Pastor's Message - September 2014

John 3:16 ESV "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Hello All,

Summer is over! What next? Getting back in to a routine of school for students, parents and all involved in transitioning from summer and all of those activities to the fall and all of those activities.

Transition seems to be the word of the day around Liberty Street Church of God. We are living in times of transition from our current facility to the new facility, the Trinity Point Church of God. I’ve mentioned a few times about the Transition Team that, with the Church Council’s approval we set up as we look to the future.

The purpose of this Transition Team is: to observe the current ministries here at LSCOG and to recognize what will be needed when we move to our new facility.  Based on the Team’s observations and assessments regarding the Trinity Point facility and the needs that are foreseen there, the Transition Team will make suggestions and recommendations to the Church Council, if needed. 

This Transition Team and the transition to the new facility is one of the most importance priorities for us at this point in time. We need to make sure we are ready for the needs that we anticipate at Trinity Point and that the ministry that we provide is the most effective as possible. We do not want to miss opportunities to minister to those who come through the doors. There is no doubt there will be those who are curious to see what is going on and we need to anticipate newcomers as a result of the move.

This is really an exciting time in the life of our congregation and I hope that you are excited about the move and also about the potential that we will have in the future. “For God so loved the world” what an amazing thought! He loves the world and so should we, He loves the lost, and so should we, He loves those who are difficult to love, so should we.

I believe we do love like that, and you prove it day after day, week after week. Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 ESV 

We have our work cut out for us, please continue to be faithful to God and His Church.                         

The Church Council has spent the last several months working toward recommending to you a person to fill the position of Associate Pastor. We actually just voted on a candidate to recommend to you in the next several weeks. We started out with about fifteen resumes from around the country mostly from Church of God people. After collecting resumes, really since about last November on through the summer, we set up a sub-committee from the Council. Matt Bates, Trish Bish and myself narrowed the field down and we did some informal interviews. We then recommended two candidates to the Council, then the Council did the final interviews. After the final interviews we spent two and a half weeks continued to pray and seek the direction that God would have us go and also the direction God had for the Candidates. On Tuesday August 26 the Council came together and make a final   decision. 

That information will be handed out ASAP along with the Ministry Description. We will have a weekend sometime in September for you all to meet the Candidate and to vote.

We are excited for what is happening in the life of our congregation and for what God is doing in all of our lives.

I will close with the Lord teaching His disciples how to pray.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  (10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  (11)  Give us this day our daily bread.  (12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  (13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Mat 6:9-13 KJV 

 

ASSOCIATE PASTOR “Ministry Description”

GENERAL GOALS:

The Associate Pastor will have primary responsibilities in the areas of Assimilation, Discipleship and Youth.

A. ASSIMILATION: Oversees and directs the “LSCOG/Trinity Point Church of God Cares Team” that will work to welcome and follow-up on new folks and to keep track of our current worshippers through several sub teams i.e. Greeters, Ushers, Welcome Center and to continue to develop this ministry.

B. DISCIPLESHIP: Will work along with the Senior Pastor to plan and implement discipling opportunities specifically for new converts and anyone in the congregation that desires to be rooted and grounded in the Bible and their faith.

C. YOUTH: Will oversee and coordinate the Youth Ministry. This includes but is not limited to; teaching knowledge of the Bible and its life application. (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

Oversee other youth group activities i.e. attending conventions, fund raising and outside activities our youth group plans and attends.

Will recruit parents of the Youth and other adults to work with the ministry as needed in consultation with the Senior Pastor.

D. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES: Will be directed by the senior pastor, depending on the needs of the congregation, i.e. visiting the sick, and those in the hospitals, surgeries and so forth. Also where needed working with and being in a supportive role in VBS and other ministries that are going on at any given time. 

POSITION DEFINITION:

      

The position of Associate Pastor is defined as a full-time position.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

The Associate Pastor is accountable to the Senior Pastor and will work in cooperation with the Church Council, Board of Christian Education, and all other boards and committees as it relates to the overall ministry of the Liberty Street Church of God/Trinity Point Church of God.

REQUIREMENTS:

 

The requirements of the person/persons filling the position of Associate Pastor are:

1. be called of God to pastoral ministry.

2. be knowledgeable in the Bible.

3. have good communication and organizational skills.

4. be able to interact with youth and adults.

5. be caring, having a heart for the youth, newcomers and our church family.

6. be ambitious, concerned foremost with the salvation and spiritual growth of the youth and all others in our congregation.

  7. be enthusiastic, and flexible with scheduling and church activities.

This is an abbreviated description. A full description will be made available.