WINTER 2013-2014 ENGLISH, SPANISH and FRENCH EDITION The Connection THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EVANGELICAL METHODIST CHURCH Deeper in Christ. Further in Mission.
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Contents 5 14 General Notes Dr. Edward Williamson, General Superintendent 6 ADOPT-A-CHURCH and Other Projects Nancy Utt Have you given up on Pentecost? 15 Dr. Jim Halbert 8 Natural Church Development in Mexico Lupita Rocha, Deaconess Connect the Dots 16 Rev. Ernie Smith 9 Evangelical Methodist Men for Missions Rev. R. L. Icard A Transformed Life LCDR Marc Massie 17 10 Moscow, Idaho Church Plant Rev. Barry McGarrah 12 18 How to Make Disciples in Youth Ministry Rev. Nathan Williamson 13 Celebrating the Promotion to Heaven of Rev. Darrothanga The Evangelical School of Ministry Dr. Leroy Lindsey & Rev. Elias Stinson He s the Lifter of My Head 20 Loretta Williamson Spanish and French Translation The Connection The Connection is a publication of the Evangelical Methodist Church. Hamblen-Bruner Headquarters Building 6838 South Gray Road Indianapolis, Indiana 46237 Telephone: [317] 780-8017 Fax: [317] 780-8078 www.emchurch.org publications@emchurch.org MAGAZINE STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Edward Williamson Managing Editor: Mrs. Peggy Trim Graphic Design: Rev. Nathan Williamson Editor: Mrs. Nancy Utt HQ Executive Secretary: Mrs. Teresa Grove Research: Rev. Elias P. Stinson, Jr. Translator: Rev. José Macías Flores, Spanish Translator: Jules Mahele Tangata, French Printer: Country Pines, Inc., Shoals, IN SUBMISSIONS Send articles to: Mrs. Peggy Trim ptrim41@cablespeed.com ADVERTISING SALES publications@emchurch.org All Scripture is quoted from the NIV Bible, 1984, unless otherwise noted. MISSION Connecting people of all cultures and promoting the work of the Kingdom by communicating our stories of changed lives. The Connection WINTER 2013-2014 3
Dr. Del Tackett Creator of The Truth Project Dr. Sandra Richter Professor of Old Testament Wheaton College Greg and Shirley Carlson Song Evangelists Deeper in Christ. Further in Mission. 31st General Conference March 27-31, 2014 www.emchurch.org
General Notes Have you been walking with Jesus by self-determination, exhausted by the responsibility and labor? If so, it is time to discover or rediscover that your strength is from the Holy Spirit. Popular ideas about spiritual power emphasize that believers can do greater miracles and works than Christ did. Jesus stated that truth in John 14:12. The fact is Jesus did every miracle of physical healing prior to his going to the cross. The cleansing of a leper, giving sight to a blind man, restoring a deformed limb and raising the dead occurred without the cross. If the disciples were to see and do greater things, it meant Jesus had to go to the cross. Peter s description of the work of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost 1 and with Cornelius 2 was that of the hearts of individuals being purified by the Spirit from self-interest, and their being empowered to be witnesses to this transforming grace. Sometimes we are a walking civil war, desiring God s will, but also wanting our will. As our love for Christ grows, we realize the depth of the impurity of our own hearts. Entire sanctification changes that conflict, 3 giving us freedom from the tyranny of a divided self. The Holy Spirit puts our ego to death and replaces it with a single-mindedness and undivided heart. Our focus is love for God and obedience to his will. This does not guarantee our perfect performance, but reveals intentions and a desire to obey God. The emphasis on power separated from a clean heart produces a polluted witness to the world. However, the Church always advances with greater works when individuals join together with pure love for God and for one another, free from self-interest, and focused on God s mission. Character transformation, evident in actions and attitudes, 4 living a holy lifestyle, are the results of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. 1 Acts 2 2 Acts 10 3 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 4 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 Dr. Edward Williamson International General Superintendent The Connection WINTER 2013-2014 5
Have You Given Up on Pentecost? by Dr. Jim Halbert 6 The Connection WINTER 2013-2014
