Wandering Priest » Prayer

Seven Friends

Doug — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 19:10:50 +0000

This week marked our annual Mission Agency Leaders retreat. We met near Henryville, IN and saw the scenes of destruction from the recent tornado that hit down there. Many of the volunteers stayed at the retreat center where we stayed, and it was good to see those wanting to make a difference. Most of them were church groups. Have you ever noticed how often it is the Christians who respond with rapidity and staying power to disasters, poverty, lack of clean water, and hunger? And how little those who continually harp against Christianity contribute to such needs?

The seven of us who gathered for the non-agenda event included Laura Clancy (New Mission Systems Intl), Rick Jett (International Disaster Emergency Services), Doug Lucas (Team Expansion), Greg Pruett (Pioneer Bible Translators), Mike Schrage (Good News Productions Intl), Tony Twist (TCM International), and me (CMF International). We began our get together hearing from Bob Russell, former minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, speaking to us about transitions and responding to our questions about the state of Christianity with his usual humble demeanor.

We really have no agenda other than encouraging one another, praying together, and sharing what is happening in our organizations. I noted that we laughed more at this retreat than any other one we have had. Not because the subjects were funny, but because the trust level between us has lowered our defenses and we just enjoy being together.

I was thrilled to hear of what each of these organizations is doing to advance the Kingdom of God. The next time we’ll be together is at the North American Christian Convention in Orlando, FL. Come and see us there!

Philadelphia Church Visit

Doug — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:29:07 +0000

This past Sunday Robyn and I attended the church our daughter and son-in-law (Nicole and Greg) are attending in Philadelphia. The church is called “Christ Church” and it is right down in the historical section of town (think Liberty Bell, Constitution, etc.). The church was established in 1695, and the current building was completed in 1744!

Here are some quotes from the back of the bulletin about the church: “Often referred to as ‘the Nation’s Church,’ or ‘the Patriot’s Church,’ Christ Church was frequently visited in the Revolutionary era by members of the Continental Congresses, Washington’s troops, and the Constitutional Convention.” “Seven signers of the Declaration of Independence are buried in the groups, and it has counted as its members Benjamin Franklin … Betsy Ross … Andrew Hamilton … and George Washington.” Wow!

After all of these years, the Word continues to be proclaimed from these premises. We enjoyed participating in the Lord’s Supper in a high church environment.

BigDent.org

Doug — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 19:42:37 +0000

One of the best ways to address poverty is to use the “three-E-strategy.” One E is for evangelism, because Christ brings abundant life and offers hope for a better future. A second E is for education, because education helps us to see beyond ourselves and also is important is being able to secure the third E, employment. But how do the poor secure employment?

One answer is that they can receive loans, usually small loans, with which to start small businesses. Among slum dwellers, not a lot of money is required. Many people, all over the world, have been able to make a living once they have received a loan. A good book describing this process, called microlending, is Muhammad Yunnus’ book, Banker to the Poor.

In our work in Nairobi, Kenya CMF has a microfinance program, and the return rate for loans is a whopping 98%. These loans have all been made to the poor who live in the urban slums. Many have been able to change their lives due to the 27 hours of training that precedes the loan and the weekly follow-up meetings after the loan has been secured. Individuals form themselves into a group who meet together and who hold one another accountable.

Within the next week or so we will be live online so that potential donors can make a contribution to our microfinance program. They will be able to choose the one to whom they wish to make a loan, as well as the amount needed for the loan. They will be able to fund the entire loan or a portion of the loan. They will be able to know what business is being envisioned. And they will be able to immediately get their tax deductive receipt online.

Our site is called Big Dent because we believe that with a small gift you will be able to make a big dent in poverty.

Many microfinance programs leave out the all important spiritual component in their endeavors. We do not. In fact our program is but one aspect of a holistic ministry that involves health, schooling, justice, care for the environment, and Christian teaching. Prayer is a part of every group meeting.

Check it out: www.BigDent.org

Oregon Christian Convention

Doug — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:37:13 +0000

Last week I had the opportunity of bring four evening messages at the Oregon Christian Convention. This was the 158th year of the convention. I’ve been to the convention many times in my life; it is part of who I am. It was an honor to be asked to speak.

My title was Unfinished Agenda: His Commissions, Our Commission. I spoke on Creation Care, poverty, prayer, and the Great Commission. My aim was to show the our Lord gave many commissions, not just one (Mt. 28:18-20). The title for the final message was “The Greater Commission,” and my conclusion was to say that mission is all about relationships: our relationship with God, our relationship with others; and our relationship with Creation.

Robyn joined me for several days, and it was great to have time with my Oregon family: Mom and Dad, my two sisters and their husband, my aunt and uncle and cousin who hosted me.

Let’s Go Beyond

Patrick Gerber — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:41:46 +0000

In July 2010 the North American Christian Convention will be held in Indianapolis. The convention theme is “Beyond,” with the idea being we need to take our faith and practice far beyond what it is now. I’m privileged to be on the executive committee of this convention, and all of us pray for the convention at 2:10 p.m. each day. Here is a prayer I wrote for my own prayer time, thinking about the convention theme.

Where Was I God?

Lord, Creator of the universe, and the One who placed me upon this earth, Where have I been? Why am I only concerned enough now to read, just today, what a group of Roman Catholic Bishops wrote nearly twenty years ago, back in 1991 (!), and then after a year and a half of study (!!), about caring for the environment? Where was I God?

Where was I when my fellow brothers and sisters contracted HIV, but I ignored them, while focusing my Johnny-Come-Lately efforts on AIDS in Africa? Why was I, yet again, at least twenty years behind my more mainline denominational friends in talking about this issue? Did I not care? Where was I God?

I fully participated in a system that kept a man like me in pulpit and power, while at the same time denying my sisters even a taste of the same influence, let alone a full measure. Did I think I was better than they? Had I nothing to learn from Elizabeth Achtemeier, Elisabeth Fiorenza, or Elizabeth Elliot? Why did it take me so long to think and to even talk about this? Why did they find their home and acceptance in the World Council of Churches but not in the National Association of Evangelicals (or the NACC) for so long? Must one be an Episcopalian or a Presbyterian (bless them!) woman to preach? Where was I God?

Where have I been regarding diversity? Does spending much of my life in African and Asia exonerate me from having interaction in America who are not pasty white like I am? Why did I not write about this, (nor did any other for that matter) for the Christian Standard decades ago; the same time other Christians were writing on the subject for their denominational journals?

Lord, this is only a beginning. I haven’t even mentioned the disabled, the hungry, the poor, the homeless, the refugees – all of them your children. Nor have I spoken of my overconsumption in the face of these with next to nothing. Where was I God?

Forgive me Father, for I don’t think I was that close to you.

God, please, please take me beyond where I was … and am.