Embedded Into Jesus
From Rev. Doug Conley, District Superintendent
At conference last year I presented a message on the apostle John's emphasis on being
embedded
into Jesus. I want to share a portion of that message with you today.
Some years ago, leaders of an underground church in a Creative Access Country (CAC) approached Alliance leaders seeking training for a very large number of their members who were called to missionary service. When questioned about support for these missionaries, these leaders said they provided a one-way ticket and three months support. When asked how these missionaries were to get back home, the reply was - They won't! Additionally, the underground church said, "Send us to the most difficult places - we have already been to the school of suffering; we know how to suffer." That is a picture of being embedded into Jesus.
My brothers and sisters, what I ask of you today I must ask first of myself. Will you move on from believing - intellectual ascent - to being embedded into Jesus? Will you go beyond the average Christian life to step into the normal Christian life?
Unless we do, I believe we will fail at the thing that matters most. I am proposing some goals that I believe to be consistent with our district mission to "Strengthen the Church and Extend the Kingdom". I would like us to embrace a goal of having 60 churches by the end of 2022. Due to attrition we will need to plant at least 15 new churches in the next 5 years to reach that goal. Further, I would like us to strive to have 75% of our churches healthy and growing by that same date.
A plan is being developed to identify, track, support and encourage those who have expressed a call to ministry. That is awesome, but we will need to significantly increase our support for the GCF if we are to fund the sons and daughters of our own district.
This will be impossible if we, the leaders of our existing churches, are not embedded into Jesus - if we do not believe, abide in Christ, keep in step with the Spirit and attend to our own souls. If we are embedded into Jesus, we are embedded into the church. Not just the church we help to lead, but the larger Alliance family. We will be embedded not into our own individualistic agenda, but to our corporate missions, vision and values. Without this we will never plant 15 churches, we will never restore 75% of our churches to health and vitality, and we will never see the overlooked in our cities, towns and in our district. We will never survive the rigors of ministry with our joy intact. We will never make the sacrifices and take the risks that are necessary to complete Christ's mission.
It has been observed that early Alliance workers sailed to Africa with their belongings packed in their coffin. The likelihood of the need for the coffin far exceeded the likelihood of their return. Like them we are placed among a people that is no less lost, that is no less resistant to the gospel, that is no less without hope. Therefore, we can afford no less a commitment to the mission Christ has given us. Dr. Brene Brown said, "You can be comfortable or courageous, but you can't be both." I choose courage! I invite you to join me.
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DEXCOM Recap
The District Executive Committee met on June 5, 2018 for a regularly scheduled quarterly meeting. In addition to prayer, DEXCOM reviewed and discussed reports from District committees and personnel.
The following were among the actions taken by DEXCOM:
- DEXCOM will be sending a letter to all workers/ churches providing context, casting vision, and outlining the expectation that each church determine a funding goal for District Church Planting, as well as a date for their next Church Planting Emphasis, and report those items to the District before September 2018.
- DEXCOM empowered District Staff and Officers to assess and proceed as needed with repairs to the District Office related to flood damage.
- DEXCOM appointed official workers to District Conference 2018 Committees.
- DEXCOM approved a Fair Share Budget for July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019 and July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020 to be referred to District Conference.
- DEXCOM tabled the District Church Planting Budget until input is received from the churches.
- DEXCOM approved a PDF loan for West End Alliance Church (Henrico, VA).
- DEXCOM approved the renewal of contract with consultant, Jeremy Malik.
The next meeting of DEXCOM is scheduled for September 18, 2018.
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Registration for LIFE-on-life Formation
The Mid-Atlantic District is partnering with LIFE-on-life Formation to provide a space to address the needs of the whole person. The purpose is to produce spiritually mature men and women committed to incarnational ministry. This series of 9 cohorts spans three years.
Registration for the first retreat is now open! Space is limited!
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New Pastor at First Alliance (Hockessin)
On Sunday, June 3rd, First Alliance Church (Hockessin, DE) welc
om
ed Rev. Erick Adams, and his wife, Anne, as the new pastoral couple.
Welcome to the district family!
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NAE Financial Health Scholarships
We're pleased to announce that The Alliance recently expanded its partnership with the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) to improve its focus on the financial health of our pastors and churches. This initiative is part of the National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders sponsored by the Lilly Endowment.
We realize that some church leaders often don't know where to turn for financial resources and assistance. We have some practical tools that can help move struggling churches and households toward greater financial stability and freedom.
We're inviting you to:
Access Free Financial Resources
Several financial resources are available for you and your churches to access at Alliance Financial Health.
Take an Online Course
We invite you (and spouse if married) to register for the Personal Finances course. We are offering a $100 honorarium Visa eGift card for the first 25 pastors who sign up and complete this online training.
We encourage you and your assistant or associate pastors, along with a group of three or more lay leaders to take the Church Generosity course that starts in January 2019. We are offering a $300 honorarium Visa eGift card for the first 25 senior pastors who sign up and complete this online training with their leaders.
Questions? M
embers of the Financial Health Team is happy to assist you.
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July 4
Independence Day
OFFICE CLOSED
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July 19
Budget & Finance
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July 21-27
Summit Grove Family Camp
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NOW LIVE!
Choose your dates for Missions Emphasis for the next 12 months! If you do not already have a confirmed date for hosting an International Worker, please visit the links below to select your dates:
You may choose either WEEKEND ONLY dates with the Mason family OR a traditional tour schedule with Todd Adams.
If you are arranging your own Missions Emphasis rather than using the District Office, please complete the following form: Click here.
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Vision Trip
The District is planning a Vision trip to visit the International Work in France and Green Mountains. The dates of the trip will be November 1-13, 2018. The cost will be around $2,500 all inclusive. If you are a pastor or a missions mobilizer who would like to see the work being done on these fields and are looking for ways for your church to partner with these fields, then please contact Ira Towns at itowns@cmamad.org to sign up. There are only 4 spots available and they are on a first come, first served basis.
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Family Camp at Summit Grove
Date: July 21-28, 2018
Location: 140 South Front Street
New Freedom, PA 17349
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Summit Grove Summer Soccer Camp
Date: July 30th-August 3rd
Location: New Freedom Park Field
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Celebrate 2018
Women!! Celebrate 2018, an inspiring retreat, will take place in Lancaster Pennsylvania from October 11th to the 14th, 2018.
Aaron & Sarah Shust will start us off with their story and a life giving concert!
We will be blessed by music from Laura Story and teaching by Jane Rubietta in the days ahead.
This is a Great Commission Women sponsored event.
Bring a friend who you want to introduce to Jesus!
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Fair Share and Church Multiplication Update
May 2018
Fair Share (YTD):
Budget: $338,199.01
Received: $323,921.00
Deficit: $14,278.01
Church Multiplication (YTD):
Budget: $134,291.67
Received: $92,316.76
Deficit: $41,974.91
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