Mercy & Community by CLB Network

Faith Fellowship

Church of the Lutheran Brethren

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September/October 2011

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Vol. 78, No. 5

COMMUNITY & MERCY

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In This Issue 4 6 8 10 11 12

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Mercy! Mercy! Matt Lundgren

Mercy and Community Gaylan Mathiesen

My Grandmother’s House is Underwater

FAITH & FELLOWSHIP Volume 78 - Number 5

Rod Spidahl

Director of Communications: Tim Mathiesen tmathiesen@clba.org | twitter: @ffmag

Roy Heggland

Editor: Brent Juliot bjuliot@clba.org

Aftershock of Mercy

Publisher/Graphic Designer: Troy Tysdal ttysdal@clba.org

Estate Planning FAQ’s

Joshua Bengtson

Snap Shot Cheryl Olsen Do You Innovate? George Stoddard Convention Updates

18 20

Questions? Kathleen Kjolhaug Church & Synod News re:Think Brent Juliot

Photography: Joshua Bengtson: Cover Photo, p.11 Troy Tysdal: p.2 (Minot, ND), p.5 Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright ©1973. 1978. 1984. International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Pray on!

Praising God’s Mercy

SHEL SORENSEN

Enjoying my breakfast cereal I could see the baby house finches peeking over the edge of their nest. Mom and dad finch soon arrived, and what a clamor! “Feed me; no, me first; don’t forget me,” they seemed to cheep. Clearly God was providing for his creatures. “The mercies of God never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22, 23). The Apostle Paul beseeches his readers to gratefully consider the mercies of God and to offer themselves to him (Romans 12:1). Just what are these God-given mercies that, by definition, we have not earned and do not deserve? God’s love his grace the Holy Spirit eternal joy saving faith his peace comfort strength wisdom hope patience kindness forgiveness righteousness eternal life reconciliation justification sanctification true freedom and so much more. In your prayers today, praise God for his many mercies “new every morning. Great is his faithfulness.” I can imagine my little finch friends doing that, too! (See Psalm 148:10.) Shel Sorensen is the CLB Prayer Team Coordinator. 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 His Mercy TROY TYSDAL

Scripture tells us about moments when divine judgment has come upon the earth. The prophets of old pointed forward to these moments of judgment and called them “the day of the Lord.” The prophet Amos said, “Why do you long for the day of the Lord? That day will be darkness, not light” (Amos 5:8). The prophets tell us that without God’s mercy no one would survive these moments of judgment; no one would survive because all are guilty of sin. The cross was just such a moment. A moment in which God came to collect the debt that was owed him. On that day, almost 2,000 years ago, sin would be dealt with, one way or another, and for those who believe, once and for all. Picture it. Roman guards torturing Jesus, God’s chosen one, while – unknown to them – judgment was gathering in the sky. Laughter came from the earth below; one of the guards had created a crown of thorns and placed it on the head of God’s Christ. Others had stripped him naked and were casting lots for his clothing. Above them twelve legions of angels watched, waiting for Jesus to speak, ready to pour out the wrath of God on all humankind. Below, the priests mocked Jesus as the cross was raised up and dropped into the ground. Finally Jesus spoke. All of heaven was silent, waiting for his command, but Jesus said, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). The verdict was in: “Mercy!” Our debt was cancelled as the sins of all the world were transferred to Jesus and punished on the cross. MATTHEW 18:23-35 Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven www.ffmagazine.org

is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ “The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. “Then the master called the servant

in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” On the cross Jesus took the debt we could not pay, and paid it in full. As children of God, justified by the blood of Christ, we live in response to his grace and mercy. We love as he loves us, and we forgive as he forgives us. We are new creations, reflections of his love, and living examples of his mercy. We represent his Kingdom. We proclaim his mercy and we point forward to the day he will return to judge the living and the dead, the day of the Lord. Troy Tysdal is Church Resource Coordinator for the CLB and serves as associate pastor at Stavanger Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN.

Mercy! Mercy! MATT LUNDGREN

ercy! Mercy!” I cried as I struggled for breath. I remember being pinned to the ground during a wrestling match with my older brother. The only way he would get his much larger frame off of scrappy little me was if I were to cry for “mercy.” Which I did. Repeatedly. And finally, after a few more seconds of squashing that seemed like an eternity, Scott got off of me. Now, before you start thinking that Scott was a bad guy, I deserved the squashing and a lot more. I had taunted and teased him to the point that big brother had finally had enough of little brother’s lip. Hence, the squashing. I think I have a permanently misshapen rib cage from the countless times that this scenario played out in the back yard of our Wisconsin home. Have you ever cried for mercy? Did you ever deserve a pounding and get by with a scolding instead? Did you ever get let off the hook when you were caught red handed? Have you received mercy? The 4

word “mercy” pops up over 120 times in the Bible and one such occasion is the parable of the unmerciful servant found in Matthew 18:24-35 (see page 3). This account is sandwiched between our Lord’s directive for church discipline and his teaching on divorce. This suggests that understanding and practicing mercy is no lightweight topic. And truth be told, if we desire to live out our faith according to Jesus’ teaching, we are called to correctly apply mercy in our churches and our families. But for most of us, this idea of mercy does not come naturally. Instead we want justice. We want to see people punished for their crimes. We want to make sure things are fair, at least from our perspective. We want to be the arbiters of right and wrong. And if on rare occasion we step out of line and sin, then of course we want God and others to be merciful to us. But offering mercy to others is as hard for us as tithing – if not harder! That is why we so desperately need to look at a biblical picture of mercy.

