January 31, 2003
Vol. 10 Issue 7
Adobe PDF Version
EDITORIAL
WHY MINISTER’S MEETINGS ARE NEEDED
(Original written January 22, 1996)
(John 12:32) “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
In 1985 God burdened me to set up a Minister’s Meeting for Church of God Ministers. After much prayer, meditation, and wrestling with the Lord, the first meeting was set and held at Columbus, Ohio in February, 1988. 32 Ministers and 15 spouses attended that meeting. Since that time, we have held a meeting each year at different times and places with varying numbers of ministers and spouses attending. Since I am the one that started this process, I have received many comments concerning the concept of Minister’s Meetings. Therefore, I felt it appropriate by the leading of the Holy Spirit to put together this short discourse on Why Minister’s Meetings are Needed. Three main reasons for Minister’s Meetings are: 1. The Church of God Spiritual Leadership is responsible to teach, preach, and practice Unity. 2. Jesus and the early church demonstrated the need of drawing apart from the crowds to clarify understanding. 3. To sit and learn at each other’s feet is highly profitable. And so will you please consider prayerfully what the Bible teaches us concerning these reasons?
I. The Church of God Leadership is Responsible to teach, preach, and practice Unity!
(John 13:35) “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” It is easy to say that you love one another, and we are good at teaching and preaching the need to do so. However, in practice we see an abundance of slashing, cutting, tearing down, and accusing. Most of this slander goes on behind the back of the one being accused which lets us know that the practice is not motivated by the Holy Spirit. For if our motives are pure, then we are duty bound to confront our error prone Brethren, in the Bible way, with the motivation to restore them and to keep the Unity of the Faith. Of course each one believes his understanding to be the correct one. “After all, God revealed this to me and I can’t be wrong” is the attitude of many. Such is nothing more than the spirit of division. If our unity is based on our knowledge and understanding of specific doctrines, then we are merely a sect among sects. Is it not true that none of us has arrived? As humans are we not all fallible? Or has something happened that we are not aware of that has put us on a plane equal to God?
(1 Cor 1:10) “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Are we going to obey this passage or skip it? The same mind surely refers to the mind of Christ, which was to do the Father’s will. No two persons on earth have or ever will have the exact same knowledge and so knowledge cannot be the sole basis for unity! Where you are on the Highway of learning is not the important thing; what is important is that you are on the highway and moving in the right direction. I fear that too many have exited the learning highway to muddle through ignorance. It would seem that the gifts of knowledge and wisdom are as lonely today as when Solomon wrote the Proverbs. (Prov 1:20-22) “Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: {21} She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, {22} How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?” If knowledge and understanding causes me to change my beliefs, then the sooner I learn, the better for my followers and me. Ignorance is not bliss, nor is ignorance the will of God or the leading of the Holy Spirit. To say that this Gospel has a “Reverse Gear” is one thing and to use it is another.
The Scripture admonishes us to be “perfectly joined together”, not merely joined together. Such a union can only come to pass through the leading of the Holy Spirit through those humble enough to submit to each other. (Eph 5:17) “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph 5:21) “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” This submitting is a two way street - “.. one to another”. (Eph 4:1-3) “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, {2} With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; {3} Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” We are responsible to put these passages of scripture into practice; they are as much God’s Word as any other portion.
II. Jesus and the early Church demonstrated the need of drawing apart from the crowd to clarify understanding:
(Mark 6:31) “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.” (Mark 4:34) “But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.” (Mat 20:17) “And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,” (Mark 7:17) “And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.” These are a few of the scriptures that show us how Jesus taught and instructed His disciples. It was a common thing for them to clarify His teachings when they were alone, apart from the crowd. Just because they were present and heard the preaching of the Lord, did not mean that they understood the message. So it is today. We need to get apart from the multitudes and clarify the message.
(Acts 15:2) “When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.” We see that when doctrinal teaching caused disruption to the Church, the elders got together for a meeting to resolve the issue. As you read the chapter you can see that it was no easy matter. You will also note that they did come to some agreement on working together and endeavoring to keep the unity of the Faith. Jesus often took his disciples aside and instructed them. Paul and other Elders traveled to Jerusalem and throughout the country to dispute the things concerning the Kingdom of God, without means of travel, communication, and places to get together. It should be much easier for us today. In addition we have at our fingertips a wealth of information they did not have which should give us better understanding. Could it be that we do not understand any better because we don’t want to?
III. To Sit and Learn at each other’s Feet is highly profitable:
(Acts 18:26) “And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” Yes, even the Apostle Paul was willing to sit and learn from others including a woman. We would do well to follow his example. (Rom 12:3-10) “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. {4} For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: {5} So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. {6} Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; {7} Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; {8} Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. {9} Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. {10} Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”
We have different gifts and we are different in far more ways than we are the same. God will use us according to our potential and we are instructed to prefer one another with honor. This is not a yielding because of peer pressure. Brotherly love and honor are far above yielding because of peers.
I pray that these thoughts and scriptures will give you, my Dearly Beloved Brethren, something to consider and that the Holy Spirit of God may help you to more diligently practice Unity.
Some objections to Minister’s Meetings that have been expressed to me and my response follow:
The Bible does not command us to have Minister’s Meetings. Yes, that is true as it is also true that we are not commanded to have Camp Meetings, Revivals, Sunday School, and many other things. Yet, we have learned that having these special meetings are profitable to the spiritual development and perfection of the church. Since Minister’s Meetings are also profitable, we should also have them. Of course it is difficult to break with tradition and do something different.
I don’t have the time and money to attend. You all know that you find the time and money to do those things that you consider important. Maybe Unity isn’t as high on the scale as it ought to be. Or perhaps you just don’t see the value of getting together with your fellow Ministers.
