For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV SUMMER 2021 / Volume 2
Porque tanto amó Dios al mundo que dio a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo el que cree en él no se pierda, sino que tenga vida eterna 하나님이 세상을 무척 사랑하셔서 하나밖에 없는 외아들마저 보내 주셨으니 누구든지 그 를 믿기만 하면 멸망하지 않고 영원한 생명을 얻는다. Porque Deus tanto amou o mundo que deu o seu Filho Unigênito[a], para que todo o que nele crer não pereça, mas tenha a vida eterna.
Sapagkat ganoon inibig ng Diyos ang sanlibutan, kaya ipinagkaloob niya ang kanyang kaisa-isang Anak, upang ang sinumang sumampalataya sa kanya ay huwag mapahamak kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. 「神愛世人，甚至將他的獨生子 賜給他們，叫一切信他的，不至 滅亡，反得永生。 実に神は、ひとり子をさえ惜しまず与えるほどに、この世 界を愛してくださいました。それは、神の御子を信じる 者が、だれ一人滅びず、永遠のいのちを得るためです。
An Affirmation of Faith AND Commitment to Witness for Cumberland Presbyterians
Affirming Faith and Committing to Witness B y T. J . M a l i n o s k i
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part from the Scriptures, the Confession of Faith and the Catechism for Cumberland Presbyterians are two important testimonies which help express and describe who we are as Cumberland Presbyterians, what we believe, and how we are to live and witness in the world. Both give us the vocabulary to express our beliefs, our relationship to and with God, and our mission as a people. They also affirm what God has done and is doing in the world for all creation. Both testimonies, along with the biblical text John 3:16, are the main source material for this issue of the Missionary Messenger. On February 26, 2020, a day that seems ages ago, Cumberland Presbyterians from around the world voluntarily paused for prayer and withheld sustenance to bear witness to God’s mighty acts of reconciling love accomplished in Jesus Christ. We called that day The Denominational Day of Prayer and Fasting; a first in Cumberland Presbyterian history. Worldwide, so much has occurred to us as the human family since that date: we have faced tremendous hardships, horrifying turmoil, and even death leading one to believe either our day of prayer and fasting was inconsequential or just quickly forgotten in the whirlwind of time.
But, like a good adventure, our excursions continue. We see a life of faith and prayer as a journey rather than a place of arrival or accomplishment. Building upon the one-day observation last year, the 2021 General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church will be adopting an Affirmation of Faith and Commitment to Witness for Cumberland Presbyterians (located in the center of this magazine). Drawing from the language and vocabulary from both the Confession of Faith and the Catechism, the purpose of the Affirmation of Faith and Commitment to Witness is to encourage and inspire each of us to share the good news of Jesus Christ in authentic ways and to commit ourselves to live out the mission and vision of the Church. The Missions Ministry Team staff have contributed some enthusiastic articles in this issue to encourage and inspire you along your faith journey. We also hope they will help your congregation and the ministries of which you are a part. Lastly, we hope you find this to be an uplifting, informative and refreshing issue as we each commit to share the good news of Jesus Christ together.
SUMMER 2021 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 1
Contents 6 Generous Renegades 8 We Believe In The Holy Spirit 10 God’s Mighty Act’s Mighty Act 12 Evangelism & New Church Development 14 Gifted For What Purpose 16 Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention 18 ENGAGE
Missionary Messenger SUMME R 2 021
{ V O L .1 0 ,
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Cover Illustration: Larry Ahokas Photo: T. J. Malinoski
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Evangelism
& NEW CHURCH
Development PAGES: 12-13 SUMMER 2021 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 3
PERSPECTIVES by Milton L. Ortiz
Affirmation to Commit
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his issue of the Missionary Messenger focuses entirely on the Affirmation of Faith and Commitment to Witness for Cumberland Presbyterians, which you will find on the center pages. All articles are based on the different affirmations and commitments. While reading the articles, I was wondering how these affirmations would help the denomination to embrace these commitments so we can witness in this world. A question we can ask ourselves is, what will make me to commit to share with others the good news of Jesus Christ? Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, “I am proud of the good news! It is God’s powerful way of saving all people who have faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles” (Romans 1:16 CEV). Most versions of the Bible start this verse with “For I am not ashamed of the gospel.” I always thought this was not necessarily the correct interpretation of what Paul wanted to say. I like better the Contemporary English Version, “I am proud of the good news.” Feeling proud is a more positive feeling than not being ashamed, I think. It is okay to feel proud of the good news of Jesus Christ! Or other way to say it is, “I am delighted with the gospel.”
