By Dr. Mike Murdock. According to Dr. Mike Murdock, “Your Passion determines
what you will receive from God. Passion is different from desire. Desire is.
CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD, INC. Bishop T. N. Brown, Pres. Gen. Bishop Ivy Hopkins, V.P. Gen. Bishop Dr. L. D. Ward, Liaison George W. Ward, D.C.E.
National Director of Christian Education 54 South Ridgewood Ave. – Ormond Beach, FL 32174 (386) 527-3759
[email protected]
Volume 5 Issue 34
JUNE 2013
EDUCATE – ENGAGE – CONNECT Church of the Living God 2013 Conventions Calendar
Forthcoming: National Music Conference & National Youth Congress – combined- July 29th August 2, 2013 – Charlotte, NC – Minister Margaret Estell, NMC President; Elder Robin B. Taylor, NYC President; Elder Orlando Pannel, NYC, Vice President. Liaison Bishops: Bishop Barbara Farmer & Bishop Dr. L. Delores Ward. Elder Edith Wilson, NFM President, the National Foreign Missions Board & Bishop Naomi Barber, Liaison Bishop extends their heartfelt thanks to everyone that prayed, attended and support the National Foreign Missions Convention in Toledo, OH. “Job Well-Done”.
Congratulations CLG Graduates
As the 2012-2013 school year draws to a close, we celebrate the success of all Church of the Living God young adults who are heading for a bright future with a high-quality K-12 education behind them. Congratulations to your parents, grandparents, teachers, pastors, bishops and every individual that exampled, encouraged, and interceded for you during your matriculations at elementary, middle, and high school around the United States of America. Delivering her only speech at a high school graduation this year, first lady Michelle Obama joked about the failures her husband, President Obama, has encountered in life as she told a graduating class of high school seniors in Nashville, TN that in order to achieve success in life, they must first experience failure. “When something doesn’t go your way, you’ve just got to adjust. You’ve got to dig deep and work like crazy, and that’s when you’ll find out what you’re really made of during those hard times, but you can only do that if you’re willing to put yourself in a position where you might fail, and that’s why so often failure, is the key to success for so many great people,” Obama said at the
graduation ceremony for Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet High School. “Oprah was demoted from her first job as a news anchor. Now she doesn’t even need a last name,” she said. “And then there’s this guy Barack Obama. … I could take up a whole afternoon talking about his failures, but he lost his first race for Congress, and now he gets to call himself my husband. “All jokes aside, the point is that that resilience and grit, that ability to pick yourself up when you fall, those are some of the most important skills you’ll need as you make your way through college and through life,” she said. “I want you to tell yourself that no matter what challenges you face that you will commit yourself to achieving your goals no matter where life takes you.” Our prayers are with you as you carefully and prayerfully choose the Technical, College, University or Institution of Higher Learning to pursue you career. Congratulation to all 2013 college graduates. Continue to be faithful in the CLG local church ministry that God has assigned you to.
CLG’s 5 Star General! Ambassador! Intercessor! Evangelist! Prophetess!
Who is this 5-Star General in the Army of the Lord? She is affectionately known as “Mother Eula B. Silas Davis was born in Taylor County (Perry) Florida to the late Rayfield and Mattie Silas. She is the sixth child born to Mr. and Mrs. Silas of twelve (7 Brothers and 4 Sisters). Mother Davis left Florida at the age of 13 - relocated to Moultrie, GA for 3 ½ years and at the age of 16 moved to Harrisburg, PA.
