ARP Magazine on Stewardship

JULY 2010

The Associate Reformed Presbyterian

Special Issue

ARPs Impacting Lives Through Giving

Tithing -

so much more than money

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APRIL 2010 JUNE 2010

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Greetings from your Board of Stewardship

By Rev. Robert B. Elliott III, chairman

The Lord says in Psalm 50:10-11, “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.”

It is our desire that you will enjoy and benefit from this magazine you have before you. Donʼt worry, there are no strings attached. You have not and will not be asked to do anything more than receive it as a gift from us.

A special thank you to each church that sent us addresses or agreed to distribute this special issue to each of you.

The concept for this magazine came about out of the boardʼs awareness that we were not being fully faithful to our responsibilities to you, the denomination. The board, along with the treasurer and the financial staff from Central Services, has always been diligent in the distribution of the funds with which the Lord has blessed the denomination. May it always be so.

However, the Board discovered there was more to our calling. The Board is divided into three committees: the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee and the Communications and Education Committee. Quite frankly, we were not doing anything to communicate or educate the denominationʼs membership about what we do with the money that is sent to us by churches and individuals.

The Denominational Ministry Fund (DMF) is the name of the vehicle that has been in place for over 40 years. It is our obligation to fulfill the first two of nine duties/purposes of our boardʼs mandates.

Duties/Purposes: 1. Promote the general ministries and programs of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

2. Develop and/or identify, and keep current, resources that can be used for the teaching of biblical stewardship in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

The Board could think of no better way to fulfill these two duties than through our denomination’s magazine, The Associate Reformed Presbyterian. Our best means of communication was already in place. With the help of the magazine staff, we asked each of our agencies (ministries) to contribute articles that will inform you, the ARP membership, how the Lord uses the contributions you make through the local churches to accomplish His will.

Some of you may already know this information. If so, enjoy the review. Others may have no idea that your church sends money to the denomination, much less what we do with it. Well, here is your chance to discover for yourself how your giving affects your denominational ministries. Every member of the ARP Church benefits from the allocation of DMF funds. See for yourself.

We have also included some previously published articles on stewardship, as well as some current ones. Some may be thinking this entire issue is a shameless plea to get more money for the DMF or a means of shaming churches into supporting our ministries. It is not our desire to manipulate anyone. We are simply seeking to share educational articles and information about stewardship and our ministries.

The opening Bible verse at the beginning of this page proclaims that the Lord does not need our money or offerings. He is completely and utterly self-sufficient. The gift of the tithe is one God has given us, and it includes so much more than money. May this singularly-focused special issue serve as a reminder of the goodness of our God.?

JULY 2010

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Contents

July 2010

3

Greetings from the Board of Stewardship by Rev. Robert B.

5 6

The Grace of Giving by Dr. John R. de Witt Give with eternity in view.

What can Christian Education Ministries do for you?

Elliott, III The Board of Stewardship chairman explains the purpose of this special issue

by Dr. E. Brent Turner Christian education is a God-ordained covenantal process. CEM is committed to help churches.

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Well Done, Billy! by Wilfred A. Bellamy Ph.D Sunday school beginnings Bonclarken, a little piece of Heaven by Chip Sherer Where

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Don’t Give Anymore! by Stephen J. Maye

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The Ministry of Central Services: Stable Grooms? by Paul

14

Home Missions Ministry by Dr. Alan Avera The purpose of Outreach North America is to introduce people in the US and Canada to Jesus Christ.

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Give Ourselves to the Lord by Dr. James M. Bell, Sr. Until we give ourselves to the Lord, that which we give will always be inadequate and will indicate our lack of faith in the God who supplies all our needs.

young hearts are inspired to accept the call of the Holy Spirit and mature hearts are renewed in their faith.

A steward’s mentality must be informed by God’s Word and honed in everyday practice.

Bell If pastors are God’s horsemen, then Central Services employees are the groomsmen.

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Women ministering for God’s glory and purpose by Kathy Barron & Cathy Wilson Women’s Ministries encourages women to build community and ministry through their local church, trusting in the Holy Spirit for guidance.

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An Obligation and a Privilege by William H.F. Kuykendall

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In the Footsteps of the Apostle Paul by Rev. Frank van Dalen

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We who consider ourselves the church of Jesus Christ...ought to be conscious of what the Lord has done for us.

We thank God to overflowing for the foreign mission work of the ARP Church in supplying the needs of His people.

The Erskine Experience by Dr. Neely Gaston and Rick Hendricks

“The bonds formed at Erskine serve as a stepping-stone for future success, both personally and professionally.”

SYNOD AGENCIES Bonclarken Conference Center Christian Education Ministries Erskine College & Seminary

Outreach North America The Associate Reformed Presbyterian World Witness

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE… 18 20

Prayer Calendar ARP Women’s Ministries

29 30

Classified Ads Kids Talk

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Photo by Pete Decker

FEATURES

COVER PHOTO John and Erica Wingate of Greenville (SC) ARP Church strive to teach Parker and Hadley that there is more to tithing than putting money in the collection plate each Sunday (See pg 31).

ISSN 0362—0816

THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

VOL. XXXVV NO. 6 Delores P. McDonald, Editor Susan L. Tanner, Assistant Editor Advertising rates on request; ask for current rate card. Advertising competitive with any agency or institution of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church is not accepted. Publication of advertisements does not necessarily constitute an endorsement by this magazine.

BOARD OF THE ASSSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN Walter F. Payne Jr. (2012), Chairman; Dr. Oran Smith (2013), Vice Chairman; Rev. John Rogers (2011), Secretary; Rev. Charles Hammond (2014); Leslie Milling (2013); Melonie Shue (2014); Rev. Charles Y. Todd (2011); Martha Waldrop (ARP Women’s Ministries representative).

The Associate Reformed Presbyterian (Publication No. USPS 414770) is published monthly by the Board of The Associate Reformed Presbyterian, One Cleveland St., Ste. 110, Greenville, SC 29601-3696. Telephone (864) 232-8297, Ext. 236. Subscription rates: $20 one year, $38 two years, $54 three years. For churches in the Church Club Plan: $16.50 a year (90% participation) or $17.50 a year (75% participation). Periodicals Postage paid at Greenville, SC 29601, and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address correction notices to The Associate Reformed Presbyterian, One Cleveland St., Ste. 110, Greenville, SC 29601-3696.

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THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

The Grace of Giving

By Dr. John R. de Witt “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich” (II Corinthians 8:9).

O

n one occasion in the church of which I was pastor, an older woman, a widow, applied for membership. As was the custom there, two elders paid her a visit to bid her welcome and to explain the necessary procedures. In the course of the conversation she asked, “And what will this cost me?”

You see, she had previously been attached to a congregation in which the assessment principle had been followed. People were told what they were expected to contribute week by week, so that commitments could be met.

The answer she received was simple enough. “Why nothing,” the elders told her.

They continued of course to make clear that the work of the Gospel depends on the support of the congregation. The point was made as well that giving is a matter to be settled privately between the Lord and His people.

That incident has long lingered in my mind. We make a great mistake if we attempt to impose a certain standard of stewardship upon ourselves and others, as though giving were a matter of law and not of grace. To be sure, the Old Testament pattern of the tithe is a worthy and admirable point of beginning.

Should we who have been granted to see the full light of the Gospel lag behind those who lived and died before the coming of Christ? At the same time, the essential motive for the stewardship of our time, gifts, JULY 2010

and possessions is not legal obligation, but joyful gratitude.

Why ought we to regard the support of the congregation to which we belong, of the great causes sustained by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, of faithful Christian agencies in our own land and around the world as integral to our lives as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Consider This Many reasons will occur to us all if we pause to consider the matter. We remember that the Lord himself became poor so that we could become rich. We owe Him everything. He is our hope, our Redeemer, our only Comfort in life and in death. We shall want also to do everything in our power for the spread of the Gospel.

An old missionary hymn comes often to my mind.

Can we, whose souls are lighted With wisdom from on high, Can we to men benighted The lamp of life deny?

Salvation, O salvation!

The joyful sound proclaim, Till each remotest nation Has learned Messiah’s name.

Another consideration of great consequence we have from Jesus through the Apostle Paul. At the close of his farewell address to the elders of the church at Ephesus, he said that they were to “remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35). We know this to be true from our own experience. Children are delighted to receive gifts, and adults, too. But as we grow older, we discover, sometimes to our surprise, that a far more substantial satisfaction is to be found in the act of giving to others.

Give With Eternity in View In two striking sentences, written about unselfish generosity, Paul wrote: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:6, 7).

Whatever else may be said here, the apostle is insisting that we give with eternity in view, not in order to acquire merit for ourselves, but to prepare for the day when the Master says to His faithful servants, “Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21).

A remarkable instance of the grace of giving is recounted by Fred Smith, in his You and Your Network: “Even when Maxey [Jarman, of Genesco] was at his lowest personal fortune he gave a check for $13,000 to help Youth for Christ with a project we were undertaking. It was the last of his mother’s estate, which he had completely given away, just as he had given his inheritance from his father’s estate to start the Jarman Foundation for Christian causes.

