Momentum | October 2013 by Redeemer Bible Church

ISSUE 10 // OCTOBER 2013

Giants,

Dragons & Books BY: DOUG WILSON

Today at Redeemer STATE OF THE CHURCH ADDRESS TONIGHT AT 7 PM

SGF-402: PARENTING CHILDREN (BIRTH-GRADE 6)

FRIDAY & SATURDAY OCTOBER 11 - 12 FRI: 7 - 9 PM SAT: 9 AM - 12 PM TONIGHT AT 5 PM

WANT TO GET PLUGGED INTO A COMMUNITY GROUP? CONTACT OUR NEW COMMUNITY GROUP COORDINATOR!

Katie Hollermann

E-MAIL: katie@redeemerbiblechurch.com

October 6th, 2013

GIANTS, DRAGONS AND BOOKS

Giant-killing is a motif throughout Scripture. In addition to the battles over Canaan, we should note how the war continues through to the end of the Bible. We all know the story of David and Goliath—but it must also be seen as part of a larger, ongoing war on giants (2 Sam. 21:19-22). In the New Testament, Christ bound the strong man: what we find in the life and death of Jesus Christ is not an example of a godly giant fighting a puny devil. Rather, Christ became one of us, and as a son of David, He bound and defeated the Goliath of that age (Lk. 11:21-22). - DOUG WILSON

CREDITS Design/Direction: Chuck Forsberg Content Manager: Lorie Schnell Writer: Brittney Westin Copy Editor: Anne Lynn

VISION UPDATE 4 | “You did not choose

Q & A // MEN’S MINISTRY 6 | Meet Pastor Mark Suchta

me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.”

and learn more about what the Men’s Ministry is for at Redeemer.

LIFE ON LIFE DISCIPLESHIP 12 | Want to know what

BIBLICAL COUNSELING 14 | Warren Watson talks

life on life discipleship is really like? Here are some experiences from readers like you.

about the Deep Haven Counseling Center in this Q & A.

MISSIONS UPDATE 18 | Karise Pagano is

KIDS CORNER 19 | Hey kids! Here is a

keeping us up to date with her ministry in Sicily.

VOLUNTEER // GET INVOLVED 21 | Redeemer needs your help! There are many volunteer positions available.

whole page just for you. This month you can color away to your heart’s content.

FINANCIAL UPDATE 22 | How is our church doing financially? Get a year to date snapshot here.

vision update

THE FRUIT OF THE GOSPEL FOR THE GOOD OF THE WORLD

BY: PASTOR R W GLENN

n John 15:16, Jesus promises his disciples missionary fruitfulness: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.” And in Galatians 5:23, the Apostle

Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit that will manifest itself in the life of every believer: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” So, when we talk about the fruit of the gospel, we’re talking about missionary fruit, and the fruit of a transformed life. This is our dream. Like a good farmer, we want to taste the fruit of our labors in the gospel. We want to see people come to understand the grace of God and walk in step with the gospel. But we don’t want this to happen simply for ourselves – for the good of the Christian church. We want to be fruitful for the sake of human

MOMENTUM // SEPTEMBER 2013

flourishing, for the good of all the peoples of the world. The church

Think tanks springing up to explore how to

is the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

engage in various vocations for the common

Now it’s one thing to describe the concept of the fruit of the

good? More retirees seeing their retirement as

gospel for the good of the world; it’s another to depict it. What

an opportunity to make a difference in others’

would it look like, for example, for us to begin to taste that fruit

lives? More men and women seeing character

beginning here in the Twin Cities metro?

as an essential component of real beauty?

Can you picture strong marriages and families increasing? Healthy

Unity and cooperation between Christian

sexual relationships becoming more and more the norm? More men

churches increasing? More and more churches

exercising loving leadership in the home that is so attractive that

and

women embrace it as well? Corruption and greed decreasing in the

powerfully the gospel of grace, and replacing

public and private sectors? More people taking responsibility for the

legalism,

poor? Depressed neighborhoods being rebuilt through cooperative

postmodernism, and cults?

efforts of development? More and more people seeing their work as a calling from God given to them to increase the good of others?

individuals

proclaiming

moralism,

clearly

theological

and

liberalism,

This is the fruit of the gospel for the good of the world. //RBC

and know and believe that our righteousness is only in Christ. We will welcome other men to

q & a with

speak truth into our lives because we’ll want

MEN’S MINISTRY

MINISTRY DIRECTOR: PASTOR MARK SUCHTA

gospel change; we’ll want to be more like Jesus. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT PROCESS IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT FOR MEN? I think a lot of it just has to do with the way we’re wired. Men don’t talk about their feelings as much as women, but it’s been my experience that as a man starts to grow in his understanding of the gospel, he almost always feels the freedom to talk about his feelings more. I think one of the reasons men don’t like to talk about their feelings is because of pride. Men, like women, really tend to put their Mark Suchta

righteousness in doing well, in their work, in their vocation, in a whole host of things. Our culture has discouraged men from talking about their feelings; it’s just not very culturally accepted in our western culture. SO HOW DOES THE MEN’S MINISTRY SEEK TO ENCOURAGE MEN TO FIND THEIR IDENTITY IN CHRIST RATHER THAN

