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Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617-1682), The Adoration of the Shepherds (c1650), oil on canvas, 187 x 228 cm, Museo Nacional del prado, Madrid, Spain. Wikimedia Commons.
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Luke 2 1-20 (NLT):
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancé, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
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A few years ago my wife forwarded to me an anonymous paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13, the Love Chapter, with a Christmas slant:
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And now I will show you the most excellent way. If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook. If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, I gain nothing. If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point. Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside decorating to kiss the husband. Love sets aside business to help the wife with the laundry or dishes. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. iPads will grow obsolete, computers will crash, email deleted, video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, ties will fall out of fashion, golf clubs will rust, decorations will be put away, tinsel will be trashed, cookies will be eaten, snow will melt, memories may fade. But giving the gift of love will endure. God is Love.
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How many of our Christmas events are more focused on the decorations, the food, and the activities, with very little attention paid to the Guest of Honor, Jesus Christ? There is nothing wrong with the events and celebrations, I love them all, especially the candy and cookies! We simply need to remind ourselves that they are the “extras” to the real story of Christmas.
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In the narrative from Luke’s Gospel, it’s amazing to see the incredible changes that happened to this teenager, Mary, in such a short time.
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An angel visit with news that was incredible and shocking |
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An on-again – off-again engagement to Joseph |
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A visit to Elizabeth that was amazing and worshipful |
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The community reaction to everything |
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A trip to Bethlehem in late term |
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A birth in a barn, in a cattle stall, with the baby in the manger |
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The shepherds, Simeon, and Anna in the temple, and then later, the Magi |
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Every one of these encounters were very significant for this young woman, and all of them were just way out of the ordinary. All of these events are significant to everyone, not just Mary. That is why the Christmas story is so awesome. There is one thought that resonates throughout the narratives. Mary learned the art of remembering and reflecting on the things that she experienced, and she developed the art of cherishing them in her heart. This is a spiritual discipline needed in our lives at more than just Christmas time. We need to remember and reflect on God’s awesome Word and develop the discipline and art of cherishing them in our hearts. It will help us to put into proper perspective many of the things that happen to us.
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More and more I find myself desiring to slow down, think through, and cherish the things that happen in my life. Too many times I tried to power my way through events and activities, even the busy times on the schedule, only to shortchange the significant lessons learned and to be cherished and developed. Many people find themselves looking back on significant times or events with regret that if they had only understood how important they were, they would do things differently. Have you ever been there? Have you looked back, for example, at how fast the children grew up, moved on, and had kids of their own that have grown up and are moving on? Have you ever wondered where the time went, and how much you just wish you could go back and relive and redo, especially knowing what you know now?
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Well the reality and frustration is that we can’t go back. Those moments are gone, and you may have discovered that you can’t reconstruct them, because even when you try they just can’t quite get to what you missed and hope to recapture. The other reality is that while you can’t go back, you can go forward and live the moments you have now, celebrating them with a new perspective and discipline for living. We can learn something from an overwhelmed but amazingly resourceful teenager named Mary. Through her experiences she quickly learned and lived out a great discipline of cherishing that served her well in dealing with the awesome things that life brought her way. After all, it’s not everyone that the Lord chooses to be the earthly mother of the Savior of the world.
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As you think about this, let me suggest three ways that can make Christmas time and other special times of our lives more significant and cherished. First, rehearse the stories. This is something that has been practiced in many cultures for thousands of years. It is an age-old discipline that the Jews practiced, like rehearsing their Exodus experience, the Passover, and their history’s challenges and successes. In my family, I have the cherished memories of my parents sharing the stories of our families over several generations. They continually refresh our history and connect our present and future generations with the past. In fact, these great rehearsed stories led me to Ancestry.com to put a family tree together.
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When these stories are rehearsed, they don’t get lost. This is great when we are connecting with Christmas. We need to continually rehearse the story of the Immanuel, and to connect it with our own family stories and traditions. I hope, in this age of cancel culture, that we don’t lose the discipline of rehearsing how we got here, because we do so at our own loss.
