One of the more remarkable pieces of my 6-month sabbatical was the opportunity to visit other churches on Sunday mornings or whenever they met. In those 26 weeks, I visited 15 different churches, some of them twice.

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And it was quite an eclectic spectrum, all the way from eastern Orthodox to emergent. I loved the massive variety of experience in how different groups handled worship and praise spiritual gifts, preaching, announcements, special music, welcoming newcomers, after service fellowship, perspectives on upcoming events, etc, etc. It was a very instructive time for me and I have made multiple internal notes on adjustments that might be beneficial

But aside from observing and assessing all these differences, I was most transfixed by what we all share in common. How we all handle worship is not defined in some final way, but corporate worship MUST occur regularly. That’s the given—-the particular approach or style is variable. Certainly every approach is and ought to be subject to biblical critique but there is a wide berth for diversity in the Scriptures. One of the emergent churches I attended asked for specific critique regarding their worship service and I replied the next day with what I saw as positive, unusual and objectionable. Their approach to communion was to be totally inclusive, inviting everyone, including unbelievers to participate. They were trying hard to be inclusive but that’s trying too hard. I wrote and said that they were departing from 2000 years of Christian practice, not to mention the Scriptures, which would categorically forbid that approach. I’ll meet with that young pastor tomorrow, not to bully him with my elder status but to hopefully offer some help that will save him from a heterodox and insulting route. I’ll also be wide open to the kinds of perspectives that a young leader like him can offer me. I am increasingly motivated to pursue the kind of vision that was the theme of last April’s conference on intergenerational ministry.

Aside from all the diversity and differences, I was also re-engaged on my sabbatical with the things we share in ministry that don’t ever change. Sometime in late November I had one of those epiphanies regarding ministry that gives clear direction to what lies ahead of us. I had done a lot of study in Paul’s letter to Titus some years back but I found myself there again with fresh and now rested vision. I put out to all of you what I have named the Titus Overview and I have begun to walk through that path with a few churches this month. Here is where I’d like to encourage all of you to freshly engage this letter and  use the diagnostic questions as a jumping off point for your leadership teams to wrestle with. The 6 segments that I highlighted in the Overview are:

1-The biblical benefit of gifted oversight in the planting and maintenance of local churches

2-The cruciality of leadership development

3-The need to understand cultural influences

4-A pastoral strategy for communal life

5-Establishing the depth understanding of the gospel as the core of worship

6-Calling and releasing the people of God into the mission of God

These are the priorities that Paul lays upon young Titus as he faces the daunting task of setting in order believers and churches that are in the very early stages of their walk with Jesus. And these remain our priorities as we seek to be faithful to Christ, His people and His mission in 2010.

I pray regularly for the leaders of the ARC churches and for the other leaders with whom God has connected us. And I will continue to pray that God will grant us endurance and faithfulness in a culture defined by cynicism, apathy and entertainment. Our response to Jesus and His word will win the day in the season that is upon us.

God give you all a double portion of grace,

Ned

January 2010

From Ned Berube

I’m writing this on the last day of 2009 and for the past week or so, I have been assaulted by “Top Ten Lists” on just about every subject from politics to entertainment to technology.  So, I’m in that “listing” mode, and I’m curious about the books that have shaped your life in pastoral ministry.

Let’s do just 5.  Here are my top 5 (I think!)

1. The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman—a profoundly simple detailing of the training of the 12 by Jesus.  To this day, I mentally reference specific instructions from this very short book.
2. Knowing God by J.I. Packer—this was the book that made me much more serious about theology and how crucial it is for fruitful ministry that endures.  Packer is both winsome and brilliant.
3. The Community of the King by Howard Snyder—this is the sequel to The Problem With Wineskins but is much more focused on practical ecclesiology and it is very accessible for those of us who stumble with the more arcane theological works.
4. The Continuing Conversion of the Church by Darrell Guder—this is part of the Missional Church series and is very compelling in its call to engage the Word and Spirit for missional fruitfulness.
5. Dynamics of Spiritual Life by Richard Lovelace—if I must pick “the best” out of these five, this book would be number one, so allow me, for a few moments, to try to edge you toward actually reading it.

Here’s what one reviewer wrote of Lovelace’s book, “Unlike some of the books I referred to above, this is not a ‘feel good’ book.  The painful reality of the church’s lack of renewal and vitality is not far below the surface of each chapter.”

What is so compelling about this work is the way Lovelace marries sound evangelical theology with clear missional implications, all done against a backdrop of very helpful analysis of renewal movements in church history.  I am now completing four decades of life in Christ and His people, and I have witnessed a flood of spiritual uprisings and “enthusiasms” (a la Ronald Knox), some genuine and helpful, some deeply defective and some utterly apostate.  I’m quite sure that the flood will become a tsunami.  Jesus’ warnings in the Olivet Discourse are so clear:  “See that no one leads you astray.  For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray  . . . and many false prophets will arise and lead many astray . . . for false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect ” (Mt. 24:5, 11, 24).  Toward the end of that teaching Jesus asks, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?” (Mt. 24:45).  That’s an immense and fearsome question, isn’t it?  I clearly remember early on in pastoral ministry, the Holy Spirit sat me up straight with this: “I am holding you responsible for what you let in to this people and what you keep out.”  I don’t think I have been entirely successful in this matter but I rarely am too far away from the realization that I am a steward of Jesus’ blood-bought flock and the words of truth that must be carefully handled.  Leaders will have an additional reckoning at the end of all things.  That’s why I appreciate Lovelace.

He is very clear headed about what is primary and secondary (and for those with Roman Catholic backgrounds, tertiary!).  Many of the off base movements of the past 40 years took secondary and tertiary elements and forced them into primary focus.  They often did it with the erroneous assumption that the true primary elements were well secured, but they usually were not secured well and often woefully absent.  For instance, most of the communal movements spawned in the late ’60’s and ’70’s were severely deficient in theological foundations (especially regarding justification by faith and the Trinity) and often placed a moralistic burden upon folk that was unsustainable for fruit that would endure.  You can’t call people to deep communal relationship without a sufficient weight being given to what it means to be joined to Christ and empowered by His Spirit.