T he day of Pentecost began with a rumble of a mighty wind the manifestation of the illuminating, flickering presence of holiness. It was followed by exuberant eruptions of praise in languages never before spoken by the 120 in the Upper Room, yet plainly understood. The holy fear, the stir, the confusion and the exhilaration of the moment flung the doors of hearts wide open to receive what came next: the proclamation of the gospel! Scripture and history tell us, time and time again, people have opened their hearts to the gospel message because they first witnessed a demonstration of God s power. Power precedes the proclamation! However, I wonder, does his power still show up today? In the fall of 2013, a few of us traveled to Paris, France to help launch the Evangelical Methodist Church there. It was exciting to see God building his church in this international city through the willing hearts of formerly African citizens. Just over one hundred years ago, Europeans took the gospel to Africa. And now, Africans are bringing it back to France, a country that has all but lost its faith. As the conference progressed through teaching, celebration, and worship, God began subtly moving in supernatural ways. The first sign came from a statement made by one of the young men attending the service. He said to Dr. Ed, I saw fire around you while you were preaching. I wasn t sure what to say to that. Then, during one of the services, a simple invitation to accept God s gift of salvation was given. A beautiful, young French woman, who had sporadically visited one of the pastor s churches, knelt down in the middle of the floor to receive Christ. A Muslim woman came from behind her, wanting to do the same. I began to see a pattern. The packed schedule and the emotional expenditure of worshipping, fellowshipping and learning was beginning to take a personal toll on me. I was so relieved when, in the midst of worship, one young pastor began to shout his praises to the Lord in English! My elation at hearing his praise was an indication that I needed some encouragement. I couldn t wait until the service ended so I could thank him and discuss, in English, the events of the conference. As I approached him, his face was beaming with the joy of the Lord. I embraced him in the typical French manner, kissing both cheeks, and then hugging him American-style until he was about out of breath. I thanked him for his prayer in English and began to express my appreciation for all God had done in and through this amazing time in Paris. His smile never waivered, but his eyes betrayed the fact that he wasn t tracking with me. Finally, one of his friends said to me in broken English, I m sorry brother, but our friend here doesn t speak English. I replied, Oh yes, he does! and tried to explain that he had prayed with exuberance in English and that my heart was lifted in encouragement. Then it hit us both. My English-speaking French brother did not know he had the gift of tongues (see Acts 2:8)! Once he realized what had happened, he smiled shyly and simply pointed upward. People coming to Christ, fire on the heads of those who preached and the gospel proclaimed in multiple languages had happened at Pentecost and now in Paris. In that moment I heard the Lord say, I will build my church in France through these people, and all the powers of hell itself will not be able to resist its onslaught. Don t give up believing in my ability to do what I ve determined! Don t give up on Pentecost! Dr. Halbert is chair of the General Conference Board of Evangelism and pastor of Crossroads Community Church in Nampa, Idaho. The Connection WINTER 2013-2014 7
CONNECT THE DOTS by Rev. Ernie Smith I remember when I was a child playing the game Connect the Dots. Remember? You draw a line from the #1 dot to the #2 dot, then on to #3, etc. As you connect the dots, you gradually see a picture forming and keep trying to guess what the final picture will be. When we read Scripture, we connect a lot of dots and see God revealing himself as Creator, Father, Judge, Shepherd, Friend, Savior, etc. We also see his transforming power take place in our lives as we move from sinner, lost, confused, lonely, hurting to found, saved, justified, forgiven, filled, loved, servant, ambassador, and much more. God also wants us to connect the dots when it comes to reaching a lost and dying world for Christ. Look at the dots in Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Then couple this with the dots in Matthew 28:19-20: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. These are only a few dots that God masterfully designed throughout Scripture showing us that we are to be hope-givers in reaching our world for Christ. As we connect these dots of reaching our world, God will help some to see a picture of the needs in our community or local areas, our Jerusalem. Others will see a picture forming of reaching out to meet the needs in our state and country, our Judea and Samaria, while others will see a picture forming of Jesus in some other country, language group, culture or ethnic background, to the ends of the earth. Which is the true picture formed by the dots? They all are true! Just as God has given us different