leader> magazine ISSUE 01 | SPRING 2011
“We are pleased to publish leader magazine to serve our Salt & Light international family of churches. Through it we aim to build family, spread news, sow vision and learn from each other! “We would welcome your ideas, suggested articles or comments – please contact the editorial team.” Steve Thomas International Team leader
in this issuE ... 1 | New era, new team, new mag! John Isaacs introduces a new era, a new team and a new magazine! 2-7 | Crossing over – ancient paths, fresh adventures 2-3 Steve Thomas shares a vision! 4-5 Stanley Mehta on discipleship 6-7 What sort of apostolic teams do we want? 8-9 | Why judgement is good news! Theological equipping for leaders! In this first edition, Dave Perry (Canada and UK) explores the difficult subject of God’s judgement. 10-12 | News from the nations We’re part of a glorious and diverse global family. These pages give you snapsnot of that family, as well as introducing the new International Team.
new era, new team, new mag!
One of the most powerful metaphors used in the Bible to describe God’s people and their relationships is that of ‘being family.’ It’s a concept that is comfortable in its familiarity but can also be challenging to live. As God’s children, we aren’t just names on a roster in some organizational structure but are organically joined to an always loving, present, and involved heavenly Father. Leader Magazine is going to help us Salt & Light is a beautiful expression in several ways: It will help us connect of what it means to be part of an and get to know our international family international family. We are constantly better. It will be a regular reminder of who challenged by the great distances we are, what we are doing, and our plans separating us but are still able to together for the future. It will inspire us by experience ‘being family’ because we share the relevant teaching articles from some a spiritual ‘joining in the Lord’ connecting of our most gifted communicators around us to each other. Our past experiences, the world. And, it will encourage us to not doctrinal beliefs, and history give us cause forget the reason we are together, ‘being a to celebrate the goodness of God and we family on mission.’ share a corporate destiny that leads us (as Even the new magazine editorial a family of churches) into the future. team is a collaborative effort of people We have entered a new season of change. This change began by ‘passing from four different continents! We are the baton’ from Barney Coombs to an international family of churches and Steve Thomas as the new leader of the ministries celebrating our history, enjoying International Apostolic Team. It ushers our relational connections, and focused on us into a new era, a new International the mission of extending God’s kingdom Apostolic Team, and this new periodic into all the earth. publication. We celebrate God’s John and Leighton Isaacs lead a faithfulness as we continue to appreciate church in San Jose, California, USA. John our history, but now turn our focus is part of the S&L International Team and forward to a new season together. helps edit leader magazine.
published by Salt & Light Ministries an international family of churches together on mission Editorial team Steve Thomas (UK), John Isaacs (USA/Canada), Stanley Mehta (India), Ngwiza Mnkandla (Africa) Editor Andy O’Connell andyo@saltlight.org Editorial assistant Oliver Russell oliverr@saltlight.org www.saltlight.org international@saltlight.org +44 (0)1865 297440
Check out our new international website, giving easy access to the websites of the various parts of our family. You might be surprised where you will find our family! www.saltlight.org | 1
crossing over – ancient paths, fresh adventures
crossing over – ancient paths, fresh adventures Each time in this section of our magazine we explore a current prophetic theme for our family of churches, asking what God is saying to us, and considering the impact on our values, what we do and how we walk together. In October 2010, key leaders from every part of our Salt & Light international family gathered together to pray, talk and hear God together for our future. During that time, Steve Thomas shared a very significant word from Joshua 3-4, and we have asked him to repeat that here. 2 | www.saltlight.org
Many of us will know what it feels like to be “living with” a word from the Lord. Some years ago I found myself “living out of” Isaiah 54. It permeated my personal devotions. I found myself preaching regularly from this passage, with God unfolding fresh insights and anointing as I preached it time and time again. It became ‘an apostolic word’ for our churches – that God wanted us to “Think Big, Very Big”! I suspect many of you have heard me preach that word! Recently, I have found myself in a similar season, this time from the scriptures in Joshua 3-4, where we see the people of God “crossing over” into a new season in the Promised Land. Having prepared a word on this passage for the church in Oxford, UK, God started speaking to me that the word was actually for S&L, as we “cross over” into all that God has for us in our new season.
I was intrigued to find others also “living in” and “ministering out of” this passage. Greg Burson, from New Zealand, a trusted prophetic leader and part of LinkNZ (part of our Salt & Light family), was one. I had emailed Greg about a particular matter, without saying what the issue was, asking for any prophetic insights the Lord might show him. Knowing nothing of what I was living with, Greg’s humble reply went something like this: “Hi Steve, I have been pondering on Joshua 3-4 lately and have found it to be a wonderful help in this season. After you wrote I wondered if there is some insight in this passage, that I have gleaned for myself, that may help to identify some markers for the journey ahead. … “ His email carried on with some more detailed comments. They were helpful enough, but what really grabbed my attention was the first line! I knew that God was getting my attention – and wants to get our attention!
