April 2002 Contents

This is our April cover.

Campus sale

Bernie Schnippert, church treasurer, conducted a community meeting in the Ambassador Auditorium Feb. 21 to explain the church’s perspective on the merits of the potential sale of the campus to Legacy Partners. Legacy Partners plans to build 1,727 housing units on the 49-acre property. Page 3.

Financial report

So far this year we have banked $2.6 million in member donations, writes controller, Ron Kelly. We have also received about $360,000 in other income, for a total of $2.9 million. On the expense side of the ledger we have spent just over $4.4 million. Page 6.

Campus plans

The Pasadena City Council conducted an information workshop on the Ambassador campus development plan March 4, reports Mat Morgan, secretary of the board of directors for the WCG. Bill Shubin of Legacy Partners and Bernie Schnippert, representing the church, addressed the council. Page 7.

Pastor General

Trust in God cannot be a passive thing—by its very nature it has to be active, writes Pastor General Joseph Tkach in his monthly column, which we have renamed "Something Worth Thinking About." Page 8.

Reconciliation

Patsy Krech, wife of a Presbyterian pastor in Memphis, Tennessee, writes that during an Ethnic Reconciliation Conference Feb. 23 and 24, the meaning of Ephesians 4 came alive for the participants. Curtis May, director of the Office of Reconciliation Ministries, stressed the need for unity in the world. Page 9.

Black History Month

Congregations around the country celebrated Black History Month in February. The WN received reports from Memphis and Jackson, Tennessee; Euless and Houston, Texas; Union, New Jersey; Glendora, California; and Kalamazoo, Michigan. Page 10.

Window on the World

Randal Dick writes in his Window on the World column about how we might be more effective instruments of Christ. Mr. Dick mentions one congregation that has been asking God to transform them so that they might be able to fulfill his will. Page 14.

Regional Snapshot

Gary Moore writes that the Canadian churches have been working toward a vision for their congregations to be increasingly healthy. "It is our desire that our churches be places where God is exalted, Christians are nurtured and people are served," he said. Page 16.

Bible Study

Though churches have disagreements and selfishness, Paul points to a better approach to relationships, writes Mike Morrison in his Bible Study on Philippians 2. Page 25.

Treasurer explains
Legacy project

By Dale Trow
Facilities director

DEVELOPMENT PLAN—Bernie
Schnippert, church treasurer, explains
development project to area residents.

CHURCH OPTIONS—Bernie Schnippert speaks
to area residents Feb. 21. [Photos by Thomas C. Hanson]

PASADENA—Bernie Schnippert, church treasurer, conducted a community meeting in the Ambassador Auditorium Feb. 21 to explain the church’s perspective on the merits of the potential sale of the campus to Legacy Partners. Legacy Partners plans to build 1,727 housing units on the 49-acre property.

Throughout the lengthy escrow process, Legacy representatives, including Bill Shubin, vice president of acquisitions, have met with neighborhood associations, clubs, civic leaders, city staff and officials and individuals to answer questions and explain the benefits of the Legacy development.

Legacy also conducts community meetings and operates a visitors center in Ambassador Hall on campus.

"I’m excited to be here tonight because I get to tell you about the story of the church’s sale of its property," Dr. Schnippert said to the about 150 people in attendance. "And I think some people would have you believe that’s a big scary story, but it’s a great story and I'm proud to tell it."

In his two-hour presentation, Dr. Schnippert emphasized the church’s desire to be a good neighbor and to be sensitive to the community’s vision for development in the campus neighborhood, an area known as the West Gateway to the city.

The church did not enter into an agreement with a potential buyer until after the City completed an update to the community’s development vision in July 1998 in a document called the West Gateway Specific Plan, a component of the City’s General Plan.

The Plan preamble reads: "The Plan is the product of thirty-five meetings of the West Gateway Coordinating Committee, fifteen community workshops, and dozens of other meetings. This Plan represents an enormous investment of time, thought and energy of countless stakeholders into the future."

Legacy adhered to the plan while designing its development. The West Pasadena Residents Association (WPRA), now opposed to parts of the plan, wrote in Jan. 26, 2001: "The Legacy Project is generally consistent with the West Gateway Specific Plan. The WPRA supports the development of the West Campus as a purely residential development which retains and incorporates significant historical structures on the western part of the campus, concentrating new development on the East Campus."

Some community members and City officials are now evaluating the Legacy project by criteria other than that established in the plan.

Dr. Schnippert reminded the audience that the WCG and Legacy Partners "have relied upon the General Plan, your General Plan. It’s a vision for the community—the formal vision for the community."

Under the plan, the property is already zoned for 2,500 housing units. Legacy partners has reduced its original plan for 1,900 units to 1,727 (including 100 affordable units). The Legacy plan preserves the historic gardens, retains about 11 acres of green space on the West Campus, mitigates traffic and brings the performing arts back to Ambassador Auditorium. About 48 percent of the west campus will be preserved under the Legacy Plan.

The Pasadena Unified School District, under the current plan, will receive about $4 million in fees and $30 million in property taxes over 25 years. The City will benefit fiscally also with an estimated increase of $33 million in net revenues over 25 years to the city’s general fund.

Dr. Schnippert informed the audience that project participants, including the church, have spent millions of dollars during escrow as they worked in good faith toward the development goals outlined by the community, and that time and money are running out.

"Whenever you decide how you feel about the Legacy Project, I would just ask that based upon the facts that I explain here to you tonight, that you would realize that a vote against the Legacy Project is a vote for the other options."

To illustrate the urgency of the community’s consideration of the project, Dr. Schnippert outlined the cost of maintaining the campus and the downturn in income that started in 1995 because of doctrinal changes. Explaining that the church can’t afford to indefinitely maintain the property, Dr. Schnippert held up a copy of a permit request for the church to install a chain link security fence around the property. "You know, we’re going to have to put a fence around the property if it doesn’t sell real soon."

Some project opponents have suggested alternate projects, for example, that the campus might become a park, without regard for the market forces or financial responsibility of the officers of the church to be fiscally prudent.

Dr. Schnippert referred to the California Corporations Code for nonprofit religious corporations to explain what is commonly called "duty of care" and clarified his responsibility to attain the best possible deal for the church members.

Dr. Schnippert went on to explain that the church had received nearly 100 formal, written offers on all or part of the property and countless additional inquiries from a variety of interested parties. He tipped four full file boxes forward so the audience could see the paperwork generated by the interest.

"Some people have indicated that the church doesn’t have any other options and that’s why it went with Legacy and it has to stay with Legacy," said Dr. Schnippert. He went on to explain that opponents who suggest no more than 1,200 units in the development must understand that, at some point, the deal is no longer financially viable for Legacy or the church.

One option, Dr. Schnippert announced, is to sell the campus to a small college. Many in the neighborhood have suggested that they would support such a use. Dr. Schnippert pointed out that a new college on the property wouldn’t create another Ambassador College with 1,200 students. It would more closely resemble Pasadena City College, which has a campus of about 50 acres and 30,000 students. Unlike the Legacy project, such a user would not have to mitigate the traffic created by the new college.

Continuing, Dr. Schnippert asked: "What about religious users? We have had many religious parties interested in this campus."

