HOPE by CLB Network

Faith Fellowship Church of the Lutheran Brethren

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September/October 2012

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Vol. 79, No. 5

HOPE

Promised • Delivered • Received • Proclaiming

To help financially support this publication please visit www.CLBA.org/giving

In This Issue 4 6 8

12 14 16 18

Hope: Promised David Rinden

Hope: Delivered

FAITH & FELLOWSHIP

Hope: Received

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

Dick Mattila

Volume 79 - Number 5

David Foss

Editor: Brent Juliot bjuliot@clba.org

Family Matters Roy Heggland

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

Hope for the Journey Cheryl Olsen

Illustration/Photography: Megan Behrens: Cover Illustration

Proclaiming Hope Joel Egge

Obstacles and Solutions Jon Overland Mission: A Better Way Nathanael Szobody

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CLB News

re:Think Biennial Convention

Hearing the Call Mike Hussey

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!

Hope for the Future SHEL SORENSEN

Souta was five years old when the tsunami hit Ishinomaki on March 11, 2011. He and his mother would remain trapped on the second floor of their home for five days while his father desperately tried to make his way back to them. Forty-two miles away Joshua Bengtson was at home in Sendai when he felt the earthquake and ran outside just before the second tremor hit. Six weeks later God would bring these two together as the Bengston, with other volunteers, began to rehabilitate the home of this Japanese family. Joshua’s ever-present camera would record not only the tsunami’s devastation but its effect on the life of a Japanese boy. Over the course of the next several months Joshua spent time with Souta and became his good friend. The little boy came to trust Joshua as a big brother, even overcoming his 2

tsunami-borne anxiety whenever one of his parents would leave—as long as he was with Joshua. Joshua’s photos multiplied. When he heard that the waters had swept away all of Souta’s baby pictures, Joshua created a remarkable photo journal capturing not only the daily life of a boy, but his transformation as hope overcame trauma. Here is an MK who offered a boy and his family more than memories, much more than photographs; Joshua offered hope for the future, and the love of Jesus Christ. Pray for Souta and the hundreds of families like his. And pray, too, for our MKs and PKs who, by the power of God, rise to do extraordinary things. Pray-ers, pray on! 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 CLB Prayer Team at: pray@prayclb.org

Faith & Fellowship

Glimpse Abounding in Hope

C onve nt i on R e s ou rc e s : w w w.c onve nt i on .clbne t work . org BRENT JULIOT

ROMANS 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (ESV). It became apparent quickly that the CLB Convention, having changed to biennial format, is something not to be missed. The longer span of time between conventions makes it harder to keep track of old friends, to know who’s where, doing what. Now, to miss one convention means four years without experiencing this gathering. And it is something to experience, because we gather in Jesus’ name, seek his will for our church body, worship him together, and listen to his voice through many excellent preachers and teachers of his Word. From the perspective of first-time attendees, this has to be unlike any other convention they’ve been to. It’s more like a family reunion… and a spiritual retreat. Delegates gathered August 2-5 on the campus of Hillcrest Lutheran Academy and at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. It was an opportunity to “feel the pulse” of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. We were introduced to the 2011 and 2012 graduates of Lutheran Brethren Seminary, who were seen to have quite a variety of backgrounds, and also quite a variety of futures ahead of them. With joy, we welcomed into the denominational family a new congregation—Living Faith of Watford City, North Dakota. The Lord worked wonderfully through individuals, including the late Rev. Burton Bundy, and through neighboring CLB sister churches to plant this new congregation in a burgeoning oil town. Our collective great commission efforts beyond North America were highlighted by the formal sending of a new missionary family to the Bagirmi people in Chad. Representatives of the www.ffmagazine.org

sending congregations participated in the commissioning of Nathanael and Carrie Szobody during the Sunday morning worship service. This event, along with other mission presentations, led many delegates to remark on their deeper understanding of—and appreciation for—the Lutheran Brethren International Mission. These are mere glimpses of the full content of the convention. There were informative business sessions and committee meetings, uplifting worship services with exceptional preaching, numerous seminars on relevant topics, and many opportunities for delegates to get better acquainted with their Regional Pastors and others serving in CLB ministries. Delegates were asked, “What is the most important information, lesson or news you will take home to your congregation?” Some responses: “We are the church sent; not the sending church.” “I was impressed by how many young leaders were there and engaged! It really gave me hope for the future.”

“A wonderful, refreshing convention again. I go home feeling more united to my brothers/sisters in Christ.” “The spirit and fellowship of the convention was fantastic. I really enjoyed getting training in the seminars and training sessions; these really fed me spiritually and challenged me with necessary actions going forward.” “God is at work in the CLB, filling convention delegates with hope.” “Hope” was the key word of this convention, resonating from the theme verse, to the sermon topics, to the reports on current and future ministry opportunities. In God’s Word, through God’s Spirit, feeling “the pulse” of the CLB, delegates at the biennial convention found the overflowing hope that is in Jesus Christ alone. 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.

