Living a Gospel Lifestyle

Dear GCI Family and Friends,

I hope the title caught your attention. I also hope that it didn’t frighten or intimidate you.

Often, when we talk about the Christian life, we need to break it down and simplify it. Dr. Barry Corey does a great job of this in his book, Love Kindness. Allow me to share an enlightening section.

Living a life of radical kindness, a life that others are watching, means owning up to the fact that our lives are messy and uncertain, our roads are crooked. We don’t have it all together. The kind life acknowledges that we have little true certainty, a claim that seems so countercultural. The wonder in which we live as people of the Spirit is that the wind of the Spirit – as the Gospel of John says – “blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (3:8). It blows without our logic and where it pleases. As my home church pastor said, “God is totally reliable but hardly predictable.” (p. 30)

What I take from the wisdom of John, Barry, and Barry’s pastor, is that I am in a relational journey with Jesus and guided by the Spirit. My idea of getting from point A to point B is not typically the map the Spirit has in mind. A recent example was when I was on a three-day golf vacation with a group of professional people ranging from doctors to lawyers, and business owners to politicians. A neighborhood friend invited me to participate. Three of us were on the balcony one night, observing the stars and anticipating the solar eclipse that was to happen in a few days.

I was expecting the conversation to ebb toward science and evolution, and the Spirit took it in another direction — a creation that demands a Creator. Then a follow-up question was, “What is this Creator up to?” I suggested that what we were experiencing at our retreat is exactly what the Creator wants for all his children — friends who are for each other, sharing fun (like golf), good food, and healthy relationships. One guy exclaimed, “That would be Nirvana.” I said Jesus called it the kingdom of God, and my friend let out a resounding, “Hallelujah.” The Spirit blows where he wills.

There is a popular and provocative quotation from C.S. Lewis when Mr. Beaver answers Lucy’s question about Aslan, the Lion. Lucy asks if Aslan is safe, and Mr. Beaver replies, “Safe? … Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” (The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe)

This quote helps us to think more deeply about the triune God, especially Jesus. In Lewis’ allegory, Aslan represents Jesus. We’ve already discussed the fascinating and mysterious way the Spirit moves through our lives and through us to reach others. My good friend, Dr. Gary Deddo, a theologian who teaches a graduate course on the writings of Lewis, provided this overview of Aslan.

Given all that Aslan says and does through all the Chronicles and what he says about God in his other discursive works, I believe, represents the fact that God’s will and actions are not exactly predictable. He cannot be threatened or bribed, manipulated or compromised. He is implacably opposed to evil and will one day obliterate it. He can and will oppose us if needed. He can lead us or put us into dangerous and challenging situations—but what he does do and how he does lead is for our truest and best good—even when we can’t see or understand it now. Aslan teaches us that, in retrospect, one day, we will see that it was all coming from his wise, loving and life-giving purpose for us and all. Just as we see in the incarnate life of Jesus, Lord of lords and King of kings.

Being in awe of God and embracing his majestic and mysterious ways is hugely important to living a gospel lifestyle. Then giving over to the spiritual fruit of kindness towards others will allow us to have those incredible opportunities to speak of the kingdom of God. That evening on the balcony with my two golf buddies was all about listening to them, praying silently for Jesus to tangibly meet us in our conversation, and then to simply state that the kingdom of God is about right, peaceful relationships among all people under the sovereignty of Jesus. Can I get a hallelujah?

Blow freely Spirit, blow!

Greg Williams

Devotional—Stand Firm

As disciples living out the great commission given by Jesus, there will come a time when we need to be encouraged. Living life on this journey during “ordinary” time, we may find ourselves sometimes lost in the everyday life of this discipleship walk. Loving our neighbor can be difficult, especially if we allow our God-given differences to interfere.

More than ever, we need to remember: It is all about Jesus, period. Knowing that God is always working allows us to view our moments of participation with gratitude and humility. It is indeed an honor to take part in the work being done on earth.

