MN • Oct 11 by Selah Media Group

Formerly the Minnesota Christian Chronicle

Vol. 33, No. 10

October 2011

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Community

Archaeology

Forgiveness is not natural; it’s supernatural

Annual Christian Fair attracts thousands for fun family day

230 tons of dirt, debris removed from ancient Canaanite water system

page 7

FREE

Terrance Rollerson

page 13

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GMAE announces a name change and new initiative By Scott Noble TWIN CITIES — The Greater Minnesota Association of Evangelicals (GMAE) recently announced that it is changing its name to Transform Minnesota. The organization got its start in 1965 and works to connect and mobilize evangelicals across the state. “Our board has been considering this change for over a year,” said Carl Nelson, Transform Minnesota president, via a media release. “We wanted a name that communicated our desire for people to be

changed by a personal encounter with Jesus.” Nelson added that the acronym “GMAE” didn’t communicate what the organization did, and the name “Greater Minnesota Association of See NAME CHANGE, page 9

Pro-life groups react to ‘medicinal’ abortions State abortion report shows continued decline in frequency By Scott Noble ROCHESTER — In a city known worldwide for its expertise in treating and saving lives, some pro-life groups recently voiced concern over an admission from a Planned Parenthood official about the introduction of “medicinal” abortions at the group’s Rochester clinic. Connie Lewis, vice president of external affairs for Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to an article in “The Post-Bulletin” said: “In recent months, we have begun providing a limited number of medicinal abortions at the Rochester clinic, and the reason is to make access more available to rural women in southern Minnesota.” INDEX

Editorial .......................... 6-7 Music & Entertainment .. 14-15 Calendar ..................... 16-17 Community Briefs......... 18-19 Professional Service Directory .......................... 19 Classifieds ....................... 20 Book Review ..................... 21 National News Briefs ......... 23

Lewis went on to say that the group’s focus is on prevention and that “more than 95 percent of what we do is provide preventive and primary health care.” Lewis’ admission quickly caused a reaction from some in Minnesota’s pro-life movement. “It is disturbing that Planned Parenthood is now killing unborn children in Rochester using deadly RU486, a drug combination that is so dangerous that it has been banned in many countries, including Canada,” said Scott Fischbach, executive director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL), via a media release. “At least 14 women are known to have died in the U.S. from this abortion drug.” Brian Gibson, executive director of Pro-Life Action Ministries, said this admission means a further expansion of abortion in the state. “It also means that wherever there is a Planned Parenthood satellite clinic, there now is the possibility of abortions being committed,” Gibson said. Gibson, like Fischbach, also called into question the safety of this method of abortion. “No physician is present while these toxic drugs are being ingested by the mom,” Gibson said. “Keep in mind, the FDA has a recent study out revealing the dangers of these drugs to the woman.” The news about the use of chemical abortions in Rochester came at the same time that the state released its annual “Induced Abortions in Minnesota” report to the state legislature for 2010. The report, which revealed the continued declining rate of abortions performed in Minnesota, was received well by pro-life groups. In 2010, the report indicated that 11,505 abortions were performed in See ABORTION, page 22

Hundreds gathered at the State Capitol for the final event of Operation Jericho.

Hundreds gather for final event of Operation Jericho initiative By Scott Noble TWIN CITIES — From Sept. 11-17, hundreds of Christians across the Twin Cities participated in the inaugural Operation Jericho event. The weeklong initiative included prayer, worship and fellowship, as participants focused on breaking down strongholds and working for unity among Christians.

Jeff Bremer, the event organizer, had taken off three days to fast and pray during December 2009. He was seeking God’s direction for Bridge Builders for Kids (BBFK), a ministry to children of prisoners of which he serves as executive director. Bremer wanted to know how the ministry could impact thousands of children in the Twin Cities area. As he asked God for direction,

he believed God told him that the Twin Cities Christian community must come together first. That began an effort on the part of Bremer to plan and organize what eventually became known as Operation Jericho. One of the dramatic moments of the event, according to Bremer, was when “the 494/694 corridor See JERICHO, page 21

Christmas in October Local families bring hope, love to children through Operation Christmas Child By Rochelle Muellenberg

PHOTO COURTESY OF OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

These Iraqi children are among millions around the world that receive shoe box gifts, including a simple Gospel message, through Operation Christmas Child.

TWIN CITIES — Local families in the Twin Cities metro area are gearing up for another year of Operation Christmas Child (OCC), the world’s largest Christmas project. OCC is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization led by Franklin Graham. The project brings millions of gift-filled shoe boxes to children throughout the world, some who receive their first gift ever because of the initiative. This year, OCC will reach more than 8.5 million children See SHOEBOXES, page 12

2 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • October 2011

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Life care center dedicates new ultrasound machine North Side Life Care Center has counseled women for more than three decades By Scott Noble MINNEAPOLIS — It can oftentimes be the scariest time in a woman’s life. A time she feels completely unprepared for socially, economically, physically and spiritually. It’s a time when many outside forces are competing to be heard—many of them with differing opinions. It’s a time when she finds out she is pregnant—unplanned and unexpected. Fortunately, for her and her unborn child, there are resources to help walk her—and other women—through these difficult, uncertain and trying times. For more than 30 years, North Side Life Care Center has been offering help and hope to women with unplanned pregnancies in north Minneapolis. Robbie Dircks, executive director of the nonprofit organization, said many of their clients are unprepared for the news that they are

Robbie Dircks (right) speaks at a dedication ceremony for a new ultrasound machine. Dircks left the corporate world to become executive director of the nonprofit Life Care Center.

pregnant. “[Our clients are] young, she hasn’t probably finished her education, she’s low income, she is frightened, and she is realizing that having a baby is going to change her life both economically and socially,” Dircks said. “The vast majority

of them are under pressure to have an abortion, either from the baby’s father, from their parents or maybe even from others. Maybe even themselves if they’ve just gotten a new job or they just registered for school. There is a lot of coercion involved.”

Executive Director Robbie Dircks said nearly all of the women who choose to have their babies bring them in after they are born.

With all the confusion in their lives, many pregnant women seek out life care centers such as North Side to help them walk through the maze of decisions they now face. North Side counsels women to choose life, and one of its most effective tools for helping women to choose life is the ultrasound machine. In late September, the organization dedicated its new ultrasound machine, replacing its old machine that was seven years old and failing. The new one cost $35,000, and the money was raised by private donors and through the Knights of Columbus. North Side raised half the amount of the new ultrasound machine and through a program with the national Knights of Columbus organization, North Side’s $17,000 was matched. “I call the ultrasound ‘our secret weapon,’” Dircks said. “That’s because once a woman sees her baby and hears the heartbeat, sees it move, I think that there is some bonding that is starting. So instead of wanting to get rid of this thing, now they know that it’s just not a blob of flesh—that there really is a baby there. Once a woman has an ultrasound, over 90 percent of them choose life.” Scheduling the ultrasound is the second step North Side offers women who seek their help. Clients need to be six to eight weeks along in order for the ultrasound to work properly. The organization schedules ultrasounds on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Prior to the ultrasound, however, clients are given a free pregnancy test. Even though most of the women already know they are pregnant, they want the confirmation, Dircks said. “We give them a pregnancy test, and then we give them counseling,” she said. “I would say it’s a very safe situation for them; it’s very kind, not judgmental, gentle, and they feel at ease and open up about what their situation is and what their needs are.” North Side also offers prenatal care and helps clients register for medical assistance. “Our support services don’t stop with just saving the baby,” Dircks said. “The reason we do prenatal is because most of the women are not used to going to the doctor. They have not had health insurance, and they don’t go once a year for their physical. And neither do their parents.” In fact, Dircks noted, more than one million babies are born each year in the United States without prenatal care, and they want to

help avoid the risks associated with that. North Side also assists its clients during pregnancy with a variety of services. “We call these women,” she said. “We make the appointments and then we call them to make sure that they are coming in. When they come in, we have a little lunch for them. We give them rewards for making their appointments. In the last month of their pregnancy, we give them a layette which has everything they need to bring that baby home from the hospital. So there are diapers, wipes, sleepers, blankets, shampoo, everything they need to bring that baby home. And they know they are going to get that. It’s quite an incentive to continue their medical care.” Through its incentive-based Small Steps Program, North Side aims to help break the cycle of poverty that many of its clients experience. “We’re trying to break the cycle and show women that they can achieve things and they can get out of the poverty cycle that maybe they’ve been in,” Dircks said. “A lot of them set their goal to get their GED, and they achieve it. Some of them do entrance exams for college, some get their driver’s license. Things that make it so they can take care of themselves, they can be more self sufficient, more self confident.” Through all the women North Side has helped over the years, one of the blessings of its work is knowing that the women who choose to have their babies appreciate what North Side did for them. Dircks said that nearly all the women who choose life bring in their babies after they are born, and its offices are filled with photos of mothers and their children. Dircks believes that caring for women—and doing what she does—entails caring about children as well. When asked why the former corporate employee now works in the nonprofit world, Dircks said: “Because I really care about women. If you really care about women, you have to care about abortion and about taking care of them if they decide to keep their baby.”

On Thursday, Oct. 13, North Side Life Care Center will hold its third annual Banquet for Life featuring photographer Michael Clancy. For more information about the banquet or the work of North Side Life Care Center, visit www.northsidelifecare.org.

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4 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • October 2011

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Annual event attracts thousands of local Christians Christian Community Fair now in its sixth year By Scott Noble MINNEAPOLIS — Each year, thousands of people make their way to The Christian Community Fair to learn more about hundreds of area ministries, enjoy a variety of games—for kids and adults—and listen to music from several local bands and musicians. The free event was held at the RiverCentre in St. Paul for the first five years. However, founders Rich and Lana Branham said the Fair outgrew the RiverCentre and will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center this year on Nov. 11-12. The Fair has expanded over the years to include additional vendors and attractions that have added to its draw. Organizers expect more than 220 vendors at the event—the RiverCentre location could only accommodate 190 vendors—and

What: Twin Cities Christian Community Fair When: November 11 & 12 Fri 4-9pm, Sat 10am-6pm Where: Minneapolis Convention Center What: 200+ business and ministry exhibits, petting zoo, kids crafts and activities, inflatables, live music, teen zone with laser tag and video games Also: Big Sal Dodgeball Tournament Cost: Free admission Info: christianfair.com more than 12,000 people. The Minneapolis Convention Center also

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The stage, above, at The Christian Community Fair includes several local and nationally known musicians and groups. The Fair also offers a variety of activities for children, including inflatables, right.

provides better freeway access and more parking options. Vendors include churches, recreation centers, nonprofit ministries, private schools and universities, publishing houses and a variety of others. “Each year, we try to add more and new different ‘things’ to the event,” Lana Branham said. “This year, World Vision will have a large ‘poverty simulation’ at the Fair. We have moved our Salvation Army dodgeball tournament into the same room as the Fair. We have added a college age bracket on Friday night to go along with our high school age bracket on Saturday.” In addition, Branham said: “There is a new stage at the event too: We have added a variety stage. This will have everything from keynote speakers to dramas and everything in between. As always, there are lots of new ministries on our music stage, along with throughout the whole booth area. There will be some new [baby] animals in the petting zoo, and of course we always change up the inflatables.” While there are a variety of ac-

tivities and events for kids, adults have the opportunity to learn more about specific ministries, to connect with people about employment possibilities and to network with other Christians. “Each year, Rich and I are amazed—even though we should not be—at how God uses the event to help people find employment, meet up with old and new friends, make great business and ministry connections, etcetera.,” Branham said. “Every year, we are excited by the calls and notes we receive from people after the event on what hap-

pened at the event.” The Branhams are amazed at how God has blessed the success and growth of the event, now in its sixth year. “Rich and I are so humbled by what God has done with the event,” Branham said. “It has grown much bigger, much faster than we thought it would. The community has really embraced the event. We are glad we have such great volunteers. We are surprised at how much networking goes on between vendors—this continues to be a great part of the event.”

October 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER â&#x20AC;˘ 5

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Organization prepares for constitutional amendment vote Minnesota for Marriage is coalition of traditional marriage supporters By Scott Noble TWIN CITIES â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Supporters of traditional marriage in Minnesota were concerned earlier this year that the state legislature, deeply engaged in budget talks, would have little or no time to address the issue of a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Their concerns were for naught, however, as the Republican-controlled legislature passed the amendment late in the session, putting the definition of marriage to a vote in the 2012 general election. The proposed marriage amendment reads: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man

and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?â&#x20AC;? Now that the issue is on the ballot, groups on both sides of the issue have begun lobbying and rallying supporters, even though the vote is still more than a year away. Chuck Darrell, communications director for Minnesota for Marriage, a coalition of groups supporting the amendment, expects that those favoring traditional marriage definitions will be outspent. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The way weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to combat that is building an army of grassroots recruits to help us get the word out.â&#x20AC;? The groups that make up the Minnesota for Marriage coalition include the Minnesota Family

Sexual addiction ministry finds greater needs now than eight years ago By Dave Howe SAINT PAUL â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Ted Robertsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; last appearance in the Twin Cities was in 2003 when he spoke at Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul. That was at the beginning of his work with Pure Desire Ministry Institute (PDMI), which he began while he was still pastor at East Hills Church in Gresham, Oreg. For the last three years, he has been leading Pure Desire full time. Roberts and his wife, Diane, are coming back to Woodland Hills in October to facilitate a two-day seminar called PDMIUniversity. When asked how the necessity for the ministry has changed in the last eight years and what the ministry has done to address those changes, Roberts responded: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The needs are much more extensive than when I was last here. In clinical studies, I have found that 67 to 70 percent of the men in evangelical churches are sexual addicts. The surprising thing we found is that over 30 percent of the women are addicted. For them, we developed the material â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;8 Pillars of Freedom.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Addiction also impacts pastors and teenagers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I do clinical counseling with church leaders and found that 58 percent of pastors are sexually addicted,â&#x20AC;? Roberts continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teenagers just 17 years of age are the primary users of pornography, and their first exposure on the Internet is at 10 years of age. Statistics show that 75 percent of high school seniors have had intercourse. To address this, we have worked closely with a teen group and developed material that they relate to and that they found helpful. It is called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Top Gun.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Some question what being faithful to your wife has to do with pornography. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been found that men who view pornography are more promiscuous and not as respectful to their wives,â&#x20AC;? Roberts responded. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Ephesians 5:29, Paul says the way you treat your wife is the way you treat Christ. A Christian man has no business looking at pornography.â&#x20AC;?

Roberts said that sexual issues can start as a moral problem, but they become a brain problem and then it is difficult to stop. This is what the PDMI-University will address. The University will teach about the neuropsychology and the spiritual aspects of addiction. It is designed for those interested in learning more about addiction and how it is affecting the Christian church today. Christian counselors, church leaders and addiction group leaders will find the information useful. In addition, couples who have been through the Pure Desire material are welcome. Roberts said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You will understand yourself better, so that you are better able to help others. This training will help you feel more compassion for people.â&#x20AC;? Roberts also invites leaders from churches that are not planning to have a program but want to understand their congregation. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If your church is growing, 85 percent of the new people walking in the door are addicted to something, so you are going to want to understand them.â&#x20AC;? Diane Roberts will facilitate a session during the seminar to discuss the material she wrote for the spouses of men who are sexual addicts. It is titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Betrayal and Beyond.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are looking forward to being in the Twin Cities,â&#x20AC;? Roberts said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to support and encourage the churches that have been using the Pure Desire materials in recent years. We also want to give other churches and counselors an opportunity to learn about addictions and get to know the Pure Desire team personally.â&#x20AC;? There is special pricing available for groups of three to encourage leadership teams to attend the seminar together. Seating is limited, and advanced registration is required.

For more information on the event or to register, call (503) 487-0235 or register on the website at www. puredesire.org. Once there, select Conferences and then PDMI-U.

