in the Dominican Republic.

27 Praise God for the beginning of Advent and the season of repentance and preparation. May Christ be born anew in our hearts! “Prepare the way of the Lord”

December 2022

Global Advocate Prayer Calendar

Saturday

3 Remember Denis Droicin and Watson Joseph as they lead Project Help in Haiti. Pray for God’s intervention to bring peace to Haiti.

Friday

2 Intercede for Pastor Joseph Mwaura , Director of Voice of the Gospel in Kenya (our partner). Pray for God to bless pastors with solid teaching & vision for Kingdom impact.

10 Happy Birthday to Jacob Day! Delight in the blessings the Lord has provided for Jacob and pray for continued blessings.

9 Remember in prayer the students and staff of Winebrenner Theological Seminary . Ask God for encouragement and understanding.

Thursday

1 “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations” Psalm 89:1.

Wednesday

Tuesday

8 Join together in prayer for CGGC President Dave Odegard & Executive Director Lance Finley . Pray for wisdom as they work together for God’s glory in the CGGC!

7 Intercede on behalf of Pastors Fremio & Evelyn in the Dominican Republic , for opportunities to witness.

6 Pray that the peoples of India see the love of Christ in our brothers and sisters. Ask for courage for Samir Singha and Assistant Director Philip Das.

5 Ask God to richly bless Pastor Maria Grigioni , Argentina Field Leader, with wisdom and provision.

4 Trust the Lord to provide new momentum with the church planting efforts of the El Mango Limpio Church in Dominican Republic .

17 Call upon the Lord for spiritual growth for new believers in west India.

16 Happy Birthday, Travis Helm, Global Reach Assistant Director. Pray God’s blessings for another year!

15 Unite in prayer for the people of many countries under amplified financial strain during the pandemic.

14 Rely on God’s power to serve as Jesus’ witnesses locally, regionally, and to the ends of the earth. Resist the temptation to limit your witness.

13 As Everett & Mary Teller pastor the Tsaile Church of God, be in prayer that more souls are being saved each day.

12 Keep John & Toni Thumma in your prayers as they serve in New Mexico. Pray that they continue to develop relationships within the community.

11 Thank God for the faithfulness of Pastor Dave & Kenda Kapaku in Maui, Hawaii. Ask the Lord to continue adding to His church those who are being saved.

24 As churches gather to worship on Christ mas Eve, pray that all the CGGC will embrace our mission to be the salt and light for Jesus in the world.

23 Thank God for Pastors Liarxis & Mara who serve in Venezuela. Petition for the Lord’s protection.

22 Ask the Lord to empower the pastors in Bahia, Brazil, so that they will continue working together to establish new works in the Brazil Conference.

21 Keep praying for Caleb & Christina Acosta as they oversee ministry in the USA, Argentina, Mexico, the Dom. Republic, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Chile and Honduras.

20 Pray for Pastor Yolmary Rodriguez as she reaches out in Santiago, Chile. Trust the Lord to provide wisdom and discernment.

19 Happy Birthday to Katie Crabtree! Praise the Lord for her serving in Thailand and ask the Lord’s continued blessings on her life!

18 Praise God for Pastors Ricardo & Jeanette who serve in Latino Ministries in the USA. Intercede that they will stand firm in God’s truth.

31 At the end of 2022 give thanks for what God has done. Spend time praying about His plans for you and the CGGC in 2023!

30 Happy Birthday (tomorrow), Mila Ayers! Lift up Mila as she seeks wisdom and direction from the Lord as she and Rod serve in Haiti.

29 Happy Birthday, Winebrenner President Dr. Brent Sleasman! Ask the Lord’s blessings on Brent and his family as he continues to lead WTS into the future.

28 The Urbana Missions Conference begins today in Indianapolis, IN. Pray for thousands of young adults to hear God’s call and respond, “Here I am, send me!”

27 Intercede for Samir Singha as he mourns Charusheela on this anniversary of their marriage.

26 Lift up Alycia Hodil, Coalition for Christian Outreach* , in prayer and ask for encouragement and restoration.

25 Merry Christmas!

“For to us a child is born, a son is given” (Isa. 9:6a). Be sure to share the Good News in word and deed that God sent His Son to save the world!

Reaffirming Our Vision for Discipleship

by Lance Finley, CGGC Executive Director

Our vision is to see thousands of spiritually charged leaders equipped and released to every man, woman and child to whom we are sent.

What does that actually mean? Some might envision thousands of individuals recognizing a call to some kind of vocational ministry, attending seminary, and launching out to pastor congregations across North America and even beyond. Others might see the need to raise up, develop and deploy thousands of men and women who are equipped as Sunday school teachers, youth workers, children’s ministry volunteers, or worship leaders to step into roles in the life and ministry of a local congregation. Still others might dream of teams of young people sent out to establish new congregations in communities, towns, and neighborhoods.

Is this what it looks like? Yes, and so much more.