SUMMER
2021
MISSIONARY MESSENGER
{ VOL. 10, NO 2 } MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAM OF THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Art Director Sowgand Sheikholeslami ext:211 Editorial Director Milton Ortiz ext:234 Publications Manager Matthew Gore ext:221 Associate Editor Jinger Ellis ext:230 Contributors Johan Daza ext:202 Cardelia Howell-Diamond ext:264 Kristi Lounsbury ext:263 T.J. Malinoski ext:232 Milton Ortiz ext:234 Lynn Thomas ext:261 8207 Traditional Place
When we feel proud of something, like of the gospel, then we will experience confidence, a sense of accomplishment, and self-worth, elements very important in the extension of the kingdom of God, confidence to share with everyone around us about our relationship with Christ, and our spiritual journey. A sense of being used by God, as we are, and the feeling God is accomplishing something through us. And the realization that we are of value to God and to his eternal plan of salvation.
Cordova, TN 38016-7414 phone 901.276.4572 fax 901.276.4578 messenger@cumberland.org VISIT US ON THE WEB http://cpcmc.org/mm To read the previous issues of The Missionary Messenger visit us at http://cpcmc.org/mm/mm-archives Member
I encourage you to read this issue of the Missionary Messenger with an open heart and willingness to hear and follow the voice of the Holy Spirit within you. God bless you! 4 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SUMMER 2021
• Associated Church Press Made Possible, in Part, By Our United Outreach.
BIBLE STUDY
U
3:16 By Milton L. Ortiz
We believe “Jesus Christ willingly suffered sin and death for every person.” We believe “on the third day after being crucified, Christ was raised from the dead, appeared to many disciples, afterward ascending to God, and makes intercessions for all persons.” (COF 3.09)
sually, when people around the world see the numbers 3:16, they relate them to John 3:16. Many know it by memory. But, many people interpret it out of context, too. The numbers are also associated with signs fans bring to sports games. “For God, so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). We Cumberland Presbyterians believe this is “the gospel in miniature.” It is true testimony to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of the world. It has been the testimony of Cumberland Presbyterians since our origin. It is the statement of the purpose of our Confession of Faith and its organizing principle. John 3:16 is part of a conversation Jesus is having with Nicodemus, a Jew well-trained in the scriptures and a member of the ruling council. This conversation takes place during the night, as Nicodemus does not want anyone to know that he is seeking Jesus for his teaching. The conversation starts on verse one and goes to verse 21. These verses are the explanation of the theological doctrine of being born again, or more literately, being born from above. Jesus explains this experience entails two things, being born of water and being born of the Spirit. Read John 3:1-21.
Christ. So, being born again, or being born from above is not something we do, but something to which we are open. This is the reason one of the sections of our Confession of Faith is titled, “God Acts Through Jesus Christ to Reconcile the World,” and another other is, “God Acts Through the Holy Spirit.” Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22) Jesus also said this experience is not easy to explain. We will not know exactly how it would happen in our lives. It is a mystery. For some, it could be one vivid moment which they can remember. For others it could be a life process, a spiritual journey. What is clear, is when people open their hearts to God, they received forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Christ comes to reside in them, permanently, up to the end of their lives.
Then Jesus explains this was God’s eternal plan to reconcile persons with him, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. “For God so loved the world” writes John, “that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever. For God did not send His Son into the world to say it is guilty. He sent His Son so the world might be saved from the punishment of sin by Him.” (John 3:16-17 NLV). God’s Jesus’ teaching is consistent with plan was to put everything right again, scripture of the Old Testament. The offering cleaning our lives and offering prophet Ezequiel wrote the words of the to make us God’s indwelling place. Lord saying, “I will sprinkle clean water on From its beginnings, Cumberland you, and you will be clean…” “And I will put Presbyterians have understood my Spirit in you…” (Ezequiel 36:25, 27). preaching the gospel is offering The plan of salvation in Christ Jesus salvation through Jesus Christ and has two aspects, removal of sins and offering the opportunity of receiving bestowing the Holy Spirit. These are the the Holy Spirit in people’s lives. two great gifts of our Savior Jesus SUMMER 2021 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 5
Generous Renegades Therefore, we promise and commit ourselves to share the love of God in Jesus Christ by telling others the good news of Jesus and by helping those who suffer and are oppressed. We promise and commit ourselves to share the good news of Jesus Christ so that others will come to believe in him and want to become a part of God’s covenant family and we will do all we can to welcome new believers as our brothers and sisters.
