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1 [openers]

We’ve Got a Mission

y 3-year-old son sounds like the world’s most missional toddler as he frequently says “we’ve got a mission” and “mission completion.” I’d like to think this means he’s growing up in a missional family, which writer Bo Prosser describes as “a family system that is less about consumerism and more about servanthood.” The source of my son’s declarations, however, is his favorite cartoon, “Little Einsteins.” Although the show’s phrases are a daily part of my life now, I had never heard of this animated series until a few years ago — just as I had never heard the word “missional” for most of my life. Now I see the word daily in Christian media. But what does “missional” mean? It’s not in my dictionary,

but the Missional Manifesto (missionalmanifesto.net) explains, “God is a sending God, a missionary God, who has called His people, the church, to be missionary agents of His love and glory. The concept missional epitomizes this idea.” Free Methodists belong to a church with a mission statement that includes the call “to make known to all people everywhere God’s call to wholeness through forgiveness and holiness in Jesus Christ.” That’s a good mission statement for our families too, but it is meaningless unless we act on it. Join LLM in exploring how to make your family Finley i Jeff Lead Writer missional. [LLM]

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“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” — John 1:4

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Developing Earnest Christians Since 1868

3] Child Kingdom

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Roger Edwards explores the challenging

Spanish Translation

2] Gathering at the Family Altar Bishop Emeritus Donald N. Bastian gives tips for family devotions.

adventure of parenting.

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Ezequiel Alvarez Janeth Bustamante Joe Castillo Jennifer Flores Guillermo Flores, Lead

Jeff Finley Erin Eckberg Michael Metts Dawn McIlvain Stahl Andrea Anibal Julie Innes Peter Shackelford Jason Archer Joel Guzman Carmen Hosea Karen Kabandama Samuel Lopez Rodrigo Lozano, Coordinator

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by JIM BURNS

s kids move from childhood to adulthood, part of the process includes a focus on self. This focus makes sense from a development standpoint, as kids begin to become aware of themselves as individuals and experience new social and cultural dynamics. uuu

3 [feature] Generally, kids don’t want to stick out in a crowd, so they begin to focus on their looks and behaviors in order to fit in. Experts in adolescent development often refer to this phenomenon as “the imaginary audience,” which

I am always amazed how kids come through when they are physically and spiritually challenged to move beyond their comfort zones and make a difference in the lives of others. happens when adolescents believe that everyone else is watching them. Let me assure you, this self-focus is normal — and is not necessarily wrong. Self-focus certainly becomes wrong when our kids demonstrate selfish behaviors. All adolescents eventually come to a fork in the road regarding this self-

focus. Many move beyond obsessing with self to a balanced sense of self that places a high priority on others. Some, however, never make this transition and become selfish adults. So, while childlike focus on self is normal, parents have to be on the lookout for selfishness that threatens to become ingrained in the lives of kids. The best approach, I believe, is proactive parenting: setting the example for kids, proactively engaging them in faith-building opportunities, which help them to move from selfish to selfless. The most effective way to help your children grow in faith is by joining them in the journey and making faith an adventure. I love how C. S. Lewis expressed it in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Young Lucy asks the Beavers if the godlike figure, Aslan, is safe. “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” Too many kids grow up viewing their faith as dry, boring and irrelevant to their lives. We have to help them see that the life adventure of faith is not necessarily the easy road, but it’s the right one. Help your children understand that faith is an

adventure. We can build beautiful memories and experiences that fit with what Jim Rayburn, the founder of Young Life, was fond of saying: “It’s a sin to bore a kid with the gospel.” When my two youngest daughters became teenagers, I took them to Mexico to do mission work. We worked hard building a church. The dirt, sweat and calluses on our hands were not what they or I were used to. I kept wondering whether the experience was having any impact on their lives. Some years later, my wife, Cathy, and I flew to Ecuador, where one of those daughters was living as part of an eight-month mission experience. During our visit, we talked with our daughter about why she had decided to serve in a developing country. The first thing she mentioned was our time together serving in Mexico. Every family can find ways to serve. I am always amazed how kids come through when they are physically and spiritually challenged to move beyond their comfort zones and make a difference in the lives of others. Even the most self-centered teenager is inclined to move beyond self and perhaps be changed for life as his

[feature] 4 or her heart breaks with what breaks the heart of God. Here are ideas on how you can achieve the goal of growing a heart for mission and service in your kids:

Demonstrate faith that works.

