tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196215380196147912024-02-19T02:28:17.774-06:00North Central ReflectionsThe official blog of the North Central Conference of the Free Methodist Church.Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-27288455670046969972016-04-20T20:17:00.002-05:002016-04-20T20:17:46.671-05:00JUST ACT!JUST ACT! Justice is the theme that will permeate the North Central Annual Conference 2016. AC16 is held at Sky Lodge Christian Camp in Montello, Wisconsin June 2-4.<br />
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This year we will informally BEGIN conference with a special dinner to HONOR PASTORS & SPOUSES Thursday, June 2. Superintendent MARK ADAMS will deliver his “Farewell Address” following the meal, and will not give a “State of the Work” during the conference proceedings. We encourage all to make an effort to be together for dinner on Thursday night. While we are honoring pastors and spouses, EVERYONE is encouraged to be part of the dinner and events which follow. <br />
Two FANTASTIC contributors to AC16 this year will equip and encourage us as a movement to engage the work of modern ABOLITION. <br />
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Keynote speaker KEVIN AUSTIN, Director of the Set Free Movement, will deliver the keynote address. Special musical guests REMEDY DRIVE will do an outdoor concert (weather permitting) on Friday night. Remedy Drive is a premier contemporary Christian band engaged on the front lines of the battle against human trafficking. <br />
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Kidz Konference will not only provide wonderful activities for the children who attend AC16 but will also be themed along Just Act!<br />
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We believe all YOUTH DELEGATES will be moved and encouraged to find practical ways to advocate for JUSTICE through every element of the conference this year. There is a breakout for youth delegates with members of Remedy Drive.<br />
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Other workshops include Welcome Immigrants with Alma Jasinski and Prevent Suicide with Marie Rose.<br />
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We will ORDAIN new leaders and formally install SUPERINTENDENT HOPPER on Saturday morning, providing a RECEPTION BRUNCH afterward.<br />
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Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-75406368707467440612016-02-07T23:19:00.002-06:002016-02-07T23:19:32.174-06:00Thy Kingdom Come!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” What is God’s kingdom like? Assuming the eternal aspects of heaven (where Jesus locates the Kingdom in this prayer) we see a few key things. Heaven has no more pain, sorrow or death. Heaven has no more sin, evil or demonic presence. Heaven is where together people of every nation, language and tribe worship the God who is in their midst. So, praying for the kingdom is praying for health and wholeness, purity and goodness, justice and harmony. Thy wholeness, thy goodness and thy justice come to earth as it is in heaven.<br />
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Knowing this makes clear why Jesus gave as evidence of his Lordship three primary signs (Luke 7:18-23). He healed the sick (wholeness), cast out demons and forgave sins (goodness) and preached the gospel to the poor (justice). Jesus, when commissioning his disciples, gave them these three commands – drive out demons, cure diseases and preach the gospel [to the poor] (Luke 9:1,2). This is our commission today.<br />
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Here are a few samples from your recent NCC church monthly reports. Woman healed of cancer in Beloit WI. Demon cast from woman in Wataga IL. 80,000 destitute people fed last year in Evanston, IL. Man raised from death on a hospital bed in LaFarge WI. Addict set free in Alexandria MN. 1000s of homeless housed in Chicago IL. Blind woman’s sight restored in Mason City IA. Man healed of scoliosis in Waterloo IA. THIS LIST CAN GO ON AND ON AND ON!!! We saw hundreds and close to 1000s of first time decisions to follow Jesus this year, hundreds who have prayed for (and we trust received) fullness of the Holy Spirit and a myriad of “serendipitous coincidences” that lead to hope, healing and happiness upon people praising, repenting, asking and yielding to God.<br />
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Keep praying – thy kingdom come to earth as in heaven! Keep seeking to be used of God to bring about healing, goodness and justice. Jesus has commissioned you to do this very thing! And you are doing it!Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-76563880874180448512016-01-05T13:06:00.000-06:002016-01-05T13:06:14.060-06:00Power PlayPower Play<br />
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<i>When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Lk.9.1,2</i><br />
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Hockey players are a rough and tumble bunch who understand the “power play” – when your team has more players on the ice than the opponent you have the power and are more likely to score. Whether Christians play hockey or not, we ought to understand the power play as well. God is with us (Mtw:1.23), and assuming we are with him (united in faith and purpose through Jesus Christ), every day is a power play. Frederick Douglass, the great African-American abolitionist declared boldly, “One and God make a majority.” That’s the ultimate power play.<br />
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Paul writes “I pray that you know…His incomparably great power for us who believe which … is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” (Eph.1:19;3:20). We often neglect to tap into God’s power, or may even – despite having the label “believers” – not actually believe in God’s power. Yet, Jesus empowered his disciples to drive out demons, heal the sick and preach the kingdom of God, especially to the poor. Jesus declared that any gate hell erects around a heart or a community will crumble when faced with the power of God’s kingdom expressed through the church (Mtw.16:18).<br />
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John Wesley, an eminently rational man, an Oxford educator, practitioner of medicine and inventor, was used of God to reconnect the church to the Spirit’s power and launch the Methodist movement. He recounts many stories of apparent miraculous healing, exorcism and overcoming impossible obstacles. Methodism was birthed by the Holy Spirit and God’s power play. Free Methodists have sometimes struggled with embracing powerful expressions of the Holy Spirit – perhaps fearing being “too charismatic” or appearing just plain silly to believe outdated things like miracles in our day.<br />
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I think we should fear instead considering Jesus as his Nazarene brethren did, a prophet without honor, and through our disbelief limit the miraculous outpouring of kingdom power (Mk.6:4,5) which Jesus actually commissioned us to grasp and deploy (Lk.9:1,2).<br />
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What if in 2016 we purposed to rely more readily upon God’s power through the Holy Spirit? What if we prayed for miracles, healing, conversions, and more leaders to enter the spiritual harvest? What if we sought God sized-vision and God-imbued power to overcome the obstacles that we face? What if we took Jesus at his word? What if we really believed?<br />
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I think we’d see a real power-play. Hell’s gates would crumble. The good news would be preached to the poor. Prisoners would be set free. The blind would see. The oppressed would be liberated. The Lord’s favor would be experienced (Lk.4.18-21). <br />
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So stop right now and pray! Lord Jesus, have mercy on me. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief! Fill me Holy Spirit! Let’s get more players on the ice! "God and one are a majority!”Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-87871714099488229732015-12-07T09:11:00.000-06:002015-12-07T09:11:00.221-06:00From a Grateful Fellow Pastor<div style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 11px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
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This is a season of Thanksgiving, and my heart is full of abundant joy because of you, pastor.</div>
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Most people in your congregation will never really know that depths of longing you have for each one to draw nearer still to Jesus, how you have wept in prayer over the suffering and sometimes confusion of your members, the too many times you were required to miss meals and special moments with your family because you tended to the crises and needs of your flock. Few will understand the decisions you have made to take less in order to serve more, to give sacrificially not only to set an example but because you love God and care for those suffering in the world. You have chosen a simple lifestyle to honor the King who had no place to lay his head so that the gospel may be proclaimed without hindrance.</div>
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I know that this Thanksgiving there are lonely elderly in your community who will have companionship, confused teens who will know they are loved, hungry men who will have a meal, homeless women who will not be on the street, stressed marriages that will find points of agreeable joy, refugees and immigrants who will find friends in a hostile world – BECAUSE OF YOU and how you have led.</div>
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And only God truly knows, but I am sure the number is larger than you suspect, all of the people who have crossed from death to eternal life and will join you in angel song before the throne of the King of Kings when the mortal coil is shed - because of your witness and ministry.</div>
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This world is a better place because you said yes to Jesus Christ, and to the divine call to shepherd or prophesy or teach or evangelize or break new ground in a hard community – or all of this. </div>
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I am so thankful for you. </div>
Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-71639152979304520102015-12-02T16:34:00.003-06:002015-12-02T16:34:43.996-06:00Refugee Jesus, A Christmas Story<i><span style="color: blue;">An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt… for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” Matthew 2:13</span></i><br />
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Mary and Joseph fled nearly certain death in Bethlehem for the insecurity of Egypt and a chance to live. How long did young Jesus and his refugee parents live in Africa? Tatian puts a seven year span on the event, Baronius says eight, Athanasius thought four and Josephus believed it to be one year. There are plenty of ancient, apocryphal tales of young Jesus in Egypt, celebrated yet today by the Egyptian Coptic believers.<br />
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No one knows how long Jesus was a refugee before being gathered by Joseph, daring to return to obscure Nazareth. No one really knows what Christ’s earthly parents or even young Jesus himself did while separated from family, friends, occupation and home. We simply know that core to the Christmas story is the bleak and bloody tale of terror, shed blood, and fleeing with the hope of life and little but the promise of God.<br />
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Was Joseph hungry and harassed? Mary afraid? Did her baby cry? Most refugees are hungry, afraid, harassed and weep over deep losses. <br />
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From the depths of this agonizing portion of the Christmas tale emerges a carpenter’s son whose entire life and legacy can be summarized by the action verb -- LOVE. Pressed by terror the diamond of hope emerged. Surrounded by death, the Prince of Peace smashed the mortal coil and prepared the path toward eternal life. The tragedy ends well. But the story continues to be written anew today.<br />
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I imagine Christ, at the side of His Father in heaven, is heartbroken over the weeping, harassed, hungry streams of refugees that flee from today’s Herods and seek some help from today’s wise men and hope for some place to lay their heads in today’s Egypts. What a wonderful Christmas gift it would be if Christ’s people, children of the Refugee King, might supply the warmth of prayers, assistance of financial support, and not without applying the wisdom of security, nonetheless offer a place for the least of these to lay their weary heads.<br />
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Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-9218141443706850882015-10-13T13:30:00.001-05:002015-10-13T13:30:23.854-05:00Pastors Love. Love Pastors.<br />
Pastors love.<br />
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That is all that really explains their existence, perhaps at any time, but certainly in the modern world. Pastors proclaim a message of hope in the resurrected Jesus and an eternal truth discovered in an ancient text and through hearing from the Holy Spirit. This pastor’s message is often mocked, this text is often viewed as a relic, and being thought of as eccentric at best or pathological at worse if she actually admits to hearing from God. Because there are too many pastors who have not lived according to the profession of their faith, creating dark news sensations, a shadow has been cast upon all who seek to servant-lead congregations and merit in the general public a trustworthiness rating below that of used-car-salesmen.<br />
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Nationally, only teachers and pastors are paid less for their level of education and training as professionals. The average teacher with a bachelor’s degree earns about $42,000; the average pastor with a bachelor’s degree earns $28,000. Most pastors have expensive Master’s Degrees, with extensive training in languages, theology, counseling, administration, communications, community development and leadership. At least one of five pastors must work an additional job outside of the church in order to support their family. In the NCC, over 60% of our lead pastors are bi-vocational (including 3 Assistant Superintendents). The stress this places on a family over time – working between two jobs often 70 hours per week with very few days off despite the biblical admonition to Sabbath – takes a toll. Pastors are rarely compensated adequately and find it difficult to provide the basics for their families, including health care. <br />
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Guaranteed: your pastor does what she does out of deep commitment to a call from God and an abiding love for you and the community of service.<br />
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Love your pastor. The reason they are with you is love for God and you.<br />
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Keep your eye on the NCC Facebook page (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/nccfmc" target="_blank">fb/nccfmc</a>) for daily reminders of ways you can show appreciation to your pastor during October – Pastor Appreciation Month. <br />
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Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-30281745382633154462015-08-04T10:00:00.001-05:002015-08-04T10:06:35.903-05:00General Conference Update<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
Spirit of Christ spoke to and through the Free Methodist Church at General
Conference 2015. Organized around nine priorities which in fact flowed from the
work of the Holy Spirit through the church at GC2011. At least one of your NCC
elected delegates participated in being resourced and contributing to each of
