Missional Church Center

Death to Life as One Church Brighton

2011-06-12T09:29:00.000-07:00

Early up and off on Sunday morning to Brighton, seaside town of 250,000 which is in man respects culturally similar to Austin, Texas. In fact, the community has unofficially adopted "Keep Brighton Weird" as a tag line. One t-shirt was seen with the tag line on the front, and on back, "I'm doing my part!"

Greater Brighton is one of the most unchurched towns in Britain, with about 54% of its residents claiming atheism. In this environment, Dave Steell and family sensed God's leading to serve the Gloucester Baptist Church, a dwindling center city congregation. Within a brief period of having come to Brighton, Dave had a vision that Gloucester Baptist and another dying church, Florence Road Baptist, might come together to become one new church.

Space does not allow me to describe the entire process that led to the new church, but our team was privileged to worship with One Church Brighton, a part of the Body of Christ in the city. Where there were formerly two congregations that were close to death, the decision was in fact made to die. From the death of the two, one new church has been birthed.

For one year, the two congregations met together, heard the stories of those who were members of both congregations as Steell interviewed them week after week during worship. Then, on Easter Sunday, the formal launch of the new church saw the property filled with worshippers. While some members of the former congregations were not able to "make the journey" to become part of a new church, most have remained. Additionally, during the year of preparation for starting One Church, others who were not part of either church have come to identify One Church as their faith community.

Today, there is the critical mass for a healthy winsome church meeting at the Florence Road facility each week for worship and teaching. The center city facility, formerly Gloucester Place, is used for offices and public meetings of the community. Because of its location, plans are for it to become a ministry center for the city.

Our team had lunch with Dave Steell to hear him tell the story of two churches dying so that One Church could be born as a new healthy infant, with a vibrant future ahead. In addition, the team were privileged to hear the story of Keith and Michelle Cameron, who have come to be part of the new church plant. Keith was a lawyer with a thriving practice in Austin, Texas when they participated in a mission experience to England and met Dave Steell. Although he had not then been called to Brighton, when he was, the Camerons responded to God's invitation to leave Austin, uprooting their family (daughters Sutton and Sloan and their big dog, Lucy) to move to Brighton and serve.

It took nearly a year for Keith to find a job in the legal arena. He is celebrating the fact that God has placed him as the only Christian in a firm where his supervisory bluntly told him up front that he had no regard for Christianity. Michelle serves as the Church Administrator coordinating, among other things, the operational use of two campuses in the city.

Across America there are many places where the potential exists for similar death to life stories to be written. Pray for One Church Brighton, for the families of Dave Steell and Keith Cameron. Pray for their effective loving service to the diverse and spiritual distant population of the city to which they have committed their lives.

Arrival, Underground, Fish-n-chips

2011-06-11T04:12:00.000-07:00

Upon arriving in London, the tube system quickly became a lifeline for our team. We connected at Heathrow with Phil Young, who had arrived a couple of hours before us as he flew direct from Chicago. As we prepared to exit the terminal, I gave an Oyster card to each team member and welcomed them to life in London. Oyster cards are loaded with cash value and then swiped for access to trains, buses and the underground.

We caught the Picadilly Line at Heathrow and exited at South Ealing Station in southwest London. There we were met by car to transfer our luggage to the rental that would be our "home away from home" for the week. Through the online service, Vacation Rental by Owner (vrbo.com), I had located a home with sufficient bedrooms and baths to accommodate our team.

After dropping our luggage, we walked to Northfields Station where we caught the tube to King's Cross St. Pancras Station, one of the oldest and most ornate tube stations in London. From there, we took the bus north to the studios of More than Gold. After the briefing and sight visit to Olympic Park, http://missionalchurchcenter.blogspot.com/2011/06/more-than-gold-london-learning-lab.html, we tubed to Victoria Station to enjoy our first dinner at St. George's a traditional English pub.

Most of our team were ready for the first serving of fish and chips. While we were waiting for our meals to be served, Henry Deneen, Bryan Doyle and other GEM staff joined us. By we were finished, more than fish and chips had registered in the traditional english food category, as we splurged and had sticky pudding as well!

It was well after dark before we boarded the tube for "home" and the short twelve-minute walk to our rental property. After the overnight flight and a very full day, the team were ready for a good night's rest.

More than Gold - London Learning Lab

2011-06-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

For the last week, I have guided our first Learning Lab in London. Our team of four church leaders left the US on Thursday, June 2 and flew home yesterday. Team members were Danny Gilliam, pastor of First Baptist Church of Hillsboro, Texas; Dean and Austin Meade, pastor and worship leader from Calvary Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas; and Phil Young, staff member with Tennessee Baptist Convention. These friends joined me to visit with church leaders in the United Kingdom who are developing creative ministries to reach out to those living in a post-christian culture.

Today in Britain, less than 7% of the population regularly attend any kind of church. In a nation that was once the center of the modern missionary sending movement, God's story is rarely known. Young adults may be compared to third generation immigrants who know longer speak or understand the language of their grandparents. They do not know the story of Christ or why the church even exists.

In 2012 the world will come to London for the Summer Olympics. The global games provide a unique opportunity for churches to serve and share with athlete families and fans from virtually every nation. After our overnight flight from the US, our team hit the ground running by visiting the offices of More than Gold. Begun during the Olympics in Atlanta, More than God is the umbrella under which churches come together to minister during major sporting events. In this case, the Olympic Committee has asked More than Gold to provide host homes for incoming athlete families.

During the games, More than Gold has committed to provide thousands of Christian volunteers who will serve in more than 200 various ministry roles. Filling those roles will require volunteers coming from around the world as short-term missionaries during July and August, 2012. Team members were briefed on the opportunities and invited to bring mission teams to serve during the games.

John Burns, of the More than Gold staff, led the briefing while we enjoyed lunch. We were also joined by my friend Bryan Doyle, and Henry Deneen, president of Greater Europe Mission.

Following the briefing our team caught the tube and made our way to the Olympic Park which is quickly nearing completion in Stratford. There we prayed that God would get great glory during the 2012 games. I filmed Danny Gilliam as he recorded a video to share with his congregation inviting them to pray and prepare now about being part of the mission in London next year.

Danny pointed to the structure being built for the Olympic flame and challenged his church to pray that the true light that overcomes darkness would be received by thousands who will come to Olympics 2012. Thousands will come from nations where the Gospel cannot be freely proclaimed. Pray that in London they will encounter the Light of the World.

Encouragement When I Fail

2011-04-23T10:41:00.001-07:00

The repeated failures of Peter, as he learned to follow Jesus, encourage me.

“Well, that didn’t work” is a practical commentary on failure. Not that failure is accepted. Failure as a follower of Christ is never accepted, but it must be acknowledged. When confronted in repentance, failure gives way to restoration, to a renewed walk that, because of the experience, is better prepared for similar situations in the future. Colloquial wisdom calls it “Learning from our mistakes.”

Peter was exposed to endless hours of instruction as he journeyed with Jesus, living in community day after day, night after night. His instruction clearly included the stories of Israel, the heritage to which his own story was being added. When confronted with the “kill and eat” dream on the rooftop of Simon Tanner’s home in Joppa, Peter’s reaction was informed by the theology that was the fabric of his own story, “By no means. I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.”Obeying God’s direction, Peter went with those who had extended him an invitation to visit a gentile home in Caesarea. As result of Cornelius’ prayer and God’s response, Peter encountered a community of people who were waiting in the soldier’s home to hear good news from God.

At that moment, Peter made an interesting statement, “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality” (Acts 10:34). “I most certainly understand now.” To what did the “now” of Peter’s statement refer? It must have referred to the total experience of the last twenty-four hours: a dream on a rooftop, an argument with God, relinquishing tradition to obey God’s direction, entering a gentile’s home, hearing how his being there was God’s answer to Cornelius’ prayer, responding to people who were waiting for God’s promised message.

The totality of that experience, all the parts combined, became Peter’s “now.” Apart from the “now” Peter had only words of instruction; propositional truth. But as he obeyed God, theological propositions became experiential truth for him. Let me be clear, I do not mean to imply that the theological propositions alone were untrue. Their truth was activated by obedience. As he confronted his own failure to fully grasp the truth of God, as he repented (turned around, going where he thought he would never go), restoration brought him one step closer to being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. And that is God’s intent for every disciple.

One Church Brighton Launches

2011-04-21T16:06:00.000-07:00

Recently I joined our ministry partner Bryan Doyle who serves Greater Europe Mission for a week filled with tube and train travel around London and other UK cities. During the week I had the privilege of meeting Kingdom leaders who are creating new and effective paradigms of ministry.

This is the story of two churches becoming one - not a merger, but a new entity. After two previous conversations about merging, Gloucester Place Baptist Church and Florence Road Baptist Church, are about to become a new church. In previous dialogues, reticence on the part of one or the other congregations always led to backing away; the costs were perceived to outweigh the benefits. But when both congregations were willing to die, something new, relevant and exciting could be born.

Gloucester Place Baptist Church and Florence Road Baptist Church officially launch as One Church Brighton this week on Resurrection Sunday. Already the two congregations have becoming one community of faith under the leadership of Senior Pastor Dave Steell. When two hundred plus year old congregations agree to die to allow God to birth one new church, it might just be that a miracle has occurred. Since last July, members of the two churches have been moving toward their launch as One Church Brighton; working through the tough issues of letting go of the old and learning to lay hold of something new.

The facilities of both churches will be utilized in the new mission focus, one as an office complex and community center to serve the center city, the other as the primary worship facility with good access to public transportation hubs in the city. As I worshipped with the congregation, I was in awe of the intentional processes they are employing toward becoming One Body.

In the midst of their identity transformation, this group of believers see themselves as one part of Christ’s larger Body in Brighton. It was a joy to hear the members praying by name for sister churches of various denominational traditions; including very specific prayers for upcoming events which they knew would be taking place over the next days.

In a post-Christian culture, the Body of Christ in Brighton is learning how to release itself to a fresh work of God in this generation. It is a lesson that needs to be heard again and again by churches throughout North America.

En Route to England

2011-02-08T06:55:00.000-08:00

MissionShift: 1.3 - On Enoch Wan's Response

2011-01-19T15:59:00.000-08:00

At the outset of his reaction to Dr. Charles Van Engen’s essay: “Mission” Defined and Described, Dr. Enoch Wan explained the format he would utilize. I appreciated the manner in which he clarified his intent. He utilized his brief rehearsal of Engen’s essay as a means to compliment the author’s essay as well as the credentials that give weight to his writings. As I read Wan, I was impressed that his major contribution to this dialogue might be his indirect but fervent acknowledgement that could be verbalized; “How we view mission influences how we do mission.”

Wan discusses two major objections or corrections which he suggests need to be addressed in Engen’s essay:

reduction of Trinitarian implication of mission to a merely Christocentric approach
focus on the institutional dimension of mission at the expense of the individual dimension.

Finally, he provides an alternate definition of mission which corrects deficiencies he perceives in that provided by Engen.

With reference to the Trinitarian/Chistocentric issue, Wan affirms Engen for his citation of “key trinitarian texts” but finds him not “true to the texts.” Wan states, “Thus the richness of the theological foundation of mission being Trinitarian has been reduced merely to being Christocentric.” He also indicates Van Engen “cites trinitarian texts but unnecessarily reduces missio Dei to being Christocentric only.”

I agree that the language used by Van Engen is predominantly Christocentric, but I also perceive that he clearly identifies the import of the triune Godhead. This is evidenced in his statements, “Biblical mission is God’s mission. Mission is participation in the mission of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the church, in the power of the Holy Spirit.” (p.12) And “God’s mission works through sending the people of God…by the work of the Holy Spirit…as a sign of the coming of the kingdom in Jesus Christ.” (p.27)

In Wan’s suggestion toward enhancing the trinitarian nature of mission, he offers a diagram of “The Interactive Relationship within the Trinity and Beyond” which he suggests, “clearly portrays the complexity of the divine and human realms converging, plus the dynamic interaction of the triune God with personal human beings and the institutional church.” After reviewing the figure and reading Wan’s description, I find that what he states explicitly provides little additional clarity. Perhaps my perspective is too trinitarian to perceive the distinctions, but when I read of the work of Christ, I automatically envision the Father and the Spirit engaged in that same work. I cannot divide His essential unity.

With reference to Wan’s second objection, institutional verses individual emphasis, I deeply appreciate the author’s concern. Too often our discussion of mission almost totally revolves around the church gathered engaging people the Gospel through ministries of declaration or demonstration. Too seldom does our dialogue reflect the individual sentness of every follower of Christ in mission within his or her own sphere of influence. In addressing this issue which is a component in his diagram mentioned above, Wan states, “There is no dichotomy between the individual and institutional dimensions of the Christian mission… It is therefore not correct to leave out the individual aspect and focus exclusively on the institutional missional church as Van Engen does.” Yet Van Engen’s final section includes his working definition of mission which states “God’s mission works primarily through…sending the people of God…[for] participation in God’s mission of reconciling people to God, to themselves, to one another, and to the world and gathering them into the church.” (Emphasis added) While I totally agree with Wan’s desire to emphasize the individual role in mission, the micro level, I cannot agree with his assessment that Van Engen is “anti-individualistic.”

Regarding the “better alternative” definition of mission offered by Wan, I must object to his creation of a dichotomy between spiritual (saving souls) and social (ushering in shalom) elements in mission. Postures of dualism challenge every concept of mission with the assumption that some ministry actions are sacred while others are secular (or in Wan’s case, spiritual and social). If this is true, during His incarnation our Lord spent massive amounts of time in unspiritual activities. When our actions are compelled by the Spirit of God, those are spiritual activities, even if it appears as only a “cup of water given.” In no way am I equating the value of a cup of water with the value of a soul, but I am sure that a better choice of words is possible than the dichotomy posited by Wan.

MissionShift 1.2: Reacting to Eitel

2011-01-18T10:33:00.000-08:00

In reading Dr. Keith Eitel’s Response to Van Engen, I respectfully submit that the professor succumbed to the “ready, shoot, aim” school. At points in his chapter, I questioned that we had read the same essay. Again, as mentioned yesterday, the Van Engen assignment in MissionShift, was to review the historic use of the term “mission” by the Christian church through the centuries. The essay is titled “Mission” Defined and Described. Yet, Eitel casting of Van Engen’s desired outcome is “to affirm the term missional but to do so with some distinct and emphatic qualifications.” Later, “The essential focus of the essay is to dissect the historical pieces of postmodernity’s preference for the term missional and look at what is inside.” This direct miss in acknowledging Van Engen’s assignment, in my opinion, results in more of a personal rant than a response.

From his unusual opening paragraphs, which introduce an anonymous “missionary” bowing before a Shiva, the author sets out without regard for the essay to which he was supposedly responding. Five paragraphs into his “response” before referencing Van Engen’s work, Eitel writes: “Missional methods or models used to engage a given culture with the gospel reflect an underlying set of assumptions about what missionaries are commissioned to do. Something seems awry with the Shiva sham described above. Are there limits to what Christians can say or do when being relevant? How does being relevant translate into being missional or even just doing missions?”

Interestingly Eitel consistently uses the term “missions” rather than “mission.” Based upon his use of phrases like “or even just doing missions,” one might assume that missions is an operation originating from human cause. That is, “missions” is something man does, rather than an attribute of God in which the church is invited to participate. He warns, “Unless believers set hermeneutical measures in place that will safeguard the integrity of the gospel message itself, missions will falter.” While I certainly agree with the importance of hermeneutics, I doubt that God’s capacity to accomplish mission will falter based upon man’s initiative. Is the purpose of the Sovereign God really that fragile? Not only do I view Eitel’s perception of mission as reductionist, his understanding of missio Dei is similarly limited, “…that Jesus alone is the Sender and the Church is sent out into the world” in his words “comprises the missio Dei.” There is more breadth to God’s reign, and depth in His creative and redemptive work than Eitel indicates as “comprising” the missio Dei.

I affirm Eitel’s concern that methods employed in mission need to operate within biblical boundaries; the means employed in mission must be compatible with the desired end. “If the outcome undermines, destroys, threatens, or contradicts the message we wish to communicate, then we have surpassed biblical boundaries and lost touch with Christ’s mission entrusted to His Church.” But I do not agree with his assessment that Van Engen “…concludes that David J. Bosch and others …shifted the mission world’s focus” that “set the stage for the current identity crisis among those who are engaging in missions or claiming to be missional.” Eitel appears to distrust new methods, reflective thinking, and creative tension regarding mission, “We live in a time of dangerous creativity in missionary circles.”

