Christian Standard | August 2020 by Christian Standard Media

fr o m th e pu bli sh er

10 Foundation Stones of the Church N o . 4: Preaching the Word

W H E N I S TA RT E D T H I S SE R I E S of ar-

ticles based on Acts 2:41-47 and titled it “Closed on Sunday,” I never imagined this phrase would also describe a new reality brought on by a pandemic. But with this new reality, and as we consider the future, the prescriptions in Acts 2 become all the more important. We began this series with baptism—just like the first-century church—and then proceeded into authority and the Word of God itself. This article will explore the God-designed and commissioned delivery system for his Word— preaching. Have you ever used Amazon? Perhaps you have Amazon Prime. Most people consider Amazon

to be on the cutting edge, but truth be told, mail order is nothing new. It’s been around since 1845 when Tiffany sent out its original Blue Book. That was 175 years ago. So, while mail order really is not a new idea, it certainly has come a long way! What specifically about Amazon has made Jeff Bezos the richest man in the world? It isn’t just the selection, it’s the delivery system. When God gave us the Word, he also provided a delivery system so that his Word could penetrate the hearts and minds of his children. Authority, the Word, and preaching all are contained in that Acts 2:42 phrase, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching” (Acts 2:42). It was the perfect delivery system.

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There is power in the Word itself—people just need to hear it. (Paul attests to this in 1 Timothy 4:13.) God speaks through the Word whether it is read silently or aloud. Sermons and church services should be filled with the Word. Scripture has incredible power for our lives (see Romans 1:16), but it requires a delivery system that works. Philip had to explain the words of Isaiah to the Ethiopian (Acts 8:30, 31), and we’re in the same situation. The Bible holds God’s eternal truths, but sometimes we have a hard time understanding them. Paul compelled us to preach: “How . . . can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14). When preachers preach God’s Word, and listeners hear and believe God’s Word, then people call on the Lord. When the Word is preached there should be a response (Isaiah 55:10, 11). The response isn’t born from clever or entertaining preaching, but from the power of the Word itself. Paul, in fact, did not consider himself a good preacher (1 Corinthians 1:21; 2:1-5). This doesn’t mean that good illustrations are a waste of time or that stories aren’t great tools for preaching. Jesus was the greatest of preachers and a genius at storytelling and illustrations. Jesus’ parables became windows people could look through to discover and understand deeper truths. Consider the many ways Jesus described God’s kingdom. The kingdom of God is like . . .

a man who broadcasts seed onto the soil . . . a treasure hidden in a field . . . a mustard seed . . . a man who traveled to a far country . . . leaven in a lump of dough . . . a merchant seeking fine pearls . . . a big fishnet . . . 10 young women on their way to a wedding. The problem is, many sermons today come off as stand-up comedy, or a mass therapy session, or a political platform, or a family counseling session. It’s easy to give into the felt needs of the world around us and to fail to see the very real needs we all have that only God can fill. That’s why, when preachers are ordained, the elders read aloud from 2 Timothy 4:1-5. The Word of God is what we need . . . and it’s what I need. I need truth, not lip service. I need light, not rose-colored glasses. I need holiness, not popularity. I need peace, not politics. I need joy, not junk. I need eternal things, not disposable things. I need treasure in Heaven, not trinkets. I need discipleship, not Google. I need good seed, not spoiled fruit. I need deep roots, not plastic plants. I need living water, not an empty cup. I need a sharp sword, not a butter knife! I need a good teacher, not a yes-man. I need a cloud of witnesses, not an echo chamber. I need a divine purpose, not an earthly distraction. I need a life, not a coping mechanism! So preach it! Preach the Word! Hit me with your best shot!

Jerry Harris is publisher of Christian Standard Media and senior pastor of The Crossing, a multisite church located in three states across the Midwest. @_jerryharris /jerrydharris

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Now that’s not to say that reading the Word won’t have a tremendous effect, because the power of the sermon is in the Word itself, but simply reading God’s Word was a challenge in Jesus’ time. The literacy rate 2,000 years ago in Israel was about 1 percent. That necessitated that most teaching occur via oral communication.

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In Every Issue 2-3 | from the publisher

8-9 |

e 2:EFFECTIVE ELDERS Legacy Gar y and Jared Johnson

6-7 | from the Editor

10-11 | POLISHED How t o B e c o me a n I mp e r fe c t Me nt o r Megan Rawlings

t h ey hear h ow w il l t h ey hear h ow w h o w il l sen d t hem t h ey h e a r g o o d n e ws for h ow e v ery n at ion w il l t h ey hear h ow w il l t h ey hear h ow 12-13 | HORIZONS B ob M i l l i ke n : A Fo c u s o n I nt e r n a t i o n a l S t u d e nt s Laura McKillip Wood

14-15 | MINISTRYLIFE S h a r o nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s V i s i o n Daniel Schantz

16-17 | METRICS

94-95 | INTERACT

C o a ch i n g M a t t e r s Kent E. Fillinger

72-93 | THE LOOKOUT

96 | THE FINAL WORD

f r o m th e edi to r

Ask the Lord . . . to Send Workers!

PL A NNED THE A RTICLE S FOR THIS ISSUE on March 20, the day the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 916 points and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the nation’s largest city was “now the epicenter of this crisis” in the U.S., with 5,151 coronavirus cases and 29 deaths at that point. We were a nation looking for some sense of hope in the midst of a crisis we didn’t even understand. People’s anxiety was palpable and pessimism itself took on pandemic proportions. On that day, publisher Jerry Harris and I talked on the phone about our August issue; our theme for the month was the future of our Bible colleges and universities and the next generations of church leaders.

It’s no secret some of our educational institutions have struggled (or closed) recently. Questions about the future abound: Will the rest of our schools survive? Where will future preachers for our movement’s churches come from? Will our churches endure, and will our faith be passed on to future generations? Some folks seem to have lost hope in the future of the church, and for some, COVID-19 and the economic fallout from the pandemic have only magnified their anxiety. I am not one of those people. Our June issue, with a dozen writers under age 45 (and many in their 20s and 30s), is a testimony that the future of our movement is in

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and God-loving, Christ-sharing leaders in the marketplace, government, schools, and homes.

Four articles in this issue reference Romans 10:13-15, and for good reason: these widely quoted verses speak to the need for gospel preachers both here and internationally.

I’m asking you to join us, from August 1 to November 30, 2020, to pray daily, asking God to send workers. We’re calling this prayer campaign “ASK.”

Paul asked a series of logistical questions concerning what needs to be in place so people can call on the name of the Lord and be saved.

We’ve made it simple for you to take part in this prayer campaign: Subscribe for free to our “Daily Reading with The Lookout” email at www.ChristianStandard.com/newsletter (see page 96). Each day (Monday–Saturday), we will include a short but specific prompt to pray for workers; these prayer requests will come from our churches, colleges, and other ministries involved in carrying out Christ’s commission in the U.S. and internationally. (And we promise not to glut your in-box or share your contact information.)

I want to focus on the last two questions: • “How can they hear without someone preaching to them?” • “And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?” Today, similar questions are being asked: • What are our Bible colleges doing to develop more preachers? • How can anyone become a preacher if our churches aren’t sending them to Bible college? Jesus actually answered Paul’s question—and ours: “Ask the Lord of the harvest . . . to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:38).

This is a matter of obedience for us as Christ followers!

Just think: We will come together—thousands strong, we hope—praying in unison daily for four months (see John 4:35), simply doing what Jesus instructed us to do. Let’s not spend any more time being anxious or pessimistic about the future of our churches, colleges, and ministries. Instead, let’s simply, yet boldly, ask the Lord to send out workers so that his good news can be proclaimed!

Our God is a sending God and a compassionate God who does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). It’s clear how we should respond to this crisis: Ask the Lord to send out workers . . . into a world that desperately needs his healing. These “workers” are preachers and other church leaders, missionaries, ministry leaders,

@michaelcmack @michaelcmack @michaelcmack /authormichaelcmack

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good hands. I’ve heard high school and young college students preach God’s Word powerfully and we’ve heard stories of churches where students have preached (a story we hope to cover soon). More than all that, though, I believe God’s Word.

e 2 : ef f ecti v e elder s

Legacy BY GARY & JARED JOHNSON

L I K E FAT H E R , L I K E S ON. He’s a chip off the old block. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. These well-worn phrases still impart truth. Life is lived in and through generations. From beginning to end in the Scriptures, we read of generations of people. The genealogy of Jesus is listed in both Matthew and Luke. Today, there are five living generations: builders, boomers, gen X, millennials, and gen Z. Despite the untold volumes written and conferences held about the qualities and particularities of these generations, a far greater concern is each one’s legacy.

A Legacy of Faithfulness The Bible speaks to this. King Solomon was known for wisdom, wealth, women, and writing. Among his contributions to Scripture is a short song—Psalm 127. The first half of his brief worship song is about God building a house, protecting a city, and providing for our physical needs despite our anxious working (vv. 1, 2). Then, in the second half, Solomon mentioned children being a gift from God (vv. 3-5). He compared children to “arrows in the hand of a warrior” (English Standard Version). Moreover, Solomon said the warrior is blessed when his quiver is full of children (i.e., arrows).

Many people think of generational legacy in mostly temporal ways that might include real estate, stock portfolios, bank accounts, or vocational impact. Temporal legacy is often built on money and the things money can buy. But what if we reGary and Jared Johnson serve as executive director and operasolved to leave behind tions director, respectively, of e2: effective elders. a legacy that has eter/e2elders @e2elders nal worth, instead?

This song is not about ample procreation, but about leaving a godly legacy. Arrows go where the warrior cannot to impact the battlefield beyond his direct reach. How ironic that Solomon wrote this, for his own legacy was

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In the psalm’s second half, which is about war, notice the words warrior, arrows, and enemies. Children of the warrior will someday be sent into battle. We are at war, not with a country, but with the kingdom of darkness. Paul described it well: “For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). While on death row, Paul declared in his “last will and testament” to Timothy that he “fought the good fight . . . finished the race . . . remained faithful” (2 Timothy 4:7). What a legacy to give his son in the faith! This is the kind of legacy we should want to leave the next generation. But will we leave a legacy of faithfulness to Jesus to those coming up behind us? Whether they’re our own children and grandchildren, our ministerial successors, or the elders who carry the weight of church leadership after we’re gone, what legacy will we give them? Jesus expects us to “be faithful, even to the point of death” (Revelation 2:10). Nowhere in Scripture are we ever called or expected to be successful, only faithful.

A Legacy of Eternal Life By God’s grace, Solomon had a great beginning. God named this child Jedidiah, meaning “beloved of the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:25, NLT), even though David, Bathsheba, and the people called him Solomon. God lavished love on Solomon throughout his life, even though Solomon left God and recklessly worshipped the idols of his hundreds of wives. He did not finish well, and neither did many of his offspring. Even “good” King Hezekiah, who tried to reign in God-honoring ways, finished terribly. The prophet Isaiah confronted Hezekiah’s vapid,

prideful leadership. Because of Hezekiah’s arrogance and self-importance, Isaiah warned the king that Judah would be destroyed by the Babylonians and the king’s own descendants would be made eunuchs in their captivity (2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38, 39). What was Hezekiah’s response? “Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, ‘This message you have given me from the Lord is good.’ For the king was thinking, ‘At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime’” (2 Kings 20:19; Isaiah 39:8). Can you imagine? As a father, I (Gary) would never console myself with the thought that someone would mutilate my sons or grandkids! Would you ever refer to something as “good news” when it involved your child being brutalized and kidnapped, just because you would escape punishment? Hezekiah had a complete disregard for anyone besides himself; his legacy was anything but godly. We see proof of that in Scripture: Hezekiah’s son Manasseh was the longest-reigning and perhaps most pagan of any of the kings of Judah or Israel. What legacy will we give to those who follow us? Is the name and kingdom of God more important than anything temporal to which we can point to feel good about? Can we, in humility, release our need to be needed and let the Almighty do what he needs done after we’re gone? It gives me—Gary Johnson—great pleasure to write this column with my son, Jared. We are in complete agreement that no amount of money in the bank or square footage under roof approaches the incomparable riches of eternal life. The thought of eternity without one’s children and grandchildren is terrifyingly painful. A God-honoring legacy is one that brings generation after generation to surrender their lives to the kingship of Jesus. 

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largely a gilded spectacle with little or no Godhonoring substance.

Po li sh ed

How to Become an Imperfect Mentor BY MEGAN RAWLINGS

WA S M E N T OR I NG a new believer who was struggling to make good decisions and choices. As her mentor, I knew I had to personally address this issue with her. I thought the best approach to this uncomfortable conversation was to ask her to meet for lunch. When the day arrived, she sat across from me at the table, oblivious to the reason for my invitation. Our upcoming discussion had the potential to turn negative. But, through God’s grace and intervention, by the time lunch ended my mentee had a new outlook on Christlike living.

good news is that it’s not up to us to change someone. Simply put, we can’t. Our calling is to introduce others to what Scripture says and then, through prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit, assist them in navigating the challenges of life.

Megan Rawlings is the founder and CEO of The Bold Movement. She is an extrovert, pastor’s wife, and lover of the Scriptures. /tbmministry @tbm_ministry @tbm_ministry

Was it difficult? Absolutely. Was it necessary? Definitely. The

@theboldmovement theboldmovement.com

Yes, being a mentor can be frustrating and scary. Nevertheless, God calls us to help train up younger women. “In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited” (Titus 2:4, Berean Study Bible). The word young in Greek is neos; it

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refers not to age, but to something that is recently born . . . something that is new and young. So, in this case, it means new Christian women who are young in their faith. So, here’s the question many will ask: “How do I mentor?”

Start Well Here are four steps to help you get started with mentoring: 1. Before you mentor anyone, clarify your personal expectations. 2. Ask your mentee about their expectations. 3. Set your personal boundaries. (This can be awkward, but it is essential. My schedule can be crazy; any person I mentor must be flexible. For example, if my husband needs me, that takes priority. In doing this, I am following the guidance of Titus 2:4.) 4. Have an agenda.

‘Physician, Heal Yourself’ A mentor should already be living out the advice she plans to give. Most everything is easier said than done, but it is vital that a mentor “talk the talk” and “walk the walk.” It can be incredibly helpful to read through Proverbs and learn the advice the inspired writer gave us under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Check Motivations Correcting people and pointing out their imperfections shouldn’t be personally gratifying. If you feel better about yourself when you are pointing out mistakes in others, then you shouldn’t be mentoring. (To further clarify, if “I told you so”

is one of your go-to phrases, please seek another church role.) A woman who is working under your guidance to learn to become a more mature Christian regards you as her safe place. Show her grace and mercy the same way Jesus shows us these vital characteristics every single day.

Lead in Grace and Truth One of my favorite verses is, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, English Standard Version). There is a lot going on in this verse, but focus on the words grace and truth. They are next to one another because they must be used together. We are called to tell the truth in all circumstances: “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25). Scripture also says, “The truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Telling someone they are a sinner can be offensive. That’s why living in truth and grace requires acknowledgement that we are sinners. Therefore, we need to tell the truth with grace and in love. As mentors, when we approach conversations in this manner, our words are much more likely to be well received. In this day, there is no such thing as a perfect human mentor, but that’s not what God expects of us. He just wants us to help his children learn more about him. The first step is always the hardest and scariest, but we have comfort in knowing God is walking with us. 

horizons

Bob Milliken: A Focus on International Students for the Long Haul BY LAURA MCKILLIP WOOD

A F Z A L (NOT HIS R E A L NA ME) found Bob

Milliken by chance. In fact, he somehow stumbled upon the Facebook page for Bob’s rural church and started commenting on some of the posts. Bob, the pastor of the church, and Afzal, a musician in the Middle East, began a correspondence that led to a friendship. Before long, they were talking worship, and Afzal told Bob he is a Christian worship leader in his strict Muslim community. Afzal is passionate about helping Christian musicians learn how to lead worship in their own communities. He had been discipling a group of 10 to 15 Christian musicians who wanted to learn more about expressing their faith through music and leading others to do the same. Afzal and his musician friends dreamed of starting a worship leader training program, and they asked Bob to help them. Bob now meets with them weekly to study spiritual discipline online. “They don’t need help with the technical side” of music, Bob says, but he can help them with spiritual growth.

Milliken has had over the years. He grew up in a family full of Christian leaders and learned about ministry by watching his father, who served as president of Nebraska Christian College from 1952 (the year Bob was born) until 1984. Bob also learned by listening to stories of the visiting missionaries his parents hosted in their home. “The missionaries were the most respected people in our world,” Bob says. “They had these amazing stories. Seeing the pictures they brought from Mexico or Tibet expanded my mind so much.”

