Bahamas Church of God of Prophecy Centennial Ministerial Leadership Conference - November 2009
Centennial Ministerial Leadership Conference 18-20 18-20 November, November, 2009 2009 Nassau, Nassau, Bahamas Bahamas East Street Tabernacle
“The 21st Century Church: A Strategic Plan For The Way Forward� 1
Bahamas Church of God of Prophecy Centennial Ministerial Leadership Conference - November 2009
Forward I am delighted to welcome our Bishops, our Ministers, our Deacons, our other leaders and our emerging leaders to this historic Centennial Celebrations Biennial Leadership Conference 2009 convening under the theme, “THE 21ST CENTURY CHURCH: A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE WAY FORWARD.” A special Bahamian welcome is extended to our guest presenter Bishop Dr. Hector Ortiz, International Director of the Centre for Biblical Leadership, and to Sister Ortiz. It is said that the success or failure of an organization depends on the leadership of that organization. We here in the Bahamas have been blessed by good and strong leadership, at all levels, over our entire one hundred (100) years of presence and ministry in these islands. We give our God thanks for placing among us those extraordinarily gifted and anointed men and women in leadership ministry, past and present, who have, by their faith, diligence and persistence, contributed much to the overall progress and success of our organization. We therefore remember them, celebrate them, and appreciate their labour of love, and their wonderful achievements to the praise and glory of God. Today’s Church, the 21st Century Church, is facing times and challenges heretofore unimaginable. It is in these critical times that leadership must rise up with fresh vision and inspiration so as to know and to plan the way forward for the people of God. This Conference, by way of its presentations, messages, workshop topics and discussions, aims to do just that with the help of the Lord. I am glad that you have taken the time to be a part of this Conference so as to experience the supernatural presence and power of God. For the Lord will use this moment and occasion to further reveal Himself to us, to further inspire us, and to give us a deeper and a clearer understanding of our purposes in Him, and of His divine plan and direction for our lives and ministry in these end times. I am grateful to Bishop Shelton Beneby, Chairman and to the officers and members of the Centennial Leadership Conference Committee for their exemplary efforts put forth in planning and in conducting this Conference. May God be glorified, and may His Church be blessed!
Bishop Elgarnet B. Rahming, CMG, DD, JP National Overseer
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Bahamas Church of God of Prophecy Centennial Ministerial Leadership Conference - November 2009
Bishop Shelton L. Beneby
Chairman, Centennial Ministerial Leadership Conference This Centennial Ministerial Leadership Conference comes at an opportune time as we celebrate 100 years of work and Ministry throughout the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. We give thanks to the Almighty God for our past leaders who have done a tremendous job in laying a strong foundation on which we build today. As we meet in Conference to reflect where we have come from and where we are presently, I believe the greatest challenge is for us to move the church forward. This will require a Spirit-filled individual and a Spirit-driven Church. Someone has so aptly said: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Unfortunately, however, many feel that planning in the church is “unspiritual.” They say that we should simply be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and follow Him. Certainly we should maintain an intimate walk with the Spirit and follow His direction at every turn. I am of the view that this does not, however, negate the need for planning. Holy scripture admonishes us to plan: “Suppose one of your wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the budget to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone, who sees it will ridicule him saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” (Luke 14:28-39 NIV). During this Conference we are going to build upon the foundation with the formation of a strategic plan for the way forward. It is my prayer that this conference will seek to empower us as leaders, to meet the challenge of the 21st Century Church. I wish to thank our National Overseer, Bishop Dr. Elgarnet B. Rahming, for the opportunity to serve as Chairman of the Centennial Ministerial Conference along with a hardworking committee. We have sought God for this Conference; we made plans, but we are counting on God to direct us.
