A CHRISTIANITY THAT WORKS

Part III "How To Make Up Your Mind"

Are you the kind of person who stands in line at a fast-food outlet, trying to decide what to order while behind you a long line of people wait impatiently? Do you find it hard to make decisions? If so, this message is for you.
We’re constantly faced with the need to make good choices. But how do we do that? Some people seem to have a gift for making the right decision. Most of us act on what we call our “gut instinct,” and hope for the best.

"We make our decisions and then our decisions make us"

What is the secret of business success? Wise decisions.
How can I learn to make wise decisions? Experience.
How do you get experience? Dumb decisions!

THE PROBLEM: INDECISION v8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. In Greek, the word "double-minded" literally means "two-souled"- pulled apart in different directions, divided loyalties, divided priorities.

Double-mindedness is translated "confused" in many parts of the Bible. James says, “If you can't make up your mind it produces an unstable lifestyle.. Leading to constant turmoil.

Three ways indecision makes you unstable:

Unstable emotions. You worry and strain, you're confused. You can't sleep or eat… what to do? And when you do finally decide… you lay awake wondering if you did the right thing?"

You go to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist asks, "Are you indecisive?" You say, "I used to be, but now I'm not sure."

Unstable relationships. Indecisiveness can wear on your spouse or your children. How frustrating to be around someone who simply can’t make up his or her mind!
Sometimes it takes more energy to decide than it does to do.

Unstable spiritual life. v7 That man should not think that he'll receive anything from the Lord Being of two minds blocks your prayers. It keeps God from giving and you from receiving.

Some ask, "Why doesn't God answer my prayers?" Maybe you're not specific enough. Maybe you've never decided what it is you really want. Perhaps you don't have a clear-cut goal.

Pilgrim's Progress talks about a man named Mr. Facing-Both-Ways. What's the solution? James says, Get wisdom.
If any of you lack wisdom you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him.

James gives 3 practical steps. Admit, Ask, Anticipate.

Admit your need. v 5 If any of you lacks wisdom..
Wisdom is different from knowledge. Wisdom is knowledge put into practice. Wisdom is seeing life from God's point of view.

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes then comes disgrace. But with humility comes wisdom.

Pride blocks wisdom. You can't learn anything if you think you know it all. The key to wisdom is to admit that you don't know what do. Admit that you don't have all the answers. Admit your need

Ask for wisdom. If any man lack wisdom he should ask God How do you get wisdom? The Bible says by asking God. Proverbs 2:6 It is the Lord who gives wisdom.. So go ahead ask God for wisdom. James 4:2 You have not because you ask not. Could it be that simple?

20 times in the NT it says, Ask, and it shall be given.
Literally..."keep on asking, be persistent, continual"

As your pastor, I wouldn't dare to lead our church without continually asking God for wisdom. I pray this prayer almost every day sometimes it feels like its 100 times a day.

In our new work especially, my spiritual responsibility as the Shepherd is to discover what God wants to do in this His body.

Anticipate it. Expect an answer in faith. if any of you lacks wisdom he should ask of God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him. But when he asks he must believe and not doubt. Circle "not doubt".

First - ask the right person. Second - ask the right way
(in faith, believing, not doubting)

The reason you don't have wisdom is because you're looking at the problem and not the Lord. A lot of Christians are victims of their circumstance.

THE PROMISE: GOD WILL GIVE IT! If any man lacks wisdom he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Look how James says God will give you wisdom:

Continually: In the Greek God who gives.. is in the continuous tense. He keeps on giving.

Generously: His resources are unlimited. He has enough resources for everybody. He's got plenty.

Without finding fault: God gives cheerfully. God is pleased when you ask. Have you ever received a gift from someone you knew was giving it to you grudgingly?

God will not make the decisions for you, but He will give you His wisdom to make the decision.
2. God's wisdom is found in God's word. I need to read, study, memorize, meditate on this book. Psalm 119:105 God's word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

God’s Word like our life is filled with choices. Joshua said to the Israelites: Choose for yourselves whom you will serve.... But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15 Choose whom to serve! The most crucial choice of all.
The greatest single decision you can make is to commit your life to Jesus Christ. I Kings 18:21 says, How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him.

Stability comes from knowing God’s Word. The more you base your life on His Word, the more stable you’re going to become.

1. Ask God for wisdom
2. Believe God has a solution
3. Don’t second guess yourself.
4. Focus on the facts and not your feelings
5. Base your life on the principles of God’s Word
It’s true, making good decisions isn’t easy. But it is possible.

God promises to grant you the wisdom to do so. With your hand in His, you can make decisions for this life and for the life to come. No more second guessing!

A Christianity That Works Part II

How To Profit From Your Problems
James cuts right to the chase.. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Key phrase because you know

Your attitude is determined by your understanding.

FOUR "FACTS OF LIFE
1. Problems are inevitable Scripture doesn't say, "If’” you encounter problems it says whenever - in other words “count on it”.

2. Problems are unpredictable. He says, whenever you face problems The word "face" in the Greek literally means "to fall into unexpectedly".

3. Problems of many kinds - all shapes & sizes. Many kinds literally means multi colored. They vary in intensity and duration.

4. Problems are purposeful He uses the word "testing", as in testing gold and silver. So problems purify my faith.

Christians are a lot like tea bags. You don't know what's inside of them until you drop them in hot water. Then you know.

How does God teach us the fruit of the spirit? By putting us in the exact opposite situation. If God wants to teach you love, He puts you around unlovely people. If He wants to teach you peace, God puts you around chaos.

HOW TO HANDLE YOUR PROBLEMS (The 3 Rs)
Rejoice: Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials We don't rejoice for the problem, we rejoice in the problem. I Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you in Christ Jesus. It doesn’t say, For everything give thanks. It says In everything give thanks. Why? God can use our difficult situations for our good.

It is your attitude that makes the difference! I may not be able to control the circumstances, I can control how I respond. Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times…. His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Request: Pray. v. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault... Pray for wisdom so you don't waste the opportunity to grow

Relax: Trust God to know what's best for you, co-operate with Him, that's called faith. Relax. Let God work.

That in a nut shell is Part II of “A Christianity that Works”. Please join us on Sunday at the Gathering Place or here next week for Part III “How To Make Up Your Mind”.

We had a great service last Sunday. As we gathered for prayer, each table group brought forth their requests. At our table Eddie asked for prayer for his eyes. It seems he was having trouble seeing the words on the screen. Within minutes of his request he asked if he could give a testimony, boy he was excited as he testified that his eyes had become focussed and clear.

Saddle Up Your Horses.... We've Got An Adventure To Go On!

This will be Part 1 of a 15 part Mini Series out of the Book of James presently being shared at The Gathering Place. This wonderful book is a “must” study for all believers. It is our prayer that this series of messages will bring about “A ChristianityThat Works.”

Perhaps the number one cause of problems in the world is immaturity. We get ourselves into all kinds of problems by saying immature things, making immature decisions, acting in immature ways. Simply put, we need to grow up.

MATURITY has nothing to do with how long you've lived or how long you've been a Christian. Maturity is not appearance. Looks can be deceiving. Maturity has nothing to do with how many degrees or how much education you have. You can have so many degrees they call you Dr. Fahrenheit, but that doesn’t make you mature.

God says maturity is all about attitude. Christianity is a life, not a religion. Jesus said, "I've come that you might have life." Life means problems and part of life means solving problems and facing them with the right attitude.

A MATURE PERSON
IS POSITIVE UNDER PRESSURE (James 1:2-4)
IS SENSITIVE TO PEOPLE (James 2:8)
HAS MASTERED HIS MOUTH (James 3:2)
IS A PEACEMAKER NOT A TROUBLEMAKER (James 4:1)

The first thing a doctor will say when you go for a check up is "Stick out your tongue." He uses your tongue to check your health. God does that spiritually, too.

Definition of gossip: hearing something you like about somebody you don't.

Have you ever heard anyone say, "I just say what's on my mind."? That may not always be acceptable. Maybe what's on their mind shouldn't be said out loud. Take the following test; For one week say whatever comes to your mind; If you survive speak only things that encourage and build up for the next week. You judge the results for yourself.

Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any negative talk come out of your mouth but only what is helpful for building up others according to their needs..." Circle the word "any". When you talk say things to build other people up. If it doesn't build somebody else up, don't say it. Even if it's the truth. That's a mark of maturity. You don’t have to say everything you think!

I encourage you to blow the dust off that Bible of yours and open up to the Book of James. Pour yourself a coffee and take a good read. It will without doubt be a benefit for your soul.

You are welcome to join us on Sunday morning or look here next week as we continue to discover A Christianity That Works – “HOW TO PROFIT FROM YOUR PROBLEMS”

Upcoming at The Gathering Place

Dear Friends of the Gathering Place. After praying for you, Judi and I have concluded that it would be very profitable for us to take a close look at the book of James. With that in mind I have compiled 15 messages complete with handouts and worksheets. Please join us as we grow together through this Mini Series entitled "A CHRISTIANITY THAT WORKS".

Lord willing our SUNDAY CONSTRUCTION ZONES will be as follows:

Feb. 3 Coming to Maturity
Feb. 10 Profiting from your Problems
Feb. 17 Making up your Mind
Feb. 24 Winning over Temptation
Mar. 2 How to be Blessed by the Bible
Mar. 9 How to Treat People Right
Mar. 16 How to have Real Faith
Mar. 23 Managing your Mouth
Mar. 30 Relating Wisely to Others
April 6 Avoiding Arguments
April 13 How to quit Playing God
April 20 Facing your Future
April 27 How to be Wise with your Wealth
May 4 Developing Patience
May 11 How to Pray about your Problems

The Trouble With Lists...

The trouble with lists is that they are usually incomplete. I forgot to say, I like rainy days, most people don't. You see them running here and there afraid to get their hair wet. I'd like to raise my hands up toward heaven and let the rain (especially spring rain) run over my head and down my neck. (nuts eh?) If I wasn't so shy, I'd dance a little dance and sing in the rain (good movie).

To be honest our likes and dislikes can change. Some change over time, usually a long time, others can change over night. It is disturbing to discover how easily our emotions can change.

I suppose if people can fall in love, it would seem reasonable they could also fall out of love. However, my not liking broccoli (did I say I don't like broccoli) doesn't affect the broccoli. There are no Veggi therapists that I know of. I am saddened by the increase in broken relationships, especially marriages. May God be allowed to bring healing. According to my message for this Sunday "imaturity" can be contributed to much if not all of the relationship problems we face today. Could it be that we simply need to "grow up"?

I like: Fall mornings... Mountains at daybreak... The sound of horses eating hay... The aroma of fresh cut wood... The echo of a hymn coming from a church on Sunday morning.

I don't like: Starched shirt collars... Crabby women... Complaining men... My feet being touched... Wet bread... Broccoli... Pineapple on pizza... Anyone who hurts children.

I like: A big bowl of ice cream (any flavor)... The sound of children laughing... Frost on the windowpane... Coffee brewed over a campfire... Summer thunderstorms... The sound of a frieght train in the mountains.

I don't like: Gossip... people who never have a good word... Mice... Dreary days... Whipped dogs... Poor losers... Broccoli... People who feel sorry for themselves.

I like: A sun setting over a quiet lake... An early morning cattle drive... A dun horse... My wife's eyes... R&B music... Logs burning in the fireplace... Black licorice... Dial "Gold" soap... The sound of a 440 Mopar motor.

I don't like: Empty houses... Cooked Cheese... The sound of the phone ringing at 3 in the morning... Hypocrites... Broccoli, did I say Broccoli?

Psalm 23

Almost 3000 years ago, the Psalmist, David, wrote a few lines of poetry that have endured through the ages. It is perhaps the best loved and most often repeated poem in the Western World. It is used most often at a time like this for our comfort and stability.

You may have read it many times, but you may not have read the Message Bible version?

God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through Death Valley,
I'm not afraid when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

"My Cup Runneth Over"

The following story so moved me that I immediately purchased three silver goblets, had them engraved as per the following account and gave them to our children. Perhaps one day when they most need it they will remember this gift of encouragement.

Deborah, a beautiful 38 year old, former model and mother of two teenage boys was dying of cancer. She already had undergone surgery, but some of the cancer either had evaded the scalpel or had grown anew in the area where chest, neck and arm meet. Because the woman was in an extremely weakened condition, the surgeon called in a consulting physician to help in determining whether or not Deborah would be able to withstand further surgery. After examining the woman, the consulting physician told her that he was going to recommend against the surgery.

“You don’t think I’m strong enough to survive it?” she asked. The doctor replied, “In my professional opinion, weighing your condition against the risk of the surgery, and the potential benefits…” and then he broke off his response. He was unable to finish telling the woman that he could see no hope for her. But Deborah had other ideas. “I want you to change your recommendation,” she said.

Then she pointed to a silver goblet standing on the night table. “My father gave me this cup when I was a little girl,” she explained. “Read the inscription”. The doctor read the inscription aloud - a phrase from the 23rd Psalm. “My cup runneth over”. Then Deborah said, “My father told me that the cup of life is never half-empty or half-full, it’s always overflowing with possibility. He said that it didn’t matter what terrible things were happening, if I had conviction, if I believed in God and myself, my cup would never run dry. My cup would always be a source of life, inspiration, strength, love and everything else I could possibly need.” “With God all things are possible”

Then Deborah took hold of the water pitcher on the night table and poured water into the cup until it flowed over the brim and splashed on the table top. She said, “My cup runneth over with conviction. It will never run dry. I will have surgery and somehow I will survive and I will live to see my two boys become men. You doctors take care of my body. God AND I WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST.”

Deborah had surgery…and she did survive...and she lived to see her two boys become men.

The Gathering Place exists to facilitate and nurture meaningful relationships, and to recognize, honor, and acknowledge each members calling. Above all we desire to help you connect with God. If there is anything we can do to assist you, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Senior Pastors (Rev.) Ed and Judi Brouwer, Community Pastor Casey Brouwer

The Ten Steps of Faith and Obedience

Whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19)

Introduction: This Statement of Faith and Obedience is designed to be used as a discipling and biblical counseling tool. It is designed to be a resource for Christians who do not have access to higher education, seminaries or even Bibles, such as the many who are outside the Western world. It provides some of the essential teachings for a faith that is biblical and evangelical. It is also designed as a Christian alternative to the AA 12 steps.

Please note that this is only a tool. Knowing Jesus Christ is a spiritual union of the soul with God. This can never be reduced to a mere set of beliefs or steps. Nor can using these steps serve as a substitute for participating in the life of a local church; they are only supplementary.
Nevertheless, God has ordained means of grace, such as prayer, fellowship and Bible study. And these steps are designed to be a tool to encourage believers in faith, repentance, employing the means of grace and expressing their faith in obedience. They are concise statements of some of the essentials of the Christian faith, and the obedience which flows from that faith, expressed in the form of "steps." You may use it in individual and family devotions and in small group meetings. It is in the context of relationships that we become doers and not just hearers of the word.

It can be used for both counseling people with life dominating problems and for discipling new believers. Why the Ten Steps since we already have the AA 12 Steps? The 12 steps are designed to help people achieve sobriety, and they have been wonderfully effective for many in achieving that end. The Ten Steps have a different purpose: the bring people into God's kingdom as well as helping them get sober. The 12 steps can used to bring people to sobriety. But the Gospel of Jesus Christ alone can bring them into God's kingdom. The Ten Steps attempt to help people receive and apply the Good News of Jesus Christ.

It is often in one-on-one friendships or in small groups that God works to sanctify us and bring us to the place of maturity and faithful obedience. He uses the fellowship, love, prayers, encouragement, teaching, examples, correction and accountability of our leaders and brothers and sisters to bring us from being believers to being disciples. Each step can be the basis of a small group meeting. The following questions can be used:
Which passage(s) teach this step?
What does it mean?
Are you applying it? How?
How can you improve in your faith or faithfulness in this area?

