Spring 2018
Encouraging people to enjoy the fullness of knowing, loving and becoming like
Jesus.
INSIDE: Our leadership shares all about our new mission and vision
A Vis i on for Ou r F u tu re by Pastor Stan Van Den Berg
Last November we celebrated our 30/60 anniversary; 60 years as a church and 30 years on Webb Road. It was a time to celebrate our past and the right time to ask ourselves, “Where do we go from here?” I wanted to ask the Lord for his vision for our church and ask him what he wanted Eastminster to look like. I did not want to undertake this important task alone, so I assembled a team that would pray and seek the Lord’s will and help discern a vision for our future. The team was made up of Kat Anderson, Wayne Becker, Denny Bender, Courtney Browning, Dick Gorham, Kathy Hammar, Joni Harrelson, Brooke Howell, Matt Jaderston, Susan Lear, Ben Marquez, Jane Silver, Mary Stephens and myself. This team was everything I hoped it would be. We earnestly prayed and sought the Lord. We trusted each other and valued the input each person shared. Everyone was respectful of the other, no agendas were pushed, and we moved forward in agreement on all the work we had done. We started last March. We reviewed the history of the church and the mandates of Scripture. We studied the demographics and psychographics of East Wichita, and listened for what the Spirit had to say to us. Our prayer was constantly this: “Lord, we only want what you want, we do not want it if you are not in it.” The first thing we did was establish our foundation. This was something that was not up for negotiation. In fact, it would inform everything else we did. Our foundations were the authority of Scripture, our Reformed Theology and our government of being ruled by a plurality of elders.
OUR FOUNDATION Scripture/Reformed Theology Plurality of Elders East Wichita EPC 2 Eastwind Newsletter
We also studied the demographics of East Wichita by drawing a five-mile radius around the church. The largest population group by raw numbers and percentage compared to national averages were people under 14 years old. This demographic needs to be a focus of ministry because it presents the greatest opportunity in our unique location. We also learned that half of the people in East Wichita are unchurched. Yet, when we read the psychographics, the most common answer people gave concerning their lives was, “I have a great life.” But half didn’t know Jesus. Our answer to this is there is a fuller life in Christ. Whatever vision we landed on, we had to speak to this culture because this is the unique location where God has placed us.
Our Values
We also articulated the church’s values and the values that would guide future decisions. The values had to be true of us, but also aspirational, meaning, these values were generally true of us, but we wanted to grow in them and use them to guide how we would conduct ourselves. These values are: GOD ABOVE ALL We are mindful of God’s glory in all we do and every decision we make. As demonstrated by • Excellent worship where God is exalted • Asking of ourselves – would this glorify God? Scripture: Isaiah 45:5, Ephesians 4:6, Romans 12:1 TEACHING FOR TRANSFORMATION We preach, teach and model the gospel of Jesus Christ for transformation of the heart and renewal of the mind As demonstrated by • Proclaiming the Word of God revealed in Holy Scripture, from a Reformed understanding • Being discipled through time in the Word in authentic relationship with other believers • Seeking to live a life filled and in fellowship with the Holy Spirit • Teaching that does not merely provide head knowledge but equips us to live what we learn • Transformative, lifelong learning at all ages Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, Colossians 3:16, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 8:1b, James 1:22
HIGH GRACE HIGH TRUTH We speak the truth to one another in grace. As demonstrated by • In our communication and actions with each other we will speak the truth and do so full of the grace and love of Christ • In our communication with the world, we will not shy away from the truth of Scripture but will be marked by compassion and love. Scripture: John 1:14, Ephesians 4:15 GENERATION TO GENERATION We value intergenerational relationships and an intergenerational church As demonstrated by • Equipping parents to make the home the center of discipleship • Encouraging our youth to participate in the full life of the church • Mentoring younger generations to walk with Christ in all of life Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-7, Psalm 145:4, 1 Timothy 5:2 GENEROUS RESPONSIBILITY We will be wise with human and material resources and abundantly generous with our time, talent and treasures As demonstrated by • Giving ourselves away for the sake of the gospel • Compassion toward the poor, oppressed and struggling • A faith-inspired sacrificial generosity that permeates all we do as we give with joyful hearts • Using our resources consistent with biblical wisdom Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 6:37-38, Luke 19:26, Matthew 25:23, Luke 16:10 WE ALL GO We are representatives of Christ wherever we go, demonstrating his love and ready to share the message of his hope As demonstrated by • Giving, sending and going to take this gospel to the ends of the earth, especially in those places where we are uniquely called Scripture: Acts 1:8, John 4:35 Could we come up with other values? Yes. But we restricted ourselves to six.
