The Alabama Messenger November-December 2019

ALABAMAMESSENGER

THE

November/December 2019 Volume 33/Number 6

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:14

Ken Draughon ALABAMA DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

ds@adcag.org

The Psalmist wrote, "I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds" (Psalm 9:1). I love this season we are entering. It is the season to express our sincere thanks for all the Lord has done for us. It is also a time to recognize those in our lives for which we are thankful.

I am thankful for my wife, children, their spouses, and my grandchildren. There are many people in my life presently, and in the past that I sincerely thank the Lord for their impact upon my life.

Cyndi and I are also thankful for your friendship and shared ministry here in the Alabama AG family.

It is also the time of the year that we celebrate the birth of our incredible savior’s birth. As we approach the church’s celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord, remember to share Him with everyone. Cyndi and I extend our heartfelt wishes to you and your family to have a blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also, our hearts reach out to those who have lost loved ones since recent holidays and encourage them.

We’re excited about God’s intended future for you and the Alabama AG family!

SITTING ON SHOULDERS I would like to personally invite you to join us on Thursday, December 5th at Montgomery First Assembly of God for a day centered around Spiritual Mentoring with Pastor Scott Wilson.

Pastor Scott is the lead pastor of Oaks Church in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

Visit our website and click on Sitting on Shoulders under the events tab (www.adcag.org) to register yourself, your spouse, staff pastors or any other leader you feel would want to be a part of spiritual mentoring in the local church.

This is going to be a great day of training and discussion. I hope you will take time to join us.

MICHAEL D. SHARP, D.MIN. DISTRICT SECRETARY-TREASURER msharp@adcag.org

ADVENT—PREPARING FOR CHRIST’S COMING Every year many American Chris0ans complain about the corrup0ng busyness and materialism of Christmas. For several decades Americans have redefined the “Christmas season” as beginning the Friday a?er Thanksgiving (a modern American holiday) when our shopping frenzy begins. We equate the Christmas Season with the Christmas shopping season. We’ve been corrupted by our materialis0c culture. The best an0dote for this corrup0on has been around for over 1,600 years. That an0dote is to enter deeply into the season of the Chris0an Year that immediately precedes Christmas, the season known as Advent.

Advent comes from the La0n word “adventus” or “coming.” Ancient Chris0ans knew that Christ’s redemp0ve work had changed everything, including how we mark 0me itself. Now God’s people would mark their year independently of secular calendars. In our Chris0an Year we would celebrate the redeeming acts of Jesus Christ. This would guide our lives, our worship, our discipleship. Every year the founda0onal doctrines of our Faith would be taught during, and by, these seasons. Throughout the year we would re-live the life of Jesus.

Therefore, the year begins with Advent, preparing our hearts to celebrate Christ’s First Coming.

Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas Day and ends with Christmas Eve. During these four Sundays and the surrounding days, the preaching, teaching, and devo0ons tell us of Christ’s First and Second Advents. Through God’s Word, our worship, and our medita0ons we remember God’s promises to Israel to come as Savior and deliver them from cap0vity. We remember Christ’s promises to come again someday to deliver Chris0ans and judge the na0ons. We prepare our hearts to celebrate Christ’s birth, and to meet him when he comes again. Advent is a 0me of remembrance, repentance, longing, and hope.

Advent embeds Christmas, and us, in the only proper context. Advent provides the best possible means for preparing to celebrate Christ’s birth acceptably. Advent is a powerful an0dote to the busyness and greed that pollute the weeks leading up to Christmas. We take a long look back through the history of God’s People, examine our hearts, reflect on our desperate need for God’s interven0on, repent of sin, long for Christ to come, and hope steadfastly. Finally, we rejoice with great joy at the birth of Jesus Christ. All of this pushes back at what our culture promotes in the weeks leading to Christmas.

Advent requires us to look deeply into God’s Word, in both the Old and New Testaments, and find there the glorious prophecies of all that God’s Messiah was to be and do in his First and Second Comings. Each year we cycle through different passages learning how central Jesus is to all of Scripture and all of redemp0on history.