Laura McKillip Wood, former missionary to Ukraine, now lives in Papillion, Nebraska. She serves as an on-call chaplain at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha. She and her husband, Andrew, have three teenagers. /laura.wood2

A Family of Believers and Faith of His Own

@woodlaura30

This is just one example of the long ministry to international folks Bob

lauramckillipwood.com

@woodlaura30

lauramckillipwood@gmail.com

While in high school, Bob had a crisis of faith and decided he didn’t believe in God anymore. But then, as a student at Nebraska Christian College, he was discipled by his professors. He began to grow spiritually and returned to his faith. He led the mission group on campus and worked to help other students see the importance of spreading the gospel to people in other cultures. He became friends with the college’s international students and gave one such student rides to classes they took together at a local community college. On the way, Bob listened to his friend talk about believers in Africa. “I heard stories of their lives. I began to sense these believers from

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“That was a wonderful experience, to get paid to talk to people from other countries and help them get more comfortable with life in the U.S.”

A Career and a Ministry Bob eventually began studying at the University of Nebraska, where he earned a master’s degree and a PhD in English. Later, as a professor at that university and then Nebraska Christian College, he always reached out to students from other countries. In 2006, he began volunteering with a ministry called International Student Fellowship (ISF). “My volunteer work with ISF has been the most focused ministry with international students I’ve had,” he says. Through ISF, Bob learned that the vast majority of people who come to the United States to study never are invited to an American home and never make an American friend. ISF works to change that by hosting dinner parties and events in volunteers’ homes. They help the students with such practical matters as giving them rides to the grocery. Their goal is to build relationships and show students the love of God. They also take students on trips to famous places in the United States. Every summer, Bob leads student groups to places like Yellowstone or the Rocky Mountains. They camp and hike, spend time together, and become friends. They stay in the homes of host families who provide a glimpse of American life. These trips are a chance for students to learn about America and build relationships with each other and the Americans they meet. Bob says he took a group of 18 international students on a camping trip last year.

“I had already bought the food for the trip, but on the second night, as we were getting ready for supper, they went to the store and bought chicken, sausages, corn on the cob, and sweet potatoes.” They returned and dug a pit to construct their own grill out of rocks and sticks. They buried sweet potatoes and corn on the cob in the coals to bake them and cooked the rest on the makeshift grill. “You guys have campfires for fun,” they told Bob. “This is how we eat. This is our Bob Milliken everyday life.”

Relationships and Purpose Bob loves the relationships he builds through his work with ISF. He meets people from different cultures, languages, and religions from all over the world. “At our dinner parties, we have 100 or more students from different countries and from all of the continents.” Sometimes these young people want to learn more about Bob’s faith. They might do one-on-one Bible studies or small-group studies together. Sometimes they begin to believe in Jesus, and sometimes they do not. Bob’s favorite part is when they accept what the Bible teaches. “When they come to Christ, they find a new purpose.” Bob Milliken’s long career has included years of teaching at the University of Nebraska and Nebraska Christian College. He has worked in campus ministry and church ministry; he has found both to be challenging but rewarding. Through it all, he has remained passionate about reaching out to visitors from other countries who come to the United States to study. “Our interactions don’t always produce faith,” Bob says, “but they always produce friendships.” 

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overseas had a deeper and more powerful faith than we did in the U.S.” Bob’s interest in international students grew more while working with GED students, many of whom were immigrants. He helped them with English and other subjects and got to know them better in the process.

Mi n i stry Li f e

Sharon’s Vision BY DANIEL SCHANTZ

W IFE , SH A RON, always wanted to be a philanthropist and donate millions to visionary causes. Alas, she married a teacher, not a banker. Even so, she has found ways to practice philanthropy on a shoestring. Creator. Most mornings my redhead works at her sewing machine, making quilts in brightcolored patterns. She donates most of her creations to International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES), a Christian church organization that uses relief work to implement evangelism. They auction off her quilts, and the proceeds go to the relief efforts. Most of her quilts earn between $200 and $500, but some have gone for as much as $1,200. About midmorning, I drop by Sharon’s sewing room to check on her. She is hunched over her machine, laboring to see with eyes that no longer focus well. As she works, she mutters to herself. “Oh, no, this is not right. I’ll have to do this over. I just can’t see well anymore.” I run my fingers over some of her fabric squares. “How can you bear to give these quilts away,” I ask? “They take so much work, and they are truly beautiful.”

come by now and then, just to talk. They will bring the latte and a desire to learn from someone wiser. Sharon closes the kitchen door for privacy, but I can still hear them asking questions, sparring, laughing. “We talk about all kinds of things,” Sharon later explains as she stacks dishes in the sink. “They just need someone to talk to, someone who will listen and not preach at them.” “You are giving them a wonderful gift. A good listener is as rare as gold these days, when everyone is so busy.” In the afternoon, Sharon will take the leftover muffins around town to her elderly friends, who can’t get out. Her friends will talk, and Sharon will listen, aware that these ladies are very lonely. Three hours later, Sharon will stagger in the door, exhausted but happy, knowing she has given joy to her friends. I will have the last muffin for dessert.

She smiles. “It’s hard, sometimes, but a big part of my sewing pleasure is in giving my work away.” Confidant. It’s Wednesday, and Sharon is making chocolate pecan muffins for two college girls who

Daniel Schantz is a professor emeritus of Central Christian College of the Bible, Moberly, Missouri.

Correspondent. After supper, Sharon will go into my study and close the door, while I watch the evening news in the next room. Sitting at my desktop, she will expand her philanthropy to other

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Smacking her lips and licking her fingers, she reminds me how much she loves doughnuts. I come in third, behind George and doughnuts.

“Missionaries need more than money,” she reminds me. “They get very lonely and need someone back home to talk to.”

As we near Kirksville, I hand her my file folder on this church; it contains names and photos of the members, a sample bulletin, and special notes about local customs. She reviews the names and quizzes me.

Finally, she will write to her four grandchildren, telling them about her mission projects, hoping to interest them in spiritual matters. The next morning I will find a pile of envelopes on the kitchen table for me to mail. Some of them will contain small checks for her favorite missions—like Open Door Libraries, a Monument, Colorado-based organization that starts Christian libraries in European cities—while others will contain sympathy cards or handwritten missives. “With the advent of email,” she says, “paper mail is more prized than ever.” Commuter. It’s Sunday, and we are getting ready to leave for my preaching point. Sharon is beautifully adorned in an Irish green dress, which goes well with her auburn hair. Like me, Sharon loves the small churches I serve. As we roll north to Kirksville in my Ford Escape, I am biting my nails, anxious about my sermon. To relax me, Sharon tunes the radio to the “oldies” station. “Oh, my, remember that one?” Sharon laughs. “I sang that one to George when I was 16 and in love.” We stop at Macon, the halfway point, just long enough for Sharon to pick up some doughnuts and coffee. She has a mental map of all the doughnut shops en route to all the churches.

“Let’s see, Rita is that short woman who’s married to the tall man, right?” “Yep, that’s her, and she really knows her Bible.” As we enter the auditorium, Sharon breaks off from me and heads for some of her favorite people. She works the room like a bee in a rose garden, hugging and being hugged. On the way home, Sharon seems exceptionally happy. “The ladies really liked my dress! These people are so nice. I just love them.” Her words remind me that the word philanthropy originally had nothing to do with money. It simply meant “one who loves people.” Halfway home, I pull off the road and park under a large oak tree overlooking the Missouri River valley. I roll down the windows while Sharon opens our sack lunch and hands me a sandwich, some chips, and a cookie. We eat in silence, enjoying the breeze, and then Sharon says what I have been thinking. “Someday we will look back on these ministry trips as the happiest days of our lives.” In that moment, as I study her smiling Irish eyes, I can honestly say there’s nothing wrong with Sharon’s vision. She sees further and better than anyone I know. 

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parts of the world. She corresponds with several missionaries, some of them former college students of mine, like Rob and Lynn in Australia, or Josh and Susan in Mexico.

metr i cs

Coaching Matters BY KENT E. FILLINGER

A LEAD MINISTER SERVES as a sort of head coach of the church team and has a major influence on the church’s health and growth.

There are many reasons for this influence, but surveys indicate much of it involves the minister’s communication skills and ability to explain Scripture. That said, a 2019 Lifeway survey found that more churchgoers say their minister preaches longer than they prefer (27 percent) than shorter than they prefer (13 percent).

to grow faster. Last year, churches with lead minsters in the 35- to 39-year-old age bracket grew 4.2 percent, which was twice as fast as the overall average church growth rate of 2.1 percent. Churches led by 40- to 44-year-olds grew 3.6 percent last year, making it the second-fastest-growing segment. By comparison, churches led by ministers age 55 and older grew only 1.5 percent.

This article examines findings from our 2019 survey of 439 churches to explore several factors related to the lead minister’s impact on a church’s growth rates and baptism ratios.

The lead minister’s age seemed to have little bearing on a church’s baptism ratio (number of baptisms per 100 people in average attendance) last year. Here’s a listing of the senior ministers’ average ages (and baptism ratio): 45–49 years old (5.7); 35–39 (5.5); 50–54 (5.5); 55-plus (5.4).

Age Matters

Tenure

The average age of the head coaches in the four major American sports leagues—the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL—is 52 years old . . . the same as the average age for senior ministers in our 2019 survey.

The average tenure for lead ministers in our study was 11 years, which means, on average, they started in their current role in 2008. Megachurch lead ministers (average attendance of more than 2,000) had the longest tenure at 15-plus years, while the shortest average tenure for lead ministers was in very small churches, 8.5 years.

Twenty percent of the head coaches of those sports teams are 60 or older, which is a little lower than the 25 percent of 60-and-older senior ministers—112 in total—from our survey. Medium-size churches (average attendance of 250 to 499) had the youngest lead ministers—average age 49—while very small churches (average attendance of 99 or fewer) had the oldest ministers—average age 58. Our research over the last 16 years typically has shown that churches led by younger lead ministers tend

Kent E. Fillinger serves as president of 3:STRANDS Consulting, Indianapolis, Indiana, and regional vice president (Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan) with Christian Financial Resources.

/3strandsconsulting 3strandsconsulting.com

Twelve percent of the lead ministers were hired since 2018, meaning they had two years or less in their current role. Yet, this group of new lead ministers posted the best growth rates (3.7 percent) in 2019. This was an aberration because oftentimes churches with new lead ministers decline in attendance or have minimal growth. Additional findings: 8- to 10-year tenures for the lead minister (2.9 percent growth rate in 2019); 5–7 years (less than 1 percent).

Preaching Frequency With our 2019 survey, we sought to determine whether the frequency of preaching by the lead minister has an impact on church growth and baptisms. Megachurch lead ministers preached the fewest average number of times during the year (37), while ministers of very small churches preached the most (47). A primary reason megachurch lead ministers preached the fewest number of times was because they were the most likely to use a preaching/teaching team to share the preaching load. Overall, lead ministers preached an average of 42 times last year.

Overall, 43 percent of the churches in our study used a preaching/teaching team in 2019, including 13 percent of very small churches, 25 percent of small churches, 29 percent of medium churches, and 46 percent of large churches. The average number of speakers who served as part of a preaching team in 2019 was 4.1 people. Churches with a preaching/teaching team grew almost twice as fast last year as churches without a teaching team (2.8 percent vs. 1.5 percent), and their baptism ratio also was better (5.8 vs. 5.1). Upon closer examination, however, the presence of a preaching team had the greatest positive impact for emerging megachurches and very small churches (as the chart illustrates).

The lead ministers of emerging megachurches (average attendance of 1,000 to 1,999) preached an average of 39 messages in 2019. In general, churches whose lead ministers preached 45-49 times grew the most in 2019. This finding was true in four of the six church size categories (very small to large churches); their overall average growth rate was 3 percent. The outliers were megachurches and emerging megachurches. Megachurches with lead ministers who preached 35-39 times last year had the best average growth rates (4 percent). And emerging megachurches whose lead ministers preached 30-34 times grew 21 percent. Preaching frequency also seemed to impact baptism ratios. Here are the highest baptism ratios, based on the average number of sermons preached by lead ministers, for the various church sizes: very small churches, lead minister preached 50-plus times during the year, baptism ratio of 4.7; small churches, 45-49, 5.7; medium churches, 45-49, 5.7; large churches, 45-49, 5.7; emerging megachurches, 40-44, 6.8; megachurches, 30-34, 9.2.

Preaching/Teaching Teams In 2019, 74 percent of megachurches and emerging megachurches used preaching/teaching

P RE ACHING/ TEACING TE AM

SOL O P RE ACHE R

GROWTH RATE

BAP TISM RATIO

GROWTH RATE

BAP TISM RATIO

ME GA-

1 .8 %

6 .4

3.7%

7.3

EMERGING MEGA-

5.8%

6.4

0.2%

5.6

L ARGE

1.7%

4.9

3.3%

5.3

MEDIUM

4.1%

4.9

-0.1%

6.2

SMAL L

-1.1%

5.4

3.1%

4.8

VERY SMAL L

0.7%

7.2

-0.6%

3.7

OVE RAL L AVERAGE

2.8%

5.8

1.5%

5.1

Overall, 9 percent of the churches reported they had a female on their preaching team last year, with the largest number found in megachurches (16 percent) and large churches (15 percent). From 2008 to 2019, the percentage of megachurches and emerging megachurches with women preaching increased from 4 percent to 12 percent. Churches with women preaching had a higher baptism ratio (5.8) than those without women preaching (5.3) in 2019, but there was very little difference in growth rates among those two categories of churches. ď §

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teams. That percentage has risen from 55 percent in 2008, the first year we studied that aspect of sermon delivery.

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With regard to baptism ratios, lead ministers who have served 21 to 30 years, or 31-plus years, saw the most baptisms: 5.9 per 100 in average church attendance. The lowest baptism ratio was for ministers who have served 5 to 7 years (4.7).

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8 SUGGESTIONS FOR FINDING AND EQUIPPING MORE FUTURE PREACHERS

BY SHAWN MCMULLEN

“HOW THEN WILL THEY CALL ON HIM IN WHOM THEY HAVE NOT BELIEVED? HOW WILL THEY BELIEVE IN HIM WHOM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD? AND HOW WILL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER? HOW WILL THEY PREACH UNLESS THEY ARE SENT? JUST AS IT IS WRITTEN, ‘HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!’” (ROMANS 10:14, 15, NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)

h ow will t h ey hear h ow will t h ey h e a r? h ow will t h ey hear h ow will t h ey

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Some might point to culture. We’re living in an age where the local church and its ministers aren’t nearly as well respected as they once were. A November 2019 article posted by MoneyWise (titled “Americans Say These Are the Most Respected Professions”) shared rankings of 27 professions and found the clergy to be the 11th most trusted. The writers offered this observation. If this survey had been conducted a few hundred years ago, the clergy might easily have locked down the top spot for honesty. But the calling has become tarnished by scandals. Gallup says clergy members are still seen mainly in a positive light, but their rating for ethical behavior has fallen to the lowest level in 40 years of surveying.

“HOW will

they hear without a preacher?” The apostle Paul asked that about his own people, the Jewish nation. But in a general sense, it applies to all who have never heard or understood the good news of the gospel of Christ.

We need preachers of the gospel today. Desperately. But do we have enough of them? Perhaps not, according to Barna Research. In terms of developing young leaders, data featured in two separate reports—The State of Pastors and Leadership Transitions—show that, as of 2017, only 15 percent of senior pastors were 40 years old or younger, echoing the need for younger pastors in ministry. The State of Pastors research also showed that seven in 10 U.S. pastors (69 percent) agree, “It is becoming harder to find mature young Christians who want to become pastors” (see “What’s on the Minds of America’s Pastors” at www.barna.com). Why are younger preachers in short supply? Who or what is responsible for this trend?

So, in our present culture, we might understand that vocational ministry doesn’t have the appeal it once had. But surely that can’t be the primary cause of our current dilemma. Some might point to our Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries. They’re not recruiting, training, and sending out preachers as they used to. Degree programs in preaching and ministry aren’t emphasized as they once were. I suppose you could make that point. It’s likely our Christian schools could be more intentional about ministry training. But then again, they can only equip those who enroll. And then there is the local church. Where do ministry students come from? They come from our congregations. So maybe a good place to begin reversing this trend is within the local church. While the local church isn’t solely responsible for the trend and its reversal, I’d like to focus on it here as we think through possible approaches and solutions. So what can the local church, its leaders and its members, do to help enlarge the pool of those who train for and enter the preaching ministry? Here are eight suggestions.

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Modeling the value and high calling of the preaching ministry may be one of the most effective ways to recruit and send out workers into the harvest field. Preachers who whine and complain about their hardships, who find themselves frequently at odds with church leaders and church members, will do little to encourage others to follow in their steps. On the other hand, preachers who work diligently and sacrifice willingly for those they serve, and do so with joy and gratitude, present a compelling case for vocational ministry. Granted, vocational ministry isn’t the only high calling. Every faithful disciple who honors God and points others to his mercy and grace is engaged in a high calling. Even so, the ministry is a unique and honorable calling, and the clearer that becomes to a local church, the greater the possibility that young people from that congregation will be attracted to vocational ministry.

identify them Another way the local church can help raise up and send out preachers is to build a culture of awareness. Be intentional. Look for young people within the church who show interest and display potential. It might be helpful to create a measure for this. “I will try to identify at least two ministry candidates from within our church in the next five years.” That may not work in all situations, but the idea is to make it a priority and pursue it as a strategy. “But you don’t realize how small our congregation is,” you might say. Point taken. But let’s not forget that many powerful preachers of the gospel today have roots in small churches. Jesus said, “Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23).

invite them Once you’ve identified young people with ministry potential, challenge them to consider it. Be gracious but direct. Some may have no interest,

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attract them

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LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PRAY FOR MORE WORKERS TO BE RAISED UP, TRAINED, AND SENT OUT TO PREACH THE GOSPEL .

