A different kind of revolution

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you know, Nelson Mandela died last week at age 95. He led the black majority in the Republic of South Africa in a long struggle to cast off the oppressive rule of the white minority with its evil policy of apartheid (racial segregation). When Mandela became his country’s first black president, he refused to call for revenge against the oppressors, becoming an international symbol of the power of forgiveness.

Though far from perfect, South Africa is a much better place because of Nelson Mandela. For some helpful perspective on his life and legacy, I recommend “Nelson Mandela and the Ironies of History,” an article by Albert Mohler posted online at www.albertmohler.com/2013/12/07/nelson-mandela-and-the-ironies-of-history/.

Mandela was unusual in that his struggle for freedom and equality did not lead to an early grave, though he suffered many long years “buried” in prison. Others who espoused non-violent resistance to oppression met violent deaths—Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. spring immediately to mind. These were imperfect men, but their lives eventually made a significant difference for the cause of peace.

And of course, none can compare to Jesus of Nazareth who has the title, “Prince of Peace.” His life was perfect. He brings us God’s own peace, a peace that this world can never give.

The urge to be free is a strong drive in human beings. Last month Curtis May and I visited GCI’s Richmond, Virginia congregation for their 50th church anniversary. Pastor Bill Winn and Elder Chip Brockmeier arranged for us to visit historic St. John’s Episcopal Church where delegates from Virginia met in 1775 for the second time and Patrick Henry made his famous speech in which he said, “Give me liberty or give me death!”

As I enjoyed the visit to that historic church, I thought about the choice made there that resulted in the Revolutionary War, in which so many died. But that is the result when we make the choice—liberty or death.

As Christians, we celebrate a different kind of revolution—one planned from the foundation of this unhappy, fallen world. That revolution, on behalf of Adam, Israel and all humanity, was brought about by the Incarnation, through which Jesus embraced us all in our fallen brokenness. In doing so, he in himself resolved the conflict, giving humanity new life. As Thomas F. Torrance wrote in When Christ Comes and Comes Again:

Far from being rebuffed by the disobedience and rebellion of man, the will of God’s love to see and create fellowship with man established the covenant of grace in which God promised to man in spite of his sin to be his God, and insisted on binding man to Himself as His child and partner in love. God remained true and faithful to His covenant. He established it in the midst of the people of Israel, and all through their history God was patiently at work, preparing a way for the Incarnation of His love at last in Jesus Christ, that in and through him he might bring His covenant to complete fulfillment and gather man back into joyful communion with Himself.

Patrick Henry laid a choice before the Virginia delegates when he said, “Give me liberty or give me death!” That is still the choice offered by the multitude of “freedom fighters”’ in our world today. Sadly, the result in most cases is death followed by the establishment of a different type of tyranny. So often, today’s freedom fighters become tomorrow’s oppressors and their “freedom” ends up being another form of bondage.

“Liberty or death” is not the choice that Jesus offered. In fact, it wasn’t even an offer, or a choice. Jesus does not say “I am come that they might have a choice of death or freedom.” He says, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10, KJV).

The liberty that Jesus gives us is not something we gain by armed struggle, or even passive resistance. It is God’s gift of loving reconciliation with God and with others that we cannot obtain in any other way except through the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.

Your brother in Christ,

Joseph Tkach

Dan Rogers

Dan Rogers serves GCI as the director of Church Administration and Development (CAD) and the superintendent of US ministers.

An only child, Dan was born in rural Tennessee. “We lived in a tar-paper shack with no electricity and no running water. My parents picked cotton for a living.” When Dan was six, the family moved to St Louis, Missouri. “My parents found work in the factories there. We then lived in a single room in a tenement, sharing a bathroom with five other families.” Shortly after Dan began attending school, he was selected to be part of a program for gifted children. He refers to this as “one of the great blessings of my life.”