Advent reminds us that we are an ancient-future pilgrim people with an ancient-future faith, stretching back through Christ into Israel, and forward through Christ into the eternal New Crea0on. Such Advent hymns as “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” join our longing with ancient Israel’s and with Chris0ans through the ages. Each week a new candle is lit in the Advent wreath reminding us that God’s Light once came, and is coming again, into this present darkness.

It is tragic that a few early evangelicals chose to keep only Easter Sunday and Christmas Day, and to forget the rest of the Chris0an Year. Tearing these two holy days out of their seasonal contexts and away from the holy seasons surrounding them has destroyed much of their power to form us as Chris0ans. As a result, the celebra0on of many American Chris0ans is shallow, rootless, and truncated. Christmas was cut off from the depth of Scripture and history, stripped of much of its beauty and power, defined by culture instead of by Christ. We lost a richness that can only be restored by marking 0me “in Christ” once more. Thankfully, many evangelicals are relearning the power and beauty of Advent itself, and the tremendous depth it adds to the celebra0on of the Christmas Season that follows from Christmas Day un0l Epiphany.

Stop le]ng non-Chris0an ideas and prac0ces push you around during these holy days. Don’t let previous ignorance or this materialis0c culture replace the holy, repentant Season of Advent with the “christmas” shopping season. Enter fully into Advent and prepare your heart for the joy of mee0ng Jesus!

FROM THE DISTRICT SECRETARY-TREASURER’S OFFICE RENEWAL SEASON IS NOW OPEN! DON’T DELAY! RENEW TODAY!

As other districts are now doing, we want to express our appreciation to you for stewarding your credentials well and renewing early. If you renew your credentials BY NOVEMBER 30 you will be eligible for a $500.00 gift card to be given to one of the ministers selected at random who entered by that date. If you renew BY DECEMBER 14 you will be eligible for a $250.00 gift card to be given in the same manner. Early renewal is a great blessing to the District and National Offices and could be a blessing to you as well.

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!

All credentialed ministers – Certified, Licensed, and Ordained – should also 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. Since General and District Council offices are closed the last week of the year, Springfield strongly encourages all renewals to be submitted by December 14. 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.

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. District Secretary-Treasurer ALSOM Director

(334 279 7172 Ext. 4 vnorris adcag.org

CE DIRECTOR VINT A NORRIS

www.adcag.org

T S

Te G g da Sch

Yarbo A/G

641.20

Faith A/G

618.05

Hope Church

607.50

Ashland First

598.90

Temple A/G

480.93

Harper s Joy A/G Kingwood A/G

450.00 450.00

First A/G, Mont.

450.00

The Crossing

450.00

Hobson A/G

395.00

T

Te G BGMC

Clearwater A/G

g 15,175.00

First A/G, Phenix City

10,704.00

Fountain of Life

7,223.35

First A/G, Mont.

7,177.07

Pleasant Grove

5,784.30

First A/G, Jackson

5,614.60

Bethel A/G, Ariton

5,000.00

Thompson Chapel

4,392.62

Temple A/G Robertsdale A/G

3,928.13 3,883.24

This J B b eQ season has gotten off to a great start! We have close to 20 teams participating this year! If you re interested in getting JBQ started at your church, please contact Pastor Tim Jones (205 966 2748 or pastortim.jones gmail.com for more information on JBQ.

Mark our calendars for Monda J l Wedne da J l The theme is Shine Brigh With Guest Speakers

Amy is the oldest of three girls and grew up in a pastor s home in Missouri until she moved away for college. She was baptized in the Holy Spirit at the age of 12 at a Southern Missouri Kids Camp and was crowned an Honor Star that following year.

Amy has always had a call to serve in any capacity, but loves pouring into this generation. She currently serves as the Family Ministries Pastor in Macon, GA, but has also served as a Children s and Youth Pastor at previous churches. She met her husband, Steve while in college and they have three beautiful children, all of which are so unique, crazy, fun, and boldly love Jesus. Amy is passionate about life, loving others, and believes that our authenticity and consistency honor God and inspire people. Some of Amy s passions in life are discipleship and helping others achieve their potential for a Kingdom purpose. A few of her favorite things are good coffee, home and foreign missions, her four legged hairy kids and most importantly, her family!

