It may be early summer, but it won’t be long before fall’s chill is in the air and the leaves on the trees turn from green to luscious reds and oranges. Frost on the pumpkins may not be something you are ready to think about, but plans are already in the works for the Retreat to the Cove 2010, scheduled for October 17–20, at the Billy Graham Training Center nestled in the mountains outside Asheville, North Carolina. As in the past, this year’s retreat promises to be a time of reflection and renewal as participants experience inspiring times of prayer, worship, and fellowship with each other.

Panelists share passion, ideas, and experiences

By Mary Stephens

The Wednesday afternoon Women’s Ministry Symposium and fair, sponsored by Christian Women Connection, was a great success. Moderator Arnetta McNeese Bailey interviewed four panelists (Jeannette Flynn, Marilyn Stowers, Linda Newton, and Jen Carney) about their passions, ideas, and experiences.

Each woman shared portions of her story and unique experience. Linda Newton is a counselor, author, speaker, and pastor’s wife from California. She shared her passion for healing and leading women out of hopeless situations.

“It’s not about the technology; it’s about enhancing the worship of God”
By Nathan Stewart

Those who plan worship gatherings are always thinking about which practices are most fitting for worship. Where does a particular element of new technology fit in? Paul reminds us that God is a God of order and that everything in worship should be done in a “fitting and orderly way” (1 Cor. 14:33, 40). Nathan Stewart, pastor of worship arts, Eaton, Ohio, and Jeremy Towne, pastor of worship, Mooresville, Indiana, gave conference attendees an overview of both the practicalities and theology of technology in worship.

“It’s not about the technology; it’s about enhancing the worship of God and our response to him. We have the opportunity to help people experience God with all the technology available, old and new,” says Stewart. Our Creator has created us to be creative, so congregations are encouraged to respond to God in creative and innovative ways. One of the challenges of using technology in worship is making sure the congregation remembers the encounter with God, not the technology that was used. Attendees were asked to reflect on what traits someone who pieces together media for worship would need to have.

By Richard Willowby

As convention attendees from across the nation and around the world filtered into Reardon Auditorium for the final service of this year’s NAC, they received a card and a candle. They moved in to the sounds of praise and soon joined in worship.

Three military chaplains representing all chaplains were recognized and received the blessing prayed for by retired chaplain David Erb. Randy Montgomery led in the evening prayer. He informed the congregation of “Focus 40,” a planned forty days of fasting and prayer for the entire Church of God to begin on March 16, 2011, and end on Easter Sunday, April 24.

Conference focuses on managing the tension between marriage and ministry
By Rebecca New-Edson

A frequent victim of Christian work, whether as pastoral staff members or as lay leaders, is the marriage. Because the demands and needs of parishioners are often urgent and usually wide-ranging, much energy is directed at these tasks, leaving little for the servant’s own marriage and family. The premise of this conference was that the church is not more important than the family. Marriage and family should come second, just after one’s relationship with God.

Leaders Rebecca New-Edson and Jim Hawkins helped the class consider several areas of marriage with church leadership. New-Edson led the group in a biblical understanding of the purposes for marriage: procreation, companionship, and partnership in ministry. They then focused on the need for self-care. Hawkins spoke about the toll that ministry demands can have on a leader’s personal life and the relationship that leaders have with their spouse and children.

by Jack E. Wachenschwanz

Last August, I retired after serving the Lord faithfully for more than fifty-five years. I served both large and small congregations. But my greatest fulfillment came in the smaller church. There is joy in serving the Lord in the small church.

Fifty percent of local churches in the United States have an average weekly attendance of 150 or fewer. The number-one priority, as in any church, should be the preaching of God’s Word. God’s people are hungry to learn God’s Word.

As the pastor of a small church, it is your job to help the people feel that they are very important in the eyes of God and in God’s work in the community. Teach them to love, care, and pray for one another. Remember to encourage the congregation in every way possible.

By Joseph D. Allison

General Assembly Chairman Robert L. Moss, whose term ended when that body adjourned Wednesday, commended delegates for their spirit in recent years. “I believe we have turned a corner,” he said.

Recalling sessions marked by controversy, Chairman Moss noted that current Assemblies focus on worship, connectivity, and renewing commitment to a common mission. “We are moving forward in a new way as the church,” he concluded.

By Vivian Atkins

Students in Kid’s Place toured Kenya, Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Malawi, and Uganda during their three-day adventure. They gathered in family groups in the morning, spent some time with worship leaders, and then traveled to the different learning centers to learn about Africa, this year’s theme.

Each day in worship, the children heard from a different speaker: Scott Schomburg, from TAPP; Deb Breeden, who recently returned from Uganda; and Carolyn Ackerman, former missionary to Tanzania. This year Mark Hawkins wrote a new Kid’s Place theme song!

By Sam Collins

Tuesday evening at the 124th North American Convention of the Church of God was one of those pleasant summer nights not plagued by the mid-June vexations of heat, high humidity, or booming thunderstorms that seem on the verge of ushering in the second coming of Noah’s epic flood. The breezes were gentle, the temperatures were pleasant, and God’s people—at least the Church of God reformation portion—were streaming into Reardon Auditorium and Park Place Church of God to visit, sing songs of praise, and hear the speaker of the hour.

That speaker was Tom Dougherty, senior pastor at Coverdale Church of God in Boise, Idaho. A warm man with a ready smile, who is reminiscent of a cross between a teddy bear and someone’s favorite uncle, Dougherty focused on the transformation that takes place when the people of God are empowered and freed by the Holy Spirit to give cheerfully and generously.

Transformational team challenges the church to fast and pray

By Randy Montgomery

“Focus 40” is a church-wide emphasis on prayer and fasting leading up to Easter 2011. This past spring, my pastor, Grant Horner, challenged our church, (Eastland Church of God, Lexington, Kentucky) to forty days of prayer and fasting leading up to Easter. During those forty days, Pastor Grant preached a series of practical messages on prayer and fasting, and our church made commitments to times of focused prayer and fasting. The results were life changing for many in our church. We know that there were some specific times in the Bible where God showed up when his people spent time in prayer and fasting (see Mark 9).