The Kerusso – February | 2023
Five Denominational Priorities ~ by International General Superintendent Edwards
As I shared last month, here at the outset of this quadrennium I have felt directed to a focus word that is actually an acronym. Unlike previous words, like Collaborate, Family, Trust, and Grow, the word for 2023 - PEACE - represents a set of priorities that will continue to be focal points for us throughout these next several years.
1 - Planting Churches
2 - Educating Ministers
3 - Aspiring to Holiness
4 - Connecting People and Churches
5 - Equipping Leaders
It should be said that these priorities are subsidiary goals that will hopefully aid the timeless goals of the church, such as to glorify God and enjoy our relationship with Him; to share the good news of salvation with the people for whom Christ died; and the “whole duty of man” is to “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). These things are what churches and Christians have always been about, and will always have as primary missions. The five elements of the PEACE acronym are not to supplant those goals, but to enable them.
The scriptural inspiration for the word “PEACE” came to me from Hebrews 12:14, which admonishes us to “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
The first of the five priorities in the PEACE acronym is PLANTING CHURCHES.
(I’ll lightly unpack the other four priorities in the coming issues of the Kerusso)
From the launch of the New Testament church in the first century, planting churches has been an ongoing goal. The great Apostle Paul’s efforts in this regard are chronicled in the pages of the New Testament by Luke, in the Acts of the Apostles, but according to church tradition, church planting around the world happened through other disciples as well, such as Thomas (India), Phillip and Andrew (Greece), and several others individuals who dispersed throughout the Mediterranean region including into Spain, Italy, Macedonia, Asia Minor, and North Africa.
Exciting things are happening in church planting around the EMC’s USA Conference, with new works thriving in Idaho, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Arizona (and I may be forgetting some of our newest locations!) The Legacy Fund will soon start seeding additional church plants, and the Board of Evangelism always stands ready to interview potential church planters to launch out and start new works. Statistically, new church plants see higher than usual conversion rates, compared to established congregations. It is always exciting to see folks working to share the good news with unchurched and de-churched folks. There are so many hurting people, some of them hurt by previous experiences in churches and/or church cults, and new church startups are sometimes less threatening, with fresh expressions of worship that are attractive to people with negative experiences and past hurts.
Around the world, we are also excited about church planting efforts engaged in by our Global Conference Partners. Mexico has long been focused on church planting, and there are several active plants in the MEM now. The CFAN Conference is planting at least one new church in the Toronto, Canada area. Myanmar has, as you know, experienced immense hardship, but evangelism efforts are moving forward in spite of the difficulties, and they now have a brand-new district, Paletwa, which developed from missionary and planting efforts. Asia Pacific is seeing a resurgence in numbers of churches following the loss of several during the COVID-19 shutdown. And South Africa is a itinerant system of church localities with circuit riding preachers who are often exposed to new preaching opportunities in various places.
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
District “Journey” Meetings
2023
2018 Barlett Rd
Memphis, TN 38134
Grace Community Church | Memphis, TN | March 23-24
Registration is now open for all four district "Journey" meeting locations. To register and find more information you may click here: District "Journey" Meetings 2023
We are less than 60 days from the first district meeting of 2023. The Grace Community church family in Memphis, TN, is busy preparing to host this special event. They have provided some hotel and restaurant information below, as suggestions to help you with your own planning. Please also notice they have included some links to local tourist ideas for those of you that may be arriving early or planning to leave a little later after the event concludes.
Grace Community would also like you to know that they are planning for a nursery and children's ministry. If your children will be attending the Memphis meeting with you, be sure to make note of that on the registration form. There is no registration fee for your children but we appreciate being able to prepare for them ahead of time.
Featured Speakers: Russ & Jennifer Cochran, Jeff Stockett, Ben Wilkins, Max & Judy Edwards
Hotel Information / Suggestions:
Courtyard by Marriot, 2785 New Brunswick Road, Memphis TN 38133 (901) 450-6320
Holiday Inn & Suites, 2751 New Brunswick Road, Memphis TN 38133 (855) 516-1090
Hampton Inn & Suites, 2935 N. Germantown Road, Bartlett TN 38133 (901)382-2050
There are also several restaurant options close by each of the hotels.
