It seems to always be moving season now. We’ve got several moves to announce today and a few more to talk about next week. As always please share what you know so we can all help each other out.

The church at Allisona in College Grove, TN is looking for a part-time preacher. Contact Tim McElroy at mcelroyt@comcast.net for more information. Tim will be going to work with Leeanna near Murfreesboro as the Family minister.

Jeremy Butt will be moving to work with the church at Northview in Columbia. We rejoice with Jeremy.  He has been one of the ministers at West 7th in Columbia.

This scoop from Gayle Crowe: Lake Oconee, located near the towns of Greensboro, Ga and Madison, GA. It is a retirement community with a lot of golf courses nearby.  The congregation averages 35.  The age range is from 30 to 80 years. They have no elders.  The congregation there was established in the area in 1997. The Church does not have minister housing. If you’re interested or need more information contact Jim Pirtle: jepssp@aol.com.  

This scoop indirectly through Andy Connelly.  The Destin Church of Christ in Florida is looking for a youth minister.  They have about 150 members and a youth group of around 20 young people.  For more info contact Jimmy Johnson - j.johnson@johnsonpeaden.com

Adam Richardson scooped himself last week.  He has accepted the pulpit work at the Petersville congregation in Florence, AL.  He will start there in August. To learn more about the work he is leaving check on http://www.senecachurchofchrist.org/.

Frank Collier who has served as one of the youth ministers at West 7th in Columbia will be moving to work with the Cordova Church of Christ in California.

The Summitville Church of Christ, in Manchester, TN is looking for a preacher.  They have about 50 on Sunday mornings and are looking for a full time preacher.  Interested? Contact Charles Harris who is the preacher leaving the congregation: cjh43006@gmail.com 

Recent Florida School of Preaching grad Creston Frizzel has accepted a position as pulpit minister at the Hannibal Church of Christ in Hannibal, MO.

The Jackson Street Church of Christ located in Magnolia, Arkansas, is searching for a full-time Campus/Youth minister. They said it this way:  ”The successful candidate will be responsible for the effective overall ministry of the Jackson St. Youth Group and the Riders for Christ campus ministry at Southern Arkansas University (SAU). These responsibilities include: teaching 1-2 classes each week, planning of devotionals and weekly meal for the college students, organizing service projects/retreats/special events, involvement in summer camps, oversight of the day to day upkeep of the church of Christ student center near the SAU campus, supervision of youth and campus interns, and preaching in the absence of the pulpit minister. Other assigned responsibilities may be worked out with the elders based on needs of the congregation and the interests of the candidate. A married man with relevant experience is preferred.”  Current attendance is about 140 and they have five elders.   Magnolia is about 150 miles from Little Rock and 50 miles from Texarkana. Southern Arkansas University is located here with an enrollment averaging 3000-3500 students. Want to apply?

Send: • Application letter • Resume listing past experience and education • At least three personal references as well as three or more ministry related references. To Jackson Street Church of Christ 313 South Jackson Street P.O. Box 307 Magnolia, Arkansas 71754-0307 Phone: 870-234-3053 email: sec-jscoc@sbcglobal.net.

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The search team at Piedmont Road in Marietta, GA has asked that we post that they are looking for a Family Involvement Minister. They hope to fill the role pretty quickly.   You can contact Neil Richey at neilrichey@yahoo.com for the job description and more info. You can find out more about the congregation at www.LifeInChrist.com.

This scoop to Brendan Chance: Daniel Roberts has accepted pulpit role at Cameron Avenue in Colonial Heights , Virginia.

Slate Moore will be moving to work with the church at Winter Haven, FL. He has been the preacher at Robertsdale for nearly 15 years. It’s a good church in south Alabama very near the gulf.  To learn more about them and the role there go to: http://www.churchofchristatrobertsdale.com/

I’m told the Palm Beach Lakes congregation in West Palm Beach is looking for a youth minister. For more info: http://www.pblcoc.org/.

Mitch Wiggains is going to Sherman, TX to work with the Western Heights congregation as their new preacher - http://westernheights.org/. This means the Panhandle church will be looking. To learn more go to: http://www.panhandlechurchofchrist.org/.

That’s what we’ve got today. Share what you know and correct me as needed. Have a grand Sunday!

