Ministry

Faith Fellowship

Church of the Lutheran Brethren

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January/February 2013

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Vol. 80, No. 1

Witness

Life After a Superstorm • A Journey of Hope • Marks of Jesus

www.ffmagazine.org

In This Issue 4 6 8

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Kevin Foss

An Exercise in Futility or A Journey of Hope?

Dan Venberg

Marks of Jesus Gaylan Mathiesen

The Vision and Mission to Reach Muslims in Chad Matthew Rogness

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FF

Life After a Superstorm

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Focus Roy Heggland

FAITH & FELLOWSHIP Volume 80 - Number 1

Director of Communications: Tim Mathiesen tmathiesen@clba.org | twitter: @ffmag Editor: Brent Juliot bjuliot@clba.org Publisher/Graphic Designer: Troy Tysdal ttysdal@clba.org Photos: Katie Tysdal: Cover, p.2, p.3, p.4, p.5

J-TERM: Islam Confessions of an evangelism-challenged woman Cheryl Olsen YC13 www.yc13.org

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CLB News

re:Think Brent Juliot

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Pray On!

Fragile Life TIM MATHIESEN

Lord, we have been reminded, in the last couple of months, how fragile life actually is. One of the most powerful cities in the world sat helpless as waves of water rushed through its streets. We cried for parents who, no matter how influential they might be in this world, would give it all up to have their children back.

These moments bring to light the sin of this world. The effects of sin are evident as we look around us: Human trafficking, pornography, theft, abuse, poverty, civil war, and the list could go on and on. When the effect of sin rears its ugly head it wakes us up to the reality of sin, and it reminds us why you sent your only Son into this world, not to condemn, but to redeem. The cross was ugly, painful and 2

evil, but it didn’t compare to the weight of our sin that your son Jesus Christ carried with him as he died­—the sin that he lifted from our shoulders, setting us free to be your children.

Thank you, Father, for your willingness to reach down and touch our lives, to desire an intimate relationship with sinners like us. I pray that you will touch the lives of those affected by the hurricane and the shootings in Oregon and Connecticut. Give them peace. Give your Church wisdom to know how to help. Give us the love that you have for those around us in our communities, in North America and in the world. Amen!

Tim Mathiesen is Director of Communications & Prayer for the CLB. The CLB Prayer Team is on-call to pray for requests from our family of churches. E-mail the team at: pray@prayclb.org

Faith & Fellowship

Glimpse Witness On October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy, the largest storm (as measured in diameter) ever recorded on the Atlantic Ocean, came ashore near Atlantic City, New Jersey. It devastated the northeastern United States, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. At 1,100 miles wide, Sandy’s impact was felt as far west as Michigan and deep into the heart of Canada.

On December 5, 2012, I traveled with Regional Pastor Warren Geraghty and Pastor Kevin Foss as they delivered supplies from Peace Christian Church in Bohemia, New York to the city of Breezy Point. It had been ten years since I had been to Breezy Point, but I remembered it well. The large homes and beautiful view of New York City had been etched in my mind.

After passing through a security checkpoint, we dropped our supplies off at a Red Cross station. One of the volunteers spotted our cameras and offered to take us on a quick tour of the area. Following a street buried in sand, we walked by a seemingly endless parade of homes that had been twisted loose from their foundations. The neighborhood felt quiet and empty. When we finally reached the ocean, the scene was unimaginable: homes torn in two, the beach thick with debris, and a cool wind blowing as a steady reminder that winter was on its way.

That evening we talked about our experience, what we had seen, what we had heard. Pastor Kevin reminded us of the shortest verse in Scripture. A verse only two words long, but they are two words that reveal much about God. JOHN 11:35 Jesus wept.

John records Jesus’ reaction as he encounters Mary and Martha, the sisters www.ffmagazine.org

TROY TYSDAL

of Lazarus, grieving after their brother’s death. His response to their pain is anger, not anger at Mary or Martha, but anger at a fallen world, anger at death and the devastation it brings. But we cannot hear this verse without also remembering the actions of Jesus that immediately follow.

Jesus commands the mourners to remove the stone from in front of Lazarus’ tomb, and he speaks the words, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man comes out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus does not need to ask twice. He speaks just those three words, and death gives up its victim.

At that moment Jesus demonstrated his power to heal, to recreate, to rebuild what death and sin are bent on destroying.

As I traveled the Northeast, I heard story after story of God’s grace and mercy. I witnessed the Church and community coming together. I heard and saw the Gospel proclaimed in word and deed, the body of Christ in action.

I can’t explain this storm, the death and destruction it has brought, but I can tell you that it has opened doors that were closed. It has softened hearts that were hard. As Pastor Kevin said, “It has given

the Church a platform to be the hands, feet, and ears of Christ.”

The cleanup is far from over. Please be in prayer for our fellow congregations as they represent Christ to their communities, as they witness in word and deed, in the wake of this storm.

Rev. Troy Tysdal is Church Resource Coordinator for the Church of the Lutheran Brethren and serves as associate pastor at Stavanger Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN. TO HELP SUPPORT VICTIMS OF

HURRICANE SANDY VISIT: WWW.CLBA.ORG/GIVING

For more information visit: www.CLBA.org

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Life After a Superstorm KEVIN FOSS

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ew York has always been a special place for me and my family. It’s a place where I’ve lived, worked and ministered. I lived in Minnesota during the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and I recall wanting to jump on a plane to New York City so I could help those in need. I had so many friends and family members that lived in such close proximity to the Twin Towers.

Fast-forward 11 years. My family and I are now in Bohemia, New York, on the south shore of Long Island, where I serve as the pastor of Peace Christian Church.

A week before Hurricane Sandy arrived many of us were paying close attention to the different tracks the storm might take. While Sandy was still to the south, 4

meteorologist Brad Panovich made this comment: “It’s very rare to see a strong tropical system merge with such a strong winter-like trough of low pressure.

Throw in a full moon, high tide, and the potential is there for a significant storm.