Hannah Mason is currently a student at Southeastern University pursuing a degree and serving as the Volunteer Coordinator with the Department of Spiritual Formation. She has the privilege of leading a team of over 400 volunteers. She also leads a group of college girls helping them to develop leadership skills and pursue a deeper relationship with the Lord. In the future, she plans to become a teacher and get her master s degree in Theology. She loves to teach, serve, and be a part of growing the Kingdom of God. Hannah has enjoyed the opportunities to speak and lead this generation into personal growth with the Lord.

Alabama Royal Rangers will be having a Ranger Essentials Training on No ember at Camp Lone Eagle. Ranger Essentials is one of the basic commander's training courses for ministry at the churchlevel or outpost-level. If you are a new leader or have been for a while and have not received this training yet, you do not want to miss it. The cost for he raining is per applican .

Please contact John Robinson (256) 698-1730 or hls.robinson gmail.com, for more information.

What an incredible weekend we had at Encounter Church in Guin Alabama. On Saturday morning, we were able to do a door to door blitz to hand out flyers.

We handed out bottles of water and flyers at Walmart, along with our gorillas getting pictures with the boys and girls. On Saturday afternoon, we had a Family Fun Day at the church and had a good turn out to enjoy inflatables, hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, and a ton of giveaways. After the Fun Day, NXTGEN ministries did a Kids Crusade service and saw boys, girls and some adults respond to the altar call. At the end of the service, we gave away two bicycles and some Walmart gift cards. On Sunday, we did Family Experience and had several guests come that were from the Family Fun Day. There were boys and girls along with several adults respond to the altar on Sunday morning. Thank you to these churches and individuals who gave of their time, energy, and resources to partner with Encounter Church in Guin: Central AG from Huntsville, Amory First AG from Amory MS, Garywood AG from Hueytown, Pastor David Wimpee, Hallmark Inflatables, and Pastor Chuck Glasscock and See Clearly ministry. Thanks to Pastor Philip Larson and all the great folks from Encounter church for hosting our latest Alabama Kids Invasion!

We i h each f a b e ed h ida ea K i ia dIc i a i i ege e e hi A aba a Di ic Tha f a d ef We a b e i g a d fa i hi h ida ea Merr Christmas from the Norris famil to ours

ALABAMA DISTRICT MISSIONS & MEN’S MINISTRIES DISTRICT DIRECTOR DAVID STRAHAN email: dstrahan@adcag.org

us & world missions

Merry Christmas from The Strahans

church planting & development

men’s ministry

lftl

Men’s Missions Trip to the SMOKY MOUNTAIN DREAM CENTER We had an incredible missions trip to the Smoky Mountain Dream Center. Five churches and seventeen men helped to build a storage barn and clear trees. Thank you to Alabama Men’s Ministries for giving to the project.

What is a 360MAN? A 360Man lives out the full-circle faith found in Acts 2:42-47. He is part of a brotherhood of men who stand up to assist others in their walk with Christ, and share the gospel worldwide!

• WORSHIP—He worships Jesus Christ through praise, prayer, and his daily life.

• DISCIPLESHIP—He reads, refl ects, and studies the Scriptures • FELLOWSHIP—He recognizes the importance of every relationship, especially his relationship with Christ.

• SERVICE—He embodies the servant mentality as he is used by God. • SHARE—He shares his story with others, because God’s hope is for all people.

How do I become a 360MAN? A 360Man commits to: • PRAYER for other men to know Christ and grow in their faith.

• LIVE a life of integrity in his identity, relationships, purpose, and vision.

• SUPPORT his pastor and local church ministry.

• INVEST $10 per month to partner with his District and the National Men’s Ministries teams to reach and disciple men.

Alabama Women’s Ministries Director: Cyndi Draughon

for every woman...

GC C

The Gulf Coast Women’s Conference is going to be a weekend to remember for our district! I hope you can join us February 20-22 in Orange Beach with Susanne Cox and Crystal Crosby. Both are dynamic speakers!

The cost is $75 per person and registration forms are available on our website at www.adcag.org.

(One form per church is all that’s needed.)

I hope you can join us for the incredible time together.

retired ministers Please remember to bless our retired ministers during the holiday season. This is a wonderful way to honor these precious ministers who paved the way for us.

