Remember the Poor

When you hear about someone who is "poor," what comes to your mind? What images do you see? What judgments do you make? What emotions do you feel?

Now take time to read these four verses and compare what they say to the answers you just gave:

There will never cease to be some poor people in the land; therefore, I am commanding you to make sure you open your hand to your fellow Israelites who are needy and poor in your land.
(Deuteronomy 15:11 NET Bible)

The one who oppresses the poor insults his Creator,
but whoever shows favor to the needy honors him.
(Proverbs 14:31 NET Bible)

The one who gives to the poor will not lack,
but whoever shuts his eyes to them will receive many curses.
(Proverbs 28:27 NET Bible)

Open your mouth, judge in righteousness,
and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
(Proverbs 31:9 NET Bible)

The New English Translation (NET Bible) has 164 verses that contain the word "poor." Some of those verses contain warnings that imprudent choices can lead to poverty. Unfortunately, those are the verses some choose to emphasize, forgetting the many commands to care for those who are poor. In fact, I was one of those who forgot these commands. I was never purposefully demeaning of those less fortunate than myself, but I failed to recognize my responsibility to get actively involved in helping those in need.

I don't believe those of us who have been blessed should live in guilt over our prosperity. Instead, I think we should do what God intended -- use our blessing to bless others. In the coming months, we will explore some ways we can do this at New Covenant in a global context.

Our goal is not to end poverty. It is simply to be obedient to what God commanded us to do.

The Essence of Partnership

For those who attend New Covenant and read this blog, you already know that our church recently decided to move forward with an ambitious plan to relocate to a new facility. Yet this relocation is not about having a new building. It is about us continuing and even expanding our ability to make disciples, both here in Cedar Rapids and around the world.

At this historic moment, we are in no way scaling back our missions emphasis. On the contrary, we feel God is leading us into some new and exciting Kingdom opportunities. To be specific, we are investigating launching a new partnership with a church in another part of the world. It is too soon to give specifics, but I am excited at the opportunities this partnership will provide to us in the midst of our relocation journey.

So what is a church partnership? That is a good question! Remove from your thinking any idea of a business partnership. Instead, think of it as a friendship. A partnership is a mutual relationship where both churches seek to work together to accomplish God's mission to see His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

This is what we entered into a few years ago when we started Project CR, a partnership with a church in Trinec, Czech Republic. Our goal was simply to come alongside and serve them as they had need. We had the opportunity to assist them in purchasing a new facility a few years ago, have sent a team to meet with their church leaders and a team to do a kids camp, and we continue to send teams to teach in the Business English Camps every June.

We have no idea right now what this new partnership will exactly look like. But what I do know is this: It is first and foremost about a relationship, not about accomplishing a task or meeting arbitrary goals. Our desire is to serve and allow them to serve us as God sees fit. I can't wait to see what God has in store!

Knowing the Heart of God

Do you want to know the heart of God? Do you want to be actively involved in doing something that you know will bring Him great joy and glory? Do you want to get the perspective you need to evaluate how everything you do can make a difference for eternity? Then attend Perspectives on the World Christian Movement.

Perspectives is a 15-week course that will turn your world upside down (or more likely, turn it right side up!). Taking it will help you to catch the vision of God's glory, His heart for the nations and the advance of His Kingdom to the edges of the frontiers.

Perspectives will be offered at over 200 locations next year. The closest one to Cedar Rapids will be the class hosted at Mt. Vernon Community Bible Church in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, beginning January 18, 2010. For more information or to register, go to perspectives.org/mtvernon. Or go to the Perspectives website to find the course nearest to you.

(Click here to read another post I wrote about the Perspectives course.)

Reading with Understanding

A few days ago I read an email from a friend who is a missionary. In it she mentioned that she avoids using the term "missionary" to describe herself because people think of "Moravians" when they hear the term. I was confused since Moravian missionaries have not been around for a few hundred years! After sending an email to her asking why she was concerned, my friend corrected me and pointed out that she had actually written "Mormon," not "Moravian."

While your first thought might be that I flunked my quiz in "reading comprehension 101" (and you would have a good point!), the reality is this illustrates her concern about the baggage that comes with the term "missionary." My love for missions and knowledge of missions history led me to fill in the blank with a word I was familiar with. I see "missions" and "missionaries" as good things, so read into it what I expected to see. Yet for many others, the term evokes images that are negative and to be avoided.