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mong the outskirts of Memphis, Tennessee, in the dark crevices of the Cumberland Presbyterian shipping room where concrete flooring, steel beams, and metallic shelving abound; there lies a book. Its unassuming rectangular dimensions and mellow colored cover creates a camouflage among the many books on the shelf, hiding its fertile content, and veiling its useful essence for potential readers. This book has largely been overlooked for ten years, yet its relevancy is prized among the young and young at heart alike. 6 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SUMMER 2021
We have been missing a book like this; written in a language that we understand and expressing our deepest religious beliefs in a straightforward and uncomplicated way. Its mere thirteen pages and eighty-three questions and answers make it attractive to those of us with a short attention span and plain-spoken mind. Yet, the updated volume of The Catechism for Cumberland Presbyterians has largely gone unnoticed and unused.
By T. J . Malinoski
As
Cumberland Presbyterians, we have always been a freethinking band of renegades who tend to bristle at being told what to believe and how to live. One could argue that our roguish I’ll show you attitude has served us well contributing to the formation of our denomination, our refusal to join the Presbyterian Church, and continuing today pushing our local and international mission and ministry endeavors beyond what can be imagined on paper. It is understandable the desire for a catechism has dwindled when we believe it only takes simple gumption to accomplish ministry. However, we also need to be able to articulate and instill what our faith is and what it means in everyday expressions. A catechism fits this niche. It complements the Scriptures and the Confession of Faith to bear witness to God and commissions us to share the good news. The Catechism for Cumberland Presbyterians is a summary of theological beliefs for Christian faith and practice. The Affirmation of Faith and Commitment to Witness (located in the center of this magazine) includes sections from the catechism which primarily focus on how we relate to one another in the world and our calling as Christians. Half-way through the Affirmation of Faith and Commitment to Witness there is a shift in the verbiage moving from professing and affirming what we believe as Cumberland Presbyterians to that which we promise and commit ourselves. This is where the catechism’s influence begins. I have been tasked to focus on two of the statements included in the Affirmation of Faith and Commitment to Witness: Therefore, we promise and commit ourselves to share the love of God in Jesus Christ by telling others the good news of Jesus and by helping those who suffer and are oppressed. We promise and commit ourselves to share the good news of Jesus Christ so that others will come to believe in him and want to become a part of God’s covenant family and we will do all we can to welcome new believers as our brothers and sisters.
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n each of the above statements we are making a promise and committing ourselves to sharing. This “sharing” is specificly sharing the love of God in Jesus Christ and the good news of Jesus Christ. Earlier, I described Cumberland Presbyterians as renegades, but we are really generous renegades who take promises and commitments very seriously (see Confession of Faith 6.25 – 6.26). Our generosity can be experienced by others in our sharing of the love of God and the good news of Jesus Christ because we want others to hear, embrace, and profess a love for God and know the abundant life Jesus brings through his life, death, and resurrection. Our generosity extends beyond the realm of just sharing; it runs so deep that we promise and commit to do all we can to welcome new believers as our brothers and sisters. We find the love of God in Jesus Christ such good news that our initial sharing extends into welcoming others into God’s covenant family through our nurturing care and in the enjoyment of one another’s presence and gifts.
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ou may pause to reflect on when you became a Cumberland Presbyterian asking, “Did I really sign on for such an undertaking? Am I up to the task of making promises and commitments and seeing them through? Am I willing to generously share the love of God?” I believe Cumberland Presbyterians have always risen to the task when it comes to witnessing to God’s marvelous love in Jesus Christ. Like the Catechism for Cumberland Presbyterians, hiding in plain sight, sometimes our witness gets overlooked amongst the many happenings of our lives, both individually and corporately. It is worthwhile to remind, promise, and commit ourselves once again to the practices of sharing the love of God and the good news of Jesus Christ and to do all we can to welcome new believers as our brothers and sisters!
SUMMER 2021 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 7
WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT We believe the Holy Spirit works through the scriptures, the sacraments, the corporate worship of the covenant community, the witness of believers in word and deed, and in ways beyond human understanding. We believe the Holy Spirit moves on the hearts of sinners, convincing them of their sins and their need for salvation, and inclining them to repentance and faith toward God.
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ecently, the Program of Alternate Studies (PAS) of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church led a virtual class on Spiritual Gifts for all Cumberland Presbyterian candidates registered in the program. The Reverend Dr. Tom Sanders was assigned to conduct the class. There were around twenty
8 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SUMMER 2021
registered including English-speaking and Spanish-speaking students. The original idea was to have a joint class with simultaneous Spanish-English interpretation; however, we ended up dividing the group in two because of language preferences and other logistical and operational reasons.
