TODAY AT REDEEMER
TONIGHT AT 5 PM FELLOWSHIP HALL BRING A DISH TO SHARE
WANT TO GET PLUGGED INTO A COMMUNITY GROUP?
CONTACT OUR NEW COMMUNITY GROUP COORDINATOR!
Katie Hollermann
email: katie @redeemerbiblechurch.com
MERCY MINUTE Many of you had the opportunity to hear John Leonard’s testimony several weeks ago. During that time, John provided a brief overview of Redemption House, a gospelcentered addiction recovery program. Redemption House has been blessed with a generous donor who will be offering a 1:1 matching gift to help achieve Redemption House’s capital goal of $1.1 million dollars. All contributions raised through December 15, 2013 will be matched. Because Redeemer is committed to living out the gospel, we will be devoting all funds raised during our December Mercy Offering to Redemption House in an effort to
fully utilize the generous matching gift. Please prayerfully consider donating between now and December 15th. This is also a wonderful time to learn more about Redemption House, its mission and other ways to support them. Checks can be made out to: Redeemer Bible Church. Please note on the memo line: Redemption House. QUESTIONS: John Leonard at 651.270.2358
November 3rd, 2013
10
NOT ALL POVERTY IS CREATED EQUAL “A
HELPFUL
STEP
IN
THINKING ABOUT WORKING
WITH THE POOR IN ANY CONTEXT IS
TO
DISCERN
SITUATION
WHETHER
CALLS
FOR
THE
RELIEF,
REHABILITATION, OR DEVELOPMENT.
MEDITATE ON THIS 4 | “God’s idea of justice
HIGHLIGHTS FROM RBC.COM 5 | Two great reads from
is at the very core of the gospel...appointing humans to exercise loving rule on His behalf over all His earthly creation.”
Pastors Mark Suchta and Warren Watson. Dig in and then check out some more at redeemerbiblechurch. com.
Q & A // MERCY MINISTRY 6 | Meet Lead Deacon
STRATEGIC PRAYER TEAM 9 | “Prayer is the
Mark Summers and learn more about what the Mercy Ministry is for at Redeemer.
foundation under and the umbrella over the vision, mission and strategy of Redeemer Bible Church. It is essential to our success.”
LIFE ON LIFE DISCIPLESHIP 19 | Here is a life-on-life
REDEEMER KIDS CORNER 20 | Parents: article about
IN FACT, THE FAILURE TO DISTINGUISH AMONG THESE SITUATIONS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON REASONS THAT POVERTY-ALLEVIATION
EFFORTS
OFTEN DO HARM.” - STEVE CORBETT AND BRIAN FIKKERT
CREDITS Design/Direction: Chuck Forsberg Content Manager: Lorie Schnell Writer: Brittney Westin Copy Editor: Anne Lynn
testimony from Hannah Beers whose life has been impacted for the gospel by another member.
VOLUNTEER // GET INVOLVED 23 | Redeemer needs your help! There are many volunteer positions available.
a mercy opportunity for you and your kids. Also, another coloring page to kill the time. Have fun!
FINANCIAL UPDATE 22 | How is our church doing financially? Get a year to date snapshot here.
meditate on this
CONCERN FOR JUSTICE BY: MARK SUMMERS
C
oncern for justice is a value that we at Redeemer
cross. In the meantime, the gospel calls the
hold as one of the fundamental tenets that define our
church to demonstrate a picture of what the
church. It is core to the foundation upon which our
coming kingdom will look like by emulating
vision of what a Christian church must be is defined
Jesus in working to reverse the aftereffects of
and implemented.
the fall such as hunger, sickness, homelessness,
Justice is a defining characteristic of God and a consistent thread
relationships
and
psychological
throughout the entirety of the Old and New Testaments. But what
problems.
does this mean? How does God define true justice? Why is He so
people, casting out demons, raising the dead
concerned about it? Why are understanding justice and living a just
and feeding the masses, he was putting the
life so central to true Christian living? What are the implications for
words of the gospel into action in very tangible
believers in terms of how we should think about the communities
ways that positively impacted the people to
around us – inside Redeemer, out in the western suburbs, in the
whom He ministered. His parable of the Good
urban fabric of the Twin Cities and the world beyond? How should
Samaritan is a beautiful picture of the gospel
Biblically understanding and living a just life work itself out in our
in action. At the end He tells His listeners (and
relationships with the poor and needy?
readers) to “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).
God’s idea of justice is at the very core of the gospel. He created
We
When Jesus went about healing
must
be
concerned
about
justice
mankind to live in perfect harmony with Him, appointing humans
because God is concerned about justice. In our
to exercise loving rule on His behalf over all His earthly creation.
helpless state of alienation from Him, unable
Adam and Eve’s disobedience and fall destroyed the harmonious
to turn away God’s holy and righteous wrath
relationship between mankind and God as well as His creation,
for our sins and save ourselves, He comes
replacing it with a world characterized by vicious enmity between
alongside us with everything we need in the
humans and God, nature, each other and even ourselves.
As
Person and work of Jesus Christ. In the same
children of Adam, we are the inheritors of his rebellious nature,
way, we are called to come alongside those
this world and these enmities. Because of this, the natural state
who are homeless, hungry, sick and otherwise
of mankind today is defined by every imaginable sort of alienation
suffering
from God and His creation, resulting in everything from animosity
alienation from God, and meet their needs in a
toward God, antagonism toward other people, crime, social and
beautiful demonstration of the gospel at work.
psychological problems, sickness and disease, natural disasters,
This is how true mercy ministry, rooted in the
and on and on.
from
the
effects
of
mankind’s
The byproducts of these alienations are “felt”
gospel, differs from mere social work: it is a
needs, meaning needs that are experienced by humans in very real
very picture of the coming kingdom, which
and tangible ways, such as those for food, shelter, clothing and
points to the gospel, which in turn points to
medical care.
Jesus, Who meets our need to be saved from
The church and Christians are called to actively and consistently work at reversing the effects of sin in the world by coming to the aid of the poor and needy. The gospel isn’t just about individuals being saved from their sins.
