Momentum | February 2014 by Redeemer Bible Church

ISSUE FOURTEEN // FEBRUARY 2014

FEATURED BOOK

LEADERSHIP FOR WOMEN IN THE CHURCH: THE BIBLICAL IDEAL MINISTRY FOCUS

WOMEN’S MINISTRY VISION & VALUES

COOPERATIVE MINDSET

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Overnight Retreat

A Life Cycle of Discipleship April 11 & 12 | $ 95.00 (includes meals and a room) Registration is open now through March 24th, use the QR Code below to sign up. Questions, contact Carol Burr at 320-583-0761 or carolburr1081@gmail.com.

VISION VALUES

Q & A WOMEN’S

MERCY MINUTE

| To be the fruit of the gospel for the good of the world, churches need to promote cooperation rather than competition.

| Meet Women’s Ministry team member Rebecca Peel and hear more about the vision of the Women’s Ministry.

“At the center of the gospel is mercy – it is out of His great love for and bountiful mercy toward us that Jesus offers [us] rescue...”

DISCIPLESHIP

MISSIONS UPDATE GET INVOLVED

20 | Jared Hollerman opens up about his thoughts on life-on-life discipleship and how it has impacted his life.

| Keep up to date with the Pagano family ministering to Muslim groups in Asia.

13 |

| Redeemer needs your help! There are many volunteer positions available.

PRAYER FOCUS

15 | “Prayer remains one of the great and glorious mysteries of the universe...” – John Piper

FINANCE REPORT 26 | Budgeted funds for

RBC church plant are slower in materializing than desired or planned, heightening the call to prayer for everyone.

THE BIBLICAL IDEAL

8 | DISCOVER HOW THE BIBLICAL ROLE OF WOMEN AS HELPERS IS A POSITIVE AND POWERFUL ROLE THAT HELPS TO REDEFINE A WOMAN’S ULTIMATE PURPOSE IN LIFE.

CREDITS

Design/Direction: Chuck Forsberg Content Manager: Lorie Schnell Writers/Editors: Brittney Westin, Jan Wyder-Barck

Personal Evangelism

VISION & VALUES

Concern for Justice

COOPERATIVE MINDSET

Cultural Renewal COOPERATIVE MINDSET Global Christianity Spiritual Renewal

BY: PASTOR PAUL BURR

hen I went to seminary, I had been a Christian

group of churches in the western suburbs to think through how

for thirteen years. Because of career moves,

the ministry of mercy can best be accomplished. RBC is on

I had attended three different churches but

the cutting edge in how we demonstrate mercy and share the

overall did not think about how churches

gospel to those in need. Other churches are learning from us

cooperate together. My eyes were abruptly

how to put the gospel first and be merciful. As Mark Summers

opened by a comment from one of my seminary teachers. In

puts it, “It seems that every meeting I attend with this group of

an introduction course, a younger student wondered out loud

churches leads to some type of gospel opportunity. They just

if there would be opportunities to interact with other youth

can’t believe how a church of our size can provide so much

pastors when he was done with seminary. My teacher’s answer

ministry.” MTTC is showing other churches the value of having

shocked me. He told the class that we will get no help from the

a cooperative mindset. “Mercy to the Cities,” Mark Summers

churches down the street because we are competing for the

continues, “strives for cooperation for social justice and mercy

same youth and people, so don’t even bother asking. I knew

while at the same time sharing the gospel with these churches

this was not the biblical model of how churches should operate,

along the way. The gospel is our motivation for mercy to the

and the experience made me sensitive to promote cooperation,

cities, so as long as we are putting the gospel first, we can be

not competition, among churches.

cooperative in these areas.”

Thus, at Redeemer, I am so pleased that one of our core values is entitled Cooperative Mindset: Cooperative Mindset: The gospel produces cooperation

relationships with their leaders and exploring ways that we can

among churches. God desires to use all of the gospel-

partner so that we can learn what mercy ministry looks like in

preaching churches in a region according to their giftedness

their context.

for the common good (e.g., 1 Cor. 16:1). Therefore, we will not

Additionally, our own Pastor Warren Watson, from Deep

be territorial with respect to other churches, but seek to form

Haven Counseling Center (DHCC), sees this value of cooperative

partnerships with those that are fulfilling their role to reach the

mindset playing out in his world of biblical counseling. “We are

community with the gospel of grace.

sinners living in a fallen world inhabited by other sinners. As

How do we practically live out this value? As I examined our

a result, there is no lack of need. To do what we are called to

ministries at RBC, I saw this value working itself out in the Mercy

do means that we must reach out to other churches for their

Ministry, the Pastors’ Conference, Deep Haven Counseling

help, their gifts and their desire to add to the work needed to

Center, and partnerships with The Gospel Coalition-Twin Cities,

encourage those requiring the comfort and care of counseling.”

and its mission arm, TGC International Outreach.

This is just one reason we wanted DHCC to be spun off from

Before we talk about what the cooperative mindset is, let me define what it is not. Cooperating with other churches is

RBC so that all churches could avail themselves of the resources at DHCC.

not about giving up the gospel or reducing our beliefs to the

Each year, RBC also hosts a Conference for Pastors, focusing

lowest common denominator. Being cooperative doesn’t mean

on the five state region. Our goal isn’t just to equip them for

that we compromise our distinctives.

ministry, but to encourage them to network with other pastors.

Having a cooperative mindset means that we want to see the

This cooperative mindset results in relationships of reciprocity

fruit of the gospel for the good of the world for all churches. This

and provides a forum to bring guys together. By pastors

allows us to be distinct and, like the good leaven of Matthew

cooperating together in the gospel, we can celebrate each

13:30, infiltrate every venture with the Kingdom of God.

other’s victories and share the tough times when we are not

In 2012, RBC launched Mercy to the Cities (MTTC) with a

Another instance of this mindset is our growing cooperation with Zion Baptist Church in North Minneapolis. We are building

doing well.

vision to emulate Christ by meeting felt needs through deeds in

Another way that RBC is living out this cooperative mindset

a way that reverses the effects of the fall, convinces unbelievers

is by taking active leadership in The Gospel Coalition-Twin

of the gospel, and brings transformation to our communities, all

Cities (TGC-TC). TGC was formed to “bring together pastors

to the glory of God. This ministry exemplifies this cooperative

and churches across denominational, ethnic, and generational

mindset in two ways. First, MTTC leaders are meeting with a

lines, joined by a passionate commitment to the gospel and

MOMENTUM // FEBRUARY 2014

its transforming power, as they seek to evangelize, plant and

general, cooperative mindset is key to everything we do. This

strengthen churches, and do good to the culture where God

effort is a collaboration of TGC, publishers, translators, mission

has placed them.”1

agencies, churches, and missions goers,” says Bill Walsh.

