At the invitation of Bishop David Simpson of the Diocese of Florida, Bishop David Epps shared with the annual Clericus Meeting on the subject of church growth and development. The meeting was held in November at The Cathedral Church of the Resurrection in Miramar, FL.

Cynthia Epps, PhD, RN,CNE, presented research at the annual meeting of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing held in Chicago, IL in November. The topic of the research was “Do-overs and Double De-Briefing: A Pilot Study Evaluating Different Designs for Simulation Experiences.” Co-researchers included Betty Ishoy, MSN, RN-C and Abbot Packard, PhD. Cindy is a Professor of Nursing and the Associate Dean of the School of Nursing at the University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA. She is the wife of Bishop David Epps. They reside in Sharpsburg, GA.

Canon Robert Wills

Four people completed the 24-hour course, “Unity of the Bible,” which was taught at St. Michael and All Angels Church in Thomaston, GA. The class was taught by The Rev’d Canon Dr. Robert Wills who is the Canon Theologian for the Mid-South Diocese and is the Vicar or St. Luke’s Church in Manchester, GA.  While a number of people attended the classes, those completing the course and receiving certificates were: Father Robert and Patricia Roethel (St. Michael’s Church), Deacon David Hoffman (St. Michael’s Church) and Joey Topper (St. Luke’s Church).

It is our delight to make available for the Advent season, Lady Elaine Holloway’s Advent Devotional Guide.  For many years now, Lady Elaine has lovingly prepared a devotional guide for the people of the Mid-South Diocese and beyond.  We are thankful that she continues to bless us with her work.  This year’s devotional is entitled Advent 2009: Coming Peace. To download a copy for your personal devotion, click on the following link:  Advent 2009: Coming Peace

The Rev’d Desi Allen was the guest speaker Sunday, November 22 for Ninth Annual Feast of St. Andrew at St. Andrew’s Church in Covington.  Celebrating their ninth year of  ministry together as a Charismatic Episcopal parish, the Rev’d Desi Allen spoke to the congregation on power and importance of ”The Blessing”  from Genesis 48.  Pastor Allen called the congregation to realization that they have a special calling to pass on the blessing of the knowledge of God to their children and their children’s children.  The passing of this blessing he explained involved the embracing of all who come into our care, the sharing of the stories of God’s mighty deeds in our lives, and the reputation of our lives which should bear witness to our devotion to God.

The Rev’d Desi Allen is the founding pastor of Safe House of Worship in Dayton, Ohio a church in the E4 Network of the Pentecostal Holiness Church.  With over thirty years of ministry in the Pentecostal movement, the Rev’d Desi Allen has served as an evangelist, a pastor in Missouri, California, Virginia, and Ohio, and has been active in missionary work in South America and India.  He is the elder brother of Archdeacon Randall Allen.

The service Sunday was followed by St. Andrew’s Annual Anniversary Agape meal.

Pastors get some of the most interesting questions from people they meet and people in their congregations. Here are some that I’ve gotten over the years and for this column.

DEAR FATHER PAUL: Should Christians be involved in social issues and causes…including marching in demonstrations and carrying signs? Greg

DEAR GREG: This is a hugely controversial question in the Christian community. On the one hand many Christians look at social injustice issues and say, “as a Christian I can’t remain silent, I’ve got to DO something.” So they march, carry signs, put bumper stickers on their cars and send money to the “causes” they support. On the other hand, equally devout Christians take Jesus’ statement in John 18, “my kingdom is not of this world,” to mean that we are in a “spiritual battle” only, so they will not become involved in any “worldly” effort to change society or the culture in which we live. Which is right?

It’s a given that Christians must be good citizens. Romans 13:1 tells us that. Christians are to pay our taxes, serve on juries, serve in the military, obey the law (except those that directly conflict with the revealed Word of God, the Bible), and pray for our leaders.

The life of Jesus himself gives us part of the answer. In spite of the fact that he lived in an unjust, corrupt society with more “wrongs” that we have even today, Jesus never once called for political change, even by peaceful means. He did not try to “capture the culture” or lead a social movement or a revolution. Instead, he came to establish a new, godly spiritual order on earth, NOT to make the old order more moral through social and governmental reform. He came to change men’s hearts, knowing that any lasting rule of righteousness must begin with men’s hearts being changed first. THEN, and only then, would godly and lasting social reform happen. He knew that when people’s hearts are changed, godly government and social change will surely follow.

Having said that, I strongly feel that Christians (when led by their consciences and the Holy Spirit), should, take a stand, yes, even a public stand for godly righteousness. I’m thinking here of issues like the abortion question. Proverbs 6:16-19 says that God (among other things) “hates and detests hands that shed innocent blood.” End of story, at least for me. Can Christians then picket, campaign, organize and lobby? Yes, of course…but we must keep in mind the ultimate and most important goal….to win a lost and dying world to Christ. Let’s not kid ourselves. Only then will we see real, lasting and godly change.

DEAR FATHER PAUL: I’m a nineteen-year-old Christian whose church attendance has (to be honest) become spotty at best. I’ve got so much going on, what with college, and a part-time job, that you just wouldn’t believe it. I still live at home with mom and dad and they are constantly giving me grief over it. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy church, but if I could just take the next three years off from going, I know that when I graduate and get my own place I’d start going again.. Can you give me a little ammunition to use for right now? Bill (not my real name)

DEAR BILL: Sorry, you emailed the wrong preacher. There are several really good reasons why I can’t help you with “ammunition.”

First, as a young adult, you are now formulating habits and behaviors that you very likely will carry out for the rest of your life. Habits (the things we “habitually do”). are very…VERY hard to change once established. In short, once you get OUT of the habit of doing something, even something good, something you enjoy, like going to church, it is extremely difficult to pick it up again at a future date, even if you want to. In short, if you stop going to church now, you likely won’t be going when you are 25, 40 or 60.

Second, going to church, for a true Christian is not optional, it’s a command. If we say that we love Jesus, we will also love “his church.” That means showing up. The early believers, as told to us in Acts 2:42, set a standard for us to follow….”they devoted themselves to the Apostle’s teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread (holy communion) and to prayer.” The writer of Hebrews tells us also….in Hebrews 10:25…”Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another (when we are meeting together) and all the more as you see the Day (of Jesus’ return) approaching.” Church is the place where believers are taught the faith until they become “mature” in the faith. It’s the place where we worship God as he commands that we do regularly…where we encourage one another…where we give and receive love…and, where we give and receive kindness and help in time of trouble. Are churches perfect? I have yet to find one. But I know this…God doesn’t have any “secret agents,” and he doesn’t have any “Lone Rangers.” Christians are to live and function as “a body,” and when one part of the body is missing, the body can’t function as intended.

Do you have a question? I will try to answer your question in the paper. Email me at paulmassey@earthlink.net

Father Paul Massey is pastor of Church of the Holy Cross Charismatic Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. Church of the Holy Cross is Evangelical, Charismatic and Sacramental…all three streams of the ancient, historic church…together …in one church. Visitors are most welcome. More info., service times and directions are on our web site www.holycrosschurch.wordpress.com