The Baptist Pietist CLARION Vol. 3, No. 1 In essentials UNITY • in non-essentials DIVERSITY • in everything CHARITY luly 2004
Published by the COMMITTED PASTORS AND LAY LEADERS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING PIETISM, EVANGELISM, AND CIVILITY IN THE BGC. Edited by G. WILLIAM CARLSON, Professor of History and Political Science at Bethel College; RON SAARI, Senior Pastor at Central Baptist Church.
Celebrating the Goodness of God at Bethel
Contents Address given on October 28, 1996 to mark the occasion of the 125th Anniversary of Bethel's founding in Chicago by John Alexis Edgren in 1871. 1 Celebrating the Goodness of God at Bethel | Nancy Lundquist NANCY LUNDQUIST, I think the real reason I dared to come wife of former Bethel and take another risk is because you're so A Baptist Pastor Celebrates a Sab College President, Carl good for me! You are an inspiration to me. batical Experience | Ron Saari Lundquist | Some of you I know many of your moms and dads and may recall that I spoke oh yes, your grandmas and grandpas, too! I 2 Inside this Issue of the Clarion to you at Homecoming look into your faces and I see hope for our G. William Carlson Chapel last year. We world. When Carl, my husband, retired were then celebrating from the Presidency, what I missed most 3 Carl H. Lundquist's Contribution to 25 years of Bethel being was the students. I recall once having the Baptist Pietist Spirituality | G. Wil on this campus in Arden Hills. I remarked Student Senate in our home for dinner. I liam Carlson then that I came at great risk, knowing in remarked that of all the guests we had in Growing up in a Pietist Home | my heart how eager you probably were to our home, and there were many, I enjoyed Carole Lundquist Spickelmier know about "the olden days" as my grandson students the most. As they left that evening, called it. Now, one year later, here I am again one enterprising young man said to me, "If 4 A New Vocabulary: Christian Spiri only this time we are celebrating Bethel's it means so much to you, Mrs. Lundquist, tuality in the Life of Carl Lundquist 125th birthday. By the way, you celebrate I'm free every Tuesday!" Terri Hansen a lot around here: how about that football About a month ago I was here for your team of ours? Yea! Founders Day Chapel. There we were taken Understanding Christian Spirituality continued on p. 6 Carl Lundquist Reflections on a Christian Spiritual Journey: A 5 The Spiritual Discipline of Silence Carl Lundquist Baptist Pastor Celebrates a Sabbatical Experience RON SAARI, Senior Pastor implement pastoral leadership skills. 6 God's Miracle on Lake Valentine of Central Baptist Church The sabbatical also gave me time to relax Carl Lundquist in St. Paul, Minn. | After and read. The welcome relief from every 12 years of service at day responsibilities of ministry allowed me 9 Swedish Baptist Hymnody: Dr. C. Howard Smith and the Pietist Tradi Central Baptist Church, to explore some answers about my role as a tion I G. William Carlson m the Executive Commit- leader in church ministry and inspired me I tee presented me with to renew my commitment to be counted 10 The Prayer Witness of Dr. Gordon r ^^^^w^B a wonderful gift, the for Christ. I logged over 18,000 miles; sat lohnson | G. William Carlson opportunity to experience a six month sab in nearly 100 hours of instruction and read batical. I worked with a small committee to over fifty books. Major events included at 11 Gordon lohnson's Chapel Prayers develop a set of objectives and outlined ways to tending a C. S. Lewis conference in Oxford, G. William Carlson accomplish them. My sabbatical allowed me to visiting Holy Trinity Brompton where the explore effective urban ministries; experience Alpha program was initiated; participating 15 The Pietist Poetry of Signe Olson intentional Christian spiritual communities, in a Hybels Leadership Conference, attend G. William Carlson renew commitments to worship and evange ing the CCDA meetings in Los Angeles; lism and develop new ways to understand and participating in a Via de Christo spiritual continued on p. 2 A Bap tist Pastor Celebra tes, from p. 1 enrichment retreat; and attending several one. He sat on the train besides an elderly der his arm and headed for the train. When churches in Minnesota and California to woman. When he got up to leave he grabbed he walked by the woman he had met in the explore styles of worship and ministry. the umbrella beside him The woman grabbed morning, he had a silly grin on his face. She Early during my sabbatical I learned an the umbrellas as well and said "young man said, "You've had a good day." Tony con important insight. God "surprises" us in you are not stealing my umbrella." Tony cluded by saying" it is sometimes dangerous unexpected ways. He uses the ordinary ex said, "I have no intention of stealing your to meet familiar faces." periences of life to teach us important lessons umbrella. That is not who I am. I am sorry if The telling of the story of the sabbatical to about His presence in our lives. This was best I gave the impression that I was stealing your many people that I know, both in the church illustrated in a story told by Tony Campolo umbrella. Please forgive me." Tony left the and the BGC may be like sharing a life with at the C. S. Lewis conference early in my sab train and taught his classes during the day. a number of familiar faces. I trust, however, batical experience. He greeted the audience During the day Tony's wife called Tony's that the contagious excitement of my expe and stated that it was dangerous sometimes secretary to say that Tony must have all the rience remains the essence of this essay. It to "meet familiar faces." He was concerned umbrellas at work. She asked her to gather is important for pastors to "retreat" from that what he had to say might have been up as many as she could so that Tony would the norms of ministry and recharge their heard by members of this audience before. remember to bring them back home. spiritual batteries. He went on to tell the story of a time when Tony finished his day and his secretary The two conferences/seminars that had he was teaching at Eastern Baptist Seminary told him that his wife had called and wanted the greatest impact on me were the Leader and took the train in. It was raining that day him to bring home the umbrellas he was col ship Summit with Bill Hybels and Via de and he looked around for an umbrella. He lecting at work. His secretary managed to Christo (a Christian retreat center). One couldn't find any so he went to work without find four umbrellas. Tony tucked them un- of the prime reasons was that I had lower expectations for them and they exceeded my Inside this Issue of the Baptist Pietist CLARION expectations by a long shot. The Leadership Summit challenged me G. WILLIAM CARLSON, Professor of History In the words of Adolf Olson, professor in the area of leadership. It became the bases and Political Science, Bethel College & RONat Bethel Seminary for over four decades, of a series of four sermons in which I em SAARI, Senior Pastor of Central Baptist Churchth e heritage included "...the Bible at the phasized our church's vision and upcoming in St. Paul, Minn. | This is the fourth issue center as the eternally sure and dependable goals for the year; traits of a leader; the im of the Baptist Pietist Clarion. The primary Word of God, the message of redeeming portance of team and the role of delegation; mission of the Concerned Pastors and Lay grace and deliverance from the guilt and celebrating team accomplishments and the Leaders is to uphold the historic pietistic power of sin by means of the new birth, recognition of volunteers. tradition of the Baptist General Confer the glorious possibility of a consecrated Via de Christo inspired me by under ence and its early leaders. In a document and spirit-filled life, and the privilege and standing that intentional Christian retreats circulated with the 1977 "re-affirmation responsibility to tell the story of Jesus to can be lay driven and challenge members of of our heritage" resolution, it was all nations..." the church to be counted for Christ. Lives suggested that "the richness of The first three issues were changed for the Lord in my presence. In essentials our heritage can certainly analyzed the origins of the That was exciting. It encouraged me that UNITY provide both direction and 1951 Affirmation of Faith, there are fellow soldiers willing to go the In non-essentials confidence for today." The the theological vision of distance because of God's love and grace. DIVERSITY following principles were John Alexis Edgren, the After visiting nineteen churches, I came In everything suggested as foundational: challenge of the civil rights to the realization that one of the meaningful CHARITY movement, Baptist com dynamics of church is the relationships and A balance of doctrinal con mitments to religious liberty the sense of community. Everywhere we went servatism with irenic spirit. and the separation of church and we were visitors and outsiders. A meaningful A conversion-centered experiential state, core Baptist distinctives, the wit part of church is community. Henri Nouwen faith under the stabilizing guidance ness of R O. Nilsson and the history of said this well: and authority of the Scriptures. Bethel College and Seminary. This issue A spirit of both missionary and chari focuses on the Baptist Pietist Spirituality Through the discipline of solitude we table outreach. as understood in the life and witness of Dr. discover space for God in our innermost An enriching evangelistic passion and Carl H. Lundquist and expressed in the being. Through the discipline of commu emphasis on growth and Christian prayers of Dr. Gordon Johnson and Dr. C. nity we discover a place for God in our life holiness that conserves the results of Howard Smith's analysis of Swedish pietist together. Both disciplines belong together soul-winning. hymnody. precisely because the space within us and
i^_^—^ continued on p. 8 Carl H. Lundquist's Contribution to Baptist Pietist Spirituality
G. WILLIAM CARLSON, Professor of History General Conference. He argued that there is a Sola Scriptura community (it is a lasare and Political Science, Bethel College & RON were five major influences: the centrality of people or a people of the Book); it is an in SAARI, Senior Pastor of Central Baptist Church the Bible in the life of the believer; insistence formed Baptist community (congregational in St. Paul, Minn. on a born-again experience for form of church governance, every believer; commitment to church membership for the Pietist Spirituality and the History of holy living; understanding the regenerate only and adult the Baptist General Conference church as a "laymen's" move baptism through immersion); ment and the cultivation of a and it is a pietist community By the 1850s, a Baptist movement gained "free-church" tradition; and (commitment to experiential status in Sweden and developed a relation encouragement of religious re Christianity and holy living). ship with Baptists in America. Several of its vival. Pietism seemed to be the The commitment to pietism, core supporters were F. O. Nilsson, John "breath of God moving among especially the appreciation of Alexis Edgren, Gustav Palmquist and Anders the dry bones, bringing life to an "experiential" and "devo Wiberg, all of whom played a significant role the various valleys of arid skel ^^•^^A tional" Christianity, was well in the development of the Swedish Baptist etons of theology and religious DR. CARL H. LUNDQUIST, expressed by the early leaders of movement in the United States. They were formalism" (Olson, p. 64). Former President of Bethel the Baptist General Conference heavily influenced by the Northern Euro The history of the Baptist College and Seminary and infused its educational in pean pietist heritage. General Conference is formed by four es stitutions. One of the essential expressions of Dr. Virgil Olson, former professor of sential characteristics: it has its origins as a this commitment to pietist spirituality was ex Church History at Bethel Seminary and Dean dissenting church fellowship (and therefore pressed in Dr. John Alexis Edgren's founding of Bethel, eloquently expressed the history of is strongly committed to religious freedom principles for Bethel Seminary. The student at the pietist tradition's influence on the Baptist and the separation of church and state); it Bethel Seminary needed to have a "call to min- continued on p. 10 Growing Up in a Pietist Home