This is what gives me pause about the present IHOP [International House of Prayer] movement.  I am loathe to be seen as an opponent of 24-7 prayer, but from what I can see, the major theological weight of this movement is derived from two books—the Song of Solomon and Revelation.  This is simply wrong headed, however spiritual it may seem or feel.  However exciting or “prophetic” things may appear at present, it is not sustainable.  It has a short shelf life.  Many folks are headed for disillusionment and disengagement from the mission of God.  Evangelistic movements as well are unsustainable if the mission of evangelism is not properly rooted in what Lovelace calls the Primary Elements of Renewal: Depth Presentation of the Gospel:

1. Justification : You are accepted
2. Sanctification:  You are free from bondage to sin
3. The Indwelling Spirit: You are not alone
4. Authority in spiritual conflict: You have authority

He calls the secondary elements the “Outworking of the gospel in the church’s life.”  Those secondary elements he defines as:

1. Mission—presenting the gospel of Christ into the world via proclamation and social demonstration
2. Prayer—expressing dependence on the power of the Spirit both individually and corporately
3. Community—being in union with the body of Christ both in micro- and macro-community
4. Disenculturation—being freed from cultural binds
5. Theological Integration—having the mind of Christ

Lovelace’s book is now 30 years old and in modern evaluation might easily be seen as “out of date,” even archaic.  But it is not.  In the face of all the emergent, organic, “deep”, and alternative stuff out there, this rings out with the far clearer bugle call.  I think Lovelace is a faithful and wise steward who is giving us some “food at the proper time.”

So that’s my book recommendations for 2010—an oldie, but goodie—and what the doctor ordered for what presently ails us.

Looking forward to seeing many of you at the April ARC Conference in Toledo,

Ned Berube

P.S. What about your “Top 5″ (or one or 2 for that matter) books that have influenced your walk with Jesus and ministry to His people? Use the comment button to let us know what you list of most influential books and feel free to briefly explain why.

God’s Ongoing Work Among The Sataré-Maué Tribe In The Amazon

By Tom Padley

In this twenty-first century world where love is waxing cold and the fear of global warming amplifies the age-old friction between the church and the world, one thing stands true, God’s word! God always keeps his promises! God has given his word on global warming, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease” (Gen.8:22). God’s word also says, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matt.24:14). I am often asked the question,”What happens to those who have died before receiving Christ as Lord and Savior? Where will they spend eternity?” While no one has a solid theological answer, we know that God in His infinite love and wisdom has provided supernatural methods to reach some remote people groups with the gospel. This is known as the “Melchizedek Factor” as noted by Don Richardson in his book “Eternity in Their Hearts” (see Heb.6:13-20).  In his book are various accounts of God making contact with these people groups, supernaturally preparing them for the gospel.

Let me give you some background of the Sataré people, (pronounced Sah-teh-ray) as an example. In 1983 Kathy and I sat around the table one evening with our four children after dinner to read missionary stories and pray for the nations. We read an article from a Last Days newsletter, Nov./Dec. 1982 Vol.5 No.6 which was reprinted from a Wycliffe circular written by Karen Lewis. This is where our piece of God’s plan for the Sataré began.

In 1959 God kept His promise to the Sataré when He sent Wycliffe Bible translators Al and Sue Graham to the Amazon jungles in Maués, Brazil. The Sataré people are named after a gorgeous florescent insect that hovers above the canopy of the jungle but delivers a terrible sting when touched. Because of low self esteem that said [to them] “We’re beautiful but don’t get near us,” the Sataré were killing themselves off by suffocating their newborns. At that time in 1959, they only numbered 1,500.  By 1982, after the Graham’s work, they had grown to over 5,000 with 9 flourishing churches. It was during their initial translation that the Graham’s had heard the legend of the Wasidii (an original ancestor of the Sataré).  The Wasidii had arrived in their land as a prisoner of unknown captors. While hidden in a cave, a “god” gave him ten rules for living and Wasidii carved them on a canoe paddle; five positive and five negative. The paddle still exists today and anthropologists who have examined the paddle cannot identify the writing or the wood. These rules had then been passed down to each generation’s chief. The legend promised that someday someone would come and explain the writing to them. When Sue Graham showed interest in the writing of the Sataré language, they thought that she was Wasidii returned to earth. The legend of the magic paddle helped the Grahams in their translation work and especially when translating the Ten Commandments.

Our piece of the plan

Fast forward now to the year 2005, Kathy and I are in the Amazon with our missionaries Marquinhos and Paula who have been living and working in the region for years. Imagine my delight and surprise in first laying eyes on the beautiful Sataré people and recalling to mind the story of the legend that I had shared with my children years before. As Marquinhos and Paula begain to make disciples in the Amazon, the Sataré were also among them. By this time, in the Sataré tribe in the region of Maués, we have not encountered the nine flourishing churches. Instead, we have noticed an unusually low sense of self esteem once again with the Sataré people that we know. We began to pray once again for the Sataré people.

An open door, an answered prayer

During an interview at my house, Scott Pursley and I sat down with Marquinhos as he shared stories of his life and trials in Maués. In that conversation Marquinhos talked of a need to drill wells for fresh water among the Sataré and the “riberinhos” (river people). This began a two year preparation and a wonderful parnership between Lamb of God Church in NJ, ARC/Brazil and IAM, where we purchased the drilling rig, equipment and materials to drill our first well. After arriving on the site and drilling for six days, at thirty-three meters deep, the first Sataré village received the gift of clean, fresh, cool water from Jesus!