In Jesus’ introduction to this parable of the unmerciful servant, our Lord tells us that this is what the kingdom of heaven is like. The kingdom of heaven is a kingdom of mercy. Mercy is offered and mercy is commanded. When I consider the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 3 that “all of us are guilty and all of us deserve eternal death,” I am overjoyed that God’s kingdom includes mercy. Mercy for me with enough left over to give to others. We need this undeserved gift so much. Without it, who could enter the kingdom? As the parable unfolds and the characters develop, I find myself confronted with my own mercilessness. I want the king – God – to squash that unmerciful servant, to deal harshly with this sinner! I want justice. I want revenge. But, in reflecting on my feelings toward that unmerciful servant, I find myself conflicted. I am so unmerciful. While I try to tell myself that I am motivated to see the unmerciful servant punished because of the way he treats the one who Faith & Fellowship

owed him a small sum, in reality, this is a deflection. I want to use the shortcomings of that unmerciful servant to protect myself from seeing who I really am. Who of us hasn’t been quick to condemn a sinner? Who of us doesn’t want others punished while we get off unscathed? And who of us, when confronted with our own sin, doesn’t first seek to blame others? I am broken by Jesus’ words and the severity of this parable. I am slain by the law of God convicting me that my judgments are all too frequent and all too wrong. And this is exactly when God has me where he wants me. I cry to God for “Mercy!” With King David I say, “‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’ – and you forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:5). Is there something that has you pinned down? Has mercilessness invaded your heart and begun directing your life? Your marriage? Your giving? Your attitude toward a co-worker? Your criticism of the next or the previous generation? If you are www.ffmagazine.org

under the spell of sin and become convicted by the law of God pointing out your lack of mercy toward others, perhaps you have not truly received mercy. Like the unmerciful servant, if you find yourself wanting to make sure others get their comeuppance – while writing off your own wrongs – then you are discounting the debt that was paid to free you from your sins. You need to go to “the king” and “beg that you will not be thrown into prison till your debt can be paid.” To enter into the kingdom of God, a kingdom of mercy, you must show mercy. On the other hand, if you believe that you are unlovable and that there is no way that your huge sins can be forgiven, then you too are missing out on God’s mercy. God demonstrated his love for you by this: While you were still sinning, Christ died for you. (See Romans 5:8.) There is no amount of bondage or self-loathing that can keep you from God’s mercy. His kingly rule will prevail. Realize that the king has

offered you his mercy and it is yours for the taking. To enter into the kingdom of God, a kingdom of mercy, you must receive his mercy. May we live in this spirit of forgiveness, receiving God’s mercy and practicing mercy toward others. As Jude 21 says, “Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” Matthew Lundgren is pastor of Yellowstone Lutheran Brethren Church in Billings, MT.

Mercy and Community GAYLAN MATHIESEN

he worship service had just finished and Mike, Frank and Dan (not their real names) gathered at the back of the sanctuary visiting with each other. The topic was their desire to win their friends and relatives to Christ and his Church. A few minutes into the conversation, their pastor joined them. The congregation had struggled for years with the challenges of cultivating a sense of unity and oneness, and at one point the pastor raised the inevitable question, “If we were to bring someone to our church, would that person see Christ in us and be drawn to him?” Immediately, everyone’s mind turned to some longstanding issues that needed addressing. If they were to become a loving, welcoming Christian community, they all would need to do some hard, honest reflecting and seek the Lord’s direction through dwelling in God’s Word together. The Church in mission is not merely a 6

collection of individuals; it is a community that God calls and sets apart to demonstrate his transforming work and reign on earth, and to point toward the glorious future that awaits all who love him. Every congregation does this imperfectly, of course, and yet it is precisely through this motley assembly of sinners saved by grace that people get a glimpse of who God is, what he has done in Jesus Christ, and what he is still doing. Amazing! Community is at the heart of God’s intent for his Church – Jesus comes to people through God’s holy Word and the sacraments, and also through the tangible loving acts of God’s people. Luther said it like this: “We now want to return to the gospel, which gives guidance and help against sin in more than one way, because God is extravagantly rich in his grace: first, through the spoken word, in which the forgiveness of sins is preached to the

whole world (which is the proper function of the gospel); second, through baptism; third, through the holy Sacrament of the Altar; fourth, through the power of the keys and also through the mutual conversation and consolation of brothers and sisters. Matthew 18[:20]: ‘where two or three are gathered…’” (Robert Kolb & Timothy J. Wengert, eds., “Smalcald Articles, Part III, Article 4,” The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mpls: Fortress Press, 2000). While the preaching and teaching of God’s Word along with the sacraments are of primary importance in defining how God’s grace comes to us, let’s focus for a bit on the last phrase in the above quote from Dr. Luther, “through the power of the keys and also through the mutual conversation and consolation of brothers and sisters.” This too, said Luther, is how God is “extravagantly rich in his grace” Faith & Fellowship

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

among us. The examples included in this phrase reflect the grace-filled life of a truly Christian community. We seldom mention the “power of the keys” these days, but this refers to how the Church deals with matters of sin, generally through the preaching of law and gospel and the administration of the sacraments. What is of special interest for us here is Luther’s phrase, “the mutual conversation and consolation of brothers and sisters.” This goes beyond the kind of chitchat that typically takes place in the foyer or at the church potluck, which we fondly think of as “fellowship.” However, let’s not underestimate the power of food! Right away in the Book of Acts we see the early church worshipping together and eating together. Our goal, however, is the fostering of genuine Christian community that centers on Christ and in turn prepares and leads us to participate more fully in the mission of the Triune God. Christian community goes beyond simply attending a worship service for one hour a week, or providing good food and coffee in the “fellowship” hall. For example, worship needs to provide an opportunity to meet with and interact with God in an active way. We need to hear what is true and good and live it out. Similarly, we need to go beyond just supplying good food and coffee and see these times as opportunities for meaningful conversation that results in mutually caring for one another. In one church that I served, we encouraged worshippers to stay afterward and visit. We provided snacks and beverages, and www.ffmagazine.org