God wants us to recognise a new season
For the people crossing the Jordan it was a new season of entering into their destiny in God. In that they were not being negative about what had gone before, but they recognised a new day coming. For us, this is another crossing over for God’s people in Salt & Light. There have been other ‘crossings over’ in our, albeit short, history, but we are here again! Another moment of challenge: will we step out and put our foot in the water? As charismatic leaders we are all strong characters. Another lesson we learn from the text is that despite our strength and independence, God wants us to work together. Despite having already taken their own territory, the Transjordan tribes were covenanted to cross over together with their brothers. For us, I sense a need for greater coordination, greater working together. Taking territory together is going to involve a ‘crossing over’ in our thinking. God wants not just ‘entente cordiale’ (friendly getting on together) but covenant alliances that will build what God wants us to build together. Crossing the river before the people was the Ark of the Covenant, which speaks to us of several important factors. The box itself was simple, but overlaid with gold: God wants to use ordinary people, and endue them with specialness. The contents of the Ark (the stone tablets, Aarons staff, manna) speak of the word of God, the authority of God and the provision of God – all key ‘values’ that the people needed to carry forward from the last phase into the next phase.
crossing over – ancient paths, fresh adventures God wants us to know what we need to carry forward into this new season
What are we supposed to be carrying forward into our new season? It’s a key question: unnecessary baggage will encumber and burden us, but we must not jettison the wrong stuff. I would identify at least 5 key values for us: The presence of God – God wants a people of worship, who robustly seek God’s presence, and are prophetic cloudfollowers. I think this has been a hallmark for us in the past. We must continue to grow in this and in the supernatural manifestation of God’s power. Spiritual family – fatherhood and family. In the West there is a promotion of a flat, egalitarian society! The cry internationally is, “we need spiritual fathers and mothers”. We believe that fatherhood and family is in God’s own heart, in natural families and in the church. Discipleship – what this generation is encouraging is “we’re all still learning, let’s go on a journey together”. Although we do need to have a humble spirit, we have learnt a few things on the way, and need to pass them onto future generations. “Tell them…” (Jos 4.7). Discipleship covers a range of activities: character, life with God, knowing our ministry, but also fruitfulness, reproduction, etc. Five-fold ministry and every member ministry – Sometimes our apostolic ministry has not been properly five-fold, more like “unifold”! It’s been monochrome rather than diverse? Is everything all about ‘the pastor’ or do we recognise the breadth of team leadership, and team input from outside? Mission – we want to be a ‘family together on mission’, much more effectively, seeing people born again, planting churches, engaging in kingdom mission. Are we doing that or are we stuck? Are we stuck because of warfare, or are we doing the wrong things?
God wants us to know what we need to do differently into this new season
Joshua, although a spiritual son of Moses, and hugely loyal and honouring, was his own leader. God has given him a specific anointing and call – to “cross over” and take the people into the Land. I suspect it was very tempting for Joshua to ask “How would Moses have done this, yesterday?”, but God wanted him rather to ask “How does God want this done, today?” A regular challenge for every new generation of leaders is to ‘find fresh manna’ for today’s challenges. Not ‘dissing’
the past, but honouring it, while being free to move forward. What lessons can we learn from the way Joshua handled these challenges? We need to follow God’s presence, but be prepared to walk off the map! We know some things – some key values – but we need faith to walk off the map. “Ancient paths, but fresh adventures.” It’s time to move from pure grace to taking responsibility. The people had to put their foot into the floodwaters, in order for it to dry up – rather than just waiting for God to do it ‘sovereignly’. Stepping out and trusting God, before you see God acting. As this was once famously put: “attempt great things for God; expect great things from God.” Miracles happen when we confront obstacles. God does wonders in the most hostile settings. The text tells us that the river was in full flood, and yet God chose that moment to ask his people to take a step of faith. If we are going to cross over, some old patterns may need re-evaluation. The people moved from one “Moses”-type leader to a confederation of tribes taking the land. Each of us and our spheres needs to walk side by side, helping one another take the land.
What does this mean for our family of churches?
Putting it simply: What do we think God wants?
The short answer is that it’s all about the church and God’s glory in the church, not about us building a strong ‘Salt & Light’ organisation. God wants to see “Strong, local and apostolic churches, who will take their place in Christ’s mission to fill the earth with his glory and salvation, and see God’s Kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven.”
How shall we start to do this?
As we have talked together, we have clarified five practical priorities for each of our apostolic spheres and regional teams: 1. Raising up strong apostolic bases or churches 2. Raising up indigenous leaders 3. Raising up fivefold ministry/ ministry teams at various levels (including women) 4. Encouraging initiatives that will impact and change society 5. Encouraging vision for mission to ‘empty places’ and church-planting We’ll look more at these priorities as we walk together in the coming years, whether in our conferences, national teams or through our publications. I look forward to talking with many of you in this season of “crossing over” for our Salt & Light family.
As I read and reread these scriptures, and reflected on what God was saying to me for our family of churches, I became increasingly convinced of a number of key strategic priorities I am convinced that the process of training and discipleship has to do with the Kingdom of God, not just about us getting a few more leaders for what we’re doing. He called them, designating them as apostles – getting them out, not getting them in. Training and discipling is about getting the Kingdom into God’s world. Sending and receiving genuine fivefold mobile ministry teams, working to a strategy. Not static and rooted, but mobile and dynamic, working into churches and also unchurched areas. We can get overly concerned with our own situation, our stuckness. We get stuck when we don’t engage in mission! Going to empty places! Too much of our activity and that of the worldwide Christian church has been within the ‘reached nations’. What unreached nations and people-groups is God putting on our hearts, as a Salt & Light family? And what partnerships for taking territory does God want? We have certain gifts, but others in the Kingdom of God have other gifts. What partnerships does God want? www.saltlight.org | 3
crossing over – ancient paths, fresh adventures
Discipleship: For today?
As we ‘cross over’ into God’s new adventures for our family, what is it that God wants us to take with us? What is to be reshaped for a new season? And what is to be left behind altogether? In this first of a series of articles on our core commitments, Stanley Mehta (India) explores discipleship!
