VOL. XXV, NO. 3
Park Cities Presbyterian Church
AUGUST 2015
(Presbyterian Church in America)
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” —Colossians 1:13, 14
PCA prefers no headlines....................2 Faithful, true, obedient PCA .........3 Florida trip sets record....................... 4 Sizzling summer fun............................. 5 Transferring out of the kingdom of darkness ...........................6 VBS special extras .................................8 Middle schoolers step up...................9 Families spring round-up...................10 Moving 4th graders on up.....................11 Generational ministry mix................12 Marriage ministry tune-up...............13 Celebrating, honoring, and anticipating in music...........................................14 Choirs for all ages.......................................16 Farewell to Colin............................................17 Ministry becomes mission................18 The church is a city dweller...........19 Counseling goes to Japan................20 Families become mission teams.....21 BAM’s Phase II in Senegal................22 Year-round Easter thinking.............23 New elementary staffer.......................24
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10 Reasons I'm Thankful for the Presbyterian Church in America Kevin DeYoung
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’ve never attended the PCA General Assembly, but this is the first one I’ll miss as a PCA minister. I hope not to miss many more.
wanting to go and young men wanting to pastor. While it can be a challenge for those men looking for a pastoral call, an abundance of pastoral candidates means the church has a future. Ditto for missionaries. Healthy denominations look outside themselves–and not just for humanitarian work (which is good), but with a zeal for reaching the unreached and planting gospel churches.
6. SEMINARY PIPELINE. As the seminaries go, so goes the churches. Are there important differences among the many seminaries PCA ministers attend? To be sure, but I’m willing to bet that students from RTS, Covenant, and Westminster (among others) are getting more of the same content than they are getting distinctive content. That’s good, and what they are getting is good.
Our church won’t officially transfer until September, so I didn’t think I would be a PCA Teacher Elder before then. But the process moved more quickly than I anticipated and I was able to take my transfer exams at the beginning of May. Having had an overly busy spring, and not “I love that the PCA wants to be making any prior plans to attend this year’s GA in ‘faithful to the Scriptures, true to the Chattanooga, my elders reformed faith, to and thought it would be best “I love that the PCA wants be obedient to the Great for me to sit this one out. 'faithful to the Scriptures,All three are essential. Commission’ I trust there will be plenty true to Let’s the reformed boldlyfaith, andand winsomely be inerrantists, of General Assemblies obedient to the Great Commission.' to attend in the future. Calvinists, and evangelists. Wouldn’t that
7. LEADERS. When people outside the PCA think about the PCA they think about leaders like Ligon Duncan, Tim Keller, and Phil Ryken. They think of authors like Nancy Guthrie and Susan Hunt. They think of pastors like Harry Reeder and R.C. Sproul. Having All three are essential.” so many good men and be a strange and glorious combination.” As my fathers and brothwomen to respect and ers (isn’t that the way you admire is not a given and put it?) gather this week should not be taken for to worship, laugh, pray, reminisce, and 3. EXAMS. I’m thankful for a rigorous granted. With a healthy dose of authors, conduct the business of the church, I examination process. Denominations will thinkers, leaders, and entrepreneurs, thought perhaps I could join in in some not serve the cause of joy in the world the PCA has always punched above small way by reflecting on why I’m unless they are serious about examining its weight in terms of influence in the thankful for the PCA. their own pastoral candidates. I’m glad evangelical world and leavening in the that the Presbytery of the Great Lakes broader culture. I know the PCA is not a perfect dedid not give me or my church a free nomination. I know there are likely to be pass. I had to study and take a two-hour 8. STEADY. The PCA has not budged frustrations even at this year’s Gencommittee exam and then be examined on homosexuality or inerrancy or eral Assembly. I know church bodies another 40 minutes on the floor of Prescomplementarianism or the uniqueness must keep a close watch on their life bytery. Exams should be fair, but they of Christ. Will the denomination always and doctrine. The PCA ain’t heaven on must be rigorous, thorough, and fail-able. handle everyone of these issues in a earth–never has been, never will be. But way that strikes everyone as theologias a newcomer to the PCA and rela4. STANDARDS. Although there are cally robust and pastorally wise? Probative (though very interested and, I think, differences regarding certain articles in bly not. But is the PCA position on these somewhat informed) outsider, I see much the Westminster Standards, I’ve found issues widely known and held to with to be thankful for. that nearly everyone I know in the PCA great unanimity? I believe so. Considtakes them very seriously. The only thing ering what kind of theological diversity 1. GROWTH. Numbers aren’t everyworse than a denomination always arguexists in many denominations, the PCA thing, but considering many mainline de- ing about theology is a denomination that runs a pretty tight ship. nominations continue to shrink–and have never argues about theology. every year since the 1960s–I’m thankful 9. CHURCHES. Our 1300 congregathat the PCA trajectory since its incep5. UNOFFICIAL MOTTO. I love that the tions can look and feel very different. I tion in 1973 has been up. More churches, PCA wants to be “faithful to the Scripdoubt that any one church is thrilled with more members, more pastors. This is tures, true to the reformed faith, and every other church in the denomination. good. obedient to the Great Commission.” All But still, on the whole, when people ask three are essential. Let’s boldly and win- me (as they do all the time), “I’m mov2. MINISTERS AND MISSIONARIES. somely be inerrantists, Calvinists, and ing to some other part of the country, In healthy denominations you will see evangelists. Wouldn’t that be a strange what church do you recommend?” I two things on the rise: missionaries and glorious combination. don’t hesitate to tell them, “Let’s start 2
AUGUST 2015 • PCPC WITNESS
by seeing what PCA churches are in the area.” And it’s not just the big ones like First Presbyterian in Jackson, or Briarwood in Birmingham, or Tenth in Philadelphia, or Redeemer in New York City, or Christ Covenant in Charlotte, or Village Seven in Colorado Springs, it’s hundreds of lesser known churches that are no less faithful and have no less to offer by way of good gospel preaching, Christian community, and evangelistic outreach. [ed. note: PCPC is actually the fourth largest PCA congregation.] 10. OPPORTUNITY. The PCA is a young denomination. I’ve moved from the oldest Protestant denomination in the country to one of the newest. There are always challenges that come with youth (who am I? what will I be when I grown up? how do I relate to those who have gone before me?). But there are also great opportunities too. Like pursuing a gospel-driven diversity that listens and learns without patronizing and pigeon-holing. Like engaging a wayward world with more theology, more conviction, more worship, and more of God. Like showing the world that real unity can only be found in truth, that the richest doctrine leads to the fullest doxology, that the highest Christology produces the best missiology, and that staunchest Calvinists can be the most loving people you’ve ever met. I don’t doubt that there are discouraging moments at most denominational meetings, but as a PCA outsider-turned-insider I see a whole lot more that makes me smile than makes me frown. So to all my PCA brethren: I’m very glad to be with you, even if for one more year I’ll be with you here instead of there. Kevin DeYoung is senior pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan. Posted June 9, 2015 Copyright ©2015 The Gospel Coalition, Inc. All rights reserved.
NO HEADLINES ANOTHER RATHER UNEVENTFUL MEETING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PCA
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he bove line describes the church planting continued at a rate of 43RD annual meeting of the one new church plant per week. General Assembly of the PCA, which is good The PCA is and not bad. experiencing When other dea transition in nominations are generations. fighting about The founding such issues as fathers who gay marriage formed the and changing PCA in 1973 ANCHORED IN their basic are a dimintheology, we ishing factor, are addressing and this year more mundane saw a coalescACTIVE IN CULTURE PCA GENERAL ASSEMBLY • 2015 • CHATTANOOGA, TN issues of rouing of strong tine and ordileadership in nary business. the thirty- and As teaching elder and former PCPC forty-something age groups. These intern Jason Helopoulos said, “We men are serious about the Gospel, made theological pronouncements, reaching the lost, and faithfulness in exercised pastoral concern, worthe courts of the church. The future of shipped, fellowshiped, and encourthe PCA appears to be in good hands. aged the mission of the Church.”1 Jason wrote further: PCPC was represented by five of our ruling elders and four of our teaching As was true of the 42nd Genelders at the General Assembly that eral Assembly, so is true of met in Chattanooga the week of June the 43rd General Assembly 7. Ruling elder Jim Wert, from Atlanta, of the Presbyterian Church in GA, was elected as moderator during America, this Assembly won’t the opening session on Tuesday evecreate headlines around the ning. In the PCA the moderator posiworld or be noted in histories tion alternates each year between a of the Presbyterian Church. In ruling elder and a teaching elder. Mr. many ways, I am thankful for Wert has been actively involved in all that. It was a good Assembly levels of the church’s courts and was as the church conducted its particularly active in the streamlining very routine and ordinary of the procedures followed in our business... May God keep the General Assembly meetings several PCA true to the Scriptures, years ago. true to the Reformed Faith, and obedient to the Great The denomination now has 1,831 Commission of Jesus Christ.1 churches and a reported mem—Brad Bradley bership of 358,516. This number is 1 understated because only about half Jason Helopoulos in his post of June of our churches report their annual 17, 2015, at thegospelcoalition.com. He statistics. We now have RUF (Reis an associate pastor at University formed University Fellowship) pastors Reformed Church (PCA) in East Lanon 125 campuses in 42 states. New sing, MI and a former PCPC intern.