Council, the Minnesota Catholic Conference and the National Organization for Marriage, groups with tens of thousands of supporters and potential volunteers. Nearly three dozen states have already addressed the marriage issue in a similar format, and Darrell believes that Minnesota will follow their example and vote to define marriage in traditional terms. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re seeing that Minnesota is like the rest of the country,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you get down to it and ask people what marriage isâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to define itâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and they say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one man/ one woman.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Our polls show that 57 percent of Minnesotans believe that marriage is one man and one woman. There is strong support for it here. Take a look around the country. There are 31 states that have voted on thisâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;have had a chance to vote on itâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve voted to preserve marriage, and we expect that to happen here as well.â&#x20AC;? Minnesota passed the Defense

of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the late 1990s, defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Since the state has already acted on this issue, some have argued that a constitutional amendment is not needed. Darrell believes, however, that challenges to traditional marriage definitions still exist, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why the constitutional amendment is important. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You take a look at the legislative sessions the last two years [and] youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see that numerous bills have been introduced to redefine marriage in the state legislature,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The other thing is there is a court case to redefine marriage that is under appeal right now. So you look at those two things, and you can see the movement over there that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to redefine marriage using either the legislative branch or the courts. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re saying â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;no.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s allow the people to have a say in this.â&#x20AC;?

While poll numbers on the issue may shift, Darrell wants voters to know that he believes same-sex marriage and traditional marriage cannot co-exist. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The other side would have you think that gender-less marriage and traditional marriage between a man and a woman are going to co-exist together,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s erroneous. They are not going to co-exist together in a nice little package. If they succeed at redefining marriage, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be forced on everybody, whether you like it or not or whether you agree or not.â&#x20AC;? Minnesota citizens will vote on the issue Nov. 6, 2012. For more information on the current marriage amendment, visit the Minnesota State Legislature website at www.leg.state.mn.us. For more information about Minnesota for Marriage, visit www. minnesotaformarriage.com.

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6 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • October 2011

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Leaders versus servants? What one can teach the other I admit, I regularly struggle with the concept of leadership. Not that I don’t appreciate and learn from people who are considered “leaders.” I certainly do. Leaders in churches, ministry, the workplace, professional endeavors, culture and other areas of society are definitely helpful and serve a broad purpose. My struggle with the idea of leadership centers upon how we define it—at least in the American context. And this includes churches and ministries. Walk into any bookstore or look online and you will quickly see the diversity and propensity of publishers to distribute books about leadership. “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” “Leadership: Theory and Practice,” “Monday Morning Leadership” and thousands of other titles, including the leadership habits of successful people, dot the shelves both physically and virtually. I’ve even read a few of these books over the years. However, the saturation of leader-

ship books and oftentimes their focus reveals a weakness in how we think about this issue. Self designated and Godordained leaders are prevalent throughout Scripture. One only has to look at Moses or David and see God preparing them and using them in vital leadership roles. The prophets certainly were used by God in their unique leadership capacities, and the New Testament highlights the disciples as leaders in their respective ministries. Nevertheless, I think Jesus’ example—played out through the gospels— should radically alter our idea of typical leadership roles. And certainly upend the leadership ideas the American business culture puts forth. There are three distinct (and probably many more) leadership principles Jesus demonstrated during His short time on earth that would revolutionize the way we view leadership. The first is the over-under principle. Jesus utilized this principle countless times in the gospels. For example, in Matthew 3, John the Baptist, who had

been heralding the arrival of Christ, was asked by Jesus to be baptized. Jesus had come from Galilee to the Jordan in order to be baptized. John tried to deter Jesus and asked Him, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus utilized this over-under approach to demonstrate the dynamic power of putting others ahead of ourselves. While John expected to be baptized by the long-awaited Savior, Jesus turned the tables on him and asked that John baptize Him. The second principle is meeting the needs of others. Jesus taught large groups of people several times in the gospels. Crowds eagerly followed Him wherever He went and waited upon His words and miracles. Yet we read that Jesus, after giving the crowds eternal words of wisdom and comfort, met His listeners’ needs by feeding them—thousands of them. While they gathered to hear His words, the crowds were often a far distance from their homes, villages or places in which to gather food and drink. Jesus realized their needs and met

Editor’s Note: Scott Noble them, oftentimes without people even voicing their requests. The third principle of leadership that Jesus demonstrated was handing over authority and power. He spent a mere three years in active ministry on the earth, training and helping to mature His followers. And we know the job was often very difficult. We need only look to Peter to realize that many

of us require more reminders and help than others. Yet when Jesus’ earthly ministry was completed, He left the job of teaching future generations about Him to us— His fallen, mistake-ridden people. However, Jesus knew what He was doing. This final leadership principle teaches that leadership—however we define it—is about training others to complete the tasks the current leader is assigned. This type of leadership is not about keeping to ourselves the abilities and ideas we have that help us retain our positions. It’s about sharing with others the gifts that He has so graciously blessed us with and passing on to future generations our wisdom, knowledge and experience. There are many solid leaders in the marketplace and many strong Christian leaders too. Leadership books and principles abound, but Jesus demonstrated the best leadership principles the world has ever seen. By putting others ahead of ourselves—and this is incredibly difficult—we adopt the most effective, dynamic and world-changing attitude available.

Leaders and followers: the mystery of influence These days, most leaders are familiar with the idea of unintended consequences: those unforeseen events that result from our efforts. It may be impossible to know all of the potential variables, and as a result, we find ourselves facing things we never imagined. That phenomenon appears in the life of the leader as well. Perhaps the greatest challenge to leaders is not unintended consequences, but what I call “unintended influence.” There is a spiritual aspect of leadership that is often overlooked. There is no escaping this fact: Ultimately, leadership is discipleship because in influencing others, we will always be conforming them—more and more or less and less—to the likeness of Christ. Over the years, I have become convinced that leadership, at its core, is a spiritual process. What I mean is this: Something mysterious happens when we lead others, and people’s hearts somehow align with their leaders. This doesn’t mean they always agree with us. It means that they take on some of our most deep-seated characteristics without

Sam Helgerson us knowing it. Years ago, I stumbled across a study that suggested that followers tend to take on their leaders’ strengths and weaknesses in a direct ratio. For example, if 20 percent of an organization’s leaders have a drinking problem, the general rule is that 20 percent of the people in that organization will have a similar problem. That study focused on multi-staff churches, but in reading the papers I’ve come to believe that the principle applies to any organization. I have

If you are a leader, people are imitating you — not as much in what you do as in who you are. become convinced of this after reading case studies of several high-profile business failures. Think Enron, Bernie Madoff and key players in the sub-prime mortgage meltdown. That fact presents us with an uncomfortable truth. There is no neutral zone. Admittedly, most people would like one. We’d like to believe that there are some things in life that don’t have a spiritual element to them, and it is easy to think that our daily work falls into that proverbial neither/nor land where God has no particular interest. Plenty of authors—for exam-

ple Os Guinness and Abraham Kuyper—have tried to remind us that our heart is always anchored on something and is the core of who we are. As Evan Runner put it, “Life is Religion.” At our core, humans are religious beings, created to be in relationship with God himself. Failing that, we’ll find an idol and not all idols are made of stone or wood. In fact, many people in our society have made an idol of objectivity and neutrality. Never forget that what we believe

drives our actions. I would argue that what we really believe drives our actions more than any values we might profess. This means that somehow, without intending it or expecting it, those you lead will imprint some of your heart onto their own. Leaders need to be as transparent and genuine as possible. In fact, that kind of influence never takes a day off. We are never off duty simply because there is no part of our life that is neutral. Never forget the words of the Apostle Paul: “Imitate me, as I imitate Christ.” If you are a leader, people are imitating you—not as much in what you do as in who you are. May God grant all of us the grace to lead well, with humility, godliness and courage. Sam Helgerson, PhD, is the program director for the Master’s program in Organizational Leadership and the assistant dean of Business and Leadership Programs at Bethel University.

To still bear fruit God’s grand mosaic of fall leaves’ gloriously decorating the forest floor announces we have entered autumn. As the crisp tiles crumple beneath my feet, I ponder the fact that I am in the autumn of my life as well. This reality is made palpable, quite literally, by the tug of a tiny hand in mine and a sweet, two-year-old voice imploring me to “Yook at dis, Grandma!” Yes, I have joined the throng of baby boomers who have not only received the dreaded AARP membership card in the mail, but who also find themselves the object of adoration for a tiny angelon-earth: their very own grandchild. Having trod thirty years of parenthood, I now am faced with the honor and responsibility of helping my child’s child navigate the trails and trials of life. What have I learned along the path that will best prepare him for the treacherous cliffs, steep inclines, fallen boulders and slippery slopes he is sure to encounter? I have learned to love my grandchild unconditionally; to pray for him earnestly; to be an example of faith,

compassion, service and humility; to diligently teach him God’s Word; to share the truth of Jesus’ mercy; to help him embrace God-honoring values and virtues; and to encourage him to find his identity in Jesus Christ and to be conformed to His image. Most importantly, I need to teach him who God is and why He is so precious to me—so that my grandson may trust and treasure my Savior too. One way to show a child God’s attributes is through the wonder of creation. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made … ” (Romans 1:20). As my grandson gently runs his hand across the velvety moss covering a tree stump, I tell him how in God’s wise plan He uses the moss to break the tree down to make rich soil that will nourish other trees and plants of the forest. They in turn provide shelter and food for animals as well as raw materials from which we humans can benefit.

My grandson learns God is omniscient or “perfectly wise” in creating this system of continual renewal of life. “By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations … ” (Proverbs 3:19). He can trust God to renew his strength as he hopes in the Lord and relies on His wisdom. Next he holds a rubbery, black salamander with bright blue spots and marvels at its impossibly tiny, delicate fingers gently clinging to his own. I remark how God created them both—He is the perfect Designer. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14). He can trust the plan God designed for his life—for his good and God’s glory. As my grandson waits patiently until a fuzzy, black-and-orange caterpillar decides it is safe to uncurl from its protective ball and inch its way up his arm, I explain that God gave the caterpillar ability to sense danger and to shield itself from harm. He is the perfect Protector. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him,

Lee Burtman and I am helped” (Psalm 28:7). My grandson can trust God as his shelter in a time of storm. Further down the path, we spy a leaf-green walking stick ambling up a tree trunk, nearly indistinguishable from the surrounding twigs due to its God-given camouflage. Sensing our presence, it stops abruptly in its tracks, trying to remain incognito. Though the insect is difficult to detect with the human eye, God knows its position just as He knows where we are, both

physically and spiritually. “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). My grandson can trust that God is perfectly omnipresent and omniscient and that He will never leave or forsake him. Merely having knowledge of God’s wonderful attributes is not quite enough, however, to prepare one for life’s journey. My grandson will also need faith that these qualities of being wise, creative, protective, all-knowing and ever-present are reliable and that God will guide him in paths of righteousness as he trusts and obeys His Word. The seeds of belief are already sprouting as my grandson skips ahead and I hear him singing softly, “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty …,” a song I had taught him that very morning! I praise the Lord for this opportunity to “still bear fruit in old age.” Lee Burtman is an early childhood educator in Roseville Area Schools and a disability ministry site leader at Bethlehem Baptist Church.

October 2011 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • 7

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Forgiveness is not natural; it’s supernatural Our mighty God puts a premium on forgiveness. Truth be told, it is one of the cornerstones to His kingdom plan since He values right relationships. When God extended forgiveness to us through Jesus Christ, it was meant to do double duty: to do a work in us so we can be reconciled with God and begin its work through us so we can be reconciled with others. The forgiveness that has been lavished upon us is also the model by which we are to forgive. Forgiveness is a decision to release a person from the obligation that resulted when they injured you. This kind of forgiveness cannot be dispensed through our own ability (the flesh). It is altogether supernatural (through the Spirit). The desire and ability to forgive others begins with receiving God’s forgiveness for our own sin. As a follower of Christ, you may know intellectually that God forgave you for all of your sins, but do you truly believe it? The deceiver will remind you of your past and question, “Did He really forgive you for that?” If this is a soundtrack playing through your mind, give it to the Lord. The Scriptures are clear: He is able to forgive you for any sin you have committed. Repent today of this sin and know it’s officially dealt with. Allow the Holy Spirit to heal and comfort you from the pain this

Choosing to forgive increases our understanding of God, who, while we were yet sinners, forgave us. Terrance J. Rollerson sin has caused. Once we feel the weight of our sin lifted and the joy of reconciliation with God, we are freed up to be reconciled with others. Just as God has forgiven our offenses (sins) against Him, He desires and requires us to forgive others of their offenses against us. I wonder how many Christians would want God to forgive them the way they forgive others. Yet Matthew 6:12 reveals this is how we will be forgiven! If we refuse to forgive others, Jesus said the Father will refuse to forgive us. If God does not forgive us of our sins, our sins remain on us—a very dangerous condition to be in. Let’s be honest: It’s consoling to nurse a grudge, isn’t it? It’s soothing to think of ways we can get even to make them pay for what they’ve done. It’s been said, “Unforgiveness is

like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get hurt.” When we withhold forgiveness from someone, we hurt ourselves and our relationship with God. “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:17-18). “ … as far as it depends on you” indicates there are steps we can take. Forgiveness is a choice so we can choose to activate God’s power to forgive. But then there’s God’s part—the actual supernatural transformation of the heart and mind to completely and totally forgive. Nothing good dwells in our flesh, so the power to forgive someone who has hurt you is not going to come from you. It’s going to come from the Holy Spirit living in you. Only by allowing the Lord to ac-

tivate the fruit of His love in our lives can we truly walk in forgiveness. God’s supernatural love never fails, never fades and never comes to an end. It seeks not its own. It is not easily offended (1 Corinthians 13:5). Here are three reasons why forgiving others is so important: 1) Forgiving others is being obedient to God. Colossians 3:13: “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” There are no exceptions to this. There is no reasoning with God about this. There is no reason to pray about whether you should forgive that person. He commands it. We need to do it. 2) Forgiveness frees us from slavery to the past. Unforgiveness is like a chain around your soul. But it’s a chain you can break with the

help of God. You can never move into the depth of relationship and enjoyment of Christ that’s possible and that He wants for you if you are chained to the past in unforgiveness. 3) It reflects Christ’s work in you. If you are a Christian, you are forgiven. You didn’t deserve it, you didn’t earn it and you couldn’t buy it. It was given to you free when you asked for it. If you’re a Christian, you are to be a living reflection of Jesus to the world around us. If you’re withholding forgiveness, that reflection is tarnished to the point where they can’t see an accurate image of Jesus. Choosing to forgive increases our understanding of God, who, while we were yet sinners, forgave us. When we go through the process of forgiving others, we come to understand what God went through to forgive us; we come to understand more clearly the reason for the cross, the pain of the cross and the significance of Jesus’ words before the cross: “This is my body broken for you, this is the blood of the new covenant shed for you.” Go forth and supernaturally forgive. Rev. Terrance J. Rollerson is pastor of The Compass Covenant Church in St. Paul.

