 From the Superintendent This is the season when churches are preparing their budgets for 2012. For many years the Alaska Ministry Network and our ministries have been written into your budgets. I deeply appreciate the faithful financial support from churches and individuals. Because of your partnership with us this past year, you have helped us fulfill our mission of Promoting Relationships, Providing Resources, and Equipping Leaders. Without your giving, many Network needs would have gone unmet. I'm requesting your prayerful consideration in your 2012 budget, by partnering with us in four areas: monthly financial support of the Network, Alaska Home Missions, the Alaska School of Ministry, and Little Beaver Camp. Networking with us to provide resources helps strengthen our partnerships across the Network. Our Network governance documents recommend that all churches contribute to the support of the Network. I prefer to think of this as a partnership offering to the Network. The recommendation is for churches to support the Network with an offering of 2% of their monthly general fund receipts. I heard a testimony from a pastor who shared that when they started supporting the Network there was an increase in their offerings on Sunday morning. It's true, "we can't out give God." In 2011, our Network partners committed $134,000 in pledges to help build a new church in Kotlik. Presently we have about $97,000. In 2012 we will continue to need your help. This will be a two year project for the Network. Also, we estimate we will receive requests totaling about $20,000 for emergency assistance to help offset fuel cost and other needs in our bush churches. You support of Alaska Missions helps us advance the Gospel to the Great North Land. The Alaska School of Ministry has proven to be a very fruitful ministry. Your monthly support of AKSOM will assist us in the training of future ministers and help us keep the cost down and the classes affordable. Currently AKSOM is being taught all across the State in live venues and internet simulcast. AKSOM is a 21st century training model, meeting a need in the Last Frontier. Little Beaver Camp is a place where lives are transformed! In the last two years, LBC has seen significant revitalization. In 2005 at Network Conference, you made it clear you did not want us to sell the camp, but rather revitalize our facilities and grounds. In 2010, the Presbytery gave LBC $100,000 for revitalization. We are positioning LBC for the future. This past summer, LBC was converted to natural gas. This will be a significant savings for the camp. I am requesting that you add LBC to your monthly budget. Financial partnership strengthens our missional endeavors. Thank you for consideration of adding these items mentioned to your 2012 budget. In partnership, we can Experience the Impossible! |
 From the Business AdministratorThe newly revised Alaska Ministry Network Constitution & Bylaws have been revised and is now available on our website. You can access the Constitution & Bylaws on our website under the Church & Ministry Resources page, here. We will be mailing a paper copy to all AMN ministers and churches in the next week.
Ministers, do not forget to get a housing allowance approved for 2012. For ministers serving at General Council or Ministry Network churches, your housing allowance should be approved by your church board. For ministers serving at Developing Assemblies, your forms should be sent to our office. Remember that housing allowance forms are not retroactive, and should be taken care of before the end of the year. You can download our current housing allowance form in the Church & Ministry Forms section of our website at the link above.
Churches, please remember to update your corporate non-profit status. The state is dissolving corporations who do not submit their biennial reports in a timely fashion. Because they are not sending out reminders, this is an easy one to miss. You can do that at this website.
The Network Office will soon be making a change in our financial and database software. It will give some exciting new features, including the ability for you to see your past giving records to the Network online. This will be rolled out in January, so stay tuned for more information. |
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Credentialing News
The Credentialing Office is busy this time of year. The first deadline has come and gone and the second deadline is fast approaching. December 1st is the final day to postmark any references, application, exams or other documents for credentialing. If you are having difficulty meeting this deadline, please call the AMN office and ask for Melanya.
Renewal of credentials begins in November. There are 3 options for submitting the renewal forms. You may renew on line, or print the completed form and mail to the Network office. You also will have the option of using the renewal form that will be mailed to your home address. Paper renewals must be mailed to the Network office for processing. The renewal deadline is December 31, the late fee is now $25.00. After January 15th credentials will be lapsed, and the reinstatement fee is $100.00. Please be aware that unpaid ministers' dues will slow the renewal process. The minimal dues are listed below for 2011. Please note that the bylaws require the minister to pay 75% of the ministerial tithe or the minimal amounts below, whichever is greater.
Minimum dues for 2011:
Certified Minister $450.00
Certified Minister Senior Pastor $600.00
Licensed and Ordained Ministers $600.00
Second Credential (Spouse) $120.00 |
(Click graphic above to access event website) Thursday, October 27th
4:00pm Registration Begins
6:00pm Pre-Show in Lobby
7:00pm AKYC Session #1
Friday, October 28th
10:00am AKYC Session #2
12:30pm Choir Practice
6:00pm Pre-Show in Lobby
7pm AKYC Session #3 - Live Worship Recording
Saturday, October 29th
10:00am AKYC Session #4 |
 US Missionaries Jeremiah and Sharnay NiemuthPastor Jeremiah and Sharnay Niemuth have now been officially approved as Assemblies of God US Missionaries. They are in the process of itineration and are looking forward to returning to Ft. Yukon. To learn more and support their ministry, you can visit this website: www.missionalaska.org. We would encourage you to support them.
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 Alaska School of MinistryWe are exciting about the upcoming simulcast venue on November 5. Superintendent Bill Welch will be teaching the Book of Acts at South Anchorage AG, Susan Cogan will be teaching the Book of Psalms at the Network Office conference Room, and Dr. Wade Cogan will be teaching Systematic Theology I in Fairbanks. Even if you are not a student, we would love for you to come and sit in on these classes if you are in the area. You can also watch them from the comfort of your own home online live at www.aksom.net. Classes begin at 9:30. |
PK/MK Retreat
Our annual PKMK Retreat will be held December 1st-3rd at Little Beaver Camp. Watch in your mail for the registration forms for your children - registration for the retreat is free, but must be turned in by November 17th. Please email Bethany at youthadmin@alaskaag.org if you need another copy of the registration form.
The schedule for the event is as follows:
Thursday, Dec 1st
5pm - Registration
6pm - Dinner
7:30pm - Service
Afterwards - PKMK Party
Friday, Dec 2nd
10am - Brunch
11:30am - Small Groups
5pm - Dinner
6:30pm - Service
Saturday, Dec 3rd
10am - Brunch
12pm - Parents pick up |
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The Journey 
To download either the past or most recent edition of "The Journey," click the picture above. |
AMN Blog 
Click on the picture above to access the Alaska Ministry Network blog |
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2012 Network Conference
Location: MCA
Dates: April 23-26
Banquet: Monday April 23 at 6:30 p.m., Egan Center
Speakers:
Banquet: Zollie Smith
Tuesday/Wednesday:
Richard Wilkerson
Wednesday Seminar: Scott Wilson
Thursday Credentialing Service: Bill Wilson |
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2011 Calendar
You can download the 2011 calendar by clicking on this link. The 2012 calendar will be available soon. |
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