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MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY MINISTRY IS NOT A JOB BUT A CALLING

1 PASTOR IN THE GRASS 1 NO FORTY-HOUR WEEK 1 MINISTERIALLY SPEAKING

1 Out of the church must go forth vigorous healthy men and women who went in maimed and paralyzed. Broken things that no one could mend have been made whole again.

— John Henry Jowett

SUITABLE FOR FRAMING U EDITORIAL Fear Not; I Am with Thee

by Randal E. Denny Spokane, Wash.

ne of my favorite hymns de­ seemed to be showing up yet. A new me here in His love, and give me clares: book on 10 successful churches grace in this trial to behave as His O with “greater things” insisted that Fear not; I am with thee. child. Third, He will make the trial a Oh, be not dismayed, senior pastors must become “gener­ blessing, teaching me the lessons He For I am thy God, als” instead of “Red Cross workers.” intends me to learn, and working in I w ill still give thee aid. But I don’t know how to turn away me the grace He means to bestow. — “K” in Rippon’s “A Selection from the wounded. Fourth, in His good time He can of Hymns,” 1787 The next day I served as chairman bring me out again: how and when of the District Ministerial Creden­ He knows. So, I am here by His ap­ After spending the morning in my tials Board. Young pastors working pointment, in His keeping, under study preparing sermons, I con­ toward ordination shared their testi­ His training, for His time.” $ ducted our staff meeting over the monies and calls to pastoral minis­ lunch hour. A woman with a disin­ try. God blessed me through them. tegrating family counseled with me Their fresh, unscarred careers * * for two hours seeking easy solutions. brought me back to basics. God I didn’t have an easy solution for knew my limitations all along— but spiritually disinterested people. I He sovereignly chose me to serve * Preacher's * hurried on to meet with a Christian Him. As much as I would like to brother whose heart is broken. I “succeed,” I must remain surren­ ached for him and his ministerial sit­ dered. * Exchange * uation. The next stop found me lis­ Spiritual refreshment is found in * * tening to a doctor pronounce a God’s encouraging Word: “Fear not, J I am interested in making con- ^ “death sentence” to a man un­ for I have redeemed you; I have sum­ * tact with anyone that may have ^ equipped to face eternity. He re­ moned you by name; you are mine. ® old books and/or old copies of $ fused to let me pray with him and When you pass through the waters, I $ the Nazarene Herald o f Holi- S' asked me to go home. I felt “dis­ will be with you; and when you pass $ ness, even copies that go back $ mayed.” through the rivers, they will not f to the Pentecostal Publishing } Rushing from the hospital to our sweep over you. When you walk $ Co., of many years ago. I would $ midweek adult Bible study, I then through the fire, you will not be especially be interested in ^ remained at the church office dur­ burned; . . . For I am the Lord, your copies that had B u d Rob- ing “annual reports.” Supper came at God, the Holy One of Israel, your ^ inson’s ‘‘Corner Chats’’ in * ten o’clock, and then I spent my Savior” (Isa. 43:1-3). ~ them. The books I am inter- ~ most alert hours alone with my That same favorite hymn reveals ested in would be either origi- * Bible. Giving my attention to the God’s answer for those hours when * nal or copies of holiness writ- * Preacher’s Magazine after midnight, we feel so empty so useless, and so * ers prior to 1945. 1 went to bed feeling “dismayed.” “dismayed”: ^ I may also be able to help $ Jesus said of those who have faith When through fiery trials thy 1 others obtain books in reprint ♦ in Him: “He will do even greater pathw ay shall lie, t by some of these same writers $ things than these” (John 14:12). My grace, all-sufficient, shall be 1 (i.e., B. Carradine, Watson, $ None of those “greater things” thy supply. } Godby, Dougan Clark, B. Rob- $ God’s affirmation of Paul in his inson, and English writers of f, struggles speaks to us in our day: $ old). ^ “My grace is sufficient for you, for « Please respond to: my power is made perfect in weak­ ~ Wayne McCollum ^ ness” (2 Cor. 12:9). ~ 218 S. Las Vegas Trail * Andrew Murray has creditably * Fort Worth, TX 76108 given us these eloquent words: * 817-246-2688 * “First, He brought me here. By His * * will I am in this difficult place: in * t that I will rest. Second, He will keep M M H nm Yttlf ********

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1 EDITORIAL Fear Not: I Am with Thee Randal E. Denny 1 MAGAZINE The Bright Side Volume 67 Number 2 Barbara A. DuPuy 3 December/January/February 1991-92 r'UDICTIAM MIMICTDV

Editor Ministerial Responsibility Randal E. Denny William S. Deal 4

Assistant Editor Ministry Is Not a Job but a Calling Cindy Osso Mel Norton 5

Consulting Editors Pastor in the Grass Bill M. Sullivan, Director John Crowder 6 Division of Church Growth Church of the Nazarene No Forty-Hour Week Wilbur W. Brannon, Director Eugene F. Gerlitz 7 Pastoral Ministries Church of the Nazarene Ministerially Speaking Wayne E. Caldwell, General Editor Deanna Harrison 8 The Wesleyan Church OUDICTIAM UOI inAVC

Contributing Editors Christmas Simplicity General Superintendents J. G rant Swank, Jr. 10 Church of the Nazarene Eugene L. Stowe Jerald D. Johnson A Carpenter’s Gift at Christmas John A. Knight David Wiggins 12 Raymond W. Hurn William J. Prince St. Valentine’s Day Donald D. Owens Morris Chalfant 13 Superintendents The Wesleyan Church O. D. Emery Earle L. Wilson Sweet Music from a Second Fiddle Lee Haines Chris Smith Harry C. Wilson 14 Superintendents r'UIID/'U CDOWTH Evangelical Friends Church Stanley Perisho Do Not Disturb Maurice Roberts John P. Williams, Jr. Karen Monnin Doolittle 16 Howard E. Harmon DACTrkD’C DC D CO MAI RDOWTH General Superintendent Churches of Christ When the Saints Go Marching Out in Christian Union Dan Tipton Kathleen D. Bailey 18 General Conference Secretary bastod's PDorFCCinuAi adowtu Brethren in Christ Church R. Donald Shafer If You Preach: Read Carl G. Conner 20 Cover Photo: Dennis Herring Ima Jo Kerr’s Book List All unidentified Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bob Haslam Bible. New International Version, copyright © 1973, 1978, 22 1984 by the International Bible Society, and are used by CUAMAFI KM permission o f Zondervan Bible Publishers. Q uotations from the follow ing versions are used by per­ mission. Going Forward— It’s Easy! The N ew American Standard Bible (NASB), © The Lock- Kathy Scott man Foundation. 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973, 23 1975, 1977. DAftTADAI PADt The New Testament in Modern English (Phillips), Revised Edition © J. B. Phillips, 1958. 1960, 1972. By permission of the M acm illan Publishing Co. Breaking Through the Communication Barrier The Revised Standard Version o f the Bible (RSV), co p y­ righted 1946, 1952, © 1971, 1973. Robert W. Rae 24 The Living Bible (TLB), © 1971 by Tyndale House Publish­ ers, W heaton, III. DDFArUIMA King James Version (KJV). The Power of Positive Preaching The Preacher's Magazine is published quarterly by Bea­ con Hill Press o f Konsqs City, 2923 Troost Ave, Kansas City, Croft M. Pentz 26 MO 64109. Editorial offices a t 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. Address all correspondence concerning sub­ Illustrations in Preaching scriptions to your denominational publishing house. Sub­ scription price: $7.50 per year. C o pyright 1991 by Beacon W. Floyd Bresee 27 Hill Press o f Kansas City. Litho in U.S.A.

2 THE PREACHERS MAGAZINE The Preretirement Years: A Time for Planning D on Walter 32 i t Make It Easy to Give i t Maxine Dowd Jensen 34 $ $ Welcome to Islam Jesus $ i Jim Buchanan 35 i i DACTrtD rf m rm iD A em So Much of Life Is . . . Adjusting i i C. Neil Strait 36 MIMI«TFD>« MATE Parsonage Paychecks ! The ! Celia Jolley 37 MUjrtFDIMA UAMA.HDC | Bright * Attitudinal Rigidity Raymond C. Kratzer 39 I Side I tniikimuA BfiADn $ $ When It Comes to Worship . . . ^ by Barbara A. DuPuy Isn’t God the Real Audience? 'K' Hurst, Tex. -)lf- Joanne L. Holland and Albert M. Wells, Jr. 40 ☆ ☆ ★ Our church has been yr Confessions of a Born-Again Baby Boomer! •fa through many financially -fa Mike MacNeil 41 ★ trying times. During one of O.UIIDOU MIICIf~ the worst, the church ^ ★ board of deacons and el- The Divine Story of Handel’s Messiah ^ ders had difficulty con- -fo Robert W. Pelton 42 ★ ducting business. Only the ★ ^ church treasurer had the ^ WECI CVADA ★ needed financial informa- 'Jf- “The Best of All Is, God Is with Us”: •fa tion, but he was absent '5^ Living Words of a Dying Man 'W from the meeting. Every- •fa one was quite concerned -fa Barry E. Bryant 44 'K about him because he was -jr TUtftl rtAV very dedicated and reli- -fa The Authority of Scripture ★ able. ★ J. Kenneth Grider 46 ☆ Late in the meeting, the ^ treasurer appeared. Every- V - one turned to look at him. ^ The Great Baptistry Fiasco He melted the icy stares y when he said, “I bet you 'W Ken Chamberlain 48 thought I’d absconded IHFA MADT with the deficit.” $ ^ The Advantage of Videotaping Greg Crofford 50 i i adit oeu-tvvo i i The Televangelists Did Me In 52 WftDSHIP AMn PDF A^MINA HFI PS i i Deri G. Keefer 53 i i i i Authors should address all articles and correspondence to Editor, The Preacher's Magazine, 10814 E. Broadway, Spokane, WA 99206. Self-addressed, stamped enve­ lopes should accompany all manuscripts. t i

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 3 Christian Ministry ______I Ministerial Responsibility

by William S. Deal El Monte, Calif.

“But watch thou in all things, and wholesome. His conduct must This unwritten contract binds the endure afflictions, be above reproach as the representa­ minister to be a true witness for do the work of an evangelist, tive of God. Jesus Christ, in and out of the pul­ make fu ll proof of thy ministry” Upon the minister rests a solemn pit. His spoken word, business deal­ (2 Tim. 4:5, KfV). vow that he has taken to be true to ings, personal appearance, homelife, God, His Word, and His calling. To and conduct among his people are n these days of laxity, it is sad to do less than this is to betray Jesus expected to be “above reproach” (1 note that far too many ministers again into the hands of sinners, to Tim. 3:2). I are failing to make full proof of become a “truce breaker” and an un­ The pastor cannot afford to over­ their ministry. (These words literally faithful witness, helping to destroy look the use of his time. Most of his mean to “fulfill,” NASB.) There is the work of God. members punch a time clock. too much disregard for ministerial Compromise makes a traitor of Housewives are early at their duties. responsibility. the minister and robs him of his dig­ Business is early on the move. While nity and self-respect. How can he re­ The time has come when we must he must have proper time for rest, spect himself or expect others to do speak plainly. Richard Baxter, great the public and the church despise a so? Compromise does more; it eats English minister of deep piety, felt lazy minister, and rightly so! Such a the heart out of Christian experi­ compelled to write a book exposing man should not be surprised if soon ence. It lifts the anchor of the minis­ the sins of the English clergy. They he has to look elsewhere for em­ ter’s soul and starts him adrift upon responded by reminding him in ployment. a dangerous sea. It is but a step from scolding tones that he “should have Nor can a minister be true to his compromise in practice. From here, written in Latin.” Baxter replied that calling and contract with his church it is but another step into outbroken if the clergy had sinned in Latin, he if, while he is paid a reasonable sal­ sin, heartache, disillusionment, and would have written in Latin; but as ary by the church, he insists on despair. How soon will such men they had sinned in English, he had working a portion of his time at look back upon the golden days of written in English! other employment while his church opportunity and bewail how they Let us consider the minister’s suffers for his attention. I have the let them slip through their fingers. greatest responsibilities: greatest respect and highest honor Certainly, there are wiser ways to for the precious men who feel they 1. THE MINISTER HAS A preach uncompromising truth than have to work to make their home RESPONSIBILITY TO GOD. the blunt manner in which it is missionary churches go. However, God has called him, given him a sometimes put. But, are we sure that the pastor who receives sufficient message, and providentially opened in choosing the “wiser ways,” we support from his church, yet works doors for him to deliver it. To be lax have not compromised the essentials on the side, is in danger of betraying in his duties to God is the highest of our message at some point? May his trust. Even if he must sacrifice to treason to his calling. He must be God help us! first in devotions and last to leave live on his salary, if he would devote them. 2. THE MINISTER HAS his time to God’s work and improve His private prayer life must be ex­ A RESPONSIBILITY his own talents, his support would emplary. It must be a channel TO HIS PEOPLE. likewise improve. through which the golden oil of di­ When a church calls a pastor or an The minister also owes it to his vine power can always flow out to evangelist, they do so, generally, church to uphold her standards. Her others. Many an hour should also be upon conditions understood by both regulations, based upon the Word of spent in diligent study. parties. This amounts to a moral God and formulated by holy men His family devotions must ever be contract, whether papers are signed kept up. To neglect them is to betray or not. A bride and groom do not of­ both his family and his calling. ten “sign” any contract, but they en­ The minister’s motives must ever ter into vows by mutual agreement. be such as God can smile upon. To These, however, are so morally bind­ grasp for more money, to work for ing that heaven itself demands that greater places for selfish reasons, to they be kept. More ministers need to seek places of ease, to shun self- realize the solemnity of the contract denial are motives beneath his call­ they enter into in accepting a ing. His private life must be clean church’s call.

4 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE Ministry Is Not a Job but a Calling by Mel Norton Saint John, N.B.

ev. Bob Rowlands, former United Church minister, now serving in an evangelical Anglican church, gives this helpful advice: R “Jesus was evangelical. The very first thing He says to His disciples is ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ If that isn’t a call to evangelism, I don’t know what is.” The best advice ever given to me was: “If you can possibly stay out of the ministry, stay out.” Why? Because it’s not a career. You don’t become a minister the same way you become a pharmacist, or a lawyer, or a physi­ cian, or a chartered accountant. Pastoral ministry is not a job, but a call from God. Thus, it is imperative that in ministerial preparation, you keep these thoughts in focus. THE MINISTER’S GOLDEN DOZEN 1. You MUST NOT become so 6. You MUST NOT get so busy liv­ true and half false, then do professional that you are NO ing for Him that you NO LON­ something about the truth LONGER personable. GER are living like Him. and ignore the false. If it’s all 2. You MUST NOT become so 7. You MUST NOT be so idealistic false, then ignore it. businesslike that you can NO that you can NO LONGER be 10. You MUST NOT depend upon LONGER bear one another’s flexible. Blessed are the flex­ man so completely that you burdens. ible, for they shall not be bro­ NO LONGER remember who 3- You MUST NOT become so ken. God is and what God can do. administrative that you are 8. You MUST NOT be so caught up It’s HIS church. NO LONGER available as a with opinions, successes, and 11. You MUST NOT let methods, servant. abilities of others that you can programs, and talents be­ come so important that you 4. You MUST NOT know all the NO LONGER be yourself. can NO LONGER recall that answers so fully and com­ 9- You MUST NOT be so afraid of there is absolutely no substi­ pletely that you can NO LON­ criticism that you NO LONGER tute for love — unconditional GER say, “I am sorry,” or “I are willing to learn from your love, a baptism of love, a 1 was wrong.” mistakes. A good leader must Corinthians 13 love! 5. You MUST NOT become so maintain a teachable spirit. 12. You MUST NOT be so con­ self-sufficient that you are There is a difference between sumed by the church family NO LONGER w illing to be constructive and destructive that you NO LONGER have accountable and responsible criticism. If it’s true, then do time for your own family’s for your own actions. something about it. If it’s half well-being. ^

over a long period of years, are not shallowness, worldliness, and whole­ Often it is quite the contrary But of­ to be set at naught by him. In nones­ sale backsliding. ten, too, at such times the worldling sentials, all are free; but biblical 3. THE MINISTER HAS is merely “testing the metal” of standards, plainly set down, we are A RESPONSIBILITY which the minister is made. If he bound to obey. If a minister does not TO THE WORLD. “rings true,” good; if not, it is a intend to obey the rules and honor This may best be met by faithfully heart-sickening disappointment. his church’s scriptural standards, discharging his duties to God and Let us remember that we have a then let him find another church his church. In their saner moments message for our world. Our lives and more to his liking. To remain in a and more serious reflections, men contracts must not lower men’s re­ church and be untrue to it is to in­ still look toward the church for help spect for our message! When our fringe upon a good conscience, if in their greatest needs. Whether ministry has the confidence of the not to practice hypocrisy. they attend it or not, they generally world, even though its outspoken The history of denominations re­ have high expectancy from it, es­ criticism may accompany it, we are veals that it takes only about two pecially from its minister. safe as a church. But when our min­ generations of failure to be true to The minister must not allow his istry loses this confidence, even the spiritual standards and doctrines life and influence to undermine this though the world may shout, “Hail, of a church, until that church will confidence. His contacts with the fellow! Well met!” we are done for. drift back into a cold and formal outside world must always be such In a large degree, it is up to us state. If we are unfaithful to our as to hold for him this esteem and ministers to carry forward the work youth today, in another generation high regard. Men may not always pay of God to success. May God help us our misdeeds will spring forth in him high tributes in his presence. do our best! $

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 5 Pastorj

by John Crowder Burleson, Tex.

elief of guilt can, and does, The one thing I remember him to give us “words of wisdom.” change lives. I will never saying was that Daddy’s death was Nancy is the oldest of the four. R forget the first time I ex­ not our fault. How did he know Like David, she doesn’t remember perienced that kind of relief. It was what I was thinking? I had con­ specific words. However, she re­ an event made possible by one spe­ vinced myself that because of my members being impressed that the cial man who ministered to my fam­ sin, God was punishing me by taking pastor would take time to sit down ily in a wonderful way. away my dad. I remember feeling ex­ in the grass and talk to a bunch of When I was eight years old, my fa­ tremely guilty because it was my kids. She knew then, and has always ther died of multiple myeloma, a fault that the others had to lose their known, that “he came because he form of cancer that attacks the bone dad, too, and that my mother had to cared about us.” marrow. He had fought the disease lose her husband. That one event probably lasted for two long years. When he died, I had never told anyone what I half an hour or less, but it made a my mother was left with my older was thinking and feeling. I could not lasting impression on each member sister, my two older brothers, and imagine how the pastor could have of my family. It wasn’t until recently me. We were fortunate to have many known about my guilt. All I knew that I realized what an impact it had people who cared about us and was that he said it wasn’t my fault. I on my own life. At that time I didn’t reached out to us. One man in par­ don’t remember much about that know what it meant to be a minister. ticular ministered to us in ways that week, but I will never forget hearing Even at that tender age, though, I none of us has ever forgotten. those words. I have never experi­ knew that I wanted to grow up to be My father died on a Wednesday enced such an overwhelming feel­ a man like this man was. I wanted to morning. A lot of people came in ing of relief. be the kind of man who would sit and out of our house that day and It is interesting to me that as down in the grass to comfort hurting for the next two or three days. On adults, my siblings and I remember children. Thursday afternoon, the man who different aspects of our talk that day. By the time I was in junior high had been our pastor for a number of My brother Richard is closest to my school, I knew that God wanted to years took the four of us outside in age. He remembers the pastor ex­ use my experience of loss to help the backyard where we could talk plaining to us that we were not los­ other hurting people. Before long, without being disturbed by the ing as much as Mama was. We were that grew into a real sense of call crowd. losing a parent, but she was losing a into the ministry. I am certain now It was a pretty day in March, so it lifetime mate. We needed to be that a large part of my sense of call- was nice to be outside. We sat down there for her and support her just as ( Continued on page 31) on the ground in a circle. It has al­ she would always be there for us. ways impressed me that even though My brother David is next to the he was wearing a suit, he was will­ oldest. He doesn’t remember what ing to sit down in the grass with us. the pastor said specifically, but he Our church was not small. My sister, does remember that the pastor “just Nancy, recalls seeing him as a “big talked to us. He didn’t preach or try church pastor” who “shouldn’t have to let us in on the profound things had time for the little kids.” But he in life.” David has always felt that did have time for us. He made time the pastor was monitoring us to see for us. how we were doing instead of trying

6 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE Forty-Hour Week

by Eugene F. Gerlitz Salem, Oreg.

Jesus Christ. We tell them, “Real commitment requires sacrifice of time, money, life, and sometimes even family.” Of course each pastor needs to take care of his family and his health too. We can burn ourselves out in a few years of intense service when we could have given twice as many years of more moderate service. Jesus himself is our Role Model. Re­ member how He often took time out to rest, meditate, pray, and com­ t’s a 40-hour week for me,” ex­ of his church, interrupting their hol­ mune with His Father. But we also claimed the young minister. idays and vacations? After all, isn’t should remember that He “burned “I’m not killing myself with every Christian a minister and, there­ himself out” on the Cross, serving Ioverwork or sacrificing my familyfore, as responsible for ministry as God and us. for my job as I’ve seen other minis­ he? Perhaps “moderation . . . in all ters do.” He was new on the staff, The fledgling pastor would soon things” is the key— moderation in just beginning his first stint after learn that it is impossible for the the number of hours worked and graduation from seminary. minister to settle for a 40-hour week moderation in the time taken for It seems that this is a common and still be a good pastor remaining rest, relaxation, and restoration of complaint of young ministers, intent in the good graces of his church. If spirit. Our model is not the minister on living a “normal” life like every­ he were to be a true minister, he who works too many hours nor the one in their congregation. They in­ would work as many hours every minister who demands a 40-hour tend to be different, a new breed of week as it takes to carry on his min­ week, but we should follow Jesus ministers who refuse to work 50- or istry, whether it took 40 hours or 50 Christ. As committed servants to 60-hour weeks and be on call 24 or 60. God, we should not set a lot of rules hours a day. This young minister Pastors need to remember that our about time put in or effort ex­ carefully divided his day into seg­ parishioners may work only a regu­ tended, or money given. We must ments. If he made a call at night or lar 40-hour week at their secular oc­ live in the spirit of sacrifice, giving attended a board meeting in the eve­ cupation, but they, too, are subject as much and working as hard as situ­ ning, he would take as many hours to overtime, sometimes without ations require to meet the needs of off the next day as would total his overtime pay, to missed holidays, God’s church and His world. $ week to 40 hours. and interrupted vacations, if they The young man forgot that church expect to advance in their jobs. members have crises in the evening Then they have the church work and during the night, as well as day­ we expect them to do. We exhort time. Why shouldn’t he take hol­ and expect our parishioners to sing idays off and an extra day if the hol­ in the choir, serve on boards and iday came on his usual day off? And committees, attend prayer meetings why shouldn’t he take his usual and special events. Sometimes they month’s vacation, uninterrupted by put in more hours than we do. “You funerals and weddings, even though are ministers," we remind those the same things happen to members who have committed themselves to

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 7 Ministerially Speaking

by Deanna Harrison Early Tex.

y husband and I had fully yesterday at Eastside. How were your mind was offensive and almost un­ expected a routine hospi­ services?” thinkable: Do ministers compete tal visit. One of our nurs­ “Tremendous, Tom, just tremen­ with each other? Does competition Mery workers, Granny Howell,dous! was You know we lost a staff mem­ fuel the fires of ministerial termi­ scheduled for surgery the following ber a while back, but things are still nology? Is it the secret desire of morning. Scott and I dropped by to going strong. We had under 500 yes­ many ministers to serve the fastest- offer moral support and a few en­ terday, but we’ll be back up real growing church in their area? If that couraging words. The conversation soon. You know how it is with vaca­ is the desire, is it because only pas­ took an unexpected turn, however, tions, bad weather, out-of-town tors of numerically growing church­ when she introduced us to her room­ company.” es are successful, according to soci­ mate. And so the conversation went. ety’s standards? Have we begun eval­ “This is one of the ministers from Bill’s report was accurate. They did uating the Lord’s work by a secular my church,” Granny Howell told the have under 500— to be precise, measuring rod? woman. they had 390. His assessment of the Competition within the ministry “And what church are you with?” situation is what is commonly doesn’t seem to agree with Paul’s the woman asked. known as “ministerially speaking.” teaching. Speaking of the Body of “First City Church,” Scott replied. Speaking in ministerial termi­ Christ, Paul said, “God has placed “Oh,” the woman said as her eyes nology seems to be a common prac­ the members, each one of them, in lit up, “so y o u ’re the competition.” tice. After years of hearing men and the body, just as He desired. . . . And “I beg your pardon. I don’t believe women speak in such terms, I finally if one member suffers, all the mem­ I quite understand.” asked myself, “Why?” Why do those bers suffer with it; if one member is “Well,” she explained, “my pastor of us in the ministry feel it’s neces­ honored, all the members rejoice says that First City Church is the sary to pad our words with deco­ with it” (1 Cor. 12:18, 26, NASB). competition, I guess because it’s the rative disguises that distort the To be completely honest, this par­ biggest one in town.” truth? Are all the glowing adjectives ticular teaching of Paul’s was hard to Competition! Is that what “minis­ and aggressive verbs really that im­ apply when the Lord called my hus­ try” is all about? Competing with portant? Why do I, as a minister’s band to serve as pastor of a small ru­ one another, church against church? wife, occasionally feel tempted to ral church. There seemed to be I really didn’t want to think about it. sing loudly the praises of my hus­ more deaths in that community than The idea even made me uncom­ band’s work and our church’s pro­ births. New families were simply fortable. The woman’s accusation re­ grams when in the company of other minded me of a conversation I’d ministers or their wives? overheard the day before as Scott With these questions in mind, I and I stood in the buffet line at a took a long, hard look at ministerial ministers’ conference. I couldn’t terminology, attempting to pinpoint help hearing the two men in front of its purpose or, at least, to justify its me discussing their Sunday statis­ existence. Rather than finding con­ tics. Their conversation went some­ crete answers, I came up with more thing like this: questions. “Well, Bill, we had a glorious day The first question that came to

8 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE nonexistent. It was difficult, then, to church’s goals are always met. His their ministries. When their conver­ listen as a friend excitedly told me wife and children are nearly perfect. sation began to reek with cloudy cli­ about another young pastor’s city To openly admit hurt, problems, and ches, I wondered, Is m inisterial ter­ church that was “growing by leaps even defeat would be to admit fail­ minology used among ministers and bounds. There’s just not room ure as a successful minister. Or because no one wants to hear the for all the new people!” would it? Have society’s standards truth or the horror stories? With unmistakable envy, I re­ infiltrated the ministers of the Lord The older man began their dis­ torted, “Well, of course his church is in this area also? cussion by sharing some of his hurt growing. A new housing devel­ Not long ago, a young, vivacious and frustration. Obviously he was opment was just built across the minister silently suffered while all burdened by his church’s problems. street from the church’s front door. those around him envied his energy When he paused for a moment, the They can’t help growing.” and charisma. Martin’s church pro­ other minister jumped in, not to A spirit of rejoicing? Obviously grams ran like clockwork. His ser­ help or encourage, but to sing the not. Why was I not able to rejoice? I mons were known for their sparkle praises of his own church and its can only look back to that day and and pizzazz. His attitude ranked ministry. The first man sat quietly, attribute my attitude to a spirit of right up there with Robert Schul­ fully aware that his companion was competition and envy, feeling, Why ler’s. But one day the word came: not the least bit interested in his can’t that be our church? I had for­ Martin’s marriage had ended. His burden. gotten that whether Paul, Apollos, struggle to be a “successful” minis­ It’s true that horror stories are just or a pastor in a country church, ter came to a close. that— horrifying. You can’t help “neither the one who plants nor the wondering, What’s to keep that from one who waters is anything, but God happening in my church, to me, to who causes the growth” (1 Cor. 3:7, my wife, to my family? Yet, despite NASB). the horror and hurt that is felt when Dr. Oscar Thompson used to tell Does competition someone shares his problems, the his seminary students, Bible still clearly says to “bear one We are to work as a body under fuel the fires of another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the headship of Christ to draw the the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2, NASB). world to himself. My gift is not I can’t help believing that many your gift. Do not desire my ministerial couples would still be in the pastor­ gift. . . . He [God] knows what he al ministry today if a compassionate, wants to do with you, and he terminology? sensitive friend had been willing to knows where you fit into the listen and to say, “I understand. I body. . . . Some preachers are al­ care what you’re going through. I’m ways comparing themselves with praying for you.” other preachers. But God did not At times my husband and I have make us alike. . . . God has a min­ When the news reached us, we sat wanted to throw in the towel and istry, and he has a plan for you. I in disbelief. “I didn’t know he had a take our place in the unemployment do not care how great that other problem in the world,” one friend line. We might have, too, if a kind, fellow’s ministry is. You be faith­ said. supportive minister had not allowed ful in the things that you can do. “He didn’t say a word to me about us to unload our burdens on him. In You are not to judge yourself by his marriage,” said another. exchange for our burdens, he of­ your peer group. You are you. Do Though none of us had the cour­ fered wisdom, love, and encourage­ not be condemned by anybody age to say it, we all wondered what ment. else’s standards.* kind of response Martin would have Perhaps this is the kind of conver­ Unfortunately, however, minis­ received had he dared to share his sation of which we need more. Per­ terial terminology continues. burdens with us. Would he have haps ministerial terminology needs Based on personal experience, I found acceptance and support? to be replaced with this kind of hon­ had to ask myself, Could it be that Would we have cared enough to lis­ est reality and concerned, compas­ ministers speak in ministerial ten and love him through the sionate communication. Then others terms because they don’t want to storms? Was his ministry really going will know we are Christians— not admit how much they’re hurting? well or was he simply hesitant to by our competitive spirits, growing After all, the successful minister has share the truth? Could we have churches, or building programs. We everything under control, doesn’t made a significant difference in his will be known simply by our love. he? His people enthusiastically fol­ marriage and ministry? We’ll never low his leadership and support his know. steps with love and action. His pro­ A third question came to mind *W. Oscar Thompson, Jr., Concentric Circles o f grams are always successful. His one day as two pastors discussed Concern (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1981), 42-43-

Y DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 9 Christian Holidays Christmas Simplicity by J. Grant Swank, Jr. Windham, Maine

Luke 2:1- 7, K JV

‘And it came to pass”

magine the nonchalance of the ularly when we are so taken up with record. This account is about to the grand and opulent. tell us of the Incarnation— the We are absorbed with sorting out Icoming of Deity into human form.the minors from the majors in our Yet it starts the story with nothing biographies. We want more majors other than one-syllable words: “And and less minors. We want our lives it came to pass.” to be significant, to count for some­ So it is frequently in our lives. thing marvelous. Yet how often has What God does with us for eternity’s God done something profound in sake is often stepped out in silence our days in understatement— the or mere muffles, not much minors? It is only later that we dis­ fanfare. It is cover that, from eternity’s view­ the simplic­ point, the minor was indeed a major. ity of His “And it came to doings that pass . . asto un ds Therefore, us, partic­ it behooves us simply

10 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE to trust and obey, to leave the details count on the friendships of a Herod miles southward to Bethlehem— of importance with God and so live nor the latter’s soldiers, and some packing clothing, food, closing his for today’s opportunities of non­ years hence He will not be able to carpenter’s shop, caring for pregnant chalance. count on the help of one named Mary— he did not know how might­ Pontius Pilate. ily God was at work in the tether. •. that there went out a de­ Therefore, we are reminded in the It is the same with our Christian cree from Caesar Augustus .. Christmas story of the Great Count lives. We meet someone along the Once again we are dumbfounded — the Judgment Day that is not only way, and our entire lives are changed. with this telling. The record provid­ at the close of our lives but every We read something, and our thoughts ing specifics concerning the coming day. When God registers our doings, are never the same. We go to an ap­ of the Messiah starts, not with re­ what do they add up to? Can we be pointment, and from that time on­ ligion, but with politics. It details numbered with the Marys and Jo­ ward we take a different road. We not what God is up to but what gov­ sephs or with the Herods? travel to a particular city and find ernment is up to. The focus is not on new dimensions we had never known the Holy Spirit but on Caesar Au­ “... all went to be taxed, ev­ before. We attend a particular col­ gustus! ery one into his own city.” lege or university and meet some­ So it is with much in our lives as Still we are not getting very far in­ one who transforms our futures. well. What God does for us and with to the obvious pronouncements of Chuck Colson was sent to prison us is frequently wrapped up in the Divinity. We are yet provided back­ for crimes committed during the world’s doings. Take, for instance, ground concerning the decrees of gov­ Watergate scandal. While there be­ the life of Corrie ten Boom. She and ernment. However, beneath that hind bars, he met believers who told her family housed Jews who were there is certainly at work the deign- him about Jesus, controlling his fu­ being hunted down by Nazis. They ings of God. Could Caesar ever have ture. His life has never been the same. befriended these frightened people realized that his dictum was in fact Did Joseph ever dream that in his in the name of Jesus, saving them providing for the fulfillment of Old going from Nazareth to Bethlehem, from being gassed. We are inspired Testament predictions? Would he ever his life would be embedded into re­ by what the ten Booms did for God know that his press upon the popu­ ligious history forever— for good? because of what the government was lace also pressed a young couple out pressing against their lives. Caesar’s of Nazareth into Bethlehem for the “... to be taxed w ith Mary ...” plays squeezed out the Spirit’s wit­ seeing through of prophetic detail? So it is that when we make our ness. In God’s simplicity, His noncha­ journeys in life, it is not pleasant to The same can be said for Dietrich lance, He works through history’s go it alone. Therefore, on your way to Bonhoeffer, the German pastor/pro­ events to see through His plans. Bethlehem, take someone with you. fessor who stood up to Adolf Hitler. These are not always detectable on Thank God that we are not called For this Christian stand, he was put the surface, at first glance. It is later to a monastic walk nor a recluse re­ in prison and then hung in Easter­ that they become evident. ligion. Heb. 12:1 reminds us that we tide 1945. We are enriched by his In our own lives, then, we are to are surrounded by a cloud of wit­ life and writings because of what keep the faith midst all sorts of nesses! It is a community of faith we politics did to force the courage worldly happenings. We are to live belong to. We are a part of the best from his soul. by Rom. 8:28: “All things work to­ crowd ever. Therefore, we look back upon a gether for good to them that love No wonder Jesus was enlivened dedicated life to conclude that God, to them who are the called ac­ with the company of His disciples. God’s work is frequently understood cording to his purpose.” And when John met Him, brother long after. Then it is that we also re­ When we are willed into the di­ James joined in too. When Andrew alize that while Caesar passes on, vine will, we then see that what life discovered the Lord, he ran to tell God remains, as does His holy ven­ does w ith us is what God is doing his brother, Peter. How heartening ture. fo r us. The Bible is filled with real- to read of a household— Mary, Mar­ life examples of this trusting prin­ tha, Lazarus— who lived under mer­ .. that all the world should ciple. There is Joseph, who went cy. And when Zacchaeus came to be taxed.” from the pit to the prison to the pal­ grace, he took the whole village to Still we are not getting into much ace. God was in it. Daniel went from his heart. religious; we are being told of the the lions’ den to become Deity’s Is there someone— spouse, child, detail of politics. The recorder tells spokesman to a needy culture. God parent, friend— who will believe us that there is going to be a count­ was in it. Jesus was strung upon Cal­ with you on your way to Bethlehem? ing of heads, names listed on a regis­ vary’s tree in order to rise again. God Who will get hold of the simplicity ter. Yet what is also at work beneath was in it. of Christmas? this counting of heads is God’s count­ ing of souls. “J o s e p h __ went up from ___ “The days were accomplished For instance, He comes to under­ N azareth __ ” stand that He can count on the com­ As God leads us along, we never Once again we are offered the gift mitments of a Mary and a Joseph as know what a journey may yield. Cer­ of time as we are given it in verse 1: well as some magi and scrubby shep­ tainly when Joseph became bur­ “And it came to pass . . .” herds. On the flip side, He cannot dened with the details of the trek 80 ( Continued on page 38)

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 11 A Carpenter's Gift at Christmas by David Wiggins St. Augustine, Fla.

wood scraps and hemlock boughs. presence at first brought a hush Our limited construction skills among us, but soon his steady ham­ showed; the stable was about to col­ mering and sawing and gentle in­ lapse. structions to me and the others Women were arranging straw, fit­ sparked a sense of well-being and he Saturday before Christmas ting costumes, and adjusting angel unanimity like that I would imagine of 1972 dawned warm and wings. the disciples experienced when the T muggy, with steam hovering We wanted a curtain to hide the little boy’s gift of fish and bread above the landscape as the earth rostrum, which would serve as a were used to feed the multitude. thawed. stage for a three-act play. We desper­ The curtain, old blankets pinned Sam Pheasant came up out of Soco ately needed a carpenter. together, was finally raised on the Valley with a claw hammer in his Sam was a good one. He had helped wire hanger and opened by a pulley coveralls loop and a carpenter’s box build many houses in the Soco com­ system Sam had devised. The stable in his massive left hand. munity before he allowed alcohol to stood erect, well supported by the He had been into the beer a bit; I steal his dignity and dependability. carpenter’s bracing. The straw was could smell it on his breath. But the None of us who worked on the sta­ laid, the costumes ready. old Indian was steady on his feet, ble thought of sending for his help, We stood then, silent, all eyes the whites of his eyes yellowed but assuming that he would not, or fixed on the stable. And Sam, who not bloodshot as they usually were could not, come. He had not entered had been sawing and hammering by the end of a week. It didn’t figure the church in years, certainly not outside, came in with an object be­ — Sam sober on Saturday. during my two-year pastorate. hind his back. We were gathered in a small But there he was, a strapping man He set it upon the stable straw, church, its pine-paneled interior who filled the frame of the front and someone sighed. His surprise sorely in need of new varnish, pre­ door, though slightly stooped in the was a manger, a gift no less precious paring for a Christmas play to be shoulders. “Lucinda said you’ins than those brought to another stable presented to the congregation and might need some help,” he mum­ by wiser men long ago. guests from the community that eve­ bled shyly, looking at the floor, as if The old man picked up his tool­ ning. half-expecting me or God to forbid box and turned. He stopped mo­ I, then the young pastor of a reser­ him attendance. “Got my box here, tionless there in the center aisle and vation mission, my Seminole friend an’ reckon I know a leetle bit about looked quickly from face to face. named Tiger, and two Cherokee fixin’ sheds an’ such.” The trace of a smile broke at the youths had erected a stable with Lucinda, his wife and a dedicated edges of his hard mouth, and his church member, slipped by her man dark eyes brightened for a moment. and went to help the other women. His wife was smiling through a She was beaming. Sam had caused stream of silent tears. I nodded my her much grief, but at that moment approval and appreciation to him. you could see the love in the woman A child walked over and laid a flowing for her man like water from doll in the manger, and Sam Pheas­ a mountain freshet. ant slipped out of the church as qui­ It’s hard to describe the camara­ etly as he had come. derie with which the little congre­ It was his only visit in the years I gation worked that morning. Sam’s pastored there. $

12 THE PREACHERS MAGAZINE Valentine’s Day

by Morris Chalfant Bourbonnais, III.

air of excitement hung over But over the centuries, Valentine has once been distilled; l A Rome that February 14, a .d . come to represent love. The day of You may break, you may shatter, JL XL. 269. During the previous his martyrdom has become a day to that vase if you will, two weeks, young men had been sac­ honor love. But the scent of the roses will rificing to the wolf destroyer god, Whether the story is true we do cling ’round it still. hoping that the drawing of a girl’s not know for sure, but wouldn’t this — Author Unknown name from a box would bring com­ be a happier world if people would Valentine’s Day remains, as ever, a panionship for the coming year. express their love for each other day to express love. Very few who This heathen feast of Lupercalia, a more often? observe it go as far as television per­ lovers’ festival for young people, How long has it been since you’ve sonality Garry Moore. Many years was not significantly affecting the told someone, “I love you”? If you ago he hired four skywriting air­ band of Roman Christians, except try expressing your love to just one planes to produce for his wife’s de­ that special prayer was being made special someone, you may be light a three-mile-wide heart, for one of their finest members, a amazed by the response! pierced by a six-mile-long arrow, or­ priest named Valentine. His power­ I need to hear those words, “I love namented with their names. ful witness and compassionate treat­ you.” I suspect you do too. But if we Not even Garry Moore’s spec­ ment of persecuted Christians had want to hear them, we must have the tacular gesture, however, has caused caused his imprisonment. courage to say them and the deter­ one of the oldest and simplest mes­ There seems little doubt that Val­ mination to support those words of sages to become outdated: entine had been communicating to love with good deeds. Roses are red, violets are blue, members of his family by means of We live in a workaday world full Sugar is sweet, a n d so are you. homing pigeons w ith messages of facts, hard realities, crushing The verse is, of course, auto­ pricked on heart-shaped violet competition, sentiment-dulling ma­ matically signed, “Guess Who?” $ leaves— messages like, “Remember terialism. I am glad for the coming your Valentine” and “I love you.” of Valentine’s Day. If I don’t have to February 14 would be his exe­ brush a tear away before the day is cution day. Claudius Caesar II had over, then I’ll know that I am grow­ been infuriated by Valentine’s prison ing old. If I don’t get a Valentine work for Christ. Asterius, the jail- from anyone, then I know where keeper, had been won to the Lord, there’s a crumpled flower and a and his blind daughter had been verse in faded writing: healed through prayer. Long, long, be my mind with Guards led Valentine to the exe­ such memories filled, cution site, where he was martyred. Like the vase in which roses have

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 13 Church Administration dren into bed six out of seven nights. I travel fewer than three weeks out of the year. I usually can take Friday afternoon off if I want. I Sweet Music work 45 to 50 hours a week, but the schedule of an associate minister is still more flexible than that of the solo or senior pastor. from a More personal relationships. Par­ ticularly in a large church, the se­ nior minister is a rancher and not a shepherd, more an administrator and less a pastor. Being an associate Fiddle provides the opportunity to develop deeper and more personal relation­ by Chris Smith ships in the congregation. Louisville, Ky. In fact, those with a calling to one-on-one ministry may find the as­ sociate’s role a good alternative to he troubling question can a second-class preacher with lower pastoring a small church. One mas­ come at any time: “Just what pay, less prestige, and almost no in­ ter pulpiteer, who also served as the T is it that you do at your vitations to speak at lectureships dean of a local seminary, noticed the church? Are you the preacher?” Se­ and Bible conferences, I try to re­ difference at his church. As mem­ nior ministers, unlike associates, member the numerous advantages of bers filed out the back door on Sun­ aren’t bothered by this question. being an associate. days, they shook his hand. The long­ “Yes, I am,” they confidently reply. Less pressure. Being an associate term associate received hugs. But as an associate minister, my means not having to worry about ev­ Take on what you can handle very self-respect is challenged by erything. Only within the last year, this question. Immediately I’m con­ for instance, have I given more than Our preacher was on a three- fronted by an array of possible re­ a passing thought to the budget and month sabbatical, and the budget sponses. money matters at my congregation. crunch was on. It was my moment Humorous: “I am the preacher It wasn’t my responsibility, so I to shine in the ecclesiastical sun. I boy” (remember to laugh). didn’t worry about it; I just pick up proposed a fund-raising goal of Descriptive: “I work with youth my check and go to the bank. Be­ $150,000, complete with pledge and have pulpit responsibilities” sides, why worry about finances? envelopes and an innovative theme, (and don’t give many details). None of my checks has ever “Improving to Serve” (we needed to Succinct: “I am the associate min­ bounced. But the senior pastor has raise funds for badly needed build­ ister” (fewer details). that pressure. ing repairs). After promoting the My favorite: “I am one of the min­ I’ve seen what additional pressure cause and preaching my best two isters at the Raleigh Church” (no de­ does to a person. Our office man­ sermons on giving, the final tally tails). ager took on the bookkeeping stood at less than $50,000. Kidding aside, despite the prolif­ chores a few years ago. As these An elder summed up the failure: eration of multiple-staff churches in words are being typed, she is trying “You don’t go into the big game the past generation, most people to decipher figures for next year’s with your cleanup batter out of still think in terms of having one budget. “I may have to work Satur­ town.” I was a leadoff hitter with lit­ preacher who has a bunch of help­ day,” I heard her sigh. Taking this tle power to the opposite field, and ers. The other ministers may be im­ promotion has transformed a care­ my swing for the fences fell short. portant, but since they aren’t “the free woman into a pencil-chewing My failure was not entirely due to main man,” well-meaning parish­ accountant who worries about each lack of ability. Failure also came be­ ioners continue to ask associates, Sunday’s offering. The prestige that cause I was trying to do a job de­ “When are you going to get your comes with more responsibility also signed for someone else. Attempting own church?” brings more sleepless nights. No the campaign when the senior min­ Whether they view their present thanks. ister was gone said to the congrega­ work as a stepping-stone to getting More fam ily time. Whenever I tion, “This fund-raising campaign is their own church or a lifelong call­ visit my preacher friend in another not that important after all.” ing, associate ministers have to city, I’m reminded of my blessings as Once we realize the relationship come to terms with second-fiddle an associate. The telephone rings of power and position, it’s smart to status. At least I have had to. during every meal at his house. My enlist the aid of church power bro­ Here, in fact, are five strategies friend pastors a congregation a third kers when we want to succeed. And that have helped me enjoy the asso­ of the size of mine but has less free if the preacher is good at it, have ciate’s role. time than I do. The difference? He is him make your announcement for the only pastor, and I am one of a volunteers. I’ve also tried to enlist Remember the silver lining staff of four. the aid of members who wield influ­ Before whining about my plight as As for me, I get to tuck my chil­ ence. Some people call this playing

14 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE politics. I call it people skills and Take on some winners have completed my M.Div., worked good sense. In The M u ltip le S ta ff a n d the on a Ph.D., and published articles. Let your light shine Larger Church, Lyle Schaller divides On those days when I felt un­ Recently, a 10-year member of our ministerial responsibilities into two appreciated and angry that the church expressed amazement that types. “Winners” are activities that church hasn’t gushed over my obvi­ our educational director was in earn congregational appreciation ous and tremendous talent, at least I charge of the nursery school. “I and admiration: preaching, hospital was able to point to a dust-covered didn’t know he did that,” the mem­ calling, home visitation, weddings, diploma on the wall. And the occa­ ber told me. He could be excused and funerals. “Losers,” on the other sional byline helps feed the trou­ for his ignorance, I suppose. The di­ hand, are the jobs that are often the bled and immature soul. rector had been in charge of the source of criticism and disapproval: Extracurricular activities keep me nursery school for only 27 years! youth programs, Christian educa­ fresh. Granted, you can do too much Never assume the congregation tion, social action, evangelism, and and wrongfully neglect your work, knows what you do. If you aren’t in ministry to young adults. Such min­ as I have done at times, but the posi­ the pulpit two times a week, the istries sometimes bring more prob­ tives outweigh the negatives. Serv­ lems than rewards. hospitals three times a week, and ing on the PTA, getting a degree in The solution? Get involved in the auditorium class of 200 as counseling, writing a mystery novel, some winning activities. One youth teacher, your church members may working as a volunteer chaplain, minister visited hospitalized mem­ assume you play golf half the day running a marathon, taking up wood­ and nap the rest. Some educating is bers the first week on the job and was surprised at the reaction. “Why, working, running for councilman, in order. going on a mission trip— the list is So I advertise my wares. Especially endless. Even if your ego is happily through the church bulletins, I ------0 ------satisfied as an associate, working make sure people know what I’m and playing in noncongregational doing by making sure they know As leadoff hitter, settings will make you at least a what the groups I lead are doing. Sometimes, of course, it works too my swing for the more rounded minister. well. When one admirer com­ Recently, one of our high school mented, “I just don’t see how you do fences fell short. students was involved in a serious all you do,” I was faced with a di­ automobile accident. After 10 days lemma. Do I tell the truth and admit ------0 ------in intensive care and 10 hours of that although I administered all the you don’t have to visit me. You’re the surgery, she seems to be making a functions, I attended about half of youth minister,” was one member’s full recovery. the youth activities listed in the bul­ response. Visiting the hospital The first day I visited her in the letin, or do I keep my mouth shut? I earned the youth minister respect intensive care unit, she couldn’t opted for the middle road. I said, and admiration, and it’s one of the speak due to the respirator and nu­ “Well, I don’t go to every event,” and reasons he has been at the church merous other tubes surrounding her. hoped she would think I missed for 10 years. Frankly, she looked pitiful. After I only one devotional every other When I was 22, I inherited the prayed for her, I prepared to leave, year! ladies’ Bible class. Conventional but she wouldn’t let go of my hand. Promoting one’s work reminds me thinking would say, “No unmarried It was the closest I’ve come to weep­ of the story of the lion and the tiger. kid fresh out of college can teach a ing in a hospital room. Over the next several days I visited her, and A tiger and a lion met by a pool. class of 50-year-old women success­ even though she couldn’t talk, she Said the tiger, “Why are you fully.” Yet it was the best thing that always moved her hand, indicating roaring like a fool?" could have happened to me. The she wanted me to hold it. As I left “I'm no fool,” said the lion, a class taught me humility, responsi­ each day, I told her I loved her, twinkle in his eyes, bility, and tact, and at the same time something I don’t normally do. “I ’m called king of beasts be­ provided me with my biggest sup­ After she was discharged, we cause I advertise." porters at church. spoke on the phone one day. She A rabbit overheard them and I’ve been fortunate at my congre­ said, “You came every day to the ran home like a streak. gation not to have been pigeon­ hospital. I knew you were there, He tried the lion’s plan, but his holed. If you are a youth minister, even when I couldn’t talk. You made roar was just a squeak. beg to teach an adult class. If you me feel better.” Known for her wit, Just then a fox chanced by and work with single adults, offer to do she couldn’t resist adding, “You’re a had lunch in the woods. some hospital calling. If you are the good little youth minister.” The moral: When you advertise, Christian education minister, ask to So now I have a new response to you’d best have the goods. do some weddings. Working in a few winning areas will increase your in­ the question, “Are you the preacher So I try not to hide my light under fluence and make ministry more in­ at your church?” I can say, “No, but I a bushel. Nor do I take credit for teresting. am a good little youth minister.” things I don’t do. I do, however, let But it’s still hard not to add, “with people know what, in fact, is hap­ Find life outside of ministry preaching and administrative re­ pening in my ministry During nine years at Raleigh, I sponsibilities.” $

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 15 Church Growth You’ll enjoy his music this morning.” I looked for a pair of empty chairs but saw only single ones scattered evival services were coming around the circle; many of these to completion. Kevin and I held Bibles, purses, or coats. Across rose Sunday morning to pre­ R the room someone cleared off a pare ourselves for a day of service. chair, and three people shifted “Karen, what time does Sunday around the circle. My husband and I School start?” crossed the room to our chairs. The “Oh no! I forgot to ask. Is it posted class secretary passed a visitor’s card out front?” to us. I borrowed a pen from the My husband peered out the win­ man on the other side of my neigh­ dow of our traveling home. “No, just bor and filled it out. Rather than the name of the church.” pass it back around the room, I de­ “Did Pastor give you a bulletin?” cided to turn it in when we left. “Yes.” My evangelist husband The first bell rang— our cue to go pulled the bulletin out of his Bible. to the sanctuary to finish preparing He opened it, searched the front, the for the service. On the way I tried to inside, and the back pages. “No ser­ find the ladies’ room, but Kevin had vice times are listed. Was it an­ to ask an usher for me. nounced during the services?” I entered the sanctuary and cued “I don’t think so.” I paused to con­ the music for Kevin’s specials. The sider the situation. “But Sunday second bell rang, and people began School usually starts at 9:45.” to enter the sanctuary Kevin asked We continued to get ready. About me, “Did you get a bulletin? I left cars started pulling into the 9:20 mine in the trailer.” parking lot. I remarked to my hus­ I shook my head. band that either the people liked to “OK, I’ll get one.” He asked for a come early or Sunday School started bulletin, was greeted by several peo­ at : . 9 30 ple, and returned to the platform af­ It did and we were late. We de­ ter the pastor and the evangelist cided to go to the sanctuary to finish were seated. I arranged my Bible and preparations for the worship ser­ notebook on the pew beside me, vice. There we found the senior and the forgotten visitor’s card fell adults class. out. An usher sitting in the back of the While most churches want to class saw us. “Good morning! Would make new people feel welcome, of­ you like to go to class? Let’s see . . ten our visitors hear “Welcome!” He paused. “There’s a pastor’s class from our lips, but our signs, bulle­ meeting in his office. Fran teaches a tins, and classrooms silently say, “Do class in the fellowship hall, there’s a Not Disturb.” Although the above new class meeting in the balcony, Sunday morning is a composite of and another class down the hall events, it is like many Sunday morn­ there.” He pointed. “Where would ings Kevin and I experience. From you like to go?” our unique perspective of being Kevin looked at me. “The pastor’s both “family” and “visitor” at class sounds like it might be a mem­ churches in which we minister, we bership class,” he guessed. have discovered that most churches “Oh, yes,” the usher confirmed, need to periodically evaluate their “that’s right.” plan for welcoming guests into “Which class is for people our clue about the class behind each God’s house. age?” I asked. door were the sounds. Through one When guests first come to our “Oh,” answered the usher, “we door, we heard someone praying. home, they are not treated like “fam­ don’t divide adult classes by age any­ “Good,” I whispered, “they’re just ily”— guest towels are laid out, the more, except for the senior adults. getting started.” Fran’s class is studying the end At the close of the prayer I slowly times. I’m not sure what the new pushed open the door. Every eye fo­ class is studying. The one down the cused on me. The Sunday School hall is doing First John.” teacher, sitting beside the door, My husband asked me, “Where stopped in midsentence and turned would you like to go?” to greet us. “Let’s go down the hall.” “Good morning! We’re glad to The usher pointed again and re­ have you this morning. Class, this is turned to the sanctuary. Our only our song evangelist and his wife.

