Yesterday was an amazing day in Ryazan. I was privileged to preach once again at Hope Church to my Russian Church family! They truly have become a family to me. When I come into their worship, I see people I have been acquainted with for nearly ten years...I give and receive hugs from them (a universal symbol of love and acceptance)...I pray with them and we share each others hearts. Yula is a lady in the church. A couple of years ago we were told she was home bound and wanted to have communion, so I traveled to her home with Pastor Pavel and we had communion and prayed for her. It was a great time of fellowship and ministry. Yesterday, I learned that Yula's mother died just recently. I was able a talk with Yula and offer continued comfort and care. This is my family and I love them with all my heart.
The church in Russia has experienced growth in the past years, but they still are faced with many challenges. On Saturday evening I spoke with Pavel and his family about the needs of the church in Russia. They spoke of the need for youth people to connect personally with another person...allow them to see Jesus in their lives. They spoke of the need for commitment to the church and they have a very high expectation of what he means to be a member of the congregation and more important, a high expectation of what it means to be a christian. Yesterday I spoke from Luke 14: 26-27, 33.
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple...So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."
Luke 14:26-27, 33 (ESV)
I talked about three main points that Jesus made about being a disciple...
Wholehearted Devotion to Jesus (vs. 26), Total Submission to Jesus (vs. 27), and Complete Surrender of Everything (vs. 33). As I was speaking I pondered the difference between the church in Russia and the church in America. One of the most crucial issues in the church (in my understanding) is the need to be completely committed and surrendered to Jesus. One of Pavel's daughters, Alyona said "A christian should not question whether or not they should serve God...it is our responsibility and part of our commitment in being a christian." That was a powerful statement for me to heart. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, we are to be completely devoted and surrendered to him. That is what Jesus asks of us in his statements from Luke's gospel.
It is easy to say I am a christian and to come on Sunday's and hear a message from God and then reflect on that all week...It is another thing to come to church and be filled to overflowing and spend the rest of our week "being" the person God calls us to be. Our christian lives need to be defined by our service and giving and very life...not just by our church attendance!
I am constantly challenged by my Russia brothers and sisters in Christ. What privilege to be part of this ministry and to have the opportunity to be part of God's worldwide kingdom!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Faith Giving
What an incredible day in ministry here in Ryazan, Russia! We traveled to two different cities today and met with pastors of churches...Ryazhsk with Pastor Oleg Yeponichnikov and Korablino with Pastor Dima Mikava. Both churches are very active in social ministries such as meeting needs of food and clothing and other practical expressions of love, as well as youth and children's ministry.
The highlight of the day for me was hearing from Pavel Jirov and Dima Mikava sharing the collective vision for the churches of the Ryazan Baptist Union (RBU). Let me give you some details about Ryazan. Ryazan is an called an oblast (equivalent to a state in the US) and is divided into 25 districts (or counties). There are presently 14 churches or small house groups in the RBU that meet in 9 different districts. As the church in the RBU have been coming together and doing ministry and planning as a group, they are laid a vision before the 500 members of these churches to reach the entire region of Ryazan. They are a vision to see a church or small house group in all 25 districts of Ryazan! What an incredible vision the Lord has given to them.
In order to care this out, they knew they would need the help of missionaries from other oblast of Russia or other countries. So they proposed to all the churches of the RBU to pledge faith gifts over and above their regular tithes to the church. In January 2011, they asked every church member who was interested in giving to this special ministry expansion...of the 500 members of the churches of the RBU...380 made a faith pledge in the amount of 880,000 rubles (approximately $29,000)! We were blow away by this amount and so where Pavel and Dima. They are sacrificing so much for the furtherance of the gospel here in Ryazan. Most of the people who are giving don't have much money, but they are committed to helping people in this oblast hear the gospel message. The 880,000 rubles will be enough to invite 4 families to come and begin ministry here in Ryazan. They are so excited to see the work of God among the people of Ryazan and so am I.
As I heard this...my only response was WOW and Praise the Lord! It is such a tremendous testimony of setting a God sized goal and then seeing God meet that goal. I know that they will continue to take the same steps of faith in this area and other areas of ministry.
These verses came to mind as soon as I heard this story today:
The highlight of the day for me was hearing from Pavel Jirov and Dima Mikava sharing the collective vision for the churches of the Ryazan Baptist Union (RBU). Let me give you some details about Ryazan. Ryazan is an called an oblast (equivalent to a state in the US) and is divided into 25 districts (or counties). There are presently 14 churches or small house groups in the RBU that meet in 9 different districts. As the church in the RBU have been coming together and doing ministry and planning as a group, they are laid a vision before the 500 members of these churches to reach the entire region of Ryazan. They are a vision to see a church or small house group in all 25 districts of Ryazan! What an incredible vision the Lord has given to them.