In 1945, Mother Davis worked diligently with Church of God in Christ to grow and was saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost in 1950 in CLG in Harrisburg, PA. In 1950, Mother Davis joined The Church of the Living God under the pastorate of the later Elder Matthew Banks. The late Bishop Wilson ordained her in 1973 and she was known as an anointed revivalist in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. From 1975 to 1979, Mother Davis was called to Intercessory Prayer in Harrisburg, PA at C.O.G.I.C. where Elder Carl Hines was the pastor. In 1979, Mother Davis went on the mission field to Monrovia Liberia, West Africa and served under Mother Carrie Ford along with others from the states. In December, 1979, Mother came to Florida to evangelize at National Tabernacle CLG in Orlando where the late Mother Willie Croker was pastor and Elder Mae Chester, Assistant Pastor. Shortly after, she was called to come to Avon Park, FL where she lived with an aunt. An open door of opportunity was given to Mother Davis to come and pray with a church congregation known as St. Mary’s Baptist Church where the pastor had vacated the pulpit. Today, this church is known in the community as St. Mary’s Holiness Church. Because of the fervent prayers of Mother Davis, the church left the Baptist and is a holiness church today. From Avon Park, FL being her home base, Mother Davis travels includes Revivals, Shut-Ins, Marathon Intercessory Prayer and other worship experiences in: Florida (Lakeland, Brooksville, Tampa, Dade City, Miami, Cocoa, Ft. Pierce, Orlando, Ocoee, Pompano Beach, Ft. Meyers, Plant City, Apopka, Clearwater, Palatka, Cherry Lake, Ormond Beach, etc.); Hartford, CT.; Springfield, MA.; Providence, R.I.; Columbus & Cincinnati, OH.; Racine, WI.; Greensboro, N.C.; etc. While in Avon Park, FL, Mother Eula Davis worked, ministered, and conducted Intercessory
Prayer Marathons with the following ministries: Bishop Stanley Smith, Bishop Benjamin Carter, Bishop Thomas Brown, Elder Clyde Weathers, and Elder James Stevenson. During her tour of duty at the above mentioned locations, God saved, sanctified, filled with the Holy Ghost, Delivered people off drugs, Healed, and performed many miracles. To complete her final assignments, God directed Mother Davis to visit three church within the FL Atlantic Diocese (True Temple CLG – Cherry Lake; Living Water Cathedral CLG – South Daytona; and Emmanuel CLG – Ormond Beach). Here she spent time shut in prayer for the needs of the ministry. Where does this 5-Star Intercessor go from here? After the 2013 84th General Assembly in Orlando, FL, Mother Davis is looking forward to relocating back home to Harrisburg to be with her family – (4) daughters (Jacqueline Presley, Patricia Warren and Linda Brown of Harrisburg, PA and Judy Bailey of Columbus, Ohio. She is looking forward to continually spoiling and being with her (8) Grand Children; (13) Great Grand Children and (2) Great-Great Grand Children. We salute you mighty Woman of God! Prophetess! Evangelist! Preacher! Teacher! Intercessor – Mother Eula B. Davis.
Elder Dr. Shelia Y. Smalley New Senior Pastor Macedonia Church of the Living God Leesburg, FL
LAKE COUNTY - Many participants believed God's presence and His anointing "hovered" over Macedonia Church of the Living God, Inc., when Elder Dr. Shelia Smalley was installed as its new senior pastor, and her mother Senior Pastor Juanita Smalley was elevated to Pastor Emeritus Saturday, May 18, 2013 AT 12:00-Noon.. More than 450 clergy, family, friends and supporters from the public and private sectors attended the Installation Ceremony for Elder Dr. Shelia Y. Smalley, where she served as the assistant pastor since 1996. "We come to salute you, Elder Smalley, and encouraged Pastor, Dr. Shelia Smalley," said keynote speaker Dr. Sheila Walker, Founder and President of the Institute of Theology arid Ministry Training, a Bible College in Orlando. The audience was all ears as Dr. Walker engaged them with her installation sermon titled "Succession Planning is the Key to Transition". Many in the audience verbally agreed with Dr. Walker when she stated, "thorough planning for succession is rare in the church." Alluding to key characters in the Bible, Dr. Walker drew a vivid picture of the importance of the process of succession of leaders in churches. Leaders must be qualified, leaders must be trained. Moses trained Joshua, and Paul trained Timothy, and Jesus called His disciples to be with him," Dr. Walker emphasized. . Making a well prepared analogy of a relay race to the 'succession of leadership, Dr. Walker described how runners in a relay race are like pastors of our churches: 'The first runner is positive. The second runner is strong. The third runner is the anchor, the runner to accomplish the goal," Dr. Walker explained. Dr. Walker said some preachers only run the "dash", a quick short race. They come in strong with a lot of fanfare, but peter out quickly before anything substantial is accomplished. Their excuse: "my season is up," "Then," Dr. Walker said, "we have the little distance runners, the preachers who do the same thing the same way all the time. They are not willing to make a change."
