New book...and other stuff

My latest book, “The View from the Back of the Pulpit” was just printed at PPH and has hit the shelves.  I am pleased with the finished product from the cover and feel standpoint.  The contents will have to be judged by others.  Mark Christian tells me that Bro. Becton will endorse it on the conference floor.  That will be a nice gesture since he is one of the most respected patriarch’s of the UPCI.  I will also be in the PPH display as an author.  They ask that authors spend a few hours there to sell and sign their books.  If you are there, come and see me, buy a book ($13.99) and mention this blog as well.  I’d love to talk with you.

Speaking of General Conference, this will be a critical year for those who believe the television advertising issue is paramount.  Despite the fact that I have carried the banner for this issue, I will neither be elated nor disappointed at the outcome.  Whatever happens happens, and we will go on.  I wrote Bro. Haney a couple of weeks ago and volunteered to openly discourage anyone from voting for it if they felt it would damage the fellowship.  He called me back and urged me to leave it alone.  He felt that if we do not resolve this matter now, it will only come up again in a different form next year, and the next…and so on…until we handle it.  I just didn’t want to be the cause of a major rift in the organization.  The UPCI is too precious to me to see it harmed in a way that would be debilitating to its mission.  By this time next week, we will know the results.  I’m sure I will have something to say about it all! 

I do have some other interests in the UPCI this year besides “The Issue.”  I hope UGST is funded and promoted as much as possible.  It is a veritable gold mine of theological wealth and is proving to be a tremendous asset to the Apostolic movement.  Also, I am keeping my eye on the position of Youth President.  Due to Bro. Gaddy’s departure, there will be a shakeup in the division.  We need to pray that the right choices will be made.  Finally, PPH needs to be supported and strengthened.  I am concerned that we institute the right policies that will stimulate growth in this phase of ministry.  Of course, both home and foreign missions are in my priority list as well.  That goes without saying.  

The temperature will be around ninety degrees in Tampa.  Dress cool.  I will enjoy it all from air conditioned meeting rooms.  The conference could be in Alaska as far as I’m concerned.  See you soon.

Update...late summer

Bald Knob, AR was an interesting, enjoyable destination.  I believe Keith and Meredith, and boys Carson and Keegan, will do a great job there.  The people love them already, and they seem to be a good fit, even though they are basically northern bred folks.  I was impressed with the level of cooperation among the preachers in the section.  They too seemed to take the Kirks right into their hearts. 

The next week after coming home, I attended our Ohio District Men’s Retreat.  Awesome messages delivered by Gary Keller, Jonathan Perry and Doug Klinedinst had a deeply moving effect on the men.  Doug Klinedinst agreed to come on a moment’s notice because the announced speaker had a conflict in his schedule and couldn’t come.  He had never spoken at a men’s conference before, but no one could have guessed it.  He said many memorable things, like “In a marriage, it’s takes three to make two to become one.”  His down-to-earth approach to men’s subjects was refreshing and very much appreciated.

General Conference looms before all of us.  I am glad it is in Tampa, FL and not in Ohio this year, although we enjoyed the experience in 2006.  My good friend, Pat Williams, Florida District Superintendent will get the blessing this year.  C. Patton and I attended Texas Bible College together back in the dark ages.  He is doing a wonderful job at the helm of the Florida district and I know we will have a fabulous conference.  This year brings to a head the issue of advertising on television.  If we ever needed the direction of the Holy Ghost in any matter, we need it this conference.  I have much trepidation going into the proceedings this fall, but God has never failed us yet.  I can honestly say that I do not necessarily want my way…I want God’s will.  May it be so.

My back is so much better.  Some pain irritates me occasionally, but nothing that I can’t deal with.  I’ve played golf several times in August and September and I am as bad as ever.  I am shooting anywhere between 86 and 91, so I have achieved normalcy again.  Bro. Urshan used to say that if you scored 70 or lower—-or 120 or higher—-you need to quit playing golf.  If you were at 70 or lower, you are playing way too much.  If you shoot 120 or higher, give everyone a break and hang it up.  I’m about in the middle range of his prediction. 

Added to the mix of all our busyness is the little matter of the basement flood. Actually, the carpet got soaked and we have to replace it.  The insurance covered it all for which we are very grateful.  The whole process is very time consuming, however.  We’ll be glad when it’s over.  I have too much going on to spend very much time in our basement.

