You Are Special to God
 After capturing 5,000 snowflakes and finding no two identical, Wilson Bentley wanted the world to know just how unique snowflakes were. He wrote over 60 articles and books and was eventually dubbed the snowflake man.
When he died in 1931, Bentley was the world's snowflake expert. What he discovered was the intricate details of a Creator who cared. What does a snowflake say about God and His intimacy for us?
We are also told there are no fingerprints alike. Could this be our personal address or uniqueness to heaven? I have a friend who works for the Hubble Space Telescope who shared with me, scientists are now admitting the great possibility that space is endless. This simply means space has no boundaries and no end point. Wow! How big is God, and why is He so concerned with us on planet earth? Why is He so concerned about us individually?
The Bible says in Galatians 4:4, 5 when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. We are special because God showed us how much He loved us by sending His only Son to planet earth. During this season where we here christian Christmas music played in public places, may each of you remember how special you are to God.
Finally, to the ministerial director's team across the North American Division, the Lord has truly been good to us. As we reflect on our proceedings this year, we can only say, to God be the glory. During this season of Christmas, we simply want to say thank you for being a part of the team. Thank you for your feedback, support, and participation in our work together for pastors.
Blessings,
The NAD Ministerial Leadership Team
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INFORMATION FOR YOUR PASTORS
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Federal Judge Rules Clergy Tax-Free Housing Allowance Not Constitutional
Same jurist issued 2010 ruling against National Day of Prayer, was overturned Posted November 24, 2013 BY SARAH PULLIAM BAILEY Religion News Service A federal judge in Madison, Wisconsin, has ruled that clergy's exemption from paying taxes on housing is not constitutional, an exemption currently applied to an estimated 44,000 ministers, priests, rabbis, imams and others. If the ruling stands, some clergy members could experience an estimated 5 to 10 percent cut in take-home pay. U.S. District Court's Judge Barbara Crabb ruled Nov. 22, 2013, in favor of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, saying the exemption violates the establishment clause because it "provides a benefit to religious persons and no one else, even though doing so is not necessary to alleviate a special burden on religious exercise." The case decided in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin will likely be appealed to the 7th Circuit, which could reverse the decision. If the 7th Circuit lets the ruling stand, then it could become precedent for courts in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. Earlier this month, the 7th Circuit barred the enforcement of the contraceptive mandate, a church-state issue being considered by the Supreme Court. If the court decision stands, it could have a significant impact on clergy income. Clergy, who make an average of about $50,000 per year, have access to some additional income through tax-free housing. Read more.
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NEW DUKE DIVINITY SCHOOL CLERGY HEALTH INITIATIVE FINDINGS
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Clergy More Likely to Suffer from Depression, Anxiety
The study, published this week in the Journal of Primary Prevention, compared the mental health of 95 percent of the United Methodist clergy in North Carolina (1,726 pastors) to a representative sample of Americans and identified key factors that predict depression and anxiety. Clergy participants were predominantly male (75 percent) and white (91 percent); the mean age was 52 years old. The study, conducted in 2008, found the depression rate among clergy to be 8.7 percent when responses were limited to telephone interviews that closely approximated the conditions of a national survey (the 2005-06 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). However, among clergy taking the survey via web or paper, the rate of depression was even higher: 11.1 percent-double the then national rate of 5.5 percent. |
NEW DUKE DIVINITY SCHOOL CLERGY HEALTH INITIATIVE
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The Duke Clergy Health Initiative is a $12 million, seven-year program intended to improve the health and well-being of United Methodist clergy in North Carolina.
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News & Notes
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2013 Pastoral Evangelism & Leadership Council
December 8-11
Huntsville, AL
Register here.
Recommended Book
 Review by Marshall Goldsmith Twenty-five years after the first edition was published, The Leadership Challenge by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner is still my choice for the best research-based book ever written in the field of leadership. It is a classic, and I recommend it to all of my clients.
The Leadership Challenge is written for real leaders, who today face some of the toughest organizational challenges we've ever encountered. And, it provides practical, real-world advice based on Jim's and Barry's extensive global research that is indispensable for leaders at all levels.
This book - Features over 100 all-new case studies and examples, which show The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership in action around the world - Focuses on the toughest organizational challenges leaders face today - Addresses changes in how people work and what people want from their work
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| A Point to Make | |
"Spiritual Growth protects us from false doctrine and helps us toward maturity and Christ-likeness."
Miroslav Pujic
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| Calendar |
January 12-15
NAD Ministries Convention Monterey, CA For More Info
January 24 - February 2
February 19-23
February 23-26
Asian Pacific Islanders Pastors Convention
Ontario, CA
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