MN • Dec 11 by Selah Media Group

Formerly the Minnesota Christian Chronicle

Vol. 33, No. 12

December 2011

www.christianexaminer.com

Carl Nelson

Book Review

Alternative Christmas gift ideas bless the recipient and the giver

Which is more important, evangelism or compassion?

Inviting men into a new conversation page 15

page 4

page 3

FREE

Better to Give

Minnesota for Marriage says survey shows strong support for marriage amendment Christian Examiner staff report TWIN CITIES — With nearly a year to go before Minnesotans go to the polls to vote on whether the state should constitutionally define marriage as between a man and a woman, a new poll finds strong support for traditional marriage definitions. Minnesota for Marriage, a group that supports the marriage amendment, released the results of a survey in November that showed 51 percent of voters support the marriage amendment while 40 percent do not support it. In addition, 56 percent of Minnesotans believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. “This data shows there is very strong voter support for the marriage amendment in Minnesota,” said John

Helmberger, chairman of Minnesota for Marriage, via a media release. “Our surveys for the past 15 months have shown steady support for traditional marriage, with a strong majority of Minnesotans saying they plan to vote for the amendment.” The survey included 500 randomly selected registered and active voters and has a margin of error of +/-4.4 percent. Interviews were conducted by telephone using both landlines and cell numbers. In addition, the survey also found that only 26 percent of Minnesotans generally believe the state is headed in the right direction, while more than 60 percent believe the state is not. Nearly three-fourths of those surSee AMENDMENT, page 14

More than 5,000 bikes have been donated this year creating the challenge of finding enough room to store them.

Free Wheelin’

‘A flair for the stage’ Woman finds early calling to tell stories By Scott Noble TWIN CITIES — “At the age of four,” Pati Kachel recalled, “a crowd gathered as I stood on a table top, singing and dancing at our neighborhood library’s bookmobile. During elementary school years, I was the kid who organized summer neighborhood talent shows in our garage. I loved dressing up in costumes to sing, dance and perform in skits.” Those early performance experiences weren’t just childhood endeavors, however, but ultimately were a precursor to and played a significant role in what Kachel believes God has called her to, which is to “develop and share earthly stories with scriptural truth.” Kachel serves as communicaSee STORIES, page 9 INDEX

Editorial .......................... 4-5

Bikes 4 Kids initiative now largest distributor of free bikes in country By Scott Noble

Pati Kachel traveled to The Netherlands to research and develop her portrayal of Corrie ten Boom.

TWIN CITIES — Three years ago, local author Terry Esau (“Be the Surprise” and “Surprise Me”) got a call from a friend whose neighbor was going through a difficult time. The friend asked Esau if he or someone he knew would have a bike to donate to the family. After that initial request, several of Esau’s friends responded with their willingness to donate a bike. That episode got Esau thinking about how many bikes are sitting in people’s garages, collecting dust and not being used.

He decided to organize an effort to collect bikes, rehab them—if needed—and then give them to needy kids. The first year, the new initiative—Free Bikes 4 Kidz—collected nearly 350 bikes. In 2010, the group collected 1,500 bikes and gave away more than 1,100 of them. As of late November, Free Bikes 4 Kidz has already taken in 5,000 bikes this year, making it the largest distributor of free bikes in the country, according to Esau. “Every year, more people are aware of what we are doing, more media jumps on board because

it’s a feel-good story,” Esau said. “But also this year, Allina Hospitals and Clinics have come alongside us as a sponsor. They threw some significant weight behind our cause with full page ads in all the local papers, not to mention encouraging their 24,000 employees to donate a bike. We actually took in almost 4,000 bikes in one day on Oct. 22.” When he started Free Bikes 4 Kidz, Esau said he had no idea it would become the largest distributor of free bikes in the country. “I’m sort of a professional See FREE BIKES, page 8

Love INC reopens office, has new focus and strategy Ministry connects churches and volunteers with needs in area By Scott Noble

Calendar ..................... 10-11

Community Briefs......... 12-13

Professional Service Directory .......................... 12

Classifieds ....................... 13

Reviews ........................... 15 Love INC in Delano, Minn., connects churches and ministries to help those most in need in their community.

MINNEAPOLIS — Love INC (In the Name of Christ) closed its national headquarters in Minneapolis last January, citing lack of funds. However, within a matter of weeks, the organization was diligently working to reopen and restructure the national office. Love INC helps network church ministries and volunteers to meet the needs of those in their communities—regardless of where they are located. It has established affiliates across the country to help meet needs in their specific areas. The ministry also works with local governments and community organizations to help provide muchneeded assistance.

Immediately after Love INC closed its national headquarters, the board hired an administrative person to assist with the closing of the national headquarters and also to assist with the administrative tasks related to restructuring the national office. Steven Ough, board chair for Love INC, said it was difficult going through the process of restructuring, but the ministry has grown stronger because of it. “As difficult and traumatic as going through a restructuring like this is, it has given us the opportunity to examine every aspect of the ministry, from who are we and who do we want to be to how do See LOVE INC, page 6

2 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • December 2011

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Regions Hospital to stop providing abortions Decision marks years of prayers and protests from pro-life activists Christian Examiner staff report SAINT PAUL — According to several media outlets, Regions Hospital in St. Paul announced in late November that it will stop performing elective abortions. The hospital said it will close its GYN Special Services Clinic Dec. 9. Brian Gibson, executive director of Pro-Life Action Ministries, said in an email to supporters: “This comes after seven 40 Days for Life campaigns involving thousands at the hospital, petition drives, phone calling and emailing campaigns, and millions of dollars in lost business for HealthPartners over its ownership of the hospital and [its abortion services].” According to the Star Tribune, Regions Hospital was the last remaining hospital in the Twin Cities that performed elective abortions. However, pro-life activists noted that the new Planned Parenthood facility is scheduled to open in December. “MCCL is happy to see Regions close its abortion center and refocus on saving people’s lives,” Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) said in a statement about the closing. “But the decision can be seen as a further consolidation. The metro area’s new Planned

Parenthood mega abortion center will open in December just a few miles west of Regions. It will be the nation’s third largest abortion center.” Nevertheless, pro-life activists were thankful for the closing. “We thank God first and foremost for this great victory,” Gibson said. “It is the Lord of life who has moved hearts and changed minds. We also thank all those who … ardently kept vigil or stood in witness at Regions, who signed petitions, sent correspondence, picketed at HealthPartners clinics and annual meetings and who aided the boycott of HealthPartners medical insurance these past six years.”

Read the upcoming January issue of the Christian Examiner for additional news on this development and the annual March for Life event held each January. For more information about Pro-Life Action Ministries, visit www.plam.org. For more information about MCCL, visit www.mccl.org.

December 2011 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • 3

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Better to Give Christmas gift alternatives provide blessings for the recipient — and the giver By Lori Arnold As the commercialization of Christmas continues to dwarf the spiritual aspects of the holiday, many Christian families are seeking ways to bring the giving spirit back to the holiday. More and more families are opting to forgo the traditional “I want” lists for charitable giving opportunities, which have now become as diverse as the people seeking them. Here is just a sampling of some of the alternative and unique programs available for online charitable giving that can make a difference in someone’s life.

or sell in the marketplace, a fuelefficient stove for $30 to improve a family’s health or a garden for $50 to provide nutritious food for a family. Scott Sabin, executive director of Plant With Purpose, said their goal is to raise $10,000 by Dec. 31, up from $8,000 last year. For information, log on to www. plantwithpurpose.org/gifts.

A set of six gift cards, drawn by children served by the Maya Mesoamerica Mission, is available for $12.

The Ten Thousand Villages catalog includes a rolled paper frame crafted from artisans in the Philippines, who wrap discarded newspaper around broom bristles and create a funky, recycled newspaper gift to frame your favorite photo.

Ten Thousand Villages, a nonprofit program of the Mennonite Central Committee, creates opportunities for artisans around the globe to earn a fair wage. A selfdescribed fair-trade retailer, Ten Thousand Villages offers artisancrafted home decor, personal accessories and gift items from across the globe. Their inventory includes products from more than 130 artisan groups in 38 countries. In addition, the group has a network of more than 390 retail outlets throughout the United States. Artisans use the income to pay for food, education, healthcare and housing for themselves and their families. For information, log on to www. tenthousandvillages.com.

Maya Mesoamerica Mission, founded in 2000, operates an Englishspeaking church in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala and recently launched Denims for Guatemala, a micro business endeavor. The ministry’s store offers a six-note card set featuring artwork from Mayan children for $12. The cards were designed using original artwork created by children involved with the community of Xolcaja, an outreach of Maya Mesoamerica Mission. The back of each card includes Spanish translations and information about the Maya Mission. Shipping is free. For information, log on to www. mayamission.org/cards.html. Military BibleStick Outreach, a project of Faith Comes by Hearing, the BibleStick is a digital audio New Testament provided to the military. The slim audio player, pre-loaded with a dramatized version of the New Testament, is the size of a pack of gum. Because of the ongoing campaign to America’s military, chaplains from every branch routinely seek the Bibles, with more than 143,000 of the devices in the field. In all, more than 800 chaplains use Military BibleSticks in pre-deployment briefings, counseling sessions, Bible studies, weekly chapels and other spiritual services. For $25, a Military BibleStick, which includes an MP3 disc of the entire New Testament along with a response card for service members to have New Testaments and KIDZ Bibles sent to their families, civilians can purchase a BibleStick for

Help a family start a garden with a gift of just $50 through Plant With a Purpose.

