The dad was desperate. The qualified professionals could not do anything for his son who was in a really bad way.
I can relate. How 'bout you?
The Master arrived on the scene, heard the hubbub and inquired, "What's all the commotion?"
They were in a true-to-life horror movie; they needed an exorcist. The dad laments, "My son is mute, has seizures. I think he's possessed. Sometimes the demon pitches him into a fire or river to do away with him! If you can do anything, have a heart and help us!"
"If ?!” Retorts the Master, “Everything is possible for the one who believes." (Because belief— having faith—is trust in the All-Powerful God of the Universe.)
The quick-with-a-comeback dad replies, "I do believe. Help me with my incredulity!"
Jesus delivers and completely heals the boy.
Here is the introspective process that the Holy Spirit recently took me through to help me, a believer, with my incredulity.
When I pray, do I believe that God will do something? Or…
When I pray, is it a religious exercise that I perform without really expecting anything from my relationship God?When I pray, is there anticipation? Because God the Father loves me, His child, …
… that He will respond to my prayer as requested.
Or, that He will give me the strength to endure the situation.
Or, that He will surprise me by doing something of which I never dreamed.
Possibly He will respond in the next ten minutes.
Possibly He will respond ten years from now.
But do I really anticipate a response—in His way according to His agenda—because of the filial relationship that I enjoy with the Father in Christ?
To evaluate whether my praying is simply a religious exercise or done in faith, this test of relational expectation is helping me. Thought I would share the wealth.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Charis Partners in Madrid: Report (part 2)
In giving this report, I would like to thank publicly those who made possible the Charis Partners’ encounter in Madrid by means of a GBIM Leadership Development Ministry Grant. Please know that without your generosity I do not believe it would have taken place. Danke! O Brigado! Graçias! Merci!
“In order to see their numbers dramatically increase we will seek to broaden ‘European Charis Partners’ horizontally and vertically.”
Officially, European Charis Partners were defined as remunerated church planters working outside of their country of origin. Their purpose was to begin new churches.
We decided, however, that the critical need is simply for more workers of all kinds. We, therefore, decided to expand the definition of what it means to be a Charis Partner. Vertically we want to include people from three life situations:
People on mission for Christ in 1) full-time secular employment, 2) full-time Christian ministry, 3) some percentage of both
Horizontally we want to include not just cross-cultural church planters (apostles), but also prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers (Eph. 4:11). Those who could receive remuneration would be catalysts for the creation of new ministries. Together we will pray, live and serve toward birthing a disciple multiplication movement.
We discussed the great needs of Europeans today. For example:
“In order to see them dramatically increase their numbers Charis Partners will seek to become holistic people.” Being a Charis person means developing, adopting and living a Charis mentality and lifestyle.
Charis values, therefore, challenge us to:
What we plan to do in light of these conclusions:
Well, there was plenty more, but that is the abridged version of our discussions, decisions and direction. And in it all, we realize that we need to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers from his European harvest into his European field. Thanks to those of you who are joining us in imploring him to do just that.
Sincere heart-felt THANKS!
Part 1 of my report answered the question, “What were the discussion topics at the Charis Madrid gathering?” Part 2 will address direction, “What conclusions did you reach and what do you plan to do about it?”
Patty faithfully noted the content of our discussions — just 20 pages!
“In order to see their numbers dramatically increase we will seek to broaden ‘European Charis Partners’ horizontally and vertically.”
Officially, European Charis Partners were defined as remunerated church planters working outside of their country of origin. Their purpose was to begin new churches.
We decided, however, that the critical need is simply for more workers of all kinds. We, therefore, decided to expand the definition of what it means to be a Charis Partner. Vertically we want to include people from three life situations:
People on mission for Christ in 1) full-time secular employment, 2) full-time Christian ministry, 3) some percentage of both
Horizontally we want to include not just cross-cultural church planters (apostles), but also prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers (Eph. 4:11). Those who could receive remuneration would be catalysts for the creation of new ministries. Together we will pray, live and serve toward birthing a disciple multiplication movement.
