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August 2000
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This is our August cover
Because of Jesus'
instruction, it has been our tradition in the WCG for each member to wash another member's
feet at the annual Lord's Supper service, writes Pastor General Joseph Tkach.
Some members have questions about footwashing, and Dr. Tkach discuss the matter now--well in advance of our next footwashing--so that everyone can be clear about it before next spring. Pages 6 & 7.
"OK, I see
that salvation is accomplished by God from start to finish and not by me, but I'd still
like to know more about how we should live. I've heard people talking about `spiritual
disciplines.' What are spiritual disciplines?"
Mike Feazell answers these questions and others in Dying and Rising With Christ. Pages 8 to 11.
I thought it would be
beneficial to consider what God is and has been doing in the area of the Great Commission,
so we might better ascertain what he wants us, individually and as a fellowship, to do,
writes Randal Dick. Pages 12 & 13.
Like a
building taking shape on the landscape and becoming more significant to its community, so
is the WCG throughout the Caribbean, writes Patrick Fearon.
Buildings that have been acquired (or are being built) in various areas are fulfilling useful roles, as members use the facilities as worship centers, equipping hubs and outreach posts.
Still, the significant difference has more to do with a commitment by quite a few to draw closer to Jesus Christ, nurture one another and contribute their giftedness toward the advancement of the kingdom. Pages 14 & 15.
A visit
to Madagascar gave me a chance to experience a little slice of Malagasy life, writes
Shirley Henderson.
One of the highlights was attending a meeting with the church youths in Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar. About five years ago we had only a handful of contacts, now we have several churches. Page 19.
How can we bring the gospel to children whose parents don't attend a church? asks Mike Morrison. By inviting them to a fun-filled weekly activity in which they learn scriptures, hear devotional messages and make new friends.
"Our club's main purpose is to reach children," said Janet Morrison, director of Pasadena's SonLight Club. "We are happy to help our own children, but we also want to make the club an effective way to preach the gospel to other kids." Page 24.
Our financial
circumstances are progressing at a slower pace than we hoped, writes Ron Kelly.
June donations are down by 20 percent compared to last year. On the positive side, we have been blessed with the sale of our Texas campus, greater than expected funds from estate donations and revenues from other sources that help keep our reserve fund at an appropriate level. Page 27.
PASADENA--The church has decided to restructure the U.S. districts for logistical, administrative, financial and congregational needs, according to Dan Rogers, superintendent of ministers.
"We have been prayerfully discussing the need for district superintendents to devote themselves to that job on a full-time basis, rather than also serving as church pastors," Mr. Rogers said.
The church plans that in the future district superintendents will carry more administrative responsibilities and travel a good deal.
In most cases the church has been unable to hire new pastors or to move pastors into churches where district superintendents are located. The reduction in the number of district superintendents will mean increasing the workload for some, while balancing it out for others.
The church has asked several district superintendents to transition from being both a district superintendent and pastor to devote their full energies to pastoring their congregations.
"While all of us will miss having these folks in the district superintendent role, the good news is that these men and their wives are some of the best pastors we have," Mr. Rogers said. "As they devote their energy and resources to full-time pastoring, I think we will see even more good fruit in their congregations and in their communities."
Mr. Rogers noted that the former district superintendents will continue to aid and offer counsel to the district superintendents and Church Administration, to mentor and guide other pastors, and to perform administrative assignments from time to time.
Those making this transition are Garvin and Sandee Greene, Rand and Beth Holm, Ray and Carol Meyer, Fran and Elfie Ricchi and Mike and Sandy Swagerty.
"We thank these men and their wives for the wonderful contributions they have made to the denomination and its pastoral ministry as district superintendents," said Pastor General Joseph Tkach.
"We also want to thank all of them for the graciousness they have shown in making this transition. They are truly servants of Christ."
Garvin and Sandee Greene
Rand and Beth Holm
Ray and Carol Meyer
Fran and Elfie Ricchi
Mike and Sandy Swagerty
FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique --Eighteen people have been baptized since March, and we plan to baptize 30 more, said Pastor Jack Brunet.
July 1 the congregation had a spiritual concert for evangelism attended by 250 people, of whom 150 were not members of the WCG. Many were friends, colleagues or parents of members.
Eighteen songs were supported by evangelistic messages and excerpts of Christian videos. The event was in four parts:
1) The state of the world, with a video about human misery and four songs about the darkness of the world.
2) The love of God, with an excerpt of the Jesus of Nazareth film, the Sermon on the Mount and three songs.
3) Jesus the only solution, with an excerpt of the film The King of Kings and four songs, among them Via Dolorosa, sung by Marilyn Hodebar.
4. Our answer to the calling, with an excerpt of the Jesus film and seven songs.
The church distributed its free magazine La Vie Chretienne and a brochure titled Et Maintenant? (And Now?) which gives scriptures regarding the necessity to be born again and be a disciple of Jesus.
"Because of the concert and the powerful message, we decided to do a tour of Martinique to promote the gospel in the major cities of the island," Mr. Brunet said, especially where the church broadcasts its weekly radio program, which is locally produced and recorded.
I wish to thank Mike Feazell for his most enlightening and understandable message on sin, grace and eternal life (June WN).
It shows us real freedom. The Holy Spirit is guiding us into all truth. How sweet it is.
John Shrewsbury
Seattle, Washington
Thank you for such great articles in the last few issues of The Worldwide News. They have lifted and encouraged my soul: "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."
I have been a member of our church for 25 years and I have never been more excited. Thanks for letting God speak to us through your writing.
Colorado
A big thank you to Mike Feazell for his article in the July WN titled "Standing in Christ Alone."
Reading it has helped me see just how grace-full Jesus Christ is, and has cleaned off all the "yes, buts" that we attach to the gospel.
My understanding of Jesus' loving act of salvation is much deeper and clearer.
Thanks be to God!
Peg Casale
Syracuse New York
Thank you for your articles on sin, repentance and forgiveness. Through them you surely will have given a huge boost of encouragement to so many people.
God's wonderful grace gives an inner glow of peace, joy and thankfulness, and this shines through your articles. Thank you for all your articles over the past year or so--all helpful and encouraging. They are much appreciated.
Eileen Davies
Kingston Surrey, England
I was reading Mike Feazell's article "Trusting God With the Problem of Sin" (June WN). A paragraph reads "and the One who writes names in the Lamb's Book of Life has already written absolutely everybody's name in the Book of Life with the Blood of the Lamb."
I am having a problem reconciling this with Revelation 20:15, which reads "and whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire." This would appear to indicate that there are some whose names are not in the Book of Life.
Ted Hunt
Prescott Valley, Arizona
Even though Christ paid for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1), God has granted humans the freedom to reject his love and grace. God says "yes" to us, but he gives us the freedom to say "no" to him. If a person refuses to acknowledge and accept that grace, if they spurn God's love, then they will not be able to enjoy life with him.
The book of life is an apocalyptic symbol of God's gracious gift of redemption and salvation. That gift, through Christ's perfect and complete sacrifice, applies to the whole of creation. Those who reject it, even though it applies to them, in effect blot out their own names from the book.
No sins are so big that the blood of Christ does not cover them, and no sinners are so big that the blood of Christ does not redeem them; but some sinners reject God's mercy and refuse that redemption, and so remain in league with the devil.
Mike Feazell
It was a milestone event and I was there! Early this morning, June 25, a small group of members met to participate in the first communion service of the Watford, England, congregation.
I drove home from it with a wonderful sense of belonging and kinship with my family in the Worldwide Church of God and the Body of Christ at large.
I walked back to the cross this year after four years of spiritual wilderness and intense doubt. My pilgrimage began in earnest at the Lord's Supper this year, which I went to having not attended a WCG congregation since May 1996.
I went to the Lord's Supper because I wanted to return to Christ. I wanted that communion, but it was very much between myself and God. If nobody else had been in the room, I would not have noticed. It was a case of first things first.
Three months have passed, and today I was privileged to eat bread and drink wine with fellow Christians, in a warm, loving, family environment. This time round I could fully appreciate the sharing of the experience. I was not standing alone at the foot of the cross anymore--and how wonderful it was to realise that.
My wilderness years are well and truly over! Watford is my home and I am so glad to be back.
I had spent four years away from the church, and I was hesitantly walking back. I knew I wanted God back in my life, but I had my reservations about what kind of community I wanted to be in. I wondered what kind of environment I was coming back to.
I needed to be amongst caring and supportive people in a loving Christian community who would nurture my regained and fragile faith. It was a somewhat daunting prospect.
I need not have feared. I was coming home and those who remembered me made me feel so welcome. The tolerance of different viewpoints was noticeably greater, and the Watford church seemed to be the right place for me after all.
The love and acceptance that is the core of Christianity was there in abundance. I was drawn to it like a moth to the light.
Lynne Strong
Watford, England
Is there only one right way to worship God?
Position statement: our annual worship calendar
Are we straddling the fence on worship days?
What events are worth celebrating?
Conflict at Rome--a look at Romans 14
Paganism--where should Christians draw the line?
What is paganism? What is a pagan custom?
A few points to consider about worship days
Questions and answers about worship days
Is it better to meet on Sundays?
Celebrating the resurrection
Celebrate the spring festivals
Jesus' resurrection pictured in the old covenant
The Passover-Easter-Quartodeciman controversy
What does Jesus have to do with Easter?
Is Easter a festival of Ishtar?
Is Christmas a sin?
Does Jeremiah 10 forbid Christmas trees?
What does Deuteronomy 12:30 forbid?
The date of Jesus' birth
A call for tolerance on Christmas and Easter
How often may we observe the Lord's Supper?
Is "the Lord's Supper" an acceptable name?
The three-fold meaning of the Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper reminds us of God's love
Questions and answers about the Lord's Supper
Should Christians keep the annual festivals?
What do the festivals picture?
