The Kerusso – January | 2023 Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
International General Superintendent’s Word for the Year - 2023 Each year of my service as General Superintendent, I have sought the Holy Spirit’s help in selecting a word or phrase that I could present as a focal point - - a leadership theme for the year. In the 2018-2022 quadrennium, the first idea I felt led to center on was “Collaboration”, with subsequent themes of Family, Trust, and Grow. I seek the Lord’s guidance well in advance, and the word PEACE for 2023 came to me back in October of 2021, only to be shared if called again to serve. 2023 is upon us, so for this year, I’d like to ask that we endeavor to do all that is within us to be PEOPLE OF PEACE. I plan to present a follow-up word each year of the quadrennium, but it is my hope that PEACE will be an overarching concept that we can continue to strive toward. The Word of God makes the pursuit of PEACE a high priority: “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 We are also told how best to achieve it, and what an amazing gift it is: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27
Peace as a Singular Priority | And P.E.A.C.E. as a Set of Priorities The world we live in is not at peace. There is turmoil in our streets, our schools, our congressional halls, and often even in our homes. We must not follow the pattern of the world in our houses of worship. God’s people are called to live at peace with one another ... “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14). And we are told it will take effort: “Live in harmony with one another ... If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:16-18) May the people of the Evangelical Methodist Church be different - may we be marked by being People of Peace! Further, we can use PEACE as an acronym, with each of the letters representing a denominational priority over these 4 years. 1 - Planting Churches 2 - Educating Ministers 3 - Aspiring to Holiness 4 - Connecting People and Churches 5 - Equipping Leaders
We know these are things we are called to do, but the Cabinet of Superintendents is asking your help as we seek the best way to do them in this quadrennium. Every one of our four regional Journey meetings will include a LEADERSHIP SUMMIT a special time for us to listen to YOU, the clergy AND LAITY of the EMC as we drill down into the “HOW TO” for each of these priorities. Please make plans to come to Journey and bring your lay leaders with you. We want to hear your ideas as we develop specific strategies to support our ministers, pastors, churches, and outreach efforts.
The Kerusso - January | 2023
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
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From the Desk of the General Secretary-Treasurer Rev. Brian Hammond
Annual Reporting It's that time of year again! I'm referring to our annual reporting! Yeah, I know. I shouldn't be that excited. Every credential holder is required to submit an Individual Ministry Report, and every pastor of an EMC is required to submit an additional Local Church Report with statistical and financial information. We have streamlined the reporting information and process. You can find the links to the online forms and instructions on our website under the Local Church tab. Also, this year is a little different from the past several years in that we are in a new quadrennial following our 2022 General Conference. Upon becoming a credential holder, each minister is required to sign a Ministerial Code of Ethics. And per ¶852 of the Discipline, all credential holders must sign a reaffirmation of the Ministerial Code of Ethics each subsequent General Conference year. You can find the links to the online report forms and instructions, as well as the Code of Ethics form, here: Credential /Church Reports I'll admit, when I was a pastor, I never looked forward to reports, but I understood they were necessary. I think yearly reporting is vital for several reasons. As we “put pen to paper” the events and activities of our past year and plan for future ministry, it helps us focus on what is essential and gives us the opportunity to reevaluate ministry activities. Reporting also keeps us accountable to those we lead and to our denomination. And I think it is an opportunity to celebrate what God is doing and encourage others with that information. Paul reported what God was doing with his ministry to the Gentiles, and it encouraged those who heard. Acts 21 says, "Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. When they heard this, they praised God." [emphasis mine] I also want to alert you to some reporting tools on the website that can help you next year. We have available two Excel worksheets that, if you update them monthly, much of the information you need for the end-of-year reports is totaled for you. You can find them here: Reporting Worksheets Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the reporting process or need help with anything concerning the yearly reports.
The 2022-2026 EMC Discipline is Here! Orders are now being taken for the 2022-2026 EMC Discipline. Printed copies are $12 each plus shipping. Five or more copies are $9 each plus shipping. You may order your copy today by clicking this link: 2022-26 EMC Discipline Payment is not needed to place an order. You will be billed with a separate invoice from the HQ Publications Department. Please remit payment upon receiving your invoice.