I first encountered the subject “discipleship” in my mid-20s, when I read a book called The Disciple by Juan Carlos Ortiz. Around the same time, I came across articles on “Shepherding and Discipleship” in a magazine called New Wine. Even though unfamiliar with the term, I had personally benefitted from discipleship right from my days at University. A friend called Errol had discipled me by his own example in the areas of prayer, a burden for souls, a systematic study of the Bible, personal quiet time, meditation and administration. He also prepared me for marriage by challenging some of my unbiblical beliefs and ideas that came from Indian tradition and culture. My pastor at the time, Charles Lazaro, discipled me when I joined the Bombay Baptist Church. He exposed faulty foundations in my life and molded my character in areas of integrity, faith, dependence on God and so on. For example, while I had been at University I had become quite crass in my language and as a result my thought life needed correcting. Charles Lazaro worked with me in that area and prayed with me through various issues. Victor Gledhill, was my next discipler. He saw me hesitating in taking charge of the church. He mentioned that if I did not take a strong lead somebody else would, and if that person messed it up I would be responsible, as I had abdicated my role. That hit me hard, but ensured that I developed a backbone quickly. Later he helped me handle the difficulties I had in my marriage, difficulties in bringing up children, trained me in 4 | www.saltlight.org
handling difficult pastoral cases such as sexual abuse, deliverance, church discipline, appointment of full time workers and so on. He taught me valuable principles that form the bedrock of my ministry. I have personally benefitted from being discipled by those senior to me. Discipleship helped in dealing with my character, developing my skills, identifying my role & function, propelled me closer to my destiny and gave me a sense of fulfillment and purpose. And it got passed down, as a bulk of my pastors and their wives were developed through discipleship.
Observations on Discipleship
The New Testament uses the word ‘believer’ only twice, and ‘Christian’ thrice, but it uses the word ‘disciple’ 289 times. The purpose of Discipleship as seen in the Bible is for maturity, ministry, multiplication, and the ultimate intention of bringing God’s kingdom on earth. Not everyone in the church wants to be discipled. You can only disciple those who want to be discipled. But they respond when they get a revelation of the need. We are commanded in Mathew 28:19,20 to “make disciples”, so we must always be on the lookout and not give up. Discipleship should be used to produce both ‘Maturity’ as well as to equip them for ‘Mission’. (With maturity being a step ahead of mission) Discipleship does not guarantee 100% success. Think of Judas or Demas. Those who were disciples yesterday can disappoint you today and fail miserably tomorrow. However, compared to any other method, it is the most successful
crossing over – ancient paths, fresh adventures system of raising leaders. Think of the number of disciples like 12, 70 120 mentioned in the NT. There are various ‘levels’ of Discipleship. Some are discipled to a lesser degree and some more. Those who allow you to successfully disciple them in some areas are at times unwilling to open up other areas. You will need for wait for trust & confidence to develop before you proceed further When division threatens, discipleship is an advantage in ‘damage control’ (to prevent minimum loss of people, and minimum people are hurt). A ‘Disciple’ advocating discipleship is more effective than a ‘discipler’ doing the same. Nothing promotes discipleship better than a satisfied “customer”. Discipleship is biblically effective only if the person concerned is primarily a disciple of Christ.
Stages of Discipleship (Learning the “How to”)
Natural discipleship: Discipleship cannot take place without relationship. Create opportunity for relationships and trust to develop in a natural setting. For example, meals at home, grabbing a coffee, working, cooking or travelling together, or sharing a hobby. Some degree of discipleship will take place: Trust will be built, questions answered, core values and principles picked up and so on. Planned discipleship: Having built a good relationship & trust, the discipleship can become more purposeful as you meet specifically for discipleship. Here you know what you want to transmit. You want to talk about their strengths and weaknesses. First share whatever you have observed about their strengths. Then gently mention one weakness, citing an event where you noticed it. Give him an opportunity to explain himself as it could be a mis-reading of the situation. If he denies or justifies any wrong-doing he is unlikely to be teachable. If he is teachable then proceed to give some ways and means as to overcome his weakness. He could be given an assignment like a book to read or a DVD to watch. Accountability – Look for the stage when the disciple gives an account on his own initiative, rather than being asked. Intentional discipleship: Now you could consider intentionally transmitting our biblical principles, core beliefs, values and practices, and deal with them one at a time. Imparting Skills – Based on the potential of the person, you may want to train them in certain skills. Whether it be counseling or preaching, administration or leading worship, kids work, youth work,
brochure design….whatever you feel fits the persons existing skill set and calling. Here you can use the help from other people or use resource material that we already have with us. Scope to function: As the relationship and discipleship progresses, there must be a scope given to function, i.e. entrusting the person with some responsibility. But remember to give them feedback. 75% of encouragement and 25% of correction (1Thessalonians 5:14). That way they will grow much faster. Commissioning: Jesus said “Come and I will make you fishers of men”. During the time of apprenticeship, Jesus sent his disciples on field work two by two. But at the end of 3 years he said “Go ye into all the world…” By now the disciple would have discovered his calling and mission in life and he must be released totally into that. Keeping someone in a permanent place of discipleship is unhealthy. This stage, it has more to do with an ongoing relationship, occasional meetings. They look after themselves, do not need close oversight but occasional encouragement and sharing of news.
harmful. Discipleship teaches people not to set themselves on fire, and means as a leader, you should be doing less firefighting! Discipleship keeps people growing and learning for themselves. It can be used to encourage an accountability with regards to reading Scripture, praying, meditation, reading Christian books and so on. The hope is that these people can then start to disciple others themselves.
and finally...
The previous generation paid a big price to usher in Kingdom values. This generation has had them handed on a plate and doesn’t give them due importance. Instead this generation is committed to leisure & pleasure more than to God. Materialism, the importance of image, worldly morals and associated lifestyles are increasingly prevalent in our churches. Re-instilling Kingdom values into our churches will only really happen through restoring discipleship.
