The Kerusso | 2024 March

The Kerusso – March | 2024

A Report From Arizona

Max Edwards

What a truly glorious time we had in Arizona as we gathered from around the region, and the country for Journey Arizona on February 22-23. In the first place, the Sonoran Desert displays some AMAZING sunrises and vistas. I couldn’t resist taking a couple of morning sightseeing excursions, and … wow! … I was not disappointed. God is an amazing artist!!

The Journey meeting began on Thursday afternoon, hosted by our Arizona City Church (Pastor Chet Kwiat) and a wonderful team of volunteers. People from nearby Estrella Community Church (Pastor Debra Miller) and Toltec EMC (Pastor Jeff Bishop) pitched in to make it a sweet time of fellowship, music, worship, and instruction. The attendance was strong, with 61 registered participants from ten different states.

The theme of our Journey meetings this year is Leadership, and the flow of the sessions follows the leadership axioms of the Apostle Paul communicated to Timothy in his second letter (2 Timothy 4:5) to Be Watchful, Steady, Winsome, and Ready. We heard from a variety of speakers and presenters, as we learned about living lives of strength, faithfulness, integrity, holiness, and patience.

Throughout the event, folks enjoyed both the timely admonitions from the WORD, and the connections between friends, churches, clergy, laity, denominational leadership, missionaries, church planters, youth leadership participants, and ministerial candidates. We heard from several folks who felt this was the very best District Journey meeting they had ever attended.

Judy and I had the delightful pleasure of closing out the weekend in Avondale, Arizona with the people of Hamblen Chapel, EMC, and time Pastor Tony Wiley. He has shepherded this congregation for 57 years. Yes, you read that right - - 57 years! I always feel humbled to be in his presence.

EMC is richer for faithful leaders like Pastor Tony, and the many other incredible pastors and lay people who made this Arizona Journey so special. Your presence in Oregon, North Carolina, or Texas in the coming weeks will help make those meetings just as special. Hope to see you there!

Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”

Journey 2024 Continues!

The JOURNEY R EGISTRATION fee is $45 per person with a group rate of $40 per person for 5 or more attendees. Registration includes two suppers and one continental breakfast.

There is no registration fee for children under 18 years of age, but please provide their name(s) and age/grade on your registration form to help us plan for their attendance.

MISSION EXPOSURE

Bill & Lisa Walker, Board of World Missions, Co-Chairs

DO YOU HAVE A VALID PASSPORT? If not, you’re going to want to apply for one ASAP!

The EMC Board of World Mission is restarting its mission trip program! The BWM chairs continually visit and interact with our Global Conferences, but we also recognize our US members and local churches have an appetite for serving God abroad.

We are glad to announce two mission trips this year:

Monterrey, Mexico & Manila, Philippines

Join us in Monterrey, Mexico

July 23-30, 2024

Work and minister with all 5 Monterrey area Evangelical Methodist Churches. You will also attend the opening service of the Mexico EMC annual conference, the night before your return flight. TRIP COST $700*. $200 DEPOSIT DUE WHEN APPLICATION IS APPROVED. APPLICATION

DEADLINE is APRIL 30, 2024. (*known costs at this time based on 12 persons, and does not include airfare)

Apply for MONTERREY, MEXICO: Mexico Missions Trip Applica0on

Join us in Manila, Philippines

December 26, 2024 - January 2, 2025

Work and minister in various Evangelical Methodist Churches in and around the capital city of Manila.

TRIP COST TBD. DEPOSIT WILL BE REQUIRED. APPLICATION DEADLINE TBD.

More details on the Manila trip will be coming soon, including trip costs but in the meantime the applications for both trips are open now.

Apply for MANILA, PHILIPPINES: Philippines Missions Trip Applica0on

If you don’t have a passport, go ahead, and apply for one. The capacity of both trips will be capped at 12 participants, so if you are interested, please apply today!

Robert Jackson – North Carolina

Excerpts from Robert’s 2023 Local Preacher Ministry Report

Although I have been preaching in the Albemarle area since 2006, since my approval as a Local Preacher, the tempo has picked up significantly. This year I have: Preached at eight different churches or facilities, (i.e. Pasquotank Prison); Prepared and delivered 33 sermons; Served communion twice; Officiated two funerals and I may soon officiate my first wedding.

I feel very compelled to serve in a care and counseling model of ministry. I have applied for and have been accepted to Samaritans Purse for disaster relief support. I have not physically gone to a disaster site yet. I am currently working on my application for the Billy Graham Chaplain Service which I feel is more aligned with where I feel led. This will require specific educational requirements offered by the Billy Graham organization. Upon approval by the organization, I will begin those classes.

I have five more classes to complete my educational requirements for Elders. I am excited to start my admission on trial upon approval. I am also excited to inquire about further education opportunities. I will be reaching out to Ohio Christian University to understand the process of transferring Haggard School classes for credit.

