Indiana Ministries Update
August 17, 2009 - Vol 1, Issue 16
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Doug Talley asked Bill Ferguson, state youth pastor for Florida CHOG Ministries to share the following article. This is part one, more to follow in coming e-news editions.
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A Big Blue Ocean Strategy, part one by Bill Ferguson
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 "As the Father has sent me, I am
sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the
Holy Spirit."
(John 20:21, NIV)
About 3 years ago, I began paying attention to some
inner dissonance that I had been experiencing in ministry. Sometimes, the
Holy Spirit speaks to me through dissonance. I felt like a "fish out of water"
or at least a fish that was not satisfied with swimming exclusively in the
"aquarium" of the church. To make a long story short, this led me in 2008
to begin venturing into organic and incarnational models of ministry and church
life in Miami.
In this time, I have asked many questions, considered new
ideas, revisited scriptural principles and the words of our Lord ... all of this
and more, in order to think deeply and strategically about being a person sent
to engage culture outside the church for Christ. I've found a "big blue
ocean" of people in my community and city disconnected from Christ and the
community of faith. Frankly, I was not trained to be in this
culture. I was trained to be in the church. Much of what I was
taught to do in the church is disengaged with the wider culture.
When you
find yourself in a situation like mine, you need to develop a different way of
thinking and acting as a person of faith, as a pastoral leader and as a church
to reach the big, blue ocean. If you feel this dissonance, then maybe
what I share will help you think deeply about ministry in your community. Read more...
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Save these Dates
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October 4 - Ordination Service
October 5 - Annual Meeting
October 20-21 - "24" Conference (Church Builders Plus)
October 26 - All Boards Retreat
November 6-7 -Best Practices for Pastoral & Congregational Financial Health Conference
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2009 Pledges/Giving to date: $30,497
Summer updates now on our web site! Click here...
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Get Ready for ISYC!
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Information has been mailed to all churches, attn: youth leader. Information, forms and resources are also available on our web site.
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All Ministers Please Take Note!
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 This year Indiana Ministries has
asked you to participate in a Credential Review. Each Ordained or Licensed or
Commissioned Minister should have received an email or a letter asking for your
participation.
Indiana Ministries is tasked with maintaining current records on
each minister for two reasons:
- To help you maintain contact with
your credentialing body, Indiana Ministries. The second is
- To generate the
approved yearbook ministers list for the National Office. Basically, we just
need to know where you are ministering and keep updated data for you like your
phone numbers and email address.
Out of the 639 credentialed ministers in Indiana we've heard from over half of you - thank you! Will you help us keep our credential records current? Turn in your Credential
Review as soon as possible. Click here:: Credential Review Form
If you've already sent yours in - thank you!
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Pray With Us
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We've recently lifted these congregations up in prayer. Join us and offer a prayer on their behalf!
- Kirklin CHOG - Pastor Elizabeth Zachary
- First CHOG, Kokomo - Pastor Ray Houser
- First CHOG, Lafayette - Pastor Mike Harville
- First CHOG, LaGrange - Pastor Brian Van Osdol
- Community CHOG, LaPaz - Pastor Ogden McClimans
- First CHOG, LaPorte - Pastor Jeff Zigler
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3SLI Youth Training Institute Coming Soon!
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 Youth leaders and students mark your calendars for this year's 3SLI! Our speaker will be Eric Reeder, new sr. high student ministries pastor at Madison Park CHOG in Anderson. Details will be mailed out soon. You can also find information on our web site.
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Holiness Pastors' Day
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 You're invited to take part in this event presented by the Wesleyan Holiness Consortium. The theme is holiness and unity.
Tuesday, September 29, 10 am - 3 pm
Madison Park Church of God, Anderson
Registration is $15 per person (lunch provided).
If you'd like to register, call or email our office. Click here to see a flyer and schedule.
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FREE!
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 Pastors, we are offering a FREE resource that will help you get to
know your community better so that your congregation can more effectively serve
those in your ministry area and city.
Order as many reports as you want - all at NO COST to you. Read more...
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You can access it by going to www.link2lead.com.
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Select the Register
button on the left menu.
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Register as a user and then explore the website
and your community.
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Questions, comments, suggestions, and/or content to be considered should be submitted to
Mimi Klotz
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