Restoration of this core value of discipleship in our churches is crucial
Discipleship is going to be a key method by which we can overcome the trends that we are encountering in our churches across the world. Commitment is a bad word with today’s generation and this mentality infiltrates the church. People are happy to attend, but on their terms, when it is convenient, and can get into bed with another church if they want, for as long as they want. Discipleship helps place an importance on commitment to the Body of Christ. It helps to correlate levels of attendance with those of commitment. Prevailing culture teaches us to be consumers and it is easy to be consumer Christians. We can download podcasts from our favourite American preachers, watch the latest conferences on TV, attend concerts of our favourite worship leaders. We can be consumers even when we attend church. As leaders you will quickly get burnt out if you have churches full of people who are only taking and not giving. Discipleship will teach and encourage people to bring tithes, spiritual gifts, take ownership of projects, serve even when no-one sees and so on. It will teach them to contribute not just consume. Discipleship helps people to think in a godly and biblical way, which means that their behaviour and responses to different situations will be less hap-hazard and
A series of articles unpacking our core commitments – our ‘ancient paths’. For more on core commitments visit www.saltlight.org > about www.saltlight.org | 5
crossing over – ancient paths, fresh adventures
Mobile missional Ephesians 4 teams – what do we mean?
One of the core values and practices for the Salt & Light family of churches has been to recognise, honour and receive ‘Ephesians 4’ or ‘apostolic’ ministries into local churches. But what is the biblical basis for such ministries and how should they operate to equip and build up God’s church? What should they focus on? Are they ‘for the church’ or ‘for the world’? And where does our practice need adjusting?
What does the scripture SAY? Ephesians 4
It’s vital that we building our understanding of apostolic ministry and Ephesians 4 ministries on the clear teaching of scripture, not just on the practice of the early church. Ephesians 4:1-16 is the classic chunk of scripture that explains the purpose, call, nature and grace of some very different ministries within the Body of Christ. The context of Ephesians 4 is the rest of Ephesians! Ephesians is all about God’s plans for the church. The ministries belong right in the context of the church, well connected to the church, and are for the church! Ephesians 4:1-13 tells us that the ultimate goal of our life in Christ is deepseated unity: a unity of heart, purpose, family and confession. (4:1-6) It also tells us that the channel God uses to build this unity is through a diversity of ministries, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. These ministries are undeserved gifts of the risen and ascended Christ to His church. (4:7-13) The focus of these ministries is highlighted in verse 12: “To fix God’s people so that they work/minister/ function”. The task of the ministries is to enable all of God’s people to play their part properly! The ascended Christ is engaged in a great and glorious task – to fill the whole universe with his presence. This is connected with Ephesians 4 ministries, and the maturing of the church! 6 | www.saltlight.org
Direction
from the Head, Christ
source of life
Connection
relationship, through which everything is joined, held together, and strengthened. Ephesians 4 ministries are part of this relational strengthening
fostering of life
4. The team is led by an apostle who willingly harnesses his ministry with other five-fold gifts (Ephesians 4:11 and 1Corinthians 12:28-29 ministries) to form a “construction team”. 5. It’s clear that women worked alongside men in ministry teams (e.g. Acts 18:1-4,18-19, Romans 16:3-5.) 6. It can also contain younger trainees: Timothy, Titus, John Mark, etc.
Function
when every part works as it should, through the equipping of the ministries, the whole Body grows up
generation of life
A fathering relationship
In summary (4:16): the church needs:
Ephesians 4 ministry in rest of the New testament
The New Testament is rich with examples of the apostles and Ephesians 4 teams functioning with local churches, and from that we offer the following working definition: “An Ephesians 4 team (also known as an ‘apostolic team’) is a grouping of ministries, led by an apostle, that agree together under God to pioneer new territory , planting, servicing and support local churches who relate to them or who are planted and developed by them.” Note certain points : 1. The essential life force of the team is relational not organisational. 2. Their authority functions only where it is recognised! – by God and by local believers. 3. The sphere of that authority can be in region, a nation, or nations.
The apostolic is a ‘fathering’ ministry, working alongside church leadership to bring maturity of leadership. The apostolic takes risks. Biblically, we see the apostolic role not as a ‘super elder’, but as a ministry who comes in and impacts churches, helps them begin the necessary processes, then leaves the elders to work it out. (However, nor is the apostle simply a ‘consultant’ with no authority!)
Flexibility is key!
Paul and his various teams spent long and short periods in towns; he sent envoys for various periods of time; he wrote letters and spoke positively of the work of other fivefold ministries who invested into ‘his’ churches. Apostolic teams should be put together flexibly to serve local churches, either for an occasion (e.g. the laying on of hands for new elders), for a specific task or over an extended period of time. We are not looking for a one-size-fits-all model, but to find the mind of God for a particular church.
crossing over – ancient paths, fresh adventures The relationship between churches and the apostolic is a two-way relationship, and initiative must be mutual! The local leaders must ask for help, advice and input, and the apostolic will initiate regular input strategies. In particular, the ministry needs of churches vary according the life-stage of that church: • A new plant – which needs much more regular and on-the-ground investment and foundation-laying • A developing church – which needs eldership appointing and training to take proper responsibility • A mature church – which needs ongoing provocation to ‘think big’ and to release Timothy-leadership to other settings • A church in difficulty – which needs careful and hands-on help to find a way through whatever problems are being faced
(The concept of Ephesians 4 teams being based in and sent out from a church base is not unique to the New Church movement, e.g. the monastic movement, where the minster church acted as a base to evangelise a region.)
A summary: what should an Ephesians 4 team do?
