The Alabama Messenger Jan Feb 2023

NETWORK SUPERINTENDENT

ds@amnag.org

Psalm 23 begins with, “The Lord is....” Let 2023 begin with, THE LORD IS. I love this text because David declares the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. Now, that we have arrived in 2023, I want to remind you that we minister in a world that has morphed through a worldwide pandemic and is evidencing the already presence of the spirit of the An Lord like never before.

If you are a credenKaled minister with local responsibiliKes to care for God’s local flock, I want to remind you of your support system. As David said, “The Lord is....” God is with you, and He will supply your needs in every arena of your life and ministry. Posture yourself to operate in His favor as your carry out His plan for your life and ministry.

Let me share several “The Lord is...” declaraKons so they may become your declaraKons.

• The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior” (Judges 6:12).

LORD, YOU ARE WITH ME!

• “The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvaCon; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him” (Exodus 15:2 ESV).

LORD, YOU ARE MY SONG, MY SALVATION AND MY GOD!

• “And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner” (Exodus 17:15 ESV).

LORD, YOU ARE MY BANNER!

• He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer” (2 Samuel 22:2 ESV).

LORD, YOU ARE MY ROCK, MY FORTRESS AND MY DELIVERER!

• The Lord is my chosen porCon and my cup; you hold my lot” (Psalm 16:5 ESV).

LORD, YOU ARE MY PORTION AND MY CUP!

• The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvaCon, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2 ESV).

LORD, YOU ARE MY ROCK, MY FORTRESS, MY DELIVERER, MY SHIELD, MY SALVATION AND MY STRONGHOLD!

• The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1 ESV).

LORD, YOU ARE MY SHEPHERD—I SHALL NOT WANT!

• The Lord is my light and my salvaCon; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1 ESV)

LORD, YOU ARE MY LIGHT, MY SALVATION, AND MY STRONGHOLD!

• The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him” (Psalm 28:7 ESV).

LORD, YOU ARE MY STRENGTH AND MY SHIELD!

• The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvaCon” (Psalm 118:14 ESV).

LORD, YOU ARE MY STRENGTH, MY SONG, AND MY SALVATION!

; I promise to keep your words” (Psalm 119:57 ESV).

LORD, YOU ARE MY PORTION!

“And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God’”

LORD, YOU ARE MY GOD! YOU ANSWER MY CALL!

dently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6 ESV).

LORD, YOU ARE MY HELP—I WILL NOT FEAR!

Declare these scriptural declaraKons over your day and path as the Lord leads you into His marvelous plan. I am praying and believing for 2023 to be the year that “The Lord is!”

MICHAEL D. SHARP, D.MIN.

NETWORK

SECRETARY-TREASURER

msharp@amnag.org

Here We Go Again: FALSE PROPHETS in the LAND

When we obey God’s inspired word and test every “propheKc word” we compare it with what God’s perfect en word says. If the prophecy does not come to pass, if it is evil in any way - anything the Bible calls evil - then we reject that prophecy. If a prophet conKnually gives false prophecies that person is a false prophet, not a real prophet.

2022 saw a return of many false prophets. Having failed spectacularly in 2020 with their pandemic and poliKcal prophecies, they tried again in 2022 with the same dismal results. Oops! God’s people have always had to deal with false prophets. For many decades the Pentecostal / charismaKc (P/c) movement has endured false apostles-andprophets movements. Our Fellowship officially condemned such movements in 1949. Sadly, in recent years our leaders have been slow to criKque such false doctrines and pracKces. Therefore, many pastors and people have been deceived. The modern apostles-and-prophets have repeatedly brought shame on Christ and the gospel.

The modern-day prophets’ most spectacular failure was their failed prophecies of the re-elecKon of a President. This is one of a mulKtude of failed prophecies, before and since. Most of their prophecies are given in ambiguous language that can later be interpreted however needed. This is true of both their grandiose prophecies proclaiming every new year “a year of new beginnings” or “a year of breakthrough” or whatever, and true of their prophecies to individuals, groups, or churches. The generalized language gives the false prophets wiggle room to explain how events actually did fulfill their vague predicKons in some way or other. They redefine their prophecy and call it fulfilled!