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ing, continue to encourage them with calls, messages, and visits.

point them in the right direction

How many of us in ministry pray about our impact on future generations? I would guess that’s a value nearly all of us share. So what better way to multiply our ministries and affect the future for Christ than to invest in those who will carry on the work of the gospel when we cannot? As you identify potential Christian workers in your congregation, be sure to follow up your invitation by spending time with them. Meet with them regularly. Take them with you to meetings and appointments. Let them see how you share your faith and counsel others. It will be one of the most significant investments you’ll ever make.

Thankfully, a ministry candidate today has many good options for formal ministry training. Our Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries continue to provide excellent instruction and experience for ministry students. Our movement is blessed with many strong campus ministries that are actively engaged in making disciples and training workers in university settings. The Association of College Ministries (aofcm.org) is a helpful resource for this. The Russell School of Ministry (rsministry.org) offers a newer model of ministry training, providing extensive practical experience coupled with on-site and online classroom instruction, allowing students to graduate with little or no educational debt.

teach them

pray for them

This follows closely on the heels of investing in them, but it deserves its own place in the process. It’s great to have fellowship, to spend time together talking and listening and praying. But that’s not enough. While at some point we will release these ministry candidates to others who will continue their training, it’s vital that we lay the groundwork for their service. We want them to enter their formal ministry training with a strong desire to become like their Lord, “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Take the necessary time to teach them the fundamental truths of the gospel. Help them become grounded in God’s Word.

This could go without saying, but it won’t. We know the value of prayer. The Lord himself said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2, English Standard Version). So let’s pray for more workers to be raised up, trained, and sent out to preach the gospel. Let’s pray for the institutions that train them and for instructors who have committed their lives to this vital task. And let’s pray for the privilege of identifying them within our churches and preparing them for this eternally significant work. 

invest in them

encourage them Few things motivate like sincere encouragement. As you invest in your disciples, make sure you continually build them up and let them know you believe in them. Encourage them privately and publicly. Once they leave your oversight to begin formal ministry train-

Shawn McMullen serves as vice president of partner relations for the Christian Church Leadership Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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but others simply may not have given vocational ministry a thought. And some might feel honored and encouraged that you see this kind of potential in them.

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BY TERRY ALLCORN

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WHO W I LL S E ND THEM WHO W I LL S E ND T H E M? WHO W I LL S E ND THEM WHO W I LL S E ND

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theorized that adding other majors, seeking regional accreditation, and increasing the number of sports programs have had a negative effect on the number of students majoring in ministry. I’m not convinced of that. Adding majors that fit within the broader mission of the colleges and universities provides options for those students who want to live and learn in a Christ-centered environment, but who do not feel called to ministry. It also has provided trained workers for professions where Christians are desperately needed. Accrediting organizations are not hindrances; they primarily ask schools to prove they are fulfilling their mission in every area of the institution.

EACH

generation has been rightly concerned about passing along their faith to the next generation. David referenced the generation-to-generation process in Psalm 145. Mary sang of how the mercy of the Savior would extend to all generations in Luke 1. Paul proclaimed that God would be glorified through the church and in Jesus “throughout all generations” in Ephesians 3. Preachers and preaching play a central role in spreading the gospel globally and generationally. As more preachers proclaim salvation through the blood of Jesus, the broader the message spreads cross-culturally and the longer the message extends cross-generationally. This underscores the key role all schools associated with the Restoration Movement need to play in training ministers and preachers. Many of us are concerned about the declining number of graduates called to ministry from our Restoration Movement schools. Some have

Concerning athletics, many of the more effective ministers I know selected a school based on the fact they could continue to enjoy their favorite sport while training for ministry. Further, as I look at the ethnic makeup of many university-level athletic teams, I am hopeful that athletic programs can serve as a pathway to sharing the beauty of the Restoration Movement to a broader range of ethnic groups. Whether or not one agrees that the above shifts have had an effect on the number of ministry graduates, it would seem there must be other causes. If not, then schools that offer only ministry degrees, avoid accreditation, and offer no athletics would not be experiencing a similar decline in ministry graduates. There must be additional factors.

the church-college partnership From my perspective, the conversation needs to shift to the rhetorical question posed by Paul, “How can anyone preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:15). As we seek to raise up more preachers in the Restoration Movement, the solution must involve an enhanced partnership involving the entire movement. This partnership must include senders, trainers, and receivers.

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AS WE SEEK TO RAISE UP MORE PREACHERS IN THE RESTORATION MOVEMENT, THE SOLUTION MUST INVOLVE AN ENHANCED PARTNERSHIP INVOLVING THE ENTIRE MOVEMENT.

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Senders. My personal experience has influenced my views a great deal. I was one among several from my home church who went to a Christian college or university aligned with this movement to train for ministry. My preacher regularly lifted up the call of ministry. My youth minister invested in me even when I didn’t exactly look like a sound investment! The elders allowed me to occasionally preach or teach. Those same elders helped pay for my ministry training and ordained me at the end of it. They serve as wonderful examples of senders. And, currently, they are enjoying the fruits of that sending because they have called a Timothy of the church to serve as minister. If there is a trained minister preaching from your pulpit, and if there are other ministers, teachers, deacons, and elders in your congregation, please understand that they quite possibly were sent out by another congregation. I encourage each church to send out three times the number of ministers who are serving on their staff during each decade. The decreasing numbers of preaching majors who are graduating from our schools can be solved only by increasing the number of students sent to Christian colleges and universities for ministry training. Camps and other youth-focused parachurch entities can supplement the local church in calling and motivating our best to consider a life of ministry. However, these groups do not cover all of those called to ministry. Many of the most effective preachers have come to the pulpit as a second or third career calling. The local church needs to be attentive to those who may be good ministry candidates after they have served careers in the military or some other setting. Trainers. Of course, Christian colleges and universities also have a strong role to play in ensuring we continue to produce well-prepared preachers and ministers. Since reengaging with Christian higher education through my role at Kentucky Christian University, two things have become abundantly clear to me.

First, as Christian educators, we must increasingly emphasize the importance of ministry, and specifically, preaching. Second, we must recognize that the needs of the local church are changing. For example, churches dearly need ministers who have heavy preparation in the fields of business and human resources to fill roles that are emerging in the larger churches. I’m also seeing a growing need for dual-career preachers to serve smaller churches. While many dual-career ministers have migrated to education as a supplemental source of income, there are also dual-career ministers working in business, counseling, medical fields, and others. Picture the futility of colleges and universities trying to accomplish this task alone. I was recruited for ministry from my local church (as were many of you), and I was encouraged to consider a Christian university long before my name ever appeared on a college’s recruitment list. That, in itself, points to the important role the local church plays in the success of our Restoration Movement schools. On behalf of all ministry training schools, from single-purpose minister training schools to Christian universities with multiple majors—including preaching—we all need the help of every church. We all need students who are grounded in their faith and who have a call to ministry. Receivers. While I am the first to call for more preachers with degrees in preaching, we have graduates with a variety of degrees who are serving in full-time support ministries in local churches. It’s common that they spend their early years of service in youth and associate ministries before being called to preach weekly. This is where the third piece of the churchcollege partnership comes into focus. The local church plays a key role in mentoring the newly graduated leader for a lifetime of service. The local church must play both a retentive and development role in the leadership life cycle. And colleges and universities also have a role

Most institutions are still exploring this part of our mission, and it will likely be accomplished in partnership with other parachurch organizations.

the need to innovate All that said, Christian colleges and universities need to seek innovative ways of attracting and training ministers. Here’s some biblical advice I received from Jim Book, senior minister at Kissimmee (Florida) Christian Church: “Cast the nets on the other side of the boat.” In other words, be willing to try something different. To achieve this, I believe we need to learn lessons from the successful outreach programs of local churches and Christian camps. Both have used a myriad of tools to bring people to a setting where they can learn about the gospel. Camps tout fun activities and the peacefulness of the outdoors. Growing churches use everything from midnight basketball to programs that target preschool moms. We don’t need to copy those innovations, of course, but we need to learn from them. As we expand our degrees, we need to continue holding up the high calling of vocational ministry to all students. As we expand our athletic offerings, we must hire coaches who will inspire the student-athletes to consider a life of vocational ministry as much as they inspire athletic achievement. If we are launching programs to accommodate second-career ministry candidates, the programs should be edifying and inspiring, and not just a means to an end. It is up to all of us to inspire the next generation of Christian leaders by teaching the clear and timeless truths of the inspired Word of God. May God bless us all as we join together to send, train, and retain the next generation of preachers and ministers.  Terry Allcorn serves as president of his alma mater, Kentucky Christian University.

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in retaining and retooling ministers by providing encouragement and training to ministers in the field.

BY RYAN AKERS

n e ws fo r e v e ry n ati o n good n e ws fo r e v e ry n ati o n good n e ws fo r e v e ry n ati o n good

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AFTER 63 YEARS TRAINING LEADERS ABROAD, TCM IS NOW DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE WORKERS FOR DISCIPLE-MAKING MOVEMENTS THROUGH U.S. COHORTS

leaders of disciple-making movements impacting their churches, cultures, and countries for Christ.” It is not surprising that after that statement was adopted, the Lord began opening more doors outside of TCM’s historic geographic region of Canada, Eastern Europe, and the Soviet Union/ Russia. TCM’s leadership prayed and fasted, and finally they asked where the Lord wanted TCM to go next. Because of all the faithful prayer and financial supporting relationships, the United States came to the top of the list.

TCM’s initials have stayed the same since its founding in 1957, even as the words those letters represent have continued to change (from “Toronto Christian Mission” to “Taking Christ to Millions” to “Training Christians for Ministry”). TCM has discipled and trained international Christian leaders primarily at and through its TCM International Institute facilities at Haus Edelweiss in Austria, a property it purchased in 1971.

making a difference in the U.S. Until recently, TCM’s focus has exclusively been directed toward other parts of the world. In the last few years, however, the organization has begun directing some of its focus toward making a difference in the United States. Much of TCM’s support during its existence has been through American churches. And so, while TCM has been widely known in the United States, it had never directed any of its educational efforts toward training up Christian ministers here. That began to change in 2016, when TCM’s board of directors approved a new vision statement: “That every nation will have effective

“When we asked the international faculty what they thought about teaching in the States,” said Dr. Tony Twist, TCM’s longtime president, “their response was, ‘Brother Tony, the Americans have been very good to us. If there is anything we can do to help, we would be honored.’” Discussions with supporting churches in the United States began later that year. The development of a stateside program has followed TCM’s long-established, cross-cultural, relationship-based, “start small, fail small” expansion process. In January 2018, a betatest cohort began coursework to earn a Certificate of Discipleship. Modest tuition costs, along with startup grants, helped to ensure no funds were diverted from global expansion to fund the U.S. program, and that no TCM students incur any debt. Southland and Southeast Christian churches in Lexington and Louisville, respectively, provided grants to support the initiative. The first U.S. cohort included staff and members from these partner churches: Christ’s Church of the Valley, Peoria, Arizona; Traders Point Christian Church, Whitestown, Indiana; Lebanon (Indiana) Christian Church; and Harpeth (Tennessee) Christian Church. In 2019, a second cohort began that included members from Connection Pointe Christian Church, Brownstown, Indiana, which is using the TCM program as a key feature in its development of emerging leaders.

“I remember thinking when I heard the vision of TCM, if every [church] in America would encourage their staff to go through this discipleship material, perhaps many problems in the American church could be solved,” said John Dickerson, lead pastor of Connection Pointe.

The Holy Spirit has been positioning TCM to meet the new challenges. The majority of TCM’s curriculum is delivered in hybrid format through a “high-tech/high-touch” process so that students do not have to leave their families, ministries, or workplaces.

As with every nation, the United States needs prayerful, faithful, disciple-making leaders whose heart’s desire is to gratefully serve the Lord. Recently, many of America’s traditional, faith-based institutions have struggled under cultural, political, and economic pressures. Overall enrollment at such institutions has declined, and two Christian church colleges closed in the past year. Schools are constantly trying to adapt. That is appropriate, because the type of ministry training needed by Christian leaders today has changed. “In the current state of evangelical necessity,” Dickerson wrote in his book, The Great Evangelical Recession, “churches and ministries need leaders who affirm the essential doctrines of Christianity, especially the authority of Scripture, and those who have the practical training needed to minister in today’s culture.” At the same time, the trend toward distance delivery of online education has placed even more pressure on traditional ministry training models. “Today, 40 percent of all ATS students are online or offsite,” Tom Tanner, director of accreditation at the Association of Theological Schools, wrote in 2018. Then, referring to a 2017 study by the Auburn Center for the Study of Theological Education—published as (Not) Being There: Online Distance Theological Education—Tanner wrote, “[The] study . . . affirms the value of formation that occurs in community, but increasingly the community of choice for many theological students is the one where they are already living and serving—in their own ministries, workplaces, and social/family settings.”

Currently, 85 percent of the coursework is done via distance delivery, with the remaining 15 percent completed in a seminar retreat setting. TCM’s Master of Arts program provides the flexibility to take four years of classes from home while developing new friendships and still working and serving locally. The classes are taught by faculty from all over the world. The Certificate of Discipleship may be earned over a two-year period, with all courses fitting neatly into the MA curriculum. TCM currently has four cohorts of U.S. students studying from home for these degrees. Interest continues to build for this program, and TCM is positioned for ongoing expansion. TCM is continuing to start additional cohorts this year, primarily from current TCM partner relationships. Beginning in January 2021, students from all over the United States can join cohorts throughout the year. Churches and other Christian ministries in every nation need benches of well-trained leaders of disciple-making movements. We need effective workers for the harvest who prayerfully and faithfully love, trust, and follow Jesus. This remains the vision and calling of the TCM International Institute. 

If you are interested in learning more, or becoming a student, connect with Ryan Akers at ryan.akers@tcmi.org or visit tcmi.org and tcmi.edu. Ryan Akers came to TCM as director of educational support services in 2019. He previously served as a pastoral care specialist with Christ’s Church of the Valley in Peoria, Arizona. Prior to entering full-time ministry, he worked in television/film production, marketing, advertising, and in pharmaceutical corporate communications. Ryan’s primary responsibility with TCM is developing and expanding the U.S.-based educational program. /RyanAkers73

@ryanakers73

@RyanAke67449183

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meeting new educational challenges

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solving american church problems

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AN EXAMINATION OF HOW CHURCHES ARE EMBRACING THE DIGITAL AGE OF COVID-19

BY CHRIS MOON

AUGUST 2020

THAT QUESTION HAS BOUNCED AROUND CHURCH CIRCLES FOR YEARS AS MORE OF AMERICAN LIFE TAKES PLACE OVER THE INTERNET. CHURCHES AND PASTORS HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE SPECTRUM—FROM ALL-IN TO LOGGED OUT. THE CONVERSATION PERSISTED RIGHT UP TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC . A COUPLE OF CHRISTIAN MAGAZINE COVERS FROM MARCH 2020 HELP TELL THE STORY.

The central theme of Christian Standard’s March print edition featured a robust discussion about the benefits of online church. The cover featured Rusty George of Real Life Church in Valencia, California, who said, “Church is engagement . . . with the music, with the teaching, with Communion and offering, and with other people. An online campus can provide all of these things. In fact, in some ways it can be an even better experience.” Meanwhile, Outreach Magazine’s cover story featured Jay Y. Kim, pastor of teaching and leadership at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, California. Instead of a digital church, he advanced the merits of an “analog” one. “For information, digital is great. Use it,” he said. “But for transformation? That is the business of the church, and trading it for scaled-up efficiency is a poor bargain.” And then the shutdown came. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the church out of the sanctuary and onto the web as stay-at-home orders and bans on even small public gatherings became the norm. Churches suddenly found that “online church” was pretty much the only game in town—along with such related features as online Bible studies, giving, youth ministry, prayer meetings, and pastoral care. Zoom meetings became everyday occurrences. This online revolution of necessity has served as a gut check for pastors and their views of online ministry. And as one might imagine, the response remains mixed.

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I S O N L I N E C H U R C H R E A L LY C H U R C H ?

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'LIKE NEVER BEFORE'

NOT AS RIGHT AS THEY THOUGHT

“There is still something [special] that happens in a gathering physically,” said Ashley Wooldridge, senior pastor of Christ’s Church of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona, which averaged more than 34,000 weekly last year.

The benefits of online church have even started to move some skeptics.

