Re: February 20, 2007 Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem &
Vicinity
Rev. Carter, opened devotion with the hymn ‘I Am Thine O Lord’ and the
reading of Acts 1:24-26. Devotion was
closed with hymn #164, ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus 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 one of the
ordinances of the church. He tells of how some refer to Holy Communion as a
sacrament but it is an ordinance in the Baptist church, which is the
denomination Churn is affiliated. Paul is writing to a difficult congregation
in 1 Corinthians chapter 11. Paul aims to give the people instruction
pertaining to this memorial. The Corinthian people have come out of the gentile
world. They had brought with them their history and experiences. Churn says
that this happens in today’s churches.
Churn suggests that it must be determined what
communion is. He discussed whether it is a sacrament or an ordinance. He says
that sacrament sounds “holy” and carries with it the idea of “priest
craft”, something magical taking place at the communion table. Rather than some
magical happening, this is a memorial meal where God is present with us. Churn
says that rather than believing that the elements are the actual body of Jesus
they are symbolic, communion is an ordinance, that commemorates His death and
suffering. The power of it is in your remembrance.
Churn reminds us that Jesus didn’t just die, his
life blessed us and our spiritual life is continually dependent on Him. The
wine symbolizes joy and the bread symbolizes strength.
The February 13th conference were read and accepted with
proper corrections.
March 10th at 11am at Lloyd Presbyterian in their sanctuary on Chestnut Street there will be prayer for peace and end of war.
April 20, 2007
at 8am the 2nd Annual Golf Tournament will occur. Letters will go
out this month.
Dr. Beal informed the special events/planning committee that they should come together with a time and feasibility of the conference having a seven last words program. They will report this information in the near future.
Sick Report
Sis Murray is doing better. She will return to conference when the
weather warms.
Community
Presentation(s)
Deltra Bonner
with CHANGE announced re-inventing gov’t piece. A petition will be drawn up to
see if citizens want a par cent group to non-par cent group.
Council woman,
Joycelyn Johnson handed out additional application forms for the Sci Tech
program for 8th graders. The due date is April 2nd.
Announcement(s):
Dr. Churn informed conference of the inspirational worship service at Mt.
Zion where Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornell West where the key speakers. He suggests
conference members purchase the covenant book as it has useful statistic data
within.
Steve Angel reminded the conference that the obligation to volunteer at
Griffith School, encouraging young people, is open every Friday at 9am, noon,
and 1:30pm.
Minister Alice Miller announced a 3rd Annual Women’s
Conference to be held March 17, 2007 at 1st Waughtown Baptist, 838
Moravian Street, at 5pm. Dr. Linda Beal is one of the speakers.
The
preaching order of the day was Rev. James Fullwood. Dr. Rowdy introduced Rev.
Fullwood who has pastured St. Mark Baptist Church for 33 years.
Rev.
Fullwood spoke from the subject “Only the Strong Survive” (Ephesians 6:10-14).
He tells of how there are so many different kinds of strength. There are strengths
of intelligence, physical strengths, economic strengths, strengths of business,
and character strengths. Fullwood says that all these are good in their place
but this is not the kind of strength Paul is referring to in this pericope.
Paul is referring to being strong in the Lord, for this is the kind of strength
that will keep us in the right attitude. Fullwood says we are flesh and can get
off track like anyone else. We need to be strong in the Lord in order to be
victorious in meeting adversaries.
Fullwood
says that with the right kind of wisdom, any wolf can be controlled. It is
impossible for a lamb to survive in wolf country but Jesus promised to always
be with us. In order to survive, we must be strong in the Lord and the glory of
His might. Wolves will turn you into a wolf if you are not careful. We must be
wise following His Word so that we can be strong. Fullwood concludes with the
sentiment, “If we are to survive in wolf country, we must dress-up for the
mission!”
The
body rose to give Rev. Fullwood a rousing vote of thanks for his message.
Attendance – 24 persons
Offering - $55.10
Membership
– 00.00
Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)
Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and
benediction.