Dr. Schnippert explained that churches would also not have to mitigate traffic, and that they have certain protections that the community may not know about. He quoted a decision from the California Supreme Court that authorized churches to declare themselves exempt from historic preservation laws if they would suffer a substantial hardship if the property were designated a historic monument.

To further make his point, Dr. Schnippert informed the audience about a law called the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). "A new federal law provides important new protections for religious freedoms in the contexts of zoning laws," read Dr. Schnippert. "The federal government has passed a law that forbids cities from zoning churches out of existence."

Dr. Schnippert then announced a third option for the property, should the community reject the Legacy project. "Are you aware of the fact that this property is already made up of 138 separate lots? There are 138 different purchases here, and we don’t need to go to the City and beg them to let us carve it up. It’s already carved up!" he said.

To drive home his point of the patchwork of developments that could occupy the property, Dr. Schnippert read examples of the uses already allowed by zoning laws. The uses included everything from government offices to commercial printing plants, to laboratories and take-out restaurants.

Dr. Schnippert commented that the surrounding neighborhood is zoned for, and already developed at a density of 14 units per acre along South Orange Grove Boulevard. Legacy proposes 12.3 units an acre adjacent to South Orange Grove. Zoning allows a density of 48 units an acre on other parts of the West Campus and the project calls for only 37.6 units an acre.

Legacy has achieved these numbers despite protecting several acres of green space, gardens and walkways in support of the community’s wishes dictated by the West Gateway Specific Plan.

Though density is substantially below that allowed, some opponents have suggested a lower, deal-breaking level of density. Dr. Schnippert asked: "Who determines density? Is it you? Is it the Specific Plan?" Dr. Schnippert continued, "The answer—the market has controlled the density."

Traffic is another issue that opponents cite in support of an alternative plan. Legacy employed leading traffic consultants, Crane & Associates, to study the traffic impact of the development. Among their findings is that the project will generate about 8,870 trips a day, or about the same amount of traffic as a fully operational Ambassador College.

Studies also show that, without the development, traffic from ambient local growth and regional cut-through traffic will be worse in the future than without the traffic mitigation the Legacy project funds. With mitigation, only 745 daily trips on South Orange Grove Boulevard south of Del Mar Boulevard can be attributed to the campus development.

"If the church does nothing, the ambient traffic, we are told by the experts, will in five or 10 years be greater because there are no mitigations," explained Dr. Schnippert. Legacy estimates that it will provide, depending on the development agreement, as much as $7 million toward traffic improvements in conjunction with the city’s mobility plan.

Working with traffic experts and City staff, the funds would be used for such things as street widening and automated traffic controls. Dr. Schnippert reminded the audience that alternate options would not be required to fund traffic improvements.

"Now what about a new religious user who would begin to populate the campus, especially one that might have a school?" asked Dr. Schnippert. "Will they stop the traffic? As far as I know, they won’t have to mitigate the traffic. They’ll bring traffic; they won’t mitigate the traffic."

A key to the Legacy plan is the conveyance of Ambassador Auditorium to the City through funding provided by a special tax district called a Community Facilities District. Under the plan, future property owners would repay tax-exempt bonds to fund the purchase and upgrade of the Auditorium. The Auditorium needs some infrastructure improvements to meet Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and to update other building systems.

Legacy has established the Ambassador for the Performing Arts Foundation, a nonprofit entity, to manage and operate the facility with private funds. Some city council members have questioned the value being assigned to the Auditorium and are concerned about future maintenance liabilities.

Legacy has structured several layers of financial guarantees to insulate the City from any future expenditure of taxpayer money to maintain the building.

Dr. Schnippert told the audience that it was discouraging to be told by members of the city council that the Auditorium has virtually no value. "Now I was perplexed by that because I have the City’s own appraisal for $22 million," said Dr. Schnippert, holding up the appraisal for all to see.

Dr. Schnippert concluded with a passionate plea for community support. "Imagine the General Plan actually is a coherent plan for the city and that it is a vision for tomorrow. Imagine that the Specific Plan was put together after hundreds of meetings and signed by some of the people in this room. Imagine it’s not just a list of things not to do, but a vision of the city that saves this Auditorium, that saves the gardens, that saves the historic properties, that saves the ambiance, so you who walk through here still feel the way you do when you walk through now."

Dr. Schnippert confided to the audience that he doesn’t expect perfect harmony in such a complex project, "but if we work together, we just might do something wonderful in Pasadena."

City council has
workshop on
Ambassador project

By Mathew Morgan
Secretary
Board of directors

WORKSHOP—Bernie Schnippert addresses
council. [Photo by Thomas C. Hanson]

The Pasadena city council conducted an information workshop on the Ambassador campus development plan, March 4, at the Pasadena Hilton.

About 400 people attended the meeting, which started at 8:30 p.m. and adjourned around 12:30 a.m. During the meeting, the city staff updated the council on the proposed development. The plan calls for the reopening of the Ambassador Auditorium under city ownership and retention of the gardens, streams and historic mansions. The proposal also calls for the addition of 1,727 housing units ranging in size from small studio apartments to 3,500 square feet luxury condominiums.

Bill Shubin of Legacy Partners and Bernie Schnippert, representing the church, addressed the council. Mr. Shubin presented fiscal benefits that would accrue to the city because of the development.

Dr. Schnippert then explained that the church chose the Legacy proposal because it was the best proposal for the community, the city and the church. He explained that alternate options available to the church, such as selling the property parcel by parcel to different buyers, would disappoint many and would not be in the best interest of the city or the community. He encouraged the council to accept the Legacy option as proposed.

After the formal presentations, Mayor William Bogaard invited comments from the public. Some Pasadena residents objected to the development because they thought the project would add too many housing units to the neighborhood and increase traffic. Many also spoke in favor of the project expressing excitement about the reopening of the Ambassador Auditorium and the retention of the gardens and historic mansions.

Some also spoke in favor of the project because it offers much needed housing in Pasadena. Some area church members attended the meeting adding support to the project. Others from near and far were praying that the proposed project would receive enough positive community input to offset the dissenters. Their prayers were answered.

The Legacy plan will next be reviewed by the Traffic Advisory Commission and the Planning Commission before returning to the city council for final review. Please keep the sale of the property in your daily prayers. We will endeavor to keep you updated more often now that the process is reaching the critical approval stage.

Update from Finance & Planning

February income totals
still not complete

By Ronald Kelly

This month we continue our good-new-bad-news scenario. The good news is that we are receiving thousands of offering envelopes at our denominational processing office in Pasadena. The bad news is that we don’t have sufficient staff to keep up with the workload.

As I reported income for January in last month’s WN, we got behind with the considerable increase in mail from December. For receipting purposes that mail had to be completed before we could tabulate January donations. We were behind almost two weeks by the end of January.

Two part-time employees have begun to help us process the mail. As a result, when we closed the accounting books on February, we were down to about a seven-day backlog. Our staff members feel confident they will be caught up by the end of March and the close of the first quarter of the year. We want you to know that prompt and accurate processing of donations has always been, and remains, a high priority.