CHRIST
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he 2015 Florida Trip in late May was a week full of wonderful teaching and beaching. And we set a new record for overall attendance with nearly 300 high school students and 52 leaders there! The trip began on an exciting note as students poured into six charter buses while rain poured down relentlessly. Pastor Mark Davis earned several votes for pastor of the year by joining in with our volunteers to walk parents to and from their cars, umbrella in hand. While it was pretty much impossible to stay dry, luckily we had plenty of time for clothes to dry on the 16-hour bus ride to the Laguna Beach Christian Retreat Center. Once in Florida, our students spent their mornings studying a devotional crafted by our youth staff and attending several seminars that were wonderful and impactful even for our adults on the trip. The afternoons were filled with one of the most popular features of the Florida Trip‑free time. Volleyball tournaments, basketball games, suntan‑ ning, spike ball, and good old-fashioned body surfing were just a few of the many activities students enjoyed. At night students heard from Adam Griffin, the spiritual formation pastor at the Village Church. He led our team of leaders exceptionally well, explain‑ ing early on in our leader meetings that one of his main goals in his nightly teachings was to set up deep discussions with students and leaders in their cabins after‑ wards. We had more response cards filled out than ever be‑ fore—over 75% of the students shared their favorite moments, mentioning cabin time, Adam’s teaching, and the seminars to name a few, and also wrote in detailed and thoughtful prayer requests. Adam challenged the students’ views of themselves and their Creator, sending them into cabin time eager to ask questions and seek after Jesus.
ABOVE, The guys are waiting for the doors to open for the morning assembly. LEFT, Grayson Baird and Kendall Hines with their cabin of girls on those same stairs BELOW, Maddie and Cayden Davis ham it up as John Paul Shulze leads a game in a morning assembly.
Pray for our youth staff as we follow up on the many trip response cards we received. I pray that future Florida trips will be as Gospel filled and full of spiritual growth as this year’s! —Cameron Sparks 4 4
AUGUST 2015 2015 •• PCPC AUGUST PCPCWITNESS WITNESS
Around March, the air in
the middle school world seems to change. Suddenly everyone’s “high” of the week in Bible study is that “there are only 102 more days until camp!” or “My mom finally bought me Chacos for my trip to Colorado!” The only thing on the student’s brain is summer.
with a red carpet, photo booth, and a mov‑ ie at Inwood Theatre. Thursday and Friday the older two grades had a blast at Group Dynamix on indoor ropes courses, playing black light dodgeball, at a backyard movie night, swimming and eating pizza, and at our progressive dinner bike ride through
Unifying goals
The best part of Summer Sizzle was watch‑ ing the older students engage with the new fifth graders. I was so proud of their leadership—simple things like a seventh grader pointing a fifth grader to the bath‑ room, or an eighth grader throwing away the younger students trash after an event. We have been seeking to create a more unified youth min‑ istry for all these grades. Since the students come from so many schools and so many neighborhoods, it is hard for them to break out of their comfort zones to meet people whom they don’t usually see outside of church. It is such fun to watch those walls come down little by little.
Summer
It’s tricky in youth ministry. Some weeks everyone is home bored and wanting to come to anything we plan.Other weeks it seems like there are no middle school students in Dallas at all. Summer Sizzle allows us to catch all of them before they leave for camp or family vacations and also to welcome the fifth graders who just moved up to our min‑ istry.
e l z z i S
We kicked off Sizzle this year with an allgrade fiesta at
Highland Park that we call Meals on Wheels.
While Summer Sizzle is a ton of fun for ev‑ eryone, one of its main goals is to build rela‑ tionships—specifically with the incoming fifth graders. In May, they are brought to the Hangout for the first time. It is a big transition for them, and it is so important to us that they feel welcomed and loved as soon as they arrive. Sizzle affords us the opportunity to get a lot of concentrated face time with them before they get shuffled around for the summer.
We had a ridiculous amount of fun this summer, built relationships with a lot of new students, had quality time to cultivate relationships that already existed, made the fifth graders feel welcome and excited for a new year, and watched our students serve each other. What a big win! We are so thankful for PCPC and all of our awe‑ some volunteers who helped make each of these events a success. It is an incredible blessing to watch our church rally around our youth and be a part of a thriving youth ministry that the Lord is so graciously blessing and protecting every day. —Carley White top left, Danny Stimson, Carley White, Adam Kajs, and Kaelee Abbey in their Toy Story costumes for Oscars night bottom left, Adam Kajs, Owen Koenig, Hayden Anderson, Charles Wilson, and Danny Stimson below, fiesta time at Curtis Park
Curtis Park. A taco truck, trampolines, and olym‑ pic-style games were a blast for our fiftheighth graders! On Monday and Tuesday fifth and sixth graders enjoyed game day at the Hangout, then a glow-in-the-dark capture the flag night called Black Ops, a morning at Top Golf, and an evening in cos‑ tumes celebrating Oscar Night complete PCPC WITNESS • AUGUST 2015
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What I s the Lord Doing?
That was the big question in the W.I.L.D. Kingdom June 8-11 at PCPC. Our children, along with their friends from Providence Presbyterian Church, Cristo Rey, and our ESL programs, spent the four days of Vacation Bible School exploring this theme in a quaint African village. The program centered around Colossians 1:13, 14: “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Through wonderful worship music, engaging skits
VBS leaders Claire Baker, Carter Bill, Heather Squibb, Barrett Ball, and Katherine Holmes
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and videos, fun games, thoughtful crafts, and amazing mission stories, our children came to realize that God is always at work building His Kingdom, using His people, for His glory, and our good. The Lord is doing a mighty work in our children, vol‑ unteers, and staff. Be encouraged by their W.I.L.D. stories!