Don’t worry about mean ’ol Richard Dawkins We all have a guilty pleasure. For some it’s food or daytime television or Justin Bieber. Mine is Richard “Darwin’s Rottweiler” Dawkins, the atheistic scientist and intellectual who is best known for his advocacy of Darwinian evolution, his book “The God Delusion” and his hostility toward people of faith. My interest started with a couple of his YouTube debates. Then I read one of his books, “The Greatest Show on Earth” and have since indulged in more online videos and shorter works written both by and about him. He is an all-around entertaining person. He is intelligent and witty, creative and informed, articulate and funny … especially if you’re not the butt of his jokes (I frequently am). He is a masterful writer, able to explain complex science experiments to those of us with no science background. Near-poetic prose and metaphor link his main points, making his books a pleasure to read. Dawkins recently released his first book aimed at a young audience, “The Magic of Reality,” in

He doesn’t try to claim that believers are wrong as much as he tries to argue that they are stupid… which he teaches children Sundayschool style about how amazing the world is without God. Dawkins is a man who believes what he is saying—really believes it—and therefore thinks anyone who disagrees is wrong. I think of the short video where he is asked, “You have done debates all around the world. Have you ever had a clever or interesting argument from the other side?” Dawkins’ answer: “No.” This may turn off some people who are open-minded and think everyone else should be too. Others don’t like it because they disagree with him. This is understand-

able, of course, but I don’t think it should necessarily stop us from appreciating his conviction. Turn it around. Pretend Dawkins is on our side. Then we would love his resolve. His charm and acumen make him perfect for the media. He has rock star status among atheists, as he would among Christians if he were a Christian himself. Considering all of his positive qualities, why aren’t there more Dawkins converts? He has adopted an almost evangelistic approach as he has traveled to different universities conducting atheist revivals, yet it seems many atheists distance themselves from him while believers don’t even read what

Zach Psick he has to say. The fact is that people are pushed away by his style. Successful persuasive speaking and writing spends more time confirming what the listeners already believe than actually trying to persuade. Dawkins not only rejects nearly every part of religion, but he labels anyone who is religious in the most unflattering terms. He doesn’t try to claim that believers are wrong as much as he tries to argue that they are stupid, and few people are convinced by such an argument. Dawkins has a following, and most of them are cut from the same

cloth as him: bitter, elitist atheists. While they certainly do have an effect on the world, by being so polarizing, they do more to work against their cause than they do to support it. “Either you’re an atheist or you’re an idiot” comes off as arrogant in a world where 80-90 percent of the population is theistic. The threat that Christians should feel from Dawkins is not that he will convince anyone that believers are wrong, but that he will distract us from studying and teaching Truth and draw us instead into clever arguments and high-brow name calling. While Dawkins will keep writing and his atheist rallies are likely to continue, it is not Dawkins that we need to worry about. Rather, we should focus on ourselves and our own propensity to either water down or intellectualize the Truth in response to attacks from “those who are perishing.” Once again, it is me, not “he” that is the greatest threat to the Gospel. Zach Psick is a freelance writer who enjoys studying and discussing theology and politics in his leisure time.

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The future of American evangelicalism Beliefs and doctrines may stay the same but demographics will change By Scott Noble This is Part 3 in our three-part series on “The changing face of evangelicalism.” TWIN CITIES — As with any time-tested movement, the notion to change based on current challenges is always prevalent. However, a successful movement manages change well, thus ensuring that its core beliefs and doctrines are not sacrificed on the mantle of “the newest thing.” For a movement like American evangelicalism, which has a long and storied history, established and essential doctrines will form the basis for any change or temptation to change in future generations. The nation’s roughly 100 million evangelicals—or approximately one-third of the country’s population—is not immune, however, from the challenges of postmodernism and secular society. Advanc-

es in science and anthropology for years have caused many to question some of the significant truth claims of evangelical Christianity. Also, as American society continues to become less biblically literate, other belief systems—including no religion at all—will gain acceptance and attempt to make claims that challenge Christianity. Finally, younger generations are nearly always tempted to alter the beliefs or prevailing positions of previous generations in an attempt to become more relevant to a changing culture. In light of these challenges, however, a unified commitment to core doctrines may help any movement avoid significantly altering what it believes. Leith Anderson, who is the president of the National Association of Evangelicals and also the senior pastor of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minn., believes

the core doctrines of what makes an evangelical are durable, able to stand the test of time. “To be an evangelical is to take the Bible seriously and to accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior,” Anderson said. “I don’t think that will change. If it did change, then people wouldn’t be evangelicals anymore. Because that’s what an evangelical is. In terms of central, historic orthodox Christian beliefs, they are highly durable. While there may be periodic deviations and distractions, I don’t foresee that in a generation they are going to be any different than they are now.” One of evangelicalism’s significant components is its commitment to propositional truth, claims that are made based on objective criteria. As many in American society have moved away from propositional truth, Anderson believes that evangelicals will continue to place strong emphasis on these claims.

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“Propositional truth—to me—is at the epicenter and core of what evangelicalism is,” Anderson said. “Again, there can’t be an abandonment of propositional truth. However, evangelicals have always been experiential, so it’s not dry orthodoxy; it’s how we actually live.” Previous generations of evangelicals have placed more emphases on various experiential things. However, those emphases did not distract the overall movement from its commitment to the basic truth claims of Christianity. “In the 1960s, there was a very heavy emphasis on different theories of eschatology,” Anderson said. “In the 1970s, there was a strong emphasis on spiritual gifts. Sometimes that is [an] enhancement of the understanding of biblical truths, and sometimes there’s also a peripheral controversy that comes with it. I think those types of things will happen. There’s not debate over the Trinity, the deity of Jesus Christ, the substitutionary atonement. The central doctrines of Christian faith I foresee as holding strong even though there may be disagreement over propositions of secondary matters.” Younger generations As with all movements, younger generations of adherents play a significant role in its success and whether or not the same commitments will be retained. While it’s difficult to ascertain reliable statistics on what younger evangelicals believe and how they view their role in the future of evangelicalism, some leaders are encouraged by younger believers and their commitment to the faith and to demonstrating Jesus to unbelievers. Anderson sees much to be excited about with younger evangelicals. “In terms of our younger generation, I am more than encouraged; I’m enthused,” Anderson said. “We have a younger generation who are zealous in their Christian faith, who believe in evangelism, who are engaging social issues with hands-on compassion for the poor and the needy.” Anderson has the unique opportunity as president of a national organization and as a pastor of a church to see first-hand younger generations of believers. “As a pastor of a church, I can just tell you that the growing edge of excitement and engagement is in teenagers and young adults,” he said. “Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like it in my life before. And I hear similar reports from all over the country. Occasionally, you hear naysayers who think that we have a generation of young adults who are abandoning the faith. And while that may be true for some, for those that are engaged their numbers are growing and the promise is great.” Politics While some may be encouraged by younger evangelicals and their commitment to the faith, many are concerned with what they see as a drifting away from some of the conservative political commitments that have defined the last 40 years. Throughout evangelicalism’s history in the U.S., many in the movement have been involved to some degree with political issues and elections. The last 40 years, however, beginning in the early 1970s, was a pivotal and defining time for evangelicals and their seeming reemergence into politics after a sev-

eral decade retreat. The Scopes trial in the mid-1920s caused many conservative Christians to seek shelter in a Christian subculture, and it wasn’t until the early 1970s that many began to emerge from this subculture and re-engage mainstream society. Anderson sees future generations of evangelicals being engaged in society’s most important issues. “Evangelicals have always been involved to an important extent in social issues,” he said. “It was abolitionists in the 19th century, it was prohibitionists who were often evangelicals in the early part of the 20th century. I would expect that engagement in whatever are the most important contemporary issues will continue—like abortion, I think evangelicals will stay engaged as pro-lifers.” However, Anderson is unsure if evangelicals will be committed to a specific political party or candidate. “To the extent that evangelicals will stay involved with one political party or with certain candidates, I think that that’s uncertain at this point,” he said. “And there will be rise and fall of enthusiasm and sometimes because of triumphalism and other times because of disappointment.” Diversity As the nation becomes more ethnically diverse, many believe evangelicals will continue to become more representative of the U.S. One of the ways evangelicalism is becoming more diverse—ethnically and perhaps doctrinally as well—is through immigration. “The growing edge of evangelicalism is among immigrants,” Anderson said. “The U.S., unlike European countries, is experiencing most immigration coming from countries where Christianity is booming. So the revivals and the expansion of evangelicalism—particularly Pentecostalism in Latin America, Africa and Asia—is being brought by immigrants to our shores. It is quite a conservative expression of evangelicalism. So I said that’s our growing edge, so that’s the future.” As each generation ages and passes on the baton of faith to those who are younger, there is always a possibility that the faith may look different down the road. The evangelicalism of today looks quite different than the evangelicalism of the 1840s or the 1930s. One of the hallmarks of the movement, however, is its ability to adapt to new and various cultural conditions and challenges while remaining committed to its essential doctrines and beliefs. While leaders can surmise the challenges evangelicals will face in 2020 or 2040, no one knows for sure if those challenges will actually develop. The peace of mind that comes from daily living out and passing on the ancient faith to younger generations may serve as the best assurance that tomorrow’s evangelical movement will be even more dynamic than today’s.

Part one in “The Changing Face of Evangelicalism” series, “How politics and cultural engagement have shaped the Evangelical movement,” has been archived at www.minnesota. christianexaminer.com under August 2011. Part two, “Why do some leave the movement?” has been archived under September 2011.

October 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER â&#x20AC;˘ 9

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What does the future of evangelicalism look like locally? A conversation with Carl Nelson, president of Transform Minnesota By Scott Noble TWIN CITIES â&#x20AC;&#x201D; While evangelicalism as a movement changes nationally, those changes are not necessarily experienced the same way locally. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s evangelicals and political involvement, the ethnic diversity of the movement or the hope of younger generations, evangelicalism locally has its own unique challenges and opportunities. The Minnesota Christian Examiner asked Carl Nelson, president of Transform Minnesota (formerly the Minnesota Association of Evangelicals) to evaluate the future of evangelicalism from a local perspective. Minnesota Christian Examiner: Is evangelicalism in Minnesota becoming more diverse? If so, how will that impact the movement in the future? Carl Nelson: Evangelicalism is

becoming more diverse in Minnesota, although not to the same degree that it is nationwide. But we have a growing Latino evangelical population, African-immigrant evangelicals and a growing number of evangelical churches that are multicultural congregations with at least 20 percent non-white membership. The evangelicalism of many immigrant Christians tends to be more charismatic and relational, and this has already begun shaping evangelicalism in Minnesota in a positive way, I believe.

ending sex trafficking, and the sanctity of life, traditional marriage and strengthening families. Most evangelical pastors I know recognize that we allowed our prophetic voice to be muted in the past few decades because we attached our hopes to the prospects of one party. That has changed. Evangelicals will stay involved in politics, but

MCE: Do you believe evangelicals will be as involved in politics in the future as they have been in the past? Is that good or bad?

Evangelicalsâ&#x20AC;? was too long. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Transformâ&#x20AC;? aims to communicate â&#x20AC;&#x153;the re-birth and supernatural changesâ&#x20AC;? that people experience when they encounter Jesus, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Minnesotaâ&#x20AC;? defines the boundaries of the evangelical network, according to Nelson. Transform Minnesota has several entities that daily impact thousands of lives, including Damascus Way Reentry Center, New Life Family Services and World Relief Minnesota.

Nelson: Evangelicals will stay involved in politics but with a wider biblical agenda that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t entirely fit within either the Republican or Democratic ideologies. Evangelicals are leading advocates for immigration reform, justice for the poor,

NAME CHANGEâ&#x20AC;Ś Continued from page 1

it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look the same as in the past. MCE: Are you encouraged by younger evangelicals and how they will shape the future of the movement? Nelson: Younger evangelicals are passionate about living an authentic faith that affects the world In spite of the name change, Nelson said the organization will continue its mission. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even though our name is changing, who we are and what we do will stay the same,â&#x20AC;? Nelson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Transform Minnesota will still connect and mobilize evangelicals to extend the Gospel of Jesus and His kingdom, help churches to reach their neighbors, bridge racial, geographic and denominational differences between evangelicals, offer training for leaders and model transformational ministry through [our] three affiliate organizations.â&#x20AC;? In addition, Transform Minnesota

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around them. This excites me because they want to practice Christianity in such a way that is going to attract non-Christians to Jesus through how they are living and transforming the world. This is an evangelicalism less focused on programs, church buildings and traditions, but I believe they will help to revitalize the movement. announced a funding initiative that will help churches study their neighborhoods and design better connecting points with community members. The one-year pilot project will work with three to six churches in one community to â&#x20AC;&#x153;create service, outreach and evangelism activities that meet human needs and help people meet Jesus.â&#x20AC;?

For more information about Transform Minnesota and to watch a video introduction of the new name, visit www.transformmn.org.

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SEATTLE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; On July 20, the United Nations announced that a famine has hit a large section of Somalia, with severe drought conditions throughout the Horn of Africa. An estimated 10 million people have been affected in northeastern Kenya, Somalia and eastern Ethiopia. This is the first official famine in the region since 1984-85, when one million people died in Ethiopia and Sudan. Famines mean a lack of resources to meet the basic food requirements for the population, acute malnutrition in more than 30 percent of the population and a death rate equal to five out of 10,000 people per day. Somalia has not had rain for the past two years, and no rain is predicted until October. Without the rain, the people, who rely on agriculture for sustenance, have no food. At least 500,000 children from the region are at risk of death, according to UNICEF. The challenges in Somalia are not new. According to Dave Eller, president of World Concern, the nation has existed in an almost feudal system of government since the official government collapsed in the early 1990s. Militarized control of shifting regional governments has resulted in oppression. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Somalia is like the wild, wild west,â&#x20AC;? said Derek Sciba, marketing director of World Concern. The nonprofit Christian relief organization based in Seattle has worked in the nation since the mid-1980s, digging wells to provide water, improving the agricultural system and teaching hygiene and sanitation practices. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are a people who live day to day under oppression,â&#x20AC;? Eller said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is tragic enough without the effects of a drought placed upon them. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just that things are a little worse; this is a tragedy

at the heart of the issue. Their children are dying.â&#x20AC;? Eller worries that people will grow tired of hearing about Somalia because it has been in desperate need for so many years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This situation is different,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before, the people were always able to pull together a little bit to eat. Their normal lives were just above the survival line, but now they have dropped below it. That demands a response from all of us.â&#x20AC;? With no infrastructure of communication, it is challenging to tell people where to go for supplies, food and water. Though starving, they put everything on their backs and leave their homes behind, not sure where to go, according to Eller. More than 1,300 people cross the border into Kenya each day, where an established refugee camp is already at 300 percent of its capacity. World Concern is addressing the famine in several specific ways. It is bringing water, emergency food and survival supplies to southern Somalia, which has been inaccessible until recently because of high security risks. The organization is also extending its reach to northern Somalia and Kenya, with the primary goal of delivering water to families. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The situation has been building for years,â&#x20AC;? Eller said, explaining that the recent announcement by the United Nations brings the need into sharper focus and is an appeal for governments around the world to increase their response. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is the highest need in the world today,â&#x20AC;? Eller said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is not a short-term problem like a hurricane or earthquake. This is the worst drought the region has seen in more than 60 years.â&#x20AC;? The United Nations is gathering relief organizations, including World Concern, to coordinate efforts to help the people of Somalia. To find out how you can help, visit www.worldconcern.org/crisis or call (866) 530-5433.

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Village Schools of the Bible appoints new ministry leader Ministry aims to come alongside churches and help disciple Christians By Scott Noble MINNETONKA — Warren Coe has spent more than three decades in various pastoral ministry positions: in Illinois, Iowa and most recently in Minnesota. The California native and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School graduate said, however, that those 30 years of experience have been in preparation for his new ministry as executive director and principal of Village Schools of the Bible (VSB). Coe was officially installed in his new position at a ceremony in mid-September at Grace Church in Eden Prairie. Begun nearly 30 years ago by a retired missionary, VSB aims to assist the local church with discipleship. The ministry offers several classes that give students a better, more complete view of the Bible. “[VSB] basically established kind of an intensive time of study in the Bible to help people grasp what God’s doing between Genesis and Revelation,” Coe said. “It’s a comprehensive Bible study discipleship ministry that teaches God’s Word and transforms people’s lives.” The ministry works with local churches that provide the classrooms and space for the classes. Currently, VSB classes meet at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Berean Baptist Church in Burnsville, First Free in Maplewood and Buffalo Covenant Church. “Our signature course is called ‘Bible Survey.’” Coe said. “We refer to it as ‘Cover to Cover.’ It takes a look at the unfolding plan of redemption that’s revealed from Genesis to Revelation. We focus more specifically on what we call the ‘Scarlet Thread of Redemption’— that the story of the Bible is really the story about Jesus Christ and the redemption, the salvation that He would purchase for us at Calvary. The subsequent resurrection was the triumph of His work.” The courses, which include a correspondence option, focus more on the big picture of Scripture and aim to give students a broader understanding of how God has worked in and through history.

