LCJE Bulletin Issue 109, August 2012

Networking Jewish Evangelism

LCJELausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism Networking Jewish Evangelism From the Coordinator As this issue goes to press, the Third LCJE AustralAsia Confer- ence and the South Africa Regional Conference have recently LCJELausanne Consultation completed their meetings. We include excerpts of reports from on Jewish Evangelism the AustraAsian conference as well as the conference program LCJE Bulletin in this issue. One of them is Scott Brown’s presentation on “Jew- Issue No. 109 ish Evangelism in the New Age: Perspectives and Response.” August 2012 Scott’s article is a good counterpart to my report in this issue on the kabbalistic town of Safed in the Galilee region. These © Lausanne Consultation on articles, taken together, show that various aspects of Jewish Jewish Evangelism mysticism, the Kabbalah and the New Age movement are closely intertwined. These have ensnared many Jewish seekers in our Editor : Jim Melnick day. Grasping these connections is important for understanding Design : Chris Skjøtt many of the streams of modern Judaism. They provide insights into how Jewish evangelism might better reach the hearts and Printed by: Yorke Printe Shoppe souls of those who are trapped in these false views. Lombard, IL 60148 Also in this issue, LCJE President Tuvya Zaretsky shares two Published February, May, articles - the first about recent developments in the global Laus- August, and November anne Movement itself and the second about the Global Diaspora Movement and its potential impact on Jewish missions. Since so Address: P.O. Box 5501 much of our outreach takes place outside of Eretz Yisrael in the Falmouth, VA 22403 USA Jewish Diaspora, understanding more about diaspora missiology in general can only be helpful to our ministries. Individual membership US $25 annually; subscription US $15 Speaking of Eretz Yisrael and Zion, Iranian President Mahmoud payable to LCJE Ahmadinejad told supporters in Tehran on August 17, 2012 Payment: By check or bank (Jerusalem Day address) that “the Zionist regime and the Zion- transfer; see www.LCJE.net ists are a cancerous tumor,” an “insult to all humanity,” and that (under “Contact”) “the nations of the region will soon finish off the usurper Zionists in the Palestinian land.” He added that “a new Middle East will definitely be formed,” a “new Middle East [where] there will be CONTENTS no trace of the Americans and Zionists.”

2 From the Coordinator What shall we say in response?: “He Who watches over Israel 3 David and me (and you) slumbers not, nor sleeps.” (Psalm 121:4) Regardless of one’s 4 A Tribute to Stan Telchin eschatology, war eventually seems inevitable. We should not be 7 The Fourth CEO Conference caught unawares but should prepare for the challenges and op- 8 Handling Jewish Objections portunities that are coming. 10 Lausanne Movement Report 12 Global Diaspora Network 14 When Dreams Go Thud - As Charles Klingensmith’s insightful devotion reminds us, we Handling Failure in Ministry want to serve the purposes of God in our generation. That was 16 Jewish Evangelism in the the heart’s desire of our brother Stan Telchin, and we remember New Age Stan’s life and ministry in this issue. Jewish evangelism remains 20 My Visit to Safed (Tsfat) at the very core of the purposes of God (Romans 11). May we 22 AustraliAsia Conference all rise to serve those purposes in our own generation by being Program faithful to the calling that He has placed in our hearts! 23 LCJE Meetings Yours for the salvation of Israel. Jim Melnick

[email protected] Visit the website www.lcje.net

2 David and me (and you) By Charles Klingensmith, LCJE Japan

Paul is in the synagogue in you look behind you and Pisdian Antioch. He’s proving see what happens when life that Jesus is the promised is suddenly cut down. We Messiah, and the proof is that found a hospital patient’s “God raised Jesus from the plastic ID card on the beach. dead.” (Acts 13:30). And to A woman’s ID, born in 1970. highlight the importance of Was she a housewife? You this, he’s talking about the can imagine that the ID had history of Israel, and he men- perhaps been in her wallet, tions David: he’s contrasting the wallet probably in her David and Jesus - David died, purse, the purse, maybe in a but Messiah rose from the drawer, the drawer in a cabi- dead. This is what he says: net, the cabinet perhaps in “David, after he had served her bedroom. And in March the purpose of God in his Charles Klingensmith the windows were closed, and own generation, fell asleep...” the house was quiet on an or- let go both of his work and (verse 36). dinary Friday. And you think his generation. David’s time of the route that that ID card was not unlimited. But he David’s Work Answered took from inside that wallet to was on time, for it was after God’s Plan and His Era’s that beach, and it takes your he served God that he was Need breath away. People need to called home. He was allowed Paul gives high praise to Da- hear the gospel now, because to complete his work. That, vid: “In his own generation,” there is no promise of tomor- by the way, I think, is the he served the purpose of row. highest grace a worker can God. David’s work answered be given, namely, completion. both God’s plan, and his own The Challenge for Us Serving his era, desire, work, era’s need. “Your steadfast So David got it right - he was completion - all in a blessed love O Lord extends to the on time, but he didn’t miss straight line. heavens, your faithfulness to the purpose of his own birth the clouds.” (Ps 36:5). David or his own generation, and Our Own Era himself sang that beautifully, he worked hard to serve God. I think about our own era and but his accomplishment was And God didn’t let David’s our own work. Will I, too, to pull down from on High weaknesses as a person de- be allowed to complete my that love and that faithful- stroy his work. work? And in a way that I ness and apply it to ground This is a challenge for us can accept? How should we level times, to people where all: to read the Bible sim- understand this era? Several they actually were. David ply, to believe it simply, to months ago a Japanese co- knew God’s will, but he also understand these compli- worker and I went up north understood his era, and he cated times, and to serve the to the Nobiru Coast in Miyagi assuredly felt God’s will was purposes of God in our own Prefecture, part of the long the answer to his era’s confu- generation, all on time. You line of coast that was hit by sion. David the believer tied yourself are Messiah’s person the 2011 tsunami. Looking God’s plan and his own era’s for these times. God bless at the sea there, how pristine need together while he could. you as you serve Him! it is - blue sea and sky, rock, But at last an end came, for pine, everywhere. And then David died, and he had to Charles Klingensmith [email protected]