When it comes to the Christian faith, the call to Christ is the call to serve. Sure, we need to know about the truths of our faith, but we also are called to live it. Part of living out our faith includes serving others. Unfortunately, one of the ways we unintentionally teach our kids to be selfish is when we don’t get involved in serving others. One of the great religious and political figures of our world was Mohandas Gandhi. When Gandhi practiced law in South Africa, he

attended church. Gandhi was impressed with Jesus, and he thought the Sermon on the Mount was the greatest piece of literature ever put to paper, but he wasn’t impressed with Christians. In his judgment, the Christian faith didn’t lend itself to much preaching or talking. Instead, Gandhi thought, Christianity was best propagated by living and applying it.

Teach that service is simple.

Communicate to your kids that one doesn’t have to give a lot of money in order to be a selfless person — and to have an impact in God’s kingdom. God wants each of us to serve Him where we are and with what we have. Remember Christ’s words in Matthew 25:37–40, “Then the

righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” When talking about being selfless, Jesus mentions the basic necessities of life: food, clothing and health. He wasn’t talking about bigger-than-life responsibilities, but simple things that mean all of the difference in the world. Again, showing your kids how to serve in simple ways is a great way to develop their sense of what it means to be selfless.

5 [feature]

Help kids learn that real giving means “no strings attached.”

Many people give to others with the expectation of getting something back. This kind of giving is self-focused. Selflessness, on the other hand, is based on “no strings attached.” What are you teaching kids through how you donate your time and resources? Of course, it’s fine to have special interests in giving. Everyone has causes that they care

www.fmfoundation.org

more deeply about than others. The real question is: Does your giving demonstrate that you primarily give when you get something back? If so, it’s time to re-evaluate how you give. Will our kids grow up to be selfish or selfless adults? Like most areas of life, parents have a direct influence on the outcome through our own examples. Make sure you are living out the message you want your kids to learn. If you get a handle on these three

areas, you’ll be proactively influencing your children to grow into the missional, selfless adults Christ calls them to be. [LLM]

Jim Burns is the president of Azusa Pacific University’s HomeWord Center for Youth and Family. His radio ministry, “HomeWord,” has more than 1 million listeners each weekday.

[bishops] 6

Purpose-Driven Windows

amilies that live “on mission” know what they’re about. Families that live “on purpose” don’t slip into casual, unexamined living. A big-enough purpose gives enough substance to hold them in orbit. A family that engages in missional living safely steers between the twin dangers of selfish consumerism and artificial holiness. But families, including the ones who love Jesus, are overwhelmed with stuff they should be doing while barely keeping up with what they have to do: work, exercise, church, classes, games, practices, rehearsals, laundry, “me” time, eating and sleeping. Here’s a quick way to get your family living on purpose: Drive with your windows down. Turn off the radio or the kids’ DVD player. Roll down the windows. Drive around your neighborhood. You’re not alone. There are neighbors out there: neighbors with slumped shoulders; neighbors who slowly drive by houses they used to live in, drinking in memories of families they used to be a part of; neighbors new to the neighborhood; neighbors who don’t speak English; neighbors who don’t know the biggest story of all. After a day or two driving around like this, take a wrong turn. Go where you don’t usually drive. Go somewhere you don’t belong, with the windows down. Riding with the windows down forces us into relationship, or at least acknowledgment that there is life beyond ourselves. As you drive, talk about what you see. Lead your family toward living on purpose. It gets us out of drive-by denial. You’ll know what to do after you’ve driven with the windows down. I know someone who always gives money to the street-corner panhandlers — my money. That’s the sin of it: not that she gives away my money, but that I think it’s my money. She’s on purpose, with the windows down. Our neighborhood isn’t your neighborhood. You’ll know what to do David i Bishop where you are. May you have the courage to do it. [LLM] Roller

Families that live “on misson” know what they’re about. Families that live “on purpose” don’t slip into casual, unexamined living.

Online Extra Howard A. Snyder helps you expand your circles of interest.

