Link August 2011
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Ministry that makes a difference
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District news publication of the New Mexico Assemblies of God.
Transcript of Link August 2011
Ministrythat makes a difference
C O N T E N T S
Is Your Church Making a DifferencePastor, Dereck Owen, shares from Tucumcari his story. The Church- making a difference in the community.
Ministry That Makes a Difference!Superintendent Mike Dickenson
NMSOMGreat opportunity for having theological training for anyone who feels called to the ministry.
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H AV E A N A R T I C L E I D E A ?
Email your idea:[email protected]
Women’s MinistriesWomen’s Conference is coming in September. Don’t miss the stories of women in ministry.
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Student MinistriesA summer filled with life changing messages.
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t h a t m a k e s aministry
Superintendent Micheal E. Dickenson
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dif ference
One of the things that becomes very clear as you read through the New Testament is that Jesus came to make a difference! Everything about Him, from His birth to the cross, and the resurrection, and everything between reflects this fact.
Follow Jesus through the gospels and you will see and hear a parade of testimonials of people whose lives were radically changed as a result of their encounters with Him. They were healed, set free, and eternally changed because of Christ who made a difference in their lives.
And then you see the continuation of this as Luke writes of the Acts of the Apostles through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has ascended, but now it’s His church, empowered and ministering to their world…
making a difference. People’s lives were changed as they were intersected by Christ or His church.
Jesus’ words in John 14:12 continue to speak to us all when He said, “…whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the
Father.” (NIV) This was and is Ministry that Makes a Difference!
But what does this look like today, in New Mexico, where you and I serve? Within the pages of this issue of LINK, you will see a little of what this means across New Mexico. As you read about our Camps, Fine Arts, Women’s Missions Trips, Girls Ministries, School of Ministry, etc., you will see first hand that all of these are the stories of Ministry that Makes a Difference! You’re going to be blessed and inspired by
the guest article by Pastor Dereck Owen and the church in Tucumcari. And then hopefully you will be challenged personally in your church and ministry as you look at the reflective questions for all of us as we seek to be people involved in ministry who live and serve to make a difference.
This is what ministry is all about. And this is my prayer for you, and for me, and for all of us, wherever we serve across New Mexico. Let’s be the people Jesus spoke of in John 14:12; Let’s be the church that
exists to Make a Difference!
One of the things that becomes very clear as you read through the New
Testament is that Jesus came to make a difference!
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If our church were gone tomorrow would it negatively affect the community? That was a sobering question the :irst time I heard it. At :irst I wasn’t sure, and the longer that question milled around in my head, my heart said “No, it wouldn’t”. That began a process of revitalizing our church.
For us, revitalization starts with evaluating everything. The questions we begin with are: “Does it yield a good return?” “Are lives changing?” And, “Does it help us accomplish our mission?”
We’ve learned that everything has a lifecycle. As soon as it’s born, it begins to die. We have to be willing to let go of any ministry or program that is not fruitful, today. And fruit means people being saved and becoming disciples.
Is your church making a difference?One of the most effective strategies we’ve adopted is a priority to invest in our community. Since then, our church has committed to serving our community so that our kindness might show God’s love. This is not a one time event or once a year outreach project, but rather a mindset that this church is here to serve this community for the remainder of the communities existence. After all, most every investment does better over the long
term. As a result, each passing year the return on our investment is more apparent and we are reaching more people than ever before. The result of this is that we are being able to help disciple the people God has given us. We realized that Jesus wasn’t the one
holding us back, it was either the enemy or it was ourselves.
I started playing team sports when I was young. And I learned quickly that I enjoyed the thrill of being on a winning team. And I know what it’s like to lose. Winning is better and people want to be on a winning team.
“Does it yield good return?” “Are lives changing?” And, “Does it
help us accomplish our mission?”
Author: Dereck Owen
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Pastor Dereck and his wife Gail moved to Tucumcari in 2001. After becoming senior pastor, Dereck has seen the church increase from one service with 100 people to two services with 200. On average, they see 6-8 salvations take place every weekend, sometimes more. Over 50% of the congregation is currently involved in hands on ministry. This multi-generational congregation rejoices as they see Heaven advance into Tucumcari.
Valuing the momentum that winning gives to us all, we want all regular attendees to have an active part on the team, and we want them to have an opportunity early on. Our experience is if they never learn to be a pew-‐sitter they will never just sit in a pew. As we began putting this principle into practice, we saw the team grow in number, in skill, and momentum.
Every church could use more people on the team. The issue is, we often want to produce something that we aren’t. And the fact is that you don’t produce something you aren’t you produce who you are.
Another principle that allows us to evaluate our ministries is something that Billy Graham said years ago, “Let your critics be your coaches.” Because we as Pastors pour our lives into ministry, we take personal any criticism of our church or its ministries. Instead of defending or making excuses for why things are the way they are, we try to ask ourselves…What about that criticism is accurate? What can we learn from it?
