Christian Standard | July/August 2021

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HEROES

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Thursday Is Hero Day

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hursdays are a special time in our house. That’s the day we’ve set aside for grandchildren. We presently have three grandchildren, ages 4, 2, and 1, with another one on the way. Every room in our house literally is a reflection of this new priority in our lives, and we want to get every bit of blessing out of this season. I love it when they cry when their parents pick them up because it’s time to leave, when they move freely between my wife and me as their favorites, and when they wreak havoc to our house with nonstop precision.

I’m a bit of a grandparenting pioneer, since my own grandparents passed away before I was born and my wife’s grandparents lived far away for much of her life.

I’m sure we’re making mistakes, but we don’t sweat it that much; after all, whatever problems we create are exported to their parents to solve at the end of the day.

Unlike many of our peers, we are privileged to have our children living nearby. Of course, that carries with it all the accompanying drama. You know what they say: “Higher highs and lower lows!”

In many ways, grandparenting is sort of a do-over for all the shortcomings and missteps of parenting; it’s like receiving a dividend for surviving the parenting years. There’s more time, more money, more freedom, and more concentration than was available the first time around with the kids. Much of that original parenting energy is gone, but there are plenty of ways to compensate for it with junk food, mess-making, and Disney Plus.

There has never been a better opportunity to be a hero than as a grandparent. Our oldest grandchild has a vivid imagination and so pretend tents, castles, and forts become backdrops to epic made-up stories of captive princesses and monsters that turn out to not be all that scary, after all. We push the swings for the younger ones higher and higher, catch tadpoles in the pond (we name them and then let them go), or make up stories of the Squishy family while floating in the swimming pool. We hunt for diamonds in the river rock around the landscaping, sing songs, and make crazy faces. As we

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play and explore, my wife and I do our best to decipher their latest new word.

Some of the best experiences we have are connected to our faith in Jesus. It might be a Bible story read out of a book, a song my wife plays with them at the piano, or the prayer they say over their favorite lunch. It might be the opportunity to answer a burning question that to them is just the first in a string of asking, “why? why? why?”

They’re just seemingly insignificant moments, but they are the stuff of which heroes are made. These moments grow in the spaces between listening and asking, playing and cuddling, crying and comforting. And moments mount up. Like gold, they wash down from the mountains to the riverbeds in rich deposits that last a lifetime.

In Old Testament times, patriarchs passed down a blessing to their children. Bible stories inform us just how precious these blessings were to those giving and receiving them. I think there is a terrible shortage of blessings today, and it has become the cause of much of the world’s problems.

Someone once told me I could fail at many things and still recover, but if I failed with my family, then I truly was a failure. I wonder if someday when I stand before my Father to give an account for the things I’ve done in this life, whether an examination of how I led my family will be the most consequential. I don’t know. What I do know, however, is that I’m going to keep showing up for Thursdays, for Sunday dinners, and at all other times, because I want to be a memory-making machine that points my children and grandchildren to the One who makes our lives matter.

Grandparenting is another window into understanding our heavenly Father and his great love for us. The way I feel about my grandkids is just a dim reflection of the feelings my heavenly Father carries for me, and my ability to love has been given to me by God. Every time I love on my grandkids, I can look up and understand just a little more the love God has for me. I get to be my grandkids’ hero and God gets to be mine.

Solomon said there is a time and a purpose for everything under heaven. Carrying that forward, I believe the time of parenting and grandparenting is precious with purpose and full of redeeming grace. I’ve had the privilege of pastoring a church of more than 10,000 and seeing thousands of people baptized, but I don’t think I’ve done anything more important in my life than simply being present, engaged, and enjoying teachable moments with the kids and grandkids God gave me. My wife and I are unlikely heroes, but we are heroes just the same.

Jerry Harris is publisher of Christian Standard Media and senior pastor of The Crossing, a multisite church located in three states across the Midwest. @_jerryharris /jerrydharris

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R U T H : H OW G O D W E AV E D H E R STORY OF REDEMPTION INTO HIS Jennifer Hentzel

LEMUEL'S MOTHER: PRAISEWORTHY ADVISOR AND MODEL Jackina Stark

HANNAH: GRIT AND GRACE IN D E S P E R AT E C I R C U M S TA N C E S Leigh Mackenzie

DEBORAH: BRONZE-AGE WONDER WOMAN Jennifer Holder

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In Every Issue

MANOAH'S WIFE: UNNAMED BUT NOT ANONYMOUS

2-3

from the publisher

6-7

from the Editor

10-11

ENGAGE

12-13

HEAL

14-15

BOLD

16-17

Seana Scott

M A RY : WA I T I N G W I T H FA I T H Diane Stortz

T H E L AW O F T H E B I G G E R Y E S Alan Ahlgrim

A TIME FOR COURAGE Matt Merold

SPIRE NETWORK: Growing a Legacy of Connection, Contribution, and Collaboration Chris Jefferson

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E2: EFFECTIVE ELDERS

HORIZONS From Vegas to Brussels: One Teacher ’s Road to Ministr y Laura McKillip Wood

LEAD

22-23

METRICS

50 Years of Leadership Lessons Don Wilson

Deconstructing the Digital Church Kent Fillinger

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Women's Roles in the Church Megan Rawlings

20-21

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*new co lumn !

Lame Ideas Can Lead to Healing Ideas Wes Beavis

The Elder's Role in Leading Through Conf lict David Roadcup

18-19 ESTHER: CHOOSING THE RIGHT THING EVEN WHEN IT'S THE HARD THING

*new co lumn !

The 'Invisible Government' Tyler McKenzie

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PREACH

94-95

Interact

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The Ar t of Application Chris Philbeck

final word

f r o m th e edi to r

four lessons I Learned From Seven Heroic Women

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ho is your favorite biblical hero? Who, when you read about them, inspires you to bold action and encourages you to act courageously in your walk with God? Who would you like to have join your small group or ministry team? Who would you ask to mentor you, if you could?

In this issue we celebrate seven women, listed on the previous page, who certainly qualify as heroes, and all of us, women and men, can learn from them. But while this issue is about women heroes, in this letter I want to address my fellow men.

As I read the articles about these biblical heroes, I learned several things.

First, I learned what genuine faith looks like from these women. The writers of these seven articles—all of them women—identified quite a few attributes and

virtues these heroes possessed. Many of them lived lives of high (even noble) character. Several made difficult, costly choices by trusting God through steadfast prayer. All had great faith—in God and his word—and were in close relationship with God. Some faced danger, some rejection, and some death, but they demonstrated bravery, strength, courage, wisdom, and perseverance regardless of the sacrifice.

These women had hearts that were dedicated to God and his purposes, obeyed God’s call to be leaders in their spheres of influence, boldly stood up for the good of others, and humbly gave all the credit to God. If this list sounds like a description of any true follower of God—woman or man—it is!

I also learned how God views women. Several of these women were God’s choice to carry out his

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plans, some in relatively small ways—or so it may have seemed at the time—and some in magnificent, worldchanging ways. God revealed his purposes to these women and then placed them in positions where they could make a difference. Obviously, God held these women in high esteem.

Job 31:1-4; Proverbs 6:25-29). But what about when it also ruins the reputation of Christ’s bride? Jesus suggested we take drastic measures to abate this issue (Matthew 5:28-30).

I also learned from the men in these women’s lives. As I read these articles and the Bible passages on which they’re based, I asked myself, How did these men treat the women in their lives, and how could they have done better? How did they work as a team with these women for God’s purposes? How were the women and men in the stories used to carry out God’s will?

Of course, sexual abuse scandals are only one way— albeit an abhorrent way—men miss the mark in how we view and treat women as God calls us to. Regardless, we must not shy away from discussing this issue; we should get whatever help is needed and seek repentance and accountability. What else can we do to grapple with this issue? What can church leaders do to help prevent it from happening in the first place? I’d love to hear your feedback.

Finally, by studying this topic I learned more about how I as a man should view and treat women, and I believe these articles provide us all a timely opportunity to do the same.

Let’s take this issue seriously, remembering Jesus’ vision for his bride as “a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27).

According to Gallup, just 47 percent of Americans are now affiliated with a church; it’s the first time this metric has dropped below 50 percent. Worse, the younger the age group, the lower the percentage of church affiliation. The reasons for this are numerous, and I plan to speak more about this in my next letter. But we can’t discount the declining reputation of the church and church leaders in our culture. The proliferation of scandals within the church, especially sexual abuse, predatory behavior, and cover-ups—which usually involve a male leader exploiting a woman or girl—has had a pernicious effect.

Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Commission, recently wrote on his blog that people “come to think the church doesn’t believe its own moral teachings . . . when they see the church covering up predatory behavior in its institutions.”

“If people reject the church because they reject Jesus and the gospel, we should be saddened but not surprised,” says Moore. “But what happens when people reject the church because they think we reject Jesus and the gospel?”

This is one of many reasons leaders are called to live “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2). God’s Word warns us about what lust can do to us and our reputations (see

Two More New Columns: In our May/June issue, we launched two new columns—“Lead,” by Don Wilson and “Preach,” by Chris Philbeck. In this issue we’re adding two more. “Heal,” by Dr. Wes Beavis—who has served as a pastor in Restoration Movement churches, as a licensed clinical psychologist, and as an author— will help ministry leaders navigate the leadership journey in healthy ways. In “Engage,” Tyler McKenzie, lead pastor at Northeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, will discuss the interface between culture and the church.

Have questions for any of our columnists? Please send them to CS@christianstandardmedia.com.

@michaelc.mack @michaelcmack @michaelcmack /authormichaelcmack

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Engage

Have you heard of Edward Bernays? He was the nephew of Sigmund Freud and was referred to as “the father of public relations.” Bernays took his uncle’s understanding of psychology and used it to manipulate people. Do a Google search of his accomplishments. Bernays got Calvin Coolidge reelected. He engineered the overthrow of the Guatemalan government. He persuaded women that smoking in public was chic. He made us believe disposable cups were the only sanitary drinking vessels. He convinced us bacon and eggs were breakfast foods. He was good at what he did.

In 1928, in his celebrated book called Propaganda, he wrote,

the 'Invisible Government'

by Tyler McKenzie

The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society.

Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. . . .

We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. . . . In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons . . . who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.

Bernays believed that behind all the brands and political campaigns, there was an “invisible government” shaping our minds and winning our loyalties. I believe he was right then, and that he is still right. Today, almost 100 years later, I find the manipulation capabilities of this “invisible government” chilling and terrifying.

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How Much Access Are We Willing to Surrender?

Before the “invisible government”— or IG—begins to form us, they get to know us. Literally, they research us using “surveillance technology” (a term coined by former Harvard professor Shoshana Zuboff). We welcome these technologies into our lives because they make life easier or provide entertainment. We purchase these technologies (they aren’t forced on us), and in a very short time, we can’t live without them! All the while the IG is gathering detailed personal data, building a profile of us,

How am I supposed to compete when they give me 30 minutes twice a month, but their news anchor gets an hour every night?” Answer?

Y o u c a n’ t. A n d i n a n u t s h e l l , t h at ’ s t h e c h a l l e n g e o f t o d ay.

• You wake up and turn off the alarm on your phone.

(Don’t underestimate the formative power of your phone being the first thing you touch every day.)

• You get on social media. Everything you post, like, read, or click is recorded and analyzed.

• You work out and technology uploads your vitals to the app.

• You check e-mail. Google scans everything you write on Gmail for key words to direct advertising to you.

• You browse sites or blogs. As you read, the cookies you accept (and they ain’t chocolate chip) report information about you.

• As you drive to work, sensors in your car record your driving habits.

• As you travel, apps with location services track you and send geo-targeted ads.

• All the requests you make of Siri? These are recorded and monetized.

• The conversations you have at home? Alexa records and monetizes them.

• When you buy with credit? Recorded and monetized.

• All your smart devices (fridge, TV, security system)?

They’re recording and monetizing your life.

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I recently read a book that challenged me to consider how much access technology has into our lives. Consider a typical day in your life.

students don’t read their Bibles anymore. I couldn’t help but think those students are never going to open their Bibles until they find freedom from their phones.

Who Is Discipling Us?

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and then analyzing it with sophisticated algorithms to pitch us goods or change our minds.

Over the course of the pandemic, I was distraught to watch core people from my church become irate and irrational.

Everything was politicized. Every word was analyzed for dog whistles. People assumed the worst. Fuses were short and people left the church over the smallest offenses. I had one person ask for a “refund on my offering.” That was a first. I had another complain our church had become “way too compassionate.” He didn’t mean it as compliment. More than once I was driven to my knees, praying, “How, God, did we lose the discipleship battle so quickly with them?”

This is how. The voices you listen to are the voices that disciple you. The “invisible government” has our attention, knows our personalities, and speaks persuasively. I don’t know how many times this year I’ve heard a pastor lament, “How am I supposed to compete when they give me 30 minutes twice a month, but their news anchor gets an hour every night?” Answer? You can’t. And in a nutshell, that’s the challenge of today.

So, what do we do? How do we create countercultural communities in a world that has the most sophisticated formation technology we’ve ever come up against? How do we win a battle against an enemy our people listen to more than us? How do we outmaneuver an enemy who knows our people better than we know them? I’d love to hear from you on this. Write us or comment below (if you’re reading this online). I believe it will take a plurality of spiritual formation strategies and the incessant drumbeat of preaching that brings awareness and conviction. abou t the au thor

With this information, the “invisible government” gets to know us better than we know ourselves. The IG then uses it to manipulate us with just the right ads, in just the right way, at just the right time, on just the right platforms.

The seduction and persuasion are maximized, especially when combined with our swelling addiction to screens.

And that is how the IG comes to own us . . . and form us . . . and point our moral compasses, shape our cultural imaginations, and monopolize our attention. The IG decides what issues matter, creates our bogeymen, gives us our talking points, determines our tribes, and defines the “right side of history.” They even reshape Scripture and historic Christian faith. They disciple us.

At a college ministry I was working with recently, the leader spent several minutes complaining about how

Tyler McKenzie serves as lead pastor at Northeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

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He a l

I recently led a seminar with a Zoom room full of ministry leaders.

I tried to inject some energy into the online atmosphere by asking everyone to “share an idea that has worked recently.” I hoped this would stimulate an upbeat conversation. I had my pen ready to write down all of the fruitful initiatives people shared.

Silence ensued.

Lame Ideas can lead to Healing Ideas

by Wes Beavis

I stared at the computer screen hoping someone would “unmute” and share the success of some novel idea that had worked. I waited, but nobody spoke up. Under crushing awkwardness, I waited some more. Finally, one lonely message popped up in the chat room. It simply read, “I can give you a lot of ideas that haven’t worked!”

In that moment, I commiserated with whomever was brave enough to admit it. They were more familiar with ideas that had tanked than had succeeded. Indeed, my idea of electrifying the relational atmosphere within the Zoom room had tanked, as well. As creative as I had envisioned the idea in my mind, it turned out to be a failure. What I intended as an “energy-infuser” just dragged more gloom into the room. I remember thinking, Well, Wes, that was a lame idea!

Have you ever thought that? Have you ever excitedly run your flag up the flagpole of ideas, only to have nobody salute? It’s not a pleasant experience. Sadly, many of us respond by going into protective mode. We vow to leave the practice of proposing creative ideas to the experts . . . those blessed people whose ideas always seem to work.

Fa i l u r e I s N o t Wa s t e d E f f o r t

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As a pastor and clinical psychologist, I am aware that many people become adverse to ideas because their previous inspired efforts failed. They resort to living a safer life. Oh, they still come up with ideas, but they keep them to themselves. They resist putting their idea on the launchpad, fearing it will explode into another humiliating failure. I get it. I don’t blame them. There can be a lot of pain attached to failed initiatives. I’ve had my fair share of humiliation.

But truthfully, failed initiaA s a pa s t o r a n d c l i n i c a l p s y c h o l o g i s t, I a m awa r e tives can be highly valuable.

t h at m a n y p e o p l e b e c o m e a d v e r s e t o i d e a s b e c a u s e t h e i r p r e v i o u s i n s p i r e d e f f o r t s fa i l e d .

Look at the Old Testament record of redemption plans.

None of the initiatives worked. Noah’s ark was unable to reconcile mankind with God. As a salvation initiative, the Ten Commandments fell short. All they did was further expose our

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sin. All of the “prior-to-Calvary” redemption plans failed . . . but they were not a waste of effort. They set the stage for the ultimate redemption work of Christ on the cross. The victory of Christ’s atonement is more glorious because previous redemption plans could not provide lasting salvation.

Fa i l u r e M i g h t B e G r e at R e s e a r c h For a long time in my life, I dreaded the possibility of my ideas failing. So I played it safe and over-deliberated to the point of being afraid to take a risk.

However, when I began my doctoral dissertation research, I learned to change my view of “idea failure.” I discovered, with dismay, that my research did not support my hypothesis. I thought my research was a bust until my professor told me, “Research that proves your hypothesis wrong is far from a failed experiment, it is great research. You can benefit from and build on your findings.” Idea-failure was actually a positive. It pushed me toward a better outcome because I built on the knowledge gained from failure.