By Johan Daza
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was able to attend all the sessions for both groups. I was an observer in the first class, and then I led the second group in Spanish. The fascinating thing about being present in both settings was I heard first-hand the amazing things that the Holy Spirit is doing through Cumberland Presbyterians around the world. The most important lesson I learned is that it is quite easy to limit the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to our own local context and reality. But the Holy Spirit is working in the entire world and is waiting for us to join God´s mission field. That world is full of cultural diversity, multiple languages, different idiosyncrasies, complexities, and unimaginable spiritual matters. However, the truth is the Holy Spirt works in all human contexts and spheres in ways beyond our own human understanding. The Holy Spirit used the pandemic to allow me to enjoy the wonderful experiences of English-speaking PAS students from different cities and states throughout the United States connected through Zoom. And then I had the privilege to see the Holy Spirit working through all the Spanish-speaking students of different nationalities connected from different countries and time zones, including the North American central and eastern time zones as well as Spain and France. What a privilege! So, you might wonder what I was able to see in these classes. I saw One Spirit and many languages. I saw One Spirit, one love, and a great diversity of spiritual gifts. I was able to see how the Holy Spirit uses people with different personalities and experiences of faith. I saw candidates for the ordained ministry serving God in very different and complex contexts and cultures. I saw God fulfilling God´s mission through the lives of common people who love God, love their neighbors, and follow the voice and leadership of the Spirit. This is what I saw from the experiences of 20 Cumberland Presbyterians with the Holy Spirit and their spiritual gifts. Can you imagine these experiences multiplied by 673 Cumberland Presbyterian congregations, plus tens of new church planting congregations, 65,000 Cumberland Presbyterian members, 881 ordained clergy, nineteen countries, and the Church Universal? Well, that is what we believe as Cumberland Presbyterians, right? If you have had the opportunity to review the questions and answers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Catechism, you will notice that there is a section of questions related to the Holy Spirit. Are you familiar with them? Some of these questions are: In what other way do we know God? On
what day did the Holy Spirit empower the first followers of Jesus? Where is the Spirit now? What does the Spirit do? And How does the Spirit speak to people? How would you respond to those questions? According to The Catechism for Cumberland Presbyterians, we believe that another way we know God is as the Holy Spirt. In other words, the Holy Spirt is God. We affirm this at Pentecost, the disciples received the power of the Holy Spirit to share God´s love with all people. At the same time, we see the Holy Spirit active and working from the beginning of creation. As Cumberland Presbyterians, we affirm the Holy Spirit is everywhere, working to help people know the love of God in Jesus Christ. We believe the Holy Spirit calls all people to trust in Jesus Christ and to live in the covenant of grace. And we believe the Holy Spirit speaks to people through the Bible, the church, the witness of believers, and in many ways beyond human understanding. In other words, Cumberland Presbyterians have a deep understanding of who the Holy Spirit is. The Confession of Faith also is clear about what Cumberland Presbyterians believe about the Holy Spirit. But rather than writing everything here, I want to encourage you to read Section 4.00 about the Holy Spirt and share your findings with your family, friends, Bible study group, and congregations.
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rom my personal perspective, the most amazing Cumberland Presbyterian belief regarding the Holy Spirit is that the Holy Spirit works beyond our human understanding. And this is why, over 10 years ago I could not even imagine living in a country other than my home country Colombia. I could not even imagine living in the United States, being able to speak a second language, communicate the good news of Christ in a different cultural environment, and be able to do ministry among multiple cultures. My friends, only the Holy Spirit can lead us in ways we cannot imagine. I believe 100% the Holy Spirit is working in your lives to show you how much God loves you and wants you to serve our Lord Jesus Christ by being fruitful and using your spiritual gifts for God´s service here and now. The Holy Spirit is still working with all Cumberland Presbyterians for us to love and serve those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior. Let us praise God, praise the Lord Jesus Christ, praise the Holy Spirit, our comforter and guide in life, and minister with our spiritual gifts, the fruit of the spirit, and our personality. Amen!
