Notes & News, Thoughts & Views

Transcription

1 Notes & News, Thoughts & Views For ABCOPAD Churches from Regional Executive Pastor Rev. Frank Frischkorn Volume 24, Number 6 June 2013 Greetings in the LORD! Just last week, I had the joy of taking a trip to Ireland with Carolyn in celebration of our 30th Anniversary. The trip was on Carolyn s bucket list since she first saw the vivid green landscape of Ireland from 30,000 feet as she flew to England back in 1980, so I thought it was high time she got to plant her feet on the soil and not simply see it from afar! :-) Over the course of eight days we logged just under 1,000 miles in our little Hertz rental car, and while there are many memories that I could share from the experience, the one that was the most moving for me occurred at the Cobh Heritage Center, located in a small port city to the southeast of Cork. Cobh gets its greatest recognition for many as the last port-of-call for the Titanic before it struck an iceberg on its journey to the United States, but Cobh is also significant in that it served as the main emigration port for Irish people as they sought a better life here in the United States. From over 6 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland, with over 2.5 million departing from Cobh. This exodus from Ireland was largely as a result of poverty and widespread famine following the failure of the country s potato crop. Failure of the crop was not unusual in Ireland, so the partial failure in 1845 did not cause particular concern. In 1846 the potato crop failed completely and in the years there was either total or partial crop failure of whatever potato crop could be planted, which resulted in nearly a million people losing their life in this nation that is just larger than the state of West Virginia. Reading the accounts of this tragedy and seeing the depictions of the suffering that was experienced by the country and its population literally moved me to tears, but my heart ached as I read a quote on one of the placards. In describing the impact of the potato famine, someone had written, When you build your life and existence on something that can fail, you run the risk of dying such was the experience of the nation of Ireland, who built their world and existence around the potato. I stood there, read the sign and then pointed it out to Carolyn saying, That s what s happening in our country today. People are looking to all the wrong things to find their hope they are trusting in money and prestige, enjoyment and pleasure to find their sense of identity, and just like the potato failed for Ireland, this is all going to fail, as well. My friends, our country is in the midst of its own famine. It isn t one that causes hunger pangs in our bellies, but rather hunger pangs in our souls, as people are longing for something to fill the void that is deep inside of them. Our God is longing for people like you and me to stand up and be counted to speak the truth that hope is found in Christ, and in Him alone. Our God is longing for congregations who are able to lay hold of His Vision and Plan for their life and ministry and seek to be salt to a world that is dying in need of a Savior. As I said before, there are many memories that I have of our trip to Ireland (Carolyn has about a 1,000 pictures to prove it!) but the one that will forever be etched in my heart is this one from a small port called Cobh. May our God find us to be people who are faithful to carry His message of Hope to those who are dying here on our shores in our neighborhoods. Frank American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware page 1

