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Preacher's Magazine Church of the Nazarene

6-1-1990 Preacher's Magazine Volume 65 Number 04 Randal E. Denny (Editor) Olivet Nazarene University

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Recommended Citation Denny, Randal E. (Editor), "Preacher's Magazine Volume 65 Number 04" (1990). Preacher's Magazine. 610. https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/cotn_pm/610

This Journal Issue is brought to you for free and open access by the Church of the Nazarene at Digital Commons @ Olivet. It has been accepted for inclusion in Preacher's Magazine by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Olivet. For more information, please contact [email protected]. June, July, August iaau REACHER'S GAZINE

4 '90

THE HIGHEST CALLING SUITABLE 1=0PI FRAMING

A The Best Things in Life Are Not Things Christian Ministry— A Passion, Not a Profession by Randal E. Denny

Samuel Chadwick declared, No man can go unless the Spirit herds. If a shepherd is allergic to the “Preaching must never be a pro­ calls him___Unless he hears that sheep, it must be a terrible task. But fession: it must be a passion.” Many call sounding in his soul, ringing if he loves the sheep, what could be of us have concluded that the Chris­ like a trumpet night and day, giv­ a higher calling? To love them is to tian ministry must be the worst pro­ ing him no rest until he is com­ open himself to the possibility of be­ fession but the highest calling. One pelled to say: “Woe is me, if I ing hurt by them. Paul Rees said, minister insisted, “A minister is a preach not,” then, in God’s name, “Prophets are offered no immunity prophet of God. He is under orders. let him stay where he is, in his from misfortune. Sooner or later If no agonizing, terrifying convic­ present calling. But, if he hears most of them seem to get hurt. A tions impelled him to enter this holy the call, then let him remember call to the ministry is more than a call office, he had better never touch it.” that it is his business to go for­ to service; it is a call to high cour­ Bishop Simpson explained in his ward within the fellowship and un­ age.” The only preacher to serve as Lectures on Preaching: der the guidance of the church. president of the United States, Even in its faintest form there is The present pastor of the famous James A. Garfield, admitted he had this distinction between a call to Moody Memorial Church in Chi­ to step down to become president. the ministry and a choice of other cago, Edwin Lutzer, defines a call: Since coming to Spokane Valley professions; a young man may “God’s call is an inner conviction Church, I have read 24 of E. Stanley wish to be a physician; he may de­ given by the Holy Spirit and con­ Jones’ 28 books in chronological or­ sire to enter the navy; he would firmed by the Word of God and the der. The discipline rejuvenated my ministry. In more than one book, Dr. like to be a farmer; but he feels he Body of Christ.” ought to be a minister. It is this An anonymous writer answered Jones related: feeling of ought, or obligation, the question, “What Does a Pastor I have a sense of being sent. which in its feeblest form indi­ Do?” This verse was given me in my cates the Divine call. It is not in the The pastor teaches, though he early ministry: “Ye have not cho­ aptitude, taste, or desire, but in must solicit his own classes. He sen me, but I have chosen you, the conscience, that its root is heals, though without pills or and ordained you, that ye should found. It is the voice of God to the knife. He is sometimes a lawyer, go and bring forth fruit, and that human conscience saying, “You often a social worker, something your fruit should remain: that ought to preach.” of an editor, a bit of a philosopher whatsoever ye shall ask of the Fa­ With deep conviction, Paul an entertainer, a salesman, a ther ... he may give it you” (John Scherer wrote: decorative piece for public func­ 15:16, KJV). Before I speak I ask We should ... clear out of the tions, and he is supposed to be a the audience to bow their heads in road all the nonsense we have scholar. He visits the sick, marries silent prayer with me. I really do picked up ... in the matter of the people, buries the dead, labors to not pray; I repeat this verse to call to the Christian ministry. console those who sorrow, and to God, to remind Him that I am not There is such a call; and when it admonish those who sin, and tries here by my choice, but by His. It gives me a sense of mission and comes, it comes straight from to stay sweet when chided for not commission, with divine backing, God. I believe with all my heart doing his duty. He plans pro­ not on my own resources, but on that a man must hear it and feel its grams, appoints committees His resources. So preaching is a imperious constraint before he when he can get them; spends joy. can ever give himself with any considerable time in keeping peo­ And so I say to you, fellow pas­ wholehearted devotion and abid­ ple out of each other’s hair; be­ tors, what Paul ing wonder to this stewardship of tween time he prepares a sermon said to Pastor the Gospel. and preaches it on Sunday to Timothy: “Keep John Henry Jowett exclaimed, those who don’t happen to have your head in all “The call of the Eternal must ring any other engagement. Then on situations, en­ through the rooms of his soul as Monday he smiles when some jo­ dure hardship, clearly as the sound or the morn- vial chap roars, “What a job—one do the work of ingbell rings through the valleys of day a week!” an evangelist, Switzerland, calling the peasants to This issue of the Preacher’s Mag­ discharge all the early prayer and praise.” The power­ azine highlights various aspects of duties of your ful pastor, G. Campbell Morgan, the Christian ministry— a special ministry” (2 Tim. spoke from broad experience: calling of God to serve as shep­ 4:5). 1 s TMTAGAZINE Proclaiming Christian Holiness

SUITABLE FOR FRAMING ifc EDITORIAL Christian Ministry— a Passion, Not a Profession Randal E Denny THE HIGHEST CALLING Interview with a Young Pastor Anonym ous 4 Reflections on the Ministry as a Divine and Human Calling Leon o. Hynson 6 The Night Before Recall Rip W right 7 Ready to Go, Ready to Stay? Leroy channing 8 Being "Power Hungry" Keith Drury 9 Would Someone Please Define Success? Garland Wallace 10

You Know It's Time to Move W hen Jerry l. Crain 12 The Moving Van Russ Albertson 12

Sincere Exploitation of the Gospel Dennis d . Frey 13 Too M any Arms? Roy Austin 14 The Clergyman and Community Clubs Deri o. Keefer 14

The Success Syndrome John m . Gardner 15 The Fall— and Rise of a Pastor Anonym ous 16 A Matter of the Mind Gene Williams 17 If I Were a Pastor Walter E. Lanman 18 Dad— a Prayer for a Faithful Pastor Donna Bordelon Aider 19

Ten Things I Enjoy About Being a Pastor Larry t. Alien 20 ARK ROCKER No Trespassing 21 PULPIT MASTERPIECE Any Old Bush Will Do! W Ian Thomas 22 PREACHER'S EXCHANGE 16, 17, 19 FINANCE Protecting Your Family If You Are Disabled John c. Oster 26 Give Jerry D. Hull 29

Consulting Editors Contributing Editors Jack C. Rea Maurice Roberts Bill M. Sullivan Eugene L. Stowe Robert Hess Director of the Division of Jerald D. Johnson Howard E. Harmon Randal E. Denny Church Growth John A. Knight Superinendents E d ito r Church of the Nazarene Raymond W. Hum Evangelical Friends William J. Prince Church Wilbur W. Brannon Donald D. Owens Director of General Superintendents Robert Kline Pastoral Ministries Church of the Nazarene General Superintendent Cindy Osso Church of the Nazarene Churches of Christ Assistant Editor O. D. Emery in Christian Union Earle L. Wilson Wayne E. Caldwell Lee Haines R. Donald Shafer General Editor Harry C. Wilson General Conference The Wesleyan Church General Superintendents Secretary The Wesleyan Church Brethren in Christ Church Volume 65, Number 4 JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 1990

HOLINESS Who's Who and What's What Among Popular Holiness Voices David F. Nixon 27 CHURCH ADMINISTRATION Recommitted to Committees M ark j. Gain 28 Show, Tell, and Trim Lois Hoadiey Dick 30 MISSIONS Missionaries: Mortal Men and Women Floyd t. Cunningham 31 SOUNDING BOARD Stifle Those Pulpit Announcements! Rob l. Staples BENNER LIBRARY 33 P R E A C H IN G Olivet Nazarene University ILLINOIS How 1 Develop a Sermon Roger L Hahn ' 34 CHURCH GROWTH The Hidden Treasure J. Grant Swank, jr. 37 CHRISTIAN MINISTRY Sexual Failure in High Places: W hen Ministers Go Dow n in Flames! Donald M. Joy 38 WESLEYANA Honesty in Trade: Business Holiness Barry l . Ross 42 PASTOR, BE ENCOURAGED Pastor, Be Encouraged c. A/e// strait 43 Ten Persuasive Arguments for Stealing Candy Bars Keith Drury 43 MINISTER'S MATE Books That Stir the Soul M arion K. Rich 44

BOOK REVIEWS 45 THEOLOGY We Still Believe in the Conditional Security of the Believer j. Ray Shadowens 46 CHURCH MUSIC Benefits of Congregational Singing Thomas Alan Duncan 51

WORSHIP AND PREACHING HELPS Bud Reedy 53

Cover Photo: Mark Lisk

All unidentified quotes are from The Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society, and are used by permission. Quotations from the following versions are used by permission. The New American Standard Bible (NASB), © The Lockman Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971,1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. The New Testament in Modern English (Phillips), Revised Edition © J. B. Phillips, 1958,1960,1972. By permission of the Macmillan Publishing Co. The Revised Standard Version of the Bible (RSV), copyrighted 1946, 1952, © 1971, 1973. The Living Bible(TLB), © 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, III.

Authors should address all articles and correspondence to Editor, The The Preacher's Magazine is published quarterly by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 2923 Troost Ave., Kansas Preacher's Magazine, 10814 E. Broad­ City, MO 64109. Editorial offices at 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. Address all correspondence way, Spokane, WA 99206. Self- concerning subscriptions to your denominational publishing house. Subscription price: $7.50 per year. Copy­ addressed, stamped envelopes right 1990 by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City. Litho in U.S.A. should accompany all manuscripts. Interview with a Young Pastor

“John” is a young pastor. Eighteen months ago, he Stan: Do you like your house? I mean, do you like the and “Mary” were definitive yuppies: college graduates, parsonage the church owns and lets you live in? both employed in professional, high-paying jobs, two John: I’m glad you’re not from my church. nice cars, nice house, active in the arts, frequent travel­ Stan: Why? ers. John’s call to the pastorate was a surprise to both John: Because if you were part of the church I pastor, but was shared by both: it was a natural outgrowth of I wouldn’t answer your question. I may not answer it, deeply felt Christianity. Today, with John and Mary about anyway. to leave their 20s, we interview John about his first year Stan: Do you like your house? or so in the ministry. John: I admire your persistence! Let me tell you a Our interviewer is “Stan,” a recent J-school grad who story. When we accepted this pastorate, I asked the dreams of being the next Dick Cavett. church board to tour the parsonage and inspect it as they would if they were the ones about to move in. I felt Stan: What’s the worst thing about being a pastor? really tacky and presumptuous even asking that, but I John: The worst thing about being a pastor is being felt it was easier to ask then than later. introduced as one: having new people meet you as Stan: You felt guilty for asking? “Pastor So-and-So.” John: Basically I felt it looked like I didn’t trust them to Stan: Is that because your ego suffers? Because be­ do that on their own. Candidly, I wasn’t sure they would ing a pastor isn’t as glamorous as owning a small ad view it from the perspective of “What if I was moving in agency? Because, maybe, you don’t really respect the here?” “profession” of the pastorate, and you don’t think other Stan: Did they? people respect it? John: Well, they found that the bathroom floor was John: You’re an excellent judge of my character! rotted through. They decided to replace it. When we You’re probably correct in your observations, but those moved in they were well on their way—they had the old aspects weren’t a conscious part of my answer. floor ripped out. They just didn’t have a new floor in yet. Stan: So? Stan: You had a bathroom with no floor? John: So when you’re introduced as “Pastor,” you in­ John: We had more than that. Four days after moving herit people’s perceptions of what a pastor is. Those in, we had an evangelist and his family move in with us perceptions have absolutely nothing to do with who I am for a week. The previous pastor had scheduled a revival, or what I’m like. Also, people usually “tense up” when and evangelists had always been housed with the pas­ meeting a pastor. They put on a more serious or a more tor. So we were there, with boxes all over creation, and religious “front.” They’re on their guard and suspicious, no floor in the bathroom, totally new to the pastorate, wondering what your motives are. But really, it’s not so with a houseful of unknown company. bad. I guess life insurance salesmen get a similar re­ Stan: So how do you like your house? sponse. John: It’s great! Stan: I can’t pass that up! You see yourself as a life Stan: But it’s much less house than you’re used to, insurance salesman? much older, in bad repair, less modern conveniences, John: No, I don’t. But people meeting me as Pastor and it’s not really “yours.” I should have said, “How does John seem to worry about me—what am I selling? Am your wife like the house?” I going to be pushy? Do they have to spend a lot of time John: She’s amazing. We have no dishwasher, no gar­ hearing about my church? Do I view them as “pros­ bage disposal, no gutters, old everything— plumbing, pects” and “sinners” or as people? paint, etc. Little things—no garage door opener—so when she goes to the Laundromat she fights an aging, Stan: So you would rather get to know people as rusted-in-place garage door just to leave home. Obvi­ equals, then let them discover later that you’re a pastor? ously, our previous life-style spoiled us terribly, and our John: As much later as possible. house is a warm, safe place to live. But she’s adapted to Stan: So, how should I introduce you to someone? “living with less” incredibly well. John: Assuming it’s true, you could say, “This is my Stan: She goes to the Laundromat? friend, John So-and-So.” If I was a second-shift spa­ John: I make a huge speech and you pick up on the ghetti slicer at a pasta factory, you probably wouldn’t Laundromat? mention it when introducing me to someone. Stan: So to speak. What about it? Stan: Do you like your house? John: After accepting the pastorate, the church board John: Huh? discovered that we had no washer and dryer (we had sold ours). We were told by the board, quote: “We’ll take house .. . stuff like that. Stuff I can’t ask for and can’t care of that.” That was 18 months ago. afford. Stan: So you’re complaining because you wash Stan: Can’t ask for or won’t? dishes by hand and your wife drives to a Laundromat? John: Won’t! And meanwhile I have to seem gracious Doesn’t much of the world live a lot worse than that? and truly thankful while being underwhelmed by misera­ Why feel sorry for yourself? By the way, what’s the ble but well-meant gifts from truly loving people. board doing about the alleged washer and dryer? Stan: So you’re a liar, as well? John: Yes, I am. Yes, they do. I don’t. About the John: That’s true, isn’t it? I mean, I do acf grateful, but washer: One of our board members, just last week, said I’m not. I even resent them for caring about me so to my wife: “You know, I’ve had the same Maytag cheaply. But I don’t act resentful. I smile and say washer and dryer for 18 years. I really wish I could get a “thanks” and gush appreciation both privately and from new washer and dryer, and then you could have mine! the pulpit. Wouldn’t that be great?” Stan: Which is a lie. Stan: Your wife must have been really excited! John: Which is a lie. John: She’s amazing. She just smiled politely and Stan: Aren’t you sworn to tell the truth, the whole thanked the woman for her thoughtfulness. And, who truth, and nothing but the truth? knows? Maybe someday we’ll actually inherit that cast­ John: Sometimes all I remember is I promised to off clothes crusher. We’ll be, of all people on earth, most avoid the theater. fortunate! Stan: Which you do? Stan: You think God wants you to get new stuff, in­ John: Religiously! stead? Stan: And meanwhile you watch your peers jocky for John: Only if it replaces some used stuff we could bigger churches, higher salaries, more “perks,” and give to a general superintendent. I sound terrible, don’t more visibility? And you refuse to play those games, I? I’m sorry. I know how good we really have it. God feeling smug in your holy humility, even while feeling probably put me here just to refine my character and sorry for yourself? make me less materialistic. And it’s working, but as my John: Guilty as charged. On all counts. answers reveal, not fast enough. Stan: Is God angry with you? Is He punishing you by Stan: And meanwhile, your congregation lives de­ condemning you to the ministry? Is this some sort of signer life-styles and gives you generic support. penalty for being too human or too frail? John: I think you’ve hit it exactly. I guess I sense too John: You’re too late. keenly the gap between my congregation’s life-style and Stan: You’ve already asked yourself those questions? mine. They’re talking about their new VCRs, new cars, John: Yes. And the answers are all “No.” Actually, God home computers, new stereos, and then they vote us a loves me a lot. He needs to stretch me and bend me and $10.00 raise and give us their hand-me-downs, used break me and mold me. He’s picked a perfect way to do and abused stuff. it. This job is way beyond my abilities. Stan: And you wait 18 months for an aging Maytag. Stan: You’re not talking material comfort any more. John: In a sense, maybe this is part of my role as a John: No, I’m talking spiritual service. I average about leader. Maybe we all have it too good. Maybe we go too 95 hours a week praying, studying, listening, coun­ far into debt to pretend “the good life” has something to seling, and trying to be “all things to all men” in order to do with things or comfort. save and secure a fallen world. Stan: You do sound like a preacher. Stan: I thought someone already did the saving. John: Three times a week! John: Quite so. But how do you know that? Stan: You enjoy that? Stan: Because someone told me? John: Sounding like a preacher? John: Because someone told you. Because someone Stan: Preaching. listened to you with real ears and reached out to you John: No. with real hands and spoke to you with audible words. Stan: Because you’re a perfectionist? Because you Someone who was every bit a child of God, though not can’t research, write, rewrite, and deliver three master­ the Christ-child. I am a child of God, He loves me very pieces a week? Because you fail to meet your own ex­ pectations of pulpit power? much, and He needs my obedience to reach the hurting John: Yes. and the lost among my “neighbors.” Stan: Is it really so hard, working three hours a week? Stan: So He made you a pastor? John: I hear that a lot, always intended as a joke. But John: So He is making me a pastor—limited always since no one really follows me around all day, every day, by my own limitations, frustrated frequently by my fail­ no one knows what a great joke it is. And it seems like ure, always loving me but always urging onward my best people do see this as an easy job, something for a loafer self. Always begging, pleading, purging, leading, always or a sluggard. Maybe they’ve seen it done that way. more than meeting my every need. Stan: You want my job? Stan: You’re very lucky. John: Every day. Some days more than others. Defi­ John: I’m extremely blessed. God has loved me nitely every Sunday. I’d really like to go back to being a enough to save me from my own desires. He helps me layman now, and shower my pastor with love and atten­ desire Him, then He satisfies that longing deeply, richly, tion and support and a high level of material comfort: truly—each newly formed blessing a miracle of His love. books he’d enjoy reading, magazine subscriptions, Stan: I think God’s calling me to be a pastor. sweaters in his favorite color, new appliances around the (Continued on page 13) REFLECTIONS ON THE MINISTRY AS A DIVINE AND HUMAN CALLING by Leon O. Hynson Pastor, Grace Evangelical Congregational Church Harrisburg, Pa.

s there a diminished interest in reason, mourned the marriage of his Christian ministry today? This ap­ Methodist circuit riders, knowing Ipears to be the case, but it is possi­ Many spent years in they couldn’t afford both marriage ble that our anxiety is unfounded, preparation only to and ministry (on $75.00 a year, that the call of God and His church is which they were promised but often as pervasive as in the past. Perhaps discover they didn’t fit didn't receive). We have diverted the the older patterns are merely being called by our misuse of the biblical replaced with more orderly, more theology of ministerial support. programmed approaches to minis­ There is another dimension of this try? economic issue, which is reflected in In some respects, were not the ble; we’ll keep him poor.” We have the diversion of young people from more traditional patterns sometimes distorted Jesus’ and Paul’s teaching ministry. Evidently many parents wasteful, at worst misleading? We (see Matt. 10:10; 1 Cor. 9:7-12), and and acquaintances do not encour­ know of many men and women who then we sometimes speak ungra­ age the call to preach. The under­ spent four or more years in prepara­ ciously about the materialism of the lying motivation often grows out of tion only to discover that they didn’t younger generation of ministers. Let the growing economic self-con­ fit the special demands of ministry. the principle be stated: No one has sciousness of families in our heri­ For some the churches did not meet the right or freedom to require or ex­ tage. Once we sang with great joy, their biblical responsibility to provide pect any minister to live on what we A tent or a cottage, why should for their pastors’ temporal needs. In used to call “hard-scrabble circuit.” I care? discouragement, or worse, pastors The minister alone, in freedom, may They’re building a palace for me turned to secular roles to meet the make that choice, as Paul did. When over there! needs of their families. we license and ordain young men Tho’ exiled from home, yet still I When the district superintendent and women and send them out to a may sing: once proposed that pastors should ministry that offers no financial un- “All glory to God, I’m a child of live only on salary, however small, dergirding, unless they freely the King!” until the church became strong choose with Paul to be tentmakers, Now the song is absent from enough to meet his material needs, we have violated biblical teaching. some of our hymnals. Harriet Buell’s he was imposing a pragmatic substi­ Ministers, whether superinten­ gospel song may not be superb lyric tute for the biblical theology of min­ dents, fellow pastors, or other pro­ poetry, but its loss symbolizes our isterial support. The substitute is the fessionals, such as theological edu­ growing interest in the gospel of personal decision to sacrifice, as did cators, are training young ministers wealth. “The world is too much with St. Paul, for the work of the King­ with a measure of contempt when us; late and soon, / Getting and dom. Biblical theology, contrariwise, they send them forth empty-hand- spending, we lay waste our powers declares the laborer is worthy of his ed. That system is flawed and . . . We have given our hearts away, hire. Paul’s practice too often be­ should be abandoned. It is not a sordid boon” (William Wordsworth, comes our theology, but it is not bib­ greatly different from the Roman The World Is Too Much With Us, lical theology. We repeat the apho­ Catholic expectation that religious 1806). Wordsworth’s plea for the rism with sardonic pleasure: “Lord, persons (priest, monk, nun) affirm love of nature is appropriate to our You keep him [the preacher] hum- the counsels of poverty, celibacy, special circumstances. and obedience. We disavow celi­ bacy, but expect our ministers to af­ Lord, You keep him firm the other two. Better urge them Can a church grow as to practice celibacy if we are not pre­ humble; we’ll keep him pared to meet their material needs. it should without a poor Bishop Francis Asbury, with good called preacher? Doggerel Written on

THE NIGHT BEFORE RECALL

’Twas the night before recall It is my conviction that the call to ing sense of the romance of ministry And all through the manse ministry is being stifled in many that surmounts the negatives of the The preacher wasn’t sleeping, minds because the church has con­ work. Wondering, “Have I a veyed negative or mixed signals. Let The ministry is a divine and a hu­ chance?” us be clear in our thinking! A whol- man calling. God calls, and the com­ The sermons were all written istic theology of ministry affirms the munity of Christ participates in that ministry of every believer. We are call through affirmation, conforma­ At the study with care. bearers of the dikonia (the ministry), tion, and support. God usually calls He wondered if he could every one of us. That corrective of men and women in the church preach them, the elitism of the ordained is healthy. through the church. For denomina­ Or if even he dared. However, it may become the ratio­ tions that means priority is given to His wife in her curlers, nale for turning away from the spe­ theological education in financial al­ cific and specialized call to the min­ locations, educational philosophy, He clung to Maalox and istry of pastor-teacher. Here is the and institutional development. Pain­ Turns mixed signal in operation. We must ful as it may be, churches cannot In hopes that tonight affirm the specialized call to ministry support every worthy ministry that The Lord surely might or risk the diminution of ministerial Christians may choose or to which come. resources. they may be called. Negative signals reach potential Only when we show our best and Suddenly there came ministers when we grouse about the brightest and the rest of us that the The ringing of the phone. burdens, the poverty, the perils of call to preach is a ministry of Could it be the D.S. Or somebody unknown! If every believer is a minister, then who But the receiver crashed down Like a great bolt of thunder needs ordained teaching-preaching elders? When he quickly found out It was just a wrong number! ministry. Pastoral ministry is stress­ splendor will we establish a ministry ful; it is terrifying at times; it is con­ capable of addressing all human is­ To some, this story may sound fining, weekends are almost never sues and needs. Surely we are see­ Very strange and funny. free (if the preacher is away from ing hopeful signals; some truly But to a preacher like him, duty, duty is seldom away from him). gifted, called women and men; It means home, job, and Nevertheless the opportunities for some compassionate farmers, money. preaching Christ, creating hope, blacksmiths, technicians; some law­ healing the emotionally, physically, yers, physicians, accountants; So he needs faith in God or spiritually damaged, watching homemakers, teachers, managers, To stand straight and tall, people growing up in Christ, impart­ who sense the call to special minis­ To face the unknown ing knowledge to the novice believer, try. “Special” never suggests supe­ And take his recall. are sources of joy and fulfillment. rior or elitist, but it points out a par­ Rip Wright The harmony of service given for ticular need that must be satisfied. Spencer, W.Va. Christ’s sake overcomes the dis­ The church does not grow as it sonance of church discord, financial should apart from the teaching- limitations, and frustration with preaching elder. Let us pray then for Editorial Note: church protocol, paper minutiae, God to call according to His specific The Preacher's Magazine dedicates this poem to the delegates that attended the International and other burdensome expecta­ will. Pray the Lord of the harvest that General Assembly of the Church of the Naza- tions. The call of Christ offers a last­ He will send forth reapers. rene, 1989, Indianapolis. Read/ to Go, = i Ready to Stay? i by Leroy Channing

hy had it been so hard for us which Mark couldn’t safely ride his portunities” that weren’t as good as to leave that last pastorate? bike, or had backyards too small for what I already had, while the people WOther clergy friends of mine seemedmy girl to play in. who loved me back home were won­ to relocate with no more stress than Why was it so hard to decide? So dering about the future of their incurred by shopping for a new pair many things were perfect where we church and wondering what they of shoes. But, for my wife and me, it were, yet we still desired to relocate, could do to make me happier. Then was never that easy. We had re­ to try something new and to go came the final reason: “Number ceived a few offers during our minis­ someplace different. Was I really five,” Maxwell said slowly, “is this try there. We had tried out for all of “ready to go, ready to stay, ready my one—‘God has called me some­ them, but they never felt right. More place to fill”? After each interview at where else.’ This is the reason most frequently used, but it is only true accurately, they never felt as good a new church, my wife and I cried, about 5 percent of the time.” I felt as as “home”—the romance of our prayed, argued, and lost many if I had been shot. Was it God’s lead­ own church was still strong. nights of sleep. When our children ing that I sought, or was I just tired One friend told me that I found it asked if we were going to move, our of the comfortable rut that I was in? hard to resign because of a family typical response was, “We don’t I wasn’t sure. “bull dog mentality.” “You are just know yet, honey.” Many people had So, we moved. Everything felt like your father,” he said. “When you told us that God would lead us, but it right this time. Everything went get your teeth into something, you seemed that either God was neutral smoothly. The right doors opened, don’t want to let go.” The man was to the problem, or that He would be and the wrong ones closed behind right— my father also has a history with us wherever we went, and that us. In our prayer lives, my wife and I of longer pastorates. And it is harder the decision was still ours. felt clear about the new church. We to leave, the longer you stay. I attended the 1988 PALCON for felt the sense of release for which One problem about wanting to Nazarene pastors in hopes of find­ we had longed and prayed. This new move is that there were no prob­ ing some answers. Of course, the church has many assets. The par­ lems. “Every church has a couple of home church paid my way. “Any­ sonage and church buildings are stinkers in it,” goes the common wis­ thing to equip you to serve more ef­ nicer More people attend the wor­ dom. But that wasn’t true of our last fectively,” they had said. ship services. The new town is church. Everybody loved our family On Wednesday morning of that larger than the one we left behind. and would do anything for us. I got week, John Maxwell addressed the There has been a slight increase in everything I asked for in board meet­ issue of pastoral moves. He said, salary. We miss our friends at the old ings if the church could afford it. We “There are five reasons why pastors church, and go through times of had blanket approval to do almost leave churches.” Reason number homesickness, guilt, and depres­ anything to the parsonage, short of one was loss of a pastor’s credibility. sion for having left. I believe those burning it down. The board had That hadn’t happened to me, yet. feelings will gradually subside as given me permission to order or Reason number two was problems weeks and months pass by. charge whatever I felt the church in the church. As mentioned earlier, Only one thing still bothers me a needed. When we went as candi­ our church was free of any real little. I have found a wonderful pas­ dates at other churches, the people problems. Reason number three sage of scripture that I would like to were wonderful, but not as wonder­ struck pay dirt: “Sometimes pastors preach to my new congregation. Un­ ful as those back home. run out of resources.” I had felt rung fortunately, it contains these words: My wife is very concerned for the dry. I wasn’t sure I had anything left “Unlike so many, we do not peddle welfare of our children. My daughter to give. “Isn’t that why I’m here?” I the word of God for profit” (2 Cor. can make friends with anyone, but asked myself, “to get new re­ 2:17). As I plan my preaching sched­ our six-year-old son warms up to sources?” Reason number four hit ule in my cavernous new office, I people at a much slower pace. At close to home too: “Another oppor­ have decided that my sermon series the “other churches,” the parson­ tunity— not necessarily a better one; on 2 Corinthians might have to wait ages were located too close to the just different.” That stung a little. I —at least until my conscience highway, or stood on big hills on had interviewed for three other “op­ clears a little more. $ BEING------p o \v i X > ------T T T T i v r 3 1 % V ” bv Keith Drury X X 1 ^ 1 V J A . X Indianapolis

o you hunger for more power the idea of pastoring famous super­ no inward purity are destined to col­ from God? Are you one of churches or preaching to tens of lapse. Their great ministries are Dthose who desperately seeks thousands. a They coveted the bene­ houses of cards— the higher they powerful anointing on your life? Do fits of God’s anointing more than the go, the greater their falls. When God you crave power to make your anointing itself. answers a man’s prayer for power, teaching or preaching cut to the cen­ Sometimes God answers these he becomes greatly used in the ter of men’s hearts, causing deep impure prayers. He sometimes Kingdom. His success and fame conviction? Have you heard stories grants His anointing to some very brings him greater opportunities, of men like D. L. Moody and Charles unworthy people. I know of one which lead to even greater use and Finney, who merely strolled through preacher who led a great moving of fame. He plunges onward and up­ factories and men fell under a pow­ the Spirit in a meeting— people ward, constructing an ever-growing erful spell of conviction just from be­ were being saved and filled with the ministry on a foundation of sand. Fi­ ing in their presence? Do you yearn Spirit. Yet several afternoons that nally, his personal tower of Babel for this kind of anointing? week, he crept off to a nearby adult teeters, approaching God’s prede­ If so, God may answer your bookstore to feed his own lustful termined limit. Then it comes crash­ prayer. To he who knocks, the door cravings. Another powerful ing down in moral collapse, and he opens. Asking is how to receive. preacher was having great out­ exits in ridicule and humiliation. Seeking is the way to find. If you pourings of God in his camp meet­ The rest of us scurry about to have a burning desire for God’s ings and ministerials, yet for years cover up the mess in order to pre­ anointing, you may get it. If your had been lying about his past serve God’s reputation and the thirst for His anointing is desperate achievements, even inventing a fic­ church’s good name. It doesn’t enough, and passionate enough, titious doctorate for himself. After work. The truth gets out. Everyone and you want it with all your heart, having an anointed influence on my eventually discovers this great He may answer your prayer. life years ago, one of my heroes leader was a hollow hero. His outer I don’t know how God decides turned out to be an adulterer. superstructure was magnificent, but who gets His power. But some have What’s going on here? How can his inner moral timber was infested it and others don’t. God’s anointing men have such power when their in­ with termites. He had God’s outer on a life is relatively rare, but it can sides are rotting? We are tempted to power without God’s inward purity. occur. You can’t work it up yourself, deny the rumors or accusations Yet God is glorified. How? Follow­ you can’t earn it, and you can't re­ against these men when they fall. ing his downfall, the church lays ceive it by reciting some formula or Isn’t God’s mighty use of them evi­ aside its secular preoccupation with seeking a particular spiritual gift. But dence enough to dispel the accusa­ outward power and talks in hushed God does, in fact, give His power to tions? Once the truth comes out, we tones about the importance of in­ men and women today. God can then ascribe their usefulness to ward purity— for a few days, that is. baptize you with His power so that mere human charisma or crowd psy­ What is the crying need of the your ministry is multiplied beyond chology. We are wrong. They proba­ world today? Is it men and women your wildest imagination. I’ve seen it bly were anointed. God does not al­ with God’s outer power, who move in the lives of dozens of men and ways withdraw His power or author­ mountains, build great ministries, women. ity from corrupt vessels. Frightening, and raise millions of dollars for Many pray for this power from isn’t it? God’s work? Or is it obedient men God. In fact, there is an increasing How could God do such a thing? and women who have God’s inward number every year. I have gotten let­ Why does He not give His power purity and want nothing more than ters and phone calls, and have had only to the purest and most deserv­ to do their Master’s will perfectly? conversations with young preach­ ing of His followers? Why squander Do you hunger for more power ers, especially, who passionately it on hollow men? We don’t like the from God? Have you been seeking seek God’s power. Their desire answer. It is both unreasonable and God’s outer anointing on your life? seemed so pure, so consecrated, so appalling: He sometimes imparts His Beware. He may answer your godly. Yet, underneath it all, there power to such men so that all will prayer. And you’ll eventually be seen was often something very dark go­ eventually see their true inner bank­ by all people for what you really are. ing on. They craved God’s power for ruptcy. Rather, hunger for God's inward pu­ selfish purposes. They yearned for Outward power and inward purity rity. Then, if He also grants you out­ the success and fame that accom­ are two different things. Men who ward power, you will not crumble for pany God’s anointing. They relished seek God’s outward power yet have all to see. $ Would Someone Please Define Success? by Garland Wallace Evansville, Ind.

grew up believing there was no tics is easily seen by our consistent ingness to follow pastoral lead­ greater privilege in all the world use of them. Take, for instance, in ership, and the general moral and thanI being a preacher of the gospel our publications, we list appropriate ethical climate of the nation. of Jesus Christ. I remain convinced numbers in local newsletters, district For example, consider the issue of the validity of that belief. Yet, after newsletters, district assembly hand­ of the overall spiritual atmosphere of 23 years in the ministry I do have outs, and, finally, in exacting detail, America. In what kind of world do some questions regarding pastoral in district journals. we work? Philosophically, it may be ministry today. From these statistics one can possible that our entire process of These questions seem to con­ make a few observations. First, only evaluating ministry is more secular verge into one strategic inquiry. a few churches excel in all catego­ than scriptural. Is our procedure What constitutes success in pas­ ries at a given time. One church may tainted by our American socio­ toral ministry? I am persuaded that be growing in Sunday School but economic scheme? many of our ministers suffer from a falling short in payment of budgets. Has our materialistic, existential lack of “feeling” successful in their Another may have smooth sailing fi­ society squeezed the church into vocation. nancially but rough sledding show­ the place where we have adopted a I have come to believe that pas­ ing growth in attendance. worldly system of evaluation? Have tors are struggling; many of them Considering the importance that we allowed the world of manage­ say so. In fact, they anxiously ver­ caring pastors place on numbers, it ment finance and, perhaps, even balize their struggles in areas of self- doesn’t take long to realize that Hollywood to cast a spell over us un­ worth and career fulfillment to non­ many of them suffer from the “flat til we have bought its “bigger the threatening and supportive listeners. stat” blues. What if every pastor better, the more the merrier philoso­ who considers his phy”? Is the church Christianizing present statistics America or is America Ameri­ Many ministers suffer from a lack unsatisfactory canizing Christianity? of “feeling” successful were to leave the If we are in a time of moral dec­ m inistry next adence, doesn’t this affect how we week? The result evaluate ministry? In our desire to on the church see the church grow numerically, is Almost always their concerns re­ would be devastating. it possible that we have taken the late to statistics. They are sincerely Ministry must be seen as a multi­ bride of Christ and married her off to concerned about the gap between faceted calling involving the inter­ the world? desire for spiritual and numerical weaving of many elements. Our objective is the building of growth and the reality of their There are four elements that ekklesia, the called-out ones, by the growth. This painfully surfaces might be insightful in helping us rec­ redemption through the atoning when the numbers don’t increase. ognize the complexity of deter­ work of Christ. Statistics are important. To sug­ mining success in the pastorate. To understand gest that statistics be discarded First, the evaluation process success in min­ would be to throw accountability to should include the environmental istry we should the wind. Responsibly accountable, element. Any fair appraisal of minis­ ask these ques­ we use numbers to assign the value try should take into account the cir­ tions: What kind to such things as attendance, mon­ cumstances encompassing a spe­ of society are ies raised, membership, professions cific ministry. The ramifications of we working in of faith, and the success or failure in this would include such things as and what are we payments of monetary assess­ geography, economical status of the called to do ments, namely budgets. community, the pastoral tenure within that soci­ The high priority placed on statis­ record of the church, people’s will­ ety? o A second consideration in under­ denced in the form of a morbid with­ is no such thing as a failure if you try. standing success in the ministry is drawal or in destructive criticism of But what if I try and don’t succeed? the ecclesiastical element. denominational programs, struc­ What do you call that? Learning.” Our perception of ministerial suc­ ture, and leadership. At the local Wouldn’t it be great if pastors had cess cannot be divorced from the level, this insecurity pops out as a definition of success in ministry denominations in which we serve. gossip, which targets fellow pas­ that would be heavy on affirmation? When the corporate strategy of a tors, especially those with good sta­ Remember, affirmation has to do denomination elevates certain ac­ tistics. Jealousy among ministers is with a person, while appreciation complishments as measurements of directly related to poor self-esteem has to do with a performance. Pas­ success, then ministers are emo­ and a sense of failure. tors, too, need to hear words of en­ tionally enhanced as they meet Many ministers are on an emo­ couragement, especially when the those standards and emotionally de­ tional roller coaster— up when the performance level is less than de­ pleted when they fall short. What a statistics are up and down when the sirable. joy to go to district assembly when statistics are down. They feel like A fourth ingredient in formulating all the right statistics are up. But, oh, yo-yos dancing up and down the a definition of successful ministry is the agony to go when even one of statistical string. the enunciation element. The logical those stats doesn’t make the grade. One of the most tangible evi­ place to look for this aspect is the Denominations dences of the hurt­ Word of God. The Bible is our final most often re­ ing ego is the mat­ authority in these matters. Can we ward harvest­ ter of relocation. go to the Scripture and come up ers— those with Far too often, when with some helps in understanding good statistics. Only a few churches the statistics are successful ministry? They have not not good, the pas­ The tenor of Scripture regarding found a good excel in all categories tor’s first thoughts success in ministry falls into three way to say at a given time are directed toward categories. thanks to the moving. Here The first has to do with the char­ sowers, irriga­ comes the U-Haul acter of the messenger. Scripture in­ tors, and repair- truck and the dicates that God cares about the men. Is the man search for fulfill­ kind of persons we are. We are to be who plants a new church a success ment starts all over. Neither the man servants with servant hearts. Jesus while his brother, slaving to salvage nor the church profit. explained that being first in His king­ a split church, a failure? I cannot be­ This ego phenomenon is also dom was equal to being a slave. We lieve that over half of our pastors, seen when we resort to spiritually are to be “good” servants, meaning are lazy, uncommitted, uncaring, un­ immature methodology in order to we are to live godly lives. Paul told profitable servants. The commit­ build members. As a result the Timothy, “in speech, conduct, love, ment level of most ministers is more church is weakened where it should faith and purity, show yourself an than admirable. Perhaps, it is time be strong. The whole process is re­ example of those who believe” (1 we begin to seek for answers in peated from pastorate to pastorate. Tim. 4:12, NASB). Jesus spoke other dimensions. Success in ministry includes the words of commendation to the good Does the denominational record reality that there will be a bad month and faithful servant (Matt. 25:23). It of a man’s ministry reflect the cir­ from time to time, maybe even a bad is interesting to study the word cumstances of his ministry? Some year. At the same time, the servant good. It means to be upright, free churches do well regardless of who of God should be allowed to feel from guile, and useful. God is vitally happens to be the pastor, while a few destroy pastors as if they were moving targets at an amusement park game. A third area of consideration is the Is the church Christianizing ego element. How long can men and America or is America women continue feeling that they are a failure in their calling? When Americanizing Christianity? there is a prolonged sense of failure, all kinds of destructive emotional forces evolve. Sanctified egos need to be made good about himself because he interested in the character of His to feel worthy. God puts within the knows he did his best. messenger. Recently in the religious heart of every Christian the desire to The ultimate failure is when we world we have seen that men can succeed. When one continues to quit trying, when we no longer make build great statistics and yet be moral feel like a failure, the end result is a any effort to see our work progress. reprobates. God still requires His men battered and bruised ego, which My son attends a private school and women to live holy lives. erupts into all kinds of unproductive where the emphasis is on academic Second, a definition of success attitudes. excellence. While there recently, I should take into account the content These struggles may be evi­ noticed a poster on the wall: “There of the message. Again Paul said to the young preacher, Timothy, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching” (1 Tim. 4:16, NASB, italics added). What are we preach­ ing? No man can be a failure who lifts up Jesus Christ and faithfully expounds His Word. In 1 Corinthians, Paul says that You Know It’s Time our works must be built on the right foundation. That foundation is none other than Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11- to Move When 13). If our work is not built on Jesus 1. The church presents you and them. They insist on coming any­ and His Word, it will be wood and your wife with a trip to the Holy way. The request came from the straw that will not stand the test of Land. You discover the airplane church board. It was to be a sur­ judgment. tickets are one-way. prise going away present for you Third, the concept of success 2. The Finance Committee votes to and your family. $ should include continuity in our mis­ recommend to the church board — Jerry L. Crain sion. Jesus said to His servants who that your salary level remain the came before Him to give an account same. Your associate is given his of their opportunities, “Well done, second raise this year. He now good and faithful slave” (Matt. makes $15.00 a week more than 25:23, NASB, italics added). Here you do, and he’s hired to work the word faithful means one who part-time! THE keeps his trust or one who can be 3. You decide to have a planning relied on. We must keep telling the meeting next week with your Good News even when at the mo­ church leaders to draw up the MOVING ment there seem to be no results. plans for the next church year. Faithfulness is very important to our One by one they all tell you that Heavenly Father. they can’t make it. Later you find A comment should be made con­ VAN out that they are meeting with cerning the word talent in Matthew the district superintendent that by Russ Albertson 25. Talent means that which is night. You were not invited. a 15-year-old P.K. weighed. The Lord weighs our 4. Travel brochures start arriving at The moving van came up to works with a desire to approve the parsonage from faraway me last November and said, “I them. One man’s talent may be in places, stamped “Information have come to take you to an­ leading a church to a place of spiri­ You Requested.” But you didn’t other place to live.” tual unity. The numerical growth he send for them. I said I did not want to go. “Af­ longed for may come under the next 5. It comes time for the church to ter all,” I said, “I have been to pastor whose talent or gift is evan­ vote on continuing their rela­ about every place there is! I saw gelism. Both men have been suc­ tionship with you. You walk con­ you when I moved to Houghton cessful. Their works were weighed fidently to the platform, knowing Lake. I saw you when I moved to and the Kingdom was advanced. We in your heart that you have done Kansas City. I saw you when I must continue to be faithful to exer­ your best. You look out over your moved to Springport. I saw you cise our gifts, and the Holy Spirit has congregation and discover that when we moved to Farmland, the responsibility to make the Body all those that you had called on and now you say I am going to of Christ complete. these past four years, but were have to move again. I am getting Many spokesmen in Scripture, at always too busy, or too sick to tired of seeing you. I do not want some time in their ministry, looked come, showed up. The regular to go. Every time I move you tell like failures. Look at them: Noah, members are all staring at you— me it is going to be better than Moses, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, smiling. before. But when I move there, it Jesus, Stephen, Paul, John Mark, 6. The members file out of the is such a bore.” and even John the revelator on Pat- sanctuary on Sunday morning. The moving van said, “Well, I mos. What if these men had Instead of “That was a good ser­ have overheard your dad say this stopped when their statistics were mon this morning, Pastor," they is the last time we move. We are flat? Preacher Noah was a prophet comment on how nice your wife going to Warsaw.” of righteousness, and he preached looks today. I sat down and thought about for 120 years with only eight saved 7. The moving com pany calls, moving for a long time. including himself (2 Pet. 2:5). Those wanting to know when it is con­ So finally the moving van said, kind of statistics would not win an venient for them to look your “Are you coming or not?” award at the district assembly, but house over, so that they can fig­ I said, “Yes,” and so here I am, they did win God’s approval. ure the cost of your move. You hoping I do not have to move A good workable definition of try to tell them that a mistake has again. $ (Continued on page 20) been made, that you didn’t call

12 SINCERE EXPLOITATION OF THE GOSPEL by Dennis D. Frey Champaign, III.

here is an explosion of interest his full-time “ministry.” It is not a talent. A young couple offered their in nontraditional promotion of question of sincerity. But what ap­ help, they did well, and the church Tthe gospel today. We have, for ourpears to be “God-called” ministry began to grow. Then, before a convenience, everything from gos­ may be nothing more than “self­ proper foundation could be laid, the pel stick-ons and software to pre­ called” ego gratification. Giving per­ young couple felt “called” to go out recorded prayers and The Washing­ sonal preoccupations the stamp of on weekends and “minister" to other ton Hot Line News. Never have there the gospel will not legitimize them. churches. been so many diverse ministries un­ Sincere or insincere, they are still ex­ Yes, God does call people to spe­ der the gospel banner. It almost ploitations of the gospel. cialized ministries. The church pro­ seems like the fulfillment of proph­ A well-known Christian psycho­ vides a God-honored structure with­ ecy. logist recently admitted that his in­ in which sincere efforts have the However, even a cursory exam­ ternationally syndicated radio pro­ best opportunity for success. It is ination reveals a disturbing truth. gram did not actually have to exist. this very structure that often drives There is a great deal of gospel “ex­ God had not engraved the ministry the self-seekers into dependent ef­ ploitation” going on under the sa­ in stone. But He has honored that forts. Not that independent efforts cred title of “ministry.” Admittedly, man’s ministry, and his much- are inherently evil; it’s just that any­ much good is coming from this ex­ needed program is still among the thing that fails to work within the le­ plosion of interest. Godly and sin­ most popular of its type. gitimate church ought to come un­ cere people are making a lasting im­ The other side of the issue is the der severe scrutiny before we give it pact on the world around them. person who attempts to turn his pet our carte blanche. However, there are godly and sin­ philosophy or personal penchant Any sincere effort to promote the cere people whose efforts, though into ministry. Without any biblical ba­ gospel ought to mix well with the apparently genuine, amount to noth­ sis for his efforts, he automatically church and serve as an asset to her ing other than an exercise in the mis­ assumes God’s blessing because ministries. And yet, even that is not guided gratification of the flesh. he is gospel-oriented and sincere. an iron-clad guarantee that the thing This would not include the cor­ Matt. 7:21 stands as a contem­ is genuinely of God. One may be an porate bigots who deliberately ex­ porary warning against that kind of asset to the church while remaining ploit Christians for profit. We all mentality. a liability to himself. Piggybacking on know it is possible to turn a fast There are at least two primary the Body of Christ is no way to sal­ buck at the expense of hungry be­ dangers involved here. First, in the vation. lievers. What is far more disturbing, promotion of “self-called” efforts, What is the antidote for sincere and ultimately more dangerous, is the legitimate “God-called” work of but misguided exploitation of the the sincere but misguided attempt the gospel often goes begging for gospel? The solution is to be found to “do something big for God!” support— as in the case of the pas­ in the biblical admonition to exam­ It is easy to use the gospel as a tor whose activist involvements de­ ine, test, and prove our motives, rea­ front for pushing personal con­ stroyed his pastoral effectiveness. sons, and rationale (Ps. 139:23-24; victions, aspirations, and desires for Second, in pouring one’s best ef­ Lam. 3:40; 2 Cor. 13:5-6). The light justice. A case in point is the former forts into personal preference, the of God’s Word and the illuminating minister who, having failed in the legitimate church is often robbed of insight of the Holy Spirit, if faithfully pastorate, now feels called to hold its lifeblood— as in the case of one sought and honestly applied, will seminars on why he failed. This is small church desperate for musical guide us into all truth. $

Interview with a Young Pastor (Continued from page 5) John: Pray it isn’t so. self surrounded by constant miracles and constant care. Stan: But what if it is? You will find yourself learning and growing and pruning John: Then, my good brother, you will find yourself and changing. You will find yourself, and a bigger God praising God more than ever before. You will find your- than you realized. $ ARMSARMS TO O MANY ARMS? ARMSARMS by Roy Austin

Ah, Monday! The kids are heading program they’re starting. He wants We bow our heads . . . for school, and my wife, Judy, glanc­ you to be the first pastor in this area “Roy, have you gone to sleep? Ev­ es over at me with that “Let’s-go-for- to use it. He seems like a really nice eryone’s looking!” coffee-quick-before-the-phone- guy. There was something else he “Sorry, honey, I was just thinking. rings” look. said— ” The church is the Body of Christ, Not quickly enough. It rings, and I “Let me guess,” I say, as we step right?" pick up the receiver. “Hello.” out of the car and walk toward the “So?” “My name is Tom. I know you’re restaurant. “They’re like an arm of “My thinking may be a little busy, but if you can spare a minute, the church.” cloudy, but it seems to me that the I’d like to tell you a little bit about the “That’s it! How did you know? I body has sprouted a lot of arms organization I represent. We work thought you were on the phone.” lately, and most are rather poorly at­ with all denominations as a kind of The waitress brings our bacon tached.” arm of the church.” and eggs. “Go back to sleep!” $ “Excuse me just a minute,” I inter­ rupt. “Judy, would you get the door? Sorry, Tom. Now, you were saying?” “Well, I’m sorry if I’ve called at a bad time. I used to be a pastor my­ self, so I can appreciate your sched­ ule. I was saying, we work in cooper­ ation with many denominations and I THE CLERGYMAN AND was wondering .. I try to stretch the phone cord far by Deri G. Keefer enough to see who’s at the door. Three Rivers, Mich. Judy says, “Yes, I’ll tell him. Thank you so much. I’m sure my husband few years ago a man in my serve outside the religious realm. A will be interested.” congregation suggested I minister’s noninvolvement in com­ Tom’s telephone blitz winds down. Ashould belong to a community ser­munity organizations is often mis­ “Yes, Tom. I’ll sure let you know, vice organization, I shrugged the taken as a “too good for us” atti­ and thanks for calling.” idea off at first. My objections in­ tude. People see him only in the role Judy hands me my jacket. cluded the time it would “detract” of clergyman, not as “one of us.” On our way out we pick up an en­ from “real” church business and the There is a need for people to see the velope that has been pushed cost. But then he nominated me for pastor on their own turf. Standards through the mail slot in the door. membership in the Rotary Club. Af­ of conduct need not be compro­ I drive, Judy reads. “It’s from ter joining, I found myself serving on mised. Experiential holiness should somebody named Harry. It sounds several committees, chairing two, be demonstrated anywhere and ev­ as if he knows you. He’s planned a and on the board of directors. I dis­ erywhere. Pastors do not “just” service for our church on April 5. covered the responsibility of mem­ serve the church; they serve the There's some testimonials from bership really is service to the com­ world. Isn’t that what Jesus mod­ other holiness pastors. Have you munity. eled? ever heard of this group before? It Many factors, including the finan­ Membership in service organiza­ says here that their purpose is to cial responsibility, the pastor’s per­ tions also provides the opportunity help churches of all denominations sonality, the amount of time in­ to widen friendships and contacts. do their work more effectively— like volvement, and the pastor’s own Community leaders usually serve in an arm of the church.” tenure of office negatively influence one of the local clubs. This allows She folds the letter and puts it the decision to join service organiza­ great opportunities to meet and back in the envelope. “By the way, tions. There are, however, some work alongside those leaders, many Dick What’s-his-name stopped at positive factors that need to be con­ of whom the minister may not other­ the house when you were on the sidered in serving with community wise find accessible. Many of these phone. He’ll come back later in the service clubs. may appear self-sufficient and not in week to talk with you about a new First, there is the opportunity to need of friendship. However, that is

14 We can only speculate why some­ you will not make it. Perhaps you will thing so simple and obvious as love not be accepted and will get “voted and care for people is so often ig­ out.” You have a family to feed and nored and forgotten. Perhaps it is clothe and a career to protect. Fail­ the problem of our ability to compli­ ure is simply out of the question, so cate simplicity in the name of you just can’t go too far or do progress. In the complex business enough to please your members. So THE of personal activities and institu­ if they want you to stand on your tional shuffle, it is easy to lose sight head and count hubcaps, you’ll try. of the fact that people (all people) All your efforts are focused on re­ are our business (our only busi­ warding the church members. SUCCESS ness). Stage Two: You are there for What I choose to call the success several months and the “honey­ syndrome is a malady that sooner or moon” is prolonged. Your efforts to SYNDROME later attacks almost every pastor reward your members are paying off and church. If not corrected, it goes handsomely with a steady and by John M. Gardner through three predictable stages. growing number of them. You start Lakeland, Fla. Stage One: You begin a new pas­ to feel confident. You are having torate and to some degree are afraid more success than you have ever known before. You now have more people to care for than you can han­ dle. You were a little short with that last visitor, but no big deal. Visitors are like buses: they come along reg­ ularly and often. There are plenty more where that last one came COMMUNITY CLUBS from. The success syndrome has taken hold. Stage Three: Your care and con­ cern for people has slipped, but you are the last one to know. You neglect seldom the case. People are know the needs of the community? to love people in your institutional wrapped with insecurities, marriage What do we do to help? People may wheel-spinning. Attendance drops problems, serious illness, emotional be shocked to see the pastor of the off. Visitors aren’t coming back. You hurts, wayward children, and unreal­ local church roll up his sleeves and blame it on the weather, the staff, or ized hopes and desires, no matter help dig the footings for the high even the district superintendent. who they are. They need genuine, school's new snack shack, but it You change your personnel. You al­ sincere, godly acquaintances— and would be a pleasant shock, and they ter your priorities. You even go the minister can fit that need simply would recover! broke on last-ditch promotions or by being available. Many community The ability to discuss his town’s spectaculars to lure the people leaders’ church involvement is nomi­ problems intelligently also qualifies back, but it doesn’t. As Yogi Berra nal if at all. They are not close to put it, “If people don’t want to come the pastor to be a part of the solu­ their pastors and may look else­ out to the ball park, nobody’s gonna tion—to be on the cutting edge of where when crises come. The cler­ stop ’em.” Left uncorrected, the final community life. What community gyman with whom they rub elbows stage of this disease is terminal. projects need to be tackled? at that club meeting may be the first Learn to love people again— like one they reach out to. A caution flag God has not called the pastor to Jesus our Lord loved them. After all, should be raised here. Ministers minister solely within the four walls He is our Pattern. $ should not look at these people as of the church. We must not limit our potential church prospects or poten­ vision. The Lord has asked that we tial tithers, but as people in need of invest in people’s lives. There is a Due to the addition of “Worship ministry. Building solid relationships world to influence for Jesus’ sake. and Preaching Helps,” we are no is of utmost importance. One of these influences may be a longer accepting free-lance ser­ There also comes the opportunity service club in your city. Think about mon outlines. We continue to wel­ to know firsthand the community’s it. See if there is a place for you to come sermons written in full. needs. As ministers, we know all the serve. As the motto of Rotary aptly “needs” of our church, but do we states, it’s “Service Above Self.” $ THE FALL—A r IsE OF A PASTOR

hattered. Totally, completely proached me previously and ex­ essary and to shepherd us in the shattered. Our world tumbled pressed his love for me and my fam­ many decisions that we are making. Sin, and our ministry ended in oneily. ZONE PASTORS WHO KEEP IN foolish, impetuous, immoral act. All A LOCAL CHURCH AND BOARD TOUCH, EVEN WHEN THEY we had worked for during the last 10 THAT PRACTICED FORGIVENESS DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. Your years ended with a crashing finality and voted unanimously for us to presence and the sound of your that made any problems prior to this stay, even though we all knew this voice over the phone means more to one seem small indeed. It was my could not be done. The board con­ us than “the right words.” Don’t fault, and I shoulder the responsibil­ tinued our salary and allowed us to worry— we’re not easily offended. ity for the heartache and pain that I We need you. stay in the parsonage until we were have caused my family and church. A GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT on our feet. This Body of Christ So much has transpired during WHO TOOK THE TIME TO MEET demonstrated such love and com­ the last 10 months that I must share WITH ME PERSONALLY AND it. When my world shattered, there passion in a public service that the HELP ME RENEW MY VISION. were some things that I desperately healing began at that moment. As I Such love, such compassion, such needed in order to bring healing dur­ confessed my sin, the people spon­ optimism and faith in me when I had ing this supreme crisis that pastors taneously came forward to hug us, such little faith in myself. Oh, how I dread. There are also some things wish us well, beg us to stay, and tell needed that! that I continue to need. So many us that they forgave and loved us. A REDEMPTIVE DENOMINA­ questions bombarded my mind at Some waited in the aisles for nearly TION that will give me a second the beginning— dozens at once at­ 45 minutes in a miraculous demon­ chance when I really don’t deserve tacking my mind. stration of love. How could we give it, and who believe that God’s call to What will I do for work? Where up? Equally wonderful is the fact ministry is not negated by failure. will I live? Where do I attend church? that they have continued to keep in In this process of progressive What are people going to think? touch. healing, there was still yet one other Where can I go to be mended and A NEW CHURCH HOME THAT source that has been the true healed? So many sides to so many ENVELOPED US IN LOVE. As we source for healing. It has been the needs surfaced in the process of re­ moved to a new church, our church washing of the Word. This morning, storing my life. However, all involved family accepted us with a love that as I prepared for a busy day in our God’s people willingly and gladly has been amazing. We have re­ new business, I read God’s word to reaching out to my needs. Some of ceived so many cards, money gifts, the prophet through the picture of the needs were: and kind words from people remem­ the potter: “But the pot he was A LOYAL SPOUSE who reassures bering us on our birthdays and anni­ shaping . . . was marred in his me— a dozen times a day if needed versary. From the very first day they hands; so the potter formed it into — that she still believes in me and assured us that we were a part of another pot, shaping it as seemed that I am still “her pastor.” the family. We are loved! best to him” (Jer. 18:4). I sensed that A CARING DISTRICT SUPERIN­ A PASTOR AND WIFE WHO the Lord had a personal message TENDENT who refuses to judge, REFUSE TO BE THREATENED BY for me through the “potter picture.” and accepts me wholeheartedly. I US. We need to feel that we are still Pray for me as I slowly and carefully knew I could approach him in my able to minister. We need a loving am being remade into a useful ves­ time of need because he had ap­ pastoral team to make us feel nec­ sel once more. $

Preacher’s Exchange

WANTED: Books with sermons by Richard Watson. He WANTED: Complete commentary sets. Senior minis­ was a contemporary of Wesley, Fletcher, and Clarke. terial student in serious search for comprehensive library Contact: materials. Send offers or donations to: John B. Durfee Rev. John F. Yancey 1827 Allen Dr. NNC, Box 2376 Salem, OH 44460 Nampa, ID 83686 Phone: 216-337-9376 Phone: 208-467-5197