clusters of people formed where brothers and sisters in Christ shared what was going on their lives. It became customary to see a group form around someone who had a special need, praying for that brother or sister with the laying on of hands. Deep spiritual bonds formed in that setting. The next week there would be follow-up, and another time of prayer might follow: “… mutual conversation and consolation…” Elsewhere I’ve seen community expressed in the form of helping a busy mother get her house ready for all the relatives coming to visit at Christmas; the guys getting together to tear a roof off of a house and frame in a second story while the ladies prepared lunch; and financially supporting a brother going across country to visit his terminally ill father. We call these “ministries of mercy” – mutually consoling one another in tangible ways that encourage faith. What happens in the church is then more easily extended out to our neighbors. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Since we still carry with us our fallen natures, our Christian communities suffer attacks and division creeps in. Oftentimes the source will be wrong assumptions about what others have said or done. We frequently fall into “thinking other people’s thoughts for them.” A community that values one another will encourage open communication. A believer might go to the perceived offender and say something like this, “I value my relationship with you and

don’t want anything to come between us, so I wonder if I could share something with you and hear your perspective on it.” To give the other a chance to respond to our perception is to exercise mercy toward that one, and it also makes it much more difficult for the enemy of our souls to sow seeds of division. Frequently, when members have done this, they’ve reported back to me that “it was all a misunderstanding.” And when it hasn’t been a misunderstanding, there’s been an opportunity for repentance, forgiveness and healing. Through reconciliation a stronger community emerges, and the church better resembles our God who reconciled us all to himself through his Son. Going back to Mike, Frank and Dan – their church began to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit according to God’s Word; and as they acted on that guidance a sense of community and unity grew. As their lives backed their words, neighbors and relatives also came to faith. “God is extravagantly rich in grace…through the mutual conversation and consolation of brothers and sisters…‘where two or three are gathered…’” 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.

My Grandmother’s House is Underwater

Drawing by Josh of Our Redeemer’s LBC

ROD SPIDAHL

ow do I give you, brothers and sisters, a picture of the ongoing disaster that has engulfed us in Minot, North Dakota? It is on a child’s drawing received during a “Tell Me Your Flood Story” time with children at Our Redeemer’s three weeks after the flood, while water still stood five feet deep in many basements, and houses bore the “muck-line” five or six feet up on the outside walls. One drawing’s caption: 8

“Sharks are in the house.” Another drawing of jagged blue and brown lines told the story, “A wave ate up our house.” Tom (not his real name) said, with years of frustration and fears pouring out in voice and tears, “When the sirens sounded, it seemed I was transported back to the flood of 1969 and being a nine-year old, filled with apprehension when my uncle came in from the farm with his grain truck and said we’d have to load what we could real fast.”

Tom began goofing around with his brother, then fighting and chasing. His brother went to the garage and as Tom tried to climb in through a partially opened heavy garage door, it slammed on his fingers, crushing the ends on both hands. He was worthless to help move and save things. Tom spoke with choking emotion, “All my life I’ve felt I failed my family when I should have been doing something. I’m reliving that failure and pain and guilt again now and I want to Faith & Fellowship

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27 & 26

run away. The encouragement when Shawn and Steve came to my house and just began ripping out moldy paneling and sheet rock was huge. I now realize God wants me to heal and to learn to help. I want this flood of 2011 to be a place of healing and a time of redemption for me.” The facts are tough enough: • 4000 or so homes in the Minot area in the water. • Over 90 families from Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Brethren Church and School had homes in the flood waters. • After fighting the flood for weeks, then being told we made it, the announcement came that 7 to 10 feet of water was coming out of Canada – they had to open the floodgates of the dams that were supposed to protect us. • Uncertainty abounds as to buyouts, green zones, and flood plain, with freeze-up and snow only 12 weeks away. The psychological, emotional, physical and relational strains get to the breaking point in a time like this. Pastors and staff are at risk. I was told that 75% of the pastors from churches in this kind of a disaster will leave within a year. At a recent meeting of major agencies like the Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, the Southern Baptists, Assemblies of God national workers, and many others, it was said that we have 80-100 requests for help on lists, but no workers. It was asked again and again, “Where are the volunteers?” “Why has the national media forgotten us just when we need the most help?” There were no answers, only the weight of silence at the enormity of the task. www.ffmagazine.org

Did God ordain the flood? How much was human error? Who can people blame? Many families are pulling together, but some are elderly, alone and tired. Some are young couples in a new community without support networks. Their lives paint the real, ongoing truth right now in the Minot area – people the national media has forgotten, looking for a little help and with it, hope. We so earnestly desire Christ’s body to be there – caring, touching, reaching out. There are many stories of hope, of helping and of real community. People who previously had not conversed with neighbors in years were now sharing in tasks and talking daily! The new openness to prayer and new spirit of giving, sharing and receiving is an evidence of spiritual renewal. God is providing in and through people of gospel compassion. In the churches, one sees those who are servants and those who are not. One sees the best of people and the worst of people. Volunteers have stepped up to offer time to coordinate, supervise, go again and again into the muck and stench of backedup sewer waters, offering Jesus’ love, one shovel, one prayer, one wheel-barrow at a time. This gives hope, and one begins to sense what real love costs, what it will give and whom it will serve. What can you do? Come see for yourself! Pictures and stories cannot convey the weight of this flood. Come and listen, look, smell the unique odor of floodwater in homes for four weeks with 80-90 degree temperatures. Come and participate in the pain and struggle of brothers and sisters unable, in spite of their best efforts, to save their homes and life’s collection of tools, pictures and keepsakes. Come with heart and hands open to help! Minot and Our Redeemer’s are in need of workers, listeners, prayers, people to deliver drinks, give rides, answer phone calls, cook meals, and tear out ruined carpeting, sheet-rock and siding so that homes can dry out.