Our Disciple-Making Strategy
We also developed a strategy for how we would make disciples. It’s important for a new person to know how to connect with the church and for the church to know how we plan on making disciples. It should be simple enough for us to draw it on a napkin. Such a strategy is needed because
Grow
Worship
Serve
Go
• In most churches, 50% of worshippers do nothing other than worship • The two greatest barriers to involvement are, “I don’t know how” and “No one invited me.” Clear strategy removes these barriers. • Simplicity with strategy helps us screen out good programs that are an enemy to great programs Worship The main thing we do is worship. We have three worship venues which are all important to us. Since worship is the “main thing,” it needs to be done with excellence at all of our venues. We also believe it is possible to be one church and worship at three different times and in different styles. The important thing is that we see ourselves as one church bound together by a common faith and vision. Grow We also believe that people grow in their faith as they interact with God’s Word in authentic community with other believers. We believe this best happens in groups, whether they meet as mid-week Bible studies, or on Sunday mornings or in small groups located in homes. Our goal is to grow people in Grow Groups. (See Ben’s article on page 6.) Serve We also want people to serve in their area of gifting. As Christians we are most satisfied and fulfilled in the Christian life when we feel like we are doing something God designed us to do. So, we want everyone to serve the Kingdom of God in their way, either within the church or outside its walls, so that the kingdom of God is built up and expanded. GO The word “Go” captures our efforts to take the gospel to the nations he sends us and being representatives of the gospel wherever we are. Eastminster Church 3
The Marks of Discipleship
Eastminster is a church. The church is made of people, but we are not gathered as a church for no particular reason. As a pastor/shepherd of the church, it is my job to shape people into authentic followers of Jesus Christ. I cannot force any of you into this, but I can make sure I teach you God’s Word, and raise up others who can lead you in the ways of Christ. Towards this end, there are certain marks that I think characterize a follower of Christ. These are internal questions that a disciple can ask of himself/herself, or that a church can ask of its people; and if these things are happening in his/her life they will be well on their way to being a disciple of Jesus. These marks of a disciple are: I I I I I I I
revel in the Father’s grace connect daily with Jesus in Word and Prayer respond to the Spirit as he leads do life with others who point me to Jesus desire Jesus more than sin pursue justice and show mercy and walk humbly am investing in someone far from God
These marks are what we believe a growing disciple of Jesus does on a regular basis. The questions help us know if we are successful at discipleship. These things are also what we want our ministries/groups to encourage in our people. We believe these marks are important because every ministry and all teaching content should be designed to help shape outcomes in the lives of our people. Marks validate true mission success, not just attendance. They are the “quality control” in the church. They push us to think beyond information transfer as the goal of our teaching. And they help guide us in shaping ministry environments for better results. We can’t measure true spirituality, but if we are doing the marks, I am confident people are growing in their relationship with Christ and are truly becoming a disciple.
Our Mission
With our new vision, we are launching a new mission statement. Our former one was fine, it reflected what every church should be doing, but a mission statement really ought to be the marching orders for every person in the church and address the unique situation a local church finds itself in. Our new mission statement is: To encourage people to enjoy the fullness of knowing, loving and becoming like Jesus. This is something everyone in our church can do. It becomes our marching orders every week. It also addresses our unique
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Eastminster exists to encourage people to enjoy the fullness of knowing, loving and becoming like
Jesus.
situation because when we did our demographic studies, we discovered that half of East Wichita is unchurched, yet the psychographics revealed that the most common statement that East Wichitans said about their lives was, “I have a great life.” But there is a greater life, a fuller life in Christ. This is what our church has to offer the people in our part of the city and our new mission statement reflects this.
Our Vision
Vision answers the question of what we see for the future of Eastminster. Part of our future is predictable if we stay on the present course. Two-thirds of our members are over 65, so if we project the church 15 years into the future, it does not look good. That means we need to become younger and that is more than wishful thinking. The younger generation is drawn to authenticity and warmth. We can be that. They don’t like a lot of meetings and complicated decision making structures, so we can work on governing in a more efficient and less cumbersome manner. We also need to work at incorporating our young people into the full life of the church and connect them with older generations. This can be as simple as saying hi to people younger than you or making time to get to know them. Along with getting younger, we have a vision for our future where God is leading us to do some things that really matter. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are created for good works which God purposed beforehand for us to do. I believe God gives birth to churches for a reason. I believe he planted Eastminster to impact the city and the nations. As part of this purpose, our vision team concluded that there are “territories” that God has shown us and we are to take them for the gospel and his glory. These territories include: • Our families We see our families following Christ. We also believe the home is the primary place of discipleship for the next generation.