16 A MATTER OF THE MIND by Gene Williams Wichita, Kans.

e pastors are involved in what to be a winner. The Jayhawks are My mind says, “God could have should be the most exciting national champions. Never mind the chosen heavenly beings to share His Wwork a person can do, yet manywork of and practice! Never mind the good news. He did once; He could us are frustrated, burned out, and long hours, sore muscles, and being again. But He didn't. He chose me— want out. Somehow that doesn’t fussed at by Coach Larry Brown. what a compliment!” This mind-set add up. Move over; make room! They say I works for me. I am complimented, Why would anyone who is experi­ can be one of them. That makes me pleased, and richly rewarded that encing the reward of seeing lives a national champion as a part of the God gave me the privilege of work­ dramatically changed and improved best team in the country. ing with Him in redeeming mankind. be discouraged and be ready to God’s team surpasses the Univer­ I have been on God’s winning quit? Something is wrong. sity of Kansas. His teammates are team for over 35 years, and I still In his book The Magnificent Mind, winners in the universal contest for Gary Collins points out that our the souls of men. This trophy never love it. Not all of my hunting trips minds can either work for us or tarnishes— and God has asked me have resulted in getting my limit of against us. That may be why there to be on His team. Forget the hours; birds, but it was still fun. By the way, are so many weary preachers. Our forget all the hard work; never mind if you don’t get into the field, you’ll minds are working against us rather being “fussed” at now and then by never get a pheasant. Not all of the than for us. my people. I have the privilege of be­ University of Kansas teams win Most of us will not fall to an attack ing on God’s winning team. championships, but if you’re not on on our flesh and commit some act of Once my mind made the transi­ the team, you’ll never be a part of a sin. Nor will we turn aside for any tion from feeling sorry for myself to national championship. other sinful pursuit. We are too con­ sheer joy at being counted worthy of Some of my pastorates have been vinced of the truth of the Bible for being chosen, I have ceased being tough. Try preaching to 12 people that. We will make it— somehow! “burned out." when 5 of them are your own family. But who wants a “somehow” life. Somehow I never get too weary Tell me about bad votes— 73 people When was the last time you went to to do the things I enjoy. I have gotten saying “We do not want him as our dinner at a restaurant because a up long before day, walked in freez­ pastor” is a lot of rejection. Do you friend told you their food and service ing cold and even snow to hunt want to talk about building pro­ was “so-so" or “somehow”? pheasant. It is not unusual to hunt grams or paying budgets? I’ll swap Satan delights in making us feel right through the noon hour Who’s stories with anyone. sorry for ourselves. He makes us hungry? That is fun. When the day is Still, there is something special feel overworked, underpaid, un­ over, we may be physically weary about being a pastor. Dr. W. T. Pur- appreciated, and just plain tired of it and nearly frozen, but the clock will kiser in The Image of the Ministry all. If only God would let us out! be set for early tomorrow. No one is quotes Samuel Chadwick: Frankly, I don’t understand such complaining or quitting. The mind I would rather preach than eat an attitude toward being on God’s says, “A few hours of sleep and my dinner or have a holiday. I team. If I had a chance to sit on the back at it. There are birds out there!” would rather pay to preach than Kansas Jayhawk basketball team My mind works for me or against be paid not to preach. It has its bench, I’d take it in a minute. I want me. place in the agony of sweat and tears. No calling has such joy and heartbreak but it is a calling an Preacher’s Exchange archangel might covet and I thank God that, in His grace, He called WANTED: Brother Paul, by Paul Holderfield and Kathy Tharp. me into the ministry. This book is a 1981-82 Missionary Book reading series from I’m with you, Chadwick! Thank the Beacon Hill Press. I would like to buy this book. Contact: God, He chose me for life’s greatest George Crumbly opportunity. Somehow when I real­ Rte. 1, Box 148 ize what a privilege is mine, I get a Horatio, AR 71842 new surge of energy, my church Phone: 501-832-2567 gets a better pastor, and I get a bet­ ter church. If I Were= The very best of friends can have differences of opinion on many subjects, but because a person had a view­ a Pastor point that varied from mine would not make him an en­ emy. If we are going to effectively build the Kingdom, we by Walter E. Lanman must harness the gifts and talents of people, even though their opinions and ideas may differ from our f I were to become the pastor of a local church again, own. there are some things that I would give some atten­ I 6. BEST FRIENDS tion to: I would treat my people in such a manner that no one 1. BIBLE around the church would be aware of who my best I would plan to spend time reading my Bible every day. friends were. Children and older people always receive I would not read just looking for another sermon but special attention. There will always be some people I with the express purpose of exposing my mind to God’s enjoy more than others, but when at church, it would not Word and letting .. . be evident. I would not allow myself to be grouped or to 2. PRAYER group others at the exclusion of anyone, other than for Him speak to my heart. During this disciplined and a duly called meeting. well-guarded time, I would pray for every family of my 7. TREATMENT church, for their specific needs. As the church grows, If I were fed a bit of cold shoulder or a piece of hot the congregation would be divided up, alphabetically or tongue, I would make sure that those people received geographically, but I would make sure they were all some extra attention—personal, prayerful, careful at­ prayed for at least once a month. tention. Most people are not problem people, but many 3. SCHEDULE have problems that manifest themselves in hostile be­ / would have a daily schedule— a time to get to the havior. They are hurting, feeling neglected, inadequate, office. No one will see that I get there, but get there I afraid, or maybe under conviction. I would go the sec­ must, regularly and on time. I would spend my morning ond, or even the third or fourth mile. I’d do what was preparing sermons, writing letters (notes of appre­ necessary, without compromise or jeopardy to the flock, ciation, comfort, and congratulations). At least part of to make that person feel needed, wanted, and a part of one morning each week I would give some time to plan­ the family. Jesus needed people from all walks of life to ning, goal setting, and projections. aid in His ministry. I do too. Calling, the contact with people beyond the struc­ 8. BOARD tured schedule of services, demands a priority that ri­ I would be open with my board. I would keep them vals the regular, disciplined time for office and study. It is informed and seek their counsel and approval. I would not always easy in this day of multisalaried, shift- develop a policy manual with them and live by it. I would working families to find a time that is convenient sched- ask their approval on any major changes and not over­ ulewise to both pastor and parishioner— but calling is look many of the smaller changes. Most things that not an option, it is a must. need changing can be if we prepare the proper climate Be creative. Appointments can be made. Coffee or for change. Coke breaks afford a special few moments, greatly ap­ 9. COUNSEL preciated and fruitful. Unexpected meetings often pro­ When I got down and discouraged, I would get on my vide a providential setting that adequately fulfills the knees before God and reaffirm that it is His church, His spiritual qualifications of a call, inquiring into their phys­ concern, He is in charge; I’m just the office boy. “Say ical well-being or spiritual need, offering an appropriate what, say where, say when— I am available, depend­ scripture or promise of prayer. able, expendable. This is too big for me. I am under Your Goals are important. Twenty-five calls a week is a min­ orders.” It sure relieves a lot of pressure when you rec­ imal expectation. I have had associates for visitation and ognize that He is in charge. I would remember that He is trained laymen to call as well, but I set the pace. Any­ my best Counsel. I might tell God, the D.S., or a neigh­ thing less than 1,200 calls annually was unacceptable to boring pastor, but above all, I will remember that His me personally. Parishioners attend better, hear more, counsel is safest and best. and respond better when they know the shepherd cares enough to call on them. 10. ANSWERS I wouldn’t have to have an answer for everything. If I 4. COMPASSION didn’t know, I’d say so. I’d follow up with, “I haven’t ex­ I would love my people— share with them in times of perienced that before”; “I have not been aware of this”; “I sickness, trouble, sorrow, and crisis. Experience has will do my best to find out." I have been in an active taught me that if I do this, they will overlook many of my ministry role for almost 40 years, and I’m still admitting weaknesses. I have even followed the ambulance to the to things I don’t know, still researching, learning, seek­ hospital and on several occasions greeted one of my ing. May it ever be so. I’d keep an open mind, an open parishioners at the emergency room or admitting desk. heart, and a closed mouth when faced with a subject I 5. UNDERSTANDING didn’t know much about. I know at the outset that not all people will agree with I’m sure that I have not covered all that I should learn, me all the time. I must understand that this is not bad. but this is where I’d start. ^ Dad— A Prayer for a Faithful Pastor by Donna Bordelon Alder

t’s 11:30 and I’m still awake. The on the front pew. Then he’d preach serve is 10 times larger than his con- I night is dark and silent except for with fervor, punctuating his sermons gregation. Yet his faithfulness the brush of wind through the willow with animated gestures. He seemed dwarfs the lives of many “success­ tree near my window. My husband strong and vital— unsinkable. He ful” pastors. His absolute commit­ and children are long asleep, weary sailed through Sundays as though ment to God is monumental to me. It from a hectic Sunday. But the still­ he were meant for them. hurts to see him old, yet the years ness is not enough to let me unwind. I went off to college where I found have brought a new perspective. He Today is Father’s Day, and this last and married a preacher of my own. grows more memorable, more suc­ hour of the evening compels me to Then I followed him to seminary cessful—to me. think on things of consequence. where I taught eighth grade science Now, as he did so often for me, I I think about Dad. He has served while he studied theology and wrote breathe a prayer for him. 60 years in the pastoral ministry, term papers. most of them on one district in the One October evening Mother Lord, help him feel the worth­ Church of the Nazarene. I wonder called to tell us that Dad had suf­ whileness of his life. His years how he is doing tonight. And I think fered a stroke. The prognosis was have not been fruitless as the ad­ back on the tim es.. . . uncertain. It was difficult to think of versary would have him believe. I remember the time he helped me his being vulnerable. All I had ever Because the winter of his life put up a tent in the backyard— a real known him as was an active, strong shows meager gains in his Sun­ one, not just a blanket thrown over southern gentleman. His constant day School attendance, or little fi­ the frame of an old swingset, like I admonition was “Always serve the nancial growth in his church, help always made. Lord.” Now he would have to step him sense that the monument he I remember when, as a teenager, I down for a while; a truly difficult has built to You with his life has would slip into his office to ask for a thing for him. He slowly moved back cast a giant shadow over many, new pair of shoes while he pored into the gentle flow of a smaller many lives. Give him the grace to over a sermon. If I caught him in a church— still preaching, still admon­ know that what he is doing now in mellow mood, he would take me ishing. his 80th year is mighty because it shopping for a dress too. He would The days, years, and decades is done in Jesus’ name. sit patiently in Sears while I would since then have been measured by It has been hard for him in many parade in and out of the dressing the events in my own parsonage life. ways, for I sense he was a righ­ room first with a blue, then a white, I am now helpmeet to my husband in teously ambitious man— striving, then a green dress. He would nod or a lovely, growing church in the north­ longing, pushing for great goals. gesture with a broad sweep of both east, far from my dad. And now he is Let him know that the noblest hands, feigning delight. old, still serving the Lord faithfully in ones have been accomplished. Sundays were pleasant days. We his corner, preaching, helping pastor In the loving name of a perfect lived in an “apartment” in the rear of a small flock. The church I now Heavenly Father, Amen. $ the church for 15 years. My room was a Sunday School classroom and our kitchen, the church kitchen. Preacher’s Exchange As awful as this might sound to most parsonage families now, I do WANTED: Any books that would be useful for a “start up" library for ministerial not recall a single complaint from training schools in English-speaking West Africa. Contact: Rev. John Seaman Dad. He would begin early Sunday Africa West Field morning to haul many of his congre­ Church of the Nazarene gation to church, then pull in to greet 22 B.P. 623 each parishioner with a broad grin. Abidjan 22 On special days he would give a Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) flannelgraph lesson at the beginning West Africa of church, and I would sit engrossed Ten Things I Enjoy About Being a Pastor by Larry T. Allen Chandler, Ind.

our concerns about the ministry comfort to know that if I’m 8. I enjoy striving for personal are probably concerns to me sick and miss a day I’ll still be and professional growth. One Yalso. Such things as politics and paid. All right, so I may not of my goals is to read at least power struggles, cruel boards and make as much as I’d like; one book per week. The carnal bosses, demands and com­ however, I am paid better reading has enriched my mands, revivals that don’t take off than many people I meet. mind and ministry. God is not and recalls that make you want to 4. I enjoy being employed. I’m finished with me yet. take off, burdens and burnout, and thankful for my assignment. 9. I enjoy a multitude of favors many other issues cause concern. Since entering the pastorate from God’s good people. I am On “Pastor Appreciation Day,” I in 1977 I have never had to overwhelmed at the things received a card that made me think receive a single unemploy­ that come my way because I a lot about the ministry. The card ment check. Since that time, am a pastor. Permit me one came from my eight-year-old daugh­ however, I’ve ministered to illustration: the car I own was ter, Kamela. She had written on the many workers who have purchased through a layman card these words: “I’m glad God been idled, due to either lay­ who gives ministers a tre­ called you to be a preacher.” Re­ offs, strikes, or plant closings. mendous discount. cently, I've tried not to focus on the 5. I enjoy my duties. I love ser­ 10. I enjoy the eternal aspect of concerns of clergy but on the joys of mon preparation and pastoral my work. Many times I’ve the ministry. visitation. Ministering in times stepped back to get a better At least 10 things give me satis­ of need is satisfying to me. As perspective on things by ask­ faction in serving as a shepherd. a pastor, I get tired, but I’m not ing myself if the issue at hand 1. I enjoy the hours of work. tired of being a pastor. is a matter of heaven and hell. They are long; many times I 6. I enjoy my colleagues. Fellow The eternal view is the impor­ work late into the night. The ministers have enriched my tant one. hours are somewhat flexible, life. They have encouraged, It is helpful to me to pray often: and I get to set the schedule. inspired, challenged, taught, “Heavenly Father, it was a great day I’m glad to be free of a time and fellowshipped with me. in my life when You called me into clock. And loaned me sermon out­ the ministry. I thank You for that call. 2. I enjoy being in the “people” lines! Help me not to allow the concerns to business. There is no greater 7. I enjoy the fact that God can overshadow the joys. Sometimes I task. For God so loved the use me to accomplish some need to have that joy restored. Help people of this world that He things for His kingdom. me to concentrate upon the joys of gave His Son. We love people Sometimes I reflect on the serving others for Your sake, Lord. and give ourselves to benefit progress God has allowed Amen.” others. me to see in the churches I And, Kamela, I too am glad God 3. I enjoy receiving a salary. It’s a have served. called me to be a preacher! $

Would Someone Please Define Success? (Contined from page 12) ship, and finance. We paid all our who sits on the throne, “Well done, success in ministry might be found budgets in full and were second on good and faithful slave” (Matt. in this statement: A man is a suc­ our district in overpayment of our 25:23, NASB). cess in ministry who is faithfully tell­ General Budget for World Missions. Do we throw away statistics? NO! ing the truth about Jesus Christ out Last, but not least, we received God has always kept statistics and of a pure heart of love and is influ­ members by profession of faith. I do so should we. Let us use them in encing and equipping others to do care about numbers because num­ praise to Him when they are up. But the same. bers are people. I rejoice with every in all times, let us remember what By now I’m sure you are wonder­ church that is growing. In no way am counts— our relationship with Jesus ing about my statistics for last year. I attempting to glorify failure. Christ and His Word. Let us remain a They did not leap over the top of the But, only one voice of approval channel through which the Holy chart, and yet, we experienced shall be sufficient in making me feel Spirit can flow. Let us be faithful to growth in Sunday School and wor­ successful as a preacher of the Him because He is always faithful to ship attendance, church member­ Good News. I want to hear from Him us. $ THE ARK TRESPASSING! ROCKER I chanced to be in the “Headquar­ watched the community people be accepted into the kingdom of ters” city of a holiness denomina­ leave with arms and hearts full, radi­ God than into a holiness church! tion. I decided to visit. As I drove up ating that special glow of those who How about the singles, the di­ I was surprised to discover that the had been with Jesus. vorced, the widows among us? Do entire complex was walled in by Yet I wondered: Would these they feel walled out when we adver­ fences. Not friendly white picket same people feel confortable if they tise ourselves as being a family fences of small-town nostalgia, but descended upon my local church on church, filling our bulletins with fam­ ominous black wrought-iron fences. Sunday morning, with their junky ily potlucks, couple’s retreats, and cars, second-hand clothes, and rot­ Tipped with sharp points designed invitations appended with, “Bring ting teeth? Would anybody speak to to impale intruders. your spouse” ? How do they feel them? Sit with them? Invite them As I approached the main gate, a when we take off after church for pie home for dinner? Or, would they posted red-lettered sign shouted, crash into the walls of middle-class and coffee in twos, fours, sixes, and “NO TRESPASSING!” Then I saw embarrassment and indifference? eights, leaving them to stand the sculpted logo on the side of the If more than a token number of alone— and desperately lonely— on multistoried structure that pro­ Hispanics or Cambodians should be the sidewalk? Forty-six percent of claimed, “Called unto Holiness.” The attracted to our church, would we— American adults are single, with the irony was inescapable: “CALLED under the aegis of the homogenous majority of these being formerly UNTO HOLINESS: PRIVATE PROP­ principle— quickly wall them off in married. Do our worshiping commu­ ERTY, NO TRESPASSING!” What a their own church, with their own nities reflect this ratio? If not, why graphic, unintentional metaphor of pastor, among their own kind? After not? the Church! all, church growth experts warn that How about persons who are I visited an inner-city mission re­ the Pentecost principle that brought handicapped? Do our church steps, cently. Crushed together in a dingy all sorts of nationalities and races doorways, and bathrooms forbid fellowship hall, steps littered with into one great Spirit-filled fellowship wheelchairs to enter? Do we deftly cigarette butts, there was the hu­ simply will not “grow a church” in fence off and freeze out the men­ man flotsam of a major metropolitan our time. tally retarded? In so doing, we are ghetto: the poor, the homeless, the I fell into a conversation with the slamming the door in the face of destitute— and yet they beamed as wife of a sitting judge, both of whom nearly 40 million Americans who are they boisterously sang “This Little had been won to Christ and our so impaired. Light of Mine.” church through the faithful witness What more shall we say about The mission director compassion­ of Christian friends. Their lives had fences of holiness respectability that ately preached “good news to the been transformed. In due time, the wall out unwed mothers, welfare re­ poor.” Many responded to his invita­ husband asked the pastor if they cipients, ex-convicts, failed minis­ tion to ask Christ into their lives. I sat could become full members. The at the counseling tables as volun­ pastor put our church’s Consti­ ters, alcoholics, drug addicts, homo­ teers interviewed each person in a tution, with its rules, into this new sexuals, AIDS sufferers, women program of individualized care. I saw believer’s hands. He loved what he preachers, and charismatics? tears flow unashamedly as hands read. Then he came upon these Jesus may have torn down “the were held and prayers were offered. words: “No tobacco users allowed!” dividing wall” (Eph. 2:14), but we Hugs were freely given. As were Sadly, he and his whole family have been busy repairing the dam­ groceries. And clothing. And com­ bounced off the wall of “holiness age ever since. He may have ripped pleted job applications for the illiter­ standards” right into the arms of an­ the veil in two, but we have applied ate. And shelter for the homeless. other Christ-honoring, Spirit-anoint- ourselves diligently to stitching it up And refuge for the abused. In that ed evangelical church— fortunately. again. shabby fellowship hall I sensed the He discovered what too many have A mighty fortress is our Church, real presence of the living Christ. I already experienced: It is easier to A bulwark never falling ... $

21 ...f w w ^ 1 ■ - r

Moses took it for granted that he would be accepted in the ministry. ANY OLD BUSH WILL DO! by W. Ian Thomas

y God’s miraculous intervention, Acts 7:23-25— “And when he was brethren— but it was just at that Moses had been saved as a lit­ full forty years old, it came into his stage that he allowed sincerity and Btle baby out of the bulrushes, butheart to visit his brethren the chil­ genuine compassion to rob him of Moses did not have any say in that! dren of Israel. And seeing one of his true vocation. The best he could do at that stage in them suffer wrong, he defended It says in verse 12, “And he looked his career was to squeak! God had him, and avenged him that was op­ this way and that way, and when he foreshadowed these things. pressed, and smote the Egyptian: saw that there was no man, he slew Over 400 years before, God had For he supposed his brethren would the Egyptian, and hid him in the told Abraham that He was going to have understood how that God by sand.” The enormity of the need raise up a deliverer for His people his hand would deliver them: but knocked him off balance, and in a and save them from the tyranny of a they understood not.” On the basis false sense of dedication he commit­ wicked pharaoh, and now God’s of what he was, and on the basis of ted himself to the task instead of to hour had struck. what he knew, Moses took it for God— “He looked this way and that Preserved from death, Moses granted that he would be accepted way.” The one way he did not look was introduced by God’s divine prov­ in the ministry for which he believed was up! “And when he saw that idence into Pharaoh’s household, God had called him. “He supposed there was no man," Moses became adopted by his daughter and nour­ his brethren would have under­ strangely insensitive to the presence ished as her own son. With all the stood: but they understood not.” of God. How easy it is for us to do privileges of royalty, he received a With a strong sense of mission, he just that, and relate our actions to magnificent education. He was was baffled at his own impotence! the approval or disapproval of men. trained as a statesman, a soldier, Maybe this is the dilemma into Are you “man-conscious” or “God­ and an administrator, and by the age which you too have fallen. You have conscious”? of 40 he was a polished, scholarly felt the surge of holy ambition. Your Had Moses been overwhelmingly man who could have taken his place heart has burned within you. You confident that his actions merited in any society. In the words of Acts have dreamed dreams and seen vi­ God’s complete approval, he would 7:20, 22— “Moses . . . was exceed­ sions, but only to awaken again and have been indifferent to other men’s ing fair, and . . . was learned in all the again to a dull sense of futility, as reactions—their opinions would wisdom of the Egyptians, and was one who beats the air or builds cas­ have been irrelevant. Spiritual pio­ mighty in words and in deeds” tles in the sky. neers, consciously in the center of, (KJV).* We need to turn to the record it­ whether it be Nehemiah building the This is the portrait that God gives self to discover how Moses lost the wall, Peter taking the gospel to the us of the man in the prime of life, way. Exod. 2:11— “And it came to house of a Gentile, or Wilberforce highly qualified and filled with a pass in those days, when Moses and Livingstone campaigning for the sense of urgency, yet in his humility was grown, that he went out unto abolition of slavery. seemingly indifferent to his own in­ his brethren, and looked on their Paul loved to preface his Epistles tellectual stature— poised, it would burdens: and he spied an Egyptian by introducing himself as “an apos­ seem, upon the threshold of a bril­ smiting an Hebrew, one of his breth­ tle, (not of men, neither by man, but liant career. In point of fact, he was a ren.” You can imagine the natural im­ by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, man only a few hours away from a pulse of a man moved with compas­ who raised him from the dead)” (Gal. tragic blunder that would bring to sion for his own kith and kin. There 1:1). Yes, “by the will of God!” That frustration all his noblest ambitions was nothing evil, there was nothing was his mandate, that was all he and make him useless to God or implicitly sinful or wrong in the needed to know, and so he could man for 40 years in the backside of thoughts that filled his mind; that na­ say, “The Holy Ghost witnesseth in the desert. tural feeling of resentment against a every city, saying that bonds and af­

* All Scriptures in this article are from the King tyrannical people, mercilessly whip­ flictions abide me. But none of these James Version. ping one of his own defenseless things move me, neither count I my

22 life dear unto myself, so that I might promotional activity, unasked, on And Moses feared, and said, Surely finish my course with joy, and the God’s behalf. this thing is known” (Exod. 2:13-14). ministry, which I have received of the This is not to challenge the sincer­ Yes, the thing was known. When Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of ity of those who are thus employed, Moses tried to tackle the job, he the grace of God” (Acts 20:23-24). but we so often confuse bustle for could not even bury one Egyptian He had become invulnerable; he had business, and plant for power, and successfully. Maybe he left his toes a God-given sense of vocation. perspiration for inspiration. What an sticking out of the sand! When God Moses lost his sense of God, and embarrassment it would be to you if tackled the job, He buried the whole maybe you have lost your sense of you had a pair of hands that always lot of them in the Red Sea! That is God for the same reason. You are tried to demonstrate how busy they how competent God is to deal with not called upon to commit yourself were! Do you expect your fingers to His own business. to a need, or to a task, or to a field. tell you each morning what their pro­ Moses fled, for “when Pharaoh You are called upon to commit your­ gram is for the day, and then demon­ heard this thing, he sought to slay self to God! It is He then who takes strate their enthusiasm by a vigor­ him” (Exod. 2:15)— and for 40 years care of the consequences and com­ ous show of uncontrolled activity? he was in the land of Midian. A man mits you where He wants you. He is Do you think you would be success­ whom God had specifically raised the Lord of the harvest! He is the ful in playing the piano on that ba­ up for a particular task, but who on Head of the Body— and He is glori­ sis? I would not like to ask a barber the basis of his own sincerity, and on ously competent to assume His own who had hands like that to shave the basis of his own enthusiasm, responsibilities! Man is not indis­ me! neutralized his usefulness because pensable to God. God is indispens­ Surely, what the head demands of he committed himself to a need in­ able to man! every member of the body is restful stead of to God. He tried to do God’s I sometimes have an uneasy feel­ availability and prompt response to work man’s way, and he had to learn ing about certain missionary con­ every impulse of the head in instant that it is not scholarship but relation­ ventions and the missionary chal­ obedience, producing the coordi­ ship— not just his ability but his lenge to which we have been nated activity of the whole and the availability—that qualifies a man for accustomed. You hear one speaker orderly fulfillment of that purpose to God. after another committing you to the which each, as a member of the One can imagine the awful sense task, claiming your life for this mis­ team, has been committed in partic­ of futility that must have over­ sion field or for that. “The need,” all ular. whelmed Moses again and again too often it is said, “constitutes the The challenge we hear so often during those 40 years of use­ call!” There are a thousand needs, today in the name of consecration is lessness, unrecognized and un­ but you are not committed to these. “Do more! Give more! Be more!” Go! known in the backside of the desert, You are committed to Christ, and it Go! Go! But God says, “Be still, and and maybe you, too, have found is His business to commit you where know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). In your Christian service unrewarding. He wants you. No man or woman on other words, quit the panic! Just let You are converted, you can look earth has the right to commit any God be God! back to the day when you put your member of the Body of Jesus Christ Moses had not learned that les­ trust in Jesus Christ as your per­ to any task, or to any field; that is to son when he saw the Egyptian smit­ sonal Savior, but you imagined that usurp the authority of the Head of ing one of his brethren. He rolled up the Christian life was just con­ the Body, Jesus Christ himself. 1 his sleeves and said, in so many forming to certain patterns of Chris­ Cor. 12:18— “But now hath God set words, “If ever there was a time tian conduct— patterns that had been projected upon you— and that your spirituality would be judged in Moses allowed sincerity and compassion terms of your conformity. That is not to rob him of his true vocation. spirituality, that is “copyism,” and Christian service that stems solely from conformity to the demands of the members every one of them in when I was on call, it is now!” and he an organizational machine will al­ the body, as it hath pleased him.” blundered in like a bull in a china ways be lacking in spiritual luster The moment I claim the right to com­ shop, smote the Egyptian, and tried and characterized by the absence of mit a man or a woman or a boy or a unsuccessfully to bury him. With the divine unction. You will waste away girl to some field of service, I blas­ best intentions in the world, he be­ with Moses in the wilderness of Mid­ pheme His sovereign place as Lord came a murderer instead of a mis­ ian. of the harvest. sionary! Poor Moses— soldier, scholar, God is perfectly capable of taking “And when he went out the sec­ and statesman! Born to be a leader, care of His own affairs, and the rea­ ond day, behold, two men of the He­ caring for a handful of sheep, his son so little is being accomplished brews strove together: and he said wife’s husband, with a job on her fa- by the Church of Jesus Christ today to him that did the wrong, Wherefore ther’s farm! Hope must have is that we have all too often organ­ smitest thou thy fellow? And he seemed to wither at the roots, when ized God out of business. Millions of said, Who made thee a prince and a “the angel of the Lord appeared man hours and countless millions of judge over us? intendest thou to kill unto him in a flame of fire out of the dollars are being misspent on man’s me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? midst of a bush: and he looked, and,

23 behold, the bush burned with fire, with others! You admit that it is an mands of a man is his availability— and the bush was not consumed” amazing thing, and maybe you invite to be what man was created to be, (Exod. 3:2). others to come and look at the phe­ the human vehicle of the divine life, When Moses saw that bush, he nomenon, but you have resigned inhabited toy God for God. That God was amazed! It was a may be himself—His phenomenon— some- ______size in terms of what you thing that immediately are on earth, in your attracted his attention. You are not to commit yourself to a availability to Him. What Here was a bush that you are is totally irrele­ burned and burned and need, a task, a field— but to God. vant— nationality-wise, burned, and went on ______money-wise, education- burning. As far as he ------wise, personality-wise, could see, it could burn and any other wise, if on for eternity, and he could not help yourself to be nothing more than only you will recognize the principle but compare himself with that bush! what you are— a heap of ashes! It that it is God that works “in you both In his heart he must have said some­ has never dawned upon you that to will and to do of his good plea­ thing like this: “I have never seen a you could be anything different, so sure." bush like that before. I’m not like that you have to make the best of a bad The only ultimate source of divine bush! Forty years ago I burned my­ job in your own little desert! Re­ activity in all spiritual life is God him­ self out in 24 hours, and I have been signed to sit on the balcony among self—“Christ in you, the hope of a heap of ashes for 40 years since. the spectators, just to be average, a There must be something very un­ spiritual nonentity! glory” (Col. 1:27). The Church is so usual about that bush, something This is the attitude that Paul slow to learn. It admires and seeks very unique! It must be a very won­ sought above everything else to to emulate the example of the derful bush!” And Moses said, “I will avoid in those of whom it had been mighty but so seldom takes the now turn aside, and see this great his privilege to lead to the Lord trouble “to turn aside, and see” the sight, why the bush is not burnt” Jesus Christ. That is the signifi­ reason why. You read about the lives (Exod. 3:3). Aroused within his heart cance of his words to the Philippians of men like Hudson Taylor, George there was a holy curiosity, and he when he wrote, “Work out your own Mueller, Dwight L. Moody, A. B. did a very wise thing— he made in­ salvation with fear and trembling. Simpson— men whose lives have telligent inquiry and, in conse­ For it is God that worketh in you made spiritual history. You would quence, made a very wonderful dis­ both to will and to do of his good like to be like them and do the things covery! pleasure” (2:12-13). they did, and yet maybe you have We are tutored in these days to To the Philippians, who were never taken the trouble to find out hero worship. In every walk of life tempted to lean upon Paul as their why it was they were what they we become “fans,” and that is not spiritual crutch, as though God had were, nor how it was they did what less true in the area of Christian ac­ a particular interest in him that He they did! Instead, you mobilize your tivity. There are those in whose lives did not have in them, he said, in so own resources and seek to emulate there is manifestly evident the many words, “All that God has given the example they set, and are con­ mighty unction and power of God. to me, He has given to you! The Lord stantly buffeted by a sense of frus­ They are transparently genuine. The Jesus Christ dwells in your human­ tration because of your hopeless hand of God is upon them. They ity. What I have, you have! What I failure in the endeavor. speak with an authority that God can be by the grace of God, you can As some have sought to intro­ honors. Lives are transformed. be by the grace of God! Work out duce you to the principle that made Those spiritually dead are raised to your own salvation! It is yours as these men what they were, and en- life again. Defeated, helpless, use­ much as mine. It less, barren Christians are trans­ is God, not Paul — formed into useful vehicles of divine the apostle, who life. Wherever they go it seems that works in you, there is a touch of glory about their both to will and With the best intentions Moses became path, and we admire them and to do of His good a murderer instead of a missionary. applaud— but we stand back as pleasure. Rec­ though this were to be the monop­ ognize that all = oly of the few! As though they have the illimitable re­ a special call upon the grace of God sources that God has vested in me abled them to do what they did, you and as though this were something in the Person of His own dear Son have been impatient, and said, not for the common run of men. We are the same illimitable resources “Don’t interfere! I’m too busy trying say in our hearts, “There is a bush that He has vested in you!” to be like them, and I don’t have time that burns! I would like to be a bush This is the message of the Bible, to listen to you!” Now is that not stu­ like that, but I am just a heap of that God has chosen the weak and pid? Why was Hudson Taylor what ashes!”— and that is as far as it the base and the nothing, and the he was, and how could he do what goes. things that are not, to confound the he did? Why was A. B. Simpson You discuss the burning bush things that are, and all God de­ what he was, and how could he do

24 what he did? Were they God’s favor­ claimed by your fellowmen, no mat­ its own substance to sustain the ites? Of course they were not! They ter how gifted you may be, it is tragi­ flame, it, too, would burn itself out in were simply men who had qualified cally possible for you to go down in 24 hours; it, too, would be a heap of in the school of failure and despair. the annals of spiritual history as one ashes like you. But it is not the bush They were men who came to the of those who did not count, either that sustains the flame, it is God in end of themselves and discovered for God or man— and do you know the bush; and any old bush will do! that what they were apart from God why? Because you never took time Did you ever make this discovery? was nothing! out to find the reason why God uses Have you ever come to the place Moses began by being a failure! men! You have been too busy, and where you realized that all you can you never turned aside to see, and That was the school from which he produce, at your best, is ashes? Did qualified! Abraham began by being God was silent. He never called you you ever come to the place where by your name! a failure! That was the school from you presented yourself for what you which he qualified! Jacob was a And as God called, Moses said, are— nothing—to be filled with hopeless failure! David was a hope­ “Here am I. And [God] said, Draw what He is— everything— and to not nigh hither: put off thy shoes less failure! Elijah was a hopeless step out into every new day, con­ failure! Isaiah was a hopeless failure from off thy feet, for the place where­ scious that the eternal I AM is all you and a “man of unclean lips,” but it is on thou standest is holy ground. need, for all His will! in the school of destitution— the bit­ ter school of self-discovery— that fi­ nally you graduate into usefulness, when at last you discover the total bankruptcy of what you are apart from what God is! These men made We often confuse bustle for business, this discovery and were blessed! perspiration for inspiration. Moses had to discover this, and you will have to discover it! He had to discover that a fine physique and noble ambitions, royal breeding and Egyptian scholarship, could never Moreover he said, I am the God of This is the forgotten tense of the be a substitute for that for which thy father, the God of Abraham, the Church of Jesus Christ today. We man was created— God himself! God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. live either in the past tense or in the Moses said, “I will now turn aside, And Moses hid his face; for he was future tense. We say either “Ebene- and see this great sight, why the afraid to look upon God” (Exod. zer— hitherto hath the Lord helped bush is not burnt. And when the 3:4-6). God had something to say to us,” or we comfort ourselves with Lord saw that he turned aside to Moses, and I think that it must have “Maranatha— Behold the Lord com- see, God called unto him out of the been something like this: “Moses, eth”— but we forget that He is the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, you have done a wise thing in mak­ eternal I AM, the eternal present Moses” (Exod. 3:3-4). God called ing intelligent inquiry, for you tense, adequate right now for every him by name! When did God call thought that this was a very remark­ need! him? While he stood admiring at a able bush. You thought that there If you are born again, all you need distance? No, God never said a must be something about it at once is what you have, and what you have word then— but when “he turned peculiar and wonderful, something is what He is! He does not give you aside to see,” God called! unique, that it could burn and burn strength— He is your strength! He Maybe you are wondering why it and burn, and go on burning, and does not give you victory— He is is that you have never had an urgent yet not burn itself out. But you are your victory! sense of call; why in your Christian wrong— you are quite wrong! Do Do you understand the principle? life there is no real driving sense of you see that bush over there? That Christ is in you— nothing less than direction; why you do not have a scruffy, scraggy looking thing— that deep, Spirit-born conviction of the bush would have done! Do you see that! You cannot have more, and you purpose for which you have been re­ this beautiful looking bush, so do not need to have less, and every deemed; why it is you drift and live shapely and fine— this bush would day can be the glorious fulfillment of with no target in view! Maybe it is have done! For you see, Moses, any the divine end— “Prove what is that because you never took time out to old bush will do— any old bush— if good, and acceptable, and perfect, find the reason why! When Moses only God is in the bush! The trouble will of God” (Rom. 12:2), as you turned aside to see, God called him with you, Moses, is this: 40 years present your body a living sacrifice, — by name! ago, learned in all the wisdom of the holy and acceptable unto God, Judged by purely human stan­ Egyptians, mighty in word and deed, which is your reasonable service. dards, you may be highly qualified you admired your own foliage! You Only remember this— any old for Christian service, and yet go out thought you were some bush! But bush will do! $ into the oblivion of spiritual use­ you burned yourself out in 24 hours; lessness. No matter to what dis­ and you have been a heap of ashes Taken from The Saving Life of Christ, by W. Ian tinction you may attain in this world, for 40 years! If this bush that you Thomas. Copyright © 1961 by Zondervan Publish­ no matter how much you may be ac­ have admired were depending upon ing House. Used by permission.

25 Protecting Your Family If You Are Disabled

ecent studies indicate that during one’s working ered workers, those benefits do not begin until after five years (generally prior to age 65), an individual is at months of disability. Ra significantly greater risk to become disabled than to For qualifying individuals, a few pension boards may die. However, it is interesting to note that most individu­ provide temporary monthly disability assistance, which als in their working years are better insured against the may pay up to the amount certified by Social Security, financial loss that can result from premature death than less any amount payable from any other plans offered they are against the financial impact of the more likely by the pension board, for this five-month Social Security event of disability. waiting period. Funding for this program is usually pro­ Many denominational pension boards have recog­ vided by the denomination. nized this need and have made provision for ministers District Disability and full-time church-employed laymen of the denomina­ For districts that have elected to participate in special tion to have adequate coverage for lost income due to group coverage plans, the ministers of that district may disability. There are four programs that are generally enroll for long-term disability income protection at spe­ available to meet such needs. cial group rates. These plans typically provide a benefit Denominational Pension Plans that pays a percent of compensation at the time of dis­ First, there are the denominational pension plans. In ability (including the value of housing or housing allow­ the event of a disability, such plans usually provide an ance). The benefit is usually offset by any Social Secu­ amount for a disability pension once the regular pension rity benefit being received. Generally, the premum fo this has been vested. Often, Social Security determination of coverage is paid by the local church employer to the group benefit plan. disability must be received in order to qualify for this benefit. Check with your pension office for details. Qualifications Although different eligibility requirements may apply Long-term Disability Insurance to each of the above plans, there are two qualifications Many denominations also make available an individ­ normally required for participation. The first is related to ual long-term disability income protection plan to qual­ the credential one holds. The second is that some plans ifying individuals. A typical plan provides either a set require full-time church employment. This usually is de­ amount per month or a percent of salary to the end of fined to mean eligible participants must be compen­ most disabilities or to age 65, whichever comes first. sated for at least 30 hours per week or are earning their The benefit amount may or may not be reduced by So­ full livelihood from church employment. To the extent cial Security or other disability benefit payments. Pre­ that staff members meet the requirements, often they miums are paid by either the participant or the local too can be included in these plans. church employer. If paid by the employer, the premiums If you do not now have adequate resources to provide may qualify as a tax-free, employee benefit. for your family’s financial needs in the event of future Temporary Benevolence disability, request information from your denomination’s Many persons are unaware that even though there board of pensions. They usually specialize in such plans are Social Security disability benefits available to cov­ in addition to the pension work they do.

Submitted by the office of the Board of Pensions and Benefits USA of the Church of the Nazarene. Pontius' Puddle

HAVEYOO FOLLOWED NfVW, TOO NU3CU WI4EM N c o nst rrC E N T IAY M>V1C.E TO P L A N WOR.K. I 'L L OOST "TALKS ABOOT G-lVl^Cr ItA YOOR OrlVlUGr (AORE STICKTO OSlMG- SOOKD MOfA8EKS,lT OSOM-LN PRECISELY 'T ROOnID NOfAfcERS. IAEAMS k L L X E R o s . WHO'S WHO AND WHAT’S WHAT AMONG POPULAR HOLINESS VOICES by David F. Nixon Pekin, III.

layman handed me a letter he nation” and for “clean hands and a made a complete atonement for all had received from a contem­ pure heart” in a dirty world. sin. Satan may have been sent into Aporary gospel singer. The Lord had Perhaps our exultation over this guerilla warfare against us, but be­ urged the singer to deliver a mes­ renewed interest should be tem­ lievers whose hearts are sanctified sage on holiness. He felt a keen pered by a careful examination of wholly are cleansed from all sin. sense of urgency because, “God’s the content of the holiness message Christ’s blood goes to the root of our judgment upon our nation is at the our allies proclaim. Can we assume unholiness, our sinful nature, and very doorstep.” that popular holiness voices express cleanses all sin so that it no longer Another letter from a nationally our Wesleyan understanding of the has dominion over us. acclaimed preacher answered the doctrine? Without becoming nega­ The Holy Spirit does not come in, question, “What does it mean to re­ tive and hypercritical, we must read do His clean-up job, and get out. ally live?” Pointing to 1 Thess. the “fine print” in order to make an The vacuum created in our hearts 3:8-13, he told his readers how to accurate appraisal. when sin is completely removed is stand firm in the Lord: Be (1) joyful in Caution is needed when it comes graciously filled with holy love. The gratitude (v. 9); (2) earnest in prayer to the timing and process of entire result is one good thing after an­ (v. 10); (3) abounding in love (vv. sanctification. In our Wesleyan un­ other flowing from a pure heart, and 11-12); and (4) established in holi­ derstanding, salvation and entire continual enabling power to live ness (v. 13). sanctification do not occur in the Of the four, he was most con­ same experience. Though we ap­ without sin and stand firm in the cerned about the fourth, personal plaud when it is said, “There can be Lord. holiness. In a day when more and no holiness apart from the work of Every believer who has received more Christians are getting soft the Holy Spirit,” and that “the sure the washing of regeneration may, morally, materialistically, and theo­ standard for holiness is Scripture,” like the disciples at Pentecost, “Stay logically, he challenged his readers our hands drop quickly to our sides in the city until you have been to evaluate their walk with God. “If when we hear that “holy living” is clothed with power from on high” you sense,” he admonished, “that “the process of sanctification.” (Luke 24:49). The same Holy Spirit you are weaker. . . that you are tol­ Some view holiness as a lifelong who filled their hearts will fill the con­ erating things you once resisted . . . quest in which God and man coop­ secrated hearts of believers today. let me urge you to return to the Lord. erate. Sometimes God wins, other Holy Spirit’s power within enables Establish yourself once again in holi­ times we win. As Mother Teresa us to “clean up our act” by “per­ ness . . . in today's terms, ‘clean up puts it, “Our progress in holiness de­ fecting holiness in the fear of God” your act.’ ” This welcome call to holy pends on God and ourselves.” In (2 Cor. 7:1, KJV). living concluded, “Not until that slice other words, God and man have a Not only must the call to holiness of your life is in place will you stand “joint responsibility for sanctifica­ be issued, but believers must be told firm in the Lord!” tion.” Sin is something we never ex­ how and when to be holy as well. It is encouraging that persons out­ perience total victory over. It is a Entire sanctification is not the culmi­ side the holiness movement have constant, daily struggle requiring nation of a lifelong struggle, only begun to herald that gospel truth. continuing human effort. finding fulfillment at death. It is not But the holiness movement has is­ Others liken this daily struggle some pious wish that happens at sued this clarion call from its very in­ with sin to “nations at war.” “One de­ glorification. Heart holiness is avail­ ception. Holiness was proclaimed feats the other, as Christ defeated able now. Man’s part is consecra­ even when it was unpopular. Satan at Calvary. But the losing tion. From that crisis moment on, Though no national personalities army, though vanquished, takes to God’s Spirit takes over, freeing us jumped on the bandwagon, lovers of the hills and fights on as a guerilla from original sin (depravity) and holiness resolutely held high God’s movement.” Fighting off sin is like bringing us “into a state of entire de- standard. With Jonah-like passion, having to beat back continual guer­ votement to God, and the holy obe­ but Jeremiah-like results, they called illa attacks. dience of love made perfect” (Man- for righteousness “which exalts a Christ’s shed blood on Calvary (Continued on page 56) (PfanrA A drtUvuatnAtoM Recommitted to Committees by Mark J. Galli Sacramento, Calif.

One of my goals ust out of seminary, my concept was to escape the pastor. The quickest way to see of ministry wasn’t, I suspect, all if April 13 can be scheduled as a Jthat unusual. Real ministry, I be­ committee work day is to ask the person who lieved, happens in the pulpit, in the meetings. knows the church calendar best: the prayer meeting, on the doorstep of pastor. Furthermore, most congre­ the unconverted. Real ministry is ------0 ------gations hesitate to proceed with overflowing sanctuaries, published nings away from my family. Surely new ideas if their pastor has some books, and “a presence” in the city. ministry shouldn’t mean widowing moral or administrative objection, Real ministry requires imaginative one's wife and abandoning one’s which I might if April 13 were Good and bold leadership. Real ministry is children. Expressed with subtle self- Friday. We can weigh the desirability dynamic, energetic, and vital. pity, it worked. They agreed to of such attitudes, but for most And then there is committee work schedule all committee meetings on churches, especially small to me­ — not exactly ministry, but sort of. Monday or Tuesday nights to free dium ones, the pastor is integral to After all, someone has to assign the rest of my weeknights for my most decisions. Communion servers, delegate the family— a partial victory. Consequently, when I don’t attend pulling of weeds, budget for crayons And it prepared the way for my ul­ committees, every decision is and glue, and decide who will bring timate victory. Since two evenings a slowed by a month. When every hot dogs to the all-church picnic. week away from my hearth was the new idea must plod through this tor­ As for me and my ministry, how­ new standard, I pressed home a tuous process, we shut off commit­ ever, I will serve in greater courts. I new argument: I needed to call on tee spontaneity and enthusiasm. will make a name for myself. . . er, I people, and most of them worked in Building momentum is impossible. mean, for our church . . . I mean, for the daytime. Which was more impor­ Affirming the laity the Lord. Yes, for the Lord. tant, calling or committees? At that, Again, we may question the theol­ Escaping committees they waved the white flag, albeit un­ ogy of this attitude, but it prevails: One of my first ministry goals, enthusiastically. I attended few com­ When a pastor attends a church then, was to escape committee mittee meetings after that. function, it raises the status of the meetings, not an easy task upon Ten years out of seminary, I’m the function, the morale of the leaders, first arriving at a church. Laypeople, one waving the white flag. and often the attendance. who spend a lot of time in commit­ I’ve discovered real ministry hap­ Our choir had been struggling to tees, have an odd notion that what pens in committees as well as out­ get 8 to 10 members out to Thurs­ they do is important to the church. side them. No, I’m not brain dead. I day rehearsals. When one of the They call a pastor, in fact, to help still acknowledge that committees two tenors was confined to bed for them do their important work better. can be dull and overly concerned two months, I offered my voice box So i couldn’t let them know how I with the minuscule. But I’ve come to to our discouraged choir director. I really felt. see how vital they are for our entire intended only to beef up the tenor But I could eagerly tell them I af­ ministry— and not only for those section. But as I regularly attended firmed the ministry of the laity necessary details. rehearsals, I noticed choir members (meaning / wanted to get on to more Here’s how I believe my involve­ did so more regularly themselves. significant things), I trusted them to ment in committee work helps the Now, it’s unusual not to have a full do their work (meaning anybody ministry of our church. choir at rehearsal. could do that work), and I needed to Maintaining ministry momentum I’ve also seen that phenomenon at be concerned about the big picture When I don’t attend committees, work in committees. Even if a com­ (meaning their job was to worry decision making, which usually pro­ mittee doesn’t need my input, many about petty details). For some rea­ ceeds at the pace of the proverbial nights I attend simply to make a son they remained unconvinced and turtle, slows to the pace of a pet statement with my presence: This kept insisting that I be at their meet­ rock. committee’s work is important. ings. That’s because committees hesi­ Often, however, I go one step fur­ So I tried a new tack. I pointed out tate to plan programs, raise money, ther. Periodically a committee ought that I couldn’t spend so many eve- or take action until they check with to hear how I appreciate their regu­

28 lar sacrifice of nights at home and I attended a workshop on manag­ how I admired their recent teacher ing the monthly meeting of Session workshop or whatever. Praise from (our board of elders). Suggestions the pulpit is important, but some­ included agreeing on agenda items, GIVE times a brief expression of appre­ docketing items, sticking to the Give. ciation in a more intimate setting docket, and limiting extraneous dis­ means more to the members. cussion. In a flash I realized a Ses­ Give because a need exists— Energizing the laity sion meeting need not take more Not for any anticipated Another simple but often un­ than two hours! My type-A person­ reward. acknowledged fact of church life is ality was flushed with excitement as Give because of a brother’s this: The majority of committee I left the workshop, silently vowing chairpersons are not as creative or to implement the procedures at my adverse circumstances— energetic as we might wish. Frankly, next Session meeting. Not for the crowd’s possible how could they be? In retrospect, I’m surprised my recognition. Most of our members work in the Session put up with such pro­ Give because you have office or garage or in the home cedures for as long as they did. By resources and skills— chasing three preschoolers. Some the middle of the second meeting, Not for potential repayment. do all three! In addition, many take they’d had enough. “Why do we care of aging parents, or raise have to be so scheduled, so busi­ Give. money for UNICEF, or sit on the local nesslike?” complained one elder. “It Jesus’ style of giving does not Young Life committee. Some retired makes the meeting feel so stiff that require members are so busy they wonder we can’t relax. I feel like I’m forbid­ rewards when they used to find time to work. den to talk about anything but busi­ recognition On top of all that, some even find ness. What happened to the church space in their schedules to give to family?” or repayment. church. In short, along with business they Jesus’ style of giving looks These faithful have never been wanted a little fellowship. I had as­ only for seminary trained. They don’t get a sumed they wanted the agenda kept need-filled circumstances paid study leave to attend church to two hours. It turns out they don’t or growth conferences. They seldom care if the meetings run past mid­ a hurting brother have time to read books on Christian night—if they can do something able to use our resources ministry. It’s utopian, then, to expect more than business, such as share the majority of the chairpersons to their lives with one another. Not that and generate creative ideas and to mus­ they don’t still complain about Ses­ skills. ter the drive to push their ideas sion meetings’ length, but I now un­ Give. through the committee. derstand the nature of the com­ —Jerry D. Hull That’s not to deny the imaginative plaint. and bold leadership many chair­ That’s a long way of saying that persons exhibit. But let’s face it: committees become for me a time such leaders aren't the norm. Most to mingle with my parishioners, to Furthermore, one committee be­ of the faithful need, and frankly talk about the weather, the kids, the comes a place to receive feedback want, inspiration and leadership construction of the new Hyatt Re­ on some other committee’s project from the pastor. gency. There’s nothing earth-shat­ or experiment. I ask the mission ac­ Attending committee meetings to tering about that, but as most of us tion committee what they thought offer my ideas and encourage big­ have discovered, such conversation about the Holy Week services, and ger ideas can turn a church’s 25th is vital to building trust. the worship committee what they anniversary after-church reception When I don’t attend, I miss out, got out of the recent all-church pic­ into a two-day celebration, and a and my relationship with my parish­ nic. The responses of people not youth car wash to raise $250 into a ioners suffers. wrapped up in making an event hap­ softball marathon that raises $2,500 Strengthening the larger ministry pen offer a valuable perspective. for world hunger. Let me add a final reason I’m back So, as you can see, I’m a recon­ I can hardly take full credit for to committees. Working with a com­ verted committeeman. Not every such examples— as my members mittee helps not only that committee committee meeting needs my pres­ will be quick to remind me. But as a but other committees as well. At­ ence. But many do. And so I go. general rule, bigger and better tending the worship committee, I It’s certainly not the only impor­ things are planned when I attend can remind the members about the tant work of the church. After all, committee meetings. Bible seminar the Christian educa­ churches do not live by committees Enhancing pastoral care tion committee will offer Saturday. alone. But, then again, I’ve never Committee meetings are not Sure, they’ve heard about it in the seen one that could live without merely places where business gets newsletter and the weekly bulletin. them, because that’s where some dispatched; they’re also centers of But my mentioning it in an intimate real ministry takes place. Christian warmth. This is especially setting is no small adjunct to other true of a small church. publicity. Reprinted by permission from Leadership Magazine, Vol. 10, No. 3 (Summer 1989), 53-55. Show, Tell, and Trim by Lois Hoadley Dick Newton, N.J.

s your church making news? A will present a musical program Sun­ TELL brief mention in the local news­ day evening, at 7 p.m . in the County Learn to write newspaper-style. Ipaper or on a radio station may be Christian Church of Blairston.” That is, in the first paragraph, if pos­ the only way new neighbors will find Besides visiting talent, feature ev­ sible answer the questions— Who? your church. Some advertising is erything unusual that the Sunday What? Where? When? How? Why? free. Make good use of it— every School, church, or youth group In our rural area, where people, week! does. Ask the church editor to send congregation, and newspaper office Publicity for the church should be a photographer and give him the ex­ were separated by the miles, it was the responsibility of one dependable act location and time to arrive. Our not possible for the one in charge of person who will learn to write news- children’s church had a rhythm publicity to visit the newspaper ev­ paper-style. Publicity should not be band. I asked the photographer to ery week. We worked out a sched­ arrive five minutes before the ses­ another task added to the many ule two weeks ahead of time. sion ended and told the children to Each week, Mondays at 10 a .m ., I other duties of a pastor. expect him. The photographer phoned the pastor and asked ques­ SHOW chose the four children with instru­ tions, took notes, then did the First, introduce yourself person­ ments to be in the picture. This elim­ writeup. He gave me his sermon ti­ ally to the editor of church news, in inated any hard feelings of either tle, the topic for the adult class, the his office. Promise to provide him child or parents. persons in charge of nursery and with newsworthy articles and clear, One Children’s Day, a dozen of children’s church, the Sunday eve­ black-and-white, professional the little ones dressed as nursery ning information, and the midweek glossy photos, 8" x 11 rhyme characters and put on a de­ events. This information was mailed, The best photos may be obtained lightful program of gospel nursery timed to arrive before the deadline. from your denominational headquar­ rhymes. I slipped up, forgot to call Read other church notices. Learn ters, your missionaries, or directly the church editor and ask for a pho­ to edit out the verbiage. Cut flowery from the speaker or singing group tographer to appear at the last prac­ flattery. who will highlight your Sunday ser­ tice, and the opportunity was lost. WRONG: “The Joybells, whose vices. If you receive no photos, or Yes, newspaper photographers do inspired, lively singing has thrilled photos of poor quality, correct it at work on weekends, and many free­ the hearts and souls of countless the source. When you schedule vis­ lance photographers are available. thousands across the nation . . . ” iting persons, ask at the time for a If you take your own pictures, RIGHT: “The Joybells, a nation­ photo. One good photo will attract show no more than three persons, ally known choral group .. more attention and take up more close up. No mob scenes. Find out Edit. Edit. Or, the editor will edit space than three columns of “word- the deadline to submit both photos for you. He will also become very an­ ___ n age. and writeup. If the public is invited, noyed at your church. He may even Do not write on the back of pho­ take the pictures at least three cringe when he sees your church tos, except for an identifying name weeks ahead of time. news in the stack of mail on his in tiny penciled printing on the very WRONG: A mob scene show­ desk bottom edge of the photo. Send the ing all 40 children from children’s WRONG: “Dr. Xander, who newspaper a stamped, large en­ church, each face the size of a gave his heart to the Lord around velope in which to return the photo. pinhead, and not one distinguish­ a campfire in Cherry Hill, and ded­ Some newspapers sell their photo able. icated his life for full-time service later for a small fee or give it upon RIGHT: Three children of chil­ after a very emotional experience request. dren’s church working on a poster. when he was 18, then struggled Provide the editor a caption sheet WRONG: Church family picnic. for his education, will speak on along with the photo. A caption One hundred fifty persons lined ‘Youth Years.’ ” sheet is a separate page that gives up around a bus, which looks no RIGHT: “Dr Xander will speak the bare bones of information, listing bigger than a thumbprint. on ‘Youth Years.’ ” names of people as they face you, RIGHT: A senior citizen, a teen­ Christmas, Easter, and other hol­ from left to right. “Rev. and Mrs. ager, and a tot packing a picnic iday times usually find newspapers Frank Jones and daughter Susan basket. (Continued on page 50)

30 MISSIONARIES: Mortal Men and Women (Acts 14:8-23) he account of Paul and Barna­ later immortalized as trees, ignored bas at Lystra instructs mis­ by Floyd T. Cunningham them and were consequently annihi­ Tsionaries on matters crucial to both Metro Manila, Philippines lated.1 It was no wonder they did not theology and practice. Compelled to want that to happen again. So the tell the Good News to Gentile Ly- faith. As in similar instances in people began sacrificing to Paul and strans, Paul preached about God’s Jesus’ ministry, physical and spiri­ Barnabas. Since Paul was the grace extended to all people, tual wholeness were inseparable. speaker, he was called “Hermes.” touched a lame man and then re­ Missionaries cannot ignore the Perhaps more stately looking, Bar­ sponded to a situation that went physical dimension of life. Perfect nabas was called “Zeus.” Even the quickly from enthusiastic to hostile. love compels missionaries to do all pagan priest readily joined in the ad­ His immediate entreaty to be consid­ they can within their resources to oration. Yet there was no spiritual ered as only a human being, coupled heal the hurts of men and women. change in the people. They were with his willingness to suffer for the True compassion is concerned with only impressed by the miracle and gospel, shows how missionaries every sphere of human existence. were mindful of the consequences must live out the message they pro­ Missionaries go to people like this should these men prove to be gods. claim. man: they have not had the privilege Missionaries are sometimes of knowing the good news of Jesus. treated like gods. They come with The impulse of mission The Word of God sparks faith in indi­ seemingly superior technology and Luke does not record Paul’s initial viduals to respond for their own spir­ wealth, as well as the gospel. Peo­ sermon in Lystra, where he and itual wholeness. Indeed, miracles ple may simply be attracted to the Barnabas had fled from an antago­ occur as individuals, through grace, missionary himself. In many coun­ nistic crowd in Iconium. But his ser­ “jump up” from their misery and mon sparked faith in at least one tries, as missionaries arrive in jets walk with the Lord. Missionaries and air-conditioned cars, it seems to person, a man lame from birth. As must be careful not to curb the en­ some people that they are gods Paul perceived the man's faith to be thusiasm of those who are healed. from machines. The comparative healed, Paul called out, “Stand up The one Lystran, responding to wealth of missionaries enables them on your feet!” (Acts 14:10). A miracle grace, and being transformed, gave to afford homes, cars, appliances, occurred: his command incited re­ immediate testimony to God’s and other conveniences that indige­ sponse to faith in the power of God, power in the preaching of the Word. nous people only dream of afford­ and the man jumped up and began As a result, people unable to com­ ing. Especially upon first contacts, to walk. prehend the words of the gospel missionaries may seem to be able to As an implication for missions were persuaded to believe. Persons do no wrong in people’s eyes. Supe­ practice, Paul focused on the need touched by the gospel become as rior in so many things, do not these of this individual who was ready to effective as missionaries them­ missionaries stand on some higher believe. Missionaries must see per­ selves. So, let them jump up, let spiritual plane? Nationals may stand sons and needs. Caring love must them walk, and let them go! Let oth­ in awe. There’s the danger that a be directed. In Paul’s case this dis­ ers see the miracle. missionary may come to view him­ play of God’s power upon one indi­ The purpose of missions is to in­ self with a sense of infallibility. At vidual was sufficient to persuade cite faith in Christ, not in oneself. least, it may seem that no mistakes, others to believe that something Paul tried to do this through his marvelous was transpiring. Paul’s no genuine humanness, are permit­ words and deeds. Nevertheless, the ted to be shown to the nationals. To ministry, like Christ's, was wholistic. people misunderstood. Paul did not ignore the physical mal­ outsiders the missionaries may ady. It could easily have been hun­ The imminent danger of missions seem to be not so much God’s ser­ ger or poverty. As a Christian, how Witnessing what Paul and Barna­ vants as His privileged ambassa­ could Paul fail to have compassion bas had done, the crowds were in dors. and to do whatever possible for the awe. An old legend in Lystra said Are missionaries as quick as Paul man? Paul cooperated with God’s that Zeus and Hermes had once and Barnabas to tear off their fine healing power in inciting the man’s come in disguise. All but one couple, clothes and rush in where misper­ ceptions exist and shout: “We too Inevitably the people on mission scores the universal invitation of the are only men, human like you” (Acts fields will realize that missionaries gospel and the prevenient grace of 14:14)? How soon should a mis­ are only human. Certainly it would awareness of God among all people. sionary reveal his true identity as a be better to freely acknowledge this How deeply these words affected human being? What if Barnabas had than to beguile. Or else, when na­ the people is not related, but Lystran leaned over to Paul and whispered, tionals do inevitably realize the hu­ “disciples” are already mentioned in “We have to tell these people manness of missionaries, they will Acts 14:20-21. Apparently some that we are not gods someday— give say, “These missionaries are trying were receptive and truly converted to pass themselves off as gods.” it two weeks, maybe two months.” while most hearers kept on in their Persecution may ensue, as it did for Perhaps missionaries feel that it old ways, scarcely heeding Paul's Paul and Barnabas when the people would stifle their leadership roles if words. That is the way with any realized they were not gods as they their humanness were known to the proclamation of the gospel. Some thought at first. nationals, or if they were perceived people accept, some reject, and oth­ as having many of the same trou­ Imperative goals of missions ers simply do not pay attention. bles and emotional and spiritual Paul did have another opportunity Meanwhile a group of Paul’s Jew­ doubts as any normal, sanctified to preach, and his sermon is a foun­ ish opponents arrived from Antioch dation for the theology of mission. Christian. Will not the nationals stop and Iconium, and the crowd was fi­ Paul speaks to the people in their looking up to them? There is a great nally persuaded that Paul was right context. His sermon here is marked­ deal of satisfaction, indeed an intoxi­ — he was only a man. Missionaries ly different from others recorded in cating satisfaction, in having people likewise expect opposition, coming Acts because in other places, upon think that one is special—a bit often from the religious establish­ entering cities, Paul addressed pre­ something more than a mortal hu­ ment of a nation. The people stoned dominantly Jewish crowds. In Ly­ man being. Yet, unless the nationals Paul and dragged him outside the stra, he speaks the gospel as he believe in themselves as spiritually city, leaving him for dead. Miracu­ would do later in Athens, in the con­ equal with missionaries, a holy con­ lously, Paul got up and went back text of the Greeks. fidence in their own privileges and into the city. How strange, that after The news is good! Though Paul responsibilities as partners with being rejected in that city, Paul does not hesitate to call their former God in building His church will not would return there. But that is where ways of sacrificial worship “worth­ emerge. Instead, they will continue the thrust of evangelism and mis­ less,” he does not call their indige­ to rely on the missionaries’ alleged ex­ sion must be— in the cities. nous religion “evil.” He simply points pertise. Paul and Barnabas do not en­ Paul then strengthened and en­ out that their religious forms did not courage faith in them, nor seek sup­ couraged the new disciples (Acts lead them to the living God. Since port from them. They encourage the 14:22). Ministering to the faithful, the good news of Jesus is for every­ Lystrans to look to no one but God. educating and building up those dis­ one, the way is open for them to The conception of the pastoral ciples already committed to the worship the One who created all ministry as a partnership with laity faith, is an ongoing task. Believers that is seen around them. must take place on the mission field. caught as much from Paul’s life as Rather than preaching from a text There must be an in-depth sharing from his speech the fact: “We must that would have had no meaning to of personal needs and frustrations go through many hardships to enter them, Paul alludes to the true mean­ as well as victories by the mis­ the kingdom of God.” A missionary ing of things seen all around them. sionaries with national friends. The may tell people this, but what will his Paul insists that people can see church will be built up interculturally words mean if it seems that he him­ from the beauty and order of the and congregationally as there is self is not suffering at all? Not only world itself that there is a God. This honest and intimate discipling. Sim­ must missionaries tell the gospel God has been blessing them already ply, there must be close-bonded well, but also they must live it well. with food and joy. Paul does not peer relationships and friendships Paul secured indigenous leaders speak to them as if they are in mis­ between the missionaries and na­ and committed them to the Lord. ery. Not only has God been good to tional workers.2 If Jesus could call Even after such a short time among the Jews but God has been good to His disciples “friends,” sharing His them, Paul and Barnabas appointed them, and they have enjoyed happy most inward depths, certainly mis­ elders, trusting them with the mes­ lives because of Him. All good sionaries should bond themselves sage and the ministry. Indeed, Tim­ things have come from God. God’s with nationals. Indeed, most mission othy came from the church at Lystra grace had already reached them, fields have been established long (Acts 16:1). Timothy was to take the even before they knew His name. enough by now that national leaders apostle’s place. The goal of the mis­ Thus, Paul acknowledges grace— are often older than the newer mis­ sionary is to find persons through sionaries. The newer missionaries unmerited favor— and joy even in whom God’s work will be carried on these people who seem to be so far should look with respect to the na­ and spread further. from revelation and truth. God has tional leaders and find from them Despite the initial misconcep­ already worked among them, and counsel, advice, and direction for tions regarding Paul and Barnabas ministry. The mission field must form they have only to see that all that at Lystra, their work was blessed. they enjoy is from the God who is the context of ministry for the mis­ Through them some Lystrans re- sionaries. Their ministry is defined now making himself known through by the needs of the national church. His Word.3 Paul’s sermon under­ (Continued on page 74)