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The dates for “Better:- Texas Style are September 9-10, 2013. We will begin at 1:00 on Monday and conclude at Noon on Tuesday. The location is the Lewisville church building in Lewisville, TX. Speakers who are already confirmed include; Jay Lockhart, Stafford North, Howard Norton, Harold G. Taylor, Charles Hodge, Denny Petrillo, Chuck Monan, Dale Jenkins. We are thrilled about this group of speakers.

The cost is $59.00. This cost offsets only a portion of the seminar. We hope you will join us. We hope your congregation will help make it possible for you to attend. If you want to attend but can not pay the registration amount please let me know. We  have a few people who will help make scholarships possible. This registration fee does not include housing. We will provide a list of area hotels if you are interested.

We hope you will make your plans to attend this seminar. We hope we will all be “BETTER” for it. You can register through Eventbrite. Here is the link. http://better13texas.eventbrite.com/

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at any time.

Jeff A. Jenkins

jeffajenkins@gmail.com

(972) 977-9871

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The dates for “Better:- Texas Style are September 9-10, 2013. We will begin at 1:00 on Monday and conclude at Noon on Tuesday. The location is the Lewisville church building in Lewisville, TX. Speakers who are already confirmed include; Jay Lockhart, Stafford North, Howard Norton, Harold G. Taylor, Charles Hodge, Denny Petrillo, Chuck Monan, Dale Jenkins. We are thrilled about this group of speakers.

The cost is $59.00. This cost offsets only a portion of the seminar. We hope you will join us. We hope your congregation will help make it possible for you to attend. If you want to attend but can not pay the registration amount please let me know. We  have a few people who will help make scholarships possible. This registration fee does not include housing. We will provide a list of area hotels if you are interested.

We hope you will make your plans to attend this seminar. We hope we will all be “BETTER” for it. You can register through Eventbrite. Here is the link. http://better13texas.eventbrite.com/

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at any time.

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Now, on to SCOOPS!

This Scoop from Steve Kirby: Their Youth Minister for the last 7 years, Brian Henegar, has moved back to Sarasota, FL to work with the South Trail Church of Christ.  This link takes you to their “Job Description and General Announcement” about the position his leaving opens.

The following scoop and “frequent scooper miles” to Phil Sanders: Harold Nutt, an elder who lives in Merced County, CA, says the church in Los Banos is needing a  minister. That’s about all we know – this MAY be the link: http://ourlosbanos.com/churchlosbanoschurchofchrist.html.  Contact: Harold Nutt HNutt@co.merced.ca.us

This scoop goes to Houston Bynum: The Whitwell Church of Christ in Tennessee is looking for a preacher. Current minister, Richard Sain, is moving to Memphis to preach at Berclair.

A Youth opening scooped by Daniel Courington: –  The Oak Hill congregation in Rome, GA is looking for a Youth and Worship guy - http://oak-hill.org/  Here is what they want: Faithful member of the Church of Christ. Bachelors degree in Bible or Youth Ministry. A people person – someone that can relate to different types of people and different generations. Seeks to help the young people to grow in their relationship to God. Marital Status: No preference

Job Requirements: Coordinate Bible classes, curriculum, activities for Grades 7-12. Worship ministry – coordinate the Sunday morning worship services with the pulpit minister. Coordinating and communicating with parents insofar as plans, money, etc. Willing to work under the guidance of the elders. Willing to substitute for the pulpit minister on occasion. Coordinate mission trips with the deacon of missions.  Have at least one activity each quarter with 5th & 6th grade kids. Have at least one activity every 6 months for K – 4th grade kids. Willing to undergo a background check – All of our elders & deacons have undergone background checks to protect our young people.  300 in attendance on Sunday morning. 35-40 in youth group. http://oak-hill.org/ Send resume to: oakhillyouthsearch@gmail.com

Finally, Rob Fraser scoops himself.  He is the new preaching minister for the George Street Church of Christ in St. Mary’s West Virginia. You can follow the work there at http://www.georgestreetchurch.com/ Congratulations Rob.

So, what did we leave out? Get wrong, etc?  dale@edge.net

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YOUTH MINISTRY – JOB DESCRIPTION

1. The Youth Minister should have a degree in Bible or an educational equivalent with a primary emphasis in Youth Ministry.