16 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE linens changed, and the guest room information about the church • Is the teacher identified either made ready. Schedules are rearranged, and activities? by a sign on or in the room or by and their visit takes precedence over — escort first-time visitors and a name tag? personal agendas. Time is taken for children to classes? • Do teachers: those extra touches to make their — introduce visitors to teacher? — arrive first? visit pleasant. These things— antic­ • If the sanctuary is not easily — greet early guests? ipation of needs, convenient accom­ seen from the main entrance or — always face the door while modations, and special touches — if the church is large or has teaching? This minimizes dis­ also make our guests at church feel many hallways or additions, has tractions and the embarrassment welcome. Neglecting these things a wall map of the church been of visitors who may arrive late. sends a message that we like things provided to act as a directory? • Do class members fill the front the way they are and do not wish to • Is the way clearly marked to: seats/pews first to create an atti­ have the status quo disturbed. — rest rooms? It may be embar­ tude of positive expectation? Are there invisible “Do Not Dis­ rassing to have to ask. • Are a number of the seats near­ turb” signs at your church? What im­ — nursery? est the door reserved for visitors’ pressions are silently com m u­ — church office? convenience and comfort? nicated? Tour your church from the — fellowship hall/gymnasium? • Is someone assigned to: perspective of a first-time visitor, or • Have wastebaskets been placed — greet visitors and sit with ask a friend to help you. Perhaps you in convenient places such as the them? will see signs of unwelcome in your foyer, rest rooms, and classrooms? — introduce them to the class? church. The items below will help — record their names and ad­ reveal these signs and enable both dresses? verbal and nonverbal welcomes to Often our visitors — inform visitors of upcoming ring with sincerity. Whether simple activities and invite them? or significant, these changes will hear "Welcome!" — ask visitors to sit with them help our guests feel more at home in church? with the family, and that is the first from our lips, — encourage visitors to come step in becoming part of the family. back to evening and Wednesday OUTSIDE but our signs, services? • Have coatracks and/or tables We give our first impression to the bulletins, and been placed conveniently in the community through the appearance room so that chairs are used by of the exterior of the church build­ classrooms people instead of personal be­ ing. silently say, longings? Visitors may not feel • Are the grounds well maintained comfortable leaving personal and inviting? "Do Not Disturb." possessions in an unfamiliar • Can the service times be easily public place. read from the street? Are chil­ • Have areas that present constant dren and teen services included? visual and/or audio distractions • Is the parking lot in good repair? • Has a large, attractive church that compete with the teacher — holes filled in? calendar been posted and a take- — such as the choir loft, bal­ — a surface provided that will home size provided? cony, and gym— been consid­ be mud-free in wet weather? • Are bulletins placed conspicu­ ered class space? • Are the second-best parking ously for evening service vis­ • Can classes be combined rather spaces marked for visitors? The itors? than placing two or three classes best should be for the handi­ • Do bulletins: in the sanctuary or fellowship capped. — include name of pastor, staff, hall? and their spouses? • Are the parking lot and church REST ROOMS entrances well lit? — list office phone numbers • Are the main entrances indi­ and hours? Rest rooms can make a positive or cated, or do visitors need to try — include service times? a negative statement about a congre­ locked doors before gaining en­ — provide a service outline for gation; they reveal the personality trance to the building? those from a different church and thoughtfulness of the church. background? • Is the way to the rest rooms FOYER/MAIN ENTRANCE — include song numbers and clearly marked from every major • Are greeters posted at every en­ book names if two or more are entrance? trance? Do they: used? • Are the men’s and women’s — know locations of all adult clearly marked? If the signs are and children’s Sunday School SUNDAY SCHOOL missing or illegible, have they classrooms? This may be the church’s initial been replaced? — ask visitors if they have been and most important personal con­ • Has liquid soap been provided invited by someone in the tact with a visitor. as a more sanitary and attractive church? • Is each classroom labeled by alternative to bar soap? — provided a bulletin and other age, grade, or name? (Continued on page 51)

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 17 Pastor's Personal Growth

When the Saints Go Marching Out by Kathleen D. Bailey Raymond, N.H.

he future looked good for neighboring congregation on the Denominational functions were Paul and Karen. Their church- verge of closure. While Chuck’s peo­ also rough, Chuck recalls. It was planting effort for their de­ ple talked openly about the merger, hard to see former members with Tnomination had recently organizedthey never formally approached their new pastor at district assem­ into a regular congregation. For­ him. Eventually he took an a ll­ blies. It was devastating to him mative stages behind, they were church survey, which showed less when a former member testified in about to launch a systematic pro­ than one-third of his congregation camp meeting about how he had gram of outreach into their commu­ wanting to merge. However, that grown in grace. nity. They were in the process of one-third included the active, influ­ Chuck found his only relief in looking for land and a building ential group of youth, young adults, prayer. He lifted up a different fam­ when Jed, one of their “core” mem­ and middle agers. ily every day— its health, its well­ After a stormy all-church meeting bers, took his family out. Jed, under­ being, its children. He prayed faith­ where dissenters insisted that “it is going personal problems, claimed fully but did not feel release until a working in a small church was too God’s will,” about 25 people moved year after the split. to the other church. Though most of stressful for him. The members who stayed were the remnant rallied around Chuck The scenario of Paul, Karen, and loyal and supportive, Betty recalls. Jed has been played with variations and his wife, Betty, two more fami­ However, they were mostly retired in every congregation. Pastors agree lies finally left. Some bus children from active service. The “movers from the Sunday School were also that while it is difficult to lose and shakers” had left, and the fringe members, the real heartbreak drawn away. Their group of about church operated with a skeleton comes from losing solid laymen 70 shrank to 40. crew. whom they discipled and trusted. Betty was “absolutely devastated” The split produced far-reaching at the loss to their congregation. The only remedy, most pastors agree, hurt and psychological damage. is a clear conscience, a lot of prayer, They both had had big plans and Chuck now warns other pastors to and donning their biblical armor. ideas for the church, but the defection forget the hurt, or they will sour “plunged the knife in all the way.” current relationships. He advises, Chuck agrees. On a surface level, THE MERGER THAT WASN’T “Learn to trust the ones who stay.” he dealt with the problem swiftly, “To some extent, transfers are easy He continues, “For years I was tying up loose ends, replacing peo­ to deal with,” Chuck, a Pennsylvania constantly looking over my shoul­ ple in key positions. At a deeper pastor, says. “There is not much you der. I suspected the ones who stayed level, he hurt. can do when your army family or of plotting against me.” When one IBM executive gets marching or­ loyal member began acting like the ders.” But when it is a mass transfer PAIN former church boss, Chuck and Bet­ to a nearby church of the same de­ Chuck and Betty live in a small ty became paranoid. nomination, the results can bring town where they constantly run into The ones who stayed told them, heartbreak. former members. These encounters, “It wasn’t your fault.” The church “The idea of a merger was part of though superficial, bring back had had a troubled history, includ­ the history of two neighboring memories of the conflict and pain. ing another split 30 years earlier. churches,” Chuck, the “left behind” Since the church had a battle- However, Chuck and Betty still pastor, recalls. His small-town pas­ scarred past, the town was not sur­ blamed themselves. Chuck says he torate was growing, and some peo­ prised at the defection. In addition felt “guilty all the time.” ple talked about a new building. But to former members, he dealt with a On a regular basis, he wondered if others talked about merging with a watching community. he could have done anything differ­

18 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE ently to prevent the split. With men­ ship with us, that is fine. I hope you The laypeople could have made tal tweezers, he went over past con­ find a place you enjoy.” The rational, things easier, Sarah thinks, by fol­ versations and minor conflicts. friendly approach seems to work for lowing biblical models for con­ Betty remembers, “We’d talk for Allen, who still has a pastoral rela­ frontation and criticism. “There can hours. What if we’d done this? What tionship with some defectors. be a lot of misunderstanding if if we’d done that?” things aren’t dealt with properly,” “What if I’d been more forceful?” LIKE A MARRIAGE she says. “It’s like a marriage.” Chuck contributes. As the shadows Sarah, a Massachusetts woman, be­ lengthen around their parsonage came an ordained elder after several home, he reaches for his wife’s WRAPPING UP years as a pastor’s wife. She brings hand: “We’ll never know.” “The door swings both ways,” one both perspectives to the question of mother of eight used to tell each departed members. EACH SITUATION DIFFERENT child as he left home. It is the same Some cases should be dealt with, churches. Those who leave need to An Eastern pastor of a midsize Sarah believes, while others should know they will be accepted back if church thinks the parsonage cou­ not be touched. Serious differences they choose to return. Whether or ple’s reaction should be gauged by in doctrine are best handled by the not they return, the pastor and his the members’ reasons for leaving. dissenters moving to a church more wife need to know they have done For example, one strong lay couple, in line with their beliefs. They usu­ all they could. Then, in the language who had been commuting 60 miles ally are not willing to change and of the ’90s, they need to “get on to services, left his congregation will cause conflict when retained. with their lives.” when a “baby” church of their de­ Also, Sarah says, when she or her Chuck and Betty stood fast, work­ nomination opened 20 miles from husband take a new pastorate, they ing with their skeleton crew. Four their home. “I liked them,” Allen re­ are “not in the practice of chasing years later, their glowing faces make calls, “and I felt anger and jealousy, people who left before we got them look like a brand-new couple but I also felt happy for them.” there.” If a family has left for a good as they talk about recent growth in Though Allen has kept in touch, he reason, they probably will not come their church. “We have four new did not attempt to win the couple back. If they left for a bad reason, families plus one widow,” Chuck back. such as a doctrinal dispute, Sarah is says. “Frankly, our biggest problem An elderly man and longtime not certain she wants them back. right now is assimilating growth.” member is a different case, accord­ Sarah and her husband, Steve, be­ Chuck and Betty offer no formula ing to Allen. The man disagreed lieve there are no lost causes except for this success. “We just kept on do­ with his pastoral style and told Al­ when angry people throw up barri­ ing what we were doing,” she says. len, “I’ll come back when you are ers. “They won’t let you resolve it,” “New families moved into the area, gone.” she says of some situations. “But and we met others through our own The older man had been church you’ve got to be there if they let the people. We grew by 25 percent in treasurer for 17 years without at­ barriers down.” one year.” tending a Sunday morning service. Unfortunately, the barriers stayed Though Chuck and Betty remained Allen administered church disci­ up when women in one church op­ faithful to their charge, they do not pline. When the man refused to im­ posed her call to ministry and ac­ see the growth as a “reward” for be­ prove his attendance, Allen removed cused her of “taking over.” Though ing good. “It’s the natural outcome,” him from the treasurer’s position. Al­ she had church board approval for Chuck says, “of people maturing len recalls, still amazed, “He preaching in that church, the wom­ and the Lord giving the increase.” thought I had a lot of nerve, asking en formed their own jury. Hurt, Sa­ Betty is excited about their grow­ him about his spiritual condition.” rah withdrew from the women. ing church. But even if it hadn’t In the open atmosphere of a pas­ “I could have dealt with them grown, she says, she and Chuck tors’ retreat, Allen admits, “I don’t one-on-one,” she says now. But she would have stayed at least long like the man. But he needs to be didn’t, and a large contingent of enough to complete their personal ministered to in the name of Jesus.” women left the church. With their healing. She advises, “Don’t ever Allen still calls on his elderly antag­ families, it amounted to a split. leave a church when you’re broken. onist, facing him with “lots and lots To Sarah, the hurt was especially You will take that brokenness into of prayer.” sharp because it revolved around your next church.” Allen, a veteran pastor, recalls that personal issues, “all of them versus Though some memories are un­ in his first church, he faced each de­ me.” Asked if she felt any guilt, she pleasant, Chuck and Betty now have fection with great guilt. “It was a responds, “Oh, my, yes! I felt very re­ a broader view of the split. They are time of deep soul-searching,” he sponsible. But I was secure in what grateful for lessons learned. Chuck says. He made many efforts to con­ God wanted me to do.” says, “I feel like a seasoned pastor tact the people and “begged forgive­ Sarah believes a lot of anguish now.” ness on my hands and knees,” even could have been avoided if lay- Betty contributes, “We’ve had two when he knew he hadn’t done any­ people had come to her or her hus­ churches, the one we came to, and thing wrong. band first. “But it just burned in the one after the split. The one we Now, three parishes later, Allen is secret,” she says. “Some of them had have now seems almost like our more analytical. He tells departing good motives and didn’t really want third church. And for us,” she says, families, “If you don’t choose to wor­ to hurt me.” “the hurt has healed.” $

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 19 rior to assuming my first pas­ To be well-rounded, one should torate, I conferred with a read many types of books. Most indi­ well-known pulpiteer and viduals find it difficult to be well Pseasoned minister. Realizing gapsread in in all fields. As a result, it is im­ my knowledge, I asked him to rec­ portant that one read in his own ommend several reference books he chosen field and then study selected felt every pastor should own. books in other areas. The short list he suggested in­ The most common fields of read­ cluded A. T. Robertson, Word Pic­ ing are autobiography, biography, tures in the New Testament, a verse- fiction, history, medical, psycho­ by-verse and word-by-word study of logical, and theological works. A New Testament Greek; L. D. Doug­ general knowledge of these fields las, The New Bible Dictionary; the should be included in every minis­ International Standard Bible En­ ter’s library. cyclopedia, a four-volume set that Years ago I visited a friend who covers almost every subject in the had a large library of beautifully Bible; Baker’s Dictionary of Theol­ leather-bound classics. Knowing ogy; and Pulpit Commentary. that he was not a reader, I asked, While these volumes were classics “How many of these have you read?” at that time, several have been re­ “None,” he replied. “I bought vised and continue to be good refer­ them to fill my bookcase.” ences. But they do not stand alone in The study of theology divides into the field of pastoral reading material several categories. There are clas­ that every minister should own. sics, such as Josephus’ Antiquities; Unfortunately, some ministers do early 1900 writers such as the late limited reading of the Bible as well Dr. Clovis Chappell; reference vol­ as of many excellent books. The min­ umes and contemporary writings ister who reads little often preaches covering a wide scope that is ever a weakly documented sermon. increasing. There are at least five reasons why Perhaps one of the most difficult preachers should be readers. Rea­ areas for preachers is illustrations. sons for reading include ( 1) filling Over a number of years, I have gaps in one’s knowledge, (2) for en­ clipped items from newspapers and joyment, ( 3) to update one’s pro­ current publications rather than de­ fession, (4) filling one’s time with pend only on several illustration useful pursuit, and (5) gaining in­ books on the market. Three volumes formation. I found on the shelf of a bookstore recently included Encyclopedia of 16 books. W. Phillip Keller, a writer The general field of theology and 7,700 Illustrations, by Paul Lee of pastoral-type material, has au­ devotional writings is covered by Tan; Illustrations for Biblical thored more than 18 books. contemporary writers. I suggest P reachin g, by Michael P. Green Every minister would profit from Charles Stanley’s How to Listen to (Baker Book House); and 12,000 Re­ reading Seamands’ Healing Waters God and William L. Coleman’s Lord, ligious Quotations, by Frank S. and Healing for Damaged Emo­ Sometimes I Need Help. Mead (Baker Book House). tions. Of Keller’s, I would recom­ Though I am not an authority on A study of cults and their mes­ mend A Shepherd Looks at Psalm either New Testament Greek or Old sages demands a great deal of a min­ 23, Taming Tension, Walking with Testament Hebrew, I am a collector God, and S till Water. ister’s study. A well-known book in of Bible translations. Recently a Of the more than 20 volumes by this field is The Chaos o f Cults, by magazine article indicated that the Swindoll, I would suggest H and Me J. K. Van Baalen, revised in 1983 well-read minister should own at Another Brick, a study of the Book (Eerdmans Publishing Co.). The least four translations of the Bible. of Nehemiah (excellent for a mid­ New Age Movement has stimulated While this would be a start, I feel it week study series); Three Steps For­ dozens of volumes on this cultic is far too few. With many translations w ard an d Two Steps Back; Living subject. Included in recently re­ released in recent years, finding new on the Ragged Edge; Dropping leased books are Straight Answers translations is easy. Your Guard; and Strengthening to the New Age, by Bob Larson I recommend The Living Bible to Your Grip. (Thomas Nelson Publishers); The very new converts, especially if they Readers should be aware that New Age Cult, by Walter Martin are finding other translations diffi­ many of the more recent volumes by (Bethany House Publishers); D ark cult to understand. The New Ameri­ popular authors have been released Secrets of the New Age, by Texe can Standard Bible is a favorite of in cassette recordings. However, Marrs (Crossway Books). mine. Over the years I have col­ these are only brief selections from While the New Age Movement is lected many translations, some these writers and seldom worth the one of the most recent cult doc­ rarely found in bookstores today. money for a minister who would trines, older heresies still demand These include the King James II, like in-depth coverage of a subject. attention in a pastor’s day-to-day translated by Jay P. Green. contacts in homes. Among them are Other volumes in my library of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons. more than 25 translations include One might wish to refer to The He who reads little the New International Version, Kingdom of Cults, revised and ex­ Smith-Goodspeed, Amplified Bible, panded, by Walter Martin (Bethany New King James Version, Revised House Publishers), and Mormon- often preaches a Standard Version, The New Life Bi­ ism, Mama, and Me, by Thelma weakly documented ble, Lamsa Holy Bible (translated Greer (Moody Press). from Aramaic), Rotherham’s trans­ The field of sermon books and sermon. lation, The Twentieth Century New outlines is limitless. However, one Testament, and other modern En­ might wish to reference such con­ glish translations. temporary writers as Warren W. Personally, I find multitransla­ Wiersbe, author of Listening to the Some areas of religious writings tions difficult to follow, although I Giants. Also, F. E. Marsh’s 1,000 Bi­ seldom become the subject of books. own several volumes. However, it is interesting to compare the different ble Study Outlines (Kregel) would Two such subjects are angels and be worth buying. Other more recent the minister’s wife. In the study of translations, using two at a time. Be­ cause of its antique beauty, I prefer volumes include Dr. Tom Malone angels, I recommend Billy Graham’s Preaches on the Apostles (Sword of A ngels and Betty Malz’s Angels the King James Version for use in the the Lord) and The Preacher a n d Watching over You. Recently vis­ pulpit, although I refer to other translations occasionally. Preaching, edited by Samuel T. Lo­ iting a Christian bookstore, I could gan, Jr. (Presbyterian and Reformed not find a single volume on the min­ Every preacher should be a read­ er! While some persons dislike hear­ Publishing House). ister’s wife. However, I recommend ing a minister give a Sunday morning Today bookstores are full of excel­ Help! I ’m a P astor’s Wife, by Mi­ lent reading material for ministers. chele Buckingham. book review, most churchgoers ap­ preciate the added richness and in­ This fact makes it increasingly diffi­ Almost everywhere you turn, it is sight that reading provides. $ cult to afford, much less read, every­ possible to see mention of demons. thing available. If you live near a Bi­ Recently the book titled This Pres­ ble college or seminary, visit the ent Darkness, by Frank S. Peretti, library. This affords an excellent op­ has been popular. Within one week, portunity to read books you might two different persons recommended never be able to buy. it to me. However, I find the plot of As an example, well-known evan­ the book, featuring demons, devel­ gelical writer Chuck Swindoll has ops very slowly. More important, I written more than 24 books. David feel the author deals with the sub­ A. Seamands, a specialist in psycho­ ject much like the science-fiction logical volumes, has written at least style. It is a fiction work.

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 21 Ima Jo Kerr's Book List

by Bob Haslam

ne of the qualities a successful editor must have is a love of books. I have hundreds of O them on my shelves at work and at home. Being a lifelong “bookie” (lover and connoisseur of books), I now take this oppor­ tunity to recommend a few titles and authors for your edification. History and roots are “in” at the present time. I recommend Remember the Good Old Days, by Carey Meback. Travel is big these days too. Try these travel books: All About Wyoming, by Shy Anne; A Quickie Tour o f Holland, by Aunt Werp; Tragedy a t Niagara Falls, by Ilene Dover. But shouldn’t we be more spiritual about this? Then try Glimpses of Heaven, by Pearl E. Gates; M orning Prayers, by Earl E. Rizer; or The Origin o f the Tithe, by Mel Kizadek. If you’re into prophecy, look for Predicting the Future, by Arma Geddon. If your thing is reconcili­ ation, you’ll just have to find Bringing People Together, by Brother Hood. If you hate rock and roll, you’ll love Gimme That Old-time Music, by Vic Trolla. Or if you panic easily, look up Crisis Manage­ ment, by Harry Carey. Now everyone knows we Free Methodists are encased in a modified episcopal system. That’s why we have General Conference every four years— to modify the episcopacy. For your edification in this area, I recommend Bucking the Hierarchy, by Count Meout. Then there’s that brief treatise titled W ill the Bishop Ignore the Discipline? by Betty Willnot. Is your nemesis deadlines? Then by all means get a copy of Meeting and Beating Deadlines, by Hugh I. Madit. Is giving up too soon a weakness? Try Never Give Up, by Percy Verance. Are you tempted to break the law? Then must reading for you is In Trouble with the Law, by Miss Dee Meanor. I think everyone should read Dealing with Attitudes, by Judge Mental. And for those who find issues to be a sticky problem, I recommend two books: Taking a Stand on the Issues, by Jack B. Nimble; and Where to Take a Stand, by X. Marx Despot. If you’re a person who’s into leadership, this book is a must: How to Be an Effective Leader, by Dick Tater. If you’re forever getting into trouble, read How to Keep out o f Trouble, by Layne Lowe. Perhaps you’re into auto repair. I’ve got just what you need. Secrets o f Car Repair, by Otto Motive. Or Fixing Up Old Cars, by Claude Hopper. I even have some suggestions for missionaries, particularly first-termers. The Making of a Mis­ sionary, by Minnie Hard Knox; How to Handle Homesickness, by Heva Seifer Holme; and Eating New Foods, by Forcette Downe. For those seeking to fine-tune their ministry potential, try these: Effective Ministry to the Aging, by Jerry Attricks; Successful Prison Ministry, byj. L. Bird; How to Interpret the Bible, by Herman Utics; Understanding the New Age Movement, by Claire Voyant. Ah, here’s one for meeting New Day goals: Gulf Coast Church Planting, by Mrs. Sippy. Every pastor could use this one: Pastoral A dm inistration Made Easy, by Della Gate. Everyone who participates in a funeral needs this one: Funeral Manual for the Layman, by Paul Barrer. Are you into cooking? This is for you: Cultural Cuisine for the Nineties, by Gore May. That’s enough to keep you going for a while. But, no, just one more. Try Why I Write Book Titles, by Ima Jo Kerr. $

This article appeared originally in Light and Life magazine. Used by permission.

THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE Evangelism Going Forward It’s Easy!

by Kathy Scott Conestoga, Pa.

oing forward is easy!” Every When I reached the altar, I was re­ Often a Christian’s answer to the time a preacher says those leased! invitation results in others heeding words, I wonder when was Freedom, at last! In my joy of be­ God’s call. One Sunday morning, a Gthe last time he walked down ing the free again, I did not look back. woman in our church named Joan aisle. At that remark, I recall the Now I can— the pain, the emotion, walked down the aisle. She was con­ dummy of Senor Wences saying, “Ees dulled by time. And yet, I breathe cerned that she was becoming caught easy for you; ees difficult for me!” the liberty as if it were yesterday. up in the pursuit of materialism. An­ Perhaps his ready and willing re­ A man in our church went forward other woman also came forward that sponse to God’s call, however, has one Sunday evening. He told the pas­ Sunday and said later, “When I saw put him in the pulpit and me in the tor that he had resisted the Holy Joan walk up to the front, I knew I pew. Perhaps stemming from my Spirit’s prompting to go forward for had to respond. I admire her more stubborn nature, going forward has 33 years. For 33 years he sat in the than any other Christian woman I never been easy. pew and refused to listen to the know. If she admits a need in her Even my initial response to salva­ Spirit of God. He had been spinning life, I had to acknowledge mine.” tion came after a year of vacillating his wheels as a Christian and not Marge, a missionary responded to between two opinions. Later, it took gotten out of the ditch. What victory an invitation when she was a girl of me three years to respond to another he experienced that night! 14. For some time, she had been re­ decision. The dilemma of the Christian sisting the calling of God upon her I was going through a time of caught in the “no response” syn­ life. When she stood that night in deep emotional turmoil. Daily I bat­ drome is often lost to us. There is no dedication, her brother also stood. tled various fears. I began to ques­ progress in the life of the one who He had told the Lord, “If Marge tion my sanity. After several months does not heed God’s call. More fre­ stands tonight, I will.” of this struggle, I prayed to the Lord, quently the Christian will actually They have both served the Lord “How can I know freedom from go backward in his spiritual life. for many years in South America, but these fears and depression?” That is the very warning given in He­ it was rooted in that response to the He answered, “Go forward at brews (cf. 3:15— 4:1). invitation. church.” New Testament writers remind us After making the earlier decision, “Go forward at church? Admit that Old Testament experiences I wanted to become more involved publicly that something is amiss in were written for our example and in Christian work. Again I experi­ my life? No. There must be another learning. We can learn something enced the urging of the Holy Spirit way.” from the children of Israel. A signifi­ to make that a public commitment. I Foolish pride would not let me cant passage in Deuteronomy 1 says ( Continued on page 33) make that step. For months my men­ that the distance from Horeb to Ka- tal agony continued to the point of desh Barnea is “eleven days’ jour­ considering suicide before I finally ney” (v. 2, KJV). Then, the next agreed to step out from the pew. verse talks about 40 years later. An As I walked down the aisle to to­ 11-day journey took 40 years be­ tally surrender my life to the Lord cause Israel refused to enter the Jesus Christ, the bars of prison began door God had opened for them. to open. I left behind the inmates of They wandered in the wilderness fear— fear of life, fear of death, fear because they refused to go up to the of being alone, and fear of insanity. Promised Land and claim it by faith.

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 23 Pastoral Care

Breaking Through the Communication Barrier Ministry to Stroke Victims

by Robert W. Rae Mesa, Ariz.

e all are vulnerable to cardiovascular casualties. Dr. Henry which lapsed into 47 days of deep cerebral strokes, which Betts, chairman of the Rehabil­ coma. can disable without itation Institute of Chicago, de­ Likewise, Mrs. Dolores Kehr, of W warning. Nearly every pastorscribes has past indifference toward New York City, was stricken while stroke-disabled members within his stroke patients: “Twenty years ago, having dinner with her sons in an congregation. These afflicted per­ stroke victims were just discarded, East Side restaurant. She suddenly sons and their families need the care put into nursing homes and that was turned deathly pale, began mum­ of a pastor who is both compassion­ it.”2 bling incoherently, and her right ate and competent in this special­ Now, doctors and institutions are arm began to curl inward. Dolores ized ministry. dedicating efforts and funds to the Kehr was suddenly disabled by a Much has been written describing rehabilitation of such victims. The massive stroke, at 51 years of age.6 the types, causes, and symptoms of result is gratifying. “The life ex­ Causes of Cerebral Strokes strokes. Some of the best literature pectancy of patients after strokes is on this subject has been published increasing because we’re taking bet­ Cerebral strokes can result from by the American Heart Association. ter care of them,” is the hopeful several causes, the most common Little, however, has been pub­ word of Dr. Michael Reding, director being hypertension, diabetes, obe­ lished to structure a spiritual m inis­ of the stroke program at Burke Reha­ sity, and preexistent heart disease.7 try for such casualties. Certain bilitation Center of White Plains, Other causes include heavy smok­ ing, oral contraceptives, increased modes of ministry can break through NY.3 red blood cells, and blockage of ar­ the communication barrier blocking Our Vulnerability to Cerebral pastoral discourse with the disabled. teries by atherosclerosis.8 Strokes As one who has ministered to These causes can now be identi­ stroke victims and their families for Today’s stress-burdened people fied by means of ultrasound, CAT more than four decades, I offer these are very vulnerable to cerebral scans, exploratory X-rays, and sur­ suggestions to care givers. strokes. More than 400,000 Ameri­ gery.9 As a result, many potential Cerebral strokes constitute the cans are disabled by such injuries strokes are prevented. Through third leading cause of death in the each year. Approximately 160,000 drug-controlled blood pressure and United States, surpassed only by of these victims die prematurely, blood-thinning anticoagulants, stroke deaths have dramatically de­ heart attacks and cancer.1 one-third expiring before their 65th In the past, physicians have been birthday.4 clined during the past two decades. pessimistic about the prognosis of Strokes can afflict almost anyone, Types of Strokes often without warning. On the day Three major types of strokes dis­ before Easter, 1986, Jacqueline able people today in America.10 Cole5 suddenly doubled over, hold­ 1. Cerebral thrombosis— a blood ing her head. “I’ve got a terrible clot that gradually attaches to headache,” she whispered. “It’s the an arterial wall, finally block­ worst one I’ve ever had!” Moments ing the blood flow to the brain later, she exclaimed, “I can’t feel my and temporarily paralyzing one arm! I know I’m having a stroke!” side of the victim’s body. With that unexpected crisis, Jackie 2. Cerebral embolism — a float­ Cole suffered a massive stroke, ing blood clot that travels

24 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE through a cranial artery until it tor can give his discouraged parish­ regular period of time with the con­ lodges in a narrow passage, ioner valuable encouragement and fined patient, playing games, watch­ blocking both the blood flow support at such times and thus con­ ing television or rented movies, or and the oxygen supply to the tribute to his recovery. Praise of listening to a talking book borrowed brain. This condition often even minimal progress helps to from the local library. This visitation proves fatal. buoy up the spirits of discouraged can provide an overburdened family 3- Cerebral hemorrhage— inter­ patients. with some “off-duty” free time. This nal bleeding within the skull Utilizing whatever means of com­ ministry to the patient’s family may caused by the rupture of a munication are available, the pastor prove more beneficial than vis­ weakened artery. Only 12 per­ can bring the blessings of spiritual itation of the patient himself. A pas­ cent of strokes result from comfort to stroke victims. God’s tor may urge a family to divide the cerebral hemorrhages, but 80 promises of continued care can pro­ care-giving duties among its mem­ percent of these prove fatal. vide spiritual security and peace bers so that none is overburdened. Description of a through Bible readings, prayers, and sacraments. Following are a few nur­ The parishioner’s door can swing Stroke Experience turing scriptures that can be shared: inward to welcome visitors from A detailed description of a stroke outside the home. Thus the shut-in experience, its treatment, and need not be shut out of the world lengthy— often frustrating— recov­ around him. The booklet titled ery has been chronicled by a knowl­ T odays Shut-In but Not Shut-Out offers edgeable victim, Dr. Charles Clay helpful suggestions for the en­ Dahlberg, M.D., and interpreted by stress-burdened richment of confined persons.14 his colleague, Dr. Joseph Jaffre, Sum m ary o f M.D." Dr. Dahlberg concludes his society is highly book, titled Stroke: A Doctor’s Per­ Pastoral Ministries sonal Story o f His Recovery, by of­ vulnerable to The foregoing paragraphs have at­ fering nine specific suggestions for tempted to set forth some sug­ patients, families, friends, and doc­ strokes. gestions for pastors who minister to tors who are related to cerebral victims or potential victims of stroke patients. strokes. Let me summarize these However, no spiritual nurture of “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall suggestions for pastoral care givers: stroke victims is mentioned. Let me not want” (Ps. 23:1, KJV). 1. Pastors should learn to recog­ suggest some modes of ministry for “Be glad for all God is planning nize symptoms that warn of an stroke victims. for you” (Rom. 12:12, TLB). evolving stroke. When stroke “Everything that happens fits into symptoms are noted in a par­ MINISTERING a pattern for good” (Rom. 8:28, ishioner, the pastor should get TO STROKE VICTIMS Phillips). the ailing person to his doctor Stroke-injured persons often re­ “I can do all things in him who for treatment as soon as possi­ main mentally alert, with hearing strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13, RSV). ble. and vision intact, despite their in­ “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 2. Because most stroke victims ability to communicate verbally. Cor. 12:9, RSV). can see and hear, a pastor can This situation allows a pastor to If a pastor learns to recognize the nurture their spiritual life penetrate communication barriers warning signs of an evolving stroke, through shared scriptures, and discourse with the disabled. It he may be able to preserve a parish­ prayers, and sacraments. also warns care-givers against saying ioner’s life. Some warning signs are 3. The pastor can relieve an over­ anything at bedside that the patient these-.12 burdened family of a stroke should not hear or worry about. 1. A sudden weakness or numb­ victim by arranging free time Most stroke victims can respond ness of face, arm, or leg for them. The pastor should be to yes and no questions with simple 2. Temporary loss of speech or aware of the needs of the fam­ body language. If the victim’s voice difficulty understanding oth­ ily and undergird their labors has been silenced by aphasia, he ers’ speech of love in every possible way. may be able to respond through 3- A sudden dimness or loss of vi­ Meaningful moments may be headshakes, hand squeezes, nods, sion, especially in one eye shared by pastor and parish­ smiles, frowns, shrugs, or charades. 4. An episode of double vision ioner while the family is “off Aphasia indicates injury of the left 5. A change of personality traits duty.” hemisphere of the brain. If someone or mental ability 4. The pastor can offer counsel to can interpret the victim’s garbled When a pastor observes any of the family of a stroke victim, speech, conversation can be facili­ these difficulties disabling a parish­ frankly discussing such con­ tated. ioner, he should get the person to cerns as institutional care ver­ One important contribution that his doctor immediately. The sooner sus home care, handling emo­ pastors can make is supportive en­ a doctor begins treatment of such tional outbursts, dealing with couragement. Often a stroke victim symptoms, the less serious will be depression and its dangers, and will weary of exercises and resign the damage.13 coping with bizarre behavior.15 himself to his limitations. The pas­ A pastor may volunteer to spend a ( Continued on page 47)

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 25 Preaching ______I The Power of Positive Preaching by Croft M. Pentz Union, N.J.

he old axiom, “A spoonful of This type of preaching produces prospect. He must be convincing. honey will draw more flies faith. It encourages complete trust His sales pitch must make a pros­ than a spoonful of vinegar,” in God. It doesn’t look at the dark pect listen and remember. T side but presents the solution to the certainly applies to preaching. Interesting preaching causes peo­ Positive preaching produces more problem. ple not only to listen but also to re­ and lasting results than the negative Positive preaching tells not only act and respond. approach. what God can do but what He w ill A positive, interesting sermon will Of course, some negative preach­ do to meet personal needs. Spiritual produce eternal results. ing is needed to balance the posi­ eyes and understanding are opened. People see what God has done in Developing a Positive tive. However, too much negative the past, but they also know what M inistry preaching puts the speaker and peo­ He will do in the present. ple always on the defensive. 1. Study the Scriptures. O f In the sports world we often hear, Positive Preaching course, some scriptures have a nega­ “A good defense makes a good of­ Is Practical tive message, but the positive always outweighs the negative. Look at the fense.” However, if you have all de­ God’s Word is positive and prac­ ministry of Jesus, Paul, and other fense and score no points, you won’t tical. It is man who complicates and great Bible characters. See their pos­ win games. makes it impractical. Some ministers are known as be­ Positive preaching not only tells itive ministry. ing against everything and for noth­ the answer to man’s needs but shows 2. Study the salesman. O f ing! Their preaching makes Chris­ the way and encourages him to fol­ course, pick the honest salesman tianity a religion of don’ts instead of low the way. and learn from him. Examine his ap­ a positive force. This type of preaching not only proach. How often Rom. 6:23 is quoted, diagnoses the illness but gives a 3■ Study radio and TV commer­ “The wages of sin is death.” Too cure! There is little value in showing cials. Look at their positive thrust. many end here. The latter part of the a person his need unless you show See how interesting they make their verse says, “But the gift of God is him how to overcome his problem. products. Note their sales pitch. eternal life.” A positive approach Positive Preaching Is Sound 4. Study successful speakers of the past and present. Why did they will entice more people to follow There is no place for politics or a Christ than telling them what they get results? What do they have that self-righteous, fighting spirit. Posi­ makes their speaking and churches a can’t do! tive preaching is always true to success? God’s Word. Positive Preaching 5. Study people. Notice how vari­ Is Expectant It puts man’s feet solidly upon the ground. It is not mystical or super­ ous people of various backgrounds The spirit of expectancy on the spiritual but sound and stable. respond. part of the speaker is passed on to It is sound in its a p p ro a c h , When the Philippian jailer asked the hearers. The promises of God offering hope. There is a way out! It Paul, “What must I do to be saved?” come to life. His Word becomes per- sees beyond the rough draft to the Paul didn’t give a list of don’ts! sbnal. “It is for me! It will meet my finished product. Rather he said, “Believe in the Lord needs.” It is sound in its affection. Love is Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts evident not only in the words of the 16:30-31). Paul didn’t expose his speaker but in his attitude and con­ past life of sin; he simply told the cern, which is felt by the hearers. jailer to believe. It is sound in its appeal. The peo­ Get people to believe God. When ple sense reality and sincerity. they begin to trust Him, something happens! A change takes place in Positive Preaching their lives. Then things that dis­ Is Interesting please God will disappear. Before a salesman sells a product, Let’s begin to spread more honey he must make it appealing to the and less vinegar! $

26 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE Illustrations in Preaching

by W. Floyd Bresee

In many ways the success of preaching depends upon the success of the illustration. An idea without an accompanying illustration is like an airplane without wings; the idea is not going to fly. The most successful preachers soon discover that illustrations have a way of personalizing the message, of attaching an address to it. As preachers, when we fa il to use illustrations, it’s the same as writing a lengthy letter but failing to address the envelope before mailing it.

li Baba, in an old Arabian Nights We wouldn’t become nearly so used a narrative— the experience of Z a tale, was fleeing for his life. confused over such subjects as the his own conversion (Acts 22 and 26). JL JL. Suddenly he was face-to- Old Testament sanctuary if we re­ Unfortunately, today some feel face with a dead end. Mammoth membered always to look at it as that sermon illustrations are un­ rock walls rose before him and on God’s way of illustrating how Christ spiritual and shallow. But if God in either side. His enemies were clos­ saves. The Gospels perfectly illus­ Scripture so consistently and persis­ ing in from behind. It seemed there trate truth by telling the life story of tently used illustrations, is it right to was no way to escape. But Ali Baba the only One who ever lived truth call illustrations unspiritual? Cer­ shouted two secret words, “Open perfectly. If you’re going to teach tainly the Bible is not unspiritual. If Sesame.” As if by magic, giant rock truth the way God teaches it, you great minds such as those of Jesus doors swung open before him. He must use illustrations, for His Book and Paul used illustrations, should rode through to safety and riches. we call illustration shallow? Cer­ is a book of illustrations. Preacher, have you ever had that tainly we would not call Paul and 2. Jesus always illustrated. Mark dead-end feeling in the pulpit? Have our Lord shallow. 4:33-34 asserts, “And with many you found yourself facing people Definition of illustration whose minds seemed as impervious such parables spake he the word as rock to the truth you were trying unto them, as they were able to hear Illustration comes from the Latin to present? Have you been hotly pur­ it. But without a parable spake he word lux, meaning “light.” It might sued by feelings of failure? Have you not unto them” (KJV). The Sermon take the form of a narrative, an anal­ desperately wished you had two on the Mount has some 56 meta­ ogy, or whatever, but its purpose is magic words like Ali Baba’s that phors. You can read the entire ser­ not the same as storytelling. It is would open doors and let the truth mon aloud in 15 minutes. If the ser­ never used primarily to excite or en­ get through? mon was delivered just as it is tertain, but to throw light on truth. You do have two magic words: fo r recorded, Jesus was using more than Storytelling, on the other hand, is instance. As you lay an illustration three illustrations a minute. that which is used for its own sake before your congregation, eyes focus With Jesus the Kingdom was al­ and is out of place in the pulpit. It on the pulpit. Minds focus on the ways like something. Look at just deserves the indignation heaped sermon. Doors swing open. The one chapter with me— Matthew 13, upon it. Charles Reynolds Brown truth gets through!1 KJV (italics added). In verse 24 differentiates illustration from story­ Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven telling in the following way: “The Importance of illustration is likened unto a man which sowed word illustrate means literally to Let’s first examine the reasons good seed in his field.” In verse 33, throw light or luster upon anything. why illustration is an important way “The kingdom of heaven is like unto The illustration is never to be re­ of conveying truth. leaven, which a woman took, and garded as an end in itself; it shines 1. The Bible is largely a book of hid in three measures of meal, till for the sake of something beyond. illustrations. Remembering this the whole was leavened.” In verse When the lighted candle is held up makes the Bible both more inter­ 44, “Again, the kingdom of heaven to the painting, it is not intended esting and understandable. Under­ is like unto treasure hid in a field.” that the beholders should look at lying virtually the entire Old Testa­ In verse 45, “Again, the kingdom of the candle but at the painting upon ment is illustration of how God heaven is like unto a merchant man, which the candle throws its light.”2 leads His people. Notice how Paul seeking goodly pearls.” And in verse Too little light prevents you from emphasizes this fact: “Now these 47, “Again, the kingdom of heaven seeing the picture, because of the things which happened to our an­ is like unto a net, that was cast into darkness. But too much light also cestors are illustrations of the way the sea, and gathered of every kind.” keeps you from seeing the picture, in which God works, and they were In our Lord’s preaching, the King­ because of the glare. Too little ser­ written down to be a warning to us dom was always like something. mon illustration prevents many in who are living in the final days of 3- Paul used illustration. Before the congregation from seeing the the present order” (1 Cor. 10:11, the angry mob at Jerusalem and truth you are presenting. But too ex­ Phillips, italics added). when on trial before Agrippa, he citing and dramatic an illustration

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 27 leads them to see the story instead What do you see on this page? become lazy. We step into the pulpit of the truth. Sometimes the best Ideas? Words? Not really What you with God-given truths, but we fail to story makes the poorest illustration. see on this page is ink. But the ink is provide the illustrations that will When a listener has remembered being used in such a way that, hope­ grip people’s attention. When the your story but can’t for the life of fully, we become oblivious to it and sermon is over we pull our sanc­ him recall what it taught, though it see only ideas. The perfect illustra­ timonious robes about us, insisting, may have been a good story in itself, tion is like that. It becomes almost “I said it. If the people didn’t hear it, it was a bad illustration. A story can oblivious. It leaves the listener that’s their problem.” Not so. A ser­ mon is really delivered, not when be like a living room lamp. It’s beau­ thinking, not of it, but of the idea it the preacher has gotten it off his tiful— something to look at. A ser­ illustrates. hands, but when his people have Purposes of illustration taken it into their hands and hearts. Let’s look at six reasons for using Rom. 10:17 gives a formula for sermon illustrations. building faith: “So then faith cometh if Jesus and Paul 1. Illustrations make truth eas­ by hearing, and hearing by the word ier to understand. We best learn a of God” (KJV). The formula is sim­ used illustrations, new thing by its being likened to ple: WORD + HEARING = FAITH. A something we already know, by the sermon is for the purpose of increas­ ing faith. Our formula suggests that should we call unfamiliar being compared with the the Word of God must be combined familiar. This is the basic principle with hearing before it produces illustration underlying the use of illustration in faith. In other words, it’s not how preaching. Beecher reminisced: “I shallow ? much of the Word of God we have seen an audience, time and preach, but how much is heard, that again, follow an argument, doubt­ will build faith. William James put it fully, laboriously, almost suspicious­ this way: “What gets your attention ly, and look at one another, as much determines your action.” And illus­ mon illustration should be like a as to say, ‘Is he going right?’— until tration is simply the most successful streetlamp. It doesn’t attract much the place is arrived at, where the means available for focusing peo­ attention to itself. Its business is speaker says, ‘It is like— ’ and then ple’s attention on truth. lighting up the community. they listen eagerly for what ‘it is Christ didn’t tell hair-raising sto­ like’ and when some apt illustration ries as a preface to long theological is thrown out before them, there is a discussions. Instead He used simple sense of relief, as though they said, analogies almost continuously and ‘Yes, he is right.’ ”3 with a proper balance of emotion. Far from being shallow, well- "What gets your at­ He didn’t focus on the extreme ends illustrated preaching dares to of the reason-emotion continuum present deeper thoughts. What if I tention determines but stayed in the middle, using both have an argument that I would like your action." as continuously as possible. to include in my sermon, but it An illustration, then, is not for en­ would demand the most careful at­ — William James tertaining, nor is it a blank space be­ tention of even the deepest thinkers tween arguments. Rather, it is that in the congregation. Dare I include which applies argument to life. Did it? Only if I illustrate it. A deep you ever try to hang a picture for thought well illustrated and prac­ your wife when you had only a nail tically applied will gain the interest Dad used to set my two older and no hammer? Ever try to drive a of both the thinker and the child in brothers and me to work sacking nail with your wife’s high-heeled your audience. grain. Being the youngest, I invari­ shoe? On the other hand, did you 2. Illustrations hold attention. ably held the sack, and my brothers ever have a hammer and couldn’t In the strictest sense many sermons did the shoveling. There’s a bit of a find a nail? The best of hammers that are preached never are deliv­ trick to putting your forearm into would only make a mess of the wall. ered. The pharmacist sends his de­ the grain sack just right so its mouth Which do you need to hang a pic­ livery boy out with a prescription hangs open wide enough for a ture— a nail, hammer, or both? The for Mrs. Jones. But the day is hot, the whole scoopful of grain to go in. We nail is your idea, the lesson you want bicycle is slow, and Mrs. Jones lives shoveled a lot more grain than we to get across in your sermon. The clear across town. So the boy throws sacked, but the problem was that hammer represents your illustration. the prescription in a trash can and Dad gave us credit only for the Having an idea without an illustra­ goes swimming instead. Did he de­ amount that went in, not the amount tion is like having a nail without a liver it? Well, he got it off his hands. of grain that was shoveled. Is it not hammer to help it penetrate— to But you can be sure his employer possible our Heavenly Father mea­ drive it home. Having a story with­ will insist that delivery was made sures sermons the same way? He’s out a lesson to teach is like having a only when the prescription got into not so much impressed by the hammer without a nail for it to Mrs. Jones’ hands. amount of truth we handle as by the strike against. You need both. Like the boy, we ministers tend to amount that goes in. Good illustra­

28 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE tions help hold people’s attention. relevant to life if you illustrate it the truth under many a plain jacket.”5 And that’s how more truth goes in. with experiences similar to theirs. 5. Illustrations present strong 3. Illustrations retain truth lon­ An illustration about a child being truth without offending the audi­ ger. When a piece of film is devel­ spanked is usually more relevant ence. We might not look at this as a oped and an image emerges, the than one about a soldier charging principal purpose of illustration, yet process is not yet complete. The into battle. Most of your audience Matt. 13:10-11, 13 shows Jesus used film must be put through a fixer be­ have been either on the giving or re­ it this way: “And the disciples came, fore the image can last as long as the ceiving end of a spanking, but what and said unto him, Why speakest film lasts. In preaching, not only do woman in your congregation has ev­ thou unto them in parables? He an­ we want to impress our listeners er fought on a battlefield? swered and said unto them, Because with truth, but we long for that im­ it is given unto you to know the mys­ pression to last. Illustrations are the teries of the kingdom of heaven, but fixers making permanent the image to them it is not given. . . . Therefore of truth. speak I to them in parables: because But preachers must not overlook If Jesus were they seeing see not; and hearing the principle behind Jesus’ use of il­ they hear not, neither do they un­ lustrations. If He were preaching in preaching today, derstand” (KJV). Apparently Jesus our cities today, He would illustrate used illustrations to make His teach­ with freeways and supermarkets, not He would illustrate ings both easier and harder to under­ with shepherds and sheep. The prin­ stand— easier for those who wanted ciple behind Jesus’ choice of illus­ with freeways and to understand, and harder and more trations is that they should tie truth obscure for those who didn’t. to things people would be doing so supermarkets, not Abolishing slavery was not a pop­ that they will be reminded of the ular idea in many congregations dur­ truth every time they do them. shepherds and ing pre-Civil War days, even in the The truths of Jesus’ sermons were sheep. North. Many people didn’t appre­ remembered every time a listener ciate their ministers’ preaching saw a lamb or a lily. Every time the about it. Yet the consciences of people lost something, they remem­ some preachers wouldn’t allow bered the lessons of the lost coin or them to keep quiet. The solution? the lost sheep. Every time they had The day before he preached, Hen­ Some used examples out of slavery company, they thought of Jesus’ ry Ward Beecher liked to spend to illustrate sermons on other sub­ teaching about the man who bor­ some time at the docks. He claimed jects. The illustrations gradually got rowed bread at midnight for his acquaintance with every gatekeeper to the people’s hearts when no company. Ellen W hite suggests: at Fulton Ferry, every engineer or amount of argument would have. Il­ “Christ’s illustrations were taken dockhand on the boats. Or he liked lustration sometimes makes it possi­ from the things of daily life, and al­ to ride on an omnibus and talk with ble to present strong truth without though they were simple, they had the driver. His sermon was still form­ offending the audience. in them a wonderful depth of mean­ ing in his mind when he went out to 6. Illustrations motivate. Merely ing. . . . Ever afterward, when His observe life, asking himself whether to announce what ought to be done hearers chanced to see these ob­ or not this idea would work there. without helping motivate people to jects, they recalled His words. Thus From watching life on Saturday, he do it is of little value. Enveloped in a the truth became a living reality; the brought illustrations that made his cloud of dust, the county agricul­ scenes of nature and the daily affairs sermon relevant to life when he tural agent drove into the farmyard of life were ever repeating to them preached on Sunday. Proudly and bounced onto the old farmer’s the Saviour’s teaching.”4 If, like Beecher asserted, “If ever I saw one porch. The farm looked pretty much Jesus, you want your sermons to go of those men in my church, I could run-down, and the farmer sitting in on preaching themselves all week preach to him, and hit him under the creaking rocker did too. The long, illustrate them with things the fifth rib with an illustration, agent, enthusiasm personified, be­ your people w ill be doing that much better than if I had not been gan sharing what he thought were week. acquainted with him. I have driven exciting ideas for improving the 4. Illustrations prove religion relevant. They BEYOND BELIEF are a means of showing that Christian theory works in everyday life. Listeners often wonder whether it will. Preach­ ers tend to forget that it must. Good illustrations prove that it does. Your audience will perceive your sermon as

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 29 farm, but the old man stopped him The preacher must truly observe it. Second, the congregation is a in midsentence. “Simmer down, A thousand illustrations pass before source. If the basic lessons for your sonny; I know how to farm twice as each of us every year, but we need to next sermon have been gleaned good as I’m farmin’ already.” train ourselves to see them. from Scripture early in the week and Most people are not living even The minister who complains are churning in your head seeking half the truth they already know. about having no illustrations is ad­ ways to be taught, then as you visit They don’t so much need to know mitting either that his religion isn’t and minister to your congregation more as they need to be motivated relevant to life or that he doesn’t yet throughout the week, illustrations possess what every successful preach­ are almost certain to come. It is a er must develop— the “homiletic simple fact that the sermons that come from the congregation tend to bias.” The homiletic bias means fit the congregation. They also tend more than training yourself to see to create a family atmosphere. Then the world; it means always seeing it Use your parishioners will respond, in spiritual colors. What does it “This sermon is about us" or “One teach about Jesus? How does tt illus­ illustrations of us has a problem similar to that.” trate His kingdom? Caution! If the illustration is lau­ That’s the way Jesus did it. He ob­ as datory, people won’t object to your served everything. He looked for il­ telling something about them in lustrations everywhere. Notice how "pump primers." public. But be extremely careful broad and all-inclusive was His ob­ about intimate details. Someone is servation of life as indicated by His listening to how well you keep con­ illustrations on homelife (leavening fidences before daring to trust you bread, borrowing from a neighbor, with the hurt in his own heart. I am patching cl'otfies, lighting lamps, more. While the principal purpose shocked by the number of people sweeping floors, the boy who didn’t, of illustration is not to excite the who have come to me saying they want to live at home, children play* emotions, illustrations do help lis­ don’t share their problems with ing games in the street); business teners feel the truth. And people their pastor for fear he’ll share them (lending money, collecting money mostly do what they feel like doing. with the whole congregation as a owed, paying taxes); trades (manag­ sermon illustration. Sources of illustrations ing orchards and vineyards, building T hird, your personal life is a Naturally it’s much easier to de­ houses, fishermen sorting their source. The preacher should not talk fend the importance of illustrations catch, bosses and servants); nature too much about himself in the pul­ than to find good ones when you (wheat, tares, harvesting, flowers, pit, yet a careful observer should need them. At times we’re all tempt­ birds); politics (kings going to war); probably be able to compose a biog­ ed to throw up our hands and say we and social events (feasts, weddings). raphy of his pastor from a year’s ser­ just can’t. To illustrate as Jesus illustrated mons. Your own illustration is better The University of Northern Iowa means two things: staying close to even if it’s not so good. That is, what once offered a general art course life, and staying close to God so that you know for certain about Chris­ that included a most unusual exer­ you see Him in every facet of life. tianity is only what has worked for cise. The teacher brought to class a Keeping these principles in mind, you. shopping bag filled with lemons let’s look now at five sources of il­ and gave a lemon to each class mem­ lustrations. First, the Bible. Biblical ber. The assignment was for the stu­ illustrations have both advantages dent to keep his lemon with him day and disadvantages. An advantage is and night— smelling, handling, ex­ that they carry weight because they amining it. Next class period, with­ are taken from Scripture. A disadvan­ out warning, students were told to tage is that most people have heard Illustration put their lemons back in the bag. them so often they tend to be bored Then each was asked to find his unless the illustrations are creatively is like the lemon. Surprisingly, most did so done. without difficulty They had fondled A few suggestions may help. Do Incarnation. and scrutinized and lived with that enough research so you can make lemon until it became intimately the narrative live. Use a “suppose” theirs. and translate the ancient experience The sermon illustrator must do into a modem setting. Utilize less- with life what the student did with familiar illustrations such as the life However, don’t be the hero of ev­ that lemon. The preacher must per­ of Demas or Onesimus. Many old ery personal illustration. It encour­ petually turn life over, examine it, Testament incidents are not well- ages people to hear of your human­ study it, always asking the Holy known in most congregations today. ity now and then and to know that Spirit to show him how it illustrates Unless you have a genius for nar­ you’re aware of it. On the other Christianity. This must be at least rative, use Bible illustrations more hand, don’t glorify your wayward partially what is meant by “Pray as proof, not as a substitute for ex­ youth or brag about mistakes of the without ceasing.” We all live life. amples from contemporary life. past. Some preachers make it sound

30 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE as though the only fun they’ve had And have a well-organized topical sion to the world. . . . Men could was serving the devil. file so that it will be readily avail­ learn of the unknown through the When using illustrations from able when you need it. known; heavenly things were re­ your own home, always talk lovingly Fifth, books of sermon illustra­ vealed through the earthly; God was about your wife. Ladies in the con­ tions are sources. These are left to made manifest in the likeness of gregation are unbelievably sensitive last, because they should probably men. So it was in Christ’s teaching: in picking up little nuances about be used only as a last resort. Their the unknown was illustrated by the what kind of husband you make. greatest value may actually be in re­ known; divine truths by earthly Also, don’t embarrass your children minding you of some incident closer things with which the people were by either building them up or run­ to your life or that of your congrega­ most familiar.”6 ning them down. They already have tion. Use them as “pump primers.” Let us, like Jesus, continuously enough of a goody-goody image sur­ There’s an old saying, a bit judg­ link the divine with the human rounding them without Dad’s ser­ mental, yet true, that tells why we through illustration. $ mons magnifying the problem. must use illustration: “Little minds Fourth, your file is a good source. dwell on people, mediocre minds 1. Halford Luccock, Communicating the Gospel Always write down an illustration as dwell on things, large minds dwell (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1954), 136. soon as you hear or think of one. on ideas.” Then how are we going to 2. Charles Reynolds Brown, The Art o f Preaching Forget that you can remember, and get ideas into little and mediocre (New York: Macmillan Co., 1922), 124. 3. Henry Ward Beecher, Yale Lectures on Preach­ remember that you are bound to for­ minds? By associating them with ing (New York: J. B. Ford and Co., 1872), 158. get. Have you heard about the people and things! 4. Counsels to Parents and Teachers (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press, 1943), 261. preacher who had such a beauti­ Reverently I ask, Did you ever 5. Beecher, Yale Lectures, 97. ful thought that he immediately stop to think that the use of illustra­ 6. Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons (Wash­ dropped to his knees to thank the tion is like the Incarnation? “In ington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1941), 17. Lord for it, but when he got up, he Christ’s parable teaching the same This article first appeared in Ministry magazine. forgot what it was? Write it down. principle is seen as in His own mis­ Used by permission.

Pastor in the Grass ( Continued from page 6) ing is founded on an example of An absolute must in ministry is a One final aspect of ministry that ministry shown to me a long time sincere love for those to whom we cannot be overlooked is a v a ila b il­ ago in the grass of my backyard. minister. His love for us motivated ity. My sister recently pointed out What does it take to be that kind our pastor to take the extra time to that our pastor seemed so sophisti­ of minister? What qualities make it sit down with us in the grass. By the cated, yet he has always been so possible for a person to have that time my father died, our church had available. There was a period of time kind of impact on the lives of hurt­ called a new pastor. The man who before my father died in which he ing people? cared for our needs so beautifully was able to go to work but was un­ W isd om is an often overlooked had actually moved on to another able to drive. The pastor regularly quality in ministry. Our emphasis is position. It was not his job to minis­ came by and picked up my father often on academic preparation and ter to us. He chose to do it because and took him to work. When Daddy training. All the knowledge in the he cared about us. Sometimes we world, however, is worthless to the died, the pastor was close by to help fool who can’t use it. This pastor’s must be willing to ask God to break us through it. wisdom allowed him to see our our hearts for those around us who Shortly after my father’s death, the needs clearly. Wisdom does not are hurting. If we can’t love them pastor took us all out to the lake and need to be seen as something in the enough on our own, He can surely taught us to water-ski. That would future that we can only hope to ob­ love them through us. have been plenty, but his availability tain. We can become wise if we have The example of ministry that Jesus did not stop there. As we have grown a teachable spirit and are willing to most wanted to leave with His disci­ up and begun our own families, he use the world as our classroom. ples was servanthood. Our pastor has kept up with us. He always let us The need for wisdom does not ne­ could have stayed inside with the know that he is there if and when gate the need for a solid education. adults and not have been bothered we need him. Jesus reminded us of The pastor who ministered to us in by little kids. Or he could have His availability when He promised, the grass that day is a highly edu­ made a big production out of his “I will never leave you nor forsake cated scholar and theologian. No conversation with us, making sure you” (Josh. 1:5). As His ministers, doubt his academic background everyone could hear what he was we must follow His example. gave him tools he needed to help us doing for us. He did neither. He qui­ The word pastor carries with it deal with the grief we were experi­ etly humbled himself and met our the image of a shepherd caring for encing. It is what we know that needs. Who else but a servant would his sheep. What better place is there gives us the power to put our wis­ sit in the grass with children? Didn’t for a shepherd to be than in the grass dom into action. Jesus do that kind of thing also? with kids? $

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 31 Stewardship The Preretirement Years:

A Time for Planning by Don Walter Administrative Assistant Board of Pensions and Benefits USA Church of the Nazarene

good friend, now retired for 1. Personal Finances culation. Also, it is wise to request a several years, has a plaque 2. Health and Health Care report of personal income. Check hanging on his wall that 3. Retirement Activities this report every two or three years A 4. Emotional Changes and Adjust­ to make certain your records are be­ reads, “Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart.” That saying would seem ments ing updated accurately. Local Social more humorous, of course, if it were The following brief discussion of Security offices provide appropriate not so true. My friend’s plaque sug­ these topics may give the minister forms for each of these requests. gests that we learn many of life’s les­ some initial guidance in preretire­ As another helpful procedure, sons the hard way. And it hints that ment planning. contact your denominational pen­ some learning could have been eas­ Personal Finances sion board for a summary explana­ tion of the pension plan(s) under ier had we been more alert sooner. in Retirement Consider particularly the task of which you are covered. The amount The main financial issues during of pension to anticipate usually can planning for retirement. preretirement years are ( 1) what to be estimated from this summary. For many individuals, retirement expect realistically as financial need This information, together with the is the “tomorrow” that will “never and income during retirement, and information from the Social Security come.” So preparation for that even (2) how best to structure financial Administration and projected retire­ occurs minimally or not at all. Then resources to guard against outliving ment income from your TSA and IRA one day the main entry on the daily wealth. plans, should provide a close esti­ schedule is a retirement celebration When assessing financial need, a mate of fixed income amounts to ex­ — theirs! crucial item is housing. Most likely a pect from these sources. Suddenly income shrinks, but liv­ minister will have to provide his To help conserve supplemental ing expenses stay the same. Ques­ own retirement housing and util­ cash resources for retirement pur­ tions about where to live or how to ities. This will be quite a change poses, frequently a life income an­ spend the newly limited income dis­ from living in a parsonage or re­ nuity contract is used. A number of rupt sleep. Important decisions are ceiving a housing allowance. Since options exist for this type of con­ made on the spur of the moment. As housing represents a large part of re­ tract. When evaluating options, re­ a result, problems develop and well- tirement living expense, available member that the need to guarantee a intentioned men and women strug­ alternatives should be considered retirement income from cash re­ gle with unfavorable circumstances early. Reasonable choices for many sources must be balanced with the caused by a poorly planned retire­ geographic areas include single­ need for liquid reserves available for ment. These folks are caught “Too family or multi-family dwellings, emergency use. When reviewing Soon Old, Too Late Smart.” apartments, condominiums, retire­ these needs and considering the op­ To heed the warning of the ment village housing, and pre­ tions, consult a trusted, certified fi­ plaque, we should anticipate and fabricated or mobile homes. nancial planner. plan for retirement during pre­ To provide for retirement needs, a retirement years. Some psychologists retirement savings program should Health and Health Care identify the preretirement stage of start as early as possible in a minis­ As one gets older, health and life as the years from age 56 to age ter’s career. If this has not occurred, health care become increasingly im­ 65. Others view this stage as begin­ benefit still can be gained during portant. With age come increased ning as early as age 50. During this preretirement years by establishing health risks and the increased possi­ time many people tend to look for­ and contributing to a Tax-Sheltered bility of needing extended health ward to retirement, yet they often Annuity (TSA) or an Individual Re­ care. Health issues to consider in experience anxiety due to the un­ tirement Annuity (IRA). The minis­ preretirement planning include: ( 1) certainties retirement may hold. ter’s denominational pension board how to best maintain good health, Careful and adequate planning dur­ generally can provide detailed infor­ and (2) how to pay for health care ing these years will do much to re­ mation on such plans. services in the event of ill health. lieve anxiety and facilitate the tran­ When projecting retirement in­ Adequate health insurance is a sition into meaningful retirement. come, be sure to contact the Social must. The misfortune of ill health Effective preretirement planning Security Administration for free ma­ cannot be predicted, but financial should involve four main areas: terial regarding general benefit cal- protection in that event can be as­

32 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE sured. The Social Security Adminis­ “If I do volunteer for service in an newly retired minister really was. tration provides at no cost general organization, how much of my time Sometimes adjustment takes place information materials on Medicare. do I want controlled by others?” in the relationship to husband Everyone should know what Medi­ “Will my hobbies or recreational or wife. Most ministers and their care does not pay for. This under­ activities keep me busy and happy?” spouses have found that the de­ standing allows one to shop intel­ “What will be my role in the ac­ mands of ministry often left pre­ ligently for insurance to supplement tivities of my local church?” cious little time to spend together. Medicare coverage. Many insurance Answers to these questions remain In retirement, they may be constant companies offer such plans with a unique to each individual. Being companions on a daily basis. One variety of options and premiums. prepared for change furnishes a key semiretired friend commented that Contact a qualified professional to to successful planning. With regard he really enjoyed having more time help you analyze insurance needs to retirement activities, part of that to spend at home. The only prob­ and evaluate options for coverage. preparation includes being willing lem, he said, was that his idea of when to tackle a project around the Retirement Activities to reevaluate and adjust any activity when necessary. Each of us has house was not the same as his wife’s. Most full-time ministers have their skills, abilities, and needs to be chal­ Retirement may bring the need for time fully, if not overly, scheduled. lenged, used, and fulfilled by wisely some fine tuning of interpersonal re­ For these men and women and their planned retirement activities. lationships. spouses, the change retirement Accommodating emotional brings in the level and nature of ac­ Emotional Changes changes that occur with retirement tivity is a particularly important is­ and Adjustments is not always easy, even with the best sue for scrutiny. Any major change in a person’s planning. Knowing that these No one (not even you yourself) life, such as retirement, brings with changes and adjustments are normal can prescribe beforehand all the ap­ it a time of emotional adjustment. is an important first step in coping. propriate activities for either the Although areas of adjustment may Being willing to share personal feel­ person or the schedule that exists af­ vary with the individual, a time for ings with your spouse, a fellow min­ ter retirement. Some individuals accommodating this major change is ister, or a trusted friend who has re­ continue many of their ministerial normal. cently made successful adjustments activities even though “retired.” For one minister, retirement to retirement often helps this adjust­ Others pursue interests in different brought the need to adjust his feel­ ment process. areas. Whatever your choice, some ings regarding self-identity. This Each minister should undertake basic questions regarding retirement man had been so busy that un­ essential preretirement planning. activities should be investigated scheduled time was nearly non­ Certainly the transition from a “full­ during the preretirement years. Con­ existent. When retirement came, time-plus” work routine to a retire­ sider the following: people did not call for him “as they ment routine brings a major change “What have I always wanted to do used to,” and free time was abun­ in one’s life. Preretirement planning for which I never had time?” dant. For this individual, some spe­ should identify the issues that ac­ “What service opportunities cial time had to be spent alone with company this change and prepare to would I find fulfilling?” his family to discover just who this resolve them. $

Going Forward—It’s Easy! ( Continued from page 23) read in the Psalms, “I will pay my wait to go forward.” up due to the lack of response. Oth­ vows unto the Lord now in the pres­ There were several reasons to go ers may believe that public deci­ ence of all his people” ( 116:18, forward: Salvation is, of course, sions are not always sincere ones, or KJV). paramount. But there is also dedica­ that some Christians are always I struggled with the critics. Some tion, burden of prayer, confession of “walking the aisle” for every little would say, “She is one of those who sin, victory over habits, or settling a problem. This too might stem from thinks she has to run forward every private decision. an opinion that “going forward is week.” The Lord encouraged me In many Bible-believing churches easy.” with these words, “If Christians are there is no regular invitation given. When we take the first step, God not willing to respond, how can the Have we lost something with its de­ has a way of making all the other unsaved be expected to answer?” mise? ones lighter. That Sunday I stepped out on the Some have altar calls only during In one church we attended, the first note of the invitational hymn, the evangelistic crusade or the mis­ pastor often expressed the opinion, and 24 other people did the same. sionary conference, which makes “The altar should be the sweetest The pastor later said, “I never saw the average Christian unwilling to place in the Christian’s life.” the people respond as they did this answer. It may not be the easiest, but it morning. It was as if they could not Perhaps some pastors have given certainly is the sweetest. $

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 33 / / \ % i B / / f|1 \ \ V, i- j | .