Because of the unprocessed mail, our financial picture might at first glance seem a bit discouraging. For example, total income from all sources is running 21 percent below the same two months of 2001. But last year we were not behind in processing. So those seven or eight days could make up much of the difference.

Also during some months, higher income from estate donations will affect our finances. So far this year, we have not received quite the same amount as last year. And last year we auctioned many of the furnishings and contents of buildings no longer being used as a college campus or church headquarters.

However, we are now down to one building and will not be able to hold another auction until we relocate to new facilities.

So far this year we have banked $2.6 million in member donations. We have also received about $360,000 in other income for a total of $2.9 million. On the expense side of the ledger we have spent just over $4.4 million.

So already this year we have had to take almost $1.5 million from reserves. You can quickly see, even if we had been caught up with mail processing, we would still be dipping into the reserves at a greater clip than we would like.

Church administrators and board members monitor these figures on a regular basis. Obviously there is a limit to how much can or should be taken from reserves. So, as I write this month’s copy, we are discussing ways to trim expenses. Such meetings are difficult and emotionally draining. Making cuts almost always means termination of employees, however, pastors will not be terminated unless income from a congregation does not support a pastor. Cuts might include reduction of some worldwide activities and local programs that have long been part of our work to proclaim the gospel around the world. So we solicit your heartfelt prayers for the challenging evaluations that are essential to maintain a healthy financial footing for the church. We are committed to maintaining that financial well-being even though distressing choices have to be made.

The accompanying charts give you a snapshot of February figures as well as year-to-date figures for the first two months of the year.

How long we continue with our current financial procedures rests in the hands of Pasadena city officials. As the Legacy Partners development plans are evaluated by more and more Pasadena residents, more and more people are offering input. Some object to the project. Others strongly favor the development plans. Two or three times a week, articles and letters to the editor appear in the newspaper. Again, some actively support the project, others oppose it.

In the political world of city government, each side has to be given opportunity for input. At the final city council meeting in February, the mayor noted that such input would probably take many more months. Because Legacy Partners’ had targeted late March as the date to obtain final city approval that would allow escrow to close on the property, we were all greatly discouraged by the now-likely result that these procedures will probably drag on through the end of 2002.

I mention this, not to discourage you, but to keep you informed regarding the activities and finances of the church. It’s a lot more fun to report exciting and good news, but it’s equally important for you to have the best and latest information possible.

Our future is in the hands of a loving God. He could intervene in countless ways to resolve our problems. But sometimes, as he is doing now, he allows the normal course of events to take place. Through it all we develop patience and exercise faith.

In the case of the work of our church, God uses each and every one of us to work together to maintain stability for the church. We all see wonderful opportunities to advance the work of the church in the future. We just have to be patient and wait upon the Lord to get us over these current obstacles. Again, we cannot thank you enough for your dedication and willingness to sacrifice for the good of our denomination.

Next month I hope to have a more complete financial analysis for the first quarter of the year. And we’ll keep you posted on the work of the Pasadena city officials as well as the decisions we have to make to reduce our expenses.

Statement of Income and Expenses for

WCG and PTM combined for February 2002

For the Month For the Year-to-Date

Income

Mail Income $ 1,704,000 $ 2,605,000

Other income 106,000 364,000

Total income 1,810,000 2,969,000

Expenses 2,314,000 4,464,000

Net gain (loss) to bank reserves $ (504,000) $ (1,495,000)

Something worth thinking about...

By Joseph Tkach

In God We Trust

No doubt about it, God wants us to trust him. We are to trust in him, not in ourselves. We are to trust that he is good, that he loves us, that he is full of mercy. Our faith is to be in him. He is trustworthy, absolutely reliable and faithful.

Trust, or faith, is a key ingredient of our new life in Christ. We are justified by faith (Romans 3:28), sanctified by faith (Acts 26:18) and saved by faith in Jesus Christ. We live by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), stand in faith (Romans 11:20), work in faith (1 Thessalonians 1:3) and pray in faith. We cannot please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). It is absolutely essential!

When we put our trust in God, we are trusting him to be our very life (Colossians 3:4). That means that when we first put our trust in God, we are taking the first step toward learning to trust him for absolutely everything!

Trust, by nature, is active. We do not merely accept that God took care of our salvation from sin and death and then go on our way with no further thought about it. Trust in God cannot be a passive thing—by its very nature it has to be active. Faith generates action. It is far more than just believing a set of facts about God (see James 2:19)—it is trusting God to be and to do everything he said he will be and do for us. And when we trust God, we are committed to everything he is committed to.

That is why worship is so important and meaningful to us as children of God. Worship is a means God has given us of rehearsing and remembering who he is and what he has done for us. Through worship, God helps us more deeply understand and value who he is and what he has given us. Worship helps us commemorate and celebrate his love for us and the good things he has done for us.

When we trust God, we don’t want to hide any part of our lives from him. We want him to make us into the person he wants us to be, and we trust him both to know what to do and how to do it.

The Holy Spirit leads and empowers us to love him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (Mark 12:30), and to adore him, desire him and delight ourselves in him (Psalm 37:4).

In worship, we praise God for his power and love. We express and act out our faith that he will always be the most important reality in our lives. Our praise helps us put life into its real perspective.

When we trust God, we realize he is our greatest priority. He is more important to us than anything else—more valuable than possessions, money, time, reputation and even this mortal life. He is our all in all.

The greatest commandment, Jesus said, is to love God with all that we are. That means we orient our lives around him, around his gracious will for us. When we trust him, we believe he knows best for us, and we want to please him. He is our point of reference, our definition of a meaningful life.

When we trust him, we do his will not out of fear, but out of love—not begrudgingly, but with joy. We trust his judgment, his word and his ways. We even trust him to give us a new heart, to make us more and more like him, to lead us to love what he loves and to value what he values.

We would never be able to do any of this on our own, of course—we must trust God to fulfill his promise to do his work in us from the inside out, by the Holy Spirit transforming us. To trust God is to let him have his good way with us. It is to believe him, to desire and to take his advice, to seek to follow him wherever he leads.

When we trust God, we trust him with all that we are—our past, our present and our future combined. Like a toddler resting fearlessly and contentedly in its mother’s arms, we rest securely in the love of our heavenly Father—and that is something worth thinking about!

Unity of the Spirit
through reconciliation

By Patsy Krech

MEMPHIS, Tennessee—During the Ethnic Reconciliation Conference sponsored by the Raleigh Ministerial Association Feb. 23 and 24 the meaning of Ephesians 4 came alive for the participants.

Curtis May, director of the WCG’s Office of Reconciliation Ministries, was the primary speaker. Mr. May began the first session with thoughts on this passage. He emphasized the need for unity in our world and the effort required in creating peace among people.

The words from verse 3 express a directive for Christians to be committed to peace-making and peacekeeping, he said. These words challenge us to be "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Reconciliation is not an easy task. It requires effort and commitment to Christ and unity.

Participants learned four steps to healing divisions between denominations, genders or ethnic groups:

• Confession—acknowledging past actions that have caused the divisions.

• Repentance—asking forgiveness for hurtful actions.

• Reconciliation—reaching out to others in intentional ways to create relationships.