New Women’s Ministry Theme for 2020

AG Women understand that women have received a charge from God to stand strong and be faithful, courageous under fire, humble, and prayerful. We announce the 2020 theme as Entrusted with Treasure.

The theme verse is: “Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you” (2 Timothy 1:14, NASB).

The theme study for the year is Trustworthy: A Study of the Life and Character of Daniel, written by Kay Burnett, national director, AG Women. Burnett’s desire in writing this book is that it will be used as a tool to help women recognize and appreciate the lessons Daniel’s life can teach.

Maybe it was Daniel’s life and character that caused the apostle Paul to write to Timothy later and encourage him to “guard . . . the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”

Women today can take Paul’s message to heart, learn from Daniel, and guard the treasure of the gospel.

ag women’s day

National AG Women’s Day is Sunday, February 23, 2020, for Assemblies of God churches across the nation and worldwide to celebrate the women of their congregation.

Alabama Youth Ministries ALABAMAYOUTHMINISTRIES.COM

DISTRICT YOUTH DIRECTOR: STEVEN

A. MASON

EMAIL: DYDSEC@ADCAG.ORG

JAN-SEP 2019

YOUTH GROUP

OFFERINGS PINEDALE, CLANTON- $600

jan 17-19, 2020

DOTHAN FIRST- $524 LOMAX, CLANTON- $500 MONTGOMERY FIRST- $450 JACKSON FIRST- $350 WEATHERLY RD HUNTSVILLE- $320 EVANGEL CHURCH, MONTGOMERY- $225 TUSCALOOSA FIRST- $195 MOFFETT RD MOBILE- $175 EL BETHEL AG NEW BROCKTON- $140

JAN-SEP 2019

GIVING

TOP TEN CHURCHES PHENIX CITY FIRST $25,061.91 DOTHAN FIRST $21,500.00 VINCENT REVIVAL CENTER $16,936.00

Youth Convention March 6-7

JACKSON FIRST $13,342.83

grand club banquet

NEWTON FIRST $11,929.00

march 20

fine arts festival april 17-18

) Merry Christmas Christmas) FROM THE MASONS

MONTGOMERY FIRST $14,431.69

for more info on any upcoming events, please email dydsec@adcag.org.

HARPER’S JOY, DOTHAN $10,000.00 BETHEL, ARITON $9,979.00 SUNSHINE, CLANTON $7,750.00 ORCHARD, SEMMES $5,600.59

WEEK 1 SPEAKER

WEEK 2 SPEAKER

Joel Marbut

Eric Hoffman

Missionary to Ecuador

National Speed The Light

Birmingham/ Tuscaloosa Anniston /Sylacauga

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9

Lunch Banquet at TOP GOLF, BIRMINGHAM (12 PM) Reps: John Hires - #205-746-2220, Jon Delmark #503-442-8430, Dave Freeland - #757-272-9701 or Josh Wright #205-705-4022

Tennessee Valley / Cullman FRIDAY, JANUARY 10

Youth Rally at HARTSELLE FIRST (7 PM) Reps: Andy Oram - #256-506-6589 or Eric Nail - #205-837-0741

Andalusia / Monroeville TUESDAY, JANUARY 14

Youth Rally at EAST BREWTON FIRST (7 PM) Reps: Andrew Sawyer - #251-363-3311 or Ray Bundy - #334-406-6721

Phenix City WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 Youth Rally at PHENIX CITY FIRST (6:30 PM CST/7:30 PM EST) Rep: Jimmy Ginn - #334-663-1091

Montgomery MONDAY, JANUARY 20

Dinner Banquet at SAFE HARBOR, PRATTVILLE (7 PM) Rep: Aaron Argo- #205-272-0509

Dothan / Enterprise **NEW** TUESDAY, JANUARY 21 Dinner Banquet at TBA (7 PM) Reps: Michael Hamilton #256-665-0414, or Scotty Jones - #334-733-9432

Demopolis WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22 Youth Rally at Butler First (7 PM) Rep: Kevin Lewis - #256-504-8679

Mobile THURSDAY, JANUARY 23

Dinner Banquet at MOFFETT ROAD AG, MOBILE (7 PM) Rep: Nathan McKinley - #251-510-8782