Ten Steps of Faith and Obedience
1. We believed God so loved us that he gave Jesus Christ to die for our sins and to rise again from the dead. We received the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life as gifts.
2. We confessed, turned from and put to death anything in our lives we knew to be wrong, knowing Christ freed us from the power and the penalty of sin through the cross.
3. We received the fullness of the Holy Spirit to know God better and have a fruitful life and ministry. We received the fruit, the gifts, and the power of the Spirit along with Christ’s authority over the powers of darkness.
4. We experienced God’s healing power and grace inwardly, outwardly and in our relationships with others.
5. We made a covenant to live and serve in the Body of Christ through active membership in a local church. We celebrated God's covenant love for us through Communion and affirmed our covenant love for Him through Baptism.
6. We loved and worshipped God passionately and exclusively in response to his great love for us. We decided to deny ourselves, take up the cross daily and follow Christ as his disciples.
7. We loved one another as he has loved us and given himself for us.
8. We served Christ through regular worship, fellowship, prayer, Bible study and witnessing for him in word and action.
9. Having received eternal life, we shared this good news with others from all nations through evangelism, discipleship and starting new churches.
10. Above all, by God's grace, we sought to do everything for the glory of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The IAM Ten Steps may be freely copied and distributed provided they are not changed in any way. Copyright © 2005 Internet Accessed Ministries www.i-am.org

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

The following was sent to us about Korina - cute!

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in theworld and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly used string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goofball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'causethat's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic; they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Dye it. You know her hair. I'd dye it, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid ofthat.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did itand not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back ofher head .

The problem of thinking anxiously about the future is that we forget about the present,such that we live neither in the future or the present.

ENJOY THE MOMENT, LIVE IN THE NOW OF GOD!

Mean while back at the ranch….

My family and I own a quarter section on Sidley Mountain. God has blessed us with this 160 acres of picturesque ranch land just 24 kilometers from Osoyoos. We believe that it is now the season for us to develop and direct the ministry vision that Judi and I have dreamt about for some 3o years.

It is our dream to build a western retreat lodge that would house a regional church for the Osoyoos to Rock Creek area—with beautiful, yet simple, facilities including a worship centre seating 300, dorm rooms for at least 120 people, classrooms for training lay ministers, and a recreation area. All of this would be clad with well aged barn wood, donated from several of Sidley Mountain’s homesteads. Future outbuildings would include riding stables and roping pens.

All of this will be designed to minister to the local person - spiritually, emotionally, physically and socially and set in a peaceful inspiring rural setting.

We are preparing several week-end retreats for the upcoming season. These would include, team building “Survivor”, Motivational - Personal Development and Ministry Enhancement week-ends.

Our intent is to give the members of the Gathering Place the opportunity to minister in and through these events. Further more we are dedicated to improving the training level of our lay ministers by investing income from these “booked” retreats in their particular areas of ministry. For example one of our members is developing her Family Counseling skills, so after a week-end of ministering together we would invest a percentage of the registration fees toward furthering her education in Family Counseling.

Simply stated, we are not only going to fellowship together on Sundays we are going to minister alongside of you and support you in bringing you closer to your full potential. We believe you are necessary to the plan God has for this area and we are committed to investing in who you are and the ministry gifts that God is graciously perfecting in you.

We are planning one retreat week-end per month. On that particular week-end we would not have church at the normal meeting area. Rather we would begin our ministry on the Friday evening and work through the week-end. This would enable us to meet hundreds of new brothers and sisters, exercise our serving, and rejoice in what God is doing in the individual lives of people around us. You could serve a few hours or the whole week-end. You could serve coffee around the campfire or teach a workshop. You could assist in team building games or pray for special needs. The possibilities are unlimited! We pray that you will be as excited about this unique prospect as we are in presenting it to you.

The Brouwers, Eagles Nest Ranch

THANK YOU JESUS!

What a great week-end! On Saturday we had an incredible time of fellowship, dreaming and planning. The pizza was good too! I was real impressed with the sacrifice so many made to be part of the planning. My family and I have never experienced this much support. Sunday morning we were very pleased to have 5 first timers along with our regulars. What an encouragenent to share Christ with so many new friends. We had a "real" time together. As a first service it was exciting to see who God has brought together. We had fellowship before and after. We had several testimonies and a great time of prayer. The word was simple and clear yet powerful. It felt more lke a conference seminar as we sat around tables and interacted during the sermon.

The highlight for me was the "buzz" of conversation after the service... someone noted that it was after one oclock and we should maybe go for lunch. We cleaned up and 16 of the group went out for lunch together. Judi and I along with Erhard and Theresa left the resturant after 4:30. To say we were excited would be an understatement.

We have had several e-mails from folks looking for us... we now meet at the Sonora Community Centre, 8505 68th Ave, Osoyoos

A Glimpse Ahead

What happened not only to Zacchaeus, but also through Zacchaeus, in the sharing of his wealth and his turning round of any dishonesty into huge generosity, was a picture of this.

Prior to Jesus coming into his life, Zacchaeus' purpose had simply been to advance his own well-being, regardless of the consequences for others. Now this was turned right round.

I believe Jesus wants our salvation to be "consequential" for others as well.

Jesus by His Spirit gives gifts to His followers in order for them to multiply and when He returns there will be a personal accountability for the extent to which those gifts had actually been put to work.

The parable we will look at on Sunday has great relevance to us today. It shows the challenge and the responsibility, that we as Christians face. Which is to work with that which the Lord has given us.

In such an atmosphere, and with the sense that it may not be too long before the Lord returns, its very tempting to do exactly the same thing that the listeners to Jesus were tempted to do - which was simply to wait until He returns.

So Here's A Question

When Jesus was asked about the Father, He replied, "If you have seen me you have seen the Father". I wonder how many of us have ever really considered that when people see us they are supposed to see Jesus?

2008 Will Be Great!

The proof of our friendship with Christ is demonstrated by our loving one another in the family of faith. When it comes to human relationships there is a single commandment; That is to love one another. Not just to love, but to love as He (Jesus) loves us.

As goes my relationship with Jesus, so goes my relationship with others!

How did Jesus demonstrate His love?
First, He freely gave. Jesus did what he did for us without coercion. That's a great question to ask ourselves ...am I doing what I am doing freely?

The divine love that Jesus talks about is active goodness.

True love does not insist that everyone fits the same mold. Our relationships with those in the body of Christ should move us to being more like Him. There may be differences of opinion.

So here's how it works: "A loving community is a place where there can be difference, but one can still belong. It becomes a healing place and a converting place when its members have learned to stop trying to heal and convert."

Listen, if you believe something differently than I do, and I spend all my energy trying to get you to be where I am, I get in the way of love. But if I accept you where you are and we just say, let the Lord work it out, then love flows freely and people can share their opinions, they can share themselves. They can share who they are and what they think without worrying about being devalued or judged. Even a person who comes in who is not a believer and says, You know I don't believe this and I don't believe that. That's okay, we love you. It's all right, come on in, have a coffee with us.

See, it is not our job to convert.
It's only God's job to convert. Our job is to be the vessel of love that God does that through.

We are here in tje body of Christ because God called us and chose us to be here. Who is going to say to the Lord, you chose poorly?

As we accept and love each other especially in our differences, God can draw others to Christ through us. So how we are with each other is our 1st form of witness to a hurting world
Drill that into your mind. Our first form of witnessing, is how we are with one another.

We are seldom aware of why we go through troubles, why we go through struggles, but if we will love our way through them, then a watching world will notice and will believe. For the Lord to have his way on earth and to establish the fullness of his kingdom as he desires, He must have a church who looks like Him and is able to work with Him.

Unfortunately many in His church have been wounded and isolated—not just through the firepower of the enemy but from “friendly fire” within the church herself.

God wants to revive His church, healing and restoring her and bringing her back to her primary calling of looking like Him.

God loves you! He is longing to have a relationship with you. You are the church, the apple of His eye, He is not the church that hurt you! We are in the most critical hour of world history as light and darkness and good and evil converge with greater force than at any other time. If there were ever a time for the church to be the church it is now.

New Day.... No Rather a New Beginning!

Well here we are just days away from 2008. As this year draws to a close so does our time as pastors of the Osoyoos Christian Centre. We are grateful for the four years of ministry that God has allowed us to be part of with the saints at OCC. However, some of us are being led in a different direction - so as the year 2007 closes we look forward with great anticipation to the year ahead, both for them and us! Surely the Lord will lead and guide.

