Friday, December 14, 2012

Advent Apocalypse


The end of the world came to Janesville, Wisconsin. Janesville is home to the Administrative Offices of the North Central Conference . . . AND birthplace of “Miracle” the white buffalo. Miracle was born in 1992, and many believed she fulfilled Native American prophesies of the end of an old era, ushering in a new age of peace led by a Christ-like figure called the White Buffalo Woman.  Miracle died in 2004.  The White Buffalo Woman never did come. 
    Around the same time (1997) a red heifer was born in Israel. Many Jewish thinkers believe that when the kosher red heifer is born, it will finally allow for the reconstruction of the Third Temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling Numbers 19:1-22 and Mishnah Tractate Parah.  At this time, animal sacrifices will recommence as part of the life of Jewish religious expression. The Temple Institute (a group that checks such things) says that as of now (2012) there is indeed a kosher red heifer in Israel marking that the time is nigh. The Temple described by Ezekiel (40-47) will at last be rebuilt. Dispensationalists (and sensationalist) Christians like Hal Lindsey point to this Third Temple as possible only under the reign of the Anti-Christ who will use it to proclaim his dominion and demand worship.
   Then there’s the ominous 12-21-12 Apocalypse. Ancient Mayans built great temples to approximate mountains upon which they could cut out the hearts and lop off the heads of countless human blood sacrifices to their gods.  And they were pretty good with calendars. The Mayan calendar and mythology speaks of five ages, and we are nearing the end of the final age. It’s even more mysterious to say, we have reached the 13th b’ak’tun, or Mayan date 13.0.0.0.0 – December 21, 2012.
     And then there are wars and rumors of wars. And sicknesses. And earthquakes. And tsunamis.  And governments rising and falling.  And the middle-East in turmoil. And over 30% of Americans believe we are living in “end times” while we watch the same stuff that could have been seen on CNN if it aired in 400 AD, 1000 AD, 1500 AD and on and on … Countless other white buffaloes (well, 21 have been counted since 1833), many red heifers, and New-Agers buying into obscure interpretations of long dead civilizations are simply a handful of the truly countless “signs” that have been interpreted as apocalyptic before and after the birth of Jesus.
I anticipate celebrating the birth of the Son of God on Christmas, December 25, 2012. My family will not be hunkered in a bomb shelter or riding a giant neo-ark with John Cusack reading Hal Lindsey or Tim LaHaye novels. 
Instead, we and other Christ followers will be gratefully celebrating the birth of a gentle King in a manger 2000 years ago. A King, our King, who rules over land and sea and the willing hearts of those who follow.  A king whose followers identify as poor in spirit while inheriting the kingdom, mourning yet comforted, strong in humility, hungry for righteousness, merciful to others, pure in heart, living as peacemakers in a world characterized by conflict and revenge. Our king gave his life to save the world. Our king died in apparent disgrace but rose from the dead, the true promise of ultimate victory. Our King lives through faith by the Spirit in our hearts yet today. Our King will return – though he promises no one knows when, so all should be ready.
Fear not 2012. Fear not red heifers, white buffaloes  alien invasions or a zombie apocalypse. “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.”  

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Vote for Jesus?


Vote for Jesus!  Cute slogan – not possible. Not even Jesus would endorse that option.  In the flesh he refused to be crowned by a crowd eager for his early rule, and shared with Pontius Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this earth” (Jn.18.36). In fact, Jesus warned his disciples not to engage in political games the way the “gentiles” do, seeking to be in a position to “lord” their authority over others, but rather to become “servants of all” (Mtw.20.25). Jesus and His disciples through the ages have a globally redemptive view that transcends nationalism, party divides and political power plays.  Nonetheless, Christians are called to engage their world, often engaging in healthy ways with political movements.

Many Evangelical Christians will sense some ambivalence in casting their presidential vote this year. President Obama self-identifies as a Christian, being converted to faith and baptized as an adult.  Many conservative Christians question how his faith has been evidenced through some of the issues he has embraced.  Mitt Romney self-identifies as a Mormon, very committed to his faith.  Most Evangelical Christians, including Free Methodists, view Mormonism as a non-Christian cult.  I don’t know the religious views of Gary Johnson (Libertarian candidate) or Jill Stein (Green candidate).  Regardless, this election is not a time in which Christians vote for their next ecclesial leader, but for a person of sound character and healthy mind with the ability to lead the United States through very troubled times.

