Archive for the ‘missions’ Category
Bowled over
Wendy, the boys, and I embarked on a new adventure this past Sunday as we were welcomed to our new church home in Edmond at Coffee Creek Baptist Church.
Something more and more rare in ministry, this church took great care of us as we transitioned to their ministry. We were welcomed with a luncheon and honored with an overflowing table of food and other staples for our new home. Stephen and Sam were remembered with fun toys which they immediately tore into.
We greatly appreciate the honor our new church family has given us and how they’ve made every step of the way thus far so extremely pain-free and easy even in the midst of the hustle and bustle of moving with toddlers!
I recall the text in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.” TNIV
We definitely are blessed to have a church family that is living out this philosophy! Thanks for the great welcome Coffee Creek – we’re excited about what God is doing in our midst!
Asking the tough questions
An increasing trend among my fellow pastors on facebook is the collaboration during message preparation. Often I’m the one asking for help with a text or thoughts on an illustration.
This week a friend posted a need for info on the topic of the “uniqueness of Jesus” in the context of faith. I offered my humble and probably insufficient words but as others add to it one has several thoughtful beginning points.
I wonder how many messages could be improved by use of other ideas, research, and viewpoints if we all took time each week to ask the tough questions?
I’ll be honest many times my in-depth study is frustrating as the more I study the more questions I have. Sometimes Sunday creeps up and I’m still mid-struggle and up to my ears in research without a clear victor.
That’s why you’ll hear me offer options and sometimes say, “I don’t know” – because the simple fact is as I approach the interpretive task many times the questions are haunting.
However I don’t see the message as a mountain-top experience – it’s just another step on the journey, another opportunity for us to talk about what it looks like to try to describe the undescribable.
Sometimes in my life I’ve been afraid to ask the tough questions – it seemed easier to just bury my head in the sand and pretend they didn’t exist. I’m sure I could have done much more good by authentically trying to answer those questions – even when the answers might never come.
Clive Staples Lewis once wrote, “We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.”
Are you ready to ask the tough questions? What if doing so meant “loosing” some things that you’d “bound”?
Friday is for Friends: Blue Door Ministries
I am so blessed to be friends with Chris and Dana Byers who are currently serving in missions work in London. Increasingly I have friends who are doing longer-term missions that are still shy of what you would traditionally think of as “career” missions.
Chris and Dana sold their house, cars, and most earthly possessions then moved their family (toddlers Blake & Mackenzie) to London on an experimental basis back in October of 2007. What was to be a trial six-month run has turned into a nearly 2 year work now in church planting and ministry revitalization for churches in the UK.
Chris and I were friends at Oklahoma Baptist that had fallen out of contact when we reconnected about two months before they were set to begin their new work. My church’s team in 2008 had an opportunity to worship with Chris and Dana’s church plant and it was a blessing to see God working in their midst.
Besides the obvious blessing of God in their ministry I might add that another element working in Chris’ favor is that he really did marry above himself and has an awesome partner in ministry, Dana. You can see their videos online, learn more about their work, and donate to further the ministry online at their website: http://www.bluedoor.tv/
I encourage you to check out their good work in London and read their blog to understand the interesting things God is doing as He works through those that will go be the workers in the harvest.
“And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” -Luke 10:2 ESV
Connecting with Sujo John
I had the joy of being part of a tele-conference tonight with evangelist Sujo John. Sujo’s testimony and ministry of preaching God’s Word and story of creative redemption in the Grace of Jesus Christ is captivating and glorifying to God.
I have never been a big fan of the “tele-conference” idea – I’ve been part of several from tech/ministry related organizations and companies. I think every time I felt like the whole purpose was just to sell me a product or a higher level of service.
Tonight’s conference call was different. First, it was a sacrifice. I’m in the Arbuckle mountains of southern Oklahoma and our evening service began right about the time the call was scheduled for tonight. Second, it was prayer driven, God focused, and Kingdom inspired. Each part of the conversation which had folks on it from all across the U.S. was covered in prayer and honest concern for the proliferation of the Gospel.
Finally, it was unique. There was no sales pitch, no “5 easy steps” – it was an honest presentation of the amazing work Sujo is doing in countries many of us could only dream of even visiting. The audience he commands in these nations is impressive but the message he unabashedly shares with them and the lives changed he sees can only come from the blessing of God on someone’s life.
I get a big smile on my face every time I read an update about where Sujo’s been or a crusade he’s lead that saw Muslim background people come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Inside my chest a feeling wells up like we might actually win this battle when I hear of people who boldly proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior – the only final solution to humanity’s despair.
Take a moment to check out my friend Sujo John’s website – you will be blessed by his testimony and the continued blessing God has upon his ministry of taking grace to those who are desperately in need it.
Tired of talking about missions.
It’s been said that the Church is like a football game where 50,000 people who desperately need exercise are watching 22 people who are in desperate need of rest.
The tired old 80/20 “rule” is used and abused to anecdotally say that 80% of the work is done by 20% of the church. I don’t believe this “rule” and I think we’re headed in the right direction.
The heart of the matter is the Great Commission and Great Commandments:
“Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples B)”>of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Mt. 28:18-20 CSB
“He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.” – Mt. 22:37-40 CSBE)”>
We don’t see “read about it,” “talk about it,” “watch videos about it,” “think about it,” or even the all popular, “pray about it.” I find three things: Go make disciples, Love God, Love People.
So my question is: If you’re like me and you’re tired of talking about missions – let’s start doing missions!
You don’t need to wait for a board, a church, or a pastor to send you – be sent today! “Here am I, send me!”
How about we start reaching the people-groups that surround us every-day: The yuppie, the loner, the red-neck, the artist, the loud neighbor, the rude cashier, your overprotective momma, the waiter that dropped your sandwich, etc.
They all have needs – we can meet them.
About
Clark Frailey is a husband, father, and Lead Pastor of Coffee Creek Baptist Church in Edmond, Oklahoma.
clarkfrailey.com