They use generalized language when prophesying to individuals: “You’ve been hurt.” Well, who hasn’t?! They use posiKve future language: “You’re a world-changer. You’re going to take your city for God.” Who doesn’t want to hear those things? If all such words given in the past 50 years were true there would be no pagans le@ on planet Earth. When the prophecies fail the prophets blame others for lack of faith or prayer, or claim there was a “spiritual” fulfillment, or simply say nothing and move on to their next false prophecy.

Where did this modern fad of super-prophets come from? Certainly not from God or his Word. Prophets in the NT were subject to the authority of the Twelve Apostles, the Apostolic teaching, and the local churches. In the NT the words for “rule” or “authority” are never used in connecEon with prophets. Those words are reserved for the Twelve Apostles and for the pastors / elders of the local churches. Like the Twelve, the prophets menKoned in Ephesians 2:20, 4:11, and 1 Corinthians 12:28f were part of the foundaKonal era of the church, and like the Twelve, Scripture never teaches that this class of prophets would conKnue. Instead, we see the revelatory funcKon of those ministries completed in God’s Word. The Pastor-Teachers / elders of local churches, apostolic church planKng among unreached people, and propheKc speaking by local church believers would all conKnue in the power of the Holy Spirit. Today all “prophets” should submit to local churches and learn from genuine Teachers how to correctly interpret God’s word!

Neither in the NT nor in church history do we ever see a permanent class of prophets giving words from God for the enKrety of God’s people. Even each of the Twelve had limited authority, and apart from the Twelve the NT prophets had none. PropheKc words were to come through leaders and believers in local churches according to God’s sovereign choice, speaking correcKon, encouragement, and comfort to God’s people. Using the Apostles’ teaching and the Spirit, the Pastor-Teachers and elders led God’s people in evaluaKng all prophecies, and how they should respond.

Since the passing of the Twelve Apostles the ChrisKan church has never had and has never needed an elite class of super-apostles or super-prophets. They are not from God. They are neither submil are not speaking from God or for God. These self-proclaimed apostles and prophets are speaking their own desires and their own plans, using, abusing, and confusing God’s people for money, fame, and power. They are false apostles and false prophets, wolves who are devouring God’s people. Good pastors and leaders will be warning God’s people against these false prophets by name, telling the flock to reject them, to never listen to them again (Acts 20:28-30).

The Holy Spirit sKll speaks propheKc words through believers as he chooses, but he speaks through whomever he chooses in the churches. We do not treat genuine prophecies with contempt, but we test everything, hold on to the good, reject every kind of evil (1 Thess 5:20-21). That means we should call the TV prophets and their visions, angelic visitaKons, and trips to heaven what they are: False! God grant us the discernment so!

LIFE RALLY TOUR

Women joining together to give our best for Missions

Date Time Section Location

Saturday, February 11 10:30 AM Tennessee Valley Hartselle First AG

Saturday, February 18 11:00 AM Birmingham TBA

Saturday, March 4 11:00 AM Enterprise Faith Christian Center, Ozark

Thursday, March 9 6:30 PM Mobile

Praise AG, Mobile

Saturday, March 11 10:30 AM Demopolis

Copeland AG, Millry

Tuesday, March 14 6:30 PM Sylacauga Ashland First AG

Thursday, March 16 7:00 PM Baldwin County New Life AG, Spanish Fort

Saturday, March 18 10:30 AM Cullman

Life of Faith Tabernacle, Hayden

Saturday, March 18 4:00 PM Anniston Life Church, Rainbow City

Tuesday, March 21 6:30 PM Monroeville East Brewton AG

Thursday, March 23 6:30 PM Dothan Newton First AG

Friday, March 24 6:30 PM CST Phenix City Eufaula First AG

Saturday, March 25 10:30 AM Andalusia Opp First AG

Thursday, March 30 6:30 PM Montgomery Clanton First AG

Thursday, April 6 6:30 PM Tuscaloosa Encounter Church, Guin

IMPORTANT INFORMATION! NEVER LET YOUR CREDENTIALS LAPSE!