Later through the follow-up work of Marquinhos and our team, Tuchaua (chief) Vitor received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, he and his whole household! As long as I live I will never forget an interview with the Tuchaua when he said, “Jesus doesn’t want anyone to die thirsty.” I then realized that the work of drilling for water and the revival work of preaching the gospel of the kingdom among the Sataré, were what brought to him that “Living Water” from John 4:13. We now seemed to be filling a niche, especially in pastoral care to the Sataré. Marquinhos is also extending pastoral care to the directors of the YWAM base in Manaus, Amazonas who have also partnered with us in this work by renting us their boat as we go out to drill the water wells.

The ongoing work

In August 2009 after drilling the second well, God put it on our hearts to visit the village of the first well and Tuchaua Vitor.  Several of us boarded the motor-boat and set out to the first village. When we arrived, the Tuchaua came running to greet us and said,“We reunite in the strength of Tupana (God).” He went on to say that he had been praying that God would send us to repair the well which had been down for two weeks. After returning to get the tools we needed, no easy task since there isn’t a Home Depot in the Amazon, we arrived back later that evening and replaced a rubber seal/washer and got water flowing again.

Tuchaua Vitor came with us back to Maués where we spent hours over the next few days fellowshipping as brothers in Christ. My son James let him listen to his music on his I-pod. I remembered that a year before, those same ears were clogged with wasps and our missionaries had to remove them with tweezers (Now, I think we may have to get him his own I-pod!). What a joy to see Vitor worshipping the Lord with such a peaceful smile on his face. Vitor also told us that since we were there, they have not done the ritual of the “Tucandeira,” in which very large ants are made to bite the hands of the young men as a right of passage. These changes and the peaceful and godly ambience that we found in that community when we arrived, are glimpses into how the presence of God can change a nation. On a practical level, we realized that we needed to instruct the Indians to use the water from the new well to drink, bath and brush their teeth. By example we brushed our teeth at the new well and then we handed out new tooth brushes and toothpaste kits to each one as we showed them how to brush their teeth.

Our prayer

Please join us in praying as we continue the work; we pray with the Sataré in the words of the Psalmist…” Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Show us your steadfast love O Lord and grant us your salvation.” (Ps.85:6,7) I have seen a copy of the canoe paddle and I also cannot understand the meaning of the inscription on the paddle, but the Sataré still know as God’s laws have been written on their hearts (Ecc. 3:11), and we may very well be the interpretation of those words!

We rejoice with the Sataré, a beautiful people that God is reviving once again. After we finished the second well, this time in only three days of drilling and 58 meters deep, the Tuchaua of that village, Tuchaua Francisco began to crack a smile for the first time since we arrived. Pray that he will also come to find the Living Water.  The Sataré elders asked us to paint these words on a wooden plaque over the handcrafted pump handle and pipe, “Tupana y’y Wakuat”, which means, “God is Good Water.“ I say God is good water indeed! Jesus is the living water and seeing Him flow into the hearts of those living in the remote areas of the Amazon jungle is part of what keeps us going back.

(If you would like to see a quality DVD of the first drill, please contact Tom at tpadley@gmail.com for information on how to obtain a copy)

My day job affords me continual opportunities to meet new people on a daily basis.  There was one job we had though that I would like to share with everyone.  I think it lends some insight into the topic at hand…so bear with me as I lay it all out.  We were called out to a business here in Cleveland.  They had some flooding and we were heading over to get them all dried up.  I couldn’t believe the condition of the building.  The water wasn’t that bad, but the rest of it looked like a bomb went off. When I talked to the Office Manager she was great: very helpful, on her toes, it was pretty obvious when the boss was out, she was running the show.  She seemed young, on top of things, driven…but she also seemed kind of beaten down.  As we talked to different employees I continued to get the same sense…they really seemed like good people who just kind of hated their job.  It was a very strange environment to be in…it was actually pretty stressful.  So we got to work…moving stuff around and setting up our equipment.  Next thing I know the owner comes in…and during my conversation with him, which was much less than courteous and smooth, I finally understood why things in this workplace were the way they are.  It was him!  Here was an older man, and I’m talking high 70’s early 80’s, who had obviously spent his entire life building this business.  It was successful and continued to do OK…but here’s the rub:  he was unable to pass on to those under him the responsibilities and freedom to make some very necessary and evident changes.  He wanted to run the show…and as the owner, he did.  He wanted to kick us out of there and was less than pleasant about the whole thing.  After he talked to his office manager his tone changed a little and we were able to get the place all dried up for them.  But I remember driving away and saying to the guy I was working with…this place is in trouble.  That guy is going to run this business into the ground.  He has very capable and driven people all around him, and he is not letting go…and they are all beaten down.  It was like everyone was on a sinking ship and everyone saw it except the captain who was still pushing on to certain doom.  I wanted to share this story because it is a perfect example of someone who was unable to embrace the generation behind him, to take advantage of their strengths, and allow others to continue growing the business.  Because of it he was going to lose many of them and destroy his business.

Unfortunately I think we see this in some churches today…the older generation is just not willing to pass all that God has given them on to the generation behind them.  For whatever reason: the young people are irresponsible, they are crazy, they have no respect, fear that it will be mishandled, etc.  So, they do what they do until they all go to meet the Lord and then the church ceases to exist.  I’m incredibly thankful for the approach the ARC has taken in making sure this is not the case for us, and I’m glad we are all praying and seeking the face of our Lord to see how He wants us to do this…what it looks like.  It seems that part of that transition is taking a look at why the older generation needs the younger.  So after a lot of prayer and just rolling over this question in my head, I’ve come up with a few things that I hope help all of us to continue moving forward in what God is calling us to as a group of not only many churches, but many generations.