Perhaps Christ-followers should vote for the candidates or parties that seem to align best with Jesus or Kingdom or Christian values. This also creates a dilemma. There is no single “biblical world-view” and fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ have drawn quite different conclusions on many core matters (for example just war versus pacifism). 

It will likely prove a very dangerous stance to claim any particular candidate or party is the godly one, and to judge as unspiritual (or unpatriotic … these are not the same) those who disagree.  Some may believe that surely all true Biblical Christians would endorse the same set of core values or issues as being closest to the heart of God.  This is simply not true. 

Around the same era, speaking to the larger context of the Jewish people of faith, three prophets of God, led by the Spirit of God, preaching the Word of God proclaimed three very different agendas. Malachi proclaimed a deep concern for marriage, crying out that “God hates divorce!” and pointing to the disintegrating family as a core cause of national and spiritual distress (Malachi 2). Zechariah had a different emphasis, “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other (Zech.7:8-9).”  Haggai had a different emphasis, blaming economic woes on neglect of the temple of God (Haggai 1). 

If we were prone to label and divide, pick sides and play party politics, we might be tempted to say a conservative “values party” leader like Malachi is dead-on but that a liberal social justice guy like Zechariah is bad for the country. Or visa-versa. Or point to Haggai's religious solution of getting back to prayer, worship and building up the temple as the truly godly approach and wonder about how faith-compromised the more socially involved Malachi or Zechariah might be. Knowing that each of these “agendas” originate from the Spirit of God, we are not left with the option of playing the labels game and claiming one is closest to the “Kingdom agenda.”

What if God’s best desire for a nation is an agenda too big for one party to contain?  What if the “mind of Christ” is too big for one person to have the whole picture?  What if every nation needs the values of personal morality and responsibility and social justice and care for those who cannot care for themselves in order to be closer to healthy?  What if portions of “Kingdom agenda” issues are reflected by Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Independents and Green or Tea Partiers alike? And what if aspects of each agenda may in fact embrace issues that oppose the heart of God?

What if Zechariah had the best words for voting Americans of faith during this contentious time? “In your hearts do not think evil of each other!”  It is my prayer that nowhere in any church in the North Central Conference will someone utter something as uninformed or unspiritual as, “No true Christian can vote for (fill in the blank).”  Engage what God has called you to engage with all your heart, contribute to the betterment of the nation in which you live, while holding onto enough gracious humility to bless those engaged in issues that you do not feel are as important, or who take a different point of view than you do.  

Let us endeavor to prayerfully work together as the people of God to make the best decisions we can, and to work as fruitfully as possible across every political divide.  Jesus as Lord (rather than any political party) makes this possible. Jesus as Lord, I believe, makes this necessary.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Appreciating Pastors


I wonder if my experience might help you understand the heart of your pastor.  In so doing, my hope is that you will take time this month to extend a word of kindness, a show of appreciation, during October, which for 17 years in the USA has been “Clergy Appreciation Month.” 

I have worked a few jobs. I have been a lumberjack, worked a ranch, in a garment factory, as a dishwasher, cook, counselor, social worker, business owner, landlord, administrator, university educator and more. I have worked 9-5, swing shift, rotating and overnight shifts. I know for a fact, first hand, that every job has its challenges, charms, curses and blessings.

I have also pastored. It is hands down the most varied, challenging, difficult and delightful role in my personal experience. It is uniquely challenging. It is the only job where I have worked no less than 60 hours a week routinely but have been accused of being a slacker who really works but few hours a week. It is the only job where drawing a salary (in every case, much less than the average salary of the church’s board members) for solid, competent work was viewed as potentially unspiritual. It is the only job in which every fault or flaw not of my own but of my wife and children have been critiqued, often openly and painfully.  It is the only job in which I have been asked to be humble and bold, lead with vision while being asked to serve all, embrace and love everyone with warm grace while challenging everyone equally with sometimes harsh calls to repentance, create a sense of unified purpose and adherence to standards of conduct while being sensitive to the needs of the harshest detractors and unrepentant sinners.  It’s all quite logically and practically impossible!