Not only is RBC involved in TGC-TC, but we are partnering

Doing ministry at RBC with a value of cooperative mindset is

with TGC International Outreach headed up by our own

a far cry from the competitive attitude of the seminary teacher

Bill Walsh. International Outreach is engaged in a mission

I had. We have such a freedom in the gospel to cooperate with

of theological famine relief for the global church. They are

the Bride of Christ for the good of the world.

partnering to provide new access to biblical resources. “In

//RBC

Footnote: 1 The Gospel Coalition International Outreach Vision Primer

The gospel produces cooperation among churches. God desires to use all of the gospel-preaching churches in a region according to their giftedness for the common good (e.g., 1 Cor. 16:1).

Q & A WITH DIRECTOR OF

WOMEN’S: REBECCA PEEL CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW YOU FELT THE LORD CALLING

seen the most growth through serving in Women’s Ministry. We

YOU TO SERVE IN THIS MINISTRY? I have participated in the Women’s Ministry in various ways

have such a wonderful team of women to work with and they

since I started coming to Redeemer. I think it was my first week

blessed to be supported by these women and to be a part of

here after I was married that I was invited to the women’s

this team. I am constantly reminded that I am not in control and

retreat and strongly encouraged to attend. I went, and to this

am so thankful that the Lord is!

all bring their own gifts to help execute the vision. I am very

day I remember clearly each conversation I had. It was so encouraging to me as a new believer to so quickly connect with Christian women who poured out love for the gospel and for

WHAT IS THE VISION OF YOUR MINISTRY? Redeemer Women’s Ministry is a community of women

me. How could you not want more of that? I started attending

brought together by their brokenness and kept together by

the Women’s Bible Study and then got into a discipleship group

rejoicing in their newness of life!

with Barb Chambers and Gayle Glenn. It was in this group that

We desire for the Women’s Ministry at Redeemer to cultivate

I saw the amazing work God does to knit hearts together in

an environment of grace with the gospel at the center. Our

Him. We loved, supported, and held each other accountable

older women teach our younger women and share their life

no matter what season of life each of us was enduring. These

experiences and wisdom (Titus 2: 3-5).

discipleship relationships positively impacted my life as a

The Lord lovingly and purposefully designed women to

mother, sister, friend, and daughter and also grew me in the

display His glory in unique ways and it is our desire at Redeemer

knowledge of scripture and my love for Christ. I realized that

to help women discover His beautiful design for their lives. We

in this community of Redeemer I was surrounded by mothers

want to help women identify their strength in ministry and soar

and sisters in Christ. The Redeemer Women’s Ministry helped

in what Christ has enabled them to do in His strength and joy.

me feel like I had come home. When the opportunity arose for

We long to equip women to live gospel-centered lives in

me to join the Women’s Ministry team I was nervous at first as

every season of life and in every calling. Through this ministry,

I was still praying about where the Lord wanted me to serve.

we aim to help women recognize their gifts and exercise them

It quickly became clear that the Women’s Ministry was a great

in the local church as well as connect young women to wise,

opportunity for me to use the gifts God had given me and to

older women.

serve the women of Redeemer as they had so very lovingly served me.

Through teaching, discipleship and social events, we desire to remind the women of Redeemer that the gospel is relevant to their lives whatever their vocation, age or circumstance may

HOW HAS THIS SERVICE GROWN YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL?

be. We want women to fully realize the compassion of the

HOW HAS IT STRENGTHENED YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH

gospel so that they might open up their lives to one another,

CHRIST AND/OR THE CHURCH? It is challenging to remember to put Him first in everything

engaging in gospel living.

we do, and that goes with serving in ministry too. I have a

centered living through our ministry and to be in a one-on-one

business and project management mindset, so I have to keep

discipleship relationship with another Redeemer woman.

We would love for every woman to grow in grace and gospel-

reminding myself that this is not a business, it’s Christ’s church

with people who love and want to serve Him. I pray God’s will

HOW DOES THAT VISION FIT INTO THE OVERALL VISION

would be done, not my own. It is very easy to lose sight of the church’s vision as well as the gospel and instead to try to put

OF RBC? RBC’s vision is The Fruit of the Gospel for the Good of

my own agenda first. I think this realization is where I have

the World. That’s a big vision and an exciting one. Women’s

MOMENTUM // FEBRUARY 2014

ministry is striving to equip the women of our church with the

connecting women with each other. I will look forward to

gospel of grace. If we have grace at the center, it will spill out

giving a recap after our women’s retreat in April!

into all aspects of our lives. Whether it be in our relationships with our families, unsaved friends, neighbors, children, or co-

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT HAS SURPRISED YOU, EITHER

workers, our prayer is that what Christ has done for us will be

ABOUT YOURSELF OR THIS MINISTRY, SINCE YOU BEGAN

on display in our lives.

SERVING? I wouldn’t say I have been surprised. I have been encouraged,

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE, PRACTICALLY SPEAKING?

however, that the Lord is clearly showing us areas that we as

IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL WAYS THAT

women can continue to grow. I have seen the incredible need

VISION IS BEING REALIZED AT THE GROUND LEVEL? I pray it looks like women in life-on-life discipleship

for the women of our church to show each other grace. I have

relationships. It looks like women growing in their relationships

church, and without that we are unable to propel ourselves

with one another and with Christ. It looks like women getting

toward loving one another instead of judging one another.

saved and spreading the good news of the gospel to others

I pray that the Lord continues to shower grace on all of our

and more women getting saved. It looks like equipping our

women and that we are completely transformed by it.

experienced a lack of intimacy between the women of our

women with the gospel of grace and sending them out to minister to people through mercy to our towns, cities and the

WHAT ARE YOUR PRAYERS FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS

world. We will be focusing on a lifecycle of discipleship for the

MINISTRY? My prayer would be to see each woman in a discipleship

spring Third Thursday events, our book studies, and our retreat

relationship with another sister in Christ. In these relationships

in April. Hopefully we can address all the questions someone

we see a break down of the cultural and social barriers that

may have about discipleship as well as convey the importance

plague so many women. These relationships allow women to

Redeemer as a whole is placing on discipleship going forward.

connect within the church, be drawn into a deeper relationship

Have you ever wondered simply what discipleship is? Why

with God, and learn to embrace grace alongside one another.

do we need it? How do we do it? Does the Bible say I need

By cultivating these one-on-one discipleship relationships,

it? We encourage all the women of Redeemer to attend the

we see the forming of an army of gospel-centered women.  I

Women’s Ministry events coming up this spring in an effort to

pray we would see an army of women who are disciple-

help answer these and other questions.

making disciples and who engage in mercy to the world together in their discipleship groups. I pray we would see