INTERVIEWED BY: BRITTNEY WESTIN

THROUGH THEIR VOCATION, TITLE, OR STATUS? One of the primary ways we’re doing that

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE A MINISTRY SPECIFICALLY

now is with the men who are involved in

DESIGNED FOR MEN?

discipleship. They’re going through the Gospel

It’s important because men have areas of struggle that are

Transformation series, and the first book is

specific to men, and a man can obviously relate much better to

actually titled Gospel Identity. The whole book

another man than he can to a woman who isn’t his spouse. It’s

is focused on putting your identity in who

also good to have a men’s ministry because we see it as another

you are in Christ and letting go and walking

tool to shepherd one another, and to get men to the love of

away from the false identities that we all tend

Christ. This is done primarily through reading the Scriptures,

to want to hold on to, whether that’s our

and seeing how those Scriptures apply to each other’s lives,

vocations, physical fitness, or even ministries

as well as through establishing deep, trusting relationships

within the church.

over time so that men have somebody they can confide in. If a man has spent time building a relationship, and the trust has

WHAT ELSE DOES THE MEN’S MINISTRY

been established, he now has another man he can confide in

DO TO ENCOURAGE GROWTH AMONG THE

about his sin struggles. And, because the relationship has been

MEN OF REDEEMER?

established, there’s a trust deposit in that man’s life where they can now speak truth to each other.

MOMENTUM // SEPTEMBER 2013

We have the annual men’s retreat every fall, and our goal is to have some type of men’s ministry event once a quarter. So it may be

HOW IS THAT TRUST DEPOSIT BUILT SO THAT MEN TRULY

the retreat in the fall followed by a possible

CAN BE OPEN AND HONEST WITH ONE ANOTHER ABOUT

bonfire in the winter, and then probably men’s

THEIR STRUGGLES?

breakfasts the other two quarters. We want

I think that can only happen as a man spends time with a

to do these things because at all our events,

person he trusts and lets that trust be established. Then the

the gospel is preached, and it’s another way

Holy Spirit needs to soften that person to be vulnerable, to help

that we can bring the gospel to the men

him let go of his righteousness, because as we trust the gospel

of Redeemer. We plan our events to build

and the righteousness of Christ more, we’re going to loosen the

relationships among the men of Redeemer,

grips of our own idols. In other words, the Holy Spirit will soften

as well as provide an opportunity for men to

our hearts to allow other men to speak truth to us. And we’ll

bring unbelievers so they can hear the gospel.

actually want that. As we trust the gospel more, we will see

We also just want to enjoy God’s creation and

have fun.

to have structured teaching time. But I don’t think scripture

YOU MENTIONED THAT SOME MEN ARE

teaches that. In Deuteronomy 11:19, it says to teach your children

INVOLVED IN DISCIPLESHIP WITH ONE

in the ways of the Lord, when they’re walking, and when they’re

ANOTHER. HOW DOES THAT WORK WITHIN

rising up. So it’s basically about speaking gospel truth to them

THE MEN’S MINISTRY?

throughout their daily lives. It’s less about, “Okay, this is our

There’s no clear answer to how men are

fifteen minutes of family worship.”

paired for discipleship. It really depends on the personality of the men getting together.

SO WHAT DOES FAMILY WORSHIP LOOK LIKE IN YOUR

At times, there may be a very weak brother

HOME?

and wisdom would say he needs a strong

For us, family worship is very difficult. We have five kids, it’s

brother to come alongside him, to help him,

often messy, and it usually ends in me getting frustrated. There’s

to encourage him, and to speak truth to him.

been a lot of trial and error with different things that we have

Other times two people may be fairly equal in

tried. One of the ways I lead my family is to encourage Kim, and

their understanding and growth of the gospel,

for both of us to be getting to the love of Christ. And then what

and they have a strong friendship and want

we have found is that the kids actually respond better when

to hold each other accountable. And since

Kim does the family teaching in the morning before the kids go

they have a strong friendship that has already

to school. And I’m overseeing that. At times, I will fill in, but my

been established, it works well for them to

teaching of the children is more seen in the daily conversations

disciple one another, because they each have

I have with the kids. One thing I think we have to remember is

permission to speak truth to the other. So

that, because of the fall, every fiber of our being wants to run

the discipleship just flows very naturally for

to the law for relief. So when we hear, “Oh, this family has family

those people. There could be a whole host of

worship every day at the dinner table and it’s always swell,” we

reasons, a broad spectrum, as to whom we

start to get anxious because, left to ourselves, we want to cling

put together and why. Eventually, we want

to the law for our rest instead of clinging to the perfect work of

the ethos of Redeemer to be where it’s not

Christ. And the anxiousness comes because we’re not meeting

necessarily the Men’s Ministry’s job to connect

the standard that we’ve set for ourselves, instead of trusting

men and get them together for discipleship,

that Christ fulfilled the standard perfectly for us. One thing I

it’s just something that naturally happens.