“During the darkest days of his temporary financial crunch, which he didn’t try to hide or exploit, I asked him if he had ever thought of the millions he had given away. His answer was pure Jarmanese. ‘Of course I have, but remember, I didn’t lose a penny I gave away. I only lost what I kept.’”?

Dr. de Witt is the former Moderator of General Synod and served as senior minister of First Presbyterian (ARP) Church of Columbia, SC (2000-2005).

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Christian Education Ministries

So what can

Christian Education Ministries

do for me?

by Dr. E. Brent Turner

Many people ask what CEM does for them. I always state that we offer a great deal and can’t wait to do more. I can’t think of anything more important than Christian education in the life of the church. God’s people need to know the Lord, they need to know the Word of God, and need to be constantly growing in their walk with the Lord. Christian education is a God ordained covenantal process. As an agency, CEM is committed to HELP churches!!!

Helping churches GROW, TRAIN, and EDUCATE the saints.

• • • • •

We will come to your church and train your teachers and leaders.

We will come to your church and help recruit volunteers or strengthen your youth ministry.

We will help you find people or resources for your church’s par ticular needs.

We offer regional training (Memphis, Gastonia, Bartow, and plan to be in the NE presbytery soon) We offer summer internships for college students to give them opportunities to minister in Christian education.

Equipping churches with EXCELLENT RESOURCES. • • • •

We are creating new ARP resources such as ARP Quarterly, Senior High studies, Children’s missions study, Stewardship material, ARP certificate book and much more.

We now operate and manage ARPBOOKSTORE.COM to help provide resources to churches.

CEM’s board studies and recommends good material and people for our local churches.

CEM is also working on providing certain people as resources to help local churches.

Listening to churches and RESPONDING to their needs.

• • •

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We are answering many calls and emails concerning resources which we would recommend.

We are attending churches and presbyteries and finding out what we as an agency can do to help them in the process of equipping the saints.

We are interested in each particular church and how we can help them where they are.

Christian Education Ministries THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

Christian Education Ministries

Providing wholesome CONFERENCES and opportunities for spiritual growth to all ages and all abilities.

• • • • • •

We provide conferences for youth not only at Bonclarken but wherever the denomination needs us. (Horizon, Quest, and working on a camp for Juniors in Florida) We are presently working closely with those in charge of the Family Bible Conference.

We offer BonSenior (a conference for our senior adults) We are working closely with World Witness in providing the Appalachian Missions trip. We call this Stage 2 in missions.

(Stage 1 – working at the local church, Stage 2 – Appalachia, Stage 3 – Overseas missions trip, Stage 4 – Short-term missions, Stage 5 – Full-time missions.

We provide conferences for those with special needs. (Camp Joy will have 4 sessions in 2010, with one held in Florida... and we have hopes that this will continue to expand.)

You see lots of hugging and smiling faces at Camp Joy!

What are people saying?

“It has been a real privilege to work with the Rev. Brent Turner and his staff at CEM. Since coming to Rock Hill, SC to pastor Neely’s Creek church last year (freshly off the mission field and needing lots of assistance, resources and helpful guidance), I have had to contact the CEM office regularly. What I have received is quick, competent and friendly service for which I am very grateful.”

Rev. Heiko Burklin | Neely’s Creek

“I really enjoyed Horizon and Appalachia because of the fellowship with peers, and the opportunity to grow spiritually from them. They were always spiritually refreshing.”

Charles Kidd

“In terms of value, depth of experience, and opportunity for growth the Appala chia Mission trips deliver more per-dollar than any other camp or retreat we have participated. Enjoyable, exhausting, Gospel-labor.”

Jamie Self | Director of CE – Bartow ARP Church

“On several occasions I have had an immediate need for Christian Education material or seeking direction for sound doctrine material for our church. I have always found that when I call Christian Edu cation Ministries that they are extremely quick and helpful.

I can always be certain that the material I am getting lives up to the high standard of the church.”

Rev. Brian Peake | Maysville ARP Church

“Appalachia changes lives.”

Charlie Phillips | Director of Ebenezer Student Ministries

JULY 2010

Christian Education Ministries

“We here in the Senior High Sunday school Class at Due West Church have ARP been blessed in recent months by the study of Mr. Alvin Sell’s – “The Book of James”. I look forward to more edi tions in the future.”

Mrs. JoAnn Griffith | Due West ARP Church

“Our officers and I at tended the Officer Training Seminar in Memphis and found it a wonderful time of fellowship and encour agement.

Dr. Ross’ presentation greatly our under helped standing of our role and responsibilities as officers in the bride of Christ. I highly recommend it!”

Bill Everett | Pastor New Albany Presbyterian Church

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Christian Education Ministries

Well Done Billy!

by Wilfred A. Bellamy Ph.D.

When Charles Haddon Spurgeon received with joy the news that an eccentric preacher-tin miner named Billy Bray had established Sunday Schools in Cornwall, England, he exclaimed: “Well done Billy! This is right good and sound divinity.” And so it was.

It was early in the nineteenth century. The “ragged school” movement had been slowly but surely growing throughout parts of Britain. Classes were started for poor children who had no other means of education. The idea quickly spread to adults and before long there were thousands of classes across the land meeting as Sunday and evening classes.

There were few texts in existence but the Bible was readily available. Reading was the primary thrust of the classes, but those who taught also shared a concern for “the salvation of the souls of men (sic) and their growth in grace.” Several churches sponsored the classes. Many took place in their facilities.

Billy Bray gets the credit for seizing this opportunity for promoting the classes as an essentials means of grounding both the young and adults in the Christian life. But one fact, that became a principle, is clear... “the entrance of God’s Word gives light.”

Bray also emphasized Sunday School, aka Christian Education, as a fundamental part of church-life, not an appendage, not an option, but intrinsic to the ministry.

Thus Christian Education should be an essential part of the life of every Associate Reformed Presbyterian congregation, linked to the consistent teaching of the Word from the pulpit, supporting all aspects of the ministry of the church, equipping the saints, edifying the Body of Christ.

Christian Education Ministries can assist you with planning for an integrated ministry, obtaining excellent materials to aid in teaching, and conducting teaching-teachers sessions to help improve training methodologies.

Finally, writing in 1816 John Angell James, in what was probably the very first Sunday School Manual, said: “I think it is right to remark that as the very groundwork of Christian instruction, it is of vast importance to produce, even from its commencement, a sort of trembling reverence for the authority of Scripture.” Can we do less?

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THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

Christian Education Ministries

By Chip Sherer PRESIDENT

O

ur sign is small and simple. No flashing neon lights or other attention-grabbing devices mark our entrance – just a sign with the word BONCLARKEN. However, driving through our gate and entering this “Christian environment for inspiration and renewal” can certainly be transformational.

One guest claims his blood pressure drops 20 points, others call it a “haven of rest” or a “little piece of heaven.”

Our staff’s purpose is to provide and promote this “environment.” Simple things like a friendly greeting, clean bed, a good meal, a comfortable meeting space, a fun afternoon of recreation—all of these are components of this environment.

I was so pleased to learn that our Board of Stewardship is partnering with the ARP Magazine to produce this special issue, dedicated to the ARP Denominational Ministry Fund (DMF). If this special issue is the first time you have read one of my monthly articles, thank you for taking the time to do so. I hope you will consider subscribing to the ARP Magazine and reading my articles on a monthly basis!

As you read through this issue, I trust the case has been made for the importance of the Denominational Ministry Fund. Your individual church alone could not support foreign missionaries, church planting, a college, a seminary, a conference center, Christian Education, and a monthly magazine.

However, by joining forces with the other 270 churches in our denomination through the DMF, you and your church play major roles in making all of these ministries a reality. One of your church’s best avenues for empowering kingdom growth is through supporting the DMF. I’m sure I speak for all of the other directors in thanking you for this vital support.

past 20 years. Certainly our model is different than the other agencies in that we have a mechanism (fees charged to guests) to generate revenues to fund our ministry. So what role do the funds we receive from the DMF play in our ministry? How do your church’s contributions to the DMF make a difference at Bonclarken? As you will read, the funds provided through the DMF play an integral role in our ministry to our guests, and, in particular, to our ARP youth, church members, individual churches, and our agencies.

Bonclarken’s use of the funds we receive from the DMF relate directly to our fees.

Because of these DMF funds, we are able to provide our ARP guests with discounted rooms and meals. In 2009, Bonclarken hosted 75 ARP events, which included General Synod, Family Bible Conference, Bonsenior, Horizon, Quest, Music Conference, two sessions of Camp Bonclarken, three sessions of Camp Joy, Presbytery youth retreats, individual ARP church weekends and family retreats, and events for almost every agency of Synod.

More than 4,000 ARPs came to Bonclarken last year. We are proud that we were able to offer these guests friendly service, clean lodging and meeting facilities, hot meals, and quality recreation at a discounted rate because of the DMF. Additionally, the DMF has provided funds for several of our major construction projects in recent years. The Lodge, the Youth Activity Building, and Founders

Hall benefited from gifts from the DMF as the campaigns for each were in their initial phases.