Holiday Village Market Gift Catalog is an online shopping guide for people wishing to support the work of Plant With Purpose. The organization works to curb deforestation in an effort to help the rural poor use the land for sustenance and commerce. Since its 1984 founding, the group has helped the residents in nearly 250 villages lift themselves out of poverty through its holistic approach to sustainable development. The shop features 15 povertyfighting gifts ranging in price from $1 to plant a tree to $1,000 to build a cistern. Other life-sustaining gifts include a brood of 10 chicks for $20 to provide eggs for a family to eat

At 3 inches long and less than 1 inch wide, the Military BibleStick is about the size of a pack of gum. More than 143,000 of the devices are now on the field.

the military. For information, log on to www.faithcomesbyhearing. com. Restore International—founded by Bob Goff, a Christian college professor—offers products ranging from 30cent bricks to a $3,300 Restore Vision Trip, where work is done on building projects and maintenance, well drilling, special programs and outreach. Restore’s focus is on combating human rights violations, including forced prostitution and slave labor. For information, log on to www. restoreinternational.org. World Vision—the Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice— also has its own market. It’s online market is easy to search by category or price and in-

For information, log on to www. worldvision.org.

World Vision offers a variety of unique gift-giving ideas, including a sheep for $105 or 5 ducks for $30.

cludes such gifts as animals, clean water, clothing and shelter, education, emergency aid, gifts that multiply, meeting needs for girls and women, food, help for kids in the United States, maximum impact, medical care, monthly giving and support orphans and widows. The ministry offers non-specified gifts for as low as $10 or two soccer balls for $16. More expensive options include an animal-of-the-month program, deep water wells, small business loans for women, $22,000 to build a school and $39,000 for a health clinic.

Alternative Gifts International was founded in 1980 by Harriet Prichard, a children’s ministries director, in an effort to model a noncommercial way to give authentic gifts at Christmas. They created an alternative gift market in which children and adults sold relief and self-development goods and animals for persons in need in the Third World. Cards were inscribed with the gifts purchased and sent to friends and relatives to inform them that an alternative gift was given in their honor. By 2004 there were 325 markets in 43 states. Alternative Gift Markets have also been organized in England, Holland, Japan and Korea. In the course of 20 seasons more than $17 million has been raised for people in crisis around the world. For information, log on to www. altgifts.org.

4 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • December 2011

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What will be your legacy? One of my favorite TV shows is “Decoded.” The History Channel show is hosted by best-selling author Brad Meltzer and investigates various controversial episodes in history with fresh eyes. After watching the program one night recently, I stumbled across a YouTube video of Meltzer talking about writing our own obituary. While there was nothing overtly religious about his talk, there were several things that resonated with me and caused me to contemplate how my own obituary would be written. Meltzer mentioned that there are two aspects to obituaries, the professional and the personal. The professional part lists your job, where you went to school, what awards you may have won and other elements associated with your career. This part will be quickly forgotten soon after you pass away. The personal part—what you do as a person—is what people will remember and what will resonate as your legacy. This will last for many years—maybe even generations— after you die.

It’s about extending the life we have been given by Christ to others. I had coffee with a friend the other week, and we somehow got on the subject of mentors. My friend mentioned an older gentleman he knew who, when you were with him, used to nearly drown you in God’s grace. I think my friend used the phrase “a fire hose of grace.” Years from now, when that gentleman has passed on and his professional accomplishments are forgotten and his company has hired someone to fill his position, his legacy will be his willingness to extend the grace God afforded him to others. For some reason, I’ve been focusing on this story from my friend for the last several weeks. Maybe God

is encouraging me to find someone in my life who would offer this grace to me. More likely, God is urging me to become more like this gentleman in the relationships I have with others. I was reading a book recently where the story was told of a father who never told his son that he loved him. The father lived until he was fairly old and had never once uttered the simple words “I love you” to his son. While the son said he knew that his father loved him, it’s unfortunate that during his whole life he was never able to hear those significant and life-changing words from the most important man in his life.

Editor’s Note: Scott Noble Actions and words have consequences—and those consequences can change lives far into the future. Many years ago, one of my best friends was killed in a car accident. We were both young college students at the time, with our whole lives waiting ahead of us. This month will mark the anniversary of his death. Yet to this day, many years later,

his life and the way he treated me still have an impact on me. When I felt that no one believed in me and that the world was working against me, my friend, Jeff, told me otherwise. He encouraged me, supported me and played an important role in making me who I am today—even though he has long since passed from this earth. Don’t you want to be someone like that? I know I do. I also know I fail at this more often than I ever succeed and am reluctant even to contemplate my personal legacy. But as we enter the Christmas season and celebrate the One who grants new life to all who ask for it, it’s a great reminder to, in our own small way, offer life to others. Either through encouragement, being there for others when things are tough or giving much-needed counsel and advice. It’s about extending the life we have been given by Christ to others. The result is not only temporary; it can and does have eternal consequences.

Which is more important, evangelism or compassion? Evangelism is changing. The methods we use to tell people that Jesus can open the door to a relationship with God are different than what was effective before. Americans today know less and less about God and the Bible. A generation ago, a majority of people were aware of their own sin that separated them from God. Today, most non-religious people have no concept of sin, nor recognize that they are separated from God. So we need to learn new ways to tell the Good News and help people meet Jesus. One effective way is to integrate the spoken words of truth and explanation of Good News with the active and living results of Good News. Many call this a Holistic Gospel—combining the words and deeds of Jesus’ Gospel into an integrated living and spoken witness. Some Christians have resisted this movement because it appears to some that it places less emphasis on evangelism. However, we should be just as concerned when proclamation-only-evangelism produces less and less fruit, as it is doing in American culture today. It is also true that deeds of mercy and justice cannot replace words and proclamation that explain and announce the Good News to help people accept Jesus. Rather than viewing this as an either-or approach, Christians should consider a both-and approach. We

We should learn better how to … integrate the living results of Good News with the spoken explanation of Good News. Carl Nelson should learn better how to combine and integrate the living results of Good News with the spoken explanation of Good News. The book of Ephesians has helped give me a framework to understand how we can stay focused on proclaiming the Good News about salvation in Jesus, and at the same time be working to fight injustice and show love and mercy to others in the name of Jesus. Here’s my summary of the book of Ephesians in a nutshell. We were separated from God by sin, but Jesus sacrificed himself to make peace between us and God, then gathered us into a new community called the Church, and through the Church, God intends to overcome suffering and destruction and reestablish His created order, with the end result being that God’s glory is revealed to the ends of the universe. A mistake I have made is to mini-

mize the entirety of God’s redemptive purposes achieved through Jesus Christ. Yes, Christ is the one who achieves our salvation, but our salvation is not just for us; it also serves a greater purpose. Too many times we end the story right there. We only think about our salvation, and we forget why God has saved us. God is on a mission to rescue a broken and hurting world and to bring people back to himself. Ephesians 3:18 tells us that after we become followers of Jesus, we should seek to understand and be filled with the “the breadth and length and height and depth” of the love of Christ. By doing so, we become like Jesus as we take on the defining characteristic of Jesus—His allconsuming love for others. When we are filled and moved with the compassion and justice of Christ, we become part of God’s mission to bring the world back un-

der His control. And this I believe gets to the heart of the matter of how we collectively as the Church bring glory to God. As a historical movement, evangelicalism has been at the forefront of both spiritual revivals and combating injustice. But in the past century, we’ve become caught up in a debate about which is more important, evangelism or compassion, telling people about Jesus or loving them. But if we properly understand the eternal purposes of God, I think the answer is easy. It’s not either-or; it’s both. God didn’t come here to just save us in the eternal realm and then leave us to exist in a broken world abounding with suffering and injustice. No, instead He created the Church to be filled with the overwhelming compassion of Christ to be at work in the earthly realm. To do what? To honor God

by doing His will—to bring people back to God and to combat human suffering. One year ago, I was at the Third Lausanne Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, and the Rev. John Piper offered this explanation of the full complexity of the Gospel with our simultaneous responsibilities to tell people about Jesus and love people like Jesus commands. He offered this statement, explaining how Christians respond when we have met Jesus and been filled with his love: “As Christians, we care about all human suffering; injustice and human suffering on earth and especially eternal suffering of people who never know God.” In other words, when the Church does evangelism and at the same time works to end human suffering, we’re doing it for the same reason. We do it because we are filled with the person of Jesus and motivated by His love for others. That love manifests itself through two simultaneous actions: telling people about Jesus and loving people as Jesus wants us to, recognizing that our ultimate problem with eternal consequences is our separation from God, to whom we can only be reconciled to through Jesus Christ. Carl Nelson is president and CEO of Transform Minnesota, formerly the Greater Minnesota Association of Evangelicals.

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December 2011 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • 5

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Charles Wesley’s radical and fruitful risk On July 18, 1738, two months after his conversion, Charles Wesley did an amazing thing. He had spent the week witnessing to inmates at the Newgate prison with a friend named “Bray,” whom he described as “a poor ignorant mechanic.” One of the men they spoke to was “a black slave that had robbed his master.” He was sick with a fever and was condemned to die. Wesley and Bray asked if they could be locked in overnight with the prisoners who were to be executed the next day. That night they spoke the gospel. They told the men that “one came down from heaven to save lost sinners.” They described the sufferings of the Son of God, His sorrows, agony and death. The next day, the men were loaded onto a cart and taken to Tyburn.

Charles went with them. Ropes were fastened around their necks so that the cart could be driven off and leave them swinging in the air to choke to death. The fruit of Wesley’s and Bray’s night-long labor was astonishing. Here’s what Wesley wrote: “They were all cheerful; full of comfort, peace and triumph; assuredly persuaded Christ had died for them and waited to receive them into paradise …. The black … saluted me with his looks. As often as his eyes met mine, he smiled with the most composed, delightful countenance I ever saw. “We left them going to meet their Lord, ready for the bridegroom. When the cart drove off, not one stirred or struggled for life but meekly gave up

their spirits. Exactly at twelve they were turned off. I spoke a few suitable words to the crowd; and returned, full of peace and confidence in our friends’ happiness. That hour under the gallows was the most blessed hour of my life.” Two things amaze and inspire me in this story. One is the astonishing power of Wesley’s message about the truth and love of Christ. All the condemned prisoners were converted. And they were so deeply converted in one night that they could look death in the face (without any long period of “follow-up” or “discipling”) and give up their spirits with confidence that Christ would receive them. Oh, for such power and witness! The other thing that amazes me is the sheer fact that Wesley went to

John Piper the prison and asked to be locked up all night with condemned criminals. It was a huge risk. These men had nothing more to lose if they killed another person. Wesley had no supervisor telling him that this was his job. He was not a profes-

sional prison minister. It would have been comfortable and pleasant to spend the evening at home conversing with friends. Why did he go? God put it in his heart to go. And Wesley yielded. Wesley believed in hell and heaven. He believed that what these prisoners believed from their hearts on that night would determine forever their eternal destiny. It was worth risking his life for. Oh, that I might discern the leading of God when something outside my usual path is called for. John Piper is pastor for preaching and vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church. He is the author of more than 40 books, including Desiring God, Don’t Waste Your Life.