Harvest seasons of ancient Israel
Festival calendar 2000, 2001, 2002
"In Christ, we are free to meet on any day of the week, any day of the year. But no matter when that is, we are to preach Christ, not the day. Our worship and our messages must focus on him, not on the day. We do not want anything in our messages to imply that people who observe one day are better or more obedient than those who observe another."
Personal from Joseph TkachJesus, the evening he was was betrayed, "poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him" (John 13:5).
"When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. `Do you understand what I have done for you?' he asked them.... `Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet' " (vs. 12, 14).
Because of Jesus' instruction, it has been our tradition in the Worldwide Church of God for each member to wash another member's feet at the annual Lord's Supper service. It has been correctly explained as a symbol of service, and a symbol of cleansing.
In the days of dusty roads and open-toed sandals, feet often became dirty, and it was the job of the lowest servants to wash the guests' feet. But Jesus set an example of service by doing this job himself, despite the protests from Peter.
It has been a valuable part of our Lord's Supper service. It reminds us of our duty to serve one another, and it is often a reminder of humility. For some, the humility comes in washing someone's feet. Others find it more humbling to get their feet washed, to be served.
This year, some members questioned whether the footwashing is a required part of our service. Some chose not to participate. In some congregations, this was done quietly. In others, the pastor informed everyone that participation was optional.
Some members have questions about footwashing, and I want to discuss the matter now--well in advance of our next footwashing-- so that everyone can be clear about it before next spring.
Jesus said, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" (v. 15). We must ask, then, just what did Jesus do?
1) He got up from the meal,
2) took off his outer clothing,
3) wrapped a towel around his waist,
4) poured water into a basin,
5) washed the 12 disciples' feet, and
6) dried them with his towel.
If you look at this list, you will realize that our annual ceremony skips most of what Jesus did. We do not wash feet during a meal, take off our suit jackets or wrap towels around our waists.
Often, we do not pour our own water into a basin, and we usually dry the other person's feet with the other person's towel, rather than our own.
But the biggest difference is that Jesus washed 24 feet that really needed to be washed. In contrast, we usually wash two feet that are already clean. Jesus performed a service that really needed to be done; we perform a ritual, an imitation. Jesus got dirty; we try to be sanitary.
Not all rituals are wrong. The bread and the wine are rituals. They no longer have their original significance (nutrition) but are given a spiritual significance. We partake of the bread and wine because our Lord commanded us to do this in remembrance of him, and we participate with him when we do.
Did our Lord instruct his disciples to "wash one another's feet" (v. 14)? Yes, he did. Why then don't we have any evidence that the apostles actually washed one another's feet? Apparently, they didn't do it the evening Jesus commanded it, and we see nothing about it in Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, the epistles or in early church history.
The closest thing we find to it in the New Testament is 1 Timothy 5:10, which is about the qualifications of widows who may be put on a list of widows working for and supported by the church. One of the qualifications is that she must be "well known for her good deeds, such as ... washing the feet of the saints." Here footwashing is a notable act of service, not something that all Christian women are expected to do at least once a year.
So why the silence? Apparently the apostles understood Jesus to be talking about real service, not a ritual. When Jesus said, wash one another's feet, he meant, serve one another. He simply used a specific example as a figure of speech representing all types of service. (The Gospel of John has many such figures of speech that should not be taken literally.) Jesus is saying that we should humble ourselves and be willing to do even menial tasks for one another.
Do not get me wrong. I am not saying that we should eliminate this part of our annual tradition. I think it is a valuable part of our tradition, and that we should continue to do it once a year, either on Nisan 14 or on Maundy Thursday. But I also believe that if people do not want to participate, we should allow them to skip this part of our service.
But didn't Jesus clearly say to wash feet? Yes, he did. Paul just as clearly tells us to greet one another with a holy kiss. The Bible was written in a specific culture, and its instructions are sometimes phrased with specific customs. The need for footwashing is even more clearly tied to culture than kissing is. It is based on foot travel, dusty roads and open-toed sandals. In Jesus' day, footwashing was a normal part of a formal banquet. Now it is not. It is no longer part of customary formality, and it is no longer viewed as an honor or service.
We obey the intent of Paul's command not by kissing, but by greeting one another with affection. We obey the intent of Jesus' command not by washing our guests' feet, but by serving others. There is no need to insist on taking one command literally and adapting the other to modern customs. Both may be adapted so that we obey the intent.
When we serve one another throughout the year, helping one another in our real needs, we are obeying the spirit of the law of Christ. We are "washing feet" when we give believers rides to church, when we help them move furniture, when we bring a meal for the sick, when we clean house for the bereaved. We wash feet when we encourage the depressed, are patient with the angry, spend time with the lonely.
There are a thousand ways to "wash the feet of the saints." Sometimes it might even involve washing their feet--even cutting their toenails and helping them with cleanliness. Real service for genuine needs is far more important than an annual ritual.
But the annual ritual still gives us a powerful object lesson, a good time for the church to be forcefully reminded of our duty to serve one another. I just hope that it stirs us to more action, instead of causing us to think that we have done enough by washing one person's clean feet.
Next year, all members will know that the footwashing is an optional part of the service. Some members will choose to participate; others will not.
In our culture, the footwashing always has a small measure of inconvenience. We do not normally bring a towel to church, nor do we set up extra chairs and basins of water. All this is extra work, but that is what service entails, isn't it?
For most people, footwashing is not too difficult. But for some, it imposes more than it serves, and to require it would be a violation of what Jesus really meant.
We therefore consider footwashing optional, but we do encourage all members to participate in it--especially when we understand it to mean service of all types at all times of the year.
As Paul wrote: "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love" (Gal. 5:13).
By J. Michael
Feazell
"OK, I see that salvation is accomplished by God from start to finish and not by me, but I'd still like to know more about how we should live. I've heard people talking about `spiritual disciplines.' What are spiritual disciplines?"
The word discipline comes from the word disciple or student. Disciplines, in this context, are things students can do that help them follow their master. The spiritual disciplines that Christians use are practices that Christ used and that his followers can use to help them remain close to God and in tune with the faithful witness of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They include such activities as prayer, Bible time, meditation, simplicity, confession, fasting, celebration, service and others.
One thing we have to be careful about is allowing spiritual disciplines to become another burden of legalism. They can very easily turn into another "measuring rod" of supposed righteousness and ruin the whole purpose of using them.
The Holy Spirit, remember, is at work in us to fashion us into the image of Christ. When we are "listening" to the silent inner witness of the Spirit, even though we may endure great suffering, we sense the peace of Christ's love. When we are ignoring or resisting the Spirit, we tend to feel like we are on our own, and we feel plagued with anxiety, fear and worry.
Either way, God still loves us, we are still saved, and we are no less his beloved children in Christ. The only difference is our ability to believe it, sense it and enjoy it. If we allow our practice of spiritual disciplines to become a special set of rules for the truly faithful, or to fill us with pride, or to make us feel we are worthy of salvation because of our faithfulness, then they have become another poison to us.
The spiritual disciplines are ways we can stay in harmony with the Spirit, so that we can more consistently experience the joy and peace of our true condition in Christ, even though outwardly we may be experiencing a grievous trial. The disciplines do not produce the condition of salvation--Christ did that; they simply help us "hear" God's voice of redemption and grace. They are practices that help us more consistently sense the truth that we are secure in God's love.
Let's look more closely at three of them.
We can stay in closer harmony with the Holy Spirit by spending time in the Bible. Please note that I purposely did not say, "through Bible study."
The word study carries so much unpleasant baggage from school days that it ruins the whole idea of just "hanging out" with a loving God.
Study is associated with pressure, pressure to perform, pressure to succeed, pressure to "make it." So let's talk instead about simply spending time in the Bible as a way of staying in harmony with the Holy Spirit.
Regular Bible reading keeps us from forgetting the truth about who God is and how much he loves us. It reminds us that God is always present and always faithful, even during times of pain, fear and tragedy. It keeps us from the fear that God is angry with us or has rejected us. And it increases our courage in the fight against sin, by reminding us that God has already forgiven and cleansed us for the sake of Christ. By refreshing our thoughts and emotions with the ever-fresh winds of God's Word of grace and faithfulness, Bible reading gives the Spirit "room to work" in our spiritually defective hearts.
Another way we can stay in closer harmony with the Spirit is through prayer.
Paul wrote, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He didn't mean, of course, that we are to do nothing else besides pray. He meant that prayer should become a regular and normal part of our daily living.
Regular prayer helps keep us in the right configuration with God--that of humility and gratefulness. When we pray, we are making our petitions to one who is greater than we are, which is an act of submission and humility.
In prayer, we realize that we do not hold our lives in our own hands, but that we are dependent on a loving, faithful, present and powerful Someone who does hold us securely in his.
Prayer is also a way of being personally and thankfully involved with God's will. It is God's invitation for us to personally participate in the growth and influence of his kingdom--in our own lives, in our families, in the church and in the world.
If prayer is hard for you, don't let that stop you. Just talk to God about anything at all. Whatever is on your mind, no matter what it is, is a good topic for prayer. God knows our hearts, anyway, so it isn't like we're going to shock him or surprise him.
Don't worry that what you say might not be just right. God can handle it. Some of the Psalms are shocking requests for God to smash and bash the Psalmist's enemies. They are honest prayers about real feelings, even though those feelings are not perfect.
If there is a problem with your feelings and attitudes, God still enjoys being with you in prayer, and he will work with you from the inside out to heal that inner turmoil.
In other words, you don't have to wait until you can put on a happy, mature or wise face to begin praying. Just tell God honestly how you are really feeling and what you really think. It is often through the very process of praying that God helps us grow in our attitudes or maturity.
When our children talk to us, they say all kinds of things. Sometimes what they say is sweet and good. Sometimes what they say is mean and cruel and selfish. Sometimes they make good sense; sometimes they make no sense at all. Regardless of what they say, we are glad they are talking to us, because through such communication our relationship with them is developed. How sad it would be if our children never spoke to us at all.