Hope: Promised DAVID RINDEN SERMON PREACHED AT BIENNIAL CONVENTION

ome of you may have heavy hearts today. There has been sickness, or a death of a loved one. There has been discord in your congregation. There have been financial reverses, other disappointments. The Holy Spirit has a good word for you from Romans 15:13(ESV), “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” We see hope promised in Genesis 3:815. These verses show humanity in a state of hopelessness and disobedience. But 4

there is one line of hope! The Promise. It is that line of hope people through the centuries have clung to. In the beautiful paradise God had made for Adam and Eve, there was the tree of life and there also was the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God gave them one command: “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17). But then we come to the opening sentence of Genesis 3! “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He

said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?’” Thus begins the story of human independence. A story of doubt; of unbelief; of disobedience. The story of the Fall—a fall from grace—into hopelessness and despair. Could they again abound in hope? They who had been driven from paradise? They who now knew the effects of separation from God? God taught them that there is hope for those who have sinned and hide from God. God understands temptation, sin Faith & Fellowship

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“They heard God and they hid. They felt shame. That’s what happens when we see ourselves under the searchlight of God’s law.” Rev. David Rinden

Watch t he Vi de o: w w w.c onve nt i on .clbne t work . org

and its consequences. Temptation to evil comes from Satan, who for Adam and Eve was incarnated in the serpent. Satan’s question and the response changed the course of human history. By listening to Satan, Adam and Eve doubted God’s Word; then went on to reject God’s Word; then to disobey it—and by disobeying it, established for themselves their own standard of right and wrong. “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves” (Genesis 3:7). They heard God and they hid. They felt shame. That’s what happens when we see ourselves under the searchlight of God’s law. But God knows the way out of the mess sin has caused. “Where are you?” is the question God asked. This seems like a strange question from God who is everywhere present and all-knowing. Didn’t he know? Of course. But he wanted Adam and Eve to come face to face with where they were. They were in a state of shame. They had broken God’s law and they knew it! And they tried to fix it themselves. So God came looking for them, because they did not naturally seek him. And neither do we. There is hope for those who have sinned and hide from God—for those who trust in God’s Promise. What is the Promise? Genesis 3:15, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” A descendant will come to destroy Satan who caused the curse. The curse will be lifted. www.ffmagazine.org

In the Central Church (Dome Kjerke) in Goteborg, Sweden, there is a painting that shows the head of a serpent crushed at the foot of the cross. And the words below in large letters: It Is Finished. We have the privilege of proclaiming this good news. Paul and Silas told the Philippian jailor (Acts 16:31), “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household.” The hostility has not ended—in spite of the Promise. Satan was present after the promise was made and is still present in the world. The enmity between Satan and the Promised Descendant is seen all through Scripture. In the wickedness before the flood. In the tower of Babel. In the barrenness of Sarah. It is seen in the edict of Pharaoh to kill all newborn boys. It is seen in the captivity to Babylon. At the birth of Jesus who is the Promised Descendant. King Herod tried to kill him. Seen at his temptation. Seen at Nazareth—they tried to push him off the cliff. Seen by the conflicts throughout the ministry of Jesus. Finally seen in his trial, flogging, and crucifixion. Now Satan attacks God’s people. What is our defense against such an onslaught by the tempter? The truth of God’s Word! Jesus, quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3, said: “Man does not live by bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” What is our hope? Jesus overcame Satan on the cross as he shed his blood for the sins of the world. Jesus laid down his life when he cried out the words, “It is finished.” And…Jesus overcame Satan in the tomb. Death could not hold Jesus. He arose.

Many of you know that our family faced an assault this past year as our son, Jonathan, was diagnosed with cancer and 18 weeks later died, a victim of this ravaging disease. And yet, I do not believe he was a victim. One passage especially, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, became precious to him—he wanted it as his funeral text. “We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Because Jesus has emerged as victor by his resurrection, so also will those who die in Christ. “Then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). This is the Hope Promised—as sure as God’s Word! Rev. David Rinden serves as senior pastor at Gethsemane Lutheran Brethren Church in Rochester, MN.

Ab ou nd i ng

HOP E 2012 BIENNIAL CONVENTION

CHURCH OF THE LUTHERAN BRETHREN

Hope: Delivered DICK MATTILA SERMON PREACHED AT BIENNIAL CONVENTION

hen I attended seminary in the early 1980s, Jim Jensen and I would jog around Lake Alice and memorize Scripture verses. One of the verses was Romans 15:13 (ESV), “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” This verse and Ephesians 3:20 have become favorites of mine, verses that have forever changed my life. Both verses use the Greek word dunamis. In Ephesians 3:20 the verb form is used: “Now to him who is able (dunamis) to do immeasurably more than we can 6

ask or imagine, according to his power (dunamis) that is at work within us…” This is written to people who possess this power that is already at work in them, and at work in a way that is far in excess of anything they could request in their prayers or could ever imagine. By the power.... dunamis... this Greek word carries the idea of power, ability, potential and capacity. Paul tells us it can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. In Ephesians 1:19 he says this incomparably great power (dunamis) is for us who believe. I was asked to speak at the CLB Convention on “Delivered”—to be set

free, to be emancipated, to be loosed, unchained... pardoned. Being delivered is all about the power to be freed, to be loosed, to be cleansed. In their book Rumors of God, Darren Whitehead and Jon Tyson tell the story of Catherine and Rebecca. Catherine grew up on a steady diet of Bible Study and small group experiences, going to church every week. She was actively involved in the children’s ministry and found great community in the student ministries. By the time she reached her twenties, however, she felt disillusioned. After two decades of throwing herself into the Christian Faith & Fellowship

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“Hebrews 9:11-15 tells us that the blood of Christ is unique, powerful and unmatched. Ultimately it has the power to remove sin and cleanse the conscience and free the soul from sinful bondage.” Rev. Dick Mattila