the nine FMC priorities. These priorities are:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Embrace All ● Disciple Deeply ● Cultivate Health<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Develop Leaders ● Multiply Ministries ● Honor Fruitfulness<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Engage Urban ● Partner Strong ● Go Global<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">General
Conference was a wonderful time of inspiration – through worship music, messages
from our bishops and leaders, strategic priorities training, fellowship with
2,000 of our Free Methodist family from across the nation and around the world,
and the confirmation of our denominational stand on the Biblical definition of
marriage. I came away from the conference being spiritually renewed and
refreshed, and have returned to the Fillmore Church with a greater passion to
multiply the church through making disciples for Christ. (Mike Hopper)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">I
was so moved when Bishop Roller said, “Love your neighbor as yourself… I would
just be glad if we would love our neighbor as much as we love our pets." Likewise,
I resonated with Bishop Thomas when he referenced how all through the Old
Testament God is the maker. Then Jesus invites us to be a partner with him as
we "make" disciples. What a privilege, honor and responsibility we
have to share in God’s work of re-creation. (Shawn Morrison)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was
impacted by the general feeling of action that transpired through every
activity, more than ruling and dictating, a strong spirit of support and
partnership with very defined strategies is what I got from GC15. (Alma
Jasinksi)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-42218697176534259332015-06-29T15:13:00.000-05:002015-06-29T15:14:30.034-05:00Walk the Discipleship Circle<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Walking
the Discipleship Circle<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
gathered delegates, pastors and attenders of the North Central Conference
Annual Conference 2015 made a <b>radical</b>
commitment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">We
all committed to weekly and intentionally <b>“Walk
the Discipleship Circle”</b> with at least one other person. The Discipleship
Circle is a simple way of living out daily devotion to Jesus and grow as His followers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6frMuukTOJczzu8Jp_kQGNE_UTWFQ3zsciOB5-EP8iZO-rHoEzd92xxH6th2_RabSVovZ-7FmiMP7BNJRr69ms2T0v3q5sQGv1w-MHZWT6N5SBaHjkO00MZzXisP-D9i8cTJTx0xFAw/s1600/WalkDiscCircliwthText.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid6frMuukTOJczzu8Jp_kQGNE_UTWFQ3zsciOB5-EP8iZO-rHoEzd92xxH6th2_RabSVovZ-7FmiMP7BNJRr69ms2T0v3q5sQGv1w-MHZWT6N5SBaHjkO00MZzXisP-D9i8cTJTx0xFAw/s320/WalkDiscCircliwthText.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">We
will encourage each other to daily BE with God, in His holy and loving presence
through intentional prayer and searching the Scriptures. Consequently, we have faith that as we spend
more time with our Lord we will SEE more clearly his will for our lives – how
to treat others, how to bless our communities, how to treat ourselves, how to
bless the church, how to honor God. We believe that in so being with Christ and
seeing the Spirit’s direction, with community encouragement and spiritual empowerment,
we can actually do what God desires. Jesus said, “Those who love me, obey me”
(John 14:23, 24, & Ps.119:167, 1Peter.1:22, 1John.2:5, etc.). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">As
a conference, we have identified together a startling definition of “<b>disciple</b>.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">A disciple is a <i>radical</i> follower of Jesus living out <i>self-sacrificial</i> love for God and
others, and <i>helping others</i> do the
same.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Radical
means at the root, an event or change that affects the fundamental nature of
something, thorough and comprehensive. The concept of being a radical follower
of Jesus flows directly from a principle distinctive of the Free Methodist
Movement – <b>entire sanctification</b>.
Entire sanctification is simply the hope, possibility and reality that God can
and does answer the scriptural prayer (1Thessalonians 5:23) “May God himself,
the God of peace, sanctify you through and through” and that as a gift of the
Holy Spirit, nurtured through our being, seeing and doing, we really can “Love
the Lord with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength and love our neighbors
as ourselves.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">It’s
radical – not complicated. With whom are you going to walk the discipleship
circle? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-72645037173511647672015-06-29T15:10:00.001-05:002015-06-29T15:14:57.455-05:00Call to PRAY<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The clarion call from the Spirit to the
superintendent over the past few years has been PRAY. We seek to fulfill the Great Commission and
be a Great Commandment people. We
develop plans regularly to win souls and build projects and impact our
communities. And sometimes we pray. Usually we pray. But rarely without ceasing, and often not as a
first order priority. The primal
spiritual act is communion with God, conversation with our maker, even as in
the garden Adam is not seen writing laws or laying out strategic gardening
plans, but rather conversing with God.
The act of willful transgression against the Creator warped the
relationship so that clear conversational communion no longer defined the
human-divine interaction. But that is brokenness,
not optimal existence. Christ came to reverse the curse and through the Spirit
with us, above us and in us, we have amazing open access to our Abba once again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In my annual dialogues with pastors I have found
that almost half of us do not pray daily in much more than a perfunctory
fashion. Seasons of fasting and seeking
after God’s face for our souls, the souls of others and the spirit-led
direction of our churches is the exception, not the rule. We are, many say, too
busy to pray. Fasting, say others, is just not “my thing.” Yet God has called us into a synergistic
relationship with Him so that we can accomplish more together than alone. God,
in Divine wisdom has chosen to accomplish His work on earth through the
spirit-led hands and feet of human beings called into relationship with
Him. There is no other way revealed in
Scripture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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We must pray. Pray first. Pray together. Pray
daily. Praise God for abundant and manifold blessings – even those which arise
through suffering. Repent of
lackadaisical attitudes, outright sins of commission, silence toward injustices
in our midst and sometimes perpetuated by our own attitudes. Ask in order to receive – spiritual power,
provision for ministry, clarity of direction, miracles of healing and empowered
gifting from on high. Yield to the
promptings of the Spirit either made clear in Scripture, through the counsel of
Spirit-led partners and even (WE PRAY!) through the direct witness of the
Spirit to our innermost selves.</div>
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We will reverse no bad trend and build on sinking
sand if we are not a praying people. As
a praying people, there is no obstacle too large for God and fruitful power
shall descend upon us.Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-88089765328934383892015-04-08T18:13:00.003-05:002015-04-08T18:13:30.742-05:00Walking Dead Easter StoryA story to make sense of a strange Bible passage.<br />
April 4, 2015<br />
Mark Adams<br />
…<br />
Matthew 27:51-53<br />
<i>At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.</i><br />
…<br />
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<br />
pictured - Luca Signorelli "Resurrection of the Flesh" 1502<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
My name is Matthias. I just want to tell you the strangest, most wonderful story. Most people don’t seem to believe me, but I swear it’s true. I would swear on my grandmother’s grave, but as you’ll soon see that’s just not possible anymore. <br />
<br />
My– my grandmother’s name was Anna. She was daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. Few people remember Anna. I used to think she was a crazy old bat when I was younger. When grandpa died, she started spending all her time in the temple courts and synagogues -- praying, fasting, crying out for the salvation of our people. Crying out for the salvation of her children, and even me, her little grandson Matthias. She called me her little man. “My little man,” she would kind of cackle. I was actually afraid of her, she was pretty intense, and wrinkly. <br />
<br />
When I was 20, this was almost 30 years ago now, she grabbed me by both of my arms and stared straight into my eyes, and with a lucid clarity I had not seen in her for years, told me that had seen the Messiah. She said a young family presented their first baby boy in the temple for his circumcision ceremony. She said, “Matthias, God has fulfilled his promise to our people, I saw redemption in the eyes of a baby boy today. His name is Jesus. I know this like I have never known anything before in my life, my little man! When he comes to his own, you must follow him. You must follow him, my little man.”<br />
<br />
I was shaken at the time. There are a lot boys named Jesus, probably 10 a day are circumcised in the temple. And about 10 years ago, my grandma Anna died. No amazing “Jesus messiah” on the horizon. But lately, over the past few years there have been troubling rumors surrounding a Galilean – yes, you heard me, a Galilean – backwoods pond scum – named, yeah, you guessed it, Jesus. <br />
He recently came to Jerusalem and all hell broke loose. He was crucified. And then things got really strange.<br />
<br />
I mean, things are always a bit strange at Passover time in Jerusalem. It’s crazy with thousands visiting the city for the holidays. But this was unusually unsettling. Most of the craziness seemed to center around this Jesus fellow. I admit, many of my friends had become his followers. From what they said he didn’t sound like a bad guy at all. It made me think about crazy grandma Anna. I heard the rumors, blind seeing, cripples jumping up, even stories about resurrections, a prominent citizen named Lazarus, who died just outside the city in Bethany, was supposedly raised to life from the dead. My Jesus following friends believed sincerely he was the messiah, and said he talked a lot about accepting the poor, and forgiving sins, and how we ought to learn to love each other – and even love Romans. That’s a bit over the top! <br />
<br />
I almost went to one of the temple court sessions where Jesus was going to preach but my synagogue elders said his teachings were dangerous and contrary to the laws of Moses. So, I thought it best not to. And then, when Jesus was arrested, I figured two things. First, my rabbis were spot on. And second, on the off chance they were not, maybe my grandma Anna was right about a boy named Jesus who would become a Messiah. <br />
<br />
After all, if Jesus were the Messiah, he would break free from jail, his followers would rise in insurrection and God and His angels would surely begin the reign of the Kingdom of David from Jerusalem again! That would be something! But when I heard the crowds shout “crucify him” it seemed clear no messiah was around. No thunder, no white horses from heaven, no Elijah calling down fire on the soldiers. Ha! Just another crank would be prophet claiming to be our leader. My grandma was crazy, my friends too. I was glad I never jumped onto the Jesus bandwagon!<br />
<br />
When the earthquake shook Jerusalem, I was, needless to say, startled. We don’t get many around here. One of my Jesus freak friends said that the earthquake happened about the same time Jesus actually died, crucified as he was. I don’t know. I hate crucifixions. I’ve only been to one, when my uncle was executed for just talking against Rome. I hated watching it. It was more than horrid. I had to be there, though, for Uncle Saul. I can’t imagine it brought him any comfort. He may have felt shame knowing that I was there watching his degradation, but I hope knew I was there because I loved him. There is no comfort being stripped naked on a cross, hung on the side of the road for all to see, dying a long, slow death for nothing, nothing but a dream and the damned Roman bloodlust and hunger to remind us we are less than dirt to them. But my friends who knew about Jesus’ crucifixion said Jesus died quickly, just three hours – if that’s quick – and when he did the sky darkened – probably a sandstorm – and the ground shook something awful. So I guess we have Jesus to blame for the earthquake (ha!). <br />
<br />
We all felt it though. Like I said, it caused major damage. But it was the Passover and Sabbath, and except for repairs that would save lives and prevent injury, we could not do work to start inspecting or repairing whatever had been broken. It was very odd to observe Passover these days. Even as our families celebrated with our seder, remembering the way God delivered our people from slavery in Egypt, we had mixed emotions. Every year it seemed to rekindle hope that our current occupation might end. Mind you, were are not slaves, but the foot of Rome was felt upon our necks every moment of every day, so neither are we a free people. So, when Jesus died, a possible messiah, a possible new Moses, another who would battle against the powers that be and give us the freedom and self-determination we long for … Well, our Passover meal seemed pretty hollow. God doesn’t do miracles anymore. Worse, he allows his chosen people to suffer. And now, to rub salt into our wounds, he brings darkness and broken walls upon our land as we celebrate “deliverance.” This Passover did not seem like God’s judgement was passing over us in any way at all. Maybe we should have gutted another sacred lamb and placed its blood on our doorposts! And if the new Moses – Jesus -- would have commanded it, I imagine many would have. Especially crazy grandma Anna, bless her crazy soul.<br />
<br />
But now here is where things get stranger than strange. I’m a religious man, I take my faith seriously. But I’m not superstitious. I don’t believe in spirits and mediums, even though some our rabbis sure do. My rabbis have been Sadducees, and I have believed that God works differently now than he had in the past. Miracles are no more, or very rare. Our call as Jews is to fight for holiness of life through study and obedience to the Torah, and to fight for justice and freedom of our people from Rome – but fight smart. Not with swords, that’s suicide, but with our minds, with plans, with negotiation, with wisdom and patience. We take life seriously, because we know there is no life beyond the grave. When Uncle Saul was crucified for sedition, his life meant something to our cause, but it was certainly the last I would see of him. <br />
<br />
That’s what I learned from men like Rabbi Alpheus. So when Rabbi Alpheus told me about what the high priests saw in the temple after the earthquake, I was shocked. Some of the walls were cracked, easily repaired, no major damage. The temple was built to last forever, after all. But the high priest came out of the Holy of Holies to inspect the damage and was white as a ghost. He claimed that the temple curtain had been ripped in two, sort of. The bottom was still connected, it had been torn from top to bottom. He said it was like the hand of Adonai had ripped the curtain. It had to be something, because, while I’ve never been permitted to see the veil, the rabbi’s say it is 60 feet tall, 40 feet wide and as thick as a man’s hand -- and a team of horses could not rip it asunder. Well, my rabbi exaggerates a lot, but he was simply undone about the state of the temple. He literally did not know what this would mean – the temple veil was meant to keep the holy presence of the Holy One of Israel away from we sinful humanity lest we mere mortals be destroyed, or worse – abandoned by the Lord. Other friends of mine reported that the damage was so severe that several family tombs had been disturbed, some cracked right open.<br />
