It is so easy to be sidetracked or derailed by good things that should be done but could be done by others; by  personal and family issues; by this new approach or that new program; by the agendas of others; and by  the ‘tyranny of the urgent.’   It is also so easy to be overwhelmed by the enormous task of reaching all people. 

What can we do to be more intentional as faithful stewards of His mission?

Our annual meetings with their reports of attendance, giving, programs, and facilities show the amount of activity happening in and through our church family.   But do they help us stay on His task of making disciples who make disciples and reach the mission field He has planted us in?  When I was a pastor, many times these reports became a justification for the ministry—and only annually.  They were not a tool to help me make sure our ministry was accomplishing Christ’s mission. 

How do we know if we are reaching the lost, making disciples who make disciples, and developing leaders?  How do we know if we are helping people grow in their love of God and others?  How do we know if they are engaging in healthy body life and ministering in their networks of relationships?  The list goes on.  In fact, this list will be unique to each church.  But I think it is very important that each pastor and leadership team determine what and how they will keep track of since it will help the church be more intentional and will assist them in ministering to and leading their church.

Since we desire to make sure these ministries are occurring in our church, what do we need to measure that will help us?  How will we evaluate them?  And how often do we need to see a report to help us stay focused?  Would you share with us what you are doing to be effective in your ministry?  What ministry outcomes are you desiring and how are you measuring them?   If you don’t currently use a tool to assess the effectiveness of your ministry, I urge you to consider creating a “church dashboard,” a tool that assists in evaluating different ministries of your choice, in one summary view (www.enterprise-dashboard.com/church-metrics-dashboard/).

Let me make it very clear that ministry is not about reports.  Our ministry is about making disciples who will make disciples who are reaching the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Making reports will not fulfill His mission in Minnesota where less than 20.7% of Minnesotans attend a Christian church on any given week.  Reports are only tools to make sure we are intentionally doing what we are called to do: His task as His faithful under-shepherds.

So tell us what kind of “dashboard” you are keeping an eye on.  Leave a comment on this blog.

I’ve been following the presidential race with keen interest. If I allow myself (which sometimes I do), I could waste a lot of time on RealClearPolitics.com.

But you don’t have to be a political buff—or cynic—to realize that there are serious problems in our society, that they’re getting worse, and that the divisions over how to address those problems are growing deeper.

The outlines of two highly different views of what America is, what America should be, and what path America should take keep coming into clearer focus and sharper conflict. On the one side (remember my admission of generalizing and oversimplifying) are Democrats and liberals who believe that our country’s long-term best interests will be served through a collectivist approach to society and government. On the other side are Republicans and conservatives who believe rather that an individualist approach must be pursued. The two sides seem to be entrenching themselves all the more firmly, and each side’s villainizing of the other grows ever louder.

In my opinion this polarization will continue, for neither approach is able to solve the problems our country faces. Neither side’s view of society and government will be able to produce real and lasting change. If it could, we wouldn’t need Jesus Christ. Only his shoulders are big enough (Isa. 9:6) to support a government that is truly just, wise, prosperous, and enduring.

That is something Christ’s church must remember during an election year. And that is where the local churches of the NCD have an opportunity to shine during this election year—and beyond. As the focused expression of Christ’s reign in this world, the church can exhibit the attractive beauty of the Kingdom in the midst of the frustrated attempts by the world’s political systems to bring about a better world.

For example, here’s one glimpse we can give to a watching world (or a ray of light that will prompt the world to begin watching): Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need (Eph. 4:28 NIV). Here, in one beautiful stroke, Christ shapes his church into what the world longs for:

• Personal industry instead of sloth (so the conservatives can cheer)
• Genuine provision for the needy (so the liberals can cheer)
• Individual and collective responsibility blending to create something beautiful

How does this happen? What makes it work? God has created, in the church, a new humanity (the wider context of this verse). In this new humanity the old is put off and the new is put on. God does the inner heart work, through Christ, to create a wonderful new community of new individuals. The King shines through his subjects.