7 m A j Make v It Easy to Give by Maxine Dowd Jensen Lee’s Summit, Mo.

ecently I visited a church and today when cuts in federal funding conform to the way you wish it were. slipped the bulletin in my force many worthy causes to expend If you encourage your mem­ R purse because of an item more effort for contributions. There­ bership to give through envelopes, that read, in part: fore, a church should make it easy to as most churches do, choose en­ It is of utmost importance that give. velopes large enough that no folding you make separate checks for each Here are some suggestions. of money is necessary. Less can go fund such as budget, building, Based on that excerpt from the wrong for everyone if the envelope kitchen, or one of the memorial bulletin, why is that church asking is the right size. This includes possi­ funds. The money is deposited in for separate checks? Probably be­ ble paper cuts for the volunteers different banks, so separate cause it makes it convenient for the who must unfold and try to keep checks are needed. Please use church office. But it is putting a bur­ stacks of checks and currency flat. your contribution envelopes. To den on the 50 to 1,500 (or more) Be sure itemization of the funds write your number on your check members. are indicated on the face of the en­ is not sufficient, as the checks go Some banks charge for each check velope. to the bank. We key the informa­ written; others allow only three Many churches save money in tion off the envelope. checks on an account before a postage and cost by asking those I noticed that their contribution charge is made. This uses up money who wish envelopes to sign up for envelopes were not as long as the that could be channeled into the them and then pick them up at a check or dollar and were divided in church. One check each time makes central location. the middle. One piece of currency, it easier on your member if the In­ Also, Christians can be stubborn. folded, would have stuffed either ternal Revenue Service requests an Some make decisions based on side. I thought, This church isn’t audit. Folding checks increases the “scoldings” in a bulletin or the size m aking it easy to give. possibility of its destruction as it of the envelope. They may say, “If Later, my friend told me that four flows through the bank’s machines. they don’t want my money the way I similar “scoldings” had appeared The church printing the excerpt give it, I don’t have to give.” during the six months following the used several banks. This is permis­ Church members who love the distribution of these new envelopes. sible. A Finance Committee can vote Lord shouldn’t make decisions in Getting a church member to give for this. However, should this con­ this fashion, but they’ve been known can prove most difficult. Especially cern the congregation? No. The job to do so. Therefore, encourage them. of the member is to give; that of the Don’t put obstacles in their way. church office is to keep the monies Our cause, bringing Jesus to peo­ straight. ple, is the greatest in the world. Today, many church accountants Help people choose the church as find life easier with a computer. If the recipient of the majority of their your church uses one, remember it gifts. Eliminating “scoldings” and is versatile. The seller of the equip­ providing the proper size of en­ ment can enable the user to set up velope should go far in keeping the the program for life as it is. Please offerings and tithes funneled toward don’t expect your congregation to the church. $

34 THE PREACHERS MAGAZINE Missions ______

by Jim Buchanan Swaziland, Africa ne of the biggest annual Very soon Rev. Chirwa came back reason we were there. A short distance events in Swaziland was to me with good news and bad from us was another pavilion with a starting in eight days, and news. The new building was avail­ banner that read, “Welcome to Is­ Othe Church of the Nazarene wouldable to us, but the cost was pro­ lam!” Free literature and videos have no representation there. hibitive. This time Chirwa agreed promoted this religion. Thousands of people from all over with me; the trade fair would go on, To me it seemed the Lord was Swaziland and surrounding southern but Nazarene Bookstore would not showing us that the battle line had African countries swarm into Man- be there. been drawn. With a lot of prayers, zini each year for the Swaziland In­ We went on with our work at Naz­ we armed ourselves with all the ar­ ternational Trade Fair. We had tried arene Literature Office and Naza­ tillery needed: World Mission, Her­ to get a stall for the Nazarene Litera­ rene Bookstore. The trade fair was ald of Holiness, Introducing the ture Office, but we were cut off at out of our minds. Then eight days Church of the Nazarene, Focus on every turn. before the fair, Miriam (the trade The Swaziland literature staff and fair representative) called from the the Family Magazine, gospel tracts, I had talked about having a stall in trade fair office. She explained that and the Sunday School literature the trade fair. We knew it would be a the construction crews had left out from Marion, Ind. strain on our small staff, but we felt one stall in the Prince Malunge In addition to all the “stuff” being it was the right thing to do. “We building. For some reason the work­ handed out by other religions and need to be in the big Prince Mal- ers did not install the last booth businesses, the good news of Jesus unge Pavilion. That’s the real thing,” right on the end of the pavilion next was going out from Prince Malunge said Rev. Chirwa, the Nazarene Book­ to one of the two entrances. Pavilion. People at the fair, es­ store manager. As soon as possible, Chirwa and I pecially young people, were so However, when we inquired rushed off to the fairgrounds with happy to receive anything to read. about the Prince Malunge Pavilion, deposit money in hand and secured Time and time again I joyfully said, the trade fair representative told us the best spot in the main pavilion at “Here’s something good to read,” as I it was completely reserved. She the right price. We rejoiced to­ handed them some free literature showed us a new pavilion under gether: “Eight days before the fair, with the Good News. construction and told us we would and we’re in.” We had enough faith One man named Mkhezi took lit­ have first choice to take a stall there. to believe that the Lord wanted us to erature and asked if I would pray The pavilion was built— but the of­ be there. for him. While dozens of people ficials decided it would be used With a lot of fast work and timely swarmed around us, we made one only for displays by foreign coun­ help from missionaries Jim Whited spot— standing room only— a place tries represented there. and Mel Felts, we organized litera­ of prayer and encouragement for The trade fair representative then ture, bookshelves, brochure, sign, this man. On another day, an alco­ showed us yet another pavilion un­ and all the odds and ends needed to holic came my way, asking for my der construction. Again she said we get ready. help. Our banner read, “Nazarene would have first chance to get in One day before the fair, God dem­ Bookstore, Manzini,” but those who that new one. She promised to call onstrated His perfect timing again. A were hungry saw an invisible banner us as soon as the building was com­ slip came from the post office in my the Lord himself had raised, and it pleted. Weeks passed and not a word name. I was not expecting nor had I read, “Welcome to Jesus!” (See Rev. came from the trade fair representa­ asked for leftover Sunday School lit­ 3:20.) tive. erature. But Park Lynn Church of the The sales were better than ex­ I had given up on the notion of Nazarene in Marion, Ind., sent a box pected. The publicity was good for being at the trade fair, but Rev. Chir­ just the same. I thought maybe we the Nazarene Bookstore and the wa persisted. “Umfundisi, [Teacher], could use the literature at the trade Church of the Nazarene. Our staff han­ let me check with these trade fair fair, so we took that box along with dled the extra work load very well. people once more,” he said. the other boxes of books for the fair. But only eternity will tell us what was “Well, go ahead, but I’ve given up The fair got under way, and things accomplished for the kingdom of God on the idea. We’re out of time to pre­ were going well. Then the Lord re­ with Nazarene literature from Swazi­ pare anyway,” I replied. vealed to me what I feel is the real land and Marion, Ind. $

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 35 Pastor, Be EncouraPed ------So Much of Life I s . . . Adjusting

Strait by C. Neil Mich. Grand Rapids,

lem and tigs defeat to God. He did, ometime ago, my daughter His people but also to validate His and the rgad to recovery began. bought me the book Beyond goodness, authority, and power. As Third, the troubled times are not IBM. A fascinating bit of infor­ such, we should not forget them. totally lost. Sometimes, out of the S God’s caution to the children of Is­ ashes comes beauty. Sometimes, out mation leaped out at me: “A rocket is on course only 2% of the time— rael was that they would not forget of the chaos comes a deepened de­ the rest of the time it is correcting” the trips through the dry sea or the pendence upon God. Whatever is (Lou Mobley and Kate McKeown, occasions when He provided for going on in crisis— pain or suf­ Beyond IBM [New York: McGraw- their needs. It is a sad commentary fering, misunderstanding or con­ Hill Publishing Co., 1989], 30). on human intellect that the good fusion, separation or conflict— it is It seems that ministry is like this times are so quickly forgotten while forcing adjustment, correcting, pro­ — mostly correcting, adjusting. There the bad times are so long remem­ cessing, searching, and stretching. are times when it seems that so little bered. While such can be, and often is, of ministry is “on course” and so Second, I must let the good times painful and stress laden, the possi­ much of it is “correcting.” speak direction and assurance dur­ bility for resolution and growth is I gave serious thought to what this ing the troubled times. The same ever present. bit of information might say to me. God who blesses and gifts life with Further, such dark moments help Let me share my reflections. treasured experiences is the same us appreciate the better moments. It One, as a pastor, I must praise God who wants to guide, comfort, is often in a walk through the dark God for the occasions when minis­ and protect during the troubled mo­ tunnel of problems that His grace try is going well. One danger in min­ ments. I need to remember this and and glory speak so beautifully to the istry, as in all professions and jobs, is draw strength from the God who is heart. I asked a man not long ago that the problems and bad times there! what he had learned in what he have a way of obscuring the good A few years ago I sat at an early called his “tunnel of agony.” and great moments. hour with a pastor whose ministry He replied, “That God’s grace and I believe that God gives us the had crumbled due to poor judg­ help are more real than I ever great moments of ministry, not only ment. He asked me the questions ev­ thought.” because they are fulfillments of His ery person asks at some time in their What does all of this have to do will and answers to the prayers of crisis, “Where is God?” I reminded with adjusting, correcting? Just this: the heartbroken pastor that God was I must learn to adjust my circum­ where He always is— right here, stances to the grace and ways of available, comforting, loving, reach­ God, rather than let my problems ing out arms of understanding and determine my view of God. I must forgiveness. He looked at me for a be in a “correcting” mode where moment, as though the words life’s situations are letting in the formed a new truth. After a long truths and promises of the gospel. pause he replied, “That’s what we The more we live and pastor, the preach, isn’t it?” I said that it was, more we realize that life is on and I put my arms around him and course such a brief time, and the encouraged him to open his prob­ rest of the time it is correcting. $

36 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE Minister's Mate j Parsonage Paychecks

by Celia Jolley Roseburg, Oreg.

profound saying suggests, else’s toes. You can be an example kindle the faith that God can still “When your outgo exceeds without being on a soapbox. part the red sea of ink and lead you A your income, your upkeep Where does the church fit into through. Read accounts of sacrifices becomes your downfall.” Do thethe ins juggling of two-career families? made and simple life-styles led by a and outs and ups and downs of one- The church must be sensitive to the majority of humanity. It puts your income parsonage life in a two- stretched schedules of its members poverty in perspective and causes income world leave you feeling like and hurt when one member of the you to feel richer. Raise your chil­ a juggler balancing on one leg but body hurts. But we sometimes act dren on the autobiography of Laura lacking the grace of a flamingo? more like an exhausted, overworked Ingalls Wilder. Read the collection In a church of 200 people, there aerobics class suffering pulled mus­ of diaries now available from pio­ are only four mothers who stay cles, limping away Sunday after Sun­ neer women in Women in the West. home full-time with their preschool day. What gives? Review the Hall of Fame in Hebrews children: one, an unwed mother on As lay ministry volunteers balance 11. Read the story of the Schmelzen- welfare; another who sells home multi-careers, home, church, and bachs in Sons of Africa. Broaden crafts; and two of us who baby-sit. I recreation, more and more they look your horizons and seek out someone accepted two student loans and for relief by hiring staff to create de­ in greater need. That person needs spent four years to get my B.A. in or­ sired ministries. This relief is costly to know the comfort with which der to earn $ 1.00 an hour? Here I am to pastors and their families. Monies you have been comforted (2 Cor. — three children and 12 years of spread to staff positions usually 1:3-4). Learn to be thankful for daily ministry later. Sometimes I feel like leave it thin on your side of the bread even when you crave cake. a dinosaur rather than a natural wom­ bread too. In the vast empty arena, When there’s a gap between “con­ an. As the tide has turned, the fron­ there are great opportunities for de­ sidering it all” and “joy” (see James tier of full-time homemaking re­ velopment of spiritual gifts and un­ 1:2, NASB), review God’s promises. quires a pioneer spirit to face the buried talents for those enabled We may be poor, wayfaring strangers hardships and dare the unknown. with the resource of time. However, traveling through this world of woe, Yet, we drive on, convinced of the we do not need superstars as much but we can enlarge our tents of faith. joy set before us. as we need teamwork of the whole Take a good look at God. Try a Bible When the waves of doubt lap up body working together efficiently in study on the attributes of God, es­ around your castle, the first moat of a healthy manner. pecially His Father-God love toward defense as a homebound mom is Convictions have a price tag. us. Look up Matt. 7:7-11; 6:25-34; your conviction. If you feel God- What happens when you go for John 14:13-14; Jer. 31:3;James 1:17; called and fully convinced that’s broke? God did not call us to be free Heb. 12:7-11; Isa. 49:15-18. where you are to be, you have won from lack of money, just the love of Be surprised by God. He has a the first battle. We feel the best way money. Don’t throw a pity party and great sense of humor and loves to for us to raise our children up in the invite thoughts of greener grass to bless us in most unexpected ways. way of the Lord is to do it ourselves. sip tear-water tea or drink the cup Our children are God’s gift to be with the attitude, “I deserve better treasured no matter the cost. If God than this.” Bitterness will choke you. calls a woman outside the home, He Be historical, not hysterical! will provide grace for her home task First, let your memory take you to as well. times that God has intervened in Our world needs surviving mod­ your past. Begin a blank book and els of this kind of homelife. When let your family fill it with the novel standing up for your conviction, it is ways that God’s grace has appeared important not to stand on someone on the scene. Then you might re­

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 37 The Bible does not say, “I will lift up ment for those rare moments when (Heb. 13:5); and “No one can serve mine eyes unto the mailbox, from all creatures from outer space land two masters. Either he will hate the whence cometh my help.” No, our in the same orbit on one evening in one and love the other, or he will be help comes from the Lord! (cf. Ps. your house. Make it an event when devoted to the one and despise the 121:1-2, KJV). your house is inhabited by all your other. You cannot serve both God A move to a pastorate in a differ­ family members. Rent a VCR and and Money” (Matt. 6:24). Perhaps ent state illustrated God’s creative family video. Play a game. Read out their wives work, yet their com­ ways of being a very present help. loud. Pull out photo albums and bined incomes do not measure up to The relocation had created more baby books. For those times when your one salary. Count your bless­ hidden expenses than we had funds. you have to get out of the house or ings. Perhaps in their strained, busy Then the Department of Motor Vehi­ go out of your mind, find a road you schedules and thin pocketbooks it cles lost our application for car li­ have never been down and travel to never occurs to them that someone cense plates. Finally, an anonymous the unknown. else may feel financial pressure, es­ church member, growing tired of Be real. Sometimes we act like we pecially a man of faith like their pas­ the out-of-state pastor’s car, donated can outdo Evil Knievil’s jump over tor. Do you feel all alone in your dis­ the money to purchase new plates the Snake River Canyon as we try to tress? Maybe they are waiting to be — not knowing the missing ones had leap by “faith” over financial abysses told of your distress. Tell them. just arrived in the mail at last. The of irresponsibility. When backed When you’ve passed through the next Sunday our Oregon plates were into the comer by your credit cards, desert, having been delivered from a in place, but we didn’t know whom it’s a hard place to brighten up. land of bondage, be careful never to to thank. We only knew that when Credit cards are guilty as charged. be enslaved to debt again. However, we were broke, God moved in a mys­ We found, through sad experience, disasters never fit into a budget. Rel­ terious way to reimburse us for a if you trust in the cards to see you atives do come to live with you. hidden cost of moving! through, you are not trusting in the Your child does have his appendix “Lead us not into temptation,” we Lord for daily needs. out. Your car gets wrecked. The doc­ pray. Most Americans are “mailed” to Finally, we discovered muzzled tor joyfully announces that you are death by the “shop till you drop” oxen can’t be heard. After five years going to have a new little addition syndrome. Don’t concentrate on in growing and thriving churches to your tight budget. The church what you can’t do. Find what you without even a cost of living raise to board still doesn’t give you that can. If the world has put the keep up, we realized that it was time needed raise. Don’t pull your hair squeeze on you, break the mold. to take the muzzle off, to be pain­ out; God has them all numbered. Make it a family project to create a fully honest and humbled, and to When you say, “I don’t know what to list of cheap thrills such as sporting state to the powers that be our true do,” remember God says, “For I events, parks, county historical condition. Good churchmen over­ know the plans I have for you . . . points of interests, the library muse­ react to abuses and excesses of other plans to prosper you and not to ums, art galleries, music programs or previous ministers. So, examine harm you, plans to give you hope offered in the wider church or com­ your motives and read, “Keep your and a future” 0er. 29:11)- So even if munity world. Hit the garage sales, lives free from the love of money you have only one leg to stand on, if that is your grab bag, for a treasure and be content with what you have, hop to it. Follow God at all costs. hunt with a preplanned spending because God has said, ‘Never will I You may leave the single footprint limit. Don’t rule out home entertain­ leave you; never will I forsake you’ ” someone else may need to follow. $

Christmas Simplicity ( Continued from page 11) God works in time; so don’t hurry er. We would push. God would pre­ just the same they were comforted Him. And what He starts, He com­ pare. Remind yourself of the scrip­ by His tender presence. They were pletes— each segment of your life as tural phrase: In “the fullness of time poor; yet they were plenteous with well. Then trust the loVe of His vi­ . . .” (Gal. 4:4, KJV). the birth of their Firstborn. They sion. were tired; but their countenances We are so concerned with our cal­ . . she brought forth her shone with triumph when looking endars— minutes, hours, days, weeks, firstborn son .. into the Boy’s face. They were months, years. Yet God is more con­ So it was that in the midst of the bushed; yet they were blessed. cerned with our characters— values, pain, there was the pleasure. Can And we? We, too, if we can but see reputations, influences, position- you see it, too, in your own life? The it with the eyes of faith. It is in the ings of the heart. spoiled pout; the saved of the King­ simplicity that we know the plea­ Keep in mind that it does take dom do not pout but praise Him, sure of His presence in the midst of time to birth a baby; so it takes time even in the pain. pain. to birth one into grace, obedience, Mary and Joseph were so alone; and a life of holiness. The matura­ yet at the same time they were awak­ . . she . . . wrapped him in tion process is God’s gift, His way. ened by the face of newborn Jesus. swaddling clothes, and laid We would hurry. God would hov­ They were terribly confused; but ( Continued on page 49)

3 8 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE Hindering Hang-ups Attitudinal Rigidity by Raymond C. Kratzer Yakima, Wash.

he apostle Paul is esteemed as ity. If he is hung up by a rigidity in the pastor proposes that a Sunday a master teacher of the min­ his attitudes, he is destined to have School bus be purchased. Someone T istry. He taught not only by short pastorates or completely elim­ objects because they already have precept, but by example as well. His inate himself from active service. two buses and the cost of operation ideal for the ministry was always Whatever his pattern of longevity in is too much. The pastor parries with perfection: “Finally, brethren, fare­ any one place, his effectiveness will the need of vision, of sacrifice, and well. [I like to think of this as “fare be limited by an unbending attitude of fresh outreach. His ego is on the well.”] Be perfect, be of good com­ that savors of selfishness and lack of line. But the ego of the objector is fort, be of one mind, live in peace; insight. also on the line. If the pastor insists and the God of love and peace shall I have heard good and talented on his point of view by browbeating be with you” (2 Cor. 13:11, KJV). pastors say: “I can’t help the way I the uncooperative board members, One can almost feel Paul’s in­ am. People are just going to have to he injures their egos and dulls the tensity as he strives to get men to be accept me. I’ll never be any differ­ impact of his leadership. If he pliable, agreeable, and personable ent!” What a low concept of the ca­ brings the issue to a vote that passes in their relationships to each other. pacity of a personality that is capa­ in his favor, it will take some doing All of us have some attitudinal ble of growing, especially with the to restore the best type of fellowship hang ups born of our backgrounds help of the Lord. When souls are at between him and those who voted or our dispositional peculiarities. stake, when church growth is in­ against the issue. Differences of opinion and varieties volved, and when joyous worship is One of the most common com­ of procedures help make life inter­ dampened by a pastor’s rigidity in plaints of church board members is esting and less drab. Likewise, vari­ holding to personal prejudices, the the lack of tact or diplomacy of pas­ ous types of personalities in the whole situation becomes tenuous. A tors. So often friction could be ministry make it possible to reach church can so easily fall apart under avoided if a pastor had the grace to all types of people. such leadership. be patient, kind, courteous, and pli­ Many examples could be cited. A man who refuses to modify his able in his approach. If a proposi­ When a change of pastors was ef­ attitudes sidesteps one of the most tion needs to be resolved, a wise fected in a church, the new leader satisfying metamorphoses of life— pastor strives to generate a climate was able to encompass the salvation that of growing through change. where unity will prevail. His atti­ of some persons impervious to the Paul warns against the minister be­ tude should be so open and reason­ former pastor’s approach. This is not coming “selfwilled” (Titus 1:7, able that even the most conservative to say that the former pastor was KJV), which is another way of em­ board member would be prone to wrong in his manner of operation. phasizing the perils of attitudinal ri­ get on his side. But he was not on the same wave­ gidity. Often a little introspection and a length as some individuals. No Some men feel that compromise is cautious presentation will prevent doubt his successor lacked rapport either a sign of weakness or a lack of cleavage in the Body of Christ. And with others who were drawn to the commitment to the highest and best what does it matter whether we get previous pastor. within them. However, compromise, our way or not as long as the job gets God works through a variety of in­ where basic principle is not in­ done. What a pity when a minister is struments. That is why you need to volved, is one of the finest things a so devoted to his own ego that he be alert to the voice of the Spirit, ei­ person can do. Heat may be re­ would rather see his church fall ther to adjust your approach and re­ moved, peace can be restored, and (Continued on page 52) new your personality impact, or to progress will begin when a pastor accept a providential call to a new has adjusted his ideas to conform to assignment. However, the latter others. Relaxing a rigid position method of solution should not be an transforms heat into light. To be able escape or a refusal to adapt to a cir­ to compromise is a part of the ge­ cumstance in order to “adorn” the nius of good leadership. gospel. Friction between pastor and peo­ The length of a pastor’s usefulness ple often begins because of an un­ or tenure in any one pastorate is usu­ bending attitude in the pastor. For ally contingent upon his adaptabil­ example, in a church board meeting

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 3 9 Sounding Board

When It Comes to Worship. . . ISN'T GOD THE REAL AUDIENCE?

by Joanne L Holland and Albert M. Wells, Jr. Clearwater; Fla.

lease take your bulletin be­ A major factor in the influence of cause there you’ll find the hymns upon my life was the fact printed all the songs we’re that I could participate in them. I Pgoing to sing. Now, these songs was are able to sing them into my mind EDITORIAL new and quite different, as they and heart while being joined by ev­ were just written last week, but after eryone else in the congregation. To you get to know them, you’ll love unite with others of like faith in the NOTE: them. The choir will sing them for worship of God, by using and sing­ you first.” ing such thoroughly appropriate So begins a Sunday morning di­ words and music as that found in the vine worship service. Added to these historic hymns, is a spiritual experi­ strange songs, which are sung in a ence that glorifies God and edifies or personal preferences? Is listening new strange idiom, is a plethora of the worshiper. to someone else make a joyful noise “special music” usually performed It is my observation that the hym­ preferable to making the joyful with taped accompaniment. I came nal is being used less and less in to­ noise oneself in concert with oth­ to the service expecting to join day’s evangelical churches. When it ers? other Christians in the worship of is used, seldom are all the verses of a Hymns were written, both words our God. But I cannot worship amid given song sung. In some churches, and music, to help implement wor­ a morass of overamplified volleys of where words from the hymnal are ship and intensify the faith of the sounds that contain the same rock printed in the bulletin, fewer than worshipers. Special contemporary idiom I must constantly turn off on half of the verses may be used. music is offered to attract those who secular radio. Terry Baldridge, professor of mu­ like performances with the trap­ Having been reared in an evangel­ sic at MidAmerica Nazarene College, pings of show business. The per­ ical church, much of my under­ had this to say in the March 1988 formers prefer a style and idiom that standing of theology has come from edition of the Preacher’s Magazine: is worldly, though the universal the hymnology of the church. I refer When the music of a particular term of usage by which to describe specifically to such songs as “In church or service is reviewed, the this music is “contemporary.” Heavenly Love Abiding,” “My Faith focus is usually on special music “Contemporary Christian music” Looks Up to Thee,” “Holy Spirit, Be with congregational singing sel­ is a description that sends a clear My Guide,” “Thou Wilt Keep Him in dom mentioned. Many churches message. It includes such character­ Perfect Peace,” “My Jesus, as Thou are musical churches but not sing­ istics as performance, entertainment, Wilt,” “I Want to Be like Jesus,” “O ing churches. Although special overamplification, rock idioms, and a Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go.” We music may tend to attract more show-business atmosphere including sang these songs, and others like people in today’s society, it is con­ applause— praise of the performers. them, over and over again. Even as a gregational music that unites the A religious theme “makes it” Chris­ child and teenager, I never tired of people. People of all ages and tian. In short, “contemporary” is a them, and, more importantly, I never backgrounds are joined in a com­ code word for worldly. stopped learning from them. mon act of worship through sing­ (Continued on page 50) ing. Are people really bored by “How Firm a Foundation,” “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” “A Mighty For­ tress Is Our God,” and “Jesus Is the Sweetest Name I Know”? Has the on­ slaught of television made us into professional spectators? Is Christian corporate worship to be determined by social status, age-group interests,

4 0 THE PREACHERS MAGAZINE W ’nter 19 91 $4.00

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship

Should the first to inhabit North America

be the last to hear ? Veteran Indian Pastors Joseph Curley and Alex Riggs THE FRONT LINE

Our Business Is Reaping

esus said, “I sent you to reap” there was an abundant harvest right 0ohn 4:38). He acknowledged before their eyes. J that, “One sows and another Today, Jesus has sent His followers reaps.” He even said sowing was hard to reap. W e sometimes hear people ask, work. But He sent His disciples to reap. “Where are the reapers?” But the real The disciples’ problem was that they question is, “Do the reapers know could not find the harvest. They went to where the fields are?" A nd do they see the village of Samaria and obviously that they are ready for harvest? encountered many people, but they did Sowing is important. Storing the not see any harvest. Jesus sat beside the grain is also important. But without well and found a ripe harvest in one reaping there can be no harvest. Ripe person. fields must not be missed. Jesus still O f course, Jesus was G od and He reminds His followers, “I sent you to »» could see far more than His disciples reap. could ever perceive. Even so, He re­ minded His followers that He had assigned them the task of reaping and

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 Mission throughout the denomination. of Church To create an awareness throughout the church regarding Growth the necessity for planting new churches, including the Division mission potential among cultural minorities. To increase participation and effectiveness in a reproductive ministry that is engaged in Christian mission.

G R O W / Winter 1991 PENTECOSTAL OUTPOURINGS IN SEOUL

1,000 Baptized in One Praise Rally

ne thousand persons who became Christians as a re­ Osult of the outreach of the Thrust to the City of Seoul program were baptized in a special celebra­ tion service August 6. Nearly 7,500 persons packed the KBS Gymna­ sium in Seoul for the service. A large part of the service was given to worship focused on Luke 19:41, “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it.” General Super­ intendent Knight preached on the theme, “Christ and the City.”

REV. MICHAEL ESTEP PRESENTS CHURCH PLANTER CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION: 20 churches have been planted in six months.

GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT JOHN A. KNIGHT PREACHED ON THE THEME “CHRIST AND THE CITY”: Dr. Chong-nam Cho, president of Seoul Theological Seminary, served as interpreter.

I A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship I OUTPOURINGS IN SEOUL: Goal of 70 New Congregations

2 G R O W / Winter 1991 REV. SHI-CHUL KIM, CHAIRMAN, THRUST TO THE CITY OF SEOUL, OPENS RALLY: Kim is district superintendent of Korea Central District.

“It was one of the most exciting The service was held to celebrate the Korea’s capital city. Plans are to orga­ things I’ve ever been a part of,” said mid-point of the 1991 Thrust to nize another 50 churches as part of the General Superintendent John A. Seoul, according to Michael Estep, Thrust. Knight. “I think more people were pres­ Thrust director. The rally served as a “What is happening in Seoul is ent for that one rally than for die first time of recognition for the organiza­ phenomenal,” said Knight. “It is like General Assembly I attended in 1940.” tion of 20 new churches in South another Pentecost. One congregation

I A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship \ REV. YOUNG-BAIK KIM BAPTIZES A NEW CONVERT FROM HIS CHURCH: Kim serves as a member of the General Board, Church Growth Division.

had 135 new converts.” chairman of the Thrust to the City of superintendent. Others participating in the service Seoul; Young-baik Kim, honorary Estep said the pastors of the new were George Rench, Asia Pacific Thrust chairman; Shigeru Higuchi, congregations, two of which are regional director; Central Korea Dis­ Japan district superintendent; and women, each baptized their own new trict Superintendent Shi-chul Kim, Vijai Singh, India-Delhi district members.

4 G R O W / Winter 1991 That the World May Know — GO!

DISTRICT GOAL June July August DISTRICT GOAL June July August Akron 513 41 2 9 New England 725 3 11 5 Alabama North 466 5 8 2 New Mexico 312 15 7 7 Alabama South 275 NR 21 18 New York 761 NR 6 42 Alaska 200 0 1 0 North Arkansas 320 22 2 NR Anaheim 650 2 NR NR North Carolina 500 113 36 10 Arizona 700 16 0 40 North Central Ohio 546 34 1 1 Canada Atlantic 100 NR NR NR North Florida 500 7 0 20 Canada Central 218 0 0 0 Northeast Oklahoma 533 8 5 13 Canada Pacific 103 0 0 0 Northeastern Indiana 600 15 18 7 Canada Quebec 200 0 0 1 Northern California 600 4 0 4 Canada West 400 7 0 0 Northern Michigan 128 0 0 4 Central California 500 35 NR 8 Northwest 555 51 NR 16 Central Florida 1,000 51 13 45 Northwest Indiana 433 14 8 11 Cen. Latin American 114 0 14 0 Northwest Oklahoma 558 22 19 2 Central Ohio 912 48 41 8 Northwestern Illinois 610 9 2 2 Chicago Central 700 0 0 0 Northwestern Ohio 450 6 11 27 Colorado 700 3 12 0 Oregon Pacific 902 0 9 5 Dakota 200 0 0 0 Philadelphia 600 . 40 23 0 Dallas 525 41 14 5 Pittsburgh 380 0 NR 4 East Tennessee 329 18 22 6 Rocky Mountain 195 NR 1 21 Eastern Kentucky 308 0 0 0 Sacramento 600 9 13 3 Eastern Michigan 750 0 0 0 San Antonio 471 16 7 7 Florida Space Coast 400 10 14 3 South Arkansas 264 15 12 0 Georgia 500 20 4 2 South Carolina 587 55 4 18 Hawaii Pacific 157 0 5 0 Southeast Oklahoma 300 NR 13 NR Houston 400 22 NR 22 Southern California 441 5 0 14 Illinois 600 NR 0 15 Southern Florida 1,100 13 35 26 Indianapolis 400 15 2 7 Southwest Indian 56 NR NRNR Intermountain 471 0 0 1 Southwest Indiana 600 10 5 28 Iowa 311 9 3 11 S.W. Latin American 80 1 7 2 Joplin 462 9 64 0 Southwest Oklahoma 601 98 0 6 Kansas 473 10 2 1 Southwestern Ohio 644 22 5 23 Kansas City 633 177 8 6 Tennessee 602 11 NR 4 Kentucky 500 13 5 5 Upstate New York 500 1 0 0 Los Angeles 1,406 19 14 17 Virginia 325 35 2 2 Louisiana 300 5 0 8 Washington 497 18 7 5 Maine 112 1 1 NR Washington Pacific 700 82 15 16 Michigan 450 14 5 3 West Texas 825 13 31 32 Minnesota 165 8 2 0 West Virginia North 605 38 6 1 Mississippi 308 6 2 3 West Virginia South 315 47 16 5 Missouri 477 24 0 7 West. Latin American 172 0 0 NR Navajo Nation 100 NR NR NR Wisconsin 329 19 0 4 Nebraska 300 0 3 0

TOTALS FOR USA/CANADA 39,610 1,500 619 1,650

REGIONS Africa 11,580 NR NR NR Asia-Pacific 5,500 NR NR NR Caribbean 14,904 261 44 160 Eurasia 3,540 NR NR NR Mexico & Central America 6,500 NR NR NR South America 10,000 NR NR NR TOTALS FOR WORLD REGIONS 52,024 261 44 160 Content

Our Business is Reaping by Bill M. Sullivan inside front cover Pentecostal Outpourings in Seoul______1

Growth Markings & Main Points 7 Native American Self-help Forum Organized by R.T. Bolerjack______8

New Church Receives 39 Members by Profession of Faith 11 Outreach News______13

Life Among Native American Nazarenes 14 Former Contractor Shapes Indian Bible College Campus by Laurita McKinney______16

“I Don’t Want to See a Chaplain! ” by Micheal J. Christensen 19

Nazarene Ministry During Operation Desert Storm by Lowell P. Moore 27

Rooted in Christ by C.S. Cowles 29 Indian Bible College Grows to 60 Students by Thomas McKinney______36

Research and Trends 41 New Plumbing in San Diego by Steve Rodeheaver______43

A Tribute to Daddy by Carolyn Pickering 48

Could a Miracle Like Long Beach Occur Near You?______50

Where Are You on the Growth Development Scale? by Winn A m ______57

Nazarene Chaplains Deal with Transition______58

It Only Takes a Spark to Get a Church Growing by David F. Nixon 60

A Second or Third Look at the Numbers Game by Neil B. Wiseman inside back cover

6 G R O W / Winter 1991 Growth Markings & Main Points

He drew a circle that shut me out— Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But Love and 1 had the wit to win, W e drew a circle that took him in! Edwin Markham

The growing church is more likely to have discretionary I resources than the shrinking institution where most resources ; arc allocated to survival goals. In the church, discretionary ! resources include the time and energy of volunteers, optimism, [h o p e , money, staff, creativity, and physical facilities. Lyle E. Schaller

T h e best thing pastors can do for the people is to encourage them to be honest with their money. One-sixth of every word i from our Lord is about money. He knows our basic sin—love of I money. William M. Easum “Pastor Sims, Mr. Bixley is here to demonstrate a larger telephone system for our telemarketing.”

Christians should be concerned about cult growth because 70% of those who inquire about a cult actually join. Most of those who join cults (82%) are churched, and 35 are Protestants. Earl Parvin

F a ith is the God-given ability to take the promises of God out of mothballs and apply them to the challenges of everyday living. Joseph C. Aldrich

^ b o u t four-fifths of our churches are beehives of random or inherited motion, but not of action that will achieve something. George G. Hunter III

Good news pastor!! They wouldn’t fill out a visitors card, but I got their tag number.

Preaching that is biblical, intelligible, winsome and delivered in the power of the Holy Spirit sets churches on fire and sends members into the streets charged with enthusiasm to draw others in. Donald A. McGavran

B y lifestyle evangelism I mean equipping the saints to bear effective testimony to the Lord Jesus Christ in the normal con­ text of their everyday lives, through the formal and casual rela­ tionships in which they are involved, and in a manner and at a Pastor, now that I have the plan of salvation on level that conforms to the needs and interests of their hearers. mini cassette, as soon as I get my lip-syncing T. M. Moore down, I’ll be ready for visitation evangelism!

A Jounal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 7 NAZARENE COMPASSIONATE MINISTRIES-CANADA/U.S NATIVE AMERICAN SELF-HELP

FORUM DR. JULIAN GUNN SHARES DEVOTIONS WITH FORUM. ORGANIZED

Can Self-Help Improve Ministry to Indians?

GROW / W inter 1991 i

_ REV. TOM MCKINNEY DESCRIBES NAZARENE NAVAJO NATION DISTRICT SUPERI] INDIAN BIBLE COLLEGE TO DR. R.T. BOBERJACK TENDENT JOHN R. NELLS EXPLAINS AND REV. WILBUR BRANNON. INDIAN PERSPECTIVE.

A pressing question—-“Can self- help strategies resource ministry among Native Americans?” — formed the foundation for all deliberations at the Native American Self-Help Forum held at Nazarene Indian Bible College on July 5-7, 1991. Few people have ever con­ sidered such an idea. Thinking through re­ lated issues and brainstorming possible methodologies grew out of an informal dis­ cussion by several Native American and Anglo church leaders earlier this year.

DR. GERARD REED ASKS FOR CLARIFICATION CON CERNING FAMILY ISSUES. NAZARENE COMPASSIONATE MINISTRIES-CANADA/U.S.

on one of three committees to deal with 1) ministry to children and youth, 2) help for alcoholic and dysfunctional families, and 3)economic self-help strategies. After committees formulate recom­ mendations and determine direction for action, the Forum will meet again to finalize plans for implementing Native Ameri­ can self-help programs. Suggestions from Grow readers would be welcomed by Forum members; persons with ideas about businesses, foundations, and other groups interested in this project may contact Rev. Thomas McKinney, Nazarene Indian Bible College, 2315 Markham Road, S.W., Albuquerque, New Mexico MRS. JUANITA GUNN DESCRIBES THE ROLES OF WOMEN IN 87105. INDIAN CULTURE. Prayer support is needed and ap­ preciated.

The Forum, sponsored jointly Benale; Dr. Gerard Reed, Point by the Division of Church Growth Loma Nazarene College professor; and Nazarene Indian Bible Col­ Mr. Les Ingram, Compassion —by R. T. Bolerjack, lege, was funded by Nazarene International; Mr. Steve Bowman, Director of Nazarene Indian Compassionate Ministries - Can­ layman; Rev. Lloyd Commander, Bible College. ada/U.S. The Division of Church NIBC professor; Rev. W ilbur Growth administers Nazarene Brannon, Pastoral Ministries Di­ Compassionate Ministries - Can­ rector, Church Growth Division; ada/U.S. and Dr. Tom Nees Mrs. Bernita Gunn; Mrs. Juanita serves as its director while c o n tin ­ Nells; Mrs. Laurita McKinney; uing his leadership of the and Dr. R. T. Bolerjack, NIBC Community of Hope at Washing­ Director. ton, D .C . The Forum’s work centered on Rev. Tom McKinney, Nazarene efforts to find creative ways for Indian Bible College academic Native Americans and the Indian dean, prepared the agenda and churches to develop programs to chaired the sessions. Navajo Na­ begin a process of resolving press­ tion District Superintendent John ing social, educational, spiritual Nells discussed Native American and financial problems facing migration from reservations to cit­ their people today. ies. Southwest Indian District Reestablishing moral and ethi­ Superintendent Julian Gunn out­ cal values in the home was of great lined the characteristics of Indian concern to all participants. Im­ populations as they become more plications of large scale acculturated to urban life. unemployment, both for the home Other Forum participants in­ and the church, were discussed in cluded Native American pastors depth. Considerable attention was IS SELF-HELP POSSIBLE? and spouses: Rev. and Mrs. Dan­ given to; economic self-help REV. TOM MCKINNEY LEADS iel Liston, Rev. and Mrs. Freddie possibilities. FORUM. Lee, and Rev.and Mrs. Dennis Forum members agreed to serve j * % -, # *

10 I GROW/Winter 1991 love it! Church planting is reward­ ing, satisfying work. W hat a per- sonal blessing to see new Christians become established in their faith. NEW CHURCH I The process of discipling new believ­ ers, seeing them start from nothing, and watching them grow in their RECEIVES 39 relationship with Christ is fun.” That is how Pastor Baker summarizes his ministry to a baby congregation at Lakeside, California. MEMBERS BY Baker, a 1989 graduate of Nazarene Bible College, moved to the Southern California District in the summer following his graduation. Baker and his wife, PROFESS along with district sponsorship and about 100 helpers from neighboring churches, phoned 17,500 house­ holds in their area. OF FAITH A total o f 138 persons attended the first service of the Lakeside Community Church of the Nazarene, held on March 15, 1990. A little more than one year later, the new congregation was officially organized widi 47 members. Thirty-nine joined by profession of faidi. The church reported a Sun­ day school average attendance of 72 to the 1991 district assembly. Composed of skilled trades people and construc­ The Lester Baker Family ^ tion workers, the church has succeeded in w inning others to Christ through a life- style evangelism program. Because this group of be­ lievers meets in the Lakeview Middle School, congrega­ tio n a l activity is m ostly limited to Sunday morning or occasionally is shifted to other facilities. To correct these limitations, the congregation at press time was in negotiations for larger facilities located nearer the cen­ ter o f their ministry area. This proposed facility would give the growing congregation more space, opportuni­ “Church Planting ties to meet during the week, and a central location for the same rent as they now pay for the school. Is Genuinely G R O W congratulates this pioneer church plant for its extraordinary launching and solicits prayer support Rewarding Work.” from our readers for the future advancement o f this congregation.

11 Reaching The Unreachable THE N E X T iS T E P

6401 The Paseo • Kansas City, Missouri 64131 • (816) 333-7000 Through an infinite variety of strat­ twelve people attending and joining our women’s Bible studies, and systematic egies God is leading His people to church this past year, and she continues visitor follow-up. Dr. McCullough shared impact their world for Christ. The fol­ to network in her neighborhood to bring news about die conversion of Richard and lowing reports come from several in die lost. She has recently accepted die Darlene Knight: “In their 40’s, Richard is settings across North America and post of children’s coordinator at Lake a hairstylist and Darlene is a Y.M.C.A. from churches of various sizes. We re­ Houston Church.” public relations director. Though Richard joice in what God does through the ABINGDON (ILLINOIS) CHURCH grew up in a Christian home, he spent people called Nazarenes. We want to was organized on November 4, 1990, in years in rebellion and claimed to be an hear about your victories, too. —The a church building purchased by die Nordv atheist for most of diat time. A man who editor. western Illinois District. District shines shoes where Richard works as a LAKE HOUSTON (TEXAS) Superintendent F. Thomas Bailey re­ barber asked his help for understanding C H U RC H reports a 46 person member­ ports: “Pastor Walter D. Johnston met a die Bible. This started a search. Darlene ship gain resulting from intentional efforts young man while substitute teaching at die invited Richard to visit die church where to assimilate new people at a rapid pace high school. Some of die man’s visiting she had found healing and restoration. relatives insisted on going to church some­ and keep them in die church family. The catalytic moment of his conversion where die next Sunday, so the young man came when Richard realized that if Jesus Pastor Jim Stocks explains, “W e do suggested die Church of die Nazarene. wept over die deadi of Lazarus, He must this by helping new Christians find min­ The following week die pastor shared die also be concerned about Richard’s spirit­ istry that is significant to them as quickly gospel in diat home and die young man ual well-being.” as possible in die church. W e also orga­ accepted Christ. He was baptized last fall nize our ‘friendliness’ to make sure visitors along with a lady who recommitted her life MONTREAL GRACE (QUEBEC) have a positive warm welcome. Comple­ after she had been away from die Lord for CHURCH gained more dian 50 mem­ menting diis is an aggressive but sensitive many years. Both are charter members of bers in its first year. Pastor Carlton F. follow-up and outreach ministry diat helps die new church.” Harvey, when asked who was most re­ keep die back door closed. People coming to our church meet seven or more people CHRISTIAN JOY CHURCH OF sponsible for dieir church’s growth, said, widiin die first few minutes after diey THE NAZARENE AT FORT MO­ “God put me in touch widi a marketing arrive. During die first week after die first HAVE, ARIZONA, was organized on consultant who donated his expertise in visit, diere are at least seven contacts made May 19, 1991, widi 21 charter members, developing our strategy. We used state-of- to each visitor.” 14 by profession of faidi. First services the-art computer programs to locate our were held at Snow Bird Trailer Park Club target audience and dien prepared materi­ Stocks shares diis conversion summary House. Pastor Roy Sanderson rejoices als to reach diat target. This man, though about Barbara, a 30-something housewife for construction help from a Kelso, Wash­ widi diree children and a dog: "Bess Reed, unsaved, guided us dirough die whole ington, Christian non-Nazarene group from our church, taught Barbara’s chil­ project.” called Hard Hats for Christ. They built dren in a weeknight Bible class in her dieir church building valued at $140,000 W hen asked about conversions in this home. Barbara became curious because for $67,000 in seven weeks—from pouring new church, die pastor wrote, “Maggie her children could not wait to attend die die slab to final completion. The construc­ Estwick received a brochure about our class at Bess’s home. She decided to visit tion group declined money or nieals; diey church and decided diat one day she one evening and found her own heart only wanted a place to park dieir trailers. would visit. Several mondis later she hungry for what Bess was teaching die Nineteen children were baptized in found our church and was surprised to children. A few weeks later Barbara called children’s church on June 2. Bess and diey met for coffee. At diat time discover we were a Nazarene church. She Barbara asked how she could be saved. BETHANY FIRST (OKLAHOMA) remarked, ‘My son is a Nazarene pastor Bess was happy to lead her to Christ. CHURCH received 162 members last in Washington, D.C., and he kept telling Immediately, Barbara and her family be­ year with a net gain of 82. Pastor Melvin me I should find a Nazarene church.’ gan attending Lake Houston. She was later McCullough attributes these increases to Soon Maggie knelt at die altar to give her sanctified and began witnessing to her relational evangelism, dynamic worship life to Christ. She joined die church and neighbors. She has been responsible for experiences which set forth die gospel, continues to faidifully attend.”

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 13 •'t ■VrX;:-'

-;r ,.

l e i US p r a y & these prower fe^ uets ...Please wd ifj,'e /77 on tne chart. ocw 9°“ A«“* ** fr* ^ Doihino in M„ /M,""' ,ki- U* mh«> W wiff Hrtll*. 3°*"' bi fh'm) b«« dado"**"*? hU JW B.3 (X JoAo *W«*« he desert environment where many Native J,M,akr ^ ih'g?Xr~^ 4oKoxH*o d«K>- John /<*-*» Americans live shapes every phase o f life OfzaaJ- T including Nazarene ministry. Mere existence and productive ministry require lots o f I So^+Dal* Stvill*, y4'’ci to the reservation to help us get to know these | Nnarw* WcJkm. D S JoUy/Ui1U-! Fam,f delightful fellow believers. Missionaries, Air.ca., Don GokW^-j' famijy. Rxpua, GurntOj —The editor I Sijvcrt, Don an J Sess/4> 8lack. AII6C students ”7win Welts InJton School JJaiarene churct, members.

KAYE GENA YAZZIE, associate pastor at Twin Buttes, and his daughter, Kaylene.

r 14 GROW / Winter 1991 cans

VETERAN PASTORS JOE CURLEY, Montezuma Cha Church of the Nazarene, and ALEX RIGGS, Rour Cedar Church of the Nazarene. PASTOR AND MRS. ALVIN TSO, Forest Lake Church of the Nazarene.

LAY LEADER CHESTER WILLIAMS AND PASTOR EARL PASTOR DANIEL LISTON, Sells Church of the Nazarer WILLIAMS, Smoky Hill Church of the Nazarene.

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Disciplship 15 Former Contractor Shapes Indian Bible College Campus

Soft spoken, well preacher, teacher, or organized, and vigor- doctor, I thought ously energetic, Gene there was no place Cope is a layman com­ GOD CALLS LAYMAN for me on the mis­ mitted to a full-time sion field. My ministry of building father was a construction planned TO OVERSEE 64 builder, and I was by God for him. always interested in At an age when following in his WORK AND footsteps. Al­ people customarily feel driven to build a though I have tried business, advance a WITNESS TEAMS many odier kinds career, or accumulate of work, I always security, Gene Cope, seem to come back his wife Karen, and Unique Providences Lead^from to construction. their two teenage chil­ “Through the dren answered a call Longmont to Saudi Arabia to years, just to survive, from God and the I have had to work church to give up a Albuquerque in most of die con­ secure, well-paying struction trades. livelihood, a comfortable home, and a strong middle-sized Sometimes working in so many different occupations made little Nazarene church to give full energy and skills to Nazarene sense to me, but now I see it has given me a great deal of valuable Indian Bible College. experience, all of which I am using at Nazarene Indian Bible Now Gene and Karen receive extremely nominal salaries. Their College. This is especially true of my experience in Saudi Arabia family lives on campus in a double wide mobile home where they as a construction superintendent where I was forced to learn to are constandy on call for all real and imagined emergencies. And wqrk with people from other cultures. often diey worship with the students or visit a small Indian church. “In the summer of 1984, my family and I went on a Work and Because they live nearby, the students and dieir children consider Witness trip to Laches Nazarene Church on the Navajo Reserva­ the Copes to be special friends, and they are. Onlookers call this sacrifice, but the Copes call it satisfaction. tion in Arizona. During this trip we felt drawn to die Indian people, As campus development manager, Cope directs Work and and again there was a tug toward missionary work. Three years Witness teams, instructs college vocational classes, and provides later my wife, son, and daughter went to the Nazarene Indian Bible hands-on oversight of campus maintenance and janitorial services. College at Albuquerque on anodier Work and Witness project In four years, through Work and Witness Cope has worked with our home church at Longmont, Colorado. I was unable to with 64 teams consisting of 1,012 people from thirteen states who go with them because of my job. During this trip my wife, Karen, have contributed approximately $191,000 for building materials felt a pull to work with Native Americans. and donated their labor. He purchases materials, manages food and “It ‘just happened’ diat Nazarene Indian Bible College was in housing logistics for teams, supervises the actual work, and snaps need of a director of campus development and an administrative hundreds of pictures so team members can take a memory home. secretary. Our pastor infonned die college president of our interests In the instructional part of his work, Cope teaches courses in and our qualifications. Following an interview in Colorado and blueprint reading, framing, construction, plumbing, electrical and anodier on campus, we were offered die assignment After much wood working. prayer we knew it was God’s will for us, and we accepted. Though Cope fits few traditional concepts of called ministers such as pastors, evangelists, youth directors, Christian education “Aldiough it was difficult in many ways to give up our fairly staff people, college teachers, administrators, or even missionaries, comfortable way of life to come here, we have never been sorry he is called nonetheless. In fact, Cope’s call to a specific assignment because we have no doubt diat diis is where God wants us at diis perfecdy fits his gifts and graces to meet die current needs. time. We have been blessed to be able to work with the Native What an inspiration to observe how die Father brought Cope American people and to meet and work with so many wonderful and die Indian Bible College togedier. And this match powerfully people who come to help us widi Work and Witness projects.” depicts God’s eagerness to call available laymen from around die globe to accomplish adventuresome achievements for Him. —by Laurita McKinney, Here is Gene Cope’s testimony: “Since childhood I thought I Nazarene Indian Bible felt a call to be a missionary, but since I never felt called to be a College, Albuquerque

16 GROW / Winter 199! I iAHV'S*®

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Taking God's Love to Dying AIDS Patients

he way I typically meet pa­ David seems surprised that I am a his parents are very religious and tients on the AIDS unit is by Nazarene and thanks me for the of­ might try to convert him . “They knocking on a door, walking fer. He writes down my name and think unless you believe like them, T phone number just in case. you’ll go to hell. D on’t let them lay into a room, and saying to a person I have not yet met: “Hello, my name A few months later David is back that on me, pleggg! L d o n ’t want a is Michael and I’m the chaplain on in the hospital, and he has finally deathbed conversion,” he says em- this unit. I just stopped by to see told his parents he has A ID S. They phatically. His Barents cornel n to visit how you're doing.” Most AIDS pa­ call me from Arizona and tell me their son is gay and is < their son. True to their rd, they are tients are happy to see a chaplain. They want to cor ving and acce ey withhold The room at the corner with a y moral judgment th sy ipight feel, beautiful view of the city is David’s as been twenty s since their room. David responds coldly to my eft home and : church. It is introduction: “I’m not religious and [istaCTKg for them to see him in I don’t want to see a chaplain.” Dital with A ID S. They stay for I say, “Now why is that?” It ha and have to go Home. “Because I’v| had quite enough tw ent I return to the hospital to see David religion stuffeji down my throat since t t. I ask him how the growing up. No thank you!” ^ had gone. He is relieved and “In what ch le ft ho pdelightecL^ They surprised me,” he I ask. the c says, remarking on how supportive “Southern and accepting they were. “It was a folks are Nazi good visit.” to church m r “Did they try to convert you?” I time I saw t] on. David knows how you feel ask. Tiis homosexuality; you don’t “Do your “No, they didn’t.” have to tell him again. He also knows diagnosis? I tell David he is welcome to live how long you have been praying and in our Care House after he gets out “N o they d o n ’t, and I ’m not going hoping for him to come to Christ; of the hospital, if his doctor thinks it to tell them. If tney knew they would you don’t have to remind him. W hy appropriate. He smiles and thanks start praying for a deathbed conver­ don’t you simply love him and accept me for the offer. sion and I’m not going to do that.” him as your son who is very sick. No David is not released from the “You think your parents would judgment, no Scriptures to think hospital but becomes progressively have a hard time dealing with about, no speeches on what he needs worse. Some days he is coherent and AIDS?” to do; just come and be with him.” other days he is not. A ID S is literally “I think they would.” They agree and tell me they had destroying his brain. His doctor “Listen, David, if you ever decide stopped sending him gospel tracts schedules him for a biopsy. to tell them, and you need someone and pressing for his salvation years O n the eve of his operation, Carl from their denomination to help ago. They are eager to see the son Stuart, a Baptist minister and my them deal with it, I would be pleased they love. fellow chaplain in the hospital, visits to help. I’m a minister in the Church David braces himself to see his David. It is during this visit that of the Nazarene, and I’m available.” parents by telling his gay friends that something happens deep within

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 19 “Again he said, ‘I want to pray.’ "I DON’T WANT TO SEE A W ithout prompting, David uttered a faltering but sure expression of saving CHAPLAIN!” faith: ‘God, I want to ask you into my life. . . I ’m sorry it has taken me this David’s spirit that he swore to his And he proceeded to urge his brother long.’ friends would never happen. He to accept G od’s love. “I reminded him of Paul’s words, opens his heart to Christ on his “David broke into tears as we at­ ‘Therefore being justified by faith, I deathbed, as Carl Stuart explains: tempted to get through the have peace with God through our ‘“You should see the view from my passionate words from his brother. Lord Jesus Christ’ (Romans 5:1). room,’ David told his parents over “Brian’s letter followed. It exuded “The crying stopped, the counte­ the phone between sobs. ‘Something love and doctrine as he carefully cited nance changed, the courage came to wonderful has happened that has the Scriptures he wanted his brother call his parents to tell them his good changed my perspective on every­ to consider. ‘AH are sinners, not news. thing.’ because of the sins they have commit­ “We dialed, they answered, and “The view was exceptional that day ted, but because of the nature which he said, ‘I have accepted Jesus, and from the A ID S ward at San Francisco they have received at birth,’ he wrote. He has given me such peace.’ And General. Through the familiar fog But ‘God has given us eternal life. then came the tears of joy, the kind which gently embraced Twin Peaks A nd this life is in His Son. He that shone a piercing sunlight in beauti­ that only come from heartfelt grati­ ful, powerful rays. tude to God for the gift of peace. “David had been lying in spiritual “No wonder the view from David’s darkness and the ‘shadow of death’ W ith ou t room was different. As he looked out for weeks. He had set his will against the window and saw the setting sun God as he understood God from his prompting, David pierce through the fog on the hills of childhood. His experience with the uttered a Twin Peaks, it was as if he was seeing church and his own spiritual rejec­ faltering but sure a place prepared for him in heaven. tion left him feeling rejected and As he pointed out to me the area at angry. But God had called him ‘out expression off the foot of the Peaks where he lived, of darkness and into his marvelous saving faith: I knew he saw far beyond to his light’ (I Peter 2:9). eternal home. Facing the imminent “It was early evening when David’s "God, I want to brain surgery for which he had pre­ friend approached the nurses’ station ask you into my pared for three days, he exclaimed, with unopened letters to David in his life. • • I'm sorry ‘You should see the view from my hand. The request from David’s par­ room!’” it has taken me ents was for Chaplain Michael David goes to surgery the following Christensen to open and read them this long." day, and physically takes a downward to David and to support him through turn. Two weeks later he lies uncon­ the emotional and spiritual impact scious with his sister and his friend the letters might bring. The letters hath the Son hath life. A nd he that at his bedside. Their last words to were what might be the last words hath not the Son of God hath not him constitute an important good­ from two of his brothers, Dennis and life’ (I John 5:11). bye: “David, you can go home now.” Brian, who were unable to come in Permission granted, David is free person. “As the words of life continued to to die, if that is his wish. In that very “Since it was not Michael’s day to flow from Brian’s letter, it was not yet moment, David leaves this life be­ be at the hospital, I agreed to read the evident that the Spirit of Grace was hind, finally free from his years of letters to David. Before I opened the caressing David’s heart, warming the pain. first letter, David asked, ‘Could we soil for the seed that had been plant­ pray first?’ W e bowed together and ed in his childhood. Because of his faith in G od and his prayed for courage of heart and “Time passed as we stopped again courageous friends and family mem­ strength of spirit to hear what was to and again for David to cough, to cry, bers, David did not have to die alone. be said. to consider. At the end of the read­ “The first message was from Den­ ings, I asked David how he would —by Michael J. Christensen nis who inscribed his love on a card: like to respond to his brothers. By Nazarene Chaplain ‘. . . there is N O O N E quite like you!’ letter? By phone? San Francisco General Hospital