This system is one part hurricane, one part Nor’easter and one part blizzard potentially. Impacts of all three types of storms are possible depending on location.”

Concern increased as Sandy tracked our way. There were repeated warnings to prepare or evacuate. With the effects of Hurricane Irene still fresh in our minds from last year, we prepared accordingly.

Little did we know how massive and devastating Hurricane Sandy would be.

As Sandy made landfall the wind gusts were intense. That evening I went out on the front porch and watched huge trees bend and sway like never before. All of a sudden to my left I saw and heard what seemed like an electrical-arcing fireworks display. A transformer had exploded. Our entire neighborhood went dark.

Now that we were without power, one of my daughters said, “This is fun, now we get to play board games all night and have more family time.” Eventually we fell asleep. It didn’t last long for me. I was too concerned about what was happening outside. I kept imagining what we would see when morning came.

What we found that morning in our town were many downed trees and most Faith & Fellowship

homes without power. Just minutes from our home were families along the Great South Bay that experienced severe flooding. Families and friends were busy removing appliances, furniture and many other items that were ruined by the flooding. Mountainous piles of debris were soon a common sight in front of so many homes.

When power was restored at our church several days later, it became a place where people could warm up and receive whatever help we could provide. Now that we had access to the internet and TV, we became more aware of Sandy’s devastating impact. Evacuated friends, neighbors and church members reported on what they had found when they returned home. Many families experienced severe flood damage, some homes were burned down. I remember feeling overwhelmed the more I heard about what this storm had done—it seemed like a nightmare.

Hurricane Sandy left many people’s lives in ruins, but I was so encouraged to see people from all across the country come to the aid of those impacted by this storm.

One organization that we partnered with was Samaritan’s Purse. They mobilized their resources to aid storm victims in New York and New Jersey in the aftermath of Sandy.

People came from all over to help us be the “hands and feet and ears” of Jesus!

As many hands and feet went into homes and removed items that had been ruined by the flooding, people who were still in a state of shock began to get a glimmer of hope that they could rebuild what was destroyed or lost.

Many victims were in desperate need of people who were willing to slow down and listen to their hurts, concerns and struggles. To be the ears of Jesus was so important and needed. God used Gospel-motivated hearts and Gospel-tuned ears to provide a ministry of truth and tears to many hurting people. Many people have come to trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord for the first time. A Scripture passage that has meant a lot to me is Deuteronomy 31:8, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

I have strongly sensed the Lord calling me and Peace Christian Church to continue being his hands, feet and ears to people who have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy. I want to thank all of the churches and individuals throughout the Church of the Lutheran Brethren who have supported us with your prayers, needed supplies and financial gifts. Your help has made a big difference and has been eternally significant as well. To get updates on our work and our needs, you can visit and like our Facebook page: Peace Christian Church Long Island.

Financial gifts and gift cards to Home Depot, Lowe’s and Target are very helpful and needed at this moment.

Thank you!

One of many homes along the coast of Long Island torn from its foundation by Superstorm Sandy

In New York City’s historic Coney Island the Army Corps of Engineers has removed over 32,000 cubic yards of sand left behind by the storm’s massive surge

Above: Pastor Kevin Foss delivers supplies to a Red Cross station Below: In the community of Breezy Point N.Y. 111 homes were destroyed by fire during the storm

Rev. Kevin Foss serves as pastor of Peace Christian Church in Bohemia, NY.

www.facebook.com/PeaceChristianChurchLongIsland

www.ffmagazine.org

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An Exercise in Futility or a Journey of Hope?

DAN VENBERG

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he words that he spoke stung me.

That was not his intention, I am sure, but it hurt. The implication settled in my stomach like lead: “This is a victory of Satan,” he said. “We are going to pray that you can return to Chad and continue this work, because we know that it is the will of God that you remain in Chad.” The words came from a Chadian Christian friend when I told him that my family and I would be returning to the United States for an indefinite period of time, due to a family health issue that we were not able to adequately take care of in Chad. His words hurt and confused me.

Was this really such a “defeat” for God’s mission in Chad? Did going home signify a “failure” on my part to persevere in mission? Had Satan really won a victory here? Was it all an exercise in futility? On and on, the questions bounced around in my head.

Now, six months later, the questions linger, but do not burn. Perhaps I have gained some perspective. I may not have the answer to all those questions, but I am learning a lot about the sovereignty of God. And I believe that our ten years in Chad were not an exercise in futility, but rather a journey of hope.

When my family first moved to Chad 6

in 2002, we put our hands firmly to the plow. We were full of hope and optimism, and anticipated a lifelong career on the mission field. We were called to live out and proclaim the Gospel among the Fulbe people, an unreached Muslim people group in Chad without a Church in their own cultural and linguistic context. We, and the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, had invested much in this endeavor.

We had learned three languages. We settled our family in a remote Muslim village in sub-Saharan Africa, and had lived among and loved a community of people who become dear friends.

We made significant inroads into their lives and into the community. Trusting relationships had formed through which many opportunities arose to share the Gospel, to share our faith, to share spiritual blessing with these people loved

by God, a people he desires to see love him in return and be saved. Human logic would tell us that it was just the start of a lasting and fruitful ministry, and we were excited to see what God would continue to do through our presence in Chad.

Now, a long decade later, we have left that field rather abruptly. And if we evaluate the “success” of that ministry with human logic, we may be

tempted to come to the discouraging conclusion that it was a waste of time and resources; perhaps that the endeavor only brought unnecessary suffering and disappointment to a young, optimistic missionary family. After all, the people group that we ministered among is fiercely Muslim. Their rejection of Christ as Lord was nearly unanimous and for the most part unequivocal. Do we dare consider the few that could be considered disciples as measuring up to a smashing success? Or does this, combined with our attrition from the mission field earlier than expected, imply a failure? I think not.