As you know we joined other Networks in expressing our appreciation to our ministers for stewarding your credentials well and renewing early. Congratulations to Rev. Ray Layton for receiving the $500.00 award for those who renewed by November 30, and to Rev. Billy Lawley for receiving the $250.00 award for those who renewed by December 15. Our credential renewals came in earlier and in larger numbers this year than ever before. Early renewal is a great blessing to the Network and National Offices

All credentialed ministers – Certified, Licensed, and Ordained – should remember that lapsing will cost a minister more time, more work, and more money when reinstating. The renewal season begins on November 1 and ends on December 31. Failure to renew means that as of January 1 you have lapsed your credentials and you are no longer an Assemblies of God minister. After December 31 there IS A $50.00 late fee when you renew, and after January 15 you cannot renew: You must apply for reinstatement at a cost of $125.00. After March 31 a background and credit check must also be done for all reinstatement applications. Any background or credit issues that have arisen since the minister first obtained credentials will have to be addressed according to General Council guidelines before the minister can be reinstated. Finally, lapsing for more than seven years requires all of the above as well as taking and passing all three of the newest credential exams in order to be reinstated.

For Licensed ministers, we have received notice from the General Secretary’s office in Springfield that when ministers holding credentials at the License level allow their credentials to lapse for more than three months, their required two year tenure for holding License credentials before upgrading to Ordained begins all over again at the time their License credentials are reinstated.

In other words, if you let your License credentials lapse for more than three months (past March 31) you lose all of the tenure time you’ve already accumulated since receiving License level credentials. After you apply for reinstatement of your License credentials and the General Secretary’s office acts favorably to reinstate your credentials, the calculation of your two year License tenure begins all over again at the point in time that the General Secretary’s office actually reinstates your License credentials. Please remember this, and please help us to pass this information along to all Licensed ministers!

If you have unintentionally failed to renew your credentials for 2023, please renew as quickly as possible!

We hope that this information delivered proactively will be beneficial in your understanding of these particular General Council credentialing requirements

Michael D. Sharp, D.Min. Network Secretary-Treasurer ALSOM Director

UNDERSTANDING OUR FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

We sometimes find that, for whatever reasons, some of our ministers are not clear on our financial obligations to the Alabama District. We have begun to publish these more frequently in order to clear up any misunderstandings proactively before ministers fall behind in their giving. Here are the District Bylaws followed by an explanation.

ALABAMA DISTRICT CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

ARTICLE VIII. FINANCES

Section 2 - Obligations of Ministers

a. All ministers shall be required to remit on a monthly basis 7.5% of their income earned from Gospel ministry and from secular work for the support of the District general fund.

b. The following exceptions are permitted:

1. Ministers who receive wages strictly from secular employment and regularly attend a local assembly shall be required to support the local assembly with 5% of their income and shall also be required to support the District general fund on a monthly basis with 5% of their income.

2. Evangelists shall be required to support the local assembly of which they are a member with 5% of their income and shall also be required to support the District general fund on a monthly basis with 5% of their income.

3. Financial obligations of missionaries, military and industrial chaplains, and nationally appointed home missionaries are as outlined in Article VII, Section 8c of the General Council Bylaws.

c. Compliance with the above requirements shall be a prerequisite for membership in the Alabama District Council and for the renewal of credentials of all active ministers. Any minister whose obligation falls into arrears shall be required to appear before his/her respective Sectional committee at the time of the Sectional Councils, and his/her credentials will be withheld until such time as his/her financial obligation is brought up-to- date.

d. All ordained ministers shall recognize their obligation to support our General Council headquarters office in Springfield by contributing from their tithes or as an offering, the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per month. Licensed ministers shall contribute the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00) per month, and certified ministers shall contribute the sum of ten dollars ($10.00) per month.

e. Each minister should accept the responsibility to provide a retirement income for himself and his/her family by contributing an amount equal to 5% of the minister’s salary to the MBA minister’s account.

