ISSUE THIRTEEN // JANUARY 2014
KINGDOM-CENTERED PRAYER WORSHIP AND THE GOSPEL BY: TIM KELLER
BY: DAVID PETERSON
CULTURAL RENEWAL BY: PASTOR BOOMER PEEL
MERCY MINUTE
WHAT’S YOUR MOTIVATION FOR MERCY MINISTRY? BY MARK SUMMERS
TODAY AT REDEEMER
You don’t have to be at Redeemer very long to know that mercy ministry, or giving of our money, time and other resources to meet the needs of the poor and needy, is a central part of our mission as a church. The reason for this is simple: it’s central to living out the true gospel as taught and modeled by Jesus. But what motivates you to participate? Mercy ministry is so core to true Christian living that your genuine answer to this question will say a lot about where you’re at with your understanding of and obedience to the gospel, and may even indicate whether you’re a true believer or not. There are really only two motivations for mercy giving: guilt or compassion. Guilt, by its very definition, is human-centered. Guilt usually springs from the conviction that we’ve done something wrong – in the case of the poor, that our failure to share our resources
THE LORD’S TABLE AND DESSERT
is contributing to their current state of affairs. While in some cases (e.g. refusing to assist family members in need) that may be true, such a view springs from unbiblical views on the origins
6 PM | Fellowship Hall Join us immediately following our Lord’s Table Service for everyone’s favorite dessert or savory snack. Please bring a dessert or savory snack to share! Call 952.935.2425 or e-mail info@redeemerbiblechurch.com with questions.
of need and giving, and ignores the sovereignty of God. Giving motivated by guilt is done to relieve the negative feelings or emotions of the giver and therefore the recipients are simply a means to that end. Compassion is defined as sympathy for the neediness of others, accompanied by a desire to alleviate it. Although God’s common grace can move unbelievers to give out of genuine care and concern for the poor, true compassion is a gift of the
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indwelling Holy Spirit. The greatest need we all have is to be saved from our sins through the pardon Jesus offers by His work on the cross. Therefore, true compassion sees poverty and neediness as byproducts of a fallen world, from which true relief can only be obtained by pairing the meeting of physical needs with constantly steering a course toward the cross. For
CONTACT OUR COMMUNITY GROUP COORDINATOR!
Katie Hollermann
email: katie @redeemerbiblechurch.com
believers in need, this means meeting their felt needs while pointing both giver and recipient back to the cross, with its Biblical picture of need and provision as well as the desperate co-neediness of the giver. For unbelievers, this entails meeting their physical needs while at the same time leading them to the cross as the ultimate provision for the greatest need in their lives. Because life is a daily spiritual battle over which victories can only be won through regularly preaching the gospel to ourselves, most of us will experience both guilt and compassion
VISIT THE COMMUNITY GROUP FAIR ON JANUARY 19TH IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL
in varying degrees as motivations for mercy giving. But what’s your dominant motivation for mercy ministry? Your true answer will reveal a great deal about where you’re at in your Christian life, and maybe even whether you’re looking to yourself or Jesus for salvation. That makes this question one that is worthy of regular prayer, meditation and reflection. /RBC
January 5th, 2014
VISION VALUES 4
| “That the gospel would teach us that every vocation can be offered as a service to God”
WORSHIP AND THE GOSPEL 16 | BY: DAVID PETERSON
Evangelism is the means by which people are initially drawn to present themselves to God as ‘a living sacrifice’. CREDITS Design/Direction: Chuck Forsberg Content Manager: Lorie Schnell Writer/Editor: Brittney Westin
PRAYER FOCUS 6
| When prayer seems like another item on our to-do list, “how do we pray, repent, and petition God as a people”?
Q & A WITH MARC DISCIPLESHIP 12
| “We become what we behold, and the more I see of Christ, in planning or in his body at RBC, can only help me become more like him.”
BLOG HIGHLIGHTS 21
20 | Here is a life-onlife testimony from Kim Suchta whose life has been impacted for the gospel by another member.
KIDS CORNER 22
| “I see grace that is far bigger than all my sin. So, I come to you, broken at your feet.”
| God uses so many things to help the Israelites see who He is.
GET INVOLVED
FINANCIAL UPDATE
24 | Redeemer needs your
26 | How is our church
help! There are about 100 volunteer positions available.
doing financially? Get a year to date snapshot here.
VISION & VALUES
Personal Evangelism Concern for Justice CULTURAL RENEWAL
CULTURAL RENEWAL
Cooperative Mindset Global Christianity Spiritual Renewal
BY: PASTOR BOOMER PEEL
W
hen God saved me just over a decade ago, I
wallpaper in a dive burger joint was fantastic. Trees, food, the
was determined to rid myself of everything
night sky, mountains, and of course music, all exploded with a
secular. So one of the first things I did was
beauty I had never seen before. Not simply because they were
to have a CD and DVD destruction party. It
beautiful in and of themselves, but because of the God who
was an “everything must go” event and I
is the conductor of all things beautiful, who gifts sinners with
ended up tossing over 200 of my CDs and movies into a
Moreover, not only did I see the love and magnificence of my
Louis Armstrong or Shawshank Redemption, it was exhilarating
Heavenly Father more clearly, but I was able to reconnect with
to purge my collection as I was seeking to grow in my new
the unsaved friends I had distanced myself from when I got
relationship with God.
saved, many who were my coworkers. Rather than shutting
About this time I was also struggling with contentment in
them out of my life until or unless they became a Christian, I
my job. I had been at the same company for several years
was again able to enjoy concerts, hobbies and even my job with
and although it was going fairly well, I just couldn’t imagine
them. And as my worldview changed, not only did I have more
that it was God’s best for me. I was working in transportation
joy, but I was also able to see God open up doors of opportunity
and logistics, helping large companies get their products
for me to share Christ with them.
distributed worldwide. However, it’s not like I was shipping
The gospel changes everything. Or to put it another way,
donated organs for life-saving surgeries, or shipping Bibles to
every sphere of your life is changed by the gospel. So how
unreached people groups. If it would have been up to me, I
much has the gospel affected the way you look at the world
would have tossed my secular job into the dumpster as well. I
around you? Consider your involvement and participation in
simply believed there had to be more I could do to glorify God.
culture. How do you as a Christian engage in the renewal of
A few years later, I was introduced to reformed theology
your culture in regards to things like music, art, government,
and my notion of glorifying God changed dramatically. The gospel frees us from the burden of categorizing everything as
4
such amazing skills and creativity.
dumpster. It didn’t matter whether it was Coldplay, Metallica,
education and business? Let me suggest that there are two primary ways you should
either secular or sacred. One brief conversation I had at the
NOT engage in cultural renewal.
time brought this truth home in a mind-blowing manner. I was
example, being that your vocation is one of the most powerful
And let’s use work as an
sitting in a coffee shop discussing some of this with a believer
means God provides for you to shape and influence culture. One
I trusted and respected. We were focusing on music and he
way NOT to approach your work is to completely separate your
challenged me by asking, “Do you think it’s possible that God
relationship with Jesus Christ from your job. I’m talking about
could be glorified in a Metallica song?” My first reaction was,
separating the gospel from your vocation to the point that you
“No! Of course not! They’re not seeking to please or glorify
ignore what the Bible says in order to fit in with your coworkers
God.”
To which he said, “What about their guitar player’s
or to further your career. Becoming the culture while sacrificing
ability to move his fingers across the fret board? Doesn’t that
obedience to Christ is not how we ought to engage in cultural
glorify the God who created those fingers? Don’t you think
renewal. The other way NOT to engage in cultural renewal is to
God can be glorified in the speed, accuracy and results of a
show up to work with your only or even primary goal being to
musician’s movements even if they are not seeking to bring
tell people about Christ and/or their need to repent at all costs.
fame to Jesus?”
You want so badly for people to know that you’re a Christian
I left that meeting with my head spinning. I thought to myself,
that you sacrifice being a dedicated employee and coworker.
