2013 – Page 35 – GCI Update

Mel Dahlgren

Mel and Barbara Dahlgren — Barbara and Mel Dahlgren

Mel Dahlgren, who serves as the senior pastor of GCI’s congregation in San Jose, California, spent the first twelve years of his life as a Seventh-day Adventist in New England. Mel continues the story:

My parents began listening to Herbert Armstrong from a small radio station out of Wheeling, West Virginia Convinced of his message they sold our home in Massachusetts, packed everything we could into our ’49 Plymouth station wagon and drove across country to Pasadena, California, where the headquarters of the church was located. Arriving on the Day of Atonement, I wanted to fast but didn’t quite make it. I fainted in church and yelled out just before passing out. The ushers came and carried me to the water fountain for a refreshing glass of water. The next day we headed east – for the Feast of Tabernacles in Big Sandy, Texas.

We returned to Pasadena where my dad got a job as a tool-and-die maker. My parents were baptized in the pool in the lower gardens of the Ambassador campus. They gave me the option of attending a Seventh-day Adventist church. I wanted to do my own research so I took the 58 lessons of the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course and found myself embracing this new way of life. I attended Imperial School from grade seven to twelve.

In 1965 I was accepted to Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas. I met my future wife, Barbara, my freshman year while we both worked on the custodial crew. Barbara was transferred to Imperial Schools as a student teacher her sophomore year, but I remained on the custodial crew until my senior year, when I was moved to the mail reading department.

Forging a romantic relationship at college was challenging since the rules dictated you could not date the same girl more than once a semester until your senior year. I had set my eyes on Barbara, so at the end of my junior year I invited myself to her home in St. Louis to “check out her family.” They received my stamp of approval, but they were not all that impressed with me.

That did not deter my quest, so I proceeded to counsel with our dean of students about “us.” When I told Barbara my plans she said, “You can counsel if you want but just so you know – there is a ‘you’ and a ‘me’ but no ‘us.’” Undeterred by minor details, I pursued our relationship and by the grace of God, Barbara agreed to marry me. So began our 44 year adventure in the ministry.

My desire had always been to become a minister, but in college I was informed that I wasn’t ministry material. I blushed when I spoke and my voice was too raspy. Imagine my surprise when they announced that I was to be sent out into the field ministry.

Barbara and I graduated on one day, got married the next and headed to our assignment in Jacksonville, Florida. We served there for three years, followed by a year in Charleston and Parkersburg, West Virginia. Then we spent nine years in the London, Somerset, and Middlesboro, Kentucky areas. Next, we went to Tacoma and Olympia, Washington for six years and then to Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan for four years before ending up in California where we have been ever since. For the past 20 years we have worked with the Aptos, Salinas, Watsonville, San Francisco, San Leandro and San Jose churches. Currently we pastor the San Jose congregation where we live.

What I enjoy most about being a pastor is participating in the amazing transformation that Jesus performs in the lives of those he is calling. It is such a privilege to extend to others the incredible grace of Jesus Christ that he has so freely extended to me.

I haven’t really had a mentor in ministry, but I am deeply grateful to Michael Feazell for teaching me the true meaning of grace by his personal example in how he worked with me when I was recoiling after hearing about the changes in our church. I remember saying after our phone conversation, “Now that’s grace.” And from that point on, change became a joy rather than, “Oh, boy, here we go again.”

Being part of GCI to me is refreshing. Like Jesus, we are not afraid to tell it like it is and make whatever changes are necessary to be aligned with truth. I don’t see the favoritism and politicking in our denomination that used to be prevalent. I thank God for delivering us from all that and bringing us into the glorious light of the true gospel of grace and truth in Jesus Christ.

My passions in ministry (which means serving) are first to my family, second to the members and then to anyone I meet. Barbara and I have three beautiful children (Shelly, Sherisa and Matthew) and two wonderful grandchildren (Sophia, 5; and Dakota, 18). Since family is one of our highest priorities, we spend as much time together as possible.

Regarding my personal life, it’s pretty much an open book entitled Zorro and Me, which Barbara wrote a few years ago. I wish I could say it was a book of fiction, but all those humorous stories are true. After devoting much of her life to supporting me in ministry, it was wonderful to see Barbara blossom as a talented and entertaining writer. She is a major blessing to me, our family, our church and everyone she meets.