gifts and graces to use in his service, he also has given us different spiritual insights where he wants us to be involved in his work as we connect the dots. In our local churches, we are challenged to provide multi or diversified ministries and approaches to reaching our world for Christ in order that individuals can see a personalized picture of involvement which God has laid on their hearts when they connect the dots for world evangelism. When we connect the dots that God has set before us in Scripture, when they are almost all connected, we will begin to see a picture of Jesus in all his glory and grace radiating his peace, his joy, his hope and his presence in our lives. So connect the DOTS! Rev. Smith was ordained an EMC elder in 1987, and is presently pastor of Arizona City EMC. He and his wife Anna are retired missionaries, having served with WGM for 30 years. 8 The Connection WINTER 2013-2014
A Transformed Life by LCDR Marc Massie It was the first of our new contemporary worship services. A family entered the chapel and sat at the very back. The husband was a young Marine. He walked with a cane and was obviously in pain. He did not look happy to be in church. After the service I spoke with the family, and they left. That week I sent them an email, and the wife responded by saying that she had enjoyed the service but they were still church shopping, and she was not sure if her husband would come back. Three weeks later the family returned. I was surprised to see them. As part of the closing prayer, I offered the prayer of salvation. No one came forward or seemed to respond to the prayer. However, the next Sunday the family was back again. After the service, the husband came to me, and, almost as a by the way, said he had accepted Christ in the previous week s service! To say I was surprised would be an understatement! However, I did not want to miss a chance to disciple a new believer, so we started meeting each week over coffee. The transformation that Christ worked in his life was miraculous. He had been wounded in combat. He had a damaged shoulder and suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A traumatic brain injury affected his balance, and he also had a nervous tic that troubled him when he was angry. Both he and his wife told me that he was angry quite often, actually constantly angry with his wife, and angry with the kids. He was angry because he had been wounded, and he was in danger of tearing his life and the family apart. After he accepted Christ, he instantly became the example of a godly man. Right before our eyes he became patient, kind and loving. He studied the Scriptures daily, and he came to church faithfully and prayed continually. His anger subsided and consequently so did his nervous tic. God had worked an instant transformation in the life of this young Marine, and answered the prayer that his wife had been praying for years, that he would accept Christ. Moments like this remind me of God s amazing ability to heal people who are hurt and broken on the inside and outside. The world can wound us physically, emotionally and spiritually, but Jesus is still the Great Physician who can heal all our wounds. God is constantly reaching out to heal those who are broken. Psalm 34:18 says, The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit (NKJV). Marc Massie is an ordained elder in the Evangelical Methodist Church and a chaplain in the US Navy. The Connection WINTER 2013-2014 9
Moscow, Idaho In October 2010 while visiting my hometown of Moscow, Idaho for my annual deer-hunting trip, God placed a heavy burden on my heart. I felt troubled for the many hurting people I came in contact with who were no longer in church or who had walked away from God. I shared my heart with my wife, Anna, and together we began to pray about what was next for us, as we were both currently on staff at Crossroads in Nampa, Idaho. After much prayer, we made the decision to follow God s leading to plant a church on the Palouse. After an amazing send off from Crossroads, Anna and I and our two children, along with another family from Crossroads, moved to Moscow in May 2011. For the next six months we met with five other families who were not currently attending any church, and began to prepare for our official launch. On December 4, 2011 Intersect Community Church launched with a simple mission: to provide a joyous, safe and healing community for people to grow in their relationship with Jesus. During the summer of 2012, the leadership team met to look at the real needs in our community. After three months of research, we compiled a list and began asking God what our role would be in meeting those needs. Then in January 2013, God made it clear that it was time to step out in faith and build a parentsupervised indoor play center for kids. The Palouse region has a very long, cold season and very few indoor opportunities during the cold season. We have three universities within 30 miles; thus our area provides many opportunities for college students but few for families with young children. 10 The Connection WINTER 2013-2014