Bishop Shelton Beneby Conference Chairman
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Bahamas Church of God of Prophecy Centennial Ministerial Leadership Conference - November 2009
PROGRAMME Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
“A Fearful, Fearless And Faithful Leadership Force In The 21st Century Church”
“Needed: God Called And God Anointed Leaders In The 21st Century Church”
“The Importance Of An Educated, Developed And Trained Ministry In The 21st Century Church”
Opening Session
Morning Session
Morning Session
• 7:00 pm
• 9:00 am - 9:15 am
• 9:00 am - 9:15 am
Evening Session
Evening Session
• 7:00 pm
• 7:00 pm
Consecration Focus: Prayers - Min. Alda Williams • 7:30 pm Opening Remarks - Bp. Shelton L. Beneby Moderator & Chairman Time of Worship - Praise Team Welcome - Dr. Woodley Thompson Greetings - Bp. Cleophas Capron District Overseer, Grand Bahama Offering - Bp. Solomon Humes Vice Chairman Selection - Centennial Mass Choir Message / Presentation by
Bishop Dr. Elgarnet B. Rahming
National Overseer, Commonwealth of the Bahamas Prayer Dismissal
Devotions WORKSHOPS • 9:15 am - 10:30 am “Vision, Mission & Objective” - Bp. Shelton L. Beneby • 10:45 am - 12:00 pm “Your Call & Assignment” - Min. Dr. Barbara Williams • 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm “Church Growth & Development” - Pastor Andrew Brown
Consecration Focus: Harvest - Min. Punchetta Taylor • 7:30 pm Opening Remarks - Bp. Hulan Hanna Moderator Time of Worship - Praise Team Welcome - Bp. George Thompson Greetings - Bp. Rudolph Bowe District Overseer, New Providence Offering - Bp. Anthony Roker Selection - Tabernacle Concert Choir Message / Presentation by
Bishop Clarence N. Williams
National Overseer, Turks & Caicos Islands Prayer Dismissal
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Devotions WORKSHOPS • 9:15 am - 10:30 am “Finance & Stewardship” - Min. Nathaniel Beneby • 10:45 am - 12:00 pm “Church Reporting & Accountability” - Bp. Franklin Ferguson • 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm “Reaching This Generation” - Min. Timothy Johnson
Consecration Focus: Leadership - Bp. Franklyn Ferguson • 7:30 pm Opening Remarks - Bp. Ghaly Swann Moderator Time of Worship - Praise Team Remarks - Bp. Elgarnet B. Rahming National Overseer Offering - Assoc. Pastor Philip Ferguson Selection - Centennial Mass Choir Message / Presentation by
Bishop Dr. Hector Ortiz
Dir., Center for Biblical Leadership Cleveland, Tennessee, USA Time of Prayer & Commitment Vote of Thanks - Bp. Solomon Humes Vice Chairman Closing Prayer & Benediction
Bahamas Church of God of Prophecy Centennial Ministerial Leadership Conference - November 2009
Bishop Elgarnet Rahming, CMG, DD, JP Elgarnet Brendan Rahming was born in Nassa u, New Providence on 23rd January, 1952, to the parentage of Bishop Clifford Wenzel Rahming and the late Mrs. Vera ChipmanRahming of Hospital L a n e , B ai n T o w n , Nassa u, New Providence. He was educated at Woodcock Primary School, Southern Junior and Senior Schools, at Harold Road and A. F. Adderley High Schools, at Nassau Technical College, at the College of the Bahamas, and at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. He is a graduate of the Church of God of Prophecy’s Bible Training Institute. He also successfully completed advanced BTI courses in Cleveland, Tennessee, in addition to the Centre for Biblical Leadership (CBL) Courses, the Ministerial Development Program and the Leadership Development Institute Program. He holds numerous other Diplomas and Certificates from various Theological Institutions in the USA, Canada and the UK. He was awarded the Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Richmond Virginia Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A. in December, 2002. Brother Rahming accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour on 31st December, 1977, and became a member of the Church of God of Prophecy on 28th May, 1978. At his local church on Meadow Street, he served in several capacities such as Youth Captain, Outreach Director, Sunday School Teacher, CPMA Director, Public Relations Director and Evangelism Director. He was licensed as an Evangelist in July, 1984 and as a Permanent Evangelist in May, 1995. He was ordained and consecrated as a Bishop in March, 1997. On the national level, he formerly served as an Instructor with BTI, National Public Relations Director, as a member of several National Task Forces, as a member of the Ministerial Review Board, as a member of the National Public Relations Committee, as Chairman of the Moments of Prophecy Radio Program Committee, as National Minister for the Moments of Prophecy Radio Program, as a member of the National Administrative Committee, as the Associate Pastor of the historic East Street Tabernacle from 1993-1995, and as the Senior Pastor of the East Street Tabernacle from 1995 to 2000. Bishop Rahming was appointed and installed as National Overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy in the Bahamas on 22nd August, 1999. He continues to serve in that capacity today and as Chairman of various National Church Boards and Committees, including the National Board of Trustees, the Ministerial Review Board, the National Administrative Committee, the National Finance and Stewardship Committee, and the Administrative Committee for the Provident Fund. For a short tenure, he served also as District Overseer of Long Island. For over twenty (20) years he served as a member and as Chairman of the Caribbean Leadership Conference Committee of the COGOP. He presently serves as a member of the Caribbean Finance Committee. He is a member of the International Presbytery Council of the COGOP. He serves also as a member of the COGOP International Presbytery Review Board, and as a member of the COGOP Tomlinson Centre Board of Directors.
