Jesus is the true center

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Though you’ve probably not heard of Austrian immigrant Leo Hirshfield, I’m sure you’re familiar with what he invented in 1896—an oblong, individually wrapped, bite-size piece of chewy chocolate candy, which Leo named after his five-year-old daughter nicknamed Tootsie. That invention, of course, is the Tootsie Roll, which Hirshfield sold in his New York City candy store for a penny a piece. Now in 2015, 64 million pieces are being made daily by Tootsie Roll Industries.

It was 36 years after the Tootsie Roll was invented that Lukas Weisgram added a flavored hard candy shell to a piece of Tootsie Roll and named it the Tootsie Pop. That the shell conceals the chewy center gives rise to a well-known question: How many licks does it take to get to the center? Tests indicate it takes from 600 to 800, but if you’re like me, you bite through the shell to get right to the good stuff in the center.

Tootsie_Pops_1 — Creative commons attribution

Though sad, it’s interesting that the Tootsie Pop’s construction can serve as a metaphor for those who, instead of getting to the true center of biblical truth, remain fixated on peripheral issues that tend to conceal (even negate) the “good stuff” found at the center. Some authors and preachers “major in the minors”—virtually ignoring the true center of Scripture and Christian faith, offering instead novel (one might say fanciful) ways to find what they wrongly suppose to be the center.

One author counted the total verses in the Bible (31,174 in one English translation) in order to locate the middle verse (Psalm 118:8 by his calculation). The same author felt confirmed in his approach by noting that Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the Bible (2 verses) and Psalm 119 is the longest (176 verses). Though such calculations may be interesting, they certainly are not the way to find the Bible’s true center.

Others have used even more fanciful (one might say superstitious) ways of identifying the Bible’s true center. A popular approach in our day is a method referred to as “Bible code,” which searches out secret messages supposedly hidden in the text of the Bible. Individual letters, which are lifted out of the text at equal intervals, are put together to reveal the hidden message. But this approach is utter nonsense. By using the same approach you can find messages hidden in any book of sufficient length. There is no valid reason to think that the central meaning, purpose and message of the Bible can be discovered by counting words or by deciphering hidden messages. Such fanciful and superstitious approaches have been debunked time and again.

Used with permission of Zondervan (Biblia) — *Follow Me!*
(used with permission of Zondervan)

The true center of the Bible is not a verse at its middle or a message hidden away in its text, but a person—Jesus Christ. Not only is he the Bible’s true center, he is the center of the universe—all that was created was created by him, for him and through him. Jesus is not just the center of the Christian faith—he is the center of all things and Christianity came into being and was named after him. Jesus inaugurated a new way of living for humanity—he lives in us and we live in him by the personal activity of the Holy Spirit.

According to Jesus, the primary reason for the Bible is to bear witness to him. The Bible is God’s story of redemption and salvation—Jesus. The story of grace—Jesus. The story of the way, the truth and the resurrection—Jesus. The story of eternal life—Jesus.

Out of his personal knowledge, Jesus reveals to us the Father and the Spirit. He reconciles us and brings us into the very presence of the Father and the Spirit. He is the reason for the Bible and its author, focus, theme and main character. Jesus is the true center.

The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus is the Word—the ultimate word of God for us and to us. God’s definitive form of speech is the inscription of God’s word to us in the person of Jesus. This is the truth with which John begins his Gospel:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1, 14).

Consequently, Jesus (the Word) alone can give us authoritative knowledge of the whole Triune God:

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known (John 1:18).

The writers of the Bible (the written word of God) tell us that the ultimate, final, definitive living Word of God is none other than the Word of God made flesh, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the living Bible, the incarnation and inscription of the very nature and truth of God. Yes, Jesus is the true center.

Staying centered on him,
Joseph Tkach

PS: October is pastor appreciation month, and though I’m deeply grateful for our pastors every month of the year, I want to take this opportunity to express my special thanks to each of them, and also to their spouses who serve with them. As a fellowship, we are greatly blessed to have faithful, humble servant-leaders to care for our part of the body of Christ. Pastors, please take care of yourselves too (and those who love them, please help them do so)—for a brief message highlighting that need, click here.

