From the desk of Pastor Ronnie D. Joyner, D.Min. To: My Pastoral Colleagues and Ministerial Friends Grace from our Lord Jesus Christ and His Mercies be upon You, Your Family and the Families Over which The Lord has made you Overseer! November 04, 2014 Acts 2:43 says, "Then fear came upon every soul and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles" NKJV. It is out of this post resurrection reality that I address you at this time. When I read Acts 2:41-47 as well as Acts 4:32-35 I get a bit inquisitive when I see two areas that are not operating in most of our congregations. Acts 2:45 says, "and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need". I see two groups here, those who had possessions and goods and the clientele who purchased these items and met needs. Both groups were in the congregation, under apostolic authority - Acts 2:42. Now, read Acts 4:34 this Covenant Community practice continues, "Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold and laid them at the apostles' feet and they distributed to each as anyone had need". In these instances, I not only see manifestation from God, but congregational cooperation which made the vision productive. This Covenant Community Economic System is a model many of us in New Testament churches have failed to emulate. On one side I ask myself was it just for then or is it a continuing standard that should be for NOW? In my 40th year of ministry, I pastor my third church and will lead the congregation in building our House of Worship/Ministry Center. I want to thank God for His wisdom and guidance in this post 2007(8) Great Recession. While we celebrate the 2008 Election of the first African American President, we also celebrate a relearning process in borrowing money because of the subsequent economic downturn, it is quite obvious, banks and lending institutions cannot be our financial source when we need funds during building campaigns! However, there is 'Biblical Promise' for the next 7 Years for the Lord's Church and His People~Gen. 41; Lev. 25; Deut. 15:1-18 and Rev. 3:10. Would you agree? Like each of you, I have led my two previous congregations in building ministries with a Luke 14:28 mindset, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it" NKJV, only to have a debt I could not write a check and liquidate at a moment's notice, Proverbs 22:7. The Process: Qualify for the loan and trust God to 'move monthly' through the congregation to make a payment until we pay it off. In my second church we utilized a church bond issue along with a Capital
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