“He is doing amazing things!” —Jay Cox, youth helper “God is building His Kingdom, using His people, for His glory.” —Mary Hayes Bonfield, Brittain Shuford, James Neilson, kindergarteners
Tour guide Eugene Finkle (Danny Stimson) looks for wild animals
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“I have been so blessed to become special friends with Caroline (Johnson) and her wonderful family. She has the most amaz‑ ing, tender heart for the Lord and a smile that brightens absolutely everyone’s day! There is no doubt our pre‑ cious Lord is growing His Kingdom, and what a tremendous testimony Caroline is for us all.” —Cindy Elder,
volunteer
“Caroline had a great week, and it was such a wonderful experience for her. The last day she came home singing the songs!” —Leigh Johnson, mother of Caroline Johnson, special needs first grader “I got to go to MISSIONS this year! And I learned a little bit about Jesus there. I learned that we can’t always see Him, but He is ALWAYS working.” —Sydney Anderson, kindergartener “I liked hearing from Sammy Joe, Solo‑ mon, and Koch what the Lord is doing in Zambia. I had never thought that kids in Africa were a lot like us, but they are. They like to play games and go to school just like I do. We all worship the same God, but they sing different songs and they taught them to us. At Arise Africa, they teach just like they taught us during VBS, that there is no one like Jesus!” —Zach Baker, third grader “Through VBS the Lord taught me that He is building His Kingdom. He is sending AUGUST 2015 • PCPC WITNESS
(l to r) Eleanor Woodward, Caroline Fischer, Anna Melihercik, and Laurel Moldrem
(l to r) Andrew Holmes, Colin Pletcher, Zach Baker, Hunter Hargrave, and Cole Denman
missionaries to spread His good news to people who have not heard about Him. The Lord is also helping children in Africa who otherwise would not have clean water, food, or schools. The Lord is doing a lot of things for us because He loves us.” —Carter Benson, youth helper “Through VBS the Lord taught me that He is helping people in Africa with their basic needs and helping them learn more about Him. He is building His Kingdom. He is helping people everywhere for His glory.” —Caleb Benson, third grader “God is opening my eyes to see how His Word transcends time, culture, social status, race, and is all together beautiful truth. He longs to be worshiped in spirit and truth. I am grateful to be a part of His Kingdom and to tell His wonderful story to the children at VBS and beyond.“ —Jenny Darley, VBS missions coordinator
and Koch, who led us in Spirit-powered chants for Jesus and prayers. It really opened her eyes to the needs out there— to those who are unevangelized, unfed, uneducated, unmedicated, etc. Kay Kay, a fourth grader, wants to be a missionary and I have God using VBS to thank for that! She can’t wait to be a volunteer in missions next summer.” —D’ann Moxley, volunteer “Even though my kids aren’t old enough to participate in VBS, I am so thankful for the the junior program provided for them, which been such a blessing to our family. My 18-month-old has totally fallen in love with coming to church because of the incredible teachers who have loved on and invested in him this past week. I have loved getting to see what God is doing in my children’s lives because of this amaz‑ ing and thoughtful program.” —Claire Jones, volunteer
”There’s no one, there’s no one like Je‑ sus! There’s no one, like He!” —Emma Darley, first grade (singing)
“This is my oldest daughter’s second year, and she remembers details from each year. I love the CD you send home with the music and the updates each day. We attend PCPC, and I had friends come with us from our neighborhood play group and the school we go to this year. I love taking friends to a place where I know God’s truth will be shared in a loving, fun, nurturing atmosphere. Thanks again for all your work you put into this! It matters.” —Dina Smith, parent “My granddaughter Charlotte was talking about the skit one day, and I asked her what it was about. She looked at me with a puzzled look, not quite believing I had asked such a silly question. ‘It was about Jesus.’ she said. ‘Grandmother, it is always about Jesus!’” —Laurie Harper, volunteer And that is what the children and the volunteers have embedded in their hearts at VBS. IT IS ALL ABOUT JESUS! —Barrett Ball
“Missions was her favorite, especially the Zambia guys, Sammy Joe, Solomon, Laurie Hargrave leads the worship time. Caroline Johnson and Cindy Eller
Asher Estes
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Emma Darley eats a caterpillar Sammy Joe has offered her.
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his year, we had the unique privilege of hosting a Godly team of men and women from Arise Africa. Sammy Joe, Koch, Solomon, Megan, and Alissa traveled all the way from Zambia to minister to us during VBS to teach us how God is building His Kingdom all over the world. They so generously shared their stories, voices, and hearts with our kids—an experience our kids will not soon forget. Our children loved the tales of how God is building His Kingdom, and using His people for
His glory and our good in Africa! We heard how God is providing food and water, education, medicine, fun, and activity for His children who live there. They taught us that God’s Kingdom is big and transcends all our comprehension. The week culminated at Family Night where our new Zambian friends wowed us with three beautiful songs during our time of praise. They also brought traditional Zambian foods for us to try! Our kids enjoyed their catapillars as much as our new friends enjoyed our snow cones!
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PCPC
had the privilege of hosting an ESL camp during VBS. In collaboration with the families who attend Cristo Rey, the children attended VBS and the mothers spent the week studying English using the VBS curriculum. Elizabeth Cunningham and her team of volunteers translated each lesson into Spanish so the mothers learned God’s Word and then used those lessons to practice conversa‑ tional English—all while their chil‑ dren were enjoying participating in our regular VBS program. Several moms began considering finding a church for their families as a result of their kids’ enthusiasm about VBS and its message of rescue. This additional programming to VBS was WILDly successful and we look forward to hosting our ESL friends again next summer.
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Elizabeth Cunningham (front left) ESL Coordinator, with moms and volunteers during VBS
AUGUST 2015 •• PCPC PCPCWITNESS WITNESS
Learn i ng to love an d s e rve... early l
ast year, a couple of parents caught a vision. They saw middle school and high school students volunteering for Vacation Bible School in droves every year and wondered how they could serve them in light of the fact that they are spending their summer days serving others. This year that dream became a reality. They approached us in the Youth Ministry about providing curriculum, spiritual shepherding, and leadership training to the volunteers, and we could not wait to jump on board!
left for their classrooms, there were two groups of students that still had about an hour before reporting for duty: the missions team and the recreation team. This gave us a unique opportunity to pour spiritual encouragement into the 40-or-so students on these teams. We developed a devotional curriculum specifically geared around Ephesians 3 and 4. It was quite a sight to see 40 students strewn about a large classroom, completely silent, all either processing the passage of the day or praying. Very encouraging. We
Youth volunteers prepare to serve at VBS.
Through the joint effort were also graced with the of parent volunteers and presence of our Zambian youth staff, we develfriends who came up to oped a unique program the classroom to teach us just for them. We set up Zambian songs! a special time for all student volunteers to meet As leaders, it was such a for a pizza party the privilege to see each of Sunday before VBS as a these students serving his way of getting to know or her heart out, engaging each other and bonding with the little ones, learnMIddle school volunteers get snack time, too! as a team. The next day, ing how to be leaders, Monday, each student and ultimately serving showed up an hour early. During that time, we offered Christ. One of the neatest moments happened at the celethem training on how to serve well and how to be a leader. bration party we had on the last day. All 100 or so of us sat Then we broke the students into their teaching groups and in a circle and just praised God for what He did. So many led them in discussions about their respective age groups. of them shared specific stories. Many were also personally We let them discuss how to care for that age and how to be struck by the things they heard and saw in Missions and patient with them and love them. spoke about how much they themselves wanted to go on the mission field in some capacity and share the good news Each morning after that, we would gather about 15 minof Christ. So cool! All that to say…we can’t wait until next utes before VBS started to eat a light breakfast, discuss the year! day before, and pray together. After the student teachers —Christen Nutter PCPC WITNESS • AUGUST 2015
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Families focus on fellowship, fun, and safety for all
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he month of April proved to be very busy for the Family Ministry! After celebrating our volunteers at an ap‑ preciation dinner, we began focusing on the next two big events: SafeKids and the Rodeo Roundup!
On April 22, approx‑ imately 52 people attended the SafeKids: Equipping Parents on Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Seminar. The seminar’s guest speaker was MinistrySafe’s co-founder, Kim Norris. As a refresher, Minis‑ trySafe is a ministry training firm dedicat‑ ed to sexual-abuse awareness and pre‑ vention. Its co-founders, Greg Love and Kim Norris, are a husband-and-wife legal team and nationally recognized experts in the field of child sexual-abuse train‑ ing and prevention. Participants of the SafeKids seminar listened intently as Ms. Norris disclosed gut-wrenching statistics of child abuse followed closely by aware‑ ness and prevention tips beneficial both inside and outside of the church setting. Multiple resources were made available that evening and can still be found in the PCPC Bookstore and through the Family Ministry.
Just three days later, the Family Minis‑ try team greeted nearly 85 folks at the Mesquite Rodeo Arena for an evening of boot-stompin’, rope-slingin’ fun! Kids and parents alike were adorned in their best cowboy boots, hats, and belt buckles. The cutest part of the evening was when our little buckaroos participated in the Calf Scramble. You can imagine the hilarity and adorableness in seeing hundreds of kiddos running around trying to capture a flag from a sheep! Another high‑ light of the evening for our group occurred when two of our members, Josh Nash and Carley White, were chosen to sit in the SharkCage Express, which allowed a hand‑ ful of participants to witness the bull riding from a cage in the center of the arena.