Baldwin FRIDAY, JANUARY 24

Youth Rally at ISLAND CHURCH, ORANGE BEACH (7 PM) Rep: Matthew Baker - #925-698-2236

District Youth Director Steve Mason

STUDY BIBLES REVIEWED Excellent Tools for Studying God’s Word, Excellent Christmas Gifts for Pastors, Teachers, All Bible Readers The most convenient way to always have good, scholarly help with us when we read or study the Bible is in the form of a study Bible. Many kinds are available. Some are outstanding, others are a waste of money. Study Bibles with notes written by a single author should generally be avoided. They are more likely to contain errors or eccentric ideas than are study Bibles produced by teams of good scholars. Some study Bibles are highly specialized, like the Full Life Study Bible, or the Apologetics Study Bible. Such Bibles are designed for a niche market, may be fine for pointing out a particular emphasis in Scripture, but are not helpful beyond a narrow, sometimes parochial view. Such a study Bible often misleads the reader into thinking that its single-minded focus provides the best or the only correct perspective on a doctrine or on particular passages. Please always remember that one of the more comprehensive study Bibles is needed for genuine and general study.

This review profiles the five best, most important study Bibles available today. Even if one of these works is not available in your favorite translation (NKJV, NIV, etc.), it will still be an excellent addition to your Bible study aids. All of these translations, and the study Bibles, are evangelical, orthodox, and trustworthy. Any of these would make an excellent gift for a pastor, leader, or lay person.

The Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, edited by John Walton and Craig Keener. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016, 2,400 pages.

Overall, this is the best study Bible available today for entering into and understanding the world of the Bible, and understanding the Bible in its original contexts. This outstanding study Bible is designed to help readers enter into and understand the ancient cultural contexts within which every book of the Bible was written. Seeing the ancient text with ancient eyes is essential if we are to get at what the biblical authors intended to say and what the first readers and listeners would have understood the Bible to mean. This excellent work contains over 300 articles on key cultural context topics. It provides over 400 full-color pictures, art, charts, diagrams, and time-lines, covering all aspects of the cultural setting and influences of every biblical book and passage. The individual notes for each verse provide still more detailed cultural contextual information, opening the reader’s mind to see the scene as the biblical authors and recipients saw it and lived it. It is a one-of-a-kind resource, and always adds cultural insights and texture to your study. The Old Testament editor, John Walton, is one of the foremost OT scholars in the world today. Craig Keener, who edited all of the New Testament contributions, is one of the most respected New Testament scholars alive today. Keener is also a Pentecostal, and a graduate of the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

The Literary Study Bible, edited by Leland Ryken and Philip Ryken. Wheaton: Crossway Bibles, 2007, 1913 pages.

This is the best study Bible available today for simply teaching you how to read the Bible and enriching your daily Bible reading. It is unique among study Bibles, for it focuses carefully on the literary characteristics of the biblical text. God not only inspired the words of Scripture, he also inspired the biblical writers’ choice of literary form, or genre. Knowing which kind of literature you are reading is the necessary first step to correctly understanding God’s Word. Is the passage from the Law or the Prophets, narrative or poetry, gospel or apocalyptic? We must know which genre we are reading in order to correctly interpret God’s Word. This study Bible focuses on the literary aspects of every passage, explaining the literary

conventions being used in the passage so that the full meaning can be understood. It guides the reader deeper into and more carefully through the biblical text itself than do other study Bibles. “It highlights the Bible’s storylines, complex characters, historical settings literary genres, motifs, theological themes, imagery, and important terms, making the Bible come alive with greater clarity and impact.” This is an outstanding guide to reading God’s story. You will easily and permanently acquire new reading skills that will last for a lifetime of Bible study. (Philip Ryken taught me at Beeson Divinity School and is now president of Wheaton College.)

The Archaeological Study Bible, edited by Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. and Duane A. Garrett.

Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005, 2,306 pages.