Ask yourself these questions:
What would I do different if I knew that God was with me?Am I a good member of my church? Do I invest through serving in ministries? Do I invest :inancially? Do I inspire others to be a part of the team? Am I committed to see future generations be changed by the power of God? If so am I making decisions that assure that is happening? Am I allowing my budget to limit my vision?
I hope that this is an encouragement to you and provides something for you to think about regarding the church where you serve. All of our churches are different and that’s on purpose, but God is using you and your church to help change the lives of the people in your city.
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Isyourchurch
makinga
difference?
...
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?
ASK YOURSELF...
Who God created
me to be?
WHENWILLiTAKE THE NEXTSTEP?
DIDWHEN ilastshareJesus
if ourchurchdisappearedtoday...would thecommunitynotice?
FIELDwhat is our mission?
who has Godcalled us to be?
whoismyneighbor?
who is the church?
REMEMBERING
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Women’sconference
September 15-17, 2011Tramway Community Churchclick here for more info and registration
SELAHPAUSE, REFLECT
A retreat, that took place at Cook Canyon Ranch, to seek God’s plan for the future of the Girl’s
Ministry in New Mexico.
July 21-23, 2011
IDEA EXCHANGE & RETREAT
SELAHWONDER NO MOREby: MICHELLE OSBORN
Unlike most days where I hit the ground running, looking forward to whatever God calls me to do that day, I woke up the morning of Girls Ministries Leaders Retreat feeling overwhelmed, weary and sad. Tears came quickly and so did God’s comfort…2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all...”God used the ministry of the Girl’s Retreat to make a difference in my life through the messages that were shared by the speaker, Tina Haroldson. God laid out, perfectly and in detail, the very things that were weighing on my heart. He used Tina to introduce me to Zipporah, a woman who left everything she knew to accompany her husband on his mission. God knew that I was reluctantly leaving a job I loved to venture into something that I knew nothing of. That is, enrolling in college for the first time at the age 47 to fulfill a calling that I now know was placed in my life by God when I was just 14. Throughout this message, I wept and prayed that whatever I used to call “mine” be now and completely “His.” It was such a sweet surrender. Then the stinging message of Moses focusing so much on his calling that he failed to take care of his family responsibilities. Wow God, thank you for pointing this out to me in Your most loving way. A humbling message that I will not soon forget. Day three brought the final message of God’s resolution to my woes…don’t do it alone. Jethro made it clear to Moses that it is not good to carry the load alone. Disciple, empower and encourage others to share in my mission and recognize those who God sends to speak into my life as I journey.
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ROTSAPINSTALLATION
The New Mexico District is happy to welcome Daniel and Amanda O’Doherty as the new pastors in Lovington.
W O M E N ’ S M I S S I O N S T R I P
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On June 6th Women’s Ministries loaded several vehicles with supplies and headed to Shiprock, New Mexico to join forces with First Wash Assembly and Four Corners Community Church. 17 Women from around the New Mexico District participated in this mission’s trip.
The Four Corners project centered on outreach to children and home visits to community members, while the First Wash project focused on painting the sanctuary and staining fences.
A Friday evening service was held at Four Corners and people from both churches and the surrounding community came together to worship, celebrate and receive. Relationships were built as the Holy Spirit did His work.
Face painting at Four Corners
Fence Painting at First Wash
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Click here for more info or
registration!
Builds strong Biblical foundations!
Establishes spiritual formation!
Develops ministerial character, ethic and integrity!
Practical in structure!
Academically accountable!Instills discipline of study, time and lifestyle!
Classes will be held at:Harvest Fellowship Assemblies of
God5331 Montano NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120(505) 899.0594
“The School of Ministry puts you in and around other people to spiritually grow with during this journey.”
Time measured and cost affordable!
First class is Saturday,
September 10th, 2011
Only 1 Saturday per month: 9am-1:45pm
- Chris Ball
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New Mexico District Leadership Team
SuperintendentMicheal Dickenson
Assistant SuperintendentDave Vistine
Secretary-TreasurerMarcus McClain
Student MinistriesJeral Dickenson
Women’s MinistriesBecky Dickenson
Executive Officers:
Ministry Directors:
Royal Ranger’s CommanderBart Garrison
Senior Adult MinistriesGreg Burchfield
New Mexico District Council 6640 Caminito Coors NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120
505.899.5399 . fax 505.899.5859 . email: [email protected]
Help us link New Mexico by informing us of ministry
happenings in your church and community.
Tell us a b o u t i t !
“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
–2 Peter 1:8
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CHECK US OUT AT: CHECK US OUT AT:Augu
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Men’s MinistriesKent Barnard
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