Leadership Conference 2023.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

To begin with it is with a profound, perspicacious, and prestigious privilege to accept this great responsibility to teach and train and inspire God’s people through the word of God. The Prophet Amos said Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? It’s high time that we the people of God come together as the Body of Christ and it starts with Good Leadership. In your packets on page one the scripture is Philippians 4:13 KJV I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Every person must buy into the vision that we can do all things through Christ that gives us the strength to do so. None of our churches were born with silver spoons in their mouths. We’ve all have had to struggle to make ends meet. And then strive to meet the needs of God’s Church. And with that construct of mind I really mean this statement where it say in bold print And it’s important to note the every person has value and can contribute to meaningful ministry if given the opportunity. There are many folk in the Body of Christ that can do great things, so don’t overlook them. So to become better leaders, members and stewards over God’s Church let’s concentrate on 1.Church Leadership 2.Stewardship and 3. Growth and Grace Giving

The Church, it’s Dogma and Doctrine

What is the Church? Where is the Church? What is the name of your Church? and Whose church is it? Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The tint tone and timbre of the text and broader context suggest and infer that while Jesus was looking around at all of the sinful idolatry of Caesarea Philippi Jesus penned this narrative about the ancient city of Dedan. The ancient city of Dedan was called the Rock city. It was a city full of heathenistic people. In other other those were some terrible people. Dedan was well known and Jesus used the term upon this rock Meaning upon this Petra meaning this Large Rock. Jesus was making a point. The point was that the city of Dedan was described as a defiled devious devilish place . And the geography of the landscape was that it was located in a strategic place in that ONLY a handful of men could come through the pass at on time.( Illustrate the scene) Every time an enemy came to attack they would get slaughtered because only a few could get through the narrow narrow narrow mountainous pass to get to the city of Dedan. And Jesus used this narrative to describe His Church! Jesus used this example to elaborate to explain and expound to his disciples and to us in 2023 that His Church has a narrow narrow narrow way to get in it, and that narrow way fortifies His church against all enemies. against the Mightiest Wicked armies, That narrow way fortifies His church against the Most malicious Evil forces that come against His Church and lastly that narrow narrow narrow way fortifies His Church against Mischievous Malignant folk whose aims and intentions are designed to infiltrate God’s Church and Metastasize a fatal terminal blow hoping to cause God’s Church to DIE! They literally can’t stand your Church your Pastor and they don’t like where you’ll having church at.

Church Dogma is something held as an established opinion and whereas church Dogma is a body of doctrines concerning faith or morals that are formally stated and authoritatively proclaimed by a church.

Church Doctrine Is any belief system that you deem to be true and authentic and that you whole heartedly follow and diligently practice.

This is God’s church Then 2. It’s the Pastor’s Church by Stewardship Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Up in heaven when it’s His to call and mine to answer I’ll not only be listening for my name but I’ll also have to give an account of the flock. I have been entrusted to watch for their souls. I have been commanded to feed the Church with the truth of the word of God. Not my dogmas not my doctrines but the word of God. Because as a Baptist we believe that the bible was written by men divinely inspired........ Then Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. Quick Questions What is he Pastoring? God’s Church Who is he feeding? The flock of the true and living God. What is the proposed diet ?Wisdom , Knowledge, and understanding. I personally feel that if I equip the church with good enough wisdom knowledge and understanding of God’s Word they’ll be informed enough to make godly decisions.

Then there is 3. Its the Parishioners Church by Membership Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Quickly here are a few nuggets

1.in verse 14. the word says don’t be a baby After we’ve been in church a while 10 20 30 40 50 years 14 Then we will no longer be babies. We will not be tossed about like a ship that the waves carry one way and then another. We will not be influenced by every new teaching we hear from people who are trying to fool us. They make plans and try any kind of trick to fool people into following the wrong path. 2. Then in verse 15 No! Speaking the truth with love, we will grow up in every way into Christ, who is the head. There are charlatans ( Charlatans are people who profit off of vulnerable Christian. And it’s our own fault because we send money to the TV tube talking about sowing a seed in their ministry and your own home church that done raised you up is forgotten about and his pocket flourishes and he don’t even know your name and probably wouldn’t even speak to you if he saw you on a crowded street somewhere). So as a member of your local church you have a responsibility to be rooted and ground in the word of God so that no Charlatan can come and make a fool out of you.

Then there is 2. on page 3. What is the Mission of the Leadership of the Church? Turn to Daniel 6:3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Let’s go through some ABCs.( Rehearse the story of Daniel in three minutes).

Then there is 3. How can we determine if the church’s leadership is healthy and headed on the correct pathway? Psalm 37: 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD:And he delighteth in his way. 24  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: For the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Interestingly enough let me point out that the first way to tell if the church is on a solid footing is to check the pastor.Then check the deacons and then you’ll know if that’s a God fearing church or not. Because the steps of good man are ordered by the Lord. First and foremost God isn’t going to order a wicked person’s steps as they are in charge of taking care of the flock of God. It would be like God working for the devil. So the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.The man or woman of god has to be a born again Christian. What is a Christian?