Elizabeth Mullins – Page 23

Healthy Church—Leadership Equipping

Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

In September, GCI Australia held a four-day leadership conference and family weekend in Caloundra. More than 50 pastors and leaders participated in Healthy Church presentations and discussions. Topics included: transformational change, reviewing Healthy Church indicators by congregation for missional identity, and reviewing indicators based on the Faith, Hope and Love Avenues.

Sessions helped unpack the multi-faceted life of a disciples who make disciples and provided some practical steps for our congregations to be further equipped as disciple-making churches participating with Jesus. The 5 P’s were explained as one helpful model.

- - Proximity — meeting people where they are.
  - Presence — walking beside someone, spending time to build and sow into the relationship.
  - Patience — taking the time to journey with them.
  - Partnership — introducing them to others in our friendship circles or small groups.
  - Proclamation — introducing them to Jesus as the Spirit leads, encouraging their integration into the life and ministry of the church.

Discipleship may take years and is based on walking beside a friend, sharing the love of God, and allowing God to work in our relationships. Small Groups are an ideal place for including new people and a way of introducing them into the life of the church.

To connect with the community and friends, a family activity was organized on Saturday at a nearby park. Many neighborhood children came and enjoyed face painting, games, and ice-cream. The event also provided an opportunity to reconnect with friends who had been previously affiliated with GCI, particularly through S.E.P. At the end of the day, an enjoyable S.E.P.-style dance was held. We hope the doors have been opened for these connections to continue to grow and flourish. We have such a grace-filled message of love, hope and faith to share.

A great highlight was the baptism of two young people. It was wonderful to witness them publicly declare their faith of Jesus. Approximately 120 attended the Sunday service that culminated in a meaningful communion. The weekend was about connecting, equipping, and growing in how to be a disciple who disciples others, that we may truly be a blessing to those around us.

This is an excerpt from the Life Together newsletter.

Big Sandy, Texas, US

Check out these resources on Review and Vision, Mission, Core Values.

One Sunday in August, approximately 25 members of Grace Communion Big Sandy gathered after services for a “Ministry Review.” My wife, Helen, prepared a sandwich lunch to facilitate our time together. The foundation of this review was the reassuring truth that all our ministry is a participation in Jesus Christ’s ministry!

This gathering was an outgrowth of our leaders and several members reading Thom Rainer’s book, Anatomy of a Revived Church. I led the initial time of discussion from a 14-page “guidebook for conversation” that I prepared for the participants. The purpose of our gathering was just that — seeking to have a prayerful conversation about the ministry activities of our congregation, and to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we follow Jesus as he ministers here.

We considered and discussed the following concepts of ministry with supporting scriptures.

- Reason for Ministry: Love,
- Form of Ministry: Sacrifice as Worship,
- Model of Ministry: The Body, and
- Growth of Ministry: Equipping.

We then reviewed our Vision, Mission, and Core Values, looking to see how they fit into our participation in Jesus’ ministry. Afterwards, each Avenue champion invited participants to breakout sessions for their Avenue to consider various starter ideas and suggestions provided in their guidebooks.

It was so rewarding to see each group interacting and talking at length about what is and what could be! These breakout sessions were intended to be the heart of the gathering. We were able to spend almost three hours in prayerful, purposeful conversation about what Jesus is leading us to do at GC Big Sandy. Next, the Avenue champions plan to provide their top two priorities for 2025 and to commit to having follow-up discussions with their Avenue teams. We hope to do this review every year, and our prayer is that the Holy Spirit will continue to speak to us and guide us as we intentionally spend this time together.

Jerome Ellard, Pastor
Big Sandy, TX, US

Devotional—Ordinary Faithfulness

What next? I often feel overwhelmed when I hear that I need to go out and be missional. In my mind, I reason that we are but a small church, and we lack the right resources. We feel inadequate.

However, God doesn’t measure success by size or grand gestures. Jesus began with just twelve disciples, and his ministry, though small, changed the world.