Starting January 13, we will be meeting at the Osoyoos Sonora Community Centre. The name "The Gathering Place" will go with us, and the building on 42 Finch Cres. will revert back to the Osoyoos Christian Centre.

We will be praying for them and the new leadership. Judi and I along with our son Casey pray that no shame will be brought to our Lord's Holy name. To God be the Glory!

Dear Friends in Christ

It is hard to believe we are at this time of year again. Is it just me or were there actually less days in this last year? At any rate, my family and I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a blessed new year.

We are so grateful to our Lord Jesus for the ministry opportunities we’ve had this past year. A special thanks to all of you who have faithfully labored with us. We are grateful for your support and prayers this past season. May 2008 be filled with good health and prosperity.

God grant us to live each moment with expectation.
Let us walk by faith; work in hope; live in love.
Ground us in your Word and guide us by your Light.
Give us vision and dreams and discernment.
Warn us, as you did Joseph, to the dangers that threaten us
and grant us courage to take action.
May we not give voice to unbelief, but as you did with Zechariah, open our mouths to proclaim Your praise!
As in Mary, let Christ be formed in us and may our souls, too, magnify the Lord.
Let us sing with the angel chorus and with the shepherds run to greet You.
May we with Mary ponder and with the wise men worship.
And together with the hosts of heaven rejoice in the birth of Christ of Savior!
May God's peace be ours this Christmas and may the light of Christ guide us throughout the coming year!

Judi and I, along with Pastor Casey wish you all a blessed Christmas and God’s merciful guidance in the New Year.


Pastor Ed & Judi
Pastor Casey, James & Zach

Worth A Second Read

Q. What good is a denomination today? A. To support, encourage, resource and empower the local church in its community
Successful new movements continue to be birthed in the Christian community. Most have a clear vision and purpose. Almost all are led by an individual, family or group with vision, dynamism and drive. It seems obvious God honours strategic, energetic leaders with vision and a sense of mission.
What about long-standing denominations? Those that do not have the advantage of being “new,” are structurally cumbersome and have for years believed in their uniqueness, either in their belief structure and/or in calling. Will they again be recognized and blessed as in times past?
Although I claim little special insight into Canadians’ future choices, I tend to think most people will be attracted to something dynamic and relevant to our times. The following material from my own family of churches may offer this in a form relevant to new and long-standing denominations.
The Associated Gospel Churches (AGC) came into being at a time when the authority of Scripture was being challenged and when the understanding that individuals needed to repent and embrace Christ as the only way to be accepted as a child of God was seen as narrow and irrelevant. In response, our predecessors developed an extensive statement of faith and named the denomination/association after the heart of its mission: gospel churches. The movement has grown to 145 churches in Canada.
The AGC Vision and Strategy

Here is the current AGC vision of a new, healthy, reproducing church in our multicultural society in Canada:
1. Churches must be a reflection of the community they view as their primary calling.
2. Churches must be intentional in their reproduction, relational care, partnerships, discipleship, leadership development and cultural transformation. 3. Churches plant churches; denominations resource, empower and coach churches to be obedient to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. 4. Local community-focused churches led by supported, trained pastors, church staffs and lay leaders are our best hope for transformed lives, communities and cultures.
5. We value biblical authority, dynamic spirituality, loving relationships, effective discipleship, intentional reproduction, strategic partnerships and cultural transformation.

As we assess, build, coach and develop in an unending circle, pastors and churches that are clear in their appreciation of the authority of the word of God and focused on people will flourish.

Assess leadership and church health using tools that have corresponding helps to strengthen weaknesses and exploit strengths.

Build leaders and churches through every available resource in partnership with other organizations.

Coach pastors, church staff and key lay leaders through area clusters, monitoring coaches and regional superintendents.

Develop an ongoing recruitment and assessment process that values people and the sovereignty of God.

Old denominational structures may be dying, but denominations that empower, resource and encourage community-based leaders and pastors have every hope of God’s blessing and impact on the community.

Early Outcomes
An Ontario church noticed a strip of older motels populated with people waiting for more permanent housing. They began to offer a Saturday evening hot meal free, served by people from the church who were there simply to show care, acceptance, love and hope, and to provide interaction and understanding. After one year a number of the motel residents are participating in an Alpha program, others are in Bible studies and a few are now attending church services.
In a Western Canada church, people volunteer to help the town maintenance department and have stepped alongside farmers and small business owners to offer help and encouragement. The result is that the church has grown from 35 to 135 people worshipping each Sunday. They have built a new church building in a declining town, giving hope to the community and purposeful life to the church.

In thinking about the purpose of a denomination today, one would be wise to focus on the local church. A. F. (Bud) Penner is the president of the Associated Gospel Churches with its home office in one of its churches in Burlington, Ont.

WE BOW OUR HEARTS, WE BEND OUR KNEES
OH SPIRIT COME MAKE US HUMBLE
WE TURN OUR EYES, FROM EVIL THINGS
OH LORD WE CAST DOWN OUR IDOLS

GIVE US CLEAN HANDS, GIVE US PURE HEARTS
LET US NOT LIFT OUR SOULS TO ANOTHER

OH GOD LET US BE, A GENERATION THAT SEEKS
SEEKS YOUR FACE, OH GOD OF JACOB

Have You? Did You?

Matthew 13:44 - 46

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field; the which when a man has found, he hides, and for joy thereof goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

"What once was precious, is now Unexceptional" I wish I could say that we still see our gift of salvation as precious, but alas it has become common place for far too many of God's children.

May God once again be high and lifted up for His wonderful gift - may we willingly sell all that we have and are and hope to be to aquire it!

BLESS THE LORD! What a powerful service we had this last Sunday morning. I have included the morning message entitled "Staying The Course!". However it is what took place after that blew me away! I had watched ER (not a usual practice) the other night and was taken by the Chaplain's hand washing service. It seemed to fit so well with what I was ending the service with on Sunday so I incorporated it into our service.

I have never performed this nor have I ever experienced its powerful effect. I preached my heart out to the thirty or so people present. I ended with a call to Stay The Course! Then I invited them to come and wash their hands in the bowl I had set up near the cross. I had a number of torn rags to dry our hands with and then a container at the foot of the cross for us to throw the rags into. Thereby not taking anything back with us. So after I read Job 17:9 The righteous shall hold on his way and he that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger..... Judi led us in "Give us clean hands" and as we sang people were invited to come forward.... whow! What a Holy stirring. Our people along with visitors came forward one by one... and for me the moment my hands hit the water the anointing came over me... PTL.

People stood around and sang praise unto the Lord and then one of our older brothers said the Lord showed him how the pastor stood on the front line and needed brothers and sisters to stand by his side ... (the whole watching and praying thing we had just spoken about). He invited those who felt the Spirit speaking to them to stay the course with the pastor to come forward..... I did not know it then but every single person in the church came forward... young and old regulars and visitors. I cannot explain the powerful encouragement that was to me and my family! Casey was really moved by the show of support. During their lay on of hands and prayer I was aware of the person next to me weeping... I stole a glance but didn't recognize the brother. When the prayer ended he imbraced me with tears rolling down his cheeks he gave one of those "I'm standing with you looks". I found out later that he was the coach of the Osoyoos Whalers (Hockey Team) and he had brought three of his players (including the enforcer) to the service. He and the players all responded to the call that morning. God is doing something wonderful in our midst! The coach told me later that he will be bring the whole team in the new year.... all I can say is GOD IS GOOD!

Stay The Course! In the first chapter of Nehemiah, Nehemiah was told of the great affliction and reproach brought upon the remnant people of God! He heard also that the wall around Jerusalem was broken down and that the gates of it were burned.

The Word tells us that when he heard these things he sat down and wept. He mourned, fasted and prayed for days.

He then reminds God of His covenant with those who love Him and keep His commandments, Nehemiah then confesses the sins of the children of Israel. He included himself; “...both I and my father's house have sinned.“

A righteous man always examines his own life first.
Nehemiah does not demand his rights, rather he reminds God of His great mercy!