Dan’s parents were listening to Herbert W. Armstrong on the radio before they were married. Dan says that one of his earliest childhood memories was hearing HWA’s “distinctive voice.” His mother, who was deeply committed to HWA’s teaching, was also committed to having Dan attend Ambassador College. This was not Dan’s original plan. “Most of my youth was devoted to sports. In high school I was approached by two major-league baseball teams and offered minor-league contracts. My father and I were interested, but my mother insisted that I attend Ambassador College. She got her wish.”

Dan graduated from Ambassador’s Pasadena, California campus in June 1970, then entered a whirlwind weekend. “I graduated on a Friday, married Barbara (Rand) on Saturday, and on Sunday my new bride and I left for my ministerial assignment in Boston, Massachusetts. I was ordained an elder less than a year later and a year after that I became the pastor of the churches in Concord, New Hampshire and Montpelier, Vermont at the ripe old age of 23.” Dan and Barbara served in New England for 12 years. “During our time in New England I was privileged to start all the churches in Maine. I also enrolled in the M.Div. program at Boston University.”

Dan and Barbara have been married for 43 years and have three children. “Our daughter, Christine, was born in Rhode Island in 1971, our son, Christopher, was born in New Hampshire in 1973 and our son, Steven Earl Preston Rogers (SEP, OrR), was born in 1989 in North Carolina.”

After leaving New England, the Rogers were transferred to Greensboro, North Carolina and soon started a congregation in Winston-Salem. “Later in 1989 we were transferred to the Atlanta area and during the seven years we served there I was the area coordinator for YOU and then the district superintendent for that area. While in Atlanta I was able to get a Master of Theological Studies degree from Emory University with the hope of someday teaching at Ambassador University.”

Dan’s life took a dramatic turn in 1996 when he received a phone call from headquarters. “After serving seven years in the Atlanta area, I was surprised that instead of being asked to go teach at Ambassador University, I was asked by Michael Feazell and Joseph Tkach to come to Pasadena to serve as director of CAD and to pursue a PhD degree. The doctrinal changes that began in late 1994 had resulted in the loss of many members, ministers and money by 1996. By this time, there had developed a great deal of mistrust of headquarters by the field ministers. An “us” and “them” mentality prevailed. It was thought that bringing in a long-time pastor to direct CAD might help heal the breach.”

It was a difficult assignment for a difficult time. “My first several years as director of CAD were spent battling doctrinal division, reorganizing the structure of the field ministry and planning for regional conferences that would not only be opportunities for training pastors but also provide opportunities for fellowship between pastors and headquarters personnel.”

In the midst of it all, Dan gave much needed attention to providing ministry development services that would help return the church to a clear focus on the Great Commission to “make disciples who make disciples.” “I envisioned the need for multiplication of members, ministers, ministries and churches in the face of all the denomination’s declines in those areas.” It was also during this time that Dan encouraged what he calls “the most unpopular move I have ever made since I became director of CAD.” Dan asked the Church Board to close and sell our SEP camp in Orr, Minnesota. “Instead of one camp, I wanted to see many camps throughout the US with many camp directors, multiplied staff and campers. Eventually, I hoped our camp system would spawn short-term mission trips and would train our youth to be missionaries (both domestic and international). This development led to the ministry we now call Generations Ministries (GenMin).” Though Dan initially received “tons of hate mail and several death threats,” the decision helped launch now 17 camps and hundreds of youth having the opportunity to participate in the camp experience.

Dan also realized for GCI-USA to meet the needs of the future, we needed to start new churches. “Even as some of our long-time congregations began to close, we needed new churches for new people in new places, doing church in new ways for the future. This concept led to the ministry we now call Church Multiplication Ministries (CMM).”

When asked what he enjoys most about being director of CAD, Dan said, “Perhaps my greatest joy has been to dream of what might one day be for the denomination in the US, to pray for it, to strategize for it, and now to begin to see it happening. There is much left to do, of course, but it is encouraging to see how far we have come since 1996.”