In God’s kingdom, faithfulness matters more than size or prominence. Just like how our lungs, though unseen, are essential to life, the hidden or small parts of our lives can have the greatest impact.

God often uses what the world considers insignificant. Jesus didn’t need a large following to make a difference — he needed faithful, ordinary people. God’s power is still made perfect in our weakness today. The church’s greatest offering isn’t in its famous leaders or large buildings but in everyday believers committed to following Jesus.

From one ancestor [God] made all peoples to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live. Acts 17:26

God created each of us and placed us in specific times and places for his purposes. Nothing about your life is an accident. Your talents, no matter how small, are part of God’s plan to reach others. Dallas Willard wrote, “The well-kept secret of the ‘ordinary’ is that it is made to be a receptacle of the divine, a place where the life of God flows.”

If Jesus could feed thousands with a few loaves and fish, he can do great things with whatever you offer him. God loves our availability over our abilities. He doesn’t need the most talented — he’s looking for those willing to serve faithfully.

Prayer: Father, thank you for reminding me that my worth isn’t tied to how big my actions seem. Help me trust that you’ve placed me where I’m needed. Use my ordinary life for your extraordinary purposes. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

By Bermie Dizon, Elder
Glendora, CA, US

Christian Nationalism, Progressivism, Patriotism, and Voting

Dear Family and Friends,

Unless you live in a cave, you know that 2024 is an election year. In fact, 2024 could be called “The Election Year,” at least 70 countries around the world will have an election, including Ghana, Bangladesh, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Sorting out the role as a Christian during this season is not an easy journey.

I’ve asked Rick Shallenberger to write an article speaking into how we as GCI walk through the elections as we are guided by the instruction of Scripture and the leading of the ever-present Holy Spirit. And we pray to the King of kings, please provide us with leaders who care for their people and countries.

Greg Williams

I have good Christ-following friends on both sides of the U.S. political aisle whom I love and respect. I may disagree with some of their political views, and I may believe they don’t see the bigger picture, but I suspect they feel the same about my political views. The important thing is that our relationships and our worldviews are not based on politics; they are based on Jesus.

Today we live with worldviews that are in contradiction to a Christian worldview and Jesus’ teachings. Both Christian Nationalism on the “right” and Progressivism on the “left” are problematic. Christian Nationalism is different than patriotism. The basic premise of Christian Nationalism is that America should be a theocracy, ruled by Christian power in government. This is not the same as cultures and governments being influenced by Christian principles, and it is different from patriotism.

Paul Miller, the author of Nationalism vs Patriotism: What is the Difference? in a podcast with Walter Kim, president of the NAE, said this about patriotism:

Patriotism is the love of our country and our home. I think patriotism is actually a positive virtue, and everybody should be patriotic no matter what country you’re in. I think patriotism is the virtue of gratitude. We should be grateful for where we come from and our homes.

Christian Nationalism pushes for the obliteration of the separation of church and state and for the primacy of Christian beliefs and principles in U.S. governance. This might sound good, but one must ask, who determines the Christian principles? Our nation was founded on Christian principles yet, slavery was allowed, minorities and women were marginalized and excluded from educational and leadership positions, along with Catholics, Jews, and others. Likewise, not every tenant of “progressivism” is in alignment with Jesus’ teaching.

It is beyond the scope of this article to cover all the issues. The scope is to remind us to stay focused where we should be focused — on Jesus and his kingdom. I suggest that many forms of nationalism and progressivism are contrary to our true identity as children of God and citizens of the kingdom. But, before we continue, let’s make it clear that we should not treat anyone who claims a particular viewpoint with anything but love.

Politics divide us into left and right — us and them. My beliefs, loyalty to my nation can easily become more important than the kingdom and unity in Christ. As Christians we need to avoid such divisions. This “us vs them” approach was one of the main points of the “Third Option” training many of our pastors and leaders went through recently.

