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Protocol-

A code prescribing strict adherence to correct etiquette and precedence.

Order-

A straightening out so as to eliminate confusion.

Preparation-

The action or process of making something ready for use or service or of getting ready for some occasion, test, or duty.

The overall purpose for establishing a Protocol in a Church or Worship environment is to create a sense of Order. 1 Chronicles 9:27-29 Protocol in its self is simply a code of conduct which allows a given organization to operate or flow smoothly. For that reason it is imperative that a church effectively incorporate this sense of order.

A church has to be seen as more than just a place of worship and fellowship. We must recognize that is also a place of business that operates within a given set of guide lines and standards. There are day to day operations which allow the church as a business organization to function and operate effectively within its community thus fulfilling “The Great Commission”.

Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."

Matt 28:19-20 (MSG)

Within the church structure there are two operating systems, first being the Spiritual and second the Organizational. Both must operate in sync with each other for maximum effectiveness.

Organizational:

Administrator, Secretary and Stewardship.

Spiritual:

Senior Pastor, Assistant Pastor, Ministerial (Support) Alliance, Music Ministry, Ushers, Greeters and Hospitality.

Lets talk about the preparation process, when preparing for worship we have to establish an operation protocol. It is at this time that all leaders must be available and in their assigned or designate position. Why? To eliminate or suppress distractions. This is a crucial time in ministry, people are arriving with issues and circumstances that must be addressed in a way as to effectively minister to their needs and eliminate further distractions during the worship experience.

The best defense, is a prepared and organized offense. The Senior Pastor can not be relied upon to address situations which should be handled by the support structure. By assigning individuals to designated positions he/she is saying that there is a level of trust that has been identified within your giftings, talents and faithfulness to the ministry to justly utilize a measure of delegated authority.

Within that delegated authority are levels of responsibility, for example at offering time, those responsible for receiving the offering must step into their place without hesitation unless otherwise instructed by the Pastor or their delegate. Hesitation opens the door to confusion, and gives the perception of being unorganized and divided. As leaders we have to present a united front at all times. Even in times of confusion or misunderstandings we a responsibility to the body, to provide a sense of stability.

Protocol in its self is not merely about titles or salutations, but about conduct and accountability. Being at your post and carrying out your responsibilities with precision and excellence.

In other words, know your assignment and the responsibilities associated with that assignment.

Senior Pastors- Cast the vision, Preach, Teaches, Disciple, Mentor and Cover Corporately.

Armor Bearer- Supports the Vision, Provides Protection and Intersession for the undershephard.

Assistant Pastors- Supports the Vision, Preach, Teach, Maintains order with a given body of believers, Liaison between visionary and ministries, Monarater in the worship experience.

Ministerial Support Alliance- Supports the Vision, Preach, Teach, and Oversee assigned ministries or auxiliaries.

Music ministry- Supports the Vision, Enhances the environment for the workings of the Holy Spirit.

Ushers- Supports the Vision, Establish and maintain a sense of order and reverence in the House.

Greeters- Supports the Vision, Creates a welcome atmosphere.

Hospitality- Supports the Vision, Create a fellowship atmosphere and a sense of family.

Work is likely to be done well when every one knows the duty of his place, and makes a business of it. God is the God of order.

²⁷ They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had to guard it; and they had charge of the key for opening it each morning.

²⁸ Some of them were in charge of the articles used in the temple service; they counted them when they were brought in and when they were taken out. ²⁹ Others were assigned to take care of the furnishings and all the other articles of the sanctuary, as well as the flour and wine, and the oil, incense and spices.

1 Chron 9:27-29 (NIV)

In short, the Levites, with the sons of Aaron as their companions in the ministry of holy worship, were responsible for everything that had to do with worship: the place and times and ordering of worship.

1 Chron 23:32 (MSG)

Moses and Aaron and his sons camped to the east of The Dwelling, toward the rising sun, in front of the Tent of Meeting. They were in charge of maintaining the Sanctuary for the People of Israel and the rituals of worship. Anyone else who tried to perform these duties was to be put to death.

