During the last week of April, more than 230 ministers and wives from 18 countries gathered at the University Hilton Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina for three days of informative meetings and inspiring fellowship.
Presiding Evangelist Roderick C. Meredith began the morning sessions each day with a special message. On Monday, he reviewed the history and mission of the Church of God. He stressed that we are a continuation of the Church founded by Jesus Christ, and that our mission is to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God, warn this world of prophetic events that are beginning to unfold and restore original Christianity. On Tuesday, he discussed aspects of powerful preaching, practical principles of pastoring and ways to unify congregations. On Wednesday, he emphasized servant leadership, and outlined many ways in which ministers can follow the example of Jesus Christ in serving people. He stressed the importance of humility, patience, wisdom, concern and learning from past mistakes.
Reports from Regional Directors around the world, and from Headquarters administrators, gave inspiring insights into how God is reaching people around the world. The Living Church of God has ordained more than 80 ministers in the last decade, and more than 170 Living Church of God ministers are now serving the 7,000+ brethren who attend Sabbath services around the globe each week. In 2009, more than 8,000 people kept the Feast of Tabernacles with the Living Church of God. The Tomorrow’s World telecast is on more than 300 television stations around the world, and now draws an average of 5,200 responses per program. In 2009, Living Church of God ministers conducted 52 Bible lectures (now promoted as “Tomorrow’s World Special Presentations”) in the United States, Canada, UK and South Africa—sending out more than 73,000 invitations and receiving nearly 2,000 guests. These numbers should double in 2010.
In Canada, attendance is up nearly 20 percent, and income growth is strong. In Australasia, 25 ministers serve more than 1,300 brethren and Tomorrow’s World subscribers now number about 10,000. In the UK, Ireland and Europe, attendance has increased nearly 200 percent in the last four years. In South Africa, attendance has doubled in the last few years, and Tomorrow’s World subscribers now number about 13,000. Around 170 brethren attend 13 congregations in Kenya and Tanzania. In Mexico, Central and South America more than 300 brethren attend in 26 congregations. In the Caribbean, more than 400 brethren attend in 12 congregations.
One Conference highlight occurred on Monday, when British author and lecturer Adrian Hilton gave a presentation and answered questions about political developments in the UK and the European Union. He mentioned the challenge Christians face today in an increasingly secular and anti-Christian society. He also observed that the UK is witnessing the re-emergence of Roman Catholicism in a once-predominantly-Protestant country. Mr. Hilton is the author of the book The Principality and Power of Europe, which discusses the role of religion in events that have and will occur in Europe. His visit provided an opportunity for several lively and informative discussions.
On Tuesday, Evangelists Richard Ames and Douglas Winnail discussed the importance of maintaining professional standards for the ministry. Mr. Ames emphasized the importance of personal conduct and appropriate dress, thorough preparation of sermons and Bible studies, obtaining accurate information, improving as a speaker and maintaining consistent congregational procedures. Dr. Winnail stressed the importance of continuing education in the professional development process for ministers and wives. He urged everyone to read widely, review booklets, articles and training materials that have been developed and take advantage of Living University classes—so we can follow the biblical admonitions to “grow” and “add to our faith” (2 Peter 1:5; 3:18) and become more effective servant leaders. Along with Dr. Michael Germano and Dr. Scott Winnail, he also presented information about the growth of Living University—which now enrolls more than 100 students on-line each semester and is attracting students for an on-site program in Charlotte. The Winnails and Dr. Germano urged ministers to encourage young people to consider Living University classes as an “investment” in their spiritual future and as an opportunity to lay a spiritual foundation that will help them deal with the challenges of secular education and prepare for the rest of their life. Some may want to plan to spend a year in Charlotte or another location between high school and college to work on this important foundation.
On Wednesday, Mr. Ames presented helpful tips for dealing with the press—including the importance of being positive, and of having current information about Church membership, television stations and magazine circulation. He reminded us that our mission is to restore original Christianity as taught and practiced by Jesus Christ and His apostles. Mr. Jonathan McNair discussed Living Youth Programs and the challenges facing parents and young people growing up in a society that is rapidly discarding the moral values that have sustained Western civilization for centuries. Mr. McNair also coordinated an evening workshop, “The Use of Technology in Pastoring.” Mr. Stuart Wachowicz, an elder and educator from Canada, presented information that may be helpful in reaching China with the gospel. Mr. Ames and Dr. Fall discussed the challenging role of a minister’s wife, and Dr. Winnail covered important aspects of team-building—such as appreciating and using others’ different aptitudes and skills, including team members in discussions and decision-making, and not letting personal insecurities or interpersonal competition undermine working as a team.
Another highlight during the Conference was the pair of presentations on Tuesday to Mr. & Mrs. Dibar Apartian and Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Weston. Dr. Meredith presented a plaque to Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Weston recognizing their 25 years of service to the young people of the Church of God. He also presented a plaque to Mr. & Mrs. Dibar Apartian, recognizing their five decades of service to God’s Church. Both awards were warmly acknowledged by all in attendance. Mr. Apartian delivered a very moving address at the Conference in which he reminded everyone that “America is changing and is drifting away from God,” emphasizing that we need to appreciate what we have and the truth we have been given and finish the Work—realizing that God is the one who does it, not us! Members of the Headquarters office staff joined the ministers and wives for a dinner-dance on the last night of the Conference, which provided a beautiful, pleasant and memorable setting for fellowship.
As this was the Living Church of God’s first General Ministerial Conference since 2006, it was especially encouraging to hear the positive feedback generated by the three days of meetings, as typified by comments such as those printed along with this article, which called attention to the tremendous sense of love and unity, the focus on our mission, and the excitement about the progress of the Work that permeated the Conference.
Dr. Meredith’s concluding comments at the Conference stressed that only God can help us finish the Work. He reminded the ministers and wives that we must each build a strong, personal relationship with God through regular prayer, Bible study, meditation and fasting, and that we must each come to understand that God is real and is guiding His work. This is the only way we will be able to endure the challenges that will come in the years ahead—and never quit! We must remember that the gospel is a message about the coming government of God that will bring peace to this earth through the reign of Jesus Christ and the saints. We need to ask God to pour out the gifts of the Holy Spirit on His Church and pray for unity and for each other so we can finish His work together. We should walk with God with all our hearts!