• Restitution—seeking to create the unity of Christ through respecting others and working to establish justice.

Another speaker was Pearl Gibson, manager of Quality and Professional Development for the City of Memphis. She encouraged participants to recall a time when they felt different and to discuss how this experience made them feel. Her thoughts on stereotypes, discrimination and prejudice created an understanding of how knowledge, behavior and attitudes can undermine our ability to show Christian love toward people who are different from ourselves.

People must make intentional efforts to understand other individuals and their cultures in order to accept them, she said. Listening is a key element in forming relationships that will enhance unity.

The challenge for reconciliation is simple, but not easy. The challenge is simple because the suggestions to create a spirit for reconciliation are so down-to-earth:

• Spend time with people in another group.

• Do things together and visit each other’s home.

• Listen to each other.

• Affirm each other’s experience and life.

• Accept each other.

However, reaching out or making the effort to enact these things is not easy. It means reaching across barriers created by the past, by differences and by time and space. This conference illustrated the need for intentional efforts for reconciliation. If we are to find unity of the Spirit, we must be "renewed in the spirit of [our] mind" and set out on a journey of discovery and love.

Holli: Touched by an Angel

PASADENA—Holli, age 9, who attends Pasadena NewLife Fellowship, will appear on television’s T ouched By an Angel, tentatively scheduled for March 2, in a lead guest-starring role. Holli started acting when she was 4. Her biggest role to date was as the lead child in the Paramount film B less the Child with Kim B asinger. She has done more than a dozen commercials and more than a dozen theatrical roles, including appearances on Judging Amy and Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman. She will be on ER sometime in March.

Last spring Holli was flown to Bulgaria with her mother, Doris, to film a movie, Run for the M oney, with Christian Slater, Val Kilmer and Daryl Hannah.

B less the Child came out in Bulgaria the day before Holli arrived there, and as a result, she was a recognized star during her two-month stay. She was on the cover of a national magazine, was host for a children’s national one-hour television program, was interviewed by the television news and was in the newspapers and was host for a children’s English school graduation.

In each case the family was asked what they believed about God. Holli's mother said that it was a thrilling experience for them to share their faith and experience of a living, loving God with people who were oppressed by communism for 45 years and were eager to hear that God is and that he loves them.

Holli started going to the Worldwide Church of God when she was in the first grade, and Kassie, a WCG member, was in her class. Kassie kept asking Holli to go with her to Sonlight Club, but her parents, thought the WCG was a cult. They kept turning Kassie down with various excuses.

Then on Valentine’s Day, the teacher had a class gathering of the parents and students, and each student read a paper he or she had written. Kassie got up and read about how she wanted so badly for Holli to be able to go to Sonlight Club with her. Holli’s parents melted in their shoes and looked at each other and nodded. After the class, they said Holli could go with her the next meeting. Later they told Holli they were going to go along, too, so they could help her understand what was taught and what their family believed and didn’t believe.

The day finally came, and the family apprehensively went to Sonlight Club with Holli. As soon as they saw the materials and met the people there, they knew God had steered them there. It was exactly what they’d been looking for, and praying for, for Holli—an extracurricular group that would teach her the Bible and Bible verses and Christian values like Holli’s mom had been taught at that age. Holli has been going ever since, and loves every minute of it.

TAKING A BREAK—From left,
executive producer Jon Anderson,
Roma Downey and Holli.

FILMING—Holli (center) with Roma Downey (left)
filming Touched By an Angel in Salt Lake City, Utah, in
December. [Photos by Holli's mother]

Black History Month
service in Euless, Texas

EULESS, Texas—The New Hope Christian Fellowship (WCG) of Euless conducted a service Feb. 9 to celebrate Black History Month.

Cynthia Chizen, a member of the Dallas Central Gospel Chorus, led the congregation in worship. Barry Ford, a Dallas Central deacon, led the Gospel Chorus in a number of selections, and Murdock "Doc" Gibbs, an elder in the Dallas North church, gave the sermon.

Pastor Tom Pickett introduced the Gospel Chorus after the worship service was opened in prayer. Mr. Ford spoke about the fact that there is no need for an annual apology from the church for the injustices that have been done in the past to blacks. He recommended going forward in a friendship relationship as brothers and sisters.

Mr. Ford shared that part of going forward would be to learn more about black members’ experiences with racism. He added that if we never discuss these experiences, our relationships will be limited much in the same way they would be limited if we never discussed a former prisoner’s imprisonment with him or her.

The chorus dedicated its first song, "Stretch Out Your Hand," to America’s need for reconciliation.

Doc Gibbs shared how he teaches schoolchildren about the origins of black slavery and the resulting discrimination that occurred especially in the southern United States. He also shared that the hardest question for him to answer from these schoolchildren is: "Why didn’t the white churches let black people worship with them?"

That led into the crux of his sermon, that God wants wholehearted Christians. He titled the message, "Whole Hearts Create Holy Hearts." Hearts that are wholly committed to God stand up for fairness, equity and justice. He noted that wholeheartedness is not a partner to partiality, favoritism and racism.

Mr. Gibbs described how the poor examples of Christians affected two influential leaders of China and India and how they turned away from Christianity because of how they were treated or how they saw Christians discriminate against minorities.

He discussed Martin Luther King Jr.’s disappointment with the lack of support from the Christian community for the civil rights movement as Dr. King had felt certain that Christian churches would see the inherent rightness of the movement from its inception. Mr. Gibbs also described the growth that occurred in the first century church after it properly addressed the matter of discrimination against the Hellenistic widows as described in Acts 6.

Food and fellowship followed after the worship service. Peggy Hohertz.

Jackson, Tennessee,
celebrates Black History Month

JACKSON, Tennessee—In February, the Jackson women’s ministry sponsored special presentations at the beginning of worship services to observe Black History Month.

On Feb. 3, Margaret Brooks told about poet and teacher James Weldon Johnson, and then gave a dramatic reading of Johnson’s poem, "The Creation."

On Feb. 10, Gladys Anderson read a poem about Rosa Parks, titled "Act of Courage," written by member Forrestine Gray, and then gave some history about Mrs. Parks. Mrs. Parks refused to give her bus seat to a white person in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955, which led to a bus boycott by blacks.

Margaret Brooks, Forrestine Gray, Falola Potter, Brittney Smith, Jackie Smith and Lois Watkins sang the spiritual, "Wade in the Water," accompanied by drummer Chad Brooks. This was followed by a liturgical dance to CeCe Winans’ "The Alabaster Box," performed by Renee Robertson, daughter of a friend of Mrs. Brooks.

On Feb. 17, Forrestine Gray reported on Ruby Bridges Hall, who as a 6-year-old became the first black child to attend an all-white school in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1954. A portion of a video about Ruby Bridges was shown, in which the little girl said that she prayed for those who were calling her bad things and asked God to forgive them, just as he had forgiven those who said bad things about him so long ago.

Ms. Gray said that she had learned that reconciliation does not begin without forgiveness.

On Feb. 24, Mark Smith told of entrepreneur Madame C.J. Walker, and her contribution to the beauty culture of black women. "Lift Every Voice and Sing," formerly known as the Negro National Anthem, by James Weldon Johnson, was sung by Margaret Brooks, Forrestine Gray, Jackie Smith and Lois Watkins. Then the congregation joined in singing the anthem.