4
broken
our sins, which is the greatest need of all mankind. A true understanding of the gospel causes
The entirety of the gospel entails
us to see in the poor and needy an image of
the restoration of all things. At the end of this age a new heaven
ourselves before God, as if we are looking in a
and new earth will be ushered in, with all creation fully restored
mirror. We see our own spiritual bankruptcy
in a right relationship with God, a relationship without sin and its
and neediness, completely unable to meet
alienations. This is the ultimate fulfillment of Jesus’ work on the
our need for the perfection God requires
MOMENTUM // NOVEMBER 2013
Continues on page 8
highlights from rbc.com
WHAT IS A “MATURE CHRISTIAN”?
OTHER GREAT BLOG POSTS FOUND AT:
BY: PASTOR MARK SUCHTA
W
e hear this term often. We see
that without Christ they are
others who are “strong” in the
absolutely nothing.
faith, who are “mature,” and
They quickly run to the
we use these two terms to
cross when they sin and
speak kindly of them. But I think often when
celebrate
we use these words; if we are not careful, we
their behalf. The life of a
can quickly go to “works” in our heart and
mature Christian is a life
mind.
of brokenness and joy. So
His
work
REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM /RESOURCES/BLOG
GOSPEL ATTITUDES ABOUT MODESTY
on
We see mature Christians, view their life,
when you think of “mature
view our own and feel guilty because we are
Christian,” from now on don’t
not like them. We then resolve to do more
think of “do more, be better,”
and be better and sin less. But wait a minute!
as you view their life, think
That is not what characterizes a mature
of “done.” Christ’s work is
Christian! A mature Christian is one who is
DONE for me. As a maturing
broken in their spirit and very dependent
Christian, you have nothing
on the person and work of Jesus Christ for
more to prove, Christ proved
everyday life. They are desperate people
it all for you. //RBC
10.15.2013 | AUTHORED BY: GAYLE GLENN
STOP RUNNING
10.1.2013 | AUTHORED BY: REBECCA PEEL
GOSPEL SOUL FOR YOUR SOUL 9.24.2013 | AUTHORED BY: GABE ZEPEDA
who view themselves accurately. They know
THE ‘BOTH AND’ OF LIFE BY: PASTOR WARREN WATSON
M
he never loses sight of this opposite truth, “But as for
vibrancy wanes, and there
me, I trust in You oh Lord, I
is a fear they will move into
say ‘You are my God…my
This post is being written 7
blackness. Can I as a pastor,
times are in Your hand…..How
months into a medical crisis
who wants to encourage the
great is Your goodness, which
my
experiencing
flock, his family and himself,
You have stored up for those
that appears to have no end.
admit what a toll this has
who fear You…..for those who
taken?
take refuge in You….”
family
is
There have been months of doctor visits, hospitalizations, drugs, surgeries, prognoses
I
find
in
King
David
King David knew the ‘both
and changes seemingly every time a new
someone who understood;
and’ of life: both the realities
professional opinion is rendered. A chart of
his words are so helpful.
of our suffering AND the
my felt emotions over this time period would
Many of his psalms proclaim
power, glory, majesty and
create dizziness from its sheer variability.
a real world approach to the
sovereignty of God. He never
Hope, disappointment, repeat.
above question:
diminished
“…..I am in
his
condition,
So many caring friends and family have
distress; my eye is wasted
and never diminished in his
asked how I am doing. As a pastor who loves
away from grief, my soul and
understanding of where his
Jesus, it’s hard to admit that it seems I am
my body also: for my life is
hope and joy and life came
losing a battle against despair. I want to glorify
spent with sorrow, and my
from.
Jesus, and proclaim God’s loving-kindness
years with sighing…” These
I rejoice that in my lament
and His intimate care for me. How can I do
are just a few of many verses
the Lord Jesus has given me
this when depression and despair, a result of
we find in David’s psalms
the ability to praise. For it
this horrible battle, lurk around every corner?
that unabashedly admit his
is in Him that all my hope is
When the colors of life go flat and their
condition and despair. But
found. //RBC NOVEMBER 2013 \\ MOMENTUM
5
q & a with
FALL.” CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THIS MEANS? What we mean by reversing the effects of
MERCY MINISTRY DIRECTOR: MARK SUMMERS
the fall is reversing that which results in need within the world. When God made creation, everything was in complete harmony with Him, but when sin came into the world, it produced four kinds of alienation from God. One was alienation from God Himself. We see that in the garden when Adam and Eve are hiding. The second is alienation from each other. We see that right away when Adam and Eve begin to have a disagreement over who was responsible for eating the fruit. The third Mark Summers
alienation is from nature, from God’s natural creation. We see that when God says to Adam and Eve that going forward they are only
INTERVIEWED BY: BRITTNEY WESTIN
going to eat food from the sweat of their brow and that the ground will bring forth thorns and
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE MERCY MINISTRY AND HOW LONG
thistles instead of fruit. And then the fourth
HAS IT BEEN A FORMAL MINISTRY WITHIN REDEEMER?
kind of alienation is alienation from self. All
The Mercy Ministry is the ministry we have at the church
of these alienations result in need. Alienation
to meet the needs of the poor, both inside and outside of
from nature can result in natural disasters:
the church. Primarily we focus on core needs: food, clothing,
tornadoes, hurricanes, things of that nature.
shelter, and medical care. Medical care would include emotional
Alienation from self can cause psychological
care, counseling, as well as physical medical care. We’ve had a
problems. Alienation from others can also
formal ministry of mercy since Pastor Bob came. The first fall
cause psychological problems as well as
he was here, he taught a leadership class to the deacons and
violence and things of that nature. And then
elders. Once of the things we got exposure to in that class was
alienation from God is when we don’t live in
Tim Keller’s book, Ministries of Mercy, and Bob started talking
relationship with God as He intended. So all
about the need for doing this. I read the book and in it, Keller
of those alienations in the fallen world have
refers to some people having a switch flipped inside them when
produced need. Those needs are the effects of
they hear the teaching on the ministry of mercy. That’s what
the fall, the physical effects we feel. But then
happened to me. It’s something that I became very passionate
what Jesus did was to usher in the return of
about. We’ve gone through a lot of growth in the ministry of
the kingdom of heaven. As Pastor Bob is fond
mercy over the years and we’ve come so far from that time. It’s
of saying, which has an “already and not yet”
amazing and we’re at a point now where we’re ready for what
component to it. The “already” component is
we think is a significant expansion of the ministry of mercy to
what Jesus demonstrated when He came and
the cities.