He subsequently identifies the work of Alan Hirsch, as an example of what Eitel calls “a bipolar attitude” that affirms the truth of the Bible while also encouraging relativistic flirtation with cultural modes of thought and action. Eitel quotes a familiar Hirsch passage warning of the threat of any mission expression that blends “religious pluralism and philosophical relativism” saying “the challenge must drive us closer to our original message, not further from it.” Immediately following this quote Eitel dismissively concludes, “…while the sentiment is right, the DNA will breed theological error.” Interestingly, this section of his “response” to the Van Engen essay introduces subject matter which was totally absent from the essay.

My experience with missional church practitioners, those seeking to be the Body of Christ expressed with relevance through a missional posture, does not match the characterizations afforded by Eitel. He writes, “Leadership is suspect if they claim to know truth especially if it is deemed biblical since truth is personally derived. Highly individualized theological opinions are each considered valid and real even if they may conflict with the Bible.” And concludes, “If being missional means relationships that entail little or no intentional and verbal proclamation of the gospel, service without concern for eternal destiny of human souls, or finally relevance without responsibility for truth, then let us simply reaffirm the Great Commission and be willing to keep on telling the old, old story to everyone that wills to listen. The result may be godly disciples and New Testament churches…”

My heart aches when I read those words and reflect on brothers and sisters who are seeking to live as authentic disciples of Jesus interacting with cultures of people who have no knowledge of that old story. Through serving, loving, and listening; through investing deeply in the lives of those without Christ, they seek opportunity to be heard. Their lives validate the message that their lips profess. I would rather affirm a generation which lives with the tension of “dangerous creativity” than to live in pernicious malaise.

MissionShift Week 1

2011-01-17T20:13:00.000-08:00

Today at the invitation of Ed Stetzer, I join a host of others in a dialogue built upon essays from the book MissionShift: Global Missions in the Third Millenium, by David Hesselgrave and Ed Stetzer (B&H Academic, 2010).

This week we were asked to react to Charles Van Engen’s contribution“Mission” Defined and Described. Each day this week, I intend to provide brief comments about his article (today) and responses to that article by various authors which are presented as subsequent chapters in the book.

RESPONSE TO VAN ENGEN ESSAY:

The task which Van Engen accepted is certainly ambitious, a rehearsal of the historic use of the term “mission” by the Christian church; to be capsuled in twenty-three pages. I found it somewhat humorous that other writers responding to his essay identified numerous omissions from his history. Clearly, space confines history. I regarded his treatment as effective within the limitations of an essay rather than a tome.

In fact, I question the value of attempting to define mission. While it can be described, in fact indefinitely so, it cannot be confined to a single definition. I do not propose that there are no clear characteristics for mission, but the totality of assigned characteristics or descriptors still do not define the term. There will always be more facets to be illuminated than any definition can portray. It is like defining love; virtually impossible.

Van Engen quotes Sidney Rooy, “There does not exist, nor has there ever existed, only one definition of the mission of the church. … Each definition and all understandings of the biblical bases of that mission are tentative and are subject to new evaluation and change. Truly, each generation must define mission anew.” While acknowledging these words, Van Engen positions any construct of mission as requiring a foundation in Scripture. Biblical authority is paramount. While some may cite the limited number of biblical references cited in his essay, I perceive the author to have clarified this foundational assumption so that an extensive reference to particular Biblical passages is not required.

Further, the author identifies mission as originating in God rather than the church, but advocates the centrality of the church as God’s agent sent to “invite all peoples to become Jesus’ disciples and responsible members of Christ’s church.” While he addresses the dialogue between ecumenical and evangelical concepts of mission, Van Engen is clear, “This basic understanding of the word mission is most basic and should never be lost or eclipsed by subsequent discussions and refinements.” And “Mission is not merely church extension, not is it merely doing good works of compassion.” He concludes with a ringing Christological statement, “The Sender is Jesus Christ, whose authority defines, circumscribes, limits, and propels Christian mission.” One senses that through His use of compounding synonyms, the author is evidencing the depth of personal emotion with which he views this matter.

After describing the Constantinian era, actually quoting an extensive section on this subject from Sidney Rooy, Van Engen reflects on colonization as not being inherent only to that era. He cautions, “In today’s mission activities, when denominations, mission organizations, or mega-churches set out to “plant” new churches that are essentially identical branch offices of the sending organization, the parallels to the medieval view of missions are quite troubling.”

When giving attention to the development of indigenous churches built upon the “three-self” formula, stressed by some as the goal of mission, Van Engen provides personal commentary on that which has also been adopted as the administrative philosophy for church planting by many within the US. In that commentary, Van Engen returns to his familiarity with Latin America, stating that many “three self” churches started there by Western European and North American mission endeavors now tend to reflect a forth “self” component, “self-centered and selfish.” He includes a footnote comment stating strong personal opinion, “I believe the “three self-formula” is one of the major reason for [the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico’s] lack of missionary vision and practice.”

The author deals with the tension that has long existed between Gospel proclamation and demonstration in mission. He reflects historic rhetoric that has surfaced around this issue, “when everything is mission, nothing is mission.” Some of the various verbal framings of this ongoing debate are woven throughout the essay. In this matter I continue to opt for the breadth of meaning in the scriptural term “evangelization” rather than the reduced form “evangelism.” The latter tends to be overseen by the guardians of evangelicalism who understand the term as the verbal proclamation of the Gospel about Christ. The broader word has room for both proclamation and demonstration, the message about Jesus and the message of Jesus.

I respect Van Engen’s conservative word of caution, not that of an alarmist, but of an informed authentic mission practitioner, “In the twenty-first century Evangelical mission agencies are becoming increasingly committed and involved in humanitarian and compassion ministries, children-at-risk movements, and so on. Given these new emphases in Evangelical mission activism, it behooves us to consider carefully how Evangelical views of mission today may be tempted to repeat the same errors made when mission was redefined…” in a previous era. Let us hear the caution and continue with feet solidly grounded in both components of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Crescent Project Event in DFW Metroplex

2011-01-14T17:04:00.000-08:00

I hope to see many of you at FBC Arlington for this important event offered by our colleagues at Cresent Project. We can be more Christlike in how we view and respond to our Muslim neighbors; an incarnational perspective on a global issue.

For more information visit www.crescentproject.org/DFW.

New Songs

2011-01-05T15:14:00.001-08:00

Sing to Him a new song…Psalm 33:3

Every experience of God’s love and kindness should give melody and words to a new song. The oft repeated phrase “Sing to the Lord a new song” is more than a trite statement. It is the expectation of God for praise appropriately erupting from grateful hearts that are aware of His provision and interaction on behalf of His creatures.

Only those who have eyes to see, who don’t just pass through life but who truly observe are capable of composing new songs. Whenever one is conscious of God’s lovingkindness in the minutiae of the moments their heart yields line upon line of music in praise.

We sing the songs of those who have gone before us, joining our voices with theirs to remember what God has done in history. So the victors of Revelation 15 sing the song of Moses. But it would be a tragic silence if the people of God were only to sing again the song of others, failing to give voice to their own products of praise. In fact, “praise is becoming to the upright” (Psalm 33:1). A waiting soul will produce a rejoicing heart when God is the focus (Psalm 38:20). It is the soul that actually sings when the realization breaks upon us that God has done for us that which we could never do for ourselves (Psalm 30:11-12).

Every nation and people should join in singing the historic hymns of the ages. At the same time, every nation and people should be scripting its own indigenous chorus of praise; their own “new song.”

Note: The photo was borrowed from the blog of Kathleen Mower, http://thechildrensing.blogspot.com/ who says “being the Primary Chorister is the very best calling in the Church.”

Past Performance – Future Results

2010-12-18T15:53:00.000-08:00

Virtually every advertisement for mutual funds, stocks, and other financial investments include the fine print statement, “Past Performance is No Guarantee of Future Results.” Today, as I was reflecting on Psalm 18, I realized how genuine faith flies in the face of that statement. In fact, faith’s promise is the exact opposite.

David said, I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. (Psalm 18:3) His statement pointed to a confident anticipation of deliverance in the face of conflict, based upon his remembering the faithfulness of God in previous situations. It is as good as done!

Our unchanging God can be trusted to perform tomorrow just as He has done in the past. With Him, Past Performance is a Perfect Guarantee of Future Results. This is why it is vital that we review His works told about in the Bible. It is the reason we must discern His activity in our own experiences, connecting our story in His story. And it is the reason that we must tell that story again and again among our family, friends, neighbors and nations.

When we rehearse His caring and miraculous works, we tell of His greatness and instill or rekindle hope and confidence in His power and His will to deliver again. All our present sorrows or joys pale in light of the great and eternal promises of our God. He is faithful. He shows unfailing kindness to those who are His. This truth motivates us to respond like David, “I will praise you among the nations, O Lord; I will sing praises to your name.”

Ivory Coast on the Brink-- a Call to Prayer

2010-12-09T08:02:00.000-08:00

When I read the following article, I was compelled to share this story with friends who care about the nations and would join me in praying for Ivory Coast. We continue to encourage the Western Church to be informed and involved in the activity of God around the world. Our compassion must not stop at our boundaries of personal concern and comfort. Milfred Minatrea

The article is provided by ASSIST News Service and written by Elizabeth Kendal (Religious iberty Prayer Bulletin (RLPB) 085).

AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- Like Sudan and Nigeria, Ivory Coast sits atop a volatile ethnic-religious fault-line. Whilst the less-developed North has long been predominantly Muslim, the South -- Ivory Coast's economic and political engine -- has historically been predominantly Christian and African Traditional Religion (ATR). Decades of mass immigration (1960-1993) from the neighbouring Muslim states of Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea might have been great for the economy, but they have tipped the demographic balance so that Ivory Coast -- officially about one-third Muslim -- is actually majority Muslim.

The civil war that erupted in September 2002 was portrayed by the international media as a crisis of democracy and human rights caused by Southern xenophobia and Islamophobia. In reality, Ivory Coast's crisis is the consequence of decades of mass Muslim immigration coupled with political ambition and an internationally-sponsored Islamic agenda. The civil war was fought essentially between those who want all Ivory Coast's Muslim immigrants naturalised -- giving Ivory Coast a Muslim majority overnight -- and those who do not. Though he denies it, former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara, a Northern Muslim, was doubtless behind the September 2002 failed coup that triggered the war. Ouattara and his party, the Rally of the Republicans (RDR), have been playing the race and religion cards for political gain. Ouattara's intent has been to have all the Muslim immigrants naturalised (over 4 million: estimated to comprise between 30 and 40 percent of the total population) so that he (their champion) can dragnet the Muslim vote. Ouattara has long had his eye on the presidency.

AP Photo

The civil war left Ivory Coast totally polarised, split between a virtually ethnic-religiously cleansed, rebel-controlled Muslim North and a government-controlled predominantly Christian, non-Muslim South. Since the war the North has been in serious decline with AIDS, poverty and lawlessness increasing exponentially. In November 2004 Ivory Coast's Christian president, Laurent Gbagbo, launched surprise airstrikes against rebel positions in the North in an attempt to reunify the country. However, former colonial power France (which backs the rebels for economic gain) intervened, razing all IC's airforce planes, destroying runways and sending tanks against the Presidential Palace, around which loyalists formed a human shield.

The West had insisted that Ivory Coast could be reconciled, reunified and essentially saved by means of democratic elections, such is their faith in 'democracy' and the inherent goodness of man. In reality, the divisions are so profound and the stakes are so high that, unless genuine reconciliation occurred first, elections could only trigger conflict. Elections were held on 28 November 2010, with both Gbagbo and Ouattara claiming victory. The US, European Union and African Union have recognised Ouattara as the winner and called for Gbagbo to respect democracy and step down. Russia meanwhile is blocking a UN statement that would recognise Ouatarra, saying that this is not the UN's role. Ivory Coast's non-Muslims are traumatised, fearing that their homeland -- once the most prosperous 'Christian' nation in West Africa, home to the region's largest cathedral, home-base to most of West Africa's regional Christian ministries -- is about to come under Muslim political domination.

(COMMENT: Ivory Coast's crisis -- the consequence of decades of Muslim mass immigration -- is a foretaste of what several states in democratic Europe may be facing in a generation or two.)

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR GOD TO:

give Ivory Coast's Christian leaders -- pas tors and politicians -- great spiritual wisdom and authority.

bring revival to the Church in Ivory Coast so believers will be compelled to go out with the gospel in boldness, empowered by the Holy Spirit, so that Ivory Coast might be spiritually transformed. For only then will the peoples 'beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks . . .' (Isaiah 2:4 ESV)

intervene in the tense climate by interposing a spirit of restraint, compelling the people to seek a negotiated solution as a means of averting another destructive civil war -- a war that would certainly attract international jihadists.

Share in the Sufferings: Pakistan Flooding

2010-08-18T07:39:00.000-07:00

In Pakistan, many are suffering as result of massive flooding. There we have brothers and sisters in Christ who endure persecution and hardship on a daily basis. Current conditions mandate our intercession and intervention. Join me in praying and seeking equitable distribution of emergency aid among those who are most vulnerable.

The UN Secretary-General, following a visit to Pakistan, has called for stepped up international aid to help cope with a crisis described as the worst in the world today.

It is estimated that up to six million flood-affected people are in need of food assistance over the next three months, though this number may yet rise, as the situation in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan continues to deteriorate.

Khair Muhammad Kalhoro, director of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority in Sindh, said, "We need all the help we can get to help people."

Daniel Toole, regional director for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), warned at a news conference in Islamabad on August 17, that "up to 3.5 million children could be in danger of contracting deadly diseases carried through contaminated water and insects as a result of floods. In a country which has endemic watery diarrhoea, endemic cholera, endemic upper respiratory infections we now have the conditions for expanded problems."

From IRIN reports. IRIN is the humanitarian news and analysis service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Washing the Car - All Things New

2010-08-10T18:10:00.000-07:00

I got the bucket, sponge, spray nozzle and soap and invested some time washing the car today. Pam and I leave tomorrow for a road trip in our Toyota Camry with 221,200 miles on it! So I wanted it clean.

I also had the oil changed, transmission flushed, and new brake pads installed. The old Midas guarantee (You’ll never pay for brake pads again as long as you own your car!) has served me well. Since we were going on a road trip, I wanted the car in the best mechanical condition possible.

Some folks wonder at my spending so much money on an older car with lots of miles. In fact, the service tech at Toyota said, “Wow, I’ve not written up a service order on any other car with that many miles.”

We live in a disposable culture. Most people do not anticipate driving a car 221,200 miles. I reflected on this today. I can work to keep the external appearance up and I can pay for maintenance to keep the internal mechanical systems functioning. But I cannot make my Toyota new again.

That is exactly what God does. He takes us in our broken, battered, abused condition and works a miracle that doesn’t just maintain us. He remakes us. He makes all things new again!

That is the gift He offers to the world, the Kingdom hope of every generation, “all things new.”

It’s Time to Use Our Time Wisely

2010-08-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Introduction by Milfred Minatrea

Ed Jordan knows what it feels like to minister in a difficult environment. I became acquainted with Ed and his wife Enikő, when Pam and I were privileged to provide leadership for their congregation’s annual retreat at Old Faithful Retreat Center. The center is a rustic camp within driving distance of Pocatello, Idaho, where Ed serves as Senior Pastor.

In a predominantly Mormon environment, the Jordan’s have become part of the community using creative ministries to establish relationships. Among those is Ed’s weekly contribution published in the Idaho State Journal. Ed was recently awarded The Amy Writing Awards “2009 Award of Outstanding Merit” for one of his columns.

Ed and Enikő were among the first missionaries appointed to serve in Eastern Europe after the fall of the Iron Curtain. They served in Hungary in Church Development, Leadership Development, and Decentralized Theological Education for eleven years.

I hope that you will enjoy periodic posts from my friend, Ed Jordan.

It’s Time to Use Our Time Wisely

The rock group “Chicago” sang: “Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care?” My questions to you today are the same as theirs. Do you know what time it is? Do you really care? The discussion of time is both a timeless theme, and a timely one.

In Ecclesiastes 3:1 in “The Message,” we read: “There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth…” There are two major concepts of time in the Bible. Most commonly time is used as chronological time (kronos in the Greek language), which is time depicted by sequential points along a linear line (or circle, as in a sundial or typical watch). Chronological time is measured with minutes, hours, days, months and years. But there is also another kind of time used in the Bible, indicated by the Greek word “kairos,” which is conceptualized as the “perfect” or “ideal” time for something to happen. It is a time concept that measures what of significance occurred in an event.

