9 minute read
Let’s Get Ready, There’s A Train A Coming!
Presiding Elder Johnny R. Calhoun
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People Get Ready There’s A Train A Coming…
The train is bound for the Capital District Church School Convention (CDCSC). It’ll be full of children,
adults, teachers and preachers, church school staff and most importantly, area and local superintendents.
You as Superintendents are serving as the Conductors. As Conductors you will serve to get the people ready for the trip. This journey is going to a place that we’ve never been before together. To a virtual gathering and a cyber convention. To the Capital CyberCity of GOD. As a Conductor, you don’t need a ticket you just get on board.
Because of the length of this journey and the newness of this kind of voyage, the Conductors will play a pivotal and very important role. As a Conductor all of you will be needed to get everybody on the train, to get them seated and prepared for an exciting, empowering, enlightening, engaging and educational trip, that will also be a lot of fun. It’s the type of excursion that we’ve never been on before. We’re going to the Capital CyberCity of GOD.
Did I say how important you as the conductor will be? You will help set the tone, recruit the passengers, give them their passes. They won’t need a pre-paid ticket, all they’ll have to do is get on board. But to do it right, you’ll be on board all ready. Getting their cabins ready, making sure their seating is correct and that they know where to go. Their tickets are already paid for, but you’ll have to make sure every
young person in your church school and prayerfully in your church, every teacher, parent and church school helper has one and that you’re there to make sure their ticket is punched.
“Presiding Elder, specifically what are you asking us to do.” I’m glad you asked.
Firstly, that you make a commitment today, a covenant to the LORD
if you please, to
support this journey with all of your heart, soul and mind.
We’re doing this for one reason and that is to glorify our GOD beyond measure! Doing that means, we’re going to do our level best to make sure our young people have an amazing encounter with the LORD in worship, Christian Education, fellowship, discipleship and fun.
Secondly, you have to commit to spreading the word and encouraging your youth, et
al., to attend this years unparalleled CSC. Making sure they realize that we will be going to a destination where people live beyond all limits with and for the LORD. Tell them that even though it might be something that we’ve never done before together, encourage them to keep calm so we can all carry on together. Do all you can to make them excited and enthused about attending.
Thirdly, set a goal with the help of GOD, to register every young person, church school teacher, and helper.
And as many parents and adults who’ll be willing to take this ride. Get them on-line to register and make sure that their registrations are completed on time. Make a
commitment to act like this is what it is and that is, a once in a life time experience that has never taken place anywhere in the world, yet alone in the history of the AME Church. As pioneers we’re going together to unchartered territory.
Fourthly, make a commitment to support and be involved in some specific area within
the convention that will help it to live up to who we are and that is Capital. We are the
Capital. Capital means, as you know, excellent. We are the Washington Conference and in
the Second to None, Second Episcopal District. With a selfless and tireless Servant Bishop & queenly Episcopal Supervisor. Bishop James Levert Davis and Mother Arelis Davis. Everything we do has to be congruent or in line with who we are and that’s excellent. The Real Church: Rising to the Challenge. First rate, high quality and unparalleled. The Best. Why, because our aim is to glorify our GOD beyond measure. There’s nothing mediocre, lame, nonchalant or lackadaisical about that. Please, please, please, Don’t be just an observer & not a participant. Please don’t be seen on the platform and not on board.
Fifthly, encourage and work out a way for all of the children in your Church/Sunday school (all of them) to let your Pastors know how much it would mean to them for them to be involved. For them to support the convention. Let them know how much they are looking forward to their pastors getting on board, supporting the registration effort, riding with them all the way and then participating in some aspect of the convention. Hopefully in the talent showcase. Have them email, write letters, send texts, and or even call their pastors. Help them to let their Pastor know how much they will appreciate them coming to be with them and see them shine.
