The Kerusso – December | 2023 Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Exciting Opportunities to Make Deep Impact Max Edwards At the close of the year, people often look for opportunities to invest some year-end giving into ministries or organizations that match their passions and create lasting impact. The Evangelical Methodist Church offers several ways in which our investments can touch people in life-giving, and Christ-honoring ways. One thrilling opportunity is to invest in the work of the Haggard School of Ministry. The Haggard School was successfully launched in 2014 for the training of Deacons, Local Preachers, and Ordained Elders. It is not a 'brick and mortar' institution, but is a well-managed, and extremely affordable alternative to traditional college or graduate level Christian education. The mission is to prepare and equip candidates for ministry for service in the kingdom of God. Your investment in the Haggard School helps keep the level of education high as we seek to provide the very best instructors and professors, AND it helps to make the cost of education as affordable as possible for those willing to commit themselves to church planting, pastoring, and local church lay leadership. You can learn more about the Haggard School of Ministry and its mission and mandate by Clicking Here.
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Another investment opportunity that aims to maximize impact on men and women around the world is EMC’s Global Missions efforts. Giving as part of the annual year-end missions offering is a chance to have 100% of your gift reach areas around the world where it will be most effective. Our partners in Mexico, Myanmar, the Philippines, South Africa, Canada, and the DRC all vitally need funds as they seek to share the gospel through preaching, and acts of service. The EMC’s Board of World Missions oversees the disbursement of these funds, and we know that great things are happening as we hear reports of Buddhists coming to Christ in Myanmar; churches being planted in Mexico; and ministerial training happening in the Philippines. You might also choose to personally support Bill and Lisa Walker, our only EMC Missionaries, as they provide ministry and service to our global partners through their leadership of the missions board.
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One other opportunity is to invest in our YOUTH. The Board of Youth Activities has insightfully launched a Youth Leadership Initiative that seeks to identify and assist in the development of young persons in the EMC who exhibit leadership potential or who express a call to ministry. The goal is to help them be the servant God is calling them to be! (Read more about it by Clicking Here) The General Council has just approved the creation of the “1 Timothy 4:12 Youth Fund.” The vision and commitment of the Council is the creation of a youth ministry annuity that can sustainably invest tens of thousands of dollars each year in our youth, over and above what we already commit. Anyone may contribute to this fund as we seek to build it into a half-million-dollar nest egg whose proceeds will enable significant youth ministry in the decades to come!
The Kerusso - December | 2023
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
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2024 Journey - Annual Regional Meetings Are Set!
The dates and locations for our annual regional meetings are set for 2024. We can’t wait to gather again with our pastors, credential holders, and lay leaders. Based on the feedback we received in this year’s leadership summit, we have decided to again hold four meetings across the country. All of the EMC Superintendents will be at each meeting, and we will be announcing very soon the plans that will include something of interest to both credential holders and lay people alike. Almost all of our churches will be able to drive to these meetings, and we are hoping for a recordsetting attendance in 2024. Mark your calendars and start planning to attend. For each Journey meeting location, CHECK-IN will open on Thursday afternoon at 2:00pm with the Opening session starting at 3:00pm. Journey will CONCLUDE on Friday evening after the Worship Service. Further important details will be coming to your Inbox in the very near future along with the online registration link. REGISTRATION will include supper for Thursday, as well as a continental breakfast and supper on Friday. The registration fee is $45 per person. A group rate of $40 per person is offered for churches bringing 5 or more attendees. Your children are welcome! There is no registration fee for children but please do provide their name(s) and age/grade on your registration form to help us plan for their attendance. The registration and payment deadline is 2 weeks prior to each Journey Regional Meeting. We are looking forward to a wonderful season of regional meetings! Please remember, we REALLY want you to bring your lay leaders. We deeply value our connection to the laity and especially look forward to their participation in the Journey regional meetings.
