|
MSR 11
Worship Conference '08
GATHERING '08
Resource For Small Groups
New Prayer Resource
PowerUP '08
Anointed with the Holy Spirit and Power
Putting Your Wishes In Writing Too
General Conference Cencert of Prayer
See God Change Lives And Churches
Aldergate '08
Register
Hotel
Speakers
Vacation Ideas
Get Aldersgate Brochures, DVDs & More!
Promo Video
Email Flyer
New "Church Bulletin Inserts"
Children's Ministry
Youth Ministries
Young Adults Ministry
Schedule
|
May 2006
Minister & Spouse Retreat 11"Just what The Doctor  (Jesus) ordered"
Imagine 40 ‘post-Easter week' clergy couples coming through your doors. Some weary and discouraged, some at a good place - some wounded, and some journeying through the healing process - some empty, and some full - some struggling, and some at peace. It reminded me of the variety of people described in James 5:13 - 15. The Message puts it this way: "Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven - healed inside and out." At the ARM Minister and Spouse Retreat, this Scripture was manifest as a leadership team of ARM Staff and MSR Alumni had the privilege of praying for, singing with and anointing clergy couples from all over the United States.
Using a combination of teaching, small group sharing, altar ministry, individual and corporate prayer, the couples were provided the opportunity to renew their relationship with their First Love; rekindle the flame in their marriage; and gain a fresh love and vision for their congregations. Immersed in an environment of catered meals, gift bags, a restaurant gift certificate and even a fresh flower for their date night these couples, who pour themselves out in ministry week after week, were able to receive the radical hospitality of Jesus.
The transformational touch of Jesus was evident on the participants' faces as they came to the Table at the closing Holy Communion worship celebration. At the end of the event, one couple testified, "We are from a dying small town and I realized while here that we were dying with it. This ministry helped to refill me to go back and do what He has called us to do." "Renewal" and "refreshment" were the common themes threaded throughout the testimonies. Reflecting on the impact of the event, one couple shared that the ARM Minister and Spouse Retreat is just what The Doctor ordered!
Perhaps you know of a clergy couple who would benefit from the MSR. The next MSR will take place immediately after Easter from April 14-17, 2009. Knowing how full calendar's can get and how busy schedule's can become, we encourage you to mark the dates down now! By Jonathan Dow
Worship Conference '08: "Into God's Marvelous Light" (TOP) 
1 Peter 2:9-10 reminds us that "You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now a people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." At the ARM Worship Conference '08, hosted at the ARC October 10-12, worship musicians, worship leaders, choir directors, and those interested in worship will gather to celebrate the reality that God not only calls us ‘out of' but also ‘into.' We are called out of a past of failures, brokenness, spiritual and musical mediocrity into a life of passionate worship, extravagant love and extreme obedience.
Along with worship celebrations, there is a myriad of NEW workshop titles and topics including; Curing the Moses Worship Leader Syndrome, Cancelling Your Pity Party, Bringing the Best out of Your Band, Getting the Most out of Rehearsals, Hearing God's Heart in Worship Planning, Bringing the Best out of Your Vocalists, Where's my Towel and Basin, Building the Worship Ministry on a Biblical Foundation, Listening to the Holy Spirit as You Lead Worship, It's Time to Give Up the Binkey: Pressing On to Spiritual Maturity and Breaking the Bonds of Musical Mediocrity. Opportunity will also be given for prayer ministry and dialogue about your specific ministry setting.
We encourage you to bring your worship team and those who plan worship experiences at your church to get the most from this event! Keep your eye out for a brochure and opportunity to register on-line.
The ARM Worship Conference will run concurrently with PowerUP '08.
Summary Of The GATHERING '08  (TOP)
Approximately 110 persons made an annual pilgrimage to the Aldersgate Renewal Center for THE GATHERING, ARM's annual Board and Advisory Council meeting.
Reports from staff members highlighted:
- The continued and increasing "favor of the Lord" with church leadership. New doors for ministry are opening weekly.
- The benefits of regular, consistent promotion of the ministry via advertisement in the Interpreter are resulting in increased visibility and recognition. The most obvious is manifested with increased interest in Lay Witness Missions and a capacity crowd registered for the Minister and Spouse Retreat (90% of participants are new to the ministry of ARM).
- The scheduling of "Team-Led, Local Church Renewal Events" are on the increase, with the possibility of exceeding 100 events during 2008.
- And, visions for new resources are being birthed in the hearts of ARM staff members, some of which are highlighted in this edition of the Update newsletter.
During the meetings, eight (8) new members were elected to the Board of Directors: Rev. Jamie Alexander (Arkansas), Martha Daigneau (Michigan), Rev. Rose Booker Jones (Illinois), Tina Roach (Florida), Richard Rhodes (North Carolina), Connie Tennyson (Illinois), Anne Smith (Pennsylvania) and Kay Case (Wisconsin).
