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37th Annual Bishop's Report

1/16/2023

A friend, and Christian sister, Wednesday Martin, shared a Facebook post that caught my attention. There are some things that get posted on social media, and others wonder why? When something stands out, we miss the message because our brains are overloaded. The result of this overload is that we overlook things that become familiar. For example, consider our Mission Statement: “Being and Making Christlike Disciples.” Our brains become numb to the value of some things. Our sister in the Lord, Wednesday Martin posted on Facebook: Satan does not care if you go to Church or read the Bible, as long as you do not apply it to your life.

Last year the Convocation and I encouraged the Church to live by grace. The grace of God is how complacency is disrupted in the Christian life. This year we have two challenges. The first is to do more than attend church and read your Bible…No, we are calling the Church to do what the Bible says. The congregations who have reported their membership have set an example for us to strive for. This year, we have gained 9,554 new members who have confessed that Jesus Chrit is Lord and affirmed their faith in water baptism. This brings our membership to 214,648 members worldwide.

This year, we want to challenge you to hear and do the Word of God. There is a song that has been sung in our Fellowship for many years, the words say, Word of God speak, let it fall down like rain…. Rain falls, and it falls on everyone. The way we view the rain determines if it is a good and blessed rain or something that is troublesome.

This brings us to our second opportunity to grow in grace. Financial problems are problems when we see them as such. Financial situations can also be opportunities for God to bless us and others. During our previous year we have done many things to preserve the integrity of the denomination through a major pandemic. While we lowered our overhead costs, we have noticed a significant downturn in financial giving which has left many of my team members without a salary.

The Scriptures are clear that a worker is worthy of or deserving of their hire, or wages, (1 Timothy 5:18). Tithes and offerings are critical and an appropriate means for members of the Church to provide for the financial support of their Christian leaders. Remember we have repeatedly spoken about the right heart attitude, and that our actions are an outward demonstration of what we believe or hold important. When the members of the Church of Jesus Christ financially support their leaders, it is an outward demonstration of the inward grace of Christ. It is the demonstration of the people of love of God and respect for their leadership in the Church, but it is more than that. It is part of the members of the Church bringing the sacrifice of praise and lay it at the foot of the cross.

The outward sign of the inward condition of the heart demonstrates the abundance of the heart from which we value things. This can also be a double-edged sword. When people do not financially support the ministry of the Church of Jesus Christ, it communicates that the leaders are not respected in the eyes of the people they lead. The message they convey is that the work and mission of the Church is not essential. There are so many who refuse to send their tithes and offerings to support God’s work. It is not the size of the gift. It is the giving that counts. There are many worthy works of grace that deserve the double honor of financial support. However, we are unable to support them.

Paul thoughtfully taught from Deuteronomy “do not muzzle an Ox is treading out the grain” (Deuteronomy 25:4) The point from Paul is that God provides that we take excellent care of the working livestock on a farm. Why would God refuse to care for the ones God created from his own hand? If God expects the animals used for hard labor to be fed and cared for, it is reasonable that God wants humans cared for also. Thus, the members of Christ’s body should take care of and show proper consideration for their pastors, Elders, and teachers etc., the Church is called to do so by giving its leaders a decent salary.

While the previous passage spoke to the logic of the Law in the Hebrew Scriptures, let us now find another passage with which to defend ourselves. “The laborer is worthy of his hire or “The laborer deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7). As Jesus sent his disciples out to evangelize, he encouraged them with the words that a laborer deserves their wages. The point that Jesus was making, is that the disciples should be thankful to receive food and garments and whatever they were compensated with, to come to the people.

In Paul's letter to Timothy, he explains “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well, are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” A study of the term double honor reveals that it refers to both respect and remuneration. The phrase emphasizes generosity. Paul expects the church to provide reasonable pay for a job well done, and failure to do so indicates a shortage of respect and honor for one’s spiritual leaders.

