Archive for February, 2008

To prepare for Village Missions’ celebration of sixty years at staff conferences, Lisa West has been digging through the archives.  She found the first issue of a publication called “Village Missionary,” the forerunner, I believe, of what became Tempo Magazine and now is Country Matters.  This first issue was dated January 1956, only eight years after the beginning of our Mission.

Helen D. Baugh and Mary E. Clark, founders of Stonecroft Ministries and co-founders with Rev. Walter Duff of Village Missions, wrote the lead article, called “A New Year’s Message.”  They began:

Traveling as we do, from coast to coast, we are appalled and alarmed at the complacency and utter unconcern on the part of so many Christians for those who know not the Way of Life.  So general is this attitude, even among spiritually minded people, that it has become a burden on our hearts.

What is their solution to the terrible complacency they have observed across the country?  They call on members of the Stonecroft and Village Missions’ family to pray:

Prayer has always been the most essential part of this ministry.  In this new year of 1956 we are asking the Lord to give us thousands more Christians, both men and women, who are willing to keep a “daily appointment” with the Lord, to join us in this mighty movement of prayer.  Pray is power and “…the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits” (Dan 11:32).

Now in this 60^th anniversary year we are issuing this same call to pray.  We are asking the entire Village Missionary family, Stonecroft Ministries, Village Missionaries, the church congregations we serve, and partners, to pray earnestly for the spiritual needs of this country and Canada and for Village Missions and Stonecroft Ministries to be more effective in meeting those needs.  The theme of this year’s staff conference will be “Celebrating 60 Years: Advancing on our Knees.”  I am convinced that the only way any Christian organization can advance is on its knees.

Helen D. Baugh and Mary E. Clark knew that times of difficulty and crisis call for times of prayer.  Our theme verse for staff conference, Ephesians 6:18, teaches this.  Paul writes this verse after calling on the Ephesian believers to be “strong in the Lord” (Eph 6:10).  They are to “put on the full armor of God” in order that they might “stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Eph 6:11).  Paul then describes the true nature of our struggle.  We face a struggle whether as individuals or as a Mission that is not against the things we observe.  Instead, it is a spiritual struggle against a host of spiritual forces arrayed in battle against us (Eph 6:12).  We will experience an “evil day” in which we must have on the “full armor of God” in order to “resist” and “stand firm” (Eph 6:13). 

Paul then describes all that is involved in wearing the full armor of God.  The picture is of a Roman soldier, fully clothed in armor and with his shield (the shield of faith-Eph 6:16) and his sword (the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God-Eph 6:17).  He is ready for battle and ready to stand firm in the evil day.

But what is this soldier to do?  He is to drop to his knees (my picture of prayer) and pray!  Having all our armor on, we join the battle with prayer.  We will not be strong, we will not stand firm, we will not resist in the evil day without the ongoing prayer that Paul describes in Ephesians 6:18.  It will be prayer that includes all forms of communication with God as well as earnest requests (prayer and petition).  It will be prayer that is part of the warp and woof of daily life (at all times).  It will be prayer that recognizes what it means to be a new creature in Christ (in the Spirit).  It will be prayer that is perceptive (be on the alert with all perseverance and petition).  It will be prayer that extends beyond the boundaries of personal concern (for all the saints).  With the full armor of God, such is the type of praying we must do in the evil day.

Do you have any doubt that we are in an evil day?  I recently read an article in World Magazine titled “Spirits of the age” (Feb. 8).  In this article, Joel Belz describes a conference that considered how spirituality other than Biblical Christianity is replacing secular humanism.  He mentions that the fastest growing religions today in China are Buddhism and Taoism, not Christianity.  He writes:

From Islam came frightening themes.  That religion’s emphasis on “subjugating the enemy”-whether a foreign power or your own wife-seems strangely to be attracting the interest even of non-Muslims around the world.  From Africa comes word of reversion to witchcraft and darkly pagan practices.  If these packages come wrapped with superstition and even violence, so be it.  Conferees heard from a former practicing astrologer who described some of the inroads that field is making even into evangelical churches.  And they heard how pagan spirituality has wormed its way into both modern feminism and the ecological movement.

If we are to advance against the spiritual forces of wickedness in this evil day, we must pray.  Will you pray with us?  You can subscribe to prayer updates from us on our home page.

