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"Laity Sowing  Seeds Beyond The Wall."
An Agenda of Ministry and Service
1 Peter 4:11

 



 

                                                                   Message From The President: Steven L. Armstrong            

          We stand at the door of a new year in this 21st Century and a new quadrennium in African Methodism. There is something special about the concept of “newness”. It is synonymous with redesigned, refreshing, regenerating, renewing, restoring and reviving.   When I think of the “newness” of this year and quadrennium in African Methodism, I think of something that should be fresh, modern, uncontaminated, unique, unspoiled, untouched, untried, untrodden and unconventional. This New Year transition, is a time when people are encouraged with a “new slate” beginning. They are excited and often times motivated about the idea of achieving goals they were unable to accomplish the year before.  

            Year after year, people all over the world resolve to change negative habits, improve negative economic situations, get out of negative relationships, escape from negative work environments, loose weight, and etc…. Year after year, people all over the world fail in their resolutions. WHY??!! The answer is quite simple. Before ANY positive change comes about externally, it must first begin internally. The true desire for positive change must be rooted in the heart. One can not merely set their mind for change. Once change is rooted in the heart, it can then be processed in the mind, and then carried out by the body through actions and attitude. It is that heartfelt desire for a new thing, which transforms our minds to a new level of thought and consciousness. Until that takes place, nothing will ever change. That is why Paul admonishes us that it is not enough just to confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord. The book called Romans tells us that we must believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead. Then, we must not only have a heart to change, but possess the heart for change. I have experienced that many people want change, but lack the heart (courage) to bring about that change. Real change doesn’t come about easily, or without a price.  

            As we go forward in ministry this new year and quadrennium, let’s consider John the Baptist as a model. John possessed the qualities of courage, conviction and passion. The 3rd chapter of Luke outlines his ministry. John was described thusly:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make His paths straight.

Every valley shall be filled

And every mountain and hill brought low;

The crooked places shall be made straight

And the rough ways smooth;

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” 

            This New Year and quadrennium, we need to be that voice in the wilderness, crying out in opposition to the injustices and inequities in our communities and places of worship. We, in the body of Christ, must possess the wherewithal to call a “spade” a “spade” and a “demon” a “demon”. With the boldness of the Holy Spirit, John referred to the so called leaders of the day as a “brood of vipers”, all the while continuing on his mission. We must be the voice, crying in the wilderness, even if it falls on deaf or non accepting ears. We must, and we will.

            John also models for us that we should be more concerned with our mission, versus our image. John really didn’t invest a lot of time in worrying about what people thought or spoke about him. He was strictly concerned about ministry, and he dared to be different. John lived in the wilderness, he ate locust and wild honey, and he wore camel hair clothes. John wasn’t “mainstream”, he broke from the cultures, institutions and traditions of the times. He hadn’t “sold out” for the status quo, so to speak. And the Bible makes reference that people came from all over Jerusalem and Judea to be baptized. John focused on the mission; he didn’t focus on his image in the sight of man. And guess what?! He still got results!!! As we move forward in Lay ministry, let’s not focus on what others may or may not say about us and our ministry. It really isn’t important. Everyone will not appreciate what we are trying to accomplish. John was a very polarizing personality, as was Jesus Christ. You were either attracted to him, or repelled by him! Some will…some won’t… so what…The bottom line is that we must stay focused on our mission, monitor the results, and change as required. We must, and we will. 

            And finally, John demonstrates to us, that our convictions must be stronger than our critics. In the 3rd chapter of Matthew, John the Baptist confronts his critics. The Pharisees and Sadducees have come to disrupt the program. Perhaps they came to try and discredit John, or possibly try and intimidate him by their presence. But John didn’t buckle; he stayed true to his purpose, and preached a message of repentance to them as well. Critics will surface from within our organization and from outside the group as well. However, our convictions, based on His word, must stand above our critics. They must, and they will. 

                                                                                                In His Service, 

                                                                                                Steven L. Armstrong,

                                                                                                President
 

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