April is full of new developments! It’s true across creation as spring unfolds, yes. But let me tell you about some recent and coming events in the CGGC. These developments serve as signs to a new season of growth in the CGGC-USA. We already enjoy many blessing as a fellowship of churches, but more and even better things are coming. I’m excited for our future. Each opportunity presented below holds much promise. Be in prayer for each initiative and the people involved asking that God will prosper our work.

Youth & Family Ministries

Last Thursday and Friday, Lance Finley (CGGC discipleship director) hosted a retreat at the ministry center in Findlay. The purpose was to share ideas and seek discernment in the Lord’s leading for Youth and Family Ministries. Those involved included representatives from across the church: ARC—Stacey and Kevin Hay, Crystal Hay, Beth Dunlap; ERC—Stefanie DiFrancesco, Heidi Guyer; WRC—Jim and Nadine Coffman, Barbara and Don Sutton; MRC—Curt Weaver, Marcus Roach, Jack Weiland; GLC—Joe Carney, Bill Moorman; Staff—Lance Finley, Erin Reeve Jones, Ed Rosenberry (briefly at the beginning). Over the two days the group discussed strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. They talked about what’s working and what’s not as well as how the CGGC could help the regions and churches. Finally, the group dialogued about the three or four strategic initiatives that would best meet the needs of the churches. Everyone agreed that an annual such gathering would be good.

This week Lance took a group of youth leaders to the “SHIFT” conference in Chicago, sponsored by Willow Creek Church. The gathering is specifically focused on the reasons why teens drop out of church after high school and how better to minister to them in the midst of their life changes. The word from Lance was that other than some flight delays, everything is going well. Those involved include: ARC—Kevin and Stacey Hay; ERC—Joanna Dull, Dan Knight, Stef DiFrancesco and Summer Rock; GLR—Jim Franks; MRC—Devin Reed and Stephen Myong. Keep the group in prayer that the insights gained will help our churches be more effective in ministering to teens and young adults.

Leadership Development

Monday this week I participated in the first team meeting for a newly formed commission focused on leadership development in the CGGC. Their task will be to work with pastors, church leaders and local congregations to disciple potential and existing leaders across the CGGC. The team reviewed materials generated by ERC in their Leadership Journey that began two years ago as well as the Pastors of Excellence program sponsored by Ashland Theological Seminary. It was decided to invite resource persons to the next meeting in June to discuss various leadership development initiatives and from that conversation to create a ministry appropriate to our needs and goals. The group projected a possible spring 2009 launch. The initial planning team consists of Earl Mills (ERC), Bill Reist (GLC), George Reser (MRC) and staff members Erin Jones, Lance Finley, Candice Shoemaker and me (Ed Rosenberry). We will expand the oversight team as we go forward. Pray for guidance and creative thinking as this new venture gets going. 

Church Development and
Our Search for a New Director

Our church development post has been vacant since January 2007. This staff person oversees both church planting and church wellness/renewal. Basically this arena of ministry needed rebuilt from the ground up. The two commissions connected with this ministry are now both operational and in waiting for the leadership provided by a new ministry director. We began the search process last November and are now ready to interview the selected candidates next Wednesday and Thursday. The search committee (Dave Green, Mary Lehman, Bob Stephenson and me) will be assisted in the interviews by several others with experience in planting and renewal, but all of us welcome your prayers through this process. Be sure to pray for the candidates as well. This point person will be critical to promoting our church planting agenda and congregational health.

Cross-Cultural Ministries

Don Dennison (CGGC CCM director) arrived back in the States on Tuesday after a visit to Kenya. He and Pastor Ben Tobias (ARC) went there to meet with a group of pastors who seek affiliation with the CGGC. It seems a lot like the Macedonian call, but with 21st century features. For the past two years, Pastor Joseph Mwaura and Don have emailed back and forth. Last year, Pastor Lloyd Harlan (MRC) made initial contact and met with Pastor Joseph while visiting his daughter and husband (Melinda & Steve Moffitt) who are A.I.M. missionaries in the country. Our first Kenya contacts actually came in 2005 through Brent Morris who later helped our Sugar Grove church (MRC—See eNews for 3-7-2008) establish a mission contact in Kenya. Are all these connections just coincidence or is God up to something with the CGGC? We’re thinking divine design, but prayer and discernment are needed. Don will be telling more about the trip via his CCM update (You should be receiving this if you’re interested in missions. You can sign-up on the CGGC web site here.) Do pray for God’s leading in this new possibility.

The Kianyaga church is one of 6 congregations
expressing a desire to affiliate with the CGGC

Well, I think I’ve given you enough for now. I’m always looking for the signs of spiritual spring across the CGGC, and I’m finding them everywhere. I’m sure many more must exist in our regional conferences and local churches than I can cover in the weekly eNews; so, be on the look-out and tell me what you find. Let’s never let the frost of cynicism and negative thinking slow the full revelation of God’s glory in our midst or diminish the harvest to come. As I said I’m excited about being the Churches of God in this day and age. Hope you are as well. Blessings to all!

Pastor Ed