But ministry methods aren’t a zero-sum game, he said, “It’s not an ‘either-or.’ It’s a ‘both-and.’” Wooldridge said the COVID-19 lockdown presented “an amazing opportunity.” “It’s gotten us back to a very pure form of ministry,” he said. Instead of asking people to come to a church building, believers had to reach them on their own. Christians frequently claim “church is not a building,” Wooldridge noted. Without the building, they have to put their ministry where their mouths are. “I’m not sure it sinks into people’s minds until the building is taken away,” he said. Fortunately, in the 21st century, the church has other ways to share the gospel. “Sometimes I think, What would the church have done 50 years ago if put in this situation?” Wooldridge said. The positive effects of online ministry are apparent to Wooldridge. Christ’s Church of the Valley saw 775 people sign up to be baptized at Easter. Because of social distancing, there was no mass baptism session. Instead, individuals and families streamed into CCV’s campuses almost every day for weeks after Easter, ready to be baptized. “We’re seeing people come to Christ like never before,” Wooldridge said.

Vince Antonucci, lead pastor of Verve Church in Las Vegas—a congregation that averages 285 attendees and bills itself as “a church for people who don’t like church”—said he hadn’t been a fan of online church. But after seeing the effect of his church’s online platform during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, “I wasn’t as right as I thought I was.” Previously, Verve Church had posted its services online, but they were available to watch only after the fact. When the shutdown came, that quickly changed. “I was nervous,” Antonucci said. “When we weren’t able to meet, I was like, ‘Oh man, how is this going to work?’” He found it worked quite well. The church conducted a teaching series each night of Holy Week and reached two-thirds of the audience the church typically would see on a Sunday morning. The church also operated a chat room, and people used it to share their concerns and connect with each other. They even offered simple “miss you” messages that Antonucci found valuable. Meanwhile, all of the church’s small groups moved online—to Zoom or other platforms. And some of those groups even began meeting twice a week because it was so easy—and, Antonucci admits, “probably also because people were bored. They were looking for things to do.” Rick Wheeler, lead pastor of South Rock Christian Church in Derby, Kansas, also has had reservations about online church. South Rock averages 1,400 to 1,500 people in its services each Sunday. The church started offering fully online services during the pandemic. Wheeler said there’s no question online church works well for those who are reluctant to return to in-person services—and for those who perhaps shouldn’t. Wheeler said his 88-year-old mother is in an assisted-living facility and loved his church’s online services. “I think there will be certain people that need that,” Wheeler said.

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STILL NOT ‘REAL CHURCH’

And yet, some concerns surrounding online church weren’t swept away.

Cameron has argued for years that online church isn’t “real church.”

One key question that arises for an online church gathering is this: How many people actually are gathered? One “device” that links to a service may equal several people watching. At the same time, a person who clicks onto a service for only a couple of minutes before leaving isn’t exactly engaged. So how does a pastor count them all?

He described it as like takeout food from a restaurant. The food’s good, but the experience can’t compare with actually going to a restaurant and eating there.

Some churches use multipliers to calculate the audience size. Antonucci said Verve Church is simply trying to increase the number of viewers and the average “watch time” for those viewers. After a month of holding online services, people were hanging around for an average of 27 minutes. “It’s gotten longer and longer. We had more curiosity seekers early on,” Antonucci said. Still, questions like that need answering, said Barry Cameron, senior pastor of Crossroads Christian Church in Grand Prairie, Texas. His church typically drew about 8,000 people to its weekend services before the COVID-19 stay-at-home order. But for its online services during the pandemic, 60,000 to 70,000 individual devices were connected. You can count Cameron among those skeptical that so many people are actually engaged in those services.

During the pandemic, online church was the only game in town. “You have a captive audience, and that’s why it’s powerful,” Cameron said. But online church audiences are fluid—especially so when normal churchgoers are locked out of their regular church services. A person may watch multiple church services a week, and it could be out of boredom or curiosity as much as devotion. That may not necessarily count as a win for any single church. For example, Cameron said he and his wife watched three different church services on Easter, and he’s sure they were counted as “attending” all three of those churches. But he said he’s not going to do that every Sunday. The only way to do “real” church, Cameron contends, is to do it in person. “Online marriage doesn’t work,” he said. “Online church doesn’t work. You can’t have a relationship without touch.”

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HOW MANY AND FOR HOW LONG?

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C H R I S T I A N S F R E Q U E N T LY C L A I M ‘CHURCH IS NOT A BUILDING.’ WITHOUT THE BUILDING, THEY HAVE TO PUT THEIR MINISTRY WHERE THEIR MOUTHS ARE.

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EFFORT AND AUTHENTICITY

But that’s not to say some vestiges of the physicaldistancing era won’t carry forward. Even Cameron admits that.

Bobby Wallace, lead minister of Movement Christian Church in Knightdale, North Carolina, said his twoyear-old church plant had shied away from offering online services because of quality-control concerns. His worry was the culture and care of his church would “not be represented very well online.”

He said his staff did a good job creating midweek online content to drive people toward the weekend experience. He said he wants that to continue. And Cameron said Zoom and FaceTime have been wonderful ways to keep small groups connected. He said he noticed people sending fewer text messages and making more phone calls. “People are sharing their heart a lot more now. I think that’s a good thing,” he said. “I think people won’t be so reticent [to connect].” COVID-19 has caused churches to consider new ways to connect with their people. Chris Bacus, senior minister of Anchor Christian Church in Rochester, New York, a church that averages about 200, said he’d always considered online church to be “church lite.” But during the closures, Bacus learned a lot more about the use of Instagram and Twitter—something he’d wanted to do for some time— and he’ll continue to minister through those platforms. And Bacus said his church’s women’s group will continue using Zoom to engage moms who have small children and those who otherwise can’t attend in person.

The church is a mobile congregation that sets up and tears down each Sunday in a local school. Adding a livestream, especially with the somewhat sketchy internet access at the school, just seemed a recipe for a digital disaster—or at least embarrassment. “We wanted to do it well,” he said. “We didn’t feel like we could put out a high-quality production online.” Of course, the church’s hand was forced by COVID-19. With no Sunday gathering to prepare for, the church has been prerecording its worship and sermons and putting them online each week. The quality, Wallace said, has been good. And Wallace said he’s discovered his people weren’t as concerned with a slick, online production as they were with seeing their church in action when they otherwise couldn’t. “A lot of [our] people . . . appreciate the effort and the authenticity of it,” he said. 

Bacus admitted his reflex is to promote in-person gatherings whenever possible. But he said his daughter teaches English to international students over the internet daily, and if a language can be taught through a screen, so can the tenets of the faith. “Discipleship could be done that way effectively,” he said.

Chris Moon is a pastor and writer living in Redstone, Colorado.

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THE POWER OF STREAMING VIDEO

WHAT ARE THE CHURCHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FINANCIAL EXPECTATIONS, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG LEADERS?

PRACTICAL GUIDELINES FOR CHURCHES IN THE POST- PANDEMIC ECONOMY

BY KEN ID LEMAN

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The late Donald McGavran, respected missiologist and founding dean of the School of World Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary, identified five kinds of leaders the church must have to thrive locally and have impact globally:

1. Volunteer leaders who focus inward: unpaid leaders who focus their gifts for service on the internal health and growth of the local church body. (Biblical examples: Priscilla and Aquila, Dorcas) 2. Volunteer leaders who focus outward: unpaid leaders who focus their evangelistic passion on the lost and unchurched in the larger unreached community. (Stephen, Philip) 3. Bivocational: leaders who are mostly or entirely self-supporting in order to launch or supplement the outreach of the church in the world. (Barnabas, Apollos) 4. Vocational: leaders solely supported by the church in order to devote full time and attention to the health and growth of the church. (James, Timothy) 5. International: leaders solely supported by the church to cross geographical boundaries, sometimes learning new languages and adapting to foreign cultures to advance the gospel. (Paul and his coworkers)

I’m anticipating that in the near future, those final two categories of vocational leaders and international leaders, along with their supporting church communities, may have to confront some new realities.

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As I write this, we are about six weeks into the coronavirus pandemic. Social distancing regulations are starting to be relaxed, but there is sharp division in our nation over the continued imposition of a quarantine. Opinions are strong among those who advocate for continuing to isolate at home and those who are eager and ready to get back to work. Both camps are concerned about this mysterious and deadly virus and our suddenly floundering economy. In less than six weeks, the unemployment needle has moved from the lowest level in our nation’s history (3 percent) to the highest level since 1940 (15 percent)! Economic losses related to COVID-19 are estimated at more than $2 trillion in the United States and $10 trillion worldwide. The economic outlook is uncertain, at best. Someone said, in hindsight, the most useless purchase of 2019 was a 2020 planner! I won’t guess at where these recent developments will take us in the short-term or the long-term, but I will hazard one prediction in light of the turmoil and uncertainties: I anticipate a new “economic normal” will need to be embraced by our churches and their full-time servant leaders with regard to financial compensation. I will focus most of this article on the effect the pandemic has had on younger leaders just graduating from our Christian colleges and seminaries who are just now entering full-time local church ministry. For every one of them, their first ministry leadership experience will be formative . . . a permanent deposit in their memory bank. In some cases, it will determine whether they endure in church leadership. During more than three decades at Ozark Christian College, I counseled emerging leaders and local churches in the establishment of their partnerships. Here are seven practical guidelines for church leaders.

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By the time a young adult reaches age 22 to 25, they have an observable character. And the best indicator of future performance is past performance. Paul charged Timothy, as a younger church leader, to “Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith, and purity” (1 Timothy 4:12, Contemporary English Version). Spiritual maturity, morality, temperament, manners, speech, and work ethic can and should be vetted, even in younger leaders. When churches set aside character in favor of appearance, performance, ability, or likability, they ultimately regret it. A church in Kansas employed a young preacher because he was a “really great platform presence” and “an entertaining speaker.” In a matter of months, they learned he was consistently plagiarizing the copyrighted material of others and accessing pornography on his computer. This exposure brought reproach on the name of Christ and the church in the community.

FORGE A STRONG PARTNERSHIP FROM THE BEGINNING Advancing a ministry partnership is always preferable to “hiring a minister.” Elders are to shepherd one another, and that shepherding must include an early “band of brothers” connection with the vocational pastor. Mutual transparency and accountability are vital to healthy relationships among church leaders. And how you welcome and graft a new leader into his position positively influences the chemistry and longevity of the relationship. I saw this done very well a year ago by a thousand-member Kentucky church that called their new, young lead pastor and his family with a literal 100 percent congregational vote of confidence. The new preacher and his family have quickly established great friendships, and the church has already increased by a third. The apostle Paul wrote concerning Epaphroditus, “Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him” (Philippians 2:29).

COMMUNICATE OPENLY ABOUT FINANCES Before formally extending a call to a ministry candidate, ask about any special financial needs of the candidate and his family and also share information about the financial capacity of the church. If there is a college loan to repay or ongoing medical expenses or some other debt burden, it should be disclosed to the church. If the church is struggling in any way financially, the candidate should be told early on. Either way, there will be no surprises if you “speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body” (Ephesians 4:25).

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1. 2. 3.

CHOOSE LEADERS ON THE BASIS OF CHARACTER F IRST

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WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF A BIGHEARTED, OPENHANDED HEAVENLY FATHER.

WE SHOULD REFLECT THAT IN THE WAY WE TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE,

ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO SERVE AND LEAD THE CHURCH FULL-TIME.

AUGUST 2020

Thoughtful and prayerful consideration should be given to the appropriateness of the compensation package in light of the previous open conversations. Does it accurately address the cost of living in the geographical area? Comparative geographical charts and data are available online to accurately assess the real cost of housing, taxes, food, transportation, utilities, etc. Is there provision for health insurance? (This should be a priority benefit for full-time employees and their families.) Affordable sources for Christian healthcare sharing are available. In addition, some kind of retirement program, even if modest, is important to Christian leaders. A minimal $600 per year investment can result in substantial retirement income over time. Setting aside $600 yearly for the minister for 40 years—a $24,000 total investment—can produce about $7,000 per year in retirement income . . . a helpful supplement to Social Security.

BE AS GENEROUS AS POSSIBLE We are the children of a bighearted, openhanded heavenly Father. We should reflect that in the way we take care of people, especially those who serve and lead the church full-time. The question should not be “how little can we pay?” but rather, “how generous can we be?” This is one of the best ways to practice the Golden Rule. Or, better yet, treat the young pastor couple/family the way you would want your own young adult child/family to be treated. Of course, consideration must be given to the church’s size and financial capability. Generosity must be tempered by practical limitations and responsible stewardship. But, in the church, our priority should always be people over property or programs. “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages’” (1 Timothy 5:17, 18, author’s emphasis).

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4. 5.

REVIEW AND FINALIZE THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE

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MY COUNSEL FOR YOUNG PREACHERS If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice:

1 . CO N FI R M YO U R CALLI N G . If you have a strong sense of God’s calling on your life to preach the Word and serve the church, you will not take no for an answer. The apostle admonished us, “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do . . . you will never stumble” (2 Peter 1:10). Of course, in context, Peter is talking about our salvation calling, not our vocational calling. But there is a principle here: we must confirm our calling to full-time vocational ministry if we want to endure. When you know God has called you, it will be enough to sustain you on those days when you are criticized, when you are weary in well-doing, when you are not paid what you think you are worth.

2 . B E CO NTE NT AN D WAIT O N TH E LO R D. Chances are you will not get your first

choice of opportunities right out of college or seminary. Trust God to open the right door for you. Make him your partner by committing to focused prayer. His plan may not perfectly match your ambition. Proverbs 16:9 is relevant here: “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps” (New Living Translation). Be content. Bloom where you are planted and wait on the Lord. I was fresh out of seminary with my Master of Divinity degree in 1973. I wanted to preach, but my only two opportunities were to serve as an associate minister in churches of fewer than 1,000 in Atlanta and Indianapolis. Then I got a call from Ozark Christian College to teach in the areas of Bible and preaching. But I wanted to lead a local church. I really did not see myself as a teacher. So I thought, OK, Lord, I will teach for a few years and then seek a located ministry. I ended up teaching for four years and then transitioned to serve the college in administration for the next 30 years. Then, at age 59, I was called to serve a great church for a decade. Looking back, I would not change a thing. I am glad my heavenly Father was directing my steps.

3 . LEAR N TH E J OY O F SACR I FI CE . I have known some men who decided to drop out

of full-time church leadership because of their perceived financial depravation. I understand that the ministry is not a lucrative profession. At the same time, I can truthfully say I have always “felt” overpaid. I determined somewhere along the way that I would not set my salary, ask for a raise, charge a fee for my service, or market myself. I remember hearing missionary Isabel Dittamore speak. She casually mentioned that before going to China in her late twenties (for a lifetime/no furloughs), she had all of her teeth pulled and was fitted with dentures so she would not have to be burdened with dental problems on the mission field. That changed my perception of what it means to sacrifice in serving Jesus.

—K.I.

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I have never understood the delay in communicating the salary and benefits until the very end of the interview and hiring process. While it should not be the first item on the agenda, neither should it be the last. If a candidate’s first concern is compensation, it may be a red flag. But if the church waits until the eleventh hour to inform the prospective pastor about compensation, it is unnecessarily secretive. It is an important piece of the relationship, but not the most important piece. So, while the candidate should not mention it first, the church should not ignore it until last.

KEEP THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IN MIND A reasonable salary and benefits guideline for a younger, less-experienced pastor just beginning in full-time ministry is that of a public school teacher in the area. Some pastors in smaller or newer churches may be able to get health insurance through the spouse’s employer, so that can be a consideration. Churches that are not large enough, or not resourced adequately, to provide for a full-time minister at this level may need to consider a semiretired or bivocational preacher. Sometimes there are men in the church with a preaching or teaching gift who could serve the church part-time. Four years ago, the teacher of a large Bible school class at a church in Tennessee left his job as an accountant to plant a new church. It has grown from a Sunday school class of 200 into a thriving church of 900.

Paul wrote, “I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have” (Philippians 4:11, Contemporary English Version). If Paul wasn’t financially supported, he would work part-time as a tentmaker to be able to plant churches. If he was imprisoned, he would write most of the New Testament Epistles. If he was stoned, he would get up, dust himself off, and go back into the city. Lord, give us world changers with the value system of Paul! 

Ken Idleman serves as vice president of leadership development for The Solomon Foundation. He served as the fourth president of Ozark Christian College and then as senior pastor of Crossroads Christian Church in Newburgh, Indiana.

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6. 7.

DON’T UNNECESSARILY WITHHOLD INFORMATION ABOUT COMPENSATION

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is there a future for our colleges? (and is there even a need?)

by matt proctor

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because the workers are still few

A few years ago, Christian college presidents were invited to our movement’s annual megachurch ministers’ get-together. We gathered in San Antonio, Texas, to talk about greater partnership, and one preacher stood to share his view. “To be honest, do we really need these colleges?” he asked. “So many are small and struggling, and I hire most of my people from within. Maybe it’s time to let them die.” That kinda hurt my feelings. Actually it didn’t. He asked a great question—one I’ve asked myself. After 14 years as president of Ozark Christian College, I understand why management guru Peter Drucker said “college president” is one of the four hardest jobs in America. Fundraising, federal regulations, accrediting associations, helicopter parents, changing student demographics, increasing cultural pressures, juggling multiple constituencies, and the occasional pandemic make the job a challenge. (An academic dean from a sister school once smiled and said, “You know what an academic dean is? Someone who’s too dumb to teach but too smart to be president.”) I’m a preacher who misses standing in the same pulpit each week, so if we don’t actually need Christian colleges, I’d like to be done with this president gig. Why do it? In just the last few months, two sister schools—one 75 years old, the other 95—closed their doors. Is there a workable future for our colleges, and more importantly, is there even a need? I believe the answer is yes to both questions. We still need our colleges for at least three reasons.