3 A Tribute to Stan Telchin By David Brickner, Executive Director, Jews for Jesus

Stan and Elaine Telchin My Call to Stan daughter. The book, which sold Robyn Wilk, who leads our ful cry of genuine regret. It over a million copies and was work in Florida, called me on stunned me. translated into 30 languages, my cell phone. “You need to Here was a man whom the opened many opportunities call Stan Telchin as soon as Lord had used to lead thou- for ministry for Stan, including possible,” she urged. “The sands to faith in Jesus. He had hosting a daily radio program doctors are saying he may traveled and shared the gospel on WCTN in Potomac, Mary- not have more than a week with millions in ten different land, for eight years and ap- to live.” countries around the world pearing on national television Stan and I had been during more than 30 years of in the United States, Canada scheduled to talk the previ- ministry. Yet as he lay dying in and the Ukraine. ous week, but he’d not been a hospital bed, his only regret Dan Coggins recalls, “A few well enough to take the call. was that he couldn’t have years ago my wife (who is I wondered if I would fare done more for Christ. Jewish) and I gave Betrayed to any better, knowing that his her father after years of wit- health had taken another Coming to Faith nessing to him about Yeshua. turn. But I made the call, and It’s truly been my privilege to It was instrumental in moving Stan’s wife, Elaine, assured know Stan as a friend, and him closer to faith. About two me that he was able to talk. also as a colleague since he years ago we received confir- “How are you doing Stan?” joined the staff of Jews for mation of his faith when he I asked. Jesus in 2003. commented regarding Messiah, “You want the truth?” he Stan’s book Betrayed, ‘He died for us.’ My wife was responded. “I’m doing lousy. which is so well known in our delighted and we’ve since en- I have congestive heart fail- movement, tells the story of couraged his ‘newborn’ faith.” ure. David, I’m not afraid to his daughter Judy, who came Stan’s Jewish parents came die,” he explained. “There is to believe that Jesus is the to the United States from Rus- just so much more I wanted Jewish Messiah, and how Stan sia in the early 1900s. He was to do to serve the Lord.” That set out to prove her wrong. born on September 14, 1924, last statement was choked But his research led him to in New York City, the young- out through tears, a mourn- the same conclusion as his est of six children and grew 4 up during the Depression, first and Ethel is a time I will always would come this high pitched on the lower east side of New cherish. Stan married us, and “ha, ha, ha.” I’ve never heard York, then in the Boro Park my husband insisted we marry a laugh quite like it before—it neighborhood of Brooklyn. on Stan and Ethel’s anniver- was really more of a giggle— In December 1944, home on sary, as Stan was much like a but it was always infectious. furlough from the army, Stan father he never had.” You couldn’t help but smile ran into a friend from junior In 1994 Stan established when Stan laughed. high school, Ethel David. Ethel Stan Telchin Ministries. His fo- offered to write to him while cus was explaining to churches A Joyful Visit he was overseas, and regularly how anti-Semitism has made But Stan wasn’t laughing now sent him letters and packages. it difficult for Jewish people to over the phone. When the war ended and Stan respond to the gospel mes- I did my best to comfort him. was discharged, he and Ethel sage, and how individual I assured him that God had began to date and were mar- believers can, by demonstrat- used him in a wonderful way ried on May 26, 1948. ing a change of heart, ef- throughout his life, that he was fectively reach out to them. much loved and appreciated Daughter Comes to Faith He received invitations to by his Jews for Jesus family Two daughters, Judy and Ann, preach throughout the United and that his life and his legacy were born to the Telchins, and States and Canada as well as were in God’s hands. Then we Stan became highly successful in England, Norway, Iceland, prayed together. My prayer in the insurance business. As Russia, Denmark, Germany, ended, and the last word I he recalls, “Twenty-six years the Ukraine and Israel. Stan heard Stan speak was, “Amen.” into our marriage, we had a and Ethel were married for 52 Elaine called me the next very large home complete with years until her death in 2000. morning. Stan died just a few swimming pool, four BMWs and Stan subsequently married his hours after we spoke on the a full-time housekeeper. Then, beloved Elaine. phone. Shortly after our phone just months later, my world conversation, a close friend felt like it had suddenly come On Jews for Jesus Staff had come to the hospital to apart.” That’s when Judy, then Stan loved to share the good visit Stan. It seems he had a a student at Boston University, news of Yeshua with others. few good Jewish jokes to tell. phoned her father to tell him During his time on staff with Stan so enjoyed the visit; he she believed in Jesus. Jews for Jesus, Stan joined us laughed and laughed until On July 3, 1975, after on our Behold Your God wit- tears were streaming down months of studying the He- nessing campaigns. He would his cheeks. Then he closed his brew Scriptures and the New often serve as a chaplain to the eyes for the very last time on Testament, Stan also came to young volunteers and mis- earth. believe that Jesus is the Jewish sionaries who were going out Messiah. Then, to his surprise, to stand on the streets to hand Are There Tears of Laughter he discovered that Ethel had out tracts. Stan would teach in Heaven? independently made the same them the Word, pray with them We know that when Stan decision. Stan left the insur- and encourage them. He even opened his eyes once again ance business in 1979 for full- joined them out on the streets he was in the presence of the time ministry. in his Jews for Jesus shirt, Lord where there is no more handing out tracts for as long pain or sickness or sorrow. God His Years in the Pastorate; as his aged body allowed. promises to wipe away every Stan Telchin Ministries Stan demonstrated the love of tear from our eyes, but I’m Stan served as pastor of his Messiah in a very unique not sure that applies to tears Living Word Fellowship in and personable way. of laughter. I have to believe Gaithersburg, Maryland, from that the halls of heaven today 1980–1994. Donna Lucas Stan’s Infectious Laugh are echoing with that wonder- recalls, “I met Stan in 1983 as His laugh made me laugh. He ful giggle of my brother Stan, a nearly-new believer. Being a would open his mouth. His much to the delight of all his part of Living Word Fellowship eyes would light up and out friends who were there to wel- and knowing and loving Stan come him. 5 Precious in His Sight led him to the Lord. “Since Perhaps new birth is the context The Psalmist tells us, “Precious then I’ve been on fire,” Schuer from which we can best under- in the sight of the LORD is the said. “Do I have any regrets? stand why it is that the Lord death of His saints” (Psalm I certainly do. I wish I had finds the death of His saints to 116:15). I imagine it isn’t the received Jesus as Lord of my be precious. Just as a newborn death itself that the Lord finds life decades ago.” must leave its mother’s womb precious, but the welcome He to enter a whole new life, so we can extend to his children as Death and New Life leave this mortal life to enter they enter His very real pres- I find it strangely compelling our eternal home. I am quite ence for all of eternity. how death and life often follow confident that there was great one another so closely. Within joy and rejoicing when the Lord A Copy of Betrayed hours after Stan’s passing, said to my friend Stan Telchin, Many who were touched by Elaine received an email from “Well done good and faithful Stan’s ministry attended his her granddaughter in Texas. servant. Enter into the joy of memorial service. Among them She and her husband had your Lord.” was Stan Schuer, who had never been able to conceive a retired and moved from New child, yet attached to the email Stan Telchin died June 4th in York to Florida and served as was a video of a sonogram Sarasota, Florida. He was 87. president of his home own- taken that very day, echoing ers association. There he met the sound of the heartbeat of David Brickner Stan, who gave him a copy of Elaine’s new great-grandchild. [email protected] Betrayed. Schuer recalled, “I’d lived most of my life turning The Angels Rejoice away from the name of Jesus, New birth is precious to us and and I had many questions for The New Birth is so precious Stan.” But Schuer eventually that even the angels of God ran out of questions, and Stan rejoice over it (Luke 15:10).

6 Fourth LCJE CEO Conference, May 27-31, 2013 By Kai Kjær-Hansen, Chairman of the Danish Israel Mission

As announced in the last is- wash basin (WC/shower down sues of the LCJE Bulletin, the the hall): 550 Euros fourth CEO Conference will be The price includes room and held in Switzerland, May 27- board (all meals and coffees), 31, 2013. conference fee and a 5-6-hour excursion during the confer- Venue and dates ence. The conference will be held at St. Chrischona, Basel and Travel information begins on Monday May 27 at More detailed travel informa- 3 PM and ends Friday May tion is available at: www. 31 at 9 AM. After the CEO lcje.net under “Upcoming conference an ICC meeting is Conferences”. The nearest scheduled for members of the international airport is the LCJE ICC and area coordina- Basel-Mulhouse airport, known tors. This meeting ends late Kai Kjær-Hansen under its trademark EuroAirport afternoon. Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. Program The venue belongs to the An LCJE CEO conference is not Pilgermission St. Chrischona. Correspondence a conference where we come It is today home to a theo- All correspondence concerning to listen to long and heavy pa- the CEO conference should be logical seminary and also has pers. It is rather a conference sent to: [email protected] a long and rich history with on burning issues for those respect to Jewish evangelism. currently involved in Jewish The conference is limited to The venue is set in beautiful evangelism and with responsi- about 50 participants. We ask surroundings right in the cor- bility for a mission organization, you to register as soon as pos- ner where Germany, France its program, its finances, and sible, informing us about your and Switzerland meet. its personnel. choice of lodging. Your regis- The program will be made tration is not binding. We also Participants on the basis of proposals from ask you to inform us about the The invitation is extended to those who register for the issues you would like the pro- executives and leaders of or- conference. gram to deal with. Suggestions ganizations and churches who received by October 15, 2012 are involved in Jewish evan- Prices will be considered when the gelism and who are members Single room with WC/shower: program is made. Registration of LCJE (individual or agency 770 Euros is only binding together with members). Invited are also Double room (per person) with payment which should be done ICC members and LCJE Area WC/shower: 650 Euros no later than January 5, 2013. Coordinators. Spouses are Single room with wash basin welcome to participate. (WC/shower down the hall): Kai Kjær-Hansen 600 Euros Bodil F. Skjøtt Double room (per person) with

St. Chrischona campus 7 Excerpt Handling Jewish Objections - An Overview By Lawrence Hirsch, Executive Director, Celebrate Messiah