Warren Coe was recently installed as the new executive director and principal of Village Schools of the Bible.

“We want people to see the Bible at maybe 12,000 feet, see the big moments where God has moved in time, space and history to affect His plan of salvation,” Coe said. “We want people to see how the story of Christ unfolds starting right there in Genesis and then the great consummation—the second coming of Christ—revealed in Revelation.” Surveys from pollsters have revealed an American public that is becoming much less biblically literate. The idea of “common biblical knowledge,” where most people— Christians and non-Christians alike—know the basic stories and concepts of Christianity is no longer the case. Some see this as a challenge. “[Pollster George Barna] has seen the decline of biblical knowledge among those who profess or claim to be Christians, even born-again Christians,” Coe said. “So simple things of the Scriptures that maybe a generation ago would have been able to answer ... a generation has grown up, they don’t know this.” Yet Coe sees this lack of biblical knowledge as an opportunity. “As I talk with senior pastors and leaders, they are all saying the same thing: There is such a lack of Bible knowledge,” Coe said. “They refer to it as ‘biblical illiteracy’ within the Body of Christ. And they are concerned. How can we have effective leaders serving in our churches if they do not know or understand the Scriptures? I’m feeling kind of

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encouraged that there are more and more pastors that are acknowledging the need to address what George Barna I think so accurately discovered in his polling data ... ” Coe hopes that once people go through VSB courses they will return to their local church and utilize their newfound knowledge. “Historically, VSB has been utilized by God to make leaders,” Coe said. “People who have come to do this maybe didn’t know very much about the Bible; they felt like they needed to walk closer with the Lord. They didn’t know exactly how to do that. We call it ‘[the] discipleship component’ ... what we’re wanting people to do is be transformed and then go on and serve their local church ... ” That discipleship component is also what ultimately led Coe to pursue the position at VSB. “I was looking for something very discipleship-oriented that would serve the local church—individual

Teachers assist Village Schools of the Bible students as they work through the Bible ‘cover to cover.’

Christians in the local church— helping them grow in their own walk with Jesus Christ through a deeper, more comprehensive study of the Bible,” Coe said. VSB is hoping to expand its ministry to several other contexts in the future. Coe said VSB currently is exploring the urban ministry context, the church planting movement, para-church min-

istries and smaller churches outside of the metro area. Coe hopes to be able to determine how VSB can partner with these contexts and provide discipleship opportunities for their constituents. For more information about Village Schools of the Bible, visit www.vsb. net.

12 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • October 2011

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Religious liberty concerns mount in the Middle East By Emily Belz World News Service WASHINGTON, D.C. — The message was clear, even if the U.S. State Department did not heighten its official sanctions in its annual international religious freedom report: The U.S. government sees mounting threats to religious freedom in the Middle East. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented the report at the State Department in mid-September. And while she applauded the democracy movements in the Middle East, she said the upheaval has “also exposed religious and ethnic minorities to danger.” “They cannot change one form of repression for another,” Clinton said. Michael Posner, who oversees the international religious freedom office as assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, said the agency is particularly concerned about the plight of Christians in Syria, many of whom

have fled persecution elsewhere in the Middle East and now are facing persecution again. In Egypt, Posner said the United States is pushing for the government there to pass the “unified law,” which would allow more freedom to build houses of worship across faiths. Currently, it is extremely difficult for minority religions to obtain building permits. The State Department also said the Egyptian government had failed to prosecute “numerous perpetrators of violence against Coptic Christians.” China, which the State Department re-designated as a “country of particular concern” (CPC), a label reserved for the most egregious violators of religious freedom, also fell under sharp criticism. Posner described “a deteriorating human rights situation” there, particularly in regard to the oppression of house churches. The report cites the Chinese government for preventing house church leaders from participating in the Lausanne Con-

ference in South Africa last year, as well as beating and temporarily detaining some of those leaders. “We will continue to raise these issues with China,” Posner promised. Some religious freedom experts had thought the agency might add a country to the list of CPCs, which remains unchanged at eight: Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Uzbekistan. The top candidate for the inauspicious recognition was Pakistan, where the country’s only Christian cabinet member, Shahbaz Bhatti, was assassinated in March. In January, Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer also was assassinated for his support of religious minorities, and in late August, Taseer’s son was kidnapped. Both Taseer and Bhatti had prominently pushed for reform in the nation’s harsh blasphemy laws, which prohibit criticism of Islam. Pakistan, so far, has not reformed the laws despite urging from the United States.

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The events of the last year in Pakistan are the result of an “extremist component,” Posner said. “They are asserting themselves,” in the face of reforms. But he sees steps in the right direction: Posner said the government could have, for example, left Bhatti’s post as minister of minorities vacant, but instead appointed Bhatti’s brother, Paul. “But the message is we have concerns,” Posner added. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent government arm that monitors abuses abroad, urged the State Department to add new CPCs, like Pakistan and Vietnam. The State Department usually publishes its annual report in the spring but delayed it this year so that its release would coincide with other reports on human rights. The agency can designate CPCs at any time though. Some religious freedom experts have said that the State Department is giving the religious freedom issue more attention than it has in the recent past.

Back in March, Clinton acknowledged at a House of Representatives committee hearing that the U.S. government hadn’t given proper attention to the plight of religious minorities in the Middle East. Since then, the State Department has set up a grant for victims of religious persecution who are facing “long term detention or death sentence.” This past spring, the U.S. Senate also finally confirmed the ambassador for international religious freedom, Suzan Johnson Cook, giving the international religious freedom office at the State Department a prominent voice as well as a closer tie to the secretary—Cook worked with the Clinton White House and is a personal friend of the secretary of state. The State Department also secured a long-sought victory in the United Nations this year, when a defamation of religions resolution, essentially a blasphemy law pushed by Islamic countries, did not pass for the first time in 12 years.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Midwest organizers hope to collect 100,000 shoe boxes in the Twin Cities area this year.

SHOEBOXES… Continued from page 1 throughout the world. Since the beginning of the project in 1993, OCC has distributed more than 86 million shoe box gifts and hand-delivered them to needy children in more than 130 countries. This year, the Upper Midwest Region of OCC hopes to collect 100,000 shoe boxes in the Twin Cities metro area. “This is going to be a great Christmas for millions of kids around the world living in war, poverty and disease,” said Nicole Sheldon, Upper Midwest regional director for OCC. “Who would have thought that giving a child a pencil may be their only chance at going to school that year, or that giving a child a toy would give them a reason to smile?” Families, communities and church groups throughout the U.S. will team up this season to pack more than 8.5 million shoe boxes. This kids-helping-kids program uses these simple gifts to let hurting children know that they are loved and not forgotten. Shoe boxes will be filled with simple items that many take for granted, including tooth brushes and toothpaste, socks, shoes, pencils, paper and toys. “I do Operation Christmas Child because I know there are kids out there who appreciate it,” said Noël Olson, a long-time participant of the program. “In addition to the small things we send, they get small Bibles and ministry support on the other end

to carry on what Operation Christmas Child does. It’s fun to fill the boxes with things that are long lasting, like harmonicas, books, clothes and other things.” The millions of shoe boxes that are packed this year will be transported using whatever means necessary, including sea containers, helicopters and even elephants. Because of the remote areas that OCC reaches, creativity in transportation is necessary. Many of those who receive a gift will hear the message of the Gospel for the very first time. Children are presented with creative Gospel presentations and participate in a discipleship project, where appropriate. Gifts such as pencils, toys or shoes may seem like a small gesture for the givers but to the kids who receive them, OCC hopes that the simple gift of a shoe box is a significant moment in their lives. National Collection Week is Nov. 14-21. Shoe box collection sites will be open during Collection Week throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Part of a massive year-round effort, shoe boxes are collected at Samaritan’s Purse’s headquarters in North Carolina. Samaritan’s Purse will collect shoe boxes at more than 2,700 drop-off sites in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

To find a collection site near you or for more information about packing a shoe box, visit www. samaritanspurse.org/occ.

October 2011 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • 13

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230 tons of debris removed from Canaanite water system By Gary D. Myers BP News Service GEZER, Israel — An archeological team from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has uncovered a natural cave at the end of a Canaanite water system in Israel, shedding light on an Old Testament culture. The Gezer Water System Expedition, about 20 miles west of Jerusalem, is a joint project of the seminary and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Dan Warner, associate professor of Old Testament and archaeology at the school, and Tsvika Tsuk of the authority are directing the excavation of the ancient Tel Gezer water system, which dates as early as 1800 B.C. “The research at Gezer is important … because of our commitment to understand the Bible within its historical context,” Warner said. “Any information we can gain to give better insights into the cultures of the biblical world helps us interpret the Bible. “Most think of the Canaanites as an old, rustic culture—not so. Digging the water system took great technical and hydraulic skill. This was a very advanced and sophisticated culture that had pronounced impact in biblical times.” It is believed the Canaanites cut the massive tunnel around the time of Abraham using flint tools. Measuring nearly 13 feet wide by 24 feet high at the opening and stretching 150 feet into the ground at a 38-degree slope, the Gezer tunnel is the largest ancient water system ever unearthed. Late in the final week of the 2011 dig, the seminary team found the

natural cave at the end of the massive rock-hewn water system—the prime objective of this season’s dig. It is believed that the system’s original water source is located in or near the opening of the cave. Creating a buzz The excavation, which removed 230 tons of dirt this summer, created quite a stir within the Israeli archaeological community. Numerous archaeological dignitaries made their way to Gezer to tour the site this year. Ronny Reich and Eli Shukron, two archaeologists who wrote an influential article on the subject in 2003, were among the guests. Sam Wolff and others from the Israel Antiquities Authority also visited the site. The seminary team encompassed the work of 33 people at different times during the summer. The buzz has continued in the United States. In October, Warner will present his research at the Oklahoma Water Research Symposium and Governor’s Water Conference, and in November, he will give lectures at the Near Eastern Archaeological Society and American Schools of Oriental Research meetings in San Francisco. The water system and the cave were discovered more than a century ago by Irish archaeologist R.A.S. Macalister during his excavation at Gezer from 1906-08. French archaeologist Pére L.H. Vincent visited the water system and the cave during Macalister’s excavation. Neither archaeologist fully excavated the cave, and they offered conflicting descriptions of the cave and water system. Seeking answers During next summer’s dig, scheduled for May 27 to June 15, the New Orleans team will focus

PHOTO BY ART BEAULIEU

Members of the excavation team dig dirt and debris from the ancient Gezer water system, 20 miles west of Jerusalem. New Orleans Seminary is leading the exploration of the massive rock-hewn tunnel.

on excavating the cave in hopes of answering several lingering questions about the water system. First and foremost, the team will try to discover how the Canaanites knew about the water source. Warner believes the Canaanites found the water source through an opening in the cave located outside the city walls. He speculates that the tunnel was cut to provide the city with a safe water source during times of siege. “The tunnel is cut perfectly straight, and it’s very artistic,” Warner said. “You don’t cut something like that blindly.

You have to know water is down there. You just aren’t going to spend all that time and energy.” Another question involves the date of the tunnel’s construction. Macalister, Tsuk, Warner and other archaeologists have proposed an early date for the system—during the Middle Bronze Age, pegged at between 1800 and 1500 B.C.— making the Gezer tunnel one of the oldest rock-hewn water systems ever discovered. Other scholars, including noted archaeologist William Dever, do not believe the system is that old.

He has proposed a Late Bronze Age or Iron Age date for the tunnel. Warner remains hopeful that evidence can be found to settle the long-running debate over the date. “We might get a better perspective (on the date) inside the cave,” Warner said. “There might be carvings on the wall or some type of inscription. There could be pottery remains, and if we find consistent pottery remains from the Middle and Late Bronze Age, that at least gives us a pretty good idea that it dates from the start of the Middle Bronze Age.”

14 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • October 2011

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Jason Gray releases new CD that speaks to the ‘outsider’ By Scott Noble MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis native Jason Gray was introduced to Christian music in the fourth grade, when his mother—in the midst of a divorce—became a Christian. Gray’s mother went from singing in bars to singing at revival meetings, Gray said. During this pivotal time in his life, he was “navigating the challenges of being a kid with a speech handicap and this growing feeling of being an outsider,” Gray said via a media release. That feeling of being an outsider has shaped much of Gray’s music. “With all my songs, I want to be conscientious of the person who feels like an outsider, excluded because of their pain,” he said. “I hope by acknowledging difficulty, heartbreak and pain that I can cast a line for them to hold onto and be drawn in.” That’s certainly apparent with

Gray’s latest CD, “A Way to See in the Dark.” The lyrics reflect an artist who has spent time wrestling with various theological matters and issues related to the human condition. That starting point makes his music speak to the struggles and pain of many of his listeners. “Author Frederick Buechner tells us that before we presume to proclaim the hope and the good news of the Gospel, we should look at the headlines of the day and acknowledge the worst of the world, otherwise nobody is going to believe the best of the hope we speak of,” Gray said. “A Way to See in the Dark” is Gray’s fourth album with Centricity Music. His 2007 CD “All the Lovely Losers” resulted in ChristianityToday.com referring to Gray as one of “Christian music’s best kept secrets.” The first single on the new CD, “Remind Me Who I Am,” reflects

Minneapolis native Jason Gray infuses theological depth with catchy lyrics in latest release, “A Way to See in the Dark.”

on sin and its propensity in our lives. “I began to wonder why exactly do I sin,” Gray said. “I was raised to believe that we sin because of willful rebellion, but the thing is most of the time when I sin, I don’t want

to sin, so it’s almost like I’m doing it against my will. I wonder if I sin less because of willful rebellion and more because I forget who I am.” The rest of the CD contains introspective yet catchy songs, especially “Good to be Alive.” One of the disappointments of the CD is its brevity. There are 12 songs on the CD, but only three of them are more than four minutes in length. Gray said that as he gets older, his identity isn’t as tied to what other people think of his music. “One of the blessings of getting older is that you learn to not care as much about what other people think,” he said. “This time around in making a record, my identity wasn’t as entangled in the process. I didn’t feel like this album had to prove my worth in the world, so I

was less anxious over it and able to enjoy the process a lot more. I felt more free with this project and less afraid. This allowed me to have a lot more gratitude, and I hope that gratitude comes through the record when people hear it.”

For more information about Jason Gray, visit www.jasongraymusic.com. His latest CD, “A Way to See in the Dark” can be purchased locally at LifeWay Christian Stores.

Suit challenges tax break for clergy By Bob Allen MADISON, Wisc. (ABP) — A group of non-believers opposed to government preference and favoritism toward religion has filed a lawsuit seeking to have a federal law that allows clergy members tax breaks on living expenses declared unconstitutional. The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation sued Sept. 13 in federal court in Madison alleging that allowing ministers to receive tax breaks unavailable to other taxpayers violates both the Establishment and Equal Protection clauses of the United States Constitution. A federal law passed in 1954 exempts clergy from paying taxes on portions of their income designated as a ministerial housing allowance. It covers the amount actually used to purchase or rent a home, including furnishings and utilities. Recently, the U.S. Tax Court interpreted the law to apply even to multiple homes, ruling 7-6 that Phil Driscoll, an ordained minister and Grammy Award-winning trumpeter who went to prison for tax evasion, didn’t owe federal income taxes on more than $400,000 provided by his ministry to buy a second home on a lake near Cleveland, Tenn. Employees of the Freedom From Religion Foundation say they also receive a housing allowance as part of their compensation, but they do not qualify for tax exemption because they are not practicing ministers. One of the plaintiffs claims to be an ordained minister who benefitted from housing allowances paid to him by prior church

employers but does not qualify now that he is no longer a preaching minister. “Preferential tax benefits provided exclusively to religious clergy violate the Establishment Clause,” the group argued. “Neutrality is required by the Establishment Clause, which means that tax benefits cannot be preferentially provided to ministers of the gospel.” The lawsuit claims that in order to enforce the tax law, the IRS and Treasury Department must “make sensitive, fact intensive, intrusive and subjective determinations” on religious issues like which activities constitute “religious worship” and whether a member of the clergy is “duly ordained, commissioned or licensed.” Those and other determinations result in “excessive entanglement” between church and state contrary to the Establishment Clause. “We don’t think the general public realizes the scope of this preferential treatment, how many everyday expenses may be excluded from taxable income for ministers and even retired ministers,” said Plaintiff Annie Laurie Gaylor, executive editor of the periodical “Freethought Today.” She called it “pure discrimination” to deny the same privileges to atheist leaders. The Foundation withdrew an earlier lawsuit challenging the ministerial housing allowance after a Supreme Court ruling that only plaintiffs who have been directly injured are entitled to win a lawsuit. Congress passed a law in 2002 to protect and clarify the clergy housing allowance, following a high profile legal battle between the IRS and “Purpose Driven Life” author Rick Warren.