God knows your problems and sins. He knows your strengths, and he knows your weaknesses. What he wants most of all is simply you. He wants to be with you, spend time with you. He is always available to you, ready to listen, ready to enjoy you for who he has made you to be in Christ.
Everything good and pure and loving you always wished you had been, but always failed to live up to, is exactly, only more so, what he has made you in Christ. Trust him. He is ready to hear absolutely anything you want to talk about.
The main thing is to start praying. As you mature in Christ your prayers may become more mature. But let that happen on its own, in its own time. Just start praying.
Simplicity
Another way we can stay in closer harmony with the Spirit is by practicing simplicity in our lives. Here are some ways we can do that:
By giving up the need to have the last word.
By giving up the need to be first.
By giving up the need to be noticed.
By giving up the need to have more.
By giving up the need to be important.
By giving up the need to have our own way.
Bible time and prayer can reinforce our efforts to practice simplicity by making us more familiar and comfortable with the values of the kingdom of God.
As we become more secure in trusting God with our care, the less of a burning need we will feel to have to fight to achieve the empty substitutes for security that the world offers.
The practice of spiritual disciplines such as Bible time, prayer and simplicity is a way of helping us remain attentive to the Spirit. Activities such as these help us value the things that matter in kingdom life, instead of the things that matter in the world's life.
They help us remain in harmony with the life of the Spirit and God's will for our lives. And they reduce the fear, anxiety and strife that characterize life outside the kingdom of God. (A good resource for learning more about spiritual disciplines is Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster, published by HarperSanFrancisco.)
Now let's take a closer look at our relationship with God and with one another. In Christ, we enjoy continual fellowship with God. We don't have to let our personal battles with sin cloud the truth: we are God's beloved children because Jesus saves sinners--not because we are worthy.
We can stop worrying about whether we will "make it." We already have--not because we "came through," but because God had pity on us. When we fail, we don't have to fear God has left us. He never will. We can trust God: He loves us and is at work in us. He never gives up.
You see, Jesus is our righteousness. Through faith in him, our sins are forgiven, because in Jesus Christ, and in Jesus Christ alone, God and humanity are one--reconciled.
We are sinless because we stand in Christ. We stand in Christ through faith, through trusting the Word of God that God is who he says he is and has done what he says he has done, which is to forgive our sins and reconcile us to himself though Jesus Christ.
In Jesus Christ, then, we are sinless. It is true because God has made it true through Christ. He did it because he wanted to. He loves us because he wants to.
He is free to be who he wants to be, and he has freely chosen to be the God who is the Father of Jesus Christ--Jesus Christ the God/man, not a mix of God and man, but wholly God and wholly man, yet one perfect Person.
In Christ and only in Christ is humanity, including you and me and Aunt Gertie, held safe in God. God holds us sinless in Christ.
We overcome not by our own good acts or by our own avoidance of bad acts but "by the blood of the Lamb" (1 John 4:7; Revelation 12:11).
Our righteousness is not our own, but Christ's, given to us in Christ, the sinless Human who is also God, by God's grace, and received by us through faith in him. Paul calls this a mystery that God has revealed to us according to his own good pleasure (Ephesians 1:7-10).
The sinlessness we demonstrate, which is real sinlessness indeed, is definitely not our own personal sinlessness, but the sinlessness of Christ, which we have because and only because God is free to take up humanity into himself through Christ. In Christ, God has given Christ's sinlessness to those who put their trust in him.
Maybe you could say it much more simply, but at least you get the point we're driving at: It is all by the grace of a God who is so in control of all things that he, by his own free choice, took us up into his own life by becoming human for us in Christ, and in Christ's own human death he took up our imperfection in himself and rendered it nullified.
More than that, in Christ's own human resurrection he became glorified for us--glorified, understand, as a human--so that we humans can live eternally in Christ with God as his own redeemed, perfect and glorified children.
We have eternal life through faith in Christ, not through measuring up. Our commitment to treating other people like they matter to God (which is another way of saying "walk in love as Christ has loved us") is the natural (natural in Christ, that is) and grateful response to finding out who God is and what he has given for us.
When we understand that God has taken humanity into himself as part and parcel with himself (without diminishing in any way his deity) through his gracious work in Jesus Christ, then we cannot help but see every fellow human being in a fresh light.
In other words, we strive to be with others like Christ is with them, which is just how he is also with us--forgiving, patient, gentle, kindhearted, humble, loving, taking their abuse, and being joyfully at peace with them because our faith rests not in this world, but in God, whom we trust to take care of us even if we are taken advantage of and made suckers of in this life.
And even when we fail in our strivings, we trust in his perfect righteousness and grace, in which we stand clean and forgiven, redeemed and justified, perfect and holy before God, who is our loving and merciful Father precisely because he is the Father of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our life.
To put it simply: we are at the same time, saints and sinners, righteous and unrighteous, holy and ungodly. In other words, we are dead in our sins, yet, at the same time, because we are dead in the death of Christ who died for us, we are also alive in the resurrection of Christ who was raised for us.
To say it another way, we are dead with Christ, that is, sharing in his death, which is where our sins are held forgiven, and, at the same time, we are also alive with Christ, that is, sharing in his life, which is where we ourselves are held redeemed, that is, holy, righteous and blameless with Christ in God.
In the gospel, we are asked to believe that Christ died for our sins and was raised for our eternal life (Romans 5:8-11). That is, we are asked to believe that our sins are removed through his death, and that we are clothed with righteousness through his resurrection.
We are asked to join Christ in his death, that is, to die to our lives as we know them, and to join Christ in his resurrection life, that is, to live with him in the presence of God (Romans 6:1-14).
This can be done only by faith in Christ. We can only trust God that it is so. We cannot make it happen. We have no ground on which to demand anything. We have nothing to bargain with, and we cannot even bluff, because he can see right through us. Either it is so, or it is not. Whether it is so is not up to us. Our only choice is either to believe it, or not to believe it.
There is no tangible evidence of it. The only evidence is the evidence of faith (Hebrews 11:1). If we trust in the evidence of our improved behavior, we are leaning on a broken cane. If we give up trusting because of our bad behavior, we are missing the whole point. God has decided to save sinners, "of whom I am chief," says Paul, speaking for us all (1 Timothy 1:15).
God does not save righteous people. He only saves sinners who trust him. That is the only way you can be counted among the saved: by facing the truth that you are a sinner, no better than any sinner, and trusting God to save you, simply because he said so.
You cannot be saved by being good. You cannot be saved by avoiding being bad. You cannot be saved by being more good than bad. You cannot be saved by anything you do at all.
You are saved only one way, by God's grace, and the only way you can enter and enjoy that salvation is by taking God at his word, by faith, by believing the good news.
"But don't I have to be good?" you cannot help but ask again.
Not to be saved you don't. If you did, salvation would not be by grace, would it? And the truth is ... you can't be that good. You never have been, and you never will be.
Either you rest eternally in the kingdom of God for no other reason than that you are a beloved crony of the Son of God, or you will not rest at all; there is no other rest in the universe.
"But what about the admonitions in the New Testament to do right things?" you cannot help but ask again.
What about them?
"Come on, Mike. You know what I mean. Don't they tell us we won't be in the kingdom unless we do them?"
No, they don't. They are, like you said, admonitions, not conditions for entering the kingdom of God.
They are descriptions of the new life, the kingdom life, which God has freely opened to us and in which the Spirit leads us to walk.
"But it says in Galatians 5:19-21 that people who practice the works of the flesh "will not inherit the kingdom of God."
And it means what it says. Paul is drawing a distinction between those who belong to Christ and are led by the Spirit and those who belong to the flesh and are led by it.
Those who are in Christ live by faith (Galatians 3:11) that God's word for them is true--that their sins are forgiven and that they are accounted righteous in Christ (Romans 4:5-8).
That means at least two things: 1) By faith they have been transformed into the kind of people who have made Jesus Christ the central authority figure in their lives, and 2) They are not afraid to face and confess their sins before God, because they trust him for his mercy in forgiving sin, for his breaking of sin's seductive power, and for his healing of sin's destructive effects.
Therefore, by faith, we are people who give our allegiance to Christ, who reap the harvest of the Spirit, not people who give our allegiance to the works of the flesh.
Christ is the righteous one, and we are one with Christ in God through faith, certainly not through our behavior.
If we were one with Christ through our actual behavior, we would not need forgiveness of sin, would we?
Believe it or not, we are sinners, regardless of how hard we try to obey. And don't throw up the old "we should at least strive" smokescreen. Striving is not a condition for salvation; utter, absolute perfection is, and we have that perfection in Christ and in him alone, not in ourselves.
The Spirit leads us to strive against sin for righteousness. But we are saved by Jesus Christ, not by the level of our success in this very real struggle. That is why the gospel is good news. We were once sinners facing death without hope. But now Christ has shown us that he saves sinners out of death and gives them eternal life.
When we stop chasing happiness, security and personal fulfillment in the tired old futile ways rebellious humanity has always chased them and put our trust in Christ, we enter a new life, a new creation, in him.
We become what he has made us, beloved children of God; we do not remain in that new creation the pitiful losers we have made ourselves.
It is very good news.
From Randal Dick,
superintendent of international ministers
A wise person once said, "You cannot rightly begin with the question, `Lord, what do you want me to do?' if you have not first pondered the question, `Lord, what are you doing?' "
I thought it would be beneficial to consider what God is and has been doing in the area of the Great Commission, so we might better ascertain what he wants us, individually and as a fellowship, to do.
Billy Graham called for Christians and churches around the world to covenant to work together to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28. The results were marked by a series of conventions in places such as Lausanne, Switzerland, and Manila, Philippines, where solemn covenants were made and partnerships formed. A dynamic organization arose from these meetings known as AD 2000.
This institution girdles the earth and has marshaled the hearts and efforts of millions of Christians. It has fostered scores of other para-churches whose names would be familiar.
