Mission Report 03/12/2012

Well, our team has arrived in Texas and we have had our first day of Spring Break Outreach to the community in the Rio Grande Valley. I would like to share with you some highlights of the trip as well as leave you with some prayer requests.

First, I would like to personally thank each and every one of you who have prayed for and financially supported this current endeavor. I would also like to personally send thanks to everyone who has participated with Psalm 67 Missions Network in the past. We praise God for the work that he has done along the US/Mexico border. We pray that this might continue and increase as the Lord allows. 

First, here are some highlights so far from this current endeavor:

• There were approximately 55 people in attendance for church this past week. After discussion with several following the service, there are at least three individuals that would like counsel regarding being baptized. There were several new attendees this week, including a retired Anglo couple from Mississippi who have relocated to a retirement community in the Valley.
• We had a total of 43 students and approximately 25 adults during the first afternoon/evening of VBS. Approximately 40% of those in attendance were new contacts for the congregation.
• The members of this current mission team visited many new neighborhoods and invited them to come. This brought about new attendees on Sunday as well as contact with approximately 3 families that are interested in connecting with the congregation.
• Through your generous giving, we were able to purchase approximately 400 copies of "For Your Joy" in Spanish. Current church members here report enjoying this resource and have cited that they are using copies of this resource to have Gospel conversations with their coworkers, family members, and amigos. In addition to this, we were able to purchase many other books and resource for the congregation.
• Sunday night we had a discussion on "what does the Bible say about Church Membership." Part of our meeting included watching a "Nine Marks of a Healthy Church" presentation (In Spanish) on the subject. The members in attendance were very much encouraged and would like to continue discussion on this topic.

Here are some prayer challenges for this week:

• The unity of our team. I know that this may seem small, but could you pray that we find Craig's camera? He would really like to have it to help him tell his story to others. He hasn't been able to locate it for a few days.
• Pray for a young man named Humberto. The Lord knows the need, and this is an urgent matter.
• Pray for the unity of the true believers. They are dealing with several issues that need to be addressed. It is very exciting to see the opportunity that they have to address several important issues and the Lord is showing us how he is graciously answering prayer.
• Billy and many others will be visiting the Language School today. Billy is going to be discussing with the school about an employment opportunity.

There is so much more to talk about. Feel free to post any questions or comments. We will try to stay in touch here and on Facebook. You can always follow Psalm 67 Missions Network on Google+, Facebook, or Twitter.

In all things...Christ preeminent!

Aaron

Every-member ministry

One of the many forgotten truths that we re-learned in the reformation was the fact that every member of the church is a minister and therefore has the charge to be faithful where they are today and right now.  Today was an opportunity for me to view this first hand.

The context was my sitting at a coffee shop (I know that you who know me are surprised), working on my sermon, sending e-mails, etc.  In to the coffee shop walked a business owner of a little boot shop next door. I knew this man because last year I went in to his shop with another Pastor to look at boots. Stop laughing! When we entered the store the owner, named Jaime, received us and asked us what we did for a living and how he might be a blessing to us. Jaime then prayed for us and the ministry and then we, in turn, prayed for him, his business and his ministry to the community.

Well, Jaime was now standing at the coffee bar waiting for three large coffees and next to him stood a young man for which he was buying the coffee. I walked up to Jaime and reintroduced myself and he immediately began to introduce me to the young man, we will call "Andy" who was with him. Jaime then began to talk with Andy about the goodness of God and the fact that though we may have many different "needs" in this world, that these are meant to point to us that the world cannot satisfy our greatest need and that is to receive forgiveness of our sin. Andy was agreeing with him and then the conversation switched to how we can pray for Andy and his family.  Turns out that Andy's mother is very sick and he is working to help support her. When then prayed for Andy that he might walk with Christ and that God would be gracious to his family.

Andy stated that he would like to come to church with me the next day, so we made a plan to get him there. When I asked how Jaime and Andy met each other, here is what I found out. Jaime, the business owner, walked out of his store-front business, saw two people working legitimately on the street. Jaime asked if he could please buy them something to eat or drink and then invited Andy to accompany him. It was then that they entered the coffee shop and the above conversation took place.

Two things.  Please pray for Jaime, Andy, and Andy's mother.

Second thing - here is a beautiful illustration of a boot-shop business owner being faithful here and now and being obedient, using what God has given him to be a blessing to others. You and I can and should be doing this. Whatever position God has put you in, teacher, police officer, soldier, waste-management specialist, secretary, homemaker, photographer, financial analyst, you and I can and should use every opportunity to do the very best you can for the good of all men that they might see your good works and glorify your Father, who is in Heaven!

In all things...Christ preeminent!

Aaron

Notes from C-group 02/09/2012

Yesterday started out as "one of those days" and not for any particular reason.  I know that you know what I am talking about here, it happens to everyone.  It is just a reminder once again that there is no wisdom in trusting in our "feelings" or our emotions because it will lead to instability and uncertainty.  All of that said, I knew that I was looking forward to meeting together for community group and was not disappointed in the least with our discussion.