CAROLE LUNDQUIST SPICKELMIER, Daughter birth or death of Christ. Sometimes we Prayer. She started out, "Our Father.. .heav of Dr. Carl and Nancy Lundquist | One of would all recite together the Lord's Prayer. en.. .hollow. ..name..." She had the rhythm the strongest memories of our early family and some of the words, but clearly didn't life that my siblings and I have is the family know what she was saying! Dad assigned big devotions we had after supper each evening. sister Jill to teach the prayer to Sue so she As soon as we could read we got a reading could say it the next day. assignment for devotion time: perhaps a Devotions after Sunday dinner had some chapter from the Bible, or a children's story, special features. We always knew Dad would or a letter from a missionary. The older chil ask us what the Pastor had preached about dren helped the younger ones with the hard in church that morning. That kept us listen words. We would finish by going around the ing hard for the pastor's main points as he circle to say sentence prayers. Even the littlest preached! On Sundays we would usually read child who couldn't read yet was still a part a letter from a missionary family and then of the praying circle. there would be a blue air form that each person Sometimes we did different things as part would write on telling a little about themselves of our devotions. Often we had a little box of as a reply to that missionary family. "Hi, my cards on the table. Each card held a Bible verse. name is Carole and I'm 12 years old. I play We would take turns picking out a card and the flute and like to read..." If a child was too reading it for the family, and then someone else young to write, they would tell an older child said the table grace. Occasionally, table grace what they wanted to say and the older child was a prayer we all knew and said together. would write it on the air form for them. THE LUNDQUIST FAMILY Other times Mom would start us on a song. Our parents also encouraged us and mod counterclockwise: Jill (Anderson), Nancy, Carl, The doxology, "Praise God, from whom all eled for us ways to give to others, especially Carole (Spickelmier), Sue (Robinson), Eugene blessings flow," was one of our favorites. at times of need. Each Christmas we would At Christmas and Easter time, our read We all remember the day when Dad asked make large batches of candies, or cookies, ings and songs might be centered on the Sue, the youngest child, to recite the Lord's or Christmas bread (Jule Kage) and would continued on p. 5 A New Vocabulary: Christian Spirituality in the Life of Dr. Carl Lundquist
TERM L. HANSEN, former Prompted by his desire to correct semi the Road to Emmaus when they exclaimed Children's and Spiritual nary programs that placed too heavy an em after their walk with the risen Christ, 'Did Development Pastor, Centralphasi s on mastery of academic knowledge not our hearts bum within us when he talked Baptist Church, St. Paul, and professional skills, Lundquist's retreats with us on the way and when he opened the Minn. | Early in 1984, Carl focused on prayer, the personal spiritual Scriptures to us?' (Luke 24:32)" (Issue #3, Lundquist penned the life of the student, and the shaping of his or The Burning Heart, 11/84). first issue of "The Burning her heart for Christian service. Out of this The Burning Heart became symbolic Heart," a quarterly newsletter prepared as a retreat ministry, Lundquist formed an "in of Dr. Lundquist's interest in Christian follow-up for individuals who had participated formal and unstructured non-organization, spirituality and the Lukan implications in one of the BurningHeart retreats he and his The Evangelical Fellowship of the Burning that Christians be led into devotion to wife Nancy were beginning to lead with Bethel Heart, wishing to keep alive in our time the Christ through prayer, study, and the Seminary students and across the country. experience of Cleopas and his comrade on practice of spiritual disciplines. The sym bol of the Burning Heart, carved in cherry wood, dons the door of the Flame Room, Understanding Christian Spirituality Bethel Seminary's extensive collection of BURNING HEART, Issue #3 devotional classics, and probably one of the DR. CARL H. LUNDQUIST, former President of Bethel College and Seminary largest devotional libraries among protestant theological schools today. 1. Christian spirituality is a living relationship with Jesus Christ It was not fashionable for evangelicals to cross over denominational practices. This was spelled out in an earlier design accompanying John Calvin's writings. A Years had gone into defining our funda valentine-shaped heart is held out to God in an outstretched hand. Around it is Calvin's mental beliefs and setting clear doctrinal dedication, "My heart I give thee, Lord, sincerely and forever!" When I first read that in boundaries. Retreats for the purpose of scription I realized that the intellectual genius behind the Protestant reformation led his prayer and contemplation were a Catholic church not only cerebrally but devotionally Charles Hadden Spurgeon reflected the same phenomenon. Yet, Lundquist recognized commitment by adopting as his most frequent prayer address to God, "My well-beloved," the need for his Baptist denomination and from the cycle of love songs between Solomon and his bride. Spirituality is grounded in its educational institutions to begin produc a deep love relationship with Christ... ing leaders whose spirituality was grounded in a deep love relationship with Christ. The 2. Christian spirituality is a living relationship with Jesus Christ nurtured church should be led not only cerebrally but by spiritual disciplines devotionally, with its doctrine and practice Two basic religious disciplines were exercised by Emmaus disciples: prayer (He talked enlivened by the Holy Spirit. Activities such with us), and the devotional use of the Bible (He opened the Scriptures to us). These are as the practice of spiritual disciplines, seeking the universal spiritual disciplines for all people in all cultures at all times. They provide the spiritual direction, and the reading of devo fuel for the flame of devotion. P. T Forsythe once declared that "prayer is to the Christian tional classics became the central themes of what original research is to the scientist." It gets us down to bedrock reality. the BurningHeart retreats and publications. And Donald Bloesch has given us one of the finest definitions of prayer, "heartfelt He celebrated what he described as a new conversation with God as a living person." I would like to have been there and heard Jesus spiritual unity where various sectors of the point out all things in the Scriptures concerning Himself. He had only the Old Testament. church were being informed by one another The gospels and epistles had not yetbeen written.This is the devotional approach to Bible in a fresh way. He began to develop a new reading, to seek Jesus in every chapter vocabulary—terms that came from the literature of other Christian traditions 3. Christian spirituality is a living relationship with Jesus Christ nurtured and now had been redefined by his own by spiritual disciplines shared with a soul friend evangelical experience. New terms such as spiritual formation, Imago Dei, spiri All of us have been created with gregarious instincts that enable us to find our tual direction, contemplation, centering highest fulfillment in others. Each of us needs a soul friend, the term used by Ken prayer, and renewal, found definition in neth Leech... .That is someone to whom we are spiritually accountable; someone with evangelical practice. whom we can share our highest and lowest moments; someone who affirms us and prays for us. The experience of the Emmaus disciples with Jesus was deepened for Lundquist saw very clearly that this new each by sharing it together. experience of Christian spirituality broad ened and greatly enhanced the limited realm ^_^ i continued on p. 5 A New Vocabulary, from p. 4 of Christian thinking. Building on Parker The Spiritual Discipline of Silence Palmer's observation that we see reality with BURNING HEART Issue #18 both the mind and heart, Lundquist began to describe anew what he called a pervasive DR. CARL H. LUNDQUIST, former President Christian spirit, where one lives unceasingly of Bethel College and Seminary | The spiri in the awareness of God's presence allowing tual discipline of silence is not the practice us to become increasingly more like him. of passive quietness but the experience of From his personal pilgrimage and in active listening.... creased call to a life of prayer and devotion, But we evangelical Christians are not Carl Lundquist's last years were rich with in used to being quiet before God. When sight and deep awareness of the One whose the pastor pauses in the worship service presence he would enjoy for eternity. In Issue for a moment of prayer it rarely lasts a #7 of "The Burning Heart," he states, "Truth, minute. We couldn't stand it. Even in therefore, is personal as well as propositional. holy communion there must be an organ
Truth, in fact, is troth—a way of loving. And background lest we be left alone with our BURNING HEART ETCHING by Dr. Dale it is motivated not only by curiosity and thoughts. No, we're satisfied with being Johnson, Professor of Art at Bethel College desire to be in control but by compassion. orthodox in our creed or being active Truth is meant to be personalized through in our service or being generous in our renewal. Life falls into a larger perspective. our response of obedience to it." giving or being talkative about our faith. Spiritual resources are discovered to meet Truth comes through personal experience, There is no place for simply being quiet the needs of the day. not through years of academic pursuit. A new in the present of God. We measure the Hope and courage are found for vocabulary for Christian spirituality comes quality of our Christian lives by our activ the future. The flame of love for Christ from discovery and practice. The impact ity for God rather than by our intimacy burns more brightly. We join Moses on of Carl and Nancy Lundquist's quest for a with God. the mountain, Jesus in the desert and pervasive Christian spirituality in their own And what will we discover when we Paul in Arabia. We discover that Thomas lives, in the lives of Bethel Seminary students, come quietly into God's presence? Some a Kempis was right when he taught the and the congregations they would lead could, thing about God and His holiness. Some Brethren of the Common life 450 years very well be far reaching. We owe these expo thing about ourselves and our self-cen- ago that all of us can learn to love solitude nential results to Dr. Carl H. Lundquist, the teredness. Both are the basis of personal and silence. epitome of the Burning Heart. Pietist Home, from p. 3 wrap them with ribbons and cards. On the ers, missionaries, and other Christian leaders that when Dad retired from Bethel, he and day before Christmas, we would pile in the who came to our house. Usually a dinner like Mom created the Order of the Burning car to deliver our food gifts. Many of the gifts this would end with a time of prayer in which Heart, a devotional life retreat ministry went to people who had experienced a death Dad prayed for the guests themselves and for that they brought to many groups across in their family that year, or who were dealing their ministries. These were terrific learning the country over the following years. with illness. At each house, Dad and one or times for us as children. What did we learn from all this? That God two of the children would go inside briefly As we grew up and started leaving home, is an integral part of daily life. That we can to chat and wish them Christmas blessings. our parents developed a morning pattern of take our needs, large and small, to him. That During the years that Dad was President having coffee in bed and reading and pray we should be people of integrity, the same of Bethel, we had many special guests in our ing together at the start of each day. Sue, as people at home that we are in public. That home. Often they were Christian leaders who the youngest child still at home, remembers we are part of a large contingent of believers had come to speak at Bethel for an occasion hearing our folks praying for their concerns around the world. That God is bigger than like Founder's Week. Some well-known each morning, and hearing them pray for her any one group or denomination, and some guests we remember are Billy Graham, Cor- by name, as well as for each of their other times surprises us by whom he is willing to rie Ten Boom, Bill Bright, Jill and Stuart children. She said it made her feel good to use for his glory. That acts of kindness can Briscoe, Chuck Swindoll, Charles Colson, know they were praying for her. be part of our worship. That you never retire and Pastor Cho from Korea. Mom and Dad When Dad got a chance to take a sabbati from doing God's work. would encourage us kids to bring chairs into cal leave from Bethel, none of us kids were We are so thankful for godly parents who the dining area to listen to the conversation surprised that he and Mom chose to spend taught us directly and by example to have after dinner. We learned a lot about what God six months visiting spiritual retreat centers warm hearts toward God, his Word, and was doing around the world from the preach around the world. Nor were we surprised his world.