Yet, from the day that AD 2000 was formed, it planned its own demise on Dec. 31, 2000. The objective of AD 2000 is to bring the gospel to as many unreached people as possible before the end of 2000. Below, you will see various graphs that depict progress made in spreading the gospel. I'd like to highlight a few issues.
The "peoples" or "families" of the earth have been tabulated. Because of the advance in technology and comparative ease of travel, the distinct subcultures of the world have been identified. A people group is defined as any distinct ethnic or linguistic group of 50,000 people or more. Now, thanks to the AD 2000 movement, networks of people are dedicated to placing the gospel within reach of every people group.
AD 2000 has also been instrumental in stimulating focused prayer for the lost people of the earth. It was clear, early in the process, that many people are unreachable unless some of the barriers of resistance are removed. No human can make another human heart receptive. God can and does.
Historically, the West brought Christianity to the people they conquered, along with their armies and trading companies. In the last decade, African and Asian Christians have taken their place in the mission force. They can make inroads where Westerners cannot. The potential synergy is enormous. Also, many challenges are caused by the bringing together of such highly divergent worldviews.
One of the ironies depicted in these charts is that the vast majority of Christian mission resources are deployed in areas where Christianity is already dominant.
At the same time, statistics indicate that Christianity in the West is rapidly being relegated to one of a large menu of life-style choices, along with New Age, homosexuality, agnosticism and witchcraft. Already more than 20,000 foreign missionaries are in the United States, working to reconvert the once converted America. The next decade will no doubt be one of the more noteworthy periods in the history of Christianity.
From Charles and
Carmen Fleming
CORAL SPRINGS, Florida--Paul referred to the church as a temple--the temple of God. "In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit" (Ephesians 2:21-22).
As the following article by Patrick Fearon shows, God is building a dwelling for himself in the lives of many Caribbean members.
Beginning in 1995, our church was challenged to live according to the new covenant. We were challenged to become a priesthood of all believers. We were urged to surrender ourselves to God, become sensitive to the leading of God the Holy Spirit and let him enable us to discover and use our gifts in his service.
A priesthood of all believers is different from what we used to be when many ministry tasks were reserved for pastors. I think you will be encouraged by the reports of women's ministry retreats, men's fellowship activities, church development initiatives, community outreach, inter-denominational cooperation and evangelistic efforts that are coming about at the initiative of congregational leaders and lay members alike. Charles Fleming.
By Patrick
Fearon
FREEPORT, Bahamas--Like a building taking shape on the landscape and becoming more significant to its community, so is the WCG throughout the region. Buildings that have been acquired (or are being built) in various areas are fulfilling useful roles, as members use the facilities as worship centers, equipping hubs and outreach posts.
Still, the significant difference has more to do with a commitment by quite a few to draw closer to Jesus Christ, nurture one another and contribute their giftedness toward the advancement of the kingdom. Consequently, the church is in many ways living up to its motto: Men, Women and Children Making a Difference for the Kingdom.
Let's take a look at several accounts that illustrate this trend.
Senior Pulley reports from Hamilton, Bermuda, that in December, the women's ministry started an ongoing drive for Teen Haven, a temporary home for young mothers in need. This started after one woman discovered a need for the most basic of necessities for the mothers and babies. The outpouring of love was tremendous, so much so, Teen Haven "barely had room enough to receive it all--literally!" said Senior.
The women's ministry also forged a relationship with Hands of Love, a mission created by Fern Wade. Mrs. Wade gave up a well-paying job to begin the charity, which feeds and clothes the homeless and needy. Nonperishable foods are collected at services each week.
Nathania McKinney reports from Nassau, Bahamas, on women's ministry there: "This year we started a soup kitchen, a prayer program and a card program, performed a play about the crucifixion, and met as a leadership team monthly."
Through the soup kitchen, they put a face on a group objective--to "seek out opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, thus spreading the gospel of the kingdom of God and bringing new souls to Christ." Dozens of people turn up at the church's Ministry Center each Wednesday for a hot meal.
The women participated in a weekend retreat on Paradise Island, May 26 to 28.
Mary Vidal reports from Dominica that 100 women from the southern Caribbean participated in a women's retreat at the Holy Redeemer Retreat House in Eggleston, Dominica, June 16 to 18.
The Freeport, Bahamas, Women's Ministry entered its fourth year of active service within and without the congregation, said director Sharon Fearon.
The women have focused on nurturing a growing relationship with Christ and with one another. This they do through monthly devotional meetings and activities encompassing the wider church. The women are also involved in worship and prayer ministries and teaching children's church.
Ramon Taylor reports from Barbados on their men's fellowship. During a retreat in January the men were inspired by an address by a representative of Evangelism Explosion (E.E.). Four members have already completed a 16-week E.E. training session.
The men have placed emphasis on marriage enrichment, child rearing and prayer. They also participate in in-home Bible studies.
Through their Projects Committee, the men offer a helping hand to individuals inside and outside the church. Together they help their fellowmen complete or improve tasks around their homes.
Brian Baptiste from the San Fernando, Trinidad, congregation reports that 18 men from the Arima and San Fernando churches participated in a retreat at the church's premises in Arima, June 16 to 19. They began the retreat with a fast.
They considered the importance of "dying in Christ in order to live for him." The men examined their roles as fathers and leaders; problems facing men today; living by faith; and commitment to God, family and fellow brethren. At the end the men also recommitted themselves to personal evangelism.
Hayden Liverpool and Karen Hodge of the Arima, Trinidad, church, reported that over the same weekend, June 16 to 19, singles and youths had a retreat at the church premises. Activities fostered oneness in Christ, and included ample opportunities for praise and worship.
Michael Mitchell reports from Kingston, Jamaica, that 17 baptisms took place on the island in April and May.
Michael says the vision for the island includes having at least one active small group or house church in each of the island's 14 parishes, in addition to the established congregations in Kingston, Mandeville, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. In the past, members felt obligated to travel long distances--passing Christian churches on the way--to attend a WCG congregation.
To serve the Haitian community in Nassau, the congregation obtained the services of instructor James Cox to teach the Haitian dialect to some members. Pastor Robert McKinney and volunteers from the congregation have completed a 24-week Creole class. A new batch of volunteers signed on for a new round of classes. Many Haitians benefit from the soup kitchen sponsored by the women's ministry, and some have started attending WCG services.
Interdenominational bonds among the WCG, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian churches continue to deepen in Freeport, Bahamas.
For the second year in a row the four denominations met during the Lenten season for six Sunday evening worship services, a lead-in to Holy Week. This year's theme focused primarily on the attitudes that crucify the message of Jesus today, which also were attitudes of those who crucified Jesus 2,000 years ago.
The five pastors serving the four denominations--Patrick Fearon, Roy Stackpole, Jan Jenkins, Cecil Herran-Venables and Doug Jenkins --took weekly turns presenting the sermons. The final message was presented by Gwen Newbold of Our Savior Lutheran congregation.
As the denominations interact, members of all groups develop a greater appreciation of the work God is doing in different parts of the body. There is also greater tolerance for denominational differences and greater willingness to mutually support one another. The denominations also draw on the strengths of one another--learning from and edifying one another.
On Pentecost, WCG and Presbyterian members had a combined service at which Doug Jenkins and Patrick Fearon shared in presenting the sermon. The following Sunday (Father's Day), Patrick Fearon presented the sermon at New Hope Methodist church. The WCG's young pianist, Chaz Parker, 11, played accompanying music.
The WCG and the Presbyterian church provide hot meals for 40 to 50 needy people in Grand Bahama the third weekend of each month.
Several members from Bahamas, Barbados and Bermuda have been trained in Evangelism Explosion. A clinic was scheduled for Trinidad July 24 to 29. Regional director Charles Fleming hoped that the delegates would return to their congregations with their passion for, and ability to evangelize greatly enhanced.
Hand in hand with this initiative to reach the lost is a Prayer Focus calendar for July that was distributed to members across the region.
Truly, as the WCG anchors itself on Jesus, and as each part does its share, the church is growing and is being built up in the love of God. The result is that a wonderful difference is being made for the kingdom of God.
To God be the glory!
WORKING TOGETHER--From left: Cecil Herran-Venables,
Patrick Fearon, Roy Stackpole, Doug Jenkins and Jan Jenkins.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION--WCG building in Bermuda.
MINISTRY CENTER--WCG building in Nassau, Bahamas.
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana--More than 40 mothers, daughters and granddaughters gathered at Ticfaw State Park, April 14 to 16, for a treat with the theme, Partner With God.The New Orleans Women's Ministry, directed by Linda Babineaux, sponsored the retreat. They sent invitations to the Raceland, Slidell and Hammond, Louisiana, churches, all pastored by Mike Horchak and his wife, Pam.The retreat began Friday evening, April 14, with dinner and a praise and worship service. Many women expressed how much they all seemed to need this time away from their home responsibilities to be with God and each other.
During a sharing session on Saturday, many of the women told of trials the Lord had removed so they could attend the retreat. Many shared stories of their personal call to grace. Time was set aside for quiet reflection.
Men from the Hammond church prepared the Saturday evening meal. The evening ended, after a hands-on workshop, of making potted plants with messages to take home to remind the women and their families of their commitment to partner with God.
Sunday morning the women had a praise and worship service. Then they broke into small groups and took turns praying for each other's needs. The Sunday afternoon session ended with a communion service led by Mr. Horchak. Gilda Crosby and Ethel Vinnett.
KUMASI, Ghana--The Kumasi Women's Ministry has acquired uniforms, according to Angeline Ojih. The women wear it whenever they have a meeting, and pin their badges on during special occasions. The badges feature the church logo. The uniforms add a special feeling of belonging.
In many parts of Africa uniforms are worn by members of various church activity groups.
MARION, Ohio--The Women's Ministry of New Community Christian Fellowship, the WCG congregation in Marion, has its monthly meeting after the Sunday church service so more women can attend.