Explanatory Note: If a credentialed minister receives any income from ministry, whether regular or irregular, parttime or full-time, or if they serve in a pastoral role in a local church, then they are required to remit to the district office on a monthly basis 7.5% of their income from all sources, including secular work. If a credentialed minister receives no income at all from ministry, and only receives income from secular work, and does not serve in any pastoral role in a local church, then they are required to remit to the district office on a monthly basis 5% of their income from all sources. Exceptions are only as provided in Paragraph b. In both scenarios, the remainder of the minister’s tithe should be paid to the local church they attend or serve. You may pay your tithes by mail, or online at the Alabama District Website at www.adcag.org, or by Text at Text #73256 Message: ADCAG. If paying online, always enter your personal name in the memo box to ensure that your tithe is credited properly to your account.

Ministers who meet the following conditions: 1) are 59 ½ or older, 2) receive no regular income from ministry, 3) do not serve as permanent lead pastor, and 4) have formally requested and received a ministerial status change to SENIOR RETIRED, have no financial obligations to either the General or District Councils. Senior Retired ministers may still be volunteer chaplains, serve without regular remuneration part-time on church staffs, serve in pulpit supply and as short-term interim pastors for love offerings or honorariums, etc. Please contact the district office with any questions as to your proper status.

Any exceptions based on category of ministry (missionary, evangelist, etc.) are as described in the Bylaw. Whenever you have questions about how the District requirements apply to your particular circumstances, please contact the District Secretary-Treasurer’s office. - Michael D. Sharp, D.Min., Network Secretary-Treasurer, ALSOM Director

Our new schedule layout is below. ALSOM students may take any cou rses needed during each quarter.

Quarter 1

January – March

Courses Open for Purchase: January 1

Last Day to Purchase: March 10th

Tests Must be Submitted by March 31st

Quarter 2

April – June

Courses Open for Purchase: April 1

Last Day to Purchase: June 10th

Tests Must be Submitted by June 30th

Quarter 3 July – September

Courses Open for Purchase: July 1

Last Day to Purchase: September 10 th Tests Must be Submitted by September 30 th

Quarter 4 October – December

Courses Open for Purchase: October 1

Last Day to Purchase: December 10th

Tests Must be Submitted by December 31 st

Each quarter, we will post our entire ALSOM catalog for purchase. The courses required for each level of credentialing are listed below.

Level One (Certified)

BIB 214 Old Testament Survey

BIB 212 New Testament Survey

BIB 121 Introduction to Hermeneutics: How to Interpret the Bible

BIB 114 Christ in the Synoptic Gospels

THE 211 Introduction to Theology

THE 114 Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine

THE 152 Assemblies of God History, Missions, and Governance

MIN 171 A Spirit-Empowered Church: An Acts 2 Ministry Model

MIN 181 Relationships and Ethics in Ministry

MIN 191 Beginning Ministerial Internship

Level Two (Licensed)

BIB 115 Acts: The Holy Spirit at Work in Believers

BIB 117 Prison Epistles

BIB 215 Romans: Justification by Faith

THE 245 Eschatology: A Study of Things to Come

MIN 123 The Local Church in Evangelism

MIN 223 Introduction to Homiletics

MIN 251 Effective Leadership

MIN 261 Introduction to Assemblies of God Missions

MIN 281 Conflict Management for Church Leaders

MIN 291 Intermediate Ministerial Internship

Level Three (Ordained)

THE 311 Prayer and Worship

BIB 313 The Corinthian Correspondence

BIB 318 The Pentateuch

BIB 322 The Poetic Books

MIN 325 Preaching in the Contemporary World

MIN 327 Church Administration, Finance, and Law

MIN 381 Pastoral Ministry

MIN 391 Advanced Ministerial Internship

To enroll in an ALSOM course, please visit https://alsom.edvance360.com/. Across the top of the page, you will see several tabs. Click on “Store” to purchase a course. Once you add a course to your cart and proceed to check out, you will be prompted to login. If you are a first -time user, you will be asked to enter your email information. After you complete your purchase, an email will be sent to you to create a username and password. When you purchase the course, you will receive access to the course. To access the course, click on the tab “Courses.” This is where you will do all the work for your course. Each course has a pdf textbook. Some courses have additional content such as video lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and additional reading. Your test will come from content from all sources.

ALABAMA NETWORK

APPLICATION DEADLINE

FEBRUARY

17, 2023

The application period for the Alabama Ministry Network Scholarship Program (AMNSP) is now open. Applicants may contact Jennifer Harris at jharris@amnag.org to receive an application packet. The forms are also available on our website at www.amnag.org.