showed us what the kingdom is all about. So when you see Jesus feeding the thousands,
IS MERCY TO THE CITIES WHAT WE FORMERLY CALLED
casting out demons, healing the sick, raising
MERCY TO THE WORLD?
the dead, that’s what he was doing: He
Yes. Mercy to the World sounded too much like feeding
was reversing the effects of the fall and
starving children in third world countries, which can be part of
demonstrating to people what the kingdom
a mercy ministry, but we wanted to have an emphasis that is
of God will be like when all the effects of the
more in line with the vision of Redeemer. We’re located in the
fall are reversed to the point that it’s like the
suburbs but we’re also a city facing church so we wanted to
original creation. And so we’re commanded to
rename the ministry to better fit that vision.
emulate Christ in the same way. We’re not God like Jesus is but we are commanded to emulate
6
PART OF THE MISSION OF THE MERCY MINISTRY IS TO
Him by working to reverse those effects of
“EMULATE CHRIST BY MEETING FELT NEEDS THROUGH
the fall. This shows people what the kingdom
DEEDS IN A WAY THAT REVERSES THE EFFECTS OF THE
of God is like. It’s a form of evangelism and
MOMENTUM // NOVEMBER 2013
it should make the church a really attractive
to one of the deacons (usually me because I’m responsible for
place so that people who are outside the
Mercy to the City). If there’s someone who attends Redeemer,
church want to be part of it.
but hasn’t been plugged into a Community Group, then one of the deacons will take on that case. That’s one of the reasons
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE’S
why we’re really pushing people to get involved in Community
SOMETHING BIGGER THAN AN IMMEDIATE
Groups. They are like a house church that meets during the
NEED? HOW DO YOU HELP IDENTIFY THE
week so they can meet mercy needs. Also, we want to give
ROOT CAUSE BEHIND A NEED IF IT EXISTS?
Community Groups the opportunity to minister to somebody.
Mercy is a picture both of justification, which
One of the things about the ministry of mercy is it isn’t just
is when we’re saved, and of sanctification. God’s
something we have to do it’s something we get to do. So if
mercy initially comes to us unconditionally:
someone doesn’t go through a Community Group with their
there’s nothing we can do to save ourselves;
need, we’re really taking away the opportunity for the brothers
God unconditionally saves us. But once we’re
and sisters closest to that individual, family, or situation, to
saved the process of sanctification kicks in,
come alongside and meet that need. Meeting one another’s
and that’s where there are conditions. God
needs is the way the Christian faith is supposed to function.
does His part but then we are to do our part in sanctification as well. When we don’t,
HOW DO THE DEACONS FIND MERCY CASES OUTSIDE OF
sometimes there are consequences. So part of
REDEEMER?
the process of sanctification is understanding
We have several connections with our community where
what the idols of our heart are: what it is that
we’re able to find and help people. One way we do this is
we’re worshiping, wanting, and loving in that
through a partnership we have with Resource West in Hopkins.
moment more than God. The Mercy Ministry
Resource West identifies families who are in need of financial
is very much the same way because we’re
assistance as well as mentoring. The mentoring is in what I call
modeling the grace and mercy of God toward
life skills—everything from job seeking and work skills to family
us in Christ. And so, immediate needs we’ll
and relationship skills. Resource West has certain families who
often meet unconditionally, but then as time
are a part of their mentoring program and we provide financial
goes on, if the need continues to be there,
sponsorship as well as families from our church body to come
then we begin to get involved in somebody’s
alongside and mentor the families from Resource West, usually
life and understand what the root cause of the
for a six to twelve month period. We just finished what was
need is. And the reason we seek to do that is
really a pilot a few months ago. We had two families we were
because it’s the merciful thing to do. Allowing
working with through Resource West and two families from
somebody to not address a need through the
Redeemer who were mentoring them. A second way we have
gospel is, by definition, not merciful. What
found to minister is through a group I’m a part of called WEST,
we’re doing then is fostering sin and allowing
which is a group of churches in Minnetonka and Excelsior who
someone to continue to cling to an idol. But
all have an interest in the ministry of mercy. They’re churches
we often find our identification with our idol
of every stripe ranging from United Methodist to Presbyterian
instead of with Christ, and we don’t want to
USA to community churches. These other churches have an
let that go. That’s where the ministry of mercy
informal ministry of mercy but we’ve been able to work with a
requires a tremendous amount of wisdom
few families through that group. The third way is through the
and a very merciful heart because involving
people of Redeemer having their own ministries of mercy.
ourselves in somebody’s life isn’t something that we take lightly. We really plead with people to let us into their lives.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE? Everyone from Redeemer is encouraged to have his or her own ministry of mercy. People are encouraged to look for
HOW DOES SOMEONE IN OUR CHURCH
opportunities in their neighborhoods and in their social circles
GO ABOUT SEEKING HELP FROM THIS
or work circles. What we don’t want is for people to go out,
MINISTRY?
look for a mercy need and then say, “Call the church office and
If it’s somebody inside the church, the first
one of the deacons will take care of it.” What we’re looking
place they go is their Community Group leader
for is for people to get involved with a neighbor and begin to
who is trained in the ministry of mercy. If it’s
meet the need that person has. Once they’ve done this, they
somebody outside the church, usually he or she will call the church office and be directed
Continues on the next page NOVEMBER 2013 \\ MOMENTUM
7
Q & A: Mercy Continued
Concern for justice Continued
can bring the church in for coaching or maybe additional financial help when it’s
(Matthew 5:20) as a condition of being
needed. We as leaders are really trying to help the people of Redeemer understand
admitted to heaven.
that the gospel isn’t just something that we believe, but it’s who we are as people.