• Our neighborhoods Often, there are clusters of Eastminster members in particular neighborhoods throughout Wichita. We want to be intentional about mobilizing these groups so our neighbors are served and come to Christ. We also believe prayer walking is a key component of this. • A school close to the church (yet to be chosen) where the families and students in the school experience the help of the church and the witness of the gospel. • A neighborhood in need We will partner with an urban church to redeem the neighborhood. Currently we have identified the neighborhood served by Iasis Christian Center, near 11th and Minnesota. (Learn more on page 10.) • A church plant in Macedonia We are joining with other churches in our presbytery to see, by 2025, a growing, multiplying, evangelical church among Albanian speaking Macedonians (Muslim background believers) where there is none now. (Learn more on page 8.)
lives in a new direction where we whole-heartedly will follow Christ and experience his power working through us. The energy of the church needs focus. I believe our vision, our mission statement, and our marks help us do that. They point us in a direction where we grow in our relationship with Christ and make a difference in our world. This is the future the Session, the staff and I are leading the church into. It’s a future full of promise and a vision that we are confident comes from the Lord.
Maundy Thursday
March 29, 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary This service is great for kids and families as we remember the Last Supper in an interactive way. The evening includes worship, Communion and reflection. Child care for 0 – Pre-K available during the service. Faith & Sacraments Class Sunday, March 11, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; C-13/14 If your child has not joined in Communion before, but you believe they’re ready for this step, be sure to join us for our Faith & Sacraments class. It’s for families with kids Kindergarten and up. Lunch will be provided and child care is available. RSVP to Julie Pritchard at jpritchard@eastminster.org or 634.0337, ext. 2026.
• A church in Puerto Rico We want to partner with an EPC church in Puerto Rico to rebuild the church and its neighborhood that is still in disrepair following Hurricane Maria. We believe this is what God wants Eastminster to do in the next five to seven years. But repentance has to precede any of it. The Spirit’s power is preceded by prayer and repentance. In fact, as we worked for the last 10 months on our vision, the team kept coming back to the theme of repentance. This is why we have called the church to a season of repentance and fasting. It’s meant to orient our
Good Friday
March 30, 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary This traditional service includes music led by the Eastminster Chancel Choir and organ. Together we will remember Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross. (Child care for 0 – Pre-K available.) Eastminster Church 5
WE NEED EACH OTHER i nt rod uc i n g
GROW GROUPS Growin g Toge th e r by Ben Marquez // Director of Discipleship One of the most important lessons I have learned over the years regarding what it means to be a disciple of Jesus is that the quantity of knowledge is less an indicator of the maturity of a person’s faith as is their willingness to believe and obey what they actually do know. Take for example the apostle Paul’s words to the church in Thessalonica. He writes them saying, “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore, we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the inflictions that you are enduring.” (2 Thess. 1:3-4) The church at Thessalonica was very young. Paul and Silas are recorded in Acts 17 as staying there for three weeks during Paul’s second missionary journey, and, as a result of the labor, were joined by a number of Greeks and women. Shortly thereafter they were chased out of the city by a mob of jealous Jews. Yet, in such a short time, this young church had been commended by the great apostle himself for their growing faith. One could argue that a persecuted church will always be positioned to mature in their faith at a greater rate than a church that is not under persecution. This is the case because the consequences of being a part of a persecuted church are immediate, meaning the threat is always imminent, and this requires a person to have confidence in the message of the gospel at all times. At the same time, the necessity of the church, that is, the necessity of having other believers at your side through persecution, brings about greater comfort and
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conviction in times of suffering. Those who are suffering for the sake of righteousness, as they were in Thessalonica, need one another. They need to gather together to remind one another of what God has said, to comfort one another, and to call others to Christ (or back to him) in these times.