Both of these concepts are used in the Septuagint translation of Ecclesiastes 3:1. There is a chronological time to accomplish every thing that needs to get done during this lifetime, and there is an “ideal” time and way for each of those things to be accomplished. This is why Martin Luther King said: “We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.” (cf. Coretta Scott King). It is always time to do right, but within that time there is also the ideal moment and way to accomplish that right action.

Many people complain that they don’t have time to go to church, or to read their Bible, or to spend time with their loved ones, or to accomplish their lifetime dreams. In reality, we all have the same amount of time each day to accomplish what needs to be done. The difficulty is not in a shortage of time; it is rather a shortage of motivation, desire, and discipline to use our time wisely. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said: “The day is of infinite length for him who knows how to appreciate and use it.” (in “Ludwig Curtius, Wisdom and Experience”)

Our lives are not just measured by how long we live. In reality, every life will be measured by what we filled our time doing. Time in life is measured by the relationships established, the love given, and the impact made for God, good, and eternity. The way we use the time God gives us clearly reveals our values, our creativity, our focus, our maturity (or the lack thereof), and our self-discipline to prioritize and to fulfill those priorities.

Sir John Lubbock, in “The Pleasures of Life,” stated: “Life must be measured rather by depth than by length, by thought and action rather than by time.” I like that. Using that measurement, how is your life measuring up? Are you making lasting, deep, constructive impacts on the lives of others on behalf of God? Or are you just filling time with fleeting busyness?

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, in “Hyperion,” commented: “What is Time? The shadow on the dial, the striking of the clock, the running of the sand, day and night, summer and winter, months, years, centuries - these are but arbitrary and outward signs, the measure of Time, not Time itself. Time is the Life of the soul. If not this, then tell me, what is Time?”

If time is the “Life of the soul,” how is your soul? Is it shriveling or enlarging? Is it being denied or nurtured? Is it hidden away, or shared with others? Chronological time is slipping away from each of us. Today is the ideal time to reestablish God as first place in your soul, time and life.

Dr. Ed Jordan is an award winning writer, and pastor of Gate City Baptist Church, 500 W. Maple Street in Pocatello. He can be reached at jordan@gatecitybaptistchurch.org.

Family Reunion

2010-08-04T06:16:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year when families gather for the annual reunion: aunts, uncles and cousins, some twice removed, and, to complicate things, some twice or thrice married. Reunions are a mixed bag. Some experience the thrill of familiar faces that frame the memories of their youth, and plunge into the pleasure of telling stories passed down through the years, embellished with each cycle of telling. “Do you remember when …?” The stories don’t even require a complete telling. Laughter fills the circle before the story can be told because everyone who is listening has either heard it or told it countless times.

Others hang back along the fringe, looking puzzled, trying to figure out who these people are and how they might be remotely related to them. The young and the newly added “in-laws” are usually in this number. Sometimes they seek each other and have their own make-shift reunion, sharing the common bond of amnesia regarding the inside jokes and familiar references to names not present, faceless people everyone else seems to know whose absence makes their presence even more pronounced.

The reunion has a strange mix of sorrow and laughter. Significant people are absent. Voices that once echoed at the tables of past reunions now lie silent beneath the earth. The same people who gather for the reunion gathered and wept at the funerals for those who no longer come. Their memories are like the deep colors that form the background for vivid paintings or the rich bass tones of the oboe and the French horn that enrich the orchestra. At the same time, these sorrows are offset by giggling children who appear like bright colors that dance on the canvass and whose laughter picks up future melodies like the flute.

We somehow have confidence that Heaven is about reunions. We all look forward to seeing people who loved us, those we loved, when we get to Heaven. And, somehow, this earthly reunion helps us look forward to that day. We don’t know exactly how it will happen or how God could manage all the intertwined family relationships when we get to Heaven, but, somehow, family reunions portend the Heavenly event. When I was a child we sang, “Will the circle be unbroken?” It was a way to ask the question together and look forward to something more, something more perfect that God has planned for us.

Jesus did not shy away from using this image to help us look forward to a more perfect day. He said, “In my Father’s House are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go and prepare a place for you that where I am, there you may be also.” The book of Hebrews uses this metaphor to spur us on to better living: “Seeing that we are surrounded by so great a host of witnesses, let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the originator and the finisher of the race.” It seems to me that God takes pleasure in our reunions, just as He takes pleasure in reuniting Himself with us through His Son.

Bill Tinsley “reflects” on current evens and life experience from a faith perspective. Reflections appears in multiple newspapers an is available weekly via email by writing bill@tinsleycenter.com.

Next Generation Leaders

2010-08-02T17:22:00.000-07:00

Investing in next generation leaders is a rewarding experience for me. Today, I began a peer learning community with six servants of God who are in the beginning stages of ministry. After that, I visited with dear friends who have faithfully served Christ and His church for more than 50 years. Both bless me. From the latter I encounter practical wisdom gained throughout the years. With the other, I share the sunrise of potential Kingdom impact.

Both sunrise and sunset are beautiful. But, I find great hope in investing in those who are just beginning their vocational ministry roles. One of my desires is to help each group appreciate the other. To the young leaders, I am an older guy. To those who have retired, I am still among the young.

But as I was influenced and mentored by others, now I want to pour my life into those who follow. Let me be clear, it is not that I have great knowledge, rather I engage as a fellow learner in our mutual service of the King. Together, we can hear His voice, celebrate our individual calling into intimacy with Him, and share the joys and sorrows we experience in the tasks to which we are sent in His mission.

We are each called to into intimacy with Him and sent to live His mission. In that young and old have much in common.

Gone Fishing...

2010-05-26T14:38:00.000-07:00

Where have you been? Some have been asking me this question. On March 13, my best friend in ministry died. Dr. Jerry McKinney was more than a friend. He was a pastor who grasped the significance of the missional church and had become the most encouraging supporter of our work through Missional Church Center. Further, Jerry was old enough and wise enough to have become a father figure to me. When we visited, whether in person or more frequently by phone, our conversations were lengthy, deep, and transparent.

Jerry was an avid reader; in fact we became acquainted after he had read and resonated with the content of Shaped by God’s Heart: the Passion and Practices of Missional Churches. From the pastor’s study at Putnam City Baptist Church he called me to enquire about meeting. I will never forget the morning he drove from Oklahoma City to meet me at my Dallas office. I knew shortly after we met that I was in the presence of a critical thinker whose greatest hunger was to know God intimately and lead disciples to follow Him faithfully.

It was my privilege to share the message at Jerry’s memorial service there in the sanctuary where he had stood to teach God’s message. Only two months before, on January 21, Jerry had invited a group of men together to consider the development of an Advisory and Support team for our Missional Church Center ministry. It was in Jerry’s words, “to help take the ministry to the next level.”

I never saw him again after that meeting. My schedule carried me over the next six weeks to various states. I did not know that his cancer, multiple-myeloma, had grown resistant to the experimental medications that had worked to abate symptoms and spread of the horrible disease. Then, he was hospitalized and not able to have visitors. His family created a blog so that those who loved Jerry and the family could be aware of the daily, sometimes hourly, changes in his condition.

I did not know that the final hug we shared on January 21 would be our last. That our prayers together that day would be the last time we would speak to our Father together.

Where have I been? One answer to that question, an accurate one, would be, “I have been fulfilling the commitments to ministry that I had made prior to Jerry’s death.” I have continued to research and prepare to speak to the best of my ability. I have prepared proposals for churches that are in “critical condition” and who desperately need to find a vision pathway toward the future. I have worked on creation of tools to help the staff of an association of churches to more effectively identify churches with common issues, so that they can more effectively assist those churches toward health in God’s mission.

Where have I been? “On the back porch with Jesus,” would be another correct response. I had determined at the beginning of this year that in my personal time with God I would delve into the Gospels, spending a year listening to the words of Jesus. That is what I have been doing. Just today, I read each of the synoptic Gospels account of the Transfiguration of Christ. I watched Peter go from the confessing “rock” to the restricting “stumbling-block.” I keep hearing Jesus say, “He who has ears to hear, let Him hear.” Today, I heard the Father say, “This is My Son. Listen to Him.”

Where have I been? I might answer, “Away from the pen and keyboard.” My capacity to write has been stifled. I have not posted on Facebook or Twitter. I have been unable to complete the proposal for the book on which I am working. While I continue to compile research, I have failed to make progress in the body of writing. There is a gap in my personal journal, even though I was reading and being enriched in the Word, I found no way to record what I was hearing and observing.

Where have I been? I have been in a fog of grief. At first I was totally oblivious to what was going on in my soul. There was an emptiness for which I found no resolve. Over a period of months, I realized that I was “in a funk.” Now, the fog of that experience has begun to lift. Please don’t misunderstand; I never sensed that Jesus abandoned me. I still connected with friends and family. I still laughed. But after the laughter, my soul still felt empty.

You can say, “Buck up man…you are a child of God. You shouldn’t go through such experiences.” “You should have greater maturity in Christ than that!” You can say what you wish. I simply know where I have been. And even if it seemed to the entire world a most unproductive place, I would beg to differ. Something in side of me is different; different in a good way. I do not know where I may be tomorrow. But on this side of the experience, I know that where I have been has been a good place.

After Jesus death, Peter said, I am going fishing. Across the years, I have read that as an abdication of his responsibility as a disciple following Jesus’ death and resurrection. I perceived Peter negatively, running away when the tough times came. Now I think that in the absence of his best friend, he needed a comfortable place where he could heal. For one who was raised as a fisherman, the sea was that place.

All of us have times when we need to get away; times when little is demanded of us. Times when we can retreat to a place that is comfortable. I guess that is where I have been…fishing. Not literally; but figuratively. I have withdrawn for a period of time until the pain began to recede and the way forward began to appear.

Where I am is a good place.

Seek God on Behalf of the Coming Generation

2010-03-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY MARCH 28 Day 40

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE COMING GENERATION
"How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings...You will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’” – Matthew 23:37, 39

That many who are now small children would soon become passionate followers of Christ; that during their lifetimes they will finish evangelizing the world; that they will endure suffering to overcome evil and bring forth the promised blessing of God upon all peoples; that they will give Christ the finest whole-life worship of all history.

PRAYERWALK: Walk your city consciously thinking of the people who will live and work there in years to come, should the Lord tarry. Pray for the generation that will be dwelling in your city when Jesus returns.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF JERUSALEM
Pray for God’s peace and glory to be upon Jerusalem.

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Elderly People

2010-03-27T17:44:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY MARCH 27 Day 39

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF ELDERLY PEOPLE
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; He is my Rock...” – Psalm 92:14-15 (NIV)

That God’s strength and peace will be poured out on everyone who is advanced in years. Pray that they may be honored, that they may be cared for; that loneliness be banished through lasting friendships and family bonds; that sickness be lifted; that they may live to see their prayers answered; that their latter years will be significant, reflecting the glory of God.

PRAYERWALK: Pray at a retirement community or an extended care facility.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE MIDDLE EAST
United Arab Emirates, Yemen

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Children

2010-03-26T17:48:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY MARCH 26 Day 38

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN
Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. – Mark 10:14 (NIV)

That children will hear the gospel and encounter Christ early in life; that God’s great fatherly heart will be revealed with healing power to kids who have been wounded or disappointed by their parents; for lasting family stability; for excellence in education; for wisdom to be formed in their early days; for safety from violence and perversion; for laughter and joy.

PRAYERWALK: Pray for kids in your neighborhood or in nearby schools and playgrounds. Pray for the entire family that surrounds each of the children as you pass by their homes.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE MIDDLE EAST
Syria, Tunisia, Turkey

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of the Military

2010-03-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

THURSDAY MARCH 25 Day 37

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE MILITARY
A centurion came to Him, asking for help...When Jesus heard this, He was astonished and said...“I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” – Matthew 8:5, 10 (NIV)

For the gospel to spread through the special relationships of military life; for courage and protection in the danger of battle; for wisdom and the fear of the Lord as military personnel are sometimes called upon to do the work of governing and enforcing law; for grace upon chaplains and other spiritual leaders; that God will fortify families stretched by numerous moves and separations.

PRAYERWALK: Pray near a military base or establishment.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE MIDDLE EAST
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on behalf of Gangs

2010-03-24T15:53:00.000-07:00

WEDNESDAY MARCH 24 Day 36

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF GANGS
“Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, now I will arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in the safety for which he longs.” – Psalm 12:5

That God will satisfy their deep desires for significance and belonging; for God to break spiritual and social powers holding them; for caring Christians to embrace them in the authentic love of God’s family; for blessing upon the neighborhoods they claim.

PRAYERWALK: Pray at a place affected by gang activity. Speak God’s Word as you walk to spiritually “tag” the territories with unseen but real declarations of His Lordship and love.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE MIDDLE EAST
Lebanon, Libya, Morocco

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Day Laborers

2010-03-23T12:26:00.000-07:00

TUESDAY MARCH 23 Day 35

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF LABORERS
Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. - Psalm 128:1-2 (NIV)

Pray that God will reveal the dignity and honor of doing work as unto Christ; that workplaces would be a setting of safety, joy and friendship for workers to be treated with justice and dignity; for continued employment in the changing global economy; for many to follow Christ and serve Him openly in the workplace with co-laborers.

PRAYERWALK: Almost every community has factories, construction sites or other places of industry. Pray for the laborers in these places.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE MIDDLE EAST
Israel, Jordan, Kuwait

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Broken Families

2010-03-22T05:29:00.000-07:00

MONDAY MARCH 22 Day 34

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF BROKEN FAMILIES
The LORD...supports the fatherless and the widow. – Psalm 146:9

Pray for healing of broken or embittered relationships; for comfort when a family member has passed away. Pray especially for children; that the Father heart of God will overshadow each to bring wholeness and that they would know the joy of being part of God’s family; that God will meet financial needs, bring supportive friends and grant hope to many who come to follow Christ.

PRAYERWALK: Apartment buildings often house fragmented families. Pray around an apartment complex, focusing prayers on those who have been bereaved or divorced.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE MIDDLE EAST
Egypt, Iran, Iraq

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Ethnic Communities

2010-03-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY MARCH 21 Day 33

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF ETHNIC COMMUNITIES
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him. – Psalm 22:27 (NIV)

That God will bring racial harmony; that longstanding offenses may be healed by the forgiveness which begins in Jesus; that Christians show honor and act in Christ’s reconciling power; that the beauty of distinctive languages and cultures would be on display in local churches.

PRAYERWALK: Pray blessings near a neighborhood known for an ethnic identity different than your own; or pray blessings upon a business which is owned by people of another ethnicity than yours.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE MIDDLE EAST
Algeria, Bahrain, Cyprus

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Arts and Entertainment

2010-03-20T15:46:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY MARCH 20 Day 32

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts... to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. – Exodus 35:31, 33 (NIV)

That God will inspire artists and those in the entertainment industry with creativity and wisdom that reflects God’s beauty; that they will seek God themselves and come to follow Christ with courage; that their work will bring strength, goodness and hope to our communities.

PRAYERWALK: Visit a theater, art museum or place of entertainment for the purpose of praying for the artists and those working in support capacities.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Yugoslavia

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Judges and Law Enforcement

2010-03-19T06:11:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY MARCH 19 Day 31

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF JUDGES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what  is right. – Psalm 106:3 (NIV)

Pray for righteous wisdom, principled patience and gentle authority; for physical and emotional protection; strength and blessing for their families; that they will become agents of God’s hand to resist evil and preserve an environment in which heaven’s justice can increase.

PRAYERWALK: Pray outside the nearest police station or court. Leave a short personal note for judges or police leaders letting them know how Christians are praying for them today.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Svalbard Islands, Sweden

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Unemployed

2010-03-18T06:04:00.000-07:00

THURSDAY MARCH 18 Day 30

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF UNEMPLOYED
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil — this is the gift of God. – Ecclesiastes 3:13 (NIV)

That God will meet the needs of those without work in a way that they can clearly thank God for His provision; that they will soon find meaningful employment and glorify God for it; that God will open the way for righteous trade so that the entire city prospers  in God’s provision.

PRAYERWALK: Pray for those in your neighborhood who have recently lost their job or are struggling to find one.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Pruning, Productivity & Olympic Success

2010-03-17T17:58:00.000-07:00

A Word of Hope
Jamie Work
March 17, 2010

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit" (John 15:2)
Twenty-nine-year-old Olympian Erin Pac was a heptathlon athlete at Springfield College in Massachusetts. The heptathlon is a track and field event which includes seven events - javelin throw, hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put, sprint, and an 800-meter race. It is definitely NOT an athletic event for the faint of heart.