Jesus didn’t tell us to raise up nations for him, he told us to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). He made it clear that he came for all of humanity, including atheists, Muslims, and other religious groups (John 3:16, 1 John 2:2, John 12:44-50). He did not set one nation up as an example. Neither did he tell us to push our beliefs or political views on others through government and law. He did say we are to love God and to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:37-40). He also said to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Further, he said we are not of this world (John 17:16). So, Christians are to adopt a biblical, Christ-centered worldview and avoid adopting alternate worldviews that are based on political or social philosophies or agendas.

The challenge isn’t to make our nation a theocracy or to force others to believe and act as we do, it is to be disciples of Jesus. It is to follow Jesus and to believe his word:

- For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come (Hebrews 13:14 ESV).
- But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself (Philippians 3:20-21 ESV).
- He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son (Colossians 1:13 ESV).

Loyalty to a political party is not the answer, Jesus is. The Bible is our authority, not a political platform. Jesus is our Savior, not a political candidate. We are first and foremost citizens of the kingdom. Can we trust our King? It’s not anyone’s place to tell someone how to vote, or even whether to vote. We can give people the benefit of the doubt that they are following Jesus as best they can. And if we vote, let’s not vote for America to be the example of the world in how to follow Christ. Let’s not vote with the mistaken idea that any particular candidate is going to change our country the way it needs to change. That hasn’t happened yet. Let’s be informed, but let’s be informed primarily by Jesus and his gospel, trusting him to be with us no matter what our circumstances.

My ongoing prayers are for the good of my nation. I pray for our leaders to have strength and wisdom, and that all people in authority rule well so that we can live in peace and pursue a relationship with our triune God. My vote in November may count, but I know with certainty that my faithful prayers count for more.

No politician can save me or the nation I live in. There is only one Savior who loves all of humanity. Jesus is going to return, and he will establish his kingdom because he is, and always has been King of kings, Lord of lords, and our only Savior. And, thankfully, he is still in charge.

Let’s remain grateful and focused on Jesus,
Rick Shallenberger

Death of Kelly Barfield

Mr. Kelly Barfield, Elder Emeritus and long-time pastor for GCI, passed away on September 22, 2024. Mr. Barfield lived and served in the Big Sandy, Texas, congregation for many years. His wife of 63 years is Vinita Barfield.

Cards of condolence for the family may be mailed to:

Vinita Barfield
132 Lindsey Road
Big Sandy, TX 75755

From Equipper—On a Mission of Love

Join us! We invite you to read this article from Equipper. It’s an important reminder during Ordinary Time of our priorities.

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A healthy church shares in Jesus’ mission of love looking for ways to express God’s love in tangible ways.

By Linda Rex, Elder

As we move towards Healthy Church — our never-ending goal in Grace Communion International — we share in Jesus’ mission of love. Our Love Avenue champions work with their teams to provide opportunities for members to express God’s love in tangible ways.

Markers of a healthy Love Avenue

A healthy church understands deeply how each member shares in Jesus’ mission to show God’s love to the world. The Love Avenue team and the church members are, personally and as a group, involved in their neighborhood through community groups, events, social media, and service. They build relationships with their church neighbors. Members realize that Jesus is already present and active by his Spirit in each person. The church members and the Love Avenue team work together to provide community events in which neighbors feel safe and able to connect with one another. The church also provides ways in which neighbors are connected back to the church, so that they can share in the life of the church as God leads them. A healthy church actively loves the members of their community, just as God in Christ loves every human being.

Signs of unhealth

A church that is isolated and disconnected from their neighborhood is not healthy, nor is it loving. In such a church, no one takes the lead to assess the neighborhood, or to create a plan for missional activities or events. The church expects the pastor or a small group of people to build the necessary relationships in the community. Members may simply choose to “pray and pay” rather than to personally be involved or serve. Church members may be unwilling to help with local activities or join in local groups. Possibly the church is unaware of the nature of the neighborhood in which they do ministry. And the church that does reach out to the community may not know how they are equipped to serve, because members are unaware of their own spiritual gifts or callings. Or perhaps members have not chosen to offer their gifts, resources, or talents to share in Jesus’ mission in the world.