The Kerusso - January | 2023
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
EMC Journey Sessions 2023 Register 5 people for $180 and bring up to 3 more for free!
2023 Journey Schedule (All four locations)
Thursday Afternoon / Evening: 2:00 pm
Check In Begins
3:00 pm
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4:30 pm
Opening Session
4:30 pm
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5:15 pm
Informal Fellowship Mixer
5:15 pm
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6:15 pm
Supper On Site - included in registration
6:30 pm
Worship Service
Friday Morning: 8:00 am
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10:00 am
Individual Registration: $40/person Includes 2 Evening Meals and Friday Breakfast
Group Registration: $180/Group of 5-8
Includes 2 Evening Meals and Friday Breakfast
(You may register more than one ‘group’)
Breakfast and Leadership Summit
A Listening and Brainstorming Session with Pastors and Church Laity 10:45 am
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11:45 am
Breakout Sessions 1 & 2
12:00 pm
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2:00 pm
Lunch - on your own
Friday Afternoon / Evening: 2:00 pm
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3:30 pm
Keynote Teaching Session
3:45 pm
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4:30 pm
Interview with the Host Pastor & Laity
4:30 pm
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5:15 pm
Info from across the EMC / Missions / EMW
5:15 pm
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6:15 pm
Supper On Site - included in registration
6:30 pm
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Concluding Worship Service / Ordination
Click here to register: 2023 Registration
Or email: kparsons@emchurch.org
PAYMENTS Send checks to: EMC HQ, P.O. Box 17070, Indianapolis, IN 46217 Or pay online at EMChurch.org By Clicking Here Registration & Payment deadline is 2 weeks prior to each session
The Kerusso - January | 2023
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Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
G B M R Board of Ministerial Relations
EMC Board of World Missions
From Bill & Lisa Walker, BWM Co-Chairs I did it! I wrote 2022 instead of 2023! Happens every year for the first few days of January! It takes concentration and a little discipline to change routines and old habits. That’s what we need to do—CHANGE OLD HABITS. Old habits and former routines aren’t necessarily bad but may no longer be appropriate. We need to adapt to the new needs and new circumstances and new challenges which are the new reality. This happens not only at New Years—it happens all the time.
The BWM wants to make a small change! Since March 2021, the BWM has hosted a weekly prayer call on Zoom. It started out as a frantic and desperate cry to God for Myanmar in the wake of the military coup and the increasing levels of COVID (at that time). A small group has met faithfully, each Wednesday night at 10pm Eastern Time Zone for about 30-45 minutes. In these nearly 2 years, we have learned from God that even though He does not always grant our request (the political situation in Myanmar has gotten worse, not better) He still calls us to pray and is always working. (John 5:17). We should ask “what” God is doing, and “what” does He want us to learn or do, rather than ask “why” something has happened or “why” it’s not getting better. Praying will usually change the person who prays as much as it will affect the situation prayed for. God had expanded our vision of prayer beyond the crisis in Myanmar. God used this to start the prayer meeting which now covers needs for all EMC Global Conferences. We receive prayer requests from around the EMC world. We also hear back about those requests being answered. God works on behalf of those who wait before Him! (Isaiah 64:4). Buddhists in Myanmar are turning to Christ in numbers not before seen! Churches are being replanted in The Philippines—churches that had to close during the pandemic. Churches are being strengthened in Mexico! New churches are being planted in Canada! While we are thankful for the faithful group, we hope it grows. I am sure that some people pray for the needs that I share each week via email, even though they might not be able to join the Zoom meeting. We don’t have to all be praying together online, but I think it would be good if more could and did. One thing that might help is to select another day, another time, and possibly another frequency to start an additional online gathering. To that end, I am asking for your feedback to let me know a good time for you, your family, your small group, or your church. If you already have an organized prayer time for EMC missions, please let me know that also! If you are not receiving the weekly prayer list update, we need to know! Please use this link to give feedback: BWM Feedback
Christ For All Nations
MEXICAN EVANGELISTIC
CFAN
MISSION
EMC ASIA PACIFIC Conference
EMC MYANMAR Conference