By   Tue, Dec 29, 2009

We usually discourage one another from looking back or dwelling too much upon things in the past. We talk about staying focused, holding our heads up and fixing our eyes on the finish line. Our faith in God helps us keep our eyes on the finish line, but it can also be encouraging to look back and see how God has answered our prayers. We asked some of the authors of our cover stories from the past year to look back and see how God has been working since they wrote their articles.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

One year has come and gone since New Life Church and The Well united together in mission in order to bring the love of Jesus to our community of Mount Vernon, Washington. Throughout this year we have seen how God directed our ministry and it has been an amazing time. In Matthew we read, "Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me'" (Matthew 25:37-40).

This past year we have seen:

• The hungry fed
• Strangers welcomed and housed
• Clothing provided
• And the thirsty given a drink - though it was coffee more often than water

Community Meals
Our first attempt at coming together in mission was the Thanksgiving Community Meal over a year ago. In the end fifty people were served (half of whom were church members scheduled to help with the meal) and eight people were helped with clothing, shoes and blankets. Most importantly, the love of Jesus was shared with our community. Throughout this past year we have continued to provide meals near the end of each month. The community meals have grown from one night a month to two nights - in October we served 70 people each night. These meals have been run in conjunction with Reverie Community Meals, a restaurant ministry begun by a couple from our church. Together we are serving 1000-1200 meals a month.

As the meals located at the church have matured we have noticed a growing sense of connection and community within the church neighborhood. Initially people came to the meals individually, now families and neighbors come together and stay to visit. Most amazingly, we as a church are actually getting to know our neighbors and our neighbors are getting to know us.

Cold Weather Shelter
Last year we were thrust into the ministry of a cold weather shelter. When the temperature hits 25 degrees Fahrenheit or colder we open our doors to provide a warm and safe shelter, meals and clothing to those in need. Last year we were open for 21 days with 12-18 guests a night. In November we held our orientation and training session for volunteers for the shelter's coming season. We don't know what the weather will bring but God has put together a solid leadership team, an abundance of supplies, and trained volunteers from a wide range of churches in our community. If you want to keep up on what is happening go to: www.shelterfromthecold.ning.com. One of the lasting results of this ministry is that we have developed relationships with homeless people - they now have faces and names. Our community meals and clothing closet have enabled us to stay in contact with many of the homeless throughout the year.

Clothing Closet
In conjunction with the community meals and cold weather shelter we developed a clothing closet. It is now open every Monday, after church each Sunday and during any event held at the church. It is exciting to see bags of clothing, dry socks, hats and gloves leaving the building in the hands of those who needed them. At any of our community events one of the first things I am asked is, "Will the clothing closet be open?"

Community Events
In June we held the first of two big community events, a Spring Fling in the church parking lot. It was a great day of games, food, music and fellowship with our neighbors. Nearly 300 people showed up that day. For Halloween we put on a Monster Mash, which is basically the Spring Fling held in the church building. Just under 400 people participated and the only complaint we had from parents was that their kids loved it and wouldn't leave!

Helping Hands Foundation
Our newest ministry kicked off in November. The Helping Hands Foundation is a ministry to seniors. Money is an issue, so we needed to raise some funds to help get this ministry underway. Cookies were baked and we manned the local interstate highway rest stop for 84 hours one weekend providing coffee and snacks to travelers who in turn made donations to Helping Hands. Our goal, as this ministry develops, is to reach out to one of the most neglected groups in the community and the church, by sharing the love of Jesus with seniors.

A lot has happened in the past year. A year ago when we took invitations for the Thanksgiving Community Meal to our neighbors, we found that most people didn't know where the church - only blocks away - was located. Now when we go out to invite our neighbors, they know who we are and encourage us to "keep up the good work."

Note: Pastor Mark of the partnering church in these ministries has stepped down due to family health issues. Please pray for him and his family as they look to the Lord for healing and guidance. Please also pray for these ministries, that God will continue to bless the work during this time of transition.