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I also hope that we will reflect on the stories that we rehearse. Every experience in life is a story to tell, and every one is a lesson with opportunities to learn, relearn, tell, and grow. We need to learn the discipline and art of reflection. Imagine all that Mary was able to get from the many things that happened in their young lives through the birth and life of Jesus. Scripture tells us that she remembered them, she reflected on them, and she cherished them in her heart. We need to never lose sight of the impact of Immanuel, God with us. Reflect on that at Christmas time and enjoy the moment of the truth that Jesus Christ was born into this world, miraculously and amazingly because of you and me. He came, God in the flesh, came for us. Reflect on His coming and our unworthiness. Yet He came, and reflect on everything it represents for us. Reflect on them with the desire to extract the significance of these great stories about Christ and their impact on us and those who preceded and follow us.
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We also need to learn to reflect on the things that happen in our lives, our families, our churches, and all around us. Too many people just go through life living from one experience to another, and they just become junkies to experiences. So many significant events just get posted as social media and get lost in the shuffle of busyness and are soon forgotten. Yet they never get to the place of appreciation for what life has taught us. Yes, even in the difficult, painful, stressful, troubling times, there is much that can be learned and opportunities to grow. It wasn’t easy for Mary and Joseph, yet through their trials, they gathered much because they learned to put it into perspective through their reflection.
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Finally, rejoice in the stories. One of the great reactions that we see going on in Mary’s life, and of those around her, was rejoicing. When Mary found out that her cousin Elizabeth was pregnant in her old age, she who had been barren, Mary went to visit. From the moment she walked into the door, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy because of the presence of Jesus in the womb of Mary. Elizabeth rejoiced that the mother of her Lord was in her home. When the angels appeared to the shepherds to share the good news of the birth of Christ, there was a multitude of the heavenly host, rejoicing and shouting peace and goodwill to all men because of Jesus Christ. When the shepherds came and saw the newborn King, they rejoiced right there in that cattle stall, when they saw Him.
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A few short days later, Simeon and Anna, the old prophet and prophetess in the temple, saw Him when Mary and Joseph came to present Him for circumcision according to the law. Simeon and Anna rejoiced and worshipped Him because they knew He came for the consolation of Israel and all humankind. When the Magi came, they rejoiced and worshipped Him Who was born King of the Jews. Mary herself, when Elizabeth rejoiced, she rejoiced in what has been called the Magnificent of Mary, in other words she sang her song of testimony:
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“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”
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This powerful, rejoicing testimony was from an overwhelmed teenager whose life would never be the same. She rejoiced in God because He chose her and He sent the Savior. What will you rejoice about this Christmas? Will you rejoice in the presents you get, or will you rejoice in the lives that the Lord has connected you with that caused presents to come your way? Will you rejoice in the Lord? Will you rejoice for what the Baby Jesus represents to you… hope, peace, love, joy, inheritance, eternity… and so much more. For there is so much that we can rejoice about because of Him.
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Rejoice when things are going great and learn to rejoice when they aren’t because the Lord is with you even through them. Sing your carols with a sense of rejoicing… Good Christian men (and women) rejoice; give heart and soul and voice. Now ye need not fear the grave, for Jesus Christ was born to save. Calls you one and calls you all, to gain His everlasting hall. Christ was born to save; Christ was born to save. Rehearse the stories, reflect on the stories, and rejoice in the stories. Because it is through these wonderfully shaping disciplines that we will learn to really cherish these special moments.
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May the Lord Jesus Christ richly and continuously bless you and your families through this Christmas season and through the New Year. May He give you many things to cherish.
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Rev. Derek Whitacre
Pastor
Derek and Deanna
January 11, 2025
6:00 p.m.
Fresh Start
Community Church
West Branch, Michigan
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Rev. Kevin Keeder
Pastor
Kevin and Kristi
February 2, 2025
Morning Service with Ordination 10:30 a.m.
NorthernLight Church
Cadillac, Michigan
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January 27-29, 2025
Gull Lake, Hickory Corners, Michigan
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It's widely acknowledged that ministry can be challenging at times. When I was younger and faced tough times, I often heard the saying "when the going gets tough, the tough get going." It's an old and perhaps cliché saying, but it speaks to the concept of resilience.