The Alabama Ministry Network Scholarship Program (AMNSP) gives financial assistance to qualifying Assemblies of God students who are going into traditional and non -traditional ministry, helping them to attend endorsed Assemblies of God colleges, universities, and graduate schools. The AMNSP is open to high school seniors and college or seminary students who are attending Assemblies of God churches. In order to receive scholarship money, winners must attend an endorsed Assemblies of God educational institution.

The Network Scholarship Committee evaluates all properly completed applications and , based on availability of funds, awards one or more of each of the following scholarships:

• Superintendent’s Scholarship ……………………….. $5,000.00

Students pursuing degrees designed for Pastoral/Preaching ministry

• Pastor’s Dependent Scholarship ……………….…… $4,000.00

Children of Alabama Ministry Network Assemblies of God ministers

• Church Ministry Scholarship …………………………. $3,000.00

Students pursuing degrees designed for ministries such as Youth, Children, CE, Music, etc.

• Distance Learning (Degree program only) ……... $1,000.00

Students pursuing online/correspondence degrees at the institute, college, or graduate levels

The deadline for applications, including all reference forms and either an Initial (first -time) Application or a Continuation Application, is February 17, 2023. It is the student applicant’s responsibility to see that the completed application, including all completed reference forms, have been received by the Network Office by February 17, 2023. All application forms may be mailed to the Alabama Ministry Network Scholarship Program, 5919 Carmichael Rd, Montgomery, AL 36117. They may also be emailed to the Network Office at jharris@amnag.org

Please contact the Network Secretary-Treasurer’s office at 334-279-7172 ext 2, or at jharris@amnag.org, with any questions you may have.

GOD’S PEOPLE from DECEPTION

The QAnon Deception: Everything You Need to Know About the World’s Most Dangerous Conspiracy Theory, James A. Beverley. Concord, NC: EqualTime Books, 2020.

On October 28, 2017, the first message from someone called “Q Clearance Patriot” was posted on the internet. The post falsely predicted the October 30 arrest of Hillary Clinton. This person(s) would come to be known as “Q”, and soon create the largest and most divisive conspiracy theory in history. It was the first of almost 5,000 confusing, cryptic “Drops” that became the fuel of the QAnon (Q Anonymous) movement. Consistently promoting an incendiary mix of conspiracy theories new and old, Q tapped into a deep distrust and hostility among many people, inflaming that into a cult-like movement that swept millions into its fold.

The QAnon conceptual universe soon consisted of a conglomeration of conspiracy theories. Some were older theories held by politically or religiously conservative people, such as the belief in an international conspiracy of shadowy figures like the Rothschilds and the Illuminati who were always about to create a one-world government. The major new conspiracy theories integrated into the old claimed there was an international cabal of Satanists engaged in child trafficking for sex and human sacrifice. All of these theories claimed the leaders of these atrocities were prominent American Democratic politicians and other world leaders. The Q Drops portrayed President Donald Trump as the courageous leader of people of true faith and patriotism, a man opposing these forces of evil that pervaded the deep state here and abroad. Dr. Beverley documents (with specific citations) many other bizarre conspiracy theories created and integrated into the QAnon worldview, far too many to list here.

The long-standing distrust of many evangelicals toward socially liberal politicians, the resonance that the major Q conspiracy theories have with some evangelical eschatological perspectives, the prevalence of conspiratorial mind-sets among large segments of the evangelical / Pentecostal movements, and the antagonism Christians feel for occult religions (Satanism) and for child trafficking, combined to give QAnon an open door into the hearts and minds of millions of American Christians. Many Christians became entranced with the cryptic, ambiguous Drops of Q and of the major “Q Teachers” or interpreters. Millions of sincere, well-meaning believers fell ever deeper into the rabbit hole of worldly conspiracies, and became increasingly hostile to friends and family members who did not believe in the “truths” of Q. The lies, division, and hatred produced by QAnon soon divided friends, families, and churches across America.