ask myself very plainly is whether or not I’m talking about the

We want Redeemer to reach the point where

gospel with my kids. Are my kids used to hearing the gospel

discipleship is something that everybody

come from my mouth? If so, then I’m doing my job well. If they

is doing—where it’s less structured by our

look at me like I have lobsters coming out of my ears if I bring up

ministries and just naturally happening. We

the gospel, then I’m probably not doing a good job of sharing

want everybody to come to the understanding

the gospel with them and bringing it into their everyday life and

of the corporate command that Jesus gives in

situations. But when they’re having troubles or going through

Matthew 28, “Go, therefore, and make disciples

a time of discouragement or even encouragement, and I start

of all men…” We want everybody to have the

speaking the gospel to that situation, and that’s totally normal

missional mindset of always being discipled

for them, then I think I’m doing my job.

and discipling others. WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU HAVE SEEN THE LORD USING WHAT SHOULD BIBLICAL LEADERSHIP IN

THE MEN’S MINISTRY TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF THE MEN

THE HOME LOOK LIKE FOR A MAN?

IN OUR CHURCH BODY? The Men’s Ministry has only officially been going on for a year, but in that short amount of time, the one big fruit that we

as simple as that. If you are not repenting and

are seeing is that men are establishing good, deep relationships

believing the gospel, you can’t lead others to

with other Christian men and sharing their lives with them. It’s a

repent and believe the gospel. So, if a man

huge praise that men are growing in their love and knowledge

wants to lead his house well, the first thing he

of the gospel through the discipleship program as they build

needs to understand is that he needs to be the

relationships with other men.

very first in his house to do that. And in doing so, it will give him the boldness, humility, and joy to lead his family to do the same. Then he needs to be encouraging his wife in the gospel, loving her, speaking truth to her, just having a healthy marital relationship. But it’s also unique within every family. I think that sometimes women believe that in order for a man to be leading his house well, he needs

//RBC

7 MOMENTUM // SEPTEMBER 2013

A Christian leader is a person who is the first to repent and believe the gospel. It’s really just

Giants,

Dragons &

Books BY: DOUG WILSON

n C.S. Lewis’s The Voyage of the Dawn

about the kind of war we are in down through

Treader, we are given a good example

the ages.

of a boy who was brought up poorly.

We fell into sin as a race because we were

Eustace Scrubb had stumbled into the

beguiled by a dragon (Gen. 3:1). God promised

dragon’s lair, but he did not know what kind

to send a warrior who would crush the seed of

of place it was. “Most of us know what we

that serpent (Gen. 3:15), and He has done this

should expect to find in a dragon’s lair, but, as

in Jesus Christ. In sum, the gospel is the story

I said before, Eustace had read only the wrong

of a dragon-fight. The serpent of Genesis is

books. They had a lot to say about exports

the dragon of Revelation (Rev. 20:2), and we

and imports and governments and drains, but

are called to rejoice that the dragon has been

they were weak on dragons.”

slain. In contrast, we have reduced the gospel

It is a standing rebuke for us that there are

to four basic steps toward personal happiness,

many Christians who have an open sympathy

and we are much farther from the truth than

for the “true” books which Eustace read—full

our fathers were when they told their glorious

of true facts about governments and drains

stories. This is another way of saying that

and exports—and who are suspicious of great

dragon-lore is truer than therapy-speak.

works of imagination, like the Narnia stories,

The Bible refers repeatedly to the reality of

or The Lord of the Rings, or Treasure Island,

dragons and winged serpents and indicates

because they are “fictional,” and therefore

that the devil is one of their number. Modern

suspecting of lying. The Bible requires us to

translators are embarrassed by all of this

be truthful above all things, they tell us, and

and try to get by with renderings like jackel

so we should not tell our sons about dragon-

or crocodile. They have not gone so far as to

fighting. Our sons need to be strong on

translate the words for dragon as export or

drains and weak on dragons. The irony here

drain, but they would if they could. The bronze

is that the Bible, the source of all truth, says

serpent lifted up in the wilderness was a seraph

a lot about dragons and giants, and very little

and prefigured the final and complete defeat

about drains and exports.