God completely and unconditionally
And if it defines who we are as people, then it should define the things that we do,
meeting that need in the Person and
how we spend our time and money, and so forth. The Mercy Ministry is part of that. CAN YOU SHARE SOME OF THE OTHER WAYS OUR CHURCH HAS BEEN ABLE TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR MINISTRY OF MERCY? In addition to Resource West and the WEST group of churches I’m a part of, we’re also starting a partnership with Zion Baptist in North Minneapolis. We want
We also see
work of Jesus, despite the fact we are totally undeserving. The gospel calls us in turn to reflect God’s grace and mercy toward us outward through meeting the needs of others, in so doing pointing them to the Meeter of the ultimate need of all mankind.
to undertake a community redevelopment project with them that probably will be
When John the Baptist, losing hope
a ten or fifteen year project. The Mercy Ministry also provides monthly support for
in the hellishness of Herod’s prison,
Deep Haven Counseling Center. We have specific mercy clients that we’re working
sent his disciples to ask Jesus “Are
with who are clients of Deep Haven and we help with their counseling.
you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another,” Jesus could have
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS CURRENTLY EXCITING YOU ABOUT THIS MINISTRY? The Mercy Ministry works on each of us who are involved in it by reminding us that
simply responded “yes.”
Instead, He
answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:
the blind receive
their sight and the lame walk, lepers
when we see someone in need, we’re looking in a mirror. It’s very humbling and it’s
are cleansed and the deaf hear, and
also very gratifying. We have several people who attend Redeemer now who came
the dead are raised up, and the poor
in through the ministry of mercy. We also had quite a few needs inside Redeemer
have the gospel preached to them”
when we started the Mercy Ministry. We had some long-term, ongoing and pretty
(Matthew 11:2-5). These are the clear
big mercy needs and those are gone! Through counseling, shepherding and the
and unmistakable signs of the kingdom
aid we’ve given people, those are mostly all gone. The other thing is the deacons
of heaven.
used to be heavily involved in mercy cases to the church and that’s virtually all handled now through the Community Groups. It’s just been really amazing to see that. The Community Group leaders have done an incredible job so that it’s almost on autopilot, which has allowed us as deacons to focus on mercy to the cities.
Jesus’ ministry was characterized by tireless demonstrations of reversing the after effects of our rebellion against God.
In so doing, He was
not only validating who He was, but also demonstrating what the coming
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU HAVE SEEN GOD WORKING THROUGH OUR
kingdom will look like when the effects
MERCY MINISTRY?
of the fall will be permanently and
As I mentioned, we have a number of families at Redeemer who came in through
forever reversed. In the same way, a
the ministry of mercy. We’re seeing tremendous change in people. I think of one
hallmark of a true Christian church
family right now that we started working with back in the summer. They were living
and its body of believers must be love
in a motel. They had been renting a house and the owner of the house wasn’t making the house payment, which they didn’t know, and the sheriff came and foreclosed on the house. They had no idea the owner was taking their money and not paying the mortgage payment, so they ended up in a motel, which is when we met them.
and concern for the poor, manifested through tirelessly working at putting the gospel in action by meeting their needs. Where there is no institutional or individual ministry of mercy rooted
The father had lost his job and they literally were two days from being put out from
in the gospel, there is no true church
this motel. We started working with the husband, his wife, their daughter and her
or believer.
son. Currently, the dad has gotten a job and the daughter and the wife are both
The gospel is not just something
looking for jobs. We were able to get them into a house for rent through the WEST
we believe, but it is who we are. And
organization, and we’ve also been able to help them get some car repairs made so
if it’s who we are, then of necessity it
they have transportation to work. We’ve just seen incredible change. They’re not
changes everything about the way
believers but they’ve come to church on occasion and they’re hearing the gospel— you know you can’t come to Redeemer and not hear the gospel. There are just many, many cases like that where we’ve been able to minister to somebody over the longer term and make a really big difference in somebody’s life. It’s really gratifying to see
we relate to the world, each other, and ourselves, resulting in an inability to turn our backs on the poor and needy because of the massive and undeserved grace and mercy God has
the gospel applied in a very tangible way and to see those effects of the fall reversed
shown to us in the person and work of
in somebody’s life. //RBC
Christ. Nothing less can ever pass the test of true Christianity.
8
MOMENTUM // NOVEMBER 2013
//RBC
ministry highlight
STRATEGIC PRAYER TEAM BY: BETHANY HWAY
P
rayer is the foundation under and the
the word, for hearts and eyes to be opened to the
umbrella over the vision, mission and
truth of the gospel and for effective ministry to the
strategy of Redeemer Bible Church. It
congregation and newcomers. These meetings are
is essential to our success. We cannot
open to all! Come when you can, leave when you
produce “the fruit of the gospel for the good of
need to. We meet from 8:30 – 8:55 AM and from
the world” on our own strength. Fruitfulness can
10:30 – 10:55 AM in Room 104 in the Lower Level.
only come when the Spirit moves in the lives of
Become a Prayer Ministers – Prayer Ministers are
individuals. Thus, the Strategic Prayer Team. Our
RBC Members who have a heart for others and an
purpose is to promote deepening personal prayer
ability to apply the gospel through prayer. Prayer
in the lives of individuals, to facilitate corporate
Ministers will be stationed at the front of the
prayer focused on the vision and ministries of
sanctuary after both services, and will be available
Redeemer, and to ask for an outpouring of the
to minister to others by listening to their needs
Holy Spirit on our church and city.
and praying with and for them.
The prayer team is just getting started. We
Join the team! – Our Strategic Prayer Team
need busy moms and seniors and teens willing
still has need of a few individuals to serve in
to pray for our leadership in the time they have.
leadership. Team members will help to organize
We need people to help in smaller, behind the
the resources needed for the congregation to
scenes ways. We need members willing to serve
pray for our leadership and vision. Responsibilities
our congregation in larger, administrative roles.
will be mainly administrative in nature, such as
If you have a heart for prayer and a desire to
collecting, organizing, and distributing key prayer
see the gospel spread like wildfire through our
points and answered prayers from leadership and
church and city, consider joining the Strategic
church ministries. //RBC
Prayer Team. Contact Bethany Hway (bethany@ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE PRAYER TEAM
redeemerbiblechurch.com) for more info.
