The Spring 2012 meeting of the Ohio Association of Conservative Congregatinal Christian Churches was hosted May 5, 2012 by First Congregational Church, Lodi, Ohio, Rev. David Dake, Pastor. Persons in attendance were: Rev. Marshall Pierson, Pastor, Pilgrim Fellowship, Bellefontaine, Ohio; Rev. Mitch Reed, Pastor, Immanuel United Church of Christ, Zanesville, Ohio; Rev. Dave Kimberly, Pastor, Faith Community Fellowship, Massillon, Ohio; Rev. Jonathan Cheatham, Pittsfield Community Church, Pittsfield, Ohio; Michael Kager, Licensed Minister, Faith Community Fellowship, Massillon, Ohio; Earl and Joann Smith, St. John’s Evangelical Church, Lowell, Ohio; Tom and Raetta Maurer, Marion, Ohio; Rev. David Brand, Director, Central Ohio Reformation Institute, Mt. Vernon, Ohio; Rod Edwards, Pastor, Parkman Congregational Church, Parkman, Ohi; Rev.Phillip Ross, Marietta, Ohio; Rev. Jeff Lord, Pastor, Christ Memorial Church, Robertsville, Ohio; Rev. Steve Carmany, Pastor, Huntington Church, Huntington, Ohio; Rev. John Hood, Ohio Association Moderator, Vermilion Evangelical & Reformed Church, Vermilion, Ohio; Rev. David Dake, Pastor First Congregational Church, Lodi, Ohio; Nancy Dake, First Congregational Church, Lodi, Ohio; Rev. Franklin Shannon, Director, Cooperative International Studies, Garrettsville, Ohio.
After opening prayer conducted by John Hood, devotional singing was led by Mitch Reed just prior to the presentation on Pastoral Health and Care by Matthew A. Lewis, D.Min., Asst. Professor of Practical Theology; Director for Excellence in Leadership, Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio.
Dr. Lewis spoke about the issue of self care particularly as it pertains to protestant parish ministers. He noted that the protestant parish ministry was found in 1950 to be the healthiest of the professions in the United States, but that in our era it has become, based on medical statistics, the least healthy of the professions in the United States. He cited the inability/unwillingness of clergy to engage in an ongoing process of self care, including having persons in whom the pastor can confide anything and everything in absolute confidentiality. He also cited two key requisites for maintenance of pastoral health: 1. pastors must avoid dual/multiple relationships, which quickly tend to foster conflicts of interest, e.g, the pastor cannot safely both minister to a parishioner and also confide his own issues to a parishioner; 2. pastors and their wives need to identify and engage in new spiritual formative processes, including partcipating in small groups not connected to their parish, where they can find both support and accountability in an atmosphere of complete confidentiality. Dr. Lewis conducted the presentation interactively, receiving questions as he went along, making for a very helpful presentation as he sought to target the felt concerns of his audience. Thank you, Dr. Lewis, for generously giving of your time and expertise in the area of clergy self care!
Following a wonderful buffet style lunch provided by the members of First Congregational Church of Lodi, the afternoon business meeting was held. Balance in the treasury is currently $1638.23. Rev. Dr. Franklin Shannon provided a report on the current situation for evangelical Christians in Russia. In short, they are being mercilessly persecuted at the behest of the Russian Orthodox Church, which can result in homeless, unemployment, and assassination for Christians who refuse to conform to the Russian Orthodox Church. Please keep Franklin in your prayers on his upcoming trip to Russia, as well as remembering our Russian brethren in your prayers. Next, it was decided that the Fall 2012 meeting will be enfolded into a training seminar to be conducted by Rev. Dr. John Kimball of the national CCCC office on the topic of Peace Making, to be held October 26 and 27, 2012 at First Congregational Church, Lodi, Ohio. Following this announcement, national CCCC Area Representative Rev. Steve Carmany proivided an update churches in Ohio, including those seeking pastors. Then certain pastors present requested prayer for the tenuousness of their current situations, and/or for the situations of family members, including a request for financial support by Phil Ross on behalf of his son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Leah, Justin currently enrolled at Covenant Theological Seminary, and Leah unexpectedly became unable to hold employment, thus interrupting their cash flow needed to maintain themselves while Justin is enrolled in seminary. An open letter concerning this was provided the attendees by Phil, which is available to those who may wish to provide financial support.
Finally, Mr. Michael Kager, a CCCC Licensed Minister on staff with Faith Community Fellowship, Massillon OH, successfully sustained a Vicinage Council examination on 04/21/2012 in pursuit of ordination. It was announced by Rev. Dr. Dave Kimberly, Pastor of Faith Community Fellowship, that the Service of Ordination for Mr. Kager will take place at 5:30 pm on 05/20/2012 at Faith Community Fellowship, the Lord willing. We pray the Lord’s continued blessing upon Mike, his family, and the ministry to which the Lord has called him!
Minutes compiled for the Ohio Association of Conservative Congregational Christian Churches:
By: Rev. Marshall Pierson, Pilgrim Fellowship, Bellefontaine, Ohio