Neither is bobsledding. Like any athlete, Pac dreamed of one day competing in the Olympics...in track and field, or maybe even gymnastics. One thing she did not expect to compete in was bobsledding. But in 2002, she was invited to the Olympic Training Center at Lake Placid, New York to push a bobsled. Erin said, "I never watched a bobsled run in my life before I tried out for it." But she soon found that she not only enjoyed the challenge, but that she is pretty good at it.

She just missed making the 2006 Olympic Team when she was competing as a brakeman, but she was the favorite this year as a bobsled driver hurtling downhill at 90 miles per hour in what looks like a fiberglass missile, in the two-woman sled, USA II. She and her bobsledding partner, earned the Bronze Medal with a a time of 3 minutes, 33:13 seconds in four runs down Whistler Mountain.

Both Erin and her teammate Elana are Christians. But the life lesson all of us can learn from Erin's perseverance and success in the winter sport of bobsledding is that when we make ourselves available, fruit can be borne in our lives in unexpected places. Erin earned an Olympic medal in a sport she did not know until after her 21st birthday... but she wasn't afraid to try.

Jesus said that the spiritual fruit you and I will bear will be a result of His pruning our lives. In other words, new growth, and heartier fruit, will come in places where we have learned some difficult, and sometimes painful, lessons (pruning isn't for the faint of heart). Are you willing to go to that new place the Lord is challenging you toward? There's no telling what fruit awaits you there.

Seek God on Behalf of Depressed People

2010-03-17T06:11:00.000-07:00

WEDNESDAY MARCH 17 Day 29

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF DEPRESSED PEOPLE
But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us. – 2 Corinthians 7:6 (NIV)

That God’s healing presence will reach them; that the light of truth will dispel lies and the oppressive power of Satan; for helpful counsel; for the healing of long-standing wounds of mind and soul; that they would know the comfort and joy of the Holy Spirit; for the renewing of their minds in Christ.

PRAYERWALK: Pray for people you see today who may be downcast, even though they appear to be cheerful and strong.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Substance Abusers

2010-03-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

TUESDAY MARCH 16 Day 28

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF SUBSTANCE ABUSERS
On the day the LORD gives you relief from suffering and turmoil and cruel bondage. –Isaiah 14:3 (NIV)

That God will break every form of bondage, including alcoholism and drug addiction. Pray for wise counselors to bring intervention and help; that God will heal their bodies; that they will turn from self-centered lives to living their lives for Christ.

PRAYERWALK: Walk your neighborhood, considering those who may be bound in alcoholism or drug addiction, calling on God to free them.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of the Unborn

2010-03-15T08:10:00.000-07:00

MONDAY MARCH 15 Day 27

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE UNBORN
For He will deliver...the afflicted who have no one to help. He will...save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight. – Psalm 72:12-14 (NIV)

That these precious children will be acknowledged and honored by all; for each of them to find sheltering homes; that the awful waste of their lives would cease; that they would come to Christ at an early age; for the parents of unborn babies, that God would turn their hearts  toward their children.

PRAYERWALK: As you pray for your neighbors or co-workers, pray that God will break the power of self-centered lifestyles that disregard children, and that He will forgive and heal those who have harmed their children in any way.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
Channel Islands, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faeroe Islands, Finland

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Don't cry?

2010-03-14T10:48:00.001-07:00

As Jesus was approaching the city of Nain in southwest Galilee, a funeral procession approached from the opposite direction. The deceased was a young man, the only son of a widow. One can imagine the depth of sorrow emitting from the grieving mother and the large crowd with her.

Jesus first words to her were those that I counsel others not to say to a person in grief. In fact, the words may be among the most detrimental that we can speak, “Don’t cry.” Yesterday one of my closest friends in ministry died, Dr. Jerry McKinney, pastor of Putnam City Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Even as his son was speaking with me on the phone yesterday, tears streamed down my face. They do again this morning as I write. They doubtless will again Tuesday when we share in the memorial service.

Would I dare to say to Jerry’s family, “Don’t cry? Why would I try to stop their tears? The word “cry” in the New Testament is akin to the word “to break.” That is the image that we often use isn’t it? She broke down crying. When our heart is breaking, tears flow from the brokenness. And somehow those tears are therapeutic. Over time, they wash over us until the grief becomes tolerable. I am not saying the hurt goes away. I am not saying that we “get over it.”

That is another sad statement that I sometimes hear spoken of persons in grief. “He just needs to get over it now.” Reality is that we do learn to live beyond the sorrow, but we do so with a new normal. That new normal includes an empty place, a part of us that is missing. Often the metaphor is used of a stone wheel that suddenly has a section broken out from its circumference. It can still roll, but every time it passes the place where the broken piece used to be there will be a rough bump. Continue rolling long enough and the friction will ultimately begin to smooth out the rough place. Then the jolt becomes less pronounced. But, the wheel will never again be the same as it was before the pain, because something dear will always be missing.

So was Jesus wrong to say, “Don’t cry?” Oh no, he was not wrong, because He gave the broken piece back alive again. His touch restored life. His heart went out to a grieving widowed mother, and “Jesus gave him back to his mother.” Her grief turned to joy in that moment.

For us, we know that Jerry McKinney is more alive today than He has ever been. He is with the Father whose love He experienced and whose Words he proclaimed. But we are separated from Jerry for a season. And so we cry. We cannot see him, touch him, sit and talk, laugh together at his stories. His family cannot sit with him watching the ocean, feeling its breeze blow across their faces. Grandchildren cannot sit in their grandfather’s lap. There is an empty place that cannot be filled by another. The grief is real. But, so is the confidence that our friend still lives and that one day we will celebrate life together again. Then, and only then, there will be no more tears.

Seek God on Behalf of Fathers

2010-03-14T08:57:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY MARCH 14 Day 26

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF FATHERS
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4 (NIV)

That fathers will look to God as the ultimate spiritual head of their household, serving and caring for their families; that God will instill a vision for wholesome, supportive fatherhood among the fathers of the city; that absentee fathers would change their lifestyles to nurture their wives and children; that children will see the character of the heavenly Father in the lives of their dads.

PRAYERWALK: Pray for the fathers near your workplace or home.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canary Islands

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

God’s Presence in Tough Times

2010-03-13T17:29:00.000-08:00

(I wrote these words just minutes before the death of one of my closest friends in ministry, Dr. Jerry McKinney. Jerry went home to be with the Father at 11:57 AM today after a lengthy battle with multiple myeloma.)

A dear friend is suffering through cancer, I want to believe that God will heal him, may heal him. I struggle with even choosing the words to use. Do I believe that God can heal? Absolutely. Do I have confidence that He will heal in this instance? Honestly, no. And that makes me feel like a man of such tenuous faith. I read promises about “asking” with faith. I read “is anyone sick among you, let him call for the elders…” I read of anointing with oil and effectual fervent prayer. And then I still hope that some combination of medical prescriptive and divine fiat will become the miracle today.

I am a man of faith. I am one who teaches others things concerning God. How then can I be so uncertain when the shadow of death begins to fall over my friend? Years ago, it seems, I had many more answers than I do today. I spoke with such assurance of things that I knew so little about. I had read some of the things of God and how He works among us. Although I had faced few soul shaking challenges, I had a head filled with information. I had answers.

Now, as I walk further into the days of my own journey, I have more questions; less hard and fast, easy answers. Does that mean that I have less faith? No. Somehow the faith has only grown as the questions have multiplied. God is in control, and one day I will understand much more than I do today. For now, it is enough to know His presence in the midst of unanswered questions.

Seek God on Behalf of Agricultural Workers

2010-03-13T05:45:00.000-08:00

SATURDAY MARCH 13 Day 25

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF AGRICULTURAL WORKERS
For the LORD your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete. – Deuteronomy 16:15 (NIV)

That God will abundantly bless families who farm, ranch or support agricultural industries; that they would follow Christ and find ways to be part of life-giving churches. Pray especially for migrant workers who sometimes face injustice and great difficulties.

PRAYERWALK: Pray in a rural area for God’s blessing on the land and the families He has placed there.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF AFRICA
Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Finding a Way Forward in Difficult Situations

2010-03-12T13:17:00.000-08:00

Below are brief accounts of three of this week’s global stories. Easy answers to difficult situations are seldom found. As Jesus followers, we long to see aid brought to those in need and the safety of those working to provide resources to meet those needs. I share the following to allow more informed intercession. Our Father who cares about “the least of these” is at work and we seek to join Him in His activity.

Afghanistan: Will Taliban Protect Humanitarian Aid Workers

Insurgents in Afghanistan have shown interest in negotiating with the UN and aid agencies on humanitarian access and aid distributions, according to a purported Taliban spokesman. "If aid agencies contact our local Mujahedin and reach an agreement we would vouch for the safety of their workers and convoys," Qari Yosuf Ahmadi told International Relief leaders on the phone from an undisclosed location. "Whether it's a vaccination campaign or food aid distribution they [aid agencies] can do their activities in consultation and agreement with us" he said.

Niger: Food prices up, incomes down

A severe food and malnutrition crisis is looming in Niger, according to aid agencies. More than 20,000 under-five children are being treated for malnutrition nationwide and at least another 200,000 are at risk of severe malnutrition.

Selling prized cattle, cutting meals, eating food intended for animals and scrounging for anything to sell as firewood or animal feed have become increasingly common, according to officials. Access to food, rather than its availability, is turning out to be the main problem in 2010, according to a US famine monitoring group.   Food and fodder prices in parts of the south are up around 30 percent from 2009. But March incomes have dropped to half of what they were last September due to more agriculture workers competing for dwindling jobs.   "We need to ensure people have access to food. We are not even in the hungry season yet," Aboubacar Mahamadou, said the Health Ministry's deputy director of nutrition services.

UGANDA: One doctor for 16,200 refugees

Inadequate healthcare is just one of many challenges facing the 16,200 refugees in a sprawling refugee camp in western Uganda, which is served by a single doctor.   Among those waiting in one of the camp's two health centers was Mirian, 30, whose child was shivering with fever, most likely caused by malaria. "I walked two hours to reach the clinic this morning and have been sitting here for three. I hope the doctor can help my child - he is getting worse and worse every minute," she said.   "We are very stretched in terms of resources to meet all our needs," said Juliet Muhumunza, project manager with the German development agency, the UN Refugee Agency's implementing health partner. "Lack of medical staff is only the tip of the iceberg of our humanitarian assistance gaps."

Seek God on Behalf of University Students

2010-03-12T05:32:00.000-08:00

FRIDAY MARCH 12 Day 24

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. – 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

Pray for evangelization of entire campuses; for many to follow Christ; for the truth to radiate in a setting often hostile and cynical toward matters of faith; for students to make wise decisions, to form godly lifestyles and to shape their careers and ambitions to fulfill God’s global purposes. Pray for leadership to be strong among Christian groups on campuses; for the advance of movements of prayer and mission mobilization; for the ministries that focus on students.

PRAYERWALK: Pray for students at a place of higher education.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF AFRICA
Rwanda, Saint Helena, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Native Peoples

2010-03-11T05:54:00.000-08:00

THURSDAY MARCH 11 Day 23

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF NATIVE PEOPLES
I will set My justice for a light of the peoples. – Isaiah 51:4

For God’s fullest blessing upon Native Americans; that those who live in or near your city would be honored for who they are and for all God intends them to be; that God would heal the wounds to our nation that have resulted from broken treaties and mistreatment; that the tribes will be treated justly and find their destiny and highest dignity; that churches will flourish among them and that God’s praise will resound in first nation languages.

PRAYERWALK: As you prayerwalk your neighborhood or place of business, consider the native peoples who were the first to dwell in the area that became your city. Pray for their descendents.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF AFRICA
Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Reunion

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Sharing in the Sufferings

2010-03-10T10:35:00.001-08:00

“If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” - Jesus (John 15:20).

My heart hurts today for unknown brothers and sisters who have been the victims of a brutal assault. Today militants stormed the offices of World Vision, a U.S.-based Christian NGO, in Pakistan’s Mansehra district. The office is located in the North-West Frontier Province approximately 40 miles north of Islamabad.

Militants opened fire and threw grenades in an attack that killed at least six people and injured at least seven others. World Vision has temporarily suspended its operations in Pakistan as a result of the attack. There was no prior notification given of the attack, which is the most devastating in World Vision’s 60 year history. More at http://www.worldvision.org/.

Seek God on Behalf of Government Leaders

2010-03-10T06:31:00.000-08:00

WEDNESDAY MARCH 10 Day 22

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF GOVERNMENT LEADERS
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving  be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority. – 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)

That they will be examples of righteousness to our society; that they will experience God’s wisdom in their deliberations; that they will speak and carry out dealings with truth, free from any corruption. Pray that they may advance God’s justice; that they will be divinely restrained from hindering the service and worship of Jesus Christ; that they will come to know, honor and follow Christ.

PRAYERWALK: Visit a center of city, state or federal government. Pray on or near the site. Leave a short note for a particular official which describes your prayers for God to bless him or her.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF AFRICA
Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Homeless People

2010-03-09T05:27:00.000-08:00

TUESDAY MARCH 9 Day 21

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF HOMELESS PEOPLE
But He lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks. – Psalm 107:41 (NIV)

That God brings immediate relief, shelter, food and health care; that Christ will restore hope for the future; for wise counsel and trustworthy friendship; for protection from the risks of life on the streets; for employment, housing and restored family life.

PRAYERWALK: Visit a place where homeless people seek shelter or employment. Pray God’s blessing on the people you see who appear to be homeless.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF AFRICA
Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Women wear Black on Day of Celebration

2010-03-08T15:54:00.000-08:00

Rape has been used as a weapon of war in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On February 11, 2010 eight women were attacked, tortured, and raped by soldiers near the town of Mwenga in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Five of the eight women were murdered and three escaped. The three escaped women and their families were taken by women from the National Council of Churches to Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province. This hospital specializes in treatment of rape victims.

A group of Protestant women in Bukavu has decided to wear black today on International Women's Day, as a prayer of mourning and a call to peace, in response to this grievous act of violence. Suzanne Lind, a Mennonite Central Committee worker in the DRC, said that March 8 is usually a day of celebration for women in DRC in which they wear bright and festive clothing to celebrate International Women's Day. Dressing in black instead of brightly colored clothing on this day is designed to raise awareness and invite prayer for victims of abuse that continue against women in this volatile area.

Be informed. Care. Intercede. Advocate. We are the presence of Christ.

Word of Hope - Jamie Work

2010-03-08T06:17:00.000-08:00

Introduction by Milfred Minatrea

Jamie Work is one of my pastor heroes. Serving Candies Creek Baptist Church outside Cleveland, Tennessee, Jamie has led his congregation in passionate pursuit of authentic discipleship that is expressed in mission engagement. The Candies Creek facility is adorned with flags from various countries and states where the congregation is ministering.

Every week Jamie writes A Word of Hope for members of the church. I asked to be placed on the email list while I was with Candies Creek in a disciple-making emphasis. It is one email that I take time to read, because Jamie has a heart for God and a love for people that clearly comes across in his writing. The following is a recent Word of Hope from Jamie. Enjoy!

"As the deer pants for the water brooks so my soul pants for Thee, O God." (Psalm 42:1)

Each year, one day before the annual NFL Super Bowl, a ministry called Athletes in Action, in partnership with Campus Crusade for Christ, sponsors a prayer breakfast for fans, players and team personnel who desire to attend. This year more than 1,100 people were present at the Super Bowl prayer breakfast and heard Michael Vick's first-ever public declaration of his faith, as he stood beside former Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy.

It seems Coach Dungy has been mentoring Michael Vick since before Vick was released from prison last year after being convicted of bank-rolling a dog fighting ring. Not only did Michael Vick speak publicly for the first time as an adult about his teenage conversion to Christianity, and his subsequent slide away from the faith as his football success emerged, but he also shared for the first time about Coach Dungy's role in his restoration to faith in God.

Michael Vick told the audience, "I was so self-centered, I forgot about the Lord... when I got to prison, I realized I couldn't do it anymore. The one thing I could rely on was my faith in God. I feel that I'm in the back seat now and God is in the front... God has taken it over."

It sounds like Michael is discovering what the Psalmist has been telling us for centuries when the Psalmist cried out that his soul thirsted and longed for God more than for any thing else.

Seek God on Behalf of News Media

2010-03-08T05:57:00.000-08:00

MONDAY MARCH 8 Day 20

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF NEWS MEDIA
These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates. – Zechariah 8:16

For people throughout the industries of broadcast and print media to come to know Jesus personally; that attitudes of cynicism will be changed; for those who love Christ to be strengthened in wisdom; for a growing emphasis in their work on that which carries virtue and conveys kingdom values throughout the city.