CONTACT SARA SEELAND: SARA@ THREE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED Sunday
Morning
Prayer
Meetings
REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM are
an
opportunity to spend a just few minutes with others asking the Lord to come and work in our worship services. We pray for the preaching of NOVEMBER 2013 \\ MOMENTUM
9
NOT ALL POVERTY IS CREATED EQUAL BY: STEVE CORBETT AND BRIAN FIKKERT
10
MOMENTUM // NOVEMBER 2013
ADAPTED WITH SPECIAL PERMISSION OF MOODY PUBLISHERS FROM WHEN HELPING HURTS
Y
iou turn on the evening news and
of the helpless man who lay bleeding along
see that a tsunami has devastated
the roadside is an excellent example of relief
Indonesia, leaving millions without
applied appropriately.
food,
adequate
clothing
or
shelter. Following a commercial break, the news returns and features a story about the growing number of homeless men in your city,
(Insert Figure 4.1)
who are also without food, adequate clothing or shelter. At first glance, the appropriate responses to each of these crises might
“Rehabilitation” begins as soon as the
seem to be very similar. The people in both
bleeding stops; it seeks to restore people and
situations need food, clothing and housing,
their communities to the positive elements
and providing these things to both groups
of their pre-crisis conditions. The key feature
seem to be the obvious solution. But there
of rehabilitation is a dynamic of working with
is something nagging in us as we reflect on
the tsunami victims as they participate in their
these two news stories. Deep down it seems
own recovery, moving from point 2 to point 3.
like the people in these two crises are in very
“Development” is a process of ongoing
different situations and require different types
change that moves all the people involved—
of help.
both the “helpers” and the “helped”—closer
How should we think about these scenarios?
to being in right relationship with God, self,
Are there principles to guide us to the
others, and the rest of creation. In particular,
appropriate response in each case?
as the materially poor develop, they are better able to fulfill their calling of glorifying God by working and supporting themselves
PICK A NUMBER BETWEEN 1 AND 3 A helpful step in thinking about working with
and their families with the fruits of that work.
the poor in any context is to discern whether
Development is not done to people or for
the situation calls for relief, rehabilitation, or
people but with people. The key dynamic in
development. In fact, the failure to distinguish
development is promoting an empowering
among these situations is one of the most
process in which all the people involved—
common
both the “helpers” and the “helped”—become
reasons
that
poverty-alleviation
more of what God created them to be, moving
efforts often do harm. “Relief” can be defined as the urgent and temporary provision of emergency aid to reduce immediate suffering from a natural man-made
crisis.
As
pictured
in
figure
4.1, when a crisis such as the Indonesian
beyond point 3 to levels of reconciliation that they have not experienced before. It is absolutely crucial that we determine whether relief, rehabilitation, or development is the appropriate intervention:
tsunami strikes at point 1, people are nearly
One of the biggest mistakes that North
or even completely helpless and experience
American churches make—by far—is in applying
plummeting
relief in situations in which rehabilitation or
economic
conditions.
There
is a need to halt the free-fall, to “stop the bleeding,” and this is what relief attempts
development is the appropriate intervention. The
Good
Samaritan’s
handouts
were
to do. The key feature of relief is a provider-
appropriate for the person at point 1, a victim
receiver dynamic in which the provider gives
who needed material assistance to stop the
assistance—often material—to the receiver,
bleeding and even prevent death; however, the
who is largely incapable of helping himself at
person at point 3 is not facing an emergency,
that time. The Good Samaritan’s bandaging
and handouts of material assistance to such
people do not help to restore them to being the
steward of his own resources and abilities.
productive stewards that they were created to
Fourth, to what extent has this person
be. In fact, applying a material solution to the
already been receiving relief from you or
person at point 3, whose underlying problem—
others in the past? How likely is he to be
like ours—is relational, is likely to do harm to
receiving such help in the future? As special
this person and to the provider of the material
as your church is, it might not be the first stop
assistance, exacerbating the brokenness in the
on the train! This person may be obtaining
four key relationships for both of them.
“emergency” assistance from one church or
The remainder of this chapter uses the relief-
organization after another, so that your “just-
rehabilitation-development paradigm to flesh
this-onetime-gift” might be the tenth such gift
out some principles as we seek the goal of
the person has recently received.
poverty alleviation—low-income people and
My family experienced this situation two
ourselves increasingly glorifying God through
months ago when a young woman knocked
reconciling relationships with God, self, others,
on the door of our house asking for some
and the rest of creation.
food. We complied, but we later found out that she had received similar assistance from
WHO’S #1?
weeks, and we still see her going door to door
for help will state that they are in a crisis,
asking for food. When neighbors have sought
needing emergency financial help for utility
to provide her with long-term solutions, she
bills, rent, food, or transportation. In other
has refused such help. The loving thing to do
words, they will state that they are at point 1 in
for this woman is for the entire community to
figure 4.1. Is relief the appropriate intervention
withhold further relief, to explain our reason
for such a person? Maybe, but maybe not.
for doing so, and to offer her wide-open arms
There are several things to consider.
should she choose a path of walking together
First, is there really a crisis at hand? If you
MOMENTUM // NOVEMBER 2013
with us in finding long-term solutions.
fail to provide immediate help, will there really
While many of these rules of thumb strike
be serious, negative consequences? If not,
an intuitive chord when working with the
then relief is not the appropriate intervention,
materially poor in North America, many of us
for there is time for the person to take actions
ignore these principles when working with
on his own behalf.
the materially poor in the Majority World.
Second, to what degree was the individual
Compared to our own situation, the levels
personally responsible for the crisis? Of
of poverty in the Majority World seem so
course, compassion and understanding are in
devastating, and the people seem so helpless.
order here, especially when one remembers
In such contexts, many of us are quick to hand
the systemic factors that can play a role in
out money and other forms of relief assistance
poverty. But it is still important to consider
in ways that we would never even consider
the person’s own culpability in the situation,
when ministering to the poor in North America.
as allowing people to feel some of the pain
12
other members of our community for many
Many of the people coming to your church
To illustrate, consider the savings and credit
resulting from any irresponsible behavior
association
on their part can be part of the “tough love”
Church, a congregation located in a slum in
needed to facilitate the reconciliation of
Manila, the Philippines. Each of the members
poverty alleviation. The point is not to punish
of this savings and credit association live on
the person for any mistakes or sins he has
approximately one to five dollars per day. Each
committed but to ensure that the appropriate
member of the association deposits into the
lessons are being learned in the situation.
group just twenty cents per week, which the
affiliated
with
Jehovah
Jireh
Third, can the person help himself? If so, then
association uses to make very small, interest-
a pure handout is almost never appropriate, as
bearing loans to the members. In addition,
it undermines the person’s capacity to be a
each member contributes five cents per week
to the association’s emergency fund, which
assessment tools help to identify the type of
can be used to provide relief to members
assistance that would be most beneficial and
facing an emergency crisis.
