Praise and worship
highlight summer
conference

By Ted Johnston

ATHENS, Ohio—Ohio University was the site for the first WCG summer festival and by all accounts it was a resounding success.

The festival ran from Wednesday evening, Aug. 15, through Sunday morning, Aug. 19. More than 400 WCG members and friends attended—most from the Midwest, several from other regions in the United States and a few from abroad. Craig Bacheller, pastor of the Queens, New York, church, and his wife, Mary, coordinated the conference.

The festival included the annual regional conference for pastors from the Great Lakes District and parts of the Mid-South District. Thirteen U.S. district superintendents attended together with several other denominational leaders from Pasadena.

Keynote speakers were Pastor General Joseph Tkach; Dan Rogers, superintendent of U.S. ministers; Carn Catherwood, South-Central district superintendent; Randal Dick, superintendent of missions; Michael Feazell, director of Denominational Publications; Ron Kelly, controller; and Tammy Tkach, Women’s Ministry Support coordinator.

Dr. Tkach opened the festival by noting that a primary goal of Christian worship is expressing passionate spirituality. This spirituality involves loving God fully—with heart, soul, mind and strength.

Responding to this call for passion, dynamic praise and worship services led festival attendees into God’s presence. Worship was led by groups of musicians and singers including worship bands from the Columbus, Ohio, and Pendleton, Indiana, congregations. Other vocalists and instrumentalists assisted, including Ross Jutsum of State of the Heart Music Ministry, who conducted a praise and worship concert Saturday night.

Another recurrent theme of the festival was that of reconciliation—breaking down walls of separation between God and man and between people. Dr. Feazell gave a Bible study and seminar that explored the depth of the reconciliation Christians have with God through Christ as revealed in the gospel.

Mr. Catherwood gave presentations on resolving the conflicts that arise between people and advancing reconciliation between races, particularly within the church. Contributing to the presentation on reconciliation was Curtis May, director of the Office of Reconciliation Ministries.

Mr. Dick presented a lecture on how the church is called to God’s mission of reconciliation on earth. He noted that it is imperative for the church to overcome the barriers that tend to limit its effectiveness.

Other primary themes were the twin topics of disciple-making and stewardship. Mr. Rogers noted Jesus’ command to the church to make disciples and Jesus’ strategy for doing that essential work. He made an impassioned plea for congregations to become nurseries where disciples are born and brought to maturity.

In a second lecture, Mr. Rogers addressed Christian stewardship that is related to discipleship. He said that the WCG needs disciple-making to thrive and stewardship to survive.

Stewardship in the old covenant involved Israel giving God the tithe (10 percent). In the new covenant, God calls on those born of the Spirit to give all they have and all they are. God owns it all, yet he entrusts it all to his children to be wise stewards of his possessions.

A Christian’s stewardship responsibility includes all of one’s time, talent and treasure. These are to be used to advance the cause of Christ on this earth. A significant part of that responsibility includes supporting one’s congregation.

Dr. Tkach pursued the theme of disciple-making and stewardship in a sermon, "Do You See What I See?" He outlined his vision for the WCG as a church "of people in fellowship who know and fulfill the mission of Jesus, ever-growing and ever-faithful." Jesus’ mission, given to the church, is to make disciples, and his methodology begins with making friends.

Mr. Kelly outlined the new financial model for U.S. congregations. It is designed to empower congregations for greater effectiveness in disciple-making. It is being phased in—beginning with weekly offerings in congregations this year and moving to local banking and disbursement of funds when the sale of the headquarters property is completed.

Another emphasis was intimacy with God enhanced through spiritual disciplines. Dr. Tkach gave a presentation on prayer, and Mrs. Tkach gave a complementary presentation on becoming more intimate in our relationship with God.

The festival ended Sunday morning with a service celebrating the great events of Jesus in song, scripture, prayer and communion. Mr. Rogers preached from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, pointing out that in communion, Christians remember Jesus and all he has done and will do for us.

At the Lord’s Table, the church re-enacts the Christ event. This spirit of re-enactment became the basis on which the early church inaugurated annual rehearsals of various events of Jesus’ life: his birth on Christmas day, his death on Good Friday, his resurrection on Easter Sunday, his ascension 40 days later, his sending of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, and his future return in glory, which is celebrated during Advent.

It was announced at the district superintendents conference before the summer festival that plans are being made for two summer festivals in 2002—one tentatively planned for Atlanta, Georgia, and one for Palm Springs, California. Dates are yet to be confirmed.

WELCOMING GUESTS—From left, Dan Rogers, superintendent of ministers; Scott Preissler of the Christian Stewardship Association; Pastor General Joseph Tkach; and Ken Thompson of the Christian Stewardship Association.

CHILDREN’S PERFORMANCE—Children perform during Saturday night concert with Ross Jutsum.

PRAISE AND WORSHIP–Members sing praises to God at summer festival. [Photos by Ted Johnston]

Kay Johnson, Fort Wayne, Indiana: Vacation Bible School was a terrific idea. My granddaughter wasn’t bored all the time. More importantly, she made new friends and had a good time.

Phyllis Waller, Toledo, Ohio: The most Xciting, Xhilirating, Xtravaganza of celebrating our Lord Jesus Christ that I have ever participated in. Much knowledge was given so I can better understand my Lord Jesus and therefore deepen my relationship with him.

Sandra Miller, Cincinnati, Ohio: I used to wonder what the church would teach if not the Holy Days and other things. Now I know: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Never in a million years would I have thought it could be this fulfilling.

Victor Gay, Cincinnati, Ohio: Powerful, dynamic, superb, concise, personable, Christ-centered, on-target, informative, inspirational.

Our fellowship is being taught the impact and significance for each member to acquire and maintain the essentials of Christian faith by developing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. As we enter the life of Jesus we experience more love to him and others.

Roger Campbell, Midland, Michigan: The conference has helped me draw closer to God by helping me to understand better how God is working in my life and how he sees us.

Cyndy Butz, Cincinnati, Ohio: I am so thankful that I was able to come to this conference. It was a wonderful time of rejuvenation and revival. I was made so much more aware of the broad scope of our church. My view of our church and mission and my responsibility as a follower of Christ was expanded greatly. I can’t wait to get back to my local church and start working again.

David and Jonnie Perry, Indianapolis, Indiana: The worship, with the great diversity and giftedness of the worship teams, was the best we have ever experienced anywhere.

The sessions were lively, inspiring, helpful and informative. We loved Tammy Tkach’s presentation and look forward to more of our women giving presentations in the future. Her warmth, humor, naturalness and of course content with great personal examples, were truly effective.

Jon Kurnik, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Despite withdrawal symptoms, I am happy to be home to begin sharing the bounty of the festival with our members.

There is so much to review, pray about and assimilate! Thanks to all of you for the inspiring content that came across in all the messages. God has compacted so much reform into the past several years, that it already seems like a lifetime! We pray for God’s strength, endurance and patience during these trying, yet exciting times in his church.

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2001