Before we dig into this topic, I want to share a little bit about the perspective I have.  See, I find myself in a bit of a unique spot, as I’m sure many my age does.  I feel often very much part of the younger generation, that is until one of the teens needs to talk…and then it is quite obvious I’m the older.  So I have been granted both perspectives to this topic and that makes it very confusing at times, but it also seems to bring a clearer picture of how to work multi-generationally (is that a word?)  So I will do all I can to appropriately distinguish when I’m talking about Mark the younger or Mark the older.

One thing that a younger generation will do for an older generation is challenge them…and this is a good thing!  I know that there are many times where I have a tough time relating to the younger generation.  I don’t understand what makes them tick, what makes them laugh, what really sparks passion in their lives…but I see all of those things in them.  There are times when I wonder if they will ever grow up?  Will they ever get past these immature passions and ideas?  And in this wondering God has shown me that all of these things that I don’t understand, that I don’t “get” are indeed a part of how they serve our Lord Jesus.  They have hearts eager to serve the Lord, hearts that love the Lord, and a desire to see lives changed.  There is nothing wrong with this…it is all good, and yet I have a tough time understanding it.  I have to imagine those who are older feel very much the same way about me…maybe they don’t get what makes me tick…and yet I know I want nothing more than to serve the Lord with all that I am and see the world changed for Him.  So in this, we are challenged by the younger generation…especially to be on our toes.  I don’t know if there is a time I pray more than in preparation for talking to young people.  Time and time again I have been stymied by the questions and the perspective they bring to whatever they are dealing with, and I need to be prayed up.  I need to be in tuned with the Spirit, in the Word, ready to roll, on the edge…ready for anything.  Boy…isn’t that where I should be all the time?  See, when I know there’s the potential for something out of left field, I’m ready…this challenge is good.  This youthful energy and excitement can at times be misplaced, but that’s when I need to be in tuned with the grace of God…and be sure not to turn the children away.

To see that God works differently in different generations…and in order for the truths and wisdoms we have gained through our lives as the older generation to be passed on…we need the younger.  We need to share with them, live with them, allow them to see what God has done and is doing for us so that they can translate to the lost.  We, the younger, have the ears of many who will not listen to the older generation.  The truth of Christ is so much more real to those when they hear it from their own generation…and we need to be OK with this…the older needs to be Ok with the idea that the younger plays a huge role in reaching the lost for Christ!!  We need them…you need us!  There is a lot of need in the world…some from the older generation, and some from the younger.  But, often times it seems that the older generation has a tough time translating the wisdom and life that God has put into them into a language that the younger generation understands…we as younger church leaders can help.  I think James Ferguson hit the nail on the head in helping translate a need from the younger for honesty.  OK, now that the older realize there is a need for brutal honesty, I’m sure many think…that’s it?  I just have to admit how crappy I am without Jesus?  Cool…no problem.  But without that translation, without that insight the older may have just continued with what they thought was needed and never met some of the actual need.

It seems that it has always been God’s ordained plan for a younger to follow an older, and for the “mantle” to be passed.  From Moses and Joshua, to Elijah and Elisha, to Paul and Timothy…God has always provided someone to take the baton, to continue in what the older was doing.  But it always required the older to let go…and for the younger to be there…not always feeling ready, but there.  The older needs someone to pass the mantle to.  I know that seems elementary, but I think it’s important.  If the younger is constantly seen as ones who need taught, who need to grow, who need challenged; they may not be seen as the ones to take the baton.  It’s a perspective thing.  When I was a manager, I was constantly looking for that next guy, the one that had what it was going to take to take my place.  See, if there isn’t anyone to take my place, to do what I’m doing then I’m stuck there.  If I want to continue improving myself, I need to train others to take my current spot.  I know the analogy breaks apart a little, but as the older we, and you, need to be looking to what God is calling you to next.  And you need us to be there to take your spot.  For some, it will be moving on to less responsibility, more time for other things, for others it will be more work of a different sort.  Either way, the younger generation needs to be there so the baton can be passed.

You need our perspective…if I may be so bold.  At one point a couple years back I found myself teaching our adult Sunday school class.  We were going through a theology book and I took a look at my audience.  There was one young person…young being younger than me.  There were 2 or 3 people my age…but the majority of the class I would put in the Older bracket.  So, we finished and I was feeling a little useless.  Here I am…probably 30 at the time, teaching a bunch of seasoned veteran Christians a topic that they have probably been taught for the last 20 years.  And my heart was, “What’s the point?  They should be teaching me!!!”  So one of the guys in the class thanked me for teaching and was letting me know how he appreciated this or that.  As we talked I kind of let him know how I was feeling…and he said something to me that I keep very dear to my heart, and share with those who are younger than me.  He said that yeah, he had heard this topic before, but never from me.  He needs to hear it from me and likes to hear it from me.  And that really struck a chord deep inside of me.  We, the younger, have a perspective that the older generation needs to hear.  Not because it’s theologically earth shattering…but God shows us different things.  And since we are part of a different generation, God equips us and shows us things appropriate for our ministry that can help the older.

There are times when the younger is able to go where the older could not.  We see this pressed out in Joshua and Elisha…and according to God’s plan.  You have to feel for Moses and Elijah in these situations.  Here both of them do so much of the leg work in regards to obedience to God and putting up with a bunch of garbage.  And yet, Moses is not allowed to enter the Promised Land, and Elijah isn’t the one leading the final victory against the prophets of Baal.  It seems to me that there are times when God is calling the younger generation to do things that the older generation has been working towards for so long…which is interesting.  It seems that there may be times where the goal seems so close…revival is right around the corner…the Promised Land is right there, and God says, “Time to pass it on.”  In order for that mission to be completed, for God’s plan to be achieved, he needs this passing to take place.  It is through this that both the younger…who may not always feel ready, and the older…who also may not be ready to let go, are reminded that God is in control.  This is his will, this is his plan and when generationally  we are humbly obedient to what He is calling us to do, we have the privilege of joining Him in completing His work.