SUMMER 2021 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 9
GOD’S MIGHTY ACT’S MIGHTY ACT By Lynn L . Thomas
“We believe that God’s mighty act of reconciling love is accomplished in Jesus Christ, the divine Son who became flesh to be the means by which the sins of the world are forgiven.” John 3:16 tells us God sent God’s son into fallen and broken creation as an act of love. God sent! Missions has always been incarnational. Jesus, the first missionary, became a man and lived in fallen creation. 10 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SUMMER 2021
Daniel and Kay Jang
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esus, being God in the flesh, walked and talked with humanity as a man. This is the meaning of the word “incarnation.” It is also the entry point of all missionaries. Missionaries leave, they go, they are sent. In the case of cross-cultural ministry, the missionary arrives in a foreign land. Although the word “foreign” missions is no longer a common expression, the word “foreign” does express the reality of missions. The missionary is in a foreign land. And to be effective, they must adapt to the foreignness of their new world. As mission leaders explain, missionaries have to become like those they are trying to reach for Christ. They must learn the language, foods, dress, symbols, culture, and the typical behaviors of that group. It takes time for missionaries to become “enculturated” (adopt a new culture). It can take years for a missionary to become skilled and comfortable in their new language and culture. This, too, is incarnation. The intent of incarnation was to lead creation back to God. The way back was through repentance and forgiveness. Humanities’ brokenness is, in fact, our inability to relate to God and to each other in loving and sacrificial ways. Authentic love is sacrificial. Putting others before ourselves is the essence of authentic love. “God so loved the world
that God gave his Son.” That speaks to the depth of God’s love. We are asked to love as God has taught us to love— which is, sacrificially. The hope in the love we share brings the broken back into fellowship with God and fellowship with their neighbor. Missions is sacrificial, it is the church showing God’s love by sending. Daniel and Kay Jang are recipients of this offering. They are CPs who moved from their home in South Korea and started several CP churches in the Philippines. There are now hundreds of CP followers of Jesus Christ in the Philippines. It took the Jangs years to adapt to the language and culture there. What God started; we continue. God sends, the church sends. The “sent” incarnate into the culture and share the love of God. They teach forgiveness and reconciliation. The word of God touches and transforms lives in real ways. We believe as followers of Christ that we are to be the body of Christ, expressing the love of God to our world. We believe the church is to send missionaries, as God sent Christ sacrificially. The “sent” are to become part of a new culture and effectively communicate and demonstrate the love of God. SUMMER 2021 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 11
Evangelism & NEW
CHURCH Development 12 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SUMMER 2021
The 188 th General Assembly adopted February 26, 2020, as a Denominational Day of Prayer and Fasting. The purpose of a day of prayer and fasting was to encourage Cumberland Presbyterians to bear witness to God’s mighty act of reconciling love accomplished in Jesus Christ by which the sins of the world are forgiven. Building upon the denominational day of prayer and fasting, it is appropriate to call the Church beyond a one-day observation and to live out its purpose and mission to share the good news every day. Drawing from the language of The Confession of Faith for Cumberland Presbyterians and The Catechism for Cumberland Presbyterians, an affirmation of faith and commitment to witness has been written to encourage and inspire Cumberland Presbyterians that they might announce the good news of Jesus Christ in authentic ways and live out the mission and vision of the Church.
We
We
We
We
We
Therefore, we promise and commit ourselves to share the love of God in Jesus Christ by telling others the good news of Jesus and by helping those who suffer and are oppressed.
believe in God’s mighty act of reconciling love, which is accomplished in Jesus Christ, the divine Son who became flesh to be the means by which the sins of the world are forgiven. believe Jesus Christ willingly suffered sin and death for every person. We believe on the third day after being crucified, Christ was raised from the dead, appeared to many disciples, afterward ascending to God, and that Christ makes intercessions for all persons. believe the Holy Spirit works through the scriptures, the sacraments, the corporate worship of the covenant community, the witness of believers in word and deed, and in ways beyond human understanding. We believe the Holy Spirit moves on the hearts of sinners, convincing them of their sins and their need for salvation, and inclining them to repentance and faith toward God.
We
believe the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, being nurtured and sustained by worship, by proclamation and study of the word, and by the celebration of the sacraments, is commissioned to witness to all persons who have not received Christ as Lord and Savior.
believe God gives to the human family a variety of gifts, including gifts to each person for which each has a responsibility. We believe God desires each of us engage in the mutual sharing of these gifts so that all may be enriched. believe all who are united to Christ by faith are also united to one another in love. In this communion we are to share the grace of Christ with one another, to bear one another’s burdens, and to reach out to all other persons.
We
promise and commit ourselves to live out our faith at home and in the world by creatively using our gifts, skills, and energies in every relationship.
We
promise and commit ourselves to care for people outside the church because they are created in God’s image and because Jesus Christ gave his life for all of us.
We
promise and commit ourselves to share the good news of Jesus Christ so that others will come to believe in him and want to become a part of God’s covenant family and we will do all we can to welcome new believers as our brothers and sisters.
Source: The Confession of Faith for Cumberland Presbyterians sections 3.07, 3.09, 4.02, 5.10, 5.28, and 6.12. The Catechism for Cumberland Presbyterians questions 78-81.