WHAT EFFECTS HAVE YOU SEEN FROM THIS? HOW

Gospel-saturated women who mentor battered women or

HAVE YOU SEEN THE LORD WORKING THROUGH YOUR

women who have escaped from human trafficking. I pray we

MINISTRY’S VISION TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSES? Our Women’s Ministry team recently streamlined some of

would see women taking creative risks. I pray we would have

the events and objectives we were working toward to better

and perhaps invite them to commit to a joint weight-loss plan

fall in line with the vision of the church as a whole. We are

that provides prayer, accountability and friendship. I pray we

very excited for the spring semester of events to begin.

see every woman in our women’s ministry overflowing with

Essentially, these events will have a continual theme of life-

the glorious gospel of grace.

discipleship groups open up their groups to their lost friends

// RBC

on-life discipleship and will roll out a clear path to ultimately

FEBRUARY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM

TAKEN FROM LEADERSHIP FOR WOMEN IN THE CHURCH

THE BIBLICAL IDEAL

BY SUSAN HUNT AND PEGGY HUTCHESON

MOMENTUM // FEBRUARY 2014

…My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh. (Ex. 18:4) lorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together

May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion! (Ps 20:2)

(Psalm 34:3).

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. (Ps. 33:20)

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable

Surely God is my help; the LORD is the one who sustains me. (Ps. 54:4)

for him” (Gen. 2:18).

Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer: O LORD, do not delay. (Ps. 70:5)

GOAL: To show how the biblical role of

Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see

helper is a positive, powerful role, and to

it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and

help men and women go beyond narrow role

comforted me. (Ps. 86:17)

definitions to focus on our ultimate purpose.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God… (Ps. 146:5)

God created the woman to be a helper

for the man. It is no mistake that God made

These passages, like many others in the Old Testament, refer

Adam alone and incomplete. God made

to God as our helper. They clearly show that the role of helper

Adam incomplete because he intended to

is not an inferior role. If we devalue the supportive ministry of

create a “completer.” The presence and the

help, we devalue the importance of God’s ministry of help to us!

ministry of a helper were necessary before

Men and women do have different roles in the family and

God gave the pronouncement, “It is good.” Is

in the church. This does not mean superior-inferior roles. Our

not the same true in the church? Surely the

ministry opportunities should not be hindered because of this

supportive ministry of women is as crucial to

difference. In fact, ministry should be enhanced and made

give completeness to the local church as was

complete through our different roles. When we attach degrees

Eve’s presence in the Garden. God made the

of value to these roles, we set the stage for competition and

pronouncement, “It is not good” regarding

discontent.

Adam’s incompleteness. Is it stretching our

The Godhead gives us an example of difference in function but

imaginations too much to believe that he

equality in existence. There are various roles within the Trinity.

might also say, “It is not good” to a church that

Yet we know that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are “the same

is not employing the gifts of women?

in substance, equal in power and glory” (Westminster Shorter

Before we develop the idea of women as

Catechism, Q. 6). Ontologically (relating to existence) there is

helpers, we want to be sure you do not hear

equality in the Trinity, but economically (relating to function)

us saying something we are not saying. In no

there are different roles. If this is true in the Trinity, we certainly

way do we mean to imply that the function

should be comfortable with different male and female roles

of a helper is outside the realm of male

within the church.

responsibility. Mutual support and help among

God clearly tells us that “There is neither…male nor female, for

all believers is a basic scriptural principle.

you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28): Ontological equality.

However, Genesis 2:18 does say that the

God just as clearly tells us that “…the head of every man is

woman was uniquely created as a helper for

Christ, and the head of every woman is man…” (I Cor. 11:3):

the man, and we believe that this has exciting

Economical difference.

implications for women as they function within the church.

If you have any lingering frustration with being created to be a helper, or if you still believe that being a helper limits the use

If you are feeling uncomfortable with the

of a woman’s gifts or assigns to her a weaker role, look again at

role of being a completer or a helper, you are

the Scripture references and consider how God himself is our

probably not alone. Is this relegating women

helper.

to an inferior role? Before deciding, look at

God helps his people by protecting, supporting, shielding,

some other references in the Old Testament

sustaining, delivering, comforting, giving hope, and blessing.

where “ezer,” the Hebrew word for helper, is

God’s ministry of help is described in connection with action

used.

words indicating great strength. Being a helper is neither a

Glorifying God as a helper-leader is no easy task. We need great energy, humility, and wisdom to keep our attention fastened on God’s glory.

honest, legitimate question of one seeking to understand the purpose of her existence. She listened intently as I explained that it was not God’s ego that caused him to create us for his glory. God does not need us to glorify him in order to be glorified! God is glorious in and of himself—the very heavens shout forth his glory (Ps. 19:1). He created us to reflect his glory because of our need, not his need. There is no other purpose that would have given us significance. Being created to reflect the glory of the Creator elevates us to a position of potential power in a way that nothing else could do. This power can only be realized when we are resurrected from spiritual death by the grace of Jesus Christ. When God’s glory is our reason for being, we are freed from the entanglements of selfinterest, self-promotion, and self-centeredness. We are freed from the domination of sin and liberated for our primary purpose. Freedom from the rule of sin releases the potential for

lesser role nor a weaker role. Helping is certainly not a passive

which we were created—to reflect the glory

role.

of the Glorious One. Women reflect this glory

Women have been created and equipped to be helpers—to lovingly protect, support, shield, sustain, deliver, comfort, give

by obeying the Master Designer’s plan and offering all of their gifts to serve him.

hope, and bless. To carry out this undergirding, supportive

Not until we have committed ourselves to

ministry, women need spiritual strength and security. They

the objective of God’s glory and attached

do not need confusion about their role. The first step out of

enormous value to that objective are we willing

confusion into strength and security is an understanding of that

to be helpers; giving assistance and support

most basic issue, our reason for being. God has spoken clearly

to others. Unless our attention is riveted on

on this issue: “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from

God’s glory, one of three things happens:

the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isa.

• We begin focusing on the person we are

43:6b-7).

helping and eventually become discouraged

The Christian’s objective should be God’s glory. David came to this conclusion and expressed it beautifully:

with them; • We begin looking at the difficulty of our situation and develop a sense of hopelessness;

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on

• We begin focusing on ourselves and

my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD: let the afflicted hear

eventually self-interest creates a conflict.

and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me: let us exalt his name together. (Ps. 34:3)

We are only freed to serve as helpers when we can look beyond the limitations of those

David was not trying to “find himself.” He was beyond any

we are helping, the frustrations of our personal

confusion about his role or his identity. The theme of his life was

situations, and the selfish desires of our own

God’s glory. The Westminster Divines cut right to the bottom

hearts. Then we can focus on the real issue—

line when they say, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and

God’s glory. Unless our “chief end” is to glorify

to enjoy Him forever” (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q. 1).

