grace and mercy for a new memphis “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ …”
Matth ew 9 :1 3
INDEPENDENT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2017 MERCY MINISTRY CONFERENCE | JANUARY 22–29
dear ipc family,
As recipients of God’s mercy, we are called to generously extend it to others. Let us explore together a biblical view of mercy, how God has been merciful and what it looks like to offer mercy in His Name, remembering that
God’s grace and mercy does indeed change
Your “Going Out In Love Committee” is excited about IPC’s upcoming Mercy Conference. Our desire is that we as a church increasingly take Jesus’ words to heart and put them into practice. We hope you will join us as we consider the beauty of word and deed ministry in a compassionate and compelling way that honors both the God we serve and those we are seeking to serve. Jesus said, “Go learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ (Matthew 9:13) This is actually a quote from Hosea 6:6, the essence of which condemns our appearance of loving obedience towards God without concern for our fellow man. God reinforces that He desires more than mere burnt offerings. The one who records these words, Matthew, left his recording of debts as a tax collector to follow Jesus and record His mercy. Matthew tells us that the Pharisees charged Jesus with befriending sinners and tax collectors. But Jesus charged the Pharisees with being rich in sacrifices while being poor in mercy. Revealing that a religion that tithes mint and dill but leaves the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness, is not a true religion at all. (Matthew 23:23) As recipients of God’s mercy, we are called to generously extend it to others. Let us explore together a biblical view of mercy, how God has been merciful and what it looks like to offer mercy in His Name, remembering that God’s grace and mercy does indeed change everything! Samuel Husband
everything! Assistant Pastor
conference schedule SUNDAY, JANUARY 22 Worship Services | “Like A Good Neighbor: Mercy for A New Memphis” with Sean Lucas | 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. TUESDAY, JANUARY 24 9:30 a.m. Women’s Ministry Bible Study
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28 Breakfast | 8:00 a.m. | Fellowship Hall COPE* (Cost of Poverty Experience) | 8:30-11:30 a.m. That Missions Thing II | for K-5th Grade, Romper Room Register online to participate in COPE. Nursery provided with reservation.
Lunch following Bible Study. Drake Bassett, President of Palmer Home for Children, will speak and a few women will serve the faculty lunch at White Station Elementary. | Nursery provided.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29 Worship Services | “Missions and Mercy in the 21st Century” Acts 14:8-20 with Brian Fikkert, coauthor of When Helping Hurts
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25* IPC MERCY NIGHT | PANEL DISCUSSION 6:30 p.m. | Fellowship Hall Join us for a panel discussion with key leaders at Streets Ministries, Su Casa Family Ministries, Advance Memphis, and White Station Elementary.
Joint Adult Sunday School with Brian Fikkert | 9:45 a.m. | Fellowship Hall Sunday Evening Worship | “Worship that God Accepts: Justice for a New Memphis” Isaiah 58:1-14 with Sean Lucas | 6:00 p.m. | Nursery provided.
Our ministry partners will be available before and after the panel with information about their organizations. Take the time to visit their tables in the lobby and consider how you can serve them. * See next page for more information. Nursery and Children’s Ministry provided.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27 Dinner | 5:30 p.m. | Fellowship Hall When Helping Hurts with the Chalmers Center | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Fellowship Hall | with Steve Corbett, coauthor of Helping Without Hurting That Missions Thing I | for K-5th Grade, Romper Room Nursery provided.
*cope
The Cost of Poverty Experience is an experiential training seminar that
offers participants a glimpse into the lives of low-income individuals and families living in our community. It is a look into the obstacles that are faced, the decisions that are made, and the consequences that impact these families every day. You must register to participate in COPE at www.indepres.org.