“Everything rises and falls on leadership,” says John Maxwell. When leadership is strong, an organization flourishes. When it’s lacking, an organization falters. Maxwell calls it the Law of the Lid: “Leadership ability is always the lid on organizational effectiveness.” Which means the church needs godly, gifted, equipped leaders. Nothing matters more than the church’s redemptive mission in the world, and that mission needs leaders who are “full of the Spirit and wisdom,” “above reproach,” keeping “hold of the deep truths of the faith,” and “able to teach” (Acts 6:3; 1 Timothy 3:2, 9). Jesus spent most of his three-year ministry training such leaders in his little Bible college of twelve, and he knew more would be needed. He said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37, 38). Here’s a quick quiz: •

Indiana has one Christian church for every 10,000 people. To reach that ratio in the New York City metro area, how many churches need to be planted? (Answer: 1,800)

•

There are about 7,300 languages in the world. How many languages have no Scripture translated? (Answer: almost 4,000)

•

Of the roughly 16,000 people groups in the world, how many are unreached with the gospel? (Answer: about 7,100)

•

How many people around the world die without Christ every minute? (Answer: 72)

Who will plant those churches, translate those Scriptures, reach those people groups, and save those souls? We don’t have enough vocational Christian leaders to replace the ones retiring, let alone increase their tribe. The harvest is still plentiful, and the workers are still few.

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because biblical training still matters

In the U.S., churches and campus ministries have certainly raised up full-time kingdom leaders, but not nearly enough. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School missions professor Herb Kane said, “Bible colleges have accounted for the lion’s share of missionaries during the last one hundred years.” An important note: Our movement has both Bible colleges and Christian liberal arts colleges. A Christian liberal arts college includes ministry as one major among others like chemistry and journalism (and we need chemists and journalists with a biblical worldview). A Bible college makes ministry its singular focus (90 percent of Ozark’s graduates go into some kind of ministry.) We need both. The Army needs both West Point (a singular-focus school) and university ROTC (one program among many) to train vocational military leaders. We need both Bible colleges and Christian colleges with ministry majors to train vocational spiritual leaders. Everything rises and falls on leadership, and the mission of God needs more equipped leaders, not fewer. We still need our colleges because the workers are still few.

My father-in-law, an old farmer, once helped me replace a piece of siding on my house. We fastened it securely, but we didn’t get it perfectly straight. He stood back, looked at it and said, “Well, a man riding by on a fast horse will never know the difference.” I laughed and understood. Sometimes close enough is good enough. But if 99.9 percent were good enough for maternity nurses, every day 12 babies in the U.S. would go home from the hospital with the wrong parents! Some things you must get 100 percent right, and one of those is the Word of God. Paul told Timothy he must be “a worker . . . who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Does it matter for a minister to have a formal biblical education? Some would say: “No. It’s nice but not necessary. We hire people who love Jesus and understand our church culture.” To be clear: A Bible college education isn’t necessary for ministry. The apostle Paul had formal biblical training (Acts 22:3), but Peter and John were “unschooled, ordinary men” (Acts 4:13). I have known leaders used mightily by God who never attended Bible college, and I’ve known biblical eggheads who couldn’t preach their way out of a paper bag. A Bible college degree isn’t the key to ministry success . . . but understanding the Bible better is never the cause of ministry failure. It’s always a good thing. And sometimes the inability to “correctly handle the word of truth” does lead to kingdom failure. I could

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because the college model still works Throughout church history, Christian colleges have been just one method God has used to raise up kingdom leaders. We serve the church, but we are not the church—we’re the bridesmaid, not the bride. The church is what Jesus came to build, and the day may come when he is done using our schools to do so. cite egregious examples like the health and wealth preachers who promise physical healing because they mishandle Isaiah 53:5. But I’m thinking of less obvious examples, like the preacher who quoted approvingly of a Facebook post: “We are not human beings having a temporary spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a temporary human experience.” That sounds biblical, but it runs counter to Scripture’s teaching (we’ll be fully human for eternity—totally spiritual and totally physical). That preacher couldn’t discern between Bible and almost Bible. If a plane flying from San Francisco to New York City is off course just one degree, it’ll land in Connecticut, and even 99 percent-right teaching can lead people away from “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16) and full obedience to him (Matthew 28:20). Does formal biblical education matter? Yes. I want my doctor to know the technical names of diseases, the intricacies of human anatomy, and the side effects of each medicine—no “close-enough” prescriptions! How much more important is thorough preparation for the physician of souls. A congregation’s faith is formed by his teaching, and they need a teacher who handles the Word correctly. Read James 3:1. God is not a man riding by on a fast horse, and close enough is not good enough. We still need our colleges because biblical training still matters.

But at the moment, it seems we’re still a useful tool. Of the 114 megachurches/emerging megachurches in the May issue of Christian Standard, 90 percent were led by an alumnus of our schools. My strong hunch: that percentage is even higher among our thousands of midsized and smaller churches. While Christian higher education faces challenges, “the reports of our death are greatly exaggerated.” The 10,000-plus students at our colleges still find qualified and Christ-honoring faculty, caring community, spiritual discipleship opportunities, and a vision for lifetime Christian service, and the college model still works because: •

Students are a strategic age. God shapes midcareer people too, but 18- to 24-year-olds are in a highly impressionable season (which brain science confirms) when they can be uniquely shaped spiritually.

•

College is a strategic setting. God often prepares leaders by moving them out of life routines for a concentrated season. (Consider the disciples’ three years with Jesus or Paul’s three years in Arabia before beginning ministry.)

•

Faculty are strategic mentors. Young ministers can be discipled by a single leader. (Think of Martin Luther training students at his table.) But students may get only one perspective and take on their mentor’s deficiencies. (Think of Luther’s anti-Semitism and potty mouth.) College faculty aren’t perfect, but the diversity can help prepare students more fully.

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Our colleges have a strong track record of producing effective, biblically grounded kingdom leaders, and I believe there’s a workable—and bright—future for these institutions. In my opinion, these four cornerstones provide a strong foundation for a sustainable, flourishing Christian college: •

Clear mission. Colleges can weather a financial crisis or enrollment crisis, but not an identity crisis. I recommend every trustee, administrator, and faculty member read Mission Drift by Chris Horst and Peter Greer. Guard doctrine and mission like a junkyard dog.

•

Accredited education. As Christians, our highest call is to remain “approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15, King James Version). As colleges, we should be as “shrewd” as “the people of this world” (Luke 16:8), pursuing excellence (critically) through accreditation.

•

Debt free. In my years as president, we spent the first five years in debt and the last nine out of debt. I’m biased, but I’m sold on this: a constantly shifting economic environment requires the financial margin a debt-free campus provides.

•

Church partnerships. The “ivory tower” isn’t always bad. Luther called his rediscovery of the gospel (that launched the Reformation) his “tower experience,” because it literally happened as he studied in a tower. Theological scholarship matters. But the ivory tower and the school of hard knocks need each other, and so do Christian colleges and the church. When we at Ozark take the students in our seminar classes to learn from partner congregations, both the students and the churches win. This is kingdom leadership training at its best.

With these cornerstones in place, we still need our colleges because this model still works.

the real reason why Last October, I worshipped with Plainfield (Indiana) Christian Church on their Baptism Sunday. Four OCC alumni led the service (my son preached the message), and when 23 people were baptized, I sat with tears in my eyes. My greatest joy in ministry used to be baptizing others into Christ, but my greatest joy now is watching those I’ve taught baptize others. As someone said, “My fruit grows on other people’s trees.” That’s why I serve as a Bible college president. By the way, when I got home that weekend, I looked at the previous year’s Christian Standard statistics report. Of the megachurches/emerging megachurches listed, 75 had OCC alumni on staff, and those 75 churches baptized more than 20,000 people. In just one year. (That doesn’t even count those baptized by our grads in smaller churches and on mission fields.) That’s why I hope you’ll keep sending students and dollars to our schools and why (Lord willing) I’ll keep serving as president. Our colleges—and their many faithful alumni—remain fruitful.  Matt Proctor serves as president of Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri.

Marshall FAITHFUL MINISTER IN GODâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SERVICE

Leggett BY GENE WIGGINTON

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Marshall Leggett will be remembered by all who knew him as a man whose ambition in life was to be a faithful minister in God’s service. That ambition was never compromised. As a preacher and Christian college administrator, he honored God and touched countless lives with the truth of God’s Word. Marshall Leggett died March 2, 2020, at age 90.

FAITHFUL IN THE CHURCHES HE SERVED

I had the privilege of meeting Marshall in the early years of his ministry. While traveling on behalf of a Christian college, I visited Marshall and his wife, Jean, in their Lynn, Indiana, home. The church in Lynn was Marshall’s first ministry after his graduation from college. Their warm and gracious hospitality made me feel as if we had been friends forever. At that time, First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio, was the largest Christian church in the United States. The church asked Marshall to join their ministry team. Marshall saw it as an opportunity for personal growth. He took a threeyear leave of absence from Lynn and joined the Canton staff. P.H. Welshimer, FCC’s senior minister, was known as a tireless worker and a leader with exceptionally high expectations of those who served on his staff. Marshall said Welshimer would hand him a new assignment every time he saw him. So, Marshall said with a twinkle in his eyes, he occasionally would hide under the organ when he saw Welshimer coming.

REMEMBERING MARSHALL LEGGETT

I n 1 9 6 5 t h e e lde rs o f So u t h ea s t C h ris t ia n a pproa ch e d Mars h a ll a bo u t b e co min g t h e p rea ch e r o f t h e ir n ew ch u rch in Lo u isv ille . Th ey h a d n a rrowe d t h e ir p re fe re n ce dow n to two m e n : B o b Sh a n n o n a n d Mars h a ll Le g g e tt , t h e two b e s t yo u n g prea ch e rs in our b ro t h e rh o o d. B o t h m e n s aw t h e po te n t ia l in t h e n ew ch u rch bu t a t t h e la s t min u te b o t h de c ide d n o t to a cce pt t h e c a ll. A few m o n t h s la te r, I be c a m e t h e b e n e f ic ia r y o f t h e ir d e c is io n s . Yea rs la te r, M a rs h a ll wo u ld s ay to m e w it h a tw in k le in h is eye , “ N ow, if I h a d g o n e to So u t h ea s t C h ris t ia n , s o m e t h in g g o o d wo u ld h ave h a ppe n e d t h e re ! ”

Bob Russell

F o r m e r S e n i or M i n i ste r , S ou t h e a st Ch r i st i a n C h u r ch , L ou i sv i lle , K e n t u cky

On May 16, 1998, Marshall Leggett, Rubel Shelly, and I participated in a Restoration Dialogue at the Manhattan (New York) Church of Christ. Marshall gave his famous impression of Thomas Campbell, “exhumed f rom the tomb!” The next day Marshall turned down a chance to visit Yankee Stadium. I went and saw David Wells pitch a perfect game! Stuck in an airport terminal somewhere, Marshall moaned, “I could have been at the game!” I laughed all the way to LaGuardia.

Victor Knowles

Pr e si de n t , P e a ce O n E a r t h M i n i st r i e s

When I joined the cabinet, Milligan was in f inancial struggles, and we needed to cut the budget to meet revenue projections. I pored over my part of the budget and scheduled a meeting with Marshall. I said, “I have been over and over this budget; there’s simply no place to cut.” He said, “I hope you can f ind some places; if you can’t, I can.” I did! He was a wonderful mentor.

Gary E. Weedman

Pr e si de n t E m e r i t u s, J oh n son U n i ve r si t y

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After completing his three years in Canton, Marshall returned to his ministry in Lynn. I remember when Marshall became senior minister of the historic Broadway Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky. He was concerned the massive pulpit made it difficult for him to engage the congregation as he preached. An adjustment was made to accommodate his smallish stature. Marshall was much happier preaching to an audience that could see him and that he could see. Marshall was a serious student of Restoration history. The influence of Restoration principles was always present in his sermons and writings. He even brought the Restoration fathers to life through dramatic presentations. He spent considerable time donning the appropriate costume and makeup before portraying Barton Stone, John Smith, or Alexander Campbell. His portrayals were both unique and effective. Churches and conventions sought him out to provide face-to-face introductions to the Restoration fathers.

FAITHFUL IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Christian colleges faced serious challenges in the 1970s and â&#x20AC;&#x2122;80s. Student enrollment was declining and budgets were strained. Colleges were aggressively competing for students and donations. During this time, Marshall was called to be president of Milligan College. Marshall was uniquely qualified for this new role in kingdom service. He was an alumnus of Milligan, which was an important stimulus to alumni support. His commitment to Restoration ideals resulted in confident support from the

Sometime in the 1970s, I was a kid in the main session at the North American Christian Convention. I sat riveted before Marshall Leggett, who urged us to blend a pursuit of unity with a passionate concern for reaching lost people. How silly and destructive to undermine our mission by f ighting amongst ourselves! This phrase stuck: “We must be ONE (and then he spelled it out in a slow, dramatic, southern drawl: Ohhhhhhh . . . Nnnnnnnnn . . . Eeeeeeeee) so that the world may be WON (and again, he emphatically announced the letters: Dubaya . . . Ohhhhhhh . . . Nnnnnnn).” I’ve been repeating it ever since.

Ben Cachiaras

L e a d P a stor , M ou n t a i n Ch r i st i a n Ch u r ch , Jo p p a , M a r y la n d

The years I spent serving with Marshall at Milligan College shaped the rest of my career in Christian higher education. No matter how insurmountable the challenges we faced, he maintained an unwavering focus on our mission and an unrelenting trust in God. He and his wife, Jean, modeled servant leadership by treating every person on campus as important and valued. His appreciation for the heritage and principles of the Restoration Movement left a lasting impression on our churches. Marshall was a true Christian gentleman and great f riend.

John Derry

Pre si de n t E m e r i t u s, H op e In te r n a t i on a l Un i ve r si t y

During Dr. Leggett’s tenure, Milligan regained its footing and found renewed direction and purpose. I know I speak for the entire Milligan community when I say we are indebted to Marshall Leggett. I can’t tell you how many people have told me that Milligan would not have survived without Marshall. I think they’re right. His work at Milligan had a profound impact on the kingdom, and I know he was proud of the way we have continued to build upon the foundation he so carefully laid.

Bill Greer

Pre si de n t , M i lli ga n U n i ve r si t y

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churches. He articulated the biblical principle of the priesthood of all believers with the assurance that students, regardless of academic majors, would see their careers as ministry opportunities. Marshall had a personal conviction for the value of a Christian education. His motto was, “Christian education: the hope of the world.” Leading up to Marshall’s arrival, I served Milligan as interim administrator. He strongly desired a seamless transition, and so he asked me to work with him as executive vice president. I made a one-year commitment to that request, which provided Marshall and Jean the opportunity to travel extensively on behalf of the college. They personally visited churches, alumni, and individual donors. Their mission was to assure each one that the college was true to its historic values and deserving of their support. This face-to-face approach generated confidence. I should note, Jean was not only Marshall’s wife but also his partner in ministry. Marshall’s Christian character, commitment to Restoration ideals, and skill resulted in a successful tenure as college president. After my one-year commitment to Marshall, I was prepared to leave Milligan to assume my new ministry with Standard Publishing. Once again, I was the recipient of my friend Marshall’s warm and gracious hospitality. He hosted an appreciation banquet and personally honored me with kind and thoughtful accolades. All of us who love the church and the Restoration Movement are grateful for the life and faithful ministry of God’s servant, Marshall Leggett. 

Gene Wigginton is the retired president of Standard Publishing. He has also served as senior minister of churches in Louisville, Kentucky, and East Point, Georgia, and served as executive vice president of Milligan College.

While I was a student at Milligan in the ’80s, I served a part-time ministry at the Union Church of Christ. Dr. Leggett preached at that same church years earlier when he was a student at Milligan. When Dr. Leggett would see me on campus, he would ask me about the people of Union. He still cared about them deeply. That’s just who he was.

Ron Kastens

D i r e ctor of M i n i st r y L e a de r sh i p P r ogra m , M i lli ga n U n i ve r si t y

Like a parent, President Leggett made us feel secure and loved as students. Like an uncle, he gave me a chance and hired me for my f irst PR job. Like a teacher, he offered guidance and made me feel valuable. Like a grandparent, he told heartwarming stories that made generations develop their own “love affair ” with Milligan. Dr. Leggett, you are “cherished by her sons and daughters.”