SUMMER 2021 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 13
GIFTED FOR
WHAT
PURPOSE? 14 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SUMMER 2021
By Cardelia Howell-Diamond
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magine with me for a moment, if you will, that today is a special day in your life. It is the day you move into your first home. You are out of your parent’s house for the first time in your life. Perhaps you are moving to an apartment all on your own or moving in with roommates. Maybe it is into a dormitory, or it could even be your first home with your spouse. You have been loved really well by the people in your life and they threw you a fantastic house-warming party. You have everything you could possibly need to set up your new house. You have the best toaster-oven/air fryer on the market. You have the nicest set of dishes complete with matching mugs. You have new towels that match a new bathmat and shower curtain. Your pastor gave you some wall art that says, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” The Women’s Ministry chipped in for a practical gift of a food processor. You are all set. Imagine all the boxes moved into your new living quarters, ready to go. Now imagine living your life without opening a single one of those boxes. You walk past the silverware every day, but never pull out a knife or fork. You look at the toaster while eating your plain white bread, wishing it could be warm and crunchy. You think about all the great recipes you could cook if only you could unwrap the measuring cups and mixing bowls that stare at you from under the food processor. Does that sound like living the kind of life the people who gave these things to you would want you to live?
The Affirmation of Faith and Commitment to Witness states, in its fifth paragraph: We believe God gives to the human family a variety of gifts, including gifts to each person for which each has a responsibility. We believe God desires for each of us engage in the mutual sharing of these gifts so all may be enriched. 5.28 As Cumberland Presbyterians we believe God has given the human family the gifts needed to live an enriched life. These gifts take many forms and are unique to each person. Paul writes extensively about the gifts given by God in many of his letters collected in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 12 verse 4-7 Paul says, “4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” There are as many gifts as there are people. Isn’t that amazing! The God of the universe did not just hand out the same 6, or 8, or even 20 gifts over and over again. God offers us individual gifts through the Holy Spirit, which we can use to enhance life for ourselves and others wherever we may find ourselves. Each of us has been given these gifts, not to set them on a shelf or keep them in a box, but to use for the common good.
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here are so many ways and tools to help discover your giftedness that there is no room in this magazine, let alone article, to mention them all. I would encourage you to do some hunting around for spiritual gift surveys or classes available to you. I would suggest asking your pastor or elders. The denominational website has some spiritual gift resources as well. (https://cpcmc.org/discipleship/ exercise-your-spiritual-gifts/) As I stated above, I do not believe spiritual gifts are limited to a certain list or set of categories. I believe our giftedness can be found also in learning about our personalities, interests, and talents. I encourage us all to take some time getting to know ourselves better so that we might better know how we can help contribute to the greater good. Some possible pathways for this include, but are in no way limited to: prayer, therapy, study of our personality through Myers-Briggs or the Enneagram, spiritual direction, retreats, or courses focused on such knowledge. These things can all be beneficial as we seek to learn about the gifts we have received. These gifts, as exciting as they are to discover, are even better once put to use. Our gifts are best used in community. There are so many ways we can use these gifts to share God’s love and message in the world. We are only limited by our desire to recognize them and our willingness to offer them in service to others.
SUMMER 2021 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 15
Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention “We promise and commit ourselves to live out our faith at home and in the world by creatively using our gifts, skills and energies in every relationship.” 16 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SUMMER 2021
Cumberland Presbyterians believe in the gifts given to us by the Spirit. We have taught from the beginning that the Holy Spirit guides and leads and equips us for service. One of the clearest ways we are equipped is through the gifts bestowed by the Spirit. If identifying our gifts is important, then using them is essential. Sometimes in the life of the church, as in the life of any institution, we get into habits and rhythms which can become a bit stale. We find comfort in routine. Before we know it, we are “those people.” You know the ones I am talking about, the ones who famously say, “we’ve never done it that way before.” When I went to my first call as a pastor a member told me this joke. “How many Cumberland Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?” When I asked how many he replied, “Change? Why would you want to change the lightbulb? My grandfather put in that lightbulb!”
By Cardelia Howell-Diamond
I progressed in my work with the congregation, I ut what about rural churches whose members often As found his statement to be less of a joke and more B have unreliable internet services? Rev. Lisa Cook, of a warning. Most of us are okay with change. That is, until pastor of Green Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church and someone asks us to change.
Throughout the history of the church universal, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church specifically, there have been calls for change. Not change for change’s sake, but changes to better use the gifts God has given God’s people. Sometimes these changes are ushered in with a sense of joy, and other times they are fought every step of the way. The idea of women in ministry comes to mind. As Cumberland Presbyterian’s we first ordained Louisa Woosley to the ministry of word and sacrament in 1889. A presbytery in the denomination was brave enough to say God’s gift of preaching and teaching could indeed be received by a woman. What an amazing and wonderful thing! However, 132 years later, there are still Cumberland Presbyterian churches who would never even consider hiring a woman to preach. Recognizing and using God’s gifts are two separate things.