“If this is true, if God could be glorified in secular music, just
You come to work firing off Bible verses just so that people can
think of the implications!” For the next few weeks, it was as if I
know you aren’t another one of those Christian slouches. In the
was looking at a whole new world around me, to the point that
end, you drive away the people you are hoping to connect with.
my constant jaw-dropping and wonderment probably made
Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as
people wonder if I was on some sort of hallucinogens. I went to
for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you
the Walker Art Center and actually enjoyed many of the works
will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the
that before seemed completely ridiculous to me. The textured
Lord Christ.”
MOMENTUM // JANUARY 2014
It is possible to be a faithful Christian employee who simply
questions from my coworkers who were quite surprised to hear
keeps your nose to the grindstone for your employer. After
that a pastor would not be doing pastoral duties full-time. At
all, if you realize that ultimately you are serving Lord Jesus
the very least, they assumed I would have a five-year plan to
wherever he has you today, you can do your work, your art, your
leave the corporate world and do church full-time. Perhaps
music, your athletics, your child-rearing, your everything in an
the Lord will call me to full-time ministry. Or perhaps he will
excellent but unique manner when compared to those around
call me to full-time corporate employment. Regardless, I pray
you. As a committed employee, you can be an instrument in
that we would be reminded that all our work matters to God
God’s hands to produce the fruit of the gospel for the good of
(1 Thess. 4:10-12). That the gospel would teach us that every
the world.
vocation can be offered as service to God, and that in turn,
This past October marked my 16th year working for the same
we would perform our work with excellence, diligence, integrity
transportation and logistics company, and I couldn’t be more
and Christian distinctiveness. All for the glory of our Redeemer
content. When I was ordained last spring, I fielded a lot of
Jesus Christ. /RBC
FIVE POINTS OF PRAYER FOR OUR VISION
WEEK 1 WEEK 2
Strategic
Pray that The School of Gospel Formation would be blessed with growth so all spring classes are full to capacity.
WEEK 3
our
Pray for a strengthening in all forms of discipleship within our church, between leadership and members, teachers and kids, members and nonmembers and everyone in between.
WEEK 4
A
s we enter 2014,
Pray that we as a church would grasp our own vision, “The Fruit of the Gospel for the Good of the World.”
Pray for the Spirit to come and bring head to heart transformation of all believers in our church, city and beyond.
WEEK 5
PRAY FOR
Pray that the Lord would begin to lay the groundwork for the launching of a second RBC site.
Prayer Team is excited to help our congregation
focus on corporate, intense, prevailing,
king-centered
prayer for the presence of God among us and for the fulfillment
of
our
vision,
“The Fruit of the Gospel for the Good of the World.” We hope you will join with us in committed prayer for a spiritual awakening in our body, our city and beyond. Check
this
column
for
monthly prayer points relating to our vision, and subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter, “Five Points of Strategic Prayer,” which features prayer focuses for our vision, our city, our leaders, our ministries and our members. And if you are not already attending our weekly prayer meeting on Wednesday nights, consider gathering with us for this great time of fellowship, worship and prayer. If you are interested in becoming Strategic
a
part
Prayer
of
the
Team,
contact Sara Seeland (sara@ redeemerbiblechurch.com).
SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY PRAYER EMAIL WWW.REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM/SUBSCRIBE
STRATEGIC PRAYER FOCUS
KINGDOM-CENTERED PRAYER BY: TIM KELLER
T
hroughout the Old and New Testaments and
leader, and some seem to bub- ble up from the grassroots.
church history, every spiritual awakening was
But one thing is stated over and over again: the people “cried
founded on corporate, prevailing, intensive,
out to the Lord.” It is the only factor that is always present in
kingdom-centered prayer. We cannot create
every revival. It is corporate, intense, prevailing prayer—not for
spiritual renewal by ourselves, but we can
personal needs, but for the presence and reality of God among
“prepare the altar” and ask God to send his Holy Spirit to
his people.
change our hearts, our churches, and our communities. Christians are used to thinking about prayer as a means to get their personal needs met. More mature Christians understand
SPIRITUAL AWAKENING AND RENEWAL IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
prayer as a means to praise and adore God, to know him,
Even in the New Testament under the leadership of the
to come into his presence and be changed by him. But the
apostles, it is evident that there is still a need for continual
corporate aspect of prayer is not well known. How do we pray,
renewal. Just as Israel’s election as God’s people was
repent, and petition God as a people?
demonstrated at Mt. Sinai, so the church is constituted by the descent and filling of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. But just as
SPIRITUAL AWAKENING AND RENEWAL IN THE OLD
Israel is continually called to Sinai-like covenant renewals, so
TESTAMENT Throughout
the church, even when it doesn’t seem to be in major decline, the
Old
Testament,
the
people
of
God
receives fresh fillings of the Holy Spirit. “Mini-Pentecosts”
continually fall into periods of spiritual stagnation and then
happen in Acts 4:31; 7:55; 8:17; 10:44; and 13:9. What do these
cultural accommodation to the idol worship and practices of
have in common?
surrounding pagan societies. Then there is a turning to God,
It is very easy to get distracted by the three unusual
the raising up of new leaders, and a “covenant renewal”—a
phenomena of the day of Pentecost: the mighty sound like
restoration of spiritual vision and vitality.
“a violent wind” (v. 2); the visible “tongues of fire” over each
This pattern is especially visible in the book of Judges, but it
person (v. 3); and speaking “in other tongues” (v. 4), which
continues throughout the reign of the kings, the captivity, and
each member of the multiethnic audience could understand in
the return from exile. Just as Israel was constituted a people
his or her native language (v. 6). Speaking in tongues happens
with the reading of the law and the taking of the covenant oath
in some of the other Spirit-filling occasions, but not all, nor even
at Mount Sinai, so the people must periodically remember who
most. The central, abiding characteristics of Pentecost are that
they are, renew the covenant, and return to the Lord. Sinai-
they were together in prayer (Acts 1:14; 2:1), they were “filled
like covenant ceremonies occur again before entering Canaan
with the Holy Spirit” (2:4), and therefore they “began to speak”
(Joshua 24), before choosing the first king (1 Samuel 12), and
(2:4) “declaring the wonders of God (2:11).”
after the return from exile (Nehemiah 8–9). Less formal but
Compare this with two other incidents in Acts after Pentecost.
crucial renewal movements are continually happening (you can
In Acts 4:31, like Pentecost, there is a period of prevailing prayer
find a string of them in Judges 3:7–11; 3:12–15; 4:1–4; 6:7–10; and
(4:24) and then a powerful shaking as everyone senses the
10:6–16).
presence of God descending. But unlike Pentecost there are
If we look at all of these various revivals, we are first struck
no tongues of fire or speaking in tongues. What results again
by how different they are. Some are formal ceremonies. Some
are boldness (an assurance of God’s love and reality) and the
seem to be spontaneous. Some are led by a strong central
ability to speak the word of God (v. 31).
JANUARY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM
7
The incident in Acts 7:55–56 is interesting, because it is an
it electrifies people. Long-time members are getting up and
individual experience. As Stephen is about to be executed,
talking about being converted or speaking of Christ in radiant
he raises his eyes to heaven (v. 55), as the believers in 4:24
terms or expressing repentance in new ways. The early stages
raised their voices to God. He gets the same assurance and
of renewal shake up other nominals and “sleepers” into renewal.
boldness, the sense of God’s reality and presence called “the
Corporately, there is a sense of more passion and freedom and
fullness of the Holy Spirit.” This allows him to face persecution
the presence of God in the worship services.
in a completely Christ-like way, with courage and forgiving love toward his executioners.
Second, as a result of this outpouring of the Spirit, new people are brought into the church, and it begins to grow.
In summary, what do all of these incidents have in common?
