The Pastoral Role In the Proxy System Implementation

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The Pastoral Role In the Proxy System
Implementation

• Church of God of Prophecy
• Pastoral Training
• 2008

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Education is Paramount

• In coming Assemblies, Pastors will be challenged
  in how to educate their Church on the process and
  how to also help their people come into a
  harmonious spirit where they can express their
  decisions.

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Pastors Role is Paramount

• The Pastors roleis paramount to the success of
  this process.
• The process relies heavily on his/her reading and
  studying the issue being introduced.
• Upon release of the new study document the pastor
  will need to begin thinking of the process and
  his role in local church involvement.
• The Pastor is not to alienate or judgebut
  ratherseek to be a counselor and peacemaker.

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A Series of Scheduled Meetings

• After the Pastor has read and studied the new
  document, he should schedule a series of meetings
  to dialogue about the issues.
• It is suggested that at least four sessions be
  held to successfully complete this task.

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Session 1

• Read the document in its entirety and allow ONLY
  questions pertaining to understanding or
  clarity.
• Announce meeting in advance and encourage prayer
  for these meetings.
• At the close of the first meeting, people should
  be encouraged only to pray and to refrain from
  further discussions until after the second
  session a week later.
• We MUST allow time for the Holy Spirit to guide
  us!

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Session 2

• Discussion should be invitedwith understanding
  and encouragement that issues are to be discussed
  for content only and not to judge one anothers
  views.
• Pastormaintain a Godly order.
• Pastorrefrain from giving your own input until
  all others have expressed their thoughts. Then
• Introduce a good Biblical exegesis concerning
  your views on the subject at hand.
• End of second sessionPrayerNO FINAL DECISION!

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Session 3

• Begin to seek for a unified expression on the
  issue.
• It may be necessary to intersperse times of
  prayer or worship to allow the Holy Spirit to
  bring unity and submission to God and one
  another.
• Sermon Topics Biblical Submission, Holy Spirit
  leading, Prayer/Fasting, and Unity of the Body.
• At the end of session 3 hopefully a one accord
  decision can be reachedif notadditional
  sessions may be necessary.

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Session 4

• Choose an official representative who will
  attend the Assembly to be their voice.
• The Pastor, District Overseer, State Overseer, or
  the North American Presbyter.
• Pastor is most likely, butif they have
  convictions that would hinder serving as the
  voice for the local churchs proxy, then
  another representative should be chosen.

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Finally

• After the Church has made their final
  decisionChurch Clerk and Pastor complete, verify
  and mail the Proxy Pre-Registration Form to the
  State Office.
• MUST be in the State Overseers office by March
  31, 2008
• Keep in Mind It may be necessary for a local
  church to Abstain or Submit if they cannot come
  into One Accord once at the Assembly.

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The Pastoral Role In the Proxy System
Implementation

• Church of God of Prophecy
• Pastoral Training
• 2008