The Kerusso - December | 2023
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
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From the Desk of the General Secretary/Treasurer Brian Hammond At the time of this writing, it is cold in Indianapolis! The temperature read 18 degrees in my truck this morning! Large, fluffy snowflakes fell as I pulled into the headquarters' parking lot. I switched our office music to Christmas music, and as I walked to the breakroom to pour my coffee, I hummed the song, "It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” I used to get frustrated this time of year with the busyness and commercialization of the holiday. But as I get older, I look past that and simply enjoy the celebration of our Savior's birth more and more. I trust you, too, will focus on what is important and enjoy your family this holiday season. Well, Christmas means it's the end of the year, and I want to devote the rest of this article to some end-of-year reminders.
HQ Office Closing: As in the past, the headquarters office will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day (December 22 - January 1).
End-of-Year Tax Contributions: Of course, you know that as a non-profit, your contributions to the EMC may be tax deductible. Your contribution check must be written, dated, and postmarked on or before December 31, 2023, to be deductible on your 2023 tax return. We will hold our books open for the first week of January 2024 so we may issue a contribution receipt for the 2023 tax year.
Financial Report Forms: The 2024 Financial Report Forms (F900) for your church are on the website. An attendance tracking form is also available if you desire to use it. They can be found here: Evangelical Methodist Church › Forms and Downloads (emchurch.org)
Free Donation Recording Software: Are you looking for free, simple-to-use giving software? Well, I know a guy. No, really. I know a guy! His name is Doug Leasure, and he has written software for recording your church’s giving records. He is offering it free to local churches with no strings attached. Doug is a Believer who attends a church in New Castle, pastored by a very good friend of mine. You can find more about this software on his YouTube page here: Doug Leasure - YouTube, or contact Doug for more information at doug.p.leasure@gmail.com. Tell him I sent you. :)
Clergy and Church Reports: Yearly clergy and church reports are due January 31. It's important to report because the EMC Discipline requires it, but it is also important because it gives us insight into how we are doing as a denomination. Over the past several years, we have made this reporting process as simple as possible. If you are a clergy, you have one report to complete regardless of your status. If you are a pastor of an EMC, there is one additional report to complete. Links to those online reports can be found here: Evangelical Methodist Church › Credential/Church Reports (emchurch.org)
Book Recommendation: I found a helpful book I want to recommend. It's called Church Compensation: From Strategic Plan to Compliance. It's one of the best and easiest-to-understand books on church compensation I've come across. You can find it on Amazon.
Ministry Works Resource: Speaking of church compensation, here is a PDF that answers five common questions about church payroll. MinistryWorks-Resource.pdf (emchurch.org)
May you and your family have a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year!
The Kerusso - December | 2023
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
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RENEWED CRISIS IN MYANMAR Updates From Around The World
Submitted by, Revs. Bill & Lisa Walker, GBWM Co-Chairs
As most of the EMC already knows, Myanmar has been embroiled in turmoil since February 2021, when the Myanmar military took over the government. This initially resulted in nationwide protests, and when the military junta cracked down on the protests, the people began to form militias known as “People’s Defense Forces” (PDFs) throughout the country. The civil war between the military and the PDFs has raged for over 2 years. Until a few months ago, the areas where our EMC congregations are located have been relatively quiet. However, there was increased fighting in both Shan and Rakhine States last month. This led to many refugees being cared for by the EMC congregations and ministry outposts. Your EMC Board of World Missions sent $4,000 to assist with food, clothing, and medicines. The PDFs have been massing near the town where our headquarters is located, and there can be gunfire and bombs every day. Everyone knew a major offensive was coming. This week, we received communication that the PDFs in the area have warned the public to evacuate ahead of December 15, and so they have been doing so. They are having to temporarily relocate the EMC Headquarters operations to a safer (less violent) area near the border with India, some 80 miles to the west. The Board of World Missions co-chairs authorized $1,500 to pay for this. This is a major disruption to ministry, but God watches over them. It is hard to sit half a world away and see it all happen, powerless to effect change. But we can pray, and our God is not powerless! Be sure to pray for our brothers and sisters of the EMC in Myanmar. Many are internally displaced; others have sought safety and a new normal in neighboring countries, perhaps never to return. The ministry of the Gospel continues in Myanmar. Always hindered, but never stopped. Pray for peace and safety. Pray for a safe and soon return of conference leadership to their headquarters buildings. Pray for pastors to somehow minister to scattered church members.