Resilience is defined in several ways in the dictionary, but the second definition listed is particularly personal: "the ability of a person to adjust to or recover readily from illness, adversity, major life changes, etc." If you're like me, you find yourself "adjusting" and "recovering" frequently these days, and it can be incredibly draining.
Our Ministers Conference, scheduled for January 27-29 at Gull Lake Ministries, will focus on "the Resilient Pastor." John Opalewski, of Converge Coaching, will share insightful wisdom from his own experiences and from scripture about where true resilience comes from. The aim is to help us all develop attitudes and practices that will empower us to "get going" when faced with challenging circumstances.
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Academy of Servant Leaders
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Preventing and Responding to Abuse
in Your Church
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Saturday, February 1, 2025
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Abuse impacts a significant number of people in our churches. Church leaders do well to prepare for this reality. This interactive training will give ministry leaders essential tools to shape a culture where the policy and training on abuse are effective. The training will explore:
▪ How the Bible Speaks to Abuse
▪ Policies that are Actually Effective
▪ How to Educate the Congregation on Abuse
▪ How to Engage the Whole Community in Appropriate Prevention
▪ The Essential Role of Leaders in Prevention and Response
This training will include Q & A as well as interaction around concrete scenarios to consider both prevention and response best practices. GRACE will provide additional resources to all participants. This training is designed for all church leaders, including pastors and ministry staff.
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Mike Sloan
This training will be conducted by Mike Sloan. Mike is the Director of Safeguarding at GRACE. He is a former pastor, who has worked for 14 years to see reform on abuse policy and culture relating to abuse within churches. Mike helped develop and now leads GRACE’s Safeguarding Initiative, which is focused on changing culture on abuse within churches on all forms of abuse. As the leader of GRACE’s Safeguarding Team, Mike and his colleagues train faith-based leaders and congregations in abuse education, dynamics of abuse within faith communities, and best practices in prevention and response. Mike consults with churches on policies, conducting written reviews and developing new policies in cooperation with organizations. Mike also consults regularly with faith-based organizations on abuse response issues including reporting and trauma-informed care. GRACE has existed for 20 years as a Christian non-profit ministry with a mission to educate and empower churches to recognize, prevent, and respond to abuse.
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Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Times: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom Meeting
Registration: Free; a Zoom link will be emailed once registered.
Audience: Michigan Church of God Pastors and Church Leaders
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Michigan Student Leadership Institute
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February 28-March 1, 2025
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This weekend is a leadership conference designed for High school students who have sensed a call to ministry leadership or who desire to lead in their school, workplace, and community. Students will learn the importance of Christian character, spiritual gifts, personal profile, and their ministry type. They will be challenged to develop spiritual habits and meet other students who are passionate about Christian leadership.
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Kristen Liechty
Hey! My name is Kristen Liechty and I am a MSLI graduate. Since graduating MSLI, I finished out high school, travelled across the U.S. doing mission work with Samaritan's Purse and Next Step Ministries, served on leadership team with His House Christian Fellowship, and graduated from Eastern Michigan University alongside other fun life events. I currently teach math at the high school I attended and am enjoying life back in the town that I grew up in. I am excited for the opportunity to share about how God has moved in my life and called me up as a leader in every environment I have found myself in. See you in February!
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Focus on the Family
Pastor and Spouse Getaways
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Pastors,
Here is some great news from your Pastoral Health Team courtesy of Rev. Mike Harris and Focus on the Family. There is an awesome opportunity for you and your spouse to strengthen your marriage, and it is free for you as a Church of God in Michigan Pastor, as a gift from Focus on the Family. Focus on the Family's Hope Restored is now offering our weekend getaways for free for pastor's and their spouses! This is for any pastor that is on staff at the church. If you would have questions about whether or not someone on your staff is eligible, they could ask the registrar. The link to find out more information about this go to: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/pastors-weekend-getaways/
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Health Marriage
Healthy Church
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Every congregation should consider investing in strong, healthy, Christ-centered marriages. Healthy Marriage, Healthy Church Ministries is a great ministry with wonderful tools to help accomplish this. This ministry team provides a strong "Virtual Marriage Ministry for your Church. Healthy Marriage, Healthy Church is an empowering initiative aimed at strengthening both individuals and church communities through the power of healthy marriages. This transformative program emphasizes the profound impact of strong marital relationships on the overall well-being of families and congregations and communities." Please take the time to review the comprehensive offerings on their website with the link below.