However, we will find that there will be occasions of quiet and silence. We will begin to wonder, am I in the right place? Am I doing my part? Are you still using me, Lord? Let us take these times to remind ourselves not to fear the silence. In these times we need to stand firm in the faith.

The waiting and silence are part of the process. As disciples we need to be ready for the next thing. We are right where we should be as we put the Lord first in all things and do all in love. May it all be to his glory.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Prayer:
Lord, as we wait in the quiet times we will continue to trust you. Please work in and through us in all things. Lord, we thank you for having us pause, listen, and wait for the next direction. As we wait, help us through the power of the Holy Spirit to stand firm in the faith. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Tamar Gray, Pastor
Cleveland, OH, US

Healthy Church—Strategic Retreats

For information on preparing a strategic planning retreat for your ministry team, read this Equipper article.

Leaders’ Retreat Focused on Missions, Australia

During President Dr. Greg Williams’ visit in May, we had the joy of holding a Vision Pastors & young leaders’ retreat. The Superintendent for Latin America and National Coordinator for Church Multiplication, Heber Ticas, also joined us. This culminated in the Sunday worship service where Greg gave the sermon and an update on the church in the U.S.

Discussions at the retreat centered around missions. Topics included:

- - The Harmonious Flow
  - Understanding Mission
  - Outside the Walls
  - Healthy Church Multiplication and Church Planting

The sessions were interspersed with enjoyable activities and fellowship, along with delicious meals. Matt Sianidis led us in meaningful worship on his guitar. Having a retreat such as this provided a pleasant and relaxed environment conducive to getting to know one another and strengthening relationships. At the end of the day, everything is built around relationships, our loving relationships with God and with one another — the basis of all missions and all that we do.

Daphne Sidney, Superintendent of Australasia
Logan, Queensland, Australia

Hope Avenue Team, Hyderabad, India

A one-day Hope Avenue retreat was conducted for all the worship team members in the Hyderabad congregation. Our focus was “What does it mean to be a true worshipper and a disciple of Christ as a worship team member?”

As Jesus’ disciples in this ministry, we stressed how we are called to continually train, teach, and equip one another and the congregation as we lead from the front unto excellence for the Lord. Using Galatians 2:20 as a guide, we looked at these four areas of equipping.

F- Faithful to the Lord and our calling
A- Available to this cause
T- Teachable to learn and grow, to take correction where needed
E- Enthusiastic, passionately committed to this ministry

Practical tips and exercises were included, such as breathwork and pronunciation. We also emphasized the importance of being well-versed with the scriptures and living a prayer-filled life.
We had a breakout activity by our group: musicians, worship leaders, and back-up vocals. With the help of assigned verses, we answered the following questions and then presented our conclusions to the team.

- - - Who we are?
    - Why are we on the worship team (our roles and responsibilities)?
    - What is our role on a weekly basis to the congregation?

The workshop produced enthusiasm, renewed harmony, and joy of serving the Lord. The presentations by the three groups were insightful and practical, as well as enriching in the Lord. We ended with a deliberate and purposeful extended time of prayer.

By Pastor Sachin Nirale, Shanti Nirale, Pastor Praveen Chinta, the GCI-India Editorial Team

Excerpted, with permission, from the GCI India Newsletter. You can request to be added to the subscription list of this quarterly newsletter by emailing office@gcind.org.

Healthy Church—Neighborhood Camps

Richardson, Texas, US

GC Richardson’s Neighborhood Camp hosted 22 campers, two teen helpers, and 25 adult volunteers for three days in June. With a medieval theme dubbed “Skills Faire,” we focused on becoming “more than conquerors through Christ” (Romans 8:37). Volunteers taught 16 skills including robotics, first aid, cooking, drawing, bicycle maintenance, sign language, soldering and electronics, flipbook animation, arm knitting, graphic design. Indoor and outdoor activities included ping pong, basketball, kites, water games, Hula-Hoop, and creative imagination station.

