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The Morning Sun, a news site serving central Michigan, published an article about Jim and Mary Jane Ogg, members of Brown Corners UB church in Clare, Mich. It tells about how church people ministered to them during Jim’s lengthy battle with heart problems (culminating in a heart transplant), including taking care of their cattle and crops. A nice example for us all.
Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries
I previously mentioned that we postponed the missionary homecoming, which we had planned for next summer. This is disappointing, because we were looking forward to gathering nearly all of our missionaries in one place at one time.
But in light of the economic situation in the United States, we felt it was necessary.
We were well along in our planning. Meeting place, accommodations and meals were in place. Volunteers were lined up. About two-thirds of the money we needed was committed (though not received).
The next step was to reserve airline tickets. That was the point of no return.
Finances are tight all around right now. We considered where our churches might be in another six months, and where Global Ministries might be. We felt we could raise enough money for the Homecoming. But was this a good time for asking churches to give above and beyond what they normally do, in order to help fund this major event?
e didn’t know what churches will be facing by mid-2009. Would they end up “robbing Peter to pay Paul”? It didn’t seem appropriate to put this huge challenge before our churches at this time.
So, we made the call to put the Missionary Homecoming on hold. At the US National Conference, Saturday night will still focus on missions, and we’ll make it a very special evening. We just won’t have dozens of returned missionaries in attendance.
Pat Jones, Director of Healthy Church Ministries
Yesterday, I asked you to consider the question, “Do I feel I have a shared ownership of the church I attend?”
I hope you wrestled with that question and did not easily fluff it off. It is an important question to ask. Your view of what happens at the church is based on your answer to this question. Today, I want to share a Scriptural defense of who truly owns and should control the agenda of the church.
The church belongs to…Jesus Christ.
We could give many more proofs. But the point is made. It is HIS church. His blood bought it; His Word established it; His Spirit fills it.
So how much do you think about His ownership and seek His direction about what happens at your church?
On Thursday, we will finally look at how we can say, “This is my church.”
Pat Jones, Director of Healthy Church Ministries
I’ve been amazed to see so many people living in deception when it comes to their relationship with their own church. When disgruntlement raises its head, or when people resist change that will bring about greater effectiveness in fulfilling the mission of the church, it’s common to hear statements like these:
Generally, the term “my” implies not only identification with, but also ownership. My computer. My home. I own them. And I determine what happens with them.
There is the deception. Did you catch it?
It is the same subtle deception Jesus spoke about in Luke 20. He tells a parable about a man who planted a vineyard, entrusted it to some farmers, and went away. He wanted to collect from his tenants and sent servants to do so. But they beat the servants and finally killed the owner’s son because they deceived themselves into thinking that they owned the vineyard.
They worked it. They spent the time there. They kept the walls up. They watered it. How dare the owner try and take something from them!
So it is with churches. You can deceive yourself into thinking you can do with the church what you want because:
I want to take a couple installments to address ownership of the church and our proper relationship to the church.
To prepare, ask yourself these questions:
One last thought. Jesus looked right at the people and asked what they thought the owner would do to the tenants? He told them he would come, kill those tenants, and give the vineyard to others. The people responded, “May it never be.”
I pray it won’t be so for any of us.
Pat Jones, Director of Healthy Church Ministries
Many of our churches spend thousands of dollars each year to make trips to other countries to experience ministry in a different culture. We encourage that ministry and those partnerships.
But I would like to suggest that there are some other options that will accomplish similar ministry objectives.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving! See you next Monday.
Randy and Toni Fennig have been in Sierra Leone for two months now. However, their shipping container has been stuck at the port, awaiting release by the government authorities.
The container includes a tractor. This week, Randy was told that in order to process the contents of the container, they need the tractor’s vehicle identification number. Since the tractor is packed at the back of the container, they’ll need to unload the entire container. That means placing the contents out on the dock, with lots of people milling around, until they can reach the tractor.
So that’s a concern. Pray that the container can get processed quickly, and that the Fennigs will receive everything they packed.
Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries
Recently, the First Lady of Sierra Leone invited Billy Simbo to the presidential residence in Freetown. She was interested in having her foundation come alongside Mattru Hospital. She has a particular interest in pediatric health and in lowering infant mortality rates.
The First Lady expressed her interest in developing a working relationship with the United Brethren church in Sierra Leone. She is a United Methodist member, and her husband is a member of the Wesleyan church.
Although the meeting went well, Billy didn’t get his hopes up. He didn’t even bother telling me about the meeting. But then he received a letter from the First Lady’s office confirming everything they had talked about.
We don’t know where this will lead, but it certainly can’t hurt having the nation’s First Lady on your side.
George Rhodifer sent this update on his condition.
“My doctor told me she is satisfied with my recovery from my blood infection and that she did not see any reason at this time to consider any more Chemo treatments unless my condition changes. She is going to monitor me and see how I do. She will tell me more when I meet with her December 2. She told my daughter that I beat the odds, because I should not be here. With my will to live and my faith in God, I may just go on beating the odds.”
George is pastor of Olivet Church in New Lebanon, Ohio. In early September, he was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and given three months to live.
Dan Drake has been appointed as senior pastor of Olive Branch UB in Lakeville, Ind.
