Superintendent's Blog

7 Reasons Not to Mess With Children

2010-05-11T15:28:00.002-05:00

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah". The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"
The little girl replied, "Then you ask him".

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The girl replied, "I'm drawing God." The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like." Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honour" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"
Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.'
A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."

A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face."
"Yes," the class said.
"Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?"
A little fellow shouted, "Cause your feet ain't empty."

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE . God is watching."
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

GOOD FRIDAY

2010-04-01T10:10:00.002-05:00

It is only the fact that He DIED so that we might LIVE that makes it GOOD FRIDAY. That is not a product of culture, it is living biblical truth. Good Friday is the one holiday the world could not hi-jack. No bunnies, no cartoons here. This is love and commitment in action and forces me back to the real question. . .

IS WHAT I AM LIVING FOR WORTH WHAT HE DIED FOR?

Rom 5:6-7: For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2010-03-10T15:48:00.003-06:00

Congratulations!!

The US Missions Committee for the General Council of the Assemblies of God has just changed the status of Gus & Terri Craven from Candidate Missionary to Appointed General Missionary!! Our congratulations to them for all their hard work. We continue to pray for God's blessing on their ministry in Wanblee.

2010-03-01T13:43:00.003-06:00

The Monster that Ate Your Call

A Coaching Check-up for Mission-Driven Leaders

by Tony Stoltzfus

With our current emphasis on visionary leadership, we tend to assume that God will evaluate our legacy based on how well we accomplish our mission. That's not actually the case. As a leader, you will be judged on how you steward your personal life first, and second on how you steward the people God has placed in your charge. In other words, if you accomplish your organizational mission but use up a lot of people in the process, you have failed as a leader. Too often, especially in ministry circles, leaders get caught up in doing the task of their call and forget what the task was supposed to be for---to impact people for Jesus and to make their lives better.

So what does that look like in practical terms? How do you know if your vision has become the monster that ate your calling?

Read Complete Article

EAT THAT FROG

2010-01-22T14:22:00.003-06:00

Brian Stacy wrote a great book on leadership. He starts with three sayings that inspired his title:

1. If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long.

2. If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest first.

3. If you have to eat a live frog, it doesn't pay to sit and look at it for very long.

So what I'm wondering is...

What are the frogs that are staring at you??

Would you like to know more?

Check out this short 2 minute video clip:

Eat That Frog Video Clip

Or learn more through this free E-book:

Eat That Frog E-book

Or check out this 5 page book summary:

Eat That Frog Summary

4 STEPS TO EVANGELIZING YOUR WORLD

2009-11-16T13:33:00.002-06:00

Guest Blog

by Evangelist Todd Leininger

I am so excited to have an opportunity to share a leading God has laid on my heart as He led us to be an Evangelist almost 18 months ago. I am passionate about the church and it being involved in the Fathers Business. Luke 5:31 Jesus made the statement, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 19:10 says, “for the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.” For too long the church has not been involved in the harvest field; we have waited for the harvest field to come to us. So as God has led me I believe he has led me to a 4 step plan to help churches become harvesters.

I have a passion and a vision to come to churches to help them in these 4 areas. First, we need to impassion the church to be on fire for God so God is active in their lives and we have an active relationship to testify about. Secondly, we must learn to pray for the lost. To go out and prayer walk our communities, to pray directly for lost people in our lives. Thirdly we need to restructure our evangelism mode by being available to share Christ as God opens the doors. We cant follow Him if we are leading. So we follow Him to show us lives we can be involved in by befriending people, by planting seeds, by watering and as God harvests the soul maybe we will get to be there too. So I want to help teach on this new approach to evangelism. Finally, the fourth step is to help church provide outreaches that meet communities in their world.

I dream of partnering with churches over time to make a difference in their communities by instilling these 4 principles. It would be a dream over a 1 – 2 year period working with a church by coming at minimum 4 times to develop each area of these four steps.

God is about lost people – in the day we live in – the Church must be about lost people. I would love to help your church develop a plan and a passion.

We also have a passion for sharing in your churches anyway we can help you and anyway we can assist you. If we can do banquets, training seminars, children, youth, Sunday am services, revival meetings, teachings, etc. , please let us know. I have a passion to share about the legacy that can be changed by your choices. I love to preach on the Holy Spirit. But most of all I love to pray and ask God to give me His word to each church for that day. Call us and let us come help you. Come let us see what God wants to do I your community.

Serving Christ for the Lost

Evangelist Todd and Goldie Leininger

I Love Smart People

2009-10-05T19:36:00.003-05:00

Randy Hedlun did most of his growing up right here in South Dakota. After graduating from High School in Rapid City, he attended Evangel University - graduating in 1976 with a BA in Biblical Studies.

Randy served in several several other capacities before we met. I first connected with him while he was pastoring in Gregory, SD. We served on the presbytery together under David Nelson and became great friends.

It was during that time that the Lord directed him to move to Springfield, MO to complete a master's degree at AGTS. Following graduation from AGTS, he was offered a position with Global University as an editor and course writer. And during that time, he enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of South Africa.