In order to care this out, they knew they would need the help of missionaries from other oblast of Russia or other countries. So they proposed to all the churches of the RBU to pledge faith gifts over and above their regular tithes to the church. In January 2011, they asked every church member who was interested in giving to this special ministry expansion...of the 500 members of the churches of the RBU...380 made a faith pledge in the amount of 880,000 rubles (approximately $29,000)! We were blow away by this amount and so where Pavel and Dima. They are sacrificing so much for the furtherance of the gospel here in Ryazan. Most of the people who are giving don't have much money, but they are committed to helping people in this oblast hear the gospel message. The 880,000 rubles will be enough to invite 4 families to come and begin ministry here in Ryazan. They are so excited to see the work of God among the people of Ryazan and so am I.
As I heard this...my only response was WOW and Praise the Lord! It is such a tremendous testimony of setting a God sized goal and then seeing God meet that goal. I know that they will continue to take the same steps of faith in this area and other areas of ministry.
These verses came to mind as soon as I heard this story today:
We want you to know, brothers,£ about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (ESV)
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (ESV)
The people of Ryazan have places their lives first and foremost in the hands of the Lord. They want to see the kingdom of God expand and grow and they are giving sacrificially to make that happen. What a testimony!
I have been reflecting on my own steps of faith for the Lord. It is so easy to life out of my comfort zone and have the nice things I have and rely on my own strength and ability to provide...and I have to ask the question...do I live by faith? Do open up my life to what God is doing around me and see the work of God take place. I want to be a person who walks by faith and not by sight. I want to set God sized goals in my ministry and see God provide and guide and direct. I want to be part of God's work in me, through me and around me.
I guess it begins with my surrendered heart!!! With my willingness to give and live by the provision of God and nothing else. Thank you God for the reminders of how you want me to live for you!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Giving My Life
Today was my first full day in Ryazan, Russia. I am traveling with three other people...David and Jeannie Bess from First Baptist, Nitro and Jon Viller from Philippi Baptist. We are here for one week to do some training and encouragement of pastors in the region. I have been here in Ryazan most every year since 2001. What a joy to be connected to my brothers and sisters in Russia.
Today, we had lunch with Pastor Valery Severin from Novomirchurinsk. This is a small town about one and a half hours south of Ryazan. Pastor Valery has been in Novomirchurinsk for several years and has been working to make good connections with leaders in the community. Doing this gives him much credibility and stability in the work of ministry. I listened to his story of their ministry and marveled at all that they can do with so little resources. He spoke of there needs and wants in the ministry and he also spoke of God's constant provision for their needs. They are trusting God to provide what they need.
As I listened I couldn't help to think that we have the opposite problem in the United States. We tend to lean too much on our resources of money and programs, etc. and get lazy in our approach to ministry. We have to learn to give away and put away what can be a distraction and learn to trust and depend only on God. When you boil to down, we both must trust in God and God only in our ministry.
In the end, we both have the same resources...the Holy Spirit that lives and moves in our lives and our very lives. We are called as believers in Jesus Christ to give our very lives for the gospel. No matter where we live....what language we speak...we are called to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through our lives.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
I am compelled by our God...encouraged by the example of our brothers in sisters in Ryazan and energized by the presence of the Holy Spirit to continue in giving my life to the Lord's work.
What a joy to serve my God in this world. Thanks for your prayers for our continued safety and fruitful ministry here in Russia.
Today, we had lunch with Pastor Valery Severin from Novomirchurinsk. This is a small town about one and a half hours south of Ryazan. Pastor Valery has been in Novomirchurinsk for several years and has been working to make good connections with leaders in the community. Doing this gives him much credibility and stability in the work of ministry. I listened to his story of their ministry and marveled at all that they can do with so little resources. He spoke of there needs and wants in the ministry and he also spoke of God's constant provision for their needs. They are trusting God to provide what they need.
As I listened I couldn't help to think that we have the opposite problem in the United States. We tend to lean too much on our resources of money and programs, etc. and get lazy in our approach to ministry. We have to learn to give away and put away what can be a distraction and learn to trust and depend only on God. When you boil to down, we both must trust in God and God only in our ministry.