Ultimately, I suppose, in one way or another, all political aspirations and protestations express a desire for a new community, a new world, a new humanity. God has already created it. It’s there for the world to see if we exhibit it. In this election year, and the next, will we?

Intimacy With God: Drawing Ever Closer to the Almighty

As is the case with so many of us at this time in history, someone can be acquainted with us on a number of different levels at church or even as colleagues in ministry together without receiving an up-close and personal window into our abiding walk with our Lord.  In the pages of Intimacy With God (IWG) we get the very rare opportunity and privilege to peek with complete transparency into what essentially amounts to a thoughtfully written journal of a FULLY devoted follower of Jesus Christ.  We are granted access to Scriptural insights, personal prayers penned in the margins of Ben’s Bible, and very personal reflections on multiple facets of Christian living and worldview. 

In these pages I unmistakably experienced what I can only describe as being “discipled” and better equipped “for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”  My own first reading of IWG came at a particularly dry time when I was experiencing some overwhelmingly strong cynicism and skepticism about the state of some churches under our care and stewardship.  The Holy Spirit used Ben’s essays and prayers to bring spiritual renewal to my soul. 

Are you possibly suffering some doubts about your faith or the state of the Church today?  Is your walk with God a little dry, stagnating or in need of a “jump-start?”  Are you longing to be discipled into a deeper walk with God and/or to be equipped for more fruitful service to God in your relational spheres of influence? Has superficial interaction with others in the body of Christ left you longing for some mentoring by a brother in Christ whose exemplary walk you would do well to emulate? 

It is my conviction that IWG will ignite an authentic, wholesome passion to a more comprehensive following of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whether you are in a 1:1 discipling relationship, a life-transformation group or triad, or a small group.  Few contemporary or historical writings, in my opinion, possess as great a potential as IWG to foster transformation and to promote our sanctification.  Ben doesn’t use the vernacular of “spiritual formation” so common today, but his words inspire and stimulate more transformation in our walk with God than many authors who use that language. 

In my estimation, Ben’s original articles—now lovingly formatted into this book with his dear friends, Jim and Tom—constitute a very unique volume of devotional, inspirational literature.  Ben’s deep devotion to God is intimately shared with all those who pick up the book.  I recommend it without reservation to those wanting to deepen their walk and foster greater “intimacy with God.” 

 Note: Dr. Benjamin Sawatsky served as an EFCA missionary in Singapore and Malaysia in then various leadership roles in the mission. His last 12 years of service were as the Executive Director.  Ben’s monthly encouragements to the EFCA missionary family have recently been published as Intimacy With God.  Ben and his wife, Muriel, were active member at Central EFC in Minneapolis and are now attending Trinity EFC in Lakeville.

(Intimacy With God is available through NextStep Resources.)

–Tom Mouw

Conflict shows our true colors, who or what is reigning in our hearts (James 4:1–3).  Words, actions and reactions come from the overflow of the heart.  The heart issues must be honestly dealt with to bring full resolution to conflict.  These heart issues can easily be or become idols.   Idols are anything put in the rightful place of our Holy Loving Creator God.  Something or someone we loved more, trusted and depended on more, or allowed to reign in the place of our God.  Idols are very deceptive and subtle.  Many times conflict is not resolved because one or more of the parties to the conflict does not see the idols or will not repent of the idols.

Peacemaker Ministry in their Conflict Coaching and Mediation training, describes the development of idols in the heart through the ‘slippery slope of idolatry’, a six step process.  It starts with a desire which may even be good and valid.  This desire can easily become a demand once a person decides it is a personal right and need.  At this point the demand becomes a personal expectation that others must meet or the person is disappointed.  When disappointed, it is easy and natural to judge the other person because they did not treat us the way we expected.  Judgment then leads to punishment of the offending party in many different ways from ignoring and not valuing them to verbally destroying them to murdering them.  When the desire becomes a demand with expectation that may be disappointed; that desire has become an idol that is driving the person.  This idol will usually be the log in their eye that must be removed to bring resolution to a conflict.