Visit: w w w.c onve nt i on .clbne t work.org subculture and trying to grow spiritually, her faith seemed stagnant—she sensed there was something more to following Jesus. She was bored, uninspired, and disappointed with her faith experience. She was in a rut. So she started to search for something else. She trained to be a make-up artist and begin to work in the modeling and entertainment industry in Chicago. This life-style was hip, fast-paced, and fascinating. One day an older lady from her church invited her to join a team headed to Costa Rica to serve women who were trying to break out of prostitution. They would train the women with alternative life and career skills so they would have new options for employment. Catherine could teach them how to apply makeup in an attractive manner. During her three months in Costa Rica she experienced something new: Loving, serving, and believing in these women. It was the most alive she had ever felt. She saw a whole new way to experience life in Christ. When she returned to Chicago she did some research and again found a most unusual way of serving women. At a strip club in the city, she worked backstage applying the women’s makeup before they went out to perform. As she selflessly loved these women, she started to build relationships with them. She decided to offer sermons on CDs from her church. No pressure. She would just bring a box of CDs and set it backstage for anyone to borrow and then return for others to use. Months later a woman named Rebecca began to show interest in the CD box. She finally asked Catherine if she could www.ffmagazine.org

borrow the whole box. Later, Catherine asked if she would like to attend church with her. “Would I be allowed in?” asked Rebecca. “Of course you would. We would love to have you.” When Rebecca came with Catherine to church the pastor met with them in the lobby and they sat at table and talked. “So you’re the pastor?” Rebecca asked “Yeah, I am.” She looked him right in the eye and asked, “Do you know what I do?” “Yeah, I do.” “Catherine is trying to tell me that God loves people like me. People who.....um, do what I do.” Tears welled up in her eyes, spilled over her long eyelashes, and started running down her cheeks. “Yes, Rebecca. God loves you deeply,” the pastor responded. “How can this be?” She asked. “I don’t understand how God can love me. I don’t even love myself.” The Pastor responded, “Rebecca, Jesus came to take away our sin and shame and replace it with grace and mercy. That is the good news—that is God’s message.” That day Rebecca received forgiveness of her sins. The power of the blood of Christ cleansed her and gave her new life. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:17–21). Today Rebecca works with Catherine in ministering to liberate other women from depravity, exploitation and pain. “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1:27–29). Hebrews 9:11-15 tells us that the blood of Christ is unique, powerful and unmatched. Ultimately it has the power to remove sin and cleanse the conscience and free the soul from sinful bondage. “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (Hebrews 9:14). This is hope delivered! Rev. Dick Mattila serves as senior pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Ferndale, WA. Visit Cornerstone Community Church online at www.cornerstoneferndale.com

Ab ou nd i ng

HOP E 2012 BIENNIAL CONVENTION

CHURCH OF THE LUTHERAN BRETHREN

Hope: Received DAVID FOSS SERMON PREACHED AT BIENNIAL CONVENTION

nybody want their “hope tank” filled? I think we can all use some hope. We can find it in the story of David and Goliath. To really enter into that story we need to remember who David was before that battle out in the Valley of Elah. David was a shepherd boy and a musician. He played the harp for King Saul. He took care of sheep. Let me ask you…what odds would you give a kid that plays the harp against a giant? David doesn’t exactly come across as a tough guy, but David was no pushover. Notice the parallels between David and Jesus. • David fought the fight no one else 8

would. Jesus fought the fight no one else could. • The prize for victory over the giant was a bride given by the king. The prize for victory over Satan and death was a bride, the Church, given by the King of Kings. • Saul asked about David, “Whose son is he?” People then and now ask the same questions about Jesus, the Son of God. • David trusted God to defeat Goliath. Jesus trusted God to defeat death. • David’s choice of a sling and stone seemed foolish. Jesus’ choice of a Roman cross seemed just as foolish. • David brought Israel victory that day, and Jesus gives us the victory today!

Don’t you see...this is not just a story about David and Goliath! It never was! It’s a story that brings hope…it’s the story of our salvation. I invite you to look at the story in 1 Samuel 17. Let’s try to picture this guy. Goliath towers above them all! Over nine feet tall in his stocking feet, wearing 126 pounds of armor, and snarling like a contender in a UFC title fight. I picture a guy with a 20-inch collar, a 56-inch belt, biceps bursting, thighs as thick as trees. He’s huge. And he can trash talk with the best of them. Day and night you can hear the taunts…the insults…the intimidation. I picture Goliath walking back and forth, pacing, snorting, swearing and cursing, Faith & Fellowship

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“What odds would you give a kid that plays the harp against a giant? About the same odds you’d give a boy born in Bethlehem against a Roman cross?” Rev. David Foss

Watch t he Vi de o: w w w.c onve nt i on .clbne t work . org kicking the dirt. He hates God. He hates God’s people. He wants a fight. He wants to get in the cage with someone and tear their head off. And you know what… Your enemy— the devil—is like that. He wants to destroy you, me, all of us. And we’re all shaking in our boots just like the Israelites were on the other side of the valley, because of that bully that waits for us every morning and torments us every night. Can you hear your enemy’s taunts? “You’re not good!” “God will never forgive you for that!” “You’re such a hypocrite!” We’ve heard that before, haven’t we? And as a church body we’ve heard it too… “Why do you bother? Your church is going no place fast.” “You’ll never make any difference…you’re so small… so weak…look at you, CLB. Who do you think you are? Might as well quit.” When Saul and his men heard Goliath’s twice-a-day taunts, they were terrified, disheartened, defeated…they lost all hope. Our enemy, Satan\death, taunts us night and day…who of us is going to fight him? He’s walking back and forth, pacing, snorting, swearing and cursing, kicking the dirt. He hates God. He hates God’s people, the Church. He wants a fight. It’s amazing to me how this Old Testament story of David and Goliath tells us why it was necessary for God to tear a hole in the universe and place in the womb of a young girl a baby who would deliver the entire human race. Why did Jesus come? To fight the giant we can’t beat. Somebody from among us had to go out and face him. There was nobody who could win! So Jesus came representing those who had lost all hope, and stepped out into the valley to defeat the snorting, swearing, cursing, firewww.ffmagazine.org