God, we quickly lose our capacity as well as

A bright, searching young woman once asked me, “Was it

our desire to be helpers and we disqualify

not egotistical of God to create us for his glory?” This was an

ourselves from being leaders in God’s church.

MOMENTUM // FEBRUARY 2014

A helper-leader must be focused on glorifying

He had to become empty to be exalted.

God.

What delight the Father took in his Son! But God’s love

Another obstacle in the way of our being

letter to us tells us that he also takes delight in and exalts his

absorbed with God’s glory is that women

people. “For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns

often define their identities in terms of their

the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in this honor

roles, abilities, circumstances, or opportunities

and sing for joy on their beds” (Ps. 149:4-5).

in life. The woman who succumbs to this is

It is the believer who has relinquished all claim to self who

as unsteady and fragmented as her identity

is crowned with salvation. It is the believer who rejoices in the

appears to be at any given moment. The result

honor of salvation—not the honor of position—who delights

is tremendous confusion. When our reference

and glorifies the Father. And this believer is no longer confused.

point is the glory of God, and our ultimate

She is ready to focus her concerns on the needs around her.

definition of ourselves is as a child of the

When we come to the place of recognizing that the very

King, then our roles, abilities, circumstances,

purpose of our existence is to glorify God and we yield to his

and opportunities no longer limit us. Rather,

rule in our lives, then we enter the privileged calling of being

they become a means of fulfilling our purpose.

a helper-leader. It is not easy. It is not natural. This discipline

What would be considered a limitation by the

requires supernatural intervention. The Spirit-empowered life

world actually becomes a platform for the

of obedience is nourished as we feed on God’s Word. We must

believer—a platform to display the glory of

be women of the Word—women who think biblically so that we

God.

will act biblically, regardless of the pressures and voices of our

Glorifying God as a helper-leader is no easy

culture.

task. We need great energy, humility, and

Our Heavenly Father tells us that “The wise woman builds

wisdom to keep our attention fastened on

her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears

God’s glory. We must constantly choose to

hers down” (Prov. 14:1). It is a woman of great wisdom who

obey truth rather than listen to the lie of the

abandons herself to God’s glory as the driving force of her life.

enemy. This ongoing battle between God’s

This woman energetically and creatively lives out her reason

glory and my ideas, my agenda, my interest is

for being. She has a powerful, positive influence—a “building”

fierce spiritual warfare. It should be recognized

influence—on those around her. She glorifies God by protecting,

as such.

supporting, shielding, sustaining, delivering, comforting, giving

It is difficult for anyone to deny self and

hope, and blessing those around her. Families, the church, and

give glory to another. This is just not natural.

the world are in desperate need of these women. The Proverbs

Glorifying God means ceasing to glorify self.

31 composite of a noble, wise woman describes a helper-leader

Glorifying God is the essence of humility, and

and then concludes that those affected by her ministry “arise

Jesus gave us the perfect pattern that we are

and call her blessed.”

commanded to follow.

Phoebe, a New Testament woman, must have been just such a helper-leader in her church, for the apostle Paul “arose and

Your attitude should be the same as that of

called her blessed” when he wrote to the church in Rome, “I

Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God,

commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in

did not consider equality with God something

Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy

to be grasped, but made himself nothing,

of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you,

taking the very nature of a servant, being

for she has been a great help to many people, including me”

made in human likeness. And being found in

(Rom. 16:1-2).

appearance as a man, he humbled himself

What a legacy for Christian women!

and became obedient to death—even death

This leadership legacy may seem to be paradoxical. How can

on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the

a helper be called a leader? And how can a leader be a helper?

highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus

Taken from the book Leadership for Women in the Church by Susan Hunt and Peggy Hutcheson.

every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth

and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:5-11)

Christian education that engages your mind, challenges your heart, and transforms the way you live.

Weekend Seminars The Meaning of Marriage Weekend Seminar

February 7th – 8th Fri: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Sat: 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Fellowship Hall, Main Building

Last Day to Sign Up!

The Ministry of Mercy Weekend Seminar

April 25th – 26th Fri: 7:00 – 9:00 PM Sat: 9:00 AM -12:00 PM Fellowship Hall, Main Building

MERCY MINUTE

THE TRULY MERCIFUL CHURCH BY: MARK SUMMERS

art of Mark Suchta’s scripture reading for his sermon on January 26 was Philippians 1:27 which reads in part “…let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” The gospel of Christ is His offer to meet the greatest need of every living person, which is to exchange our

total spiritual bankruptcy for his perfect righteousness so that we can meet God’s clear and unyielding requirement for perfection (Matthew 5:48). At the center of the gospel is mercy – it is out of His great love for and bountiful mercy toward us that Jesus offers this rescue from the eternal punishment we deserve. In this way it is easy to see that mercy is an inseparable part of the gospel, and that there can be no gospel ministry apart from an attitude of mercy backed up by sincere actions. The church at Philippi not only knew this but practiced it to the point that, even though a poor church, they

MERCY UPDATES CHILDREN’S MERCY UPDATE In January, RBC Kids collected $18.18 to help Karise Pagano’s church translate their English curriculum into Italian. Praise God for your faithfulness in helping the kids to remember their money! Our Children’s Mercy Ministry project for February is two-fold: 1) On Feb. 9 the 1st-3rd grade classes will be setting aside a portion of their time to make Valentine’s Day cards for the 50 assisted living residents of The Glen, where their Ambassador, our own Mary Lou Fleming, will be distributing them. The cards will include a Bible verse about God’s love pointing to the gospel, along with the message “Sharing God’s love with you, the children of Redeemer Bible Church. Happy Valentine’s Day.” 2) For February and March our children’s weekly monetary donations will go to our Mercy to the Church fund, distributed by the Deacons, helping our own Redeemer families.

skipped meals in order to send the money they saved to the Jerusalem church that was enduring severe persecution. And yet, Paul still felt it necessary to remind them to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. The work of the church is gospel ministry – therefore mercy ministry is both a hallmark of true gospel ministry as well as an obligation of the local church. But in keeping with the humility and gratitude that are natural reactions to the knowledge that we are recipients of Christ’s pardon for our sins, mercy ministry is not viewed as an obligation but rather as an opportunity. A truly merciful church is not characterized by grudging service to the poor but rather an attitude of eagerly seeking out opportunities to meet the needs of the poor both inside and outside the church, rather than waiting to be asked. In this way the gospel is demonstrated, through the church putting it into action: we realize we are the unmerited recipients of Christ’s love and mercy, and that in turn produces in us a love for and mercy toward the spiritually and materially poor and needy around us. We don’t attach qualifiers such as whether the poor are deserving of our aid because we know we are not deserving of Christ’s aid to us in the form of gospel salvation. We freely open our hearts and hands to demonstrate the gospel in action through our assistance. We view it as something we get to do rather than something we are required to do. The Ministry of Mercy at Redeemer has available opportunities for service right now. If you are interested in volunteering or learning more, ask any deacon or Tammy Hoyt, our Mercy Ministry Administrator. No experience is necessary and training is provided. We can’t promise you’ll be able to permanently alleviate poverty in someone’s life, but we can promise the Lord will use your participation to change you in ways you never thought possible.