October 2011 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • 15

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Reuben Morgan and Hillsong Live expand their reach Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman and brings together a cappella groups from around the nation, who compete each week for the votes of the viewers. Lampa will hit the road later this fall with Group 1 Crew, Shonlock and Rapture Ruckus for the Outta Space Love Tour. For more information, visit www.rachaellampa.com.

By Lori Arnold Australia’s Hillsong Live, in the midst of a European tour, released its latest album, “God is Able” in July. Garnering wide acclaim, the album climbed to No. 1 on multiple retail sales charts. Worship leader Reuben Morgan said the title song hit close to home this year as his native homeland was rocked with cyclones and floods. “We were continually reminded just how true those words are,” he said. “God is able: able to save, able to heal, able to rescue from the fiercest storms and highest floods. There are so many times when you feel as though you are out of your depth—in my case it happens every time I get up to lead worship or speak—and there’s something revolutionary about being able to say or sing our God is able, In His name we overcome, for the Lord our God is able. “You can’t celebrate God’s ability without realizing quite how weak we really are: you can’t say God is able without also remembering that we are not. And here’s the really crazy thing about acknowledging our weakness: it’s one of the most comforting and liberating things around.” For more information, visit live.hillsong.com/music. Morgan single recorded, released by Kimber Rising Morgan’s writing prowess may also prove liberating for Kimber Rising, a Pop/R&B trio featuring sisters Amanda and Brianna Wilcox and Danielle Cruz. The three-year-old group will spend the fall promoting the radio play of their new single, “Forever Reign,” penned by Morgan and award-winning songwriter and producer Jason Ingram. It will be released as a digital offering in October. The group, which just signed with Save The City Records, has performed more than 300 concerts and toured with the likes of such artists as Building 429, Todd Agnew and 33Miles, as well as Mandisa, Natalie Grant, LeCrae

Hillsong Live worship leader Reuben Morgan said Australia’s recent natural disasters helped him to better see that “God Is Able.”

and David Crowder Band. Derek Hoiem, president of their new label, said the trio exemplifies the type of artists they strive to support. “They are excellent in their craft, they’ve paid a fair amount of indie dues, and they just flat out love God,” he said. “They show their passion for sharing the gospel not only with their voices but with their lives.” For more information, visit www.kimberrising.com. Lampa goes a cappella to compete on ‘The Sing-Off’ Dove Award winning recording artist Rachel Lampa was set to take to the small screen Sept. 19 as part of the a cappella group The Collective for season three of the fall NBC series “The Sing-Off.” Lampa, whose new album All We Need was due in stores on Sept. 27, is part of a group of Nashville vocalists formed specifically for the series by Jeremy Lister of Season 2 runner-up Street Corner Symphony. Hosted by Nick Lachey, the show features the judging panel of Ben Folds, Sara Bareilles and

Groves gives fans early release to 10th record Sara Groves releases her 10th record, Invisible Empires, officially on Oct. 18, but is offering a prerelease special, including a T-shirt and bonus songs, on her website. In a note on her website, Grove said the album was heavily influenced by Chapter 9 of Eugene Peterson’s” A Long Obedience in the Same Direction,” a book she said she reads annually. “Structures become more important than the people who live in them,” he writes. “Machines become more important than the people who use them. We care more for our possessions with which we hope to make our way in the world than with our thoughts and dreams which tell us who we are in the world.” She goes on, citing Psalm 127, “Invisible Empires is looking at two skylines: one that is frenetic and man-made, and one that is eternal and not built in vain.” Sara Groves will join Leeland in The Reason Christmas Tour at Pleasant Valley Church in Winona, Minn., at 7 p.m. Dec. 8. For ticket information, visit www. thereasonchristmas.com. For more information, visit her site at www.saragroves.com. Jeremy Camp welcomes new baby, album and book There’s apparently no such thing as the dog days of summer for Grammy-nominated artist Jeremy Camp, whose calendar is filled with a variety of new things, including a son with wife, Adrienne. Egan Thomas Camp arrived early in the morning on Aug. 17 and is the first brother for big sisters

Dove Award winner Rachel Lampa is showcasing her voice as part of the a cappella group The Collective on the NBC show “The Sing Off.”

Bella, 6, and Arie, 5. Egan made his entrance just as his famous daddy’s radio single “The Way” was No. 1 at AC Monitored—his 24th career top hit. Dad was also scheduled to begin his fall headlining tour “We Cry Out” at the end of September just as his book, “I Still Believe: Discovering Hope and Healing in the Midst of Life’s Deepest Valleys” was due for release. The chronicle reflects his journey of losing his first wife, Melissa, to cancer just months after marrying, and how he has grown in his relationship with God through the past 10 years. The full-circle account of

Camp’s story explores how his story has impacted his music. Matthew West promoting two new albums Matthew West, who released the music video for his radio hit “Strong Enough” on iTunes Sept. 6, will also join the fall tour circuit promoting his album The Story of Your Life, which features the “Strong Enough” single. Even as he promotes the latest album, West is also prepping for his first-ever holiday album, “The Heart of Christmas,” due to hit the streets on Oct. 4. For more information, visit www. MatthewWest.com.

16 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • October 2011

www.christianexaminer.com

OCT 13 • THURSDAY (cont.)

Have your event listed FREE!

MACFM Monthly Meeting, ‘Custodial Seminar and Vendor Fair.’ Colonial Church of Edina • macfm.org

Send us your Christian activity/event for next month, and we’ll list it in THE CALENDAR at no charge. The deadline is the 18th of the prior month. E-mail to calendar@christianexaminer.com or fax to 1-888-305-4947. Or you can mail it to the Minnesota Christian Chronicle, P.O. Box 131030, St. Paul, MN 55113. We regret we cannot list Sunday morning services.

3rd Annual Banquet for Life. 5:30pm, Metropolitan Ballroom, 5418 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley, free • (612) 5226589

THRU OCT 20

OCT 7-8 • FRI-SAT

Growing Through Loss Series, 6-week series. Thursdays 6:45pm, Church of St. Timothy, 707 89th Ave. NE, Blaine, free • growingthroughloss.org, (763) 755-5335

The Understanding the Times 2011 Conference, with Joel Rosenberg, Dr. Mark Hitchcock & more. Grace Church, Eden Prairie. Sponsored by Jan Markell & Olive Tree Ministries • olivetreeviews. org, (763) 559-4444

THRU NOV 10 Gospel Art Exhibit. Mon-Wed 11am-2pm & Sun 3-5pm, The Oakridge Gallery, Oakridge Community Church, 610 County Rd. 5, Stillwater • (651) 439-4882

OCT 1 • SATURDAY Refined Women, with Dr. Roberta Morrison. 9am-12pm, Sheraton West Hotel, 12201 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka • refinedwomen.org Theologies of Religion & Inter faith Practices. 9:30-3:30pm, Pilgrim Congregational Church, Duluth, $190 • (651) 255-6138 Sara Groves CD Release Concer t. 7:30pm, Church of the Open Door, 9060 Zanzibar Ln., Maple Grove, $15 • 1-877-840-0457

OCT 3 • MONDAY MCCL Pro-Life Update. 7pm, Eagon Community Center, 1501 Central Pkwy., Eagon • (612) 825-6831

OCT 4 • TUESDAY 2011 Senior Ministry Conference, with Rev. Dr. Richard Gentzler. 9am-4:30pm, Centennial United Methodist Church, Roseville, $35 • (651) 632-5360

OCT 8 • SATURDAY Prayer Workshop, “Keys to Physical healing,” with Rev. David Smith. 9-11:30am, Ridgewood Church, Minnetonka, free • (952) 942-9016 Exploring 12 Step Spirituality workshop, begins. 9am-12pm, Colonial Church, 6200 Colonial Way, Edina • 12stepspirituality.org Seeds of Health. 3-6pm, Open Door, 615 E 28th St., Minneapolis, free. Hosted by Open Door Women’s Ministry • (612) 879-9099

OCT 9 • SUNDAY Christian Songwriters Meeting. 2pm, Christ Lutheran Church, 105 W University Ave., St. Paul, free The Hoppers, with SongMasters. 6pm, Trinity Evangelical Free Church, 10658 210th St. W, Lakeville, $16-25 • imcconcerts.com, (423) 239-6262 MCCL Pro-Life Update. 7pm, Maternity of Mary Catholic Church, 1414 Dale St., St. Paul • (612) 825-6831

OCT 10 • MONDAY

Game Club for kids 9-16 with Asperger’s/ HFA. 6:30pm, Riverview Baptist Church, 14 E Moreland, W St. Paul • (651) 552-7381

OCT 13 • THURSDAY Ministry to Our Military & Their Families Event. 9am-3:30pm, Wooddale Church, 6630 Shady Oak Rd., Eden Prairie, $39 • (651) 282-4165 Artist Talk with Karen Brummond. 5pm, The Johnson Gallery, Bethel University, St. Paul • (651) 638-6527, bethel.edu/ galleries Grief Recovery Support Group, 13-weeks thru Jan 12. 7-9pm, Vertical Life Church, 7600 Humboldt Ave. N, Brooklyn Park • (651) 208-5332

OCT 13-15 • THU-SAT Hebraic Roots Conference “Reconnecting the Branches to the Roots,” with Marty Goetz, Don Finto, Keith Johnson & more. St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, Bloomington. Hosted by Good News for Israel • gnfi.org/hrc

OCT 14 • FRIDAY Called Out, out of homosexuality into the light of Christ. 7pm, Hope Presbyterian Church, 7132 Portland Ave. S, Richfield • outpostministries.org Third Day and Tenth Avenue North, in concert with Trevor Morgan. 7pm, Grace Church of Eden Prairie, 9301 Eden Prairie Rd., Eden Prairie, $20-80 • ktis.fm

OCT 14-15 • FRI-SAT

Active Parenting Now Class, Wednesday thru Nov 9th. 6:45-8pm, Calvary Lutheran Church, 7520 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley • (763) 231-2970

The Minnesota Christian Writers’ Guild, “The Live Cycle of Publicity”. 7-9pm, Fireside Room, Christ Presbyterian, 6901 Normandale Blvd., Edina • (763) 315-1014

OCT 6 • THURSDAY

OCT 11 • TUESDAY

MCCL Pro-Life Update. 7pm, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd., Minnetonka • (612) 825-6831

9th Annual Candlelight Vigil. 5:30pm, 770 University Ave., St. Paul. Hosted by Breaking Free • breakingfree.net

OCT 6-8 • THU-SAT

OCT 12 • WEDNESDAY

Women of War Leadership Summit, with Londa Lundstrom Ramsey, Marina McLean & more. Celebration Church, 16655 Kenyon Ave., Lakeville • celebrationchurch.net, (952) 898-7200

“Executing Your Power,” Women’s Conference 2011, with First Lady Sabrina R. Williams & more. Mighty Fortress International Church, 6400 85th Ave. N, Brooklyn Park • (763) 515-4800

“Hear Us from Heaven,” worship and prayer with Jared Anderson, 7pm, Celebration Church, 16655 Kenyon Ave., Lakeville • celebrationchurch.net, (952) 898-7200

OCT 7 • FRIDAY

OCT 13 • THURSDAY

Sounds of Hope Tour with Building 429 & Leeland. 7pm, Friendship Church, 12800 Marystown Rd., Shakopee, $16-24 • tickets.com

Power To End Stroke The Gospel Tour, featuring Dorinda Clark-Cole. Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, St. Paul, free • heart.org/twincitiesgospeltour

OCT 5 • WEDNESDAY

Setting Love in Order, a healing conference, with Mario Bergner. 9am, Messiah Church, 1631 Ford Pkwy, St Paul, $25 • (612) 702-9620

Miracle Crusade with Rev. David Sackey. 6pm, Marquette Hotel, 710 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis, free • (952) 4125837

OCT 15 • SATURDAY Interfaith Forum on Domestic Violence: What People of Faith Need to Know and Do. 8:45am-12pm, Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church, 9920 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, free • (952) 646-6512

Celebrating

Love in Action Friday, November 11 Doubletree Hotel - St. Louis Park Join CRC for our 18th annual Evening of Hope Celebration and Fundraising dinner! This year’s speaker knows how to show Christ’s love in action! Mike Yankoski, speaker and author, will share his message of putting love into action in our lives. Mike, along with a college friend, lived as a homeless man for ﬁve months in six U.S. cities. He gained a better understanding of the plight of America’s homeless, including their struggles with mental illness. Come hear this inspirational message on serving and showing love to the under-served in our society. Mike Yankoski Author, Speaker

Enjoy the beautiful, inspirational music of local artist Tonia Hughes and her band! Learn more about Tonia and her amazing journey of faith at www.toniahughes.com.

$50/person by October 17 $60/person by November 4 Registration closes by the end of day November 4th

Christian Recovery Counseling is an outpatient mental health clinic that specializes in helping people ﬁnd hope, healing and freedom from the experience of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. CRC raises funds to help pay for the services ﬁnancially needy clients receive from CRC. We turn no one away due to the inability to pay. We are grateful for the support of our faithful donors.

October 2011 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • 17

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OCT 15 • SATURDAY (cont.)

OCT 28 • FRIDAY (cont.)

NOV 6 • SUNDAY (cont.)

NOV 13 • SUNDAY (cont.)

DEC 3 • SATURDAY (cont.)