The officers for the Board of Directors for 2008-2009 are: Bob Denges, President (Ohio); Rev. Jerry Lipka (North Carolina), 1st Vice President; John Brower (Virginia), 2nd Vice President; Martha Daigneau (Michigan), Secretary; Candace Hallett (Massachusetts), Treasurer; and Rev. Gary L. Moore, Executive Director.
A budget of $1,017,038 was approved for the year 2008 after several reductions were made to staff compensation and benefits.
In the spirit of responding to expanding opportunities for ministry, there was consensus that all Board and Council members would work together in an effort to raise an additional $150,000 in "non-designated" revenue this year by:
• everyone working to increase attendance at events;
• encouraging existing ARM Family Partners to increase
their level of giving by 10%;
• praying for and recruiting new ARM Family Partners;
• And providing a challenge for 300 to make a one-time gift of $500.
As always, The Gathering was a great time of worship, fellowship, mutual ministry and planning for ARM's future as one of God's instruments to bring spiritual renewal to the life of the church, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
New Small Group Leader Resource Available (TOP) 
On April 5th Bishop Richard J. Wills, Jr., resident Bishop of the Tennessee and Memphis annual conferences, came to the Aldersgate Renewal Center in Goodlettsville to lead a 3-hour training on leading small groups. The training was based on his experience with small groups among Methodists in South Africa and as a pastor in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Bishop Wills called them Wesley Fellowship Groups. Forty three people provided a live audience and they participated in a small group experience as part of the video taped training session.
Bishop Wills set out the following purposes for the training:
- To investigate the Biblical and historical reasons for establishing small groups as the fundamental structure for the church
- To discover the 5 essential ingredients for our Wesley Fellowship Groups "recipe"
- To find the qualities God is looking for in a Wesley Fellowship Group leader
- To understand the task and maintenance functions of a group leader
- To look at the life cycle of groups
- To learn about group personalities
- To discover the make-up of a Wesley Fellowship Group and the principle of multiplying groups
- To learn about the responsibilities of being a lay pastor.
This training has been put into a DVD format and is a valuable resource for churches that have hosted or are planning to host Lay Witness Mission and are wanting to start small group ministries. However, the DVD would also be helpful for any church wanting to start new or strengthen existing small group ministries.
You will be able to purchase the DVD and a reproducible copy of the workbook used in the seminar from the ARM office for $20. You can get the "Bishop's Bundle," the DVD, workbook and Bishop Wills' main book on small groups, Waking to God's Dream for $32. Shipping is additional. The release date for the DVD will be announce soon; please call the office at 1-877-857-9372 and ask for Darlene for ordering information.
New Prayer Resource From Margie Burger (TOP)
 ARM is preparing to release a new prayer resource. It is tentatively titled, "Lord, Teach us to Pray - a study of personal prayer." This book will be a stand alone resource for individual or small group study on personal prayer. This new resource will follow the same outline as the Lord, Teach Us to Pray (LTUTP) participants' book but is designed to be used apart from an ARM team-led local church renewal event. Including teaching and personal testimony as well as lots of practical prayer activities, this new resource will supplement our team ministry with material in a new format for individual or small group study. Each of the 18 short chapters will include questions for personal reflection and suggestions for small group prayer. ARM feels this resource will be excellent for small group studies that follow a Lay Witness Mission (LWM), adult Sunday School classes, or personal study. Publish date is expected to be fall 2008. Watch for news of this release and ordering information in future ARM communications.).
PowerUP '08: Give And Do Your Best  (TOP)
In 1902, Howard Grose penned lyrics that have exhorted believers to give their best for almost a hundred years. "Give of your best to the Master; Give Him first place in your heart. Give Him first place in your service; Consecrate every part. Give, and to you will be given; God His beloved Son gave. Gratefully seeking to serve Him, Give Him the best that you have." Two thousand years before that, the Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy to "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
Aldersgate Renewal Ministries has a passion to strengthen the local church by partnering to establish a vibrant prayer, worship and faith-sharing life fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit. ARM has a strategy of team-led renewal events that are tailored to help churches give of their best and do their best to become a living expression of the Body of Christ: vibrant praying, worshiping, faith-sharing, Holy Spirit-fueled congregation that God is using to impact the world.
ARM is looking for people who have a desire to give and do their best to serve as leadership team members for our local church renewal events. Do you have a desire to share your faith story? Do you have a passion to see others connect with God in prayer and in worship? Do you have a desire to encourage individuals to be filled, gifted, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit? PowerUP '08 is the place for you!
PowerUP participants learn the "behind the scenes" details of the team-led events and are equipped for preparation and presentation of effective talks as well as prayer ministry. PowerUP also combines times of worship and prayer as well as fellowship. If you are already a team member or coordinator for one of our team-led renewal events, why not consider cross-training for leadership in a different event?