On the one hand, the renewed believers create a far more
We see that there is a continual need to renew the fullness of
attractive community of sharing and caring and, often, great
the Spirit. We see also that the fullness, in general, is connected
worship. There is the beautified community of the King. This
to prevailing prayer, especially in the face of a challenge.
can attract people from the out- side. On the other hand, Christians who begin to experience
WHAT IS SPIRITUAL RENEWAL?
God’s beauty, power, and love put their relationship with Christ
Spiritual revival, or renewal, is a work of God in which the
and the church first in their lives, and they become radiant
church is beautified and empowered because the normal
and attractive witnesses—more willing and confident to talk
operations of the Holy Spirit are intensified. The normal
to others about their faith, more winsome (less judgmental)
operations of the Spirit include conviction of sin (John 16:8),
when they do so, and more confident in their own church and
enjoyment and assurance of grace and of the Father’s love
thus more willing to invite people to visit it. As a result, there
(Rom. 8:15–16), access to the presence of God (John 14:21–23;
are numerous conversions—sound, lasting, and sometimes
2 Cor. 3:17–18), and creation of deep community and loving
dramatic. Significant, even astounding, church growth occurs.
relationships (Eph. 4:3–13). This view differs or opposes three other common views:
Many churches in America grow rapidly, but almost completely through transfer growth. When that is the case,
1) The popular charismatic notion of revival, which sees
renewal dynamics are not strong in the church. But in revival,
revival as essentially the addition of extraordinary operations
conversions are not a trickle. In the U.S. from 1857–1859, a revival
of the Holy Spirit (miracles, healings, prophecy, revelations).
brought over a half a million new people into the church. In New
2) The popular fundamentalist view that revivals are simply
York City, it is a well-attested fact that nearly all the churches
especially vigorous seasons of evangelistic activity. A
grew 50 percent in membership in that two- to three-year
“revival” is taken to mean an evangelistic crusade or a city-
period.1 In Northern Ireland during this same period, 100,000
wide mission, etc.
new converts (nearly a third of the population) joined the
3) The popular secular view that revivals are primitive,
church. It is estimated that 10 percent of the entire population
emotionally cathartic events, occurring among uneducated
of Wales and Scotland were converted during the same time.
people subject to psychological manipulation by evangelists.
Third, there is a full impact on the community surrounding the church and even the broader culture.
INSTEAD, THE MARKS OF REVIVAL ARE THE FOLLOWING. First, there is an outpouring of the Spirit on and within the
works of social concern and social justice. Major social justice
congregation, so that the presence of God among his people
movements, such as abolitionism, had strong roots in the
becomes evident and palpable.
revivals. The reason for this is that real holiness changes the
When this happens, “sleepy” or stagnant Christians “wake
private and public lives of Christians. True religion is not merely
up.” That is, there is a new and deeper conviction of sin and
a private matter, providing internal peace and fulfillment.
repentance—not just for major “behavioral sins” but for
Rather, it transforms our behavior and our relationships.
attitudes of the heart. They experience a far more powerful
The 1904–05 revival in Wales created many social changes.
assurance of the nearness and love of God, with the end result
Life in the coal pits was transformed; workers and management
that Christians become both humbler and bolder at the same
engaged in prayer meetings on company time. Poor Law
time. The more deeply one feels his or her debt of sin, the more
Guardians (who administered relief) commented that many
intensely he or she feels the wonder of the payment on their
working people came to take aged parents home from the
behalf.
workhouses where they had been sent so “inconsiderately.”
Nominal Christians, or Christians in name only, begin to realize they don’t actually have a living relation- ship with Christ by grace, and they get converted. When this begins to happen,
8
Revivals produce waves of people who become involved in
MOMENTUM // JANUARY 2014
Longstanding debts were paid, stolen goods returned, and crime rates plummeted. In summary, these three marks of revival may be small or
Without deep renewal of the gospel in our hearts, our external lives will be sealed off from what we believe,and our beliefs will never result in concretely changed living. large, long or short, dramatic or quiet, widespread or localized.
traits: A request for grace to confess sins and humble ourselves;
They are subject to different degrees, but when these renewal
a compassion and zeal for the flourishing of the church; and a
dynamics are in place, the effects above will be seen. Without
yearning to know God, to see his face, to see his glory.
these dynamics in place, a church can grow in numbers but not in vitality, and thus the growth will not have lasting results.
It is quite clear when listening to a prayer meeting whether these traits are present. Most interesting is to study biblical
Many churches in America do grow rapidly, but there are tell-
prayer for revival, such as in Acts 4 or Exodus 33 or Nehemiah
tale symptoms of lifelessness. Most or all of the growth may be
1, where these three elements are evident. Notice in Acts 4, for
by transfer, not conversion. There is no deep conviction of sin
example, that the disciples, who had been threatened, did not
or repentance, and thus few people can attest to dramatically
ask for protection for themselves and their families, but only for
changed lives. Also, the growth of many churches makes no
boldness to keep preaching!
impact on the local social order, because people do not carry their Christian faith out into their use of wealth, their work, or
2. IT IS BOLD AND SPECIFIC.
their public lives. Without deep renewal of the gospel in our
The history of revivals shows one or a few or many who take
hearts, our external lives will be sealed off from what we believe,
the lead in praying fervently for renewal. Their pattern is Moses
and our beliefs will never result in concretely changed living.
(Exodus 33), who pitched a tabernacle outside Israel’s camp, where he and others prayed for God’s presence and to see his
HOW DOES SPIRITUAL RENEWAL COME?
glory.
There is much to say about this, but we will concentrate
Such prayer need not (indeed, usually does not) begin as an
on what is, biblically and historically, the one non-negotiable,
organized church program, but rather it is a private field of strong
universal ingredient in times of spiritual renewal: corporate,
exertion and even agony for the leaders. The characteristics of
prevailing, intensive, kingdom-centered prayer. What is that?
this kind of prayer include pacesetters in prayer, who spend time in self-examination. Without a strong understanding of grace,
1. IT IS FOCUSED ON GOD’S PRESENCE AND KINGDOM.
this can be morbid and depressing. But in the context of the
Jack Miller talks about the difference between “maintenance”
gospel, it is purifying and strengthening. They “take off their
Maintenance prayer meetings
ornaments” (Ex. 33:1–6). They examine themselves for idols and
and “frontline” prayer
meetings.2
are short, mechanical, and totally focused on physical, personal needs inside the
church.3
But frontline prayer has three basic
set them aside. They then begin to make the big request—a sight of the glory
pray that your church grasps its own vision in a new way. Take time to thank God for your church, for what it has done in your life... of God. That includes asking for a personal experience of the
unjustly and was about to be executed. But he was filled with
glory and presence of God (“that I may know you,” Ex. 33:13);
the Holy Spirit (v. 55). How so? We are told, “full of the Holy
for the people’s experience of the glory of God (v. 15); and that
Spirit, he looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and
the world might see the glory of God through his people (v.
Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see
16). Moses asks that God’s presence would be obvious to all:
heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of
“What else will distinguish me and your people from all the
God.’ At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of
other people on the face of the earth?” This is a prayer that the
their voices, they all rushed at him . . . While they were stoning
world would be awed and amazed by a show of God’s power
him, Stephen prayed... ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them’”
and radiance in the church, that it would truly become the new
(vv. 55–57, 59–60).
humanity that is a sign of the future kingdom.
