O C T 20 1 1
LLM
social
media 2
Feature
10
Action
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Discipleship
1 [openers]
Potlucks and Friend Requests
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he number of people currently on Facebook would be the equivalent of the third largest country in the world. The number of people using Twitter grew 900 percent in one year. Sites like Instagram, Yelp and Foursquare help us instantly share images, reviews and even our locations. Social networks aren’t exclusive to race, socioeconomic status or religion. We can’t ignore these networks. So what do we do with social media? I remember growing up in the 1980s when some Christians got scared about music and TV. Parents were being told that rock music was straight from the devil and “The Smurfs” cartoon promoted witchcraft. The message was fear. Social networking can also prompt fear. What do we do with pictures and personal information? What do we Not sure what these boxes are? They’re QR codes. Here’s what to do with them.
1] Download the app QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be read by smartphone cameras. Search “QR code” to find a free QR app for your phone. 2] Scan the code Hold your phone over a box. The app will use your camera to read the code. 3] Enjoy The code will direct your phone to a site with a video, some music, a photo or other goody.
i
What’s this? This symbol means there’s more info at llcomm.org.
say and how do we say it? For some people, Facebook and Twitter seem as strange as smurfs. Yet, social networks are definitely a Free Methodist idea. Facebook is a church potluck minus the mac and cheese. In this issue, we consider what the Free Methodist Church could look like if each of us applied the message of holiness to our strategy in these networks. Our denomination’s new website (fmcusa.org) and LLM’s online home (llcomm.org) already connect to your favorite social networks. Consider this an invitation Archer i Jason Executive Director to the table of a more connected of Free Methodist denomination. [LLM] Communications
“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” — John 1:4
LLM LIGHT & LIFE MAGAZINE
Developing Earnest Christians Since 1868
Lead Writer Lead Designer Writer/Photographer Copy Editor Art Director Circulation Project Manager Web Director/Rich Media Publisher
Jeff Finley Erin Eckberg Michael Metts Dawn McIlvain Stahl Andrea Anibal Kelly Sheads Julie Innes Peter Shackelford Jason Archer
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To receive Light & Life in Spanish please contact our office: (800) 342-5531 or kelly.sheads@fmcusa.org.
Website: www.llcomm.org Email us: www.llcomm.org/staff News and submissions: jeff.finley@fmcusa.org Advertising: jason.archer@fmcusa.org Address all correspondence to: Light & Life Magazine, P.O. Box 535002 Indianapolis, IN 46253-5002 (317) 244-3660 LLM: Light & Life Magazine (ISSN 0024-3299) was established in 1868 by the Free Methodist Church. Published monthly by Light & Life Communications. © 2011 Free Methodist Church - USA, 770 N. High School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46214. Views expressed in articles do not necessarily represent the official position of the Free Methodist Church. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations, no portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version unless otherwise indicated.
Whole No. 5232, Vol. 144, No. 5 Printed in U.S.A. Member: Evangelical Press Association, Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, IN, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster, send address changes to: Light & Life Magazine, P.O. Box 535002, Indianapolis, IN 46253-5002
or t
texts,tweets, technology theology and
by KELLY SOIFER
F
ull disclosure: I have 1,381 friends on Facebook. Clearly, I spend some time on the infamous social network. I have worked with youth since 1982. When I realized a few years ago that my youth group was on Facebook, I took the dive. uuu
3 [feature] From my early days of youth ministry until now, I have certainly seen things change. I’ve gone from making dittos in 1982 to advertising events through text messages today. How does one keep up with it all? I teach religious studies at a Christian high school. Every
How do we live holy lives in the uncharted territory of social media? night, if I choose to, I am able to witness many interesting dialogues between my students on Facebook. One discussion really cracked me up: Student No. 1: SO it looks like my parents aren’t going to let me have Mass Effect [an Xbox video game] for another TWO months in all probability. They want to teach me PATIENCE. Whoopee. Student No. 2: Hahahaha!! :D Student No. 3: dude... you’re 16 and your parents are still having to
teach you patience for something simple like a video game? c’mon... Slightly Older Friend: My parents tried to limit me to “an hour Saturday, an hour Sunday” of computer time when I was growing up. It didn’t stick. [More grumbling from several people, especially Student No. 1, until one hour later:] Mom of Student No. 1: okay--parent alert! I see you! Hi everyone :) Student No. 1: Ummm hi mom... I was proud of the mom for knowing what her son was talking about on Facebook, and I shook my head once again at how we forget that the Internet reaches millions — not just the one or two people we are “talking” to. Digital technology certainly has many potential dangers. Can anything good come from it? People of all ages increasingly spend hours each day engaging in virtual community online. How should Free Methodists respond to the opportunities and pitfalls of this cultural phenomenon? How do we live holy lives in the uncharted territory of social media?