Now Nehemiah was a cup bearer for the king and he prayed for something specific Nehemiah 1:11 grant me mercy in the sight of the king…

The king noticed something different about Nehemiah and asked what was wrong? The king listened to Nehemiah’s story and then asked how he could help… But before Nehemiah answered he prayed 2:4.

And then answered the king in the next verse. The king gave him time to go, letters of reference to be given to the governors beyond the river, a letter to the keeper of the king's forest, for timber to make beams, gates and the wall of the city, and for a house for Nehemiah. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God on me. The king even sent a small army of horseman to protect him.

So God set a plan into motion for Nehemiah to rebuild the walls. Now for the sinister twist.... when Sanballat and his servant Tobiah, heard of all that, it grieved them exceedingly! We’re not sure why, but they were ticked!

WHENEVER you try to repair the broken alter of your life;
WHENEVER you seek to do something about this temple (flesh);
WHENEVER you begin to build a wall of separation

You can bet the enemy of your soul will seek to turn up the heat of opposition!

He’ll try to get you to compromise.
He wants you to turn away from God’s calling. He wants you off the wall of God’s divine purpose.

WATCH and PRAY!
I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

You dare not neglect to WATCH and PRAY!

Satan’s bag of tricks has not changed - just as he tried with Nehemiah so he’ll try with you.... take a look and see if his tricks aren’t the same today:

RIDICULE AND MOCKING
Nehemiah 4:1 when Sanballat heard that we had built the wall, he was angry and took great indignation, mocking the Jews.

He said, What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Are they going to revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish?
Tobiah his servant so as not to be out done said, Even what they do build, if a little fox were to climb up on it, he would easily break it down!

Perhaps the devil has ridiculed or mocked you when you’ve taken a stand for Jesus!

Job 12:4 the just upright man is laughed to scorn.

FEAR AND INTIMIDATION
Nehemiah 6:1-9 When Sanballat and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall... they sent me an invitation, saying, Come, let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono.

But they thought to do me mischief. (Discernment!)

So I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, while I leave it and come down to you? They sent the same invite four times and each time Nehemiah answered the same way!

Nehemiah 6:5-8 Sanballat sent his servant in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand; Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah.. So come now and let us take counsel together.

In today’s language Nehemiah’s reply would simply have been - NOT!

These things are untrue, you imagine them.

“An open letter” is a very divisive tool. Pastor on death bed - Pillow case

Nehemiah was then tempted to hide in the temple. But, because he had learned early to WATCH AND PRAY God was able to warn him.... “I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me.. he was hired, that I should be afraid and then in hiding in the temple I would sin.. giving them a matter for an evil report to reproach me.”

In our watching and praying God’s purposes can be distinguished from our enemies purposes and even from our own purposes!

The devil's plot was revealed in verse 19 to put me in fear.

The devil controls people through fear!

As a point of interest... Sanbal'lat means a thorn in secrete.

Let me encourage you with this truth, When someone persecutes a child of God, God Himself, personally takes up the cause!

When Paul was persecuting the church Jesus stopped him right in his tracks and said, Saul why do you persecute me!
THE JOINING
If you can't beat him, join him method.

Ezra 4:1-5...when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the temple walls were being built.. they came to Zerubbabel and said, Let us build with you for we seek your God as ye do and sacrifice to him.. But, the chief fathers of Israel, said, You have nothing to do with us building a house to our God; we ourselves will build for our God.

The devil’s true colours will show: Then those people who had offered to help began to oppose and weaken the hands of God’s people and troubled them in the building of the wall.

They even hired counsellors to frustrate their purpose!

HERE IS A KEY:
The agenda of our enemy is still to frustrate our God given purpose!

How did Nehemiah and his brethren finally complete the work?

The answer to this question will hopefully give us some good council tonight!

Here is the answer - They watched and prayed. Nehemiah 4:9 we prayed to our God, and set a watch day and night.

Most Christians are far too nieve when it comes to spiritual warfare! We far too often get involved way beyound the boundaries - the safe boundaries of watching and praying....
Nehemiah 4:16-21.. half of my servants continued in the work and the other half held the spears, the shields and the bows... the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, So we labored in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.

Nehemiah and his brethren put into effect God’s principle: WATCH & PRAY. The importance of WATCHING AND PRAYING cannot be over emphasized!

Refuse to be distracted! Refuse to get offf the wall of God’s purpose!
Job 17:9 The righteous shall hold on his way and he that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.....

Stay The Course!

I sit here at the keyboard, sick in body and weary in mind. My normally positive spirit has been at war with an onslaught of negative darkness. I am physically miserable, my imune system weakened by strife. My mind finds little rest if any. Sleep, real rem sleep although greatly sought after, seems unattainable. The Word tells us that where there is strife there is confusion and every evil work. (James 3:16)

I like Abram in Genesis 13:8 pray for an end of strife especially between brothers and sisters in the family of God. I have studied the Book of Proverbs regarding strife. The writer says that it is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. God help us to be men and women of honor!

The writer of Proverbs gives us a clear picture of where strife comes from and how we can stop it. He says that where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. Sounds easy enough, but what fuels a talebearer, here again we find the answer in Proverbs. It seems a contentious man kindles strife. So if I add this up right, contention kindles stife, and a talebearer promotes it.

Both those attributes work against unity, without which our testimony smacks of hypocrisy!

Is it any wonder the devil attacks us in the area of unity?

Paul suggests that we walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. He in fact links these things to carnality. It is time we put the flesh to death and walked in the spirit of God's love. Doing nothing through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind esteeming other better than themselves.

I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: You dare not neglect to WATCH and PRAY!

Nehemiah saw victory because he had the people pray to God, and set a watch day and night....

Nehemiah 4:16-21.. half of my servants continued in the work and the other half held the spears, the shields and the bows... the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, So we labored in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. Nehemiah and his brethren put into effect God’s principle: WATCH & PRAY.

The importance of WATCHING AND PRAYING cannot be over emphasized!

Refuse to be distracted! Refuse to get offf the wall of your purpose! God has placed you here!
Through watching and praying hold to the God given purpose for you. Job 17:9 The righteous shall hold on his way and he that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.....

In the midst of my misery I hear a quiet voice within my soul saying three words, "Stay the course". "Stay the course". "Stay the course"...... help me blessed savior!

Psalms 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethrento dwell together in unity!

Oh My Goodness.....

I was re-reading this article and I had a sudden shock go through me. I personally know of one family in Kelowna who have been guilty of being Clergy Killers in four churches. They attack KCC and us after closing down two other churches. KCC lost 300 members because of this family and the Pastor nearly lost his ministry. We were under opression for a year. Although the PAOC came to our defense after much grief... the damage was done. The sudden realization I came to was that in the above mentioned case we actually were dealing with a serial killer!

Clergy Killers

by G. Lloyd Rediger, PhD (Directory of Clergy Counseling Services, Wisconsin Council of Churches) August 1993 The Clergy Journal

This is an angry column. I am enraged at sick and evil people in the church who destroy pastors. This column and magazine are typically read by clergy, so this is like "preaching to the choir." But I must say these things anyway, for they may add a bit of courage or clarity to the lives of troubled pastors, or at least assure them that they are not alone.

Some years ago I entitled one of these columns, "Let's Get the Pastor." In it I described a kind of game that goes on in many churches, with the pastor used as a football. This time I am describing the more vicious game in which a pastor is targeted for destruction, and a congregation is seriously damaged by the fallout. The perpetrators go free, of course, often to kill again, and often convinced that they are doing the right thing.

When I encounter such pastor killers, I am reminded of biblical passages where religious people destroy or terrorize their spiritual leaders. Even Jesus was not exempt. In one sense, we should not be surprised therefore, when we as clergy are terrorized, for it only took them three years to get Jesus. What hurts the most, of course, is that these people purport to be Christians. And often, they are persons in whom we have invested significant amounts of professional and personal time and energy.

My purpose in writing on this subject is to clarify for pastors and denominational executives, the fact of, the methods used by, and the remedy for clergy killers in the church.