7 [foundation]

SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:1 Matthew 19:29 Proverbs 22:6 Luke 14:12–14

A Family Conspiracy by STEVE SJOGREN

hen she was about 10 years old, my oldest daughter, Rebekah, was on a Saturday bus run. (We converted an old school bus into a mobile clothing and food center). Jesus sent out His followers (Luke 10:1), and as followers of Jesus, we went out and spent a few hours each week serving in local apartment buildings. Rebekah had to go to the bathroom, so I sent her to a common one. She came running back, saying she didn’t have to go after all — because of a huge drowned rat in the toilet! That moment helped her realize the authentic Christian life is about following Jesus regardless of the cost (Matthew 19:29). My wife, Janie, and I took our children with us to serve the poor and the lost as we planted churches. The whole family participated, even when the children wanted to stay home and watch Saturday morning cartoons. Skeptical people can be cool to the offer of mercy from an adult, but they react differently when children make the offer. It’s difficult not to be touched by the look of a child who hands out a bottle of water or a bag of groceries. All three of my children had to find their own way to Jesus. They are all in their adult years now — and all strong in the Lord. The common theme they say made a lasting mark on their souls was the outreach they consistently did over the years. It brought spiritual reality to them (Proverbs 22:6). Reach out this week. It’s not difficult. Grab a bag of groceries and go to people in need. Smile big. Knock on a door and ask, “Know anyone who could use this?” Some of them will give you a hug as you and your kids give them a bag and a 10-second prayer. You’ll be changed forever (Luke 14:12–14). [LLM]

[history] 8

Missional Mindset Isn’t Easy by KATE MCGINN

he idea of a truly missional family is difficult to wrap one’s mind around. Only when we put Christ at the center of our lives can we hope to accomplish the worldly work to which He calls us. Parents can encourage their children, expose them to the teachings of Jesus and lead lives of excellent Christian witness, but they cannot guarantee that their children will accept seats at the table of Christ. Nowhere is this uncertainty better reflected than in the material housed in religious collections. Just as some journals and letters detail uplifting and inspiring stories of third- and fourth-generation Christians, others document the sad yet familiar tale of children “Going to a picnic.” James and Alice Taylor (missionaries to China) with embittered by the sacrifices made by their Christian parents. Some their children and helpers. children never embrace the faith of their parents. In “Populist Saints: B. T. and Ellen Roberts and the First Free Methodists,” Howard Snyder writes of George Roberts, one of B.T. and Ellen’s four sons, “It appears that in his later years George became an Episcopalian; whether he ever came to a vital Christian faith is uncertain.” In a letter to his wife, George once wrote: “I am afraid that I shall never become a Christian.” Different interpretations of the Scripture add to the complexities. How do twocareer parents decide under which yoke to hitch their individual ministries? Once I heard a congregant take a pastor’s wife to task for not being more of a “helpmeet” to her husband. The young mother of two, also a medical doctor, responded that, like her husband, she would have to answer to Jesus for what she had made of her life. The missional family demands an exquisite balance, one seemingly beyond my reach. I find my solace in St. Augustine’s “ever-receding shores” or Moses’ glimpse into the Promised Land. Having a missional family may seem impossible to reach, but the goal is worth the struggle. [LLM]

Having a

missional family may seem

impossible to

reach, but the

goal is worth the struggle.

by jeff finley

Photo by Beky Smith

sia is a long way from the McFarlanes’ southern Illinois home, but the distant continent is close to their hearts. Scott and Karen McFarlane and their three children — Brennan, 11; Drew, 8; and Lily, 6 — sponsor multiple Asian children through Christian relief agencies, including the Free Methodist Church’s International Child Care Ministries (ICCM). uuu

Photo by Beky Smith

[action] 10 But child sponsorship is just one of the family’s many links to Asia. Lily lived in India until last year when she joined the McFarlane family after a rigorous, two-and-a-half-year adoption process. “One of the criticisms of international adoption is that Americans are rich, and they’re taking the kids away from the poor people,” Karen said. “We say, no, we want to support as many families staying together as we can.” But when a family can’t care for a child, Karen said, adoption is needed. Much of Scott’s life has alternated between two Free Methodist college towns — Spring Arbor, Mich., and his present community of Greenville, Ill. He has also lived in urban areas, including two years working in Hong Kong and worshipping at its First Filipino FMC. “I saw a lot of needs around the world that I wasn’t exposed to as a middle-class American growing up in Spring Arbor,” Scott said. “I had a reverse culture shock when I came back. I was angry at all the wealth I saw here.” Scott became a vocal critic of the business world. While he was working as a resident director at Spring Arbor University, Scott’s anti-business stance troubled his mentor, Chuck White, a professor of Christian thought and history.