LCJE AustralAsia Conference, August 2012

The Veil of Blindness taining to life and faith from The New Testament tells us a certain cultural perspective. (cf. 2 Cor. 3:14-15) that we, We are taught to assume a the Jewish people, have a veil number of set things and our that covers our minds and our attitudes and behaviours grow hearts, that even when we out of these assumptions. The read the Tenach, we cannot way we see things is the way see the Messiah. Only through we think and the way we act. faith in Yeshua is that veil Both Jewish people and Chris- removed. tians share the same Old Tes- tament. Contained within the The Veil of Culture Lawrence Hirsch Old Testament is the evidence But not only that, we also necessary to find out whether have the veil of culture. The bal contract, but, according Jesus is the Messiah or not. problem that we face in to mainstream Judaism, not bringing the gospel to Jew- believing in Jesus is implied Same Evidence, Different ish people is the problem of by being Jewish. Often a Jew- Conclusions enculturation. Jewish culture ish person may not be able Both Jews and Christians look has an inbuilt defense mecha- to articulate what it means at the same evidence, yet nism against the gospel. This to be Jewish. However, that come up with two different is obviously due to hundreds same person may be able to conclusions. Christians look of years of resisting Christian- define what it means not to at the Old Testament and see ity’s claim that Jesus is the be Jewish, i.e. to believe in Jesus portrayed, page upon Messiah, the Son of God. This Jesus. In this way Jewishness page of the writings of Moses, rejection of Jesus’ Messiahship is defined in a negative way - the Psalms and the Prophets. has been further justified in “Being Jewish is not believing Yet, Jewish people cannot see Jewish people’s minds because in Jesus.” Jesus in the Old Testament, of the Church’s shameful deal- they just see the Old Testa- ings with the Jewish People. The Problem of Perspec- ment. Jewish tradition has been tive This is because Jewish built on the assumption that Culture in itself is God-given people have been brought Jesus was not the Messiah and helpful for communicat- up on the assumption that and that the Jewish people are ing the Gospel, since each Jesus is not the Messiah. So still waiting for revelation of culture has concepts of God, when they look at the evi- the Messiah. life and death, marriage and dence, they cannot recognise communal life. Each culture the new within the old - the “Implied Social Contract” also has a language that can promise of Jesus in the Old Within Jewish culture there be used to communicate Testament. is an “implied social contract” transcultural truths (Gospel that Jewish people do not truth). The problem is that A Light Is Switched On believe in Jesus and that it is culture can also blind us to When God regenerates a impossible to be Jewish and Gospel truth. human heart, it seems that, believe in Jesus at the same All of us grow up within a all of a sudden, the light has time. certain cultural milieu. We been switched on. God totally This is not necessarily a ver- grow up seeing matters per- reorientates our lives. We be- 8 gin to see things from a totally Understanding “The Law tried to convince their fellow different perspective. of Apperception” - The “Law Jews to believe in Jesus, non- of Apperception” relates to believing Jews resisted their Need a Paradigm Shift teaching what is unknown or evangelistic efforts, and, in Christians also need a para- rejected through that which defence against the emergent digm shift in the way we is known and accepted. In messianic faith, the Jewish present the Gospel to Jewish answering Jewish objections, leaders began to develop people. In the past, Christians we need to move people from alternative interpretations of have always tried to win Jews what they already know and Scripture as an apologetic to Messiah by insisting that accept to what is unknown against Christianity. they “convert” and become and rejected, using what “Christians.” What often is they do know as a means for Raging Debate meant by “conversion” is not grasping what is still unknown This raging debate between an inward transformation, a so that they can understand it. believers in Jesus and Jewish born-again experience, but non-believers can be seen in rather an outward change of Emphasis on Continuity the Book of Acts in the Bible religion. In answering Jewish objec- and has continued through- tions I prefer to emphasis the out history. Breaking Down the “Im- continuity between Judaism Debates or disputations plied Social Contract” and Christianity rather than sponsored by the Pope in Fortunately, in the last few the differences. Emphasising the Middle Ages took place decades there has been a differences tends to create an between Jewish and Christian paradigm shift in the way the “us and them” mentality or a scholars, who argued about Gospel has been presented to “superiority mentality.” the differences between the Jewish people, and a Messian- Rather, I would prefer two religions. This has contin- ic Jewish movement of Jewish showing how Jesus is God’s ued to our own day (we have people who believe in Jesus way of salvation for both Jew several DVDs available with has emerged. and Gentile alike. Christian- some modern debates). Our task in Jewish evange- ity is not superior to Judaism; lism is to break down this “im- rather I would say that Jesus Tragic History plied social contact” that Jews is Superior. He is the Way, the Over the past 2000 years, don’t and cannot believe in Truth and the Life and no one we, the Jewish people, have Jesus, by showing that Jesus can come to the Father except built up a massive body of really is the Jewish Messiah through him. objections to faith in Jesus. and that one can be Jewish And sadly, the tragic history and still believe in him. The Greatest Question of the Church’s persecution of This is done through sensi- The major difference between the Jewish people has given tive and culturally relevant Judaism and Christianity, the Jewish people greater evangelism whereby the Gos- though, is “who is Jesus?” reason to resist the claims of pel is presented in a way that This is the greatest question Christianity. is relevant to Jewish people. of all. This question has split history into two parts - B.C. Our Calling Preach/Teach/Answer Ob- and A.D. The answer to this Our calling as people involved jections through a Jewish question changes everything; in Jewish evangelism is to at- Frame of Reference it makes an immeasurable tempt to overcome this tragic So, what we need to do is difference to one’s eternal past and to present the true preach/teach the Gospel spiritual state-of-being. message of Jesus to the Jew- through a Jewish frame of ish people. reference. You might have to Jesus is the Difference change some of your miscon- Jesus is the major difference ceptions of the New Testa- between Judaism and Chris- Lawrence Hirsch ment. tianity. As the early Jewish [email protected] believers (the early Church) 9 The Lausanne Movement By Tuvya Zaretsky, President, LCJE