Hearts Inspired, Renewed Please note, however, that funding, financial plans, revenues, and expenses are all secondary to the main purpose of Bonclarken – to provide an environment where young hearts are inspired to accept the call of the Holy Spirit and mature hearts are renewed in their faith.

Our staff is so encouraged by seeing the smiles of guests who are enjoying their visits, who are experiencing a life transformation, who are becoming a new creation in Jesus Christ. All of these resound as the end result of your church’s giving to the DMF. Perhaps you have been to Bonclarken and experienced these things for yourself. If not, I would like to invite you to visit your conference center soon.

Whether or not you have been here personally, you and your church’s contributions to the ARP Denominational Ministry Fund have played an important role in helping this ministry.

The link from you to your local church – to our denominational ministries – to that individual whose heart is stirred by the Holy Spirit – is, I believe, the purpose of the Denominational Ministry Fund.

On behalf of our entire staff, thank you for your prayers and support.?

DMF’s Role at Bonclarken Through the good stewardship and wise planning of our Board, we have been able to maintain a balanced budget for 18 of the JULY 2010

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Bonclarken

Bonclarken, a little piece of Heaven

Moderator’s Corner

Don’t Give Anymore!

STEPHEN J. MAYE Moderator

M

any Christians loathe another sermon, article, or lesson on giving. The title for this article is not typical for a piece focused on stewardship. It comes from Exodus chapter 36 describing the situation the children of Israel experienced when the people continued to bring freewill gifts for the completion of the sanctuary. Moses had to restrain the people from bringing any more. Can you imagine that message coming from your pastor, denominational leader or parachurch president? Me either. Why is that?

It could only be one of two reasons: either we don’t give liberally enough to be asked to stop or the leaders are not content with the already ample resources to do the job (such discontentment is often driven by fear or greed).

Thousands of articles exist on giving and they are almost exclusively about money. Few include any fully-orbed discussion of true stewardship. No, this is not an attempt to justify the lack of cheerful, generous giving of funds to the Kingdom. It is an effort to have us view stewardship as beyond thateven beyond the well known mantra of “time, talent and treasure (those pastors love their lists that begin with the same letter!).” Many Christians are missing tremendous blessing because of their disobedience or ignorance in this area.

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Reasons We Miss Blessings: We don’t truly understand that we exist solely for God’s glory (I Corinthians 6:19, 20; 10:31). We are not to start the day with our own agenda, but seek His direction– what He would have us do; what we should say; how we should respond; and how we should use the resources that He and He alone has entrusted to our management.

We are ungrateful because we have forgotten. Over 150 times in Scripture God says “remember.” Remember my deeds; remember my commands; remember my covenants; remember my promises; remember my precepts – remember, remember, and remember! We often miss this.

In our culture the term “I forgot” is a legitimate excuse whereas in the Bible, it is a confession of sin. We are no longer overwhelmed with gratitude for the price Christ paid for us, for His good and wise providence, for His abundant provision, and for His incalculable grace. We have simply forgotten and somehow think what we possess is really ours and that giving to God’s work is merely a spiritual “tax.”

We have lost a true Kingdom mentality. Yes, we love knowing that our missionaries are being faithful and that our pastor is preaching the gospel with effectiveness, but do we have a constant awareness that every asset, every talent, every hour and every opportunity are spiritual capital to be strategically deployed each day for the building of Christ’s Kingdom?

This requires quite a drastic change in mindset for the average evangelical Christian. We who labor in the field of commerce take stock each year of our capital, human resources, and opportunities attempting to maximize each for the

accomplishment of the mission and the good of the organization.

Why shouldn’t Christians do the same with all that we’ve been given to manage for His sake? We must become so immersed in scripture that we, by the power of the Holy Spirit, view all that we do as Kingdom work.

When we do so, we will gladly give with liberality and will not wait until we are confronted with a begging ministry representative asking for a gift. We will daily be on the lookout for good places to invest the time, giftedness and money God has allotted to us.

We are cynical about the Church and Christian ministries in general.

We believe all they want is our money. Let us remember that we do not give to the church but to God through the church. What we give and how we give reflect our opinion of the Almighty God. We are undisciplined in our approach to money. Have you noticed how many times you wonder where it all went this month? We all have. We complain that unexpected expenses ate up our surplus or worse still, we didn’t have any surprises and still came up short. A dollar invested in the Kingdom and hours spent in ministry work are never dollars we will later squander or hours we will wish we had back. Simple budgeting practices help most Christians get a handle on their finances. There are many wonderful resources available today including those found at www.crown.org and www.daveramsey.com.

We neglect to view ourselves as scrutinizing spiritual investors.

This is especially true when we give to non-church ministries. Many of us give haphazardly or are moved by emotion. We ought to view God’s money as precious capital to be

THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

invested wisely. How much do we really know about a particular organization?

One resource that has been helpful to many is www.ministrywatch.com, which is a financial transparency website focused on Christian ministries. A little sunlight and scrutiny is needed as we evaluate the placement of God’s funds. However, and most importantly, I might add that the positive results of spiritual investments are not always visible and numbers or lack thereof can often fool us.

We have lost sight of the local church. It is true that many of the parachurch ministries evolved because the church had become negligent in its duties and some of these ministries were started to meet these needs. We need not be against these, but if they siphon off funds needed by the local church, we have misunderstood. My wife and I have supported many of these ministries over the years, who know how to treat donors like royalty.

The invitation to the events with the ministry president and meetings at the finest resorts can all be tempting, but in the end we must check ourselves to ensure these ego outings are not drawing funds away from the church (and I would add its effective ARP agencies) that needs our help and constitutes our first duty in giving. It is through the church that God primarily and most ordinarily works.

God has given us the means of grace through which He calls His own unto Himself, sanctifies the saints, disseminates the gospel to a dying world, and effects positive change in the culture through mature believers infiltrating every sphere of the marketplace.

Our lack of confidence in the preaching of the Gospel; the amazing work of prayer (I urge you to read Dr. Douglas F. Kelly’s book, If God Already Knows, Why Pray?); the reading of God’s Holy Word; and the work of God through the Sacraments, have taken their toll on us for decades. We must recapture these in biblical faithfulness.

JULY 2010

Attributes of a Good Steward A steward’s mentality must be informed by God’s Word and honed in every day practice. A good steward is intentional. His goal is to maximize the assets of his King through excellent management. He is not afraid to take calculated risks nor is he overly aggressive. He must start with an understanding that God owns it all.

Then, the effective steward has a plan – a spending plan.

He must structure his budget to have financial margin. This way he can be ready for unexpected expenses and able to participate in the blessing of giving as God both commands and directs him. He exhibits the mentality of John Wesley, who once said, “Make all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.”

So, what is our duty as Christians?

The Bible teaches us to give with liberality, with joy, with gratitude and with intentionality. What about our duty as denominational and ministry leaders? Ours is to pursue biblical faithfulness, excellence and great

management in our ARP ministries that will result in ministries worthy of your prayers, financial support, and volunteer help.

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine (Proverbs 3:9, 10).

Luke 16:10-13 says, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”?

Steve Maye serves as Moderator of General Synod and is managing partner of Drake Capital, LLC, a regional real estate investment firm.

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The Ministry of Central Services: Stable Grooms?

By Paul Bell, director of Central Services everal agencies (ministries) of the ARP’s General Synod have names like Bonclarken and Erskine – names that easily roll off the tongue. Others have names with emphasis, such as World Witness, Outreach North America, Christian Education Ministries, The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Magazine.

Then there’s Central Services, the agency with the rather nondescript name – the one I was a bit hesitant to work for, fearing it might be a bit boring (Was I ever wrong on that one!).

So what does this agency actually do? Not long after coming to work at the ARP Center in Greenville, SC, I was asked to describe our ministry at a meeting of Catawba Presbytery. Even up to just a few minutes before I was to speak, I still didn’t have a clear illustration to offer my listeners.

Just prior to my presentation, a seminary student preached a sermon in which he told pastors they are like God’s horsemen, carrying the Gospel to a lost world—and he unwittingly provided my illustration. I told the delegates that if they are God’s horsemen, then the staff members of Central Services are the stable hands, the groomsmen.

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Caring for Our Denomination As the administrative office for the denomination, our primary responsibility is to keep the horses well-fed and well-groomed so that the horsemen can more effectively carry the Gospel. To do so, we attend to a number of details behind the scenes that include: • Providing finance and accounting services to agencies, boards, and committees • Assisting congregations with budget planning • Administering Synod’s medical and dental insurance programs • Administering Synod’s retirement plan • Assisting agencies with personnel issues • Overseeing Synod’s property and liability insurance programs 12

• Maintaining the ARP Center property • Serving as the information conduit between agencies, boards, and committees • Planning the annual meeting of General Synod and coordinating all information related to it • Compiling, editing, and publishing the Minutes of Synod and Synod’s Plan Book • Hosting and often planning meetings of various boards and committees • Providing clerical assistance to boards, committees, and presbyteries • Maintaining Synod’s database of pastors, churches, staff members, etc.