THE REALITY OF CLERGY KILLERS

First, the fact of clergy killers. Nearly any experienced pastor and denominational executive has encountered these humanoids (excuse me, my anger is still showing!). We tend to deny, excuse, or pamper them in the church. But they are very real and very toxic. I have encountered them in every denomination, and in many congregations over the years. But because we believe such persons should not exist in the church, and that we should be kind and forgiving to everyone, we fail to admit or understand the tactics, and motivation, and devastating toll they take on the energy and resources of the church, besides the cruel damage they do to clergy and those dear to them.

Clergy killers typically have intimidating power because they are willing to violate the rules of decorum and caring the rest of us try to follow. This is powerful at a subconscious level, for we sense such persons are willing to escalate the fight, and use tactics we forbid to use ourselves. In fact, most of us clergy do not even know how to do survival fighting ("street fights"), much less have the necessary resources and networks for such showdowns.

Clergy killers are masters of disguise. They can present themselves as pious, active church members who are "only doing this for the good of the church." Naive and gentle ("peace at all costs") parishioners may be deceived by such camouflage. And they typically advocate for the CKs (Clergy Killers) by urging the pastor and church board to be patient, make allowances, or not to misjudge such folks. CKs can convince many that they are raising legitimate issues. And for those who might do battle with them, CKs use bluster, threats, and even terrorism to appear as unstoppable giants. CKs even have allies of opportunity, i.e., parishioners who do not advocate the cause CKs are espousing, but who wish to punish the pastor for their own hidden reasons.

Clergy killers are evil. There, I said it! There are clinical names, of course, but in our theological categories, they are evil. This means they are not just sinners, in the normal inadvertent or mistaken sense. They do evil intentionally, and willingly pursue its destructive means and ends. Even repentance and restraint on their part is suspect, for it is typically a tactic only. Being around and having to associate with such persons tempts healthy spiritual leaders to pronounce curses ("Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees..."), as someone we all know did more than once while on this earth.

IDENTIFYING CLERGY KILLERS AND THEIR EFFECTS

From a clinical (psychological) perspective, CKs are likely to have personality disorders (paranoid, antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, and even passive aggressive). Or they may be previous or present victims of abuse. They may have volatile or addictive personalities. They may have inadequate socialization, arrested adolescence, and violent role models in their history. And they may have developed a perverse voyeuristic and vindictive taste for the suffering of their targeted victims.

In more ordinary terminology, CKs have learned the power of throwing tantrums to get their way. They know how to be bullies. They know how to distract, confuse, and seduce. And they have little sensitivity to the suffering of those outside their circle of cohorts.

It took me some time to realize the dimensions and variations of CKs' tactics. In generic terms, they can either wound or kill by direct attacks, by getting others to do their dirty work for them, or by inducing their victims to self-destruct. The first two are self- explanatory. But it is this third generic form of victimization that may go undetected.

The tactic of inducing a victim to self-destruct is not uncommon. Some jungle creatures do this. And it is not uncommon in business, politics, and the professions to harass a person in subtle and obvious ways until their stress produces irrational and destructive behavior. They may wound or destroy themselves, they may destroy a scapegoat, or they may do something bizarre, unethical, or criminal so that legal authorities must punish them. And it is not uncommon for the victim of a CK to develop behavior and attitudes that lead to alienation of family and friends, divorce, and loss of clergy credentials.

I could cite many examples of clergy killers in action. One that raises my ire every time I hear or remember his name is a former pastor who was once a shining star of his denomination. He seemed to have everything going for him, until he became pastor of a medium- sized thriving and progressive church. But a couple of university professors and a seminary professor resented this pastors' charisma and success. they combined to sabotage his leadership. Then when his confidence began to falter, and his pastoral competence wained under their attacks, they began to accuse him of mental disorders. His wife divorced him in panic. He finally left ordained ministry, and has been unable to hold any but menial jobs. He now subsists in an inner city, hardly able to cope or even recognize old friends. The CKs continue in that church, like scorpions doing what scorpions have to do.

Cardiovascular disorders, cancer, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory problems used to be rather rare among clergy. And clergy used to generate the best mental health and longevity statistics of any profession. Not anymore. I hear of and work with highly stressed, paranoid, cynical, and dysfunctional clergy all the time now, with numbers growing. And many of these maladies are traceable to CKs and their effects. The costs to the church are enormous, in lost clergy, health costs, divided congregations, loss of ministry resources, and in debilitated pastors unable to function at much more than a survival level. Can anyone stop these CKs?

THE EXTENDED DAMAGE

One of the causes of the downturn in mainline Protestant denominations is the wounded pastor syndrome. When a pastor is bleeding and desperately trying to survive, it is apparent that she or he will have little energy available for the creative pastoring church growth requires. But since the pastor is still visible and the traditional services continue, most people will not realize what is occurring. This condition resembles a pet dog with worms. It still looks like a dog, so no one thinks to question the loss of energy, and the debilitation of mission. And hardly anyone goes to the pastor with the kind of understanding, strength, and support she or he needs. I sat at lunch with pastors recently, at a conference I was leading on another topic. It was notable that they talked almost continually of church situations where the pastor was under attack. Their comments ranged from "there, but for the grace of God, go I"; "poor guy, I wish I could help him!"

More than one denominational executive has told me lately that as they travel across their district or the nation, they find attacks on clergy to be endemic. And they indicate a helplessness to do much about it. For even in strong executive denominations, top leaders have little authority to disarm or fight CKs. They fear offending powerful lay leaders, no matter how evil they are. Being politic, they realize that their power is derivative. And most denominational executives do not have the inclination toward the power tactics needed to eliminate CKs from a congregation. The correct prevalence of lawsuits is certainly no encouragement for any denominational leader to risk offending hostile-aggressive persons. But legal means may be one possibility for controlling CKs.

It would be helpful if seminaries could prepare pastors for the real jungle of the local church. Academe is not notable for realism, however. It should be obvious by now that pastors need survival training. And they certainly should be trained in conflict management. Lip service to this need is not adequate. Recently I consulted with an organization that is establishing a leadership training process outside of seminaries. This organization purports to train pastors in evangelism, church growth, and "community based pastoring." When I asked the director what kind of training they offered pastors in building their own support base, and in survival tactics, he looked at me as if I were from another planet. He said, "If a pastor is a dynamic leader, there will be no such problems." If he hadn't been so sure of his institute's success, I could have told him of a burned-out pastor I had talked to the previous week, who had graduated from his program, and of at least two other graduates whom I had heard were under attack by CKs.

THE CONTEXT

The etiology of the CK phenomenon is not mysterious, for we have always had a few evil people in the church. But contemporary society is especially compatible for CKs. There is a general distrust of authority figures of any kind. There is biblical and theological illiteracy in the pews. This means parishioners do not understand God's purposes, and the dynamics of spiritual leadership. There is a general sense of entitlement growing in the church, in which church members feel entitled to comfort and privilege. And if a pastor does not please them, they are free to criticize and punish. There is a growing business mentality in the church, which says that if the CEO (pastor) does not produce, he should be fired. There is mobility among parishioners. This means they feel little loyalty to the "peace and unity of the church." For they will soon move on, without having to deal with the consequences of their irresponsible behavior. And, as has been mentioned, we are not training pastors to handle conflict, nor support themselves in survival situations.

All churches and pastors are not suffering, of course. And all critics of pastoral leadership are not CKs. But the killing of pastors is a serious, and in my experience, a growing phenomenon. Some pastors are incompetent, and some "shoot themselves in the foot," but none of them deserves the torturing tactics of CKs.

It is not only the victimized pastor who suffers, of course. We have noted the subtle, but significant damage to congregations and denominations. And we should certainly note the damage to clergy spouses, families, and intimate friends when CKs attack. Such victims may have even fewer survival resources, unless they have their own careers and support networks.
Identifying a problem is useful. But offering possible solutions and preventions techniques is also necessary. Even though clergy killing is such a distasteful, and denied subject, some healing insights will be useful... at least to celery who know the reality of this treacherous role vulnerability.