breathing enemy of our souls who’s out to kill us all. Listen, the Bible teaches us that we are hopeless, cowering, fearful sinners who are doomed to death unless somebody steps up and steps out into the valley of the shadow of death. That’s why Jesus came as the God-man. 100% God. 100% man. He was sent out into the valley of death as one of us with the power of God. That’s why you need him today! You can either trust in yourself—step out there and see if you’ve got what it takes to win—or you trust in the one God sent as your substitute and savior. You’re either betting everything on yourself or on him. No offense, but I’d bet on the harp player against the giant before I’d bet on you against your sin! Picture this with your mind’s eye. The harp player runs toward the giant, his brothers cover their eyes, King Saul lets out a sigh, Goliath throws back his head in offended laughter. David spots the target and seizes the moment. The only sounds that could be heard in the valley were David’s footsteps and the swirling sling. Sshwussh. Sshwussh. Sshwussh. David lets a stone fly and it rockets into the giant’s skull… Goliath’s eyes cross… his legs buckle… and he crumples to the ground. Tell me…what odds would you give a kid that plays the harp against a giant? About the same odds you’d give your little church against the attacks of the evil one it faces week after week?...in home after home? About the same odds you’d give a small denomination like the CLB against the overwhelming pull of secular forces in our culture today? So what odds would you give a kid that plays the harp against a giant? About

the same odds you’d give a boy born in Bethlehem against a Roman cross? Now picture this, I want you to picture a weakened, bearded man being led to his death, made to carry his own cross. Do you see him? Can you see what he’s doing? While he’s dying he’s praying for you. On him was placed all your fear and failure. All your sin and guilt. He’s praying for you that you would, in the face of great hopelessness and adversity, trust in him. Do you see this man? As this man prays, Satan throws back his head in offended laughter. Nails are driven into this man’s hands and feet. He died for you. And was placed in a tomb, made of rock. A giant stone was rolled in front of the tomb. A smooth stone. The kind of stone that rests flush against an entrance. The kind of stone that closes the door on hope. The kind of stone that spells the end of it all. Now imagine that smooth stone rolled away. Look inside. The tomb is empty. Days later you can see this man Jesus, walking, and talking with his friends. Death as been defeated…our enemies’ head has been crushed. What are the odds? Rev. David Foss serves as senior pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN. Visit Bethel Lutheran Church online at www. bethellbc.org

Ab ou nd i ng

HOP E 2012 BIENNIAL CONVENTION

CHURCH OF THE LUTHERAN BRETHREN

F cus Family Matters

Future Results!

ROY HEGGLAND

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

hen we use the word “hope” as in “I hope it rains tomorrow” or “I hope I find a job soon,” we are really expressing our wish that something we can’t see now would come to pass. We use the word hope when we really don’t know whether what we hope for will happen. When someone asks us if something will happen that we wish would happen—but we really don’t know if it will—we often will say, “I don’t know, but I sure hope so.” Sometimes we will even say, “I don’t know for sure, but I believe so.” Once we have enough facts to satisfy ourselves that what we hope for has already happened or is sure to happen, even if we have not actually seen it, we stop using the word hope. In Scripture, hope is used in connection with things we can’t see for ourselves. In that sense Scripture uses hope the same way we usually do. But the meaning of hope in Scripture is also very different from our normal way of using it. In the text quoted above, hope is the word used for those things which we can’t yet see but know to be true. In fact they have been guaranteed to us because of the faith already given to us by the grace of God in Christ. Our Christian hope is not some wishful thinking. As an old hymn puts it “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.” The foundation of our hope is in the very nature of God himself, who has guaranteed our future with him. The One who cannot lie has promised it. You may be asking yourself what hope has to do with stewardship, since this is

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the stewardship article. Jesus answers that question in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our future lies in the land of the forever, so why would we concentrate our energies and desires on the land of the momentary? Why would we invest in our comfort and security for the little time we have here when we can invest in what will never end? Why be preoccupied with the uncertainties of our tomorrows when the only One who can control anything invites us to store up real treasure in him? ONLINE:

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I’m reminded of the disclaimer that investment firms make when they try to sell us an investment by advertising how well it has done: “Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.” Anyone who has invested in the markets knows how true that disclaimer is. But when it comes to the promises of God, no such disclaimer is needed. In fact, the opposite is true: Past performance is a guarantee of future results! Roy Heggland serves the Church of the Lutheran Brethren as Associate for Biblical Stewardship.