<br />
All of this is to paint the backdrop for what happened next. Because let me tell you again, I thought my grandma Anna was crazy. I assumed my friends who decided to listen to Jesus were following a pipe dream, and just like Rabbi Alpheus said, were going to be disappointed and possible even find themselves crucified. He sure nailed it with Jesus. I was no believer. <br />
<br />
But I am now.<br />
<br />
Don’t judge me. I know what I’m about to tell you sounds crazy. I’m not given to the supernatural. I’m a stonecutter by trade, I work with my hands but I’m not brain dead or given to fantasies. I’d like to think I’m a practical man. But on Sunday, the third day after Jesus died on the cross, the third day after the land went dark and an earthquake ripped even the temple veil, on Sunday I saw something that changed my life forever. <br />
<br />
I saw Anna. Yes. My grandma Anna. My crazy old bat grandma Anna. Who grabbed me 30 years ago and said I needed to look for Jesus when he came into his own. Not in a dream. No! Not a vision, either. And not a ghost. At least I don’t think so. I can’t say for sure. It was so strange. <br />
It was evening, and my wife and I had just sat down for supper. I had quite a busy day, being a stonecutter I was called upon for many repairs to damage throughout the neighborhood. There would be work enough to keep us well fed for months. Then, I heard a knock on the door, and we both got a happy feeling that maybe one of our children had chosen to drop by for the evening. <br />
<br />
But it wasn’t the kids. It was a young woman. <br />
<br />
She said, “Hello Matthias, may I come in?” At first I didn’t recognize the woman, she didn’t look poor or appear to be a beggar, but that’s all I could assume. Didn’t know how she knew my name. But my wife reminded me that we are not to turn away strangers in need, and quickly ushered her in.<br />
She thanked us, and said she was famished, and had a story to tell. <br />
<br />
Sapphira, my wife, quickly set a third plate, poured some wine and welcomed the guest. <br />
<br />
Our guest immediately launched into her story. She asked if we had heard about the events that had taken place over the past few days. “Yes, of course,” we replied. There was a public execution, horrifically not too uncommon, but one of the so called criminals was a rabbi who didn’t fit into any of our categories – not Pharisee, not Sadducee, not Zealot, not Essene … a young man named Jesus. And a terrible earthquake hit, and now I’ve got my hands full trying to piece things together. “Fortunately,” I winked at her, “that means I can afford to have a surprise guest drop by for dinner.” <br />
She smiled, and her smile looked familiar, it stirred a recollection. This young woman went on to tell us about how the law and prophets, the songs of David and wisdom of Solomon all pointed to a day like this. I stopped her after about an hour, fairly stunned at her knowledge of scripture, and asked how she knew these things.<br />
<br />
She laughed, “I’ve had a long life of study, and have served as a prophetess. Don’t you know me, my little man? Remember, what I told you?”<br />
<br />
Then she reached over and kissed Sapphira and the cheek, thanking her for a kind heart. She reached for the bread and began to pull the pita from top to bottom. She said, “This is his body, and as he was torn and bled upon the cross, the veil between life and death, between we broken human beings and our loving God, has been torn to as well. Jesus did this for us, Matthias. He did this for me. He did this is for Sapphira. He did this for you. I believed in him when I first prophesied to Mary and Joseph and about little Jesus. I told you. Do you really not know who I am?”<br />
<br />
She reached across the table, and grabbed both of my arms, and with the most alive, most dazzling, clearest eyes I have ever seen in my life, said, “Jesus lives! You must follow him to have eternal life.”<br />
<br />
And then…<br />
<br />
She was gone. <br />
<br />
Anna.<br />
<br />
If Sapphira had not seen this, I would have not had the courage to tell anyone. But she saw Anna too. My old, crazy, lost-her-mind grandma Anna. Restored, complete, transformed, and for an instant, and in an instant, I knew. There is life after death. Life is found Jesus, who surely must, as Anna proclaimed, be alive, too.<br />
<br />
I can’t explain this. I don’t know if any others had a similar experience. But since seeing Anna, I have also heard that in fact Jesus has been by others. He really did rise from the dead. What was it Anna said as she spoke with us? She something about Jesus being the first-fruits from among the dead, and more would follow at the proper time.<br />
<br />
I’m not sure who I can safely tell about Anna. But many have seen Jesus. And rumors have started that several other Christ followers who had died before the crucifixion were seen by their families. I can’t explain it. But I know what I’ve heard. And I certainly know what I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears.<br />
<br />
There is eternal life, and eternity unlocked through faith in Messiah Jesus. He is risen, and more will follow. I can only believe now, all who follow him in faith will follow him to resurrection. <br />
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Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-21293083010128774742015-03-12T13:48:00.001-05:002015-03-12T13:48:08.217-05:00Keys to Open nextGEN HeartsLooking through the congregation I noted that most hair was gray and silence filled the nursery. Roughly 25% of the churches in the North Central Conference will have this experience. I am graying. I like gray. But it makes me wonder what we can do more effectively to be Christlike in bidding little children to come and receive the joyous blessings of a caring community. <br />
NCC pastors and delegates have focused this conference year 2014-2015 upon retooling ministry to the nextGEN. Sometimes this is interpreted as hire a youth pastor or start a Bible study on a nearby college campus. We need to think younger. Much younger.<br />
The simple fact is, most Christians got that way (made an intentional decision to follow Jesus) as children. The actual statistics per the <a href="https://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/196-evangelism-is-most-effective-among-kids#.VQG7bfnF_bo" target="_blank">Barna Group</a> show that 43% of all adult Christians began that journey with a decision to follow Jesus before the age 13. More than 2/3rds of believers launched their faith journey before they were 18. Less than 25% of Christ-followers began following after the age of 21. <br />
Most children “gave their hearts” to Jesus as they prayed to do so with their mom or dad. Family continues to play the single most influential role in the formation of faith and spiritual character. Fewer than 8% of “child converts” report making their decision to follow Jesus as a result of a sermon preached or a particular evangelistic outreach.<br />
Parents are the prime key to open nextGEN hearts. Mom, how are you sharing the good news with your child? Dad, your example and invitation to enter into Christlife have an inestimable impact. What are you modeling?<br />
If your church desires to launch an effective and supportive ministry to children (which is as vitally important to parents as their offspring) but your stymied, not sure where to start, here is a suggestion.<br />
Contact our Children’s Ministries Director, <a href="mailto:bethanyabbott89@gmail.com" target="_blank">Bethany Abbott</a> who leads the children’s ministries of the Monee IL FMC. She can help, and share some of what is most effective in terms of child evangelism, discipleship and programs like Awana and Vacation Bible School.<br />
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Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-87026638887143036382015-02-25T00:21:00.001-06:002015-02-25T00:21:41.092-06:00HOW ARE PASTORS APPOINTED IN THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH?<br />
Pastors are appointed by a Bishop to local churches in the FMCUSA, they are not hired by the local church. The Bishop consults with a team of lay and clergy leaders that you elect annually to this role at Annual Conference. That team is called the Ministerial Appointments Committee (MAC). A video describing the MAC process for a church and pastor in transition can be viewed on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVJkGOWL138&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">youtube</a>.<br />
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The FMCUSA and NCC can be viewed as a large, complex organization with many sites engaged in fulfilling its mission. We do not view our churches as local silos but as part of a large connection engaged in large-scale blessing of the world with Christ’s good news. Our MAC and Ministerial Education and Guidance Board systems are developed to provide the best possible screening, training and pairing of quality spiritual leadership with a congregation’s missional purpose and needs.<br />
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During this time of year, pastors and the local church delegates are asked to provide annual feedback to the MAC regarding their perceived health of pastoral fit. There are many tools we employ to gauge the health and vitality of a pastor/church fit annually. The annual MAC report is one such tool. Annual interviews with the superintendent, monthly reporting, monthly meetings with peers, coaching, church profiles developed by local church boards, tri-annual congregational review of church and pastoral effectiveness – and good old fashioned as-needed phone calls and visits are used as well. Your pastor, your board, your NCC MEG and MAC and YOU are constantly looking for ways to get it right. Pray for your pastor and delegate during this process. Pray for your church. Pray without ceasing!<br />
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Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-65625408999937843352015-02-25T00:14:00.001-06:002015-02-25T00:14:19.394-06:00Compassionate Hope for the Future Nelson Mandela wrote, “Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.” Scripture tells us that Jesus “had compassion on them, for they were as sheep without a shepherd.”<br />
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February is COMPASSION MONTH in the NCC. We encourage every church and each follower of Jesus to consider ways of acting with true compassion for those who surround us – often invisibly – in suffering and pain. The Body of Christ still operates today to bring healing and hope. <br />
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We expect compassion to be a way of life for Christ followers, not merely something done via a monthly minder nor accomplished by writing a check or uttering a prayer alone. Though checks and prayers are both powerful and effective, we can act with compassion daily. <br />
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Still, consider supporting your front line NCC and FMCUSA ministries that extend God’s compassion to areas of great need.<br />
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Olive Branch Mission daily tends to the needs of hundreds who would be without shelter or food in the city of Chicago. Not only providing a safe place to stay (though that alone is tremendous) – OBM is one of the country’s most successful addiction rehab centers, its power found through transformed lives centered in Jesus lived in community.<br />
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Hearthstone Communities is an award winning and superb example of the best continuous care services available to aging Americans. In addition, Hearthstone provides McHenry County Illinois’ best early learning center, educating children who could not afford enriching young childhood educational experiences on their own. The state cuts funds but the need continues to grow. How will the church of Jesus respond?<br />
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International Child Care Ministries provides children and their families all over the world a chance for education, food, medicine and the loving support that enables them to break the cycle of poverty and have profoundly positive influences within their communities.<br />
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The Set Free Movement is an FMC based organization which not only advocated to end human trafficking but is actually doing it. Annually the enslaved are set free, laws are enforced and safe houses (including the one operated by Ginger Coakley in Illinois) are operated.<br />
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How will you support compassion this month?<br />
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Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-33371424906859601552014-12-20T00:29:00.000-06:002014-12-20T00:46:53.380-06:00Christmas Trees, Adam, Eve and Jesus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Why
decorate Christmas trees? Frankly, it’s fun. That’s reason enough for most of
us. But the tradition likely came from an ancient Christian celebration we that
we no longer observe (well, some Eastern Orthodox Christians still do). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">On
Christmas Eve throughout the medieval era it was the common practice to
decorate an evergreen tree with bright red apples. This was the celebration of
Adam and Eve Day. Christians would commemorate both the amazing gift of
creation and life represented by our primal parents. And they would remember
the fall of Adam and Eve into sin which locked humanity and the world under a
curse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
curse (Gen 6:14-19) cast our existence into disharmony and disconnection with humanity
being cast from paradise and deep union with our creator, children associated
with pain, women ruled by men, an unrelenting struggle between humanity and
nature and even death itself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
original “Christmas Tree” was not for “Christmas” but to remind believers of the
Garden of Eden (the evergreen tree) and the temptation </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">to sin
(the apple). To celebrate the birth of Jesus on the following day, however, was
the perfect way to experience and relive the most amazing truth of “Emmanuel –
God with Us.” That truth is that Jesus was born, the “Second Adam” (one of John
Wesley’s favorite terms for Jesus) to reconcile breached relationships between
humanity and the Divine, between men and women, between different people groups
and even between humanity and the world God created.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Jesus
came to reverse the curse. “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be
made alive” (1Cor.15.22). The cursed believe “might makes right,” some men are
more “equal” than others, the planet and its inhabitants are resources to
exploit, and death is inevitable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">The liberated in Christ
know eternal life carries with it a joy that outweighs our light and momentary
suffering. Sometimes, this suffering flows as the liberated struggle to set a
crooked world straight, to set captives free, to advocate for equality for all,
and seek to care well for the gift of a planet untrusted to us. As you decorate
your trees, remember Adam and Eve . . . and celebrate the Second Adam who set
us free.</span>Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-87542057926645992622014-12-20T00:25:00.002-06:002014-12-20T00:47:29.629-06:00Connecting to Fulfill the Great Commission<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">You will receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1.7</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Every
church in the NCC is a missional outpost – seeking to be on mission with Jesus
as “fishers of people.” Missional people
routinely look beyond their personal or local situation in order to grasp
bigger picture realities, experience fresh insights of how God it work
everywhere and to discover news ways to bless and refresh beyond their borders.