In the Old Testament, the priests and Levites who ministered in worship were supported by the community of believers so that they “could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 31:4; cf. 1 Corinthians 9:13). Thus, it makes sense in the New Testament church that those who devote their lives to the work of the gospel should likewise be supported by the congregations they serve.

To the church in Galatia, Paul wrote, “Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them” (Galatians 6:6, NLT). He informed the believers in Corinth, “In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it” (1 Corinthians 9:14).

It is true that Paul earned his own living, supporting his ministry work through tent making (Acts 18:3; 1 Corinthians 9:3–18; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8). But Paul explained in detail that his case was an exception for a particular purpose (1 Corinthians 9:4–27).

It is interesting to note that neither of Paul’s scriptural parallels is particularly complimentary. He first compares Christian ministers to oxen, beasts of burden. Second, he likens them to farmhands. Paul’s illustrations are appropriately chosen, not to demean but to stress that the gospel ministry is an arduous work. Those who serve well deserve to be honored, appreciated, and paid a fair wage. Just as it is right for farmers to feed their livestock and employers to pay laborers worthy of their hire, it is proper and essential for the local church to provide adequate financial support to its dedicated Christian ministers.

This year, Ambassadors of Christ began a different type of giving program. A person can give a one-time annual gift. The other option is to set up monthly recurrent payments at any amount that can be started and stopped at any time. This giving program is in response to the problem of making regular tithing payments. Instead of a varying percentage of payments each month, the giving plan sets an amount, and the individual who gives at their chosen level can use more of their income, and still pay over, and above the amount that they would have paid with a variable monthly tithe. The basic policy if a person selects to pay an annual offering, that individual will pay more than a regular monthly giving, but they will not need to repeat their giving for another year, and they will be less likely to renew their commitment. Whereas a person who is paying a smaller monthly amount will be more likely to renew their commitment.

Remember Satan does not care if we go to Church or read our Bible. However, Satan does get angry when we do what the Bible says. The Bible is clear be saved and baptized. Baptism is the outward visible sign of the death burial and resurrection of new life in the believers, we are called to live by grace, meaning that we are not complacent in our walk with Christ, and everything we do in art, music, writing, service, in giving, even in fellowship is an outward sign of the inward grace of Christ. As certainly as your works of grace can be seen and glorify God, the same is true of your complacency. Failure to give is a clear sign that the Church will need to go in a different direction.

God has called each of us to be Ambassadors of Christ, and when we fall short because we fail to live according to the Scriptures, we dishonor leaders, the Church of Jesus Christ, ourselves, and Jesus Christ who saved, is saving, and will save us from our trespasses and sins.

Let me share a recent testimony. While preparing this report, I asked one member who has been faithful in giving how much they have given since they became a member. This individual has paid out of their own pocket over $3,000.00 to missionaries. Missionaries that we all should have tried to support. There are 208,000 individuals around the world who identify with Ambassadors of Christ. If every member gave $1.00 each month, we would have $208,000 dollars. Why is one member left with the responsibility to care for missionaries?

It is time to enter a season of giving. There are many opportunities to give to missions. But why should we give to Missions financially? Consider Paul’s relationship with the Philippian Church. The goal of every congregation that makes up the Church is to look more like Christ by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, for the glory of God. Paul shows that the Christian life involves being transformed into the image of Christ for service to others and a generous spirit.

It is critical that we adjust our thinking about giving to the ministry. It is time that we begin thinking biblically about what it means when we give to the mission of God. It is important to point out two things that are not Christian in giving. First, God is not a vending machine. Some have the idea, put cash in, and God will pour out blessings. This thinking is the false teaching of the prosperity gospel. The blessing of the true gospel is Christ and eternal glory with him, not material wealth in this life. The second thing to remember is that God knows what we need. There are many times when our wants translate in our minds as perceived needs, but God truly does know what we need. God loves us, and we can always trust that God is going to do goof for us and provide for the heirs of God’s kingdom.