I don’t attend because the wrong people are in charge or the wrong people are attending. Yes, some feel so strongly about this that they hold their private meetings and invite only the selected few to attend. At least that is a step in the right direction. The meetings that I have set up are open to all spiritual leaders of the Church of God. The ones that attended the previous years set the agenda and everyone has opportunity to present and join in the discussions. We do our best to allow the Holy Spirit to direct and control the meetings.
I don’t attend because no one listens to me anyway. You sound like Jeremiah. Well, I’m sure that God loves you too and I pray that the same fire will burn in your bones till you cannot stay away. The commission of the Gospel is to preach to every creature. Surely the Ministers that are straying from the truth need preached to.
It is my prayer that you will receive my words as I mean them to be in kindness and from the depths of my heart. God Bless You as You Labor for the Master! By Stanley J. Rexroth
I hope to see you at this year’s meeting in Lancaster, Ohio. If you did not receive the mailing with agenda, registration & lodging information and you want to come, please feel free to contact me. Editor
WORLD MISSIONARY FELLOWSHIP (WMF)
The Executive Committee is scheduled to meet February 8. Continue to send offerings identified for specific missions to the Treasurer:
World Missionary Fellowship
C/O Bro. Steve Yoder
P. O. Box 418
Sugarcreek, OH 44681
I am available to visit congregations or groups to present needs and discuss WMF, Nigeria or the Philippines. Bro. Stanley J. Rexroth, Chairman.
NIGERIA
Bro. Henry Marquiss, Bro. Rube Gayheart and Bro. Wiley Cash have been in Nigeria since January 13. They are due to return January 31. We should have a report of their visit next month. They were not able to go to Liberia because Liberia would not grant them visas.
PHILIPPINES
December 31, 2002
Dear Editor & Reading Saints,
Mabuhay Greetings!
With God’s attending presence, good news our 2 youth conventions held this month were so victorious. All present 33 congregations of the Bible Holiness Church of God plus other denominations who also joined and observed swarmed both camps.
The events ran with lectures, preaching, contest in Bible talents, sports and singings, business meetings for workers (reminders) and youth (election of officers, reporting of achievements, etc.), baptism of total thirty (30) new converts
Happy to state also the successful operations and treatments of Bro. D. B. Luzan at Philippine Heart Center, only due to added surgery (angiogram) and medications, his original $2,000.00 charity bill quoted jumped to $3,303.00. He is now on recovery and follow-up treatment in Davao as out patient. And Praise God though unable to attend Luzon Convention, he was able to attend and preach well the Sunday AM sermon of Mindanao schedule.
Our other letters and journal with pictures will follow. A blessed New Year.
In God’s Philippine Mission,
Sis. Noemi Esteban for Bro. D. B. Luzan
Luzon District
Mindanao District
YOUTH CORNER
Note to the youth: To help with printing and mailing costs, I try to send as many “complimentary copies” by email as possible. If you are receiving a “complimentary copy” by regular mail and you have email; please help me out. Send me your email address so I can email your Info to you. (sjrexroth@innernet.net); thanks much for your help!
Youth Corner
It’s 2003 already, can you believe it? Many of us here on the corner are still trying to recover from Christmas vacation. In any case, it is a new year and a fresh start for all of us. Maybe you have made a resolution, or a vow to get better grades, exercise more, or even to get along better with your parents. As you turn the new page on this New Year, remember that you must seek God first. Whatever you have been through last year, God has something new and exciting for you during this year. No matter what you are going through God has something for everyday. So let’s make a resolution this year to look for what God has for us each and every day.
Power Verse: Lamentations 3:22-23 “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Country Roads take me home
During the weekend of January 17-19 many young people traveled some country roads to West Virginia for the Grafton Road Church of God’s winter retreat. There were about 50 youth and adults in attendance for a time of fellowship, fun, and most of all to draw closer to the Lord. The weekend was a great time and souls were saved. There was a great time of worship and praise, as well as a fun time as well. If you attended this retreat and have a special memory or something you would like to share or even pictures (yes even the crazy ones) please send them to me.
Well that’s about it, for now, take care and remember to serve the Lord with all you got!
Bro. Brian Bridges
123 Lambert Dr.
Manassas Park VA 20111-1829
E-Mail Badleg@juno.com
Phone: 703-368-0805
PASTOR NEEDED
Sunnyside Church of God in New Castle, Indiana is presently searching for a pastor. Pastor Donald Curtis is resigning from the pastorate because he will be working with Bro. Lemke in Children’s International lifeline. If anyone has the burden to pastor a small but growing church we will be needing a pastor as of December, 2002. If anyone is interested or if you need more information please contact Bro. Donald at Cell 765-527-7302 or Home 765-521-3768 or Bro. Jim Nipp at 765-987-7272. You can also contact me by emailing drdonaldo@msn.com
Thanks for your prayers and support in this matter, Pastor Donald Curtis
DEATH
Sister Chloe Lefebure born December 7, 1902 went to be with her Lord January 17, 2003. She had served as pastor of The Pleasant Hill Church of God, RD Cherry Tree, PA for 70 years and preached her final sermon after her 100th birthday; she preached for an hour and then prayed for ten minutes. Shortly before her death she named her son, Raymond Lefebure as pastor of the church. Bro. Joe Luzier serves as assistant pastor. The funeral was held January 22, 2003.
DEATH
Sister Eula Smith Lowe born May 3, 1918 went to be with her Lord December 30, 2002. She had served as pastor of the Church of God in Wilkesboro, NC. She had cottage prayer meetings almost every night for years.
Created by: Brian S. Rexroth, Sr.
Maintained by: Dexter Horst
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