//RBC

ANGEL TREE RECAP What an exciting and blessed event for Redeemer Bible Church as many of you participated in the Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree Christmas gift ministry to area children having an incarcerated parent. Redeemer was one of 8,000 churches that participated and had individuals, families and community groups lining up to choose their “Angel” tag, describing the child they’d be buying for. Even more energizing was the sharing of stories that percolated from the results of the faceto-face delivery that occurred for each of the 20 children Redeemer families served through this Angel Tree program (375,000 served overall this year!). In addition to the gifts that were purchased and wrapped, many deliveries included homemade cookies, an extra little something for mom, and heartfelt prayers and sharing of the meaning of Christmas. We tucked in an ageappropriate Gospel booklet for each child and the care giver as well. Thank you to everyone who helped make calls, organize, purchase, wrap, deliver, pray and go; blessings did abound and God was glorified.

FIVE POINTS OF PRAYER FOR OUR VISION

WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3

– David Powlison, from “Pray Beyond the Sick List”

Pray that School of Gospel Formation classes would equip students to proclaim the good news of the love of Jesus to others. Pray that every member would begin engaging in a life on life discipleship relationship.

WEEK 4

Why don’t people pray beyond the sick list? We tend to pray for circumstances to improve so that we might feel better and life might get better. These are often honest and good requests–unless they’re the only requests. Unhinged from the purposes of sanctification and from groaning for the coming King, prayers for circumstances become selfcentered.

Pray that the message of our vision, “The Fruit of the Gospel for the Good of the World,” would permeate our hearts and propel us outward in love.

Pray that God would make what we know about the gospel real to us, so that it changes the way we live and serve.

WEEK 5

PRAY FOR

Pray that a Church Planting Pastor would be hired and the initial Core Group identified by April 1, 2014.

If you are not already attending our weekly prayer meeting on Wednesday nights, consider gathering with us from 7 – 8:30 p.m. for this great time of fellowship, worship and prayer. Sign up for our weekly prayer email! If you are interested in becoming a part of the Strategic Prayer Team, contact Sara Seeland (sara@redeemerbiblechurch.com).

WWW.REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM/SUBSCRIBE

STRATEGIC PRAYER FOCUS

WHAT TO PRAY FOR BY: JOHN PIPER

f you are like me, you find that from time to time your prayer life needs a jolt out of the rut it has fallen into. We tend to use the same phrases over and over. We tend to default to worn out phrases (like the word default). We fall into patterns of mindless repetition. The devil hates prayer. Our own flesh does not naturally love it. Therefore, it does not come full-born and complete and passionate from the womb of our heart. It takes ever renewed discipline. Years ago, when I wrote Let the Nations Be Glad, I argued that prayer is a wartime walkie-talkie, not a domestic intercom. God is more like a general in Command Central than a butler waiting to bring you another pillow in the den. Of course, he is also Father, Lover, Friend, Physician, Shepherd, Helper, King, Savior, Lord, Counselor. But in this fallen “world with devils filled,” prayer will function best when we keep the frequency tuned to Command Central in the fight of faith. So when I wrote that book, I gathered into one place all the things the early church prayed for. I printed this out for myself, and it has proven to be one of those “jolts” that I need. I thought you might find it helpful. You might want to print it out and keep it for a while in your Bible to guide you in your praying. It is a great confidence-builder in prayer to know that you are not quirky in your praying. To pray what the New Testament prays is a safe and powerful way to pray. Prayer remains one of the great and glorious mysteries of the universe—that the all-knowing, all-wise, all-sovereign God should ordain to run his world in response to our prayers is mind-boggling. But that is the uniform witness of Scripture. God hears and answers the prayers of his people. O do not neglect this amazing way of influencing nations and movements and institutions and churches and people’s hearts, especially your own. If you want to pray for what the early church prayed for . . .

• Pray that God would vindicate his people in their cause. And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? (Luke 18:7 rsv)

• Pray that God would exalt his name in the world. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matthew 6:9) Pray that God would extend his kingdom in the world. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

• Pray for the casting out of demons. And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” (Mark 9:29)

• Pray that the gospel would speed ahead and be honored. Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you. (2 Thessalonians 3:1) • Pray for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13; cf. Ephesians 3:19)

• Pray that God would save unbelievers. Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1) • Pray that God would direct the use of the sword. Take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. (Ephesians 6:17-18) • Pray for boldness in proclamation. Praying at all times in the Spirit . . . and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel. (Ephesians 6:18-19) And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness. (Acts 4:29) • Pray for signs and wonders. And now, Lord, . . . grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness . . . while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. (Acts 4:29-30) Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. (James 5:17-18) • Pray for the healing of wounded comrades. Let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. (James 5:14-15) • Pray for the healing of unbelievers. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. (Acts 28:8)

• Pray for miraculous deliverances. So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church . . . When he realized [he had been freed], he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. (Acts 12:5, 12) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake. (Acts 16:25-26) • Pray for the raising of the dead. But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed;

FEBRUARY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM 15

—that the all-knowing, all-wise, all-sovereign God should ordain to run his world in response to our prayers is mind-boggling. and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. (Acts 9:40) • Pray that God would supply his troops with necessities. Give us this day our daily bread. (Matthew 6:11) Pray for strategic wisdom. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5) • Pray that God would establish leadership in the outposts. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (Acts 14:23) • Pray that God would send out reinforcements. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:38) While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:2-3) • Pray for the success of other missionaries. I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints. (Romans 15:30-31) • Pray for unity and harmony in the ranks. I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:2021) • Pray for the encouragement of togetherness. We pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith. (1 Thessalonians 3:10)