5 Celebrating God's Goodness, front p. 1 back to the birthing of Bethel. Back in 1871 it ing was a problem then too). However, a car belonged to any of her neighbors? She began is said that Mrs. O'Leary's cow kicked over the pulled out just as I came, right across the street to laugh. "Oh," she stated, "that's our son's lantern in the barn which may have started the from the Finlay home. It was not a generous 'old clunk.' We've been telling him he has great Chicago Fire. The fire also gave Chris sized spot, but I was pretty good at parallel to get it off the street—why it doesn't even topher Silene a terrible time trying to find his parking so in I went. have a MOTOR!" Professor, fohn Alexis Edgren, so he could be No problem. I told the gals I had an ap They say the basic test of leadership is gin his training in Edgren's new Seminary. pointment downtown and needed to leave found in whether or not anyone is following Now I know that many very old paint early so I'd just leave, quietly letting myself us. Trust me, this is not a good example! Fol ings, photos, sketches and artifacts have been out. So when I needed to, I left. I got in my lowers who can be yanked around without a especially put on exhibit for this occasion. The car. Needing as much space as possible to mind of their own under the hood—no way Committee members get out, I backed is this a good example! have brought out up ever so carefully That is not what I have seen with Bethel many old things for just barely touching grads down through the years and I do not you to see.. .so HERE the little sport car see it now. I AM! However, behind, then pulling Now, to get back to the history of Bethel, please know that I out into the middle I think I am aware this morning that I am do not date back to of the street when I really a substitute. If my husband were alive, the time of Mrs. just happen to look he would be the one standing here, so would O'Leary or her cow out my rear view you allow me to let him speak to you in his even though we did mirror. Here was the own words through part of something he come from a Chicago little sport car coming wrote and what I like to call God's Miracle on pastorate when my right along behind me Lake Valentine? It's about our move to this husband, Carl, was A view of the courtyard from inside and there was NO beautiful campus, but it is much more than elected to be the third BETHEL SEMINARY DRIVER! I stopped, that. It is about God's omnipotent power to President of Bethel back in 1953,43 years ago. got out to discover that my trailer hitch had do what is humanly impossible! We were both in our 30s. Carl was 37.1 was 34. slipped ever so easily under his very dilapidated We had 3 children, ages 10, 6, and 8 months. front bumper. I was actually towing that little car down the street!! Four years later there was a fourth. God's Miracle on Lake Valentine And so began almost three decades of About then, a Bethel student came along. by CARL LUNDQUIST serving our Lord here at Bethel, from 1953 He got out of his car to see what my problem to 1982, 29 years altogether. It is the slice of was. "No problem," he said. He would just leremiah 33:3 says, "Call on me, and I will Bethel's history that I know best. We loved disconnect the cars by jumping on my bum answer and show you great and mighty this place and never stopped. lust to think that per to dislodge the trailer hitch from the other things which you know not." I had always God would put us in such a strategic place to bumper and then he would push the little car believed that promise theoretically. Now I touch the world for Him through students back to the curb. It worked, but now I had an was pondering it practically. And I was ask like you was such a wonderful privilege! other problem. When he jumped, not only did ing Gideon's plaintive question, "If the Lord I can remember my husband saying that the trailer hitch dislodge so did the car's front God be among us, where are the miracles our Bethel is not just one of over 3,000 institu headlight and it crashed down to the street. As father talked about?" tions of higher education in America. Bethel the student pushed the sport car back to the It was 1959, and I was sitting in the tall is one of a handful of institutions seeking curb, I thanked him for his "Help." He knew grass on a hill overlooking a little lake in the to be an instrument of God to carry out the who I was and as he left he said, "You know, northern suburbs of St. Paul, Minnesota. I Great Commission in the preparation of I'm supposed to be in chapel, so I won't tell on was president of a small college and seminary committed young people to penetrate all you if you won't tell on me!" that God was blessing and that I knew was levels of our world for Christ, many gifted That's not the end of the story. Now I about to outgrow the buildings on its ten- by God for leadership. had a damaged car on my hands. I still had acre campus. Here was the ideal site: 235 Speaking of leadership, let me tell you a true to get to my appointment, so I left a message acres of rolling wooded hills surrounding story. I know it's true because it happened to on the windshield giving my name, address beautiful Lake Valentine, secluded on every me at Bethel's old campus. Our faculty wives and telephone number. When I returned side from the neighbors just beginning to met monthly to prayfor Bethel. This particular from my appointment, I called the college move into Arden Hills, adjacent to new morning we were meeting at the home of Dr. thinking such a car would probably belong freeways and within fifteenminute s to either Paul and Faith Finlay who lived just one half to a student, but no, they had no record of a downtown of the Twin Cities with their rich block from the campus. When I got there the student car with that license number. Then I educational and cultural centers and with street was lined with cars on both sides (park- called Faith Finlay. Did she know if that car plenty of room for growth. continued on p. 7 Celebrating God's Goodness, front p. 6 But it was not for sale. The corporation Midwestern United States, just in time for The big question about any undertaking that had owned it since 1913 still wanted to a student growth explosion of more than is not "Can we do it?" but "Is God in it?" If use its protected open spaces for the storage 600% since the long-range planning began; He is, anything is possible. But we must call of commercial dynamite. "Is Jeremiahs God and the emergence of one of America's upon Him. Believingly, urgently, consis still here?" I kept asking myself. "Can He do great evangelical centers of learning. Truly, tently, responsively, humbly. Frank Laubach another great and mighty thing today?" I can attest to great and mighty things that wrote about prayer as the greatest force in Now, twenty-five years later, I am sitting Jeremiah's God still is doing! the world. He put weak and finite people in on the same spot on the same hill, and, praise And I can attest to the power of fervent, touch with Omnipotence. If ordinary prayer the Lord, I can answer with a resounding sustaining and believing prayer. Faith led us is believing that God can do it, as John Lin "Yes!" All around me now are over 40 mil into taking big risks, and God kept us for ton wrote, believing prayer is believing that lion dollars worth of buildings that God, years on the edge of failure. But that also God will do it. Those are dynamic moments through His children, has erected. There are kept us on our knees. Now what wonderful of spiritual awareness when, while still on 33 of them, with another just being com memories of prayer endure; with my wife our knees, we know that God is going to act. pleted and two more on the drawing boards. Nancy, both of us covered with ticks, sitting It is the Holy Spirit who helps us discern the The pheasants and the foxes are gone. Taking in the tall grass on a hill overlooking the lake narrow line between presumption and faith. their places are nearly 3,000 Christian young and claiming the land for Christ; standing But when He leads us over that line, no chal people preparing themselves to make a dif with regents in a circle of prayer when horses lenge is too great and no risk is too danger ference for Christ in their world. grazing on the land silently nuzzled their way ous. The Jordan can be crossed. The battle One of the blessings of growing older is into the circle; watching an entire hill moved can be won. The campus can be built. the ability to look back and see the hand of to make way for a beautiful seminary com You've heard the Psalmist say, "Great God at work. What an inspiration it is now plex; listening to a college faculty, desper is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his to reflect upon mighty works by God and ate for more space, arising from its knees greatness no one can fathom. One genera calls upon Him by his people over a span of to petition the board to proceed with more tion will laud your works to another; they a quarter of a century. building immediately at any cost; meeting will tell of your mighty acts!" What great and mighty works I remem with endless committees where prayer took ber: After years of refusals, the telephone precedence over business; bowing over a restaurant table with a farmer to thank call from the Dupont Corporation on the That is why we need to celebrate mile God for his commitment of $100,000 and East Coast saying the land could be ours; the stones like 125 years—not so we can boast remembering that he later wrote, "Thanks willingness of a gifted Ford Motor Company in what we have done but in what God has for asking. If you hadn't asked I wouldn't executive to leave his position and devote done. Bethel's history is the history of God have contributed and would have missed his abilities to managing the business de working generation after generation. In the so much"; praying in my temporary office tails of the project at but half of his former past God used people. Today He is still using with administrative colleagues at desperate salary; the sale of the site for one-fourth of people. He is using you, dear students. the price a development firm had offered; moments of uncertainty and then each of us Eugene Peterson has said it well, "Every the first major gift for a dormitory to get going out to take decisive actions by faith, movement we make in response to God has the college started, from an anonymous without looking back. Yes, God's word a ripple effect. The ripples just spill out and donor whose identity we never learned; the through Jeremiah is still true. make history." We are all history-makers. Let faith decision to begin construction of over Of course! That is always God's part. To do us fervently pray that it may be to the Glory of several million dollars' worth of buildings great and mighty works. The God to whom God! May God go with you on your journey. when there was only $50,000 in the building we pray is more than just a friend with whom fund; the borrowing of millions of dollars we converse. He is omnipotent. He who is on a three-year balloon payment note, later creator of all the physical laws of the universe to be refinanced by a low-interest program is greater than His creation. With Him there that did not even exist when we took out the are no ceilings. Divine work is never limited first loan; the inspiring scrawl of a stranger to human genius or human resources or on a check for $50,000 to be succeeded by ,^ human organization. his additional gifts totaling more than a million dollars; the offer of an outstanding corporate vice president to resign his execu tive position three years early in order to become a volunteer assistant heading up the entire building program; among the hills of Arden, the gradual development of one the most beautiful campuses in the $k&d. CiiTtmmiiM ijf« C