Rev. Keith Luna is pastor of New Life @ The Well LBC in Mount Vernon, WA

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By   Mon, Dec 28, 2009

Lutheran Brethren Seminary's J-Term, beginning January 18th, explores the topic of homosexuality. Speakers include Dr. David Glesne, Dr. Mark Yarhouse, Rev. Dan Borsheim and Dr. Kirk Militzer.

Monday, January 18
1:00 - 2:30 Dr. David Glesne - "The Biblical Truth about Homosexuality"
3:00 - 4:30 Dr. David Glesne - "Loving Our Homosexual Neighbor"

Tuesday, January 19
8:00 - 9:30 Dr. Mark Yarhouse - "The ‘Nature-Nurture' Question"
10:30 - 12:00 Dr. Mark Yarhouse - "The ‘Reparative Therapy' Question"
1:00 - 2:30 Rev. Dan Borsheim - Process Session
3:00 - 4:30 Dr. Kirk Militzer - "Helping Our Teens and Young Adults to Respond Biblically to Homosexuality"

Wednesday, January 20
8:00 - 9:30 Rev. Dan Borsheim - "When Homosexuality Hits Home"
10:30 - 12:00 Rev. Dan Borsheim - "Referring: The Pastor-Therapist Team"

Download the schedule
JPG (size: 560 KB) >
PDF (size: 3.4 MB) >

Registration Information

You may register by
calling (218) 739-3375 or by email at lbs@lbs.edu

Tuition $10/session or $75.00 for the conference

Special Note:
Retired pastors and their wives are welcome to attend the lectures tuition free.
Registered Seminary students and their spouses may attend the lectures tuition free.

Speakers

Dr. David Glesne:
Dr. David Glesne is a native Minnesotan who received a B.A. from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, a M. Div. from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, and a D. Min. degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California. He has been a pastor of churches in Illinois, California and Minnesota. He currently serves as senior pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fridley, Minnesota. He also serves on the faculty of the Master's Institute, a graduate level seminary in the Minneapolis - St. Paul area. He is the author of Understanding Homosexuality: Perspectives for the Local Church, in which he assesses the biblical, theological, historical, social-scientific and pastoral issues surrounding the homosexuality debates. The book has been recently published in Polish. He and his wife, Mona, have four grown children.

Dr. Mark A. Yarhouse, Psy.D.

• Hughes Chair of Christian Thought in Mental Health Practice
• Professor of Psychology
• Director, Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA 

Rev. Dan Borsheim | Read the article by Rev. Borsheim >

• Director and Pastoral Counselor, Valley Christian Counseling Center
• B.S. in Family Relations and Child Development, NDSU
• M. Div., Western Seminary, Portland, OR

Dr. Kirk Militzer

• M. Div., Lutheran Brethren Seminary
• D. Min, Bethel Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN
• Pastor of Youth and Families for 19 years
  Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church
  Moorhead, MN

Read the article by Rev. Dan Borsheim >

By   Mon, Dec 28, 2009

Does the title make you uncomfortable? Many Christian families in our day have had to face the sudden shock that comes from the announcement that an adult son or daughter is gay. (I use the term "gay" because it is part of the reality of our current culture.)

When this reality comes to your home, it brings shock, confusion, and fear. A word that is often used to describe the state of mind and emotion that comes with this revelation is "death." Death of a dream - the story or script that you envisioned for your child. The death of a hope that your son or daughter would grow up to share and embrace the same belief system that you highly value. The death of a relationship you thought you had. The relationship does not have to die, but it will be different.

Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross developed a theory of the stages of grief many years ago, and it is helpful for people who experience various kinds of losses. The loss that comes with the revelation of the homosexuality of a loved one often includes the five stages of grief: shock/denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

How do you get to the final stage of acceptance? It will often require moving through the other four stages of grief. What does acceptance mean? It is a process of sorting out - with God, yourself, others, and your loved one - all the mental and emotional adaptations that will enable you to move forward. Acceptance does not mean changing your beliefs. It does not mean that you condone something you understand to be sin. Instead, acceptance establishes a new relationship that enables you to move forward with new boundaries and expectations. This new relationship provides you opportunities to love your son or daughter redemptively.