Dan says he is passionately loyal and committed to this denomination and to its future. He adds, “I have been privileged to be a member of the Radio Church of God, the Worldwide Church of God, but most of all, a member of Grace Communion International. We have always sought to worship God, to take God’s Word seriously, and to make whatever sacrifices and changes necessary in order to live by every word of God. Where we are today in Grace Communion International is a testimony to God’s grace and, by his continued grace, I believe the best is yet to come.”

Africa report

This report is from Kalengule Kaoma, one of GCI’s mission developers in Africa.

East Africa Leaders' Confernce — East Africa Leaders’ Conference

GCI recently held its East Africa Leaders’ Conference in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. The countries represented were Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Zambia and Belgium. Joel Clevenger and Gary Schrimpf from GCI’s US-based Grace Missions also attended.

From Nairobi I traveled to Uganda for meetings with groups who are interested in joining GCI. From there I took a bus to the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Pastor Patrick Asaba met me at the bus station and we then attended a conference with 45 leaders from various denominations.

Following the conference, we met with three of them who are interested in affiliating with GCI. We later learned that there are also two church planters interested in planting GCI churches in the DRC. We wait to see what God will next do.

I then returned to Uganda (Kampala) where I met with Pastor Mark Oedo. His non-denominational ministry focuses on equipping rural church leaders to effectively preach the word of God and properly manage their churches. Many of these rural leaders have little or no theological and managerial training. Pastor Mark is eager to work with us. We traveled together by bus to Lira in northern Uganda where together we taught some church leaders.

We then traveled to Utoboi where we stayed at a “lodge.” Though it was rat and bed bug-infested, I was thankful for a place to rest my tired body. I was really glad when roosters announced the breaking of a beautiful morning. We participated in an early morning church service followed by leadership training.

Lira church children s church choir — Lira children singing

We then returned to Lira for their church service attended by about 60 children and teens. Their songs, dance and jubilation in the presence of God brought tears of joy to my eyes. The service was held in the open in Pastor Joseph’s back yard. He is creative in ministering to children using music, drama and dance. Parents and older youth come to watch the children.

That evening, Pastor Mark and I took a midnight bus back to Kampala.The next day I proceeded to Kyotera in southern Uganda where three churches are interested in affiliating with us.

Later that week, I traveled to Masindi in western Uganda, where I visited Pastor Edward Kagoro and his family. When I returned to Kampala I visited two pastors who represent 20 churches located in Kampala and in surrounding rural areas.

These kinds of prospects are exciting. The potential for GCI in Africa continues to overwhelm me as I see God’s love and involvement in many lives.

Crosswalk Camp

This update is from GCI district and church pastor Mike Rasmussen who also directs GCI’s Crosswalk Youth Camp, held twice each year near Oklahoma City.

Though a tornado in May significantly damaged the facility where we hold Crosswalk Youth Camp, leading to the cancellation of our May session, we were able to conduct our fall session in November. It was amazing! We were blessed with an awesome staff who worked diligently to create a life-changing experience for the young people God brought our way.

As the leadership team met to prepare for camp last January, we sought the Spirit’s lead concerning how the camp should be formatted this year. We reevaluated our focus and methods. Rather than a mission statement, we came up with a statement we call our Kardia (meaning “center of our being”): Experiencing life in God’s love. We want the campers and staff to have a deep experience of God’s love. We then use our Kardia to help us evaluate all aspects of camp.

At the January meeting we also selected a camp theme for 2013. We decided on “Walking Dead,” which taps into the current zombie apocalypse craze. While minimizing the zombie-side of the theme, our goal was to use it to grab attention and to convey the message of how life can seem drab, dull, grey and boring to the point of feeling like one of the “walking dead.” Even though alive and breathing, we can feel dead on the inside where life lacks flavor. This happens when we aren’t living in God’s love.

Using this theme, our goal was to create a contrast and a progression of how when we don’t understand/believe who we are in Christ, life can feel dead, but as we come to this understanding and believe in who Christ is and who we are in him, then life becomes alive and full of flavor.