“[White] pointed his finger at me one day and told me I was ignorant of economics and before I continued spouting about economic issues, I needed to educate myself,” said Scott, who enrolled in business courses and eventually earned an MBA. Scott started Compass Global, a consulting firm that links companies in Asia, Europe and North America to meet technology needs. “I strongly advocate for companies overseas that are doing missional work through their engines of business,” Scott said. Karen grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich., and majored in early childhood education at Spring Arbor. During a spring break in an Anabaptist community similar to the Amish, she became fascinated with the idea of living simply in community. Scott and Karen were drawn to each other’s countercultural ideals when they began dating, but their views later shifted to working within culture to improve it. “We were so idealistic,” Karen said. “With kids, we’re forced to be practical.” While Scott travels on business, Karen is the lone manager of a household of three children — not an easy task for someone with two decades of chronic fatigue syndrome. When

Anybody who’s trying to live a missional life in our culture will struggle. It’s a messy way to live. But we wouldn’t trade our messy, missional life for anything. times have been tough, the couple said, God has strengthened them through the support of friends, family and professional counseling. “Anybody who’s trying to live a missional life in our culture will struggle. It’s a messy way to live,” Karen said. “But we wouldn’t trade our messy, missional life for anything, because we are where we feel God wants us to be, and He has made our lives rich and full of blessings along with the challenges.” [LLM]

11 [news]

Free Methodists Meet in Town Hall by JEFF FINLEY

ree Methodist bishops gathered simultaneously with hundreds of people across the United States during the Virtual Town Hall. “What wonderful capabilities we have with the World Wide Web and with [Light & Life Communications], and we just want to encourage you to take full advantage of all of these tools and technologies, so that we can be better connected as we look to the future,” Bishop David Kendall told the online participants Oct. 9. The broadcast was accessed at more than 260 sites — including church gatherings with multiple participants. A live chat window allowed online participants to join the discussion. Bishop David Roller shared the desire to have each believer fully engaged in ministry. “The idea Recorded is really invigorating segments are available for — this idea that there viewing on is not a particular fmcusa.org at bit.ly/ cast or cut of a folfmtownhall. lower of Jesus who is

uniquely qualified to minister, but that every disciple is a disciple maker,” Roller said. Bishop Matt Thomas focused on growth. “A natural outcropping of Spirit-filled life — of Jesus in the middle of things — is that we grow,” Thomas said. “There’s a contagion that sets in with people that are growing spiritually.” The bishops took questions from the online audience about a wide variety of topics, including Kenji Nitta’s inquiry about how the Free Methodist world conference operates. Nitta, of New Heights Christian Fellowship in Boise, Idaho, thought the bishops’ response was helpful and appreciated “learning that the world conference is more about collaboration between key leaders and that general conferences are a bit more autonomous.” Hendrik Smidderks, senior pastor

of Northwest FMC in Wichita, Kan., was happy with the bishops’ response to his question about the role of a pastor. “I believe the bishops were reaffirming the spiritual role of pastoral leadership,” Smidderks said. “Great leadership and organization in the church must flow out of spiritual journey and development.” [LLM]

If you want additional town hall meetings, tell Light & Life Communications in the comments area at bit.ly/fmtownhall.

[news] 12 A 180 CHURCH Port Saint Lucie, Fla.

In less than a year, A 180 Church went from a home gathering of 15 people to a congregation of 55 and an additional 20 attending the Tuesday night youth program. The church reports seven salvations and four baptisms. Its members include people from five nations. More information is available at a180church.com.

CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH Columbus, Ga.

Heath and the Checker Shoe Band — a puppet ministry led by Heath Williamson, an Alabama-Georgia Conference ministerial candidate and a Christ Community member — is nearing completion of a CD featuring rocking versions of children’s standards. The ministry broadcasts on three TV stations and two Internet stations. Watch performances at heathandthecheckershoeband.com.