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Managing High Stakes Conversations
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Perhaps your congregation is in need of professional, Christian mediation concerning conflict. Perhaps your church could benefit from training in Crucial Conversations and how to share even difficult information with others without doing damage. We can help with that through Rev. Chris Cottrell, who is very well trained and experienced in helping churches through these difficult challenges. His information and contacts are included below. Another good thing to keep in mind is that Chris is a native Michigander, and he always loves to come back home.
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| Rev. Dr. Christopher Cottrell |
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Contact: Rev. Dr. Christopher Cottrell
chris@crosspointceo.com, (937) 621-2162
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Our Michigan Churches seeking Pastors:
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Alma, First Church of God |
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Barryton, Barryton Church of God |
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Lansing, Pennway Church of God |
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Saint Johns, First Church of God |
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Cassopolis, First Church of God (Bi-Vocational Pastor) |
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Clarkston Community Church (Worship Director) |
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Detroit, Church of God of Detroit (youth pastor) |
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Howell, Crossroads Church of God (Family pastor) |
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Interested? Contact - Rev. Mark K. Richardson, State Pastor
517-393-7020
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Alma Church of God | Alma, Michigan
Currently seeking a Senior Pastor
Alma Church of God is a vibrant, healthy, and growing congregation. We are seeking a Senior Pastor who can help us build upon our strengths, discern the next chapter of our mission, help us chart the course, and take the steps we need to pursue the vision.
Our next Senior Pastor fosters encounters with Jesus by:
Encountering Jesus Changes Everything.
• Preaching sermons that are dynamic and relevant
• Casting vision for the mission
• Activating the church to impact the local community and beyond
• Equipping and empowering leaders to lead
• Leading with authenticity, courage, and integrity
• Caring for every generation
• Celebrating and cultivating generosity
• Investing in staff and helping them thrive
We believe all of life is packed with potential to encounter Jesus.
Our next Senior Pastor helps people discover how to live with this alertness in daily life.
We believe God loves Alma and the surrounding communities.
Our next Senior Pastor helps us discover how to join our lives to God’s love for the world.
Our commitment to our Senior Pastor:
• Full-time compensation with benefits package
• Prayer support and encouragement
• Care for our pastor’s family
• Support for healthy life and ministry rhythms
• A wonderful church to call home
Download: Senior Pastor Profile and Church Profile
Contact: almacogsearch@gmail.com
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First Church of God | Saint Johns, Michigan
Currently seeking a full-time pastor
St. Johns, Michigan, often referred to as the "Mint City," is a charming small town located in Clinton County. Known for its rich agricultural heritage, particularly its historical significance in mint farming, St. Johns offers a welcoming community with a blend of rural charm and modern amenities. The town boasts picturesque parks, family-friendly events, and a strong sense of community spirit, making it an ideal place for both residents and visitors to experience the warmth and hospitality of Mid-Michigan.
The local schools in St. Johns are highly regarded, providing excellent educational opportunities and fostering a supportive environment for students to thrive academically and personally. Additionally, St. Johns benefits from its convenient proximity to Lansing, the state capital, and Grand Rapids, one of Michigan's largest cities. This prime location offers residents easy access to a wider range of cultural, educational, and employment opportunities, enhancing the appeal of this delightful community.