Dr. Lee (Fierbaugh) Harrison M i lli ga n Cla ss of 1994 Vi ce P r e si de n t for M a r ke t i n g & E n r ollm e n t , M i lli ga n U n i ve r si t y

Marshall Leggett had an unusual sense of humor that helped him solve many problems. When he was minister of the Broadway Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, a nearby organization would often use some of the church’s parking places. He had several signs placed in the parking lot that said, in effect, that these parking spaces were for people attending services at the church. If they were used by any others, the offenders would be “apprehended and baptized immediately.” Many of the people who lived in Lexington became aware of the signs and joked about them. This, of course, made the signs even more effective. (See more comments f rom Ben Merold on Marshall Leggett at christianstandard.com/my-memories-of-marshallleggett/.)

Ben Merold

Tea ch i n g P a stor , H a r ve ste r Ch r i st i a n Ch u r ch , St . Ch a r le s, M i ssou r i

generational MAKING A

IMPACT

BY DOUG CROZIER

“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done” (Psalm 78:4, emphasis mine). Time and again through the years, I have heard people wonder aloud—and I too have asked—“Are we making a generational impact?” How do we make an impact that affects not only our children but also generations to come? What goes into laying the groundwork for future generations? What are some key decisions in ministry that create the opportunities to reach future generations? I have had a front-row seat to what many consider the fastest-growing group of churches in America today! I believe a key factor to their growth, and the maintenance of those growth numbers, is the focus on future generations within Restoration Movement churches. Here are four keys to making a generational impact:

DEVELOPING LEADERS “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2, New King James Version). When you look to acquire real estate, the main consideration is always location, location, location. When developing leaders, the main focus is integrity. Our movement would not be what it is today if not for great leadership. I could list dozens of great leaders in our movement, and the mere fact I can list them tells us there are many terrific leaders! Here are six key comments on developing leaders who will have integrity: • Leadership can be taught only by great leaders. Leadership is a “learn by doing” and “learn by example” skill. That is why it is vital to generational prosperity that we continue to challenge our current leaders to personally invest their time and energy into potential new leaders. With the explosion of megachurches within our movement, we need to pause and be sure all of the great leaders in Restoration churches are teaching the next generation. • Developing a culture is paramount. In any organization, the environment is the key to success in developing a great leader. A culture within an organization has its own DNA. Fine-tuning the culture of your organization will lay the groundwork for the future. • Building trust takes time. Trust is defined as “ firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.” Trust is not gained overnight; it comes about through a relationship. In fact, relationships are built on trust. Proverbs 3:5, 6 is a great example: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him.” • Mentoring leads to legacy. Mentoring our younger leaders is an important part of securing our movement’s legacy and purifying our DNA. My mentors have had a profound impact on my life and my ability to lead. • Continuous skill development is needed. A great leader constantly is seeking to develop their leadership skills and knowledge through mentors and mentees. Conventions, conferences, and classes are also helpful in developing skills. • Real leadership is servant leadership. Jesus was the greatest servant leader ever. His love was unconditional and unselfish. The apostle John described how the Lord led by serving: “So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (John 13:4, 5).

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SPONSORED

HONORING THE YOUNG-AT-HEART SENIOR GENERATIONS “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” (Job 12:12). • Honor their commitment to allow change. We need to honor our seniors and their commitment to change. It has not been easy, but senior church members accepted change to foster expansion of the kingdom! I’ve learned so much from older leaders in the church. Their experience and wisdom are unmatched! • Allow them to participate. Our senior members can help in so many parts of the church. Their wisdom and years of experience should be valued. They are prayer warriors who have more time to serve now than ever before.

DREAMING AND EXECUTING “Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:18, New American Standard Bible). Moving forward, we must resolve to remain open to new things, learn from our failures, and strive to execute our plans with excellence. • Always be open to try new things. Experimenting with new things creates opportunities. Be prudent and make sure you gain consensus with your team. • Learn from your failures. A great leader learns from their mistakes and makes the appropriate corrections. Giving up is not an alternative. Keep showing up and see what God does! • Strive for quality in execution. God wants us to show the world his best. Executing with excellence is mandatory! At The Solomon Foundation, leadership development internally and externally is vital to the continuation and growth of our ministry. We are not just a church extension fund, we are a partner in ministry. We prioritize networking, resourcing, and befriending church staff and investors we come to know in our journey. At TSF, we invest time and resources not just in the development of our own staff, but also among the leaders of the churches we work with. Through these intentional actions, we insure the future of our organization, our churches, and our movement. I am confident that, in partnership with our churches, their leaders, and our investors, we will continue to develop young leaders to continue to advance the Restoration Movement and the kingdom for many generations to come. Let’s all commit to using what God has given us to make a difference both today and for generations to come. Doug Crozier serves as chief executive officer of The Solomon Foundation.

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Welcome to The Lookout Bible study. The psalmist said, “I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word” (Psalm 119:16). We are excited to continue the long and steady tradition of The Lookout Bible study, now in the pages of Christian Standard. We have designed this section to help you delight in God’s Word.

Note to Leaders: You and your group will notice some changes in our approach to the Bible study questions on the Discovery pages. We are introducing a model of Bible study that encourages groups and classes to grow spiritually, bear fruit, and multiply. The study takes your group through a God-honoring and God-exalting process in which people engage with God’s Word; it is a discipleship tool that consistently works with seekers, young Christians, and more mature believers alike. For a rationale for this type of study, more information on the process and how to lead it, and what you should communicate to your group to make this study most effective, please go to ChristianStandard.com/Discovery.

how to use the lookout

Each week has a lesson aim, lesson text, and supplemental text.

Each week features three sections: Study, Application, and Discovery.

Tabs indicate the week of each lesson.

Use the Discovery questions to study, discuss, and apply the Scripture passages in a group or class.

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j o s h u a 2 :1 - 1 6 ; 6 :1 5 -2 5

hebrews 11:31 psalm 20:6 -9; 34:7

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Rahab Saved by mark scott

Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Rahab the prostitute did that. Psalm 34:7 says, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” Rahab the prostitute experienced that. As we continue our study in Joshua and Judges this month, we focus this week on Rahab. Her name occurs 14 times in the Bible (albeit some of the references refer figuratively to Egypt or one of God’s enemies). But Rahab the person is mentioned in four books of the Bible (Joshua, Matthew, Hebrews, and James). Her name means “wide.” Even though she had been a prostitute, she married Salmon and gave birth to Boaz, which placed her in Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1:5). Two passages from this book of conquest were selected for this lesson. Following God’s commission of Joshua in chapter 1, Rahab hid Israel’s spies in chapter 2. In chapters 3 and 4 Israel crossed over into the Promised Land, and in chapter 5 God’s covenant was renewed with Israel in the new land. Chapter 6 tells the story of the conquering of Jericho. Rahab’s Lie Joshua 2:1-7

Rahab had hidden the men in her house, which was “part of the city wall” (2:15). Rahab told the Jericho police that the men had been there but left. That was a lie. Rahab had hidden the spies under some stalks drying on her roof. But Rahab was not commended for lying. She was commended for acting in faith (Hebrews 11:31). This was not the first time God leveraged a lie to accomplish his larger purpose (Genesis 12:13). Rahab not only lied, she gave false directions and sent the Jericho authorities on a wild-goose chase. The police headed toward the fords (passages) to the Jordan River. The city gate was shut for the night, so the Israeli spies were safe.

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Rahab gave what amounted to a confession of faith. She switched sides and began to play for God’s team. Rahab had heard the word on the street. She must have emboldened the spies by telling them a reassuring bedtime story. She had heard of the exodus (Exodus 14). She had heard of the defeat of the kings (Numbers 21:21-25). She knew the gig was up for the nations living in the land of Canaan. Three times she referenced how great fear had fallen on them. No doubt, this caused them to remember God’s words (Exodus 23:23; Deuteronomy 2:25). As a result, Rahab acknowledged that the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Rahab requested that the spies swear (take an oath) to show kindness (the great verb “chesed” which appears 250 times in the Old Testament—and three times in this text—meaning mercy or loving-kindness) when they conquered the city. She pleaded for her life and the lives of her family members. The spies agreed to her terms so long as she kept their secret. She helped them escape by a rope through the window—the Israelites would see the rope as they marched around the city for the next six days. Rahab’s Liberation Joshua 6:15-25 God gave the Israelites very specific instructions about how to take the city of Jericho (6:1-14). When the seventh day came, the people marched around Jericho seven times, a total of perhaps three hours. On the seventh circuit, the trumpets blared and the people shouted. The wall collapsed (lie prostrate or fall flat), and they took the city. But Rahab and her clan were spared (allowed to live). The spies kept their word. Israel was allowed to put the silver, gold, bronze, and iron into their treasury. But the devoted things (cursed things) were to be burned. The Ras Shamra tablets indicated that these devoted things were idolatrous and very licentious. Sin is desperately contagious, as Achan learned (Joshua 7:10-26), so God ordered the devoted things destroyed. Rahab was liberated, but through her womb the whole world would one day be liberated. - 75 -

AUGUST 2020

WEEK OF August 02

While Israel waited at Shittim (seven miles east of the river) to cross the Jordan, Joshua sent two spies to look over (inspect) and spy out (search) the land. Jericho was a very ancient city and a key city to rout to begin the conquest. How the spies found their way to Rahab’s house is not known. But they stayed there (lied down there). Someone squealed about the spies coming to Rahab’s house so the king sent a message to have the spies brought in (arrested?).

Rahab’s Lord Joshua 2:8-16

A p p l i c at i o n

The Rahab Rehab by David Faust

Most family trees contain some bad apples. My parents proudly informed me that our ancestors include notable figures such as Johnny Appleseed, William Penn, and General George Patton. However, in German my last name means “fist,” so I suspect my family tree also includes some horse thieves and barroom brawlers.

Will You Invite the Lord into Your Mess?

Jesus’ family tree in Matthew 1 includes some shady characters. Names that appear on the first page of the New Testament remind us of Jacob’s conniving, David and Bathsheba’s adultery, Solomon’s hundreds of marriages, and the wickedness of King Ahaz and King Manasseh. These ragged-edged stories remind us that the people we read about in the Bible are not make-believe, fairy-tale characters. They are real fleshand-blood people with messy lives. And so are we.

Do You Have Now-and-Then Religion or Everyday Faith?

Jesus’ genealogy includes Rahab, who lived in a pagan city so morally depraved that even its elevation was low. (If you search Google for “What is the lowest city on earth?” the answer is Jericho.) The guest register at Rahab’s inn was like a logbook of her past sins, and her story in Joshua 2 reads like a movie script complete with spies, cover-ups, and daring escapes. Her name, which to me sounds a lot like rehab, appears three times in the New Testament. Matthew 1 includes Rahab in the family tree of Jesus, Hebrews 11 recognizes her faith, and James 2 says she put her faith into action. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the blood flowing in his veins contained some of rough-edged Rahab’s DNA. Rahab serves as a vivid example of what Jesus told his self-righteous critics: “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you” (Matthew 21:31). God specializes in rehabilitating, reconciling, and restoring broken people. You and I could benefit from a Rahab rehab! Here are three questions to consider.

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We all have done unsavory and embarrassing things. None of this surprises God. Instead of trying to hide from him, we should invite the Lord into the ugly stuff and seek his forgiveness. Just as the tax collectors Matthew and Zacchaeus did, let’s invite the Lord into our homes and hearts.

Rahab put her faith into action, risking her life to protect the spies. Her example reminds us that faith without works is dead (James 2:25, 26). Our faith should be active 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Now-and-then religion comes and goes, but everyday faith affects how we handle our time and money. It shapes how we manage our relationships with others at home, work, and school. Now-and-then religion might generate an occasional spiritual high, but everyday faith brings us into the Lord’s presence 365 days a year. Why settle for now-and-then religion when Jesus offers the adventure of everyday faith? Is There Hope in Your Window? The scarlet-colored cord in Rahab’s window served as a symbol of hope. Rahab trusted God to save her, and that was the best homeowner’s insurance policy in Jericho. God can make our scarlet sins white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). Like a scarlet cord, the blood of Christ offers hope that rough-edged sinners like us can be included in the Lord’s family tree. Personal Challenge: In your prayer journal or on a sheet of paper, write down one area of your life that you would like God to “rehab” (rehabilitate and make new). - 76 -

AUGUST 2020

D i s c ove ry

by Leigh Mackenzie

1. What answers to prayer did you receive over the last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Joshua 2:1-16 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask the same two readers to each read Joshua 6:15-25. Ask the third person to retell the story in their own words as if telling it to a group of adolescents. 2. What, if anything, surprises you from these passages? 3. Let’s look more closely at some of the details: • In what parts of this narrative do you see faith displayed? • What did the people of Jericho know and how did they feel about the Israelites? • How would you describe Rahab’s faith in God? (Would you say it was based on facts or feelings? How “mature” was it? How did she put it into action?) • How would you describe the relationship between Rahab and the spies? • What did Rahab surrender and accept in order to put her faith in Israel’s God? • What commands does God give the Israelites in our passage from Joshua 6? 4. What do you learn about God and his power from this story? 5. What do you learn about human nature? 6. What do you learn about obeying God?

7. How will you show kindness this week . . . and to whom? 8. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .” 9. What challenges will you face this week? For Next Week: Sometime over the next week, read and reflect on Joshua 24:1, 14-28, and 31 as we finish studying Joshua and our theme, “Strong and Courageous.” You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.

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WEEK OF August 02

• How are faith, obedience, and devotion to the Lord connected?

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j o s h u a 24 :1 , 1 4 -2 8 , 3 1

2 T i m o t hy 3 :1 0 - 1 7

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Serve the Lord by mark scott

T.S. Eliot wrote, “For those who serve the greater cause may make the cause serve them.” A remarkable deception of the enemy is in duping believers into thinking they deserve God to serve them (cf. Luke 17:10). But everything good that happened for Israel (or the church, for that matter) occurred only by the grace of God. We come to the end of this book of conquest. After God’s judgment on Achan for his covetousness (Joshua 7), the land finally was settled by the tribes of Israel (chapters 8–21)—though not all of the enemies had been defeated. The two and one-half tribes from the eastern side of Jordan had returned home (chapter 22). Joshua made his farewell speech (chapter 23), and the covenant was renewed (chapter 24). But with Joshua soon to be gone, would Israel serve the Lord? Serve Him with Faithfulness Joshua 24:1, 14, 15 The place where Joshua chose to renew the covenant was significant. Abraham built an altar in Shechem the first time he ever passed through Canaan (Genesis 12:6, 7). Shechem was where Jacob stopped to bury the foreign idols when he returned home (Genesis 35:4). And Shechem was where Joshua renewed the covenant with Israel the first time (Joshua 8:30-35). So, Joshua got everyone together—the elders (ancient ones), the leaders (heads or chiefs), the judges (defenders or avengers), and the officials (rulers or overseers). Joshua reviewed the Israelites’ history (24:2-13); he spoke of the wandering of the patriarchs and the exodus from Egypt.

Joshua placed before Israel a challenge. If it seemed undesirable (evil) to them to serve the Lord, they could elect to be idolaters. But in a moment of tremendous self-disclosure, Joshua famously announced, “As for

C H R I S T I A N S TA N D A R D

Serve Him in Contrast to Others Joshua 24:16-24 This part of our text is a dialogue between Israel and Joshua. They spoke, and then he spoke, and then they spoke, etc. Joshua had warned the Israelites against being idolaters. They said they would not worship idols. Then Joshua told them they could not serve God (because God was holy, and they were not). They replied, “No! We will serve the Lord.” Then Joshua said, “OK, you are witnesses against yourselves.” They said, “OK.” Israel said they would not forsake (loosen or depart from) the Lord. Israel acknowledged that God had redeemed them out of the land (house) of Egypt, performed miracles, provided for them in the wilderness, and drove out (threw out) the nations from their homeland. Israel agreed to serve God because God was God. Joshua reminded the people that Israel’s God was holy and jealous. Their God would not take lightly to rebellion (transgression) and sin. In fact, if Israel forsook the Lord and served idols, then God would bring disaster (evil) on them. Israel claimed loyalty to God by pledging (establishing a witness) to serve the Lord. Joshua told them a second time to throw away the foreign gods and yield (extend or stretch) their hearts to the Lord. Israel agreed to obey (hear) God. Serve Him in Covenant Joshua 24:25-28, 31 Joshua renewed God’s covenant with Israel for a second time. He reaffirmed (put in place) the decrees (commandments) and the laws (judgments) at Shechem. Joshua did two things to underline this moment. First, he recorded (wrote) these things in a book. Second, he buried it by an oak tree under a stone. He even personified the stone by saying the stone had heard this renewal of the covenant. Then Joshua sent the people home. In verses 29 and 30, we read of Joshua’s death. He lived to the age of 110. Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and of those Joshua equipped to lead. But next came the book of Judges. - 79 -

AUGUST 2020

WEEK OF August 09

Serve is the key term in these verses and in this lesson. The word appears at least a dozen times in the lesson text and 290 times in the Hebrew Bible. Joshua called on the people to fear and serve God with all faithfulness (truth). The way this faithfulness would be evident was in Israel’s “throwing away” (a phrase that appears again in 24:23) foreign gods. Idolatry was in their DNA (via Abraham before he heard God’s call, while being tempted in Egypt, and in their current experience with the Amorites).

me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Even if he were the only one, Joshua would remain faithful (cf. 2 Timothy 2:11-13).