Hear the voice of Elaine Soberg, a whitehaired widow, as she clutches a dozen-odd photos of her once beautiful little home, her love of flower beds and neatness just jumping out of the photos. “This is where my son and I lived for many years,” Elaine recalls, her voice with an echo-like tone. “Look at those beautiful flowers, the back yard – all gone, all ruined and dead now.” I tried to console her, to remind her that the memories were real too, but she had not yet had the time of grieving due her. Her next words made my weariness and numbness of fighting the flood and mobilizing and giving seem like I was a whiner. She is wondering who will help her. I realized again that there was no one who could help Elaine and dozens and dozens of others like her in time to stop the mold, in time to give hope in these few brief weeks of opportunity, in time for the cold, unless they would lay aside their normal tasks to do something extra-ordinary, something non-logical and against the routines we all love so much. Paul wrote asking Timothy to bring his cloak and to come soon, knowing that winter was approaching (2 Timothy 4:913). Paul says he has few that he can count on. Demas is in love with this present world and others will not come (want to be at the lake!). If you are thinking of coming to Minot, stop thinking and come! Come now, before winter. Rev. Rod Spidahl is senior pastor of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Brethren Church, Minot, ND.

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Estate Planning FAQs ROY HEGGLAND

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Q: Does the size of my estate determine whether or not I need an estate plan? A: As his stewards, God wants us to decide how to use (and give away) whatever he has entrusted to us. Without an estate plan, these decisions are left to others. Q: Where should I start? A: Begin with these questions: Whom do you want to inherit your assets? Do you want your estate plan to reflect biblical stewardship? Whom do you want raising your minor children if both parents have died? If you are physically or mentally unable to make financial or medical decisions, whom do you want making those decisions for you? A basic estate plan that legally provides answers to all these questions will contain, at a minimum, a will, a power of attorney, and a health care directive (also referred to as a living will). For most people, a revocable living trust may also make sense. Q: If I die without a will, who inherits my estate? A: Dying without a will triggers the “intestate” laws of your state of residence (with minor exceptions). Those laws provide for a distribution of your individually-held assets which may be very different from what you would have chosen. This can cause confusion, disruption, and unnecessary expenses for your heirs. In addition, no gifts will be made from your estate to your church. Q: If I die without a will, who will decide who becomes the guardian of my minor children? A: A will is the place to designate a guardian for your minor children. If neither parent has a will and both die, then the state will appoint a guardian. This person may not be the one you would have chosen. Q: Don’t I have to be wealthy to benefit from a revocable living trust? A: The major reason for executing a revocable living trust is to avoid the time and costs of a public probate proceeding.

To have effect, a will must be filed with a probate court upon death. However, a trust will distribute assets as the trust designates and is not subject to approval by a probate court. A properly drafted estate plan which includes a revocable living trust will also contain a “pour over will” which appoints guardians for minor children and makes sure that all assets will be subject to the terms of the trust. Q: Is it a good idea to talk to my family about my estate plan? A: End-of-life issues and inheritance can be difficult for family. By discussing your intentions with your family, including any charitable gifts you have designated, you help to prevent confusion and disagreements among your heirs. They especially need to know your wishes regarding how medical decisions should be made if you cannot make them. Q: Are there ways to give gifts to my church now that will continue to pay income to me and also provide an income tax deduction? A: If you place income-producing property into a charitable remainder trust, income from the property can be paid to you while you are living, a portion of the value of the property can be deducted from your taxable income in the year you placed it into the trust, and the property passes to your church at your death. So, what now? If you don’t have a will, power of attorney and health care directive, make plans to get them done as soon as possible. If you do have all three documents, you need to check them regularly to make sure they still represent your wishes and comply with current federal and state law. Remember that being a faithful steward includes having an estate plan which reflects your care for your family and your partnership in the gospel with your church. Roy Heggland serves the CLB as Associate for Biblical Stewardship.

Faith & Fellowship

Aftershock of Mercy

UPDATE

JOSHUA BENGTSON

hen the earthquake hit on March 11, I was at home alone working on an art assignment. I felt a little rumble and decided to go outside just in case the shaking got worse. That was definitely the right decision. The moment I stepped out the front door, the ground started to shake and shift so hard, I was forced into a kneeling position to keep my balance. I had a flashback of news reports from the earthquake in New Zealand the month before, in which a building collapsed on a group of Japanese exchange students. Since I was already in the right position, I felt it the perfect time to start praying. I have to admit, even though I was praying, I felt scared stiff at the time. The first two weeks after the earthquake were weeks that tried my patience. The earthquake did not heavily affect Ayashi, the town we live in. Ayashi is far inland and hilly, so we were a safe distance from the tsunami. It was hard because I knew I lived relatively close to the tsunamistricken area, but there was no way to get there. All forms of transportation, the trains, busses and subway, were shut down. There was no electricity so the gasoline stations couldn’t pump gas. It was agonizing to know that only people on the outside (from non-effected areas) with access to gas were able to go help. My dad was the first of my family to get out to the disaster zone. Unfortunately, the team he went with had only one extra seat at first, which left no room for me in the van. This came as a big disappointment, but in the meantime I was able to find things to do to help out around the neighborhood and at church. The church became a hangout spot for kids and teens while school was canceled. I would say the average Japanese teen is usually not accustomed to hugs, but you could tell everyone was looking for the extra affection. Each night my dad brought back photos and stories of where he had been, whom www.ffmagazine.org