Leadership Meeting anniversary in 2013), re- The Lausanne Movement (LM), viewed the history of the Lau- formerly the International sanne Movement. He gave Lausanne Committee on World credit to Evangelist Billy Gra- Evangelization, convened an ham for his vision dating back International Leadership Meet- to the missionary conference ing in Jackson, Mississippi, in Berlin, 1965. John Stott USA, from June 18-22, 2012. was recognized for his enor- The purpose was to assess mous contribution through progress toward fulfilling the the Lausanne Covenant at the priorities for world evangeliza- 1974 first Lausanne Congress. tion that were listed in the Doug Birdsall said the Laus- 2010 Cape Town Commitment. anne Movement continues to The Lausanne Movement serve the singular focus on invited thirty-six interest group Tuvya Zaretsky world evangelization. “Today,” representatives, called Senior in the Lausanne Movement. An he said, “the vision is still to Associates, as active partici- invited Senior Associate, who see the whole church, taking pants in the process. Each is is appointed for a five-year the whole gospel to the whole able to address one of the term of service, represents world.” issues identified in the Cape each special interest group. I Town Commitment. was invited to participate as Four Working Groups the Senior Associate for Jewish Three days were set aside to 36 Special Interest Groups Evangelism. It was an excel- acquaint everyone with the Jewish evangelism is identi- lent opportunity to acquaint post-Congress shape of the fied as one of those thirty-six others on the Lausanne Move- Lausanne Movement. The special interest groups. Doug ment with the LCJE network. aim is to gather a leadership Birdsall, Lausanne Movement network that will stimulate board of directors executive More Like a Network collaborative effort in world chairman, recognized the Lau- The Lausanne Movement evangelization. The Global sanne Consultation on Jewish leadership structure is reorga- Leadership Team coordinates Evangelism (LCJE) as the lon- nizing to function more like a international activities of the gest functioning special inter- network. Global leadership is network. Along with the 12 est network, with 32 years of provided by a board of direc- regional International Deputy operations together. That was tors chaired by Ram Gidoomal. Directors, there are four work- a gratifying observation after The board oversees the work ing groups that support the only a few LCJE members were of Doug Birdsall, Executive leadership of the Lausanne able to participate in the 2004 Chairman of the Lausanne Movement. They are the The- Lausanne Forum. However, Movement and the Interna- ology Working Group, chaired after that experience, many tional Director, Lindsay Brown. by Timothy Tennent; Strategy more LCJE members were able Lindsay organizes the efforts Working Group, chaired by to be present in Cape Town of twelve International Deputy Roy Peterson; Communica- at the 2010 Third Lausanne Directors (IDDs), who serve as tions Working Group, chaired Congress. regional coordinators. They by Steve Woodworth; and function in a capacity similar to Intercession Working Group, A Senior Associate for Jew- our LCJE Area Coordinators. Chaired by Sarah Plummer. ish Evangelism The Jackson LM Leadership On the opening night, honorary The Senior Associates and meeting established the special Lausanne Chairman, Michael their networks provide interest groups as functional Cassidy, Founder of African functional leadership for leadership for larger networks Enterprise (celebrating its 50th the thirty-six special issues. 10 They are asked to advocate Ministry Department, by also feature a publication called for the Cape Town Commit- writing kayhorvath@gordon- The Lausanne Global Analysis. ment through calls to action conwell.edu, or call 978-646- This will offer brief reports, within their own networks and 4119. A mentored ministry periodically renewed, providing to promote collaboration with application is available online scholarly analytical insight, de- other issue groups. The LCJE at, «www.gordonconwell. mographic data and quantitative has already taken steps in that edu/mentored-ministry/.../ material useful for missiological direction in the High Leigh Semlink-App-to-Mentor.pdf» study and strategic planning. Conference Statement through The meeting concluded with adoption of Part IIB, Sec. 1A, Lausanne Online detailed plans regarding a which reads “We continue, Naomi Frizzell serves as the global leadership forum that is therefore, strongly to affirm the Chief Communications Officer scheduled for June 2013. The need for the whole Church to for the Lausanne Movement. Lausanne Movement has invited share the good news of Jesus She and Andrew Brumme, 350 international participants. as Messiah, Lord and Saviour Director of Interactive Media, They were chosen for their with Jewish people.” gave reports about Laus- potential contribution to each of Senior Associates are also anne Online. The Lausanne the special interest groups with tasked with promoting within website, which was created a balance toward younger lead- each special interest network to facilitate the Cape Town ers, women and majority world the development of emerging Congress and to stimu- representation. Their task will leaders who could participate, late the ongoing Lausanne be to assess any measurable ef- at their own expense, in an Global Conversation, is now forts to implement steps called international younger leaders revamping the website and for in the Cape Town Commit- gathering in 2015. Therefore, consolidating all aspects as ment. They will report on cur- all LCJE member agencies are Lausanne Online. They will rent opportunities, challenges urged to involve your younger provide a link from the Laus- and changes in world evangeli- developing leaders in our anne Network website to the zation and mission. network activities during 2012 LCJE web pages. and 2013. That will allow us to Our LCJE Affirmation identify some of the potential We are pleased to report to the participants for 2015. The DIDASKO Files Lausanne Movement the LCJE Director of Publishing, Julia affirmation of the Cape Town Lausanne Fellows Program Cameron, gave a report on Commitment as published in the The Lausanne Movement Sup- the DIDASKO files, a devel- Conference Statement, August port Team provided information oping series created by the 2011, during our General As- about resources available to International Fellowship of sembly at the High Leigh Con- the global network. Matthew Evangelical Students and now ference Centre. That document Niermann serves as Special transferred to the Lausanne reads: “We invite congregations Assistant to the Chairman of Movement. These are a of Jesus’ followers to study the Research & Special Projects series of booklets provided Cape Town Commitment and to ([email protected]). in print and online available make plans to act upon it. Our He described the Lausanne at www.didaskofiles.com. [LCJE] members stand ready as Fellows Program. It is an op- They include a text and study partners to serve the Lord with portunity to mentor Gordon guide of The Lausanne Cov- you in reaching Jewish people Conwell Seminary students. It enant, a tribute and honor for Jesus – always and every- requires a commitment to put of John Stott and The Cape where.” in one hour a week as a mentor Town Commitment. Follow- We now have an opportunity to the student. The student is up resources would include to network Jewish evangelism required to put in 10 hours per booklets that expound on as a welcomed part of the Laus- week in a learning/mentoree the issues in The Cape Town anne Movement. relationship with a ministry. Commitment to expand its You can request an application reach out into the interna- Tuvya Zaretsky to mentor from Gordon Conwell tional church. By September tuvya. [email protected] Theological Seminary, Mentored 2012, the website should

11 Visit the Lausanne Movement website - www. lausanne.org

The Global Diaspora Network By Tuvya Zaretsky, President, LCJE

One of the purposes of the Town, October 2010, Dr. attended a Global Diaspora LCJE network is to stimulate Sadiri Joy Tira was appointed Network planning committee both theological and mis- to serve for five years as meeting in Toronto, Canada, siological thinking on issues a Lausanne Senior Associ- from July 2-4, 2012. The related to Jewish evangelism. ate for Diasporas. This new Filipino International Network Enoch Wan introduced me to Lausanne network has grown (FIN) organized the meet- the concept of Diaspora Mis- by inviting evangelicals who ing for the GDN and through siology during doctoral studies are interested in the Diaspora the offices of Sadiri Joy at Western Seminary. Since movement to join the Global Tira. Eighteen missiologists, then, I have appreciated the Diaspora Network (GDN). academics and church plant- value of seeking out mission ers gathered to discuss plans opportunities amidst Diaspora Motivating and Mobilizing for a Global Diaspora Forum conditions. Christians that could be hosted in Manila Their purpose is to motivate some time during 2015. The Diaspora Missiology and mobilize Christians to forum will be by invitation I gave a report about Diaspora partner for global Diaspora only, with the aim of bringing Missiology that is available in missions. They consult oc- together academics and mis- the LCJE BULLETIN 91 (online casionally to give reports sion practitioners in the field at http://www.lcje.net/bulle- on current and developing of Diaspora ministry. tin91.pdf). Diaspora Missiology Diaspora opportunities and is missions-focused study of to plan meetings that will New Resources people who are living outside bring together broad mission Several new resources were their homelands, who are in resources of those who are presented. They are now transition or are on the move interested in partnerships for available to explain Diaspora as travelers for business, edu- Diaspora ministry. Missiology in theory and prac- cation, adventure or pleasure. tice. Diaspora Missiology; The- Among people who are scat- Enoch Wan; Diaspora ory, Methodology and Practice, tered, we can find a remnant Conferences was published in 2011 by the of them who are spiritually Through my association with Institute of Diaspora Studies open and some being drawn to Enoch Wan and the Insti- – USA at Western Seminary. faith in Messiah Jesus. tute for Diaspora Studies at The editor was Dr. Enoch Wan Western Seminary, I have (ISBN: 978-1468117455). Global Diaspora Network participated in two of the The Lausanne Movement has Global Diaspora Missiology Prior to that, Enoch Wan and taken notice of Diaspora study conferences. The first was Sadiri Joy Tira collaborated to and ministry. During the 3rd held in Edmonton, Canada, in write Mission Practice in the Lausanne Congress in Cape 2009. By invitation I recently 21st Century, published by