Communism in America? When we think of Communism, we think of the Soviet Union, East Germany and the Berlin Wall. We think of dictators, oppression, guns, barbed wire fences, restricted living and quite frankly—sadness. We certainly don’t think of America. However, with a degree of concern, maybe we should. My shocking glimpse into this reality came as I was contemplating family and the role of the family unit. Recently, my husband and I welcomed a new baby into this world and a new light has been shed on the importance of a mother and father. Unfortunately, I did not grow up having a family unit in place, and I know firsthand how it affects a life. I am not bitter with my parents; I have a very loving and honest relationship with both of them, and we talk openly about the pain that regularly surfaces because our intended family unit is not intact. Don’t be fooled by society’s culture; divorce affects everyone involved for a lifetime. As I see how critical it is for a child to have a mother and a father, my heart aches for the many

We are dancing on a very treacherous line but fail to see the consequences. Alisha Cora Soule who are affected by divorce. It was throughout this thought process that I watched a movie demonstrating how easy it is to break down our families and society. The movie pointed out how the grinding down of a society is part of a socialist and communist agenda (hence the name of the movie, “Agenda”). This agenda is dangerous and disguised; from the outside it looks harmless. However, unless you understand the underlying principles and concepts of a socialist and communist ideology, you will be swept along with the rest of America, never realizing that you have slowly

rendered your freedom. A society that becomes communist must first be socialist; or more clearly stated, socialism is the last and major step toward Communism. If you don’t think we are moving in this direction, let me demonstrate a few points. In 1958, a book titled “The Naked Communist” was published. It described 45 goals of Communism. Here are just a few: Goal 28 is to eliminate prayer in schools on the grounds that it violates the principles of “separation of church and state.” Goal 17 is to get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism. Soften

the curriculum. Get control of the teacher associations. Goal 25 is to break down the cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography in books, magazines, motion pictures and television. Goal 20 and 21 are to present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as “normal, natural and healthy.” As you look at how our society operates today, you can clearly see how the above goals have already come to fruition. It’s alarming how policies have been made and behaviors have flourished in support of these goals. We are dancing on a very treacherous line but fail to see the consequences.

Under the masquerade of being politically correct, tolerant, relevant and serving, we have adopted a manner of living that plays right into the hands of socialism and Communism ideologies. Joseph Stalin, leader of the Soviet Union from 1941-1953, said, “America is like a healthy body, and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within.” An eerie sense rushes over me as I read that comment because that is the very issue: It is from within that we are falling apart; therefore, it is not as obvious. It is pretty significant that atheists and communists, from the past and present, understand the power of faith and America better than most Americans today. It is as if we have abandoned all that made us who we are. Asleep at the wheel and completely befuddled as to why we are in the mess we are in. Alisha Cora Soule is senior director of development at Northwestern College in St. Paul.

Christians should Occupy Wall Street “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (1 John 3:17). Jesus didn’t come to advocate for free market capitalism or lower taxes, both primary concerns of Tea Partiers. Rather, when He was on earth, Jesus spoke multiple times about the dangers of loving money and our responsibility to care for the poor. So why do American evangelicals more often align themselves with the Tea Party than with the Occupy Movement? The Occupy Wall Street folks concern themselves with a number of issues but perhaps most centrally with the fact that 1 percent of the population controls 40 percent of the wealth. Christians needn’t necessarily be concerned that there are some people who own multiple homes (each of which require dozens of full-time staff to maintain them), while the majority of people have to take out second mortgages to pay for their children’s education (if they can

even afford to own a home). Christians should, however, be concerned that there are almost a billion people—14 percent of the world’s population—who are currently starving or are without clean water to drink while others live lives of obscene luxury. This is a moral issue. It’s a matter of life and death. It is right up the Christian’s alley. The Christian recognizes the people who are starving around the world as neighbors and feels a responsibility to care for their needs. Many Christians have stepped up to serve the poorest of the poor through various organizations, and other Christians use this fact to justify both their own complacency and the amassing of wealth in America to the detriment of the Third World. But those organizations are barely able to make a dent in the problem. There are too few who are willing to give sacrificially, and those who are willing control too little of the wealth. If 1 percent of people control 40 percent of the wealth, that means that each

Zach Psick of the other percentage points controls, on average, only .6 percent, or 66 times less than the top 1 percent. Many would have you believe that this income disparity results from the willingness of some to work harder than others, but it takes a complete suspension of rational thinking to believe that the 1 percent work that much harder than the rest of us. There literally aren’t enough hours in a week for that to be true. No. The problem is not that 99 percent of us don’t work hard enough. The problem is our eco-

nomic system. Free market capitalism is inherently flawed and will always lead to the exploitation of people and natural resources. There will always be a tiny percentage (say 1 percent) doing the exploiting. Christians should be the first to acknowledge that there is a problem with any system in which a billion people are starving to death, despite the fact that there are plenty of resources for everyone. Taxing the rich is not the answer. To solve the problem, we must change the system. Capitalism is a bad system, but socialism would never work. So rather than choose between the two, we should begin working toward a new system. “There will never be a perfect system on this side of heaven,” some may say. “People will always fall through the cracks.” Perhaps, but surely we can do better. How amazing the witness it would be if the next great economist was a Christian who, motivated by the love of Christ, was able to develop an economic system that rewarded

the hard work of everyone and left no one behind to suffer. Most of us aren’t economists and therefore are not in a position to dream up an entirely new economic system. But each of us can be willing to acknowledge that the current system is imperfect and that there is a need for change. When someone challenges the status quo because they see the suffering caused by capitalism’s shortcomings, we can all refrain from calling that person “socialist” or “anti-American.” We can create an environment, free from such hostility, where it is clear that there is a need for a better system. Eventually, a brilliant mind will emerge with answers. I hope that it’s a Christian. And I hope that the next time the liberals and socialists take to the streets to stand up for the poorest among us, they will find the Christians already there. Zach Psick is a freelance writer who enjoys studying and discussing theology and politics in his leisure time.

6 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • December 2011

LOVE INC… Continued from page 1 we want to operate going forward and how should we change our process so that we will be more effective and efficient?” he said. “We have already seen significant cost savings and increases in productivity by reworking our processes and making much better use of technology, and we expect to see much more in the next year as we increase those efforts.” During the restructuring, the board worked to reorganize the national structure and make it more sustainable. In addition, the board interviewed local affiliates to determine what functions and services the national office should provide and then based its restructuring plan on what it learned. One of the most significant changes occurred in relation to Love INC’s funding model. Prior to the closing of the national office, local affiliates contributed dues and fees that accounted for less than 10 percent of the national office’s annual budget. Moving forward, “We are ask-

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ing affiliates to pay quarterly dues based on a percentage of their prior quarter’s revenue,” Ough said. “In the new funding model, affiliate dues account for about 50 percent of national’s operating budget, with various affiliate fees—such as annual conference fees, new affiliation fees, etc.—accounting for about 30 percent of national’s operating budget. The remaining 20 percent of [the] national [office’s] operating budget will still be the responsibility of the national Love INC organization to raise, along with any special project funds.” As 2011 progressed and the restructuring continued, the ministry hired several people on a part-time basis to work in operations and to work with new affiliate development. All employees work from home, and the new organization will operate a virtual office. The new structure will also change how affiliates relate to the national office. “[Affiliates] will be much more actively involved in all aspects of the national Love INC movement, from governance to setting policy and strategy to providing staff

Another food outreach coordinated between Love INC and a local church.

and volunteers to help run the day-to-day operations,” Ough said.

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are meeting the increased needs. What Love INC is doing, at a local level, is actively recruiting more churches and church volunteers to join the network, training church volunteers on how to serve those with needs, helping educate churches on the needs that exist in their communities and helping churches start ministries to address those needs—the things Love INC has always done.” Love INC is also redeveloping how new affiliates get started. By doing so, organizers hope affiliates will be able to get up and running sooner and also be established on a healthier basis, thus, in the end, able to help those in the community more quickly and more effectively. “At the national level, we are changing our training methods to make much better use of technology—namely the Internet—so we can better support and train existing Love INC affiliates by providing them more timely training in a much more cost effective manner,” Ough said.

“In the past, it was a fairly typical hierarchical national/local affiliate relationship. Now it is a much more networked/flat structure with local affiliate representation and involvement in all areas.” In late October, Love INC held its 2011 National Gathering event in Illinois, where more than 170 people attended—from affiliates and developing affiliates to those who were interested in learning how to become an affiliate. There are currently eight new affiliates being developed in the U.S. and five in Nairobi, Kenya. The heart of what Love INC does is help people who are in need. These needs have become even more evident, according to Ough, during this difficult economic time. “All of our local affiliates have seen significant increases in the number of calls/requests for help from people with needs, and many calls from people who have never been in the situation of having to ask churches for help before,” he said. “The role of a local Love INC is to help mobilize local churches to partner together and coordinate the churches’ ministries in their community,” Ough continued. “Love INC is not the one meeting needs; it is the churches and the volunteers they provide who

For more information about Love INC and its affiliates or to start an affiliate in your area, visit www. loveinc.org or email info@loveinc.org.