As a helpful working definition, one of our teams have adopted the following way of categorising the function of the Ephesians 4 team: Extension by mission and breakthrough
Resourcing church planting through training, on-the-ground-support, evangelism, etc. Imparting the supernatural
Apostolic bases
‘Apostolic bases’ are not buildings, but a sending church or group of churches, where an Ephesians team is based and from which it functions. The team can be drawn from one local church, e.g. Jerusalem, Antioch and Ephesus, which were all ‘apostolic bases’. Or the team can be drawn from several churches (‘translocal’), e.g. Paul and his mobile team (Acts 20:4), which had 10 members from a variety of Churches. This team, travelled throughout Asia Minor, and were all in Ephesus, then in Philippi, Greece and Troas, Macedonia.
Bringing a supernatural dynamic in ministry, preaching and teaching. Those in apostolic ministry are particularly to function in healing the sick, casting out demons and performing miracles!
A word on terminology
People sometimes ask about the right use of the word ‘apostolic’. The NT itself uses the word – which simply means ‘sent one’ – in different ways, referring to • Apostolic leaders and churches – that are postured towards being part of God’s ‘apostolic’ purposes for the nations • Apostles –gifted and called to be ‘apostles’ • Apostolic teams – In this article we will use the phrase ‘Ephesians 4’ team to emphasise that the team of ministries ideally comprises a range of different gifting.
Fostering a vision for mission – i.e. keeping local leaders and churches focused on growth
Apostles were often used in a special way to impart the power of God to other believers. Bringing correction when churches become weak in charisma Foundation laying
Asking “what’s in place?” and “what’s missing” Advising at key points of development Teaching and envisioning Doctrinal and ministry foundations, including resources
Leadership training and appointment
Training leaders – initial and ongoing
Problem solving, e.g. sin, doctrine
Pastoral support and advice for the church leader
Identifying and appointing elders Ongoing help in identifying and training Timothys
Pastoral support and advice for the local team Regular communication (inc. minutes) Emphasis on ‘doctrinal problem solving’ rather than ‘centralised doctrinal definition’, avoids denominationalism
Promoting unity
Intervening in relational squabbles between leaders and people, that are unable to be resolved locally Fostering relationships to other networks and denominations
This article edited from material produced by Steve Thomas and Dave Richards for the European [e4] training course, encouraging the development of emerging Ephesians 4 leaders.
Questions to ask about your Ephesians 4 input
Through this article we want to equip Ephesians 4 teams to review their own function; to think about the global mission challenge, not just maintain what we have; to help local churches reorient their approach to mission – our mandate is to be apostolic churches, not maintenance churches! We have outlined some of the key emphases of the NT regarding Ephesians 4 teams. Now, we want to briefly outline some of the key questions we need to ask of ourselves and our churches: Is your Ephesians 4 ministry doing what it should be doing? Of the 6 areas of function, which are working properly, and which are not? In particular, if your Ephesians 4 work primarily church-focussed, or are you ministries also involved in ‘breaking new ground’? Are you operating properly as a mobile team (‘on the ground’) on do you simply sit in discussions as a council? Are we being strategic in today’s world? What are the strategic global mission challenges in today’s world? Is my team/church engaged with them? In this question, Len Bartlotti has been a friend and agent provocateur to many of our churches, and to our previous International Team. Read his paper “Salt & Light and the father of nations”, available in English and French by emailing international@saltlight.org Are we seeing the church in the right place? Do I understand the place of the church in God’s global mission, as the ‘engine room’ for mission, or to put it another way: “Mission at the heart of the church, the church at the heart of mission”. Many of the traditional mission agencies are rethinking their approach to churches, and adopting more church-based approaches, e.g. www.globalconnections.co.uk > mission resources > papers from previous events > 2003 Are we engaged in kingdom mission? Are we engaged in kingdom (integral) mission, where meeting peoples’ needs and helping people find Christ are handled in a joined-up way? Are our Ephesians 4 teams properly engaging with issues of poverty, education, development and health? Are we building, or just blessing? In our activity overseas (and at home for that matter!), are we building something of substance and sustainability, or are we simply blessing people in other nations. There’s nothing wrong with blessing people along the way, but we also need to make sure we are engaged with that which God has called us to build. Are we working in partnership or paternalism? In our increasingly globalised world, there is an increasing blurring of the old distinction between ‘sending base’ (in the west, normally) and ‘the mission field’. This is a good thing, as we recognise that God is at work everywhere, in different ways. It’s not a case of exporting our western Christianity (and, usually, our culture too) to other nations, but establishing two-way relationships with people, churches, leaders, NGOs, etc. in other nations. Are we working ‘the nations’ at home! The effect of globalisation/immigration. Outreach and training opportunities on our doorstep. Opportunities for travelling businessmen.
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exploring theology impartial and inescapable reckoning “good news.” This is not an easy thing. When it comes to the component truths of our faith, we like the idea of Christ taking away our sins. We like the idea that God loves us. We’re happy to call these comforting ideas “good news.” But God uncovering – and judging – the secrets of our hearts? This is good news?
Street-Corner Judgement
WHY JUDGEMENT IS GOOD NEWS: THE GOSPEL AND THE GOD-DRAMA
In the first of a series of theological equipping articles, exploring some of those more difficult aspects of biblical theology, teacher-theologian Dave Perry (from Winnipeg, Canada, now working as Dean of Theology for King’s Bible College and Training Centre, Oxford) looks at judgement. What do we think about it? Is it an outdated and out-of-touch concept unduly influenced by European religious art, or is a truly biblical concept – part of God’s very DNA?