32 Stifle Those Pulpit Announcements! by Rob L. Staples Kansas City

beg to differ with the position ments about a church picnic “left a everyone on the church’s responsi­ taken by my longtime friend, Ken­ warm glow” in the heart of the wor­ bility list. There is no excuse for Ineth Vogt, in his article titled “The shipers! Perhaps, but the glow in my missing an announcement. It goes Place and Purpose of Announce­ heart would have been much without saying that those who have ments” in the December, January, warmer if the time had been used announcements to make know that February issue of The Preacher's for an extra hymn or reading from there are deadlines for getting them Magazine, 1989-90. His main thesis God’s Word. into each of these publications. is that “announcements . . . are a Brother Vogt’s claim that “not to Of course, very small churches part of the fabric that assists the announce almost implies secrecy” perhaps cannot afford worship fold­ worshipers to be participating mem­ seems extremely myopic. Against ers or midweek papers. In such bers of the family of God.” That may the practice of Dr. Ockenga, I would cases, let us pray that their pastors possibly be true if the pastor is set the example of my pastor, Rev. are as skilled as Dr. Ockenga in mak­ skilled at weaving such fabric. But Randall Davey of the Overland Park ing announcements! But, except for such pastors are few and far be­ Church of the Nazarene in greater such cases, it just isn’t true that “to tween. Kansas City. He almost never— not leave announcements out is virtually Brother Vogt is certainly correct over three or four times a year— impossible.” Omitting pulpit an­ when he says “the privilege of mak­ makes an announcement during the nouncements is the easiest thing in ing announcements has been often Sunday morning worship service. the world, especially if there is a and terribly abused.” How true! Over He believes strongly that the wor­ worship folder provided each Sun­ the years I have worshiped and ship of God is the most important day and if the congregation is liter­ preached in many different church­ thing for the congregation to do and ate. The benefits greatly outweigh es across the country and have of­ that nothing should interfere with any supposed losses. Furthermore, ten been horrified by the amount of that supreme objective. To compen­ the people will grow to appreciate time taken to make announce­ sate for the absence of announce­ the fact that when they enter the ments. The suggestion that an­ ments from the pulpit, all announce­ sanctuary they have come for one nouncements can be made “in the ments are carefully printed in the purpose and only one—to worship form of a greeting, before the wor­ worship folder. When he first started God and glorify Him, from the first ship starts,” is hardly an im­ the practice of letting the printed note of the prelude to the “amen” of provement. Usually it is even more page carry the full burden of an­ the benediction. And newcomers deadly, succeeding only in killing off nouncements, some of us missed a will be attracted to a church that rec­ the worship service before it is born. few committee meetings or church ognizes that its chief business is to It is difficult to raise from the dead picnics because we didn’t read the praise and glorify God. Beside that something that never had life! announcements carefully. Why read noble act, all else pales in com­ One way to abuse announce­ the announcements when you know parison. The mutilation of worship ments is to assume that they must they will be given from the pulpit? by the repetition of announcements be made orally from the pulpit. But, it didn’t take long for the con­ that people can read for themselves Brother Vogt recounts his visit to gregation to be retrained. Besides, should have been included in the list Boston’s Park Street Church where we have a biweekly paper contain­ of deadly sins! one of Dr. Ockenga’s announce- ing announcements that is mailed to Well, at least it is a mistake! f

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HOW I DEVELOP A SERMON by Roger L. Hahn Professor at Southern Nazarene University Bethany, Okla.

he development of a sermon is a preaching. When I encounter an From June through November I very personal matter for a idea in my devotional reading, I write develop a schedule of Bible read­ Tpreacher. Like Saul's armor, it is de­it down and file it for future refer­ ing based on a balance of other spir­ signed to fit one person. However, ence. Sometimes it leads quickly to itual and theological needs of the all armor has a common purpose, a sermon; sometimes a long period congregation. Years of study have and most armor is quite similar. of fertilization and growth is neces­ given me a basic knowledge of the Sometimes only small personal ad­ sary before the idea is ready for ser­ general subject matter of each book justments make it fit another. So it is mon development. of the Bible. If I sense that people with preaching. In the following Several years ago I was reading need instruction in churchmanship, paragraphs I will describe my armor Mark 10 in my devotions. I noticed in prayer, and in hope, I schedule my — how I develop a sermon. that the emphasis in verses 46-52 Bible reading in Ephesians, in the Armor is put on one piece at a was not on the healing of blind Bar- Psalms, and in the prophetic books. time. Likewise, a sermon is devel­ timaeus but on the conversations. The actual sermon ideas will not oped through a series of steps. The The word call seemed especially come until I have read those por­ first step is grasping or being prominent, appearing three times in tions of Scripture. However, long- grasped by an initial idea. The disci­ verse 49. I knew that someday I range analysis of needs tells me plined work of study follows so that would develop a sermon on the pas­ where to read in the Bible to find the the idea can be properly and fully sage around that insight, but I didn’t initial ideas for developing sermons. understood. The fact that a sermon know exactly when or how the ser­ One other long-range consid­ is spoken aloud means that a struc­ mon would develop. I filed the idea. eration guides my Bible reading for ture, an outline, should evolve. Fi­ Several months later circumstances initial ideas. The whole Bible must nally, the outline, like a skeleton, and a sense of direction from the be the source of my initial ideas, not must be given flesh, blood, and the Lord led me to retrieve that idea, and just my favorite parts of Scripture. breath of life. I developed a sermon that is still one There should be a balance of Old The Initial Idea of my favorites. and New Testament reading and A sermon does not simply exist; it Preaching needs a more compre­ preaching. Presently I am aiming for must be born, it must have a begin­ hensive plan for finding sermon 40 percent of my sermons to come ning point, an entry, an initial idea. ideas than simply devotional reading from the Old Testament. I monitor Since my preaching is almost en­ of the Bible. I develop a long-range and plan a balance within each Tes­ tirely expository, the Bible is the ulti­ plan for preaching with several com­ tament. Law, prophets, psalms, and mate source of my initial ideas. ponents to guide me to passages of wisdom literature must be balanced. These ideas frequently come from Scripture that will produce a bal­ Gospels, Epistles, Acts, and Revela­ Bible reading, both devotional and anced diet of initial ideas. I follow the tion must be balanced. If I read this professional preparation for teach­ church year from Advent to Pen­ year in Deuteronomy and Matthew, ing and preaching. Often the season tecost. In December I read the birth then next year it will be in Leviticus of the church year or circumstances narratives and the Old Testament and Luke. in the life of the local congregation passages that prophesy of the Mes­ Some might think this plan is com­ send me to specific portions of siah. In January and February I read plicated for generating initial ideas Scripture. However, a long-range the Gospels looking for initial ideas for sermons. However, it works well plan for preaching guides my Bible out of the life and teachings of for me. In my years of preaching, I reading in search of the initial idea. Jesus. Near Easter I review the pas­ have never lacked an idea for a ser­ Actually we preachers cannot sages in the Gospels, in the Epistles, mon. My problem is the selection read the Bible devotionally without and in the Old Testament that speak from many ideas to choose one for also thinking occasionally of the way of the suffering and death of Jesus. developing the sermon. This method a verse, a passage, or a phrase of From Easter to Pentecost I study has enlarged my enthusiasm for Scripture would contribute toward a passages dealing with the resurrec­ preaching. God’s Word is so rich and sermon. Though that fact affects my tion of Jesus and with the Holy so diverse and yet so practical that I devotional life, it is good for my Spirit. never run dry of ideas or of the de­

34 sire to communicate His Word. literary information on the back­ the text until the purpose and basic Sometimes I am the first person ground of the book. structure of the passage emerges. needing the Word. A Bible reading Studying theological commen­ Then I write and rewrite until the ser­ plan for initial sermon ideas meets taries is helpful, especially those by mon outline emerges. my needs. 20th-century German authors. I read the text sometimes 10 The final phase of finding the ini­ While I may not accept some of their times, sometimes 20 times, some­ tial idea is to determine the length of presuppositions and arguments, times more. I am looking for the uni­ the passage as the text for the ser­ they are immensely stimulating in fying theme and the basic structure raising the question of the keryg- mon. Passage length varies accord­ of the passage, which provides an matic nature of the passage. That ing to literary structure. One must outline. In some ways, I am waiting kind of theological proclamation determine the unit of thought in that for inspiration from the Lord con­ helps to shape the central idea that passage. Usually the paragraph is cerning the message of the text. I guides the sermon. Word studies of the basic unit of thought, so usually cannot control how much time must significant theological words like re­ the paragraph will be my text. be spent at this point. However, over demption, propitiation, life, apostle, Sometimes it encompasses a whole the years I have become increas­ covenant, etc., from theological and chapter, sometimes several chap­ ingly confident that if I will keep biblical dictionaries are also useful. ters. I preached one sermon last reading the text, soaked with all my Finally, I study simple, predigested year with 1 Samuel 4— 6 as the text. study, the basic theme and outline material like Barclay’s little Daily With the passage limits determined, will emerge. Study Bible. Earlier in my preaching one is ready for the work of disci­ I pay close attention to grammar career it served as a model of how plined study. and content of the passage. I look to digest technical information into The Work of Disciplined Study for parallel grammatical construc­ sustenance for the soul. Today I am The work of study takes longer tions—they are often indicators of comfortable digesting for myself, than any other step in developing the structure. Parallel imperatives or but I still read Barclay and similar the sermon, but it is most quickly parallel purpose statements provide works for the sake of comparison. described. I follow two basic steps an outline for the sermon. For exam­ Occasionally he has useful ideas in study—translating the passage ple, Heb. 10:19-25 has three hor­ that I hadn’t thought of but will incor­ from the original language and read­ tatory subjunctive constructions, porate into my message. ing as much as I can to learn about “let us draw near” (v. 22), “let us hold the background of the passage. unswervingly” (v. 23), and “let us The presupposition that guides ------o ------consider . . . one another” (v. 24). my study is that the original meaning A sermon The grammar provides the basic of a biblical passage is the starting must be born. outline. Isa. 40:1-11 contains three point for finding and proclaiming the references to a voice: “A voice of 0 message from God out of that pas­ ------one calling” (v. 3), “A voice says, ‘cry sage for today. For me, the first step Usually I do not take notes while out’ ” (v. 6), and “Lift up your voice” in searching for the original meaning reading these materials, though on (v. 9). Repeated use of a word opens is to translate from either the He­ rare occasions, when I find a partic­ up the structure of the passage. All I brew or Greek into either English or ularly pointed phrase or idea, I may must do for an outline is to find sim­ Spanish, the language in which I will jot it down. My purpose in extensive ple, logical, and easily remembered preach. I read from commentaries, reading is not to write down ideas ways of expressing that structure. biblical theologies, Bible dictionar­ but to fill up my mind with as much Once the passage’s structure has ies, and works on Bible manners information about the text as possi­ emerged, I begin jotting down an and customs. I use as wide a range ble. I let that information soak and outline. Sometimes for each main of commentaries as I can. I es­ permeate my thinking. I strive to en­ point I simply write a single word or pecially study technical commen­ ter into the hearts and minds of the phrase from the text that draws my taries on historical and literary as­ original authors and audience, to attention to the structure. I jot down pects of the text. I look for clues and think their thoughts with them as subpoints to indicate how the main small details about the original set­ they wrote, spoke, and heard the point might be developed. Fre­ ting and meaning. Thus technical text. Once the walls between the 1 st quently I am still struggling to articu­ commentaries are more useful to and 20th centuries become trans­ late the main purpose or theme of me than homiletical or devotional parent, I begin organizing the ser­ the sermon. I attempt to write the commentaries. Similarly, works on mon into a communicable form. outline again in more polished form. Bible manners and customs unlock The Evolution of the Outline As I think about the passage further, secrets of the cultural framework of Since my sermons are developed I will rewrite the outline again trying the biblical world and provide clues for preaching rather than publica­ to frame it in simple and easily re­ to original intention. It only takes a tion, I must develop an outline that is membered statements. I try for allit­ few seconds to glance through the simple, logical, and easily remem­ eration and statements with a paral­ Scripture index of a book on Bible bered. I then determine the one ba­ lel construction. I don’t force al­ manners and customs, but the in­ sic idea or purpose I wish to com­ literation and parallel construction if sights may provide the basis of a municate. At this point, I return to they are not truly reflected in the whole point of a sermon. A Bible dic­ the biblical text from which the ser­ structure of the passage. However, I tionary often provides historical and mon will emerge. I read and reread have discovered that if I am patient

35 and think and rethink, write and re­ and the main points for the conclu­ script is usually the next step. In my write the outline, I can often find allit­ sion. Sometimes, however, the final first three years of preaching, I erative and parallel ways of phrasing point of the outline is climactic and wrote a manuscript for every ser­ main points. That helps me remem­ the conclusion of that final point may mon. The next three years I ber the outline. I’ve discovered that it quite adequately serve as a sermon preached from detailed sentence also helps the congregation remem­ conclusion. In addition to summariz­ outlines. Since then I’ve tried to bal­ ber the outline and thus the sermon. ing, the conclusion must also chal­ ance writing the sermon manu- It is best if the theme word of the lenge the congregation to decision sermon is a prominent part of each and action. Whether it is an invita­ statement of the main points in the tion to seek help from the Lord or a ------o ------outline. Once the outline emerges, call to greater faithfulness or an affir­ the final step in the development of The whole Bible is my mation of the work of God in the life my sermon is to give that skeleton of individual or church, the congrega­ source, not just my outline flesh, blood, and life. tion needs to know how that message favorite parts. Fleshing Out the Outline can be actualized in their lives. The final stage in the sermon is Illustrations can give life to the ------0 ------fleshing out of the outline. An intro­ message. I frequently draw illustra­ duction and conclusion must be de­ tions from other passages in the Bi­ veloped. Illustrations must be found. ble, from different cultural pre­ scripts and preaching from the sen­ Finally, writing the manuscript and/ suppositions of the biblical world, tence outlines. I need both dis­ or internalizing the message pre­ and from different word meanings ciplines. If pressed for time, I do not pares me to preach. and word usages in the biblical feel guilty about preaching from an The introduction is crucially im­ world. My own experience, as a outline and do not write a manu­ portant since the attention of the child, as an adolescent, and as an script. However, if I go too long with­ congregation is won or lost in the adult, also becomes a fertile field for out writing a manuscript, I find my­ illustrations. I never use my suc­ self becoming sloppy and undiscip­ cesses or accomplishments to illus­ lined in preaching from outlines. So I ------0 ------trate, but I occasionally use my fail­ make time and write some manu­ ures, disappointments, and hard scripts for a while. The Lord led me to re­ times. Positive, loving relationships Whether using a manuscript or an trieve an idea. with my parents, spouse, child, and outline, I spend up to an hour prior to friends are useful for illustrations. preaching the sermon internalizing the message. I do not try to memo­ 1 ------0 ------Occasionally I will use illustrations from history and literature. I must be rize the outline or the manuscript, able to identify personally with the but, by going over and over the ser­ opening minute. For that reason, I illustrations if I am to preach them mon, the outline is usually memo­ frequently draw attention to the genuinely, so I never use books of rized or I know the manuscript well. main subject or theme of the ser­ illustrations. Then I am ready to preach. mon. Definitions, real-life experi­ I try to never use more than one Conclusion ences, tendencies of the modern long story illustration in a sermon. Developing a sermon is a step-by- world, and literature all provide ways However, I do want at least one step process similar to putting on to introduce the theme. In a sermon short, two- or three-sentence illus­ each piece of armor. When all the on Eph. 2:1-10 dealing with the tration for each main point. Several pieces of armor have been put on, church as God’s poem, based on the single-sentence allusions to other the soldier is ready to fight. When I Greek word for “workmanship,” po- biblical characters or passages can have gone through all the steps de­ emaiy. 10), I began the introduction illustrate one main point. I’ve never scribed above, I am ready to preach. by quoting a poem on the work of a worried much about illustrations or I have said nothing about prayer, poet. collected and filed them. My homi­ yet prayer is a vital aspect of my Frequently I present background letics teacher called illustrations preparation for preaching. For me, material from historical or literary as­ “windows to shed light on the mes­ prayer is the oil that keeps the pects in the introduction also. This sage.” But to me a sermon should pieces of armor from rusting and the sets the stage for enabling the con­ not be a glass house. I concentrate polish that keeps them shining. Con­ gregation to enter into the mind of on the message of the passage and stantly, regularly, along each step in the biblical writer. However, intro­ search for natural illustrations. They the process, I pray. Apart from the ductions are only to introduce. I have come more easily the older and presence and power of the Holy must fight the temptation to put too more experienced I have become. Spirit, none of the steps will be pro­ much in the introduction. When the When the outline, introduction, ductive in preparing to preach. I have introduction is as long as one of the conclusion, and illustrations are in discovered that by experience. As I main points of the message it is too place, writing the sermon manu- commit my work to the Lord, follow­ long. It will draw attention to itself ing the steps I have described allows ------0 ------rather than to the sermon theme. me to preach with a sense of His Usually I summarize the theme of Illustrations give life. presence and power and with effec­ the message, the flow of thought, tive results.

36 /?/

The Hidden Treasure by J. Grant Swank, Jr. Walpole, Mass.

he church has a hidden trea­ What can a denomination do to pastorates, as well as staff persons sure. We have lived with it so spark a new day for the small from larger congregations. Tlong that we have come to take it forchurch? How can we assist this A network of helpers is needed in granted. Nevertheless, its familiarity worldwide community to realize its every locale by which small church must not prevent us from a fresh worth to the larger cause of Christ? leaders can ask for prayer, advice, discovery that could rejuvenate the Perhaps in the process, we would and support, particularly when un­ church around the world. discover numerous small congrega­ der pressure of discouragement. The hidden treasure is the small tions beginning to grow to larger This assistance should be available congregation. One might define the sizes. Yet if some did not, they . to lay leaders as well as clergy. small congregation as a church that would sense their value for the gos­ 4. Larger congregations could has 50 or less persons consistently pel’s sake. Even the small congrega­ “adopt" small churches. This would in a Sunday morning worship. tion has eternal significance. provide a wide variety of oppor­ With much attention these days The following practical sugges­ tunities for ministry. Such partner­ given to church growth throughout tions could get us started: ship would create many avenues of Protestant denominations, the ac­ 1. Each district could establish a creative ways for laypersons to get cent has often been placed upon buddy system by which pastors of involved. medium-sized and large congrega­ small churches would link up with Laity from a small church need tions. The thrust has been to get one another. The same could be the exchange experiences with mem­ them to increase in size more and done for the parsonage wives. We bers from larger congregations. One more. really do need one another; yet so group helping another stimulates all In all the excitement, the small often there is an isolation from one involved. church sometimes has been left in another in the daily work of the 5. Seminars and conferences the dust. This is unfortunate, for this church. This need not be if we pur­ scheduled denomination-wide can is our hidden resource for religious posefully linked up. be set for members of small church­ adventure, spiritual and numerical 2. Each district could sponsor es— clergy and laity alike. Practical growth, and untapped energy. regularly open discussion forums workshops for small churches would Frequently the parsonage families whereby small church personnel be most helpful, with special atten­ ministering to small churches live would meet with their district super­ tion given to free times of open di­ with a lack of self-esteem. In addi­ intendents and other leaders simply alogue between the small church tion, laity feel defeated due to small to talk out matters. This would help persons. numbers, meager finances, cum­ clergy and laity. Many forums are geared for con­ bersome responsibilities, and rare Much is to be said for the listening gregations of 50 members and gains. ear. Bridges across islands of the above. Attendees of small churches Nevertheless, what would a de­ heart are built not only when we feel left out in the cold. To discover nomination do without these clus­ gather to receive district information our hidden resource— to really ener­ ters of faithful believers? We would concerning programming but when gize its latent force— specially be impoverished overnight. They the communication flows in the planned “think tanks” for people in­ make up the bulk of churches; con­ other direction as well. Small church volved daily in small church ministry sequently, we must not ignore their members and friends have a lot they could be enriching. importance to the eternal work of would like to say. They need oppor­ 6. A welcoming system could God’s kingdom. tunities to speak up concerning a prove encouraging on each district, Out of scores of small congrega­ variety of issues and burdens. by which new parsonage families tions have come many pastors, pas­ 3. Support systems of listening would be hospitably greeted into tors’ wives, missionaries, church ad­ and healing could be instituted on their new pastorates. ministrators, college personnel, as each district. These support sys­ Usually the local laypersons plan well as faithfully committed lay­ tems could be composed of profes­ a welcoming occasion for the new persons serving in the secular work­ sional counselors, elder clergy and pastor and family; yet a district- force. wives who have moved out of active (Continued on page 64) SEXUAL FAILURE IN HIGH PLACES: When Ministers Go Down in Flames!

hen an irate contractor by Donald M. Joy nancial aid office had been paid per­ W phoned the district denomi­ Wilmore, Ky. sonally by Christensen. Their legal national office to report to the super­ or other connections to Christen­ intendent that Pastor Mark Good- sen, it was said, were not known at son from First Church was involved We seldom consider this time. “What is known,” the news in adultery for the last two years which are story went on, “is that Pastor Chris­ with his wife, he got action. His wife tensen has a reputation over a long had volunteered at the church every “symptoms” history of carrying on a rather exten­ Wednesday for nearly 10 years, sive philanthropy and operates out helping to put out the midweek mail­ and which are of several accounts, most of them ing to the 900 family constituency. “core” issues entirely under his discretionary man­ She seemed to get a lot of help, he agement.” thought, but he didn’t suspect this in sexual failure. kind of “help.” Pastor Goodson and Pastors Who “Love Too Much!” his family were out of the parsonage The Goodson error— involvement within 48 hours. Gone. Superinten­ bune. It detailed the charges against with a woman who spends several dent Jones made a two-week transi­ superchurch pastor Tony Chris­ hours each week in his workplace— tional appearance and made the tensen. A “second family,” the story is both typical in cases of pastoral usual discreet announcement that alleged, lived in a city only 30 sexual failure, and is the simplest to Goodson had been removed from minutes away by freeway. In a explain: Any healthy pair of people the senior minister role because of church-planting adventure stretch­ given enough time for visual, voice, personal indiscretion. ing over nearly 30 years, Chris­ and emotional sharing will develop Downstate, in another situation, tensen had created a substantial some sort of attachment. And since Pastor Lem Lindley and his wife sim­ congregational membership. Few “pair bonding” and “friendship” and ply seemed to turn up “missing" people would have said they “loved” “common civility relationships” all from their church and a moving van him, largely because no one got waken the same brain chemicals loaded their goods after dark. There close enough to him to know him and send messages throughout the were rumors, naturally, and a single­ personally. He kept a professional same nervous system and para- parent mother reported quietly to a distance that may have enhanced sensory sexual responses as did the few people that her daughter had his authority. In the early days, when original marital bond, it is possible been used sexually by Pastor Lind­ someone dared to ask who served for a very strong and urgent pair ley during some of several sessions on the board of finance, he said sim­ bond to develop. Such an alien bond in which she was revealing the pain ply, “You are looking at the board of is all the more likely to develop if any of her personal loss of a father. The finance.” He was the “founding pas­ grief or ecstasy event brings feel­ district board acted swiftly, since ru­ tor” and not infrequently took on the ings to the surface and the two peo­ mors of Lindley’s visits to adult tigers of sexual promiscuity, por­ ple find themselves grieving or cele­ bookstores and massage parlors nography, and abortion. He did this brating together. The “heightened had already raised serious ques­ from biblical foundations in his ser­ emotions” are indelibly recorded in tions in their minds, but they had no mons, but he also accepted lead­ emotional memory by “marker” chem­ incontrovertible witnesses to either. ership and visible clout positions on icals in the brain. This “bonding" can Church members had ignored ru­ community agencies allied to his quickly turn any friendship attach­ mors of beer purchases, since he positions. ment into a full-blown “pair bond,” preached regularly against all sorts The Tribune report indicated that without any reference to their legal of specific “sins of the flesh,” and evidence suggested that another marital status. none of them had seen him with woman’s children out of state were Since this alien bond is fresh and their own eyes buying beer. now in college where it had been throbbing with the intoxicating imag­ But the biggest bombshell of all verified that their bills and expense ination and fantasy of eras— even, was the front-page story in the Tri- accounts handled by the college fi­ unbelieveably, a “future ministry to­

38 gether!”— it often supercedes the DESIRE older, deeply invested marital bond High, Hypnotic Pull “On the make” in its sheer sticking power. Compensatory Compulsive Addiction Lem Lindley’s case is vastly more complicated than Mark Goodson’s. The sexual abuse of a teen and legal minor under the guise of “ministry” is a symptom of a nest of profoundly deeper problems. We seldom are able to restrain ourselves sufficient­ ly to consider which are “symptoms” and which are “core” issues in sex­ ual failure. As the Lindley case un­ folded, there was documentation of SHAME current adult bookstore visits a half Low, Depressive: hour away, including both videos “Loss of self-respect” and “services” beyond pictures. The beer was consumed on late Sunday night binges. Lindley would excuse himself to “go wash the car” as a cover for picking up the beer as self- medication for the depression that followed the Sunday celebration, the EPISODE “episode” high. Indeed, the better Payoff: Acting Out, “All there is to life!” the week going into Sunday morn­ ing, the deeper the depression when the Sunday evening service was abused experiences at home during have to begin deep in the roots of over. junior high and senior high school. the problem, not simply on the Compensatory compulsive sexual Put aside at his conversion early in tragic, shameful, destructive, pres­ behavior almost always comes in a college years at an evangelical ent symptom behaviors. package deal with other addictions. school, it has returned as his nag­ Behold the Tournament! The multiple addictions serve as ging self-doubt unravels his sense of Anthony Christensen is a hero. “backup systems.” When you are assurance in his own integrity as a His long tenure and visible success depressed from one binge (beer, minister. in the church he founded three dec­ pornography, or ministry) you turn to Tertiary Addiction — The por­ ades ago is the envy of the entire another in your repertorie to get a nography is an occasional third denomination, not to mention this “lift.” The desperation in the deeply kicker. It had been repressed except district. Not once did anyone sus­ damaged personality of the com­ for rare occasions since college. But pect that he was capable of sexual pensatory compulsive addict pre­ with frequent excuses connected immorality. His support of two and vents normal resistance based on with his pastoral duties in the city, he perhaps three separate families actual probable effects of yet an­ laminated the porno videos and ser­ defies imagination. other episode. Look at the cycle of vices to those visits as a booster to Tony’s wife provides a clue, how­ addiction, here, and imagine three his sagging spirits. The desensi­ ever. She is the parsonage matron of cycles overlapping each other, with tizing in adult bookstore booths these 30 years but seems less in Pastor Lindley at various stages of turned his own office into such a shock than the rest of us. “You each: booth as he “TRANCED" into the know,” she confided last week to a Primary Addiction— Compulsive sexual episode with the teenage girl. friend, “David was a man after God’s addiction to ministry expressed as Each addiction leaves a profound own heart, and he had hundreds of workaholism— neurotic evangelist “SHAME” effect, with its negative wives. Tony only wanted a few. — solo savior, hitting the “episode” deposit, which accumulates into Maybe he deserved them.” phase on Sunday morning, and “de­ ever deteriorating “SELF-ESTEEM.” The tournament male, and on rare spair" by Sunday night, based on What we rarely contemplate, how­ occasions his female counterpart, the secret knowledge that he is a ever, is that Lem Lindley’s compul­ entertains ideas that move on a sure fake! sive behaviors are all compensatory. and self-justifying foundation: Secondary Addiction— Relief for They are his efforts to “MAKE UP 1. If I am successful and can the spiritual emptiness comes FOR” major losses somewhere long manage the financial arrangements, through quick consumption of beer, ago. His cup of self-esteem was I owe it to myself to get anything I bought and consumed alone. The cracked, and the hole in his emo­ want or need. I deserve the best. hypnotic, trancelike pull of “DE­ tional soul is getting larger with each 2. I am “in charge” in every situ­ SIRE” is rooted in a half-dozen years of his compensatory episodes. If ation. My wife is “MY” wife, so she of medicating his emotionally there is help for Pastor Lindley, it will can be brought into compliance with anything I want or need. But since markably different: Males and fe­ a visible witness to that Last Adam she is my wife, I can also protect her males are indistinguishable in size, by his exclusive monogamous union from the knowledge of my exterior coloring, and ornamentation. There with one woman as his “body” is an affairs. are no symbols of power. The court­ idea that has never crossed his 3. This is “MY” church, so I can ship is elaborate and extensive, with mind. He is captive to the Fall and arrange separate emergency and the nest building completed before the tragic consequence that warned benevolent funds that are entirely breeding. And most striking of all, the woman “He shall rule over you!” MY discrectionary accounts. perhaps, is the uniquely high in­ has become, in Christensen’s theol­ 4. If what I want is against the vestment these males make in car­ ogy, his core doctrine of self-inter­ law, I can find a way that is not fla­ ing for the young. Both can be seen est. He has literally “called evil good” grantly visible. I understand the law. feeding the young if “crop milk” is and may be beyond the hope of re­ Indeed, I help write it, and I preach it. the supply. Marmoset monkeys, pentance. But since I create the law, I am which mate for life, are seen with the Spotting the Tragedy above the law. male carrying the young, releasing Not long ago my wife, Robbie, 5. Rules, even basic moral rules, them only as he watches them and I completed the story of our own are for the masses. Since I work so nurse. “conversion” from a Genesis 3 “Fall” hard at controlling so many things The textbooks on tournament model of marriage into what we be­ for the good of so many people, I am species hardly need translation to lieve is beginning to approximate the outside the law. My rule is “be care­ throw light on Anthony Christensen. Creation and Revelation model. That ful” and do what needs to be done. It is little wonder that Pastor Chris­ book, Lovers: What Ever Happened Tony Christensen is a modern-day tensen distinguished himself as a to Eden? reveals the painful account philanthropist and polygamous proponent of “male headship” and of our struggles through three mar­ male, not altogether unlike King Da­ carefully maneuvered all women into riages— all to each other. vid, except that his harem is a secret silence in the adult business and ed­ Then, I was called to Washington, one owing to the temporal incon­ ucational work of the congregation. D.C., to serve the Office of Adoles­ venience of modern laws forbidding A “woman’s place” became well de­ cent Pregnancy Prevention as a bigamy. fined in the Christensen congrega­ consultant. There I dipped into cur­ Within the animal and bird king­ tion. The key boards were exclu­ rent research that matched some doms, tournament males “lord it sively male, as was the entire older research on families. So, com­ over” harems of females in about 85 professional staff, except for key ing off the writing of Lovers, with its percent of the species. These are in­ secretaries who were necessary for profound and comprehensive Scrip­ evitably “chain of command" struc­ the service and more distaff side of ture base, I was startled but de­ tures, with pecking order even the church operation. lighted to see that secular research within the harem of females. About Christensen’s teaching on sex has found the same thing: If you 3 percent of those species are hier­ roles was enforced everywhere: want to risk-proof your children archically organized around tourna­ Women were to submit, even against alcohol, drugs, and sex, ment females. The phalarope of though battered into submission then you must work on the entire set South Africa is such a case, in which spiritually, emotionally, and phys­ of family relationships. I reduced the a solitary female courts and then ically. Men control their wives and overwhelming research findings on supports a large harem of males serve as “protectors”— largely “family systems” to a simple dia­ who are kept for breeding purposes. through working hard to bring home gram showing two factors that Tournament males are visible by increasingly good paychecks. seem best to predict the vulner­ their dominant characteristics. They We can grieve for Anthony Chris­ ability of children to destructive tend to be visibly larger than their fe­ tensen and his genre of pastors. things that are loose in our culture: males and are more highly orna­ They distort biblical teachings to fa­ (See diagram on page 41.) mented with extravagant symbols of vor their own superior position, then Only the INTIMATE FAMILY power Many animals carry “racks" shape whole congregations and achieves the best risk-proof environ­ of attack weapons. Virtually all of constituencies to parrot the theolog­ ment. Not surprisingly, it requires them wear plumage or coloring that ical distortions that serve their ego the one-flesh unity of husband and is striking in appearance. These needs. They neither understand nor wife and the early mentoring of re­ males are competitive, hence the preach the mystery of how “two be­ sponsibilities, skills, and community name “tournament” species. They come one” or that “head and body” secrets to the children. If these chil­ dominate the turf they have won by together form “one whole person,” dren become involved in alcohol, eliminating opposition. Their suc­ or that “women should keep silent in sex, or drugs, they can, as we say, cess is determined by control of that the churches” is one of a half-dozen “come home" to hope, healing, and turf and by its expansion. The only heresies Paul is identifying and forgiveness. “motivation” they know is “winning.” blasting in First Corinthians. They Children of COMPETING and Tournament males are quick and have no sense of the union of Christ CHAOTIC FAMILIES, as well as businesslike in their courtship ap­ the Groom and Christ the Bride in adults, are “at risk” to every destruc­ proaches, and they have a low in­ the coming end of the age as we as­ tive thing in the culture. Lem Lind­ vestment in the care of the young. semble to celebrate the Marriage ley’s family history likely begins The exclusive pair-bonding spe­ Supper of the Lamb. That Anthony somewhere here. He may rail cies among birds and animals are re­ Christensen was created to become against prostitutes from the pulpit,

40 TYPES OF FAMILY SYSTEMS across the early years. We describe High their sexual sins as promiscuity, < / pornography, sexual abuse, incest, INTIMATE rape, and a host of both secret and unlawful activities. The KJV consis­ ? tently called this disorder “forni­ cation,” translated from the Greek O porneia, which is visibly the root, as C o well, of pornography. Fornication o never, in Scripture, referred to pre­ (A*e o 0) e > V ° marital contact as such, but to this a. o instrumental, devaluing “use of per­ 4) sons." So “the prostitute reduces £ you to a loaf of bread” in Prov. 6:26 is matched by the caution in 1 Cor. o 6:16 not to be sexually united with a 0> O ? ■b prostitute because you become ■■N9 < / “one flesh” with that person. In such I a case a healthy bonding person c h a o tic would have united with a compul­ Com peting sive compensatory person who, like o Gomer in the Book of Hosea, is al­ o ways on the prowl for another lover O O o o in her skin-hunger or power search. ? Virtually all compensatory behavior Low High has roots in emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in childhood. Any Distribution of Responsibility hope or healing will need to go deep enough to meet those needs. but as a male he is vulnerable by are efforts to get what they needed But look at the probability that the Creation’s sexual activity. but could not satisfy in the security chain of command SHOWCASE The SHOWCASE FAMILY is our of intimacy and affirmation and train­ male will eventually collect a harem of lovers whom he supports. When painfully real cultural ideal. “We have ing in competency and responsibility (Continued on page 66) met the enemy and he is US!” is not only Pogo’s tragic confession but ours as well. This chain of command household sets daughters up to be High “used” as they submit to what their Adultery Risk man wants, should he either hit the c / fast lane or decide that polygamous INTIMATE David, a man after God’s own heart, TOURNAMENT is their sexual model. Tournament MALE adultery is a very high risk here for o men. How boys talk about girls, their e sisters, and mothers is a good pre­ o o G* diction of future multiple partners Mta o & justified by competetive, often highly 0) c , V ° 0 visible macho types. These boys . o © have breathed the intoxicating air of A “all animals are created equal, but Promiscuity and Addiction Risk some are more equal than others,” and they know the rules are sus­ 0> o pended if they can arrange their pri­ 3

Do not use dishonest standards when measuring proclaiming the Lord’s legal case against Israel (6:1 — length, weight or quality. Use honest scales and honest 7:7), includes this accusation: “Am I still to forget, O weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin (Lev. wicked house, your ill-gotten treasures and the short 19:35-36). ephah, which is accursed? Shall I acquit a man with dishonest scales, with a bag of false weights?” (6:10- ere is a command that brings all matters of busi­ 11). ness trade into the realm of holiness. Its goal is to Let’s look again at the basic law. “Differing weights in Hassure that I act in a holy manner, as God would act (seeyour bag” (and “differing measures in your house”) Lev. 19:2), in every trade deal with others. seems to be the legal issue here (Deut. 25:13; Prov. Three methods of calculating goods are listed in verse 20:10); one heavy set and one light set. Now, what is 35: by length (e.g., cloth), by weight (e.g., metals), and by meant by a “heavy” and a “light” set? quantity (e.g., oils, wines, or grains). Verse 36 expands It seems that the stone weights for use on the bal­ on the last two (weight and quantity). The scales (of a ance scale would be kept in a bag— the easier to carry balance type) and weights used with the balance speak them from place to place as one bought and sold. The to the selling of goods by weight. The ephah was a unscrupulous vendor would keep two sets in his bag, measure for such dry goods as flour (Judg. 6:19), barley neither of which was of accurate weight. One was (Ruth 2:17), and roasted grains (1 Sam. 17:17). The hin light— for selling, the other heavy— for buying. was a measure for such liquid goods as oils and wines Let’s play “make believe.” Let’s suppose Elizedek (a (mentioned several times throughout Numbers 15 and fictitious name meaning “My God is righteous”), who 28). specializes in the importation of spices from the East, Deut. 25:13-15 expands this basic law: “Do not have has a shop in downtown Jerusalem. Recently, the Baby­ two differing weights in your bag— one heavy, one light. lonian traveling trader has passed through on his annual Do not have two differing measures in your house— one journey from India to Egypt. Elizedek has restocked his large, one small. You must have accurate and honest supply of spices. Hannah hears from her neighbor of the weights and measures, so that you may live long in the new stock of spices at Elizedek’s shop. Since she had land the Lord God is giving you.” Note that the rationale used the last of that special spice her husband likes so for honest dealings is the same as that given for honor­ well just a month ago, she hurries over to Elizedek’s ing one’s parents (see Exod. 20:12)! shop before the new stock is sold out. She orders 20 This law of “business holiness” was so central to Is­ ounces (she would like 30, but it is rather expensive). rael’s life that it was taught in proverbial “saying” form. Smiling, congenial, anxious to please, Elizedek Three forms of the “saying” are preserved: reaches into his bag of weights and places a small, “The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate rounded stone clearly marked “10 ounces” on one side weights are his delight” (Prov. 11:1). of the balance. He carefully pours out the precious spice “Differing weights and differing measures— the on the other side until the scale balances. This he re­ Lord detests them both” (Prov. 20:10). peats, bags up the lot, and exchanges the spice with “Honest scales and balances are from the Lord; all Hannah for the going rate in silver dust. Hannah, happy the weights in the bag are of his making” (Prov. 16:11). that she got to the store before all the spice was sold In the eighth century b .c ., the prophet Amos pro­ out, returns home believing in the honesty of Elizedek nounced the Lord’s judgment against the northern king­ (after all, wouldn’t a man whose name includes “God” dom: “I will spare them no longer” (8:2). Then follows a — and especially “my God is righteous” treat others with listing of the sins of the people that have brought the godly righteousness?). Lord to this irreversible decision (vv. 4-6). Among these Actually, Elizedek had pulled out a stone that weighed sins is the accusation that the (business) people are say­ slightly under 10 ounces— about 9.5. Hannah had re­ ing, “When will the New Moon be over that we may sell ceived short weight for her money! grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market So what, we say. “They" do it all the time. It was only wheat?” (v. 5). Then follows the Lord’s condemning eval­ half an ounce, hardly worth getting upset about. Be­ uation of their business practices: “Skimping the mea­ sides, Hannah never knew she was cheated. Wouldn’t it sure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest be just as well to ignore the whole thing? scales.” No! For it wasn’t only Hannah whom Elizedek Also in the eighth century B.C., the prophet Micah, in (Continued on page 62)

42 Ten Persuasive Arguments PASTOR, BE for Stealing ENCOURAGED! by C. Neil Strait Candy Bars Grand Rapids, Mich. by Keith Drury any times I hear laypersons say, “We need to be encouraged.” They do need encouragement and Mplenty of it. But pastors need encouragement too! 1. Everybody does it. I even know some Chris­ Pastor, let me urge you to draw strength and encour­ tians who steal candy bars. agement from the faithful in your church, as a deterrent 2. You probably won’t get caught. Because the to the fighters. The fighters are vocal, often vicious, and practice is so widespread and there is so little too many times are vindictive. But they are not the last enforcement, the chance of getting caught is word— or even a valid word— on your ministry. Let the small. encouragement from your faithful supporters soften the 3. Even if caught, prosecution is doubtful. You distractions from the fighters. probably wouldn’t be taken to court or tried Pastor, let the words from the committed Christians anyway. be encouragement and motivation to you, and weigh 4. It doesn’t involve much money. Stealing a car, them against the words of complainers. Complainers, or a boat, or something like that— well, that’s you and I will find, can be chronic and caustic. Often different. But candy bars cost so little, taking they are lashing out at their pastor because of some them is certainly not serious. other disturbances in their life. Remember, that while 5. The owners will never miss it. There are mil­ you have to listen, their complaints are not the last word lions of candy bars circulating around the on your ministry. Before you draw conclusions from world. Who’s going to miss one or two? complainers, mix in the encouragement and support of 6. It will save you money. Stealing candy bars on your committed people. Chances are the mix will be a regular basis can add up to a substantial sav­ more palatable and wholesome. ings. After all, we are to be good stewards of Pastor, hear the encouragement of those servants in our money— and that means cutting expenses the church, the doers, the behind-the-scenes people. everywhere we can. They are focused on others, on a great mission, on serv­ 7. It will save you time. Stealing candy bars will ing and helping. Usually, they are encouragers, boost­ save waiting in those long checkout lines. Bet­ ers, supporters, and are positive. Keep their words fresh ter yet, stealing them at work saves a trip to the in your hearts when the selfish and sharp impose their local candy store, or maybe even a long wait for wills and words on you. Who has the more valid word for a mail order supplier to send your bars. you, the servant or the selfish? 8. The law is confusing. I’m not a lawyer, and you We pastors need to remember that God has given a know how confusing legal matters are. Some great host of dedicated laypersons to the church, and say do, others say don’t. Why not go ahead and we are privileged to have some under our leadership. steal until they straighten out this mess and We owe them our best. We need to keep a healthy bal­ make it clear to all of us? ance between the encouragers and the destroyers. For 9. The owners are Christians anyway. If the to be devastated by the destroyers means that we are owners are Christians, we Christians should made less adequate to serve those who appreciate and have a right to steal a few candy bars. After all, support our ministries. they shouldn’t be trying to make money off Those who support, encourage, and pray for their other Christians. pastor need to know that we value their support and 10. It’s for a good cause. Now I might be per­ encouragement. One way to demonstrate this is to hold suaded that stealing for personal benefit is our heads and hearts high in the midst of the battle, questionable, but certainly stealing for the con­ drawing strength from their encouragement and allow­ gregation, choir, or Sunday School class ing it to steer us through uncertain times. wouldn’t be wrong, would it? Pastor, be encouraged! You have faithful, committed (For 10 persuasive arguments for photocopying servants who love you, pray for you, support you, en­ copyrighted books, songs, and sheet music, see courage you, and follow your leadership. Draw deep above.) $ from their strength and support. $ 7 4 e Books That Stir the Soul by Marion K. Rich

here are times when I must stop in cultivating intimacy with God. Among my favorite writers is A. W. to evaluate why I read what I These books are written by persons Tozer. The Pursuit of God and The Tdo. I remember a time when I felt whoa have explored the depths of Knowledge of the Holy intensified in bit humiliated if I had not read the Christ. They have gone before me me a thirst after God and helped latest Christian book when the pop­ and marked the way. give me a right conception of God. ular titles were being dropped in lit­ Many contemporary books deal Among many books on holiness, erate circles. But today Christian with aspects of the inner life, but as the ones that whetted my appetite books are rolling off the presses at I think back on my journey in the for a thorough study of the doctrine an unbelievable rate. The reader is Christian life certain books have of entire sanctification were Life in forced to be increasingly discrimi­ dealt with the central issues of my the Spirit, by Richard Taylor, and The nating. I have decided that my life and left a marked influence upon Spirit of Holiness, by Everett Cattell. choices for devotional reading me. Of course, The Christian’s Secret of should not be based on opinions of Shortly after experiencing spiri­ those around me, nor on the quan­ tual birth as a young woman, I be­ a Happy Life, by Hannah Whitall tity and variety of material that I can gan to read the Bible avidly for the Smith, highlighted the simplicity and cover. It is more important that I gain first time in my life. Then a friend practicality of a life of holiness. truth with understanding, that I read gave me a copy of the devotional Daily devotional books by Oswald certain books well and plan to return book Abundant Living, by E. Stanley Chambers and John Henry Jowett to them for rereadings, and that I Jones. To me, this little book empha­ are unsurpassed, enduring books make an effort to select the “best” sized the importance of a disciplined as well as many books by the excel­ to keep in my library. life-style and the need for abundant lent contemporary writer, Phillip Kel­ What criteria do I use for selecting spiritual resources. Other books by ler. A more recent book by Bob what I think are the “best” of Chris­ E. Stanley Jones helped me see my Benson and Michael W. Benson, tian books? need for the fullness of God’s Spirit Disciplines for the Inner Life, de­ 1. How does the book influence and the necessity of fully surren­ serves many rereadings. Each time me personally? Does it create dering the self. one will be rooted more deeply in the in me a soul-searching experi­ Andrew Murray’s books With resources of God. ence and a desire to change Christ in the School of Prayer and These are just a few of the books for the better? The Inner Chamber taught me that that have served as a tutor for me 2. Does the book speak to my the only way to live in uninterrupted and given me a fuller exposure to mind and spirit simultaneous­ fellowship with God is by a prayer Christ’s presence. But I have learned ly? life that leads into God’s presence that “At its very core 'devotional life’ 3. Does the book call me beyond and keeps me there. is not a technique, a discipline, or a surface living into a deeper re­ The art of meditation was intro­ religious duty. It is the fascination of lationship with God? duced to me by two writers, Brother a person for a person. It is the God- 4. Am I alert to books that deal Lawrence of the 17th century and drawn questing of one’s soul for that with frothy experiences and Thomas Kelly of the 20th. In their divine friend by whom we were cre­ shallow teachings that I should books, The Practice of Christ’s Pres­ ated for fellowship.”* shun? ence and A Testament of Devotion, The greatest book is the Living As a committed Christian, I must respectively, one finds a solid path Word, Jesus Christ, who reveals give attention to cultivating the inner to a deeper inner life. Thomas a Kem- himself through His Spirit and teach­ life through my walk in the Spirit. In pis, in The Imitation of Christ, es us all things. Let us not linger on my library I have a section of books speaks of a sense of balance in the the lower slopes but press upward that I consider “Books That Stir My life— cultivating the ability to be at and higher. Let us learn of Him! Soul.” Some of them are experiential peace throughout the activities of classics that have served as an aid the day. ‘ Dick Winn, Ministry, January 1986.

44 AMONG FRIENDS: YOU CAN front about their goal. In the last finances and the attitude and policy HELP MAKE YOUR CHURCH A chapter they state: “If you have fin­ of the Church. WARMER PLACE, by James Hinkle ished these pages without experi­ Yet this is not a “how to” book. and Tim Woodruf, Navpress, 1989 encing a profound repentance, we The examples given are not the best (PA089-109-5578, $7.95) have failed to communicate the core examples of success in the present- This book grew out of the material of our concerns. Our ultimate pur­ day effort to reach cities with the developed for use in seminars on pose is neither to educate nor to ex­ gospel. Greenway tells of a nearly Christian relationships. In the pre­ pound. We write to convict.” And dead church in Revere that is now face the reader finds the philosophy convict they do! I was forced to eval­ growing by “leaps and bounds.” It that permeates the entire book: uate my own participation in the now has a day-care center with 37 family of God. The book ended with The Church is more than its children and a budget surpassing an emphasis on individual responsi­ creeds and ceremonies and sanc­ that of the church itself. It also has bility and participation: “It all begins tuaries. It is people who are learn­ refugee work, but recipients of their with me!” ing to love each other as their ministry move away soon. In conclu­ The format of the book was quite Lord has loved them. True religion sion, he indicates that this church is not just private and vertical; it is helpful. At the end of each chapter has affected hundreds of lives. communal and horizontal as well. was a set of discussion questions Family considerations for mis­ . . . Our most powerful answer to for group as well as personal reflec­ sionaries are studied. Responses the skeptics’ doubt is not found in tion. Also, at the end of the book is reasoned arguments but in real an appendix that includes a “Con­ from 24 missionary wives and moth­ relationships. When the Church is flict Style Inventory.” Both of these ers are worth the price of the book. a gathering of true friends, it of­ elements make the book a very — Earl D. Hunter fers the world its most compelling valuable tool for small-group set­ apologetic. tings. This book is a very practical TWO GIANT STEPS AND THE This last statement sets the tone of and useful help in making our ROAD BACK by Wilbur T. Dodson the book, and the authors remain churches a “warmer place” for peo­ (Indianapolis: Wesley Press), 089- true to their emphasis on rela­ ple to gather. 8270-707, 178 pages (PA089-827- tionship with a clear de-emphasis on — Robert Sherwood 0707, $6.95). church structure. The claim is made St. John, Wash. Wilbut T. Dodson writes from a in the first chapter that “the greatest wealth of experience as a pastor danger facing the Church today is CITIES, MISSION’S NEW FRON­ who has lived close to his people in neither doctrinal nor moral. It is rela­ TIER, by Roger S. Greenway and churches large and small in both ru­ tional.” Timothy M. Monsma (Grand Rapids: ral and urban areas. He has written Among the issues dealt with Baker Book House, 1989), 321 43 chapters dealing with a wide were: our need for sincere love and pages (PA080-103-8316, $18.95). range of biblical truths and practical fellowship; the need for an environ­ Designed as a textbook for semi­ churchmanship. His pointed, un­ ment conducive to true interaction nary students, this book is not easy usual illustrations and observations — as opposed to what the authors reading. Both Greenway and Mons­ help in the application of the truths. call “foyer small talk”; the “me” gen­ ma are firmly evangelical in theology This book can be a source of new eration versus the “we” generation; and serious stewards in our calling. ideas and illustrations for pastors “unity is not uniformity; it is accep­ Both are experienced in the church’s looking for fresh thoughts on basic tance”; conflict in the church; how to mission to cities. Professor Green­ truths. Useful for groups in studies fight fair; individual participation. way, who wrote the major portion, of doctrinal and ethical matters, it Among Friends is a well-written has a writing style that in spots be­ gives clear and strong emphasis on book with a good flow of thought. comes redundant. Field man Mon­ such subjects as sanctification, sal­ The authors begin the first chapters sma makes a persuasive case for vation, carnality, stewardship, Chris­ with a description of the present research but needs the touch that a tian living, and many others. church in contrast to the New Testa­ qualified researcher could add to it Wilbur T. Dodson has served as a ment church. Though, in my opinion, in design and interpretation. pastor for nearly 30 years. His aca­ there was a lack of historical expla­ The scope of this text is wider demic training includes the A.B. de­ nation as to why the Early Church than expected, including solid bibli­ gree from Southern Nazarene Uni­ existed as it did, the purpose of the cal reasons for the church pressing versity, Bethany, Okla., and the authors was clear: to move the to reach the urban masses, a world­ M.Psy. degree from Zion Theologi­ reader away from a “private religion” wide view of the difficulties to be cal Seminary, Winchester, Ky. He re­ toward a “community” faith in­ overcome, the necessity of research tired from pastoral duties in 1980 volving warm relationships. Indeed, in advance of a thrust, the heart­ but continues as a free-lance writer. the authors are quite honest and up­ rending pathos of the unfortunate — Jonathan T. Gassett “WE STILL BELIEVE IN THE CONDITIONAL SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER” by J. Ray Shadowens Spring, Tex.