At times, the Lord leads us on paths that we do not expect. I had expected that our path would lead us for many more years in that Fulbe village in Chad. But alas, that road has brought my family to a new place. This is not a defeat. I may not ever fully comprehend why God has led us the way he has, but I am called to trust him, to not lean on my own understanding, and to rest in the truth that his purposes will prevail (Proverbs 3:5 and Proverbs 19:21). And so, as I reflect on the road that our Lord has taken my family on, the crossroads we face now, and as I look ahead to a future uncertain of where he Faith & Fellowship

is leading us due to the fogginess of the landscape ahead, I rest in these truths.

We are already blessed to see God using the experience that we have had as missionaries in Chad for his purposes.

We are thrilled to be able to continue to serve the vision of Lutheran Brethren International Mission. We’ve had opportunities to share in some of our North American congregations, and to serve as mentors to LBIM candidates, helping them in their preparation for the mission field. We are seeing the blessing in the lives of our children, as they enjoy the privileges of living in this country.

Life is at times like a roller coaster, full of highs and lows and curves, but we choose not to ride it with hesitation and fear, grabbing on with white knuckles, and questioning throughout why in the world are we in this predicament. Instead, we ride it with our hands in the air, giving thanks in all circumstances, secure in the fact that God will keep us on the track, wherever it takes us. And when the ride is rough and doesn’t feel comfortable, we trust that God is accomplishing his purposes, and our place in them.

And what about the Fulbe people that we have left behind? Were our efforts there all for naught? After all, they did www.ffmagazine.org

not respond enthusiastically to the Gospel message. There is still no Fulbe Church to speak of. Lord willing, there will be, one day. Lord willing, LBIM will be a part of this process and we are excited about those that the Lord is raising up to continue in this mission. And as I process the last decade, I am coming to understand that we must not measure God’s glorification in the mission endeavor with our human standards of “success.” It is as we take steps of faith in mission, as we obey the Great Commission, that God is glorified.

God has, throughout history, sent missionaries to the far corners of the earth to preach the Gospel. Their message is to some the fragrance of death, to others, the sweet aroma of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 2:15). Isaiah was sent to a people who would be “ever hearing but never understanding” (Isaiah 6:9). That might seem like a futile mission in our minds, but God sent him anyway. The same could be said of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Stephen and others. As God sends his witnesses to the ends of the earth, the glory of Christ will shine ultimately in both the judgment of the unrepentant and the salvation of the righteous.

The Parable of the Sower shows us that some seed (the Gospel) will fall on fertile

ground (hearing and believing hearts), producing much fruit. And some will fall on harsh ground, producing little or no fruit, but we dare not limit or doubt God’s ability to bring fruit out of ground that seems harsh to us. And we must sow the seed in all manner of ground, and remain faithful in sowing that seed. In that, God is glorified, for Scripture reminds us that his Word, as it goes out, will accomplish the purpose for which he sent it (Isaiah 55:11).

And so, we go on, abounding in hope, and learning to count it all joy!

Dan Venberg serves with Lutheran Brethren International Mission. He and his family are currently living in Fergus Falls, MN.

LBIM

www.LBIM.org

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Marks of Jesus GAYLAN MATHIESEN

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he suffering of Jesus on the cross is not an easy thing to wrap one’s mind around. It seems absurd that the God of the universe would concern himself with our material world, let alone wade into its filthy muck and violence, and embrace it. Such reluctance to connect God with his creation fed early heresies like Docetism and Gnosticism— claiming that Jesus was a ghost-like figure that only appeared to be human. “Spirit is good; matter is evil,” they said. Suffering and passions are of this temporal and material world, and are not to be ascribed to the Ultimate Deity.

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Even today western Christians may practice a kind of dualism of spirit and matter, or sacred and secular. We find ourselves thinking of suffering and tragedy as inconsistent with the Christian life. We prefer to associate faith with physical security and all the things that bring “the good life.” Consequently, when tragedy strikes, we can find ourselves spiritually vulnerable: “Why did this happen to me?” Or “I thought God would protect me from things like this.”

Long ago, a teacher of the law came up to Jesus and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” To which Jesus

responded, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:19-20).

Elsewhere Jesus said, “Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20a).

For many of our brothers and sisters around the world today, these words are the stark reality they face daily. They know that following Christ sometimes comes at great personal cost. In fact, the New Testament word for “bearing witness” is martyria, from which we get the word martyr. According to a report Faith & Fellowship

“Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.’”

Matthew 8:19-20

released this past May, “…about 150,000 Christians are today killed around the world every year, either out of hatred for the faith or for works of charity inspired by the faith…one victim every three and a half minutes. In effect, we are witnessing the rise of an entire new generation of Christian martyrs” (http:// www.zenit.org/article-34726?l=english [accessed 11/21/2012]). For the most part, Christians in North America have been untouched by this side of being a follower of Jesus. If we were asked why we are untouched, how would we answer? The Christian faith demands this kind of reflection.

When opposition does hit us, how does the follower of Christ respond?

The British theologian Lesslie Newbigin spoke of a trip to the Holy Land where he visited two ancient sites on the shores of the Dead Sea: Masada and Qumran.

Masada is the fortress built by King Herod where Jewish freedom fighters— the Zealots—made their last stand against the Roman legions. Qumran is the place to which the strict, self-denying Essene community withdrew in order to pray and prepare themselves for the coming of the Messiah. Newbigin thought about how these two places could represent options that Jesus might have taken when Israel rejected his message about the Kingdom.

Jesus might have taken the road of the Zealots in a power struggle to end Roman oppression. Or he might have taken the other road and retreated with his disciples into the desert, withdrawing from all conflict to pray that God would bring the Kingdom in his own way. Jesus rejected both of these: the way of worldly power and might, and the way of religious isolation.