Despite my momentary lapse in reading skill, I do agree with her point. That is why this blog is entitled, "Kingdom Partners." The term missionary is not even found in the Bible. While a useful term in some contexts, it is not always the best one to use. So what is a Kingdom Partner? It is someone who cares for others and invites them to know the Creator of the universe. We don't care to make converts. We care because Jesus cares. We don't share to put anyone down or to deprive them of their dignity. We share the Gospel because it is living water to those who are thirsty. It is bread to those who are hungry. It is life to those who are dead.

When Jesus told us to go and make disciples of every people group he was asking us to find individuals and invite them to follow him and be like him, the most loving and holy and just and righteous person who has ever or ever will live. That is a job description of which we can be proud.

Why Do Global Care?

At that time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, got up and predicted by the Spirit that a severe famine was about to come over the whole inhabited world. (This took place during the reign of Claudius.) So the disciples, each in accordance with his financial ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. They did so, sending their financial aid to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27-30 NET)

For the last four years we have been challenged to live a lifestyle of reaching out to others through prayer, care, and share, both locally and globally. While this may not have been a new concept to you, I have found this approach very helpful as well as challenging. It has helped me to see outreach as more than just telling someone the Gospel and expecting them to cross the line of faith right then and there. Yet it reminds me that sharing the Gospel is always something I should look for God-given opportunities to do.

But the biggest challenge has been the “care” component. On the local level, it reminds me of the importance of having a relationship. On the global level, it reminds me of how ignorant I am at times of the real needs of others in the world.

I want to challenge you to become more aware of the global needs for care. This does not replace the need for us to share our faith. Rather, it is often an important and necessary step to demonstrate that our faith is real. We are not caring for people to get converts. No, we care because Jesus cares. We reach out because Jesus reached out to us.

This type of care was true in the early church. The Christ followers in Antioch sent financial aid to the church in Jerusalem during a famine. But keep in mind what the church in Jerusalem was doing. They were reaching out to their community. The financial aid helped care for more than just believers in Jerusalem.

Let us do the same today as we reach out to those in need, both here in Cedar Rapids and those in other nations.

To learn of one way we can reach out to churches and individuals in other countries to demonstrate the love of Christ, read this story about a way churches are meeting a need in India:

http://www.mnnonline.org/article/13394

Blogging Again

After taking a few months off, I am resuming blogging. With the reformatting of the Sunday bulletin, this will also be the place where I usually post my weekly Kingdom (Missions) Update, as well as updates about our Kingdom Partners and our short term teams.

Definition of the Kingdom of God

To the same apostles also, after his suffering, he presented himself alive with many convincing proofs. He was seen by them over a forty-day period and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God…. So when they had gathered together, they began to ask him, “Lord, is this the time when you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He told them, “You are not permitted to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.”(Acts 1:3, 6-8 NET Bible)

At one point in His ministry, Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 NET Bible). During the forty days after His resurrection, he continued to focus on the kingdom of God (as quoted above). So it is no surprise that the disciples would wonder when that prayer would become a reality. But the disciples made a crucial mistake. Their view of the coming kingdom was too small. Their focus was on the restoration of the kingdom of Israel. Jesus was focused on something far bigger: the coming of God’s kingdom to all of the nations. It is in that context that we find the familiar verse in Acts 1:8 telling us that we will be witnesses to the ends of the earth.

So what then is the kingdom of God? Good question! The Bible never lays out a simple, clear definition. Most of the time Jesus used analogies and stories to illustrate it. But living in a time when a Roman emperor (another word for king) reigned over them, they understood the concept. A kingdom was not just land or territory. It referred to the rule and authority an individual had over other people and even over nature. God’s kingdom therefore refers to His rule and authority being exhibited in every area of our lives.

To be continued…

Entering the Kingdom of God

As you go, preach this message: “The kingdom of heaven is near!”
(Matthew 10:7 NET Bible)

What is the message we are to bring to the nations, including those in our own backyard here in Cedar Rapids? Every month we send support checks to our 23 Kingdom Partners (money that comes from your faithful giving) to enable them to do prayer, care, and share among various people groups all over the world. This coming weekend we will participate in Healing the Heartland, a culmination of three years of focusing on prayer, care, and share in our own community. As we pray for those who don’t know Christ and care for them in the name of Christ, what do we hope to share with them so that they can enter into a relationship with Christ?