Church Plant by Rev. Barry McGarrah I wish I had the space to tell you of the hundreds of miracles that fell into place as my wife and I, along with her parents, took this step of obedience and formed an LLC to get this new business off the ground. In May of this year, Bonkerz Indoor Play Center opened its doors in ministry to the community. Our grand opening was June 1, and since then we have served over 980 children and their families and friends. This has provided many opportunities for us to build relationships with people in our community that the traditional church couldn t reach. The latest statistic states that only 3% of Moscow s population goes to church on a regular basis. Bonkerz provided the method for us to build relationships and share the love of Jesus with the people in our community and surrounding areas. The facility God provided Bonkerz also serves as our meeting place for Intersect Community Church. The play center is used for Sunday school and our event center is used for our services. Our church is now not a church-front but a store-front, and we have found that many people who are nervous to enter through a church door will be more likely to enter through a business door, especially if they have had a good experience with the business. Our church is growing in depth and number, and we praise God for the way he is building his church in Moscow, Idaho! We have over 25 people currently in discipleship groups and over 60 people who call Intersect home. We praise God for all he has done and all he continues to do! Check us out at www.gobonkerz.com and www.intersectpalouse.com. The Connection WINTER 2013-2014 11
How to Make Disciples in Youth Ministry by Rev. Nathan Williamson The Great Commission calls for Christians to go into all the world and make disciples. At first glance, besides the call itself, there does not seem to be any clear direction or understanding as to how to make a disciple. Once seen within its historical context, Scripture gives many clear indications as to what discipleship means and how to do it. Discipleship in our modern-day context is often defined as taking students through scriptural study classes, and following a program so they can pass a trivia test. This educational system is shaped by a Greek model and not a Jewish model. In Jesus day, every child was thoroughly educated in the Torah and memorized all the Law and the Prophets by the age of 12. At the age of 13, those students with promising abilities were chosen to be scribes or rabbis, while those that did not show the same kind of ability learned a trade. The ones chosen by the rabbis became their disciples. Instead of sitting through classes and lectures in order to pass a test, a disciple lived with his rabbi. The disciple observed how the rabbi handled his family, his finances, his business affairs, as well as his teaching and study of the Torah. The goal was not to glean insight from the rabbi and then pick and choose which attributes the disciple thought he would like to apply to his life. The goal was to imitate his rabbi in his disciplined life in order to become just like him. Jesus said in Luke 6:40, A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher (ESV). So when we are talking about discipleship in youth ministry, we need first to recognize that the Hebrew model began at 13. So youth ministry is the perfect time to create disciples. The second thing is that discipleship is not accomplished with a class or a couple weekly meetings, but with continuous life-on-life interaction. Every youth leader cannot have their youth group move into their house. We are not called to disciple everyone. Jesus chose, from those who followed him, only 12 to be his disciples, and of those 12 he chose three to focus on intently. Youth leaders do need to spend time with their kids, not just in meetings in a church setting, but also in their schools and in everyday life so the student can observe and see what it means to be a disciple of Jesus all the time. That is why church camps and retreats are so effective. The consecutive days away from distraction give the youth a better opportunity to observe and be discipled. The biggest responsibility of making disciples is not on the shoulders of the youth leader. Discipleship starts in the home, on the shoulders of parents who have their kids perpetually observing and learning from them. This is the structure that God created. A primary ministry of every