Num 3:38 (MSG)

Levites – The Called Out

David said, "Now that the God of Israel has given rest to his people and made Jerusalem his permanent home, ²⁶ the Levites no longer have to carry the Tabernacle and all the furniture required for the work of worship." ²⁷ These last words of David referred only to Levites twenty years old and above. ²⁸ From now on the assigned work of the Levites was to assist Aaron's sons in the work of worship in God's house: maintain courtyards and closets, keep the furniture and utensils of worship clean, take care of any extra work needed in the work of worship, ²⁹ and provide bread for the table and flour for the Meal Offerings and the unraised wafers—all baking and mixing, all measuring and weighing. ³⁰ Also they were to be present for morning prayers, thanking and praising God, for evening prayers, ³¹ and at the service of Whole-Burnt-Offerings to God on Sabbath, at New Moons, and at all festivals. They were on regular duty to serve God according to their assignment and the required number.

1 Chron 23:25-31 (MSG)

As the tabernacle was the sign of the presence among the people of their unseen King, so the Levites were, among the other tribes of Israel, as the royal guard that waited exclusively on him. It was obviously essential for their work as the bearers and guardians of the sacred tent that there should be a fixed assignment of duties; and now accordingly we meet with the first outlines of the organization which afterward became permanent

Tags: Protocol Order Worship Ministry Pastors

Miss Right will give a man courage; Miss Wrong will give a man drama.

? Miss Right goes to and believes in church; Miss Wrong can't find the church.

? Miss Right shuns the club; Miss Wrong worships the club.

? Miss Right understands submission; Miss Wrong understands independence.

? Miss Rights values her reputation; Miss Wrong values her education.

? Miss Right believes in marriage, home, children; Miss Wrong accepts children, home; then--maybe--marriage.

? Miss Right is a joy to be around; Miss Wrong is a joy when she leaves town.

? Miss Right learns from her mistakes; Miss Wrong has made no mistakes.

? Miss Right views adultery as wrong; Miss Wrong says its 'job training'.

? Miss Right seldom raises her voice; Miss Wrong seldom lowers her voice.

? Miss Right knows how to dress; Miss Wrong knows how to start mess.

? Miss Right is loyal to a man; Miss Wrong is loyal to her friends.

? Miss Right is a friend to the upright; Miss Wrong is a friend to her bank account.

? Miss Right is optimistic; Miss Wrong is materialistic.

? Miss Right says YES to marriage; Miss Wrong says YES to a long weekend.

? Miss Right will accept correction; Miss Wrong will accept plastic.

? Miss Right's life is one of class; Miss Wrong's life is--tragic.

? Miss Right is encouraging; Miss Wrong is enraging.

? Miss Right does not whine if life gets rough; Miss Wrong goes on a talk show.

? Miss Right practices abstinence; Miss Wrong practices 'selective amnesia'.

? Miss Right uplifts womanhood; Miss Wrong uplifts 'the no good'.

? Miss Right avoids bad men; Miss Wrong invites them in.

? Miss Right is a homebuilder; Miss Wrong is a home wrecker.

? Miss Right knows how to cook; Miss Wrong knows how to microwave.

? Miss Right lets a man woo her; Miss Wrong chases men at the slightest chance.

? Miss Right is worthy of respect; Miss Wrong smiles at train wrecks.

? Miss Right won't be chased by a married man; Miss Wrong eagerly grabs them by the hand.

Brothers--Miss Right is real, and not a figment of your imagination; Miss Wrong is also real, and the byproduct of feminist indoctrination.

Now, Miss Wrong may cuss, drink and fight; Miss Wrong can 'light up' a TV screen every night; she may be in a penthouse, or a shack of tin;

But the woman at the altar, the one who does win, is named Miss Right--wife, mother, and a husband's best friend.

Tags: Woman Lady Miss Wife Mother

What Are The Virtues of True Manhood?
True manhood is measured in virtues. The best way to define virtue is through the telescope of manly courage and valor. It is the quality of doing what is right when doing what is wrong is much easier.

The virtues of true manhood…

A true man is secure in himself; unflinching in the face of the mixed messages heralded by society concerning: sex, manhood, fatherhood and husbandhood.

He inherently recognizes his duty to God, his family, community, country and government.

He leads with a servant's heart; filled with love and endued with compassion; concerned about the needs and feelings of his fellowman.

He lives by the law of all for one and one for all.

He never sells out his family or community for filthy lucre's sake.

His character is marked by his integrity, fidelity and loyalty. No matter how other men conduct or represent themselves, he lives by the law: "My word is my bond."

He does not leave his family and community vulnerable to risks, attacks or dangers. Protecting them is one of his utmost concerns.

His diligence in fulfilling his responsibilities is demonstrated daily as he vigilantly seeks the spiritual, moral, health, educational, social, and economic prosperity of his people.

He never abandons his flesh and blood or leaves his family or community dangling in the wind.