Parents moving through this painful experience can be helped by biblical counsel, books, and by a support group with other parents experiencing the same dilemma. I led such a group in this last year. We all learned much by listening to each couple's stories, praying together, examining Scripture, and going through a book called When Homosexuality Hits Home by Joe Dallas, a former homosexual. The book helped these parents gain understanding, set relational boundaries for this new relationship, and ask their son or daughter questions that helped them understand their son or daughter better. It also helped the parents find God in a deeper way through the whole experience.

Parents going through this experience have a natural tendency to heap unwarranted guilt upon themselves. They often see this as a failure of their parenting. The truth is that it takes a constellation of factors for a person to become a homosexual. Parental mistakes can be one of many factors.

The support group can do a lot to reduce guilt, bring comfort, and help these hurting parents grow. In our group, we witnessed many tears together, especially in the early weeks. What encouraged me was that as time went on, group members were able to at times laugh at themselves and with fellow group members. The members grew in their own personal strength and in their relationship with God. As with any form of adversity we experience in life, with the help of our God we can not only survive - we can thrive.

Finally, have faith. Jesus came to heal the broken-hearted and set the captives free. Jesus still changes lives. There are many stories of homosexuals who have been transformed by God's intervention and love.

Helpful Resources (click on title to purchase online through Faith & Fellowship Bookstore):
The Story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
When Homosexuality Hits Home, by Joe Dallas (Harvest House, 2004)
Someone I Love is Gay, by Bob Davies and Anita Worthen (InterVarsity Press, 1996)
On Death and Dying, by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross (Macmillan Publishing, 1969)

Rev. Dan Borsheim is Executive Director of Valley Christian Counseling Center in Fargo, ND. He attends Triumph LBC, Moorhead, MN.

By Tim Mathiesen   Mon, Dec 28, 2009

Lutheran Brethren World Missions has changed its name to Lutheran Brethren International Mission in response to the new constitution, and we would like to take this opportunity to share the brand new logo.

Download a ZIP file with various versions of the new logo
(ZIP File size: 1.3 MB / 4 PDF files)

By   Mon, Dec 28, 2009

Should we be doing good deeds in the neighborhood as part of God's mission for us as Christians? For example, does advocating for the elimination of Third World debt have a place in our witness for Jesus Christ? What about fighting abortion or providing a meal for the homeless? We do not equate service to our neighbors with the gospel, but can it be that deeds of mercy nevertheless have a role in God's mission? This is no simple problem.

John Stott has long argued that Christians must never choose between saving souls and doing good works. There are problems in this world that require a social solution. If we can bring the essence of biblical Christianity to bear constructively on such problems, the world may hear the gospel as a result. But Carl F.H. Henry warned in The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism that if we do not do this, we may lose our chance for any world hearing for the gospel. As Henry put it:

The ‘uneasy conscience' of which I write is not one troubled about the great biblical verities, which I consider the only outlook capable of resolving our problems, but rather one distressed by the frequent failure to apply them effectively to crucial problems confronting the modern mind. It is an application of, not a revolt against, the fundamentals of the faith, for which I plead.

Granted, too many in our evangelical churches lack Henry's clarity about "biblical verities" and set aside the confessions of the Church in the name of relevancy. But is our biblical witness on the other hand limited in form to verbal proclamation only? There is again nowadays a call for action to back up the truth of what we confess - for a living out of the gospel. Does the Kingdom of God consist only of verbally preaching the salvation message, while relegating good deeds to the realm of a secular state? Or can we bear witness to the biblical message through loving deeds without sacrificing the central truth of the gospel? The Bible holds the answer, yet the Church has difficulty coming to consensus, even among conservative assemblies.