With joy Free Methodist churches recognize that we are a connectional movement
who envision “bringing wholeness to the world through healthy biblical
communities of holy people multiplying disciples, leaders, groups, and
churches.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">We
are multiplying churches globally faster than we can count. God is at work
through your connectional Great Commission prayers, service and giving. This is
the time of year when your churches are making commitments to global Free
Methodist missions. We commit as a connection of churches to supporting Free
Methodist missionaries as first priority in global commitments, and to support
other missional work as God prospers and so leads. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">This
would be a bitter pill to swallow and viewed as limiting if our global works
were ineffective or merely supporting an institutional structure that has
outlived its usefulness. BUT THAT IS NOT
THE CASE! Our global missions strategy continues to be solidly embedded in
identifying, training and equipping local leaders who multiply disciples and
churches at rates the United States has never seen. Hands down, your missions
dollars provide the best “return on investment” -- in terms of souls saved,
communities transformed, literal prisoners and slaves set free – toward which
you contribute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Learn
more about the missionaries our conference supports. Pray for them, encourage
them, invest in them. Visit the
<a href="http://fmcusa.org/fmwm">fmcusa.org/fmwm</a> web site for ongoing information. Our missionaries are Mike Reynen (Africa),
Alan Mellinger (Eastern Europe) and creative access missions (dangerous locales
in Asia and the Middle-East). Make your commitments before January to keep our
missionaries on the field. </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p>Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-39721112277454320812014-11-15T11:31:00.000-06:002014-11-15T11:31:02.624-06:00Appreciate Pastors<i>"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Heb 13:7-8</i><br />
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Most people who work, work hard. Nurses, house-cleaning staff, college executives, doctors, school teachers, mechanics, ranchers, counselors – you know . . . everyone. It is right and good as Christ followers to encourage and appreciate the incredible daily efforts, expertise, acts of service (paid and unpaid) that make up the necessary fabric of our daily lives. We need each other, and it’s always good to say, “thanks!”<br />
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Pastors work hard, too. Pastors merit our kind “thanks” as well. October is America’s “Clergy Appreciation Month” (the 2nd Sunday being “Clergy Appreciation Day”). Jesus did not institute this special observance. It was first birthed in 1992 by layman Jerry Frear, Jr. in an effort to show support to his church’s clergy team. Hallmark caught on by 2002 offering the first card selections dedicated to the observance. Focus on the Family has done some of the best work in promoting practical ways to show appreciation to your pastor – check out <a href="http://www.thrivingpastor.com/clergyappreciation">http://www.thrivingpastor.com/clergyappreciation</a>. <br />
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Superintendent Mark is tweeting out specific ways you can support your pastor during Pastor Appreciation Month – follow along <a href="http://twitter.com/supncc" target="_blank">@supncc</a>. <br />
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We believe the best way, ultimately, to bring a smile to your pastor’s face, and in particular to Christ, the Great Shepherd, would be to put Hebrews 13:7 into practice. “Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Stun the clergy with daily Bible reading and prayer, leading to Christ-infused actions like compassion and action on behalf of the poor and hurting, extending patient love to your spouse and children, showing remarkable integrity at work. A congregation of eager disciples of Jesus Christ, actively participating in acts of service to one another and the world beyond is every pastor’s deepest desire.<br />
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Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-91296729344690253382014-07-14T16:30:00.001-05:002014-12-20T00:49:45.485-06:00Not whiz bang events. Not the latest game-boy. Not pizza and soda. Nope. Reaching the next generation with the good news of Jesus cannot be done with gizmos and games. <br />
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The clear and overriding message from each of the leaders at Annual Conference 2014 – addressing the NextGEN theme – has been that developing relationships with children, teens and young adults is the most important aspect of sharing the gospel. It doesn't hurt to arrange for fun activities, no one aims for boredom! But those activities must be designed by and engaged with adults and young adults who care, really care, about the people with whom they playfully interact for Christ’s sake.<br />
Currently, several life-giving, life-changing, community-building Christian camps are being offered by NCC Camps (Sky Lodge and Heartland). One highly-relational way to invest in the nextGEN is volunteer to be a camp counselor, to drive kids to camp, to help at the camps in any way.<br />
Many churches offer VBS, Back-Yard-Bible-Clubs, Kid’s Days, Family Fairs and other summer time activities geared to blessing children and their families. These only work as well as the volunteers who come along side such efforts and invest in the lives of children and youth.<br />
Sunday School, Children’s Church, CYC, Awana, MOPS and nursery programs are the bread-and-butter of developing the character and spirit of young hearts in our connection. These only work as well as the volunteers who take time to invest in the lives of children and youth.<br />
Joining or creating after-school tutoring programs, assisting in sports and recreations movements, being a “Big-brother” or “Big-sister” invests in the lives of youth and children. <br />
How are you investing your life in youth and children? It is hard. It takes time, effort and sometimes money. Sometimes, if we are old we are tired and feel our time is up. But the kids needs you or there will be no kids – and no church before long. Sometimes, if we are young, we feel we don’t enough knowledge or skill to offer. But the kids don’t need knowledge or skill – they don’t even know it when you make a mistake and are the most forgiving crowd in the universe. But they will thrive on your attention and care. <br />
Let’s get involved with the nextGEN AT SOME LEVEL now. Or it will be too late.<br />
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Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-71634560189223092892014-05-16T23:41:00.002-05:002014-12-20T00:48:08.010-06:00Proposed Biblical Principles and Guidelines for Borrowing and Lending in the North Central Conferenceby Mark Adams and Gideon N’Gobi<br />
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The NCC Board of Administration, at the request of Superintendent Mark Adams, requested a review of biblical and ethical principles and guidelines that may inform the practices of the Board of Administration and Loan Fund. Mark Adams (Superintendent) and Gideon N’Gobi (member of Board of Stewardship and Finance) have invested some time and effort to fulfill this task. What follows is a preliminary effort to provide guidelines and context for borrowing and lending in the NCC.<br />
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Introduction<br />
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Are there biblical and theological principles which the North Central Conference should apply in relation to institutional borrowing and lending?<br />
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Throughout history there have been abundant practical, theological and ethical discussions regarding economic development, and the practices of money-lending and borrowing. For most of the history of the church, the practice of lending money with an expectation of repayment with interest, also known as usury, has been either forbidden or strongly regulated. As local, civic, business, national, and corporate interests have evolved over time, the application of theological principles have often evolved along with them.<br />
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The early and emerging Roman Catholic thinking tended to ban lending with any interest at all. The protestant reformation ushered in looser views of the practice of charging interest. Significant changes in modern finance and business began to rapidly emerge in the 18th century and blossomed into a complete reinvention of financial institutions, tools, borrowing and lending in the 20th century which has largely blurred or removed theological discussion of borrowing and lending in much of the western world. Economic expansion since the industrial revolution and beyond has contributed to creating a material standard of living for many in the world unparalleled in history, and has simultaneously led to the threat of national and even global economic collapses and a rapidly expanding gulf between the rich and poor within and between nations. <br />
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The focus of this paper is to offer guidance to the NCC Board of Administration and Loan Fund relating to borrowing and lending. Deep and penetrating analysis of each scripture and theological principle, a thorough history of thought relating to economic development, and an analysis of different particular financial instruments is far beyond the scope of this document. The simple goal is to reveal biblical principles that can be applied today so that our lending and borrowing honors God and one another.<br />
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The Bible and Borrowing and Lending<br />
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What does the Bible say about borrowing and lending? How have good biblical principles been applied through time? What are principles we can look to today to guide our thinking in particular as it relates to the North Central Conference?<br />
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Defining terms. What does it mean to borrow? One may borrow many things, but we are limiting our discussion to borrowing money. The person or organization that “borrows” receives money from another person or organization with an agreement to repay the money. A loan, borrowed money, is not a gift or grant, but money that belongs to the lender, temporarily placed in the possession of the borrower, who agrees to repay the sum borrowed under the terms agreed upon with the lender.<br />
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What does it mean to lend? One may lend money to a borrower with the expectation that the money will be repaid. To lend is not to give, but to enter into a financial agreement for repayment.<br />
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When the North Central Conference Loan Fund (or Conference Board of Administration) lends money, an individual is not making an agreement. Rather, a group tasked with the stewardship of funds entrusted to the organization by the collection of churches called the North Central Conference, is making the loan. When congregation borrows money, it is not borrowing money from an individual lender, but making a good faith agreement with its sister congregations to responsibly repay the funds borrowed. Nor, under most circumstances, is the borrower an individual, but rather a church which, under the direction of a pastor (usually) and local board of administration, agrees on behalf of that institution to borrow funds. <br />
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The Bible and borrowing. Many Scripture passages address borrowing, and demonstrate that it was a common practice among communities in both the Old and New Testament eras.<br />
For example, in 2 Kings Elijah assists a widow providing a way to repay her debts (2Kings4.1-7). The high responsibility associated with a good steward of borrowed resources is revealed in 2Kings6.1-7. When borrowed resources are lost, restitution must be made to the owner by the borrower even when the resource is lost, for example, a borrowed ox that becomes injured (Ex.22.14-15). Biblically, it is a wicked thing to borrow and not repay the debt (Ps.37.21). Christians are urged in Romans to “give everyone what you owe him… let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another” (Rom.13.7-8). <br />
There seem to be significant problems described in the Bible when a lender took undue advantage of a borrower, particularly a poor or destitute borrower. <br />
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Economics and justice with particular concern for the poor are closely tied in the Bible. Much Old Testament law is written in light of the Exodus, and the experience of Israel as an oppressed, enslaved people. The God of the Bible is deeply concerned about justice, equality, treating one another with a sense of fairness and equity, and avoiding those practices which create economic bondage or slavery of any kind among the people of Yahweh. For example, “Do not pervert justice, do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly” (Lev.19.15). “Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow” (Deut.27.19). “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne, love and faithfulness go before you” (Ps.89.14). “’Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the strong man boast of his strength, or the rich man boast of his riches. But let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord (Jerm9.23-24).” <br />
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Usury, or charging interest in the Bible is usually associated with injustice. Consequently, lending practices in the Old Testament tightly regulated or prohibited “usury” or the charging of interest because of the potential this has to lead to societal inequity and unjust treatment, particularly of the poor. For example, requiring collateral from the poor that would leave them exposed to harm was strictly forbidden, as in Deut.24.17-18, “Do not deprive the alien or fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow in pledge, remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.”<br />
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Nehemiah chastised the rich Israelites for charging interest on the poor Israelites as they were rebuilding the protective wall around Jerusalem. Nehemiah says (9.5-11), “What you are doing is not right! Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? I and my brothers and men are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop!” The matter of lending and charging interest in Nehemiah’s day was quite excessive as the complaints that led to his plea were that the poor were being forced into slavery, required to give up their land, their homes and their crops to their lenders (Neh.5.1-12). <br />