Let me share an example.  As pastors, we have the desire to grow the church so more people will be mature in Jesus.  A good desire!  This desire can easily become an idol, when I demand and expect others to act and do things my way so that my expectation will be met.  When people do not meet these expectations the way I think they should, I start to judge and punish them either by the way I treat them, what I say or what I tell others.  See how a good desire can become an idol that is now driving me as a person and will cause conflict.  Many times, idols are so subtle but must be dealt with to bring full resolution to the conflict.

In helping people to work through conflict, one responsibility is to help coach the parties in the conflict to discern if they have any idols that are driving the conflict.  We must ask questions and share appropriate Scriptures through which the Holy Spirit can help the individual identify their idols.  The Conflict Coaching and Mediation training and Reconciling Church Conflict training by Peacemaking Ministries has proven very beneficial in assisting me to consistently check my own heart, while learning how to help those in conflict work through their heart issues.  I would like to encourage you as a pastors and leaders to send key individuals to the upcoming Peacemaking training events in our area in 2012 and learn how to develop Peacemaker Teams at your church.

–Dan Moose

Peacemaker Training Coming to Minnesota

Here is a good opportunity to take advantage of Peacemaker training that will be offered in or near our district in upcoming months:

• Metro area:  Feb. 23–25 in Hudson, WI  (Conflict Coaching, Mediation)
• Northwest and West Central:  March 8–10 in Detroit Lakes (Conflict Coaching, Mediation)
• North and Northeast:  April 26–28 in Duluth  (Conflict Coaching, Mediation)
• District-wide:  June 21–23 in Minneapolis  (Reconciling Church Conflict)

We highly recommend this training for pastoral staff members and for lay leaders. Note: Peacemaker’s offers a significant discount when you register early.  There is also significant reading to be completed before the training so it is beneficial to register early so check the Peacemaker’s web site and your calendar now.

The Conflict Coaching (one day) training is for those who have read The Peacemaker.  It is an excellent course of training in basic conflict resolution, both for oneself and for others.  Mediation training (two day) prepares individuals to engage in a formal process of reconciling conflict between other parties.  (Conflict Coaching is a prerequisite.)  Reconciling Church Conflict focuses on assisting a congregation is resolving conflicts (three day, Mediation training is a prerequisite.) 

For more information visit Peacemakers Ministry website.

Let’s acknowledge that “opportunity” is not the first word that comes to mind when confronted with a conflicted situation, especially if we ourselves are one of the parties in that conflict.  However, after further, prayerful consideration, we may properly conclude that biblical resolution to the matter does hold great potential.  Let’s briefly examine the three opportunities mentioned in the pledge above. 

The first opportunity may present itself more in the form of a question, “How can God possibly be glorified in this?!”  In part, the answer lies in trusting, obeying and imitating our Lord, rather than succumbing to our natural response or just following our feelings, risking making the matter worse. (Psalm 37:5–6; Proverbs 3:5–7).  Also, as God provides the grace to respond to conflict in ways that honor Him, we can acknowledge the Lord and the power of the gospel at work within us (Philippians 2:12–13). 

The second opportunity is that of serving others in the midst of responding to conflict in a biblical way and pursuing reconciliation and restoration.  “In some situations, God may use you to help an opponent understand his interests and find better solutions to his problems (Philippians 2:3–4)… In other cases, the Lord may give you an opportunity to carry your opponent’s burdens by providing for his or her spiritual, emotional, or material needs (Galatians 6:2,9–10).  The Lord may also use you to help others learn where they have been wrong and need to change (Gal. 6:1).”  THE PEACEMAKER, Ken Sande (Third Edition, 2004, p. 35)

The third opportunity which stems from conflict is growing to be more like Christ, which may initially mean the exposure of our own sinful attitudes or condition of our heart in a certain area.  It will most likely require contrition, confession, and forgiveness on our part as a precursor to any other meaningful exchange with another party.  The nature of the forgiveness spoken of in Colossians 3:12–13 begins with us addressing our own sin at the foot of the cross, in order that we might forebear with others, as well. 