Stephen Larison

GCI-USA Regional Pastor Randy Bloom provided this update concerning Stephen Larison, son of Eric and Sue Larison. Eric pastors GCI’s congregation in Syracuse, New York. Randy had the honor of leading a special “blessing ceremony” for Stephen the day he left to enter the U.S. Naval Academy. At the end of the ceremony, all present sang the hymn mentioned below. Randy said it was a particularly moving ceremony (no dry eyes!), since Randy had performed a blessing of children ceremony for Stephen just after he was born.

It has been a momentous year for Eric and Sue Larison along with their son Stephen, who graduated from high school on June 28 and was inducted into the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) on July 1. Steve also had been offered appointments to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a full ROTC scholarship to the University of Rochester. The decision was not easy, but Steve felt he would have the most opportunities by going to the USNA as part of the Class of 2019. Steve started classes there following “I-Day” and “Plebe Summer.” He is now serving as a member of the USNA’s Drum and Bugle Corps (if you watch a Navy football game you might see Steve performing in the half-time show).

An Eagle Scout, Steve has many other accomplishments to his credit. At his high school graduation, he received awards for leadership, community service, athletics, and academics, and his peers selected him to be the honors graduate speaker. Steve also received several scholarships including the Driver/Sweet Scholarship, one of the top scholarships offered to graduates from his high school (his father Eric received the same scholarship 37 years ago). He also was awarded the Lt. Patrick Kelly Connor, USN, Scholarship to help develop new leaders with Christian values in the United States Military.

During high school, Steve was active in his GCI congregation and in a local Young Life chapter. At the USNA, he is part of the a choir serving the USNA Chapel most Sundays during the academic year.

Steve’s GCI congregation in Syracuse now sings the hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” (known as the “Navy Hymn”—click here to watch an excerpt on YouTube). The fourth verse of the hymn is the congregation’s prayer for Steve:

O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them where so e’er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

Camp reports

Now that we’ve come to the end of the summer camp season, we have a couple more GenMin camps to tell you about: New Heights and SEP Montana.

New Heights, Connecticut

This report is from camp director Dishon Mills.

New Heights 2015 was fantastic! God poured out his love on us—64 campers and 65 staffers. We began with a block party to get acquainted. That evening we held our first chapel—from the beginning, the campers enthusiastically worshiped God. In accordance with our Epic Story theme, we discussed how God has a story in which we are all part. Our theme song, Rez Power by Israel & New Breed, was introduced. It was an instant hit. We also introduced the Great Book, a gigantic book made to record the stories of our campers. On the first page, campers were asked to write their “working titles”—names they are called and they call themselves that hide the truth of who they are. It was very sobering to read what some of our youth wrote.

On Monday, we began our first full day of activities, including dance, riflery, team-building, science, arts/crafts and biking. This year we added Turning Point (a class that helps campers think about important moments in their lives and how they were impacted) and mountain boarding (like skate boarding but with a longer board with giant wheels and a hand brake—perfect for coasting down New Heights’ many hills). One of the last activities of the day was Showtime, a showcase of skits, songs, dances, etc. by our campers. We ended the day with the Pavilion Party, a series of messy, wild, and hilarious games. Marshmallows, women’s make up, and a sing off were all featured.

On Thursday we held a concert. We were blessed to have several staff who are talented artists. All acts delivered uplifting, Christian messages, letting our campers know that they do not have to give up their music to follow God.

On Friday, we began by baptizing two young people; 15 others dedicated their lives to Christ. God is so good! Each baptism reminds us why we do camp. We then conducted archery and riflery challenges and our first “water war”—a structured water fight where good behavior and actions during the week earned dorms more “water-power.” The staff got in on the action, handing out “justice” with their water blasters. Water war made a big splash (sorry!) and will, no doubt, be one of our signature events.

We closed the day with a beautiful ceremony. The Great Book made another appearance, this time we turned the page to record our True Titles. Campers wrote who they believe God made them to be. It was moving and inspiring to see the transformation our campers underwent in just a week. A banquet followed, and the evening closed with a dance.