The Family Ministry is busy planning the next events for our families to enjoy and cannot wait to share them with you. In the meantime, please feel free to contact us with any questions about potential events, MinistrySafe, resources, or general needs—heather.squibb@pcpc. org. below, Carley White and Josh Nash watch bullriding from the SharkCage Express bottom: some of PCPC’s rodeo-going crowd
This seminar was a good reminder of the importance in main‑ taining solid policies and procedures for the protection of our children. Thankfully, PCPC already strictly adheres to Minis‑ trySafe’s recommen‑ dations and guidelines to ensure a safe and secure environment for the children and youth participating in all PCPC activities. 10
AUGUST 2015 • PCPC WITNESS
Fun at Amazing Jakes
Elementary Ministry ends school year with pizzazz
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spectacle was there for all to see in the elementary hallway on Sunday, May 2. If you weren’t there, you missed some exciting events. The morning began with the highly anticipated Bible Explorers Super Duper Review, where kids get to demonstrate to parents, peers, and teachers what they have learned throughout the year from the lessons taught and small-group questions discussed. This past year they had spent time winding their way through the whole New Testament, discovering who Jesus was in the Gospels, how the church came to be, its expansion throughout the world, and finding out that Christ is the King who will come again to defeat our enemies. Every elementary student anticipates this day, especially because of the grand finale pie-throwing that all love to see, also known as the Pie-Guy Surprise. This year’s lucky contestant was Paul Jackson, who has led the Bible Explorers program in singing the past three years. Students could participate in the fun by accumulat‑ ing tickets throughout the year for various accomplishments such as bringing a Bible, memorizing verses, correctly answering questions, or having a quick draw in Bible sword drills. Only a handful of students who amassed the most tickets were able to chuck the whipped cream pie at Mr. Jackson. The Super Duper Review is always a special time where parents, students, and the Bible Explorers team can see the fruits of faithfully guiding kids along in the Scripture. The Bible Explor‑ ers program continues to build upon the principle of preparing students for Sanc‑ tuary worship and guiding the hearts of students to Jesus, but definitely not to the exclusion of having fun along the way.
This year the Elementary and MIddle School Ministries collaborated for a series of events called Transitions to help guide every fourth grade student and family to the Middle School Ministry. Transitions began with a Saturday afternoon on April 1 for kids and parents to meet the Middle School staff at Amazing Jakes. There stu‑ dents and staff played laser tag, putt putt, and arcade games, ate too much pizza, and began to forge friendships with each other. The next day the Middle School staff came to the fourth grade classes to speak on their ministry and what disci‑ pleship looks like in middle school. Many fourth grade parents attended and were enthusiastic about the expectations and partnership they would have with the Middle School Ministry as the staff would support and come alongside parents to help disciple their children.
Several fourth grade teachers and parents were able to speak about their experiences with the fourth graders. The teachers sought to encourage the rising fifth graders to never give up on Christ or the Church, to look to Him as a source of strength and identity, and to help those who are alienated or struggling through middle school—to be Christ’s love to those hurting or left out. Diplomas were issued, massive glazed doughnuts from Top Pot were given to each fourth grader, and a hilarious welcome video from the Middle School staff was shown to end the morning. The next Sunday the students arrived to their new place at PCPC—the Hangout, or the Middle School Room—to begin their jour‑ ney of walking with Christ during these fourth-eighth grades.
Then on May 17, the Elemen‑ tary Ministry held their annual fourth grade graduation. Par‑ ents, grandparents, friends, and relatives attended this special occasion. The morning began with Carley White and Adam Kajs, Middle School in‑ terns, introducing themselves and revealing some interesting facts about themselves to the upcoming fifth graders. Pastor Paul Goebel was there as well to give a charge to the rising middle schoolers; his encour‑ (Pie-Guy) Paul Jackson (l) waits for the pie in the hands of Luke Harper as Britt Fair acts as master of ceremonies. agement was that despite how much change will come The transition from fourth to fifth grade is in middle school, there is One who does a big deal, and our ministry team wanted not change, who will be there for each to make sure that each student and family student as they experience these some‑ felt cared for, supported, and resourced times hard and difficult changes, and that for such a big change. person is Jesus Christ. —Austin Ariail PCPC WITNESS • AUGUST 2015 11
Multi-Gen discipleship
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I arrived for the first Thursday Morning Bible Study last fall and immediately saw three women and a baby posing together for a picture. The Mann, Turpin, and Dowell ladies comprised four generations—from great-grandmother to baby Lori Frances! Then, upon meeting the women in my small group, I realized there were six decades—20s to 70s—represented. A younger member, obviously delighted as she surveyed the gathering, commented, “I really wanted to be in a multi-gen group.”
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The Church is the family of God. And as a family at PCPC, we have the great privilege of being not only a multigenerational (many generations present in our body), but more importantly for the Kingdom, we have the joyful opportunity to be intergenerational (many generations interacting with each other). The family of God becomes stronger and more beautiful as we intentionally blend and interrelate meaningfully together—all ages and stages. The older have wisdom and experience to impart to the younger. The younger have enthusiasm and energy to share with the older. By God’s design we are to learn from and teach each other what is good so that our lives are full of godliness and grace (Titus 2:3-8).
From that moment on, we began to enjoy, care for, respect, and learn from one another in ways unique to that generational composition. As the year progressed and we dug into the book of Matthew, we gained spiritual insights As we encourage and love each other from each other and There are many places where this is currentgrew in natural friendly happening at PCPC. Here are two examacross generational lines, the Church ship and true fellowples, one individual and one communal: ship. Early one morning shines brighter and more beautifully before class I walked by Allison, a 20-something, single woman to a watching world. our classroom and saw striving to build her career, and Jody, a one of the oldest havbusy married woman with elementary-aged ing breakfast with one children, are intentional friends. They meet of the youngest. They had brought food and coffee and were periodically for lunch, and here is a brief testimony of how having a wonderful time together! richly God blessed the friendship: It was such a joy as the year progressed to witness real discipleship happening and maturing. As a semi-older one put it, “As elder disciples it behooves us to know the culture of the younger generation—to be able to discuss issues of the day with them that convey an understanding of where they are and what they have gone through in their lives. We need to listen to what they are telling us.” Another who loved the age range observed that “Sometimes in a study with everyone the same stage of life you can get mired in that phase.” I am convinced that we gained a broader perspective of God’s wisdom and ability to apply it from generations not our own; and I believe that our spiritual growth can be stunted if we do not develop relationships with those beyond our age group and immediate family. Jesus set the pattern of discipleship for us as He chose, nurtured, and taught those young apostles. After the resurrection they struggled in their circumstances but held fast and grew into disciples who would engage in spiritual reproduction themselves by mentoring and bringing along younger believers. And as the “semi-older” one again wisely spoke, “You are never too old to be discipled.” That reminds me of Nicodemus going to Jesus to ask how he might attain eternal life. I still marvel at the blessings that came from such relationships in our group this past year as I do one of my own. It began in another TMBS group several years ago. Rebecca was dating a young man whom she eventually married, and tomorrow I’m off to Babys R Us to find just the right gift for their baby girl who will arrive in just a few months! —Laney Koenig
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I met Jody when I was going through a pretty dark time in my life. After experiencing an extremely painful breakup…my faith was running low…While we did not have a lot in common when we met, we did have a common belief in the Lord…Jody’s wisdom and growth with the Lord from her own personal experiences have helped restore and facilitate my belief that the Lord is good and forgiving, and He loves each one of us despite all of our flaws. I hope to be able to serve as a mentor one day…just as Jody has done for me.” Two very different Sunday Morning Communities are joining together for the sake of fellowship and new friendships. The SOS class is primarily a group of empty nesters, and Doulos is mostly single young adults. We’ve had parties together and are beginning to meet in smaller groups for everyday activities such as cooking, walking, and praying. Over time, friendships form! Reader, I invite you to consider your intergenerational friendships. Older generation—what young people could you invite to your home for dinner? Younger generation—who is someone a few steps ahead whom you can ask to tell their story? As we encourage and love each other across generational lines, the Church shines brighter and more beautifully to a watching world. People should look at us and see the richness, creativity, and diversity reflected in the myriad of our personal relationships. We are family. And as we deepen connections with each other on Sunday (and every other day of the week), the Church grows stronger in maturity, depth, and unity for the praise of His name. —Erin Golangco
AUGUST 2015 • PCPC WITNESS
Marriage ministry redefined
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What is the purpose of marriage? How can I restore and strengthen my mar‑ riage? How can my marriage better proclaim the Gospel? The answers are coming! We are excited to announce the launch of the PCPC Marriage Ministry. The need to focus on God’s design for marriage has never been greater with marriage under attack in our world and in our homes. Our Marriage Ministry will be grounded in God’s Word to provide truth and help for every relationship to better reflect Christ to each other and to the world. Our prayer is that this ministry will build, revitalize, and sustain marriages through instruction and small group community; and focus marriages on living out the Gospel through love, grace, mercy, and mission. PCPC has always had a strong commit‑ ment for marriage according to the Scriptures. It thrills me to see a significant number of couples that have faithfully invested in the lives of other couples in our body. It is out of this strong biblical commitment for marriage that a new Marriage Ministry was officially launched on July 1. The Lord has called Deacon Bill Bogart as the Interim Director of Marriage Ministry. Bill is not totally new to the job as he and his wife, Brenda, have been hard at work with a steering committee for the past year developing a strategy for what a marriage ministry might look like at PCPC. The committee includes Doug and Jill Chesnut, Pat Hobin, Bob and Becky McCamey, Jason and Jessica Nich‑ ols, Tommy and Priscilla Overton, Larry and Cheryl Patterson, Heather Squibb, and Jay and Nancy Turner. Through the committee’s work, a game plan has been developed that aims to help all marriages regardless of “age and stage,” from en‑ gaged to newly married, mature to empty nest, struggling to healthy.