And lastly (I know…it’s about time right!) the older needs to be encouraged by the younger.  I have the privilege of having a large portion of what used to be my youth group as part of my home group now.  One of whom is our current youth leader.  I don’t know if there is anything more life giving than seeing those who I personally have passed the baton to going places I never went.  Doing things I never did…seeing them minister is as good as it gets.  Seeing them seeking the face of God and walking out lives eager to honor Him is awesome.  When we are faithful to pass the baton, we are able to see the way God is faithful and truly blesses our obedience.  We need to be encouraged by the younger generation.

I want to add that we need never forget that we have an enemy who is daily trying to destroy all of the good that comes from us working out this generation thing.  I think his biggest tool is pride.  When we, the older and the younger, allow pride to sneak in, it very quickly can bring all of this to a halt.  It causes us to see the other generations as less than they really are, and we need to be constantly fighting against this enemy, and engaging him to make sure that what God is doing is seen clearly by all and not muddied.  We serve a great God and I cannot wait to see what He does in the ARC as we continue to faithfully work this out.

God Bless,

Mark Widener

EMOTIONAL NEEDS: Ned asked me to write about “The Emotional Needs and Creative Strengths of the Coming Generation.”  There are many avenues I could take here, but let me boil it down to one important one: My generation is cynical.  Not everyone will admit it, but we have a hard time trusting people.  We have seen neighbors, leaders, presidents, pastors, priests, and business men all fall to some of the most horrendous sins you can image and have watched it unfold in uncomfortable detail on TV and the internet.  A fear that lingers in our hearts when talking to people is, “When am I going to find out about your secret life?”  We see these secret lives lived out online.  We’ve seen “Christians” post Facebook photos of themselves drunk, lying in bed with a significant other, and posting comments about “last night”.  A close relative of mine eventually deleted their Facebook account because this type of dissonance was too upsetting to them and they didn’t want to get cynical towards certain people.  Due to the advances in technology and documentation of our lives, most young people have had to deal with this dissonance early on and have had to embrace it…which leads us to be cynical.  Is it any wonder we keep certain people at a distance and are skeptical about whether or not a person is who they seem to be?

So how can the church reach a young person who has this worldview?  Two words: Be honest.  It’s understood that good Christians have it all together, never talk about their secular personal life, and dress-up (even your cultural preferences) before coming to church.  Some of us have bought into this and end up being totally fake – not true to who we are or how we feel.  Younger people can sense this dissonance from a mile away because they are ultra-sensitive to it and are already assuming that you are not who you appear to be.  Since they’ve seen the real truth come out many times in the past, they are somewhat traumatized by “perfect looking” older people.  They don’t trust it.

HONESTY: These may be areas of sin or areas where you are just “human.”  If you drink an occasional beer and say the occasional off color word at home: don’t pretend that you don’t.  Seriously!  If you’re trying to talk to a young person about not struggling with sexual sin: tell them (in an appropriate manner) how you’ve struggled or have specifically overcome it.  If you’re talking or preaching about something that may not have a “black and white” answer – say that.  Don’t be afraid to say things like, “this is kind of a messy topic.”  We will love you for it – no joke.

You may ask, “Doesn’t this make young people feel like they’re surrounded by a bunch of sinners who don’t have it all together?”  The answer is “yes!”  Since they already know this is true, it makes them feel more at ease to hear you admit it.  Being transparent about who you are in everyday life will make walls come down for young people.

Of course, this comes with perceived disadvantages.  If you tell people that you struggle with trusting God – maybe you need to hold off on that 7 week series on trusting God.  Of course you should work on your struggle before teaching on it…but THEN you will have some amazing, compelling sermon illustrations!  All people, especially young people, would love to hear about how you worked through something.  This is so much more real, practical, and directly applicable to their daily life.  It sounds like: “This is how I struggled – and this is how I worked through it – and this is how it can look in your life.”

The apostle Paul was a living example of a godly person who was honest about his sin.  He never ignores, downplays, or emphasizes how he used to be a sinner.  In fact 1 Timothy 1:15 says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.”  He says that he is “the worst”…he doesn’t say “I used to be a sinner.”  And after all that, we still look up to him above any Christian we know today!  If Paul did it – so can we!  You don’t have to flaunt it, but don’t try to hide it either.

Again, we can see this thirst for honesty many places in the entertainment of Generation Y.  In my church, Indie Rock music is very popular, which is more “raw” and sounds a little flawed…but that’s why we like it.  It sounds real and not over produced or perfect sounding.  A big trend in movies and TV is the use of 1^st person point of view / hand held cameras (the Office, Paranormal Activity, etc.) which makes you feel like you’re right there.  Reality TV is life in all of its messy, “unscripted”, ugly glory.  Notable popular songs in our time have had choruses like: “I’m a creep, I’m a weirdo…I don’t belong here” (Radiohead), “I’m a loser, baby” (Beck), “I’m gonna do the things I wanna do, I ain’t got a thing to prove to you” (Weezer), “inside you’re ugly…I can see through you, see to the real you” (Stained).  We’re very comfortable with being real and even flawed.  In fact, things that are too perfect bother us.  The last two consecutive Sundays at Ekklesia we have had a new couple visit who decided to stay because we did (from my perspective) embarrassing and random stuff.  A couple Sundays ago, among other things, our sound system freaked-out and we had to stop the service before worship.  The new couple that week thought that part was great and that’s why they liked us (they’ve come to every event since).  The next Sunday our bass player came in late because of work and on a fluke ended up walking right up on stage and started playing during our second song.  The other new couple that came for the first time said that was when they knew Ekklesia was perfect for them!  So, we technically gained 4 people in our church because we didn’t have it together.  Note: I’m not saying be unprofessional, but it’s okay not to have it all together.