Five year old Souta, showing off his toys and his tool kit. His home was damaged in the Tsunami.

he had met, and what (horrific things) he had seen. I felt very restless, but he kept telling me, “You’ll get plenty of opportunities; remember, we’ll be in this for the long run.” This became part of my prayer. “Dear Jesus, please give me an opportunity to help soon. Please show me what I can do when the right time comes.” On March 22, I got my first opportunity. I joined a team as a translator for an American couple who came to provide water purifiers to evacuation centers. This kind of help was right down my alley. In the weeks to come (now months past), just as my dad said, I had plenty of opportunities. I helped with unloading, packaging, and reloading supplies at the Samaritan’s Purse warehouse for a while. I went along on many trips to distribute relief supplies such as food, blankets, tools, etc. to local churches. And most recently, I have been helping with cleaning up and mudding out houses in the neighborhood of Shintate in Ishinomaki. One thing is for sure; I have not been bored! I feel very blessed to be in the position I’m in. God protected our church, both the building and the whole congregation. I get the great privilege of passing out all these donated supplies. And I have a warm home to come home to after I’m done working. The people that we are helping have to live in this mess 24-7, and they sleep on cots in crowded gymnasiums. The rich and the poor, now everyone is equal, everyone has nothing. It’s a great comfort to know that I’m in God’s hands, that my citizenship is in heaven, and that my identity lies in him, not in worldly belongings. Please pray that my family members and I, along with other Christians in the area, will have many chances to share this comfort with the people of Tohoku (Northeastern) Japan. Joshua Bengtson is the son of Dean and Linda Bengtson, missionaries in Sendai, Japan. He is currently attending college in Japan.

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CHERYL OLSEN

Grace Unfolded

trio of Geraghty women unfolded the idea of God’s grace in the cool June morning to a gathering at Tuscarora Inn. Like the layers of an onion, our reserve was peeled away, and our tears became more profuse as one by one they shared their stories. Stories of God making his presence known; his grace flowing through his people; his grace revealed in his Word; his sustaining grace through tragedy. Laying a biblical foundation, Cindy Geraghty emphasized that God’s grace is a gift, free and meant to be received and given. He is gifting us with himself daily! Then God calls us to minister that grace to others, in an imperfect world to imperfect people. Cindy poignantly shared an example of a friend who extended grace to her while she grieved her father’s death. A simple task of washing a floor together lifted the fog for her. She encouraged us to prayerfully ask God to give us balance; to minister in a way that would encourage others; to share with no expectation of return, being motivated by a heart that is grateful for what it has already received. Her daughter Ellen spoke of grace as unconditional love received from God – being declared worthy and forgiven. She offered a $5 bill to an audience participant, and then proceeded to berate it, crumple it, and stomp on it! Yet the woman still wanted it, because the U.S. Treasury seal on it declared its worth. It is the God of the universe who declares us worthy and forgiven! Ellen shared how this understanding of God’s grace made its way from her head to her heart. As a college athlete, Ellen’s identity was often tied to her performance. But God used some unexpected vessels of grace to show her his love, and then used her as a vessel to other women all over the world through Athletes in Action. 12

Mother and daughters: Cindy Geraghty, Ellen Geraghty, and Anne Weed

“It’s freeing to know that God doesn’t ask me to carry the burden of being the perfect source, but what he’s asked me to be is an incredibly broken, yet forgiven, grace-full vessel.” Youngest daughter Anne’s story of her husband’s tragic death in a motorcycle accident transfixed us. She began by saying that God’s grace had been present in her whole life in different forms, and it was only by his grace that she was even here. She told two stories: one of the emotional pain she experienced from someone who refused to extend grace and forgiveness to her, and second, the anguish of Joe’s death – where God’s grace visibly flowed to her through many. As we vicariously lived the ordeal through Anne’s words, it was clear that God was the one who prompted and enabled gracefilled responses at the accident scene, and in the days to come. Speaking transparently to the audience,

she remarked that the grace of God that is needed in day-to-day living is sometimes harder than the grace needed in tragedy. God calls us to be vessels of his grace to people who aren’t our close friends, difficult people, people who hurt us. She challenged us to be willing, when difficult moments happen, for God to flow through us. Her question for all of us was: “Will you be willing to be the vessel?” Cheryl Olsen is Information Coordinator for Women’s Ministries of the CLB. VISIT WMCLB ONLINE

www.wmclb.com

Faith & Fellowship

GEORGE STODDARD

The Armor of God

ive me a chance to illustrate and I will. It started with “Show and Tell” in grade school and I never stopped. Fueling this passion is one of the most memorable quotes from my seminary years by Dr. Alvin Rogness, “Make sure your illustrations illustrate.” Now, the rest of the story. A while back some “Mad Money” came in, and I went shopping. I was not after the usual things. I was after a suit of Roman armor. The real stuff. Re-enactment quality, meaning the steel is real steel, the horsehair crest is real horsehair, and so on. The only difference between what I found and what the Apostle Paul saw in his day is that mine isn’t two thousand years old. So when I preach or teach on the whole armor of God, you know what happens – I illustrate to the max. I was asked to teach on the Armor of God for the adult Bible classes at the Pacific Region North Family Bible Camp at Warm Beach near Stanwood, Washington. For eight class periods we explored the meaning of the armor. Mine is physical, ours is spiritual. Both are very real. The most memorable lesson for me has to do with putting on the breastplate. This story starts the day before the class on righteousness was to be taught. CLB President Joel Egge had arrived in camp just in time for the evening meal, and he happened to get in line right behind me. After a cordial greeting, he said he was