Festival of Haiti, The Haiti Experience. DoubleTree by Hilton, Bloomington, $65/ ticket or $450/table of 8 • worldwidevillage.org, (651) 777-6908

Celebration Harvest Party, 6-8:30pm, Celebration Church, 16655 Kenyon Ave., Lakeville. Costume contest, games, prizes, show, candy. For ages 5-12. Free • celebrationchurch.net, (952) 898-7200

Church, 900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi, $10-30 • (612) 722-2301, nlca.com

9th Annual Champions for Justice Benefit. 5pm, Embassy Suites Hotel Ballroom, Bloomington, $30-40. Held by Peace & Hope Int’l • peaceandhopeinternational. org, (612) 825-6864

12201 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka • refinedwomen.org

OCT 15-16 • SAT-SUN The Marriage Encounter. Dakota Ridge Hotel, Eagan • marriages.org, (651) 454-3238

OCT 15-22 • SAT-SAT Kathy Trocolli & Friends Mediterranean Cruise with Ellie Lofaro, Don Piper • 1-800-288-4778, christiancruises.com

OCT 16-17 • SUN-MON Examining the End of Time Conference, with Dr. David Larsen. First Evangelical Free Church, 2696 Hazelwood St., Maplewood, free • (651) 777-5180

OCT 18 • TUESDAY “New Age: The Next Stage of Evolution?” with Ross Olson. Northwestern College, 3003 N Snelling, Roseville • tccsa.tc

OCT 20 • THURSDAY David Crowder Band, “The 7 Tour,” with Gungor, Chris August & John Mark McMillan. 6:30pm, First Avenue, 701 First Ave., N Minneapolis • first-avenue.com Thankful Thursday Worship Concert. 7pm, 7pm, Redeeming Love Church, 2425 White Bear Ave., Maplewood, free • (763) 458-1107

OCT 21 • FRIDAY The Single Parent Christian Fellowship potluck supper. 6:30pm, West Medicine Lake Park, Plymouth • (612) 866-8970 PAMI (Philippine-Asian Missions, Inc) Annual Potluck Dinner. 6:30pm, Emmaus Lutheran Church, 8443 2nd Ave S, Bloomington, free • pamimission.org, (952) 975-3632

OCT 21-22 • FRI-SAT After Abortion Healing Weekend. Elmwood Evangelical Free Church, St. Anthony. Hosted by Liberate Ministries • (952) 392-1640

OCT 22 • SATURDAY Faith at Risk Conference, “The Battle for the Bible”, with Dr. Daniel Wallace. 9am-4pm, Twin City Fellowship, 2734 Rhode Island Ave. S, St. Louis Park, free • (952) 935-3100

OCT 27 • THURSDAY Using Technology in Ministry seminar. 9am-4pm, 1200 Red Fox Rd., Arden Hills, $100 Hosted by Youth Leadership • youthleadership.org 5th Annual Celebration & Fundraiser Banquet. 6pm, Crowne Plaza, 3131 Campus Dr., Plymouth, free • (612) 964-3299 Game Club for kids 9-16 with Asperger’s/ HFA. 6:30pm, Riverview Baptist Church, 14 E Moreland, W St. Paul • (651) 552-7381

OCT 27-29 • THU-SAT “Let the Son Shine,” with Patricia King, Ryan Wyatt, Todd White, Jonathan Williams. Nicollet Inn, Burnsville. By Trailblazers Ministry • (952) 431-1800, xpmedia.com

OCT 28 • FRIDAY 38th Annual Fundraising Banquet, with Pam Tebow & Michael Pearce Donley. 6pm, Hyatt Regency, 1300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, free. Hosted by New Life Family Services • (612) 866-7643

OCT 28-29 • FRI-SAT Pure Desire University, with Dr. Ted & Diane Roberts. 8:30am-5:30pm, Woodland Hills Church, 1740 Van Dyke Dr., St. Paul • (503) 489-0230 Women’s Leadership Conference, with Meredith Andrews & Vicki Tiede. 5pm-3:30pm, Embassy Suites hotel, Bloomington, $85 • ncdefca.org, (612) 812-8623

OCT 28-30 • FRI-SUN “The Separation of Church and Faith,” a seminar featuring Daniel Gruber, an expert on the first century Church and the Jews. Hosted by Kehilat Sar Shalom, 225 Cleveland Ave., S., Saint Paul • (651) 690-2941, kehilatsarshalom.net

OCT 29 • SATURDAY Fall Pig Roast. Messiah Lutheran Church, Mounds View, $5-10 • (651) 900-1766 Comedy Show, featuring Daren Streblow. 7pm, Freshwater Community Church, 4319 Steiner St., St. Bonifacius, $12-15 • (952) 381-7881

NOV 1 • TUESDAY Woman’s Luncheon with Kim Phuc. 11:45am, Grace Church, 9301 Eden Prairie Rd., Eden Prairie • atgrace. com/events

NOV 8 • TUESDAY Artist Talk with Carolyn Swiszcz. 5pm, The Johnson Gallery, Bethel University, St. Paul • (651) 638-6527, bethel.edu/ galleries

NOV 9 • WEDNESDAY Fellowship of Christian Business & Professional Women luncheon. 11:30am, The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove St., Minneapolis, $25 • (952) 252-8096

The 2011 Leading Men Summit, with Gordon MacDonald. 9am-12:30pm, Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Dr., St. Paul, $49 • (651) 638-6301

“The Elephant in the Living Room,” with Bruce Malone. Northwestern College, 3003 N Snelling, Roseville • tccsa.tc

NOV 10-20 Godspell. Thu-Sat 7pm & Sun 3pm, North Central University, 910 Elliot Ave., Minneapolis • northcentral.edu

NOV 11 • FRIDAY

Prayer Ventures Fall Conference, “healing Wounds of the Heart,” with Paul Singh. Fri 6:30-10pm & Sat 9am-4:30pm, Eden Prairie Presbyterian Church, 9145 Eden Prairie Rd., Eden Prairie, $45-49 • (952) 942-9016

NOV 5 • SATURDAY Refined Women, with Dr. Roberta Morrison. 9am-12pm, Sheraton West Hotel, 12201 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka • refinedwomen.org 2nd Annual Benefit Breakfast. 10am, The Great Hall, St. Paul. Hosted by Breaking Free • breakingfree.net Louis Zamperini, key note speaker. 7pm, Grace Church, 9301 Eden Prairie Rd., Eden Prairie, free • atgrace.com/events The National Lutheran Choir, “Kyrie: Journey to Light.” 7pm, Gustavus Adolpus College, 800 W College Ave., St. Peter, $10-30 • (612) 722-2301, nlca.com

NOV 6 • SUNDAY The National Lutheran Choir, “Kyrie: Journey to Light.” 4pm,St. Andrew’s Lutheran

MORE EVENTS online now at

• Future events for the Twin Cities not listed in this issue. • Weekly and monthly ongoing meetings: Bible Studies, Evangelism, Fellowships (Men, Women, Seniors, Singles, Youth, MOPS), Motorcycle Ministries, Music/Entertainment, Prayer Groups, Recovery and Support groups (Alcohol, Divorce, Domestic Violence/Abuse, Food, Sexual, Grandparenting, Grief, Celebrate Recovery, The Most Excellent Way, and many more), Seminars/Classes, Health/Fitness.

Triple Espresso. The Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis • tripleespresso.com, (612) 874-1100

NOV 17 • THURSDAY Seniors Unleashed, 55+, Special Guest concert. 11am, Edinbrook Church, 4300 Edinbrook Parkway N, Brooklyn Park • graceunleashed.org (763) 424-7744

“Love in Action,” fundraising dinner for Christian Recovery Counseling, featuring Mike Yankoski, Doubletree Hotel, St. Louis Park • christianrecoverycounseling.com, (763) 566-0088

MACFM Monthly Meeting, Panel Discussion/Nomination of candidates for Executive Officers. Riverside Church, 20314 Co Rd. 14, Big Lake • macfm.org

NOV 11-12 • FRI-SAT

NOV 12 • SATURDAY

Mom Revolution 2011 Conference. Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive S. E., Rochester. Presented by Hearts at Home • hearts-at-home.org

NOV 16-JAN 8

11:11:11 – A Line in the Sand global gathering. 11am-9pm, Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, CA • rosebowlgathering.info

NOV 4 • FRIDAY

NOV 4-5 • FRI-SAT

The Minnesota Christian Writers’ Guild, “Solutions for Writers”. 7-9pm, Fireside Room, Christ Presbyterian, 6901 Normandale Blvd., Edina • (763) 315-1014

NOV 15 • TUESDAY

Crisis Pregnancy Center of Northfield 2011 Benefit Dinner. 7-9pm, St. Olaf College, Buntrock Commons, Black & Gold, free • (507) 645-7638

The National Lutheran Choir, “Kyrie: Journey to Light.” 7:30pm, St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, 630 E Wayzata Blvd., Wayzata, $10-30 • (612) 722-2301, nlca.com

Understanding Grief Seminars. Mondays, 7-9pm, Coon Rapids Evangelical Free Church, 2650 128th Ave. NW, Coon Rapids • (763) 421-8080

NOV 10 • THURSDAY

6th annual Christian Community Fair, Minneapolis Convention Center (new location). Fri. 4-9pm, Sat. 10am-6pm. Petting Zoo, Inflatables, Dodge Ball Tournament, up to 200 Christian business and ministry vendors, live music, more. Free admission • christianfair.com

NOV 3 • THURSDAY

NOV 14 • MONDAY

Faith Community Nurse Workshop, with Dr. TJ Addington. 9am-12:30pm, Wayzata Evangelical Free Church, 705 County Rd. 101 N, Plymouth, $10 • (952) 259-4461 Theologies of Religion & Inter faith Practices. 9:30-3:30pm, Pilgrim Congregational Church, Duluth, $190 • (651) 255-6138

NOV 13 • SUNDAY Science & Bible: 21st Century Understanding. 12:30-6pm, St. Lucas Community Church, Lake Elmo • tccsa.tc Christian Songwriters Meeting. 2pm, Christ Lutheran Church, 105 W University Ave., St. Paul, free The 2nd Annual Science & Bible: 21st Century Understanding event. St. Lucas Community Church, Lake Elmo • stlucascc.org

NOV 18-20 • FRI-SUN “Children’s Letters to God,” a musical comedy. Fri 7pm; Sat-Sun 2pm & 7pm, Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church, 9920 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, $15 • (763) 391-3754

NOV 19 • SATURDAY Source/Annex Banquet Seminar (on Sex Trafficking) • sourceannex.org, (612) 822-5200

DEC 1-JAN 26 Gospel Art Exhibit. Mon-Wed 11am-2pm & Sun 3-5pm, The Oakridge Gallery, Oakridge Community Church, 610 County Rd. 5, Stillwater • (651) 439-4882

DEC 2-4 • FRI-SUN Songs of the Season. Fri-Sat 7pm & Sun 3pm, North Central University, 910 Elliot Ave., Minneapolis • northcentral.edu The Lundstrom’s Country Christmas Celebration. Fri. 7:30pm; Sat. 12pm, 3:30pm, 7:30pm; Sun. 3pm, 6:30pm. Celebration Church, 16655 Kenyon Ave., Lakeville. $18-$25 • celebrationtickets. com, (952) 898-7200

DEC 3 • SATURDAY Refined Women, with Dr. Roberta Morrison. 9am-12pm, Sheraton West Hotel,

DEC 4 • SUNDAY BarlowGirl, in concert, with Ross Turner. Maranatha Assembly of God, Forest Lake • itickets.com

DEC 9-11 • FRI-SUN The Lundstrom’s Country Christmas Celebration. Fri. 7:30pm; Sat. 12pm, 3:30pm, 7:30pm; Sun. 3pm, 6:30pm. Celebration Church, 16655 Kenyon Ave., Lakeville. $18-$25 • celebrationtickets. com, (952) 898-7200

DEC 11 • SUNDAY Christian Songwriters Meeting. 2pm, Christ Lutheran Church, 105 W University Ave., St. Paul, free

DEC 12 • MONDAY The Minnesota Christian Writers’ Guild, “Crafting Words into Hope”. 7-9pm, Fireside Room, Christ Presbyterian, 6901 Normandale Blvd., Edina • (763) 315-1014

DEC 14 • WEDNESDAY Interfaith Prayer Network Concert of Healing. 7pm, Best Western Kelly Inn, 161 St. Anthony, St. Paul, free • (651) 644-8013

DEC 15 • THURSDAY MACFM Monthly Meeting, Annual Business Meeting. Diamond Lake Lutheran, 5760 Portland Ave. S, Minneapolis • macfm.org Rivendell Sanctuar y Lectures, with Dr. William Lane Craig, “Theology.” 7-8:30pm, Bethany Church, 6900 Auto Club Rd., Bloomington • rivendellsanctuary.com, (952) 996-1451

DEC 16-18 • FRI-SUN The Lundstrom’s Country Christmas Celebration. Fri. 7:30pm; Sat. 12pm, 3:30pm, 7:30pm; Sun. 3pm, 6:30pm. Celebration Church, 16655 Kenyon Ave., Lakeville. $18-$25 • celebrationtickets. com, (952) 898-7200

JAN 9 • MONDAY The Minnesota Christian Writers’ Guild, “Communications & Media Law”. 7-9pm, Fireside Room, Christ Presbyterian, 6901 Normandale Blvd., Edina • (763) 315-1014

FEB 18-25 Sandi Patty & Friends Cruise, with Natalie Grant, Mark Shultz, Wayne Watson & more. Eastern Caribbean • 1-800-2884778, cruisewithsandipatty.com

18 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • October 2011

Pam Tebow to be keynote speaker at New Life banquet MINNEAPOLIS — Pam Tebow, the mother of NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, will be the keynote speaker at the 38th Annual Fundraising Banquet for New Life Family Services on Friday, Oct. 28 at 7:00 p.m. The banquet, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis, will also feature local composer Michael Pearce Donley as emcee. A silent auction will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner and a program at 7:00 p.m. The event will include music, testimonies and a message, all benefiting young men and women facing unplanned pregnancies. The event is free and open to the public. For more information or to RSVP, call (612) 866-7643 or email benson.chelsea@nlfs.org.

Champions for Justice Benefit to be held in November BLOOMINGTON — Peace and Hope International will hold the Ninth Annual Champions for Justice Benefit Sunday, Nov. 13 at the Embassy Suites Hotel Ballroom in Bloomington. A silent auction will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner and a program. Keynote speaker for the event is Matthew Soerens, co-author of “Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion and Truth in the Immigration Debate.” Tickets are $40 for adults and $30 for students or low income attendees. For more information, visit www. peaceandhopeinternational.org or call (612) 825-6864 ext. 510.

Event to focus on physical healing MINNETONKA — David Smith and Betsy Lee will host the workshop “Keys to Physical Healing” on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 9:00 a.m. at Ridgewood Church in Minnetonka. Smith is author of “How Can I Ask God for Physical Healing?” and senior pastor of Rose Hill Alliance Church in Roseville.

Lee is president of Prayer Ventures and author of several books, including “The Healing Moment: Experiencing the Bright Gift of God’s Transforming Love Through Prayer.” The workshop will cover how to pray for healing and will be useful for church prayer teams and small group leaders, among others. The event is free, but a free-will offering will be taken. For more information, visit www. prayerventures.com.

Kinship joins Council of Churches MINNEAPOLIS — Kinship of Greater Minneapolis recently joined the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches’ (GMCC) program lineup. Kinship, a community-based program that provides children between five and 15 with adult mentors, completed the move Sept. 1. “I can’t imagine a better fit than this,” said Gary Reierson, president of GMCC, via a media release. “The mission fits, the values fit, the rootedness in the faith community yet not limited to the faith community and our impact areas are in synergy.” Reierson believes the move will strengthen both organizations during this difficult economic climate. “This will allow more resources to be dedicated to programming, not overhead,” he said. “We are both very successful with a long history of service to the community. This strategic alliance will enhance that service.” Since its inception, Kinship has mentored 2,000 youth in Anoka and Hennepin counties. For additional information about GMCC, visit www.gmcc.org.

Fellowship group to hold monthly potluck PLYMOUTH — The Single Parent Christian Fellowship will hold its monthly social potluck supper on Friday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at West Medicine Lake Park in Plymouth. Guests are encouraged to bring a dish to pass. Adults, children and alumni are welcome. Former Hindu Chet Mohanni will be the guest speaker. Following the potluck, those gathered will have an opportunity

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to play volleyball. For more information on the group or the monthly potluck, call (612) 866-8970.

Workshop to explore 12-step spirituality EDINA — Colonial Church of Edina will host a series of monthly workshops designed for those working the 12-Step Program. Sessions will be held on the second Saturday of each month. The first session, which will focus on step one, will begin Saturday, Oct. 8 at 9:00 a.m. and will explore the concept of “spirituality.” The workshop will include testimonials, group discussion and centering prayer. For more information or to register, visit www.12stepspirituality.org or email info@12stepspirituality. org.

Church to hold pig roast MOUNDS VIEWS — Messiah Lutheran Church in Mounds View will host a fall pig roast on Saturday, Oct. 29. In addition to roast pork, the menu will include baked potatoes, sauerkraut, baked beans and dessert. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages three to nine. To reserve tickets, call (651) 9001766.

Group names new communications director MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota for Marriage Coalition, which is supporting the proposed Minnesota Marriage Amendment on the 2012 ballot, recently announced Chuck Darrell as its communications director. “We are very fortunate to have a seasoned, skilled communications professional such as Chuck Darrell join our campaign,” said John Helmberger, chairman of Minnesota for Marriage, via a media release. “Chuck is a dedicated pro-family media advocate who has worked for years in support of preserving marriage as the union of one man and one woman.” For more information on the Minnesota for Marriage Coalition, visit www. minnesotaformarriage.com.

Learn why you do what you do. Learn how to change what you do.