20 GROW / Winter 1991 Can Love Do Less?

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(R) 1732 Fish Hatchery Rd, West Columbia, SC 29169 CONGER, DELOSS. (R) 4737 Dresden a, Jacksonville, FL 32257 CONRAD, BYRON. (R) 7151 Franusich Ave, Sacramento. CA 95828 COOK, DANNY (R) 506 N. 6th St, Weatherford, OK 7309W710 COOK, DAVID. (C) 757 S. Bosart St, Indianapolis, IN 46203 •BOGGS, JERRY (R) 203-A Linden Ave, South Point OH 45680 vCOOK, LEON G. 2418 Maple, Wichita, KS 67213 ABNEY, JOHN K. (R) R.R. 1, Box 214, College Grove, TN 37046 BOHANNON, WILLIAM. (R) 542 Maple St, East Alton, IL 62024 COOPER, DALLAS. (R) P.O. Box 5806, Farmington, NM 87499 •ABRAMS, KATHY (R) Rte. 1. Box 126, Rose Hill, IA 52586 •BOICOURT-SHANK, MARLA. (R) 882 E. 56 Hwy, No. 601, Olathe, •COOPER, DONALD & DOLORES. (R) 905 State St, Pekin. IL 61554 •ADAMS, JERRY & ALLENE. (R) 31 N. Tremont St.. Indianapolis, IN KS 66061 CORESON, KEN & PATTI'S MINISTRIES. (R) HCR 62. Box 26A, 46222 ♦BOND, GARY i BETH. (C) 410 S. Clay St, Sturgis, Ml 49091 Enterprise, OR 97828 ADAMS, VERNON R. (R) 2731 Clintonville Rd, Paris, KY 40361 -9053 BOND, RICHARD D. (R) P.O. Box 4444, Overland Park, KS 66204 yCOTTAM, T. W. 2011 Palm Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80918 ADKINS, JEFFREY A. (R) 108 Janet Rd., Marrietta, OH 45750 BOQUIST, DOUG t DEBBIE. (R) c/o 16001 Glen Rd, Mount Vernon, COVINGTON, NATHAN. (C) 724 W. Knollwood, Broken Arrow, OK VAGNER, J. C. Rte. 1, Box 2570, Lee, FL 32059 OH 43050 74011 ALBRIGHT, WAYNE L (C) RO. Box 184, Chapman, KS 67431 VBOSHELL, T. JAMES. 318 S. 7th Ave, Paden City, WV 2615S "CRABTREE, JAMES C. 3436 Cambridge Dr, Springfield. OH 45503 vALDRIDGE, DAVID J. 8079 Elmlawn St N.E., Louisville, OH 44641 •BOUGH, ALICE. (R) 618 Old Fordge Rd, Valparaiso, IN 46383 CRANDALL v. E. » BARBARA. (C) 11177 S. Indian Lake Dr. E, vALLEN, ARTHUR L 2440 Castletower Ln„ Tallahassee, FL 32301 BOWDEN, AL (C) 6760 Belfast Ave, Cocoa, FL 32927 Vicksburg, Ml 49097 •ALLEN, JAMES. (R) 2803 Jonathan, Texarkana, TX 75503 •BOWERS, LUCILLE. (C) 701 N. Buchanan, Little Rock, AR 72205 ♦CRANE, BILLY D. (C) Rte. 5, Box 447, Parkersburg, WV 26101 vALLEN, JIMMIE A. 205 N. Murray, No. 244, Colorado Springs, CO BOYNTON, RICHARD. (C) 6312 E. 98th St, Fishers, IN 46038 VCREWS, H. F. Box 180302, Dallas, TX 75218 80916 BRAATEN, DANIEL W. (C) Braaten Family Ministries. 1803 S.E 5th, •CRIDER, JAMES t JANET. (R) P.O. Box 284, Shirley, IN 47384 VANDERSON, GEORGE R. 3335 S. Florida Ave, Lakeland. FL 33803 Lees Summit, MO 64063 •CROFFORD, DON. (R) 151 Pond Rd, Honeoye Falls. NY 14472 APPLE, DALE. (R) 1128 S.W. 32nd, Oklahoma City, OK 73109 •BRADFORD, KIM. {R) 3103 Oak Hill Rd, Carrollton. TX 75007-3516 •CROFFORD, TODD. (R) Crofford/Parker Ministries, c/o Sarah APPLEBY ROBERT. (R) 13413 Pierce Arrow N.E., Albuquerque, NM •BRALEY PAUL (R) 1878 Lake Hill Cir, Orlando. FL 32818 Parker, Box 42, Bath, NY 14810 87112 BRANHAM, KEITH W. (R) 1923 Ranwild Ct. Orlando. FI 32809 •CROSWAIT, MILDA. (R| 2843 Kinnett Rd, A, Bethel, OH 45106-9464 ARCHER, ALFRED N. (R) 1505 N. Linder. Chicago. IL 60651 ♦BRISCOE, JOHN B. (C) Box 78, Canadian, OK 74425 CUMMINS, JIM E. (R) 3520 Bocage Dr, No. 711, Orlando, FL 32812 •ARCHER, RONALD E. (R) 4304 N. Peniel, Bethany, OK 73008 BROUGH, NICOLAS. (C) 3816 Skyline, El Paso, TX 79904 vCURTIS, H. M. 1709 E. 17th, Ada, OK 74820 AREY DONALD. (C) Arey Evangelism Ministries, RFD 1, Anagance BROUGH, NORLYN. (R) 3816 Skyline. El Paso, TX 79904 Ln, Wolfeboro, NH 03894 •BROWN, LOWELL (R) 4618 Bostick Cir, Tampa, FL 33634 D ______♦ARMSTRONG, LEON i LINDA. (C) c/o 517 McGeorge Dr., Vinton, BROWN, MARK. (C) 6209 W. McArthur Ln, Muncie, IN 47304 •DAFOE, RAY. (R) 7873 Hickory. Vicksburg, Ml 49097 VA 24179 •BROWN, ROGER N. (C) Box 724, Kankakee, IL 60901 v DAGGETT, TROY J. 189 Edgewood Dr, Hendersonville, TN 37075 ARMSTRONG, ROBERT W. (R) P.O. Box 187, Skowtiegan, ME 04976 BROWN, RON. (C) Rte. 2, Box 232-B, Ironton, OH 45638 vDALE, BENNIE. 717 Proctor PI, Midwest City, OK 73110 ARTECHE, JR., CARLOS. (R) 12909 Morning Ave., Dovmey, CA 90242 BRYANT, GROVER. (R) P.O. Box 200, Carthage, MO 64836-0200 ♦DALE, TOM. (C) 911 Florence, Nampa, ID 83686 ATKINSON, DEAN 1 PAT. (R) Atkinson Family Crusade, P.O. Box 517, vBUDD, JAY B. 1385 Hentz Dr, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 v DANIELS, DR. M. BERT. RO. Box 75412, Oklahoma City, OK 73147 Newcastle, OK 73065-0517 vBURKE, OWEN. 3400 S. Ironwood Dr, No. 196. Apache Junction. V DANIELS, M. HAROLD. P.O. Box 470, Littleton, CO 80120 ATKINSON, JOSEPH D. (R) P.O. Box 699, Alvin, TX 77511 AZ 85220 v DARNELL H. E. P.O. Box 929, Vivian, LA 71082 ♦BURKHALTER, PAT 4 DONNA. (C) P.O. Box 801, Atlanta, TX 75551 VDAWS, LEONARD. 3286 Wyoming Ave, Xenia, OH 45385 B ______•BURNEM, ANN. (R| 103 New Hampshire Dr, Ashland. KY 41101 DAWSON, JAMES A. (R) R.R. 1, Box 189, Wapakoneta. OH 45895 v BAGGETT, DALLAS. 1313 Fletcher Ave. S.W., Decatur, AL 35601 BURNES, DONALD E. (R) 1105 Darla Ave, Altus, OK 73521 V DAYTON, WEBSTER. 704 Lafayette Ave, Colonial Heights, VA •BAILEY, TONY 1 TRICIA. (C) 207 Edgewood Rd, Eureka, IL 61530 VBYERS, CHARLES i MILDRED. 2121 S. Ingram Rd, Apt C, 23834 BAKER, HOWARD. (R) 5402 E. 19th St, Indianapolis, IN 46218-4809 Springfield, MO 65804 VDEBOU, TED t DOROTHY 203 Swan Lake Dr, North Fori Myers. ♦BAKER, RICHARD C. (C)3590 Coal Fork Dr, Charleston, WV 25306 BYERS, JOSEPH D. (R) 104 Oak Tara Angus a , Charlottesville, VA FL 33917 BAKER, SAMUEL (R) 322 E. Hams, Raymondville, TX 78580 22901 •DECKARD, KENNETH. (R) Gloryroad Quartet, 3229 Washington BALIS, DONALD E. (R) 120 S. Roberts, El Reno, OK 73036 Ave, Bedford, IN 47421 v BALLARD, DON. 7231 German Creek Park, Memphis, TN 38125 c ______DELBRIDGE, GENE. (R) 3340 A St, Washougal, WA 98671 BALLARD, JUNE. (R) 581 Pinecrest Dr, Chadron, NE 69337 CANEN, DAVID. (C) Rte. 2, Box 12B, Adrian. GA 31002 ♦DELL JIMMY. (C) 4802 E. Mitchell Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85018 v BALLARD, OLIVER H. 7113 S. Blackwelder, Oklahoma City, OK CANFIELD, DAVID. (C) 503 Short White Oak. Russell, KY 41169 DENNIS, JAMES A. (JAMIE). (R) 166 N. Sugar St, Chillicothe, OH 73159 VCANNON, DURWOOD. Rte. 2. Box 280, Gallion, AL 36742 45601 BAPTISTE, MATHIEU-JEAN. (R) 3715 Eastview Ave, West Palm v CARPENTER, R. W. (Bob). P.O. Box 786, Lamar, CO 81052-0786 ♦DENNISON, MARVIN E. (C) 1208 S.E. Green Rd, lecumseh, KS Beach, FL 33407 CARPENTER, VERNON. (R) 5260 Meadowgreen Dr, Colorado 66542 BARNES, JACK. (C) Rte. 1, Box 150-A, Chapel Hill, TN 37034 Springs, CO 80919 vDEPASQUALE, JAMES. P.O. Box 5462, Bellingham. WA 98227 BASS, WARREN G. (R) P.O. Box 36, Roanoke, AL 36274 •CASWELL GERALD. (R) 2258 Wise Rd, North Canton, OH 44720 DESKINS, GROVER C. (R) 35 Gill Dr, Newark, DE 19713 •BEHA, LUCILLE A. (R) 3908 Ninth Ave, Parkersburg, WV 26101 vCAYTON, JOHN. 16 Southworth St, Lakeville. MA 02347 DEWEY, KENNETH. (R) Box 636, Rte. 2, Spring Hill, TN 37174 BELZER, DAVE J BARBARA. (C) Box 32. Miller, SD 57362 CERRATO, R. J. (R) 11210 Cherry Ct, No. 52-C, Palos Hills, IL 60465 ♦DICKSON, RICHARD J. (R) Living Way Gospel Team, 821 Lonsvale BENDER, TIM. (C) The Tim Bender Family, 1278 Smith Chapel Rd, vCHALFANT, MORRIS. 860 Bunker Hill. Bourbonnais. IL 60914 Dr, Anderson, IN 46013 Shelbyville, TN 37160 VCHAMBERLAIN, DOROTHY H. Rte. 21, Box 28, Mobile Park, vDISHON, CLARENCE. 2555 Carmine Rd, Venice. FL 34293 •BENNETT, ROBIN. (R) 2899 Eldon Dr, Uniontown, OH 44685 Carmichaels, PA 15320 vDISHON, MELVIN. 936 Shive Ln, Lot 184, Bowling Green. KY 42101 VBERRIAN, HAROLD F 186 Highland Ave, Pennsville, NJ 08070 vCHAMBERS, LEON i MILDRED. 218 Regan Dr, Magnolia, MS v DIXON, GEORGE t CHARLOTTE, c/o Evangelism Ministries’ •BERRY, CHARLES. (R) 2524 Brierwood Dr, Albany, GA 31705 39652 DOCTORIAN, SAMUEL (R) 2020 Kinclair Dr, Pasadena, CA 91107 vBERTOLET, FREDERICK & GRACE, (C) 2770 S. Garden Dr, Bldg. vCHANDLER, WILLIAM. 705 Meadow Lark Ln, Durant OK 74701 DODDS, JOHN. (R) 272 Jack Oak Rd, St Marys, OH 45885 21, No. 308, Lake Worth, FL 33461 •CHANEY BARBARA. (C) 4070 Monza Dr, Richmond, VA 23234 •DODDS, LARRY W. (R) Rte. 5, Box 385, Burlington, IA 52601 •BICKFORD, BERNADETTE. (R) 1521 S. Harrison St, San Angelo, VCHANEY REEFORD. 4070 Monza Dr, Richmond, VA 23234 DODGE, KENNETH L (C) 1150 W. Winton Ave., No. 221, Hayward, CA TX 76901-4322 vCHAPMAN, W. EMERSON h LOIS. Rte. 1, Box 87. Miltonvale, KS 94545 BIRD, LANCE. (R) 1001 Laurel Hills Ct, Haines City, FL 33823 67466 •DOLE, VERA. (R) 22210 Salt Fork Rd, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 ♦BLUE, DAVID & DANA. (C) P.O. Box B, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217 CHASE, FRANK. (R) 25 Lake Country. Mannford. OK 74044 •DOOLITTLE, KEVIN. (C) 886 N. Main St. Ext. Meadville, PA 16335 BUfTHE, ELLIS G. (R) 7731 S.W. 10th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607 ♦CHEATWOOD, HENRY I PHYLLIS. (C) Rte. 4. Box 96. Kissee Mills, DOROUGH, JAMES D. (C) 4901 N. College Ave, Bethany, OK BOCK, DON. (C) Box 412, Washington Court House, OH 43160 MO 65680 73008-2652 DOROUGH, WILLIAM M. (R) 219 Oak Hills Dr, Mabank, TX 75147 •DOWNING, ANN. (C) Box 767, Hendersonville, TN 37075 DOWTY PAUL (R) Rte. 3, Box 741, Broken Bow, OK 74728 DRESSLER, R. H. (C) Box 750177, Duncan, OK 73573 DRYE, J. T. (C) 5130 Trinity Church Rd, Kannapolis, NC 28081 (C) Commissioned (R) Registered ♦Preacher & Song Evangelist *Song Evangelist DUNCAN, HERSCHEL (R) 350 Birch Dr, Charlestown, IN 47111 VRetired Elders in Evangelism DUNLAP, BARRY L. (R) 5698 Pennock Pt Rd, Jupiter, FL 33458-3459 ‘Evangelism Ministries, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131 •DUNMIRE, RALPH 1 JOANN. (C) 202 Garwood Dr, Nashville, TN 37210 An adequate budget for evangelism at the beginning of each church year is imperative for each congregation. DUNN, DON. (C) P.O. Box 132, Bartlett, OH 45713 A revival savings account is useful in building toward adequate support for the evangelist. DUTTON, BARRY & TAVIA. (C) P.O. Box 119, Clarksburg, MD 20871 vHARCOURT, HAROLD C. 1301 Newbury Dr, Norman, OK 73071 KONKLE, MICHAEL C. (R) 2576 E. 200 S, Anderson, IN 46017 E ______HARRINGTON, MIITON. (C) 4005 Little Rock Dr., North Highlands, CA vKRATZER, RAYMOND C. 4305 Snow Mountain Rd, Yakima, WA •EOT, PAUL A MARTHA. (R) P.O. Box 100924, Nashville. TN 37224 95660 98908 •EDWARDS, BOBBY (R) 1080 Jameson a . New Castle. IN 47362 V HARRISON, JOHN L P.O. Box 135, Wister, OK 74966 EDWARDS, CHARLES. (C) 19924 Teresa Way. Cerritos. CA 90701 HARRISON, ROBERT. (R) 7215 Acacia, Leander, TX 78641 L ______♦EDWARDS, TERRY A JANICE (R) P.O. Box 1393. Bethany. OK v HAWKINS, RAY. 1615 Kickapoo, Pueblo, CO 81001 LAING, GERALD A MARCINE. (C) 11436 East St, Vicksburg, Ml 73008 HAYES, ALVIN a (R) 15812 W. 129th St, Olathe, KS 66062 49097 •EIFERT, FRANK A JO. (R) 18424 Dakota Rd.. Odessa, FL 33556 HAYNES, CHARLES A MYRT. (C) P.O. Box 3563. Cleveland. TN VLAMBERT, J. WILMER. 710 Chaffin Ridge, Columbus. OH 43214 VELLER, OSCAR H. 1400 Bill Carroll Dr., Norman, OK 73071 37320-3563 LAWSON, JUDE. (R) 837 Main St, Lynden, WA 98264 VELLIOTT, CLELL a Rte. 2, Box 90A, Franklin Furnace, OH 45629 HEATON, K. D. (C) 14 Martinsburg Rd, Apt A, Mount Vernon, OH LAWSON, WXTNE. (C) c/o Evangelism Ministries- vEMRICK, C. ROSS. 8000 M-68. Alanson, Ml 49706 43050 LAXSON, KIP. (C) 675 Harding PI, G-6, Nashville, TN 37211 •ESSELBURN, MIRIAM. (C) 28241 S.R. 60 N.. Warsaw. OH 43844 HECKATHORN, JIM. (C) 713 Lake Lowell Ave, Nampa. ID 83686 •LAXSON, WALLY A GINGER. (C) Rte. 3, Box 122, Athens, AL 35611 EVERMAN, WAYNE. (R) 109 Cox St. Stanton. KY 40380 •HELMS, GLORIA. (C) 305 S. First St, Box 384, Van Buren, IN 46991 LEAf; JOHN D. (R) Rte. 1, Box 300, Dover, OH 44622 VHENDERSHOT, HARVEY. 629 Lakeview Cir, Mount Juliet TN 37122 ♦LECKRONE, LARRY (C) 403 E. Main, Morenci. Ml 49256 F______VHERMON, THOMAS M. 936 Ave. T S.E, Winter Haven, FL 33880 LEIDY, ARNOLD G. (C) P.O. Box 124, Moriarty, NM 87035 HESTER, JAMES C. 1 Red Oak Mansfield, TX 76063 ♦FADER, WES A MARY (C) Rte. 17, Box 310, Quail Ridge Dr, v a, V LEONARD, J. C. 1410 Armory, Chariton, IA 50049 vHICKE, S. F 4923 Forest Oak Forest IL 60452 Salisbury, MD 21801 a, LEONARD, LARRY L (R) 6910 Interbay Blvd., No. 2, Tampa, FL HICKS, JOHN DAVID. (C) 240 Daniels St, McMinnville. OR 97128 VFARLOW, T. J. Box 1145, Robertsdale, AL 36567 33616-2637 ♦HIGGINS, CHUCK A MARGE. (C) 8471 N. 54th Ln, Glendale. AZ vFARRIS, A. A. 1503 Orchard Ct, Science Hill, KY 42553 V LESTER, FRED R. 7404 E. Ed Rice, Mesa, AZ 85208 85302 FARRIS, GARY E. (R) 113 Christian Ave., Corbin, KY 40701 ♦LIDDELL R L (C) 3530 W. Allen Rd, Howell. Ml 48843 VHILDIE, DWAYNE W. 3323 Belaire, Cheyenne, WY 82001 V FAULK, A. RAY. HC 67, Box 872, Many, LA 71449 V LISTON, CLARENCE D. P.O. Box 23576, Tuscon, AZ 85734 vHILL WILLIAM G. A KATHRYN. 480 Lancaster Pike, No. 133, •FELKNER, MR. * MRS. BUTCH. (R) 173 Heartz, Coppell. TX 75019 v LITTLE, HAROLD N. 7045 S.W. Hyland Way, Beaverton, OR 97005 •FIGHTMASTER, ANTHONY. (R) 198 Convent Bourbonnais, IL Circleville, OH 43113 vLIVINGSTON, W. B. P.O. Box 1177, Bristow, OK 74010-1177 HINES, RAYMOND L (R) Box 114. Nocatee. FL 33864 60914 VLOCKARD, W. DAYTON. Rte. 2, Box 250, Charleston, WV 25314 vHINKLE, FRED C. Rte. 1, Box 102, Tishomingo, OK 73460 VFILES, GLORIA R. 1102 N. Peniel Ave, Avon Park, FL 33825 LOHR, DONALD. (C) P.O. Box 7056, Charleston, WV 25356 HINNEN, WILLIAM. (R) 2107 Kirby Lee, Waco, TX 76712 vFISHER, CLAIR H. RD 1, 103 Valley View Rd, Phoenixville, PA LOMAN, LANE. (C) 137 Timber Ridge Dr, Nashville, TN 37217 •HISE, RON. (R) 2035 Hancock, Demotte, IN 46310 19460 ♦LORD, RICHARD. (R)2155 Palm Bay Rd. N.E, Suite 6-15, Palm Bay, HOECKLE, WESLEY W. (R) 642 Vaky, Corpus Christi, TX 78404 FLEMMING, FLOYD O. (R) 1192 Roosevelt Dr, Sherrodsville, OH FL 32905 HOLDER, SYBIL (R) 249 Winthrop St., Brooklyn, NY 11225 •LORENZEN, LINDA. (C) Rte. 3. Box 231A. Blanchester. OH 45107 44675 HOLLOWELL JERRY. (R) P.O. Box 2, Paris, TX 75460 FLETCHER, RAY (R) Box 6225, Elgin, OK 73538 LOUGHRIDGE, WILLIAM. (R) Rte. 2. Box 38. Wister. OK 74966 v HOLLOWAY WARREN O. 657 Woodstream Rd, Effingham. SC FOSTER, A. D. (R) 1017 N. 20th St, St. Joseph, MO 64501 LOVE, ROBERT. (R) 6425 Nanette, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 29541 vFOSTER, HALLIE A MARTHA. P.O. Box 375, Stonington, IL 62567 •LOVING, BECKY. (R) 500 N. F St, Muskogee, OK 74003 vFOSTER, J. R 1805 N. Union, Decatur, IL 62526 HOLSINGER, MARK. (C) 9231 E. Aero Dr., Pico Rivera, CA 90660 LYBARGER, EVERETT. (C) P.O. Box 1534, Conway, AR 72032 v HOLSTEIN, J. TED. 11619 Hanover Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45240 •FOSTER, MARY. (R) 1805 N. Union, Decatur, IL 62526 HOOTS, BOB. (C) 309 Adair St, Columbia, KY 42728 VFOWLER, IRA E. Rte. 3, Box 345, Hollywood, MD 20636 •HORNE, ROGER A BECKY. (R) P.O. Box 17496. Nashville, TN 37217 FRANK, RICHARD A. (C) c/o Evangelism Ministries' M ______V HOWARD, DICK. 7901 N.W 28th Terr, Bethany, OK 73008 •FRASER, WILMA. (R) 305 High St. Brilliant OH 43913 MACK, WILLIAM M. (C) 106 Youpon Dr, Hubert, NC 28539 VHUBARTT, LEONARD. 8612 Timbermill PI, Fort Wayne, IN 46804 FREEMAN, MARY ANN. (R) P.O. Box 129, Gas City, IN 46933 MADDEN, JOSEPH. (R) 704 Golden Arrow Dr, Miamisburg, OH 45342 •FREY, DONALD. (R) The Frey Family, 509 Sturgis Ave, Sturgis, Ml HUBBARD, JEFFIE. (R) 3213 W. Ave. T Temple, TX 76504 •MADDOX, HOMER A MARTHA (R) 1917 Wilkens St, Indianapolis. HUGHES, JOYCE. (C) 4524 Ashland City Hwy, Clarksville, TN 37043 49091 IN 46221 vFROOGE, HAROLD. 3109 Blackberry, Mount Vemon, IL 62864 HUNDLEY JOHN D. (C) P.O. Box 764, Nashville, GA 31639 •MAHANEY, PATRICIA. (R) 511 Hollyhock Cir, Patterson, CA 95363 vHURRY, CECIL R P.O. Box 667, Lynn, IN 47355 v FULTON, CECIL 6413 Gateridge Cir, Garland, TX 75043 MANER, ROBERT E. (C) P.O. Box 675, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 HUXMAN, MILTON. (R) 215 Iris St, Broomfield, CO 80020 vMANGUM, PAUL D. 416 Ivy St, Nampa ID 83686 G — _ i i ^ — MANLEY, STEPHEN A DELPHINE. (C) Box 522. Upland. IN 46989 I ______♦MANN, THURL A MARY KAY. (C) 90 Sycamore Ln, Route 24, Fort •GABEL JIM. (R) 5028 Burma Rd. W, Mobile. AL 36693 VICE, CHARLES A BETTY. 702 S. Malcolm, Chanute, KS 66720 Myers, FL 33908 VGADBOW, CLINTON. 49 Julie Ln, St. Peters, MO 63376 VIDE, CHARLES. 1796 52nd S.E, Grand Rapids, Ml 49508 vMARUN, BENJAMIN F. P.O. Box 5572, Deltona, FL 32728 GADBOW, DONALD C. (R) 49 Julie Ln, St Peters, MO 63376 INGLAND, WILMA JEAN. (C) 1170 Princeton Rd, Monroeville, PA vMARSH, A MILTON. P.O. Box 234, Remington, IN 47977 GALVEZ, MARCO. (R) 316 N. Lincoln (Rear), Bamesville, OH 43713 V MARTIN, LEON. Rte. 3, Box 242A, Bonham, TX 75418 GAMBLIN, C. LEE A WILMA. |R) P.O. Box 1245. Ottumwa. IA 52501 15146 MARTIN, W. DALE. (C) 1830 Indian Hill Rd, Lebanon, TN 37087-3022 GARDNER, JOHN M. (C) 4102 Carlisle Rd, Lakeland. FL 33813 MARTINEZ, JOSE M. (R) 4794 Poseidon PI, Lake Worth, FL 33463 GAWTHORP, WAYLAND. (C) Rte. 1, Box 97AA, Crowley, LA 70526 J ______MATTER, DAN A ANN. (R) 2617 Carew St, Fort Wayne, IN 46805 vGERBIG, BERNICE ROEDEL 315 N. 8th St, Boonville, IN 47601 JACK, GLORIA JEANNE. (R) 2009 Fort Harrod's Dr, Lexington, KY VMAX, HOMER L Rte. 3, Box 217, Knoxville, IA 50138 •GESSNER, DON A SHIRL (C) P.O. Box 369, Salem. IL 62881 40513 VMAY, JOHN. Rte. 1, Box 17-SG, Colliers, WV 26035 vGHOLSON, LAWRENCE. 2918 Berkshire Dr., Mesquite, TX 75150 •JACKSON, PAUL A TRISH. (C) Jetstream Ministries, Box 739, MAYO, CLIFFORD. (C) P.O. Box 345, Dickens, TX 79229 GIBSON, NORRIS B. (C) Rte. 1. Box 385. Manchester. GA 31816 Meade, KS 67864 vMAZE, KENNETH, Rte. 9, Box 102, Parkersburg, WV 26101 GINTER, TIMOTHY. (R) 60 N. Huron St, Belleville, OH 44813 JACKSON, THOMAS. (R) Rte. 1, Box 242, Flemingsburg, KY 41041 McADAMS, DOUGLAS D. (R) 101 Summers Rd, Rogers, AR 72756 GOLAY, GEORGE. (R) 4450 Midway Dr. N.W, Cedar Rapids. IA 52405 vJAGGER, MARVIN W. 29446 Country Rd. P5, Deloris, CO 81323 McCAFFRY JOSEPH P. (R) 336 N. Red Bank Rd, Evansville, IN vGOODLETT, NELSON C. Rte. 2, Box 400, Sallis, MS 39160 vJAMES, R. ODIS. 323 Winter St, St James. MO 65559 47712-3746 GOODWIN, LESLIE. (R) 12181 Rich. Loveland, OH 45140 JANTZ, ORLANDO. (R) HCR1, Box 185, Minneola, KS 67865 ♦McCALLIE, JAMES. (R) HC 80, Box 184, Helton, KY 40840 •GORDON, BOB. (C) 5307 Willow Cliff Rd, No. 117, Oklahoma City, ♦JANTZ-OWENS, MARJORIE. (C) P.O. Box 6864, Kokomo, IN McCANDLESS, MARION L (C) P.O. Box 97. Midway City. CA 92655 46904-6864 OK 73122 MCDONALD, CHARLIE E. (C) 920 W. Olive St. West Monroe. LA •GORMAN, CHARLES AND ANN. (R) 12104 Linkwood Ct. Louisville. JAYMES, RICHARD W. (R) 617 W. Gambier, Mount Vemon, OH 43050 71291 KY 40229 •JEFFRIES, JEFF A JAN (R) 21308 120th St E, Apt B, Bonney Lake, V MCDONALD, G. RAY 1624 B Gary Ct. Gretna. LA 70054 GOULD, LOREN W. (C) 4479 Hialeah Dr, Virginia Beach. VA 23464 WA 98390 vMcDOWEIl, DORIS M. 540 Sierra Madre Blvd.. No. 6. Sierra ♦GRABKE, RONALD t MARTHA. (C) 225 Pleasantview Dr, Brain­ VJENNINGS, LEON. 7107 N.W. 30th Terr, Bethany, OK 73008 Madre, CA 91024 tree, MA 02184 VJENNINGS, PAUL R. 722 N.W. 32nd, Lawton, OK 73505 McELFRESH, RONALD. (C) 1964 Osage Cir, Olathe. KS 66062 vGRANT, COOLIDGE. P.O. Box 31, Glens Fork, KY 42741 •JEWETT, LARRY A PATRICIA. (R) 1441 Robin Hood Dr, Seymour. vMcELVEEN, ROLAND T. 667 Powell St, Rock Hill, SC 29730 vGRAY, C. PAUL. 4016 Riverside Dr, Bethany, OK 73008 IN 47274-1949 McGUFFEY, JAMES. (R) 1580 Cape Charles Ct, Cicero. IN 46034 ♦GREEN, JIM A ROSEMARY (C) Box 385, Canton, IL 61520 JOHNSON, ALBERT. (R) Rte. 2, Box 217, Kenbridge, VA 23944 •McKINNON, JUANITA. (C) Box 126, Institute, WV 25112 JOHNSON, BOB. (R) P.O. Box 499, WOodland Park, CO 80866 •GREEN, SHARON. (R) The Gospel Sounds, P.O. Box 66, Lithopolis, McMAHON, MICK A HELEN. (R) Victory Ministries, C/O Evangelism OH 43136-0066 VJOHNSON, COMER, P.O. Box 668, Excel, AL 36439 Ministries' GREENE, KYLE L (R) 2836 Pennsylvania St, Evansville, IN 47712 JOHNSON, DONALD EUGENE. (R) Box 196. Ogden. IL 61859 •McNISH, PHYLLIS. (R) 4527 N.W. Geronimo Tr„ Topeka, KS 66618 GRIBBEN, GEORGE. (R) 1 Parkview Dr, Mount Vernon. OH VJOHNSON, EVERETTE A. 410 Pargoud Dr, Monroe, LA 71202 McWHIRTER, STUART. (C) P.O. Box 458, Corydon, IN 47112 43050-1972 ♦JOHNSON, RON. (C) 3208 Eighth St. E, Lewiston, ID 83501 v MEADOWS, NAOMI C. 2626 Washington Ave, Lot 65. Vincennes. •GRINDLEY GERALD A JANICE. (R) 414 W. Oliver. Owosso. Ml V JONES, BERT. 1926 Lakeside Dr, Erie, PA 16511 IN 47591 48867 JONES, GRACE L (C) P.O. Box 251, Leming, TX 78050 vMEEK, WESLEY E. 5713 S. Shartel, Oklahoma City, OK 73109 GRINDLEY RONALD E (R) 1910 Trailwinds a . Grove City, OH 43123 ♦JONES, TERRY A LAQUITA. (C) 2002 Judy Ln., Pasadena, TX MEENACH, CHRIS. (R) Rte. I Box 80A, Franklin Furnace, OH 45629 GROVES, C. WILLIAM. (C) 3986 Cypress Ave, Grove City, OH 43123 77502 •MEHR, BETHANY (R) Box 37, South Lyon, Ml 48178 •JONTE, JOHN. (R) 3905 N.W. 56th PI, Oklahoma City, OK 73112 •MELICK, RANDY. (R) P.O. Box 136, Lincoln, MO 65338 JORDAN, JOSEPH R. (C) 42 W. Hunter St, Logan, OH 43138 H______MELVIN, DOLORES. (C) HC 60, Box 224, Greenup, KY 41144 JUNEMAN, JOHN. (R) 11125 E. 27th St, No. 3. Independence, MO •HAAS, MR. A MRS. M. WAYNE. (C) 3508 S. 10th St. New Castle. •MEREDITH, DWIGHT A NORMA JEAN. (C) 315 E. 8th St, Box 1, 64052 IN 47362 ♦JUSTICE, MEL A DONNA. (C) 2253 Bristol Rd, Columbus, OH Harper, KS 67058 ♦HAINES, GARY (C) c/o Evangelism Ministries' vMEYER, VIRGIL A DOROTHY. 3112 Willow Oak Dr, Fort Wayne. IN 43221-1203 •HALBERT, KIRK A JOYCE. (R) 242 W. Main St, Henderson, TN 46809 37075 K ______MICHAEL RANDOLPH. (R) 2001 Sunvale Dr, Olathe, KS 66062 HALL CARL N. (R) 2009 Cindy Cir, Palm Harbor, FL 34683 vMICKEY, BOB. 504 N. Sixth, Umar, CO 81052 HALL, DAVID. (R) 3220 N. Wildan, Springfield, MO 65803 KEENA, EARL (C) 2160 D St, Oroville, CA 95966 MILBURN, GARY (R) 6496 Poling Ln, Frederick, MD 21702 vHALL, HADLEY A. 2105 Juniper Dr., Rant City, FL 33566 KELLER, GREG A SUE. (R) Keller Evangelistic Ministries, c/o Rev. MILEY, TROY J. (R) 102 Nazarene Dr, South Charleston, WV 25309 HANCE, LAWRENCE R. (R) RR 1, Box 182, Lewistown, IL 61542 H. O. Grimm, 121 Gardendale Cir, Chester, SC 29706 MILLENSON, CAROL J. (R) 7825 Autumn Wood Dr, Orlando. FL HANCOCK, TIM (R) 416 S. Edgewood Rd, Mount Vemon. OH 43050 vKING, J. HARMON. 3001 24th Ave, Valley. AL 36854 32817 •HANKINS, GEORGE W. (C) 3 E. Buttonwood St, Wenonah, NJ ♦KIZZEE, JOHN. (R) 801 Kingsbury Dr, Junction City, KS vMILLER, NETTtE A 131314th St, Apt 801, Columbus, GA 31994 08090 66441-3955 vMILLER, PAULINE 0.307 S. Delaware St, Mount Gilead, OH 43338 MILLER, RICHARD S. (R) 10070 W. Rudasill Rd., Tucson, AZ 85743 RIGGS, TIMOTHY. (R) P.O. Box 780562, Sebastian, FL 32978-0562 vTHOMAS, HOYLE C. P.O. Box 72, Nampa, ID 83653-0072 MILLHUFf- CHUCK. (C) Box 160, Olathe, KS 66061 RISNER, SUSAN L (R) No. 28 Rae Ct, Willard Villa, Willard, OH 44890 THOMPSON, L DEAN (R) 508 Timberlane, Carl Junction, MO 64834 MILLS, CARUON A. (C) RO. Box 260728, Tampa, FL 33685-0728 vROBERTS, S. J. 2118 Choctimar Tr, Fort Wayne, IN 46808 •THOMPSON, ROBERT 4 TERESA. (R) P.O. Box 21467, Chat­ MITCHELL MARCIA L (R) 835 Valencia. Walla Walla, WA 99362 vROBERTSON, JAMES H. 1516 W. Pioneer. Arlington, TX 76014 tanooga, TN 37421 •MOATS, MARILYN. (R) 617 W. Oak SL. Cam, IL 62821 ROBISON, ROBERT. (R) Heaters. WV 26627 ♦THORNTON, REV. 4 MRS. WALLACE. (C) Rte. 4, Box 49-B, ♦MONCK, JIM. (C) 971 Madrone Ave., Chico, CA 95926 vROEBUCK, L H. 1280 Lakeview Rd, Lot 241, Clearwater, FL 34616 ‘Snmprspt KY 4PS01 MONK, GARY W. (R) 279 Bossieux Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32904-4903 vROGERS, WARREN A. c/o Josephine Dukes, 3215 Adeline, Oak­ VTHRASHER! OfiEN D. 2414 High Pine Dr, Louisville, KY 40214 •MOORE GARY H (R) 14915 Quivira Rd., Olathe, KS 66062 land, CA 94608 vTOLBERT, WILLIAM A. P.O. Box 85-7935, Port St Lucie, FL 34985 MOORE NORMAN. (C) Box 1630, Chandler, AZ 85244 ROSE WAYNE. (C) 16504 W. 150th Ter, Olathe, KS 66062 TOLER, WARREN F (C) 99 Old Richmond Rd, Irvine, KY 40336 MOORE RUDOLPH (C) P.O. Box 56, Forlville, IN 46040 ROSSITER, LARRY (R) 9867 Shellbark Ln, Cincinnati. OH 45231 ♦TOOLEY, JIM. (C| 4712 Virginia, No. 3A, Omaha, NE 68157 V MORGAN, EARL L 494 Meadows Rd S.. Bourbonnais, IL 60914 ROWE, GENE. (C) P.O. Box 1022, Cherokee, NC 28719 •TRAMMEL JERRY. (R) 21 Stanwood Loop, North Little Rock, AR MORGAN, GERALD L (R) RO. Box 495, Eaton. OH 45320 ♦ROYSE c. E (R) 2105 Taylor Ave, Racine, Wl 53403 72118 MORLEX FRANK. (C) 4080 Pediey Rd., No. 151, Riverside, CA 92509 RUARK, JAMES. (R) 2014 Northcliff Dr. N„ Columbus, OH 43229 vTRUE, IRA L 500 W. Santa Maria, No. 77, Santa Paula, CA 93060 V MORRIS, CLYDE. PO Box 938, Eleanor, WV 25070 RUNYAN, DAVID W. (C) 419 Butcher, Bethalto, IL 62010 TSO, ALVIN. (C) P.O. Box 1541, Page, AZ 86040-1541 MORRIS, JAMES. (R) 141 Dutch Rd, Charleston, WV 25302 VRUSSELL J. REYNDAL 3809 San Ramon Dr, Arlington. TX 76013 TUCKER, RALPH WILLIAM. |R) R.R. 1. Box 55. Wbodbine. IA 51579 MORSCH, J. V. (R) 9924 Bay Vista Ests. Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819 TURNER, BEVERLY (C) 709 Holbrook, Lebanon, OH 45036 MOSER, THOMAS W. (R) 555 Barts Church Rd, Hanover, PA 17331 s ______♦MURPHY MARK. (R) c/o 410 S. Clay SL, Sturgis, Ml 49091 u ______VMURROW, ROBERT L 1901 Janeen, Yukon, OK 73099 SCHMELZENBACH, DENNIS R. (R) 1713 N. Glade Ave, Bethany, OK ♦MYERS, HAROLD i MRS. (C) 575 Ferris N.W, Grand Rapids. Ml 73008 vULMET, ALECK. 63 Hope Dr, Bella Vista, AR 72714 49504 v SCHMIDT, MILFORD A. Rte. 3. Box 268, Clinton. MO 64735 UMSTEAD, CLAIR E (R) P.O. Box 7, East Charleston, VT 05833 scon, SR., DR. WILLIS R. (C) 1926 Tindaro Dr, Apopka, FL 32703 USERX JIMMIE D. (R) 6900 E. 98th Tea. Kansas City. MO 64134 N ______•SCRIVNER, VICKIE. (R) 6527 Garfield Dr, Kansas City, KS 66102-1036 V vNAJARIAN, BERGE i DORIS. P.O. Box 50904, Fort Myers. FL vSELF ERWIN. 11397 Main St, Vicksburg, Ml 49097 33905-0904 WARCE, PAUL H. 621 2nd Ave. N.W., Waverly, IA 50677 SEXTON, JACK A (R) 2615 Ontario St, Cincinnati, OH 45231 VNASH, FORREST. 725 W. Cedar, Olathe, KS 66061 VAUGHT, DARRYLE L (R) 205 Country Club Ln, Selmer, TN 38375 •SEYMOUR, KERRY (R) 434 Tresham Rd, Gahanna. OH 43230 NASH, JACK W. (R) 8840 Oakdale Ave, Northridge. CA 91324 •VERTREES, MARK S. (R| Rte. 1, Box 152, Cunningham, TN 37052 •SHADE HAZEL (R) P.O. Box 24368, Huber Heights, OH 45424 •NAYLOR, EDWARD. (R) 6 Rubydale Gardens, Weston, ON M9L1B3 VIARS, V. DALE (R) 5896 Karen Ave, Largo. FL 34644 •SHARR ALBERT. (C) 8760 W. Adams Rd, Elwell, Ml 48832 CANADA •SHEPHERD, WILEY (R) 1324 Gen. MacArthur Dr, Brentwood, TN w ______VNEES, L GUY 181 Lawrence Ln, Kalispell, MT 59901 37027 •NEFf LARRY PAT. (C) 4294 E Amhersl Hernando Beach, FL t •SHIREX DWIGHT. (C) 38092 Butcher Rd, Leetonia, OH 44431 •WADE E BRUCE. (R) 3029 Sharpview Ln, Dallas, TX 75228 32642 SICKENBERGER, ARDEN. (R) 3803 W. Walnut, Yakima. WA 98902 ♦WALKER, BRIAN 4 DEBI. (R) P.O. Box 25964, Colorado Springs, NELSEN, RONALD. (R) 1107 Orleans. Keokuk. IA 52632 •SIMMONS, IRVIN. (R) 3216 N. Peniel, Bethany, OK 73008 CO 80936 NEWTON, DANIEL (R) P.O. Box 323, Fairland, IN 46126 SIMPSON, EDWIN C. (R) 5 Mallard Dr, Vincenttown. NJ 08088-8570 •WALKER, GENEVA A (R) 3650 Roswell Dr, Columbus, OH 43227 •NORMAN, DAVID. (R) 12206 Chicot Rd, Mabelvale. AR 72103-2813 vSISK, IVAN L 4327 Moraga Ave,San Diego, CA 92117 vWALKER, LAWRENCE 4 LAVONNA. Rte. 1, Box 368 B. Interlachen. VSKILLERN, R. FRANK. 8300 N.W. 10th, No. 40, Oklahoma City, OK FL 32148 0 ______73127 VWALLACE J- c. P.O. Box 2183, Plant City, FL 33566 WALTON, JAMES. (R) 203 E. Bond, Patoka, IL 62875 vOLIVER, L S. 5115 N. Carefree Cir, Colorado Springs, CO 80917 vSMITH, C. HASTINGS. Box 937, Bethany, OK 73008 WARNER, C. LEROY (R) 926 Summit Ridge Dr, Brandon, FL 33511 v OLIVER, W. CHARLES. P.O. Box 5655, Lakeland, FL 33807-5655 vSMITH, DOYLE Rte. 2, Box 1050, Wrightsville, GA 31096 VWATKINS, FRANK. P.O. Box 715, Banning, CA 92220 ONEX HOBERT. (R) 3832 Chah Dr, Zephyrhills, FL 33541 ♦SMITH, DUANE (C) c/o Evangelism Ministries1 vWATSON, LOY. 3412 N. Flamingo Ave, Bethany, OK 73008 OWENS, DENNY G. (C) 6802 N.W, 45th, Bethany, OK 73008 SMITH, GEORGE E (R) 9378 Watson Rd, Wolverine, Ml 49799 WEBB, SHARON. (R) P.O. Box 61, Waco. KY 40385 ♦OYLER, CALVIN & VIRGINIA. (C) P.O. Box 727, Wellsville, KS 66092 vSMITH, HAROLD S ORPHA. 3711 Germania Rd, Snover, Ml 48472 WEBSTER, KENNETH. (R) 5608 G Villas Cir, Montgomery, AL 36116 P ______♦SMITH, JERRY k BETH. (R) 1603 Fatherland St, Nashville, TN •WELCH, MRS. DARLENE (R) 8302 Laveme Dr, Louisville, KY 40299 37206 vWELCH, FRANCES M. 10338 Carreta Ct, Santee, CA 92071 PALMER, NORMAN. (C) 200 W. Branigan Rd, Franklin, IN 46131 ♦SMITH, LARRY (C) 547 Kiely Blvd., No. 4, San Jose. CA 95117 WELCH, WILLIAM B. (R) 5328 Edith St. Charleston Heights. SC VPARIS, WENDELL O. P.O. Box 159, Henryetta, OK 74437 vSMITH, EUGENE 1 LANORA. The Singing Smiths. 205 Drayton St, 29418 vPARSONS, T. O. 4025 Gossett Dr, Wichita Falls, TX 76308 Winnsboro, SC 29180 ♦WELLS, GENE 4 NANCY (C) Rte. 1, Box 174B, Thompsonville, IL vPASSMORE A. A Passmore Evangelistic Party, P.O. Box 202, VSMITH OTTIS. 60 Grant St, Tidioule, PA 16351 62890 Snydertown, PA 17877 •SMITH, RICKY STERLING 4 JOANN. (R) Rte. 2. Box 786, Hawkins, WELLS, LINARD. (C) P.O. Box 531527, Grand Prairie, TX 75053-1527 •PASSMORE, DOROTHY. (C) P.O. Box 202, Snydertown, PA 17877 TX 75765 WESLEY, E. RUTH. (R) Rte. 1, Box 143, Springport IN 47386 PATTERSON, ROBERT & FRANCES. (R) 373 Richlandtown Pk, WESLEY, RONALD E. (R) P.O. Box 400, Science Hill, KY 42553 Quakertown, PA 18951 SNELLGROVE, HENRY G. (R) P.O. Box 713, Lake City, FL 32056-0713 SNYDER, BILL G. (R) 9935 Columbus-Cincinnati Rd, South vWEST, EDNA M. 130 S. Front St, No. 1512, Sunbury, PA 17801 PEAL DONALD. (C) P.O. Box 518, Rowlett, TX 75088 Charleston, OH 45368 •WHITE JANIE (C) Rte. 2, Box 775, Hawkins, TX 75765 ♦PENDLETON, JOHN. (R) 1116 S.W. 72nd, Oklahoma City, OK 73139 SOMMER, MICHAEL. (R| Mesa Ministries. 6416 Harris, Raytown, MO V WHITWORTH, ARTIE H. P.O. Box 38, Albany, OK 74721 PERDUE NELSON. (C) 1559 Grimes Ave, Urbana, OH 43078 •WHITWORTH, MARCUS 4 DONNA. (C) 2824 Herblo Dr, Burlington, PFEIFER, DON. (C) 661 S.R. 220, Piketon, OH 45661 64133 SOUTHERLAND, SAMUEL (R) 4404 Clinton Ave, Jacksonville. FL IA 52601-2108 PFEIFER, MARK. (C) 910 Briar Ave, Washington Court House, OH 32207-6657 WILCOX, WALTER. (C) Rte. 2, O’Leary, P.E.I. COB 1V0 CANADA 43160 WILDER, EDD. (R) 3859 Hazelwood. Muskegon, Ml 49444 ♦ SPEARS, DAN. (C) Visual Ministries. 111 Maple St, Clarksville, AR VPHILLIPS, JACK. PO. Box 193241, Little Rock, AR 72219-3241 vWILKINSON, LLOYD. 2840 18th St, Columbus, IN 47201 PHILPOT, LARRY. (R) 117 Kay Dr, Middletown, OH 45042 72830 •SPEER, BROCK. (C) The Speer Family, 5318 Anchorage Dr, WILLIAMS, C. PHILIR (R) 259 W. 5th St. Winona, MN 55987 PHIPPS, PAUL M. (R) 3125 Sycamore Ave, North Terre Haute. IN WILLIAMS, 0. EDWARD (R) 7120 N.W. 46th St, Bethany, OK 73008 47805-1817 Nashville, TN 37204 vSPORTS, LALA L Rte. 1, P.O. Box 34, Odum, GA 31556-0034 VWILLIAMS, E. VERBAL. 39 Bay Crest Dr, Brampton, ON L6Z1H5 v PHIPPS, TILLIE. 301 S. Lamar Blvd., Oxford, MS 38655 CANADA SPRAGUE VERNON F. (C) Sprague Evangelistic Family, c/o Evan­ •PIERCE, CATHERINE. (C) 1427 Meitzler SL, Danville, IL 61832 •WILLIAMS, EILEEN. (R) 21 Robert E Lee Ln, West Chester. OH gelism Ministries' vPITTENGER, CLAUDE E. 2027 Woodhue Dr, Spring, TX 77386 SPURLOCK, W. EARL (R) P.O. Box 1922. Interlachen. FL 32148 45069 VPITTENGER, TWYLA 413 N. Bowman Si, Mansfield, OH 44903 STANIFORTH, KEN. (Q44313 Beech Ave, Lancaster, CA 93534-4303 VWILLIAMS, JANET S. 1308 Wooten Rd, Colorado Springs, CO POSEY, WARREN. (C) 433 Monroe St, Fortville, IN 46040 VSTANLEX HARRY T. 1111 Highgate St, Kalamazoo, Ml 49007 80915 VPOTTER, HAROLD J. 2926 Randa Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34235 •STANTON, TED i DONNA. (R) P.O. Box 722, Sarasota, FL 34230 WILLIAMS, LAWRENCE. (C) 6715 N.W. 30th Terr, Bethany, OK 73008 ♦POWELL FRANK. (R) 13579 Colter Rd, Caldwell, ID 83605 STARK, EDDIE. (C) 6906 N.W. 36th, Bethany. OK 73008 WILLIAMS, R. T, JR. (C) 326 Elmington Ave, Nashville, TN 37205 V PRICE, JACK L P.O Box 395, Waxhaw, NC 28173 STEENSLAND, JUDITH. (R) 1608 Clark, Ames, IA 50010 WILSON, ARNO. (R) Higher Ground Retreat Centei; 3918 State Rte. v PRICE ROSS E. 1540 Hiawatha Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80915 STEVENSON, GEORGE. (C) 4021 Pebble Dr. S.E, Roanoke, VA 24014 46, West Harrison, IN 47060 •PRINTUP, JUANITA. (R) 1601 E. McGalliard. Bldg. 4, No. 105, •STONE, LOIS. (R) 10510 Southwest Hwy, Worth, IL 60482 •WILSON, CHARLES. (R) 909 S.W. 45th, Oklahoma City, OK 73109 Muncie, IN 47303 ♦STONE, PAUL. (R) Lakeland Manor. Shell Lake. Wl 54871 WILSON, RONALD. (R) 421 College Hill Ave, Oskaloosa, IA 52577 PURSLEY, PHILIP. (R) 334 S. Fork Terrace Rd, Glasgow, KY 42141 STREET, DAVID. (C) Rte. 1, Ramsey, IN 47166 vWOLFORD, JAMES E. 3660 Grace Dr, St Mary's OH 45885 VPUTNAM, ROBERT E. 319 Humphrey SL, Dracut MA 01826 STRICKLAND DICK. (C) 1141 Wbodhaven Ct, Springfield, OH 45503 WOMACK, PAUL W. (R) 2831 Harrison, Quincy, IL 62301 STROUD, GLENDON D. (R) P.O. Box 638, Aubumdale, FL 33823 WOMACK, ROBERT. (R) 14 Dunham, Texarkana. TX 75503 Q------SULLIVAN, DAVID P. (R) 3712 Blackburn Ave, Ashland, KY 41105 vWOOO, DENVER. 3 E. 41st St, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 •QUALLS, MAE (R) 5441 Lake Jessamine Dr, Orlando, FL 32839 vSUMNER, ROBERT L 3005 St. Charles Dr, Tampa. FL 33618 vWOOLMAN, J. L. P.O. Box 616, Tuttle, OK 73089 •SUMWALT, JOSEPH I VIRGINIA. (R) Box 8, Warren, IN 46792 WOOTEN, D. J. (R) P.O. Box 262, Cambridge, MD 21613 R ______vSWANSON, ROBERT L 1102 Glenwood Dr, Yukon, OK 73099 VWRIGHT, AUSTIN, 1198 Jamaica Rd, Venice, FL 34293 WRIGHT, E. GUY 4 LIL (C) 1531 Cranbrook Dr, Charleston, WV vRAKER, W. C. S MARY 714 E Avenue L Lewistown, IL 61542 25311 VREAZIN, LAURENCE t LEONE. P.O. Box 130162, Tyler, TX 75713 T ______vWYRICK, DENNIS. 603 Reed Dr, Frankfort, KY 40601 REED, DOROTHY. (C) P.O. Box 814, Hannibal, MO 63401 TAYLOR, BOB. (C) Box 293038, Dayton, OH 45429-9038 REED, SHERMAN R. (C) 1232 Oakwood Trail, Indianapolis, IN 46260 TAYLOR, BOBBY L (R) Evangelistic Team, Rte. 1, Box 477-B32, South V REID, JR„ DOUG. (R) 15453 Landon Rd, Gulfport. MS 39503 Shore, KY 41175 REID, WILUAM D. (R) 1531 12th St. Tell City, IN 47586 1AYLOR, CLIFF (C) Family Evangelist E 619 32nd Ave, Spokane. WA YOUNG, DALE H. (R) 30 Cain Rd, Chelsea, AL 35043 •REISS, MARK. (R) 2000 NSR 23, No. 60. Delaware, OH 43015 99203 •RICHARDS, LARRY I PHYLLIS (C) 2310 Appleton Dr, Indianapolis. vTAYLOR, EMMETT. 7621 N.W. 25th, Bethany, OK 73008 IN 46227 vTAYLOR, MENDELL 1716 N. Glade, Bethany, OK 73008 RICKEX HOWARD. (C) 1827 Stone Rd, Xenia, OH 45385 TAYLOR, RON. (C) Rte. 1, Box 265, Johnson Rd, Chickamauga, GA VRIFFLE BRADY 0 .4154 Bowman Hill Rd, Huntington, WV 25701 30707 Chaplaincy { 5 0 Ministries 1 9 4 1 ^ e a r s 1 9 9 1

Celebrating 50 Years of Ministry to 1991, Nazarene chaplains are still serving God and Servicemembers their countries—including Brazil, Germany, Great From the Nazarene Servicemen's Commission of Britain, India, New Guinea, the Philippines, and 1941 to Chaplaincy Ministries in 1991. the Church of Zimbabwe. the Nazarene has been on active duty, discipling service personnel. Starting with a nucleus of dedicated Celebrating an All-Encompassing Ministry elders serving in World War II, the Nazarene chap­ In 1941, chaplaincy meant military. In 1991, over lains corps has grown to 66 chaplains, 24 of whom 400 serve as full- and part-time chaplains in the Civil served in Operation Desert Storm—more percent­ Air Patrol, police and fire departments, hospitals, prisons, age-wise than any other Protestant denomination. factories, retirement centers, college and university campuses, funeral homes, and counseling offices, as Celebrating an International Mission well as active duty and reserve military. Nazarene In 1941, the Church of the Nazarene determined chaplains go wherever spiritual hunger and human to minister to its members in the U.S. Armed Forces. In need exist. In this 50th anniversary year, the ministry opportunities are still gold unto harvest. NAZARENE MINISTRY DURING OPERATION DESERT STORM

In the Supreme Commander's Service

ver since the Iran-Iraq War, our Instead, she matter-of-factly said, brigade has had soldiers sta­ “Then, this is what you are supposed to tioned in Bahrain, and I had be doing.” Eorders in hand to visit them. When Iraq Not only was the separation difficult, invaded Kuwait, I asked my commander there were the living conditions. Part of if I should still go. He replied, “You’ll the time I lived in a compound in be going all right, but not to Bahrain, Daharan and the living was fine, but and you better start packing soon.” when we deployed to die desert, die O n September 20, my birthday, I conditions became austere. The wind stepped off die plane in Saudi Arabia blew and it was full of dust and grit, to be greeted by a blast of hot (120 and the nights were cold. I bathed in a degrees plus), dry, desert air and the small plastic wash pan and did my same commander. He handed me a laundry in the same pan when my bottle of water and said, “Here, Chap­ clothes got so bad I could not stand lain, now get to work,” and I did. agreed to a ministry with separations, them. I had a small tent with a dirt floor I was on duty as a chaplain every my girls, Leslie and Dawn, did not Was that slept four, and the hard cot did not waking hour during the entire time I was it fair to them to have their dad gone? compare to my kingsize bed at home. in die Middle East What an opportunity How would they feel? Dawn made it But all this is a small price to pay for ministry, and I loved it! Almost every clear the evening before I left when she when I compare it to the victories for day, I dianked God for die privilege of said, “Daddy, I thought we prayed the Kingdom. serving Him in diat place. I was, also, about accepting our move to Fort I remember being on a plane when grateful for die opportunity to represent Bragg.” a soldier walked up to me and handed the wonderful people of my church dur­ “W e did,” I replied, expecting her to me a note. After I read the note, I ing diis conflict. ask, “W hy are you going then?” answered him with another note diat Please do not misunderstand me; it was not at all like going to camp meeting. There was the painful fact that in order to be blessed with this ministry, I had to endure separation from my wife and family, and how I missed them. Separation is often a part of military life. My wife, Betty, and I discussed this aspect before I became a chaplain, so we were in agreement, and I enjoyed her full support during Operation Des­ ert Shield and Desert Storm. In fact, as I was leaving she said, “As much as it hurts to see you go, I know those sol­ diers need you right now more than I do.” But diis separation caused anodier serious problem. Although Betty and I

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Disciplcship 27 I was so sure that I was exactly where OPERATION DESERT STORM God wanted me to be during the entire conflict that I did not especially pray for my safety. I only prayed diat I would be found faidiful when an opportunity for said something like this: “I appreciate he was ready to go home to his wife and ministry presented itself and I would your honest and sincere note. You can home to God after diis war was over. not fail my Lord. be sure that I will be praying for you, I cannot forget the woman solider However, when the Iraqi Scud and I hope we can talk when we land.” who had lived a very troubled life. She landed on the compound and killed 28 I regretted diat a crowded, noisy mili­ grew up in die slums of New York and soldiers, I changed my mind. That com­ tary plane did not provide opportunity had a life so wicked and horrible that pound was only 300 meters from ours. for serious conversation about any­ she thought she was demon possessed. And even though I was away at the thing. I sought him out after we landed She could not sleep at night because of time, I realized how close death could and everything had calmed down, and dreams of demons, and sometimes she be, and I was grateful for the thousands he said widi a smile on his face, “It’s all thought she saw diem in her room. We who were praying earnestly for my O K now, Chaplain. W hen I got your talked about the power of Christ over safety. note, I went into the washroom and I demons and prayed for several weeks. I and most soldiers I talked to believe Then one day, she made the com­ God gave us this victory because of the plete break dirough. She gave her prayers of millions of Christian people. life, demons and all, to Jesus. She I want to diank everyone for dieir knew she had die victory and she prayers and letters. And I want to diank slept a calm, restful sleep for die first the Church of the Nazarene for allow­ night that she could remember. Her ing me to serve God under its banner victory was complete, and she en­ of sponsorship and support. joyed this peace from then until the —by Chaplain (LTC) Lowell P. Moore last time I talked with her, which United States Army was months after the Middle East W ar ended. Th en th ere were those who would catch me after the worship service to talk, pray, and accept Christ. There were soldiers who prayed and I cried for a long time. I’m would get me be­ back where I need to be with God.” hind tents, in vehi­ Here is a victory for God, and I did not cles, or any other do anything except be where God private place to talk wanted me to be. about God. There Then there was the Warrant Officer was a real interest in who came in my office and wanted to spiritual issues, and know how to become a Christian. By many found the now, I had the Four Spiritual Laws and Lord. the Roman Road of Salvation down I did not try to pat, so I shared the gospel with him. keep count of those W hen I asked if he wanted to make a who came to Christ commitment to Christ, he said that he because I did not wanted to think about what I had said. want to reduce the He had a good Christian wife who had most important thing been taking him to church and was in life to putting tick praying for him, so he was getting in­ marks in a Bible. But terested. He came back in about a week God was at work in and said, “Chaplain, I’m ready to ac­ Saudi Arabia, and I am cept Christ.” We prayed less than two glad I was there on a minutes before he smiled and said that mission for Him.

