Re: May 8, 2007 Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem & Vicinity
Rev. Carter opened devotion with the hymn #329, ‘I Am Thine O Lord’, the
reading of Genesis 42:1-7, prayer and hymn #164 ‘I Have Decided to follow
Jesus.
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 inspirational talk
focusing on John 3:14-15 and Numbers 21:4-9. Jesus alludes to Old Testament
scripture when reminding Nicodemus that the son of man must be lifted up.
Churns tells us how we must understand Numbers. It is intriguing because of the
horror, says Churn. Churn admits that he hates snakes and can’t imagine being
confined to a space with snakes. He explains that Moses is leading the people,
taking the long way around. The people speak against God. God didn’t appreciate
their lack of appreciation so He sent venomous serpents for their disobedience
and ingratitude.
The people want Moses to speak to God on their
behalf and God answers Moses’ prayer His way. God doesn’t remove the
serpents…the serpents remain, the venom remains, and they’re still
aggressive…God rather, gives a remedy: make a bronze snake and put it on a
pole. Churn says that this is not sympathetic magic but divine majesty and
grace. God wants them to know of their extreme sinfulness. The remedy would sit
in the middle of the camp. They may not have the energy to reach it but if they
just looked up, they would live. Churn says that humankind has been bitten but
God has a better way. Not sympathetic magic. “Even if we feel too sinful we
must look up!” encouraged Churn.
The May 1st conference minutes were read and accepted with proper
corrections.
The conference picnic will be scheduled and planned.
The body was
reminded of the obligation at Griffith School.
Sick Report
Rev. Reid asked conference to pray for her daughter who has suffered a
stroke.
Community
Presentation(s)
Nan Griswold
and Linda Jackson Barnes addressed the conference about the need for support in
providing transportation and feeding sites for summer feeding program for
children.
Announcement(s):
Dr. Churn announced Dr. King scholarship forms must be returned by the Tuesday after the first Sunday in June.
Rev. Fullwood announced Pilot Mountain Baptist Association to hold Joint Minister Fellowship program on May 14 at 10am @ St. Mark.
Bishop
Sherwood Davis sang hymn #41, ‘I Want to See Him’. The order of the day was
Rev. Otto Gaither, a minister at Dellabrook Presybertrian Church, WS.
Rev. Gaither focused on Acts 11:1-18.
Gaither remembers his grandmother having her encounter with God outside
swinging in the heat of day. Like Peter, she had an undisturbed encounter with
God. In the text, Peter is on the roof having his encounter in Jerusalem
because of the Word. Peter is telling us a story based on what happened to him.
He tries to explain what God has done.
Gaither shares inspiration about what
happens when the Word comes. He says that when the Word comes it deals with
you, first. In the text, Peter discovered that he had a prejudice
problem. Gaither says that the Word of God will soon find you out. The premise
was thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Gaither declares that we
hear so much but don’t hear from God because we are tied up in everything
except God. He compelled listeners to consider answering the question: How
well do you hear?
The body rose to give Rev. Gaither a rousing vote of thanks for
his message.
Attendance – 23 persons
Offering - $82.00 (given to Rev. Gaither, seminary student)
Membership
– $0.00
Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)
Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and
benediction.