can also help to determine if the need for help
From a North American perspective, these
is real. Furthermore, these tools can reveal the
people are extremely poor. In this light, it is
willingness of the person to address larger
instructive to consider the policies that the
life issues that may have contributed to the
savings and credit association developed for
present situation.
its emergency fund. Money from the fund is
It is helpful for your church or ministry to
lent—not given—at a 0 percent interest rate to
have a set of benevolence policies in place
group members whose family members get
to guide decision making when working with
sick. No assistance is available for people who
materially poor people. These policies should
have had their electricity or water cut off for
flow from your mission and vision and be
not paying their utility bills. According to the
consistent with a biblical perspective on the
group, such a situation does not constitute
nature of poverty and its alleviation.
an emergency, since electric and water bills
Who is #1? It is unlikely that you know many
are regular household expenditures for which
people in this category, for the reality is that
they should all be prepared. The group will not
only a small percentage of the poor in your
even give emergency loans for hospitalization
community or around the world require relief.
for giving birth, because the family had nine
These would include the severely disabled;
months to prepare for the delivery of the
some of the elderly; very young, orphaned
baby. Finally, the amount of the loan from
children; the mentally ill homeless population;
the emergency fund is limited to the amount
and victims of a natural disaster. People
of the savings contributions of the members
in these categories are often unable to do
getting the loan. The members of this savings
anything to help themselves and need the
and credit association are tough cookies!
handouts of relief. However, for most people,
Now what happens when a North American
the bleeding has stopped, and they are not
church encounters the members of Jehovah
destitute. Acting as though they are destitute
Jireh Church’s savings and credit association?
does more harm than good, both to them
We often project our own ideas of what is an
and to ourselves. This does not mean that we
acceptable standard of living onto the situation
should do nothing to help those who are not
and are quick to take a relief approach, doling
destitute. It just means that rehabilitation or
out money in ways that the local people would
development—not relief—is the appropriate
consider unwise and dependence-creating.
way of helping such people. This help could
And in the process, we can undermine
very well include providing them with financial
local
assistance, but such assistance would be
judgment,
stewardship,
discipline,
savings,
and
accountability, institutions.
In
conditional upon and supportive of their
fact, research has shown that the injection of
being productive. Chapters 8 and 9 provide
outside funds into these savings and credit
examples of interventions that do this by
collapse.1
complementing people’s work and thrift with
groups typically dooms them to
The point is that, in deciding if relief is the
additional resources.
appropriate intervention, we must be careful lest we impose our own cultural assumptions into contexts that we do not understand very well. Assessment tools can help you to discern the nature of a person’s situation. These
HOW DO YOU SPELL “EFFECTIVE RELIEF”? If you do determine that relief is the appropriate response in a given situation, there are some principles that can help to make your relief efforts more effective.
tools can range from an informal set of
First, relief needs to be immediate. If a
questions used in an initial conversation to a
person is in the midst of a crisis and cannot
more formal and detailed written form. Such
help himself, a timely response is crucial. For
T
his Christmas season Redeemer families, through the Angel Tree Ministry right here at RBC, will be able to participate in sharing the gospel and the love of Jesus with a local child whose parent is in prison, yet wants them to know they are loved and missed. We do this by purchasing and delivering them a Christmas present the parent has indicated would be suitable, along with a gospel message. It’s simple and a blessing; pray about your participation and be watching for the Angel tags distribution on November 17 & 24 in the fellowship hall to choose the child you’ll get to minister to this year!
MORE INFORMATION // CALL JAN WYDER-BARCK AT 612.961.9271 TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP // CALL REBECCA PEEL AT 952.567.3304
WOMEN’S THIRD THURSDAY STUDYING MODEST BY R W GLENN
MEETS THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21ST @ 7 PM PURCHASE YOUR BOOK COST IS $ 9.00
Fellowship Hall // December 19th // 6:30 - 9:30 pm Contact Rebecca Peel at rebecca.peel1044@gmail.com
example, when a large-scale natural disaster
appropriately.
hits, the victims cannot wait weeks while
How do you spell “effective relief”? S-e-l-d-
churches try to think of what they should do
o-m, I-m-m-e-d-i-a-t-e, and T-e-m-p-o-r-a-r-y.
and secure funding. What is true for largescale disasters is true for the battered woman
DOING RELIEF AND REHABILITATION,
who has bravely come to the church office
DEVELOPMENTALLY
seeking safe shelter. Sending her back home
Once relief efforts have stopped the bleeding,
to wait while the church tries to find her
it is time to move quickly into rehabilitation,
some alternative shelter is not a good relief
working with, not for, people to help them
response.
return to the positive elements of their pre-
In order to provide timely relief, it is
crisis conditions. Again, rehabilitation must
important to engage in disaster preparedness.
be done in a way consistent with the long-run
This
and
goal of poverty alleviation: low-income people
forecasting the types of relief situations
and ourselves increasingly glorifying God
that the church or ministry may encounter.
through reconciling relationships with God,
Financial, material, and human resources can
self, others, and the rest of creation.
simply
means
looking
ahead
be identified and secured to be ready to be
About twenty years ago, my wife and I
put into play at the right time. For example,
helped to mobilize our church to volunteer at
the deacons can ensure that the church either
a Christian homeless shelter. Most of the men
obtains or creates a directory of services that
living in the shelter had experienced some
are available in the community to address
sort of trauma such as a divorce, a death in
relief needs. The deacons can also line up
the family, or the loss of a job. Turning to
people within the congregation who would be
drugs or alcohol to ease the pain, these men
ready to give of themselves to help someone
had lost everything and needed emergency
who is in the midst of a crisis. Such help could
help to survive in the frigid conditions of
include opening their home for a few nights,
the Connecticut winter. By providing food
providing transportation to an agency, taking
and warm beds, the shelter had stopped the
a person out to eat, or working in the church’s
downward plunge for these men and was now
clothing closet to ensure it is well organized.
trying to help them to rehabilitate through a
Second, relief is also temporary, provided
16
MOMENTUM // NOVEMBER 2013
range of counseling services.
