Director's Web Blog

The Camera I Used for Uploading

I started a long overdue project recently that has caused me to reflect on the passage of time.  I converted all of our family analog 8 mm videos to digital DVD’s.  Like most projects, this one turned out to be more involved than I expected.  First, our old video camera would not start no matter what I tried.  After a fruitless search on E-bay for a replacement camera (they were too expensive), I finally was able to borrow a really old and big camera from a friend.  At least his worked—sort of!  The camera would play the tapes for a while but then would stop.  That meant I would have to check the progress often and crop portions if there was a time of empty recording.  It took much longer than I expected to finish transferring all the tapes.

The tapes went back as far as 1992 when we received the camera as a gift.  Most of the tapes covered our time in Red Feather Lakes.  Each year I seemed to record the same events: several concerts and recitals, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving finding and cutting a Christmas tree in the woods, decorating the tree with me up on the extension ladder (we always cut about a 14 foot tree), birthdays, many school programs and graduations, and, occasionally, our vacations.

As I watched portions of the tapes being recorded, it was as if a portion of our life passed before me.  My kids were young and cute when the videos started (eight and four years old) and I had darker hair and more of it!  People and events I had forgotten came flooding back, often with a feeling of nostalgia for those long ago times.  I wisely remembered that a video only captures the highlights and not the “lowlights” that we tend to forget.

This intensive, video induced trip down memory lane has caused me to reflect on Ephesians 5:15-16.  I realize that although I can edit those videos (perhaps shorten them), I cannot edit my circumstances, my responses, my attitudes, or anything about the way I used my time in the past.  In a sense, I am a product of all that took place but none of it can be undone.  I can only resolve to improve my walk, my movement through life in the future.  This passage speaks of four ways that we can improve our movement through life in 2011.

First, we must move through 2011 with a careful walk. Paul commands us to “walk circumspectly” (vs. 15a).  This speaks of an accurate and exact assessment of our movement through life.  We must have alertness and exercise great care.  Often, I’m so wrapped up in the busyness of life that I live it without much assessment.  I’m about to have my annual physical, which is meant to be an accurate assessment with the idea of discovering any problems and making some corrections.  Suppose we conducted an annual spiritual, marriage, parental, emotional, and financial assessment—in short, a “whole-person” assessment and made some corrections!  Such an assessment would certainly be fulfilling the command of this verse.

Second, we must move through 2011 with a wise walk. Paul tells us we are to walk “not as fools, but as wise” (v. 15b).  For any believer and especially a Village Missionary, wisdom is putting Biblical truth into practice in our life.  The world’s wisdom surrounds us and constantly seeks to get inside like a termite trying to eat its way into our inner structure.  Worldly wisdom regarding our value, our identity, how we measure success, the response when persecuted, the importance of acclaim, the importance of money and security may affect our thinking as Village Missionaries and sabotage our ministry.  Would that Biblical wisdom govern every response to the unforeseen circumstances of 2011!

Third, we must move through 2011 with a profitable walk. Paul tells us we should be “redeeming the time” or in the NASB, “making the most of your time” (v. 16a).  This is literally “buying up or redeeming the opportunity.”  In the words of one commentator, we are to “purchase all that it offers.”  The word used for “time” is not hours and minutes but fixed periods or seasons.  Thus, a profitable walk is a strategic walk in which we use our time on earth to its greatest advantage for God’s Kingdom.  Today I regret missed opportunities in 2010 to share Christ with the lost.  Will I lose similar opportunity in 2011?  I regret I did not redeem more opportunities with my children in those years covered by the tapes.  Will I be strategic in this coming year?

A friend recently told me of a business opportunity he missed a few years ago.  The old story—if he had only invested such and such then it would have quadrupled its value now.  We possess unlimited spiritual capital but so often fail to do anything but keep it buried in the ground (cf. Mat. 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27).  Perhaps not in 2011!

Finally, we must move through 2011 with a guarded walk. Paul warns us “the days are evil” (v. 16b).  The word “evil” speaks of “vicious, active wickedness.”  True of Paul’s day, it is equally true of our day.  How easy it is for us to fall!  How easy it is for us to begin a self-deluded journey that destines us for the self-destruction of our marriage, family, and ministry!  Perhaps we would not succumb to internet pornography but could easily succumb to the lust of pride.  Financial impropriety might never be a temptation to us but we might quickly subscribe to faithless discouragement.  We must be on guard in 2011, knowing that the enemy of our souls has enough ammunition within and without us to cause our harm if we are not alert.  “Be on the alert!” is a command that often rings out from the pages of Scripture.

