Category Archives: Meeting Report

Deacon Ordination Report (May 2011)

Meeting Report,

Brethren,

This past Sunday night (May 29th), we at the Cool Springs Primitive Baptist Church of Danville, GA were blessed to enter into an ordination service.  Brothers Tracy Bryant and Caleb Howell had previously been set aside by the church to be ordained to the office of deacon, and we were thankful to have so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ come and worship with us and participate in this service.  We were also truly thankful to have 11 of our yokefellows in the ministry come and participate with us in the formation of a presbytery for the service.

After a song service and introductory prayer for the service by Elder Charles Garrett, the presbytery was organized and proceeded to go forth in the business of ordination as follows.  Elder Philip Conley was elected as moderator of the presbytery, and Elder Frank King was elected as clerk.  Elder Franklin Bryant was elected to question the church, and Elder Tommy Sarber was elected to question Brothers Tracy and Caleb.  Elder Dan Bryant was elected to offer the ordination prayer, and Elders Garry Hall and Philip Conley were elected to preach the charge.

Brother Mark Moore served as the spokesman for the church.  After delivering the subjects to the presbytery, Brother Mark answered Brother Franklin's questions on behalf of the church regarding the qualifications of the two men.  Upon satisfactory answers to the questions, the two brethren were then examined by Brother Tommy as to their beliefs in the foundation tenets of the church of doctrine and practice.  Upon satisfactory answers to the questions, the presbytery then gathered around Brothers Tracy and Caleb as Brother Dan offered a fervent and humble prayer, beseeching God's Divine watchcare over them during their service to the Lord's church.  Brother Mark then delivered Sisters Elaine Bryant and Amanda Howell to be seated next to their husbands for the delivering of the charge.  Brothers Garry and Philip exhorted the two men to remain steadfast, exercise wisdom, nurture boldness when needed, and exude charity in their dealings in the church, with both ministers using Stephen as a primary example.

The business of the ordination then being satisfactorily completed, the presbytery turned the two men back over to the church as duly ordained deacons and the right hand of fellowship was offered by all for the brethren and their wives.  Services were concluded with Elder Rabon Lord offering a prayer of benediction and thanks.  Many in attendance remarked about the wonderful spirit of the service, and a dear grandmother in Israel even declared, "He was here!  Oh how sweet the feeling!"  Even though Jesus' presence is enough to fill the house, our sister churches confirmed their love to us by their presence and wonderful fellowship.  Some estimated the congregation size to be approximately 300.

Please rejoice with us that the glorious Lord has blessed us as a church body with men like Brothers Tracy and Caleb that have already shown themselves servants to the church.  Pray for them that the Lord would bless them with many profitable and fruitful years of service in this office.  In so doing, the Lord's people will be blessed by their efforts, as we have already been touched by their love, zeal, and devotion for the cause of Christ.

Ministers in attendance:

1.   Elder Dan Bryant
2.   Elder Franklin Bryant
3.   Elder Garry Hall
4.   Elder Frank King
5.   Elder Charles Garrett
6.   Elder Tommy Sarber
7.   Elder Rabon Lord
8.   Elder Wesley Watkins
9.   Elder Spencer Fussell
10. Elder Craig Lanier
11. Elder Thad Lockwood
12. Elder Philip Conley

In Hope,

Bro Philip

 

Meeting Report (March 2011):

Meeting Report

Brethren,

In lieu of a "Morning Thoughts" today, please allow me some space of thanksgiving on the written page.  My home church Cool Springs Primitive Baptist Church in Danville, GA enjoyed our annual March meeting this past weekend.  We were blessed with good services, beginning on Friday night going all the way through Sunday night (5 services in all).

Elder James Isaacs from Magazine, AR was our invited minister, and he was truly sent our direction by God this weekend.  While there is much that I could say personally about this man, how much he means to me, and the level of comfortable familiarity that we have with each other (sometimes to the point of playful insults…), a far higher object and prize came brilliantly into view before our eyes in God's pavilions.  Yes, the fellowship was heavenly and the experience refreshing, but the highest order of majesty was put on display in the efforts of worship.

The meeting enjoyed what seemed to me two major themes and avenues of thought from Brother James' preaching.  While firmly bolstering the position of free and amazing grace through the mercy of a loving God, he proceeded to show the path of well-trod, hallowed ground that our aim is to seek while we sojourn here below.  To those that know Brother James and his preaching style, the enlightening – but oftentimes hilarious – illustrations of food, livestock, and personal family experiences were put to very good use in driving the points home in application.  After the wonderful preaching efforts, we again had every reason for thanksgiving for God's saving grace, while seeing again with illumination the path of serving grace here in this world.

Even though every sermon was well blessed, the last one (Sunday night) stirred me perhaps more than the rest.  Using "Love" as his subject (and beginning in I John 4), Brother James proceeded to draw the line showing the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Since God so loved us, so ought we to love one another.  Simple point, yet not so simply applied so many times.  Our hearts burned.  Our faith muscles were exercised, and our souls reached out in yearning to that place we long to see: heaven – our home.

The meeting was quite well attended, and I was personally thankful to see so many of our sister churches visit with us and confirm their love to us by their presence.  May we return the favour in kind by confirming our love to them in the days to come.  On one more personal note, I was also thankful to see Brother James' visit and our meeting encourage so many in needed ways.  One of the younger brothers in the church began for the first time to assist in song leading, and some weary hearts relayed their feelings that so many of the sermon points were "just for them."  Brethren, we do wish all of our family and kindred in Christ could have been with us, but we do sincerely beg an interest in your prayers and bessech you also this day that you rejoice with us!

In Hope,

Bro Philip