only during the time that people are unable to
Once a month the members of our church
help themselves. Unfortunately, determining
graciously bought food, prepared a meal,
when to stop relief is never easy. On the one
served it to the shelter residents, and cleaned
hand, we can make the mistake of ending
up afterward. We did everything short of
our assistance too early. An uninsured family
spoon-feeding the men, never asking them
facing ongoing medical bills due to a health
to lift a finger in the entire process. A more
emergency may need more than a single gift
developmental approach would have sought
of one hundred dollars from the church’s
greater participation of these men in their
benevolence fund. On the other hand, if relief
own rehabilitation, asking them to exercise
is given for too long, it can do harm by creating
stewardship
dependence. Again, your church needs to
beginning to reconcile their key relationships.
have benevolence policies in place that define
We could have involved the men every step
the degree, frequency, and length of relief
along the way, from planning the meal, to
efforts. While there may be occasions that call
shopping for the food, to helping with serving
for working outside of these policies, having
and cleanup. We could have done supper
such policies can greatly aid in providing relief
with the men, working and eating side by
as
part
of
the
process
of
side, rather than giving supper to the men,
years non-government organizations working
engaging in a provider-recipient dynamic that
in Kibera have tended to operate on the basis
likely confirmed our sense of superiority and
of “quick fixes.” Frustrations set in because
their sense of inferiority.
changes in individuals are not forthcoming as quickly as anticipated. Many of these
BAD RELIEF UNDERMINES WORSHIP
organizations then either close down or move
The sprawling Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya,
to other parts of the country, leaving people in
is believed to be the largest slum in Africa.
a worse situation than they were before. In the
Development workers commonly refer to
process, individual and community lives have
Kibera as “scorched earth,” because decades
been devastated. It appears that many donors
of well-meaning outside organizations have
are willing to give to any venture as long as
made it nearly impossible to do long-lasting
they see pictures of “dilapidated” Kibera…
development work there. Failing to recognize
Of
course,
there
are
some
occasions
that the appropriate intervention in Kibera
in which there is a need for relief work in
is neither relief nor rehabilitation, outside
Kibera. For example, often times there are
organizations have poured in financial and
fire breakouts where houses and business
human resources, crippling local initiatives in
premises are gutted down. It might be
the process. Alvin Mbola, a Kenyan community
necessary to bring in outside resources to
development worker who tries to build up the
provide relief and to rehabilitate these homes
indigenous churches in Kibera, describes the
and businesses. But even in these situations,
situation as follows:
caution should be taken so that the relief
To many people, the Kibera slum in Nairobi,
efforts are not prolonged to the point in which
Kenya is a place with no equals. It is filthy,
they undermine local people’s stewardship of
congested, degraded, and unfit for human
their own lives and communities.
habitation.
Like
the
scriptural
The root issue in all of these considerations
reference to the birth place of Jesus Christ,
is that God, who is a worker, ordained work so
many people believe that “nothing good
that humans could worship Him through their
can come out of Kibera.” Therefore, most
work. Relief efforts applied inappropriately
remedies
are
often cause the beneficiaries to abstain from
motivated by the sympathy of outsiders, who
work, thereby limiting their relationship with
often give handouts in an attempt to cushion
God through distorted worship or through no
the residents against their perceived, gigantic
worship at all.3
directed
proverbial
towards
Kibera
problems. In reality, many of the problems of Kibera
FOOTNOTES:
stem from chronic issues that can only be
1. Jessica Murray and Richard Rosenberg,
solved through a consistent and long-term
“Community-Managed Loan Funds: Which
relationship between the change agent and
Ones Work?” Consultative Group to Assist the
the residents. Changes within individuals and
Poor, Focus Note No. 36, May 2006.
communities are not instantaneous; long-
3. Alvin Mbola, “Bad Relief Undermines
term relationships are needed to bring out the
Worship in Kibera,” Mandate, Chalmers Center
best of “what is” and of “what could be.” The
for Economic Development, 2007, no. 3,
people in Kibera have capacities, skills and
available at www.chalmers.org.
resources that need to be tapped if genuine development is to be realized, but the process
When Helping Hurts, © 2009, 2012 by Steve
of identifying and mobilizing these gifts and
Corbett and Brian Fikkert. All rights reserved.
assets takes time. Unfortunately, for many
redeemer kids corner
SHOWING MERCY WITH SHOE BOXES BY: PAULA POPPE
A
ttention families of Redeemer Kids! From October 20th until November 10th, the focus of the Redeemer Kids’ Mercy Ministry will be
Thanks to all of you who choose to support our efforts to teach our Redeemer Kids to extend God’s mercy to other children!
Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes, a ministry
of Samaritan’s Purse. Individuals or organizations (such as our
GIFT OPTIONS
Sunday School classes) pack shoe boxes that are then sent all
• SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Pens, pencils and
over the world to children in need. The boxes are distributed
sharpeners, crayons or markers, stamps and
by local churches, and many families of these children become
ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar
connected to their local church through this program. Each box
calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
comes with a simple gospel booklet in the local language that
• TOYS: Small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed
is written especially for children. And each box also contains
animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump
an offer for a correspondence course that many kids complete,
ropes, small Etch-A-Sketch, toys that light up
believing in Jesus as their Savior in the process!
or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky,
With this in mind, each of our Sunday School classes will be packing a box as follows:
etc. • HYGIENE ITEMS: Toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a Zip-lock bag), comb,
• 3’s class: a box for a boy and for a girl age 2-4 • 4’s-5’s class and 1st-3rd grade class: Two boxes for a boy and for a girl age 5-9 • 4th-6th grade class: a box for a boy and for a girl age 10-14.
washcloth, etc. • OTHER: T-shirts, socks, ball caps, stocking caps, mittens, sunglasses, hard candy, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)
You may send any of the items listed below to your child’s
• DO NOT INCLUDE: Used or damaged items;
class any time between now and November 3rd. You may also
war-related items such as toy guns, knives or
send cash donations, as each box must be accompanied by $7
military figures; chocolate or food; out- of-
to cover the literature and shipping. The classes will be packing
date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or
the boxes on Sunday, November 10th, so while you may still
vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes
send money on that date, we need the items all collected by
or glass containers; aerosol cans. //RBC
Sunday, November 3rd.