looking forward to attending my next class. I asked him if he would like to put on some righteousness. He said, sure, he wouldn’t mind putting on a robe. I left it at that. As class started the next morning, I invited Rev. Egge to come forward. I proceeded to take the steel breastplate off the display stand and put it on him. I want you to know it is heavy and awkward the first time you put it on. He was a great sport. The lesson is: the breast plate has to be fitted. I have an armorer who bends the steel plates to fit me. It would take considerable re-fitting to make it fit President Egge comfortably. When we put on the righteousness of God, the Holy Spirit takes considerable time and work to make it fit well. The first time you forgave someone from your heart, it was awkward and heavy. With the Spirit adjusting things to your temperament and personality, you find forgiveness fitting much better. The same is true for all these expressions of righteousness. That is an example of what can be vividly illustrated with the armor. Having the armor, caring for it, keeping the rust off, and wearing the armor reveals all kinds of new insights into what it means to put on the whole armor of God. Rev. George Stoddard serves as pastor at Immanuel LBC in Eugene, OR.

Know Your Equipment

Be l t of Truth

Bre as tpl ate o f Ri gh te o us n e s s

Shield o f F a it h

EPHESIANS 6:10-18

Helm et o f Sa lv a t io n

Sw o rd o f t h e Spir it

Eastern Regional Meeting

UPDATE

ROGER VIKSNES

can vaguely remember, from my childhood, large district meetings that felt more like family reunions than business sessions, as people ventured up to the colorful panorama of the New England autumns. I am not certain that these memories are true but am reminded of them after this year’s Eastern Region biennial convention. We met together June 24-26 at beautiful Tuscarora Inn & Conference Center. Our first goal was to have people attend, and we ended up having representation from every single Eastern Region church, stretching from Florida to Ohio to Road Island. Our second goal was to have an event that spurred on in the minds of the

people and congregations in the east the idea that we are one region. As such, we are in a sense one large church, serving together throughout a massive geographical area. And that is exactly what happened. There was such a strong sense of community and unity that we can now fully begin to bite into the vision that God has for us jointly as a Region. It was such a blessing to also partner together with Women’s Ministries of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, as they held their annual meeting at the same time. This partnership not only provided more opportunity for delegates but also, when combined, brought an even larger mass of God’s children together for worship.

On Saturday evening we all gathered together and joyfully affirmed the call of our Regional Pastor Warren Geraghty as he was installed to that position. We want to give a special thanks also to Rev. Matthew Rogness, Dr. David Veum, Rev. Stan Olsen, and Rev. Steve Brue for joining us and giving reports from our larger CLB ministries. Roger Viksnes is Regional Chairman for the CLB Eastern Region.

Central Regional Meeting

UPDATE

JOEL NORDTVEDT

he first Central Region Biennial Convention took place on June 24-26 at Heartwood Conference Center, near Trego, Wisconsin. With about 190 people registered (including 45 children), we gathered around the theme, “Connected.” Friday evening Kevin Olson spoke on John 15:1-8 (“Connected to Christ, by his Word, to Bear Fruit”). Dr. Gene Boe taught three sessions on evangelism. One of them was titled, “The Church’s Four ‘E’s: Evangelize, Establish, Edify, and Equip.” A panel of three followed up by sharing how they have seen this process worked out in their respective churches. We divided into groups, according to regional clusters, to discuss and plan ways to support each other, reach our neighbors for Christ, plant new churches, and accomplish new cluster ministries. 14

On Saturday, the CLB Women’s Ministries–Central Region met for reports and business. After some time to enjoy the conference center, we conducted the Central Region Business meeting. After a delicious dinner, we met again for worship, with Brad Pribbenow preaching on John 17:1-19, “Connected, Protected, and Perfected.” The convention ended with Sunday morning worship with President Joel Egge speaking from John 17:20-26 on the theme, “So the World Might Believe.” The Bethany LBC worship team from Colfax, Wisconsin led us in worship for each session. Many volunteers provided child care and activities for the Kids’ Klub Program. The fellowship was wonderful – giving us all a chance to mingle and get to know people from other churches. There were many who had never attended a Lutheran Brethren convention before.

All in all, the convention was deemed a great success! There seemed to be an overwhelming sentiment that the Heartwood venue was perfect for our first Central Region Biennial Convention. And we all left with great anticipation of our next convention two years from now. Rev. Joel Nordtvedt is Regional Pastor for the CLB Central Region.

Faith & Fellowship

UPDATE

Pacific North Regional Meeting

STAN OLSEN

t had already been a great week of learning and fellowship at the Pacific North Bible Camp at Warm Beach, but when Saturday rolled around it was time for the first Pacific North Biennial meeting. The business session was held in the morning led by Regional Chairman Larry Fransson, from 10:15 a.m. to noon following the regularly scheduled morning Bible study. Then after lunch there were five seminars presented: “A Testimony of God’s Grace” by CLB President Joel Egge; “Reaching the World on our Doorstep: International Students and Immigrants” by Joel Nordtvedt; “Reaching Out: Motorcycles, Wild Game Dinners and Backyard BBQs” by Gary Witkop; “Elder

and Pastor Training” by Steve Paulson; and “Recharge – Renew – Refresh: A Women’s Ministries Roundtable” by Ruth Vallevik. The business session included reports, elections and adoption of a budget. Of particular interest in the business session were updates from the two churches receiving subsidy from the Region. Both reported that the Lord was clearly at work in their ministries, while at the same time there were definite financial challenges for them as a result of the economic downturn. Also of interest was the report of how God is working among the young adults of the Region, and subsequently a budget line item was added to support this work. The seminars in the afternoon were both well

received and well attended, and there was a great sense of anticipation for what God will be doing throughout the Region in the ensuing two years. All in all, it was a great start for the first Pacific North Regional Biennial meeting. Rev. Stan Olsen is Regional Pastor for the CLB Pacific Region.