BYLOUISC.WARD
While giving her heartfelt message, Dr. Walker looked directly into the face of Elder Dr. Smalley and said, "Leaders have to be tried. Because you have a gift, a talent, we are not throwing you the baton of ministry. DNA has nothing to do with that!" "Run the anchor leg, Dr. Smalley. God's grace, favor, anointing are on you! You have to take your church, this community to the next level. And, you better not drop it (baton) either!" Focusing on Elder Juanita Smalley Dr. Walker said a cloud of witnesses have seen you lead like a drum major for great Black women, and I am glad I followed in your shadow. Leaders run in the ministry of Macedonia CLG. Hallelujah! Praise for you. Your team is capable to run. Talking about Emeritus Pastor Smalley and Elder Dr. Smalley in his "Charge to Community'', Apostle Dannie Williams, Senior Pastor of Citadel of Hope Ministries, said "I can only appear to be larger than I am because of the greatness of who they are." When Emeritus pastor Smalley gave the "Charge to Church", she told the Macedonia CLG congregation that you have the "responsibility to support your new pastor as you have supported me. And when necessary, tell somebody: 'you don't mess with my pastor'!" Bishop Dr. L Delores Ward, Presiding Prelate, Florida Atlantic Diocese Church of the Living God, said Elder Dr. Smalley is a front runner in so many ways. Her works and reputation is established in this community, diocesan, and the national community. Dr. Darrel Whiteman, Board of Trustees at the American Bible Society of New York, said "Elder Dr. Smalley has more gifts in her little fingers than we have in our entire bodies. I will never forget this day." In her first statement as senior pastor, Elder Dr. Smalley said, "I love you! I am honored, privileged and endeared to serve as your pastor. When Jesus returns, Macedonia will rise up, and will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. There's no big 'I's or little 'U's; we are all one," "The presence of the Lord was in the installation service, and I believe Elder Dr. Smalley with the support of her congregation will continue to spread God's love throughout our community and
beyond," a participant said. If you don’t believe in the presence of God or the "dictating and anointing of the Holy Spirit" at a God centered event, such as 'passing the mantle" to a person to lead God's people, Seek God immediately! Pick up your Bible, start with Jeremiah 3:15 for an understanding of God's role in choosing His pastors. The Voices of Celebration, a community choir, under the directorship of Doug Major enhanced the ceremony so well that Dr. Whiteman said, "I can't wait to get to heaven because I know this choir is going to be there”.
The Best Thing You Can Do for Your Pastor What is the best thing that you can do for you pastor? Compliment him/her on their “outstanding and anointed sermon”? Give money to the church? Give your time and skills to the church? Not heckle her/him? Admire him/her for their godly character, integrity, and uncompromising standard? While those are all wonderful things, they are not the best thing that you can do for you pastor. The absolute, most important, best thing that you can do for your pastor is to pray for her/him. 1. Pray that they will have spiritual and emotional endurance - Being a pastor is a wonderful job, but it can also be a very draining job. I need endurance to continue working with joy. 2. Pray that they will have rich fellowship with the Lord - The pastor’s power comes from the Lord. I need God to meet me and refresh me week after week. 3. Pray that your pastor will be protected from temptation. If Satan can take down a shepherd, the sheep are much more vulnerable. I need the Lord to protect me from the temptations of pride, greed, lust, impatience, and a host of other sins. 4. Pray that your pastor will preach with power.