Strong foundation
The work of the steering committee to develop an enhanced and comprehensive marriage program has been made easy by a strong foundation of existing ministries: Union—Pre-marriage course New Cities Sunday Morning Community— for newly marrieds and singles
Small Group Ministry—Communities for newly marrieds The Marriage Class – Midweek offering focused on marriages with children at home Intimate Mystery Class—Midweek offering focused on young marriages Short Courses—Recent four-week class offered to empty nesters; Crown Ministries course teaching biblical principles on money
Vision
What might the marriage ministry look like in the future? The work is still in pro‑ cess, but the following provides a sneak peek at what is being considered: Expand programming for newly marrieds to include more classroom and small group community opportunities. Building a strong foundation is essential during the first two years of marriage. One key goal is to develop a common curriculum that all newly-married couples complete to provide this firm foundation in areas such as biblical meaning of marriage, finances, communication, conflict resolution, and intimacy. Roll out programming for marriages needing a tune-up. One approach being considered is implementing ReEngage, a marriage program originated at Water‑ mark Church and now used by many churches nationwide. This 16-week program helps marriages reconnect and recommit through testimony and small group community. Implement a couple-on- couple mentor‑ ing/coaching program for marriages that would benefit by having a mentor couple walk alongside another couple that needs specific help with communications and conflict resolution. Organize and host marriage conferences. Build authentic community through fun events, including Date Nights.
PCPC WITNESS • AUGUST 2015
The Bogarts’ story
All marriages in our church will be enriched by God calling Bill to lead this new ministry. He is a remarkably gifted leader who is passionate about marriage. July not only marked the launch of the PCPC Marriage Ministry, but also marked Bill and Brenda’s tenth wedding anni‑ versary. Their marriage story is one of both brokenness and rescue through the beautiful work of the Lord’s hand. Bill and Brenda both had been married before, with first marriages ending after 20+ years. Through the pain and struggle of their previous marriages and seeing how divorce had affected their six children, God led them into marriage ministry from day one. With Jim and Patty Moody, they launched the DivorceCare Ministry in 2006. In 2011 they joined forces with Bob and Becky McCamey, moving their focus to newly married couples—leading, coaching, and en‑ couraging young couples through small group com‑ munities. And last year, Bill and Brenda started The Marriage Class during Midweek, a focus on reener‑ gizing marriages with children at home.
Resources needed!
This new marriage ministry is a significant part of the growing Family Ministry at PCPC. If you have a heart for marriage, we need you! We need your input, ideas, and volunteer help. Most of all, we need your prayers. Please join the Marriage Team in seeking God’s wisdom for this ministry, for the Holy Spirit to attend to and heal hurting marriages, and for His forgiveness, mercy, and love to be deeply rooted in every husband and wife within our church family. For more information and questions, please contact Bill at bill. bogart@pcpc.org or 214-224-2559. —Tommy Overton 13
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The PCPC Choir and symphony orchestra presented a concert that celebrated God’s lavish gift of freedom; honored and remembered those who have sacrificed for the cause of liberty and justice; and looked forward to our arrival in the ultimate “Promised Land.” We included a World War II tribute, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the war’s end. We were blessed to have a good number of WWII veterans with us. The audience rose to their feet with applause in grateful appreciation.
The Americans are the first people whom Heaven has favored with an opportunity of deliberating upon and choosing the forms of government under which they should live. —John Jay
traditional American songs are classics, from years ago, but their words are present and call out to each generation. The Star Spangled Banner ends with a question: “Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave o’er the
The concert included a wide variety of American music, from Latin rhythms to Gospel tunes, Cowboy songs to folk hymns, and the traditional American anthems. Afterwards, concertgoers enjoyed Wild About Harry’s in Fellowship Hall with Brian Piper and his jazz trio. The concert’s goal was not to create a bubble of escapism from our current reality, but rather to meld the past with great hope for the future. Our
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AUGUST 2015 2015 •• PCPC AUGUST PCPCWITNESS WITNESS
left page, Jenni Rasberry’s rendition of “God Bless America” and Andrew Russell’s of “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” and “He Never Failed Me Yet” received standing ovations from the appreciative audience. above, Wild about Harry’s custard was a huge hit at the reception following the concert. above right, Bette Cortelyou, Lynn Biggers, Mary Appleton, and Joanie Seay below right, the audience was made up of all ages, from children to World War II vets. Here Helen Waterman, Virginia Waterman, and Anna Howland scoop up Harry’s.
land of the free and the home of the brave?” Does it? Will it? Many other texts are essentially prayers, asking for God’s mercy and blessing: “Long may our land be bright with freedom’s holy light.” “America! God shed His grace on thee…” During the concert we heard words from George Washington and James Madison. We also heard from Dwight Eisenhour and his speech to the Allied Forces before the D-Day invasion: “You will bring about…the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.” We heard words from the late slain pastor Rev. Clementa Pinckney of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, who stated that in the work of His church, God’s people have to make noise, march, struggle, and even be willing to face death.
I had reasoned this out in my mind, there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other. —Harriet Tubman “God mend thine every flaw.” In our celebration, we also know that the duty of the church is to speak truth into the national discourse, particularly where injustice flourishes. In the book City of Man, authors Michael Gerson and Peter Wehner note, Christians in Germany should have been more public in confronting Nazi authorities. Americans have reason to be grateful that the leaders of the civil rights movement did not regard their faith as something fundamentally private. Besides, since the Enlightenment, more than one experiment in enforced privatization and/or complete secularization—the French revolution, Leninism, Maoism—has ended in disaster for the causes of human rights and human dignity. It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor. —George Washington
PCPC WITNESS • AUGUST 2015
Gerson and Wehner continue, “It makes a very great difference whether people live in freedom or servitude; whether government promotes a culture of life or a culture of death; whether the state is a guardian or an enemy of human dignity. And whatever form of government we live under, we as individuals are enjoined to be mindful of our own civic duties. The prophet Micah tells us to do justice and to love mercy. We are called to oppose evil, to see to the needs of ‘the least of these,’ to comfort the afflicted, to feed the hungry, to help free the captives.” A watchful eye must be kept on ourselves lest while we are building ideal monuments of Renown and Bliss here we neglect to have our names enrolled in the Annals of Heaven. —James Madison And so we sang, danced, played, mourned, rememberered, honored… and went forth in hope. As the Bible reminds us, in story upon story, God’s hand of benevolence and redemption often flourishes in times of trial and difficulty. A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner, neither do uninterrupted prosperity and success qualify for usefulness and happiness. The storms of adversity, like those of the ocean, rouse the faculties, and excite the invention, prudence, skill and fortitude or the voyager. The martyrs of ancient times, in bracing their minds to outward calamities, acquired a loftiness of purpose and a moral heroism worth a lifetime of softness and security. —F. Marryat —J. Marty Cope 15
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, all the earth! —Psalm 96:1 WHY SING? God’s plan for our lives is that we be worshipers of Him. The Scriptures exhort us to sing, to worship, to rejoice, and to praise our great God with our whole being. Our lives, in all that we are, in all that we do, are a worship response to God’s love for us. God delights in our worship. God is the One who created us to Abigail Dunn sing. It is God’s plan that we worship Him with our singing voices. God would not ask us
to do something without also enabling us to do that. God has gifted all of His children, young and old, with voices fit to praise His name. Sing praises to the Lord O you His saints, and give thanks to His holy name. —Psalm 30:4 WHY CHOIRS? Choirs are intentionally designed to help children and youth discover their singing voice, develop music reading skills, and grow in their understanding of worship. Singing internalizes biblical truth in our lives in a unique way. The Word of God, set to music and sung in choir rehearsals over and over again, becomes deeply planted in the hearts and minds of children. Patrick Fischer
The singing of excellent choral literature with solid biblical texts can be used by God, through the Holy Spirit, to shape the lives of growing children. God has promised that His Word will not return void. Biblical seed planting, through music, is investing now for the hope of eternal reward. A choir ministry, because of its Kingdom-building commitment, is set apart from dance, sports, art, and gymnastics. It is not just another option in the long list of available (and worthwhile) after-school activities. Children who learn to use their singing voice at an early age grow up equipped to actively participate in worship through music. Teenagers who participate in choirs are fulfilling their communicant vows to support the “work and worship” of our church. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. —Colossians 3:16 A JOYFUL OUTCOME— YOUNG VOICES IN CELEBRATION On April 19, PCPC’s children’s and youth choirs combined with an adult chamber choir and chamber orchestra with Colin Howland, conductor, to present an evening of worship through Scripture and song. To God be the glory! —Lynda Fray
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AUGUST 2015 • PCPC WITNESS
Farewell, Colin
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fter 17 years of faithful service here at PCPC, 10 of which as our Director of Music, Colin Howland received and accepted a call to become the new Music Director at Tenth Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Philadelphia. Colin is a native of the Delaware Valley (Philadelphia Metropolitan area) and studied at the storied Curtis Institute of Music, which sits two blocks from Tenth. He also was an assistant organist at the famed Wanamaker department store—the world’s largest organ. So, his “new” surroundings will be familiar.