12 William Carey International to new information is occur- America for Carnival and who University Press, Pasadena, ring. The story of the Filipino attend New Age festivals inside California, 2009 (ISBN: 978- Diaspora is documented in of the Jewish state. 086585-020-0). Both Tira and the 2004 publication from the Wan are also listed as editors Lausanne Forum in Thailand, Much to Gain of Missions in Action in the “The New People Next Door,” LCJE members have much to 21st Century, Philippines: (Lausanne Occasional Paper gain from Diaspora studies and Lifechange Publishing, 2012 #55). An updated and ex- a unique contribution to make (ISBN: 978-971-94946-1-4). panded enhancement of that in the world of global Diaspora work was produced for the 3rd missiology. The lens of Diaspora Global Missiology Online Lausanne Congress in Cape missiology will stimulate our Journal and Website Town, titled, “Scattered to thinking for mission possibili- Enoch Wan also maintains a Gather: Embracing the Global ties if we take the time to look website for online publication Trend of Diaspora.” Cop- at the resources available. I of scholarly articles on Global ies are available through the encourage our LCJE members Diaspora Missiology. Global Global Diaspora Network at: and Bulletin readers to avail Missiology is a quarterly [email protected]. themselves of the resources online publication of contri- from global Diaspora missiologi- butions from international The Jewish Diaspora cal study. researchers, practitioners and We who are engaged in Jew- missions scholars who have a ish evangelism are already Possible Future Papers global perspective. This is an doing Diaspora ministry. Jew- Planning committees for LCJE online journal found at www. ish people have been identi- regional and international con- globalmissiology.org. Articles fied uniquely as a nation in sultation could also better serve can be sent for review and Diaspora. Re-establishment the whole network by specifi- consideration for publication of a Jewish homeland in 1948 cally inviting papers on Diaspora by submission to editor@ signaled the start of a new Missiology. We can benefit from globalmissiology.org. phase in Jewish history. But reports by specialists in this even with a Jewish homeland, field. And we might discover The Global Diaspora Network world Jewry is in transition new ways that Jewish people (GDN) website was posted in and on the move. can be reached with the Gospel May of 2012 at www.global- of Messiah Jesus as they are in diaspora.org. Information is Jewish Missions and the transition, on the move in and available there about future Diaspora outside of their homeland. conferences and resources for Jewish missions are operat- Diaspora studies. ing among Israelis who travel for pleasure to the beaches of E Tuvya Zaretsky Publications Goa and Bali and for shopping tuvya. [email protected] Diaspora Missiological studies excursions or business trips look at people who are on into Europe and North Ameri- Wan also main- the move, out of their home can retail centers. Our minis- environment or in transition, tries have engaged in evange- tains a website where a greater openness lism to Israelis who visit Latin