28 GROW / Winter 1991 R o o t ed

Personal Growth Helps for Leaders

LIFE GIVING mountains dancing for joy, and song­ “Let’s put a man on the moon in this birds taking wing. First God said, “Let decade.” Just ten simple, mostly mono­ WORDS us make man in O ur image. . .” (Gen. syllabic, words. A nd yet they aroused the 1:26). Then came the man and the sleeping giant of our vast industrial sci­ woman walking down Eden’s country entific technological complex as no W EEK O N E road, lovers holding hands to watch the others in the twentieth century. Like a THE AWESOME POWER OF sun go down. powerful magnet over iron filings, the WORDS Revelation’s order moves from com­ daring words of the president focused munication to creation, from “In the the collective genius of our nation’s best “In the beginning w as the W ord.... *’ beginning was the W o rd ” to “the W ord and brightest minds, unleashed a tidal (John 1:1). became flesh and dwelt among us” (John wave of invention and innovation until, A young German patent office clerk, 1:1, 14). So it is today. First the word of on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong be­ . bored with his job, wrote an article in the Gospel, then saving faith: “He who came the first man in history to walk on 1905 for an esoteric scientific journal hears My word, and believes H im who the moon. which posited and explained a simple sent Me, has eternal life” (John 5:24; Words have creative power. Such is mathematical formula: E = M C 2 (energy see Rom. 1:16-17; 10:14-17). Words the Scripture’s testimony: creation ex equals mass times the speed of light constitute the final reality: “Heaven and nihilo, out of nothing, by the sheer power squared). This and several others advanc- earth will pass away, but My words shall of God’s spoken word. That is also a fact I ing the theories of general and special not pass away” (Matt. 24:25). Words of life. Everything that occurs in the relativity exploded like a bomb in the constitute the first and primal reality. realm of hum an experience begins with minds of physicists. Suddenly they found a word spoken or written. Words are the themselves looking at the relationship mind’s instruments by which inchoate between matter and energy in an entirely thoughts, feelings, and desires are given W EEK T W O new light. Albert Einstein’s humble objective form and then sculpted into words written on a piece of paper thrust WORDS CREATE communicable symbols. Words are the our world into the nuclear age, for better brush and pigments by which we paint or worse. W ords are dynamite! “Then God said, ‘Let there be what is going on inside. Once we image Here is an astonishing fact: com m uni­ light,’ and there was light” (Gen. something and find the appropriate 1 :3 ) . cation precedes creation. Such it was in words to convey it, then it becomes a the beginning. First came the word: The year was 1961. President John F. dynamic creative force. W ords are the “And God said, let there be . . .” (Gen. Kennedy stood to make his first State of vehicles by which we transmit those im­ 1:3). Then came galaxies cartwheeling the Union address before the joint ages to the minds of others. Words through space, m orning stars singing to­ houses of Congress. He brought his lis­ enable us to share thoughts, ideas, and gether, trees clapping their hands, teners upright with these historic words: our hearts with each other. They are to = A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 29 ROOTED IN CHRIST o f severe retardation. Educators now know that children who enter school with serious social or learning disabili­ human community what wires are to elec­ and under the earth, and that every ties, more often than not suffer from trical current. W ithout words there is no tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, communication malnutrition in the life together. W ithout words, no life at to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. home. O n the other end of the age spec­ all! That is why it is so vital for us to 2:9-11). trum, gerontologists assert that what was continue and enhance the practice of the Something like that happens when­ previously thought to be senility is, in earliest church, “A nd they were continu­ ever words are spoken, for the primal most cases, communication isolation. ally devoting themselves to the apostles’ function of words is to illuminate. First There is nothing we do in our families teaching and to fellowship . . . and to came the light, in Genesis one, and then or churches as important as talking and prayer” (Acts 2:42). the glories of the universe in all of its listening. Like a flower opening its petals wonder and beauty. W ords continually to the rising sun, so does the human reenact the miracle of the man who, spirit blossom in the warm loving envi­ touched by Jesus, testified, “Whereas I ronment of words. W EEK THREE was blind, now I see” (John 9:25).

WORDS CREATE LIGHT W E EK FIVE “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ W E EK F O U R and there was light” (Gen. 1:3). WORDS NOURISH HUMAN LIFE Matisse, the nineteenth century ex­ pressionist artist, tells how he discovered WORDS CREATE LIFE “Do not forsake assem bling to- gether . . . but encourage one an­ his vocation. As a boy he happened upon other” (Heb. 10:25). a Bohemian painter at work by the sea. “Then God said, ‘Let us m ake m an in Our im age’” (Gen. 1:26). He became enthralled with the picture It was our first family vacation trip to that took shape before his eyes. He God spoke and man became a living Canada. While camped at Radium Hot watched with fascination as a glorious being. Words create hum an life. Over Springs in the Banff National Park we ate seascape gradually emerged from the and over again. Four times Marge and I a late lunch at a small coffee shop. I blank canvas under the artist’s magic have held our very own babies in our struck up a conversation with a man next brush. He says of that experience, “It was arms. At birth they somewhat resembled to us. 1 invited him to join us. He proved as if my eyes had been skinned. All of a the species homo sapiens, but otherwise to be a most interesting guest, having sudden I came alive to the wonderful there was little to mark them as such. spent a score of summers in the arctic world of color.” They couldn’t walk, talk, sing, or sass. north pursuing various avocations such Paul had such an experience. He They were totally defenseless and utterly as fishing, hunting, and working as a writes, “As I was journeying to Damas­ dependent upon others for life. professional guide. He regaled our chil­ cus . . . at midday, O King, I saw on the Then each in turn was enveloped in a dren with bear and moose stories. Then way a light from heaven, brighter than warm blanket of words: words heaped he shared an experience I will never the sun, shining all around me and those upon them by their mother, father, forget. journeying with me” (Acts 26:12-13). grandparents, uncles, and aunts, and a He signed up to track a herd of cari­ Though his physical eyes were tempo­ host of others. Almost from the begin­ bou on their annual migration across the rally blinded, he saw something about ning we could see each of them Canadian Yukon. For thirteen weeks he Jesus of Nazareth with his inner eyes that responding with eyes and facial contor­ followed the herd, subsisting off the land no one else had ever seen. He translated tions. Soon came answering coos and and with what he carried in his pack. He that vision into words with such clarity inchoate mumblings. Then, one day, d id n ’t carry a radio. A bush pilot located and force that the world has never been right out of the blue we heard them say, him every couple of weeks to drop him the same. “M ama,” “Daddy.” A nd our hearts did fresh supplies, but otherwise he was ab­ Two thousand years later we see un­ back flips for joy. Those were swiftly solutely alone. W hen the pilot picked folding, in ever greater magnitude, what followed by “No!” and “Mine!” and him up at summer’s end, he was shocked Paul envisioned of Jesus so long ago: “Dad, can I have the keys to the car?” to discover that he couldn’t talk. He “Therefore also God has highly exalted W ords actualize human potential. So­ could say a few words and phrases but Him , and bestowed on H im the name ciologists tell us that if a child is totally had lost the capacity to form sentences which is above every name, that at the deprived of all hum an speech for the first and otherwise carry on a normal conver­ name of Jesus every knee should bow, of seven years of its life, it will never be able sation. He was alarmed, wondering if those who are in heaven, and on earth, to talk normally but will remain in a state thirteen weeks of isolation had unstrung

30 G R O W / W inter 1991 him mentally. The bush pilot had en­ through His creation. He shared the difficult educational years when, other­ countered this phenom enon before and wonder of how he was becoming so wise, I might have dropped out. He told him not to worry. He assured him aware of Jesus’ love and care exhibited in fulfilled his promise twice, recommend­ that he would quickly recover his ability the frisky chipmunks and fragile wild ing me to both my first and second to communicate once he was with people flowers that blossomed all around us. pastorates. again. Yet he said that it took him at least W e concluded our service with a sub- So it was with the college president six months before he could speak with alpine meadow celebration of the Lord’s who inquired, over lunch, if I had ever his previous fluency. Supper. It was Jim ’s and his boys’ first thought about teaching. If he had known Words not only create but nourish time to participate in Holy Communion. my academic record he would never have hum an life. W h at food is to the body “Heaven came down, and glory filled our asked. Yet his words burned like live words are to the soul. We cannot get souls.” coals in my breast and launched me on along without the stimulus of talking and I don’t know if Jim could define a the road to doctoral studies and my pres­ listening. It is only in a human precise moment when he became a be­ ent ministry in Christian higher community of shared words that we actu­ liever, but he can testify that when he education. alize our full human potential. As went up the mountain, he was a child of Whatever I have become, by the grace Reuben W elch likes to say, “W e really do Satan headed for hell. W hen he came of God, began in every instance with need each other!” down the mountain, he was a child of words. Words unlock buried potential, God headed for heaven. As Peter put it open up new horizons, and create des­ in speaking to Jesus, “You have the tiny. words of eternal life” (John 6:69). W EEK SIX W E EK E IG H T WORDS CREATE SPIRITUAL LIFE W EEK SEVEN THE WORD OF ABSOLUTION “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (John WORDS UNFOLD DESTINY “And Jesus . . . said to the para* 6 :6 3 ) . lytic, ‘My son, your sins are forgiven’” (M ark 2:5). My evangelistic efforts to reach Jim, a “And Jesus said to them , ‘Follow M e . . (Mark 1 :1 7 ) . chess partner and an occasional church It was Gary’s first Sunday at church. attender, seemed to have no effect. That I am astonished as I look back at my He asked if he could see me. I dropped is, until we went backpacking. For the life and see how often Jesus’ invitation by his auto repair shop that week. He let ten days we were on the trail, after break­ has come to me through hum an lips. I me in on a dark blot upon his life. He fast we shared in the reading of the am thinking now of the gentle but heavy believed that he had committed the un­ Scriptures and prayer. Even though nei­ hand of a missionary physician in Hong pardonable sin. He went home ther Jim nor his three sons made any Kong, laid upon my 13-year-old head he unexpectedly one day and found a man profession of faith, they participated prayed that my life would be devoted to in bed with his wife. In the fight that fully. As we soaked up the spectacular the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ. ensued, he killed him. He had just been mountain vistas along the John M uir His words became a holy inheritance that released from prison. Taking another trail in the California High Sierras, we focused my entire life. person’s life weighed so heavily upon his talked about many aspects of the gospel I recall the chance meeting I had with conscience that he felt that God had and Christian belief. He asked innum er­ a pastor, while a rootless collegian, who forever turned His face from him and able questions. I could sense an invited me to be his youth minister. Such would never forgive him though he awakening occurring. a possibility had never entered my mind. sought for it day and night in a continual O n Sunday we got an early start and Nevertheless, his words set me on the litany of confession. hiked up McGee Creek to a high sub- road to professional ministry from which I read several passages of Scripture alpine meadow. Under the arches of I have not departed. including John 20:23 where Jesus said, 114,000 foot peaks and the mantle of I think back in wonder of the risk that “If you forgive the sins of any, their sins fleecy white clouds over our open-air ca­ a district superintendent took who, in have been forgiven them.” I asked if I thedral, we had our own church service. his first conversation with me, asked if I could pray for him. He was eager that I Everybody participated. “For the first had a call to preach. “Yes,” I replied. should do so. He knelt on the concrete time,” Jim testified, “I know without a “W hen you are through with your educa­ floor amidst the clutter of his tiny office. shadow of a doubt that there is a God.” tion,” he responded, “come see me and I laid my hands upon him and simply With emotion cracking his voice, he I ’ll give you a church.” His words fixed repeated the words of Jesus to the para­ spoke of becoming alive as never before themselves like a north star on the hori­ lytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” to the awesome power of God in and zon, holding me steady through those As if struck by lightning, he leapt to his

A Journal of ChurcH GrouaK, Evangelism and Discipleship 31 ROOTED IN CHRIST completely amazed. These words, “Take courage; it is I,” always make situations improve or change the person who hears feet and began doing a little dance Upon returning to our cabin we them. around his office. Like a drowning man plunged into a game of Rook: men I love Barclay’s sentence of strength, suddenly breaking surface, he gulped against the women. I noticed that, quite “W h e n Christ is there the storm be­ great quantities of air while exclaiming by accident, Oscar made some remark to comes a calm, the tumult becomes a over and over again, “I ’m free! It’s gone! Jo and she responded as a reflex action. peace, the undoable becomes doable, the That terrible pressure in my heart is Then she slipped up and verbally jabbed unbearable becomes bearable, and men gone! Thank you, Jesus.” Gary followed Oscar, provoking a reaction. The crack pass the breaking point and do not up on that experience by making a public in the ice wall between them soon be­ break.” confession of faith in Christ the next came a major breach as they loosened up, Oh, the calming power of a word from Sunday morning. He went on to join the laughing and telling stories on each our Lord! church and became a faithful and pro­ other. There were only two bedrooms in ductive Christian. our cabin, and I did not intend to share Sometimes guilt is so deep and re­ ours with either Oscar or Jo. morse so oppressive that people cannot As we drove down the m ountain the WEEK ELEVEN believe they are forgiven until they hear next afternoon, I had to avoid looking in the word of absolution spoken in Jesus’ the rearview mirror because of the cud­ THE MIRACLE OF WORDS name by an acknowledged minister of dling that was going on in the back seat. the gospel who acts in His stead. Words Oscar and Jo were catching up on a lot “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld release captives and set prisoners free. of loving. Their reconciliation proved to His glory, glory as of the only be­ be deep and enduring. The catalyst? gotten from the Father, full of Words! As long as people talk to each grace and truth” (John 1:14). W EEK N IN E other, all things are possible. A small girl interrupted her bedtime prayer and said, “Mommy, I wish God WORDS RECONCILE had skin on His face.” W EEK TEN The good news of the gospel is that at “God . . . has com m itted to us the J a specific point of time in hum an history, word of reconciliation” (II Cor. 5 :1 9 ) . WORDS CALM TROUBLE HEARTS the Son of God did put skin on His face. His name was Jesus of Nazareth. John “Jesus . . . said to them, ‘Take Coming to know Christ, unfortu­ speaks of Him as logos, the “W ord.” That courage; it is I, do not be afraid’” nately, did little to heal Oscar and is, Jesus communicates what God is like. (Mark 6:50). Josephine’s shattered marriage. Unable By the words He used, the stories He to afford a divorce, they slept in separate W alking on the water Jesus came to told, and the life he lived, Jesus painted bedrooms, drove separate cars to church, aid the disciples as they strained at the for us an unimaginably beautiful portrait and co-existed in virtual silence. My oars, when contrary winds blew in their of the face of God, “full of grace and counseling efforts came to naught. faces, and when they were so confused truth.” One evening my wife suggested that they thought Jesus was a ghost. Even a W e might never have known about we invite Oscar and Jo to go with us on surface reading of the passage helps us Jesus, however, had not the four evange­ an overnight trip we were planning to see fear, doubt, and uncertainty were lists and a host of others put pen to our favorite lakeside resort. I approached more pressing problems for this fright­ paper, thus preserving Jesus for the ages. Oscar; he was all for it but doubted Jo ened group than weather and wind. Those original eyewitnesses freeze dried would go with him. I asked Jo; she would But at a time when Jesus had many their experience of Jesus into words love to go but knew that Oscar would problems of His own like the gathering which not only could survive the death not. Discovering that they both really political storm that would soon take Him and resurrection of Jesus but would then wanted to go made the rest easy. Yet to death at Calvary, He tells them, “Take be copied, translated, and distributed during the trip and on through dinner, courage! It is I.” W ords like that calm around the world. while both conversed with us, neither troubled hearts. When we come to those ancient talked to the other. After dinner we took Following those life-giving words, words written in the book of God, pour a walk along the lake. Marge and I held look at how the disciples’ perspective the boiling water of our living spirit over hands hoping that they would do like­ and situation changed. The record says them, suddenly a miracle happens. They wise. Instead Oscar walked next to me He climbed into the boat with them, the unfreeze and live. Jesus takes shape on and Jo next to Marge. wind died down, and the disciples were the screen of our m ind. The disciples

32 G R O W / Winter 1991 become flesh and blood. W e thrill to see opposite: everyone heard the gospel in covery of sight to the blind, to set fre the lame walk, the blind see, and the deaf their native language. The chaos of Babel those who are downtrodden, to proclair hear. W e hear Jesus shout, “Lazarus, was overcome at Pentecost. The glue that the favorable year of the Lord” (Luk come forth!” Chills break out on our bound the early church together was that 4:18). Through the miracle of words skin as a dead man walks out of the “they were continually devoting them­ deaf ears are opened to receive the “gooi grave. Sorrow overwhelms us as we stand selves to the apostles’ teaching and to news” about God in Christ. Hardenei at the foot of the cross. Joy envelops us fellowship, to the breaking of bread and hearts are softened and transformed as we hear the angels announce, “He is to prayer” (Acts 2:42). There can be no Then tongues are released to proclain risen!” W e, too, fall on our faces before community apart from communication. that “Jesus is Lord to the glory of Go( the risen Christ and confess with The true sign of the Spirit’s fullness is the Father” (Phil. 2:11). Earth-bounc Thomas, “My Lord and my God” (John the supernatural ability to confess, in a prisoners are released and set free t( 20:28). O h , the miracle of words! known and intelligible tongue, that “Jesus become the “children of God” (Johi is Lord.” 1:12). —by C.S. Cowle

WEEK TWELVE W EEK THIRTEEN THE TRUE GIFT OF TONGUES WORDS LIBERATE “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit” (I Cor. “And his ears were opened, and 1 2 :3 ) . the im pedim ent of his tongue was ’’The greatest of all gifts,” Lewis Mum- removed, and he began speaking plainly” (M ark 7:35). ford asserts, “is the gift of tongues.” By that he does not mean unintelligible David Tom, 54, a frail Chinese, was speech but languages that communicate. released recently from the Illinois State Mumford’s insight is borne out by Psychiatric Institute in Chicago after it Scripture. It was when God spoke intel­ was determined that he was not—and had ligible words, “Let there be,” that never been—schizophrenic. His institu­ primeval chaos was conquered and the tional imprisonment began thirty years heavens and earth came into existence. earlier when, as a recent immigrant, he It was when “the Lord God . . . breathed was admitted to a sanatorium suffering into his nostrils the breath of'life” (Gen. from tuberculosis. Since he babbled un­ 1:26; 2:7) that man became a living be­ intelligibly, it was assumed he was ing. More is meant here than pum ping psychotic. He was transferred to a mental up man’s lungs. There is, in Scripture, a hospital where all he could say in En­ close connection between breathing and glish was, “Me no crazy; this nuthouse.” speaking. For instance, Jo h n ’s gospel re­ No one listened. He was never examined ports that “Jesus breathed on them, and by anyone who could speak Chinese. It said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” was only when, nearly three decades (John 20:22). God’s spirit is not chaotic later, a social worker took Tom to a but communicative. Chinese restaurant where he carried on Jesus came speaking, not with spirit­ an animated conversation with the cook ual tongues of ecstasy but in Aramaic, in the Cantonese dialect that this travesty the common language of His time and of medical politics came to light. Yet it place. He spoke so clearly that Peter took another four-year battle in the state could testify, “You have the words of courts to win his release. W hat a tragedy! eternal life. A nd we have believed and Into a world of people passing each have come to know that You are the Holy other like strangers in the night, each One of G o d ” (John 6:68-69). locked in their own prison of misunder­ The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on standing, came Jesus who announced, the day of Pentecost came as “a noise like “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, a violent, rushing w in d ” (Acts 2:2). The because He anointed Me to preach the miracle that followed was not one of gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to unintelligible speech but precisely the proclaim release to the captives, and re­

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 33 train er study guide

EVANGELISM t r a in in g

" II

Personal Evangelism Training II by Beverly Burgess

I n the first edition of Personal Evangelism Training we learned how and what it means to lead a person to Jesus Christ. Now in this second edition, teach your laypeople and staff how to lead new converts into the second work of grace, sanctification. Special features include: nurturing new converts, as­ sistance for dealing with objections, and a presenta­ tion for winning children to Christ. GM083-4H-4100 Study Guide g m s -1991 Leader's Manual

NAZARENE PUBLISHING HOUSE P.O. Box 419527, Kansas City, MO 64141 1-800-877-0700 BENEFITS

TAXmOp IS IN THE MAIL!

It Pays to Have the Facts! For All Active Ministers in the US- For US. District Offices: In January the Board of Pensions and Benefits In January, the Pensions office will send to U.S. USA will mail complimentary copies of Prepar­ district offices a complimentary copy of Rich­ ing Your 1991 Tax Return. It will give current ard Hammar’s updated Church and Clergy Tax information on how a minister should report Guide along with a set of audiocassettes on income expenses when preparing the 1991 in­ taxes. Districts will be encouraged to use these come tax forms. Any active minister who has as a lending library resource and in zone work­ not received the booklet by February 10 may shops with pastors and church treasurers. request one by writing to the Pensions office. For Local Churches: News Releases: Up-to-date church management memos were Additional information and an endorsement of mailed at the end of November to all U.S. other tax helps were given in the October issue church treasurers and their pastors by the Board of P&B News Notes, the newsletter produced by of Pensions and Benefits USA. Memo No. 3, the Pensions office and mailed quarterly to all Tax Procedures for Congregations, includes in­ active U.S. ministers. That tax information will formation on how to complete the new form be updated in the January issue. W-2, which has been changed for 1991 by the IRS. Indian Bible College

A new day of opportunity opened for us

early everyone believes little is much when God is in it. Considering its history, NNazarene Indian Bible College at Albuquerque, New Mexico, could use that refrain from the gospel song for a motto and a marching song. From puny origins, the school has grown to a student body of 60. History: Indian Bible College opened as a children’s boarding school in die fall of 1948 sponsored by die World Mission Division. Following many defeats and a hundred setbacks, the grade and high school phased out in the early 1970’s, leaving a small adult NEW STUDENT HOUSING: Work and witness team from Emporia, Kansas.

6 G R O W / Winter 1991 MISSIONARY CHAPEL SERVICE: Veteran Missionary Robert McCrosky challenges students to full surrender. Grows To 60 Students

student body struggling to study the get dollars and compassionate help in­ home ministerial program. vested here; we work hard to produce By 1976 General Assembly action, productive reapers to garner the Indian jurisdiction for die school moved from harvest. W orld Missions to Home Missions Work and Witness: Since 1980, the (now the Church Growth Division) in W ork and Witness program of the gen­ 1976. This decision proved to be good eral church has enabled us to make for all parties because W orld Mission crucial repairs and erect several modest had little or no experience operating buildings; in die last four years 1,012 schools in Nordi America. Almost im­ mediately a study committee was formed to make recommendations for die future. A decision to become a Bible college for Native Americans resulted from the committee’s recommenda­ We are tions. A new day of opportunity opened for e sp e cia lly us. About diat time the long develop­ thankful for ment of curriculum and faculty started general budget and increased recruitment of students began. The process continues. From d o lla rs that point in our history, several other decisions and relationships provided immeasurable assistance. Church Growth Division: Spon­ sorship by the Church Growth team members have given labor and Division in more recent years has fur­ love to improve our campus, and they nished significant financial resources brought nearly $200,000 for materials and educational know-how which en­ with diem. Our campus master plan abled us to become a real college. We when completed will house more than STUDENT MUSIC ENRICHES are especially diankful for general bud­ 100 students and dieir families. CHAPEL SERVICE

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship Indian Bible College Grows To 60 Students

Owens’ Presidency: During the presidency of Rev. Denny Owens, vet­ eran missionary and effective fund raiser, Nazarene Indian Bible College was brought to the attention of the entire denomination. Residual benefits continue. Persons who heard our story in Faidi Promise Conventions where Owens preached still pray for us, come on W ork and Witness trips, and sup­ port us financially. Nazarene Bible College Connec­ tion: In 1987, the Board of Trustees voted to become a part of the new movement of ethnic extension educa­ tion directed by Nazarene Bible College at Colorado Springs. Dr. R. T. Bolerjack, Nazarene Bible College vice-

Counting children, our present campus population is more than 1 50

president for extension education, was also asked to become the director of the Indian Bible College. This connection made accreditation possible by the American Association of Bible Colleges in the fall of 1988. As a fully accedited extension of Nazarene Bible College, we have higher academic credibility in the minds of potential students, and we are able to help stu­ dents receive financial aid from both the federal and tribal governments. Student Profile: O ur present stu­ dent body of 60 has an average age of 30 and an average family of three chil­ dren. Counting children, our present campus population is more than 150, so we minister to the whole family. Most students come widi little more than the clothes on their back, so they need support of every kind.

38 G R O W / Winter 1991 LLOYD COMMANDER: First Native American NIBC MR. & MRS. PETE RIGGS: College seniors—he serves as professor and excellent musician. student body president.

Ministry Opportunities: W hen O ur goal by 2,000 is to have 55 bined works will represent 5,000 Na­ students graduate, they will go to Native American churches and church tive American members of the church churches that often pay less than $50 type missions on the two Native Amer­ with at least 70 licensed and/or or­ per week. This condition is forcing us ican Districts and 35 Indian dained ministers to lead the churches. to develop a unique curriculum pat­ Our challenge: God keeps opening terned after the Apostle Paul’s opportunities faster than we can fill tent-making approach to ministry them. W hat an exciting time for die which blends ministerial preparation, Today o n ly work of die college. Think of the pos­ spiritual readiness, and marketable vo­ sibilities—Work and Witness teams cational/trade skills. W e already offer 35 percent of building new buildings, the prayers of instruction in building construction, God’s people, accreditation to computer skills, and office prac­ Native Americans help with student tuition, tices. visiting administrators and Indian Outreach: Anodier live on reservations professors from Nazarene compelling reality now impacts while the other 65 Bible College, vocational us. Today only 35 percent of training to provide gradu­ Native Americans live on reser­ percent are scattered ates with self-help skills, vations while the other 65 students committing to percent are scattered through through towns church planting, and the towns and cities across Nordi Amer­ guiding providence of God to ica. As a group, the Indian population and cities lead us. is among the most poverty stricken of Pray that we may seize die opportu­ all ethnic groups. across North nities for die glory of God. We are All these immense needs cause us to A m e rica . moving ahead; although the size of our ask students to prepare themselves so task is astounding, the grace of God is diey will be able to move to new areas amazing. either in die city or on the reservation to plant churches at their own expense. fellowships ranging from small group Such a challenge requires heroic ded­ ministries as a part of a local church to —Rev. Thomas McKinney ication to Christ and die church, but fully organized churches across North Academic Dean, God is supplying diat type of student. America. It is projected that these com- Nazarene Indian Bible College

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and DiscipleshipM NON-ANGLO CONCENTRATIONS Nazarene Districts in Canada and the United States

Non-Anglos

50% or more

under 10.0%

The map above shows the ethnic diversity in Even districts showing little non-Anglo concen­ each of the Nazarene districts of Canada and the tration have cultural diversity. Because the United States. Census Bureau does not identify all groups, an area such as Maine, shown with a very small The Census Bureau is releasing data on ethnic non-Anglo population, actually has a large con­ groups in the United States. While the largest centration of people of French descent, creating single group remains White, English-speaking substantial cross-cultural ministry opportunities. persons, this is not true uniformly throughout the Dakota District, with very few non-White/Anglos, nation. has several Native American reservations to San Antonio, New Mexico, and Los Angeles reach. And Iowa, with only a few non-Whites districts find themselves with non-Anglo major­ throughout the district, has a thriving Black con­ ities principally of Spanish origin. Canada Que­ gregation in Des Moines. bec is predominantly French. And five districts in Data for your area is now available from the the Southwest are targeted specifically to Span­ Church Growth Research Center. How may we ish or Native American groups. serve you?

Church Growth Research Center 6401 The Paseo Kansas City, MO 64131 R e s e a rc h A N D T re n d s

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

NAZARENE Ethnic census figures just being released by Census ETHNIC Bureau. Census Bureau counts American Blacks and West POPULATIONS Indies immigrants . . . even Haitians . . . as Black. And anyone of Spanish ancestry is "Spanish Origin" . . . whether they speak Spanish or not. And no detail of Asian groups or Native Americans yet released . . . but enough is available to report good news for Nazarenes . . . and some good challenges.

BLACK Black populations in major metro areas usually have a OPPORTUNITIES Nazarene church . . . especially outside the South. 50 metro areas have over 100,000 Blacks today . . . and 33 have some Nazarene presence. Of the 17 without active Black Nazarene work, only Philadelphia and Seattle are outside the old South. 16 large Southern cities do have Black Nazarene churches . . . 15 do not. Largest Black concentrations without active Nazarene work are Phila­ delphia, 1 million . . . New Orleans, 1/2 million . . . Birmingham and Charlotte, 1/4 million each.

HISPANIC Spanish populations in major metro areas are also CHALLENGES represented by Nazarenes. 47 areas have at least 50, 000 people of Spanish descent . . . 33 have Nazarene churches or missions. 27 of the large Spanish concentrations are in the Southwest states . . . Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California . . . and 22 have Nazarene work. Largest Spanish areas without Nazarene work: Washington, D.C., 225,000 . . . Austin, Tex., 160,000 . . . Salinas-Mon- terey, Calif., 120,000.

MINISTERIAL Some perception that students graduating from our PLACEMENT colleges and seminary have difficulty locating a posi­ tion in Nazarene churches . . . recent study indicates otherwise.

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship MINISTERIAL Of credentialed Nazarene ministers who were classified

PLACEMENT as students sometime during the last decade, 2,500 moved to another classification . . . that is, they were ready (continued) for a church assignment. 1,100 moved directly to a pastorate . . . 450 straight to an associate position . and 250 to another position such as chaplain, evangelist, or educator. Totally, 76% of former students found a position in the time the next district assembly classified their role change . . . and 62% were in a local church.

WHO ARE The Church Growth Research Center has begun a contin­ THE NEW uing study of new Nazarenes . . . those joining the NAZARENES church by profession of from another denomination. First year's results indicate a couple surprises . . . and a conf irmation.

The people themselves are older than anticipated. Conventional wisdom says newcomers to any church tend to be young adults in their late twenties or early thirties. Of last year's new Nazarenes who are still active members, one-half are between 26 and 40 . but fully one-third are over 40. And one-fourth are in their late teens or early twenties . . . supposedly a tough age group to reach.

And sometimes we hear of churches who hurry to bring people into membership before they understand what's happening. Over half of new Nazarenes have been parti­ cipating in the church for three years or more before j oining.

I John 4:20 principle . . . How can people believe in God's love if God's people don't demonstrate it? Consultants have stressed the "Rule of 7" . . .a newcomer should make seven friends within the congregation. Confirmed by study. 85% of last year's new Nazarenes are still actively involved in church. 55% of these have close friends within the congregation . . . 42% have immediate family in the church.

Research AN D Trends

42 G R O W / Winter 1991 New Plumbing in San Diego

A New Perspective on Inner City Location

« n r he church is getting new p lu m b in g !” T h a t is J L what Sister Tucker told me. She had a dream that the church was being worked on and that all the old plumbing was being taken out and replaced with new plumbing. Our building had become rundown and needed all kinds of repairs, from plumbing to plastering. I thought, “Maybe some of these things will finally be fixed.” Sister Tucker let me know that the dream meant more than just building repairs. It meant REVIVAL! Just as plum bing carries water, so the Spirit would flow anew through our church. New plumbing meant there would be new life at Southeast. RODEHEAVER: Aside from God Himself, our location is our greatest resource. I do not know too much about dreams and interpretation, but I do know that Sister Tucker is on die main­ is about one out of three. Mainstream compassion to the oppressed of die line with God and that our church did America is a world away. A common streets, they had no place to do it from. need new plumbing. W e needed to goal is to get out of the neighborhood. They were removed from diis field of become a channel di rough which God Unfortunately, many churches share ministry. W e are in the field. could work. W e needed His Spirit to that goal and succeed. There was a time Aside from God Himself, our place move in us and through us. Things had when Soudieast Church wanted to re­ is our greatest resource. The Bible says, gotten bleak at Southeast. Folks had locate. Finances kept the church from “The Word became flesh and dwelt grown tired and weary. Members who moving out of the community, but that among us.” If God became us in order had been diere eight years were still kind of attitude kept the church from to save us, does not that imply that die considered as die new people. There ministering effectively to the commu­ church must dwell among diose it seeks were barely enough people to keep the nity. It is hard for God to use a church to save? Our place puts us right in die doors open. So Sister Tucker and her that would rather be somewhere else. middle of people He seeks to save. We dream brought hope that God would But God began to give us a new are blessed to be where we are. do a new diing widiin us, diat He perspective on our location. Instead of would indeed revive us and let His seeing it as a detriment, we began to see SERVING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD Spirit flow through us. it as a resource. God gave us this land. W ith our new understanding of our It is our place of service. It is His corner good location, we began to pray and THE NEIGHBORHOOD in the city. W e began to recognize diat think about ways to serve our neighbor­ The neighborhood of Soudieast is God placed us in the middle of hurting hood. We have become involved in pretty rough. W hile San Diego is not people so that He could touch them. SHARE (a food distribution program) Detroit, it does have its inner city, and This was not a problem to run from, and ISN, a winter months interfaith that is where Southeast is located. Our but an opportunity to embrace. We shelter network. Also, a tutoring pro­ community is torn by drugs, gangs, and took notice that we were the only gram has been set up widi Point Loma violence. Unemployment is a major Nazarene church still in die city. While Nazarene College students and Emer­ problem. The high school drop-out rate our sister churches desired to show son elementary school—a public school

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 43 have to be like the person next to you Plumbing in San Diego in order to be accepted. There are vast educational differ­ ences in our congregation, from those that is across the street from the church. to impact a man whose family did not who dropped out of high school to PLNC supplies the tutors. Emerson care enough to give him a funeral. Irene those who went on to earn a Ph.D. But supplies the students and studies. We and Clara said good-bye to dieir grand­ there is an understanding among all provide the place. W e are meeting father, knowing that he was loved and needs that could not be met from an that he loved them. that it is not how much you know, but outside location. W ho you know and how well you know One of our prime neighborhood H im and obey Him. PURPOSE ministries is die Table Ministry. O n That is how it is in the Kingdom. We We may never become a great and Friday nights we set up tables and have the poor and some wealthy. We successful church in the eyes of die chairs in the sanctuary and serve a free have those who travel by foot and some dinner. This dinner has two purposes: who drive a Mercedes. W e have white (1) to feed the hungry, and (2) to pro­ collar and blue collar, the employed vide fellowship for those in need of a and the unemployed. W e have young, friend or a positive place to be. W e try We are a black old; single, married; divorced, wid­ to avoid the situation of church people church with a owed. W e have all peoples and we seek staying in the kitchen and serving white paster in a to see each other dirough the eyes of guests. Radier, we eat together so that Christ rather than measuring each relationships can be built. Ministry be­ H ispanic other by the standards of die world. We gins to happen in these relationships. want to provide a glimpse of die King­ Mr. McFarlin lived down the street a neighborhood. dom in a world of divisions. block and a half from the church. His wife had recently died and he was left widi the task of raising his two grand­ world. But that is not our goal. Our SALVATION daughters, Irene and Clara, grades 2 purpose is to be a sign of the Kingdom, After four years of pastoring in the and 1. The girls’ mother was in New a sign of the new creation diat Christ is city, I can see some changes in my York, hooked on drugs. Mr. McFarlin bringing about. In the Kingdom, all understanding of salvation. I now see battled diabetes and had a difficult time peoples will seek the Lord and worship three dimensions of salvation: per­ keeping up with Irene and Clara. One Him. sonal, community, and eschatological. Friday night they discovered the Table W e are a black church with a white The three intersect widi each odier and Ministry. Irene and Clara became reg­ pastor in a Hispanic neighborhood. all need to be emphasized. The best way ulars not only on Fridays, but also on Not exactly the formula for success. But I can explain them is to tell you about Sundays. Soon they were bringing their we are seeking the Lord and you don’t the people who live them. friends to Sunday school. Men in die church would stop by to visit Mr. McFarlin. The church became a source of hope and family. For two years Mr. McFarlin was a part of the Southeast fellowship. Then one night a fear became a reality. Mr. McFarlin had a heart attack and passed away. We hurt that we lost a friend, and even more that the girls lost the person who loved them most. Family members were not going to have a funeral or any kind of memorial service. They simply wanted to dispose of the body, figure out who would have custody of the girls, and get on with life. But the church could not let Mr. McFarlin go without saying good-bye. We set up a dinner and invited the family. They came and brought Irene and Clara. W e spoke of the good fellowship we had with Mr. McFarlin. The love of God was present. W e were touched, for God had used us The Steve Rodeheaver family minister in urban San Diego.

44 G R O W / Winter 1991 Marion and Viana can testify to per­ church. At church, Erica is somebody. I just received a call from a sixdi sonal salvation. Marion attended At church, there is great expectation for grade girl named Leonia. She and her Southeast as a boy many years ago. Erica. At church, there is purpose and brother Diandre have just been placed Growing up, he got into the street life meaning for Erica. At church, Erica is in a foster home. They have an eight- of gangs, dealing drugs, violence, and loved and given opportunity to grow month-old baby brother with a broken the pain that goes with it. Marion and and blossom. The church is a commu­ thigh. W hen the mother took the baby Viana were living together. Viana was nity of salvation, and Erica is part of in for care, the audiorities determined pregnant with Marion’s child. Each that community. By herself, she does her to be at fault and removed all her had a child from a previous relation­ not stand a chance in this world. But children from the home. Leonia does ship. Marion had gotten a construction as a member of the believing commu­ job although both he and Viana still nity, Erica is experiencing salvation not like where she is. She misses her messed with drugs. One day a believer from a world that would trample her mom and wants to go home. She does named Craig witnessed to Marion at into die dust. not understand how or why the system work. Through Craig’s witness, Mar­ The deep needs of people have works like it does. I have no answers ion received Christ into his heart. shown me diat salvation must be more for her. She has already suffered more Eventually Marion found his way back than personal and community. It must than I can imagine. She cries for her to Southeast and began to grow in the mom. It is really a cry for the Kingdom. Lord. Viana saw a change in his life and a hunger for the Lord was awakened in her. She began attending church with PRESENCE More than anydiing else, we are a Marion. Soon she accepted Christ into ministry of presence. W e cannot make her heart. Eventually Marion and Vi­ ana married. They have joined the everything right, but we are here. We church and they serve the Lord in nu­ are here to suffer with people. We are merous ways as they continue to grow here to announce that diere is hope. in His grace. Christ does save and We are here to let God touch and heal. change the lives of persons. For the past year, one Wednesday Erica was a fifth grader at the elemen­ night a month, we have been going tary school next to the church. She calling on the downcast and shut-in. It began coming to the church on Friday is not your normal calling, however, for nights for dinner. Sometimes she we go and sing. About a dozen people would bring her whole family. Erica grab a hymnal, pile into cars, and head had a great time on Friday nights but for our visit. Often we are led to homes we could never get her to come on where diere is not very much to sing Sunday. Finally we discovered the rea­ about. The pressures and afflictions of son. She did not feel like she had be eschatological. We need the King­ anything good enough to wear for dom to come in its fullness. Sin is such the world have attempted to rob folks church. W e provided her some work at a massive problem. It is a cancer that of all joy. But we go and sing of God’s the church, and then paid her by taking infects not only our individual lives, but love. her shopping. Now she has some all of the structures which we live un­ Somehow, in the midst of singing church clothes. Over the past two years der. Such vicious cycles of and prayer, God comes and gives life. she has been as faithful as anyone in unemployment, welfare, alcoholism, His presence is made known. A light the congregation. It does not matter poor health care, drugs, child beating shines in the darkness. The song has that her family has moved half a dozen and molesting, gangs, homelessness, announced what is hidden. We have times and been on the verge of teenage pregnancy, unaffordable hous­ sung more than can be explained. God homelessness often. Erica is there ing, poor schools, and absent fathers is present, suffering widi us and mak­ when the church doors are open. seem impossible to break. Praise God, ing a way where there is no way. Society would tell you that Erica will there are die Marion and Vianas, die Has Southeast received new plumb­ never amount to anything. She will Ericas who do receive the Lord’s salva­ ing? W e batde with clogged pipes, but drop out of school before the eleventh tion. grade, have two children before she’s But even then, all is not well. The our desire is to be open to His Spirit. twenty, never marry, spend her life on oppressive forces they have to live un­ W e pray diat the Lord will always be welfare and most likely end up on der, the cycles that they find themselves working on our plumbing, making us drugs. in, will never be broken until the King­ a better channel of His love and pres­ But Erica is a part of another society. dom comes in all of its power and glory. ence. She is a part of a community of believ­ For now, all that we can do is stand fast by Steve Rodeheaver, Pastor ers that is an alternative to the and pray, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will Southeast Church of the Nazarene dominant culture. She belongs to the be done, on earth as it is in heaven!” San Diego, California

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 45 EDUCATION

NAZARENES IN THE MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION SERVING...

T o g e t h e r

That the World May Know!

Pray for Your Nazarene Institutions of Higher Education Worldwide!

Africa Nazarene Theological College Nazarene Nursing College, Swaziland Africa Nazarene University College Nazarene Teacher Training College, Swaziland Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary Nazarene Theological College, Manchester Canadian Nazarene College Nazarene Theological Seminary, U.S.A. Caribbean Nazarene Theological College Northwest Nazarene College Eastern Nazarene College Olivet Nazarene University European Nazarene Bible College Point Loma Nazarene College India Nazarene Nurses Training College Seminario e Instituto Biblico da Igreja de Indonesia Nazarene Bible College Nazareno, Brazil Instituto Biblico Nazareno, Argentina Seminario Nazareno de las Americas, Costa Rica Japan Christian Junior College Seminario Nazareno Mexicano, A.C., Mexico Japan Nazarene Theological Seminary Seminario Teologico Nazareno Sudamericano, Ecuador Korean Nazarene Theological College Southern Nazarene University Luzon Nazarene Bible College Swaziland Nazarene Bible College MidAmerica Nazarene College Taiwan Nazarene Theological College Mount Vernon Nazarene College Trevecca Nazarene College Nazarene Bible College, Australia Visayan Nazarene Bible College Nazarene Bible College, U.S.A. Nazarene College of Nursing, Papua New Guinea

Dr. Stephen W. Nease Education Commissioner International Board of Education 6401 The Paseo Kansas City, MO 64131 KEYS FOR CHURCH GROWTH By Louie E. Bustle

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Order From Nazarene Publishing House P.O. Box 419527 • Kansas City, MO 64141 What frightening thoughts I experienced then. My daddy might die! But G o d ’s healing touch restored you to full health, and in five days you walked away from an iron lung and an amazed hospital team of doctors and nurses. They wrote on your chart, “Healed by a higher power.” A TRIBUTE The next two years were especially difficult for us. Most of the time your revival meetings required you to be gone four to six weeks, sometimes more. Many nights I slipped TO DADDY in your empty bedroom, stood in the closet, and hugged yours and Mother’s off- season clothing. I felt close to you there. Often I closed my eyes and imagined you were holding me. Then I went to my room and sometimes cried myself to sleep. A Daughter's W hen a decision was made that my education would be obtained through correspondence school, I was the happi­ Affectionate est little girl alive. N o more lonely train rides. N o more Memories of summer camp schedules. You and Mother were my teachers. You taught me math Her Evangelist and science, all the way through geometry and biology. W hat a commitment both of you made to my education. Father Ten years of discipline and studying every day. W e soon obtained a 26-foot Airstream trailer. W h at a home and schoolroom it was. You let me have a parakeet, a dog, and a bicycle. W h a t fun we stuffed into that 26 feet on wheels. Thank you, too, for the devotion you demonstrated to know big girls and grown women say “Dad,” but my mother. I never doubted your love for each other. You you were always Daddy to me, and 1 was always your were best friends. You showed me the elements of a happy little girl. Our special relationship etched many home and a strong marriage. You shaped my attitude about I life with your spirimal leadership in the home, your love, happy remembrances on my memory. As mother and I and friends sat by your bedside during your last weeks your patience, your listening, and your caring. and watched you slip from us, I relived many events from Now you have gone to be with the Lord. I can see you the past. there, waving your hanky in heaven, giving a little leap like W hen I was four, you and Mother began your evangelistic you did in the pulpit, and shouting as you walk the streets ministry. You made me a part of it. You set out a chair and of gold. I am sure you are revelling in the goodness of God. lifted me upon it to sing. I loved traveling with both of you. You are probably reminiscing about victories won widi But soon it was time for me to begin school. Grandma Bill Draper, Don Gibson, Tracy McCord, H. C. Benner, Colaw came to one of your revivals and took me on a train Edward Lawlor, H. C. Powers, D. I. Vanderpool and G. back home to Independence, Kansas. There were may tears B. W illiamson. that day as the price for following G od’s will in evangelism And I know you are rejoicing with hundreds of people became clearer to all of us. the Lord helped you win through your evangelistic ministry. In the first grade, I recall an occasion when you and Best of all, I know you are seeing your Savior face to face Mother drove all Sunday night between revivals, just to eat and hearing His majestic words, “Well done, thou good breakfast with me. O n that trip, you were not feeling well, and faithful servant.” but we had a great time. Before I ran off to school, you Yes, Daddy, we miss you greatly because we have loved knelt by me, and Mother took a picture of us hugging and you gready, but we are proud you have attained your kissing. I turned back to wave to catch one more glimpse— highest goal—to be with Jesus. how many times? I remember later that week when Grandmodier woke me Lovingly, your daughter, in the middle of the night and told me I must go see the doctor in Kansas City because my daddy had polio and the Carolyn medical people wanted to be sure I did not become ill with —by Carolyn Pickering, daughter of the same disease. Evangelist Calvin Jantz

48 G R O W / Winter 1991 A Powerful and Practical Resource Now Available...

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The Holy Spirit Might Surprise Us Again

od startled Long Beach First who attended the classes. Church, widi smaller amounts coming Church in 1979 with an im­ God astonished everyone with remark­ from general budget, district funds, local mense outreach opportunity able growth. Today, more than 1,000 churches, and interested individuals. Gwhen thousands of Southeast AsianSoutheast ref­ Asians attend two language This church property, located at the cor­ ugees setded in their city. So many people churches each Sunday; services are con­ ner of Anaheim Street and Rose Avenue, came that Long Beach was called the New ducted in Lao and Khmar. These vibrant is ideally suited in size and situated near Phnom Penh. Cambodian population. And the result­ Like the famed mustard seed of the ing response of needy people makes this Bible, the initial almost inconsequential God astonished effort die largest of all Nazarene ethnic response to this massive challenge com­ works in North America. menced when a few Cambodian children everyone with The Holy Spirit surprised everyone came to Sunday school on the church re m a rk a b le again with the talented people He drew to bus. Sunday school teachers Glenn and this venture. The main characters in this Letha George started the miracle when grow th. modem chapter from Acts are faithful lay they sent notes home welcoming the chil­ leaders from Long Beach First Church dren and offering to teach English to the like Jim and Jo Warren, Russ and Karen parents. The next Sunday, five mothers congregations served by different South­ Owen, John and Mildred Schmidt, and came. Soon Bible classes were being east Asian pastors share the 600-seat Bill and Jeanne Lonn. taught in English, and before long the church building made possible by Senior Pastor John Calhoun, key Bible lessons were retaught to friends and Nazarene love gifts. Financial support pacesetter, has been impressively assisted relatives in the native languages by those came primarily from Long Beach First by missionaries like die Randy Beckums,

50 GROW / Winter 1991 LAY LEADER JIM WARREN FROM LONG BEACH FIRST CHURCH HELPED PLANT NEW LIFE CHURCHES.

the Brent Cobbs, and the Steve Ratliefs. The long list of denominational leaders who encouraged die work includes Gen­ eral Superintendent Raymond W. Hum ; Dr. Robert Scott, former South­ ern California District superintendent

God is doing a brand new thing am ong the Cambodians in their homeland.

and now World Mission director for the Church of the Nazarene; Dr. Thomas Goble, Anaheim District superinten­ dent; and Mrs. Robert Sutton, Anaheim District N W M S president. A giant step toward maturation of the Cambodian ministry came when the New Life (Lao-Speaking) Church was officially organized on February 24, PASTOR ANONG NHIM VISITS IN THE CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY. 1991, with 155 charter members; all joined by profession of faith. Pastor The Khmar-speaking congregation, come to worship God with us.” Anong Nhim leads this church which averaging 650, is led by Pastor Ung Ty The Holy Spirit may be surprising averages 300. who came to Christ in 1986 through the us again with the outreach potential of District Superintendent Thomas ministry of Long Beach First Church. these two churches. Cambodian Chris­ Goble commented in the official organi­ The New Life (Khmar-Speaking) tians, like believers around the world, zation report “The ongoing story is that Church of the Nazarene is organized yearn to share their faith. This outreach churches have been planted out of this into 32 house churches which meet urge is planted by God in every believer’s congregation on the Southern California twice each week in the homes and yards heart; someone called it the heartbeat of and Central California Districts. Long of church members. Lay pastors lead the gospel. The Cambodians are no Beach First Church has contributed these groups. W hen Pastor Ung Ty was exception. So, as Dr. Goble reported, countless hours of volunteer service and asked if neighbors might object to these new California Cambodian churches are hundreds of thousands of dollars. The home meetings, most with an atten­ being planted. At the same time, God is Anaheim District also contributed sub­ dance of 35 to 50 people, he replied, “No doing a brand new diing among the stantially to this work.” one objects because we invite them to Cambodians in dieir homeland.

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 51 COULD A MIRACLE LIKE LONG BEACH OCCUR NEAR YOU?

The Holy Spirit recently astonished in another way. A wondrous moment came at the Anaheim District NW M S Conven­ tion, April 30, 1991, when Pastor Ung Ty showed a video picturing Communist government headquarters on the historic day when the Church of the Nazarene was granted permission to preach the gospel in Cambodia. In that same convention, 300 believers from the New life Cambodia Church raised their hands indicating they had relatives among the four millon who were brutally exterminated during the Khmer Rouge between 1975-1979. Then, these new Cambodian Christians stood during the convention, holding high pictures with addresses of family members they prayed will receive the gospel. PASTOR AND MRS. UNG TY NEAR PRAYER CHART LISTING CAMBO­ Another startling surprise is unfold­ DIAN CHURCH PLANTS IN NORTH AMERICA AND ASIA. ing in Cambodia. God is raising up a to by-pass the legal question of religious immense surprise! O n Sunday morning, series of house churches. The process is assemblies in a Communist country. July 14,1991, Pastor UngTy preached to fascinating. In July, 1991, Pastor Ung Ty returned 200 adults crowded into Sor Phoeum’s O n trips to his native land, Pastor Ung to Cambodia hoping to locate a remnant house-church-on-stilts. Under die church, Ty shared his faith and inspired small groups to study the Scriptures. He was of house churches he started on other 250 children clustered together to sing, “I joined on two trips by Pastor John Cal­ trips. Though he maintained contact by Have Decided To Follow Jesus.” The lay houn and on one by Medical Doctor Gary sending videos of his Long Beach ser­ leader, Sor Phoeum, a bi-vocational taxi Morsch. His house church method of evan­ vices, he wondered about those who driver, had been appointed earlier by Ung gelizing and conserving believers seems professed faith in Christ and those who Ty to serve as spiritual leader of the group. natural to him because of his experience were baptized on earlier trips. Those victories sound like a fulfill­ in Long Beach, and it also provides a way Then the Holy Spirit provided another ment of a prophetic word from Billy

LAO-SPEAKING LAY PEOPLE PHONE EVERY FRIEND AND MEMBER EACH SATURDAY OFFERING PRAYER AND ENCOURAGEMENT. 900 calls are made each Saturday. *

52 GROW / Winter 1991 PASTOR ANONG NHIM SHARES GOSPEL IN NEIGHBORHOOD CAMBODIAN HOME.

Graham during the 1985 Anaheim Cru­ new, through you. Dr. Steve Radief, sec­ sade: “The mission fields are moving to ond mission director of New Life you here in California, so die converts can Ministries in Long Beach, advises: go back home to share the gospel.” “There is no doubt diat diis model can Could anyone have dreamed such stag­ emerge anywhere there are men and gering outcomes would start with a few women who are willing to see a need and simple letters sent to Cambodian homes become involved in that need. The South­ by Sunday school teachers from Long east Asian people specifically, and Asians Beach First Church? in general, are very open to the gospel and The end is nowhere in sight. Thou­ are hungry for reality. And, having been sands more Southeast Asians wait to be displaced from their old lives and old won, both in Asia and in North America. culture, they respond to love. So wherever The work, like Dr. Bresee enjoyed saying, love can get loose, it will bring back men is in the morning of its existence, and who and women who are looking for hope and knows what will happen by high noon or peace and joy.” TYPICAL CAMBODIAN HOME the setting of the sun? Are we available to love and be used by This story must do more than inspire NEAR NEW LIFE CHURCH. the Holy Spirit in another church growth us for a short time. surprise? Perhaps among Asians. Perhaps These empowered events force us to Is there an unreached people group near among Indians. Perhaps among Hispan- raise pressing questions about our own our church waiting to be touched by the ics. Perhaps among Afro-Americans. service: Does God want to do something love of Christ7 Perhaps among Yuppies, retirees, or singles. incredibly amazing in our field of service? Perhaps God wants to do something Are we attentive and willing?

I A Journal o f Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 53 Introducing...

Watch for special events and new exciting resources designed for this “Year of Preaching.” IVlltjtblLjrM SO C IE T Y

People of all ages are needed in the construction of Nazarene buildings around the world.

■v a*f£jg

Alabaster

"Within the last 10 years, there has been a 96 per­ cent increase in the number of organized churches in world mission regions, making Alabaster funds needed now more than ever. The need is reinforced with the continuing growth (58 percent in the last 10 years) of multicultural congregations in the U.S. and Canada, which receive 20 percent of Alabaster funds." — Dr. Nina Q. Gunter General HWMS Director WILCON III

A £o*U f tyon. A l i Q e a ia tu

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

♦ June 1 - June 4,1992 Olivet Nazarene University

♦ June 8 - June 11,1992 Mid America Nazarene College Mrs. Carolyn Lunn Dr. Barry Cunningham ♦ June 15 - June 18,1992 Mount Vemon Nazarene College

♦ June 29 - July 2,1992 Eastern Nazarene College Mrs. Jeannie McCullough Dr. Grace Ketterman ♦ July 13 - July 16,1992 Trevecca Nazarene College

♦ July 20 - July 23,1992 Southern Nazarene University

Mrs. Peggy Miller Mrs. Justine Knight ♦ August 3 - August 6,1992 Northwest Nazarene College Each conference will feature an opening message presented by ♦ August 10 - August 13,1992 a general superintendent. Point Loma Nazarene College

For registration information contact your district superintendent's wife or the WILCON III office at 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. Ulhere Are Veu on the Grouilh Development Stole?