PRAYERWALK: Visit a media center, a broadcast station or a publisher of print media. Pray for those associated with the enterprise.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF AFRICA
Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo-Democratic Republic (Zaire), Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Business People

2010-03-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

SUNDAY MARCH 7 Day 19

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF BUSINESS PEOPLE
But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth. – Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV)

Ask God to bless those who base business practices in righteousness. Pray that God will prosper those who pursue their business as mission for God’s kingdom. Pray for the gospel to spread in the marketplace; for righteous managers and executives; for creative, godly entrepreneurs. Pray that God would frustrate plans which escalate injustice and shake the dominion of mammon and greed.

PRAYERWALK: As you pass through a place of business today, pray for Christ to be followed and for His name to be honored in that setting. Pray for God to bless all  that expresses His kingdom.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF Africa
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Mothers

2010-03-06T06:13:00.000-08:00

SATURDAY MARCH 6 Day 18

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF MOTHERS
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom...Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. – Proverbs 31:25-26, 28 (NIV)

That God will powerfully refresh mothers in the honor and glory of motherhood; that they will be strengthened with grace, wisdom and love in serving their children; that they will be loved, protected and served by committed husbands; that mothers will model and express God’s own nurturing love.

PRAYERWALK: Walk through your neighborhood, praying for mothers and grandmothers.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
Thailand, Tibet, Timor, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wake Island, Wallis and Futuna, West Papua

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

The UnMissionary Among Us

2010-03-05T12:44:00.000-08:00

Their numbers are growing. They do what they do because they sense God’s purpose in their actions. They are serving people. They are serving Him.

They are my friends who are scattered among the nations and involved in projects destined to help people out of oppressive conditions, raise awareness of the connection between our purchases and the conditions in which commodities were produced, eliminate social injustices, provide healthcare to those who have inadequate access to or resources for that care, ensure clean water and basic nutrition for those living in poverty. Listing all their projects is impossible.

These friends are not perceived by many as ‘missionaries.’ In some instances, they would be endangered were that title used of them in the places where they serve. They are friends like Shannon Hopkins, who shares a brief video insight below, working in various vocational domains. Their work may not be linked directly to a denominational agency or a sending church. They have simply followed what they believe to be the mandate of Jesus to live the character of His Kingdom for the good of those He loves. They try to do what they believe is morally right in a world gone wrong. And they believe that moral right is a spiritual concern: God’s Kingdom on earth.

Western Christians tend to view social concerns for either environment or marginalized people as extraneous to the Gospel. While they might indicate these concerns as important, in their minds they pale beside the significance of preaching the Gospel. The latter is of eternal Kingdom significance, the former of transitory consequence. One is ultimate, the other temporary. But is that characterization right? Does Jesus care less about the physical condition in which a person lives than He does about the eternal destiny? Is it not in the love of Christ expressed here that individuals grasp the redeeming eternal love He has sacrificed on their behalf. We tend to segment where God aggregates; secular/spiritual verses wholly sacred. Jesus spoke a deep mystery in Matthew 25 when He said, “What you have done to one of the least of these, you have done to me.” I do not understand his mystical identification with the marginalized, but I do believe it.

Jesus spoke one of the longest lists He ever gave in that passage: hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, in prison. It was with people in these conditions that He identified. And He indicates that caring ministry afforded these people, is ministry to Him.

It is past time that we begin identifying as part of God’s eternal mission compassionate services that
• eliminate hunger,
• provide clean water,
• enable financial capacity to provide clothes,
• seek cures for diseases rather than just treatment of symptoms, and
• seek justice for all who are oppressed.

It is past time that we understand those giving themselves in these projects as missionaries. Although that title may be insignificant to them, they are worthy of our financial support and our prayerful concern. Not every person doing such ministries is doing so in response to the sending of God. But for those who are, they epitomize the Kingdom mission of God.

Seek God on Behalf of Refugees

2010-03-05T05:37:00.000-08:00

FRIDAY MARCH 5 Day 17

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF REFUGEES
He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. – Deuteronomy 10:18-19 (NIV)

For safe, legal immigration and for conditions to improve in homelands so that extended families will be united; for Christians to open homes and hearts to them; for the gospel to be conveyed clearly; for those desiring to return to homelands to be granted asylum and repatriation; and that God would open the way for those desiring a new home to be resettled.

PRAYERWALK: Pray prayers of welcome, protection and blessing for refugees and immigrants in your community.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Misrepresenting Jesus

2010-03-04T08:25:00.000-08:00

As Jesus taught in the synagogue at Capernaum, a loud mouthed man whose life was held in the grasp of Evil shouted, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24) This experience amazes me for various reasons.

While others were trying to identify who Jesus truly was, certainly more than just the carpenter’s son, one possessed by an evil spirit was perfectly clear on His identity. He knew who Jesus was, and he knew that his knowledge was correct. He was spot on. He knew that he knew. But of course, knowledge doesn’t automatically change us.

Then I am amazed at the readiness with which the possessed man assumed the role of spokesperson for those gathered in the synagogue. “What do you want with us?” was his first question. How often evil couches itself as a friend of those who are seeking answers to life’s important questions. This is a ploy that Satan has used since the first garden conversation. While uncertain voices might be silenced by timidity, the evil one is quick to find a spokesperson for the crowd. He loves to orchestrate emotional volatility because it often erases accurate reflection concerning the true Friend of sinners.

Finally, I wonder if the possessed man deliberately falsified the character of Jesus, or if he was so misled himself that while he could clearly identify the Son of God, he would totally miss the purpose of the Jesus life among us. “Have you come to destroy us?” How can one know the identity of the incarnate and totally miss the reason for His presence with us?

Truthfully, that happens more than we can imagine. Every day we encounter people who claim to know who Jesus is but who are unwilling to follow Him. They are convinced that following Jesus is a one-way street to destruction of everything they enjoy. They are convinced that following Jesus will be the end of joy and happiness. Delusion.

That is the way Satan works. He mixes truth and lies. He knows who Jesus is but he deceives, portraying Jesus as the destroyer. He presents himself as one who is concerned for our well-being. He ‘cares’ about our getting what we ‘deserve. He lies about Jesus and denies His promise, “I have come not to destroy you, but that you might have a life rich in abundance.”

If I understand one thing from this story, I understand how important it is that those of us who know Jesus become friends who will give others space to consider the truth about Jesus and why He has come. We must be the ones who lead them to ask “Who is Jesus?” And then, let us help them to explore the redemptive and restoring truth of His incarnation. The truth gives freedom.

Seek God on Behalf of Prisoners and Their Families

2010-03-04T05:18:00.000-08:00

THURSDAY MARCH 4 Day 16

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF PRISONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES
You who seek God, let your heart revive. For the LORD hears the needy, and does not despise His who are prisoners. – Psalm 69:32-33

That people in jails and prisons will hear the gospel and follow Christ; for fellowships of believers in prisons to multiply; that they be protected from violence and forces of spiritual evil; that the spouses and children of prisoners would be sustained, protected, provided for and honored rightly; that released prisoners find strength and wisdom to live restored, abundant lives.

PRAYERWALK: Pray near a correctional facility or jail. Or pray near homes of those you might know who have a family member in prison.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Pakistan

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Mark Clement - Spiritual Footprints

2010-03-03T16:24:00.000-08:00

As I read Mark Clement’s Blog Post, Increase Your Footprint, I thanked God for his creative and passionate insights. Shortly after I wrote about simplicity he addressed the subject from a global perspective. Reflecting on the demand that America reduce her “carbon footprint” he pursued the analogy by asking the impact of our spiritual footprint as Christ followers.

Mark wrote: “…what about our spiritual footprint? Is it even big enough to measure? Are we, individually or even collectively, having any significant impact on the environments we live in every single day? Spiritual, emotional and physical environments everywhere are in great need of impact. As with any great movement, it must start with us individually. We must make different choices than we made before. Every decision to change, however small, matters. As always, the most significant indicators of our impact are how we spend our time and our money."

Now Mark is blogging “about some different movements that are great examples of increasing our footprints as individuals, as families, as churches, and as communities. These people and organizations are great examples of how one idea, engulfed in the power of God, can have limitless impact on our world.” Check out and add to the world-changing ideas by clicking here.

Seek God on Behalf of Men

2010-03-03T11:41:00.000-08:00

WEDNESDAY MARCH 3 Day 15

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF MEN
Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me. – Jeremiah 9:23-24

That men will seek God and honor Him in faithfulness, wisdom and truth; for their identity to be centered in Christ-like servant leadership; that the vision of their lives would be to serve and advance God’s purposes.

PRAYERWALK: You will see many men today. Ask God to help you focus your prayers on one or two.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
Korea-North, Korea-South, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Island, Midway Island, Mongolia

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Educators

2010-03-02T06:55:00.000-08:00

TUESDAY MARCH 2 Day 14

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF EDUCATORS
...but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. – Luke 6:40 (NIV)

That teachers and mentors will impart godly wisdom to help form character in their students; for needed tools and proper facilities; for those who home-school their children; for renewed zeal for truth and virtue; that they would have opportunity to know God in Christ; that believers would know how to pray for their students.

PRAYERWALK: Pray for the administration and teachers as you walk around a school.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Johnston Atoll, Kiribati

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

What is Simplicity?

2010-03-01T17:34:00.000-08:00

There is no missional living apart from simplicity. Jesus was not caught up in the accumulation of stuff. Nor did he allow the tyranny of the urgent to catch him in its controlling grasp.

Too often, I struggle to remain free from things that want to thwart my pursuit of His mission. Simplicity is a prime asset in missional living. When I am controlled by neither calendared events nor costly things, I am free to prioritize my life according to the will of the Other.

Every so often, I need to go back and read Richard Foster’s Freedom of Simplicity. The rereading is not because I have forgotten, but because I need to be reminded of the possibility of living in a way that runs counter to contemporary culture.

Whether I am reading Foster or going back to St. Francis, I am reminded that value has little to do with cost. In fact, some of the most valuable things in life are those which money cannot buy and death cannot take away.

Today, I am thinking again about my lifestyle. I am inventorying my calendar and possessions. I am asking myself what I am holding on to that has become a stumbling block to my pursuit of God’s purposes.

Cluttered closets and busy calendars may be symptoms of a deadly spiritual disease. I am not at ease without simplicity. That is a place where I evidence faith in the Father’s capacity to meet my needs. It is the place where the song of a common bird becomes valuable. It is the place where my library card is as important as my Visa card.

It is the place where I can set aside a day to be alone with God in Sabbath rest. It is a Quietplace of simplicity that frees my soul of any pursuit that separates me from knowing God.

Seek God on Behalf of Physically Disabled People

2010-03-01T07:04:00.000-08:00

MONDAY MARCH 1 Day 13

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF PHYSICALLY DISABLED PEOPLE
In all their affliction He was afflicted...In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, and He lifted them and carried them all the days of old. – Isaiah 63:9

That they will be surrounded with loving friends and family; for steady refreshment of their hearts toward God; for physical stamina and healing; for financial provision to cover the cost of therapy and special care; that they will know and display the love of God.

PRAYERWALK: Pray along the same route that a person with disabilities might use to move through your neighborhood or workplace. As you do, pray for someone you know with disabilities.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
China-People’s Republic, China-Taiwan, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Cook Islands

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of the Poor

2010-02-28T05:38:00.000-08:00

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE POOR
I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. – Psalm 140:12 (NIV)

For God to establish the poor so that their spiritual and physical needs are met with dignity and stability; that God will release them from cycles of oppression and despair; that God will reverse every curse and multiply blessing.

PRAYERWALK: Walk places of poverty and neglect. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you His eyes and His heart in order to pray from hope, not pity. What grieves or gladdens God as He walks amidst the poor?

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
Afghanistan, American Samoa, Antarctica, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Health Care Workers

2010-02-27T05:09:00.000-08:00

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 27 Day 11

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS
Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; He will bless him in the land. – Psalm 41:1-2 (NIV)

That God will equip health care workers of every kind to serve others with loving hearts; that God will bless them with perseverance and joy; that the pressure of their professions will not crush their families and friendships; that many will follow Christ.

PRAYERWALK: Pray on or near the grounds of a hospital or clinic.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN
United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Virgin Islands of the USA

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Living Missionally

2010-02-26T17:01:00.000-08:00

Consumerist and missional lifestyles are opposite ends of the cultural perspective. One seeks to obtain more, the other gives itself away. While culture at large may applaud a giver, it does so because giving is considered atypical. If all people were placing the desires of others first, seeking to give rather than to receive, any uniqueness would be lost. The applause would dissipate in light of what would be typical behavior.

Of course, that typical behavior was Creator’s intent. The missional lifestyle is learned from the original Giver, not from consumerist culture. It consistently disregards personal comfort in view of pleasing the Other. The missional lifestyle serves Christ by serving others. It is expressed through a sacramental personality in which Christ is allowed to have His way. Those seeking to live missionally, relinquish their own desires to Christ. His will matters more than their own. They pray with Jesus, “nevertheless not my will, but yours be done.” And they mean it.

As I think about people who have influenced me through their own missional lifestyles, I think of humble servants whose countenance and behavior reflected the character of Jesus. They are those who have abandoned themselves to Him. They loved to serve others. Oswald Chambers said it best, “If we are abandoned to Jesus, we have no ends of our own to serve.” He is the end …and the beginning …of the missional life.

Seek God on Behalf of Ministries

2010-02-26T04:59:00.000-08:00

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26 Day 10

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF MINISTRIES
Finally, brothers, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you. – 2 Thessalonians 3:1

That Christian ministries will be founded on God’s truth, anointed by God’s power and funded by God’s people; for refreshed vision and encouragement upon the dedicated workers who labor in specialized service designed to increase the impact of local churches.

PRAYERWALK: Find a high point from which you can see much of the community. Pray that God would send needed Christian workers to and from your city.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN
St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Five Lessons from a Denver Snow

2010-02-25T19:11:00.000-08:00

For those of you who follow our communications, you are aware that Pam and I recently enjoyed an extra couple of days in the Denver area due to snow. In fact, the snow met us a couple of hours before we arrived and accompanied us into Denver.

About 100 miles east of the city, we saw what appeared to be a heavy fog in the distance. That fog turned out to be snowfall. Temperatures rapidly dropped to the mid twenties and our speed slowed to match the temperature.

The road surface melted the falling snow, creating a mixture of slushy mud that blowing up quickly made the windshield an opaque mess. It was then that I learned::

Lesson #1: Never spray windshield washer fluid on a windshield at 24°.

Instead of wiping away the slushy mud mix, wipers scraped over an immediately glazed surface of mud ice mixture. There was no wiping it off and immediately I was driving by looking through a relatively clear hole in the ice…about the size of a quarter!

Turn the defroster on…FAST: full heat…full blower! In about a half an hour, enough heat had been generated to melt the base of the ice covered windshield. A few wipes and we were now able to drive through a mud smeared glass. Now, let’s spray some fluid on it.

Lesson #2: Once you have sprayed windshield washer fluid in sub-freezing temperatures, do not expect your washer to spray again until three days after any freezing weather!

Okay, you don’t care to listen to the rest of the story, so let me just give you the last three lessons in succinct form.

Lesson #3: Before you drive after a car has sat out during extensive snow, clean both the front and the rear glass completely. Once it is four or more inches thick, snow does not blow off the windows.

Lesson #4: Before you drive after a car has sat out during extensive snow, clean all snow from the hood of the vehicle as well as the front and rear glass. Although snow does not blow off the windows, all snow left on the front of the vehicle will become a blowing blinding blizzard as you accelerate. White out again!

Lesson #5: Before you drive after a car has sat out during extensive snow, clean all snow from the top of the vehicle adjacent to any doors that are to be opened as well from the hood of the vehicle and the front and rear glass. If you don’t you will quickly learn that while snow may appear as ice outside the vehicle, once inside (and it will rush inside at a rate that boggles your mind) it becomes liquid on the seat where you are about to sit. And don’t think you will brush it off before it melts. No way!

Well, there were other lessons from Denver in the snow, but those are enough for now. One final thought, snow often goes from west to east. We got to spend two extra days in Denver, because the front that dumped its glistening beauty on Denver, moved right down the interstate toward Texas! And Pam and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Seek God on Behalf of International Visitors

2010-02-25T05:47:00.000-08:00

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25 Day 9

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
Assemble the people — men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns — so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God. – Deuteronomy 31:12 (NIV)

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN
Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Sick People

2010-02-24T05:15:00.000-08:00

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 24 Day 8

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF SICK PEOPLE He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick. – Matthew 14:14

That God will touch those who are sick in your community with healing and comfort; that they will grow in character as God walks with them throughout their ordeal; that God will provide for their financial needs; for their caregivers and families; that many will renew their trust in Christ and follow Him boldly, even in affliction.