I invite you join me in prayerfully discerning the “opportunities” inherent to situations where we find ourselves conflicted with others, and to trust the Lord together for those realities to emerge by the powerful, supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit in what otherwise may look like very unfortunate circumstances.  Watch for more information about advanced training in resolving conflict biblically to come to the NCD in the summer of 2012.

“When God created the universe, world, and all living creatures He issued a command to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.  And rule over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the face of the earth.”  (Underline mine)  In Gen. 1:22 He had previously verbalized His intention for the sea creatures, monsters, as well as the birds to multiply.  Thus, Gen. 1:28 is the first command that God gave to our first parents.

By chapter 3 a huge obstacle confronts the living God — the fall into sin.  Adam and Eve went into hiding, fearing death and the person of God.  This gave cause for God to raise the first question in Scripture in Gen. 3:9, “Adam, where are you?”  As Adam lays blame on his wife and Eve blames Satan, God delivered His grand and glorious plan and promise for the recovery and redemption of lost mankind, whoever and however many would be born to inhabit the earth throughout the duration of time.  Walter Kaiser, Jr. has done good and adequate work in developing the whole concept of “Promise Theology” from Genesis 3:15.  The promised redeemer, the “He” of Gen. 3:15, we now know to be Jesus Christ of Nazareth who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cross to pay the penalty for the sins of the world, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will return at the end of the age of grace.  Kaiser’s works, i.e. the books he has written on this subject, superbly flesh this out showing the completeness of the continuous plan/promise of God to redeem for Himself a people who will be able to enter His presence and enjoy His person and fellowship forever.

What is important to see is the continuity of God’s plan.  Before the fall, God issued His first command, “Be fruitful and multiply….”  We must ask, “Did God just desire a massive number of human beings to tend the planet for Him?” There had to be more to the meaning of the command than that!  If not, God did an absurd act by destroying nearly all of mankind with a flood, recorded in Genesis 7.  He had to have meant to “multiply” after His “image”.  That is, man is a fleshly being possessing a potentially holy and loving spiritual nature, capable of fellowship and spiritual intimacy with God.   The fall into sin brought about immediate spiritual death, and if not corrected, will bring eternal spiritual death.    Therefore, the Promised Redeemer and His redemptive work became a necessity for the redemption of man.

The command to multiply must be connected to the promised redeemer who came and commissioned/ commanded the Church to make disciples.  Making disciples is God’s intended means to multiply a redeemed people into a vast multitude that no man can number as pictured in Revelation.”

What do we need to do to be churches and pastors who are effectively multiplying through disciple-making?   Are we making multiplying disciples the intentional mindset of our churches?

To follow Bob’s journey with cancer, go to www.caringbridge.org/visit/pastorbobn

One Biblical place we can find them is the book of Proverbs.  Wisdom is the theme of this book.  Wisdom is skill—skill for living.  It refers to the ability to function well in life, navigating the realities of life (such as relationships, values, and work) with God at the center (the fear of the Lord) and his instruction (the law, Scripture) guiding our steps.   In this light I think we can regard wisdom as roughly equivalent to “church health” or “emotionally healthy spirituality.”  Proverbs thus offers us Biblical footing for understanding and cultivating “health” in our inner man, our families, and our churches.

For example, would our lives and churches be healthier if we applied the skill expressed in the following proverbs? 

• Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool (10:18).
• Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice (13:10).
• The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception (14:8).
• Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city (16:32).
• To answer before listening— that is folly and shame (18:13).
• A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense (19:11  NIV).

This is just a sampling of dozens of proverbs that are related to healthy outlook and healthy relationships within the community of faith, whether that community was God’s old-covenant people or his church today.

Could unhealthy spirituality—in myself, in my family, in my church—be due in part to a neglect of Proverbs?  God gave us this book as a manual of sorts for raising children and for learning to live as adults (see http://www.dts.edu/media/play/fundamentals-for-preaching-the-proverbs-bruce-waltke/).  Have we been neglecting the manual?  I wonder.  Is it a staple of our children’s curriculum?  Are parents teaching it to the next generation?  Are our teenagers mining its riches?  Are our church leaders well trained by it?  Does it figure into your preaching?  Is it a well-worn compass on your journey?