The Fruit of Corporate Repentance
Back in January Pastor Stan led our church through a short season of corporate repentance, prayer and fasting. In the 15 years I have been in full-time ministry this was the first time I have participated in some form of corporate repentance and fasting. This was an amazing experience, not only for me, but for our church. In my reflections I noted two reasons why I believe this was such a great experience for our church. The first reason was because our repentance exposed our pride, revealed our powerlessness, and brought forth humility. The church in America, of which Eastminster is no exception, is regularly tempted to measure her success by the amount of resources she has at her disposal, her ability to draw a crowd on Sunday mornings or by the amount of activity going on in any given week. While this road is always paved with good intentions, it is full of human activity and often with little reliance upon the Spirit’s power to accomplish the work. Following our season of repentance, I heard stories of how God used this time of repentance to humble many in our congregation and caused them to consider the true source of his power, namely, the mercy of Christ. In this short season our church was reminded again that we who were once dead in sin and trespasses were made alive in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is all too easy for us to forget that God is not interested in what we can do for him, rather, he is always directing us to consider what he has done for us through
Christ. Through our repentance and fasting, the Spirit was at work to remind us that without him we are nothing, and this is what we needed to hear. The second reason this was such a great experience for our church was because we did it together. The very nature of the church is that she is a corporate body, a living body! I believe this is why the persecuted church is such a great encouragement and example to the worldwide church. When one of them suffers, all of them suffer. They feel each other’s pain, and they provide one another with comfort through affliction. They know they are rendered powerless before their accusers, causing them to trust in the power of God all the more, finding even greater solidarity with one another. While we are not under any threat of persecution, I do believe that our corporate repentance helped to build solidarity within our own congregation. Together we learned we are nothing. Together we learned we are guilty. Together we learned what that old hymn taught us, “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling. Naked come to Thee for dress, Helpless look to Thee for grace.” It is one thing when an individual comes to recognize this, it is another thing when a congregation does. In light of God’s work through corporate repentance, my hope for Eastminster is that our congregation would fully embrace our new mission statement to encourage people to enjoy the fullness of knowing, loving and becoming like Jesus. In order for us to do this we will need to renew and invigorate the purpose of our discipling efforts and our commitment to grow together.
Discipleship = Grow Groups
As it relates to discipleship, one of our church’s new core values is Teaching for Transformation, and one of our marks of discipleship states, “we do life with others who point us to Jesus.” In the wake of this new season in the life of Eastminster, we are going to make a shift in our language about how we encourage one another in the participation of the discipleship ministries of the church. In the past you could participate in Sunday school, small groups, Bible studies, women’s ministries, men’s groups or Wednesday night classes. None of these things will cease to exist, but the abundance of titles and categories will. From now on all our discipleship opportunities will simply be known as Grow Groups. As always, we’ll encourage all members at Eastminster to participate in a Grow Group. Whether your Grow Group meets in a home, on Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, whether your group is big or small, or whether you’re in high school or a part of women’s ministry, we want you to encourage others to be a part of a Grow Group. Some of you may be asking, “Why the change?” The answer is simple. We believe that adopting the common
language of Grow Group will point us back to the reason all these groups exist in the first place, which is reflected in our value of Teaching for Transformation and doing so with others who will point us to Jesus. We meet in our Grow Groups to learn from God’s Word with other believers for the purpose of being transformed. This means that every person in your Grow Group is there to be transformed by the Word of God and is there to help point someone else towards Jesus.
On Mission, Together
After Paul commended the Thessalonians for their growing faith, encouraging them for their perseverance through suffering, and then correcting some of their confusion surrounding the second coming of Jesus, he wrote these words, “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” (2 Thess. 3:13-15) Many today would find the apostle’s words too harsh, yet experience tells us that only a person who loves you will speak to you with such clarity. Paul is clear that good works and obedience to God’s commands are the marks of discipleship and that every member of the church has an obligation to point one another to the truth. Pastor Stan has done this for us on a corporate level by leading us in repentance. He is now calling us to continual repentance by remaining committed to one another by regularly participating in a Grow Group. We do this because each of us has a part in carrying out the mission that Jesus has called us to fulfill. Every church has its challenges. The church in Thessalonica was under pressure and persecuted, yet they persevered. Paul gave thanks to God for their great faith amidst suffering, and though the church still had much to learn, they trusted and obeyed the word of the Lord as delivered to them by Paul. Here at Eastminster, we have not been harmed physically, but I do believe the Lord has wounded our pride. This has been a challenge to me personally, and I trust it has been a challenge for many of you. I could not be more grateful for this experience because through it the Lord has shown Eastminster that he still loves us, and he still has much work in store for us. I am praying for the Lord to help our church as we move forward with our new mission and vision. I would ask that each of you discuss these matters in your Grow Groups and then ask the Spirit to give the humility and the courage it takes to be a church that encourages people to enjoy the fullness of knowing, loving and becoming like Jesus! >> To find a group visit eastminster.org/groups, or see the Guide at church kiosks. Eastminster Church 7