In the past, we’ve often thought of leadership in fairly inward-looking or narrow ways in the local church. Developing leaders might consist of raising up pastors or elders or training church volunteers for some particular aspect of ministry in the life of the local church. What if we were to reimagine our narrow view of leadership, embrace the reality of the priesthood of all believers, and see people equipped and released to serve the Lord and others where they live, work, and play? What would that look like in the years to come?

Here’s what it could look like.

It could look like Sam, the faithful church attender who also runs a local construction company. Up to this point in his journey with Jesus, Sam thought he was supposed to stay out of trouble, faithfully come to church, and help out with some church activities every once in a while. Today Sam sees things in a whole new light. Because of what Jesus has done in his life and as a result of his discipleship to Jesus, Sam now sees his vocation with new, kingdom of God possibilities. The eight to ten young men that work for him are the mission field where he holds the most influence. Sam now sees every day as an opportunity to be about the work of making disciples, influencing the young guys that work for him, walking alongside them, mentoring them, and helping them move from unbelief to belief in Jesus. His normal work week counts just as much as his volunteer work at the church on the weekend.

It could look like Sara, who has followed Jesus her entire adult life and works as a critical care nurse in the ICU of the local hospital. Sara loves her local church and tries to be involved as much as she can, even though her demanding work schedule means she’s only able to attend church about every other Sunday. Sara recently went through a discipleship journey with her local church, and she’s discovered that God has placed her in an ideal place to do ministry every day. She’s come to understand her gifts as a shepherd and how those gifts enhance her work as a nurse who often walks with families through times of crisis and matters of life and death. She’s finding joy in being able to pray with families and care for them in their time of need, and she recently started a discovery Bible study with some of her coworkers, most of whom have never been involved in church because of their work schedules. She’s getting to walk beside her fellow nurses and sees them finding new hope in Jesus in the midst of work that can be stressful and even overwhelming.

Or it might look like Jodie and Tim. Jodie works as a third-grade teacher at a local elementary school, and Tim works at one of the local factories in the community. They are in their late twenties and don’t have children, and attend the local congregation where Jodie was raised. They live on a small street that has a diverse mix of families. As they’ve grown in their belief in Jesus, they’ve also grown

in their desire to love their neighbors in practical ways. This fall, they began offering Fire Pit Fridays at their home. It’s a casual time where their whole neighborhood is invited to their backyard for hot dogs over the fire, smores, stories, and connection with each other. They pray for their neighbors daily, by name, and are trusting that their hospitality will allow them to demonstrate Christ’s love in a tangible way.

For most of my lifetime, the way we’ve counted ministries or leaders has been confined to the programming offered through the local church body. It was assumed that people would come to a local church building to take part in the life of the local church. Most of the time, these opportunities happened within specific windows of time: Sunday morning, Sunday evening, or perhaps Wednesday evening. The local church was the initiator in most of these efforts: “let’s start an XYZ ministry to reach XYZ kinds of people.”

We’re living in a different type of environment now.

The people we’re called to reach are less and less inclined to walk into our church spaces at the prescribed times every week. Some of the best ministry your local church carries out may happen around the fire pit in Jodie and Tim’s backyard, around the break room table in Sara’s hospital, or at the local diner near Sam’s building site. The future

that is unfolding before our eyes will require us to equip and encourage Christ followers like Sam, Sara, Jodie, and Tim and release them to the folks they engage with as they live, work, and play.

The opportunities are limitless! Imagine, for a moment, the kind of ministry that might take place in the local schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods in your community if your local church began to disciple and deploy people for ministry. Envision the different kinds of spiritual conversations that might develop as men and women are equipped and sent to demonstrate and proclaim the Good News of Jesus. Can you visualize how your congregational worship service might change as people like Sam, Sara, Tim, and Jodie share testimonies from their Gospel work from the previous week? Can you imagine the impact of thousands of stories from the work of folks like the ones above? The local church is the place where we come to worship our God and where we give Him the praise He is rightly owed. It’s also the place where people commit themselves to God in and with a community of believers. But church isn’t the only place where disciples are made, and it isn’t the only place they are to be deployed. Jesus told the disciples that they were to be His “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” It should not surprise us then that ‘the ends of the earth’ lies outside our church building. Then, as now, I believe this is the vision the Lord wants us to embrace and pursue.

Advancing Christ Through Service ACTS2023

inter-generational, short-term mission trips designed to increase one’s awareness of God and how He is at work in the world.

For more information, Scan the QR code, go to https://cggc.org// ministry-areas/global-reach/ missionary-detail/acts-teams/ or call (419-424-1961.

Global Reach Updates

Thank you for partnering with our friends and fields in Global Reach. Your prayers and gifts help sustain and encourage them as they minister to communities, families, and individuals in their parts of the world. Please celebrate the following updates from some of the Global Reach fields. These updates are provided by various staff from their fields of ministry. Remember to pray for our leaders and the souls they serve and share the Good News with.