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Women’s Ministries Church of the Lutheran Brethren

Hope for the Journey Heard, Seen, and Given

CHERYL OLSEN

hea Briscoe, our keynote speaker, did not hold back! Striding off the platform and down the aisle, she asked the audience of 200 women, “What walls does God want to tear down in your life?” She was intense with the boldness of the Lord, challenging us to allow God to work in us—for us to leave the auditorium as changed women. She described the lame man at the Gate Beautiful in Acts chapter three as needy, but perhaps hopelessly complacent about his situation. Did gazing at all that beauty make him feel, in contrast, even more defective? As a victim of his circumstances, his history, was he satisfied to just beg? But God had plans for him—bigger plans—plans to enable him to walk, even leap, in praise of God! Slapping an actual store label on her forehead, Rhea proclaimed herself as “defective merchandise,” as “salvage.” But though God knew her Prodigal-Sonlike past, he saw her as salvageable, and saved her. She cut to the heart as she asked which of us were crippled in some way, allowing our history to determine our destiny. She proclaimed hope for our journey: “God has a plan for you. No ‘buts.’ He does!” In Christ, we are not victims—we are victors. God is able. God is faithful! She implored, “Don’t be satisfied to beg. He has life for you! Walk in the knowledge of who you are in Christ. The power of God wants to be made manifest in you!” It was a powerful beginning to the morning. Using the motif of Hope as a Journey, we then looked at Steps Taken together this past year. Last January finances looked dire, but God provided faithful contributions to meet our expenses, almost making our budget. Hope seen! We also saw, through a fun video, the grateful appreciation of women www.ffmagazine.org

Rhea Briscoe • Bonita Nordaas & Carrie Szobody, being prayed for by Ruth Vallevik, and retired missionaries • Amanda Brumfield

at Pastors’ Wives Retreats, our Focus Project this past year! Steps Forward included plans for the future. We re-elected Treasurer Lori Christopherson and voted for a smaller budget, which includes support for our Director, Ruth Vallevik, as she makes Heart-to-Heart visits among us; support for the Seminary Women’s SWEET Retreat; and support for the Crisis Care Fund. We’ll continue H.E.L.P. fund for missionaries, and BoxTops for Education for Hillcrest. As our Focus Project this year, we will begin The Priscilla Project. Just as Priscilla and Aquila in the book of Acts took Apollos aside to instruct him more fully in the way of the Lord, we want to encourage godly mentoring. Our Focus Project for 2012-13 is to provide financial support for Teresa Szobody to mentor a young Chadian woman named Claudia. Claudia will live with the Szobodys, learning hands-on, being prepared for a Gospel ministry of teaching and modeling a more biblical view and practice of family life within a Chadian Christian community. Our financial support can provide hope for the life journey of this young woman.

Emphasizing missions was a wonderful finish to the morning. Retiring Japan missionary Bonita Nordaas shared “five things I wish I would have known…” with new missionary Carrie Szobody, who begins her journey to Chad this month! Bonita and Carrie, beginning different parts of their life journeys, were then joined by other retirementage missionary women who came to the platform to surround them on both sides as we joined to ask God to bless their pathways. Breakout sessions completed the day. After lunch, Rhea filled the Hillcrest chapel, and four other speakers packed out their locations as hope was proclaimed, shared, and given, through examples of life lived through journeying with Christ. Cheryl Olsen is Information Coordinator for Women’s Ministries of the CLB. VISIT WMCLB ONLINE

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Proclaiming Hope JOEL EGGE SERMON PREACHED AT BIENNIAL CONVENTION “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by

hat’s wrong with this picture? It’s a sunflower, blooming in a desert. It’s not real, you say. There is no chance that a flower would bloom like that in such a dry hostile 12

the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” Colossians 1:21-29

environment. “If it is a real sunflower,” I ask, “what is happening that the eye can’t see?” How is the flower like Abraham? Against all hope, Abraham in hope

believed and became the father of many nations. He believed in God who gives life to the dead and counts things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:1718). Faith & Fellowship

C H URCH OF THE LUTHE R A N BR ETHR E N

S U N D AY M O R N I N G W O R S H I P BIE N N IA L C ON V E N TION

8 /5 /20 1 2

“The atonement is complete, announcing forgiveness is not. The redemption is finished, releasing people from sin is not. The enemy is defeated, rescuing captives from his terror continues.” Rev. Joel Egge

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The same God speaks hope to Mary Magdalene. Crying alone in the grave yard, she is the first person Jesus comforts after his resurrection. He reassures her that he lives and he establishes her hope. Jesus says, “Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God’” (John 20:17). She runs with the news! Today—we thank the Lord—is the day of hope. It is hope for all people and the Church is commissioned, like Mary, to run with that good news! Paul says in our text from Colossians that he is a servant of the Gospel—the “Hope News”—and he is also a servant of the Church. What is this Gospel, this wonderful news to be proclaimed? It is Christ in you, the hope of glory (v.27b)! It is the one and only Jesus Christ, who is the fullness of God in human flesh (v.19), creator of all things and head of the Church. He lives in us. Every believer in Jesus is a saint, even if that reality is not very evident in the way we think, treat our family, or act toward God. It is what God says we are! It is hope, a sure solid assurance based on God himself! It is glory! It’s not glory here, an empty temporary glory. It is the everlasting glory, the glory Jesus had before the creation of the world and desires to give to his bride, his Church (cf. John 17). This hope is a sharing in the glory of God. It is enjoying perfect fellowship with him now and forever. We are servants of the Gospel. No other goals approach the importance of this goal. When the goals of our traditions, institutions, image, success, or pursuit of www.ffmagazine.org