When discussing the Christian witness, it is important to avoid confusing the implications of the gospel with the gospel itself. A community in Christ will live like people transformed by the life-changing message of Christ's death and resurrection; our love for God will evidence itself in how we treat our brother, sister and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39; John 17: 20-23; James 2:14-17).

Christ-like love to our neighbor certainly does not require that we remove anything in the gospel that the world finds offensive; however, the favor of others is not necessarily a bad sign. Jesus said, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16). In Acts 2:47 we see that the believers enjoyed "the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

Yet we must bear in mind that good deeds are the implications and evidence of the gospel, not the gospel itself. Good deeds help to create a posture by which people can more easily hear the gospel. True deeds of love will bear witness to the gospel, not obscure it.

Dr. Gaylan Mathiesen is Professor of Missions at Lutheran Brethren Seminary, Fergus Falls, MN.

A Conversation: Tim Keller, John Piper, D.A. Carson  (part 1 of 6)

Click here to see videos parts 2-6 >

By   Mon, Dec 28, 2009

One morning as I started my normal walk with my iPod playing in my ears, I decided I would do something a little crazy. Instead of looking at the ground in front of me, I decided to keep my eyes up and look at what was happening around me.

This is what I saw:
Magnificent old trees with unusual trunks and colorful leaves that were falling softly to the ground...
This is what I heard in the song on the iPod:
You are faithful, you are faithful, you are faithful, your joy is my strength.

I saw: The eyes and smiles of other walkers...
I heard: Let the Church shine as your bride.

Rays of sunshine streaming through those old magnificent trees casting tunnels of light on the grass...
We love you, Lord, we worship you.

As I broke out of the clearing of trees, a cloudless blue sky...
God is awesome in this place, we sense his presence as we sing his praise.

A fresh glaze of dew on the grass...
I'll raise a banner 'cause my Lord has conquered the grave; my Redeemer lives!

A wooden bridge that reminded me that Christ bridges the gap between me and my Heavenly Father...
Come live in me, all my life take over.
A sister in Christ who greeted me with a hug and told me the weatherman had declared it a "10 out of 10 day"...
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord; let everything in my soul praise the Lord forever!

Sometimes on our walk we keep our eyes down in front of us to avoid stumbling. We don't trust our steps. There may be rocks or sticks or an unexpected turn we didn't anticipate. Sometimes we want to disappear and not be noticed by others, thinking that if we don't make eye contact, they won't notice us.
When we lift up our eyes and trust that God guards our steps and will keep us from falling, we see all that he has for us. We realize what we have been missing. And what we are missing is him and his glory.
I pray that you will lift your eyes in the midst of whatever circumstances you may face today and have a "10 out of 10 day."

Debbie Forland lives in Brenham, Texas with her husband Dean and their three sons.

By   Mon, Dec 28, 2009

On October 11, 2009 Pastor Gary Kitchin was ordained at Bunker Hill Lutheran Brethren Church. The ordination service was held at 4 p.m. and over 160 people from the Eastern Region were in attendence. Music was provided by the Bunker Hill Praise Team, Marit DeKok, and Sharon Hansen and her two daughters (from Praise Christian Fellowship in Connecticut). The speaker for the service was Pastor Kitchin's former pastor, Pastor Warren Geraghty. Pastor Rick Bridston of Staten Island, Pastor Kitchin's mentor, presided and ordained him. All visiting pastors and elders were invited to come to the front and lay hands on him as he entered the full-time Christian service. Pastor Kitchin is married to Anne. It was a blessed time for the congregation at Bunker Hill, especially since it was the first time a pastor was ordained in our church.

Karen DeKok is a member of Bunker Hill Lutheran Brethren Church, Princeton, New Jersey.

By   Mon, Dec 28, 2009

By   Mon, Dec 28, 2009

Pastor and former Army Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain (Major General) G.T. Gunhus, (pictured right), with Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Michael H. Heuer were together in Orlando, FL at the USAF Chaplain Corps Summit, which met from October 26-30.  USAF Chaplain Corps leaders attend this biennial informational conference, and retired Chaplain Gunhus was representing the military outreach for Guideposts magazine.