This work contains over 500 articles and scores of full-color drawings, charts, photographs, and time-lines, covering five categories: Archaeological Sites, Cultural and Historic Notes, Ancient Peoples, Lands and Rulers, Reliability of the Bible, and Ancient Texts and Artifacts. It provides a panoramic and detailed look at these topics as they relate to each biblical book. The focus is on the historical, religious, and geographical setting of each passage and book as revealed by archaeology. The book is full-color throughout, easy to read and to follow. It provides an accurate, in-depth, historical context for the entire Bible, deepening our understanding of Scripture. This outstanding work is a pleasure to read, and hard to put down. It is a one-of-a-kind study aid and always adds historical texture to your study.

The ESV Study Bible, edited by Lane Dennis and Wayne Grudem. Wheaton: Crossway Bibles, 2008, 2,752 pages.

This completely new study Bible was written by conservative, evangelical scholars and based on the essentially “literal” English Standard Version translation. It is an exhaustive, in-depth work, addressing every biblical passage. There are over 240 all-new full-color maps and drawings, 200-plus charts, 80,000 cross-references, an extensive concordance, numerous articles on major doctrines, salvation history, world religions, history, archaeology, the Biblical canon, the reliability of the Scripture, an overview of biblical theology, and much more. It’s extensive introductions to each biblical book, and verse-byverse notes, rival or exceed all previous study Bibles. On debatable passages, all viewpoints are presented.

This study Bible provides a wealth of reliable information from the world’s best scholars to add great depth and breadth your study.

The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011, 2,560 pages.

The NIV translation remains the best-selling translation in the world. The NIV Study Bible remains the most popular study Bible available today. The NIV was translated by a group of the excellent biblical scholars, and this study Bible was created in the same way.

Assemblies of God and other Pentecostal scholars were represented on both the translation teams and the study Bible teams. There are many pages of full-color maps, as well as in-text charts, diagrams, timelines, and illustrations. The excellent study notes include introductions, outlines, and background information for every book of the Bible. The chapters, verses, and notes often have a defined icon to easily identify the primary topic of the passage. The verse-by-verse notes provide textual explanations per verse, and viable possible meanings when the meaning is unclear. There is an in-line verse reference column, as well as the NIV concordance, and subject and study note indexes. Everyday millions of pastors and readers use this outstanding study Bible. The NIV Study Bible remains the one that I use the most often.

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

Dealing with Ministerial Temptations Being a minister is not for the faint of heart. It demands a current relationship with God and a genuine servant’s heart. We do our best to be led by the Spirit, but sometimes worldly methods, ego and the wrong concept of success cripples our ability to serve. We must watch our motives, methods and mental health to make sure we are our best for God. With that in mind, here are some areas to watch for and be careful of.

Codependency on ministry – When a minister’s self-worth or emotional health is based on how his church or ministry is doing or how others relate to him he is co-dependent. If the church is doing well he is happy and feels successful, and if the church is struggling he is upset, loses confi dence or becomes depressed. The same is true depending on how people like him or dislike him. To be healthy mentally our success must be based on being obedient to God and our relationship with Him. Neither can it be based on pleasing others, but rather pleasing God. Our dependency must be solely on God, for only He can truly know our heart and can supply our every need.

Academic laziness – In this age of technology is can be easy to get lazy in our studies. Back in the day you had to study the Bible, read commentaries, concordances, study books and then type out your sermon using a typewriter. Today in the age of cut and paste it is so easy when you are busy to grab someone else’s sermon, tweak it a bit and preach it. Now God may use those sermons and the body may not even know it, but when you get lazy in your studies it will eventually begin to show through weak, thrown together sermons that lack preparation and anointing since you put very little into it. Avoid this like the plague and never use being too busy as an excuse to keep you from giving proper prep time to your preaching and teaching. Keep reading, keep learning, and keep your mind sharp so as to be ready for God to anoint and use you.

Delegating pastoral care – I see this way too often today; pastors who delegate all or most pastoral care to others. Many have become CEOs of the church rather than having a pastoral, hands on relationship with the people they are called to serve. I understand as a church gets larger the pastor cannot do it all, however the pastor should always have a pastor’s heart, be connected to the people, visit, pray with, and let the body know you love and care for them. If not, you may have the title of pastor, senior pastor or lead pastor, but in reality someone else is actually pastoring. If you think you have gotten to high up on the leadership ladder to do pastoral care you are no longer pastoring but are simply serving as a public speaker.