If you had asked me this a few years ago, I would have replied the message we bring is the Gospel: Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead. And I think that answer is true, it is just incomplete. After taking Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (twice!), I find myself rereading the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles and coming to a different conclusion. The message they preached was based solidly on Jesus Christ and him crucified, but the focus was on something else: The Kingdom of God.

What is the Kingdom of God? It is not a concept that fits easily into our American world view. We are used to a very democratic and individualistic mindset. The very idea of a king who has full authority and under whose sovereignty we live is almost repulsive. I fear that carries over into our spiritual worldview. We would rather see Jesus as our companion and buddy rather than the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I want to suggest that what we are truly inviting people to enter into is not just eternal life or a relationship with God (though both are true), but ultimately we are asking them to enter into the Kingdom of God. I will explore more of what this means in future weeks.

Updates

As you may have noticed :-) there have not been any updates lately. I found that other than for specific events, like a short term mission trip, I don't have many readers of this blog. So I am exploring some other avenues to get the word out about the Kingdom Partner ministry at New Covenant.

This blog will stay active so that the links to our Kingdom Partners and my past posts are still available. But if you are interested in reading more posts here, let me know. If you don't have it already, you can get my email address on the New Covenant website. If I find out that there are more readers than I realized, I will be glad to start posting things again.

McCollum Update

A few days ago Mike & Brenda McCollum sent out an update to their supporters. With the blessing and full support of the field staff and home office of SEND, the McCollum's will leave Croatia and return to the States at the end of February. They will spend time getting counsel and meeting with SEND to determine their next step. Their desire is to continue with SEND in some capacity at another location or in the home office.

Please pray for the family as they make this difficult transition.

You can read their update here.

Christianity Is NOT Just Another Religion

Let me start with clearly stating that many other religions show love and compassion. Many other religions have and are currently feeding the hungry, healing the sick, providing homes to those in need, and doing things that make a difference. Christianity is not exclusive in that regard.

While that is true, I am convinced that Christianity is uniquely different. Where other religions put people in bondage, true Christians know freedom and are much more relaxed. Where aid can temporary help someones condition, true Christianity offers a heart transformation that offers wisdom and comfort in any and every situation. (A "true Christian" is one who is a follower of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is alive and real and personal. The individual believes in a person, not just a system, and experiences a relationship, not just a religion. You are not born into it, and it does not come from following a set of rules. I am talking about evangelical Christianity.)

Christianity is demonized by some here in America. They see it as holding people back, as intolerant and too exclusive. There have recently been books suggesting the world would be better off without Christianity. I suggest the opposite is true. Christianity is the one thing that has civilized us. A true belief in the God of the Bible is the most important factor that has allowed Western Civilization to make the moral, scientific, and political advances we hold dear.

For those who question that concept, consider a recent column on Times Online entitled "As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God: Missionaries, not aid money, are the solution to Africa's biggest problem-the crushing passivity of the people's mindset" by Matthew Parris. Here is how it begins:

Before Christmas I returned, after 45 years, to the country that as a boy I knew as Nyasaland. Today it's Malawi, and The Times Christmas Appeal includes a small British charity working there. Pump Aid helps rural communities to install a simple pump, letting people keep their village wells sealed and clean. I went to see this work.

It inspired me, renewing my flagging faith in development charities. But travelling in Malawi refreshed another belief, too: one I've been trying to banish all my life, but an observation I've been unable to avoid since my African childhood. It confounds my ideological beliefs, stubbornly refuses to fit my world view, and has embarrassed my growing belief that there is no God.

Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.

Here is a link to the full article: "As an atheist..."

The Word Made Flesh

How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them? (Romans 10:14 NET)

I do not know what I did before email. I love it. As an aspiring writer, it provides me a daily outlet to unleash my creativity. Even writing a simple note can give me a feeling of great satisfaction. But over the ten years or so that I have been able to email, I have made an important discovery. Email is not a good replacement for conversations. It has its place and is a very useful tool, but it can only go so far. Sometimes you absolutely positively must say it face-to-face.

The same truth applies to our relationship with God. I find it interesting that even though we have the Bible – God’s Word in written form – it alone is generally not enough. God chooses to still use human messengers. In fact, that is how He designed us. We were made for relationships.

So it should not surprise us that Jesus is referred to as the Word become flesh. And even though we cannot experience Him directly 2,000 or so years later, we do experience Him through His body, the church. The Gospel was never intended to only be handed out as a tract or broadcast over the TV. While God has at times used those methods, they almost always are just a tool that supplements what someone hears and sees in a flesh and blood believer that he or she knows.