What road did Jesus choose? Says www.ffmagazine.org

Newbigin, “It is a totally uncompromising yet totally vulnerable challenge to the powers of evil in the name and in the power of the kingship of God present in the crucified and risen Jesus. The word of the gospel of the kingdom will have power in so far as it is spoken out of the midst of that active challenge, from a position not safely in the rear, but at the frontline where the in-breaking reign of God challenges what Paul calls the ‘principalities and powers’ and what John calls ‘the ruler of this world.’ It is in that sense that we must say that the authenticating marks of a missionary church will be the marks of the passion— Jesus’ hands and his side” (Mission in Christ’s Way, page 27 at: http://www. newbigin.net/assets/pdf/87mcw.pdf).

In the same manner, the biblical Church neither retreats from the world nor engages the world through worldly power and privilege. Rather, the Church’s power is cruciform—found in the marks of the crucified Christ. Paul spoke to the Church about the treasure of God being placed in earthen vessels, illustrating that the power that flows through the Church is the power of God, not of us. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body” (2 Corinthians 4:8-11).

Paul also authenticated his apostolate by these marks: “From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:17).

Now, we must not think of the marks of

Jesus as marks of submission or defeat, instead, they are a direct challenge to the powers of evil. The figure of Jesus now before us is not that of a gaunt, limp and agonizing figure hanging on the cross, but much more like the image I recall from the church where I was confirmed as a young boy. The figure on the cross at the front of that sanctuary is a kingly Jesus, standing upright, robed and crowned in victory, portrayed in harmony with the ancient Church’s earliest depictions of the crucifixion. The marks in Jesus’ hands and side are now the marks of our glorious, risen Lord.

It is in the power of these marks that the Church challenges evil through the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and action. Once again, this challenge “…is neither the withdrawal from the world into a religious sanctuary; nor is it engagement with the world on the world’s terms. It is something else. It is a totally uncompromising yet totally vulnerable challenge to the powers of evil in the name and in the power of the kingdom of God present in the crucified and risen Jesus” (Newbigin, 27). This same Jesus gave us his promise, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Dr. Gaylan Mathiesen, Ph.D is Professor of Missions at Lutheran Brethren Seminary, Fergus Falls, MN. Visit Lutheran Brethren Seminary online at www.lbs.edu

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Lutheran Brethren

International Mission

www.LBIM.org

BRINGING THE GOOD NEWS TO UNREACHED PEOPLE

The Vision and Mission to Reach Muslims in Chad MATTHEW ROGNESS

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he Church of the Lutheran Brethren through its World Mission Board had gathered to pray and plan for our future ministry in Africa. We met at a “bed and breakfast” on a farm in eastern North Dakota where we would be able to focus our attention on God’s leading for our family of congregations for the coming decades. What was proposed, prayed over, discussed and finally implemented was a significant vision to see at least three Muslim people groups reached with the Gospel by planting an indigenous Church among them. That was 15 years ago.

By God’s grace we were ready to focus our resources, both personnel and financial, to reach people who would remain unreached unless the Gospel was taken to them. We began by asking the CLB family to pray for these three groups in south central Chad, that the Lord of the harvest would call individuals to these people, and that congregations and individuals would consider their role in financially supporting this important and significant mission. This mission was accepted and moved forward as congregations “adopted” these people as the focus of their heart and ministry. The three people groups identified were the Bilala, Fulbe and Bagirmi (Barma). We had already had some ministry among the latter two groups, although there was not as yet a Church planted among them.

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In 2001 we sent our first missionary family to Chad (among the Bilala) as our beginning of this new focus on unreached Muslims. A year later the next family went to begin ministry among the Fulbe. Our goal and intention was to call and send a second couple in each people group so that they would have accountability, encouragement, prayer and fellowship as they worked together. We did not intend to deploy them in the same village or city but rather within easy driving distance within that people group.

During the years following the deployment of these two couples, we as a CLB family experienced some serious financial tightening as a denomination.

Our inability to deploy the second couple in each group was not positive for our overall goals, both for our personnel and for our mission to reach these people groups.

Currently these first two couples are not on the field. Our goal is to as quickly as possible deploy two new couples to take those mission slots. We have also called a couple to serve among the Bagirmi.

Our strategic goal is to place these couples in proximity to each other even though they are working in different people groups. So, for example, the couple deployed among the Bagirmi will live in proximity to the couple working among the Fulbe. The couple working among the Bilala will only be deployed

if we have a second couple to pair with them or they can be located within easy driving distance from one or both of the others. This will allow us to move ahead in all three groups while ensuring that they all have good support in their isolated ministry locations. Further, it is urgent that we pray the Lord of the harvest for additional workers and for clusters of congregations willing to pray and send them so that we can have two couples in each group.

God has called these servants to minister the Gospel to these unreached Muslims and has placed this ministry on the hearts of our congregations. We believe he will also give us wisdom in deploying these Kingdom assets for his glory in a way that will allow the lost to be reached with his saving grace.

Rev. Matthew Rogness serves the CLB as Director of International Mission.

LBIM

www.LBIM.org

Faith & Fellowship

F cus CLB

Ministry Behind the Scenes

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ith the change to our Mission Statement in 2001, we expressed our belief that God was calling the Church of the Lutheran Brethren (CLB) to be more intentional about our ministry to North America. That calling led our congregations, in 2009, to create the position of Regional Pastor.

In the few short years since the position was created, our Regional Pastors have ministered to our pastors, their wives, and our congregations in situations that have required care and confidentiality.

Our regional pastors also help facilitate cluster groups of congregations, support the work of youth ministry, and resource and equip church leaders with teaching and training.

The cost of supporting your Regional Pastor is approximately $328* per day.

Almost 30% of that cost has been covered by the sale of property held by the Church of the Lutheran Brethren’s trust fund.

This five-year plan was put in place to allow our regular giving time to grow and meet the additional budget cost. The five years are almost over and we now plan to continue the subsidy on a decreasing basis through 2017.

Some may wonder if the benefits of Regional Pastors are worth the added cost to our annual budget, since the Regional Pastors can’t (because of confidentiality) broadcast much of the work they do.