A portion of a video teaching of Beth Moore regarding prejudice and reconciliation was shown, and Falola Potter sang a rousing, "As Long As I’ve Got Jesus," written by Vicky Winans.

Pastor Wayne Wendt’s testimony and sermon added to the reconciliation theme.

Many of the women wore hats to church, and after the worship service, members enjoyed a meal. Forrestine Gray and Peggy McIntosh.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN JACKSON—From left: Gladys Anderson, Bridget Chandler, Buni Wendt, Angie Goodman, Lois Watkins, Margaret Brooks, Rickie Barnes, Forrestine Gray and Jackie Smith. [Photo by Ezell Wilder]

Union, New Jersey,
celebrates Unity in Diversity

UNION, New Jersey—The Union church launched its fifth annual "Unity in Diversity" celebration Feb. 23 with more than 200 in attendance from churches in Newark, Montvale and Brick, New Jersey.

The Union youth choir gave an entertaining rendition of the song "We Shall Overcome" with excerpts from Martin Luther King’s "I Have a Dream" speech recited by all the children. The Nsombi Praise Dance Ensemble acted out a rap version of the message song, "Lean on Me."

Neil Earle, guest speaker and Reconcile editor, praised the congregation for its diversity of musical styles. Mr. Earle reminded the audience of the need to move out of their comfort zones in the quest for reconciliation.

"Reconciliation means reaching out, an absolute intention to cross boundaries with the good news," he said. He referred to the great examples of peace-making in our time, such as Nelson Mandela in South Africa, and referred to ministers, members and others who help advance the cause of bridge building and understanding.

"With God in the picture, the impossible dream becomes possible," Mr. Earle said.

John Adams, Union and Brick pastor, said: "I really appreciate the African-Americans in our congregation who expanded the original Black History Month concept into the need for our whole congregation to appreciate the diversity God has blessed us with. That shows the spirit of reconciliation is alive and well."

HOUSTON, Texas—Sunday, Feb. 24, was a joyous occasion at Hope Community Church in north Houston. The day was a celebration of Black History Month and the awesome diversity that God has given us in the Worldwide Church of God.

Items of African-American history, photos and art were displayed. The worship service consisted of praise and worship, led by the Joyful Singers, a responsive reading and prayer for social justice, led by Pastor Chris Beam, as well as readings and stories of African-Americans. Members who participated in the readings were Darnell Johnson, Dorris Carter, Becky Glover, Debra Glover, Milton Randle and David Taylor.

The children of the congregation sang a Caribbean song to honor Jesus. Children from the Calhoun, Taylor, Odems, Brumgard, Evans and Walker families participated in the song.

This was followed by a sermon by Ester Reed concerning the many inventions by African-Americans, which improved lives in this nation. Mr. Reed mentioned that the ingenuity of African-Americans can now be appreciated in our nation and church because of our greater understanding of reconciliation.

After the service, members and guests joined for a traditional African-American meal prepared by Becky and Debra Glover and others in the congregation. Several door prizes were given away at the conclusion of the day.

   Chris Beam

WCG helps initiate
Black History Month
in Glendora

GLENDORA, California—"The whole church must be united," said Curtis May, director of the Office of Reconciliation Ministries, at a church service organized by the Glendora church Feb. 2 to help initiate Black History Month in the city.

The meeting was introduced by Pastor Bruce Butler of the Glendora Friends Church, who also serves as president of the Glendora Ministerial Association.

The WCG church choir gave a presentation titled "An Easy Burden: The Civil Rights Movement and the Transformation of America" narrated by Arthur Villanova. Durell Brown recited portions of Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech, and Walton Brown related his experiences as part of the 1955 bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, that helped ignite the protest movements of the 1950s and 1960s.

Afterward, more than 110 people enjoyed a sampling of soul food prepared by Joe Wright and Bessie Adams. Neil Earle.

Kalamazoo:
'Beyond Friendship'

KALAMAZOO, Michigan—The Kalamazoo church celebrated its seventh annual Black History Month in February.

Muskegon, Michigan
conducts reconciliation
program

MUSKEGON, Michigan—This year as a substitute for a Black History program, the multi-ethnic Muskegon church, pastored by Sam Butler, put on a reconciliation program instead.

As she has each year, Arlene Becken invited her family members to be hosts for the program. Eighteen family members attended.

Arlene’s two nieces, Kila Hubbard and Demeasha Nelson, gave reconciliation speeches. They said that although Martin Luther King dreamed of reconciliation between black and white, their dreams were for reconciliation between all races and nationalities.

Arlene’s sister, Sefionia Becken-Hubbard, said that although she wasn’t a member of the Worldwide Church of God, she appreciated how the church members, the pastor, as well as the assistant pastor, Norm David, had been there for her family throughout the years. She sang two solos: "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and "Amazing Grace."

Arlene’s brother, Anthony Becken, sang a solo of "Let Me Feel You, Lord, to Know That You Are Real."

Arlene concluded by saying that although we may desire reconciliation, we know that true reconciliation will come only when Christ returns.

The program concluded with Mr. Butler giving a sermon on the extent of God’s love for us.

 
Sam & Denise Butler         Norm & Diane David

Citywide reconciliation
in Houston

HOUSTON, Texas—Pastor Chris Beam and his wife, Dee, met with Ron and Roberta Archer of the International Reconciliation Coalition (IRC) and a number of Houston church leaders Feb. 6.

IRC is directed by John Dawson, who wrote Healing America’s Wounds and has been a key influencer for reconciliation in many countries. Mr. Dawson is a friend of the WCG’s Office of Reconciliation Ministries (ORM). Mr. and Mrs. Archer have as their mission the initiation of round tables in cities where people have a vision for reconciliation. Their mission is to facilitate movement toward reconciliation.

They were in Houston in February, meeting with pastors, servant leaders, intercessors and those who have a passion for the work of reconciliation.

The church leaders included Doug Stringer, director of Turning Point Ministries and an ORM advisory council member; Albert Salazar; Jim Herrington, director of Mission Houston, Khanh Huynh and Reuben Autery.

They discussed the role of IRC, the need for a coordinated effort of reconciliation in Houston, and methods to bring key leaders together to focus on reconciliation. They prayed together for God’s direction and voice to be heard so they can know his will for the city and reconciliation.

Mr. Archer asked if the group would affirm that Mr. and Mrs. Beam would be citywide coordinators for reconciliation.

Mr. Beam has been praying for several years that God would bring together the people he wants to do citywide reconciliation.

RECONCILIATION IN HOUSTON—Back row, from left: Reuben Autery, Jim Herrington, Doug Stringer, Albert Salazar, Ron Archer and Khanh Huynh. Front row: Chris Beam, Dee Beam and Roberta Archer. [Photo by Robin Palacios]

Billy L. Guerito gets Congressional Silver Medal

COUNSELOR, New Mexico—Billy L. Guerito received a Congressional Silver Medal Nov. 24 for being a Navajo code talker in the Marine Corps during World War II.