He is a griot; he perpetuates the family legacy, traditions and vision through the future generations.

How he deals with adversity distinguishes him from the multitudes of males who succumb to temptations, crack under pressure and cower under in times of challenge and hardship.

Always executing that which is right and good for his family and community; he has the courage and resolve to make tough unpopular decisions.

His vision of the family is a loving, vibrant, cohesive, healthy and tightly knit unit and he never jeopardizes that vision.

He does not squint his eyes in the face of injustice or inhumanity; he is resolved to helping and improving mankind.

He is not a respecter of persons.

He prepares his sons and daughters for the future.

He doesn't misconstrue his kindness as a sign of weakness.

His character is marked by dignity, honor and chivalry.

He is known as a champion amongst champions.

He is able to admit and amend his faults and receive advice and guidance without being arrogant, stubborn or prideful.

He does not recompense evil with evil; instead he repays evil with good.

He is a cultivator and as such, he brings out the best in people.

He respects his elders and comprehends the immense value of their sage advice.

He is called an awesome son, the best brother a sister could have, a true friend, a great husband, a doting and loving father, a trusted confidant, a caring and benevolent man.

His character is marked by his good stewardship.

He knows his God-given purpose and understands and utilizes his God-given gifts, talents and abilities for the benefit and blessing of mankind.

This is the true measure of a man.

May you look into the mirror of life and find yourself measuring up! May you join us, the growing number of men at Mastering Manhood who are reshaping the family into a wholesome picture of unity, love and fidelity!

Temperature is measured in degrees
Weight is measured in pounds
Speed is measured by miles per hour
Liquid is measured in ounces
Distance is measured by miles
Time is measured in hours
Hard drives are measured by megabytes
Pressure is measured by PSI
Genius is measured by IQ
True manhood is measured in virtues
--Gillis Triplett, Mastering Manhood

Tags: Manhood IntegrityVirtue

What do you do when you forgive someone who hurt you?  What goes on?  When is it necessary?  What happens afterward?  What should you expect it to do for you?  What is forgiving

The act of forgiving, by itself, is a wonderfully simple act;  but it always happens inside a storm of complex emotions.  It is the hardest trick in the whole bag of personal relationships.

We forgive in four stages.  If we can travel through all four, we achieve the climax of reconciliation.

·       The first stage is hurt:  when somebody causes you pain so deep and unfair that you cannot forget it, you are pushed into the first stage of the crisis of forgiving.

·       The second stage is hate:  you cannot shake the memory of how much you were hurt, and you cannot wish your enemy well.  You sometimes want the person who hurt you to suffer as you are suffering.

·       The third stage is healing:  you are given the "magic eyes" to see the person who hurt you in a new light.  Your memory is healed; you turn back the flow of pain and are free again.

·       The fourth stage is the coming together:  you invite the person who hurt you back into your life; if he or she comes honestly, love can move you both toward a new and healed relationship.  The fourth stage depends on the person you forgive as much as it depends on you; sometimes he or she doesn't come back and you have to be healed alone.

The hurt creates a crisis of giving has three dimensions.  It is always personal, unfair, and deep.  When you feel this kind of three-dimensional pain, you have a wound that can be healed only forgiving the one who wounded you.

PERSONAL PAIN

We can only forgive people, we cannot forgive nature, even through nature often hurts us.  Sometimes the pain comes from what nature fails to give us-some people, through no fault of their own, are born into the world with less health, beauty, or intelligence than they want.

But we cannot forgive nature.  We can curse it, rage against it, blame it for all that is wrong with us, and finally surrender to its brute power.

Forgiving is always a personal event.  It follows, then, that you should forgive only the persons who hurt you.

I do not need to forgive people who have not hurt me.  In fact, I have no right to forgive them; only the victims have that right.  I may be outraged at what they do to others.  I may judge them, condemn them, and call for their heads to roll.  I may, for instance, nature a rage for Adolf Hitler for his massive murder of Jewish people. But unless he injured me, I should not forgive him, not because he is too evil, but because he can be forgiven honestly only by the people whom he hurt. I would only cheapen the miracle of forgiveness if I claimed to forgive the great hurters of people who did not hurt me.

UNFAIR PAIN

We always face a crisis of forgiving when somebody hurts us unfairly.  Forgiving is love's remedy to be used when we hurt-fully wronged by a person we trusted to treat us right.  There is a difference between suffering sheer pain and suffering painful wrongs.

