UNITY and DISTRICT COUNCIL

UNITY:  When pastoring I prayed earnestly for unity in the church.  I learned early on that a church divided is ineffective.  Unity in the church is a powerful principle that provides a healthy atmosphere in which believers can grow in Christ and unbelievers are more inclined to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.  Unity puts the love of God on display through our love for one another and releases the Holy Spirit to draw people to Christ through the church.   “My (Jesus) prayer for them is not for them alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one. Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”  (John 17:20-21).

Jesus prayed for unity in the church.  And, his word teaches the following important keys to unity: unity of the faith, unity of the Spirit, unity of purpose, and unity of structure.

Unity of the faith (Eph 4:13) is based on agreement with essential biblical truth.  A qualifier for membership and leadership in the church is agreement with sound biblical doctrine.

Unity of the Spirit (Eph 4:2-3) is based on love and acceptance of one another.  This includes the ability to unite together in spite of differences of opinion in non-essential areas such as personal convictions.

Unity of purpose (Mt 28:19-20) is based on Christ’s plan for the church to disciple people from all nations to Him.  When we establish a vision to achieve that mission it helps to unite the church.

Unity of structure (1 Th 5:12-13) is based on a biblical organization of the church.  The scriptures teach there are those God has called into church leadership and believers are to follow them so long as they lead biblically.

When one or more of these areas are not functioning a church suffers from dissention and loses its ability to effectively carry out the ministry of Jesus Christ.  This is not to say that all attendees of a church will be in accord with these principles.  For example, at any given time there should be unbelievers attending the church who may not agree on biblical truth – not yet.  However, the believers in the church are the ones on whom it is incumbent to live in unity.  When they do so the perpetual evangelistic evolution of unbelievers belonging (being received and loved by the church), then believing, then becoming will be encouraged and not disturb the unity.

Unity in the church should transcend the local congregation and be observed among bible-believing Pastors and churches by the support, respect, and love we display for one another.  This is a worthy goal to advance the kingdom of God on a micro and macro level.

DISTRICT COUNCIL:  The 96^th District Council of the Rocky Mountain District convened in Colorado Springs, CO at Radiant Church April 23-24.  We experienced the presence of God, meaningful ministry in the services and workshops, rich fellowship, and productive business sessions.  The services and leadership workshops will be posted on our District website at www.rmdc.org.

The results of various elections are as follows:  Don Steiger was elected Superintendent - Alex Lucero was elected Assistant Superintendent (for the unexpired term) - Dane Wead was elected Utah Regional Executive Presbyter (for the unexpired term) - All Presbyters elected during the Sectional Tour were ratified - The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent were nominated for the General Council Nonresident Executive Presbytery to be voted upon at General Council - and Jason Neely was nominated for the General Council Executive Presbytery as the under 40 Ordained RMD minister to the General Presbyters who will in turn select four names to be voted upon at General Council.

CURRENT EVENTS

 District Council is April 23-25 at Radiant Church in Colorado Springs, CO.  Also, there is still space available to join the golf tournament preceding Council at beautiful Pine Creek Golf Course Tuesday morning, April 23^rd.  Information about District Council is on our web site, www.rmdc.org.

We will be voting on the following positions: Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent (unexpired term), Utah Executive Presbyter, nominee to National Executive Presbytery from Ordained ministers under 40 years of age, and ratification of new Presbyters.  There will also be Leadership Training sessions, enriching services, and the Ordination of several candidates.  I encourage you to come.

Pastor Bobby Wilson is handing off the baton of Leadership at Praise Assembly of God after 45 years of outstanding ministry.  The congregation will honor Pastor Bobby and Alvena Wilson Sunday evening, April 14^th.  Thank you Bobby and Alvena for your faithful and effective ministry that has influenced not only Pueblo, CO but also people across our nation.

Sunday, April 21^st, Steve Chavez will be installed as the new Lead Pastor of Praise Assembly of God in Pueblo, CO.  Congratulations Steve and Bonnie as you assume this new assignment.

Next Thursday, April 18^th Rock Canyon Church in Provo, UT will have a Retiring from Ministry reception for Dean and Marlys Jackson.  Dean served as Lead Pastor of Rock Canyon for 22 years and also as Presbyter for South Utah for several years.  Friends as well as the congregation are invited.  The reception will be at the Riverside Country Club at 2701 North University Parkway, Provo, UT from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Since my last report, I had the privilege of speaking at Amazing Grace Fellowship for Pastor Mark Apodaca on March 17^th.  What a blessing to worship with this exciting church.  God bless you Mark as you continue to lead this church forward.

Sunday, March 31^st Loretta and I joined the thousands (praise God) who attended Red Rocks Church for their special Easter services at the First Bank Center in Broomfield, CO.  Several hundred people stood to accept Jesus Christ after Chad Bruegman delivered a clear message of the gospel.  God bless Pastors Shawn Johnson, Chad Bruegman, and Scott Bruegman together with their entire leadership team as they continue to seize the opportunity to impact the Denver area for our Lord.

Sunday, April 7^th we visited New Destiny Christian Center in Thorton, CO.  Pastor Keenan Roberts delivered a wonderful, biblically balanced message on healing with prayer for the sick at the conclusion of the service.  God is at work in and through this church.  On Easter weekend several gave their hearts to the Lord and many rededicated their lives to Christ through the dramatic presentation provided by New Destiny.  God bless you Keenan and Angela as you lead this church forward.