•7- A Bap tist Pastor Celebra tes, from p. 2 the space among us are the same space. happening in Christianity is in America and most important venture on earth. {MakingAll Things New, p. 90) that England is dead to the work of God. It Fourth, there is a need to cultivate a is very much alive for God in England. Holy renewed commitment to the value of wor During my sabbatical I felt the hand of Trinity Brompton has made many adapta ship. While I was on sabbatical the church God upon me. I committed myself anew to tions so that their congregation could receive launched, with my support, an experimental "begin the good work." Five themes emerged the twenty and thirty-somethings into their worship experience. It was an effort to create from this experience which I wish to share church. The clergy no long wear robes. The a blended service that uses diverse methods with you in hopes that it will encourage your songs reflect the interest of the younger of worship to assist in helping congregants ministry as well. First, I once again came to generation. The visual is as important as the reflect on the message of the service. There understand that it is the responsibility of the audio. They have succeeded in a challenge are two wonderful dynamics to our church church to "bring a vital Christian presence to that we all now face. The success of Alpha life that other congregations may not have the marketplace of ideas." Christianity needs reminds us that we must retain our sense of to deal with. We are a multigenerational to speak to the issues of the day. My partici excitement about evangelism and bringing congregation and we have a diverse musical pation in the C. S. Lewis Conference chal new souls into the kingdom of God. preference. These two dynamics provide for lenged me to spend much time in reading an interesting challenge to us. The easy way and reflection in order to more effectively Third, it is important that the pastor has a to solve the issue would be to focus on one respond to the issues that the church must vision—a vision that is inspired by the grace generational preference at the expense of the address. They asked where was the Chris of God. At the Leadership Summit in Chicago other. Many churches do that. tian voice responding to the issues facing the Spirit of God washed over my soul a mul America after 9/11? How does the church titude of times. The challenge of the summit I've been in many churches during my help its members respond to the questions was to be a leader. The implication was that sabbatical. Many have a young audience and surrounding the Iraq war? Where is God in God trusts leaders. If you are a leader—lead. they have all used contemporary music as their the crises of unemployment, serious illness Nehemiah had a vision. Jerusalem lay in ruins. musical expression But that is not who we are. and family breakdown? The gates had been burned with fire. He said We value diversity. We have taken a harder "come let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and path. We believe that path is richer and more Second, my sabbatical encouraged me to we will no longer be in disgrace" (Nehemiah meaningful. It is worth the journey. I value cultivate a vision for evangelism and out 2:17). For me it was the dream that Central the efforts of the staff, especially the worship reach. I attended the Holy Trinity Church Baptist Church will "bring a vital Christian leader, to help us through this process. in Brompton, England where the Alpha presence to the marketplace of life in the Fifth, a pastor must model the value of ministry began. We participated in the fifth Midway area of St. Paul and beyond, so that an intentional and disciplined Christian service of the day. The church was packed at people know the whole Gospel and become spiritual journey. I learned very early in the 7:00 p.m. with young people. This old An devoted followers of Jesus Christ." sabbatical process that one of the obliga glican church with its marble columns had I want to come alongside the experiences tions of pastors is to spend time in reading TV. monitors on every column so people of members of the congregation so that they and reflection. I was pleased to spend time could see the front. They have started 26 can do something meaningful with their life. on my retreat reading materials from four congregations since 1986 and are planning We are in the kingdom business of helping categories: Time and Eternity, City Ministry, to start two this year. people to transform lives. Every player has Leadership, and Spiritual Development. My I was reminded of our American bias a part. What we do has eternal implications. journey to Via de Christo encouraged me to where we think that the only thing that is Devoted followers know they are part of the value prayer and Bible reading; to allow the Holy Spirit to inspire our pilgrimage and see A Sampling of Dr. Saaris Sabbatical Reading on Spiritual Development lives changed by the Lord in my presence. My challenge is to think of ways to allow • Alexander, Don, Christian Spirituality (InterVarsity, 1998). the refreshment of the Sabbatical experience • Bence, Kathy, Under Her Wings (Upper Room Books, 2001). to enrich my ministry and be maintained. • Brueggemann, Walter, Ichabod Toward Home (Eerdmans Publishing, 2002). Three things were important: limit my roles • Manning, Brennan, A Glimpse of Jesus (Harp er, 2 00 3). of re-engagement, find a sanctuary for ser • Mogabgab, John S., Communion, Community, Commonweal (Upper Room, 1995). mon preparation, and program intentional • Mulholland Jr., M. Robert, Shaped By the Word (Upper Room Books, 1985,2000). study breaks to cultivate my own Christian • Steere, Douglas, Dimensions of Prayer (Upper Room Books, 1962,1997). spiritual journey. It was a wonderful oppor • Under hill, Evelyn, The Ways of the Spirit, ed. Grace Brame (Crossroad, 1999). tunity. Like Nehemiah, I felt the gracious • ^conelli, Michael, Messy Spirituality (Zondervan, 2002). hand of God on my life. I return seeking to • Yancey, Philip, Rumors of Another World (Zondervan, 2003). "rebuild the wall of Central Baptist Church" • Willard, Dallas, Renovation of the Heart (Navpress, 2002). so that we can be successful communicators • Willimon, William, Pastor (Nashville: Abington Press, 2 002). of the "whole gospel and become devoted followers of Jesus Christ." Swedish Baptist Hymnody: Dr. C. Howard Smith and the Pietist Tradition
G. WILLIAM CARLSON, Professor of History heart's deepest inclinations and puts up its If I Gained the World by Anna Olander and Political Science, Bethel College | In the throne there. It is a loving trust in Jesus, our back of hymnbooks often found in Baptist once dead, but now living Lord and Savior" If I gained the world, but lost the Savior, General Conference churches is a collection (Evangelisk Tidskrift, September 1879). Were my life worth living for a day? of Swedish hymns that emerged from the Several of the Swedish pietist hymnists Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort In the things that soon must pass away? pietist roots of 19th century were important to early If I gained the world, but lost the Saviour, Scandinavian "free-church" Swedish Baptist churches. Would my gain be worth the lifelong strife? traditions along with sym The hymns were the expres Are all earthly pleasures worth comparing pathizers in low-church Lu- sion of songs from the "hearts For a moment with a Christ-filled life? theranism. The Worship and of the people." Two of the Service Hymnal, published in hymns, "God's Mighty Won Had I wealth and love in fullest measure, And a name revered both far and near, 1964, included fifteen "favor ders" and "I Have a Friend," Yet no hope beyond, no harbor waiting, ite Swedish-translation hymns were written by Nils Frykman Where my storm-tossed vessel I could steer; in an edition that was only (1842-1911). He was apublic If I gained the world, but lost the Savior, available from Harvest Pub school teacher who became Who endured the cross and died for me, lications." These hymns were active in the revival meetings Could then all the world afford a refuge, recommended by the hymnal in the late nineteenth century. Whither, in my anguish, I might flee? study committee of the Board This was a time when "crowds O what emptiness! Without the Savior of Publication of The Baptist of believers and seekers gath DR. C. HOWARD SMITH, 'Mid the sins and sorrows here below! General Conference. ered in farmhouses where they former Professor of Music at And eternity, how dark without Him! One of the major scholars preached, prayed, and sang of —Only night and tears and endless woe! Bethel College, 1948-1980 of Scandinavian hymnody was their faith and the desire for a What, tho' I might live without the Savior, Dr. C. Howard Smith, who was Professor of fuller spiritual experience" (Smith, p. 166). When I come to die, how would it be? Music at Bethel College from 1948-1980. Frykman eventually resigned from his O to face the valley's gloom without Him! He was also a gifted conductor and organist. teaching position "under pressure because And without Him all eternity! of his obvious deviation from the teachings Singing in the male chorus was a wonderful O the joy of having all in Jesus! experience for Bethel students. He frequently of the State Church." He was eventually ex What a balm the broken heart to heal! referenced the Swedish hymns as helpful to onerated of the charges. In 1887 Frykman Ne'er a sin so great, but He'll forgive it, one's Christian journey and often included received his call to become pastor of the Nor a sorrow that He does not feel! them in the choir's concert program. Dr. Swedish Mission Tabernacle in Chicago. If I have but Jesus, only Jesus, Smith's monograph, Scandinavian Hymnody Over one hundred of his hymns were found Nothing else in all the world beside. O then ev'rything is mine in Jesus; from the Reformation to the Present, is an im in the early hymnal of the Mission Covenant For my needs and more He will provide. portant contribution to an understanding of Church. He moved to Minnesota in 1889 Swedish pietist hymnody and the origins and where he served five small churches in the themes of the Swedish hymns found in the Covenant denomination (Smith, p. 167). In back of the Worship and Service Hymnal. 