Spring LINK 2022

SPECIAL FEATURES ~~~ FREE Luncheon for Ministers featuring Sam Farina ~~~ FREE Luncheon for Wife of Lead Pastors featuring Vicki Farina ~~~ Children’s Services ~~~ Childcare ~~~ Register www.nmmi nistry.net/ networkcon fernce

NMMN LEADERSHIP

Micheal Dickenson NETWORK PASTOR

Marcus McClain ASSISTANT NETWORK PASTOR

EXECUTIVE PRESBYTERS Kent Barnard Dereck Owen

Austin Poper NEXT GENERATION PASTOR

Ted Schmidt ROYAL RANGERS DIRECTOR

HONORARY PRESBYTER David Vistine

PRESBYTERS Brad Coates Jeral Dickenson Ruben Guajardo Jr David Iglesias Rudy Martinez Dereck Owen MEN’S DIRECTOR

Eric Montoya

In 2 Kings 6, we read the story of the prophet Elisha and his servant who found themselves surrounded by the enemy in what looked like an impossible situation. When the servant saw their dire situation, he cried out to Elisha, “What do we do now?” to which Elisha responded, “Don’t be afraid!

For there are more on our side than on theirs!” And then Elisha prayed, “Oh Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” And when the servant looked a second time, he saw what he had not seen before…an incredible revelation of the army of God, armed and ready for battle! It is vitally important that we see what God desires us to see!

In Revelation 2:7, we we hear these words; “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

We see several times in Scripture where some variation of this Word is there, but one commonality in each of them deals with “ears to hear,” and the call to hear what God is saying!

When I think about these Scripture references, I see the critical importance of seeing and hearing appropriately on our journey with God. It’s obvious that God is always wanting to speak to His children and wants us to hear.

And God is always wanting to show us things we’re not seeing, and He wants us to

see. So, seeing and hearing correctly is critical if we are to be on the same page with God. In just a few weeks, we’ll gather from across New Mexico for NetCon22, our annual Network Conference. I hope that you and your leadership are planning to join us. I want to challenge us all to come ready and hungry to hear and see exactly what God desires for us. I have no doubt, that if we will come ready, God will meet us and He will speak to us! I can’t wait to see and hear about what’s NEXT as God meets with us and we meet with God. NetCon22 will be hosted by our friends, Pastor Ruben and Nellie Guajardo, and the wonderful people of Casa Del Rey in Albuquerque. We’ve got a lot planned; it all kicks off with the opening session on Tuesday afternoon, April 5th and will wrap up at noon on Thursday. The doors will open on Tuesday at 12:30 pm for check-in so we’re ready to start at 1:30 pm.

We are thrilled to have Sam and Vicki Farina as our guest speakers this year. Sam and Vicki have been long time friends of New Mexico, speaking for several events over the years including youth camps, Men’s Conference, and in many of our churches.

They have traveled across

America and around the world ministering in local churches and conferences, leadership training, and coaching church leaders.

Plan now to be at NetCon22.

If you haven’t registered, you can do so HERE! As you register, be sure to sign up to attend either the Wednesday luncheon for ministers or the special luncheon for wives of lead pastors. We are thrilled and grateful to be able to provide both of these meals FREE because of the generous partnership of our friends at Guardian Promise. Children must be registered to be in the nursery or the children’s services so please make sure you get them registered so we can plan their activities.

Would you begin now to pray with me for NetCon22, asking God that this year’s conference will be powerfully anointed by God? We need to hear from God and, as we come, He will speak to us! We need to experience God’s presence and He will meet with us as we gather.

I can’t wait to see you, and I’m expecting NetCon22 to be amazing! We’ll see you at Casa Del Rey on April 5th.

Be blessed!

Micheal Dickenson

THE RALLY @ Citizen Church, Albuquerque Feb 4-6 Congratulations to Pastor Dustin & Mandy Woodward on the 90th Anniversary as a church & opening a North Albuquerque campus formerly known as Eagle Rock Worship Center. God has great things ahead!

