Dr. Larry W. LeonardDistrict Superintendentlwleonard@midsouthnaz.org

2016

Making HalftiMe adjustMents

Fall has officially arrived, and with it come many emotions. Football fans cheer; football widows weep. Leaf color changesbrings excitement to many nature lovers; for others the changing colors of autumn bring seasonal disordersyndrome. I suppose it is impossible to please everyone. However, for us in the church, fall also means that wehave just finished the first half of our church fiscal year. It means we must take stock of how well wehave done and what needs to be adjusted to address the circumstances.

In football games there is a halftime when adjustments are strategized to make the team more effective. When naturechanges, we have to adjust our emotions to accept the transformation from green leaves to yellow leavesto no leaves. In the church we must look at our first half of the year and determine how well we have fulfilled the GreatCommission. That takes many things into consideration.

We must ask ourselves some important questions. How many disciples we have made for Christ? How many people hasour church fellowship taken under our wing of community, service, and assistance? To be more specific, how manynew members have we received? How many people have been baptized in our churches? How many new discipleshave been attending our worship and discipleship opportunities? How faithfully have we given financial supportto those outside our local fellowship through the budget system of our denomination? How many organizations havewe partnered with in the first half? We need to assess our activity and productivity and decide how we willfulfill the expectation of the Great Commission to finish well with all categories on the positive side.

There are ways for you to make the last half the better half.

Many of our churches are partnering with the district to begin Hispanic ministries in their existing churchbuildings. If your church has not become involved, now is a good time to contact Rev. Eduardo Lelli to seehow you can participate.

We have just received word from the district superintendent from Louisiana, Rev. Chuck Fountain, that theyare ready for Work and Witness teams to come to Baker, Louisiana, to assist in restoring the churchbuilding and the parsonage. Any assistance may be coordinated through the Louisiana District Office at(318) 541-6550.

If your church is behind on budget giving to others, now is a good time to build a strategy tocatch up and finish the year with the joy of knowing all budgets are paid in full.

We are a team, a kingdom of God team. God is going to help us make this second half of our church yearsuccessful for His sake. I am excited about all of the positive ministry efforts that have happened in thefirst half and know that the second half is going to be even better.

The 2016 Thank Offering for the World Evangelism Fund is quickly approaching. Materials and resources are now available at nazarene.org/generosity"But remember the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 8:18a

June 21 ~ 30, 2017Indianapolis, Indiana

for more information visithttp://ga2017.com

Pastor’s Soul CareDr. Carla Sunberg, speaker

November 14-16Camp Garner Creek

Ministerial Christmas Dinners December 1 - Jackson, MS December 2 - Memphis, TN December 3 - Dickson, TN

MIDSOUTH PASTORAL TRAINING:SOCIOLOGY OF CHURCH SIZE - dR. JESSE MIDDENDORFoCTOBER 24 9:00am - 2:00pm

PREACHING THEOLOGY FROM A PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVE - DR. DAVID BUSICJANUARY 12 9:00am - 2:00pm

PREACHING CHRIST IN THE CURRENT - DR. DAN BOONEMARCH 2 9:00am - 2:00pm

PREACHING THE RESURRECTION - DR. Dwight GunterMARCH 30 9:00am - NOON

Rev. Michelle LunsfordSDMI Chairmanmichelle@thelunsfords.net

Sunday School

Make the Connection

People of Prayer • Engaged in the Word • Making Christlike Disciples

midsouthnaz.org sdmiusacanada.orgfacebook.com/MIDSOUTHSDMI

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Nazarenes affirm we are a people of prayer, engaged in the Word, making Christlike disciples. I do not believe it is byhappenstance that the first part of that declaration is “people of prayer”. Prayer is a wonderful tool, gifted to us by God asa means of partnering with him. Through prayer we seek God’s guidance, express our needs and desires to him, and shareour burdens with him. Through prayer we listen for what God would say to us. Prayer is one of those disciplines which wecan – and should – spend a lifetime developing. I appreciate the way Tim Truesdale described it in the September issueof SDMI Connections: “Oh, to live beyond growing in prayer as a means to an end. To recognize that the greatest joy in lifeof the disciple is the hot pursuit of the Master – through the deserts, storms, crowds, and especially into the secretplaces of prayerful solitude.”

I am honored to be part of an SDMI leadership team that examples being a people of prayer. I witness it as our various ministry councils make it a priority in their planning and preparation of district events. In October and the months ahead, your SDMI leadership will be planning for Improve Your Serve, our annual training event scheduled March 4, 2017. Would you join us in prayer as we seek the Lord’s anointing for this special time of equipping and encouraging one another?

I also invite you to be in prayer for these upcoming ministry opportunities…

Trevecca Celebration for Senior Adults: October 21Registration, fellowship, and refreshments 7:30-9:00 a.m. Event continues until3:00 p.m. Musical guests Legacy Five and Redeemed. Cost is $35 per person or$30/person for groups of ten or more. For questions or registration contact theOffice of External Relations at 615-248-1355.

