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[ag-news] AG NEWS #1779: February 17, 2010
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AG-NEWS: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Please send story leads to news@xxxxxx for consideration
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**Assemblies of God continues to grow -- surpasses Presbyterian
Church
According to the National Council of Churches' 2010 "Yearbook
of American & Canadian Churches," U.S. Assemblies of God grew
1.27 percent for the reporting year. Combined with decline of
Presbyterian Church, the AG now ranked ninth largest church in
the United States. For complete report see
http://www.ncccusa.org/news/100204yearbook2010.html.
**Hammar advises churches to end absentee voting
Richard Hammar, legal counsel to the General Council of the
Assemblies of God national offices, urges churches to not offer
absentee voting ? for the health of the church. Hammar bases
position on "Robert's Rules of Order," but also gives examples
why only those in attendance at a business meeting should be
allowed to vote. He also encourages leaders to read and know
"Robert's Rules of Order ? In Brief" to ensure no one can
manipulate/control a meeting simply by speaking with authority.
**"Winter Games Book of Hope" shares testimonies of Olympic
athletes
OneHope creates "Winter Games Book of Hope," designed for
peer-to-peer use. The book shares testimonies from Olympic
athletes, facts and schedules, and tells story of life of
Jesus. For more information about OneHope and the "Book of
Hope," visit http://onehope.net.
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Grueling marathon or refreshing motivator?
For too many couples, marriage can become a bad marathon
experience ? where couples pound out the days in repetitive
boredom as they push themselves to reach some far off finish
line. But that's not the kind of relationship God intended. Let
Marriage Encounter help transform your marriage into a lifelong
experience you'll look forward to every day! Sign up today at
http://agme.org.
Upcoming events: February 19-21 ? Houston, Texas. February
26-28 ? Ontario, California; Rockford, Illinois; Columbus,
Ohio; Tulsa, Oklahoma. March 5-7 ? Clare, Michigan; Medford,
Oregon; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Dallas, Texas. Additional events
scheduled through June (see above link).
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Issue 5000: A Continuing Legacy of Ministry
The March 7 "Pentecostal Evangel" marks 5,000 print
runs of a magazine that continues to touch lives around
the world. And that international outreach comes into
focus each month with the World Missions Edition.
Get your March 7 "Pentecostal Evangel" and be sure to
visit the PE Web site:
http://pe.ag.org
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**ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CONTINUES TO GROW -- SURPASSES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
For the nineteenth consecutive year, the U.S. Assemblies of God has
reported a gain in inclusive membership. According to the National
Council of Churches' 2010 "Yearbook of American & Canadian
Churches," the AG grew 1.27 percent for the reporting year to
2,863,265.
Joining the Assemblies of God in growth were Church of God
(Cleveland, Tennessee), up 1.76 percent; the Catholic Church, up
1.49 percent; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, up
1.71 percent; and Jehovah Witness, up 2 percent.
The report, which is based on statistics gathered in 2008 and
reported in 2009, noted that the churches reporting the highest
membership losses included the Presbyterian Church, down 3.28
percent; American Baptist Churches, down 2 percent; and the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, down 1.92 percent.
Of significance, the Assemblies of God is now officially ranked the
ninth largest church in the United States by the yearbook, moving
past the Presbyterian Church (USA). The AG is about 600,000 members
behind eighth-placed National Baptist Convention of America. The
Catholic Church leads all United States' churches with more than
68.1 million members.
Dr. Eileen W. Lindner, editor of the yearbook since 1998, noted that
America has not experienced the decline in church that Europe has
over the past quarter-century. "American church membership trends
have defied gravity," she stated, "particularly when the Pentecostal
experience is included."
Lindner also directed attention to immigrants, observing that in the
past 50 years, there has been a strong influx of "Christian
communities," which have had a profound impact on the U.S. faith
community.
"It is wonderful to see continued growth in the Assemblies of God,"
says AG General Secretary James Bradford. "Although we believe there
is ample room for double-digit growth in the Assemblies of God in
the near future, our goal isn't simply numbers. Our goal is to help
people, no matter what their religious affiliation, establish an
ongoing, biblical relationship with Jesus Christ.
"In the end," Bradford continues, "the Lord isn't going to care what
church we attended, but it is of eternal consequence whether or not
we've chosen to serve Him and make Him Lord of our lives."
For the complete report by the "Yearbook of American & Canadian
Churches," see its Web site at
http://www.ncccusa.org/news/100204yearbook2010.html.
--Dan Van Veen
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**"WINTER GAMES BOOK OF HOPE" SHARES TESTIMONIES OF OLYMPIC ATHLETES
The estimated 250,000 visitors at the Vancouver Olympic Games may be
inspired by more than athletic competition.