2. It is our preference for our Youth Minister to be MARRIED.

3. We would prefer the Youth Minister to have a minimum of two years experience as a Youth Minister, Educator, or as an Associate Minister with at least some youth ministry experience.

MINISTRY DUTIES:

1. Assure that our youth are taught the basic, sound, and fundamental principles of the Bible.

2. Maintain a youth program for all ages which will reach others and their families in the Clarksville, Ft. Campbell community.

3. Establish and promote special programs and activities that will contribute to the spiritual, mental, and social development of our youth and children of all ages.

4. Visit the families of each teenager until all teens have been visited in a personal way.

5. Participate in regular visitation efforts of weekly visitors to our congregation (especially visiting with families who have children that will be part of the youth program in any way).

6. Demonstrate leadership capabilities and interests by taking a regular leadership role in all areas of public worship: preach (as scheduled by the elders); lead singing; preside at the Lord’s Table; and lead prayer.

7. Conduct Chapel once a week for the Hilldale Christian Child Care Center, and the Clarksville Christian School as needed.

8. Maintain specific office hours. (These will be worked out and designated during the actual Youth Minister interview and hiring process.)

9. Communicate effectively weekly, monthly, and annually with the congregation via: weekly bulletin article; monthly calendar; email; and youth web page.

10. Be involved (when possible) in local school activities.

11. Involve parents and other members who are willing to help with overall youth program.

12. Maintain complete roll and status (attendance, baptism, etc.) for all grades. Follow up on absences with calls, visits, and cards.

13. Conduct and be involved with various annual retreats and Christian camps with specific themes and emphasis (Spring, Fall, Winter retreats – Also Father/Son & Mother/Daughter retreats, etc.)

14. Attend/Participate in annual Youth Rallies such as CYC (Pigeon Forge, TN) and Uplift (Harding University), Lads to Leaders and other approved programs.

15. Schedule devotionals as appropriate for the entire youth group.

16. Involve the youth in service projects regularly.

17. Be able to develop and lead an educational program for the entire congregation as needed and as directed by the Elders.

SUPERVISORY CONTROL:

1. The elders will exercise final responsibility of hiring, retaining or dismissing the Youth Minister.

2. The Youth Minister will be under the direct supervision of the Elders, but will work closely in a “team” effort with other Hilldale Ministerial Staff, Youth Ministry deacon(s), Parents, and Other Adults who havengiven themselves to serve in Hilldale’s Youth Ministry.

3. The Elders will conduct an Annual Evaluation interview with the Youth Minister. This review will cover all
facets of the Youth Ministry at Hilldale and may encourage improvement in some areas.

SALARY:

The Youth Minister’s salary will be commensurate with a person’s experience, education and duties.

VACATION And OTHER BENEFITS:

Vacation days, other “time off,” and other benefits will be discussed and worked out with the Youth Minister during the initial hiring interview and at each Annual Review date thereafter. Benefits would likely include such things as a designated housing allowance; Health Insurance; ½ match SSI or Regular Retirement Account Contributions; Business Expense Reimbursement Policy, etc.

“OFF” DAY:

The Youth Minister is expected to take a designated “day off” each work week. The specific day will be determined during the Youth Minister interview process.

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1. You make the scoop blog: We can only report what we know so if you know of a place, please share it to: TheJenkinsInstitute@gmail.com – please help make this as useful as possible.

2. This is only information – “BUY” at your own risk! We are not suggesting that any or all or none of these places are good places or bad places, just open!

3. We recently began “SPEEDY SCOOPS” – if you don’t want to wait for updates on the blog (I understand), send a text message to 615.294.1453 with your name in it and we will add you to text messages sent as news breaks.

Early this week it became official that Cecil May is stepping aside as the Dean of the V.P. Black College of the Bible at Faulkner University.  He will continue at Dean Emeritus. Here’s the most exciting thing from Brother May’s standpoint. He will be free to write more and to put some of his past writings in book form.  The sister part of this announcement is Scott Gleaves has been appointed the new Dean. We are happy as Scott takes his considerable talent into this new role. 

This scoop goes to Matthew Morine:  The Lakeview church in Tacoma, WA is looking for a preacher-youth guy to share the role with another preacher.  Their attendance runs over 350.  http://www.lakeviewcofc.org/

Our dear friend David Salisbury scoops himself this week! After about 12 years he resigned Sunday from the Lomax congregation in Hohenwald, TN.  To find out more about this good church go to their webpage.