I am humbled that [God] was pleased to lead the Howland family here and give glory to Him for the steadfast love which He has shown us through His Body at PCPC. For His glory, Colin Howland
At the end-of-the-year choir dinner on June 18, we enjoyed a low-key time of sharing, remembering, and gift giving. We exhorted one another with words from Joshua 1—words telling of a season when the Israelites experienced a leadership change—singing, “Be strong in the Lord and be of good courage.” On Colin’s last Sunday, July 12, he was honored in morning worship and gave an afternoon organ (and piano) recital, full of great music—and a few fun surprises. After the recital, the congregation and guests greeted and expressed their thanks to Colin at a reception. God led and moved through Colin during his tenure at PCPC, and we learned much by serving the Lord alongside him. Here are a few of the many lessons we received. During times of stress and anxiety, Colin taught us how to respond in a measured and gracious way. Colin exhorted and uplifted those around him toward their particular visions and ministries. Colin exhibited a pastoral heart—he loved and invested in people. He demonstrated well the role of servant leader, serving under the authority of the Session, while also flourishing with creative ideas and directives. He is a man of humility.
left, selfie time with Mark Davis below left, (l to r) Don King and Terry Warner, with Neatice Warner, sport masks that members of the choir were given at the reception. below right, Matthew O’Hearn, Dan Nale, and Paul Flowers
For these and many other reasons, we give thanks to God for Colin’s season among us. He will be poignantly missed. —J. Marty Cope
PCPC WITNESS • AUGUST 2015
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Making a mission out of ministry It’s official! Urban Ministries is now called Urban Missions! One of PCPC’s statements of identity is that “We seek to change the world, together.” This is a noble task to which PCPC is very committed. In the last eight years, we have witnessed many members becoming more involved in outreach. Also, we have observed a deepening awareness and involvement of their service through various agencies and projects. Most importantly, many have expressed a deeper desire to become more involved in inter-cultural missions within our city. Obviously, the Holy Spirit is leading this charge. So what does a Holy Spirit-led, mutually-transformative, on-going missions to our city look like? Over the years, PCPC has developed partnerships with diverse churches and agencies throughout our city. It goes without saying that these inter-cultural relationships are faced with misconceptions and challenges. Nonetheless, PCPC is committed to co-laboring with others in this mission. I want to borrow an East African proverb to illustrate the cross-cultural issues:
How the monkeys saved the fish The rainy season that year had been the strongest ever and the river had broken its banks. There were floods everywhere and the animals were all running up into the hills. The floods came so fast that many drowned except the lucky monkeys who used their proverbial agility to climb up into the treetops. They looked down on the surface of the water where the fish were swimming and gracefully jumping out of the water as if they were the only ones enjoying the devastating flood. One of the monkeys saw the fish and shouted to his companion: “Look down, my friend, look at those poor creatures. They are going to drown. Do you see how they
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struggle in the water?” “Yes,” said the other monkey. “What a pity! Probably they were late in escaping to the hills because they seem to have no legs. How can we save them?” “I think we must do something. Let’s go close to the edge of the flood where the water is not deep enough to cover us, and we can help them to get out.” So the monkeys did just that. They started catching the fish, but not without difficulty. One by one, they brought them out of the water and put them carefully on the dry land. After a short time there was a pile of fish lying on the grass motionless. One of the monkeys said, “Do you see? They were tired, but now they are just sleeping and resting. Had it not been for us, my friend, all these poor people without legs would have drowned.” The other monkey said: “They were trying to escape from us because they could not understand our good intentions. But when they wake up they will be very grateful because we have brought them salvation. (Traditional Tanzanian Folktale) Oliver R. Phillips, addressing the many hindrances different cultures experience in well-intentioned inter-cultural ministry, states: “Ministering cross-culturally [inter-culturally also], poses a real challenge, because cultural differences are often downplayed and underestimated. Cultural intelligence (CQ) is the ability of persons to adapt to, adjust, and interpret the values that represent the core underpinnings of a different culture.” Phillips then identifies several challenges in inter-cultural efforts that result from vastly divergent core-cultural concerns of the diverse populations like race, ethnicity, economics, religion, and sub-cultures.
Added to this challenge are the assumptions that many evangelicals take on these issues, concerned that social action can hinder the Church’s mandated commitment to evangelism. Bryant L. Meyers, of Fuller Theological Seminary, observes that many well-intentioned Christians have blind spots when making their faith public through evangelism and community development which can lead to two tragic reductions. He states: “First, poverty is reduced to merely a material condition having to do with the absence of things like money, water, food, housing, and the lack of just social systems, also materially defined and understood. Second, development is reduced correspondingly to a material series of responses designed to overcome these needs.”
How ministry becomes mission So how does a homogenous, upper-middle class congregation like PCPC seek to change the world, beginning here in Dallas? For starters, we must admit that PCPC should seek to develop a well-thought-out plan—a mission—constantly seeking strategies that address a long-term, mutually-transformative mission to our city. We need to wrestle with questions such as, “What assumptions motivated the monkeys?” “What would the fish like to say?” “How are we like the monkeys in dealing with people from different cultural backgrounds?” Such questions force our Urban Missions team to strive to make our members more culturally aware of the diversity within our city. Also, if our focus is squarely on service (ministry) and not an overall mission, our fears might become realized. We will constantly hurt the many “fish” swimming around in the raging currents of poverty, exclusion, and hopelessness. Jesus has called His church to make disciples of every ethnicity, beginning in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. We will vigorously cultivate our members (Jerusalem) to prepare them for going to the ends of the earth, and it is imperative that we go to Samaria beforehand. Samaria is very close to us geographically, but quite distant from us culturally. Let’s swell the ranks of those who will accept the call to participate in God’s mission to our city. —Julian Russell
AUGUST 2015 • PCPC WITNESS
Educating ourselves Most of our grade-school memories include freshly sharpened pencils, spelling tests, a kind teacher, and expectations for success from our parents. In fact many of our parents helped us with homework (at least in the early stages before we got to calculus).
Stand-Out Statistic Children whose mentors stick with them the entire journey from elementary to high school experience 100% graduation rates and are able to take wise next steps with someone to help them navigate. —Mercy Street
The current reality for many children in our city contrasts sharply—it’s much worse. What can you, as a believer, do about it? PCPC Urban Missions recently hosted the first event in its Church in the City series on May 31 called “Educational Challenges in Dallas.” One hundred fifty church members attended and heard from eight expert panelists in the field of education.
church
in the city It became apparent that the challenge is more than students learning to add and subtract; there are struggles with students’ basic needs, their safety, and lack of personal champions for success. Many times, these issues result in a child’s inability to see a hopeful future.