PRAYERWALK: Consider those who may be struggling with chronic illness or pain in your neighborhood. Pray for their healing.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN
Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. http://www.waymakers.org/. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God on Behalf of Marriages

2010-02-23T06:07:00.000-08:00

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 23 Day 7

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF MARRIAGES
Marriage should be honored by all. – Hebrews 13:4 (NIV)

Thank God for solid marriages that reflect His faithfulness and beauty. Pray especially for marriages that are strained to a breaking point or are failing, that God will bring both hope and help; that He will heal broken hearts and restore intimacy; for every marriage, that God will refresh and recenter homes in Christ.

PRAYERWALK: Pray (with your spouse if married) near the homes that may need a special touch of God’s healing upon marriages.

SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN
Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Montserrat

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, page 7, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. www.waymakers.org. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Blog Post from Denver

2010-02-22T20:34:00.000-08:00

Pam and I are snowed in! I chose to drive rather than fly to speak at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lakewood, Colorado. Driving allows Pam to travel with me when I am speaking.

We arrived Friday evening in Denver after driving through snow for the final two hours. Then we enjoyed being with the Bethlehem family in a Saturday evening meeting. I spoke with windows at my back that allowed those present to watch the snow falling on the mountains. It was gorgeous. I think I should have faced the snow instead of the crowd!

Snow continued overnight. By Sunday morning everything was covered. Attendance for the Building the Body Equipping Emphasis was severely impacted. I led three one-hour workshops in which I challenged believers to live on mission in their 100 foot circle of influence while also learning about and adopting an unreached people group globally.

We touched on requirements for missional living: intimacy with God, clarity of life purpose, simplicity of life style, love of unreached peoples, serving and sharing with neighbors and nations. It really doesn’t matter how theologically informed we may be if we are not living and proclaiming the Kingdom among those who know us best and reflecting God’s passion for the nations.

After a keynote wrap-up message, we left Bethlehem with new friends like Paul and Laverne Kyriss (our gracious hosts), Ron and Tammy Uecker (enthusiasm personified), Lois Anderson (whose ministry is loving artists toward Jesus), and of course staff members, Sandy Wendelin (Director of Discipleship), Tim Ahlman (Associate Pastor with a passion for reaching the least reached) and gracious senior pastor David Langewisch.

The danger of listing these folks is that I failed to mention others. But you get the idea. We were blessed. And then it kept snowing…and snowing…and so our predicament. The only safe route to travel is toward Canada, and that really seems counterproductive since we are supposed to be going home to Texas.

Tonight’s forecast – record lows in Denver and significant snows in Texas!

Seek God for the City 2010

2010-02-22T04:47:00.000-08:00

MONDAY FEBRUARY 22 Day 6

People Subgroup - SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF ATHLETIC INDUSTRY
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory...Wealth and honor come from You...In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. – 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 (NIV)

Pray for those in support roles as well as those with higher profiles, that they will know Christ and fulfill God’s calling in their lives. Pray that athletes would be good examples of dedication, commitment and courage; that they will live with integrity and carry out the responsibility of wealth and reputation; that coaches would instill character; that God will reveal His calling and purpose for the students and coaches in college and university programs.

PRAYERWALK: Pray on-site at the scene of an upcoming sports event near you.

Continents/Countries - SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN
Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, page 7, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. www.waymakers.org. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God for the City 2010

2010-02-21T05:13:00.000-08:00

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 Day 5

People Subgroup - SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF PASTORS
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care...Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:2, 7 (NIV)

That pastors and church leaders will be filled with wisdom; that they be honored by those they serve; that God will pour His Spirit upon them in power and humility, giving fresh intimacy with Jesus; for protection from the plots of the evil one against their families; that deep friendships with other pastors will grow.

PRAYERWALK: Pray outside a church building for the pastor who serves that church

Continents/Countries - SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN
El Salvador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Greenland

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, page 7, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. www.waymakers.org. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God for the City 2010

2010-02-20T04:46:00.000-08:00

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 Day 4

People Subgroup - SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF SINGLE PEOPLE
One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 7:32

Pray that Christ will fill singles’ hearts with His love; that they may taste the satisfaction which is found only in God; that friendships will bring ample fullness of relationship; for sexual purity and simplicity of lifestyle; for marvelous marriages for those who desire them. Pray for those single by divorce or death, that they would find healing and new hope for life ahead.

PRAYERWALK: Bless those people who are single. Consider their story. Pray for their future and hopes.

Continents/Countries - SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN
Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, page 7, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. www.waymakers.org. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Seek God for the City 2010

2010-02-19T05:30:00.000-08:00

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19 Day 3

People Subgroup - SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF WOMEN
This woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. – Acts 9:36

That women will be honored in their unique glory as those created by God; that injustice of every kind toward women will cease; for pornography to be stopped; for protection from sexual violence; that hope would be renewed for the beauty of marriage and children; that single women would lay hold of the hope of great joy and purpose for God’s glory.

PRAYERWALK: Without necessarily being demonstrative, pray prayers of blessing for some of the women you come in contact with today.

Continents/Countries - SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN
British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, page 7, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. www.waymakers.org. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Verge 2010 has only begun

2010-02-18T21:37:00.000-08:00

Verge 2010 was blessed with the presence of God in an unusual way. Seldom have I been part of worship after which those present would not leave. When the final large group session ended, corporate prayer and confession swept across the room as the Holy Spirit manifested a Divine work. Quietly and unprompted, those present begin to call out various names of God: Comforter, Holy One, Messiah, Jesus, Rock of Help, etc.

A holy hush had descended and participants sensed they had been invited by the Father into a very special moment. Now we pray that the moment gives way to a season in which God continues to call followers into deeper relationship with Himself. We pray that the season will be observed by the world as we engage them with serving hearts and the compassion of Christ. Verge 2010 has not ended…it has only begun. This is my prayer.

Seek God for the City 2010

2010-02-18T13:58:00.000-08:00

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 18 Day 2

People Subgroup - SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF FAMILIES
In you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed. – Genesis 28:14

For solid, God-centered relationships among family members; that parents would be bold to instruct their children in God’s way of living and lead their families to pray together; for families dismantled by divorce to be healed; that Christ’s forgiveness would dissolve long-held anger.

PRAYERWALK: Prayerwalk as a family through your own neighborhood. Ask God to give you family-to-family prayers of blessing for another specific family.

Continents/Countries - SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN
Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, page 7, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. www.waymakers.org. Hear more at http://bit.ly/bHXQpo.

Apostolic Movements – Distinctive Practices and Shifts

2010-02-17T20:01:00.001-08:00

Dave Gibbons recently authored The Monkey and the Fish: Liquid Leadership for Third Culture Leaders. The following are some thoughts I captured as he spoke about Apostolic Movements during Verge 2010.

Movement is how the mission is to be accomplished. Gibbons sited five distinctive practices of apostolic movements:

Ordain every believer
Lead with a “Yes” then ask “How”
Teach people to “Go” and not just “Bring”
Plant the Gospel before Planting a Church
Foster Incarnational and Apostolic – not just one and done (train an apprentice)

Significant global shifts that we are or will deal with in releasing apostolic movement:

Justice issues are profound. Global capitalistic ideas are resulting in a widening gap between the poor and the rich. Terrorism no longer concerned about nations but about individuals with capacity to damage all.
Power shifts are significant. July 27, 2048 is forecast as the date when China will surpass the US as it relates to life expectancy of persons and income per capita.
We must shift from creating strategies to unleashing the capacity of the Holy Spirit in lives of those on the journey; to let the Glory of the Lord Shine. Beauty is intrinsic in the fabric of the word Glory. Let the beauty of the Holy Spirit flow through your congregation, especially in the work of justice, advocacy and compassion. His glory will shine!
We are shifting from a church with walls (where the focus is on buildings) to a church without walls (where everyone plays).
We are shifting from steps and solutions to customization of tools – From our traditional instruments that analyze the strengths and gifts people possess to tools that have to do with people’s stories and narrative; how their pain has prepared them for God’s purposes.
We must shift to adopt a biblical theology of liquid leadership. The bible speaks clearly to contextualization. Jesus became flesh that we might know Him. Paul became all things to all me that he might win some. We must contextualize as required to become servants to reach the many.

Gibbons is transitioning toward the following priority: “How can we develop 300 highly committed instead of believing all power rests in size? A 30,000 member church does not actually yield greater influence. The greatest influence is wielded in the small things where God has first place.”

Seek God for the City 2010

2010-02-17T19:43:00.000-08:00

Today I encourage you to join with over 100,000 believers in praying for our cities and those living in the cities of the world. For the next 40 days many of us are utilizing Seek God for the City 2010 as a resource that God will use to raise our prayers as a unified concert toward His throne. Missional Church Center has been granted permission to share portions of this resource guiding to prayers of biblical hope with our readers.

Each day between now and Palm Sunday we will share a different subgroup of people as well as continents/countries for which we will pray. For the first eleven days, we pray that God will revive His people with spiritual life.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 17 - Day 1

People Subgroup - SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF YOUTH
Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants, and our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace...How blessed are the people whose God is the LORD! – Psalm 144:12, 15

For people in their teens to radically commit their lives to Christ; to make wise choices; for older mentors; for solid friendships with their peers who are following Jesus; for open communication with parents; for God’s intentions for their generation to come forth in fullest measure.

PRAYERWALK: Pray with your eyes open for people in their teens. Envision them following Christ five or ten years from now.

Continents/Countries - SEEK GOD ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAS AND THE CARIBBEAN
Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas

This is an excerpt from Seek God for the City 2010, page 7, published by WayMakers. Used with permission. www.waymakers.org.

The Magic of the Seed

2010-02-16T17:12:00.000-08:00

In one of his Verge 2010 presentations, Neil Cole told the story of being with his daughter as they drove past a new mall. Large tractors were digging holes for trees. The next day they drove by again and full grown palm trees had been placed into the holes. Neil’s daughter exclaimed, “Wow, those trees grow fast!” He then commented, I didn’t tell her they had placed fully grown trees into the holes, because I wanted her to believe in the magic of the seed.

Cole then went on to discuss the powerful seed of the Gospel. While known as a church planter, Cole said, “Today I tell people to plant Jesus, not churches.” We can give messages about the word without giving the Word Himself. Church is the outgrowth of the message. Every piece of fruit contains the seed for the next generation. When we plant the Word, it will bear fruit. And the fruit contains the magic of reproduction.

Cole identified three components of farming: sowing, growing, harvesting. He said, the farmer is most busy at the sowing and harvesting seasons. Yet, it seems that we tend to work most at making churches ‘grow’. That is the only thing the farmer did not work for. Growth is the byproduct of sowing and harvesting.

As he talked about reproductive disciple-making, Cole confessed that he once focused on various curricula for use in disciple-making. When one curriculum became boring, they would change to another. Ultimately he even sought to write his own curriculum. Sometimes he would try having growing disciples read and discuss good spiritual books to maintain their interest and keep them on a growth track. Finally, Cole realized that the solution to changed lives was not found in curriculum, or in good books. Verge participants laughed as Cole reenacted His dialogue with the Father, “God what book could we read that might really change their lives? God responded, Well, I do have a best seller.”

From that dialogue, Cole began to develop the Life Transformation Group (LTG) process that is now widely used among believers. In LTG’s two or three believers covenant to read 25-30 chapters of Scripture each week. Then they meet to share what God said to them through the Word. They also pray for their personal witness to unbelieving friends and utilize a list of accountability questions for mutual encouragement in faithfulness.

The process focuses on getting the seed into fallow ground. We can’t make the seed grow. As George Patterson is fond of saying “You can’t make anything grow anymore than tugging on an ear of corn will make it grow.” But we can act upon our confidence that the magic of the movement is found in the seed.

White Space - By Dr. Bill Tinsley

2010-02-16T16:00:00.000-08:00

For most of us, life starts out fairly simple. When my wife and I married we could, quite literally, pack all our possessions in the back seat of our car. But along the way, we picked up clutter. The closets and attic overflow. Periodically I move boxes around in the garage so she can get her car in. Stuff seems to multiply to occupy every nook and cranny. It is hard to throw it away. Even what looks like trash is somehow attached to memories. Every scrap of paper, baby shoe and broken toy possesses a part of my life.

It isn’t just things. The calendar is the same. Business, or “busy-ness,” expands to claim every minute. Many leave the house in the dark, stagger out to the car swigging down a last cup of coffee and maneuver onto the freeways munching a breakfast burrito. Memos, phone calls, meetings and a commute home in rush hour traffic to pick up kids and head off to practice sessions. No wonder we are exhausted.

Christians may be especially vulnerable. Richard Foster wrote, “We are trapped in a rat race, not just of acquiring money, but also of meeting family and business obligations. We pant through an endless series of appointments and duties. This problem is especially acute for those who want to do what is right. With frantic fidelity we respond to all calls to service, distressingly unable to distinguish the voice of Christ from that of human manipulators."

We need white space!

Look at Google. Someone discovered that the greatest impact is made when there is plenty of white space. Google keeps it simple. The iPod and the iPhone do the same. The iPod has one button. The iPhone has none. We need to learn how to live as Google lives, with plenty of white space, space in our lives that gives us freedom. We need deliverance from crammed calendars and cluttered closets.

It takes discipline to create white space, room for flexibility and freedom, margins in which to breathe. Some have been surprised in the present economic downturn to discover a newfound freedom by scaling back, ridding themselves of clutter, finding time for family and friends.

Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when He said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust corrupt and thieves break through and steal …” Jesus knew how to order life with “white space.” He took time to listen to children, to help a desperate woman who risked touching his garment, to heal a paralytic passed over by the crowd. He had time for people, and, when he died, his robe was his only possession. He never punched a time clock. He did not wear a watch. He was never rushed or in a hurry.

It is entirely possible that, with our break neck race to “get somewhere” that we might end up “nowhere.” This might be the reason Jesus said, “… you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” (Luke 10:41). When we simplify our lives with fewer “things” and build “white spaces” in our lives for others we discover life itself.

Write Bill Tinsley at bill@mckinneytoday.net. Dr. Tinsley has served as pastor and missions leader in Texas, Minnesota and Wisconsin. He has international experience in South America, Africa, Australia, Europe and Asia. His books are available at www.tinsleycenter.com.

Faith Mixed with Sorrow

2010-02-15T16:28:00.000-08:00

Today I have been with family members who have been wrestling with the decision to remove life support systems from their loved one. The decision is one no wife would ever wish to make concerning her husband. The believer always wonders if there is still an ounce of hope that God might allow a miracle to happen that supersedes every prognosis given by medical experts.

Just a week ago he was enjoying relationships with his family, working out at the health club, working in his vocation and serving Christ through his life. Today, he lies comatose with severe neurological damage following a heart attack sustained when alone…on his way home.

The possibility of such an experience always seems remote, but it is nonetheless real. In this instance, it was something that the couple had talked about. He had said, “I would not want to remain in a condition where I was not aware, being dependent upon support systems to sustain my life.” He said, “I would rather go be with Jesus.”

While the decision to remove life support systems is still traumatizing and painful, the words he had spoken do provide comfort. For those who remain, the pain of loss is profound. Even knowing his preference to “be with Jesus” does not remove the hurt and emptiness. Nor does it remove the lingering questions: “Is this the right decision?”

While family and friends gather round, and faith nurtures the spirit of those who remain, the darkness of the moment is real. And it feels as though the light will never shine again. That is reality, even for people with deep faith. And we, friends and family who also possess faith in God, join them with our tears.

We ask ourselves why we cry, if we truly believe the promises of God. And for just a moment, we understand another who stood at the grave of a dear friend and wept even though He possessed the power to restore life. Yes, Jesus wept.

Jesus Sneezed – Kingdom Movement

2010-02-12T11:25:00.000-08:00

At Verge 2010 we laughed as Alan Hirsch began by saying “I have always wanted to write a book called Jesus Sneezed.” Viruses can teach us a lot of things. They are resistant and remarkable creatures. All good ideas spread like viruses. The idea becomes a splinter in your brain. It demands your attention. You cannot help but notice it and deal with it. As we reflect on the idea that has ‘grabbed us’ we ‘sneeze’ that idea onto someone else.

Very simple slogans are characteristic of movements. “Jesus, Lord is alive” is a great example. The more complex you make it the more you slow it down. The early church message was simply yet earth shaking. The simplicity of that message demands a response. It paves the way for disciples to be born into the Kingdom.

Such a message spreading virally would only take eleven iterations from the 2200 people attending Verge, following the “pay it forward” concept loving three people into and discipling them in the Kingdom of God, to “cover” all of America. Then three more iterations would reach the every person in the world!