D
uring the past 18 months the world was turned upside down by a global pandemic. Without notice many people were told to go home from work, from school, and yes even from church, with no idea when they might be able to return. In that moment, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, like her sisters in the faith worldwide, faced the question “what do we do now?” As it has been said, necessity is the mother of invention. Thankfully, many churches stepped up and put their gifts to new and exciting work so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ could continue to be shared with communities of faith and with those who had not yet heard the good news! I am pleased to share just a few of them with you. many churches quickly moved to online services, So causing pastors and other leaders to learn a new skill set. I cannot think of how many times preachers have
told each other “I never expected to become a televangelist.” Facebook, YouTube, and individual church websites are full of worship services posted weekly to help those who could not worship in person encounter the holy every week from their computer screen.
leader of Sacred Sparks Ministry, rose to the occasion by creating worship packages for her congregation and handdelivering them to mailboxes and front porches regularly so her people could still worship from home. First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Lubbock, Texas has been doing Kid’s Connection throughout the pandemic on Facebook. They offer a video from different members of the congregation about a Bible lesson which is just for kids! Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Germantown opened a food pantry during the pandemic and has weekly prayer meetings online for their members and community. Cumberland Road is a podcast T.J. Malinoski started during the pandemic. It is an interview style podcast that allows people to get to know fellow Cumberland Presbyterians. T.J. has interviewed, as of this writing, 33 Cumberland Presbyterians about their faith and faith journeys. It has been a way of connecting and drawing closer during this time of distance. Program of Alternate Studies (PAS) pivoted on a dime to make sure that it could continue to educate those pursuing ordination in the Cumberland Presbyterian Denomination, making the move to online only classes mere weeks before their summer session was set to begin in 2020. The teachers and students used their gifts creatively to continue the work they were called to complete. Memphis Theological Seminary (MTS) began offering Sunday Morning Seminary to the world by streaming the event every Sunday morning on Facebook live. This allowed people to connect to the Seminary and have access to teachings they might never have had previously.
here are so many more examples, I am sure you know T of several as well. These faithful people putting their gifts to use in creative ways at home and in public should ignite and excite us. I hope they also inspire us to continue these new practices and seek out others so that all the gifts of God’s Spirit are used creatively in every relationship.
SUMMER 2021 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 17
We promise and commit ourselves to care for people outside the church because they are created in God’s image and because Jesus Christ gave his life for all of us. AND… We promise and commit ourselves to share the good news of Jesus Christ so others will come to believe in him and want to become a part of God’s covenant family and we will do all we can to welcome new believers as our brothers and sisters.
ENG GE Discovery | Discernment | Development | Discussion
By Kristi Lounsbury and Chris Fleming
What does this look like to you? To your church? Is it having a small group Bible Study open to the community? Could it be an Alcoholics Anonymous Community group meeting in your fellowship hall? Is it partnering with those experiencing homelessness? Perhaps, it is opening the unused fellowship hall to a Childrens’ Day Out program. Whatever your congregation’s calling might be. Whatever it takes to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a community, Engage will lead congregations to help answer their questions regarding ministry.
18 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SUMMER 2021
Engage seeks to partner with local Cumberland Presbyterian congregations to develop a thriving ministry with their surrounding community. To achieve that purpose, Engage will: •
•
•
Assist in assessing the congregation’s ministry to their own. Using resources designed through Engage to lead the congregation, facilitators will guide a congregation to understand its history and how God has moved through its history. In addition to encountering the authentic passions and gifts of the congregation, the Engage process will lead the congregation through an assessment of the organizational and spiritual systems of the church helping to determine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, as well as all the physical and financial resources available. Assist the congregation in understanding and connecting with the community. Using resources specifically created to lead the congregation, facilitators will guide a congregation in studying the surrounding community and establishing community contacts along the way. Assist the congregation in utilizing the information gained from the congregational and community studies and guide the congregants through a discernment process that will end in a new ministry initiative or strengthen a congregation’s current ministry.
Engage is a one-year covenant relationship between the Ministry Council of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to prayerfully walk with a pastor and a congregation.