Dr. Al Mohler has written an excellent blog titled “Has God Called You?  Discerning the Call to Preach.”  I commend it to anyone who might be wondering whether God is calling you to be a pastor.  I would place more emphasis on the shepherding aspect of pastoral ministry (see my previous blog post), but overall Dr. Mohler is on target.

His article caused me to reflect on how I responded to the call to ministry.  I fought it!  Although I had presented myself to God as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2) and should have responded willingly, I did not want to leave our comfortable surroundings.

Carole and I moved from Maine to a remote location in northern Idaho shortly after we were married.  We began attending a little country church in Fernwood, a church served by Village Missionaries Ray and Martha Bell.  I had been a believer for about a year when we began attending and didn’t even know the difference between the Old and New Testament.

No better place for discipleship and mentoring exists than a small country church with a dedicated pastor and his wife.  The Bells and others in the church mentored me.  As I grew, Pastor Ray provided various opportunities to minister.  I taught several Bible studies in our home and taught the adult Sunday School class.  I helped Pastor Ray with various evangelistic campaigns in which we saw many come to Christ.  Probably most challenging and helpful, Pastor Ray gave me several opportunities to preach.

Gradually, a growing discontent with my work (Idaho Highway Department and horseshoeing) combined with a growing passion to preach and to minister to people.  People in the church began to recognize that God was calling me into the ministry.  Pastor Ray encouraged this direction without in any way pushing me.

But it was so hard to leave!  By that time, we owned ten acres of land and enjoyed our life.  Although I was bored working for the Highway Department, it was one of the few year-round and full-time jobs in the area and it worked well with my horseshoeing.  God had to get my attention.

To make a long story short, a draft horse trampled me!  Just pulling his shoes for winter, he spooked when some snow slid off the roof and I fell underneath him.  This near death experience in which I was laid up for about a month was enough to cause me to decide to apply to some Bible colleges.  I wanted my life to count for something.

However, it was only a decision and as spring came nearer and thoughts of planting the garden grew, I postponed implementing the decision.  I am sure many others respond more quickly and easier to God, but not me-at least then.  After only one month back to work after my injury, I slipped and fell in a “freak” accident.  I broke my leg so badly that it required an operation to repair the damage.  This led me to finally apply to Moody Bible Institute.  I was accepted, we sold our home, and in July 1980, seven years after we arrived in Idaho, off we went to Chicago to begin preparation for the ministry.  I have only a very few times (in times of great weakness and struggle) regretted the answering of God’s call to be a pastor.

I have observed two things now in my role as Executive Director and I would like to solicit your comments and observations:

First, I have observed that fewer churches seem to be teaching the call of God into pastoral ministry.  Perhaps in an effort to teach that we are all called to ministry, the idea of a call to pastoral ministry or to full-time ministry appears to have been neglected.  Do you think this is true?  If you are a pastor, do you teach a call to pastoral ministry?

Second, I have observed that some young people appear almost frightened to enter pastoral ministry.  Although a healthy caution is wise, this seems more than that-more of a fear.  Such ones are willing to be youth pastors or on staff in a large church but they seem overwhelmed by the idea of being the pastor of a small church.  We have seen several young guys do quite well in Village Missions (I trust that our support structure helps) but several others seem reluctant to serve although they sense God’s call.  Is this observation correct and, if so, why?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Village Missionary Bruce Swan wrote, “Another family in our church lost a son, killed in Iraq.  This makes three families in our church.  It was a horrible ordeal for the family to go through; they experienced such a deep loss for their son, their only son.  I was called to be with the family when the military broke the news to the family.”

Jesus once said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13 NASB).”  I am deeply grateful for the men and women who have laid down their lives in the defense of our country against terrorism.  To me, the danger is as great as this country faced in World War II, and young men and women, especially from rural areas, have responded with singular courage.

The area we serve in Springfield, Maine has particularly given of its young heroes and the national media has noticed.  Unfortunately, they have neglected the spiritual side of the story.  Our Village Missionary, Bruce Swan, tells it much better than I can.

In his July report, he wrote,

One of the finest young men in our area was killed in action in Iraq, and I spent many hours with family, waiting for him to come back to the States so we could plan for his funeral.  After his arrival stateside, he had a 24-hour military watch with many Mt. Company soldiers consoling the family.  On July 3^rd we had Joel’s funeral at the Lee Academy Gym; we shared the Gospel to a packed gymnasium and shared how a personal relationship with Jesus changed the House family.  The Governor of Maine and the entire state delegation were present.  Several Major Generals and many other important dignitaries heard clear presentation of the Gospel.  Our service made nationwide news and the front page of several newspapers.  It is our prayer that something good could come of this tragedy.  The family has had several phone calls and letters from people who have rededicated their lives to the Lord.