PowerUP '08 will run concurrently with the ARM Worship Conference '08. If you would like to receive an informational brochure about PowerUP when it is available, please contact the ARM office at 1.877.857.9372.
Anointed With The Holy Spirit & Power by Gary Moore (TOP)
 God was very specific about the ingredients and formula of the anointing oil in Exodus 30:22. The oil was used to consecrate people and objects for the service and worship of God, and all scholars seem to agree that the anointing oil of the Old Testament is a "type" of the Holy Spirit "poured out" in the New Testament.
If that is true, then what picture does the oil and its specific ingredients paint about the person and work of the Holy Spirit?
While working on the small group Bible Study, Becoming an Acts 2 Church, I found myself taking a detour and developing a study on the anointing oil, which will be developed into a separate resource called Anointed with the Holy Spirit and Power. There will be a companion CD of my teaching on this subject and a special blend of anointing oil to accompany the teaching. The oil is blended using the oils of essence of: myrrh, cinnamon, sweet cane, and cassia infused into olive oil. Although not exactly the same as Exodus 30, it is close, and provides a special oil of sweet aroma for your use in anointing.
The booklet, CD and vials of anointing oil will be available through the ARM resource center. News of availability will be in future ARM communications or you can call the office at 877-857-9372 for an update on release.
Becoming an ACTS 2 Church: a Bible Study for Small Groups should be available by fall 2008. Please pray for quality time and God's anointing to complete this project.
Is There Any Chance That We Can Vote
On Some Of These?
You Should Think About Putting Your Wishes In Writing Too! (TOP)
It's obvious through the Ten Commandments and the Bible that the Lord placed a great emphasis on putting important things in writing. Have you followed His example? Do you have a Christian will that legally provides for your loved ones? Have you stopped to consider that your will is the legal document that transfers stewardship of everything the Lord has entrusted to you? Studies show that 18% of males and 11% of females will pass away between the ages of 35 and 65, yet we tend to procrastinate when it comes to writing our wills. As a result of our apathy, important stewardship decisions are left in the hands of a godless court system. Aldersgate Renewal Ministries has a Will and Trust Planning Ministry to help you design your will or trust from a Christian perspective. For more information call Karen Fraser at 1-877-857-9372, or email Karen at kfraser@aldersgaterenewal.org.). Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 1 Cor. 4:2
General Conference Concert of Prayer (TOP)
Len Delony, chair of the local committee on prayer for General Conference (GC) 2008, extended an invitation to Margie Burger to lead concerts of prayer for GC 2008. Pam Dow led the worship for this special time of corporate prayer. This was a wonderful opportunity to be in ministry on-site. ARM has long advocated prayer for GC. "Prayer delegates" from ARM have been on-site for the last several General Conferences. Look for a follow-up report on this opportunity in a future newsletter.
See God Change Lives And Churches! (TOP)
 Aldersgate Renewal Ministries has its annual national Aldersgate Conference which will touch 1200-1500 lives. ARM has events conducted by our Regional Fellowships in annual conferences around the country. ARM also has events at our Aldersgate Renewal Center like the Minister and Spouse Retreat, Worship Conference, Power Up!, Day Apart, and other events that will touch additional lives. But did you know that most of ARM's ministry takes place in churches like yours in team-led, local church renewal events like Lay Witness Mission, Venture in Discipleship, Lord Teach Us to Pray, Pathways to a Praying Church, Life in the Spirit Seminar, and Worship in Spirit and Truth? Over 4 times as many people are touched by God through ARM renewal events as are touched through all the other ARM ministries combined. Over 85 of these events are already scheduled for 2008 with more requests continuing to come in for this fall.
Here are some suggestions for how you can become an ambassador for ARM to increase its ministry:
- Talk to your pastor and the people of your church about hosting an ARM event at your church.
- Talk to pastors who have hosted ARM renewal events in the past to see if it is time for them to host another event, especially if that pastor is now in a different church.
- Talk to lay people and/or pastors in other churches who you know about hosting an ARM event. Volunteer to make a presentation at their church.
- Make an appointment with your bishop or district superintendent to share with him/her about the renewal events that ARM can provide and see if they can recommend some pastors to talk to. See if you would be allowed to make a presentation at a scheduled district ministers' meeting.
- See if you can make a presentation at a District Council on Ministries meeting or at an Annual Conference Evangelism Committee meeting about ARM renewal events that can be done as one-day district or conference events.
- See if you can get a display table at your annual conference session, set up an exhibit and talk to people at annual conference about ARM ministry.
How many ARM events would you be willing to commit yourself to try to recruit in 2008 to increase ARM ministry and thereby see God change more lives and churches? The ARM office can supply you with brochures about these events and other materials to share with others, just call 1-877-857-9372 toll free.
|