Randy just completed the Doctor of Theology degree in April 2009. During the time he was working on this degree, Global invited him to serve as the Dean of one of its four schools, Berean School of the Bible, which is its adult continuing education level school.

During all this time, he continues to hold credentials with the South Dakota Assemblies of God. We're very proud of him and his accomplishments!

By the way - - his doctoral dissertation title was The Social Function of Glossolalia in Acts with Special Attention to the Ephesian Disciples Pericope (Acts 18:24-19:7).

Don't you just love smart people?!!

2009 Minister's Retreat

2009-08-31T15:58:00.004-05:00

Featuring H.B. London

H. B. London, Jr. is Vice President of Church and Clergy Outreach for Focus on the Family, a Colorado Springs-based ministry whose primary reason for existence is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That objective is accomplished by a commitment to nurture and defend families worldwide.

Focus on the Family's founding president, Dr. James C. Dobson, believes that pastors and their families must remain strong if we are to successfully resist the downward moral trends which threaten the very foundation of our nation and has asked H.B. to represent Focus on the Family in supporting clergy families worldwide.

As first cousins who grew up more or less as brothers, it is a dream come true for them to have an opportunity to serve God in a joined ministry. Rev. London's ministry continues to be people-centered -- "When you find a need, you fill it." He operates by the slogan, "God loves you as though you were the only one in all the world to love -- and that makes you a very important person." H.B. and his wife, Beverley, have two married sons and four grandchildren.

Retreat Info

Location: Best Western Ramkota, Pierre, SD
Date: September 28-30
Time: Begins Monday at 6:30 PM with a general session
Ends Wednesday around Noon

Lodging

All events take place at the Pierre Ramkota
Ramkota - - $78/night - - 605.224.6877 - limited rooms available
Comfort Inn - - $86.39 - - 605.224.0377
Governors Inn - - $85 - - 605.224.4200
Days Inn - - $73.99 - - 605.224.0411
Super 8 - - $58 - - 605.224.1617

Orlando General Council

2009-08-18T22:35:00.003-05:00

For those who missed the 53rd General Council of the Assemblies of God, the sessions and services are available online at http://www.agtv.ag.org/. Check it out!!

Kamp Kinship Wins Award

2009-08-09T14:53:00.003-05:00

Washington D. C. - June 8, 2009 - Kinship Mountain Ministries has been selected for the 2009 Best of Deadwood Award in the Church category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Congratulations to David and Kathy Winter and their team!!

Sabbath Keepers

2009-08-08T21:32:00.003-05:00

Rick Warren shared during one of our sessions at General Council in Orlando. He had many inspiring things to say. One was pertaining to keeping the Sabbath. He reminded us that not observing a Sabbath is a violation of one of the Ten Commandments. Then he gave a catchy summary:

Divert Daily - If your work is largely mental, let your diversion be physical. If your work is more physical, let your diversion be something less physical.
Withdraw Weekly - A weekly day of rest is necessary for all of us!
Abandon Annually - A vacation plan is an important part of a balanced and healthy life pattern.

How are you doing on keeping the Sabbath??

Introducing Jerry Dahmen...

2009-07-24T12:56:00.003-05:00

I few months ago, I met a man by the name of Jerry Dahmen. Jerry is a nationally recognized broadcaster, journalist, and author. He is also a believer in the power of inspiring testimonies of God's greatness. He has created a series of "I Love Life" minutes that you'll hear more about real soon. He recently shared with me "Six Spiritual Principles for Successful Living".

If you dwell on the darkness, you'll never see the light.
Take the focus off you.
Fill your mind with Godly thoughts.
Forgive and let go.
Lighten up.
If you can't change your circumstances, change your attitude and make it an attitude of gratitude.

Good thoughts!

BIRDS and BEES and BATS

2009-05-31T22:43:00.000-05:00

Someone sent this to me this week...

THE BUZZARD:

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

THE BAT:

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

THE BUMBLEBEE:

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE:

In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! That's the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem! Just look up.

Tech Savvy, Sensitive and Lonely

2009-04-22T15:21:00.000-05:00

Today's blog is a guest blog from Missionary Rocky Grams. Rocky and Sherry are missionaries to Argentina. Check it out - - He will bless you!! Here's a taste...

“The gap used to be between people 25 and 50. Now it’s between 25 and 40. The ones 40 are out of it. These kids are coming from a different world. They know so much about technology. We can’t really be in touch with this generation but we can be in touch with people who are in touch with them. We can see in the Spirit and be aware of what’s happening. There are teachers who are just giving out what they have taught for the last twenty years instead of learning with the students.

“Because of that we will start losing students because we’re not relevant. They’re coming to seek the Lord but if the teachers are not in touch, we will lose them.”

Check it out the full blog HERE.

The Folded Napkin

2009-04-10T11:04:00.000-05:00

I ran across this the other day. I'm not sure of the author...

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this....

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying t here, but he didn't go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.

The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.

The servant would then know to clear the table. In those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table.

The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'

He is Coming Back!!

What Message is Your Church Sending?