of Satan, that evil dragon. Our God is a great

Like Eustace in the dragon lair, we do not recognize

our

surroundings

because

warrior, and He fights dragons. He calls us to

imitate Him in this, and we cannot imitate Him

have been reading the wrong kind of books,

in this without stories of that imitation, which

and this in turn causes us to read the Bible

fire the imagination.

in the wrong way. And then, when the time

Thou didst divide the sea by thy strength:

comes to educate our sons, we stuff their

thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the

heads

imagination-

waters. Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in

killing factoids. But if our sons are to be

with

soul-deadening,

pieces, and gavest him to meat to the people

prepared for the world God made, then their

inhabiting the wilderness. (Ps. 74:13-14).

imaginations must be fed and nourished with

We see the same kind of thing with giants.

tales about the Red Cross Knight, Jim in the

Ambrose Bierce once gave a wonderful

apple barrel, Sam Gamgee carrying Frodo up

definition of mythology, which we as moderns

the mountain, Beowulf tearing off Grendel’s

need to take to heart. He said that mythology

arm, and Trumpkin fighting for Aslan while

was the “body of a primitive people’s beliefs

still not believing in him. This type of story

concerning its origins, early history, heroes,

is not allowed in Scripture; this type of story

deities and so forth, as distinguished from the

is required by Scripture. The Bible cannot be

true accounts which it invents later.”

read rightly without creating a deep impulse

With this firmly in mind, the following terms

to tell stories which carry the scriptural truth

are translated from the Hebrew Old Testament

as gigantes (giants) in the Septuagint (and

the giants. His bed was enormous—king size—

occasionally as titanes, or titans). First are

but much more was involved than honor. His

the Nephilim; the Nephilim proper were the

bed was about thirteen and a half feet by six

offspring of the sons of God and daughters

feet.

of men (Gen. 6:1-4). There were giants in

It is remarkable how often these two

the earth then. The Bible also refers to the

defeated kings come up in Scripture. It happens

Rephaim: these were among the original

throughout Deuteronomy (Deut. 1:4; cf. 4:46-

inhabitants of Canaan (Gen. 15:20). They were

47; 29:7; 31:4). Centuries later, under the reign

likely descendants of the certain Repha (I Chr.

of Solomon, one of the king’s officials named

20:4-8). They were also huge. Then we read

Geber is identified as governing the land

about the Anakim, who are said to have their

which Sihon and Og used to have (I Kgs. 4:19).

descent from the Nephilim (Num. 13:33). The

In the psalms, the psalter of Israel perpetuated

word gibborim can be rendered as “mighty

the memory of these great battles (Ps. 135:5-

men,” among whom Nimrod was numbered.

12). The next psalm does the same (Ps. 136:18-

Remember also that the Amorites were also

21). And those Christians who sing the psalms

giants (Amos 2:9-10). All these terms are used

are still singing about it and will do so until

commonly together. In short, Canaan was a

the end of the world. After their return from

war of giant-killing, and a type of the giant-

exile, in a great confession of sin, the people

killing gospel.

recall God’s previous kindness in this regard

Giant-killing is a motif throughout Scripture. In addition to the battles over Canaan, we

(Neh. 9:22). But what they remembered, many modern Christians want to forget.

should note how the war continues through to

When Christians show themselves willing

the end of the Bible. We all know the story of

to lose the modern blinders, which restrict

David and Goliath—but it must also be seen as

our reading of the text, we will come to see

part of a larger, ongoing war on giants (2 Sam.

the Bible as a fantastic book, with all the

21:19-22). In the New Testament, Christ bound

connotations of that word involved. There are

the strong man: what we find in the life and

many odd places beyond the few cited here

death of Jesus Christ is not an example of a

in this discussion and many strange things

godly giant fighting a puny devil. Rather, Christ

beyond the giants and dragons. And once

became one of us, and as a son of David, He

this happens, we will come to see the duty of

bound and defeated the Goliath of that age

training our sons to think this way through the

(Lk. 11:21-22). In this passage from Luke, Christ

other books they read.

takes all the strong man’s armor (his panoply) and divides the spoil.

With this said, let’s turn to a few particular suggestions. As we do, we will perhaps be

The Christian faith is a religion of world

accused of recommending escapist literature.

conquest. Are the giants, which confront us,

This is quite right: we should want our sons

big enough to qualify as giants? And have we

to escape from all arrogant Enlightenment

taught our sons what they are supposed to do

conceits. Left alone, they will grow up in a

when they grow up? Part of fulfilling the Great

modernist dungeon, well-lit with pale green

Commission involves climbing the beanstalk.

florescent light. If someone comes along

When Israel fought in the Transjordan, the

and hands them a key that will get them

land that would be inherited by Reuben, Gad,

out, someone will warn them, in dire tones.

and the half tribe of Manasseh, they destroyed

“Careful. Keys are escapist.”

