The SC Challenger
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V O L . 5 3 , I S S U E 1 S E P T / O C T / N O V 2 0 0 7
Ordination: July 16, 2007
JONATHAN CURTIS GALLOWAY Jonathan came to faith in Christ on March 27th, 1998. In April of 2000, he felt his call to ministry. An assistant pastor at Golden Grove Wesleyan Church, he is the founder of an addictions recovery program called RAMP (Recovering Addicts Making Progress). Jonathan and his wife, Jill, have two children, Jacob Bruton Galloway (16) and Kaylan Yarbrough Galloway (11). WADE MICHAEL ROGERS Wade accepted Christ in 1992, at the age of 24. He began to sense a call to ministry shortly after that and finally yielded to that call in 1997. Wade has served the Iva First Wesleyan Church as pastor since 2004. He and his wife, Noralee, have a four-year-old son named Micah. ELLIS SCOTT SMITH In March of 1998, at the age of 31, Scott was saved. He felt the call to ministry immediately after his salvation experience. In 2006, Scott, his wife, Lisa, and their son, Caleb, moved to Little River, SC (North Myrtle Beach), where they pastor Faith Wesleyan Church.
NEWS INSIDE
Ordination 1
Growing Pastors 2 2007 District Conference SetApart ‘07 SC District 5 Year Stats Pastoral Leadership Awards 3 4 5
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SOUTH CAROLINA CHALLENGER Published quarterly by the S.C. District of The Wesleyan Church EDITOR: Robert Huff Copy may be mailed to: 101 Dillard Ct. Easley, SC 29642 E-mail to: rdhkh@yahoo.com or admin@scwesleyan.org
EMILY JOANNE MILLER Of her coming to Christ, Emily writes: “I loved God as a child, but I truly came to understand and surrender to Christ when I was seventeen years old. My faith was always a process, never a „one-time‟ event. During my sophomore year of college, God began the work of sanctification in my heart.” Of her call to ministry, she says that this began “the summer before I enrolled at SWU. It was definitely not a „lightning bolt‟ experience; rather a gradual realization of the passion and gifts God had given me to serve.” Emily and her husband, Matthew Miller, have served as co-pastors of Mauldin Wesleyan Church since 2004. They have a 20-month-old son, Ethan.
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Growing Pastors Dinner
August 26, 2007
On Sunday evening, August 26, 2007, we had the first of two Growing Pastors’ events for this district year. We appreciate the excellent attendance and participation of our district pastors. We have heard so many positive comments about the evening from those who attended. Our Assistant DS, Tony Crystal Modlin sharing her testimony Casey, shared a wonderful message, “I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me . . .,” as he reflected on his pastoral ministry, which he is now leaving as he begins a Ph. D. program. Thanks, Tony, for sharing your heart and experiences, and be assured of our prayers as you move into this next stage in your life. Marcia Boland led us in a time of worship, and Crystal Modlin, Neal Taylor and Ken Culbertson shared testimonies that challenged and encouraged us all. The closing time of prayer around the table for needs and our challenges in ministry was a fitting conclusion to the evening. The date for the next Growing Pastors‟ evening is March 2, 2008, at the Greenville, First Wesleyan Church at 4:30pm. Be sure to mark your calendars.
You're Not Superman We try to look smarter or more successful or more spiritual than we are. We try to answer questions we don‘t understand. But it is a heavy burden, trying to be Superman when we‘re grown up. There is another way to help people out instead of trying to be the Superpeople we aren‘t. The primary reason Jesus calls us to servanthood is not just because other people need our service. It is because of what happens to us when we serve. We must embrace limitations. That is whence strength comes. God is not chewing his fingernails over whether or not we are going to serve in a ‗super-manner.‘ We must minister out of weakness. The reason we help others is not because we are strong and they need us; it is because if we don‘t help them, we will end up a hopeless relic. Why does AA insist on anonymity? The purpose is not only that people can attend AA meetings without being exposed to the outside world as alcoholics; there is the added reason that no one is allowed to use AA as a vehicle to fame. The founders realized the fatal lure of celebrity. The only way to life was to remain a fellowship of drunks helping each other. That is the kind of servanthood Jesus calls us to—a society of sinners helping each other.