Viewer Advisory: Do not continue with this article unless you have read the following words from St. Paul: “They [humankind] show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel [euangelion, good news], God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus” (Romans 2:15-16) Please check: I have read and agree with these words: 8 | www.saltlight.org
There are several ideas at work in this text. First there are the bits about the heart-inscribed law, and people’s consciences accusing or excusing them. Nothing too radical there. But go to the end of the passage. There, in what might seem an unswallowable contradiction in terms, Paul says that part of his “good news” is that judgement is coming. The day is coming when God is going to judge the secrets of people’s hearts. Such a day – even thinking about such a day – is not for the faint of heart. But here we hit the seeming contradiction: Paul calls this final,
In his book The Holy Wild Mark Buchanan comments on present-day evangelicalism’s avoidance of biblical teaching on judgement: “Pulpits of late have been thin on wrath.” There are reasons for this, he says: our evangelical heritage has in many cases overdone the judgement theme to the point of misrepresenting God. So now we’ve backed off and become tentative – even embarrassed – about God’s wrath. But such backing off is misguided, Buchanan insists, because judgement is biblical. To help us recover the good side of this Scriptural theme, he recounts a time in his childhood when he faced repeated beatings from a neighbourhood bully. They became a chronic and brutal thing, until the day when (in the middle of an on-the-ground thrashing) Mark felt the boy lift off him and ascend into the air. Opening his eyes and looking skyward in surprise, Mark saw his enemy suspended in midair, and his own father holding him by the coat-collar. There came a blunt rebuke: “Don’t you ever hurt my son again.” The boy never did. And Mark never forgot that moment. It was childhood, street-corner judgement: Mark got rescued, and neighbourhood justice was meted out. Something good had taken place. And that is Paul’s point in Romans 2:16: Judgement is coming, judgement is dreadful, and judgement is good. We need to understand all three of these truths – especially the last one.
The End of the Story Is Its Meaning
Stories are defined, in part, by their endings. The endings shape the way we understand the stories. Consider (for example) the Bible – which is (after all) a story: The Story. As a story, it has a beginning, a middle and an end. The beginning includes creation (“Let there be light!”) and the fall (Adam and Eve’s rebellion). The middle includes the great covenant events originating in Abraham and climaxing in Christ. And the Story has an end. History is not (thanks be to God) an everlasting roundabout. It is a road with a destination: a city whose light is the Lamb of God (Revelation 21:23). The coming of that city is the Story’s God-exalting end. But leading up to that end – and in one
sense part of that end – is the drama of the last days. At the end of this present age God will vindicate his Son as Lord of history, and vindicate his own justice. Everyone who has ever lived will stand before him and give account to him. He will win, and there will be a judgement.
Judgement Language
Judgement language is part of biblical language. Consider: John the Baptist prepares the way for Christ by declaring that “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees” (Luke 3:9). That is judgement language. Jesus cries out to Jerusalem, “For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side” (Luke 19:43). That is judgement language. The Big Story ends – Yes! – with a banquet (Matthew 8:11). But before that banquet there will be a battle (Revelation 19:11-15). Christ will be the host at that banquet. But he will also be the hero of that battle. A Rider on a white horse: That is judgement language. Paul preached and taught judgement (Romans 2:5, 3:6; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Timothy 4:1). He called it part of his “good news” in Romans 2:16. When the Rider on the white horse brings down “Babylon” – the final, anti-God world empire in Revelation 18-19 – how do the glorified saints respond? Do they wring their hands and say, “Oh my, oh my”? No: they sing the hallelujah chorus. And they sing it loud (19:1). It goes without saying that with unglorified saints (that is, people like us) the prospect of judgement can provoke a sanctimonious, “serves-‘emright” arrogance. Granted. I’ve done it. But that is not what we see in Revelation 19. What we see there goes beyond misguided sentiment (Christian or otherwise), and sets supreme value on God’s honour and glory. So: Is judgement something good? We must keep our balance here: Good is not the same as pleasant. The Roman siege of Jerusalem prophesied by Jesus in Luke 19:43 was scarcely pleasant. But to Jesus that siege embodied something just. So (again): Is judgement good? Misguided sentiment will answer with a morally invertebrate “Oh my, oh my” or perhaps a pompous “serves-‘em right.” One answer is mushy. The other is proud. The Bible, however, answers with a solid and humble Yes. So, as one still learning to think biblically, I will suggest three reasons why divine judgement is good news.
exploring theology Reason 1: Judgement Vindicates God as God
Judgement is good news because it vindicates God as judge. And that is another way of saying that it vindicates God as God. People today – myself included – do not like the idea that we don’t get the last word. Our pride, self-pity and misguided sense of “entitlement” rise up and resist the idea of giving account to an impartial judge. But if the Story means anything at all, it means that it is God’s show. It’s not about us. We see this vindication in (surprise!) the final events in the final book of the Narnia Chronicles – The Last Battle. They are the dramatic end of the long history of Narnia. Aslan sovereignly raises every creature that has ever lived in all the long ages of that world. They form a sombre procession, and come – one by one – before him. By their thousands they come: every king, queen, subject, talking beast, monopod, witch, dwarf, faun, dancing tree, nyad, dryad, Calormene, Archenlander, Underlander, gnome, Ettinsmoorean, giant, marshwiggle, merman and mermaid comes. In a scene that is unexplained but wholly believable, each one is somehow compelled to look directly into Aslan’s face. Some lift up their faces in delight and joyful surprise, and run into the light at the great Lion’s right. They will live forever in Aslan’s country. Others look up in dismay and defeated rage – and pass into the shadows on the great Lion’s left. They are never heard from again. The reader, however, does not come away thinking about the alternative destinies of the Narnians, good and bad. No. The reader comes away awed at the authority of Alsan, the son of the Emperor-Over-Sea, thinking, “Yes! It’s all about him!” That’s what judgement does. It exalts the judge. It vindicates him and reveals his glory. It prompts the hallelujah chorus of Revelation 19. That’s Reason 1 that it is good news.