In conclusion, what I am learning in our wonderful church family is how our relationship with God is an ongoing way of life. It gives new meaning to praying without ceasing, because we can feel close to God all the time as we acknowledge him in all our ways. When we forget, he has not forgotten us and we can simply run to him and know we are always accepted because of who we are as his precious children.

Continuing education

Dan Rogers, director of GCI Church Administration and Development, recently announced new requirements for the Pastoral Continuing Education Program that apply to all GCI senior pastors and pastoral care teams in the United States. Those requirements are found in the new Pastoral Continuing Education Program Guide. To download the guide, click here. Note that the most recent version of this program guide is always linked on the “Church Development” page on the GCI.org website and also on the “Pastors Resources” page on the GCI.online website.

Mozambique

Below is an update on the situation of the GCI churches in Northern Mozambique. For a previous update, click here.

Manuel Vasco recently returned from visiting the last 10 of GCI’s 32 churches in Northern Mozambique that were devastated by the recent flooding. He reports that the trip went well, despite some mishaps along the way due to the ever-present mud and water.

The Chirre River is rising again, though it has not yet reached flood alert levels. Manuel said that it took them an hour in a canoe to cross the river.

Though many still suffer from hunger, the Mozambique members thank their GCI brothers and sisters throughout the world for supporting them with prayer and financial assistance.

Mozambique members eating edible lilys to survive — Eating lilies to survive

South African GCI leader Tim Maguire travelled to Mozambique recently to deposit relief funds. He will return to Mozambique in about a month. To date, GCI in the US has forwarded $20,000 from its GCI Disaster Relief Fund to assist those in need in Mozambique. US congregations wishing to support these disaster relief efforts in Mozambique and elsewhere can donate to the GCI Disaster Relief Fund.

Connecting & Bonding

This update is from Jannice May, who coordinates Connecting & Bonding, which is a parallel ministry affiliated with GCI. Its purpose is to serve the wives of pastors.

The theme for GCI’s Connecting & Bonding conference held recently in the Atlanta area was Resting in Jesus’ Presence. The guest speaker was Lucinda McDowell, who is a pastor’s wife and elder.

Connecting and bonding 1 — Lucinda McDowell at center

Lucinda began Friday night with a presentation entitled, Rest: Come Apart Before You Fall Apart. Citing Jeremiah 6:16, she emphasized the need to stop and find rest for our souls. She also discussed soul care in the context of Psalm 23:2-3. She noted that Jesus, who is our restoration, restores our souls—he cares for us.

On Saturday, Lucinda presented Refuge: The Safest Place to Be. She focused on Psalm 59:9, 16: “You are my strength, I watch for you; you are my fortress, my God, on whom I can rely.” She noted that being held in Jesus’ arms is the safest place to be, and encouraged everyone to take refuge there continually.

The theme on Sunday was Renewal–Step Into the River. Lucinda encouraged the audience to make the most of their time. Focusing on conflict, commitment and courage, she highlighted Joshua 1:9: “ Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Charles Albrecht family

Prayer is requested for Charles Albrecht and his extended family. Charles serves as operations manager for GCI Church Administration and Development, USA.

On Sunday of this week, Charles’ older brother Troy died unexpectedly at the age of 55. Troy had shoulder surgery last week and was recuperating at home. Please pray for Troy’s wife Elaine, their two daughters Shannon and Heather and their two grandchildren Sierra and Gavin. Please also pray for the parents Kenyon and Bonnie Albrecht—you will recall that Bonnie fell eight months ago, has not been able to walk since then and still is enduring periods of intense pain. Charles, his wife Susi and their children Noah and Hannah sincerely appreciate your prayers.

Cards may be sent to:

Elaine Albrecht

909 Raven Croft

Garland, TX 75043

Kenyon and Bonnie Albrecht

9978 Witham St

Dallas, TX 75220

Charles Albrecht

681 Wild Rose Ln

San Dimas, CA 91773

Colombia seminar

This update is from Sonia Orozco, the pastor of one of GCI’s churches in Colombia, South America.

In February, we held our annual seminar in Santa Marta. It was attended by 66 adults and seven children. We thank God for his guidance, support and especially his presence and power in the event.