STRENGTH: The younger generation needs honesty, but our strength is also honesty.  This characteristic is refreshing for churches to demonstrate: some may call this getting rid of “religion.”  I wear flip-flops when I preach because I like flip-flops.  I make fun of Michael W. Smith in sermons because everyone hates Michael W. Smith in my church and we all know it and laugh about it.  I’ve also learned to be honest about my struggles, which has helped me feel less alone and have gotten help from others who struggle with similar things.  I’ve learned from watching my associate pastor, Chris Dewar, who is also Gen Y.  He attracts a lot of young people because he’ll tell you outright, in an appropriate manner, what he’s struggling with.  Because he’s honest about his struggles, most people feel comfortable saying “Yeah, me too,” and it opens doors for ministry.  For those of us who are new at this, we may hear that type of honesty and cringe at first…but when you see it working, you may re-evaluate your position.

As it applies to worship, in our worship songs there is emphasis on sin, brokenness, need for a Savior, and the paradoxes of faith – all things that are in the Bible but some evangelicals have cut out of worship songs because it doesn’t “feel good.”  Our churches need this!  This type of emphasis is not only good theology – it’s spiritually healthy for us to admit.

Yes, honesty can be messy.  But wouldn’t you rather know who people truly are and what they really think?  What the younger generation can offer you is freedom from being a fake Christian and to be yourself.  We all have issues, we’re all human, and we’re all sinners.  The good thing is that when we’re all honest about who we are, we all are able to realize our need for a Savior.

By the way, in all honesty, I also realize that I have way too much to say about this.

James Ferguson

Lead Pastor

Ekklesia: a relevant church, Canton, OH

Love and greetings from Poland. I just can’t believe that we are almost at the end of October. Time flies so fast. I just remembered that we started this year with a lot of challenges and now it is almost the end of the year. Let me share with you what we have done during the last month and some planes that we have for the next months.

1. September was very busy for both me and Marysia. I have been traveling for 2 weeks ministering in churches. I then helped Marysia a lot. Every year she organizes a Ladies Conferences for the whole region (both for lady leaders and all ladies). This month it was the 3^rd Regional Ladies Conference that she was preparing in big city, WROCLAW. We rented the whole church facility for this event. The subject that the Lord gave her was “PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE LORD”. Every year this Conference has grown and this year it was over 200 ladies. We believe that next year will see even more. So many ladies were touched by God. I was preparing coffee for all of the ladies and also I was there during the worship time. I was so touched by God to see all of those ladies crying out to the Lord. We believe that we are in a time in which God is using ladies to bring  many non- Christian ladies to the Lord. It is our prayer that many will come to the Lord. In September we also helped a lot of children with their school supplies as it is the month that children start school and there are a lot of opportunities to help them. Thank you for your help for our Child Sponsorship Program.
2. October started with a Seminar on Prophecy. I organized the seminar at our Center and invited many pastors and leaders from our area. We had  our friends, pastors from Sweden, with us. God was moving and for over 3 hours we prayed and the Lord spoke to all of us. This is also the month that I meet with all my leaders individually and we work on their program for the next year. Our vision for this year is to bring many couples to the Lord. We pray and believe that the Lord will touch many marriages. Also this month on Oct. 16th-17th we organized a seminar on “Vision” and had 50 pastors and leaders from all over Poland in attendance.  We could see how important it is to help those who have a vision so they can continue in their ministry. It went so well that we are going to have this seminar again in February and March, one for men and one for ladies.
3. Our Child Sponsorship Program is growing  and we are starting our 6^th year with this program. We have 25 children that we are taking care of every month. We have a children club called “The Ark” and we provide meals for children from poor families in our city. We are also getting closer to December and Christmas and would like to help with gifts for children.  We have also begun to build a Children Center that would provide room for 40 children to stay there. This year we want to finish with the roof and next year work inside. There is still a lot of work to be done and if you would like to help us financially so we can provide sleeping and food for children we would be very grateful. You can help us online at www.ccmk.pl/en. We know as we are helping and reaching out to these little ones we bring God’s Kingdom into their lives. So thank you very much for your help.

Thank you very much for your prayers and support. We are still financially supporting 5 other pastors and leaders and we are very thankful to all of you for your support. Please pray for:

1. Marysia and I as we travel and minister in different places. For God’s protection and wisdom as we minister.
2. Children Ministry and provision for the CHILDRENS CENTER. And the provision of Gifts for Christmas for children.
3. Our personal support. We thank the Lord for what we have so we can be a blessing to others.

P.S. If you want to help us financially there are 2 ways you can help, send a check to either:

(if you need tax deduction put POLAND in the memo line)
The Lord’s House of Prayer or MAREK KIEWRA
Missions Dept.
133 East Vine Street
Lancaster, PA 17602

(if you don’t need the tax deduction sent to:)
WESTERN NATIONAL BANK
MIDLAND TOWER
508 W. WALL
MIDLAND, TX 79701

Acct # 83068538

This helped us establish open doors to minister in this village and restore their trust that God was sending us to minister to them. We all rejoiced with the conclusion of this well.

Our second stop was no less up-lifting. We returned to the village where our first team, with Lamb of God Fellowship, drilled in August ‘08. As soon as we set foot on the ridge of the their village we could see the results of last year’s efforts. The “Tuiçá” (chief) Victor greeted us saying “We reunite in the strength of “Tupana” (God Almighty)”.

I had a conversation with a young man from a neighboring tribe from which several members were visiting the community for a soccer game. He happened to have been one of the participants of the Passage Ritual we witnessed, when the Men-to-be placed their hands in a glove full of poisonous ants called “tucandeiro”. He told me that since our visit, this community hasn’t had anymore traditional rituals. He thinks they lack courage. I explained that I believe they show great courage, to give up spiritual activities that could offend their new found convictions, knowing that the other communities would criticize their decision. I asked him if he agreed… the youth look vaguely up and answered that this is true. I could see that this made him think. I told him not ot worry because we want them to preserve the important cultural traditions, like their community lifestyle (which functions very much like an eldership) and their love for their families. It is also important, I explained, to know how “Tupana” loves us and that He wants to open our eyes to things that are not good for us or hurt us like the ant bites, and that some changes are good.

