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MAY 2021

Hungering for Amazing

By Superintendent Michael Traylor

Last month, Superintendent Amelia and I had the privilege of attending the semi-annual Superintendent Leadership Team (SLT) meeting. While it was refreshing to see other leaders face to face, the content of the meeting was a game-changer. The Board of Bishops has been working with leadership consultant and author Will Mancini to discern the how to best fulfill the mission of the church, its conferences and ultimately its churches. Through a several year process, the mission of all FM Conferences was reframed:

Free Methodist Conferences exists to glorify God by igniting spirit-fueled movements that catalyze the multiplication of leaders and churches.

In all transparency, despite the reframed mission resonating deeply with my spirit, the pragmatic aspect of my personality felt that although this was inspiring, how would that look in practical terms. With the superintendent’s role being responsible for ongoing administrative, financial, and operational concerns of conference and churches, how do we “make time” for the Spiritual collaborative work now being asked. When you re-read the previous statement its easy to see how ludicrous the current responsibilities of conference leadership is in regard to Kingdom priorities. Similar responses are often heard from Pastors who are called to develop and deepen Christ-centered communities but find themselves spending most of their time in meetings, committees, and administrative tasks.

About two weeks after the SLT meetings, we found ourselves visiting Viento de Dios (Wind of God) FMC in Laredo Texas. Viento de Dios is led by Pastor Jose Garcia who also serves on the River Conference Board of Directors. Pastor Garcia leads a ministry that has embodied the hands and heart of Christ during the immigration crisis over the past several years. The worship at Viento de Dios is what we like to call “Metho-costal” with an emphasis of the movement of God’s Spirit for both holiness and healing; purity and power; witness and warfare. Pastor Garcia and his wife Jessica would share how despite COVID-19 and persistent border issues, the Holy Spirit was still in the miracle business. They would list healings, radical encounters with Christ, and even freedom from demonic possession. Now, I grew up in Pentecostal and Holiness traditions where this kind of phenomena was expected but, in all honesty, that felt like it was a lifetime ago.

At the conclusion of our Sunday worship, Pastor Garcia spoke to the congregation and to us and he took a box that was full of papers and he suddenly dumped them upon the altar and there were hundreds! He told us that each represented a prayer request that had been answered over the past year or so. Among them were requests for healings, loved ones, freedom from addictions, and even overcoming evil spirits. Afterward, I met person after person who were witnesses to powerful, miraculous movements of God.

It was there that my eyes were opened to the fact there are areas of the conference where God Spirit is moving, and my job is to fan the flame until it becomes a raging fire that is unstoppable and uncontrollable. One of Pastor Garcia’s oft repeated phrases is “We have to stop trying to control the Spirit, but allow the Spirit to have the Spirit’s way”

So, I began to pray and ask God how to fan the flames of God’s Spirit throughout the conference! God’s response was to show me that it is often not enough to want a movement of God’s spirit, but we literally need to prepare for it.

Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it."

Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."

Joshua 3:1-5 (NIV)

A Couple of church words defined:

Consecration: to set yourself apart from the common to be used by the divine.

Amazing: “Wonders, Miracles, actions that are not explainable”

Literally, Joshua tells the people of Israel to prepare for an unimaginable movement of God by setting themselves apart in anticipation. This involves three specific activities.

Set a Perspective of Holy Expectation: The Israelites were at the cusp of the promise land in this text had an expectation of what God was about to do. They did this by first remembering what God had already done (rescued from Egypt, sustained in the wilderness). Then they recalled what God had promised to do (bring them into a land flowing with milk and honey), and lastly rested in the confidence that comes with the presence of God. In our churches, we must remember what Christ has already done for us, and what He promises to do in us and through us, being confident that greater is God’s Spirit that is within you, than anything in the world. When we visit Viento De Dios, Phoenix Citizens Church, and Caldwell Iglesia Damasco among others, there is a palpable sense of Holy expectation that God will show up and do “amazing things”. When you gather, do you come with the sense of wonder or a sense of resignation that the miracles and the unexplainable movements of God never transcend from the pages of the Bible to the lives of our church communities? Ask yourself, what do I expect and ask God to give you a sense of Holy expectation.

Seek God’s will through a Posture of Prayer: The Psalmist declares that God confides in those who fear God (Ps 25:14). That word confides suggests a personal sharing. Joshua was able to hear very specific revelation because he developed a posture to hear. The revelation that Joshua received was personal, powerful, and poignant and it allowed him to continually understand his “assignments and adjustments” using a phrase from Church planting Director Rick Snodgrass taught us during the regional leadership summits last year. When was the last time that God confided in you? Scripture declares “Surely the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). This is not to say that everyone is a Biblical prophet, but that God loves to confide in us when he acts in incredible ways. How’s your prayer life? Do you have posture of listening? Is your church a praying church? Ask God to confide in you what God desires to in your community!