TAKING SERIOUSLY BIBLICAL automatically guaranteed eternal alert us to the danger of drifting WARNINGS bliss regardless of any subsequent away from the true course. Reason Scriptural warnings are to be rebellion against transparent biblical dictates that the growing disciple taken seriously. Consider Paul’s precepts. not dismiss as inconsequential pointed admonition to the Corin­ One advocate of this treacherous these spiritual monitors. God has thian Christians: “Wherefore let him teaching, commenting on Ps. 51:12, provided them to assure our true that thinketh he standeth take heed declares, “He (David) didn t lose his Christian security. The King James lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12, KJV). The salvation.” This is not an isolated in­ Version translates Heb. 2:1, “lest at apostle was not playing word games stance of such strained interpreta­ any time we should let them slip.” with these first-century believers. tion. Advocates of this fallacious Loss sustained because of sheer He was inspired by the Holy Spirit to teaching insist that one may be “out carelessness is always regrettable. sound this alarm because self-de- of fellowship with Christ” but still Where spiritual destinies are con­ ception would result in a “fall” from sustain a mysterious “relationship cerned, to disregard alarm signals is grace. Their quest for mature disci- with Him.” In spite of acknowledged to risk serious moral lapses. The pleship was endangered. transgressions, one’s unconditional writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews, Paul’s warning continues to serve security remains intact, eternally overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, followers of our Lord as a reminder guaranteed. How zealous adherents holds out precautionary alerts to to keep their spiritual guard up at all of this false hope can be so pas­ Christian pilgrims of each gener­ times. Issued from a shepherd’s sionately committed to this totally ation; His intent is obvious to the sin­ concern, such a precaution does not unacceptable doctrinal position is a cere soul. “The picture is that of a cloud true Christian security by incit­ mystery! careless, drowsy boatman in danger ing unhealthy fears and irrational The religion editor for a large met­ of drifting past the safe haven and stresses. A delightful vacation trip ropolitan newspaper in Texas re­ being carried out to sea.’’1 The sen­ through the most scenic beauties of ported a controversy that had erupt­ try word, drifting, is accentuated nature is not devastated by occa­ ed in the nation’s largest modified- both in modern-language transla­ sional “TRAVEL AT YOUR OWN Calvinist denomination .. over a tions and explanatory notes. RISK” signs placed along the route theology professor’s stand that it Contemporary Christians must by responsible highway construc­ was possible for a Christian to be­ not ignore, to the risk of their own tion crews. Neither is there anything come an unbeliever.” spiritual loss, the almost impercep­ morose about the watchword voiced Interesting and pertinent are the tible tendency to dangerous drift­ by Paul to the Corinthian pilgrims— Scripture passages that this be­ ing. Any prodding by the Holy Spirit, and to us— on the Christian venture leaguered professor cited in defense any scriptural insight that would of faith. of his beliefs: Heb. 2:1-4; 3:7-13; serve to make us conscious of the Exponents of unconditional eter­ 6:4-6; 10:26-30; and 12:14-17. slightest deviation from discipleship nal security dull the seriousness of Though drawn from a single New guidelines, should be welcomed as Scripture’s safeguards. A popular Testament epistle, these verses do corrections of our threatened re­ expression voiced frequently by not exhaust the biblical warnings ligious course. them is, “You can know that you are significant for Calvinists and non- The basic presuppositons of assured of heaven as if you were al­ Calvinists alike. those who take uneasy comfort in ready there.” On the surface, that Scriptural safeguards serve a vital eternal security must be hard-press- seems to be reassuring and con­ purpose. The caution signs are out, ed by the grave warnings of Heb. vincing. This seriously flawed cliche not to make us paranoid by creating 3:12-13: “Take heed, brethren, lest teaches that a person once saved is abnormal fears of backsliding but to there be in any of you an evil heart of

46 unbelief, in departing from the living 12:14-17, makes for some of the indeed. Yet an evangelical luminary, God. But exhort one another daily, most distressing realism in the New enjoying the rather envious distinc­ while it is called To day; lest any of Testament. One shudders even to tion of being the most widely read you be hardened through the deceit­ consider the possible moral and conservative author on the current fulness of sin" (KJV). Here is her­ spiritual plight of those so graph­ scene, employs in his booklet Eter­ alded an arresting truth that every ically described in woeful terms: nal Security this familiar story as “An Christian pilgrim should hear and “who hath trodden under foot the Old Testament Example” purported heed. H. Orton Wiley comments, Son of God, and hath counted the to support his staunch advocacy of “Keep up your spiritual guard against blood of the covenant, wherewith he once-in-grace-always-in-grace. This falling away by being alert to the Ad­ was sanctified, an unholy thing, and prominent West Coast speaker and versary’s intrigue.” How anyone can hath done despite unto the Spirit of writer focuses upon the final clause take seriously the phrase “in de­ grace” (10:29, KJV). of Gen. 7:16, “and the Lord shut the parting from the living God” and The inspired writer may have door.” Using this as a springboard, construe its meaning to be some­ been reasoning from a hypothetical this scholar attempts to draw from thing other than a grave possibility situation and not actually condemn­ this meaningful declaration a con­ of spiritual dereliction is incon­ ing these Hebrew disciples as vic­ clusive parallel of the believer’s Sov­ ceivable. tims of this awful plight. But this ereignly sealed spiritual destiny. He Commenting on the clause “hard­ does not rule out an irreversible fall summarizes by exulting: “And that is ened through the deceitfulness of as a grave possibility. As A. T. Rob­ exactly what He plans to do for us. sin,” Richard Taylor observes: ertson observes: “It is a terrible pic­ The One who closed us in at the mo­ It is a solemn thought that the ture and cannot be toned down.” ment of our new birth is currently human heart, even a heart once Once again the balance and sym­ preserving us from all threats . . . Christian, can congeal as cement, metry of revealed truth come front and will some day release us into His and lose its malleability. The dan­ and center with full impact. The eternal home. Blameless.”4 ger is aggravated by the fact that great positive affirmations of Scrip­ For all of his acclaimed erudition, the damage is done by the de­ ture are to be treasured and taught. even in non-Calvinistic circles for his lusion of sin. Sin which is seen as That we are attracted to the illu­ inspirational writings, this contrived sin can and will be more readily minating and inspirational assur­ use of this ancient event to illustrate avoided. But when it is disguised ances of the Word is readily ac­ what he mistakingly conceives to be as apparent good, the hardening knowledged by committed Chris­ authoritative biblical doctrine is as­ process goes on unnoticed. Only tians of every doctrinal persuasion. tounding. We have here another keen alertness which is fully Who of us would not much prefer case of fabricating a theological the­ aware of the deceitfulness of sin reading Psalm 23, Isaiah 53, John ory and then laboring to buttress it can prevent this gradual hard­ 14, Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 12, or with some totally unrelated scrip­ ening of the heart.2 Hebrews 11 ? tural account. True, we do not al­ The series of warnings issued in This much can be said: Safety is the Epistle of Hebrews become on the side of conditional security! more somber, if possible. “Having Unconditional eternal security is ex­ “Take heed lest he fallen away” (6:6) reflects the original posed as a grievously flawed doc­ language more accurately than the trine by the way it skirts the force of fall”— Paul was not King James rendering, “If they shall the glaring warnings in these and playing word games fall away.” Attempting to explain other solemn biblical cautions. The away the obvious fact that the au­ purpose of such warnings is crystal thor of these disturbing passages clear. They provide essential safe­ had in mind persons who were once guards against willful carelessness ways consider the use of illustrative regenerated is futile indeed. on the part of the Christians. materials as carrying the same The consequent incorrigibility that To take these warnings with full weight in establishing the bases of seals the spiritual destinies of those seriousness is not a plea for “eternal articles of one’s faith, but reasoning “having fallen away” is pathetic to insecurity.” Just as there is sound from Old Testament types in this contemplate. Dr. Taylor, commenting scriptural ground for indispensable manner exposes the superficiality of on this passage, suggests that “it is Christian assurance, there is an this mode of reasoning. impossible to stir them toward re­ equally solid basis for proper Chris­ This popular religious author re­ pentance. If they have gone this far, tian security. gards as, “Concluding Comfort”: “I they won’t even lay again ‘the foun­ find that this doctrine [eternal secu­ dation of repentance.’ ”3 Strained ef­ ONCE SAVED: “ IMPOSSIBLE” rity] weaves its way peacefully and forts to dilute the strong terminology TO BE LOST? perfectly through the fabric of God’s employed here with respect to those Just how the historical narrative of Word.”5 False security, no matter who have deliberately rejected the Flood and the preservation of how embellished, is as dangerous Jesus Christ are the height of spiri­ Noah’s family (Gen. 7:7-10, 15-18) as it is false! J. B. Phillips, in The tual and intellectual folly. might be conceived as supporting New Testament in Modern English's The final caution against apostasy by type, symbolism, or even illustra­ paraphrase of Rom. 6:1, warns, “... in Heb. 10:26-30, illustrated by tion the distorted teaching of uncon­ and see how far we can exploit Esau’s heartrending example in ditional eternal security, is shocking the grace of God.” It should serve to

47 alert the conscientious Christian dis­ mans. Any departure is always ini­ generated by the Word and the ciple at this point against inordinate tiated by sin-enticed creatures. Spirit of God, once he has re­ presumption on the goodness and Jon Johnston, in The Pursuit of ceived a new life and a new na­ faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. Christian Excellence, addresses this ture, has been made partaker of That the Scriptures, properly in­ issue with characteristic insight: the divine nature, once he has terpreted, teach the probationary “The born-again relationship in no been justified from every charge condition of believers who make up way negates our power to choose. before the throne of God, it is ab­ the Body of Christ on this earth has We are secure only as long as we solutely impossible that that man been regarded as one of the distin­ choose to remain an adopted child. should ever be a lost soul.9 guishing tenets of Viewed from the Wesleyan-Armin- Wesleyan-Armin- ianism through ian perspective, the centuries. Con­ To take these warnings seriously is this pronounce­ trary to charges not a plea for eternal insecurity ment cannot be leveled by oppo­ reconciled with nents of this doc­ sound scriptural trinal position, the interpretation, redeemed ones’ reliance upon true If we choose to commit a sin (i.e., which sets forth the treasured rela­ Christian security has in no way willfully transgress against a law of tionship that exists between our lov­ been diminished by embracing God of which we are aware), then ing Heavenly Father and the spiritu­ sound biblical exegesis. Indeed, we separate ourselves from God. ally reconciled penitent. This continued trust and obedience However, if we choose to ‘walk in unacceptable view of the Christian’s serve to strengthen immeasurably the light as He is in the light’ (1 John security represents a serious mis­ the confidence of the born-again 1:7), our fellowship with God and use to the authoritative Word of person in the trustworthiness of spiritual condition is secure. In brief, God. God’s sustaining promises proffered nothing can separate us from un­ Dr. Paul Rees, who has enjoyed in His Word. feigned fellowship with our Maker— the mutual respect of both theologi­ Richard Taylor, prolific writer and except our decision to intentionally cal orientations across the years, respected theologian, declares that disobey His will (Rom. 8:38-39).”7 makes clear his understanding of unconditional eternal security “re­ Another exponent of once-in- the truth taught throughout the New moves the believer from the area of grace-always-in-grace seems to ad­ Testament: probation and makes meaningless vance an even more extreme posi­ No doctrine of security remains the numerous warnings of Scripture tion of this distorted notion of secur­ fully in touch with the New Testa­ addressed to the believer.” If carried ity. Guy Duty quotes J. F. Strombeck ment revelation if it empties of to its logical conclusion, this dis­ in his book Shall Never Perish: meaning the solemn word: ‘if we torted teaching threatens to oblit­ No man ever willed to be born deny him, he also will deny us.’ (2 erate the Christian’s power of con­ into the human race, and equally Timothy 2:12). The faithfulness in trary choice where moral issues are impotent is he to will to separate which He persists, even if we concerned. Despite strong dis­ himself from the human race. . . . prove faithless, is faithfulness to claimers from devotees of uncon­ As it is impossible for man, by free Himself, whom He cannot deny.10 ditional security, it comes perilously action, to separate himself from Contrary to what some may con­ close to fatalistic determinism. the human race, so it is equally im­ tend, this is not a plea for, nor a justi­ Non-Calvinistic evangelicals shud­ possible for him, by a free act, to fication of, uncertainty and instability der when they are confronted in separate himself from God’s king­ in discipleship relations. Backsliding print with such terminology as “not dom (pp. 119-20). we deplore. We grieve because the possible” or “impossible” where Truly, once a son of mankind, al­ corporate Christian witness suffers God-man saving relationships are ways a son of mankind, and equal­ in the minds of unbelievers when it under consideration. To suppose ly true, once a child of God, al­ occurs. This kind of defense of the that proponents of this tenet have ways a child of God. There is no probationary status of believers “muted some of their extreme possibility for a man, by his own does not, in any sense, make back­ claims,” one need only read the fol­ will or action, to change either of sliding any less unfortunate. But to lowing: “If it were possible for me to these two conditions. . . . All who deny the possibility of falling from lose my salvation, then God would are saved are secure for all eter­ grace and, by persistent disobedi­ have to reverse the transaction in nity (p. 120). ence to the gospel, depart from the some way, i.e., take back His gift or When one has of his own free Way, is to close one’s eyes to the somehow strip me of His forgive­ will accepted Christ. . . he is given transparent teaching of the supreme ness, whatever.. . . Not only is it un­ a new nature which makes it im­ source of inspired truth— the Bible. thinkable that God would take back possible for him to will to return to an eternal promise, it is impossible" his former state (p. 124).8 WE BELIEVE IN THE (italics mine).6 Never let it be said The late John R. Rice adds his CONDITIONAL SECURITY OF that the Almighty is capricious in any contribution to this false security THE BELIEVER of His dealings with the objects of fare by unequivocally asserting: The evangelical umbrella shelters His amazing grace: sin-stained hu­ Once a poor sinner has been re­ two divergent theological orienta­

48 tions claiming the allegiance of once-in-grace-always-in-grace. ficient evidence for our conclusion many believers— modified-Calvin- Through the medium of television, that salvation is conditional. The au­ ism and Pentecostalism (also known by means of the printed page, and thority of the Greek New Testament as Neo-Pentecostalism). The former by zealous fellowship-prayer groups fully corroborates our view. True love wing of contemporary religious con­ more Wesleyans are being exposed and faith working together have servatism proclaims as one of its to this false teaching than, perhaps, continuous action in Christ.”11 distinguishing tenets, unconditional at any other time in recent decades. The apostle Paul, in Romans 9, eternal security. The unfortunate Nowhere are the words of our 10, and 11, comes to grips with one misnomer of “Charismatic” has Lord more authoritative than when of the most profound questions in all branded this latter branch of evan­ He declared “to those Jews which of revelation: “Why has God appar­ gelicalism. This movement’s identi­ believed on him, If ye continue in my ently set aside ancient Israel and fiable doctrinal characteristic is “The word, then are ye my disciples in­ chosen the Church to be the new Baptism in the Holy Spirit,” evi­ deed” (John 8:31, KJV). With strong people of God?”12 But our interest denced by ecstatic utterances. emphasis, He asserts: “Verily, verily, centers on Rom. 11:22, “ Behold Somewhat overshadowed by these I say unto you, If a man keep my therefore the goodness and severity two dominant religious forces saying, he shall never see death” of God: on them which fell, severity; stands Wesleyan-Arminianism. This (John 8:51, KJV). The conditional but toward thee, goodness, if thou segment of modern Christendom aspect of these serious yet reas­ continue in his goodness: otherwise traces its heritage back through the suring utterances of Christ comes thou shall be cut off” (KJV). William Great Evangelical Revival of the through loud and clear. Continued M. Greathouse comments: “God did 18th century. John Wesley and his discipleship depends on conscien­ not spare Israel when she fell into fellow-laborers have been regarded tiously keeping His sayings. To fas­ unbelief (20); neither will He pre­ as human instruments in this memo­ ten on to the clause “he shall never serve Gentile Christians unless they rable religious awakening. The scrip- see death,” and misconstrue that to stand fast by faith and continue in turally inspired faith expressed in mean an automatic guarantee of His goodness (22; cf. 8:17; Col. free, full, and final salvation has heaven, is to. be willfully blind to the 1:21-23).”13 The validity and authen­ been consistently proclaimed in preceding conditions upon which ticity of true Christian security is un­ many world areas since its incep­ this blessed hope rests. Even Cal­ dergirded by solid, inspired precepts tion. vin, champion of this dogma inextri­ and scholarly expositions. It has The 20th century will go down in cably bound to his name, correctly nothing to fear from the closest kind church history as a period that wit­ comments, “If, therefore, we wish of objective scrutiny. nessed a renewed interest in, and that Christ should reckon us to be Christian assurance, like a golden attention to, the Person and work of His disciples, we must endeavor to thread, is woven skillfully through­ the Holy Spirit. Much of this has persevere.” out the Pauline Epistles. This prolific been welcomed and recognized as How could those entrusted with writer employs many well-chosen being spiritually profitable to virtually the responsibility symbolisms to all aspects of Christian faith and of transcribing His convey abiding practice. Excesses and distortions, sayings and privi­ Any departure is spiritual truths which unfortunately seem always to leged hearers of always initiated by that support the accompany every religious awaken­ His utterances fail believer’s faith in ing, have manifested themselves in to grasp the im­ sin-enticed creatures the Christian’s glaring aberrations. No denomina­ pact of the condi­ true security so tion or communion has escaped the tional aspect of evident in the infiltration of some undesirable fall­ such concise instructional precepts New Testament. What we learn of out. This has necessitated the task as: “If a man abide not in me, he is Paul’s character portrays him as the of reaffirming the scriptural inter­ cast forth as a branch and is with­ embodiment of trustful reliance pretation of Christian holiness or ered; and men gather them, and upon the Holy Spirit’s sustaining Christ’s baptism with the Holy Spirit cast them into the fire, and they are power and presence. But with this subsequent to conversion. burned,” and again, “If ye keep my glorious insight, he ever kept before Continued faithfulness to the mes­ commandments, ye shall abide in him the awareness that even the sage and mission of full salvation re­ my love; even as I have kept my Fa­ most seasoned saint could fall into quires a constant vigilance so that ther’s commandments, and abide in the snare of the Adversary. Paul al­ there be no encroachment from any His love” (John 15:6, 10, KJV)? To ways displays a wholesome balance quarter, even among those with “abide in his love” affords the trust­ for positive affirmations of Christian whom the Wesleyans share an ecu­ ing, obedient redeemed one exhil­ allegiance while maintaining a sensi­ menical relationship. It seems imper­ arating confidence and Christian as­ tivity to devastating temptations, ative, at this juncture, that an un­ surance. It is this prized relationship which are common to all spiritually- equivocal declaration be sounded that exists between our only Lord minded persons. Paul reminds him­ that modern-day lovers of Christian and His devoted disciples of every self: “But I keep under my body, and holiness believe that the Bible, cor­ age. bring it under subjection: lest that by rectly interpreted, teaches the con­ Guy Duty’s cogent summary puts any means, when I have preached to ditional security of believers, as op­ this truth in proper perspective: others, I myself should be a cast­ posed to the unacceptable theory of “The Ifs’ in Christ’s teaching is suf­ away” (1 Cor. 9:27, KJV). Duty

49 quotes biblical scholar A. T. Rob­ The very concise manner in which 20th-century Wesleyan-Arminians ertson on the meaning of castaway: this inspired writer conveys timeless are categorically committed to the “It means not standing the test. ... truth is obvious in this declaration: belief that the Word of God teaches Paul means rejected for the prize, “Let that therefore abide in you, the conditional security of the be­ not for the entrance to the race. He which ye have heard from the begin­ liever. Above all else, let it be will fail if he breaks the rules of the ning. If that which ye have heard thoughtfully understood by the rank game (Matt. 7:22). Most writers take from the beginning shall remain in and file believers that this safe, Paul to refer to the possibility of re­ you, ye also shall continue in the sane, and sound doctrine is not now, jection in his personal salvation at Son, and in the Father” (1 John 2:24, nor ever will be, negotiable! $ the end of the race___ At the end he KJV). This verse has special signifi­ has serene confidence (2 Tim. 4:7) cance because of the manner in

with the race won. It is a humbling which “remain” and “continue” are NOTES thought for all to see this whole­ employed to compliment one an­ 1. Richard Taylor, Beacon Bible Commentary, some fear instead of smug com­ other. The salvation-truth has been A. F. Harper, ed. (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press of placency in the greatest of all her­ commited to these believers ad­ Kansas City, 1967), 10:32. 2. Ibid., 72. alds of Christ.”14 dressed in this manual for Christian 3. Ibid. How any disciple-in-the-making living. It is all-important that they 4. Charles R. Swindoll, Eternal Security (Port­ could seriously study John’s First “continue” in the glorious relation­ land, Oreg.: Multnomah Press, 1981), 20-21. Epistle and not be persuaded by the ship with our Blessed Lord! 5. Ibid., 21-22. irrefutable evidence supporting con­ The burning question of whether 6. Ibid., 8. 7. Jon Johnston, The Pursuit of Christian Excel­ ditional security is difficult to under­ a believer can forfeit his personal lence (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1985), 23. stand. No, it is not that the Beloved salvation and ultimately be lost is 8. Guy Duty, If Ye Continue (Minneapolis: Beth­ Apostle set about with the single likely to be a controversial one as any Fellowship, Inc., 1966), 22. purpose of writing a polemic provid­ long as Christ tarries. This is not an 9. W. T. Purkiser, Security: The False and The ing the necessary framework for True (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1956), 20. exhaustive study of the New Testa­ 10. PaulS. Rees, The Adequate Man (Westwood, this essential tenet. It will prove to be ment’s teaching on the true security N.J.: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1959), 79. very rewarding to study 1 John 1:6- of the born-again person. What is of­ 11. Duty, If Ye Continue, 71. 7; 2:3, 5, 19, 24, 29; 3:7-8; and 5:12. fered here is the conviction that 12. William M. Greathouse, Beacon Bible Com­ The whole tenor of these selected there is an urgency in reaffirming mentary, A. F. Harper, ed. (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1968), 8:196. passages points convincingly to forcefully what too long has been 13. Ibid., 226. true Christian security. taken for granted, namely, that 14. Duty, If Ye Continue, 105.

m m a m m Show, Tell, and Trim (Continued from page 30) crowded with community events special events were sent to six radio churched. Design a large calendar and ads for clothing sales and su­ stations and five newspapers. page for the coming month with permarket bargains. However, cer­ Be on time with the news. Don’t each event and time marked on the tain other months are “dead,” and expect them to hold the presses for proper date. A church is entitled to editors gladly welcome news. Find you. Don’t ask the editor to take in­ special bulk rate mailing. Or, some out the “off” weeks and submit formation over the phone; he is not Saturday give fliers to all the kids for writeups on groups in your church your secretary. door-to-door distribution, then treat that rarely get publicity. Begin your page of church news them back at the church with a WRONG: “Mrs. Snope was by stating, in parentheses: “Church Christian movie and popcorn. elected chairperson of the Histori­ news for the Friday, January 6, edi­ cal Committee. Other members tion of Blairston Bugle." TRIM are: (followed by a list of 15 per­ A few times a year blanket the en­ After you think you have con­ sons). Mrs. Jing was elected tire area with fliers and posters. densed and edited the news— trim it chairperson of the Mission Most supermarkets and department down. Trim, trim, trim. Get rid of ad­ Women. Other members are: (fol­ stores have a community bulletin jectives. Write in verbs and nouns. lowed by a list of 20). board. Some radio stations offer the Keep within word limits. Every inch RIGHT: “Chairpersons for the same, with a maximum of 40 words of newspaper is costly to the pub­ following year are .. permitted. Consider, also, paid spot lishers. “Think of each word as cost­ Honors, promotions, craft work, announcements on radio or a dis­ ing us ten dollars,” an editor told me. suppers, gift shop, tapes available play ad in the paper. There is one exception, discov­ :l|f — are all newsworthy. Try a church newsletter sent not ered by personal experience. Al­ In our small rural area, writeups of only to members but also to the un­ ways add on to the end of your I

50 Benefits of Congregational Singing by Thomas Alan Duncan Vandalia, Ohio

“Sing to the Lord, you saints of guage they did not understand. Now Church, acknowledges that, “There his: praise his holy name” (Ps. 30:4). congregations could praise God are many occasions . . . when men “Sing and make music in your heart through song as a body of believers, who meet together, need to sing to­ to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). Martin Lu­ singing at the top of their voices. gether, for nothing equals a hymn for ther incorporated congregational What an exciting time it must have summing up the prevailing tone of a singing into the church service more been! Today, however, we seem to meeting and firing its audience with than 450 years ago as a means of have lost the meaning of congrega­ a common enthusiasm.”4 It is some­ giving the congregation an active tional singing. John Churchill point­ thing special when a congregation part in the worship service. What a ed out, “. . . Much singing in the seems to be moved as a whole, by reforming idea it was! Prior to this, church is thoroughly dull; played and the Spirit, and sings louder and congregations had no choice but to sung without rhythm and without more meaningfully than usual. It allow the priests to sing and speak enthusiasm, it seems to lack any in­ brings a sense of expectation for the for them, and even then in a lan­ telligible reason, either verbal or mu­ rest of the service. On the other sical, for existing at all... . The ideal hand, congregational singing can of congregational worship is far re­ have a negative effect on the spirit of 1 moved from the feeble muttering the service. Dr. Hugh C. Benner which is so often heard.”1 Is congre­ noted: “Scarcely anything in a gational singing important? What is church service is more depressing congregational singing about? or disappointing than to hear a great James R. Sydnor, in his book The hymn of praise or a victorious gos­ Hymn and Congregational Singing, pel song completely nullified in ef­ writeup: “The church is located at offers five reasons that Christians fect, by a group of people mumbling (address) and parking is available at sing hymns: “Through hymn singing, the words in a desultory, half­ (location). This is a friendly, Bible- Christians express their feelings and hearted manner.” 5 How true! We believing church, and your family is ideas ..., proclaim their faith were not created to live the Christian always welcome.” to others .... are bound in closer life by ourselves. If we were, we The editor may cut it out— but fellowship ..., are taught Christian would have no need of a church ser­ then again he may be grateful for a truth ..., [and] are sustained in vice. We could simply worship alone few lines of “filler” to end a column daily life.”2 His first three reasons at home. As Christians, we need to neatly. It’s happened. sum up what many consider a major meet together to worship God. Heb. Finally, ask a teenager or senior purpose of congregational singing. 10:25 commands us, “Let us not citizen to read and clip all notices That is, to unify the congregation to­ give up meeting together,. . . but let and pictures of your church. These gether as a body in one spirit for the us encourage may be entered in a scrapbook, to purpose of corporate worship. Syd­ one another.” be kept with other records, or which nor wrote: “When a group of Chris­ Congregation­ the pastor may take with him if he tians sing with vitality the same mel­ al singing is leaves. Or both. ody, responds to identical rhythms, one activity in “I read the newspaper to see how thinks and feels the same ideas and a service that God governs the world,” said John emotions during the act of common everyone may Newton in the 1700s. praise, it becomes well-nigh inevita­ participate in Maybe this week someone is say­ ble that each is drawn closer in spirit simultaneous­ ing, “Let’s look in the paper and see to his neighbor. They cease to be ly, doing ex­ if we can find a church home.” $ isolated individuals.”3 I have found actly the same this to be true. thing to praise Henry Phillips, in The Singing God. Why is this great means of wor­ years evangelicals have sold their note of conviction upon a wor­ ship not used today in its fullest po­ birthright of believer-priest singing shiper’s heart. God promises, “For tential? First, I would suggest that for the pleasure of spectatorist mu­ where two or three are gathered to­ we live in a society that makes it sic.”11 We have become content to gether in my name, there I am in the easy to be shallow Christians. The sit back and listen to special music midst of them” (Matt. 18:20, KJV). If decline in our zest for complete spir­ and choirs and not put much into we could only realize our power over itual maturity or our lack of spiritual our congregational singing. We de­ Satan through congregational sing­ growth leaves us with a nonchalant prive ourselves of this opportunity of ing and begin to tap into it! attitude about the words we sing. personal worship. Other people can­ Congregational singing is impor­ We simply do not mean what we are not do our worshiping and praising tant and essential. Hustad believes singing. “Through [hymns] individu­ for us. Edith Thomas states that that the “only indispensable music als have the opportunity to express “Being a witness to what is taking of evangelical Christianity is congre­ the feelings of their inner souls. ... place is not enough, for Protestants gational singing, the whole church Singing hymns is a barometer of a believe that all the people, as well as demonstrating its priesthood in church’s spiritual commitment and the whole person, should engage in song.”14 Martin Luther saw the tre­ gives evidence of the living vital faith the worship ceremony.”12 mendous need for it. Numerous of a congregation.”6 If the hymn Wesley pleads, “Above all, sing books have been written on it. Most singing is lacking, first check the spiritually. Have an eye to God in ev­ of us have witnessed a genuine mo­ spiritual life of the church. ery word you sing. Aim at pleasing ment of worship and praise through Second, many people do not pay Him more than yourself, or any other congregational singing. Let our hymns be sung from the bottom of attention to the text. We seem to be creature. In order to do this, attend our hearts. Let us not mock God by able to sing through a beautiful strictly to the sense of what you our “feeble muttering” of great hymn of praise and not have a clue sing, and see that your heart is not hymns that were written to ascribe as to what we are saying. The words carried away with the sound, but of­ praise, honor, and glory to God! are important, not the music. To fered to God continually; so shall Congregational singing provides a quote Churchill, “It must be empha­ your singing be such as the Lord will great opportunity for true individual sized . . . that in the singing of approve of here, and reward you and corporate worship. Each person hymns. . . the meaning of the words when He cometh in the clouds of must help make corporate worship must be the first consideration.”7 If Heaven.”13 We worship God by sing­ possible. Can we ask ourselves, we would make a practice of taking ing “to” Him from our hearts. “Am I encouraged through corpo­ note of what we are saying, we Not only do we worship through rate worship with other believers? would eventually bring hymn-sing­ congregational singing, but there is Am I growing spiritually and living in ing up to its potential impact. Paul great potential power available to the center of God’s will? Do I actu­ writes, “I will sing with the spirit, and believers. We have a tremendous ally know wholeheartedly what I am I will sing with the understanding example of this power in 2 Chroni­ singing? Am I singing to God? Do I also” (1 Cor. 14:15, KJV). Martin Lu­ cles 20. Jehoshaphat and the peo­ believe there is power in worshiping ther says, “Our dear Lord speaks to ple of Jerusalem were engaged in God through singing? Do I really be­ us through His Holy Word, and we in battle against Moab and Ammon: lieve congregational singing is im­ return speak with Him through “Jehoshaphat appointed men to portant?” Let us search to see how prayer and song of praise.”8 How sing to the Lord and to praise him for we can make congregational singing can we if we do not even know what the splendor of his holiness” (v. 21). a worshipful activity. Then, through our singing, let us ascribe to God the we are saying? Quoting John Wes­ “As they began to sing and praise, worship, praise, honor, and glory ley, “Attend strictly to the sense of the Lord set ambushes against the that He deserves! what you sing and see that your men of Ammon and Moab . . . and

heart is not carried away with the they were defeated” (v. 22). The NOTES sound, but offered to God continual­ Lord began to act as they began to 1. John Churchill, Congregational Singing (Wall- ly.”9 sing praises to Him. Also, in Acts 16, ington, Surrey: Fleetwing Press, 1966), 7. 2. James R. Sydnor, The Hymn and Congrega­ The phrase, “offered to God con­ Paul and Silas were chained in tional Singing (Richmond, Va.: John Knox Press, tinually” gives rise to another idea prison: “About midnight Paul and Si­ 1960), 15-19. that we have missed. “Our music las were praying and singing hymns 3. Ibid., 17. 4. C. Henry Phillips, The Singing Church (Russell must be directed toward God in to God . . . Suddenly there was such Square, London: Faber and Faber Ltd., 1968), 231. thanksgiving, praise, and adoration. a violent earthquake that the foun­ 5. Hugh C. Benner, Singing Disciples (Kansas Our music in worship must be music dations of the prison were shaken” City: Lillenas Publishing Company, 1959), 30. 6. Diane Bish, Church Music Explosion (Alex­ of worship, focused on our Lord.”10 (vv. 25-26). Jehoshaphat, Paul, and andria, Va: Fred Bock Music, 1982), 39. We are not singing to the people Silas knew there was power in sing­ 7. Churchill, Congregational Singing, 7. around us but to God. Many times ing hymns to God. I do not imply 8. Edith L. Thomas, Music in Christian Education (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1950), 9. we get caught up in the excitement anything magical or mystical about 9. Ibid., 17. of hearing ourselves in this great, congregational singing. I do, how­ 10. Harry C. Causey, Open Doors. . . to Creativity enthusiastic sound and forget that ever, believe these passages speak in Worship (Rockville, Md.: 1985), 47. 11. Donald P. Hustad, Jubilate! Church Music in God is the One to whom we are to us of the potential of genuine the Evangelical Tradition (Carol Stream, III.: 1981), singing. hymn singing, as a powerful tool 263. We have begun to turn back to the that God can use to accomplish His 12. Thomas, Music in Christian Education, 27. 13. Sydnor, The Hymn and Congregational Sing­ practice of letting others sing for us. will, whether His will is to bring a ing, 20-21. Donald Hustad declared, “In recent mighty earthquake or to bring a soft 14. Hustad, Jubilate! Church Music, 243.

52 WORSHIP & PREACHING HELPS

June/July/August 1 9 3 0 INTRODUCTION ummer is here. It hardly seems possible! And summer is a different breed of horse, isn’t it? With the summer months come unusual cir­ Scumstances for our people and for us preachers of the Word. Vacations, weekend trips, camp meetings— often, our “regular” crowd is missing and visitors are more frequent. All of these factors must be kept in mind as we plan our preaching schedule for the fluctuating summer months. With that in mind, I submit this series of messages on the church. Although the overall theme throughout the summer will be the nature and mission of the church, individual messages will stand on their own, indepen­ dent from the others for meaning. Each service is designed to be a separate entity. That way, a one-time visitor will not be at a disadvantage and, at the same time, your regular attenders will sense a continuity of theme from one week to the next. As you glance over these messages, you will notice I have dealt with a variety of subjects, some of which, I am sure, you deal with quite frequently in your preaching— evangelism, holiness, the Second Coming, Communion, and stewardship. I have also included messages on topics you may not preach on as frequently— healing, Christian friendship, Christian family life, care-giving, and church membership. The summer schedule lends itself to such variety. I hope you find these resources helpful. I consider it a privilege to share these ideas with you. Adapt them to your setting and to your preaching style. I trust you will enjoy preaching from these resources as much as I enjoyed preparing them for you. My prayer is that our preaching will be used by the Spirit to touch and change the lives of precious folk who occupy the pews. —Bud Reedy “THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH” Rom. 1:16-17 June 3, 1990

INTRO: E. Yes, it is the power of God. And we are privileged The Church of the Nazarene is an evangelical church. that God has entrusted us with the message of the gos­ Do you know what that means? It means that we are pel. We are proud of the gospel. proud of the gospel of Jesus Christ and that we are II. We Are Proud Because the Gospel Satisfies committed to proclaiming it! Man’s Deepest Need. In verses 16 and 17 of Romans 1, we find some pos­ itive, exciting words from the apostle Paul. You can al­ A. Man’s greatest need is salvation from sin. most see him stand up, straighten his back, pull back his B. The gospel is, according to Paul, the power of God shoulders, stick out his chest, and say: “I am not for salvation. The Greek word for salvation is soteria, ashamed of the gospel!” Put positively, Paul is saying: “I which means “deliverance.” Salvation is deliverance am proud of the good news!” from the wrath of God and from our own sin. That statement takes on even greater significance C. The work of the church is the gospel; it is the sal­ when you consider what Paul had experienced in his vation of souls. The work of the church is the most im­ missionary career. He was imprisoned in Philippi, portant enterprise on the face of the earth. Every mo­ chased out of Thessalonica, smuggled out of Berea, ment spent in service to the church, every dollar given is called a fool in Corinth, laughed at in Athens, and stoned an investment in the salvation of souls. For that, you can and left for dead on more than one occasion. Those and should be proud. were the “good ol’ days,” yet there was something in the D. I am always amazed at the “causes” some people gospel message that caused Paul to say, “I am not are willing to give their time and energies for. ashamed; I am proud of the good news of Jesus." ILLUS. I am constantly amazed at the causes people In our text, Paul tells us exactly why he is so proud. get excited over and are willing to give their time, talents, He gives us, in a few carefully chosen words, a sum­ and treasures to. There is an organization in and around mary of his entire letter; a definition of the gospel he Harrisburg, Pa., called N.A.G., Neighbors Against Gnats! intends to preach. It is Paul’s theology in a nutshell. A gnat can be a real nuisance. This organization exists From these two verses, we discover why Paul is so to raise enough money to spray the Susquehanna River proud of the gospel of Jesus Christ and why we should and kill the pesky little creatures. Unbelievably, one year be proud of it too. N.A.G. raised over a quarter of a million dollars! Is the elimination of gnats a cause worth dying for? Probably I. We Are Proud of the Gospel Because It Is the not. But the salvation of souls certainly is. That is why Power of God. we, as an evangelical church, have committed ourselves A. Note: Paul does not say the gospel contains to the cause of Christ. God’s power but that it is the power of God. E. The church has been entrusted with the gospel of B. Something happens when the gospel is pro­ Jesus Christ. We can stand up with confidence, bold­ claimed: The Holy Spirit begins to speak to the hearts of ness, and pride and shout to the world, “Jesus saves! men, convicting them of sin; the Holy Spirit begins to He delivers! He saves from physical illness. He saves draw men to Jesus Christ and point them to Calvary; the men out of this crooked and perverse generation. He very power of God is set loose. saves men out of their despair and lostness. He came to seek and to save the lost. He saves men from the bond­ C. There are several Greek words for power. Paul age of sin! We are proud of the gospel!” chose the word dynamis to describe the gospel. In other words, the gospel is dynamite! It is like an explosion. Its III. We Are Proud of the Gospel Because It Is Free to effects can be seen and heard and felt in the people’s All Who Believe. lives. A. Here is one of the cornerstones of our beliefs: “the righteous man shall live by faith” (v. 17). D. The gospel is not dependent upon any human ac­ tivity or condition. The gospel is divine activity. It is the B. I am proud to be a spiritual heir of Martin Luther, power of God. 1 Cor. 1:18—The word of the cross to who dared to stand up and say that we are made right in those who are perishing is foolishness, but to those who the sight of God— not by works but by faith in the Lord are being saved it is the power of God! Jesus Christ. This saving faith is itself a gift from God, ILLUS. A traveler to China asked a citizen of that na­ extended to whosoever! tion if he had ever read the gospel. “No,” he replied, “but C. The single greatest thing in life, your salvation, is I have seen it.” There was a man in my village who was absolutely free! Here is all you must do to accept it: If the terror of his neighborhood. He had a violent temper; you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and if you he was an opium smoker, a criminal, a dangerous man. believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, But the gospel made him gentle and good. He left off his you shall be saved. For man believes with the heart, opium. “No, I never read nor heard the gospel, but I have resulting in righteousness. He confesses with his seen it, and it must be a powerful thing!” mouth, resulting in salvation (Rom. 10:9-10).

55 ILLUS. A man had been a member of a church in England for years. One day he was reading the Book of SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER Acts. He read about the peace and joy of the Early We Gather to Celebrate the Gospel Christians. He wondered why he did not have peace and Welcome and Announcements joy. He decided to pray. He prayed for hours, but his life Choruses of the Good News was not changed. He decided to fast. This did not work. “Christ for Me!” “Everybody Ought to Know”; “Give One day, in his room, he felt that he could no longer go Them All to Jesus”; “He’s Able”; “Lead Me to Some on with such an empty life. He cried out, “What must I do Soul Today”; “That the World May Know” Invocation to be saved?” Suddenly, he felt compelled to look at a We Proclaim the Gospel in Song passage of scripture he had read in Acts: “Believe on the Hymn “Jesus Saves” Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31, Hymn “Redeemed” KJV). Praying had not been enough. Fasting had not Special Song “Give Them All to Jesus” been enough. But simply believing was sufficient, and We Draw Near to Him his whole life changed. Prayer Chorus “For God So Loved the World” Prayer for the Unsaved D. I do not know what others shall choose to preach, Offertory Sentence but from this pulpit you will continue to hear the gospel His Tithe/Our Offerings of Jesus. There is nothing more relevant or more impor­ We Hear the Gospel Proclaimed tant. We are proud of the gospel! Scripture Lesson Rom. 1:16-17 Special Song “Jesus Is All the World to Me” CONCLUSION: The Message “THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH” A. How about you? Are you proud of the gospel? If We Take the Gospel to the World you are, it’s a sure sign you are saved, because you Closing Chorus “That the World May Know” know it is the power of God set loose in your life. Benediction B. If you are not, if you are indifferent or even slightly CREATIVE WORSHIP IDEAS: embarrassed or ashamed, the message is very simple. Invocation You must believe in the Lord Jesus and then you will be Father, let Your Word be a lamp to my feet, and a saved. light to my path. Let me hide it in my heart that I might not sin against You. Amen. ILLUS. A soap manufacturer, who was not a Chris­ Offertory Sentence tian, was walking with a minister. The soap maker said: “And he said unto them, ‘Go ye into all the world, “That so-called gospel you preach has not done much and preach the gospel to every creature.’” If you are good in the world. I see lots of wickedness, and wicked sure God has not called you to leave your homeland people.” Just then, they passed by a child who was and go to a foreign field, you may be equally sure He making mud pies. His face, his hands, and his feet were has called you to give so others can go. Let us give filthy. this morning so that others may go. Benediction The preacher said in the same tone the soap manu­ “O Lord, we beseech Thee to raise up for the work facturer had used, “Your soap hasn’t done much good in of spreading the gospel faithful men and women this world, either. I see lots of dirt and many dirty peo­ who will count it all joy to spend and be spent for the ple!” sake of Thy dear Son and for the souls for which He “Well,” said the soap maker, “that’s not quite fair. You shed His most precious blood upon the cross, and must remember that soap is useful only when it is ap­ we pray Thee to fit them for their task by Thy boun­ plied.” tiful grace and heavenly benediction; through Jesus “Exactly,” said the minister. “And so it is with the gos­ Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee pel.” and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.” C. Yes, we are an evangelical church, and we’re From the Book of Common Worship proud of it. Come, join the cause of Christ.

Who's Who and What's What Among Popular Holiness Voices

(Continued from page 27) ual of the Church of the Nazarene, the abiding, indwelling presence of Prominent voices calling our para. 13). the Holy Spirit, empowering the be­ world to holiness are welcomed. But Believers do not grow into this liever for life and service. [It is] pro­ let us not throw away our doctrinal work of grace. It is “wrought by the vided by the blood of Jesus, is distinctives as we proclaim “Holi­ baptism with the Holy Spirit, and wrought instantaneously by faith, ness Forevermore.” Welcome the comprehends in one experience the preceded by entire consecration” holiness voice, but be sure to check cleansing of the heart from sin and (Manual, para. 13). its biblical source. $

56 “THE FAMILY CHURCH” Gen. 1:28; Psalm 127; Deut. 6:4-9 June 10, 1990

INTRO: D. The family church is willing to go against the tide of If an announcement came over the radio or TV, “We popular thought and proclaim, “It’s a good thing to have are under nuclear attack, go to the nearest bomb shel­ children. In fact, they are a blessing, not an intrusion!” ter," what would you do? I’ve a feeling that one of the E. “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children are a first things you would do is try to locate your family. reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior Family relationships are important to all of us. And the are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose family should be one of our nation’s top priorities. Un­ quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when fortunately, it has not been. Many of our nation's major they contend with their enemies in the gate” (Ps. social problems— divorce, juvenile delinquency, child 127:3-5). abuse, spouse abuse, and elder abuse, to name a few— can be linked very closely to the breakdown of F. It is the duty of Christian parents to create an atmo­ family life. sphere of love and acceptance at home. That is what our children need more than any other thing. ILLUS. On a recent television talk show, a guest advo­ cated what he called “alternative family life-styles.” He ILLUS. In the 13th century, Frederick II, emperor of stated that America’s greatness could be linked to its the Roman Empire, attempted an experiment. He willingness to change. wanted to find out the type and manner of speech chil­ To this, another more conservative guest responded, dren would have if they grew up speaking to no one “Yes, we must be prepared to change with the times. beforehand. He instructed foster mothers and nurses to But we must also be willing to learn from history and not suckle and bathe a group of children, but in no way make the same mistakes others have made in the past. prattle with them, speak or make cooing affectionate When you study the ancient cultures of Egypt, Rome, sounds to them, or cuddle them. He wanted to learn and Greece, you see a common pattern: When these whether they would speak ancient Hebrew, or Greek, or cultures were coming into the peak of their power, the Latin, or Arabic, or perhaps the language of their par­ families were strong. Then, as these nations ‘pro­ ents. But all his efforts were in vain. All of the children gressed,’ the family came to be not so highly valued, the died! They could not live without love. culture became extremely individualist, and traditional G. Is there an atmosphere of love and acceptance in family values deteriorated. When that happened, the so­ your home? Do your children feel loved and wanted? cieties themselves fell. This is what history teaches us. With God’s help, we can create a more loving, accepting Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it!” atmosphere at home. After all, that’s why God gave us It is time the church of Jesus Christ sounded a warn­ children: so that we might love them with the love of the ing and sent a positive message: FAMILY IS IMPOR­ Lord. TANT. There is no substitute for family! And so, in an attempt to be a family-oriented, family-centered church, II. The Second Purpose of the Family Is to Teach Christian Values. we begin by teaching what the Bible reveals about the purpose and importance of family. A. Listen to the word of the Lord: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! And you shall love the I. The Primary Purpose of the Family Is to Rear Chil­ Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul dren in a Loving Atmosphere. and with all your might. And these words, which I am A. God commanded the first married couple, “Be commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Gen. 1:28, shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of KJV). them when you sit in your house .. . and when you rise B. Mankind does not have the power to create. We up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and can only manufacture out of that which God has cre­ they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall ated. God created family life to include procreation, write them on the door posts of your house and on your bringing children into the world and raising them. [Note gates” (Deut. 6:4-9, NASB). to pastor: We must be sensitive at this point, regarding B. Teaching our children moral values is not the ulti­ those present who want children but who have been mate responsibility of the church. As a church, we will unable to have them. You may wish to encourage the try to help teach your children Christian values through people of your church to pray for those couples who are the Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Caravan, ju­ going through this.] nior church, and other children’s ministries. But these C. We should be concerned that in certain segments programs exist to supplement and reinforce what chil­ of our modem society, the rearing of children is made to dren should be learning at home. It is up to parents to sound like drudgery; that children are an intrusion, not a teach their children eternal values. joy. We often hear through the media: “Go ahead; you C. Dads, both present and future, you are the priests can have it all. Don’t let your children inhibit your free­ of your homes. It is your God-given responsibility to live dom.” and teach the Jesus-life at home; to lead by your exam- pie. Establish a family altar. Read the Word of God to homes really matter that much? I turn to the most re­ your families. Pray with them. Get involved in their Chris­ vealing proof of which I know— the cases of Jonathan tian education. Remember, Dad, you are doing a great Edwards and Max Jukes. Jonathan Edwards was an deal to shape their lives. outstanding Christian. A researcher learned that out of ILLUS. In The Effective Father, Gordon McDonald his 1,394 descendants, 13 became college presidents, tells the story of the medieval sidewalk superintendent. 65 professors, 60 prominent lawyers, 32 noted authors, He asked three stone masons on a construction project 90 were physicians, 200 were ministers, and 300 were what they were doing. good farmers. “Laying bricks,” the first replied. Max Jukes was the antithesis of Mr. Edwards. He was “Building a wall,” said the second. notorious as a crook, lacking principle or character. Of 903 of his offspring, he spawned 300 delinquents, 145 But the third laborer demonstrated genuine esteem confirmed drunkards, and 90 prostitutes. Some 285 had for his work when he said, “I am raising a great cathe­ “evil diseases,” and over 100 spent an average of 13 dral.” years in prison. It was estimated that the crimes and Pose that same question to any two fathers concern­ care of that one family cost the state of New York over ing their roles in the family, and you are liable to get the $1 million. Jonathan Edwards never cost the govern­ same kind of contrast. The first may say, “I am support­ ment a single penny. Instead, he was making con­ ing a family.” The second may say, “I am raising a family.” tributions of incalculable worth. The first man looks at his job as putting bread on the table. But the second one sees things from God’s per­ CONCLUSION: spective. He is participating in the shaping of lives. A. This morning, let us recommit ourselves to our D. Moms, both present and future, moral values are families— to love them and teach them Christian values. best learned before the age of five. If at all possible, B. And our church wants to help. We want to be a mothers should be at home during those developmental family church. That is why we continue to proclaim and preschool years, in order to create a loving, warm, se­ teach what the Bible says about family life. We will con­ cure, orderly atmosphere for children. It is in this atmo­ tinue to equip parents and encourage you to be Spirit- sphere that the Christian values are best taught. filled parents. We will commit ourselves to age-group E. There is no way to adequately communicate the ministries designed to supplement and reinforce the val­ effect of parental influence over children. The fact is that ues learned at home. parents do have an awesome influence over their chil­ C. To the best of our ability and with the help of the dren— and subsequently over many generations to fol­ Lord, we will be a family church. My prayer is that yours low. will continue to be a Christian family where Jesus is ILLUS. Do good Christian parents and good Christian Lord.

SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER CREATIVE WORSHIP IDEAS: Choruses of Praise Children’s Message “A Vessel of Honor for God”; “Father, I Adore You”; Gather the children in and begin by asking: What “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying”; “The Bond of is the most special thing your parents have ever Love”; “The Greatest Thing” given you? (for Christmas, birthdays, etc.). Wait for Call to Worship Eph. 5:1-2, 20-33 their responses. When you have interviewed a few, Invocation share with them that the Bible says parents are to Hymn “How Firm a Foundation” love their children. Therefore, the greatest gift a par­ Choir ent could give a child is love. Now, ask the children: Prayer “How do you know your parents love you? What did Announcements they do to prove it?” (spend time with you, hiking, Offering reading bedtime stories). Pray, thanking God for lov­ Children’s Message “Happy the Home ing parents. When God Is There” Benediction Old Testament Lesson Deut. 6:4-9 O Lord our God, Thou art strong; we are weak. Special Song Give us of Thy Spirit; that in trust we may grow in The Message of the Morning “THE FAMILY CHURCH” grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. Closing Hymn “A Christian Home” Enlighten our minds, purify our hearts, renew our Benediction wills, and may we give ourselves wholly to Thee. For the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

58 “THE SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH” Acts 2:1-13; Eph. 5:15-21 June 17, 1990

INTRO: selfishness and replaced with God’s pure love— a work Read Acts 2:1-13. that only the Holy Spirit can perform. ILLUS. A hundred years or so ago, a committee of ILLUS. The well-known pastor and evangelist, Robert pastors was discussing having Dwight L. Moody come G. Lee, wrote of a homeless little boy who wandered the as an evangelist for a city-wide crusade. One young streets of one of America’s major cities. One day a cou­ pastor who didn’t want to invite Moody stood up and ple found him and took him home with them. They gave said, “Why Moody? Does he have a monopoly on the him a good scrubbing and clothed him in a handsome Holy Spirit?” new suit. The boy had never been so clean nor looked There was silence. Then one of the other pastors so good. For a long time, he stood before the mirror and spoke up. “No, Mr. Moody doesn’t have a monopoly on admired his new clothes. Later, when bedtime came, he the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit does have a monop­ had to take off his suit and put on a pair of pajamas. This oly on Mr. Moody!” distressed the youngster greatly. As the lady of the To be filled with the Holy Spirit means that God has a house prepared him for bed, she taught him his first prayer. She asked him to repeat the usual children’s monopoly on your life. He has your time, your talents, prayer, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my and your treasures. He has your past, your present, soul to keep.” your future. He has everything because you have of­ Half-asleep, he murmured. “Now I lay me down to fered Him everything. That’s complete consecration. His sleep, I pray the Lord my clothes to keep.” Surprised, the response to our consecration is entire sanctification. We woman gently corrected him. But he repeated his re­ believe this is a second, definite work of grace, and that quest as before, “I pray the Lord my clothes to keep.” it occurs instantaneously when a believer is filled with Just as this boy wanted his clothes to remain clean the Holy Spirit. and safe, so we can ask the Lord to keep the “outer How can you tell if a person is indeed filled with the garment” of our lives unspotted from a world con­ Holy Spirit and has been entirely sanctified? For our an­ taminated by sin. God, by His Holy Spirit, can enable us swer, let’s look to what happened on the Day of Pen­ to avoid or overcome the things that could defile us. tecost. Then, through instant confession when we do sin, we can have a moment-by-moment forgiveness. We can I. God Gave the Church Signs to Authenticate the have a clean life— a victorious life. Let’s pray that the Holy Spirit’s Infilling. Lord will keep the “clothes” of our life clean. Let’s examine the three signs, for they help us under­ 3. If we are ever to “love one another deeply, from stand what happens when a person is filled with the the heart” (1 Pet. 1:22), our hearts must be made pure. Holy Spirit. Only the infilling of the Holy Spirit can accomplish that. A. The first sign was the sound of wind. We read: C. The third sign was the evidence of communication. “Suddenly a sound like a blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were 1. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and sitting” (v. 2). began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing 1. Wind is an Old Testament symbol of power. Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, be­ comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusa­ cause each one heard them speaking in his own lan­ lem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the guage” (Acts 2:4-6). earth" (Acts 1:8). 2. The miracle of tongues on the Day of Pentacost 2. Sometimes the wind is a refreshing, gentle can be described as follows: All were filled with the Holy breeze. Sometimes it blows with hurricane force. So it is Spirit. Some, however, were enabled by the Holy Spirit with the power of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. to speak in known languages so that the gospel could Sometimes the change is a subtle, gentle one; some be communicated to others. Communicating the gospel changes are made in more dynamic, dramatic ways. But in known languages appears to be the sole reason God all believers receive power when the Holy Spirit fills bestowed this gift upon the church. them: Power to do what God asks; power to be what God requires. 3. Why did God pour out His Spirit upon the church at Pentecost? Why do believers today still need to ex­ B. The second sign was the evidence of sight. perience the infilling of the Holy Spirit? To receive power, 1. “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire to experience purity, to better communicate to a hurting that separated and came to rest on each of them” (Acts and dying world. This best describes a Spirit-filled 2:3). church. You can tell an individual is filled with the Holy 2. Fire is used frequently in the Old Testament as a Spirit if he displays these characteristics— which leads symbol of purity. That’s exactly what happens when a to another important reason why being filled with the believer is filled by the Holy Spirit. His heart is purified of Holy Spirit is so important. II. God Meets Our Deepest Needs Through the Infill­ ing of the Holy Spirit. A. Paul makes this clear as he writes to the believers SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER in Ephesus: “Be very careful, then, how you live— not as Choruses “Where the Spirit of the Lord Is”; “A Vessel of Honor for unwise but as wise, making the most of every oppor­ God”; “The Bond of Love”; “O Breath of Life” tunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be Call to Worship Joel 2:28-32 foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not Invocation get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead Hymn “Pentecostal Power” be filled with the spirit” (Eph. 5:15-18). Hymn “Holy Ghost with Light Divine” B. Paul is sketching an antithesis between being Choral Music Prayer Hymn “Holy Spirit, Be My Guide” filled with wine and being filled with the Holy Spirit. We Pastoral Prayer all know people use alcohol for a variety of complex Children’s Message reasons. But ultimately, alcohol usage reflects a search Announcements for meaning, for happiness. Offertory Sentence C. Meaning and happiness cannot be found at the Offering bottom of a bottle. Intoxication leads only to the dissi­ Scripture Lesson Acts 2:1-13; Eph. 5:15-21 Special Song pation of life— to debauchery. (Contrary to the way the Message “THE SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH” advertising media depict use of alcohol.) Closing Hymn “Fill Me Now” D. In contrast, when the Holy Spirit fills a person, Benediction Acts 1:8 there is vitality, fulfillment, and true meaning. ILLUS. (You can use another testimony here, or even CREATIVE WORSHIP IDEAS: a personal testimony of how God meets the deepest Children's Message needs of people through the Holy Spirit’s infilling.) I recall Do you have someone who helps you? Who is he my mother testifying many times about events leading and what does he help you do? [Give them time to respond.] Once upon a time in the Alps, lived an old to her being filled with the Holy Spirit. Born and raised in man. Because he was partially crippled, he had a Christian home, Mother accepted Jesus Christ as her never joined the mountain climbers. He could only personal Savior as a teenager. But all through her adult dream of the thrill of reaching the top. years, she struggled with the sense that there was One day, a famous mountain guide said to him, something missing in her life— a lack of power; a lack of “How would you like to climb the mountain your­ meaning and complete satisfaction with her life; a lack of self?” peace. One day, a work associate invited her to revival “Oh,” beamed the old man, “I would like that very services at the Hollywood, Md., Church of the Naza­ much, but I am too old and I have a bad leg. I could rene. In that service, she heard for the first time about never climb the mountain.’’ the doctrine of entire sanctification. Not long thereafter, “Alone, you cannot. But with me as your helper and guide, you can do it. I will show you the right she sought and found the experience of being filled with path and help you in the right places. In fact, when the Holy Spirit. She now testifies: “For years I searched you are too weak to walk and the path is too steep, for that something more. On the day I was entirely sanc­ I will carry you." And together, they reached the top tified, my search ended!” of the mountain. And the old man was very happy. E. Quite possibly, many of the problems you face in Being a Christian is very much like climbing a life, and some of the issues we face as a church, are mountain. It is not easy to live for Jesus. But we have a Helper and Guide: the Holy Spirit. He will give there because we have not let God meet our deepest you strength and courage. This is why God has need—the removal of the selfish sin nature. given us the Holy Spirit. Let’s pray that the Holy F. God wishes to displace carnality in our lives with Spirit will help you live a life that will make Jesus power, purity, and love. He does this through the infilling happy. of the Holy Spirit. Offertory Sentence “There is that which we hold in our hands, of pos­ CONCLUSION: sessions and influence, which are to be no longer God has a wonderful gift, a glorious provision He held as unto ourselves or so as to revolve around wants to extend to the church today. Are you willing to ourselves; they are to be melted into our life’s de- make a complete commitment of your life to Jesus votement unto Jesus Christ.” Christ? If you are, then you are a candidate for the ex­ —Phineas F. Breese, October 10, 1901 perience of Spirit infilling. Ours can be a Spirit-filled church.

60 m—m “THE REACHING CHURCH” Col. 4:2-6 June 24, 1990

INTRO: The Christian young man knelt down and prayed for Evangelism. It’s a simple, 10-letter word. But the mere his roommate. God answered the piayer. The young mention of this word scares the socks off of some be­ man said later: “You know, that faltering prayer for my lievers. Just the thought of making a presentation of the roommate opened to me the wide door of intercessory gospel to a card-carrying sinner, button-holing someone prayer. My Christian faith had been weak because I had and laying the gospel’s claims on him seems rather never prayed for others.” frightening to most rank and file Christians. A reaching church is one filled with intercessors. ILLUS. [Preacher: This may be a good place in the II. A Reaching Church Must Be Consistent in Its Con­ message to share a personal experience in the realm of duct. evangelism. Possibly an example of fear or failure, even of a humorous nature. Personal illustrations are always A. Paul talks about the importance of holy conduct in the most effective!] the evangelism process: “Be wise in the way you act Confrontational evangelism, presenting the gospel to toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. an unbeliever one-on-one, is not easy. Although that Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned brand of evangelism is extremely important, it is a minis­ with salt” (vv. 5-6). try performed by a rather small percentage of believers. B. It could be that, when all is said and done, the They have spiritual gifts, personalities, and communica­ most effective form of evangelism is the consistent con­ tion skills that make confrontational evangelism natural. duct of people like you and me. After all, our lives com­ [Give a modern-day example of this kind of person.] municate a great deal more about God and the church So, the question is, where does that leave the rest of than do our words. us? Is evangelism the work of an exclusive few, leaving the rest of us on the sidelines? Absolutely not! Because C. Conduct evangelism begins when you become an God is a reaching God, we are to be a reaching church! authentic Christian— when you live out what you be­ The scripture lesson for this morning’s message reveals lieve in the offices and restaurants and Laundromats of what that process is and how we all can involve our­ your world. Every action, every reaction, every attitude, selves in it. It reveals how our church can be a reaching every word has the potential of either driving your church. friends a step closer to God and the church or nudging them a step further away. That’s heavy, but true. I. A Reaching Church Must First Be a Praying D. I could give you many good reasons why Christian Church. people should pursue a holy, Christlike life. Two good A. Paul said to the people of Colosse: “Devote your­ ones are that God demands it and the Bible requires it! selves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Col. 4:2). But consider this: Committing yourself to a holy life and B. Prayer is where the evangelism process begins. asking the Holy Spirit to empower you to live a consis­ Maybe you’ve never considered prayer as crucial to the tent life is an important part of the evangelism process. evangelism process, but it is. It is likely you are here Why? Because people are watching you! They’re watch­ today because someone spent time in prayer for you. ing to see if you’re real; if you’re consistent! ILLUS. Two rival merchants attended a revival meet­ C. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that your unsaved ing being held in their city. These men knew the troubles friends will find Jesus unless you pray for them. Prayer and testings that arise daily in business life. After some changes things— and people. Prayer is the first, indis­ nights, one of them went forward to confess his faith in pensable step in the evangelism process. If ours is to be Christ as his Savior. The other was under conviction but a reaching church, it must become a praying church. unyielding. When he saw his business competitor go D. J. B. Chapman, former general superintendent, forward, he said to himself, “I will watch him. If he really observed, “There is not enough heartbreak over the lives the Christian life for a full year, then I’ll know that lost, not enough soul burden, not enough groaning and there is really something to this thing, and I will become weeping and fasting and crying [in our churches].” a Christian myself.” E. How long has it been since you prayed, fasted, For one year, the merchant watched the other man. groaned, and wept over your unsaved friends and loved He saw a complete change in his business dealings and ones? in his everyday conduct. At the end of the year, the ILLUS. A 16-year-old young man was born again. watcher sought and found God and forgiveness for his Each morning and night, he prayed for the strength to sins. He then went to the merchant whose life he had live a Christian life. He entered college. One afternoon, watched so closely and said, “For one whole year, I have his roommate had a fall in the gym. He was carried to watched you. Your life convinced me there is something their room, seriously injured. A doctor was called. With real in your Christianity.” terror in his eyes, the injured roommate whispered, “Wil­ E. If we are to be a reaching church, we must commit son, I wish you would pray for me!” ourselves to holy, consistent, Christlike lives.

61 III. A Reaching Church Must Be a Responsive D. We need churches filled with “responsive" people Church. — people who care for and are interested in others, es­ A. Paul challenges the believers at Colosse to be re­ pecially unsaved others. sponsive to those around them, “so that you may know ILLUS. Many years ago, a little street urchin in Chi­ how to answer everyone” (v. 6). cago used to travel many blocks by foot across the fro­ B. Being a responsive friend is a form of evangelism. zen streets of the great city to attend Dwight L. Moody’s Evangelism doesn’t require that you go door-to-door Sunday School. On his way, he passed many other with a pocket full of tracts. It doesn’t require that you churches. Someone asked him, “Why do you go so far spend your life looking for some unsuspecting soul to Moody’s Sunday School? Why don’t you go to one upon whom you can pounce and beat senseless with closer to home?” your family Bible. Response evangelism simply requires The little boy replied: “I go to Mr. Moody’s Sunday that you be sensitive to the needs of those around you School because they love a fellow over there.” and respond with the love and compassion of Jesus. People are looking for love, attention, and compas­ After all, love earns you the right to share the gospel as sion. A reaching church must be a responsive church. nothing else will. CONCLUSION: C. Evangelism, then, begins in your circle of friends, the people God has put into your world. As V. H. Lewis A. There are two groups of Christians here today: has said, “The front line of evangelism is always right Those who are part of the evangelism process and next to you. The man who works next to you; the wom­ those who are not. Which group are you in? Do you pray an who sits at the next desk; the family living in the for the lost? Do you live the consistent, holy life? Are you apartment next door— they are the front line for you. responsive to the needs of others? Right here is where we so often fail. We have eyes on B. I challenge you: Commit yourself to the evan­ the needs far away. But the harvest field for you, for me, gelism process. Only then will ours be a reaching is right next to each of us.” church.

SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER CREATIVE WORSHIP IDEAS: Praise Choruses Children’s Message “People Need the Lord”; “My Hands Belong to You”; Begin with the story of the little boy who walked to “My Desire”; “Whatever It Takes"; “Seek Ye First”; Dwight L. Moody’s Sunday School. Ask children why “Lord, Lay Some Soul upon My Heart”; “I Will Serve they like Sunday School and church. Conclude with Thee” a simplified discussion of how boys and girls can Call to Worship Matt. 11:28-30 reach out to their friends who do not know Jesus Invocation (prayer, good conduct, care). Hymn “Rescue the Perishing” Open Altar Prayer Children’s Message At the conclusion of the message, it would be ap­ Pastoral Prayer propriate to open the altar for people to commit God's Tithes and Our Offerings Matt. 15:15-18 themselves to the evangelism process. Have them Scripture Lesson Col. 4:2-6 come, also, to intercede on the behalf of one un­ Special Song “People Need the Lord” saved friend or loved one. Pray that God will trans­ Message “THE REACHING CHURCH” form your church into a reaching church. Open Altar Prayer Time Benediction Acts 1:8

Honesty in Trade: Business Holiness

(Continued from page 42) bear the name of our holy God will also be scrupulously cheated. And it wasn’t with only the sale of that special concerned and delighted with accurate weights and India spice. This was Elizedek’s way of life, hiding be­ measures in all dealings with our fellowmen. We dare hind the good sound of his name. Every customer and not be otherwise! every sale was short-weighted— only a tiny fraction, but Lest any of us excuse Elizedek (and ourselves) for when those tiny fractions were added up over a year of such practices, let us be reminded of Moses' words in business transactions, Elizedek was making an im­ Deut. 25:16, “For the Lord your God detests anyone mense ill-gotten profit. And no one ever knew! who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly." Don’t believe it. There is One who knows. The Lord From Moses to Wesley to 1989, God’s law of honesty God is concerned and is delighted with accurate has not changed! True Wesleyans are truly honest and weights. And those of us who bear the name, or claim to practice holiness in business! $

62 “THE SACRAMENTAL CHURCH” 1 Cor. 11:17-34 July 1, 1990

INTRO: have left of her.” The lining of the torn cap was merely a The church is a complex organism. It is many things; piece of faded material, but it was a holy symbol to that it has several functions. Our understanding of the boy. church would not be complete without a discussion of The bread and the wine, of which we partake at the the sacraments, for the true church of Jesus Christ is a Lord’s Table, are holy symbols that help us remember sacramental church. His death upon the Cross. We believe in and participate in two sacraments: wa­ (AT THIS POINT IN THE MESSAGE, YOU MAY WISH TO SING ter baptism and Communion. Do you know what a sac­ OR SIMPLY QUOTE THE LYRICS FROM THE HYMN “LEAD ME rament is and why we participate in them? TO CALVARY.’) A sacrament is that which makes a person aware of D. Kneeling at the altar to receive Communion is a God’s presence and His grace. A sacrament is when journey to Calvary; it is sacramental. that which is ordinary becomes holy. If you really think about it, that’s why Jesus came— to sacramentalize the II. The Lord’s Supper Proclaims the Death of Jesus. commonplace; to bring meaning and purpose into the A. Paul said, “Whenever you eat this bread and drink ordinary experiences of life. this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” One night, nearly 2,000 years ago, Jesus gathered (v. 26). with His disciples for the Passover supper. He blessed a crust of bread and a cup of wine and gave them to His B. Participation in Communion is a form of proclama­ disciples. From that moment, two most common ele­ tion. When you take the bread and the cup, you are ments of every Jewish meal became a monument. From sending a message, “Jesus is my personal Savior.” then on, those ordinary elements were holy— sacra­ ILLUS. My wife, Sally, and I grew up in the turbulent mental—for they represented Jesus’ body and His ’60s, when demonstrations seemed to be common­ blood. The supper became a sacrament. The thing that place. Young people constantly demonstrated for one makes this sacrament so special to believers is that our cause or another. The school district in the rural area Lord ordained it! He said, “Take this. Eat this. Drink this. where we lived made several sweeping administrative Do this in remembrance of Me.” and fiscal changes, that many thought would adversely Paul was concerned that when the church in Corinth affect the students. So several students and faculty participated in the Lord’s Supper, they would do so members secured a permit to demonstrate in the town reverently and with meaning. From the passage of scrip­ ture we have read together this morning, we discover square of the county seat. Carrying homemade signs the following: and wearing black armbands, they walked hand-in-hand to the courthouse, demonstrating against the superin­ I. The Lord’s Supper Reminds Us of Jesus’ Death. tendent of schools. Sally was one of those demonstra­ A. “The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, tors! Without saying a word, she was making a state­ took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it ment: “I believe in this cause!” and said, this is my body, which is for you; do this in The Lord’s Supper is a form of demonstration. When remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11:23-24). you take the bread and cup, you are stating, “I believe in B. Death is a subject we tend to avoid. Death is not the cause of Christ. These people are my people, and pleasant to think about. And Jesus’ death, as you well Jesus is my Lord.” This simple act is a form of proclama­ know, was especially gruesome. But our Lord wants us tion. to remember and even reflect upon His death. Why? (AT THIS POINT IN THE MESSAGE, YOU MAY AGAIN WISH TO Because without His death upon the Cross, without the SING OR SIMPLY QUOTE THE LYRICS FROM THE HYMN shedding of His blood, there is no hope of salvation. "WHO IS ON THE LORD'S SIDE?'') C. As believers, it is good that we remember the C. Joining with us at the Lord’s table, you are pro­ great price Jesus paid for our personal salvation, and be claiming, "I am on the Lord’s side." Obviously, then, thankful. When we partake of the bread, remember. Communion is an exclusive act. It is not for everyone. It ILLUS. A little street waif was admitted to a children’s is for people who know Jesus Christ as personal Savior. home. Given a new outfit, he felt pride in his new suit Paul makes it clear that the unsaved person is unworthy and boots. But he refused to wear the new cap, clinging of the bread and cup (1 Cor. 11:27). to his old ragged one. The matron firmly insisted that he D. That is rather strong, is it not? But Paul is clear: to take the new cap and give her the old one. Before hand­ live a life of sin and yet participate in the Lord’s Supper ing it to her, he tore out the lining and stuffed it into his makes a mockery of His death. pocket. “Why did you do that?” asked the matron. E. To partake worthily is a beautiful demonstration of Tears came into his eyes as he answered. “The lining His death and our personal faith. It is the proclamation of of my old cap was part of my mother’s dress. It is all I the gospel without words.

63 III. The Lord’s Supper Is an Opportunity for Us to Ex­ ramental community. As we partake of the Lord’s Sup­ amine Ourselves. per, Jesus invites you to remember Him and examine A. Paul says, “A man ought to examine himself be­ yourself. fore he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For B. Join us around the Table, and listen for His voice: anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the “Do this in remembrance of me.” body of the Lord, eats and drinks judgment on himself” (vv. 28-29). B. The invitation to examine oneself includes both SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER the saint and sinner. It is an opportunity for believers to Call to Worship Hymn “O Worship the King” check their spiritual health. It is also an evangelistic op­ Prayer Chorus “Fill My Cup, Lord” portunity for unbelievers, an opportunity for that one Pastoral Prayer who doesn’t know Jesus Christ as his personal Savior Announcements to be born again. Offertory Sentence C. So let us examine ourselves. For, as someone His Tithes/Our Offerings Scripture Lesson 1 Cor. 11:17-34 once observed: “The unexamined life is not worth liv­ Special Song “Worthy Is the Lamb” ing.” [Consider either singing or sharing the lyrics from Message “THE SACRAMENTAL CHURCH” the hymn “Cleanse Me.”] The Lord’s Table ILLUS. “Have I Done My Best for Jesus?” Choruses “Jesus, Name Above All Names”; “Holy Ground”; “We I wonder, have I giv’n my best to Jesus Bow Down”; “This Is My Body” Who died upon the cruel tree? Benediction To think of His great sacrifice at Calv’ry, I know my Lord expects the best from me. CREATIVE WORSHIP IDEAS: Call to Worship How many are the lost that I have lifted? My God, and is Thy table spread? How many are the chained I’ve helped to free? And does Thy cup with love o’erflow? I wonder, have I done my best for Jesus, Thither be all Thy children led, When He has done so much for me? And let them all its sweetness know. The hours that I have wasted are so many, Philip Doddridge The hours I’ve spent for Christ so few. Offertory Sentence Because of all my lack of love for Jesus, Prov. 4:23 reads: “Above all else, guard your heart, I wonder if His heart is breaking too? for it is the wellspring of life." Giving is more impor­ I wonder have I cared enough for others, tant for its spiritual significance than its financial sig­ Or have I let them die alone? nificance; more important for its indication of the Lord’s place in our lives than for its help in paying the I might have helped a wand’rer to the Saviour; bills incurred in the Lord’s work. It is well that we The seed of precious life I might have sown. examine our hearts as we give. No longer will I stay within the valley, Benediction I'll climb to mountain heights above; The peace of God, which passes all understand­ The world is dying now for the want of someone ing, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge To tell them of the Saviour’s matchless love. and love of God and of His Son, Jesus Christ our — Ensign Edwin Young Lord: And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and CONCLUSION: remain with you always. Amen. A. Jesus wants to invite you to participate in this sac­

The Hidden Treasure (Continued from page 37)

sponsored welcome would tie in could be used as senior partners to all believers and followers of Jesus. those newcomers to the district small congregations— not as pas­ Let us view the small church dif­ family. tors but as partners. ferently. Let us get behind these 7. Retired clergy and spouses Frequently, the small church car­ many, many faithful communities of could be helpful on each district in ries an inferiority complex compared disciples. If we truly nurture the the role of "listening posts" for to the larger congregations. Every­ small church, encourage it, helping clergy and laity of small churches. one is needful to God’s work— to water it with tears of intercessary This important ministry would keep whether in a large or small church. prayer, and smile the sunshine of the retirees in Kingdom work by Smaller congregations need fellow­ caring love upon it, we would realize drawing on their experiences, wis­ ship with persons in larger groups; the rich resource we already have. dom, and caring. How kindly they we all need each other— for we are *

64 “THE FRIENDLY CHURCH” Matt. 7:1-12 July 8, 1990

INTRO: and accept them as they are. Lawrence Peters has Friendship. What a beautiful word! Just the word noted that you can always tell a real friend: “When friend brings warm feelings, a sense of security, and you’ve made a fool of yourself, a true friend doesn’t feel precious memories of moments shared with a special you’ve done a permanent job!” person. No doubt about it, one of God’s greatest gifts to ILLUS. Babe Ruth was one of baseball’s all-time us is the gift of friendship. Friends make our life fuller, greats. His bat had the power of a cannon, and his richer, more exciting. Thank God for friends! record of 714 home runs stood until Hank Aaron came The church ought to be a friendly place: a place where along. “The Babe” was the idol of countless sports fans. lasting friendships are made and nourished. What better But in time, age took its toll, and his popularity waned. place to make friends than the Church of Jesus Christ? Finally, the New York Yankees traded him to the Cincin­ We desire that this church fellowship will be a place nati Braves. In one of his last games in Cincinnati, Babe where friends are made and friendships are construct­ Ruth began to falter. He struck out and made several ed. We want to be a “friendly” church. errors, allowing the Reds to score five runs in one inning. This morning, we are going to examine what the Bible As Babe walked toward the dugout, there rose from the says about friends and friendships. We may discover stands an enormous chorus of boos and catcalls. Some how valuable our friends really are and how we can be­ fans actually shook their fists. Then a wonderful thing come better friends. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “God happened. A little boy jumped over the railing. With tears evidently does not intend us all to be rich, or powerful or streaming down his cheeks, he ran out to the great ath­ great, but He does intend us to have friends.” From Matt. lete. Unashamedly, he flung his arms around Babe’s 7:1-6 we discover a few simple principles for building legs and held on tightly. Babe Ruth scooped him up, friendships and being a friendly church. hugged him, and set him down again. Hand in hand, they walked off the field together. I. Principle 1: To Have Friends You Must Be a Good Friend. D. Give your friends, or those you wish to become your friends, the gift of nonjudgmental, unconditional A. In what is now known as the Golden Rule, Jesus acceptance. Remember, we have a great Friend in Jesus said, “So in everything, do to others what you would who loves us regardless of our failures and short­ have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the comings. The friendly church is accepting of all! Prophets” (v. 12). III. Principle 3: To Be a Good Friend, Follow Jesus’ B. You must treat your friends as you wish to be Example. treated. To have friends, you must be a good friend. Therefore, ask yourself: “If I were someone else, would A. Jesus was a wonderful Friend! He was loving, car­ I like to have myself as a friend?” ing, responsive, and forgiving. He still is! If you really want to know what true friendship is like, if you want a C. Be the kind of person others would want as a perfect model or pattern to follow, look to Jesus. Jesus friend: kind, giving, accepting, and loving. is the greatest Friend I know! II. Principle 2: To Be a Good Friend You Must Be Non- B. Jesus is a giver, not a taker. He said: “Ask, and it judgmental and Accepting. will be given to you” (v. 7). He is always willing to give A. Jesus said: “Do not judge, or you too will be himself. A true friend is willing to contribute more to the judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will relationship than he will probably receive in return— be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be mea­ more time, more acceptance, more forgiveness. A good sured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust friend must be more patient, more understanding, more in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in willing to make the relationship work. To be a good your own eye?” (vv. 1 -3). friend, we must be more like Jesus, the perfect model of a true friend. B. Nothing will destroy a friendship or potential friend­ ship more quickly than judgmentalism. William Barclay ILLUS. Two sisters were separated for a time, living in different cities. While away from home, one of them be­ suggests that there are three great reasons why no one came a Christian. They both went home to visit not long should judge another. (1) We never know either the after her conversion. One day, the other girl said to the whole facts or the whole person. Only God knows the new believer, “I don’t know what has happened, but you whole story. (2) It is almost impossible for any man’s are a great deal easier to live with than you used to be.” judgment to be strictly impartial. Only God can be com­ Praise the Lord. That is the way it should be. Christians pletely impartial. (3) No man is good enough to judge any other man. Only a sinless God is good enough. should make better sisters, better brothers, better friends! Therefore, leave the judging to the Judge! C. Our task as Christian friends is not to stand in IV. Principle 4: To Be a Good Friend Requires Per­ judgment over or to criticize our friends. Our task is to sonal Commitment. love and accept them; to overlook their shortcomings A. If you are going to be a better friend, if we are go­ ing to be a friendlier church, we must be willing to com­ mit ourselves to it. We must be willing to ask, seek, and knock. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek Sexual Failure in High Places and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to (Continued from page 41) you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” a young man from a “plain people” tradition explained to (Matt. 7:7-8). me that he had bought his young fiance a diamond and B. God is willing to lead you into a life of closer, more wedding ring combination even though their covenant meaningful relationships, but you must commit yourself membership forbade the wearing of any jewelry, he jus­ to becoming a better, truer friend. tified it: “That is all right for most people who cannot ILLUS. Two little boys lived next door to each other, afford jewelry, but I can afford it.” I watched him take attended the same Sunday School, and were both from both of them out of that tradition, but when “success” Christian homes. One day while they played, they began became a heady wine, and they were far from their quarreling long and hot. Suddenly, one said to the other, roots, he established a reputation for having any woman “I think it’s time one of us acted like a Christian. How in sight. One of his sons reported that efforts to scan­ about you going first?” dalize his father for playing around by reporting a preg­ C. Make a personal commitment to Christian friend­ nant secretary were absurd: “Dad had a vasectomy 10 ship. “I will be a better friend, as the Lord helps me. I will years ago!” The son was already well settled into the make our church a friendlier place. I will follow the exam­ tournament male vision. ple of our Lord Jesus. I will become the kind of friend I Tournament pastors or executives who work hard to want my friends to become.” When each of us makes climb to top visible posts with rewards of money, power, such a commitment, then— and only then— will our and status are particularly vulnerable to the adultery of church become the friendly church that will attract our mistress lovers— the equivalent today of the King David friends. harem. In this introductory exploration of sexual failure in high SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER places where ministers, evangelists, superintendents, We Welcome Our Friends and bishops go down in flames, I have been offering a Call to Worship Prov. 27:17 vocabulary for thinking about various kinds of sexual Choruses failure. If we have no tools for thought, we are very far “God Loves You and I Love You”; from finding either prevention or healing. Think of a “The Family of God” highly visible person whose career you watched de­ Invocation stroyed. Can you identify those in which you saw evi­ We Worship Him in Song dence of the alien bond of adultery with its long-term Hymn “In Christ There Is No East or West” Choral Special or Solo “What a Friend development and its powerful hold on both partners in We Have in Jesus” the affair? In another case, did you see the complete We Express Our Friendship with God absence of any “bond”? but the public railing against Prayer Chorus “I Love You with the sexual sin while secret compensatory fornicating was Love of the Lord” going on? And can you dip again into memory and iden­ Open Altar (We Pray for Our Friends) tify someone who seemed to make significant attach­ Children’s Message His Tithes/Our Offerings ment to more than one partner, and seemed baffled that We Hear His Word neither their partners nor we could tolerate the situation Responsive Reading “The Body of Christ” once it surfaced. With such tournament males there is Special Song “Friends” by Michael W. Smith little guilt. Their conquests establish their sense of self­ The Message of the Morning esteem, and they tend to regret only that they “blew “THE FRIENDLY CHURCH” their cover” and lost the privileges they deserved if only We Commit Ourselves to Deeper Friendships “people understood.” Closing Hymn “Our Friendly Church” Benediction Eph. 6:23-24 In a subsequent discussion I will open up issues of recovery and hope for each of the sexual disorders: CREATIVE WORSHIP IDEAS: adultery, fornication, and the “original sin” tournament Call to Worship male. But I will also look at congregational healing in the Prov. 27:17 reads: “As iron sharpens iron, so one wake of pastoral failure, playing off typical scenarios man sharpens another.” We have gathered here to­ with which you are familiar, but whose effects remain day to celebrate the gift of friendship. Let us worship devastating for decades in the community of faith. $ our Friend, Jesus Christ. Let us listen as He teaches us how to be better, truer friends. Children’s Message This article is an expansion of findings and observations Begin by telling the story of the two boys at play. published and illustrated with diagrams developed by the au­ Stress that friendship begins with me, not the other thor in the following additional resources: Treatment of forni­ person. Challenge the children to be good friends cation, adultery, and tournament species appear in Bonding: (share toys, be kind, etc.). Close with a discussion of Relationships in the Image of God, Word, 1985; and Re- Jesus as Friend. Bonding: Preventing and Restoring Damaged Relationships, Offertory Sentence Word, 1986. The diagram on compensatory compulsive ad­ As friends of God, we want to give of our own diction appears in Walk On! p. 79, Wheaton, III.: Victor, 1988, resources to help promote His cause. and in Unfinished Business: How a Man Can Make Peace (Continued on page 68) “THE HAPPY CHURCH” Matt. 5:1-12 July 15, 1990

INTRO: doesn’t mean his motives are pure. Some people love ILLUS. An Englishman, a Frenchman, and a Russian Jesus, but He is not Lord of their lives. They have com­ were discussing happiness. “Happiness,” said the En­ mitted their lives to Jesus, but not completely. They have glishman, “is when you return home tired after work and experienced forgiveness for committed sins, but the sin find your slippers warming by the fire.” nature remains. The tendency toward sin remains. “You English have no romance,” said the Frenchman. James describes this condition as double-mindedness. “Happiness is having dinner with a beautiful woman in a C. Seren Kierkegaard said, “To be pure in heart is to fine restaurant.” will one thing: to love God with all of the heart, soul, mind “You are both wrong,” said the Russian. “True hap­ and strength and one’s neighbor as oneself. The pure in piness is when you are at home in bed and at 4 a .m . hear heart have perfect intentions. And although the actual a hammering at the door and there stand the secret performance will never be perfect, the heart’s desires police who say to you, ‘Ivan Ivanovitch, you are under and affections can be.” arrest,’ and you say, ‘Sorry, Ivan Ivanovitch lives next D. No one is naturally pure in heart. No matter how door.’ ” hard you try— through education or culture or personal The definition of happiness may differ from one per­ resolve—you cannot change the condition of your son to the next. But one thing is clear: happiness is not heart. Hearts can be made pure only by a work of divine something that happens to you. Happiness is something grace. Only as you make a complete commitment of that happens in you! That is what prompted Jesus to your life to Jesus will the Holy Spirit purify your heart. say, “Blessed [or happy] are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matt. 5:8). III. Heart Purity Is Needed by Every Born-again Be­ This morning, we are going to examine this, the liever. sixth— and possibly best known— beatitude, in order A. You say, “from a purely academic standpoint I be­ that we might become a happy church. As we study this lieve God can purify a person’s heart and in so doing, statement from the lips of our Lord, we discover: perfect his intentions. But is it really necessary?” Yes, if I. Happiness Springs from a Pure Heart. you’re really interested in living the consistent Jesus life. Yes, if you want to stand fast in the face of temptation. A. Real happiness is not circumstantial. There are Yes, if you really want to love others as Jesus loved people living under seemingly ideal circumstances who them. Yes, if you want to really impact your world for are terribly unhappy. And some whose circumstances Jesus. A pure heart is crucial. are very difficult seem extremely happy. That is because ILLUS. Thorwaldsen was a Danish sculptor. He had happiness is the outward evidence of an inward grace. completed a statue of Jesus that was famous all over B. Jesus knew this. That is why He spent so much of Europe. One day the French government offered him a His time and energy teaching and preaching on the con­ commission to carve the statue of the Roman goddess, dition of the heart. He knew that unless one’s attitudes Venus. He answered, “The hands which carved the fig­ were transformed, he could never be happy, regardless ure of Christ can never carve the figure of a heathen of his circumstances. “To be happy,” Jesus said, “a per­ goddess.” son’s heart must be pure.” B. In order to make the right ethical decisions; in or­ C. The Greek word for pure is katharos, and it can der to really live pure, clean lives; in order to live the simply mean clean. In this case, it means, “unalloyed, consistent Jesus life; in order to stay pure in the midst of unmixed, like a pure metal that contains no alloys.” With a dirty and perverse world, you must have a pure heart. this definition in mind, Jesus is saying, “Happy is the The work of heart purity is God’s way of equipping you person whose motives are unmixed. Happy is the man to live a happy and consistent life. or woman who has one pure motive." That sounds very ILLUS. A man was visiting a coal mining town. To his noble and quite desirable. But is it possible? Is it at­ surprise, he noticed a beautiful white flower growing up tainable? Can you and I really be made pure in heart, or beside the black roadway to the mine. The tourist asked is that an experience reserved exclusively for the super­ a miner, “How can such a pure, beautiful flower exist in saints? Friends, I have some very good news! these dirty surroundings?” II. Heart Purity Is Available to Every Born-again Be­ The miner replied, “Throw some coal dust on it and liever. see.” When the dirt touched the petals, it slid right off to the ground. The flower was just as lovely as before. The A. Jesus addressed the Sermon on the Mount to petals were so smooth that the dirt could not stick to the believers— those who had already made a decision to flower. follow Him. Their sins had been forgiven; they were Christians cannot avoid living in a sinful, morally pol­ born-again. luted world. But God can keep them so pure and clean B. Just because a person is saved doesn’t mean his that though they encounter sin on every side, it will not heart is pure. Just because a person is born again soil their souls. Jesus’ disciples can stand in the midst of

67 a dirty world, unsullied by it. “Happy are those whose hearts are pure” (Matt. 5:8, TLB). SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER IV. Only the Pure in Heart Will See God. We Gather in His Name Call to Worship Ps. 144:15 A. It is a simple fact of life that we only see what we Invocation are able to see. If I go out on a night of stars, I see a Responsive Reading “Purity of Heart” bunch of stars. That is what I am fit to see. But in that We Worship Him in Song same sky, an astronomer will call the stars and planets Hymn “Holiness unto the Lord” by their names. He really “sees the stars.” If I walk Anthem Choir through the woods, I see a bunch of trees. That’s what We Draw Near to Him I am fit to see. But in the same woods, a botanist will call Prayer Hymn “Cleanse Me” the trees by name. He really “sees the trees.” Pastoral Prayer Announcements B. So, says Jesus, it is only the pure in heart who Children’s Message shall “see God.” Tithes and Offerings We Hear His Word C. What is in the heart determines what the eyes of Scripture Lesson Matt. 5:1-12 the heart can see. Special Music ILLUS. My dad began to develop cataracts when he Message “THE HAPPY CHURCH” was 35. By the age of 40, he needed surgery. Back then, We Respond to His Voice cataracts required major surgery. He was in the hospital Closing Hymn “A Heart like Thine” for two weeks. I’ll never forget when they took off the Benediction bandages and he said, “I can see clearly now. For the first time in five years, I can see things as they really _ „ _ n CREATIVE WORSHIP IDEAS: are. Children’s Message D. Man’s sinful nature is like having a “cataract” on Gather the children at the front and ask, “What one’s soul. Selfish ambitions and desires keep us from things make you happy?” (Give them opportunity to seeing God and others as they truly are. share.) “Did you know God wants His children to be happy? He has written a Book that tells us how we E. When we totally commit our lives to Jesus, the can be happy. The Bible tells us that the way to be Holy Spirit purifies our hearts, and the carnal cataracts happy is to give your heart to Jesus. Do you know are removed. We begin to see people through the lens any happy people in our church? Do you know why of Christ’s love. With our new vision, we are able to see they are happy? Because they have Jesus in their beyond what people do to what they are. We begin to hearts! I hope you are happy boys and girls. I am. In see the meaning of Scripture as never before. The pure fact, now that I have Jesus in my heart, I’m happier when I am sad than I used to be when I was glad. So in heart see God and see life from His perspective, not put on your happy face, and I’ll put on mine. Let’s be through the lens of selfishness. The pure in heart have a a happy church.” whole new perspective on life! True happiness is possi­ Offertory Sentence ble. The hymn writer tells us that “there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” Let’s CONCLUSION: obey God, bringing the tithe and our offerings to This beatitude demands that we examine ourselves: Him. Let’s trust Him to multiply our meager re­ 1. What motivates you? Selfish ambition or love for sources for His glory, and to supply all our needs God and others? according to His riches in Christ Jesus. 2. Is your service given from selfless motives or Benediction from motives of self-display? “There is therefore no holiness, if Thou O Lord, 3. Is your church work done for Jesus or for pres­ withdraw Thine Hand. No wisdom profiteth, if Thou tige? leave off to guide the helm. No strength availeth, if 4. Are you standing fast in the face of temptation or Thou cease to preserve. No purity is secure, if Thou living inconsistently? protect it not. For when we are left alone we are swallowed up and perish, but when you work with 5. Have you made a complete commitment of your us we are raised up, and we live!” life to the Lord Jesus Christ? —Thomas a Kempis, An Imitation of Christ Our Lord stands ready to purify your heart. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

Sexual Failure in High Places (Continued from page 66) with His Past, p. 191, Victor, 1989. The family systems dia­ Mary Jo West Chair of Christian Education. He is an ordained gram appears in Parents, Kids, and Sexual Integrity, p. 116, elder in the Wabash Conference of the Free Methodist church Dallas: Word Books, 1988, and illustrates from secular re­ and is the author of two books being released in 1990 by search what Scripture teaches about marriage, husband-wife Regal Books: Celebrating the NEW MAN in the Family! and relationships, and family structure. The Joys have traced their Celebrating the NEW WOMAN in the Family! He and his wife, own sometimes painful history alongside biblical teachings in Robbie, are featured in a new adult curriculum video resource their Lovers: What Ever Happened to Eden? Word, 1987. The shot at a family life conference at Crystal Cathedral, For author, Dr. Donald M. Joy is professor of human development Parents Only: Risk-Proofing Your Family! GL Publishers, at Asbury Theological Seminary and occupies the Ray and 1989. “THE WAITING CHURCH” 2 Pet. 3:8-18 July 22, 1990

INTRO: up in the air with Him and changed in the twinkling of an Delays are annoying, aren’t they? Traffic jams; plane, eye; to leave this vale of tears and spend eternity with bus, and train delays; long lines; and slow checkout Him. But there is so much to be done, so many friends counters get under our skin. Delays annoy us! [You may and loved ones who are still lost. What a comfort to give personal, humorous illustration/example of dealing know that our Lord has delayed His coming in order to with a delay.] give our church another opportunity to win someone We really get impatient when we have to wait. People who is lost. That should help us wait patiently for His have always struggled with delays. The first-century return! Church, until Jesus returns, we must do our best church was no exception. They were convinced, based to save the lost. on Jesus’ own words and the apostles’ teaching, that ILLUS. Some years ago, a rescue crew was orga­ the Lord Jesus’ return was imminent. And when He did nized at Northwestern University in Chicago to rescue not return immediately, some became impatient. people from Lake Michigan. Early one cold November Impatience is something we all deal with at one time or another. It sometimes causes nervousness, anxiety, morning, word reached the campus that the Lady Elgin, tension, and other less-than-healthy emotions. But for loaded with passengers, had been caught in a violent some in the first-century church, impatience over the storm. She was rapidly going to pieces near the shore. “Big Delay” led to disbelief and skepticism. Some were The crew hurried to the scene, plunging into the cold, tempted to say: “He has not returned. Maybe He was angry waters. But they were soon driven back. not the Son of God after all. Maybe there was no Resur­ One athletic youth, Ed Spencer, would not give up rection. Maybe He’s not coming again.” hope of rescuing the drowning people. He threw off Many years have passed. After countless predictions, most of his clothes, tied a rope about his waist, and sign readings, and date settings, our Lord has chosen to threw himself into the choppy, frigid water! Swimming delay His coming further. He has asked His Church to out to the wrecked vessel, he got hold of a drowning wait a while longer. How much longer, only the Father man and signalled those on shore to pull him in. Time knows. We must wait. and again, he leaped into the chilly waters, finally rescu­ Peter shared with the first-century believers from ba­ ing 10 people! Then, utterly spent, he went over by a fire sic principles that will aid us as we wait. From 2 Peter 3, that had been built on the beach. He was blue, trem­ we discover: bling, and hardly able to stand. As Ed stood there, he looked again toward the sinking I. God Views Time with a Perspective We Lack. Lady Elgin. He saw men, women, and children strug­ A. “But do not forget this one thing, ” Peter said. “With gling in the water. “Boys,” he said, “I’m going in again!” the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand “No, no, Ed,” they cried, “It is utterly vain to try. You years is like a day” (2 Pet. 3:8). have used up all your strength. You can’t save any B. We are subject to the laws of time. Our perspec­ more!” tive is one of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, But Ed said, “They are going down. I must try again!” months, years, decades, and centuries. But God knows Diving into the bleak, cold waters again, he brought five no such limitations. God is eternal. He is not subject to more persons safely back to shore! Now he could hardly the laws of time. get to the fire on the beach. A spar of the wrecked ship bobbed on the waves. Then, he noticed a man’s head C. We have finite minds. We cannot fully comprehend just above the spar. He said, “Boys, there is a man out eternity. Yet as believers in Jesus Christ, we are given a there trying to save himself. I’m going to help him!” glimpse of it. Faith in Jesus Christ and His purposes “No, Ed, you can’t help him,” they said. allows us to view our waiting for His return from His “I’ll try anyway,” said Ed, and into the water he leaped. eternal perspective. This helps us wait with patience un­ Ed rescued his man. As he reached the shore with til He returns. him, he collapsed. He was carried to his room delirious. II. God Wishes That All the Lost Should Be Saved. During the day and night, whenever his mind cleared, Ed would ask, “Boys, did I do my best, my dead level best?" A. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as “Why, yes, Ed,” they would reply, “you saved 16!” some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not Then Ed would say, “Yes, I know that; but did I do my wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to re­ best, my dead level best?" pentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). D. Are we doing our best to reach the lost, to rescue B. God has delayed the coming of His Son, not from the perishing? Let’s work till Jesus comes. And don’t procrastination, tardiness, or laziness, but because of lose heart, for— His great mercy. He spares the sinner so that there will be further opportunity for salvation. III. God Has Promised in His Word That Jesus Will C. That is why, as your pastor, I have mixed feelings Return Again. about His coming again. Like you, I desire to be caught A. Peter reminds us: “But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new and to live in harmony, lives centered in His will. Let us earth, the home of righteousness" (2 Pet. 3:13). wait patiently for His return. B. Faith in this promise will help us wait with patience. ILLUS. One day Queen Victoria heard her court minis­ We know He is returning again because the Bible ter give a message on the second coming of Christ, with says so. [This would be a good place to quote some of all its attendant glories and blessedness for our needy the scriptural promises of His return: Isa. 65:17; Matt. world. It thrilled her heart and stirred her soul. She was 24:44; 1 Thess. 5:1-2.] seen weeping quietly in her royal box. Afterward, the These promises have encouraged believers down court minister asked the queen why she wept. With through the centuries. I hope they will encourage you. tears in her eyes, the queen said, “Oh, that I would be Jesus is coming again. No delay will invalidate that here when He returns! I would like to place my crown at promise! His feet!” ILLUS. A Chinese lady in Java was wonderfully saved. CLOSING OPTIONAL (CHALLENGE OR INVITATION: ARE Though she knew Christ as her Savior, she knew noth­ YOU READY?) ing of Him as coming King. One day in her home, she heard a voice say clearly in her own lauguage: “Messiah is coming!" She did not know the meaning of the word SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER Messiah. She thought a visitor was coming to call on Call to Worship Welcome and Announcements her. She wondered how she would entertain the coming Chorus “He Is Lord” guest. Again, the voice came, saying, “Messiah is com­ Invocation ing soon!” Perplexed, she went to a Christian friend and Hymn “O That Will Be Glory” asked who Messiah is. She found that Jesus Christ is Choral Song “When We See Christ” the Messiah, that He is the coming King. How happy she Children’s Message was over the news. Her daily life became different. She His Tithes/Our Offerings lived each day in readiness for the Messiah's coming. Offering Prayer Scripture Lesson 2 Pet. 3:8-18 C. Wait patiently. The Messiah is coming! Finally— Special Song “The Old Rugged Cross” IV. God Requires His Followers to Live a Holy Life. Message of the Morning “THE WAITING CHURCH” Hymn of Invitation “There’s a Great Day Coming’’ A. Peter reminds those who are waiting for our Lord’s Open Altar Prayer Time return: “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, Benediction what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives” (2 Pet. 3:11). CREATIVE WORSHIP IDEAS: B. Whenever we hear of our Lord’s promised return, Call to Worship it should inspire the desire to live a holy life. A person “Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Fa­ who is concerned with loving God with all of his heart, ther and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us give soul, mind, and strength, and his neighbor as himself, unto the Lord the glory due unto His name. Worship will not have much opportunity to be frustrated over our the Lord in the beauty of holiness. God is a Spirit, Lord’s delay. He’s too busy hammering holiness out on and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit the anvil of his life. Show me a believer whose supreme and in truth.” Children’s Message desire is to be like Jesus, and I’ll show you a believer Begin with the story of the little girl who prepared who is waiting patiently for His return. herself for Jesus’ coming. Stress how important it is ILLUS. A little girl heard her mother and some friends to be good, obey your parents, and love others. This speaking about the near return of the Lord Jesus. Some is how one prepares for Jesus’ coming. hours later, the little girl was missed. They finally found Offertory Prayer her at a window, near the top of the house. She said, “O Almighty God, look mercifully upon the world “Oh, Mother, I heard you say that Jesus may come to­ which You have redeemed by the Blood of your dear day. I wanted to be the first to see Him. See, I washed Son, and incline the hearts of many to dedicate themselves to the sacred ministry of the church, myself and put on a clean dress.” through Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” If we daily look for Christ’s soon return, we will try to Benediction keep ourselves clean, “unspotted from the world.” God’s “Grant, our Lord, that the words which we have Word says, “Everyone who has this hope in him purifies heard this day with our outward ears, may, through himself just as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). grace be so grafted inwardly in our hearts, that they may bring forth in us the fruit of holy living, to the CONCLUSION: honour and praise of Thy name, through Jesus A. Let us be challenged by His delay— challenged to Christ our Lord. Amen.” spread the Good News of the gospel, to live the holy life,

70 “THE HEALING CHURCH” James 5:13-18 July 29, 1990

INTRO: C. I thank God that our church believes in the biblical The Church of Jesus Christ has always been a heal­ doctrine of divine healing. Our articles of faith clearly ing church. In fact, healing was one of the great charac­ state that we are to “urge our people to seek to offer the teristics of the Early Church. The Acts of the Apostles is prayer of faith for healing of the sick” (Manual, Church of filled with examples of divine healing (Acts 5:15; 8:7; the Nazarene, Article XV, italics added). I would urge you 9:33 ff.; 14:8-10; 16:18; 28:8 ff.). to seek God’s healing power in your life. The church, from the time of Justin Martyr in the first II. A Healing Church Is One Where Biblical Guide­ century, through the Middle Ages and Reformation, to lines Are Followed. the present time, has consistently emphasized and sought healing for the sick. A. In recent years, an unbelievable variety of move­ Jesus placed a significant emphasis upon meeting ments has emerged that have made healing the major the needs of suffering humanity. Nearly 20 percent of feature of their ministry. Many of their activities are “ex- the entire Gospels is devoted to Jesus’ healing ministry trabiblical” or, in some cases, inconsistent with biblical and the discussions occasioned by it. Out of 3,779 guidelines for healing. verses in the four Gospels, 727 relate specifically to B. The Word of God is very clear (Read James 5:14.) Jesus healing physical and mental illnesses. (Read Matt. This is how the church is to conduct its healing activ­ 4:23.) ities. Although His teaching and preaching ministry took precedence, Jesus did not neglect the physical and C. When someone seeks the healing ministry of the church, the elders, or appointed leaders of the local emotional needs of people. He fully expects us, His dis­ ciples, to continue the same work— to be a healing church, are to gather in and surround that individual for church. prayer and support. To better understand how our church can become D. An elder is to anoint that person with oil. Such more of a healing community of believers, we shall ex­ anointing serves as a symbol of obedience, encourage­ amine James. (Read James 5:13-18.) From this passage ment, and the healing power of God. This anointing has we discover the principles of a healing church. deep spiritual significance, for it is done in the name of the Lord. I. A Healing Church Is One Where Healing Is Sought. E. Prayer is offered in behalf of the one in need of A. Some Christians think that they must suffer healing. Prayer recognizes that all healing comes from alone— to hide their hurts from their brothers and sis­ God and is an expression of complete dependence ters in Christ. But James invites the sick to “call the upon Him, our Great Physician. elders of the church to pray over him” (James 5:14). ILLUS. In a warm and tender biography, James Ross B. The church's healing ministry begins as the person tells about migraine headaches that his wife, Clare, had in need shares his burden. Paul said that we are to “bear suffered all her life. The attacks came every two or three ye one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2, KJV). How can the weeks with such intensity that she could not lift a finger church bear your burden unless you are willing to share for 24 hours. The pain was so excruciating that it dis­ your burden? To remain silent about your pain is to miss torted her vision and speech. Doctors offered no hope. the ministry that comes from a healing community. The only thing to be done was to put her in bed, darken ILLUS. A rather timid young lady went to her pastor the room, and leave her to suffer. before the service began and asked: “Pastor, will you While Clare, in middle age, was still feeling sick and pray for me today? I have a problem, but please, do not wretched in the aftermath of one of her worst attacks, mention my name.” her husband took her to a church where they gathered In the service that followed, when every head was in, anointed her head with oil, and prayed. She left that bowed and there was perfect silence, the pastor prayed chapel with all signs of the migraine gone, and to the fervently for this “unspoken" request: “O Lord, there is a end of her life she never had another attack. young lady here who does not want her identity to be Her husband later wrote: “The cynic may say that a known. But You know who she is. Lord, meet her need.” psychosomatic complaint had been dealt with by psy­ There was silence for a moment. Then the young lady chological means; the cynic may say what he will. In arose and said in a pleading voice: “Lord Jesus, it’s me. faith, my Clare took 20 years of sickness to God, and in It’s me!” Her heart was so hungry for God’s touch that faith she left that sickness with Him.” she became unafraid to publically seek His help. And so You, like Clare, can leave your problem with God. she came and prayed and experienced His touch upon her life. III. A Healing Church Is One Where True Faith Is Ex­ Eventually, in our walk with God we all come to this ercised. place: An awareness that it’s not my brother nor my A. When prayer is offered by the church for the sick, sister but it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer. it must be made faithfully. (Read James 5:15.)

71 B. Faith is the key that opens the door to God’s heal­ ing touch. Jesus himself asked the blind men: “ ‘Do you SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER believe that I am able to do this?’ We Gather in His Name “ ‘Yes, Lord,’ they replied. Then Jesus touched their Welcome and Invocation eyes and said, ‘According to your faith will it be done to Praise Choruses “He Touched Me”; you’; and their sight was restored” (Matt. 9:28-30). “There Is Peace in the Midst of the Storm” Expressions of Fellowship C. Do you believe that Jesus is our Great Physician? We Worship Him in Song That all healing comes from His hand? He wants you to Hymn “Arise, My Soul, Arise” be a whole person! Put the full weight of your trust upon Choral Music “There Is Peace in the Him today. Come, seek God’s healing for your mind, Midst of the Storm” emotions, and body. We Participate in His Mission Announcements ILLUS. Charles Wesley penned the following words Offering reflecting his personal faith in the healing power of God. Offertory With simple faith on thee I call, We Hear His Word My light, my life, my Lord, my all; Scripture Lesson Matt. 9:27— 10:1 I wait the moving of the pool, Special Song “He Touched Me” I wait the word that speaks me whole. The Message of the Morning “THE HEALING TOUCH” CONCLUSION: We Come to Him for Healing A. The church wishes to extend to you a priceless gift Hymn “I Must Tell Jesus” that Jesus has entrusted to us: We wish to extend His Healing Service Around the Altar healing touch to you. We Depart to Serve Him Closing Chorus “He Touched Me” B. Jesus is passing by. If you will reach out in faith Benediction Phil. 4:4-7 and touch the hem of His garment, He has healing for you. Healing for damaged emotions, for destructive CREATIVE WORSHIP IDEAS: memories, for confused minds, for worn-out, diseased Invocation bodies. Come. We shall gather around you. We will Our Father, as we have gathered here today, re­ anoint you with oil. We will pray for you! It is an honor to mind us in the moments that follow of the gracious do so. words our Savior Jesus has said unto all those who ILLUS. Dr. Paul Tournier, Swiss psychiatrist, in his truly turn to Him: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor book The Flealing of Persons, describes a visit to a man and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my in a hospital. yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall rest unto your souls.” We My dear friend, you have come to a crossroads. I wait humbly before You today in anticipation of the have no doubt that God has brought you to this fulfillment of these, Your promises. Amen. present moment so that you can make your choice. Note on Healing Service There are two roads in front of you. One goes from Upon having extended an invitation for your peo­ clinic to clinic. The road is full of suffering but it is an ple to seek healing, invite them to come to the altar easy road to choose. It is the road along which you to kneel and pray. You may start at one end of the expect healing to come from others, from doctors altar and work your way to the other. Gather the el­ clever enough to discover some new remedy which ders around the seeker, have them lay hands on him, will cure you. and, follow the suggested procedure: The other road is very hard. It is the road to Jesus Pastor: “Joe, what is it you wish the Lord to do for you this morning?” Christ, who has warned us that it is a narrow and Joe: “Heal the arthritis I have in my knees.” (If you difficult one. If you take it, you must accept what have a microphone, hold it close to Joe so the comes to you, carry your cross, put up with your trou­ congregation can hear his request. If you do not, bles, have the courage to go back to work, and face repeat the request to the congregation.) up to life even though it hurts. It is a road which de­ Pastor: “Joe, I anoint you with oil in the name of mands a change of heart. But you do not travel it the Lord Jesus Christ. alone; and even if it demands sacrifice, you will find As you apply the oil to Joe’s forehead, you may joy in it because as you go, you will find that Christ is wish to conform to the ancient church tradition of by your side . . . and your sins are forgiven. making the sign of the cross with the oil. Now, pray for Joe’s physical need. Be specific. Be compassion­ ate. And thank God for His healing touch. Then, move on to the next seeker. “THE GIVING CHURCH” Luke 16:1-13; Mai. 3:6-12 August 5, 1990

INTRO: II. We Must Be Free from Slavery to Material Pos­ ILLUS. The minister of a small church believed some sessions. practical joker was teasing him as I.O.U.’s began to ap­ A. Jesus said: “No servant can serve two masters. pear in the collection plate. One Sunday night weeks Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will later the collection included an envelope containing bills be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot equal to the total of the I.O.U.’s. serve both God and Money” (Luke 16:13). After that, the parson could hardly wait to see what B. Believers must be very careful not to get caught amount the anonymous donor had promised. Con­ up in “the tyranny of things.” Twentieth-century North tributions ranged from $5.00 to $15.00— apparently American Christians are tempted to use up all of their based on what the donor thought the sermon was financial resources to purchase and maintain things. If worth. There came a Sunday when the collection plate we are not careful, accumulation of things can become brought a note reading, “U.O. Me $5.00.” an all-consuming, cruel master. Christian, be on your Yes, it is true, churchgoers use various methods to guard! Do not let your possessions become your mas­ determine what they will give to the church. Some peo­ ter. ple give only what they have jingling in their pockets or ILLUS. Many modern-day examples could be given purses. Some give the same amount every week, like that illustrate how people become servant to their pos­ clockwork. Some tithe 10 percent of their income on a sessions. But no story illustrates this more powerfully regular basis. Others give nothing at all. However, the than the story of Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ministry of the church continues to depend upon the ruler. (See Matt. 19:16-22.) giving of people like us. Some people feel that preachers talk too much about C. The good news is that we do not have to be slaves money. Lucille Goodyear tells the story of a church to our possessions. Our financial resources can be­ member who complained to his pastor: “It’s getting so come our servant. God has given us a method to prop­ that all we ever hear around here is one continuous give, erly manage our financial resources: TITHING. give, give.” III. We Must Give God the Tithe from Our Income. The pastor said, “Praise the Lord! You have just given one of the best descriptions of Christianity that I’ve ever A. Tithing, giving 10 percent of our income to God, is heard!" not a new idea. Abram brought a tentfuof his income to Preachers talk about giving because it is a biblical the priest, Melchizedek (Gen. 14:20). The Lord told Mo­ mandate. The Bible has a great deal to say about giving. ses that “a tithe of everything from the land, whether Let’s examine two passages of Scripture, one from the grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. We Lord; it is holy to the Lord” (Lev. 27:30). God said to the will discover how to become more of a giving church. people of Israel through the prophet Malachi: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food I. We Must Act Wisely in Financial Matters. in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord, and see if I A. Jesus taught financial wisdom in the parable of will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour the shrewd manager (Luke 16:1-13). Jesus tells the out so much blessing that you will not have room story of a manager who was commended for acting enough for it” (Mai. 3:10). shrewdly in a business transaction. (Read Luke 16:8-9.) B. Tithing is a thoroughly biblical principle. God ex­ B. In this parable, Jesus calls attention to the clever pects His people to bring the whole tithe into the store­ manner in which the manager did business. Opponents house, the church of Jesus Christ. Failure to tithe miss­ of Christianity have drawn upon this parable to argue es a tremendous blessing and actually robs God! against Jesus’ ethical integrity. They claim Jesus advo­ C. Only a small percentage of believing Christians cated a “make it any way you can” mentality. This view tithe. Disobedience may be a primary cause. But it also simply reflects a misunderstanding of how Jesus used reflects a lack of trust in God. Many people lack faith in parables to teach one central, spiritual truth. The one God’s promise to bless those who tithe. truth Jesus is teaching here is that Christians should be ILLUS. Once a man was lost in the desert, nearly dy­ prudent in handling money, even more so than people of ing from thirst. He wandered aimlessly through the the world. burning sand for many days, growing weaker by the C. To be a giving church, we must be good stewards moment. of every penny God entrusts to us, neither extravagant At long last he saw an oasis far in the distance. Palm nor sloppy in our financial affairs. We must use our best trees indicated a source of water! He stumbled forward judgment in order to make all we can. The more we feverishly and fell beneath the shade of the trees. At last make, the more we have available for God’s use. he could slake his tortured thirst. But then he noticed

73 something strange. Instead of a pool of water, or a well, quantity of water, he would then have all he wanted. or a spring bubbling up from the ground, the man found What should he do? a pump. Beside the pump were two objects— a small jar CONCLUSION: of water and a parchment note. We find ourselves at a point of decision. Like the man The note explained that a leather gasket within the in the parable of the pump, God wants us to be givers. pump must be saturated with water for the pump to He wants us to be a giving church. What shall we do work. Within the jar was only enough water to prime the with our glass of water— the tithe? Shall we gulp it pump. The note also warned the reader not to drink down? Or, shall we trust God's Word and pour it out? from the jar. Every drop must be poured into an opening (s h a r e a p e r s o n a l t e s t i m o n y ) I am here to say that at the base of the pump to soak the heat-dried gasket. I have tested God in this regard. I dared to give God the Then, as the leather softened and expanded, an un­ tithe, and He is as good as His word! He has not only limited supply of fresh water would be available. The provided for our needs but has blessed us beyond mea­ parchment’s final instructions were to refill the container sure. for the next traveler’s use. Let us become a giving church. Let us commit our­ The man faced a dilemma. He was dying of thirst and selves to the biblical principle of tithing. If every believer had found water. Not much water, of course, maybe not would tithe, the church would have no financial pres­ enough to save his life, but it seemed the height of folly sures. Test God and see if He will not throw open the to pour it down the base of the pump. On the other floodgates of heaven! Let us become a giving church hand, if the note was accurate, by pouring out the small because we serve a giving God!

SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER CREATIVE WORSHIP IDEAS: Choral Call to Worship “Everyday Is a Victory” Offertory Sentence Invocation 2 Cor. 8:1-2 reads: “And now, brothers, we want Hymn “Give of Your Best to the Master” you to know about the grace that God has given the Choral Music “Lord, Let Me Serve” Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, Prayer Hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be’’ their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty Open Altar Prayer Time welled up in rich generosity.” How can you tell when Old Testament Lesson Mai. 3:6-12 the grace of God is working in a person’s life? By the His Tithes/Our Offerings way he gives, for there is nothing closer to ourselves Special Song “Make My Life a Living Sacrifice” than substance. Let us, like the Macedonian be­ The Message of the Morning “THE GIVING CHURCH” lievers, give out of our overflowing joy with rich gen­ Hymn of Dedication “A Charge to Keep I Have” erosity.

JUSTIN TIME Missionaries (Continued from page 32) ceived the gospel message and con­ tinued to testify and build the church in that city. Their work was not in vain. Importantly, Paul and Barna­ bas had preached the gospel in a way that the Lystrans would under­ stand it. The apostles freely con­ fessed that they were “only men.”

NOTES 1. William Barclay, The Acts of the Apostles, rev. ed. (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1976), 109. 2. One Filipino church leader suggests a "com- padre” system in missions based on both intimate friendship and constant companionship between missionaries and nationals, resulting in true partner­ ship in the gospel of Christ. Greg Tingson, Mission and Obsession: A Collection of Essays (Quezon City: Asian Christian Outreach, 1982), 21-23. 3. For intimations of how the Wesleyan doctrine of prevenient grace may be applied to the world mission see: Lycurgus M. Starkey, Jr., The Work of the Holy Spirit: A Study in Wesleyan Theology (New York: Ab­ ingdon, 1962), 150-55; Harald Lindstrom, Wesley and Sanctification: A Study in the Doctrine of Salva- f/on(Reprint, Wilmore, Ky.: Francis Asbury Publishing Co., n.d.), 44-50.

74 “THE CARING CHURCH” Mark 2:1-12 August 12, 1990

INTRO: definition, to intercede for someone is to “bring them to ILLUS. Jerry Bridges, in the book Crisis of Caring, Jesus.” makes the following important observation about the ILLUS. A young man, 16 years old, was wonderfully modern-day church: “There is a crisis of caring in the saved. Each morning and night, he prayed for strength Church of Jesus Christ today. Many Christians readily to live a Christian life. He entered college. One after­ identify with David’s lament, ‘No one is concerned for noon, his roommate fell in the gymnasium. He was car­ me... no one cares for my life’ (Psalm 142:4). We are all ried to their room, more dead than alive. A doctor was so busy, absorbed in our own responsibilities and insu­ called. With terror in his eyes, the roommate whispered, lated from one another. We pass each other like ships in “Wilson, I wish you would pray for me!” the night, uttering a friendly, but empty: ‘Hi, how’re you The Christian young man knelt down and prayed for doing?’ and leaving an equally hollow response, ‘Oh, his roommate. God answered the prayer. A change fine, how’re you?’ We’d be shocked if someone replied, came, and the roommate was immediately better. “That ‘Would you really like to know?’ ” faltering prayer for my roommate opened to me the wide Bridges is right. We are not as caring as we could be. door of intercessory prayer, prayer for others. My Chris­ The reason is quite simple: we do not see ourselves as tian faith was weak because I had never prayed for oth­ care-givers. God has called us to the ministry of caring ers.” Every Christian should be an intercessor. for others. As yet we have not come to a full realization of this calling. D. If we would be a caring church, we must be an intercessory church. ILLUS. Kenneth C. Haugk, in his book Christian Car­ ing: A Way of Life, makes the following statement: “In 1 II. We Must Refuse to Give Up on Them. Cor. 3:6-7, Paul wrote: ‘I planted, Apollos watered, but A. It would have been easy for those four nameless God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he men to give up their efforts: “Jesus is too busy. Besides, who waters is anything, but only God who gives the the door is blocked.” But they did not give up. They growth.’ As a farmer’s responsibility is to ‘plant’ and ‘wa­ persevered! And we must if we are to be a caring ter,’ God then provides the growth. In other words, church. Christians are responsible for care; God is responsible for cure.” B. The “paralytics” we love may have given up on The scripture lesson powerfully illustrates Christian themselves and on God. They may feel crippled by fear, care-giving. Let’s set the stage for the story. Jesus had self-doubt, depression, destructive habits, rebellion, and recently turned to Capernaum, His base of operations in even sin. But we must not give up our attempts to bring Galilee. A crowd gathered at the house where He was them to Jesus. Some will never make it to Jesus without staying. As He was teaching, five men entered the story. someone’s help. That someone could be you! Four were well; one was sick. In fact, he was paralyzed. ILLUS. (THE BEST, MOST POWERFUL ILLUSTRATIONS Out of care and concern for their friend, they carried him ARE PERSONAL ILLUSTRATIONS. HERE WOULD BE AN to Jesus on a mat. Immediately they encountered a IDEAL PLACE FOR YOU TO SHARE A PERSONAL EXPERI­ problem: So many people were pressing in to hear ENCE OF HOW SOMEONE REFUSED TO GIVE UP ON YOU!) Jesus, they could not reach Him. So they hauled their III. We Must Be Willing to Take Some Risks. sick friend up the stairs and onto the housetop. Re­ moving a section of roof, they lowered their friend to A. Real care requires vulnerability. It requires risk. Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He forgave and Those four men must have known the risks. They risked healed the paralytic! What a powerful example of care ridicule— what would their friends, neighbors, and re­ resulting in cure. ligious leaders think? Every believer is called to the ministry of care-giving. B. They risked rejection. What if Jesus himself didn’t Here are simple steps we must take if we would become take kindly to having His sermon interrupted? a caring church. C. They took financial risk when they ripped the tile I. We Must Bring the One in Need to Jesus. off the homeowner’s roof. Can you imagine how the A. That sounds obvious, but that’s the first step to owner might have felt about that? becoming a care-giver. D. They risked doing the unorthodox! It’s never been B. Some of us have anguished over the “paralysis” of done that way before! people we love— their physical, emotional, and spiritual E. But care-givers must be willing to take some risks. problems. We have sorrowed over them, reasoned with Frank Sculley asked: “Why not go out on a limb? Isn’t them, pleaded with them, to no avail. Don’t you think it’s that where the fruit is?’’ time to do the best thing, the only thing left to do: bring F. Care-giving requires faith! The writer to the He­ them to Jesus! brews defines faith as “being sure of what we hope for C. Care-giving begins with intercessory prayer. By and certain of what we do not see!” (Heb. 11:1). ILLUS. George Allen, with his wife, visited the famous strong, could not have transported the dead weight of Mueller Orphan’s Home in Bristol, England. Mrs. Allen his friend, lugged him to the roof, and lowered him to looked at the large building, and then she turned to Dr. Jesus alone. Our whole church, young and old alike, Burton and said, “It must take a lot of faith to keep all must become involved in the ministry of care-giving. this going.” B. There is a significant spiritual lesson to be learned: Dr. Burton answered, “Mrs. Allen, little faith in a strong “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of plank will carry me over the stream. Great faith in a rot­ Christ” (Gal. 6:2, RSV). “Burden bearing” has a ther­ ten plank will land me in it!” apeutic, healing effect on those for whom we care. How truly did Dr. Burton speak. Little faith in a great CONCLUSION: God will carry us safely through life. Our world needs caring churches now more than ever. Churches need to be filled with people who are willing to IV. We Must Share the Burden with Others. bring others to Jesus in prayer, refusing to give up and A. The paralytic made it to Jesus because he had willing to take risks, and willing to share someone’s bur­ four friends bearing him up. One man, no matter how dens.

CREATIVE WORSHIP IDEAS: SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER Offering Sentence Call to Worship Luke 10:25-37 Paul expressed his sincere appreciation to the be­ Invocation lievers in Philippi: “I have received full payment and Hymn “Make Me a Blessing” even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have re­ Hymn “Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak” ceived from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They Choir Song “Lord, Let Me Serve" are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, Announcements pleasing to God.” Phil. 4:18 speaks of giving that Offering Sentences supplies the needs of others as “the sweet fragrance Offering of a sacrifice that is acceptable and well-pleasing to Scripture Lesson Mark 2:1-12 God.” This giving that regards the needs of others. Special Music “Make Me a Servant” May our giving be such a fragrant offering. The Message “THE CARING CHURCH” Closing Prayer Prayer Hymn “Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary” A closing prayer around the altar would be an ap­ Open Altar Prayer Time propriate and meaningful finish to this particular ser­ Choruses vice. First, invite people to come and pray who are in “One in the Bond of Love”; “I Am Loved”; “Something need. Next, encourage three or four people to sur­ Beautiful”; “He Careth for You”; “Lord, Lay Some Soul round the one who has come. In essence, when they upon My Heart” surround the one who is seeking God’s help, they Benediction are saying: “Here, let me help you come to Jesus. Let me carry a corner of your mat. I care about you!”

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76 “THE SPIRIT-LED CHURCH” John 16:1-14 August 19, 1990

INTRO: spirit, this is the Holy Spirit’s convicting. He nudges you The doctrine of the Holy Spirit has been more ridi­ to a place of repentance and forgiveness. This is one culed, reviled, and perverted than perhaps any other way by which He directs His Church. part of Christian teaching. Out of fear of criticism or ILLUS. In this classic book, The God of All Comfort, inattention, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is one of the Hannah Whitall Smith makes the following observation most neglected themes in evangelical circles. We cannot about the Holy Spirit’s conviction: “If I am walking along allow the doctrine of the Holy Spirit to remain the step­ the street with a very disfiguring hole in the back of my child of Christian theology. The work of the Holy Spirit is dress, of which I am in ignorance, it is certainly a very vitally important. Without His work Christianity degener­ great comfort to me to have a kind friend who will tell me ates into a futile striving after goodness. Jesus calls us of it. And similarly, it is indeed a comfort to know that to obey God, to love friends and enemies, to be forgiving there is always abiding with me a divine, all-seeing Com­ and kind, to turn the other cheek, to be cooperative forter, who will reprove me for all my faults, and will not rather than competitive, to accept the woes of life with let me go on in a fatal unconsciousness of them. Emer­ courage. The Christian life is tough and demanding, but son says it is far more to a man’s interest that he should without the Holy Spirit it is an impossible life. see his own faults than that anyone else should see Let’s examine God’s Word to better understand who them, and a moment’s thought will convince us that this the Holy Spirit is and what He does in and for the be­ is true, and will make us thankful for the Comforter who liever. reveals them to us.” We begin with the words of Jesus himself. In our les­ son Jesus communicates what one has called “The Holy II. The Holy Spirit Reveals Truth to the Church (v. 13). Spirit’s job description; His errand to the Church.” A. The word for God bringing truth to mankind is rev­ I. The Holy Spirit Convicts the Church of Sin (v. 8). elation. We only know about God because He has re­ vealed himself to us. A. Believers, remember the days before your new B. God has revealed himself to us through His cre­ birth. Remember how guilty your sin made you feel. Re­ ation. The Bible tells us that the heavens reveal the glory member the lack of peace and the restlessness in your of God and their expanse declares the work of His soul. Remember feeling that you needed to pray for for­ hands. This is an example of God’s natural revelation. giveness and be delivered from the weight of sin. That was old-fashioned conviction by the Holy Spirit. C. God has also revealed himself through Jesus. The Bible tells us that “the Word became flesh and made his B. Uncle Buddy Robinson described the feeling this dwelling among us” (John 1:14). Jesus came to reveal way: “When the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin, I felt what God is like. so low . . . as if I could work under the belly of a snake with a high hat on.” D. God has also revealed himself through the Word of God, the Bible. The Bible is His inspired Word re­ C. The Holy Spirit will set you free, but first He makes vealed to us on the pages of the Book. This is called you miserable. God’s special revelation. D. God draws sinners to himself. One method He E. The Holy Spirit gives us a better understanding of uses is conviction by the Holy Spirit. God through nature, through Jesus, and through the ILLUS. I heard the story about a missionary to India Bible. who was telling the story of Christ by means of lantern slides projected on the whitewashed wall of a village F. Have you ever stood on the top of a mountain and house. When the picture of the Cross was shown for the wondered: “How could anyone doubt that God created first time, an Indian stepped forward as if he could not this?” The Holy Spirit reveals the glory of God. help it. “Come down,” he cried. “I should be hanging G. Have you ever prayed and felt Jesus so close that there, not you.” Why should the sight of a Man crucified you could almost touch Him? That is the Holy Spirit at as a criminal in Israel 2,000 years ago affect this man work. so? The Holy Spirit’s conviction! H. Have you ever read a verse of scripture, some­ E. When Peter preached in Jerusalem, 3,000 Jews thing you have read or heard hundreds of times, but were pricked in their heart and born again. Was it the suddenly it came alive and you really began to grasp preaching? No, it was the convicting work of the Holy what it means? That was the Holy Spirit applying truth. Spirit. His errand to the world is to convict the world of sin. III. The Holy Spirit Glorifies Jesus (John 16:14). F. if the Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart about A. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit: “He shall glorify Me; sin, feel honored that the God of all creation cares for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you” (v. enough to confront you with your sin. If you are dealing 14, NASB). with the guilt of sin and there is a heaviness in your B. The work of the Spirit is Christ-centered. The Holy

77 Spirit draws attention not to himself but to Christ. He The Holy Spirit always works in the context of obe­ glorifies Christ. His ministry builds upon the work of dience. Christ. Disobedience grieves the Holy Spirit. Let us commit ourselves to be an obedient, Spirit-led church. C. William Barclay comments that the Holy Spirit's ILLUS. A minister in New Albany, Ind., was sitting late job is to take the things of Jesus and reveal their signifi­ one night in his study. He was strongly impressed to cance. The Holy Spirit is a dynamic force in the church leave his work and call upon a man who lived a few and in our personal lives. For He is always revealing blocks away. He tried to rid himself of the impression so something new about our Lord Jesus. No one has ever he could finish the work. But he could not get away from grasped all that Jesus came to say and do. No one has the leading of the Holy Spirit. He went to the home. fully worked out all the significance of Jesus’ teaching Twice he knocked at the door and received no answer. for life and belief, for the individual and for the world, for The third time he knocked, a light was turned on in the society and for the home. The Holy Spirit continually house. The man who lived there opened the door and opens up the meaning of Jesus. He glorifies the risen invited the minister to enter. The man soon unburdened Savior. his heart to the minister. He said that when the pastor first knocked, he had already turned on the gas in a CONCLUSION: small bedroom, intending to end his life! This man’s life We know what the Holy Spirit came to do. Are we and spirit were saved because the minister obeyed the allowing Him to do His work in our hearts? voice of the Holy Spirit!

SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER CREATIVE WORSHIP IDEAS: The Spirit Brings Us Together Call to Worship Call to Worship “Our help is in the name of the lord, who made Invocation heaven and earth. The hour cometh, and now is, We Sing in the Spirit when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in Hymn “He Abides” spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to Choruses worship Him. God is a Spirit; and they that worship “Come, Holy Spirit”; “Holy Spirit, Thou Art Wel­ Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.” come”; “Not By Might”; “Spirit of the Living God”; Offertory Sentence “Where the Spirit of the Lord Is” “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Choral Music begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him The Spirit Draws Us to Jesus should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John Prayer Hymn “Holy Ghost, with Light Divine” 3:16, KJV, italics added). You may give without lov­ Pastoral Prayer ing, but you won’t love without giving. Let us worship Announcements God with His tithes and our offerings because He Offertory Sentence gave so much! His Tithe/Our Offerings Benediction The Spirit Reveals Truth to Us “Regard, O Lord, the supplications of Thy ser­ Scripture Lesson John 16:1-14 vants, and grant that we may be sanctified by the Special Song Holy Spirit and may continue to be Christ’s faithful The Message of the Morning soldiers and servants unto the end of our days. “THE SPIRIT-LED CHURCH” Amen.” We Respond to the Spirit's Promptings Closing Hymn “Holy Spirit, Be My Guide” Benediction

78 “SOME REFLECTIONS ON CHURCH MEMBERSHIP” Heb. 10:19-25 August 26, 1990

INTRO: elbow that is always getting hurt— much too touchy. ILLUS. An old man past 80 years of age was half blind Their feelings get hurt all the time. Then there are dry and nearly deaf. On his way to church one morning, an bones— dead and cold. They show little or no sign of acquaintance who was an adamant nonattender of Christlikeness at all. Those that remain are the back­ church stopped the old man on the street. “I’ve often bones. They provide the spiritual life and support of the wondered why you bother to go to church, in light of church. They pray, attend, tithe, support, and work! your physical condition.” They feel it is a privilege to receive and extend ministry in the church. The old man responded, “I suppose it looks strange to some people to see me going to church every Sun­ II. Church Membership Reflects Our Need to Be Ac­ day. I can’t hear a word and can hardly see the people. countable to Christ. But I want the young people of this town to know I am A. Let us consider how to stimulate one another to on God’s side. If I stayed at home, they might get the love and good deeds (v. 24, NASB). wrong impression.” B. The word “stimulate” in this verse can also be Being a member of the church is a statement. It leaves translated “to provoke, to incite, to arouse.” an impression: “This is my church; these are my people; I believe in God. I don’t want to give you the wrong im­ C. The author of Hebrews makes a bold statement: pression. I am on God’s side!” To participate in the fellowship of believers stimulates What a joy it is to have a church to call your own! us, challenges us, and incites us to be better Christians. Tremendous privilege accompanies church mem­ D. Church membership suggests accountability. bership. We will review the requirements when our When a person joins a church, he is saying, “I voluntarily membership candidates stand before us. Let’s consider hold myself accountable to this church. I voluntarily sub­ the privileges that accompany church membership. mit myself to the authority of this church. I voluntarily I. Church Membership Reflects Our Need to Receive submit myself to the beliefs and standards of this and Extend Ministry. church because I want to be accountable to God and to His church for my conduct. Dr. W. T. Purkiser said, “Indi­ A. We come to church and receive—and there’s vidual and personal Christianity always involves incor­ nothing wrong with that! We enter the holy place of God porated and public Christianity.” with confidence because we have been washed in the ILLUS. Phineas F. Bresee, the founder of the Church blood of Jesus. of the Nazarene, said more than 90 years ago: “Wander­ B. We gather together and draw near to our great ing stars who are under no obligation to fellow Chris­ High Priest, Jesus Christ. As we draw near to Him with tians and bear no co-joint burdens with others to main­ sincere hearts, He sprinkles our hearts with His pure tain and carry forward the work of the Lord, are of little love! good to the Lord’s work in the world.” C. There must be a balance between receiving minis­ E. An individual who refuses to be accountable to the try and giving or extending ministry. The effective, grow­ Body of Christ often finds it difficult to be accountable to ing church meets our needs and gives us an opportunity Christ himself. to minister to others. The person who only sits in the F. It is a privilege to be a part of this church. You have pew and is fed Sunday after Sunday becomes spiritually challenged me. You have stimulated me. You have in­ flabby. On the other hand, the person who gives and cited me to love and good deeds. I am convinced that I’m gives and gives yet is never fed withers spiritually. Sin­ a better Christian today because one day I stood before cerely joining the church helps to reach a balance in your God and His people and joined the church. It is an ex­ life. pression of voluntary accountability. D. Church membership includes hallowed fellowship, helpfulness with brotherly watch and care and counsel, III. Church Membership Reflects Our Need for One the care of pastors, the teaching of the Word, and the Another. helpful inspiration of social worship. A. The Bible says that we must not forsake the as­ E. The church also requires cooperation in ministry to sembling of ourselves together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another (Heb. 10:25). others, accomplishing that which cannot otherwise be done. And that’s important too! B. Time has proven that the church that is warm and ILLUS. Someone observed that there are five differ­ friendly and emphasizes meaningful relationships is the ent kinds of bones in the average church. There are church where people want to attend. Relationships are wishbones. They always wish for better things, but they more important to visitors than buildings, programs, never work for them or pray for them. There are doctrines, and even preachers! jawbones— all talk no action! Then there are fun- C. A few years ago, I read a book by John Naisbitt nybones. These folks are like the crazy bone in your titled “Megatrends." In his book, he identifies 10 trends

79 that are affecting and will affect our world. One trend I ILLUS. There’s a Lot More to Health than Not Being found very interesting: “High Tech/High Touch.” The Sick, tells about a woman who, on the advice of her more technologically complex our world becomes, the doctor, had gone to see a pastor to talk about joining the more people need to be together. For that reason, or­ church. She had recently had a facelift, and when her ganizations that stress togetherness will meet a basic doctor dismissed her, he gave her this advice: “My dear, human need: other people. I have done an extraordinary job on your face, as you ILLUS. The Sequoia trees of California tower as high can see in the mirror. I have charged you a great deal of money and you were happy to pay it. But I want to give as 300 feet. Strangely, these giants have unusually shal­ you some free advice. Find a group of people who love low root systems that reach out in all directions to cap­ God and who will love you enough to help you deal with ture the greatest amount of surface moisture. Seldom all the negative emotions inside of you. If you don’t, you’ll do you see a redwood standing alone because high be back in my office in a very short time with your face winds would quickly uproot it. They grow in groves. in far worse shape than before.” Their intertwining roots support one another against the storms that come. E. As each membership candidate comes forward to join our church, let’s reflect back to when we joined the D. We join the church in response to this need for church. Let’s remember why we joined. Let’s recommit other people. We need each other. We really do. That ourselves to the mission and ministry of the church. fact motivates many to join the church. Let’s join hands and hearts with our new members.

SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER CREATIVE WORSHIP IDEAS: We Gather in His Name Note to the Pastor Praise Choruses The induction of new members into the church is “We Are His Hands”; “Lord, Be Glorified”; “I Will a most meaningful time in the life of the church. You Serve Thee”; “I Love You with the Love of the Lord"; may wish to conclude this series of sermons on the “Family of God” church with “Church Membership Sunday.” On this Invocation particular Sunday the induction of members is not a We Worship Him in Song sidelight but the highlight or climax of the service. Hymn “The Church’s One Foundation” The following worship reflects that goal. Hymn “In Christ There Is No East or West” Offertory Sentence Choral Music One of the tremendous privileges of church mem­ We Draw Near to Him bership is the financial support of the local church Prayer Chorus through the giving of tithes and offerings. “Ascribe to Pastoral Prayer the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering Announcements and come into his courts” (Ps. 96:8). Offertory Sentence Benediction His Tithes/Our Offerings O Almighty God, who hast called us to faith in We Hear His Word Proclaimed Thee and participation in Thy church, Thou hast Scripture Lesson Heb. 10:19-25 compassed us about with so great a cloud of wit­ Special Music nesses; Grant that we, encouraged by the good ex­ Message amples in the church, may persevere in running the “SOME REFLECTIONS ON CHURCH MEMBERSHIP” race that is set before us, until at length, through Thy We Respond to His Voice mercy, we, with Thee, attain to Thine eternal joy; Induction of New Members through Him who is the author and finisher of our Greeting New Members faith, Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Closing Hymn “Blest Be the Tie That Binds" Benediction

BEYOND BELIEF

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80 FROM TEXT TO SERMON

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Sixty-fix Study at Large Ciiurch School • . *4, . A '- * -JRI. w ' THE FRONT LINE True Love Means Incorporation

ove is the most powerful wit­ a musical ensemble, a task group, or a ness to the authenticity of the prayer circle. Incorporation means church. That’s what Jesus said: that a person feels accepted and free L"A ll men will know that you are myto be a full participant in the activities disciples if you love one another” of the group. (John 13:35). The social fellowship of a church is From outside the church, love prob­ the authentication of the church to its ably looks like mutual concern, respect, members. Beliefs are important. and friendship. But from inside the Preaching is vital. Spiritual dynamics church, what is the appearance and cannot be overlooked. But in the final feel of love? When people have be­ analysis, people evaluate the church come active in the church, what does by the love its members demonstrate love look like to them? for each other. To people who have become active This is important to people outside in the church, love looks and feels like the church, but it is even more impor­ genuine incorporation — a sense of tant to people inside the church. And actually belonging to the church. That it may explain why so many of our means a person satisfyingly partici­ insiders become outsiders. pates in some kind of small group — a "Dear friends, let us love one an­ Sunday school class, a friendship other” (I John 4:7a). group, a Bible study group, the choir,

To contribute to the advancement of God’s kingdom by fostering growth in the Church of the Nazarene. To promote aggressive evangelism in all its many forms M ission throughout the denomination. o f C h u rch To create an awareness throughout the church regarding G row th the necessity for planting new churches, including D ivision the mission potential among cultural minorities. To increase participation and effectiveness in a reproductive ministry that is engaged in Christian mission.

GRO W / Summer 1990 Mission Achievement in New England ESTHER SANGER CALLED NAZARENE MOTHER TERESA

n the Boston area south-shore com­ munities, a dynamite little woman Inamed Esther Sanger, 65, continu­ ally looks for ways to serve throw-away people like the homeless, hungry, alco­ holics, drug users, AIDS victims, bat­ tered women, elderly poor, and de­ serted mothers with babies. Her unique compassionate ministry is called Quincy Crisis Center, an understated name for a variety of Christ-centered ministries. And Sanger’s Catholic friends call her the Nazarene Mother Teresa. Esther Sanger serves as the founder, spark plug, fund raiser, chief cook, legal advocate, crafty strategist, and Christian example in these crisis-inter- vention efforts. Quick to give credit to God for her plans and energy, Sanger is a long-time Nazarene who started a new journey of intense servanthood in her fifties. Now, hundreds of interested people, both inside and outside the Church of the Nazarene, help her with prayer, money, and time — the list of volunteers numbers 1,000.

THROW-AWAY PEOPLE FIND SOUL FRIEND NEAR BOSTON

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 1 NAZARENE MOTHER TERESA Williamson, Madeline Nease, and Ber­ tha Munro became a spiritual family to young Esther. Even now, she refers to Mrs. Williamson as her "mother by affection” and expresses gratitude for the way those ladies modeled what spiri­ tually-minded and spiritually-spoken persons should be. Their godly influ­ ence continues through Quincy Crisis Center like the widening circle from pebbles dropped into a pond. Sanger’s impressive record of minis­ try is motivated by an inner pilgrimage of faith. She explains that when quiet times came after the children were grown, she was reminded of unfinished business with God which had nothing to do with the mission board’s earlier decision. She believes those heart is­ sues went all the way back to childhood and represented her dark night of the soul, but she planned to live it out until she died, with no intention of dealing with the problem. Esther explains her mid-course spir­ itual correction: "This was not an empty-nest syndrome, a passing whim, a mid-life crisis, depression, or even a need for a second career.” Rather, she believes it was "a total awareness of a throw-away life, from a throw-away kid, who had a throw-away attitude about myself — and yet I could see that there was salvation for everyone else.” About the time she started dealing with these issues, she suffered a severe illness which left her unconscious for Sanger shares her passion for hurting people. three months. As recovery began, she recalls a time when she could have given up her life. Her physician advised, "I can’t help you any more. The fight is Well past fifty, Esther Sanger set Esther was deserted and homeless in you; if you lose it, you lose the bat­ out to fulfill a long-standing missionary almost from birth. But an opportunity tle.” At that moment, she determined call. Her call dated back to college for a new life came when Bertha Munro, to turn her face away from the wall and years, when she offered herself for mis­ academic dean at Eastern Nazarene give the situation to God. She describes sionary service but was not appointed the experience as a "head-on decision because of poor health. So she earned a to hang onto the real and let go of the literature degree at Eastern Nazarene phony. My call was still there, and that College and later completed nurse’s Sanger’s impressive was real.” training at St. Vincent’s Hospital in record of ministry is Bridgeport, Connecticut. Along with Right after her hospital release, she her husband, Leland, a public school motivated by an inner returned to Eastern Nazarene College teacher and counselor, she raised three to earn a B. A. in social work in 1979, at children. Out of the public eye during pilgrimage of faith* age 54, and an M.A. in family counsel­ those years, she described herself as a ing in 1982, at age 57. When quizzed wife, mother, and homemaker who about additional preparation, she re­ occasionally worked as a nurse when College, found Esther in a foster home plied, "I went back to school to get extra money was needed for the family and made arrangements for her to ready. If you try to do something with­ income and wrote a column for the enroll in the college’s academy. From out being prepared, you will really Quincy Register. the start of the ENC experience, Esther make a mess of it.” Sanger credits Ruth

GROW / Summer 1990, Bullock, Cecil Paul, and Timothy Smith as significant encouragers during those years of renewed education.

Her ministry to throw-away peo­ ple started soon after she finished col­ lege with a hot line, using her home phone number. To get the word out, she simply scrawled a few handbills with this message: "D o you have problems? I’d be glad to help. Call 471-7075.” Handbills were posted in subways, on telephone poles, and in all-night laun­ dromats; and she personally distrib­ uted these announcements to people who lived on the streets, under bridges, in cemeteries, at the port, or on the beaches. With thanksgiving, she re­ ports, "W hen I got home, the phone was ringing off the hook, and it hasn’t stopped yet.” Even now, Sanger and her husband operate the hot line, with­ out help, from their residence on a twenty-four-hour-per-day basis.

Quincy Crisis Center, unlike most care agencies, takes help to people where they are. During crisis times, she cuts red tape so help can be given at the time it is most needed — day or night. Often, she delivers help herself without much thought about time, location, or safety. This ministry starts with food, shelter, and clothing, building on the assumption that it is easier to under­ stand the message of Christ after basic physical needs are satisfied. The long list of methods for helping people through Quincy Crisis Center is impressive, even incredible. When asked about her unique strategies, Es­ ther Sanger replied, "If God calls you, He orders your steps. If you get up in the morning with a completely open mind and a determination to listen, you cannot help but go in the right direction.”

In response to the first hot line calls, God directed Esther to cook for the hungry, and she took the food wherever it was needed. But as requests increased, she ran out of time, so she started serving hot meals from her fam­ ily van. About this time, she asked Quincy officials to help feed homeless people. Their response: "There are no homeless people in Quincy.” So to increase their awareness, she parked

I A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship | NAZARENE MOTHER TERESA SERVES ON BOSTON’S SOUTHSHORE

her food distribution van in front of was purchased and remodeled into City Hall, where she served huge meals bunks so street people could get out of for as many as 125 persons each day; "In the abortion de­ the cold weather. she parked the vehicle in the same loca­ Describing herself as a pro-lifer, tion every day for six years. bate, there is a great Sanger was burdened by the idea that Next, Sanger sensed that the elderly deal of interest in the "in the abortion debate, there is a great and single mothers needed food to take deal of interest in the unborn child but home, so she started a food pantry that unborn child but very very few places to help out after the delivers groceries to the needy. The few places to help out baby is born. The attitude is that the next effort helped isolated elderly per­ child has a right to life, but after it is sons manage their money and provided after the baby is bom.” born, who cares?” She knew something transportation for medical care and had to be done for deserted, sometimes shopping. Then a 30-foot mobile home battered women and their children.

GROW / Summer 1990 Hie Mary-Martha Center models Christian love and acceptance.

"I am doing the most natural thing in the world. My phoniness is all over. I want my life to count.”

So she went to prayer, all the while The Mary-Martha Learning Cen­ whole world that can take the place of looking at warehouses, apartments, and ter, named after the Bible sisters, pro­ your church family. Your church fam­ old rooming houses, but nothing vides spiritual and emotional counsel­ ily waits for you to go from birth to seemed right until she was directed to a ing and teaches money management, maturity, whether it takes 17, 25, 45, perfect piece of property with a house parenting, nutrition, and career plan­ or 55 years. They are there. They wait. and three acres, located in upscale ning. The Center’s stated goal offers a They are patient. They always open Hingham. When she saw the facility for place where homeless women with in­ their arms to you when you go to them. the first time, she said, "1 felt this is a fants will be given assistance designed To me, the Church of the Nazarene healing place. This is a place of peace.” to enhance their physical well-being, personalizes that, and I always have to After many months of neighborhood intellectual and career growth, and to remember that when I was not at my opposition, extensive remodeling, provide for spiritual and emotional best, when I was withdrawing from that bringing the building up to code, con­ enrichment. Women and children family, they still modeled what real structing additions, and fund raising, sometimes stay in the program as long love is.” the Mary-Martha Learning Center as six months, and staffers help them When friends express surprise at the opened. Facilities at the Center consist find permanent housing. The Center amazing intensity, broad scope, and of an eighteen-room house with sleep­ models Christian acceptance and love. raw energies needed for these compas­ ing space for twenty persons, class­ sionate ministries, Esther Sanger re­ In summarizing her inward journey plies, "I am doing the most natural rooms, offices, two kitchens, a dining that motivates her very active service to thing in the world. My phoniness is all room, living room, family room/chil­ God and to throw-away people, Esther over. I want my life to count.” dren’s day room, and laundry. Sanger says, "There is nothing in the And it does.

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 5 Content True Love Means Incorporation by Bill M. Sullivan inside front cover Esther Sanger Called Mother Teresa 1 Harvest Challenge in New England by Dennis M. Scott 7 Will History Repeat Itself in New England1 hy Timothy K. Jones 9 Growth Markings and Main Points 11 101-Year-Old Church Shares Facilities 12 Pastor Leite Brings Gospel to Boston 15 Pioneer Area Starts Eleven New Works 17 Along the Evangelist’s Trail With Norman Moore 23 Dorchester Immanuel Shares Sanctuary 26 Evangelists Directory 27 Sixty-Six Pastors Study at Large Church School 30 Rooted in Christ by C.S. Cowles 35 Research and Trends by Dale E. Jones 41 Growing Churches Share Victories 43 Cambridge Church Serves Many Nationalities 44 Reviving Spiritual Verve for Ministry by Pat Warren 50 Schools of Evangelism 52 Small Churches Can Do Big Things 58 Baby Boomers Need Ministry by Pamela Schaeffer 61 The Unsung Faithful by Neil B. Wiseman inside back cover

6 GROW / Summer 1990 HARVEST CHALLENGES IN NEW ENGLAND

he holiness work in Boston had already been in existence for nearly 30 years when the various groups merged at the 1908 PilotT Point General Assembly. Eleven churches had been organized by 1910 in the area now called Boston Metro — eight congregations started with the express purpose of reaching immigrating peo­ ple. Thus, targeting responsive populations has been a part of Nazarene efforts from the begin­ ning in New England. Now a new day is dawning, and there is reason to believe God may be sending an awakening to New England again. Immigrant populations keep expanding all around us, providing large concen­ trations of responsive people with strange-sound- ing names for whom English is a second language. Although color, culture, ethnicity, religious back­ ground, and language keep changing in the ripen­ ing harvest fields, the Church of the Nazarene in New England and throughout North America must win converts from these recent arrivals and from the second generation of more established immigrant populations. New strategies, additional resources, sanctified creativity, and imaginative ways of serving will be needed to meet the challenge, but we already have a start. Hats off to New England congregations who target special-language groups, offer multi­ cultural ministries, and organize multicongrega- : ■ tional churches. Honor is due hardworking, tent- u i ' making ministers; 13 of 25 pastors in Metro : Boston are bivocational. Often the tentmakers’ ' vv ■ ;V young families and/or grown, extended families are a significant part of these heroic commit­ ments. Gratitude must be expressed to congrega­ - - ijgM gggrjiS tions who share facilities; the cost of property - I s m ^srf i ' I g i i l makes it an absolute necessity. In Boston, 18 V percent of all evangelical churches meet in facili­ : a * ' ■ I ties shared with other congregations. The ripening harvest surrounds us. Beyond bigotry, fear, myths, and excuses, we hear the st -w words of Jesus loud and clear: "Do not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest’ I tell you, l b open your eyes and look at the field! They are ripe for harvest!” (John 4:35, NIV) The challenge of Boston and New England is identical to the challenge everywhere: GOD EXPECTS A HARVEST. — Dennis M. Scott, Boston Metro Coordinator 7 Discover one of the best-kept SECRETS in the Church of the Nazarene!

Chaplaincy Ministries has a toll-free number!

1 - 800- 233-8962

Use it to update addresses for military servicemembers from your congregation. It is crucial that the Church of the Advertise it in newsletters and bulletins. Nazarene maintain ties with those who are serving our country. Show Encourage your congregation to use it them how much you care, and help whenever they receive a change of address us minister to them, by calling for a loved one or friend serving in the Chaplaincy Ministries today! armed forces. (They don’t have to be a member of the church.)

Chaplaincy Ministries 6401 The Paseo Kansas City, MO 64131 WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF IN NEW ENGLAND?

s New England nears the 250th a number of ethnic congregations is significant evangelical resurgence in anniversary of the climax of through its Center for Urban Minis­ New England. While David Roozen, the first Great Awakening, terial Education (CUM E) in inner-city director of the Center for Social and someA New Englanders say another Boston. The center offers multilingual Religious Research at Hartford Semi­ awakening may be in the offing. So far, classes and allows pastors to complete nary in Connecticut, believes evangeli­ no one is claiming anything compa­ all degree requirements without leaving calism in New England is "a source of rable to the waves of revival that swept the city. religious vitality to be watched,” he such towns as Boston and Northamp­ Heightened interest in evangelism believes it "still has at best a foothold.” ton, Massachusetts, in the mid-1700s. training is another indication of possi­ All Protestant bodies in the region are But many church leaders note an in­ ble revival, observers note. Attendance extremely small, he notes, with no Prot­ creasingly visible surge of evangelical at an annual regional evangelical train­ estant denomination claiming more piety in a region known for its reserve. ing conference for pastors and laity than 5 percent of the population in any "W e’re on the brink of something,” rose from a typical 400 in the late of the New England states. claims Stephen Macchia, president of 1960s to multiple thousands in recent the Evangelistic Association of New years. The approximately 6,000 who England (EANE). "There’s a move­ gathered in Boston’s Hynes Audito­ Growing vitality ment afoot, and everyone I talk to in rium for EANE’s Congress ’85 made Rosell believes, however, that one of the evangelical community says the the event the city’s fourth-largest con­ the most hopeful signs of renewal has same thing.” vention that year. Macchia said EANE to do not with statistics and more vis­ The signs of resurgence take several is working to see "every willing Chris­ ible indicators, but with a growing vital­ forms, say evangelical church leaders. tian in New England involved in ity that expresses itself in the spread of Perhaps the most noticeable have to do evangelism.” Bible-study and prayer groups. He said with the growing number of churches. such groups are "emerging in remark­ Assemblies of God congregations, for A mainline infusion able profusion throughout New example, have almost doubled in the In addition to evangelical denomina­ England.” last 20 years or so, with church mem­ tions, mainline liberal churches are be­ Don Gill, until recently president of bership climbing from less than 8,000 ing touched by charismatic and evan­ EANE, says he has seen significant in 1968 to approximately 25,000 in gelical renewal, says Carlene Hill, editor gains in the impact of evangelicalism in 1988, according to Sherri Doty Cous- of EANE’s New England Church Life. the almost 20 years he worked with sens, statistician at the denomination’s These include United Church of Christ EANE. But he is also careful to suggest international headquarters. and Episcopal congregations. that renewal is best seen in the light of While the Southern Baptist Conven­ Gordon-Conwell Theological Semi­ "ongoing development.” Said Gill, tion claimed only 31 congregations in nary is at least partly responsible, ob­ "When we talk about renewal or reviv­ New England two decades ago, the fig­ servers agree. Garth Rosell, professor al, a lot of people think in terms of ure now stands at 175. Some of them of church history and director of Gor- some kind of spiritual brush fire that are small and without their own church don-Conwell’s Ockenga Institute, notes sweeps across the area and has a lot of buildings, but Larry Martin of the that the seminary has fed hundreds of emotion. If that’s what people are look­ Greater Boston Baptist Association graduates into churches in surrounding ing for, I think they are bound for dis­ says many are thriving. "G od seems to communities. "W hat we are beginning appointment. On the other hand, if be opening doors faster than we can to see,” says Rosell, "is that a lot of the you look at the situation in terms of keep up with,” he states. old, traditional, mainline churches have emplacement of congregations and enti­ Southern Baptists and other church been infused by new people — young, ties that have a gospel base and a gospel groups report an especially fertile mis­ biblically trained pastors and youth center,” he said, "something signifi­ sion field among the region’s urban leaders who, over a period of time, cant is indeed taking place.” ethnic populations. Gordon-Conwell have been bringing about changes in Theological Seminary in South Hamil­ those churches.” Reprinted with permission from Christian' ton, Massachusetts, has strengthened But not everyone is convinced there ity Today, Nov. 17, 1989, Page 9

A Journal o f CKurch Growth, Evangelism and Disciplesltip 9 EVANGELISM MINISTRIES

you can "put it all together" with Church

Poeople are not talked into the kingdom. They are loved in. W. Charles Arn Ai major shift in leadership style is often necessary to maintain growth. In situations where the entrepre­ neur or founding pastor maintains control and is un­ willing or unable to include others in the planning, and to delegate responsibilities, the organization’s strength and achievements plateau. In churches where the "shepherd” is unable to acquire the skills of a "rancher,” the church levels off to the number of members and groups that one shepherd can control. George G. Hunter III

start rapid growth by multiplication, we must encour­ age our own local church (be we pastor, layman, or mis­ sionary) to reproduce itself in another part of the city or in a neighboring town or village. Paul David

•%11 methods of evangelism have their place: radio evangelism, television evangelism, medical evangel­ ism, mass evangelism, personal evangelism, educa­ tional evangelism, and presence evangelism. But God’s primary method of evangelism in a new com­ munity is by planting a New Testament church to reach the area with the gospel. Elmer L. Towns

fellowship in dynamic churches is nurtured by the Word, the Holy Spirit, prayer, service, and the mutual support of fellow members. It is heart-to-heart and has the substance of reality. Honest, loving care is so rich that people often refuse to accept promotions if it requires moving away from their church. John N. Vaughan Thanks to a nearby rock pile, a beach message for rescue T&ots. 'copters was quickly put into place after an abrupt end to ^ Ju a lity and quantity growth are inseparable. Pastor and Mrs. Leonard Quigley's summer sailing vacation. Quantity without quality is false growth. It’s short term; it cannot last. Quality without quantity is self- centered and suffers in the stagnancy of arthritic th e ministry and purpose of the local church today must religion. reflect the ministry and purpose of Christ. If "ministry” Kent R. Hunter for laypersons in the church today is defined outside of this basic purpose, it is either substantially incomplete or simply inaccurate. W. Charles Arn ‘ HAVIH6 COMMITTED lb aers«ML. £YAt&ELlSn, U/ALDEel ^ ^ n inactive Christian is as impossible as a hot fWME'/ER BO.DLY FULFILLS snowball. HK WEEKLY QUOTA. " Kent R. Hunter

W fhether persons are transferring to a new church or are looking for their first church, they always visit before joining. Visitors are the only source of church growth (except for biological growth—children of believers). If visitors do not feel genuinely welcome, needed, or wanted, they seldom return. Win Arn

W "here the people of God are most receptive, seek­ ing God’s power with all their hearts, we are assured that the power will come in God’s good time. George G. Hunter III

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship II Mission Achievement in New England 101 - YEAR-OLD MALDEN CHURCH SHARES FACILITIES ATTENDANCE NEARS 200 IN HAITIAN CHURCH

Two growing congregations share the facilities of the Malden Church of the Nazarene, near Boston. If you stand in the main hall, which links sanctuary and fellowship area, on Sundays between 11 a.m. and noon, you hear noble sounds coming from two separate congregations using different languages and distinct worship styles. The combined impact of these two congregations for Christ’s Kingdom is impressive and thrilling.

he English-speaking congrega­ tion, organized in 1889, stands as a beacon of ministry to its Tcommunity and a symbol of mission­ ary zeal for the world. Its services, led by Pastor Prescott Newhall, are warmly Nazarene, with a New England Yankee atmosphere. About three years ago, in a spirit of missionary generosity, Malden Church opened its fellowship hall to a new Haitian congregation for worship. The newer congregation sings, prays, and preaches in Creole. Their Haitian worship pattern includes spirited sing­ ing, accompanied by guitars and tam­ bourines. Pastor Dan Marechal started this church in January 1987 with less than twenty in attendance. At the end of the first year, the church averaged 60 in attendance and 312 people came to celebrate their first anniversary. The church, organized in June of 1989 with 53 charter members, now frequently exceeds 200 in worship attendance.

Dennis Scott and Pastor Dan Marechal.

GROW / Summer 19 90 m w r n i n y - 'A

■ h ^ r .

Pastor Marechal was called to Chris­ tian ministry while attending Eastern Nazarene College. In addition to his pas­ toral ministry, he works as a full-time case worker for the state welfare sys­ tem. Brother Marechal chairs the New England District Haitian Council, which resources Haitian pastors and sponsors a Haitian camp meeting. At present, Pas­ tor Marechal is leading his church to sponsor two home Bible studies which he expects will eventually become organ­ ized Nazarene congregations. GROW salutes Pastor Marechal, his growing congregation, and the Malden Church for the impressive church growth record that has been achieved in such a short period of time.

13

A Product Of Personal Evangelism

As a first step for addition to pastoral duties during those seven years in starting the Church of Brazil, Leite served as district the Nazarene in 1936 PASTOR LEITE treasurer and taught in the on the Cape Verde Bible College. Island of St. Vincente, About ten years ago, Pastor BRINGS GOSPEL Leite began a new work among Rev. John Dias rented the Portuguese people of the a house. Dias, a native Boston area, where he found­ Cape Verdean, had re­ TO BOSTON ed the Emaus Church. This turned to his homeland church plant met for several MISSIONS COME HOME years in a facility called Bos­ to share the gospel after FROM CAPE VERDE ISLANDS ton Chapel and then moved being led to Christ in 1984 to the campus of East­ through the Church of the Nazarene in the United States. ern Nazarene College. Last year, the church averaged 105 Soon after Dias moved into the house, he shared the in attendance. Members of the congregation commute message of Christ with Antonio, the property owner’s from places like Chelsea, Dorchester, Roxbury, Brockton, ten-year-old son — this was the first time the boy had and Cambridge; the drive time for many is 30 to 40 heard the evangelistic message. minutes. When asked about the opportunity, Leite esti­ Dias’ simple witness began a rippling effect of the gospel mates more than 75,000 Portuguese-speaking people live which started Antonio Leite on a journey of faith taking near Boston, including Brazilians, Cape Verdeans, Azo­ him into fellowship with the Nazarenes, into pastoral reans, and Portuguese. assignments in three different world areas, and to planting The Leite family includes seven children and several a new church in the greater Boston area. Many assisted in grandchildren. Mrs. Leite is a school teacher in the Brock­ this effort, including pioneer leader John Dias, mission­ ton public schools. Pastor Leite keeps close contact with aries like Everette Howard and Earl Mosteller, North new immigrants as president of the Boston Public School American district leaders like Bill Taylor and Neale O. Parent Advisory Council for Cape Verdeans. He is able to McLain, and unnamed missionary prayer partners in minister more effectively to both his congregation and hundreds of Nazarene churches around the world. community people because of his recently earned M.A. in Pastor Leite is a sterling example of national leaders, family counseling, completed at age 59, from Eastern Naz­ both clergy and laity, who bring ministry and missions arene College. Recently, Pastor Leite’s son, Daniel, a Naza­ from their countries to the United States. In several North rene elder from Brazil, joined his father in the ministry at American cities, minority populations are being effec­ the Emaus Church. tively served by personnel from their homelands. It is When asked about his most pressing concern, Antonio literally true — missions have come home, providing Leite spoke of the tremendous gospel opportunities unparalleled church growth opportunities and presenting among immigrant people: "Those who have recently pressing gospel needs. Cape Verde, Cuba, Haiti, Hong arrived are usually open to the gospel because they have so Kong, Japan, China, Latin America, India, and many other many struggles with languages and customs.” He believes regions of the world have come to Boston, San Francisco, the fields are especially ripe for our church because so Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Toronto, and Chicago. many people from Cape Verde knew about the Nazarenes The ministry of Antonio Leite has taken him to three before moving to the United States — that’s a distinct world areas including Cape Verde, Brazil, and the United advantage, if we use it. States. He served six churches in Cape Verde: Nova Sintra, GROW salutes Pastor Leite for faithful ministry in three Brava; Mindelo, St. Vincente; Mosteiros, Fogo; Assomada, countries. In a faith-inspiring way, both his salvation and Santiago; Ribeira Brava, St. Nicolau; and the Maude the quality of his service are results of Nazarenes’ prayers Chapman Memorial Church in Praia, St. James. Veteran from another era for the people of Cape Verde. Now, like Missionary Earl Mosteller says that during Leite’s six- many other brothers and sisters from mission areas, Pastor year pastorate at Praia, the church had more than 300 Leite has come to minister among us — that makes the members, 400 in attendance, and 1,000 in Sunday school home church stronger and better. (central and suburbs). Because of the faithful prayers of present-day Chris­ Then, in 1972, the Leites moved to Brazil, where they tians, there is a very strong likelihood that the Head of the served the Belo Horivonte Church and Indianapolis Harvest is preparing other workers just like Brother Leite Church in Sao Paulo — a city of 18 million people. In in many locations around the world.

A Journal of Church Cirourth, Evangelism and Discipleship 15 EVANGELISM MINISTRIES

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PIONEER AREA STARTS 11 NEW WORKS IN 5 YEARS CONNECTICUT WORSHIP ATTENDANCE TOPS 1,000

od used a cassette, a prayer tact Superintendent Neale O. McLain box, and a Graham Crusade and Church Growth Division Director to burden Alex Cubie with Bill M. Sullivan were key leaders in the the spiritual needs of Connecticut. decision. While driving across New York State Just five years ago, in July 1985, the late one night, Cubie listened to a New England District named Cubie the recording of the Pasadena (California) Pioneer Area Coordinator. He reports, First Church choir singing, " I ’ll say yes, "A t that time, there were six churches Lord, yes, to your will and to your in the Connecticut area of the New way.” Cubie was deeply moved by the England District. Two were organized simple call to all-out commitment with­ between 1900-1920, two were organ­ out even a hint of future events. ized between 1920-1940, one between The prayer box was used for requests 1940-1970, and one in 1980.” Cubie in Cubie’s adult Sunday school in his continues, "The Homesteaders were home church at Manchester, Connec­ those churches organized before 1980: ticut. Remembering the impact of the Manchester, Hartford First, Danielson, cassette, Alex placed a personal prom­ Wallingford, Preston, and Hartford ise in the prayer box: "I ’ll say yes, Lord, Calvary.” yes.” Like any good Sunday school Eleven pioneer works have been teacher, he challenged his class with the started in the five-year period, includ­ fact that the Lord will do strange and ing Rockville, Groton, Enfield, Hart­ wonderful things when we sing that ford Hispanic, Colchester, East Hart­ chorus with conviction. Little did Cubie ford, New Britain Hispanic, Waterbury, realize what was about to take place in Waterbury Hispanic, Meriden His­ his own life. panic and Holyoke Hispanic. About the time the Connecticut Pi­ This passion for achieving Christ’s oneer Area idea started, Cubie served mission in Connecticut has several sup­ on the Executive Committee for the portive ministries including the Con­ Hartford Graham Crusade, where God necticut Bible Training Institute (a Naz­ provided the highest decision ratio in arene Bible College extension), a John any U.S.A . crusade. Cubie says, "I was Wesley Prayer and Fasting League, a flabbergasted to see how God was mov­ Joshua and Caleb Society (monthly ing.” Alex also learned that one million prayer meetings for pastors), Nazarene people — about one-third of the entire Happy Hour (a monthly evangelistic state population — are completely un­ rally for all churches), annual ladies’ churched, with no affiliation. retreats, and Canvas Cathedral Camp- While God was preparing Cubie, He meetings. Twelve persons have already was simultaneously leading the New been called into ministry and granted England District and the Church local ministers’ licenses; they are being Growth Division to consider establish­ ALEX AND GREETA CUBIE: Con­ trained as present and future leaders in ing a Connecticut Pioneer Area. Dis- necticut Pioneer Area Coordinator. the churches and in the Institute. KEVIN McLAIN, C U B IE , JA M ES SH IELD S: These pastors were pupils in Cubie’s boys’ Sunday School Class years ago at Manchester.

We are planting churches in the tradition of Paul, training lay preachers in the spirit of John Wesley, and focusing on the mission statement of Jesus, "to seek and save those that are lost.”

CUBIE PRAYS FOR CHURCH PLANTERS: Prayer forms important part of planting strategy.

GROW / Summer 1990 PIONEER AREA Connecticut Pioneer Area Diary

May 16-19, 1985 - Billy Graham Crusade at Hartford - Cubie chairs lay workers committee. July 1985 - A lex Cubie Named Pioneer Leader - Only six Nazarene churches exist in the area. May 1, 1986 - Rockville - Raymond Grazel appoints church planter and starts two Bible studies. May 1, 1986 - Enfield - Kevin McLain begins Bible study. July 1, 1986 - Groton - Military Chaplain Larry Kendrick starts holding services. November 1986 - Rockville - First services are held, with monthly average of 25. February 1987 - Rockville - Monthly average of 68 makes it necessary to increase size of sanctuary. March 22, 1987 - Hartford Hispanic - Church is organized, with Pastor Sepulveda. June 1, 1987 - Enfield - Pastor Douglas Fish starts the work. June 6, 1987 - Rockville - Church is organized, with 25 members. September 1, 1987 - Colchester - Pastor Kevin McLain organizes Bible studies. October 25, 1987 <- East Hartford - Pastor Jim Shield begins services at YM CA. December 6, 1987 - Colchester - Pastor Kevin McLain begins services. January 3, 1988 - New Britain - Pastor Freddie Lebron starts church-type mission. January 1988 - Waterbury - Pastor Gerald Eddie of Wallingford Church begins Bible studies in Waterbury. April 3, 1988 - Enfield - Church is organized. April 1988-Redletter Day #1 - Connecticut churches go over 1,000 on Sunday morning attendance for the first time. September 1988 - Groton - Pastor Clifford Bernier assumes pastorate when Chaplain Kendrick is transferred. February 12, 1989 - Waterbury - First service, with 39 in attendance. April 29, 1989 - New Britain Hispanic - Church organized, with Rev. Freddie Lebron as pastor. May 1989 - Redletter Day #2 - Connecticut churches go over 800 in Sunday school and 1,056 in worship attendance. 35 percent are from new churches. June 1989 - Holyoke Hispanic - Starts with Carmen Santa as a church-type mission. October 1, 1989 - Waterbury Hispanic - Holds first service under leadership of Pastor Ramon Sepulveda. October 1, 1989 - Meriden Hispanic - Holds first service under leadership of Pastor Daniel Blanco. October 1989 - Manchester First - Dedicates new church building. January 21,1990 - Colchester - Church is organized, with Rev. Kevin McLain as pastor.

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 19 Pastor Abraham Santa, Hartford Hispanic Pastor Clifford Bernier, Groton

The creation of a new baby church fosters excitement and paternal instincts across the district. The old adage is true: new blood vitalizes old blood, new converts challenge old converts.

Pastor James Shields, East Hartford Pastor Freddy Lebron, New Britain Hispanic

GROW / Summer 1990 Pastor Tim Simpson, Enfield

Pastor Kevin McLain, Colchester

The attendance in the pioneer churches during the spring of 1990 is 42 percent of the Connecticut area, with a worship attendance of 1,000.

Pioneer Area Leader Cubie rejoices in the progress of Connecticut.

Pastor Ramon Sepulveda, Waterbury Hispanic

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 21 Pastor’s

3rayerful Concern? Personal Decision?

. . . Which influence is greatest ih determining a young person's choice bfacollege? j___J______1______

astor, this summer many young people are still making final plans for college attendance

Where will they go? i I What will be the perspective of their professors?

leir friends? astori share your concern and prayers now with your college-age young people. Urge them to at­ Will they graduate with a desire to serve R tend their regional Nazarene college. Consult your Christ “in this present world”? j church board and, if possible, offer a church scholar­ ship to every young person who attends your Nazarene college. Include tnele concerns in your personal and pastoral prayers.

THE RESULT WILL BEAR ETERNAL DIVIDENDS Along the Revival Trail W ith Norman Moore

H ere’s an inside view in a typical month in the ministry of Norman Moore, who is convinced that "Heaven will be fuller than it would have been, and Hell will be emptier than it would have been” because of his ministry.

The 41-year-old evangelist had just finished loading his luggage in the trunk. "Well, it’s time to go again,” Norman Moore said, as he hugged and kissed his wife, Vickie, and 14-year-old daughter, Nickie, goodbye. Nickie had just finished breakfast, was collecting her schoolbooks, about to climb into her mom’s blue Ford Taurus and be driven to Tri-City Christian School, where she is a freshman and a cheerleader.

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 23 ALONG THE REVIVAL TRAIL WITH NORMAN MOORE Norman began the familiar routine receive Jesus as their Savior. What a At home, the normal agenda in­ of driving to the San Diego airport, sight! Two boys from two different cludes: review phone messages, read parking in the long-term lot, and backgrounds: Tom from a strong the mail, mow the lawn, and "tag up” checking his luggage. He boarded a Christian home, Dwayne from a home by phone with the staff of Norman United flight to Sacramento. about as rough as they come, both Moore Ministries in the office in with the same need to be saved. The Chandler, Arizona. hugs, tears, and smiles seemed end­ Normally, the family enjoys a night less as the family celebrated what God out for dinner and a trip to the nearby had done. mall in Escondido, or a walk on the The discomfort of Norman’s time beach in Carlsbad. away from his family is eased by their Norman tries to see his favorite tel­ nightly phone appointment at 9 evision show on Tuesday nights, the o’clock, when they catch up on the story of a clever southern attorney, events of the day and have a family Matlock, played by Andy Griffith. prayer together. Often, while Nickie is in school, Pastor Ed Redfern reports: "We Norman and his wife take a two-mile OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA had just concluded our revival serv­ aerobic walk together. This time, the plane was only ten ices and it was a very refreshing meet­ A special feature during the time at minutes late. Norman was greeted by ing for our church. We have been in home is "share day,” when Norman the pastor, Ed Redfern. After picking an extensive building program that either takes Nickie out to breakfast up the luggage, they were soon north­ has taxed the congregation’s energy. before school or picks her up at bound on Interstate 5 on their way to Our evangelist was sensitive to the school to go out to lunch for a dad- Oroville, where Pastor Redfern has Holy Spirit’s direction for us, and and-daughter visit. It is obvious that served for more than 13 years. On the preached the Word of God that en­ they work at having quality family way, they stopped to fill up with gas couraged us and inspired us to keep time together. and get a yogurt. going. His messages are scripturally Next, it was a long flight from San A few hours later, Norman Moore, sound and well-illustrated so that Diego to Tampa, Florida. Norman dressed in a predictable dark tradi­ everyone is able to understand. He was glad to have the extra time on the tional suit and white shirt, stepped allows the Holy Spirit to bring con­ plane for ministry planning, writing, onto the platform. As the service pro­ viction without getting in the way. and reading. gressed, Norman silently wondered That is the mark of a gifted spokes­ about who the people were, and what man for God: to be the channel their needs were. He prayed and medi­ through which the Lord can speak.” tated, seeking the leadership of the Holy Spirit about what to preach. Norman is continually mindful of his sense of divine calling to evangelism, rooted in Jeremiah 1:7-8: "But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say I am only a child. You must go to everyone I LAKELAND, FLORIDA send you to and say whatever I com­ Upon arrival in Tampa, Moore was mand you.’ ” welcomed by W. Donald Wellman, Night after night, an invitation was HOME AGAIN pastor of the Highland Park Church given following the message. Sincere, On Monday morning, it was back in Lakeland. needy people came forward in each to Sacramento to catch a flight to San The pastor drove his guest evangel­ service and knelt at the altar to receive Diego for a few days with Vickie and ist to the Sheraton on South Florida spiritual help. Nickie. The family’s ability to cope Avenue after they stopped by the Two unusually thrilling victories with the heavy travel schedule is church for a "sound check.” came on Sunday morning. Dwayne, further assisted by Norman’s flying Sunday had been announced as a 16, came from a difficult home situa­ round-trip each week, returning home "Great day of evangelism.” Regarding tion of drug addiction, alcoholism, after every revival. this special Sunday, Pastor Wellman abuse, and even Satan worship. It got Having arrived back at their home reports, "Our congregation was deep­ so bad that the local authorities placed in Vista, Norman was greeted with a ly moved by our evangelist’s unique, Dwayne in a foster home, a family in hug and kiss from Vickie. Nickie was biblical approach to evangelism.” the church. During the invitation, still in school. Vickie surprised Nor­ Early Monday morning, the pastor both Dwayne and his new foster man with his favorite dessert: home- and evangelist made their way through brother, Tom, 14, came forward, baked cherry chocolate fudge cake the rush-hour traffic to the Tampa knelt at the altar, and prayed to and Dreyer’s marble fudge ice cream. airport.

24 GROW / Summer 1990 answered prayer. A young woman by the Spirit to make a major contribution the name of Erma knelt at an altar of to totally replace the roofing on the sanc­ prayer and received Christ as her per- tuary, gym, and educational facilities! sonalSavior. Aftervisiting with her for a Thank God for revival! Another major few minutes, she shared that she had victory was a lady who came from her never been to church before in her life. unholy alliance with a live-in, alcoholic And God had touched her that morning boyfriend to deliverance, joy, and peace HOME AGAIN to the point that she will never be the and a new-found family — our church! Soon aboard — no tie, no books to same again. It’s been a real joy, watching I’ve never had a revival where I’ve had read, no yellow pad on which to write — her grow. more lingering results and continuing Norman was tired and needed a day off. "One other couple that specifically glow. We had a turnaround. People who After he had enjoyed the cheese omelet stands out knelt at an altar of prayer and were just hanging on are now excited breakfast served by the United steward­ found Christ. They have done more to about their church. The preaching was ess, he slept all the way to Denver, where light the rest of the church on fire than current, real, livable, and understanda­ it was necessary to change planes for San perhaps anything else. Their growth and ble. Thank God for revival!” Diego. excitement has been contagious. It was a At home again, in addition to the nor­ great week, and the revival created eter- mal responsibilities, Evangelist Moore had to squeeze in time to write his article for the next issue of Harvesnmes, his m n w semi-monthly newsletter.

HOME AGAIN Monday, after breakfast in the Steeles’ home, the pastor drove his evangelist to HOME AGAIN the Oklahoma City airport and said, On Monday morning, Norman met "Goodbye ’til next time.” with his staff in the Chandler office and Again, Norman flew home to his fam­ finalized plans with Doug Pierce for an ily with a strong sense of fulfillment, PHOENIX, ARIZONA upcoming television project. Then he knowing that men, women, teenagers, The next Wednesday-through-Sunday caught a 10:55 flight back to San Diego. and children had discovered new spirit­ revival was to be Moore’s third visit to Vickie and Nickie knew that they ual victory. With tears in his eyes, he the Monte Vista Church in Phoenix. would have less than 48 hours with the said, "There’s real satisfaction in know­ Pastor Dave McGarrah met the America man of their house this week, so they ing that someday, when it’s all over West flight. They climbed into the carefully budgeted every hour. down here, I’ll meet some folks in church van and stopped for a quick bur- heaven whom the Lord used me to rito at a favorite Mexican restaurant. reach, and some of them may not have Norman welcomed the chance to been reached any other way.” work mornings and afternoons at his A special victory was experienced ministry’s office in nearby Chandler. when Norman and a friends made a per­ Those hours were productively spent sonal call on Tom, 31, who had been in working with Doug Pierce, executive serious trouble. He had been divorced administrator and media director; Ruth twice, a user of cocaine, marijuana, and DeLong, personal evangelism training BETHANY, OKLAHOMA alcohol. He had served "hard time” in coordinator and development associate; Next stop: Bethany, Oklahoma. the state penitentiary for a felony drug and with Jo Noder, secretary. Norman was glad to see Pastor Lee conviction, and had recently been re­ During the week, Evangelist Jimmy Steele and Y outh Pastor Brian W iesinger leased from the county jail from another Dell, Pastor McGarrah, District Super­ again. The Lake Overholser Church was conviction. He was having a hard time intendent Bill Burch, and Norman Moore ready for revival. There was evidence of keeping a job. Tom’s life was a tangled got together at a Chinese restaurant in good preparation: advance prayer meet­ mess of drugs, alcohol, girlfriends, guilt, Chandler for lunch and enjoyed a time ings, proper advertising, and schedule and self hate. of rich fellowship. priority. After a lengthy conversation, the plan Pastor McGarrah reports, "The Monte Pastor Lee Steele described one man’s of salvation was presented to Tom. He Vista Nazarene Church has been the victory: "He was uprooted and trans­ responded- by praying to receive Jesus recipient of some special blessings of planted here. Seeking God’s purpose, he Christ as his Savior.There were smiles, God’s Holy Spirit. In a recent revival, we came to the altar, surrendering his will tears, and a firm handshake as Tom saw a number of lives changed as God and agreeing to God’s will. He was led by thanked them for their visit.

A Journal o f Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 25 Mission Achievement in Mew England

DORCHESTER IMMANUEL I CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Dorchester Immanuel Shares Sanctuary With Haitian Church Two Congregations Minister to 150 in Same Facility

L azare Mathurin, for most of Immanuel Church approved. a decade, worshiped and fel- Pastor Mathurin started services in lowshipped with the Dorches­ 1988, and the church was organized ter Immanuel Church near Boston — with 29 members in May of 1989. an English-speaking congregation Early in 1988, Raoul Pierre joined the composed mostly of people with West Haitian congregation as associate pas­ Indian roots. But in response to his tor. Now, the Haitian Church aver­ evangelistic passion dating back to his ages 75 and the Immanuel Church has graduation from the Nazarene Bible a monthly attendance of 75. School in Haiti in 1968, Mathurin The church growth record is im­ asked for permission from the Imman­ pressive: one congregation multi­ uel Church to begin Creole-language plied to two; the combined attend­ services on Sunday afternoon in the ance has doubled the number of Dorchester church facilities. The people receiving ministry; and Pastor work began when Pastor Joannes Mathurin has brought missions from Leatham and the church board of the Haiti to Boston.