The efforts of Native Americans on Iwo Jima and other islands on the road to Japan played a pivotal role in the ultimate victory.

Mr. Guerito was among 400 Navajo code talkers to receive this award.

The code talkers used a code based on the Navajo language to transmit messages.

On the Walk to Emmaus

ROANOKE, Virginia—The Roanoke church has sent 15 of its members on the walk to Emmaus (December WN).

Bob White was the first to participate. After his experience many more wanted to go. The joy, the agape love and the enthusiasm were so apparent in him.

Pastor Everett Craft was sponsored next. He, too, was moved and inspired by the Emmaus experience.

"We walked with Jesus for 72 hours," said Mel Scott. "The love, the prayers, the bonding with others, the giving of time by so many to make the weekend a success was totally awesome," said Mary Sue Craft

The Emmaus experience is for everyone who longs for a deeper relationship and a closer walk with our Savior.

After the 72-hour walk, participants become part of the Emmaus Community. All are encouraged to join a reunion group to strengthen, comfort and encourage. Sherry Kinzie.

Window on the World

Gossiping the Gospel

Over the past few months I have been asked by some congregations to consult with them about how they might be more effective instruments of Christ. I consider this a privilege and have learned as much from these members as they have learned from me.

Regional Snapshot

From Gary and Tamara Moore, Canada

Canada: Healthy
Christian communities

SURREY, British Columbia—Much has occurred since I wrote this column for the WN a year ago.

The events of Sept. 11 have had an impact well beyond the borders of the United States. Canada has experienced increased concern about public security. The potential of terrorists to strike anywhere against defenseless civilians has shaken us all. Of course, along with the rest of the world, Canadians are dealing with the economic fallout that has taken place. It has indeed been a sobering time.

In the weeks following the terrorist attacks, worship service attendance in many churches across Canada markedly improved. However, the question of whether all of this will lead to a permanent change in the nature of people’s spiritual lives remains to be answered.

If this means a greater openness to spiritual realities, our church—along with the rest of the body of Christ—needs to be prepared to handle the challenge. We need to be prepared to respond as individual Christians, and be genuinely open to the needs and questions of others. Further, each of our congregations needs to be open to receive new people, and needs to provide the kind of environment in which someone may be lovingly discipled.

As I have mentioned before in the Canadian update, we have been working toward a vision for our congregations in Canada to be increasingly healthy Christian communities. As we implement the upward, inward and outward aspects of our vision statement, our desire is that our congregations be places where God is exalted, Christians are nurtured and people are served and have the gospel proclaimed to them.

It is this emphasis on doing all we can to build and support spiritually healthy, vital congregations that serves to focus our attention and direct our efforts. We see the vital role a congregation plays in discipling and nurturing the individual Christian, and recognize that so much of the important organizational activity of the body of Christ takes place at that congregational level. We also recognize that for new Christians to mature in the faith, a strong, stable, caring church family is vital.

An important component in the health of a congregation is its financial stability. Much like in a family setting, the ability to live on the available income is critical to the long-term stability and effectiveness of a congregation. We have reengineered our financial system to provide regular reporting to each congregation. This is necessary, if each congregation is to take responsibility for its financial well-being.

This year we have seen a major effort made to balance income and expenses in our churches. We deeply appreciate the creativity, dedication and willingness to sacrifice that this has entailed.

Our congregations are becoming increasingly peaceful Christian communities. Given the stresses experienced over the last decade, this peace is welcome and needed. However, to be truly effective in fulfilling the great commission Jesus gave his church, we need to become increasingly oriented to reaching out to those living without the relationship with God we are so blessed to experience.

As the record of the New Testament clearly shows, the truth of the gospel is not to be hoarded away, but is to be generously shared with others. We recognize we need to make sure that we seek more than comfort and peace. We need to be motivated by the heart of God, and share in his compassion and concern for the people of the earth (John 3:16).

We desire that care for all people be evident in our congregations, and such care provide the motivation to actively reach out to others both in Christian service, and in the proclamation of the gospel. We recognize that those who are letting the light of Jesus Christ shine in their day-to-day lives share the gospel most effectively. To talk the talk, we must walk the walk.

The idea of establishing a clear congregational vision, and from that a broader national denominational vision, and setting specific goals to work toward, is somewhat new for our congregations. We see that the individual Christian and the local congregation are right at the forefront of spreading the gospel and nurturing those who respond. It is absolutely vital that each Christian understands his or her role in representing Christ as his ambassador in their part of the world.

It is also critical that each congregation recognize its vital role in harnessing the efforts of individual Christians to work together as a community of believers in reaching out to others. Each congregation should ideally be a mission community—a group of Christians who actively share in the responsibility of fulfilling the great commission Christ has given his disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).

One of the important roles the denomination plays on behalf of our congregations in Canada is supporting leadership development. As well as the annual Canadian pastors conference and regular pocket meetings the district superintendents have with the pastors, we have been offering an annual seminar at various locations across the country designed to help mentor leadership on the congregational level.

We are pleased by the high level of interest these seminars have generated, and want to continue to grow in our ability to encourage and support leaders serving in various aspects of ministry throughout our fellowship in Canada.

Our national church board is also going through a developmental phase. The board has decided to adopt a form of the policy governance model developed by John Carver. This process took a big step forward at a board meeting in Toronto, Ontario, last September.

As our board members are scattered across the country, we are using e-mail and teleconferencing to keep the process moving ahead. Our hope is to complete the transition to policy governance at our next meeting together, scheduled for April at the national office in Surrey.

The result we are praying for and anticipating is a genuine strengthening of the accountability of the church management in Canada, and an improvement in the general governance of the church.

We have found that our youths have a wonderful openness to the gospel message. We are seeing increasing efforts in many of our congregations that are focusing on the need to create a receptive atmosphere for young people. The summer camp program involving several regional camps across the country has been fruitful and valuable.

We plan to increase our efforts at spreading the gospel across generational lines to the youths among us, even as we consider how we might reach out beyond our congregation walls to the wider society around us.

Our national office is committed to providing core services to the congregations as efficiently as we can. I am sure you have heard the expression of being "lean and mean." We aim to be lean, without being mean!

As our current five-year lease is expiring this year, we are planning to move the office to new quarters that will be somewhat smaller and cheaper but we feel will be right- sized for what we are striving to accomplish.

In all of this we recognize that the ultimate owner of the church is not the administrators of the church, or even the ministry or the membership. The true owner is Jesus Christ himself, who died to redeem and purchase us to himself. Praying continually for his guidance in all we do—and for his agenda for the part of his body that we represent—is the most important activity in which we can involve ourselves.

When all is said and done, it is him we want to please, and it is his purposes that we seek to advance. Along with you, we are his servants. Your brothers and sisters in Canada wish you a most effective and fruitful year as you serve our Lord and Master!

Bermuda dedicates
church building

By Senior and Cecil Pulley

HAMILTON, Bermuda—After many years of meeting in rented halls and school auditoriums, the members of the Bermuda congregation constructed a church building.

Pastor General Joseph Tkach participated in the groundbreaking ceremony, and the work began Aug. 10, 1999. By last July the downstairs section was completed and members used it for meetings and other functions.