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December 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER â&#x20AC;˘ 7

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â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The CHRISTmas Boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; continues Local teens participate in National Spelling Bee ministry of Gamble Family Christmas Concert Series Christian Examiner staff report

be a way to help readers refocus on the true meaning of Christmas. Gamble hopes families will turn off all distractions and endeavor to spend time together. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The CHRISTmas Boyâ&#x20AC;? follows a family, stung by the Great Depression and the abandonment of the father, as they discover the true meaning behind Christmas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve gotten feedback from families that have said they are using it to start their own family tradition and sitting down and reading it together to refocus on the true meaning of Christmas,â&#x20AC;? Gamble said.

By Scott Noble TWIN CITIES â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Over the years, thousands of Minnesotans have been blessed by the popular Gamble Family Christmas Concert Series that was held for many years at Northwestern College in St. Paul. Begun in 1982, the annual series served as the unofficial start to the Christmas season. It also served as a tool for many Christians to bring their nonChristian friends and relatives, knowing they would be reminded about the true meaning of Christmasâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and be entertained, as well. Each year, members of the musically talented Gamble family would sing and play instruments. For Steve Gamble, music became an integral part of his life early on. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have fond memories of the house being filled with music and that my dad was part of a barber shop quartet that would be over practicing,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Later on, it was a Gospel quartet he was a part of. We grew up hearing them harmonize and so forth.â&#x20AC;? Gamble made a decision for Christ at the Crossroads Chapel when he was 13. That next year in junior high, Gamble and his brother, Gary, participated in his schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talent show. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We got up and harmonized and sang â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;How Great Thou Art,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; which was quite a reach for some of our friends at school,â&#x20AC;? he said. The family continued to integrate music into their lives and eventually formed the Gamble Folk in the 1960s. Upon recording a Christmas album one year, the group hired an arranger who wrote the music for the orchestra. They decided, since they had â&#x20AC;&#x153;all these beautiful charts,â&#x20AC;? that they should try doing a live performance. They did. The first live performance was at Orchestra Hall. That eventually led to the concert series at Northwestern, which began after the group talked to Wayne Pederson and sought the

sponsorship of KTIS. The series continued for more than a decade, ending in the mid 1990s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The main reason for the success of the Gamble Family Christmas Concert Series at Northwestern was that people saw it as a means to reach outâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to their friends, to their family,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of people got the vision for it that this was something they could use as a tool to bring their unsaved friends, where theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be presented the Gospel, be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas and help get the Christmas season off on the right foot.â&#x20AC;? While the annual concert series is no longer running, Gamble has taken the motivation behind it and applied it to a new book. Based on the theme song used at the Gamble Family Christmas concerts for so many years, the book is titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;The CHRISTmas Boy.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;For a number of years, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had the idea of developing the story around that song, and I gradually started but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been 12 years ago that I seriously got into the writing of it,â&#x20AC;? Gamble said. When he finished the book, Gamble decided to self publish it. He believes God led him to try and get it into as many homes as possible. By doing that, it would

For more information on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The CHRISTmas Boyâ&#x20AC;? or to order a copy, visit www.thechristmasboy.com, call (651) 257-1005 or email tsgamble@ frontiernet.net.

TWIN CITIES â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Several local teens participated in the 2011 National Spelling Bee Competition and Family Discipleship Celebration, held in Nashville, Tenn., in mid November. Some 300 national qualifiers from across the country demonstrated their Scripture knowledge and memorization in written and oral rounds. The local teensâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Ashley McKevitt, Sarah Frisk, Alethea Leonard, Kerestel Leonard and Andrew McKevittâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;won their spots in the national contest during the Local Bible Bee, which was held last August at Twin City Fellowship in St. Louis Park. Ashley and Andrew McKevitt, along with their parents, attend Redeemer Lutheran Church; Frisk attends Evergreen Community Church; and Alethea and Kerestel Leonard attend Plymouth Covenant Church. The national event took place at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel and

the Nashville Convention Center and was surrounded by a variety of family-friendly events. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This event is designed to be family-friendly, engaging and encouraging for everyone,â&#x20AC;? said Mark McMahan, the chief executive officer of the foundation that sponsors the event, via a media release. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those who attended last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nationals were deeply impacted by the celebration of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word and the sense of community among the families and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.â&#x20AC;? Guest speakers at the competition included actor Kirk Cameron, the Rev. Voddie Baucham, John Stonestreet of Summit Ministries, author Susan Heck and several others. Winners shared in the more than $260,000 in prize money.

For more information on the 2011 National Bible Bee Competition, visit www.biblebee.org.

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8 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • December 2011

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After bikes are donated, volunteers repair them before they are given away.

FREE BIKES… Continued from page 1

Is there room in your heart and home to make a difference in a waiting child’s life?

There are approximately 400 kids waiting in the Minnesota foster care system in need of a forever family. At Bethany Christian Services of MN, we believe that all children deserve a safe, loving, and nurturing family. There are no agency fees for families who wish to adopt children from the State of Minnesota through this program. Please call 763.553.0344 or visit www.bethany.org/minnesota for more information about MN Waiting Children adoption.

Children are waiting…

8946

dreamer at heart, so meeting or exceeding expectations is just the step prior to ‘increasing’ my dreams and expectations,” he said. “That being said, becoming the largest distributor of free bikes in the country in just over three years is pretty amazing. And the thing that blows me away—and also gives me nightmares—is the fact that we do all of this in about two months each year.” With so many bikes collected each year, Esau said the challenge has become staffing volunteers who store and repair them, prior to giving them to children. “Getting the bikes is the easiest part of what we do,” he said. “The real challenge of Free Bikes 4 Kidz is finding and organizing the army of volunteers needed to clean, shine, lube, tweak, pump and refurbish all the bikes. That requires us to set up huge, portable bike repair shops around the metro area and then staff them. But every year we find a lot of wonderful people who donate days and weeks of their time to help us.” Over the years, thousands of kids have received a free bike, giving them opportunities to experience fun activities and the freedom of riding. Recently, Esau said a mother called Free Bikes 4 Kidz and said her son’s Scout troop was going on an outing. The group would bike 20 miles, then sleep over-night and then get bused back home. However, the young boy did not have a

bike. “Within 24 hours, we delivered a bike to their house, a really nice mountain bike,” Esau said. “So he did the ride, woke up the next morning and asked his Scout leader if he could ride his bike home instead of taking the bus. So his leader agreed to ride the 20 miles back home with him on his bike. This kid discovered what so many of us already know: bikes are awesome! And fun. And healthy.” Free Bikes 4 Kidz is also working with local charities and nonprofits to make sure the bikes go to those who need them. “This year, we will be giving bikes away at 21 different locations around town and giving bikes through the organizations that work with kids in those areas,” he said. “We are trying to make this a very community-based effort.” In the end, Esau said the free bikes initiative is about loving your neighbor. “We at Free Bikes 4 Kidz believe firmly that when Jesus said, ‘Oh yeah, there’s a second thing … love your neighbor as yourself,’ He meant for us to tangibly love them, not just with words but with actions,” Esau said. “Giving bikes to kids is our preferred method of tangibly loving our neighbor.” As to the future, Esau hopes to expand the scope of the giveaway. “I would like to see this simple idea spread across the country,” he said. “This year, we are moving outside the metro with give-aways in New Ulm, Buffalo, River Falls, Wisc. [and] Owatonna. Maybe next year we will invade Madison, Des

Terry Esau got the idea for Free Bikes 4 Kidz from a friend several years ago.

Moines, Sioux Falls, Fargo. In 2013, maybe Denver, Nashville and Chicago. We have already sent bikes to Africa, Papua New Guinea and a few other places, but for now we see our market here in the U.S.”

For more information about Free Bikes 4 Kidz—to donate a bike or volunteer—visit www.fb4k.com or email terry@terryesau.com.

December 2011 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • 9

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STORIES… Continued from page 1 tion director and storyteller for The Parable Fund, a nonprofit organization that aims to educate and entertain audiences through storytelling programs. Now, Kachel’s audiences are no longer just the neighborhoods kids. She performs in front of churches, at retreat centers, in schools and universities, at camps and even prisons—as part of The Parable Fund. “The story programs we produce through The Parable Fund focus on sharing biblical and personal faith stories that clearly communicate Judeo-Christian values,” she said. “We specialize in telling true stories of outstanding Christian women through the ages whose contributions to the world serve as an inspiration for us today.” The storytelling also includes dressing in period-specific attire, learning appropriate accents and taking on the personal characteristics of the story’s object. In “Conversations With Corrie” (Corrie ten Boom), Kachel tells the story of the ten Boom family during the Nazi occupation of Holland during World War II. “To help do this, my appearance transforms to look like Corrie when she was 84 years old,” Kachel said. “She had a larger and stockier build than I have, so my costume hides a layer of quilt batting to give the illusion of being 30 pounds heavier …. [Our wig master helps me] to weave my own hair into a customdesigned silver wig matching the rolled halo hairdo that Corrie always wore. We step outside and spray my hair silver to blend in with the wig. I also wear a pair of silver-rimmed spectacles.”

PHOTO BY BLAINE ERICKSON

Storyteller Pati Kachel shares her ‘Christmas Presence’ story program at Christ Lutheran Church of Lake Elmo.

With the look complete, Kachel also must adopt ten Boom’s speaking style. “I listened to Corrie’s distinctive Dutch accent on many radio broadcasts and videos to learn how to correctly enunciate words the way she would,” Kachel said. She also puts much effort into researching her stories, even traveling to The Netherlands to learn more about the life of ten Boom.

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“I walked the bumpy brick streets of her hometown Haarlem, toured her home and interviewed her personal secretary and traveling companions,” Kachel said. The Parable Fund includes a variety of programs, including literary and education programs. These highlight female novelists and novels, including Jane Austen, Beatrix Potter and “Anne of Green Gables.”