Why can two or three churches • Movement on the scale may be whether present church activities are attend the same church growth sem­ forward or backward. bringing satisfactory results. Little inar, apply the same strategies, and institutional reinforcement exists one church will show results, while • Leadership in a church may be a for members advocating change. another may not? different place on the scale than membership. This may create 5. Organizational Change Through the “Two Year Growth problems if it is assumed both Church’s goals reviewed and Process” (conducted by CHURCH groups are at the same point. clarified in light of growing mission GROW TH, Inc. for individual and priority. New activities and m inis­ clusters of churches) we have found W hat follows is a more detailed tries are introduced in response to that an appropriate strategy for description of each stage. C an you the new focus. New committees and church growth depends on a num­ identify where your church presently structures may be formed. ber of factors. A growth strategy for is? W hich direction it is moving? one church may be highly success­ 1. Ignorance 6. Awkward Application ful . . . the same strategy for another Some failures and some suc­ Congregation and leadership are could cause a church split cesses experienced. Initially limited uninformed of mandate to make applications of church growth I recently developed what I call disciples. Departments/ministries thinking. Some mistakes are made, a Church Growth Development have no unified direction or sense learning process is rapid. Need for Scale. Locating your congregation of mission. The congregation tends additional knowledge, training, re­ on this scale can help you deter­ to be self-centered and self-serving. mine the appropriate steps to take sources becomes apparent. in moving your church forward in 2. Information 7. Integration growth. As you study the Church General interest in learning Growing comfort in understand­ Growth Development Scale, keep more. Questions arise as to what ing and application of church the following insights in mind: results church growth might have growth principles. Fewer dramatic for our church. If no further action • Growth requires moving from changes, more refinement of pre­ is taken, increased indifference and one step on the scale to the next. viously initiated changes. Growing apathy toward the Great Commis­ A church cannot jump over a step, sense of accomplishment and sec­ sion develops. although sometimes leaders inad­ ondary wave of results and success vertently try and encounter 3. Infusion occurs. problems. Penetration of new ideas into the 8. Innovation • Individuals change before organi­ status quo may cause confrontation The base of support and involve­ zations change. Some church with apathy, prejudice, tradition. ment by membership and leaders try to change the organiza­ Tendency is to focus on problems. application of principles expands tional structure prior to changing The need is for a dream to carry the to other areas. Significant results individuals and encounter frustra­ church to the next step. are achieved and growth begins to tions. 4. Individual Change perpetuate itself. • Correct strategy for growth will vary “Church growth eyes” begin to —by Dr. W in n Arn depending on where the church develop in some leadership. Grow­ Church Growth, Inc. is presently located on the scale. ing number of questions arise on Monrovia, California

Individual Organizational Awkward Ignorance Information Infusion Integration Innovation Change Change Application

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship I NAZARENE CHAPLAINS DEAL WITH TRANSITION

400 Ministers Serve People Who Never Come Through Church Doors

NAZARENE CHAPLAINS RETREAT AT C O L O R A D O SPRINGS: 65 Persons Participated In Conference Program. A

DR. RON SCHMIDT, NAZARENE EXECUTIVE FROM Y O U N G LIFE: “Russia is remarkably open to the gospel—especially her young people.”

mpressive talents, experiences, and classes for military personnel, AIDS pa­ The sessions were chaired by former viewpoints showed through the minis­ tients, and small group Bible studies. And military chaplain Curt Bowers, director of ters who attended the Nazarene Chap­ many outsiders would be surprised to learn Chaplaincy Ministries—an integral compo­ Ilains Retreat last summer at Glen Eyrie.Nazarene chaplains come in several skin nent of the Church Growth Division. The conference highlighted two amazing Gifted servants of our Lord, many some­ colors, various ages, and both genders. realities: 1) 400 Nazarene ministers serve what unknown in the denomination but Sixty-five conferees met at the Navigators’ fully credentialed by Nazarene districts and in assorted chaplaincy ministries and Conference Center between July 29 and educated in our church colleges, take min­ 2) through their efforts the gospel is taken August 2 near the Garden of die Gods in istry to firefighters, military personnel, pris­ to people who seldom come through church Colorado Springs. The retreat, planned oners, hospital patients, police, and college doors anywhere. This modem missionary students. once each four years, featured much needed service involves four paramount categories: These specialists share Christ in un­ inspiration and fellowship. Workshops military installations, hospitals, correctional derpublicized fertile harvest fields like dealt with skill improvement and tech­ facilities, and industrial work sites. hospital wards, frondines in war time, coun­ niques to cope with transitions frequendy Ties to the denomination continue to be seling rooms, jails, chapel pulpits, values faced by contemporary chaplains. important to this group. Consequently,

G R O W / Winter 1991 thoughtful discussions centered around their desire to maintain close links with the local, district, and general church. Much spirited discussion suggested ways to strengthen these attachments. All recog­ nized diat acceptance and support from pastors, district superintendents, and lay leaders are especially needed to keep these bonds strong. Speakers for the retreat included CAPT Leonard Dodson CHC, USN (Ret); CH (COL) Vemon Swim, USA (Ret); Dr. Ron Schmidt, Nazarene executive, Young Life; Dr. Neil B. Wiseman, Nazarene Bible Col­ lege; Mrs. Eunice Stephens, Stonecroft Ministries; and Mrs. Shirley Swim, home-

"Our Nazarene chaplains left that beautiful setting near the Garden of the Gods with a new appreciation for CHAPLAIN CURT BOWERS CHAIRED CONFERENCE: “It was an the freedom to opportunity to meet our Lord and each other in rich encounter.” ^ share the gospel CHAPLAIN LEONARD DOBSON LEAD MORNING DEVOTIONS. He called for new levels of devotion to Christ in the midst of such rapid around the world changes. ^ and to strengthen their connections to the church."

maker and former military nurse. Chaplain George D. Andrews, Arkansas Department of Human Services, and his wife, Sarah, led die singing. Highest Call, a musical group from Nazarene Bible College, also sang in several sessions. Bowers summarized the significance of die retreat: “Our Nazarene chaplains left that beautiful setting near the Garden of the Gods widi a new appreciation for the free­ dom to share die gospel around die world and to strengdien dieir connections to die church. They also grappled with cataclysmic changes affecting dieir future service to Christ like military build-down, budget re­ straints, medical ediics, bulging prison population, plus questions dealing widi personal health and aging.” All participants rejoiced in reports shared by Nazarene military chaplains who served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK TO GET A CHURCH GROWING

“Yes, definitely. I want the Lord to use that would facilitate growth. Then, we K-Project me to grow this church to 1,000.” deliberately began to mobilize the laity In my pastor’s report I told our con­ for ministry. Helps Church gregation, “I believe Lake Avenue has the As the final step in vision develop­ potential for diat kind of growth in the ment, we set out to develop a strategy next decade.” Our membership of 429, for growth. Consequently, a strategic Stretch at that time, was the only statistic that planning committee commissioned by even approached die halfway point. the church board began meeting weekly To 1,000 A strategic part of the K-Project is the to dream, to set goals, to prioritize, and School for Large Church Management. to plan. This group proposed that we W hen I asked my board for permission designate 1989-90 as our “Year of Expan­ y district superintendent to enroll in the school, they quickly sion.” asked me to describe for my granted my request and provided the In reviewing our past ministry, we pastor colleagues at our fall funds. Our first module of training determined that we had been a “pla- M“Skil Skol” what the K-Project means to began in October 1989. teaued church” (+ or - 5% growth for me. His request started me thinking At that point our church was averag­ five years) for nearly a decade. W e set about how die whole process, including ing 234 in Sunday school and 274 in out to become a “break-out church” (+5 die School of Large Church Manage­ morning worship. Admittedly, 1,000 to 10% for five consecutive years). Lim­ ment, has impacted me. seemed like a distant dream. ited sanctuary space had contributed to Like you, perhaps, I had no idea what I am not a wild-eyed emotionalist, so our plateau; for a decade the church on earth the K-Project was until I before I aimed up the heat to accom­ operated at 80 percent capacity in the showed up at the introductory seminar plish such a feat, painstaking worship service. at die 1988 PALCON. That was the groundwork had to be done. Accord­ In a nearly meeting where Bill Sullivan and W il­ ingly, we designated 1988-89 as our unanimously "David, bur Brannon sparked a vision in me for “Year of Preparation.” supported expan­ instead of growth . They lit a fire in my imagina­ The School of Large Church Man­ sion project, we tion that helped me understand that God wishing to agement greatly assisted in this added 40 seats to wants us to grow our church to 1,000 by procedure by teaching us how to de­ our sanctuary, a someday die year 2,000. velop a mission statement. This new foyer and nar- pastor a learning prepared me to lead the thex, and two VISION church on this issue. W e reformulated additional class­ church First, the K-Project is about vision. It our existing 47-word mission state­ rooms. of 1,000, was a nice compliment to be regarded ment, reducing it to ten words that The K-Project why not as a church having the potential for could be easily understood and quickly and the School of growth to 1,000. But to believe it could memorized: “Reaching people with the Large Church Manage- C p i" O W transpire on a foreseeable timetable gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” ment put me in contact O H © ? seemed a remote dream. As I consid­ Admittedly, it is simple and succinct, with innovative meth­ ered the possibility, I sensed the Lord and perhaps a bit overly evangelistic. But ods to double our sanctuary space with­ saying to me, “David, instead of wishing to us, reaching people has broad im­ out building. I am deeply indebted to to someday pastor a church of 1,000, why plications diat include all our ministries. Dr. John Vaughan, who bought my not grow one?” I began to feel that might Next, we mobilized our church to a supper and gave me two hours of per­ be die only way I may ever pastor such a vital prayer ministry, believing that the sonal time at the School of Large church. church only moves forward on its Church Management. He encouraged I began to see it as possibility. To knees. And nodiing vital happens but me to go to two services as soon as me, 1,000 was a long way off. But I in answer to prayer. Next, we concen­ practicable. Then, Dr. Elmer Towns came home from PALCON ’88 saying, trated on putting ministries in place drilled it into my head, "You must be

60 GROW/Winter 1991 bom again; you must be baptized; you am the leader of the church. If die of personal growdi. I learned diat I am must go to two services!” O n September church I lead is to grow, I discovered no better leader or manager of a large 16, 1989, one week after we dedicated our diat I must have vision for die future church than I am a person. expanded facilities to God, we began an 8 diat is attainable, even if only through a.m. worship service. This step effectively extraordinary effort and sacrifice. CHURCH GROWTH doubled our space for growth without a I must lead with unflinching determi­ The K-Project is about church multi-million dollar building campaign. nation even in the face of seemingly growth—not simply believing it can hap­ overwhelming obstacles. I must have pen, but attempting to be used of God LEADERSHIP AND MANAGE­ focus so that complex problems can be to make it happen. As I learned die unraveled to reveal the essentials which MENT DEVELOPMENT principles and sought to put them into are susceptible to effective action. The K-Project is also about leader­ practice, growth began. But not im­ Leadership is definitely not for die ship development. In seven years of mediately. timid. My own optimism has to be college and seminary, and even a post­ My own commitment to the vision infectious so that people will not lose graduate Doctor of Ministry program, for growth was tested in the early weeks heart when times are tough and com­ I learned to smdy and to minister to and months. Dr. Elmer Towns speaks mitments are tested. My sincerity has people. But I did not learn to lead a of the “Law of the Two-Humped to be genuine and born of integrity. church for growth. The School of Camel.” It is his colorful description Moreover, a sense of constancy born Large Church Manage­ of the cycles of growth and attendance _ of a commitment to longevity ment did wonders to fill during the year. Attendance seems to L e a a e f S has to be established in the this gap. peak in the fall and spring. And it minds of the people. Pastors of growing must innovate slumps during the winter and summer. Several of my colleagues churches and educa­ O ur growth began in January 1990. and lead th e ir ill the School of Large tors in the field of The first Sunday of winter, Lake Ave­ Church Management church growth shared people through nue broke the 300 barrier defying the have moved on to bigger their experiences and the changes “two-humped camel” theory and re­ churches while engaged insights. The likes of Jim mained diere for 12 consecutive weeks. that growth in the process of growing Henry, First Baptist, O r­ The morning worship service average has their churches to 1,000. lando; Bill Hybeis, requires. not dropped below 300 since diat time. For me, our church did not W illow Creek Community; George We are now edging close to die 400 begin to move forward until the congre­ Barna, of Frog in the Kettle fame; Rick mark. gation believed I had made a Warren, Saddleback Community In response to die “Harvest Now” commitment to stay with them. Church, Orange County, California; emphasis, 1991-92 has been designated Add to all of this courage and you and John Vaughan, church growth spe­ our “Year of Evangelism.” We are out to can see that leadership is not for those cialist, shared their vision for growth. “W in 100.” Already this year we have who prefer to sit on the sidelines and We were inspired, enriched, and hum­ seen 22 first-time commitments to Christ watch it happen or critique the action. bled by the great things God is doing Evangelism is on die front burner. We are It is not for the “risk-averse.” Leaders in their fields of service. serious about reaching Fort Wayne for Then, add our own men to the list must innovate and lead their people Christ Growdi continues. like Jim Diehl, Denver First; Gene W il­ through the changes that growth re­ In diese and a hundred other ways, the liams, Wichita First; H. B. London, quires. I learned that if I was afraid to K-Project has expanded my vision for Pasadena First; and Donald Wellman, fail, I could not be a leader. growth and improved my leadership Lakeland Highland Park, Florida, and The School of Large Church Man­ skills. Since entering the School of you can see that the School of Large agement helped me hone my Large Church Management, we have Church Management afforded us op­ management skills. Leading university experienced 20 percent growth in our portunity to rub shoulders with professors from the field of corporate Sunday school average and 30 percent persons who are being used of God in management taught us principles of growdi in our morning worship atten­ great Kingdom growth. organization and structure, planning, dance. Happily, Sunday night seivice change and conflict management, staff­ attendance has also increased by 20 percent MUTUAL SUPPORT ing, as well as techniques of motivation, W hat God is doing in our church supervision, decision making, and finance. An added benefit has been the spirit thrills me as I strive to keep pace with of collegiality among those pastors who Him. W e have not yet achieved 1,000, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT attend the conferences. I have never but we diligently pursue the next 100— felt competition or professional jeal­ The School of Lirge Church Man­ anodier important achievement on our way ousy about the position or prestige of agement does not overlook the person to becoming a KChurch by the year 2000. anyone who attended. Rather, I have of the pastor. Several sessions on who experienced a humble desire to do some- we are as persons were particularly diing great for God while we have time. helpful in self-understanding and per­ —by David F. Nixon, Pastor The School of Large Church Man­ sonality development. The sessions widi Lake Avenue Church of the Nazarene agement has helped me to realize diat I Dr. Archibald Hart were invaluable times Fort Wayne, Indiana

I A Journal oj Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship 61 A Personal Study Bible for Holy Living

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PlS. 35 5 seminaries and colleges. Messengers from John the Baptist oJohn 9 7 (Matt. 11:2-19) 'Matt. 15:31 The Wesley Bible contains all of the elements sLuke 17:12-14 18 mThen the disciples of John re­ 'Mark 7:37 you would expect from a quality study Bible: ported to him concerning all these “ [Is. 61:1-3; Luke 4:18] • Focus Notes things. 19 And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to 3Jesus, • Annotations • Articles THE NEW KING JAMES TEXT • Maps The unequaled accuracy, beauty, and complete­ • Charts ness of the New King James Version make it a • Book Introductions most suitable translation for Bible study. • Section Introductions cptr-982 Hardback $34.95 • Harmony of the Gospels cptr-985BG Burgundy Bonded Leather S59.95 • Concordance Prices subject to change without notice. Plus postage • Index to Annotations

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6401 The Paseo • Kansas City, MO 64131 • 1-800-544-8413 All effective church growth strategies must place confident trust in the power and authority of God’s Word.

GROW - A JOURNAL OF CHURCH GROWTH, EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP Volume 2, Number 4, Winter 1991 Issue, $4.00 Bill M. Sullivan, Director, Church Growth Division, International Church of 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 Bill Gray, art director, Wellspring • Composition by Rick Boucher, typographer, Wellspring.

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

GROW welcomes local and district reports of revivals, church plants, and church growth but because of 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 A SECOND OR THIRD LOOK AT THE NUMBERS GAME

£ £ ■ ■ M hy not stop playing the numbers Faithfulness - One vigorous argument against counting insists ■■ V H V game?” questioned a college pro- that God is more interested in faithfulness than increases. Why fessor at a recent clergy preparation the contradiction? Faithfulness almost always produces increases. Q u ality - Another anti-number conjecture contends quality conference where ministry for the 90’s and beyond ministry should replace numerical accountability. Try another idea was discussed. for size—when one considers Christ’s magnetic promise “If I am “Why are stats so important to the church?” probed lifted up, I will draw all men unto me,” does it not follow that quality a military chaplain at a retreat in the foothills of the attracts people. One growth specialist insisted a long time ago thal Rockies. better Sunday schools nearly always become bigger Sunday schools. “What if I can’t get the numbers?” one ministerial Sovereignty - G od’s sovereignty is sometimes used to argue student queried his professor. against numerical increase with the notion that God gives the “My attendance is down, but I think the spiritual increases without our help. In such a debate, it may be useful to tone is up,” reported a pastor at last summer’s district consult theological accuracy and human experience. God mosl assembly. often works through some amount of human effort to bring I wonder who started counting Sunday school attendance, people to Himself. W ho among us would be a Christian without professions of faith, church members, and local church income. another person’s strong influence? Perhaps the numbers game resulted from a natural Quality vs Quantity - Let us admit diat quality evolution as the Church of the Nazarene passed is more difficult to measure than quantity. But at through its life cycle from childhood to adoles­ the same time let us agree that no conflict exists cence to adulthood. between striving for both. Counting has been around for centuries. Long And though our suspicions are only whispered, before the Nazarene denomination came into the we know there probably will not be much quantity world, the Bible reported numbers—5,000 people without quality. People go to churches where there ate fish from the boy’s sparse lunch, 12 men is something worth going to. formed the first group of disciples, 120 people rnvsm Most churches need to get quality and quantity examined their hearts together in the upper room, tied closer together. Some have quantity without and in one day 3,000 joined the church during quality. Others have quality without quantity. Let the pioneer growth phase recorded in Acts. All mvy - us work for both; one feeds the other. those records sound like somebody counted peo­ Perhaps the time has arrived for us to give up ple near the early church’s dawning. our prejudices and mydis—whichever way they lean. Then, again, tallying is common in contemporary For those who have problems counting folks, culture. People total the dollars they earn, how maybe they need to check again to see if the Bible many students sit in their classrooms, how many live in their is against numerical accountability. town, how many populate the world, and how many attended For those who place priority on quality, maybe they could so their last family reunion. This “how many” curiosity carries over thoroughly improve their ministry that people flock to their to counting church members and offerings. Nobody knows why services. Then growth will never be a negative issue for them again. we count, we just do. For those who argue G od’s sovereignty takes numbers out of It is true, much in life cannot be counted. Dollars and numbers our hands, maybe they should think again about how God uses simply cannot measure everything. In most instances, numbers human help for doing His work. do not tell the whole, or even most of the story. But statistical Accountability - Everyone knows spiritual success cannot be facts frequently tell part of the story—sometimes an important measured in ultimate terms by members or dollars. But keep part. counting until we find more satisfying ways to evaluate our Before we continue this chat, try to squeeze all emotion out of effectiveness against the evangelistic requirements of Scripture. these issues. Strive for fair thinking. Then consider a church with Though the process leaves much to be desired, it helps measure a severe four-year decline in attendance and income: Is it likely the work we do for the Savior. that church could be spiritually vigorous? Is it the kind of situation Any evaluative accountability, however frail, motivates us more when you would move your family without asking about the than none. Because people really count, the church growth we decline? Though numbers do not tell all the facts about this seek is both spiritual and numerical in nature. It is quality and church and others, the statistical record highlights drifts, shows quantity together—never one without the other. The two hold high trends, or suggests directions. priority for us. A nd for the King. Church counting makes more sense as we think about this And ponder another amazing reality—almost no one hesitates powerful sentence from a caring pastor, “W e count people to report gains when the numbers are up. Interesting, isn’t it? because people count.” -NEIL B. W ISEM AN Editor, G R O W

A Journal of Church Growth, Evangelism and Discipleship A nearby harvest field: 92% of all Native ...... Americans untouched by the Gospel

! Confessions of a Born-Again Baby Boomer!

by Mike MacNeil Sussex, N.B.

not rejecting Jesus; they were re­ 1954 can one take before one gets jecting the culture in which the nostalgia fatigue? My life is tremen­ lese two articles view the expres- church had wrapped Him up. You dously complex. I need more than >ns of worship from opposite per- see, for baby boomers like me, enter­ yesterday’s church. ectives. Many holiness churches ing the average evangelical church ve people from both backgrounds, is like entering a time warp. Get to K now Me! u, pastor, must learn to face the Since I’m a typical baby boomer, versity in your ministry. Yesterday’s Church you need to know what makes me In his book D ying fo r Change, tick. I’m motivated by experience, Leith Anderson describes what he not money. I like money, but having calls “yesterday’s church.” He says, fulfilling experiences is a higher JL ttendance was sagging. Now “Yesterday’s church keeps hoping priority with me. I am animated by Z A each week there were spaces that tomorrow w ill be 1954.” It fun, enjoyment, and adventure, not JL where real, live people won’t. duty. I thrive on change, not stability used to sit. The services seemed . . . Of the 375,000 churches in North — the exact opposite of my parents. wooden. There was no other way to America, I suspect that the majority I prefer candor— directness and say it. Members blamed the pastor for are yesterday’s church. They pray for blunt honesty— over tact. I respect being uninspiring. The pastor blamed revival, but what they really mean is professionalism more than next- members for being unresponsive. that they hope the “good old days” door-neighborism. I’m looking for a The back-section-twelve-o’clock- w ill return. They expect God to church that makes things happen, beeper people were becoming more work in the same structure and do not just a “nice” building with a vocal about getting out at twelve the same things He did in the 1950s. “nice” pastor. o’clock. The fired-up, sold-out-to- Their members suffer “cognitive dis­ I confess further: Everything the Jesus people had left for other sonance”— they work and live in the experts say about me is true. churches. It was time for action. 1990s six days a week, but on Sun­ 1. I have low in stitutio nal loy­ We met in an upstairs Sunday day, it’s 1954. Church is an escape alty. I don’t put a lot of trust in School room— 12 of us. “Lord, from the pressures of real life, but institutions, even religious ones. anoint our pastor today,” we prayed. not a resource to help them deal I ’m not very denominational. “Speak through him. May the wor­ with real life. Does this sound famil­ What I’m looking for is a vital re­ ship be real and the Word come iar? lationship with God. I’ll go where alive.” We laid hands on the pastor. Confession Time I can find that, no matter what the We were serious. I almost looked label is. I won’t put up with me­ As a born-again baby boomer, I diocrity for the sake of duty or forward to the service. need to confess: Most churches are Then we went to the sanctuary. It past tradition or “Because my par­ irrelevant to my generation. What’s was eleven o ’clock. The organ ents were (fill in denominational more, most churches are irrelevant groaned its weird, sanctified, circus name).” to me! I don’t look forward to the music. The piano thumped along. 2. I have high expectations. Sunday morning service— I endure The worship leader led us in Like the character from the South- 200-year-old hymns and concluded it. Why do I endure it? Because Paul ern-boomer movie Steel M agno­ what was supposed to be heartfelt said not to forsake the assembling of lias, “I’d rather have 30 minutes praise with, “That’s good singin’.” ourselves together and because I of wonderful than a whole life­ Then came the message on stew­ don’t want to offend anyone. Am I time of nothing special.” I expect ardship and, believe it or not, an al­ spiritually bankrupt? No, it’s not church to be a challenging ex­ tar call. A perfect service for 1950. that. I do love Jesus. I do bear spiri­ perience, not a dutiful drudgery. Unfortunately it was 1991- Then it tual fruit in my life. But like 77 mil­ For me, Christianity is a victo­ hit me. The problem was not really lion other baby boomers, I need rious, conquering faith, not a de­ spiritual. No amount of prayer something to prepare me for real fensive, surviving faith. I will fol- would change the facts: People were life in 1991. How many trips to ( Continued on page 51)

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 41 Church Music

The Divine Story of Handel’s Messiah The Story oi a Genius Who Was Rehorn in Giving Birth to an Undying Melody

by Robert W. Pelton Knoxville, Term.

n the afternoon of April 13, As Dr. Jenkins entered the mae­ raise his arm. It was an unbelievable 1737, George Frideric Han­ stro’s study and made an incision for triumph of will over caution! Han­ del had come home in a bloodletting, a deep sigh emitted del grasped at life with a renewed Oterrible rage from rehearsal, from red­ Handel’s flaccid mouth. Then enthusiasm. faced, his temporal arteries throb­ his lips moved and he whispered: On the day of leaving Aix-la- bing visibly. The choleric German “I’m finished . . . no strength . . . Chapelle, Handel went to the cathe­ maestro had harshly slammed the don’t want . . . to live.” dral. He had never been deeply re­ front door and now was pacing the The doctor noted that one of ligious, yet he now felt moved by an room overhead so furiously that the Handel’s eyes stared blankly as if it irresistible force. There stood the ceiling trembled. But his neighbors were sightless. Then he raised the huge organ. He touched the keys in London’s Grosvenor Square paid stricken man’s arm. It dropped back with his stricken right hand. Soon, no heed, for they looked upon 25 down lifelessly. glorious chords rose and fell, filling Brook Street as a lunatic asylum. “Apoplexy,” said Dr. Jenkins. the vaulted shrine with echoing Suddenly a heavy thud, followed “Right side paralyzed. We may be sound. by the sound of breaking glass, came able to save the man— but the musi­ Handel, his head bowed in hu­ from upstairs. Racing to his master’s cian is lost forever. His brain has mility, played and played. Again he study, Handel’s manservant saw his been permanently damaged.” had found the language in which he body lying on the floor, his eyes For four long and tedious months could converse with God, with his fixed and open, his tongue rattling Handel could neither talk nor walk fellow mortals, and with eternity. between palsied lips. As the servant nor sound a harpsichord key. When Once again he would compose mu­ stared in frozen horror, Christopher friends played music for him, his sic! Smith, the composer’s script copyist, eyes would light up and his poor * * * rushed into the room. Together the heavy frame, as if in a dream, would Back in London, Handel hurled two men raised the heavy body. try to sway rhythmically to the himself into composing. He wrote Smith cried: “Sprinkle his face sounds. But his limbs were petrified, an opera, then a second, a third, a with cold water while I go for a doc­ and horror showed in his eyes. fourth; then the great Saul, Israel in tor!” Hastening to Fleet Street, he As a desperate remedy, Dr. Jenkins Egypt, and Alexander’s Feast. It was found Dr. Jenkins and dragged him ordered some hot baths at Aix-la- as if spring, long pent up, had been to a carriage. As they galloped back Chapelle. And just as under the loosed. to Brook Street, Smith explained: frigid earth there boiled the strange Nevertheless, fate soon turned “They’ve worried Handel to death— springs, so within the immobile against him. Queen Caroline, his pa­ those singers, librettists, critics, and body of the great musician there tron, died; his pension stopped; the whatnot! Four operas he has com­ stirred a mysterious force. His will Spanish wars came. Houses of enter­ posed in the last 12 months, hoping hadn’t been affected by the stroke; tainment were closed, his creditors to save the theater, but it’s no good. the undying fire refused to be extin­ pressed him, and the public re­ All his savings are gone, and cred­ guished. mained indifferent. For the first time itors are dunning him day and night. A week after arriving at Aix-la- in his life Handel was ready to throw They’re determined to break our ge­ Chapelle, Handel was able to walk; in the towel; the splendid fighter ap­ nius!” another week and he was able to peared to have met his match. In his

42 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE despondency he murmured the words Then suddenly he read the sen­ The pen slipped from his hand. He of the Crucified: “My God, my God, tence, “The Lord gave the word” (Ps. neither saw nor heard any more; like a why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 68:11, KJV). Handel held his breath blind man he stumbled to his couch. 27:46; Mark 15:34, both KJV). in wonder. Surely the Lord himself He fell forward, his strained eyes A lost soul who no longer believed had inspired this poet! “The Lord gave closed, and he slept. in his ability to create, Handel began the word”—divine mercy had rained When, 17 hours later, attempts to to roam the streets of London. Pas- down from on high. awaken Handel proved fruitless, Smith sersby glanced at him indifferently; Again and again must the words be again went for Dr. Jenkins. But as the his burden of loneliness grew intoler­ repeated: “Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hal­ two men arrived back at Brook Street, able. Then, on August 21, 1741, he lelujah!” The voices of mankind must the manservant stopped in the door­ be joined in a mighty chorus— high came home obsessed by a single way, waved both arms, and shouted: voices and low, sweet notes from the thought: rest, sleep, oblivion. Slowly “The master is up! He has eaten half a fiddles merging with the rougher he climbed the stairs to his study; me­ ham, drunk four pints of milk, and chanically he lighted the candles on notes from the brass, the whole sus­ even now is clamoring for more!” his worktable. Then suddenly he tained by the organ’s powerful under­ The instant Handel glimpsed the tones. frowned. physician, he began to laugh, peal af­ Tears flooded Handel’s eyes as the There was a bulky parcel lying on ter peal of ringing laughter as the joy fires of inspiration pervaded him. He the table. It was a letter and manu­ of his life rioted in him. excitedly took up his pen and jotted script from Charles Jennings, the poet “What’s got you, Master?” ex­ notes; faster and faster the peculiar lit­ who had written the librettos of Saul claimed Dr. Jenkins. “Has somebody and Israel in Egypt. He had sent Han­ tle signs began to cover the paper. given you an elixir?” Darkness lay over London, but bril­ del the new manuscript, hoping that Handel, smiling, strode to the harp­ liant light flooded his own soul, and the greatest genius in music would sichord. “Behold! I tell you a mystery,” the study was alive with music. speed forth the lumbering words on he said. And he sang as he played the the wings of undying melody. final chorus, jubilantly, triumphantly Handel carefully read the missive concluding with “Amen! Amen! and dropped it back on the table. Was Amen!” Jennings making mockery of him? A When Handel finished, Dr. Jenkins despicable thing to scoff at a dying Darkness lay over muttered: “Never have I heard the man, stricken as he was! The maestro likes of this. You must be possessed of tore the letter to shreds and angrily London, but the devil.” stomped on the pieces. Then, annihi­ brilliant light As he spoke, a cloud obscured the lated and lost, he threw himself upon composer’s face. He, too, was alarmed his bed. flooded Handel s at the scope of his work, and humility But sleep wouldn’t come, for a overpowered him. With hanging head storm was raging within. Finally he soul. His study was he whispered: “I think, rather, that arose, relit the candles, and pushed God has visited me.” the manuscript nearer the candlelight. alive with music. * * * On the first page he read the word “Messiah.” Another oratorio! All of his It was Handel’s wish that the first latest efforts in this medium had been performance of the M essiah take abject failures. Yet he turned the title For three weeks, day and night, place in Dublin, where receipts were page and began to read. Handel kept at his task, living wholly certain to be large. But he didn’t want The first words arrested his atten­ in the realm of rhythm and tone. But to profit from his work. Instead, he di­ tion. “Comfort ye!” A marvelous be­ as the work neared an end, he was in­ rected that the money be devoted to ginning, an angelic summons to his creasingly tortured by the fury of in­ the care of prisoners, orphans, and the weary heart. Hardly had he read them spiration. He strummed on the harp­ sick, because, he said: “I have myself when they began to translate them­ sichord, he sang, he worked with his been a very sick man and am now selves into a musical idiom, swelling, fingers until they gave out. Never be­ cured. I was a prisoner and have been calling, singing forth into the sky. fore had this man so lived and fought set free.” Once more, Handel heard musical with music. On the evening of April 13, 1742, tones after the long drought of inspi­ At last, in three weeks— a miracle crowds were waiting in Fishamble ration. in music was completed. One word Street for the doors to open. Ladies With trembling fingers Handel alone remained to receive inspiration: had come in narrow skirts, gentlemen turned the pages. To him had come the final “Amen.” But these two syl­ had left their swords at home so that the call to lift his voice with strength; lables were to be built into a mon­ there might be room for a great audi­ to cry out with the full blast of tubas, ument that would reach the skies. The ence. First, breathless silence; then of mighty choirs, of thundering composer would dwell upon that first the oratorio opened. There came a chords on the organ. His weariness syllable so that, with the organ sus­ tremor as the massed chorus singers disappeared. He was bathed in a rush taining the chorus, it could fill not from two cathedrals began with a hur­ of words that penetrated to his inner only the cathedral but the very dome ricane of energy. being, bringing forth a sense of libera­ of heaven. Handel stood close by the organ as tion. At long last Handel rose to his feet. if in a dream. When the final “Amen”

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 43 Wes leyana resounded, he joined in with the chorus, singing as he’d never sung be­ fore. Then, when the storms of ap­ plause began, he quietly slipped away. From this night onward, the stream of public acclaim for Handel flowed “The Best of All Is, on, year after year. Nothing could stop his progress. Age sapped his vitality, God Is with Us”: he was tormented by gout; but his in­ defatigable spirit soared above all physical infirmities. He finished com­ position after composition. At length his eyesight failed, and he went blind while at work on Jephtha. Year after year the Messiah was pro­ duced in London; always Handel de­ voted the proceeds to hospitals. The man who had miraculously recovered from his own illness wished to help other ailing folk and orphans, the dis­ enfranchised and those who lay in chains. Finally he was to bid farewell to life during a performance of his masterpiece that had dragged him out Living Words of a Dying Man of despair. On April 6, 1759, a broken man of by Barry E. Bryant 74, he was driven to the concert hall London to stand among the instrumentalists and singers whom he could no longer see. But as the waves of sound assailed n March 2, 1791, 11 people didn’t coin the phrase; Isaiah did. his ears, his weary features lighted up gathered in a small room, The words live because they are one last time. At the words, “The on the second floor of a God’s words. Osimple house in north London trumpet shall sound,” his face twitched, while his sightless orbs where a man was dying. The man GOD IS WITH US EVEN IN were directed upward as though he was John Wesley. Each had gathered OUR SINFULNESS were already standing before the by his bed for the moment they all “God with us” comes from the mercy seat of God. Then he staggered had dreaded. They struggled to hear word “Immanuel.” Immanuel was every word, thinking perhaps it and nearly fell. one of the nicknames given to Jesus. When friends got him back home would be the dying Wesley’s last. William Hazlitt, a 19th-century En­ and to bed, he murmured: “I should Many times he tried to speak, but no glish journalist, once said, “A nick­ one could understand him. Eliza­ like to die on Good Friday.” Physicians name is the heaviest stone that the beth Ritchie recorded these events, were puzzled, for though they knew devil can throw at a man.” Anyone saying: that Good Friday would be April 13, who has been lumbered with one Finding we could not under­ they didn’t know that April 13 had knows that’s true. Before the devil stand what he said, he paused a been the day on which, years before, could throw such a stone at Jesus, little, and then, with all the re­ fate had struck him down— and the Matthew gave Him this Spirit- maining strength he had, cried day on which, with the Messiah, his inspired nickname. His name would temporal resurrection had been ac­ out, “The best of all is, God is be “Jesus,” because He would take with us”; and then, as if to assert complished in Dublin. away the sins of His people. His the faithfulness of our promise- The man’s indomitable will had nickname would be “Immanuel,” keeping Jehovah, and comfort the power over death as well as life. By because He is “God with us.” “Jesus” April 13 his vital energies flagged. hearts of his weeping friends, lift­ reminds us that we are sinners in Handel couldn’t see nor hear nor feel. ing up his dying arm in token of need of forgiveness and salvation. His huge body lay inert in the bed. Yet holy triumph . . . again repeated “Immanuel” tells us that in spite of to his inner senses came the sound of the heart-reviving words, “The our sin, God is with us, present in faraway music unheard by the others best of all is, God is with us!” our lives, even when we are not — music more splendid than any he (Jo u rn a l 8:143). aware of it. had ever wrought in his imagination. The message was short and the Wesley’s word for such a presence And the next day, before the Easter meaning simple. His words were a as this was “prevenient grace.” He bells began to ring, there perished all timely reminder: “The best of all is, described this as “all the ‘drawings’ that was mortal of George Frideric God is with us.” These were the liv­ of ‘the Father,’ the desires after God, Handel. $ ing words of a dying man. Wesley which, if we yield to them, increase

44 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE more and more; all the ‘light’ where­ This sense of God’s divine and each other was always a mysterious with the Son of God ‘enlighteneth majestic presence was one early but powerful force to Wesley. In his everyone that cometh into the Methodists knew about. In his jour­ sermon “The Promise of Understand­ world’, showing every man ‘to do nal entry for January 1, 1739, John ing,” Wesley once remarked: justly, to love mercy, and to walk tells about a meeting he and his If there be any particular work humbly with his God’ ” ( The Scrip­ brother Charles attended with about of the Holy Spirit which we can ture Way o f Salvation 1.2). Before 60 others. He writes, tell less of than of the rest, it we knew God, He knew us. Before About three in the morning, as seems to be His influencing one we knew that we were lost, He knew we were continuing instant in person in answer to the prayers of where we were. Christ died for us prayer, the power of God came another. That He does pour a while we were still in our sin. That mightily upon us, insomuch that larger measure of His blessed in­ is the “best of all.” God is with us. many cried out for exceeding joy, fluence upon us at the request of But God is with us in another, even and many fell to the ground. As those in whom He is well pleased more profound way. soon as we were recovered a little He hath given us sufficien t ground to believe in several place from that awe and amazement at of Holy Scripture. That of St. GOD IS WITH US IN OUR the presence of his majesty, we James is expressed: “Confess your WORSHIP broke out with one voice, “We faults one to another, and pray As Wesley had written in his Ex­ praise thee, O God; we acknowl­ one for another, that ye may be planatory Notes upn the New Testa­ edge thee to be the Lord.” healed. The effectual fervent ment, “He is God incarnate, and It is not enough that God was with prayer of a righteous man availeth dwells, by His Spirit, in the hearts of John Wesley. The best of all must be much.” But how it avails we can­ His people.” That is true. But Jesus that God is with us. not explain. How God acts upon made an important promise to His Even so, there is still another way us in consequence of our friends’ people: “For where two or three that God is with us. come together in my name, there am prayers, the manner of his re­ I with them” (Matt. 18:20). Jesus is turning the intercession of the GOD IS WITH US IN OUR in our midst, through His Holy Spir­ one into the bosom of the other, PRAYING it, when we worship. We do not ever we cannot know (1.4). need to invoke His presence. When Many Christians struggle in their Still, the prayers of the saints were the church gathers in Jesus’ name, prayers to enter into the presence of another evidence of God with us. He is there. He promised that He God. In God’s presence and at his Less than a mile from where we would be. This simple truth should throne we obtain mercy. Wesley said, live in London, Oswald Chambers never be forgotten when we wor­ “All who desire the grace of God are once lived while he was principal of ship. God is with us in our worship. to wait for it in the way of prayer” the Bible Training School near Clap- My church is located in central (“The Means of Grace” 3.1). We of­ ham Common, London. In volume 2 London. It’s not far from Buck­ ten become impatient as we wait. of his Christian Discipline, Cham­ ingham Palace, where the Queen We get frustrated when we don’t feel bers succinctly summarized Wes­ lives. Needless to say, she has never ourselves in His presence. But Wes­ ley’s understanding of “God with come to visit our church. We’ve ley can teach us something great us” in our praying. He said, never had a royal visit. Gathering in about God’s presence where prayer Jesus Christ carries on inter­ the name of Queen Elizabeth only is concerned. cession for us in heaven; the Holy makes you look foolish. It won’t When commenting on Romans 8 Ghost carries on intercession in us bring her out of the palace. But in his Explanatory Notes upon the on earth; and we the saints have to gathering in the name of Jesus trans­ New Testament, he said the Spirit carry on intercession for all men forms even our smallest gatherings makes intercession for us, “in our (p. 60). into an audience with the King of hearts, even as Christ does in heav­ It has been 200 years since those Kings. We are ushered into the holy en,” where He presents “His prayers, 11 people gathered around for Wes­ presence of our Father. and our prayers sanctified through ley’s death. Maybe we need to be re­ Him.” This tells us two things about minded of those living words of a prayer. The Holy Spirit is at work dying man. They are God’s living praying in us. And Jesus is at the promise to us: “The best of all is, right hand of God praying fo r us. We God is with us.” After Wesley these can be prayed for by none better. No words became the motto of many better prayer can be offered for us. Wesleyans. God is indeed with us, in In our praying the Spirit and the Son spite of our sinfulness, in our wor­ are God w ith us, in us, and fo r us. ship, and in our praying. Such is the In addition, the saints on earth are promise of our promise-keeping Fa­ praying with us. Saints praying with ther. $

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 45 Theology The Authority of Scripture

by J. Kenneth Grider Kansas City

r. Paul Rees, in an interview spiredness. Most basically, it is the books and to allow the near misses, some years ago as a mem­ Holy Spirit’s inspiration of the Scrip­ such as First Clement and even the ber of the Billy Graham ture writers that invests Scripture Shepherd of Hermas (in the West) to Devangelism team, was asked if hewith be­ authority. slough off. This was usually a grad­ lieved in the Bible’s inerrancy. His At the same time, another funda­ ual and imperceptible growth in re­ answer was judicious. He avoided mental basis for the authority of spect for the authority of especially the matter of whether the Bible has Scripture exists because of its the New Testament books— the Old in it inconsequential errors, as in prophesying Christ in the Old Testa­ Testament books having already, mathematics or geography, and ment; narrating His life, works, even before the Council of Jamnia in guided the conversation to the really death, and resurrection in the Gos­ a .d . 90, become gradually attested important matter. He said, “I believe pels; and interpreting the meaning to in the consciousness of God’s in the authority of the Bible.” of the Christ events in the Epistles. faithful people. And when such Rees was right. Our special inter­ In the Christ events themselves, councils as the one that met at Car­ est as Christians, and specifically as even, there are revelations to us of, thage in 397 agree that no other Wesleyan-holiness clergy and lay for example, God’s love. In the event books than the 27 of our New Testa­ Christians, should be in the Bible’s of the Cross, God’s love is spelled ment be read in the churches as authority. At times we might need to out for us in blood dripping from a Scripture, you have an early and offi­ take up the matter of inerrancy, but thorn-crowned brow. Yet we would cial recognition of authority as un­ it is the Bible’s authority that is of not know about the revelatory erring in those canonical books. paramount importance: what we ex­ events without the revelatory Scrip­ Not only did the Early Church’s pose as meaning in preaching, and tures that narrate them and that dis­ decisions figure in the authority of what we read for devotional help. course on their salvific meaning. the books of the whole biblical God only, and not Scripture, is ab­ At the same time, matters second­ canon, the believing community solutely authoritative. Yet, as a ary to inspiration, and to Scripture’s from that time to the present also written-down revelation of what the pointing us to Christ, also figure in figures in the authority of the absolutely authoritative God has the authority of Scripture. Another canonical books. The Bible books done and offers to do, and of what matter is that the Scripture writers still, in a living way, are author­ God’s will is, Scripture is the one were often eyewitnesses of the itative written sources for our faith. primary written authority. All other events. Also, most of the New Testa­ This is in part because we Spirit- written authorities, such as creeds ment writers knew Jesus in the flesh. guided Christians have become en­ and confessions, and the best in­ It is eminently so of James, the thusiastic rediscoverers of what the sights of the righteous and the wise, Lord’s half brother; and of John and pristinely apostolic early Christians are only secondary or tertiary. We Peter, who were members of the in­ have discovered. And since the are, of course, not to worship Scrip­ ner circle of the Twelve. Paul Eastern Church includes the Shep­ ture, but the God of Scripture. We, counted Christ’s appearance to him herd of Hermas as Scripture, which therefore, do not have faith in Scrip­ on the Damascus road as giving him is included in the oldest of all ex­ ture; instead, we have faith in God. a belated direct acquaintance with tant New Testament manuscripts, We do properly hold to a high con­ Christ (Acts 9:3-5; 1 Cor. 15:8). the fourth-century Sinaiticus, many fidence of Scripture’s trustworthi­ Something else that is secondary of us feel that it, too, has a certain ness and veracity and authority. to inspiration and the Word about authority. To many of us, it should This kind of authority accom­ the Word, concerning the authority not be relegated to the place of the panies Scripture because of its in­ of Scripture, is the attestation of the Acts of Paul and other quite-evident- Church, the believing community ly spurious early books. And since This is somewhat so of even the the Council of Trent, just after Lu­ present “faithing,” loving, and hop­ ther’s death, added the 14 apocry­ ing community. It is eminently so of phal books to the canon for Roman the Early Church. We who believe, Catholics; since Martin Luther trans­ as Luther did, that the Holy Spirit lated them, in his German trans­ was profoundly guiding the Early lation of the whole Bible; and since Church, in its pristine apostolicity, they were included, for over 200 hold confidently that the Spirit years, in all the King James Version guided it to select the canonical Bibles— those books, too, are in­

46 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE vested with a degree of authority the Bible as the divine Word of God. leading to call the Bible God’s Word. not found in the nonapocryphal In this wording we tend to be bibli- Christ is the living Word of God; the books that also circulated in inter- olatrous. We are saying about the Bi­ Bible is the written Word of God. Re­ testamental times. ble what we say about Christ when ferring to the Bible in various ways A few observations should be we are talking about His Godness— that are correct, all the time, will added that relate somewhat tan- that the Bible is divine. Another minimize the likelihood of referring gentially to the matter of the author­ problem with the phrase exists be­ to it misleadingly some of the time. ity of Scripture. One is that we cause it implies that the Bible is not We do Scripture no justice when we should not, as Carl Henry and other a human book. It implies that there make misleading statements about Reformed evangelicals do, speak of is no human element in Scripture— it, nor when we refer to it in a bibli­ the Bible’s containing “inscriptur- that Scripture was not forged in the olatrous way. Instead, by such refer­ ated revelation.” Scripture is indeed midst of the traumatic experiences ences we do it an injustice. a written revelation. In distinction of its writers. People who use the Paul Rees is perhaps the Wesley- from God’s revelation in nature, or phrase are, no doubt, well-inten- an-holiness preacher held in highest through the Holy Spirit to an indi­ tioned. They want to show their regard in the Christian world in our vidual, the Bible is a revelation that high regard for the Bible. Yet the us­ time. In his upper 80s, he is still is inscripturated. Yet the term has in age implies, or even states, too high preaching. I have been helped by it a wrong kind of direction. The di­ a view and is bibliolatrous. him in many ways, as so many others rection in the term is toward Scrip­ In this connection, it is not nor­ have been. And I was helped on ture itself, in itself, instead of to­ mally appropriate to refer to the Bi­ hearing of this interview. ward the word of God existentially ble as “the Word of God.” This is be­ As Wesleyan-holiness preachers, heard by us when we read Scripture. cause the Bible itself calls Christ we are not searchers after whether The direction is toward the Word of God’s Word. We read in it, “In the or not Scripture has in it any rare and God in its “out-thereness” instead of beginning was the Word, and the inconsequential errors. We are search­ in its received “in-hereness.” Word was with God, and the Word ers after redemption, looking for the Another observation is that it is was God” (John 1:1). Since Christ is way to heaven, and on that we view not quite appropriate to speak of also God’s Word, it is a bit mislead- Scripture as entirely authoritative. $

Breaking Through the Communication Barrier ( Continued from page 25)

5. The pastor can be a source of Christ’s ministry first. The Lord of BIBLIOGRAPHY encouragement to a discour­ love undergirds our labors of love. Brunner and Suddarth. Textbook o f Medical- aged patient who is resigned to Jesus assures us that we continue His Surgical Nursing. New York: J. B. Lippincott Co. his limitations. The pastor may ministry on earth when we serve as Clark, Matt, and Hager, Mary. “Living with Strokes.” Newsweek, June 17, 1985, 83. contribute to his recovery by His hands and voice through which Dahlberg, Charles Clay, and Jaffre, Joseph. Stroke: participating in his physical He ministers to His brethren. Be His A Doctor’s Personal Story o f His Recovery. Norton, therapies. hands and voice. Let Christ fulfill 1977. Facts About Strokes. American Heart Association. 6. The pastor can contribute “re­ His ministry through your ministry. Rae, Mary Joyce, and Robert W. Shut-In but Not ality orientation” to the patient Break through the barriers and let Shut-Out. Scottdale, Pa.. Herald Press, 1975. Strokes: A Guide fo r the Family. American Heart by direct discourse, sharing in­ Christ speak the words of faith, Association. formation of mutual interest, hope, and love by which He wants Strokes: Why Do They Behave That Way? Ameri­ and occasionally asking the pa­ His little ones to hear and live. can Heart Association. tient’s opinion. A Prayer for Strength NOTES 7. The pastor can arrange for the O Love that will not let us go: we 1. Clark and Hager, “Living with Strokes,” News­ stroke victim to attend worship week, June 17, 1985, 83. services in his church, receive are grateful that You know each of 2. Ibid. Communion, and remain in­ us by name and need, and care for us 3. Ibid. with a Father’s love. You know the 4. Ibid. formed of church activities. 5. Joan Rattner Heilman, “The Miraculous Story Many churches dispatch vans concerns that burden our hearts just of a Coma Survivor,” Redbook, July 1987, 90 ff. to bring housebound members now. We confess how we need Your 6. Clark and Hager, “Living with Strokes,” 83- hope to lift our faltering spirits. 7. Ibid. to church activities. 8. Strokes— a Guide fo r the Family, 9-10. 8. The pastor can arrange for vis­ Transform our extremities into a 9. Clark and Hager, “Living with Strokes,” 83- 10. itors to dispel the boredom of demonstration of Your amazing Strokes— a Guide fo r the Family, 4-7. grace, we pray, as You work all 11. Charles Clay Dahlberg and Joseph Jaffre, confined stroke victims. Stroke, 198-200. things together for our good and 12. Facts About Strokes, 2. Our Ministry Is Christ’s Your glory. Have Your own way with 13. Ibid., 3. 14. Mary Joyce Rae and Robert W. Rae, Herald Ministry First our lives, Father God, for we entrust Press, 1975. We pastors perform our ministries our destiny into Your loving hands, 15. For a description of stroke-induced, bizarre behavior and suggested methods of coping with this of mercy in Christ’s name and spirit. through Christ our Lord and Savior. challenge, see Strokes: Why Do They Behave That We recognize that our ministry is Amen. $ Way? American Heart Association pamphlet.

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 47 Stories Preachers Tell Each Other

The Great Baptistry Fiasco

by Ken Chamberlain Ozark, Mo.

came when there was no water sup­ trepidation, I turned the water on Editorial Announcement: ply to be found anywhere near the full blast. A strange sound began to Many of us enjoyed David baptistry. There was a beautiful gray rise from a distance about 60 feet Roper’s article in the June/July plastic drainpipe under it, but no away. /August 1991 edition of the water supply was to be seen. I I ran down the hall, up the stairs, Preacher’s Magazine titled, looked for almost 20 minutes, just and behind the platform to the bap­ “Stories Preachers Tell Each to be sure. “Nope, no way to fill this tistry. The hose had turned into a Other.” Roper gave us permis­ thing!” What to do? Who was home thin water-spewing cobra, slowly sion to make that a feature that I could call on a Friday morn­ lifting its head out of the bottom of item. So, ladies and gentlemen, ing? Phil surely was home, having the tub. When I got there, it was if you have humorous stories of retired a few years previously. I di­ swaying back and forth, and the ministerial experiences, con­ aled. stream was just threatening to break sider sending them to “STO­ “Hello,” Phil answered cheerfully. over the side and spray all our choir RIES PREACHERS TELL EACH “Good morning, Phil,” I said, try­ robes, church music library, and OTHER.” ing to sound pastoral. “How do you sound system components. Furtively fill up this baptistry? I don’t see a glancing around for something to water supply connection anywhere.” subdue the beast, I decided on a “Our last pastor used to carry small, unused file cabinet sitting buckets of water up the stairs to fill nearby on the ground. I squashed he shiny blue fiberglass bap­ it,” Phil said. “He used to be a ma­ the box on top of the hose, and it tistry with chrome accents rine and thought it was great exer­ acquiesced. The tub began to fill. was a thing of beauty. It had cise.” This thing was not to be trusted, I T only been used a couple of times by“You have got to be kidding!” I re­ decided. What if it did something the preceding pastor. Now I would sponded. spiteful while no one was watching get the privilege. Away with the bar­ “Yes, I am. We fill it with a garden it? I gathered the materials I needed barism of muddy streams, ice-cold hose connected to the faucet in the to finish Sunday evening’s sermon lakes, and stock tanks filled with bit­ old church kitchen down in the and set up a makeshift study right ing fish. I was going to use a new, basement.” there on location. I called my wife clean, well-heated baptistry in a “I’ll try that, Phil. Thanks,” I said. and told her I would be away from clean, warm, well-lit church. A mi­ There were hoses out behind the the phone for a couple of hours. crophone hovering over the surface church, and I made the connections. The water filled to the level of the of the waters would pick up and The hose ran out of the old kitchen heating unit inlet in about two transmit my every nuance and into­ — now the college students’ class­ hours. I threw the switch and set the nation on behalf of the Father, Son, room— down a carpeted hall, into thermostat on the heater. Nothing and Holy Spirit. the janitor’s closet under the bap­ happened. The heat didn’t come on. “Better fill it on Friday, Pastor,” tistry, up through the hole cut in the The indicator light neither lit nor the chairman of the trustees had floor, up over the side of the bap­ “indicated.” And the water level said. “It takes a long time to fill that tistry, down the three fiberglass continued to rise. thing up and get the water warm steps, into the belly of the beast. It I decided that an early lunch was enough to use.” took almost 60 feet of hose to do it, in order, but I certainly couldn’t So, on Friday morning, I entered and the hose didn’t look that good. I leave and go home. There was no the church with joy and expectation was a little apprehensive about the way of knowing, after all, how long in my heart, eager to try out my new whole project by now. it would take this baptistry to fill. blessing. I had accepted the pas­ Still, the kingdom of God had to What would happen should the torate of the church a scant six roll on— five people were to be im­ heater, all of a sudden, become months before and was still learning mersed in less than 72 hours. Back operational? I called my wife, and the ins and outs of the equipment. at the faucet, I turned the water on, she brought over some lunch for us. This would be my first baptism ser­ but only halfway. (There’s no reason She also had a few questions to ask. vice held in a real church, in a real to give the devil more than a foot­ “Is this where the water is sup­ baptistry. Oh, boy! hold.) A leak check along the whole posed to heat up?” she asked, point­ However, things did not go quite line showed everything to be dry ing to the heating element. as well as anticipated. The first snag and in working order. With fear and “I think so,” I answered. “The cold

48 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE water comes in through this bottom hall, up the stairs, and behind the thing. “Bad bulb, then,” I concluded pipe, heats in this vertical one, rises platform, and the flow subsided. “I can fix that.” Ordinarily, I would to the top, and pumps out the top Now the behemoth was full, the have used a ladder to replace the pipe.” heater and pump gurgled softly, and bulb, but this one was directly over “It doesn’t appear to be doing all was running well— except for the water, about seven feet above it. that,” she offered helpfully. the sound of leaking water. I ran So I tried to make it by standing on “So it would appear,” I answered down the stairs and into the closet the lip of the baptistry itself. Of as a good Christian husband would. that housed the drainpipe. There course, I slipped and fell in. I was “Got any suggestions?” was, indeed, a small amount of wa­ very glad the church custodian “Well, why don’t you get the ter dribbling out of the big tub and wasn’t there yet. I said a few words heater out of your study and aim it down into the drainpipe. Up the that a Christian shouldn’t. That a ho­ at the heating tubes?” she asked. I stairs and back to what was fast be­ liness preacher shouldn’t, anyway. was skeptical but tried it anyway, as coming a big blue monster! The Sunday evening arrived. The water I had no better plan. Three hours drain-release switch was closed, but temperature had leveled out at a later the temperature had increased water was still getting out. How? brisk but usable 73 degrees. The ser­ from 54 to 60 degrees. I prayed that Down on the floor, kicked partially vice was on. The five individuals the heat wave would continue. under the fiberglass demon, was a who were to be baptized were told By Friday night, the temperature small, shiny metal drain stopper that that the water was cold and they had risen to 64 degrees, and the I apparently should have seen and should be prepared for it. My sound baptistry was full. I now had to turn installed before I started all this. But man had rigged up a boom micro­ off the water and disconnect all the what was the big deal? Only 650 phone a few feet above the water. “I hoses. Doing this after a teen car gallons of four-foot-deep, 65-degree haven’t been able to ground this wash is an easy thing. Doing it with water stood between me and the thing, so don’t touch it,” he cau­ 60 feet of water-filled hose in a car­ drain. After denuding myself to the tioned. “Or you will light up like a peted church basement is quite an­ waist and hanging over the edge Christmas tree.” other. I prepared for the task with an with my wing tips firmly pressed The service itself was great! We empty 5 5-gal Ion trash can from the against the back wall, I was able to had a good crowd. The Holy Spirit church kitchen. I quickly un­ fix the problem. was present. Of the five that were screwed the hose and poked the end Saturday morning I went to the baptized, only one yelled about how into the can. The expected water church early to see how the sleep­ cold the water was— and what he came. And came. And kept coming. ing dragon was doing. All was well, yelled was, “Glory!” So everyone just When my trash can was about a and the water was up to 67 degrees. naturally assumed that he had got­ quarter full, I realized that some­ That is when I first saw the flood­ ten blessed. As we were leaving the thing was very wrong. Then I re­ light on the ceiling over the bap­ building that night, a fellow pastor membered discussing the siphoning tistry. who had helped in the service spoke of fluids in high school science “What a nice thought,” I said to to me. “Sure better than the old days class. I had created a near-perfect si­ myself. “A baptism should be well when we dunked them in a lake, phon arrangement, and water would lit.” But how to turn the thing on? By isn’t it?” come out of that hose out of the process of elimination, I determined I’m not sure he understood why my baptistry. So, another run down the the correct switch. It didn’t do any­ response wasn’t all that positive. $

Christmas Simplicity ( Continued from page 38)

him in a manger__ ” smile to share, a note to send, a provide the red barn instead. So fre­ “Make do,” they say. Mary knew prayer to offer, a phone call to make, quently in our lives, but in it all is how to “make do.” There was no a compliment to give? the eternal plan. God’s will being comfortable room for Mary and Jo­ worked through in simplicity. seph in the inn; so they made do in .. no room for them in the Learn then from the old, old story the stable. They did their part. in n .” of love. Take the journey once more We can so live in the simplicity of We are so troubled many times be­ to Bethlehem. Be up and going. trust in Jesus that we learn how to cause we cannot see the hand of Make do with what God has pro­ make do too. We are handed nothing God obviously in our lives. Do we vided. Pray for the eyes to see the in­ more than a manger. “Fine,” we say, not understand that God delights in visible. Go forth with the merry “as long as it is with Jesus.” We are disguises, in the maskings? heart and seek holy adventures with given nothing more than a stable. When there is no room in the inn, the faith-filled soul. In so doing, you “OK,” we reply, “with Jesus.” There He puts us in the stable. Can we take will come upon the manger. And are nothing but cows for friends. it? Can we live up to it? Can we dis­ there you will discover yourself bent “Great, as long as God blesses,” we cover the adventure in it? God can over, bowing in the glow of the One say. work His will in the zigzag. who has come not only to save our What is it that God has given you We would ask for the red carpet souls but also to show us the way of with which to “make do”? Is it a for the Christ’s coming. God would gladness. $

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 49 Idea Mart

The Advantage of Videotaping

by Greg Crofford Sedalia, Mo.

he march of technology Purchasing a videocamera admit­ baptism may want to mail a tape brings with it mixed tedly seemed like an excess for my to relatives who were unable to blessings. Old vices may wife and me nearly a year ago. Both attend their induction into Chris­ Tmake their way into new me­of us have been surprised by the tian faith. diums, such as computer porn or number of ways we’ve utilized it in 3. A n n u al m eeting lurid videotapes. Despite abuses, the work of our small church: I heard of one pastor who used these media can be used by the 1. Seasonal program s slides to present an upbeat sum­ church with positive results. One Children, teens, and adults put in mary of the church’s life in the case in point is the creative use of hard work on Christmas plays, Vaca­ previous year. This idea could be videotaping in ministry. tion Bible School programs, and adapted to video very easily by Videocameras have come into other special events. They are grat­ editing a 10- minute presentation their own. More and more lay- ified to see the “finished product” from various recordings made people are “going video,” show­ by video at a later time. throughout the year. ing up at everything from gradu­ 2. Baby dedications and bap­ ations to family picnics with a These are a few examples of tisms how a videocamera may be uti­ Sony or RCA on their shoulders. I’ve made it a practice to give par­ While some pastors may be able ents of a newborn not only a New lized creatively in the local church to afford a camera of their own, Testament and a rose but also a etting. Functions are limited only many will simply need to ask an video of their special day. Babies by the photographer’s creativity. eager churchgoer to videotape a will one day be old enough to look How can you put this powerful desired church event with their back and vicariously experience the new medium into service for God own cameras. happy event as well. Candidates for and His Church? $

Isn't God the Real Audience? ( Continued from page 40) “Contemporary Christian music” young adults who are searching for has been hearing in his car, home, has changed a number of things on spiritual meaning but are turned off and headphones during the previous the religious landscape. Its advent by stuffy sermons and old-fashioned week. Furthermore, when taped ac­ has even made it possible for parents hymns.” companiment is used, there is no to boast that now their children are In the cover story of Religion, a opportunity for spiritual spontane­ “into religion.” All too often, music, magazine of the same edition of the ity, still less any mood for it. which used to be a means, has be­ Times, Thomas J. Billitteri gives six If this problem of “contemporary come the end in itself, to be prac­ examples of such “contemporary Christian music” were isolated to a ticed, performed, electronically per­ churches” in the Tampa Bay area few congregations, it would be sad fected, and, of course, paid for. alone. In describing the nature of enough. However, it is so universal John Ruskin once said that if their worship, he says: in evangelical churches that one Shakespeare should come into a The services have plenty of mu­ wonders how visitors can perceive room, we would stand in homage, sic, but you won’t hear A Mighty the heavenly message when it is pre­ but if Jesus Christ were to enter our Fortress Is Our God droning so­ sented in such a worldly package. midst, we would all bow in worship. norously from a pipe organ. The Dr. A. W. Tozer once wrote, “It is If in the worship services of our songs are “contemporary Chris­ scarcely possible in most places to churches we mimic the styles of the tian”— pop-style ensemble tunes get anyone to attend a meeting world, we do not honor God. And if jazzed up with bass guitar, key­ where the only attraction is God” the unsaved person is seeking a dif­ board, drums and synthesizer. {Man: The Dwelling Place of God, ference, he will not likely find it. It has been rightly pointed out 136). This is a serious indictment Even though the invasion of “con­ that “what we win them w ith is but most instructive. We are to wor­ temporary music” into the local what we win them to.” Do we wish ship God in spirit and in truth. We church is nearly universal, the in­ to win people to a “show” or a Sav­ can do it simply. We can do it in satiable appetite for more continues ior? The dynamics of “contemporary song. And by singing the hymns to­ unabated. The St. Petersburg Times Christian music” are only slightly gether, we can do it profoundly. of March 9, 1991, reports that “a different, and in some cases, no dif­ Remember, when it comes to wor­ new kind of church is pursuing ferent from what the unsaved person ship, the real audience is God! $