Apart from the power of the Holy Spirit, a sermon will be nothing more than an eloquent boatload of crap. I need the Holy Spirit to put power behind my words. There are many more ways to pray for your pastor, but this should get you started. So please, I’m begging you, pray. Your pastor depends on it.
7 Qualities of an Uncommon Leader By Dr. Mike Murdock According to Dr. Mike Murdock, “Your Passion determines what you will receive from God. Passion is different from desire. Desire is something you want. Passion is what you are unwilling to live without.”
3. The Uncommon Leader is Willing To Invest Time In Training Those Who Hunger To Learn From Him/Her. Distinguish between parasites and protégés. Some want what is in your hand. Others want what is in your heart. Your success will come through people capable of learning from you. 4. The Uncommon Leader Has Made A Decision To Become A Life-Long Learner. Mentors are those who have been where you want to go. They have done something you want to accomplish. Their endurance qualifies them to counsel and advise you. 5. The Uncommon Leader Has Mastered The Art of Asking. When you start asking questions, the answers will begin to flow. Insist on listening to the Wisdom of others.
What is Success? Success is the obtaining of a worthy goal. What is Prosperity? Prosperity is having enough provision, money or favor to complete your Assignment on the earth.
6. The Uncommon Leader Has An Inner Persuasion That Money Is A Great Thing. God’s prosperity is His Blessing. Poverty is the curse of disobedience and unbelief.
What’ s your Assignment? Your Assignment is the problem you were designed by God to solve while you are here on the earth. You do not decide your Assignment. You discern what your Assignment is. All of these qualities…Passion, Wisdom, Assignment, Prosperity and Success, are the key attributes of an Uncommon Leader.
7. The Uncommon Leader Is Always Sensitive To The Inner Voice of The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit talks to us and intercedes for us daily. The cry of Jesus was that the church listens to The Spirit. Your Future Is Decided By The Voice You Trust.
1. The Uncommon Leader Knows His Dominant Qualities. You were planned by The Holy Spirit. He is the One who has put your gifts and talents within you. You must enter His presence to discover, develop, and grow your gifts. 2. The Uncommon Leader Discerns The Character, Persuasions And Passion of Those Around Him/Her. Discern the character of the people to whom you have given access. When you are around wrong people, good things are drained out of you.
FREE MEMBERSHIP – (New or Renewal Emmanuel Church of the Living God, Ormond Beach, FL is partnered with AARP to GIFT a one year membership. Particulars: You must be 50 years young, or older; You must be turning 50 during 2013; You are already a member with a renewal date in 2013. If interested, please provide the following: Full Name, complete Address, Date of Birth and (N) for New Membership or (R) for renewal membership is the only information needed. Send to Dea. GeoWard at
[email protected]
30 Reasons Pastoring is an Amazing Calling by John Piper 1. God is the greatest Reality in the universe. And pastors swim in that sea with everreplenished joy. I am the Lᴏʀᴅ, and there is no other, besides me there is no God. (Isaiah 45:5) Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33–36) 2. Jesus is the greatest Savior, Master and Friend that ever was or will be. And pastors contemplate and commend him every day. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10–11) No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15) Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel. (2 Timothy 2:8) 3. The Holy Spirit is the greatest Helper in the world. And pastors are driven to have his fullness constantly. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever ... It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. (John 14:16; 16:7) Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? (Galatians 3:5) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)
4. The Bible is the greatest book there is. And pastors delight to mediate on it day and night. The words of the Lᴏʀᴅ are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6) Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lᴏʀᴅ, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1–2) 5. The gospel is the greatest news ever sent. And pastors revel in believing it and telling it every day. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:3–4) I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. (Romans 1:14–15) 6. Corporate worship is the great overflow of life together in treasuring Christ. And pastors soar with the sacred privilege of fanning that flame. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16) To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. (Ephesians 3:8) 7. Faith is the great union with Christ and the embrace of all God is in him. And pastors aim at this with every word, since faith comes by hearing. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith. (Philippians 1:25)