A p p l i c at i o n

You Have a Choice by David Faust

It’s unfortunate that expressions like “pro-choice” and “the right to choose” have been co-opted by abortion advocates. When properly understood, the ability to choose is one of God’s greatest gifts. We don’t get to choose our birthdays, our height, or the color of our skin. But we decide what we believe, what we value, and who our friends will be. Faith, hope, and love are choices more than feelings. At age 20, I decided to ask a young woman named Candy to marry me, and I remain grateful she chose to say yes. Rock or Sand What kind of relationship will we choose to have with God? He determines what is right or wrong, but we decide whether we will do right or wrong. We can’t escape all hardship and suffering, but we decide how we’ll respond to them. When the coronavirus pandemic struck this year, many things were out of our control, but we could choose to live by faith and love our neighbors well. Every day we choose the Lord’s way or our own way, the narrow gate or the wide gate. We decide to honor the Lord or dishonor him, to build our lives on rock or on sand. In his farewell speech to the Israelites, Joshua challenged the people to choose wisely. He used a form of the word serve six times in two verses: Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped . . . and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served . . . or the gods of the Amorites. . . . But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:14, 15, emphasis mine).

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Choosing to Serve If we have made bad choices (and who hasn’t?) there still is hope, because, as Max Lucado points out, God even “repurposes bad decisions and squalid choices,” turning “debris into the divine, pig’s ear into silk purse.” Here are three important points that can help us choose wisely. Serving God is a personal choice. “Choose for yourselves,” Joshua said. No one else can make this decision for you. Even if you grew up in a Christian home with parents who love the Lord, you must make a personal choice. Will you serve him, too? Has God blessed you with spiritual shepherds—godly friends and faithful teachers who help you understand God’s Word? Merely hearing God’s truth isn’t enough. Have you decided to trust and obey? Serving God is an urgent choice. “Choose . . . this day.” Don’t wait for a more convenient time. Don’t wait till all your problems are resolved. Don’t wait until you graduate or retire. “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Serving God is a far-reaching choice. “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” This emphatic declaration came from an old man. Joshua died at age 110 (Joshua 24:29), so by now his offspring were senior adults themselves! Our choices have long-lasting consequences, affecting generations yet to come. That’s why Moses exhorted the people, “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Personal Challenge: In your prayer journal or on a piece of paper, write these words and fill in the blank: “To better serve God, this week I will decide to ______.” - 80 -

AUGUST 2020

D i s c ove ry

1. How did you show kindness to someone this past week? 2. What struggles have you faced over the last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Joshua 24:1, 14-28, 31 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. (Option: Read Joshua 24:1-31.) Ask the third person to retell the story in their own words as if telling it to a group of kids at Vacation Bible School. 3. What key terms do you see in this passage? 4. Let’s look more closely at some of the details: • What are some specific ways the people could demonstrate they were choosing to serve and obey God? • How would you characterize Joshua’s challenges to the leaders? • What words and phrases are used to describe God in this passage? • What did these leaders say and do to help the following generations continue to make the right choices? 5. What do you learn about God from this narrative? 6. What do you learn about human nature? 7. What do you learn about obedience in this passage? • What is the relationship between forsaking other gods, yielding your heart to God, serving him, and obeying him?

9. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .” 10. What challenges will you face this week? For Next Week: Over the next week, read and reflect on Judges 2:10-19 as we begin studying the books of Judges and Ruth and the theme, “Reverse the Trend.” You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.

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AUGUST 2020

WEEK OF August 09

8. What can you do to pass on your choices to serve and obey God to the next generations?

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W H E N G O D D I S C I P L I N E S , R E P E N T.

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j u d g e s 2 :1 0 - 1 9

j u d g e s 3 : 7- 3 1 h e b r e w s 1 2 :1 - 1 1

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Stop the Spiral by mark scott Judges may well be the ugliest book in the Bible. Perpetual sin was creating a union with death among God’s people. “There was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25, English Standard Version; cf. 17:6; 18:1; 19:1). The constant cycle of sin, servitude, supplication, salvation, and silence created a downward spiral for Israel. The only way this trend was reversed was for a judge to show up occasionally and “save” God’s people. Our lesson text effectively summarizes Judges. Joshua had died (Joshua 24:29-31; Judges 1:1; 2:8, 9), and the tribe of the Messiah (Judah) led the way for the rest of the conquest (Judges 1:2). But the conquest was compromised by the tribes of Israel not driving out all the nations that were living there (Judges 1:3-36). These lingering nations would become a thorn in Israel’s side (Judges 2:3). Forgetting God Judges 2:10-13 Francis Chan wrote a book on the Holy Spirit entitled Forgotten God. He suggested the church in the West has forgotten the Holy Spirit. Israel was worse. They had spiritual amnesia for the whole Trinity. Generation W (wilderness) was gathered to their ancestors (died). The young people who took their place did not “know” God or the stories of God. In short, they had no intimate knowledge of the creator.

Disciplined by God Judges 2:14, 15 God can get angry, but his anger, which is more like grief (Genesis 6:5-7; Matthew 23:37-39), is motivated by love (Hebrews 12:5-11). The God of the Bible is a gentleman of the highest order. He will not stay where

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That is what God did with Israel. He gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them (literally, “plunderers who plundered” them). These nations stole them and their spoils. God sold Israel into the hands of their foes, and Israel was not able to resist (stand against) them. Whenever Israel would try to fight their enemies, the “Ai syndrome” set in (Joshua 7:2-5). Israel was defeated and in great distress. Saved by God Judges 2:16-19 But God’s anger does not last forever (Hosea 6:1-3), and his mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-24). God relented (comforted or was moved to pity) because the people cried out about their oppressors. So God raised up judges (defenders and deliverers; someone who cares about justice). Some of them were tricky (Judges 3:15-23), and some were brave (4:9). Some of them were timid (6:12-15) but later became arrogant (8:31; Abimelech means “my father is king”), and some were presumptuous (11:2940). Some were immoral (e.g. Samson, Judges 13–16), but all functioned as saviors of sorts. (The word saved is the root for Jesus’ name.) In this sense, they were “types” of the coming Messiah. Sometimes people who are drowning will panic and fight off the lifeguards dispatched to save them. That is what Israel did. They would not listen to (hear) the judges. Instead they prostituted (went whoring) themselves and worshiped other gods. They turned (repented) from the ways of their ancestors. When the people did turn to God, their repentance would last only as long as the judge was alive. Then they would return to ways even more corrupt than before. They had hard hearts and stubborn wills (Acts 7:51-53; Revelation 9:20, 21). The verses that follow our lesson text indicated that God would leverage this rebellion/redemption arch to “test” Israel, i.e., to see if Israel would walk in the ways of their ancestors (Judges 2:19-23). But alas, instead of reversing the trend, they continued the downward spiral. - 83 -

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WEEK OF August 16

This deficit knowledge of God led to evil behavior. There is always a connection between belief and behavior. God’s people served the Baals (the word means “lord” or “husband,” and referred to a Syrian god named Hadad who was the god of storms or war). Israel forsook (abandoned or neglected . . . mentioned twice here) the Lord. Israel followed (walked) and worshiped (bowed down) the gods of the people of the land. God’s people being in the world isn’t the problem; instead, it’s the world being in God’s people. In addition to this, they served the Ashtoreths (goddess of the Canaanites; essentially it was a fertility cult). God can be forgotten in one generation.

he is not wanted. Hell essentially will be a place where everyone does his or her own thing. That is total anarchy and chaos. People can choose poorly for so long that God will give them over to their choices (Romans 1:24-32) and send on them a delusion to believe what is false (2 Thessalonians 2:11).

A p p l i c at i o n

Halting the Downward Cycle by David Faust

“Sin blinds you, then it binds you, then it grinds you.” I don’t know who first said those words, but they ring true. Disobedience to God leads to a downward cycle. “After desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:15)—and that’s true on both a personal level and a societal level. Someone observed, “First we overlook evil. Then we permit evil. Then we legalize evil. Then we promote evil. Then we celebrate evil. Then we persecute anyone who still calls it evil.” There are two keys to breaking the cycle. Remember Who God Is The Israelites fell into a downward cycle because a generation grew up “who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10). Not long before, God gave them the Ten Commandments, but they already forgot the first two: serve only the one true God and never worship graven images/idols (Exodus 20:3, 4). A mere two generations later, “They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors . . . . They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them” (Judges 2:12). You can substitute margarine for butter, and you can replace old shoes with a new pair, but nothing can substitute for God. Even good things like work, family, and hobbies cannot take God’s rightful place. The Canaanites should have been coming to the Israelites to learn about the true God, but instead, the Israelites imitated their neighbors. They worshiped Baal, the male god of power, and Ashtoreth, the female goddess of lust. Power and lust continue to be two popular substitutes for God. Tim Keller says, “The real danger is not atheism, but that we ask God to coexist comfortably with the idols of our heart.” Idolatry looks foolish when we remember what the true God is like: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and

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faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished” (Exodus 34:6, 7). Remember Who We Are All kinds of degradation result when we trade “the truth about God for a lie” (Romans 1:25). Confusion about God leads to confusion about our own identity. Henri Nouwen listed Five Lies of Identity—flawed ways we view ourselves: 1. I am what I have. But what if you can’t buy the right car, house, or clothes? What if the stock market crashes and your money slips away? 2. I am what I do. But where will you find your significance if you lose your job, retire, or get sick and can’t work? 3. I am what other people say or think of me. But if you derive your identity from others’ opinions, what will happen if they neglect or misunderstand you? 4. I am nothing more than my worst moment. Must you be tortured throughout life by recalling your biggest blunder? 5. I am nothing less than my best moment. Can you really measure your worth by reviewing your life’s highlight reel? Sin drags us down, and we won’t break the downward cycle unless we remember who God is and who we are. We are created in God’s image, so our true identity is inseparably linked with his. Personal Challenge: Rick Atchley says, “The problem with asking God to deal with all the evil in the world is that he often wants to start with the darkness in our own hearts.” Are there any dark spots in your heart? Confess them to God (1 John 1:8-10) and to a trusted Christian friend (James 5:16) - 84 -

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1. What struggles have you faced over the last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the first two people to read Judges 2:10-19 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third helper to retell the story in their own words. Remind them to keep it simple. 2. What one word would you use to describe this summary of the Israelites during the time of the judges. (Give participants a few moments to think.) 3. Let’s look more closely at a few details: • Why did the people forsake God? • How does the writer describe the attitudes and actions of the people who did not know God? • In what ways did God respond to their bad choices (disobedience/sin)? • How would you appraise the short-term and long-term effectiveness of the judges? 4. What do you learn about God’s nature from this narrative? 5. What do you learn about human nature? • In what ways can you personally relate to the sin/repentance cycle of the Israelites? 6. What do you learn about consistently obeying God and living for him? • How can this group/class help you in any spiritual battles you are facing?

8. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .” 9. What opportunities to serve God will you have this week? For Next Week: Over the next week, read and reflect on Judges 4:1-16 as we continue studying the books of Judges and Ruth and the theme, “Reverse the Trend.” You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.

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AUGUST 2020

WEEK OF August 16

7. Sadly, one generation “who had been obedient to the Lord’s commands” (v. 17) gave way to the next one “who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel” (v. 10). What specific action will you take this week to pass on your faith to the next generation?

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WH E N GO D LE A DS , FO LLOW.

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j u d g e s 4 :1 - 1 6

j u d g e s 4 :1 7-24 1 samuel 12:8 -11

s t u dy

Lead Courageously by mark scott

Deborah (“honeybee”) was the fourth judge of Israel and the only female judge mentioned in the Bible. Before her came Othniel, who helped Israel achieve peace for 40 years (Judges 3:7-11); followed by Ehud, who was left-handed and killed chubby Eglon (3:12-30); and Shamgar, who killed 600 Philistines yet had only one verse dedicated to his reign (3:31). Then came Deborah, who was assisted by two men, Barak and Heber. This dynamic trio led Israel to defeat Sisera, commander of the army for Canaanite king Jabin (“whom God observes”). Intimidating Ruler Judges 4:1-3 The typical cycle of sin and salvation in Judges begins our text. Ehud had died and Shamgar’s reign was either so brief or took place in the context of Ehud’s time of judging. With these two judges gone, Israel fell into sin (evil) again. Therefore God sold them (gave them over) to Jabin, who reigned in Hazor (a northern city near the Sea of Galilee). But the main villain of our text was not Jabin but his commander, Sisera. This intimidating ruler was based in Harosheth Haggoyim (“woodlands of the nations,” a location mentioned in our text three times). Perhaps he used some of the lush woodlands of the north to hide his intimidating army. Sisera’s superior military force was indicated by the reference to his 900 chariots fitted with iron. He oppressed (put the squeeze to) Israel for 20 years. Israel cried out with great distress to the Lord against this intimidation.

Confession: I used to think that Barak was just a chicken (and I did not pay any attention to Heber—though he had roots with Moses’ family). Therefore God used a woman to lead because she was willing to put her biggirl pants on and take charge. But further study showed my former inadequate reading of the text. Heber actually leveraged his strategic position by the great tree of Zaanannim near Kedesh to help with the battle, and Barak (lightning) is mentioned in Hebrews 11:32 as one who acted in faith. So, we have a dynamic trio of courageous leaders, albeit Deborah seemed to have been the primary motivator.

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Deborah challenged Barak, who was residing in Kedesh (“holy place” and a city of refuge mentioned three times in our text), to take 10,000 soldiers from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them to Mount Tabor (a small mountain 1,300 feet above sea level; it is east of Nazareth, near the Jezreel Valley, and was the unlikely but traditional site of the transfiguration of Jesus). Deborah would act as a decoy and lead Sisera to the Kishon River (near Barak’s position). Barak did not want to tackle this battle without Deborah’s help. She agreed to help, but she reminded him that the honor of killing Sisera might be given to a woman (a reference to her, or more likely, to Jael, the wife of Heber, who “nailed” Sisera’s skull to her floor, 4:17-24). The plans were now made for the battle to commence. Stunning Victory Judges 4:12-16 Sisera got word that Barak and his army was at Mount Tabor. No doubt Sisera thought his 900 chariots could best Barak’s 10,000 soldiers. He took off from the north (Harosheth Haggoyim) and headed south to the battle. The plan was working perfectly. Deborah gave the command for Barak to come off the mountain and attack Sisera. She had confidence God would give Sisera into Barak’s hands. In fact, she reminded Barak, “Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” The unseen hand of God was directing every part of this victory. Barak and his army came running down Mount Tabor at Sisera. Maybe Sisera was surprised by this attack or realized he was being hemmed in by Heber and Deborah. But the Lord was behind it all, for the text said, “The Lord routed (chased or pursued) Sisera and all his chariots and army.” The battle was so one-sided that Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot. Barak chased Sisera and all his army all the way back north. All of Sisera’s soldiers were killed. Sisera ultimately ran into Jael, who left a strong impression on his mind. - 87 -

AUGUST 2020

WEEK OF August 23

Courageous Leaders Judges 4:4-11

Deborah was a prophetess (one who speaks enthusiastically for God by inspiration) and was married to Lappidoth (“torches”). She was leading (judging) Israel at this time. She settled disputes for the people of Israel (cf. Exodus 18:13-27), near a palm tree down south between the towns of Ramah and Bethel, while Sisera was causing havoc up north. Meanwhile, Deborah drew up a battle plan to defeat Sisera and his army.