In accordance with our new Kardia and fall camp theme, we made several changes in how we structure camp in order to help campers and staff more fully experience God’s love:

As people arrived, an upbeat, positive team that we called our “ground crew” welcomed everyone. They led campers and staff to registration where they were welcomed by a theme-based registration area filled with colored streamers and balloons that created a party atmosphere.
After the Friday night welcome, staff met to be briefed on the new camp Kardia and to experience a time of worship just for the staff.
After researching the average age of our campers, we realized we had to rework some of our activities. We created opportunities for greater camper-staff interaction and friendly competition to connect campers and staff at an even deeper level.

There was a great response to this camp session. We have heard from several campers and staff that they are excited about the next camp and will be coming back with plans to bring someone with them. We were blessed with 20 new campers and 13 new staff this session. We are excited about what God is doing at Crosswalk and look forward to the future. The next session will be in May 2014, with the theme FaithFactor. It is sure to be full of energy—jam-packed with fun activities—enabling us to advance our camp Kardia of sharing God’s love.

The power of ministry coaching

Dan Rogers announced recently that Anthony Mullins, in addition to his responsibilities as GenMin director, will be coordinating CAD’s ministry coaching services. Anthony will oversee the training and certifying of new ministry coaches and the assigning of coaches to assist new church planters, new (first time) pastors, and other pastoral and ministry leaders serving within GCI-USA.

CAD is committed to providing quality ministry coaching services because coaching is highly effective in helping people reach personal and vocational goals. This effectiveness is born out by research including a study conducted by Manchester, Inc., which showed that coaching greatly helps turn knowledge into practice:

5% of learners transfer new skills into their practice as a result of theory
10% do so when demonstration (in training) is added to theory
20% do so when practice (as part of training) is added to demonstration and theory
25% do so when feedback is added to practice, demonstration and theory
90% do so when coaching is added to feedback, practice, demonstration and theory

Clearly, coaching is very powerful.

Though the terms “mentoring and coaching” often are interchanged, as used by CAD, coaching means drawing out from a person, while mentoring means pouring into a person. CAD certified ministry coaches assist those being coached in defining, then meeting specific goals they choose, related to ministry and other aspects of life.

If you would like to be trained to be a ministry coach or if you would like to be coached, you may contact Anthony at Anthony.Mullins@gci.org.

CAD provides certified coaches for its pastoral interns. Some of those interns are included in the video below. Note how they talk about the powerful impact in their lives of the people who coached them.

(On YouTube at http://youtu.be/OuHccXlFI0U)

Several pastors of established GCI churches are being coached. In the video below, pastor Doug Johannsen discusses what he sees as the great value of coaching.

(On YouTube at http://youtu.be/J75pVXlLtaY)

Ruth Miller

This note from pastor Bob Miller updates an earlier prayer request for his wife Ruth.

Ruth thanks everyone for their prayers, cards, love and concern. After a time with a lot of pain, her pain and muscle spasms have improved greatly!

Following recent x-rays the doctors gave Ruth an immobilizer in place of the heavy cast that she had been wearing. She would appreciate your continued prayers for her complete recovery.

UK magazine launched

James Henderson, GCI’s national director in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, announced recently the launch of Because magazine, which is published online at http://www.because.uk.com/. The current issue is pictured below.

Church-Next Training in Glendora

GCI Church Multiplication Ministries (CMM) announced recently that it will be conducting Church-Next Training (CNT) in Glendora, California on January 24-25, 2014.

CNT is for church planters wanting to plant a new church, or for pastors and/or other leaders wanting to re-mission or re-plant their established church. Bring your team to CNT and learn how to impact your community, develop your discipleship pathway and learn effective ways to “do church” in your community.

CNT will cover these topics and more:

Trinitarian principles for starting new churches
Determining your calling to a particular people-group or community
Developing a church planting team
Gathering people for a new or existing church
Starting new worship services
Funding your church

Trainers at CNT will include Heber Ticas, Justin Meier, Glen Weber and Randy Bloom.

For further information and registration, click here.