What happened? First, he prayed. He looked up. Second, by the power of the Holy Spirit, something Stephen
3. IT IS PREVAILING AND CORPORATE.
knew with his mind became real to his heart. He saw Jesus
By this we simply mean that prayer should be constant, not
standing at God’s right hand. This refers to his work as our
sporadic and brief. Why? Are we to think that God wants to
Advocate (1 John 2:1 says we have an advocate with the Father,
see us grovel? Why do we not simply put our request in and
one who speaks in our defense—Jesus Christ the Righteous
wait? But sporadic, brief prayer shows a lack of dependence,
One. He is the propitiation for our sins). At the very moment
a self-sufficiency, and thus we have not built an altar that God
that an earthly court was condemning him, he realized that the
can honor with his fire (see 1 Kings 18). We must pray without
heavenly court was commending him.
ceasing, pray long, pray hard, and we will find that the very
In other words, the “fullness” he experienced was an
process is bringing about that which we are asking for—to have
experience of the gospel. At that moment, he got an extremely
our hard hearts melted, to tear down barriers, and to have the
vivid, powerful sight of what he already knew intellectually—
glory of God break through. We need sustained, repeated prayer.
that in Christ we are beautiful in God’s sight and free from condemnation (Rom. 8:1; Col. 1:22). The Spirit took that
BUILDING AN ALTAR Let’s return to Stephen’s “mini-Pentecost” in Acts 7. When Stephen was dragged before a human court, he was condemned
10
MOMENTUM // JANUARY 2014
intellectual concept and electrified his entire soul and mind and heart and imagination with it. Third, Stephen, although only for a moment, was able to
exhibit the new humanity that God is creating. He had courage.
way. Take time to thank God for your church, for what it has
He forgave his oppressors. He faced his accusers not just with
done in your life, and for what you see it doing in the lives of
boldness, but with a calmness and joy. That is spiritual renewal.
others and in your community. Ask God to help you better
It is not simply an emotional experience—it is a heart-changing
understand and grasp what he is calling you to do to reach
and there- fore life and practice-shaping work of the Holy Spirit.
your city. Pray that your small group and outreach ministries
A good image for seeking the fullness of the Spirit is the
will give people a deeper appreciation of your church’s
concept of “building a life altar.” In the Old Testament, an altar
vision and an experience of real community.
was built and a sacrifice placed on it, and then God sent his
+ Second, pray that your worship services this season will
fire to burn up the sacrifice (e.g., 1 Kings 18). This is a great
be particularly anointed, that the truth of the gospel will be
illustration of the dynamics of personal revival and spiritual
unusually vivid and spiritually real to all hearers—believers
renewal. Paul uses it when he tells us to make ourselves a “living
and non-believers—and that God’s presence would be
sacrifice” (Romans 12:1–2). We cannot create spiritual renewal—
evident.
we can only prepare the altar and the sacrifice. Only God can
+ Third, pray that your seasons and services of prayer would
send the fire.
not be just a passing program but would signal a greater
If we look at Acts 1, we see Jesus helping the disciples build an altar. There are at least four parts to this process.
emphasis on and practice of corporate prayer within your church. + Fourth, accept your leadership role in the church. Even
A RENEWED CHURCH IS VISION-DRIVEN.
if you are not an officer—even if you think of yourself as
In Acts 1:6–8, Jesus repairs their faulty vision of what he
a “volunteer”—you, as an active worker and servant, are a
is going to do in the world. They were looking for a political
model to those less committed.
campaign, and he tells them about the nature of the kingdom, which will spread through his disciples as they become his
Take time to pray for yourselves, that you could enter a
witnesses and ambassadors. The vision is that through our
season of self-examination. Ask that you may be, with full
words we will bring people under the kingship of Christ, which
gospel assurance, nonetheless hard on yourself. Ask that God
will heal and repair all things.
would show you ways in which you don’t represent Christ as you should, in your relationships, in your work life, in your
A RENEWED CHURCH IS GOSPEL-DRIVEN.
family life, in your habits and attitudes, and in your relationships
In Acts 1:9–11, Jesus ascends to heaven, and the angels tell
within the church. Take time to pray for yourselves, that God
the disciples that now the knowledge of his ascension should
will make things you know about the gospel in your head real
empower them. As in the incident with Stephen, it is only as we
to your heart, and changing the way you live where you need
“preach the gospel to ourselves” about our standing in Christ
to change.
that the Holy Spirit takes that truth and catches it on fire in our hearts, creating times of amazing assurance that equip us for service.
FOOTNOTES 1. In New York City, the Fulton Street Revival began in 1857, when a layman at the North Dutch Reformed Church on Fulton
A RENEWED CHURCH IS PRAYER-DRIVEN.
Street began a noontime prayer meeting for businessmen.
In Acts 1:14, we see the disciples uniting in corporate,
These statistics are drawn from collections of sermons preached
prevailing prayer. It is only in prayer and through prayer that the Holy Spirit takes up the vision and the gospel and makes them fiery realities in the centers of our being.
by New York City pastors during the revival years. 2. See C. John Miller, Outgrowing the Ingrown Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1986), 98–106. 3. You do have to pray for personal needs, daily bread, people
A RENEWED CHURCH IS LEADER-DRIVEN.
who are suffering, and so on, because God commands it. This
In Acts 1:15–26, we see the disciples asking for God to raise up
is not second-class prayer. For renewal, however, prevailing
leaders. Personal and corporate revivals occur through leaders
corporate prayer is necessary.
which God identifies and equips. How, then, can we as leaders “build an altar,” seeking our renewal as a church and a people by the power of the Holy
Copyright © 2005 by Timothy Keller, © 2012 by Redeemer City to City. This article was first used for a leadership training session in 2005.
Spirit? Let’s begin now. + First, pray that your church grasps its own vision in a new
JANUARY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM
11
Q & A WITH DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP
MARC HEINRICH CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW YOU FELT THE LORD CALLING YOU
scary to start with God’s wrath and justice without knowing we
TO SERVE IN THIS MINISTRY? I served on worship teams for many years and led occasionally
are accepted.
when I attended Bethlehem Baptist Church. In 2003, when we
majesty, glory, justice, wrath, love, etc. We remind ourselves of
started attending RBC, Bob was leading worship and asked me
what a BIG God we have. After gazing upon these attributes,
to help out. Eventually, I took over that duty and felt confirmed
it’s only fitting to realize the obstacles to our ability to measure
both in giftedness and by the peoples’ response that this might
up to a holy and just God.
Next we sing or read about God’s attributes: His holiness,
be something I should serve in vocationally. Not being trained
Therefore, we next take a look at one or more of the following
as a worship leader, I returned to BBC as a worship apprentice
in song, reading or prayer: our sin, our self-righteousness,
to Chuck Steddom. I served in that capacity for three years,
suffering and supernatural evil. We don’t want to stay there
eventually becoming Director of Worship for the South Site. I
though, why?
returned to RBC in June of 2013 to serve as Director of Worship,
Christ, we don’t have to stay there; we are reconciled to our
in a way having come full circle. What a joy to be back here!
Father through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross - we go
The gospel. The good news that because of
hard after the gospel! HOW HAS THIS SERVICE GROWN YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL?
Then, we celebrate!!! The song before the preaching of the
HOW HAS IT STRENGTHENED YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH
Word is one that celebrates in and takes joy from the gospel
CHRIST AND/OR THE CHURCH? Since we were created to worship, mediating on God’s Word
and our place as children of the King.
and thinking about and planning the gathered worship of the
often with a sending component. We are going out into the
church have been invaluable components of my relationship
world again, but not without hope, in fact, with the gospel - the
with Christ. We become what we behold, and the more I see
good news of Christ.
After the preached Word, we rehearse the gospel again,
of Christ, in planning or in his body at RBC, can only help me become more like Him.
WHAT EFFECTS HAVE YOU SEEN FROM THIS? How have you seen the Lord working through your ministry’s
WHAT IS THE VISION OF YOUR MINISTRY AND HOW DOES IT
vision to accomplish His purposes? Absolutely, people are
FIT INTO THE OVERALL VISION OF RBC? The Fruit of the Gospel for the Good of the World in RBC’s
engaged and excited about Jesus in our gathered worship. I
gathered worship proclaims our utter helplessness and Christ’s
people know they are accepted in Christ and that, even though
complete sufficiency through our readings, prayers and songs.
they are a mess in a lot of ways, if not every way, there is grace
Listen, if we don’t get the gospel right, we are no good to
and acceptance at RBC as well.
think under Bob’s preaching and a gospel-centered service,
anyone, ourselves included. Our gathered worship reminds us of and encourages us in and models for us, the gospel. We then
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT HAS SURPRISED YOU, EITHER
can take that out into our families, our job, our world and have
ABOUT YOURSELF OR THIS MINISTRY, SINCE YOU BEGAN
an impact. Not because we are great, but because we have a
SERVING? I’m surprised by how much I enjoy collaborating with Pastor
great Savior.