2 Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Johnson Regional Pastor with Congregations As promised last month, I wrap up my study with you all on missional life framed in the Feeding of the Five Thousand. This is the second installment of a two part article so if you haven t yet read last month s article, you probably need to go back there first. I have taken the principles of Henry Blackaby s book, Experiencing God and overlaid them on this well-known miracle. He uses an Older Testament backdrop. I use a Newer Testament one. Reality #4: God speaks by the Holy Spirit through circumstances to reveal Himself. The disciples would be presented with a humanly impossible situation (Mk 14:21). But yet, each excuse given by the disciples as to why this wouldn t work could be countered by the fact that God had experience with said excuses on previous occasions. The disciples said, There isn t enough money (God fed two million plus in the desert without spending a dime, meeting their every need every day for 40 years). There isn t enough time (God extended the length of a day to get done what He needed to). This isn t a good location (God would feed a prophet for several years by an out of the way brook). Problems are actually possibilities for God to show Himself in ways He couldn t otherwise. Reality #5: God s invitation always leads to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action. The disciples were put into a situation that required dependence on God. They could not do it on their own. God NEVER leads us to do things we can do ourselves. Each time they were engaged in this miracle, there was never enough... not enough time, not enough money, not enough food but little is much when God is in it! The ultimate action on our part, in any miracle, and any ministry for that matter, is dependence on God which I believe is probably for most of us the hardest thing to do. If you EVER find yourself doing something that you can handle on your own without God s assistance, just know it isn t God s work because God would NEVER give you anything to do for Him that you could do without Him. Reality #6: You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing. The first and foremost adjustment that the disciples had to make was doing what someone else wanted them to do, not what they wanted to do. They tried to distance themselves from the people they saw as their problem. Send the crowd away (Mt 14:15) they told Jesus. Probably the biggest adjustment that we often have to make is in our agendas (what we want) and our attitudes (how we view things). Notice in this miracle it never says that the disciples ever really got it, like a light bulb went off in their heads and they said okay, let s go for it. They did what they were told to do even if they weren t fully convinced or totally committed. Jesus got His work done working with self-serving agendas and lack luster attitudes then. God still works with the same today. Reality #7: You come to know God by experience, as you obey Him; and He accomplishes His work through you. Obedience is NOT doing something once you understand how it is going to be done. True obedience is just doing what you are told, even when, especially when, you do not understand. Obedience is hearing the voice of the Lord and acting on what you have been told. The knowing often comes in the doing. There were many verbs in this narrative calling the disciples to action: You feed them (Mt 14:16); Go and see (Mk 6:38); Have the people sit down (Lk 9:14); and Gather up what is left over (Jn 6:12). Numerous times Jesus invited the disciples to participate in His work. You want to know God better. Do something better for God. n American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware page 2

3 Rev. Mark Mahserjian-Smith Regional Pastor for Mission and Communication Summer Mission! Summer can be a great time for spiritual exploration and discipleship growth. Opportunities are available for all ages. ABCOPAD has numerous ministries to help people grow in their relationship with Jesus as well as chances to serve. For students, summer camp can be a great place to meet Jesus or to deepen one s faith. Summer camp provides a place where kids can unplug from the electronic world that surrounds them and is so very distracting. In the quiet of God s creation they can hear Jesus speak and often respond to his call. Here in ABCOPAD we have Camp Judson (Northwest ABCOPAD), Camp Carmel (Southwest ABCOPAD), North Country Baptist Youth Ministries (North Central ABCOPAD) Camp Blue Diamond (South Central ABCOPAD) and Camp Swatara (Southeast ABCOPAD). Information regarding camping opportunities can be found on our ABCOPAD website ( and our ABCOPAD Youth Ministries website. Throughout the summer there will be numerous mission trip opportunities. ABCOPAD s Youth Ministry will dispatch a team to Atlantic City to do Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief in July. There is also a Youth Ministry Mission team who have partnered with FBC, Lancaster to go to Grand Goave, Haiti to build rubble homes. ABCOPAD is the anchor Region for the Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Mission Trip taking place in New Jersey, July Groups can serve all week or work whatever days they have available. Details and registration information can be found on our website or by calling our Western ABCOPAD Office at This will be a great opportunity to help those in need as well as share Christ s love with hurting people. On Wednesday, June 5, we received this message from the American Baptist Home Mission Societies. On Wednesday, June 5, we received this message from the American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS): Oklahoma American Baptist Men USA is currently providing tornado cleanup in Moore, Okla., but ABHMS seeks additional volunteers to send via Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. From debris removal to donation resource center work, volunteer opportunities for all ages and skill levels are available. A $10 charge per person, per day provides sleeping space, showers and three meals. Please bring your own bedding and tools if possible. For additional information and to register for volunteer mission opportunities, visit and click Volunteer, or contact Victoria Goff, ABHMS national coordinator, Volunteer Ministries, at victoria.goff@abhms.org, x2449, or I know many congregations have made other arrangements for mission opportunities at their home church including Vacation Bible School and other community mission work. As mission takes place this summer I would enjoy hearing your testimony and sharing it with our regional family. me with your story and pictures so I can post them on our website or Facebook web page. Summer is an exciting time to put our faith into action, becoming the hands and feet of Jesus. See you on the mission field, right outside our door. n American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware page 3