Nazatween East & West: January 27-28, 2017Lock-in event for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. Additional details will be available closer to the date via nazkids.organd www.facebook.com/midsouthnazkids.

Global SDMI Convention: June 21-23, 2017Indianapolis, IN (ga2017.com/sdmi)

Come to the Fire: November 10-12 hosted at Nashville First ChurchAnnual conference to bring the message of holiness to women around the world. Event is free (donations welcome) but registration is needed. Visit www.cometothefire.org for details.

Mrs. Mary FriedemanNMI Presidentfriedy@bellsouth.net

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Work & Witness: Ecuador......A MidSouth W&W team heads to Ecuador October 24-31. Keep themin your prayers for safe travel and fruitful ministry.

The next trip is scheduled for March 14-23, 2017. Cost: $1,150. This trip is designed for all ages, so families are encouraged to participate together.Registration for the March trip is open until November 30.

The October NMI emphasis is Mission Priority One. The purpose of Priority One is developing all four of the objectives of NMI—praying, discipling, giving, and educating—in the life of each church and her members. By making mission a priority, a congregation demonstrates God's passion for all people. Churches involved in mission attract people who want to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Mission Priority One requirements are:1. The church prayed for missions.2. The church discipled and involved children and youth in local and global missions.3. The church gave at least 5.5% of current income for the World Evangelism Fund (WEF).4. The church participated* in each of the four education categories that follow: a. NMI missions books/tapes/CDs b. Missions service projects and/or hands-on missions activities c. Missions speakers d. Multimedia missions resources and/or missions publications/communications* "Participate" is defined as involvement in one or more activities in each category.

Through MPO, a congregation extends Christ’s message around the world. Each year we celebrate those churches that achieve Mission Priority One status. Together, let’s make MidSouth an MPO district!

UPDATE: Louisiana Flood Relief

Louisiana District Superintendent Chuck Fountain just sent this update:

Any churches or mission areas that can send a team, please contact the Louisiana District Office at the number above.

We are in the process of rebuilding the Baker church and the Baker parsonage. We are using teams and volunteers for most of the work. We have facilities at Baton Rouge First for lodging as needed.

We are in need of skilled people at this point. We have sheet rocking, carpentry, painting, flooring and finishing work to be done, followed by redecorating. Any assistance may be coordinated through the Louisiana District Office at (318) 541-6550.

Thank you for your interest and your prayers.

Rev. Jason UnderwoodNYI Presidentjason@gccnaz.org

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Momentum Is Coming!Momentum will take place at Trevecca Nazarene Univerisity/Trevecca Community Church on November 11-13, 2016. This is one of the greatest event of the fall! Students will join together from allover the MidSouth to use their talents: from God, for God!More detailed information along with registration forms are availableat midsouthnyi.org. If you have any questions, please let us know.You can direct specific questions to info@midsouthnyi.com. Wecan’t wait for Momentum! See you in November!

REMINDER.....the district has a new mailing address. Please sendeverything to:

DMRC70 Hart Street, Suite 101Nashville, TN 37210

The Fall season is upon us, the leaves are changing and our students schedules are packed with every activity under the sun. This week I read a blog post from averageyouthministry.com where the article explained what many of us have known for some time, “parents see youth ministry as an elective”. The final conclusion of the post was this: “May we, in a loving and gracious way, sound the alarm and make the case that involvement in student ministry is not an elective course in faith development, but vital for the faith formation of our students.” What we do in developing the spiritual formation of students is vital to the kingdom. Be encouraged today, you are making a difference and together we can support the work of each other to make a difference one student at a time.

Attendance Report for September

Capitol Mission Area SS AMBread of Life Community ........... 10 ...........................25BridgePoint .................................. 6 ...........................32Brookhaven First ......................NR ......................... NRCrystal Springs ............................ 7 .............................7DaySpring Community............. 272 .........................332Hazelhurst ................................. 11 ...........................12Hillside Community .................... 22 ...........................22Meridian Fitkins Memorial........ 164 .........................278Meridian Northside .................... 17 ...........................30New Beginnings Christian ........... 0 ...........................50New Vision ................................. 36 ...........................62Quitman ....................................NR ......................... NRVicksburg First ........................... 28 ...........................40Vicksburg Hispanic .................... 15 .............................8

Clarksville Mission Area Clarksville First ........................ 211 .........................334Clarksville Grace ..................... 195 .........................422Clarksville Hope Riders Biker .... 22 ...........................55Clarksville Korean...................... 55 .........................105Clarksville Park Lane ................. 92 .........................131Dickson Lighthouse .................. 34 ...........................49Dover ......................................... 63 .........................102Erin .......................................... 179 .........................261Fulton........................................NR ......................... NRGray’s Chapel ............................ 48 ...........................47Griffin’s Chapel .........................NR ......................... NR Jason Chapel............................. 74 .........................144Long Creek ................................ 35 ...........................35Paris .......................................... 34 ...........................30Pine Hill ..................................... 45 ...........................82Waverly .................................... 176 .........................269Woodlawn Community............... 92 .........................127