FOR SALE 340 Chairs $15 each Contact: jdickenson@harvestabq.org

TRANSFERRED IN: Wendy Lane (L) Teen Challenge

PASTOR INSTALLATION

TRANSFERRED OUT: Ryan Balderrama (L) Penn/ Del Beverly Clindaniel (L) N. TX Steve Clindaniel (O) N. TX Nathan Corley (C) OK Wayne White (O) ID LAPSED: Todd Carter (O) Benny Greenlee (L) Lloyd Ortiz (O)

Ed & Kim Sullivan Christian Family Center Socorro

Thank You! Dear Friends, Sharon and I want to tell you how blessed we were this Christmas season by the wonderful expressions of love, friendship and caring. When we pastored, our hearts were always encouraged by the love offering that the congregants gave at Christmas time. If you are currently pastoring a church, you know exactly what I am talking about. Even though we no longer pastor a local congregation, we are blessed by the Pastors, Church Leaders and Congregations across New Mexico who warmly thought of us during Christmas. Let me say it again, thank you all and we love you dearly!

$$$$$ Let’s Talk Money $$$$$ Early in my ministry I was told that, as a pastor, you did not want to know who gave financially to the church. I was also told that the reason was that if you knew who gave and who didn’t give that you would treat them differently and as God’s servant, you are not allowed to treat His sheep differently. As I reflect on that concept, I am in agreement, but….

The problem with that concept is that as the leader of a local congregation you need to be able to have the needed conversations that lead to God performing His plan in your mission field.

For years I honored the above mentioned principle but there came a time in the vision that the Lord had put before me that the church I was pastoring was needing to go someplace financially that it had never gone before. It was at that moment I reached out to my mentors for their wisdom. What I concluded from their insight was that I was not prepared to lead our church through the next phase and that it was critical that I find someone to come along side our ministry to assist our process.

In our particular case, I called upon the Assemblies of God Financial Services, who at that time had a fully functioning stewardship department, and asked them to help us. As I reflect back on that journey, I will be forever grateful; not only did they guide us through our campaign, but I learned the value of being able to talk about money in a God-led way. I remember thinking how I wish I knew these principles earlier in my ministry.

Here are just a few of my pivotal discoveries: I had no clue who the Legacy Donors in our congregation were.

I had to get over the fear of favoritism and realize that God needed me to demonstrate leadership.

I discovered that Legacy Donors, as I like to call them, loved to be challenged, not coddled.

I learned that Legacy Donors are not all about money but also about influence.

I discovered that there are basically three types of Legacy Donors: the RESPONSIBLE, the RESPONSIVE, and the UNRESPONSIVE. 1. The Responsible can be counted on to give.

2. The Responsive can be challenged and motivated to give.

3. The Unresponsive is seldom swayed, regardless of the appeal. Don’t waste your time on them.

Legacy Donors do not think differently than others, they just think more distinctively. They have a • distinctive appreciation for money, a distinctive perspective on stewardship, and a distinctive understanding of purposeful giving versus occasional contributions.

• I discovered that Legacy Donors spoke in a language that I was not familiar with and, if I was going to relate with them, I needed to learn the language of finance and business.

• I also learned that the input of a Legacy Donor is a truly added blessing when going through a project. You win from listening to winners!

• • • • •

I have listed but a few of the things that I learned from my experience and I am so thankful for Saddleback Church (Pastor Rick Warren) and their stewardship process, INJOY Ministries (John Maxwell) Stewardship Services, along with the Assemblies of God Stewardship Services. I add in closing, that in these trying times, pastoral leaders need to be strategic when it comes to the financial stewardship of His Kingdom and the local family that He has asked us to serve. If you would like to discuss this topic further, do not hesitate in getting in touch.

As always, God Bless You Big!

Marcus McClain

The Link is a publication of the New Mexico Ministry Network.

NEW MEXICO MINISTRY NETWORK 6640 Caminito Coors NW, Albuquerque 87120 Tel: (505) 899-5399 Fax: (505) 899-5859 www.nmministry.net