happiness begin to undermine our service of the Gospel, and they often do, we are Jonah buying tickets to Tarshish instead of going to Nineveh. Serving the Gospel leads to a companion calling from God. It is to serve the Church in Jesus’ name (v.25). Christ suffered (Philippians 2) to obtain and assure our hope. He continues to suffer in bringing the fullness of God’s Word to his people. You are called to be a part of the filling up of the suffering Jesus is now experiencing for the Church and for the world! The atonement is complete; announcing forgiveness is not. The redemption is finished; releasing people from sin is not. The enemy is defeated; rescuing captives from his terror continues. And Satan— like an imprisoned underworld boss who is still commanding terror groups in mental, physical and spiritual attacks on the body of Christ—will inflict all the suffering he can until judgment day! Paul rejoiced in what he was suffering for the believers. Paul’s commission from God was to present the Word of God in all its fullness (v.25). God wants the full impact and reality of his Gospel to be heard. For this reason, it is so important that our CLB pastors have a strong love for and knowledge of the Bible, first for themselves and second for teaching their churches. Congregations, don’t settle for a good manager or promoter; rather ask your pastor to teach you the Word of the Lord and give him the time to do it. Don’t send him to an office, send him to a study. And pastors, I know you will suffer for being a good teacher. People may not

appreciate the difficulty of the material you are studying, the pain involved in carefully applying the Word of God to your setting, the disappointment of preparing a feast to which people don’t come. You do your level best and people expect more or something different. They want more glory—a church like other people seem to have. They want a program and strategy. And you, pastor, also want one! It’s the spirit of our age. It’s the longing of our natural ego. What shall we do? We must declare with Paul, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes” (Romans 1:16, NKJV). Paul’s goal and vision is to present everyone perfect (complete) in Christ (v.28). So he proclaims the hope given by the God of Hope, and he suffers to the point of exhaustion. In joy, he gives everything that people might be saved. This flows out of his being commissioned and empowered by God—as we are also: believing the hope, abounding in the hope, proclaiming the hope of Jesus Christ. Rev. Joel Egge is president of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. Visit the Church of the Lutheran Brethren online at www.CLBA.org

Ab ou nd i ng

HOP E 2012 BIENNIAL CONVENTION

CHURCH OF THE LUTHERAN BRETHREN

North American Mission

Canada: www.LBCANADA.org United States: www.CLBA.org

Obstacles and Solutions JON OVERLAND

bstacles and solutions are part of everyday life. Most of the time, it seems as though the obstacles win out. Over the last number of years, the Church of the Lutheran Brethren Canada (CLBC) has sought ways to train our pastors in the theology we confess. We have a seminary in Fergus Falls, Minnesota that is second to none. We are gifted with seminary professors who have a clear understanding of the grace of God and a powerful God-given ability to teach Law and Gospel. But there is an obstacle. That obstacle is the border. The CLBC has been wrestling with this issue for a number of years. How do we get our pastoral candidates across the border for training at Lutheran Brethren Seminary? Cost is a huge factor for a married man with a family, and even for a single man it can be overwhelming. Canadian students also have restrictions placed on the work they are allowed to do in the United States. In the past we have been blessed with seminary professors willing to come and teach courses in Canada. For this we are grateful, but it has always been our desire to immerse our students in Lutheran theology in all aspects of teaching that is in harmony with our Statement of Faith. In view of these obstacles, our CLBC board met numerous times with our seminary, trying to come up with solutions to our dilemma. At one meeting, the proposal was given to buy a house where a Canadian student could live for 14

The home purchased by the CLBC to help support and encourage seminary students from Canada

free, other than the cost of utilities. This purchase would remove a huge part of the cost of living in another country. As a board, we embraced the idea and decided to propose it to the CLBC at our annual meeting. I found myself excited by the idea, but secretly wondered how the larger body would react to the proposal. When it was presented, there was overwhelming approval, along with an excitement to be encouraging and supportive to those seeking seminary training. Now, with the support of the church body, we had the challenge of buying a house. Fortunately, we were given an opportunity to purchase a home that met our needs, and below market price. We

purchased the house from a pastor and his wife who were excited that the home will enable the training of future pastors for ministry. It is the prayer of the CLBC that this house be an encouragement to a future generation of Canadian students who come to our seminary to be trained in the Word that brings life and hope to a world that so desperately needs to hear the Gospel. Rev. Jon Overland is president of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren Canada. Visit the Church of the Lutheran Brethren Canada online at www.LBCANADA.org

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International Mission BRINGING THE GOOD NEWS TO UNREACHED PEOPLE

Mission: A Better Way NATHANAEL SZOBODY

hat most missionaries don’t realize when signing up for mission work is that much of their time and energy will likely be spent in sales. The unfortunate reality is that, whether they are skilled at it or not, many missionaries find themselves in a position of needing to “sell” their work to churches and individuals in order to get the support they need. A missionary may have a call and gifting to serve Christ and his Gospel overseas, but often he will need to work pretty hard to get other people to partner in his work. This summer, my wife and I had the privilege of witnessing a better way. On the last day of the Lutheran Brethren Biennial Convention we were commissioned as missionaries to the Bagirmi people of Chad. But we spent the three weeks prior to our commissioning getting to know the three churches that were sending us. Because, you see, this mission to the Bagirmi was not of our own initiative. For the past several years my wife and I have had a desire to join the work being done by the Lutheran Brethren among the unreached tribes of Chad, but we were leaving the specifics to the Lord for him to reveal in his time. We felt strongly that if we were to take our family into the heart of Africa, to bring Christ to a people historically resistant to the gospel, we wanted to make sure that we were not going alone. We wanted to be sure that the Church was with us, sending us and praying for us. For all of her faults and sins, God has chosen to spread the light of his Gospel through the Church. His eleven disciples, the pillars of his church, first received Christ’s commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:16-20). And even great pioneer missionaries like Barnabas 16