So, here are some of the things your Regional Pastor does that he can’t talk about. The Regional Pastor cares for your pastor and his wife, prays for them, and ministers to them in ways that are hidden from our view. He is there to support,

Support the CLB:

ROY HEGGLAND

Received as of Nov. 30, 2012 Goal: $2,400,000 Received: $876,139 CLB Year End April 30, 2013

200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 0 -50,000 -100,000 -150,000

May

Jun. Anticipated

Jul.

Aug. Actual

and encourage them in their walk with Christ. In addition, the Regional Pastors minister to congregations during times of distress and unrest. God has used them to minister healing, reconciliation and unity to congregations that need the care and perspective of someone from the “outside.”

A gift of $328 supports your Regional Pastor for a day. If you are blessed with the ability to give more, please do. Your support is needed and greatly appreciated.

You may never know all that God does through the ministry of your Regional Pastor, but trust that God is working through him to strengthen the ONLINE:

www.clba.org/giving

Sept.

BY MAIL (U.S.):

Oct.

Nov.

Accumulated Difference Anticipated vs. Actual

ministry of your pastor and your fellow congregations.

Please pray about how God is leading you to support the ministry of your Regional Pastor, along with reaching unreached people groups through International Mission, and training future pastors and equipping church leaders through Lutheran Brethren Seminary.

Roy Heggland serves the CLB as Associate for Biblical Stewardship. *$328 per day reflects the entire North American Mission budget divided evenly between the five regions.

P. O . B o x 6 5 5 Fergus Falls, MN 56538

BY MAIL (CANADA):

P. O . B o x 7 3 9 Birch Hills, SK S0J 0G0

Islam:

a Neighbor not Acknowledged, a Mission Failed, a Vocation to be Fulfilled CHARLES AMJAD-ALI Part I A few years ago, I participated in a public academic forum held at the University of Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s premier educational institutions. We were examining the themes of religion, violence, and peace from monotheistic perspectives. I represented the Christian perspective; there was a South African Muslim, just returned from teaching at Harvard, and a Canadian Jewish scholar.

For whatever reason, they asked me to give the first keynote address, followed by the Jewish and Muslim presentations. The Muslim scholar began his presentation with very high praise for my paper and then went on to make a statement which stunned the audience. He said, “I truly love Charles and his intellect and his take on things, but I am also very angry and upset with him, because despite his Muslim background and his superb understanding and radical appreciation of Islam, both theologically and personally, he not only chose to be a Christian, he now represents Christianity in such a way that it becomes seductively inviting to a person like me. This,” he said, “I find very troubling, deeply offensive and difficult to take.” Instead of being offended, I truly appreciated his sentiments. His positive and negative evaluations were integrally intertwined, but what I appreciated most was his statement about my Christian faith and how I approach Islam and my Muslim neighbor.

Part II When we talk of Islam, we are faced 12

with a series of unsettling challenges. For example, Christianity is in decline in the North Atlantic countries, the origin of its missiological outreach. Even in places where there are officially high numbers of Christian adherents, Christian worship is practiced by a very small minority.

Similarly, the early locations of Islam also constitute an ever decreasing percentage of the Muslim world. However, this is not because of a decline in worship in these regions, as is the case with the Christians in the North Atlantic states, but rather because of the success of the Islamic mission to the rest of the world. The fear that Islam will become a major religious presence in North Atlantic countries, although a product of highly exaggerated paranoia, has some factual support behind it. The reason is not because Islam is numerically growing there, but because Christianity is numerically declining. So some argue that in Europe more Muslims worship on Fridays than Christians on Sundays. This in spite of the fact that Muslims constitute only about 6% of the European population.

Fear of Islam among Christians is neither new nor a novel concept. It started with the very beginning of Islam in the 7th century, because of its rapid expansion and its annexation of almost all the lands referenced in the Bible, except for Rome. This early expansion was followed by the occupation of four of the five major historic centers of Christianity, namely, Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, and Constantinople. And this was

followed by the fear and awe generated

by Muslims during the Crusades. The Christian failure to maintain the success of the first crusade, followed by the failure of subsequent crusades to take over the holy land and keep it in Christian control, shook Christianity to its core.

This created difficulty for Christians regarding the widely held notion that success and victory demonstrates that God is on our side because of our faith, while simultaneously that same notion provided support to Muslims precisely because of their high level of success.

The Crusades’ anti-Islamic sentiment continued into the Reformation period, as is evident in Luther and later Calvin.

Both seriously critiqued Islam, but at the same time saw Islam as a judgment of God upon a Christianity that was highly corrupted by wealth and power, especially regarding Roman Catholicism.

Therefore Luther could call Islam “the rod of God.” As early as 1518 he writes, “To fight against the Turk is the same as resisting God, who visits our sin upon us with this rod.”1 Similarly in 1529 he again describes the Turks as the “rod of God’s wrath” by which “God is punishing the world.”2 However, these Reformers likewise saw Islam, along with Catholicism, as “the second horn on the head of the devil.” Both these elements are maintained side by side by Luther and followed by Calvin.3 Luther was also instrumental in backing the publication of the new translation of the Qur’an into Latin in 1543 by Theodore Faith & Fellowship

J-TERM BRINGING GOD’S WORD TO OUR NEIGHBOR

JANUARY 21-23 Monday, January 21

Tuesday, January 22 Dr. Charles Amjad-Ali, Ph.D., Th.D.

