By Doug Johannsen
By Doug Johannsen
CHICAGO, Illinois—Two hundred thirty-eight workers in the harvest gathered at the Renaissance Hotel for a regional conference, March 26 to 28.
The theme of the conference was set by Dan Rogers, superintendent of U.S. ministers, as he presented interactive workshops on “Creating a Disciplemaking Environment in Your Church” and “Growing a Healthy Church—Balance.”
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| Bob Nelson (left), Detroit East, and Charles Giles, Freeland, Michigan. [Photos by Doug Johannsen] |
Ronald Kelly, church controller, briefed full-time pastors on the administration of the now fully funded pension fund and gave an update on transitioning to the new financial model.
Charles Albrecht, Church Administration budget manager, briefed church treasurers and advisory council members on issues pertinent to their responsibilities.
Pastor General Joseph Tkach gave the keynote address Friday evening, March 26, giving examples of what God is doing through our denomination, not only in numerical growth, but in impact on Christianity in general.
Dr. Tkach told how a professor in one of his classes said that the Worldwide Church of God was one of only two 20th century movements worth mentioning. Dr. Tkach also gave the Sunday morning sermon. The service concluded with communion.
Conference comments
Listen to what some of those who attended had to say:
“I brought seven of my leaders, and they came home buzzing with excitement. They’ve already formed an ad hoc task force that is outlining a plan of how our congregations can develop and maintain a balanced disciplemaking environment.
“I am discovering what an incredible resource the regional conferences are for helping me as a pastor to develop leaders. I went to the conference with six workers and came home with seven leaders!”
John Stonecypher
Pastor of the Des Moines and
Mason City, Iowa,
congregations
.
“What impacted me the most was the degree of change I felt we, as a local congregation, need to be making and the need I have to take an active part in that change.
“I feel God has placed in me the ‘will’ to be a better servant and the desire to learn how I can do so. This weekend has given me the opportunity to get to know quite a few of the men and women God has placed in positions of responsibility in our denomination. Interacting with so many in God’s ministry and seeing the love and desire they exhibit fills me with the same desire to serve.”
Steve Deuel
Champlin, Minnesota,
Living Hope advisory council
member
and worship leader
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| Dan Rogers talks to Liz Garman (center) and Nora Lindquist. |
“Dan Rogers pointed out that since we regularly have intercessory prayer for those who are ill, why not include those who are lost, those who do not know Jesus? That’s the worst illness someone could have, not having a relationship with the Lord. That and being a friend of sinners as Jesus is were two of those ‘aha!’ moments for me.
“More than a dozen youths were present whom I had met at the 2003 Iowa Spiritual Enrichment Program (SEP) and Minnesota 2003 Snowblast, and it was wonderful to see them again and so heavily involved!”
Doug Johannsen
Pastor of the St. Paul and Champlin,
Minnesota,
congregations
“We made some commitments as a direct result of the conference, and we formed a team to begin restructuring and reorganizing our church and ministries. This is the most exciting thing we have done in such a long time; there is light at the end of the tunnel!
“A special thank you to Dan Rogers, Joseph Tkach and the whole corporate team who take their time to invest in us at the local level. We are ready to go out and become friends with sinners!”
Nancy Lehmkuhl
Des Moines, Iowa
“What impressed me the most about
this year’s regional conference was the wonderful
positive spirit and the
opportunity to work together with leaders from our local congregations during
the discussion groups.”
Sam Butler
Pastor of the Grandville and
Muskegon, Michigan,
congregations
“We had some good and thoughtful discussions during the discussion times that Dan Rogers’ presentations allowed. It helped all of us to see more than ever before how the local church is ‘our’ church.
“As always it was great to be able
to talk with the headquarters team and spend time with old
friends. We continue
to build on what we’re learning, and I’m sure God is yet going to do great
things with us.”
Briscoe Ellett II
Pastor of the Flint and
Freeland, Michigan,
congregations
“This conference was the most
encouraging I have attended in the past few years. By following through with the
Sonlife curriculum we were able to see just how much progress we
really have
been making at the local congregation level. The Lord truly is doing a great
work in our midst.”
Michael Houghton Sr.
Pastor of the Elkhart and
Michigan City, Indiana, congregations
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| Naomi Biswas at conference |
“One thing that impressed me was the humility and openness of the staff from Pasadena. They were positive, caring and sincere, and it showed.
“The emphasis on prayer and
especially praying for the unchurched whom we come into
contact with was
inspiring. We have heard this before, but this time it really made an impact on
me.”
Charles Holladay
Pastor of the Bloomington and
Mankato, Minnesota,
congregations
“I am thankful I could attend, and I’m glad that I am a member of the Worldwide Church of God! I am thankful for our leaders and their dedication first to God, and flowing from that their devotion to the work of empowering our pastors and members to join the work God is doing in the harvest field.
“By attending the conference, I have been given a clearer understanding of how to yield to God’s will personally, as well as strategies to inspire the entire congregation to do so. God is good!”
Lisa Seltzer
Champlin, Minnesota, Living Hope advisory
council
member and worship leader
“Springtime is a time of renewal, a time for plowing and the sowing of seeds. Today, everything seems to have a quick fix or a simple solution, but in the old days, plowing was one third of the work done to produce the crop. In spring the soil turns easier than in the fall.
“When I look at the unplowed ground in my life I also see soil conditions hardened by years of neglect. There is a saying down on the farm that I always liked: ‘Do whatever it takes to get the job done!’ If we don’t get the soil in condition to sow in the springtime, neither will we have a harvest in the fall.”
George Denn
Worship leader, Solid Rock Fellowship
in Mankato,
Minnesota
“This conference was most helpful
and encouraging, and we must share the hope and promise with our congregations.
I am convinced that if we instill the vision in our members that was
instilled
in those who attended the conference, we will then be well on
our way to fulfilling the Great Commission: making disciples who make disciples
who make disciples.”
John Bailey
Pastor of the Beloit, Wisconsin,
congregation
Copyright © Grace Communion International, 2004