• Maintaining and distributing Minister Data Forms to facilitate pastoral searches • Providing Information Technology support for agencies, boards, and committees • Maintaining Synod’s web site www.arpchurch.org Committed Laborers As the executive director of Central Services (aka stable director?), I have the pleasure everyday of working with a team of deeply committed brothers and sisters in Christ who are content to labor out of sight of most of the denomination so that the Gospel can be carried forward across our nation and around the world.

Has your pastor benefitted from the insurance or retirement plans? Most likely, Stephanie Bishop coordinated his enrollment and has provided assistance when things haven’t gone as smoothly

as we would hope.

That copy of the Minutes of Synod on your shelf represents weeks of work compiling and editing by Cindy Scott, the same person who answers your phone calls and bears most of the responsibility for planning the annual meeting of Synod. (She’s also the one who orders your lunch when you’re at the ARP Center for meetings).

Have you received an email announcement or communication about a Synod event? That email originated here with Leland Beaudrot, who also engineered our first database and has recently transitioned us over to a new and expanded system.

If your church treasurer found the online Benefits Worksheet helpful at budget planning time, Alisa Prince and Brian Such had something to do with its development. Have you called the Center to ask a question about the confusing subject of tax and pastors’ salaries? Alisa and Brian are the people who answer those questions.

And then there are our volunteers, Louise Raby and Elinor Griffin, who attend to bank deposits and filing documents (Now that’s a much-appreciated ministry to the rest of the stable hands!).

Leland, Alisa, Brian, Stephanie, Cindy, Louise, and Elinor by their example remind me of Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

I think that’s what biblical stewardship really is—working with all our heart for the Lord—and I see examples of that kind of stewardship everyday in my co-workers as they serve you in the office of Central Services.?

THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

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13

Outreach North America

Home Missions Ministry DR. ALAN J. AVERA Executive Director

T

he purpose of Outreach North America is to introduce people in the United States and Canada to Jesus Christ, primarily by helping our presbyteries plant new churches and renew existing churches. We are the home missions ministry of the ARP Church.

Gary Stiltner, mission developer of Indian Land ARP Church in Catawba Presbytery, gives an example of how our mission developers are able to introduce people to Jesus Christ.

I met a woman who introduced me to her neighbor like this: “Hey Elizabeth, you know how I told you today that you needed to talk to a pastor? Well look who God brought right to your door. This is Pastor Gary!” Now that’s what I call a divine appointment! Elizabeth greeted me with these words, “Thank you for coming. I just found out that I have terminal liver disease.”

Then she shared some of the great sadness in her life that had resulted in her present condition. She did not think that God could love a person like her. I had some very GOOD NEWS for her that day! I will never forget the tears streaming down her face as she listened to me tell her, “God loves you Elizabeth, very much.”

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Home Missions Ministry As the home missions ministry of the ARP Church, we • train and equip leaders for the unique ministry of establishing new congregations; • train and equip churches for spiritual renewal combined with strategic initiatives; • train and equip churches and individuals in evangelism; • help promote ministry to the diverse ethnic groups that are a rapidly growing segment of the North American population.

usually has a revitalizing effect on the sponsoring church.

• The active support of the sponsoring church gives the new church a healthy start.

Why is the home missions ministry important?

• The Church is God’s primary plan for advancing His Kingdom in the world.

• Only 17% of the American population attended a Christian church on any given weekend in 2007.

[David T. Olson, The American Church Research Project, The State of the American Church, 2008] • Eighty percent of ARP churches are on an attendance plateau or in decline.

• Across American denominations, churches less than 20 years old are more likely to be growing churches than are churches older than 20 years (American Church Research Project).

• The average new church doubles in size from year one to year four, growing from an average of 40 people to over 80 (2007 Center for Missional Research study by Ed Stetzer and Phillip Connor).

• Sponsoring a new church plant

Revitalization Observe how Greenwood ARP has increased its community impact through revitalization. Rev. Bryan Bult, pastor at Greenwood, reports that the church has recently seen two professions of faith.

This is a modest number, but it is an encouraging sign that the Holy Spirit is active. One of the professions of faith was a college student who had attended church sporadically while growing up, but really had no heart commitment. Second Wind (revitalization) has led us to be aware of our close proximity to Erskine and other colleges, and to ask, “God, what do you mean by that?”

Concluding that God wants us to minister to them, we have made efforts to reach college students through Sunday school, college luncheons, personal invitations into member’s homes, and integrating them gradually into the life of our congregation to serve with us. The other profession of faith was a young man who heard about our congregation by word of mouth through his family. We

I am sometimes introduced as the “church planting director” of the ARP Church. However, our home missions work is about more than just church planting. Through the training and coaching of Dr. Ken Priddy, ONA director of Church Renewal, we are helping existing churches experience new vitality.

THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

within the presbytery, making renewal training readily available.

• To see a majority of ARP churches working together with Outreach North America toward renewal, evangelism, church planting, and outreach to include the immediate ethnicities within the communities where our churches reside.

Gary Stiltner began his ministry as a mission developer knocking on doors in Indian Land, SC.

have encouraged our people to minister to those in our community they see on a daily basis, with a special emphasis on the unchurched.

The communities where our churches are located are changing.

Rev. Wayne Frazier, pastor of the 208 year old Back Creek ARP Church in Charlotte observes: At Back Creek we are facing change.

Started 208 years ago, Back Creek was situated in a rural farming community.

Now our demographics have changed significantly. We are a suburban community with a wonderful mix of ethnicities, including people from all over the United States and the world. This community has also become dramatically younger with 75% of the people in our zip code being under 44 years of age. It used to be that new community members were always looking for a church. That is no longer true.

Outreach North America helps churches discern God’s vision for the future. As Frazier puts it: The good news is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is trans-cultural and transJULY 2010

generational. Jesus Christ and His Word are the same yesterday, today and forever.

Yet, how we apply this unchanging Gospel to a changing community and world is what Back Creek and all ARP Churches are facing.

Goals For The Future: • Attract, train and develop the very best candidates for church planting.

• Identify/design new models for church planting and communicate them.

• Mission churches will be setting the example for other churches through engagement in kingdom advancement.

• A minimum of two HIGH M-PACT Revitalization trainer/ coaches will be developed in each ARP presbytery. One trainer coach from each presbytery that has hosted a revitalization cluster will be in place within the first two years; the remaining trainer/ coaches by the end of the fiveyear span. These trainer/coaches will provide renewal training �

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These are things you help to accomplish through your gifts to the Denominational Ministry Fund. Your gifts also help keep mission developers like Charlie Lewis out in the field meeting people: After playing basketball at a local park, I asked a guy named Dave about his work and it led to a lengthy conversation. He is an entrepreneur who has had several failed business ventures and a troubled marriage. Could God be calling Dave to be his child? We are making plans to go to lunch.

As a minister, church planter, and follower of Christ, I want to be involved with people in the community. I want to be building relationships and sharing the love of Christ with people like Dave.

I want to help the people at Christ Community Church love Jesus so much that they want to invest their lives into each other and people like Dave. Pray for our witness to the community.?

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15

Give Ourselves to the Lord

The following is Dr. Bell’s 1987 retiring Moderator’s address. His words are as pertinent today as they were more than 20 years ago.

By Dr. James M. Bell, Sr. ver the past few years, the General Synod, our Presbyteries and congregations have had great and challenging emphases placed before us. Two years ago we were given the vision of a national church. Last year, we were challenged to “Rise up and Go” – with counsel as to how better to implement our going.

There are many indications that we are beginning to move forward in certain areas, which are explained in the reports placed in your hands for considerations during this meeting of Synod. Boards of the Synod are taking initiative as goals are set which stretch our concept of ministry. Over

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the years we have been saying “yes” we are to go into all the world and make disciples, while in local church practice we will not cross the road to help the down-and-out. We are too satisfied in our own little group.

The vision and challenges are wonderful and I completely endorse them, however, I believe we must pause and check our equipment to see whether we are programmed properly.

As I have gone about over Synod, I believe there are three areas to which we must give our attention. These are not new to us, but for some reason we fail to carry them home and put them into everyday practice and every aspect of the business of the church.

Instead, we and the members of our church obey the dictates of American culture and public opinion rather than the claims of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Protestantism is no longer the predominant effective force it once was in our country.

We have trouble walking with honor.

The counsel of Paul to, “prove what is good” gets little hearing.

Our mood is to look for the new and different. To follow the crowd.

To change. To think that the old ways are no good any more. We must keep up with the modern church which would squeeze everyone into a mold, as it practices a rote type of religion, which does little to help us live in a world of shattered relationships where we live on mortgages and temporize on eternity.

We are caught up in this type of world where we talk confidently, yet fear lurks within.

But amidst all of the change and confusion, amid the pressure to change, we have a message that is unchanging – that God has for the people of this world a plan, and that the Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ makes the difference.

THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

The problem we face as a denomination is how to get that message across without hindering or destroying its effectiveness, knowing assuredly that God will hold us accountable for our given part.

First, See the Lord In order to effectively carry out the widening mission God is giving us, we must first of all see the Lord!

We must see Him as the God of Holiness, high and lifted up – sitting upon the throne of Heaven ruling the universe in every aspect, as the God of history who in Isaiah’s time demonstrated that He will judge even a king for his sin. We need to see what a Holy God we have to deal with.

We need to see the Lord of Holiness as Saul of Tarsus did: full of the pride of his ancestry, “an Hebrew of the Hebrews;” the pride of his orthodoxy, “touching the law, a Pharisee;” the pride of his activity, “concerning zeal, persecuting the church;” the pride of his morality, “touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”

He was a man who was excelling, then he saw Jesus on the road to Damascus. The man, “who being in the form of God, counted it not a thing to be grasped to be on equality with God.” Let it go – “...emptied Himself... – made Himself of no reputation” – took the place of a slave – no rights, no wages, no right to quit.

Emptied Himself – It broke Saul.

We must also see the Lord of Holiness as John, who saw Him walking among the churches, evaluating their ministry; as Joshua, who saw Him as the Captain of the hosts; as the disciples – who were glad – as others, who when they saw Him fell on their faces before Him. Only when they had done so were they equipped and empowered to do His work and fulfill His commands.

Yield and Obey The second area to which we must give our attention always, always JULY 2010

follows that of seeing the Lord in all of His majesty and glory. We must place ourselves under His government and do things as He commands.

We must yield to Him and allow Him to have the rule over us. The things which caused our Lord and His church to be evil spoken of by the world are the shenanigans we in the church try to pull off. Those of us who are teaching elders are worst of all, trying to capitalize on our office, demanding respect instead of earning it by our faithfulness.

Yet, our Lord said, “The greatest among you shall be servant of all” – He became a “bond slave.” Can we do less?

You have heard it over and over.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will burn it into our hearts as leaders of the church of the living Christ – “...abstain from all appearance of evil.” Let “...no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” And “Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”

Finally, to facilitate the extending ministry God has given us, we have a tendency to try to salve our conscience by giving alms to the crying needs of the different ministries, and chiefly to our little pet project.

I have a problem with this, for I was taught to give to the Lord Jesus a portion of what He provided, not to causes and projects. Those whom God had chosen and were elected by the people, entrusted with that holy stewardship of God’s resources, would determine its usage.

How often I have witnessed someone supposedly giving to the Lord, determining that if it is not used for our pet project, we want “our” money put somewhere else. Was it ever ours?

“The gold and silver are mine, sayeth the Lord,” – “the cattle upon a thousand hills.”

While some ministries flourish with resources, others go lacking.

We are first of all to give ourselves to the Lord, and until we do, that which we give will always be inadequate and will indicate our lack of

faith in the God who will supply all our need.

Our preoccupation with seeking security in this world has become a predominant way of life, yet this is not the calling of the children of God. To me, in my narrow experience of life in the Lord Jesus, this is an indication of our unbelief in the Lord who said, “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

He calls us to spend and to be spent just as He did for us.

With these things in proper order, I have every confidence that the growing ministry of our denomination will continue to grow. And even though we have goals before us, let us not assume that these things are in proper perspective.

From time to time we will need to pause to see where we are, whether our equipment (foundation) is in order, or whether we are just simply going for the sake of going. If we need to go back and do the first works of repentance, because we have left our first love, and have become ineffective, let us go back.

But then let us go on!?

ARP Magazine Online Read your denomination’s magazine online at your leisure - at work or at home. The ARP is now available in a downloadable version and will automatically come to you by email. Sign up now by calling Susan Lever Tanner at 864-2328297, ext. 236 or email stanner@arpsynod.org.

Don’t miss an issue!

17

July Prayer Calendar

Synod’s Committee on Worship has authorized this calendar for use in private devotions and family altars throughout the denomination.

Scripture readings, memory verses and Westminster Shorter Catechism questions correspond with those used in the Adult Quarterly Sunday School curriculum published by Christian Education Ministries. In support of the ARP denomination, we ask that you include the churches and individuals listed below in your daily prayers.

WEEK ONE MEMORY VERSE

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

SHORTER CATECHISM

Q.91. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?

A. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation not from any virtue in them, on in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.

1 2 3 4

Matthew 25:1-13. Retired minister: Rev. James Coad, Jr., Flat Rock, NC, on his birthday. Hernando Presbyterian Church (33/4), Hernando, MS: Rev. Steve R. Woods, pastor.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Newberry ARP Church (137/15), Newberry, SC: Mike Hair, clerk of session, pastor.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-24. Life Line Presbyterian Church of NY (27/3), Queens, NY: Rev. Tae Lee, pastor.

Missionary: Dottie Bigham, Wales.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. Global Vision ARP Church (10/3), Flushing, NY: Dr. Peter Tae Mun, mission developer.

WEEK TWO MEMORY VERSE

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. 2 Thessalonians 1:3

SHORTER CATECHISM

Q.92. What is a sacrament?

A. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.

5 6

18

1 Peter 5:6-11. Living Waters Presbyterian Church (57/10), Lake Wylie, SC: Rev. Jan Senneker, supply.

Acts 20:7-12. Lemira Presbyterian Church (30/7), Sumter, SC: Dan Rowton, supply.

7 8 9 10 11

Revelation 5:9-14. Faith Chapel (17/2), Plesant Garden, NC: Rev. Terry Crahen, supply.

Revelation 7:9-17. Retired minister: Rev. Guy H. Smith, Clover, SC, on his birthday.

Revelation 14:6-13. Fuller Memorial Church (16/0), Durham, NC: Dr. Darrell Pond, supply.

Revelation 19:1-8. Good News Presbyterian Church (86/33), Frederick, MD: Rev. Peter Kemeny, pastor. Retired minister’s widow: Barbara Lauderdale, Due West, SC, on her birthday.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-12. First Gastonia ARP Church (793/162), Gastonia, NC: Rev. Edward Spencer, pastor.

WEEK THREE MEMORY VERSE

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

SHORTER CATECHISM

Q.93. Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?

A. The sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptism and the Lord’s supper.

12 13 14 15 16 17

Psalms 33:4-12. Freedom Bridge ARP Church (108/0), Southern Pines, NC: Rev. Donald Jordan, mission supply.

Hebrews 3:1-6. Lincoln Memorial ARP Church (55/0), Fayetteville, TN: Rev. Barney Heyward, supply; Rev. Roy Hulling, associate pastor.

Galatians 5:7-14. Johnston Presbyterian Church, Johnston, SC: Rev. Paul Volpitto, supply. Retired minister’s widow: Jeanie Bridges, Salisbury, NC, on her birthday.

2 Timothy 2:8-13. Louisville ARP Church (83/10), Louisville, GA: Rev R. Douglas White, pastor.

Acts 20:17-24. Chaplain: Barry K. Wells, Air Force, Europe.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. Lauderdale ARP Church (156/21), Lexington, VA: Rev. Benjamin Dowling, III, pastor.

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2 Thessalonians 2:13-17. Reformed Hungarian Church (19/6), North York, ON: Rev. Frank Kovacs, pastor.

WEEK FOUR MEMORY VERSE

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

SHORTER CATECHISM

Q.94. What is baptism?

A. Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s.

19 20 21

22 23 24 25

Psalm 89:1-8. Richland ARP Church (85/52), Millington, TN: Rev. Gary Clowers, pastor.

Acts 21:1-14. Chaplain: Paul Burton Joyner, Air Force, Europe. Iranian Christian Church, Silver Spring, MD: Rev. Javad Pishghadamian, mission developer.

1 Corinthians 1:4-9. Garrison Memorial ARP Church (11/0), Bessemer City, NC: Rev. Vaughn Hathaway, supply.

Hebrews 6:13-20. Missionaries: Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Allers, Germany.

Hebrews 10:19-25. Long Creek ARP Church, Columbia, SC: Rev. Paul A. Pepin, pastor.

1 John 1:5-10. First ARP Church (128/22), Lancaster, SC: Rev. Kyle E. Sims, pastor.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-15. Erskine Professor: Dr. Toney C. Parks, Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling.

WEEK FIVE MEMORY VERSE

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

SHORTER CATECHISM

Q.95. To whom is baptism administered?

A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till

THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

26 27 28 29

30 31

Acts 9:10-16. Hope Presbyterian Church, Tampa, FL: Rev. Michael A. Jones, pastor.

Acts 21:27-36. Grace Presbyterian Church, Winter Springs, FL: Rev. Kim S. Payne, pastor.

Acts 22:30-23:11. Gilead ARP Church (90/3), Huntersville, NC: Rev. Robert Hunter, pastor. Retired minister’s widow: Katherine Rogers, Charlotte, NC, on her birthday.

Acts 25:1-12. Reformed Theological Seminary - Charlotte Professor: Dr. Robert Cara, Professor of New Testament. Lower Long Cane ARP Church, Troy, SC: Rev. Michael Horne, pastor.