Session 1 1:30-3:00pm

Choosing a Bible Translation for the Church and Neighbor - Part 1

Session 2 3:30-5:00pm

Choosing a Bible Translation for the Church and Neighbor - Part 2

Wednesday, January 23

Session 3 8:30-10:00am

David Runyon Author of ‘The Art of Neighboring’ and Executive Director of CityUnite

Session 4 10:30-12:00pm

Session 7 8:30-10:00am

Session 5 1:30-3:00pm

Session 8 10:30-12:00pm

Islam: A Neighbor Not Acknowledged Islam: A Mission Failed

Panel Response to Dr. Amjad-Ali’s Lectures

The Art of Neighboring The Art of Neighboring

Session 6 3:30-5:00pm Islam: A Vocation to be Fulfilled

Bibliander, who was interested in mission to the Muslims, especially in Egypt, and had therefore studied Arabic. Luther and Melanchthon even wrote prefaces to his translation. Besides severe warnings and critiques of Islam, Luther at the very end of his preface writes, “Let us now prepare ourselves against Muhammad. But what can we say about matters that are still outside our knowledge? Therefore, it is of value for the learned to read the writings of the enemy in order to refute them more keenly, to cut them to pieces and to overturn them, in order that they might be able to bring some to safety, or certainly to fortify our people with more sturdy arguments.”4 His concern was that Muslims were about to take over Europe, and so their text and ways had to be studied. Luther therefore wrote, “Since we now have the Turk and his religion at our very doorstep our people must be warned lest, either moved by the splendor of the Turkish religion and the external appearances of their customs or displeased by the meager display of our own faith or the deformity of our customs, they deny their Christ and follow Muhammad.”5 Assessing the nature of the Muslim faith and culture and the threat that it posed to Christians, he argued: “... we see that the religion of the Turks or Muhammad is far more splendid in ceremonies—and, I might almost say, in customs—than ours, even including that of the religious or all the clerics. The modesty and simplicity of their food, clothing, dwellings, and everything else, www.ffmagazine.org

as well as the fasts, prayers, and common gatherings of the people that this book reveals are nowhere seen among us. ...which of our monks, be it a Carthusian (they who wish to appear the best) or a Benedictine, is not put to shame by the miraculous and wondrous abstinence and discipline among their religious?

Our religious are mere shadows when compared to them, and our people clearly profane when compared to theirs. Not even true Christians, not the apostles or prophets ever exhibited so great a display.

This is the reason why many persons so easily depart from faith in Christ for Muhammadanism and adhere to it so 13

tenaciously. I sincerely believe that no papist, monk, cleric, or their equal in faith would be able to remain in their faith if they should spend three days among the Turks... Indeed, in all these things the Turks are by far superior.”6 Part III The first broad inkling of the contemporary Anti-Islamic sentiments in the West appeared in the context of the Iranian Revolution of 1979. That same year, however, we gave our robust support to the Mujahideen (Islamic guerilla fighters) against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. That support was an expression of the way in which the West had understood and dealt with Islam since the first and second world wars, as Islam was seen as an ally with a radical common cause against communism.

Thus in conjunction with Saudi Arabia (who still remains our closest ally in the Muslim world) the West supported the most conservative Sunni groups, like fundamentalists in Indonesia against President Suharto, the Jamaat-i-Islami in Pakistan against Prime Minister Bhutto, and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt against President Gamal Abdel Nasser.7 All these leaders were seen as dangerously socialist. In spite of this traditional support for the conservative Muslim groups like the Mujahideen, our foreign policy reverses in the Persian Gulf because of the fall of the Shah of Iran and the rise of the new Islamic regime led to a new hostility towards Islam and Muslims 14

which was now a major ideological and policy paradox.

This duality seemed almost schizophrenic. I remember watching the news program Nightline during that time and there was a very graphic display of this schizophrenic attitude. First the then national security advisor to President Carter, Zbigniew Brzezinski, was sitting with all the long bearded Afghan Muslim fundamentalist guerillas, telling them that Allah was on their side and that they should take their land from the godless communists. The very next news segment was talking of the number of days “America had been held hostage” (the main heading of Ted Koppel’s Nightline then) by the Iranian Muslim Government. These were two stories seamlessly drawn together without any apparent consciousness of paradox at all.

Once however, the USSR and communist statecraft imploded in 1989, that convenient and simplistic policy was no longer necessary and thus as early as the 1990s, Islam was seen as the sole opposition to the West, and had to be dealt with. So, for example, Samuel Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations” became our new defining policy. But all of these matters remained topics of debate for the intellectual community and policy hacks, and did not become part of the average person’s concern (as was the case during the Iran crisis) until September 11, 2001. Since then Islam has dominated both our foreign policy as well as our domestic life, in terms of sheer

wealth displacement in wars and security, thus influencing our religious, cultural, social and economic conversations.

Part IV In light of this briefly outlined history, in order to talk of a concern for Christian mission, the task of proclaiming the Gospel, the Christian life and faith practice, and Christian ethics have all to be seriously re-evaluated and strategically rethought. This is not only for the sake of world Christianity and global mission, but very critically also for our mission in the North Atlantic context where our thinking about faith requirements and worship settings are undergoing dramatic shifts, for which we have still not developed a sound vocabulary, language and conversation. When we do undertake such a task we are prone to making almost abstract assertions which have no footprints or shadows to show their concreteness and materiality. We Christians are a people not bound to some abstract God and a mythical incarnation, but we are believers in a vulnerable incarnation of God in Jesus Christ according to God’s divine purpose and will. He came to us in fullness of time, as an emptying (Philippians 2:6) to the point of being a human slave (2:7) and dying for the sake of our world. Precisely because of these elements, he is given a name above all other names and we project, nay confess, that all knees will bow and all tongues confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (2:9-11).

Faith & Fellowship

J-TERM BRINGING GOD’S WORD TO OUR NEIGHBOR

JANUARY 21-23

This is a great confessional assertion but we forget the context of this passage in Philippians 2, which along with other instructions, asks us to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” (2:3-5, NRSV). This is not some nationalist promotion but the humility of those who follow the One who becomes a slave and dies for us. What a great witness we have to be in mission, never forgetting the necessity and the critical centrality of the command to love God and the neighbor as ourselves. But because of our nationalist interests we have shown over these last few decades that we love to hate Muslims and hate to like them, let alone love them, and are willing to bear all kinds of false witness against this neighbor.