Centering our witness in Christ

The apostle John grounds his first epistle within the Son of God’s presence in human flesh. Jesus shared in the everyday life of the people in Judea. He did this even when he suffered, was rejected, humiliated, and crucified. Jesus, as the Word of God in human flesh, demonstrated eternal life to all those around him. He lived life in warm fellowship with our Father in the Spirit (1 John 1:1-3). Love, John says, means we walk as Jesus walked. Love means we walk in the light, live in warm fellowship with God and others, and offer forgiveness to all (1 John 1:5, 9-10). The Father’s love is so great that he has called us “children of God”. For this reason, we live as children of God would live. We live in other-centered, self-giving, sacrificial love (1 John. 3:1-2, 9-11). Just as Jesus Christ laid down his life for all, so we lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters (1 John 3:16).

Joining with Jesus on mission

This love of God expressed through Jesus in the Spirit is shown in tangible ways. The apostle John reminds us that when we see a need in someone’s life, we do not close our hearts to that need. We actually do what we can to provide help. Jesus, aware of our need, did what was necessary for all of us so that our need was met. This means that not only are we aware of the needs around us, but we are also aware of what we have that we can offer that will help. And we provide the help that is needed, as we can (1 John 3:17-18). The love we offer others in the things we both say and do has its source in the God who sent his Son so that we might live (1 John 4:7-9). In the same way God loves us, we are to love others — this shows God lives in us and his love is perfected in us (1 John 4:10-11). God has given us his Spirit and abides in us, as we abide in him. We express our love for God by loving others (1 John 4:20-21).

Questions for reflection:

- How important is it to build relationships within our church neighborhood? How is this building of relationships related to our sharing in Jesus’ mission of love?
- What is the difference between the “pay and pray” response to community needs, and one in which a person or a group responds directly in a “hands-on” way to community needs? Which way best reflects what Jesus Christ did for all of us?
- What are some of the needs in the community around your church? Consider the spiritual gifts, talents, abilities, experience, and education that are present in the members of your church. How can the resources God has given your church be used to meet the needs of your community? How will you personally offer your own resources and actively share yourself in Jesus’ mission of love?

Prayer Guide—October 2024

Learn to worship God as the God who does wonders, who wishes to prove in you that he can do something supernatural and divine.” – Andrew Murray

Join us this October as we worship and trust the God who works all things for our good. View the full guide or download it today: October Prayer Guide

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We’re Hiring

GCI is hiring!

Two full-time positions are now open at the Grace Communion International (GCI) Home Office in Charlotte, NC, U.S.

The Media Coordinator position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. See the job description here.

The Assistant Operations Coordinator position is currently available, and applications are being accepted. See the job description here.

If you would like further details on either 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 either position at the Home Office.

Canadian National Office Moves

GCI Canada recently moved their national office from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to Winnipeg, Manitoba. We are now leasing office space within the Grace Communion Winnipeg church building from the congregation.

To align with the completion of the move, the GCI Canada board met in Winnipeg over the weekend for their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Strategic Planning Session. The board confirmed alignment with the Faith, Hope, and Love Avenues and the denomination’s vision of Healthy Church.

On Sunday morning, in addition to touring the church building and new office space, the board members also had the opportunity to attend Grace Communion Winnipeg church services before departing for home to various locations across Canada.

Bill Hall, National Director of Canada
Battleford, SK, Canada

Ghana’s 50th Anniversary Jubilee

GCI Ghana commemorated its 50th anniversary with a week-long celebration in August. During the week, Ghana hosted the West Africa Leadership Conference. We joined together to celebrate fifty years of God’s grace, with the theme, “Thus far by grace” taken from 1 Samuel 7:12.

On Sunday August 18, the Accra area congregations gathered at the GCI Ghana Retreat Site at Kutunse to begin the celebration with a church service inspired by praise and thankful music led by the National Director, Pastor Ing. Theo Nii Okai.