Reason 2: Judgement Fulfils Justice
What if Mark Buchanan’s bullyneighbour had never been called to account? What if the abductors of Madeleine McCann (a British child still missing since being abducted in Portugal in 2007) are never called to account – not even at the end of the age? Would such outcomes be “good news”? Few would say yes. In such scenarios, something vital – something essential – is lost. This passion for justice fills the psalms. Psalm 35 is a prime example. Take a few minutes and read it. The psalmist is calling on God to act, and his cry does not flow
from self-pity or hurt feelings. It comes from a desire for justice: “You have seen, O LORD; be not silent! O Lord, be not far from me! Awake and rouse yourself for my vindication, for my cause, my God and my Lord!” (Psalm 35:22-23). Madeleine McCann’s parents might have written those words. The psalmist is crying out to God because he knows that justice is at stake and that justice matters. In our hearts, we know this. There is something in us that thrills at Rohan’s thundering charge against the army of Sauron in The Return of the King. There is something in us that wants to be in the front row when Adolf Hitler has to kneel in front of a Jew, and call him Lord. All this flows from our longing for justice. And judgement – in the events of history or at the end of history – is God’s way of seeing justice done.
Reason 3: Judgement Rattles Our Cages
Judgement – especially the certainty of judgement – is therapeutic. It is redemptive. Here is why: It shakes us up. It rattles our cages, and prompts us to change the way we live. The sobering fact is that everyone – the saints and the unredeemed alike – will face judgement. Not the same judgment, but judgement nonetheless. At the end of the age, those who are not right with God through Christ will be judged according to their works – and they will be condemned. The Bible teaches this in Daniel 7:10, Revelation 11:18 and 20:11-15. But those who are right with God through Christ will be judged as well. Their salvation will not be in question, but God will assess their faithfulness to Jesus and will reward or admonish them accordingly. The Bible teaches this in Mark 13:34-37, Romans 14:10, 1 Corinthians 3:13 and 2 Corinthians 5:10. The certainty of this end-of-the-age giving of account is a profound incentive to change direction. I need it. You need it. We do well to recall that Jesus’ first public command is “Repent!” (Mark 1:15). Do we need forgiveness (“Neither do I condemn you…”)? By all means. But we also need the gospel’s bracing, cage-rattling call to turn from our self-absorption and be enthralled with and abandoned to the purposes of God. Repeated assurance of God’s mercy – as valid and vital as that assurance is – will only take us so far. We also need to hear that the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Mercy and judgement: Both ideas are true. Both are needed. Both are good news. Editors’ note: There are, of course, other theological issues raised by this article, e.g. hell, heaven and new creation, but they are for another day and another issue! www.saltlight.org | 9
NEWS FROM THE NATIONS
News from the nations
The Salt & Light international family is a great blend of cultures, nations and people-groups, representing east and west, black and white, rich and poor. We’re one family – and in this section we see what God is doing in different parts of our family, as well as details and photos of the members of the new International Team.
Walking together: A new day for Africa
For many years, a number of different national teams have related to the Salt & Light international family: Deliverance Church Uganda, Deliverance Church Umoja (Kenya), Faith Ministries (Zimbabwe), Salt & Light Rwanda (the name being an interesting coincidence!) and African Revival Ministries (Burundi). As well as these 5 large groupings, a good number of other African churches in various nations have connected with the wider family. Meeting at the October 2010 International Forum, the African delegates, representing each of the 5 nations above, decided together that it was time they walked together for the sake of Africa! Committed to break down traditional tribal divisions in society, they agreed to start to meet as a ‘Salt & Light Africa’ team. To the rest of the international family, gathered at the Forum, this seemed to be a very important ‘kairos moment’; a significant and strategic decision that would have farreaching impact. That team met initially in Nairobi, Kenya, early in December 2010, and will meet again in March and June 2011. The team will be led by Ngwiza Mnkandla, who having founded and led Faith Ministries Zimbabwe, spent 5 years in the USA leading Dawn Ministries International, a significant church planting movement, before returning to Zimbabwe recently. Ngwiza comments: “I think the baby is alive and kicking now. We just have to feed it so it can grow.” 10 | www.saltlight.org
Exploring the unique needs of the African Church, the team resolved to develop a programme of conferences, seminars and written materials, as well as travelling together as an apostolic team. They recognised specific issues unique to African culture – for example, polygamy and witchcraft – as well as issues in the foundations of their churches, many of which were founded by missionaries and have developed certain mindsets that need attention! Ngwiza and Maureen Mnkandla Faith Ministries, Zimbabwe Salt & Light Africa team leader www.faith-ministries.net JB and Persia Masinde Deliverance Church Umoja, Kenya www.deliverancechurchumoja.org Titus and Doreen Oundo Deliverance Church Uganda www.deliverancechurchuganda.8m.com Ngwiza, JB and Titus are part of the new S&L International Team.
expanding forts
Coast to Coast is a family of ten churches stretching across the US from North Carolina to California. With the help of extra local friends, Dave Richards (UK) and Buck Hudson (Sweden), we have been working on a mandate to strengthen churches to be like our nation’s forts in early westward expansion. Forts provided a safe covering and resources so that culture could be expanded into new territories. We have been having annual conferences as well as various teams traveling among us that have helped shape identity and direction. We are currently participating in the [e4] training programme, that is bringing a body of revelation for common foundations as well as seeds for our future. We have seen the launching of our 18 to mid 30s age group called “Interchange” under the leadership of Danny Dunn. Interchange has facilitated various gatherings and mission initiatives among that group. We are launching a Pastoral Training course with Don and Cheri White in the fall and are beginning to form a School of the Prophet’s that will help strengthen both the pastoral and prophetic among us. We are also fortunate to have Glenn Middleton from Foundation Ministries beginning to travel among the churches to help strengthen evangelism. Doug and Denise Kreighbaum. Doug leads C2C and is part of the new S&L International Team. www.ecclesia413.com
Other international team members
Steve and Lorraine Thomas lead the group of churches around Oxfordshire, UK, and lead the European apostolic team. In 2010 Steve took over the leadership of the International Apostolic team. Read his blog at www.saltlight.org Andy O’Connell, based in Oxfordshire with Steve, serves as administrator to the International Team.