Bob on the service planning. In the past, I did all that on my WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE, PRACTICALLY SPEAKING?
own…and liked it that way. The surprise is how much better it
IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL WAYS THAT
can be when I humble myself and am open for input from Bob
VISION IS BEING REALIZED AT THE GROUND LEVEL? Well, one way is the order of service. We start with a song of
or others. The fact that Bob and I feel like we are rowing in the
acceptance. All are welcome here, no one is better than anyone
partner with him.
else, we are all a wreck and we all need a savior, and that savior is Jesus Christ. The other reason we begin here is that it’s pretty 12
MOMENTUM // JANUARY 2014
same direction, so to speak, helps a ton. I feel very blessed to
WHAT ARE YOUR PRAYERS FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS
while relying on the strength that God supplies, and that God
MINISTRY? I pray that we develop in such a way as to show more of
would raise up worshippers in our congregation and more
Christ and the gospel. Also that we strive toward excellence
love His church at RBC. //RBC
leaders to serve on worship teams. I pray He would help me
Listen, if we don’t get the gospel right, we are no good to anyone, ourselves included. Our gathered worship reminds us of and encourages us in and models for us, the gospel.
JANUARY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM
13
Christian education that engages your mind, challenges your heart, and transforms the way you live.
Weekend Seminars The Meaning of Marriage Weekend Seminar
February 7th – 8th Fri: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Sat: 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Fellowship Hall, Main Building
Register by January 29th
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Register by March 31st
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TAKEN FROM ENGAGING WITH GOD: A BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP
BY: DAVID PETERSON 16
MOMENTUM // JANUARY 2014
WORSHIP AND THE GOSPEL
TAKEN FROM ENGAGING WITH GOD: A BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP BY DAVID PETERSON. COPYRIGHT © 1992 BY DAVID PETERSON. USED BY PERMISSION OF INTERVARSITY PRESS, P.O. BOX 1400, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515. WWW.IVPRESS.COM
A
s you come to him, the living stone—rejected but
chosen
by
by
mortals
God
thinking. God’s
self-revelation
to
Israel
was
and
particularly associated with Mount Sinai,
precious to him—you also, like
the tabernacle in the wilderness, and then
living stones, are being built
the temple in Jerusalem. Here the word
into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,
of the LORD was given and received, and
offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
his rule over his people and his presence
through Jesus Christ…You are a chosen people,
amongst them were powerfully represented.
a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
The ritual established in connection with
belonging to God, that you may declare the
these sanctuaries was to be Israel’s way of
praises of him who called you out of darkness
acknowledging his kingly presence and God’s
into his wonderful light (I Pet. 2:4-5, 9, NIV
way of sustaining a rebellious and unfaithful
modified).
people in a relationship with himself. His
Throughout the Bible, acceptable worship
special provisions for Israel were designed
means approaching or engaging with God on
to bring blessing to the rest of humanity (cf.
the terms that he proposes and in the manner
Gn. 12:3; Ex. 19:5-6). So worship and God’s
that he makes possible. It involves honouring,
covenant are closely linked in Scripture.
serving and respecting him, abandoning any
Israel’s compromise with other religions
loyalty or devotion that hinders an exclusive
and the corruption of her worship was a
relationship with him. Although some of
significant factor in the divine judgment that
Scripture’s terms for worship may refer to
eventually came upon the temple and the
specific gestures of homage, rituals or priestly
nation. Nevertheless, the prophets predicted
ministrations, worship is more fundamentally
that the temple would be restored and that
faith expressing itself in obedience and
Israel’s worship would be renewed ‘in the last
adoration. Consequently, in both Testaments
days’. This was another way of saying that
it is often shown to be a personal and moral
the covenant would be renewed (cf. Jer. 31:31-
fellowship with God relevant to every sphere
34). The relationship of the people with God
of life.
would be transformed so that his intention of
God is worthy of homage, praise and grateful
blessing the whole world through them might
service because he is creator, lord of history,
be fulfilled. The word of the LORD would go
and judge of all. But humanly devised religion
out from Jerusalem and the nations would
receives God’s condemnation in Scripture. It
be drawn to worship God in the fellowship
cannot bring people into a right relationship
of his people, in his holy ‘house’. Acceptable
with God or enable them to please him.
worship is thus an important aspect of biblical
God must rescue them from the darkness of
eschatology.
ignorance and the corruption of sin, bringing
When
the
apostle
Peter
asserts
that
them to a true knowledge of himself, if they
Jesus Christ is ‘the living stone—rejected by
are to worship him acceptably. Thus, the Old
mortals but chosen by God and precious to
Testament insists that Israel could only draw
him’, he indicates the fulfillment of these Old
near to the LORD because of his gracious
Testament hopes in the person and work of
initiative and provision. He uniquely revealed
the Messiah. God is building a new ‘spiritual
his character and will to them, rescuing them
house’ with Jesus as the ‘cornerstone’ or
from captivity in Egypt, and establishing
‘keystone’ (cf. Eph. 2:20). This temple of ‘living
them in the land where they could serve him
stones’ is really the community of those who
without hindrance. Revelation and redemption
have come to Christ. They are ‘chosen’ and
are the basis of acceptable worship in biblical
‘precious’ because of their link with him. God
At one level, the New Testament shows
The gospel is the key to New Testament teaching about worship... (it) declares to us the ultimate revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ...
how the earliest disciples were drawn into a worshipping relationship with the risen Christ. At another level, we are shown how Jesus made possible a new relationship with the Father by means of his death, resurrection, ascension, and subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Through the ministry of the Son and the Spirit, the Father obtains true worshippers. Thus, the doctrine of the Trinity lies at the heart of a truly Christian theology of worship. Each person in the Godhead plays a significant role in establishing the worship appropriate to the new covenant era. Central to New Testament teaching is the insistence that Christ’s death is the ultimate sacrifice, provided by God to cleanse his people from the defilement of sin and consecrate them to himself in a relationship of heartobedience. The victim and the priest of the new covenant are one, because Jesus offered perfect worship to the Father by a lifetime of
18
MOMENTUM // JANUARY 2014
dwells in their midst through his Spirit (cf.
obedience, culminating in his death. A special
Eph. 2:21-22) and he has chosen to manifest
inspiration for Christian thinking about the
his glory to the world through them. As a ‘holy
sacrificial significance of Jesus’ death appears
priesthood’ they are called to live out the role
to have been his own reinterpretation of the
given to Israel at Mount Sinai and to be ‘a holy
Passover for his disciples at the Last Supper. By
nation’. But they do this by ‘offering spiritual
means of his sacrifice and heavenly exaltation
sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus
he has opened the way for Jews and Gentiles
Christ’. Jesus replaces the levitical priesthood
to approach the Father together. They can
and the sacrificial system designed to maintain
draw near with the certainty that their sins are
the holiness of God’s people and facilitate
forgiven and that they have been accepted
their service to God.
into the life and fellowship of his coming
The starting-point for Christian reflection
kingdom. They can serve him with gratitude
on this matter appears to have been the
and whole-hearted devotion because of their
conviction that God fully and finally manifested
trust in what God has done for them through
himself in the person of his Son. Jesus Christ
Christ. Fundamentally, then, worship in the
is at the centre of New Testament thinking
New Testament means believing the gospel
about worship. He is the ultimate meeting
and responding with one’s whole life and
point between heaven and earth and the
being to the person and work of God’s Son, in
decisive means of reconciliation between God
the power of the Holy Spirit.