What is one thing you would do the same?  One thing you would do differently?  One piece of counsel you would give to a fellow-pastor who is planning a sabbatical?  Take a moment and respond to our blog and help other pastors shape their sabbaticals effectively.

“The concept of stewardship is especially relevant to peacemaking.  Whenever you are involved in a conflict, God has given you a management opportunity.  He has empowered you through the gospel and entrusted you with abilities and spiritual resources.  His Word clearly explains how he wants you to manage the situation.  The more faithfully you draw on his grace and follow his instructions, the more likely you are to see a constructive solution and genuine reconciliation.” ¹

This single concept has done more to transform my outlook on and commitment to the ministry of reconciliation and to biblical conflict resolution than any other single factor.  Conflict resolution is not a nuisance.  It is not a preliminary to real ministry.  It is not an option.  It is an opportunity entrusted to you and me by the Master to be stewarded well for him in accordance with his interests.

An effective steward of the Master’s interests must be (1) motivated by the gospel, (2) informed by the Word of God, and (3) strengthened by the Spirit of God, to name just a few.

One the most significant church health issues impacting the congregations and governing boards in the churches we serve is the matter of interests.  Specifically, are churches and individuals being influenced mainly by the Master’s interests, or by personal (self-) interest?  It is incumbent upon all Christ-followers to bring our strongly held positions (definable perspectives and desired outcomes) and our self-interests (concerns, values, desires, expectations, motives) to “the light of day” and willingly compare them to what we understand and believe to be the Master’s interests for our church.  The interests not found in alignment with those of the Lord, the Head of the Church, must be dealt with forthrightly. 

I invite further discussion of the “what” and the “how” of this virtually universal issue in our churches on the district blog. 

¹ Ken Sande, The Peace Maker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict, 3^rd edition (Baker, 2004), pp. 38–39

Yet this enslaving cycle—sin, guilt, confession, resolve, sin, guilt, confession, resolve—within the self-perpetuating shroud of silence may be a reality for as many as half of the men in our congregations and as many as a third of the pastors.  (This according to various studies.)

The light of truth breaks the grip of secret sin.  But where can a pastor turn for help in a struggle with sexual sin? 

The NCD is offering a resource: Project Purity.  Many of you NCD pastors and church leaders know about Project Purity because you’ve heard about it at a recent district conference or it was presented to you in a pastor cluster.  This web announcement is designed to get the word out to as many more pastors as possible.

Project Purity is a creation of pastors (peers and colleagues, not bureaucrats or watchdogs) for pastors.  Designed by the NCD Council on Ministerial Standing, in collaboration with the NCD staff, EFCA Pastoral Care Ministries (John Herman), and the National Coalition for Purity (Irv Woolf), Project Purity is a strategy and pathway for maintaining or regaining sexual purity.  It is a resource available to all NCD pastoral staff members, both male and female, on a voluntary basis.

Project Purity is a pathway that provides safety for pastors to assist them in honestly addressing sexual issues.  It does this through substantial confidentiality.  It also provides safety for churches whose pastors may need to address these issues.  It does this through substantial accountability.  It is our hope that, in this way, pastors who are struggling with sexual compromise will find freedom and a new song and new power in ministry, and churches will benefit markedly from this pastoral renewal.

Project Purity’s overall resources range from a comprehensive church-computer policy, to recommended reading, to the services of professional counselors who are trained in issues of sexual integrity. 

There is one requirement built into Project Purity.  Applicants for an EFCA ministerial credential must affirm that they have read through the Project Purity material and that they purpose to live by the Biblical standard of sexual purity that is implied in the credential.  Apart from this requirement, participation in Project Purity is voluntary.

This resource can be helpful in a preventative as well as remedial way.  Whether you are living in purity at the present time or stumbling with some compromise or worried that you have crossed a line of no return, check out the Project Purity packet here on our website and make use of it. 

The pastors who created Project Purity offer it to you in a spirit of grace and hope.  May you deeply experience the grace and hope of Jesus and the gospel through it.