Home/Leaders Council 2010
Conference President Charts Course for the way forward
Since completing its successful Inaugural Session a week ago, the new administration - led by Pastor Karl Archer, president - along with workers and members of the North Jamaica Conference held its first Leaders Council on January 17, 2010.
In his address to the approximately 600 church leaders from the conference’s seventy-seven congregations, Pastor Archer sought to allay the fears and concerns that the new administration was young and inexperienced and also reiterated his commitment to lift the spiritual standards of the administration and members.
In making reference to Psalm 20:7 he said, “Many of you might have your concerns about the limited experience of this administration. You are saying we are young, but this is a great benefit to God’s people, as we can do nothing but set our eyes on God.”
Pastor Karl Archer - President, North Jamaica Conference
“We make no apology for the demonstration of compassion and Christ-like care,” he further added. “We are not ashamed to be viewed as forgiving and understanding. We are not ashamed to treat workers nicely. However, the times in which we live call for bold, decisive, spiritual leadership and compassion. Let me hasten to explain, that compassion is not weakness.
In quoting Prophets & Kings page 623 Pastor Archer read, “The compassion and tenderness that He revealed toward those who had sinned, either willfully or through ignorance, should be an object lesson to all who seek to bring about reforms. The servants of God are to be as firm as a rock where right principles are involved, and yet, withal, they are to manifest sympathy and forbearance.”
The president also outlined the administration’s full support to Evangelism, the Haiti earthquake fund-raising initiative, Pentecost and More 2010, the first phase of the Convention and Wellness Centre, pastors integrity and moral standing, directors’ visitation to the churches, reverence in God’s church, ingathering projects, and the Spirit of Prophecy teachings.
The soul-winning task of the conference was presented by the secretary, Pastor Gary Buddoo-Fletcher who pointed out that the ratio of members to non-members was 1:18 based on a membership of 13,734 and a population of 249,032 (based on a 2008 population report from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica) in the parishes of St. Ann and Trelawny.
Pastor Gary Fletcher - Secretary, North Jamaica Conference
The members were also commended for their faithfulness in giving by Elder Dane Ellis, Treasurer of the Conference and he encouraged all to remain constant in their service to God.
Elder Dane Ellis - Treasurer, North Jamaica Conference
Earlier during the council, Pastor Joseph Smith, Vice President of West Indies Union Conference delivered the devotional message in which he charged the church leaders to feed God’s sheep. He said “As church officers we need to pay attention to two critical areas: firstly, what we are to be as officers, and secondly, what you are to do. We must be, before we seek to do, and we must be anointed before we are appointed.”
The North Jamaica Conference, which was organized as a Mission in 2002 with the parishes of St. Ann, St. Mary and Trelawny, was reorganized in 2006. It now comprises the parishes of St. Ann and Trelawny and achieved conference status during it Inaugural Session held January 9 – 10, 2010.
Story by Mrs. Dyhann Budoo-Fletcher
Photos contributed
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