2009-04-09T11:52:00.000-05:00

Studies indicate that first-time visitors will decide within the first 10 minutes whether to return to a church. Here are several areas where a church should make sure it's sending the right message:

WEB SITE - Your Web site is the front door to your church. It should be attractive, provide helpful content and be updated regularly.

SIGNAGE - Too many church signs are inadvertantly saying things the church never intended. A sign should be attractive, and clearly communicate who you are and when you meet. See various sign styles at http://www.stewartsigns.com/church-signs.php

BUILDINGS & PROPERTIES - The attention you pay to the appearance of the church grounds and the exterior of the building transmits unmistakable messages.

DÉCOR - Décor sets a tone. Make sure your church's décor is warm and current in style. Be careful about outlandish decorations, but don't make it too cold either.

GREETERS - How a greeter treats visitors is a huge factor in determining what their future relationship with the church will be. Every opportunity for a handshake and a smile sets the tone for the visit. Every missed opportunity diminishes their chances of returning.

PRINTED PIECES - Printed pieces may include the weekly bulletin, flyers and newspaper ads. Be consistent in design/message. Have contemporary, relevant materials that show your style and vision. For high quality brochures that communicate AG beliefs/practices, visit www.ag.org/opr and look for the "AG Resources" link.

Rick Renner Ministries

2009-03-30T10:53:00.000-05:00

I've been enjoying for some time, the ministry of a pentecostal missionary to Russia. He has a daily devotional that I've subscribed to - - and if you're like me, you'll enjoy letting Rick share it with you via his short daily video.

Check out: http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/refuel-with-rick/

Rick Renner is a prolific author and a highly respected Bible teacher and leader in the international Christian community. Rick is the author of more than 30 books, including the bestsellers Dressed To Kill and Sparkling Gems From the Greek, which have sold more than a million copies combined. In 1991, Rick and his family moved from America to what is now the former Soviet Union. Today he is the senior pastor of the Moscow Good News Church; the founder and director of the Good News Association of Pastors and Churches, with a membership of more than 800 churches; and the founder of Media Mir, the first Christian television network in the former USSR that today broadcasts the Gospel to a potential audience of 110 million people. Rick’s wife and lifelong ministry partner, Denise, and their three sons — Paul, Philip, and Joel — lead this amazing work with the help of their committed leadership team. Rick and Denise, along with their sons and families, all reside in Moscow.

March 29th is Caroline Curl Day

2009-03-25T13:05:00.000-05:00

Caroline is a pillar in the Assembly in Edgemont. She has served as the temporary church treasurer for the past 68 years. She's my hero!!

On March 29th, she will celebrate 4 anniversaries:

Her 95th birthday!!
Fifty years ago this day she walked into the present building at Edgemont - - so the church is celebrating 50 years!
39 years ago this date, she was totally healed of cancer.
It’s been 80 years since Caroline received Jesus as her personal Saviour.

That’s a lot to celebrate!!

Would you like to help Caroline celebrate this day?

You can send your card to her via the church address:

Caroline Curl

PO Box 539

Edgemont, SD 57735

May God give bless all our churches with Godly saints like Caroline!

An Old Farmer's Wisdom

2009-03-24T00:09:00.000-05:00

* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.

* Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance.

* Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

* A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

* Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.

* Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.

* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.

* Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

* It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

* You cannot unsay a cruel word.

   * Every path has a few puddles.

   * When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

* The best sermons are lived, not preached.

   * Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.

* Don't judge folks by their relatives.

* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back,

you'll enjoy it a second time.

* Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.

* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

* Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

* The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with,

watches you from the mirror every mornin'.

* Always drink upstream from the herd.

* Good judgment comes from experience, and a
lotta that comes from bad judgment.

* Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot
easier than puttin' it back in.

* If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence,

try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.
Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Shipwrecked

2009-03-18T17:50:00.000-05:00

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?'

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied.

The Moral of This Story:

It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

An Urgent Message

2009-03-09T00:30:00.000-05:00

Rev. David Wilkerson has come out with an Urgent Message to the church.

http://davidwilkersontoday.blogspot.com/2009/03/urgent-message.html

For My Spanish Speaking Friends and Family...

2009-03-04T21:39:00.000-06:00

FIVE BEST THINGS TO SAY IF YOU GET CAUGHT SLEEPING AT YOUR DESK

2009-03-02T12:27:00.000-06:00

NUMBER 5: They told me at the Blood Bank this might happen.

NUMBER 4: 'This is just a 15 minute power nap they raved about in the time-management course you sent me to.

NUMBER 3: 'Whew! Guess I left the top off the White-out. You probably got here just in time!

NUMBER 2: Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?

NUMBER 1: And MY all time Favorite: best thing to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk: (Raising your head slowly) '.. In Jesus' name, Amen

Cardboard Testimonies

2009-02-26T14:37:00.000-06:00

Today was a day when I really needed to see this. There are times when we get so busy doing ministry that we forget what ministry is all about. The video is about 8 minutes long, but well worth the investment. May the Lord help us to keep our focus on the real ministry!!

Road Rage

2009-02-23T10:00:00.000-06:00

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up.

He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, 'I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him.' I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk; naturally...I assumed you had stolen the car.'