Keith Kirk Pastoral Installation

Today, I travel to Bald Knob, Arkansas to preach the installation service for Brother Keith Kirk.  He was elected to serve that congregation about three months ago.  It was formerly pastored by Bro. Oakes, now retired.  His wife, Sis. Gwen Oakes, is our International Ladies Ministries President.

Keith grew up in Toledo.  He graduated from Apostolic Christian Academy and was part of our youth group and then served as our youth leader for a brief time after Travis Miller left for St. Louis.  Keith had a sterling record here and was a friend to everyone.  We missed him very much when he left to be youth pastor in Troy, IL, but the First Apostolic Church couldn’t be more proud of him today.

Men from this church pastor in various places around the country.  Dave Olsen, in Lincoln, RI, Charles Hurst, in Bangor, ME, Ed Nichols, in Rittman, OH, Max Manley, in Salinas, CA, A. J. Dummitt, Radcliff, KY, and the late Victor Bentley in Marietta, OH.  Missionaries David Ward, Paul Dennis and Roy Well also call this church their home.  Minister’s wives also hale from Toledo, including Michelle Curatti, Tiffin, OH, and Patty Arnold, Gainesville, FL.  We view all of these ministries as extensions of this church. 

Back Home

The Native American conference in Lawton, OK, greatly inspired me.  Bros. Don Hanscom, Jeff Chavis, William Welch and others did an outstanding job of presenting their burden for Native Americans, or as they are often called, the first Americans.  I especially enjoyed meeting the group of Navaho Indians from New Mexico.  Bro. Yazzie, their ministry leader, read a passage of scripture in the Navaho language to begin the service Friday night.  It was beautiful.  I had read somewhere that Navaho was used during WWII to send highly secretive messages to our troops because the Japanese could not translate it.  I asked the men from the Navaho tribe whether this was true and they confirmed it for me.  I wonder if the devil cannot translate the messages that are preached in Navaho?  Maybe I’m taking that a bit too far. 

The day before we left for Oklahoma, we stopped by Lewisville, TX and visited Mike and Debbie Sales.  Debbie (Heims) Sales attended our church in Toledo for ten years before meeting Mike.  She has always been special to us.  They gave us a grand tour of their new church building.  It is awesome!  The expert craftsmen in their church put touches on the decor that go far beyond what you would expect in a typical sanctuary.  Nearly every feature you could want has been incorporated into their design.  

Our stay with Bob and Donna Myre in Paris, TX was phenomenal.  He worked me hard…three messages on Sunday…but we had a wonderful time with them and their very sweet church people…and beautiful family.  We only get to do things like this a few times in a lifetime, so we enjoyed it to the hilt.  Before we flew home on Monday, we ate dinner with Dan and Gayla Rigdon at the Gaylord Texan Resort.  I cannot describe the breathtaking architecture of the resort to you.  Get on the web and see for yourself.  The Rigdons are very special people.  We’ve known them almost all our ministerial lives.  Gayla grew up as one of the Dyer girls in Newark, OH, so she and Sandy have been friends since they were tots.  He has now semi-retired and enjoying life in a new dimension.  He just got back from a motorcycle ride to Jackson Hole, WY.  It was sad to leave great friends, but we knew we were coming home to Kinzie, so we were eager to get back!

Off to Oklahoma!

This morning, Sandy and I fly to Dallas/Ft. Worth and then drive to Lawton, Oklahoma.  She will represent the Ladies Ministries Division at a Native American Conference sponsored by the multicultural ministries of the Home Missions Division.  She didn’t want to go alone, so I agreed to go with her for some R & R.  I will probably stay in the motel room and study and write.  We will also see some friends in the Dallas area and speak at the UPCI church in Paris, TX.

It looks like my book on “The View from the Back of the Pulpit” goes to press next week.  It will go on sale at the General Conference for $13.99.  I am excited about it because there are some chapters that I hope will have a positive impact on our fellowship.  But, it’s just a book.  You never know.  I am also contemplating a series of audio books based on the entries in ThoughtShades Journaling in this blog.  We’ll see.

In case you’re intested, I have minor incidents of referred pain from my back, but, hopefully, my continued exercises will keep it under control.  It has been wonderful to be relatively pain-free for the last two months.

I love you all.