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In his response to the rich Israelites taking advantage of the poor by charging interest, Nehemiah was reflecting on Levitical law. Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy all have passages prohibiting the charging of interest or making a profit by lending (Ex.22.25, Lev.25.37, Deut.23.19), which would later be reinforced by the prophet Ezekiel (18:3-17). <br />
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It is noteworthy, however, that the charging of interest was not prohibited in general. That is, the prohibition in the Law of God does not have a universal application, because it is limited specifically to the internal affairs of Israel (Deut.23.20). In later centuries, as the Roman Catholic Church began to grow in influence, usury and charging interest was in fact interpreted more universally. Christians who sought to conform to the teachings of the church were not permitted, based upon Levitical law, to profit from lending. However, they often needed to borrow. Since Jews were not prohibited from lending to gentiles, a significant occupation (leading to many modern stereotypes) of Jews in the medieval era became money-lending. <br />
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“Usury” and “interest” are virtually interchangeable in the Bible. Some have argued that, Biblically speaking, there is a difference between “interest” and “usury”, the former being a percentage charge on what is borrowed for the privilege of borrowing it, the latter charging an unfair or excessive percentage on what is borrowed. The Hebrew words generally translated as interest are tarbit and marbit which connote ‘increase’ and nasa which is to exact, closely related to nasak or to bite. Ezekiel (chapter 18) makes a distinction between charging interest and excessive interest, but neither are commended. Neither ‘to increase’ nor ‘exact’ in these Old Testament passages, are to be practiced by Israelites among Israelites. <br />
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However, ample evidence indicates that the amounts of interest, the “bite” taken from what was borrowed, was indeed most obscene by any modern standard. Ancient civilizations demonstrate that requiring interest between 30% and 100% of what was borrowed was not uncommon. Further, draconian measures which would essentially place entire generations into indentured servitude to the rich as a result of a family’s impossible debt repayment were quite common. Charging moderately small interest rates would have been quite the exception, not the norm. A problem faced by ancient societies, and modern alike, is the application of tactics that intentionally impoverish people to such a degree that the lender “owns” them. Such practices continued into the Christian era among many people (including unscrupulous Christians). <br />
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The New Testament and Usury. Jesus, consistent with the Word Christians believe He inspired, regularly advocates justice and generosity. It is interesting, however, that he does not seem to have a negative view of lending or charging interest. “Give to the one who asks you and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you,” says Jesus (Matthew 5:42). In Luke (6:35) he encouragers disciples to “love your enemies, do good to them, and lend without expecting anything back.” Jesus, it would seem, desires his followers to be generous, and even to lend with an attitude of forgiveness if the one borrowing cannot repay.<br />
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Neither of these passages equate lending with giving – a loan is still meant to be repaid – and a Christian who borrows should expect to assume the moral obligation of repayment. <br />
Neither Jesus quote mentions usury. Yet, Jesus tells parables that assume usury and the exacting of interest on loans as apparently a normal matter of doing business. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) portrays servants who were given stewardship of resources and expected to make profit from these resources. The minimal profit would have been gained by placing money on deposit with moneylenders and to receive it with interest (25:27). For not doing at least this, a servant is severely judged by his master. A similar story is recounted in Luke 19. It is highly unlikely that Jesus would have used placing money in an interest bearing account to please the “king” (presumably meant to imply God in these parables) as an analogy for our Christian fruitfulness if it were, in His day and in His estimation, an evil practice to charge interest.<br />
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Some general biblical principles on borrowing and lending<br />
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What emerges as the Old and New Testament teachings on the practices of borrowing and lending, and charging interest, is that there are changes over time. Still, some things never change. <br />
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What never changes are some lasting principles that may guide the NCC in general. The people of God ought to treat one another, and even their enemies, equitably. We ought to take measures to avoid practices that lead to the oppression of the poor. We should practice generosity wherever possible. We should take obligations into which we enter seriously with every intent to repay what we borrow. We should avoid entering into debt whenever this is possible. A lender should not lend to a borrower who cannot repay (though a generous person may offer a gift). A lender should not lend, if interest will be involved or collateral required, in such a way that may lead to the ruin of the borrower.<br />
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Some things have changed even with the Scriptures themselves. What seems to have changed even as one flips through the Pentateuch and makes way toward the gospels and epistles, is that a view on the use of charging interest does change. From a forbidden practice, to one that is forbidden among fellow countrymen but permitted among outsiders, to ensuring that no money-lending leads to the enslavement or financial ruin of the borrower, to not charging ‘excessive’ interest, to seeing the charging of interest as a normal practice in day to day affairs. This seems to be the progression of “usury” as it is described in Scripture.<br />
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Concepts on borrowing and lending that have emerged over time<br />
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There are a few interesting concepts that Christians in particular have dealt over the ages and in different cultural and economic environment. First, while extremely high interest rates were quite common prior to the Christian era, regulated interest rates and usury caps instituted by the church, by nations, and even by most states in the United States, have generally ranged between 4 and 15 percent. This has been true for 1,500 years. The reason or logic behind this is unclear, but that it has been generally viewed through most of our common era as an acceptable range of interest is interesting. <br />
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The basic moral and ethical logic behind charging reasonable rates of interest revolve around two basic concepts, good stewardship of a resource and managing risk. The owner (or steward) of the money is renting out his/her resource as a matter of making profit in much the same way as the owner of a home may rent a home, or the owner of an office complex may rent that complex. As money tends to be devalued over time, the worth of what has been lent decreases over time, making the charging of interest or fees minimally necessary simply so as not to take a loss in what was lent. Additionally, there is risk involved in lending money. Primarily this is the risk of the borrower’s default, which must be factored into the process of identifying the potential fees, interest or collateral which will be required to make a loan reasonable. John Calvin, for example, argued that no one should not profit from the poor, but in dealing with people of means, making business transactions, “usury is freely permitted… and ought to be paid to the creditor in addition to the principal, to compensate for loss… Reason does not suffer us to admit that all usury is to be condemned without exception” (Calvin, Commentary on Exodus).<br />
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Corporations aren’t always people, too. When an individual makes a loan, or borrows money, there is potentially a fairly high degree of flexibility in terms of risk assessment, and the degree to which a loan or debt may be forgiven. Christians are called upon to err on the side of generosity by Lord Jesus. That is, a borrower may freely choose to gift the lender in excess of what was borrowed out of a heart of thanksgiving, or a lender may choose freely to forgive a debt that is owed. These matters of individual conscience are the prerogative of any individual. It is not fair or Christian to expect, as a borrower, that your lender must forgive a debt. <br />
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The requirements and level of risk assessment and stewardship are different and higher when an organization or institution lends or borrows to an individual or another organization. It would not be ethical for a banker responsible to steward funds on deposit from investors (Christians or not) to freely forgive debts on behalf of others. Nor would it be ethical for corporate bodies (like churches) to choose not to repay debts that the corporate body, perhaps in ages past and under different circumstances, assumed. In community, our responsibilities are higher, and our obligations must be entered into with much more care. <br />
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Modest historical context impacting debt problems<br />
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During the “Age of Enlightenment,” it became quite clear that people were borrowing consumptively and falling into debt that could not be repaid. Consumptive borrowing meant either borrowing to pay for day to day expenses or to live beyond ones immediate means in order or appear to be of a different class (and hence have a potential business or cultural edge in opportunity). In other words, Europe experienced a sharp increase in the ever increasing and indebted poor and an emerging heavily indebted consumer-oriented middle-class. Prison awaited both. Usury laws prohibited charging interest, but did not prohibit charging fees, or levying very heavy fines if loans were not repaid. Debtors’ prison became the new home of far too many people caught in the inescapable trap of debt – even in a time and place when usury was formally not allowed. One simple solution advocated and increasingly implemented as a just and protective measure was to make it very difficult to offer funds to people who had very little likelihood of repayment. Don’t lend to people who can’t pay back the debt. <br />
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Throughout the history of lending, until the 1970s and 1980s, requirements to secure loans were fairly consistently high. Loans were only written, for example, to purchase homes when a buyer produced a 10-20% down payments, terms were written for 15 years or less, and clear evidence of income to repay the debt was required. Corporate land purchases required 20% or more for down payments, and generally higher interest rates were charged. After the 1980s, deregulated markets, the deconstruction of many state usury laws, and bundling loans into securities that the loan originators were no longer responsible to maintain allowed for an explosion of high risk loans, consumer credit at unscrupulously usurious (by even ancient standards) rates. These (and other) factors led to unprecedented bankruptcies, property losses, and deep personal and corporate financial ruin. Rather than protecting the consumer by limiting credit to only those who are creditworthy, at least in the United States, purchases on credit have become a virtual norm.<br />
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The Loan Fund is wise is not lending to churches that cannot likely repay a loan. A loan cannot be predatory or harmful if it is not made, and it cannot become a loss to those investing. <br />
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Theologians prefer simple over compound interest. There are a few historic rules of thumb employed by Christian thinkers throughout the history of the church. While compound interest is not a new innovation, it has been viewed as excessive interest, and the implicit definition of “usury” for most of church history. Simple interest is (I=Prt or Interest = principle * rate of interest * time period of loan) has been viewed as morally superior to compound interest. Compound interest has the potential to create rich rewards for the lender but also to create a cycle of debt repayment difficult for a borrower to escape. Compound interest is (M=P(1+i)n or Final aMount = Principle amount * annual interest rate * to the power of the number of years invested. The difference in outcome for the lender, for example, between the two, for a common loan written by the NCC might be:<br />
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Borrowing $20,000 to repair a roof, with a 7 year term at 6% simple interest provides this result: $20000 * .06 * 7 yields a total payment over 7 years of $28,400. The interest paid, assuming regular payments, is $8400. Borrowing the same amount using compound interest yields this result: $20000 * (1.06)7 = $30,072. The interest paid (assuming regular payments) is $10,072.<br />
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However, the amount required to repay a debt are considerably higher if no or partial principle payments are made, and much higher still if interest accumulates and is charged again on that accumulating interest. <br />
Should we ever cap a loan amount or the interest due? Another common ethical principle applied to writing a just or fair loan has been that no borrower should ever be required to pay more than the amount borrowed. Perhaps a more generous rule of thumb might be capping a loan at 50% of the principle amount borrowed, or not writing a loan that would be extended so far as to require an interest rate that exceeds 50% of the principle to be paid. In the example of simple verses compound interest above, a twelve year note at 6% would require the borrower to pay more in interest than the original amount borrowed, and is likely an unethical loan (either to have been secured by the borrower or agreed to by the lender).<br />