First, a brief introduction as to "what is c-group?"  I have been asked this before and have commented and I think that this would be a good time to explain again.  If you are around our group long enough you will hear us say that we seek to be a "intentionally-intrusive, grace-driven, Christ-centered, redemptive community."  However this name can sound quite intimidating.  Each week we meet together, share our lives with each other, share a meal together, pray together, and discuss the Scriptures.  We do not have a sermon, or a "lesson" as such, but rather we seek to engage everyone.  We certainly welcome and encourage questions and deep discussion.

Last night was specifically engaging as we discussed the topic of "restoration" and "bearing one another's burdens."  I thought I would jot down some basic notes for those who were there and for those perhaps who were not able to make it last night.  Of course it would be silly to think that we could make an exhaustive list of notes, so please keep in mind that these are just some general ideas! Most of the information is taken from "Let's Study Galatians" by Derek Thomas. 

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.

(Galatians 6:1-6 ESV)

Here are some observations that we made specifically focused on the first verse - Galatians 6:1:

• Paul uses the term "brothers" nine times in the book and is doing so likely to communicate a warm affection for all of God's people, including those who are wrong in their actions and theology.
• "Sin not only affects the person who commits it; it offends the entire family." (146)
• Those who are "spiritual" should restore those who have been caught in any transgression
• Those who are "spiritual" are not necessarily those with titles or positions within the congregation, but all of those who "walk according to the Spirit" as Paul describes in Galatians 5. Remember - there are no "little" or "big people" in this world. 
• The aim is restoration and the manner is to be gentle.
• The Galatians, just like us today should be engaged in a "Jesus-like ministry."  In this ministry we all play a part.  We must lay aside our notions that there is a "chain of command" in the body of Christ.  We are all called to be instruments of redemption for the good of others.
• We should take note that Paul "is more concerned about addressing the manner and spirit of discipline than he is to say anything about the method." (148).  Paul was aware that it is easy to look down on others and to condemn others from a hypocritical point of view.

Finally, here are some points taken directly from page 148 that warn us about when we must engage int he process of correcting others.

• Addressing particular sins in others can awaken something that has lain dormant within us for some time.
• Recognizing that fellow Christians may sin in a particular way can lead us to excuse similar sins in our own lives, perhaps especially if the brother in question is known as a "mature" and "godly" Christina.  If so-and-so can do this, then so can I!
• The devil will seek to lessen the effectiveness of the restoration by ensuring that those engaging in the process of restoration are themselves guilty of similar transgressions.
• We are at our weakest when addressing the sins of another.  Self-righteousness and hypocrisy are close at hand in situations of this kind.
• We find condemnation easier than restoration and forgiveness.

There was a lot more to our discussion last night.  Perhaps I can follow up with some questions for reflection, but this is all for now! 

In all things...Christ preeminent!

Aaron



How do I prepare for future ministry?

This is an interesting question indeed. I started this post back in January and just now getting around to writing more about it. I have several thoughts on the subject, however for the sake of attention span and time, this post will be brief.

It might be easy to figure out what exactly we are meaning by "ministry." One of the common misconceptions that we have in our day and age is that there is such a great divorce between "ministry" and "daily living." This mindset can be very problematic and have terrible consequences in all areas of our lives. My friends, if you are a banker, you are called to the ministry of doing everything that you can to represent Christ through your integrity, through sacrificial living for the good of others, and being the very best, with Christlike attitude, seizing every moment of every day to live in such a way that Christ is seen as glorious. Another way of saying this is simply, you are called to "live out the Gospel" in every relationship. (I would personally suggest a really good study of the book of Galatians for further assistance with this).

Those things being said, every single believer, whether you are a high school student, doctor, public school teacher, mechanic, waste management specialist, police officer, fireman, computer programer, you are called to the ministry. Every single person who is called by Christ as one of His children, is "called into the ministry." Yes, there are some of those who are going to be "teachers of the Scripture" who are going to make their living by being supported by others, but this group of people in no way are doing anything different than what you and I should be doing. Their gifting and calling is simply different. When you and I realize this, it will free all of us to minister every day in whatever context we find ourselves.

Those items being said, what are some practical ways that you and I can prepare for this ministry for which God has called all of His children? First, God calls all of His children to seek Him first, and His righteousness. Our daily lives should be filled with prayer and radical holiness. Keep in mind what is holiness. Our example - The Lord Jesus Christ. I would suggest a good and complete study of his public ministry. Then ask yourself, questions such as "if I am to live like Christ, how does that work out in my life?" For instance, Christ did not seclude himself to studying the latest Piper book over coffee at Starbucks, going from there to a conference on indigenous world missions, to come home and then to debate others on theological correctness, then from one "fellowship" to another. (Please understand that this is obviously being overstated to paint a picture...I certainly believe that everything just mentioned, in their time and place, are good and profitable efforts). Christ DID spend so much time, not participating in the sin of the world, but he did spend time associating with those whom the world rejected as "lost causes" and "filthy" so much so that the "religious" wanted to kill him and made false accusations against him.

My final comment on this, with hope to follow up soon on other practical steps is this. If you and I want a recommendation on how to "live out the Gospel" then I can offer you and I no better book than the Gospels. I can offer you no greater example than the Lord Jesus Christ himself. There is no greater teacher than to take a long hard look at His life and ministry and then, by God's grace, walk in the reality of your identity as a follower of Christ.

In all things...Christ preeminent!

Aaron