4 Rev. Dr. Kevin Walden Regional Pastor with Pastoral Leaders Radical Change and the Path to the Future Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it. Hebrews 11:1 (NCV) As I write this article I am reflecting on two anniversaries. Melody and I will be celebrating 28 years of marriage on Aug. 3, and we started in ministry right off of our honeymoon. June 6 was the 20th Anniversary of my ordination. So, I m reflecting upon that day 20 years ago. While I had already been in ministry for eight years as a lay person who was licensed to preach the Gospel, that day did mark a significant step in my Spiritual Journey. Like today, I drove a lot in those days. I was serving a church in central Nebraska as associate pastor as I completed my seminary training in Kansas City. The trek was 400 miles each way and it took me 4 ½ years instead of 3 years to complete. We purchased a new little Mercury Tracer for me to do all of that traveling. I recall with our trade, it cost $6,500 and my payment was $150 per month! I went through a set of 70,000 mile tires traveling to seminary, so next to my diploma and awards was a bald tire representing sacrifice of the journey. I wondered early on about how flexible I would need to be in ministry. A book by Lyle Schaller comes to mind: Discontinuity and Hope: Radical Change and the Path to the Future. Change: Is that a good thing or a bad thing? That depends, says Lyle E. Schaller, on your viewpoint and values. Any given change can be threatening if all your values are wedded to the way things are now, if you can only view the future through the lens of the past. Or it can be exciting, if your viewpoint is geared toward the new possibilities that will arise from this change. I recall thinking that Schaller was bold writing this in Discontinuity and Hope? Those don t go together, do they? Isn t hope based upon certainty? Well, that s how we think isn t it? But the Christian s hope is based upon the unseen. (Hebrews 11) In 2013, I think we all are grasping the discontinuity or uncertainty and the radical changes that have come our way. Some we welcome, and of others we remain fearful. Radical change and the path to the future. I m guessing that many of us struggle with that phrase. We see radical change all around us and think, LORD HELP! And yet, it is time we consider how radical Jesus was in His day to the status quo. And truth be told, about year 300, Constantine organized the church and pastoral leadership into something I m not sure Jesus ever intended. The church, in Scripture, is an organism not an organization. A friend of mine asked me the other day how much time should be spent in creating a sermon as opposed to spending time with the people of the church. An organizational answer is to spend the majority of your time on creating speeches and programs to inspire people. An organism answer is to spend the majority of your time with the people God has called you to serve so as to understand how to be relevant to their needs of the body of Christ. Radical change and relevance now that s worth praying about... to God be the glory! n American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware page 4