“I traveled to Prince Edward Island to do research on L. M. Montgomery [author of “Anne of Green Gables”], visiting the sites mentioned in her novels,” Kachel said. “I interviewed Montgomery scholars at the University of PEI. More than once, I’ve visited the breathtaking countrysides of England that inspired the works of Jane Austen and Beatrix Potter. All of these information gathering trips have been essential in helping me tell each of their stories.” Once Kachel has compiled the needed facts and background material for her storytelling, she begins to compile the information in three-ring binders. She then orders the material for chronology and sequencing and finally tells sections of the story to fellow storytellers at Salt of the Earth Storytelling Circle. Each new story can take one year or more to develop. Currently, Kachel is crafting a new script based on the biblical book of Esther. The story will be told from the perspective of one of the handmaidens in Queen Esther’s court. The power of story is often underestimated in today’s fast-paced and technologically advanced culture and only a limited number of people are involved in performance storytelling. However, Kachel believes Jesus demonstrated the unique power of stories in Scripture. “Jesus used parables to reveal truths about the kingdom of God,” Kachel said. “He uses each of our personal testimonies, our ‘God stories,’ to proclaim the Good News to the world today. St. Paul said we are to be living letters for all men to read. I truly believe that my role as a storyteller is to help listeners

remember their own faith stories.” By helping the audience to remember their faith stories, Kachel hopes they will then use their stories to impact others. “At the end of programs, I often lovingly challenge audiences to allow God to use them to tell their ‘God stories’ to others, encouraging believers and perking the interest of pre-believers,” she said. “My prayer is that listeners will go home from our programs with a deeper understanding and appreciation of God’s Word, realizing how vitally living and active it is.” With the wide range of programs The Parable Fund offers and Kachel performs, they have the opportunity to connect with people from young to old, longtime believers to those who have little or no interest in Christ. However, Kachel believes the Holy Spirit helps her to make a special connection with audiences. “I have experienced great joy and a deep sense of fulfillment when the Holy Spirit enables me to make a special connection with our audiences,” she said. “I pray and prepare my heart for each performance. I’m very thankful to have a small group of women who intercede for each program that we present. We ask the Lord Jesus to continue to speak into the lives of our listeners through the stories we share. From where I stand on stage, I’m able to see their faces and witness the work of God’s spirit touching them—sometimes through their tears, sometimes through hearty laughter.”

For more information about The Parable Fund or to schedule a performance, visit www.theparablefund.org or email theparablefund@me.com.

10 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • December 2011

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Have your event listed FREE! 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.

THRU JAN 8

DEC 4 • SUNDAY (cont.)

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

Christmas Concert & Lucia Pageant. 3:30pm, Brookdale Covenant Church, 5139 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Center, $5-10 • (612) 825-8808

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

Before Jan. 17 / Feb. 14 / March 13: $29/person Optional Lunch: $8

DEC 2-3 • FRI-SAT

After Jan. 17 / Feb. 14 / March 13: $35/person Optional Lunch: $9

“Interstice(s) – Intervening Space: A Conversation on Christianity and the Arts.” 5pm, Hennes Art Company, 1607 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. Hosted by MacLaurinCSF • (612) 378-1935

Mail-in Registration: To receive a registration packet in the mail, call (612) 483-4490 or e-mail your name and full address to info@wikallon.com

— Seminar Location — .EW (ARVEST #HURCH )NTERNATIONAL s "ASS ,AKE 2OAD 3UITE s #RYSTAL -.

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 2-11 “Hallelujah! A Musical Celebration!” North Heights Lutheran Church, 1700 Hwy 96 W, Arden Hills • nhlc.org

DEC 3 • SATURDAY Refined Women, with Dr. Roberta Morrison. 9am-12pm, Sheraton West Hotel, 12201 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka • refinedwomen.org Marriage & Ministry, one day seminar. 9am-4pm, Cornerstone Church, Crystal, $125. Sponsored by Youth Leadership • youthleadership.org Charles Dickens’ “ A Christmas Carol Radio Show.” 7:30pm, Riverview Baptist Church, 14 Moreland Ave. E, W St. Paul, free • (651) 457-3831

DEC 4 • SUNDAY 1850s Holiday Party. 12:30-3:30pm, Ard Godfrey House, Chute Square Park, Minneapolis, free • (612) 813-5300 ‘A Baby Changes Everything’ Christmas Concert. 3pm & 6:30pm, Calvary Lutheran Church, 7520 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley, $6-12 • (763) 231-2969 The Svenskarnas Dag Girls Choir annual

“Sounds of the Season,” a Christmas concert featuring the Encore Wind Ensemble. 4pm, King of Kings Lutheran Church, Woodbury, free-will offering • kingofkingswoodburymn.org BarlowGirl, in concert, with Ross Turner. Maranatha Assembly of God, Forest Lake • itickets.com

DEC 7-8 • WED-THU The Noel at Noon Advent Concert Series, with Sara Renner. 12:40pm, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi • wooddale.org

DEC 9 • FRIDAY ‘Names of God,’ Gospel Art Exhibit Opening Reception. 6:30-8:30pm, The Oakridge Gallery, Oakridge Community Church, 610 County Rd. 5, Stillwater • (651) 439-4882 Sara Groves & Leeland, ‘The Reason Christmas.’ 7pm, Benson Great Hall, Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Dr., St. Paul • echoministries.net ‘Rejoice! A Celebration of Christmas.’ Mary Beth Carlson’s Annual Christmas Celebration, with Patty Peterson, Kenni Holmen & more. 7:30pm, St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 9201 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, $8-15 • (952) 934-2319

DEC 9-10 • FRI-SAT The National Lutheran Choir, “Gloria: And on Earth, Peace.” Fri 4:30pm & 8pm; Sat 8pm, Basilica of St. Mary, 528 Hennepin Ave., Ste. 302, Minneapolis, $10-30 • nlca.com The Gospel According to Scrooge, Christmas Production. 7pm, Friendship Church, 12800 Marystown Rd., Shakopee, $5 • (952) 447-8282

DEC 9-11 • FRI-SUN “Hope is Born,” Christmas concert. Fri-Sat 7pm; Sun 6pm, First Evangelical Free Church, 2696 Hazelwood St., Maplewood, free • (651) 225-1678 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

December 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER â&#x20AC;˘ 11

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DEC 9-11 â&#x20AC;˘ FRI-SUN (cont.)

DEC 16 â&#x20AC;˘ FRIDAY

JAN 20 â&#x20AC;˘ FRIDAY

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Walter Bell Variety Showâ&#x20AC;? Christmas Celebration Performances. Fri-Sat 7:30pm & Sun 4pm, Cedar Valley Church, 8600 Bloomington Ave S, Bloomington â&#x20AC;˘ cvchurch.org, (952) 854-1100

The Single Parent Christian Fellowship potluck supper. 6:30pm, West Medicine Lake Park, Plymouth â&#x20AC;˘ (612) 866-8970

New Life Family Life Services presents â&#x20AC;&#x153;Laugh for Lifeâ&#x20AC;? with Anita Renfroe. 7pm, Autumn Ridge Church, Rochester, $1012 â&#x20AC;˘ nlfs.org

DEC 10 â&#x20AC;˘ SATURDAY A Soulful Christmas Concert, with the Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir. 4pm, North Central University, Trask Word & Worship Center, 1410 Elliot Ave., Minneapolis â&#x20AC;˘ tccgospel.org

The Miracle of Christmas, a concert with Mary Beth Carlson & Mark David Williams. 7:30pm, North Heights Lutheran, Roseville Campus, $15 â&#x20AC;˘ (651) 797-7800

DEC 16-18 â&#x20AC;˘ FRI-SUN

1st Annual Jeremiah House Dinner Banquet. 5:30pm, 14201 Cedar Ave. S, Apple Valley, $25 â&#x20AC;˘ (952) 432-4332

The Lundstromâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 â&#x20AC;˘ celebrationtickets. com, (952) 898-7200

DEC 10-11 â&#x20AC;˘ SAT-SUN

DEC 17 â&#x20AC;˘ SATURDAY

The Christmas Story: A â&#x20AC;&#x153;Liveâ&#x20AC;? Drive-Thru Presentation. 6:30-8:30pm, New Brighton Christian Church, 1500 29th Ave. NW, New Brighton, free â&#x20AC;˘ (651) 633-7152

The Story Tour, with Steven Curtis Chapman, Francesca Battistelli, Natalie Grant, Newsboys & more. 7pm, Grace Church, Eden Prairie, $20-75 â&#x20AC;˘ ktis.fm

Marriage Encounter. Mt. Olivet Conference Center, Farmington â&#x20AC;˘ marriages. org, (651) 454-3238

DEC 18 â&#x20AC;˘ SUNDAY

DEC 11 â&#x20AC;˘ SUNDAY Contemporary Christmas Concert. 1pm, Peace Lutheran Church Coon Rapids, 20 Northland Blvd., Coon Rapids, free â&#x20AC;˘ (763) 757-4459 Christian Songwriters Meeting. 2pm, Christ Lutheran Church, 105 W University Ave., St. Paul, free

Annual Christmas Concert.2pm, Centennial United Methodist, 1524 W Country Rd. C-2, Roseville â&#x20AC;˘ (651) 633-7644 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sharing the Visual Gospel,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; presentation with Susan Ruth Wiggin Mueller. 2-5pm, The Oakridge Gallery of Gospel Art, Oakridge Community Church, 610 County Rd. 5, Stillwater â&#x20AC;˘ info@agapearts.net

Advent Festival. 2-4:30pm, Calvary Lutheran Church, 7520 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley â&#x20AC;˘ (763) 231-2969

4th Annual Christmas Concert, MN Teen Challenge featuring Mac Powell. 4pm & 7pm, Grace Church, 9301 Eden Prairie Rd., Eden Prairie, $10-15 â&#x20AC;˘ mntc.org/ Christmas, (612) 238-6184

DEC 12 â&#x20AC;˘ MONDAY

DEC 21 â&#x20AC;˘ WEDNESDAY

The Minnesota Christian Writersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Guild, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Crafting Words into Hopeâ&#x20AC;?. 7-9pm, Fireside Room, Christ Presbyterian, 6901 Normandale Blvd., Edina â&#x20AC;˘ (763) 315-1014