CUCAMONGA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

Donald D. Bowers, Cucamonga Christian Fellowship’s connections pastor, is the FM Foundation’s new regional representative in Southern California. He previously served his alma mater, Azusa Pacific University, as director of development and director of church relations and alumni. Don has been married to his wife, Rosa Lee, for more than 50 years.

OAKDALE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jackson, Ky.

33 A.D. — an Oakdale student music group — is raising money for new touring equipment through the sale of its recorded music. The project can be previewed and purchased at 33admusic.com as a CD or a digital download. The seven-student band is available for church ministry in Kentucky and surrounding states. Find 33 A.D. on Facebook at facebook.com/33admusic.

The Rest of the Story Want to find indepth stories of remarkable Free Methodists? Visit fmcusa.org and llcomm.org.

We want to hear from you! Tell us what your church is doing to impact lives in the United States and around the world. Submit your story at fmcusa.org/ yourstory.

13 [world]

Helping Children Pray

ree Methodist World Missions suggests these tools to aid children as they pray for the needs around the world.

Countries l

utline of a country — Make an outline of the country O on the floor using masking tape or string. Have children stand inside the shape as they pray.

lags — Have children draw and color a flag from a speF cific country, and then pray for that nation.

lobes or maps — Have children locate a specific counG try and put their hands on it as they pray.

I nflatable globe — Have children toss the globe to one another. Ask them to pray for the countries their hands cover as they catch the globe.

igsaw world map — Use a world jigsaw puzzle or J create your own from a map. Have each child choose a piece, add it to the puzzle and pray for the country or area it represents.

Newspapers — Pray for world needs found in the headlines.

ood — After sampling a meal or foods from one specific F country, pray for the needs of that area.

Missionaries l

Read newsletters to know how to pray specifically for missionaries supported by your church or conference.

(Current newsletters can be found on missionary pages at fmwm.org.) l

Help each child make a photo prayer album with one page for each day of the week. Use missionary prayer cards or pictures on each page, praying for them and the people of that nation that day. Place missionary prayer cards in a bag. Have the children draw one and pray for that missionary. [LLM]

More resources and the Missions Alive! curriculum are available at bit.ly/ kidsresources.

[discipleship] 14

Living by Design by JIM LIEBELT

n 1958, Time magazine reported on the fate of 100,000 paper clips. According to a survey, only 20,000 paper clips were used as designed. The others were used, but not as paper clips. Some were twisted or broken; some were used as toothpicks or to clean fingernails or ears. It seems a waste that 80 percent of paper clips are never used for their intended purpose. It also seems to me that people are a lot like paper clips. Far too many people do not fulfill the purpose for which they were created. Just as its creator designed the paper clip for a specific purpose, God has purposely created each of us to fulfill His own design. In Ephesians 2:10, we find the heart of the issue: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Uniquely equipped by our Creator, we are designed for works of mission and service. We fulfill the purpose of our Creator when we live according to Jesus’ words, “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). We pass along a legacy of faith to our children when we teach them the principle that in losing one’s life for the sake of Christ and His kingdom, they will find the best life that God desires for them. Families who live by design begin with parents who intentionally set the pace. By introducing your children to opportunities for service (and in serving together), you will help them become all God intends. [LLM]

Far too many people do not fulfill the purpose for which they were created.

GROUP DISCUSSION: [1] How can living your life by God’s design make a difference in how you view yourself? [2] In what ways can children see you setting an example of living by God’s design? [3] What change(s) must you make to live consistently as God designed you to live?

Did you know there are three more discipleship articles on our website? They’re perfect for use in your small group or as a weekly supplement to individual study.

LLM

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[resources] HOMEWORD CENTER Azusa Pacific University’s HomeWord Center for Youth and Family shares articles, devotions, parenting tips and radio broadcasts: homeword.com.

Start the new year by learning about ways to develop a missional family.

COMPASSIONATE KIDS In “Growing Compassionate Kids,” Jan Johnson offers practical tips for parents: bit.ly/compassionatekids.

MISSIONAL MOM In “The Missional Mom,” Helen Lee encourages mothers to extend their influence: bit.ly/missionalmom.

MYSTERY OF THE CHILD Christian historian Martin E. Marty discusses “The Mystery of the Child” on PBS: to.pbs.org/mysterychild.