With these caveats in place, the Church can move forward with the understanding that God will supply every need according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). So, why should we give money to support the mission of the Church?

1. Giving is compassionate
Paul provided for his own ministry, but he still suffered throughout his missionary journeys. The Philippians sent finances to care for Paul as a demonstration of compassion. This is the reason Paul wrote to the Church at Philippi, “Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble” (Philippians 4:14). Christian compassion will always extend beyond care for people’s physical well-being to their spiritual well-being. If a person never knows Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, his or her life will end in tragedy. As Christians, we keep that at the forefront of our minds. When you support Christian ministries striving to advance the soul-saving, and eternal-comfort-giving gospel of Jesus Christ, you are being compassionate.

2. Giving is ministry
The Philippians were doing more than supporting Paul on God’s mission with their giving. Paul wrote, “…no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. (Philippians 4:15). The Philippians were doing more than supporting Paul, they were partnering with him in ministry. The financial assistance of Paul’s missionary activities made the Philippians part of the ministry. It is critical to understand that giving is not simply a way to support Christian ministry. Giving makes each of us part to the mission of God.

3. Giving is wise
Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.” (Philippians 4:17). We may not know much about investing, but we have the grace of God, and we can understand that good investments yield good returns. Scripture calls Christians to invest our resources in the Gospel. There are multiple times where an investment in the gospel is wise because it bears fruit. Notice in the passage how explicit Paul is to say that his end goal is not merely financial support, instead, Paul is seeking the fruits of the Spirit which increases our credibility. Paul is reiterating Christ’s teaching. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” (Matthew 6:19-20). Jesus is clear that it is possible to invest in all types of things in this life. Earthly treasures can be taken from us. There is an investment that is completely secure. When we set up our treasures in heavenly things like God’s Mission, we have a safe investment on building Christ’s kingdom. Financially investing in Christ’s kingdom produces an amazing return.

4. Giving is worship
Paul’s next words demonstrate to us that giving is an outward sign of worship. “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). When reading the commands in the Law about worship through sacrifice in the Bible, we will find the language of worship repeatedly (see Leviticus 1:9). Paul used words like fragrant offerings and acceptable sacrifices to make it clear that the Philippians giving was an act of worship that is pleasing to God.

To be clear, when we are looking at giving as worship, it is critical to understand that financial giving does not earn us God’s love and favor, we already have God’s favor, forgiveness, and eternal life. Faith in Christ alone makes us right with God. We worship when we give to God’s Mission. Giving is not merely about supporting a person or a ministry. Giving is about heartfelt worship to the Lord.

5. Giving is secure
Paul wrote, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).  Investing involves risks, and often risks are the obvious reason we struggle with giving. My own testimony learning about giving as an act of worship is the question that I struggled with If I give to the Lord, if I support Christian ministries, how can I be sure that I will have enough money for everything else? This verse provides an amazing assurance and security in which we can rest. God will supply every need that we have according to God’s own riches in glory, in Christ Jesus. Let that sink in for a moment.

In conclusion, Hear the Word of God, and do it. Giving is compassionate, giving is ministry, giving is wise, giving is worship, and giving is safe because we serve the God of abundant riches. He will take care of us. Our greatest desire is that the God who made us, the God who saved us, and the God who will bring us into his kingdom one day will receive glory forever and ever. There is no greater motivator than the glory of God and giving is one way we honor him. But we must remember that every Christian virtue, including giving, happens under the banner of his grace. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Philippians 4:23).