youth group leader is to equip and train parents to live the life in Christ that they profess. However, the divorce rate in the church mirroring the same rate among those outside the church has created a greater need for mentors and leaders in youth ministry to become father and mother figures to kids who have no one to disciple them. There is no substitute for life-on-life daily discipleship. Youth, by their nature, don t want just a teaching on Jesus. They want to see him. Discipleship means that you open your life and let the student observe what it means to be a Christian, which literally means little Christ, no matter where you are or what you are doing. Rev. Williamson is pastor of Covenant EMC in Morgantown, West Virginia. 12 The Connection WINTER 2013-2014
He s The Lifter Of My Head by Loretta Williamson You are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head (Psalm 3:3). This past year brought many trials and challenges. From the economy to the loss of loved ones to a bitter battle with a disease, there have been enormous pressures on our lives. A prodigal son caught in white-collar crime faces a prison sentence. A husband has unexplained depression and panic attacks and may lose his job. What is the believer to do when bad things happen? Be still and know that I am God. The Lord tells us in Psalm 46:10 to get before God and be real with him, and he will come. We are to dwell on his mercies and his faithfulness, not on the crisis. We are to go before him and cry out to him from the depths of our need, knowing that he loves us and hears our heart s cry. When we call on the Lord and ask him to search our heart to see if there is anything standing between us and our relationship with him, he will be faithful to show us. Then, we are to give him our pain and our crisis, knowing that he says to heave all our cares upon him because he cares for us. A dear friend of mine went through a divorce some time ago. She diligently sought reconciliation with her husband but to no avail. She relied on the Lord and maintained an intimacy with the Lord throughout the ordeal. Her husband never repented, but at the close of the court proceedings, her lawyer said he had never seen anyone handle such a difficult situation with the grace and composure that she did. He then told her she owed him nothing for his law fees. The Lord was her strength and provider. He was the lifter of her head. Life is not fair and trials will come, but as believers, we must look to the Lord and his character as our basis for hope. Pastor and author Ron Mehl writes that his wife, upon hearing that he was diagnosed with leukemia, responded in a remarkable way. She put her arms around him and said, The servant of the Lord is indestructible until God is finished with him. Do you believe that? Whatever your need, cry out to God and he will lift you up. He s The Lifter of My Head is a reprint from the April/May/June 2009 issue of The Connection. The Connection WINTER 2013-2014 13
ADOPT-A-CHURCH and Other Projects by Nancy Utt T he face of Evangelical Methodist missions has changed dramatically in the last decade as the focus of the work has shifted from only USA-based missionaries in our Mexico field to the adoption of the Myanmar Mission Conference and our international churches in Africa, France and the Philippines. What was once the overseas mission field has suddenly appeared on our doorstep, and we are seeing expatriates from almost every continent affiliating with the stateside EMC and planting EMC churches for their own ethnic groups in their new neighborhoods. Some of these will return to their home countries, newly equipped to carry the Gospel and plant churches among their own EMC Church in Dinthar people. Before and After Missionaries from the USA will continue to be called to work overseas, but now much more to train and equip nationals in the field to do the church planting and ministry for themselves. There are many emerging needs in our EMC missions program, and through our partnership with One Mission Society, that provide opportunities for our local churches to participate in the work through giving. The Adopt-a-Church program provides a primary outlet for local church giving as we support new and/or established EMC congregations in Mexico, Myanmar and Africa in the building, expansion or replacement of church buildings. The damage in the wake of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar still requires the repair and replacement of local church buildings destroyed during that disastrous storm, and new congregations there and in the Mexican Evangelistic Mission, among the Tarahumara Indians and other Mexican nationals, require buildings to house their congregational worship and church life. EMC churches in Africa are multiplying at a steady pace, and these new congregations need church buildings constructed or renovated. The initial cost of adopting a church is $3,000, which may be shared among two or three USA local congregations. The completion cost of most projects is $6,000 to $9,000. 