Dr. Beverley examines the Q phenomenon in great detail. He provides exhaustive footnotes and nine extensive appendices on topics directly related to QAnon, including past conspiracy theories. His meticulous research covers the basics of QAnon, the origins and possible identity of Q, the primary and secondary conspiracy theories of Q with their many internal contradictions, the lack of any convincing evidence for the major and minor teachings of Q, and the failure of almost all of Q’s predictions He explains the reasons Q appeals to many evangelicals, the use of QAnon theories by famous Christian “prophets”, and the very serious damage done by QAnon to millions of Americans, Christians, and to our national life. He writes with compassion and respect for those ensnared by this deceptive belief system.

God’s word repeatedly warns us that the adversary of our souls is a liar, the father of lies, a deceiver, the one who sows strife, hatred, and fear, who divides the body of Christ, turns our hearts away from our first love, and distracts us from Christ, Christ’s mission, and the gospel. Politicians, preachers, churches, and Christians who peddle this kind of hostility, deception, division, and strife have been deceived into doing the work of the enemy. But, “ the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” This excellent book is a stark warning to the Church of the demonic dangers of this movement. I highly recommend it.

Dr. James A. Beverley is Research Professor at Tyndale University in Toronto, Canada, and Associate Director at the Institute for the Study of American Religion in Woodway, Texas A prolific author, he is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, the American Academy of Religion, and Associate Editor of Melton’s Encyclopedia of American Religions (2017, 9th edition). Over the past four decades Beverley has built an international reputation as an expert on world religions, new religions, and conspiracy theories. He is often called upon for his expertise by Christian and secular media outlets, by other academic researchers, and in civil and criminal trials Beverley is an evangelical Christian, a friend of Dr. Michael Brown, and a repeated guest on Dr. Brown’s The Line of Fire radio broadcast.

Michael D. Sharp, D.Min., Network Secretary-Treasurer, ALSOM Director

BOOK REVIEWS: PROTECTING GOD’S PEOPLE from FALSE PROPHETS

The Pentecostal – charismatic movement has been a prolific source of aberrant, heretical teachings and practices for over a century. One of the more successful aberrant movements calls itself the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Originating in the 1940’s New Order of the Latter Rain, the NAR has many heretical doctrines and practices. These include the restoration of apostles and prophets equal to the Twelve, regular supernatural guidance through prophetic words, the rise of an elite end-time generation who will do greater miracles than Jesus and the Twelve and conquer the world for God, and more. Virtually all of the NAR media super-prophets falsely prophesied the re-election of President Trump. In 2022 their prophetic words, anointings with oil, and other political endorsements again proved to be spectacular failures, bringing yet more reproach on the Gospel This is only the latest in a long line of failures of all kinds in the apostles-and-prophets movement.

The Assemblies of God in 1949 officially rejected the Latter Rain (NAR) movement as heterodox, unbiblical, and dangerous. For years the Latter Rain movement largely disappeared from view. It resurfaced in the form of the NAR in the 1980’s. Promising end-time revival, greater spiritual power, and more spectacular supernatural experiences, the NAR has grown into an influential movement. It’s pervasive errors and excesses have hurt millions of people

Two recent books provide the most balanced, detailed analysis of the NAR ever done. These outstanding works are endorsed by such prominent Pentecostal scholars and leaders as Craig Keener, Amos Yong, Vinson Synan, Michael Clarensau, and others. They present an in-depth evaluation of all NAR doctrines and practices, revealing NAR’s repeated misinterpretation of Scripture, and correctly explaining what all of the relevant biblical passages really mean.

The authors, R. Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec, are Christian leaders active in ministry and apologetics. They believe in the continuing supernatural ministry of the Spirit. They accept NAR followers as fellow Christians trapped in serious doctrinal errors. Their evaluation is very fair, and therefore very devastating to the NAR. As you read you will encounter the leaders, language, teachings, and practices of the NAR. You will realize how deeply these erroneous beliefs have penetrated many Pentecostal churches and ministries. You will recognize the names of prominent ministers and ministries that are a part of the NAR. You will realize how unbiblical and how dangerous the NAR is for genuine, biblical Pentecostal life and practice. Every Pentecostal / charismatic minister and lay leader should read these books. If you are a discerning Pastor, teacher, or leader, then you love God, His Word, and His People, and you want to know the truth. These books tell the truth, truth that some Pentecostals / charismatics will not want to hear. I urge you to order them today.