We seem to take family videos very infrequently now, although our digital camera would allow us to do so.  The days of concerts, graduations, etc. are over for us until perhaps grandchildren come around.  Yet, whether captured on video or not, our days in 2011 are precious gifts that will pass all too quickly.  Let’s walk carefully, wisely, profitable, and guardedly in the year to come!

Pierceville Federated Church

The greatest joy I have as Executive Director is traveling to one of our churches to meet the people, visit with our Village Missionaries, and see first-hand what God is doing.  Traveling to Pierceville for their annual missions conference was very special for us.  We had the privilege of staying with Doug and Saundra McGraw.  Doug is one of our board members on the U.S. Board.  The Village Missionaries, Terry and Martha Major, were our Village Missionaries in Fernwood, Idaho for a short time before we left for Moody Bible Institute.  The church is filled with wonderful, dedicated believers.  And, boy, do they cook!

To read further about the visit and see pictures click on this link.  Once at this site, click on the first picture to enlarge it, read the caption, and then click “next” to view the following pictures. Enjoy!

Village Missionary Karl Rewa came up with the idea of a “charity hunt” to benefit Village Missions.  He received permission from area farmers in Blue Mound (all church members) for hunting on about 2500 acres.  Five friends of his from Michigan, who are hunters, donated $1,000 each to Village Missions and hunted on the land.  We held a banquet Wednesday evening, December 1, and raised about $8500 for Village Missions.  I was not only thrilled at this unique way to raise money to keep country churches alive but also to visit the church at Blue Mound-coming alive once again through the ministry of Village Missions.

You can see pictures and read about this event at this link.

I just received word that MinistryWatch chose Village Missions as one of only thirty “Shining Light Ministries” for 2010.  We were selected in the sector of evangelism.

This recognition came as a surprise.  We had no idea that Ministry Watch was considering us.  We are committed to honoring God with our daily actions.  It is gratifying to discover others are watching and hold us in esteem for our conduct.

According to MinistryWatch, “Selecting a diversity of the best ministries is challenging given the selfless work that so many do for the cause of Christ.  The assessment by MinistryWatch.com looked at the following seven areas when considering this list of 30:

1. Transparency
2. Truth Claims
3. Values
4. Sectors/Functions
5. Resourcefulness
6. Red Flag Issues
7. Counsel

A foundational premise was to shine a figurative light on those ministries that were ‘Christian’ more than in name only.  Ministries were chosen that were not just marketing to Christians as a market segment for ‘Christian donor money,’ but ministries that had theological underpinnings and Biblical values that determined their actions.  Organizations that relied more on a secular motivation and means were excluded as well as those ‘ministries’ that seem to view the organization as their own vehicle as a business to make money rather than a love to maximize ministry to others and to let their light shine for the glory of God.”

You can learn more about this selection by clicking on the this link.

Although ultimately we know that our recognition or lack thereof will come from the Lord, we are grateful for this recognition from a well-known organization that assesses the accountability of Christian ministries.

When the Apostle Paul collected money for the poor in Jerusalem, he made sure that he handled the money with integrity.  He wrote the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 8:18-21:

¹⁸And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, ¹⁹and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind, ²⁰avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us—²¹providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.  2 Corinthians 8:18-21(NKJV)

Paul wished to conduct all his affairs in an honorable way, both before the Lord and before people.

Conducting ourselves honorably before God and before people is an important value with Village Missions as well.  We take our calling very seriously to be wise stewards of the financial resources entrusted to us—entrusted to us by donors who give sacrificially so that the Gospel can go out to country communities.  We seek to be a mission that conducts itself with integrity in all areas of ministry.

We do so in obedience to God but it is rewarding when watchdog organizations recognize our efforts as well!

We were newly married (two months) and I had just passed my one-year anniversary of being a believer in Christ.  When I walked through the doors of the Fernwood Community Bible Church thirty-seven years ago, I didn’t know the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament.  I had long hair, a beard, and many leftovers from my hippie days.

 But Carole and I knew that we wanted to follow Jesus.  We found a dedicated Village Missionary couple named Ray and Martha Bell and a church family that was willing to accept us, love us and minister to this strange couple who had traveled across the country not sure of where they were going and what they would find when they got there.

 We recently traveled back to Fernwood, Idaho to help the congregation celebrate 60 years of being served by Village Missions.  Throughout the weekend I marveled at how God led us to such a place, without our knowing, where we would be so nurtured in our Christian walk.  I thanked Him that a church with little “glitz and glamour” had gotten it right in being the body of Christ to a couple who needed their ministry.

Click here to see pictures and reflections of our personal journey.

 Click here to see pictures of Fernwood’s 60^th Anniversary.

Each year for the past several years, Village Missions Canada has held a fund raising dinner in Red Deer, Alberta.  Former Village Missionaries Murray and Deb Graham do much of the work in putting on this dinner with help from some of the surrounding Village Missionaries.  These dinners are critical to the funding of Village Missions Canada, as we are somewhat low on regular, monthly donors.