Stand ready to release the power of God through immediate and radical obedience. Joshua had specific commands regarding the crossing of the Jordan river at flood stage. What is fascinating is that God’s incredible intervention in the river began after the Priests stepped into the river. After obedience, not before, or during, but simple obedience released the power of God in amazing ways. In our neighboring challenge, we find that we are commanded to love our neighbor and that every action towards our neighbors is an act of obedience. Do you expect incredible things to happen out of your obedience? Pastor Dave McGarrah of Deer Flat was obedient in talking with a repairman who came to his home last month. That man is now a follower of Jesus and a child of the King. The power of heaven is unleashed in our obedience.

Are you ready for amazing?

Let us consecrate ourselves, for God desires to do amazing things!!!!

Consecrate yourselves, for God will do amazing things!

REGISTRATON IS NOW OPEN FOR

LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 2021

Let's imagine what it is like to be on the receiving end of neighboring.

My husband recently had knee replacement surgery. We tried to prepare for all of the scenarios that come with such a surgery. It is just me, my husband, and our two labs so I thought it would be simple. However, we did not plan for feet of snow to fall during the recovery phase of his surgery. Our neighbors took it upon themselves to shovel our driveway and sidewalk every time it snowed while my husband was recovering. This was such a blessing to us. They even walked our dogs during that time. Humans crave community. We are so grateful for ours. We now look for opportunities to bless our neighbors and community to pay it forward. #neighboringiscontagious.

Don't forget to share your Neighboring stories on our Basecamp Chat.

When COVID hit the US in 2020, churches rallied to adjust their ministries to accommodate the "new normal". Pastors and ministry leaders were on the front line of this pandemic and did a fantastic job shepherding their congregations through this unprecedented situation. From learning to stream your services to being intentional about connecting with your flock, our pastors have done a great job adapting.

However, with the vaccine becoming available to all who want it, and restrictions being lifted we need to take the next step of re-opening our ministries and worship services. There are two things you should consider doing now.

When is the last time you check your state's COVID restrictions? Things are changing rapidly and you may be able to loosen your protocols. God has blessed us with vaccines that will eventually allow us to open our doors once again. Below are links to each of our State's COVID-19 regulatory page. We recommend that you check your state's site at least once a week.
Do you have a process in place to let your community know that your doors and ministries are open when your state begins to lift restrictions? How will you prepare a way for the Lord? A communication plan can be developed to then be implemented when it is appropriate. Failing to plan is planning to fail.

... Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

TRC COVID-19 State Resources

Below are the websites for all the states in The River Conference that have current information on COVID-19. Stay informed. These websites have the most current information for each state. Simply click on the state and it will take you to the corresponding website.

FMCUSA

ADDRESS CHANGE

FMCUSA has closed their PO Box. All mail to their office (or any of our World Ministries Center offices) is being received at the following address:

770 North High School Road

Indianapolis IN 46214

Please use the above address for anything you send to the denomination

ONLINE COURSES AVAILABLE IN AFRICAN LANGUAGES

The NY/NJ Metro Ministry Training Center is pleased to begin a new online cohort for theological and pastoral formation that will be taught directly in Swahili (and other African languages as needed) via Zoom. The tentative course schedule and enrollment form is attached below.

For more information, email chris.pulice@acts1224churches.com or text/call 540-241-7021.

Cost:

Recommended tuition for each student is $65 per credit hour. A minimum of 8 students per cohort is ideal. When this is not possible, churches and/or conferences are encouraged to give an additional Love Offering to help compensate the instructor.

Vision:

The influx of African Immigrant Kingdom leaders into the USA is a great opportunity for the FMCUSA to advance the Kingdom of Jesus. However, a robust theological and pastoral formation program that is directly taught in native African languages is largely missing. In response to this opportunity and challenge, we seek to multiply the African teaching ministry of the NY/NJ Metro Training Center into Annual Conferences across the USA. As we launch this initiative, we seek to raise $75,000 over the next three years to mentor a next generation of instructors—"reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Tim 2:2). We invite you to join us in carrying this vision, raising support, and identifying potential candidates whom God is calling to equip the saints through the spiritual gift of teaching.

Download the class schedule

FMCUSA Defined Benefit Pension Plan

The purpose of the FMCUSA Defined Benefit Pension Plan is to support the Free Methodist Church — USA by providing retirement and death benefits that will enhance the lives of ministers and church employees in recognition of their years of service, and their beneficiaries.

FMC created this brochure to outline how benefits are calculated, funded, earned, and paid out through the plan. The rest of this document explains how the plan’s actuarial, legal, investment, administrative, and audit functions work together to safeguard the value of these benefits.

Click here to download the Defined Benefit Brochure.

TRC signed up to take advantage of Amazon.com's "give back" campaign. Amazon Smile is a program where you can designate a charity to receive a percentage of any purchase made on Amazon.com.

If you buy things off Amazon, please consider designating TRC as your charity. How to get started:

www.smile.amazon.com - find The River Conference of the Free Methodist Church, Lakewood, CO on the charity list, select it. Now every time you order something from Amazon, you must enter through the smile.amazon.com website, you'll see what charity you're supporting in red letters. Then start shopping. Amazon will automatically deposit donations into our checking account.

If you buy things off Amazon, please consider designating TRC as your charity.