WM National Conference

UPDATE

CHERYL OLSEN

he Women’s Ministries National Conference was held this year in conjunction with the Eastern Region Convention, Saturday, June 25, 2011. “Unfolding Grace,” the Conference theme, continued to unfold throughout the weekend. Our keynote address this year was given by a mother-daughter team of Cindy Geraghty, wife of Regional Pastor Warren Geraghty, and daughters Ellen Geraghty and Anne Weed. In a powerful presentation, all three unfolded God’s grace to us, challenging us to be vessels of God’s grace to those around us. Breakout sessions gave opportunities to learn in smaller venues twice during the day from the following speakers: Lecia Grandstaff – Grace for Unity in Ministry, Kristina Grandstaff – Reaching Out with Grace, Annie Kitchin – Transforming www.ffmagazine.org

Grace, Ellen Geraghty – Growing into Grace, and Lil Foss – Grace Under Pressure. In the session Unfolded Grace we learned that because of generous April giving, we were within $300 of making our budget. We watched a slide presentation of completed projects and a glimpse of projects for next year: 1) Focus on Pastors’ Wives and 2) Continuing Projects. (Details at www. wmclb.com) In addition to the Conference on June 25, WMCLB also sponsored additional opportunities during the Eastern Regional Convention weekend: 1. Friday, June 24, during the Hands of Grace day, a group of women painted two youth rooms at Brooklyn’s 59th Street Church.

2. Saturday, June 25, a “teen track” was provided for several girls who attended the Conference with their mothers. 3. Sunday, June 26, after the Regional worship service at Tuscarora, women toured New York City, including a Broadway play – some extending their stay to include sightseeing from Monday through Tuesday morning. 2012 Annual Conference will be in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, during the August 2-5 National Biennial Convention of the CLB. Cheryl Olsen is Information Coordinator for Women’s Ministries of the CLB. VISIT WMCLB ONLINE

www.wmclb.com

Questions? KATHLEEN KJOLHAUG

an a tsunami go over the mountains? Is it faster than an airplane?” These questions were sincerely asked by the driver as we sat in the pick-up truck taking us to our destination in Haiti. The caregiver and overseer of a newly resurrected children’s home was bringing us home… to his home of twenty-nine orphaned children. Truth be told, I’d never thought much about that question, but when mouthed by someone who fears this reality, I looked at it differently. Fear shone in his eyes as he searched ours for reassurance that life couldn’t get much worse… could it? “Will Japan be poor now, too?” In his mind, they now had common ground. When the bottom had literally dropped from beneath that country as well, he wondered why that part of the world doesn’t become just as poverty stricken. His confused expression said 16

it all. We tried to explain that they had a few more economic policies in place, but we quickly changed the subject as his chin dropped and a look of futile shame crept across his face. “Does it get below five degrees?” When we informed him that indeed it can get colder than that, he asked, “How do people take showers when it is so cold? How does the water come out?” “Do you live far from the airport?” Putting it into the context of what he was asking, we merely told him, “Ten hours.” His perception was that of one airport per country; we did not expound upon our statement. “Do you know John Deere? Does he live by you?” We said we did not know him, and that indeed it is the name of a business. We all shrugged wondering just who John Deere truly was, and I made a note to perhaps find out once home.

“Do you like Obama? Republicans want to see him fail!” This guy is smart. He was wise indeed and highly perceptive. His questions would come sporadically, showing genuine curiosity. “Are all Americans millionaires? We think they are.” We told him they were not and pulled out pictures of our large families. He seemed unconvinced, and I suppose relatively speaking, yes, we are all millionaires. How do you describe a rainbow to someone who has not seen one? How do you respond to questions from someone who has no basis with which to grasp your response? I have no answers, but the purity in which the questions were asked was gift enough to respond gently in love. Uplifting that which they did have was paramount. The new handle for the well and food for the Faith & Fellowship

children were both pluses. Three healthy babies returning from the hospital, the wooden cribs fixed, and a water filter system giving hope for troubled tummies were notable accomplishments. Scabies under control, a nurse on staff at all times, and the hope of a doctor coming next month were major victories. The repaired front door and the flat roof now utilized as a play area were bright spots in a very chaotic world. Chaos is relative when you are living at the epicenter where an earthquake took place just one year ago. As night gave way to darkness, songs were lifted high among the workers, bringing a sense of order to this world. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below. Praise him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” www.ffmagazine.org

The words brought closure to another day, but also laid the foundation for hope to come in the morning. Even this hope came not of their own strength, for they had none but the Lord’s. It carried and literally sustained them from the breaking of the dawn to the setting of the sun. They relied not on their own strength because they had no strength left. In total dependence, they were carried in God’s unseen arms. With no roof overhead, no food to be had, not a penny to their names, and with only the clothes on their backs, they watched as he provided. They followed the Lead Shepherd because even their own blood families had abandoned them. “The little ones to him belong” was a reality. “God bless the day when my faith shall be sight…” was now here for each surviving member of this little group of vagabonds huddled together

under the night sky awaiting his promises. As these promises became life-sustaining with provisions poured out, new hope was building with each breaking dawn. And the words could almost be heard once more: “Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided… Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!” Amen. Kathleen Kjolhaug lives in Clearbrook, MN and attends Elim Lutheran Brethren Church.