This 37th Bishop’s Report has been Respectfully Presented to the Members, Convocation, and assemblies of Ambassadors of Christ General Convocation Worldwide by Right Reverend Richard J Lee, Presiding Bishop of the United States

Give As An Act of Worship

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The 36th Annual Report of the Presiding Bishop

12/31/2021

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To begin our annual report, I want to begin with a word of Scripture, from Ephesians 2:1-10
You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace, you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
If you hear nothing else from this message, hear this: The grace and love of God are consistent, never failing, unifying, and indivisible. It is this grace that disrupts complacency, redeems the lost, restores liberty, and reimagines what it means to be the Body of Christ

It has been said that the Grace of God will never lead you where the Love of God can never keep you. Well, this year is an amazing demonstration of that truth. This year has been surprising. In March 2019, as the fear of the supervirus COVID-19 began spreading around the world, we began to worry for our own lives and experienced a level of fear that many have not known in their lifetime. The world was confronted with the fear of change. How are we going to have our Easter celebrations, how will we share in the Lord’s Supper? How are we going to be the Church “in the same way that we have always done it?” The answer is, we will not. As Bishop, I have the Apostolic responsibility, authority, and accountability to lead the Church in this time.

As I sought God’s wisdom and direction, I began to consider the history of the movement that became Ambassadors of Christ. I came to know Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior in October 1985. In the following year, a movement called the Shepherding Movement that began in the late 1970s was gaining media attention as a dangerous cult, and a counter-movement began to reclaim the principles of biblical discipleship from the hands of evil. Thus, under the direction of Rev. William R. Memmott, Robyn Brown, Joseph Galle, Timothy Price, Rev. James Thompson, and others, the work of becoming Ambassadors of Christ began, although we had no comprehension of what it would become.

One thing that we recognized is what we thought were failures, would later turn into blessings. Our church planting efforts followed a basic pattern. Begin a home group Bible study, and multiply that study group until it was necessary to split the group into two groups, and so forth until it became time to find a central location for regular worship and learning. Thus, we became known as the denomination of house churches. We planted larger congregations, but we never were able to “shake off” the identifier as a group of house churches. We did not realize at that time how critical being the denomination of house churches was going to be.

It was not known that 33 years later being a house church would become so vitally important to the cause of Christ. While we were not sure how we were going to participate in the Lord's Supper, participate in the Passing of the Peace, and other activities that became important to us as Ambassadors of Christ, we did have one thing that we could do. We were already meeting in small groups throughout the week. So often, people look at COVID-19 as something that took away “MY” freedom. But did it really take away your liberty? Did this virus take away liberty, or did this virus expose us to the reality that what we called freedom melts, dissolves, and disappears into a dewy mist in light of our lack of authentic liberty that we cast off way back in the Garden of Eden? Yes, friends, Your Bishop is speaking of sin.

This virus exposed us to the reality of our own sin by stripping away those things that became more important to us than our relationship with God found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. To be clear, I am not speaking of the millions of people around the world who have lost their lives, and those who are grieving because of the loss of their loved ones. The loss of human lives is not the stripping away that I am speaking of, no the loss of human lives is the spillover effect of the larger sin problem. I have lost so many friends and family members from this virus that it makes me sick. God did not take away our loved ones, as a stripping away. God is not that petty. I do not know why God, in wisdom, chose to take so many. But I know that there is a reason, and when it is time, we will know the reason.

This Coronavirus stripped away those things that our human nature found comfort in and began placing more value in those things than we did in our relationship with God and with people. Thus we began, from 2019 through 2020 to realize that the large daunting buildings that made up the central headquarters were a grand demonstration of what we found important, so we are now looking for a smaller building that will actually serve its purpose. We began looking at other facilities as well. The relatively massive Seminary complex moved to an Online Delivery System, and for those who are environmentally conscious, we have reduced our carbon footprint significantly by using electronic forms instead of paper.

We have also eliminated many fiscally draining factors. By working from home, we have increased productivity and eliminated waste by over 87% By removing ourselves from the burden of a large administrative complex, we have reduced administrative costs from $ 500,000 each year to just under $5,000 each year. The removal of the $ 90,000 dedicated campus for the seminary opting for online delivery eliminates $ 89,910 of a financial strain, leaving us with a
$ 90.00 annual fee. While this reflects the effects on the programs of the General Convocation, it does not reflect the activities of the local communities of faith around the world. Those numbers have not yet been received. And this report will be updated following the arrival of the reports from the local assemblies.