God’s Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement, R. Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec, Wooster, OH: Weaver Book Company, 2014, 159 pages.

In this book the authors provide an introduction and overview of the NAR. All of the NAR’s major teachings and practices are examined and compared with Scripture. A glossary of NAR terminology equips the reader to recognize such terms as evidence of NAR influence. Lists of NAR teachers and organizations are provided. This book is excellent for pastoral teaching or for a small group study (under good leaders!). “If you have a loved one who has been drawn into this movement, or you want a brief and accurate introduction to it, or if you … simply want a brief introduction for yourself, this book is for you.”

A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement, R. Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec, Wooster, OH: Weaver Book Company, 2014, 254 pages.

In this book the authors go into greater depth. They examine the historical-theological origins of the NAR, its growth, its attempts to gain influence in politics and among other churches. They explore all unique NAR doctrines and practices including apostles, prophets, strategic level spiritual warfare, an elite end-time miracle working army of God, spectacular spiritual experiences, dominionism, and so forth. In every instance the authors exhaustively examine what the Bible actually teaches about all of these things, compare this to NAR teaching, and demonstrate the aberrant, dangerous, often heretical nature of the NAR. Every Pentecostal / charismatic pastor should read this book.

Michael D. Sharp, D.Min., Network Secretary-Treasurer, ALSOM Director

REVIEWING ACCREDITATION

CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD

“Your ‘credits’ will not transfer. You used an unaccredited ‘school.’ They will not satisfy our Fellowship’s educational requirements for ministerial credentials. You should not have tried to take the easiest, quickest, cheapest route.” Sadly, many people trying to enter the ministry are hearing these very words today.

Because of the potential student loan debt load, some people prefer a non-accredited educational preparation for ministry. When that is the case, the two institute level options our Network recommends are Berean School of the Bible or the Alabama School of Ministry (ALSOM). The content of these two options is produced by our national office, covers all of the courses required for ministerial credentials, and provides a very low-cost alternative for ministry preparation. We are always working to improve the educational experience for ALSOM students. If you must use a non-accredited, low cost alternative, we recommend that you consider these institute level opportunities.

However, if you do desire a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in preparation for ministry, it is extremely important that you obtain your education from a properly accredited institution. There are many Internet sites and some church-based schools that call themselves colleges, seminaries, and universities, claim to have some kind of accreditation, claim to offer all levels of authentic degrees, but in reality all of their claims are false. The problem of bogus degree mills and accreditation mills continues to plague Christian higher education. If you sense a call into ministry and you desire a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, our Fellowship strongly recommends that your first choice for education be one of our regionally accredited Assemblies of God universities. Fully accredited degrees are available from Global and other AG universities through inexpensive distance education.

We recommend that parents and students pursuing education in any field, especially the ministry, carefully research the accreditation status of prospective schools. Never simply trust what a website, church, or minister tells you! The website may be lying, and even well-meaning churches or ministers may be misinformed.

An unaccredited or improperly accredited institution has NO real accountability for their educational product. Their degrees are not recognized, and their credits will almost never transfer to legitimately accredited institutions. When you see any website try to explain away their lack of accreditation, or claim they are avoiding government interference, or cite an unrecognized accrediting agency, but still claim to prepare you for a lifetime of ministry, you should NOT use that institution. They are lying. It is a con. Legitimate institutions will clearly describe their nature and status and will not claim to be something they are not.

Many degree mills create fraudulent accreditation mills that will then turn around and “accredit” the fraudulent “educational” site! Because the website looks slick and legit, because they use spiritual and educational language, because they offer the quickest, cheapest way to get a “degree,” many innocent people are deceived. Even local church-based schools of ministry sometimes do not use acceptable sources for their educational component. Parents should be very wary of locally produced material and all non-AG distance “education” offerings.

You should thoroughly investigate the accreditation status of any “degree-granting” “school” you consider. You may access AG Higher Education at http://colleges.ag.org Names of the legitimate accrediting agencies and other important information are available at the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, http://www.chea.org, and at http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation and http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.