By CLB Prayer Team   Mon, Dec 28, 2009

I resolve ... to pray.
Dear God, this time it's different. I admit that too often I've tried to go it alone. It hasn't worked. Please help me pray.
 
Oh, you know I've knocked on your door before - out of desperation, when all else failed - and you were there for me. But I know there's more. You promised that we can ask and it will be given to us, seek and we will find, knock and the door will be opened for us.
 
Maybe I haven't prayed more because my attempts are so feeble. I can't keep my thoughts straight - I ramble like a kid. But then Jesus welcomed even children and listened to them. That means there's hope for me.
 
Maybe I haven't prayed more because I don't think I'm a good-enough Christian. But didn't the woman tell Jesus she only wanted the crumbs from the master's table? And Jesus answered her prayer.
 
So I'll start by confessing that I'm a sinner and deserve no mercy. I'm so sorry, Lord... Thank you for washing away my sins with the blood of Jesus. And I'm reminded that it's "not because of our righteous deeds but because of your great mercies, O Lord, that you hear" (Daniel 9:18-19).
 
I give you praise because you alone are worthy of praise. Please work your work of grace within my life this day... and this year. And thank you for helping me pray.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

The CLB Prayer Team, on-call to pray for requests from our family of churches.
E-mail the team at: pray@prayclb.org.

By   Mon, Dec 28, 2009

• Accepted an interim pastoral call from Community in Christ LBC in Arvada, CO: Rev. Richard (Dick) Vettrus, effective Jan. 3, 2010.
• Accepted an interim pastoral call from St. Peter's LBC in North Tonawanda, NY: Dan Smith.

By   Mon, Dec 28, 2009

The subject before us is an exceedingly practical one. To those who are spiritually minded, the subject is of vital importance because God's will in every phase of their lives is a matter of great concern to them. True faith always results in works of righteousness. Christianity is a practical religion, and one of the ways where "faith...expressing itself through love" demonstrates itself is by honoring God with one's substance. One of the true tests of sincere spirituality is whether or not the wallet has really been "converted" to God, as well as the heart.

- Opening paragraph from the booklet titled, "Biblical Giving: What Does the Bible Teach About Tithes and Offerings?" by D. A. Erickson (Faith & Fellowship Press, 1998).

"About the Author" from the booklet:
Pastor D. A. Erickson served as President of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America from 1956 to 1968. He also served several parishes of the CLBA. He presented this message on tithing while serving Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He died in 1990 after a full life of serving his Savior, Jesus Christ, and the church. He not only taught the principles of this message, but practiced them in his daily living. Although this booklet was written over fifty years ago, the message has meaning and importance for Christians today who desire to live a life that is pleasing to God.

By   Wed, Dec 30, 2009

It has been just over a year since I went to Africa with E3 Partners on a short-term mission in partnership with the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. The first few months at home after that life-changing eleven days were spent trying to re-acclimate to "normal" life. There were sleepless nights, many conversations with teammates, and an inability to express to those at home the magnitude of what happened in Africa and its effects on me personally. I found myself longing for the way life was before my short-term mission experience and the knowledge that I gained through it. I was shying away from the Christian responsibility that came with that knowledge.

As more time lapsed I was gratefully lulled into the busy-ness of life. But there were "triggers" confronting me in everyday life that took me back to my journey. I'd see African Muslim women sitting in a group along the hall just outside my next class at school. The sound of running water was a constant reminder of the lack in Africa. Mostly though, it was a smile and a look in someone's eyes that would pull me back to that November. In those little triggers God reminded me why I am here - to reflect his son and show his love, not just by what I say, but more importantly with my actions, both seen and unseen. Reflecting back over the past year, my time in Africa has set my resolve and conviction of the need to encourage the church and minister to the lost.

Before I went on a short-term mission trip, I whole-heartedly believed that your mission field is right under your own two feet, wherever God has you standing. After returning and reflecting on the past year, this belief has not changed. Rather it has intensified and become more intentional. With every fiber of my being I believe that your mission field is where the Lord has placed you.

