The Alabama Messenger March/April 2024

KENNETH W. DRAUGHON, D.MIN.

NETWORK SUPERINTENDENT

ds@amnag.org

We are stepping into the Spring of 2024, and that brings to mind our Alabama Ministry Network Annual Conference (NetCon), which will be in Mobile at Knollwood Church, April 22-24. Our theme will be “God’s Next for Us!” Jeremiah tells us, “...I know the plans I have for you...” (Jer. 29:11 NLT). God has more for us than we have already experienced. Former Superintendent Vaudie Lambert used to say, “What God does next is always beXer than what He did before.” I believe the best is yet to come! The Lord said in the book of Isaiah,” ...I am about to do something new” (43:19). God has given us the power to accomplish our NEXT. God is NOT finished with us! Are you ready for God’s NEXT in your life, ministry, and church?

Our Tuesday night through Wednesday speakers this year are Evangel University’s President, Dr. Mike Rakes, and his wife, Darla. We will kick off with our World Missions Banquet and conclude with Ordinaeon.

This is a one-eme-a-year gathering, and we are encouraging everyone to priorieze joining with other Alabama AG family members to celebrate God and His presence. We can’t afford to allow present trends to draw us away from who we are and who we run with—the church. Our annual meeengs are just that— annually. We don’t ask you to be at everything, but we hope you take advantage of the offerings we bring to this fellowship, where you can partner with others in our AG family in the areas where you feel God is drawing you to become involved. There is a trend in the church to “do your own thing” and draw back from the fellowship. Mark Sayers wrote in Disappearing Church, “For the many Chriseans eager to prove we can be both holy and cool, cultural pressures are too much. We either compartmentalize our faith or drii from it altogether—into a world that’s so alluring.” It’s appealing to be “cool” and do ministry in your own Jerusalem. We are a fellowship, indica e ng a partnership, which means we are a part of something bigger than ourselves.

We need each other more than we someemes realize. When God brought the Hebrews out of Egypt on their journey to the Promised Land, those who hung back or straggled were picked off by the enemy. Don’t draw back—press in!

MICHAEL D. SHARP, D.MIN.

NETWORK SECRETARY-TREASURER

msharp@amnag.org

Guest Speaker Jacob Jester

to Africa

DIRECTOR:

Gulf Coast Women’s Conference RECAP

Our hearts our full after the Gulf Coast Women’s Conference at Celebration Church in Fairhope. Thank you to everyone who attended, and especially to Pastors Johnny and April Hunt for welcoming us to Celebration Church. Trisha Oden did an incredible job inspiring women with the Word of God. She is a warrior for the Kingdom and God is using her ministry in a powerful way!

AMN CONFERENCE

Join us Tuesday, April 23 at Knollwood Church in Mobile for our annual Ladies Luncheon. This is for all women in ministry! This year, our dear friend and evangelist, Martha Tennison, will be our guest speaker. Her testimony is a reminder that God is faithful in every circumstance. We will also be celebrating the churches who gave in 2023 towards our Life Rally goal. We can’t wait to see you in Mobile for the AMN Conference and especially at the Ladies Luncheon!

LIFE RALLY TOUR

Women joining together to give our best for Missions

Date

Friday, March 1

Saturday, March 2

Saturday, March 2

Thursday, March 7

Friday, March 8

Tuesday, March 12

Thursday, March 14

Friday, March 15

Saturday, March 16

Monday, March 18

Tuesday, March 19

Saturday, March 23

Tuesday, March 26

Thursday, March 28

Saturday, April 6

W e h a d a g r e a t t i m e a t C h i l d r e n ’ s L e a d e r R e t r e a t 2 0 2 4 W i t h t h e w o r s h i p l e d b y M a t t & C a r r i e B r i t t , t o t h e b r e a k o u t s e s s i o n s t a u g h t b y o u r o w n c h i l d r e n ’ s p a s t o r s , t o o u r s p e a k e r s , C h r i s P r u e t t & J o e D a l l a s t o t h e b o w l i n g a n d a r c a d e s a t D o w n t o w n F l a v o r t o w n t o t h e m i n i s t r y t i m e a t t h e a l t a r , G o d t r u l y b l e s s e d t h i s r e t r e a t w i t h r e f r e s h i n g m i n i s t r y t o o u r c h i l d r e n ’ s l e a d e r s T h a n k y o u t o a l l w h o h a d a p a r t i n m a k i n g t h i s r e t r e a t a s u c c e s s W e a r e l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o n e x t y e a r