It is these series of concerns that motivate me, my preaching and teaching, my life and faith practice, and my continuing vocation of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Charles Amjad-Ali, Ph.D., Th.D., The Martin Luther King, Jr., Prof. of Justice and Christian Community and Director of Islamic Studies at Luther Seminary.

www.ffmagazine.org

1. See Explanations of the Ninety-five Theses, LW 31:91-32 as referred to in Sarah Henrich and James L. Boyce, “Martin Luther—Translations of Two Prefaces on Islam: Preface to the Libellus de ritu et moribus Turcorum (1530), and Preface to Bibliander’s Edition of the Qur’än (1543),” in Word & World, Vol. XVI, No. 2, Spring 1996, pp. 250-266, esp. 252.

2. Cf. On War Against the Turks, LW 46:157-205 as referred to in Henrich and Boyce (1996), pg. 252.

3. See my article, “Debilitating Past and Future Hope: Calvin, Calvinism and Islam” in Reformed World, Vol. 61, No. 2, (2011), pp. 120-133. I am now working on a chapter in a book to be produced at Tübingen for the 500 year anniversary of Luther on the themes of Judaism and Islam in Luther.

4. Preface to Theodore Bibliander’s Edition of the Qur’an, 1543, WA 53:569-572 in Henrich and Boyce, (1996), pp. 262-266, esp. 266.

5. Luther’s 1530 Preface to the tract on the Religion and Customs of the Turks , WA 30/2:198-200 in Henrich and Boyce, (1996), pp. 258-262, esp. 260.

6. WA 53:569-572 in Henrich and Boyce, (1996), esp. 259.

7. Cf. Emmanuel Sivan, Radical Islam: Medieval Theology and Modern Politics, (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1985, enlarged edition 1990).

15

Women’s Ministries Church of the Lutheran Brethren

Confessions of an evangelism-challenged woman CHERYL OLSEN

I

t’s easy for me to be discouraged when I think of the word outreach. I don’t naturally have the gift of evangelism.

My friend easily engages a waitress in conversation, while I can barely decide what to order! Others seem to lead their airplane seatmates to Christ in a single flight—but my seatmates only read or sleep. I remember being a part of a group going door-to-door sharing our faith. My friend was visibly excited to go, but my stomach was full of butterflies!

No, I am not one of those God has so gifted, who is always anticipating and ready for the next encounter with a friend, acquaintance, or stranger. Are you like me?

God hasn’t given the gift of evangelism to us all, but he has called us all as his witnesses. But I’m uncomfortable thinking about sharing my faith. I’m afraid there will be questions I can’t answer. It isn’t easy. So I put off that conversation with my neighbor. Maybe you do too? I doubt that God wants us to be witnessing out of guilt. So, deciding to wait until my attitude is right, I procrastinate even more. And the guilt builds. Then I reason that I don’t want to pick “un-ripe fruit,” or I fret that I’ve waited so long now, any encounter is going to be awkward. And I get busy with things that I am good at. But the guilt still nags. Finally I rationalize that I shouldn’t be feeling guilty.

What is the solution? Jesus Christ! The One I’m trying to ignore.

First, Jesus died to take away my guilt. I need to stop ignoring the guilt; address it; confess my reticence, my procrastination, my disregarding of his nudges. Begin again, forgiven. And if I continue to feel “guilty” after confession, recognize that the Enemy wants us to live in bondage, not freedom, even in this area!

Second, he has given me the power of 16

his Holy Spirit in me. How amazing is that fact? Yet how easy to forget! So if he has a job for me to do, he will provide the power to do it.

Third, he leads! Will I follow? Do I really believe that my neighbor will end up in hell, if she doesn’t know Jesus as her Savior? Really? How disturbing is it—if I believe that—and do nothing about it?

In my case, I began praying for two of my neighbors by name, one a Muslim family. That wasn’t hard and is ongoing.

I asked God to provide some easy encounters plain enough for me to see and respond to—and he did!

Human nature as it is, God provided that we exist as parts of his body, functioning as a whole, needing and helping each other. It’s not all up to me! Others are praying with me for these same people.

Many of our CLB churches have Women’s Bible Studies, where we support and sharpen one another, as we are stretched in faith and service.

Some CLB women gather together to simply pray. Other women, like Kristina Grandstaff in Succasunna, New Jersey and Carol Anderson in Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania, have begun non-profits to minister to women in abusive situations

or other types of need. These provide opportunities for Christian women to volunteer, to mentor, and to pray for those beyond their own neighborhood or church. We are parts of a Body, functioning together and resourcing each other locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

In the meantime, I am learning from those who have gifts of evangelism.

They love people! They are genuinely interested in them and their opinions, and don’t just look for opportunities; they create them. So now I talk to clerks and waitresses, with just a smile and a simple question or observation: “So, how’s your day going?” “Long day?” or “Busy, isn’t it!” And interestingly, if I talk to someone on the plane as they put down their book for the beverage service, sometimes a conversation begins!

My prayers continue for three of them, trusting God to add others who will sow seed, water it, and reap a harvest of salvation in their lives. I’m feeling a challenge now…not so much “challenged!”

Cheryl Olsen is Information Coordinator for Women’s Ministries of the CLB.

Faith & Fellowship

LUTHERAN BRETHREN YOUTH CONVENTION 2013 07/31-08/03

YC13.ORG

Roger Viksnes Jason Lang

The Eleeo Band

The Skit Guys

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Fellowship with one another Purifies us from all sin

Walk in the light

The blood of Jesus

1 John 1:7

A Century of Service

Pastor Installed

Pastor Olsen and Pastor Yiu address the congregation of 59th Street Church

59th Street Lutheran Brethren Church in Brooklyn, New York, celebrated its 100th Anniversary on November 17-18, 2012. The theme for the weekend was “Shining the Light of Jesus Christ for 100 Years.” The weekend included a banquet on Saturday evening, with various speakers and musical groups from different periods of the church’s history. The Sunday morning worship service was a joint service of both the English-speaking and Chinese-speaking departments, and Rev. Joel Egge, president of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, shared a message from God’s Word. The weekend was a wonderful celebration of God’s work in and through 59th Street Church over the past century.