Sixth, there will be a few things we’ll be asking every church to do. For example each church will be providing a couple of brief videos. We want every church to be represented. We want to show off the beauty of your church school and those who sacrifice to make it what it is. Strive with us to create a few quality videos with your (or some knowledgeable youth’s) cell phone. We need you to make sure it happens, that you or someone from your church makes it happen. I’m asking every Superintendent to commit to a no excuse policy. We’re the Capital and are Second to None. We do our best and always put our best foot forward. Why, because we aim to glorify GOD beyond measure and because also, because our children deserve our best.
When it’s time register or to do the video or follow up on a task, please, please, please, do it according to the schedule.
Please don’t make the committees have to wait on you.
There are and will be a lot of moving pieces and your timely responses will make a big difference. Please honor the no excuse policy. I know you will.
I believe in each and every one of you and I know you wouldn’t have taken this position if you weren’t doing it for the LORD. I know you’re committed and I’m depending on you. To do your best and do whatever you do in a capital way. They’ll be some activities that we’ll need your help in making sure our young people and teachers participate in. Hoola hoop contests, talent show, etc. Superintendents, I am asking you to be completely on board. I believe in each and every one of you. You are a blessing to this District and to your church. I know that you and GOD together have more than enough to help make this year’s CDCSC a major success. Accordingly, because I know, that with GOD we can not fail, with your indulgence, please let me say this in love. I am going to hold you accountable, to be present at all planning meetings, to participate to the best of your ability and to exercise your faith. We have no choice. We are the Real Church and we have not choice but to rise to the challenge of being excellent and faithful to the glory of GOD.
Which is the seventh and last thing. The most important of all. Please pray with me the prayer of faith. A prayer that claims victory. A prayer that believes in an extremely successful convention. A prayer that trusts GOD to empower us to glorify Him beyond all measure. A prayer of faith that enables us to not only live, but work together beyond all limits.
A prayer that rebukes the devil who is already saying this is too much. Too hard, too late, too whatever. A prayer that says we can do all things thru Christ who strengthens us. A prayer of faith that proclaims that all things are possible if we only believe. Yes, a prayer of faith that gives us strength, fortitude, tenacity and peace. That tells us to be calm and carry on.
So people all over the world, lets join hands and start a love train…Capital Superintendents, Conductors join hands and lets start a love train. And let’s keep this train riding on through. Superintendents all over the district join hands let’s start the love train, love
train. Please don’t miss this train at the station, cos if you miss it, I’ll feel sorry for you. Well well well...All I have left to say is. All aboard the Capital District CSC Train.
As I close, thanks for committing to join us in taking this journey together. My earnest prayer is that the LORD will bless you for your labor and faithful support. And that our children, young adults and all persons who participate will be enriched by the power of GOD and encouraged by the love of GOD.
Our GOD shall be glorified beyond measure and pleased by what we endeavor to do. And when we close out on Saturday night, I believe that the report will go out and simply say “Well Done” and “To GOD be the glory for the great things He has done!”
Your Presiding Elder & Brother in Christ,
Rev. Johnny R. Calhoun
8.22.2020
In summary, as the Lead Conductor I am asking you to:
Firstly, that you make a commitment today, a covenant to the LORD if you please, to support this journey with all of your heart, soul and mind.
Secondly, that you commit to spreading the word and encouraging your youth to attend this years unparalleled CSC
Thirdly, to set a goal with the help of GOD, to register every young person, and church school teacher. And as many parents and adults who’ll be willing to take this ride.
Fourthly, to make a commitment to support and be involved in some specific area within the convention that will help it to live up to who we are and that is Capital. The Real Church!
Fifthly, to encourage and work out a way for all of the children in your Church/ Sunday school (all of them) to let their Pastors know how much it would mean to them for them to be involved
Sixth, to please honor the no excuse policy. Please, Please don’t make the committees
have to wait on you. There are and will be a lot of moving pieces and your timely responses will make a big difference.
Seventh and most important of all. Please pray with me the prayer of faith. A prayer
that claims victory. A prayer that believes GOD for an extremely successful convention.