They start with a Bible study and work on their project to help children's services in the area. They put together packages containing trial sizes of soap, shampoo, a comb, toothpaste and a toothbrush for children in foster homes.
Supplies for this project come from money earned from angel pins made by Kay Balsley and her mother, Janet Fleming. They give the pins away for a dollar donation at craft and bake sales the church has throughout the year. Janet Fleming.
Thomas Bartell Chicago, Illinois, West
David Beckner Stone Mountain, Georgia
Robert "Chip" Brockmeier Richmond, Virginia
Severino Caranto Jr. San Francisco, California
Richard Chafin Stone Mountain, Georgia
Franciscus Danenberg Doorn, Netherlands
Todd Duncan Long Beach, California
Walter Ford Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Ray Gardner Jonesboro, Arkansas
Tommie Grant Sr. Charleston, South Carolina
David Hacker Rockingham, Australia
Karl Jenner Providence, Rhode Island
David Johnson Union, New Jersey
Earl Jones Fayetteville, North Carolina
Gerald Kehn Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Jerry King Columbus, Mississippi
Clifford Mongler Columbia, Missouri
Guy Myrtil Martinique
Gladman Ncokazi Port Elizabeth, South Africa
John Norris Athens, Georgia
Patrick Parnell San Diego, California
William Pearce Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Maxwell Pono Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Johannes Post Zwolle, Netherlands
Rigobert Rafiringason Madagascar
Mervin Reed Grand Junction, Colorado
Christopher Reeve Shenfield, United Kingdom
Bruce Rice Columbia, Missouri
Harold Scholl Somerset, Kentucky
Anthony Sizemore Madisonville, Kentucky
Armando Soto El Paso, Texas
Albert Talison Indianapolis, Indiana, P.M.
Andrianus Verduijn Eindhoven, Netherlands
Larry Whitehead Kansas City, Missouri, Northland
William Williamson Chicago, Illinois, NorthwestJack Zvorak Kansas City, Missouri, Northland
By Shane Bazer
RALEIGH, North Carolina--Last fall, Raleigh members learned that the church hall we were renting on Saturday afternoons was sold and we would have to find a new place within a few months.
Finding a place to conduct a church service is a daunting task. We set aside Oct. 20 to Nov. 20 for 30 days of fasting and prayer. We broke each day into two parts and asked members to sign up for a day or half day to take before God in prayer and fasting. We asked God to prepare us for where he was going to take us.
We continued to ask God's guidance in our small groups, in our weekly intercessory prayers at church and on other occasions. Several times in children's church, the youngsters formed a circle and took turns asking God to help us go where he wanted to us to be.
After we laid the groundwork in prayer, we began the search for a new place to worship. We contacted the school board, but churches were already using every school auditorium in the county on Sundays, and they couldn't ask a janitor to come in on Saturdays too.
We called and visited Rotary clubs, Masonic lodges and bingo halls. They were being used by churches on Sundays and weddings and special functions on Saturdays. We contacted dozens of churches, and they were either in use all weekend or not interested in renting their sanctuary to another group on Saturdays.
The Raleigh Foursquare Gospel church opened their doors to us for a couple of months while we found a more permanent home, but they had programs on Saturdays at their church and really needed full-time use of the building.
Our pastor, Don
Mason, heard from another pastor in the region that they were going to meet on Sundays in
a Seventh-day Adventist church. Switching to Sunday wasn't what we were looking for. Just
to make sure it was another closed door, our pastor called up the Seventh-day Adventist
church in Raleigh.
The pastor said that their board had brought up the idea of renting to a Sunday church to raise money for their building fund, and yes, they would be interested in talking with us. Mr. Mason discussed the situation with the church staff (elders and leaders in the congregation).
The following Saturday we passed out a survey at church. Mr. Mason explained that God might have opened a door for us to meet in another church, but on Sunday.
We knew that many members were uneasy with changing days of worship. Quite a number had been going to church on Saturdays for more than 30 years, myself included.
Then we began thinking about our mission. Is our mission to preserve our history or is it to preach the gospel? Are we to comfort ourselves or do we tend to the poor, hungry, homeless and spiritually needy? If we are to be fishers of men, where and when should we be fishing?
Because we no longer esteem one day above another, a number of our members were unable to consistently come to church. Some needed to work overtime or a take a part-time job on Saturdays. Others had children involved in their school or community and many of these activities were on Saturdays.
Up to 30 percent of our members were not attending services every week because of conflicts. When we started looking at how meeting on Sunday would positively affect some of our own members, we began to warm to the idea of switching days. If you want to help a person form a relationship with Christ, you don't put stumbling blocks in the path. For most people, a 2 o'clock service on Saturday (or even Sunday) is a challenge.
When the time came to meet on Sunday morning in our new home, only two families that regularly attended were not there. Because of their family schedules or conscience, they preferred Saturday, so they attend our sister congregation in Wilson, North Carolina. The number of people who couldn't attend on Saturday who are now there on Sunday actually increased overall attendance.
Why did Jesus tell his disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the boat? You don't realize the difference until you actually cast your net on the other side.
Our old meeting place was a nice church hall in an excellent location. We met on Saturday afternoons and had maybe a dozen visitors over a two-year period. None of them returned more than once. Since we've been in our new meeting place, we have had more than a dozen visitors in the first two months. Nearly all of them have returned multiple times and several have indicated that they consider themselves members of our fellowship.
Members are getting excited about the future of our fellowship and are inviting friends, neighbors and co-workers to church. Now that we are meeting on Sunday mornings, a time that is convenient, they are accepting the invitation.
By Katie Whitney
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements and to store his few possessions. But then one day, he returned home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.
The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.
"We saw your smoke signal," they replied." Author unknown.
Many times in life, things happen that make us doubt God, ask questions and wonder, how could God allow this? Starvation throughout the world; floods and storms that wipe out cities; diseases that take the lives of millions; wars that never seem to end; death of someone close to you.
Last summer, I was faced with the most challenging test of my faith yet. My 19-year-old brother Jonathan, who had suffered from severe asthma his entire life, died during the Summer Educational Program (SEP) in Orr, Minnesota. For days, through the tears, anger and grief, the only question that came to mind, was Why? Why Jon? How could God allow Jon to suffer his whole life with sickness, travel from doctor to doctor, only to let him die two months before his 20th birthday?
I knew there was supposed to be this great God up there who healed and watched over us, but all I could ask was: "Where were you, God? How could you let Jon die?"
Then I went to SEP for the first time with my family for Jon's memorial service. Part of me was numb, unable to cry, or accept that this was where Jon had died. And much of me was still asking, Why?
Slowly, over the next three days that I was there with my family, and then when I went back as a camper for the second session, I got answers. I heard countless stories about how Jon had changed people's lives. I heard about staff members who had re-bonded with their families. I heard about someone who told their siblings they loved them for the first time.
I heard about a prayer my brother said the morning he died. He asked God to use him in whatever way possible to impact the lives of campers.
I went to SEP expecting to grieve and bury and say good-bye to my brother. Instead, God renewed my faith in him, gave me peace and showed me that Jon's death was not in vain.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" reads Jeremiah 29:11. God has a plan for all of us. I know that now. He had a plan for Jon, too. And although at first it didn't make sense, and part of it still doesn't, slowly he shows us why. Someday I hope to get the full answer, but until then, we've got to have faith in God, because he does have a plan for all of us.
In Revelation 2:10, Jesus tells us, "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." Things will go wrong in our lives. And living in Satan's world, as we do, it's easy to lose hope and think God has forgotten us. But you've got to keep your faith in God. Because when your world falls apart, or something goes wrong, it is your faith in God that will keep you strong.
NEW RIVER, North Carolina--A Fishers of Men Discovery Weekend takes place Aug. 18 to 20 on New River in the wilderness of central North Carolina.
The cost is $55 per camper and includes food, lodging and activities, which will include a five-hour scenic canoe trip, swimming, fishing, tubing down the river, a dance and more.
Discovery Weekends are for those entering sixth grade and older. Registration deadline is Aug. 9. Please contact Frank Ancona with any questions at 1-336-722-1454 or Stephen Webb at cubrocknet@zero.net Shane Bazer.
WESTERLY, Connecticut--Janytra Carlisle graduated June 23 from Fishers Island School off Long Island Sound in New York, a school she commuted to by ferry.
Janytra boarded the New London ferry each morning at 7 a.m. and studied on the 45-minute trip to school. She returned to the mainland each day after school.
She plans to attend the University of Hartford this fall on a full-tuition scholarship.
Janytra attends the Norwich, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island, congregations with her mother, Janie.
Four accept Jesus
at Rockin' With
the Rock concert
HILLSDALE, Michigan--Four young people accepted Jesus and at least 50 recommitted their lives to the Lord June 24 at the Rockin With the Rock concert in Hillsdale.
About 1,000 people attended the concert, which featured national artists Bleach and Shaded Red. WCG members came from as far as 100 miles away to help with the concert.
The event started at noon and was supposed to last until 11 p.m. but at almost 9 p.m. it started to rain fairly hard and by 9:45 it was a virtual downpour. James Cramer.
By
Shirley Henderson
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa--I miss Madagascar. It's hard to believe that in five days I became so attached to a country that is so far removed from the world in which I normally operate. A massive island, Madagascar is adrift off Africa in the Indian Ocean, idyllic, isolated and independent.
Accompanying my husband, James, on a visit to Madagascar in May gave me a chance to experience a little slice of Malagasy life. One of the highlights was attending a meeting with the church youths in Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar.
Less than a year ago only two young adults were in the church in Tana (mercifully short for Antananarivo!). Our meeting was with 11 of the 15 youths who are now part of the church's vibrant youth group.
The original two decided that something needed to be done and worked to formulate a number of ways in which they could interest friends and family to join them in activities and worship. After conducting a youth weekend campout to which they invited as many as possible, the fledgling youth club began. It includes people between the ages of 15 and 25.