Guest speakers were GCI pastors Heber Ticas (from Los Angeles) and Hector Barrero (from Bogotá). The seminar was entitled “The Christian and Missionary Model of Jesus.” The focus was on fulfilling the Great Commission, following Jesus’ missionary model.

Each day we had a morning devotional, followed by worship and then seminar meetings. One evening we had a social event at which the various regions of the Colombian Caribbean coast were represented in costumes, songs and dances.

A highlight of the event was the baptism of three young men from our congregation.

Resources for Holy Week

Videos for Holy Week worship services

Many pastors and ministry leaders are now preparing for Holy Week services (Easter this year is March 31). Using video clips in the sermon or other parts of Holy Week services helps connect the audience with the life-transforming messages of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The following list of videos was compiled by Christian Video Magazine. All are available in English; some in Spanish.

Follow utilizes a Twitter interface for a modern retelling of the gospel, challenging people to follow Christ.
A Very Special Sunday is a light-hearted and endearing children’s narration of Easter events. Both children and adults will love it.
He Is Risen is a powerful song; no text.
Easter Prophecy is a visual presentation of Isaiah 53 seen through the lens of Jesus.
Alive: The Story combines scenes from the film by the same name with music from Natalie Grant. Run-time is five minutes, but it could take the place of a song in your worship set.
I Once Was Lost (Amazing Grace II) is inspirited by a Salvation Army ad, with music by an award-winning guitarist.
The Last Painting is a visually stunning piece about Jesus’ crucifixion, which culminates in the final message: “It is finished.”
He Rose makes a great, energetic, Easter worship starter. Its profound message is addressed to all people, including those that may be visiting your church just because it’s Easter Sunday.
Alive! features rockin’ music and straight-forward and effective big-letter messages.
Good Friday features the Skit Guys in four short skits that retell the story of Jesus’ last day from the perspective of six individuals who were close to him. Total run-time is nine minutes, but you could build your service around it, even separating the vignettes with singing, reading or praying.
What Was On His Mind? addresses Jesus’ thoughts as he endured the cross. It ends with verses from Hebrews and a word of thanks to God for what he did.

40 ideas for Holy Week outreach

Looking for ways to do outreach in the Easter season? Click here for 40 ideas.

Beware theological labels

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

As our understanding of who God is (our theology) developed, we began using the term “Incarnational Trinitarian Theology” to identify and summarize our understanding. However, use of that term (and others like it) might cause some problems. First, it might confuse some who are not trained in theology. Second, it might be used by some who do not understand it well. Third, it might be overused and thus become cliché. Last, it might become a denominational label that could lead some to misunderstand what we actually believe and teach.

Along with this letter, we’ve included an article from Gary Deddo titled, “Answering questions about our theology” (click on the link in the column at left). I urge you to read it carefully. As Gary notes, it is helpful to think of Incarnational Trinitarian Theology as describing how we believe rather than merely what we believe. Of course, all orthodox Christians accept the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation. But for us, they are more than two doctrines on a list of many—they are the heart of our faith and worship.

Why is that not so for all Christians? Partly because these truths are deep mysteries beyond our fallen human imaginations. Also, these doctrines at times are poorly taught or not taught at all. Thus it is easy to drift away from this defining core and begin to emphasize secondary (even tertiary) issues. When that happens, everything becomes distorted.

This was seen clearly in the way Jewish religious leaders resisted Jesus. Those leaders looked to Scripture as a source of truth, but disagreed about its details. Nevertheless, they were united against Jesus. And so Jesus told them, “You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want” (John 5:39-40, The Message). Note how Jesus placed himself at the center as the living key to interpreting Scripture. He himself was the source of their life. If they would accept and understand that, they would put their petty disagreements in perspective and come together in acknowledging him as Messiah. Instead, they saw him as a heretic and plotted to kill him.

As Christians today, we can make the same mistake. Even if we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we can sideline the fundamental truths that define who he is. The result is the fragmenting of Christianity into competing “schools” of thought with their own doctrinal distinctives. This leads to a “my Christianity is better than yours” mentality. Though the distinctives may be accurate, they emphasize peripheral matters. The result is that the reality of who God is and what he has done for us in his Son is diminished, if not lost. Division within the Body of Christ results.