Philippians 1:3-11. First Presbyterian Church (33/0), Monroe, NC: Rev. Kenneth J. McMullen, supply.

Erskine Professor: Dr. Dale Johnson, Professor of Church History.

Philippians 1:18b-29.

Hickory Springs ARP Church (5/0), Warren, AR: Rev. Michael Garvey, supply.

* denotes mission church.

Membership figures represent the number of active communicant members/noncommunicant members.

Lessons and/or Readings based on International Sunday School Lessons. The International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2001 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.

How Do We Give?

Intentionally and Freely “Each of you must give as you have made up your own mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion...”

---II Corinthians 9:7 Proportionally “For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has - not according to what one does not have.”

---II Corinthians 8:12 Off The Top “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put aside and save whatever extra you earn...”

----I Corinthians 16:2 Gratefully “For who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to make this freewill offering? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.”

---Corinthians 29:14 Cheerfully “God loves a cheerful giver.”

---II Corinthians 9:7 JULY 2010

July Events 27-7/2 1 3-10 4 4-9 5 9 11-16 15-26 18-23 18-23 20-23 23-24 25 25-30 26 26 26-29

Camp Joy Session I, Bonclarken (CEM) Canada Day (Canada) Appalachia Mission (CEM) Independence Day (US) Holiday Camp Joy Session II at Bonclarken (CEM) ARP Center Offices Closed Summer Final Exams, Erskine College Bonclarken Music Conference Wales Mission Trip Camp Joy Session III at Bonclarken (CEM) Camp Bonclarken Session I, Bonclarken GCA Church Planting Conference (ONA) Erskine Alumni Board of Directors ARP Women’s Ministries Board Meeting, Synodical Hall, Bonclarken Camp Bonclarken Session II ARP Women’s Ministries Orientation & Annual Meeting First Presbyterial Board Meeting, Bonclarken Family Bible Conference, Bonclarken

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19

ARP Women’s Ministries

Women ministering for God’s glory and purpose KATHY BARRON President

I

n 2005, as ARP Women’s Ministries was coming into being, there were many questions about the changes we were making. Many of those questions revolved around our changed financial plan.

While we were adding the paid position of administrator, we were reducing (eventually eliminating) our contributions designated for the various agencies of Synod. ARP WM, then and now, wanted our women to give their support to these agencies through giving to their local churches.

In keeping with the teachings of our denomination on stewardship, ARP WM has added the following text to its financial plan for 2010-11: ARP Women’s Ministries is grateful for the gracious offerings of our members, without which the organization’s vision cannot be met. In addition, it is the desire of ARP WM that each woman realize the paramount importance of her tithe and offerings to the local congregations and to our denominational agencies.

Five years ago, Cathy Wilson, a member of the task force to reorganize the Woman’s Synodical Union into ARP Women’s Ministries, wrote an article entitled “Finances and ARP Women’s Ministries” to help us deal with these changes. In this issue devoted to stewardship, it seemed wise to reprint an updated version of this article. Cathy’s heartfelt words examine this issue in relationship to the giving of our women to ARP WM. 20

Thankfully, He promises to direct our paths!

Prayerfully, women of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian denomination need to understand God’s purpose for ministry within our local churches. Under the new structure of ARP Women’s Ministries, our vision statement calls us “an organization which encourages and equips the community of ARP women to minister together for God’s glory and purpose.”

Our new structure encourages women to build community and ministry through their local church.

Women must remember that we are not a separate organization within Trust in the LORD with all your heart the church, but a part of the whole and lean not on your own understanding; body. Thus, Women’s Ministries on in all your ways acknowledge him, the local level must reflect the vision and he will make your paths straight. and purpose of the church as deterDo not be wise in your own eyes; mined by each Session. fear the LORD and shun evil.

As part of a Presbyterian denomiThis will bring health to your body nation, we must remember that the and nourishment to your bones. local diaconate is entrusted with Honor the LORD with your wealth, managing money in the church. with the firstfruits of all your crops; Thus, I would urge each local WOC (Proverbs 3:5-9).

(Women’s Ministries) organization to meet with its pastor, elders, and deacons to determine the role of finances for their women (Some churches include women’s ministries as a line item in the church budget). The church must teach the importance of giving. The way to meet all the ministry needs of the church is a simple one-word solution – tithing.

For the past sevCathy Pitts, Tennessee/Alabama WM vice president, eral months I have explains to Mary Alice Mitchell how Women’s Ministries been reading two in TN/AL Presbyterial encourages and equips the combooks by Randy munity of ARP women to minister together for God’s Alcorn, Money, Posglory and purpose. sessions and Eternity 2005 WM Article What role do finances play in the new ARP Women’s Ministries structure?

While serving on the WSU Task Force, I participated in many discussions about the role finances would play in the new structure.

This question does not have a simple answer, so it must be viewed in light of scripture and prayer. While praying about this article, I have asked God to stretch my understanding of Kingdom issues regarding trusting the Lord’s guidance in all aspects of ministry and money.

THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

and The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving, which have shaped my thinking about this important issue of finances in my life and the life of the church. In Money, Possessions and Eternity, Alcorn points out that the solution to financial needs of any ministry is very simple – “If Western Christians all practiced tithing...” (p. 186).

concern about giving is not just for the money ... “God wants your heart.

He isn’t looking just for ‘donors’ for His kingdom...He’s looking for disciples immersed in the causes they give to. He wants people so filled with a vision for eternity that they wouldn’t dream of not investing their money, time, and prayers where they will matter most.”

“In Mattew 6, Jesus says there is only one safe place to invest, and that is in the Kingdom of God. He says, in essence, ‘ You can’t take it with you,’ but he adds a life-changing corollary: ‘but you can send it on ahead.” -Randy Alcorn.

As we know, if all ARP families practiced tithing to their local church, all needs would be met.

After women tithe to their local church, then there is cause for generously giving offerings through the local Women’s Ministries. It seems that God impresses upon the hearts of women the desire to give compassionately to different causes. Through guest speakers and articles in The Associate Reformed Presbyterian, we learn about needs in the ARP denomination, the community, and the world – and God’s Spirit moves us to give an offering.

In The Treasure Principle, Alcorn reminds the reader that God’s

Likewise, we must not overemphasize finances in Women’s Ministries in place of building community and practicing ministry. First, I would encourage everyone to read these two biblically-based books and learn how giving fills our hearts with greater joy.

In addition, ARP Women’s Ministries desires that each woman prayerfully read the articles contained in this special edition of the ARP. Then, we will be ready through prayer to seek God’s leading for an understanding of the role finances play in ARP Women’s Ministries.

Finally, we need to trust the Holy Spirit to guide our management of God’s resources.?

Mark Your Calendar 2010 Laity in Action Conference September 17-18 Bonclarken Conference Center Flat Rock, NC Keynote Speaker: Dr. Richard Phillips Senior pastor, Second Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC Theme: “On This Rock: Biblically Defining the Church” (Childcare and children’s program included)

Got News?

If you have a news article or story that you think should be in The ARP Magazine, e-mail the editor at arpeditor@arpsynod. org JULY 2010

21

An Obligation and a Privilege This article is a reprint of the Moderator’s Corner from the March, 1985 ARP Magazine.

By William H.F. Kuykendall, Moderator of Synod

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until there is no more need (Malachi 3:10).

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good many years ago now, when I first came to teach at Erskine College and some years before I joined the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, I was in Charlotte to give a series of lectures to an adult class. On the first evening there, a venerable patriarch of the congregation approached me, and without any introduction or warning he attacked me with the words, “Young man, are you a tither?”

While I was still stammering about, trying to find some polite way of saying “No” and defending my answer, he pressed the issue home with the bold statement, “Every ARP ought to be a tither.”

Aha! There was my defense! I managed to get out the fact that I was not a member of the denomination.

“That makes no difference at all,” he said. “You’re a Christian, and every Christian ought to be a thither.”

He had me there.

The man, as many of my readers will guess, was Fred R. Cates of the Tabernacle Church, for more years than I can count the ARP apostle of tithing. I still have and treasure the 22

coin which he gave me that night, as he gave them to tens of thousands (if not hundreds of thousands).

Mr. Cates seemed ancient to me in the summer of 1964, and I suppose that by almost any standard, he was.

He was, at the time, in his mid-80s.

He lived to be almost 93. He died, in 1971, still a tither and still an advocate of tithing. In his lifetime he had brought many Christians, ARP and Gentile, to a realization that tithing is both an obligation and a privilege for the Christian.

At the time, as I have said, I had some variety of defenses for my position. I soon watched these defenses crumble.

I might have said that we were no longer under the law and thus not responsible to turn in 10 percent of our income to the church. I might have argued that Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their scrupulous care in tithing but without admitting that, according to both Matthew and Luke, He closed His remark on tithing with the words, “But these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42).

