When YOU are divided, look for high ground: A High view of God.

Genesis 17:1 ESV

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless,

Genesis 17:2–3 ESV

that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 

Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him,

Genesis 17:4–6 ESV

“Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 

No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 

I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.

When YOU are Divided, get a fresh vision for the mission.

Genesis 15:6 ESV

And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Luke 18:21 ESV

And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.”

Luke 18:22 ESV

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Luke 18:23 ESV

But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

When You Are Divided Turn to God’s Narrative.

God’s Narrative is better!

Genesis 17:1–4 ESV

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 

that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 

Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 

“Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.

Ephesians 2:13–22 ESV

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 

by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 

and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 

in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 

In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

THE BETTER NARRATIVE

1.  God Comes to You in Jesus!

2.  God Transforms You for A NEW COVENANT.

3.  What did God cut away in Abraham? THE OLD STORY!

4.  God Asks You To Faithfully Follow Him for the sake of the generations to come.

Written prayer

Elder Profile

The Elder Board at South Lake Wales Church of God gives overall direction and guidance to the work of the church.

The Elder Board is made up of eight men or women who serve staggered three years terms. In addition, two alternates are elected annually for a one-year term. The lead pastor is an elder but is the only staff member on the board.

Elder candidates are identified among South members who have demonstrated:

1. a deep commitment to serve the Body of Christ at South in a year-round leadership role,
2. capacity to serve as elder, and
3. spiritual maturity in their walk with Christ.

Elder Nominees Are Identified by The Following Process

● Holy Spirit. The elders and the congregation pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us to the right people.

● Congregation. Each October, the elders solicit names of potential candidates from staff, lay leaders, and the congregation.

● Nominating Committee. A nominating team of one elder, the lead pastor, and three members of the congregation is designated for the sole purpose of praying and evaluating candidates. Individuals are evaluated using these 5 C's:

1. Christ - their personal walk with Jesus.
2. Character - do they demonstrate traits described in 1 Timothy 3.
3. Competency - what leadership gifts would they bring to the team?
4. Chemistry - do they share the values and culture of the team?
5. Capacity - do they have margin to serve in this way?

● Lead Pastor. Candidates who align with the vision of the Church and 5 C’s are interviewed by the Lead Pastor, Nominating Committee, and Elder Chair.

●Congregation. Candidates' profiles are presented to the congregation one month prior to the annual business meeting. The congregation votes on the candidates in our annual business meeting each March. 

Nomination applications are available in the CMC lobby.