MOMENTUM // FEBRUARY 2014

• Pray for a mind of discernment. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. (Philippians 1:9-10) • Pray for a knowledge of his will. And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Colossians 1:9) • Pray to know God better. [We have not ceased to pray for you to be] increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10; cf. Ephesians 1:17) • Pray for power to comprehend the love of Christ. I bow my knees before the Father . . . [that you] may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge. (Ephesians 3:14, 18-19) • Pray for a deeper sense of assured hope. I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers . . . that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. (Ephesians 1:16, 18) • Pray for strength and endurance. [We have not ceased to pray for you to be] strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. (Colossians 1:11; cf. Ephesians 3:16) • Pray deeper sense of his power within them. I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers . . . that you may know . . . what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe. (Ephesians 1:16, 18-19) • Pray that your faith not be destroyed. I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren. (Luke 22:32) But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:36) • Pray for greater faith. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24; cf. Ephesians 3:17) • Pray that you might not fall into temptation. Lead us not into temptation. (Matthew 6:13) Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41) • Pray that God would complete your good resolves. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power. (2 Thessalonians 1:11) Pray that you would do good works. [We have not ceased to pray for you that you] walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work. (Colossians 1:10) • Pray for the forgiveness of your sins. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Matthew 6:12) • Pray for protection from the evil one. Deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:13) By John Piper. ©2013 Desiring God Foundation. Website: desiringGod.org

REDEEMER KIDS

THE TABERNACLE WAS BUILT Instructions: Help the people find the offerings to take to Bezalel and Oholiab for building the tabernacle. Check out Exodus 35:5 to discover which Israelites brought an offering.

EXODUS 20:1-17

6/*5 r 4FTTJPO r 0MEFS ,JET "DUJWJUZ 1BHFT

And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the 1

The Wilderness

Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

ATTENTION PARENTS! • To better connect with your kids on what they are learning in Exodus, check out Pastor Bob’s sermon series on Exodus at redeemerbiblechurch.com. • There are daily activity apps for iPhones and iPads that reinforce what your kids are learning in Sunday school each week. Search “The Gospel Project” on your devices for more information!

FEBRUARY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM

DISCIPLESHIP

LIFE ON LIFE STORIES BY: JARED HOLLERMAN

f things are going to change, you better figure out a way to fix it yourself! Sound familiar? It does to me, because most of the time this is how I operate. I want to fix my problems on my own so that I don’t need anyone else. Although relationships are messy

and difficult, God uses broken people to help and encourage other broken people. In fact, we are so designed to live in community that Tim Layne says, “All of Christian growth in grace is a community project, leading to concrete change that is fueled by an utter dependence upon the grace of Christ at work in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” All of Christian growth in grace is a community project and life on life discipleship is one of the best ways to put yourself in community. My experience with life on life discipleship has been that whether you are the disciplee or discipler, you benefit by being saturated in the gospel, which helps you to understand how it affects every area of your life. When I am encouraging someone in the gospel, I am not only encouraging him, I am simultaneously

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE DISCIPLED

encouraging and reminding myself of those same gospel truths. When I am the one being encouraged or confronted, I am being

WOMEN CONTACT

helped to see my blindness in an area of my life and being reminded

TAMMY HOYT // REPENTANDTRUST@GMAIL.COM

of the gospel truths I am forgetting. Together, as we make much of

MEN CONTACT

Christ and remind each other of all that He is for us, the fruit of the

MARK SUCHTA // MARKSUCHTA@YAHOO.COM

gospel will grow in each of our lives .//RBC

MOMENTUM // FEBRUARY 2014

GOSPEL LIFE BLOG

SILENT DEMANDS

BY: KIM SUCHTA

y husband and I decided long ago that we never wanted to forget how tough it was to raise our naughty, rebellious toddler boys. He encouraged me often, saying that maybe the Lord was allowing us to have such difficult

little boys to humble us so that later in life we could encourage others who also were trudging through those trying toddler years. And what could be more humbling than raising naughty little boys? Well, how about raising a teenage daughter? Recently, I was sitting in a worship service with her. She was going through a tough time. As I looked over at her, she seemed

OTHER GREAT BLOG POSTS FOUND AT: REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM/RESOURCES/BLOG What Christ Did After Christmas // Pastor Warren Watson The One Perfect Gift // Rebecca Peel The Importance of Unity // Pastor Mark Suchta

A DEEP BELLY LAUGH

BY: GAYLE GLENN

kept getting hit in the gut throughout the family series that my husband preached last month. Too often, I have vented my own worry and guilt onto my family: I’m not accepted and neither are you. You can do lots wrong. Do

indifferent to the music. During the sermon, I saw that she was

more. Clean up. Maybe the finished list will give me some sense

nodding off. Of course, at that point I noticed all of the other

of control. It never does. Thus, I look to the creature for rescue

teenagers in the service attentively listening, eyes wide open,

rather than the Creator. Rather than listening to their troubles

some taking notes. I felt fearful, angry, frustrated, guilty, and a

and looking for opportunities to speak grace, I hear myself

little embarrassed. I mean, she is a pastor’s kid after all, right?

say, “I told you so,” and, “things would change if you would do

My silent demands continued towards her as I compared her to

more, be better.” Thus, I speak the law to my family.

the other kids in the room.

As I see my failure in my home life as an idolater and a legalist,

I think I do that more often than I would like to admit—put

I see two options. The first option stinks, but I do it. I defend

silent demands on people. Why couldn’t she just go to bed at

myself when it’s obvious to everyone in the house that I’m

a decent time and act more responsibly? And why were my

sinning. I make excuses, I blame shift, I have a tantrum, or I have

toddler boys in need of so much of my energy and discipline?

a pity party and moan that they would all be better off without

My husband should understand me better. A friend passing by

me. The outcome of this option is that my kids will become

in a hurry at church should have said “Hi.” The list goes on.

adults and angrily realize that their mother is a hypocrite and

Later in the evening after that worship service with my

a moron.

daughter, I went down to her bedroom to talk with her. She

The other option is worth celebrating. I can humble myself,

shared that the Holy Spirit had convicted her of some sin in

admit my wrong, seek their forgiveness, and look to Jesus to

her life through the music we sang that morning. I urged her to

save me from my bad parenting, idolatry, and legalism. Romans

repent and trust that her Father in heaven loves to forgive her.

8:1 shouts to us, “There is therefore now no condemnation for

We ended our conversation in tears and an embrace, and she

those who are in Christ Jesus.” Jesus is the perfect parent in

looked at me and said, “I am such a screw-up.” I said, “I am such

my place! The outcome of this option is deep belly laughing joy.

a screw-up, too! But Jesus came for screw-ups like us.” And we

We can laugh together that we’re all a mess in this family, but

laughed.