Mr. Cates did not do so, but he might well have answered my protests, as Job attacked his friend’s arguments: “Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, your defenses are defenses of clay” (Job 13:12). Proverbs of ashes and defenses of clay, indeed! I had absolutely no firm biblical base on which to stand. I was trying to defend my own selfishness.

We who consider ourselves the church of Jesus Christ on Earth, far more than anyone else, ought to be conscious of what the Lord has done

for us. We ought also to know the sort of life to which He has called us. He has summoned us to be His new chosen people on Earth.

He has called us to a life of witnessing before men. Witnessing sometimes takes money. We have found the usefulness of having a house of worship, and we must pay its operating expenses as we pay those of our own dwellings. We have found the usefulness of having boards and agencies to channel our activities in His name more effectively, and such conveniences cost money to operate.

A Clear Distinction Old Israel drew a clear distinction between “tithes” – the giving of 10 percent of one’s income to the religious institution for its support – to God’s glory and “offerings” – those gifts which we are moved to give to the Lord over and above our tithes.

We in the church today would do well to emulate them.

We should be giving 10 percent of our income – Malachi’s “full tithe” – to our local congregations, for the support of the local church and the denominational agencies, through the Voluntary Commitment Program (now Denominational Ministry Fund). We also should be expressing our thanksgiving to the Lord through our offerings, given through the opportunities made available to us through our own Synod causes and monthly emphases, and also through other reputable channels of Christian service.

It has come to be a common thing for some of us to withhold our tithes from the local church and distribute them according to our own desires.

THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

This sort of distribution is quite legitimate when we are dealing with our offerings, but our tithes belong directly to the Lord and to the causes to which He guides His church to distribute them.

If we feel that we cannot trust the local church and the denomination to be guided by His Spirit in the use of these funds, then we should seek a setting in which we can place our trust, either by seeking to change the

JULY 2010

activity of our own church by prayerful involvement in its local and denomination activities, or by seeking another congregation and denomination we find trustworthy.

The ARP Church has long since proved its trustworthiness and divine guidance to my satisfaction. It is my concern that we come to realize that it needs our careful attention to its rightful claims upon us, upon our time, and upon our world

resources. We do not invest our tithes in ourselves. We invest them in glorifying God through His body, the church.

Mr. Cates’ voice still echoes through the church: “Are you a tither?” Are you? “Every Christian ought to be a tither.” He was right! Would that God would raise up another like him among us today!?

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World Witness

In the footsteps Giving Thanks to God in Germany

FRANK VAN DALEN Executive Director of World Witness

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God (2 Corinthians 9:12).

T

he executive director of missions to the Gentiles—that’s one way we can describe the Apostle Paul. He presented a vision of missions to his home church in Antioch. He directed the missionary task of planting churches in Turkey and Greece.

He led teams to these places. He strategized about going to Rome and Spain. He trained young people to take over the task after he was gone. And he organized funds to support the work.

These are all tasks that World Witness continues for the ARP denomination in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul.

Mission work needs your support. It is needed for exactly the same reasons that Paul gave to the church at Corinth—to supply the needs of God’s people and to overflow in many expressions of thanks to God. In a brief survey of our mission fields, we can see how this is working: 24

Your gifts have helped to support the planting of a church in Marzahn.

It started as a youth ministry led by Heiko and Kay Burklin. Those who came to faith in Christ have now become young adults, and the self-supporting church has been established: “Kirche 43: Junge Kirche Marzahn.” Pastor Torsten Klotzsche is leading a congregation which you helped to establish.

We have been blessed with the privilege of giving. God has used those gifts so that the needs of other believers would be met through us. God has not only met our needs, but their needs as well. But not Members of the Marzahn Church only that, God has also used our gifts so that unbelievers can be changed by Him. What a wonderful privilege it is to share in His work for the building up of His church and giving glory to His name. May the Lord continue to bless you with the joy of giving.

Supplying the needs of God’s people in Mexico

Your gifts have supported the ministry of World Witness missionaries, Jim and Galita Coad, to the poor of central Mexico. Huastecan Indians live in isolated villages, miles from the nearest city and paved road.

Jim Coad writes: “The Huasteca Presbytery is in the process of starting a new mission work in Tampamolon.”

Pastor Felipe Santiago Cayetano has known a family of Huastecan children and teachers school teachers in that town for a long time. They have recently expressed the desire to draw closer to the Lord (from a mostly nominal Catholic background) and have visited the church in Tzapuja.

I did a one-year project last year with the Huasteca Presbytery, giving 3,000 pesos a month for Pastor Francisco Dominguez in Huichihuayan. That work has continued since the project, and mission support has expired.”

Your support has helped the Mexican ARP church plant new churches in villages like Tampamolon.

THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

of

the Apostle Paul Giving thanks to God in Turkey

Your gifts have done more in Turkey than just supply needs. They have also resulted in many people “overflowing with expressions of thanks to God.” People are being saved and praising the Lord for His goodness towards them.

Several months ago, I was in Izmir, Turkey, and met Seval, the wife of Pastor Hasan Yaman of the Yeni Dogus congregation in Turkey. She confirmed that she is now a believer. Please pray for Seval’s continued growth. Pray for her as she is quickly stepping up in outreach at the church.

Our church in Izmir, Turkey

Pastor Hasan Yaman

Supplying the needs of God’s people in Pakistan

The Margaret White Memorial Church is under construction in the slums of Sahiwal. Christians there earn an average of $50 per month to feed, clothe and educate family; support their pastors; and build and maintain churches.

Helping poor Christians in these circumstances seems like an overwhelming task. Jesus said: “The poor you will always have with you.” Your gifts will never meet all their needs. But a strategic use of your gifts will help poor Christians in Pakistan have a place to worship God and learn from His Word.

Your gifts support the training of pastors, like Zeeshan Sadiq, to lead God’s people in Pakistan. He is an extension student at Erskine Seminary, mentored

by Rev. Lee Shelnutt through the internet. He continues to serve his church in Pakistan, while benefiting from Christian education provided in the United States.

With your gifts, nurses can be trained at our Christian Hospital in Sahiwal, which was built 100 years ago. Each mother who has given birth there receives a Bible for her child. Thirty thousand patients, who would otherwise not hear the Truth, are the beneficiaries of your gifts.

JULY 2010

A Bible is given to each mother giving birth at CHS

25

Erskine

The Erskine College Experience

By Rick Hendricks rskine College’s academic program has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best Christian liberal arts colleges in the southeast. But the Erskine experience goes beyond academics, creating bonds that continue after graduation, according to Woody O’Cain, vice president for enrollment.

“The Erskine experience is more than just education. It’s about Christian commitment and the spiritual and moral fulfillment derived from a faith-based lifestyle,” O’Cain said.

“Our students are ‘Forever Connected..in Learning, in Christ, and in Life.’”

Offering a wide variety of majors in the sciences, humanities, and pre-professional programs in Education and Business, Erskine emphasizes individual attention, with a 12:1 student/faculty ratio and an average of 14 students per class.

“Our students develop lifelong relationships with the faculty and staff,”

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O’Cain said. “The bonds formed at Erskine serve as a stepping-stone for future success, both personally and professionally.”

Students are also connected in learning through opportunities that extend beyond the campus, whether studying theater in New York City or wolves in Minnesota; exploring the tropical rain forest in Costa Rica; or the deepest regions of the Amazon. Erskine offers opportunities for foreign study in Scotland, England, France, Spain and Mexico.

Erskine’s thriving cultural environment encompasses music and the performing and visual arts. NCAA Division II athletics provide yet another way for students to stay connected.

“The student athletes are not separate entities here...they are friends and classmates who are enthusiastically cheered-on during their competitions,” O’Cain said. Each year, almost half of Erskine’s graduates continue their education in graduate or professional schools, and nearly 100 percent of those applying to medical and dental school are admitted.

Last year, 72 percent of Erskine’s Class of 2009, who were seeking jobs, were employed within a month of receiving their diplomas. “Within three months, 87 percent had jobs,” O’Cain said.

Students may apply for admission online at www.erskine.edu or at The Common Application (www.commonapp.org). The Erskine financial aid staff works individually with each family to provide a financial plan to make college affordable.?

Erskine Seminary Promotes 74 Graduates

By H. Neely Gaston, D.D.

The Seminary gives thanks to God for the strong financial support received from the church, friends, and alumni. In appreciation of the support our churches have given us, we are offering one free audit course per semester for teaching and ruling elders and deacons for up to four people per church, pending available classroom space. Please contact the Admissions Office (800-770-6936) for more information.

Our May 2010 commencement promoted 74 graduates. The breakdown by degree was as follows: 1 Certificate in Practical Ministry, 1 Diploma of Theology, 23 Master of Divinity, 5 Master of Arts in Counseling Ministry, 4 Master of Arts in Educational Ministry, 4 Master of Church Music, 5 Master of Arts in Practical Ministry, 4 Master of Arts in Theological Studies, 8 Master of Theology, and 19 Doctor of Ministry.

The commencement speaker was The Rev. Douglas W. Petersen.