Early Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship. 7pm, Calvary Lutheran Church, 7520 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley â&#x20AC;˘ (763) 545-5659

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Testimony of the Tree,â&#x20AC;? Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Event. 7pm, Calvary Lutheran Church, 7520 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley, $10 â&#x20AC;˘ (763) 231-2981

DEC 24 â&#x20AC;˘ SATURDAY

14th Annual Roseville Area Community Christmas Carol Sing-a-Long. 7:30pm, Centennial United Methodist, 1524 W Country Rd. C-2, Roseville â&#x20AC;˘ rosevillestrings.org, (651) 633-7644

DEC 13 â&#x20AC;˘ TUESDAY Christmas Pageant with Family Force 5, Hawk Nelson & Manafest. 7pm, Northwestern College, Maranatha Hall, 3003 Snelling Ave. N, St. Paul, $12-20 â&#x20AC;˘ (612) 253-5151

DEC 14 â&#x20AC;˘ WEDNESDAY Interfaith Prayer Network Concert of Healing. 7pm, Best Western Kelly Inn, 161 St. Anthony, St. Paul, free â&#x20AC;˘ (651) 644-8013

DEC 14-15 â&#x20AC;˘ WED_THU The Noel at Noon Advent Concert Series, with Woody Johnson & Melody Anderson. 12:40pm, St. Andrewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi â&#x20AC;˘ wooddale.org

DEC 15 â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY MACFM Monthly Meeting, Annual Business Meeting. Diamond Lake Lutheran, 5760 Portland Ave. S, Minneapolis â&#x20AC;˘ macfm.org Rivendell Sanctuar y Lectures, with Dr. William Lane Craig, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theology.â&#x20AC;? 7-8:30pm, Bethany Church, 6900 Auto Club Rd., Bloomington â&#x20AC;˘ rivendellsanctuary.com, (952) 996-1451

DEC 15-18 â&#x20AC;˘ THU-SUN â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Gospel According to Scrooge.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Thu-Fri 7pm; Sat-Sun 2:30pm & 7pm, Destiny Productions, 12119 16 Ave S, Burnsville, $8-12 â&#x20AC;˘ scroogeplay.com, (952) 890-1477

JAN 21 â&#x20AC;˘ SATURDAY Personal Ministry Development Seminar, 9am-3:30pm, New Harvest Church international, 6000 Bass Lake Rd., Ste. 211, Crystal, $29-35 â&#x20AC;˘ (612) 483-4490 New Life Family Life Services presents â&#x20AC;&#x153;Laugh for Lifeâ&#x20AC;? Anita Renfroe. 7pm, Grace Church, Eden Prairie, $10-12 â&#x20AC;˘ nlfs.org

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FEB 18 â&#x20AC;˘ SATURDAY Personal Ministry Development Seminar, 9am-3:30pm, New Harvest Church international, 6000 Bass Lake Rd., Ste. 211, Crystal, $29-35 â&#x20AC;˘ (612) 483-4490

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Christmas Eve Service. 4:30pm, Maple Plain Community Church, 1815 Budd Ave., Maple Plain â&#x20AC;˘ (763) 479-1620

DEC 25 â&#x20AC;˘ SUNDAY 2nd Annual Christmas Day Sacred Community Sing. 4:30pm, Oakridge Community Church, 610 County Rd. 5, Stillwater â&#x20AC;˘ info@agapearts.net

JAN 7 â&#x20AC;˘ SATURDAY â&#x20AC;&#x153;Recharge: A Conference for People Ministering to Children, Youth & Families.â&#x20AC;? 9am-4pm, ST. Andrewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church, Mahtomedi , $29 â&#x20AC;˘ ministryrecharge. com, (651) 484-9400

JAN 8 â&#x20AC;˘ SUNDAY Christian Songwriters Meeting. 2pm, Christ Lutheran Church, 105 W University Ave., St. Paul, free

JAN 9 â&#x20AC;˘ MONDAY The Minnesota Christian Writersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Guild, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Communications & Media Lawâ&#x20AC;?. 7-9pm, Fireside Room, Christ Presbyterian, 6901 Normandale Blvd., Edina â&#x20AC;˘ (763) 315-1014

JAN 17 â&#x20AC;˘ TUESDAY â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aging,â&#x20AC;? with Bruce Simat. 7:30pm, Northwestern College, 3003 N Snelling, Roseville â&#x20AC;˘ tccsa.tc

JAN 18-21 â&#x20AC;˘ WED-SAT Twin Cities Prophetic Conference, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Come Up Higher.â&#x20AC;? Redeeming Love Church, 2425 White Bear Ave., Maplewood, $30 â&#x20AC;˘ (763) 241-8122

JAN 19 â&#x20AC;˘ THURSDAY MACFM Monthly Meeting, Annual Social Event. TBD â&#x20AC;˘ macfm.org

MORE EVENTS online now at

â&#x20AC;˘ Future events for the Twin Cities not listed in this issue. â&#x20AC;˘ 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.

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12 â&#x20AC;˘ MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER â&#x20AC;˘ December 2011

Single parent group to hold Christmas celebration PLYMOUTH â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Single Parent Christian Fellowship will hold its monthly social potluck supper on Friday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at West Medicine Lake Park in Plymouth. This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event will be a Christmas celebration and will include a sing-along. Guests are encouraged to bring a wrapped white elephant gift. Adults, children and alumni are welcome. The group also hosts a weekly volleyball time from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Locations vary, so for more information on the group, the monthly potluck or its volleyball locations, call (612) 866-8970.

Gospel choir to hold Christmas concert MINNEAPOLIS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir will hold â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Soulful Christmas Concertâ&#x20AC;? on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Trask Word and Worship Center on the campus of North Central University. The event will begin at 4:00 p.m. The concert will include â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christmas carols with a gospel twistâ&#x20AC;? and other holiday numbers. Robert Robinson, founder of the Gospel Choir, will serve as a special guest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We welcome all of you to come and enjoy this Christmas experience with us,â&#x20AC;? said Sandra Robinson Hodges, artistic director of the Choir, via a media release. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You will not leave this concert the same way you came.â&#x20AC;? The Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir â&#x20AC;&#x153;preserves, promotes and honors African American gospel music by communicating the musicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s universal message of joy and liberation across cultures and spiritual traditions,â&#x20AC;? according to the release. Tickets for the concert are $15 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under and adults 62 and older. For more information, including purchasing tickets, visit www. tccgospel.org.

initiative will take a faith-based approach to serving veterans as they adjust to life away from the military. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have seen too many veterans with PTSD whose needs are not being met,â&#x20AC;? said Diane Kinney, founder and executive director of Base Camp Hope, via a media release. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Base Camp Hope will be a unique response to PTSD because we will integrate spiritual healing along with mental and physical therapies, plus we will be one of the few facilities that address the needs of the families of the traumatized veterans.â&#x20AC;? Kinney said the facility is planning to stay open 24 hours each day, seven days a week â&#x20AC;&#x153;and will provide a safe place for the veteran, the spouse, parents or children to come and talk and heal.â&#x20AC;? For more information about Base Camp Hope, visit www. basecamphope.org.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Gospel According to Scroogeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to play in December BURNSVILLE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Gospel According to Scroogeâ&#x20AC;? will play six shows over the course of a weekend in December. The show will play Thursday and Friday, Dec. 15 and 16 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17 and 18 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. General admission is $8, and reserved seating is $12. The play will be held at Destiny Christian Church, located at 12119 16th Avenue South in Burnsville. For more information on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Gospel According to Scrooge,â&#x20AC;? visit www.scroogeplay.com or call the Destiny Box Office at (952) 8901477.

New Life Family Services to host â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Laugh for Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

www.christianexaminer.com

for groups of 10 or more; and $30 a ticket for VIP, which includes a â&#x20AC;&#x153;meet and greetâ&#x20AC;? with Renfroe. The Minneapolis event also begins at 7:00 p.m. and will be held at Grace Church in Eden Prairie. Reserved tickets are $12 per seat; $10 per seat for groups of 10 or more; and $40 for VIP tickets. For ticket information for both locations, call (800) 965-9324. For more information about New Life Family Services, visit www.nlfs.org.

Conference aims to help recharge ministry, volunteers MAHTOMEDI â&#x20AC;&#x201D; St. Andrewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church in Mahtomedi will host â&#x20AC;&#x153;Recharge: A Conference for People Ministering to Children, Youth and Familiesâ&#x20AC;? on Saturday, Jan. 7. The conference will include two main sessions and more than 20 workshops. Heather Flies, junior high pastor at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, will give a main session talk on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Top Five Reasons People Who Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Volunteer in Ministry Are Missing Out!â&#x20AC;? Mark Matlock, executive director of Youth Specialties, will talk on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Five Forces Shaping the Souls of Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Children and Teens.â&#x20AC;? Workshop topics include â&#x20AC;&#x153;Family Sabbath,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Children with Autismâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; What Makes Them Tick?â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Helping Parents of Preschoolers,â&#x20AC;? among several others. The all-day event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. Registration starts at $29 per person. For more information on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Recharge,â&#x20AC;? visit www.ministryrecharge.com or call (651) 484-9400.

Minnesota Teen Challenge to host Christmas concert with Mac Powell

TWIN CITIES â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Organizers are developing a new therapeutic facility and drop-in center called Base Camp Hope to assist veterans and their families with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The new

ROCHESTER/MINNEAPOLIS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; New Life Family Services will host the annual â&#x20AC;&#x153;Laugh for Lifeâ&#x20AC;? event in Rochester on Friday, Jan. 20 and in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 21. Anita Renfroe, creator of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Total Momsenseâ&#x20AC;? song, will be the keynote speaker. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit the work of New Life Family Services. The Rochester event begins at 7:00 p.m. at Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester. Tickets are by reservation only: $10 per seat; $8 per seat

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EDEN PRAIRIE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Minnesota Teen Challenge will host its fourth annual Christmas concert on Sunday, Dec. 18 at Grace Church in Eden Prairie at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The concert will include hundreds of teenagers and adults who will share their stories and songs of hope. In addition, Mac Powell from the popular Christian group Third Day will join the event.