In my counseling practice, my goal is to get to the bottom of what is troubling whomever I am counseling. Often, I don’t know where to start. So, I just grab a shovel and start digging around a person’s thoughts. Sometimes I start digging in the wrong spot. But my efforts are not in vain. I say to myself, “Well, the problem is not here, let me dig over there!” Eventually, I find where the problem lies. In the clinical world, we call that discovery by “rule-outs.” We arrive at a remedy by ruling out remedies that don’t work.

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As leaders, we are heading into another season of uncertainty.

We will discover, yet again, that many of our leadership ideas will fall flat. But let’s reframe those “lame ideas” as good research that will eventually lead us to ideas that will work—ideas that bring healing. The Ten Commandments were not a bad idea. They just didn’t work for redemption purposes. God intended for the idea not to work because he wanted us to esteem the unmerited salvation through Christ over a man-centered meritorious salvation.

Some of our ideas will fail. Some will succeed. We won’t know which is which until we attempt to execute them.

But if an idea tanks, don’t shrink back. Instead, call it good research. If we build on lame ideas, they can lead to healing ideas.

“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved” (Hebrews 10:39)

Dr. Wes Beavis has served as a pastor in Restoration Movement churches in both the United States and Australia. He is also a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in helping ministry leaders navigate the leadership journey. His latest book is Let’s Talk about Ministry Burnout: A Proven Research-based Approach to the Wellbeing of Pastors. drwesbeavis.com text 949.246.7836

BOLD

As a woman in ministry, I have been inundated with questions and had numerous conversations about my gender’s role within the church. I once was told my purpose as a woman was to deeply study theology and Scripture so the pastor of my church would be challenged when he wrote his sermon. Although I strongly encourage women to study these things, I think it’s misguided to rally them to do so for this reason.

The role of women in ministry tends to be a controversial topic. So, I’ll preface my thoughts by saying this: Whether you come from an egalitarian viewpoint (men’s and women’s roles are equal in every way, including serving as elders, preachers, etc.) or a complementarian outlook (men’s and women’s roles are different, but they complement one another for the glory of God), I anticipate you will agree with the thoughts I share here.

Women's Roles in the Church

W h at A r e t h e R o l e s o f W o m e n i n t h e C h u r c h ?

1. To practice spiritual disciplines. The term spiritual disciplines encompasses many things, but the most vital to the Christian life are prayer, fasting, and fellowship.

Scripture says, “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18). The best way we can strengthen our relationship with God and fulfill our role in his kingdom is through prayer. (If you want to learn more about the spiritual disciplines, check out Richard Foster’s book Celebration of Discipline.)

by Megan Rawlings

2. To serve and volunteer. Women are great at serving others and volunteering at a church where we are needed, and this is an exceptional way we can fill our role in ministry. First Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” We need to discover our gifts and then use them. God commanded us to do it.

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3. To be inviting and inclusive. “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). Women can make others feel welcome or unwelcome with just the tone of our voice. We are told to show hospitality, and I urge you to do this, especially at We need to discover our gifts and then use them. church.

G o d c o m m a n d e d u s t o d o i t.

4. To study the Word. I strongly encourage all Christians to know the Bible, and a Barna study showed why that’s so important among Christian women. In “Commitment to Family, Faith, Career & Community: Mothers Juggle It All,”

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Barna wrote, “Moms are [children’s] foremost partners in prayer (63 percent) and conversations about God (70 percent), the Bible (71 percent), or other faith questions (72 percent). This is consistent with Barna data through the years that show mothers are the managers of faith formation (among other household routines and structures).”

Additionally, as women, we tend to compete for attention among the many distractions going on around us, which makes it even more important that we consciously take time to learn about God and spend time with him.

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always” (1 Chronicles 16:11).

5. To evangelize. The Great Commission isn’t just for men, ladies! Jesus was talking to all Christians when he said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

W h at A r e N o t t h e R o l e s o f W o m e n i n t h e C h u r c h ?

1. To compete. Let’s stop comparing ourselves against others. This is a common flaw among women. It is easy to look at other ladies and see what they want us to see.

We all have something we are working on or struggling with. We all are traveling on different roads, so we cannot compare our journeys. Sometimes our roads intersect or run parallel, but they are never the same.

2. To entertain gossip. We are called to be peacemakers and peacekeepers, not gossips. It’s best to stop slander when you hear it. Say something like, “I am not interested in that, but why don’t you tell me more about . . .”

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3. To overcommit. Overcommitment is the enemy of peace. To remain spiritually healthy, we need to evaluate what we can do with the time we have available.

4. To be alone and keep to ourselves. We were created to be social, a part of a community. There is nothing wrong with recharging and taking time for self-care, but we are not called to be lonely and cut off from everyone else. Allow yourself to build deeper relationships with your church family.

5. To be argumentative. Let’s not argue over nonessential doctrine. As representatives of Christ, we should do all things in love.

Megan Rawlings is the founder and CEO of The Bold Movement. She is an extrovert, pastor’s wife, and lover of the Scriptures. /tbmministry @tbm_ministry @tbm_ministry @theboldmovement theboldmovement.com

e 2:e f f e c t i v e e l d e r s

THE ELDER’S ROLE IN LEADING THROUGH CONFLICT

by David Roadcup

Today’s biblical elders must be good conflict managers.

One of Satan’s main weapons against the church is creating conflict among its leaders, members, and sometimes those outside the body. He works hard to shatter relationships. He will stir up debilitating levels of anger and bitterness between believers. He wants to devastate the unity of the Spirit that is so necessary for a healthy and fruitful church.

God’s heart is clear about working through and avoiding damaging conflict when it arises. Jesus taught us, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25). Paul taught extensively in 1 Corinthians, Romans, and elsewhere that we should “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). God’s heart is for his people to love and serve each other from a spirit of unity and togetherness.

A primary responsibility among leaders should be to successfully handle conflict and the disunity it can so easily create.

U n d e r s ta n d t h e C a u s e s o f C o n f l i c t Conflict is not new to God’s people. In Scripture, conflict existed between Cain and Abel, Saul and David, Nehemiah and Sanballat, Jesus and the religious leaders of his day, Paul and Barnabas, Euodia and Syntyche, and a multitude of others. Conflict is prevalent for two key reasons.

First, conflict is inevitable. Conflict originates from the brokenness of man. Adam and Eve ushered in conflict—and its destructive power—through their sin.

Struggling, broken people create and endure conflict. It emerges from our sin nature. We are keenly aware that people hold different ideas, interpretations, viewpoints, and opinions on various issues; beyond that, everyone thinks their opinion is right! A church full of multiple viewpoints can be hard to manage if the hearts of the people are not committed to the scriptural teachings of humility, love, and patience. The list of potential divisive issues can include music and worship styles, governance issues, women’s roles, times of services, choice of leaders, the sale of property, a new building project, masks or no masks, and many others.

Second, spiritual warfare in the church is real. Satan hates the church and will do anything he can to ruin relationships and slow or stop the church’s momentum. He will use any person, circumstance, or scheme to damage or inhibit the church’s forward progress. He does not want us to win the lost, nurture the saved, or see the church grow or thrive in any way. Spiritual warfare is a reality we face as the church of Jesus Christ.

Leaders have been called to the spiritual responsibility of guarding the flock of God under their charge. Leaders must not waver, delay, or ignore. They must proactively move toward fruitful solutions by taking action based in prayer, fasting, guidance of the Holy Spirit, and discernment. Managing the health and unity of the church is a most important duty of the leadership team.

The main issues that caused the conflict must be identified, explained, and discussed at that meeting. All involved should work to find a resolution. Communication and clarification are necessary. Everyone should be given an opportunity to share their viewpoint.

Develop a Plan

A resolution is the desired outcome of such meetings. In many cases, after prayer and discussion, people agree to come together for the sake of the church. This is a time for rejoicing. Other outcomes fall short of that goal. Sometimes a satisfactory resolution can’t be reached even after good-faith efforts. In such cases, the leadership team must decide on a course of action and communicate it to the principals.

Leaders must be proactive when facing conflict. Experience teaches us that when leaders ignore, bury, or sidestep problems, those issues always get worse instead of better. Confronting conflict with the mind of Christ moves leaders toward a solution.

5. Consider the need for damage control. Leaders must consider the possible ways the situation and the people involved could damage the church or her reputation. Consider reaching out and making personal visits to defuse problems from worsening.

Here are five proven steps to manage conflict successfully:

Leaders might also consider bringing in a qualified, spiritually discerning person to help guide the process.

1. Clearly identify the problem. I’ve heard that if you can clearly describe a problem, you are 90 percent of the way toward solving it. So, leaders must first clarify the question, “What exactly is the issue?” Be sure to always look beyond the problem presented to see if there might be a deeper issue that needs to be addressed. Describing the problem in writing can bring clarity.

2. Immerse the issue in prayer and fasting. Difficult issues that arise in church settings typically are deep, intense, and motivated by powerful emotions. These issues, if left unmanaged, can tear a church body apart.

These problems can have many “layers.” They should be handled not simply with good intentions, positive approaches, and corrective strategies. Each member of the leadership team, possessing the mind of Christ, should agree to immerse the situation in prayer and fasting, asking our Father through the Holy Spirit to lead them as they seek solutions. Pray fervently for the church’s protection as events unfold.

3. Identify all participants and issues. Ask the following questions: • Who are the principals in the conflict?

• How did the events/circumstances unfold?

• What was the outcome?

• What are the implications?

• What are the potential outcomes of this set of circumstances?

• What is the potential collateral damage?

Elder teams that serve well handle conflict with spirit and wisdom that comes only from the Lord. In patience and love, we manage for restoration and unity. We must protect our congregations and abou t the au thor lead effectively when it comes to conflict management.

I recommend three resources for handling conflict: The Peace Maker and Resolving Everyday Conflict, both by Ken Sande; and Firestorm: Preventing and Overcoming Church Conflicts, by Ron Susek.

David Roadcup is cofounder and outreach director for e2: effective elders. He serves as professor of discipleship and global outreach representative with TCM International Institute. He is also on the board of directors of Christian Arabic Services.

/e2elders @e2elders

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When conflict arises in the church, elders and church staff must step up and quickly address the issue(s) at hand. Putting off the inevitable will only make the situation worse. The primary responsibility of the church’s leadership team is to identify the problem, address it, and work toward a resolution.

4. Communicate with all involved and seek resolution. Depending on the circumstances and people involved, leadership should meet with the principals to discuss the situation and attempt to reach a solution.

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Address the Issues

hori z ons

“God has not called me into missions, and he never will!”

Jennifer Rowland confidently stated to a friend who wondered why she had never participated in the annual mission trip the church singles group took to Mexico.

It was around the turn of the millennium, and her Las Vegas congregation, Central Christian Church, had a thriving outreach ministry, with many opportunities to do cross-cultural work, but Jennifer saw herself as an elementary schoolteacher, not a missionary. Over time, though, her relationship with God deepened.

From Vegas to Brussels: One Teacher’s Road to Ministry

by Laura McKillip Wood

She moved from Las Vegas to South Carolina in 2004 and continued her teaching career, but before she knew it, she was taking a big step of faith: she committed to a shortterm mission trip. She felt terrified. Where would she get the funds? Would she really be able to do this? When she poured out her concerns to God, she felt the Holy Spirit reassuring her that he would take care of her, so she followed through with her plans. Over the next three years, Jennifer went on three more similar trips, and by the end of that time, she felt a burden to make a career change to become a long-term missionary.

The Work Jennifer eventually chose to work with United World Mission (UWM), thinking she would go to London, where she had been on several short-term trips already. However, UWM told her they needed workers in Belgium, where only 1 percent of the population are born-again believers. She has worked there since 2016 and now realizes she is exactly where God wanted her.

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As outreach director with LifePoint Brussels, she coordinates outreach activities and events in the community. LifePoint is a bilingual church whose members speak French and English. One of their ministries is an English-language learning program called Café Anglais.

People sign up through MeetUp to join a one-hour session where they read current event articles created for second-language learners. They then discuss both the topic and the grammar. The sessions take place at the church, which meets on one floor of a business building. This offers the opportunity for unbelievers to attend the group sponsored by the church without the stigma of a church Jennifer sometimes marvels at how far God has brought building, since Belgian people her and how he has worked in her life. She has faced often do not want to go to a trachallenges, but he has carried her through. ditional church.

When the students attending Café Anglais learn they are in a church, they often become curious. The church is unlike any they have been to before. The group leaders assure members they can visit

The People

Jennifer sometimes marvels at how far God has brought her and how he has worked in her life. She has faced challenges, but he has carried her through.

Ivan immigrated to Belgium from Romania. Since most jobs require a person to speak English, he began attending the group meetings to improve his language skills.

His wife urged him to attend as often as possible, and his language skills improved so much that he soon got a job working in customer service. He also grew curious about the church, and now he and his wife and daughter all attend services.

“I’m just a regular person with a heart for God, but I’ve seen that when you truly are willing to say to him, ‘not my will but yours be done,’ it is an amazing ride!”

Jennifer celebrates stories like Ivan’s, but she also celebrates “small” stories as well. She loves it when she sees interest in a person’s eyes as she shares the gospel with them. She appreciates the diversity in the Brussels community as well.

“Due to this wonderful church, I’ve been able to share the gospel with people from literally all around the world,” Jennifer says. She explained that Europeans of all stripes live in Brussels since the main headquarters for the European Union is located there. NATO also is headquartered there, and it draws people from all over the world. Not only that, but thousands of refugees from the Middle East have come to Brussels.

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“I’ve shared Jesus with Muslims, fallen-away believers, and straight-up atheists,” she says.

The Challenges Living in a country with three official languages— "Flemish, French, and German—is challenging for Jennifer.

“I’m still not fluent in French. Because Brussels is so international, English has become the unofficial fourth language. Not being fluent makes it difficult to share the gospel sometimes,” she admits.

Daily life can be tiring, as well, living in a culture not quite her own. She heard it described this way: “As a missionary, you are a square going to a circle country. As you are in this circle country, your corners get rounded off a bit, but you will never be a complete circle. When you visit your home country, you are no longer a complete square. It changes you in many small ways.”

These changes remind her that she is not a native in the culture she has chosen but is doing the work God has planned for her.

Laura McKillip Wood, former missionary to Ukraine, now lives in Papillion, Nebraska. She serves as an on-call chaplain at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha. She and her husband, Andrew, have three teenagers. /laura.wood2 @woodlaura30 @woodlaura30 lauramckillipwood.com lauramckillipwood@gmail.com

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She also faces challenges related to support-raising. She always must wait to see how God will provide for her financially, which sometimes makes it hard to focus on the tasks at hand. Through the challenges, though, she knows God is providing for her, and he is with her in her host culture.

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the church services, and since services are bilingual and provide an opportunity for practicing English, the members sometimes decide to attend. Jennifer also offers to meet with students at a café, and those meetings sometimes lead to sharing the gospel.

le a d

Author John Maxwell has said, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” In over 50 years in ministry, here are some things I have learned about leading a church or any other organization.

1. L e a d e r s h i p H a s C h a l l e n g e s The greatest leadership challenge you will ever face in ministry is yourself. You must constantly grow as a leader to navigate the unprecedented changes happening in our world. What books are you reading? What podcasts are you listening to? How much time are you spending alone with God? What unchurched people are you interacting with? What cross-cultural experiences are challenging your assumptions?

50 years of Leadership Lessons

by Don Wilson

I believe much of what you accomplish in life depends on whom you choose to admire and copy. It could be a mentor, coach, teacher, co-worker, spouse, friend, boss, or parent. By far, the person I most admired and who most impacted my life was my father. He taught me how to dream big and not be afraid to take risks. He taught me it’s OK to make mistakes as long as you don’t repeat them.

He taught me to live for an audience of one—Jesus—and not to give in to peer pressure. He reminded me of the importance of loving my wife. He modeled leadership by example—that leaders will never ask others to do something they are unwilling to do first.

Early in my ministry, Bill Lown was the president of Manhattan Christian College. He modeled leadership for me in the way he could relate to people of different ages, incomes, and backgrounds without showing favoritism.

Later in ministry, I was influenced by Bob Russell, founding pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville. His character, consistency, and commitment to preaching the truth were qualities of leadership that impacted my life.

2. L e a d e r s h i p R e q u i r e s A d j u s t m e n t s

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In Leadership Pain, Samuel Chand wrote, “Growth equals change; change equals loss; loss equals pain; so inevitably, growth equals pain.” Our ability to grow ourselves and our ministry depends on how much pain we can endure as we T h e g r e at e s t l e a d e r s h i p c h a l l e n g e y o u w i l l e v e r make changes. If the church has fa c e i n m i n i s t r y i s y o u r s e l f. Y o u m u s t c o n s ta n t ly too much change, there is chaos.

But a lack of change can lead to g r o w a s a l e a d e r t o n av i g at e t h e u n p r e c e d e n t e d complacency. The same thing changes happening in our world. can happen to a leader.

One reason a church stays at a certain size is because the pastor is unable or unwilling to adjust their leadership style. Leaders must be willing to hand off some things to

Another reason a church tends to stay a certain size is because elders are unable or unwilling to make leadership adjustments. In a smaller church, elders tend to know everyone and everything that is happening. They can tend to control the ministry and inhibit change. As the church grows, elders must trust the pastor and staff to lead the ministry. The elders must be willing to become advisors to the staff and work to protect the ministry. This requires lots of teamwork and trust.