Member prioritization – No pastor I have ever know intentionally sees one member of the congregation more important than another, however it can happen if we are not careful. Without even realizing it we may spend more time with those who can benefi t us the most, or perhaps give preference to those who give the most fi nancially. If we look at only what people can bring to the table in the ways of talent or fi nances it is easy to put more effort into maintaining those relationships so as to not lose them. However, we are not called to minister just to those who benefi t us the most, but especially to those who have nothing to give other than their time and commitment, those who are weak, hurting, and need the most. Every person is important and God can use the least among us to do the most for His kingdom. Never fall into the trap of gravitating to those who can do the most for you.

Alabama School of Ministry 2020 Class Schedule Class Date January 4 January 4 January 11

Level 1 Courses (Certified) THE 142 A/G History, Missions, and Governance

Level 2 Courses (Licensed) THE 211 Intro to Theology: A Pentecostal Perspective

February 1 February 1 February 1

BIB 114 Christ in the Synoptic Gospels

BIB 212 New Testament Survey

BIB 318 The Pentateuch

NOTE MARCH DATES March 21 March 21 March 14 April 4 April 4 April 25

THE 114 Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine

BIB 214 Old Testament Survey

BIB 313 The Corinthian Correspondence

BIB 115 Acts: The Work of the Holy Spirit

BIB 215 Romans: Justification by Faith

BIB 322

May 9 May 9 May 16

BIB 117 Prison Epistles

MIN 223 Introduction to Homiletics

MIN 325 Preaching in the Contemporary World

August 1 August 1 August 8

BIB 121 Introduction to Hermeneutics

THE 245 Eschatology

MIN 327 Church Administration, Finance and Law

ALL HELD ON AUGUST 29

MIN 123 The Local Church in Evangelism

MIN 251 Effective Leadership

MIN 381 Pastoral Ministry

MIN 181 Relationships and Ethics in Ministry

MIN 281 Conflict Management for Church Leaders

November 7 November 7 November 21

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

MIN 261 Introduction to AG Missions

No Class Period for Ministerial Internships (MI)

MIN 191 Beginning MI

MIN 291 Intermediate MI

September September September October 3 October 3 October 10

Level 3 Courses (Ordained) THE 311 Prayer and Worship

The Poetic Books

MIN 391 Advanced MI

(Black denotes North Campus B ham H i n ) (Blue denotes Southeast Campus Newton First) (Red denotes Southwest Campus – Evergreen Grace Way) You may contact the office of the ALSOM Director and District Secretary-Treasurer, Dr. Michael D. Sharp, for more information at 334-279-7172 # 2, or msharp@adcag.org.

A Registration Form may be found on the ALSOM page at www.adcag.org

WHAT A DISTRICT SCHOOL OF MINISTRY IS SUPPOSED TO BE We often encounter misconceptions regarding the purpose of our Assemblies of God District Schools of Ministry (DSOMs) that exist in districts across the nation. Our own Alabama District School of Ministry (ALSOM) is one of these DSOMs. The DSOMs, including ALSOM, were never intended to simply be a cheaper, easier, faster alternative to Berean School of the Bible (BSB). In fact, the exact opposite is true.

The DSOMs were created to offer biblical, theological, and practical ministry courses that would satisfy the educational coursework requirements for ministerial credentials with the Assemblies of God. However, the DSOMs were not created merely to be a same-level alternative to BSB, the institute level educational arm of Global University. The DSOMs were created to offer more than BSB offers, including additional collateral study suggestions, live interaction with instructors qualified to teach each course, the best current information relevant to each course, relationship building with other students, and encouragement when the going gets tough. DSOMs were created to provide quality instruction and education that might not be quite at the accredited level of an Assemblies of God university, but that would still be more challenging and informative than traditional institute level training.

Simply completing the course of study at the Certified, Licensed, or Ordained levels does not automatically qualify someone to receive ministerial credentials. Successful completion of all coursework, including internships, simply fulfills one of the requirements for credentials. To receive credentials, one must still apply, successfully complete the credential exams, pass a background and credit check, successfully interview with the District Credentials Committee, and then be approved by the General Council Credentials Committee. Therefore, local church elders, deacons, and teachers are also encouraged to consider taking courses in ALSOM to enrich their knowledge of the Bible, theology, and practical ministry, and to enhance their skill set for local church ministry.