The Global Diaspora Network (GDN) www. globaldiaspora.org

13 Excerpt When Dreams Go Thud: Handling Failure in Ministry By Bob Mendelsohn, LCJE AustralAsia Area Coordinator LCJE AustralAsia Conference, August 2012 Introduction asked the churches to pray Some of you will remember at for 10% of Jews in this region Toolangi I shared a talk titled, to be born again by 2020? I “If I had a dream” and in that admit I have not. dreaming with you I gave a vision that I hoped we would A Righteous Dream share together. The dream Dreams don’t just happen, had a quantifiable reality they take work to accom- associated with it. I am still plish. Now, to be fair, not all dreaming for 10% of Austra- dreams should work. This day lia’s Jews being messianic by in history, 10 August in 1945, the year 2020. And I shared the Japanese surrendered what I believed it would take in World War II, thus end- for such to occur. Bob Mendelsohn ing their dream of world, or Now in this briefer and at least Pacific, dominance. properly self-critical talk, I In that case, we helped end look at the realities of the ‘not 863 people who are Jewish and their dream and the world is a yet’ of the dream, question believers in Y’shua. But as of better place for it. Dreams by the method of taking a real- today, 473 of them do not have themselves are not necessarily ity check, and unpack how a physical address. Some have authorized, righteous, or even to handle the apparent thud died, and some have moved. relevant. sound of the lack of re- Some don’t want to hear from But ours is righteous. We sponses, so far, to the prayers Jews for Jesus any longer. Fair dream and we long and we and the dream of a Messianic enough, but we had close to pray and we work so that our Australia. 1,000 on the list.- still a far cry people find Y’shua. How are from the 12,000 we want in we really doing in this regard? Not Yet our 10%. Then add the Jewish Let’s self-evaluate. How So far, we are not seeing 10% believers we didn’t have on our many Jews have come to faith of Australian Jewry saved. list who are on other ministries’ in Y’shua since we last met? The census last year revealed lists, and so maybe there are How many did you lose to the 95,000 people registering as really 1,000 Jewish believers anti-missionaries? How many Jews, and, using the usual alive and well in Australia. have passed away? You get it. method of re-evaluation, the We need to count, not for the estimates are 120,000 Jewish Aching for the Lost sake of boasting but rather for people are here in-country. We rejoice in the one-by-one evaluation. Suzanne Rutland in her book nature of our work but are filled It’s hard for me as an estimates that 250,000 people with aching about the lost, the American, albeit an Australian in Australia have at least one ones on our caseload, the ones in citizenship as well, to speak Jewish parent, but we will use we read about in the Australian about failure and success the usual method of census Jewish News paper. We pray for without thinking of the Ameri- taking. That means we hope revival. We long for God to pour can model, which is filled with to see 12,000 people, Jewish out his spirit, and yet, it’s not numbers. That said, numbers people, believing in Jesus by happening. We ask the church- could matter. I learned from 2020. That said, we are not es for whom we speak to pray Moishe Rosen that we set seeing more than about 1,000 for Jews. We ask them to pray goals, actual real numbers and Jews in Australia born again. for a specific person or two, and then afterwards evaluate. Our database in Sydney has they do. They take our prayer It’s perfectly normal to win requests on board. But have we at times and to lose at other 14 times. Call failures ‘failures’ and Zionish-Israelism. father. “For I did not speak you will be able that much more I expect rejection from on my own initiative, but the to call victories ‘a win!’ unbelievers, of course. They Father Himself who sent me Evaluating an event as a rejected our messiah and he has given me a commandment failure in ministry is only mo- promised us that we would as to what to say and what to mentary, and self-evaluative. cop this hostility also. Still, speak. (John 12.49) This sense of being a failure the hardest is the pain of That said, He finished his is what often drives people to brothers saying they want work with only a few left law-keeping, Torah-observance, nothing to do with us. there at his cross and some especially Gentiles in Jewish This rejection was not the confused followers huddled to- congregations, always longing case in Toolangi, but it may gether after a couple of days. to be approved. Our failings be something we have to Into that situation he walked don’t change who we are. Our deal with at this stage of our (Luke 24.37ff), had a meal, life is in Y’shua and in His spirit reality check. I anticipate we taught and demonstrated and love. We are accepted! will have some serious battle himself to them, and then sent with the unity we so obviously them out into the world: Handling Disappointment enjoy and in which we have “He knew what was in man.” and Rejection begun to learn to cooperate. (John 2.25) Losing is nothing other than Y’shua was no failure, disappointment. But disappoint- Handling Personal Failure although, in the natural, most ment is not all we face when The worst part of self-eval- would say he spoke to thou- we hear a thud. uation is hearing the thud -- sands and ended with almost Joseph was a dreamer, to be finding ourselves as the object nothing. His three-year term sure. Even his father rebuked of our own investigation. And as messiah-in-waiting finished him and said to him, “What is if you really know yourself, with nothing to show for it. Or this dream that you have had? you know you haven’t been in so they say. But we know bet- Shall I and your mother and prayer as often as you should. ter. What looked like a failure your brothers actually come You know you haven’t given was actually God’s ‘Plan A.’ to bow ourselves down before yourself to the evangelism, the He came to die. He came to you to the ground?” (Genesis one-to-one meat-and-potatoes suffer and be buried and rise 37.9-10) This I call ‘handling of our work. We are more con- from the dead. rejection.’ And this thud-sound/ tent with speaking at churches rejection doesn’t come only and hearing incidental praises Dare we still dream? from unbelievers, but can also afforded us, rather than the I believe we still need to come from our brothers. painful rejection of those who dream. We need to work even I expect this from certain are lost. with the sound of our own sectors of the church. It is not God help us to bear the thuds - even with our own personally given, so I don’t re- reproach, outside the (church) personal failures and disap- ally need to personally receive camp, and live in faithful pointments, sometimes the it. It’s not about me. It’s about sharing of the Gospel with our rejection of the church and our being Jews or about loving people, so that they will have others who don’t get it. the Jewish people. It’s about opportunity to follow Y’shua Let’s still dream. Let’s con- Israel or our concerns for the themselves. tinue to work to the end that people there. Mention Israel in our people find Y’shua. Let’s polite society today and you will How Did Y’shua Deal with work together, pray together often be immediately touted Failure? and dream on. His will be by some as an occupier. Last He knew what was in man. done. On earth. In Australia month I spoke in New Zealand He came to deal with all men, and New Zealand, as it is in and carried the torch for a love and at times pulled away, at heaven. for the Jewish people and the times challenged, at times need for evangelism to them, cried early in the morning to Bob Mendelsohn and was branded a terrorist by his father, spending time alone [email protected] one person seeing the identifi- nailing his own thoughts and cation with anything Jewish as dreams to the reality of his 15 Excerpt Jewish Evangelism in the New Age: Perspectives and Response by Scott Brown LCJE AustralAsia Conference, August 2012 Images of God in the whole of the New Age models and therapies, such You will not be surprised to Movement, because a force as Rogerian psychotherapy hear that many people are requires nothing of you. Rub or “person-centered therapy.” dreaming up images of God a crystal, chant a mantra, and This model applies “uncondi- these days. But then, they al- you’re in! There is no author- tional positive regard” to the ways have been, haven’t they? ity and there is no wrongdo- individual, categorically reject- Solomon was right; there is ing…only alternatives. ing the notion of inherent sin nothing new under the sun. or moral absolutes. But there is one particular 2) The force is in every- movement that is worthy of thing, therefore there is no 4) Knowledge is freedom. our attention as lovers of the cessation. The idea here is that there Jewish people, because it is This lie is predicated on the is nothing inherently wrong numbing their discernment first one. Since you are part with humankind except the between truth and error. of the force, you do not die way it thinks. Most New Age Tranquilizers and pain sup- but are “recycled” through philosophies contain some ele- pressants work - for a time. some metaphysical facility ment of the following proposi- They numb the senses and such as reincarnation. While tion: The problem is not sin, mask the pain long enough to the Bible teaches that “…it it is ignorance. You and I give one a momentary sense is appointed for men to die are suffering under the false of relief and tranquility. In once, but after this the judg- perception that there really is much the same way, the New ment” (Hebrews 9:27), in the such a thing as sin and death, Age Movement and related New Age it’s simply try, try when in fact, they do not ex- philosophies ‘work’; they again. ist. You are an unlimited be- mask the problem of sin long ing who has mistakenly come enough to give their follow- 3) You can become a god. to think of yourself as limited. ers a false sense of peace and The Bible, in Isaiah chap- Change the way you think and tranquility. It is the perfect ter 14, reveals Satan as the you will not only change your deception. While the New Age originator of this lie. Satan reality, you will change your promises enlightenment, the was opposed to the truth world. It’s all about YOU. Not payoff is darkness. that there is only one “Elyon” surprisingly, this flies in the Of course, there’s nothing (most high God). From face of the Scriptures’ declara- really new about the New Age his hatred for monotheism tion that worldly knowledge Movement. It’s just the same emerged polytheism, and the apart from Divine wisdom and old occultism, naturalism, belief that the force within the revelation leads to boastful- polytheism, pantheism and universe is an endless source ness (1 Corinthians 8:1) and humanism. The basic tenets of power for those who would contributes nothing toward of the movement are straight tap into its riches. The New the objective of understanding from the mind of the serpent Age is also called the “human eternal truths (1 Corinthians in Genesis chapter three: potential movement” because 1:17 – 2:16) 1) God is an impersonal it posits that each of us has force. the potential to attain to Why are Jewish people so If God is not personal, but some form of godship. From drawn to this movement? One merely a force, then there this theory has emerged an thing for sure: it is not a re- are no moral absolutes. This enormous body of counseling cent phenomenon. In the mid may be the most appealing lie 16 -1980s, one Ashram reported four philosophies noted above. Silva’s claim that he found a that almost forty percent of For a brief period immediately gateway to the subconscious its community was Jewish. In following my bar mitzvah, and to a “higher intelligence” Jewish Evangelism in the New Age: the same decade over twenty Jewish spirituality had an ap- was irresistibly seductive to one percent who participated peal. But that appeal lost its me in linking the mind and Perspectives and Response in a study of ex-members of power to motivate me when I spirit for the purpose of every- cults such as the Divine Light discovered no peers, no path- day, practical problem-solving. Mission were Jewish. In 1994, ways and no mentors. Juda- It was the least mystical yet Rodger Kamenetz published ism seemed to be reserved for the most mysterious and The Jew in the Lotus in which old men who had the corner supernatural of all my private he reported that “a third of on Jewish religion and spiri- excursions, because it yielded all Western Buddhist leaders tuality. measurable results. I consis- come from Jewish roots.” tently experienced supernatu- During the same era, Bud- In my mid-teens I bought ral outcomes directly related dhist spiritual centers and everything I could find on to my self-centered goals. All meditation retreats in India witchcraft and voodoo - not four lies came into perfect reported that as many as fifty to practice it, but to attempt convergence: (1) I tapped to seventy-five percent of their to satisfy an intense yearning into an impersonal, amoral Western participants were for the kind of spirituality that force; (2) having no account- Jewish. In the early 2000s could be experienced. A few ability, I experienced no fear as many as twenty percent of years later, my entire family of judgment; (3) I was in America’s Hare Krishna com- (culturally identified, non-re- complete control; (4) I gained munity was Jewish, ten times ligious Jews) became earnest knowledge which afforded me the percentage of Jewish followers of EST – Erhardt the power to enjoy a totally people living in that coun- Seminar Training. Its Jewish self-centered freedom. try. And in our present day, founder, Werner Erhardt, a secular Israel celebrates “New former encyclopedia and used This summary of my brush Age Festivals” as alterna- car salesman, emerged on the with New Age philosophies tives to her God-given holy Human Potential scene in the provides a practical lesson for days, each Festival sporting early 70’s, bringing with him those who minister to Jew- a marketplace for alternative an Americanized Zen with the ish seekers. What can you spirituality. added benefit of community. conclude? I was not drawn to These trends and statistics Erhardt’s mantra was that any particular discipline, and are consistent within major “you and I possess, at every I demonstrated no particular Jewish populations around the moment, under all circum- loyalty or commitment to any world, which suggests that stances, the power to trans- one of them. I was simply the problem is not cultural, form the quality of our lives.” desperate for a spiritual real- geographical or societal – it It was a contemporary vehicle ity, and grasping at whatever is supernatural. God’s unique for Lie #3: “You can become spiritual carrot happened to relationship with the Jewish a god,” which positions me be dangling within my field of people seems to have planted at the center of my universe, view. in the Jewish soul a passion and gives me the power and for things spiritual. But when authority to shape it at will. With this in mind, here are this passion is misdirected – a some suggestions for reach- “zeal for God, but not accord- But my deepest commitment ing out to Jewish friends and ing to knowledge” (Romans to a New Age discipline began relatives who are in New Age 10:2) – Jewish people are with my introduction to Silva movements: especially vulnerable to the Mind Control. Jose Silva, an Kindly ignore apparent old lies of the New Age. electronics repairman with a confidence – Despite your My own spiritual journey as penchant for parapsychology friend’s glowing reports of a young Jew consisted of a and hypnosis, constructed this spiritual transformation and vast array of visits to the New scientific, logical approach to inner peace, the truth remains Age and serves to illustrate spirituality and the miraculous. that our spirits yearn for the the compelling aspects of the Life that only Yeshua can pro- 17 vide. It is almost a certainty some mysteries are revealed times through “at-one-ment” that you are more secure in while others are not. This can with a force within. It is your faith than they are in build bridges into the lives of a compelling promise that theirs. Also, remember that those who are exploring the delivers…temporally and the Holy Spirit is faithfully con- New Age. Break down walls by superficially. The deepest vincing them of their sin prob- humbly admitting that there needs remain unfulfilled. So lem, their desperate need for are “secret things of God” that do not be surprised when righteousness, and the coming we simply do not understand. God delivers an opportunity judgment (John 16:8). Speak Cultivate the gentle art of for you to demonstrate hope to the hungry soul behind the naïve listening and gracious in a hopeless situation and veil of self-confidence and re- responding (Col 4:6). “be ready to give a reason for member: “God has chosen the the hope that is within you, weak things of the world [i.e., Use evil for good (Gen with meekness and fear” (1 us] to put to shame the things 50:20) – An exalted Joseph Peter 3:15). Many of us are which are mighty…” (1 Corin- consoled his terrified brothers, eager and equipped to share thians 1:27a). Art Katz, in the assuring them that he was our faith while unprepared to days of his Marxism and athe- not in the place of God, the demonstrate our hope. This ism, reveled in his ability to God who used their intended is a tragedy, because most of overwhelm Christian debaters evil for good and “to save our New Age friends are seek- with his intellectual prowess. many people alive.” New Age ing supernatural experiences, While touring the death camps philosophies all contain coun- not out of longing for a faith, of Nazi Germany, a young Ger- terfeit elements of the truth but out of a desperate at- man girl approached Katz with which are surely intended tempt to assuage their fear of the message of the Gospel. for evil by the Deceiver, yet hopelessness. Your hope will Delighted with a fresh oppor- which can be easily redirected quietly challenge your friend’s tunity to crush a Christian wit- toward redemptive ends. confidence in crystals, mantras ness, he challenged the youth and mysticism. to prove the existence of God. Highlight shared values Without hesitation, the young (Acts 21:37 - 22:3) – Chances Kabbalah and the New Age girl simply said, “I know God are, your Jewish friend is In discussing Jewish involve- exists. He lives in my heart.” exploring a mystical path ment in the New Age, we God disabled Katz’s cerebral because of his or her earnest would be remiss to ignore the weaponry through the un- hunger for spirituality that topic of Kabbalah. Kabbalah complicated faith of a teenage works. Do not be afraid to is not new, but what is new girl and ushered him into the express your own passion for is the recent phenomenon of Kingdom of His own dear Son. growing as a spiritual being, detaching it from the rest of but begin the conversation Judaism and treating it as one Make room for mystery in general terms and ideas more product on the shelves (Deuteronomy 29:29) – The that will invite, not alienate, of the New Age aisle. A few age-old Jewish fascination your friend. Also, concerning years ago, the New York with “signs” (1 Corinthians “shared values” – while you Times covered Madonna’s 1:22) contributes to the high may value Jewishness, do not celebrated visit to Israel. The percentage of Jewish involve- presume your Jewish friend Times quoted Madonna as ment in the mystical disci- does. In fact, if Jewishness saying, “I’m here as a student plines. While we, as followers were an issue to him, he of Kabbalah, because a kab- of Messiah, are not pursuing probably would not be seeking balist believes that he or she mysticism, we are most cer- occult spiritual experiences. has the responsibility to make tainly involved in a “mystery the world a better place.” Kingdom” wherein the secret Suffer hopefully (1 Peter Predictably, orthodox Kabbal- things of God remain veiled. 3:15) The New Age and ists are not happy about this. People beguiled by the New Eastern religions promise to Rabbi Daniel Olgin said, “The Age find it interesting that God deliver a resource of peace bottom line regarding the does keep secrets and that and contentment in turbulent Kabbalah Center (the organi-