Wesleyans should know the story of John Wesley’s experience at the meeting near Aldersgate Street, when his heart was “strangely warmed” as he was confronted with the assurance of God’s salvation. However, in Stephen Tomkins’ “John Wesley: A Biography,” two things stood out to me. First, Wesley’s shameful return to England from a “failed” career as a missionary in what is now Savannah, Georgia taught him many things, the foremost being that “he saw the fallacy of his long pursuit of holiness in solitude” (emphasis mine). Try as he might, Wesley continually stumbled when he tried to will himself into strict personal discipleship. He was only set free when he turned to trusted peers and mentors for support and accountability. One of the great reasons for the success of the Wesleyan revival (and of Methodism over time) was that John and Charles Wesley created smaller contexts for believers in which they could spur one another in discipleship. These meetings and bands cultivated close relationships and spiritual intimacy, bonding societies in ways that transformed an entire culture. As the motto of the Free Methodist Church in Southern California states, “It’s good to belong.” To grow
[feature] 4 in intimacy with our Savior, we need each other. Second, after the Wesleyan revival started taking hold, both George Whitefield and John Wesley gave open-air sermons to thousands. Naturally, this offended some, most pointedly the parish priests on whose turf these revivalist preachers were treading. In defense, Wesley declared these unforgettable words: I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation. This is the work which I know God has called me to; and sure I am that His blessing attends it. Some 270 years before Facebook and Twitter, John Wesley opened up the entire world as our mission field. Our Methodist roots are anchored deep in intimate discipleship among believers and in community transformation. When we approach things from this perspective, it is easier to see how social media could be a tool to further these goals in the 21st century, if we are creative and wise.
Of course, such an adventure does not come without significant risks. If you are a member of Facebook (and a recent National Association of Evangelicals survey discovered that 91 percent of evangelical leaders are on at least one social networking site), you know how easy it is to get sucked in, wasting hours looking at friends’ photos and wall posts. Worse yet, there is a temptation to fall into inappropriate communication patterns. Digital communication can become careless and hurtful with alarming speed. Yet, social media has benefits. Pastors from the 40-plus churches in the Southern California Conference remain connected through a password-protected discussion hub hosted by Basecamp, an online project management software. The spirited discussions swing from infant baptism to how many hours we spend on sermon preparation — with a good
sprinkling of gentle teasing included. Several of the churches I work with have found that Facebook Pages are useful for building deeper connection and communication throughout the week by sharing photos from church events and sending out reminders for upcoming activities. Church leaders give great shout-outs of encouragement to individual church members via the wall of the church’s Facebook Page, and then multiple members agree and add even
5 [feature] more affirmation. One of our pastors created escondidobibleschool.wordpress.com to manage the Christian education courses at his church, which include the opportunity to pursue a certificate. This has proved effective, raising up disciples and new leaders at the church. My prayer is that we would continue to grow in personal and social holiness, and bring these disciplines to every portion of our lives, includ-
ing our use of the Internet. Like peer pressure among teenagers, the Web itself is neutral — it is neither a positive nor negative force. Its dangers and strengths are found in its users. I am grateful that our national leaders have endorsed greater engagement by our denomination in digital technology. This vision allows the new Free Methodist Church — USA website to provide an outstanding opportunity for the world to hear more about how the church is being used by God
to move His kingdom forward. More than ever, social media and creative Internet design are allowing us to continue to have “the world as our parish.” May God be Soifer is the i Kelly praised. [LLM] director of recruiting and training for the Free Methodist Church in Southern California.
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[bishops] 6
What Would Jesus Tweet?