There have been seasons when it seemed every word, every direction, every sermon was critiqued and every motive challenged.  As the pastor’s biggest critic is usually him or herself, I have felt the weight of constant self-evaluation and reflection upon integrity as one called to proclaim the very Word of God, knowing that people, even when critical, are depending upon the pastor getting it “right” so that they may be encouraged, challenged, inspired, changed not by the personal opinions of the preacher by the good news of the gospel. Most difficult of all is sharing the gospel as continually and faithfully as I know how, in the church and outside of the church, through word and deed, and seeing how often the love of God is rejected, disputed and mocked – and seeing the resulting pain in lives that could be healed and full of joy through simple trust in God’s grace and obedience to His loving commands.   

But then again, pastoring is uniquely wonderful.  To journey with human beings through every stage of life, from birth, to growth, to youth, to marriage, to family, to sickness, to health, to professional struggles and gains, to the losses incurred through the ravages of time, to death, to comfort, to eternal hope.  No other vocation affords this blessing.  To be the midwife who catches the newly “born again” when the Holy Spirit moves and to see the amazing changes of healing and hope that occur.  To champion the poor and disenfranchised and see the homeless housed, hungry fed, abused healed, enslaved freed, jobless employed, hopeless hopeful and communities transformed. To take hits for leading through biblical truth and see over time the power of persuasion soften hearts and make room for the holy.  To be frequently awed by the power of the Spirit to answer prayers prayed with tears and faith as people experience miracles skeptics say don’t exist. To see enemies become friends. To see goodness happen. There are challenges, but when called to pastor, it is difficult to imagine any other form of service. Pastoring is fantastic.  

GeorgeBarna, demographer, researched pastor’s work habits and experiences.  He writes, "Most pastors work long hours, are constantly on-call, often sacrifice time with family to tend to congregational crises, carry long-term debt from the cost of seminary and receive below-average compensation in return for performing a difficult job. Trained in theology, they are expected to master leadership, politics, finance, management, psychology and conflict resolution. Pastoring must be a calling from God if one is to garner a sense of satisfaction and maintain unflagging commitment to that job. Fortunately, we have thousands of men and women who have responded to that call and serve God and His people with energy and grace. May they be encouraged by an outpouring of love and gratitude this October - and beyond!"

It’s Pastor Appreciation Month. There is much that is worth appreciating. There are unique struggles and unique joys. Let me encourage you to celebrate and appreciate your pastor this month. You will find Pastor Appreciation Resources at clergyappreciation.org. You may wish to send your pastor to the NCC Annual Pastor’s retreat in October. Remember, your pastor is doing what he or she does out of love for you and obedience to God in Christ Jesus.  

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Everyone… Let’s Go Back to School


Too many American Christians don’t know much at all about what they claim to believe. There is nothing weak or ineffectual about the Christian Faith. Yet many of us who have placed our faith in Jesus while embracing a rather lazy approach to maturity fail to learn (and hence to live out) the implications of the Faith. By the “Faith” Christians for millennia have meant the body of doctrine and knowledge that lies at the heart of what Christians say they believe.  

It is true that Christianity at its best is a “relationship” and not a “religion.” Love trumps intellect every time. It dangerous, however, when we replace knowing the truth about Jesus and approaching an increasingly biblical world-view with mere feelings or a merely emotional sense of connection. Too many of us, and I mean Free Methodists in the North Central Conference, have settled for being quasi-Christian feelers rather than radical followers of Jesus fully committed to knowing and living out the best of Christianity. Chanting (if silently) “doctrine divides, practice unites” many of us have set aside learning, teaching and preaching core Christian doctrine and the concepts that are legitimately known as “the Faith.” I have actually heard some people say things like, “It doesn’t matter what you believe or what you do so long as you have faith in Jesus.” What then does it mean to have “faith in Jesus?” We follow Jesus’ proverbial “blind guides” when we place faith in our imagined “Jesus” made in our own image or follow a “Faith” developed by uninformed (though well-intentioned) spiritual leaders.

Free Methodists are a holistic connection of believers. We embrace the need for purity of heart and the rigors of the intellect.  We embrace the call to a personal faith in Jesus which saves our very souls and a commitment to public justice and social holiness which saves our very communities. We embrace spiritual experiences and scientific research, tradition and innovation, orthodox creeds and their fresh expressions, charismatic gifts and biblical obedience, freedom of conscience and voluntary cohesion through discipline that provides order.

Let’s TEACH our children. PREACH with clarity without “dumbing down’ the gospel. COUNSEL Biblically even as it challenges notions of amassing personal material wealth or engaging in any sexual choice. Let’s go back to school! 