8. Hope in future grace is the great furnace of gospel obedience. And pastors fuel it daily with the promises of God. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. (Hebrews 10:34) Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5–6) 9. Joy is the great impulse in pain and pleasure that makes its source in God look great. And pastors renounce all abuse and live for the holy joy of their flock. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4) Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. (Philippians 3:8) Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy. (2 Corinthians 1:24) 10. Love is the greatest act. And pastors make it the great aim of all their acts. So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13) The aim of our charge is love. (1 Timothy 1:5) 11. Holiness is great likeness to the thrice holy God. And pastors daily kill their own sins for the sake of the holiness of others. As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15–16) For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13) Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1) 12. Suffering is a great seminary. And pastors must attend it for the sake of their people. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word ... It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. (Psalm 119:67, 71)
If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. (2 Corinthians 1:6) 13. Explaining great truth is a path to great understanding. And pastors are charged to explain the greatest things relentlessly. It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11–12) 14. Heralding the greatest realities is a great privilege. And pastors are the heralds of the living God. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the word. (2 Timothy 4:1–2) Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20) 15. Humanly impossible aims throw us on a great Helper. And all the spiritual aims of a pastor are impossible. Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” (Luke 18:26–27) And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24–26) 16. Heaven is a great destiny. And pastors aim in everything to help people get there. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. (Matthew 5:12) But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious
body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:20–21) I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2:10) 17. Hell is a great danger. And pastors aim in everything to help people escape it. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28) I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22) 18. Prayer is a path to the great presence and power of God. And pastors pray without ceasing. Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. (Ephesians 6:17–18) Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. (Psalm 50:15) 19. The new birth is a great miracle. And pastors are the ever-amazed midwives of God. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8) I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:6–7) You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; ... And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:23–25) 20. Communion is the greatest supper. And pastors hold the sacred emblems in their very hands. I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. (Luke 22:15) The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not symbolic a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not symbolic a participation in the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16) 21. Baptism is the greatest emblem of death and life. And pastors enact this drama on behalf of Christ.
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3–4) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19) 22. Funerals offer a great vista of eternity. And pastors stand there full of hope with wideeyed people. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6–8) Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54–57) 23. Weddings are God’s great, life-long joining together of man and woman. And pastors put this drama on display for all to understand. They are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. (Matthew 19:6) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. (Ephesians 5:22–25) 24. Hospital visits are a sacred imparting of great hope. And pastors mediate this holy transaction with their voice and hands. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is
sick, and the Lord will raise him up. (James 5:14– 15) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13) It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. (Acts 28:8) 25. The devil is a great enemy. And pastors make holy war every day. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith. (1 Peter 5:8–9) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7) 26. Wise, biblical counsel is greater than much fine gold. And pastors make many rich. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. (Proverbs 25:11). How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. (Proverbs 16:16). Him we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. (Colossians 1:28) 27. World missions is the greatest enterprise in the world. And pastors preach and pray and agitate till all are goers or senders. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14). The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:37–38) 28. Loving money is the great root of countless evils. And pastors sever it in their homes and seek its cheerful death in all their flock. Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. (1 Timothy 6:9–10). Godliness with
contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (1 Timothy 6:6–8). Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7) 29. Leadership in holy paths is the great need of all the sheep. And pastors wear this mantel humbly under the Great Shepherd. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17) Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20–21) 30. Lowly servanthood is high greatness. And pastors rejoice to say: He must increase, and I must decrease. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant. (Mark 10:43). He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30).