That is why we need to avoid using labels in ways that imply that we are setting ourselves apart as having a Christianity that is superior in comparison to others. The reason we use a label at all is to remind ourselves (and others, if they are interested) of the focus of our renewal—the reality of what is revealed in Jesus Christ according to Scripture.

Also, in using a label, we must avoid implying that we are slavishly beholden to some systematic theology or to certain theologians—even those identified as Incarnational or Trinitarian. There are approximately 50 systematic theologies extant today. However, there is no single concrete, uniform, particular school of thought called “Trinitarian Theology.”

For example, Barth, the Torrance brothers and Thomas Oden drew on many other theologians throughout the ages and on the writings of the early church councils. Rather than seeking to establish a new theology, they were seeking to serve Jesus Christ and to build up his church through their teaching and research. Yes, they might be described as “Incarnational Trinitarian Theologians” because they saw that these particular elements of Christian faith were being neglected or even forgotten. They discerned that the church needed to get back on the central path of Christian faith.

When we use the term, “Incarnational Trinitarian Theology,” we are referring to the fact that Jesus is the lens through which we read and interpret the Bible and how we have come to know God. Consequently, any other doctrinal points should flow from and fit with the Trinitarian nature of God. Our role in the administration of our denomination is to pass on the best formulations of Christian theology that we can find—especially on the major issues. We are blessed to incorporate the ideas of the great theologians of Christian history and we can learn from those alive today. But we do not do so slavishly and biblical revelation always has the controlling authority.

So, when we say that we believe and teach Incarnational Trinitarian Theology, we are describing how we understand and believe Scripture based upon Jesus as the centerpiece of God’s plan for humanity. It is perhaps more like your computer’s operating system rather than one of many programs you load into it. Individual doctrines are like the software applications, which must be able to interface with the operating system if they are to work properly. But it’s the operating system that orders, organizes, prioritizes and produces all other useful results.

The focus of our renewal as a denomination has been the very theological issues that have been central to historical, orthodox Christianity. We are not the only branch of the church that neglected or even misunderstood the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation. We hope that we might benefit other parts of the Body of Christ with what we have learned. It is in this spirit that we offer our Speaking of Life and You’re Included videos. If you have not viewed them, I urge you to do so. They will help us all keep the Center in the center, feed our continuing renewal in the Spirit, and enable us to join with all Christians down through the ages in giving witness to the glory of our triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Yours in Christ’s service,

Joseph Tkach

Answering questions about our theology

This update is from Gary Deddo, who serves on GCI’s media team and as personal assistant to GCI president Joseph Tkach. In this article, Gary cautions about labeling ourselves as Incarnational Trinitarians and offers advice concerning answering those who question our theology. His insights help us understand more precisely the nature of our theological perspective.