Know your stuff!  Know your doctrines. Send your kids to Sunday School. If you’re an adult, TEACH Sunday School (you will more doing this than by merely attending). Study Scripture and theology in your small groups. Let’s commit to read something besides Facebook and the ESPN scrollbar. 

“Dear friends, you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2Pet.3.18).

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Accomplishing More Together… A Good Report




The Fabulous Five USA Olympic Women’s Gymnastics Team have demonstrated the power of synergy – accomplishing more together. Dominating through strength, grace and an obvious spirit of mutual encouragement and dedication to the task, this team of golden Olympiads (pictured) makes America proud.  Team USA basketball is doubtless on its way to gold but LeBron James alone could not do it.  TEAM! Together We Accomplish More. Synergy.

You alone can make impact in this world.  As Frederick Douglass, the great American abolitionist said, “One and God make a majority.”  Yet, we know that as Christians it takes a WE not a ME to effectively accomplish the mission Jesus gave the church. Every NCC congregation is tasked with ‘Bringing Jesus to the North Central United States” and beyond.  No NCC congregation can do that alone. 

Here are just a few of the ways your NCC team is “Bringing Jesus”.

The first half of 2012, NCC churches have invited many to follow Jesus, and over 650 people have made new confessions of faith in Jesus.  This is the work of the Holy Spirit, and is occurring among churches of every size and demographic. Leading the NCC in effective evangelism are congregations ministering primarily among African Americans and Hispanics. With powerful vacation Bible School ministries, several congregations have seen an upsurge of children making decisions to receive Jesus.

Pastor Scott Whiting (pictured) in Eau Claire, WI is seeing amazing fruitfulness through the work of Catalyst Church. A strong value of the NCC is loving and connecting with your community.  Scott and his team know the power of connection and prayer. Scott says, “Catalyst has been praying 'selfishly' for our landlord.  We don't want to get kicked out of our space because its perfect for our needs and a very visible location.  So we've been praying that all the other empty units in our shopping plaza get tenants, so that our landlord's income is boosted; and since she knows we've been praying for this, she might be less likely to kick us out for a higher paying tenant.  I spoke to her this morning. All three other units have now been leased.  All new tenants expect to be open for business next month.  And one of them is a coffee shop!  How perfect could that be?  Not to mention the snow cone vender (who's a seminary student) in the parking lot!  She's absolutely thrilled and thanked us for praying.”  

Greater Hope Community Church in Clarinda IA is experiencing revival, despite deep personal pain and struggles. Pastor Ed Simmon reports, “God is blessing the Church Family, we had 2 rededicate their lives back to Christ. I have been teaching a new Christians class on Wed Nights wonderful class. On August 10 people will be baptized in our swimming pool in my back yard.  As for me God has been blessing me beyond my wildest dreams. I have arthritis in my lower back my hips knees and ankles some days I have a lot of pain. On those days I can really feel Christ holding me.  Since this has happened to me over the last 8 months I've learned more about living in the grace of God than I did in all my 29 years since giving my life to Christ. God's Grace really is sufficient. Christ always holds me through the pain and He always leads me in my walk Christ is always with me”

An impoverished, unchurched, neglected and sometimes dangerous neighborhood in Rockford IL is embraced and loved by the Free Methodists in this community. Pastor Paul Bundschuh (pictured) and Tim Wauchope report, “God has led us to minister in various ways to the adults and children at an apartment complex across town over the last year. We distribute school supplies for the children and make great connections with the parents. Our VBS in this community this summer saw 5 children accept Christ as Savior.”

The churches in 2012 that have seen new believers result from their prayerful investment in outreach and evangelism in the Heartland are Clarinda, Fairfield, Oskaloosa and Toddville; in Chicagoland are Aurora, the Chapel in Chicago, Evanston, Melrose Park, Oswego and Woodstock; in Team North are Alexandria, Glencoe, Motely; in Three D are Albert Lea, Austin, Bloomington, Fillmore, Mason City, Sioux Falls, Rapid City; in Upstate IL are East Peoria, Freeport, McConnell, Rockford, Wataga; and in Wisconsin are Beloit, Eau Claire, Fitchburg, Emmanuel, LaFarge, Livingston, New Berlin, Platteville and Richland Center.

