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The consecration service took placeat Bishop Murphy’s church, New BirthCharlotte, a newly constructed 3,500-seatfacility in Huntersville, NC, a Charlottesuburb, which opened earlier this year.

Bishop Eddie Long, Pastor Murphy’smentor and “spiritual father” was the chiefconsecrator along with Bishop Eric Garnes,the new Presider of the United PentecostalChurches. Also participating in the servicewas Bishop Sheldon McCarter (GreaterCleveland Avenue Christian Church,Winston-Salem. NC, Pastor Gary Oliver(Tabernacle of Praise, Ft. Worth, TX) andPastor Kim Brown (Mt. Lebanon BaptistChurch, Chesapeake, VA) a

Bishop Murphy is a native of Granite Falls,NC and a graduate of Appalachian StateUniversity where he received his Bachelor of

Photos by Quinne Lowe NewBirth Charlotte Archives

Bishop eddie long consecratesnew 2nd presiding bishop...

Bishop Terrell MurphyOn Friday, October 16, 2009, Pastor Terrell L. Murphy wasconsecrated a bishop in the Lord’s church and was announced as the2nd Presiding Bishop of a new “Global Kingdom Network” of leadersfrom around that world. These leaders, according to Bishop Long, will“speak truth to power.”

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l-r )Bishop Eric

Garnes, Bishop

Eddie Long and

Bishop Sheldon

McCarter

(l-r) Bishop Murphy’s

sons, Samuel and

Johnathan, Mrs.

Susan Murphy, and

Mrs. Vanessa Long

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Science Degree in Communications.His corporate work history consists of eleven

and a half years with the Hormel FoodsCorporation as a sales merchandiser, salesrepresentative and territory manager in Charlotteand Raleigh, as well as Atlanta, GA.

While in Atlanta, Bishop Murphy was licensedto minister at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church(August 28, 1994), and ordained as an Elder(February 4, 199). He served in various capacitiesunder the leadership of Bishop Long before he wasplanted in ministry in Charlotte, in March 2003.The plant was the first New Birth outside the stateof Georgia. Bishop Murphy and his wife Susan,have been married 21 years and are the parents oftwo sons, Samuel and Johnathan.

What does being a “Bishop” really mean?

In 1 Timothy 3:1, Paul writes, “This is a true saying,If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desiretha good work.”

The Roman Catholic Church maintains thatsometime after the recorded events of the Bookof Acts, the Apostle Peter became the first bishopof Rome, and that the Roman bishop was acceptedby the early church as the central authority amongall of the churches. It teaches that God passedPeter’s apostolic authority to those who later filledhis seat as bishop of Rome. This teaching that Godpassed on Peter’s apostolic authority to thesubsequent bishops is referred to as “apostolicsuccession.”

According to www.bible-history.com, the word“bishop” originally signified an "overseer" orspiritual superintendent. The titles bishop andelder, or presbyter, were essentially equivalent.

(above) Bishop Long speaks to

congregation; (top right) -Bishops

McCarter, Murphy, Long and Garnes

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Bishop is from the Greek, and denotes onewho exercises the function of overseeing.Presbyter was derived from the office in thesynagogue. Of the order in which the firstelders or bishops were appointed, as of theoccasion which led to the institution of theoffice, we have no record. The duties of thebishop-elders appear to have been asfollows:

1. General superintendence over thespiritual well-being of the flock. (1 Pet. 5:2)

2. The work of teaching, both publiclyand privately. (1 Thess. 5:12; Tit. 1:9; 1 Tim.5:17)

3. The work of visiting the sick, (Jas 5:14)4. Among other acts of charity, that of

receiving strangers occupied a conspicuousplace. (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit 1:8)

Peter calls Christ "the shepherd andbishop of your souls." (1 Pet. 2:25).

The Joint College of African-AmericanPentecostal Bishops, an organizationfounded in 1993 by Bishop J. Delano EllisII, exists to train and educate newlyappointed Bishops with a strong emphasison healthy family development.

The College accomplishes this goal byproviding seminars, workshops, andopportunities for fellowship and spiritualcovering for those who desire a standard ofexcellence in Ministry.

“Traditionally ... the Pentecostal churchmaintained its ardor but was never reallyknown for its order,” Bishop J. Delano EllisII told a reporter back in 1995. “What we’rediscovering ... is that order is notblasphemous. Order best represents God.”

Through a disciplined and structuredenvironment, which promotes Biblicalknowledge, spirituality, physical and

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emotional health, and prosperity, theCollege provides leadership and guidanceand simplified answers to importantministerial issues, all in an effort toPreserve, Protect, and Promote theTestaments, Teachings and Traditions ofthe Church. (For more information:collegeofbishops.org)

Over the years, thousands of men andwomen of God have been consecrated tothe office of “bishop”, however, the lastdecade has seen a proliferation ofbishops…causing some to questionwhether the scrutiny of all bishops hasbeen stringent enough to maintain thebiblical integrity and sacredness of theoffice.

In response to the question “Has theBishopric Lost its Grace?”(http://africanamericanbishops.ning.com), Bishop Kirk L. DeVine responded, “Thedanger comes in when un-seasoned, un-tested individuals “desire” the call of thebishopric more than the desire to bepleasing to the Lord and a servant ofmankind. Unfortunately when thishappens, it brings reproach to the entireApostolic order which is ultimately thetactic and goal of the enemy to seduce

others away from the faith. I believe thatthe Lord is truly calling us to uphold theoffice of the Apostle and the Bishop withdignity, integrity, and accountability inlight of His Word and not what the worldhas relegated these sacred offices tobecome.”