1907 he retired to Minneapolis and went to Day By Day by Una Sandell Pietist believers in the free-church be with His Lord in 1911. communities and their supporters in the A second, Swedish pietist hymnist is Day by day, and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here; Lutheran movement were appreciative Anna Olander. Born into a pastor's family, Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment, of the great hymns of the Swedish revival she expressed an interest in writing materi I've no cause for worry or for fear. movement. John Alexis Edgren, the first als for children and young people. How He whose heart is kind beyond all measure, President of Bethel Seminary, often wrote ever, one of her major contributions to the Gives unto each day what he deems best, about the value of pietist hymns, especially Swedish music literature was "If I Gained the Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure, "The Lamb's Songs." These songs expressed World But Lost the Savior." It is illustrative Mingling toil with peace and rest. a deep longing for experiencing the love of of the "holiness" emphasis of pietism. She Every day the Lord Himself is near me, Christ in their lives and a desire to live like Je was a member of the "low-church branch of With a special mercy for each hour; sus. "O, that I could see my Jesus" was a com Lutheranism which was very sympathetic to All my cares He fain would hear and cheer me, mon theme throughout the pietist section of the piestistic cause" (Smith, p. 215). He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r. the early issues of Evangelisk Tidskrift. The A third Swedish pietist hymnist who The protection of His child and treasure Christian faith, stated Edgren, "goes deeper was frequently found in Swedish Baptist Is a charge that on Himself He laid; than to the mind or the will, it reaches the worship hymnals is Lina Sandell. She was "As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure," continued on p. 15 This the pledge to me He made. Baptist Pietist Spirituality: The Prayer Witness of Dr. Gordon Johnson
G. WILLIAM CARLSON, Professor of History Church, which is a strong defense of the of a faith based on the "Lordship of Christ" and Political Science, Bethel College | Grow Baptist heritage from which the Baptist and the need for Christians to put themselves ing up in Verona, New Jersey and attending General Conference has emerged. under the authority of the "written word of what was then Montclair Baptist Church I Dr. Johnson understands that the "Af God." In an essay on the affirmations of the had the wonderful oppor firmation of Faith" which Seminary he argued that one of the primary tunity to hear members of informs our Baptist General goals was to "keep the focus on Christ so that the congregation reflect Conference heritage is im no one need wonder where He is." on the Christian spiritual portant as an expression of Gordon Johnson's chapel prayers were journey of Gordon John the church's understandings wonderful expressions of his commitment son. My parents frequently of the teaching of the Bible. to a pietist heritage. They often expressed hosted the Johnson family The authority of Scripture his belief that all Christians are to experience in our home. My parents is the unique and final God's call and be willing to do His work. It marveled at his prayers and authority. We are always is important to intentionally seek out the valued his commitment to be lasare people, readers Lord's leading for one's life and allow God to evangelism, spiritual of The Book. We must put to "touch us in a new way." It is only through development and holy liv "ourselves under the written this type of spiritual journey that we can find ing. They enthusiastically Word of God so that we are Christ's direction for our life and experience supported his ministry tuned to the purposes of the His everlasting arms. in a variety of locations Lord. It is our commitment including being dean of Chapel Bells at BETHEL to this Word that directs us Bibliography Bethel Seminary. SEMINARY in the kind of emphasis we Johnson, Gordon, "Affirmations for a Theological Gordon Johnson pastored churches in seek to express in our teaching" ("Affirma School," Bethel Seminary Journal vol. XIX, no. Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Jersey, and tions" p. 6). 3 (Spring 1970-1971), pp. 5-7. Johnson, Gordon, My Church (Chicago: Baptist Illinois. He was professor of preaching at Dr. Johnson has been firmly committed Conference Press, 1957; 1994). Bethel Seminary and was Dean of Bethel to the Baptist pietist heritage and has cham Magnuson, Norris, ed., Proclaim the Good News: Seminary from 1964-1984. Many of us pioned many of its commitments in essays Essays in Honor of Gordon Johnson (Chicago: know Dr. Johnson through his book My and prayers. He was especially supportive Harvest, 1986).
Carl Lundquisfs Contribution, from p. 3 istry," a firm knowledge of the Bible and the church meeting, but as a conference we, like true Christian faith " goes deeper than to the cultivation of a spiritual life. To cultivate the Christ's disciples, sit only and exclusively at mind or the will, it reaches the heart's deep mind is essential "but to cultivate the spiritual the Lord Jesus' feet. Christ and His apostle's est inclinations and puts up its throne there. life is even more important... spiritual edifica words and teachings are our creed." We do It is a loving trust in Jesus, our once dead, tion must never be lost sight of." not know, he added, and "we do not want but now living Lord and Savior" (Evangelisk In an essay on the contribution of Baptist to know of any other." It is "just in this that Tidskrift, September 1879). Seminary of Sweden to the development we as a conference thoroughly distinguish Northern European pietism laid a stress of the Baptist General Conference and it's ourselves from other Christian associations." on the New Birth experience and therefore institutions, Eric Sjostrand wrote about the Therefore, it is for us also as a conference to stimulated a commitment to revivalism. It non-creedal and pietistic heritage, especially "devote ourselves to that Word, to under influenced all aspects of Swedish Baptist its Bibliocentric and Christocentric priorities. stand that Word correctly and to live accord church life, both in the homeland and in K. O. Broady and John Alexis Edgren, who ing to that Word" (Anniversary Book, 1927, the United States. This includes church both served in the American civil war to free translation edition, pp. 11-12). hymnody, worship styles, commitment to the slaves, were the first teachers at Sweden's Dr. Edgren was supportive of a moder devotional literature, a desire for holy living Baptist Seminary. When Broady was dis ate, pietist reformed theological heritage. and encouragement of charitable and educa charged from his Civil War obligations and He always believed that only the Scripture tion institutions. Baptist pietism minimized asked what he intended to do, he replied, "I is the test of Biblical truth, and affirmed the creed based loyalties and emphasized lay Bible shall become a Baptist preacher." pietist tradition's "experiential" basis for un studies. The rise of the lasare groups were im In 1891 Broady, headmaster of the derstanding the Christian faith. Intentional portant to religious groups who were starved Sweden's Baptist seminary for forty years, Christian spirituality can best be expressed for "spiritual nourishment" and wished to stated that "...for our teacher we do not in small group Bible study, a commitment to cultivate a relational small group experience have this or that decision of an ecumenical holy living, and a desire to live like Jesus. The under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. continued on p. 11
10 Carl Lundquist's Contribution, from p. 10 Gordon Johnsons Chapel Prayers The Baptist Spirituality Tradition: The Witness of Dr. Carl H. Lundquist We Do Want You To Be Lord You Have Spoken Proclaim the Good News, p. 73 Proclaim the Good News, p. 185 One of the Baptist General Conference lead There are times, dear Lord, when we would We do bow, our Lord, to crown You Lord of all! ers who maintained this commitment to pi- rather not speak, but let the meditation We would long that it would be more than lip etistic Christian spirituality was Dr. Carl H. of our hearts, in the midst of searching service, but you know us so well and know Lundquist. He was ordained to ministry in of Your Spirit do the kind of work which is that so often our words far exceed the 1944 and served in several churches in South So necessary in our lives. actions of our lives. Dakota, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Chi You also know our yearnings. cago. From 1954-1982 he served as President We long to be true to Your truth, but some of us We do want You to be Lord. of Bethel College and Seminary. What was have missed the truth in our lack of loving We do want You to be in complete control important to Dr. Lundquist was that Bethel's concern for those about us. —of our thoughts, vision combine a strong academic scholarship Oh Lord Jesus, You were called a winebibber —of our speaking, with a deeply held spiritual commitment. A and a sinner.. .because You were willing —and of our function in life. strong commitment to Christian College to touch the unlovely. Somehow touch us in a new way, dear Lord. education encouraged him to accept the We come apart to worship You today. Presidency of the Christian College Consor In this time we turn ourselves over to You anew, Make us ready to love where we do not possess tium from 1982-1991. —trusting You to take us, the propensity to do so. Early in his life Dr. Lundquist experienced —and rule us, Forgive us for our bigotry.. .our isolation the saving love of Jesus Christ and value of —and lead us. .. .our clannishness. consistent meditation on the Bible. Several In the tougher issues, teach us to trust. And forgive us when we have done it in the passages of Scripture were really important: In the moments of indecision, teach us direction. name of piety and have forgotten Your full "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His In times of depression, make us feel underneath teachings and Your command. righteousness, and all these things will be the everlasting arms. added unto you" (Matt. 6:33); "Christ is all Whatever the issue, may Your presence be vital— You have spoken and we thank You. and in all" (Col. 3:11); and "...For to me to a real experience for all of us. In Jesus' name. Amen. live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21). And we anticipate that experience during this He was committed to a life of evangelism, time of worship. intentional Christian devotion and cultiva In Jesus' Name. Amen tion of "kingdom values." Dr. Carl Lundquist, often suggested the need for all Christians to develop a volun Like President Lundquist, Gordon Johnson was often challenged by the "Emmaus experi tary self-discipline, develop a free response ence." In his essay, "Affirmations for a Theological School," Dr. Johnson wrote: of love to the Lordship of Christ and say a As a Seminary we affirm again our aim they have laid Him." We are corn- big no to self and a big yes to Christ. Disci that Christ be central in all our teach- mitted to keeping focus on Christ so pline and discipleship are "concepts which ing and emphasis. 