Then I read in Bruce’s December report,

Another family in our church lost a son, killed in Iraq.  This makes three families in our church.  It was a horrible ordeal for the family to go through; they experienced such a deep loss for their son, their only son.  I was called to be with the family when the military broke the news to the family.  Hours of consoling and comforting were spent with the family.  I was there when they flew him into Bangor and took his casket off the plane, the long motorcade of police, sheriffs, family, and military vehicles making their way up I-95 to Lincoln, where we were met with a great outpouring of support…fire trucks, more police, and the streets lined with people waving American flags and hero banners, veterans snapping to attention and saluting while others covered their hearts, and others wept.  The viewing was one continuous line of people from start to finish.  The funeral was held at the school gym where Blair had played his high school sports.  All the Maine dignitaries were present, and some spoke.  His family received many military awards.  We then went to the cemetery where he received a full military burial and hundreds of carnations and roses were laid on his casket by those who attended.  Something very precious has been taken from these families in our area, and everyone feels it, but these parents and their families continue to experience such a deep loss that words are inadequate to describe what they are going through.  I sensed that the Christmas season and the spirit of joy that normally accompanied the events during December were very different this year.  I pray that God will send His healing to our church and our communities this coming year, and may something good come from these tragedies.  Our church must shine in these dark times, bringing a beacon of hope to the saints and to the lost.  We must be true to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

Will you pray with and for Village Missionaries Bruce and Debra Swan as they minister to a hurting community?  The parades are over but they are there bringing comfort to hurting families.  May the good news of Jesus Christ shine forth in this dark time!  I am so glad that they are there.

To read more about Joel House, the soldier who was killed in June, go to http://www.bangornews.com/news/t/penobscot.aspx?articleid=151429&zoneid=183

You can read more about Blair Emery at:

Honor the Fallen: http://www.militarycity.com/valor/3226684.html

Bangor Daily News: http://bangornews.com/news/t/penobscot.aspx?articleid=157299&zoneid=183

USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-01-24-smalltowns_N.htm

You Tube Memorial: http://youtube.com/watch?v=r41UEBosqVo

 In some ways, the transliteration of the word “pastor” from the Latin has been unfortunate.  It gives freedom to some to define the role of “pastor” as something other than a “shepherd”-the meaning of the Greek term translated in English as “pastor.”

For some, then, the modern role of the pastor must be “C.E.O.”  He is the “mover and shaker” leading his congregation in vision casting and mission and pity the poor parishioner who gets in his way!  For others, the role of the pastor must be “Professional.”  His ministry is all about professional development, professional conduct, and professional distance from those whom he leads.  For still others, the role of the pastor must be “Preacher.”  His virtually only duty is to deeply study and proclaim the Word of God, appearing from the confines of his study Sunday morning and a scant few other times to announce the gems from God’s Word he has gleaned.

Based on his strong commitment to the Word of God and to preaching, you might expect Dr. John MacArthur to be in the camp of the “Preacher.”  Thankfully, he is not!  He is in the camp of the pastor as shepherd, as he writes recently in his blog dated January 25, titled “More Than Just a Preacher.”  Just think about his title– “More Than Just a Preacher!”  I commend this article to all pastors who wish to fulfill their God-given role.

MacArthur delineates the five central functions of a true pastor or shepherd.  A shepherd is a rescuer, a feeder, a leader, a protector, and a comforter.  According to MacArthur,

Church leaders are undershepherds who guard the flock under the Chief Shepherd’s watchful eye (Acts 20:28).  Theirs is a full-time responsibility because they minister to people who, like sheep, often are vulnerable, defenseless, undiscerning, and prone to stray.

Those who are faithful to this enormous task will receive a rich reward from the Chief Shepherd Himself.

In my experience as a pastor, we must keep all five functions in balance.  For example, we can easily give all our attention to feeding.  Quickly, however, we then lose passion and zeal as we lose personal sight of the desperate needs of God’s sheep.  If the shepherd gives attention to all, all functions work together to deepen wonderfully the ministry of the shepherd.  A shepherd giving attention to all functions will soon realize his absolute dependence upon the Chief Shepherd.

Village Missions is looking for men who know their calling is to be a shepherd of the flock.  We are actively working on ways to encourage them and support them in their role.