Christian

First

Vincent

First

Orchard

Praise

First

Thank you SO much for your faithfulness in giving! AMN had another amazing year in giving in 2023; children and churches across the state gave $632,987.51 for BGMC!

HERMENEUTICS – Correctly Handling the Word of Truth

The greatest problem in the Pentecostal-charisma4c church today is our constant mishandling of God’s word. This has created pervasive biblical illiteracy – being ignorant of what the biblical text actually says and means. The cure for this deadly problem is a be;er understanding of good hermeneu<cs: Using the right principles of interpreta<on to ensure we read and teach the Bible well. This begins with interpre<ng a verse according to its genre and context What kind (genre) of biblical wri<ng is this: Poetry, proverb, history, prophecy? What are the sentence, paragraph, and passage saying? Failing to do this can result in false doctrine that tears down the faith and life of God’s people.

One simple example is the misinterpreta<on of Proverbs 6:2, “…if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth,”. Failing to read this properly as a proverb plus taking it out of context enabled many poor teachers to teach serious error. This verse was used as a proof text to “prove” that words have metaphysical spiritual power to cause good or evil things to happen to you. People were terrified to “speak something nega<ve because it might come to pass!” That whole concept is unbiblical. It is a here<cal idea with roots in the occult. It originated with the enemy of our souls. Merely reading the passage in its immediate context shows the “nega<ve confession” interpreta<on to be a serious error.

Proverbs 6 - “1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another, 2 if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, 3 then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor's hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor! 4 Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. 5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.”

Proverbs 6:1-5 is a warning against “co-signing” for someone’s debt! Any other meaning is impossible! Failing to understand how to read a proverb and failing to read it in context has created anxiety and fear in millions of Pentecostal-charisma<c believers for decades. A proverb is “a concise, memorable statement of something generally true, learned over extended human experience.” The Book of Proverbs is an inspired collec<on of these sayings wri;en by different wise men and collected into one book. Some basic principles for correctly interpre<ng Proverbs will preserve us from foolish errors like the one above.

1. Proverbs are general principles NOT promises or legal guarantees. You cannot “stand on” or “claim” a proverb as if it is a “promise” from God or a declara<on from God that is always and invariably true. Neither Judaism nor Chris<anity has ever taught otherwise, and neither have Pentecostal scholars!

2. Proverbs are wise sayings which are usually true in most circumstances. They usually are not absolute truth.

3. Proverbs are poe<c - they are filled with figura<ve language. Proverbs are wri;en to be memorable, not to be theore<cally theologically accurate in every circumstance. God never intended otherwise.

4. Proverbs in this biblical book were wri;en in an ancient culture and must usually be “translated” for applica<on in modern cultures, or they will lose their true meaning.

5. Wrongly used, Proverbs can cause tremendous misunderstanding of God, blame of others, or selfcondemna<on.

6. Proverbs must be read as a collec<on, comparing each proverb to the teaching of the rest of the book, the rest of wisdom literature, and the rest of Scripture

There are many other important principles for reading biblical proverbs but these are founda<onal. God wants us to correctly read, interpret, and apply his word, for his glory and the good of his people.

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

BOOK REVIEWS – IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS

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.