50 THE PREACHER S MAGAZINE Do Not Disturb (Continued from page 17) • Is there a place to hang coats, lay copy of the words been provided? • Guests were welcomed by having Bibles, etc., in the rest room? Unknown choruses remind the them stand and giving each one a • Has a place been provided to visitor that he is not yet a part of small fruit bread wrapped and change or wash babies or has a the family. tied with a note of welcome and a notice concerning the availability • Do ushers: scripture. of the nursery been posted? — escort visitors to seats? • In one church the ladies canned • Is there a large, well-lighted mir­ — seat people only during hymns, jelly. Every Sunday afternoon a jar ror? announcements, or at the conclu­ of jelly was dropped off at the • Is this area spotless, in good re­ sion of a time of worship? home of each visitor as a token of pair, and the temperature com­ — have one usher available to welcome from the church. fortable? greet latecomers, while all other Listen to the questions visitors ask. • Are the rest rooms well stocked ushers sit or stand in the back of If they need to ask, “What time is . . . ?” with paper towels, tissues, etc.? the sanctuary? Congregating in or “Where is the . . . ?” it is a signal • Have the rest rooms been given a the foyer during the service is dis­ that more steps are needed to make “homey” look by decorative tracting and sends a “Nothing im­ guests feel welcome. If guests are not touches? portant” message. expected or provided for, it is most For that “little something extra,” WORSHIP SERVICE likely that they will not come or visit here are a few special extra touches again. Visitors are often treated like • Is there prelude music? that churches have done: family before they have had a chance — the tone set for worship with • Visitors were given “Welcome to feel comfortable in the house of familiar hymns? Packets,” which included infor­ God. Making guests feel comfortable — music used to indicate the mation about the church, staff, transition into the service— thus upcoming events, a map of the takes forethought, planning, and ef­ giving everyone a signal that the church, and Sunday School mate­ fort. Is the church family willing to service is about to begin? rial. Similar packets were given to make those efforts and to take down • Are bulletins distributed to guessts children, which also included a the “Do Not Disturb” signs? Are vis­ who arrived in the sanctuary early? small gift and treat. itors really wanted? Then let the This is an opportunity for mem­ • Pastor asked members to get ac­ church declare it from the sign out bers to greet guests and introduce quainted with any visitors in their front to the tissues in the rest room: themselves. pew and introduce them to the “Welcome to the church! Our church • If choruses are used, has a legal congregation. can be your home.” $

Confessions of a Baby Boomer ( Continued ftrom page 41)

low men of vision, but not men of life in the ’90s. I need to know, not I’ve been raised in a multiple- maintenance. just what I should do, but how I choice world. Not having a variety 3. I have tolerance fo r diversity. should do it. I’m looking for straight of options gives me cultural claus­ I’ve grown up in a pluralistic, multi­ talk. The key word is “practical.” trophobia. My parents may have ple-choice world. I consider diver­ 2. I ’m looking for casual, vital, gone to a small church with limited sity normal and conformity abnor­ God-centered worship. Organs, programs and felt obligated to be mal. I’m comfortable with constant choirs, and 18th-century hymns are there whenever the doors were change and variety. I like “differ­ quaint to me, but I’m not looking opened. But I like big churches that ent.” for “quaint.” I’m more culturally offer me a lot of options, with the 4. I have weaker relationships. connected to guitars, drums, and Bi­ understanding that I will choose Because I live a fast-paced, mobile ble based choruses. I’ve grown up what is relevant to me. life-style, I have fewer and weaker on rock ’n’ roll, not classical music. 5. I ’m looking for real evangel­ relationships with both family and I’m used to bands, expressive and ism and discipleship. Believe it or friends. Therefore I crave meaning­ casual vocals, and personal lyrics. A not, I do want to fulfill the Great ful fellowship with people to church that leans toward this style Commission and grow to spiritual whom I can relate. will draw me. maturity. I do n o t want to sit 3. I ’m looking for visionary What I’m Really Looking For around in the name of Jesus. A leadership. I was raised on the as­ church that trains me how to share The quintessential boomer band of sumption that one man could make the ’80s was the popular Irish group my faith and grow in Christ will a difference in the world. I am a have my unconditional support. U2. Their most famous song struck a child of the ’60s and early 70s. I chord with baby boomers. It was “I am partial to dreamers and vision­ Talkin’ About My Generation Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking aries. I’m looking for a cause that is My generation is ripe for harvest. For.” If you are going to minister to a bigger than I am. A goal of burning Baby boomers are looking for God, typical baby boomer like me, you the church mortgage won’t excite but it is human nature to see the pack­ need to know what I’m looking for! me. Challenge me to change the age before the content. Churches will­ 1. I ’m looking for relevant world, and I will respond to your ing to change their “package” to make preaching. I’m looking for someone leadership. Jesus culturally relevant to boomers to form a bridge between biblical 4. I ’m looking for variety in will grow like crazy. Others will keep principles and the daily grind of my programs and services. Remember, hoping for 1954. ^

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 51 Ark Rocker

The Televangelists Did Me In

he televangelists did me in. Of course, with the furnace bro­ That was the same day the garage But they weren’t the start of it. ken down, hot coffee, sugar cookies, door opener of our parsonage We might never have dis­ and lemon squares could have wouldn’t, and I had to walk to church. T covered the leak in the roof if thathelped erase the shivers from the It’s a good thing this is our children’s new family, the Johansens, hadn’t sat sanctuary Well, with Freida’s leaded week to be healthy. And, since next up front in the second pew. They premium and enough powdered week is payday, we couldn’t think looked odd there anyway— not that sugar to wire the dead, the Johan­ about grocery shopping anyway. they weren’t an attractive family, just sens— and everyone else— had the Joe, our treasurer, phoned to tell isolated. They were so polite. I shakes before lunch. me he’s gone back to dart-board ac­ couldn’t figure why they moved If it had merely been a leaky roof counting. He tacks the bills on the from one end of the pew to the and the specter of a malpractice wall and lets the Lord— and gravity other. Andrew, the six-year old, gave suit, the week wouldn’t have been — determine priorities. I can only it away: “Are all the seats wet?” too bad. As you noticed with the ab­ hope one dart hits my salary check. They might have come back, too, sence of Sunday bulletins, things Joe was the one who suggested I if they hadn’t gone to coffee hour. It came unglued in the office too. find a prayer tower and appeal to slipped my mind that Freida was in When the electric typewriter and the Lord— or for the Lord, I forget charge. Lord help us! The council “Mr. Coffee” died on the same day, which. Just like on television! decided last year after Gus Linder there was no way to convince our And that’s where those preachers suffered arrhythmia that No-Doze secretary, Minerva, that correspon­ did me in. With appeals to save the Freida could only make coffee twice dence takes precedence over caffeine. Incas and a satellite to reach the lost a year. It’s not true that Bill Roach’s She couldn’t begin to get started until tribes of Israel— to the tune of threat to call the Food and Drug Ad­ her grief had been salved. At 12 several millions, what chance do we ministration pushed the council cups— 11, actually— the last one have for $2,217.53? into their decision. shorted out the copier. And $33-99 for “Mr. Coffee.” $

Attitudinal Rigidity ( Continued from page 39) apart than adjust his ideas. His will, rather than bending His will not either allow principle to be A very successful businessman gave to ours. It is stated so well in Paul’s compromised or become callous to the secret to his success expressed in words: “For it is God which worketh the erosion of ideals. Thoughtful ap­ the following three rules: in you both to will and to do of his praisal of all the facts of change 1. Never make a deal unless good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13, KJV). needs to be done. both parties profit by it. A dynamic surrender to God, with A thrill comes over any person 2. Never assume you are on time the counterpart of the baptism with when he awakens to the knowledge to a meeting or an appointment un­ the Holy Spirit, is a continuing pro­ that his contribution in life is done less you are several minutes early. cess as we walk in the light. Human on an unselfish basis with only the 3- In pursuing a task, never personality, with all of its quirks, glory of God involved in the up­ concern yourself about who gets can be modified and enhanced by building of His kingdom. Personal the credit for a job well done. the help of the Holy Spirit as we main­ praise and self-satisfaction are only If we ministers will add these rules tain an awareness of growth and de­ secondary issues. He appreciates the to our guidelines to success, we velopment. If we, by any chance, as­ approval of his fellows and the ac­ shall enhance our chances of doing sume that some of our attitudes are ceptance of his ideas, but they are a much better job. sacrosanct and we close our minds not a fetish he worships. He is blessed The basic premise of consecra­ to change, then, to put it graph­ when these bonus moments come tion, a prerequisite for entire sancti­ ically, “the concrete begins to set in unbidden and unexpected, but his fication, is the complete submission our head. And that’s a hard fact.” greatest happiness lies in the ad­ of our will to the will of God. Sub­ Caution should always be a part of vance of God’s kingdom through any mission is a blending of our will with our attitudinal adjustments. We dare contribution he may have made. $

52 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE WORSHIP & PREACHING HELPS

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 53 Deri G. Keefer December /January/February 1991 -92 Prepared by Deri G. Keefer INTRODUCTION My philosophy of worship states that preaching and worship are never done in a vacuum. There are no airtight canned sermons or sterile worship experiences allowed for our congregations. Preaching relates the story of Jesus to an audience of people— whether there be 1 or 10,000 sitting in the pew. The key is communication. Theology, ideas, philosophy, style, life stories, con­ cepts, the person of Jesus, the presence of the Spirit, and the love of God un­ fold as the preacher shares from his heart what God has directed and what he has learned through diligent study of the Word. Luke, the practicing physician, consistently wanted correct facts. He laid down those facts to his friend Theophilus. Sloppiness would decimate Luke in any area, but especially when it concerned Christ’s story. The accuracy of his healing practice overlapped into his historical endeavor to be precise and truthful. His statement to Theophilus summarizes it: “Since I myself have care­ fully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you” (Luke 1:3). His research leads him to people and places that uncover the real story of Jesus, the Lord, a story that has been life-changing to millions and shall con­ tinue to transform the masses of lost humanity. The message will not become stale nor the worship happening dull as long as preachers continue to do in­ vestigative work as Luke did. Throughout this quarter we will do some of that investigative work, along­ side Luke, endeavoring to uncover sermonic material to present to our present- day disciples of Jesus. The 13 sermons have been divided into monthly series. December, obviously, will center around the Advent season. I love a good, heartwarming story. Where better to begin a story than at the beginning? That is precisely what Luke does for us. He will, throughout his narrative, present a compassionate, humble Christ. His introduction generates that concept at the start. The December 29 sermon will develop around Jesus’ growth and the dawning of a new day. January reminds me of newness, as a new year begins with the flush of freshness written over it. The sermons will deal with concepts that help us look at old ideas with a new look. The church has always believed that in order for us to be whole, we need healing. February’s messages will deal with that subject. Each sermon will en­ deavor to help us feel the freedom that comes from God’s therapy for our lives. As we walk through the next quarter, my prayer is that God will use these sermon ideas to help you communicate Jesus to your local congregation. God bless your ministry!

54 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY by Deri G. Keefer Luke 1:1-25 December 1, 1991

INTRO II. I Need to Live the Story of God (vv. 5-10) One of my all-time favorite TV programs, still coming “And they were both righteous before God, w alking via reruns, featured a never-losing, always-victorious in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord lawyer, Perry Mason. Along with the hero was the omni­ blameless” (v. 6, KJV, italics added). scient secretary who always knew her boss’s thoughts, a Walking indicates someone in forward motion. I think cynical police lieutenant, an unsuccessful district the word blameless could be translated positive. If I attorney— I always wondered how he kept his job— and catch the spirit of all this, I believe God wants us to live a slick, handsome, muscular private investigator who al­ His message positively in a forward motion pattern. ways uncovered the truth. If it had not been for the de­ I like to call this “bicycle Christian.” Have you ever tective, Paul Drake, I’m not sure Mr. Mason would have noticed that you cannot go backward on a bike? You can won all those cases. Paul was always digging into the de­ only go forward. If you try moving the pedals backward, tails that gave the right answers to the right questions. they only spin or, on older bikes, lock up. If Christians We don’t know what Luke looked like, but he had one could just learn that lesson. God doesn’t want us to back similarity to our blond detective, Paul Drake, because up in life. He wants us to start moving forward from the Luke wanted all the details straight. He left no stone un­ time we hit the altar and ask Christ into our lives. Sure, turned for clues or evidence when it came to the case we will make mistakes, but we move forward by learning of: Jesus Christ, Savior of the World! from those mistakes. We get excited by the great lessons Accuracy of details is of primary importance when we we learn in circumstances, in worship, in Sunday investigate the claims of Jesus ourselves. School, from other people, prayer, and other ways. Luke outlines in his introductory material (w. 1-4): I need to learn to live the message of faith in a loving 1. The place in history for an accurate account con­ God who wants me to succeed in my spiritual walk. cerning Jesus (v. 1) Friend, quit walking backward. Start walking forward! 2. The people who give an accurate account con­ cerning Jesus (v. 2) ILLUS. Today I talked with a young, 17-year-old girl 3- The personal accurate account concerning Jesus who 3 years ago got her life messed up with a drug (v. 3) dealer. Her grades suffered, her communication with 4. The sharing of an accurate account concerning parents and friends diminished; life was in the pits! Jesus (v. 4) Somewhere God got hold of her heart. Through God’s In this first section (w. 1-25), Luke foundationally help and counseling she’s walking forward. That’s what lays for us the beginning of the story of Jesus of Naza­ God desires from the bottom of His loving heart. reth. There are several lessons we can learn. Live the message!

III. I Need to Listen to the Story of God (vv. 11-20) I. I Need to Personally Experience and Share the Story of God (vv. 1-4) Notice where Zacharias was in our Scripture back­ ground: in the house of God. He was doing his priestly Matthew, Mark, and John knew the physical Jesus; duty, burning incense in the inmost court of the Temple, Luke did not. He was absent during Jesus’ three-year called the court of the priests. William Barclay points ministry Never once did he hold a conversation, theo­ out that while the priest is doing this, the congregation logical or secular, with Jesus. Nor did Luke ever take a goes to the next court, called the court of the Israelites, Passover meal with Jesus. He did not witness the death where evening sacrifice is being made. The priest was to or resurrection of the Savior; yet, the Gospel he wrote come to the rail between the two courts after the in­ seems to be so personal. He dug out the details from eye­ cense burned down and give a priestly blessing to the witnesses and experienced in life the personalness of waiting worshipers. The people waited an extra long the Resurrection. He wrote down his story to one man, time for Zacharias to come out. When he did, he could Theophilus, in such a personal way that his Gospel has not speak. He had been with God’s messenger. Barclay become universal. Vagueness does not appear in his noted that God’s voice comes to those who listen for it, compilation of truth. as Zacharias did. Our testimony must not be vague, but rather filled with concrete, up-to-date experiential events. We share ILLUS. Chuck Swindoll said that most of us were bom with our neighbors, friends, and relatives that our God is hearing well, but all of us must learn to listen well. We a person, not a philosophy. Have you listened lately to all need to cultivate that skill. your testimony? Have you made God more into a philo­ I am afraid that although many of us speak, and God sophical concept rather than the God of your faith and listens, yet when God speaks, we are too busy to hear. Is history? Reflect on that momentarily. Replay your last it not true that we need to linger longer than we do at testimony to a friend. our private devotions? I wonder what would happen to

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 55 us if we spent as much time listening to God as He to paint and clean up a widow lady’s home. Reuben spends listening to us. It might revolutionize our life­ Welch says that to know God is to respond to Him— in style! action. Someone said that there are three classes of people: IV. I Need to Catch a Vision of the Story of the immovable, the movable, and those who are in mo­ God (vv. 21-22) tion. Are we where the action is? A vision is something you see through the eyes of the CONCLUSION mind and heart. Deep down inside, your faith stretches out like a runner coming to the finish line with some­ Jesus’ story becomes our story as we get involved with one attempting to pass at the last second. It’s seeing Him. God’s message speaks to all people. Will you help what God sees. There is faith enough for a project to share His story? build a dispensary or to become a doctor, to see a new medicine produced, to electrify a Sunday School, to ex­ perience wholly holy living. It cannot or must not be SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER stopped. Call to Worship ILLUS. Chuck Swindoll relates a cartoon he saw. Two Welcome and Moments of Friendship Eskimo were ice fishing. One of them has draped his Advent Wreath Lighting “Jesus, the World's Hope” line through the typical small disk-size hole about three Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” feet wide. The other Eskimo also has his line in the wa­ Pastoral Prayer HYMNS OF WORSHIP “To God Be the Glory” ter, waiting patiently for a nibble. His hole, however, is a “0 Come, O Come, Immanuel” crater-sized opening that reaches to the horizon in the WORSHIP IN GIVING Offering “Doxology” shape of a whale! That’s vision. WORSHIP IN MEDITATION Most of us have a vision like the disk size. We live me­ Choir Special “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus” diocre life-styles and go around doing little because we Scripture Reading Luke 1:1-25 have no vision. God wants us to catch a vision of what Family Altar Moments He can do. J. B. Phillips wrote a book titled Your God Is WORSHIP IN PROCLAMATION Too Small. That’s unfortunately all too often where we Special Music “Let Him In” are in life. How big is your God, your faith, and your Sermon “THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY” vision? Let God enlarge them today. Benediction V. I Need to Act on the Story of God Creative Worship Ideas Call to Worship (vv. 23-25) Jesus has entered our world. He is ready to enter It’s one thing to talk about the story of God and catch­ our service today. Let us invite Him now. ing the vision of God’s story. But it is an entirely differ­ Moments of Friendship ent matter to act on His story. A time to give everyone the opportunity to shake hands and greet one another. ILLUS. A New England minister told his complacent Advent Wreath Lighting congregation that there was a necessity of practical god­ Several weeks in advance approach four creative liness needed. He contrasted his people with the early people who can write a devotional. Ask them to write Christians by remarking: “We have too many resolutions one; then on the designated Sunday read it to the and too little action. The Acts of the Apostles is the title congregation. Pastor, as you enter the sanctuary, light of one of the books of the New Testament; their resolu­ the appropriate number of candles. This will alert the tions have not reached us.” congregation that worship is beginning. God’s heart was put on the Cross in human form— Offertory Idea Jesus. Those who become disciples know that Christ en­ God gave His Son as an offering of divine love. Can we give less than our offering of human love? ters their hearts carrying that idea further— God’s love Family Altar Moments invades our hearts! If that is so, we cannot simply talk Have parents bring babies to the altar and remind about God’s love. We need to act out God’s love. We them that God sent His Son to the world as a baby. must roll up our sleeves and put it into practical appli­ Benediction cation. We ought to invite our unsaved friends to dinner, We are leaving today with more than memories, for to give in sacrificial stewardship, to work with the aged we have experienced the real presence of Jesus. as a volunteer in a rest home, to take food to the needy,

56 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE THE SURPRISING BEGINNING STORY by Deri G. Keefer Luke 1:26-38 December 8, 1991

INTRO through the avenue of a timid girl to whom he compas­ Walter Cronkite hosted a television program titled, sionately says, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found “You Are There.” The premise of the show put the audi­ favor with God” (v. 30). ence in the midst of a historical situation like Washing­ Often we picture angels as Goliath-sized with deep, ton crossing the Delaware, the signing of the Consti­ resonant voices, stem faces, and wings that could engulf tution, or Alexander Graham Bell’s first telephone call. us! We almost have a feeling that they are harsh. As I read Luke is our ancient Walter Cronkite, putting us as the Word, I believe they must have soft faces (when vis­ close as possible to an important historical situation. It ible) with marks of kindness, eyes that twinkle, and love is a surprising story! The two major onstage actors were written all over them by the fingers of God. After all, a teenage girl whose maturity level was much advanced they are His messengers to His people. for her chronological age and a nonhuman called Ga­ The similarity between angels and New Testament briel. Christians is striking. We are God’s earthly messengers If I were God, my script would not include a story line telling the world of His great love affair with His master­ with as many surprises as He throws at us. As script­ piece— humanity. Believers vocalize the story of re­ writer, I would have a palace with royalty and an experi­ demption to a lost world. Truly we are messengers with enced mother with other children so that she would a mighty message! know exactly how to raise the Son of God. I’d write in a Has God’s redemptive story penetrated the depth of legitimate kind of father. After all, why couldn’t God mi­ your spirit so that His message flows naturally from your raculously do His incarnation with a regular kind of lips? Be honest with yourself: who is the last person to family situation? Why a teenage girl and a man twice her whom you told God’s message of salvation? How long age as parents? I sure wouldn’t put a strange kind of be­ has it been? Ask God to whom He wants you to tell His ing into the scene as a messenger of God. Rather, I story. Make an appointment today with that lost person. would send a handsome courier on a white horse with Someone may be waiting for you to share the Good News gold trimmings to the palace to inform the selected cou­ with him! ple of God’s redemptive plan. Why the surprises? Luke, however, puts us there with the angel and young girl from Nazareth named Mary. II. There Is a Surprising Recipient and Let’s examine this surprising beginning story. Response (vv. 27-38) Have you ever been tempted to ask God, “Why Mary?” There were so many Israelite women to choose from across the land. Again, if I were writing the script, the I. There Is a Surprising Messenger (v. 26) qualification list would include chronological age ac­ The average 1990s person with atomic power, com­ companied by maturity, not a 16-year-old the age of a puter technology and nuclear physics tends to feel that modern high school sophomore or junior; a homemaker angels are ancient man’s supernatural imaginary friends. who knew how to care for a baby not a teenage baby­ Thus, angels have no place in our modern scheme. Prof. sitter-type; a wife with a husband who would be under­ Bernard Ramm wrote in Basic Christian Doctrines, “At­ standing; an upper-class person who could best finan­ oms seem at home in our contemporary thinking, but cially care for Jesus. not angels.” People know the principles whereby they Isn’t it phenomenal that Luke is the only one of the can reasonably imagine a scientific cruise of the planets New Testament writers who gives so much detail con­ by a space-age Darwin. But they have no principles, no cerning the angel’s announcement to Mary about a vir­ guidelines for discussing angels! So people dismiss the gin birth? As a physician, he would know the birthing concept of angels as purely mythological! process as only a doctor would. The narrative tells us Evangelical Christians take seriously the birth nar­ that the mysterious presence of the Spirit of God would rative that places the angel Gabriel at the home of Mary cancel the natural human process so that Jesus would be on an important historical night long ago. If we take the conceived as no other human being was. God would be Scriptures at face value, we understand that there are an­ in Jesus as in no other earthly creature. For us the Incar­ gels. Condensing volumes of words, we find that angels nation is reality. It reaches to the heart of salvation for function by: all who choose to believe in this God-man called Jesus. (1) ceaselessly praising God, (2) being the media At the time, Mary did not understand incarnation. But of God’s service to man, (3) taking an active role in we post-Christmas, post-Calvary, post-Resurrection furthering the work of redemption, and (4) sharing Christians do! Our faith reaches a climax because of the God’s constant care for His creation. Incarnation. Our narrative brings into sharp focus that “Gabriel Mary, the humble peasant girl, was chosen by God. [the angel’s name] was sent from God” (v. 26, IQV) to She felt so insignificant to find favor with Him. Listen to announce that redemption was coming to mankind her: “Mary was greatly troubled at his words” (v. 29).

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 57 What words? Gabriel’s: “Greetings, you who are highly songs or attend public worship. The pastor could no favored!” (v. 28). longer preach the Christian message. His letters to his In her heart and mind at that moment was “Why me, missionary superior always ended with one word to let when so many others are better suited for the job?” Her his boss know that the Christians under his leadership humility is refreshing. were still vitally alive in the midst of oppression. His ILLUS. A story is told about a banker who always one-word testimony: “Immanuel.” The missionary knew threw in a few coins to the cup of a legless beggar who what he meant— “God is with us!” (cf. Matt. 1:23). Even positioned himself in front of the bank doors, selling under cruelty and hatred, understand that God is with pencils for a few cents to support himself. Most people us! would toss their coins or dollars into his cup and pass Glory to God; He is with us. His kingdom will know on to their important business. Each time the banker put no end. Even when the world, Satan, and evil try to dis­ in coins, he would take a pencil and tell the man that he lodge our faith, “God is with us.” Let that be the Chris­ was a merchant of pencils. tian’s testimony. Let it ring from every church. Let it be One day the legless man was not on the sidewalk. sung by the choirs. Let it be preached and taught from Time passed and the banker forgot about him until one mission station to mother churches. Let all the world day he walked into a public building. There in a conces­ know that “God is with us.” sion stand sat the former beggar. He owned his own In a very pragmatic way, how is that demonstrated in small business. He said how happy he was to see the you? How do people know that God is with you? Do they banker because he wanted to thank him. It was his en­ hear Him in your attitude? Do they see Him in your ac­ couragement and show of respect by telling him he was tions? Do they feel Him in your compassion? Do they see a “merchant” that gave him the knowledge of life’s you going to places that Jesus would go? worth. He no longer pictured himself as a beggar re­ “Immanuel!” ceiving gifts, but a merchant of pencils. He started sell­ CONCLUSION ing enough pencils to support himself because the banker gave him self-respect. Let the surprises begin! Come, Lord Jesus! It is wrong for anyone to get the idea that humility is a person walking around with a sign around his neck say­ ing, “I am nothing, I am a nobody” Each of us is a person SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER for whom the very Son of God gave His life. Organ/Piano Prelude Mary had humility with dignity. She was submissive to Moments of Friendship God’s will. Whatever God wanted, Mary wanted. “I am Advent Wreath Lighting “Jesus, the World’s Joy” the Lord’s servant. . . . May it be to me as you have said” Hymn— Choir “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (v. 2) (v. 38). Prayer Oh, how that quality is needed today. How often we Hymn “Joy to the World” mistakenly pray, “God, Thy will be changed.” Hymn “Rejoice, the Lord Is King” Perhaps young, pliable Jesus learned at Mary’s knee Offering the concept of “God, Thy will be done.” That attitude of Choir Special “Precious Jesus” Scripture Lesson Luke 1:26-38 submission sent Him to the Cross. This “highly favored” Pastoral Prayer woman was in for suffering, pain, and sorrow because Solo “That Beautiful Name” she knew how to pray, “Thy will be done.” Many people Sermon “THE SURPRISING BEGINNING STORY” have learned that lesson from a loving, devoted mother. Benediction Mary had a choice. Gabriel was announcing God’s pur­ pose and plans to Mary. She had to choose to allow it to Pastoral Prayer be carried out with full knowledge of the small town Pray for missionaries. Have pictures of the mission­ gossips. What a courageous choice! What a courageous aries in the bulletin. woman! Creative Worship Ideas Thank God, Mary was His choice. Offering Thought Love the brotherhood of believers. Honor all people III. There Is a Surprising Message (vv. 31-33) everywhere. Give to the world care, love, and joy. Scripture Lesson The Israelites anticipated a Messiah coming to redeem This is a good time to have teens involved in the the world. Gabriel announces that the Messiah’s time service. Make sure they have the scripture in time to had now arrived! read over it several times. Benediction Idea ILLUS. A Methodist missionary tells of a letter from a Christmas Child wrapped in hope, receive our hope­ Chinese pastor in a northwestern village province under less lives and put yourself in them this week. the strictest Communist domination. The letter con­ veyed the fact that no longer could they sing Christian

58 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE THE GLORY OF THE BEGINNING STORY by Deri G. Keefer Luke 1:39-56 December 15, 1991

INTRO gians call the Magnificat, in adoration to her dearest friend, God. Let’s draw our attention to Mary’s praise Take a moment to put faces and names to people hymn. whom you personally know and hold in warm regard and affection. Whose camera image flashed before you? I. Mary Sings of the Glory of Blessedness Who comes to mind when an intimate moment of bur­ (vv. 39-45) den bearing is needed? Isn’t it true that they blend to­ gether with you in mutual trust, respect, and esteem? Do The Greek word is makarios, which means “happy.” It also signifies divine approval. What Mary was saying was you know what we call such people? that her happiness came by the knowledge that God ap­ Friends are people to whom we can talk without hesi­ proved of her life. tation or embarrassment, folks with whom we feel so I want nothing more than God’s approval. When that comfortable that we can take off our shoes and sit in happens, I have happiness. All other happiness is but their overstuffed easy chairs and laugh and cry without momentary. All other approval rusts and rots. They can caring if they see or hear us, people who can put their never bring lasting happiness or joy. arms around us when pain and suffering comes or when What brings God’s approval, a smile to God’s face, and the joy of life explodes and still feel comfortable. Oh, a smile to our hearts: for a multitude of friends or maybe a friend at the right moment— a friend to share our thoughts, our dreams, A. An opportunity to observe the wonderful life our plans, our secrets! God gives to us The angel is gone. Ringing in Mary’s ears are his words B. That faith that leaps out to Him directly from Jehovah God. No one knows the moment C. A holy curiosity that asks what God wants in when the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, but she knew. our lives With all that was happening to her, she needed a wise D. A life that cooperates with a trusting heart Have you made God happy? Have you allowed God to and compassionate woman to share her innermost secret make you happy? Do you feel His stamp of approval on without ridicule. Her choice was a close relative named your life? You can. Elizabeth. Mary starts her 50-70-mile journey as quickly as possible to Elizabeth and Zacharias’ home (vv. II. Mary Sings of the Glory of God (vv. 46-51) 39-40). God comes first in Mary’s mind and heart. In her hymn This was a major trip for anyone in those days, being of praise, God leads all other topics as a burst of sponta­ made by foot or donkey over rough terrain. It would neous praise proceeds from her lips. One can feel the probably take most of a week. But Mary didn’t care. She crescendo building to triple forte as a song of praise be­ needed Elizabeth as a human confidante and friend. The comes ecstatic emotion, ironically with cool, rational age difference of a mid-to-late teen to a woman of ap­ thought. proximately 60 years of age was of no consequence to either of them. There was the mutual respect and love A. The glory of God is viewed in His redemptive that bonded them together. power (v. 47). Jesus appeared upon earth’s scene to be My denomination historically uses the terms “brother” Savior of the world (John 3:16). From His high and holy and “sister” as endearing titles to members of the con­ office, He has arrived to bring personal salvation. Our gregation. Outdated in some regions, it still carries the part in redemption is yielding ourselves to Him. Charles idea that we, in the church, need the fellowship of Morrison said, “The love of God is no mere sentimental friends who are like blood relatives, those with whom feeling. It is redemptive power.” Dwight L. Moody said, we can share our feelings. Whom in the church do you “The way to be saved is not to delay, but to come and have as a “brother” or “sister”? take.” When Mary comes to Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth’s ILLUS. An evangelist was traveling by railroad many womb stirs. The movement of the child inside is, as Wal­ years ago. He was singing to himself the old gospel song ter Liefield said in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary, “I’ve Been Redeemed.” A man sitting near him joined “A joyful prelude to Elizabeth’s being filled by the Holy him in singing the song. After they stopped singing, the Spirit, who enlightened her about the identity of the evangelist asked the stranger, “Have you been re­ child Mary was carrying” (v. 42). deemed?” The word “blessed” describes the happy situation of “Yes, sir,” was the instantaneous reply. people upon whom God smiles. The Gospel writer here “May I ask how long since?” uses the blessing Elizabeth gave to her young relative to “Nineteen hundred years ago.” focus attention on Mary’s faith. The astonished evangelist echoed in shock, “Nineteen After Elizabeth’s surprising blessing on Mary, the hundred years ago?” young woman begins her hymn of praise that theolo­ “Yes, sir,” said his fellow passenger, “but I’m sorry to

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 59 say it’s not much more than a year that I have accepted B. We glorify God by our communion with Him. It it.” defies our comprehension, but we have been given the God’s redemptive power is available to everyone, and privilege to talk with the eternal God through prayer. it happened almost 2,000 years ago. It’s available now. Edwin Keith said: “Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man Will you accept His offer of salvation? and inhaling the spirit of God.” There is nothing worse than to be ignored, and not to pray is to ignore God. B. The glory of God is viewed in His holiness (v. 49). Our God is a holy God. Holiness inseparably re­ C. We glorify God by His communion with us. God lates to His character and presence. It is the essence of reveals His will for us through His Word. We glorify Him His character, which determines the very nature of His by taking seriously His directions, by taking time to read attributes. Dennis Kinlaw said, “It is the outshining of and understand His Word, the Bible. When we don’t feel the goodness of the living God.” His holiness deals with like reading it, then is the time we most need to read it. both His morality and ethical style and is always con­ Emil Brunner wrote, “The fate of the Bible is the fate of nected with His love. Christianity.” If we are to have fellowship with the Holy One, it can be only on the basis of holiness. He provides for us a holiness that comes through His Spirit’s baptism in sanc­ CONCLUSION tifying power! Then 1 Thess. 5:23 is the appropriate Glory is giving adoration to something. In Mary’s case, prayer for everyone who encounters God. it was giving adoration to God. The few verses that com­ Ladislas Orsy said: “Who is a holy person, then? The pose the Magnificat are but fleeting thoughts, for her answer is in the direction of life: one who moves toward glory to God was her life. Is our glory to God our lives? God steadily.” Are you moving toward a holy life through God?

C. The glory of God is viewed in His mercy (v. 50). SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER God’s mercy is given to His people. This word is often Prelude— Trumpet Trio “I Want to Be like Jesus” translated as “having compassion” but has a much WELCOME TO THE CELEBRATION deeper theological significance, for it carries the idea of Moments to Welcome Our Guests and Friends a combination of love and righteousness. Mercy implies Advent Wreath Lighting “Jesus, the Hope” that Jehovah “has entered into a covenant with His peo­ Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (v. 3) ple. The result of this relationship is a readiness on Invocation God’s part to relieve the oppressed and pardon the HYMNS OF CELEBRATION guilty. . . . Mercy is compassion in action” (W. Stephen “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” Gunter, Beacon D ictionary o f Theology, 334). “The First Noel” William Cowper is credited with saying that many CELEBRATION IN GIVING may dismiss compassion (mercy) from their heart, but Offering Trio “The Journey” God never will. Scripture Reading Luke 1:39-56 Do you claim Christ as Savior? Then how much mercy Pastoral Prayer do you demonstrate to people? Choir Special “The Golden Carol” Oh, for the glory of God to shine upon our darkened Sermon “THE GLORY OF THE BEGINNING STORY” world! Benediction

III. Mary Sings of the Glory of His People Creative Worship Ideas (vv. 54-56) Invocation You and I are God’s glory! Do we really understand “The Lord’s Prayer” in unison that? Humanity tops the creation story. Christ died for Moments of Welcome people. We are the crown of God’s glory. He came for us. Have ladies from the church bake homemade He is present now because of His love for us. Isn’t that bread. During the welcome time have the head greeter introduce all guests and have the pastor hand a loaf of thrilling? Doesn’t that excite you? bread to each first-time guest, couple, or family. As Don’t you think when mankind degrades himself by the greeter begins the introduction, have him say, prostituting himself with other things that it hurts God? “Jesus is the Bread of Life. Today we give you bread When we become so busy that we ignore Him or when as the symbol of His life. The people of our church we defy Him, we violate God’s love. The senselessness of have made this bread with loving hands for you.’’ separating ourselves from Him defies imagination, but Offertory Thought we do it in countless ways. As we give, let us remember those who have never When God breathed in Adam’s nostrils the breath of heard Jesus’ name, those who need a Bible in their life, we became living spirits to fellowship with our own dialect. May our hands and hearts reach out to those who must rely on others for their next meal, Maker. those needing words and action of comfort, all who We glorify God as He glorifies us. How? look to the church for help. A. We glorify God by our commitment to Him. We Benediction May the glory of Your presence be taken with us want to be His people. We bond ourselves with the eter­ this day. May it radiate to all. nal God by never leaving nor forsaking Him. That truly is commitment.

60 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE THE STORY BEGINS HUMBLY by Deri G. Keefer Luke 2:1-20 December 22, 1991

INTRO “no vacancy” sign has become the symbol of Christ’s re­ Some years ago there was a Christmas program titled jection throughout the ages. “Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus.” The story line A. Some exclude Christ in the political realm. The concerned a confused little girl who questioned world does not want nor think it needs Him. They give whether there was a real Santa. She wrote a letter about lip service to Christ, but only if He is politically advan­ her quandary to the New York Sun newspaper. The edi­ tageous. They do not realize the outcome if Jesus were tor read the letter and mulled it over in his mind. He in charge of men who are in charge of governments. wrote an editorial appearing in the paper as a response to Virginia’s quest for truth. He wrote about the spirit of B. Some exclude Christ in the intellectual realm. goodwill and make-believe wrapped up in a mythical There is a belief that as long as we have our reasoning character that appears in a red suit with white beard and faculty, our applied knowledge, our intuitive powers, hair. we don’t need a divine teacher to instruct us. We be­ Some people are as confused about Jesus as Virginia come self-sufficient and happy with our intellectual ma­ was about Santa. As Christians, we need to respond to turity. Our little “inn” of knowledge will someday be the Virginias who ask, “Is there a real Jesus?” exposed by His light of truth and knowledge as our We can affirm, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Jesus.” His prison of intellectual foolishness. story begins humbly. C. Some exclude Christ in the physical and mate­ rial realm. We are in want of expensive cars, a bigger I. Jesus’ Humble Beginning Included No house, larger expense accounts, and more toys of life. Room in the Inn (vv. 1-7) One bumper sticker boldly states, “The person who Paying taxes is never a pleasure. Imagine having to dies with the most toys wins.” We have little concept of travel 80 miles to register to do it! That’s exactly what stewardship in giving our money, our homes, our cars, Joseph and Mary were obliged to do. Rome required our clothes, and ourselves to God to use as He wills. We their subjects to go to their own tribal city to sign up for are too afraid He may ask us to give up something we the assessing of taxes. don’t want to surrender. If we are to be Christian, God Imagine the scene: two solitary figures, one walking, not only asks for our tithe but asks for our all. perhaps the other riding on a small donkey over some of the roughest ground in the country, going toward Beth­ D. Some exclude Christ in the spiritual realm. Most lehem. Alternating riding and walking over the road people want a spiritual guide to help them along the would have been difficult. Since Mary was nine months way. pregnant, it was especially hard. Rounding the trail, they At this writing, our economy is waning. A television could see candlelight from houses in Bethlehem where news commentator recently showed his audience a ce­ families and friends were sharing a meal, playing games, ramic figurine designed as an icon of the Catholic or talking together. Exhausted and needing a place to church, representing the patron saint of real estate. It rest, they headed toward the town’s khan or inn. Bethle­ was designed so that people could put these figurines hem’s khan offered the traveler only the shelter of its on the lawn and receive “help” in selling their property. walls and roof. These objects were selling so fast that the producers The Pulpit Commentary describes a stable of lime­ couldn’t keep up with the demand. Folks want a “spiri­ stone attached to the inn of Bethlehem. Since Bethle­ tual guide” to help them sell their houses! hem was a suburb only six miles from Jerusalem, it had a Some people have room for a “spiritual guide” but no large inn that was often crowded with the poorer class room for a Savior. There is little sense of sin today. Much of pilgrims who went to the Temple at the seasons of the is said about sin; however, very few sense the need to be great feasts. forgiven. People reason, “Everybody does it!” “We can’t When Joseph and Mary found no room in the inn, they help it!” “God loves us and won’t send us to hell!” So were forced to stay in the stable where other un­ why do we need a Savior? Many persons do not have an fortunate travelers probably bedded down with the ani­ awareness of a deep, wide chasm between us and God mals. There, in that humble place, the Savior of the that can only be bridged by the Savior, Jesus. People world would have His earthly beginning— where Mary seem to have no room for the Divine Propitiation, the and Joseph would first hear His cries of helplessness and Reconciler, the Christ who redeems. They don’t always human dependencies. Could Mary and Joseph foresee oppose His right to their lives; they just don’t have the His strength of life that would someday transform our time to open the door to Him. Things crowd Him out. world? Dr. Marshall Lang wrote: “Alas, of what enlightening One can only speculate what the innkeeper thought truth, of what blessed restfulness of heart, of what nobil­ as the couple asked for room. His “rejection” may have ity of life, of what eternity of glory, do men bereave been cruel, or it may have been with genuine regret. His themselves by crowding out the Lord who loves them,

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 61 1 by excluding the Redeemer from the home of their lehem. With the shepherds, we may pay homage and hearts!” honor to our Savior and King who lifts us from insignif­ icance to significance. That’s why He came to earth. II. Jesus’ Humble Beginning Includes a Baby (v.7) CONCLUSION Aren’t babies cute? Have you ever seen an ugly baby? It was a humble beginning for Jesus. He has brought They have cute little dainty feet, adorable tiny hands, humanity to the brink of eternal life. Will you accept and little button noses. They are cute with a full head of His gift of love today? hair or as bald as an eagle. It always amazes me how these cute little bouncing babies grow into 6-foot per­ sons with hamlike hands, a beard, and great potential. Little, cute Baby Jesus was to grow up to become a SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER rugged carpenter. If Isaiah the prophet was telling us Organ Prelude about His physical appearance, He was, in Isaiah’s esti­ WELCOME TO OUR CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION! mation, not attractive. But what potential! He was to be­ Welcome to Guests and Moments of Friendship come the Transformer of lives. He is the Son of God, Lighting the Advent Wreath “Jesus, the World’s Savior” Messiah, Redeemer, Savior! He is the King. His story be­ Hymn— Choir “O Little Town of Bethlehem” comes our story. Invocation Hymns “O Come, All Ye Faithful” III. Jesus’ Humble Beginning Includes People “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” of Insignificant Status (vv. 8-20) Offering Doxology of Praise We are introduced to the common workingman of the Choir Special “What Child Is This?” East, shepherds. Perhaps we feel more at home with Scripture Lesson Luke 2:1-20 them than with the wise men of rank and lofty social Prayer Chorus “For God So Loved the World” status. Edersheim and Barclay both espouse the theory Family Altar Time that these shepherds watched over the sacrificial sheep Dedication Service for Infants destined for the Temple and that these were special Quartet “Savior, like a Shepherd” herders. Maybe that’s why God chose these men to hear Sermon “THE STORY BEGINS HUMBLY” the first announcement of the Savior’s birth. Their sacri­ Choir Closing “The Hallelujah Chorus” ficial lambs would symbolize the coming Lamb of God. Even if they were the Temple shepherds, they were Creative Worship Ideas still looked down on by the mainstream of the culture. It The Dedication of Infants was impossible for them to keep all the meticulous This is a special time in any church service and es­ laws, for their sheep required that they perform tasks pecially meaningful at Christmas. Give each child a New Testament as a gift from the church and pastor. the orthodox viewed as unclean. God announced His The lasting gift will be meaningful to parents and later Son to them. In the blackness of night, a divine glory to the child. It makes a spiritual statement as to the and splendor came to these shepherds— the announce­ importance of God’s Word to all the congregation. ment of glad tidings of joy to all the world. Invocation In His action, God provided for man’s release from sin. Teen Sunday School teacher leads in prayer. He provided light to dispel the shadows of darkness. He Offertory Thought provided love that would strike a deathblow to fear. Make a covenant to God and fulfill it; let all peoples Jesus, born in Bethlehem, was God’s provision for the in all lands bring gifts to Him who is to be revered. “insignificant” of humanity. Family Altar Time An opportunity for you to talk to the Lord around After hearing the angel’s announcement, these insig­ the altars of our church. nificant outcasts started on the road to find Jesus. We also should take the road, not to Christmas, but to Beth­

62 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE THE DAYS OF A NEW BEGINNING by Deri G. Keefer Luke 2:21-40 December 29, 1991

INTRO so Simeon and Anna represent the past witnessing to the As we move on reluctantly from the excitement of the arrival of the promised Messiah. Christmas experience, there is one last event that These two servants of God had long anticipated the bridges the birth of Baby Jesus with what will be the rest divine revelation of a coming Messiah. Their waiting was of His story. The shepherds have gone back to their not done on a lonely isolated island, but in the hustle bleating sheep. They will never again see angels in the and bustle of life. Simeon was a layman. The Bible never skies of Israel nor hear the angelic choir strike up its declares him a professional prophet or preacher. The hallelujah chorus. The angels’ trumpets are silent. The scripture emphasizes his righteousness and devotion to angels have returned to heaven to watch the unfolding God! He served God throughout his life— that’s why he drama of the earthly visitation of God as He walks and could honestly look for the Messiah. talks among mankind. One doesn’t have to be a “professional” to be holy and Their next appearance will be to minister to their just before God. All are called to have pure hearts, clean Master as He struggles in a human body, fighting the cos­ hands, and to share our witness with the world. mic tempter, Satan, during His wilderness experience. It ILLUS. The Wall Street Journal, on December 4, will be their job to be His encourager as He prays, medi­ 1985, had a lengthy article by staff reporter Matt Moffett tates, and fasts for 40 days. Later they will be the great titled “Fundamentalist Christians Strive to Apply Beliefs heralds of the marvelous news of the Resurrection. to the Workplace.” The article refers to “a growing num­ Joseph and Mary are ready to begin their walk with ber of believers . . . seeking to apply their spiritual con­ Jesus. They desire to begin as good religious parents. victions in the workplace.” He continues a few para­ Five times this passage notes their observing the rit­ graphs later, “A national committee of churchmen ualistic laws of Moses (w. 22, 23, 24, 27, 39). Dr. Reu­ recently identified some 150 Christian workers’ groups, ben Welch reminds us that three ceremonies were laid ranging from the Christian Dental Society to the Rodeo down by law relating to the birth of a male. First, the Riders Fellowship. At Seattle’s Boeing Co., about 200 covenant sign of circumcision on the eighth day (Lev. employees in a group called Good News at Work gather 12:3) symbolized the child’s entrance into the commu­ in corporate cafeterias for breakfast and lunchtime Bible nity of faith. It became his identification with the peo­ studies and inspirational talks. In the Arizona desert, as ple of God. The faithful Joseph and Mary have their many as 40 construction workers building the Palo Child circumcised and give Him the name Jesus, as Verde nuclear plant conduct daily lunchtime Bible stud­ God’s messenger prescribed. This act was the first shed­ ies at the work site.” ding of blood and becomes the first symbolic act of One ministry called “Hard Hats for Christ” ministers identification with Israel and the world. to itinerant construction workers. Founder of “Hard Second, the ceremony of consecration is the presenta­ Hats,” Jim Hodges, said: “It used to be you had to crawl tion of the child to God (Exod. 13:2). Welch states that up in a corner to have a Bible study. Now there are some Jesus’ life would always be lived in obedience and de­ jobs where you have to attend a Bible study to be a part votion that would completely satisfy and express the of the ‘in’ group.” meaning of this dedication service. ILLUS. Biblical influence is evidenced in the charters The third ceremony was Mary’s purification. After a of some companies. The bylaws of the Atlantic Stew­ woman gave birth to a child, she was ceremonially un­ ardship Bank in Midland, N.J., commits 10 percent of its clean for 40 days and unable to enter the worship ser­ pretax profits to Christian charities, stating that its cor­ vice of the community (Leviticus 12). An offering had porate purpose is “to bear witness to Jesus Christ.” I to be presented to the Lord at the time of this ceremony. called this bank in October 1990 to see if they were still The two young pigeons offered as the sacrifice indicated operating and if their charter was still “to bear witness the low income level of the family. The very poor would to Jesus Christ.” I talked with one of their operators who be allowed to circumvent the normal offering of a lamb assured me that this was indeed their purpose. He then for a burnt offering and a pigeon for a sin offering. Possi­ transferred me to Mr. Paul Van Ostenbridge, president of bly, these humble beginnings gave Jesus a compassion­ Atlantic Stewardship Bank. He responded affirmatively. ate heart for the poor. It was a blessing to talk with a bank president who en­ At these ceremonies, two senior citizens come into joyed sharing the corporate philosophy of knowing and view— Simeon and Anna. These two special people have experiencing Jesus Christ! something to say to us, as well as to Mary and Joseph. What have you done recently to witness about the di­ This scriptural setting reveals to us the days of new vine revelation? This week as you circulate in your areas beginnings. of influence, ask God to direct you to someone in need of Him. Ask Him to provide opportunity for you to share I. A New Beginning Witnesses to the Divine what He has done in your own life— the difference Jesus Revelation (vv. 26, 38) has made. Kindly and gently share the Good News. To Just as a new year arrives on the heels of the old year, enhance your testimony to others this week, smile a lot,

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 63 be nice, be polite, be gentle, be bold, be honest, be Hal Lindsey said: “Man can live about 40 days without God’s! food, about 3 days without water, about eight minutes Anna, the “professional” in this story, enters the scene. without air, but only for a second without hope.” She is a 103-year-old prophetess from the tribe of Asher. W. T. Purkiser said, “The future belongs to those who Her professional prophetess roots date back to the Old belong to God. This is hope.” L. J. Suenens penned, Testament days in Exod. 15:20. Moses’ sister, Miriam, ap­ “Hope is not a dream but a way of making dreams be­ pears to be the first. (References include Judg. 4:4; 2 come reality.” Are you part of that community of hope? Kings 22:14; and Isa. 8:3 ) The practice continues in Are you in the process of communicating your hope to New Testament days as indicated in Acts 2:17 and others? 21:8-9- The person for whom the tribe was named was Find someone who has lost his hope, his dream. Help the second son of Jacob by his wife Zilpah (formerly him rediscover the joy of making dreams reality through Leah’s maidservant), and the name means “happy.” hope. For example, go to a rescue mission and volunteer You don’t have to be an “outstanding” person and do to work for a night. Volunteer to help burned-out vic­ great, awesome things in order for God to use you. He tims by gathering clothes or furniture. Listen to a friend simply requires your availability. He will accomplish who is experiencing a rough marriage or dissension much if you present yourselves unreservedly for service. with his children. Rotary International’s motto is “Service Above Self.” That could also be said of Anna and should be the motto of CONCLUSION all Christians. These are days of new beginnings. Be positive. Let the II. A New Beginning Looks Forward with New Year begin! Spiritual Eyes (vv. 25-38) Luke demonstrates in this touching, moving scene the presence of Jesus in the arms of Simeon. SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER Simeon begins a psalm of praise concerning the Mes­ Prelude String Quartet siah, who has come to bring light and sight to lost hu­ Your Church in Action Announcements manity (w. 29-32). He envisions a new beginning for Call to Worship A Senior Citizen the world. Invocation Hymns of Worship “What if It Were Today?” A. God’s servant is prepared for departure (v. 29). “To God Be the Glory” Simeon was ready to “go home” to be with God forever. Offering He saw death as a release to eternal life with Jehovah (v. Read in Unison “Doxology” 26). Choir Special “Reaching” God’s servant beholds God’s salvation (v. 30). Scripture Reading Luke 2:21-40 B. Prayer Time Jesus embodies the salvation of the world. Teen Choir “Dare to Run” C. God’s servant envisions the universal applica­ Sermon “THE DAYS OF A NEW BEGINNING” tion of salvation (vv. 31-32). The echoing voice in Benediction verse 31 originated in Isa. 52:10 and Ps. 98:3- The paral­ lel structure in verse 32 presents a detailed contrast of Creative Worship Ideas this universal application that brings “revelation” to pa­ Sermon Notes gans and at the same time “glory” to Israel. The minds of our congregation members keep alert as they write down notes. As pastor, you can help D. God’s servant envisions a spiritual choice for the them by producing notes that will leave blanks for world ( vv. 33-34). Simeon predicts that this Child will them to fill in. Challenge the teens or anyone in the bring mankind to moral and spiritual decisions. Some church to take sermon notes by having a pizza party, people collapse (ptosis) or “fall.” Others will “rise” sub sandwich Sunday, ice cream social, etc. If they (1) (anastasis) or be resurrected to spiritual life. Those are present each Sunday of the month, (2) take ser­ who reject Jesus reject the whole of God’s revelation. mon notes, and (3) turn the notes in to the pastor im­ mediately following the service. III. A New Beginning Looks Forward with Hope Offertory Thought (vv. 32, 38) Giving with joy is true giving. Simeon and Anna fostered hope. They longed for the Prayer Time hope of a Messiah, and they discovered Him! Norval Have a fireproof container on the altar. Have people Geldenhuys, in the New International Commentary, put hurts, temptations, frustrations on a piece of pa­ remarks that Anna spoke about Jesus to groups of the per. They come to the altar and place the pieces of pa­ righteous in Jerusalem who were looking forward to per into the container. Remind people that God knows God’s redemptive work brought through the emergence all our problems. Burn the papers. Benediction of the Messiah. “For this reason, the coming of Jesus be­ As you leave today, you will be entering the mission came known in a comparatively wide circle, but only field. among those faithful souls who had earnestly hoped for His coming.”

64 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE A NEW VOICE FOR AN OLD NEED— RIGHTEOUSNESS by Deri G. Keefer Luke 3:1-20 January 5, 1992 INTRO his eyes, and a voluminous voice, he portrayed the part. Voices come in all pitches. The gravelly voice of the More than his appearance caught people’s attention; his bass, the high soprano shrill enough to break glass, the straightforward honesty was appealing. He called them beauty of the alto, and all ranges between the high and to “repentance,” the main task of a prophet. John knew the low make us aware of the value of sound. the sins of his people; they were obvious. Their need for Luke opens his narrative by reminding his readers of God was also evident in their lives. John had come to secular and religious voices of the past who would fig­ make them aware of their need and to point them to the ure into the scheme of the Christ story. The author helps remedy. his readers comprehend how the star of the story influ­ John’s message spans time, down to our age. There is enced the people. He acquaints us with Tiberius Caesar still a need for turning from our sin and receiving salva­ (Caesar is a title, not a name), who began his reign after tion from God. the death of Augustus in a . d 14. ILLUS. A young adult man who entered a bank in New Fifteen years later (v. 1) puts the date of this event at York City attempted to get the loan officer to lend him approximately a .d . 29. This Herod is Herod Antipas, son some money. After completing the application he had of Herod the Great, ruler of Galilee and Perea from 4 b.c. been handed, he was surprised it took so long for a re­ to a .d . 39- Herod Antipas’ half brother, Philip, ruled a ply. He was becoming anxious, as he noticed that the group of territories to the northeast of Palestine, Iturea loan officer kept going to his manager’s desk. and Traconitis (4 b .c .— a .d . 33/34). Only a few inscrip­ Finally the paperwork was completed. He turned to tions give a clue to another name in our text, Lysanias. leave but was startled as flashbulbs popped off in his Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea from a .d . 26 to 36, face and people began to crowd around him. It occurred and Luke’s readers would later become better ac­ to him that he must have done something wrong, and quainted with Pilate. that look appeared on his face. In addition to secular voices, religious voices of the However, he was relieved to learn that instead of do­ time are presented by Luke. He introduces us to Annas, ing something wrong, he had been “lucky” enough to do whose official high priestly duties ended in a .d . 15. something very right. The bank manager handed his loan However, he continued as an unofficial adviser to his papers back with the reply that he would not have to son-in-law, Caiaphas, who served from a . d 18 to 36. repay the loan. The money he had borrowed included Bursting upon the scene is a new voice, radically dif­ the $ 1 billionth ever loaned by that lending institution. ferent from both secular and religious voices of the time. In honor of that fact, his debt would never be written in Neither of those voices called for moving away from the the books; he would never be required to repay it. evil of the day. In fact, they epitomized evil. The new John was telling the people that a Redeemer was com­ voice of John the Baptist called for righteousness, a radi­ ing to do the same thing for them as occurred to the cal departure from evil. The people, feeling a hunger for young man in the bank. He was talking about Jesus truth, flocked to the banks of the Jordan to hear John’s Christ, who was coming to take their debts and remove voice. Through this text, it is hoped that the voice of the sin obligation from the books. Sin, placed on Jesus, John will travel through history to your heart’s listening will never be held against anyone who accepts Jesus into ear. his life because Christ paid the cost.