GROW / Summer 1990 EVANGELISM MINISTRIES

CONDRY, CONNIE. (R) 1732 Fish Hatchery Rd, West Columbia, SC 29169 CONGER, DELOSS. (R) 4737 Dresden Ct, Jacksonville, FL 32257 CONRAD, BYRON. (R) 7151 Franusich Ave, Sacramento, CA 95828 COOK, DANNY. (R) 506 N. 6th St, Weatherford, OK 73096 EVMTGEUST’S COOK, DAVID. (R) 757 S. Bosart St, Indianapolis, IN 46203 •COOK, JAMES. (R) 418 West Ridge Dr, Fostoria, OH 44830 vCOOK, LEON G. 2418 Maple, Wichita, KS 67213 COOPER, DALLAS. (R) Rte. 1, Box 57, Okemah, OK 74859 •COOPER, DONALD li DOLORES. (R) 905 State St, Pekin. IL 61554 DCRECIORY vCOTTAM, T. W. 2011 Palm Or., Colorado Springs, CO 80918 vCOX, CURTIS B. 4002 Old Sterlington Rd, Monroe, LA 71203 COVINGTON, NATHAN. (C) 724 W. Knollwood, Broken Arrow, OK 74011 CRABTREE, JAMES C. (C) 3436 Cambridge Dr, Springfield, OH EVANGELISM MINISTRIES, CHURCH OF THE 45503 NAZARENE INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS CRANDALL, V. E. & BARBARA (C) 11177 S. Indian Lake Dr. E, Vicksburg, Ml 49097 ♦CRANE, BILLY D. (C) Rte. 5, Box 447, Parkersburg, WV 26101 vCREWS, H. F. Box 180302, Dallas, TX 75218 •BOWERS, LUCILLE. (C) 701 N. Buchanan, Little Rock, AR 72205 •CRIDER, JAMES i JANET. (R) P.O. Box 284, Shirley, IN 47384 BOYNTON, RICHARD. (C) 6312 E. 98th St, Fishers, IN 46038 •CROFFORD, DON. (R) 151 Pond Rd, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472 ABNEY, JOHN K. (R) R.R. 1, Box 214, College Grove, TN 37046 BRAATEN, DANIEL W. (R) Braaten Family Ministries, Box 764, •CROFFORD, TODD. (R) 2301 Westside Dr, Rochester, NY 14624 •ABRAMS, KATHY (R) Rte. 1, Rose Hill, IA 52586 Bethany, OK 73008 •CROSWAIT, MILDA (R) 33 Edgecombe Dr, Milford, OH 45150 VAGNER, J. C. Rte. 1, Box 2570, Lee, FL 32059 •BRAOFORD, KIM. (R) 3103 Oak Hill, Carrollton. TX 75007 CRUFF, CURTIS E. (R) 7726 Milton, Alanson, Ml 49706 ALBRIGHT, WAYNE L (R) RO. Box 184, Chapman, KS 67431 •BRALEY PAUL (R) 1878 Lake Hill Cir, Orlando, FL 32818 vCURTIS, H. M. 1709 E. 17th, Ada, OK 74820 vALDRIDGE, DAVID J. 8079 Elmlawn St N.E., Louisville, OH 44641 •BRAND, MARGARET. (R) Box 10332, Fort Wayne, IN 46851 •ALLEN, JAMES. (R) 2803 Jonathan, Texarkana, TX 75503 BREWINGTON, JANE. (R) 140 Hickory Hollow PI, Antioch, TN 37013 VALLEN, JIMMIE A. 205 N. Murray, No. 244, Colorado Springs, CO BRICE, GLEN W. (R) 3115 Mission St, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 D ______80916 vBRIGHT, MERLE. 5316 E. St. Clair. Indianapolis. IN 46219 VDABNEY FRANK. 1890 17th St. N.E, Salem, OR 97303-1110 ALLEN, NELSON B. (R) RO. Box 87, Mowrystown, OH 45155 ♦BRISCOE, JOHN B. (C) Box 78, Canadian, OK 74425 •DAFOE, RAY. (R) 7873 Hickory, Vicksburg, Ml 49097 vANDERSON, GEORGE R. 3335 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL 33803 BROUGH, NICOLAS. (C) P.O. Box 1813, Temple City, CA 91780-7813 V DAGGETT, TROY J. 208 West Due West Ave, Madison, TN 37115 ANDERSON, GERALD W. (R) 2451 215th PI. S.W., Brier, WA BROWN, FRED. (C) 3174 Bowdoin Cir., Columbus, OH 43204 vDALE, BENNIE. 717 Proctor PI, Midwest City, OK 73110 98036-8930 •BROWN, LOWELL (R) 4618 Bostick Cir, Tampa, FL 33614 ♦DALE, TOM. (C) 911 Florence, Nampa, ID 83686 APPLE, DALE. (R) 1128 S.W. 32nd, Oklahoma City, OK 73109 BROWN, MARK. (C) 6209 W. McArthur Ln, Muncie, IN 47304 v DANIELS, M. BERT. P.O. Box 75412, Oklahoma City, OK 73147 •ARCHER, RONALD E. (R) 4304 N. Peniel, Bethany, OK 73008 •BROWN, ROGER N. (C) Box 724, Kankakee, IL 60901 vDANIELS, M. HAROLD. P.O. Box 470, Littleton, CO 80120 AREY, DONALD. (C) Arey Evangelism Ministries. RFD 1. Anagance BROWN, RON. (C) Rte. 2, Box 230. Ironton, OH 45638 vDARNELL, H. E. P.O. Box 929, Vivian, LA 71082 Ln„ Wolfeboro, NH 03894 BROWN, TIM D. (R) 828 Thorp Springs Rd, Granbury, TX 76048 v DAVIS, HAROLD C. P.O. Box 189, Choctaw, OK 73020 ♦ARMSTRONG, LEON t LINDA. (C) No. 10 Foxcroft Dr.. Blue Ridge, vBROWNE, CHARLES. 2532 Parchmount Ave, Kalamazoo, Ml DAWS, LEONARD J. (R) 3286 Wyoming Ave, Xenia, OH 45385 VA 24064 49004 DAWSON, JAMES A. (R) R.R. 1, Box 189, Wapakoneta, OH 45895 ARMSTRONG, ROBERT W. (R) P.O. Box 187, Skowhegan, ME 04976 BRYANT, GROVER. (R) P.O. Box 200, Carthage, MO 64836-0200 v DAYTON, WEBSTER. 201 Suffolk Ave, Colonial Heights, VA 23834 ATKINSON, DEAN & PAT. (R) Atkinson Family Crusade, P.O. Box 517, BUDD, JAY B. (C) 1385 Hentz Dr, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 v DEBOLT, TED & DOROTHY. 349 Ellenwood, West Carrollton, OH Newcastle, OK 73065-0517 vBURKE, OWEN. 3414 N. Evergreen, Chandler, AZ 85224 45449 ♦ BURKHALTER, PAT t DONNA. (C) P.O. Box 801, Atlanta, TX 75551 •DECKARD, KENNETH. (R) Gloryroad Quartet, 3227 Washington B ______•BURNEM, ANN. (R) 103 New Hampshire Dr, Ashland, KY 41101 Ave, Bedford, IN 47421 VBYERS, CHARLES i MILDRED. 2121C S. Ingram Mill Rd., Spring­ •DECKARD, STEVE. (R) R.R. 14, Box 459, Bedford, IN 47421 v BAGGETT, DALLAS. 1313 Fletcher Ave. S.W., Decatur, AL 35601 field, MO 65804 ♦DELL, JIMMY. (C) 4802 E. Mitchell Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85018 •BAILEY, TONY & TRICIA. (R) 207 Edgewood Rd, Eureka, IL 61530 DeLONG, RUTH. (R) c/o Norman Moore Ministries, P.O. Box 1630, BAKER, HOWARD. (R) P.O. Box 604, Bargersville, IN 46106-0604 Chandler, AZ 85244 ♦BAKER, RICHARD C. (C)3590 Coal Fork Dr., Charleston, WV 25306 c______DENNIS, JAMES A. (JAMIE). (R) 166 N. Sugar St, Chillicothe, OH BAKER, SAMUEL (R) 617 East Wood Ave., Raymondville, TX 78580 CANEN, DAVID. (C) Rte. 2, Box 12B, Adrian, GA 31002 45601 BALIS, DONALD E. (R) 120 S. Roberts, El Reno, OK 73036 CANFIELD, DAVID. (C) 503 Short White Oak, Russell, KY 41169 ♦DENNISON, MARVIN E. (C) 1208 S.E. Green Rd, Tecumseh, KS vBALLARD, DON. 7231 German Creek Park, Memphis, TN 38125 v CANNON, DURWOOD. Rte. 2, Box 280, Gallion, AL 36742 66542 BALLARD, JUNE. (R) 327 King St, Chadron, NE 69337 •CARATHERS, DELORIS. (R) 9823 Cherry Tree Ln, Indianapolis, IN vDEPASQUALE, JAMES. P.O. Box 5462, Bellingham, WA 98227 VBALLARD, OLIVER H. 7113 S. Blackwelden Oklahoma City, OK 46236 DEWEY, KENNETH. (R) Box 636, Rte. 2, Spring Hill, TN 37174 73159 vCARPENTER, R. W. (Bob). 4805 Airport Rd, Nampa, ID 83687 ♦DICKSON, RICHARD J. (R) Living Way Gospel Team, 821 Lonsvale BAPTISTE, MATHIEW-JEAN. (R) 3715 Eastview Ave., West Palm CARPENTER, VERNON. (R) 3800 E. Hampden, Englewood, CO Or, Anderson, IN 46014 Beach, FL 33407 80110 vDISHON, CLARENCE. 2555 Carmine Rd, Venice, FL 34293 BARNES, JACK. (C) Rte. 1, Box 150-A, Chapel Hill, TN 37034 •CASWELL, GERALD. (R) 2258 Wise Rd, North Canton, OH 44720 VDISHON, MELVIN. 936 Shive Ln, Lot 184, Bowling Green, KY 42101 vBARTZ, JAMES, 3006 Euclid Ave., No. 9, Helena, MT 59601 CAYTON, JOHN. (C) 16 Southworth St, Lakeville, MA 02347 VDIXON, GEORGE t CHARLOTTE, c/o Evangelism Ministries- •BEHA, LUCILLE A (R) 3908 Ninth Ave., Parkersburg, WV 26101 CERRATO, ROBERT. (R) 11210 Cherry Ct, 526, Palos Hills, IL 60465 DODDS, JOHN. (C) 272 Jack Oak Rd, St. Marys, OH 45885 •BELL, JEAN. (C) P.O. Box 776, Bethany, OK 73008 vCHALFANT, MORRIS. 860 Bunker Hill. Bourbonnais, IL 60914 •DODDS, LARRY W. (R) Rte. 5, Box 385, Burlington, IA 52601 BELL, WAYNE. (R) SO-HI Estates, 3485 Mountain Dr., Kingman, AZ vCHAMBERLAIN, DOROTHY H. Rte. 21, Box 28, Mobile Park, DODGE, KENNETH L. (C) 1150 W. Winton Ave, No. 221, Hayward, CA 86401 Carmichaels, PA 15320 94545 BELZER, DAVE i BARBARA (C) Box 32, Miller. SO 57362 •CHAMBERS, EUGENE. (R) P.O. Box 1187, Bethany, OK 73008 •DOLE, VERA (R) 22210 Salt Fork Rd, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 BENDER, TIM. (C) The Tim Bender Family, 1278 Smith Chapel Rd, vCHAMBERS, LEON I MILDRED. 218 Regan Dr, Magnolia. MS •DOOLITTLE, KEVIN. (C) 866 N. Main St, Meadville, PA 16335 Shelbyville, TN 37160 39652 •DOROUGH, WILLIAM M. (R) 219 Oak Hills Dr, HHH, Mabank, T X •BENNETT, ROBIN. (R) 2899 Eldon Dr., Uniontown, OH 44685 vCHANDLER, WILLIAM. 705 Meadow Lark Ln, Durant, OK 74701 7 5 1 4 7 BENTLEY, PAUL E. (R) 233 Young Ave., Nampa, ID 83651 •CHANEY, BARBARA. (C) 4070 Monza Dr, Richmond, VA 23234 •DOWNING, ANN. (C) Box 767, Hendersonville, TN 37075 vBERRIAN, HAROLD F. 186 Highland Ave, Pennsville, NJ 08070 VCHANEY REEFORD. 4070 Monza Dr, Richmond, VA 23234 DOWTY, PAUL. (R) Rte. 3, Box 741, Broken Bow, OK 74728 •BERRY, CHARLES. (R) 2524 Brierwood Dr, Albany, GA 31705 vCHAPMAN, W. EMERSON I LOIS. Rte. 1, Box 87, Miltonvale, KS DRESSLER, R. H. (R) Box 750177, Duncan, OK 73573 •BERTOLET, GRACE. (C) 2770 S. Garden Dr, Bldg. 21, No. 308, 67466 DRYE, J. T. (R) 5130 Trinity Church Rd, Kannapolis, NC 28081 Lakeworth, FL 33461 CHASE, FRANK. (R) Lake Country, Box 25, Mannford, OK 74044 DUNCAN, HERSCHEL. (R) 350 Birch Dr, Charlestown, IN 47111 •BICKFORD, BERNADETTE. (R) 2518 Lindenwood, San Angelo, TX ♦CHEATWOOD, HENRY & PHYLLIS. (C) Rte. 4, Box 96, Kissee Mills. DUNLAP, BARRY L (R) Rte. 3,226 Forester Dr, Cape Girardeau. MO 76904 MO 65680 63701 BIRD, LANCE. (R) 1001 Laurel Hills Ct, Haines City, FL 33844 CHIPR VERLIN E (C) 127 S. State St, Indianapolis, IN 46201 •DUNMIRE, RALPH * JOANN. (C) 202 Garwood Dr, Nashville, TN ♦BLUE, DAVID I DANA. (C) P.O. Box B, Bradenton Beach, FL34217 CHIZUM, DENNIS. (R) 53569 C.R. 7 N„ Elkhart, IN 46514 37210 BLYTHE, ELLIS G. (C) 7731 S.W. 10th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607 CHOATE, KIRBY. (R) Rte. 2, Box 805, Raymondville, TX 78580 DUNN, DON. (C) P.O. Box 132, Bartlett, OH 45713 BOCK, DON. (C) Box 412, Washington Court House, OH 43160 CHRISTNER, JACK. (R) 1560 Newark Rd, Mount Vernon, OH 43050 DUTTON, BARRY & TAVIA (C) P.O. Box 119, Clarksburg, MD 20871 •BOGGS, JERRY (R) 203-A Linden Ave, South Point OH 45680 vCHRISTOPHER, CHRIS C. 343 Kenlock S.E., Lot 66, Grand Rapids, BOHANNON, WILLIAM. (R) 542 Maple St, East Alton, IL 62024 Ml 49508 •BOICOURT, MARLA. (R) 1413 Willow Dr, Olathe, KS 66062 CLARK, RON. (R) 1522 Hwy. 261, Newburgh, IN 47630 E ______♦BOND, GARY & BETH. (C) 410 S. Clay St, Sturgis, Ml 49091 vCLAY, D. E. 400 S. Edgewood Rd, Mount Vernon, OH 43050 •EBY, PAUL & MARTHA. (R) P.O. Box 100441, Nashville, TN 37210 BOOUIST, DOUG & DEBBIE. (R) c/o 16001 Glen Rd, Mount Vernon, vCLAY, M. E. P.O. Box 526, S t Marys, OH 45885 •EDWARDS, BOBBY. (R) 1080 Jameson Ct, New Castle, IN 47362 OH 43050 vCLIFT, NORVIE O. 25440 Guitta Ct, Hemet, CA 92344 EDWARDS, CHARLES. (C) 19924 Teresa Way, Cerritos, CA 90701 •BOUGH, ALICE. (R) 638 Oxford. Valparaiso, IN 46383 ♦COFFEY REV. & MRS. RUSSELL E. (C) 1841 128th Ave, Hopkins. •EIFERT, FRANK 1 JO. (R) 18424 Dakota Rd, Odessa, FL 33554 BOWDEN, AL (C) 6760 Belfast Ave, Cocoa, FL 32927 Ml 49328 vEMRICK, C. ROSS. 8000 M-68, Alanson, Ml 49706 ELLINGSON, LEE. (R) P.O. Box 1823, Bethany, OK 73008 ♦ESSELBURN, BUD. (C) The Kings Messengers, 28241 S.R. 60 N, (C) Commissioned (R) Registered ♦Preacher & Song Evangelist •Song Evangelist Warsaw, OH 43844 VRetired Elders in Evangelism EVERMAN, WAYNE. (R) 109 Cox St., Box 377, Stanton, KY 40380 ’ Evangelism Ministries, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131 An adequate budget for evangelism at the beginning of each church year is imperative for each congregation. F ______A revival savings account is useful in building toward adequate support for the evangelist. ♦FADER, WES & MARY (C) Quail Ridge Dr., Rte. 3, Box 310, Salisbury, MD 21801 EVANGELISM MINISTRIES

vFARLOW, T. J. Box 1145, Robertsdale, AL 36567 vHENDERSHOT, HARVEY. Rte. 4, Lakeview Dr., Mount Juliet TN LEMASTER, BENJAMIN D. (R) 813 N. Tyler Dr, Santa Maria, CA vFARRIS, A. A. 1503 Orchard Cl, Science Hill, KY 42553 37122 93454 FAULK, A. RAY. (C) HC 67, Box 872, Many, LA 71449 vHENDERSON, LATTIE. 3006 Liberty Rd, Greensboro, NC 27406 v LEONARD, J. C. 1410 Armory, Chariton, IA 50049 •FELKNER, MR. i MRS. BUTCH. (R) 173 Heartz, Coppell, TX 75019 vHERMON, THOMAS M. 936 Ave. T S.E, Winter Haven, FL 33880 LEONARD, LARRY L (R) 13202 Moran Dr, Tampa, FL 33618 •FIGHTMASTER, ANTHONY. (R) 198 Convent Bourbonnais, IL V HESTER, JAMES C. 1 Red Oak Ct, Mansfield, TX 76063 V LESTER, FRED R. 7404 Ed Rice, Mesa, AZ 85208 60914 VHICKE, S. F. (R) 4923 Forest Ct, Oak Forest, IL 60452 ♦LIDDELL, P. L It JUNE. (C) 3530 W. Allen Rd, Howell. Ml 48843 v FILES, GLORIA R. 1102 N. Peniel Ave., Avon Park, FL 33825 HICKS, JOHN DAVID. (C) 240 Daniels St, McMinnville, OR 97128 LINN, HERMAN. (R) Rte. 6. Box 178, New Castle, IN 47362 FISHER, CLAIR H. (R) RD 1,103 Valley View Rd., Phoenixville, PA ♦HIGGINS, CHUCK & MARGE. (C) c/o Biltmore Church of the VLISTON, CLARENCE D. P.O. Box 23576, Tuscon, AZ 85734 19460 Nazarene, 5604 N. 24th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016 VLITTLE, HAROLD N. 7045 S.W. Hyland Way, Beaverton, OR 97005 v FISHER, C. WILLIAM. No. 1. Antigua Ct, Coronado, CA 92118 vHILDIE, DWAYNE W. 3323 Belaire, Cheyenne, WY 82001 LOHR, DONALD. (C) P.O. Box 7056, Charleston, WV 25356 FLETCHER, RAY (R) Box 6225, Elgin, OK 73538 VHILL, WILLIAM G. it KATHRYN. 6600 Hitler Rd, No. 2, Circleville, LOMAN, LANE. (C) 137 Timber Ridge Dr, Nashville, TN 37217 FLINT, ROBERT. (R) 11388 Rte. 36, Marysville, OH 43040 OH 43113 •LORENZEN, LINDA. (C) Rte. 3, Box 231A, Blanchester, OH 45107 FLOYD, TOM. (C) 5543 W. Michigan, Glendale, AZ 85308 VHINKLE, FREO C. Rte. 1, Box 102, Tishomingo, OK 73460 LOUGHRIDGE, WILLIAM. (R) Rte. 2, Box 38, Wister, OK 74966 FORTNER, ROBERT E. (C) Box 322, Carmi, IL 62821 HINES, RAYMOND L (R) Box 114, Nocatee, FL 33864 LOVE, ROBERT. (R) 6425 Nanette, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 FOSTER, A. D. (R) 1017 N. 20th St, St. Joseph, MO 64501 •HISE, RON. (R) 2035 Hancock, Oemotte, IN 46310 •LOVING, BECKY. (R) 1101 S. Park Rd, Texarkana, TX 75503 VFOSTER, HALLIE & MARTHA. P.O. Box 375, Stonington, IL 62567 HOECKLE, WESLEY W. (R) 642 Vaky, Corpus Christi, TX 78404 vLOWN, ALBERT J. c/o General Secretary's Office vFOSTER, J. R 1805 N. Union, Decatur, IL 62526 HOLDER, SYBIL (R) 249 Winthrop St, Brooklyn, NY 11225 LYBARGER, EVERETT. (C) P.O. Box 1534, Conway, AR 72032 •FOSTER, MARY. (R) 1805 N. Union, Decatur, IL 62526 HOLLOWELL, JERRY. (R) P.O. Box 2, Paris, TX 75460 VFOWLER, IRA E. Rte. 3, Box 345, Hollywood, MD 20636 HOLSINGER, MARK. (C) 9231 E. Aero Dr, Pico Rivera, CA 90660 M ______FRANK, RICHARD A. (C) 7659 Fairview Rd, Batesburg, SC 29006 HOLSTEIN, J. TED. (R) 473-B Dewdrop Cir, Cincinnati, OH 45240 •FRASER, WILMA. (R) 305 High St, Brilliant, OH 43913 HOOTS, BOB. (C) 309 Adair St, Columbia, KY 42728 MACK, WILLIAM M. (C) 106 Youpon Or, Hubert, NC 28539 FREEMAN, MARY ANN. (R) P.O. Box 129, Gas City, IN 46933 •HORNE, ROGER & BECKY. (R) P.O. Box 17496, Nashville, TN 37217 MADDEN, JOSEPH. (R) 704 Golden Arrow Dr, Miamisburg, OH 45342 FREY, DENNIS. (R) 291 Avant, Hazelwood, MO 63042 vHOUSE, JOHN W. 2503 Division St, No. 200, North Little Rock, AR •MADDOX, HOMER & MARTHA. (R) 1917 Wilkens St, Indianapolis, •FREY, DONALD. (R) The Frey Family, 509 Sturgis Ave, Sturgis, Ml 72114 IN 46221 49091 VHOWARD, DICK. 7901 N.W. 28th Terr, Bethany, OK 73008 •MAHANEY, PATRICIA. (R) 115 Elm Ave, No. 4, Quincy, MA 02170 vFRODGE, HAROLD. Rte. 1, Geff, IL 62842 HUBARTT, LEONARD. (R) 8612 Timbermill PI, Fort Wayne, IN 46804 MANER, ROBERT E. (C) P.O. Box 675, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 FULKS, DAVID, JR. (R) 9430 Cleveland, No. 124, Kansas City, MO HUBBARD, JEFFIE. (R) 3213 W. Ave. T, Temple, TX 76504 vMANGUM, PAUL D. 416 Ivy St, Nampa, ID 83651 64132 HUGHES, JOYCE. (C) 4524 Ashland City Hwy, Clarksville, TN 37043 MANLEY, STEPHEN & DELPHINE. (C) Box 522, Upland, IN 46989 vFULTON, CECIL 6413 Gateridge Cir, Garland, TX 75043 HUNDLEY, JOHN D. (C) P.O. Box 764, Nashville, GA 31639 ♦MANN, THURLI MARY KAY. (C) 90 Sycamore Ln, Fort Myers, FL vHURRY, CECIL P. P.O. Box 667, Lynn, IN 47355 33908 G ______vMARLIN, BENJAMIN F. P.O. Box 5572, Deltona, FL 32728 VMARSH, A. MILTON. Box 234, Remington, IN 47977 •GABEL, JIM. (R) 5028 Burma Rd. W, Mobile, AL 36609 I ______V MARTIN, LEON. Rte. 3, Box 242A, Bonham, TX 75418 vGADBOW, CLINTON. 1207 S. 2nd St, Marshalltown, IA 50158 ♦ICE, CHARLES & BETTY. (R) 702 S. Malcolm, Chanute, KS 6 6 7 2 0 VMARTINE, SHEPPIE. P.O. Box 184, Ramah, NM 87321 GADBOW, DONALD C. (R) 49 Julie Ln., S t Peters, MO 63376 VIDE, CHARLES. 114 Kingsway Rd, Brandon, FL 33510 MATTER, DAN & ANN. (R) 2617 Carew St, Fort Wayne, IN 46805 GALVEZ, MARCO. (R) 316 N. Lincoln, Barnesville, OH 43713 INGALLS, JAMES H. (R) P.O. Box 265, Fairview Village, PA 19409 VMAY, JOHN. Rte. 1, Box 17-SG, Colliers, WV 26035 GAMBLIN, C. LEE & WILMA. (R) 1002 S. 8th St, Box 149, Fairfield, INGLAND, WILMA JEAN. (R) 1170 Princeton Rd, Monroeville, PA •MAYNARD, WAYNE. (R) 1830 "E' St, Bedford, IN 47421 IA 52556 15146 MAYO, CLIFFORD. (C) P.O. Box 345, Dickens, TX 79229 GARDNER, JOHN M. (C) 4102 Carlisle Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813 VMAZE, KENNETH, Rte. 9, Box 102, Parkersburg, WV 26101 GAWTHORP, WAYLAND. (C) Rte. 1, Box 97AA, Crowley, LA 70526 J ______McADAMS, DOUGLAS R. (R) Rte. 4, Box 140-D, Huntsville, AR 72740 VGERBIG, BERNICE ROEDEL (R) 315 N. 8th St, Boonville, IN 47601 JACK, GLORIA JEANNE. (R) 701 Kenwood Dr, Russell, KY 41169 ♦McCALLIE, JAMES. (R) Rte. 6, Box 254, Columbus, IN 47201 GESSNER, DON It SHIRL. (C) 103 N. 8th St, Sunbury, PA 17801 •JACKSON, PAUL & TRISH. (C) Jetstream Ministries, Box 739, McCANDLESS, MARION L (C) P.O. Box 97, Midway City, CA 92655 vGHOLSON, LAWRENCE. 2918 Berkshire Dr, Mesquite, TX 75150 Meade, KS 67864 McCARTY, DONALD. (R) P.O. Box 1561, Sitka, AK 99835 GIBSON, NORRIS. (C) Tobie S Company, Rte. 1, Box 385, Manchester, JACKSON, THOMAS. (R) Rte. 1, Box 242, Flemingsburg, KY 41041 McCOOL, EARL (C) 1331 N. Iowa, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 GA 31816 vJAMES, R. ODIS. 323 Winter St, St. James, MO 65559 MCDONALD, CHARLIE E. (C) 920 W. Olive St, West Monroe, LA GOLAY, GEORGE. (R) 4450 Midway Dr. N.W., Cedar Rapids, IA 52405 JANTZ, ORLANDO. (R) HCR1, Box 185, Minneola, KS 67865 71291 GOODWIN, LESLIE. (R) 12181 Rich, Loveland, OH 45140 ♦JANTZ-OWENS, MARJORIE. (C) P.O. Box 6864, Kokomo, IN vMcDONALD, G. RAY 720 Carroll Wood Village, Apt. 305, Gretna, •GORDON, BOB. (C) 1628 Rutland Dr, No. 21, Austin, TX 78758-6003 46904-6864 LA 70056 •GORMAN, CHARLES AND ANN. (R) 12104 Linkwood Ct, Louisville, JAYMES, RICHARD W. (R) 617 W. Gambier, Mount Vernon, OH 43050 vMcDOWELL, DORIS M. 540 Sierra Madre Blvd., No. 6, Sierra KY 40229 •JEFFRIES, JEFF & JAN (R) 21308 120th St, Apt. B, Bonney Lake, Madre, CA 91024 GOULD, LOREN W. (C) 4479 Hialeah Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23464 WA 98390 McELFRESH, RONALD. (C) 1964 Osage Cir, Olathe, KS 66062 ♦GRABKE, RONALD & MARTHA. (C) 225 Pleasantview Dr, Brain­ VJENNINGS, LEON. 7107 N.W. 30th Terr, Bethany, OK 73008 vMcELVEEN, ROUND T. 667 Powell St, Rock Hill, SC 29730 tree, MA 02184 V JENNINGS, PAUL R. 722 N.W. 32nd, Lawton, OK 73505 McGEE, JERRY. (C) 3115 Goldmine Rd, Monroe, NC 28110 vGRANT, COOLIDGE. P.O. Box 31, Glens Fork, KY 42741 •JEWETT, MR. it MRS. LAWRENCE A. (R) 1441 Robin Hood Dr, McGUFFEY, JAMES. (R) 1580 Cape Charles Ct, Cicero, IN 46034 VGRANT, EDISON, Rte. 4, Box 358-D, Denver, NC 28037 Seymour, IN 47274-1949 •McKINNON, JUANITA. (C) Box 126, Institute, WV 25112 vGRAY, C. PAUL. 4016 Riverside Dr, Bethany, OK 73008 JOHNSON, ALBERT. (R) Rte. 2, Box 217, Kenbridge, VA 23944 •McMAHAN, W. T t MARGARET. (R) 1015 E. Southport Rd, ♦GREEN, JIM & ROSEMARY. (C) Box 385, Canton, IL 61520 JOHNSON, BOB. (R) 3135 Oro Blanco, Colorado Springs, CO 80917 Indianapolis, IN 46227 •GREEN, SHARON. (R) The Gospel Sounds, P.O. Box 66, Lithopolis, VJOHNSON, COMER, P.O. Box 667, Excel, AL 36439 vMcVEY, V. L 173 E. 2nd St, Fond du Lac, Wl 54935-4463 OH 43136-0066 JOHNSON, DONALD EUGENE. (R) Box 196, Ogden, IL 61859 McWHIRTER, STUART. (C) P.O. Box 458, Corydon, IN 47112 GRIBBEN, GEORGE. (R) Longvue Dr, Wintersville, OH 43952 •JOHNSON, RON. (C) 3208 Eighth St. E, Lewiston, ID 83501 VMEADOWS, NAOMI C. 2626 Washington Ave, Lot 65, Vincennes, GRIMES, ANDY. (C) Andrew Evangelistic Ministries, 110 Copperfield V JONES, BERT. 1926 Lakeside Dr., Erie, PA 16511 IN 47591 Dr, Chillicothe, OH 45601 JONES, GRACE L (C) P.O. Box 251, Leming, TX 78050 vMEEK, WESLEY E. 5713 S. Shartel, Oklahoma City, OK 73109 GRIMM, HUGH. (R) 5845 Kentview Ave. N.W, North Canton, OH 44720 ♦JONES, TERRY & LAQUITA. (C) 2002 Judy Ln, Pasadena, TX MEENACH, CHRIS. (R) Rte. 2, Box 80A, Franklin Furnace, OH 45629 •GRINDLEY, GERALD & JANICE. (R) 414 W. Oliver. Owosso, Ml 77502 •MEHR, BETHANY. (R) Box 37, South Lyon, Ml 48178 48867 •JONTE, JOHN. (R) 3905 N.W. 56th PI, Oklahoma City, OK 73112 •MELICK, RANDY. (R) 8705 Countryshire, No. 1, Kansas City, MO GROSSMITH, FREDERICK. (C) 4 St Hellier's Rd, Cleethorpes. JORDAN, JOSEPH R. (C) 42 W. Hunter St, Logan, OH 43138 64138 England DN35 7LQ ♦JUSTICE, MEL & DONNA. (C) 142 King Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 MELVIN, DOLORES. (C) HC 60. Box 224, Greenup, KY 41144 GROVES, C. WILLIAM. (C) 3986 Cypress Ave, Grove City, OH 43123 •MEREDITH, DWIGHT & NORMA JEAN. (C) 315 E. 8th St, Box 1, GUNTER, WILLIAM. (R) 12609 29th PI. W, Everett, WA 98204 K ______Harper, KS 67058 vGUY, MARION 0 . 1406 Danny, Claremore, OK 74017 KEENA, EARL (C) 2160 D St, Oroville, CA 95966 vMEYER, VIRGIL & DOROTHY. 3112 Willow Oak Dr, Fort Wayne, IN KEETO, MARSHALL (R) P.O. Box 158, Mentmore, NM 87319 46809 H ______VKELLY, R. B. 4706 N. Donald, Bethany, OK 73008 ♦MICKEY, BOB. (C) 504 N. Sixth, Lamar, CO 81052 •HAAS, MR. & MRS. V. WAYNE. (C) 3508 S. 10th St., New Castle, IN •KIDDER, KERMIT. (R) 516 Flamingo Dr., Lakeland, FL 33803 MILBURN, GARY. (R) P.O. Box 475, Braddock Heights, MD 21714 47362 ♦KIZZEE, JOHN. (R) Rte. 2, Box 65-C, Junction City, KS 66441 MILEY, TROY J. (R) 102 Nazarene Dr, South Charleston, WV 25309 ♦HAINES, GARY. (C) c/o Evangelism Ministries' vKNIGHT, JOHN L 4000 N. Thompkins, Bethany, OK 73008 vMILLER, BERNARD F. 514 E. Crawford St, Van Wert, OH 45891 HALL, CARL N. (C) P.O. Box 7086, Clearwater, FL 33518 KOHR, CHARLES A. (C) Rte. 2, Box 360, Brookville, PA 15825 VMILLER, NETTIE A. 131314th St, Apt 801, Columbus, GA 31994 HALL, DAVID. (R) 3220 N. Wildan, Springfield, MO 65803 vKONKLE, DONALD A. 2908 Moore Rd, Anderson, IN 46011 vMILLER, PAULINE 0 .307 S. Delaware St, Mount Gilead, OH 43338 VHALL, HADLEY A. 2105 Juniper Dr, Plant City, FL 33566 VKRATZER, RAYMOND C. 4305 Snow Mountain Rd, Yakima, WA MILLER, RICHARD S. (R) 2727 Sugar Tree Rd, Bethel, OH 45106 HAMBLIN, MERLE E. (R) 2616 Fairfield Ave, Kalamazoo, Ml 49004 98908 MILLHUFF, CHUCK. (C) Box 160, Olathe, KS 66061 HANCOCK, TIM (R) 416 S. Edgewood Rd, Mount Vernon, OH 43050 •KRAUTER, DARREN. (R) 10132 Lake Oak Cir., Tampa, FL 33624 MILLS, CARLTON A. (C) c/o 24 Bow St, Danvers, MA 01923 •HANKINS, GEORGE W. (C) 3 E. Buttonwood St, Wenonah, NJ vMITCHUM, C. R. 1225 Rockport Rd, Apt 342, Boonville, IN 47601 08090 L ______•MOATS, MARILYN. (R) 617 W. Oak St, Carmi, IL 62821 VHARCOURT, HAROLD C. 1301 Newbury Dr, Norman, OK 73071 LAING, GERALD & MARCINE. (C) 11436 East St, Vicksburg, Mi vMODESITT, BRUCE. 1114 Henley St, Decherd, TN 37324 HARRINGTON, MILTON. (R) 4005 Little Rock Dr, North Highlands, CA 49097 ♦MONCK, JIM. (C) 971 Madrone Ave, Chico, CA 95926 95660 VLAMBERT, J. WILMER. 710 Chaffin Ridge, Columbus, OH 43214 MOONEY, MARCUS LEE. (R) 5762 S.E. Windsong Ln., Stuart, FL HARRISON, ROBERT. (R) 7215 Acacia, Leander, TX 78641 ♦LaSALLE, RAY 8. JAN. (C) P.O. Box 350, Fort Scott, KS 66701 34997 VHAWKINS, RAY. 1615 Kickapoo, Pueblo, CO 81001 LAWSON, WAYNE. (C) c/o Evangelism Ministries' •MOORE, GARY. (R) 14915 Quivira Rd, Olathe, KS 66062 HAYES, ALVIN a (R) 15812 W. 129th St, Olathe, KS 66062 LAXSON, KIP. (C) 675 Harding PI, G-6, Nashville, TN 37211 MOORE, NORMAN. (C) Box 1630, Chandler, AZ 85244 HAYNE, JAMES S. (C) 1917 E. Whitton, Phoenix, AZ 85016 •LAXSON, WALLY& GINGER. (C) Rte. 3, Box 118, Athens, AL 35611 MOORE, RUDOLPH. (C) P.O. Box 56, Fortville, IN 46040 HAYNES, CHARLES & MYRT. (C) P.O. Box 3563, Cleveland, TN •LAYCOCK, ERIC L (R) 146 Wendover Dr., Hamilton, ON L9C 5X5 MORLEY, FRANK. (C) 4080 Pedley Rd, No. 151, Riverside, CA 92509 37320-3563 CANADA MORRIS, CLYDE. (C) 101 Bryant Lake Rd, Cross Lanes, WV 25313 HEATON, K. D. (C) 14 Martinsburg Rd, Apt. A, Mount Vernon, OH LEAF JOHN D. (R) Rte. 1, Box 300, Dover, OH 44622 MORRIS, JAMES. (R) 141 Dutch Rd, Charleston, WV 25302 43050 ♦LECKRONE, LARRY (C) 403 E. Main, Morenci, Ml 49256 MORSCH, J. V. (R) 9924 Bay Vista Ests. Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819 HECKATHORN, JIM. (R) 713 Lake Lowell Ave, Nampa. ID 83686 LEFFEL, ROBERT L (R) Rte. 13, Box 573, Fayetteville, AR 72701 MOSER, THOMAS W. (R) 555 Barts Church Rd, Hanover, PA 17331 ♦HELMS, MIKE & GLORIA. (C) c/o Evangelism Ministries' LEIDY, ARNOLD G. (C) P.O. Box 124, Moriarty, NM 87035 •MOSGROVE, REED. (R) 711812th S t N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702 EVANGELISM MINISTRIES

MOSS, UDELL & DORIS. (C) 123 Calverton Rd.. Ferguson. MO 63135 ROSE, WAYNE. (C) 16007 W. 136th Terr, Olathe, KS 66062 vTHRASHER, OREN D. 2414 High Pine Dr, Louisville, KY 40214 ♦MUNCIE, BOB i JANE. (C) Rte. 1, Box 17, Cory, IN 47846 ROSSITER, URRY (R) 9867 Shellbark Ln, Cincinnati, OH 45231 •TINSLEY MARVIN 4 DENISE. (C) Rte. 1. Box 215A, Waldron, IN •MURPHY MARK. (R) 410 S. Clay St, Sturgis, Ml 49091 ROTH, RON. (C) 2645 E. Cozy, Springfield, MO 65804 46182 ♦MYERS, HAROLD I MRS. (C) 575 Ferris N.W., Grand Rapids, Ml ROTZ, DARRELL E. (R) 3620 Hampton Rd, Pasadena, CA 91107 VTOLBERT, WILLIAM A. P.O. Box 85-7935, Port S t Lucie, FL 33485 49504 ROWE, GENE. (R) P.O. Box 1022, Cherokee, NC 28718 ♦TOOLEY JIM. (C) 2108 Burlington Rd, Rte. 4, Oskaloosa, IA 52577 ♦ROYSE, C. E. (R) 2105 Taylor Ave, Racine, Wl 53403 •TRAMMEL JERRY. (R) 21 Stanwood Loop, North Little Rock, AR N ______RUARK, JAMES. (R) 2014 Northcliff Dr, Columbus, OH 43229 72118 NAJARIAN, BERGE & DORIS. (R) P.O. Box 50904. Fort Myers, FL RUFF ROY. (R) 10 Bell Dr., Garden City, SC 29576 TRIPP, HOWARD. (C) 4218 Lazaid St, Chattanooga, TN 37412 33905 RUSSELL DOUGUS J. (R) 3644116th Ave, Edmonton, AB T5W 0W6 •TRISSEL MARY A. (R) Rte. 3, Box 359L Wildwood, FL 32785 CANADA vNASH, FORREST. 725 W. Cedar, Olathe, KS 66061 TRISSEL, PAUL J. (R) 117 Avenilla del Fuego, Belen, NM 87002 NASH, JACK W. (R) 8840 Oakdale Ave.. Northridge, CA 91324 vRUSSELL, J. REYNDAL 3809 San Ramon Dr, Arlington, TX 76013 vTRUE, IRA L. 500 W. Santa Maria, No. 77, Santa Paula, CA 93060 •NAYLOR, EDWARD. (R) 6 Rubydale Gardens, Weston, ON M 9L1B3 TSO, ALVIN. (C) P.O. Box 1541, Page, AZ 86040-1541 CANADA s______TUCKER, RALPH WILLIAM. (R) R.R. 1, Box 55, Woodbine, IA 51579 TURNER, BEVERLY. (R) 709 Holbrook, Lebanon, OH 45036 •NEFF, LARRY & PAT. (C) 625 N. Water St., Owosso, Ml 48867 SCHMELZENBACH, DENNIS R. (R) 1713 N. Glade Ave, Bethany, OK vNEES, L GUY. 181 Lawrence Ln, Kalispell, MT 59901 ♦TURNOCK, J. JAMES. (R) Rte. 1, Box 365, A-1, Williamsport, MD 73008 21795 NEWBY, PAUL. (R) 607 Orange Ave, Ocoee, FL 32761 SCHMIDT, MILFORD. (R) Rte. 3, Box 268, Clinton, MO 64735 NEWTON, DANIEL (R) P.O. Box 323. Fairland, IN 46126 SCHWOB, WAYNE. (R) 1823 E. Jackson Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46516 NEWTON, TYREE. (R) 4326 Briarwood Dr, Richmond, VA 23234 •SCRIVNER, VICKIE. (R) 5818 Floyd, Overland Park, KS 66202 u______NEWTON, VIRGINIA R. (R) 1810 26th St. E, Chattanooga, TN 37407 vSELF, ERWIN. 11397 Main St, Vicksburg, Ml 49097 VULMET, ALECK. 63 Hope Dr, Bella Vista, AR 72714 •SEMRAN, KIM & CINDY. (R) 3465 N. Van Dyke Rd, Filion, Ml 48432 UMSTEAD, CU IR E (R) P.O. Box 7, East Charleston, VT 05833 O ______SEXTON, JACK A. (R) 2615 Ontario St, Cincinnati, OH 45231 vOLIVER, L S 5115 N. Carefree Cir, Colorado Springs, CO 80917 SEYMOUR, J. KEVIN. (R) 97 Grant, Newark, OH 43055 V vOLIVER, W. CHARLES, c/o Kansas District Office, 1919 N. Amidon, •SHADE, HAZEL (R) P.O. Box 24368, Huber Heights, OH 45424 vVARCE, PAUL H. 621 2nd Ave. N.W, Waverly, IA 50677 Suite 220, Wichita, KS 67203 SHANK, JOHN H. (R) 2204 Braeburn E. Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46219 •VERTREES, MARK S. (R) Rte. t, Box 152, Cunningham, TN 37052 ONEY, HOBERT, (R) 3832 Chah Dr, Zephyrhills, FL 34248 •SHARR ALBERT. (C) 8760 W. Adams Rd, Elwell, Ml 48832 •VICE, MARK. (R) 315 "S' St, Bedford, IN 47421 OVERTON, BILL & DOT. (C) Family Evangelists and Chalk Artist c/o SHARP, R. H. (R) Rte. 2, Rock Falls, IL 61071 Evangelism Ministries' •SHEPHERD, WILEY (R) 1324 Gen. MacArthur Dr, Brentwood, TN w______OWENS, DENNY G. (C) 6802 N.W. 45th, Bethany, OK 73008 37027 •WADE, E. BRUCE. (R) 3029 Sharpview Ln, Dallas, TX 75228 ♦OYLER, CALVIN 1 VIRGINIA. (C) P.O. Box 727, Wellsville, KS 66092 •SHIREY, DWIGHT. (C) 38092 Butcher Rd, Leetonia, OH 44431 SICKENBERGER, ARDEN. (R) 3803 W. Walnut, Yakima, WA 98902 •WALKER, BRIAN & DEBI. (R) RO. Box 25964, Colorado Springs, CO •SIMMONS, IRVIN. (R) 3216 N. Peniel, Bethany, OK 73008 80936 P ______SIMPSON, EDWIN C. (R) 10 Wimbledon Way, Tabernacle, NJ 08081 •WALKER, REV. 4 MRS. EARL J. (R) 3650 Roswell Dr, Columbus. PALMER, JAMES E (C) R.R. 6. Box 171, New Castle, IN 47362 vSISK, IVAN L. P.O. Box 17555, San Diego, CA 92117 OH 43227 PALMER, NORMAN. (R) 200 W. Branigan Rd, Franklin. IN 46131 v SMITH, C. HASTINGS. Box 937, Bethany, OK 73008 vWALKER, UWRENCE 4 UVONNA. Rte. 1, Box 368 B. Interlachen, v PARIS, WENDELL O. P.O. Box 159, Henryetta, OK 74437 vSMITH, DOYLE. Rte. 2, Box 1050, Wrightsville, GA 31096 FL 32148 vPARSONS, T. 0 . 4025 Gossett Dr, Wichita Falls, TX 76308 ♦SMITH, DUANE. (C) c/o Evangelism Ministries' VWALUCE, J. C. P.O. Box 2183, Plant City, FL 33566 vPASSMORE, A. A. Passmore Evangelistic Party, P.O. Box 202, SMITH, GEORGE E (R) 9378 Watson Rd, Wolverine, Ml 49799 WALTON, JAMES. (R) 203 E. Bond, Patoka, IL 62875 Snydertown, PA 17877 vSMITH, HAROLD & ORPHA. 3711 Germania Rd, Snover, M l •WARD, DAVID. (R) 7137 Castlecrest Dr, Dayton, OH 45424 •PASSMORE, DOROTHY. (C) P.O. Box 202, Snydertown, PA 17877 4 8 4 7 2 WARNER, C. LEROY. (C) Rte. 1, Box 396-116, Paradise Palms Tri Ct, PATTERSON, ROBERT S FRANCES. (R) 373 Richlandtown Pk, •SMITH, JERRY & BETH. (R) 3629 A Helen Ln, East Ridge. TN 37412 Dover, FL 33527 Quakertown, PA 18951 ♦SMITH, URRY (C) 547 Kiely Blvd., No. 4, San Jose, CA 95117 vWARNOW, ROBERT E. 701 Grand Ave, Rear Apt, Aliquippa, PA PAYNE, DAVID. (R) 2710 Maroon Bells Ave, Colorado Springs. CO vSMITH, EUGENE & UNORA. The Singing Smiths. 205 Drayton St, 15001 80918 Winnsboro, SC 29180 vWATKINS, FRANK. P.O. Box 715, Banning, CA 92220 PEAL DONALD. (C) P.O. Box 518, Rowlett TX 75088 vSMITH, OTTIS. 60 Grant St, Tidioute, PA 16351 vWATSON, LOY. 2018 Country Club, Enid, OK 73701 ♦PENDLETON, JOHN.(R) 1116 S.W. 72nd, Oklahoma City, OK 73139 •SMITH, RICKY STERLING & JOANN. (R) Rte. 2. Box 786, Hawkins. WEBB, SHARON. (R) P.O. Box 61, Waco, KY 40385 PERDUE, NELSON. (C) 1559 Grimes Ave, Urbana, OH 43078 TX 75765 WEBSTER, KENNETH. (R) 5608 G Villas Cir, Montgomery, AL 36116 PFEIFER, DON. (C) Evangelistic Team, 661 S.R. 220, Piketon, OH SNELLGROVE, HENRY G. (R) 3587 Thornhill Dr, Jacksonville, FL •WELCH, MRS. DARLENE. (R) 8302 Laverne Dr, Louisville, KY 40299 45661 32211 VWELCH, FRANCES M. 10338 Carreta Ct, Santee, CA 92071 PFEIFER, MARK. (C) 910 Briar Ave, Washington Court House, OH SNYDER, BILL G. (R) 9935 Columbus-Cincinnati Rd, South ♦WELLS, GENE 4 NANCY. (C) Rte. 1, Box 174B, Thompsonville, IL 43160 Charleston, OH 45368 62890 vPHILLIPS, JACK. 7328 Yarberry Ln, Little Rock, AR 72209 SOMMER, MICHAEL (R) 6416 Harris. Raytown. MO 64133 WELLS, LINARD. (C| P.O. Box 531527, Grand Prairie, TX 75053-1527 PHILPOT, LARRY. (R) 117 Kay Dr, Middletown, OH 45042 SOUTHERUND, SAMUEL (R) 1841 Trimble Rd, Melbourne, FL WESLEY E. RUTH. (R) Rte. 1, Box 143, Springport IN 47386 PHIPPS, TILLIE. (R) Rte. 2, Box 477, Oxford, MS 38655 32934 vWEST, EDNA M. 130 S. Front St, No. 1512, Sunbury, PA 17801 ♦PICKERING, ROUND. (R) Box 160102, Altamonte Springs, FL SPARKS, JONATHAN D. (R) 11323 S.W. 165th Terr, Miami, FL 33157 WHEELER, FREDERICK F (R) 3814 Barnard Ave, Kalamazoo. Ml 32716-0102 ♦SPEARS, DAN. (C) Visual Ministries, Rte. 5, Box 400, Conway, AR 49008 •PIERCE, CATHERINE. (C) 1427 Meitzler St, Danville. IL 61832 72032 WHEELOCK, GEORGE E. (R) P.O. Box 126, Petersburg, IL 62675 vPITTENGER, CUUDE E. 2027 Woodhue Dr, Spring, TX 77386 •SPEER, BROCK. (C) The Speer Family, 5318 Anchorage Dr., •WHITE, JANIE. (C) Rte. 2, Box 775, Hawkins, TX 75765 PITTENGER, TW YU. (R) 413 N. Bowman St, Mansfield, OH 44903 Nashville TN 37204 •WHITWORTH, MARCUS 4 DONNA. (C) 1513 W. Santa Fe, Olathe, POSEY, WARREN. (C) 433 Monroe St, Fortville, IN 46040 STALLINGS, RICHARD. (R) 1708 Plum Creek. DeSoto, TX 75115 KS 66061 v POTTER, HAROLD J. 2926 Randa Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34235 STANIFORTH, KEN. (C) 44566 3rd St. East Uncaster, CA 93535 WILCOX, WALTER. (C) Rte. 2, O'Leary, P.E.I. COB 1V0 CANADA ♦POWELL FRANK. |R) 13579 Colter Rd, Caldwell, ID 83605 vSTANLEY, HARRY T. 1111 Highgate St, Kalamazoo, Ml 49007 WILDER, EDD. (R) 3859 Hazelwood, Muskegon, Ml 49444 PRICE, D. BURDETTE. (R) 6447 Egret Ln, No. 415, Bradenton, FL •STANTON, TED S DONNA. (R) P.O. Box 722, Sarasota, FL 34230 vWILKINSON, LLOYD. 2840 1 8th St, Columbus, IN 47201 34210 STARK, EDDIE. (C) 6906 N.W. 36th, Bethany, OK 73008 •WILKINSON, MARGARET. (R) 2840 1 8th St, Columbus, IN 47201 V PRICE, JACK L P.O. Box 395, Waxhaw, NC 28173 STEENSUND, JUDITH. (R) 407 S. 5th, No. 120, Ames, IA 50010 WILLERSON, BILLY. (R) 1113 Cambell Ct, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 ♦PRICE, JOHN. (C) Rte. 4, Box 326-1, Muldrow, OK 74948 STEVENSON, GEORGE. (C) 4021 Pebble Dr. S.E, Roanoke, VA 24014 WILLIAMS, C. PHILIP (R) 259 W. 5th St, Winona, MN 55987 vPRICE, ROSS E. 1540 Hiawatha Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80915 •STEWART, HARRY (R) 2058 Camden Ct, Huntington, IN 46750 vWILLIAMS, E. VERBAL. 4925 Cypress Garden Rd, Lot 22. Winter •PRINTUP, JUANITA (R) 1207 Scott Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46807 STEWART, ORVILLE. (R) R.R. 2, Box 658A, Hawesville, KY 42348 Haven, FL 33880 PURSLEY, PHILIP. (R) 3345 S. Fork Terrace Rd, Glasgow, KY 42141 •STONE, LOIS. (R) 618 N. Lockwood, Chicago, IL 60644 •WILLIAMS, EILEEN. (R) 21 Robert E. Lee Ln, West Chester OH v PUTNAM, ROBERT E. 319 Humphrey St, Dracut, MA 01826 ♦STONE, PAUL. (R) Lakeland Manor, Shell Lake, Wl 54871 45069 •PYLES, RICK. (R) 309 N. 7th St, Upper Sandusky, OH 43351 STREET, DAVID. (C) Rte. 1, Ramsey, IN 47166 WILLIAMS, UWRENCE. (C) 6715 N.W. 30th Terr, Bethany, OK 73008 STRICKUND, DICK. (C) 1141 Woodhaven Ct, Springfield, OH 45503 WILLIAMS, R. T, JR. (R) 326 Elmington Ave, Nashville, TN 37205 SULLIVAN, DAVID R (R) P.O. Box 1836, Ashland, KY 41105-1836 WILSON, ARNO. (R) 3918 State Rte. 46, West Harrison, IN 47060 Q------•SUMWALT, JOSEPH 4 VIRGINIA. (R) Box 8, Warren, IN 46792 •WILSON, CHARLES. (R) 909 S.W. 45th, Oklahoma City, OK 73109 •QUALLS, MAE. (R) 5441 Lake Jessamine Dr, Orlando, FL 32809 SUTTON, BILL (R) P.O. Box 164, Bamberg, SC 29003 •WILSON, J. BARRY. (R) Rte. 1, Box 182R, Temple, TX 76501 vSWANSON, ROBERT L 1102 Glenwood Dr, Yukon, OK 73099 WILSON, RONALD. (R) 421 College Hill Ave, Oskaloosa, IA 52577 R ______•WISNER, ALMA. (R) 7900 Salem St, Rte. 4, Vicksburg, Ml 49097 T ______vWITHROW, JAMES. P.O. Box 4424, Charleston, WV 25364 RADEBAUGH, B. D. (R) 1608 S. College, Tulsa, OK 74104 WOFFORD, DAVID L (R) 118 Fairdale Rd., Albertville, AL 35950 VRAKER, W. C. Rte. 1, Box 213, Lewistown, IL 61542 •TACKETT, GAYLE (R) 7531 Mt. Rainier, Huber Heights, OH 45424 WOLFGANG, DONALD D. (R) P.O. Box 541, West Branch, Ml 48661 VREAZIN, UURENCE 1 LEONE. P.O. Box 130162, Tyler, TX 74713 TAYLOR, BOBBY L (R) Evangelistic Team, Rte. 1, 477-B32, South WOMACK, PAUL W. (R) 2831 Harrison, Quincy, IL 62301 REED, DOROTHY. (C) P.O. Box 814, Hannibal, MO 63401 Shore, KY 41175 WOMACK, ROBERT. (R) 14 Ounham, Texarkana, TX 75503 REED, SHERMAN R. (C) 1232 Oakwood Trail, Indianapolis. IN 46260 TAYLOR, CLIFF. (C) Family Evangelist, E. 619 32nd Ave, Spokane, WA VWOOD, DENVER. 3 E. 41st St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 RICHARDS, JERRY. (R) 612 N. Grant, Chanute, KS 66720 99203 vWOOLMAN, J. L. P.O. Box 616, Tuttle, OK 73089 •RICHARDS, U R R Y 1 PHYLLIS. (C) 2310 Appleton Dr, Indianapolis, VTAYLOR, EMMETT. 937 Bradley Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73127 WOOTEN, D. J. (C) P.O. Box 262, Cambridge, MD 21613 IN 46227 vTAYLOR, MENDELL 1716 N. Glade, Bethany, OK 73008 VWRIGHT, AUSTIN, 1198 Jamaica Rd, Venice, FL 33595 RICHARDSON, KEN. (C) 1621 31st St, A. Moline, IL 61265 TAYLOR, BOB. (C) Box 669, Dayton, OH 45409 WRIGHT, E. GUY It LIL (C) 1531 Cranbrook Dr, Charleston, WV RICKEY, HOWARD. (C) 1827 Stone Rd, Xenia, OH 45385 TAYLOR, RON. (C) Rte. 1, Box 265, Johnson Rd, Chickamauga, GA 25311 vRIFFLE, BRADY 0 . 4154 Bowman Hill Rd, Huntington, WV 25701 30707 WYLIE, CHARLES R. (C) P.O. Box 298, Aubrey, TX 76227 RISNER, SUSAN L (R) 6610 Brooklyn, Kansas City, MO 64132 THICK, RONALD. (R) 2513 Olive St. Racine, Wl 53403 VWYRICK, DENNIS. 603 Reed Dr, Frankfort, KY 40601 ROBERTSON, IAN. (R) 236 E. Walnut, No. H, Monrovia, CA 91016 vTHOMAS, HOYLE C. P.O. Box 72, Nampa, ID 83653 vROBERTSON, JAMES H. 2014 Greenapple Ln. Arlington, TX 76014 vTHOMAS, J. MELTON. 3619 Skyline Or, Nampa, ID 83686 Y ROBISON, ROBERT. (R) Heaters, WV 26627 •THOMPSON, ROBERT I TERESA. (R) P.O. Box 21467, Chat­ vROEBUCK, L H. 1280 Lakeview Rd, Lot 241, Clearwater. FL 33516 tanooga, TN 37421 •YATES, GREG. (C) 505 E Alabama, Casey, IL 62420 vROGERS, WARREN A. c/o Josephine Dukes, 3215 Adeline. Oak­ THORNTON, REV. 4 MRS. WALUCE. (C) 1200 Grundy Rd, Somer­ land, CA 94608 set, KY 42501 Sixty-Six Pastors Study at Large Church School GOAL: 50 CHURCHES OF 1,000 MEMBERS BY YEAR 2000

S ixty-six Nazarene pastors from North Phoenix Baptist Church; Terry 1. All participants have demon­ churches with more than 250 Mcllvian, associate pastor of North strated ability to lead churches with members studied with national Phoenix Baptist Church; and John 250 or more members; all have con­ management experts at the third ses­ Vaughan, director of International siderable experience and expertise. sion of the School of Large Church Mega-Church Research Center, 2 . A positive atmosphere prevails; Management at Phoenix, January 15- Southwest Baptist University, at everyone appears hopeful and 19, 1990. Over a three-year period, Bolivar, Missouri. The format of the optimistic. the school’s curriculum will deal with school includes lectures, inspirational 3. Pastors seem grateful that the 24 critical leadership concepts. Four messages, ecclesiastical perspectives, denomination provides such a topics are covered in each weekly ses­ interaction with resource leaders, and program. sion; two sessions are held each year. network discussions in peer groups. 4. There is an impressive eager­ All 24 concepts will be covered in K-Church, an abbreviation for kilo ness to learn and a passionate desire 1989-90-91 sessions. (a prefix meaning 1,000 in the metric to reach the lost for Christ. Faculty members from the Univer­ system), is a short way to explain the 5. One participant is preparing a sity of Central Florida taught in the goal of growing 50 Nazarene churches Large Church Operations M anual; per­ two 1989 sessions at Orlando. The to 1,000 members by the year 2000. haps a computer floppy disk can be first meeting of 1990, held in Phoe­ The K-Church Project began at the provided so adaptations can be easily nix, was resourced by Bob Kreitner 1988 PALCONS when the plan was made and the document can be per­ and Angelo Kinicki — both Arizona presented in church size seminars. An sonalized for each church. State University School of Manage­ inspirational conference followed in 6 . Our goal is to see churches with ment professors and published man­ November 1988 in Los Angeles. Then 250 members or more grow to more agement specialists. Training during in January 1989, the first School of than 1,000 members by the end of the January meeting focused on four Large Church Management was held this decade. topics: Building the Team, The Super­ at the Orlando Sheraton Airport vision Process, Conflict Management, Hotel. A second session of the school and Motivation. Los Angeles will be was held at the Orlando Marriott the location of the next session on Hotel in October 1989. The third ses­ October 15-19, 1990. sion met at the Airport Holiday Inn An impressive list of church lead­ East in Phoenix in January 1990. ers from outside the Church of the When asked to outline characteris­ Nazarene at the Phoenix session in­ tics of the School of Large Church cluded Dr. David McKenna, presi­ Management, Dr. Bill M. Sullivan, dent of Asbury Seminary and author Church Growth Division director for of a recent book entitled Power to Fol- the Church of the Nazarene and low, Grace to Lead; Dr. Richard Jack­ founder of the schools, summarized: son, pastor of the 20,000-member

30 GROW/Summer 1990 Goal: 50 Nazarene Churches to Grow to 1,000 Members by the year 2000.

Pastor Richard Jackson of 20,000-member North Phoenix Baptist Church, Resource person.

Dr. Bob Kreitner, Professor, Arizona State University School of Management.

Pastor Daniel R. Gales, Calgary, Alberta.

Network Group Discussing New Ideas.

John Vaugh, Director, International Mega-Church Research Center.

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 31 GROW / Summer 1990 Large Church School Focused on Four Topics: Building the Team, The Supervision Process, Conflict Management, and Motivation.

Pastor Verdean Owens, Kokomo, Indiana.

Pastor Stanley Moore, Brooklyn. Pastor John Payton, San Luis Obispo, California.

Geographic Region Meeting.

Pastor Mack Fuller, Mesa, Arizona.

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 3 3 NAZARENE BIBLE COLLEGE

m0. pastors L a m b e r t T ------— +• T p r r V D . I * a w l TB.OM: S a re n e SS? ^ yo u r church. jjji. prospects in y°ur cl\ Cnnle in your congregation Is God calling laypeople m y to ministry? ^ ^ age^

Do they * n0Wt ^ 9 * * college was esta“ d just to serve them.

Dr. Paul Cunningham, pastor of Olathe, Kans., College Church, found just such a couple— Richard and Hollie Crumley— and directed them to NBC. As freshmen, they greeted Dr. Cunningham when he spoke in chapel in Colorado Springs.

Why not use the form below to assist the college in contacting your parishioners who need to train for ministry. Just fill it out and mail TODAY!

Please send application materials to . (name)

(street address) (city) (state) (zip)

Com m ents:______

Pastor

Mail to: NAZARENE BIBLE COLLEGE, P.O. Box 15947, Colorado Springs, CO 80935 Personal Growth' Helps’for''Leaders

LEADERSHIP down the track, crossing the finish line precipitated "such a sharp disagree­ Through together — in last place! ment” between Paul and Barnabas "that "There were times,” Dana confesses, they separated from one another, and Encouragement "when I prayed, 'Oh, God, I thank Barnabas took Mark with him and Thee that I am not like Joey.’ But on sailed away to Cyprus” (Acts 15:39). WEEK ONE that day I prayed, 'Oh, God, please Barnabas, ever the encourager, stuck THE MINISTRY make me like Joey.’ ” by Mark. OF ENCOURAGEMENT Because Barnabas encouraged Paul, the "persecutor,” the Church found its WEEK TWO "Therefore encourage one another, greatest apostle, missionary, and theo­ and build up one another” (1 THes- A MODEL OF ENCOURAGEMENT logian. Because Barnabas encouraged salonians 5:11) Mark, the "missionary drop-out,” the Joseph, who was also called The original word for encourage- "And church discovered its first gospel writer. Barnabas by the apostles (which ment, paracletos, is one of the most translated means, Son of Encour­ beautiful in the Greek language. It agement ) ...” (Acts 4:36) means "to be alongside of,” "render­ WEEK THREE ing cheerful and supportive influence,” With good reason did the apostles "to be a strong fortress,” "to give give Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, ENCOURAGEMENT’S strength and courage.” It is the word the nickname of encourager. When the SURPRISING DIVIDENDS Jesus chose to describe the special Jerusalem apostles refused to have any­ "I appeal to you for my child, whom I office work of the Holy Spirit. It is thing to do with the newly converted have begotten in my imprisonment, variously translated as comforter, advo­ persecutor, Paul, because of fear, it was Onesimus” (Philemon 10). cate, helper, counselor, enabler. Barnabas who "took hold of him and Dana Walling tells a moving story brought him to the apostles” (Acts Paul wrote this delightful little letter, about attending the Special Olympics 9:27). It was Barnabas who later sought Philemon, on behalf of Onesimus, a in the Los Angeles Coliseum on behalf out Paul and encouraged him to join runaway slave. In it, Paul asked Phi­ of Joey, a mongoloid teenage friend. him in the work at Antioch. Together lemon to receive Onesimus back, "no Joey’s best race was the 440. Sure they launched the first and greatest longer as a slave, but more than a slave, enough, he soon broke out of the pack missionary movement in the history of a beloved brother” (v. 16). More than and was thirty yards ahead of the next the church (Acts 11:25-27; 13:1-3). that, Paul wanted Philemon to release best competitor as he headed down the Barnabas was to play a key role as him so that "he might minister to me in stretch. Just before he got to the finish encourager in the life of another young my imprisonment for the gospel” (v. line, he looked back and saw the boy believer as well. When John Mark 13). giving chase stumble and fall. Joey wanted to join Paul and Barnabas on What happened to Onesimus? The skidded to a stop, turned around, went their second missionary journey, Paul New Testament doesn’t say. We dis­ back, helped the boy up, put his arm refused to take him along because he cover in reading early church history, around him, and the two continued had left them earlier (Acts 13:13). This however, that Onesimus was set free

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 35 ROOTED IN CHRIST I WEEK SIX ENCOURAGEMENT’S SURPRISING REWARDS and eventually became the bishop of presents. Envelopes, circulated in other "And He saw a certain poor widow the churches in Ephesus (c. A.D. 110). classes, were stuffed with over $150.00 putting in two small copper coins. At that time, the church was being in cash. When Keri’s mother squeezed And He said, 'Truly I say to you, this threatened by the Gnostic heresy with­ her way into the classroom with her poor widow put in more than all of in and Roman persecution from with­ daughter, everyone began to sing, "Hap­ them’ ” (Luke 21:2-3). out. Since Ephesus was the strong cen­ py Birthday, Keri.” Keri’s mother was Helen Divine gave my son Dean five ter of Christianity at that time, Onesi­ not the only one who shed tears that dollars for the mission one day. He mus was the key person in holding the day as we watched that little girl open protested. She insisted. She had been church steady. We can therefore say: more presents than she had ever seen in moved out of her shabby little room In the beginning Paul saved One­ her life. We will never forget the singu­ and so had a little extra rent money. simus, but in the end Onesimus lar joy of participating in a ministry of Though now homeless herself, she still saved Paul’s churches. _ encouragement. wanted to help others in worse need! Furthermore, we discover that Ones­ Having just signed papers to pur­ imus was the first to gather Paul’s scat­ tered letters into one volume so that chase an office-warehouse complex next WEEK FIVE they could be preserved for posterity. to the church for the purpose of caring In the beginning Paul set Onesi­ for the homeless, Dean accepted the ENCOURAGE five dollars as the very first contribu­ mus free for ministry, but in the THE DESTITUTE end Onesimus set Paul free for the tion toward a $60,000 down payment he had to raise in 90 days. District ages! We never know what might hap­ "I u>as a stranger, and you invited Assembly began the next morning. pen when we become an encourager Me in; naked, and you clothed Me” to some lost, lonely, and floundering (Matthew 25:35-36). During his mission report, Dean young person. showed the delegates that five-dollar Dean, our oldest son, is founding bill and told the story behind it. The director of Shepherd Community, an offering plates were passed — $38,000 WEEK FOUR inner-city mission. One day he-eoticed in cash and pledges came in. an older woman picking through the The building was purchased and began ENCOURAGE dumpster in back of the church. He serving the homeless immediately, even THE DISCOURAGED introduced himself, took her into the though it is still in the process of being clothing room, and outfitted her from "I was hungry, and you gave me completely refurbished. In their first head to toe. He loaded her battered old something to eat; I was thirsty, and year, nearly 5,000 homeless people shopping cart with groceries. you gave me drink” (Matthew passed through its doors, receiving Dean hardly recognized her when she 25:35) assistance of all sorts and massive walked into the sanctuary the next doses of Christ’s love. And it all began One of my students, a single mother, Sunday, dressed up in her new clothes. with the encouragement of a five- was sharing her desperate situation It was her first time in church since dollar bill wrapped up in the love of a with me. She had so little money that childhood. She gave her heart to the homeless woman who, herself, had she was unable to buy a single present Lord. been rescued from despair — beside a for her daughter’s fourth birthday the During a lull in a community dinner trash dumpster — through the minis­ previous Saturday. She couldn’t even provided for about 150 homeless and try of encouragement. afford to bake her a cake. destitute people the next Wednesday Her frail little daughter, sitting on a night, this little lady went over to the chair beside her, was eyeing an apple upright piano, opened the lid, and — in sitting on my desk. I gave it to her. She spite of arthritic fingers — began to ate it. She ate the whole apple — core play with uncommon flourish. The and all! people applauded. Thus encouraged, I shared that experience with my wife she began to sing in a beautiful, clear that night. She suggested that the class soprano voice, "Amazing Grace” . . . throw Keri a birthday party. She volun­ then "What a Friend We Have in teered to provide enough cake and Jesus” . . . then "How Great Thou punch for everybody. So I sent notes to Art.” A holy hush filled the room. my students announcing a birthday Many wept. party for Keri the next day during class. Helen Divine, a one-time barroom I was unprepared for the response. entertainer, has since become one of News of the party had spread. The the most loved and indispensable classroom was jammed with over 100 workers in the mission. She is affec­ students. A large table overflowed with tionately called "Inner City Angel.”