We discussed the great needs of Europeans today. For example:
- people are lonely, devalued and lack hope
- families are falling apart due to time, financial and other pressures
- injustice is rampant throughout the West and the world…
Charis values, therefore, challenge us to:
- live community
- live sustainable family lives
- share material resources
- do good in Jesus’ name
- pray and live by faith in hope.
- Have people in all three life situations experiment with the Charis mentality and lifestyle over the next year, then come back together in one year to compare notes and pray. We are especially interested in seeing how this lifestyle impacts our witness.
- Gather a handful of representatives from European Grace churches, Charis Partners and Grace Brethren International Missions to develop a vision and strategy. These will need to be understandable to unbelievers, to European believers and others around the world.
- Develop adequate systems to promote the overall well-being of Charis Partners.
- Provide a brief monthly communiqué to stimulate awareness and prayer.
Well, there was plenty more, but that is the abridged version of our discussions, decisions and direction. And in it all, we realize that we need to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers from his European harvest into his European field. Thanks to those of you who are joining us in imploring him to do just that.
Next year in Stuttgart!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Evangelicals under investigation by French "FBI"
The title was simply, "Urgent." I suspected it was spam...
But the e-mail came directly from Stéphane Lauzet, General Secretary of the French Evangelical Alliance, with an attached letter from Jean-Arnold de Clermont, the president of the Protestant Federation of France. Pastor de Clermont wrote,
"Dear friends,
I was informed yesterday of the launch of an national investigation by the Bureau of General Information (Renseignements Généraux) for a 'census of the evangelical milieu' with particular attention paid to the 'incidents' linked to worship service practices. I am perplexed by this decision.…"
Is this some sort of intimidation? What are these mysterious "incidents"? It sounded so strange that I didn't fully believe it until I received the same information from the General Secretary of the Evangelical Federation of France (FEF) of which our Grace Brethren Churches are members. Clément Diedrichs wrote,
"The FEF's viewpoint is the following. The fact that the Bureau of General Information (Renseignements Généraux) investigate our churches is nothing new. Of course we make sure that the State does not interfere in the life of our churches, but at the same time we understand that it cannot ignore Religion. Further, it is the State's responsibility to guarantee the freedom of worship and so we prefer that the government has accurate information."
Presidential hopeful, Nicolas Sarkozy addresses the annual general assembly of the Evangelical Federation of France (January 31, 2004)
But the e-mail came directly from Stéphane Lauzet, General Secretary of the French Evangelical Alliance, with an attached letter from Jean-Arnold de Clermont, the president of the Protestant Federation of France. Pastor de Clermont wrote,
"Dear friends,
I was informed yesterday of the launch of an national investigation by the Bureau of General Information (Renseignements Généraux) for a 'census of the evangelical milieu' with particular attention paid to the 'incidents' linked to worship service practices. I am perplexed by this decision.…"
"The FEF's viewpoint is the following. The fact that the Bureau of General Information (Renseignements Généraux) investigate our churches is nothing new. Of course we make sure that the State does not interfere in the life of our churches, but at the same time we understand that it cannot ignore Religion. Further, it is the State's responsibility to guarantee the freedom of worship and so we prefer that the government has accurate information."
Presidential hopeful, Nicolas Sarkozy addresses the annual general assembly of the Evangelical Federation of France (January 31, 2004)
Now I've been to the see the French FBI three times; they ask lots of questions. Only once were they asking questions about other evangelical pastors in Dijon, but when I walked out I felt like I had been manipulated and a bit "dirty." That was the first time, so live and learn. The second two times all went well; the agents (one was a Bruce Willis look-alike!) were quite polite and even helpful by answering my questions as well.
So please keep this in prayer as evangelical leaders work toward helping the French government understand the value of true religious plurality and liberty through wise speech and behavior that adorns the Word and honors Jesus. Thanks!
So please keep this in prayer as evangelical leaders work toward helping the French government understand the value of true religious plurality and liberty through wise speech and behavior that adorns the Word and honors Jesus. Thanks!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Charis Partners in Madrid: Report (part 1)
(brrrring!) I woke up from my reverie with one of those unsettling “already-but-not-yet” feelings in my gut — already good people, but not yet enough.