Finally, I will be glad to speak with you at any time to answer questions about education, accreditation, or preparing for ministry. If after checking the accreditation of a school you are still in any way uncertain or confused, please call the Network Office and ask for Dr. Sharp. This is a life-changing decision. We are here to help you choose wisely.

– Michael D Sharp, D Min , Network Secretary-Treasurer, ALSOM Director

In memory of those who have gone before us

Reverend Huey D. Anderson

Rev. Huey D. Anderson, of New Brockton, Alabama, passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at his home. He was 81 years old. Funeral services were held on Monday, December 19, 2022, at Faith Assembly of God Church with Rev. Billy Cardwell and Rev. Tommy Davis officiating. Burial followed at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery with Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory directing.

He retired from Dorsey Trailers after 38 years of employment. He pastored six different churches in the area and was a dependable and faithful servant of God.

Rev. Anderson was preceded in death by six brothers William, Lunie, Marion, David, Jessie, Roy and a sister Linda Baxley.Survivors include his loving wife of 58 years, Elaine Layton Anderson, New Brockton, AL; daughter, Brenda Jenkins (Warren), Catlett, VA; son, Mark Anderson (Petula), Bridgeport, WV; nine grandchildren, Ashley Friedman (Robert), Pensacola, FL; Allison Laake (Alex), Midland, VA; Anne Friedman (Casey), Locust Grove, VA; Sarah Jenkins, Catlett, VA; Jonathan Jenkins, Catlett, VA; Kaleigh Goehring (Timon), Milton, FL; Nicholas Anderson, Clarksburg, WV; Jordan Anderson, Clarksburg, WV; Josiah Anderson, Clarksburg, WV; eleven greatgrandchildren; brother, Charles Anderson, Enterprise, AL; several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Reverend William "Bill" David Maag, Sr.

William "Bill" David Maag, Sr., age 66, a resident of Theodore, AL, passed away on November 15, 2022, in Mobile, AL. He was born in Marietta, Ohio on October 23, 1956, to John Maag and Willa Mae Cobb. In his early years he served as a law enforcement officer for Prichard Police Department, then started hauling loads across the U.S. Soon came his love for Christ and he became a pastor for the Assemblies of God. His favorite hobby was playing the guitar and singing Gospel and Country. He was a strong, selfless, hard-working, and loving man. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many. Bill is survived by his wife, Pam Maag; sons, William David (Amanda) Maag, Jr. and Christopher (Juli) Maag; daughters, Marie (Cody) Bosarge and Robin (Robert) Belk; grandchildren, Londyn Maag, Crimson Maag, Gracelynn Maag, Westyn Maag, Bentley Cady, and Sean Belk; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation was held Monday, November 21, 2022 at Serenity Funeral Home, followed by a service at 12 PM. Interment was held at Serenity Memorial Gardens.

Reverend William H Mears

Rev William H. Mears of Dothan, AL passed away on June 23, 2022 in Dothan, Alabama of natural causes. He was born on June 30, 1935 in Vernon, Florida.

William became a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God in 1976 and then later became ordained in 1978. After graduating from high school, he worked for the Florida Department of Transportation for 19 years. It was soon after that he answered God’s call on his life to full time ministry.

Brother Mears pastored in: Noma, FL for 2 years, Mayo, FL for 2 years, Griffin, GA for 7 years (built a church building), and Excel, AL for 7 years (built a church building).

After retirement he was interim pastor at Enterprise First AG for about 2 years. He enjoyed retirement in Dothan, AL. He was survived by his wife, Sarah.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES

Transferred in:

Jonathan Shehane (L)

Todd Tyson (O)

Douglas E Harn (O)

Deceased:

William David

Maag, Sr.

William H. Mears

Huey D. Anderson

Pastoral Changes:

Gospel Lighthouse –

Rev. Jimmy Ginn

Phenix City First Assembly of God –

Rev. Nelson Lugo

New/Upgraded CredenCals:

Susan Strahan (L)

Jennifer Hall (L)

AusKn Jenkins (C)

Kyle Carson (C)

Anna Kay Roberts (C)

JusKn Ingram (C)

Braxton Drummonds (C)