3. L e a d e r s h i p M ay B r i n g R e g r e t s In trying to protect my wife from many unpleasant ministry situations, I neglected to include her in what was happening; later, I realized that, because I had tried to shield her, she didn’t feel valued as a ministry partner. I have asked my wife, Sue, to share some of her own observations: In my 50-plus years as a pastor’s wife, I have found that sometimes pastors don’t stop to consider the role their wife plays in their ministry. There are all kinds of pastors’ wives out there; some work in a paid position in the church, some are volunteers at church, some have paid jobs or careers outside the church, and some work at home. Whatever she does, the fact that she is married to a pastor makes her his partner in ministry, and I don’t think pastors always recognize that.

By far the greatest reward was seeing what happened in my family. My three children are all in ministry. All 11 of my grandchildren are believers and several of them are already in ministry or preparing for church ministry and the mission field.

No matter what joys or struggles you may be experiencing, no matter the size of your ministry, continue to stay the course and lead with courage. God always rewards faithfulness.

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

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My husband, for instance, often thought that by not sharing with me the difficult things he was working through in his ministry, he was somehow sheltering me or protecting me from something. But a woman can almost always tell when her man has something on his mind—I think it’s just something God built into us. We understand it isn’t always good for us to know all the details he is struggling with, but we need to feel we can come alongside him in some way.

In my opinion, the most effective way a pastor can validate his wife’s partnership in ministry is simply to ask her to pray for him in those times when things are particularly difficult. We don’t need details in order to pray for God to give our husbands wisdom and strength in working through something that is causing added stress. Prayer can be a powerful way for ministry couples to feel united in moving forward together in the ministry to which they have been called.

4 . L e a d e r s h i p P r o d u c e s R e wa r d s I was always energized to see the incredible life change in people as they accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. That

After faithfully serving Christ’s Church of the Valley in Arizona for 35 years, Dr. Don Wilson launched Accelerate Group with his wife Sue, and they have served scores of pastor couples across the U.S. to date. Don has the unique ability to relate to varying age groups and demographics to inspire their leadership in advancing the gospel. @AccelerateGroupInfo @accelerate.group accelerate.group

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energy allowed me to face discouragement head-on and remain faithful to my calling.

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others on staff and spend more time focusing on their own strengths and giftedness. Warren Buffett says that “successful people say no to almost everything.”

ME TR I CS

H o w C h u r c h e s C o u n t O n l i n e At t e n d a n c e In conducting our annual survey (see the May/June issue), the most frequently asked question from church leaders was, “How should we count our online attendance?”

Forty-one percent of the churches we surveyed said they “count the total number of views on all media platforms regardless of how long someone watches.” Since there is still no universally accepted method for counting and reporting online attendance, many churches choose not to count or track online attendance at all.

My advice to churches is to pick a counting method and then stick with it. By establishing a tracking method, your church can monitor and note changing online attendance trends. Knowing the process other churches use to track online attendance might help your church settle on a counting strategy.

Deconstructing the Digital Church

by Kent E. Fillinger

Minutes Watched = Attendance. Just under half of the churches (48 percent) reported they “only count worship attendees after they [viewers] watch a specific amount of time,” while 7 percent of the churches we surveyed said they only count worship attendees who finish watching the entire worship service.

So, what is the magic amount of time someone must watch online before a church counts them as part of their attendance?

The pandemic changed the trajectory of online ministry and the digital church. A word like “phygital” was applied to church for the first time to my knowledge. Phygital (combining physical and digital) is a marketing term that describes blending digital experiences with physical ones. Others referred to it as the “hybrid model,” meaning churches offer worship services both in-person and online. The closures forced some churches to rethink their online ministry strategy and other churches to create an online ministry strategy for the first time.

A 2020 Pew Research Center study found that one in five American adults (20 percent) started watching religious services remotely for the first time during the pandemic.

Of the four in five (80 percent) of evangelicals worshipping remotely, 42 percent watched services offered by their own church, 24 percent watched some other church’s service, and 34 percent watched services from both their own church and other churches. Only 2 percent of evangelical churchgoers in America anticipated watching more services remotely and attending church in-person less frequently once the outbreak is over.

Thirteen minutes was the average minimum amount of time churches required someone to watch before counting them in their attendance. Megachurches (which average 2,000 or more in weekly worship attendance) and emerging megachurches (1,000 to 1,999) averaged a minimum of 15 minutes to officially count a viewer—the longest time requirement among all church sizes—and very small churches (averaging 99 or fewer) required the least amount of time (8 minutes).

Forty-five churches (11 percent of the total) in our survey reported they count everyone who watches with no minimum viewing time required. Twenty-eight churches (7 percent) required participants to watch only one minute to be counted in the attendance. Eight churches (2 percent) required participants to watch 45 to 60 minutes before counting them in their attendance.

Number of Devices Multiplied by Pairs of Eyes = Attendance. Another key online worship question asked by church leaders was, “How many sets of eyes are watching on a given device?” Almost half of the churches in our survey (49 percent) said they “use a multiplier to estimate the total number of attendees watching per device.” Megachurches were the most likely to use a multiplier (76 percent) while very small churches were the least likely (14 percent). One church told me they adjusted their multiplier during the closures last year based on the

Location of Online Views = Attendance. Where do online worship attendees live? A majority of surveyed churches (78 percent) said they count online viewers from any location—people who live locally to those who live internationally. Only 4 percent of the churches reported counting only those viewers who live near their church.

How Do We Build or Rebuild Trust?

Our 2020 church survey also incorporated eight markers to delve deeper into the digital strategies of churches.

(These digital strategy markers came from the Unstuck Group, theunstuckgroup.com, and Blackbaud, www. blackbaud.com.)

Overall, 72 percent of the 421 churches we surveyed said they agreed or strongly agreed that (marker 1) “Our church has clarity and focus about who we are trying to reach in our mission field” with regard to the church’s digital ministry strategy. By comparison, only 60 percent of the 261 evangelical churches surveyed by the Unstuck Group in late 2020 said the same.

Less than half of the churches surveyed (42 percent) said, (2) “We have a well-defined digital ministry strategy to engage with people outside the church and outside the faith.” This was still twice as good as the results from the Unstuck Group survey.

Almost 4 out of 10 of the churches surveyed (38 percent) said, (3) “We have an intentional strategy to create digital content and online experiences designed specifically to engage people who are not interested in faith and/or [are] spiritually curious.” Again, this exceeded the 26 percent of churches who agreed with this statement from the Unstuck Group survey.

More than one-third of the churches (35 percent) reported (4) they have “defined a clear path of ‘small steps’ we want people to take online before they take ‘big steps’ in their faith journey like believing and being baptized and attending or watching an online service.” This again bested the 23 percent of churches from the Unstuck Group survey that said the same.

Just over one-fourth of the churches (26 percent) in our survey said, (6) “Our digital ministry strategy encourages people to become subscribers before we encourage them to become attenders.” This was slightly better than the 21 percent of churches from the Unstuck Group survey that said the same.

More than one-fourth of the churches (26 percent) said, (7) “We have an online solution or database that we use to monitor the steps people are taking before they connect with the church for the first time through a service or other ministry environment.” Once again, respondents in our survey showed a stronger digital focus in this regard than the 22 percent of churches surveyed by the Unstuck Group.

Finally, more than one-fifth of the churches in our survey (22 percent) said, (8) “We have metrics in place to measure how our digital ministry strategy is helping people move from not interested in faith to spiritually curious to becoming a disciple of Christ.” This was more than double the less than 10 percent of churches from the Unstuck Group survey that agreed with this statement.

It is encouraging to see that our churches are more advanced in their digital strategies than the group of 261 evangelical churches surveyed by Unstuck Group. This bodes well for the future of online worship services and other abou t the au thor ministries that our churches will continue to develop and deploy to reach more people for Christ around the world.

Kent E. Fillinger serves as president of 3:STRANDS Consulting, Indianapolis, Indiana, and regional vice president (Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan) with Christian Financial Resources.

/3strandsconsulting 3strandsconsulting.com

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Surveyed churches said they used an average multiplier of 2.03 when calculating their online attendance. Thus, the average church multiplies the number of devices watching by 2.03 to determine total online attendance.

Large churches (averaging 500 to 999 in attendance) reported the largest average multiplier, 2.17, and very small churches had the smallest average multiplier, 1.88. One megachurch reported using a multiplier of 3.3, which was the largest overall.

Almost one-third of the churches (32 percent) surveyed said, (5) “We monitor what people in our congregation are sharing through their social media networks to help shape our content strategy to reach their friends.” Only one in five churches (20 percent) from the Unstuck Group survey did this.

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assumption that more people were watching than pre- or post-closures.

pre ach

Recently, I picked up a small book called Pandemics, Plagues, and Natural Disasters: What Is God Saying to Us?

by Erwin Lutzer. The book seeks to explain God’s role in suffering by looking at how God uses tragedies throughout the Bible to speak directly to his people.

The Art of Application

Lutzer sets the stage by using Jesus’ familiar story about the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27). Two men built seemingly identical houses, and then both experienced a great storm. Jesus said the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against each house. As a result, it became clear the two houses were not identical at all. One house was built on a foundation of rock and was able to withstand the storm. Jesus described the builder of this house as a wise man who heard his words and put them into practice. The other house was built on a foundation of sand, and the storm brought it down with a great crash. Jesus described the builder of the second house as a foolish man who heard his words and did not put them into practice.

The storm (the natural disaster) in Jesus’ story had a clarifying power because it revealed the values and faith of the two men. Lutzer writes, “If we are rooted in the promises of Jesus, we can endure; if not, we will be swept away by our own human philosophies and narrow interpretations.”

by Chris Philbeck

Reading the book in this age of COVID-19 reinforced for me one of the most fundamental responsibilities of preachers —the need to help people connect the reality of life and the meaning of the Scriptures. It’s one thing to know the Bible; it’s something else entirely to be able to apply the Bible to life, not just in a way that brings answers, but in a manner that brings meaning and hope.

Connection to Life In Acts 2, on the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit filled the disciples, enabling them to speak in other languages, some people asked, “What does this mean?” (Acts 2:12) and others mocked them by accusing them of being drunk (Acts 2:13). Peter responded,

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It’s one thing to know the Bible; it’s something e l s e e n t i r e ly t o b e a b l e t o a p p ly t h e B i b l e t o l i f e , n o t j u s t i n a way t h at b r i n g s a n s w e r s , b u t i n a m a n n e r t h at b r i n g s m e a n i n g a n d h o p e .

“Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel (Acts 2:14-15).”

Then Peter quoted from Joel 2:2832, a prophecy about “the Day of the Lord” that ended with the words, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21).

When we preach the Scriptures with a connection (or application) to life, we help our listeners become fully devoted followers of Christ who are prepared for any challenge, temptation, or struggle they face.

This resulted in the very first “gospel” sermon that included the truth of how Jesus was accredited by God through the miracles he performed, and how God used wicked men to accomplish his purpose for Jesus to die on the cross and then be raised from the dead. The sermon also shared David’s testimony to Christ’s lordship and, ultimately, the declaration that Jesus was both Lord and Christ. And while not everyone accepted Peter’s message, many did. “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day” (Acts 2:41). The Jewish listeners understood what Peter was saying because he connected what was happening that day to the Scriptures.

Direction for Life Paul wrote, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). As someone charged with the responsibility of delivering a message each week, I believe the Scriptures give direction for life. That means every time I stand up to preach, the practical application of the Scriptures must be one of my primary goals. I love to explain the Scriptures and I love to illustrate the Scriptures, but even if you do both extremely well you can fail miserably with your message if you don’t connect the Scriptures to life through practical application.

As Paul was concluding his letter to the church in Philippi, he wrote, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9). That was Paul’s way of saying knowledge alone is not enough when it comes to the Scriptures. He was saying knowledge needs to be applied to the direction of our lives, the choices of our lives, the priorities of our lives, and in how we respond to the mistakes of our lives.

So, let’s expand our process for writing a sermon from a certain number of hours or days we set aside each week; let’s enlarge it to include the constant and continual reading of God’s Word—studying it, memorizing it, and meditating on it. As we study, we should prioritize the practice of asking questions. What does this verse or passage teach me about God or the world or myself? Is this verse or passage leading me to some kind of action or response? These

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Chris Philbeck serves as senior pastor of Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood, Indiana. He has been in ministry since 1980 and has had the privilege of planting a new church, leading a turn-around church, and now leading a megachurch.

Chris is passionate about biblical preaching, effective leadership, and developing new and better ways for the local church to make an impact in the community and the world. /PastorCPhilbeck @cphilbeck @pastorphilbeck

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kinds of questions help us connect the Scriptures to the reality of life.

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Peter was pointing out that what was happening among them was not some unexplained peculiarity or human weakness; rather, it was the work of God. The phrase, “in the last days” (Acts 2:17), was a familiar Old Testament expression related to the Messiah. So, Peter spoke to the reaction of the crowd by helping them make a connection between what was happening and the meaning of the Scriptures.

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. . . d e unnam anonymous t o n t u b MANOAH’S WIFE

By Paulette Stamper

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When you hear the biblical name Samson, what comes to mind? It’s likely you recall the stories of his long hair and supernatural strength. Or maybe you think of his less-than-ideal marriage to Delilah and his ultimate tragic demise. While these stories may be familiar to us, I wonder how many know about his parents’ background— specifically his mother? Before you read this article any further, I encourage you to read Judges 13. It will take about five minutes, and it might be the best five minutes of your day.

The book of Judges recounts Israel’s saga of ending up in one hot mess after another due to their rebellion against God. This chapter says they had been under the harsh oppression of the Philistines for 40 years. Circumstances were increasingly difficult for those who remained faithful to God in an increasingly anti-God culture. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

I would summarize the chapter this way: Israel was in big trouble, and they needed a big solution, and God revealed his big plan to a wife who displayed big faith.

In digging through Judges 13, we will discover some pretty big chunks of gold. Let’s look at four of those gold nuggets.

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1. Dire Circumstances Are Ideal Settings to Hear God Speak Manoah and his wife lived in a hostile culture, and they also faced the personal hardship of being unable to have children. Into these dire circumstances, God sent his angel to Manoah’s wife to deliver news that not only would she have a son, but he would eventually rescue Israel. This answered two prayers—one for a child and one for Israel to be saved from her enemies.

2. God Esteems Women God chose to reveal his plan to the wife of Manoah, though his plan included both husband and wife.

Let me be clear: this isn’t a commentary on the roles of women and men in the church. Not even close. Instead, it is simply a beautiful reminder that God esteems women, and in this particular instance, he chose to reveal his plan to Manoah’s wife. Her faith in God’s word would play a huge role in her husband’s response—which we will see next.

Sometimes we freak out, and we need a calming word from our husbands; conversely, sometimes our husbands freak out, and Lord knows, we need a strong, confident, and faith-filled response that ushers in the peace and strength required for the task at hand. That’s precisely what Manoah’s wife did.

When Manoah panicked and thought they would die because they’d seen the angel of the Lord, she said, “If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this” (Judges 13:23). In other words, “If God were going to kill us, he would have already done it!” Mrs. Manoah was able to stay calm and levelheaded. Specifically, she had faith. She did not doubt what the angel had revealed to her on his first visit. She simply took God at his word, and because of her faith, she was able to respond to her husband’s fear with calm assurance.

Not long ago, I had a unique opportunity to practice this particular gold nugget in my own life. I was out of town with a friend when my husband called me. I could tell by his voice he wasn’t calling simply to check-in. A shocking and threatening letter from the Internal Revenue Service had arrived informing us our bank accounts had been frozen, our home would be seized, and we would be evicted if we didn’t send an immediate (and very substantial!) payment.

Upon investigation, my husband soon learned he had been the victim of an elaborate theft that left years of tax bills unpaid. We almost lost everything as a result of cunning deception and thievery. Suffice it to say, what followed was a very difficult and challenging season as my husband and I began the slow process of paying a debt we did not incur. During that season, I could have chosen fear and been an added stressor for my already stressed-to-the-max husband, but instead I chose faith and tried to be a calm and reassuring voice. Somehow, I understood that if I expressed nervousness or doubt, I could easily have made matters worse.

Manoah’s wife responded in faith and not fear.

Why? Because she had a supernatural encounter with the angel of the Lord, and she believed his message. Although she’d been infertile her whole life, she believed God’s promise that she would conceive and have a son. Although Israel was in an impossible mess with no visible way out, she believed her son would deliver them from their enemy. These were future promises, and she believed wholeheartedly the Lord would be faithful to his word. That’s how she knew with certainty she and her husband would not die before the promises were fulfilled.

God has uniquely gifted women with the ability to powerfully influence the emotional climate around us. Therefore, we must spend time with the Lord, becoming increasingly familiar with the truth and promises in his Word. When we know God’s promises, it will affect how we respond in stressful situations. If women want to become people who offer strong, confident, and faithfilled responses that usher in the kind of peace and strength required for difficult tasks or challenging seasons, then—like Manoah’s wife—we must have faith that the Lord’s promises are true.

When our belief is firm, it will overcome any fear response.