100 Years Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN celebrated 100 years of ministry on October 27-28, 2012. The theme for the weekend was “From the First Day until Now” (Philippians 1:3-6). Former Bethel pastors Rev. David Christenson, Rev. John Kilde and Dr. David Veum spoke at the banquet.

On Saturday the congregation reflected on the history of Bethel Church and on Sunday the congregation looked ahead toward the future. The worship service was held in the Hillcrest Activity Center, with Rev. Joel Egge delivering a greeting from the Church of the Lutheran Brethren and Rev. David Foss preaching the message.

18

Regional Pastor Art Hundeby installs Pastor Jay Dyrland at Journeys Church in Saskatoon, SK

On November 18, 2012, Pastor Jay Dyrland was installed as pastor of Journeys Church in Saskatoon. Pastor Dyrland is married to KathySue, and they have three children, Jacob, Katie and Holly.

Skatepark Outreach

On September 9, 2012, Birch Hills Community Church and Saron Lutheran Church dedicated a skatepark that was built on Birch Hills’ church property in cooperation with the local skateboard club. One week later they held a grand opening that was broadcast on the local news and served to introduce the public to the skatepark. The vision for this park is to connect youth that might not normally be active in the church with church activities such as youth group.

The congregations of Birch Hills and Saron Lutheran Church see this park as a place where members of the community of varying interests can get together and get to know one another. With that in mind, next spring they plan to add a multi-functional basketball court next to the skatepark.

Elder Ordination On September 9, 2012, Jason Spencer and Randy Westfall were ordained as elders at Hillside LBC in Succasunna, New Jersey.

Faith & Fellowship

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

New Headquarters for LB Homes

Caring for you, wherever you call home

LB Homes hosted a public Open House on Thursday, November 1, 2012 for its new corporate offices at 805 East Channing Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN. The former Eisenhower Elementary School building was purchased

by LB Homes in 2011. The remodeling of the school allowed a wonderful building to be repurposed for the community while providing much needed space for LB Homes’ expanded services and ministry.

The complex now houses the corporate offices of LB Homes and the offices of Lakeland Home Care and Lakeland Hospice. In total, nearly 100 people headquarter

out of the building. Many of the staff of Lakeland Home Care and Lakeland Hospice visit patients in their homes wherever they live throughout the communities that are served.

Lakeland Home Care provides services within a thirty to fifty mile radius of Fergus Falls. Lakeland Hospice serves all of Otter Tail county, Grant county and portions of the surrounding eleven counties in West Central Minnesota.

LB Homes is an auxiliary organization of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren.

Faith & Fellowship is the official publication of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, 1020 W. Alcott Ave., P.O. Box 655, Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0655, issued six times a year (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December) by Faith and Fellowship Publishing, 1020 W. Alcott Ave., P.O. Box 655, Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0655. Phone (218)736-7357. The viewpoints expressed in the articles are those of the authors and may or may not necessarily reflect the official position of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America (CLBA). Periodicals Postage Paid at Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56538.

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SUBSCRIPTIONS: Faith & Fellowship is offered to its readers at no charge. We would encourage your continued support with a donation and if you would like to be on our mailing list, please contact our office. Periodicals Postage Paid at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please give both old and new addresses and allow four weeks.

Direct all correspondence, including submission of articles, to: Faith & Fellowship, P.O. Box 655, Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0655; Telephone, (218)736-7357; e-mail, ffpress@clba.org; FAX, (218)736-2200.

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FF 19

Rev. Brent Juliot is Editor of Faith & Fellowship Magazine, teaches math at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, and serves as senior pastor at Stavanger Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN.

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FF

W

hat’s a Nor’easter? I’ve heard of them, but never experienced one. Kevin Foss, pastor of Peace in Bohemia, Long Island, uses the term in his article (page 4). As I was editing, the question came: Should it be Nor’easter, or should I put the “th” in there? A little unscholarly internet research turned up a woman who claims to be the film critic for the Atlantic City Weekly. She objects to the Nor’easter spelling, saying, “I was brought up at the Jersey Shore and we call it a Northeaster.” I’m wondering if this is a New York/New Jersey controversy. Best not to take sides. I’ll go with Kevin.

Actually, a Nor’easter is a biblical concept. In Acts 27:14, Luke says the storm that drove Paul’s ship aground at Malta was a Nor’easter or Northeaster, according to most newer English translations. The King James just anglicizes the original Greek word “euroclydon,” meaning a powerful east wind that causes a wave surge. Paul’s experience in Acts 27 confirms that we don’t want to be caught in a Nor’easter.

But we probably all have been caught in one at some point.

Without getting into meteorological distinctions (Sandy was a hurricane), the Grand Forks flood of 1997 and the Minot flood of 2011 were like devastating Nor’easters for the people who lived there. Hurricane Sandy and certainly the World Trade Center attack were horribly destructive “Nor’easters” for those whose lives are forever impacted. And then there are the personal Nor’easters we face, perhaps alone, or just as a single family. An accident, severe illness, bankruptcy, foreclosure, business failure, divorce, loss of a loved one. How about suffering rejection or persecution for the sake of Christ?

Regarding all such Nor’easters, whether we experience them along with many others in the path of the same storm, or whether our lives are devastated alone by some personal Nor’easter, God says something good can come out of it. James writes, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

Joy in trials. Sounds impossible. But it’s the Word of God. The Nor’easter’s destructive force exposes our vulnerability, brings us to the point of need. Vulnerability and need mean openness. Now we are prepared for God to enter our lives in a fresh new way, or perhaps for the first time.

We do not wish that anyone should face these destructive Nor’easter events of life. But still they come. Can we see God, and his grace, through them?

For change of address: Faith & Fellowship P.O. Box 655 Fergus Falls, MN 56538-0655

by: Brent Juliot

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