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This congregation has been growing for over 100 years and is dedicated to consistent growth and open to change. |
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We have worshipped and served God at our current location since 1974. |
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Our present facilities were constructed mostly through the combined service and work of congregants. |
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The congregation is financially healthy. |
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The congregation enjoys gathering in various ways, including Sunday morning pre-service coffee hour, an annual July 4th fireworks viewing party for the community, and annual summer picnics and Christmas banquets. |
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The church organization is led by a Board of Directors with the pastor as executive. |
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The Board works in partnership with the pastoral staff to embody the character of Christ. |
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In February 2023 NXTStep Church Services completed a full church assessment. |
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The Church congregation has been eagerly and actively developing ministry teams (worship team, first impressions team, outreach teams, prayer teams, financial teams, security teams, etc.) to develop and foster the Church culture. |
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We recognize a pastor as someone who feels and is actively pursuing a calling. |
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We believe God is preparing the person who will be our next pastor.Suspendisse pulvinar mi at hendrerit gravida |
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We are seeking God's leadership in guiding us to that person. |
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We are seeking a full-time pastor who:
- Willingly submits to spiritual guidance.
- Is credentialed, or is willing to enter the process of being credentialed, by the Church of God Credentials Committee.
- Has or is seeking appropriate education in the biblical, theological, and practical aspects of ministry.
- Understands the importance of technology to contemporary church worship and outreach. |
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We are seeking a Pastor who understands the congregation's desire to actively participate in ministry and outreach, rather than relying solely on the Pastor to perform the work of the Church body. |
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We believe that the character of a pastor is vital and must reflect scriptural guidelines. |
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We are seeking a pastor who: |
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- Biblically teaches with the capacity to engage the hearts and minds of those seeking God, and to educate and challenge toward spiritual growt
- Is a Holy Spirit disciple of Jesus who emphasizes prayer and biblical soundness.
- Is a community-minded leader who actively engages in ministry inside and outside the church walls.
- Is a listener who is able to provide congregational care.
- Is able to see and respond to people with compassion, care, and sound instruction.
- Is a good communicator.
- Has emotional intelligence and a commitment to on-going personal growth and maturity.
- Is genuine, nonjudgmental, and humble.
- Provides visionary leadership and is willing to take risks and go where God leads.
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Sabbatical, continuing education assistance as well as others to be discussed further. Non-monetary benefits stem from a caring congregation (meal trains, cutting and delivering firewood, fall clean-up assistance, etc.) |
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Sarah Young: email or (989) 224-7576
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First Church of God | Cassopolis, Michigan
Bi-Vocational Pastor - Job Description
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The Big Picture -
The Cassopolis church is a small fellowship of dedicated believers seeking a lead pastor that is energetic, has a passion for and will help and guide its people in reaching the lost in the
community we serve. His or her focus will center on preaching, leadership, pastoral care and
personal witness.
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The Church -
The Cass church is a welcoming one - that seeks to glorify God and live out the love of Christ
through worship, fellowship, discipleship and sharing the good news. Our church is proud of its many years of history and undeniable desire to serve those in need in the community. The
people of this church are aware of the challenges of a bi-vocational pastor and understand that a person has limitations. The lead pastor and leadership team will work together to set
priorities, assignments, boundaries and team support.
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The Community -
Cassopolis is located along the Michigan state line 20 miles north of South Bend, Indiana. In recent years the downtown community and Stone Lake area has been revitalized by The Imagine Cass Project which sought to transform the entire community. While serving as the county seat, this quaint village has a historic atmosphere and is a great place to establish strong family values. In addition, a major new industrial park is currently in process just outside of town. The village, farm country and large Diamond Lake offers some unique opportunities and challenges.
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Requirements/Qualifications -
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Personal call to pastoral ministry |
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Qualified to minister in the church as required in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9 |
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Committed to living and serving consistent with scripture and the Church of God |
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Licensed and ordained in the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana or be in the process of licensing and ordination. |
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The ability to communicate through the preaching ministry and lead people to life changing experiences. |
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Possess strong leadership and communication skills, necessary to identify, seek out and build relationships in the community, as needed, to enhance outreach efforts, partnerships and ministries. |
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Duties and Responsibilities -
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To proclaim the gospel of Christ and to teach the Bible in a way that communicates well. |
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To provide leadership and cast vision joining together with the people of the church to develop plans and programs for forward growth. |
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Work and serve with the Leadership team in future endeavors and choosing of additional members of Adult/Youth Ministries. |
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To facilitate regular contact/visitation of church families. |
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To officiate at weddings, funerals, and any other significant church events as well as serving as a representative of the church at significant community events. |
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Position Summary -
We seek an energetic and enthusiastic lead pastor who feels a divine call to pastoral ministry
upon his or her life. The lead pastor needs to have a heart for serving and a passion to share
the good news of the gospel in order to see lives transformed. We expect that the person
accepting this position would feel God's call to our congregation.