The Church of Christ in the Glades near Knoxville is looking for a part time, retired minister. Contact: Joe Garman 931 707-7430 http://www.churchofchristintheglade.com/files/

This one (and the next) are a little different. The Riverside Christian Academy is looking for a new headmaster. Here are the details as I received them: CONTRACT: Full-time, twenty-four months, one year renewable options thereafter. COMPENSATION: Commensurate with credentials and experience. GENERAL DESCRIPTION:  The Head of School shall exercise all the responsibilities necessary to preserve and execute the established mission of the Riverside Christian Academy, in compliance with the school’s By-Laws, while advancing its standing in the community as  a superior Christian educational institution. QUALIFICATIONS:  The Head of School shall be a committed, imaginative and creative individual with a passion for (and deep understanding of) Christian education, with a strongly rooted life of Christian faith and service.  S/he shall possess a solid understanding of the integration of faith and learning in a pre-K through 12 school context.  S/he shall be a member in good standing of the Church of Christ and demonstrate a mature Christian lifestyle.  Experience as a teacher and/or school administrator is required.  A master’s degree in administration is required, with emphasis in education courses, in either the undergraduate degree or master’s degree. Needs to have demonstrated leadership abilities. GENERAL ATTRIBUTES: Conviction about the importance of Christian education and sees this position as a ministry Agreement/compliance with the school’s statement of purpose, statement of beliefs and By-Laws Experienced educator with keen understanding of the Christian learning/teaching processExcellent oral and written communicator Strong publicly and privately. Contact: Kyle Spears wspearsmd@fmamd.com 931 993-0254

Tennessee Children’s Home is looking for a Residential Counselor. “Couples needed for live-in positions as residential counselors, providing frontline treatment and care for up to eight adolescent males, ages 13-18. Good interpersonal, team, and conflict resolution skills are required. Must be willing to undergo extensive training in behavior management techniques in a therapeutic environment. Must be able to adapt to two-weeks-on-one-week-off schedule. Residential counselors are part of an interdisciplinary team consisting of case managers, credentialed counselors, and support staff. Come be a part of this ministry! We offer competitive pay and excellent full-time benefits including medical, dental, life insurance, disability, retirement and paid time off. To apply, call Dana Lawson 486-2274 x225 or visit us online at www.tennesseechildrenshome.org.”

The Mayo Church of Christ is seeking a full-time minister. They want a man with strong biblical knowledge coupled with evident Christian attributes. They also ask for “Excellent inter-personal skills and a straightforward approach are essential. Full-time preaching experience will be helpful. Some measure of maturity may also be helpful in that the Mayo congregation is currently without elders. A willingness to happily live and work in a small, rural community will serve a candidate well.  Contact: Norm Thomas normt47@gmail.com”

The Oak Hills church in Rome, Georgia is looking for a Youth Minister. Here’s the link - http://www.oak-hill.org/

Chance Hicks will be moving to work at the Jacksonville congregation in Alabama as College and Youth Minister. This means the Adamsville church in central Alabama (just outside of Birmingham) will be looking for a new Youth man.  Contact Ronnie Hayes for details: 205.674.8273.

This scoop from Robert Jeffreys: The Pine Street church in Heber Springs, AR is looking for a preacher.  They currently average about 100 on Sunday AM. Lance Mays, has been there for 10 years and will be leaving in July.  The contact elder is Ray Toland 501.887.9279.  Heber Srpings is a resort/retirement community.  During the summer travel and holidays, the attendance can double and triple.

The Church of Christ in Quincy, IL an opening for a youth ministry intern for the Summer of 2013. This is a paid position that last for 10 weeks, beginning near the end of May. We are seeking a young man that is led by the Spirit and desires to grow from this experience and have a lasting impact on our teens. If you are interested in applying please email your resume tojeremy.schopper@gmail.com. Please take a moment to learn more about the church at http://www.quincychurch.com.