Our twice-daily spirit rallies focused on relational skills for conquering conflict, anxiety, and fear, and pursuing unity, peace, and trust. Devotional and fun, spirit rallies pointed to Jesus as the one through whom we are more than conquerors, the one who gives us victory as we face life’s challenges.

Campers and parents said they are looking forward to next year and hope for more camp days to be added. Skills camp provided opportunity for both learning and fun! We thank Father, Son and Spirit for the time, talents and resources God provided that made camp possible.

Christine Ojih, Camp Director
Richardson, TX, US

Big Sandy, Texas, US

Seventeen campers (9 teens and 8 mini-campers), along with 23 staff members, enjoyed three days of challenging fun at GC Big Sandy in June. Each day started with a yummy lunch and included an afternoon snack. Camp ended at 5 pm on Thursday and Friday. At the end of the camp activities on Saturday, we hosted a spaghetti dinner for the campers’ families. Forty-one were present for the delicious meal professionally served by the teen campers

Each day after lunch, I shared a short devotional corresponding to the camp theme of “The Great Adventure!” Also, the mini-campers had fun learning about the seven days of creation in Genesis. Activities included team challenges, crafts, and outdoor play, including water games.

Our Love Avenue team did a great job in planning this year’s neighborhood camp! God blessed us with many special opportunities to get to know one another and bless the young people and their families in our neighborhood.

Jerome Ellard, Pastor
Big Sandy, TX, US

Celebrating 50 Years

L to R: Daphne Sidney, Bob and Kathy Regazzoli, Greg Williams

Congratulations on 50 years of service and participation!

Pastor Bob and Kathy Regazzoli, of Carina, Queensland, Australia, were honoured last month for their 50 years of devoted service to Jesus and his church. They were celebrated and acknowledged before the congregation for their many years of dedication to ministry in GCI. True partners in ministry, Kathy and Bob were also celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary.

Bob and Kathy, thank you for your faithfulness, and may God continue to bless your participation.

Death of Sudhir Singh

Dr. Sudhir C. Singh, one of the founding members of GCI India, died on April 30, 2024. He was 82 years old. He retired as Medical Officer from Saurashtra Chemicals, Gujarat. He was a prolific writer and had a witty sense of humor. He was part of the GCI India editorial team, and he contributed many spiritually enriching articles. GCI India cherishes the beautiful memories of Dr. Sudhir Singh and celebrates his life. He is survived by his wife, Sheeba Singh, a son, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson.

Prayer Guide—August 2024

“In prayer, real prayer, we begin to think God’s thoughts after Him: to desire the things He desires, to love the things He loves, to will the things He wills.” — Richard J. Foster

Through prayer, we connect with the heart of God and the needs of God’s people. Download the August Prayer Guide and unite with us in prayer.

Click here or the image below to see the full prayer guide.

Would you like to receive this Prayer Guide straight to your email inbox before the first of the month? Sign up here.

GCS Fall Semester

Study with us at GCS!

Registration for the 2024 Fall Semester begins soon!
Academic Advising and Registration: August 26 – September 5

Lectures begin September 9 and final papers will be due December 15.

Below are the 7 courses that GCS is tentatively offering this semester.

BI540	Using Biblical Greek Study Tools	Mike Morrison
CH501	Church History: The First Millennium	Stephen L. Dolson-Andrew
CM507	Experiencing the Trinity	Larry Hinkle
CM508	Church Planting and Development	Randy Bloom
CM511	Homiletics	Dan Rogers
FE501-3	Field Education	Randy Bloom
TH515	Theological Ethics	Gary Deddo

We’re Hiring

GCI is hiring!

A full-time position is now open at the Grace Communion International (GCI) Home Office in Charlotte, NC, U.S. We’re looking for a qualified Media Coordinator. See the job description here.

The position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. If you would like further details on the position or would like a GCI job application, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@gci.org or 980-495-3960.

Please share this announcement with qualified candidates who may be gifted for this position at the Home Office.