GO Local: Iasis Community Center Rick Hilscher Eastminster Local & US Missions Urban Outreach Team Lead The day after my second retirement from Boeing, Pastor Stan asked me to meet with Pastor Bill Vann and him to discuss helping Iasis finish their community center building. God definitely had a plan for the next few months in my life and its been a real spiritual roller coaster for Bill and me. Even this morning, Bill and I agreed via text that, “God has led us to the point that we are totally dependent on him now for progress.” We agreed to just keep praying. The previous day we had hit another seemingly impenetrable roadblock. The main event in our upcoming Saturday volunteer work day was at risk of being cancelled because the gymnasium wall design could not be approved in time. Fifteen minutes after that text Bill called me praising God. The Wichita city engineer had called him and we were scheduled to meet them at 10:30 to discuss the wall design. Two hours later Bill and I walked out of their office with two minor tasks to complete and their approval to keep going. That’s the way every week has been since this partnership began. At that time Pastor Bill admitted that he was “burned out and stressed out” over the endless roadblocks. Our work together has been an exercise in prayerful anticipation
of God’s provision as much as anything else. And God has responded in a BIG way. Contractors who had been AWOL for weeks suddenly showed up and unfinished work was getting done. That momentum energized other contractors. Volunteers stepped up from both churches and made our first work weekend a huge success. Pastor Bill’s evaluation was “it was fantastic, couldn’t be more pleased with it, just great job all the way around.” It is clear that evil forces have been hard at work to impede the progress of the Iasis Center dream from its beginning two years ago. God is overcoming those forces, though, and will make this community center a reality. We believe that the center will receive its occupancy permit within the next six weeks. Then the Iasis ministry to a forgotten neighborhood will expand in a big way and Eastminster will be there supporting them and learning about grass roots inner-city ministry to some of the forgotten people in Wichita. Bill told us of a family last week that is living in his neighborhood this winter without heat and running water. We have no idea how in need some people are in this city. Praise God that he is awakening Eastminster to this opportunity for serving and sharing the gospel as we partner with Iasis. May we humbly approach this need and gratefully share in this ministry.
Ann Ramseyer Eastminster Local & US Mission Council Elder Have you ever noticed that people working in missions use A LOT of initials? These may be clear to those working on those projects, but it seems like another language to the rest of us at times! I have had the blessing to volunteer at Iasis with their Academy of Excellence (AOE) for several years. However not until Bill Vann, pastor at Iasis church, came to speak to the Grow Your GO Wednesday night class did I ever know what those letters meant. At that class, Bill told us about when he took over this ministry from his mother, who was pastor before him. He renamed it Iasis, which is Greek for healing. Our English word oasis comes from this word. Those letters are packed with meaning! Our church has partnered with Bill and his wife, Michelle, in their ministry through our Local and US Missions
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Council partners, The Academy of Excellence (a children’s Wednesday night youth group) and through Bill’s ministry with Urban Young Life (a Young Life group that meets at Iasis and is led by Bill and Michelle). Through this work, we have been blessed to see the many ways Bill and Michelle and their church are working on ministry to their church’s neighborhood. We have had the opportunity to partner with Bill in completing his dream of a community center. Bill has worked several years in increasingly difficult circumstances to complete a center where this neighborhood can meet together, play together, worship together, pray together, and heal (as in Iasis) together. It has been our privilege to work with Bill to complete this dream, with many Eastminster volunteers donating their time to help. But our partnership won’t end there. We will have the continuing opportunity to partner with Bill as he reaches out to this urban neighborhood in ministry and in friendship. There is much we can learn from Bill as we work on redeeming Wichita and much in which we can help him. Sign up for the GO e-newsletter and watch for ways you can join in. The Lord is guiding us and definitely blessing us as we build our partnership with Bill and Michelle at Iasis.
Pastor Bill Vann Senior Pastor at Iasis Christian Center
I had made several connections with the elders and pastors at Eastmintser through Young Life, the pastors prayer gathering, as well as other events. It was refreshing to see a church who didn’t have a takeover mentality but a let us help you do what you do better in the community you serve mentality! God has done and continues to do incredible things through this partnership by bringing in much needed resources, people and skill sets into a community that is rapidly becoming a throw away community. God laid on my heart that we didn’t need more steeples and stained glass church buildings in the community but rather a gathering place that has a multi-faceted use. “The Center” as we call it will give us the place and space to bring resources back into the neighborhood that are specific to the needs and demographics of under-resourced communities in a way that empowers the people of that community. Iasis, which means healing, we believe has been commissioned by God to bring about spiritual, social, physical and economic change within a six block radius of our church. We are not looking to change the world but if we can minister effectively within our target zone we believe we will change a generation which can potentially change a nation, and eventually the world for the kingdom of God!