Humanity 101

A study of the relationship between thoughts, emotions and behaviors. 4UESDAY EVENINGS BEGINNING 3EPT s PM Seek the Truth Counseling 2489 Rice Street, Suite 90, St. Paul, MN 55113 Fee: $5.00

www.seekthetruthcounseling.com

651-528-7550 763-221-8834

Event to focus on Bible and science LAKE ELMO — The 2nd Annual Science and Bible: 21st Century Understanding event will be held Sunday, Nov. 13 at St. Lucas Community Church in Lake Elmo. The event will focus on the latest scientific data and its relationship to the Bible. Speakers include Bruce Malone, executive director of Search for Truth Ministries; Julie Von Vett, a contract teacher for homeschool co-ops; Don Slinger, a retired conservation officer; and Chuck Morris, a former computer designer. Topics at the event will include “Noah’s Ark—Fact or Fiction?”; “The REAL Battlefront: The Age of Creation”; and “Sharing Creation Views With Your Friends”; among others. The event will also include the book release for “Inspired Evidence: Only One Reality” by Von Vett and Malone. For more information including registration, visit www.stlucascc.org.

Pure Desire conference coming to St. Paul SAINT PAUL — The Pure Desire: Break Through, Break Free conference will be held Oct. 28-29 at Woodland Hills Church in St. Paul. Dr. Ted Roberts, founder of Pure Desire Ministries International, will lead the event. Participants will have the opportunity to learn of breakthroughs in clinical research on the neurochemistry of addiction, a theology of addiction and relapse prevention techniques. For more information on the event or to register, visit www.puredesire.org/conferences or call (503) 489-0230.

Pro-life organization moves to new offices MINNEAPOLIS — Human Life Alliance (HLA) recently announced that it has moved its offices to the northern metro. Since the organization’s founding in 1977, organizers say HLA has leased office space in various locations. Since the group purchased its new offices, it will save more than $30,000 in expenses per year. The new office space is larger,

allowing HLA to comfortably grow its ministry. During the 2010-2011 academic year, HLA officials said it reached nearly eight million people, a 28 percent increase from the previous year. For more information on HLA and its new location, visit www.humanlife.org.

Forum to address domestic violence BLOOMINGTON — Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church in Bloomington will be the site of Interfaith Forum on Domestic Violence: What People of Faith Need to Know and Do. The free training is designed for faith leaders and will train them on various aspects of domestic violence and prevention. Topics at the Forum will include building awareness in faith communities, providing accurate information, providing resources and how people of faith can respond. For more information on the Forum, call (952) 646-6512 or email heatherg@cornerstonemn.org.

Anti-human trafficking group to hold two events SAINT PAUL — Breaking Free, an anti-human trafficking organization in the Twin Cities, will hold its 9th Annual Candlelight Vigil on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at 770 University Avenue in St. Paul. The event honors those who have lost their lives to traffickers and abusers. Speakers include Senator Sandy Pappas, Sgt. John Bandemer from the St. Paul Police Department and Cordelia Anderson from the MN Coalition Against Sexual Assault. In addition, Breaking Free will hold its 2nd Annual Benefit Breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 10:00 a.m. at The Great Hall in St. Paul. Emcee for the event will be Pam Lundell from KTIS, and John Choi, Ramsey County Attorney, will serve as the keynote speaker. RSVP is required for the event and may be done by emailing events@breakingfree.net. For more information on both these events, visit www.breakingfree.net.

October 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER â&#x20AC;˘ 19

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Mom Revolution to hold conference in Rochester ROCHESTER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Mom Revolution will hold its North Central Conference Nov. 4-5 in Rochester. The conference is sponsored by Hearts at Home, a ministry to moms that utilizes Christian values. Special guests at the event include Jill Savage, author of five books, including â&#x20AC;&#x153;Real Moms â&#x20AC;Ś Real Jesusâ&#x20AC;?; Jennifer Rothschild, speaker and author; and musician Katie Eck. For more information on Mom Revolution, visit www.hearts-athome.org.

Benefit to be held for Haiti BLOOMINGTON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; World Wide Village will host the 2011 Festival for Haiti on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bloomington. The evening will include food, a silent auction and an opportunity to hear about World Wide Villageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work in Haiti. Tickets for the event are $65 per person or $450 for a table of eight. For ticket information and to RSVP, visit www.worldwidevillage. org or call (651) 777-6908.

Event to train leaders in ministering to military EDEN PRAIRIE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; On Thursday, Oct. 13 at 9:00 a.m., Wooddale Church will host the event Ministry to Our Military and Their Families. The training is designed to equip leaders in serving military families. Breakout sessions will cover the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Biblical Perspective on War,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Post Traumatic Growth: Ministry to Combat Vets,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ministering to Military Marriagesâ&#x20AC;? and several other topics. Keynote speaker will be CH (LTC) John Morris, who is the state chaplain in the Minnesota National Guard. Registration is $39 per person. For more information, call (651) 638-6301.

Sounds of Hope tour will make a stop in Shakopee

7 as part of the 30-city Sounds of Hope tour. The 7:00 p.m. show will be held at Friendship Church. The tour is partnering with Food for the Hungry to attain sponsorships for children and families in impoverished countries. Tickets are $16 in advance, $21 at the door and $12 per person in groups of 15 or more. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.itickets. com or call (800) 965-9324.

be on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 5:00 p.m. in the Eastlund Room and will feature Karen Brummond. The second will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 5:00 p.m. with Carolyn Swiszcz. The artist talks are part of the exhibit BinocularCity and explore how architecture influences culture and community. For additional information, visit www.bethel.edu/galleries or call (651) 638-6527.

Ministry names co-directors

ForEver Friends releases fall schedule

MINNEAPOLIS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Life Inner City recently announced Dave Feldner and Ryan Sather as co-directors of the ministry that mobilizes the church to serve the poor. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Life Inner City is a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. John Sather previously served as director of the ministry, but noted in an email announcement that his appointment as national director will prevent him from devoting sufficient time to Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Life Inner City. Feldner has worked with Campus Crusade for many years and helped open Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Life Inner City in the Twin Cities in 2002. Ryan Sather joined the staff at Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Life in 2005. For more information on the ministry of Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Life Inner City, visit www.hlic.org.

EDEN PRAIRIE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie is host to ForEver Friends Fellowship, a program of praise and worship of JRG Ministries, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x201D;a ministry that meets the spiritual needs of those with disabilities. The fall session began Sept. 29 and will conclude on Nov. 17. The next session is Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7:00 p.m. and will feature the Gloryland Gospel Band. On Thursday, Oct. 13, Mary Beth Carlson will be the guest. Several other bands and entertainment groups will be featured during the fall session. For more information on these events, call (763) 420-4774 or visit www.jrgministries.org.

Seminar to address technology in ministry

EDINA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Calvary Church of Edina (5300 France Avenue South) will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 9. The dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a social hour, followed by morning worship at 10:30 a.m. Ministers who have served at Calvary in the past will be involved with the morning service. A catered lunch will be provided at noon, and a hymn fest will begin at 5:00 p.m. at the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former location: 8901 France Avenue South. For more information about the church and its 50th anniversary event, visit www.calvarycrc.net.

ARDEN HILLS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Youth Leadership will host the seminar Using Technology in Ministry on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at its Arden Hills office. Micah Witham and Tof Lee will lead the seminar, which costs $100. In a brochure announcement, organizers say the seminar â&#x20AC;&#x153;will bring you up to speed on technological advances that are vital to your ministry, as well as practical tips for educating parents about technology.â&#x20AC;? For more information, visit www. youthleadership.org.

Church to celebrate 50th anniversary

Elmwood Evangelical Free Church in St. Anthony. The event is designed for women who have had an abortion and are looking for healing. Organizers say: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Abortion is a trauma physically, emotionally and spiritually. Come begin or continue your healing journey. Live free from the negative after-effects of your past abortion.â&#x20AC;? The biblically-based weekend will be safe, educational, confidential and supportive. Pre-registration is required. For more information, including registration, call Julie at (952) 3921640 or email liberateministries@ gmail.com. All inquiries are confidential.

World Relief Minnesota announce new leader RICHFIELD â&#x20AC;&#x201D; World Relief Minnesota announced in late September that Bob Oehrig will assume the executive director position of the ministry, beginning Oct. 1. Oehrig was most recently pastor of missions and outreach at Grace Church in Roseville. Oehrig, along with his wife, Donna, also worked for Daystar University in Nairobi, Kenya, for more than two decades. For more information about World Relief Minnesota, visit www. worldreliefmn.org.

SHAKOPEE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Dove Award-winning band Building 429 and Grammy nominee Leeland will make a stop in Shakopee on Friday, Oct.

SAINT PAUL â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Johnson Gallery at Bethel University will host two artist talks. The first will

SAINT ANTHONY â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Liberate Ministries will hold its After Abortion Healing Weekend Oct. 21-22 at

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SAINT LOUIS PARK â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Twin City Fellowship will host the Faith at Risk Conference: The Battle for the Bible on Saturday, Oct. 22 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at its location in St. Louis Park. The free event will cover how the Bible came to be and challenges to its authenticity. Dr. Daniel Wallace, professor of New Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary will lead the conference. For more information, call (952) 935-3100 or visit www.twincityfellowship.com.

OWATONNA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Fernando Ortega will perform a benefit concert for Metro Hope Ministries on Friday, Oct. 14 at 7:000 p.m. at Bethel Church in Owatonna. Those in attendance will also hear about the

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Liberate Ministries to offer abortion healing event

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work of Metro Hope Ministries. Ticket prices are $16 and can be purchased by visiting www.brownpaperticket.com or by calling (800) 838-3006. Additional information on the event can be attained by emailing ortegaconcert@gmail.com or by calling (507) 451-8458.

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20 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • October 2011 Master’s Tech HANDYMAN SERVICE Affordable – Reliable Experienced Old Fashioned Service “By the Golden Rule” For most any HOME REPAIR call Jerry 952-426-2044

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

HELP WANTED

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Christian Alcohol & Drug Counselor Needed: Christian outreach housing project needs a Christian licensed alcohol and drug counselor. We have a huge need for a faith based outpatient program in St. Paul. If you are interested, please call Jim at (651) 387-8393.

Looking for a Christian female roommate to rent a large bedroom in Golden Valley. Rent is $475, utilities included. Garage parking is an option. Room available immediately. Call (612) 801-0527.

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Christian Social Worker Needed: Men’s Christian Outreach Housing needs Social Worker, PT, to assist men in transition. Call Jim at 651-387-8393

HOUSING FOR RENT Apartment for rent, New Hope 1 BR. 740 sq. ft., garage, small pool, heat paid. 5 mins to 94/100/169. Convenient, quiet location. $650/ mth. (612) 978-1284. Available October 1, 2011. Lakeshore home on beautiful Prior Lake: Vacation all year long. Rent is $1,700 plus utilities. Home is nicely furnished with quality furniture. Christian, nonsmoker(s). No pets. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, office, living room, kitchen with large pantry, dining room, attached one car garage. Completely finished lower level with laundry, recreation room, and walk-out to the lake. Large, beautiful, level yard with sandy beach and sunsets. Use of dock included Unfurnished optional. Christian landlord. Call (952) 445-2544.

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St. Paul Duplex apartment for rent. 2 bedrooms upstairs apartment. No smoking, pets. Kids OK. $750/mth. Everything brand new! Available Oct/ Nov. Call Paul (612) 501-1368.

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Minnesota Teen Challenge Ministry Volunteer Opportunities MTC is a 12 month residential Faith-Based Christian Drug & Alcohol Program for teens and adults. Our program is designed to help individuals permanently recover from drug and alcohol abuse and the life controlling problems associated with it.

Volunteer Opportunities By giving of your time and talents, you will get to be a part of the change that takes place at Teen Challenge. By mentoring or being a program staff, cutting hair or teaching a craft, you will get to form significant relationships with the residents. By stuffing envelopes or putting up drywall, driving a bus or fixing an electrical circuit, you get to provide overall support to the programming offered at Teen Challenge. No matter the way in which you get involved, the opportunities are numerous, and the rewards are endless. Visit our website for a list of volunteer opportunities. Or contact Jeff Dexter at: Jeffrey.dexter@mntc.org.

Please visit www.mntc.org

Commercial Leasing Agent: Seeking a licensed agent to function as a tenant representative in the class B & C office and commercial Marketplace. George@gwjinvestments.com, Phone: (763) 689-4605.

CHURCHES FOR RENT Church building for your Sunday Services and weekday classes. We meet on Saturday and do not use the building on Sundays. Right on the border and convenient to St. Paul and South Minneapolis. Phone (651) 690-2941 for more information.

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for more info on employment, volunteer, and internship opportunities. Interested individuals may obtain an application or request more information by calling (612) 238-4198, emailing a request to jobs@mntc.org, or visiting our website at www.mntc.org and clicking on the Job Opportunities link.

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Looking for female renter for lower level of my home. Two bedrooms, large living space, cable, wifi and garage. Rent includes utilities. $600 a month. Call Betty (612) 356-7925 Plymouth, one bedroom for SF + bath. $450/ month. (763) 546-5809. Crystal Christian male to share my home with kitchen laundry utilities included $400/mo available immediately, call (763) 370-7168. Christian female to share my rambler style home in Crystal. Basic utilities, $420. Jolene (763) 537-4499.

SERVICES Plumbing Systems, Inc. Specializing in residential service and remodeling. Licensed bonded insured 27 years. Anything with the plumbing in your house. Please call (612) 986-7442, ask for Kris. I’ll write your life story. A family keepsake. Unique inheritance. (612) 564-0056. Interior, Exterior Painting. Quality job at a reasonable price. Call Mark (763) 744-8331. Home health aids –mature, experienced ladies. 24 hour available, $20 per hour. Priscilla (651) 633-6904, Arlene (952) 948-0735.

VACATION/RETREAT RENTALS

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES Dynamic Children’s Pastor with proven track record needed for large evangelical church in East San Diego. Spanish speaking, helpful. If interested in this full-time position, please email resume & cover letter to mfalduti@SkylineChurch.org.

MUSIC/MUSICIANS Guitar lessons: Rock, country, classical folk, blues. 30+ years experience. Call Ed McGarrity at (763) 354-0952. 147 Hamel Rd., Medina, MN 55340.

The Wilderness Fellowship is a four-season Christian Camping & Retreat Center, which provides a place of retreat and refreshment that fosters Godly intimacy. Facilities include: Personal prayer retreat cabins tucked in the woods, Group/Family cabins, small retreat center, large meeting hall and several campsites. 244 acres, trails, hiking, sliding, fishing. 90 minutes NE of Minneapolis. (715) 327-8564, www.wildernessfellowship.com. Branson Grand Regency Thousand Oaks, $8,401/ week rental. 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom. Sep, Oct, Nov 2011. Shows family or 2 couples. Call (612) 2105882 or email jeannejm87@yahoo.com

Crown College—Third Party Comment Notice (2011) Crown College, in St. Bonifacius, MN, is seeking comments from the public about the College in preparation for its periodic evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. The College will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit November 7-9, 2011, by a team representing The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Crown College has been accredited by the Commission since 1980. The team will review the institution’s ongoing ability to meet the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation. The public is invited to submit comments regarding the College: Public Comment on Crown College The Higher Learning Commission 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL 60604 Or, you may submit your comments electronically by going to: http://www.ncahlc.org/information-for-the-public/third-party-comment.html Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Comments must be in writing and signed; comments cannot be treated as conﬁdential. All comments must be received by October 7, 2011.

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Ministry minded Prof. woman seeking like minded Christians to pursue shared housing for hospitality and ministry. (612) 709-4003, Dianne

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October 2011 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • 21

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Organizer Jeff Bremer said the blowing of the shofars was a highlight of the week long Operation Jericho event.