That is the power of multiplication. Were every church plant to “pay it forward” into only three more new churches, we would quickly saturate the world with churches. By the way, they don’t have to be big, just alive.

There are two elements that make an exponential movement:
Apostolic ministry + Mission of the People of God = Exponential Movement

Apostolic ministry is about ‘sent’ leaders who equip others for their sending. Mission of the People of God (MPOC) implies the equipped, mobilized ministry of every Christ follower.The real revolution happens when the people of God actually become and act as the people of God.

Below is Video of Alan Hirsch at Verge 2010.

*Photo provided by the VERGE 2010 Media Team

The Big Red Tractor – My New Favorite Metaphor

2010-02-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

The Big Red Tractor from Jacob Lewis on Vimeo.

Francis Chan has given me a new metaphor. My grandmother’s phrase for anything difficult was, “It was like pulling teeth…” In the past, I have used that phrase myself when I found it difficult to lead the congregation forward. “It’s like pulling teeth to get these people off dead center.” So often church leadership has felt like pulling and pushing an old ship trying to get it to move.

I relinquished the role of pushing and pulling when I realized no amount of human effort can result in the accomplishment of God’s mission. We do not make it happen. That is why the St. Exupery quote means so much to me: “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.”

I found that after more than twenty-five years of ministry I had been drumming up the men, gathering the wood, dividing the work and giving the orders to orchestrate the accomplishment of God’s mission. Now I know that the only power for that mission comes from God. I can stop expending errant energy and instead rest in the Father’s power.

This background lets you know why Francis Chan’s metaphor via his cartoon “The Big Red Tractor” made such an impression on me when I saw it at Verge 2010. Watch it yourself and make your own decision to “find rest for your soul.” By the way, your kids and grandkids will love this one as well! Thanks Francis…again, you have stretched us with your creativity and passion.

*Photo provided by the VERGE 2010 Media Team

Haiti, Hope and Missional Faithfulness

2010-02-11T10:32:00.000-08:00

In the midst of prolific conversations about the historical and spiritual background of Haiti and the influence of that history on recent events (e.g. Pat Robertson comments) a better question was included in my friend Andrew Jones’ blog, Tall Skinny Kiwi.

A better answer was provided by Dr. Dieumeme Noelliste, president of the Caribbean Evangelical Theological Association. His comments can be accurately applied to many other global contexts where faith is separated from the marketplace, where there is an inappropriate divide between spiritual and secular, and where the church’s voice is not penetrating society at large.

QUESTION: How is it that a country which has so much Christianity also has so much poverty? How can the two coexist? Here’s an answer by a leading Haitian theologian, interviewed by Christianity Today.

"In my view: The gospel that has been preached in Haiti has left a vacuum—has left the political landscape untouched. The church doesn’t see its business as being a prophetic witness to those in power. The result has been a political sector left to its own devices; this is why the common people were the first responders to the crisis, not the government. This is the result of the gospel being truncated, emasculated, instead of confronting the powers that be to do what God intends for them to do: protect and enhance life."

I am amazed at the divergent interpretations of the missional movement. Some argue that ‘missional’ thinkers understand the Gospel to be about social justice, others about spiritual salvation. May God help us those of us who are communicating a missional message to be clear about the total implications of the whole Gospel as proclaimed and modeled by Jesus and His church. The Gospel is bigger than our segmentation. It is about both spiritual redemption and social justice…and it is about so much more. In fact, it is about everything that is on the heart of God.

I often say, missional is messy. The missional church will often look liberal in social engagement while it is conservative theologically. As we pursue a missional posture, some will say we have become liberal because we engage in addressing issues perceived as being in the social domain. We would adamantly respond, “No, we are not liberal. We are theological conservatives who have read the Bible and found throughout its pages a call to engage the world with loving compassion: meeting needs, touching lives, and sharing the ultimate Hope that outlasts every physical structure.”

More from Christianity Today

Every Saint a Full-Time Paid Staff Member

2010-02-10T19:19:00.000-08:00

Jeff Vanderstelt, one of the pastors of Soma Communi ties in Tacoma, Washington echoed much of my own conviction about implications of the Body as God’s missional people. Soma Communities is a church planting church and I first learned of Jeff and the Soma family while in Riga, Latvia. There I ministered along side a young church planter who had attended Soma School in Tacoma. Jeff Vanderstelt and the body of Soma are making an incredible impact globally as they equip and empower believers to minister the Gospel and start missional communities.

Jeff began by reminding Verge 2010 participants of the position of Christ and the role of the Body. Referring to Ephesians 1, he said, “Let’s understand the position and inheritance we have in Christ. He is at the right hand. He is the head of the Body. God has put all things under his feet. There is no other senior pastor than Jesus Christ. It is not us building a church, but Jesus building His church through us.”

He went on, “At Soma we act upon the assumption that every saint is a full-time paid staff member to do the work of ministry. It doesn’t matter whether the check we receive has our church’s name in the upper left hand corner, or Microsoft, Boeing, etc. Wherever the check comes from, it is God’s channel of bringing his resources into your life to enable you to do your full time ministry as God’s sent one.

A critical question we must ask is, ‘Have we structured so that everybody becomes a ‘carrier’ of Jesus and see all of life as the ministry they are called to?’ The most effective carrier of discipleship is not an event. It is doing life together.

No one gets equipped in meetings. We may get informed, motivated, etc., but equipping requires us to be doing, not just hearing. We must live life together in community or we cannot equip each other. How do we know if a man is faithful? (2 Tim. 2:2) We know that only if we are doing life together.

We do not put on a lot of events that extract people from life…instead we equip for life with one another. Unless we call people to focus on mission, they will ultimately become internalized and segregated from the world. We must reorient our whole lives around reaching out to people. Do whatever it takes to be a missionary to a particular people group.

When we started Soma, it was not about a big launch service. We launched people and commissioned them to start their own groups. Each leader has an apprentice. Those who lead small flocks well are those who become entrusted elders of the congregation.”

Theirs is an equipping and empowering process that has the Acts of the Holy Spirit written all over it!

*Photos provided by the VERGE 2010 Media Team

Francis Chan Session 1

2010-02-09T16:56:00.000-08:00

Simon Says…Jesus Says

I was deeply moved as God spoke through Francis Chan, pastor of Cornerstone Church in Semi Valley, California and author of Crazy Love. Chan began by asking the Verge participants to forget they were in a conference and instead to simply be people gathered in the presence of God. He encouraged our passion for God, more than for mission, reminding of Moses’ words, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us…” (Exodus 33:15).

Chan echoed something many of us have said, that God is moving and speaking the same messages into lives around North America that do not know each other. Chan asked, “How in the world can all these people be saying the same things…hearing the same things from God…responding in similar ways?” It must be clear that God is calling His bride to a fresh love with Himself and new abandon to His purpose.

At the outset we agreed with Chan that the Verge conference was born as a response to what God was already doing in developing missional communities. “It is not our place to initiate a movement. That is God’s doing.” Disciples did not get together and organize the day of Pentecost. It wasn’t a plan. It was the Holy Spirit of God doing something. The disciples were along for the ride.

Chan challenged those present to make sure that what we are doing is theologically right. He suggested that “If we just read the scripture and follow what it says, we would make disciples.” We would obey.

He said, “When I was young we played, Simon Says. All of us have played it…well maybe not the younger generations, because there are no app’s for it. Someone would say ‘Simon Says’ and we did it. But when ‘Jesus says,’ in church we act like ‘You don’t have to do it…you just have to study it and memorize it.’ If I tell my daughter to clean her room, she doesn’t come back in an hour and say, “Okay Dad, I memorized what you told me to do.”

Jesus told us to love one another. No one out there has ever seen God, but if we as the Body would really love each other, they would get a glimpse of His love. When we love each other in unity, the world will believe that Jesus was sent from God. It is not through our apologetics that the reality of Jesus will be known, rather through our love.

When the early disciples experienced Jesus alive again after His death, everything else took a back seat to obediently sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. “Stuff” didn’t matter anymore when death was conquered and Jesus’ Spirit came upon His church. Jesus changes everything. And we are invited to join His mission of loving the world to Himself.

*Photos provided by the VERGE 2010 Media Team

Missional Living

2010-02-09T15:25:00.000-08:00

I was blessed in reading the blog of Terry Timm, Lead Pastor of Christ Community Church of the South Hills in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvaina. Terry is teaching a missional church course for which my book Shaped by God’s Heart is the text. In one of his blog posts, he quotes Dianne Bergant speaking on Advent life. I have adapted her words and copied some of Terry’s comments. Together I think they are a beautiful description of the missional life:

“The [missional] life does not necessarily require unusual behavior on our part, but it calls us to live the usual unusually well. It affects the everyday events of life; it directs the way we interact with people; it informs the attitudes that color our judgments and motivations. It is as ordinary as the birth of a child; it is as extraordinary as the revelation of God.”

Jesus calls us to live the usual unusually well. This reminds me of Eugene Peterson’s translation Romans 12:

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.”

God is not looking for extraordinary and unusual acts of faithfulness, courage, daring or sacrifice. Worship is offering our everyday, ordinary lives back to God for the life of the world.

What would it look like for you to live the usual unusually well? And how might God take our simple acts of faith, hope, and love – infuse them with His Spirit and use them in the establishment of His kingdom here on earth?

Verge 2010 P1

2010-02-08T14:32:00.000-08:00

Over the next days, I will be posting insights from Verge 2010 Missional Community Conference which was held February 4-6, 2010. It was my privilege to be part of the Social Media team for the event.

Matt Carter, lead pastor of Austin Stone Community Church said missional community may be what this generation of believers is remembered for during session 1 at Verge 2010 Missional Community Conference in Austin.

Missional Community has the potential to be what this generation of believers is remembered for; that which historically defines this generation. Grandparents were remembered for Billy Graham and Navigators; parents for mega churches and contemporary Christian music and worship. I believe missional community is the long awaited structure that the American church has needed desperately to release every day believers into the mission God has intended for them in their everyday life.

There is a growing tension as everyday believers wonder why what they read in the book of Acts is not occurring in their own church experience. “When do I get to get in the game? When does the Holy Spirit get to manifest himself in and through me?” Missional Community has the potential to awaken the sleeping giant of the church.

There is also a danger that missional community is what we will be remembered for rather than our love for Jesus. The danger in that kind of community is that we love our mission more than our savior. If you love your mission more than you love your savior, then your savior will have no part in your mission.

The church at Ephesus was a church that exercised discipline, held true doctrine, persevered for Jesus’ sake. Yet, this was the church of which Jesus said, “I have a serious problem with you. You have left your first love.” After having identified five good things they were doing, Jesus said, “You have lost your relationship with me. I am no longer the first thing in your life.” In other word, you love your mission more than your savior.

The consequence of that failure was the removal of the “lamp stand.” For us the question becomes: If Jesus took everything away from you, never had one shred of success in ministry again; never saw a dream come true, would Jesus alone be enough?

*Photos provided by the VERGE 2010 Media Team

Pray for Boldness

2010-01-20T21:37:00.000-08:00

The new year has already shifted into high gear. So much is happening around the world; tragedies and victories, depths of pain and wonderful causes for celebration. As 2009 ended, I reflected on our need for boldness in this season. My thoughts ran to the first century church, the challenges faced, and her desperation for God's gift of boldness. This brief video captures some of my thoughts. It begins with a reminder of the upcoming Verge 2010 Missional Community Conference in Austin. I trust that you will join me in asking God to gain glory through that gathering!

Compassion Channels for Haiti Relief

2010-01-14T12:43:00.000-08:00

My partners in ministry at Jacksonville Baptist Association have an ongoing Haitian ministry to orphaned children. Now housing families left homeless. Details and online giving at www.jbahaiti.org. I have personal knowledge of the long term impact and integrity of this ministry.

Long term relationship with Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief ministries yields my absolute confidence in their intervention as well. Water purification already on the way. Info at http://www.texasbaptistmen.org/DNN/.

My Growing Vision for a Missional Church

2010-01-11T16:08:00.000-08:00

After more than twenty five years of ministry as pastor and then consultant servant to church leaders, I came to realize that most churches in North America were highly active yet minimally effective in impacting their world. I spent years assisting churches in identifying ministry opportunities in their communities, pathways through which congregations could serve unchurched persons in ways they would receive. We believed churches that matched gifts and skills of their church members with ministry opportunities in the community would establish relationships with people who were open to the Good News of the Gospel.

In reality, only a handful of people in most churches would become part of those servant ministries. Most would applaud developing ministries, provide financially to enable those ministries, but few would become servants in these new “touch points.” New ministries were “added” to the already busy schedule of activities in most churches. Many members were already involved in as many church events as they deemed possible with their busy schedules. Adding something else was just not realistic. And because the other activities were deemed important, discontinuing these was not an option. So, the church calendar continued to fill.

I became convinced that no amount of corporate ministry initiatives would ever result in true effectiveness. Further, I knew that most churches struggle to define effectiveness in the first place. For many, effectiveness is measured by comparing attendance in Bible Study and worship this year with attendance in preceding years. Or perhaps, some might compare annual baptismal numbers. Hardly any churches think in terms of measuring the impact the church is actually having in its community. Few measure the number of new disciples who are equipped.

I saw clearly that churches must not simply do what they do better, but be different. Continuing existing programs would doubtless continue to produce similar results. Without new ways of thinking and acting churches would be isolated from and irrelevant to many people in their communities. Unless the church began to impact the lives of those in the community at the points where they naturally intersected, it was doubtful that they would have significant influence and impact on those lives. While corporate ministries are important and needed, true impact would only be realized through the everyday influence of members living as servant reflections of Christ in their own spheres of influence. True impact will not be linked to more calendared events, but to greater care and involvement in the lives of people at the office, in the classroom, on the course or field, and across the fences that ensure our personal privacy.

Instead of isolating ourselves from the world, or spending more hours talking about how we might reach the world, it is time to be Christ in the world. Not a select few, but all members of the Body of Christ are to live as sent ones.

Please share your thoughts: As a follower of Christ, what do you need most from your church to equip you to live as Christ’s servant and messenger among your friends, family, work associates and neighbors? As a church, how do you measure effectiveness? What is your best practice in preparing followers for effective mission lifestyles?

Verge 2010 – Austin – February 4-6

2010-01-09T14:05:00.000-08:00

For those of you who have been asking, “no” I am not speaking at Verge. So, why do I keep encouraging you to register? Why do I keep saying, “I look forward to seeing you there?” Because I believe in the dialogue that Verge will foster. I believe in being part of the community of faith on this missional journey. It is not about me. It is not about the “speakers.” It is about God, His mission and our part in it.

While I will not be “on the platform” I will be in the dialogue. So will you, if you join us. For Verge is about more than hearing a few people speak. It is about community, family, networking. It is about what God wants to say through you and me as well as to you and me.

The day before Verge 2010 begins I will conclude three days of keynoting a west coast conference for pastors and spouses where we will explore the missional leadership challenges they are facing. From there, I will join you in Austin where we will continue the same dialogue in a different context. We are all learners on the journey. God is the guide. His church is the vessel sent to live and proclaim His Kingdom. Let’s gather to hear His voice at the Verge of this decade!

The Foundation of Missional Life

2010-01-04T16:20:00.000-08:00

“The foundation of a missional life is the decision to offer God our plans in exchange for his plans. It requires that we are willing to leave our world so he can send us to extend His kingdom.” (From The Tangible Kingdom Primer by Halter and Smay, “What is Missional?”) Do you recall Mary’s response to the angel’s message from God concerning her conception and birth of the Son of God? “Behold, (I am) the servant of the Lord.” (Luke 1:38) She referred to herself using the word for a bond-slave, the same word that was to become a favored expression of Paul.

The angel had been sent to her, a missional phenomena, with a specific message, just as to Zechariah earlier. Upon hearing the highly disturbing message, “You will conceive and bear a Son” Mary asked the most obvious question possible, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” While the response to that question was specific, it still left many unanswered questions for the young “favored one”. Her response was to exchange her plans for God’s plan. Whatever dreams and ambitions she may have had, were forever altered by the mission of God. His will was her first desire; “May it be to me as you have said.”

What personal plans and ambitions may need to be altered or enhanced as you seek God’s mission this year? What part of “your world” must be seconded to “His Kingdom” so that you may fulfill the purpose for which He has sent you? Mary did not ‘leave’ her world; she allowed herself to become the instrument of God’s blessing to her world, “the servant of the Lord.”

At Verge 2010, you and I will have opportunity to explore the implications of being kingdom servants to our world. If you have not done so, visit the Verge website, see the list of colleagues who will be speaking and guiding our dialogue, then register today! I look forward to seeing you there.

