Re: April 3, 2007 Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem & Vicinity
Rev. Nance, opened devotion with the hymn #162, ‘Pass Me Not’ and the
reading of Matthew 26:36-45 and prayer.
Rev. Dr. Linda Beal opened the conference with the
call to order and welcoming the body to this week’s conference and business
session.
Dr.
Serenus Churn provided the morning inspiration reflecting on an interesting
passage found in Job 14:1-22. Churn tells how Job is wrestling with the meaning
of his existence. Churn says life is hard and your time is set: death is
inevitable. What’s it all about? You go to school, work, have a family, pay off
a mortgage, and by the time you just about get it together, it’s about time to
die. The fact of death makes life seem to be absurd. Churn asks ‘Why all of
this if all we’re going to do is lay down and die?’
In Job’s reaching out to hope, he turns to nature.
He looks at a tree and accesses it and says that it may bud again but
man just lies down and doesn’t get up! Churn talks of how Job asks God for a
favor; ‘God will you hide me until you get ready to call me? Till you desire
that creature that used to sing you praises. If a man die will he live again?’
Churn says
that the Old Testament raises questions it can’t answer. It longs for a reality
that is beyond its reach. Churn thanks God for Jesus. Life is hard, death is
imminent, but Churn says he asks God to hide him and at the appointed time He
remember him, and when He gets ready…call him by name! Churn says, “I have hope
cause early Jesus got up, and so will I!”
The March 27th conference were read and accepted with proper
corrections.
Dr. Churn
reminded conference of the Seven Last Words worship service to be held on
Friday @7pm at Zion Memorial.
The Baptist Ministers Conference will hold its first prelude crucifixion service Thursday, April 5th @ 7pm at North Winston Baptist Church.
April 20, 2007
at 8am the 2nd Annual Golf Tournament will occur.
The body was
reminded of the obligation at Griffith School.
The conference
agreed to endorse Dr. Kelly’s letter to the WS Journal.
Sick Report
Community
Presentation(s)
Bishop Parks gave a presentation for the Hope Today Magazine. This is a
Christian lifestyle magazine for the faith community and its churches.
Rev. James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith introduced himself to the conference
making all aware of his willingness to speak at churches in W-S and
vicinity.
Announcement(s):
Dr. Beal informed the conference that there was an appeal to Harris Teeter that they stop selling Smithfield products until the abuse of workers is stopped.
Rev. Edwards informed the conference that Rev. Bass makes a difference in the lives of many who take part in the Institute, empowering people to be better citizens.
Rev. Reid told of the importance of the conference giving attention to the sexual predator law amended house bill no. 933, toughening this law.
Rev. Edwards announced that participation is needed for the golf tournament. Funds are needed by next week.
The
preaching order of the day was Rev. Tony Sanders, pastor of Greater Faith Christian
Church in Lexington.
Rev.
Sanders spoke from the subject, The First Time Death Lost with emphasis
on Matthew 28:18-19. Rev. Sanders dealt with many firsts in the Bible then
disclosed some difficult firsts that have happened in his own life. Dealing
with death was an occurrence in which Sanders was familiar. He tells of how we
all deal with death.
Jesus had to hang there, Sanders exclaimed. Why did it get dark in the noon hour? At that moment, two sons couldn’t afford to shine at one time. Rev. Sanders told of how the grave held Abraham, Amos, Moses, and others but then there was the first time the grave lost. Sanders says that we all ought to be excited because of what Jesus did. Because of the sacrificial lamb, the dead in Christ got up…because of the first victory of the grave! Sanders reminded us that what happened on Sunday is incredible.
The
body rose to give Rev. Sanders a rousing vote of thanks for his message.
Attendance – 25 persons
Offering - $81.00
Membership
– $0.00
Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)
Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and
benediction.