April 2015
In This Issue
 
PLEASE USE THE NEW MONTHLY REPORT
  
Thank you for turning in your monthly reports. This is VERY import to our records.

SEND ALL REPORTS TO DENISE IN THE PITTSBURGH OFFICE.

This only takes about 5-10 minutes and it is really helpful to the regional staff. If you need the form, use the link below from the ABCOPAD Website
  

ALSO on the ABCOPAD WEBITE:
  • Monthly reports
  • Standard Working agreements for the ABCOPAD Refirement Network
  • Refirement Interim Brochure  
The Four Major Offerings are important to our ABC USA Partnerships:
  • America For Christ
  • One Great Hour of Sharing
  • World Mission Offering
  • Retired Ministers & Missionaries Offering

But there is a Fifth Offering that is very important - the Regional Offering: Partners in Ministry (PIM). Here is a Link to that Offering which supports the ministries of the Region.
 
 
Regional Goal for 2015: $215,000
 
  INVITE A REGIONAL PASTOR to Speak into the Congregation

What are the Congregations needs? We are hear to serve.
NOTE: We prefer to come when the interim is present. We avoid being pulpit supply because we prefer to speak into the congregation.

 
 
Rev. Mark Mahserjian-Smith
Interim Regional Executive Pastor

Congratulations to Pastor Mark for being appointed Interim Executive Pastor during Pastor Frank's sabbatical. Please keep Frank and all of the regional pastors in your prayers as we work to serve our pastors and churches in ABCOPAD
 
From The Front Line
  
Awareness of Conflict
 

Last October I participated in the provisional lay minister certification of one of our ABCOPAD academy students, George Prinkey. At the association meeting, the interim who is serving with the Richardsville congregation, Rev. Dr. Phillip Moschenrose gave a presentation on conflict. Phillip is open to talking to pastors and churches about this.

 

But I was truly touched by what he shared. Here are some highlights:

 

Conflict is a part of every healthy relationship. We do not all think exactly the same thing in the same way, but just the presence of conflict is not necessarily bad - rather, it is normal. But, there are ways in which conflict escalates that are not healthy.

 

Escalation #1: Making it personal. When we take a disagreement and start to personalize it as someone else's issue and not also our own, we begin to get into trouble. Relationships are multi-sided and each party in the relationship has a responsibility to the other party in the relationship. If you think about this, this slight escalation happens all the time.

 

"Well, if ______ (your spouse) would just stop..."

"Well, if ______ (name) would just stop...."

"Well, if the _______ (leadership team) would just stop..."

 

We seem to be gifted with making things personal. But to resolve the conflict you have to work together on a resolution of the issue at hand. Issue not personality. It's tough. 

 

Escalation #2: Win or Lose. Phillip shared that as we make it personal and keep the pressure on, it grows into a Win or Lose situation. The person escalating the conflict begins to desire to make sure that they win at all costs. Taken to the extreme, they begin to enlist supporters against whomever they wish to lose over this particular issue. And issue by the way that they are not working to resolve.

 

Escalation #3: Destroy. When we get committed to winning and someone or some group of people losing, eventually if left unchecked our motives turn to destruction. Beyond winning - we want "them" destroyed. At its worst, the person / people destroying as so committed to destruction of the "others" that they are willing to destroy themselves in the process - just so long as the others are destroyed as well. 

 

Phillip does a better job of explaining this, but I was very blessed by what he shared. He would love to talk to you about this. You can contact Phillip at: [email protected]

 

I have spent the last several months listening to broken relationships and trying to discern at what level the conflict has escalated. I've even tried to listen to myself for clues about my own behavior. I must share with you, this is a humbling exercise. 

 

Phillip is doing a wonderful work at Richardsville. They were very conflicted, and would admit this. But people who once saw each other as "them" are once again seeing each other as family. This is huge. While at George's service no fewer than 10 people approached me to let me know what a God-send Pastor Phillip was. Praise the Lord! To God be the glory!

 

A Blessed Easter to all of you!


We appreciate all you do!
  
Kevin
  
Rev. Dr. Kevin Walden
ABCOPAD Regional Pastor with Pastoral Leaders
Coordinator of the ABCOPAD Interim Minister Network
Spring Conference 
for Pastors and Laity
April 16-18
Milton, PA

 

The whole conference is designed for pastors. The Saturday schedule is open to both pastors and lay people.  There is also a Saturday Webinar option.

 

Conference Web Page 

 

Conference Schedule 

 

Registration Link

 

Regional Staff are here to help!

                

Send us an email... Give us a call...

 

Rev. Dr. Frank Frischkorn: ON SABBATICAL until JULY 1

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Johnson: [email protected] 

Rev. Eric Kraihanzel: [email protected] 

Rev. Mark Mahserjian-Smith: [email protected] 

Rev. Dr. Kevin Walden: [email protected] 

 

Western Office: 888-687-0883