Excerpted and adapted from The Life You‟ve Always Wanted, by John Ortberg, Zondervan, 2006
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2007 District Conference Highlights
For the first time, District Conference was conducted in the Bethel Worship Center. As the words, “We are standing on holy ground,” began to echo through the building and then spilled to the outside, we realized that we were truly in the presence of the Lord. This awareness continued from the opening chorus to the benediction at the close of the Ordination/Awards service. The move to the Bethel Worship Center seemed to be wellreceived and certainly gave us some muchneeded breathing room, as well as making space for the many non-delegates who were able to attend as observers. I have heard numerous positive comments about the tone and spirit of the conference. The elections went smoothly (no additional balloting was required), and the overhaul of the Standing Rules was adopted without discussion or amendment. (Thank you, Conference Action Committee, for your extremely diligent work on this!) We also thank God for blessing us with a cooler than normal week for Conference and the Family Camp that followed The eight-day gathering of SC Wesleyans began with an extremely well-attended and inspiring Missions Rally. Following a ―power-tool relay race‖ in which two of our men were awarded $500 scholarships toward a missions trip this year, Dr. Jo Anne Lyon of World Hope International shared a powerful message focusing on our opportunities to be involved in God‘s work at home and around the world. The offering received was over $4,000! We were blessed by Dr. Lyon‘s presence and sharing at the conference and her participation in the ordination service that evening. The Ordination/Awards Service was especially memorable. The professional quality video recounting the life and legacy of Dr. Virgil Mitchell moved us all to thank God for this remarkable man of God, and made us realize anew how blessed we were that God shared him with us for so long. Our appreciation goes to Tony Casey and Matthew Tietje for their dedi-
cated work on this project. (A copy of this DVD is available for a cost of $20 by contacting either Tony Casey or the district office.) During the service, Lawrence Keever was presented a plaque upon his retirement from active ministry. Preston Edmonds and Joe Edwards received watches for 25 years of service to The Wesleyan Church. Four were ordained as ministers in The Wesleyan Church: Jonathan Galloway, Emily Miller, Wade Rogers and Scott Smith. We thank God for this quality group of ordinands. From the ―State of the Church‖ Address delivered by General Superintendent Dr. Tom Armiger, we learned the following information about the ―average‖ North American Wesleyan Church: In 2006, primary worship attendance in the ―average‖ Wesleyan Church was 116; Sunday school average attendance was 49; total membership was 79; total contributions were $153,120; reported conversions were 13; 4 persons were baptized. Since this was the 40th Annual District Conference, the introduction portion of the District Superintendent‘s report included the following: There are many changes–a generation later–as we gather here at Table Rock instead of Greer. There are signs of increased health and strength in our district which we will note at this conference. However, the fact remains that, statistically, things are not that much different than they were a generation ago. The size of congregations, which was measured then by Sunday School, is virtually the same. In 1967, Sunday School average attendance was 4,079 compared with today‟s gauge of morning worship which was 3,949 this year. The SC District was comprised of 64 churches compared to 59 today. This is hardly “early-church” and “Kingdom of God” stuff! The District Superintendent‘s report told of strong gains in some key areas in the district. We are thankful for the gains that we have shown this year. Reflected in the statistics are increases in:
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Morning Worship Attendance 159 4% Covenant Membership 131 3% Number Saved 24 7% Number Baptized 41 24.5% Number participating in Short-Term Missions Trips 14 16% Students in Wesleyan Colleges/Universities 4 7% Called into ministry/missions 5 36% Contribution Income increased 2.8% Percentage of USF Paid increased from 95.6% to 96.61% Areas where we showed decreases include: Sunday School 8 .015% Evening Worship 97 5% Persons Sanctified 41 3 6% Voting Highlights District Secretary – Sue Rickman District Treasurer – Mark Payne (elected by DBA) DBA Members: (Ministers) Fred Andrews, Michelle Bryant, Lewis Edwards, Dan Groves, Richard Hall, Steve Stanley. (Laity): Joy Bryant, Jonathan Catron, Dan Dees, Sheryl Dennis, Linda Moore, Charles Tegen. General Conference Delegates: (Ministers) Buddy Rampey, ex officio, Fred Andrews, Tony Casey, Orvan Link, Steve Stanley. (Laity) Joy Bryant, Jonathan Catron, Mark Payne, Sue Rickman, Charles Tegen Conference Action Committee: (Ministers) Foster Gentry, Darlene Teague, Jim Wiggins, Paul Wilcox. (Laity) Michael Bryant, Martin LaBar, Charles Tegen. Nominating Committee: (Ministers) Dan Belcher, Scott Buchanan, Tom Harding, Donnie Massingill, Steve Stanley. (Laity) Amanda Boyd, Bill Cody, Loretta Cox, Johnna Hayes, Julie Kellett. Family Camp Board: Buddy Rampey, Chair; Richard Hall, Vice-Chair; Bob Moore, Secretary; Dan Belcher, Treasurer; Donnie Massingill, Don Milstead, and Frankie Rodriguez.
SetApart ‘07 is More
Than A Youth Convention
It’s no secret that this will be is a youth convention first and foremost! But plans are also being made for young adults, pastors and children! Just for Young Adults at SA7… Late Night for Young Adults (out of high school and able to stay awake after 9pm) will take place all three nights at SetApart'07. We'll laugh out loud with the comedy of "321 Improv" as well as worship and reflect on what it means to live a holy life for Jesus. Check it out onsite at SA7! For Pastors & Leaders at SA7… Pastors and Adult Leaders have some things to look forward to at SetApart'07. Not only will you get good use out of your earplugs, but you'll learn from some of the best pastors and teachers that The Wesleyan Church can offer on the topic of holiness. Sanctification is not just your grandparents’ doctrine.......it's God's and for all time! Are you making your plans to attend SetApart ’07? Register at www.setapart07.com. It is my hope that many from across the SC District will join Joan and me for this exciting and lifechanging event in Orlando, Florida , December 28-31.