But while many surrounding DISD schools were declining in performance, one area elementary stood out. Panelist Dr. Andrea Nelson, principal of the flourishing DISD elementary in West Dallas, attributes much of the success to a church partnership that provided consistent reading buddy volunteers in the schools. Students thrived under the investment and attention and, as a result, achieved more and fulfilled their higher potential.
Education Panelists
Trey Hill, Mercy Street Image-bearer, relationships panelist, and Urban Missions Home Ed Franklin, Voice of Hope Church Missionary Trey Hill of Bentley Craft, West Dallas Community School Mercy Street stated, “Education is a justice issue. It simply isn’t Anita Odom, YoungLife West Dallas right that by growing up poor and Dr. Andrea Nelson, Earhart/Carver Elementary in the inner city that you will go to a school that does not prepare Cody Yocom, Heights Preparatory, Uplift you for life in today’s world.Why Scott Hanson, Serve West Dallas does this matter to the church? We uphold the truth that all people Lauri Maybery, Child Evangelism Fellowship are created in the image of God and are about the reaffirmation of human dignity. The church should be concerned where image-bearers are One church member walked right up not flourishing but languishing, and we to Dr. Nelson after the lunch and proshould be involved.” claimed, “I’m coming to read with kids in your school!” Understanding the importance of the relationships with students is paramount. Want to know more? Please contact Money does not solve the complex chaltracy.deboer@pcpc.org. lenges surrounding students. Among —Tracy DeBoer many initiatives in Dallas schools to provide more dollars to them, academUpcoming Church in the City Series: ics and other performance indicators Homelessness, a panel discussion on still fell. August 16.
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Training Counselors in Nagoya
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Counseling is needed not only in our country or in our church. Christian leaders around the world seek to work with those who are struggling emotionally. Christ Bible Institute (CBI) in Nagoya, Japan, invited me to spend a few days in June with their team to discuss a new counsel‑ ing initiative. I spent most of my time with PCPC Home Church Missionary Brett Rayl, who serves as the team leader at CBI and oversees all of its ministries. CBI was founded in 2004 by Dr. Michael Oh, now the leader of Lausanne Movement, for the purpose of engaging Japanese society with the Gospel, expanding the Kingdom of God through church planting, and equipping Christian leaders for ministry.
The new initiative is called The Christian Counseling for Japan Project (CCFJ Project). It is an effort to equip Christian leaders to provide quality care for those struggling emotionally and spiritually in Japan. CCFJ desires to involve and serve many churches and Christian ministries across Japan.
as it offers a safe haven for the Japanese approaches and resources for Christian people to be heard and to discuss and leaders and for lay people. They will also seek answers for the problems in their help identify the resources most need‑ lives. It also creates ed for translation and a pathway through creation. which the Gospel Christian counseling training 2. Development of can be communi‑ and services are emerging Training Modules cated with the lost as critical needs to provide The Resource Develop‑ in Japan. ment Group will utilize strength and healing the resources gathered The Japanese peo‑ for many within Japan. and produced to create a ple face many pres‑ curriculum for a Christian sures and internal Counseling training mod‑ struggles that ule for pastoral and lay leaders. This mod‑ threaten their daily wellbeing. The effects ule will be tested with small groups within may be seen by widespread problems our network and revised to be most effec‑ in their society such as an epidemic of suicides and human rights abuses through tive. The Resource Development Group will also work with the administration of which children are exploited. The church CBS to suggest courses for the eventual is small in Japan and has struggled to MA degree to be taught by both Japanese find a voice to speak hope in the midst of and International professors. these challenges. Many Christian leaders, who have no formal counseling training, 3. Launch of Christian Counseling Center are exhausting themselves trying to meet CBI will begin organizing and operating the emotional needs of their members. These Christian leaders also lack access to a small-scale counseling center. This process will include re-allocating space at the support and resources of Christian CBI for conversation rooms and equipping counselors. Many Christians, there‑ and supporting a small team of counsel‑ fore, do not receive the emotional ors. These counselors will be a mix of mis‑ help and healing they need, and many sionaries (from the U.S. and Japan) and non-Christians continue to regard the seminary students. Initial counseling care church as a place that cannot provide and experience will come from within the vital emotional help and support. body of counselors; they will experience Christian counseling training and ser‑ vices are emerging as critical needs to counseling from each other, and then free provide strength and healing for many services will be offered through church within Japan. and relationship networks before opening to a wider public.
CCFJ Project First Phase
Taylor and Brett Rayl enjoy the city of Nagoya. One of the key strategies involves devel‑ oping a counseling ministry connected to the CBI that could serve the church and the public, as well as developing a mas‑ ter’s degree program in Christian counsel‑ ing to be offered through their seminary. The CBI team sees counseling as a critical component in the strategy to reach Japan 20
CBI envisions the CCFJ Project being implemented in three phases, with each building on the other. At the same time, each phase is designed to stand as a complete whole and by it‑ self will serve the Japanese emotional‑ ly and spiritually. The first phase of this project will be the most challenging, but also the most important. 1. Resource Development Group CBI will create a Resource Development Group comprised of trained counselors and Christians leaders/pastors who repre‑ sent both a Japanese and an international perspective. This group will discern the greatest challenges and opportunities for Christian counseling in Japan and will discern the most relevant counseling
After a few days of consulting with the CBI team, it became clear that the Lord was leading the CBI team to bring all of its stateside partners together in 2015 to help organize and deploy them to most effectively fulfill the strategic plan. CBI asks that we pray as the planning for that meeting begins and that God will clearly give direction to CBI partners as to their specific contribution. We sense that God is calling PCPC Counseling to be a significant partner in providing training resources and short-term teams to help assist in the training of counselors and the launching of the counseling center. Please pray for PCPC missionaries Brett and Tay‑ lor Rayl and his team as they follow the Lord’s leading into this new project. —Jeff White AUGUST 2015 • PCPC WITNESS
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As the week wound down on the PCPC family mission trip to Rio Grande Bible Institute (RGBI), tears of joy were shared around the debriefing table as we looked back at what the Lord accomplished through the team and in the hearts of each family throughout the week.
The Anderson, Thomason, Moxley, Glass, Houdek, and Johnson families (12 adults and 15 children) left very early on June 23. Upon arrival in McAllen, the team was greeted by PCPC home church mission‑ aries John and Libby White (and baby Robert), who lead RGBI.
Missions as a family
growing together in love and service After dropping off luggage at RGBI, we promptly headed to our first day of Vaca‑ tion Bible School at the Whites’ small lo‑ cal church. D’Ann Moxley was the team’s leader for VBS, and the Lord mightily used her extensive prepara‑ tion, projects, songs,
Each morning the team worked on reno‑ vating two apartments for the upcoming fall student class arriving in late July. Five minutes after the work started, sever‑ al team members commented on the impossibility of the task. At the end of the week, we accomplished the task 15 minutes early! Only the Lord could have orchestrated that one; I tell you!
and teaching to teach and encourage the young and old alike! The team heard testimonies from seminary students and staff members af‑ ter mealtimes. Their testimonies of trust and love of the Lord, considering where some had come from and been sent to on the mission field, were unbelievable and include some of the most dangerous places in the world. The team was truly edified hearing from them. The Whites were thankful that their home church, PCPC, sent a team to be with them, as were the VBS parents. They also commented and were thankful to be shown what a family mission trip with their congregation might look like, and they were strongly encouraged.
top, VBS kids in McAllen left, Robert Johnson and Jarrett Glass above, Madeline Glass and KayKay Moxley PCPC WITNESS • AUGUST 2015
The team gives praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for an incredible grow‑ ing family experience! —Robert Johnson 21
Senegal Phase II
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In early June, I joined the short-term Business-as-Mission team that went to Senegal to help with the second of a three-phase program promoting econom‑ ic development and the spread of the Gospel. In this program PCPC Missions partners with Videre, a ministry that organizes and provides the curriculum for the trips. In-country program participants are affiliated in the local Presbyterian church as members or leaders. They receive business training and coaching in each of the three phases. Graduates of the program have an opportunity to receive a small loan to fund their start-up or business expansion, funded by donors in the US. Loan payments are managed by and returned to the local church. Our team started and ended our week in Senegal in small villag‑ es, giving us a left, Chris Stowell with entrepreneurs below, all the participants and their PCPC coaches
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glimpse of African village life with its mud huts, endless sandy fields, hardy baobab trees, and horse-drawn carts. Worship‑ ping with local believers set a great tone at the beginning of the trip, and spending our last night in a village gave us a greater appreciation for the hardships of daily life that our entrepreneurs face. We worked in small groups with the 11 entreprenuers who had passed Phase I, learning the ins and outs of their planned businesses. We reviewed costs of goods sold, sales projections, distribution issues, etc. Before leaving, we had to document the details behind each business, while ensuring that it could be profitable, and
also confirm that any required startup loans could be paid back easily. If a business plan didn’t appear profitable, we worked with the participant to make adjustments until it did. The participants who move on to and hopefully complete Phase III not only have plans that appear profitable, but also have a viable Kingdom Impact Strategy in which the entrepre‑ neur details how he or she can use the business to share the Gospel effectively.