speakers
ipc mercy night | W EDNESDAY, JA NUARY 25 Join us as we hear about what God is doing in Memphis through several of IPC’s ministry partners. We will be encouraged and challenged as we consider how we might come along side these ministries and become personally involved. 5:00 p.m. | Meet IPC’s Ministry Partners in the Main Lobby 5:30 p.m. | Dinner in the Fellowship Hall 6:25 p.m. | Introduction from Streets Ministries, Su Casa Family Ministries, Advance Memphis, and White Station Elementary 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Panel Discussion
other ministry partners See IPC Ministry Partner Handbook for a full description and contact information for our partners. Palmer Home for Children Citizens for Community Values (CCV) Neighborhood Christian Center Bethany Christian Services Life Choices Memphis Union Mission Church Health Service Over Self (SOS) Youth Leadership of Memphis
Youth Striving for Excellence Forrest Spence Fund Center for Religious Expression White Station Elementary (Adopt-A-School) Advance Memphis Streets Graham Heights Su Casa Child Evangelism Fellowship
DR. BRIAN FIKKERT
MR. STEVE CORBETT
Dr. Brian Fikkert is a Professor of Economics and Community Development and the Founder and President of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College. He is coauthor of the best-selling books When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor...and Yourself as well as Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions, Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence, and From Dependence to Dignity: How to Alleviate Poverty Through Church-Centered Microfinance. Dr. Fikkert earned a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University, specializing in international economics and economic development. He is the author of numerous articles in both academic and popular journals. Prior to coming to Covenant College, he was a professor at the University of Maryland - College Park and a research fellow at the Center for Institutional Reform and the Informal Sector.
Steve Corbett is an Assistant Professor of Community Development at Covenant College and serves as a Community Development Specialist for the Chalmers Center. Previously, Mr. Corbett served as Director of Field Operations and Training for the Chalmers Center. Prior to coming to Covenant College, Steve worked for Food for the Hungry International (FHI) as the Regional Director for Central and South America for two years. Before assuming these responsibilities, he served as the Director of Staff Training for nine years. In this capacity, he participated in the orientation and training of 1,500 staff working in 25 countries. Mr. Corbett has a B.A. from Covenant College and an M.E.D. in Adult Education from the University of Georgia. He is coauthor of the best-selling book When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor...and Yourself as well as Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions, and Helping Without Hurting in Church Benevolence.
The Chalmers Center works to equip churches with resources and tools to walk alongside people who are poor, breaking the spiritual, social, and material bonds of poverty. Founded by Dr. Brian Fikkert in 1999. In the U.S. and Canada, Chalmers continues to shape the way the church thinks about poverty alleviation through books, seminars, and speaking events. In the Majority World, Chalmers has trained church and ministry leaders in over 100 countries.
Re th i n k i n g P o v e rt y The way we th i nk abo u t p o verty w i l l d eter m i ne h o w w e r esp on d to i t. Poverty i s th e byp r o d u c t o f th e b r eakd o w n o f r el ati o n s h i p s .
Go to indepres.org for daily devotions during the week of our mercy conference.
consider these passages for further study and application:
“Poverty is the result of relationships that do not work, that are not just, that are not for life, that are not harmonious or enjoyable. Poverty is the absence of shalom in all its meanings.” Br yant M yer s, Wa lk in g wit h t he Po o r Diagram adapted from Bryant L. Myers, Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 1999), 27.
Psalm 146:7-9 Matthew 22:34-40 1 John 3:16-18 Leviticus 19:10, 18 Proverbs 14:31 Luke 4:17-21 Zechariah 7:9-10 Isaiah 58:1-14
goi ng out i n love A C A L L TO AC T I O N
Both the Old and New Testament teach us that God delights in mercy and that His heart moves toward the vulnerable. As those rescued by His movement toward us, we are called to move toward others. This movement is a movement towards relationship. For God so loved that He gave … And what did He give? He gave us Jesus! This is the pattern for ministry: relationship— giving ourselves. “… we were ready to share with you not only the Gospel of God but also our own selves.” - I Thessalonians 2:8 “… that which we have seen and heard we proclaim to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” - I John 1:3
What Relationships need tangible expression of God’s mercy?
• In Your Home • In Your Neighborhood • In Your Church Community • In Your City
Would You Consider Building a relationship with one of our ministry partners? Consider joining your IPC community’s involvement with a local ministry partner, having your small group partner with a local ministry, or taking your small group through the When Helping Hurts Small Group Experience study.
“Poverty isn’t just a lack of material things– it’s rooted in broken relationships with God, self, others, and the rest of creation. We were created to glorify God, reflect His image, love one another, and steward the rest of creation. But the fall and sin marred what God originally created.” – Brian Fikkert
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 422 MEMPHIS, TN
4738 Walnut Grove Road Memphis, TN 38117