Don’t Forget! Check out our website at
www.scwesleyan.org
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SC District — Five Year Statistics
2003 Total No. of Churches Churches Planted (Included in Total) Total No. of Members No. of Convenant Members No. of Community Members Sunday School Attendance Sunday Morning Attendance Sunday Evening Attendance Midweek Attendance Adults Enrolled in Discipleship Wesleyan Youth Attendance Youth Enrolled Clubhouse Attendance Children Enrolled Salvations Sanctifications Baptisms Called to Ministry Total Contribution Income Per Capita Giving Based on Membership Budget Assessment % of Budget Collected No. Ordained Ministers No. Licensed Ministers No. Ministers Ordained Students at Wesleyan Colleges/Universities Persons Involved in Short -Term Missions 59 4,096 3,861 235 2,507 3,586 1,807 2,021 2004 56 1 4,130 3,842 288 2,572 3,633 1,841 2,014 2005 57 1 4,169 3,862 307 2,496 3,567 1,702 1,936 2006 59 2 4,260 3,948 312 2,511 3,788 1,807 2,161 2007 59 2 4.456 4,092 364 2,403 3,949 1,710
2,195 495 551 450 531 440 504 492 687 570 920 306 83 145 25 371 86 142 29 395 98 166 17 341 114 167 14 365 73 208 19
4,653,146 4,695,168 5,013,828 5,393,454 5,545,004 1,136 1,137 1,203 1,266 1,244 512,439 499,585 508,959 517,846 546,780
94.11 89.76 93.14 95.67 96.61
120
4 67 76
2 67 81
3 55 99
1 57 86
6 4 61 100
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Pastoral Leadership Award
Special recognition was given to pastors and churches that have shown significant gains in attendance (minimum of 10%); have reported conversions; have paid 100% USF/EIF/District Assessment; and their reports were on time. Receiving the awards were: Neal Taylor 58% Peter Sibande 45% Wade Rogers 23% Ken Culbertson 22% Scott Smith 18% George Brassard 17% Richard Hall 17% Scott Uselman 16% Orvan Link 16% Chet Rowan 13% Howard Smith 13% Thank you, delegates and pastors, for your attendance at the entire conference. By the time the last ballot was cast in midafternoon, there were only 10 fewer votes cast than on the first ballot that morning. To the few who did leave early: you missed some good stuff! Thank you to everyone who made the Conference run as smoothly as it did: Assistant District Superintendent, Tony Casey; our very efficient District Secretary, Sue Rickman; Michael Bryant for the PowerPoint; Steve Love for the sound; the distributing and counting tellers; our camp staff, Greg Hayes and Donnie Massingill; and the large number of volunteers who helped before and after . . . the kitchen staff, headed by Darlene Hughey and her family . . . Tony and Sherri Casey for the reception for the ordinands . . . Matthew Miller for the Missions Rally . . . and to those who gave many hours at the District Office helping to assemble, label, and prepare for distribution the 300 packets for delegates and guests (Victoria Stanley, Alicia Stanley, Renee Campbell, Sandy Buchanan, Sidney Buchanan, Marie Gilbert, Kayla Gadley, Whitney Hayes and her friend, Arianna). I want to especially thank my wife, Joan, for her organizational skills and the many hours of work that made the entire conference go more smoothly.
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We invite your suggestions for ways in which District Conference can be improved. It is our goal that this day will be the most exciting day and the highlight of the district year. A decision will be made during the September DBA meeting regarding the 2008 schedule for conference and camp. More than 400 surveys were returned at the conclusion of Family Camp. The input from those is deeply appreciated and, after being compiled by volunteers on July 23, is now being placed into a more refined format that will make this information readily accessible and more easily evaluated for implementation. DBA Organizing Meeting (Tuesday, July 17) Action: Approved the District Budget for the coming year to include an increase in the Assistant DS honorarium and an increase in the district phone line item to include a mobile phone for Assistant DS. The meeting included elections for the coming year. Changes include: James Henderson, District Youth President Bryan Stepp, Director of Wesleyan Men Billie Faye Harvey, Prayer Coordinator TR – CMA: Ken Whitener, Chair; Jim Tolleson, Treasurer; Jonathan Catron, Lawrence Keever, Bob Pelligrino, Jack Watson. Archive Committee: Glenda Hoyle, Chair; Martha Evatt, Foster Gentry, Billie Faye Harvey, Paul Wilcox. In response to the action of the District Conference, the following were elected as Alternate General Conference Delegates: (Ministers) Richard Hall, 1st Alternate; Tom Harding, 2nd Alternate. (Laity) Martin LaBar, 1st Alternate; Sheryl Dennis, 2nd Alternate. The complete list of committees and directors are included in the District Journal. It continues to be a joy and honor to serve our SC District Wesleyan family.
SC District - The Wesleyan Church 127 Bethany Cove Drive * Pickens, SC 29671 Phone: (864)878-3478 * Fax: (864)897-8006 Email: ds@scwesleyan.org admin@scwesleyan.org Website: www.scwesleyan.org