18 zation with which Madonna is universe and the ways of God. spiritual senses of the Jewish associated) is that it is a New Isaac Luria, an Israeli living in people. While the serpent’s Age-type distortion of Juda- the 1500’s, founded a school deceptions have not changed ism. Yitzchak Kadouri, a well for Kabbalism which greatly since their Garden debut, hell known Kabbalist teacher, says enlarged the movement. But has successfully marketed it is forbidden to teach a non- the father of modern scholar- them to Jews in every gen- Jew Kabbalah, but the Kab- ship on the subject of Kab- eration, including this present balah Center says otherwise, balah was Gershom Scholem, one. How shall we respond? claiming it is open to all. who died in 1982. Scholem produced a huge body of Stand firm for biblical An Overview of Kabbalah writings devoted to Jewish truth and humbly deliver a The word Kabbalah means mysticism, but he dealt with clear and balanced Gospel. “what has been handed down” the topic more as an historian As more and more Christians or “received tradition.” If you than as a religious expositor. yield to the tide of political were to view Judaism as a correctness, the Four Lies river that branches into many Here are a few of the prin- are gaining easier access to streams, one of those streams ciples most cited among New pulpits all around the Western is Kabbalah – the stream of Age Kabbalists: world. As God gives us op- mystical Judaism that deals portunity, we must be about with “hidden knowledge” hav- 1) The Hebrew letters of the business of aggressively, ing to do with the “concealed” the Tanach contain an en- consistently redirecting the meaning of Torah. One of crypted code, which, when Body of Messiah back to the the disciplines of Kabbalah is deciphered, reveals the hidden Bible to discover God’s mind gematria, which claims that truth of God. on the subject of Israel and the Torah contains numerical the Jewish people. combinations that have hidden 2) Everything that exists, meaning. exists within man. Man is Paul recognized the same a microcosm of all creation. yearning for God in his Jewish Kabbalah traces its roots to This is part of being created in contemporaries as we ob- the Gnostic teachings of the “the image of the Divine.” serve today in ours. Perhaps first century, and possibly this inherent longing for God earlier, but the modern move- 3) Kabbalah is the old- accounts for the inordinately ment only dates back to the est and most influential large percentage of Jewish twelfth century. Its principal wisdom in all of human people who immerse them- sources are Sefer Bahir (Book history. selves in mystical disciplines. of the Brilliant Light) from the As a prominent Jewish lecturer twelfth century and Sefer Zo- 4) The spiritual light of the noted, “The Jewish nature and har (Book of Splendor), which Zohar banishes all forms of soul needs to know God; it was written a century later. darkness from our world. must be told about God. Our The Zohar, written originally in The study of Kabbalah has souls are looking for God and Aramaic, is the most famous influenced Abraham, Moses, are trying to know God, and Kabbalistic resource, delivered Muhammad, Shakespeare, no one has told them.” Our to the Jewish world in the and Jesus. challenge is to prayerfully thirteenth century by Moses channel our Jewish friends’ De Leon. While most would 5) The way to become one zeal for God toward an inti- agree that the Zohar is a com- with the Infinite Being is mate and personal knowledge mentary on the Torah, it is to struggle to be moral of God. Praise God that the unlike most commentaries in and spiritual while in the Jewish people have a zeal for its mystical mode of interpre- world. God. Now it remains for them tation. Mystics will rely on the to know Him. Zohar to reveal the Torah’s Conclusion otherwise hidden secrets The New Age Movement has Scott Brown concerning the laws of the had a numbing effect on the [email protected]

19 My Visit to Safed (Tsfat) By Jim Melnick, International Coordinator, LCJE

City of the Kabbalah ‘Downtown’ Safed there.” Rabbi Yitzhak Luria, Nestled in the mountains only interest in the New Testament). also known as “Ari” (“the a short drive from the Sea Yet only a short drive away is Lion”) lived for two years in of Galilee, is the small Israeli a town that is very important Safed and is buried there. town of Safed (Tsfat), key to certain segments of Juda- His kabbalistic teachings are city of the Kabbalah and one ism. Author Tzvi Rabinowicz known Kabbalah Ha’Ari. Pop of the primary sites of Jew- in his book, Hasidism in Israel music star Madonna, who isn’t ish mysticism. Many streams (2000), describes Safed as “an Jewish but is a follower of of modern Judaism come enchanted and sacred town,” the Kabbalah, visited Safed in together in Safed but are not one of the “four ‘Holy Cities’ order to go to Ari’s tomb dur- widely known outside of those that the Kabbalah endows with ing her famous trip to Israel circles. Most tourists who visit mystical significance.” There is in 2009. The Code of Jew- Israel, as well as even many also a view among kabbalists, ish Law, or Shulchan Aruch believers involved in Jew- according to Rabinowicz, “that (literally, the “Set Table”), was ish evangelism, have never the resurrection of the dead written by Rabbi Yosef Caro even heard of Safed, let alone will take place there and that in Safed (Rabinowicz, pp. visited there. Even the main the Messiah will reveal himself 227-8). Clearly, in the area of Safed town website (www. safed.co.il), says that, "for a long time Safed has been a well-kept secret, even for most Israelis."

Safed’s Significance The northern shores of the Sea of Galilee, so significant for believers in Messiah Yesh- ua and the scene of so many key events recorded in the Gospels, are of little or no in- terest to most Orthodox Jews and most Jews in general (un- less, of course, they have an Haredim visiting graves in Safed 20 are a greater Jewish family together,’ no matter the background, both in death and in life. It was fascinating but also very sad at the same time - a feeling of Jewish together- ness, but among those who are completely lost.