Bishop Rahming is a Marriage Officer and a Justice of the Peace in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Bishop Rahming served on the National Family Life and Health Council. He also served on the Bahamas National Parenting Committee and on the Aid to Discharged Prisoners Committee. Presently, he serves as a member of the National Prerogative of Mercy Committee. Over the many years, he has given voluntary ministry service to several charitable, community and religious organizations. His ministry has positively impacted the inmates of Her Majesty’s Prisons, the Boys Industrial School, our New Providence and Grand Bahama hospitals, in addition to several of our drug rehabilitation centres and children’s and old-aged homes. Bishop Rahming has travelled extensively throughout the Bahamas, the Caribbean and the Western Hemisphere in the interest of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and soul winning. He ministered at two (2) COGOP International General Assemblies, in Cleveland, Tennessee and in Louisville, Kentucky, at several Caribbean Leadership Conferences, and at several Regional, State, and National Conventions, including the New York and Jamaica Conventions. Here at home in the Bahamas, Bishop Rahming was honoured to minister at several National Ecumenical Services, as well as at various denominational special convocations. During his tenure as National Overseer of the COGOP, the Church is experiencing sustained increase in its membership through numerical growth, an increase in the number of local Churches and National Missions, a broadening of its National Ministries, an expansion of its plural Leadership, an incremental growth in its Ministerial Base, a renewal of enthusiasm and an excitement filled renaissance among its Children and Youth Ministries; and a marked improvement in its Leadership Development and Training Program. Under Bishop Rahming’s leadership, a Pastoral financial assistance program was put in place to further augment and supplement the income of Family Island Pastors who minister in hardship areas. New Church buildings were erected in Hawksbill, Grand Bahama, and on Bacardi Road in Nassau, New Providence. New Church buildings are also being constructed on Second Street, the Grove, and in Standiard Creek, North Andros. Renovations, additions and improvements were made to several of the existing edifices in the capital, in Grand Bahama, and in the Family of Islands. For his untiring efforts and invaluable contributions to the growth and development of our country in the field of religion, Bishop Rahming has been recognized and honoured by Bahamas Faith Ministries International, the Margaret McDonald Policy Management and Administration Centre, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture through the Government of the Bahamas, and by several other civic and religious organizations. In June of 2009, Bishop Rahming, on the recommendation of the Government of the Bahamas, was honoured by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the high award of Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG). A former Public Servant and Commercial Banker, Bishop Rahming is happily married to Minister Jacqueline Blondell Rahming (nee Huyler). They are the proud parents of four offspring, namely Pastor Jarenda Blonique, Janeene Blonette, Jadeena Bloniece and Elgarnet Brendan II, who are all covenanted members of the Church of God of Prophecy. To God be the glory!