In the following reviews we examine more excellent books about hearing and declaring what the Old Testament says about the Messiah. Jesus said that the Law, the Writings, and the Prophets were ultimately all pointing to Him. It is a mistake to read and teach an Old Testament passage as if it has no New Testament relationship to Jesus. Once we understand how the Old Testament author and reader understood the passage, we should move on to understand how Jesus and his Apostles saw its relationship to Christ. Jesus taught us to do this: “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. … He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”” (Luke 24:27,44) Before and after His resurrection, Jesus repeatedly taught his disciples how to correctly understand the old covenant Scripture – it was ultimately all pointing toward Him. This is the only way to correctly understand the Scripture.

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

The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament, Edmund P. Clowney, Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1988, 208 pages.

Two recent books provide the most balanced, detailed analysis of the NAR ever done. These outstanding works are prominent Pentecostal scholars and leaders as Craig Keener, Amos Yong, Vinson Synan, Michael Clarensau 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 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.

Ed Clowney was one of the 20th century’s greatest proponents of redemptive-historical preaching – correctly preaching Christ from all of Scripture. In this book Clowney carefully traces the plot line of redemption throughout God’s great story, the Bible. He concentrates on several major episodes in this greatest drama ever told. God’s redemptive mission culminating in Christ is clearly revealed in every episode. With solid exegesis, judicious typology, and brilliant insight, Clowney demonstrates that the inner unity of all Scripture is found when we see each story as moving toward Jesus. The author traces such themes as Christ the New Man, the Son of the Woman, the Son of Abraham, the Prince of Peace, and the Lord to Come, among others. Beginning with Adam, Clowney walks us through these Old Testament stories and shows us how to legitimately find Christ where he is usually overlooked. Clowney writes simply and clearly, with great depth, detail, and accuracy This book is an excellent guide to discovering and declaring from the Old Testament the unfolding mystery of God’s chosen redeemer, Jesus the Christ. It will serve you well.

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 rminology 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.”

Preaching Christ in All of Scripture, Edmund P. Clowney, Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2003, 189 pages.

This book is a perfect companion volume to “The Unfolding Mystery.” The first volume traces the unifying plot line of redemption through several major episodes in God’s story, showing how these clearly point forward to Christ. This second volume is structured differently. Chapter One is an outstanding summary (34 pages) of how to correctly discern and declare Christ from Old Testament Scripture It is worth the price of the book! Chapter Two is an excellent description of how to prepare a sermon that presents Christ. The next thirteen chapters are marvelous sermons that preach Jesus the Christ. Ten of the sermons are from Old Testament stories, and the other three refer often to Old Testament passages. Clowney’s method in this book is very helpful. First he tells you how to see the Scripture’s witness to Christ (without reading him back into the Old Testament text illegitimately). Then he tells you how to prepare a sermon that presents Christ using proper exegesis and legitimate typology. Finally he gives you thirteen brilliant examples of the finished product – gospel sermons from the Old Testament. This is a very helpful, practical book.

A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement, R. Douglas tt 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.

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.

In Loving Memory of…

Rev. James Neal Conn

Rev. James Neal Conn, age 67 of Grant, Alabama passed away Thursday, February 1, 2024 at his home.

Jimmy was born in Linden, Texas but has made his home in Alabama for many years. A true servant of God and people, he spent 48 years in ministry. He had a heart for ministering in local nursing homes, especially at Marshall Manor. Jimmy was also retired from Civil Service.

A family man, Jimmy’s memory is cherished by his wife of 48 years, Cathy Conn; son, Jeff Conn (Amanda); grandchildren, Casie Conn (Cody Brewer), Jayden Conn, and Avery Conn; brothers, Roger Conn (Teresa) and Ricky Conn; sister, Patty Conn McKellar; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was reunited with his parents, Jimmy & Johnnie Conn; son, Jeremey Conn; granddaughter, Kristen Conn; and grandson, Jeremey Sutton Conn.

A service celebrating his life took place at River Church of God in Guntersville on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 1 p.m. Pastors Keith Stanford and Cameron Gipson officiated.

Transferred in: N/A

MINISTERIAL CHANGES

Deceased: Rev. James Conn

Pastoral Changes: Summerdale AGRev. Steven Fairley

New/Upgraded CredenHals: C. Elijah Nolan (C)