It can be incredibly challenging to stand in front of people to try and encourage them when you are discouraged yourself! Or to help them remain faithful when your own faith is wavering. That’s the way the last six months have been for me as a pastor until God connected Iasis and Eastminster together. Eastminster Church 11
Generation to Generation Matt Jaderston // Director of Student Ministries
I can remember my first week as a youth minister at Eastminster. I was overwhelmed, in over my head, and learning through trial by fire. Six years later, I see the fruit of staying committed to a church family over an extended period of time. Through interim pastors, staff turnover and new mission statements, we have always had a steady consistency in our youth ministry, which I believe is the catalyst behind the sustainable growth we’ve been blessed to see. Recently, I was having coffee with a recent college graduate who had plans to go into youth ministry. He asked me, “What is your philosophy of youth ministry?” This was a great question. It brought me back to a meeting I had with a mentor who taught me that our philosophy flows out of our theology, which lends itself to methodology. In other words, who God is and what he is doing should guide us to join in the work the Holy Spirit is already doing in our midst. One of my mentors and professors at Fuller, Chap Clark, has influenced me in my philosophy of youth ministry. My paradigm for youth ministry shifted when he introduced the word “adoption” as a way to frame the way we think about youth ministry. Adoption is a metaphor in Scripture we see the Apostle Paul illustrate in Ephesians 2:19, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also member of his household.” Chap Clark writes in his book Adoptive Youth Ministry, “In Christ, we are not only called God’s children, but we also are God’s adopted children…The metaphor of family provides the theological framework for how we live together as God’s people.”1 This metaphor changes the way we look at ministry in a practical way, and I would suggest it changes the way we look at ministry to students in the church. During Kara Powell and Brad Griffin’s lecture on churches growing young, Kara noted, “Churches that aren’t shrinking and aging are growing in involving and retaining young people (ages 15-29) which brings overall vitality to the whole church.”2 There is no debate whether young people are the future generations
of this church, but perhaps we could take this step further by viewing them as a priority when we discuss how we do church.
Theology of Youth Ministry
Youth ministry is not a means to an end. What I mean by this statement is what Dean suggests in Starting Right when she writes, “Approaching youth ministry from the perspective of practical theology assumes that youth are called to take part in every practice of the Christian ministry, to participate in the total mission of the church…”(19). We are not ministering to young people to accomplish an agenda, but instead, we are bringing youth into the family of faith. Youth ministry as defined by Andrew Root, is “the ministry of the church that seeks to participate in God’s action with and for a culturally identified group called adolescents.”3 In his book, he warns against valuing doctrine over what God is doing in the present, suggesting we create a false dichotomy when we pit doctrinal vs. relational. Therefore, the way in which we think theologically about youth ministry lends itself to relationships that draw us into communities where faith can mature. We were made to be image bearers of God for certain things: Worship, Authority and Power. The problem is when sin enters the picture and distorts these purposes and pushes us away from our original purpose. The good news is that God entered into the picture in order to redeem our failure to live out the way God intended us to live. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus he has given us a new trajectory towards life. God is making all things new as the kingdom is already here but not yet fully realized. This plays into our understanding of adolescence through the three things we were made for: Worship—Identity, Authority— Autonomy, Relationships—Belonging.4 The trajectory of ministry, therefore, should be to inviting adolescents into the life of shalom, helping them discover their true identity in Christ. This creates a methodology built on the foundation that Christ came to meet us in the midst of our brokenness and provided hope for the hopeless.
Transitions and Abandonment
Early on in Chap Clark’s book, Hurt 2.0, he argues that the adults who should be taking on the role of helping
Clark, Chap. Adoptive Youth Ministry: Integrating Emerging Generations into the Family of Faith. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2016. Page 17 Powell, “Growing Young” lecture at YS convention 3 Root, Andrew. Taking Theology to Youth Ministry. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan;, 2012. 4 Chap Clark YS convention lecture: Hurt 2.0 5 Clark, Chap. Hurt 2.0: Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011. 1 2
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adolescents transition to adulthood have abandoned them.5 He makes a strong argument suggesting that in general adults have abandoned adolescents and are largely unaware they are doing so. When parents have expectations and they claim their teen is not living up to their potential, he suggests it is the most destructive parenting that thrives on manipulation and shame. What happens is teens inevitably have to put on multiple selves and put their true self and their own journey aside while they adapt the expectations of adults. The key word here is “adapt,” which suggests it is the role of the teen to meet these expectations. One of the factors that has brought this on is what Clark suggests in his lecture, “When we focus on conformity, performance, and image in order for our kids to feel blessed and cared for, we are abandoning them to the journey they are on and saying to them adapt to our expectations, keep up the façade.” If this is the culture that is propagated by adults, there is an increasing need to adapt or “survive” in various settings while success is measured by performance and not character. This leads into how we consider emerging adults (1825) as they enter what Jeffrey Arnett calls enter into a “holding tank” of sorts in that they foresee adulthood as something rigid or intimidating and wait before becoming interdependent.6 A compartmentalization takes place for many emerging adults as many lock their identities away while they meet the demands and chaos of college.7 Clydesdale considers the lock box as something that “protects religious identities, along with political, racial, gender, and civic identities, from tampering that might affect their holders’ future entry into the American cultural mainstream.”8 There is an even greater need to come alongside emerging adults who are struggling do discover their identity in a likely hostile environment. Thinking about an emerging adult context means seeing the big picture, which considers the entirety of their development. One implication for ministry is the need to provide holistic ministry to families as a whole unit and to express the necessity of turning the tide of abandonment. Another would be finding adults who are willing to invest in the lives of young people and providing a community where this happens on a consistent basis. Powell and Griffin suggest moving from the 1:5 ratio of adult to students, to 5:1, where each student has five caring adults among the church family to invest and care for them. These adults would need proper training and a heart to care for teens while having a church culture that values adolescents/emerging adults.