When my husband voiced concern over the burden of rebuilding our bank accounts, I reminded him of the Lord’s faithfulness and how we had experienced it in our lives. When he wrestled with the possibility of losing everything, I assured him that no matter what happened, the Lord would provide us what we needed. If I hadn’t been convinced of God’s faithfulness and provision, I surely would have panicked. A panicked, fear-driven, freaked-out wife was the last thing my husband needed.

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3. A Faith-Filled Response Can Bring Peace and Reassurance in a Fearful Situation

SheHad Faith MRS. MANOAH WAS ABLE TO STAY CALM AND LEVELHEADED. SPECIFICALLY, SHE HAD FAITH.

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4. God Keeps His Promises “Manoah’s wife gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The child grew and the Lord empowered him” (Judges 13:24, New English Translation). After all of the drama and dust settled, God did exactly what he said he would do for the couple. The once-childless woman gave birth to a son (just as the Lord said). Through the Lord’s empowerment, her son would save Israel from their enemy (just as the Lord said). God was faithful to his word in the past, and he will be faithful to his word in the future.

All of us can relate to Manoah’s wife in some way.

We also live in an increasingly anti-God culture; however, it can serve as an ideal setting to hear God speak. We can position ourselves to hear God by staying in his Word and communing with him in prayer. When we do this, our voice will bring peace and reassurance in any stressful or fearful situation. Make no mistake, a calm voice carries significant weight—especially in marriages—so let’s use it wisely.

Listen to God, then faithfully and confidently use your voice to encourage and strengthen your husband. Remember, God can and will do big things through both of you.

Paulette Stamper lives in Indianapolis with her husband, Jake, and their three goldendoodles, Maggie, Lia, and Zoe. She enjoys writing and teaching Bible studies and ministering to women of all ages. @PauletteStamperBibleTeacher @PauletteStamper PauletteStamper.com

Ruth

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HOW GOD WEAVED HER STORY OF REDEMPTION INTO HIS

Everyone has a past, which means everyone has a story.

One beautiful story of love and redemption is nestled in the heart of the historical books of the Old Testament.

By Jennifer Hentzel

The story of Ruth begins when Elimelech, from Bethlehem, took his wife, Naomi, and their two sons and traveled to Moab to escape the famine in Judah. The family remained in that country for some time. Ultimately, Elimelech passed away, leaving Naomi with her two sons. Both sons married Moabite women and then, after about 10 years, the sons passed away as well. Naomi was left without her sons and husband.

These events occurred in a patriarchal culture, where a woman’s identity and security were directly dependent on her relationships with men and her value was measured by the number of sons she bore.

her story

Naomi was heartbroken and bitter. When she heard the Lord had come to the aid of his people by ending the famine in Judah, she decided to journey back home. Her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, began the journey with her, but Naomi very quickly urged them to return to their mothers’ homes in Moab so they might find rest and begin new lives with new husbands. Orpah did as Naomi said, but Ruth clung to Naomi. Ruth told her mother-in-law, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).

Naomi saw Ruth’s determination and said no more. So, the two of them traveled to Bethlehem, and upon arrival, “the whole town was stirred because of them” (v. 19). Imagine that! The women, vendors, and workmen chattered and buzzed about how Naomi had left Bethlehem with a husband and two sons, only to return with a Moabite daughter-in-law. How scandalous!

Moabites were unpopular in Bethlehem for they originated from an incestuous relationship between Lot and his daughters; Moabites worshipped false Gods, engaged in child sacrifice, and the women were known for seducing the men of Israel into immoral sexual relationships. That’s why gossip circles were buzzing. People didn’t understand

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what was going on, and they certainly didn’t welcome the idea of having a Moabite woman in such close proximity.

So, Naomi and Ruth settled in among the naysayers, without food, without husbands, but with a glimmer of hope that the barley harvest would sustain them.

Ruth set out to gather the ears of grain left behind by the reapers, and she found herself in a field owned by Boaz, a male relative of Elimelech. Boaz noticed Ruth and took pity on her because he had heard of how she’d cared for Naomi. Boaz instructed Ruth to glean only in his fields, where he could watch over her. He even invited her to join him at mealtime, to dip bread into his wine vinegar, and eat until she was full.

Ruth gathered what she had gleaned that day, as well as her doggie bag from dinner, and hurried home to share this abundance with Naomi. Ruth also shared the details of her day and her encounter with Boaz. A short while later, Naomi was inspired with a new plan of hope and redemption.

Naomi explained to Ruth that Boaz could serve as their kinsman redeemer, a term used for a family member who stepped in to save family lines and inheritances by marrying the childless widow of a male relative. She told Ruth to wash up, put on something pretty, go down to the threshing floor where Boaz would be that night, and present the plan to him.

Boaz was moved by Ruth’s kindness; not only did Ruth put herself at risk to care for her mother-inlaw, but she also passed up the younger farmers with the rippling muscles and richer bankers with the best donkeys to offer herself to one who could redeem the line of Elimelech and save both Ruth and Naomi.

Boaz was willing to step in as the redeemer, however there was a potential snag. A kinsman redeemer was to be the closest living relative to the

deceased family member, and there was another man in line ahead of Boaz. Boaz told the closest relative about the land he could redeem from Naomi, and the man agreed . . . until he learned Ruth would also become his, and he quickly surrendered his right of ownership to Boaz.

Boaz married Ruth and they conceived a son they named Obed. Through God’s mercy and the lovingkindness of Boaz, Ruth and Naomi had been redeemed, and the women of Bethlehem praised God for his provision. (Sure, now they’re fans!)

God not only redeemed these two women, but he also wove their story into his even greater story of love and redemption. See, Obed went on to father Jesse, who fathered David, and we know where the genealogy of David leads . . . right to our Lord and Savior, Jesus!

Ruth’s heroism lay in her willingness, boldness, and faithfulness. She was willing to leave her home and people—everything she’d known—to travel to Bethlehem, where she knew she would not be well received. She left behind a familiar setting and moved to an unwelcoming and uncomfortable environment. She was willing to do what was right despite the personal cost.

It required boldness to tell Naomi, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Without hesitation, Ruth went to a foreign land, lived among foreign people, and served a God unlike the gods she had worshipped in Moab. Ruth boldly moved forward, committing to stay by Naomi’s side.

Ruth proved to be faithful in her pursuit to care and provide for Naomi. She risked personal harm by venturing into a stranger’s field to gather food for them to eat. She didn’t pursue her own selfish desires and cleave to another family in hopes of a better future for herself. Instead, she appealed to a man who could redeem both her and her motherin-law. Ruth made up her mind to be faithful to Naomi and faithful to God, and it secured for her a very important role in our history!

THE CHURCH SHOULD BE A PLACE FOR RUTHS

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our story

to whom people had whispered about her. God blessed them with two more children, and she is now a leader in full-time ministry. God uses her to bring other people to Christ.

I want to share another story that is similar to Ruth’s.

A woman began a downward spiral as she was reaching adulthood. She dishonored her parents.

She engaged in sexually immoral relationships.

She had a child out of wedlock and subsequent pregnancies that ended in abortion. She developed a drug habit. She abused alcohol to escape her pain. For the better part of a decade, she gave in to almost every sinful desire she had. She had no relationship with her earthly father and strayed far from her heavenly Father. She became a woman she never intended to be. She found herself broken, lonely, and sure she would never be loved.

At that point she decided to go to church and become like a stranger in a foreign land. Imagine the stir she caused. In fact, she caused such a stir that people approached the pastor and said things like, “Do you know what she’s like? Do you know what she’s done?” But she pursued God nonetheless.

She asked for forgiveness, surrendered her life to Christ, and was baptized. God restored her relationship with her father. She began serving in her church. She eventually married that same pastor

I am that woman. I am a Ruth. And the church should be a place for Ruths. Our Savior said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). The church should be less like the townspeople, with their pointed fingers and quiet criticisms, and more like Boaz. The church should embrace the lost and point them toward redemption. Our hero, Ruth, demonstrates that boldness to step out of our comfort zones and willingness to faithfully follow the Lord can lead to a brighter eternity. It can lead to a better story for us—one that God can use.

When I finally worked up the courage to share my story, after years of feeling as though it was a shameful secret I had to bury away, something incredible happened. Women, both old and young, seasoned in their faith and new believers, came to me and said, “Your story sounds a lot like my story.” It struck me as sad, for I never would have guessed this to be true, because their stories had not been told.

We need to create an environment where people who have arrived at the feet of Jesus after periods of pain, brokenness, and sin can share their stories without fear of judgment or isolation. God can use our brokenness, healing, redemption, and testimony to draw other people closer to him.

So don’t be hindered by what used to be, and don’t allow your past to define you. Put your faith in God. Be bold in that faith, regardless of the circumstances, and take Christ to those around you.

Ruth went from being an outsider to being part of the lineage of Jesus. Her story helped pave the way to the greatest story ever told. Your story can have great impact, as well, if you commit to letting God use it. Surrender to him and he can make you a hero!

Jennifer Hentzel oversees finances at The Crossing, a multisite church in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. She is a pastor’s wife and is passionate about cultivating deep connections to Christ and others through personal testimonies. @jenhen1126

@jenniferhentzel

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LEMUEL’S MOTHER PRAISEWORTHY ADVISOR AND MODEL

By Jackina Stark

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Excuse me? Who? Sad to say, that was my first thought when invited to write about Lemuel’s mother, a heroic woman of the Bible. I guess it slipped my mind, if it ever lodged there, that King Lemuel wrote the well-known Proverbs 31.

Most of the proverbs are a father instructing his son, but Proverbs ends with a chapter extolling a mother’s love and her wise and loving advice to her son, a king (31:1-9), along with a famous passage praising a noble wife and mother (10-31).

The name Lemuel means “for God,” “devoted to God,” or “belonging to God,” which would be a logical name for a devout mother to give her son. My daughter gave her two birth children, whom a fertility doctor told her she’d never have, names that had great meaning for her. She named her daughter Mariah, close to Moriah, because she thought of faithful Abraham climbing that mountain with his son Isaac and saying, “God will provide.” She named her younger son Sam because it means, “Asked of God.” Whoever King Lemuel was, his mother must have wanted her son to know he belonged to God and for him to be devoted to God. We know little of Lemuel except that he was a king, a poet, and a man who appreciated his good mother. Some suggest Lemuel was actually Solomon and that Lemuel was Bathsheba’s pet name for him.

Some suggest he was King Hezekiah. Another theory is that Lemuel and his mother are fictional characters Solomon created to depict an ideal king and queen mother.

Whoever this king was, his mother was a hero. She has made clear to Lemuel that he is beloved, an “answer to her prayers.” That kind of foundation may have made him open to the things she taught him.

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A MOTHER’S ADVICE

A WOMAN WORTHY OF PRAISE

Lemuel’s mother advised him to live a life of temperance and kindness, two qualities a leader needs to govern any flourishing community, including a kingdom. He would not be able to rule well if he were obsessed with women “who ruin kings.” She advised him not to spend his “strength” and “vigor” on such women; rather, he was to use his time and energy, free of foolishness, to rule well. That may be what the second half of the proverb is about: Blessed is the man who has a “strong” and “noble” and kind wife, one whose husband is respected by all because of her, rather than to “fool around” with women who distract, diminish, and even hurt him.

Verses 10-21 have been labeled a hymn, which is a song of praise, most often praising God, but sometimes praising certain people and things. It has also been labeled an epilogue, which is a conclusion to what has been written. Both seem appropriate, but I like to consider it a hymn, for such a woman is worthy of praise, such a woman is a hero.

She also advised him to avoid drinking wine and beer, which would make him “forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights” (v. 5). She said to leave drinking to those overwhelmed with anguish and misery. The Message version put it this way: “Use wine and beer only as sedatives, to kill the pain and dull the ache of the terminally ill, for whom life is a living death.” That version seems a bit of a leap from other versions, but as advice goes, it isn’t without merit. Kings—or leaders of any kind—should be wise in their dealings with the opposite gender and drink; leaders should be temperate, no doubt, in all areas of life.

Her final advice was perhaps the best of all three admonitions, although it largely depended on adhering to the other two. This third piece of advice would make all the difference in a kingdom. It would also make all the difference in our 2021 world: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy” (vv. 8-9).

I doubt this advice is something Lemuel’s mother sat down and told him when he was about to “leave home.” I imagine instead that he grew up hearing these things, and I imagine she modeled these things for him. That might be much of the reason King Lemuel wrote the latter part of Proverbs 31. He had observed this woman—the kind of woman who makes a difference.

Unlike the women Lemuel has been warned about, the “wife of noble character” brings her husband “good, not harm.” She takes care of her family and others who need her, as well, including the poor and needy. She’s busy doing things that matter to others.

She’s a shrewd working woman as well as a mother and wife. She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction, so that her children will one day be prepared to take care of themselves and others, not merely surviving in the world, but thriving in it and blessing it.

I think women sometimes roll their eyes when reading about her or beat themselves up, thinking, who can measure up? But I know of many Proverbs 31 women. We live in a different society than the Proverbs 31 wife and mother, but so many good women, in their 21st-century way, work at taking care of their families and others as well. While they know they can’t “do it all,” many have chosen jobs or volunteer to do work that in one way or another help the world that “God so loved,” while also teaching their children they “belong to God” and to rest in that—and teaching them to be temperate and kind and to desire to love like God loves.

Who cares if the family eats pizza some nights because she has no time to cook? Well, someone probably cares, as that seems to be the way it is these days, but most of us would not quibble or stress about eating take-out meals when it’s expedient or otherwise. But there are important things the modern Proverbs 31 woman does see to, things like taking time to tuck in her children at night with stories and prayers and kisses. Children who know they are safe and important and loved have a hero for a mother.

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One hero I know of leads an organization that rescues trafficked and at-risk children in several countries. She travels all over the world overseeing safe homes and those who staff them. Meanwhile she home-schooled her two beautiful daughters, one now about to be a doctor and another just getting her master’s degree in sociology. Her son is adopted from another country and is growing into a strong, good man, having been taught much as Lemuel was taught. (His mother says that he is most definitely not suited for home schooling!) Her children and husband “arise and call her blessed,” but she would say the same thing about her husband and children, who enable her to do work that God has surely called her to do. Many other women in her organization, as well as many others serving in benevolent organizations, could be called Proverbs 31 women.

Another hero I know is a doctor of physical therapy who works empathetically and expertly with burn survivors and lymphedema oncology patients. She and her husband are busy loving and teaching their three children. The two older boys have hemophilia, and together the family works with the Hemophilia Association in their state. They spend quality time with their kids, love and serve in their local church, and shovel snow off driveways of their elderly and infirm neighbors. The world should “arise and call her blessed.”

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My daughters, like countless other women, work in schools and make a difference in the lives of young people. They are often able to help the hurting and helpless students—more fit that category than you can imagine. They lavish God’s love on his children. They care for “the least of these” and their lives reflect other words of Jesus to the leper who pleaded with Jesus to make him clean: “I am willing.”

They are willing, because they grew up knowing we loved them, adored them really, and, more importantly, that God did. Loving others is overflow of that security and peace.

I was not what I think of as a “martyr mother,” one who does everything herself and isn’t very happy about it. That, as far as I was concerned, helped no one. Family was a micro-community, and we all helped. I believe God has made me able to match the Proverbs lady in at least the ability to “laugh at the days to come” (v. 25), but I tend to laugh a lot in general. I really laughed when the older of our two daughters left for college and made a point of reminding me where the sweeper was kept. Very funny. But the girls and I spent nine months out of the year at school for most of the day, and then we came home, ate a snack together, and shared stories of our day.

But we also worked together (their dad made sure they had their own lawn mowers) to make home a safe, lovely place to be. When our work was done, all four of us “played” together, prayed together, and rested together.

Each of our daughters now has three children, and those children are grown! The grandchildren left home knowing they are beloved children of God and they are finding ways to help the needy and to love like Jesus loves. My daughters, like so many others, are good mothers. Heroes if you ask me.

I’m glad I took a good look at Lemuel’s mother and now know who she is and what she taught and why she and so many like her really are heroes. Mothers who love, not perfectly (who among us does that?), but deeply and unconditionally, and who teach those entrusted to them what they know about life in God, make the world look a little like the “kingdom come,” and wherever they do their good work, his “will is done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Jackina Stark taught English at Ozark Christian College for 28 years before she and her husband of 55 years retired near one of her daughters in Branson, Missouri, with a field of cows and a lake out back. She’s written various articles, two non-fiction books, and two novels. These days she mainly reads and thinks and enjoys her family and God’s nature.

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WOMEN LEAVING A LEGACY OF FAITH

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HANNAH GRIT A ND GR ACE IN DESPER ATE CIRCUMSTA NCES

By Leigh Mackenzie

“So . . . are you pregnant yet?”

Icy tension enveloped the room as once-lively conversation quickly turned dark. Suddenly a woman who was quietly enjoying the festivities became the center of attention. She froze like a deer in a car’s headlights. She fixed her wide, brown eyes on the table in front of her as all other eyes fixed on her.

Family drama is rough, but imagine it as a more public display that is repeated every year—and always directed at the same target. The bully’s sharp tongue even seemed to poison the food. Her barbs scored direct hits on the heart of her victim. The aggressor grew more emboldened with every attack; the one ridiculed became increasingly numb to the attacks—she just sank ever lower.

She never once stood up for herself.

No one in the room seemed inclined to defend her, either.