We truly have such a short time here on earth. What a wonderful day it will be when we are able to fellowship together with all believers. However, while we are still here we have been given the opportunity to invite more people to the biggest homecoming party ever. My time in Africa reminds me daily of the responsibility and the privilege of the calling we all have as Christians. What unsurpassable joy we miss out on when we neglect the invitation to be a part of his story - whether in Africa or at home!

Tresa Myers attends Maple Park LBC in Lynnwood, WA.

One highlight of the Cameroon mission trip was stopping at the CLB International Mission's Welcome Center in Chad, where three missionary families lived at the time. The warm welcome, hospitality, and fellowship brought much joy and helped me understand the unique life of our missionaries a little better. My intercession for these families has changed dramatically. Meeting them, getting a brief taste of their lives, and sensing their devotion to the people around them has caused me to pray for them in a much more detailed and passionate way.

In that visit, I also gained a sense of God's care for these families. When I walked to the river with some of them, I didn't know that God was preparing a connection with one of the families.

In the spring of 2009, I recalled that Steve and Janice's oldest daughter, Alex, was heading back to the US to prepare for college, but I didn't know where she was going to live. A strong impression to make contact with Alex led me track her down, and to my great surprise, I found that she lived near our home and church. When I asked her if she belonged to a Christian fellowship or had good friends close by, she explained that she had supportive family, but her friends lived farther away.

Last school year my daughter studied at a Bible college in England, so I know the concern a mother has for a far away daughter. By God's grace, we have been hosting a weekly Bible study for young women, and through the summer offered backyard movie showings. So Alex plugged right in with these young women who want to walk closely with the Lord.

As I pray for those who serve the Lord abroad, I am humbled to have been a tool he could use to meet the needs of one of his children for a while.

Janet Tangen is an RN, but currently home schools two of her four children, and attends Maple Park LBC in Lynwood, WA.

A Quick Update from Noel & Trisch Johnson
(Cameroon 2008 Team Leaders)
The work of the Holy Spirit to grow our faith in His sufficiency has encouraged us to answer His call again this coming January as we prepare for a similar mission to Yagoua, Cameroon at the invitation of the Cameroonian LB Church. In addition to helping with new church planting efforts, we hope to conduct a short-term medical and vision clinic for this community that was served for so many years by CLBA missionaries.

Video credits: Video was shot by Jeff Langness and photos were taken by Jeremy Flinn

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By   Tue, Dec 29, 2009

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8).

The last year in Journeys has been full of surprises - and struggles. Last year I wrote that following God is sometimes more like pinball than archery (see John 3:8). We are continually reminded that it can hurt to be the pinball as the Spirit of God takes us where he pleases!

While there have honestly been many great things going on in the ministry of Journeys here in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, I feel that I should share with you some of our challenges and what God's been teaching us. It is sometimes in our weakness and uncertainty that the light of God shines brightest.

Over the last year we unsuccessfully tried to purchase two different facilities in a neighborhood where we believed God wanted us. We were excited to lay down our roots in this neighborhood that is attempting to revitalize itself. We even had a significantly better offer on the second church building, but instead it is now a dance studio. That one really hurt us. Then in the spring we thought we had everything in order to partner with the local Jazz club to use their facility downtown on Sunday mornings for worship. The bottom unexpectedly fell out of the arrangement. As we prayed and waited on God, it was brought up again with the Jazz Society and they unanimously supported it - only to have the landlord veto it.

So after praying about it and checking our options against our vision, values and ministry focus, we ended up back in a facility that we had outgrown a couple of years ago. This is not most people's idea of ministry progress! The positive is that we are back in a neighborhood where we already have good connections.

Beyond the meeting facility discouragements, we have experienced losses as a church - miscarriages, the death of a premature baby, and many significant health problems. We also had more than our usual 12-15% of the congregation permanently leave/move away during the past summer (we minister with a transient demographic - it's amazing that God grows us enough each year to survive!).