both Sihon and Og, the latter of which was

And I do not see how I can finish this chapter

certainly a giant. Lest we forget, Scripture

without being autobiographical. I grew up

reminds us that Og was part of a remnant of

in Narnia and Archenland and as a boy,

considered myself as much an Archenlander

carping envy, was made obnoxious, the way

as an American. All my sympathies and

it ought to be. The White Witch came upon

sentiments were there, and I still cannot read

an extravagant feast at Christmas, with all

about Shasta’s run toward his unknown home

sorts of waste and conspicuous consumption.

without being affected by it. It does no good

“What is the meaning of all this gluttony, this

to tell me that Narnia does not actually exist,

waste, this self-indulgence?” She then turned

because Puddleglum speaks for me here. He

the partyers to stone and went on her evil,

would rather live as a free Narnian, even if

self-righteous way. We see the White Witch,

there is no Narnia, than to acquiesce in the

Judas Iscariot, and federal bureaucrats have a

belief that a dank cave was all there was to

good deal in common—concern for the poor

the world. This was deep loyalty, loyalty in

sincerely expressed by those who keep the

the bones, not neo-orthodoxy. A boy could

money bag.

do far worse than have an allegiance to a

Hatred of tyranny in the petty prohibitionisms

nonexistent king. He might grow up, as kids

came the same way. Sam Gamgee comes

today do, without any loyalties at all. This was

back to the Shire very different from the thick-

not frivolous daydreaming; it was hardheaded

fingered peasant that he was when he left. He

realism, and by leading me into these books

came back to all kinds of progress, including

my father equipped me for things as they

industry, zoning changes, and a higher level

really are in this world.

of health consciousness. “‘All right, all right,’

I did not get to Middle Earth until high

said Sam. ‘That’s quite enough. I don’t want to

school, but I saw to it that my children were

hear no more. No welcome, no beer, no smoke,

introduced to The Lord of the Rings much

and lots of rules and orc-talk instead.’” There

earlier than I had been. I would read to the

are some deep lessons for us here—no beer,

family in the evening, and it was frequently

no smoke, and surgeon-generals all over the

the case that I was not permitted to stop and

place. Saruman was apparently confirmed by

had to read for three or four hours at a stretch.

our Senate.

The first time I read through the trilogy to the

In this kind of literature, nobility was stirred

kids my son was two-years-old, and he sat and

up in the small things and was exalted in the

listened quite patiently. We were not sure how

great things. When the time came for great

much he was getting, but during the battle

deeds, whether the enemy was Smaug, or

scenes, his cheeks would get hot.

Sauron, or the Witch, or Long John Silver, or

Virtues were made lovely to me through

the dragon that St. George killed, these stories

these stories. Trumpkin did not believe Aslan,

were ready to do what Scripture commands

but volunteered to go on a mission that made

us to do. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things

sense only if Aslan existed. He went because

are

he knew the difference between giving advice

whatsoever

and taking orders. “You’ve had my advice,

things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,

and now it’s the time for orders.” And I have

whatsoever things are of good report; if there

known what true faithfulness and loyalty were

be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think

since then. Too often Christian parents simply

on these things” (Phil. 4:8).

true,

whatsoever things

things

are

just,

are

honest,

whatsoever

seek to make the rightness of virtue apparent

Christians are a race of dragon-fighters. Our

to their sons. But that is the easy part. The

sons are born to this. Someone ought to tell

difficulty lies in making virtue altogether

them.

lovely, which is what happens in the right kind of story. Egalitarianism,

the

political

name

for

“Giants, Dragons, and Books” is reproduced by permission of Canon Press from the book Future Men: Raising Boys to Fight Giants. Visitwww.canonpress.com for more information.

life on life

DISCIPLESHIP GETTING OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE

BY: RANDY HOESE I heard about the new discipleship program when it was announced at RBC’s Men’s Retreat last fall. I signed up right away because I knew deep down that this was exactly what I needed. And wanted. Not long after that, I was assigned to meet with two other guys that I didn’t know at all. I was slightly apprehensive but more excited to see what God had for me in this program. It’s never easy to get outside your comfort zone but it’s always worth it when it involves seeking God. From the first meeting with these guys, I quickly became comfortable. Week after week, we discussed many of the deeper things in life, as well as day to day practical issues. There were many times that something was said by one of the guys that struck me as profound and helped to get me “unstuck” in my thinking. I love those light bulb moments! I would certainly recommend this discipleship program to guys who want to go deeper in their understanding of faith and find practical answers to the problems they’re facing. I believe that the gospel changes everything, but sometimes I don’t always know how to apply the gospel to certain circumstances or issues. God met me right where I was many times through this program, and I know God spoke to me through these guys. We always began and closed each meeting with a prayer. It’s a wonderful thing to pray with fellow believers…especially men. It’s powerful when a godly man speaks to our Lord. And you can quickly develop such a deep connection with other believers when you pray together.