'That in everything that no one can wonder where He is. belong together. Christian discipleship is the He might be pre-eminent' We dedicate ourselves life of surrender to Christ as Lord, resulting (Col. 1:18), is our desire. He to an emphasis on Jesus in eagerness to learn from Him, willingness is the good news to a world Christ as the answer to the to obey Him and readiness to serve Him—all that needs good news. He yearning of throngs in our to the point of total expendability" (Silent is the bridge between God world as they seek to know Issues, p. 139). This commitment to inten and man in order to make the ultimate purpose of God tional, Christian spirituality was enhanced possible man's discovery of for their lives. When Christ by his belief in the wisdom of Classics of God. He is the transform is central in human experi Western Spirituality, appreciation of such ing power for the ills of m ence, then the reaction of great Christian mystics as A. W Tozer and human experience. It is He DR. GORDON JOHNSON, the Emmaus travelers will the value of the Baptist pietist heritage. whom we teach and preach. Former Dean of Bethel be that of the people of our Faculty and staff were frequently invited From the lips of many Seminary, 1964-1984 day. They said after they over to the Lundquist home for a strawberry/ simple folk in the world today resounds recognized the Lord, 'Did not our hearts waffle breakfast. One of the areas of the home the bitter lament of Mary Magdalene burn within us while He talked to us on many were invited to see was the collection when she said, "They have taken away the road, while He opened to us the Scrip- of Christian devotional literature. It was a my Lord, and I do not know where tures?' (p. 6) L_^ "i continued on p. 12
~ 11 ~ Carl Lundquist's Contribution, from p. 11 used and valued collection. Following his re a period of time, faculty members at Bethel Christianity" based on Jesus as Lord and tirement from Bethel in 1982, he and his wife would receive four page, blue Renovare Devo Savior and the centrality of the Bible. Nancy hosted spiritual retreats encouraging a tional Readings in their post office boxes. They Fourth, the life of devotion was so central personal life of devotion to Jesus Christ as Lord featured the writings of such Christian writers to Carl Lundquist's understanding of what and Savior. They founded the Evangelical Order as William Law, Catherine of Siena, Bernard of it meant to be a Christian and what it meant of the Burning Heart. The Clairvaux, Martin Luther to be a pastor that he could not imagine stu Flame Room at Bethel and John Donne. They dents graduating from Bethel Seminary who Seminary currently houses included an introduction did not embody this commitment in their his devotional collection of to the author, an excerpt lives. To be sure that they would carry this more than 1800 volumes. from their writings, a emphasis with them as they left seminary, a President Lundquist Bible study and discus one credit course on Life of Devotion was initiated and supported sion questions. Eventually made a requirement for graduation. Dr. several activities to these became the basis for Lundquist led this course personally. It was encourage faculty and the wonderful book en usually held in a retreat setting. students to intention titled Devotional Classics At first the Life of Devotion course was ally cultivate their own (edited by Richard Foster a two day retreat and eventually, due to the Christian spiritual jour and James Bryan Smith). pressures on student time, it became a one day ney. First, one of the Renovare means retreat. In the later years, his wife, Nancy was major events during "to make anew." It is an co-director of the retreat with him. The retreats the school year was the effort to work for the started at the St. Paul campus but were then Bethel Founders' Week Conference. Noted renewal of the Church of Jesus Christ in extended to the San Diego campus as well. Christian leaders were invited on campus to all her multifaceted expressions and allow Quite often students would come back give addresses on missions, Bible teaching, people to understand several of the major from the retreat and talk about how they and church ministry. Pastors, students and traditions of the church: Contemplative, had never experientially been involved in faculty were invited to attend as many ses Holiness, Charismatic, Social Justice and anything like it, though they had read and sions as possible. Cultivation of the "deeper Evangelical. Each one of these traditions "is studied about the devotional life. Most Christian life" was often one of the emphases. a vital dimension of a fully orbed Christian would report that in spite of some initial Speakers such as A. W. Tozer, Alan Redpath, spirituality." They encourage Christians to resistance that the retreats turned out to Ian Thomas, Frank Laubach and E. Stanley develop a "prayer-filled life," a "virtuous be among their most important seminary Jones were featured. Dr. Al Glenn remem life," a "spirit-empowered life," a "compas experiences. Currently, Bethel Seminary has bered Lundquist's frequent use of an E. M. sionate-life," and a "Word-centered life." a curriculum emphasis on spiritual forma Bounds quote: "The church is looking for Dr. Lundquist encouraged people to seek tion and personal growth. To some extent better methods; God is looking for better the best of the various Christian traditions this is an outgrowth of the Life of Devotion men—men and women of prayer" (Glenn, and find ways to allow them to inform their retreats instituted by Dr. Lundquist. The Standard, July 1982, p. 7). Glenn reflected own Christian journey. Finally, critical to an understanding of on Dr. Lundquist's spiritual emphases: Third, Dr. Lundquist was sometimes Lundquist's understanding of pietistic, Chris asked to address the Christianity and West tian spirituality is the 1976 sabbatical journey. I think of your great love of Holy Scriptures, ern Culture class at Bethel College. This He and Nancy visited forty-three Christian Carl. On one occasion you brought to a required course for freshmen attempts to communities in the United States and across lectern ten well-worn Bibles, which were allow students and faculty to understand the world. They spent one to ten days in each reduced to shabbiness—that state when our the origins and values of the various Chris of them. The communities covered a broad Bibles become personal. Those symbols of tian traditions and analyze their impact on Christian spectrum: "Catholic and Protestant, love for God's Word became object lessons western life and culture. Lundquist wanted evangelical and ecumenical, church-spon to relate numerous treasures of the Spirit's to convey the importance of the pietist tra sored and independent, charismatic and illumination. They also gave credence to the dition, especially its role in encouraging lay conventional, permanent and temporary" Seminary motto: 'The servant of God com ministries, social reform, spiritual revival (Journey to Renewal, p. 13). Upon return municating the Word of God.'" (p. 7) and evangelism. He emphasized its impact to campus, Dr. Lundquist eloquently shared on John and Charles Wesley, the Salvation his experiences in several faculty retreats. Second, Dr. Lundquist, along with a num Army, Scandinavian free church denomina He encouraged the faculty to appreciate the ber of major evangelical leaders such as Tony tions and the Baptist General Conference. Keswick and the L'Abri experiences. Campolo, Ted Engstrom, Roberta Hestenes, Lundquist claimed that today's Christianity Dr. Lundquist concluded that the "Holy David and Karen Mains and Calvin Miller, had placed too much emphasis on apolo Spirit" not "only is alive today but that he is served as Board of Reference to Renovare. For getics. It needed to recover an "experiential a person of incredible variety and flexibility." continued on p. 13 12 Carl Lundquist's Contribution, from p. 12 From the prayer vigils of Grandchamps in provide a substantive biblical understanding life would enhance their ability to be free from Switzerland, to the silence of a weekend Ig- of the new experiences with Christ and His the power of an opulent culture and identify natian-inspired retreat at Kirkridge, to the Spirit" (Sabbatical Report, pp. 22-23). more effectively with those who are exploited. social concern mission of society at Iona Second, the renewal groups were commit For Lundquist, there was a recognition that and the evangelistic passion for unsaved ted to a "devotional" rather than a systematic for some it was a call of God and that "God people at Capernwray, he saw the work of understanding of Scripture. In some areas, uses both poverty and wealth." Not all are the Holy Spirit in action. Each movement such a Keswick, Bible exposition was central called to a simple life, but all are called to use wants to "share the common life in Christ while in others the Scripture was primarily wisely whatever God has given us. with searching, often suffering people." found in liturgy and song. The liturgies were Finally, most communities identified They were renewal movements in a broad chanted at the Taize and the singing of the intentionally with suffering peoples. Social and inclusive sense of the term. Psalms was championed in most English action, "tender loving care, became a nor Several major common insights were speaking centers. mal way to express a personal devotion to