This is the story of a hero, Hannah, a woman lauded for drawing close to God in the midst of desperate personal circumstances. Hannah depended on prayer for vindication against her critics. She dealt bravely with disappointment and sacrificed her God-given gift back to the One who gave it.

****

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Hannah’s life began near the end of the era of judges.

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit” (Judges 21:25).

Every year, Hannah’s Levite husband dutifully brought the family to Shiloh to sacrifice, feast, and worship God. Although Elkanah loved Hannah dearly, there were two major problems: (1) Hannah’s barrenness, and (2) Peninnah, his jealous and competitive second wife—one of the meanest women of the Bible.

Her prodigious childbearing ability produced progeny and heirs, yet Peninnah (Hebrew for “pearl”) remained unloved. Though she seemingly had a lustrous and beautiful life through all the children, her soul’s core was hard sand. Armed with a penchant for knowing which words wounded worst, Peninnah unrelentingly launched verbal arrows dipped in poison at Hannah.

The drama unfolded yearly among the throngs at feast time. Along with the fragrance of roast lamb and bitter herbs, the stench of malice also was palpable. Peninnah attempted to diminish and provoke her rival, Hannah— Elkanah’s favorite wife—every time they went to worship God (1 Samuel 1:6-7). That’s like making a girl cry on the way to church.

Not cool, Peninnah. Not cool at all.

Remarkably, Hannah never responded to the taunts.

As head of the family, Elkanah served his second wife and children first, yet honored his beloved with a double portion of the best meat. Beleaguered and harassed, Hannah refused to eat. Elkanah pleaded with her; he asked Hannah if his love weren’t worth more than 10 sons to her, but he knew the answer. In ancient Israel, her worth was determined by the number of children produced; a husband’s love couldn’t counteract the shame of childlessness.

Publicly disgraced, Hannah lifted her anguish to God. Though Hannah was dismayed and discouraged, she rose to become a hero through her godly example of prayer, dedication, and sacrifice.

P R AY E R I S W H AT T U R N S T H E H E L P L E S S I N T O H E ROE S

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P R AY E R I S H E ROIC “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

Have you ever been so desperate and so broken before God that you ran out of words to pray? In the bitterness of your soul, have you begged God for relief from the insurmountable odds stacked against you? If so, then you might understand Hannah’s anguish and grief as she entered the Lord’s temple.

Shame and the sense of not measuring up dishearten the spirit and diminish self-worth. If it’s not infertility, it could be family background, racial heritage, education level, mental health issues, a learning disability, childhood trauma, socioeconomic status, or physical appearance that unfairly bring a sense of inferiority and make one a target of condemnation. The failure to live up to expectations even when it isn’t humanly possible can be soul-killing.

Throughout the Bible, we encounter other desperate women who are humiliated by infertility—women like Sarai, Rebekah, Rachel, and Samson’s mother. After the miraculous conception of John the Baptist, Elizabeth said, “The Lord has . . . taken away my disgrace among the people” (Luke 1:25).

Hannah’s biggest issue wasn’t infertility but, rather, a culture that defined women by what their bodies produced. No child equaled no worth. That deep sense of “less than” stemmed from a value judgment in man’s economy, not God’s. Perhaps the hardest part for Hannah was being defined by the expectations of those around her without the ability to meet those expectations.

The criticism levied by Peninnah was correct: Hannah was infertile. Elkanah comforted Hannah with extra food and love, but seeing the disapproving faces of people at other tables nodding and agreeing with the insults brought home “the truth” in that culture: childless wives are shameful disgraces.

Hannah—on her own and with no earthly way to defend herself—lifted a heavy, prayer-filled shield of faith by calling out to God in the bitterness of her heart. Though her womb was closed, she trusted God and she knew which battlefield had the most power for her fight.

Her fervent, dedicated prayer produced miraculous results. Hannah prayed with deep faith—and the Lord heard her.

Have you ever been in a desperate situation and lobbed up a “quick prayer” only to immediately seek an earthly answer? At a time when people were doing what was right in their own eyes, our hero courageously trusted and committed to what was righteous before God. Instead of arguing, Hannah left the family table, her misery and anguish made obvious by her tears as she crossed the threshold into the house of God. She was resolved and committed to pouring out every bit of her pain before the Lord, for she knew dedicated praying was her only option. She had no one but God for counsel. Perhaps she confessed the distresses of her relationship, the woes of childlessness, and personal frustrations along with all the disappointment in her life.

Without wavering or waning, she sought the Ancient of Days and confided every secret thing before his throne, entrusting her heart and future to Yahweh.

With her gaze fixed somewhere between heaven and earth, Hannah promised God if he would give her the gift of a son, she would devote herself to raising him as a Nazirite to serve all the days of his life. Eli the high priest thought she was inebriated from the feast, for as she prayed from her heart, her mouth formed voiceless words. Eli approached and rebuked her. When Hannah explained that she was “deeply troubled” but not drunk, Eli responded, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him” (1 Samuel 1:17).

Hannah’s countenance changed after her prayer time and Eli’s blessing. She soon conceived a child with Elkanah and gave birth to a baby boy, naming him Samuel . . . “because I asked the Lord for him” (1 Samuel 1:20).

She promised God to bring the boy back to the temple to minister under Eli in Shiloh.

Have you ever trusted God by remaining in a difficult, unchanging situation and by sacrificing your own comforts and wants? The courage to remain in such a cultural environment is extraordinarily heroic. Hannah’s story showcases three distinct sacrifices—that is, three things she offered up to God: her comfort, her words, and her own son.

First, Hannah didn’t run from the situation, escape, or demand something different to make herself more comfortable. God didn’t take away the difficult Peninnah or change the values that defined Hannah’s pain. Her onerous circumstances remained, and yet Hannah had the grit and grace to bravely stand her ground. Though her comfort was sacrificed, she exhibited godly composure in the presence of cruelty.

Second, though Hannah was bullied and criticized, she didn’t fight back or try to win the war of words. It should also be noted, Hannah didn’t attempt to numb the pain, strike out at others, or displace her hurt and fear. Instead, she came before God and stayed until the blessing was realized.

Hannah, our “hero,” displayed a very Christlike characteristic in not defending herself before her accuser.

Though she was “oppressed and afflicted” by her tormenter, she remained silent, never opening her mouth except to pray. (See Isaiah 53:7.)

Hannah’s third sacrifice involved the gift she was given: her son. She declared her intention to keep her promise to God after Samuel was born: “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:27-28).

She kept her promise and gave God her son, Samuel, the firstfruits of her womb, and she was later blessed with five more children.

What a gift Samuel became! As a boy, Samuel clearly heard the voice of God. Later, he became a great priest, prophet, and the last ruling judge of the Old Testament as he led a nation gone astray. Hannah’s firstborn anointed the first kings of Israel and was a powerful answer to the prayer and redemptive deliverance of a broken and marginalized woman.

In the end, Hannah’s steadfast prayer, dedication, and sacrifice—coupled with her abundant blessing—served as a solid testimony to the loving-kindness of an allknowing, all-powerful God.

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**** “Hannah, are you pregnant yet?”

Did that sarcastic, mocking question ever echo again across the banquet space? If so, I imagine Hannah lifting her shining eyes, giving a knowing smile, exuding the peaceful confidence of a woman who trusted in God’s faithfulness, and then answering in a bold but loving manner (to the shock of everyone): “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. . . .

It is not by strength that one prevails” (1 Samuel 2:1, 9).

“Dear Peninnah. Indeed, I am pregnant, because I asked the Lord for a son. And God. Heard. Me.” Prayer is what turns the helpless into heroes. Dedication and perseverance are the turning points in impossible struggles. Trusting and setting aside earthly feelings, emotions, and self-righteous urges is how we place God first in our lives. Where God Almighty reigns, anything is possible.

An avid coffee lover, writer, and podcaster, Leigh Mackenzie resides 28 stories above Goldcoast Chicago with her family and two dogs. @thechurchgirlwrites @thechurchgirlwrites Sacred Grounds Podcast

DEBOR AH

BRONZE-AG E WONDER WOMA N

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by jennifer holder

When I was about 7 years old, I admired an amazing woman. She utterly defeated every bad guy, giving them stern-but-beautiful looks of reproach while wearing a gorgeous outfit. I loved this hero so much I actually toyed with the idea of changing my name to Lynda to be more like the actress (Lynda Carter) who played her on TV. Since I already had the middle name Lynn, I was halfway there. Wonder Woman and I were practically the same person, I thought!

By contrast, the biblical judge Deborah had no lasso of truth and didn’t wear star-spangled tights, but she is an even more satisfying hero. She was God’s instrument of justice from start to finish. She helped her people overcome evil and oppression and, in the end, Deborah gave all credit for the victory to the Lord.

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THE EMPTY THRONE Deborah lived in Israel around the year 1200 BC. This was the period after the exodus and the leadership of Moses and Joshua, but before the political state led

by King Saul, and then David and his descendants. Judges 17:6 and 21:25 tell us, “In those days Israel had no king.” The result, “Everyone did as he saw fit,” was not a happy or healthy one. At first glance, this biblical observation seems like a commentary on the lack of political leadership. It turned out, however, the real problem of the empty throne was in the hearts of the people. They no longer lived with God as the ruler of their lives.

Deborah, who held court under the Palm of Deborah (Judges 4:5), must have had her hands full arbitrating disputes between Israel’s citizens. When people do as they see fit, conflict and crime and sin are bound to arise. God placed Deborah in the position of dispensing justice in the land.

CONQUEST & CONSEQUENCES The consequences of Israel’s sin in the time of the judges were both harsh and obvious. Israel continuously rejected God in favor of the false gods of their neighbors. Israel trapped themselves in a cycle of sin: they disobeyed God, God was angered, and so God meted out punishment by means of an enemy nation. In Deborah’s day, the low point in this sin cycle was prosecuted by King Jabin, whose seat of power was the city of Hazor (Judges 4:2).

This oppressive Canaanite kingdom was actually a leftover problem from Joshua’s generation. Prior to the original conquest, God had commanded Israel to completely drive out and destroy all the inhabitants of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 7:1-2). Instead, in some cases, Israel made peace treaties with those God had commanded them to drive out. In other cases, the tribes of Israel took up residence in parts of their allotted territories but were unable to overcome the enemy in others. The fact that Jabin was still around to afflict Israel was a direct consequence of Israel’s failure to obey God’s command.

A SUPE R POW E R USED FOR EVIL

The appalling religion of the surviving Canaanites—the cult of Baal—proved to be contagious. Baal was portrayed in his mythology as the storm god who controlled the rain, caused crops to grow, and enabled people to prosper. He was also a fertility god whose ritual worship was filled with sexual excesses, even temple prostitution.

Sisera’s hometown was called Harosheth Haggoyim. In ancient Hebrew, the name meant, “smithy of the nations.” The people of this town were ironworkers. They had the skill of identifying iron ore along with the technology—a specialized furnace—to smelt and work the metal. While their neighbors had weapons of bronze, Harosheth Haggoyim wrought the most advanced weapon of its day. Canaan’s iron chariots were a reason Israel had failed to completely exterminate the Canaanites during Joshua’s campaigns 200 years earlier. Now Jabin and his general Sisera had 900 of them!

As Baal-worship spread from Canaan to Israel, God was grieved.

Perhaps Israel merely wanted the prosperity that came with reliable rainfall in the arid desert region of the Promised Land. Perhaps they enjoyed breaking away from God’s stricter prescription for sexuality.

Either way, the failure to stamp out this pagan culture was both the original cause of Israel’s offensive sin and the source of the punishment they received.

As if a Canaanite king wasn’t villain enough for our hero Deborah, Judges 4 says Jabin had a general named Sisera who commanded an army with 900 iron chariots.

S H E WA S G OD’S INSTRUMENT OF JUSTICE FROM S TA R T TO FINISH

HERO PROPHET The priests, whose job it was to go between God and his people, are conspicuously absent from this story. So how could the people hear from God? Again, Deborah saved the day. In addition to being Israel’s judge, Deborah also was called “prophet” (Judges 4:4). Although many judges in Israel’s history earned the moniker only after God empowered them to defeat Israel’s enemy, God, it seems, had been communicating through Deborah even before the battle was at hand.

His people had endured 20 years of cruelty under Jabin, and God at last “relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them” (Judges 2:18). It was time for the cycle of Israel’s history to take a turn toward redemption. God sent word through his prophet Deborah: She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands’” (Judges 4:6-7).

God had commanded, but Barak hesitated. Barak told Deborah, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go” (Judges 4:8).

There are several ways to interpret Barak’s response. On the one hand, he seemed afraid to obey God’s command. He surely was thinking of the enemy’s 900 iron chariots. On the other hand, Deborah was an experienced leader of her people. Further, she was God’s prophet.

Can we really fault him for wanting Deborah to go to the battle with him? His desire for her presence with him on the battlefield could be viewed as his desire for God’s presence.

At any rate, Barak’s record definitely was dinged because of his seeming lack of faith. Deborah agreed to go with him but stipulated, “Because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman” (Judges 4:9).

They proceeded to the battle. Deborah gave the command to advance saying, “Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands” (Judges 4:14).

V I CTO RY S O N G Deborah herself wrote and sang the stirring Song of Deborah, which beautifully recounted the battle in Judges 5. The song provides a few more details about how the Lord brought victory just as Deborah had prophesied. It also aids in our understanding of God’s battle plan of leading the enemy to the Kishon River. Deborah sang of a downpour of rain from Seir in Edom: When you, Lord, went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water. The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai, before the Lord, the God of Israel (Judges 5:4-5).

Who would have expected a rainstorm coming up from a desert? The iron chariots were mired in the mud of the flooded river and Sisera’s army was washed away. Oh, the irony of a group of Baal-worshippers done in by an untimely (and highly unlikely) cloudburst!

Kings came, they fought, the kings of Canaan fought. At Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo, they took no plunder of silver. From the heavens the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera. The river Kishon swept them away, the age-old river, the river Kishon (Judges 5:19-21).

Deborah’s poem shines a light on another hero of the battle: Jael. When Sisera’s army was defeated at the river, he fled on foot. First Jael lured him, unsuspecting, into her tent. Then, instead of giving him refreshing water, she gave him something of a sleep aid—curdled milk. And while Sisera slept, she hammered a tent peg through his skull. Deborah the poet chanted masterfully as she told how Jael neatly dispatched the general: At her feet he sank, he fell; there he lay. At her feet he sank, he fell; where he sank, there he fell—dead (Judges 5:27).

G OD'S LE ADER Deborah’s song closed out this historical retelling, and then there were 40 years of peace (Judges 5:31). Deborah truly was an amazing woman. Her complete confidence in God made her a strong leader for her people. Judges 5 indicates there was no fight in God’s people until Deborah rose up. She encouraged and inspired them.

Deborah’s help was essential for others to overcome oppression; help which she fearlessly gave. Barak needed her help to face Sisera’s iron chariots. Her country needed her help to finally clean up the unconquered Canaanites.

And importantly, Deborah gave credit where it was due. She showed that God’s proper place is as King of his people. It’s hard for us to imagine how a people who, only a few generations earlier, had seen God come through for them in the huge, miraculous rescues of the exodus were still able to reject and disobey him. But they did. Deborah’s actions, her rhetorical nod to “the Lord, the One of Sinai” (Judges 5:5), and the fact that God did indeed rescue his people from the oppression all show God resuming his proper authority as King of his people.

Today, we don’t have that kind of direct, miraculous witness that ancient Israel enjoyed, but we do have the more complete picture of God’s love for us through his Word. We have the hindsight of seeing God’s plan fulfilled through Jesus.

We have the blessing of the Holy Spirit to aid us in our faith.

Let’s heed Deborah’s encouragement at the end of Judges 5 to remember that God is continually able to defeat the enemies of his people, and that all who love him can “be like the sun when it rises in its strength” (Judges 5:31).

Jennifer Holder has worked as a children’s book editor and as a children’s ministry director. She is currently enjoying a career as mom to Beatrice and James. When she isn’t busy homeschooling, she teaches history and literature at CAFE Christian Co-op in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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by Seana Scott

Meghan Markle thought about killing herself. The wife of Harry, the Duke of Sussex, felt unprotected and alone from the critical barrage of the U.K. tabloids. She asked for help from the royal “institution” and said she received none.

“I took matters into my own hands,” Harry said in an interview with Oprah Winfrey after stepping away from royal duties. “I need[ed] to do this for my family . . . for my own mental health, for my wife’s . . . because I could see where this was headed.”

The transition cost Harry and Meghan financial support, their “His and Her Royal Highness” titles, and security details that protected their growing family.

Sometimes, doing what we feel is right is difficult and comes at a cost—no matter who you are.

Just like Harry, sometimes we need to make decisions that cost us considerably. We live in an increasingly polarized culture where standing up for goodness and truth could cost us our jobs, our ministries, even our most cherished relationships.

How can we find courage to do the right thing when we face potential backlash?

The Old Testament story of Esther offers guidance.

Esther faced death and hesitated to stand up for the good of others. But in the end, she did stand up. And her path to hero status offers us wisdom for everyday living—and our own do-or-die moments.

Providential Placement Esther lived in the Persian capital of Susa (Esther 2:57), where Mordecai, her cousin, raised her and served in government (3:2). In Susa, King Xerxes hosted citywide parties with gold wine goblets handed out like red party cups from Walmart (1:7). So, Esther knew Persian culture, language, and politics, and she probably learned about her Jewish faith because the empire allowed freedom of worship.