An Invisible Footprint; Do We Trust the Social Networking Scene?

2009-12-30T15:11:00.000-08:00

Facebook recently made significant changes to security. Since that time I have not been posting updates on FB. Why? Because I have not gone through the step of making the required “privacy settings” decisions. Members must choose the level of access that they are willing to grant to others. Does everyone in the world get to access my personal information or do I want to restrict that privilege to only those who are my family? Or friends? Or friends of friends?

My wife tells me that I am naïve. I want to believe the best in people, that they do not intend to be hurtful, that they will not use knowledge about me to their own gain and my detriment. That leaves me asking why I should not allow everyone to have access to my personal information. I trust them. And trust is a big issue.

Facebook has raised interesting issues for those involved in social networking and the safety of those who utilize tools like Facebook to stay in touch with friends. As I was reviewing the options, I began to think about how the same issues must be addressed in any community. Trust is paramount. We must have confidence that others will not abuse our transparency. When we take off the masks and allow ourselves to be known, we open ourselves to potential abuse. Someone may divulge things shared in confidence. Or they may hold those confidences dear while graciously helping us to become more of who we were created to be, conformed to the image of Christ.

One thing I know, missional lifestyles are not lived in isolation. Being missional requires relationship with others. Facebook has a limit on the number of “friends” one can have. Ed Stetzer became a “big deal” when his friends numbered 5000. (You can laugh with Ed by clicking here.) In reality, probably none of us could have that many true “friends.” The number of persons in whom we can invest and be invested emotionally is much lower. It is in the smaller group that authentic relationships develop; those that move beyond superficial to significant. Without community we are incomplete. Yet community carries a price tag that is too great for many.

Hugh Halter and Matt Smay got it right: “Everyone’s talking about community. Everyone seems to want it, most complain if they don’t find it, but it’s harder to pull off than you think.”(From the introduction to The Tangible Kingdom Primer) Where have you experienced real community? Do you currently have a relational community whom you trust completely? Do the words “church” and “community” intersect for you? If so, how? If not, why?

I look forward to dialogue about “missional community” with people like you who are on the journey at VERGE on February 4-6 in Austin, Texas. I’ll see you there.

Impressions of Russia - By Shafer Parker

2009-12-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

Pastor, Hawkwood Baptist Church
Calgary, Alberta

The Rostov Baptist Bible School was created in the mid-1990s after the fall of Communism. In meetings with Russian Baptist leaders, North American Baptists asked how they could best support what Russian churches were already doing. Educating pastors and young adults for Christian ministry became a priority. Financially the school is supported by NAB churches in Canada and the U.S. All costs for each student are covered, including a tiny amount of spending money. The program is completed in one year, with each subject handled in two-week intensives (Bible survey courses, theology, hermeneutics, homiletics, etc.), led by volunteer professors and pastors from North America. Teaching is done through a professional translator and visiting professors live in a well-furnished apartment a five-minute walk away.

As I write this I’m on my way home from two weeks of teaching the Pentateuch at the Rostov Baptist Bible School in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. This was my second teaching trip and as I left for Russia this time I mistakenly assumed I would simply pick up where I had left off in 2008. Well, that notion disappeared in a hurry. I’d forgotten how much the translation process slows everything down. I also failed to realize that with a brand new group of students (10 men and 3 women) it would take a few days to assess their level of Biblical knowledge and develop the same rapport I had enjoyed with the students by the end of my first visit.

Nor had it crossed my mind how different the weather could be. I mean different from last year because this year it never varied from one day to the next. It rained, except for short periods of heavy overcast and dripping trees, then it rained some more. The hour of the day made no difference. It just rained. As we discussed Noah’s flood in the classroom, nature was giving us a graphic illustration of 40 days of inclemency just outside the window, with narry a rainbow in sight. Rostov is on the Don River just 20 miles east of the Sea of Asov, so I expected the humidity to be a little higher than in my home town of Calgary, Alberta. But this was ridiculous. Ah well, I made up for the dampness outdoors by the dryness of my teaching style indoors.

To meet a Russian Evangelical Christian is to meet someone who understands total commitment to Christ. Exceptions must surely exist, but I’ve not met any. Russia is no longer Communist and religious freedom is a reality, but by and large the culture is so opposed to Christianity, and evangelical Christianity in particular, that no one decides to confess Christ without counting the cost. Or else, like many of this year’s students, they’ve traveled the way of the world to its bitter end and know how to compare the cost of that journey to the rewards of following Jesus. Several of the men in this year’s class have spent time in prison, or in drug and alcohol rehab. They came to faith with the desperation of a Jacob, begging for a blessing from God after all natural strength has been torn away. None of them harbor any illusions as to the source of the new life they presently enjoy, nor would they return to their old way of life for anything this world can offer.

The classroom and the dormitory for the Bible school are in the basement of Central Baptist Church, the only new Baptist Church building to be built in Russia during the Communist era. The Soviet Union hosted the Olympics in Moscow in 1980 and the government was anxious to show the world that its people enjoyed religious freedom, which meant that precisely one church in one city got permission to build — at the end of a narrow, pot-holed lane that appears more alley than street, and where the church building is hidden from view behind some of the most dilapidated buildings in Rostov. No one just drops in at Central. To get there you have to be looking for it, and even then you probably need guidance from someone who knows the way.

Despite the difficulties, a growing number of people are attending Christian worship in Russia. The thousand-seat sanctuary at Central Baptist is nearly full every Sunday, with enough young people present to convince even a convinced skeptic that Christianity cannot be dismissed as nothing more than delusional comfort for a dying generation.

Still, attendance at Central isn’t what it once was — not, surprisingly enough, necessarily a bad thing. Before the fall of communism standing-room-only crowds were the order of the day. But over the past 15 years many members have used their new-found freedom to immigrate away from Russia, and an equal number have gone out to plant new churches around the city — one of them an imposing brick structure on a major thoroughfare with a large cross on top that leaves no room for the passing crowds to misunderstand what goes on inside.

For me, it’s the students I will always remember. Andre, who grew up as one of the good guys but remained haunted by the thought that something was wrong with his life. It was when one of the local pastors suggested he help out at a drug rehab centre that he began to understand his own need for repentance. Michael was a patient at that same centre who shared with me that he had dedicated 20 years of his life to drugs, alcohol and prisons. Within six weeks of entering rehab last year, and being exposed to a Christian witness, he had repented and believed. “Since then God has led me with His own hand,” he reports.

Then there’s Alexander (Sasha to his friends), who was a “danger to other people and a danger to myself.” Twice he tried to commit suicide, and twice the Lord preserved him until he finally went back to his believing parents and asked them to “tell me about God.” Since then “God has released me from my burdens,” he says.

These days Andre, Michael and Sasha are focused on preparing for a lifetime of ministry to others. They’ve got a long way to go to be completely ready, but I have little doubt they’ll make it. To God be the glory! Great things He has done!

My Heart is full…I am Thankful

2009-12-04T09:06:00.000-08:00

Introduction by: Milfred Minatrea

Matt Chandler, pastor of the Village Church, will have surgery this morning in Dallas. Through this year it has been my privilege to walk with Matt, the staff and elders of the Village Church through the transition of Northway Baptist Church as it became The Village Church Dallas Northway. The most recent series Matt has been preaching was designed in part to introduce the Northway family to the Biblical doctrines that underpin the dynamic faith shared among the Village Church family. As Matt prepared to entered surgery, he communicated through a blog post matters that were foremost in his thoughts. You will be blessed as you read his post. He and his family will be blessed as you intercede. God will be blessed as His glory is shown in power through the touch of His mighty hand.

Here is Matt's post:

The last seven days have been some of the most interesting of my life. I have felt anxiety, fear, sadness and a deep and unmovable joy simultaneously and in deeper ways than I have felt before. I am grateful for this heightened sense of things. Today at 10:45 a.m. CST I will have a good portion of my right frontal lobe removed. I head into that surgery with a heart that is filled with gratitude and hope.

Here are some of the things I am thankful for in no particular order:

I am thankful for the thousands of you who have prayed and fasted for my health. It has brought far more tears to Lauren’s and my eyes to receive this kind of attention from the Church universal than this tumor has.
I’m thankful for health insurance because I’m guessing they aren’t doing my five-hour surgery for free!
I am thankful that I have deep, real friendships at The Village with Michael Bleecker, Josh Patterson, Brian Miller, Chris Chavez and Beau Hughes. They have been such a comfort to me and my family this past week. Pastors should have good friends on their staff. It’s risky but worth the risk.
I am grateful for the men of God in my life, namely John Piper who taught me to hold my life cheap and to join with Paul in saying “I don’t count my life of any value or as precious to myself if only I might finish my course and complete the work that He gave me to do to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God. I’m nothing, I just have a job. God keep me faithful on the job and then let me drop and go to the reward.” Without this strong view of God’s sovereign will, I’m not sure how you don’t despair in circumstances like mine.
I am thankful for my wife Lauren. “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’” “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”
I am thankful for my children. Audrey the Beautiful, Reid the Valiant and Norah the Joyous. Being a daddy to these three is one of the greatest joys of my life.
The privilege of seeing and appreciating all of life through the grid of a heightened sense of my own mortality.
I am thankful for brilliant doctors and surgeons who have been given a real gift by our great God and King to repair things as complex as the brain.
I am thankful for The Village Church. If there is a place that loves Jesus more, takes sanctification as seriously and wants to see the lost love the great King deeply I am unaware of it. These last seven years have been a spectacular joy!
More than anything else I am grateful to my King Eternal, my Lord Immortal, for my God invisible. He alone is God. All Glory and Honor, Forever to You O God. I am overwhelmed in these moments by God Himself and the assurance of a future inheritance of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken and where all things are made new (Hebrews 12).

Christ is All,
Matt Chandler

Some Things Money Can’t Buy

2009-11-21T07:25:00.000-08:00

Even in economically difficult times, most of us in the West know little of the pain of poverty. Do not misunderstand, I am not saying that poverty is absent in our communities. In my own state statistics indicate that one of every ten children will experience hunger. Globally poverty is multiplied exponentially compared to that experienced in North America. One out of five people on earth exists on less than one dollar per day, and nearly half of the world’s population exists on less than two dollars per day. Ninety-five percent of the “poorest of the poor” live outside the North American context.

The fundamental cause of hunger is poverty. God is very clear; hunger cannot be attributed to inadequate supply, but to lack of compassionate justice in distribution. Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor; but it is swept away by injustice (Proverbs 13:23).

Consider the following thoughts on poverty from The Needs: Hunger in the World: “Virtually every country in the world has the potential of growing sufficient food for the indigenous population on a sustainable basis. This basic capability is too often undermined by a variety of factors, some related to technology and material resources (soil degradation, water shortages and pollution, inappropriate or destructive agricultural practices) and others related to human frailty (war, ethnic rivalry, corruption, greed, political oppression).

More than 16,000 children die every day in the developing world from preventable and treatable diseases. Worldwide, one-half of deaths for children under five years of age are caused by malnutrition. Seventy percent of all childhood deaths are associated with malnutrition and preventable diseases.”

These facts are a dart that should pierce the heart of the American church. Too often we have become creatures of comfort rather than compassionate Christians. I recently drove past a number of large ranches, each of which had intricate gated entrances identifying the owners with their proudly emblazoned surnames. Driving past I was reminded of these words from Psalm 49:

Why should I fear in days of adversity, when the iniquity of my foes surrounds me, Even those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the abundance of their riches?

Their inner thought is, that their houses are forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; They have called their lands after their own names. But man in his pomp will not endure; he is like the beasts that perish.

Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not descend after him.

Though while he lives he congratulates himself – And though men praise you when you do well for yourself – He shall go to the generation of his fathers.

It is not my intent to demean or judge those ranchers, they may in fact be caring and compassionate sharers of the resources they possess. I do not know. But I do know that too often Christians in the West fall victim to an abusive “wealth and prosperity” Gospel that focuses on our own consumption rather than on sharing resources as agents of Godly compassion among those living in poverty.

The feature article of a recent issue of The Atlantic magazine was titled, Did Christianity Cause the Crash? The article investigates links between churches proclaiming a wealth and prosperity gospel and the church’s role in guiding parishioners toward assuming high risk sub-prime loans. These together with other factors are identified as primary contributors to the economic crash.

The article merits our attention. As the missional people of God, we must seek answers to poverty and injustice. Where our consumption contributes to these conditions, then repentance is mandated. We must remember that repentance is not just expressing sorrow for that which we have done wrong, but actively pursuing that which is right.

When I read the Atlantic article I immediately thought of the ongoing question of the appropriate engagement of Christians in and with culture. What is our appropriate role? That question has been the ongoing topic of reflection by gifted writers such as Richard Niebhur in his book Christ and Culture or contemporary theologian James Westgate, professor at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno, California in Spiritual Edgewalkers. Missional thinker Alan Roxburgh responded to The Atlantic article with his typically adept reasoning and insight.

All of us who follow Christ bear responsibility for confronting ideologies and systems that perpetuate poverty and hunger. We must adhere to the Good News that resonates with the ancient voice of our Master; the message of a Kingdom whose foundations are righteousness and justice (Psalm 97:2). We reject all false gospels. As those who have the mind of Christ, we must find a different way to complete the familiar commercial: There are some things money can’t buy, for everything else there’s…

Learn from the Ants

2009-11-19T10:34:00.000-08:00

Introduction by: Milfred Minatrea

Bill Tinsley is a colleague in ministry, a gifted author, as well as a passionate disciple of Christ who possesses the mind of a missiologist. I like the guy and love spending time with him. We meet regularly to encourage one another, stimulate one another in mission ministry, to drink coffee and lavish praise on his remarkable dog, Buddy. Bill is my friend. In fact, Buddy is too.

Most recently Tinsley served as the designer of WorldconneX, a new paradigm mission entity that sought to ensure the local church as the primary equipping and sending entity in God’s mission. Among other leadership roles, he formerly served as Associate Executive Director of Baptist General Convention of Texas and Executive Director of Minnesota Wisconsin Baptist Convention

Upon dissolution of WorldconneX by the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Tinsley founded the Tinsley Center which is partnering with Missional Church Center to assist congregations in finding their way forward in God’s mission. The following article is one of a series of reflection columns that Tinsley write weekly for distribution through local newspapers. In this article he addresses a subject that none can ignore if they are Shaped by God’s Heart.

ANTS

We have ants. We have kept them at bay inside the house, but outside, that is a different matter. A single dropped crumb on the patio and the next morning a stream of ants appear, hundreds of them in a neatly organized operation to dismantle the discarded food and store it in bits and bites for later use.

How do they do this? Do the wandering scout-ants have cell phones? When they make a discovery do they place a call back to home base and say, “Send the troops. We have food!” Who organizes the operation? Who tells these worker ants to answer the call, and who plots the route, usually the shortest and least obstructed line to the treasure?

If they were humans, the searchers who discovered the food supply would immediately stake a claim, lay title to it and horde it so that they could be wealthier than all the other ants. They would let the weaker ants in the colony starve. And, they would probably spend most of their time in “ant court” defending the right to their possessions. “Ant lawyers” would probably claim the greatest portion of the wealth.

Why can’t we learn from these little creatures? Every year a billion people on the earth die of starvation. Every day 25,000 children, world wide, whose stomachs are bloated and empty draw their last breath. They die in remote villages far from public scrutiny. Over half the world’s population, three billion people, live on less than $2.50 per day.

I have to admit this convicts and alarms me. I need to be more like the little critters who invade my patio. I need to sound the alarm, send out the signal, martial others and join them in distributing food and resources to those who need it. But how do we do this? How do we know that our gifts get to the people and places where they are needed? There is so much graft and corruption in the world that charitable gifts are often routed into the pockets of the greedy.

I guess the best thing is to be alert to opportunities. When a beggar approached me on a parking lot in downtown Dallas, I took him across the street to Subway and bought him a sandwich. Unfortunately, as I listened to him, his story seemed to unravel and I am not sure it was the best thing to do. But it was something. When one of our church members returned from Kenya and made an appeal for people she knows who are starving, I sent a check. When I visited Tillie Bergin at Mission Arlington and saw the difference she was making among the poor in the inner city, I sent a gift. It’s not much. But, for me it is a start. If all of us gave more generously we could make a difference, like the ant.

Proverbs says, “Go to the ant … consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” (Prov. 6:6-8). John, describing true repentance and faith, said, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” (Luke 3:11)

Bill Tinsley has served as pastor and mission leader in Texas, Minnesota and Wisconsin. He has international experience in South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe. He can be reached at bill@tinsleycenter.com. His books are available at www.tinsleycenter.com.