and humanity. He is the centre of salvation and
Evangelism is the means by which people
blessing for all nations. While some passages
are initially drawn to present themselves to
suggest that Jesus is exclusively the new
God as ‘a living sacrifice’. The New Testament
temple, others show how temple ideals are
also shows that, if Christians are to be
also fulfilled in the church. Thus, it is in Jesus
motivated and equipped to serve God in their
and the community that he gathers to himself
everyday lives, they need to be exposed to an
that we see the full reality towards which the
ongoing, gospel-based ministry of teaching
temple pointed.
and exhortation. Throughout Scripture, the
word of God is fundamental to a genuine
be our concern even when we sing or pray to
engagement with him. While it is true that
God in the congregation. All this is not a purely
worship terminology can be applied to every
human activity, however, for God is at work
sphere of life, missionary preaching, the
in the midst of his people as they minister in
establishment of churches in the truth of the
this way. Edification is first and foremost the
gospel, and support for such ministry are
responsibility of Christ as the ‘head’, but he
viewed as specific and particular expressions
achieves his purpose as the various members
of Christian worship in the New Testament.
of the body are motivated and equipped by
At the same time, they are clearly a form of
him to play their part. We meet together to
service or ministry to the churches.
draw on the resources of Christ and to take
Jesus
removes
the
need
for
a
cultic
our part in the edification of his church.
approach to God in the traditional sense. Yet
From one point of view, the gathering of the
the New Testament demonstrates that our
church is meant to be an anticipation of the
understanding of his work can be greatly
heavenly or eschatological assembly of God’s
enriched by viewing it in terms of transformed
people. It is to be characterized by worship or
worship categories. His sacrifice on the cross,
divine service in the form of prayer and praise
his entrance into the heavenly sanctuary, and
directed to God and in the form of ministry
his intercession for us, provide the only basis
to one another. Worship and edification are
for relating to God under the new covenant.
different dimensions of the same activities. Put
The whole of life is to be lived in relation to
another way, participation in the edification of
the cross and to the sanctuary where Christ
the church is an important aspect of that total
is enthroned as our crucified savior and high
obedience of faith which is the worship of the
priest. Indeed, it is ultimately our destiny
new covenant. From another point of view,
to share with him in the fellowship of that
we gather together to encourage one another
heavenly or eschatological reality and to
to live out in everyday life the obedience that
‘serve him day and night in his temple’ (cf.
glorifies God and furthers his saving purposes
Rev. 7:15). Meanwhile, we worship God as we
in the world.
acknowledge these truths and respond to his
The gospel is the key to New Testament
mercies with grateful obedience. What, then,
teaching about worship. The gospel declares to
is the character and function of the gathering
us the ultimate revelation of God in the person
of his people on earth?
of Jesus Christ and the ultimate redemption in
The uniqueness and total adequacy of
his sacrificial death. He fulfills and replaces the
Christ’s work is obscured by any doctrine
whole method of approach to God associated
of human priesthood, charted with some
with the Sinai covenant. The teaching and
form of sacrificial ministry in the Christian
practice of the Old Testament is not discarded
congregation. There are no sacred buildings
but is transformed in the New Testament. It
where God is especially present in the gospel
becomes the means for understanding the
era. There is no divinely ordained ritual of
work of the Messiah and how we can relate
approach to God for believers under the new
to God under the new covenant. Through the
covenant. Nevertheless, several texts suggest
gospel message of God’s mercy in Christ, and
that God presences himself in a distinctive
through his Spirit, men and women from all
way in the Christian meeting through his word
nations are united in his praise and service.
and the operation of his Spirit. The purpose of Christian gatherings is the edification or building up of the body of Christ. We minister to one another as we teach and exhort one another on the basis of his word, using the gifts that the Spirit has given us, in the way that Scripture directs. Edification is to
DISCIPLESHIP
LIFE ON LIFE STORIES BY: KIM SUCHTA
T
he first time I was asked to be a
A few months after Wendy and I started
part of the discipleship program
meeting, a new young lady joined our little group.
at Redeemer I was a little hesitant.
A brand new Christian, Ashlee Sames. I cannot
I remember telling my husband, “I
begin to describe the joy and amazement I have
am such a mess. I just don’t know
had in watching, first hand, Ashlee come to Christ
if I have what it takes.” And after being matched
and how her newfound love and zeal for The Lord
up with Wendy Pace, my first thoughts were, “She
has rubbed right off on me!
is so musical and has been such a world traveler. I
There was one particular meeting where the
am such a homebody with no musical talent at all.
three of us were going through the Disciplines and
What would we have in common, and how could
Doctrines study, and we happened to start talking
someone like ME have the ability to encourage
about suffering and the book of Job. Ashlee, being
her?”
a new Christian, had never read the book of Job
My husband reminded me that this would
we found out, and Wendy and I just looked at each
mutual
other with excitement that we would be the first to
encouragement, and he was right. So I started
dig into that amazing story with her. Watching her
really looking
explore the depths of the Bible for the very first
forward
time has shown me in new ways how awesome
be
a
relationship
where
there
was
to
my meetings with Wendy.
God is. I have realized through these experiences that
We
studied
you don’t have to have it all together to disciple
the
Bible
someone. You just need to be desperate. Use each
together
meeting as a race to the cross. I am so blessed that
and
I found two new friends there.
God
showed the
//RBC
me
Gospel
through our newfound
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE DISCIPLED
friendship. We
don’t
WOMEN CONTACT
have much in common outwardly, but we have
TAMMY HOYT // REPENTANDTRUST@GMAIL.COM
tons in common in the Gospel. God blessed me
MEN CONTACT
with a Sister I could now call my friend.
MARK SUCHTA // MARKSUCHTA@YAHOO.COM
20 MOMENTUM // JANUARY 2014
GOSPEL LIFE BLOG
OTHER GREAT BLOG POSTS FOUND AT: REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM/RESOURCES/BLOG The “In Crowd” // Kim Suchta The One Perfect Gift // Rebecca Peel A Deep Belly Laugh // Gayle Glenn
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNITY BY: PASTOR MARK SUCHTA
A
s you read the New Testament, you may notice one thing that is on the heart of many of the authors is unity and oneness in the church. You see it over and
over again especially in Paul’s letters as he pleads
A PRAYER OF CONFESSION BY: GABE ZEPEDA (from my journal, 11/29/12)
with the churches to be of one mind and one heart as they strive together to advance the Kingdom in a world that desperately needs the light of the Gospel. We can infer that because the New Testament so often speaks of unity that we must have a problem with keeping it! The other week I had a
H
eavenly King, I bow myself before your majesty. I am just a man. How can I dwell with a lofty God like You? For you see me as I am. You’re not blind
sharp disagreement with one of the other pastors.
toward my blemishes, spots and wrinkles. Why
I was angry and I thought my anger was righteous.
would you suffer with me for another moment?