Esther’s life changed when King Xerxes banished Queen Vashti for refusing to be humiliated during a drunken soiree (1:10-22), and the king decreed that a search be made for beautiful young virgins from whom he would choose a new wife. Imagine the sorrow that rippled through the 127 Persian providences as young girls deemed pretty enough were whisked away.

Refusing the king’s edict meant death, but letting your daughter go with the king also must have felt like death. Once virgins entered the King’s harem, they remained in the royal household for life. Esther, also known as Hadassah, was one of the women selected.

God providentially prepared Esther for her role; she was young, beautiful, Jewish—one of God’s chosen people—and she lived in the culture of the capital. Esther was taken into the harem, but she concealed her Jewish ancestry, as Mordecai had instructed (probably because queens had Persian royal blood and Jews were seen as outsiders). Esther found favor with everyone, including the King (2:8-18)—and she became queen of more than half of the world’s population.

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Cultivating Unwanted Places

Letting Go of Baggage

I was facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.

A friend advised me, “God will either deliver you through it or from it.” I wanted God to change the situation—quickly. But nothing changed. The situation was not entirely dissimilar from that of Esther, who was living a life she had not chosen.

“Let it go, let it go!” My daughter belted out those lyrics while she binged on Disney Plus and I typed to meet a deadline. Sometimes letting go brings healing. But the text implies that Haman could not let go of generations of baggage, and this nearly resulted in genocide.

Scripture never says Esther complained about her situation or avoided her duty. Rather, she attended to the dailiness of palace life in such a way that she won favor with all who saw her (2:15). Yes, she likely had perfect skin tone and flowing hair that set her apart, but surely pride and disrespect also would have set her apart (and without winning her any favor).

Esther humbly clothed herself with honor by trusting her mentors, Mordecai, her cousin, and Hegai, the king’s eunuch (2:10, 15). I would imagine the gems of wisdom and kindness highlighted her features more than whatever sapphires and diamonds she wore.

Maybe she learned some of this from her cousin. When Mordecai uncovered a plot to assassinate the king (2:1923), he never complained about the lack of reward.

I think Esther’s character—more than her makeup and perfume—opened the door for the king’s favor when she later risked death by approaching him without being summoned.

The murderous situation started in 1 Samuel 15. The prophet Samuel instructed King Saul to annihilate the Amalekites. King Saul killed most of the Amalekites, but he allowed King Agag and the best sheep and cattle to live. Big mistake. It cost him the kingdom and, generations later, it’s possible this still poisoned Haman’s heart.

Mordecai refused to pay homage to Haman, a descendant of King Agag (and King Xerxes’ chief adviser).

Scripture highlighted this generations-old tension when the royal officials pointed out to Haman that the “disrespectful” Mordecai was Jewish (Esther 3:4). Haman fumed at the disrespect and plotted to annihilate all of the Jews because of his dislike for Mordecai (and possibly as recompense for his ancestors).

In other words, Haman could not Let. It. Go. Choosing the right thing sometimes can mean simply letting go of past baggage so we can be faithful to live in the present with integrity.

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Facing the Hard Thing At this point, Esther faced the hardest decision of her life.

Haman plotted to kill all the Jews and manipulated the king to authorize it (Esther 3:8-11). Mordecai pleaded with Esther to stand up for her people, but Esther knew that if she approached the king without being summoned, she might be put to death (4:11). What should she do?

At first, Esther tried to dismiss herself from risk. She offered an excuse, and in Mordecai’s response (4:1215), he told her two things we might consider in our own do-or-die moments: • “Relief and deliverance . . . will arise.” Mordecai reminded Esther of the ultimate plan and providence for God’s people. If Esther chose not to stand, her people would still stand somehow—but she might not.

• “Such a time as this.” Mordecai suggested that divine providence may have placed her in her royal role “for such a time as this.” Maybe, just maybe, Esther grew up in the capital city of the Persian Empire—with beauty, wisdom, and favor to become queen—in order to serve a greater purpose than just pleasing the king.

Doing the Right Thing in the Right Way Once we choose the right thing, we need to choose right actions. Rather than just scream at sinners, we need to come alongside them to encourage them to turn from their sin. At the least, we should strive to provide a good and godly example.

We should choose honoring and wise ways to do the right thing. Esther’s story offers us a few pointers.

Commit to your conviction. After Esther chose the right thing, she stood firm and moved forward in confident action.

Ask for help. Esther asked Mordecai to gather the Jews in Susa for three days of fasting (4:16).

Trust God’s providence. Esther knew she planned to break the law at the risk of death to try to save her people. She said, “If I perish, I perish.”

Walk in wisdom. Esther followed protocol and respected authority (5:1-2). She spoke to the king in an honoring way (5:4, 8). She offered hospitality, which pleased the king’s heart (5:4-8).

Be bold. The day of the second banquet, the king providentially honored Mordecai for having saved his life, and by doing this, he foiled Haman’s attempt to kill Esther’s cousin (5:9–6:13). The time arrived for Esther to intervene for her people (7:3-4). When the king asked who plotted to annihilate her and her people, she boldly ousted “this vile Haman!” (7:6). When we speak during a crucial conversation—no matter who might sit before us—we should speak clearly and boldly like Esther before the king.

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Sometimes It All Works Out— Sometimes Not God vindicated his people through Esther’s courage and wisdom. Haman and his sons hanged (7:7-10; 9:14). Honorable Mordecai received Haman’s signet ring and estate and became the most trusted adviser in the kingdom (8:1-2, 10:1-3). And on the 13th day of Adar, which Haman scheduled for the Persian people to annihilate the Israelites, God’s chosen people defended themselves for two days—and then they partied (9:1-19).

Every year, the Jewish people celebrate the festival of Purim to commemorate their deliverance brought about when Esther chose to do the right thing, even when it was the hard thing (9:20-32).

Sometimes choosing the right thing may cost us greatly. Other times, like in the book of Esther, our integrity is vindicated and rewarded. No matter the outcome, choosing the right thing when it’s the hard thing is always a good thing. And one day we can stand before our King of kings with the confidence that we chose well.

How About You? What hard thing are you facing right now? How does Esther’s story give you wisdom to do the right thing, even when it’s the hard thing? What hard things has God delivered you through? Maybe it’s time to remember—and celebrate.

Seana Scott loves to equip and inspire others to know God’s Word, walk with God, and live with purpose. She graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary and writes and speaks in the margins of raising three kids with her pastor husband, Jason. They serve at Chapel Rock Christian Church in Indianapolis. @Seana_S_Scott SeanaScott.org

MARY

WAITING WITH FAITH

By Diane Stortz

One woman, Mary of Nazareth, left a unique legacy: Jesus, the Son of God, was her son too.

She was God’s choice to bear and raise the Savior of the world. No one else will ever have a similar experience.

But Mary left a personal legacy as well, found in Scripture, and we can all learn from her— women and men. As Mary looked back over her life in her later years, what did she see? Mary knew how to wait—and follow—with faith.

Seeing the angel and hearing him speak hadn’t frightened or troubled Mary as much as his hello: “O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28*). What was he doing here talking to her, and what did his strange greeting mean?

She was betrothed to Joseph. Betrothal, a binding form of engagement to wed, could take place when a girl was as young as 12. Most often we think of Mary as in her mid to late teens when Gabriel appeared.

Favor with God. Had God looked on her with favor because of her devotion to him? Or did his favor come in the position he gave her? Perhaps it was both. Mary’s words to her relative Elizabeth a short time later expressed her amazed gratitude: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name (Luke 1:46-49).

How much Scripture had she known back then? Only Jewish boys received formal schooling and religious training. No matter. When Gabriel explained God’s plan for her and answered her one question, Mary didn’t hesitate. She would do what God said she should do. “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

Acceptance had required strength and faith. Her pregnancy was sure to be misunderstood—

by Joseph, by her parents, by the entire community. There would be gossip, shaming, exclusion. Mary accepted all these possibilities and trusted God with her life and his plan— whatever it was.

Surrounding all the uncertainty had been joy. Mary sought out Elizabeth—pregnant herself after long, barren years, just as Gabriel had said. Mary knew Elizabeth would understand when she told her. But when Mary arrived, Elizabeth seemed to know already: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! . . . And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (Luke 1:42, 45).

Hearing Elizabeth and Zachariah’s story and sharing woman to woman with Elizabeth for three months encouraged Mary and fortified her strength and commitment as she returned home and prepared for the birth of her son.

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Reflecting on my life from a perspective of years, I trace my choices and decisions through myriad events, joys, and sorrows. I take stock; I give praise; I consider what I’ve learned and how those lessons impact my life today. I think about my legacy too—how has my life shaped the faith of my children, grandchildren, and future generations?

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Every pregnancy means waiting. And when the baby’s born, though we don’t often realize it, we begin waiting anew. What will our child grow up to be? What kind of life will unfold for him or her?

So Mary waited for the birth and then welcomed her son, wondering about the future. She stored up memories of everything that happened, and there was so much to ponder and contemplate! Traveling to Bethlehem, the unusual birthplace, a visit from shepherds who told of angelic announcements. Encounters with aged prophets in the temple. Extravagant gifts from Magi from the east who came to worship the child. A warning to flee quickly to Egypt to keep the baby safe from Herod.

Joseph. Such a gift from God! He hadn’t believed her at first, but he was a good man and he wanted to protect her as much as he could. Then an angel spoke to him in a dream, and Joseph took her into his home yet kept her a virgin until after Jesus was born. All his life he loved her and cared for the child as if Jesus were his own.

Of course, they couldn’t escape that Jesus wasn’t Joseph’s son, or any other man’s. But his name, Jesus—“God saves”—it wasn’t an uncommon name. All Israel waited for the Messiah to free them from Roman rule. But in Joseph’s dream, an angel told him Jesus would save his people from their sins. How, and when?

Mary wanted to understand, yet full understanding took time.

Finding Jesus in the temple with the teachers when he was 12, asking and answering questions, declaring to Mary she shouldn’t have been surprised to find him in his Father’s house— was that the turning point? Or when Jesus was grown, had clarity come in conversations she had with him?

A day came when Mary wanted to save her friends from embarrassment. She told the servants at a wedding feast, “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5), and Jesus turned tall cisterns of water into wine without a word.

Adult children pursuing their lives and ambitions can distress as well as bless their mothers. Mary felt proud of Jesus, of course. Teaching with such wisdom, healing the sick, even raising a widow’s dead son! But disputing with the religious leaders? And the crowds! What would happen next?

Mary had thought she understood Jesus’ mission. But his brothers didn’t believe in him. And the stories she was hearing! Had Jesus gone mad? He had to come home! She went along with the family’s “rescue mission.”

Had she forgotten who he was? Or had Jesus’ brothers insisted she join them, thinking Jesus would agree to abandon his ministry if she were there too?

She likely later regretted it. And took to heart his response that day: “Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50).

Jesus didn’t come home. Eventually Mary left home herself and followed him, all the way to Jerusalem and the foot of the cross.

MARY USED HER MIND TO INFORM HER HEART

SHE OBSERVED SHE LISTENED SHE REFLECTED SHE SOUGHT WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING

Simeon had promised a sword would one day pierce her soul. That sword did its work as Mary stood near Jesus’ cross. She didn’t want to watch his suffering, but she couldn’t leave him or look away.

He told his beloved friend John to care for her. Then it was finished. He was dead. John put a hand on her shoulder and guided her away. The Sabbath came and went, followed by another long, aching night.

But sometime after dawn on Sunday, Mary heard the tomb was empty. Was it John who told her? Then the report of Mary Magdalene: “I have seen the Lord” (John 20:18).

Jesus was alive? He was alive!

Scripture doesn’t tell us whether Mary saw Jesus after the resurrection or watched from the Olivet hillside as he returned to Heaven. But I like to think that she did.

In the upper room with all the other followers, Mary prayed and waited. She’d been waiting all her life, really, for what had finally happened—Jesus, the Son of God yet her boy, had done what he’d been sent to do. He’d made the sacrifice to save the world, and he was alive again and with the Father in Heaven.

What was next? She didn’t know, but he had told the disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the power of the Holy Spirit. So Mary prayed with them, and waited, until the Spirit came.

We don’t know when Mary’s earthly story ended. We don’t know where or how. But looking back had always pushed her forward. Looking back at her life can push us forward too.

When Gabriel brought God’s message, Mary didn’t hesitate to act on what God wanted her to do. We have the whole written Word. Are we as quick to accept and obey?

Mary used her mind to inform her heart. She observed, she listened, she reflected, she sought wisdom and understanding. We can do the same. We have unlimited resources to help us learn and grow.

Mary persevered. The normal life she might have wished for as she raised Jesus and his siblings was not the life she got, but she pressed on. At times she stumbled, but she resolved her doubts and learned to trust her son as who he was—the Son of God, the Savior.

Mary’s personal legacy, her heroism if you will, is this: she faithfully followed God day by day, circumstance by circumstance, even when she didn’t fully understand. She lived thoughtfully, patiently, faithfully as she waited for more to be revealed.

At the end of her life, Mary’s reward surely came as she reunited with her son, now her Savior. I can imagine Jesus’ glad welcome and his affirmation of her faith and her long wait.

We’re all waiting, every day. We don’t know what will happen next—in our lives, in our country, in the world. We don’t know when Jesus will return or what we and our loved ones will go through before he does.

But we do have this day and our commitment to Mary’s son—the Son of God. Like Mary, let’s follow God faithfully as we wait for his plans for us and for this world to be revealed. *All Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version of the Bible.

Diane Stortz is a former editor and best-selling author of books including A Woman’s Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year (Bethany House) and I AM: 40 Reasons to Trust God (Tommy Nelson). Learn more at DianeStortz.com.

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How had the waiting come to this?

SPONSORED BY

by renee little

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The title “first lady” instantly brings to my mind images of Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump, and Hillary Clinton. In many churches of Christ and Christian churches, the first lady is the woman married to the pastor. She may not have a grand ballroom or a fine set of china that can serve 320, but she has a front-row seat to what’s happening in a large extended family. And more importantly, she has the ear and heart of the church’s spiritual leader. She typically is as invested in the community, church, and staff as her husband.

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first ladies of our churches & ministries What is The Crossing in Quincy, Illinois, without Allison Harris? She is aware of every phone call and email that comes in. She and husband Jerry partner in research, preparation, and leading an online Bible study. She is sharp, witty, devoted, and in love with both her maker and her family. She stewards finances with discernment, disciplines her children with grace, and, of course, spoils her grandchildren with her undivided attention. She is a sounding board, navigator, copilot, team player, researcher, and a committed prayer warrior. Her heart for the church is unwavering. She is dedicated to growing God’s kingdom and What is University Christian Church in Los Angeles withloving the people who show up to worship out Osharye Hagood? She passionately leads women in beside her. gathering and studying the Word. She endlessly pursues education . . . both in a formal school setting and the sharing of real-life stories. Osharye’s relationship What is The Solomon Foundation with husband Rudy is second only to her relationship without Julie Crozier? You often with God. Her excitement for what the Lord is doing in will find her in staff meetings or her community spills into every conversation; she sees answering phones, or on her way opportunities to share the truth of how Jesus works in to bring Doug a healthy lunch. She every challenge. pushes and pokes, questions and debates ideas and options to the day’s challenges. Her keen eye for detail paired with unwavering sup- During George McElroy’s years there, what was Mission Viejo (Caliport for her husband help sustain fornia) Christian Church without Carolyn McElroy? Her sweet smile TSF’s dynamic team as they help and tender hugs cut the harsh sting of truth from life lessons. Piano church leaders stay married, con- keys, church keys, and the key to Mac’s heart all rested in her care. She tinue in church ministry, achieve was ever present, loyal, and faithful. She would pop into the church to record growth, walk through hard sweep Mac away in her Mustang convertible, making stops along the way to love on people in the community who needed them most. times, and feel loved.

What is Lifeline Christian Mission without Janet Simms? She whips up graphics that display Lifeline’s mission of feeding the needy. She climbs mountains in national parks with her family when she isn’t surmounting daily challenges with Ben as he leads Lifeline’s worldwide team. They are a dynamic duo in their personal life and on the mission field. Together they not only oversee the packaging and distribution of enormous quantities of food for hungry people, they also teach the local church how to be involved while making a powerful impact in the name of Jesus.

What would Crossroads Christian Church in Texas be without Janis Cameron? Not only does her Texas-style blonde hair give her an angelic appearance, but upon getting to know her, you realize she plays the part in real life! Her love of books—first and foremost the Bible—has led to establishment of a bookstore inside the church where she helps connect small-group leaders with Bible study materials, children with Bible storybooks, and everyday struggling people to words of encouragement through the written word. She toes the line as she and husband Barry live by example in teaching “the ABC’s of Financial Freedom.” Getting out of debt years ago was a team effort for the Camerons; they were equally committed to it. Behind the scenes, her tender heart, cheerful spirit, and dedicated knowledge of Scripture have served the church and her family. She is devoted to serving alongside Barry and seeing the kingdom of God grow.

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What would your church be without its first lady?