The youth workers’ role would need to address the roots of the problem rather than provide blanket youth programs that simply encourage this multiple selves behavior that we are warring against. The importance of understanding adolescent development cannot be overstated. This is not to suggest programs are bad, but if there is not an understanding of the issues under the surface then I think we can sometimes do more harm than good.
Generation to Generation
“Growing young isn’t just about youth ministry changes, but it’s about changing church culture.”9 - Kara Powell So what is my philosophy of youth ministry? To summarize, I believe holistic church ministry to students needs empowered adults to who adopt students into the family of faith through warmth and hospitality, and foster a safe community for questions of doubt and critical thought. I would suggest this only happens when we are relational in our approach, an intentional community marked by hospitality and adoption, that asks big questions, and creates space for high school and college students to find a place that meet them where they are. It also means inspiring young people not to be consumers, but to participate in mission Dei, and inviting them on the journey of walking daily with Jesus. I believe it begins by considering how an attractional program that perpetuates a consumer mentality is not the answer, but rather, it is creating a culture of hospitality and adoption. I could not have asked for a greater start to my calling in ministry than working at a place like Eastminster where young people have always been valued. Our value Generation to Generation speaks to importance of connecting believing adults with young people who are desperate for mature followers of Jesus to invest in their lives, and I would ask you to consider how you could join in this endeavor.
Arnett, Jeffrey Jensen. Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens through the Twenties. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. Clydesdale, Timothy T. The First Year out Understanding American Teens after High School. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007. 8 Clydesdale, 8 9 Powell “Growing Young” Lecture at YS convention 6 7
Eastminster Church 13
We All GO: How to Share Your Faith by Pastor Warren Snyder
If the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news then why is it so hard to talk with people about it? You know what I mean. Getting over the sweaty palms, the nervousness, not knowing how to bring it up. Eight years ago I looked back over my life and realized that I had not shared the gospel with anyone for a long time. How many credentials does it take for you to share your faith, Warren? I have a Master of Divinity degree from Denver Seminary. I have been called by God to serve him. I have served in different churches off and on over a span of 30 some years. And yet I was keeping quiet about Jesus to my friends, neighbors and the world. Shame on me! I had no excuse. As a minster who is called by God to share the Good News I had to get with it. So, how did I go from being quiet and scared to sharing the gospel with courage and full conviction? Romans 12:2b says, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Normally, we believe if we want to change our behavior then we change our belief system. However, it is oftentimes true that real transformation comes about from a change in behavior first. David Meyers illustrates that concept well. If a church group was meeting in a country that put Christians to death and militants burst in and asked people to stand up if they believe in Jesus then you can be sure that those who stand up are true believers. We tend to believe in those things that we are willing to stand up for. I could no longer say that I believed in evangelism, I had to go out and do it. There are several steps to take in order to share your faith with courage and boldness. FIRST, decide on your gospel presentation. I make it easy on myself. I use a tract from Evangelism Explosion. I give one to the person I am talking with and I use one for myself. Then I go through the tract page by page, step by step. In order to gain practice you can do this with someone you know. Role play with them. You take the initiative to go through the tract (or share your faith story, or whatever method you choose), then let them go through it with you. This gets you started in the process. This takes you from thinking about sharing the gospel to speaking it. It is HUGE! My family and I enjoy serving at the gospel trunks during Trunk or Treat because it enables us to get in the practice of speaking to people we don’t know about Jesus. Once you have come up with your gospel presentation then SECOND, ask God to bring people into your life who don’t know him. It may be your neighbor, or a friend, or
14 Eastwind Newsletter
someone from work, or people at the school where your children attend, or your attorney, or insurance agent. If you are going to buy a service or product from someone then they are going to listen to you explain to them the greatest news they have ever heard. THIRD, start praying for that person or those people. Ask God to soften their heart. Ask God to give you the humility of Jesus. FOURTH, go with someone who shares his or her faith. If you would like to be mentored in this then give me a call at the church. I am excited about Eastminster’s plans to reach out to our own neighbors as part of our vision to “take the land” the Lord gives us for the gospel. Soon you’ll hear more about how we can team up with Eastminster neighbors to care for and reach the neighborhoods where we live. Don’t get discouraged by thinking a transformation in your heart for evangelism will happen over night. It took me five years to get to the point where I could overcome my fear and share the good news with courage and boldness. I am at the point where I believe a person’s relationship to God is the most important issue people will face. I feel compelled to share with folks. As an ordained minister I am commanded to evangelize. In 2 Timothy 4:5 Paul commands Timothy to “do the work of an evangelist.” Everyone usually wants to know the results of God’s work. In the last three years I have asked approximately 15 people about their relationship to God. Out of those 15, five have committed his or her life to Jesus and now live with him for eternity. Also, when I have the privilege of performing a funeral my message is a gospel presentation. We don’t always know where the person who died was in their faith, but we can give those who are still here an opportunity to accept God’s offer. If I can help you encourage others to enjoy the fullness of knowing, loving and becoming like Jesus, please contact me at the church. I would love to help in any way I can.