MOMENTUM // SEPTEMBER 2013

Each week I would always drive away from our short meeting feeling energized, more convinced of God’s love for me, and more able to believe the magnificent gospel! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE DISCIPLED: WOMEN CONTACT REBECCA: REBECCA.PEEL1044@GMAIL.COM MEN CONTACT MARK: MARKSUCHTA@YAHOO.COM

WANT TO SHARE?

Have you been blessed by being in a discipleship relationship? Do you have a story of how the gospel has changed your life because of this connection? If so, we need to hear from you! Each month Momentum will be highlighting a life-on-life testimony from someone whose life has been impacted for the gospel by another. If you are interested in sharing your experience with the greater RBC family, please email Lorie Schnell at lorie@redeemerbiblechurch.com.

MEN’S RETREAT OCTOBER 25 - 26TH

SPEAKER: PASTOR R W GLENN COST: $ 25.00 CONTACT: KEVIN.CAMPBELL@GMAIL.COM SIGN UP AT: http://goo.gl/HkXHFU LOCATION: NEAR ZUMBRO FALLS, MN

deep haven counseling center

BIBLICAL COUNSELING BY: PASTOR WARREN WATSON

MOMENTUM // SEPTEMBER 2013

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE A BIT APPREHENSIVE ABOUT OR UNCOMFORTABLE WITH COUNSELING? This isn’t unusual of course. While our culture is increasingly comfortable with counseling, there still is a stigma. However, it is significantly lower than it was when I began many years ago. If you believe that, while uncomfortable, counseling might be a help to you, I encourage you to try it. Many people are surprised when they come to my office, from the aesthetics, to the process. My office looks like a family’s den with comfortable furniture, warm lighting and nice art. Many people comment that it is as nice as or nicer than their home, and are surprised it’s not a more sterile or ‘clinical’ setting. The process is not much more uncomfortable. I’ve been counseling since 1978 so I’m pretty adept at helping even the most uncomfortable person come in and relax. The first task that I’m supposed to do is help evaluate if counseling is even needed. There is nothing binding in the process, and the person sitting across from me should believe they are in control at all times, knowing that if this just isn’t something for them, they don’t have to be there. However, my experience is that once folks come in and find that it’s basically a warm and helpful environment, they have no difficulties beyond that. Finally, especially for folks looking for biblical counseling, the entire process is wrapped in prayer and the Bible. We start and end the session with prayer, and whether or not the Bible is specifically opened, it is often quoted,

specifically and in general, and always in terms of its guiding principles. AT WHAT POINT DO YOU THINK A PERSON OR COUPLE SHOULD SEEK COUNSELING? The point at which most people come in is when they find themselves stuck in unhelpful thoughts or behaviors, or they are suffering from something that keeps them from living life the way they used to or know they should like depression, anxiety, obsessive thoughts or behaviors and so on. Many couples come in when they find that they have said the same thing, or done the same thing over and over, and things between them get worse, not better. And no matter how hard they try, enmity and strife versus peace and joy are the result. Or, a person may have ongoing sinful habits or patterns that they just can’t seem to overcome. Of course, many come in when the wheels have fallen off in life and they are deeply hurting. Some of the situations that we have dealt with at Deephaven are spousal affairs, death of a loved one, debilitating anxiety or obsessive behaviors, childhood trauma and abuse, alcoholism, and abandonment by birth or adoptive parents, etc. HOW DO YOU DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN BEING A PASTOR AT REDEEMER AND BEING A PROFESSIONAL, LICENSED COUNSELOR WITH THE REDEEMERITES YOU ARE COUNSELING? This is the hardest question as there is so much overlap between the two. But I think

billing purposes only. Sometimes, people just know that their condition falls into criteria that deep, and they seek help. WHAT IS A TYPICAL VISIT AT DEEPHAVEN LIKE? For the first session, each person comes in with forms he or she has downloaded from the DHCC website. After reviewing the forms, I explain the process and it’s hoped for outcomes and limitations. We begin with prayer, and then I get a lot of background information. We talk about the problem(s) bringing the person in, how they are managing in the world (symptoms). We look at history, losses, current and past relationships, medical issues, medications, work and home life, and so on. By time that first session is completed I usually know if, 1. Counseling is a good idea or another way of dealing with the problem(s) would be better, 2. If there is qualifying diagnosis for insurance purposes, and 3. If I believe I can help the person. Assuming we go ahead with the next session, I often create a ‘counseling plan’ which identifies hoped for outcomes (that the person has helped me define), and have the counselee sign off on it. We try to be clear as to what the target is that we are trying to hit so that change will be easier to define and achieve. Subsequent meetings are a combination of what the counselee brings in, and what I believe needs to be addressed. I write a note after each session and read it before the next, so I have a ‘string of thought’ that keeps me accountable to that specific person’s life, so they know I am serious about caring for and helping them. WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR DEEPHAVEN? Our vision statement

is:

Deephaven Counseling Center will be a counseling center known for its deep biblical roots, adherence and reliance on the gospel that shares the Word though counseling and training ministries to bring joy to the broken hearted for the glory of Christ Jesus. We hope over time to bring in more counselors, both trained and lay, who will see a wider array of counselees and conditions than I do alone. We hope that students going through seminary and biblical counseling courses can find training and supervision, and that a track for training lay counselors will be established. We also hope that we will establish a reputation of excellence and be a place where schools seek our counselors to come and lecture, and to whom they will also refer others. We also hope to establish connections with local churches and other community agencies to accept referrals and help with their work. As an example, we have already established a relationship with the Mills Church “Mills Clinic,” which is a free medical clinic about 2 miles from us. I have also been able to share the gospel with the person who has established it. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BIBLICAL COUNSELING AND CHRISTIAN COUNSELING? All good biblical counseling is Christian counseling, but not all Christian counseling is biblical, necessarily. Christian counseling really is a very vague and general term that encompasses a continuum. On one end are counselors who do secular therapy but are Christians, but there is little that would distinguish their work from a general, non-Christian therapist. And on the other end are counselors who are Christians

15 MOMENTUM // SEPTEMBER 2013

it comes down to what needs are addressed, and the severity of those needs. Think of the difference between professed theology and functional theology. If someone is struggling with how to live a more godly life, and they believe that a conversation or two with a pastor can get their head and heart straight in conformance with the Scriptures and Jesus’s love, pulling me and or one of the other pastors aside should be able to help in a pastoral only role. But, when thinking of particularly those Scriptures that help us evaluate our condition: 2nd Peter 1: 3-9: Galatians 5:1926: Ephesians 5:21- 32: and more, when we really fall short, and have for a long time, it may be time to come in to Deephaven. That’s how I would address it biblically. The manifestations of that falling short evaluation shows up in all kinds of behaviors, both in terms of length the problem has existed, and the depth of the problem. Things like long-term relational problems, patterns of sin that are clearly hurting the person or people that live with him (eating issues, financial impropriety, workaholism, perfectionism, etc.). Also, any kind of abuse, chemical/alcohol issues, unfaithfulness, obsessive thinking and behaviors, character issues, loss and grief responses that don’t seem to get better (ongoing thoughts of the lost loved one or seeming inability to move on with life), dependency on others, abandonment by others and its effects, and so on. These are just a few of the issues that come in the door regularly and can be effectively ministered to via biblical counseling. Currently, the DHCC board and I have agreed to continue using my mental health professional license, so if I believe someone has a real diagnosis, I will use it for

and counsel from the perspective of their Christian worldview, but may integrate a good deal of secular psychology, and may or may not use the Bible. Usually, the goal of Christian counseling is to help the counselee feel better and do better (as the counselee defines it) in the world, which in some situations is actually antibiblical. Biblical counseling attempts to have all interventions rooted and grounded in biblical truth, conforming as closely as possible to specific Scriptures in each presenting situation, with the attempt to bring all counselees to Jesus and in increasing conformance to his image. So, what this may mean, in contrast to all other counseling, is that a person may not necessarily feel better by the intervention. The easiest example is the biblical model of marriage and marital counseling. A husband may find in counseling that he does not love his wife sacrificially, and ultimately learns to do that, even though she may not respond well, in her sin. Still, he continues to love her as commanded in various Scriptures, as Christ loves the church. While this may sanctify and bring deeper joy to the man, it still may not “feel” better in the relationship because of the ongoing struggles. But the husband is hopefully closer to Christ and Christ’s image because he has done what Christ has done for him.

MOMENTUM // SEPTEMBER 2013

WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS OF GRACE YOU’VE SEEN IN YOUR FIRST 10 MONTHS OF BEING OPEN? This is the very best of all the questions! I have been blessed to see marriages restored from betrayal and adultery to joy-filled secure relationships of love, and debilitating anxiety changed to healthy daily living. I have