JERICHO… Continued from page 1 was circled with prayer on foot, bike, motorcycle, automobile, airplane and helicopter. The highlight for everyone was the blowing of the seven shofars and giving a united shout to reclaim the Twin Cities for the Lord. The shout was deafening for those standing inside the crowd.” The Operation Jericho kick-off was a community-wide prayer gathering at the University of Minnesota’s Northrop Mall. Bremer believes God’s presence was felt by many during the week’s activities. “Everyone that attended the unity rally at the Capitol expressed an excitement around what God is doing in the Twin Cities,” he said. “Many shared they felt the hand of God move in a big way and sensed spiritual strongholds over the Cities being broken. We also got many reports of a strong presence of God

as people circled the Cities. The presence of God was very strong all week long.” The event was planned in just 90 days, but Bremer hopes it will be the beginning of a movement of God. “Operation Jericho was done out of an act of obedience,” Bremer said. “We sense this is just the beginning to a major move from God and we are praying and awaiting further instructions from God. Everyone that helped plan Operation Jericho is anxious to move forward with whatever is next.” Some of the local supporting organizations included the Minnesota Christian Chamber of Commerce, Capital Prayer Network, Young Adult Koinonia and the MN Teen Challenge Ministry School, among others. For more information on Operation Jericho, visit www. thejerichomovement.net.

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As an undergraduate, Gregory Wolfe came across this phrase from Dostoevsky: “Beauty will save the world.” Wolfe writes about this discovery: “For a young college student, possessed of boundless confidence in rational debate and political action, the implication that beauty alone could harbor such redemptive powers was unsettling, to say the least.” Wolfe once believed that the West’s decadence could be retrained or reformed by politics, but now he believes that renewal can emerge from the “imaginative visions of the artist and the mystic.” So sets the stage for “Beauty Will Save the World: Recovering the Human in an Ideological Age.” Wolfe is a writer in residence at Seattle Pacific University, where he serves as director of the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program. He is also the founder and editor of “Image,” one of the country’s leading journals on literature and the arts. After laying his foundation for the idea of the redemptive power of the arts, Wolfe briefly profiles several writers and positions their work within the realm of the restorative

power of the creative sphere. Many of the writers and artists profiled are familiar to Christians, including Flannery O’Connor, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Wendell Berry, Larry Woiwode and several others. Within the modern and postmodern cultural context, Wolfe believes that the Christian artist is now an exile. He writes, “The plight of the Christian artist in the modern world can best be understood, I believe, in terms of the metaphor of exile.” Christians are no longer the dominant voice in cultural contexts and are exiles “from the major artistic and intellectual institutions.” Wolfe’s thesis will find resonance with many Christian artists—be they writers, painters, poets, sculptors, musicians and others. The Christian artist is now on the out-

side looking in when it comes to cultural influence and acceptance. Wolfe argues that the challenge for modern Christian artists is to combine their belief with an ability to speak to the modern mind. “It is a challenge that has been met by a few outstanding figures whose vision has reconciled faith and the modern condition, and thus given new vitality to Christian culture, even though it is a culture in exile,” Wolfe writes before introducing three modern poets whom he believes achieve this goal. The profiles of individual artists serve as the bulk of “Beauty Will Save the World.” That is both the book’s strength and its weakness. On the one hand, if one is fairly familiar with the particular artist’s work, then the profile serves a more useful purpose. If one is not too familiar with an artist’s work, then the profile can sometimes be difficult to connect with. Nevertheless, Wolfe writes with authority and passion, and even those familiar with many of the artists profiled in the book will learn something new. Also, Part One of “Beauty Will Save the World” gives a good introduction to Wolfe as an individual and how his beliefs and values on art have been shaped. It’s a good read for those contemplating the role of Christian artists in the ever-changing modern cultural context. “Beauty Will Save the World” can be purchased at area bookstores and online.

22 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • October 2011

ABORTION… Continued from page 1 the state. That’s down from 12,388 performed in 2009 and nearly 13,000 in 2008. The 2010 numbers are the lowest since 1975, when 10,565 abortions were performed. Planned Parenthood of Minnesota performed the most abortions in the state in 2010, with more than 4,000; the next highest number was reported by Meadowbrook Women’s Clinic at over 2,200. Gibson said pro-lifers should be encouraged by the continued decline in the state’s abortion rate. “The overall abortion numbers should be a testament to the hard work and diligent prayers of the prolife movement,” he said. “These low numbers are a direct result of the prayer witness outside abortion facilities, high quality sidewalk counseling, amazing educational efforts, great pregnancy help centers and laws that have been passed. The whole movement together has done this by God’s amazing grace.” Fischbach is also encouraged by the drop but concerned with the future plans of expansion by Planned Parenthood. “Seeing abortion numbers fall is confirmation that MCCL’s efforts to

educate and provide alternatives for women are working,” he said. “However, recent pro-life losses suffered at the Capitol and Planned Parenthood’s massive abortion center set to open do not bode well for the unborn or their mothers going forward.” In addition, according to the report, nearly 50 girls 15 years of age or younger had an abortion in 2010; more than 400 who were between the ages of 15 and 17, and 999 who were 18-19 years old. The age category with the most abortions was 20-24 years of age. Nearly two-thirds (7,505) of abortions were performed with the clinical estimate of fetal gestational age being less than nine weeks, with 1,831 abortions performed when the fetal gestational age was nine to 10 weeks. Finally, the overwhelming reason for having an abortion performed was due to “does not want children at this time” followed by “economic reasons. For more information about MCCL, visit www.mccl.org. For more information about Pro-Life Action Ministries, visit www.plam.org. To view the entire 2010 “Induced Abortions in Minnesota” report, visit www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/ abrpt/2010abrpt.pdf.

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Study: Abortion tied to depression, suicide By Michael Foust BP News Service LONDON — Women who have undergone an abortion have an 81 percent higher risk for mental health problems and are more likely to attempt suicide, abuse alcohol and suffer depression, according to a study in a mainstream British journal that is getting considerable attention from both sides of the abortion debate. The meta-analysis—meaning it reviewed numerous studies of related research—in the latest edition of the British Journal of Psychiatry examined 22 studies from 1995 to 2009 involving 877,000 women, including 163,000 who had experienced an abortion. The paper’s author, Priscilla K. Coleman of Bowling Green State University, said there actually are “hundreds of studies” showing a link between abortion and serious mental health risks, and that three recent studies that reached a very different conclusion had major flaws. One of those studies by an American Psychological Association task force received significant media attention and concluded there were no risks.

But Coleman said her analysis shows that abortion “is associated with moderate to highly increased risks of psychological problems.” “There are in fact some real risks associated with abortion that should be shared with women as they are counseled prior to an abortion decision,” Coleman writes in her paper before chiding the research community for not conducting unbiased research. “... The responsibility therefore rests initially within the research community to set aside personal ideological commitments, objectively examine all high-quality published data, and conduct analyses of the literature that are based on state-of-the-art data analysis procedures....” The issue of abortion and mental health problems, she wrote, too often is “shrouded in political controversy” and “has not received the scholarly attention it deserves.” The fact that the study was published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, one of the world’s leading psychiatric journals, is important, those who monitor the abortion debate say. “Its appearance in a top psychiatry journal indicates that it was

carefully critiqued and evaluated by respected public-health scholars,” Michael J. New, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, wrote at NationalReview.com. “... Hopefully, the prestige of the journal, the volume of studies included, and the consistency of the findings will encourage the mainstream media to give a second look to this important issue.” Coleman’s study “offers the largest available body of evidence on the psychological impact of abortion,” New said. Jeanne Monahan, director of the Family Research Council’s Center for Human Dignity, said the study “reveals the indisputable truth that abortion is bad for women’s mental health.” FRC is a pro-life group. “With this information, doctors now have a valid and unbiased synthesis of the current research available on the relationship between abortion and women’s mental health,” Monahan said in a statement. “Because it is a meta-analysis, the research is much more thorough and reliable than any other single study or review to date.”

Judge blocks Texas law requiring sonograms before abortions By Lori Arnold AUSTIN, Texas — A federal judge has blocked implementation of a new Texas law requiring sonograms for all women seeking abortions. U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks issued a preliminary injunction Aug. 30 prohibiting penalties against doctors who violate the law’s provisions, saying the law’s language was “unconstitutionally vague” and infringes upon the First Amendment rights of doctors. The law was to have been implemented Sept. 1. “Today’s ruling is a huge victory for women in Texas and a clear signal to the state legislature that it went too far when it passed this law,” Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement after the ruling. The center filed a class-action lawsuit against the regulations on June 13 on behalf of Texas abortion

doctors and their patients. It is also fighting a similar bill in Oklahoma. “Politicians have no business telling doctors how to practice medicine or meddling in women’s private medical decisions,” she said. In his decision, Starks said the law exceeds the primary focus of the practice of medicine. “The act compels physicians to advance an ideological agenda with which they may not agree, regardless of any medical necessity, and irrespective of whether the pregnant women wish to listen,” Sparks wrote. As to the center’s charge that the bill was too vague, Sparks responded, “The court is inclined to agree with defendants’ characterization that “plaintiffs have chosen to throw everything at the wall and hope something sticks,” according to CNN. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who signed the bill into law in May, vowed to appeal the decision.

“Every life lost to abortion is a tragedy, and today’s ruling is a great disappointment to all Texans who stand in defense of life,” he said. “This important sonogram legislation ensures that every Texas woman seeking an abortion has all the facts about the life she is carrying and understands the devastating impact of such a life-changing decision. I have full confidence in Attorney General Abbott’s efforts to appeal this decision as he defends the laws enacted by the Texas Legislature.” Under the terms of the law, a woman must have a sonogram within 24 hours of an abortion procedure and doctors are required to describe the physical attributes of the baby as shown by the sonogram, including its dimensions and the development of its limbs, organs and heartbeat. The law provided exceptions from the verbal descriptions requirements for women in cases of rape, incest or fetal abnormality.

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Senior citizens cohabiting more often WASHINGTON (WNS) — According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people over age 65 are choosing to live together without marriage more often these days—575,000 of them in 2010, compared to 193,000 in 2000. The reasons aren’t entirely clear, but researchers say anecdotal evidence suggests they may be financial. “What people say is that older adults don’t want to commingle funds so whatever was going to their kids will still go to their kids,” said Linda Waite, a University of Chicago sociology professor who has published a study on seniors and sex in the Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences.

Student group launches new pro-life initiative NEW YORK (WNS) — According to the Guttmacher Institute, 46 percent of abortions nationwide are performed on women in college. So Students for Life in early September launched a new program to help pregnant coeds give birth to their babies—and stay in school. The Pregnant on Campus Initiative is giving students tools to make their campuses more welcoming to pregnant girls and new mothers, such as lactation stations, diaperchanging decks and affordable oncampus housing.

Congressman seeks conscience protections post DADT WASHINGTON — Just days before the U.S. military was expected to repeal the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, a Republican from Calif., was preparing to introduce new legislation offering conscience protections for personnel whose beliefs differ from the new policy. Hunter said his office was already fielding complaints from active duty service members. “It is a legitimate concern,” Hunter’s office explained, especially as the Pentagon works on “disciplinary policies for people who don’t agree with this decision. Under Hunter’s bill, the troops have to abide by the repeal—but they don’t have to like it. “The military always falls in line,” a spokesman for the Congressman’s office said, “but that doesn’t mean that the men and women who serve in its ranks should suddenly be forced to personally accept (homosexuality).” According to the Family Research Council, Hunter’s bill would ensure that “members of the Armed Forces are not pressured to approve of another person’s sexual conduct if that sexual conduct is contrary to the personal principles of that member.”

The States vs. Planned Parenthood PRESCOTT, Ariz. (WNS) — Instead of complying with new state laws that place restrictions on abortions, Planned Parenthood has decided to stop offering abortion services in three Arizona cities. As of Aug. 19, women could no longer seek abortions through Planned Parenthood in Prescott Valley, Flagstaff and Yuma. Planned Parenthood’s decision came a week after an Arizona state appeals court allowed key parts of a 2009 state law restricting abortions to take effect.

The pro-life measures require women to see a doctor in person the day before an abortion to learn about risks and alternatives. Plus, healthcare workers are permitted to refuse to participate in abortions for moral or religious reasons. Bryan Howard, president of Planned Parenthood of Arizona, said the group likely would appeal the ruling to the Arizona Supreme Court.

Law School that demands the deactivation of various Web filters that block sexually explicit content at public schools. When Camdenton instead chose to continue protecting students, the ACLU filed suit.

Christian group criticized for ousting gay member

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (WNS) — The American Freedom Alliance has settled a lawsuit over the cancellation of a 2009 screening of a documentary on intelligent design, “Darwin’s Dilemma: The Mystery of the Cambrian Fossil Record,” at the California Science Center IMAX theater. Despite the settlement, the alliance says it won’t show the film even though they have been invited back. Instead, the organization will move on after taking the $110,000 to be provided by the center’s foundation and its insurer under the settlement. Attorney William J. Becker Jr.,

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNS) — Psalm 100, a Christian a cappella group at the University of North Carolina, struck a few dissonant chords around the Chapel Hill campus as school started when its members voted to expel a fellow singer because of his views on homosexuality. The decision to remove openly gay student Will Thomason sparked a backlash against the group and prompted school officials to launch an anti-discrimination investigation. Blake Templeton, general director of the group, said the decision was tough, especially because so many people thought it was done out of hatred. “That’s so far from the truth,” he said. “I want the power of God’s love to be so, so clear.” Templeton stressed that the group made its decision out of love for Thomason, not hate. However, Psalm 100, whose mission is “to spread the joy of the Lord through song,” operates under a constitution based on biblical standards, and the group concluded that Thomason’s views on the group’s constitution did not match up with its standards.

Missouri school district sued for protecting students from porn JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Alliance Defense Fund and Missouri Family Policy Council filed a friend-of-the-court brief Sept. 9 in defense of the Camdenton R-III School District after it was sued by American Civil Liberties Union attorneys on behalf of several homosexual activist groups and a student. The ACLU filed suit as part of its joint national effort with Yale Law School to coerce school districts into allowing students access to homosexual activist websites by ending the use of Web filters that also block highly sexually explicit material. The alliance sent school officials a letter in August urging them not to succumb to the ACLU’s demands, which it said would expose children to pornography under the guise of a concern about censorship and bullying. “No school district should be bullied into exposing children to sexually graphic material,” said ADF Senior Counsel David Cortman. “It’s reprehensible that the ACLU and Yale Law School are more concerned about forwarding an agenda that exposes children to harm than they are about protecting those children. Those who claim to oppose bullying should not be bullies themselves. Removing porn filters does nothing to end bullying.” The ACLU threatened Camdenton and numerous other school districts as part of the ACLU’s “Don’t Filter Me” campaign, a joint endeavor with Yale

Settlement reached over Intelligent Design film screening

who represented the alliance in the case, said the AFA considers the “invitation an apology, a vindication of intelligent design, and the right of people to discuss it in a public forum.” Becker added that the AFA declined the CSC’s post-litigation invitation because it came too late. To mitigate their damages following the initial cancellation, the AFA screened the movie at another venue, albeit one that did not have IMAX capabilities. The movie is owned and produced by Illustra Media, who provided it to AFA for the screening. The La Mirada-based production company recently screened its latest ID film, “Metamorphosis: The Beauty and Design of Butterflies.”

Fatherhood campaign targets abortion SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Issues4Life Foundation and The Radiance Foundation have launched a new billboard campaign targeting what they say is the biggest missing component of the national abor-

tion debate: fathers. The “Fatherhood Begins In The Womb!” project is designed to highlight the “culture of abandonment that abortion has created by revealing the statistics of fatherlessness, single-parent poverty, and the deterioration of two-parent married households. “When a man has sex with a woman he is consenting to being a father,” said Walter B. Hoye II, president of the Issues4Life Foundation. “We want to emphasize the biblical requirement and vital need for men to be involved as providers and protectors when ‘life’ happens.” According to statistics provided by Hoye, 25 percent of black children were born to single mothers in the 1960s. Today, 41 percent of all U.S. children (72.3 percent of black children and 35.7 percent of white children) are born to unmarried households. “This is a major crisis,” he said. Details of the program were announced at a news conference Sept. 17 in Sacramento. Specific details were not available at press time.

24 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • October 2011