R
ight, like you really need to know how I’m feeling now. Like you really want to know what I had for breakfast. On social media, we can over-reveal or over-conceal. It allows us to ridiculously expose ourselves or perfectly hide ourselves. I can share just how drab and shallow I am with banal status updates, or I can carefully craft my personal brand on social media, so the real “me” is never revealed. Most of us don’t go so far as to adopt an alter identity, but we may forget to mention unflattering facts. Like the old-time personal ads — “I enjoy long walks on the beach, sunsets, and poetry” — that “forget” to mention that any day of the week I’d rather watch football in my T-shirt. Facebook isn’t Soulbook. It’s just a face you choose to show the world. To a whole person, social media is a healthy way to extend your reach; to a broken person, it’s another way to hide. Sure, Jesus would have tweeted ... some. Not like, “Just wowed them with flying pigs off cliff. Everybody was like, OMG! Got that right!” But maybe like, “Spent the early quiet of the day in prayer, alone. Try it sometime.” I don’t know how many friends He’d have had, probably not as many as you’d think — maybe 12 or so. I remember one night when they all unfriended him. It was just the next day that he friended them all back. Social media is a tool. Our work is ultimately larger in intent than the tool. Use the tool well, and it can bring healing. Use it poorly, and it just shatters us further. [LLM]
Social media is a tool. Use the tool well, and it can bring healing. Use it poorly, and it just shatters us further.
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Bishop David Roller
7 [foundation]
2 Peter 3:9
Faith, Facebook and FarmVille
Colossians 4:6
by JANET WHITE
SCRIPTURE:
1 Corinthians 10:31 2 Corinthians 9:6, 10 Galatians 6:9 1 Corinthians 3:8–9
D
espite pitfalls associated with social networking, Christians can use the Internet for the kingdom of God. Many Bible verses, Christian events, thoughtful video clips, prayer requests and answers are posted on Facebook, where they reach people who would never enter a church building. God is not limited in His methods. He does not want “anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Of course, we need to be careful what we write on Facebook. Our conversations — oral or written — need to reflect Christ’s character and always be “full of grace, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6). Paul admonishes us in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that everything we do should be done for the glory of God. I enjoy playing FarmVille and have found many spiritual insights in it. One of the key features is an interdependence of online neighbors. Many things cannot be done without neighbors’ help. I pray for the salvation of my neighbors, some of whom I would never have met if it were not for this social interaction. Another biblical principle illustrated by FarmVille is that skill, mastery and rewards can be gained through perseverance. I am reminded “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. … Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Corinthians 9:6, 10). Some FarmVille work is tedious. Many quit when their farms are just beginning. In the Christian life, we are encouraged to “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). After all, “the one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:8–9). [LLM]
[history] 8
Pentecost Bands’ Social Networking by MINDI GRIESER CROMWELL
Their methods may be called shortcuts to win souls. — Vivian Dake
B
efore the advent of modern social-networking mechanisms such as Facebook and Twitter, early Free Methodists and holiness evangelists used other tools to communicate the holiness message. Pastor Vivian Dake (1854-1892) and his Pentecost Bands harnessed youthful enthusiasm and brought together small groups of itinerant workers to spread the gospel. Following the railway system, a group of three or four young men or women traveled from town to town. When they entered a new community, they networked by passing out tracts, spreading the message by word of mouth and marching down the street to announce their arrival and subsequent tent meetings. As people were led to salvation, small groups started and built churches out of these groups of new believers. Excitement grew within these bands of young people as they maintained a highly mobile lifestyle. The bands were self-perpetuating. For each group of three or four, a leader and an assistant were appointed. When the assistant and helpers had more training, they started new groups with new trainees coming alongside the leader. In his “Populist Saints” book, Howard Snyder describes the system as “set up for mobility, flexibility and rapid expansion.” Although the Pentecost Bands were not completely under the auspices of the Free Methodist Church, many of the churches that sprang up in their wake became Free Methodist. From 1886 to 1894, their most powerful era of influence, the Free Methodist Church grew 51 percent. Bishop Leslie Marston attributed a great portion of this significant growth to the work of the bands. The Pentecost Bands’ method of reaching out in ever-widening networks for salvation purpose, once called by Dake “shortcuts to win souls,” show the contemporary church that using modern methods for the right purpose can yield eternal consequence. [LLM]
p Pentecost Band members. Vivian Dake seated front row right. (Photo courtesy of Marston Memorial Historical Center)
Their methods may be called shortcuts to win souls.
— Vivian Dake
small-town church
big facebook presence has
W
ith fewer than 800 residents, La Farge, Wis., may not seem like the place to find a church on the cutting edge of social networking, but La Farge FMC has more than 550 Facebook friends. uuu
Photo by Michael Metts
by MICHAEL METTS
[action] 10
Photo by Michael Metts
e
Pastor Mark Phillips, a La Farge native, uses the church’s Facebook profile to promote events, spark conversation about sermons and build community within the congregation, which averages attendance of around 100. Phillips was called into ministry relatively late in life, after starting a career and a family. Weekday mornings, Phillips works as an assistant manager of facilities at Organic Valley, a La Farge producer of dairy products. Because of this, his time for ministry is limited. “I don’t have that flexibility to go and visit people, but Facebook gives me the access for people to reach me, or I can respond back to them,” he said. “They can email me, talk to me online if they see that I’m online, and that’s a big advantage for me.” Not everyone in the congregation is on Facebook, but Phillips uses it to keep in contact with many members, ranging from a 90-year-old woman and her husband to a 10-year-old child. “Every day I put something on Facebook,” Phillips said. During the week, he posts about the upcoming Sunday’s message. When the weekend arrives, he invites all of the church’s Facebook friends to hear the message at Sunday’s service.