Youth groups are descending upon Vancouver, British Columbia, to
provide radical hospitality ? from picking up trash and cleaning
statues to serving coffee and sharing testimonies ? during the 2010
Winter Olympic Games.
Partnering with the Canadian Bible Society and a youth ministry
called More Than Gold, OneHope has created a "Winter Games Book of
Hope." Designed specifically for peer-to-peer use, the "Winter Games
Book of Hope" shares testimonies from Olympic athletes, contains
Olympic facts and events schedule, and tells the story of the
life of Jesus.
"It is my hope that lives will be changed beyond the arena of medal
ceremonies at the Winter Olympic Games," said Bob Hoskins, founder
of OneHope. "Through the 'Winter Games Book of Hope,' children and
youth can be inspired by more than sports or athletes, but by God¹s
love."
In addition to the Winter Games special edition, OneHope has
recently released three additional editions of its "Book of Hope"
designed for youth in North America:
? "The Conquerors Special Edition" - The Conquerors are an
internationally traveling strength team that will distribute this
edition of "Book of Hope" throughout their tour.
? "New Teen Digest" - This edition tackles some of youth¹s most
troubling problems, offering hope for teens searching to find their
identity in a culture that often offers them nothing but pain.
? "Here¹s Life Inner City Edition" - Children and teens in the
Here¹s Life Inner City youth development programs will receive a
copy of this edition.
The "Book of Hope" is an interactive, Bible-based children¹s
publication customized with culturally specific images, games,
family activities and stories. Translated into some 70 languages and
hand-delivered in 125 countries, more than 600 million children and
youth have received a personal copy of the "Book of Hope" since
1986.
For more information about the organization OneHope and various
editions of the "Book of Hope," visit http://onehope.net.
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**HAMMAR ADVISES CHURCHES TO END ABSENTEE VOTING
For many Assemblies of God churches, absentee voting is not
uncommon. If a church member can't make it to a business meeting and
they want to make sure their voice is heard through their vote, many
churches have graciously offered the option of submitting an
absentee vote prior to conducting the business meeting.
However, Richard Hammar, legal counsel to the General Council of the
Assemblies of God national offices, urges churches to reconsider
absentee voting ? for the health of the church.
"Most churches conduct their business meetings under 'Robert's Rules
of Order,'" Hammar says. "What many don't realize is that 'Robert's
Rules of Order' does not allow absentee voting, unless specifically
authorized by the church's bylaws."
Hammar quotes the book, which states: "It is a fundamental principle
of parliamentary law that the right to vote is limited to the
members of an organization who are actually present at the time the
vote is taken in a legal meeting. Exceptions to this rule must be
expressly stated in the bylaws. . . . An organization should never
adopt a bylaw permitting a question to be decided by a voting
procedure in which the votes of persons who attend a meeting are
counted together with ballots mailed in by absentees, since in
practice such a procedure is likely to be unfair."
"A business meeting is conducted not just to vote, but for
individuals to ask questions and for voters to be fully informed
prior to the vote," Hammar explains. "What may sound good in a
simple statement may have serious weaknesses exposed under further
scrutiny. Likewise, what at first may sound like a bad idea may in
fact be a plan that has great merit when more fully developed and
explained. However, those who are allowed to vote as an absentee,
vote blindly."
Hammar fully endorses "Robert's Rules of Order" concerning absentee
voting, stating that absentee voting could cause serious injury to a
church.
"What if an item being voted upon is amended during the business
meeting?" he asks rhetorically. "Suddenly, you could have an item
that no longer has few objections or is now very controversial, but
the absentee vote stands 'yea' or 'nay' based upon the original
presentation of the item. If a member isn't in attendance, his or
her vote should not be represented."
Hammar, who recently served on the Parliamentary [rules] Committee
at last year's General Council in Orlando, also encourages church
leaders to know "Robert's Rules of Order" for conducting a business
meeting ? a task not as daunting as it first might seem.
"Most churches, districts, and the General Council, follow 'Robert's
Rules of Order' for conducting business meetings," Hammar says.
"However, I would recommend reading 'Robert's Rules of Order ? In
Brief.' It's about one-fourth the size of the complete version, but
covers nearly everything that would occur in a church business
meeting."
Hammar explains that despite the time it would take to learn even
the abbreviated version of the rules, it is vital that at least the
pastor does so.
"When pastors and church leaders know the rules," Hammar says, "it
doesn't allow for anyone to take over or control a business meeting
simply by speaking with authority."
--Dan Van Veen
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For a regularly updated list of upcoming significant Assemblies
of God days and events--many linked to informational, registration
or ordering pages--see the following address:
<http://ag.org/top/events/index.cfm>.
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