Despite the problems caused by COVID-19, Ambassadors of Christ ended 2018 with a reported membership of 175,000 and we ended 2019 with a membership of 189,900. At the end of General Convocation in September for new members was 11,394, and today, the official number that was added to Ambassadors of Christ is 15,194 meaning that our official membership despite COVID 19 is a consistent increase of 8% bringing our year-end total to 205,094 members. We learned that at communion, we do not need to put our hands on a common loaf but that the loaf itself is a symbol of the broken body of Christ, and the cup is a symbol of the redemptive work of Christ. We gained the understanding that what we consecrate is not consecrated by the Bishop, or a Pastor or an Elder, but in the declaration of that communion where the Celebrant breaks the bread and declares the words of institution, it is the Spirit of God who consecrates all things and sets them apart for holy purposes. Therefore, what is consecrated as a demonstration among the people of God, is consecrated right where we are as we participate in the bread and the cup of blessing.

We learned that the work of small groups is challenging but valuable, we learned that coming together as a larger community is a greater value than all the religious trappings that first captivated us with fear. We adjusted to the losses, and in the end, we found Jesus! We learned how to be still and know that God is God. We learned how to abide in Christ, and how to discern–that is not only hearing from but responding to–God’s will according to the needs of the People. We did not cower to COVID-19 we remained cautious but we conquered it! Are we out of the woods, no, but We are overcoming the fears. We are discovering what is truly important, We Are finally becoming the Church!

A saint is defined as a person who is consistent in their life, and operates in a manner that is above reproach, is careful in their judgments, and whose actions are truly good. May believers always strive to be and live into this state of blessedness (holiness). In contrast, there are many cases of moral error, even profound error, when one judges consistently, but the values and norms judged and embodied are wrong, and could be considered evil. Ethics, in broad terms, is doing that which is right. Add to this description the Christian element, and the description, once again in broad terms, does that which is right in the sight of God.

The author of the article titled “ demonstrates that understanding what is right in the sight of God, and remaining consistent is complex. The consistency of Christian ethics also requires consistency between belief and action. However, the failure of Chrisitan understanding is that consistency of belief is the unity of the virtues, purity of conviction, and the single form of love are what should motivate believers to stick with the examples of Christ and the Communion of Saints that have established that which is right in the sight of God for the Church to do. One can track the history of Western Christians and see that the philosophy and ethics are very different in a non-Christian worldview. The secular worldview considers what it means to live a good life in very different ways. Authenticity is critical when one is seeking those things that are right in the sight of God. insofar as genuine love is understood as the indwelling power of God that fulfills and completes, it is the norm for a consistent Christian life. In accordance with this pattern of love, the good person is one who has united themselves to the love of God above all others.

The grace and love of God are consistent, never failing, and indivisible. It is this grace that disrupts complacency, redeems the lost, restores liberty, and reimagines what it means to be the Body of Christ and it is what unifies all believers in love. Remember Grace is not a word used to justify the actions of sin, but is consistent and demands that we be transformed into the image of Christ for service to others. So be the Embodiment of Grace and Change the World for the Glory of God.
This is our challenge for the coming year. As Christians, we are called by God to do more than warm a church bench on Sunday. We are called to live by the grace of God. what this means for us is that we live a life that is first personally transformed by the Holy Spirit. To be clear, I am NOT speaking of conformity. Conformity means to act like someone that we are not. To conform means to take on the image of something that is not natural to us. We can all dress alike, talk alike, dress alike, that is conformity, but it will not grant you access into the Kingdom of God. No, instead, we are called to be transformed. Transformation can be described as taking something and making it into something completely new and different. Grace disrupts complacency and transforms us into the image of Christ for service to others. We are called to be different, we are called to change the world, we are called to be transformational agents of change in the world reaching one person at a time. Jesus said the same thing, but with different words. Jesus told us to be transformational agents of change in the world, by reaching people in our everyday life. The words Jesus used are, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV).