Bishop Andy C. Lewter, Jr,commented, “It seems recently, that theprestige and reverence for the office hasbeen under assault by those who have nointerest in its history, function and sacredplace in the Lord’s work over the last 2000years.

“Unfortunately, the position hasbeen used by some as a “code word” forsuccessful pastor, or worse yet, by thosewhose appetites for titles exceed theirpassion for service. The result has beenthat in many circles the episcopacy hasgone the route of the honorary doctor ofdivinity degree (D.D.) a generation earlierwhose widespread usage diluted theprestige of the degree.

“While judgment and validation isnot the role of any of us in the body ofChrist, the misuse and abuse of the officestands on the edge of fraud by those whoignore the sanctity of the office andpropose to use it for their own self-glorification.”

This past weekend’s elevation ofBishop Terrell Murphy was an example ofa candidate who was thoroughly qualified,examined and proven. Bishop Murphyand others who walk in integrity are thehope of the church of the future.

entrepreneur’s

boot campPrepare your Mind, Body & Spirit for the next season of your journey!cHristiAn Writers | publisHers | AutHors

you’ll leArn:

nHow to launch/manage a publication

nHow to write press releases that get noticed!

nHow to write articles that will get published

nBasic strategies for business success

“I'm inviting those of you who areready to take the next step on yourpath to purpose to spend a day withme that is especially designed to helpmove you into the place God has foryou! I hope you'll make the sacrificeto be part of this special event!”—dr. teresA HAirston

spend time with gospel today publisher,

teresA HAirston

october 30, 2009 | AtlAntA, GAA t l A n t A A i r p o r t M A r r i o t t H o t e l

*SPACE IS LIMITED. YOU MUST APPLY AND BE ACCEPTED TO PARTICIPATE. FOR APPLICATION/COSTS, SEND EMAIL TO: drhairstongt@aol.com

only $299**Includes conference fees and lunch meal. Hotel offersairport shuttle. Does NOT include hotel accommodations.

Talk to any pastor around the country and

they will tell you the same thing, and that is,

people in their congregations are losing jobs

and have become critically concerned about

their economic future.

The loss of jobs across America even

threatens the stability of the church, who is

dependent upon the good will and voluntary

offerings of their members to survive. With a

bad economy and the growing loss of jobs,

people simply are not able to give in the

same ways that they have done in the past.

In the face of such challenges, some people

are flirting with the idea of leaving the more

familiar “having a job” and considering

starting a business.

That is why what Dr. Teresa Hairston is

doing at the end of this month is so very

important. On October 30, 2009, Dr.

Hairston will convene her first Entrepreneur’s

Boot Camp for persons who are serious and

want to consider using publishing as a

revenue stream for their lives.

Dr. Hairston began the Gospel Today

Magazine over twenty years ago with only a

dream and a shoestring budget. Stepping

out on faith as a single mother, she quit her

“day job” and gave her full time efforts and

attention to the vision the Lord had given her.

What began as an 8 page newsletter,

blossomed into a sterling first rate magazine

that enjoys success and distribution around

the world.

At the end of this month, Dr. Hairston will

bring the collective wisdom and experiences

of her own endeavors and make them

available to a select group of attendees who

are serious about following their own visions

and who want to make their own dreams

come true.

Why Dr. Hairston’s Entrepreneur’s

Boot Camp is ImportantBy Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min.

gue st s p e akers :

2 0 1 0 c l in ic i ans :

heritage

Host Pastor

bishop rudolph mckissick, jr.thursday, 9am

bishop noel jonesthursday, 7pm

ministerkirk franklin

friday, 9am

stephen hurdbyron cage

judy mcallister

Vashawn Mitchell

*

thursday and friday

february 18 - 19, 2010 jacksonville, fl

Bishop Andy LewterPastors

Monica CoatesYouth

Trent Von LeeDance

Jeff PattonPastors/Music

Carla WilliamsYouth

AscensionDance

“Last year, I wasdealing with somechallenges in mymusic department; Iattended the GHFsessions andimplemented theirsuggestions, it literallychanged theatmosphere in myministry! ThanksGHF!”

—Pastor MyronSanders,

Lexington, KY GHF Conference Delegate

Instructional Tracks for:Pastors

Ministers of Music/Praise Leaders Youth/Young Adults

Dance

Regular Registration(Oct 1 - Nov 30)Youth (ages 13-21): $79Adult: $109

Late Registration (Dec 1 - Feb 10)Youth (ages 13-21): $99Adult: $129

On Site-Registration(After Feb 11)Youth (ages 13-21):$119Adult: $159

Roland HairstonPastors

2 cor. 3:18

2010gospel heritage

praise & worshipconference

vanessa bellarmstrong

donniemcclurkin Bishop

Paul S.Morton Sr.

Bishop hezekiahwalker

gospelheritage.org phone (770) 719-4825

Transformational

“The presenceof the Lord is sorich at thisconference...Iwouldn’t miss itfor anything!!!”

—JamesWilliamson

Baton Rouge, LAghF Conference

Delegate

Don’t Miss theWorship eventof the YEAR!

New Artist Showcasefor steppers, flowetry artists, singers, comedians

Friday, Feb 18, 201011 pm - 1 amRegistration: Solo: $75; Groups (2-5 members): $100;Choirs or groups (6 or more members): $150. (IncludesNon-refundable fee of $30) go online: gospelheritage.org toregister! *Deadline to enter: January 15, 2010

Featuring: Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Bishop Paul S. Morton,Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Pastor Donnie McClurkin

Tickets: $40 (gen. adm.), $50 (VIP). All tickets include aONE YEAR subscription to Gospel Today “America’s #1Christian Lifestyle Magazine”

Tickets available at GospelHeritage.com

friday, feb. 19, 7pm

gospel todayanniversary concert gala

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