5 Harrisburg Association Westgate, Lancaster (Grace Shirk, interim) had a number of things to share: they celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Jim and Wendy Allshouse s music ministry with a concert at the church, where it all began; Pentecost Sunday was celebrated with two baptisms; LeRoy Tebie graduated from CLI on May 5 with 12 members of his church family witnessing the exciting day; and Raise the Roof, the slogan being used for a new roof campaign worked! The campaign for raising $15,000 began April 28, and as of May 21 (less than one month) the congregation met that goal and surpassed it! The new roof is on and they are praising the Lord! n Pittsburgh Association FBC, Coraopolis (Don Walls, interim) reports: On Saturday, May 11, the young people of the church joined with the adults in the Annual Life Choice Walk. Sunday, May 12, was Mother s Day. On this day, Pastor Don had the privilege of leading a service of Dedication for baby Carlos Erick Leal. What made this extra special was Pastor Don officiated at the wedding of Ken and Tammie Leal, parents of Carlos, in October 2001, when he served this church as interim. On Sunday, April 28, a call was extended to Rev. Mark Heiner. A native of Pennsylvania, he comes to Coraopolis from the First Baptist Church, Rutland, Vermont, where he served for eight years. He previously served the First Baptist Church in Honesdale, Pa., (Wayne Susquehanna Association) for 12 years. Rev. Heiner graduated from Eastern College in 1983 with a B.A. degree, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary with an M.Div. degree, and is currently enrolled in the Doctoral Degree Program at Eastern Seminary. He was accompanied by his wife, Oxana, whom he married in Mark enjoys the outdoors, and his hobbies include bicycling, hiking, hunting, fishing, woodworking, gardening and playing with their dog. News From Across the Region He will begin his ministry on Sunday, Aug. 18, with a Service of Installation being planned for some time in Sept. Pastor Walls will conclude his interimship on Sunday, July 28, but will still bring the messages on Aug. 4 and Aug. 11. n Riverside Association Middletown, Media (Jeff Evans) would like to share another testimony of healing from their outreach ministry, The Healing Rooms of Del Co.: A gentleman who has come before for deliverance and healing, and has at one time manifested an evil spirit before us, came last night for some more prayer. As we prayed over his payer concern prior to praying for him, the team felt lead to have him pray. He expressed that he was ready for healing and was standing in agreement with us for his healing. We expressed that we were standing in agreement with his request and quoted Matthew 18:19-20; Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. He started to pray and it was one the most moving, powerful and spirit-filled prayers that any of us have every heard. We all left there praising, confessing and believing that his healing has begun. The Bible says, They overcame the devil by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. (Rev.12:11) n Other Items of Interest Don t forget to check out our website often at n Fall 2013 Mission Trip To Haiti ABCOPAD has been in partnership with Conscience International doing earthquake disaster relief and building rubble homes in Grand Goave, Haiti, since January At the end of July, ABCOPAD will have helped nine teams serve in Haiti with two more teams going in January and February Last week the director of Conscience International, Jeremy Holloman, called our ABCOPAD office. He said there are no teams registered for the fall of This will mean our partners in Haiti will be out of work through much of the fall season. Jeremy was hoping an ABCOPAD team might consider taking a week in October or November If your congregation would like to be the anchor church for a fall mission trip to Haiti, please contact our ABCOPAD Western Office at or call Mark Mahserjian-Smith at for more information. n Faith in Action! Denise Gratzel, ABHMS/ABCNJ Disaster Relief Coordinator shares the following: ABHMS/ABCNJ Work Week #2, June 1 8. Praise the Lord we have a wonderful team consisting of volunteers from Pa., Md., W.Va., and Ill. They have been busy working on two of our ABC projects, one in Rahway and the other in Red Bank. Rahway suffered water damage and the church had to put on a new roof due to Hurricane Sandy. The other project is a home where volunteers will be housed when they come to serve. The jobs included sheet rocking, painting, ceiling tile replacement and the removal of moldy insulation. The delicious dinners were provided by local churches and church members. The only complaint volunteers have had is the weight gain, so don t come prepared to lose weight. We ll make you sweat but you will not lose weight. FBC, Manasquan s pastor Joe Gratzel worked very hard with church members and town officials to have two showers installed in time for the week. Outings included a visit to Seaside Heights boardwalk and canoeing. If you are considering serving God in N.J. though one of our two work weeks left, please register early. Because of the huge interest so far we are considering stopping registration at 100 volunteers per week. July week is in Manasquan area again and August week we will be in Atlantic County, southern New Jersey. We will American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware page 5

6 close registrations for both weeks, two weeks prior to their start. May God bless you as you prepare to come join us Rebuild, Restore and Renew the Jersey shore areas. To see photos or learn more, please visit our website at n Celebration of Mission Giving May of this year compared to May of last year United Mission Basics $53,339 $56,361 Love Gift $2,405 $4,031 Partners in Ministry $16,735 $15,170 Annual Offerings: A.F.C. $13,233 $14,231 W.M.O. $2,311 $7,291 R.M.M.O. $345 $844 O.G.H.S. $4,984 $8,790 To view your own church s current giving amounts, visit our website and on the home page click on World Mission Reports. The cumulative comparison figures United Mission Basics is ahead by $4,692. The increase in United Missions (includes UMB, Love Gift and Designations) amounts to $1,655 more in actual dollars that ABCOPAD received. A.F.C. is behind by $3,952. The decrease amounts to $104 less in actual dollars that ABCOPAD received. Partners in Ministry is behind by $18,665. Sept Deadline Items to be included in the Sept. issue of Notes & News need to arrive by noon, Thursday, Sept. 5. Please send all material to Carol Bicking for apprvoal. Regular mail: ABCOPAD 106 Revere Lane Coatesville, PA CAB2644@aol.com Phone: Fax: Thank you! Donna L. Schneff Designer/Editor schneff@ .chop.edu American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware page 6