These first ladies of the church and mission field have taught me what the hands and feet of Jesus look like. They lead in tandem with their husbands to spread the good news of Jesus.

They help filter the bad, celebrate the good, process the hard, find creative solutions, lighten the burden, soften the blow, and cheer the loudest while walking along the narrow path.

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4.65% APY is based on a minimum investment of $10,000 for a term of 5 years. 3.565% APY is based on a minimum investment of $10,000 for a term of 3 years. 2.99% APY is based on a minimum investment of $500 for a term of 1 year. The content and material contained herein are not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy Investment Certificates of The Solomon Foundation. The offer is made solely by and through our Offering Circular, which you should read carefully before making an investment decision. The Investment Certificates are subject to certain risk factors as described in the Offering Circular. Investment Certificates are offered and sold only in states where authorized. Investment Certificates of The Solomon Foundation are not insured by the FDIC, SIPC or any other governmental agency. TSF has the right to call Certificates for redemption at any time upon sixty (60) days written notice. In such event, interest will be paid to the date of redemption.

I also often think of the first ladies in the Bible.

What would the ark have been like without Noah’s wife? I think Emzara—that was her name, according to the book of Jubilees (an ancient Jewish religious work)— must have been an incredible woman. Can you imagine your husband coming home to tell you God said the world would flood and so he needed to build a boat and gather animals? Imagine that conversation: “Hey, Babe, what do you think of taking a boat Lest we forget, what would Jesus be without his ride?” or perhaps, “You know how you always mother, Mary? Jesus’ first spoken words in the New wanted a pet? I’ve got great news . . .”

Testament occurred when Mary and Joseph forgot to make sure Jesus was with their group as they left Jerusalem. They rushed back to the city and found Jesus at the temple. Mary told Jesus they had been searching for him, to which he responded, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). I am thankful for the raw honesty of this story. Mary did not know everything; she left her preteen by mistake and reacted like any mom (like me) would. Oh, the goodness of God for choosing Mary and allowing us to hear the stories of how she Where would humans be with- honorably worked hard to be the best mother she out Eve? Is she not also a first could to the Savior of the World. lady of the Bible? Adam’s “first lady” and perhaps first lady of the Garden of Eden? A first lady can either ripen a man and a church or spoil them. When a first lady’s focus remains on God’s will, grace, and people, God is honored.

The Solomon Foundation honors God first in all our choices. We specialize in church growth through finance. We take bold steps to help the local church secure bigger facilities. The financing is just the beginning because our heart is not in the building but in filling it with people seeking a relationship with Jesus. Our heart is devoted to building leaders, resourcing church teams, thinking creatively to find solutions, and strengthening the marriages of pastors leading these churches.

By making the commitment to spend time with the more than 300 church leaders we have helped, we also have gotten to know their first ladies and to witness them work in teams the way God called them. To our pastors, their leading ladies, and all the great pairs we have yet to meet, know that we are cheering you on and have dedicated our lives to serving alongside you. There are more of you than I have room to write about, but each of your stories is written on my heart. If you are looking for more than financing, but a ministry partner—call The Solomon Foundation.

Renee Little serves as senior vice president of project management with The Solomon Foundation.

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first ladies in the Bible

yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

THE LAW OF THE BIGGER yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

By Alan Ahlgrim

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A simple text suddenly changed my plans for the next day. My best friend asked if I could meet him at the Denver airport for breakfast before he left on a family vacation. I responded emphatically, “Absolutely!”

The reason I immediately set aside my previous plans was simple—I suddenly had a bigger yes burning inside me! Some days are like that—we experience a life-enriching opportunity that changes everything for the better.

Few people in my life lift my spirits more than Cam Huxford, my friend of 45 years. As Paul once said of his young protégé, Timothy, “I have no one else like him!”

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Live for Some thing Definite

Celebr ate God-Given Assignment s

It’s been said you can’t go out and make old friends; you either have them or you don’t.

I’m blessed to have many good friends, both old and new. Virtually all friendships have been made the same way . . . slowly. I have cultivated them over the years by making time for these friends as they have made time for me. They are always part of the bigger yes of my life.

What’s your big yes? Do those closest to you know what it is? Once again, Paul said something about it: “But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance” (2 Timothy 3:10, New Living Translation). We all need to see ourselves, and to be seen by those close to us, as devoted to something bigger than ourselves.

All of my work is relational. At times it can be inconvenient and even exhausting, but more than anything, it is deeply fulfilling. I know this is what I am called to do, namely, to encourage Christian leaders, and especially to connect them with one another. This is my passion; it’s my bigger yes!

I’ve heard that to leave a lasting legacy, we must live for something definite. My definite desire is to end the soul-crushing burden of pastoral isolation. I know firsthand that the isolated leader is the vulnerable leader. I’m out to help change that, and God gives me the privilege of catalyzing life-enriching connections for others almost every day. This is deeply gratifying.

Over the years I’ve called it the Law of the Bigger Yes! I believe there is no substitute for having an unshakable sense of ought-ness that a certain something must be addressed . . . now! I resonate with the apostle Paul, who wrote, “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.”

Paul knew what his task was, and he clearly stated it in Acts 20:24: “the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

• What is that for you?

• Who are those for you?

What’s your special assignment? My wife and I just enjoyed a four-hour visit with an inspiring couple. We count them among our true heroes. As the psalmist said, “The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!” (Psalm 16:3, NLT). Those who enjoy “hero status” for us all live with a sense of assignment and have three things in common: long obedience, deep joy, and strong generosity.

After a great meal, our relaxing conversation led to our friend smiling and saying, “I like to make money so that I can give it away!” He is enjoying the high privilege of knowing what he is called to do. Again, I’m inspired by the psalmist: “Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance” (Psalm 16:5-6).

All of God’s assignments are good ones, and all come with certain boundaries. I definitely don’t have the moneymaking gift my buddy has, but then again, he would readily admit

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he doesn’t have my gifts either. Maybe that’s why we have enjoyed such a great partnership over the years. We celebrate each other’s God-given assignments. And it’s those divine assignments that keep us energized and give us a reason to lean into the future.

It’s been said that your vision is whatever you’d delay going to Heaven in order to accomplish—that’s the ultimate big yes!

First Timothy 1:1 stated it this way: “I, Paul, am an apostle on special assignment for Christ, our living hope” (The Message). Do you have a sense you are on “special assignment”—that something important has been given to you to do . . . a calling that matters?

New York Times columnist David Brooks suggested we can think about life as either “the well-planned life” or “the summoned life.” As an avid planner, I think about that distinction daily. What does it matter if my life is consumed with accomplishments if they’re not in keeping with my special assignment? C.S. Lewis said a person’s greatest dignity is not found in initiative but in response. In a sense, we all are to live in response to the grace of God. These assignments, be they large or small, are ultimately more of a blessing than a burden. Living with a sense of summons is ennobling and inspiring.

This I know, when I sense I’m on divine assignment, that bigger yes changes everything! I sat with several pastor friends and we took turns confessing our deepest fears. One man’s words really resonated with me. He said, “My greatest fear is not simply falling into immorality of some sort but failing to fulfill the assignment God has given to me and failing to seize the opportunities God has set before me.”

Our ultimate calling is to respond to the summons of the bigger yes assignment God has for us.

After 50 years of ministry, including almost three decades as founding pastor of Rocky Mountain Christian Church in Colorado, Alan Ahlgrim now serves as the chief soul-care officer of Covenant Connections for Pastors. He invests heavily in helping other leaders serve well and finish well by connecting them in soul-enriching covenant groups.

These small, in-depth, transformational communities are helping produce renewal and resilience. While most of Alan’s work is in Colorado, he is catalyzing a national network of soul care groups. Each group meets together over three years and is led by a trained facilitator. For more information, visit covenant-connections.org.

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Live in Resp onse t o God’s Gr ace

A TIME FOR COURAGE

by matt merold

Leadership is about taking people on a journey. A leader sometimes is like a tour guide. The leader has been to the destination before, but the people they’re leading never have. It’s easy to lead as a tour guide.

There are also times a leader is like a travel agent. The leader has read up on the journey and knows what to expect at the destination, but they have never experienced it firsthand. A travel-agent leader asks others to follow them to a destination they personally have never been. That’s scary!

The story of Moses and Joshua leading God’s people to the Promised Land highlights how to do this. Moses knew about wandering and how to deal with people who complain. Joshua knew about warring and leading courageously. He was clear, decisive, hungry, and humble.

never seen or experienced anything like the uncertain times we've been living through.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I asked several smart and visionary leaders, “What’s next for the church?” but no one has had a good answer. This season of ministry has been a learning experience for all of us.

I'VE

The key thing I’ve learned about leadership in the past 18 months is that courage is a nonnegotiable quality. When the world is in crisis and everyone seems to be panicking, a leader needs courage to inspire confidence and provide purpose.

This isn’t the time for the church to cower; this is the time for the church to be courageous. And to that point, for Bethany Christian Church—which I serve—this is the time we’ve started making plans to open a third campus. (More on that later.)

Most leaders don’t start out courageous. Many leaders who have displayed courage honed this quality during crisis— leaders like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Margaret Thatcher, and heroes of faith like Moses, Daniel, Peter, and Paul.

It’s not that they were smarter or more creative. They simply were more courageous or, at least, the quickest to act out their bravery. John Maxwell said, “Successful leaders have the courage to take action while others hesitate.”

A courageous leader steps into the unknown and influences others to do the same.

God laid out his plan to take back the Promised Land from groups of squatters who lived there. Moses and Joshua both bought into God’s plan. Both were convinced something better was beyond the Jordan River.

When Joshua assumed command after Moses’ death, he knew he must lead God’s people into an unfamiliar land during uncertain times. His speech before they took a step of faith into the Promised Land included that famous line, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). It’s a rousing speech about stepping into the fog that is the future.

Joshua was aware of only two certainties. He was certain there was going to be a fight, for the squatters were fortified and settled in. And he knew God had told the Israelites not to hesitate in taking possession of the land.

Joshua issued the order, “Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you” (Joshua 1:11).

Joshua and the people he led had far more uncertainty than clarity. Imagine all the questions Joshua and his leadership had to field during those three days. “Hey, Joshua. How will we cross the river?” “How will we defeat an enemy that has fortified cities and organized armies?” Joshua probably thought, I don’t know how we’re going to get this done. I just know that God has called me to get it done.

Three days later, Joshua courageously led God’s people through a dried-up Jordan River. The Israelites stepped into the unknown and began to take the ground God had promised them.

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courageous leaders TAKE PEOPLE ON A JOURNEY

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courageous leaders MOVE FORWARD AND TAKE NEW GROUND There comes a time when a leader must decide to either cross the Jordan and venture forth or to take shelter on the shoreline.

I’m convinced, now is the time for courageous leadership.

It’s time to take domain for God’s kingdom, to courageously press out with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

ing traditional Sunday services to a weekday night. Courageous leaders who used the shutdown to bury lifeless ministry programs. Courageous leaders who are unplugging the live feed of the service and producing something completely different for an online audience to experience.

Courageous leaders who recognize the pre-virus church and the post-virus church will be different.

How about you? What’s your plan to move ministry forward and take ground for the kingdom of God?

I serve with a leadership team probably best described as strategic opportunists. We may not be the smartest or most inventive leaders, or the first to identify opportunities, but we have the courage to move ahead with a plan even in uncertain times. When an opportunity is identified, we have the fearless ability to pounce on it.

At first, the pandemic caused us to shelve our plans as we put much of “normal” life on hold. These plans included a huge expansion of our campus in Washington, Indiana, increasing the size of our ministry team, and starting new ministries for our community. Instead, everything was put on hold.

courageous leaders TAKE STEPS TO AN UNPREDICTABLE FUTURE

Honestly, I felt like we were just waiting for this crisis to end so we could get back to our prepandemic game plan.

Perhaps you’re still at a standstill. Here are three ideas that can help you take a courageous step into the unpredictable future.

However, last I checked, God never commanded us to merely hold ground, he commanded us to take new ground.

Jesus commanded us to press out and preach the gospel.

There is no “pandemic clause” to that command. Staying put is not an option for the church.

Since we were convicted to push on with the gospel, we changed our plans. Instead of waiting, we started working on strategies to take ground for God’s kingdom.

We decided to advance the timeline for starting a third campus. We had originally planned to press out those plans in 2023, but we determined the best time to take ground for the kingdom was right now—amid financial uncertainty, the vagueness of government policies, and the fog of an unpredictable future.

I could share the names of several congregations with courageous leaders who are advancing while many others are hesitating. These advancing leaders are successfully leading their churches through generosity campaigns, raising tens of millions of dollars. I suppose everyone has stimulus money. Why not tithe with it? This might be the best time for a generosity campaign.

I know courageous leaders who have restructured their staffs to better emphasize engaging a growing online congregation. I know courageous leaders who are transition-

Every church with which I’m acquainted pushed pause at the start of the pandemic in hopes of hitting play after the pandemic. Sadly, many have yet to hit play.

1. Pastor people. You can never go wrong pastoring people. When the pandemic hit, the first thing our ministry team did was call everyone we could to pray for and encourage them. Do that! It’s simple. I’m sure you still have folks who have yet to return to a worship service. Let them know they are not forgotten. Give them a call and spur them on. Reengage the disengaged.

2. Love your neighbor. Like, your actual neighbor! It might be difficult to mobilize the masses to do large outreach events in the community. Our congregation and community just aren’t ready for that (at least not at the time this was written). Yet, I can equip and empower the congregation to love their neighbors through acts of service.

Unleashing every individual and family to help meet the needs of their neighbors is not a stretch. Find their hurt and help to heal it.

3. Build up the big Sundays. During the pandemic we taught offline people to do church online, and now the reasons to stay home are greater than the reasons to attend church services.

Here’s the truth: church isn’t something you watch or even something you attend. Church is something you are. Christianity isn’t an alone thing, it’s a community thing. And when Christians are in community, they are the church. If

There is power when God’s people get together as his church. Each of us knows that because we were disconnected for several months, and it was awful!

There need to be big Sundays on the calendar that produce a “had to be there” kind of feel. Those Sundays need to have a special feel . . . something like an Easter or Christmas service evokes. Whether it’s a powerful way to celebrate and honor American independence or our war veterans, or a great sermon series, create big Sundays people don’t want to miss.

THE CHURCH MULTIPLIED DURING TIMES

The first series I preached after we reopened our doors for in-person worship was called “Summer Blockbusters.”

The series used movie clips as a method to apply biblical principles, and the clips couldn’t be shown online due to copyright laws. If you wanted the full experience, you had to be there.

OF PERSECUTION; I BELIEVE IT WILL MULTIPLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

courageous leaders DON'T PRESS PAUSE . . . THEY PRESS ON! The book of Acts is a quick history of how the church lived out the mission of expanding and embracing God’s kingdom. The book concludes by saying the church took ground and gained subjects for the King of kings.

The church expanded God’s kingdom when they were forced to scatter. The church moved ministry forward even though they faced horrific persecution. Nothing stopped them! They found ways to courageously take ground for God. The last verse of Acts says Paul never pushed pause, he only pressed on. “He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!” (Acts 28:31). The kingdom of God grew rapidly and the church took domain for God. The church multiplied during times of persecution; I believe it will multiply during this pandemic. At this time— and at all other times—the church needs to be courageous.

Step out today and do something courageous in the name of Jesus Christ.

Matt Merold serves as lead pastor of Bethany Christian Church, with campuses in Washington and Vincennes, Indiana.

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you don’t believe me, study the word ekklēsia. It’s difficult to assemble while staying home. It’s also incredibly difficult to engage in corporate worship at home. I know, because during the shutdown, I tried.

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SPIRE NETWORK growing a legacy of connection, contribution, and collaboration

BY CHRIS JEFFERSON

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As a kid, I remember attending about every North American Christian Convention we could drive to as a family.

Many Christian church ministry kids can say the same. I probably saw you there, heard your last name in passing, or attended a youth session with you. I remember particularly large gatherings in Cincinnati and Indianapolis with thousands of believers singing, praying, and taking Communion together. I remember wondering, What connects all these people from so many different churches in so many different states? What draws us all together?

Three years ago, the Spire Network was born in the shadow of that 91-year legacy with the idea of providing ministry leaders with more than any three-day conference could offer. You see, the NACC was never really the event, but rather the community connection, the chance to contribute to the growth of our church’s movement, and the collaboration of innovative ministry that brought us together and still unites us all.

Spire Network is built on the vison of seeking measurable kingdom impact through practical ministry support. It seeks to encourage and equip church leaders who inspire a movement of healthy growing churches by focusing on biblical authority, Christian unity, and the Great Commission. Spire Network is a community linked together with a common identity that is working to help accelerate our movement of restorative Christian churches. Community connection, contribution, and collaboration are built into the DNA of Spire Network, for we now have the opportunity to gather around the clock, every day of the year through a variety of platform-driven resources and events.

Board president Dave Stone is excited for the change that Spire represents.

“I loved attending the NACC—50 times, in fact!” Stone said.

“But it has been exciting to see the transition to the broader Spire platform.” Stone, who previously served as senior pastor with Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, has, over the years, witnessed many changes and shifts in the organizations, institutions, and service providers of Restoration Movement churches.