Every Kingdom Partner we support is really an extension of that first Christmas. Jesus said, “Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you” (John 20:21 NET). Obeying His command to make disciples of every people group usually requires that someone personally go to the people group. So as you celebrate Christmas, I hope it is more than just a fun time opening gifts with your family. Take time to personally share with others your relationship with God, and support and encourage our Kingdom Partners who are doing the same thing around the world.

Kingdom Partner Holidays

I remember spending Thanksgiving in Berlin, Germany back in 1998. I was returning from a mission trip in Russia and arranged to stay for a few days with Patrick. I had met him while he lived in Texas as an international student. He and some of his friends who had also lived in the States as international students wanted to continue the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving. But even though they were native Germans, could speak the language and knew well the stores in this modern country, they still had a really rough time finding some of the elements that make up a traditional Turkey dinner. I can only imagine what it is like for foreigner living in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East.

Now think about Kingdom partners you know. Many of them live far from family in another country with a different culture. Imagine spending Thanksgiving or Christmas without relatives or the familiar traditions you have enjoyed since you were a child. While these missionaries gladly make this sacrifice, it still can be hard during the holidays.

You can make a difference by simply sending a Christmas card this year. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It doesn’t have to contain a letter (though a brief personal note would be greatly appreciated). Sending a card lets them know they have not been forgotten and it gives them a tangible piece of our Christmas tradition. You don’t have to send one to every Kingdom Partner you know (though you can if you want!). Choose one or two that you know – or want to know – and drop them a card in the mail today.

WWJD

WWJD. Remember when the latest fad was wearing clothes or jewelry that had the initials for the phrase “What would Jesus do?” The intent was good, but it got old quickly. Worse yet, it often was answered with shallow thinking. (For example: A “loving” Jesus would never… [fill in the blank with whatever cause you want to defend].)

The reality is Jesus rarely did what we might predict or expect. When Jesus learned that Lazarus was dying, what did He do? Go heal him? Send a sympathy scroll? No, He stayed away from His close friend until he died. Yes, Jesus then raised Lazarus from the dead, but who would have responded to WWJD with that as an option?

Consider Christmas. WWJD? Sure, it is easy now to say Jesus would be born to a humble family in an obscure small town in an occupied country. But who would have guessed it? And to be born as a baby in the first place? Inconceivable.

Most important of all, consider Easter. The idea that Jesus would suffer and die for us? Simply ludicrous. We may shake our heads in wonder that the disciples didn’t get it when He predicted His death and resurrection, but I seriously doubt we would have done much better. In fact, many still don’t get it. It truly is something we would not have offered as an answer to WWJD.

While Jesus’ character was consistent (He always displayed love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.), His actions were led not by a simplistic view of showing an act of kindness, but by a vision for what would be the greatest possible act of kindness. When he threw the money changers out of the Temple or took on the hypocritical religious leaders, it was an act of love and kindness done with gentleness and patience.

So as we “make disciples of every people group,” let’s make sure we are training them to be followers of the real Jesus, not the weak caricature so often portrayed.

The Stark Reality in Myanmar (Burma)

I came across a chilling article that details the horrible conditions that exist in Myanmar (Burma). Take time to read this article and pray for the people in this oppressed country.

Here is the article: Throwing Away the Key in Burma.

New Feature -- Unreached People Group of the Day

In case you did not notice, I have added a new feature to my blog. On the right, you will find information about an unreached people group. A new one will be highlighted each day. May this serve as a reminder that our mandate is to make disciples of every people group. Take time today to pray for the unreached people group listed at the right.

(Thanks, Deborah, for suggesting this addition to the blog!)

Van Zoest Family

Amazing. In less than a year, God helped Dan and Lisa Van Zoest raise up their support and they are already down in Nicaragua working with the Nicaragua Christian Academy.

Dan & Lisa are our newest Kingdom Partners. To learn more about them, their family, and their ministry, you can check out their website. And for frequent updates, including details about their first few weeks in Nicaragua, check out their blog.

Pray for the Persecuted Church

Sunday, November 9, is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Please take time to remember our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer for their trust in Jesus Christ. For a list of agencies who can give you more information on the persecuted church, to go the International Day of Prayer website. For some ideas of how to pray, Campus Crusade has some good suggestions on their website.

Safe Arrivals

For those who are wondering, Amy Mich made it safely to Paris and Beth Larsen has safely arrived in Brno.