It took an additional seven months to complete the upstairs, which houses the main auditorium. God is worthy of all the honor and the praise!

A weekend celebration, March 16 and 17, marked the official opening. Guests were J. Michael Feazell, special assistant to Mr. Tkach; and Charles Fleming, regional director. A potluck took place Saturday evening, March 16.

A thanksgiving service took place Sunday morning, March 17, in which Mr. Fleming reminded us to thank God for 1) allowing us to know him, 2) preserving his church, 3) keeping us in unity and 4) joy. He then encouraged us to go forth into the field to bring others into the same type of joy God has blessed us with.

The dedication service began at 4 p.m. The hall was almost filled to capacity with members, friends and family, as well as clergy of different denominations and business leaders in the community. The praise team led us in inspiring worship, which set the tone for the entire service.

Pastor Cecil Pulley welcomed friends and guests and read congratulatory letters from pastors and congregations around the world. The first was from Dr. Tkach, who was unable to attend because of illness.

Musical selections were presented by God’s Praise and The WCG Gospel Ensemble. Mr. Pulley led the congregation in the act of dedication by way of responsive reading, in which the building and the people were dedicated to God.

Dr. Feazell delivered the dedicatory sermon. He spoke on the goodness of God and how we can move on without fear because he has redeemed us and cleansed us. We were dead in transgression and sin, and in the midst of our transgression, Christ moved for us. It was not a matter of when we were good enough—we could never measure up. He’s already done what’s necessary and we can trust him to do what he says he will do.

The service concluded with a scripture, prayer and benediction by Mr. Fleming. A fellowship reception followed the service.

Sayre, Oklahoma, children perform at nursing home

SAYRE, Oklahoma—Wee Work for Jesus children’s class at Sayre Circle of Love Fellowship entertained at a nursing home Feb. 16.

The children sang "Father Abraham" assisted by their teacher Carolyn Comer and Shirley West. They were accompanied on the guitar by Pastor Ben West. Afterward the children handed out "Hugs and Kisses" treats they had made to 40 residents and 20 staff members.

Those participating were Joe and Chance Comer, Kristina Hughes and Logan Smith.

YOU family reunion
to take place in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania—The Harrisburg, Lancaster and Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, congregations will sponsor a family reunion May 25 and 26 for members of the church’s former youth program, Youth Opportunities United (YOU).

Activities will include dinner and fellowship Saturday evening with a message, light luncheon and more reminiscing on Sunday. All activities will take place at the Penbrook United Church of Christ in Harrisburg.

Please submit your registration fee as soon as possible ($10 per adult, $5 per child or $25 maximum per family) to Marva Mitchell or Lisa Gipe at the following addresses (please make checks payable to LCAF): Marva Mitchell, 504 Matthew Rd,. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17109. Telephone 1-717-545-5267; e-mail MJM_AM@world net.att.net or Lisa Gipe, 259 Beechwood Dr., Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, 17019. Telephone 1-717-432-9309; e-mail lgipe@pheaa.org

For directions and further details, please contact Marva or Lisa.

Sayre, Oklahoma,
has multi-church
youth activity

SAYRE, Oklahoma—Thirty-five teens met Saturday, Feb. 16, for a multi-church youth activity.

The afternoon started with horseback riding at the Flying W Ranch sponsored by the Sayre Church of the Nazarene. Evening activities were sponsored by Teens 4 Christ from Lawton and Sayre.

Activities included eating pizza, praise and worship games and basketball at the Sayre First United Methodist Church gym, roller skating and a "what I am thankful for" prayer circle.

The girls slept at the Nazarene Church, and the boys stayed at Circle of Love. On Sunday, some teens went to their own churches, while others ate breakfast and fellowshipped at Circle of Love.

Other churches represented were My Father’s House of Prayer and the Erick, Oklahoma, First Baptist Church.

Joshua Davidson earns
Eagle Scout award

MERIDIAN, Idaho—Joshua Alan Davidson, 15, was honored at an Eagle Scout ceremony March 16.

To earn Scouting’s highest award, Joshua had to earn 21 merit badges, serve as a leader in his troop and complete a major community service project.

Joshua’s service project took place at Celebration Park, near Melba, Idaho. Leading 19 scouts and adult volunteers, Joshua designed and built a drainage system to preserve the landscape and protect the park’s parking lot from water damage. The project took 182.5 hours to complete and included construction and installation of a wooden footbridge.

Joshua is a sophomore at Meridian High School. He is the son of Charles and Dennise Davidson.

Joi Andrews receives Dignity and Respect award

BATTLE CREEK, Michigan—Joi Andrews, 14, received the Meijer Dignity & Respect award Nov. 30 at Southwestern Edison Middle School.

Joi was nominated for this award by her eighth grade science teacher. One student from each of the Battle Creek public middle schools was selected for this award.

Joi attends the Grandville church.

Discovery weekend set for Temple, Georgia

TEMPLE, Georgia—Teens from the Southeast district are invited to join in the fun and the celebration of our Lord Jesus Christ at Woodland Christian Camp in Temple, April 5 to 7.

The focus will be on helping disciples make disciples through prayer groups, workshops and interactive group sessions. Activities will also include basketball, canoeing, hiking and fishing.

To register contact Emmanuel Andrews at 1-404-758-2722 or Anthony Mullins at 1-770-218-8745.

Women's Ministry

San Antonio women's retreat
'Intimacy of Prayer'

TAPATIO SPRINGS, Texas—The San Antonio church conducted a women’s retreat Jan. 25 and 26 with a theme "Intimacy of Prayer."

The keynote speaker was Claude King. While he was in the area, Pastor Sonny Parsons introduced him as a guest to several church groups and a Baptist church. Mr. King usually takes the first 10 to 15 minutes of his message to those groups to tell the story of the WCG and encourage them to be willing to change and learn from our example and to greet us with open arms into the body of Christ.

Mr. King is the co-author of Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God, The Mind of Christ, Fresh Encounters: God’s Pattern for Revival and Spiritual Awakening, and other material on spiritual growth.

Another speaker was Joan Bond, of Women’s Neighborhood Prayer International. Mr. Parsons serves on her board of advisers.

Other speakers were Alice Patterson, founder and president of Pray Texas and Justice in the Gate, and Ann Lieb, a WCG member since 1969 who leads Magnolia Ministries. She is a national speaker and educator, counselor, writer and certified trauma and loss specialist. She conducts seminars on spiritual gifts, parenting, lay counseling, discipleship and other topics.

Suzanne Dollar was the worship leader. She has served with Campus Crusade for 31 years. Along with her husband, Soapy, they have ministered in Europe, and after returning to the United States they founded the Hispanic ministry of Campus Crusade. Mr. Dollar interviewed Mssrs. Tkach, Albrecht and . Parsons on a Christian radio station in San Antonio a couple of years ago. He is head of Campus Crusade in San Antonio.

The retreat brought new people to church. Husbands who haven’t attended before have come with their wives, mothers reconciled with their children, daughters reconciled with their fathers, and women went back to their areas filled with a desire to develop a greater relationship with Christ and their heavenly Father.

One husband called and said, "I don’t know what happened to my wife at the retreat, but she has come home on fire for God and is already serving more for him in ways she hasn’t before."