Implications for Jewish Evangelism What are the implications of all this for Jewish evan- gelism? To begin with, we must realize how very far all of this is removed from the Scriptures. And Safed Overlooking the cemetery in Safed is not only one of the main Jewish evangelism, this is a Orthodox Jewish groups moving seats of the Kabbalah and place that we must learn more throughout the town, which was many forms of Jewish mysti- about in order to understand filled with many parked cars and cism, but one can easily see its impact on modern Jewish buses lining its narrow streets. possible connections to the life and thought. Israeli New Age movement. Famous Rabbis Buried in It is heartbreaking to see Broad Cross-Section of Safed - Grave Visitation the books of mysticism that Jewish People & Cultures Many famous rabbis are buried fill the shelves of outdoor I visited Safed in October in Safed. It has thus become a store vendors in the town. 2011. What struck me during popular site for visitation at their my brief visit was seeing the graves. The idea in Judaism is The Lamb’s Book of Life very broad cross-section of that by praying at the gravesite of This place is also very far different Jewish communities a tzaddik (a ‘righteous person’), a removed from what many of and cultures represented. Jew allegedly gains some of the us usually encounter in Jew- There were American Jewish ‘holiness’ of the tzaddik. I wit- ish evangelism. Yet Safed tourists buying Israeli-made nessed this myself when I was in has a far-reaching impact trinkets following English- Safed, when I watched about half and attracts Jews from speaking guides around who a dozen haredi make their way to many different backgrounds were explaining to them the pray at one of the ancient tombs. and cultures. Having a history of the town. I at- better understanding of its tached myself for a time to Cemetery ‘Picnic Atmosphere’ significance and influence a Russian-speaking tour that There was also a strong sense of on Judaism today will assist was being led through the ‘community’ in the main cem- us in bringing more clearly main synagogue in the heart etery, where Jews from various the message of hope and of the town. These were Rus- backgrounds gathered together salvation to those who are sian Jews who had come up in a relaxed informal setting, attracted to or enslaved by from the Tel Aviv area or from either sitting or standing around false books of Jewish mysti- elsewhere in central Israel a low internal wall where Israeli cism but do not know the in order to see Safed. There foods were set out in a picnic- Lamb’s Book of Life. were also groups of young style arrangement for any who Israeli soldiers who came to wanted to partake. There seemed Jim Melnick visit the main cemetery area to be a strong feeling of unity [email protected] of the town. that pervaded the group that [email protected] Then, of course, there was gathered there that day. The were numerous Hasidic and feeling seemed to be, ‘here we 21 Third LCJE AustralAsia Conference, 7-10 August 2012 Collaroy, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Editor’s Note: A report on the AustralAsia conference will be published in the November issue.

Conference Program Schedule (Abridged) 7 August 2012. Opening session --- Moderator: Ashley Crane; Greetings/ Prayer Greetings: Jim Melnick, LCJE International Coordinator [video] Greetings: Tuvya Zaretsky, LCJE president [read by Ashley Crane] Report from the field: Yeshua Tsidkenu (Kon Michailidis) HIT: the big plan (Omri Jaakobovich) Healthy relationships: Characteristics and Warnings (Natasha Michailidis) Late night: Flowers of the Son (JFJ in Israel) (30 minutes DVD)

8 August 2012. Prayer Meeting, Morning Session--- Moderator: Lawrence Hirsch Son of David (Part I: Psalm 22): David Brickner Gentiles in Jewish ministries: It can work: Craig Myers Ezekiel: Dry Bones and Rattling: Ashley Crane LCJE update: International report: Bob Mendelsohn; Testimony: Joan Kirsten Report from the field: Video: Perry Trotter (Messiah.com.es) Afternoon session--- Moderator: Peter Robinson Practitioners Forum: Lessons from the Field, What’s working, what’s not working? Panel: Lawrence Hirsch, N. Michailidis, Craig Myers, Bob Mendelsohn, Rita Ivenskis, Scott Brown Evening session--- Moderator: Martha Jacobs; Testimony: June Volk Re-gathering of our People: Shelly Volk Reports from the field: Paul Cohen (Ariel); Martin Weatherston (CMJ); Matthew Peet (HebeHop) A moment with Mark Landrum Muchan Update: Lawrence Hirsch (video); Report from the field: Deane Woods (FOI) Late night option: Celebrate Messiah Melbourne Messianic Centre

9 August 2012. Morning Session--- Moderator: Barry Buirski Son of David (Part 2: Psalm 16): David Brickner Report from the field: Scott Brown (CMNZ); Report from the field: Mark Landrum (JFJ) Book reports: What’s new in messianic literature (Ashley Crane/Paul Cohen) A moment with Mark Landrum Spontaneous five-minute contributions by participants; Group photo Afternoon Session [Israel Today]--- Moderator: Rahel Landrum Anti-Israelism in the Church and the effects on Jewish evangelism: Lawrence Hirsch Report from the field: Des Rubie (JFJ/NZ); Report from the field: Rita Ivenskis (Dom Mesi’i) Is there hope for peace in the Middle East? A study in Romans 11: Rob Smith; Q/A (Hirsch, Smith) Prayer memorial for Cheryl Burman Evening session: Moderator: Craig Myers; Lessons from the Book of Jonah: Bob Mendelsohn Testimony1: Rowan Marcus; Testimony2: Jeff Cook What’s the buzz: Media reports international (Susan Perlman video) Report from the field: Lawrence Hirsch (CMA) Money and ministry: Is there enough for us all?: Eileen Macdonald; Q/A with speakers Rob Smith, CWI Board member, singer/songwriter from Emu Music, cowrote “Behold the Lamb of God.”

10 August 2012. Prayer Meeting; Morning session--- Moderator: Paul Cohen Son of David (Part 3: Psalm 2): David Brickner Handling objections (an overview): Lawrence Hirsch; A moment with Mark Landrum Hall of Fame: Those who have passed away since we last met New Age evangelism: Perspectives and response: Scott Brown When dreams go thud: Handling failure in ministry: Bob Mendelsohn; Prayers, Conference closing 22 Visit the LCJE website www.lcje.net

Mishkan

A Forum on the Gospel and the Jewish People, a quarterly journal dedicated to biblical and theological thinking on issues related to Jewish evangelism, Messianic-Jewish identity and Jewish-Christian relations. Mishkan is published by Pasche Institute in cooperation with Caspari Center for Biblical and Jewish Studies, CJF Ministries and the Finnish Lutheran Mission. Annual subscriptions available at www.mishkanstore.org

Back issues: Criswell College, 4010 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX 75246 USA Email address: [email protected]

LCJE MEETINGS

LCJE North America LCJE South Africa March 4-6, 2013, in Boca Raton, Florida 24-25 August, 2012 March 3-5, 2014, in Chicago Christ Church, Kenilworth, Contact Gary Hedrick Cape Town [email protected] Contact Cecilia Burger, [email protected] LCJE AustralAsia Third LCJE AustralAsian conference LCJE CEO Conference August 7-10, 2012 27-31 May 2013 Collaroy Conference Centre, St. Chrischona, Basel, Switzerland Collaroy (Sydney) NSW Contact Kai Kjær-Hansen Contact Bob Mendelsohn [email protected] [email protected]

23 Networking Jewish Evangelism

LCJELausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism

President Tuvya Zaretsky [email protected] International Coordinator Jim Melnick [email protected] International Committee Members Ann Hilsden [email protected] Mitch Glaser [email protected]

Area Coordinators AustralAsia Bob Mendelsohn [email protected] Europe Jean-Paul Rempp [email protected] Hong Kong/China Mark Lam [email protected] Israel David Zadok [email protected] Japan Teiichiro Kuroda [email protected] Latin America David Sedaca [email protected] North America Gary Hedrick [email protected] South Africa Cecilia Burger [email protected]

International Coordinator & International Mailing Address Jim Melnick, LCJE, P.O. Box 5501, Falmouth, VA 22403, USA [email protected]

Website www.LCJE.net

ISSN 1016-2089