New Heights does not happen without its incredible volunteers. As those who pour into the campers, it is important for staff to be spiritually nourished as well. New Heights was blessed to have five lead pastors and five elders attend. With their help we were able to have a morning devotion each day for staff members.

SEP Montana

This report is from camp director Tobe Johnson.

SEP Montana is a faith-based community youth camp held on the banks of Canyon Ferry Lake near Helena, Montana. It was started by Living Hope Fellowship, a GCI congregation. Staff are recruited primarily from community churches, and campers come from across the community. 2015 was our ninth year. We had 116 campers and 60 staff members.

We faced many challenges this year, including learning in March that our regular camp location was unavailable. But God provided and we found another location that gives us room to grow. Though some of our regular staff were unable to participate due to the change of dates, God provided new staff members and allowed existing ones to move into new roles. The change of dates also caused problems with campers’ schedules. We had to refund some deposits. Despite these challenges (or perhaps because of them) we had the best camp ever.

This year, due to GenMin Converge conference participant donations, we were able to add a new dorm for girls (we use tents for dorms). This year we also added a Staff in Training (SIT) Program for kids who are still campers, but show interest in becoming members of our camp staff.

This year we had 44 church and community donor sponsors—a new record for us. We are happy to partner with various church and community organizations to make a difference in kids’ lives. Those organizations include Kiwanis, Wal-Mart and Staples. Our largest donor core is made up of GCI groups, including GCI churches in our region. Thank you!

This year 22 people committed their lives to Christ, including Michael (not his real name) who is about 12 years old. His interactions with several staff members throughout the week went something like this:

Day 1, to our Christian Living teacher: “I’m a wiccan. Don’t try to convert me.”
Day 2, to another staff member: “Actually, I’m not a wiccan, but my mom is.”
Day 3, to another staff member: “I actually might want to get baptized someday, but not this year.
Day 4: “I think I might want to get baptized this year. Do you think that I can?”

It is our policy to ask parents about baptism on their child’s applications. Michael’s application had checked: “Do not baptize child. Do not call to ask.” Our chaplain explained this to Michael and how we honor our parents and how God will watch over him until a later time when he could get baptized. He seemed to understand and take it all well. God reached out to Michael in 2015 and we all got to witness to it.

This year we baptized 30 campers and staff members in Canyon Ferry Lake—the highest count in our camp history. Another group camping nearby heard about our baptism service and one of the women in that group asked if she could be baptized. In the middle of her camp, with 15 or so of her friends listening in, we talked about baptism, what it pictures, and about God’s unconditional love for us all. At the end of our time, I told her that if she wanted to be baptized, show up at our baptism service, and we would be glad to baptize her. As we were standing out in the water on Friday morning, with a line of kids and staff waiting their turn to enter the water, I looked back at the shore and there she was—standing in line with the rest of those waiting their turn!

Kenya update

This update is from Anthony Gachanja, GCI’s national director for Kenya. Anthony has been visiting GCI members in congregations scattered across Kenya, bringing them encouragement. Recently, the members have been reciprocating by visiting Anthony and his wife Jane at their home (they are pictured at right on another occasion with Charles Albrecht and Joseph Tkach).

Here in Kenya we are doing quite well. We thank God for his grace. An interesting trend has been happening—members of our churches have been visiting my family here at our home, and this has really encouraged us. Some of the groups have called these visits, “a time for paying back.” According to them, they have visited us for two reasons: To show us they have been appreciating our visits to their churches, and to get to know our home. Three churches have visited us in the last three months and a fourth is working on a time for their visit. Our house is open to all. The photos below were taken during these visits.

Kenya

Are you called to be a church planter?

Do you sense God calling you to start a new GCI congregation? The call to be a church planter is challenging, and through GCI Church Multiplication Ministries (CMM), we’re here to help.

If you’d like to read a helpful, short (and free!) book about that calling, click here. You’ll also find a self-assessment instrument on CMM’s website. It will help you explore your sense of calling.

If you’d like to discuss becoming a church planter in GCI, feel free to contact your pastor, your regional pastor and/or CMM national coordinator Heber Ticas (see his contact information on the CMM website).