Cyril, Carrie, Nathanael and Selma Szobody

and the Apostle Paul were first sent into the mission field because, as the Church sought God’s will in prayer and fasting, God’s Spirit told the Church to send them (Acts 13:2-3). Given such strong biblical precedent, we made ourselves available and waited, eager to see when and where the Church of the Lutheran Brethren might send us in Chad. Little did we know that three churches in Minnesota were also prayerfully waiting on the Lord. A few years ago Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls felt God leading them to adopt the Bagirmi people of Chad. People of Bethel committed to praying that the Bagirmi would receive the light of Christ, and then they took practical steps toward that end. Eventually God moved Hope Lutheran

Brethren Church in Barnesville and Swan Lake Lutheran Church of Fergus Falls to join Bethel and form a “cluster” of churches committed to bringing the Gospel to the Bagirmi. Their prayer and support as a combined body has allowed the Lutheran Brethren to call my wife and me along with our children to go live among the Bagirmi full time. So we spent a week in each of these congregations, eating in their homes, sharing our hearts in Sunday worship, and meeting with those who have been involved in the Bagirmi project. We were struck by the love and support of the people sending us. We began to understand the Apostle Paul’s excitement when churches would partner with him in the Gospel, either by their love for the Faith & Fellowship

www.LBIM.org

saints, or by their financial commitment, or by their willingness to send their own people to work in the Lord’s harvest. We were struck first of all by their willingness to be attentive to God’s leading in their congregations. Secondly, we were inspired by their readiness to be personally involved in his work—they have already sent two teams on short trips to the Bagirmi to begin extending to them the love of Christ! And thirdly, we were blessed beyond measure by their support for us personally as they sent us out in Christ’s name as if they were sending their own hearts with us. We did not have to convince or persuade, beg or plea. It was not a case of the missionary attempting to lead the church. Rather, the church was leading the missionary, as three congregations worked together as one for the sake of the Gospel. And we found ourselves to be the first unworthy recipients of the Spirit’s work among this cluster of churches. The initiative and commitment of these three congregations blessed us so much that we

feel compelled to share this story with the wider Lutheran Brethren community. We would like to encourage your church to consider how the Great Commission speaks to your congregation. Would God have you throw your efforts in with a cluster of like-minded congregations to support his mission? For Christ’s mission is not the work of individuals supported by churches; no, it is primarily the work of the churches that send individuals to preach in Christ’s name. It is our fervent prayer that the Holy Spirit will accompany us to Chad so that we will be worthy ambassadors of Christ on behalf of the congregations that have sent us. We also pray that he will continue to raise up churches in the Lutheran Brethren who embrace the commission that Christ has given us.

The Commissioning Service of Nathanael and Carrie Szobody

Missionaries Nathanael and Carrie Szobody are in France, where Carrie is studying French, in preparation for their ministry to the Bagirmi people of Chad.

Join the Cluster

Reach the Bagirmi

Director of LBIM, Matthew Rogness led the service

Chad

There is a cluster of three congregations that has taken a lead role in praying and giving so that the Church of the Lutheran Brethren can send the Szobodys to the Bagirmi people of Chad. Additionally, as the cluster awaits other congregations to join them in this mission, a couple has pledged support to make up the difference, until the sending cluster is complete. It is the prayer of this mission cluster and LBIM that other congregations will join to complete the team and insure that the Gospel is planted among the Bagirmi. Thank you for considering this invitation, on behalf of the Bagirmi Mission Cluster and LBIM

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LBIM

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New Website: www.LBS.edu

Hearing the Call

grew up in Minot, North Dakota, as part of the church. I was taught about the sacrifice Christ made for me, but I did not have a relationship with him. During this time, I learned how to look like a good Christian so that I wouldn’t ruffle any feathers. I learned all the right answers. I knew how act like a Christian, but had no saving faith whatsoever. It was during a Free Lutheran Youth Convention in Estes Park, Colorado when I was 16 that God finally got a hold

of me. During worship one night God made it clear to me that I was a wretched sinner deserving of nothing but eternal death. He also made clear to me that the sacrifice of Christ was the only thing that could pay the price for my sin. I ended up falling apart. I wept because of my sin, and I wept because of the goodness of God. I went to the convention that year a sinner, and left a sinner saved by the grace of God. Shortly after coming to an assurance

MIKE HUSSEY of faith, I felt a call into ministry. What Christ had done for me was so incredible, I wanted to share it with others. At first I didn’t really have any idea what God was calling me to, but over time he gave me a heart for teens and young adults. There have been many times during my last ten years that I have not wanted to do ministry, but it seems that no matter how hard I try to do something else with my life, God won’t release me from his call on my life.

Following the Call

began Preparing for a life in ministry by attending the Association Free Lutheran Bible School. I received a Certificate in Biblical Studies and went back Minot, taking a position as a part-time youth minister. The next year I married Gretchen, moved to the Twin Cities, and began working on a bachelor’s degree in ministry from Northwestern College. That degree led to a youth ministry position in Stacy, Minnesota. I then accepted a call as the director of youth and young adult ministries at Sidney LBC in Montana. I loved youth ministry, but there in Sidney I discovered a passion for preaching. Whenever I preached, a man named Ray would tell me, “You’d make a great pastor.” I finally told him they would have to fire me before I would leave. Two years into my call at Sidney, I attended J-Term at LBS, and I knew it was time. It was painful to leave Sidney, but God was calling me to take the next step. Gretchen, Seth, and I moved to Fergus Falls in the summer of 2011. God provided a youth ministry position, and the Sidney congregation has been very supportive spiritually and financially. I am learning to study the Word of God using Greek and Hebrew. I rejoice in God’s goodness to me in Christ.

Mike Hussey began his studies at LBS in 2011.