Hungry for the Word
The impact the trip had on me still surprises me. Hearing the stories of rescue from our brothers and sisters in this far-away country reminded me of the preciousness of my relationship with Christ and the need to take it more seriously. These be‑ lievers hold tightly to their faith in a culture based on Is‑ lam and native reli‑ gions. They hungrily seek nourishment in the Word and in fel‑ lowship with other believers, who often become like family
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since more often than not, since their own families and communities rejected them for following Christ. I still think often about one of my en‑ trepreneur’s testimonies. He had been earnestly seeking to know more about what the Bible teaches, but found he could not get access to a Bible. One day, he saw what looked like a dictionary at his local peanut seller’s stand. When asked why she had such a book, she said
Consummation— the horizons of life Because every day is Easter for the Christian
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I was driving to a speaking engagement in my native Scotland, listening to BBC radio. Famous people were explaining “How I like to think about heaven.” I was intrigued, especially by what I was not hearing. I began to notice a pattern. First, none of the contributors mentioned the presence of God, or of Christ. Heaven was a “God-free zone,” a place where our pleasures are satisfied. Staggering.
it had been given to her so she could tear out the pages for wrapping up peanuts. My entrepreneur asked to look at the book. Realizing it was a Bible and not a dictionary, he ran home to collect all of the paper notebooks and workbooks he could find. With his arms full of substitute paper, he traded for the precious book he had so earnestly been seeking. We heard many other stories like this, demonstrat‑ ing over and over how complacent we are in our own overly-indulgent, materialistic culture with little thought about what is truly important and that which does not wither with time. I came away feeling like I had learned far more than I had taught. It wasn’t just because I had to learn about what it’s like running a motorcycle taxi business, or selling charcoal in a small village—I learned about how to integrate my faith and my work. Something that seemed so natural to them was in fact so foreign to me! There is still a need for coaches to go on Phase III September 18-27 to train the participants from a detailed curriculum covering marketing, sales, stewardship, leadership, strategic and Kingdom Impact Planning, and funding terms for loans. To learn more, contact corey.page@pcpc.org or call 214-224-2510. —Chris Stowell
And yet logical. Why would people who, throughout their lives on earth had repressed the knowledge of God (Rom 1:18-32) want a heaven with God on the throne together with His Son and Holy Spirit (Rev 4-5)?
In one sense, in spiritual things we get what we want, and in a profound sense we will indeed get “what we like.” The sobering thing, as Jesus indicated, is that only some will like what they get. So reflect on two things: Easter gives my life a double horizon. Because Christ is risen our citizenship is already in heaven. When we “depart” we will “be with Christ” (Phil 3:20; 1:23). But more! For we also look beyond that to Christ coming to transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body (Phil 3:21). Those bodies will surely both need and enjoy a New Earth!
Why would I want a future world then in which God’s righteousness reigns, when what I want in the present world now is my own pleasure?
Second, neither did any of the contributors say, “Do you not know there is more to the consummation than heaven?” For Scripture’s horizon stretches further—to the resurrection of the body and to the regeneration of all things (Mt 19:28). And to living in the new heavens and the new earth in which righteousness will reign (2 Pe 3:13). For these twin realities constitute the Christian’s double horizon and sure hope. Why would I want a future world then in which God’s righteousness reigns, when what I want in the present world now is my own pleasure? Such a new heaven and earth would be a hell to me. Indeed perhaps this is, in part, what makes hell so hellish—that God has the final say—and that in heaven despised ones who sought first the Kingdom of God now enjoy Him forever. The program lasted only thirty minutes. But the memory of it lingers on—a
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reminder that how we think about life in the future and how we live life in the present are inextricably linked together.
Easter not only points me to this double horizon tomorrow; it changes the way I live today. How do those who have this hope live? Peter’s reply is: “in holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God” (2 Pe 3:11). In a word, loving what God loves; liking now what we will also like then. Here, then, is how to “think about heaven”: Easter transforms life’s last day. It inaugurates the resurrection of the final day. And it changes my life in the present day. Is that how you think about Easter? This article by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson first appeared in Our Hope: a collection of essays by Redeemer Seminary students, alumni, and faculty. Used by permission. 23
Meet our new Elementary Coordinator, Matthew Statham Matthew, tell us a little about your background, how you came to know the Lord, and about your relationship with Him. It’s an absolute blessing to be able to say that I was raised in a Christian home and attended a Bible-believing church. I was born and raised in a town just northeast of Atlanta and spent most of my time playing tennis or golf or just trying to survive being the youngest of four! My parents and family, from the time they got married until I was in middle school, attended Perimeter Church (PCA) and its subsequent plant churches. Because of being raised in the church, there was never a time when Jesus wasn’t present in my life. There was, however, a moment when I truly understood my need for Him in a second grade Sunday School class. My teacher explained that because of disobeying my parents or not telling the truth or even getting angry with my siblings, I needed to ask Jesus for forgiveness. Even these mistakes, though small as they might seem, needed Jesus for me to be made right with God. This moment was transformational for me. I realized I needed and wanted to know who Jesus was, and I wanted to receive His forgiveness. As I continued to grow, I remained very active in youth group and found ways to get involved. Like many who were raised similarly though, my faith was very dependent on how well I performed and not so much on God’s grace and mercy. In college, and through the ministry of Reformed University Fellowship, God’s grace became more important to me than my own
Vol. XXV, No. 3 • AUGUST 2015 Park Cities Presbyterian Church 4124 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75219 www . pcpc . org
self-righteousness. As I left college (Kennesaw State University) and began working for RUF as an intern, Jesus became sweeter and richer in my life. I continue to realize more and more, how great my need for a Savior is. Tell us a little about your family! As I already mentioned, I am the youngest of four siblings, at the ripe old age of 24! I have two older sisters and an oldest brother, with most of my family still living in the Atlanta area. I am single without kids of my own, so it is quite fun being able to spoil my niece and three nephews! My parents, who are wonderful, both just retired this year; my father was an attorney in Atlanta, and my mother was a kindergarten teacher. We have all grown to enjoy our time together as a family. It has become quite the tradition for my dad, brother, and me to get out and play golf at the club during holidays! What have you been doing since college? what is your vision for the Elementary Ministry at PCPC? I am coming to PCPC and Dallas from RUF at Penn State. I worked these last two years on campus, serving and ministering to college students in the middle of Pennsylvania! Prior to that, I served as the youth director for my church in Atlanta. Collectively,
Periodical Postage Paid at Dallas, Texas
I have been working with students for the last five years and absolutely love it. What is your vision for the Elementary Ministry at PCPC? My vision for our Elementary Ministry is to help bring Gospel transformation in the lives our families and children. My goal is to build close relationships with parents and volunteers who continually serve and love the kids at PCPC. I want to bring a creative mind and a youthful approach to engage our students each week as we disciple them in knowing Jesus. I want to create an atmosphere of service, where volunteering in the Elementary hallway isn’t a duty or an obligation, but is exciting and a privilege. With that, I am joining a great team; a team who is already committed to this and more. Please know that I am here to serve and I want to meet with you. Our office is open and we always love when people come in to say hello! What do you like to do when you have a little extra time? If there is one thing about me you need to know, it is that I love to talk. I love meeting new people and chatting endlessly. If I’m not socializing with others, I’m probably cooking, out on the tennis courts, or playing guitar! If and when I need a moment to recharge, I usually love to find a quiet place and read. My all-time favorite author is John Grisham. What else would you like for our body to know about you? It is so great to be back home in the South with sweet tea and decent BBQ. With all that southern hospitality that I have greatly missed, please come up to me and introduce yourself. I would love to get to know you and see you each week at worship!