He lovingly came alongside me and told me I
How is it that you are near to the brokenhearted?
was sowing discord. My response was this... “I am
How is it that you save those who are crushed in
having this discussion for the sake of unity!” He
spirit? For the depth of my sin is ever before your
responded with grace and said these words, which
transcendence. You see me in all my shame. Will I
I will never forget. “Mark I don’t have a problem with
ever comprehend your forgiveness? You must be
the words you are saying; it’s your tone. Your tone
infinitely great and infinitely loving to pardon me
is sowing discord.” Right at that moment the Spirit
and dwell with me!
convicted me and the scales of self-righteousness
Right in the center of history—at the center of
dropped from my eyes. Now that is a friend! My
the universe, I see a cross. I see a mystery. I see
pastor loved me enough to speak truth into my life
the transcendent One in human form scarred
and warn me of my discord, which is the opposite
for me. I see unspeakable love reach out to me. I
of “unity.”
see a love that goes far deeper than my deepest
Unity is not being agreeable. Unity is loving one
doubts. I see grace that is far bigger than all my
another, and when we disagree, disagreeing in
sin. So, I come to you, broken at your feet. Jesus,
a way that is respectful and loving. It is coming
please forgive me for my cold heart, impure mind,
alongside a person when we see them in sin with
apathetic spirit, self-righteous heart, and for
a spirit of restoration not condemnation. This is
wandering from you. If you are willing, my Lord,
the Gospel life in the family of God. This is being
you can make me clean. As a bride on her wedding
salt and light in a world that is decaying and dark.
day, let all of sin’s ugliness disappear and let your
Praise God that because the Spirit of God dwells in
beauty prevail forevermore.
us we now have power to do this! //RBC
Amen. //RBC
JANUARY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM
21
REDEEMER KIDS CORNER
MOSES CONFRONTED PHARAOH BY: THE GOSPEL PROJECT
Instructions: Match each broken jar to reveal an item God used in today’s Bible story.
God used all of these things to help the Egyptians and the Israelites understand who He is. 6/*5 r 4FTTJPO r 0MEFS ,JET "DUJWJUZ 1BHFT
EXODUS 6:7 TM
© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources.
God Formed His Nation
I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 7
MERCY PROJECT UPDATE 22
MOMENTUM // JANUARY 2014
KIDS MERCY PROJECT // DEC 29, 2013 – JAN 26, 2014 We will again be supporting Karise Pagano’s ministry project of having the Generations of Grace Sunday School curriculum translated into Italian.
Third Thursdays
QUICK CONNECT
7 PM | JAN 16 FEB 20 // MAR 20 Discipleship Focus: Practice the art of asking questions that get to the gospel. Contact: Gayle Glenn, gayleuglenn@gmail.com.
the gospel into the lives of others as you do life together. As you drink in the gospel for yourself you will be able to speak it to others. Maybe a little practice can help us feel less intimidated. We came up with a fun way for us to all practice the art of asking questions that draw people out, and the art of getting to the gospel. It’s an activity that we’re calling Quick Connect. Have you heard of speed dating? It’s similar. Lots of women show up, a long row of women sit down, another long row of women sit across from them. There will be a stack of questions in front of them to get them started, and each couple has 3 minutes to quick connect! When the 3 minutes are up, one side
WOMEN’S MINISTRY 2014
of the women scoot over and quick connect with a new person.
LOOKING AHEAD
comfortable for a discipleship relationship.
BY: GAYLE GLENN
WEEKLY BOOK STUDIES BEGIN JANUARY 21ST & 23RD
D
You will connect with lots of different women in one evening. Hopefully you’ll feel a little more practiced and a little more Contact: Gayle Glenn, gayleuglenn@gmail.com
Our prayer is that Quick Connect will pool lots of women into a weekly book study. Our plan is to work through a discipleship ear Redeemer women, Women’s ministry has discipleship on the radar. We get this from the 5 year vision that the elders
curriculum and break out into the same discipleship group each week. Contact: Debbie Hansen, djhansen50@comcast.net
have laid out for Redeemer. Discipleship and community outreach are the focus for Redeemer
Bible Church for the next five years. Women’s ministry wants
RETREAT: APRIL 11-12 A LIFE CYCLE OF DISCIPLESHIP A culmination of the winter’s weekly studies and third
to contribute to this vision for our body, so discipleship is the
Thursday
common thread in our winter book studies, third Thursday
Conference Center. Cost is $95.
events, and our spring retreat. I want to lay this vision out for
events.
Registration
begins
2/16.
Oak
Ridge
Contact: Rebecca Peel, Rebecca.peel1044@gmail.com
you so that you too can catch the passion for discipleship. Look out for more Women’s Ministry info in the February THIRD THURSDAY EVENTS: 1/16, 2/20, 3/20 I have heard many women say that discipling another woman is too intimidating. What will we talk about? What if I don’t have any answers for her? Life on life discipleship involves speaking
Momentum.
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COPY WRITERS & EDITORS* 3 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Write or edit copy for Redeemer’s website, printed materials, flyers and Momentum. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Source and write copy for various printed and digital needs. 2. Generate headlines and short paragraphs for flyers. 3. Write or edit blog posts for the church website. HOURS PER WEEK: flexible JOB TITLE
MEDIA INVENTORY MANAGER 1 PERSON OR FAMILY NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Restocking printed materials for the Welcome Center as well as keeping the sanctuary chairs tidy and supplied with Bibles, pens and Lords Table cards. HOURS PER WEEK: +/- 1 (to be done every Wednesday night after Prayer Meeting) *May be a good ministry for a family to do together.
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SIGN CHANGER DESCRIPTION: Change the message on the main sign along Hwy 7 as needed (preferable: someone who doesn’t mind trudging through snow). HOURS PER WEEK: varies
CHURCH LIFE JOB TITLE
USHER 15 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: greeting, handing out bulletins, assisting attendees with seating, collecting offering, serving communion, and handling questions during the worship services. HOURS PER WEEK: 4 Sunday morning or evening services per quarter.
JOB TITLE
JOB TITLE
COMMUNION SET-UP 2 PEOPLE NEEDED
SUNDAY SCHOOL SHEPHERD 6 PEOPLE NEEDED
DESCRIPTION: prepare and fill all communion trays for Sunday morning services and for Communion Service Sunday nights when needed. HOURS PER WEEK: Once every other month
DESCRIPTION: Assist lead teacher as needed. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Be prepared to help lead teacher with lesson material. 2. Assist in class control. 3. Assist with crafts and lead small groups. 4. Pray for the children and their families. 5. Attends relevant trainings 2 or more times per year. HOURS PER WEEK: varies
JOB TITLE
GREETER 10 PEOPLE NEEDED RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Serve the body through welcoming them as they arrive by opening doors and engaging them in conversations. 2. Accommodate people as they come in by helping them find certain rooms or information. 3. Always be ready to connect with the next person coming in. 4. Assist the Welcome Center team and Ushers by leading people to places within the church they cannot find. 5. Maintain structure and quietness before services in the fellowship hall. 6. Help those who need help before and after services. 7. Be engaging to people as they come in, yet respect those who are there for worship. HOURS PER WEEK: Arrive a half-hour before first service and stay to the beginning of second service.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY JOB TITLE
LEAD TEACHER* 3 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Lead Sunday School teacher will prepare the lesson from the curriculum, stay in touch with shepherds on their team, and pray for the kids in class. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Prepare lesson from the provided curriculum, decide how to teach the lesson, use ideas given or Holy Spirit inspired ideas that work with the lesson. 2. Connect with Shepherds to encourage their participation either by email or phone. 3. Follow guidelines set out in the Sunday School Manual. 4. Attend relevant trainings 2 times per year. HOURS PER WEEK: +/- 3 hours
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MOMENTUM // JANUARY 2014
JOB TITLE
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHECK-IN/OUT 4 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Responsible for checking in children for Sunday School. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Be prompt to make sure check in sheets and name tags are in place. 2. Cheerfully assist children and parents with check-in process, assuring safety. 3. Receive visitors and direct them to resources and information about the Children’s Ministry. 4. Stay for 15 minutes into service, and 5 minutes before worship ends, assisting shepherds in 4-5’s and 1-3 grade rooms to check children out. HOURS PER WEEK: varies JOB TITLE
NURSERY CHILD CAREGIVER 10 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Provide loving care and prayer to our children during Worship Services RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Interact with children in a loving manner. 2. Pray for children. 3. Find a replacement if unable to complete scheduled Sunday. HOURS PER WEEK: +/- 2 hours
MISSIONS JOB TITLE
MISSIONS REPORTER* DESCRIPTION: Cover the Missions beat at RBC. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Keep their ear to the ground on upcoming Missions-related activities and events. 2. Write articles about those activities and events for the Missions newsletter. HOURS PER WEEK: flexible
VOLUNTEER, THERE’S A PLACE FOR EVERYONE. MEN’S MINISTRY JOB TITLE
SET-UP & CLEAN-UP VOLUNTEERS 10 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Aid in set-up and cleanup of seating, tables, etc. for Men’s quarterly events. HOURS PER WEEK: +/- 1 hour before and after Men’s quarterly events
MERCY MINISTRY JOB TITLE
FAMILY MENTOR* 4 COUPLES NEEDED DESCRIPTION: We will need couples to work with two-parent families as well as men and women to work with single parent families. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Serve as mentors/life coaches for families we are working with through our community outreach ministry with ResourceWest (Hopkins-based nonprofit we’ve partnered with). 2. Be in a oneto-one relationship with your assigned family. 3. Share your strengths and talents by modeling healthy and positive family, parenting and relationship behaviors. 4. Work with families as needed to assist them with following a pre-defined plan to achieve economic self-sufficiency over a 6-12 month period. 5. Assist with accessing community resources and other mercy aid as needed. 6. Model
Christ’s love and mercy to program families. 7. Communicate with mentee family at least once per week via phone or email and at least once per month in person. 8. Communicate as needed with ResourceWest social worker and Redeemer Deacon team. 9. Financial resources to be provided by Redeemer and ResourceWest. 10. Training provided through ResourceWest Mentor Training and Orientation. QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Willingness to become personally involved in the lives of others 2. Ability to respect all people as sinners equally in need of salvation as you 3. Must pass a background check including criminal check. HOURS PER WEEK: 1. Average 1-2 per week for weekly and monthly interactions. 2. Ability to address needs for friendship and advice as they may arise
PRAYER TEAM JOB TITLE
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER MINISTERS* 15 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: RBC members who have a heart to minister to others by listening and praying with them after the Sunday morning worship services in the front of the sanctuary. HOURS PER WEEK: +/1 hour (with the option of praying during one service, or both).