GENERIC CASE MODEL

The first overt sign of the killing process began at a Church Board meeting (Session, Board of Deacons, Classis, Vestry, etc.). A member said, "A lot of people are complaining to me about the pastor. They're saying he doesn't call enough; he can't be reached when they want to talk to him; and he's not friendly enough." The Board asked who these people are, but the complainant refused to say. Then they asked for specific examples. He refused to be specific. The Board said they couldn't take action unless they knew the specific complaints. The complainant replied that they better take action, because these were important members who might leave the church.
The Board set up an investigative team, which reported at the next meeting that they could find no tangible evidence. The complainant told them that the complaints were real, and that they might have something to do with sexual misconduct and misuse of church funds.
The investigative team again reported no tangible evidence. The complainant then called for a congregational meeting. This request was denied.

Before the next board meeting, a letter filled with innuendoes against the pastor was mailed to the congregation. At the following meeting, the Board and pastors were in a near panic. The complainant said he had talked to the bishop, and the bishop said these were serious charges that needed to be investigated.

A new investigative team reported next time that there seemed to be a lot of people unhappy with the pastor. The Board voted to have a delegation meet with the pastor.

At the next meeting the pastor was absent. After six months of this harassment, he was in the hospital. The Board voted to send a delegation to the bishop. And at the following meeting, the delegation reported that the bishop recommended removal of the pastor.

The pastor is scheduled for heart bypass surgery now. And rumor says his wife is addicted to tranquilizers.

THE REMEDIES

The first remedial insight is one to which this column is dedicated, namely, the existence of clergy killers. Such persons exist and continue their devastation in that shadowy dimension of institutional religion, behind the prominence of altar, pulpit, and pew. As I consult with victimized clergy, and even savvy denominational executives, it is hard for them to admit the presence and damage of clergy killers. It is much easier to blame pastors, for an unwritten expectation of our profession is that successful pastors should not have unhappy parishioners. There are incompetent pastors, of course, but there are clergy killers also.

The second insight is that the motivations and tactics of CKs are of a different order of magnitude than ordinary critics or nagging detractors. They are evil. And this is what makes them difficult to deal with. For though religion and clergy are not strangers to evil, we have forgotten the need for exorcism. Given this lapse, we simply much teach ourselves reality. CKs do not stop with winning a single victory over a pastor. It is only a matter of time before another attack is fomented. CKs do not stop when thwarted. They may back off, but this is only to regroup and find a winning strategy. CKs camouflage their methods and goals through denial, piousness, distractions, seduction, and unlikely alliances. CKs are willing to go to any length to achieve their goals, and seem to relish the notoriety and general destruction they generate. Theirs is a lifelong goal. When they kill off (get rid of) one pastor, they will certainly wait for an opportunity to kill the next one, even if they had a part in bringing her or him to their pulpit. And, CKs typically do not leave a congregation after either a victory or defeat, as other types of clergy antagonists often do. They tend to stay and turn a parish into a clergy killing field.

The third insight about CKs is how difficult and rare it is to find successful ways of thwarting or eliminating them on a permanent basis. As already mentioned, the denial process in the church is so strong that neither traditional theology nor polity offer effective relief. But there are several strategies that offer some possibility of success.

1. Patience. If one learns survival tactics, outliving CKs may be possible. For forty years in the wilderness eliminates some of them.

2. Raising consciousness. Educating laity and clergy to the CK phenomenon is valuable for both the short term and long term. This is sophisticated education, however. For denial and CK vengeance will try to sabotage it.

3. Teach survival. Clergy and their intimates must be provided with self-preservation skills, since few lay leaders, colleagues, or denominational executives will come to their aid, ready to stay the course with tenacious CKs.

4. Give theology and polity some teeth, in order that when CKs are identified, they may be eliminated. We have now put teeth into eliminating killer clergy (sexual malfeasors); we could do the same with clergy killers.

5. Engage knowledgeable consultants to bring in outside skills needed in this struggle for which the church is poorly prepared. Such professionals can advise and devise the interventions necessary. I have been encouraging experienced Pastoral Counselors (AAPC certified) to bring their special skills to the church for such ministries.

6. "Go by the book." Follow your denomination's polity and protocol as closely as possible. This not only lessens legal liability, it also sets precedence, and gives all involved parties an honorable method and goal.

7. All of the above!

This is a negative column, in that it deals with an unwanted subject and with admitted anger. I pray, however, that its effect will be positive, on behalf of embattled clergy and God's church

Guilty Until proven innocent

Do you ever have one of those days where it seems all you do is “contemplate”?

Today was one of those days. As of late I have been weighed down in spirit due to an opposing spirit. It seems no matter what I do this individual sees it as wrong in their eyes. In my Christian walk thus far I have not been aware of just how powerful and dark this oppressive spirit is.

I have recently become aware of a peculiar thing: it seems that when a person spreads lies or rumors about you, those accusations, although unfounded are readily believed. Before there is an opportunity to address the accusations the victim of said slander is found guilty and someone is calling for a rope.

Why is it that the innocent has the burden of proving the accusations false, rather then the reverse?

I talked with God today about this ungodly attitude being in the church. I contemplated the dozen or so pastors I know of who have been hurt by one or two individuals in the church. I thought about my brethren who had moved their families into a town or city to fill the role of pasturing the local church. All was fine until somehow the pastor offends someone in the fellowship and it is war! No discussion, no chance for peace - it is all out war!

A dark spirit comes over an individual (usually a women) and they are used by the powers of darkness to press against the pastoral leadership in an attempt to crush them. Lies are spread, accusations arise, camps are formed, division follows, the pastor’s family is forced out and the devil puts another notch on his pitch fork.

I asked God to show me what is going on. It is funny how God answers. Friday nights we take care of our grandkids, so down into the basement I went for a video. As I passed by the book case (do this a lot) a book seemed to jump out at me. It was a 1918 Edition of Aesop’s Fables. I took it upstairs with me. I made a tea and carefully thumbed the pages. The following fable is what I read….

The Wolf and the Lamb
WOLF, meeting with a Lamb astray from the fold, resolved not to lay violent hands on him, but to find some plea to justify to the Lamb the Wolf's right to eat him. He thus addressed him: "Sirrah, last year you grossly insulted me." "Indeed," bleated the Lamb in a mournful tone of voice, "I was not then born." Then said the Wolf, "You feed in my pasture." "No, good sir," replied the Lamb, "I have not yet tasted grass." Again said the Wolf, "You drink of my well." "No," exclaimed the Lamb, "I never yet drank water, for as yet my mother's milk is both food and drink to me." Upon which the Wolf seized him and ate him up, saying, "Well! I won't remain supperless, even though you refute every one of my imputations."

The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny, and it is useless for the innocent to try by reasoning to get justice, when the oppressor intends to be unjust.

As they say, I’ll let you do the math. Even though I don’t know what to do, perhaps knowing the spirit behind it will help. May God have mercy on those who have caused heartache and grief for pastors and their families. May God have mercy on the church that caused my dear friend and pastor to have a nervous break down and leave the ministry. Perhaps we are living in the framework of John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yes, the time will come, that whosoever kills you will think that they are doing God service.

Too bad we couldn't live in I Thessalonians 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

I am sorry that I haven't posted the wonderful news about Casey's recent missions trip to El Salvador. He is in the process of putting together a story for the Okanagan Sun, and I hope to cut and paste it to the blog. Judi and I are very proud of his commitment to the Lord.

To say this last year has been a difficult one is an understatement.

With Casey and Janice seperating in January, Judi's continued battle with Sardicosis and the persistent attack from within the church we the Brouwers have been stretched. Stretched, but not broken. Disappointed, but not in despair. God is ever faithfull! In spite of all the attempts of the devil to destroy, we are in the midst of revival. To hear Casey's proclomation Sunday morning, "Lord begin the revival in me!" moved me to tears.

O'God move in our children's lives. Let Your presence be manifested in them!

Worth A Second Read...

Q. What good is a denomination today?
A. To support, encourage, resource and empower the local church in its community

Successful new movements continue to be birthed in the Christian community. Most have a clear vision and purpose. Almost all are led by an individual, family or group with vision, dynamism and drive. It seems obvious God honours strategic, energetic leaders with vision and a sense of mission.