100% of your donations goes to your project. You may maintain contact with the recipients of your donations through direct email exchange between your church and the local churches in Myanmar, Mexico and Africa where available. Another crucial need among communities in Myanmar and Africa is the drilling of water wells. Clean water is at a premium in Myanmar in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, and is almost non-existent in the rural areas of Africa. Countless families are affected by water-borne illnesses present in the local water sources polluted by animals and human waste. The child populations are particularly at risk. A water well may be drilled and completed at a cost of $500 to $1,000. For more information on these available projects, contact EMC International Headquarters at headquarters@emchurch.org. Your donations will make a difference. Nancy is a member of The Connection staff. 14 The Connection WINTER 2013-2014
by Lupita Rocha, Deaconess (MEM) I rejoice and praise God to be a part of the team with Brother Bill and Sister Lisa Walker to implement Natural Church Development (NCD) in the Mexican Evangelistic Mission. With divine help, in a very short period of time we will begin the process of working shoulder to shoulder with our pastors that want to be a part of this challenge. As a team, we feel that NCD is a great opportunity to empower each pastor in the MEM to identify the obstacles to his or her church being healthy and experiencing growth. We are praying that the NCD challenge will stir the heart of each MEM pastor, church leader and member with expectation and passion. Jesus Christ said: Likewise every good tree bears good fruit (Matthew 7:17-18). Our reason for implementing NCD in the MEM is not to produce fruit with force. If we work together for healthy churches, then fruit will be produced. Our God is sovereign and faithful! We are very happy about the initial five churches that have taken the first step toward health by expressing their willingness to start NCD in their congregations. It is our prayer that others will see the early results and become excited to accept this marvelous challenge in their churches. As a team, the Walkers and I ask for your prayers that the Lord will make us useful instruments in his hands and grant us wisdom from on high that we can work together in order for each congregation to develop its quality characteristics as God wants. May this conference year in the MEM be fruitful in healthy churches that produce fruit a hundredfold. Thank you very much in advance for all of your prayers. Lupita is a graduate of Life and Truth Bible Institute and has served in many capacities within the Mexican Evangelistic Mission. She has also served as a missionary to Spain through OMS. The Connection WINTER 2013-2014 15
EVANGELICAL METHODIST MEN FOR MISSIONS by R. L. Icard, General Conference EMM President The Evangelical Methodist Men for Missions is making progress in the rekindling of service to others. I was able to share at the 2013 Journeys, both west and east, about great opportunities for service. Since partnering with One Mission Society, a group of men from Crosslink EMC in Rutherford College, North Carolina joined a Homes for Haiti mission trip, where they helped complete the construction of a school building. The following 2014 mission opportunities are available to us with OMS. Additional trips to Haiti may be arranged to fit the schedule of your group. January 11-18, leaving from Findlay, OH January 18-26, leaving from McAlester, OK January 25 - February 01, leaving from Portland, OR January 25 - February 02, leaving from Billings, MT February 01-09, leaving from Portland, OR February 08-16, leaving from Findlay, OH February 15-23, leaving from Fargo, ND February 22 - March 02 from Fargo, ND We have developed a new logo that we hope inspires and will empower men to be intentional about changing their world. Our desire is to allow God to direct our path. I believe that as we reach men with the Gospel, we can change families, which in turn will change the world. If you would like further information or brochures, you may contact me through the information below. R. L. Icard, D Min is president of the General Conference EMM and executive director of the Foothills Service Project. You may contact him at P. O. Box 86, Rutherford College, NC 28671, 1-828-879-8400 or rlicard@earthlink.net. 16 The Connection WINTER 2013-2014