Fellowship with one another

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011

Purifies us from all sin

Walk in the light

The blood of Jesus

1 John 1:7

YELLOWSTONE LBC

INSTALLATION

BY: MATT LUNDGREN

On Father’s Day 2010 Yellowstone LBC in Billings was battered by a huge storm that spawned tornadoes and golf ball sized hail. The church and parsonage sustained nearly $100,000 in damage. Siding was dented, shingles were shredded, screens were torn, cars were beaten, plants were defoliated and our community was in shock. It seemed that God was unmerciful at the time. But looking back now, a little over a year since the storm, when all of our repair work is done, I have a different perspective. Our community had been in a drought and in this one storm, one day, one afternoon, we had caught up on rain. We had been wondering how our small congregation would find the extra money to replace our aging roofs, rotted windows, and correct the fading on our church siding. In one swift move it was all destroyed and our faith was tested. Yet because provision had been made through our insurance company to cover the damage, it was all replaced even better than what we had before. Praise God for his provision for us in buildings, but more so in Jesus Christ!

On Sunday July 31 Ryan Nordlund was installed as pastor of Grace Lutheran Brethren Church in Bismarck, ND. Participating in the ceremony were elders, Craig Schmidt, John Berdahl, Henry Weber, Marv Miller, Pastor Allan Shaner, and Regional Pastor Gary Witkop.

Grace Lutheran Celebrates 690 Years of Marriage Grace Lutheran in Bottineau ND is blessed to have several couples that have been married for 50 or more years as of 2011. They honored these friends with a special coffee and cake after the morning service on July 24. There is a total of 690 years of marriage among these 12 couples! Thank you God!

Elwood and Eleanor Fauske - 69 yrs; Carl and Sylvia Skarphol - 67 yrs; Ray and Jo Kornkven - 67 yrs; Glenn and Anna Rose Evans - 66 yrs; Bill and Shirley Bowers - 60 yrs; Ken and Juliene Sivertson - 53 yrs; Norvin and Ruth Fylling - 53 yrs; Roger and Jean Hall - 52 yrs; Luther and JoAnn Larson - 50 yrs; Rodney and Sandra Wetzel - 50 yrs; Gordon and Marilyn Hall - 50 yrs; Norman and Mary Steinke - 50 yrs

CLB BOOK CLUB

erasinghell francis chan & preston sprinkle

Starting October 3, 2011 • Discuss a chapter each week • Sign up at ffbooks.org/bookclub

Buy the book at Faith & Fellowship Bookstore • Phone: 800-332-9232 • Online at www.ffbooks.org

Faith & Fellowship

New Resource Faith & Fellowship is proud to present Footsteps in the Promise. This resource was created to help pastors and church leaders reach young families with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Footsteps in the Promise takes its reader on a journey through the Bible’s metanarrative reaching young parents in a nonthreatening way as they teach their children. Footsteps traces the genealogy of Jesus Christ from Genesis to Revelation creating an understanding of God’s mission, his Son, and the salvation of humankind.

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Faith Fellowship Bookstore

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O rd e rs p l ace d b e fo re O ct 31, 2011 - $12. 99 R e g u l ar p ri ce - $14. 99

Unique Features Unlike many children’s Bibles, Footsteps in the Promise is written entirely in poetry form making it easy to read and fun to hear.

Each page is equipped with a section of commentary explaining the poetry above and providing Scripture references equipping parents to educate their children.

Footsteps in the Promise tells the story of salvation in just 28 easy to understand pages.

The story of salvation is told visually in 28 pages of original artwork.

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. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Faith & Fellowship, P.O. Box 655, Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56538-0655

www.ffmagazine.org

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.

ou’ll notice the theme of this issue of Faith & Fellowship is “Community and Mercy.” Originally it was envisioned as simply “Mercy.” So why the change? As the articles rolled in, there seemed to be two different angles on mercy. There is God’s mercy, whereby he withholds his righteous judgment against sinners – does not treat us as our sins warrant – because of Christ. But there was also the concept of mercy where people show kindness to those going through personal crises or widespread disasters – tsunami, earthquake and flood. These acts of mercy are motivated by the Spirit of God in the hearts of believers. So are there two (or more) kinds of mercy? During the editing process, it finally hit me. There is only one kind of mercy. Its ultimate source is the heart of God. But here are two clarifying thoughts about mercy: 1) Mercy is always (only) seen in the context of relationship. Can we show mercy to an inanimate object? No, mercy is for living things, especially people. And for us as human beings, mercy is a necessary ingredient to community. Against the background of flawed and broken relationships, any mercy shown will be vividly displayed. For these relationships to be restored or healed, mercy is absolutely necessary. If there is no mercy, there can be no true community. In God’s mercy, we see that we are invited into a relationship – community – with him. 2) Mercy is always a response to sin. We understand God to be a God of mercy, and mercy would be one his attributes whether there was sin in the world or not. But apart from sin, would we know his mercy? Would we recognize it? The tax collector in the temple could only cry, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). Mercy is for sinners, from God toward us and, in turn, from us toward others. The common denominator: all mercy is shown to those experiencing the consequences of sin – to all of us who experience the consequences of our own sin, to those who unfortunately experience the consequences of someone else’s sin, and to those who find themselves experiencing the consequences of sin upon this world in which we live in the form of disaster or tragedy. “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:10). Community and mercy. We can’t have one without the other!

Periodicals Postage Paid at Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56538

Have Mercy

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

by: Brent Juliot

LBIM

Crossing Borders Artist Laird Rice has partnered with Lutheran Brethren International Mission by donating the material and his time in the creation of several wooden crosses. The crosses are hand crafted with wood from around the world. The proceeds from each sale will be used to further the work of LBIM. The crosses are on display at Faith & Fellowship Bookstore, and can be viewed online at ffbooks.org/ crosses. F ai th & F e l l o w sh i p B o o ksto re • P h o n e : 800-33 2- 9232 V i e w O n l i n e : ffb o o ks. o rg / cro sse s