>> Warren can be reached at wsnyder@eastminster.org or 634.0337, ext. 2004.
EASter at Eastminster
sunday, april 1 8 | 9:30 | 11:15 a.m.
THE OTHER HALF OF THE STORY In every epic tale, there comes a point where things hang in the balance. Sleeping beauty is under a spell. Gandalf seems to be gone forever and Frodo left on his own. Dorothy wakes up alone in a strange land. George Bailey thinks all hope is lost and wishes to die. But these stories don’t stop there. If they did, they wouldn’t be stories at all. The best stories rise out of the ashes of seemingly hopeless situations. The same is true of Easter – it doesn’t end with Jesus on the cross. The other half of the story is one of life, resurrection and hope. Join us April 1 to hear the other half of the story.
WE ALL GO – ESPECIALLY AT EASTER
We are committed to seeing the city of Wichita transformed for the gospel. We know that at least half of Wichita doesn’t know Jesus. But we also know most people are more open to coming to church at Easter than almost any other time of the year. You can share the hope of the gospel by inviting friends, neighbors and co-workers to join you at Eastminster on Easter Sunday. We’ve provided several tools to make inviting easy.
INVITATION TOOLS
• Invite Cards Invite cards are available in the pews and around the church for you to pick up and share. • Facebook Invitation Go to facebook.com/eastminsterwichita to see our Easter Facebook event. Use the event to send invitations to your Facebook friends. • Social Tools We’ll have graphics and posts you can share on your favorite social media platforms. Watch our Facebook page for shareable posts, or download graphics at eastminster.org/eastertools. • eVite You can send an email invitation to friends from our website! Just go to eastminster.org/eastertools. • Egged Kits Families are encouraged to pick up an “egged kit” outside the Kids Office, then have fun egging neighbors to invite them to church.
Eastminster Church 15
Non Profit Org. US Postage
PAID
Wichita, KS Permit No. 1293
Eastminster Presbyterian Church 1958 N. Webb Road • Wichita, Kansas 67206 316.634.0337 • eastminster.org
Encouraging people to enjoy the fullness of knowing, loving and becoming like Jesus.
Up and Coming
Find details at eastminster.org
• Escape Room MIssions Fundraiser March 9 or 10 | Sign your team up at eastminster.org/escaperoom • Faith & Sacraments Class Sunday, March 11, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; C-13/14. For families with kids Kindergarten and up. RSVP to Julie at jpritchard@eastminster.org • Family Disc Golf Scramble Sunday, April 8, 12:30 p.m.; Eastminster Disc Golf Course. RSVP to Louisa at lmarkley@eastminster.org • Membership Class Wednesdays, April 18 and 25, May 2 and 9, 6:30 p.m.; C-15. RSVP to Ginger at gcox@eastminster.org • Save the Date: Fam Now Fridays, June 15 and July 27 in the Student Center Save the date for our summer worship nights for families. More details to come!
FRIDAY, APRIL 13 OR SATURDAY, APRIL 14 REGISTER ONLINE OR ON SUNDAYS BY APRIL 8 At Eastminster, one of our values is GENERATION TO GENERATION. Because we believe in a vibrant, multigenerational church who learns from one another, we want to provide the opportunity to gather, connect and simply be together. The Gathering is a dinner for a small group of people hosted in a home. The evening will be one of conversation and connection. Your host will provide a main dish – guests will bring a side to share. Your host will contact you with more details closer to The Gathering. Register at eastminster.org/thegathering or on Sundays by April 8. Questions? Contact Louisa Markley at lmarkley@eastminster.org or 634.0337.