Sunday, Jan. 27, Mr. King conducted a four-hour workshop on The Final Command Action Manual. People attended from Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Arkansas to hear the presentation.

Over the weekend members and ministers visited from Big Sandy, Austin, Waco, Dallas, Corpus Christi, Kerrville, Victoria and San Antonio, Texas; Jackson, Mississippi; and Oklahoma.

Mr. King spent lots of time talking and listening to members tell the story of the impact the transformation of the church had on them. He told some of the people that he had heard the story of the church, but never truly understood the impact on lives until now.

Mr. Parsons said that Mr. King’s messages cross denominational lines, and on more than one occasion he has heard Mr. King tell Baptist congregations that they need to learn from the example of the WCG and repent of some of their ways and be willing to change.

Sonny and Jane Parsons.

Montgomery to
conduct fourth
annual conference

MONTGOMERY, Alabama—The New Covenant Church of God women’s ministry will conduct its fourth annual conference May 3 and 4 at the Guest House Inn Hotel and Suites in historic downtown Montgomery.

A seminar will begin this event Friday evening, May 3. Morning and afternoon sessions will take place Saturday with several dynamic and inspirational speakers and a praise and worship team. Food and beverages will be served at all events.

Accommodations are available at the Guest House Inn at a rate of $69 per night for double occupancy. A block of rooms will be held until April 19.

The registration fees are as follows: Friday only—$7, Saturday only—$25, and both days—$30. The registration deadline is April 26.

For more information contact Sylvia Garrison at 1-334-834-1368 or Betty Beville 1-334-281-3534 or send Mrs. Beville electronic mail at peaches2655@juno.com

The example of Jesus:
a study of Philippians 2

Paul, in prison, is writing to thank and encourage Christians in Philippi. They face their own trials and have their own problems. They, like many churches today, had some petty disagreements and selfishness. Paul points them to a better approach to interpersonal relationships and gives them three examples they can imitate.

Paul begins by reminding them of blessings they have been given by Christ: "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion..."—he assumes that they have enjoyed all of these—"then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose" (Phil. 2:1-2).

He is not just asking them to think like one another. As he will soon explain, he wants them to be like-minded with Christ—to be encouraging, comforting, sharing, tender and compassionate, as Christ is. He wants them to have the same kind of love as Christ has, being like him in attitude and goals. That is the only sure way to be united with one another. When the Philippians put this into practice, Paul’s joy among them will be complete, for his gospel will have produced its fruit.

The bottom line, he says, is to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit" (v. 3). Do not be motivated by selfishness or pride, for they destroy unity and are the essence of sin. Instead, "in humility consider others better than yourselves." Paul does not say that others are better—only that we should consider them better. Objectively, everyone cannot be better, yet Christian unity must be built on considering others ahead of self.

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" (v. 4). We may consider our own interests, but we must also look out for others. This is the way of Christ. He, the best of all humans, did not put himself first, but considered the needs of others.

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (vv. 5-7). Scholars call this passage "the Philippian hymn," because its style and rhythm cause some to think that Paul is adopting words that Christians were already singing—words of praise for Christ Jesus.

Paul is using these words to remind his readers of the example they are to follow: someone who was divine, having the greatest of honor, yet who did not cling to his rights and privileges. The new edition of the NIV puts it this way: Jesus "did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage" (TNIV). Though the Philippians had important rights as citizens of a Roman colony, they were to focus on others, not themselves.

Jesus willingly set his rights aside, in humility becoming a human, serving our needs. "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!" (v. 8). His humility, his desire to serve, was complete. He endured the most painful and most shameful form of death, just to serve our needs.

The result? God resurrected him and "exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (vv. 9-11).

What is the name above all other names? The name of God. In Isaiah 45:23, God says, "Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear." Paul is saying that Jesus should be given the same honors as God. When we bow to Jesus, God gets the glory.

Jesus is in the highest place, worthy of worship, worthy of the name "Lord." Because he was humble, he is now exalted. Humility is the praiseworthy way.

How should we respond to Jesus’ humility and service? Paul pleads for action: "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (v. 12). The Philippians have been a responsive church, eager to do what is good. Paul is asking them to take one more step, applying the humility of Christ to their interpersonal relationships.

They are to work not in order to get into salvation (salvation is a gift that they already have), but to work out its implications—to diligently apply it in their lives by imitating their Savior. They are to work, and yet realize that they are not working alone: "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (v. 13). We cannot make ourselves more like God—only he can, and he does it by changing our desires and our actions. He does not force us, but enables us. We work, trust him to do his work, and give him all the credit (see 1:3 and 1 Cor. 15:10).

"Do everything without complaining or arguing," Paul writes, "so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life" (vv. 14-16). In other words, as you share the gospel, be aware of the example you set (see 1:27). Be content, be peaceable, and you will be seen as points of light. Society doesn’t make it easy to be Christlike, but instead of viewing this as an obstacle, see it as an opportunity to make the gospel attractive.

Paul then makes his appeal personal: "in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." This will complete his mission, he says, bringing the people toward maturity in Christ.

Paul then elevates the significance of what they are doing—he is a sacrifice for God, and so are they. Their lives are given together as an offering to God. "But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you" (v. 17). Although I am in jail, he says, I rejoice because of the way that you serve the Lord. "So you too should be glad and rejoice with me" (v. 18).

"I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you" (v. 19). Paul hopes to send a friend to them, who will (if we read between the lines) report on whether the Philippians put Paul’s exhortations into practice.

Without directly saying so, Paul writes that Timothy is a good example, already doing what Paul is exhorting. Timothy "takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ" (vv. 20-21). Timothy does not act from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility he looks to the interests of others, of Jesus and the gospel.

"But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel" (v. 22). Look to him, and hear what he says. "I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me" (v. 23). As soon as I find out whether I will get out of prison, I will send him, my son in the faith, to serve your needs. "And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon" (v. 24).

But Paul did not wait. He sent his letter with someone else: "But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs" (v. 25). Epaphroditus, apparently one of the leaders in Philippi, had come to visit Paul in prison. Now Paul is sending him back with special commendation:

"For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill" (v. 26). In other words, he is looking out for your interests. He is distressed not because he was sick, but because he doesn’t want you to be worried about him.

"Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety" (vv. 27-28). I care for you, too, and I will be less anxious about you when he is there.

"Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him" (v. 29). He is setting a great example, and if you honor people who serve, more people will serve. Epaphroditus put his life on the line: "he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me" (v. 30). Be willing to serve, Paul says, and you will be great. Humble yourself for him, and he will exalt you with Christ!

Questions for application

• In my own experience, what role does self-interest play in squabbles?

• When others consider me better, do I tend to agree with them?

• Do I sometimes assume that other people want what I want? Do I "serve" them as a means of getting what I want?

• What rights and privileges do I have? Am I willing to give them up to help others?

• If I can’t complain (2:14), what can I say about things that are wrong?

• Can I trust God to do his work within me? Does he sometimes seem to work too slowly?

• What examples of humility do I know locally? Do I honor them?

To a study of the next chapter

Michael Morrison

copyright © 2002 Worldwide Church of God