The number of churches reporting people who are making life change decisions is phenomenal.  In every nook and cranny, Christians are being called to deeper devotion, loving outreach and service to their community and world.  Free Methodist chaplains like Derin Fowler working hospitals, Randy Waller in long-term care, Ray Leach working in the military, Marie Rose working with the police force and many others are touching lives in crisis everywhere.

God is at work in centenarian churches and infant projects. Souls are being saved in affluent and impoverished, Hispanic, black, Asian and white communities, among young old, in small towns and cities. How is your church fervently praying and seeking God’s power and vision?  How are you actively engaging the community? How are you regularly encouraging and challenging growth in Christ? As a team, let’s keep advancing toward being increasingly in line with Jesus and Kingdom values and visions.  

Thursday, July 12, 2012

NCC OFFICE CHANGES


Ivan Timm announced his retirement at AC2012. Rev. Timm, who has served many distinguished years as a pastor in both the NCC and Pacific Northwest Conferences, will retire with his wife Donna to Washington State.  His last day of active service as Administrator for the NCC was June 30, 2012.  The Timm’s new address will be Warm Beach Senior Community, 20505 Marine Drive, Lot #48, Stanwood, WA 98292. Ivan’s email is ike.timm@gmail.com.

Alma Jasinksi and Ivan Timm at AC2012
We are pleased to announce that Alma Linda Jasinski has been appointed to serve as the new NCC Administrator.  She assumes her role effective Monday, July 9, 2012. Alma has most recently served as the Senior Pastor of the Wesley FMC in Waukegan, IL and also as church planter and pastor of the Aurora Free Methodist Church.  She has provided significant administrative oversight of the International Bible Institute, is an NCC coach and has served as a Lake County (IL) Court Translator.  Alma recently married Michael Jasinski of Zion, Illinois and the Jaskinski family will move into the Administrator’s residence and offices the second week of July, 2012. 

All NCC office contact information remains the same.  The NCC offices will be closed from July 1 – July 9 during this time of transition.   Supt. Adams is on a brief family vacation July 5-10. Please be patient with NCC calls, correspondence, emails, etc., during the first half of July. 

We are also introducing new web and mobile app products.  

The world is going mobile.  So must we!  The current NCC web site – nccfmc.org – has provided a central source of information for NCC churches and beyond.  One of the first acts of Superintendent Adams upon election in 2008 was to create a single place to download critical forms, resource for growth and development, enter statistical information, stay connected with news, register for events and even vote on important items.  Increasingly, users are seeking to access the web site using mobile phones, and the current site is not designed for this. Indeed, being flash based, much of it cannot be seen on an iphone or ipad . . . yet.

The new web site launches on July 15 when you logon to nccfmc.org you will note some significant changes.  The site will be cleaner, directly connected to social networking and mobile friendly across all platforms.  By August, we will announce our NCC mobile app for Android and Apple products.  Keep your eyes peeled and thumbs ready.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

@AC2012


@AC2012

Annual Conference 2012 marked the 153rd time that the members of the North Central Conference gathered to ‘confer’ together. Free Methodists are a “connectional” people, believing that we accomplish more together. Indeed, a lot was accomplished at AC2012. 

Bishop David Kendall lit hearts on fire through the Holy Spirit as he preached. The core theme presented over several messages throughout the two days of AC2012 is the call to refocus on Jesus Christ, and his mission. That mission (Luke 4:14ff): Preach the gospel to the poor.  “Holiness without a gospel to the poor does not reflect Jesus.”  Further, Bishop Kendall suggested that God the Father, who adopted us into his household by grace through faith, desired more adoptees.  However, God will entrust adoptees only to qualified families.  Each church must examine its heart and practices, and seek diligently and obediently, to be Christlike and the kind of people that God would entrust to influence new spiritual children.


Elections were held at AC2012. Dr. Mark Adams was re-elected with 92% of the votes to serve as Superintendent a second four year term. Jim Berlin (Richland Center, WI), Craig Nelson (Waukegan, IL) and Suzanne Goff (Wilmette, IL) were elected to serve with Bishop Kendall and Superintendent Adams on the Ministerial Appointments Committee.  Elected as “at-large” members to the NCC Board of Administration are Patrick Coakley (Evanston, IL), James Johnson (Motley, MN), Brian Johnson

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Easter Encouragement

To my North Central Conference partners in ministry...

You are a child of God, a servant of the Most High King, an ambassador of Christ, the Messiah's messenger. Today you proclaim the good news, the best news... Christ has died, Christ is RISEN, Christ will come again.  