singing or playing your instrument with the song team at least one Sunday (2 services) a month. HOURS PER WEEK: 1 Hour Wednesday night rehearsal (8:309:30 pm) and 8:00am Sunday morning run through before playing at 9 am and 11 am services, +/- 5 hours/week (not counting personal practice time) Note: Contact Emily Boyer if interested in this postition by email or phone at: info@redeemerbiblechurch. com, 952.935.2425.
YOUTH JOB TITLE
CAMP COORDINATOR DESCRIPTION: Research summer camps that meet geographical and financial criteria. Research transportation to and from camp. HOURS PER WEEK: varies
MISC We need one person to pick up the coffee hour donuts each week. They must be picked up from the Cub off of Hwy 7 and Cty Rd 101 where they are packed and ready to go. They must be delivered to the RBC kitchen before the 9 a.m. service.
(*) = MUST BE A MEMBER TO APPLY.
JOB TITLE
STRATEGIC PRAYER TEAM LEADER*
HELP WE NEED
YOU AND YOUR GIFTS!
DESCRIPTION: Organize the resources needed for the congregation to pray for our leadership and vision. Collecting, organizing and distributing key prayer points and answered prayers from leadership and church ministries. HOURS PER WEEK: 2-5 hours
WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN MINISTRY AT RBC? CONTACT SARA SEELAND
WORSHIP JOB TITLE
SONG TEAM MEMBERS 3 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Musician (electric guitar player, bass player) or vocalist. RESPONSIBILITIES: Lead worship in
P | 952.935.2425 E | Sara@redeemerbiblechurch.com
JANUARY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM 25
DECEMBER 2013 - YTD
BY THE NUMBERS BY: PASTOR PAUL BURR
O
ne day Jesus was watching the giving patterns of those in the
GENERAL GIVING FUND
temple. Some were trying to impress people by the “noise” of their big gifts. Out of the shadows,
an old woman, a widow, came quietly and put in two mites, two pennies in our day, hardly making a
OPERATING EXPENSES | $ 256,530 GIVING | $ 222,235 FORECAST | $ 257,464
BASE FORECAST
tinkle in the giving box. Jesus was so impressed he
EXPENSES
called his disciples over for this teachable moment.
GIVING
“That’s what sacrificial giving looks like.” At Redeemer, we don’t come forward to pour out our offering in front of the whole congregation, but that doesn’t mean that Jesus is not watching. He is looking at our hearts to see if we understand how the gospel changes our generosity. Have you thought about your giving and generosity lately? “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake
EXPANDING OUR GOSPEL VISION
he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” Though we don’t mandate a certain giving pattern, we want to encourage you to reflect the grace of the gospel in your sacrificial giving in this
EXTRA COMMITMENTS | $ 41,427 AWAITING | $ 226,327 // 10.4% RECEIVED | $ 1,952,673 // 89.6%
10.4 %
new and exciting year as we see the fruit of the gospel for the good of the world. We have many ways to give. Contact me if you have questions. Pastor Paul, paulburr@redeemerbiblechurch.com.
26
MOMENTUM // JANUARY 2014
89.6%
SUN
MON
6
13
20
27
WED
22
GATHERED PRAYER & REDEMPTION | 7 PM
15
WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 7 PM - 8:30 PM
23
WOMEN’S THIRD THURSDAY 7 PM - 8:30 PM
16
THU
21
GATHERED PRAYER & REDEMPTION | 7 PM
30
9
WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM NURSERY CAREGIVER TRAINING 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
29
WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 7 PM - 8:30 PM
TUE 8
28
GATHERED PRAYER & REDEMPTION | 7 PM
GATHERED PRAYER & REDEMPTION | 7 PM
WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
14
7
January 5 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM NEWCOMERS LUNCH 1:00 - 2:30 PM | Glenn’s Home THE LORD’S TABLE | 6:00 PM
12 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM MINISTRY FAIR | Fellowship Hall
19 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM (Including the Lord’s Table) REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM COMMUNITY GROUP FAIR Fellowship Hall
26 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM
FRI
11
SAT
DATES TO REMEMBER
10
SGF - PARENTING SEMINAR 7 PM - 9 PM // 9 AM - 12 PM
RBC DISTINCTIVES 9 AM | MB, RM-102
18
25
17
24
1
NURSERY CAREGIVER TRAINING 9 AM - 11 AM
31
A:: 16205 HIGHWAY 7 | MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA 55345 P:: 952.935.2425 E:: INFO@REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM W:: REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM
FEATURED EVENTS Sunday JANUARY 5TH
Thursday JANUARY 10 -11TH
LORD’S TABLE & DESSERT SGF PARENTING SEMINAR
Sunday JANUARY 16TH
Sunday FEBUARY 2ND
WOMEN’S THIRD THURSDAY
NEWCOMERS LUNCH
6 PM | Fellowship Hall
FRI 7 PM & SAT 9 AM |
7 PM | Fellowship Hall
1 - 2:30 PM | Glenn’s Home
Join us immediately
Fellowship Hall // Many
Life on life discipleship
If you would like to attend
following our Lord’s Table
(most?) parents tend to
involves speaking the
the next Newcomer’s Lunch,
Service for everyone’s
anticipate the teen years
gospel into the lives of
please RSVP to Laurie
favorite dessert or savory
with a sense of dread,
others as a way to do life
Summers at lsummers@
snack. Please bring a dessert
but the resources of the
together. Quick Connect
redeemerbiblechurch.com or
or savory snack to share! Call
gospel and the Christian
will be an opportunity
952.935.2425.
952.935.2425 or e-mail info@
church point to the truth
to connect with women
redeemerbiblechurch.com
that this stage of life can
and, maybe even, start a
with questions.
actually provide wonderful
discipleship relationship.
discipleship opportunities
Questions to Gayle Glenn at
with the young men and
gayleuglenn@gmail.com
women parents have been called to shepherd. Register for this class asap via the church office: 952.935.2425 or lsummers@ redeemerbiblechurch.com.