18
MOMENTUM // NOVEMBER 2013
redeemer kids corner
THE PROMISE REAFFIRMED
GENESIS 28:20-22 20Then
Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord
shall be my God, 22and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”
life on life
DISCIPLESHIP I
BY: HANNAH BEERS ’ve been in Life-on-Life Discipleship for one
Perhaps the most valuable aspect is knowing
and a half years, and it has often been the
each other’s testimonies and tendencies. We
link between “what I’m learning” and “how I’m
began by studying Gospel Transformation, and
living.”
I was struck by how my gaps in understanding
I sought out Discipleship as a single person
aspects of God’s character paralleled areas of
relatively new to Redeemer (not to mention
struggle in my day-to-day life. Building on that
the
post-college-graduation
foundation, the stories, questions, prayer requests,
life in general!) The consistency and natural
and encouragement became more specific and
accountability of meeting with someone to
fruitful.
Twin
Cities
and
discuss life and the gospel was really influential.
I think we are naturally drawn to people who share
Over the next year, I encountered a lot of changes
the same interests, circumstances, and perspectives
and decisions - some of them very difficult - and
as ourselves. Similarities are often a shortcut to
was really blessed by learning from someone a
close relationships. But in my experience, both
little older and more familiar with scripture.
Life-on-Life Discipleship and Community Groups
Over time, we’ve adjusted our meetings to
have really caused me to appreciate the Church as
accommodate moves, job changes, and travel.
the whole body of Christ. The most obvious thing
We’ve discussed books and sermons, prayed
we have in common is Christ, and so He becomes
together, followed hundreds of tangents, and
the focus. In an unexpected way, the relationships
one time I learned how to check my tire pressure.
have helped me better understand myself, but
Another time, I really, earnestly tried to learn to
focus less on myself. //RBC
knit, and quickly forgot about it.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE DISCIPLED: WOMEN CONTACT: TAMMY HOYT AT REPENTANDTRUST@GMAIL.COM MEN CONTACT MARK: MARKSUCHTA@YAHOO.COM
WANT TO SHARE? 20
MOMENTUM // NOVEMBER 2013
Have you been blessed by being in a discipleship relationship? Do you have a story of how the gospel has changed your life because of this connection? If so, we need to hear from you! Each month Momentum will be highlighting a life-on-life testimony from someone whose life has been impacted for the gospel by another. If you are interested in sharing your experience with the greater RBC family, please email Lorie Schnell at lorie@redeemerbiblechurch.com.
GET INVOLVED
volunteer
ART DEPARTMENT
CHURCH LIFE
JOB TITLE
JOB TITLE
COPY WRITERS & EDITORS
USHER
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
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
MEDIA INVENTORY MANAGER 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.
JOB TITLE
COMMUNION SET-UP 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.
PRAYER TEAM JOB TITLE
WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN MINISTRY AT RBC? CONTACT SARA SEELAND
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER MINISTERS 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). JOB TITLE
STRATEGIC PRAYER TEAM LEADER 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 P | 952.935.2425 E | Sara@redeemerbiblechurch.com
NOVEMBER 2013 \\ MOMENTUM
21
financial update
BY THE NUMBERS OCTOBER 2013 - YTD
GENERAL GIVING FUND
BAR GRAPH
Operating Expenses $ 84,940 Giving $ 50,701 Forecast $ 85,926
PIE CHART
EXPANDING OUR GOSPEL VISION
Extra Commitments $ 41,427 Awaiting Commitments $ 260,379 | 11.9% Commitments Received $ 1,918,621 | 88.1%
BASE FORECAST
11.9 %
EXPENSES GIVING
88.1%
22
MOMENTUM // NOVEMBER 2013
SUN
25
18
11
4
MON 7
YOUTH BARN DANCE 7 PM - 11 PM
8
9
SAT
DATES TO REMEMBER 6
WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 7 PM - 8:30 PM
15
FRI
5 WEDNESDAY WORSHIP & REDEMPTION | 7 PM MUSIC MAKERS 7 PM - 8:30 PM
14
THU
NO WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY
13
WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 7 PM - 8:30 PM
WED
12
WEDNESDAY WORSHIP & REDEMPTION | 7 PM
16
WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
21
23
20
22
19
28
30
WOMEN’S NIGHT 7 PM - 8:30 PM
27
NO WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY
29
WEDNESDAY WORSHIP & REDEMPTION | 7 PM
26
WEDNESDAY WORSHIP & REDEMPTION | 7 PM
MUSIC MAKERS 7 PM - 8:30 PM
WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
THANKSGIVING
WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
TUE
November 3 MORNING WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM NEWCOMERS LUNCH 1:00 - 2:30 PM | Glenn’s Home FELLOWSHIP DINNER | 5:00 PM EVENING WORSHIP | 6:00 PM
10 MORNING WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM
17 MORNING WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM (Including the Lord’s Table) REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM
24 MORNING WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM
A:: 16205 HIGHWAY 7 | MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA 55345 P:: 952.935.2425 E:: INFO@REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM W:: REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM
FEATURED EVENTS Friday NOVEMBER 8TH
Thursday NOVEMBER 21ST
Sunday DECEMBER 1ST
YOUTH BARN DANCE
WOMEN’S NIGHT
7 PM - 11 PM | Liska’s Home
7 - 8:30 PM | Fellowship Hall
NEWCOMERS LUNCH
Last year we had our first
Our Women’s Ministry will
1 - 2:30 PM | Glenn’s Home
barn dance and it was a
have its last “Third Thursday”
If you would like to attend
blast, so we decided we
of the Fall on November 21st.
the next Newcomer’s Lunch,
should do it again this year!
Our Women’s Ministry will
please RSVP with Laurie
Students; invite your friends
continue discussing the book
Summers at lsummers@
who don’t know Jesus
Modesty by our own RW
redeemerbiblechurch.com or
and introduce them to the
Glenn. We are encouraging
952.935.2425.
community of Redemption
all RBC Women to attend.
and Redeemer. We will have
Questions: Gayle Glenn at
a great time as always! The
gayleuglenn@gmail.com
Liska’s Barn: 6926 Pagenkopf Rd., Independence, MN 55378. Call 763.479.6797 for directions.