Valley Leadership Meeting

The meeting began promptly at 11:00 a.m.

Kevin Burns opened with introductory remarks and welcomed all of the attendees.  Thirty-five were present.

Donald Morehead was introduced and he offered the opening prayer.

After the prayer, Kevin mentioned that the February, 2009 edition of the Christian Chronicle confirms what we have been noticing-the decline in Christian membership.  He offered a challenge for leaders to step forward and make a difference in our outreach.

After his bold statement, Kevin asked each attendee to state their name and the congregation they were representing.  Thirty-five were present.  All thirty-five complied with the request.

It was interesting to note both who was present and the distance traveled.

1^st Speaker:      Keith Shepherd introduced the “Financial Peace University” concept

A video presentation featuring Dave Ramsey was shown.  The video began with humor and led into the more serious reality of how people waste money when they don’t know how to save and follow Bible principles.  The message gave some “common sense” solutions on how to recover from financial meltdown.

Facts suggesting that 70% of families are living from paycheck to paycheck, while only 55% seem worried about it.

Bible-based solutions were stressed again and again.  God can bring financial peace.

The last point of the video was that many people are suffering in the current economy but there is a way to alter this through real “no nonsense” measures.

This material can be a great outreach mechanism.

The costs involved and the various approaches for congregational usage were explained.

2^nd Speaker:     Ronnie Wheeler explained more about the “Wheeler Endowment” program.  The program is designed to help the Coventry Christian School in Pottstown, PA.  Over $4,500.00 had been raised during the campaign.  The trophy for the golf tournament was shown and a challenge was given for a greater 2010 event.

Since the tournament, more young students and some of their parents have been baptized.

To God Be the Glory!!!

3^rd Speaker:      John McCranie spoke about his work in planting a church in Chandler.  He mentioned that at next month’s meeting, March 9^th, Scott Lambert and he would speak on why church planting is a great approach-especially with old churches on the decline.

He mentioned the motto of “KAIROS”-to “plant new churches in new places to the glory of God.

4^th Speaker:      Mack Thompson spoke concerning the 2009 Lectureship to take place from October 11-15, 2009.

He presented an interesting history of the effort going back twenty-four years.  The Lectureship has gone from an area wide effort to a Statewide Lectureship.  It is being called “Arizona Lectureship.”

Flyers were handed out with details to come later.

Other Topics Discussed

Pulpit Exchange:

Kevin reminded the group that the first pulpit exchange will take place on the fifth Sunday in March-March 29^th.

Financial Support:

Kevin asked for financial support to help with the efforts.  There is still a need for more help with the statewide e-mail and announcement program as-well-as other needs.  He also requested that attendees help defray the cots of the meals offered at each leadership meeting.

Closing Remarks:

Kevin made a few closing comments and asked Bob Carrethers to close the meting with a prayer.