I have been praying for great fruit in your ministry today and have confidence in you and the work of the Holy Spirit through your hard labor and the congregation you lead.  

Remember Paul's words after proclaiming the resurrection truth... Your labor in the Lord is not in vain!
Peace and power in Christ! 

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Easter Challenge... Tell Your Story


 
Many Christians who attend church regularly, when asked, would be unable to tell the simple gospel story in a way that explains to an inquirer what they believe.  Most Americans do claim to be Christian while many, if not most, do not have an articulate understanding of what that means.  

What would you say?  If you were on an elevator with a skeptical friend who asked you something like, “Why do you believe in Jesus Christ?” would you be able to share something valuable?  More valuable than, “That’s how I was raised,” or “I feel it in my heart,” or “It’s as good a life philosophy as any other?”

The Bible tells Christians to, “In your hearts, revere Christ as Lord: always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have… with gentleness and respect” (1Peter.3.15).  Maybe you know why you are a Christian, and have good reasons, Biblical answers, evidence-based conclusions, and solid life-style change but just can’t quite put this into words.  Then be challenged this Easter season, to roll the stone away from your lips and take an hour or so this April to write down a paragraph or two, and rehearse it. To be ready. 

If you “revere Christ as Lord” but aren’t quite sure why – you are not alone.  Rest assured that there are ample reasons to believe, and abundant help to be able to put your own doubts to rest, and to be an instrument in helping friends take a well-reasoned leap of faith. Your pastor can help you find good material. This is so important to understand that you cannot wait.  Spend several hours this April, basking in resurrection power, and studying to bring alive in your heart and mind the reasons you are a Christian.  Write them down. Share with a Christian friend and ask if it makes sense.  Walk in the confidence of “being prepared to give an answer.” 

This is an Easter challenge!  Re-discover and tell the good news!  Christ died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day, rose again. It’s the greatest story ever told – and it’s no mere fable. It is the historic and living bedrock of all that we hold dear and all that can restore our broken world.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Lent & Christlife

Christianity is a force in the world today because of the force which exploded the stone from the tomb of a crucified prophet 2000 years ago.  Jesus Christ died, rose from the dead and will come again. No greater proof of the identity of Jesus, the intervention of God in the affairs of  people, and the hope of eternal life can be offered than the resurrection of Jesus.  Proclaim this good news!

Free Methodists understand the significance of Easter, but what of Lent?

The 40 day season of fasting and self-denial which precedes Easter is part of the “Christian Calendar” or “Liturgical Calendar”. Beginning with Advent and Christmas and working through the year into Lent and Easter culminating in Pentecost, this way of reckoning time has a purpose.  The Christian calendar is designed to focus our hearts and minds on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and to annually retell and relive the story of Messiah.  Lent is one way in which we seek to pattern our lives after the life of Jesus

Thursday, March 15, 2012

End Slavery

John Wesley’s last written letter was to abolitionist William Wilberforce in an appeal to end slavery in their day:

“Unless the divine power has raised you to be as Athanasius contra mundum [arrayed against the world], I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that execrable villainy which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be fore you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? O be not weary of well doing! Go on, in the name of God and in the power of his might, till even American slavery (the vilest that ever saw the sun) shall vanish away before it.” (2/24/1791)
Many early Methodists held this to be a sacred calling, and the first American Methodist leaders approached none other than George Washington in an appeal to end the practice as the new America was being forged. They were ignored.  Not long after, Methodists began to compromise their position against slavery.  Free Methodists did not compromise on slavery and were forged in the flame of the abolitionist debates which tore America apart in Civil War, and rebirthed a more just, albeit far from perfect, nation.

Will you, North Central Conference Free Methodists, take up the charge against the monolith of human trafficking – slavery – in our time?  Can we do no less than our forefathers? Can we stand by while more than 20 million people are enslaved (more than any other time in history according to the US State Department).  More than half are children, 80% are women, with sex-trafficking the chief driver and debt bondage keeps whole families enslaved for multiple generations. 

Please, observe Freedom Sunday (February 26). We have encouraged all NCC churches to register for this at freedomsunday.org. Our Bishops encourage every church to take an offering for our abolition movement.  Offerings may be sent to the NCC office designated “Freedom Sunday” and will be used by the FMC to fund International Child Care Ministries intervention work in India, build our abolition leadership team, invest in extra mile projects against human trafficking and support Not for Sale, our strategic partner in the effort to end slavery in our time.  