Todd Inman – Oregon

Excerpts from Pastor Todd’s 2023 Ministry Report

As I look back on 2023, I am truly impressed and overwhelmed at how God has truly worked all things out for the good. Through the Lord’s faithfulness, goodness, and our obedience to His calling, the Lord has taken Connections Community Church through many seasons of ups and downs… mostly ups!

As a church, our Mission Statement is simple, LOVE GOD and LOVE OTHERS. It has been my desire, as pastor, to set an example of what it means to have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ through the good times as well as the not-so-good times and to set the example of what it means to truly love others as Christ loves us.

We have three weekly Women’s Bible Studies and our Loving Threads Ministries, which creates wonderful prayer quilts for those in need. We have one weekly Men’s Bible Study and one monthly Saturday Men’s Prayer Breakfast. We have two weekly co-ed Adult Bible Studies, one on Thursday afternoon, and one on Wednesday Nights.

Over the past 9 years, we have struggled with developing an active, ongoing Children’s and Youth Ministry. We now have a wonderful couple, Arron and Deanna Vollmer along with their volunteers, who are in place and ready and willing to take off. We are planning a commercial to air on Facebook and other social media, informing the community that we desire to share the love of Jesus with men, women, and children. This is truly an area of need and an area needing your prayers.

I have been blessed to lead our church through the Book of Acts this past year. Acts has provided valuable lessons and models for us as we strive to LOVE GOD and LOVE OTHERS in fulfilling the Great Commission and carry the gospel to our Jerusalem, our Judea, our Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

I am blessed to have such an amazing church family… there is more love in this house than in any house I have ever been in. Everyone has played a role in showing love, support, care, and concern to both me and my daughter, Abby. I could not have gotten through these past 3+ years without my church family.

I will be starting a campaign called, WHO’S YOUR ONE? I am convinced that it doesn’t matter how many buildings we construct, or churches we plant, or sermons we preach, if we’re not intent on doing everything so that lost men, women, and children will experience the transforming work of God, then our purpose is in vain. Just imagine, if everyone in our church would answer that question, “WHO’S MY ONE?” with the name of a person in their neighborhood, family, friends, or workplace… how would it change our church? How would it change our community? I am convinced that it doesn’t matter if we have awesome worship teams, Weekly Bible Studies, friendly people, and great teachings, without this one thing, without your one… we have failed.

From the Desk of the General Secretary -Treasurer Brian Hammond

Annual Reporting

As you saw from Rev. Edward's report on page 1, we had an amazing and inspiring time as we gathered for our first of four Journey meetings last month in Arizona. Tammy was unable to be with me in Arizona, and neither of us will be in Oregon, but Lord willing, we both will be in North Carolina and Texas. We are so looking forward to reconnecting with many of you then.

Reporting Explained

I was asked to give a brief talk on the importance of reporting at the Arizona Journey. And as a result of some discussions afterward, I think explaining some things about our required reporting is essential.

According to our EMC Discipline, ALL credential holders are required to file a yearly report. The Individual Ministry Report form and instructions for Elders, Admission on Trial, Local Preachers, and Deacon/Deaconess can be found on our website here: Evangelical Methodist Church › Credential/Church Reports (emchurch.org)

Each local church is required to file the Local Church Report. The online report form can also be found at the same website link above. Here is an interesting thing I discovered in ¶803 of the EMC Discipline:

If you are the pastor of an Evangelical Methodist Church, the Local Church Report satisfies your required report. In other words, EMC pastors only have to submit the Local Church Report.

I want to give you a heads-up on something else. If you use the Excel worksheet each month that we provide for you on the website, the financial section of the Local Church Report automatically totals the numbers you need for the online report.

Since Gihon Tabernacle EMC is in Mission Status, I am their temporary treasurer, and I use the monthly Excel worksheet I'm referring to in order to report to their Board of Stewards. It took me two minutes to complete the online form! No kidding! Only two minutes!

Please let me know if you or your treasurer would like to consider using it and need guidance on how. You can find it here: Evangelical Methodist Church › Forms and Downloads (emchurch.org)

Clergy Pay and Taxes

The last thing I want to mention is due to a question I received about clergy pay and taxes. Rev. Coulston and I are ready to answer any questions you may have about this subject, but I want to direct you to two excellent resources:

The first is a book entitled, Church Compensation - From Strategic Plan to Compliance by Elaine L. Sommerville. It will help you answer all questions concerning this subject. You can find it on Amazon.

The second is a great website I frequent. It is called The Pastor's Wallet and can be found here: The Pastor's WalletEquipping pastors to master their personal finances (pastorswallet.com). They also have a YouTube channel. There is a link to YouTube on their website, but you can access it directly here: Pastor's Wallet - YouTube.