“While our movement remains anchored to our values, Spire has allowed churches and leaders to pivot, innovate, expand, and encourage one another,” he said. “It stretches beyond just an annual three-day get-together and has become a daily source to connect and grow us as leaders. It’s the difference between multiplication and addition.”

Our movement finds itself in a time when our churches have never been healthier, our ideals have never been more alive, and our identity as a movement has never been more at risk.

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a dedication to CONNECTING SpireConference: In 2019 SpireConference hosted its inaugural gathering in Orlando that saw more than 1,500 ministry leaders over three days. People who attended the event were inspired by the opportunity to connect, fellowship, and take part in the refreshed format. In 2020, SpireConference went virtual due to the pandemic, and more than 3,000 leaders and ministry staff joined together online for a challenging one-day event viewed in 44 states and in more than 13 countries.

In 2021, SpireConference will take place September 14-16 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville. Again, three days of connection, challenge, and recommitment of purpose will kick off the annual Spire Network calendar and provide much-needed time of encouragement and equipping for ministry teams and leaders from across the country. If you haven’t already registered, go to spireconference.network for more information, team discounts, and the best prices on hotels and special events.

Regional Events: Leaders need one another, and connecting with others in your region is important toward building synergy and movement. Spire regional events, held at Topgolf locations and other recreational facilities, began in 2020 to specifically encourage regional connection and build team camaraderie around a one-day event.

Leaders connect for lunch, get great content from both ministry and marketplace leaders, and enjoy Topgolf or other activities together.

Sponsors, vendors, and ministry partners engage leaders at both the SpireConference and Spire regional events and are an important part of sharing in ministry. Spire Network engages ministry partners and sponsors that serve only leaders, the leader’s team, or the leader’s church in a specific ministry way and contribute to providing solutions and innovation that support Spire Network’s mission.

Spire Mobile App: In late 2019, the Spire app was launched as the online place for connecting, content sharing, community building, mentorship activities, and collaboration among church leaders. With more than 4,000 leader profiles already uploaded and content being added daily, the Spire mobile app is constantly growing and changing.

Groups can easily form on the mobile app and provide a closed content forum for sharing and working together in a space where your data and information will not be shared or sold.

New areas to support staffing and ministry innovation are being developed this year and will continue to foster and provide connection.

The Spire Network mobile app is available in your device’s app store.

Pastor Health & Resiliency: In the past year, the coronavirus pandemic created a tremendous challenge for ministry leaders in churches around the world. As leaders worked to adapt and adjust, the prolonged ambiguity and ever-changing restrictions and safety guidelines served to reinforce we were never meant to live or lead in isolation.

Spire has begun to develop a host of Pastor Health & Resiliency services and resources to provide trusted counsel and mentorship, while also increasing the spirit of stamina in the ministry leader. The network uses proximity encouragement through respected regional leaders as well as trusted counseling and professional mental health partners to provide a connection point for leaders to stay mentally fit and strong for service through any circumstance.

Ben Cacharias, lead pastor of Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, Maryland, knows the importance of community and connection.

“An African proverb says, ‘If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ It echoes biblical truth I’ve found true in my own life and ministry,” Cachiaras said. “We need each other! And our tribe needs a connecting place so we can get more done together, learn from one another, and make the movement move. After a year of pandemic isolation, this is no time for business as usual. We need the fresh thinking and deep collaboration Spire Network provides. For me and our team, the resources and networking we gain through Spire are more important than ever.”

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a place for CONTRIBUTION Resources: Each day a host of resources and ministry tools are placed on the Spire mobile app. Every week more leaders join the community and download the app to take advantage of those resources, connections, and sponsored offerings. Leaders will soon be able to find curated books, small-group materials, and video resources from publishers and ministry partners directly through the Spire mobile app. The app’s resource area provides an excellent place for contribution to occur. A research white paper, scholarly journal, or even a cornerstone sermon series may provide a perfect opportunity to share your content and help advance other leaders’ efforts.

ers check-in for SpireCast each week or view one of the encore broadcasts on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

Mentorship and Cohorts: Some leaders learn and grow best from one-on-one or small-group sharing. Spire Network continues to commit to opportunities for real mentorship with seasoned leaders and smaller gatherings where regional and situational issues can find solutions and leaders can grow in confidence. A series of cohorts and mentorship opportunities will be introduced in the coming months both online and on location to address the need for community and involvement.

Spire webinars are one-hour online events that feature a ministry-driven topic or provide an informative presentation on a current event or key ministry innovation. Experts have presented webinars on digital engagement, pastor health, and pending legislation that impacts every church in America. More than 1,000 leaders have taken part in a Spire webinar in 2020 and 2021.

“Many of us are coming off the most challenging season of ministry in our lives. We need each other,” said Tyler McKenzie of Northeast Christian Church in Louisville. “We need a community that pours courage into us as we stand on truth in the face of cultural rejection. We need a community that fills us with energy as we fight exhaustion and step into others’ suffering day after day. We need a community to collaborate with on methods for leading healthy churches in a post-COVID world. I’m finding these kinds of resources and relationships, real time, thanks to the Spire Network.”

SpireCast, Huddles, and Webinars: Digital broadcast has provided a weekly opportunity for Spire Network to provide current and needed digital discussion around a variety of topics. SpireCast provides a weekly recap of SpireConference presentations with live commentary, as well as featured content including programs on pastor financial health, tax and investment guidance, mental health, pastor resiliency, and ministry specialization presentations led by top ministry leaders and authors. Hundreds of lead-

Huddles are a special breakout format that accompanies both the SpireConference event and online breakout-driven presentations. The Huddle format, either live or digital, is designed to provide an extended time of discovery around a specialized ministry area or topic. Each participant has opportunity to leave with a new discovery, connect with the ministry mentor, and leave with a new connection in their ministry area. More than 1,200 leaders have attended Spire Huddles in 2020 and 2021.

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the power of COLLABORATION

ADVANCING the movement

Spire Spark: Innovation can be an elusive oasis in a desert of busyness. Good ideas can dry on the vine before they become fruitful. Spire Network will add an innovation module to the Spire app this year where great ideas can be shared and adapted and a simple story of what worked can be multiplied and find success many times over. Have an evangelism success story? Did you engage your community in a fresh way? How did you find success in your recent funding campaign? Spark will provide an organized and running list of what works in ministry that will inspire new and modeled ingenuity so that innovation might take flame.

We have much to celebrate. It’s been a tremendous three years of growing Spire Network and providing places for connection, contribution, and collaboration to thrive. Our movement finds itself in a time when our churches have never been healthier, our ideals of independence and entrepreneurial leadership have never been more alive, and our identity as a movement has never been more at risk.

Spire Network is striving to help leaders find a connected heritage—a collaborative network of strong independent churches and leaders moving forward through the legacy of our faith together.

Staffing: Spire Network is partnered with staffing professionals and ministry team leaders to help provide services for finding the right staff and the key leadership to work with your team and congregation. After all, staffing is one of the greatest challenges facing the church and is paramount in fulfilling your mission. Over the coming months, many vacancies will need to be filled and many churches will need solutions to help their staff work through the challenge of common change. Spire Network provides initial access to staffing notices and openings on the Spire mobile app.

“Our movement has always created opportunities for people to connect [and] share ideas and innovation,” said Spire Network president Rick Rusaw. “And with an intentional effort for unity . . . and advancing the call of Christ, we know there is no way to lead but forward. May we be faithful to raise up, encourage, and equip leaders who lead healthy, growing churches as the kingdom advances.”

“As a young leader in a growing church, I find myself stretched, challenged, and needing encouragement to lead in our new reality,” said Nate Ross, lead pastor of Northside Christian Church, New Albany, Indiana. “What I love about Spire is the network provides an opportunity to connect and learn from other pastors and leaders about what is working, what isn’t, and to be challenged to wholeheartedly follow Jesus as he builds his church.”

Spire Global: With so many countries logging in and sharing in the Spire Virtual Conference in 2020, it became apparent that much of what Spire Network is doing is valued and needed by leaders internationally. Church leaders in South Africa and the Dominican Republic and countries in Europe, Africa, and South America will be among the first to experience an initiative called Spire Global that will work to connect and inspire leaders around the globe through resources, mentorship, and technology.

Chris Jefferson serves as executive director of Spire Network, a national digital engagement platform, conference, event, and innovation community focused on equipping and inspiring Christian leaders. Chris, his wife, Kristi, and their three children live in Colorado.

THE LOOKOUT

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website july 2021 HISTORY OF ISRAEL, PART 2: A TROUBLED KINGDOM 1–2 KINGS & 2 CHRONICLES

Sometimes common sense is not so common. The kings of Israel and Judah often jettisoned God’s common sense. A few good kings and godly prophets called for reforms in God’s troubled kingdom. Students will learn to embrace God’s wisdom, pray earnestly for revival, witness God’s miracles, and avoid the heartache of disobedience.

august 2021 CHOOSE GALATIANS Galatians has been called the Magna Carta of Christian freedom. In it, Paul defines the gospel in terms of liberation. If it feels like a straitjacket, it probably is not the gospel. One man said, “Since I became a Christian, I do anything I want to—the only difference is that Jesus changed all my want-tos.” This liberating gospel contains the righteousness found only in Christ, which is sufficient for living by the Spirit.

INTER AC T THE ANNUAL CHURCH SURVE Y Ethan Stivers I really enjoyed the church survey [“2020 Stats & Stories,” p. 24, May/June 2021]! It’s always nice to see how churches are doing—especially those that have ministers I used to be connected to.

EXPERIENCING ONENESS Gerald Jamison I agree with Dr. Johnson and the Bible [e2: effective elders, “Unity Matters,” by Gary L. Johnson, p. 14, April 2021].

We are commanded to be one, to be united. . . . We are to show our love for each other by submitting and humbling ourselves to each other. It is sad we sometimes choose to love our agendas more than we love each other, but with God there is hope!

LE ARNING ABOUT JE SUS FROM JUDA S Loren C. Roberts Hang in there, Ryan. There are many “ordinary” people who follow Christ and feel the same way [“What Judas Can Teach Us About Jesus,” by Ryan Rasmussen, p. 20, April 2021]. Many of us pray every day for Christ’s church and those serving. Satan is alive and well. My opinion is that Satan hates everyone, including himself. Christ’s church will prevail.

BEHIND THE SCENES, MAKING A DIFFERENCE Bill Ross I also have thought about those “behind the scenes” people in the life of Jesus who made a difference [“How Simon of Cyrene’s Unexpected Journey Can Change Us,” by Terrence Turman, p. 48, April 2021]. I think of the boy who left his home one morning to listen to someone who would be speaking nearby. I’m sure his mother packed his lunch, kissed his forehead, and cautioned him to be home early for dinner. When the boy arrived at the given location, a man named Andrew approached him and asked him to give up his lunch so they could feed the massive crowd. I often think about what went through his mind when he willingly gave up two fishes and five barley loaves of bread to a total stranger. Did he truly understand what giving up his lunch could mean to the [millions] of people who have read the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand?

MERCY FOR ALL Ted Burdett Skiles Thank you for sharing this truth [“A Hope of Salvation,” by Chris Hankins, p. 54, April 2021]. We have lived and served here in Taiwan now for more than 52 years and the older I get, the more clearly I realize that “because of God’s mercy Christ Jesus came out of the grave therefore giving us a living hope” (1 Peter 1:3). Furthermore, I will “prepare my mind for action and set my hope fully on the grace to be given me when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” (1 Peter 1:13). A missionary or the vilest criminal, we all need his mercy and his grace.

F R O M G O O D T O G R E AT W O R D S David Empson Good words, Jerry [Letter from the Publisher, “Moving Forward,” by Jerry Harris, p. 2, March 2021]! Keep up the good work! ICOM is with you too! I love perusing through the publications you put out. Thanks for letting us know how things are so we know how to pray and support Restoration Movement Media.

Sherree Empson Great words! Thanks for the info. I so enjoy the magazine and hearing about churches all over the United States.

The topics are so timely.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT Kitty Shelley Wonderful, Tyler. I totally agree with you about the issue of trust and fake news . . . it’s hard to know what to believe or not believe [“Truth and Tone in an Age of Fake News,” by Tyler McKenzie, p. 20, March 2021]. If I actually see a person and hear something he or she said on the news, I can believe the person said it, but that doesn’t make me believe what was said is actually true.

I think we are so indoctrinated with untruths and biased media coverage that it’s very harmful to everyone, especially the young.

Our children are being brainwashed, even in grade school and colleges. It’s terribly sad what is happening in the world and I think it’s because we have kicked God out of just about every aspect of our lives. We think we can do, say, and act however we want.

Everything is acceptable. Well, not as a Christian. We believe the Bible—the one and only book we can truly believe in.

BAL ANCING TRUTH AND LOVE Robert Stacy Sounds just like his dad, who had a way of “speaking the truth in love” [“Truth + Love: The Balancing Act,” by Dave Stone, p. 36, March 2021]. Thanks, Dave, for the illustration and for bringing to our attention this important message!

D E V E L O P A ‘ S E E K E R - F R I E N D LY ’ C H U R C H W E B S I T E Charles I was talking with a professional website designer about our church’s website [“The Dilemma of Social Media and the Church,” by Brent Bramer, p. 42, March 2021]. Our website was developed in-house to tell what we wanted people to hear. [He said] websites need to be developed to enable the seeker of truth and information to find what they are looking for versus “us” telling them what we know. Be willing to spend money and work with professionals in their field of expertise.

Old adage: Help someone to know that you care and then they care about what you know.

‘EYE-OPENER’ Skip Mintchell, Elder Great article [“How to Preach with Biblical Authority,” by Chris Philbeck, p. 52, March 2021]. This is exactly what I was looking for back in 1989. After growing up United Methodist, studying to be a Catholic, and then getting saved as a Baptist, the Christian church is where I heard the Word of God preached with authority and no other stuff.

Mike Gillespie My call to ministry was similar. The Sunday following my immersion in the summer of 1958 at Northern Heights Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, preacher “Brother Jack” Conder presented a baptismal certificate to me after morning worship. As he handed the document to me—looking me in the eye and shaking my hand—he said, “Son, I think you have what it takes to be a preacher.” I can still see and hear him, and as drawn as I was to other interests in my youth, the draw and call to ministry never left me. While a student at Louisville Bible College in 1966, I began fill-in preaching, which grew into full-time youth and preaching ministries in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Georgia. And 55 years later, I hope I’ve lived up to what “Brother Jack” envisioned, more especially that Jesus has been praised and positively represented.

Aaron Thomas This is a concerning major bullet point: “The Bible is the only true source of help in this sinful and fallen world. . . .”

May I offer an important correction? Jesus is the only true source of help in this sinful and fallen world. Let’s not put the Bible on the throne alongside Jesus Christ. This theological mistake has all sorts of consequences.

Dale Porter This [article] was an eye-opener for me. I’m not a preacher but I love the Word of God! I agree that authority is not respected or utilized as it should be. I believe once a minister of the gospel gets a hold of who he or she is in God and knows in their heart that they are sharing what God says, the delivery of the gospel will be different for them and their listeners!

‘CANDID AND TELLING’ Rick Waddle Thank you, Megan, for stating so clearly the elements written in Acts 2 that seem to be missing in many churches today [Bold, “The Most Important Aspect of Meeting Together,” by Megan Rawlings, p. 10, April 2021]. Our heavenly Father knew what was needed for the body to thrive and survive. Man’s additions will always end up in division. Man’s subtractions will always end up falling short of God’s will and his plan for his bride. Thank you for your candid and telling article. My wife and I completely agree with you. Thank you for standing in the gap.

G I V E U S YO U R F E E D B AC K ! @chrstandard

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For space, length, readability, relevance, and civility, comments sent to Interact may remain unpublished or be edited. We do read them all and prayerfully take them to heart. If we publish your comment, we will try to honestly reproduce your thoughts with those considerations in mind. Where we disagree, let’s continue to keep P.H. Welshimer’s words in mind to “disagree without being disagreeable.”

J uly/A ug ust 20 21

John Miller My family had the blessing to attend Kingsway [Christian Church] from 1984 until 1999 when we moved away. I learned more from John in those years than in my previous 25 years as a Christian [“What Is Truth?” by John Caldwell, p. 28, March 2021]. His statement that the church must return to doing more than believing objective truth, but also proclaiming it and standing up for it is crucial if we are going to influence the culture we find ourselves in. We need to take that stand without apology but while continuing to love the ones Christ died for.

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' W H AT I S T R U T H ? '

- THE FINAL WORD -

+ THE LOOKOUT EX CM I T ECD A N N U A L C U RGREITC U LU OMING SOON Christian Beginning Standard with our hasnext been issue, resourcing Christian and Standard connecting will become churchesa in thebimonthly Restoration print Movement magazine. forThis overchange 150 years. will allow The Lookout us to refocus Bible Study, our produced resources

by Christian and efforts Standard, to providing is a consistent more ofand thevaluable content tool you love. for Sunday school classes, small groups, and individual study utilized by churches all Also beginning in country.

May, TheNow Lookout will become over the it’s even easier todigital, use. weekly Bible studies published exclusively on our website and eventually in With The Lookout Biblesingle Studyyearly Annual printed Curriculum volumes. you can purchase a single edition publication with study materials that take you through an entire Be calendar sure to stay updates what’s today to come! year.connected Sign up to for getmore notified about on preorders

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