II. Listen to the Voice of Conviction (vv. 7-14) I. Listen to the Voice of a Prophet (vv. 3-6) John’s message penetrated the hearts of his listeners. Wilfred Winget, in Beacon D ictionary o f Theology, Their consciences were pricked. As he preached, they said that a “prophet (from the Greek prophetes, to speak began to see the light of his sermon and began to feel for or before) is one called to discern God’s purpose and the condemnation and conviction of their actions. action in history and to proclaim the divine word of H. Orton Wiley stated in Christian Theology: “Con­ judgment and grace” (p. 424). viction is that operation of the Spirit which produces “Prophecy seminars” are popular in our present day. within men a sense of guilt and condemnation because Some people are enamored with the popular prophecy of sin.” God convicts; we are to act upon that conviction. concept of “foretelling.” However, the prophet’s main God asks us to change our sinful actions and attitudes. responsibility to the people was to be a “forthteller” of Will you do something about it? God can make a differ­ God’s truth. The biblical emphasis of the prophet was to ence in your life. Will you let Him make those changes? proclaim God’s word in the present tense to a needy people. ILLUS. T. DeWitt Talmage tells that as a boy he used to John fit the biblical role! Dressed in camel’s hair, with plow his dad’s field with a team of spirited horses. He long hair and beard (being a practicing Nazarite), fire in was a quick “plower.” Once in a while he passed over

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 65 the sod without even turning it over, thinking it did not vince him to take the plunge. He absolutely refused; his make any difference. After a while, his father came along courage failed him. to tell him he was not doing a good job because it wasn’t After the group tired of their fun time, they returned plowed deep enough. Sometimes we are only scratched to camp. The man who refused to try it looked back up by conviction, refusing to allow the subsoil plow of the slide of the mountain and said, “Look, that’s where God’s truth to go deeper. we slid down.” Within the span of an hour or so he had Conviction is not always negative; in fact, it brings begun identifying with an experience he never enjoyed! hope as it brings change. Despair is replaced by hope. Hinson’s comment was, “Our pews are filled with folk Accompanying conviction is the possibility of divine who identify with experiences they have never shared.” forgiveness and salvation. CONCLUSION ILLUS. Beecher told that his early life was much like a As God deals with you, there are some very practical “corduroy” road in Indiana. There were beautiful prairie things you must understand. First, realize you have been flowers on each side of the road, but the trail he traveled listening to one of God’s prophets. This prophet is not was filled with deep chuckholes over which he bumped gifted in foretelling, but rather he is one who has been his way home. He said, “About half the time I lived un­ called by God to forthtell— to tell you straightforwardly der conviction, and the other half of the time I was get­ that if you are living in sin, repentance is necessary. ting over it.” Second, realize that the Holy Spirit is dealing with Has God been dealing with your heart about some­ you, not the persuasion of man. God himself has been thing that isn’t what He wants? Is there unconfessed sin talking to you about your relationship with Him. unknown to anyone else? God knows! He may have been Third, realize that salvation is not simply for the other trying to talk to you about it, but you have attempted to person. It requires your own personal decision. Put ac­ avoid His voice. It is important to hear God’s convicting tion to your faith in Jesus. Repent, confess, believe in voice. Christ, and today you’ll become a child of God. Will you respond now to the voice calling you to righteousness? III. Listen to the Voice Demanding a Response (vv. 15-20) Hearing the voice of the prophet and feeling the sting SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER of divine conviction are the first steps. Acting on faith in Jesus is required before salvation becomes reality and Prelude to Celebration Organ change is initiated. Call to Celebration Apostles’ Creed Fellowship Call: The crowd represents various occupations, each with Getting acquainted with our church neighbors and friends its own set of responsibilities. Three times the question Prayer Call Board of Stewards Chairman arises, “What shall we do?” (w. 10, 12, 14, KJV). John Hymns of Worship “Come, Thou Fount” gives to each group the appropriate response that would “How Firm a Foundation” result in a transformed life. His authentic and author­ Offering “Doxology” itative voice is what they came to hear. But when God Choir Special “My Heart Is Fixed” convicts them through His messenger, the changed life Scripture Lesson Luke 3:1-20 occurs through their response to conviction. Prayer Chorus “I Love You with the Love of the Lord” Prayer Time Has God convicted you of something today? Has dis­ Special Music “Create in Me" honesty overtaken you? Are you having an illicit affair? Is Sermon “A NEW VOICE FOR AN OLD NEED— taking God’s name in vain becoming a habit for you? Has RIGHTEOUSNESS” murdering someone’s reputation slipped into your life? Benediction What sin has beset you? Conviction is God’s first step. It is time to respond to that conviction by turning to Him. Creative Worship Ideas Acting upon your faith in Jesus is needed. Release your­ Prayer Time self into God’s hands. Ask Him, through Christ, to for­ Allow time to break up into small groups of 7-10. give you and to make the difference in your life. Have a volunteer lead in prayer. After a few moments, the pastor will close in prayer. ILLUS. William Hinson, pastor of the First United Offertory Thought Methodist Church of Houston, spoke at the National May the precious items from life be given to God. Conference on Preaching, as recorded in the May-June May people praise Him all the day long. Let all things ’89 issue of Preaching. He shared with those ministers be His. that A. K. Chalmers, professor of homiletics at Boston Benediction University, loved to tell about the time he and some This week may we be given challenges instead of friends went to the mountains to go nature sliding or ease, courage instead of contentment, power instead of weakness, hope instead of discouragement, and gliding. The guide brought them to a natural slide, and love instead of hate. Amen. all of the group went down the slide— all except one. No amount of coaching or jovial harassment would con­

66 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE A NEW, OVERCOMING POWER by Deri G. Keefer Luke 3:21-22; 4:1-13 January 12, 1992

INTRO her to hide in the woods, but this was home for the The Church needs what Jesus modeled— power. If the hawk. Finally, one smart bird told her to rest in the clefts Church were to turn the world upside down, it would of the rock. need Christ’s power. The power of Jesus’ victorious gos­ Spurgeon explained that the dove symbolized a de­ pel revolutionizes people across all social and economic fenseless soul; the hawk represented Satan. Nothing can barriers. It throws open prison doors and sets captives protect us, not wealth, fame, or beauty. Our only de­ free, causes people to care deeply for one another, and fense is Jesus the Rock. stirs them to worship God! Our world needs that transforming power. The good II. Overcoming Power Comes news is that the power of Jesus Christ is dynamically Through Obedience transforming people, not merely improving programs What if Jesus would have accepted Satan’s offer and and conduct. obeyed him rather than the Father? He would have The Scripture gives us a better grasp of Jesus’ over­ sinned by obeying the devil. Jesus could not have of­ coming power. Jesus wrestled with questions concern­ fered himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Our sal­ ing His unique power. How should He use such extraor­ vation would have been impossible! dinary power? How should this power be exercised with Walter Liefield, in the Expositor’s Bible Commen­ His Sonship? How should He use this power to fulfill His tary, related that the temptations of Jesus dealt with His ministry? Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Sonship and Messiahship and that it tested His perfect Spirit, conscious of these profound issues demanding manhood. It also showed that as disciples of Jesus, we answers. are to follow His example and become obedient to God. In Beacon Bible Expositions, Reuben Welch said that Jesus’ temptation experience was interrelated to Christ’s ILLUS. A young-ninth century general led a group of baptism, as a matter of fact, “a sequel to it” (3:52). His 500 men against a king who commanded 20,000 troops. baptism could not have been more dramatic. Heaven The king sent word that it was foolish for such a small opened; a symbolic dove descended from the sky, repre­ force to resist his legions. The general of the 500 called senting the Holy Spirit; and an invisible Person spoke. one of his men forward and said, “Take that sword and Jesus heard His Father’s call to the ministry of ser- drive it through your heart.” The man instantly obeyed vanthood. and fell dead before the messenger’s feet. To another, the The desert experience in Luke 4 would tempt Jesus to general said, “Leap into that chasm,” and the man did. forsake the road of suffering. If Satan could get Jesus, The general turned to the messenger and said, “Go and early on, to deny His calling, the world would go on tell your king we have 498 such men. We will die but without a true Messiah. That seemed to be Satan’s intent. never surrender.” Jesus’ baptism marks His call to ministry. His temptation The courier returned with his message, a message that marks His initiation in to ministry. This incident re­ struck terror into the heart of the king’s whole army. affirms our faith that there is an overcoming power to Complete obedience on our part will strike terror into resist temptation and sin. the forces of hell! We must obey Jesus. Are you ready to give up today? Don’t! Are you ready to commit spiritual suicide and self-destruction? Don’t. God has given you a I. Overcoming Power Comes ticket to spiritual success. On that ticket is the word Through a Person “Obey.” We must obey God! There’s no other way around Jesus who overcame is the One who will help us over­ temptation. come today. We can, by Jesus’ help, overcome Satan, temptation, and sin. We cannot overcome in our own III. Overcoming Power Comes by Worship power, but rather, by the power and authority of Jesus. Satan wanted Jesus to worship him; however, Jesus The word “authority” means “a right to command.” Be­ knew His correct object of worship was His Father. cause Jesus is God, He certainly has that right. He has power to take charge over Satan. As Christians we must ILLUS. Felix, the youthful martyr of Abitina, was taken turn to Him when temptation appears. We must not lin­ captive. He quickly confessed that he was a Christian. ger at temptation’s shore lest we drown in its ocean. His captors asked whether he had attended meetings. To which he replied: “As if a Christian could live without ILLUS. C. H. Spurgeon gave an ancient parable con­ the Lord’s ordinance.” Worship is a deep need in the cerning a dove who complained to her other bird Christian. friends that a hawk was thirsting for her blood. One bird Satan wants us to worship him, counterfeit of God! counseled her to keep low to the ground, but the hawk The devil opposes God and any of His servants. If he can stoop for its prey Another advised that she fly high, tried to trick Jesus into worshiping him, he will cer­ but the hawk could fly as high as she could. A third told tainly do the same to us.

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 67 Jesus is the Example of spiritual fidelity to God. He is Ultimately God is going to win. And so will God’s the Example of the worship of God. As Jesus’ disciples, people. But we don’t have to wait to the end! He has we also will stay true to our worship of God. revealed to us that we can be victorious through His j G. K. Chesterton said that the tendency of the world is power. He’s going to win through, and with, His people. to see things in terms of indeterminate gray; but the Christian’s duty is to see things in terms of black and CONCLUSION white. Worship is our adoration and praise to the Lord. Will you accept Jesus’ power today? Put yourself in The devil will do anything to receive that adoration and His hands! What temptations are you facing today? Adul­ glory. He will color any concept of worship, compro­ tery, cheating, lying, deceit, idolatry, cursing, drunk- I mise any standard, and bend any rule to get our attention enness, drugs, divorce? Whatever it may be, your power j away from God and on him. Jesus saw through his cha­ and strength are in the eternal Rock of Ages—Jesus! Like rade. We must put our full attention on Jesus to discover the shoeshine man suggested, you and Jesus are going to overcoming power. Nothing must take our attention win! from Him lest it become our god. If that happens, Satan wins. IV. Overcoming Power Comes SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER Through Experience Prelude Everyone will be tempted. J. Wilbur Chapman said: Call to Celebration Choral Call to Worship “Stand Up for Jesus” “Temptation is the tempter looking through the keyhole Challenge of the Morning into the room where you are living; sin is your drawing Invocation Board of Trustees Chairman back the bolt and making it possible for him to enter.” Hymns “He Abides” Temptation will come. We can learn by our successes “There Is Power” and failures. If we fail, there is One who loves us and Giving Our Tithes and Offerings will point out how to succeed next time. Jesus died, not Giving Our Praise “Doxology” only for our sins but also for our temptations that we Praise in Choir Music “All in the Name of Jesus” might live victoriously as Christians! Glory to God! Praise in the Word Luke 3:21-22; 4:1-13 Praise in Prayer Hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” V. Overcoming Power Comes (vv. 1 and 2) Through Revelation Praise in Prayer Proclamation by Ladies Duet “Exalt His Name Together” George Macdonald said: “God hides nothing. His very Proclamation in Sermon work from the beginning is revelation, a casting aside of “A NEW, OVERCOMING POWER” veil after veil, a showing unto men of truth after truth. Proclamation in Closing On and on from fact divine He advances, until at length in His Son, Jesus, He unveils His very face.” Creative Worship Ideas God reveals to us the power; His name is Jesus! We Call to Celebration cannot spiritually survive without God’s power working We have come to seek the Lord. He can be found in in us. Overt temptations obviously require divine power today. We shall call upon His strength. He will strength. Even more frightening are the subtle tempta­ not fail to come! tions that catch us off guard. They seem to sneak up like Challenge of the Morning a lion in the bush. The power of God is especially This is a time when the pastor gives a synopsis of needed to resist these subtle temptations. He reveals His the service. It can be in the form of a short illustration strength in every situation. or a few sentences sharing what you perceive should be happening throughout the worship service. ILLUS. Vance Havner told a story about an old shoe- Giving Our Tithes and Offerings shine man in a barbershop who always had his Bible ly­ Lord, help us maintain the important balance be­ ing close when he wasn’t reading it. One day a man tween material necessities and spiritual happiness. Release Your people by faith to generosity in holy came into the shop and said, “I see you are reading the stewardship and trust in love. Book of Revelation today. Do you understand it?” Praise in Prayer The old shoeshine man replied, “Yes, sir, I know ex­ Dear God, forgive us for camping on the periphery actly what it means.” of life and living on the border, never facing the central The customer asked, “You know what it means when issues of our lives. Bible scholars have disagreed about it all these years! Proclamation in Closing What do you think it means?” Challenge us to live above mediocrity through Your power! The old man replied, “It means that Jesus is going to win!”

68 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE A NEW SERMON TO A FICKLE CONGREGATION by Deri G. Keefer Luke 4:14-44 January 19, 1992

INTRO Isaiah’s prophetic sermon that Jesus fleshed out de­ Temptation can make you or break you; it’s up to you. scribed the sinner’s plight. The modern-day sinner’s con­ You can yield to Satan, or you can yield to God. Jesus dition remains the same! returned from the desert yielded to the Father, con­ A. The sinner is spiritually poor (v. 18). A defini­ queror over the devil, and victorious over temptation. tion of “poor” from Funk and Wagnalls’ Dictionary is: An intense sense of God’s destiny lay in Jesus’ mind as “Lacking proper ability; unsatisfactory.” That is spiritual He felt called to tell the world the good news of salva­ bankruptcy! There is no source within us to bring about tion. our salvation. Jesus is the only satisfactory answer to our Jesus customarily went to the synagogue. No matter poor spiritual condition! how dull or interesting the service, Jesus was present. Bruce Larson stated in The Communicator’s Commen­ B. The sinner is spiritually captive (v. 18). The sin­ tary that we are often tempted to rationalize that we can ner in Jesus’ day and the sinner today have been taken worship as well at the 18th hole or on the lake in a sail­ prisoner, held in confinement. Satan’s spiritual cell will boat or under the sun on the tennis court. However, that not let them free. They cannot break free from Satan, wasn’t Jesus’ habit. On the Sabbath, Jesus intentionally from bad habits, from their attitudes. Only Jesus can un­ sought out the faithful people of God. The scripture ref­ lock spiritual prison doors! erence reveals that Jesus had been teaching and preach­ C. The sinner is spiritually blind (v. 18). Delilah ing in a number of towns in Galilee and that Nazareth, teased Samson until he finally told the truth about his His hometown, was on the circuit. Luke, in retrospect, source of strength. She betrayed him by hiring a barber depicts the significance of Jesus’ visit to Nazareth’s syn­ to cut off his hair (Judg. 16:19-20). The Philistines agogue. promptly “gouged out his eyes” (v. 21). That is what Sa­ Have you ever wondered how Jesus must have felt “go­ tan does, he gouges out people’s spiritual sight. They no ing home” to preach? Joseph Excell said, “If ever Jesus longer can see God’s hand in the world or God’s work could yield to misgivings of what was committed to among people. Him, it would be in that place.” In Nazareth He had first ILLUS. Many people are like the fish that exist in an heard and pondered Israel’s hope. Some of these very exceptionally large cave in Kentucky stretching for men taught Him the words of Moses, the wisdom litera­ several miles in an underground river. The fish are blind. ture, and the prophets. Many played games as children They have eyes but cannot see. They have lived in dark­ and swapped tales as teens growing up with Him. ness so long that their eyes are of no value. After He was handed the scroll containing the Isa. Sinners become so accustomed to spiritual darkness 61:1-2 portion, He read and notably stopped midsen­ that their spiritual sight is gone. Only Jesus can open tence to proclaim that He was the One Isaiah predicted their eyes again. would come to Israel and the world! His reference to the world infuriated His hometown “friends.” It was accept­ D. The sinner is spiritually oppressed (v. 18). The able for Him to be a prophet to the Jews. But when He word “oppressed” conveys the idea of being burdened or mentioned the Gentiles, intimating that God would in­ forced down. Satan does that to sinners and attempts to clude “the heathen” in His salvation prophecy plan, it do that to saints! was beyond their comprehension. They thought: proba­ The Savior is our provision. The spiritually poor can bly “Jesus has gone mad.” “The preacher’s gone too far.” become rich in Jesus, not materially, but in deep peace, “Let’s kick Him out of our church. Nobody unholy will satisfaction, joy, eternal life, and even a room in God’s get in here.” Someone suggested that it would be best to house! get rid of Him, but they couldn’t if they tried! Jesus preached the truth to His nervous congregation. The new sermon given to His hometown congregation spans time and reaches us today. II. Jesus’ New Sermon Was Rejected (vv. 23-30) I. Jesus’ New Sermon Was Preached Jesus wanted people to understand and accept the (vv. 14-22) God of Israel. No imitation gods would be acceptable! After His temptation in the desert, Jesus returned in Jesus preached the message from His Father. It seems the power of the Spirit. Leon Morris wrote: “Evidently it that they would gladly listen to His message of spiritual could be seen that Jesus was filled with the Spirit and liberation; but they refused to believe, or recognize, or this caused comment (in the community).” accept the truth. Their rejection splashed out in harsh Can people see the Spirit of God in us? Are they aware words. Their anger spilled into an ugly scene in the syn­ that we have been in contact with God? Do they see agogue. Jesus’ direct message was rejected by His peers. God’s Spirit in our actions, words, philosophy, secular He displeased them because He proposed a non- activities, “religious” talk, and motivations? They did in traditional way of life. He spoke to them with sincere Jesus. It should be visible in us. concern, but it fell on deaf ears. They took Him to the

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 69 edge of a cliff to cast Him down. Murder was in their Compassion is demonstrated in life’s experiences! hearts! They wanted to kill the Lover of their souls. Jesus demonstrated it by coming to the world to bring Dr. Leon Morris noted: “As far as we know, Jesus never salvation. returned to Nazareth. Rejection can be final. What a sad commentary.” CONCLUSION III. Jesus’ New Sermon Was Demonstrated There are many sermons to preach to our world— (vv. 31-44) sermons on deliverance, social justice, healing, peace, etc. Whatever we preach must be lived before others so After rejection in His hometown, Nazareth, Jesus went that they can see the gospel demonstrated. If God has down to Capernaum to begin teaching. In Capernaum, spoken to you about your spiritual condition today, another Galilean town, He began His healing ministry. come to Him. Let Jesus change your life! Let Him unlock What He preached back in Nazareth was demonstrated. the spiritual prison doors of confinement. Walk out into A. Jesus demonstrated His love through authority the light of day. Be liberated now and for all eternity! (vv. 32-37). Reuben Welch wrote in Beacon Bible Ex­ Don’t reject Jesus today. He desires to be Savior and Lord. positions: “It would be hard to imagine a more tragic Jesus’ concern for you sent Him to the Cross. Don’t be a contrast than the recognition of Jesus by the demon and part of a fickle congregation that rejects the Lordship of the blindness of His own people” (3:59). In this scrip­ Jesus! ture, Jesus exorcised the demon out of the man, deliv­ ering him from the tyranny of destructive forces. Welch continued: “The people recognized His authority but SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER not the significance of His action, which was that through the power of Jesus, the Messiah, the kingdom of Call to Fellowship— Greet One Another evil was beginning to fall and the healing, saving reign Musical Call “The Solid Rock” of God was being established” (ibid.). Prayer Call Sunday School Superintendent That is significant if it is occurring in you. Is God’s Hymn of Worship “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” kingdom being established in you? Let it happen now. Giving Our Tithes and Offerings There will come a time when every knee, including Worship in Dedication of a Sound System Proclamation in Special Music “The Solid Rock” yours, will bow and every tongue shall proclaim Him Proclamation in Sermon “A NEW SERMON TO A Lord. Don’t wait until that day of judgment and ultimate FICKLE CONGREGATION” recognition. Those who accept Jesus now will reign Proclamation in Closing with Him forever. Those who let Satan rule with author­ ity in this life will dwell in hell with him in the next. Creative Worship Ideas B. Jesus demonstrated His love through compassion Dedication of Sound System (vv. 38-41). Peter’s mother-in-law had a high fever. Leader: Ps. 96:1-2 Luke uses a medical term to indicate the fact it was a Congregation: Ps. 108:1 “high fever,” while the other Gospel writers use only Leader: Ps. 100:1-4 “fever.” Jesus looked down with compassion on this sick Statement from head trustee covering the system woman and healed her. Compassion should be a consis­ Litany of Dedication: tent quality in Christians. Minister: To the services of our sound system that it may enrich the hearing of the gospel, ILLUS. Dr. Theodore L. Cuyler once visited Scotland People: We dedicate this system of sound. to find someone who had known Robert Murray Mc- Minister: To the wisdom and knowledge of people Cheyne. who handle such technology that comes by Your im­ When he found someone who had known him, Dr. pulse, Cuyler asked, “Can you tell me some of the scripture People: We dedicate this amplifier of sound. texts that McCheyne used?” Minister: To the aging and aged of our church whose The old man replied, “I don’t remember any of them.” hearing has become impaired, “Then can you tell me some of the sermons he People: We dedicate our system of hearing sound. preached?” Minister: To the spirit of voice through song and ser­ Again, the reply was, “I have entirely forgotten them.” mon, Cuyler said, “Don’t you remember anything concern­ People: We dedicate our sound program. ing him?” Minister: To the end that our hearing and thoughts may be lifted up and heard in praise and thanksgiving, “Ah!” said the man. “That’s an entirely different ques­ our wills be strengthened in active faith, and our lives tion. I do remember something about him. When I was a dedicated to the ongoing kingdom of God around the lad, I was playing along the roadside when McCheyne world, came by, and putting his hand on my head, said, ‘Jamie, I People: We dedicate this sound system and pray that am going to see your poor sick sister,’ and then looking we may always sing and preach the old, old story of into my eyes, he said, ‘And, lad, I am extremely con­ Jesus and His love— with enthusiasm! cerned about your soul.’ I have forgotten his texts and Prayer of Dedication his sermons, but I can still vividly feel the tremble of his hand, and I can still see the tear in his eyes.”

70 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE A NEW CATCH— DISCIPLESHIP! by Deri G. Keefer Luke 5:1-11 January 26, 1992

INTRO B. Use as companions, devotional books that sup­ I received a phone call that seemed strange. A lady’s plem ent G od’s Word. Good devotional material doesn’t voice on the other end of the line asked if this was the usurp God’s Word; it adds insight to the written Word. Church of the Nazarene. She got my assurance that it was Ask Christian friends what material they use. Talk with and I was the pastor. She asked how she could be a mem­ the Christian bookstore manager. Speak to your pastor. ber of the church. She knew nothing about our church, The devotional, as well as the Bible translation, should the theology or doctrines, standards or policy, nor had fit you. she ever been inside our building or met any of our peo­ C. Let God use you. Sound Christian counseling by ple. All she wanted was to be “a member.” mature Christians can help discern God’s message. Ex­ Some people desire to be a disciple of Jesus like the perience helps mold us into God’s new creation. Other lady on the phone— by long distance. They don’t know people have been through similar circumstances. Their what Jesus taught or care about His discipline or desire wise counsel can help. to sacrifice for His cause. They wish to be long distance disciples. D. Let your conscience be God’s avenue to reach Discipleship demands involvement. That is what Jesus you. Many people have been taught right from wrong conveys to Simon Peter in our scriptural text when He since they were young. Moral, ethical, and spiritual in­ tells Peter he would “catch men” (Luke 5:10). Men can­ sights have been ingrained over the years. God uses the not be “caught” without personal involvement. As their conscience to speak when decisions are to be made. fishnets were barren, so were their lives; but, as their K Prayer is listening to God. He answers prayer by fishnets would be full, so also would their lives! Often saying, “Yes, I thought you would never ask”; or “Yes, we feel empty, alone, unwanted, and unsatisfied. Jesus here is more”; or “No, not yet”; or “No, I love you too steps into our boat and tells us to launch out deeper. As much!” we obey Him, our nets will be filled with satisfaction. What has God been saying to you? Are you making an We will call others to share in the excitement. effort to listen? Be a good listener this week, and witness Let’s examine the concept of discipleship. the impact it has on your life!

I. Discipleship Includes Listening (v. 1) II. Discipleship Includes Encountering Jesus (vv. 2-3) The word “listening” means making a conscious effort to hear. It involves paying attention to what is being It appears that Simon and the boys weren’t paying at­ said, as well as being influenced or persuaded by it. tention. Jesus gets Simon’s attention by using his boat. People were constantly around Jesus. It seems He This wasn’t a speedboat, but an oar-powered vessel that would become tired of the constant press of humanity. needed arm power. Simon became the human motor. However, He seemed to thrive on that pressure. He was When he was trapped out there, he had to listen! He en­ able to keep going because of their spiritual hunger. countered the Lord of life. The meeting was unin­ What drew people to Jesus? He preached with author­ tentional, but so effective. Jesus would change Simon ity. Luke 4:32 tells of the surprise and amazement of the forever. people concerning His authoritative preaching. His ser­ Jesus seeks an encounter with us. He patiently waits mons abounded in wisdom and grace. His direct sim­ for our willingness to meet Him. But people often are plicity aimed at their level of understanding and drew too busy making a living, investing in the stock market, people to His message. His illustrations were rudi­ putting pieces back together, looking for the tricks of mentary, yet provocative, coming to a sharp point. His life, and running in circles. STOP! Go where Jesus is love, sympathy, and concern poured out to the open-air waiting. There are practical ways to find Him. congregations. He spoke truth. Certainty that caught the A. Pick a location. Don’t be limited to meeting Jesus attention of people. He desired for people to know and where others go for their meeting with Him. You go experience God! When Jesus spoke, people listened! where you can get alone with Him. Being a born-again, honest disciple brings a desire to listen to Him. How is that accomplished? Make a con­ B. Pick a time. Don’t be under false guilt about when scious effort to hear Him. Here are some ways it can be or how long this encounter will be. Mrs. Williamson done: used to say that God didn’t get up before 10 a .m ., but John Wesley would have disagreed! We live in the 1990s with schedules that would have astounded our fore­ A. Read G od’s Word. Get familiar with the Bible. Use fathers. But we must learn from their example that it a Bible translation that is accurate, readable, and under­ still requires time to encounter God. You must also learn standable to you. If you cannot understand the version, to fit into God’s schedule. you will lose interest, and your Bible will gather dust. God gave His Holy Word to be read and comprehended. C. Pick a reason. The reason you, as a disciple, should

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 71 encounter Jesus is because you love Him! Keep the love ILLUS. A couple in my church were driving home af­ relationship alive and functioning. ter work and were involved in a head-on collision with another couple. Both men in the cars were killed. Both III. Discipleship Includes Obedience (vv. 4-6) wives were hospitalized in serious condition in two Ka­ Almost every sermon conveys the idea of obedience. lamazoo, Mich., hospitals. I was asked to conduct the fu­ Can you catch a hint of reluctance and frustration in Si­ nerals for both men. mon’s voice when Jesus tells him to shove off to deeper On a cold Tuesday in January, I conducted one funeral water and let his nets down? Do you see yourself in Si­ at 11 a.m . and the other at 2 p.m. Little did they suspect mon when he says: “Master, we toiled all night and took on Friday when they left work that eternity would begin nothing!” (v. 5a, RSV). Do you hear his whining tone in a few minutes. uttering through gritted teeth, “But at your word I will We face people daily who will step out into eternity let down the nets” (v. 56, RSV)? — with or without God. As disciples we must evangelize We are so much like Simon! We often say, “I really our world, helping people prepare for eternity Believers don’t want to do this, but I will.” Sometimes we forget know the importance of God’s transformation. We are how much God wants to do through us but often cannot new creations by God’s hand through Jesus Christ. We because of our reluctance or refusal. Let God have His must become involved in Christian witnessing and min­ way. His ways are the best ways. istry to people in need of Jesus. The Great Commission He asks obedience from us. compels us to participate in God’s great master plan of evangelizing the world. IV. Discipleship Includes Worship (vv. 7-9) CONCLUSION Worship is an outward act brought about by an inner awareness of our defect. Simon realized his defect when Discipleship is involvement! Simon would never have he looked into the face of God. His confession is the first caught the great amount of fish had he not listened to act of his worship. When you realize the holiness of God Jesus. Are we ready to pay attention to Jesus’ call? Peter and your need to worship Him, you feel awe toward our would have settled for an empty net had Jesus not come Lord. along. Intentionally plan to meet Jesus. All night Peter’s nets were empty, but at the Master’s Over 60 years ago the great English preacher ILLUS. command, Simon obeyed. His nets filled with fish. Do W. L. Watkinson told a story about a certain goldsmith you obey God’s voice instantly? The catch made Simon business that owned a large iron safe with many locks. aware of who Jesus was. It caused him to worship. Jesus He related that no one person had the ability to open fills our nets. We are humbled and awestruck by His the safe. The keys had been distributed to many trustees, commands. We are drawn to worship Him. Simon under­ and all of them had to be present with their keys in or­ stood that it was Jesus who made the catch. Launch out der to open the safe. into the sea of life with Jesus. Whatever you do, make An important part of our Christian faith is account­ sure that others come with you! ability to each other. God’s saints meet together in ado­ What will you do with Jesus’ call for discipleship to­ ration and praise to Him and to encourage one another. day? Christians bow down in adoration and humility before God in true worship. V. Discipleship Includes Abandonment of SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER Self (v. 10) Prelude Piano and Organ Duet Announcements and Moments of Acquaintance True discipleship equals total abandonment of self to Scriptural Call Ps. 118:24 follow Jesus. It is natural for fear to override our spiri­ Choral Call “Arise, My Soul, Arise” tual inclination to become His follower. These first dis­ Invocation Children’s Ministries Director ciples feared. The Master calmed them and reassured Hymns “My Jesus, I Love Thee” their misgivings with His words: “Don’t be afraid” (v. “Stand Up for Jesus” 10). He does that with us. Some are afraid to launch out Stewardship Thought into the sea of discipleship because it may cost them Offering friends, money, time, habits, energy, family, and a host of Doxology of Praise other “important” items. There is fear of the unknown Choir Special “He’s Still the King of Kings” that God may ask of us. Satan fans our fears and makes Scripture Reading Luke 5:1-11 people feel that God is not worth the effort. He blinds Family Altar Time people to God’s good intent. Often people think that Special Music “Take My Life, and Let It Be” God wants to tear away the “good stuff” and remove all Message “A NEW CATCH— DISCIPLESHIP!” the fun out of life. But if He takes something from us, He Closing Scripture 2 Thess. 3:16 replaces it with something better. He adds a dimension to life we never suspect— spiritual satisfaction. Creative Worship Ideas Sermon Schedule VI. Discipleship Includes Evangelism (v. 11) Prepare your sermons a quarter in advance. We must not be allowed to hoard the goodness and Stewardship Thought greatness of a loving God. Jesus gives a sense of urgency. He has made all. All is His. Let us be great stewards The final breath comes for all of us, and then we shall of His trust in us. face eternity in heaven or hell.

72 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE A NEW START THROUGH HEALING by Deri G. Keefer Luke 7:1-50 February 2, 1992

INTRO ligious interest. Although he was a Roman, he had a syn­ The head of a great medical service at a university agogue built for the Jews. hospital once related to a friend that when one sends for The typical relationship between Jews and Gentiles his doctor, he should also send for his minister. His was, at the least, very strained. Jews despised Gentiles statement indicates that God helps in two ways. One and Gentiles hated Jews. William Barclay suggested that way is through the science of medicine and surgery, in this story there was a close bond between the Gentile while the other is through the power of faith and prayer. centurion and the Jews. His religious views were put Emotions run high when the subject of healing is dis­ into action when he built the synagogue out of his own cussed. Extremes are always used as examples; one ex­ resources. treme insists God wants to heal everyone. Coming to Jesus reveals his humility and faith. Here stood an officer who knew how to command; yet, he also saw in Jesus a superior spiritual officer who de­ My sister-in-law attended a church that op­ ILLUS. served a salute of respect. Demonstrating true respect posed doctors and hospitals. They believe that if God for greatness, he saluted Jesus by placing his faith in wanted someone to live, He would perform a miracle Him. To Jesus he said, “Say the word, and my servant will and heal them without medical assistance. be healed” (v. 7). At the age of 45, cancer cells began to invade her Life would be transformed if we could only have a body. Pain became so intense that my brother, who did faith like that today. Fear and mistrust have imprisoned not agree with her beliefs, finally forced her to go to the our hearts and actions for too long. God wants us to re­ hospital. As she was lying in the hospital, members of lease our doubts into His hands. Faith in Jesus must be her congregation came into the room and told her she implicit trust in His great power and ability, not only for would not be allowed to go to heaven because doctors deliverance from physical ailments but for the daily had treated her. What started as a treatable small can­ transformation of our lives. Have you given a salute of cerous spot killed her one year later! respect to Jesus by making Him the object of your faith? The other extreme holds that God has no interest in our lives. He is up there somewhere, detached from us and incapable of feeling with us. II. Compassion Is an Ingredient of Healing Luke shares in his Gospel that God does care about (vv. 11-17) His people and the concern is seen through His Son, At a funeral service, everyone has gathered to pay final Jesus. The ingredients of healing reveal God’s interest in respects to the deceased. People are sitting; soft sobs people. can be heard among the crowd. The hurt and frustration A Roman centurion came to Jesus in need of a favor. over the death of this loved one has taken its toll on His slave was very ill and needed healing. emotions of family and friends of the deceased. Death’s finality is sinking into their hearts and minds. I. Faith Is an Ingredient of Healing (vv. 1-10) While waiting for the minister, flashes from the past explode from their memory banks. Good times, fun ex­ A job description of a Roman centurion would in­ periences, guilt, arguments, and happy moments all clude some of these qualifications: rush together like paint spilled on a canvas. Suddenly 1. A man who can take charge of others they are all brought back to the present as the clergyman 2. A man who laughs at danger enters the room. Instead of going to the podium, he goes 3. A man who is reliable and steady in action directly to the coffin. He places his hand upon the cof­ 4. A man who can be patient and disciplined fin and says to the body, “Rise up!” Suddenly the heart 5. A man (when pressed into action) who is bold, starts, the blood begins to pump, color is restored, ready to hold his ground at his post to the point breathing begins, consciousness returns, and the once- of death lifeless body sits up! This description does not portray a weak man, but one “Impossible,” we say. “Preposterous, absurd, ridicu­ who has strength, power, and courage. He appears to be lous!” This modern-day parallel of Luke’s story is ex­ self-reliant and possessed with an exaggerated ego. Not tremely difficult for us to grasp. Yet Luke included this apparent in a typical portrait of a centurion would be particular circumstance for a reason. The Gospel writer humility, love, concern, compassion, religion, or faith. had eyewitness accounts to authenticate his facts. Luke There seems to be a genuine difference in this particular shared with Theophilus and his friends some important centurion. He demonstrated compassion for a slave that qualities concerning Jesus of Nazareth. was considered a “living tool” by the government. Usu­ ally when a slave was past his prime, he would be A. Jesus is Lord o f life. He brings life to living. thrown out to die, but not this one. Instead, he had a compassionate owner who valued him. The soldier had ILLUS. A wife got separated from her husband at a a unique relationship with the Jews and a deep, re­ county fair one hot August afternoon. She searched all

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 73 over the fairgrounds trying to find him. On the other the work of the Messiah. Jesus was exposing the true na­ hand, he made the most of his separation by enjoying ture of men’s hearts, revealing their innermost secrets the rides. When she finally found him, he was getting (3:85, 86). off the merry-go-round. Irritated, she said, “Now look at Before you can be healed, you must understand Jesus. you. You spent your money, you got off right where you You must see Him for who He is. Your faith reaches out got on, and you ain’t been nowhere!” to the Messiah as God has revealed Him to you. You see This is an accurate picture of living without Jesus. He Jesus as much more than a good man doing good deeds, has come to release us from frugal living and to give sub­ a prophet, or a great preacher. He is Lord. He is Savior. stance and meaning to life. Do you lack meaning and He is Redeemer. He is God! purpose? Let Jesus touch you and bring life back to you. He is Lord! CONCLUSION The final section (w. 36-50) summarizes the ultimate B. Jesus is power over death. Many people have told healing process. Faith, compassion, and understanding about coming back from the jaws of death. I have heard are necessary ingredients. The stories culminate into a of people who have been pronounced clinically dead, final display of a sinful woman who has found God’s only to be revived to the surprise of medical personnel. healing through the love of Jesus. The most important Others have shared death experiences of their spirit and lasting healing comes when Jesus heals the spirit by leaving the body, and yet they could watch what was forgiving sins (w. 48-50). Physical healing lasts for a happening in their hospital room as medical people time, but the body still gets old and deteriorates. How­ talked about their death. ever, spiritual healing lasts for eternity. If you under­ These have told of coming to the outskirts of eternity, stand Jesus, come to be healed today. being met by a bright light or person, and being told they were to return to earth. Within moments, they re­ turned to consciousness in their natural human bodies. SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER I do not understand this, but I do understand that Prelude to Celebration Woodwind Ensemble Jesus is power over death! Jesus conquered death. The Call to Celebration Scripture is filled with affirmations of Jesus’ power over Choral Call to Worship “How Majestic Is Your Name” death— not only physical death but also spiritual death Invocation Youth Leader (see John 3:16; John 16— 17; Philippians 1; Colossians Hymns “A Closer Walk with Thee” 2; and Hebrews 2). “His Grace Aboundeth More” Offering C. Jesus is compassion. Jesus demonstrates compas­ Offertory Hymn “All for Jesus" sion for the widow. His heart reached out to restore life Special Music by the Choir “God’s Family/ to her son and joy to the widow. Jesus was moved at the God’s Wonderful People” distress of others, revealing His pathos, sympathy, and Scripture Lesson Luke 7:1-17 empathy while freely giving away kindness and love Prayer Anointing for Healing (see Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; Mark 1:41; 6:34; 8:2; Special Music “Something Beautiful” 9:22; Luke 10:33; 15:20; and Heb. 4:15; 5:2). Sermon “A NEW START THROUGH HEALING” As Jesus was moved with compassion, we followers Benediction should also show compassion. Healing comes through a compassionate heart. Creative Worship Ideas Call to Celebration Come, Father. Fill our cups. Overflow them with III. Understanding Is an Ingredient of Healing Your blessings! (vv. 18-35) Anointing Service John the Baptist needed Jesus to heal his doubts. He Ask those who need a special touch from the Lord had a preconceived idea of the Messiah and how He because of physical need to come to the altar. As they would accomplish the goal of salvation. John envisioned kneel, take the anointing oil as pastor and place it the Messiah as a winnowing fork of judgment destroying upon their foreheads. The church board members all who disagreed with truth (Matt. 3:12). John saw Him should be standing behind these individuals and pray­ as an ax of total destruction of wrong (Luke 3:9), de­ ing for them as elders of the church. stroying anyone not doing right. Then comes Jesus, who Offertory Thought was caring, helpful, inspiring, and healing. John Who are those who are rich? Those who will be re­ couldn’t understand Jesus’ action. Is it any wonder that membered by posterity? Those who have given to the he sent two disciples to Jesus to ask if He was the Mes­ Lord have worshiped Him! siah? / Benediction My broken heart and body are healed by the heal­ Reuf>en Welch shares in the Beacon Bible Exposi­ ing hand of God. I will praise Him in the marketplace tions that Jesus’ reply to John was an interpretation of this week! himself in the mode of Isaiah 29; 35; and 61. Jesus wanted it to be clear to John that what He was doing was

74 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE THE HEALING OF LEGION by Deri G. Keefer Luke 8:26-39 February 9, 1992

INTRO people think that God can’t love them because they have cheated on their spouses. They find it difficult to forgive This incident in Scripture is one of excitement and, themselves, or their spouses can’t forgive them. The paradoxically, one of exasperation. On the one hand, a miraculous healing demonstrates the love, compassion, good news is that God loves and forgives! Some people feel worthless. Homelife is unhappy. and power of Jesus. The story tells of a man driven to Emotional and/or physical abuse by parents has resulted insanity because of evil that possessed him. It goes on to in feeling unworthy of love. The good news is that God tell of the full health of the man after his encounter considered them worthy, so He sent His Son into the with Jesus. The exasperation is evident in the reaction of world to die for them. his neighbors. They should be excited; instead they re­ Some people have degrading habits. They have grov­ ject him, the healing, and Jesus. eled in the dirt and filth of life and feel they can never Scripture reveals that the man called Legion was be clean. God came to clean them up, to make them caught in a dark, demonic power of evil that either he holy and pure, to make them white as snow. We are re­ brought upon himself or that circumstances had ushered cipients of redemption— the aim of God’s healing. in upon him. A. Legion was absorbed with evil (v. 27). He was II. Jesus Is the Source of Healing opposed to anything good and desired anything bad. Tired, at the end of his strength, Legion came to Jesus. Anyone who would trespass his living space would be When Jesus stepped ashore from His boat, Legion ap­ ravaged by Legion. Inside of him right and wrong were peared. Sick of sin, tired, hopeless, he saw Jesus, the distorted. He was stubborn and selfish with an evil pur­ Source of healing and life. Immediately Jesus soothed pose at heart. and calmed his fears and healed his emotions and spirit. Legion had no ability to control his own destiny. It had B. Legion was feared by people (v. 29). His demonic to come from Jesus! spirit was accompanied by enormous physical power. Jesus Christ is Sovereign Lord over the dark, demonic People of the community feared him, binding him in power of evil and sin. He controls us as we allow His chains from head to toe. They even hired guards to keep healing, creative power to transform us. That is what watch over him. When demonic power took over, he happened to Legion when he came to Jesus. Christ inter­ broke the chains as if they were plastic, and the guards cedes for us. vanished! ILLUS. A man during the Civil War was sitting on a C. Legion was isolated ( vv. 27, 29). He did not live park bench in Washington, D.C., crying. His son, under in town or with his family. He lived among the tombs far great distress, had deserted his post in battle and was to away from people. Townspeople probably drove him to be shot by a firing squad soon. The father had come to the tombs, but he desired isolation. the capital to see President Abraham Lincoln but couldn’t get past the front gates. People passed by, but D. Legion was destined for destruction if le f t to nobody stopped to listen. himself (v. 27). Scripture reveals his utter lostness and Finally, a little boy paused and asked the man why he self-destructive path (v. 27). He is gripped by sin and was crying. In his emotional distress, he told his story. oppressed by dominance of evil demonic power. He ended by saying that if he could talk to the president, Though written almost 2,000 years ago, the story of he knew his son would be pardoned. Legion is up-to-date in 1992! Demons still roam and co­ The young boy asked the man to follow him. When habit our world today, whether in civilized societies or they came to the front gate of the White House, the little in heathenistic societies openly practicing witchcraft boy said to the soldiers, “It’s all right, he’s with me.” The and sorcery. Other demonlike activities include drugs, man followed in amazement. The front doors, guarded alcohol, abuse, prejudice, sexual immorality, greed, ha­ by soldiers with rifles and bayonets, opened when the tred, and murder. The healing of Legion applies to us little boy said to the detachment, “It’s all right, he’s with today. me.” Again he followed in amazement. They came to the I. Legion Was the Recipient of Healing room where President Lincoln was conferring with his Legion was tyrannized by evil. Living among the generals and cabinet members, guarded by yet another graves, he was lost in the graveyard of despair, struggle, detachment of soldiers. The young boy pushed inside emotional distress, and insanity of sin. and jumped up on the president’s lap. Conversation When Jesus looked at Legion, He saw what he could stopped as the boy said, “Daddy, there’s a man I want you be. Jesus saw his potential. We, too, are objects of God’s to meet. He needs your help.” love. No matter how much sin, God loves you in spite of The man was brought in to talk with the president. His what you have done. son received the presidential pardon because the son of Sometimes it is difficult to accept that concept. Some the president took an interest in his plight.

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 75 Jesus, God’s Son, has taken a personal interest in you! If we, like the Gerasenes, tell Jesus to go away and He pushes through the heavenly courts and says, “It’s all leave us alone because we don’t want to change, we re­ right; he’s with Me.” Your pardon comes from the hand ject His offer of new life. We need to accept change. It of God through His Son, who loves you. Jesus has the may not be easy. Emotionally, change can be disruptive, authority from God to forgive us. He brings healing but God helps us as we look to Him. We must not stag­ power to your lost spirit. nate. There is an abundance of opportunities if we ac­ % cept God as Lord of life and change. III. Change Is the Result of Healing CONCLUSION When Jesus spoke, casting out the demons, the most natural event took place— change. The rough and tough God’s healing Agent, Jesus, whose authority drives out became soft and pliable. The naked became clothed. In­ any demon, stands ready to do that for you! Simply ask sanity became sanity. Confused chaos became clear con­ Him to do His holy work in you. You are the object and fidence. Sadness was replaced with joy. As Jesus comes recipient of His love. Allow the Source of all healing to into our lives, we can expect change. We need not fear put His power into you. He soothes and calms your dis­ change when Jesus is in control. traught spirit. As you feel His healing touch, you will experience the transformation of new life. Do not reject ILLUS. Two caterpillars were crawling along the earth Him. Don’t turn Him away. when they were engulfed by a large shadow. As suddenly as the shadow appeared, it disappeared. The two butterflies-to-be had momentarily been blocked from the sun by a large monarch butterfly that had flown SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER overhead. As the beautiful monarch flew off, one cater­ Prelude to Worship Vocal Soloist for 10 Minutes pillar looked up and said to the other, “You couldn’t pay Call to Worship me to go up in one of those things.” Change is hard, but Moments of Fellowship God intends for us to be changed after we meet Him. Invocation Sentence Prayers by Congregation IV. Villagers Show the Rejection of Healing Hymns “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” “He Brought Me Out" When healing occurs, the natural reaction should be Offering of Love joy, but that didn’t occur to the Gerasenes. They were so Special Choir Music “I Am Loved” disturbed that they asked Jesus to leave their town. Bible Reading Luke 8:26-39 Think what Jesus could have done if they would have Prayer Preparation accepted Him. His healing ministry. His love and com­ Prayer Around the Altar passion. They were so concerned with their ceremo­ Hymn “Just as I Am” nially unclean swine that they forgot about people! Sermon “THE HEALING OF LEGION” Jesus could have healed their sick, their lame, their Benediction blind, their deaf. However, they pushed Him away. It has been observed that the Gerasene people hated Creative Worship Ideas having their routine of life disturbed. They thought life Call to Worship should roll along well without disruption. They A symphony in worship is about to begin. There is couldn’t see that sometimes change brings positive re­ the melody of God. There is the harmony of people. sults. One author related that he felt more people hate Come hear the music that God and people make. Jesus because He disturbs their routine than for any Offertory Thought other reason. Father, You have demonstrated Your giving power When Jesus comes, He disrupts habits. When Jesus through Jesus. Oh, how much we need to emulate Your giving love. Amen. comes, He tells the employer to treat the employee Benediction fairly. He tells the employee to do an honest day’s work. If we obey God by keeping His commandments, out When Jesus comes, He tells spouses to treat each other of all people we will be His treasured possessions. with dignity and respect. When Christ comes, He tells us to love people.

76 THE PREACHER’S MAGAZINE A NEW START THROUGH SPIRITUAL HEALING by Deri G. Keefer Luke 19:1-10 February 16, 1992

INTRO Because Jesus loved all people. The reason He came Picture a hot day in Jericho almost 2,000 years ago. was to talk with sinners and to heal spiritual lives. A Mardi Gras atmosphere of festive joy permeated the roadway as Jesus entered Jericho on His way toward the I. Spiritual Healing Comes Because We Are in Cross. In Jerusalem, He would be first handed over to Need (v. 10) the Jewish leaders. ILLUS. A Nazarene pastor, Dr. Harold DeMott, wrote in A blind beggar sitting along the road heard the crowd the Lansing, Mich., South Church of the Nazarene news­ whizzing by him. He asked what was happening. Some­ letter that a problem in their church office reminded him of Isa. 59:2. This scripture tells that sin separates one told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by that one from God. He said that the disk drive malfunctioned very moment. When he heard of this miracle-performing on their computer; consequently, the computer was un­ Prophet, the poor blind man probably began to shout able to address or retrieve any information they needed. out to Him. He didn’t want to miss this golden oppor­ He said how extremely frustrating it was to know that tunity to be healed. the diskette held all the detail needed, but the com­ Jesus didn’t disappoint him. He healed the man right puter could not retrieve it. there in front of the crowd. A fantastic feeling flooded After the office staff made two or three telephone over him and spilled out to the crowd as they began calls, it was decided that the disk drive needed to be praising God. Shouts of joy praising God for healing the cleaned. They purchased an inexpensive cleaning kit, blind beggar caught the attention of the people of an­ cleaned the disk drive, and the problem was solved. cient Jericho. As Jesus entered the street of what Jewish Dr. DeMott compared the computer problem to the historian Josephus called “a divine region,” people gath­ spiritual realm, as even a small amount of sin hides ered to catch a glimpse of Him. God’s face from us so that He will not hear us. He chal­ Jericho was famous for its palm trees and balsam lenged his people to keep their lives pure and clean groves. Rose gardens were well known. All of this com­ with communication channels open between them and bined to make Jericho a wealthy area with huge taxes. God. He said, “May He always hear our prayer from Tax gatherers were notorious as renegades and trai­ hearts made pure by the Word of Christ.” tors. They would assess a certain value and then charge Zacchaeus was lost and defective because of sin. What more. There were many taxes, including a 1 percent in­ Jesus did to heal the blinded eyes of the beggar, He come tax; a ground tax for produce grown; a tax on would do for the blinded spiritual eyes of this chief tax roads, harbors, the markets, carts, wheels on carts, ani­ collector. mals that drew the carts; import duties; export duties— anything was taxable. People didn’t like tax collectors. II. Spiritual Healing Comes Through Salvation Honest folks grouped the collectors in the same cate­ (v.9) gory with robbers and murderers, and they denied them As we look at Zacchaeus, it appears that he had it access to synagogues. made. He had material wealth, friends, and a nice home. William Barclay recorded that a Roman historian once However, in spite of all this he was unhappy, lonely, an found a monument to an honest collector. Zacchaeus, outcast from the accepted way of life. Despised and chief tax collector for the region, would not have qual­ hated by average Jews, he longed for true happiness and ified for a monument built in his honor because he was satisfaction. In Jesus of Nazareth, he would fulfill his de­ sire. There was a spiritual longing by a man empty with­ much too dishonest— until he met Jesus! Being short in out God. The reason Jesus came into the world was to stature, he climbed a sycamore (fig) tree. This tree was bring God to empty, lonely people. Salvation is an op­ very easy to climb because the trunk was short and the portunity for God to fill each part of the heart. lateral branches spread wide in all directions. Because Righteousness, holiness, and salvation are the essence of their hatred for Zacchaeus, the Jews made it difficult of our personal relationship with God. He desires for us for him— even in his venture to see Jesus. As Jesus to be involved in life experiences— including Zacchae­ passed, He caught the eye of Zacchaeus perched in the us’ and ours! Every type of evil is included in His deliv­ tree. Leon Morris expressed that Zacchaeus was part of erance. There is no limit to the salvation that God, Jesus’ divine mission. Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Come through Christ, brings. Jesus came to give forgiveness to down immediately. I must stay at your house today” (v. Zacchaeus that hot day in Jericho. Jesus came to redeem 5). him from the ownership of Satan and sin. Jesus has come The crowd gasped in horror. The Scripture says they to bring God’s way of salvation to Zacchaeus and to us. “began to mutter” (v. 7). There was a low grumbling that passed through the crowd. “How could Jesus go to ILLUS. A clergyman went down into a coal mine dur­ such a sinner’s home?” “How could the holy Jesus lower ing lunchtime to share Jesus with miners in the bowels himself?” “Why?” of the earth. On his return to the shaft, he encountered

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 77 the foreman and asked him what he thought of God’s it was performed, and the flesh wound closed. The pa­ way of salvation. The man responded, “Oh, it’s too tient made good progress for two days, but on the third cheap; I cannot believe in a religion like that.” Getting day there was a relapse, and she died. The operation had on the elevator that would take them to the top, the been successfully performed, but it could not cure the minister asked how long it would take them to get to the wounded heart. top. “Not long, only a few seconds,” said the boss. Jesus came to heal broken hearts. His healing power The pastor asked, “Well, that certainly is very easy and accomplishes this wonderful spiritual operation. He is simple. But, do you not need to help raise yourself?” the Great Physician! “Of course not,” replied the miner. “As I have said, you have nothing to do but get into the cage.” “But what about the people who sank the shaft and SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER engineered and built it? Was there much labor and ex­ pense to it?” asked the preacher. Prelude Organ Your Church in Action Announcements “Sure there was! The shaft is 1,800 feet deep, and the Welcome to Our Guests and Announcements cost enormous for the owners.” Choral Call to Worship “Under His Wings” Just like that, God’s Word tells you that whosoever be­ Invocation Church Board Secretary lieves on the Son of God has eternal life. It was not Hymns “Ye Must Be Born Again” cheap! God’s work to bring us out of the pit of destruc­ “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus” tion and death was accomplished at a vast cost, the price Offering being the death of Jesus on the Cross. Doxology of Praise III. Spiritual Healing Comes Through Change Choir Special “He Shall Reign” (v. 8) Getting to Know You Prayer Salvation is a free gift that Zacchaeus accepted. How­ Congregational Special “Make Me a Blessing” ever, Zacchaeus wanted others to know that he loved Scripture Lesson Luke 19:1 -10 God. The best way to demonstrate that love was to make Message “A NEW START restitution for the things stolen. Zacchaeus voluntarily THROUGH SPIRITUAL HEALING” confessed his need and spontaneously offered restitu­ Closing Thought tion for the things he stole. He wanted everyone to know Closing Song “Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing” that Jesus made a difference in his life. His testimony was supported by his words and actions. Jesus does not Creative Worship Ideas want a mere change of words, but a change of life! The Offertory Thought change comes when we fall in love with Jesus. A commitment of self must come before steward­ ship. May it be our gift today. CONCLUSION Getting to Know You Today God wants to heal your heart made defective by Pick a family or a single person from the congrega­ sin. He sent Jesus to bring salvation and to ransom you tion and interview them by asking pertinent questions. from the hands of Satan. Your changed life will show the How long have you been a Christian? How did you world that Jesus makes a difference. Will you let Him come to know the Lord? What makes you pick this heal your spiritual heart now? church as your church home? Etc. Closing Thought A woman was taken to Bellevue Hospital in ILLUS. He was poured out like honey from the jar. Let us New York City after suffering an attack from her knife- be witnesses of His sweetness! wielding husband. She was inflicted with a knife wound to the heart. It was a delicate operation 70 years ago, but

78 THE PREACHER'S MAGAZINE HEALING OF THE CHURCH COMMUNION by Deri G. Keefer Luke 22:7-23 February 23, 1992

INTRO I. The Healing Begins with an Invitation I recently noticed that someone had dropped a break­ (vv. 15-17) able object. Glass particles were scattered on the side­ A Princeton Theological Seminary professor, E. G. walk. Those pieces of glass remind me of the church Homrighausen, from a compilation of sermons in a book that has been split into denominations, splintered into titled Communion Meditations (Abingdon-Cokesbury theological camps, fractioned by belief and/or disbelief, Press, 1951, 107), said, “The Gospels take for granted harassed by personality quirks, damaged by gossip, and that God always takes the initiative. What God does is attacked by Satan. Often the church needs to be healed. always the important matter. He is the first and the last, It desperately needs someone to put the pieces back to­ the one upon whom all else depends.” Mankind did not invent this feast of holy Communion. gether again. That “someone” is Jesus. God provided it for our benefit, to strengthen our faith. Sitting in an Upper Room almost 2,000 years ago, He invites us to come and dine at His table of faith. His Jesus was aware of the working of the human mind. How invitation includes forgiveness from sin that has sepa­ easily the mind forgets events, facts, and people. Wil­ rated man from God. His invitation includes justifi­ liam Barclay tells that the Greek linguists used an adjec­ cation, the acquittal of sinners from all guilt of sin. His tive to describe time. The Greeks said that time wiped invitation includes reconciliation, the restoration be­ out all things, as if a mind were a slate, and time an tween God and man. We can enjoy fellowship once eraser that wiped it clean. again. Jesus used two ordinary, common objects to help the disciples remember who He was and why He came into ILLUS. Several years ago many lives were lost in the Alps due to the use of defective ropes. The Alpine Club this world. The bread and juice would become symbols took up the subject of what should be done to secure of His body and blood, elements of the sacrament that quality ropes. After discussion of the composition of ipa- would remind them of Him every time they were taken terials and how to control the ropes that were sold, it as objects of faith. The symbols would acquire new was decided that the Alpine Club would inspect e&ch meaning as Christians participated in Communion. rope. Each rope would be marked by a crimson thread Bread was made by beating out the grains of wheat by sown into it to guarantee that it was inspected by the the heavy strokes of the flail, then grinding the grain club. into flour between heavy millstones. Finally, dough was The Christian Herald writer who reported this story made from the flour, formed into loaves, and baked in a commented that when climbing spiritual altitudes, the hot oven. Jesus told His men that as bread had to be pre­ rope that is safe for us is the one that also has a crimson pared that way to become usable, so His body would be thread woven into it. That stain was put there by the broken for their benefit. The brokenness happened as blood of Jesus on the Cross. He said it would when He was beaten in Caiaphas’ pal­ ace and scourged in Pilate’s hall. The mountain of the II. The Healing Gives Strength to an Aching world’s sin weighed and pressed His spirit and soul in Heart the agonizing moments on Calvary’s hill as His body Our lives are often shattered like the glass I saw on writhed in pain. the sidewalk. A shattered life of an aching heart takes The fruit of the vine was placed under the press until many forms— death, alcohol, abuse, * accidents, gossip, the juice of the grapes flowed out in a steady stream of infidelity, age, harsh words, doubt, bigotry bitterness, purple liquid. Christ said that in the same way His blood etc. Tell God about the pains you experience. There may would flow for their redemption. His prophecy came be something in your heart that no surgeon’s scalpel can true when, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He sweat great reach, but God can heal you today. If you need strength drops of blood. On the cross of Calvary, His loving hands to hold up under pressure, turn to God. He has given were pierced through with great spikes as the blood many healing instruments to help our hurting hearts. splattered. His head was crowned with thorns in a These instruments of love include caring friends, chang­ wicked portrayal of a king’s crown as blood flowed ing circumstances, new understandings, fresh starts, new down His face and into His beard. In the end, a spear outlooks, new friends, new life-styles, or new hearts. pierced His side as blood gushed onto the ground— all ILLUS. A general had won many victories. The king for our salvation. asked that general for the loan of the sword that had ac­ At the foot of the Cross we are healed of our sins. Also, complished so much. After examination of the weapon, the church, the corporate body, are healed at the Cross. the king returned it with the message, “Tell the general Because of this, we hold Communion to be a holy, sa­ that I find his sword no better than any other.” cred time. Only as a result of ignorance or foolishness is The general sent his reply with a messenger, “Tell the it ever considered mundane, routine, or dull. God’s heal­ king that he should have sent also for the arm that is ing power is revealed in Communion. accustomed to wield the sword!”

DECEMBER/JANUARY/FEBRUARY 79 God wields the swords of strength for us. Communion Every Communion confirms our acceptance by God reminds us of His strength. through Christ. The joy of the Lord is our strength. ill. The Healing Brings Fellowship CONCLUSION Some relationships are broken to pieces like glass God’s healing sacrament, Communion, is available to strewn on the sidewalk. Friendship, harmony, or the love all who know Christ as Savior and Lord. It is an expres­ bond is shattered. Words, actions, insinuations, looks, sion of eternal and universal relevance. Communion and attitudes have disrupted fellowship. Within the symbolizes God’s desire to heal the whole world. Sins church, this disruption of fellowship can be devastating. are forgiven. The fellowship of believers is filled with It impedes church growth, discourages new converts, dignity and purpose. Come, accept His invitation to par­ lowers morale, limits vision, ruins building programs, take of the elements as brothers and sisters, with gen­ dampens corporate and individual worship, eliminates uine humility and joyous faith. programs, and reduces giving. If split fellowship has happened in the church, it must be healed quickly. All participants must work toward fellowship under God’s SUGGESTED WORSHIP ORDER direction. Fellowship will be achieved if we sense God’s love, acceptance, and forgiveness! Jesus modeled this for Prelude Piano/Organ Duet us. Welcome to the Church! Welcoming Chorus “Jesus, Be Lord of All” ILLUS. A young woman was employed by an artist to Moments of Friendship sit as a model in his studio. She noticed an unfinished Invocation Church Treasurer picture of the Crucifixion. She asked the artist, “Who Hymns “A Glorious Church” was that wicked man on the cross? What was his crime “The Church’s One Foundation” to be so punished?” Offering The painter had no sympathy for the Christian faith or Doxology life-style and coldly let her know he didn’t appreciate Choir Selection the figure on the cross. Scripture Reading Luke 22:7-23 She responded, “I would think you would love Him if Prayer Hymn “I Need Thee Every Hour” He died for you.” Family Altar Special Music “Break Thou the Bread of Life” Many persons, like the artist, don’t love Jesus and have Message “HEALING OF THE CHURCH COMMUNION” no fellowship with Him. Communion is a reminder of Communion His fellowship with us and our fellowship with Him. It Benediction also reminds us of our need for fellowship with others in the family. Creative Worship Ideas IV. The Healing Ends with Celebration Communion Have elders pass Communion elements to the con­ Jesus knew He was headed to Jerusalem for one gregation. Have the congregation stand and get into purpose— to die. The end was near. The strain, stress, family units. If singles or teens/children are present and suffering as a sacrifice on the Cross lay ahead. At the without parents, etc., “adopt” them into someone’s Passover table He previewed the divine purpose (w. family. Have the heads of household pray after ele­ 15-16). The intensity was great as He bared His emo­ ments have been consumed. Hold hands as family tions. Along with the glumness come the words of joy members. At the end, sing “I’m So Glad I’m a Part of and celebration. Interwoven through the conversation is the Family of God.” the assurance of the new Kingdom. Thanksgiving was of­ Offering Meditation fered in blessing and in prayer (v. 19). The bounty of our labor we give to You, our Father. Included at any Passover is the psalm with hope and Not with regret, but with joyful hearts, we give. Benediction praise. Even in darkness of night, spiritual victory pul­ What excitement we felt from Your service. Help us sated through the conversation. Communion celebrates take excitement to others. the victory that Jesus won for us! At the Communion al­ tar, celebrate His victory over death, hell, and the grave.

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