In the end, we both have the same resources...the Holy Spirit that lives and moves in our lives and our very lives. We are called as believers in Jesus Christ to give our very lives for the gospel. No matter where we live....what language we speak...we are called to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through our lives.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
There is one body and one Spirit—
just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—
one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV)
just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—
one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV)
I am compelled by our God...encouraged by the example of our brothers in sisters in Ryazan and energized by the presence of the Holy Spirit to continue in giving my life to the Lord's work.
What a joy to serve my God in this world. Thanks for your prayers for our continued safety and fruitful ministry here in Russia.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
The Master Plan of Evangelism
I am reading a book entitle The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman. This has been a wonderful study of the ministry and evangelism approach of Jesus. One of the ideas that has really stood out to me is the personal investment that Jesus made in the lives of the twelve disciples. He invested a great amount of time with them, being an example to them and instructing them on the ways of the kingdom. He said with conviction and passion, "I am the way, the truth and the life; and no one comes to the Father but through me" (see John 14: 6). As a pastor, I am constantly looking for ways to better equip the church to do the work of ministry. I am bombarded with so many programs and studies on all topics, including evangelism. Each one promises to help bring people into the kingdom of God. I know that many have proven to be effective in leading people to Christ and for that I am grateful. But the church does not need another program. Jesus, and the disciples after Him, did not have a program…they gave of themselves. They took their experience with Jesus and introduced people to the kingdom of God.
As I have studied the early church in the book of Acts, I have noticed the same thing. They didn’t have a program or tool they used…they were the tool that God used to introduce people to Jesus Christ. And it did not stop with evangelism…it continued in the lives of new believers in Jesus Christ as they began to mature as Christians. Coleman writes:
“There is a lot of talk in the church about evangelism and Christian nurture, but little concern for personal association when it becomes evident that such work involves the sacrifice of personal indulgence. Of course most churches insist on bringing new members through some kind of a confirmation class which usually meets an hour a week for a month or so. But the rest of the time the young convert has no contact with a definite Christian training program, except as he or she may attend the worship services of the church and the Sunday school. Unless new Christians, if indeed they are saved, have parents or friends who will fill the gap in a real way, they are left entirely on their own to find the solutions to innumerable practical problems confronting their lives, any one of which could mean disaster to their new faith. “
The Master Plan of Evangelism, Robert Coleman
I have really been convicted by this simple understanding. I don’t need anything new…I don’t need a program…I just need to make myself available to share my story, my testimony, my experience in Christ with those around me. Beyond introducing them to Christ, I must help them to grow in Christ. I must be intentional in how I disciple people.
I don’t know about you, but I am at a point in my life where I want to do the important things for the Lord. I don’t want to waste any more time…I want to pour my life into my family and others around me to make an impact on the Kingdom of God.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Living in Faithfulness
I have been thinking quite a bit about what a mature disciple looks like. How do we know we are doing the right things in “making disciples”? How can we measure growth in the lives of disciples? I believe it is sometimes difficult to measure objective growth when we consider discipleship. Sure, we can look at church attendance and participation in a GROW Group as markers that we are making disciples. We can see that people are reading their Bibles and praying and even serving in some capacity, but I believe it goes much deeper than just attending church functions and doing the right things.
As I reflect on measuring discipleship, one of the markers I think is measurable is faithfulness. In other words, we could say, “A disciple is faithful.” How is the knowledge gained from study and worship and prayer evident in a person’s life? The apostle Paul wrote: “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,” (1 Timothy 1:12, ESV). God is looking for faithful men and women. I don’t think that faithfulness is about attending and doing…I believe faithfulness is about being the person God calls us to be. It is not just in being present at church events; it is about being in a living, dynamic relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Faithfulness is demonstrated in faithful service, in selflessly loving and in complete surrender to God’s will. In Galatians, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit as, “… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV). Faithfulness is manifest in our lives through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. God wants us to be faithful, just as the scriptures tell us of His faithfulness… “...for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV).
Faithfulness will cause changes in our relationship with God and with others. It will spur us on to do great things for the Lord. F.B. Meyer, a Baptist pastor and contemporary and friend of D. L. Moody said, “Don’t waste your time waiting and longing for large opportunities which may never come. But faithfully handle the little things that are always claiming your attention“. Being the person God wants you to be will require faithfulness to the details of your relationship with God and will be manifest in your faithful service to the Lord.
This is our goal as a disciple…to be faithful to God’s call and to wait with anticipation for the day when we will hear from our savior… “Well done good and faithful servant.” (see Matthew 25: 21).
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