The club involves prayer meetings, a basketball club and social get-togethers. Their goals are to become an evangelistic tool to bring other youngsters to Christ and in the process to become a more professional and challenging basketball team.
They are actively looking for pen-pals around the world with whom to communicate as well as sponsorship for the team and their evangelical efforts. If you would like to write to them, e-mail Kiki or Tolotra at monde.venir@simicro.mg
Their enthusiasm, infectious humor and positive Christian attitudes were contagious, and I found myself promising to do all I could to help them achieve their aims.
Another high spot was a visit to the oldest WCG church member in the Indian Ocean. Papa Pierre, 85, assured us that if it weren't for his knees he would be fit enough to become a boxing champion. The faith that he and his wife have in Jesus just shines forth out of both of them. We met Papa Pierre sitting in the sunshine in front of his house reading his Bible while waiting for his wife to return from market.
The worship service for the growing house church in Tana was conducted in the family home of Madame Georgette, a blind member who is suffering severe health problems. All the members crowded into the living room for the service so that she could hear from her bedroom.
I was deeply moved to see how Jesus is using members in Tana to reach out to and to give hope to some of the most neglected members of society in one of the poorest countries in the world.
A true finale to a great trip came when at last I visited the Triomphe Orphanage, organized and run by Madame Eliezara. An amazing 81 children stay in the orphanage. Although bouncing (in place) with excitement during a worship service, they remained quiet and responsive to everything that was said and absolutely reveled in the singing and clapping and dancing.
I was filled with admiration for Madame Eliezera, who manages to keep the orphanage running while trying to raise the $25 per child per month it takes to keep it going. It takes incredible faith to trust that God will provide the necessary funds as and when they are needed when the lives of 81 destitute children depend on you.
About five years ago we had only a handful of contacts. Now we have a church in Tana, the church of the Orphans, the church of the Street People (will talk about this next time), the youth club and groups scattered toward the north.
This trip was one filled with warmth, enthusiasm, encouragement and fun. These dedicated people who rejoiced in our visit, inspired and gave back more than we could ever have brought to them!
I really am missing Madagascar!
By Michael Morrison
PASADENA--How can we bring the gospel to children whose parents don't attend a church? By inviting them to a fun-filled weekly activity in which they learn scriptures, hear devotional messages and make new friends.
"Our club's main purpose is to reach children," said Janet Morrison, director of Pasadena's SonLight Club. "We are happy to help our own children, and we also want to make the club an effective way to preach the gospel to other kids."
The club began the '98-'99 year with 35 members and then grew 70 percent in nine months. During the year, 72 children visited the club, and of those, 25 joined. At year's end, 30 percent of the club were children not in the WCG.
Statistics for '99-'00 are similar: 50 visitors, of which 22 joined, and at year's end, 40 percent of the club members were not in the WCG.
How does the club grow? By children inviting friends from school and their neighborhoods. Some of these children already have a church affiliation (sometimes rather minimal), and others have no religious background.
Our club uses materials from SonLight ministries, with some adaptations for our doctrines and circumstances. The club is for children in kindergarten through grade seven.
Younger children are called Kings Kids; older girls are Angels and older boys are Knights. Each group has age-appropriate uniforms, games, activities, scripture memory and devotional messages.
Children earn rewards for attendance, crafts, learning scriptures, bringing friends and attending a children's church or Sunday School. Rewards include badges and pins for the uniforms, and points that can be redeemed for prizes in a prize store.
"SonLight club must be doing something right," said one parent. "Anything that makes children eager to learn scriptures is good in my book."
The program requires a lot of volunteers--parents, teens, college students and others. Some of the volunteers are not in the WCG, but they are glad to support the missionary goals of the club.
"We have a great group of workers. Each of them makes sacrifices to support the club and its goals. They make a difference in the lives of these kids," Mrs. Morrison said.
A high volunteer to child ratio allows the volunteers to build relationships with the children. Handbook groups are small so that children get individual attention. Personal relationships are important, since they increase the effectiveness of the gospel messages and help the children come back to where they are loved. Some children have a new interest in attending church because they have formed friendships in the club.
Some volunteers lead handbook groups, in which children learn scriptures and progress through the club sequence of books. Others help with games, refreshments and setup.
Other volunteers, equally important, are prayer partners for those who work in the club. Others have given financial support above what the local church fund gives. Dues cover only one third of the actual cost. The rest is subsidized as an evangelistic effort of the church.
We have a variety of activities--fun games, singing, costumes and parties. We've had Christmas and Easter dramas, bicycle trips, hikes, a choir performance and a campout. One goal of such activities is to help us meet the parents of the non-WCG youths. We've enjoyed making friends with them, and hope that the relationships will grow. It already has, for some.
This summer, we plan to have a Vacation Bible School. It will not only be a way to present the gospel to children, it will also be an opportunity to invite the children to our club and to our church.
For more information, contact janetmorrison
Our club has expenses. We have expenses for uniforms, handbooks, awards, prizes and snacks. Our club is funded by 1) a subsidy from the local church activity fund; 2) contributions from members; 3) membership dues; and 4) snacks brought by parents.
This year, we have begun to receive some funds from electronic scrip. After members register for the e-scrip program, 2 percent of all their Vons and Safeway purchases go automatically to our club. Members in other church areas can also participate.
SONLIGHT CLUB--Club members and staff gather for photo before the
evening's activities. [Photo by Thomas C. Hanson]
Jesus teaches a high standard of righteousness, requiring sincerity in the heart. In startling words, he warns us against anger, adultery, oaths and vengeance. He says that we must love even our enemies (Matthew 5).
The Pharisees were known for strict standards, but our righteousness should be better than theirs (which could be rather dismaying, if we forget about the mercy promised earlier in the Sermon). True righteousness is internal. In chapter six, Jesus illustrates this point by denouncing religion done for show.
"Be careful not to do your `acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full" (vs. 1-2).
In Jesus' day, some people made a show of religion. They made sure that people could see them doing good. They received the admiration of many, but that is all they will receive, says Jesus, because they are only play-acting. Their good works were done not to serve God, but to serve public opinion and to serve self. It is the wrong attitude, and God will not reward it.
Religious show-offs can be seen today in pulpits, or setting up chairs, or leading Bible study groups, or writing for church newspapers. They may be feeding the poor and preaching the gospel. On the outside, it looks like sincere service; but the attitude may be quite different.
"When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (vs. 3-4).
Our "hand," of course, doesn't know anything. Jesus is using a figure of speech to say that alms-giving shouldn't be done for show, either for others or for self-congratulation. We do it for God, not to make ourselves look good.
But it is not literally true that charity must be secret. Jesus has already said that we should let our good deeds be seen so that people will praise God (5:16). The focus is on attitude, not appearance. Our motive should be to do good for God's glory, not for our own glory.
Jesus said something similar about prayer: "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (vs. 5-6).
Jesus is not creating a rule against public prayer. Jesus himself sometimes prayed in public. His point is that we should pray not just to be seen--or for that matter, neither should we avoid prayer out of fear of public opinion. Prayer is done for God, not for appearance.
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him" (vs. 7-8). God knows our needs, but we should still ask (Phil. 4:6), and we should be persistent (Luke 18:1-8). But the effectiveness of prayer depends on God, not us. We do not have to achieve a certain number of words, a set length of time, a particular posture or a special eloquence.
Jesus then gave a sample prayer--a model of simplicity. It may be used as an outline, but other outlines are also acceptable.
"This, then, is how you should pray: `Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven' " (Matt. 6:9-10). This prayer begins with simple praise--nothing elaborate, just an expression of desire that God would be honored and that earth would be responsive to his will.
"Give us today our daily bread" (v. 11). This acknowledges that our lives depend on our powerful Father. Although we may go to the store to buy that bread, we should remember that God is the one who makes it possible. We depend on him day by day.
"Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (vs. 12-13). We need not only food, but also a relationship with God, a relationship that we often betray and are therefore often in need of forgiveness. And this prayer reminds us that we should be merciful to others if we ask God to be merciful to us. We know we are not spiritual giants--we need divine help so we can resist temptations.
That ends the prayer; Jesus then emphasizes again our responsibility to forgive one another. The better we understand Jesus' high standard of righteousness, the better we will understand our need for mercy, and our need to forgive others (vs. 14-15).
Jesus then addresses another religious behavior: "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (vs. 16-18).
When we fast, we groom ourselves as normal, for we are fasting to God, not to impress people. Again, the focus is on the attitude, not on whether somebody happens to find out that we are fasting. If someone asks us if we are fasting, we can answer truthfully--but neither should we hope that they ask. Our goal is not to show off, but to seek God.
In all three areas, Jesus made the same point. Whether we give alms, pray or fast, we do it "in secret"--without regard to whether people see. We do not make a show of it, but neither do we need to hide it. We just do it to God, for God, and he will reward us. The reward, like our activity, may be hidden, but it is real, and it is growing.
Our focus should be on pleasing God, on doing his will, on valuing his rewards rather than the temporary rewards of this world. Public praise is one form of short-lived reward. Jesus now turns to the shallowness of physical things. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" (vs. 19-20).
Earthly riches are temporary, and Jesus is advising us to make a better investment--to seek the permanent values of God through quiet charity, unshowy prayer and secret fasting.
If we take Jesus too literally, we might think that he is making a rule against retirement savings. But his point is really about our heart--what it is that we treasure. We should value the heavenly rewards even more than we do the earthly savings. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (v. 21). If we value the things that God values, then our heart will be right and our behavior will be right, too.
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (vs. 22-23).
Here Jesus seems to be using a proverb of his day, applying it to the desire for money. If we look at things in a good way, we will see opportunities to do good, to be generous. But if we look selfishly, enviously, we will be in moral darkness, corrupted by our desires.
What are we looking for in life--to get or to give? Are our bank accounts designed to serve ourselves, or to enable us to serve others? We are improved or corrupted by our goals. And if the inside is corrupt, if we are seeking only the rewards of this world, we are corrupt indeed.