There were 76 Associate Reformed Presbyterians enrolled during the

THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

Erskine’s New President

2009-2010 academic year. The breakdown by degree program is 35 MDIV, 4 MATS, 5 MAPM, 2 MCM, 3 MAEM, 1 MACM, 8ThM, and 18 DMIN. There were 11 ARP graduates in May and currently four ARP’s will be enrolling in the fall.

Permanent ARP teaching faculty members for the year included Bible professors James Hering and George Schwab; Theology and Church History professors Don Fairbairn, R. J. Gore, and Mark Ross; and Ministry professors Robby Bell and Doug White. ARP part-time faculty members included Alan Avera and Jennifer Fairbairn. ARP staff members included Neely Gaston, Lee Duffie, Mary Stephens, and Langley Burch.

Erskine Theological Seminary gives thanks to God for the support provided through Denominational Ministry Funds. Each ARP student receives an 80% tuition scholarship which averages $7000 per student yearly. Endowed gifts added to the yearly funds provided by the denomination make this possible. We prayerfully ask that you and your church will continue to give through your voluntary commitment gifts to the ARP Church and her ministries.?

– Neely Gaston is the executive vice president of Erskine Theological Seminary.

JULY 2010

DUE WEST, S.C. — Dr. David A. Norman took office July 1 as the 15th president of Erskine College and Seminary.

Norman, 34, and his wife K.D. have three children — Noah, Asher and Ezra.

David Norman grew up in Georgia and Alabama as part of a Christian family.

He received his undergraduate degree from Auburn University. While Norman was a student at Auburn, he married K.D., his high school sweetheart. They celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary on June 14.

After earning his master’s degree in Christian Thought from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Norman went to the University of Edinburgh and was awarded the Ph.D. for his work in Philosophical Theology.

Norman served several years as a professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of South Carolina in Lancaster. The Normans became members of First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Lancaster. Their two oldest sons were baptized in that church and Norman was ordained as a deacon there.

He then became executive director of the prestigious Trinity Forum Academy, a highly selective graduate program in Applied Philosophy and Theology. In his role, Norman was responsible for recruitment, finances, board relations, student development, managing staff, teaching, fund-raising and all operational responsibilities.

Norman stayed at Trinity Forum until he was recruited to join Best and Associates, a Dallas-based higher education consulting and service organization. During his association with Best, Norman has continued to develop his experience and knowledge in the business and best practices of higher education.

An inauguration for the new president is being planned for the fall.?

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864-379-8514 (H) 864-379-8159 (O) cdraffin@erskine.edu ������������������������������ Executive Director: Rev. E. Brent Turner One Cleveland St,Your Ste. 110,Board Greenville, of SC 29601 Stewardship 864-232-8297 ext.2010 232 bturner@arpsynod.org - Ben Johnston Chairman: Rev. Robert J.2011 Whittet - Bob Elliott III (chairman) 113 Washington Rd., NH 03870 2012Rye, - Jeff Lipscomb (vice-chairman) 603-431-7723 (H)2013 978-927-2300 (O) bwhittet@gordon.edu - Paul McInnish

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Susan Hunt is the Women’s Ministry consultant for . - Blake Moore (2010) Chairman: D. Scott Mitchell First She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and Columbia Theological She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and Columbia Theological 3149 LeBron Rd., Montgomery, ALJohnson 36106 Florida - Bob Seminary. She has authored numerous books and travels extensively, speaking to Seminary. She has authored numerous books and travels extensively, speaking(H)to 334-269-3354 334-834-5311 (O) scottmitchell66@gmail.com Miss.

Valley Martha Dees (2010) women’s groups. Her desire to help women have a heart for each other, for the women’s groups. Her desire to help women have a heart for each other, for the Northeast - Paul Matthews (2011) church, and for the Reformed faith is unparalleled. Her books include: church, and for the Reformed faith is unparalleled. Her books include: ���������������������� , , , , the Pacific - vacant , , , , the series, and the series for teenage girls.Director: Rev.Second Executive Alan Avera- Eldredge Kelley (2010) series, and the series for teenage girls.

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������������ ������������������������ Moderator: Stephen J. Maye 6517 Buggy Whip Lane, Waxhaw, NC 28173 704-843-9650 (H) 704-321-3300 (O) smaye@drakecap.net ���������������������������� President: Joseph H. “Chip” Sherer, Jr. 500 Pine Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731 828-692-2223 csherer@bonclarken.com Chairman: Rev. L. Calvin Draffin P.O. Box 397, Due West, SC 29639 864-379-8514 (H) 864-379-8159 (O) cdraffin@erskine.edu ������������������������������ Executive Director: Rev. E. Brent Turner One Cleveland St, Ste. 110, Greenville, SC 29601 864-232-8297 ext. 232 bturner@arpsynod.org Chairman: Rev. Robert J. Whittet 113 Washington Rd., Rye, NH 03870 603-431-7723 (H) 978-927-2300 (O) bwhittet@gordon.edu �������������������������� President: David Norman PO. Box 172, Due West, SC 29639 864-379-8885 Chairman: D. Scott Mitchell 3149 LeBron Rd., Montgomery, AL 36106 334-269-3354 (H) 334-834-5311 (O) scottmitchell66@gmail.com ���������������������� Executive Director: Rev. Alan Avera One Cleveland St., Ste. 110, Greenville, SC 29601 864-232-8297 ext. 230 onadir@arpsynod.org Chairman: Jan P. Sattem 2118 Crescent Coral Dr. League City, TX 77573 281-538-9675 (O) 281-704-3806 (C) jsattem@earthlink.net 28

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One Cleveland St., Ste. 110, Greenville,-SC 29601Ptacek (2013) Tenn.Alabama Kerry 864-232-8297 ext.Virginia 230 onadir@arpsynod.org - Don Hampton (2013) Chairman: Jan P. Sattem 2118 Crescent Coral Dr. League City, TX 77573 281-538-9675 (O) 281-704-3806 (C) jsattem@earthlink.net

����������������������������������� Editor: Delores McDonald One Cleveland St., Ste. 110, Greenville, SC 29601 864-232-8297 ext. 237 arpeditor@arpsynod.org Chairman: Walter F. Payne, Jr. 3285 Su San Farm Rd., Gastonia, NC 28056 704-864-3842 (H) 704-865-4912 (O) walter@imagemarkonline.com ������������� Executive Director: Rev. Frank van Dalen One Cleveland St., Ste. 220, Greenville, SC 29601 864-233-5226 fvandalen@worldwitness.org Chairman:William H. Kidd 101 Kidd Rd., Fayetteville, TN 37334 931-433-7154 (H) 931-433-1202 (O) William@valnet.com ������������������ President: Kathy Barron 146 Grinders Circle Greer, SC 29650 864-292-5821 jkbarron@erskine.edu �������������������� Chairman: Robert B. Elliott, III 6161 Mount Gallant Rd., York, SC 29745 803-366-5577 (O) tirzaharp@gmail.com ����������������������� Chairman: Darrell Peer ������������4725 Leucadendra Drive, Sebring, FL 33872-1541 863-382-8827 (H) 863-385-0107 (O)

THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

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Is It Just a Money Issue?

everal years after my father’s death in 1992 I found an old shoebox among my father’s belongings. Among the various items in the shoebox, I came across a stack of letters that my father had written just prior to his death. As I began to read the first letter I quickly realized he had written them to me but that he never had the opportunity to give them to me because his cancer consumed his body more quickly than the oncologist had expected. In one of the letters, my father wrote, “Learn to live with a little less.”

I have never forgotten that admonition, and having often wondered what made my father’s generation different from my own, I have come to the following conclusions: My father’s generation knew what it was to JULY 2010

printed product, or website. Large format print capabilities. Mention ARP Magazine and receive a 10% discount. 864.268.4266 or www. sabo.ws.

live with a little less.

My generation always seems to “need” just a little more. My father’s generation asked this question of God, family, neighbor, and country: “How can I serve you with my time, money, and resources?” My generation asks, “How can you serve me with your time, money, and resources?”

My father’s generation was a generation of honorable, principled, and hard-working men and women who felt truly blessed by God to be alive, to have the health to give of themselves to others, and to be fortunate enough to give of their time, money, and resources so that future generations could prosper.

My generation is consumed with consumption. It is the generation of entitlement, instant gratification, and expediency. My generation has no

understanding of what our fathers and forefathers fought for, what they sacrificed, and how much they gave of their time, money, and resources.

This is not just an issue about money, but about how we worship God as stewards of all that He has entrusted to us as we live before His face each and every day. Nevertheless, we must never forget that it is the love of money that is “a root of all kinds of evils” 1 Tim. 6:10.

In his book Respectable Sins, Jerry Bridges, one from among my father’s generation, writes, “If money wins out in our lives, it is not God but we who lose. Ultimately, God does not need our money. If we spend it on ourselves, it is we who become spiritual paupers” (p. 169).? – this article also appeared in Table Talk Magazine.

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pa g e s a nd use . y p o C ss rs !

Te a c h e 1 fo r yo u r c la 30, 3

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THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN

JULY 2010

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