Amy has already updated her blog. Beth will update her blog soon.

The Flood Is Coming

I vividly remember June 10, 2008. It was the day before I left for the Czech Business Camp. At our staff meeting, Kim shared with us a private meeting he had attended where they were predicting the Cedar River would crest above flood level and flood our city. They talked about the urgent need to help those in the 100 year flood plain.

At that time, the prediction was a crest of maybe 24 feet, not the over 30 feet we actually experienced. We could not have imagined the devastation and loss of property that would occur. But we did believe a flood would happen. A number of Serve the City churches including New Covenant mobilized volunteers to help those in danger. They originally went to help people move belongings to a higher level, and later mobilized to get word out about the need to evacuate.

I know that we did not act alone, and I don’t write this to brag or give credit to ourselves. My point is simply this: We were told something would be true, we believed, and we took action on that information.

The Bible clearly teaches that those who do not put their trust in Christ will not have eternal life (John 3:18). It clearly says that people cannot believe unless someone goes and shares the good news with them (Romans 10:14-15). Jesus specifically told us to pray for workers who would go to those who need to hear (Matthew 9:37-38). So why is so little being done to reach and make disciples of every people group (Matthew 28:19-20)?

Perhaps you do not believe the flood is really coming. Yes, you might agree in theory, but you haven’t really driven down by the river and seen how high it has risen. It doesn’t seem real or urgent to you. I challenge you to take the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class here at New Covenant next January and learn more about the state of the world around us.

Perhaps you don’t know where to start. Consider praying regularly for Myanmar (formerly know as Burma), or join us Monday night, September 15, at 6:45 PM in Room 135 to pray for the Muslim world.

The flood is coming. What are you going to do about it?

(Picture courtesy of Austin Spooner.)

30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus

From the intro to this year's prayer guide:

The 30 Days Muslim Prayer Focus coincides yearly with Ramadan (a holy month of fasting in Islam). This prayer movement calls upon Christians to make a concerted but respectful effort during this time to learn about, pray for and reach out to Muslim neighbors--across the street and around the world.

It is not our intention with this prayer focus to disparage Islam or Muslim sentiments in any way. We recognize that humans and the Muslim world are far too complex to simply or easily condense or explain with a mere booklet. At the same time, as Christians, we long for all the world's people to have an opportunity to understand the grace of God incarnated in Jesus Christ. To this end we inform ourselves, pray for, and support respectful opportunities to make that grace also know among Muslims.

To particpate in this prayer focus, go online to www.30daysfire.net. It will provide stories, information, and daily prayer requests during the month of Ramadan.

Franglais

Amy Mich, another new Kingdom Partner, will be departing next week for France to serve with Young Life. You can read her blog to get updates.

Moravian Living

One of our new Kingdom Partners, Beth Larsen, left Wednesday for the Czech Republic. Pray for her transition into her new ministry with Greater Europe Mission in Brno.

For updates on Beth, be sure to visit her blog.

Missionary Care Conference

Imagine that it was your job to support, encourage, and nourish a missionary family who lived halfway around the world. What would you do? Where would you start? What is the best way to offer quality, meaningful care from a distance?

New Covenant currently supports 22 Kingdom Partners – missionaries serving in countries all over the world. One of our core values is to support and care for our missionary families. To accomplish this goal will take more than just the Missions Committee. We need your help to care for our missionaries.

On Saturday, September 20, we will host a Missionary Care Conference. It will go from 8:00 AM-12:00 PM and be led by Dave Shepherd of Ministry Essentials International. Founded in 1996, Ministry Essentials exists to spiritually nourish Christian leaders by drawing them into a deeper experience of Christ. Here is how Dave describes his seminar:

“What is missions really about? When we send someone to the ‘mission field’ what are we hoping to accomplish? And while we each may have differing opinions and conclusions from scripture to answer the previous questions, there are a few more things we’ve not considered. In this seminar we hope to raise an awareness of mission realities beyond what you may already know. We also hope to better understand what we are really after when sending missionaries overseas. And finally, we will discuss some practical ways to encourage, nourish and support those we send.”

Session topics will include:

• Missionary Attrition Issues missionaries face (in what areas do they struggle?)
• Lines of responsibility
• What we are really after in missions
• What is already available
• Practical ways to help

Anyone with an interest in learning how to better care for a missionary is welcome to join us. To register, contact Jen Olsen at 319-395-0021 or send me an email.