The church’s location in Vernon County, the third poorest in Wisconsin, doesn’t stop La Farge FMC from reaching out to the community. “We are a vibrant outreach church that seeks the will of God and reaches out to the needs of the people,” Phillips said. The church often uses Facebook to promote special events, including Hot Rod Sunday when classic car owners from the area bring their vehicles to the church and stay to hear the service. Every spring, the church hosts a Blessing of the Bike service to pray for local motorcyclists. Recently, the church hosted a 9/11 memorial event to dedicate the new fire station. “There are a lot of people who have come because of Facebook,” Phillips said. “I think Facebook gives people a peephole to the church.” Although Phillips is enthusiastic about how Facebook can be a valuable tool, he’s also aware of the dangers. “I think one of the biggest threats is becoming too lax about face-to-face communication,” he said. “The church needs to be interacting with its community.” Phillips acknowledges the potential of social media to feed negative energy.
“There are a lot of people who have come because of Facebook. I think [it] gives people a peephole to the church.” “Outside of the church, I see a lot of negativity,” he said. “I think sometimes people type before they think. That’s a challenge with Facebook overall.” Phillips feels like the positive benefits of his church being connected online outweigh Facebook’s few negatives. To visit the church’s profile, search for “LaFarge Free Methodist Church” on Facebook. [LLM]
Video: Mark Phillips discusses his call to ministry.
11 [news]
First Female FM Elder Dies at 91 by J E F F F I N L E Y
J
ean Parry, a key figure in Free Methodist Church – USA history, never courted the spotlight. Parry died July 28 at age 91. She ministered faithfully and humbly in small Pennsylvania churches, according to family and friends, without calling attention to the groundbreaking moment on July 19, 1974, when she become the first woman ordained as an elder in the Free Methodist Church. “If there was one focal point in her sermon, I think it would be the love that Jesus showed us,” said her son, Dave Parry, who noted his mother often preached at two different churches on a single Sunday. “She was an amazing woman. She gave unceasingly.” When the Uniontown (Pa.) HeraldStandard profiled her in 1982, she told the newspaper: “As a child of 7 years of age, I felt God’s call and the Lord said to me, ‘Would you go and tell them?’ And I said, ‘Yes, I’ll go.’” Little focus was put on the historic nature of the 1974 ordination ser-
vice, said Bob Neal, pastor of the Glenn Street FMC in Washington, Pa. Neal was ordained with Parry, one month after the general conference’s decision to begin ordaining women as elders. “As many women in the pulpit do, she faced a lot of prejudice. Everywhere she went, there was backlash as far as the bias toward women in the pulpit,” Neal said. Jim Jobes, Pittsburgh Conference superintendent, said it was remarkable that Parry did not face even stronger opposition in the 1970s beJean Parry cause of the views some (Photo courtesy of Marston Memorial Historical Center) church members had “She was very kind, very loving, very about female pastors. nurturing to her congregations,” Neal “Today we still find some modest said. “She wasn’t the kind to create resistance to women in ministry,” controversy or division. She brought Jobes said. healing.” [LLM] But Parry consistently treated her critics with respect.
[news] 12 LIVING SPRINGS COMMUNITY CHURCH Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Living Springs, a Free Methodist congregation on the edge of the Adirondack Mountains, is expanding its reach through cyberspace. The church has a website at livingspringscc.net, a blog at livingspringsccny.blogspot.com and a Facebook Page at facebook.com/LSCCSS. The Web helps church members stay in touch, particularly with Navy personnel who’ve moved away from the nearby base.
GENERAL CONFERENCE 2011 North Chili, N.Y.
General Conference 2011 delegates approved five resolutions and rejected five other resolutions during plenary sessions July 15 and 16 at Roberts Wesleyan College. A summary of the approved resolutions can be found at fmcusa.org and gc11.org with links to the text of both the approved and rejected resolutions.
GC11 PRAYER TEAM North Chili, N.Y.