Jesus loves and accepts us anyway. I can get over myself and

I think if Jesus had physically walked into the church service

not take myself so seriously. When I’m resting in the gospel that

that morning, he would have chosen to sit next to people like

there’s no condemnation for me, I have the power for change.

my daughter. After all, he came for the sleepy teenagers, the

I can extend a love that frees my children and husband to feel

naughty little boys, the thoughtless husbands, the inconsiderate

confident that no matter what they do or fail to do, I still love

friends, and even the demanding moms.

them and accept them, as if they can do no wrong. Of course,

Lord, forgive me for the silent demands I so easily put on

there are consequences and discipline because love does that,

others. Lower my expectations of them and free up those I love

but they won’t be on the bad list with me. When grace lives

from that burden, since I know how free it feels to have it taken

at our house, we’re each other’s biggest fans, like Packer fans

from me. Help me to remember Jesus is often at work in the

are with their Pack. We can celebrate the slightest positive

people and situations where I least expect Him to be. //RBC

movement, every tiny victory, just as Jesus does with us. //RBC FEBRUARY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM 19

HERE ARE A FEW WAYS TO

Want to learn more about all our ministry opportunities at RBC?

GET INVOLVED ART DEPARTMENT

2 PEOPLE NEEDED

JOB TITLE

DESCRIPTION: prepare and fill all communion trays for Sunday morning services and for Communion Service Sunday nights when needed. HOURS PER WEEK: Once every other month

COPY WRITERS & EDITORS* 3 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Write or edit copy for Redeemer’s website, printed materials, flyers and Momentum. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Source and write copy for various printed and digital needs. 2. Generate headlines and short paragraphs for flyers. 3. Write or edit blog posts for the church website. HOURS PER WEEK: flexible

BUILDINGS & GROUNDS JOB TITLE

MAINTENANCE ADVISING TEAM 5-7 PEOPLE DESCRIPTION: Help care for the maintenance of the church building. Specifically looking for individuals with expertise in one of the following areas: plumbing, electrical, HVAC, general construction, windows/exterior, roofing, landscaping, lawn care, pest elimination, lighting, painting, etc. • For example, if there is a leak in the roof at the church building, church staff would contact the roofing expert on staff for a consultation on what to do; if there is a problem with landscaping, the church would contact the landscaping expert. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Serve as an “oncall” advisor for problems and situations that may arise concerning RBC property and facilities; option to fix problems on own (NOTE: not mandatory; rather, completely up to the church volunteer) or provide guidance to church on what steps they should take. 2. If applicable, schedule quarterly/annual monitoring of each area. HOURS PER WEEK: Minimal (likely 3-5 hours per quarter)

CHURCH LIFE JOB TITLE

COMMUNION SET-UP 20 MOMENTUM // FEBRUARY 2014

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY JOB TITLE

LEAD TEACHER* 3 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Lead Sunday School teacher will prepare the lesson from the curriculum, stay in touch with shepherds on their team, and pray for the kids in class. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Prepare lesson from the provided curriculum, decide how to teach the lesson, use ideas given or Holy Spirit inspired ideas that work with the lesson. 2. Connect with Shepherds to encourage their participation either by email or phone. 3. Follow guidelines set out in the Sunday School Manual. 4. Attend relevant trainings 2 times per year. HOURS PER WEEK: +/- 3 hours JOB TITLE

SUNDAY SCHOOL SHEPHERD DESCRIPTION: Assist lead teacher as needed. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Be prepared to help lead teacher with lesson material. 2. Assist in class control. 3. Assist with crafts and lead small groups. 4. Pray for the children and their families. 5. Attends relevant trainings 2 or more times per year. HOURS PER WEEK: varies JOB TITLE

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHECK-IN/OUT 3 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Responsible for checking in children for Sunday School. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Be prompt to make sure check in sheets and name tags are in place. 2. Cheerfully assist children and parents with check-in process,

CONTACT SARA SEELAND P // 952.935.2425 E // Sara@RedeemerBibleChurch.com

assuring safety. 3. Receive visitors and direct them to resources and information about the Children’s Ministry. 4. Stay for 15 minutes into service, and 5 minutes before worship ends, assisting shepherds in 4-5’s and 1-3 grade rooms to check children out. HOURS PER WEEK: varies JOB TITLE

NURSERY CHILD CAREGIVER 10 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Provide loving care and prayer to our children during Worship Services RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Interact with children in a loving manner. 2. Pray for children. 3. Find a replacement if unable to complete scheduled Sunday. HOURS PER WEEK: +/- 2 hours JOB TITLE

PRESCHOOL ROOM MAINTENANCE 4 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Requires decisive individuals who have an eye for detail and maintaining orderliness, and who can communicate to the CM director when supplies are broken or in need of repair. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. One day during the week, maintain toy cleanliness and re-organize preschool rooms. • Because of increase in contagious illnesses, cleaning toys is important to maintaining the health of the children and families of Redeemer. • We can increase a toy’s longevity if it is well maintained, thus saving costs. 2. Keep an eye on rooms for safety issues. Communicate any needs to CM Director. HOURS PER WEEK: 1-1.5 hours, once per month

MEN’S MINISTRY JOB TITLE

EVENT MEAL PREP 4 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Aid in food preparation for upcoming Men’s Ministry event on March 1st. Looking for basic grilling skills and side dishes made ahead of time. HOURS PER WEEK: +/- 1 hour before and/or during event

MERCY MINISTRY JOB TITLE

FAMILY MENTOR* 4 COUPLES NEEDED DESCRIPTION: We will need couples to work with two-parent families as well as men and women to work with single parent families. RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Serve as mentors/life coaches for families we are working with through our community outreach ministry with ResourceWest (Hopkins-based nonprofit we’ve partnered with). 2. Be in a oneto-one relationship with your assigned family. 3. Share your strengths and talents by modeling healthy and positive family, parenting and relationship behaviors. 4. Work with families as needed to assist them with following a pre-defined plan to achieve economic self-sufficiency over a 6-12 month period. 5. Assist with accessing community resources and other mercy aid as needed. 6. Model Christ’s love and mercy to program families. 7. Communicate with mentee family at least once per week via phone or email and at least once per month in person. 8. Communicate as needed with ResourceWest social worker and Redeemer Deacon team. 9. Financial resources to be provided by Redeemer and ResourceWest. 10. Training provided through ResourceWest Mentor Training and Orientation. QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Willingness to become personally involved in the lives of others 2. Ability to respect all people as sinners equally in need of salvation as you 3. Must pass a background check including criminal check. HOURS PER WEEK: 1. Average 1-2 per week for weekly and monthly interactions. 2. Ability to address needs for friendship and advice as they may arise

WOMEN’S MINISTRY JOB TITLE

MINISTRY RETREAT VOLUNTEERS 15 PEOPLE NEEDED DESCRIPTION: Volunteers to help coordinate the annual retreat and aid in specific areas as they arise. HOURS PER WEEK: Varies

MISSIONARY UPDATE

MARTY & SELENA PAGANO

he Pagano family is one of many

kids. Each weekend kids

groups of missionaries working

attend the club for a few

in different parts of Asia among

hours and learn English.

the largest unreached group of

While they are learning

Muslims in the world. There are

English, team members

approximately four known churches among this

talk

people group, but three would look more like a

and get to know them.