The Grace Brethren were born in Wittgenstein (Schwarzenau near Marburg) out of the German pietistic movement in 1708. Flight from 18th century persecutions wedded with a heart for mission have today resulted in Grace Brethren people living out their faith in 28 countries around the globe. Unhappily in 2007, one finds limited numbers of the Grace Brethren in Europe (1).
Among them, however, are some truly Europe-class people. Some are lay workers, others receive remuneration in order to dedicate larger quantities of time to disciple and church multiplication.
Concerning the remunerated-to-serve Grace Brethren in Europe, well, in my opinion our ratios are inversed. We currently have a team of 42 Americans who dedicate their full workweek to mission, but only 13 Europeans.
(Nota bene: we are experimenting in order to uncover sustainable complements to the “full-time” paradigm.)
So our remunerated team ratio is 3/4 American to 1/4 European. Why is this? What if… we were to reverse that ratio?! How could we do it?
The Charis Partners (2) gathering in Madrid (Feb. 23-28) was orchestrated to present my ideas on why our ratios must be reversed (3) and to have Europeans deliberate how that might be done.
So 15 of us gathered together, not as Europeans or Americans, but as sisters and brothers in Christ, to prayerfully ponder the overarching question, “How might we see the Charis Partners multiply in a dramatic way?”
I will forego a blow-by-blow account of our six rich days together, but here is a list of our discussion topics that we established, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide us as we dreamed together about seeing the Charis Partners dwarf the GBIM Europe Team.
DISCUSSION TOPICS
“State of the Union: the Charis Associates speak out !”
“Our common guiding principles and values”
“Our vision, purpose & objectives”
“Where & how do we find people of common heart & vision ?”
"The origins of Charis International and Charis Partners.”
“The creation of a Charis Europe mission agency ?”
“Coordination between the European Grace churches, Charis Europe & GBIM.”
“Tips on keeping in contact with and stimulating prayer for Charis Partners.”
“Financial, administrative infrastructure for Charis Associates — support, expenses, medical and retirement.”
“The sending church’s perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the current Charis Partners strategic, financial, administrative systems.”
“Why must we see the Charis Partners dramatically increase their numbers? political, sociological, economic and missiological reasons."
BIBLE MEDITATIONS
John 3:30: “He must become greater; I must become less.”
Edite posed the question, “Why did John need to become ‘less’?”
John 20:21 “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Alfredo expounded on “what it might be like for us to be on mission in 21st Europe in a way similar to Jesus’ way of being on mission in 1st century Palestine.”
Matthew 9:38 “Ask the Lord of the harvest… to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Louise passed out postcards cards that served as “prayer cards.” Just as in a soccer match, a yellow or red card stops the game, whenever someone felt we had reached a critical moment or sensed a need to pray, s/he held up her/his card and we prayed.
(1) I am not concerned with denominations here. This is simply the origin of a particular Protestant Evangelical tribe that issued from the widespread Anabaptist tradition. History matters to Europeans and most people find their family genealogy fascinating —knowing one's "roots" is an integral component of identity.
(2) I will develop the new profile of a Charis Partner in my next entry. These people, formerly known as Charis Associates, were nationals involved vocationally in evangelism and church planting ministries.(3) I believe that a good team composition would be 50% European, 50% International — Africans, Asians, S. & N. Americans, Antarticans…
Marie and Fred were sent from the Lyon, France GBC to serve with the GBIM team in Madrid. Fred organized and hosted the Charis Partners in Madrid encounter
The Grace Brethren were born in Wittgenstein (Schwarzenau near Marburg) out of the German pietistic movement in 1708. Flight from 18th century persecutions wedded with a heart for mission have today resulted in Grace Brethren people living out their faith in 28 countries around the globe. Unhappily in 2007, one finds limited numbers of the Grace Brethren in Europe (1).
Among them, however, are some truly Europe-class people. Some are lay workers, others receive remuneration in order to dedicate larger quantities of time to disciple and church multiplication.