In matching lime green T-shirts, a 24-member team prayed daily at General Conference 2011 from 7 a.m. until the 7 p.m. service. Each day they walked into every venue to saturate GC11 with prayer. Team members came from the Greenville (Ill.) FMC and Mary’s Place Ministries, Bowling Green, Ky.
LIGHT & LIFE COMMUNICATIONS North Chili, N.Y.
Jaymes Lackey, a Seattle Pacific University graduate student who recently served as the assistant pastor at Foothill Community Church in Oroville, Calif., won a new iPad from Light & Life Communications. Lackey was randomly selected after winning one of the daily Twitter and Facebook contests for General Conference 2011.
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The Rest of the Story Want to find out more about the stories of these 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]
BRI E F
I
nternational Child Care Ministries (ICCM) is pleased to offer Free Methodist churches, sponsors and child advocates a brand-new DVD resource. ICCM empowers individuals and congregations to change lives and grow local Free Methodist churches in 30 nations. The 2011 ICCM DVD includes eight new videos on ICCM’s initiatives: child trafficking in Thailand, Haiti recovery, India hostels, the Ahon ministry in the Philippines, the India Rice Fund and more. The DVD also includes downloadable and printable tools for exploring and sharing about ICCM sponsorships, scholarships and creative initiatives. To get a taste, take just 2.5 minutes to view the “Faces” video at fmcusa.org or on the denomination’s mobile app. Receive a free DVD by requesting it at childcareministries.org/contact.
Worldwide Church Grows in Numbers, Vitality by BISHOP MATT THOMAS
A
s Christians increasingly experience persecution in some countries, revival takes place in unbelievable ways. Churches in developing countries are helping churches and communities in neighboring developing countries. International Child Care Ministries is growing. Miracles take place daily. Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza (right) sits with Bishop Jim Tuan of the Free Methodist churches around the Philippines at the World Conference of world are at record numbers. the Free Methodist Church. These facts were among the many reports given at the World Conference of the Free Methodist Church held Aug. 9 to 13 in Bujumbura, Burundi. The Bishops and delegates from five continents were also privileged to hear an inspiring, Spirit-filled message from Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza, whose wife is a Bible and theology major at Hope Africa University — the Free Methodist university that hosted the event. The unity, resolve, collegiality and shared vision of the leadership marked the event as plans were made to address world problems and re-envision the role of the church in spreading the good news. The attendees were treated to cultural drum teams as well as stirring choral presentations. The U.S. bishops and church representatives were blessed by their time with the international delegates. The church outside the United States has come of age, comprising more than 12 of every 13 Free Methodist attendees around the world. One group of churches in one of these countries is planning to baptize 3,000 new believers only weeks from now, on the anniversary of the church. This is a sign of rapid growth and healthy work. We praise God for His gracious work. [LLM]
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[discipleship] 14
Would Jesus Use Facebook? by P A M B R A M A N
“O
i
f course not,” some people would say if asked whether Jesus would use the most popular social network. But I get a picture in my mind of Jesus setting up Face-
book Groups. One is “The Apostles.” That’s an invitation-only group. Another is “Followers.” That’s an open group with the hope of going viral. Followers are encouraged to invite friends. I can see the wall posts the day after Jesus fed the 5,000: “Dude! That was seriously awesome food. When are you doing a repeat?” or “Can someone let me know what the menu’s going to be next Jesus was accessible. time? I’m tired of fish and bread.” He loved the masses and often connected with the crowds in the marketplace and the Temple. Jesus was accessible. With more than a quarter of a billion people on Facebook, it’s one place where there’s a serious crowd. Whether or not you use social networking, you still need to ask: “How might God use me to connect with people outside my normal circle who don’t yet know Him?” Of course, Jesus would go way beyond online networking. In the ministry of Jesus, touch (feet washing, healing), taste (meals, communion) and smell (anointment with perfume) were all important in creating true relationship with others. Jesus carefully developed deep relationships with the 12 apostles, Mary, Martha, Lazarus and the 72 (Luke 10:1). These friends lived up-close and personal. Together they learned how to love, fight, do ministry and take steps of faith. You can’t learn these things by staring at a computer screen or smartphone. Being a disciple of Jesus is about more than clicking the “like” button. Do your part to make true Christianity go viral. [LLM]
GROUP DISCUSSION: [1] Where are you rubbing shoulders with those who don’t yet know Jesus? [2] How can you “be Jesus” to these people? How can you touch them in a Jesus way?
[3] Who are you in real relationship with? Who knows your secrets, loves you and holds you accountable?
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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