Bible study or small group getting together with

The goal is to develop

fewer than 20 people in regular attendance. In the

friendships

part of Asia where the Paganos are serving, there

parents

is a small town church of believers with about

so that they can invite

150 people in attendance. Most of the believers

families into their homes

there are young in their faith and are craving

for a meal.

their

parents

among

and

the

children

discipleship. This church is a contextualized church, so it has taken on a reasonable amount

YOU CAN PRAY FOR

of the unreached group’s culture but has done so

THE PAGANOS IN MANY

without giving up the gospel or the fundamentals

WAYS, BUT THEY HAVE

of the faith. They are careful not to contextualize

A FEW PRIMARY NEEDS:

to the point of syncretization, combining the

1. Pray for their children

beliefs of the country’s religion with Christianity.

to continue to adjust to

The Pagano family is not directly involved with the

the Chinese culture and

church because having a “white face” there could

learn the language.

cause long term issues for the church; therefore,

2. Pray for financial

their strategy to disciple and help the church is

provision

through indirect involvement. To this extent, they

team. (Every year China

have helped develop and source curriculum for

others to hold classes for discipleship.

expensive—milk

Serving on the team with the Paganos are three other families, all of whom live a few blocks from the community of people they are trying to

for

their

becoming

more is

$9/

gallon and gas is $6/ gallon.) 3. Pray for relationships

MISC

reach with the gospel. This community has about

80,000 people with no known Christians. The

unreached people group,

We need one person to pick up the coffee hour donuts each week. They must be picked up from the Cub off of Hwy 7 and Cty Rd 101 where they are packed and ready to go. They must be delivered to the RBC kitchen before the 9 a.m. service.

goal is to plant a church in or near the community

and that God will grant

and so the team has begun Phase 1 of church

them favor within the

planting. This involves establishing a presence in

community.

(*) = MUST BE A MEMBER TO APPLY.

the other options by starting an English club for

built

with

the

the community through either meeting a need,

4. Pray for team unity

starting a business, or living there. Since it’s not

and for excellent time

possible to live there, the team is doing both of

management.

//RBC

FEBRUARY 2014 \\ MOMENTUM

FINANCE REPORT:

TENSION IN GROWTH BY: PASTOR PAUL BURR

JANUARY 2014 - YTD

tarting a new year can be full of promise, but also anxiety. Looking forward with anticipation can also

BY THE NUMBERS

bring about worry and uncertainty. That is the daily tension in which

I live. Jesus Christ is the chief shepherd of RBC and He has called me to be one of stewards of the

GENERAL GIVING FUND

operations and finances of our body. In our desire to step out in faith to plant a church in Shakopee this year, the leadership established some financial markers to guide us in this decision. To date, we have fallen short of these guide posts,

OPERATING EXPENSES | $ 358,708 GIVING | $ 312,053 FORECAST | $ 349,238

BASE FORECAST

hence I would ask you to continue in prayer, pray

EXPENSES

even more fervently, for our vision for the fruit

GIVING

of the gospel for the good of the world. We are excited to see how God is using RBC to share the gospel and we desire to expand our ministry to other communities, and seek His will on the timing and provisions. We all live with the tension that can accompany stepping out in faith, whether it is giving, evangelism, parenting, whatever. I would ask you

EXPANDING OUR GOSPEL VISION

to fully devote yourself to Jesus for the glory of His name and all that He has planned for RBC. To paraphrase something said of D.L. Moody, “The world has yet to see what God will do with a church fully consecrated to him.”

EXTRA COMMITMENTS | $ 41,427 // 1.9 % AWAITING | $ 213,519 // 9.8 % RECEIVED | $ 1,965,481 // 90.2 %

9.8 %

I would love to expand on this with you personally on any part of this exciting and challenging step; please contact me at paulburr@ redeemerbiblechurch.com. .//RBC

MOMENTUM // FEBRUARY 2014

90.2 %

SUN

MON

FEBRUARY 2 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM

9 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM NEWCOMERS LUNCH 1:00 - 2:30 PM | Glenn’s Home THE LORD’S TABLE | 6:00 PM

16 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM (Including the Lord’s Table) REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM

23 GATHERED WORSHIP | 9 & 11 AM REDEMPTION | Youth SS 9 AM

DATES TO REMEMBER 4 GATHERED PRAYER & REDEMPTION | 7 PM MUSIC MAKERS | 7 - 8:30 PM

WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 7 PM - 8:30 PM

SGF - THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE SEMINAR | 7 PM - 9 PM // 9 AM - 12 PM

SAT

WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 7 PM - 8:30 PM

FRI

GATHERED PRAYER & REDEMPTION | 7 PM

THU

WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

WOMEN’S THIRD THURSDAY 7 PM - 8:30 PM

WED

GATHERED PRAYER & REDEMPTION | 7 PM MUSIC MAKERS | 7 - 8:30 PM

TUE

WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 7 PM - 8:30 PM

GATHERED PRAYER & REDEMPTION | 7 PM

MEN’S BREAKFAST 8 AM - 10:30 AM

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER TRAINING 9 AM - 11 AM

WOMEN’S BOOK STUDY 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

A:: 16205 HIGHWAY 7 | MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA 55345 P:: 952.935.2425 E:: INFO@REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM W:: REDEEMERBIBLECHURCH.COM

FEATURED EVENTS Wednesday FEB 5TH & 19TH

Thursday FEBUARY 7-8TH

Tues. & Thurs. FEBUARY

Sunday MARCH 2ND

KIDS CHOIR

SGF - THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE SEMINAR

WOMEN’S BOOK STUDIES

NEWCOMERS LUNCH

Tuesday mornings (9:30-

1 - 2:30 PM | Glenn’s Home

11 a.m.) and Thursdays

If you would like to attend

evenings (7-8:30 p.m.) in

the next Newcomer’s Lunch,

February | Fellowship Hall

please RSVP to Laurie

Please join us for our

Summers at lsummers@

weekly women’s book

redeemerbiblechurch.com or

study. Our plan is to work

952.935.2425.

7-8:30 PM | RM Kid’s Choir is back on for February 5th and 19th with 2 age groups! 4-7 years old at 7 pm, and 8-12 years old at 7:45. This spring session will run through early May. Registration available the first 2 weeks of class.

FRI 7 PM & SAT 9 AM | Fellowship Hall // Using Timothy Keller’s book of the same title as its manual, this course will help both married and single people get clear on both the nature of marriage and its practical implications for the Christian life. Questions & to Register: Laurie Summers at lsummers@ redeemerbiblechurch.com

through Gospel Identity, a discipleship curriculum, and break out into the same groups each week. Questions: Debbie Hansen at djhansen50@comcast.net