After the arrival of our guests, President Dr. Greg Williams and Pastor Gabriel Ojih, a one-day gathering for Board Members, Regional Directors, and National Ministry Leaders was held on Wednesday at the newly refurbished National Office Conference Room at New Ashongman, Accra.

The day began with praise and worship and the session was led by Deaconess Mrs. Sarah Abban who is the Ghana’s Board Secretary. After initial welcome remarks by the Superintendent of Africa, Pastor Kalengule Kaoma, Dr. Williams provided a brief report on his travels to the various congregations around the world and followed by a devotion and sharing the elements of the Lord’s Supper.

Various presentations were given by leaders on topics such as ministry teams, ACCM, GCS, and MTCs. All the discussions included a healthy dose of questions, contributions and interactions.

On Thursday, we began the West Africa Leadership Conference at the church’s retreat site at Kutunse, near Accra. Participants traveled from Ghana, the host country, and many other countries such as Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Liberia, and the U.S.

Day one of the West Africa Leadership Conference began with praise singing and prayers after which Pastor Kaoma, discussed our theme, “Thus Far by Grace,” taken from 1 Samuel 7:12. He indicated that God’s grace has been with us right from the beginning till now, and it is the same grace of God that will carry us forward. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Greg Williams. Next were various workshops, including ones on the Faith, Love, and Hope Avenues.

Day two of the Conference included more discussion on leadership development. After lunch, the ladies took over to organize the West Africa GCI Women Ministry Conference. A food fair followed that showcased various sumptuous, mouth-watering, indigenous Ghanaian cuisine, which were patronized by all present, especially our foreign guests, who came to sample these dishes and local beverages.

Friday evening was the Opening Night Worship service for guests just arriving for the weekend 2024 Jubilee Convention. The message was delivered by our special guest, Pastor Gabriel Ojih. Gabriel, born in Ghana, now pastors GC Richardson, Texas, in the U.S. He is a foundation member of the denomination in Ghana and one of its former lead pastors. His message encouraged us to go “Forward in His Grace and Truth.”

On Sunday, the concluding day of the celebration, attendance was the highest: 572 people, including 120 young people and children. Members resplendently dressed in the special 50th Anniversary designed wax-print shirts, “Kaba and Slit,” boubous, and other designs. [See image below.]

Various Awards were given by the Anniversary Committee to five pioneer church members, including 92-year-old Emeritus Deaconess Letitia Ojih (mother of Gabriel Ojih). Pastor Emmanuel and Margaret Okai received a citation for their many decades of exemplary service to the church in Ghana as well as the West Africa sub-region.

A visit to the historic Cape Coast Elmina “Slave” Castle was part of the scheduled events. Indeed, the visit to the Elmina Slave Castle was very emotional for all, especially our five African American friends from Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., who were visiting the Motherland for the first time.

All the visitors and guests have returned safely to their respective countries. Indeed, God’s bountiful grace has brought us all this far.

May his name be praised,
Ing. Theo Nii Okai, Ghana National Director

This is a condensed version of Pastor Theo’s update. Read the full story here.

Youth Camps

Cape Town, RSA

For three days in June, young people came together for a local camp in Cape Town, Republic of South Africa (RSA). Regional Director of Southern Africa, Takalani Musekwa, said that they are encouraging their congregations to hold local youth camps during the year as an activity of the Love Avenue to engage with youth in the neighbourhood.

Market Harborough, UK

In the United Kingdom, the GC Market Harborough congregation has been sponsoring Adventure Camp for several years. Most recently, it was held over the 2024 August Bank Holiday. (The August Bank Holiday, also known as the Summer Bank Holiday, is a public holiday in the United Kingdom.) It is part of the youth outreach programme of GCI-UK.

Adventure Camp is a fun-filled, action-packed, Christ-centred kids camp for children aged 6-13. This year it was held in a spacious and beautiful outdoor activity centre. Superintendent of Europe, Gavin Henderson, said that the camp location is very close to Market Harborough and now has quite a number of local campers.

Author: Elizabeth Mullins