In the Apostolic Authority beginning with Jesus Christ, and the Apostles, through the succession of those blessed saints who have gone on before us, and those saints who have passed their mantles forward for the Kingdom of God, and whose authority I received from Christ, and affirmed by the laying on of hands of my predecessors, I charge you in the authority of Jesus Christ to be and make Christlike disciples, demonstrating the grace and love of God. Be Consistent, be just, abide in the never-failing and unified love of God that is indivisible. Embrace the life that disrupts complacency, declare redemption and liberty in Christ for the lost. Do not be afraid of being different because the Grace of God has already redefined what it means to be the Body of Christ. Let us be Ambassadors of Christ.

This Report is Respectfully Submitted to the General Convocation of Ambassadors of Christ on this 31 st day of December in the Year of our Lord 2021,

Right Reverend Richard J. Lee
Presiding Bishop in the United States

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Bishop's Report

1/4/2021

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This is the Report of Presiding Bishop, Rt. Rev. Richard J. Lee, serving as Presiding Bishop of the United States and the Mission liaison for Pakistan.

Reporting this year

Reporting this year will be different. COVID-19 has certainly taken its toll on the church around the world. For this reason, our reporting will be posted as reports arrive, as opposed to a single report.

Pakistan

(January 4, 2021) we received report from Pastor Azhar Farmaish of Lahore Pakistan that the ministry there baptized 110 new believers, trained 6 new leaders, and distributed groceries to 20 families. Pastor Farmaish requests continued prayer for the work and ministry and the completion of their new church building.

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Doses of Devotion

1/4/2021

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“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” - Isaiah 26:3, NKJV
Many of us had big goals and big aspirations for last year, but, just a few months into the year, chaos and panic seemed to overwhelm our social media news feeds. if we are being honest with ourselves, perhaps the panic overwhelmed even our hearts at times. Each day still seems to bring about more bad news than good news, and we have had to learn how to live life differently than we have ever had to live before. It can be difficult right now to escape the noise and find clarity.
Life as we know it has changed for many people. Adults are used to being faced with stressful situations like this, but one question that rings louder in my ears is, how are all of these changes impacting our children’s lives? Especially when it comes to their mental health and peace of mind.

We should make sure we are asking the Lord to help our children fix their minds on Him, first and foremost. Change can often be overwhelming and scary, especially for children, and there are so many studies done on the negative effects that chronic stress can have on the overall health of a child. Our children need God’s peace now more than ever.

Isaiah 26:3 tell us that peace comes when one fixes their mind upon the Lord: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (NKJV).

God promises to give peace when we leave worry behind us and learn to trust that He is in control. This must be a reality in our own lives, so that our children can model that kind of dependence upon the Lord. Most importantly, we must teach our children about the faithfulness of God and His blessed sovereignty in the midst of uncertainty. We may live in the world, but we are not of it. We do not need to be tossed to and fro along with the chaos in the world. Let us pray our children would learn to trust the Lord above all, even in the midst of such uncertain and difficult days.

Father,
We lift our precious children up to You today. We ask that You would help us make the right decisions about their lives, as we seek Your wisdom and cast fear aside. We trust that You are in control and that you will protect our family in these confusing and often concerning days we are living in. Most importantly, we pray that our children would learn how to lean upon You when they are worried or afraid of the changes that seem to be happening so quickly.
We thank You for Your perfect peace that comes when we fix our minds upon You and trust You completely. May we be an example to our children and lead them in all Your ways so that they can walk in Your peace and not be afraid of what may be ahead for them this year.

You are faithful to protect us and provide for all our needs and we thank You for being a good Father to us.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.