What motivates us? Is it money, or is it God? "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money" (v. 24). Neither can we serve God and public opinion. We must serve God alone, without any competition.
How might a person "serve" money? By thinking that it can bring us happiness, by considering it all powerful, by valuing it highly. Those attitudes are more properly given to God. He is the one who can give us happiness; he is the true source of security and life; he is the power that can help us most. We are to value him more than anything else, to treasure him, to put him first.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry ... saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them" (vs. 25-32). God, a good Father, will take care of us if we put him first. We need not worry about human opinion, and we do not need to worry about money and things.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you as well" (v. 33). We will live long enough, we will eat
enough, we will have enough, if we have God. Michael Morrison
By Ronald
Kelly
As we pass through the halfway mark of the year, our financial circumstances are progressing at a slower pace than we hoped.
The summer months of 1999 were pretty good, but this year, June donations are down by 20 percent compared to last year. If this is a trend, we have much to be concerned about.
We have also completed tabulation of the Pentecost offering, which is down 23 percent from the same season a year ago. Special offerings from January through June, which include the spring festival as well as the Pentecost season, are down 20 percent from last year.
This is disappointing because the past few months have been more stable and predictable regarding income. We always hope we will find our leveling-off spot and be able to count on a specific income level.
I don't want to paint an overly dark picture, but I do attempt to share the reality of church finances. As we planned the budget for 2000, we projected income would not be maintained at the 1999 level of $95,000 per banking day. Our income projections from member donations are for $82,668 per banking day. But even with those lower projections, January through June income was five percent under budget projections.
Please note the chart on this page for specific monthly and year-to-date financial information.
On the positive side of the income picture, we have been blessed with the sale of our Texas campus, greater than expected funds from estate donations and revenues from other sources that help keep our reserve fund at an appropriate level. This has made it possible to continue with our budget plan for this year.
In August, we will have meetings with our district superintendents in Dallas, Texas. One of the topics will be the financial structuring of our denomination after the sale of the Pasadena property.
A task force is working to prepare for those meetings. Those working on this project are excited about the possibilities for the future financial opportunities congregations might have.
After the August discussions, the district superintendents will meet with pastors and leadership teams of the congregations to receive input. Our hope is that by the end of this year, we will have a preliminary plan in place that will be phased in during 2001 and be in place by 2002.
Local congregational funding will be most effective as congregational giving increases. The new financial structure will provide members with the information necessary to understand the funding necessary for each church.
For example, for a local church to be effectively organized as a part of a denomination, there are expenses to hire a pastor, rent a hall (or own a building), process and receipt donations, pay for insurance, have legal services, contribute to missions, and a host of budget items.
Once certain fixed costs are understood, congregations will know that additional funding for local projects will result from increased growth or increased giving from members.
From feedback I receive, most of our ministers and congregations strongly favor retaining at least some of our centralized financial structure. At the same time, each congregation would like to have sufficient funding for local projects. The task force I mentioned will propose a plan that will help a congregation meet local expenses, contribute to denominational funding and have funds for local evangelistic outreach.
Please pray for God's guidance and his wisdom to be imparted as we proceed through the planning processes and look forward to the exciting opportunities each of our congregations will develop in the near future.
Statement of Income and Expenses for WCG and PTM combined for June 2000
For the Month For the Year to Date
Income
Donation Income $ 2,211,285 $ 12,139,523
Other income 1,247,665 3,010,571
Total income 3,458,950 15,150,094
Expenses 3,149,598 17,836,497
Net gain (or loss) to bank reserves $ 309,352 $ (2,686,403)
Ken
Williams graduated from Ambassador College in Big Sandy in 1970. He and Nancy Strommen
were married in 1972 in Duluth, Minnesota, where he was assistant pastor.
Nancy was a student teacher in Superior, Wisconsin. She graduated from Stout State University in 1972. Their first son, David, was born in Duluth in July 1973. Three weeks after his birth they were transferred to Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Their daughter Heather was born in 1975. After nine years pastoring Kalamazoo and Coldwater, Michigan, they moved to their new assignment in New England in 1982.
Their third child, Michael, was born three days after they unloaded their things into Dan and Barbara Rogers' home in Concord, New Hampshire. They served the congregations in Concord and Montpelier, Vermont, for seven years.
They were transferred to Rochester, New York, and served the congregations in Rochester and Syracuse for a year.
In 1990 Randy and Debbie Bloom were transferred to Syracuse, and Mr. Williams pastored Rochester for seven years. He became regional pastor in 1996.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams have stayed in their home in Rochester for 11 years. "During this time, thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Nancy and I have experienced a much closer walk with God, have been drawn closer to each other, and have had time to really bond with our children. We feel very blessed," Mr. Williams said.
The following pastors, wives and congregations are in the Rochester district.
Brick and Union, New Jersey: John Adams
Rochester, New York: Leonard and Patama Banks
Queens, New York: Craig and Mary Bacheller
Utica, New York: Dick and Carol Bernhardt
Manhattan and Westchester, New York: Dan and Alice Bierer
Brooklyn, New York: Steve and Harlean Botha
Montvale, New Jersey and Middletown, New York: Jeff and Karen Broadnax
Bangor, Maine: Jim and Theresa Cook
Providence, Rhode Island, and Norwich, Connecticut: Luciano and Sue Cozzi
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: Gary and Marcia Demarest
Queens, New York: Stanley and Jean Marie DeVeaux
Boston, Massachusetts: Al and Cheryl Ebeling
Worcester and Springfield, Massachusetts: Bill and Harriet Ford
Philadelphia and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: Dave and Hinke Gilbert
Rushville, New York: Robert and Deana Gnage
Elmira, New York: Shawn and Ginger Gregory
Medford, New Jersey: Mike and Louise Harkins
Pittsfield, Massachusetts: Burt and Mary Harrington
Buffalo, New York, North and South: John and Hannah Knaack
Binghamton, New York: Oleh and Diane Kubik
Olean, New York: Leonard and Rose Anna Ladage
Syracuse, New York: Eric and Sue Larison
Montpelier, Vermont, and Plattsburgh, New York: Al and Arlene Nelson
Batavia, New York: Charlie and Judi Piscitello
Newark, New Jersey: Ron and Doreen Robinson
Schenectady and Lake George, New York: Jim and Diane Rosenthal
Fredonia, New York: Vern and Sharon Seekings
Concord, New Hampshire, and Portland, Maine: Ron and Gail Stoddart
Endless Mountains, Pennsylvania: Lou and Donna Tsiknas
Bethel, Maine: George and Jennifer Weber
Meriden and Bridgeport, Connecticut: Larry and Connie Wooldridge
BOREHAMWOOD,
England--John Halford, regional director in Europe, visited the congregation in Tartu,
Estonia, for Pentecost.
Thirty people attended, including five Americans in Estonia on Peace Corps duty, including Jeremy and Myra Stokes from San Jose, California.
The occasion included the wedding of deacon Leo Kaagjarv. His bride, Kaarin Riives, is a professor of mathematics. The wedding was performed by Carl Fredrik Aas, Scandinavian pastor, who visits Estonia regularly.
"Religion took a battering in the communist years, and now there is great spiritual curiosity in this country," Mr. Halford said. "Several of the people who attend regularly have not yet requested baptism. They are cautious. After all, 50 years of communism does make you careful about what you believe and why."
TOKYO, Japan--"We believe that God is building a congregation of our fellowship here in the Tokyo area," said member Robert Long.
"We have been blessed to network with an independent Japanese minister, Shunsuke Nakagawa, who can minister to our Japanese friends in ways we can't because of our limited Japanese language and cultural abilities. It is a challenging country for evangelism as less than one percent of the population is Christian."
Some members from the Philippines have expressed interest in coming to Japan to work and have a "tent making" ministry. Robert and Lori Long.
HELENA, Montana--Living Hope Fellowship, the Helena WCG congregation, participated in Jesus Day, June 10.
The theme was A Day on Earth as in Heaven. More than 29 ministries and churches joined for a day of random acts of kindness (RAK) across the Helena community focusing on four themes: no child is fatherless, no one goes hungry, no one suffers alone and the streets are filled with singing.
All acts of kindness were done free of charge simply to show the love of Jesus in practical ways. Events included free car washes, window washing, youth groups doing face painting in the park, live bands performing in different parts of the community, gift trucks giving away free items across town, all night prayer vigils, nursing home visits, homeless shelter and low income housing visits and even a free yard sale.
One person in a RAK group showed Jesus' love by distributing flowers and gifts to groups of gay pride marchers in a gay pride parade taking place that day, according to Pastor Tobe Johnson.
The day concluded with more than 500 people coming together for the annual March for Jesus celebration parade through downtown Helena with people watching from bars, casinos, homeless shelters and simular places.
After the parade, the Body of Christ gathered at one of the parks for live music interspersed with testimonies on how Jesus had changed peoples' lives. As the music played, a free meal was served to more than 500 people. Tobe Johnson.
LOS ANGELES, California--Eighty-two members from the Los Angeles and Pasadena NewLife congregations, pastored by Bermie Dizon, joined more than 1,100 members from other churches June 10, for a two mile March for Jesus.
Before the march, some Los Angeles members helped set up service areas and prepared food for incoming marchers. After the march, members helped serve food and drinks to more than 650 men, women and children marchers as they listened to music, speeches and prayers for our local and national leaders and governments. John Campbell.
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas--As part of the "Light a Fire. Change a Life" campaign, 18 Fayetteville members are participating in the expansion of Northwest Arkansas Christian Academy and Ecclesia College.
The new 68,000 square foot multi-purpose training center will be on the campus of Youth With a Mission (YWAM) in Elm Springs, Arkansas. It will provide class rooms, gymnasium, library and other facilities for a grade school, secondary school and a four year Bible college.