I left him in deep thought.

It turns out that Tuiçá Victor had been praying for a week for “Tupana” to bring us back to fix their well. It simply needed a valve washer replaced. We replaced it, and established plans for our team to make scheduled visits to the wells we dig for maintenance. We could sense the presence of the Holy Spirit in this village and we enjoyed hearing how God had led them to make changes in their lifestyle, without our “Traditional Evangelical” input. We have worked hard at being sensitive to what God would really want to change and what should be preserved as their culture. Our experience has been that God is faithful to place the right convictions in their hearts as long as we stand against sin and show Christ’s unfailing love for them.

We then returned to Maués and spent a day encouraging and sewing into the lives of our missionaries and local brothers and sisters who have received us into their wonderful fellowship.

Finally, after 15 days of living out of a boat (a few of our team spent three or four of these on land in Maués), and after much labor and success, we headed upriver on the 30 hour boat trip to the capital, Manaus. I was the last to leave for home having accepted invitations to minister in two churches. I was really blessed to see God continue to move.

I arrived home today. We are all well: no sicknesses (other than the occasional cough and cold); no losses; just the Mighty Hand of God, and His manifest presence, reminding us how worthy He always has been of our true devotion and praise.

Give our love to all!
His peace!

Jmes Padley

It appears that we all agree that “passing the baton” is the next necessary step for our older generation to take.  Knowing and saying that is one thing; doing it is another.  It is difficult to accomplish such a task if we have not related well to the younger generation.  Thus, I would personally place the bulk of this relating responsibility on the older (chronologically or more mature in the Lord) women to reach out and be available. If we don’t have a legacy to pass on, where is our success??  If we don’t have successors, how has our life been one that impacts others?  Do the younger women see something in us that they even want?  When they want to know and are in a situation where they need to know, we will most likely be heard the best.  No words, however, will be heard if our heart attitude is not one of love, and that will quickly be picked up.  If our younger generation knows that we love them, respect them, and genuinely want them to succeed, they will be more apt to “listen to what we have to say”, which brings up another point.  When we talk do people even listen?  Have we ourselves gained the respect of our younger generation?

All of those questions seem important as we dive into such a challenge.  An important realization is that both of us have something to give – we need to always remain in a teachable position – again, that can be picked up by those with whom we relate.  If our attitude is one of knowing it all and having it all together, we don’t come across as very approachable.  Thus, sharing our struggles as well as victories becomes important, too – we learn from both.  We, as older sisters, really do have a wealth to share, but again, how it comes across is critical.  Our heart attitude shows through like nothing else and supersedes our words.  Thus, taking the younger women with us in our ministry can be so valuable as we find answers together, work together, and of course, pray together.  Our spirits can be so closely knit to one another as we involve ourselves more in the lives of the younger sisters.

Allowing the younger sisters to fail, do things their way and succeed, and being their biggest cheerleader can do more to boost confidence than all the teachings in the world.  As women, we have that motherly instinct to “protect” our sisters  from difficulty and conflict which might be the worst thing we can do for them.  We are doing them a great disservice, for if they fail, important life lessons can be learned.  If they succeed, important life lessons can also be learned.

We don’t need to “tell them” everything – let them experience their “wings in the Lord”.  Helping them to balance work and rest so as not to burn out; differentiating what is ministry and what isn’t; knowing when to say “no” and dealing with what people will think of them are just a few key areas where we might be of help – if asked.  This can insure our younger generation that they have something of worth to give and that we believe in them.

Being willing to learn from our younger sisters is also so very important – then we model the body of Christ – learning from one another and growing together.  If it’s only a one-way street, that will get old quickly.  We older sisters need to let the younger women know what we have learned from them and continue to help them to expect that we will learn.  An example of how a certain type of mountain goat functions can shed further light on the above.  When both a younger mountain goat and an older mountain goat are approaching the same path around the mountain from opposite directions, one of three things can happen.  They fight it out, and the winner passes; they go back from whence they came and neither gets completely around or…the older goat lies down and allows the younger goat to walk over him and get to the other side and then he gets up and proceeds to do the same and both get around the mountain.  I guess that I am expecting more from us older women, not necessarily in the area of doing, but in encouraging, helping, constructively criticizing, and in walking alongside.  Remember, just our “presence” at an event or teaching or whatever that a younger sister does or plans can speak volumes and accomplish much.

Another area worth touching on is the somewhat subtle/not so subtle difference in how the older and younger generational leaders deal with responsibilities and everyday life.  We can certainly learn from one another in this area also.  The older generation of leaders seemed to grow up on service and sacrifice which often resulted in overlooking one’s own fulfillment.  For example – for the most part most pastors/husbands were not that engaged in helping with the housework or doing much caring for the children thus freeing up the wife for other pursuits.  We didn’t know any differently or expect anything different.

That’s just how things were.  We often just accepted what we thought was true and didn’t question too much.  We were definitely our husband’s helpmate, but in a little different way – we did whatever was needed to totally free him to be all things to all people, so to speak.  Our younger leaders are stronger in communication, teamwork with their husbands, fulfilling and expressing their gifting – they expect to be a team with their husbands at home and at church – communicating openly, and wanting to be all they can be.  We both have the same hearts, but how we flesh life out does not necessarily look the same.  Thus, we need to understand from whence we both are coming, learn from each others’ victories and defeats, and pass on the legacy that incorporates the years of body life which we have lived.  It is important that we pass on a united front to our children and grandchildren.  They need to not see us at odds with one another, but gleaning from each other and, in love, serving one another.

