Bishop eddie long consecrates new 2nd presiding bishop...
Bishop Terrell Murphy On Friday, October 16, 2009, Pastor Terrell L. Murphy was consecrated a bishop in the Lord’s church and was announced as the 2nd Presiding Bishop of a new “Global Kingdom Network” of leaders from around that world. These leaders, according to Bishop Long, will “speak truth to power.”
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Photos by Quinne Lowe New Birth Charlotte Archives
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The consecration service took place at Bishop Murphy’s church, New Birth Charlotte, a newly constructed 3,500-seat facility in Huntersville, NC, a Charlotte suburb, which opened earlier this year. Bishop Eddie Long, Pastor Murphy’s mentor and “spiritual father” was the chief consecrator along with Bishop Eric Garnes, the new Presider of the United Pentecostal Churches. Also participating in the service was Bishop Sheldon McCarter (Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church, Winston-Salem. NC, Pastor Gary Oliver (Tabernacle of Praise, Ft. Worth, TX) and Pastor Kim Brown (Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA) a Bishop Murphy is a native of Granite Falls, NC and a graduate of Appalachian State University where he received his Bachelor of
l-r )Bishop Eric Garnes, Bishop Eddie Long and Bishop Sheldon McCarter
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(l-r) Bishop Murphy’s sons, Samuel and Johnathan, Mrs. Susan Murphy, and Mrs. Vanessa Long
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Science Degree in Communications. His corporate work history consists of eleven and a half years with the Hormel Foods Corporation as a sales merchandiser, sales representative and territory manager in Charlotte and Raleigh, as well as Atlanta, GA. While in Atlanta, Bishop Murphy was licensed to minister at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church (August 28, 1994), and ordained as an Elder (February 4, 199). He served in various capacities under the leadership of Bishop Long before he was planted in ministry in Charlotte, in March 2003. The plant was the first New Birth outside the state of Georgia. Bishop Murphy and his wife Susan, have been married 21 years and are the parents of two sons, Samuel and Johnathan.
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What does being a “Bishop” really mean?
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In 1 Timothy 3:1, Paul writes, “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” The Roman Catholic Church maintains that sometime after the recorded events of the Book of Acts, the Apostle Peter became the first bishop of Rome, and that the Roman bishop was accepted by the early church as the central authority among all of the churches. It teaches that God passed Peter’s apostolic authority to those who later filled his seat as bishop of Rome. This teaching that God passed on Peter’s apostolic authority to the subsequent bishops is referred to as “apostolic succession.” According to www.bible-history.com, the word “bishop” originally signified an "overseer" or spiritual superintendent. The titles bishop and elder, or presbyter, were essentially equivalent.
(above) Bishop Long speaks to congregation; (top right) -Bishops McCarter, Murphy, Long and Garnes
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The Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops, an organization founded in 1993 by Bishop J. Delano Ellis II, exists to train and educate newly appointed Bishops with a strong emphasis on healthy family development. The College accomplishes this goal by providing seminars, workshops, and opportunities for fellowship and spiritual covering for those who desire a standard of excellence in Ministry. “Traditionally ... the Pentecostal church maintained its ardor but was never really known for its order,” Bishop J. Delano Ellis II told a reporter back in 1995. “What we’re discovering ... is that order is not blasphemous. Order best represents God.” Through a disciplined and structured environment, which promotes Biblical knowledge, spirituality, physical and
Oct 18, 2009
Bishop is from the Greek, and denotes one who exercises the function of overseeing. Presbyter was derived from the office in the synagogue. Of the order in which the first elders or bishops were appointed, as of the occasion which led to the institution of the office, we have no record. The duties of the bishop-elders appear to have been as follows: 1. General superintendence over the spiritual well-being of the flock. (1 Pet. 5:2) 2. The work of teaching, both publicly and privately. (1 Thess. 5:12; Tit. 1:9; 1 Tim. 5:17) 3. The work of visiting the sick, (Jas 5:14) 4. Among other acts of charity, that of receiving strangers occupied a conspicuous place. (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit 1:8) Peter calls Christ "the shepherd and bishop of your souls." (1 Pet. 2:25).