Union & ministry with Christ, part 5

Here is part 5 of an 8-part essay by Dr. Gary Deddo titled “The Christian life and our participation in Christ’s continuing ministry.” To read other parts, click on a number: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8. For all 8 parts combined in one article, click here.

*Without Purse or Script* by Liz Lemon Swindle (used with permission)

Recap of part 4

In part 4 we saw how union with Christ is a way of talking about our core identity in terms of our meaning, significance, security, dignity and destiny. This identity is both a gift given, and a settled fact. Because Jesus is alive—still fully and really human as one of us—and because he continues to minister by his Spirit on the basis of his accomplished work, we are able to participate and have fellowship and communion with him in everything we do. But what does our participation with Jesus in his continuing ministry look like? The New Testament gives several examples. Here in part 5 we’ll look at one of them in depth.

Going against the grain

Though we can live in denial, hiding the truth by attempting to depart from Christ, doing so cannot undo the truth of who we actually are in Christ. We may get splinters, but we cannot change the grain of the wood when we go against it. The only choice we really have is 1) to affirm the reality with our minds and in our actions, or 2) deny the reality of who Christ is and who we are in relationship to him.

In seeking to honor Christ in their actions, some ask, What would Jesus do? But a better question, if we want to truly participate with Christ, is this: What is Jesus doing? Answering this question leads us to seek to discover what Jesus is doing in the present situation and consider how we can get involved with his activity. When we see the depth of the grace of God in uniting us to Christ to share with us his communion with the Father, what else can we possibly do with our lives except to go where he goes, do what he does, and live for the glory of the Father as he always has and still is doing?

What does participation look like? Jesus and feeding the 5,000

The story told in Mark 6:30-44 illustrates how our union with Christ and our participation in his ministry are held together. As it begins, Jesus took some unanticipated initiative. He told the disciples that they should feed these 5,000 people. They’d been listening to the teachings of Jesus until very late that afternoon. There was, perhaps, just enough time to get home by nightfall to prepare supper. So the disciples were astounded at Jesus’ suggestion. How could they possibly feed so many? They didn’t have two years’ worth of wages in their wallets to buy bread, and they certainly didn’t have a chain of bakeries ready to deliver truckloads of it.

Jesus had asked them to do the impossible. But Jesus was not stymied by their incredulity. He had another word for them: “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” I’m sure the disciples must have wondered at the relevance of such a request. But it got worse. The results of their count yielded only five loaves and just two fish. The disciples did not know what to do next.

Bezau ( Vorarlberg ). Saint Jodok parish church: Fresco ( 1925 ) showing the feeding of the multitude by Ludwig Glötzle — *The Feeding of the Multitude,* fresco by Ludwig Glötzle
(used with permission via Wikimedia Commons)

Jesus provided some leadership. He directed the disciples to get all the people to sit down in groups. The people actually did what the disciples asked, though it would not have been clear what would follow. Some must have muttered, “It’s getting a little late, isn’t it? I thought he was finished.” Next, Jesus took from them the loaves and fish. He looked up to heaven, directing his gaze and his words of thanksgiving for the food to his heavenly Father, for what was going to take place not only would involve Jesus and his disciples but also Jesus with his Father. He broke the fish and loaves in pieces to distribute to the twelve standing around him.

Then the disciples were called back into action. Jesus directed them to hand out the food to the people. I suspect that the people followed the example of the disciples and broke off pieces to give to those next to them. Almost without realizing (Mark here is so understated!), “they all ate and were filled.” Not only that, but from those five loaves and two fish, there were twelve baskets full of broken pieces of bread and fish leftover! Twelve baskets—one for each of the disciples. Can you imagine their reaction as each one brought back a basket full after handing out just a few scraps?

How did this happen? We could simply say Jesus performed a miracle. Of course, but how did he go about it? Was it with great fanfare, a spectacular Hollywood magic show complete with light, mirrors and smoke by which the amazing Jesus impressed us again with his phenomenal powers? Not at all. Jesus did not multiply the loaves and fish by himself. In fact, he drew very little attention to himself. In lifting the food to heaven and saying a blessing, Jesus understood himself as dependent on his Father. This situation was like all the others he encountered in his earthly life: Jesus only did what he saw his Father doing (John 5:19).