A p p l i c at i o n

Faith Follows by David Faust

Judge Deborah gave General Barak a tall order. It would take considerable amounts of faith and courage for him to lead 10,000 soldiers and face a formidable enemy at Mount Tabor. But Deborah declared, “Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” (Judges 4:14). In today’s troubled times, Deborah’s question can help us climb our mountains and face our battles, too. “Hasn’t the Lord gone ahead of you?” Yes, he has. He is ahead of us in time, for he knows the future. He is ahead of us in wisdom, for his ways are higher than our ways. He goes ahead of us with power beyond our imagination and grace far beyond what we deserve. God even stays ahead of our scientific advancements. He isn’t irrelevant and out-of-date. He doesn’t lag behind the curve of knowledge and progress. Our troubles don’t shock him, nor do our discoveries surprise him. The Lord didn’t smack his forehead in amazement and exclaim, “Well, who would have imagined that!” when we discovered the complexities of DNA. We’re never ahead of him. He’s always ahead of us. Two Transformational Words Because he’s out in front, Jesus calls disciples with two transformational words: “Follow me.” Follow. Don’t stand still. Don’t stay where you are. Move forward, but don’t rush ahead. Follow (in Greek, akoloutheo) isn’t a passive word. It can mean “accompany,” “assist,” or “understand,” as in, “I follow (grasp) what you’re saying.” Jesus doesn’t call us to tag along aimlessly, but to participate actively in his work. Follow me. Not “fulfill these religious duties.” Not “adopt this ideology,” “join this club,” or “follow these traditions.” We follow Christ. He leads us up

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the mountain. We follow behind, but we stay close enough to hear the voice of our guide. Leading from Behind Before we lead others, we must be followers ourselves who say yes to Christ and no to self. When we trust the Lord’s wisdom more than our own instincts, we live by faith and example, not by fear and intimidation. Faith follows the Lord into vagueness. When the future looks foggy, murky, and bewildering, the lamp of his Word lights the way. By faith we tell the Lord, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12). Faith follows the Lord into valleys. Yes, sometimes God calls us to the top of the hill, but on this side of Heaven mountaintop experiences are the exception, not the norm. Ministry usually happens in valleys. Right up front, Christ tells us to expect hardship and suffering. His invitation isn’t merely “follow me,” but “take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24, New Living Translation, emphasis mine). Pain comes as no surprise to someone carrying a cross. Faith follows the Lord into victories. In Christ the shadow of death leads to the sunshine of eternal life. Surrender brings success. The cross leads to Easter. It’s fine to be an up-front leader if that’s where God places you, but even up-front leaders must keep the Lord in front of them. The best leaders aren’t necessarily charismatic figures good at drawing a crowd, but those who consistently walk behind Jesus with their eyes fixed on him. These leaders can say with humility and integrity, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Personal Challenge: Specifically, how will faith shape what you do this week? What actions will you take for no other reason except that you are a follower of Jesus? Share your response with a close friend. - 88 -

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1. What struggles have you faced over the last week? 2. What actions did you take this past week to pass on your faith to the next generation? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Judges 4:1-16 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to retell the story in their own words. Remind them to keep it simple. 3. Imagine we as a group are writing a sermon on this passage. Let’s brainstorm a title for the message! 4. Let’s look more closely at some of the details: • How would you describe the spiritual and emotional state of the Israelites at this time? • Who are the two opponents? Who are the main leaders? Describe the “weapons” each side could deploy. • What was Deborah’s strategy to defeat Sisera and the Canaanite army? • What do you learn about Deborah: her role, gifts and abilities, calling, challenges, heart? 5. What do you learn about God from this narrative? 6. What does this passage teach you about following and trusting God in difficult times?

8. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .” 9. What challenges do you anticipate this week? For Next Week: Over the next week, read and reflect on Judges 6:11-16, 25-40 as we continue studying the books of Judges and Ruth and the theme, “Reverse the Trend.” You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.

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AUGUST 2020

WEEK OF August 23

7. It’s not uncommon for Christ followers to be apprehensive about sharing their faith. How can knowing that the Lord has gone ahead of you help you to tell someone about your relationship with Jesus this week?

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FOLLOW GOD

B O L D LY.

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j u d g e s 6 :1 1 - 1 6 , 2 5 - 4 0

j u d g e s 7 :1 - 8 , 1 9 -2 3

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Stand Boldly by mark scott

The fifth judge of Israel was hardly bold when God called him. Gideon (“hewer”) was more on the order of Barney Fife than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. But he became bold, and he ultimately was mentioned in the faith chapter of the Bible (Hebrews 11:32). In fact, by the end of his life, Gideon may have become a bit arrogant, evidenced by naming his son Abimelek (my “father is king,” Judges 8:31).

divine message (Judges 13:8-20; John 20:21-29). He extended typical ancient Near Eastern hospitality and then experienced some miraculous phenomena (Judges 6:17-24). But witnessing the miraculous does not ensure boldness. Think of what Timothy later witnessed on the missionary journeys, yet Paul had to encourage him to be strong (2 Timothy 1:7).

Some people, like David, seem to be born with boldness (1 Samuel 17:37). Others, like Nicodemus, need to grow into it (John 3:1-8; 7:50, 51; 19:39). The early church prayed for boldness (Acts 4:29). Like the apostle Paul, we probably should ask God’s people to pray for us to be more bold (Ephesians 6:19).

So when the angel told Gideon to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and the accompanying Asherah pole and offer a burnt offering of a seven-year-old bull on top of the pagan debris, Gideon did it. But he did not do it alone. Gideon had ten of his servants help him, and he did it at night rather than in the daytime. Timid?

Mighty Warrior? Judges 6:11-16

Weaker God Judges 6:28-32

The angel of the Lord (later simply called “the Lord,” 6:11, 12, 14, 16, 25) came and sat down under a tree in Ophrah (“fawn,” a town near Shechem) that belonged to Joash (“given by the Lord”) the Abiezrite (“my father is help”). This was near where Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress. In a winepress? It’s where a scared person would work. Gideon knew the Midianites would confiscate his wheat if they saw him working in a more public place.

The issue of our boldness is always related to another issue—namely, whose god is God? Is Baal of the Midianites God? Or is the Lord of Israel the real God? In the morning there was no small stir about the demolished idol and pole. The people carefully investigated (searched and inquired) as to who was responsible.

The angel was not put off by Gideon’s question. The angel pressed Gideon into service. Gideon looked inward (like others had done before, Exodus 3:11). His clan (family) was the weakest (poorest or neediest) in the tribe of Manasseh. God’s presence would turn Barney Fife into a might warrior. Timid Judge Judges 6:25-27 Like Manoah (Samson’s father) and Thomas (Jesus’ disciple), Gideon needed some reassurance of the

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Assured Battle Judges 6:33-40 People do fight for their gods. The Midianites, Amalekites, and others crossed the Jordan River and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. Gideon gathered his troops from the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali. But Gideon had a weapon the others did not have. “The Spirit of the Lord came on” (clothed or dressed) him. The famous fleece passage concludes our lesson text. God could make the wool fleece wet or dry. It did not matter. Gideon had the God-sized assurance that made him stand boldly for the battle—and with only 300 soldiers. Weaker God Judges 6:28-32

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AUGUST 2020

WEEK OF August 30

The angel greeted Gideon by referring to him as a mighty warrior (brave person of valor) and telling him, the Lord is with you. This phrase mighty warrior was used of Jephthah (Judges 11:1) and Boaz (Ruth 2:1), and the greeting bears a certain similarity to Gabriel’s first words to Mary (“Greetings, you who are highly favored!” Luke 1:28). No doubt Gideon was puzzled (“Who, me?”). Then he asked one of the chief apologetic questions of all time. “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?” (i.e., if God is God, why does evil exist?). Gideon voiced what all Israel felt—that God had abandoned (deserted) them and given them into the hands of their enemies.

Someone ratted on Gideon, so the locals headed to Joash’s house. They demanded that Gideon be put to death. But Joash made an intriguing speech that stopped the madness. Even though it was his Baal idol that was cut down, Joash defended the Lord by suggesting that if Baal were really God, then he could defend (contend or strive for) himself. This same logic later would be used during the ministry of the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 18:21). This experience gave Gideon a nickname (“Jerub-Baal,” Judges 8:29).

A p p l i c at i o n

A Time for Boldness by David Faust

When astronauts take untethered space walks, they float in outer space without anything attaching them to the space station. What a feeling of complete freedom! They are untethered and free from all restraints—but in grave danger. I’m sure those astronauts feel relieved when they scramble safely back into the spaceship. They couldn’t survive out there alone. Do you want to be untethered and free from any restraint? Consider what it was like during the raucous era of the Judges. “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit” (Judges 17:6, 21:25)— and that remains a widely accepted philosophy. These days, “Do whatever seems right in your own eyes” would make a popular bumper sticker slogan. Rebellious and stubborn, the fickle Israelites were up and down, hot and cold, in their obedience to God. Sometimes they were faithful, but they quickly drifted back into unfaithfulness. Unfortunately, this pattern isn’t unusual. Sadly, many of us would admit it’s our story, too. Convictions Over Preferences In a do-your-own-thing society, God calls us to live by biblical convictions, not merely by our personal tastes. Personal preferences are the easy choice. They keep us skimming on the surface, but convictions drive us deeper. I like coconut cream pie, but I won’t die for it. I enjoy football, but it won’t ruin my life if my favorite team misses the playoffs. There’s an old saying, “In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current.” In other words, hold strong to your core beliefs, but be flexible in other matters. Our minds are like sponges. Convictions help us decide what to soak up and what to squeeze out. Ranchers have a saying: “It’s easier to guard the gate than to clean the corral.” Biblical values keep us on the right course and help us resist temptation.

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Are you convinced about the reality of God? The trustworthiness of Scripture? The deity and lordship of Christ? Do your personal convictions include the Restoration Movement ideals of biblical authority, Christian unity, and fulfilling the Lord’s Great Commission? Flawed but Faithful In the book of Judges, the leaders were deeply flawed, and their stories reveal glaring weaknesses. Gideon obeyed the Lord and tore down the altar to Baal his father had built, but he did it under cover of darkness because he feared what others would think (Judges 6:25-27). Before leading the Israelites into battle, Gideon tested the Lord by putting out a fleece (vv. 36-40), and late in life he still struggled with idolatry, which “became a snare to Gideon and his family” (8:23-27). Others like Samson and Jephthah made foolish decisions. Yet, despite their weaknesses and flaws, the names of these leaders appear in God’s Honor Roll of Faith. “Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah . . . through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised” (Hebrews 11:32, 33). In the big picture, these flawed believers stood out from the crowd because of their bravery and convictions. Someone has said, “The wishbone will never replace the backbone.” In an untethered culture, God calls us to be bold—not obnoxious, rude, and overbearing—but willing to express unashamed devotion to God, sacrificial love for our neighbors, and unyielding devotion to the truth. Convictions form the fertile soil where courage grows. Personal Challenge: In your prayer journal or on a piece of paper, list your core convictions— principles you believe so deeply that you will never surrender or compromise them. - 92 -

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D i s c ove ry

1. What challenge did you face last week? 2. In what ways did you see the Lord going before you over the past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Judges 6:11-16, 25-40 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to retell the story in four acts: Act 1: A Mighty Message; Act 2: “Altering” the Altar; Act 3: Dad’s Defense; Act 4: A Trumpet and a Test. 3. What stands out to you in this passage? 4. Let’s look more closely at some of the details: • How would you characterize Gideon’s attitude at different times in this narrative? • What encouragement does the angel of the Lord give to Gideon? • What do you think is the turning point in Gideon’s transformation? Why? • What differences between false gods and the true God does this story illustrate? 5. What do you learn about the Lord God from this narrative? 6. What does this passage teach you about how God sees you? 7. What do you learn about obeying God even when you feel weak or afraid or doubtful?

9. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .” 10. What challenges do you anticipate this week? For Next Week: Over the next week, read and reflect on Ruth 1:3-5, 8-11, 14-18 as we continue studying the books of Judges and Ruth and the theme, “Reverse the Trend.” You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.

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8. Serving God well often depends on allowing him to change our attitudes—from “Why do bad things happen?” or “Who, me?” to “I am a mighty warrior whom God is sending, and he will be with me. Why should I be afraid? What can man do to me?” What can you do, empowered by God’s Spirit, to share the love of Jesus with someone?

Interact Planting Churches . . . Pat L. Hartson I enjoyed the article about church planting in the June 2020 issue [“This Is Why We Plant Churches,” by Brent Bramer, p. 52]. Thank you for publishing it and encouraging our Restoration Movement family to return to our roots. You also provided a partial list of active church-planting groups. [I would like to add ours to your list.] I am the lead evangelist for the Northeastern Ohio Association of Helpers, aka NOAH.

Back-Cover Baptism . . . Tina Wilson Wanna see something beautiful? The back cover of this month’s Christian Standard [June 2020], a national publication, is an Ekklesia Christian Church baptism in the Waccamaw River!

‘Beautiful’ Picture of Baptism . . . Patricia Boswell I cried when I read “10 Foundation Stones of the Church—No. 1: Baptism” [Letter from the Publisher, by Jerry Harris, p. 2, May 2020]. It was such a beautiful picture of the truth of salvation from God’s Word that so many downplay today. Thank you. I’m so encouraged. Mike Bratten Very well done, my friend. Such an important truth will never gain complete unity because we have an adversary who delights in division. The simple gospel truths are always the best and are always available to any seeker. In this case, 71 percent of the world is covered by water, and so baptism is available for all. It’s not a hard thing. He only asks us to present ourselves as a candidate for his grace to be received. What a Savior! Wayne Mineard Great opening. Looking forward to the other nine. Randy Wheeler Beautifully, clearly, scripturally, and powerfully stated. Thank you, Jerry! David Bycroft Thanks, Jerry, for your article on baptism. It seems we are getting more and more Restoration preachers neglecting the biblical purpose and command of being baptized into Christ. Loren Roberts Amen, amen, and amen! Billy Strother Jerry, thank you for an exemplary and refreshing narrative on the foundation stone of baptism. I employed your article as a launching point for my own personal devotion time with the Lord today. You refreshed my heart about my own baptism years ago and provided me with a written tool to help others, on the fence, to bravely and unapologetically step into their own needed baptism in order to commence fully their own exciting new journey with Jesus. I so look forward to reading and reflecting on the next nine foundation stones you will be exploring for us. Bruce Hayes Jerry, thank you for a job well done! It is refreshing to read one of our preachers teaching and explaining the Scriptures on baptism and not explaining it away. I want to exhort you to continue to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

Opening the Doors . . . Roger Carr You raised a very important question in regard to our shared Restoration Movement and the early church in Acts [“Who Makes the First Move?” by Michael C. Mack, p. 6, May 2020]. I do believe that this pandemic and perhaps future ones are teaching us the value of not designing our ministries around stage presentations, multifaceted buildings, and pastor-centered services. Instead, [we should focus on] the simplicity of sharing Jesus from house to house, equipping people to share Jesus with those in their circles of influence . . . led not by a single pastor or even a staff but by men and women who love Jesus enough to share him with others. This pandemic has created lots of change in how we present the gospel and how we commune with each other, and it has taught us that the money we spend on elaborate things can better be used to reach those who need the loving grace and forgiveness of Jesus. I think God has spoken loud and clear, but the question is, do we have ears to hear his voice at the door . . . so he can come in and dine with us?

AUGUST 2020 Jon Weatherly Kent, thanks for gathering and analyzing the data. Facts are powerful things! [“The Difference a Decade Makes,” by Kent Fillinger, p. 18, May 2020]. Aaron McClary I love seeing all of the congregations represented in this survey and knowing how the Kingdom is advancing across the country. Praise God!

The ‘Pure Biblical Position’ on Baptism . . . Jack Cottrell The May 2020 issue of Christian Standard has a GREAT article about baptism. Its author is Michael D. McCann, and its title is “What’s in the Water?” [p. 50]. Aaron Shouey Baptism into Christ for the remission of sins was not a complicated or confusing teaching of the first church. If it is a topic of confusion today it is because we try justifying not doing it. Roger L. Wever I agree with most, if not all, of many of your articles, but on this one topic or issue the primary thing I disagree with is the use of the word itself. That is, baptism. You know it is a transliteration, not a translation, and yet you refuse to express it as such in your writings. Proper renderings via translation should be now and forever, for all times, the following examples: “Peter [replied], ‘repent and be immersed,’” “John the immerser,” “immersion of the Holy Spirit,” etc. Cheryl Dykstra So true, so insightful, and distilled a knotty problem into a few words. I think the book Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up holds the same tenets. In it, the author says, “Don’t quit teaching the plain truth! Other groups are coming back to the pure biblical position!” Yes! Mike Bratten Nicely done, Mike. The truth, always. In love, always. But such a balancing act because of the point of reference for the “hearer of the Word.” May God help us hold to the truth in love through an ever-changing world. Everett Brewer Thank you, Mike, for your usual precise expression of truth in a winsome style.

Rolla Reroute Rescues Ridgeview . . . Kathryn Ransom It was so thrilling to read about Ridgeview Christian Church in Rolla, Missouri [“Church Spotlight: Growth in New Directions,” by TR Robertson, p. 36, May 2020]. My folks were among the key people who started the church on the hill in Rolla. I was in high school at the time. So glad they are back in a growing cycle. The rerouting of [the highway extension] right by the church probably was a God thing. When the building was first built it was really in an out-of-the-way location, and not in the best area of town. . . . Incidentally, I really appreciate and enjoy the new format of Christian Standard.

‘Stay-at-Home’ Communion Meds . . . Peggy Ewens During the time we have been locked down in our home and have been “going to church” via online services [due to the coronavirus], these [online] Communion meditations have been quite helpful in directing our thoughts as my husband and I partake of emblems together. Thank you so much for sharing these.

1 reply From the Editor: For those who are not aware, we continue to provide weekly Communion meditations on our website, posted every Monday for use the following weekend. They are written so anyone anywhere can use them.

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For space, length, readability, relevance, and civility, comments sent to Interact may remain unpublished or be edited. We do read them all and prayerfully take them to heart. If we publish your comment, we will try to honestly reproduce your thoughts with those considerations in mind. Where we disagree, let’s continue to keep P.H. Welshimer’s words in mind to “disagree without being disagreeable.”

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Church Stats . . .

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