Doors open at the concert 45 minutes prior to each start time, and holiday treats will be served after each concert. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, if available. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $20. For more information on the concert or to purchase tickets, visit www.mntc.org/christmas.

Gallery to display â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fruit of the Spiritâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; exhibit STILLWATER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Oakridge Gallery of Gospel Art will host the exhibit â&#x20AC;&#x153;Names of God,â&#x20AC;? which will be on display from Dec. 1, 2011 to Jan. 26, 2012. The Gallery is part of Oakridge Community Church in Stillwater, located at 610 County Road 5. In addition, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gospel Art: Reflection + Response,â&#x20AC;? an exhibit by Susan Ruth Wiggin Mueller will be presented on Sunday, Dec. 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. According to organizers: â&#x20AC;&#x153;the presentation will be followed by corporate prayer, a silent meditation on the libretto or words Handel chose for his famous oratorio â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Messiah,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and then individual artistic work in response to this beloved Christmas offering; from concept drafts and sketches to finished works, depending on the pace of each individual. Paper and pencils provided. Bring additional supplies as needed.â&#x20AC;? Oakridge Community Church is also hosting the second annual â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christmas Day Sacred Community Singâ&#x20AC;? on Sunday, December 25 at 4:30 p.m. For additional information on the Oakridge Gallery of Gospel Art, including exhibit hours and application deadlines, as well as the community sing, visit www.agapearts.net or email info@agapearts.net.

Pro-life group releases new publication aimed at students MINNEAPOLIS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The pro-life group Human Life Alliance (HLA) recently released â&#x20AC;&#x153;And Justice for All,â&#x20AC;? a 12-page supplement that the group hopes â&#x20AC;&#x153;calls people to acknowledge the blatant injustice abortion presents for the preborn child,â&#x20AC;? according to the HLA newsletter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And Justice for Allâ&#x20AC;? will be distributed to pro-life students and groups across the country. Organizers hope the publication will â&#x20AC;&#x153;educate, convince students to reconsider common arguments and possibly ruffle their feathers.â&#x20AC;? For more information about HLA or â&#x20AC;&#x153;And Justice for All,â&#x20AC;? visit www.humanlife.org or call (651) 484-1040.

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Prophetic conference to feature local and national speakers MAPLEWOOD â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Redeeming Love Church in Maplewood will host the Twin Cities Prophetic Conference Jan. 18-21, 2012. Speakers include Mahesh Chavda of Chavda Ministries International, AndrĂŠ Ashby of Soulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cry Ministries, Paul Anderson of Lutheran Renewal and Vivian Klebs of Miracles in the Marketplace, among several others. Registration is $30 per person before Jan. 1 and $40 per person after Jan. 1 and at the door. Children 17 and under are free with a parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s registration. The conference is sponsored

by Miracles in the Marketplace, Identity Network, Prophetic Destiny International, Soulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cry Ministries, Redeeming Love Church, The House and others. For more information about the conference and to register, visit www. miraclesinthemarketplace.org/ propheticconference.htm.

Triple Espresso returns for two months of performances MINNEAPOLIS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The popular Triple Espresso comedy show returned to the Twin Cities Nov. 16 and will run until Jan. 8. This year, the show has moved to The Southern Theater at 1420 Washington Avenue South in Minneapolis. For ticket information, call (612) 874-1100. For groups of 12 or more, call (612) 874-9000.

NWCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FOCUS program adds new class venue SAINT PAUL â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Northwestern College (NWC) recently announced it has added a new location for its popular FOCUS Degree Completion program. Beginning in January, FOCUS students will be able to take business and psychology courses at Maranatha Christian Academy in Brooklyn Park. The new venue is part of a strategic initiative to make the FOCUS program more accessible to students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our one-night-a-week format is already a plus for working adults,â&#x20AC;? said Vickie Bakken, director of recruitment for Graduate and Continuing Education at NWC, via the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now with courses available beyond our St. Paul campus, FOCUS will be an even more convenient option for people who want to complete their degree.â&#x20AC;? The degree completion program offers bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degrees in nearly a dozen areas of study, as well as an associateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree and certificate programs. For more information about FOCUS, visit www.nwc.edu/web/admission/focus-degree-completion.

Report ranks Bethel high in study abroad participation SAINT PAUL â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The 2011 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange recently ranked Bethel University 10th in the nation for its study abroad participation. During the 2009-2010 school year, more than 440 students out of 860 who earned undergraduate degrees studied abroad. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bethelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to preparing students to be world changers is the driving force behind offering these invaluable study abroad opportunities to students,â&#x20AC;? said Vincent Peters, associate dean for offcampus programs, via the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just about traveling around the world; we want to help students build competencies to be global participants and decision-makers. We already see those skills in the lives of our students who have graduated; they make such a difference in the world.â&#x20AC;? Some of the countries available for study abroad include Spain, Egypt, Lithuania, Australia, Thailand and Uganda. The university said most of the study abroad options are covered by regular tuition. For more information about Bethel University, visit www.bethel.edu.

December 2011 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • 13

www.christianexaminer.com

TCAMP to host session on cross-cultural missions EDEN PRAIRIE — The Twin Cities Association of Mission Professionals will hold its first session of 2012 on Thursday, Jan. 12 at noon at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie. The topic for the January meeting is “Trends You Need to Know: Changes and Developments in Cross-cultural Missions.” Speakers will highlight five different trends in missions, including business as mission, missions to Diaspora people, reaching global cities and technology for missions. For more information on the session, email carl@transformmn.org or visit www.transformmn.org.

Sara Groves and Leeland to participate in ‘The Reason’ TWIN CITIES — Hosted by the evangelistic organization Pulse, which is led by Nick Hall, ‘The Reason’ is an event that includes music and storytelling. Organizers also encourage Christians

to bring their non-believing friends to a “non-threatening environment to hear the Good News of Jesus.” Recording artists Sara Groves and Leeland will participate in the events, which will be held in the month of December throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. On Friday, Dec. 9, ‘The Reason’ will be held in Benson Great Hall at Bethel University. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person. For more information on ‘The Reason,’ visit www.pulsemovement. com.

Noël at Noon concert series coming to Wooddale Church EDEN PRAIRIE — Wooddale Church is hosting the Noël at Noon Advent Concert Series this December at its Eden Prairie and Edina locations. The series began in late November and will run through mid December. The second week of concerts will take place at 12:40 p.m. on Dec. 7 and 8 and feature singer-songwriter and

recording artist Sara Renner, who is currently the director of Contemporary Music at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi. The third week of concerts, which will take place Dec. 14 and 15, will feature Wooddale organist Woody Johnson and pianist Melody Anderson. Lunch will be available before and after the events for $5. For additional information, visit www.wooddale.org.

North Heights to present a musical Christmas celebration ARDEN HILLS — North Heights Lutheran Church will present “Hallelujah! A Musical Celebration” Dec. 2 through Dec. 11. According to the church’s website, the event “is a musical celebration of the birth of Jesus …. It is a very fast paced, fun, joyful and worshipful celebration full of holiday music and a few surprises! The second half is the explanation of why we celebrate Christmas. The story will unfold before your

eyes as flying angels announce the birth of Jesus. Filled with drama, dancing and stunning music, the beauty of the season will captivate and inspire you as we rejoice in the gift of Jesus.” For more information about “Hallelujah! A Musical Celebration” and to purchase tickets, visit www.nhlc.org.

Bethany House book named to top 100 BLOOMINGTON — “A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectation and a Little Girl Named Penny” by Amy Julia Becker was recently named one of the top 100 books of 2011 by “Publishers Weekly” and was also named one of the Top 10 Religion Books. “A Good and Perfect Gift” was published by Bethany House Publishers, located in Bloomington, Minn. The book details how Becker and her husband deal with having a child with a disability and how their lives are transformed. “We are honored that these titles and authors have been recognized

by ‘Publishers Weekly’ and identified as among the best books of the year,” said Dwight Baker, president of Baker Publishing Group, which owns Bethany House, via a media release. For more information about Bethany House Publishers, visit www.bethanyhouse.com.

Lutheran Church of the Master hires new pastor BROOKLYN CENTER — Lutheran Church of the Master in Brooklyn Center recently announced that Mark M. Marxhausen became senior pastor on Dec. 1. Marxhausen was most recently senior pastor of Calvary Worship Center in St. Louis Park. He is a graduate of Concordia University in St. Paul and of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind. Marxhausen and his wife, Julie, have been married for nearly 30 years and have four children. For more information about Lutheran Church of the Master, visit www.lcmonline.net.

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ROOMS FOR RENT

Help America recover, Chris at Stewart Upholstery and Repair. (612) 990-8689. Our fabric or yours.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Crystal. Want to share my home with a Christian male. Kitchen, laundry privileges, utilities included. No drinking, no smoking. Available 01-01-21012, call (763) 370-7168.

VACATION/RETREAT RENTALS

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Room for rent in quiet Camden, North Minneapolis home. Rent is $475, includes utilities. Immediately available. No smoking, drinking or pets. Easy access to bus routes. Call (952) 381-7308.

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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.

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Spend summer on the north shore by Lake Superior at Chicago Bay Marketplace. Great work environment, possible housing. Call Lisa at (218) 475-2253.

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.

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Cheryl, a Normandale Hotel & Hospitality Management graduate, is seeking an exciting & rewarding FT/ PT Hotel GSA/Concierge Career, with benefits. Available 2nd Shift M-F, 1st/2nd Sat/Sun. Desire $10/hr minimum. Prefer Minneapolis, MN. (952) 457-3866.