Jesus participated in the actions of his Father. Further, Jesus had said to the disciples, “You feed them,” and they did. Jesus (with his Father) not only could have provided the loaves and fishes, but he could have had the disciples stand back, saying “Watch this, boys!” and sent those loaves and fishes flying instantly right into the laps of all 5,000. What an amazing magical moment that would have been! But he didn’t go about it that way at all. He involved his disciples. They participated with him in feeding the hungry.

I am not suggesting that Jesus needed the disciples—or even their fish and loaves. That would be a gross misrepresentation of the truth. But rather, Jesus delighted to find ways for his disciples to get involved in the very things he and his Father were doing. Did these disciples have the understanding or the resources needed for the task? Not at all. But Jesus found a wonderful way for them to participate in his humble exhibition of the divine compassion of his heavenly Father. The disciples got to be involved in the very thing Jesus (and his Father) was doing. I’m sure they were astounded—not just that all the people got fed, but that he took what was theirs, made it his own, and then gave it back to them to serve the people in his name. Can you imagine the joy and wonder of being involved in God’s feeding of 5,000?

Partnership with Christ

This Gospel story illustrates Christian life and ministry. What is needed, good and right, is always overwhelming, even seemingly impossible. We hear a word from Jesus that sounds like “You feed them,” and we quickly become aware that we have so little. It’s humiliating, at least to our pride, to admit how meager our resources are compared to the compassionate aims of God. At that point the question becomes, Will we act in faith, trusting in the character of the one calling for our action and obedience? Will we give him what we have so we can see what he will do with what little we really offer to him?

We may offer to him our failures and our sin in confession, or offer our resources, action plans and obedience with thanksgiving. Will we trust him to do with our meager action just as he did with those first disciples? Will we marvel at the miracle of participating in Christ’s own obedience to the Father in his continuing ministry to his neighbors and his world? That’s the wonder of Christ’s Lordship—he always makes room for our participation, though we never really have what it takes. It is only in partnership with him, in fellowship and communion, in union with him, that we reflect the glory of God as his children.

Death of Luann Patrickson

We were greatly saddened to learn of the recent death of Luann Patrickson. Here is a message from her husband, George Patrickson, who is a retired GCI-Canada pastor:

It is with a heavy heart that I write to let you know Luann died on October 12 in Lions Gate hospital. During her last week she started experiencing severe difficulties and was admitted to the hospital. Her condition was deteriorating quite rapidly and she spent her final two days under palliative care. The family was able to be with her and each had time alone to say their personal goodbye.

It will be difficult coming to terms with the fact that she is no longer with us and we will miss her warmth, kindness, gentle spirit and all the many wonderful things she brought into our lives.

On behalf of Luann and all the family, I thank everyone for their love and prayers offered for her over the last 12 months as she battled cancer. She was appreciative of these and of the many cards and messages she received.

Prayers for the family over the next while would also be appreciated as we come to terms with her passing.

Cards may be sent to:

George Patrickson
1936 Hyannis Drive
North Vancouver, BC
V7H 2E4

New pastoral team in Anchorage

On September 27, Associate Regional Pastor Tim Sitterley had the blessing of installing Bill Kranich, Martin Registe and Susan Krueger as the members of a new Pastoral Team that will be serving GCI’s congregation in Anchorage, Alaska. The team replaces retiring Lead Pastor Don Marson.

AK team — (L to R) Tim Sitterley, Bill Kranich, Martin Registe, Susan Krueger and Don Marson.

AK pass baton — Passing the baton of leadership.

Don, with his wife Anne Marie (pictured below), has served in some form of ordained ministry for over 40 years, including the last seven as lead pastor in the Anchorage congregation. Don and Ann Marie will remain as members of the congregation, and have plans to travel frequently.

Our sincere thanks to the Marsons for their many years of ministry and our congratulations to the new pastoral team.