Coastal Mission Area Crossroads .............................. 110 .........................149Gloster ....................................... 48 ...........................30Gulf Coast Family ...................... 65 ...........................97Gulfport ........................................ 7 ...........................22Hattiesburg First ........................ 22 ...........................61Iglesia Taller del Maestro ........... 47 .............................83Laurel Bresee ............................ 15 .............................18Laurel First...................................... 10 ............................. 16LifePointe Community .................... 31 ............................. 36Long Beach Community ................... 4 ............................... 4 Magnolia ......................................... 16 ............................. 19Palabra de Vida .............................. 30 ............................. 46Prentiss..........................................NR ............................NRVictory Praise & Worship Center .... 67 ............................. 36Waynesboro Trinity ......................... 15 ............................. 20

Columbia Mission AreaColumbia First ........................... 32 ...........................67Columbia Grace....................... 548 .........................630Elmore ......................................NR ......................... NRFly .............................................. 53 .........................104Jones Chapel............................. 42 ...........................86Lawrenceburg Grace ................. 52 ...........................62Lawrenceburg Vaughan ...........NR ......................... NRLewisburg First .......................... 21 ...........................38Mount Wesley-Akin .................... 22 ...........................41Nashville New Life Korean .......... 21 ...........................30Pleasant Point ..........................NR ......................... NRSavannah .................................. 11 ...........................12Spring Hill Restoration Comm . 179 .........................229Summertown ............................. 15 ...........................22

Hills Mission Area Bent Knee Cowboy .................... 27 ...........................45Clarksdale.................................... 8 ...........................12Cleveland First........................... 49 ...........................59 Columbus First .......................... 12 ...........................18

SS AMDivine Grace Sunflower ............NR ......................... NRFellowship.................................. 11 ...........................23Greenville First ............................ 9 ...........................11Grenada First............................. 30 ...........................27Houlka ......................................... 8 .............................7New Albany ............................... 11 ...........................14Oxford/Oxford Hispanic ............. 55 .........................101Pearson Chapel ......................... 59 ...........................61Ripley Hispanic .......................... 24 ...........................51Rosebloom ................................ 39 ...........................58Sentobia N.O. Nabors ............... 18 ......................... NRStarkville Wesley Comm. ........... 14 ...........................26Tupelo ........................................ 12 ...........................14Union ......................................... 12 ...........................26Way of the Cross ....................... 17 ...........................19

Memphis Mission AreaColonial Hills .............................. 15 ...........................32Covington .................................... 8 ...........................16Crossroads Community ............. 36 ...........................44Dyersburg .................................. 14 ...........................23Memphis Calvary ..................... 333 .........................383Memphis Eastside ..................... 20 ...........................64Memphis Emmanuel .................. 45 ...........................90Memphis Faithful Believers ......... 9 ...........................26Memphis Friendship .................. 52 ...........................97Memphis Grace ....................... 132 .........................180Memphis Holiness Tabernacle .. 35 ...........................65Memphis Hope Tabernacle ........ 21 ...........................26Memphis New Hope .................. 30 ...........................32Memphis Refreshing Springs ...... 5 ...........................30Millington ................................... 25 ...........................25Southaven Spanish ................... 16 ...........................16

Nashville North Mission AreaAshland City Faith Comm. ........NR ......................... NRGallatin .................................... 167 .........................301Goodlettsville ........................... 257 .........................485Hendersonville ......................... 103 .........................179Hermitage ................................ 312 .........................534Highland .................................... 21 ...........................24Joelton ....................................... 14 ...........................19Madison ..................................... 13 ...........................25Madison Hispanic .................... 132 .........................125Nashville First (Bethel Campus) ........ 55 ...........................96 Nashville First (Main Campus) ....... 625 .......................1051Nashville Inglewood................... 23 ...........................35Nashville Whites Creek ............. 24 ...........................81Old Hickory ................................ 65 ...........................84Portland ..................................... 80 .........................215Springfield.................................. 25 ...........................29

Nashville South Mission Area Brentwood Concord Comm. .....NR ......................... NRFranklin Comm of Faith ............. 71 .........................170Gateway Community ............... 230 .........................301Kingston Springs ....................... 18 ...........................28Nashville Bell Road ................... 30 ...........................53Nashville Blakemore .................. 33 ...........................72Nashville Christ.......................... 34 ...........................60Nashville Community Fellowship ... 18 ...........................31Nashville Donelson .................... 29 ...........................32Nashville First Calvary Korean .. 27 ...........................69Nashville Glencliff Hispanic ....... 44 .........................140Nashville Grace ....................... 234 .........................328Nashville Kaleo .......................... 24 ...........................28Nashville Trevecca Comm. ..... 516 .........................719Nashville Trinity ......................... 29 ...........................45Nashville Westwind Comm ........ 12 ...........................12TOTAL ................................... 7998 .....................12237