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Bahamas Church of God of Prophecy Centennial Ministerial Leadership Conference - November 2009
Pastor Bishop Clarence N. Williams BRIEF INTRODUCTION Clarence Nathaniel Williams, born on Providenciales, 18th May, 1945, is the fifth child of Mr. Clifford and Mrs. Delphine Williams of Blue Hills, Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands. His primary and secondary schooling was at Grand Turk, the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands. At fifteen, he completed Secondary School and became a devoted Christian and member of The Church of God of Prophecy in the Bahamas. He was always first in all his classes and examinations. Although unknown to me, my mother committed me to Christ and His Church in September, 1945, shortly after an enormous and destructive hurricane racked the whole Turks and Caicos Islands. This commitment was uniquely fulfilled when I surrendered both body and soul to the Lord on the 15th day of July, 1960. Thankfully, I have been steadfast in the maintenance of the commitment. GROWTH AS A CHRISTIAN I became committed to Christian living and the development of the goals and desires of the Church of God of Prophecy set forth for the spirituality of its members. Being baptized in water by Bishop Joseph M. Swann and was added to the Church in September, 1960. • Pastor Joshua V. Gardiner A very humble and moderately educated man with an excellent family, showing devotion to God and the Church. He taught me the right and proper concepts to balance education proficiency and Christian partnership in the world where interaction was not always the best for Christian development. He taught me Christian cleanliness and Godly living as a very young man; the ability to maintain and show virtues to all. • Bishop Pastor Joseph M. Swann Bishop Swann served as Senior Pastor and District Overseer for the Islands of Abaco in the Bahamas. My father and breadearner had just died and I struggled with continuance of the church and career. Bishop Swann positively introduced me to the service of the church with wholesome involvement in Youth Ministries and Sunday School. But I was significantly accepted in public worship, testimonies and preaching. My love for ministry was dogmatically proliferated during my tenure with Bishop Swann to the complete enjoyment and comfort; being at ease with the Spirit of God. • Bishop Alvin S. Moss He was the National Overseer of The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Bermuda and Jamaica. He elected that I should accompany him on his pastoral and overseer visits to all the aforementioned. There, I assisted him with water baptism, legal and accounting matters, the organizing of congregations, the ordination of ministers, amongst other tasks. Bishop Moss, who served as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee of the General Assembly for well over thirty years, was a man of much wisdom, knowledge and understanding. His total interest was to promote the Kingdom of God, His Church and the financial solvency connected to the Church. The business and doctrine of the Church was his passion. I learned and today, his impact on me serves as a nucleus of empowerment for my work and ministry. GROWTH For the past twenty years, I have and am experiencing growth in the following areas: 1. Conversions during revivals and crusades 2. Water baptism
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3. P e r s o n s b e i n g sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost 4. P e r s o n s b e i n g added to the Church 5. Church planting in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos 6. Training in pastoral care, management and church business 7. Passion for the lost world 8. Organizing care for the unfortunate and displaced 9. Ministerial development. ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS Degrees, certificates and awards in Business, Commerce, Religion, Counseling, Accounting and Law are far too many to mention. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS 1. Member and license to practice from The Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants 2. Fellow, The Association of International Accountants, United Kingdom 3. Fellow, British Institute of Management, United Kingdom 4. Associate, Institute of Marketing, United Kingdom 5. Fellow, Faculty of Corporate Secretaries, United Kingdom 6. Notary Public for the entire Turks and Caicos Islands 7. Justice of the Peace of the entire Turks and Caicos Islands. CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Economist and Vice Chairman to the Telecommunication Commission, Turks and Caicos 2. Former Chairman and President, Bahamas Prison Fellowship, Bahamas 3. President, Turks and Caicos Christian Council 4. Member of numerous Boards and Committees, too many to mention. 5. Trained Christian Counselor in Drugs, Marriage, Behavior and Alcohol CHURCH RESPONSIBILITIES, among others 1. National Overseer, Turks and Caicos Islands for the past five years 2. Senior Pastor, Church of God of Prophecy, Seven Hills, Nassau, Bahamas for 20 years 3. Accountant and Auditor to the Church in the Bahamas for the past thirty years 4. Member of the Finance Committee and Ministerial Review Committee – Caribbean 5. Former District Overseer for Grand Bahama, Abaco and San Salvador in the Bahamas 6. Former Principal of Bible Training Institute Bahamas and Bermuda for 27 years. CONCLUSION Married to Rev. Barbara F. Williams for 37 years, the father of one son, Clarence II and an adopted son, Sheldon. Loves to train ministers and pastors in Church planting and full Christian services for God, His Church and his fellowmen. Enjoys devoting resources to young men and women to procure development in Christianity, business, science, entrepreneurship, family, personal esteem and redemptive behaviour.