KenyaThe VOGM churches working in partnership with CGGC are growing steadily after the COVID scare. Pastor Robert Maina, who is pastor of Sagana church, had the opportunity to visit Ithanga VOGM, which is the newest church with 200 members and many young people. Most of these young people are receiving our scholarship fund for higher education. They are able to buy a church plot and build a hall of iron sheets. We are looking ahead to starting a retreat center in what was the St. Magdalene dispensary plot. This is so our churches and other Christians in the area can have a place for prayer and quietness. Pastors continue to study for their Bible training every year, and we are thankful for those who have come as teachers and instructors through the years and for Sisters Nancy and Lisa leading the teams. We are also thankful to those who have provided the literature and theological books.

Bangladesh

Our Bangladesh Mission is making much effort to utilize the generous gifts given by donors for the purpose of building basic church structures for some of our remote fellowships that have been without a building for many years. It is such a blessing in so many ways for these congregations to have a structure in which to worship. Pictured below are some of the newest church structures and some in the process of being built. Thank you to so many who have given for this purpose.

IndiaDr. John Costa visited our India Mission at the end of September. He and Brother Samir encouraged the pastors in the various regions of ministry through teaching, praying, and a time of worship. Dr. John also held some medical and eye camps as he helps to establish and train staff in our India Mission to continue with medical camps. He is pictured with some Mission school students where he performed some basic eye exams for some students that have eye issues. Dr. John also shared some teaching on prayer to our staff at the Uluberia campus. He is pictured below with them. Samir was able to give the students at the Mission school some loving and nurturing instruction as he enjoys spending time with them. It is very nice that Dr. John and Samir are able to occasionally meet each other in their respective countries to fellowship and carry out various forms of ministry. They learn from each other while encouraging each other at the same time.

BrazilThe church of Dom Macedo in Bahia began meeting this summer in their new building. Last year it was under construction. There is still more work to be done, but they were able to have Father's Day services there this past summer. This was also a location where we distributed food and other relief items through the use of the COVID Emergency funds sent by CGGC. Below is a picture of the structure while it was under construction and also a picture of it completed and having services there. The 2023 conference will be held in Santo Antonio de Jesus on March 24, 25, and 26.

Thailand

Through the outreach ministries of the church that the Crabtrees are a part of here, people have not only been hearing about God but have been deciding to turn to Him for the rest of their life and follow Him with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength! They were blessed to hear the testimonies and witness the baptisms of four individuals who have recently made this commitment. It was a wonderful celebration of new life in Christ!

Argentina

The first ACTS team visited Argentina this year and had seven members. We are thankful for their servanthood in Argentina. They were received well and were a blessing to the mission’s ministry in Argentina with Pastor Maria Grigioni and the three church plants. It was a time of learning and a time to witness the work happening there. We learned some new things about their culture, such as eating dinner at midnight and that everything closes down between noon and 4 pm. The visit was helpful as we blessed and anointed new leadership in the churches and church Conference during an evening service. We also visited the newest church plant in Mull and did some painting on the outside of the church. During the last days there, we hosted a community event that provided clothing, toys, balloons, and face painting for the kids and toothpaste and toothbrushes to the adults and children, as well as praying over families, going over the salvation color bracelet, and having a craft table available to the little ones. It was truly a blessing for all of us to be part of and witness.

Venezuela

Pastor Mara, who is also a Director of the Venezuela Conference, reports, “The Churches of God in Venezuela accepted an invitation from Government authorities to visit centers for the elderly in San Juan de los Morros. They presented the word of God, and many of the elderly accepted the Lord as their Savior and received prayer for healing. They return once a week to pray at the request of those who run the center. We are told that when the church goes, the elderly feel better and seem to be more joyful. We know that this is the work of the Holy Spirit of God. The Churches of God carried out a Bible vacation plan in low-income sectors, benefiting all the children of these communities by providing crafts, pastry courses, and games while also being taught biblical principles of the Word of God.”

US Southwest

What a busy summer for Jacob and Haley Day! They had VBS at Gamerco with around 50 people in attendance, where they learned about the Trinity and God’s purpose for us. They had lots of different teams, and some incredible work and discipleship were done in the Southwest. They were blessed to be able to visit their family in Michigan before Triennial Conference, where they got to witness Jake’s brother getting engaged. Other exciting ministries the Days are involved with include a young adult conference. After several months of planning, the very first Gallup Rooted Young Adult Conference happened on August 20. Gallup Rooted is a movement for young adults in and around Gallup, NM, to be rooted in Christ and to spread His love throughout our community. There were about 20 people in attendance, ages 18-35, with five churches represented. The day was spent worshipping, digging into the Word in small groups, and completing a service project. People graciously donated items and they were able to pack 50 drawstring bags with self-care necessities and food for homeless people. They split into groups and went out into the city of Gallup to distribute the bags and pray with people. They look forward to more of these conferences.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and support in reaching the lost across the globe. It is making a difference for eternity.

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