If you would like to be more involved in helping during this crisis, please email Bill and/or Lisa Walker. billwalkeremc@gmail.com | lisawalkeremc@gmail.com
The Kerusso - December | 2023
Kerusso (Greek): “To publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done.”
Church Excitement from around the EMC
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Eric Bey - Texas Excerpts from Pastor Eric’s 2022 Ministry Report Our core group of believers is strong and united in faith and love for God and for each other… God is growing the men, grounding and rooting their foundations to support personal ministry. We continue to see spiritual growth through Bible studies, discipleship, classes, preaching and caring for each other. Currently we have Sunday School groups and men’s and women’s groups. We are anticipating the addition of mentorship/discipleship groups. We have a thriving youth group, and several have begun to attend Sunday services. I continue to visit in homes, hospitals, and at public places.
Todd Inman - Oregon Excerpts from Pastor Todd’s 2022 Ministry Report God has truly blessed the Connections Church Family this year… Last year, we began a campaign called, "BE BOLD DAYS". This started out to occur every other Saturday but grew into a weekly event. BE BOLD DAYS is where members of the Connections family hit the streets and parks to share the love of Jesus with others. Individuals will begin a conversation with others, which eventually turns into a conversation about Jesus. We have seen the church family lead others to the Lord in the middle of a park or sidewalk. It has been a blessing. One of our teams goes to a local park and sings songs (mainly hymns) and reads Scripture. It has been wonderful to see people stop and listen... some even singing along. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy serving the Lord in ministry together with each of you. What I love most about Connections Community Church is that we try to provide a place for people to feel safe and loved, and a place for people to grow and fulfill their calling. We started our midweek service this past year and it has been a blessing to walk through the Book of Romans together. Monday Night of Prayer continues here at Connections. We believe in prayer and pray that more attend this special evening. Our Wednesday Morning Men’s Bible Study continues to move forward. We added a Thursday noon Ladies Bible Study. Our monthly Men’s Prayer Breakfast is always a great gathering with wonderful food and great teaching. Thursday Nights we have our Adult Bible Study, for adults of all ages, led by David Crawford. Mikey and Kaitlyn Turner are leading our Young Adult Bible Study (young adults from various churches) on Friday Nights… We have seen God’s hand every step of the way as we have grown as a church family… God has opened all the right doors in just the right time in our growth and we are trusting in the Lord to do the same for our future. Colin Connor - Texas Excerpts from Pastor Colin’s 2022 Ministry Report I have served here at Grace now for 10 years as the lead pastor. Dana and I could not be more pleased with the love and support of the members of the church. Our connection is strong and so is our resolve to continue to do the Lord’s work here to the best of our abilities. This year I gathered with the leaders of the church and cast a vision for our church to prioritize Small Groups and Discipleship. As a result of that meeting, the Lord opened a door for us to access a great resource through partnering with a local church. With the help of the Lord through this partnership we saw the greatest involvement in small groups that we have ever seen. The benefits of this are: deeper fellowship, wider reach with people, care for existing congregation, mobilization for day of service, and stronger impact of spiritual campaigns. Over the past year we have worked to produce a new membership manual. It is the curriculum for our “Get to know Grace” class. I am hoping that in this next year we will see 25+ people go through this class and join Grace Church for the mission that God has put us on. This mission for the next year includes: continuing to see 75% or more of our church participate in small groups; equipping our current leaders to effectively disciple those who are coming behind them; to triple the amount of baptisms from last year; and to see our weekly church attendance grow…