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The Compensation -
This is a part-time position. Salary and benefits will be determined based on experience and
education of the successful candidate and in line with the current recommendations contained in the budget.
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Please send resume to Dennis Wooden, dkwswine@yahoo.com, and Mike Grice,
mikeg78@comcast.net
For any questions or more information please contact Dennis Wooden at 517-937-5568
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Clarkston Community Church | Clarkston, Michigan
Worship Director
Overview:
Are you a team builder? Are you passionate about building a worship culture? Do you enjoy working in a collaborative team environment? If your answer is yes, then the Worship Director position at Clarkston Community Church (CCC) could be the right fit for you. CCC is a well-established church with a rich history and a promising future. Our mission is to help people find God and grow in their relationship with Jesus. We believe that our worship ministry is a huge part of carrying out that vision by leading people to experience God through worship in our weekend services.
Job Description:
Our next worship director will lead our music and tech teams in a modern style of worship. He/she will be responsible for recruiting, auditioning, training, scheduling and shepherding our worship ministry volunteers. This position will report to our Associate Pastor but will also work closely with our Senior Pastor to plan worship services.
Responsibilities:
- Work with our Senior Pastor to plan worship services.
- Lead worship services on Sunday mornings.
- Lead mid-week rehearsals on Wednesday evenings.Committed to living and serving consistent with scripture and the Church of God
- Develop a recruiting and training process for musicians and tech volunteers.
- Develop and manage an annual worship ministry budget.
- Provide oversight to the church livestream and tech team.Possess strong leadership and communication skills, necessary to identify, seek out and build relationships in the community, as needed, to enhance outreach efforts, partnerships and ministries.
- Attend all staff meetings and all church events.
Requirements:
- A lifestyle that demonstrates a growing relationship with Jesus.
- 5+ years of worship leading experience.To provide leadership and cast vision joining together with the people of the church to develop plans and programs for forward growth.
- Ability to lead vocally as well as playing guitar or keys.
- Experience using worship software such as Planning Center, Proclaim, ProPresenter, etc.
- Experience with using backing tracks during worship utilizing resources such as Multitracks, Playback, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, etc.
Bonus Skills: A candidate with any of the following additional skills would be a positive.
- Training or experience with audio, video or lighting systems.
- Livestream training and experience.5+ years of worship leading experience.To provide leadership and cast vision joining together with the people of the church to develop plans and programs for forward growth.
- Social media or website management experience.Ability to lead vocally as well as playing guitar or keys.
- Communications/Marketing experience.
How To Apply:
If you feel you may be a good fit for this position, please forward your resume as well as worship leading sample videos to jbrainard@clarkstoncommunity.com. Please include “Worship Director Position” in the subject line of the email.
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Church of God of Detroit | Detroit, Michigan
New Position - Emerging Generation Pastor
Position Overview the Emerging Generation Pastor will be a champion for children, youth, young adults, and their families as a part of the larger community and ministry of the Church of God of Detroit. It is this pastor's responsibility to direct, encourage, and oversee the various ministries connected to her/his position.
Roles/Responsibilities
Align Ministries Develop Leaders Give oversight to the formation of leaders in the emerging generation ministries
Working Relationships
The Emerging Generation Pastor is directly accountable to the Senior Pastor. The Emerging Generation Pastor is a member of the ministry staff/team.
Personal Attributes
Follower of Jesus - Evidence of a personal relationship and commitment to Christ. Teacher - Able to communicate effectively one on one, as well as in small and large group settings.
Requirements
Accreditation by, Ordination or willingness to enter the process of being ordained accredited by, the Church of God Anderson Board of Ministerial Standards and Education. Ability to think strategically and creatively. Administrative and organizational skills. Be a part of the Emerging Generation.