Area Attractions:
Graceland – 3600 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116 Graceland.com
Courtyard by Marriot
Holiday Inn & Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites
Botanic Garden – 750 Cherry Rd, Memphis, TN 38117 Memphis Botanic Garden Memphis Botanic Garden
A quick internet search will help you find some more excellent attractions.
We are looking forward to a wonderful season of district meetings!
Please remember, we REALLY want you to bring your lay leaders. We deeply value our connection to the laity and especially look forward to them participating in the Leadership Summit on Friday morning.
The Kerusso - February | 2023 Page 2
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Grace Community Church
From the Desk of the General Secretary-Treasurer
Rev. Brian Hammond
Bringing 3 things to your attention this month: 2022-2026 EMC Disciplines
We have been busy filling orders for Disciplines. and just received another shipment from our publisher. Place your order by clicking on the link below, and we will get them shipped out quickly. Printed copies are $12 each plus shipping. Five or more copies are $9 each plus shipping. Payment is not needed to place an order. You will be billed with a separate invoice from HQ Publishing Department. Please remit payment upon receiving your invoice.
You may order you copy today by clicking this link: 2022-26 EMC Discipline
Code of Ethics Printed Certificate
I reminded you last month that according to Discipline ¶852, credential holders must sign a reaffirmation of the Ministerial Code of Ethics this year. If you have not already done so, you can do that on our website by clicking here: ANNUAL REPORTING
Is anyone interested in having an actual certificate copy to frame or display? I came across some in our office printed on nice linen paper with a blue border. If you would like one (or more if you have multiple staff), contact us with how many you need and what address to ship them to, and we will get them to you FREE OF CHARGE!
Email: publications@emchurch.org
Call HQ: 317-780-8017 Ext. 4 (Publications Department)
Free Church Giving Software
We have access to an excellent church software program that is absolutely free! It is an Excel-based solution for recording your weekly giving, creating monthly reports, and printing annual receipts.
The creator of the software is Doug Leasure. He is a Christ-follower and is active in a church pastored by one of my dearest friends. As a Superintendent, Doug walked me through a demo of the software, and I can highly recommend it. Rev. Edwards and Rev. Coulston also checked it out, and it has their recommendation too.
If this sounds like something you may be interested in, you can find information about the software and Doug's email on his YouTube channel linked here.
https://youtu.be/xnQzIGCBfRw
The Kerusso - February | 2023 Page 3 Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
From the Board of World Missions
Revs. Bill and Lisa Walker, Co-Chairs GBWM
We praise God this year, again for those who gave last Fall to the November Missions Offering! The EMC family collectively gave $8,555. This has been distributed between our Global Conferences.
Your gift to the EMC November Missions offering helps pay for national missionary salaries, church planting, pastors’ retreats and continuing education, training for new church workers, and many more things that a Global Conference might need.
After having to cancel the MEDS outreach last year, it is on in 2023!! As you read this edition of the KERUSSO, EMCers from the United States and Asia Pacific Conferences, along with Christian Filipino volunteers from various countries are wrapping up a 16-day ministry trip.
MEDS stands for “Medical, Evangelistic, Surgical, Dental.” This is a strategy that the now retired General Superintendent Jun Mateo and wife Marlene implemented to open new areas to EMC church planting. Pictures and testimony will be coming in a future edition of the Kerusso!
Last year, the Myanmar Conference was unable to hold their regular annual conference. This was due to the continued fighting and increased danger. Circumstances are not much better now, but they eagerly desire to gather this year in Tahan at the EMC Headquarters. Sadly, we will not be able to join them.
We long for the day when we will be able to again visit our brothers and sisters in Myanmar. They continue pressing forward in the work of the Kingdom of God. Please pray as they finalize travel plans for the delegates, that they might have safe passage, and that they will be encouraged in the Lord as they meet.
It is fitting to mention here that a great EMC sister, Mrs. Janell Swearingen, has recently passed away. Her husband, Rev. Ken Swearingen (ret) was the Board of World Missions Chairman and went on the early trips which led to what is today the Myanmar EMC Global Conference.
Janell also went and saw a great need for Burmese women to be able to support themselves. An accomplished seamstress and businesswoman, she spearheaded a micro-finance sewing ministry that continues to this day.
There was never a sweeter lady more filled with the Holy Spirit than Janell Swearingen.
The Kerusso - February | 2023 Page 4 Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.” THANKS FOR READING!