It is also amazing that, throughout these struggles, no one has uttered the word "failure."

As we were reeling from all of this and trying to regroup, it became a very real temptation to focus on our circumstance and base our value in our own abilities. The evil one and the world around us would have us believe this simple equation:

Our worth = what we have done + what other people think of us.

The reality is quite different in Christ:

Our worth = what Christ has done + how God sees us because of Christ.

This is yet another reason why we depend on the Word of God so desperately - we cannot have certainty in these circumstances without it. And though the grass withers and our circumstances change, the Word of God stands forever.

It has been very interesting and important for us to consider what led to the death of some other ministries around us: They usually lost their moorings in Scripture. It's not that they became heretical, but they lost the centrality of Scripture in their mission. As a result, these ministries have been closed down or re-birthed.

Learning these lessons from the hard experience of other ministries has actually been an encouragement. We at Journeys are learning what must be foundational no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in - the Word of God.

Once again we find ourselves in a place like Jonathan and his armor-bearer in 1 Samuel 14, as they looked up the hill at the opposing force rallied against them. Along with Jonathan, we want to declare the incredible words, "Come, let's go... Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few" (1 Samuel 14:6). As they acted in faith, the Lord used those two young men as his instruments in a great victory.

Israel wandered the desert prior to taking the Promised Land. Some of the prophets were nomads. Jesus Christ himself came to his own, but was not received. We trust, at Journeys, that even when we seem to be wandering, we are not lost. We stand with confidence on the Word of God and proclaim the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.

Riley Sexton serves as pastor of Journeys Church in Saskatoon, SK.

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By   Tue, Dec 29, 2009

A Conversation: Tim Keller, John Piper, D.A. Carson
Parts 1 through 6

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

By   Tue, Dec 29, 2009

It's easy for us as Christians to think of "missions" from our own perspective: something that is the concern of career missionaries or is located far away in a foreign mission field. However I believe God would rather have us think of missions from his perspective: something that begins right at home with each of us being concerned about our friends, family, and neighbors who are lost apart from Christ. As a "home mission" pastor I want to encourage the people of Grace Community to think about how we can enter into our own mission field in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Here are some ways that our people have learned to reach out to others that might encourage you also to live with a greater sense of mission.

Pastor Jeff Olsen (top right) with volunteers

Connection Points:
Our Personal Mission Field (Relational Network)

To begin with, we encourage people to show God's love through their personal relationships and the natural networks in which they are already involved. All of us are involved with several groups of people. These connection points include our coworkers, neighbors, activities, etc.

Since our own family includes four young daughters, we have been able to consistently reach out to others at our local school, on our soccer team, and through my wife's preschool. It has been a real joy to see our friends come to know Christ, receive baptism - to see a whole family growing in faith.

Others might find their connection points in someone at the coffee shop, volunteers in a service organization, friends at the gym, or participants in a crafts group.

The Community:
Our Collective Mission Field (Geographic Network)

In addition to finding our individual connection points, we as a congregation can collectively show God's love for others by serving wherever God gives us opportunities in the geographic area where we meet. Here are some examples:

This past Thanksgiving we challenged our members to give back and get involved in a variety of charitable and community events including a Thanksgiving meal distribution, the organization of a large community Christmas celebration, and the distribution of gifts to local families by volunteering through "Toys For Tots." In the New Year we are encouraging small groups from our church to participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring, a Habitat For Humanity project, and a dinner for cancer patients.

When our congregation comes together to reach out to our community we are able to make additional connections where a single individual acting alone might not.

We Exist for Mission

Since God loves the whole world, we want to participate in God's mission locally, nationally, and internationally. We believe that the mission of the church goes far beyond simply offering a worship service on Sunday mornings. In fact, we are missionaries called to go to people who need to know about Jesus, to build friendships with them, to take the initiative, and to share the good news. This involves not just telling people about God's love, but showing them that God loves them so much that he sent his one and only Son to be their Savior so that whoever would believe in him would not perish, but have everlasting life.

