BULLETIN Subject:
Conference Session 2014 - A Call to Prayer
Date:
June 9, 2014
Dear Pastors, Elders, Brothers and Sisters We bring you Christian greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is our honour and privilege as pastors, administrators, church leaders, educators, colporteurs and office workers to serve as a part of a world church; and to collectively seek to influence and impact the world with our message of hope. I am extremely optimistic about the future of Central Jamaica Conference and confident that God will continue to guide His church towards the end of time. As we prepare for the 4th Quadrennial Conference Session, may these next few weeks draw us closer to Christ and to one another. The Session, to elect the administrators and directors of the Conference for the next four years, will be held at Camp Verley, Spring Gardens, St. Catherine, July 23-24, 2014. The value of having every one of our churches praying during these meetings cannot be overstated – we need divine wisdom and holy boldness! We need the Holy Spirit to complete the mission of the church. May the same Holy Spirit that guided the saints of old impress upon your hearts, the importance of praying for this Conference Session. We continue to hold to the principle that, all actions that are preceded by prayer for spiritual benefits are performed with spiritual guidance; hence, lessening the possibility for errors to be committed. Prayer and intercession for leadership is important in order that God’s plan for the church may be realized. For this reason, we have declared Sabbath, July 5, 2014, “A Call to Prayer.” The day covers sunset, Friday, July 4, to sunset Sabbath, July 5, 2014. The time has come for all of our churches throughout our Conference to collaborate in one voice and cry out to God for a clear direction for His church. On this extraordinary Sabbath, (July 5, 2014), Pastors and Elders are asked to lead each church in special prayer sessions for the Holy Spirit’s anointing on those who will …/2
Page 2 “A Call to Prayer” be meeting at Camp Verley, that they will be led by the Spirit in their deliberations to determine the directors and administrators for the next quadrennium. All Pastors/ Elders are asked to allocate some time in reviewing the mission and vision as well as guiding principles/key priorities of the church. Prayer sessions in the churches may be held throughout the day or designated periods. Each department should reiterate its part in advancing the mission of the church and pray for God’s directive in selecting His appointed leaders. “A Call to Prayer” is also declared in all our schools. Principals and teachers are asked to engage students over the next few weeks into meaningful prayer sessions, asking for God’s guidance in selecting the leadership of His Church. Prayer in homes, by families and selected individuals/groups may also be done. The church is encouraged to select hymns and scriptures of hope and promise to accompany prayer during these sessions. Please give special emphasis to the following areas when offering your supplication. Pray for: The Holy Spirit to give personal direction and vision in selecting our leaders. Keen discernment between God’s wisdom and human knowledge. Pure motives, purged by God through the Word. Discernment against impure motives. A spirit of unity, not competition; humility, not superiority; cooperation, not divisiveness. God to clarify His vision for ministry to the leaders. Leaders to be sensitive to God’s voice and spiritual insight. Leaders to walk in the Spirit, pleasing to the Lord. Unity – that all leaders will be in unity and attuned to the Holy Spirit for direction, that they will be supportive of one another. God to give leaders a spirit of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, strength, and obedient and reverent fear of the Lord. Leaders’ relationship with God to always remain the top priority. God’s will to be done. “May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant us to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together we may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 14:5-6). Thank you for your support and cooperation in this matter.
L.L. Johnson President