Bahamas Church of God of Prophecy Centennial Ministerial Leadership Conference - November 2009
Bishop Hector Ortiz
Hector Ortiz was born in New York City, September 21, 1935. He was saved at the age of 15 and was appointed as youth minister at his local church. He received his minister’s license May 5, 1954, and went into full-time evangelistic work in the state of Florida that same year. He met and married his wife, Dolly Ballew of Greenville, South Carolina in 1955. They worked in Evangelistic work until the summer of 1958 when he began his pastoral work. He served as Pastor of four churches in North Carolina, namely: Wilmington, Bogue, Kerwin and Rocky Mount. He was ordained Bishop in North Carolina in 1961, while he was the Pastor of the Bogue Church. He served in North Carolina until his appointment as Missionary in 1964. He was appointed as Missionary to the British West Indies where he served three years ministering on the islands of Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, Dominica, Montserrat, Nevis and St. Kitts. He was appointed to the Netherlands Antilles where he served for three years ministering on the islands of Aruba and Curacao. He was then sent to Puerto Rico, where he served 6 years. During these ten years in the islands, he served as Overseer of the Leeward Islands and the Netherlands at the same time and one year while in Puerto Rico he also served the Leeward Islands. He served as overseer/pastor in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico; El Monte and East Los Angeles in California; and Pampa and Liberty City in Texas. He served Texas City and Alvin during a pastoral transition. He served as State Overseer of Southern (Spanish) California, West Texas, Ohio, Georgia, East Texas and then Overseer of all of Texas. He served at the General Offices as a Bible Training Institute Representative for five years and as an instructor for the Center for Biblical Leadership for three years. He served on various committees at the General Offices, namely: Tomlinson College Board of Directors, Ways and Means Committee, Bible Training Institute Committee, a Special Education Committee of the
General Overseer in 1992; World Mission Committee, Center for Biblical Leadership Committee, and the Assembly Committee for Bible, Doctrine and Polity. He served on the State Finance and Appropriation Committee for the various states where he has served. He has published various articles in the official church paper, the White Wing Messenger. He is a co-author in the book “Being the Body of Christ,” from the Center of Biblical Leadership. He published a book entitled “The Living Word,” a booklet entitled “The Stature of Servanthood,” and has published a Theological Workbook that deals with Systematic Theology. While in Texas he began an endeavor to connect with Gordon-Conwell to have an accredited program for our leaders and ministers in Texas. Others who heard of this desired to join and he decided to approach Gordon-Conwell to begin a Consortium. They graciously agreed and the Consortium has spread to 10 sites including Jamaica. When he returned to the International office in 2008 as the Director for the Center for Biblical Leadership, he was able to bring these programs with him. This is the third time he has served at the International Office. Since being there he has developed a second part of the Consortium for the Overseers and their nominees. This program is called the Leader of Leaders. In just a little over a year there are five sites around the world. He has also developed a school of Practical and Advanced Studies which has already had schools in many places with an enrollment of 1,500. He received his B. A. degree in Cultural Anthropology from Texas Tech University in 1976. He received his M. A. in Theology / Biblical Studies from Ashland Theological Seminary in 1990. He received his Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary in May, 2000. He is now working on his Ph. D. at Regent University in Renewal History under the direction of Dr. Vinson Synan. Languages: Speaks English, Spanish, some Italian and understands some Portuguese.
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Bahamas Church of God of Prophecy Centennial Ministerial Leadership Conference - November 2009
Purpose of the Centennial Ministerial Leadership Conference To equip Ministerial Leadership with the necessary knowledge, training and tools required to make them more effective and relevant in these challenging times as we begin another 100 years of work and Ministry in these Bahama Islands.
Objectives •
To embrace the call of our General Assembly for the Church to more fully personify our Core Values of Prayers, the Harvest, and Leadership;
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To address the forces impacting 21st Century Leaders and to determine what is required of them;
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To encourage all persons in the Ministerial ranks and those emerging leaders to attend;
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To sharpen the tools of all our ministers that they remain relevant in the 21st Century;
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To lay the ground-work for a Strategic Plan that addresses the issues of Vision, Mission and Objectives of the Church for the way forward;
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To provide workshop sessions addressing key issues;
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To encourage fellowship, networking and a time of sharing;
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To provide our leadership with a working document in an effort to assist in charting the way forward;
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To provide every workshop participant with materials from the conference;
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To ensure a proper evaluation of the conference.
Centennial Ministerial Leadership Conference Committee: • • • • • • • • •
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Bishop Shelton L. Beneby, Chairman Bishop Solomon Humes, Vice-Chairman Bishop Anthony Roker Bishop Sterling Moss Minister Gersham Pratt Minister Jarenda Rahming Minister Timothy Johnson Minister Kirk Stuart Minister Drexel Gibson
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