36 GROW / Summer 1990 ROOTED IN CHRIST■ One of the sweetest and most sup­ portive women in our congregation stood there. She held a single rose, the first bloom of the season in her garden. WEEK SEVEN At about this time, while enjoying a She pressed it into my hand. With tears concert featuring a new Bill Gaither in her eyes, she said, "I love you, pas­ ENCOURAGE THE DEFEATED musical, a professor at Azusa Pacific tor, and I’m praying for you.” Then she turned and slipped off into the night. " Therefore, strengthen the hands that University began to think about Nixon. She just happened to be the sister of the are weak and the knees that are fee­ Afterwards, he purchased an album, man who had circulated the petition. ble’” (Hebrews 12:12). wrote a note to the President, and encouraged him to listen particularly to Whatever, by God’s grace, I have been Steve Green ran track in high school. one of the numbers. He mailed it, but able to accomplish in ministry since Often their meets would feature com­ doubted that it would get to Mr. Nixon, then, I owe, in large measure, to a sim­ petition between young people with or that he would listen to it if it did. ple act of human kindness, a gift of a physical and mental disabilities. He Several weeks later, he was called out rose, in the darkest hour of my life. tells about one event in which a boy of a class to take an important phone with cerebral palsy got tangled up in his call. President Nixon was on the line. feet and stumbled at the starting line. He thanked him for what he described He bounced right up and ran as hard as as "the most beautiful gift I have ever he could to try to catch up, only to trip received ” and assured him that he had WEEK TEN again. Gamely, he got up and continued listened to the whole musical — espe­ running, but fell one more time in such cially the song he had underscored. ENCOURAGE DROP-OUTS a way as to knock the wind out of him. And what was it? He struggled to get up. Noticing that "Bear one another’s burdens, and the rest of the contestants had already "Because He lives, I can face thus fu lfill the law o f Christ” (G ala­ finished the race, he collapsed on the tomorrow, tians 6:2). track. The stands grew deathly quiet. Because He lives, all fear is gone, Upon my recovery from the pit of All attention was focused on him, lying Because I know Who holds the despair described above, I wrote a se­ in the dirt on the far side of the track. future, ries of articles for Preacher’s Magazine Then a spectator began to clap, slowly And life is worth the living, on the subject "The Pastor Deals With and in rhythm. Another joined in, and just because He lives.” Failure.” Years later, a fellow pastor another. Soon the whole stadium was told me this story. rocking with the sound of rhythmic His first church, right out of college, clapping. WEEK NINE doubled in two years, yet the people Taking heart, the lone runner pain­ voted him out. His next church tripled fully got to his feet, brushed off the ENCOURAGE THE DISPIRITED in five years. Alas, he was voted out dirt, and started off one more time. As " Let us not lose heart in doing good, again. Having nowhere to go and a fam­ he ran, the crowd picked up the pace of for in due time we shall reap i f we do ily to support, he found work digging clapping. When he crossed the finish not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9) ditches. He felt an utter failure in min­ line — knees bloody, cheeks tear- I was at the lowest ebb of my pastoral istry and doubted if he would ever stained, big smile — the spectators ministry. Our church was caught in the preach again. erupted with a thunderous standing vortex of rapid urban racial change. Though no longer pastoring, the ovation. Relocation became a divisive and explo­ denomination continued to send him sive issue. Preacher’s Magazine. He read my arti­ One member became so disturbed cles. He sensed that in me there was at that he took it upon himself to circulate least one other person who understood a petition to have me removed. He even what he was going through. He took WEEK EIGHT solicited signatures during a revival courage and decided to try again. He while a general superintendent was entered the field of evangelism. My ENCOURAGE THE DESPISED preaching. Though rejected by the church was among the first to invite board, the petition succeeded in further "I was in prison, and you came to him to hold a revival, and that is where polarizing the people. I learned this story. He has since suc­ Me” (Matthew 25:36). It was the next Saturday evening. My cessfully pastored one of our larger It is doubtful if there has ever been a heart had been cut out of me. I was so churches over a decade and is once more despised American in public life despondent that I doubted I could again in the field of evangelism. A final than Richard M. Nixon following his preach the next day. The doorbell rang. note: All three of his children have resignation as President in the wake of The last thing I wanted at that moment been students of mine. One is presently the Watergate scandal. In shame, he was to face anybody, particularly a par­ in full-time ministry; another is on the retreated into self-imposed exile behind ishioner. Nevertheless, I opened the way. And the whole chain of events the walls of his San Clemente estate. door. began with the gift of a rose.

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 37 ROOTED IN CHRIST disbelief. I even outlined the major steps he would need to take: seminary, pas­ toral experience, ordination, and then graduate school. WEEK ELEVEN give me a church when I completed my That was thirteen years ago. Mikael education. He kept his promise — twice. Lodahl followed those steps precisely. ENCOURAGE STRANGERS It was a layman who, following a Bible Today, he is a highly esteemed colleague, study one evening, approached me and working side by side with me, teaching "Do not neglect to show hospitality to said, "Pastor, you have a unique way of theology at Northwest Nazarene Col­ strangers, for by this some have enter­ opening up the Scriptures. Have you lege. We never know what "gifts of tained angels without knowing it” ever thought about preparing yourself to God” might be stirred up when we open (Hebrews 13:2) teach in one of our colleges?” It was a our mouths and speak an encouraging The sexton of a great cathedral was seminary professor who, while holding a word! about to lock up when a stranger, with revival for me, strongly encouraged me wrinkled clothes and a disheveled ap­ to pursue doctoral studies. Furthermore, pearance, walked in. He asked if he he laid out a plan showing how I could could see the organ, reputed to be the achieve that goal without having to finest in all Europe. The sexton replied break the continuity of pastoring. It that it was impossible. was a Preacher’s Magazine editor who The stranger persisted, saying that he first encouraged me to write. had traveled a long distance just to see At the crucial intersections of my life, that organ. So, reluctantly, the sexton it has been the encouraging word of took him up into the cramped alcove supportive friends which has planted which housed the great instrument. seeds, opened doors, and set me free to The stranger asked if he could look at actualize my potential for ministry the console. The sexton protested, but then unlocked it. Then he asked if he could just play a few notes. Against his better judgment, he gave him permis­ sion. Soon the cathedral resounded with swelling music, the most beautiful WEEK THIRTEEN the sexton had ever heard. Astonished, he then asked the strang­ THE POWER er’s name. It was Felix Mendelssohn, OF ENCOURAGEMENT famous composer and the 19th cen­ " P a u l.. .to Timothy, my beloved son tury’s most accomplished organist. Later, . . . kindle afresh the gift o f God which the sexton mused, "I almost didn’t is in you” (II Timothy 1:1-6). let Mendelssohn play his music on my organ!” I am amazed at the power of an en­ couraging word. A former student, now pastoring one of our strong churches, pulled out an old term paper and showed WEEK TWELVE it to me recently. I had given him an "A ” but then appended this note: "One thing ENCOURAGEMENT thou lackest, Steve; go thou and marry TO FOLLOW JESUS Ruthie!” The problem was, he was going steady with Bonnie. Nevertheless, he "And Jesus said to them, 'Follow Me broke up with Bonnie, and married ... ’ And they immediately left the nets Ruthie! For the life of me, I cannot recall and followed Him” (Mark 1:17-18). why I wrote that "encouraging” word. How does Jesus call people to follow Mike, my teaching assistant, was visit­ Him today? Through people who are ing with me in my office. Since he was themselves following Jesus. just weeks from graduating, I asked him I look back on my life in wonder. I am what he planned to do with his life. He amazed at how often the voice of Jesus confessed that he really didn’t know. I came to me through people. It was as my told him that I thought he had all of the mother prayed for me that I first felt the intellectual, spiritual and personal gifts call to invite Christ into my life. It was to make an excellent theologian and while in college that a district superin­ that he should prepare to teach in one of tendent befriended me and offered to our colleges. He registered surprise and

38 GROW / Summer 1990 Did Last Summer’s Drought

Hit Your Church?

The drought of 1989 was devastating to many of the nation’s farmers. In many cases crops barely of­ fered the reclamation of the seed planted. While drought, wind, and hail may combine to bring loss, the failure to plant, for fear of nature’s sometimes cruel hand, is sure to invite disaster! Has your church been doing its “planting” through a Wills Seminar conducted by our represen­ tatives? They are offered at no cost by your general church. Only a freewill offering for the representative is requested.

Near 1,000 churches report having been in­ cluded in the almost 14 million spendable dollars received from bequests over the past four years. One church will report a 5 million dollar bequest in 1990. In most cases “it didn’t happen by chance.”

Life Income Gifts Services N am e:______Church of the Nazarene Telephone:______

6401 The Paseo A ddress:______Kansas City, MO 64131 C hurch:______

D istrict:______

I I I/We would like to talk to someone about scheduling a Wills Seminar at our church. CHURCH GROWTH

COLLEGE GRADUATES Picture Your Opportunities

Where are the receptive people in our ministry area? What needs exist in our neighborhood? Where are the people who are like our congregation?

One district wanted the answers to these questions for its most populous county. NEW RESIDENTS Contacting the Church Growth Research Center, they not only found the data but also were able to see it in easy-to-read maps.

Have many Nazarenes on the district been to college? The western part of the county is similarly educated.

New residents are especially likely to re­ spond to the gospel; the southwest part of the county should be targeted for growth strategies.

Jesus said He came to minister to the poor; there is obvious need for such min­ istry in the eastern part of the county.

Help your people see the opportunities FAMILIES IN POVERTY for ministry. Contact the Church Growth Research Center for assistance.

n t

Church Growth Research Center 6401 The Paseo Kansas City, MO 64131 Families Below Poverty Level 1

R esea r ch* . T rends

Provided by Church Growth Research Center Dale E. Jones, Manager

New Churches About 10% of new churches will pass 100 members within lO yeais . . . and. nearly all of these get close to 100 by their fourth year. Two lessons here:

NewchuichesneedtokB^ reaching out even afterorganization.. .tendency to tiiink official organization means the/’ve arrived. Next fouryeais w ill set pattern for rest of decade . . . and probably longer. Important for laity and pastors to kBep working on reaching the oommunity. Consolidating gains is important, but don’t do it too soon.

A ll Churches Ib r all churches . . . this emphasizes “growth seasons” oonoept. Growth tends to oocur rapidfy and in spurts . . .not ‘ ‘slow andsteady ’ ’ as the old fable implies. When growth is happening, plan for continued growth . . . plan more activities to attract newcomers . . . expand the number of Sunday school classes or fellowship groups or Bible studies . . . create more opportunities for new Christians to minister. Discipleship is crucial,but dont let outreach suffer white trying to nurture.

Nazarenes Nazarenes are reaching major cities in the USA. Of 186 cities of 100,000 or in City more, active Nazarene works are reported in all but 7 . Five of these are targeted within the next five years . .. Yonkers, NY ... Paterson, NJ ... Oceanside, Irvine, and Inglewood, CA.

New York New York Oily has more organized Churches of the Nazarene than any other Progress city in the world... 32 inside the city limits. Reoent thrust has put itontcp. And its membership is now 5th largest among large U SA cities.

M etro Metro areas receiving greater coverage, too. In mid-1970s barely half of USA Expansion Nazarene chinches were in metro areas. Today, 56%. And 68% of our members in metro . . . 66% of attenders . . . 65% of Sunday school enrollment. And most church planting takes place in metro areas today. 13 of 15 newest churches reported by Church Extension are in metro areas . . . and 11 of the 13 are in large metros.

A Journal o f Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 41 GROW WANTS TO PUBLISH GOOD NEWS ABOUT

Revivals Personal Evangelism Conversions Church Plants Testimonies Evangelistic Churches Urban Evangelism Nazarenes Involved in Mission

Here is how to send us a story that needs to be told. Write it well, including specific details such as names, places, events, church, and human interest factors in 200 words or less. Your name, address, telephone number, and mailing date should be on all items. Contributions can only be returned when accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Longer stories or articles should be written in brief outline form and sent to the editor to see if they are usable in Grow. Send material to:

Neil B. Wiseman, GROW Editor, Church Growth Division, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.

42 GROW / Summer 1990 GEORGIA______OHIO______Joe Brown, pastor of Battlefield Pastor Charles Williams of Glory- Parkway Church of the Nazarene, near land Church in Carroll, Ohio, reports Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, cites the use GROWING their church was organized on April 12, of their new church building as the 1987; they received 67 new Nazarenes most significant reason for adding 49 in 1987, 81 in 1988, and 74 in 1989. new members last year, 35 by profes­ CHURCHES Their growth is built on a principle of sion of faith, for a total membership of "Dollars — Dedication — Direction.” 166. Sunday School Superintendent Williams explains, "Access to money, Jim Amburn led the Battlefield Church empowered by the dynamic of commit­ SHARE THEIR ted people led by a spirit-filled leader to become Sunday School of the Year on their district, and he was named who knows how to motivate, inspire, Sunday School Worker of the Year. and invest wisely, will produce an explo­ Pastor Brown named other growth VICTORIES sion.” He continued, "Excellence at factors, such as well-planned, Christ- every level is required — it is really centered worship, church location vis­ spirituality with dignity.” ibility, loyal service of lay leaders, six Churches of all sizes are Gloryland has an immediate goal of new Sunday school classes in one year, 300 in average attendance by their third prompt visitation of new people, and a growing in a variety of anniversary. church newsletter sent to 6,000 homes locations. Pastors of grow­ in their community. ing churches have been Battlefield Parkway Church doubled their Sunday school and worship attend­ asked to share the stories FLORIDA______ance with a Friendship Day last fall, behind such growth. If which gave them many new prospects. Pastor Don Hayes of Bartow First you have church growth Church on the Central Florida District victory reports, write the received 32 members during last assem­ editor of GROW , giving bly year for a new total membership of 84; 22 were received by profession of specific facts of how God faith. The growth continues in this new ARIZONA______gave the increase. church year, so they expect to easily break the 100 milestone this year. Dobson Ranch Church in Chandler, Hayes believes those who are most near Phoenix, added 66 new members OKLAHOMA______responsible are ten people who meet during the last church year for a total weekly with him in the prayer room to membership o f386. Pastor Mark Fuller Pastor Stan Toler led Oklahoma plead with God to make their church a believes the greatest single reason for City First Church during the last church soul-winning church; of course, God this growth is because "a genuine spirit year to a gain of 69 new members for a answers when more than one-tenth of a of joy and enthusiasm for the Lord per­ total membership of 750. Significant church combines intercessory prayer meates everything the church does. factors caused this growth, including with evangelism. Our people come expecting to experi­ six new Sunday school classes and One inspired soul-winning story is ence what God has for them and our adding several ministries. Their ex­ the conversion of Bess Wisz, who was young people are leading in this jour­ panded ministries are a Sunday morn­ recently converted after being associ­ ney of joy which serves as a catalyst for ing orchestra, a forty voice choir, a new ated with their church for more than the rest of the church. college ministry, a full-time children’s thirty years. She found Christ in a per­ "O ur teens have a vision to start a minister, expanded ministry to 30 sin­ sonal way one Sunday evening when Bible study in all of the 24 schools gles, and a commitment to compas­ Pastor Hayes felt compelled to go to represented in our youth group and sionate benevolence outreach. Two church and preach even though his phy­ they are well on their way to achieving ministers donate their ministries: Ed sicians had ordered six weeks of bed that goal.” Williams, outreach and evangelism, rest due to a severe back injury. Because Regarding service, Fuller observes, and Charles Crow, senior adults. of the pain, church members had to "W e try to build upon the unique gifts The church hopes to burn its mort­ help the minister to the pulpit so he of our people to meet needs in our gage by the church’s 80th anniversary could preach the old story of salvation. community rather than fit our mem­ on May 13, 1990, so various ministries Check the results: Mrs. Wisz was saved, bers into a particular program or tradi­ can be expanded more. Dr. Toler ex­ her husband began attending services, tion. The result is a liberating environ­ plained, "These new ministries have and the pastor’s physical condition ment where God’s people are equipped opened doors not only for growth in greatly improved. The pastor concludes to serve and the unchurched are drawn numbers but an overwhelming growth the report, "W e are being obedient and in by the love and joy they experience.” in spirit and inspiration as well.” God is building His church.”

A Journal o f Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 43 CAMBRIDGE CHURCH SERVES MANY NATIONALITIES 91 -YEAR-OLD CHURCH STARTS MISSIOHARY FACTORY HEAR HARVARD

H istory and evangelistic op­ dom, opportunity and education have But within a mile of those prestigious portunity meet in Boston. settled in Boston for more than three learning institutions there is a center Vivid reminders all over hundred years, and the migration of spiritual fire known as Cambridge town show the city’s role in the for­ continues to this day. Church of the Nazarene. Founded in mation of the United States. With a Cambridge is a significant part of 1899, the Cambridge church is a population of 2,550,000, Greater the human and historic mosaic of vibrant center of evangelism, out­ Boston boasts of 200 universities, Greater Boston. As the hometown of reach, and discipleship. colleges, and schools, and 224 librar­ Harvard and Massachusetts Institute In a time in human history when ies offer four million books to its of Technology, Cambridge deserves 80 percent of Americans dwell in people. From all over the world, the reputation of being a center of cities, and at a period when it is pro­ immigrant populations seeking free­ cultural and educational opportunity. jected that people of color will total

44 ■ GROW / Summer 1990 ■ one-third of the nation’s population cent non-whites. In their first meet­ The Traditional Nazarene by the turn of the century, Cambridge ing, the church board shared their Church at Cambridge Church is targeted for magnificent feeling that if the church was to re­ future mission achievement with its main multicultural, they needed a With all these innovative plans, multicultural, multicongregational, white pastor like Bowen. Then, as the Pastor Bowen emphasizes that all min­ and multilinguistic ministries. church board, the district superin­ istry must flow from a strong urban Although an incredible diversity of tendent, and the Bowens prayed about church, rooted in traditional minis­ nationality, skin color, language, and the matter, God directed them to this tries of worship, evangelism, Bible culture is beautiful to observe, the new assignment — and what a happy studies, and service. Bowen said sev­ Christian unity of this group of be­ relationship it is! eral times in an interview, "Every- lievers is magnificent to experience. Unity coupled with diversity, a char­ acteristic started in the first century upper room, is contagious. Twelve dif­ ferent nationalities worship together on Sunday. Language groups minister during the week to Haitians, East Indians, Chinese, Japanese, and His- panics. On an average Sunday, eight or ten non-English-speaking persons will attend services with friends, spon­ sors, or fellow university students.

Pastor Bowen’s Pilgrimage of Faith

John Bowen, present pastor of Cam­ bridge Church, is a child of the Church of the Nazarene. His father started in ministry when John was twelve. After finishing Eastern Nazarene College twenty-five years ago, Bowen and his wife, Margaret, attended Cambridge MINISTRY TEAM: Gus Sealey, Minister of Worship; Baldemar Posada, Church Planter; Church during the pastorate of Rev. Chris Wiley, Director of Institute; John Bowen, Senior Pastor. Neale O. McLain, now superintend­ ent of the New England District. Soon Bowen embarked on a successful busi­ ness career which finally made him president of a high-tech company in Massachusetts. However, five years ago, as a result of his wife’s witness and because of increasing disillusionment with profit, prestige, and pressure, Bowen resigned to start Freedom Industries. This new company provided job training and placement for ex-offenders and ex­ convicts. He continued this work for three years, putting him in touch with Colson’s Prison Fellowship program and other Christian groups minister­ ing to New England prisoners. In April 1989, McLain asked Bowen, an unordained Christian busi­ nessman, to pray about the possibility of pastoring Cambridge Church. For weeks, Bowen and his wife were con­ fused by the idea until they met the church board, composed of 80 per­ TEEN MUSIC TEAM: blathan St. A Idi; Geo/ Bowen; Victor Smith.

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship CAMBRIDGE CHURCH thing revolves around a strong church.” He shares his vision: "We want to inspire young people to be­ lieve that an urban church can be a very good place to worship and to bring up a family. It doesn’t have to be just a missionary venture, but it can be a church everyone would aspire to be a part of.” When asked about the congrega­ tion’s attitude to new people, the pas­ tor replied, "O ur people, even the older people, have a positive, open attitude toward newcomers. Some of this grows out of the fact that many of the new people are established Naza­ renes who come here from world areas where they first found the Lord. Often, these people have been grounded in the Church of the Naza­ rene in their homelands, so they bring a mature testimony and churchman­ like commitments — good, solid, Christian people. It’s difficult to deny their common roots with the church, the spiritual tone of their lives, their commitments, and their enthusiasm for the church.” As one might predict, such a heter­ ogeneous church takes hard work on everyone’s part. Leaders and mem­ bers try to be inclusive and deal fairly and sensitively with issues related to differences. The people at Cambridge make it happen because of the unity they have experienced in Christ, be­ cause of the evidence of faith they see in their fellow worshipers, and be­ cause of their commitments to impact the city with the gospel. Cambridge, a church for all people from every nation, is located on Cen­ tral Square, in the middle of a block, with no off-street parking. Many might think such a church should be satisfied to minister to a faithful rem­ nant from their past. But their future is as bright as the challenge of the city. It is predictable that Cambridge Church will have its best days in the final nine years of its first century of existence.

Cambridge Church’s Commitment Cambridge Nazarenes want to min­ ister to every human need. Bowen says, "W e want to develop a strong

GROW / Summer 1990 church in the city. We want the church. He was convinced that the puters, copy machines, counseling church to be the dominating element Lord had a special ministry for him in rooms, support systems, and library of everything we do. We want to offer Boston. And God did — at Cam­ as a base for ministry in the city; ten a variety of ministries with a solid bridge. Now, Wiley has joined the church-planting locations have been base that is unequivocally a church local church staff with a creative targeted in Greater Boston. The idea with a mission — a church designed commitment to the programs of the is to encourage, resource, and even to win souls to Christ, to disciple and Institute. train church planters. equip persons for ministry. We want The Summer Institute for Urban In the near future, Cambridge Insti­ to have a strong presence in the city as Mission is a college intern program tute in Urban Mission will offer a a body of believers coming together designed to give college students a full-year internship to help students for worship, fellowship, and knowledge of life in the city and an focus on the needs of the city before evangelism.” introduction to urban ministry. they begin graduate work. This con­ This body of believers would like The second phase of the Institute’s cept is borrowed from the practices of to establish a model of ministry to the work is the Missionary Factory, a several influential business schools city for Nazarenes and other evangeli­ plan to reach out to suburban high that require students to get sound cal holiness churches to replicate in school young people, providing them business experience before they can other urban settings. an urban ministry weekend that is a be admitted to graduate programs. cross between a retreat and a work- Later, it is hoped that the Institute can The Institute in Urban Mission and-witness experience. Teens live at develop a lay ministry training center Chris Wiley, working with the the church for the weekend and do that will be shared by members of the Cambridge Church, has established ministry in the area surrounding the new church plants, as well as other the Cambridge Institute in Urban Mis­ church. The purpose is to challenge Boston churches, to train lay Chris­ sion. Wiley, a graduate of both East­ young people with the missionary pos­ tians for ministry in the city. ern Nazarene College and Nazarene sibilities of the city. The Missionary Theological Seminary, calls himself a Factory simply provides an environ­ "street kid” who was led to Christ by ment where a young person can hear a church in Pennsylvania. Sensing a God’s call into some special service. call to urban ministry, Wiley paid his The third program is the Church own moving expenses to New Eng­ Planters Fellowship, in which persons land after graduation from seminary called to plant churches may use with no assurance of an assignment or church facilities such as offices, com­

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship I n Jewish history the “Sabbatical What if ... ? What if someone actu­ RENEWAL, Year” followed two three-year tith­ ally discovered God in our midst! A ing cycles (Deut. 14:28; 26:12). It was miracle? Surely! That kind of miracle WORSHIP not a time of casual resignation to in­ renews in the mind of the worshippers activity. Rather it was a time of ex­ the purpose of the church. Worship fo­ AND GROWTH citing anticipation for special kinds of cuses on God and embraces His world. new activity. Land owners did not Only worship can issue in evangelism. plow or harvest their fields so any pro­ And without evangelism there is no IN “THE YEAR duce from the land that year was church growth. God’s and had to be shared with other You could say that the “Year of Sab­ OF SABBATH” humans. bath” is the time for worship renewal. Since the slave and owner had the Our private worship flows from our same rights to the land the Hebrew public worship. It is in community we slave had the opportunity to be free. know God. But then personal worship Debts were cancelled. No loans were enlivens corporate worship. made but assistance was offered to the Pastors, I would like to challenge needy without obligation. you to take time to withdraw in a re­ Expectations for the arrival of the treat for prayer. It is a time to gain per­ Messiah was at its height during the spective on your ministry and a fresh year of Sabbath. It was a time of spiri­ vision of what God’s mission is for tual renewal with fresh hope and joyful your church. Make these summer celebration. This one year (the sev­ months a time to prepare for such a enth) belonged exclusively to God by retreat. Special planning for it can en­ right of creation. In a way time was gage your energies for the most pro­ suspended and the people gained a ductive season you and your church new sense of belonging to God. has ever experienced. I have been thinking again about the If you want some help in knowing meaning of Worship. It is experiencing how to prepare and conduct such a re­ the presence of God, not intellectualiz- treat write Pastoral Ministries and ask ing His existence or merely reflecting about the F-L-A-M-E material. It is not on His acts. He is present and I draw a program. It is an experience, a Sab­ near. I hear Him speak, confess my bath experience, recovering the sense need to Him, praise Him, and joyfully of God’s presence for visioning your follow Him. church’s future. By giving Him our un­ Instead of thinking we have to prove plowed ground we have nothing to the miraculous birth, the resurrection, claim. Whatever emerges and gains be­ and the ascension of Jesus Christ long solely to God. We offer our praise these things are confirmed to us as we and gratitude to Him for when He are caught up in the mystery of God’s gives the increase it is an increase! We presence! A bankrupt secularized do not have to juggle the numbers be­ Wilbur W. Brannon church and society thirsts for that kind cause the result is real growth. Pastoral Ministries Director of reality. EADERSHIP NSPIRATION ULFILLMENT NRICHMENT

COURSE OF STUDY UPDATE

In the MAM ’89 update you were no­ The following is a new category tified that Proclaiming the Truth by and course that has been added to Donald Demaray, Elder, Level IV, Elder track, Level IV: # 1 4 4 d was out-of-print. Since that To Spread the Power by George G. time Baker Book House has agreed Hunter II is the text under the cate­ to reprint the book. g o r y o f Evangelism/Church PASTORS VALUE “HEARTLINE” The Complete Book of Youth Min­ G ro w th , Elder, Level IV, # 1 4 6 . The “Heartline” received a high rating in the recent Gal­ istry by Warren S. Benson and Mark Softly and Tenderly by Leslie Par­ lup survey taken. Pastors continue to express their ap­ H. Senter III is the replacement re­ rott, # 1 4 6 a , and It's Altar Time by preciation for this resource. More and more clergy fami­ quired reading book for Youth Edu­ Wilbur W. Brannon, #146b, are the cation in the Church, Deacon-Chris- required reading books. lies are benefiting as they face personal and family tian Education, Level IV, # 2 4 4 a . The following reading books are pressures. Introduction to Psychology and out-of-print: Any Nazarene minister and family in the United States Counseling by Paul Meier, Frank Min- When Adam Clarke Preached, is only a phone call away from help in time of crisis. erth, and Frank Wichern is the re­ People Listened by Wesley Tracy, El­ “Heartline” is your toll-free connection to a professional placement required reading book for der, Level II, # 1 2 4 c. General Psychology for Christian counselor at Christian Counseling Services in Nashville, Building Today's Church by Leslie Counselors, all tracks, Level III, Tennessee. Five Christian counselors rotate each day Parrott, Elder, Level II, # 1 2 5 e . # 136a, 236a, 336a, 436a. from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (CST) from Monday The Care and Feeding of Youth Compassion by Donald P. McNeill, through Friday. Choirs by Paul Bobbitt and Gerald Douglas A. Morrison and Henri J. M. Armstrong, Deacon-Music Minis­ You can find help! The “Heartline” is confidential, Nouwen is the replacement optional tries, Level III, # 4 3 5 b . credible, and safe. The resource people are credentialed reading book for In the Land of the Contact Pastoral Ministries for and competent. Try calling 1-800-874-2021; 1-800- Living, Deacon-Compassionate Min­ their replacements. 233-3607 (Tennessee residents); Alaska residents call istries, Level IV, # 3 4 5 d . 0+615+255-5667, wait for dial tone, then dial 8081.

PERCENTAGE OF CALLERS IN 1989 NUMBER OF CALLS IN 1989

Pastors Spouses Other 58% 30% 12% Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec □ □ NO. OF CALLS AT&T A C C E SS REVIVING SPIRITUAL VERVE FOR MINISTRY FLAME PROVIDES FRESH PERSPECTIVE

o you feel like Sundays pass the church was not accomplishing its In an effort to help pastors develop like mile markers on the free­ mission to win the lost for Christ. He more effective spiritual communica­ way, and you are over-in­ wondered what he could do to imple­ tion, Rev. Wilbur Brannon, Pastoral volvedD in activities, but accomplish­ ment change and realized improve­ Ministries director, edited and com­ ing little for the Kingdom of God? ment always begins with the leader. piled the first series o f the notebook, Pastor Thomas Ritchie, Telegraph He remembered a notebook entitled which guides the pastor in formulat­ Road Church of the Nazarene in F-L-A-M-E (Fashioning Leadership ing an agenda for a prayer retreat. Downey, California, came to that Authority for Mission Engagement). He Steps are also given to prepare the point this past summer. Even though said, "I read this notebook and found church for a ministry of prayer. good things were happening, he felt it presented what I desired in my own The remaining four series, written pastoral ministry. I discovered what I needed to give me a fresh perspective for ministry. It helped me reflect on where our church was and where we wanted to go in accomplishing our goals. "Within the notebook I found a wealth of information that would benefit any pastor. There were guide­ lines on how to pray for your people, how to plan a prayer retreat, how to be the pastor God wants you to be. "There were some questions that really hit home, such as: How much time do you spend as the priest? How much time do you spend as the pas­ tor? How much time do you spend as the evangelist? In my heart and mind, I knew I spent a lot of time in plan­ ning, organizing, praying, and calling, but I was not really giving much time to being an evangelist. "I remembered the ordination ex­ hortation given by a general superin­ tendent to those being ordained to 'do the work of an evangelist.’ "Each section of this notebook helped me.”

50 GROW / Summ er 1990 ■ "Within the notebook I found a wealth of information that would benefit any pastor.”

by Pastor Lyle Pointer, deals with areas concerning the pastor as leader, planner, priority manager, and con­ flict manager. The unique feature of this series is that the principles of spiritual leader­ ship, planning, and management focus on church growth — the evangelistic priority of ministry. Dr. Tom Goble, district superin­ tendent of the Anaheim district, re­ cently wrote: "The F-L-A-M-E mate­ rial produced by Pastoral Ministries has proven to be of great benefit to our district. Several of our pastors have discovered the renewal and strength of personal prayer retreats. They have come back from their prayer retreats with new insight, vision, energy, and enthusiasm for their pastoral tasks. "F-L-A-M-E is also an excellent resource to pastors in the areas of administration, organization, plan­ ning, and time management.” Charlie Brown went to Lucy to ask this question: "W hat is the meaning of life?” Lucy replied, "Charlie Brown, life is a deck chair on a ship. Some people take their deck chairs to the back of the ship to see where they have come from. Others take their deck chairs to the front of the ship to see where they are going.” Lucy continued, "Charlie Brown, where is your deck chair?” Charlie Brown said, "I don’t know, I haven’t been able to get my deck chair un­ folded.” The F-L-A-M-E material will help pastors unfold their deck chairs! —by Pat Warren "I discovered what I needed Pastoral Ministries International Headquarters to give me a fresh perspective for ministry.’

. A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 51 S c h o o l s of E van g elism

DOBSON RANCH CHURCH TWO DISTRICTS from their local church presented the IMPACTED BY SPONSOR COOPERATIVE gospel to him. He wanted to win his PERSONAL EVANGELISM SCHOOLS OF EVANGELISM friends to Christ and took the training SCHOOL in September and served as a trainer The Southwestern Ohio and East­ in this school. He gave a tremendous Pastor Mark Fuller, Dobson Ranch ern Kentucky Districts hosted a testimony in the class and was an Church of the Nazarene, Chandler, School of Evangelism on October 16- inspiration to all. Arizona, reports: 18, 1989, at Covington, Kentucky, Mr. Don Weston from Lansing, What a life-changing week we expe­ First Church. Dr. Harold Graves and Michigan, drove to Kentucky to take rienced with Ruth DeLong in our Rev. Garrett Mills, district superin­ this training. He started the training in recent School of Evangelism entitled tendents respectively, took the train­ his local church when he returned "How to Give Away Your Faith”! ing along with about 20 pastors and home and,by the end of November,20 Not only did several accept Christ laypersons. The training class was persons had committed their lives to during the calls made on Saturday, taught by Mrs. Beverly Burgess of Christ. but others made their decision during Evangelism Ministries in Kansas City. PINEVILLE CHURCH TRAINS the morning worship the next day. Rev. Beverly Turner and Rev. Tim PERSONAL EVANGELISTS Probably the greatest impact on our Gocha coordinated this important church has been the new level of bold­ and exciting event. Mrs. Beverly Burgess, personal ness and confidence among our peo­ Rev. Chris Sutherland, pastor of evangelism program manager, con­ ple in sharing their faith in the day-to- the host church in Covington, Ken­ ducted a School o f Evangelism at the day conversation and relationships of tucky, had five personal evangelism Pineville Church of the Nazarene in their lives. trainers in his local church August of Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sep­ Personally, as pastor, although I 1989. He trained eight more, who tember 13-16, 1989. About 10 per­ have always been evangelistic in then served as trainers for the School sons took the training, along with Pas­ preaching, I struggled with fears and of Evangelism in October. These tor Russell Branstetter. insecurities in sharing my faith one- brand new trainers took pastors and After the school was completed, on-one. Having come through this laypersons from other churches on Rev. Branstetter wrote, "Thank you excellent training time, there is a new on-the-job training calls. again for your leadership and teach­ boldness and confidence I have never Covington First Church has one of ing. We will begin to train three to known before. the best examples in the Church of five others and go calling on Thursday Probably the biggest hurdle for us the Nazarene in training their layper­ nights beginning next week. I thought to overcome was to honestly face the sons to share their faith. Laypersons you would like to know that I had the fact that we were not reaching the have now taken over the responsibili­ privilege of presenting the gospel to a unchurched in our community for ties of teaching the Personal Evangel­ Mr. Jeff Morrissette recently. Jeff is 29 Christ, repent of our selfishness in ism Training class and following up years of age and dying of incurable ministry, and commit ourselves again on all new converts. In December, 20 cancer. He accepted the Lord at the end to the great commission. God is al­ received their certificates for com­ of the presentation. My wife, Gail, was ready honoring these steps of obedi­ pletion of the course. Thirty were with me and it was a blessed moment ence. More people have come to signed up for the training in January. when he received Christ! Please pray Christ this past week than in the pre­ They have followed the material as for his wife, Kim, who is struggling with vious six months combined. 1 have designed in the Personal Evangelism the circumstances right now.” actually had people come to me and Training books. Rev. Fred Bates and Rev. Dale Har­ ask if they can become a part of our One trainer, Scott Duff, was con­ dy, associate pastor at Pineville, and calling ministry... now that’s revival! verted in May 1989 when a person Beverly Burgess served as trainers.

52 GROW / Summer 1990 CHURCH GROWTH CHURCH GROWTH DIVISION the church meeting human need

On January 1, 1990, the CAN/US office of the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries within the Church Growth Department, was opened in Washington, D.C., under the direction of Tom Nees, executive director of the Community of Hope. International Nazarene Compassionate Ministry will continue under the direction of Steve Weber within the World Mission Division

Services and Programs Provided by the CAN/US Office

DISASTER RESPONSE coordinated response to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. EMERGENCY RELIEF ASSISTANCE matching grants for local congregations through qualifying districts SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION GRANTS applications available upon request from the CAN/US office NAZARENE COMPASSIONATE MINISTRIES DIRECTORY program and organizational information on over 100 ministries— GMCM-840, S8.40 from Nazarene Publishing House COMPASSIONATE MINISTRY REVIEW periodic technical journal for church leaders and compassionate ministry practitioners SEMINAR FOR CHURCHES getting started— "How Compassionate Ministry Can Help the Church Achieve Its Mission Objective" TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE on-site consultation for program development and financial planning

For Information contact: Thomas G. Nees, Administrative Director Nazarene Compassionate Ministries— CAN/US 1417 Belmont St. N.W. Washington, DC 20009 202-232-2106; FAX 202-232-1014 T o g e th e r W e Ca n S en d T he Join World Mission Radio cast opportunities than ever before. in bringing God’s Word to Right now, 97% of the world’s popu­ lation depends on radio for news, informa­ lands where it has never tion and education. Even in the poorest before been heard. countries, radio is the primary means of We’ve a story to tell to the nations. Behind mass communication. And at just $25 for the Iron Curtain. Into the Arab-speaking one minute of global broadcasting, radio world. Throughout Third World Countries. is, by far, a most economical and cost Beyond borders and boundaries long closed effective means of evangelism. to the Gospel. Today, World Mission Radio Around the world in reaches millions with the saving message of minutes with the message Christ—men, women and children who until recently have been considered unreachable. that lasts an eternity. Now, where strident voices have The miracles of modem technology! preached hatred, we send words of love. Advancements in communications have To people shrouded in spiritual darkness, made radio transmissions more powerful we bring the light of Christ. Never before and far reaching than ever before. Satel­ have Christians had such an opportunity lites, laser and microwaves enable World to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to so Mission Radio to transmit crystal clear many people, in countries where the Word 70% of the world’s population is unreach­ messages taken from Genesis to Revelation of God has never been broadcast. able via person-to-person evangelism. But to places as distant as Guyana and Romania. radio gets through. World Mission Radio broadcasts in Transmitters for short- and long- some countries where many people cannot read or write, range broadcasting dot the globe, beaming the Gospel to but where they can—and do—listen to the radio. On small the most remote and isolated locations. The result: life transistors and large multi-band radio/cassette recorders, changing choices for tens of thousands of individuals, old these developing nations stay “tuned in” to the messages and young alike. we send. Each year, World Mission Radio receives more than World Mission Radio The accessibility of 25,000 letters from men, women and children whose lives brings the Good News radio makes it possible to have been touched—and transformed—by the Good News to 96 countries. tell all people, in their own they received over the radio. Here is just a sampling: Some of the languages included in our language, that Jesus loves, From a Soviet Teenager: broadcasts are: “I am writing to you for the Jesus saves, Jesus heals. first time. Whatever spiritual food I get comes to me only English Spanish What an opportunity we Pbrtuguese French through your programs. But.. .my soul desires more. I am Italian Mandarin Chinese as Nazarenes have to 17 years old and I am turning to you to help me. Can you? Kekchi Creole carry out our mandate to Marathi Fokomchi I beg you, help me, send me a Bible. You are my last hope. Zulu Tkmil spread the Gospel! Help me, please.” Sotho Afrikaans And what an excit­ Shangaan Pedi From a college student in China: Chewa Tswana ing tool we have to do “I am one of the Ilongo Tsonga it with! Beijing University students who Filipino Cebuano was very active in Tienenman Armenian Ilocano Radio plays such a Navajo Indian Bicol vital role today, because Square. I am sincere in my Arabic T\irkish in many cases, radio is search for freedom in our society, the only way. Closed door but since I came to Christianity policies around the globe restrict traditional missionary through your program, my activity. Remote areas are often too isolated for any out­ search is also one for spiritual side contact. In fact, 70% of the world’s population is freedom. I have not been able to unreachable via person-to-person evangelism. But radio listen to your program since I waves get through. From mountains of Peru to the banks fled Beying. I miss it so very of the Yangtze. From thatched roof huts of the Zulus to We’ve a story to tell to the nations and recent the masses of Calcutta and Bombay. For 40 years, World political changes as well as advancements in radio communications make it possible Mission Radio has been getting through. And now, with for World Mission Radio to broadcast in recent changes in Eastern Europe, we have more broad­ lands never before open to the Gospel. much because it always seems as though God is speaking America, and Africa and to continue expanding our radio to me as I listen. Please pray for me and for my nation.” ministry around the world. From Botswana, Africa: “I thank you so much for Will you help us? this program. It is a blessing to me, and I also Each gift of $25 will purchase one minute of enjoy the music. My friends who were non­ air time. We ask that you speak to your church believers are now saved and believers about this unique opportunity to help through your program.” preach the Word around the world. Let them know what Nazarenes are From Guatemala: “Three years ago doing on the air. Provide them I quit going to church.. .1 went with this unique way of partici­ back to the world. But, thanks to pating in the Great Commission. God, today through your broad Share with your church cast, I have been awakened.” family the needs their broth­ These are some of ers and sisters around the the reasons World Mission world have to hear God’s Radio continues on the air. message. And encourage These brothers and sisters them to sponsor at least one represent only a small minute (or more) of World fraction of those to whom Mission Radio air time. jur programs have minis­ A special free audio tered over the past years. The Soviet people have an immense spiritual cassette tape has been hunger and World Mission Radio has an Die Iron Curtain unprecedented opportunity to feed them. Just prepared for you by World $25 provides one minute’s worth of air time to has lifted and bring them the message of the Bread of Life. Mission Radio featuring a report on the new broad­ a window of casts to Russia along with an update on the situation in unprecedented outreach opens. China. In addition, you will hear testimonies from people decent policy changes in the Soviet Union provide a receptive around the world whose lives have been changed by hear­ ilimate to outside influence. Perestroika/glasnost is creating ing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through radio. mprecedented opportunity—and great uncertainty—for the Along with your free cassette, you will also receive a ihurch in the Eastern bloc countries. And signs indicate free four-page brochure that provides additional informa­ mmense spiritual hunger among the Soviet people. tion about World Mission Radio. Now is the time to penetrate the Soviet bloc and To get your free brochure and cassette, fill in the >ring the life changing truth of Jesus Christ to millions. coupon below and mail today. Phere may never again be such an opportune moment, few vistas lie before us. New challenges await us. The World Mission Radio larvest is ripe with new opportunities to bring the Gospel ______6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, Missouri 64131 if Jesus Christ to more people than ever before. M£39N Reaching the Unreachable Can we do it? Yes, if we work together. Will we do it? ------, By God’s grace and by the coop­ eration of pastors like yourself. YES, I want to hear more about sending the Word around the World! Rush me my free cassette tape plus complete information for helping raise a million dollars so that millions around the world can hear the Gospel.

N am e. VJotidMfesW Church _

rm 1 Address _

I Phone (_ ■ I One million dollars a year for millions more to hear. Our goal is to raise $1,000,000 a year to enable World Mission Radio to purchase air time to broadcast to Russia, to Arabic nations, NAZARENE WORLD MISSION SOCIETY

m-mo 75th Anniversary of the Nazarene World Mission Society Celebration Sunday— October 7, 1990

NWMS has made several items available for purchase in honor of this special occasion. They include: Mission Legacies—Audiocassettes with messages by four mission leaders in the Church of the Nazarene: Dr. Louise Robinson Chapman, Dr. Mary Scott, Dr. H. T. Reza, and the late Dr. Elmer Schmelzenbach. GMTAX-2495 $14.95 Following the Footsteps—Videocassettes of mission leaders, telling stories of their lives and lessons they learned during their times of service. Video 1— Part 1: Dr. Nina G. Gunter interviews Dr. Louise R. Chapman and Dr. Mary L. Scott. Part 2: Dr. Louise R. Chapman GM VA-1200 $11.95 Video 2— Part 1: Betty Sedat, retired missionary to Guatemala Part 2: Elizabeth Cole, retired missionary to Swaziland GMVA-1201 $11.95 RICHARD Videos 1 and 2—Get both videos for less than SIMPSON $10.00 each. GMVA-1202 $19.95 ANDERSON NWMS 75th Anniversary Commemorative Plate—A " numbered, limited-edition plate of white china double­ banded with 24-karat gold plating. The NWMS 75th logo is highlighted with genuine platinum in the well of the plate. Offered on a first come, first serve basis. GMGi-1995 $19.95 + $3.00 shipping and handling NWMS "Classics" Reading Books—Be challenged by these reprints of some of the favorite NWMS reading books of the past. Richard Simpson Anderson—Russell and Margaret Anderson Birchard GM083-4ii-335X $3.95 Africa, O Africa—Louise Robinson Chapman GM083-411-3309 $4.50 Flares in the Night—Ruth O. Saxon GM083-411-3317 $4.95 Oriental Pilgrim—Alice Spangenberg GM083-411-3325 $4.95 FRA<:y sah ib The Favorites of Helen Temple—Helen Temple l\JiA GM083-411-3384 $4.50 Tracy Sahib of India—Olive G. Tracy GM083-411-3368 $4.95 Gospel over the Andes—Roger Winans GM083-411-3376 $4.25 The "Classics" may be purchased as a set or individu­ ally. "Classics" set g m u -6 9 0 $28.95

Order from your Nazarene Publishing House 1 -8 0 0 -8 7 7 -0 7 0 0 kVi.1 ^ i =1 m a I MINISTRIES

. ' ; ; A comprehensive study of the history and use of

: ' the altar.

GM083-411-304X $14.95

It’s Altar IT'S ALTAR TIME (Christian Living Series) Time by Wilbur W. Brannon, is suggested as a companion. GM083-411-2310 $1.50 *

Order from * * WILBUR W. BRANNON NAZARENE PUBLISHING HOUSE • P.O. Box 4 1 9 5 2 7 • Kansas City, MO 6 4 1 4 1 S Small churches can do

B I G T H I N G S Building on Strengths of the Small Church

Growing churches know their strengths in larger churches it may be years before they "earn” the right to be given responsibility, in smaller churches and build on them. Here are seven newcomers willing to be involved are more likely to be strengths of the typical smaller church welcomed into positions of influence and leader­ ship ... if for no other reason than there are not enough which should be used in planning growth people to serve the various program needs and oppor­ strategy . . . tunities. Smaller churches will be attractive to people who want to be involved. 1. The h e te ro g e n e o u s m ix. In the smaller church there are seldom enough different "kinds of people” 5 . The s e n s e o f b e in g n e e d e d a n d v a lu e d . Be­ for many groups. Those who enjoy the mosaic of cause it is easy to become involved quickly in the small people find the smaller church attractive. Young church, the by-product is that persons who do adults who enjoy the wisdom of older adults . . . become active make friends and develop a sense of older adults who are renewed by children... single self-esteem and worth as a valued church member. adults who are comfortable with couples . . . will In terms of effective outreach by the smaller find a place of fulfillment in the smaller church. church, persons who need self-confidence/esteem are good candidates for membership. 2. The sense of “family.” Smaller churches typi­ cally include several extended family networks. 6. Anon-formal church environment. The smaller The belonging, concern, and security these rela­ church is more informal and flexible in activities tionships provide in smaller churches will be attrac­ and worship. People who have not become involved tive to many non-members in those networks. Help­ in church (or who dropped out in adolescence or ing members reach out to unchurched friends and early adulthood) because of perceived hypocrisy in family is an important growth strategy for small the church may often feel the smaller church is churches. (A resource such as THE MASTER’S more genuine and honest in who it is and what it PLAN FOR MAKING DISCIPLES is an effective stands for. way to train members to reach out to friends and family.) 7. The love and caring. According to our re­ search, smaller churches are significantly more 3. A common concern. The smaller church usually loving and caring among members. The larger a focuses on one church-wide event or priority at a church becomes, the less loved people report feel­ time. If the church has a highly visible task in ing. The smaller church can build on this natural which many members are involved, this mission love-ability. Be sure, however, that the love is can attract unchurched persons who share this intentionally focusedoutward to newcomers, since concern. For example, child-care and development the natural tendency in smaller churches is for love can be a church priority which attracts similarly to be inward-focused, often to the point of being concerned people. Senior citizen support and shar­ exclusionary. ing could be another. Identify the church’s con­ cerns, seekout those in the community who share a You may have other strengths in your church similar concern, and provide ways for them to which should be built on. In your promotion, adver­ become involved. tising and new-member recruitment, highlight these strengths and target people who will be 4 . The e a s e o f in v o lv em en t. Persons who have receptive to them. been previously active in a church usually join a new —from the Win Am Growth Report #2 1 church with a willingness to become involved. Whereas

58 GROW / Summer 1990 liiSSIIwii

i i

I j

The Smaller Size The Mid-Size The Large Church Church Church 0 - 9 9 1 0 0 - 2 4 9 2 5 0 + GOAL RESOURCE 2 0 0 Churches THE PROJECT 1. A school of large church manage­ to Break the ment 2. Inspirational conferences 2 0 0 Barrier 3. Networks of communication and support 4. Resources, including materials and RESOURCE consultants 5. Large church models of ministry and leadership A 6. Accountability, both personal and THREE-VEAR group c a le n d a r 7. A reward system consistent with the project for

b r e a k in g

GOAL TVJt i j m t P S i i , GOAL 1 ,0 0 0 Churches 5 0 Churches to Grow to Grow to to 1 0 0 1 ,0 0 0 by Bum Book and the Year 2000 Three-Year Calendar PENSIONS AND BENEFITS

BOARD OF PENSIONS AND BENEFITS USA Help Yourself To What A lot has changed over the You years, but the Board of Pen­ sions and Benefits USA re­ Want— mains dedicated to providing Nazarene pastors with the most accurate and timely informa­ FREE! tion concerning pensions, taxes, insurance, and other employee compensation issues.

Some of the brochures available from the Board MEMO No. 15, Moving Expenses: Reporting of Pensions and Benefits USA are listed below. Requirements and Deductions This information is available at no cost to you. Benefits Summary Brochure Simply check the brochures desired, complete the □ “ Basic” Pension Plan (SPD) name and address at the bottom, and mail to the Pre-Retirement Planning Brochure Pensions office at the address indicated. District Record Brochure All MEMOS listed are revised periodically to The Nazarene Tax-Sheltered Annuity Plan keep up to date with tax law changes. (TSA) MEMO No. 1, Housing for Your Pastor: The Nazarene Individual Retirement Annuity Parsonage or Housing Allowance? Plan (IRA) MEMO No. 2, Church Employees or Inde­ Information on Group Term Life Insurance for pendent Contractors? Church Employees MEMO No. 3, Tax Procedures for Congrega­ Information on Long-Term Disability Income tions Protection for Church Employees MEMO No. 4, Changing Patterns in Ministe­ Information on Accidental Death and Dismem­ rial Compensation berment Insurance for Church Employees MEMO No. 5, Minimizing Income Taxes for Minister’s Parsonage Allowance and Social Church Employees Security Guide— Teitell MEMO No. 9, Workers’ Compensation Laws Name ______and the Local Church MEMO No. 10, Can Ministers Opt Out of Address Social Security? City ----- □ MEMO No. 11, Auto Expenses and Federal Income Taxes State Zip

MEMO No. 12, The Deacon’s Tax Status Clip this column and return to: MEMO No. 13, The Minister’s Housing Board of Pensions and Benefits USA • 6401 The Paseo Allowance Kansas City, MO 64131-1284 BABY BOOMERS NEED MINISTRY

A RESPONSIVE GROUP OF WINNABLE PEOPLE

hey are the generation of Amer­ A group of about 20 United Method­ icans between the ages of 25 ist leaders gathered recently at Web­ T and 43 who are missing from ster Hills United Methodist Church in most churches. Webster Groves, Missouri, near St. Some 77 million strong, they make Louis, to hear these and other conclu­ up one-third of the nation^ popula­ sions. Talks by experts, videotaped by tion. Within a decade, they are expect­ the General Board of Discipleship of ed to comprise nearly half. the United Methodist Church, were These so-called "baby boomers” — presented by two pastors, the Rev. people born in the 20 years after World Larry Williams, associate pastor of War II — represent a potential major Webster Hills, and the Rev. J. Brent resource for many shrinking congrega­ Mustoe, pastor of Centralia United tions. Studies show that young and Methodist Church in Centralia, middle-aged Americans who are unaf­ Missouri. filiated with a church could fill a lot of Williams said, "It is hard for many pews. ministers to be dispassionate enough to But experts say congregations seek­ see clearly what baby boomers need often go shopping. ing to attract baby boomers may be and want.” Why? "Because we are Experts also note that baby boomers going about it all wrong. Experts say they,” he said. are slower than their parents were to that churches seeking to evangelize Experts who have studied the gener­ make commitments and that some baby young and middle-aged Americans will ation under scrutiny find that these boomers change their places of resi­ have to go more than halfway in the characteristics of baby boomers stand dence as often as once every three bargain. Growing congregations will be out: years. Therefore, churches that adver­ those with leaders who are creative and • They lead high-stress lives; many tise with specific information about flexible, who value emotional expres­ have demanding careers. Churches are programs and benefits are likely to get siveness, who develop programs that often perceived as sources of more their attention. help people alleviate pressure in their stress. Tex Sample, professor of church and lives. • Many are divorced, single parents. society at St. Paul School of Theology Churches may be perceived as bul­ in Kansas City, advised congregations warks of the traditional nuclear family. to plan with rather than for people and • Those with children want to spend to start by meeting needs of people who more time with them, and when child­ are already there, regardless of their ren have to be left behind, parents ages. He also urged churches to offer expect quality care. They are looking quality programs and lots of options, for programs for families, including with an eye to settings that foster nontraditional families, and child-care development of friends. programs that measure up. • They take for granted a wide vari­ People are also looking for programs ety of choices in just about everything, that help them connect beliefs to daily including which church to attend. Al­ life, he said. though studies show them to be inter­ ested in spiritual matters, denomina­ "W e have to learn to be more crea­ tional loyalties are weak. tive,” Mustoe said. "The message with­ For members of the postwar genera­ in the life of the church remains the tion, personal and family needs are same” — the gospel of Jesus Christ — likely to take precedence over the tra­ "but the method of delivering it has to ditional reasons for choosing a church: change.” theological perspective or traditional by Pamela Schaeffer family ties to a denomination. When Reprinted with permission from baby boomers seek a church, they St. Louis Dispatch

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 61 S t e m r M i p

H o n o r O g L l

resented in recognition of faithful stewardship by paying all assigned budgets in full and giving 10 percent or more for others.

Include yourself on this honor roll and help advance the mission of the Church of the Nazarene around the world. See What — = GCLF DEPOSIT FORM Yes, I want to help build new churches to Your Investments reach the lost while at the same time ex­ ercising sound stewardship by investing Have Built! in the General Church Loan Fund— U.S.A. Over 100 churches have received building funds from the I understand that you will send me an of­ General Church Loan Fund since 1984. Your deposit in this ficial General Board Note, which I will fund allows young congregations to have hope that keep with my valuable papers to "cash there is someone they can count on—their own church. in" for the return of my principal plus in­ An investment in your future makes funds available to terest. churches today.

Please join us and become a church builder with your NAME OF DEPOSITOR investment of $100 or more. Almost 500 Nazarenes have joined the General Church Loan Fund's goal of building new churches. Won't you? ADDRESS (Street or RO. Box)

(City)

(State) (Zip Code)

PHONE NUMBER

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

DISTRICT

CHURCH

I am enclosing a check for $______

to be deposited ___ year(s) a t ____ %.

___ Sena interest semiannually

___ Hold interest to accumulate

SIGNATURE THE GENERAL CHURCH LOAN FUND 6401 The Paseo Kansas City, MO 64131

*6% on 1-year deposits; 7% on 2-year deposits; 8% on 5-year deposits.

'Deposits are made by purchasing General Board Notes in the amount of $100 or more. Notes withdrawn before maturity will be adjusted to 5%. Interest rates are subject to change without notice. ______L GROW — A JOURNAL OF CHURCH GROWTH, EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP Volume 1, Number 2, June 1990 Bill M. Sullivan, Director, Church Growth Division, International Church o f the Nazarene • Neil B. Wiseman, Editor

Contributing Editors: Curt Bowers, Chaplaincy Ministries Director • M. V. Scutt, Evangelism Ministries Director Michael R. Estep, Church Extension Ministries Director • Wilbur W . Brannon, Pastoral Ministries Director

—Cover and inside photography by Michael Lewis. —Graphic and page design by Don Ellis, art director, Wellspring. • Composition by Ada Fae Nichols, typographer, Wellspring.

G RO W is produced quarterly, in March, June, September, and December, by the Church Growth Division of the International Church of the Nazarene, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. GROW is published by the Nazarene Publishing House, 2923 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64109. GROW is designed by The Wellspring Advertising Agency, a division of Christian Booksellers Association, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

GROW welcomes local and district reports o f revivals, church plants, and church growth but because o f publishing deadlines, reports cannot be acknowledged or returned. Manuscripts on related subjects are also welcome, but unsolicited manuscripts can be returned only if accompanied with a return self-addressed envelope and adequate postage. Reports and manuscripts may be addressed to Neil B. Wiseman, G R O W Editor, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.

64 GROW / Summer 1990 THE UNSUNG FAITHFUL

obust servants of God in Bible times Leite, Alex Cubie, John Bowen, and Daniel Mari- R wrote amazing records of heroic accom­ chel. A similar group appeared in the last issue and plishments. The faith chapter (Hebrews 11) shows future editions will report others. Although the how a godly passion transforms ordinary people world is not worthy of them, the Kingdom is. into mission-achieving disciples. Connection with Your church, city, state, or district has many

Omnipotence made an incredible difference. "unsung faithful servants of Christ” of whom the

That amazing record of mission achievement world is not worthy, but the Kingdom is. You may continues even now. In unpublished places, the be one o f them.

Church of the Nazarene is blessed by If not, you can be. Truly effective thousands of servants of the Lord service always begins with the self­

Jesus of whom "the world is not emptying pattern of our Lord Who worthy.” Many are unpublicized. "made himself nothing, taking upon

Many are unknown. Many shrink himself the very nature of a servant” from prominence, intending their (Philippians 2:7). Although you may service to be to Christ alone. But it does not take a never be well known to the world, the denomina­

Gallup poll to discover unsung heroes in the front tion, the district, or even to people in your church, lines of church growth, evangelism, church plant­ you are well known to God; He keeps the records. ing, revivals, witnessing, and compassionate service. Invest your energy, strength, money, and com­

Editing GROW puts me in touch with many mitment in achieving the mission of God in the such selfless, unknown disciples who do remark­ world. able deeds in the name of Jesus. In this issue of His mission will stretch and mold you into the

GROW, we celebrate the achievement of Christ’s likeness of Christ Jesus. —NEIL B. WISEMAN mission in the world by Esther Sanger, Antonio Editor, GROW

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and DiscipUship "More and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.” Acts 5:14