gained from this sabbatical journey. They Third, almost all of the renewal centers had Christ." This "tender loving care" was exhib were important to an understanding and ap a commitment to spiritual discipline which ited as a healing community for troubled and preciation of Dr. Lundquist's commitment manifested itself in style of worship, times of vulnerable people, a reach out program to to Christian pietistic spirituality. First, is that prayer and silence, efforts at service and life and an agent of "reconciliation" in war-torn "Jesus is Lord." People who apply Christ's long commitment to Christ. Some demanded areas. To these communities the members life to our world in radically different ways celibacy while others were more community were "concerned with the cultivation of find unity in a common allegiance to him." centered. Lundquist concluded that "whether their own walk with the Savior" and fulfill Although doctrines may separate the various in response to the discipleship ideals of our ment of the Jesus direction that "inasmuch branches of the Christian faith and ecumeni Lord or in reaction to the libertarianism of a as you have done it to one of the least of my cal movement may accomplish little organi secularized culture, the commitment of new brethren you have done it unto me." zationally, the renewal movements can "help generations of young Christians to a life of to bridge the differences because of our com rigorous self-denial is one of the hopeful signs Dr. Carl Lundquist and the "Order mon commitment to Jesus as Lord." on the horizon of the church. of the Burning Heart" Lundquist was aware that, "any spiritual Fourth, was a broad ranged endorsement movement needs to have a sound biblical of a simple lifestyle. Some included a distinct After Dr. Lundquist retired as President foundation and coherent theological frame vow of poverty. Others, used the simple life to of Bethel College and Seminary he became work if it is to be thoroughly Christian." He provide additional resources to serve those in the founder and president of the "Evangelical hoped that a "rigorous use of the Bible will need. Still others suggested that a more simple Order of the Burning Heart," a "lay retreat ministry which encouraged a life of devotion and prayer among Christians, published a Carl and Nancy Lundquist's Life of Devotion Retreatquarterl y newsletter, distributed books to third-world Christian leaders, and provided The Life of Devotion retreat curriculum prayer (from his book Pray: A Study in scholarship monies for international stu consisted of a minimum of teaching about Distinctive Christian Praying), in which dents." A collection of nineteen "occasional the life of devotion and a maximum of believers placed themselves deliberately in papers" are found in the Lundquist library. practicing devotional exercises. Prayer God's hands and offered to Him "his gifts They provided the readers with annotated walks were taken and periods of silence for service that day. bibliographies of significant devotional were observed. Throughout the retreat the literature, explored the value of the church Lundquists shared their own experiences 0 Lord Jesus Christ: as a "house of prayer," evaluated various from Christian retreat centers around the In obedience to thy holy claim upon me, intentional spiritual disciplines (i.e. fasting world. Students were taught to pray a va 1 give myself anew to thee this day; and silence) and provided an understandable riety of prayers. These included prayers for all that I am "lexicon" of Christian spirituality terms. world leaders, prayers for personal needs all that I have; It is interesting to note that the Emmaus and understandings, and prayers celebrat to be wholly and unconditionally thine story has often been used by devotional writ ing the glory of God. for thy using. ers to emphasize the value of the intentional In his essay on "Variations of Private Take me away from myself, and spiritual journey. Lundquist's consistent Prayer" {Evangelical Order of the Burninguse me up as thou wilt, encounter with God in prayer, silent retreats Heart, no. 8), Lundquist discussed four when thou wilt, and meditative Bible study allowed him to types of personal prayer: covenant prayer, where thou wilt, experience a heart that had "burned within centering prayer, living prayer, and medi with whom thou wilt. him." The vibrancy of his Christian journey tative prayer. He loved Charles Whiston's Amen. was frequently shared with others and became ^_^s—^ continued on p. 14 13 Carl Lundquist's Contribution, from p. 13 the bases for retreat ministries and religious Conclusion: The Resurrection of the life as he would live my life if he were 1.1 am conference presentations. Those who have Pietist Tradition not necessarily learning to do everything he experienced the burning heart, Lundquist did, but I am learning how to do everything concluded, are more willing to "take risks Dr. Virgil Olson often calls for a resurrec I do in the manner in which he did all that with God." They are more likely to value tion of this pietist tradition. He suggests that he did" (Willard, p. 430-431). the disciplines necessary to a journey toward there "needs to be a healthy return to the This same challenge echoed the Baptist a mature faith. They understand well that study of the Bible by the laity;" there needs pietism of Dr. Lundquist. Lundquist called "Christian spirituality is a living relationship to be a "careful union of the stress of a living on the church to live in such a way that it can with Jesus Christ nurtured by spiritual disci faith with a living theology;" and there is a no longer be ignored. Let the "fresh winds of plines and shared with a soul friend." need to cultivate a revival of "soul-searching, the Spirit blow into His church." The crucial Dr. Lundquist went to be with the Lord on heart-felt religious experiences, a revival of question about any undertaking for Christ is February 27,1991 after struggling with a rare the appreciation of the Word of God," and not 'Are we able to do it?' but 'Is God in it?' form of T-cell lymphoma that viciously at a revival of the "sacredness of an individual If He is, anything is possible. Omnipotence tacked the skin. He reflected on the journey of and his holy contract with God." (Olson, knows no limits. The God of Jeremiah still his last years in an essay entitled "Reflections pp. 65-66) This pietist tradition, broadly has great and mighty works to show in our on Wounded Health." He valued Paul's testi understood, is found in a variety of theo time." May this remain true of today's wit mony when Paul stated that "I eagerly expect logical traditions, from Lutheran, Method ness in the Baptist General Conference! May and hope that I will in no way be ashamed ist, Reformed and Scandinavian free church the Baptist pietistic spirituality continue to but will have sufficient courage so that now traditions. Although the Baptist General inform each of our Christian journeys. as always Christ will be exalted in my body, Conference has had leaders from both an whether in life or by death. For me to live is Arminian and Calvinistic perspective, the Selected Bibliography Christ and to die is gain." common base of discourse has been influ Foster, Richard J., and James Bryan Smith, eds. enced by the pietist heritage. Dr. Lundquist understood that his Devotional Classics. San Francisco: Harper- Dallas Willard, author of The Divine SanFrancisco, 1990. dreams for this life were not over and he Glenn, Alfred."Gifted Leadership." The Standard strongly wished for a remission that would Conspiracy, suggests that Christians are to be (July 1982): 6-7. allow him to continue his work of encour disciples of Jesus Christ. We are disciples by Lundquist, Carl H. "The Burning Heart." 19 is aging others to value a pietistic influenced choice and by grace. We are "learning from sues. Evangelical Order of the Burning Heart, him how to live in the kingdom of God." St. Paul, Minnesota. Christian spirituality. However, he dared . "Commitment to Devotion." Pp. 20-30 not to presume on God. He trusted that the That means "how to live within the range of in H is Word Goes Forth, ed. Marvin Anderson. Great Physician, in His own way, "will carry God's effective will, his life flowing through St. Paul: Bethel Theological Seminary. out for me His will which I know alone is mine." Another way of putting it is to say . "The Distinctive Christian Life." The that "I am learning from Jesus to live my Standard (April 18, good and acceptable and perfect." -. "The Glory of God in Our Denomina tion." Advance (1953): 44-50. Dr. Carl Lundquist's principles of Baptist pietist spirituality emphasize a -."Journey to Renewal." Christianity Today (Jan. 13,1978): 13-17. Christian journey that is: -. "Prayer as Peacemaking." Pp. 135-148 in "Proclaim the Good News" ed.Norris Magnu- Experiential * all must accept Christ as Savior and Lord. son. Arlington Heights, 111.: Harvest, 1986. Intentional * the Christian life needs to develop and cultivate the disciplines essential for ."Reflections on Wounded Health." Heart a "growing and maturing" faith. and Mind (Spring 1990): 11. -. Silent Issues of the Church. Arlington Christocentric * it is essential to cultivate the "mind of Christ" and follow his example. Heights, 111.: Harvest, 1984. Discipleship * demands faithfulness and obligation. Olson, Virgil. "The Baptist General Conference Bibliocentric * the primary source of truth for the Christian is found in reading and and Its Pietist Heritage." Bethel Seminary understanding the Word of God. Quarterly 4,3 (May 1956): 54-66. . "Revival of Christian Mysticism" Bethel Devotional * one must value and treasure a "heart-felt" warming of God's presence in Seminary Quarterly 2,3 (May 1954): 30-36. our lives through the work of the Holy Spirit. S jo strand, Erik. "The Contribution of Bethel Evangelistic * Christians need always to be spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and inviting Seminary of Sweden to the Development of others to be part of God's family. Our Conference." Pp. 240-251 in The An niversary Book (Jubleumsboken), trans. Roger Ecumenical * one's Christian spiritual journey can be enhanced by selectively interact Hanson. Chicago: Conference Press, 1927. ing with writers from a variety of Christian traditions. Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscov Missional * service to others, especially to those in need, is an intentional and necessary ering Our Hidden Life in God. San Francisco: expression of an understanding of Christian discipleship and love. Harper SanFrancisco, 1998. . "How to be a Disciple." Christian Cen by G. WILLIAM CARLSON, Professor of History and Political Science, Bethel College tury (April 22-29,1998): 430-439.