Pastor Terry Warren accepted the position of director of development for the new building program April 16. As a non-paid volunteer, he is part of a team planning to raise $5 million for the facility. "While our local church has not been able to provide financial assistance, we have provided much needed personnel," Mr. Warren said.
Youth With a Mission, Northwest Arkansas, was established by Oren and Inez Paris 25 years ago. Oren is the father of Christian recording artist Twila Paris. She appeared at the inaugural evening for the building project.
Mr. Warren coordinated this and other events and developed promotional support including a video titled "Light a Fire. Change a Life." Other members involved in the project are Hal Roberts, who is assisting as a consultant and corporate fund-raiser; Bruce Bell, a contractor; Glen Meyer, who has helped with site development; and Jerry Wood, who has provided computer consulting.
The Fayetteville congregation has heard presentations from missionaries who have been to Russia, Mexico, Colombia and Africa. Members have helped support the training of new pastors in Colombia, distribution of Bibles into Romania and missionary outreach into Mexico and Cameroon.
Four missionaries spoke to the congregation June 3 before leaving for Cameroon to introduce the gospel to a tribe that has not heard it. The congregation supports them in prayer.
"Our congregational association with YWAM has resulted in a renewed enthusiasm among many members," Mr. Warren said. "They are participating directly in the encouragement of this evangelical outreach into other nations. This has provided a broader vision of the Body of Christ and instilled a greater passion for the announcement of the gospel." Terry Warren.
NASHVILLE, Tennessee--Twelve Murfreesboro, Tennessee, members took part in the Billy Graham crusade June 1 to 5, an event dubbed "Another Music City Miracle."
They joined Christians from nearly 600 Middle Tennessee churches and 48 denominations. Members participated in the choir, as counselors, and on follow-up teams conducting interviews and leading small group Bible studies.
Some 227,000 attended the four-day event at Adelphia Coliseum, home of the Tennessee Titans football team, and 9,429 responded to the invitation to commit or rededicate their lives to Jesus Christ.
Saturday evening, a Concert for the Next Generation focused on the spiritual needs of America's youths, which drew 71,800 to hear the grandfatherly evangelist describe the path to peace and joy through forgiveness of sins and life-changing faith in Jesus Christ.
The Billy Graham training staff stressed interdenominational cooperation, personal one-on-one evangelism (Operation Andrew model) and followup after the crusades (discipleship not just decisions).
Pastor Dick Weber said, "The excellent training programs offered by the Billy Graham staff in counseling, personal evangelism and small group leadership were a special blessing that exceeded the expectations and imagination of all our participants."
Crusade stories and a webcast link where Tennessee crusade events can be watched in their entirety are available at the Billy Graham website www.billygraham.org Nancy Gunnels and Richard Weber.
LUBBOCK, Texas--Lubbock members joined hands with church members of other denominations in preparation for Festival 2000 with Franklin Graham, April 28 to 30.
Discipleship classes prepared members to work with those who came forward and committed to follow Jesus Christ. The theme of the three-day festival was forgiveness of sin through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and how one can have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Using Mark 8 as his text Mr. Graham asked, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?" He also asked, "Do you know without a shadow of a doubt that your sins have been forgiven?"
"It was evident that the Spirit of God was at work during the festival," said Pastor Denis Dufrenne, "as all the denominations came together in unity for one common goal, that of sharing Christ with those who did not yet know him as their personal Lord and Savior."
Mr. Dufrenne said that what members learned during the training sessions and participating in the festival will equip them for discipling those whom God will draw to the WCG.
ATLANTA, Georgia--Members from Athens, Atlanta, Buford, Douglasville, Dublin, Kennesaw, Stone Mountain and Macon, Georgia, met June 10 and 11 for a Pentecost celebration weekend.
The event took place at the Atrium Mall Convention Center in Atlanta where members had the option to stay in pre-booked rooms next door at the Drury Inn. At the Saturday worship service, members heard from Dan Rogers, superintendent of ministers.
After lunch, members from the attending churches performed a concert of praise.
Mr. Rogers spoke again Sunday morning to 297 members at the Pentecost service. The service concluded with communion. Alan Barr, district superintendent, said that "this was a weekend we really needed. It gave us all the opportunity to reunite once again with old familiar faces." Lance McKinnon.
VERMILION, Ohio--One hundred fifty men, women and children gathered at the Beulah Beach Christian Camp and Retreat Center June 23 to 25 for a weekend of worship and fellowship.
Special guest was Christian actor Bruce Marchiano, who emphasized the importance of embracing and following Jesus as we battle evil in our sin-infected world.
The retreat was sponsored by Grace Community Fellowship, our Akron-Canton, Ohio, congregation, with support from congregations in Cleveland and Lorain, Ohio. WCG members from several states attended together with Christians from other denominations who learned of the retreat from various Internet websites.
Several people received Jesus as Lord and Savior for the first time at the retreat. Seven were baptized as a direct result (including five that weekend in the waters of Lake Erie).
Many of those present (including another 100 who joined the group on Saturday afternoon) commented on the great joy and sense of renewal they experienced at the retreat. One of the non-WCG attendees asked, "Are all your WCG congregations this joy-filled?"
Each morning nearly half of the attendees gathered for an hour of prayer before breakfast. Several commented that they had never experienced such dynamic group prayer before. Much of the time in prayer was devoted to intercession for others and in praying back to God the messages he was giving to the group during the retreat.
Tentative plans are being explored for a similar retreat at Beulah Beach in June 2001. Ted Johnston.
TOKYO, Japan--The WCG in Japan conducted its third International Friendship Club (IFC) social event June 24.
More than 50 adults and children attended, representing Japan, Canada, the United States, New Zealand and the Philippines. Activities included an international foods potluck, ethnic dancing, karaoke and games.
The club builds friendships among people of various cultures. It is also hoped that God will plant seeds among non-Christians. The church group has about five or six members who meet regularly, and the club is a way for them to meet, cultivate friendships and serve others. Melvin McKee.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas--The San Antonio congregation joined with the Northwest Hispanic Baptist Church for discipleship classes conducted by the Navigators, a group serving with churches across denominational lines in discipleship and witnessing for more than 50 years.
Bob Byrd, Navigator representative, has conducted the classes over the past four months. Mr. Byrd headed up discipleship training in San Antonio for the Billy Graham Crusade.
ZEELAND, Michigan--Member Lloyd La Mar shared his testimony Nov. 21 when visiting Lakeland Community Church with a friend.
A microphone was set up at each side of the auditorium and people could walk up and give their testimony.
"The thought came into my mind that I should give a testimony," Mr. La Mar said, "but since I couldn't walk to the microphones because I sit in a special chair because of my physical problems, I asked my friend to bring it to me, which he did.
Mr. La Mar said: "Hi, I'm a guest here today. I came out of a church filled with legalism. I now know that I'm saved by grace through faith, that eternal life is a gift and that there is nothing I can do to attain eternal life. It's not what I do for Jesus that gets me saved. It's what Jesus did for me that got me saved, and for that I'm thankful."
After the service one person told Mr. La Mar, "I was glad to hear what you said because I have struggled with that for years."
Many of the 500 people in attendance commented favorably about what he had said, including the minister.
The church service took place in the auditorium of the high school where Mr. La Mar graduated in 1942.
"I never would have thought that I would give a witness for Jesus in my hometown, especially at my age of 75."
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma--Two hundred fifty-two members, former members and friends met for a worship service June 3 to celebrate Oklahoma City's first 40 years as a WCG congregation. Anyone who had ever attended church here was welcome.
After praise and worship, Pastor Mike Rasmussen led the congregation in intercessory prayer, in which the congregation prayed for anyone who had a need. Don Lawson, former Oklahoma City pastor and now district superintendent, gave a sermon titled God's Indescribable Gift.
Among those present were Arnold and Trish Clauson. Mr. Clauson was associate pastor in the 1960s, then pastor in the 1980s.
Afterward, a meal of beef brisket was served, followed by a slide show of pictures taken over the past four decades. Bill Vice.
FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina--The Fayetteville congregation invites all to their 35th anniversary in Christ Aug. 26 at the Bayfield Ministry Center, 426 Baywood Rd.
The praise and worship service will begin at 11 followed by a catered lunch ($8 per adult, $4 for those 10 years and younger, free for founding members).
The entertainment portion, Glancing Back and Looking Forward, will provide a walk down memory lane plus a vision for future ministry.
For more details or to sign up for the meal, please contact Jimmy and Jeanette Womack at 1-910-949-4257 or send e-mail to them at JWomack@pinehurst.net Personal messages are welcome from anyone unable to attend. Please send them to Box 1631, Fayetteville, North Carolina, 28302-1631. Susan Williams.
BOONE, North Carolina--The Boone church will celebrate its 20th anniversary Nov. 11. Present and former members are invited to this Family Reunion.
The worship service begins at 2 p.m. Plans for the evening are still in the making.
If you can make it, we would love to know so we can start making final plans. If you won't be able to join us, please send us a family update and pictures if possible. For more information, or to send us your update and pictures, please contact Stephanie Walters at sw_sm@hotmail.com , phone 1-828-297-5854, 403 M.C. Miller Rd., Vilas, North Carolina, 28692.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas--The Greater Northwest Community Association of San Antonio presented the New Beginnings congregation of the Worldwide Church of God the top of parade award in the annual Fourth of July parade conducted in the community where the congregation is located.
Banners saying "God Bless America," "America the Beautiful," "Born in the USA" and "We Love the USA," adorned the vehicles and floats as members distributed and waved American flags, tossed candy, sang patriotic songs and played John Philip Sousa marches.
Members wore their New Beginnings T-shirts as an evangelistic tool.
Last year the congregation won the award for the group that most exemplified the spirit of the Fourth of July.
"The WCG congregation is thankful to God for the freedoms we enjoy in this country and wished to show the community through participation and service how happy and thankful we as Christians are," said Pastor Frank Parsons.
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island--The Providence congregation invites singles to their third annual singles retreat Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2 to 4.
The theme wi