The Forest Mill church in Manchester, TN is looking for a Youth Minister. They are a church of about 270. Here is the purpose statement as they crafted it: “To build young disciples for Christ by developing and implementing a comprehensive approach to youth ministry (in the areas of group building, worship, discipleship, mission, and outreach) while serving as a spiritual leader and role model.”  They see his role as:

-love youth where they are

-encourage youth in developing their relationship to God

-provide them with opportunities for nurture and growth

-challenge them to respond to God’s call to serve in their communities and world”

If interested in finding out more, contact Joel Gregory at: gregoryjoel@bellsouth.net or Tommy Marcrom at thm@charter.net

That’s what I’ve got this week. Let me know what I missed….

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It happened at most once or twice a year. We would make the two hour drive to visit our grandparents in North Alabama. It was always the highlight of the year for us. We loved being in their home. There was something special, something magical about that house!

Usually it was just a day or two, maybe a week at the most, but when we were there I would get up early in the morning and sit on at the kitchen window with my maw-maw. She would make that special cup of coffee for me and I would sit with her and watch my paw-paw leave with his employees for the work day.

She would tell me all about what the men would be doing throughout the day. I would ask questions and she would patiently answer every question. I thought that my “maw-maw,” was the most fun person in the whole world.

Even though there were several other grandchildren in the house I believed that she was just interested in me.

What I learned later in life was that she would have done the same for any of her grandchildren and there were times that she spent special time with each of them.

Our Father in Heaven sent his son to die for the whole world (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). Jesus gave his life a “ransom for all.” (1 Timothy 2:6)

While it is true that God is the Savior of “all men” (1 Timothy 4:10), there is definitely a unique characteristic to the relationship he has with His followers.

As we gather for worship, may we be reminded of the fact that Jesus is the Savior of all, but the relationship we have with him through his covenant is special indeed.

Father, help us to be mindful of the fact that you gave your Son for everyone. Help us never forget the unique relationship we have through the covenant of His precious blood. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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I promise…have you thought through your promises?

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For me I LOVE both older and newer songs.  I love the deep and majestic hymns and those critically called “7/11 songs”.  I absolutely love to sing with others. I have virtually no singing voice. Dad and mom both did and my sons both do – but like “the skinny gene” (not to be confused with skinny jeans) it skipped a generation.  Still, that doesn’t keep me from drinking in and being often moved to tears when we sing together!  Few things move my heart like singing praises to God with His Family.  That’s one of the things I love most about Spring Meadows – when I’m away I seldom enjoy the singing like I do here! Sorry, to those places I visit, it’s just special singing with these people.

From “Great is Thy Faithfulness” to “Great is Our God” – I just love to sing. But I don’t like them all. I was talking to our song leader the other day about some of my “least favorites” and it will shock some of you to know. I don’t like “I’ll Fly Away”, “Get Right Church”, and “An Empty Mansion” – all for different reason.  

But my all time least favorite song is “Follow Me.” Stay with me. The second stanza begins:”’I work so hard for Jesus’ I often boast and say, ‘I’ve sacrificed a lot of things to walk the narrow way, 

I gave up fame and fortune; I’m worth a lot to thee…’”  Maybe the writer was writing tongue in cheek but I get a little queazy even singing it. Like any of us could have had fame and fortune if we’d just decided not to follow Christ.  There weren’t any paparazzi lined outside my door just waiting for my decision. “Oh, he’s decided to follow Jesus. We’ll leave Jenkins along then…” Or that Ed McMahon was outside with my fortune should I not have followed Christ.  

But (and, yes, I know you are not supposed to start a paragraph with “But” and I did it two times straight. But I’m not sure how else to begin these two paragraphs) one of my all time favorite songs is “Follow Me.” The third stanza goes through my mind almost every time I get on the road or a plane to go speak somewhere: “Oh Jesus if I die upon a foreign field someday 

‘Twould be no more than love demands, no less could I repay, ‘No greater love hath mortal man than for a friend to die…’” It struck me hard on a trip to Nigeria a few years ago to an area where some American missionaries had recently been shot at.  

What’s the point? Most any song, understood correctly can have power and impact.  And the songs really shouldn’t be about our personal like and dislikes but about praising God (Psalm 69:30) and encouraging each other (Colossians 3:16).  And while I may not personally like a particular song, if it fits these two bills, then I should sing on. For those around me may need it. And, hey, they may not like the songs that I like. If we “boycott” others favorites, they might ours too .  And the strength of our singing in church is that we raise our voices together, some strong, some weak, some on key, some off – all joined in praise to the One we adore! That is beautiful to God and to those who love Him.

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