Celebrating the Promotion to Heaven of Rev. Darrothanga August 1953 December 2013 by Rev. Dr. Edward W. Williamson, International General Superintendent We are the people of the Living God whose hope and trust is not in statues made by human hands but in the Revelation of God through Jesus Christ. Jesus stated, I am the Resurrection and the Life. There is no other religion on earth like Christianity where the second Person of the Trinity, Jesus, comes to earth to reconcile the world to himself, so God can live in relationship with us. This is the Good News. My brother General Superintendent Darrothanga proclaimed this truth in his preaching and his worship. Like our founders, John Wesley of Methodism and J.H. Hamblen of Evangelical Methodism, the grace of God produced in him the burning heart of the evangelist. He fully embraced and practiced the words of John Wesley, We have nothing to do, but to save souls. This DNA is embedded in the Myanmar EMC. superintendent of the newly established Myanmar Evangelical Methodist Mission Conference, only the second international mission conference since 1946. I believe God brought us together heart for holiness and his passion for ministry. Rev. Darrothanga holy life. I recall two things about him from our early acquaintance. Rev. Darrothanga carried the sermons of John Wesley with him, and he was committed to the teaching of biblical prevenient grace as understood in our Wesleyan tradition. Our sincere love and prayers are given to his wife, Kimee and family. In the words of John Wesley I see the faithfulness of my dear Brother Darrothanga: Do all the GOOD you can, By all the MEANS you can, In all the WAYS you can, In all the PLACES you can, At all the TIMES you can, To all the PEOPLE you can, As LONG AS EVER you can. The Connection WINTER 2013-2014 17
The Evangelical School of Ministry by co-authors, Leroy E. Lindsey, Jr., Ph.D. and Rev. Elias P. Stinson, Jr. 18 The Connection WINTER 2013-2014
As Neil Armstrong boldly proclaimed, one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind, broadcasting the beginning of a profound and important journey, so too the formation of an Evangelical Methodist school of ministry has enormous implications for the future of our denomination s work. In a world full of pastoral educational choices, many of which do not have a high view of Scripture and even deny many of the basic tenets of the historic Christian faith, it is absolutely essential that a Bible-believing, Christ-centered, theologically conservative education be made readily available for our ministers and church leaders. When the Evangelical Methodist Ministerial Education Board was encouraged by our denominational leadership and pastors to explore the formation of our own school, we immediately knew this had the potential of being a huge step forward in protecting the theological integrity and ministerial effectiveness of those who lead our congregations. Our denomination s founder, Dr. J. H. Hamblen, and other early leaders dreamed for many years of having an Evangelical Methodist school of ministry, and it is finally now becoming a reality! Under the guidance of the EMC General Council, the Course of Study is being renamed Evangelical School of Ministry. In this exciting educational venture, we are partnering with the Evangelical Church which has seen great success in the field of pastoral education. Although continuing to reflect our biblical holiness heritage and stressing practical, hands-on ministry tools, the curriculum is being modified and expanded. Our new school, the Evangelical School of Ministry, will operate out of Greenwood, Indiana, and will be based on a modular system patterned after the Evangelical Church s school in the state of Oregon. We hope to be receiving our first students in September, 2014. The Evangelical School of Ministry will have a board consisting of representatives of both the Evangelical Methodist Church and Evangelical Church. Bruce Moyer of the Evangelical Church has agreed to serve as the academic dean. Rev. James Coulston, EMC General Secretary/Treasurer, will serve as registrar, with Dr. Leroy Lindsey serving as consultant and faculty member. Further faculty appointments will be announced in the near future. The Evangelical School of Ministry will operate on a post-graduate degree system (Master of Ministry), but students without previous college credits will also have the opportunity to study in a certificate program. Although we are very enthusiastic about this new educational opportunity, we want to make it clear that we will continue to encourage students to study in approved institutions of higher learning as well. We are excited about this! All candidates enrolled in the Course of Study will continue their work in the School of Ministry. Every effort will be made to accommodate everyone and help individuals