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Is it unethical to charge compound interest? Certainly most investors prefer to receive compound interest, which according to Albert Einstein, is the “eighth wonder of the world, he who understands it earns it, he who doesn’t – pays it.” Most modern thinkers would suggest that is it not unethical as long as both the borrower and lender fully understand and mutually agree upon the terms. However, it is our experience in the North Central Conference that most churches seeking to borrow funds are doing so out of necessity of repair, or to accommodate growth in their congregation, and may have no other lender to which they may turn (nor which has a moral obligation to provide mutual support in the connection called the NCC), and will assume that the conference is providing a fair and ethical loan. <br />
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If the NCC were to adopt a simple rather than compound interest model in writing loans, it may provide more relief and be a fairer practice for the borrower while still providing reasonable stewardship and providing for risk factors on the part of the lender. However, there would be a diminished return on the investment for those who have placed their funds in the NCC Loan Fund, including the church planting and revitalization endeavors of the conference which are currently largely paid for through interest earned on the Church Planting Endowment Fund, an NCC investment on deposit with the Loan Fund.<br />
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How should interest rates be established? This requires more research. Until 1981 most states had caps on interest that could be charged, often a percentage (usually around 5%) above the rate set by the Federal Reserve on the day a loan is made. Many still do, Kentucky being among the highest (19%) but most hover around 10%. Consumer credit and predatory lending institutions routinely disregard these limits, but that there are limits on interest rates is quite an American practice. The rates under 10% are not viewed as predatory or excessive in most cases. If the NCC uses the common 5% above the Federal Reserve rate, then we would be charging just slightly under 6% currently. The NCC currently charges 6%. <br />
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How should NCC investors be compensated when loans are made using their money? It is quite common and a practice even among Christians during eras when all usury had been banned, to charge a “fee” for use of money, and pay a percentage of that “fee” to investors in order to fund a moneylending enterprise. Simply to conduct business, capital and/or access to credit is required, and this is not free.<br />
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While the investors who have funds on deposit with the NCC reasonably expect a return on their investment, it is also clear that investors expect or desire more than merely a fiscal return. True to biblical ideals no investor would desire to be profiting from their Christian brothers and sisters in a way that was unfair or oppressive. Likewise, understanding that the combined resources of our investors are being used to plant, revitalize, repair and expand our churches provides a very positive incentive to be generous in terms to the borrower, while expecting that this generosity will be reciprocated with responsible repayment. A modest return on the investment of 2 percentage points below the current interest being charged a loan seems a fair return, is competitive with current market standards, and is a solid mark for Christian financial partnership rather than a predatory practice. <br />
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What happens if a congregation cannot repay the loan? It is not uncommon for a church in deep decline to have significant repair needs and seek funds from the conference to make those repairs. Generally, when this happens, guidance is offered regarding church growth and health in the sincere hope that a church will grow healthy, not merely in order to repay a financial debt, but of course to be a vital, active, disciplemaking congregation. However, there are times when a church will close after having grown too weak to sustain a budget or a building. It is the common practice, if a loan had been written for such a church to recoup the funds upon sale of the building, or to keep a note against the sale or repurposing of the building. In essence, church property is the collateral, and sometimes that property becomes the responsibility of the conference and a financial asset to the conference, invested into the loan fund for the sake of helping other churches, when it closes. However, under no circumstances has a church been seized or closed in order to take property to cover a debt. As a matter of principle, the NCC would not desire to fall under the judgment of one does the equivalent of the reprehensible taking of a widow’s cloak in pledge (Deut.24.17-18).<br />
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Should a debt ever be forgiven? Is there a point at which the NCC could justify the forgiveness of a debt, and still be true to the task of stewarding well the resources entrusted to it by fellow churches investing in the loan fund? <br />
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The Bible speaks of a year of jubilee, and the year of the Lord’s favor, or a Sabbatic year every seven years. For example, Deuteronomy 15:1-6 declares: “At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the LORD’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed. You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your fellow Israelite owes you. However, there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. For the LORD your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you.”<br />
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Similarly, Leviticus 25:8-13 states the same principle, but ties it to an event that is to occur every 49 (or possibly 50) years – seven sevens – in which debts are cancelled, slaves set free, and as it is tied to the “day of atonement,” sins are forgiven. It is in Leviticus that the phrase year of Jubilee arise. <br />
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Scholars are divided over how often, or even whether at all, this Sabbatic year was actually practiced. Nonetheless, there is clearly a biblical admonition designed to systematize or institutionalize a practice of regularly equalizing Israel. In this way, the generational accumulation of wealth could not create a long-term and much-dreaded separation between the very wealthy and deeply impoverished. Neither the Sabbatic year nor Year of Jubilee has been observed for a very long time, as the law requires that all twelve tribes of Israel are in fact living in Israel for the event to take place. This was made impossible after the 6th century BC invasion and dispersal of Israel by Assyrian invaders. <br />
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Canceling debts was not unique to Israel. Archeologists and historians have discovered with certainty no less than 30 national debt cancellations throughout ancient Mesopotamia between 2400-1400 BC. Debt cancellation is written into the code of Hammurabi, as is a capping interest at 33%. If there is a unique Hebrew addition to the concept of leveling the economic playing field among the ancients, it is in providing a clear schedule upon which this would happen. Such a schedule allowed for planning on the part of both lender and borrower. <br />
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A year of Jubilee or Sabbatic year principle, regardless of how often it may have been actually applied, demonstrates a biblical heart to ensure equity and avoid generational poverty or wealth. While it would be quite clearly useful in our modern western world as a means of leveling the economic playing field, it is very unlikely to actually occur and it does not particularly apply to the types of loans arranged within the North Central Conference. There are no overlords earning unjust gain at the expense of increasingly impoverished churches. <br />
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However, there may be cases in which a year of jubilee, or the forgiveness of debt, may be warranted as just, merciful and healthy for the conference in the long run. For example, if a church or organization (a camp for instance), discovers that for various reasons it is no longer able to make payments on large capital expenditures, neither the conference as a whole, nor the organization in specific benefit from continually capitalizing unpayable and increasing debt installments. The Loan Fund, or the NCC Board of Administration, may consider freezing such a loan (no longer capitalizing unpaid balances), and simply leaving a lien against property or assets in the event of the failure or dissolution of that organization. It would seem that such a decision would need to be made with a majority (or perhaps totality) of consent among those who are investors in the fund, as such an act of forgiveness may be moral only when those who have invested the money are able to provide that forgiveness. Nor would this necessarily be a true forgiveness, as the funds may be repaid at some point in the future when assets are liquidated. Or perhaps the investors in the fund may actually agree to entirely forgive an amount. <br />
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This is not a recommendation on how the NCC ought to conduct its business, but a thought or principle to consider that is consistent with the year of jubilee concept in our current time. It would allow an opportunity to investors to act as benefactors rather than business partners (there is nothing wrong being business partners which in fact do benefit one another). To simply forgive debt on behalf of someone else, however, while romantically Robin-Hoodesque, may indeed be equivalent to stealing from one to give to another, which is not defensible in either the Old or New Testament.<br />
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Other matters that may be useful to address outside the scope of this paper are 1) principles for making personal loans which the NCC Board of Administration has done on rare occasion, but which the Loan Fund is prohibited from doing, 2) compliance with federal and state rules and regulations for lending institutions – and we do comply with our current legal charters, 3) improving the communication of terms, billing, benefits, disbursements, etc., 4) guidance in selecting those who administer the loan fund and financial matters of the North Central Conference, 5) clearer guidelines for applying for and approval of loans, 6) and no doubt much more.<br />
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“Every church does business,” said a member of the church board, “most just do it badly.” It is the hope that North Central Conference will do business well. Doing business well requires that we carry out business in a manner which respects biblical principles, and honors God, as well as respecting the laws of the land and employing best practice in the application of the financial tools offered to our churches. <br />
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We hope that this document furthers the conversation in each of these areas.<br />
<br />
Mark Adams<br />
Gideon N’gobi<br />
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BIBLIOGRAPHY<br />
Calvin, John. Commentary on Exodus. Amazon Digital Services (Kindle Book). 2013.<br />
Constitution of the Illinois Wisconsin Conference Loan Fund. North Central Conference, 1989.<br />
Cooper, Benjamin. The Ethics of Usury. Latimer Trust. 2012.<br />
Elliot, Calvin. Usury: A scriptural, ethical and economic view (1902). Kessinger Publisher. 2009.<br />
Ferguson, Niall. The Ascent of Money: A Financial history of the world. Penguin Books. 2009.<br />
Geist, Charles. Beggar Thy Neighbor, A History of Usury and Debt, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2013.<br />
Richards, Jay. Money, Greed and God: Why capitalism is the solution, not the problem. Harper One. 2010.<br />
Tenny, Merrill and Silva Moises. Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible, Revised. Zondervan, 2009.<br />
Toussaint, Eric. The tradition of debt cancellation in Mesopotamia and Egypt from 3000 to 1000 BC. Committee for Abolition of Third World Debt. September 2012. http://cadtm.org/The-Long-Tradition-of-Debt<br />
Zarlenga, Stephen. A brief history of interest. American Monetary Institute Research and Articles. December 18, 2010. (http://www.monetary.org/a-brief-history-of-interest)<br />
<br />Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-66332746279764306382014-05-10T21:20:00.001-05:002014-12-20T00:48:55.991-06:00Locus Swarms and NextGEN<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It’s
easier to get along with people just like me. But the future won’t let that
happen. And I’m pretty sure that’s part of God’s big plan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> The happiest places on earth are filled with
people who are very much like each other. Multiple international studies over
the past ten years have demonstrated that, all things being equal (political
and economic extremes avoided), most people are happiest when they are
surrounded by others who share their same language, skin color, cultural
references and overall world view. Per the United Nations World Happiness
Report 2013, the happiest nations on earth are Denmark, Norway, Switzerland,
Netherlands and Sweden. The USA is in upper 2/3rds of the 89 nations studied.
Togo is the unhappiest place on earth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Many things contribute to a global happiness
(economics, food resourcing, education, political stability, ecological
environment, etc.). Remarkably, homogeneity contributes significantly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Humankind’s ultimate future is revealed in Revelation
(7:9): “I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could
count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the
throne and in front of the Lamb…” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdkwiiLraLdQHAd1VcfFQ2J3CSeGGPodbhaiDmpNSgCtcdkBw5rcOs6ojhNXSzsvg4hKZ04G50Uc0kkLONsJqAzT_5LFMZnM5ddIEQsiOXcMnoWrjN-r0HmrXX8VzCDmRJyMJh6wFdgo/s1600/NextGenLogoac14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdkwiiLraLdQHAd1VcfFQ2J3CSeGGPodbhaiDmpNSgCtcdkBw5rcOs6ojhNXSzsvg4hKZ04G50Uc0kkLONsJqAzT_5LFMZnM5ddIEQsiOXcMnoWrjN-r0HmrXX8VzCDmRJyMJh6wFdgo/s1600/NextGenLogoac14.jpg" height="120" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> As Christians, as Free Methodists, we strive
toward a world-view and culture in which Colossians 3 is not mere lip service.