Passing on the baton to the next generation is critical, but may we pass it in such a way that the next generation wants to receive it and considers it a privilege to do so.

Joanne Widener

September 2009

In business, ministry, or life in general, properly understanding the relationship between the past, the present and the future is essential to achieving our maximum potential for the future.

There is a way in which each is related to the other. The future is unavoidably built upon the past and the present. There is also a way in which each stands on its own.

The future may be richer or poorer, but it will always be different from the present or the past because life is dynamic, not static. Each era is unique, forcing change upon an organization and its relationship with others even if by default.

Our response to change will bring either life or death. A static organization in a dynamic world will die. It may continue to exist but its “life” will be gone. Its eyes will be sunken and hollow.

Politics and economics (world/national/local/organizational), and the availability of various resources will shape a period. The measure and focus of vision; the style of leadership; and the needs or opportunities the organization is responding to are dynamic factors which shape its life.

In order to plan well for the future we need to objectively look at the present and the past. What served us well in the past may be inappropriate for the future.  A few years ago a 150-meg hard drive was big and a “gig” was unheard of. Today one and a half gig is almost the minimum for new computers!*

Frequently, when change is proposed it is interpreted as a negative judgment upon the past. Those who have shaped the past may feel they are being declared personally inadequate. Persons who have inappropriately found their sense of identity and self worth in past structures and successes will be especially threatened.

Sometimes we feel secure in the safety of doing things as we have always done them. We fear change because it places our perceived future at risk. And it does, because change always brings risk. But is the past something to be protected and defended, or is it a stepping stone to the future?

We need to ask ourselves if the strategies and successes of the past or present are adequate for the future. Is there more we can be doing? Can we do it more efficiently, effectively or safely? Are new resources available? Have conditions and needs around us changed? Is it “a new day” in some way?

If we decide to move on, we must proceed with the humility, wisdom, and courage that enable us to:

• ask the questions and explore the areas which can lead to our enrichment;
• clearly state and patiently impart vision for something new which is built upon specific goals and principles;
• know how much change is appropriate and how fast it can come without undue stress to the organization;
• be willing to accept the loss of support from some persons who are too deeply vested personally and emotionally in the past and the present, and thus unable to embrace change for the future; and
• as much as possible, propose change for the future while blessing the past and present and expressing respect and appreciation for those who have contributed to their successes.

If we decide we are unable to change, for whatever reason, we must declare that honestly and accept responsibility for the negative impact it will have upon the organization.

In deciding, let’s remember that the greatest compliment we can pay to the past is to make it a servant to a better future.

*Written in July, 1996

Ken Stoltzfus is an ARC Associate.  Born in 1940, he has worked as a pilot, ordained Christian minister, businessman, missionary to Africa and writer. This is #14 in his series, “The View from up Life’s Path”, and is one of many short articles that can be found at www.flyinghigher.net

© 2003, Ken Stoltzfus, flyinghigher.net, P.O. Box 228, Kidron, OH 44636 USA. May be printed for personal use and may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes without further permission if proper acknowledgment is given.

This month I started renting an art studio space in an old industrial factory building.  I couldn’t afford it on my own, so I got three other artists to join me, all who have a checkered past with the Church, and now range from agnostic to Pseudo-Taoism when it comes to matters of the faith.  Years ago, all of them used to be connected with our church’s youth group and now they’ve all grown up into incredibly talented, innovative and delightful friends.

“…He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, a they enclosed a large number of fish, and a their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.”  -Luke 5. 4-11

Leading up to this year’s ARC conference in Toledo, God has brought deep conviction upon me in the area of evangelism.  He has shown me that yes, in fact I have been obedient to let down the nets at His word, but each time, as the nets swell and grow heavy with fish, I invariably get a cell phone call or an email informing me that I’m needed back at the docks – PRONTO!  So I do a dastardly thing: I leave the nets in the water intending to haul in the catch later.  I simply do not have the time to deal with slippery, smelly, slimy fish when I’ve got to be at another church function in 5 min.  But, like a good Christian I return a few days later to check on the nets and “Hey!  What do you know?  There’s a few fish still alive!  I’d better do something about…Whoops, I’m getting a text from the Church Growth Committee…I’ll take care of this situation some other time.” And so it goes, the story of one ARC Assistant Pastor who hasn’t ordered his life in such a way to realistically care for a desperate and dying world.

In Jersey, our biggest deficit is time.  Time that is not related to tangible, quantifiable results is time squandered.  People don’t walk here, they jog.  People don’t run, they sprint.  The Garden State is in a perpetual state of late-ness and rushing ahead.  In terms of sharing the Gospel, have you heard the term “Drive-by Evangelism?” It’s not that we’re too timid to fish for men; we’re much, much too busy.

Paying for this studio space is barely justifiable by my family budget, and it’s downright irresponsible in light of my growing responsibilities at the church. (I barely have the time to decide what I believe regarding eschatology.) But then, if I’m not reaching the lost, what right do I have to the Pulpit?  What do I have to offer my wayward friends if my gifts and callings and resources are being earmarked for Church functions?  I certainly want to make great art in this rustic and inspiring new workspace. But more than that, I want to finally do what is necessary to haul in the nets and call upon my brothers and sisters in the nearby boats to help me in this.

I consider myself a churchman.  I believe in serving the local church and the importance of investing in the relationships within your church.  But I’m also coming around to the fact that community exists for something greater than itself.  I was so struck by what Joshua Dylan [Peebles] had to share during the conference, namely of being “a Pastor of Non-Christians.”  And I will forever be haunted by the way Kathy Padley puts it when she says that “wasting time together” is the foundation for their incredibly fruitful ministry in Brazil.  The first thing the Lord wants to teach His disciples is how to fish for men.  Maybe I’m finally going to graduate pre-school!

-Ben Stamper, Associate Pastor at Lamb of God Fellowship in NJ