What about long-standing denominations? Those that do not have the advantage of being “new,” are structurally cumbersome and have for years believed in their uniqueness, either in their belief structure and/or in calling. Will they again be recognized and blessed as in times past?

Although I claim little special insight into Canadians’ future choices, I tend to think most people will be attracted to something dynamic and relevant to our times. The following material from my own family of churches may offer this in a form relevant to new and long-standing denominations.

The Associated Gospel Churches (AGC) came into being at a time when the authority of Scripture was being challenged and when the understanding that individuals needed to repent and embrace Christ as the only way to be accepted as a child of God was seen as narrow and irrelevant. In response, our predecessors developed an extensive statement of faith and named the denomination/association after the heart of its mission: gospel churches. The movement has grown to 145 churches in Canada.

The AGC Vision and Strategy Here is the current AGC vision of a new, healthy, reproducing church in our multicultural society in Canada:
1. Churches must be a reflection of the community they view as their primary calling.
2. Churches must be intentional in their reproduction, relational care, partnerships, discipleship, leadership development and cultural transformation.
3. Churches plant churches; denominations resource, empower and coach churches to be obedient to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
4. Local community-focused churches led by supported, trained pastors, church staffs and lay leaders are our best hope for transformed lives, communities and cultures.
5. We value biblical authority, dynamic spirituality, loving relationships, effective discipleship, intentional reproduction, strategic partnerships and cultural transformation.

As we assess, build, coach and develop in an unending circle, pastors and churches that are clear in their appreciation of the authority of the word of God and focused on people will flourish.
Assess leadership and church health using tools that have corresponding helps to strengthen weaknesses and exploit strengths.
Build leaders and churches through every available resource in partnership with other organizations.
Coach pastors, church staff and key lay leaders through area clusters, monitoring coaches and regional superintendents.
Develop an ongoing recruitment and assessment process that values people and the sovereignty of God.

Old denominational structures may be dying, but denominations that empower, resource and encourage community-based leaders and pastors have every hope of God’s blessing and impact on the community.

Early Outcomes
An Ontario church noticed a strip of older motels populated with people waiting for more permanent housing. They began to offer a Saturday evening hot meal free, served by people from the church who were there simply to show care, acceptance, love and hope, and to provide interaction and understanding. After one year a number of the motel residents are participating in an Alpha program, others are in Bible studies and a few are now attending church services.

In a Western Canada church, people volunteer to help the town maintenance department and have stepped alongside farmers and small business owners to offer help and encouragement. The result is that the church has grown from 35 to 135 people worshipping each Sunday. They have built a new church building in a declining town, giving hope to the community and purposeful life to the church.

In thinking about the purpose of a denomination today, one would be wise to focus on the local church.

A. F. (Bud) Penner is the president of the Associated Gospel Churches with its home office in one of its churches in Burlington, Ont.

Nobody's Friend

My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted the more I am believed. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody’s friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments and wreck marriages. I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches and indigestion. I make innocent people cry in their pillows. Even my name hisses. I am called Gossip. I make headlines and headaches. Before you repeat a story, ask yourself: Is it true? Is it harmless? Is it necessary? If it isn’t, don’t repeat it. Why do people gossip? It is probably the major form of communication in any business, church, social or family setting. Gossip can be pretty destructive and counterproductive especially when it is about you. For the person who is carrying the information, he or she may feel as though it is a civic duty to share their knowledge with anyone who will listen. It also seems to be necessary to embellish it a little, in the event that the topic of gossip isn't juicy enough. You probably heard about the office gossip who said "…that is all that I can tell you…. I have already told you more than I heard myself." We have been told that knowledge is power. So, the person who seems to have a lot of knowledge may be perceived, or perceive him or herself as "in the know" and therefore powerful. In fact, often that is not the case. Now what to do about the office gossip. Gossip requires a talker and a listener. If no one listens then he or she can't gossip. It's up to each individual to make the choice to participate, or not, in this past time. In breaking free of the practice of gossiping, we could apply the Rotary Club's four-way test regarding the information received and passed on to others.
· Is it true?
· Is it fair to all concerned?
· Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
· Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
If the answer is "no" to any of these questions, don't participate!

Once a man and his son were walking to the market with their donkey. A countryman noticed that the donkey was walking alongside them and laughed, “You fools, what is a donkey for but to ride upon?!” So the man decided to put his son on the donkey and they went on their way. A little while later they passed a group of men. One of them said, "See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides."

The man then ordered the boy to get off, and got on himself. But they hadn't gone far when they passed two women. One of them said to the other, "Shame on that lazy lout to let his poor little son trudge along." The man didn't know what to do at first. He thought and thought and finally decided to put his son up in front of him on the donkey.

Soon they reached the town. There too the passers-by began to jeer and point at them. The man stopped and asked them what they were scoffing at. The people said, "Aren't you ashamed of yourself for overloading that poor donkey?" The man and the boy got off. They had to think of what to do all over again. At last they had an idea. They took a long pole and tied the donkey's feet to it. Then they raised the pole to their shoulders and carried the donkey upside down.
They went along amid the laughter of all who met them till they came to the market bridge. The donkey accidentally got one of his feet loose and kicking out, caused the boy to drop his end of the pole.

In the struggle that followed, the poor donkey, with his forelegs tied together, fell over the bridge and drowned.

Moral
When you try to please everybody, you won't please anybody.

A preview of next week's message:

Once a man asked an evangelist “how can we have revival?”

The evangelist answered by asking “Do you have a place where you can pray?” Yes the man replied.

Tell you what to do, go to that place and take a piece of chalk along. Kneel down there, and with the chalk draw a complete circle around you and pray for God to send revival on everything inside that circle. Stay there until He answers, and you will have your revival

The best evangelism takes place in a context of mutual trust and respect. It takes place between friends.

Christians need to care about the people they hope to reach.
Christians need to accept the people they hope to reach.
Christians need to love the people they hope to reach.
Christians need to establish meaningful relationships with the people they hope to reach.

The Cry Of My Heart!

Holy God make me holy!

Merciful God give me a merciful heart!

Lover of souls help me love them too!

I want to be more like You!

I need to be more like You!

Today's Word - "GRACE"

There is a single word that encompasses all the riches we find in Christ - GRACE!

This magnificent word is used more than 150 times in the New Testament.

God’s grace is inexhaustible and boundless!

A Christian is saved by Grace... Ephesians 2:8
A Christian stands by Grace... Romans 5:2

Look at John 1:14 and see what it says of Christ..... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Jesus is described as being full of grace!

Two verses further on we read that of His fullness have we all received,

and that being grace upon grace, or grace for grace!

IT IS TIME......

Praise the Lord……... Praise the Lord
After this I looked, and, there before me was a door standing wide open in heaven: and the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, come up here, at once I was in the spirit; and there before me was a throne in heaven with some one sitting on it.

And the one that sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian a rainbow resembling an emerald encircling the throne. Surrounding the throne were 24 other thrones And seated on them were 24 elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. From the throne came flashes of lightning and peels of thunder. And I heard praise, continual praise to the Lord.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.

The Call To Worship

Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him sun and moon, Praise him all you stars!
Praise the Lord from the earth, Praise Him among the people: Praise Him among the nations.

Praise the LORD for He is good: His mercy endures for ever.

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Praise the LORD with your mouth; praise him with dancing, praise him with the harp.
Praise him among the multitude. Praise the LORD with your whole heart! Praise Him in the congregation.

Praise the LORD. Praise, the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, Praise God in his sanctuary: Let every thing that has breath praise the LORD. Let every thing that has breath praise the LORD. Let every thing that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.

It Must Be A Day Of New Beginings

Wow! I just got back from our first Men's Prayer meeting. As we stood looking at each other for a few minutes we began to share our dreams and visions. The Holy Spirit began a deep work in us as each one shared his heart. The hour flew by and we realized at the end that we had been renewed with a sense of God's direction and purpose.

Awesome! There were only five of us but that was a few more than I had thought. Five men spoke about the five talents and the five fold ministry, interestinly enough we prayed until five minutes after nine. Who knows? It was exciting to say the least. Two of our guys went straight to work on the vision God had been birthing, one went to work and the other two discussed the procedure for becoming a member of the church.

It is a new day!