The label, “Incarnational Trinitarian Theology” should be understood as descriptive rather than as prescriptive of our doctrinal statements. Our critics sometimes want to regard this label as being prescriptive, but that is not the case. Also, it is not the case that our theological perspective is Barthian or Torrancian or whatever. At best, such labels are only partially descriptive. Any similarities are definitely not prescriptive.
What is prescriptive for us is the reality of who God has revealed himself to be in Jesus Christ according to Scripture. Our theological formulations are derived from and meant to point faithfully to that reality, which exceeds what can be contained in our theological understandings.
When we quote any theologians positively, or even when the historic Christian Creeds are referenced, they are being used as illustrative of our own theological position, not as a source or final norm of it. They show that other members of the Body of Christ at other times and places grasped the biblical revelation in a way similar to how we have come to understand it. It demonstrates that we are concerned not to be esoteric or eccentric in our teaching and that we believe that other members of the Body of Christ can be helpful to us, saying at least as well, if not better than ourselves, how we also understand God’s Word.
Given what is noted above, the label “Incarnational Trinitarian Theology” is not meant to indicate that we hold to a special (or superior) form of Christianity. It indicates that the center and heart of our faith and worship corresponds to the center and heart of the revelation of the gospel itself—just as the whole of the historic, orthodox church has done down to this day. This label reminds us of the core reality of who God is and has revealed himself to be in and through Jesus Christ, according to Scripture. It also represents the nature of our renewal and restoration to true Christian faith which we have come to share with all the Christian church. If others have been pushed or pulled off-center we hold out to them these foundational truths, from which flow all other Christian doctrines, that they too might be renewed and restored in their faith and worship.
Some critics say we don’t make distinctions between believers and non-believers because of the way we speak of God having a oneness of mind, heart and purpose towards all. Though it is not true, they say we affirm universalism. Why do they come to this wrong conclusion? Because they make inferences from our statements about God to our views about his creatures. “If God regards all the same way, then all must regard God the same way.” But we do not come to our understanding through logical inferences made from one single affirmation about God. That would amount to both bad theology and bad logic. No simple logical inference is ever necessarily true, most especially when moving from God to talking about creatures.
It seems that their critique of our theology is a mirror-image of how their own theology works. Seeing a difference between believers and non-believers, they then imagine a corresponding difference in God. Again, they make a simple logical inference, but this time in the reverse direction: from a description of the differences among humans to what God then must prescribe for that difference among human persons. We do not reason in that way. Doing so would, in our view, constitute mythological projection, which is idolatry. Doing so would mean concluding something about what God prescribes from a description of individual creatures or a class of them. John Calvin made this mistake in reasoning in his polemical writings about predestination. Thankfully, he did not succumb to that faulty reasoning in most of his writings on theology (in his Institutes and elsewhere).
Typically, the difference between our viewpoint and that of those who criticize it, is that we start with God’s self-revelation as the criterion for our statements about God (“only God reveals God”). We do not start with our own, or even the Bible’s descriptions of how humans respond differently to God and then logically infer something about who God is and what God wants for his human creatures. Descriptions of human creatures and even of their potential eternal ends, either by means of our own observations or by reference to isolated biblical passages interpreted out of context, do not prescribe for us a definitive revelation of who God is and what he wants. Jesus Christ alone, according to divine revelation (Scripture) alone, prescribes for us our trust in and understanding of God’s heart, mind, purposes and character. On that basis, we conclude that God is a redeemer who has a redemptive nature and heart, does not want any to perish, but wants all to repent and receive eternal life. That is, God is identical in character to Jesus Christ who is Lord and Savior.
Some condemn or dismiss our theological stance, typically labeling it as Universalism, Aminianism or Calvinism. However, we have no need to be aligned with a particular school of theology. Though each school has understandings deserving our consideration, each also has significant weaknesses that obscure important, even crucial elements of the biblical revelation. Those weaknesses have not only been identified by us but have been brought to light in the ongoing discussions and debates down through the history of the church. While we share faith in the same realities as do all Christians, our theological understanding and articulation does not fall neatly along the lines drawn in the typical Universalist-Arminian-Calvinist debates.
Those who are satisfied with one of these primary theological traditions and insist that these are the only options, likely will not be able to properly hear our theological testimony or grasp its source and norm the way we do. Their critiques likely will assume that we have bought into the one or two theological options which they have rejected—ones that might include being “incarnational” or “Trinitarian.” While we can offer our reasons for why and how we understand the Christian faith the way we do, we don’t have to accept any labels nor defend the one we use. We are simply trying to be as faithful as we can in understanding and explaining the biblical revelation. We hold out our convictions first to our own members for their benefit and second to others in trust—hoping that others might be renewed and blessed as we have been as the Lord has corrected and restored us.
It was not a particular theology or theologian who transformed Grace Communion International. Rather it was Jesus Christ speaking through his Holy Word who revealed to us the true nature and character of God. Grace Communion International was grasped by the gospel of Jesus Christ, as our Lord placed himself at the center of our worship and faith. If the label, “Incarnational Trinitarian Theology” properly describes that transformation, then we accept it. However, we have no need to defend a label, for it prescribes nothing.

Brian Queener

This prayer update is from GCI pastor Mark Queener concerning his son Mark. For the last prayer request for Brian, click here.

I am happy to report that Brian was released from the hospital on February 19. He’s living with Rhonda and me while he recovers. Although he is being treated as a diabetic for now, doctors say he may not have diabetes when he is fully recovered. Please join us in praying that this will be the case. We also ask you to pray with us about the next milestone in his recovery, that the sources of fluid being drained from his pancreas will soon stop producing fluid. Thank you very much for your love and concern. Brian is making good progress, but he still has a ways to go.

Year: 2013