Salary
$15.000 to $18.000. This is a part-time position. Salary and benefits will be determined based on the experience and education of the successful candidate and in line with current recommendations contained in the by-laws.
For more detailed information, please contact revalgrant@gmail.com
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Crossroads Church of God | Howell, Michigan
Family Pastor
General Supervisor: Senior Pastor
General Time Requirements: 15-20 Hours per week
Position Purpose:
To direct and lead programming for children from infants through 5th grade.The Family Pastor shall seek to foster Christian community through building relationships with children/youth that strengthens their growth and faith in Jesus Christ. He/She will create an atmosphere of love and trust and to provide the children/youth with a solid biblical foundation from which to build their lives.
To direct programming and be the spiritual leader for Middle School and High School age youth. The Family Pastor shall seek to foster Christian community through building relationships with young people that strengthen their growth and faith in Jesus Christ.
Expectations & Responsibilities:
- Be a fully committed follower of Jesus Christ and mature in faith.
- Be a part of the regular attending community of Crossroads Church of God as described in our Voting Policy and Believer’s Covenant.
- Adhere to essential Christian doctrinal teachings in congruence with Church of God (Anderson, IN).
- Will create and/or purchase a standard curriculum to be used by all staff. This curriculum will be age appropriate. Curriculum for nursery is not required. All teaching materials will be approved by the Senior Pastor or designee.
- Provide leadership for and function as the primary staff person relating to the Children’s and Youth Ministries. Will function as the Chairperson of the respective Ministry Teams.
- Oversee the recruitment, training, of volunteers to work with nursery, preschool, elementary, middle and high school age children. The Family Pastor will supervise all staff, paid or unpaid, that serve in children’s/youth ministry. It is expected that the Family Pastor will lean heavily upon the assistance of volunteer staff in administrating these ministries.
- Plan and implement appropriate activities for children/families.
- Work with the Senior Pastor/Leadership Team in preparation of an annual budget.
- Coordinate fund-raising activities that support special youth activities and trips.
- Promote Christian service through age appropriate service projects.
- Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings.
- Be in contact with office staff and provide a timely and accurate schedule of activities.
- Keep the congregation informed of youth events by coordinating the publicity for youth activities through the appropriate vehicles provided by the church (e.g. website, social media, etc.).
- Maintain frequent communications with children and parents/family. Meet with families, when requested, to answer questions or discuss concerns about the ministry.
- Provide a year-end report for the congregation for the annual business meeting.
- The Family Pastor will be responsible to be aware of any and all safety and security concerns within the church and will report those concerns to the Senior Pastor or Head of Security.
- The Family Pastor will be required to teach/preach/direct worship services at the request of, or in the absence of the Senior Pastor.
- Manage the disbursement of budgeted funds for Children’sYouth Ministries within the guidelines of the approved budget and in adherence with the by laws and policies of the church.
- Working remotely is permitted when appropriate.
- Adhere to Crossroads governing bylaws and policies and procedures.
- Will have an annual performance review with the Senior Pastor or designee.
- Minimum education required is completion of an accredited High School, or equivalent. Advanced degrees are preferred and will be considered as to their relevance and applicability to the position.
- Ministry Credentials, licensure or ordination, or the desire and ability to earn credentials from the Church of God (Anderson, IN), are preferred.
Compensation:
The total annual amount of compensation for this position will be determined based upon education and experience. This amount would be paid on a bi-weekly basis (26 pay periods). The position is part time employment and would likely be bi-vocational or avocational for most candidates.
This position is a combination of two positions: Youth Pastor/Leader and Children’s Pastor/Leader. Consideration will be given to a candidate that may want to specialize in either Youth Ministry or Children’s Ministry and this position may be divided again into two separate positions depending on the qualifications of the candidates. Hours and salary would be adjusted accordingly.
Interested candidates should submit a resume and letter of interest to:
Pastor Rob Tramel, Lead Pastor, Crossroads Church of God
517-546-0722
Email: “crchog@gmail.com” and “pastorrobtramel@gmail.com”
Download: Pastoral Profile
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