·         PEOPLE HURT US BECAUSE THEY THINK WE DESERVE IT

Some people aim to hurt, they mean to do someone harm;  but they want to more than just retribution.  This is Booth taking aim at ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /Lincoln in a theater.  This is Lee Harvey Oswald plotting to shoot Kennedy on the streets of Dallas.  This is Judas slouching into the night to betray his Master.  Each one was doing what he felt his victim deserved.

·        PEOPLE HURT US COMPULSIVELY

Some people hurt us, not because they want to do us harm, but only because they cannot control themselves.

·        PEOPLE HURT US WITH THE SPILL-OVERS OF THEIR PROBLEMS

Sometimes our personal struggles, too turbulent to contain, spill over to affect innocent bystanders.  We do not mean to hurt them; they just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

·        PEOPLE HURT US WITH THEIR GOOD INTENTIONS

If only people with bad intentions did bad things to people, the world would be a safer place to live.  It is the people who do bad things with good intentions that make the world a dangerous planet. The roads to our earthly hells are often paved with other people's good intentions.

·        PEOPLE HURT US BY THEIR MISTAKES

Sometimes we get hurt because other people make mistakes.  They may be ministering professionals and they may surely mean to help, but sometimes they bungle the job.

Tags: Pain Forgive Forget Hurt

·        What is your PASSION in life?

·        How are you pursuing your PASSION?

·        What gifts or talents do you possess that help you accomplish your PURPOSE?

·        What is your PURPOSE in life?

·        Can your PURPOSE be obtained?

·        What is your DESTINY?

Tags: Destiny Passion Purpose

Passion

 

Intense enthusiasm for something

 

A keen interest in a particular subject or activity

 

Purpose:

Reason for existence

The reason for which something exists or for which it has been done or made

The purpose of life

Destiny:

Inner realizable purpose of a life

The inner purpose of a life that can be discovered and realized

Tags: Destiny Passion Purpose

As we enter into this year of "New Beginning" let us pause for a moment to think...Are we being obedience in the things of God?  Yes the bible is full of wonderful promises that God has made to and for his people.  But the reality is that we fail to receive the fullness of the promises because we ingore the principles.  Hmmm...the principles are those instructions that God himself has laid out in order to UNLOCK the promises.

We have guide lines in society that paint a road map or picture to success.  For example; if you go to school, study hard and apply yourself, doors of opportunity will open up for you.  Simple but yet so hard! It's the application of the truths that causes us to fail or be delayed.  Why? Obedience, total Obedience.  even to the extent of perhaps not even fully understanding, but trusting God.

I received a prophetic mandate from God; "In The Fullness of Obedience is  Opportunity". Simple but yet so complex!  Obeying without understanding or a plan of action is full obedience.  When God speaks we react through obedience.  Knowing that you are in relationship with God through Jesus, Christ is the assurance that your steps are ordered according to Jer 29:11.

I challenge everyone who reads this to walk in the "Fullness of Obedience" 

 

peace and blessings

 

Pastor G. 

Tags: Obedience Opportunity Faithful Blessing

When I look in the mirror what do I really see? When I look through the eyes of those whom I wish to affirm me what do I expect to see. If I were to ask your honest opinion of me, would it offend or motivate me. These are some of the questions that I have asked myself in order to really know my true self. The ME behind the MASK! The mirror can be my best friend or worst enemy. It is this reflective perception of myself that I easily manipulate to stroke my ego or invite to my pity party. Family, friends and associates become pawns in this chess game of behind the mask. Positioning and maneuvering them to an advantage of my own emotional deception. A game played so well that I really have lost sight of where fantasy ends and reality begins. What's really real? Will you tell me the truth or what you think I want to hear in my quest for true identity from the mask? Will your answers be emotional or principled on the fundamental truth that you are your brother's keeper. Is our relationship strong enough to stand in a storm of true observations? Or will you too hide behind a mask of deception hoping to savage a relationship that is a mirage of fault hopes and ideas. When will our backs straighten up to the point that we can finally stand without compromise. Loving each other enough, through our transparency of honesty to literally love the HELL out of each other. There is so much beauty hidden behind the MASK. So much potential delayed behind the MASK. Untapped purpose behind the MASK. Why do WE continue to live behind the MASK? Try living in the identity that you were formed and not the perception of the MASK. How? Be honest with yourself and with GOD, ask him to remove your mask. Please don't get it twisted you and l both have a MASK, but I have learned to live without mine. This WAS the ME behind the MASK!