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What is your vision for the office of general superintendent? BEACHAM: I believe the office of general superintendent has a threefold purpose. The first is to communicate the general vision of the IPHC. In the 1980s, Target 2000 became the visionary focus of this church that led us up to the millennium. After that came Mission 21, and we are now focusing on Vision 2020. The fleshing out of that campaign for the next seven years is very important for this church. I believe God is going to speak to the leadership and define what he wants the IPHC global family to do in His name. The second is to be a cheerleader for our ministries. The general superintendent is in the best position in this church to see, understand, and promote what is happening in the IPHC global community, so we can celebrate God’s work and continue to focus on Vision 2020. The third component focuses on ministry development. I believe God wants us to help develop those in ministry, from the newest licensed and ordained ministers to those who have served for a long time or are even retired. It’s imperative that there be a renewed focus on knowledge of the word of God, and knowledge of theology, so we can engage our culture and know how to faithfully articulate the faith from a Pentecostal, holiness, evangelical, and historical Christian framework. Along with that comes discipleship. It’s imperative that we in ministry model and affirm the importance of personal discipleship so that the church can continue to develop a model for corporate discipleship. We must understand how to properly relate to one another and to the body of Christ beyond the parameters of our tribe of IPHC. I think God is calling us to flesh out these issues, and I see the General Superintendent’s Office being an integral part of that in the years to come. The new Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops. (L to R) Chris Thompson, Doug Beacham, Talmadge Gardner and Thomas McGhee. 18 August 2012 | iphc.org/experience What do you think the IPHC will learn from this unexpected transition? BEACHAM: The last three or four months of transition have been a great learning period for us, and the primary teacher has been Bishop Carpenter. The way he handled this confrontation with his own mortality, and the courageous decision that he made, showed a man who recognizes that the character of his walk with Jesus is more important than an office. We won’t soon forget that example. I think this transition has helped us refocus on Jesus. At the end of the day, it’s not about me. The lesson we have learned, and continue to learn, is that this church is about Jesus, not about us as individuals. As a leader, you have been deeply involved in the preservation of our roots and in educating the church regarding our rich history. How can the IPHC continue to expand into 21st-century ministry while preserving our heritage? BEACHAM: We live in an interesting time; culturally, there is a lack of historical knowledge. Things are changing quickly, and people have little time to process the impacts of today’s events. That is why we must be intentional about remembering our heritage. I believe history—particularly church history—roots us in God’s saving gracious action. The life of the Spirit is a life rooted to the present and the future. It’s important to know and understand our past so that as we move into the future, we’re not dabbling in new age beliefs or distortions of liberal versus conservative theology. We need to move forward in a way that includes wholeness and the revelation of God. What are the greatest challenges the IPHC faces in a postmodern society? BEACHAM: The term postmodern captures the component of lostness found in modern Western culture. We have lost, as a Western cultural framework, a clear definition of humanity, and of right and wrong. As a result, a pervasive relativism dominates much of our culture. I think the challenges we face are no different than the challenges that the church of Jesus Christ faces around this globe. An amoral society can be tolerant of everything and everyone except those who are sure of themselves. There is an inherent intolerance for Christians, in particular. Western democracies don’t outwardly imprison or martyr Christians, but we are mistreated, marginalized by law, ridiculed, etc. Another challenge we face is the claim that we are followers of Jesus. We must become men and women who are defined by our faith as followers of Christ. In this age of moral relativism, we must be willing to live genuine lives as disciples of Jesus Christ, so that people will see the difference between those who claim to be believers and those who really are Christians. It’s imperative that there be a renewed focus on knowledge of the word of God, and knowledge of theology, so we can engage our culture and know how to faithfully articulate the faith from a Pentecostal, holiness, evangelical, and historical Christian framework. What do you envision for the future of this church? BEACHAM: I think the future of the IPHC globally is wonderful. There are four key factors to our growth and multiplication. One is our continued focus on church planting. And this is something we must do—reach the multiplied cultural groups that have become part of the American landscape. The second factor is a better recognition of the global life of the IPHC Family. Approximately 84 percent of the IPHC lives outside the U.S. Africa will be our first continent to cross a million members, and IPHC Asia is nearly twice the size of the mother church in the U.S.
We need to get a global picture of what God is doing. The third is young people. I’m very excited about the young men and women that I meet across the IPHC. Their passion for the Kingdom is highly encouraging. I’m very thankful that Bishop Gardner offered the opening night of Youth Quest 2012 for the installation service. There is something historic about this event taking place in front of this group. It says to them that we recognize they are the future of this church, and we are committed to them. The fourth is our flexibility as an institution. As we grow into the future, our leadership must critically assess and let go of what is no longer working. My prayer is that God will give us the wisdom to discern those things, so that we really are a Pentecostal church, in everything that that means according to scripture, and in the unfolding of the work of the Kingdom of God for the season to which he’s called us. Any final thoughts on this transition? BEACHAM: I’m looking forward to this. I wish the circumstances, particularly in regard to Bishop Carpenter, had been different. But God’s hand is at work. There’s a great old Fanny Crosby hymn: Family man: Dr. Beacham and his family pose for a photo after July installation service. (L to R) Ken and Beth White, Susan and Doug Beacham, Kellie, Caroline and Douglas Beacham. All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my Guide? Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well; For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well I love those closing lines, “For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.” That’s Romans 8. Whatever happens in our lives, Jesus doeth all things well. Those of us who are now stepping into the forefront for the leadership of the church for this season, we step into it with confidence in God’s grace, confidence in God’s timing, confident that Jesus doeth all things well. For as little as $10 you can feed this child for a month Scan Here to Give Now! or mail to: P.O. Box 270420 Oklahoma City, OK 73137 Earmark: 09061F: Feed the Hungry www.ptpministries.com • (888)474-2966 iphc.org/experience | June/July 2012 19
Page 1 and 2: HEALED FROM CYBERBULLYING VIJAY BAL
Page 3: Editor in Chief Dr. A. D. Beacham,
Page 6 and 7: God’s Got My Back A devastating e
Page 8 and 9: Bishop Carpenter passes the crosier
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Page 14 and 15: The 2009 General Conference was his
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Page 20 and 21: From Physiology to Theology Mission
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Page 24: ISSN: 1547-4984 LifeSprings Resourc

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