Then, over the weekend, Carole and I had the privilege of visiting our field in Alder Flats, AB, where Sam and Mary Hayford serve.  Sunday we traveled to Rich Valley, AB to preach and to visit Village Missionaries Chris and Naomi White.

To see pictures and learn more click on the following links:

Red Deer Donor Dinner June 2010.

Visit to Alder Flats June 2010.

Visit to Rich Valley Community Church.

Village Missions made the painful decision to eliminate its annual staff conference following the conferences in 2008.  But Village Missionaries have still been getting together for smaller, regional conferences.  These conferences, generally organized by the District Representatives, have been made possible by Peace Haven Ministries, local churches, and individual donors who recognize the need for missionaries to get away for a time of renewal and refreshment.

In between visits to Indiana and Alberta, Carole and I had the time to take in part of the Southwest District’s Summer Connection.

The United States Board at its spring 2010 meeting voted to start setting aside money for a staff conference in a few years.  In the meantime, these mini-conferences are meeting a great need.  If you would like to help toward a staff conference, you can find a link on this page.

 You can see pictures and read about the conference here.

 If you would like to see pictures of the beautiful Graeagle area, including a picture of a bear we saw while on a walk you can click here.

Carole and I had the privilege of attending Liberty Chapel’s 175^th anniversary on June 13, 2010.  However, it was an anniversary that almost wasn’t, for in 1982 the church, like so many rural churches, came perilously close to closing.

 In 1982, the congregation learned of Village Missions and its ministry of keeping country churches alive.  Village Missions would assign a Village Missionary and provide salary support so that he and his family could live and minister in the area full time.  The church, located four miles northwest of Crawfordsville, Indiana requested leadership from Village Missions.  In May 1982, Village Missions assigned Pastor Allen and Ramona Sparks.  Ramona died suddenly and unexpectedly a few months later (I remember hearing the news on a Sunday morning on our field in Iowa).  After some time Pastor Allen married Diane and they have ministered at Liberty Chapel ever since.

 The Lord blessed and the church grew in numbers and spiritual health.  Village Missions supplemented Pastor Allen’s salary until 1991.  Groups, especially youth groups, have ministered in several locations throughout the country, especially at fields served by Village Missions.  Jeremy and Mindi Sarver came from Liberty Chapel and are now serving with Village Missions in Volga, Iowa.

Dick Chastain relates how Liberty Chapel heard about Village Missions here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1azFvwCfAs

You can hear Jon, Sarah, and Kate Sparks sing “God Is My Shepherd” at the celebration here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UawM3QrojE

You can see pictures I took of the anniversary here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=180189&id=604744023&l=f3af29b80e

You can read an article about the celebration in the Journal & Courier newspaper here: http://www.jconline.com/article/20100605/LIFE07/6050308/-Cornfield-church-celebrating-175-years

In the aftermath of the Gulf Oil spill, we have learned of corruption on almost every level.  It seems that BP cut corners to make a profit.  For example, its disaster plan was barely repackaged from a disaster plan for Alaska that spoke of saving walruses and seals.  Amazingly, the Gulf plan included rescuing walruses!  Evidence exists that basic safety practices were violated although they knew extremely high pressure existed within the well.  Pressure to make a profit and speed up production overcame the pressure that was ready to explode.

Government oversight was no better and perhaps much worse.  Former employees or even individuals who would be future employees of the oil companies oversaw the safety and procedures involved in drilling.  Apparently, they had little time to do so, as “work” involved computer pornography, sexual liaisons, and enjoying the many favors granted them by the oil companies.  Inspections on the oil rigs were mere cursory glances in which the oil company filled out the paperwork in pencil and afterwards the inspector went over the form in pen.  The corruption transcended both Republican and Democratic administrations.  Whistle blowers were routinely fired.  Where else is the government on the job in such a way?

The oil spill is one more witness to the moral collapse of our country.  For those who favor increased government regulation and involvement, the government appears incapable of extricating itself from corruption and extreme inefficiency bordering on paralysis.  For those who favor less government intrusion, companies appear more than willing to cheat, steal, and do whatever it takes to make a profit even if wholesale disaster follows in the wake.

When the moral fabric of a society tears apart, no segment of that society is immune.  Unfortunately, not even the church is immune.  We would have had a fantastic opportunity to proclaim the Gospel in today’s society if the church had been a beacon of integrity.  Instead, pastors such as Ted Haggard and materialistic Christian organizations designed to make their leaders rich are part of the downward slide to moral anarchy.