Susanne and her husband, Rainer, have been on mission in their home country, Deutschland, for over two decades
Concerning the remunerated-to-serve Grace Brethren in Europe, well, in my opinion our ratios are inversed. We currently have a team of 42 Americans who dedicate their full workweek to mission, but only 13 Europeans.
(Nota bene: we are experimenting in order to uncover sustainable complements to the “full-time” paradigm.)
So our remunerated team ratio is 3/4 American to 1/4 European. Why is this? What if… we were to reverse that ratio?! How could we do it?
Alfredo was formerly the Portuguese General Secretary for InterVarsity. He also initiated the handwritten Bible project that swept through Portugal
My dream is to see European-led, multinational gift-based teams prayerfully make and mentor disciples who in turn spawn spiritual communities.
Don Quixote de la Mancha, the idealist, and his faithful compagnon, Sancho Panza
The Charis Partners (2) gathering in Madrid (Feb. 23-28) was orchestrated to present my ideas on why our ratios must be reversed (3) and to have Europeans deliberate how that might be done.
So 15 of us gathered together, not as Europeans or Americans, but as sisters and brothers in Christ, to prayerfully ponder the overarching question, “How might we see the Charis Partners multiply in a dramatic way?”
I will forego a blow-by-blow account of our six rich days together, but here is a list of our discussion topics that we established, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide us as we dreamed together about seeing the Charis Partners dwarf the GBIM Europe Team.
DISCUSSION TOPICS
“State of the Union: the Charis Associates speak out !”
“Our common guiding principles and values”
“Our vision, purpose & objectives”
“Where & how do we find people of common heart & vision ?”
"The origins of Charis International and Charis Partners.”
“The creation of a Charis Europe mission agency ?”
“Coordination between the European Grace churches, Charis Europe & GBIM.”
“Tips on keeping in contact with and stimulating prayer for Charis Partners.”
“Financial, administrative infrastructure for Charis Associates — support, expenses, medical and retirement.”
“The sending church’s perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the current Charis Partners strategic, financial, administrative systems.”
“Why must we see the Charis Partners dramatically increase their numbers? political, sociological, economic and missiological reasons."
30+ year veterans Larry and Vicki DeArmey shared highs and lows of life on mission in Europe. Fred, Alfredo, Rainer and Susanne shared their perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of being a Charis Partner in Europe today.
Eating together was not listed among our guiding principles, but you can see why it is highly valued. But one of the purposes of this gathering was to deepen our relationships, for if we want to journey together we will need strong ties. In Europe, community most often happens around the table. Twinky certainly knows how to build community!
Florent was Charis International's first president. His church has sent missioners to Madrid, Marseille, Dijon… !
In addition to missiological principles, I shared about resurgent anti-Americanism and the abysmal exchange $/€ exchange rate (which explains the sneer)
BIBLE MEDITATIONS
John 3:30: “He must become greater; I must become less.”
Edite posed the question, “Why did John need to become ‘less’?”
John 20:21 “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
Alfredo expounded on “what it might be like for us to be on mission in 21st Europe in a way similar to Jesus’ way of being on mission in 1st century Palestine.”
Matthew 9:38 “Ask the Lord of the harvest… to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Louise passed out postcards cards that served as “prayer cards.” Just as in a soccer match, a yellow or red card stops the game, whenever someone felt we had reached a critical moment or sensed a need to pray, s/he held up her/his card and we prayed.
Edite gave Tim, Susanne and Rejane 10 minutes to put together a puzzle. But there was one condition… they could only speak in their mother tongue (thus English, German and French)
This was the context in which we dialogued, hoping to pray and plan our dream into reality. (To be continued…)
(1) I am not concerned with denominations here. This is simply the origin of a particular Protestant Evangelical tribe that issued from the widespread Anabaptist tradition. History matters to Europeans and most people find their family genealogy fascinating —knowing one's "roots" is an integral component of identity.
(2) I will develop the new profile of a Charis Partner in my next entry. These people, formerly known as Charis Associates, were nationals involved vocationally in evangelism and church planting ministries.(3) I believe that a good team composition would be 50% European, 50% International — Africans, Asians, S. & N. Americans, Antarticans…
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