Honoring Encouragers

A couple of weeks ago I attended a 94th birthday celebration for Dr. Virgil Olson. While there I reflected on the way God caused our paths to cross. When I was in college and considering professional ministry, I attended a Bethel sponsored "Conference on the Ministry." This took place in the Viet Nam War days where students were protesting the war and questioning our government and authorities in general. It was not unusual for an older generation to reject the idealism of youth and criticize it.

The speaker at this conference was Dr. Virgil Olson. He was unknown to me. But what he said made a lasting impact upon me. His text was "let no one despise your youth." It was a refreshing word. While others were degrading the youth, he was affirming them. He used the example of Martin Luther and drew the analogy to our day, using the illustration of his youthfulness and his significance for Kingdom ministry. My first encounter with Dr. Olson went a long way to seal my choice of Bethel as a palce of training.

I owe a lot to Dr. Olson and the way our paths have crossed. I am appreciative to how God has placed him in my life. Encouragers are important for our lives. How about you? Do you have encouragers for whom you can give thanks?

What is in a Name?

Our denomination is thinking of changing its name. They want something fresh and catchy. Names do mean somthing. A name that defines someone needs to evoke an emotional response. As Christ followers we want a name that either captures our identity or our mission and purpose. The name that is being considered is "Converge Upper Midwest.

This name does nothing for me. Converge doesn't capture the spirit of a Christ follower. We converge at intersections and have accidents. In mathematics convege means to have a limited sum.

Converge is antithetical to evrything the pioneer Swedes were in coming to this country for Religious freedom. They were independent and innovative. They were men and women of conviction and hope. Somehow Converge doesn't capture their spirit, the spirit of the state of Minnesota, or my spirit.

What do you think?

Bumper Stickers

John Ortberg tells the story of a stressed-woman who was tailgating. At a light where the signal turned yellow, the car in front of her stopped and she was frustrated. She honked her horn and yelled at the driver in front of her. In mid rant, she heard a tap on the window and it was a police officer. He took her into custody and checked her license. When everything checked out, the policeman said he was sorry for the inconvenience. He said, "When I saw your bumper stickers: What would Jesus Do? and Follow me to Sunday School, I assumed the car had been stolen."

Here is what Jesus says, "Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? . . . Here is another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secrete to be kept." (The Message, Matthew 5)

How's your driving when referenced by your bumper stickers?

Changing for the Better

Mitch Albom has written a book entitled "Have a Little Faith." In the book he references the life of Henry Covington, a boyhood friend who became a prodigal. He discussed Henry's journey downward into crime and drugs eventually ending up in prison. When Henry got out he tried to go straight, but when he lost his job, he fell back into crime and became a drug dealer.

One day he made a fatal mistake and became a user of crack cocaine. He lied to support his habit, resorting to such extremes as wounding himself in order to justify the misisng drugs. One night he invaded a suppliers home and seized money and drugs. That was the bottom and he knew the suppliers would come after him.

He spent the night behind the trash cans praying that God would save him. He promised that if God would help him live til moring, he would become a Christ follower. He lived and started the long road back. He became first a worker and then a leader in an inner city ministry called "Am I My Brother's Keeper" where he helped to minister to the needs of the homeless.

In one of his sermons he referenced the Apostle Paul who once was a persecuter of the church and now was a leader in the church. He mused how those who must have observed Paul must have questioned whether he had really changed for the better. Then he adds these comments:

"When people tell me I'm good, my reponse is,'I'm trying.' But there's some people that knew me back when . . . and when they hear I'm the pastor of a church, all of a sudden . . . 'No, I say. You knew me. You knew that person, but you don't know the person that I'm trying to become."

Isn't it great to know that with God things don't have to stay the same? In Christ we can grow and change.

Bridging the Gap

The January 10, 2010 issue of Time Magazine revealed interesting statistics concerning racial reconciliation and evangelical churches. Since 1998 the group making the most progress is Evangelical Christianity. Hybel's willow Creek is featured in the article describing some of the activities they have programmed into their ministry emphasis.

Recently when visiting with one of our Baptist regional directors, I mentioned that we were programming a Dr. Martin Luther King Sunday as a feature of our ministry. It was a reminder to me that we are bridging the racial divide.

According to projections by 2050 the I.S. will contain no racial majority. In our ministry right now we are living out 2050. In our child care, tutoring, club ministry and youth ministry we are striving to live out the truth of the gospel and demonstrate that the harmony of the gospel has already arrived.

There are a lot of churches in the Twin cities who operate by the principle of attracting everyone who is alike. I'm thrilled to be part of one that is Bridging the Racial Divide and living out Kingdom values.

A New Year - A New Decade

When the Apostle Paul was in prison, he prayed for open doors. He writes in Colossians:

3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. (Col. 4:3-5)

He doesn't pray for personal safety and security. He doesn't pray for for release from prison. He cherishes his partnership with God and prays for an opportunity to share the message of Jesus with others.

What would happen at Central if we prayed for open doors? John Ortberg has an open door prayer that goes this way:

"God open doors in my life every day. God, if there's somebody I'm to be concerned about who doesn't know You; if there's some spiritual opportunity, if there something you want me to do, God, open a door in my life."

What would happen at Central if we prayed this prayer every day for six weeks. Will you join me at the beginning of this new decade in praying this prayer?

Advent

One of the most famous verses of the bible is John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." This verse can be summarized as God Loves; God Sent; and God gives.

God Loves -- Love is at the core and center of who God is. Whereas the Mesopotamian gods were looking to humans to become slaves and fulfill their whims and wishes, the God of the Bible is categorically different. He is not a taker, but a giver. He sets us free and gives us gifts. The book of James tells us that every gift comes from the Father.

God Sent -- Jesus came into the world as a child at risk. He was born to poor parents and under threat from King Herod. Into a world where fathers could refuse to raise their own child and force that child tothe streets, Jesus was born.

God Gives -- Life, eternal life is what God offers. When asked about eternal life by a religious leader, Jesus told the story about The Good Samaritan. The message was acting neighborly to whoever crosses our path. Christmas is about the Kingdom of God. It is a message of Good News and Good Works.

May you rejoice this Christmas Season.