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Filipino Missions... THANKS NCC

Supt. Mark & Kerrie Adams wish to thank the NCC churches for your prayers, positive messages to Filipino leaders and financial support of our trip in January to the Philippines.  


Pictured are Bishop Tuan and Supt. Mark with the graduating seminary students who were trained in part due to your support. 

You also provided books, technology and medications to our Filipino partners.  

Kerrie assisted by teaching health at the Free Methodist college and supporting ICCM and Ahon relief efforts for the families who live in the community garbage dump. 

Your NCC influence is felt around the world

End Slavery

John Wesley’s last written letter was to abolitionist William Wilberforce in an appeal to end slavery in their day:

“Unless the divine power has raised you to be as Athanasius contra mundum [arrayed against the world], I see not how you can go through your glorious enterprise in opposing that execrable villainy which is the scandal of religion, of England, and of human nature. Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be fore you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? O be not weary of well doing! Go on, in the name of God and in the power of his might, till even American slavery (the vilest that ever saw the sun) shall vanish away before it.” (2/24/1791)
Many early Methodists held this to be a sacred calling, and the first American Methodist leaders approached none other than George Washington in an appeal to end the practice as the new America was being forged. They were ignored.  Not long after, Methodists began to compromise their position against slavery.  Free Methodists did not compromise on slavery and were forged in the flame of the abolitionist debates which tore America apart in Civil War, and rebirthed a more just, albeit far from perfect, nation.

Will you, North Central Conference Free Methodists, take up the charge against the monolith of human trafficking – slavery – in our time?  Can we do no less than our forefathers? Can we stand by while more than 20 million people are enslaved (more than any other time in history according to the US State Department).  More than half are children, 80% are women, with sex-trafficking the chief driver and debt bondage keeps whole families enslaved for multiple generations. 

Please, observe Freedom Sunday (February 26). We have encouraged all NCC churches to register for this at freedomsunday.org. Our Bishops encourage every church to take an offering for our abolition movement.  Offerings may be sent to the NCC office designated “Freedom Sunday” and will be used by the FMC to fund International Child Care Ministries intervention work in India, build our abolition leadership team, invest in extra mile projects against human trafficking and support Not for Sale, our strategic partner in the effort to end slavery in our time.  

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Radiate Peace

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to those on whom his favor rests!” So declared the angels upon the birth of Christ (Luke 2:14). 

Clearly, God wants us to be at peace and to be a peaceful people as we place our faith and trust in Him. Yet, 2000 years after the birth of Jesus, peace seems as elusive as ever. 30 years after Christ died the Romans demolished Jerusalem. Then Barbarian hordes demolished Rome. Then Europeans battled among each other, as tribes and city-states became nations, and Norse and Franks and Celts and Spaniards killed each other with ferocity. Then the new world was discovered, and the Spaniards killed South American Indians while the British killed North American Indians and the French destroyed Europe until the Russians beat the French. And the Germans tried to take over the world - twice. And the Japanese bombed their benefactors. And the Dutch enslaved South Africa. And U boats sank cruisers, and the A-Bomb destroyed Hiroshima, and the Communists murdered millions of Jews and Christians. Now we have enough nuclear weapons stockpiled to destroy the earth a many times over, and the communists starve, Israelis and Palestinians kill each other, the Baltics remain ballistic, 5000 Americans lie incinerated in the ruins of the World Trade Center, and the middle eastern spring rages while North Korean nucs are test-fired yet again.

In the midst of this, the tide turns toward peace and the people of peace intentionally radiate the kindness of God. Christians know that God has instituted the ‘sword’ to ensure peace and order (Rom.13:4) in a broken world.  The hope of Christ is to restore that which was broken, to replace hearts of stone with hearts of flesh, to replace greed with charity and lust with love. Someday, swords will no longer be needed. The process of saving humanity from itself is slow. Restoration is slow and difficult work. 

Christ was born into the world, life, light and light incarnate.  That is the Christmas gift at ground zero for peace.  The gift that keeps on giving is Christ born in you, and in the friends with whom you share the good news, and in the passing of the torch of light from generation to generation.  Be the Christmas gift Christ intended for the world by shining God’s patience, love, mercy, light, truth, joy and peace wherever you go.