seen teens restored to school and parents find better paths to loving their children well. Lifethreatening behaviors have been changed to calm, back-to-work abilities; and even alcoholism has been removed from an individual’s life. But, best of all are not just the behaviors and symptom improvements. While I work hard to keep confidentiality at Redeemer, most of my Redeemerite counselees are open with others about: their improved walks with the Lord, how they are learning to love a wife or a husband more biblically, their increasing ability to love hard unlovable parents, friends and others, or the fact that they have a deeper sense of joy and rest with Christ. In July, we had our first unbeliever become a Christian. This was a process over a period of many months as this man struggled to understand faith and the gospel. Deephaven was used as a winsome, inviting place to for him to work out all his questions to a point where he asked to receive Christ. Yet it was alcoholism that was the tool God used to bring him to Deephaven. HOW DO YOU SEE GOD WORKING IN YOUR MINISTRY AT DEEPHAVEN? Deephaven has changed me. I get to use the Bible every day in a way I have never used it before. I get to pray with people every day in ways I have never been able to before. And, as I counsel others from the Bible, or try to, God challenges me with my own belief and unbelief; I am sanctified because of the test “do I believe what I am counseling from the Bible, or is this just head knowledge.” I have literally been sitting in the office and have simply cried with a counselee (usually during a closing prayer where we have seen the Holy

Spirit’s work in the previous hour), tears of sheer joy that God would use someone such as me in such a ministry. And, because of challenges in my personal life, Deephaven has been used to encourage me and deepen my walk with Christ. The two-way street of help in counseling is the best benefit of being a biblical counselor. WHAT ARE SOME THINGS WE AS A CONGREGATION CAN BE PRAYING FOR YOUR MINISTRY AT DEEPHAVEN? 1. That I would love Christ more and be a humble instrument for Him, counseling effectively from His Word. 2. That we would receive our applied for non-profit status. 3. That the board and I could find our way to some of the vision goals (a new counselor, new ministries, teaching and training). 4. That we would be financially prudent and profitable (not yet). 5. That more people in this area would find out about it and seek counseling at DHCC. HOW DOES ONE GO ABOUT SEEKING COUNSELING WITH YOU? There are a few ways. If you want, just pull me aside in church and talk about the possibility. Or, you can go to Deephaven’s website, www.deephavencc. org and follow the prompts to coming in. Finally, Carol Burr is my office manager and she is a phenomenal resource. You can call her at 952-300-0556 and talk with her about the process, and find out what hours can be scheduled for a first appointment.

October 12, 2013 Feel free to arrive as early as 3:00 pm Pig roast starts at 4:00 pm Bonfire and s'mores at 6:00 pm Fritz Jordan's Home 12060 County Rd. 51 Cologne, MN 55322 Please bring a side dish, fruit/veggies, chips, or cookies as well as lawn chairs for your family. Redeemer Bible Church will provide the pork, buns, baked beans, sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mores, and beverages.

missions update

FROM KARISE

WITH LOVE, IN SICILY

BY: KARISE PAGANO

e just finished up our August lineup, which

and I sitting in a Mormon church listening to

included our second annual singles conference,

their “Gospel presentation.” We’re so thankful

where we had about 30 singles ages 18-30 in

for the church in Georgia who partnered with

attendance. Then we had a marriage conference

us to carry out the English camp. Lord willing

with Lou Priolo and Martha Peace with about 50 people in

MOMENTUM // SEPTEMBER 2013

they will return annually for the camp.

attendance, and a counseling course with Joel Teague with

Our church is still struggling and we very

about 40 in attendance. We have about 4 more classes this year

much need to add elders. Currently one pastor

between now and the end of November. We’re also starting

is doing everything and he clearly needs to

up our women’s Bible study, men’s Bible study and English

have other pastors in the fray with him. Please

classes at the church again in September. We’ve already begun

pray for recent graduates of our academy

planning for next year’s classes and conferences including our

program who are considering coming to join

annual Preach the Word conference in Rome with Carey Hardy

the work here.

and Rick Holland. During our singles conference I was up until

I’m currently raising support for the 2014

2am, three of the five nights, with opportunities to counsel a

term and beyond. I have only 39% of my

couple of the young ladies in attendance, who I’ve been getting

support for next year. I’ll be home on furlough

to know. There are many opportunities to build friendships

between November 20th and January 13th. If

with people and to encourage them in the Gospel. My primary

someone is interested in joining my financial

role is serving as administrative assistant to the director of

support team and would like to meet with me

the academy; I also serve as his assistant at the church. In

during that time, please let me know and we

addition to these responsibilities and language-learning, I try to

can set up a meeting. Also, I’m happy to Skype

spend time getting to know people within the church and the

with someone who might have questions in

community. There are so many hurting people going through

the meantime.

difficult trials, and I’m thankful that God can use me to sit with them, listen to them and share the Gospel with them. In June, we also had our first English camp for children at the church, and had about 25 children in attendance. The final day we had a certificate ceremony and the parents sat in our church and heard the Gospel -willingly! This would be equal to you

I’m so thankful for those who have sacrificially given this year so that I can be here. Their sacrifice has made a difference in the ministry here, and is very much appreciated.

//RBC

redeemer kids corner

GODâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM

GENESIS 17:7 7And

I will establish my covenant between me and you and

your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.

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