adjust to the new modular system of three 4 ½ -day modules per year. The General Board of Ministerial Education will work with current EMC ministerial test-givers and students to make sure everyone s needs are met and the EMC ministerial standards are maintained according to our Discipline. For the student, monetary expense is always a major concern. At approximately $4,500.00 for the full threeyear program, the Evangelical School of Ministry will be an exceptional value. We hope to make application for grants and scholarships available to our prospective students, providing opportunity for as many as possible. After many years of praying and dreaming, God has granted our heart-felt desire for our own school. May God bless the Evangelical School of Ministry and all those who will attend the modules. Dr. Lindsey is an ordained Elder in the Evangelical Methodist Church and chairman of the General Board of Ministerial Education. He and His wife Kay have served as missionaries with OMS for many years. Rev. Stinson is planting a church in Portland, Oregon. We contend for high scholarship coupled with Holy Ghost religion, for we think they can and must go together. from a tract by J. H. Hamblen. Many EMCers remember hearing our founder J. H. Hamblen and other early leaders share their dream of an EMC school of ministry. Today s EMC leaders are working to bring that dream of high scholarship and Holy Ghost religion to reality for the EMC by the fall of 2014. The Connection WINTER 2013-2014 19
Spanish and French Translations Notas del SG Por el Dr. Edward Williamson Has estado caminando con Jesús por tu propia determinación, exhausto por la responsabilidad y trabajo? Si es así, entonces es tiempo de descubrir o re descubrir que tu fuerza viene del Espíritu Santo. Las ideas populares sobre el poder espiritual enfatizan que los creyentes pueden hacer mayores milagros y obras que las que hizo Jesús. Jesús estableció esa verdad en Juan 14:12. El hecho es que Jesús hizo cada milagro de sanidad física antes de ir a la cruz. La limpieza de un leproso, dando la vista a un ciego, restaurando una extremidad deforme y levantando los muertos ocurrieron sin que Jesús tuviera que ir a la cruz. Si los discípulos iban a ver y hacer cosas mayores, significó en realidad que Jesús iría a la cruz. La descripción de Pedro de la obra del Espíritu Santo en el Pentecostés y con Cornelio, era sobre los corazones de los individuos siendo purificados por el Espíritu de interés propio, y recibir poder para ser testigos de esta gracia transformadora. Algunas veces somos una guerra civil andante, deseando por un lado hacer la voluntad de Dios, pero también deseando hacer nuestra propia voluntad. Mientras nuestro amor por Cristo crece, nos damos cuenta de la profundidad de la impureza de nuestro propio corazón. La Entera Santificación cambia ese conflicto, dándonos libertad de la tiranía de nuestro propio ser dividido, El Espíritu Santo mata nuestro ego y lo remplaza con una mente unificada y un corazón sin divisiones. Nuestro enfoque es amor a Dios y obediencia a su voluntad. Esto no nos garantiza un desempeño perfecto, pero revela las intenciones y un fuerte deseo de obedecer a Dios. El énfasis en el poder separado de un corazón limpio, produce un testigo contaminado para el mundo. Sin embargo, la iglesia siempre avanza con mayores obras cuando los individuos se unen con amor puro para Dios y por los unos a los otros, libres de intereses propios y enfocados en la misión de Dios. La transformación del carácter, evidente en las acciones y actitudes, viviendo un estilo de vida santo, son los resultados de la obra santificadora del Espíritu Santo. G.S. Notes Par Dr. Edward Williamson Etiez-vous entrain de marcher avec Jésus par autodétermination, fatigué par de responsabilité et le labeur? S il en est ainsi, il est temps de découvrir ou de redécouvrir que votre force est dans le Saint Esprit. Les idées populaires sur la puissance spirituelle enseignent que les croyants peuvent faire de plus grands miracles plus que Jésus. Jésus avait déclaré cette vérité dans Jean 14 :12. Le fait est que Jésus avait accompli tout miracle de la guérison physique avant qu il ne soit monté sur la croix. La purification d un lépreux, le recouvrement de la vue par un homme, restaurer un paralytique déformé et ressusciter les morts ont eu lieu avant la croix. Si les disciples devraient voir et faire de plus grand miracles, cela signifiait que Jésus devait aller à la croix. La description de Pierre au sujet de l œuvre du Saint Esprit à la Pentecôte(1) et avec Corneille (2) était celle des cœurs des individus étant purifiés par l Esprit de l intérêt personnel, et leur être tout entier fortifié pour devenir des témoins de cette grâce transformatrice. 20 The Connection WINTER 2013-2014