14 The Pietist Poetry of Signe Olson Peterson
G. WILLIAM CARLSON, Professor of History and stated editorialist Anna Swedberg, must of several of "Signe's" Swedish and English Political Science, Bethel College | In a recentb e included among the respected Swedish poems. "God Knows What is Best" also in book entitled Swedes in Minnesota, Anne Gil- Christian poets. cludes a biography and short bibliography. lipsie Lewis suggests that Signe Olson Peterson Signe Olson Peterson immigrated to Signe and E. B. Peterson wrote several hymns was one of the early Swedish immigrant poets Canada in 1911 and worked as a house together including "Hvad Gor Det?" "Vad who reflected well on their sense of aloneness. keeper in Port Arthur until she came to Gor Det Val" and "Just a Little While." (p. 37) "Signe," as she signed her name to more St. Paul in 1918. After marrying Pastor E. Her poems frequently express pietist than two hundred and fiftySwedis h and Eng B. Peterson, she lived in Fish Lake, Eveleth themes such as: the wondrous grace of Je lish poems, was frequently featured in such and Kerkhoven. During the transition from sus, the need for a born again experience, a Swedish Baptist magazines and newspapers Swedish to English at the Kerkhoven church desire for intentional Christian discipleship, as Svenska Standaret, Midvinter, Sondagsskolansh e pastored the Swedish speaking members a commitment to holy living, and rejoicing och Hemmet and Sanningsens Van. Many of her of the congregation. Copies of her sermons in the promise of heaven. The recognition of English poems were found in The Standard and are found in the archives. God's presence and strength were important local community newspapers. A collection of her poems were published to "Signe's" ability to overcome her sense In the late nineteenth and first half of the in 1919 entitled "Minne fran Erickslund." of loneliness and isolation. She constantly twentieth centuries, Christian poetry was Recently, her poem "Today" was found in implored the Lord to give her the "strength frequently found in Conference journals Trailmarkers and "My Prayer for My Sailor to carry out my task" and "grace to come so and magazines. The poems often reflected Boys" in The Bethel Focus. In 2003, three of close to God" to ensure "His will be mine." on themes of the pietist heritage. Other ma her World War II poems were included with One of her English poems, written in the jor Baptist poets included C. O Dahlen, E. an art display of Gordon Peterson's paintings 1950s celebrates the experience of God's Sjostrand, David Nygren, C. R. Osbeck and at Central Baptist Church. Bethel College's grace in her life and affirms the message in John Klingberg. "Our well-beloved Signe," Friends of the Library put together a booklet one of Dr. Carl H. Lundquist's sermons.
Swedish Bap tist Hymnody, from p. 9 born in 1832 into a Lutheran pastor's home. singing throughout Scandinavia. The King with Pastor E. August Skogsberg in revival Her somewhat frail disposition encouraged required Ahnfelt to appear for questioning. campaigns. The two men were frequently her to stay indoors and develop a close re Ahnfelt requested Sandell to write a special described as the "Swedish counterpart of lationship with her father. When she was hymn for the occasion. When he appeared Moody and Sankey team." twenty-six, tragedy came into her life in the at the palace, he sang these words: At the close of Dr. Smith's account of "drowning of her father, which she witnessed Scandinavian hymnody, including the from the deck of the boat on a journey to Who is it that knocketh upon your heart's expression of the pietist hymnody of the Gothenburg" (Smith, p. 108). As a hymn door in peaceful eve? Who is it that brings nineteenth and early twentieth century, he writer she ranks among the highest in the to the wounded and sore the balm that can laments about the inability of the Baptist percentage of her hymns to be found in the heal and relieve? Your heart is still restless, General Conference to take its heritage major Swedish free-church hymnals. it findeth no peace in earth's pleasures; seriously. Although the BGC has been will Sandell's work was enhanced by the melo Your soul is still yearning, it seeketh release ing to occasionally use Swedish hymns as dious music written for her hymns by people to rise to the heavenly treasures. an addendum to traditional hymnals, they like Oscar Ahnfelt. Sandell "gives Anhfelt have not produced an official hymnal, dis credit for her success as a hymn writer. Not Tradition has it that the King, who was tinctly its own, since 1925 (Smith, p. 277). only did he provide many melodies for her deeply moved, grabbed Ahnfelt's hand and He concludes: songs, but he also sang them as he traveled stated that "You may sing as much as you throughout Scandinavia. Said Mrs. Sandell, desire in both of my kingdoms." It is difficult to ascertain whether Scan 'Ahnfelt has sung my songs into the hearts of Two of the most frequently included dinavian hymnody will penetrate further the people'" (Smith, p. 111). It also should be songs of Lina Sandell's are "Children of into the contents of American hymnals. of interest that Jenny Lind, the great Swed the Heavenly Father" and "Day by Day." Hymns of the type of "Children of the ish vocalist, thought of herself as a pietist The English translator of "Day by Day" is Heavenly Father" and "How Great Thou and frequently performed Sandell's hymns. Andrew L. Skoog, himself an accomplished Art" have become increasingly popular Sandell is referred by some as the "Fanny hymnist and musician. At the age of twelve in the last two decades in non-Scandina Crosby of Sweden." he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. Although vian circles. Although there has been an A story is told of how King Karl XV was he only had a six grade education, he spent increase in the number of Scandinavian petitioned to forbid Ahnfelt's preaching and much time editing hymnbooks and working hymns in American hymnals in the last continued on p. 16 15
Wondrous Grace Sent to The Standard in response to a sermon given by Rev. Carl Lundquist
How wondrous is the cleansing flow, That's streaming forth from Calvary. Where we from day to day can go, And from our sin and guilt be free.
The miracle is thus renewed, That was performed within our soul, When evil powers were first subdued, And we were saved from their control.
We're kept in His redeeming love, The same as we were entering in. By grace unfeigning from above, And daily cleansing from our sin.
What glory, when our Lord at last Shall open books, and find that we, Regardless of our sinful past, Are made so pure and Just as He!
17 CHILDREN OF THE HEAVENLY FATHER Lina Sandell Tr. Composite Swedish Folksong
B -TT—P- -A-H— d -i;—i ±: *=% *=£ P P 1. Chil-dren of the heav'n-ly Fa - ther Safe - ly in His bos - om gath-er; 2. God His own doth tend and nour-ish: In His ho - ly courts they flourish. 3. Nei-ther life nor death shall ev - er Prom the Lord His chil-dren sev - er; 4. Praise the Lord in joy -ful num-bers: Your Pro-tec - tor nev - erslum-bers. 5. Though He giv-eth or He tak-eth, God His chil-dren ne'er for - sak-eth, h mm ^=1- fc^E & =tt^ :£ mm
s±=^=£ *=£ ffi=5 r—P Pf f *—r Nest-ling bird nor star inheav-en Such a re - fuge e'er was giv - en. From all e-vil|things He spares them, In His might-y arms He bears them. Un - to them His grace He show-eth, And their sor-rows all He know-eth. At the will of your De-fend-er, Ev-'ry foe -man must sur-ren-der. His the lov-ing pur-pose sole - ly To preserve thenj pure and ho - ly. J-_ -f- -P- -P- . - - - >J5 f—i m ftirMThHns& ^- =£=&= V P=f• c „ From "The Hymnal." Copyright, Augustana Book Concern, Rock Island, 111. Used by permission.
18 19 Can You Drink The Cup? Communion meditation at faculty retreat fall 2003
G. WILLIAM CARLSON, Professor of History and Political Science, Bethel College | It is a joy to start my 35th year at Bethel with one of the wonderful "traditions" of faculty retreat—the celebration of communion. The celebration of communion means several things to me:
1. Recognition of the "historical" nature of the Christian faith. 2. Identification with the "global" nature of the Christian community. 3. Reflection on one's relationship with fellow believers. 4. Exploration of what it means to "walk in the steps of Jesus."
During this past summer I have had the opportunity to reread some of the writings of Henri Nouwen, a Catholic contemplative who has mean much to my own spiritual journey. One of my favorite books is entitled Can You Drink the Cup. Nouwen recognizes that Jesus was a gifted teacher as he attempted to proclaim the message of the Gospel. He asked and answered provocative and thoughtful questions and used engaging stories to illustrate the significant of the Truths of His message. In Matthew chapter twenty the story is told of Mrs. Zebedee asking Jesus that her two sons sit at Christ's right and left hand in the kingdom. She was seeking "power" and "status" for her sons—as the "perks" of their loyalty and discipleship. Jesus responded by developing another criterion for understanding Christian rela tionships. He had an alternative perspective on Christian community. He asked her to answer the question, "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" Nouwen suggests that as we celebrate communion we think about what it means to "serve" one another. He suggests that it at least means reaching out to those in need; celebrating with those who exercise well the gifts God has given them and share the joy of "salvation" in Christ. Nouwen comments on Jesus' response to His own question. He writes that Jesus' unconditional yes to His Father was not done in "passive resignation" but with "the full knowledge that the hour of his death would also be the hour of his glory. His yes made his surrender a creative act, an act that would bear much fruit.... Instead of a final irrevocable end, his death became the beginning of a new life." What then does it mean to drink Christ's cup? Christ says, "Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant." We are to be servants to one another. We bear each other's pains and seek God's leading in our lives. We encourage all to experience the "new life" that the Gospel promises if we accept Christ as Savior and Lord. It is this new life that each of us has as a result of Christ's death and resurrection. It is this new life that empowers each of us to serve one another in Christian community. Let us think about that empowerment as we celebrate communion together this morning.
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