What I posted last Saturday on my Xanga blog
Exciting day in the Assemblies of God
As a 57 year old, AG lay person I have been intently praying and following interesting blogs before General Council; praying more and following General Council as much as possible while we were in Victoria. Well, that is when we were at the motel at night and could access my laptop. With the 3 hour time difference that meant watching sessions live was not an option. I got most of my news Thursday night from the Springfield newspaper. After we got home Friday night the SGF newspaper and blogger Rich Tatum's August 10 post (including the comments section) gave me the details I desired.
General Superintendent: George O. Wood
Assistant General Superintendent: L. Alton Garrison
General Secretary: John Palmer
AG World Missions Director: L. John Bueno (reelected)
AG US Missions Director: Zollie L. Smith, Jr.
I have a variety of thoughts on this. Briefly I will comment that I think the Assemblies of God has made a lot of progress in this General Council. I was very glad to see George Wood and Alton Garrison elected. There is open dialogue about a variety of things. There is tremendous progress in Zollie Smith, Jr, the first black man being voted to a national AG position .... as AG US Missions director. Also, there were great strides made for credentialed women, and younger male pastors (40 and under). Dr. Beth Grant was in the top three receiving votes for assistant superintendent. The resolutions regarding 'female/younger pastor' being elected to the Executive Presbytery had mixed progress... one passed and the other did not. I care very much about these measures and I feel significant progress was made. I pray for those who may have felt it was not enough progress in the overall voting, etc. May they be blessed with divine patience and tenacity as they serve the Kingdom wherever they are called to minister.
PROGRESS!!! In my perspective, it is exciting days in the Assemblies of God fellowship of churches.
"The Council Today" coverage at http://www.ag.org/ gives the overall report of the elections and business sessions. I am not sure this direct link will work... giving it a try.
Edit: Saturday afternoon updateOh, wow!!! I have mentioned before the Future AG blog site. I just saw that the response our General Superintendent-elect, George O. Wood, made at Future AG Friday afternoon (which I had not seen earlier) was reposted as an entry today. Look for the Saturday, August 11 post. I was deeply touched by this and the 5 comments thus far. The dialoguers see this blog exchange as groundbreaking and a 'defining moment' in our Assemblies of God history!!! Wahoo! for using 21st century technology to advance the work of the Kingdom of God!!!!!.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
How AGmom_advocate blog started
AGmom_advocate started after contemplating writing about my journey as the mom of a young Assemblies of God missionary associate, Peter, who is site administrator at http://www.network211.com/ - the AGWM evangelism and discipling/mentoring internet ministry.
I have been keenly aware of the many potential changes/changes occurring in the Assemblies of God, both on the local level as our pastor of almost 20 years has transitioned to being the Oregon Superintendent, and the General Council changes. In late July-early August I learned of the http://www.futureag.blogspot.com/ and have followed the posts and comments as we all were caring about and praying for the elections and resolution decisions to be made at the Assemblies of God General Council, just held in Indianapolis, August 8-10. I found great kinship with the younger set sharing their passion and concerns. After the elections I also checked the site and found myself caring more and praying for those sharing their hearts, sometimes being open about their disappointment in some results. Then I rejoiced as our General Superintendent, George O. Wood, compassionately responded on the site and the outflowing of response to him has been awesome. To God be the glory!!
I am motivated to address concerns I have within the Assemblies of God fellowship of churches and any other issues in the Body of Christ that God directs me to focus on. As the founder and director of WalkAlongside Ministries, I realize sometimes being a 'walk alongside friend' includes being an advocate for others, which can be akin to the Holy Spirit as an advocate for our needs before the Lord. With this new awareness of blogspot.com it seems like an appropriate platform for me to blog from and I'm ready. Let the adventure begin!!
BTW, if you have an interest in my developing ministry web site that's at http://www.walkalongside.org/ My personal and photo blog is at www.xanga.com/walkalongside where I have been blogging for almost 3 years.
I have been keenly aware of the many potential changes/changes occurring in the Assemblies of God, both on the local level as our pastor of almost 20 years has transitioned to being the Oregon Superintendent, and the General Council changes. In late July-early August I learned of the http://www.futureag.blogspot.com/ and have followed the posts and comments as we all were caring about and praying for the elections and resolution decisions to be made at the Assemblies of God General Council, just held in Indianapolis, August 8-10. I found great kinship with the younger set sharing their passion and concerns. After the elections I also checked the site and found myself caring more and praying for those sharing their hearts, sometimes being open about their disappointment in some results. Then I rejoiced as our General Superintendent, George O. Wood, compassionately responded on the site and the outflowing of response to him has been awesome. To God be the glory!!
I am motivated to address concerns I have within the Assemblies of God fellowship of churches and any other issues in the Body of Christ that God directs me to focus on. As the founder and director of WalkAlongside Ministries, I realize sometimes being a 'walk alongside friend' includes being an advocate for others, which can be akin to the Holy Spirit as an advocate for our needs before the Lord. With this new awareness of blogspot.com it seems like an appropriate platform for me to blog from and I'm ready. Let the adventure begin!!
BTW, if you have an interest in my developing ministry web site that's at http://www.walkalongside.org/ My personal and photo blog is at www.xanga.com/walkalongside where I have been blogging for almost 3 years.
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