Gretchen, Seth and Mike

Faith & Fellowship

Fellowship with one another

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012

Purifies us from all sin

Walk in the light

The blood of Jesus

1 John 1:7

...because of your partnership the gospel ... 2011-12 Inin Memory:

…

“...because of your partnership in the gospel “... because of your partnership in the gospel...

BIENNIAL CONVENTION PASTOR TRIBUTES From the first Day Rev.until Lloyd Bjornlie Now “...because 1925 - 2011 of your partnership in the gospel ... 1971 untilOrdained: the day of Jesus Christ.” Served congregations in: Eugene, OR, Alexandria, MN 1:3-6) Academy, Also Served: Teacher at(Philippians Hillcrest Lutheran President of Lutheran Brethren Schools

From the Day From the firstfirst Day until Now until Now ... until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:3-6)

Bethel Lutheran … until the day of JesusChurch Christ.”

Centennial 1912-2012 From the first Day Bethel Lutheran Chur until Now Bethel Rev. Burton Bundy … until the day of Jesus Christ.” Centennial 1912-2012 1925 - 2011 utheran Church (Philippians 1:3-6) Ordained: 1972 CentennialOrdinations Celebration Weekend Oct. 27-28 Fergus Fa Served as a church planter and pastor: Williston, ND, Elder Centennial Crosby, ND, Sidney, MT, Bismarck, ND, Fargo, ND, Saturday Oct 27 — Open House, Banquet Meal and P (Philippians 1:3-6)

Centennial Celebration Weekend Oct. 27-28 Fergus Falls, MN Saturday Oct 27—Open House, Banquet Meal and Program Sunday Oct 28—Morning Worship Service

Bethel Lutheran Church 1912-2012 Sunday Oct 28 — Morning Worship Service Centennial 1912-2012 Centennial Celebration Weekend Fort Collins, CO, Grand Forks, ND, Watford City, ND Also served: Director of Home Missions

Rev. William Colbeck 1936 - 2011 ntennial Celebration Weekend Oct. 27-28 Fergus Falls, MN Oct. 27-28 Fergus Falls, MN Ordained: 1978 Served in: Moorhead, MN,Banquet Meal and Program turday Octcongregations 27 — Open House, Left to Right: Pastor Kevin Patch, Elder Doug Bounds, Elder Dwight Schmidt, Saturday OctUnderwood, 27 — MN Elder Mike Woodley, Western Regional Pastor Gary Witkop, Pastor Shawn Bowman, Pastor John Kilde Fergus Falls, MN, Sunday Oct 28 — Morning Service Also served: Hillcrest Lutheran Academy forWorship 39 years Mike Woodley. Mike was ordained as an elder on Sunday, April 15, at n House, Banquet Meal and Program Rev. Arnold Olsoe Sunday 1932 - 2012 Oct 28 — Ordained: 1958 Morning Worship Service Served congregations in: Hagen, SK, Huntington Station, NY, Platte, SD, Saskatoon, SK Rev. Lowell Sheldahl 1936 – 2012 Ordained: 1962 Served: Faith Lutheran Brethren Church, Kelso, WA Please notify the CLB Office of the President if you have any additions to this list. Email: clb@clba.org

Victory Lutheran Brethren Church, Jamestown, ND.

Jim Bossert was ordained as elder at Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church in Staten Island, New York, on Sunday, June 10, 2012. Rev. Warren Geraghty officiated the service. Also present were Rev. Richard Bridston, Elder Allan Nilsen and Elder Erik McCann.

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

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The Biennial Convention

Rev. Chris Priestaf serves as senior pastor at Mount Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Mount Bethel, PA.

CAPTURED!...CHANGED!...CHALLENGED! The theme “Abounding in Hope” captivated my attention prior to the convention. I was intrigued and sensed an excitement welling up inside. I came with great expectations of a “fresh encounter” with the “God of all hope.” That I experienced anew as “…Christ…the hope of glory” oozed from the anointed worship, both in song and ministry of the Word. I was changed—led closer into the presence of the God of all hope. Refreshed, I was challenged to continue to share this Gospel of hope to those without hope.

I left so many sessions wonderfully encouraged. One occasion came as Pastor David Foss unfolded the familiar yet often misinterpreted account of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. I came to a newfound clarity that David was a type of Christ, not a type of me. The real “me” was Israel, standing at a distance, daily intimidated by the giants that so regularly present themselves. Amazingly, however, as I find myself standing in the background, the ultimate David—my Lord, Jesus Christ— graciously yet powerfully goes before me, soundly defeating my greatest foes. (I follow then, not in my own strength, but in his.) What a Savior! What a Friend!

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

THE ULTIMATE DAVID

Faith Fellowship Church of the Lutheran Brethren

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September/October 2012

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Vol. 79, No. 5

$60,000

Rev. Dan Chell serves as associate pastor at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Brethren Church in Minot, ND.

IN THE MIDST OF IT What I saw at the convention was a genuine desire to follow God, and I got excited about the Kingdom of God. As a faith community, God is calling us into some incredibly daunting, yet exciting work. We’re in the midst of it! We can see him stirring if we quiet ourselves and watch! The Holy Spirit is moving and speaking, Jesus is making things new again among us, and we are being asked to trust and follow him without guarantees about what this work might look like. I think that what I will take back with me more than anything is a renewed spirit and a word of encouragement to the Church: The Spirit of God is stirring and calling us out of our fears and into his love. More than ever, right now let’s be people of prayer and of true worship. Carl-Eric Tangen served as a delegate for Maple Park Church in Lynnwood, WA.

HOPE

Promised • Delivered • Received

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