We are actively acquiring and building out new capabilities in ALSOM that will make our DSOM one of the very best in the nation. ALSOM will be more flexible, efficient, content rich, current, and interactive than ever before.

Our ALSOM Committee is excited about what lies ahead for our students and our district. Why don’t you consider engaging ALSOM in 2020?

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

Remembering those…

Rev. Marion Edward Hinson Marion Edward Hinson, 57, of Grove Hill, passed away Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at his residence. He was born July 22, 1962, to Marion Hinson and Vicki Horton Hinson. A minister with the Assemblies of God, he had served as an evangelist in several churches recently but was a member of Magnolia Assembly of God in Grove Hill. He enjoyed golf, hunLng, fishing and the University of Alabama football.

He is survived by his wife, Tonya McCreary Hinson; mother, Vicki Horton Hinson; children, Michael Edward (Anna) Hinson, James Luke (Alicia) Hinson, Savannah Hinson (James) Gallagher; grandchildren, Brooklyn Gallagher, Jon Michael Hinson, Ava Gallagher, Canaan Hinson; siblings, Ferrill Nevell Hinson, Alicia J. “Lisa” Hinson Bailey and numerous other relaLves and friends.

…who await us.

ALABAMA DISTRICT COUNCIL OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

DISTRICT OFFICERS

Kenneth Draughon District Superintendent

Vint Norris District Christian Education Director

John A. Loper, Jr. Assistant Superintendent

Steven Mason District Youth Ministries Director

Michael D. Sharp District Secretary-Treasurer

David Strahan District Missions/Men’s Director

GENERAL PRESBYTERS

Cynthia Draughon District Women’s Ministries Director

Kenneth Draughon Murray Kelley George Sawyer

DATA CHANGES NEW MINISTERS/UPGRADE CERTIFIED MINISTER DIKES E. WEEKS

LICENSED MINISTER CALEB HENDON

PASTORAL CHANGES GOOD NEWS AG, ALEXANDRIA, AL MARTY PHILLLIPS, PASTOR

SECTIONAL COMMITTE CHANGES BIRMINGHAM—ASSISTANT PRESBYTER: TOMMY CONNER BIRMINGHAM—SECRETARY: TIM MILLS ENTERPRISE—PRESBYTER: DWIGHT JOHNSON ENTERPRISE—ASSISTANT PRESBYTER: SCOTT CROOMS ENTERPRISE—SECRETARY: JOSH SIMS SYLACAUGA—SECRETARY: BRIAN JONES ANDALUSIA—PRESBYTER: LANE SIMMONS ANDALUSIA—ASSISTANT PRESBYTER: RAY BUNDY ANDALUSIA—SECRETARY: ARTHUR HORNSBY

RIVER OF LIFE, DEMOPOLIS, AL JEFF WALTERS, PASTOR

Sectional Committee Members Section Andalusia Anniston Baldwin Birmingham Cullman Demopolis Dothan Enterprise Mobile Monroeville Montgomery Phenix City Sylacauga Tennessee Valley Tuscaloosa

Presbyter Lane Simmons Marty Phillips Michael Lynn David Wooten Michael Joyner Scottie Fulcher Eddie Littlefield Dwight Johnson Jerry Jenkins Jeff Scurlock Randy Reid Barry Danner Keith Jones David Kelley Charles Lenn

In Loving Memory…

Assistant Presbyter Ray Bundy Joe Simmons Ferron Smith Tommy Conner Steven Moore Kevin Lewis Thomas Harrison Scott Crooms David Edwards Russ McDonald Greg Kelley Tony Willis Michael Waldrop Nick Martinez Chad Payne

Secretary Arthur Hornsby Jeremie Harrison Judd Sessions Tim Mills Jack Thorn Jeff Walters Tommy Giddens Josh Sims John White Chuck Morris Jim Ingram Boyd Cochran Brian Jones Jason Parnell Darryl Ballew

Alabama District Council of the Assemblies of God 5919 Carmichael Road Montgomery, AL 36117-2507

Lambert Lake