Prayer Request Corner-PRAY the list: Please remember to PRAY for the following CLG’ers daily. The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much: Bishop Jesse J. & Mother Charlie M. White Bishop Theodore N. Brown Bishop & Trustee Hopkins & ( daughter Ivy) Bishop James Sherman & Family Bishop Cleveland Harvey & Family The Late Bishop Butler Family, Church & Diocese Bishop James Ransey; Bishop Lillian Ward Dr. Ruth Dennison; Sis. Remonia Drone The Late Bishop P. H. Lewis Family, Church & Diocese
CLG Board of Bishops CLG National Trustee Board The Davis Family of Tupelo, MS Sister Shirley Ward & Family(bereavement) Elder Estella Lewis Hilbert & Family Elder Maurice Howard (Health challenges)
Rev. Mary Frazier (Health challenges) Sister Yvette Mason (Kidney Transplant) The Hampton Family of IL & Church Sis. Geneva Shedrick(bereavement-daughter Kim) Mother Burrows (bereavement Son – Anthony) Minister Kathy Barber (bereavement-Mother Audrey Watson) Elder Mandy Connelly (bereavement in House of Prayer Church CLG Family – Rev. Fleeton & Brother Braddy) Garden of Prayer (bereavement Church Mother – Louise Pierson Summers) Deacon Elijah Chester (Health challenges) Elder Mary N. Hudson (Health challenges) Mother Lucille Smith (bereavement of Husband) Mother Ida Robbins; Rev. Daisy Jackson Elder Frances Smith (Health Challenges) Faith Tabernacle CLG Church Family
8 Most Dangerous Leadership Traits by Ron Edmondson
There are no perfect leaders…except for Jesus. For the rest of us, we each have room for improvement. Most of us live with flaws in our leadership. Good leaders learn to surround themselves with people who can supplement their weaknesses. There are, however, some leadership traits which a leader can never delegate away. If the leader can’t work through them, in my opinion, his or her leadership will be crippled. With these traits, the best the leader has to offer will never fully materialize. These leadership traits will eventually wreck a leader’s success.
Here are 8 dangerous leadership traits: Immoral character If the leader’s character is flawed, the leadership will be flawed. A leader can never escape the quality of his or her heart.
Assuming everyone’s support Leaders seldom hear the complete story unless they pursue it. Environments have to be created that produce transparency and honesty. Even in the healthiest organizations, there will always be things a leader doesn’t know.
Assuming everyone understands
In my experience, most leaders think they are communicating effectively. What’s clear to them they assume is clear to others. It’s usually not as clear as the leader thinks. Good leaders ask lots of questions to identify the level of clarity.
Continually avoiding conflict Conflict never, ever, ever, goes away. Ever. Unresolved conflict damages the strength and integrity of organizational health. It may get ignored, overlooked, or stifled, but until conflict is dealt with, it continues to stir strife in an organization.
Pretending to have all the answers The less a leader listens to others, the less willing others will desire to help the leader succeed. Arrogant leaders never attract the best from people. Great leaders invite input, knowing that with more people involved, decisions will be stronger and more buy-in will be achieved.
Allowing friendship to derail progress Great leaders value relationships and recognize friendships with others as an important part of their personal well-being. At the same time, some leaders fail to separate their friendships from their callings as leaders. They confuse loyalty as a friend from their responsibility as a leader. A leader cannot allow personal friendships to negatively alter the course to success.
Refusing to let go of control When the leader doesn’t delegate, he or she stifles the growth of the organization. Healthy delegation involves releasing authority over a project. If a leader continually maintains the right to control, the organization will be limited to his or her abilities rather than the strength of the team.
Living in the past Unless you’re a teacher of history, the leader’s primary focus needs to be on the future. Leadership is about moving things forward. That requires progressive thinking, welcoming change, and refusing to let past failures determine future success. Be honest, of which of these are you most guilty? As difficult as it may be, until you push through them and improve in that area, you’ll never experience the leadership success you desire.