The Key Activities Of Engage Include: DISCOVERY. This step includes the beginning stages of interviews, determining eligibility and learning the history of the congregation and surrounding community. DISCERNMENT. This step includes the congregation’s ability to explore their spiritual gifts and experience a discernment process for moving forward. DEVELOPMENT. This step includes the implementation of initiatives, programs, trainings, and anything else to support the congregation on the journey to becoming a thriving congregation. DISCUSSION. This step includes documenting, evaluating, and continuing the conversation of the thriving congregation through follow-up and discussion. Thriving congregations bear witness to the presence of Christ and participate in the work of Christ through the congregants to the community of the church. The thriving congregation develops a deep spirituality by providing a wholistic approach through mind, body, and soul with meaningful, incarnational ministry in the community. Practicing a ministry of presence, as well as a ministry of proclamation and mission, thriving congregations have a defined mission statement and complete that mission through their stewardship of time, talent, and treasure to people within and outside the four walls of the church. The generous spirit of welcoming new people, effective evangelism, relevant worship, well-equipped leadership, and engaging in community-minded mission are all vital elements that help a congregation thrive. It is our prayer that all Cumberland Presbyterian congregations might thrive. If your congregation is struggling, Engage is available to help. For more information, please contact Rev. Kristi Lounsbury at
klounsbury@cumberland.org.
SUMMER 2021 MISSIONARY MESSENGER 19
GIVING NEWS/Second Mile Project for Missions Clergy Crisis Fund - Project #35004 This past year was one of challenge, hardship, and struggle for many people, including our Cumberland Presbyterian churches and pastors. We had to learn how to worship in a variety of different contexts and how to care for one another without being physically present. Most churches and pastors have met these challenges and more to continue to proclaim the Good News that Jesus is alive and active in our world. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken, and will continue to take, a huge toll on our pastors. Like their members, many pastors have been infected by the coronavirus.
FINANCIAL DATA:
Amount Needed from Second Mile: $20,000.00 Amount Received to Date: $200.00
We have lost a few ministers to the horrors of this disease. Some pastors struggle with personal finances as giving to churches has decreased. Some pastors are dealing with depression and anxiety related to living through and serving a congregation during a global pandemic. The Clergy Crisis Fund will be needed more than ever before in 2021. We began to see evidence of this in the last quarter of 2020, as we exceeded the Clergy Crisis Fund $6,000 annual budget by $1,500. We are appealing to the church to help provide additional funds for the coming year.
CONTRIBUTIONS:
Please make check payable to the Pastoral Development Ministry Team indicating for project #35004 and mail to 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Pam Phillips-Burk at pam@cumberland.org, (901) 276-4572 ext. 203.
SUBSCRI BE NOW Subscribe to the award winning Cumberland Presbyterian magazine for news of the denomination, helpful articles, and fascinating features and save up to $168 off Cover Price! One year (11 issues) for $25.00 One year 1st class, $42.00 Two years (22 issues) for $45.00 Three years (33 issues) for $61.00 Add one year of digital access for $10.00 One year of digital access only $18.00 The Cumberland Presbyterian 8207 Traditional Place Cordova, TN 38016-7414 FOR IMMEDIATE SERVICE SUBSCRIBE ONLINE:
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20 MISSIONARY MESSENGER SUMMER 2020
INFORMING & ENTERTAINING CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIANS
SINCE 1829!
8207 Traditional Place – Cordova, TN 38016-7414 901-276-4572
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – MISSIONS MINISTRY TEAM
We promise and commit ourselves to share the good news of Jesus Christ…
We promise and commit ourselves to care for people…
We promise and commit ourselves to live out our faith at home and in the world…
We promise and commit ourselves to share the love of God in Jesus Christ…
We believe all who are united to Christ by faith are also united to one another in love.
We believe God gives to the human family a variety of gifts…
We believe the Cumberland Presbyterian Church is commissioned to witness to all persons…
We believe the Holy Spirit works through the scriptures…
We believe Jesus Christ willingly suffered sin and death for every person.
We believe in God’s mighty act of reconciling love…
POLICY: THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER is published for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church by the Missions Ministry Team. Opinions expressed by the individual writers are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editors. THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER does not accept advertising. ©2021 Missions Ministry Team ADDRESS CHANGE: Send new address and label from a recent issue to the Circulation Secretary at the address below. THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER (ISSN 08868344), (Publication permit number: PE14376) is published quarterly by the Missions Ministry Team of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, Tenn. The magazine is sent free of charge to each household in the denomination. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: THE MISSIONARY MESSENGER, 8207 Traditional Place, Cordova, TN 38016-7414.
MISSIONS IN THE IMAGE OF GOD An Eight Day Bible Study on Missions This Bible study can be used in Sunday school classes, Bible study groups, or as a personal Bible study. This book looks at scriptures in the light of church history and mission theories to better understand missions. The focus of this Bible study is on the importance of developing relationships across cultures as fundamental to missions. God’s mission is that humanity be put into a right relationship with God and with each other. This study explores why crossing cultural barriers and connecting with others in the name of Christ is important. This Bible study can be ordered from Cumberland Presbyterian Resources: www.cumberland.org/resources.