“Take off your old self with its practices, put on the new self, which is being
renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or
Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but
Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and
dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness
and patience.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Still, it is difficult, and if human history
tells us anything, perhaps impossible to allow the glue of culture,
nationalism, tribalism (like-me-ism) to be dissolved…. Without the renewed
nature which flows from grace received through faith…. Without continually
coming to the cross to die to self, seeking to see and hear the “other” through
the perceptive, forgiving and grace-filled perspective of our mutual
Creator. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<w:wrap type="tight">
</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> As Annual Conference 2014 approaches, we
will address how to approach NextGEN – the next generation. Each generation has
its distinct challenges, and passing on the faith from one generation to the
next is always our great joy, though never an easy task. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> I believe however, that cultural shifts in
our American scene have the appearance of the locust swarm which the prophet
Joel bemoaned. All seems destroyed. Crops, hope for the future, eroded in the
face of a horde that seemed overnight to bring despair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Joel writes (1:2-3) “Hear this, you elders; listen,
all who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or
in the days of your forefathers? Tell it to your children and let your children
tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Just a few of the locust-like cultural
shifts that we are not well prepared to face… Slow-pace to Nano-pace. Small
town to Urban. Homogeneous Communities to Divergent Mosaics. Industry to
Service. Respect for Authority to Mistrust of Institutions. Logic and Word to
Emotion and Image. Our Faith Tradition to My Spiritual Journey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> It is disheartening to see a rapid
depopulation of churches around the country. It is disorienting to experience
multiple “truths” being “balanced” and navigating shifts in relationships
between power structures, racial groups, gender issues and increasingly
widening generation gaps. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> On the one hand, there are no easy answers
to passing eternal truths from one generation to the next. On the other hand,
since real truth is indeed eternal, God’s word and Spirit continue to move
hearts even in the midst massive social and cultural upheaval. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> As we gather for AC2014, we have much work
to accomplish. I pray that among the work to be done, we will also walk away
with a better understanding of the NextGEN and healthy ways to “Tell it to your
children and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to
the next generation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Many young leaders are emerging in our midst
–full of the Spirit, grounded in the Word, alive with Christ’s truth. They are eager
to build upon the ancient foundations new “temples” with different architecture
suited for a more a diverse, digital, urban, complex world than their parents
and grandparents inhabit. We are full of hope, not despair, full of confidence
that the eternal Creator is still making all things new.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-84490531862212363622014-04-25T14:44:00.005-05:002014-04-25T14:44:49.266-05:00Reviewing a Year - 2013 - in the words of the NCC Pastors<div class="MsoNormal">
2013 was incredible.
A new pope brought verve to the Roman Catholic Church by doing “Jesus”
stuff. The Middle East experienced an
“Arab Spring” that is dangerous, hopeful, and unprecedented. China put a rover on the moon. The
Philippines were hit with unprecedented typhoon damage. Human stem cells were
successfully cones. Terrorists struck Boston.
Meteorites injured hundreds of Russians and did mega-damage. Nelson
Mandela died. And we learned, sadly,
what “twerk” means.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A lot has happened more locally, too. I asked NCC churches to report what they saw
as major highlights of 2013. A few
responded:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“One of the highlights of this year here in Livingston has
been to see a great group of people from the church (and several from the
community as well) come together to feed hungry families two Wednesday nights a
month. We are averaging 45 people each
meal night and expect it to grow over time.
We are also planning a once per week lunch in the park during the summer
to help families who depend on the schools for feeding their children lunch.” -- Greg Marsh, Livingston WI<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“One highlight for sure was the resurrection of our VBS
after 5 years and having 65 kids.” – Mark Phillips, LaFarge WI<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We had a number of highlights in 2013 including our Holiday
Help programs in which we served 3012 families with Thanksgiving baskets, 1200+
hot meals for Thanksgiving, 500+ families with Toys For Tots and sponsored 150 families
through our Adopt-A-Family program. In
addition, we have seen more volunteer participation from our community which
produces wonderful opportunities for witnessing our faith. Finally, we have incorporated testimonials
during our Sunday morning services during the month of December. It was such a joy to hear the God-sized
stories of His amazing work in lives and how the Cedarcrest Church family was
key in creating a safe environment for people to grow in grace.” – Shawn
Morrison, Bloomington/Minneapolis MN<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I am happy to be here at the beginning of 2014 to share
about God’s grace and mercy during 2013. Betty and I believe God touched our
son Tim through the hands of many doctors and nurses as he was treated for
non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with chemo therapy and a bone marrow transplant. We are
deeply grateful for the many prayers of God’s people for Tim. We are also thankful for His provision since
the change in my work hours and His protective hand upon me during my cycling
mishaps. We know God was with us in 2013
and we know that 2014 will be another year of experiencing His abundant grace.
NO DOUBTS!!” Randy Waller, Woodstock,
IL.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A man were helping (living with us) was incarcerated, which
has given us access to the prison and I have been able to minister to many of
the convicts, and even lead a Bible study each week with the prisoners. Our relationship with the Safe Home –a
residence for chronic, homeless alcoholics – has led to monthly breakfast
ministry with the men. Relationships are being built. More and more are open to
members of our community praying with them and sharing with them. 2014 will be
a good year as we continue to grow these relationships.” Pat and Marge McClanahan, Sioux Falls SD. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Probably the highlight of this past year was our baptism
service last August. My 9 year old
daughter was baptized and that was highlight #1. She has grown tremendously in
Christ over the last year. Because she
was being baptized my family came to support, which brought my father, who had
not been baptized. On the spot after our
3 planned baptisms I asked if any others would like to be baptized. My dad stepped forward!!! I got to baptize my Dad and daughter on the
same day! But wait there's more… My
childhood friend who had been attending our church for a couple months was at
this service and gave his life to Christ that day, and when I gave the
invitation to be baptized, he came forward as well! I continue to meet with and
disciple Ray and we are excited to hole our next baptism service Feb. 16th.
Stay tuned to see what God might do!”
Kevin DeVries, Monee IL<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“As I look back on a most blessed year in the Lord I see His
grace, truth and love in abundance. Twelve months ago we were content to be
ministering in Clearwater, Florida. Vunita and I were comfortable walking on
the beach in January, focusing on making a difference as a Chaplain and
associate pastors of our loving church (Lake Palms Community Church) in Largo,
Florida. . . [And now we are back in our
home town of Clarinda, IA] God has such a great sense of humor that He will
work things around to where it is our desire to go back to the cold and the
closest thing to a strip mall is a grocery store, a mom and pop restaurant and
a Dollar General. We are renewing old
friendships and making sure we are in the center of HIS good and pleasing and
perfect will. We are most assuredly
overwhelmed by God's grace and truth and love. Blessed most abundantly to be a
blessing to those we come into contact with. Hang on 2014 the Iskes are here
and we want to help restore, rebuild and expand God's kingdom work here in
Clarinda and the North Central Conference.”
Richard and Vunita Iske, Clarinda, IA<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“World Missions has been one of the highlights in ministry
for the Fillmore (MN) Church in 2013. In January, a team of 6 individuals
traveled to the Christian Orphanage in Honduras to construct a house as well as
minister to needy families. Then $1,800 was raised to help eight Free Methodist
churches in the Philippines to replace or repair their roofs following a
December typhoon. Over $1,000 was later contributed to help two pastors in
Haiti receive Bible training through the FM ministry through helping purchase a
motorcycle for ministry and for transportation to the training. Two persons
from the Fillmore Church provided medical care to individuals along the Amazon
River in Bolivia, South America. In November, 59 shoe boxes were collected to
be sent to children around the world through Operation Christmas Child. Each
month our church supports ministry in Jordan and Asia. Finally, $1,616 was
raised for typhoon relief in the Philippines. During 2013, this rural Minnesota
church has had the opportunity to support ministry in Honduras, the
Philippines, Haiti, Bolivia, Jordan, and Asia in 2013.” Mike and Janet Hopper, Fillmore MN<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Several churches were started in 2013: Loyal Community
Church, Pastor Zeke Kunkle, Loyal WI; Just Church, Pastors Howie and Nicole
Snyder, Aurora, IL, Revolution, Pastor David Condry, Cedar Rapids/Vinton IA,
Rey de Gloria, Pastor Uriel Duran, Salem Church, Darryl Martin, Lafayette IA,
The Connection, Elgin, IL. We also saw
the formation of new churches from church plants: Iglesia Bethel, Glencoe
(Fellowship from Affiliate), Resolution Church, Oswego IL (Society from church
plant), Common Ground Worship Center (Fellowship from church plant). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some churches closed.
The Faith, Hope and Love Fellowship in Pekin IL (5 people),
disbanded. The First FMC of Elgin IL
disbanded and reformed to plant a new church, noted above as “The Connection”
leaving the building to be used by Nuestro Redentor FMC. The Loop, a missional church plant launched
by Pam Braman, disbanded after introducing many college students in particular
to faith in Jesus. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three churches targeted for “Revitalization” in 2013 by the
NCC, Richland Center FMC (WI), LaFarge FMC (WI) and Lighthouse FMC (Waterloo,
IA) have all experienced significant, sustained conversion growth. <o:p></o:p></div>
Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-31350109047180733252014-04-25T14:39:00.001-05:002014-04-25T14:39:07.403-05:00Easter Changes Everything<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Easter
changes everything. More precisely, resurrection changes everything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Samuel
Johnson wrote, “Man is born crying, lives complaining, and dies disappointed.”
As April 15 approaches, the dreaded tax day for Americans, we hear the
inevitable facts of life oft recited as simply, “death and taxes.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">But
writing to a struggling group of Christ followers in the metropolis of first
century Corinth, Paul writes, “'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O
death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the
law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ.” The victory is resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpg0Nw94JeRdSj4-mCwCXfZfIB6wpL7k0MT5tUBwIyFJ-dRiOmdPTV_7iJRptHUMF0lKlWQO9odTcX5iqvtY_k5MPNAqenc5a_AhPpOUsIhKSMcbC-w5M-_fttCQKY7g8-5A5fvK_oqnk/s1600/heisrisen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpg0Nw94JeRdSj4-mCwCXfZfIB6wpL7k0MT5tUBwIyFJ-dRiOmdPTV_7iJRptHUMF0lKlWQO9odTcX5iqvtY_k5MPNAqenc5a_AhPpOUsIhKSMcbC-w5M-_fttCQKY7g8-5A5fvK_oqnk/s1600/heisrisen.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
good news Christians proclaims, the simple gospel, the key point that drives
all we hope upon against a world that sees only death and taxes is articulated
by Paul (1Cor.15:2ff): “By this gospel you are saved . . . Christ died for our
sins according to the Scriptures, he was buried, he was raised on the third day
according to the Scriptures, and he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.
. . and then to more than 500 . . . and last of all to me.“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
purest nugget of Christianity is Easter. Jesus died for our sins, and rose
again from the dead. There were witnesses. The resurrection, for Christians, is
not the witness of a spiritual entity or mass hallucination or early conspiracy
or simply wishful thinking. Our faith is predicated upon a man who claimed to
be the Son of God, acting on God’s behalf to pay the steep penalty for our sin
– death itself – and able to conquer the greatest enemy – death itself –
through a physical and real resurrection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Through
faith we are united with this power that changes everything. Even me. Even you.