Although by far most Village Missionaries conduct themselves with integrity, and we have high standards within the administration, even some Village Missionaries fall far short.  Recently I had to dismiss a missionary for behavior that reflected the deepest depths of depravity.  Our three enemies, Satan, the world, and our flesh, gain great power and influence when all morality is in ruin.  None of us is immune or incapable of embracing depravity.

The answer must lie first in resolving to make integrity our priority, nurtured by an intimate walk with Jesus Christ.  At every candidate school, my final challenge to the candidates is a sermon from I Thessalonians 2:1-13.  Reread this passage to see how committed Paul was to integrity in the ministry.  Most of us, because of the nature of the Village Missions’ ministry, will have many opportunities to live out that integrity before people within our community.  We of all people must model integrity.

Second, we must renew our focus on winning people to Christ and discipling them to be committed followers.  Although some believers bear false witness to the Gospel by their corrupt lives, the Gospel is still true.  Jesus Christ does change lives and He does enable us to live lives of integrity.  He is the only answer in our collapsing world.

Finally, we must pray.  The oil spill is only one witness to the devastation a moral collapse causes.  We may indeed be approaching the end times and inevitable moral collapse before Jesus comes, but even so souls need to be won to Christ and Christians need to stand with integrity.  We have seen in Village Missions entire communities transformed by the power of the Gospel.  Pray that Christians in government, business, and in all walks of society might have lives that are testimonies of uprightness.  Pray that they will have the courage to speak and stand against the corruption.  And pray for Village Missions, that all of us might be powerful testimonies to the sufficiency of Jesus Christ to transform our lives and enable us to live lives of integrity.

I have read and reread 2 Corinthians as I have thought about how to handle the wounds, the blows, and the heartaches that often are associated with ministry.  If any letter provides a perspective that prevents ministry wounds from becoming life threatening or chronically debilitating to ministry, it is 2 Corinthians.  Paul, who is “loved less the more he loves” (2 Cor. 12:15), has a perspective that enables him to emerge victorious from the most hurtful of battles.  How can that be?

In my last blog I wrote that Paul understood that ministry would involve stress and frustration.  Satan battles for men’s souls (2 Cor. 2:11; 4:4) and the battle will often be intense.  In addition, Paul did not play it safe by being reserved in his emotions toward those who might hurt him.  Paul continued to love the Corinthians even as they often rejected his love.  He also ministered with integrity, never having to do battle with his conscience in addition to his enemies.

I believe, however, that the critical perspective that enabled Paul to be hurt without becoming devastated was his understanding of his identity in Christ. A key verse that summarizes what Paul expresses throughout the letter regarding his identity in Christ is 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.”

We overlook the full meaning of this verse if we think it simply means that someone changes when he or she comes to Christ.  The context (2 Cor. 5:12-16) makes clear that a radical change takes place in who we are and how we view ourselves.  I am a “new creature” whose entire orientation to Christ, to myself, and to others has changed.  I was out of Christ before but now I am “in Christ.”  Because I am in Christ, I have died with Him and now live with Him.  I live or should live, not for myself, but “for Him who died for them and rose again.”

How well we know this verse and how little we apply it!  Note how Paul understands the reality of being in Christ throughout this letter!  The sufferings he experiences are not his but are the “sufferings of Christ” (2 Cor. 1:5).  God “always leads us in triumph in Christ” and because we are in Christ He “through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place”  (2 Cor. 2:14).  Some react positively to that fragrance (aroma of life) and some negatively (aroma of death) but the reaction is to His fragrance not ours.

When Paul is “hard-pressed”, “perplexed”, “persecuted” “struck down”, Paul is not undone because as he moves from hardship to hardship he carries with him the “dying of Jesus” (2 Cor. 4:8-10).  The wrong done to Paul is wrong done to Jesus and is part of Christ’s suffering that extends beyond the cross. Paul responds to the wrong as one having been raised with Christ. The more he does so, the more the life of Jesus manifests itself in him. He does not “lose heart” because any dying he experiences is more than overcome by strengthening in the inner man (2 Cor. 4:16). Christ absorbs the blows of ministry, yet the “light-affliction” produces for us an “eternal weight of glory “(2 Cor.4:17).

Paul confronts those who are in error at the close of this letter. Either they will repent or he will have to deal with them during his third visit. But it will not be Paul but Christ who they will face.  He reminds them: “For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you” (2 Cor. 13:4).

Jesus does not want us to experience those blows, nor as new creatures should we, if we live in the reality of who He has made us to be. He is perfectly willing and able to continue dying and living His resurrection life in us and through us. Somehow, He is able to absorb all the hurtful blows involved in ministry and yet use them for our eternal glory. Knowing this and living this enabled Paul not to ever lose heart. Knowing this and living this will enable us never to lose heart.  We may be struck down but we will never be destroyed!