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Oct 5, 2009 gos p e l today |
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emotional health, and prosperity, the College provides leadership and guidance and simplified answers to important ministerial issues, all in an effort to Preserve, Protect, and Promote the Testaments, Teachings and Traditions of the Church. (For more information: collegeofbishops.org) Over the years, thousands of men and women of God have been consecrated to the office of “bishop”, however, the last decade has seen a proliferation of bishops…causing some to question whether the scrutiny of all bishops has been stringent enough to maintain the biblical integrity and sacredness of the office. In response to the question “Has the Bishopric Lost its Grace?” (http://africanamericanbishops.ning.com) , Bishop Kirk L. DeVine responded, “The danger comes in when un-seasoned, untested individuals “desire” the call of the bishopric more than the desire to be pleasing to the Lord and a servant of mankind. Unfortunately when this happens, it brings reproach to the entire Apostolic order which is ultimately the tactic and goal of the enemy to seduce
others away from the faith. I believe that the Lord is truly calling us to uphold the office of the Apostle and the Bishop with dignity, integrity, and accountability in light of His Word and not what the world has relegated these sacred offices to become.” Bishop Andy C. Lewter, Jr, commented, “It seems recently, that the prestige and reverence for the office has been under assault by those who have no interest in its history, function and sacred place in the Lord’s work over the last 2000 years. “Unfortunately, the position has been used by some as a “code word” for successful pastor, or worse yet, by those whose appetites for titles exceed their passion for service. The result has been that in many circles the episcopacy has gone the route of the honorary doctor of divinity degree (D.D.) a generation earlier whose widespread usage diluted the prestige of the degree. “While judgment and validation is not the role of any of us in the body of Christ, the misuse and abuse of the office stands on the edge of fraud by those who ignore the sanctity of the office and propose to use it for their own selfglorification.” This past weekend’s elevation of Bishop Terrell Murphy was an example of a candidate who was thoroughly qualified, examined and proven. Bishop Murphy and others who walk in integrity are the hope of the church of the future.
Why Dr. Hairston’s Entrepreneur’s Boot Camp is Important By Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min. Talk to any pastor around the country and they will tell you the same thing, and that is, people in their congregations are losing jobs and have become critically concerned about their economic future. The loss of jobs across America even threatens the stability of the church, who is dependent upon the good will and voluntary offerings of their members to survive. With a bad economy and the growing loss of jobs, people simply are not able to give in the same ways that they have done in the past. In the face of such challenges, some people are flirting with the idea of leaving the more familiar “having a job” and considering starting a business. That is why what Dr. Teresa Hairston is doing at the end of this month is so very important. On October 30, 2009, Dr. Hairston will convene her first Entrepreneur’s
Boot Camp for persons who are serious and want to consider using publishing as a revenue stream for their lives. Dr. Hairston began the Gospel Today Magazine over twenty years ago with only a dream and a shoestring budget. Stepping out on faith as a single mother, she quit her “day job” and gave her full time efforts and attention to the vision the Lord had given her. What began as an 8 page newsletter, blossomed into a sterling first rate magazine that enjoys success and distribution around the world. At the end of this month, Dr. Hairston will bring the collective wisdom and experiences of her own endeavors and make them available to a select group of attendees who are serious about following their own visions and who want to make their own dreams come true.
entrepreneur’s
boot camp Prepare your Mind, Body & Spirit for the next season of your journey!
cHristiAn Writers | publisHers | AutHors
you’ll leArn:
spend time with gospel today publisher,
n How to launch/manage a publication
teresA HAirston
n How to write press releases that get noticed! n How to write articles that will get published n Basic strategies for business success
“I'm inviting those of you who are ready to take the next step on your path to purpose to spend a day with me that is especially designed to help move you into the place God has for you! I hope you'll make the sacrifice to be part of this special event!” —dr. teresA HAirston
october 30, 2009 | AtlAntA, GA A t l A n t A
A i r p o r t
only $299*
M A r r i o t t
*Includes conference fees and lunch meal. Hotel offers airport shuttle. Does NOT include hotel accommodations.
H o t e l
*SPACE IS LIMITED. YOU MUST APPLY AND BE ACCEPTED TO PARTICIPATE. FOR APPLICATION/COSTS, SEND EMAIL TO: drhairstongt@aol.com
“Last year, I was dealing with some challenges in my music department; I attended the GHF sessions and implemented their suggestions, it literally changed the atmosphere in my ministry! Thanks GHF!”
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On Site-Registration (After Feb 11) Youth (ages 13-21):$119 Adult: $159
Instructional Tracks for: Pastors Ministers of Music/Praise Leaders Youth/Young Adults Dance
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guest speakers:
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minister kirk franklin
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2010 clinicians:
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Trent Von Lee
Monica Coates
Jeff Patton
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Roland Hairston Ascension Dance Pastors
Vashawn Mitchell stephen hurd
byron cage
judy mcallister
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anniversary concert gala Featuring: Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Pastor Donnie McClurkin Tickets: $40 (gen. adm.), $50 (VIP). All tickets include a ONE YEAR subscription to Gospel Today “America’s #1 Christian Lifestyle Magazine” Tickets available at GospelHeritage.com
New Artist Showcase for steppers, flowetry artists, singers, comedians Friday, Feb 18, 2010 11 pm - 1 am Registration: Solo: $75; Groups (2-5 members): $100; Choirs or groups (6 or more members): $150. (Includes Non-refundable fee of $30) go online: gospelheritage.org to register! *Deadline to enter: January 15, 2010
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