We do indeed die. We do indeed pay taxes. We may indeed by disappointed from
time to time. But we walk in the joyous knowledge and true experience of
receiving and offering love, kindness, hope, truth and an absolute certainty
that death does not have the final say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Resurrection
changes everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-16180091595791609372014-02-07T16:20:00.001-06:002014-02-07T16:20:51.576-06:00<b>Connectional Compassion </b><br />
<br />
February is compassion month in the North Central Conference. You may only express compassion during February – JUST KIDDING! Passion, which today may connote a strong feeling, originally meant suffering, as in the “Passion of Christ.” The Latin “com” meant “together” or “attached to.” To have compassion in its classic sense meant to suffer with, to experience the pain or sorrow of another, and to suffer with them. Do we have this kind of compassion today?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXunNOirFHRkJ3kpj7RPY4F2HUf-qRNCCy85fvRA_dT6a8O2jfCiJL9pTIlKU2RMktqWNaE3N7_T5IdVE0NVHI4VrvI6q-7UhC7hUytya2vGonjxpTCYB6pLseanjxvQh6XAociRVycFQ/s1600/gotcompassion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXunNOirFHRkJ3kpj7RPY4F2HUf-qRNCCy85fvRA_dT6a8O2jfCiJL9pTIlKU2RMktqWNaE3N7_T5IdVE0NVHI4VrvI6q-7UhC7hUytya2vGonjxpTCYB6pLseanjxvQh6XAociRVycFQ/s1600/gotcompassion.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
During “Compassion Month” in the North Central Conference, we are encouraged to consider the weak and suffering in our midst, and reflect upon how we may express the love of Jesus. In expressing such love, true compassion will not merely allow awareness to break through our daily routines, but will lead to sacrificial action and alignment of our purposes with those of our Lord. Our love will extend beyond just self and family and friends and toward even our “enemies” (Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:21).<br />
<br />
Most <a href="http://nccfmc.org/find_church.php" target="_blank">NCC churches</a> (over 65%) are actively engaged in true compassion, sacrificing time and resources to bring counsel to the confused, food to the hungry, medicine to the sick, binding the wounds of the brokenhearted. Keep up to speed by tracking the NCC Facebook page (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/nccfmc" target="_blank">fb/nccfmc</a>). See what others are doing, and find ways to engage.<br />
<br />
Explore the work, support through prayer, finance and volunteer action with two significant NCC social service agencies. The Olive Branch Mission is Chicago’s largest private provider of ministry to the homeless, used as a vessel of the Holy Spirit to set the addicted free and restore broken lives, feeding thousands each month. Hearthstone Communities in Northern Illinois is McHenry’s County’s only provider of continuous care for the elderly. On the cutting edge of memory care, and providing low cost, enriching day care for children, Hearthstone is a leader in the industry, yet continues to take financial losses each year by supporting “charity” cases.<br />
<br />
Consider how you might express compassionate care for the needy around you. Consider looking up Olive Branch Mission (<a href="http://www.obmission.org/">www.obmission.org</a>) and Hearthstone (<a href="http://www.wclsil.org/">www.wclsil.org</a>) and discovering how you can pray for, volunteer and give to demonstrate Christ’s compassion among the weak and suffering.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-74618828359096894332014-01-09T13:20:00.000-06:002014-12-20T00:52:33.281-06:00Extending Influence Beyond<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">If you want to extend influence in the next generation, don’t
go “old school.” Go waaaaay old school. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Look around. How many kids and young
adults are in church? American averages are around 20% of the twenty-something
population. Currently, while about 80% of teens are involved in church in some
way, about 40% (research figures vary widely) will not return after adulthood,
even when they have children of their own, and only 20% will return as regular,
involved church-going Christians. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Youth are generally smarter and more
knowledge savvy (this doesn’t mean wise or mature) than their parents and
church leaders. Teens are reading more than ever, albeit it on digital screens.
They are more culturally aware than most of their parents. Toddlers can use
laptops while their grandparents can’t use a T.V. remote. Teens access vast
arrays of information today that would not have been available even to the
President of the USA in the 1980s, and they check up on the validity of
parental or pastoral advice. Our youth are too smart to accept pat answers, and
in fact, have trouble believing there are any right or wrong answers outside of
mathematics (and some would argue the latter).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClKKbcSWKv52KTcD2k3BwFaHYK4PmO25MnS_DAeo7uyC_titvsEt-lyU8cSxFmTmIzGwU1ZIaPZ8lO1aTXZReAEo6g5GAhFL5zQfLuqzdUJD2oGVn6ne6UTin7pBkF0ngPcLfVl5LJN0/s1600/runners_passing_relay_baton_42-18645989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClKKbcSWKv52KTcD2k3BwFaHYK4PmO25MnS_DAeo7uyC_titvsEt-lyU8cSxFmTmIzGwU1ZIaPZ8lO1aTXZReAEo6g5GAhFL5zQfLuqzdUJD2oGVn6ne6UTin7pBkF0ngPcLfVl5LJN0/s1600/runners_passing_relay_baton_42-18645989.jpg" height="258" width="320" /></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Old school” church will not likely
connect with many of our young Christ followers, and almost certainly not with
their unchurched friends. Sing a few
songs, sit and listen to a three or four point propositional statement of facts
about the Bible, after reading a series of propositional statements about life
in which every answer to every questions is either Jesus, the Bible or God,
followed by a midweek experience of more of the same with a game of tag and
some cookies thrown in, maybe a trip to an amusement park, and an assumption
that mom and dad are going to teach them all they need to know. Old school. Okay
– not the best of old school or any “school” in any era – but pretty common.
It’s not working.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Waaay old school” – Jesus stuff, I
think might be better. Jesus told stories (“hey, have you heard the one about a
lost pearl”) and referenced real life situations (“hey, check out that widow with
a mite”). There isn’t a propositional sermon on file for the Master
Communicator. He was “in your face” and fairly blunt about hard topics while
for the most part sharing good news about God’s healing and forgiveness with
invitations to follow.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The carpenter’s son invited people to
live with him, walk with him, watch him, share his story with him and help
people along side of him – pretty much right away (Samaritan woman, Zacchaeus,
etc.). Jesus saw needs and met them first (the blind, the leper, the hungry,
the bleeding, the brokenhearted, etc.), allowing this to lead to conversation
and then to the increasingly faithful obedience of a transformed life.<br />
</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Start with good news, meet kid’s needs
(and those of their parents, and young parents with kids). As often as
possible, communicate with images, stories and metaphors. Focus on the truly
hard, but only effective means of disciple-making – develop a few deep
relationships that fully engage life which leads to a thirst for searching out
the answers to questions this kind of approach naturally will raise. Then teach
how others can develop these life-giving relationships. And be open to hearing
some of the answers to leading and shaping the future of the church these
really smart, Spirit-filled emerging leaders will come up with.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">If we want to have influence beyond
the generation of current church leaders among our children and youth, don’t go
old school. Go waaay old school. Go Jesus style.</span></span></div>
Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-25794085577247709832013-12-28T19:41:00.000-06:002013-12-28T19:41:23.520-06:00Love EmmanuelLove can’t be forced. Obedience can be coerced, if necessary. Following a strict code of behavior can be gained by laying out the rational and positive reasons for adherence. A relationship can be engaged long-term through a series of intertwining commitments, peer pressure and cultural mores that promote the relationship.<br />
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Love? It can’t be forced. Love is best freely given and received.<br />
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God is love. God in love has revealed laws that point to goodness (don’t steal, be faithful to your spouse, respect those in charge) and humanity is better off when following God’s law. Positive moral codes of behavior similar to those in the Bible have been embraced by one degree or another in many cultures. It stands to reason if the universe was created by God that some semblance of a moral law would permeate hearts everywhere. And it stands to reason that something is not quite right with humanity insofar as no culture anywhere has people who always follow even what they believe to be right, whether it be out of fear of punishment (temporal or eternal) or in anticipation of reward (eternal or temporal).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYu_EhE5bbOujz8-TnmkuXHNWZLQxuRIwdl-EOddsAsz4Q_DSCHIbYV4j06juq1sHH1BfJj5KnHqRZdIGTXqGtbwugSxl4tsZM7AtkwURLvJbizbnehZe1lBtVhjFNPo98k7ywdh_eFcU/s1600/angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYu_EhE5bbOujz8-TnmkuXHNWZLQxuRIwdl-EOddsAsz4Q_DSCHIbYV4j06juq1sHH1BfJj5KnHqRZdIGTXqGtbwugSxl4tsZM7AtkwURLvJbizbnehZe1lBtVhjFNPo98k7ywdh_eFcU/s1600/angel.jpg" /></a>But love, that is God’s aim. And love, not law or reason, holds the ultimate power to transform.<br />
<br />
So, Christians believe, God radically changed the course of the cosmos by entrusting his very own son into the hands of a human family. To be born, raised by a mom and dad, experience the horrors of persecution and joys of family, the frustrations of trying to keep food on a table and sense of accomplishment achieved through hard work well done. To learn at his mother’s knee even as he teaches the religious leaders of his day. Perhaps, some would see him for who He is – truth, light, love embodied - and fall in love with him, too. And through this vulnerable exchange become himself a merciful high priest who understands the suffering and temptations of a sin-riddled, confused, hungry people made amazingly in the image of God. And God in Christ, with the full abandon that love alone can engender, gave himself as an atoning sacrifice for all the confused, heavy laden, angry, violent, selfish and arrogant people whom He better than anyone else could ever know were formed by the Lord to become a joyful, creative, aware, free, peaceful and truly wonderful humanity.<br />
<br />
Let’s fall in love with Emmanuel – God with us – all over again. Receive His amazing, lovely forgiveness along with the promise of a life with Him that leads to our daily renewal and the promise of a heart full of love for God, others and ourselves.Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-619621538019614791.post-19430970722507906602013-12-28T19:35:00.000-06:002013-12-28T19:35:31.387-06:00Your Global Impact PartnersProclaiming the good news of Jesus and feeding the hungry! Prayers and medicine to heal the sick! Clean water resources and living spiritual water! Raising levels of literacy and teaching the Word of God! Introducing people to the Heavenly Father and establishing networks to support orphans! Seeing people become new creations while planting trees and restoring God’s creation to sustain whole communities! NCC church, you do all of this and more when you support Free Methodist World Missions. <br />
We take the great commission of our resurrected Lord Jesus seriously. “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). Therefore, while we bear witness in our own cities, regions and nation we also understand the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8) as an integral aspect our connected gospel vision. Free Methodist world missions and global partnerships account for most of the nearly doubling of the Free Methodist movement over the past half-decade. There is no question but that your missionaries are fruitful. <br />
Who are the missionaries our churches support?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsr7peeWItQGKv_gB5jzapMCy9zmalctPVpMdBRbGpbV5pCTz-AhMr7p5RGUHS6yB0lmo7wpfoCh-jUgtS_hoVrpeRzqb9MfUkErobfMHyALNnipFfHEpKpq8Araimse6uBfJjYAVsbk/s1600/missionaries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsr7peeWItQGKv_gB5jzapMCy9zmalctPVpMdBRbGpbV5pCTz-AhMr7p5RGUHS6yB0lmo7wpfoCh-jUgtS_hoVrpeRzqb9MfUkErobfMHyALNnipFfHEpKpq8Araimse6uBfJjYAVsbk/s1600/missionaries.jpg" /></a></div>
The <a href="http://www.nccfmc.org/" target="_blank">NCC</a> has formally committed to supporting three of our global missions partners. Based in Kenya, <a href="http://fmcusa.org/fmwm/missionaries/reynen/" target="_blank">Mike and Vicki Reynen</a> are Africa Area Directors. <a href="http://fmcusa.org/fmwm/missionaries/mellinger/" target="_blank">Al and Diane Mellinger</a> are missionaries to Bulgaria, combating atheism and loss of hope with the good news of Jesus. <a href="http://fmcusa.org/fmwm/missionaries/evoy/" target="_blank">Steve and Jenny Evoy</a> are Area Directors in Asia, overseeing some of the fastest growing Christian movements in the world. <br />
One benefit of being a denominational missionary (like the Reynens, Mellingers and Evoys) is that more time may be devoted to serving Jesus on the field of harvest and less time invested in raising money abroad for the task. They can do that because they have denominational support. We members of NCC churches are that denominational support.<br />
Every NCC church is asked to make an annual commitment to one, two or all three of these servants we have agreed to support. We make these commitments every fall. Now is the time. Prayerfully consider how your church might enjoy sharing in the spiritual fruit and reward of participating meaningfully in the Great Commission. “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way…they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others” (1Cor9.11-12). Visit <a href="http://fmcusa.org/fmwm/">http://fmcusa.org/fmwm/</a> for more info.<br />
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Dr. Mark Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04615751852661572884noreply@blogger.com0