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Please visit www.mntc.org 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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14 â&#x20AC;˘ MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER â&#x20AC;˘ December 2011

AMENDMENTâ&#x20AC;Ś Continued from page 1 veyed have â&#x20AC;&#x153;heard or read something recentlyâ&#x20AC;? about same-sex marriage. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Star Tribuneâ&#x20AC;? also recently released a poll registering support for the marriage amendment, which found that 48 percent support it while 43 percent do not. However, Helmberger said the paper is known for its bias â&#x20AC;&#x153;against conservative issues and candidates.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Star Tribuneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; survey showing us with a five-point lead substantially understates our true position,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is not surprising given the newspaperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic bias against conservative issues and candidates. We are releasing our own survey, which utilized the actual wording of the amendment question being presented to voters to show that we enter the campaign in a very strong position.â&#x20AC;? Some have questioned why the state needs a marriage amendment since it passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) more than a decade ago. DOMA legislatively defines marriage in the state as between one man and one woman. Citing a recently filed lawsuit that seeks to redefine traditional marriage

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definitions in the state, Helmberger said the â&#x20AC;&#x153;lawsuit is exactly why we need a Marriage Protection Amendment in Minnesota.â&#x20AC;? Supporters of the marriage amendment say it will provide constitutional protection for traditional marriage definitions, since DOMA only provides legislative protection. Without this added protection, Helmberger believes the state could be subject to legal challenges to traditional marriage definitions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is what happened just across the border in Iowa where activist judges redefined marriage with no vote of the people,â&#x20AC;? Helmberger said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even though voters subsequently removed three of the Iowa Supreme Court judges because of their decision, they still have not been able to vote on the marriage issue â&#x20AC;Ś. The Marriage Protection Amendment will ensure that if special interest groups or activist politicians or judges want to redefine marriage, they will have to convince the people to do so.â&#x20AC;?

For more information about Minnesota for Marriage and its recent survey, visit www. minnesotaformarriage.com.

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Some argue Vikings stadium options shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t include gambling proceeds By Scott Noble TWIN CITIES â&#x20AC;&#x201D; While the Minnesota Vikings are mired in a losing season, team owners, legislators, the governor and activists are working to determine where the team will play its games for the foreseeable future. The Vikingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lease on the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome expires soon, and team owners have voiced their preference for a new stadium on the former military site in Arden Hills. While the location of the new stadium has created a fair amount of controversy, how to pay for it has perhaps caused even greater disagreement. Proposals from tax increases to racinos to additional gambling outlets have pitted various interest groups against one another. Those in favor of using gambling proceeds to help pay for the stadium argue that gambling is already widespread across the state and additional outlets are not really expanding the practice, responding to critics who argue that gambling and its proceeds should not be used to fund the stadium. Tom Prichard, president of the Minnesota Family Council, argues that using gambling proceeds creates far too many problems. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heightened competition between multiple new casinos or putting electronic, video pull tabs in bars and restaurants will certainly lead to more gambling through increased advertising,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Putting another casino

near Shakopee will create a mini Las Vegas casino strip, which will be used to lure more gamblers there. And the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;charitableâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; groups pushing for electronic pull tabs are estimating an increase in sales because the video nature of the new pull tabs is more addictive and thus will increase the use of the new video machines.â&#x20AC;? Prichard also believes that bars and restaurants will want to get into the action, which might lead to the addition of slot machines in those venues. Since gambling has become more mainstream in societyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;85 percent of U.S. adults have gambled at least once in their lives and 80 percent in the last year, according to the National Problem Gambling Awareness Weekâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;its destructive effects are often more widespread. In a report from the Minnesota Department of Human Resources that cited the National Council on Problem Gambling, it is estimated that some 2.3 million people across the country are addicted to gamblingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;with another five to seven million people having serious gambling problems. The report also found that â&#x20AC;&#x153;14 percent of Minnesota college students haveâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;or are at risk for developingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a gambling problem.â&#x20AC;? That results in the loss of $30,000 in a year for the average college-age student with a gambling problem. Those numbers are oftentimes

just the tip of a destructive iceberg when the costs of problem gambling are factored in to lost work time, family problems and the cost of treatment. Prichard also cited the predatory nature of some gambling outlets as only making the problem worse. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Video gambling is a predatory business product, which preys on gambling addiction and personal indebtedness,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In turn, this destroys individual lives, breaks up families, causes increased crime and increases the cost of government. Building a new stadium based on encouraging more gambling addiction and indebtedness is simply wrong.â&#x20AC;? Some also argue that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrong for the government to become entangled in a morally questionable business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we had a product on the shelf which was seriously harming hundreds of people in Minnesota, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d immediately pull it from the market,â&#x20AC;? Prichard said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, gambling is harming tens of thousands of Minnesotans who have gambling addictions, and the government is considering expanding it. The legislature is considering further victimizing the people itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supposed to be protecting: the citizens of Minnesota.â&#x20AC;? For more information about the Minnesota Family Council, visit www. mfc.org. To read the Minnesota Department of Human Services reports on gambling, visit www.dhs. state.mn.us.

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December 2011 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • 15

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Inviting men into a new conversation

New Shane & Shane CD created ‘through lens of fatherhood and community’

Review by Scott Noble

College buddies Shane Barnard and Shane Everett have come a long way since their days at Texas A&M University. In the dozen years since they’ve been together as the duo Shane & Shane, they have sold more than 500,000 records, won three Dove Awards and toured with leading Christian artists. Yet it’s their recent fatherhood that served as the basis to their latest CD, “The One You Need.” Barnard began writing the title track a week before his daughter, Lucy, was born. “It’s the first desperate feeling of, ‘I want my girl to know Jesus,’” he said on the group’s website. “And that’s really what it boils down to. You do the best you can, parent the best you can to one chief end, that this new soul would find and love Jesus Christ.” In addition to singing, Barnard and Everett are on staff at a church in Dallas. They lead worship each month and teach a ministry class. “I teach a songwriting class, and [Shane Everett] works with the students on the technical aspects of recording,” Barnard said. “These are both important parts of our time with students, but we really love pushing them to go deeper in their relationship with Christ.” Living and working in community has also given Shane & Shane a new perspective. Being on the road didn’t allow them to establish roots in a community and experience the ups and downs of people’s lives. “Being on staff has been an eye-opening experience for us,” Everett said. “Rubbing shoulders with broken, hurting people helps us not only in our own struggles but lets us know how to pray and how much we desperately need a church community. We’re getting older; not old, just older. In our 30s, the hard things in life just started to hit, giving us a new vocabulary of desperation and suffering, and [you realize] this place is broken. We long to know and

“Bond of Brothers: Connecting With Other Men Beyond Work, Weather and Sports” By Wes Yoder Zondervan, © 2010, 189 pages, $16.99 Let’s admit it; the reputation of men in popular culture is pretty sad. TV, movies, radio and nearly all other forms of entertainment have settled upon an image of men that includes being clumsy, thoughtless, only interested in himself and not very good with demonstrating emotions and caring behavior. While this caricature may be true for some small portion of the male population, most men would not fit this description. And hopefully men who have a deep faith in Christ would be even less likely to fit this popularly held image. Nevertheless, being a man comes with its own unique challenges and possibilities. Becoming mature, faithful and caring doesn’t always come easily for men. Yet, Wes Yoder in “Bond of Brothers: Connecting With Other Men Beyond Work, Weather and Sports” aims to help men understand who they are and how to connect with other men on their journeys to responsible manhood, fatherhood and living faithfully. Yoder writes about the reason for the book: “I have decided to help create a conversation about what I see as the architecture of a man’s heart and soul and to help men find a language that expresses who they are as men in order to restore their families and their dreams, even if, as James Taylor sang, their dreams lie like ‘flying machines in pieces on the ground.’” Chapter titles include “The Glory and Shame of Fathers and Sons”; “Sorrow—the Hand that Shapes Us”; “Sadness in the Church” and several others that touch on important and sometimes difficult areas in men’s lives. In the particularly strong chapter “The Glory and Shame of Fathers and Sons,” Yoder’s central premise is “that men aren’t talking much about things that matter, and our silence is quite disturbing. But what you need to know about men is that they are more than willing to talk when they have the respect of those who are willing to listen, provided the topic isn’t one more thing they really don’t care about.” Those important topics, according to Yoder, are discussing the heartaches and failures many men face during their lives and learning from them and also learning how to walk through them together: father and son, friend and friend.

The idea of rugged individualism is a strong American trait but maybe not as strong a trait for a country as it is for many men. The failure of men to engage in meaningful community is most likely rooted in the idea of “doing it on my own” or “I don’t need anyone else to help me” mentality. In the penultimate chapter titled “Build Your Own Coffin,” Yoder encourages men to embrace the idea of community and to experience the grace and strength it provides. “Community as I know it and saw it lived in the simplicity of the Amish and Mennonites is best described as a ‘common unity,’ a communing unity held together as one by a shared desire for life to be complete, to be filled with love, heritage, faith and gentle goodness,” Yoder writes. The book is written in a conversational, engaging manner. Yoder sprinkles it with personal experiences and anecdotes that serve as important and pivotal episodes in not only his life, but in the lives of many men. It’s a great read for men and for women who want to understand and delve deeper into the men they love. “Bond of Brothers: Connecting With Other Men Beyond Work, Weather and Sports” can be purchased at LifeWay Christian Stores or online.

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go to the place that is not broken and will not break—Jesus.” “The One You Need” took two years to develop, and it’s written and produced solely by the duo. The CD includes a variety of genres—pop, country and jazz— and catchy tunes like “Future Version” and also more introspective and spiritual tracks like “Liberty” and “Without You.”

With the new perspective of Shane & Shane comes more of a focus on lyrics. Barnard said the songs “are kind of like minisermons more than a meditation on a Scripture.” “We need the Gospel every day,” Everett said. “Our standing in the Lord is all Jesus, all the time. This record has been that for us, in writing it and singing through it and laboring over the lyrics. I don’t think we’ve ever labored over lyrics the way we have on this record.” That’s one of the compelling things about “The One You Need.” The music is varied and solid, but the lyrics will draw in the listener and urge him or her to consider them more deeply. “The One You Need” can be purchased at LifeWay Christian stores or on iTunes.

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16 • MINNESOTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER • December 2011