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Rev. Jeff Olsen serves as pastor of Grace Community of Wesley Chapel, Florida.
www.exploregrace.com

By   Tue, Dec 29, 2009

David Pierce

Since the Faith & Fellowship issue on Art and the Church was published, an exciting opportunity has come up. Fellow youth workers in the area of Olympia, Washington are organizing the recording and production of a compilation worship album. Local Christians will write all the songs and the proceeds from concerts and CD sales will go directly to fund a citywide youth mission trip to Poland next spring. We just spent two days recording in the studio and are excited to continue production. It is great to contribute to the wider church across denominational lines!

David Pierce is a Youth Pastor/Freelance Graphic Designer in Olympia, Washington

Rough demos of songs on the upcoming worship album

May Your Life Grow (Music and Lyrics by David Pierce)

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Only In You (Music by David Pierce, Lyrics by Daniel Williams)

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Jim Olsen

I recently passed the one-year mark of creating art in Ithaca, New York. Though I am not world famous, regionally known, or even locally famous, God has been faithful to me as an artist. After six months of living, working, and creating art, I was able to show my work at the world-famous vegetarian Moosewood Restaurant. They were booked through 2011, but a spot opened up and I had a show for five weeks. I was also blessed to sell one of my pieces to a pastor at the church we attend. Soon thereafter, he even used the piece in a sermon as a visual illustration. Almost all the pieces I've made since moving to Ithaca are currently in a café at a local church, which just moved into a new building. I was asked to display my art as their first show.  Presently, I am moving into a season where I will have more time designated to create more artwork. I look forward to discovering new ways to display God's faithfulness and presence in my life.

Jim Olsen is an artist and maintenance technician in Ithaca, New York

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By Randy Mortenson   Mon, Dec 28, 2009

Military officers never wear shiny rank into a battle zone. It is subdued, camouflaged. Why? Enemy sniper fire. Take out the leaders and you demoralize and scatter the troops.

In the Church, every Christian is a target in Satan's scope. But to whom do you think he assigns his demon snipers? Pastors. Teachers. Elders. Leaders in the church. And missionaries, who are visibly on the front lines. When a sub-shepherd falls (Jesus is our Great Shepherd), the effect is felt throughout the flock. The entire Body suffers.

So we must protect our pastors. Take care of our teachers and elders. Uphold our missionaries in prayer. And it's not only for enemy fire that we need to be on guard. It's the wear of the battle itself. Over the last century, our terminology regarding the psychological and emotional effects of war has changed. In World War I it was "shellshock." As early as World War II, I believe, it was called "battle fatigue." In the Gulf War of the early 90s, soldiers came home suffering "post-traumatic stress syndrome."

The wording may change, but the effects of war do not.

Consider Elijah. Elijah stood alone against four hundred fifty prophets of Baal. And Elijah won. (Which is to say: God won.) Not only were the prophets of a false god defeated, they were made to show themselves as fools. Then they were seized and brought down to the valley and slaughtered.

When Queen Jezebel found out what happened, she sent a messenger to Elijah with this threat: "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them" (1 Kings 19:2).

Elijah knew what God could do. He had seen God's power firsthand. He had great faith. He had nothing to fear from Jezebel, Ahab, or anyone. Yet he was afraid - and he ran for his life. "He... went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,' he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors'" (1 Kings 19:4).

Spiritual shellshock. Physical battle fatigue. Emotional trauma. Mental stress to the breaking point.

So God let him sleep. Then God told Elijah to eat and drink food that was provided for him. God let his servant sleep some more. Then "the angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you'" (1 Kings 19:7).

Retreat is a military term. Whether you do it alone with God, or with your spouse, or with other pastors or leaders, the important thing is that you do it. Get away from the fight. Rest. Eat and drink. For the journey is long, and it's not over yet.

Rev. Randy Mortenson serves as pastor of Ebenezer LBC, Mayville, ND.