NEWS FROM THE NATIONS
Salt & Light North America – entering a new day
There is definitely a feeling of ‘crossing over’ and ‘entering a new day’ among the S&L North American Team. outreach called Global Fellowship which Young people in draws together recent Asian immigrant the Central region families. They are also rejoicing over the experienced a move new church plant in Western Canada, led of God at their by Andrew & Rachelle Freeman, sent out annual Consumed from Vancouver 18 months ago. Conference near the The North American Team is in an end of summer 2010. Many came under exciting time of transition as Jim Swihart, conviction as Bryan McCrea preached on John Isaacs and Ron Maclean seek to take being truly born again not just part of on more leadership and initiative with the the church culture. The Holy Spirit fell on Salt & Light family in Canada and the US, most of the seventy kids who responded as some of the ‘fathers’ (Barney, Duane and young people were saved, healed, and Art) are releasing government in their delivered, filled and liberated. About spheres. These seasons of transition always midnight ten of the teens wanted to take time and patience as trust and new be baptized in water. It was just like the relationships are established and new Philippian jailer in Acts 16. Parents were phoned long distance and the local police teams are built. were informed as over 60 young people The team work with around 30 marched through the streets to the beach. churches across USA and Canada. In recent years, working in three regions – East, Ron MacLean comments, “It was one of the Central and West – has tripled the number wildest but most memorable baptisms I have ever had the privilege of participating of leaders connecting with leadership events and training, and helped to develop in.” and strengthen relational bonds between An exciting work has started in the pastors in a region. Minneapolis, USA. Chacko and Dexy We’re looking forward to July 1-4, Thomas, formerly with Stanley Mehta in 2011, when Convergence will seek to draw India, moved to the US a few years ago young adults from around North America on business and have recently felt called to our first 18 to 35 year old gathering. by God to start a house church, and an
a plan to build
Gateway Ministries International (GMI) is a network of 78 house churches, mainly in India and some the neighbouring nations. Highlights in 2010 were the inauguration of two new school buildings by Victor Gledhill (UK). One school is in the city of Miraj in western India, and the second one was launched in the coastal city of Vishakaptnam, in eastern India. In all GMI runs five (5) schools catering to about 1030 students, in keeping with their vision to penetrate the community through education with godly values. The team of pastors & wives met in December 2010 and began the work of planning the future for the next 10 years and is called Vision 2020. Stanley and Esme Mehta, Mumbai, India. Stanley leads GMI and is part of the new S&L International Team. www.gminet.org
NEW ZEALAND NEWS
Midnight youth baptisms. Ron is the one with the big smile! Ron and Mary Maclean, Winnipeg, Canada. Ron is leader of the S&L North America team and part of the new S&L International Team, along with: John and Leighton Isaacs, San Jose, California; Barney and Janette Coombs, Langley, Canada; Jim Swihart, Foundations Ministry, USA
The church in NZ is finding fresh encouragement with reports of growth, Spirit-encounters and missional advancement. Despite challenges in the economy churches are seeing people saved and baptised in larger numbers than previously experienced. Several churches have been impacted by moves of the Spirit that in one region has seen them meeting five nights a week. New prophetic songs are being written. For a free download go to www.edgekingsland.co.nz Fraser and Dale Hardy Fraser is team leader for LinkNZ and also serves on the International Team. www.linknz.org.nz www.saltlight.org | 11
European union?
The European family of churches is actually a coalition of ‘clans’, each connecting churches in different parts of this diverse continent. As well as 3 main ‘clans’ in the Nordic region, UK and Francophonia, the overall European Apostolic Team provides connection for churches in other nations.
Nordic neighbours
The Nordic team is a dynamic group of men and women who are strongly committed to serve our church family in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and the Baltic region. As well as meeting together annually, the team hosts annual gatherings currently in four regions. New Regional gatherings are planned in 2011 in Southern Sweden, Norway and Denmark, where new groups of this expanding family of churches are emerging. Working apostolically in a ‘triangle’ between the Nordic region, Coast to Coast USA and Dave Richards’ sphere of work in UK, there is an emphasis on team mobility and good communication so that they build together in the same direction! Buck and Patricia Hudson are Americans based in Sweden. Dave and Chris Richards travel from their base in Basingstoke, UK, and lead the Nordic team. Mats and Monika Norden lead a church in Vastaras, Sweden. Dave, Mats and Buck represent the Nordic team on the new International Team. www.saltlight.org/nordic
Training
Major training colleges and initiatives, available to the international family
King’s ONline bible school
KOBS is an online Bible School offering 34 Bible Courses. Courses are free (although donations are appreciated!) and KOBS currently has over 500 students enrolled from in 53 different countries! KOBS is a ministry of the Salt & Light North American family of churches. www.saltlight.org/kobs
King’stheological college
King’s Theological College, based in Oxford, UK, is the new name for King’s Bible College & Training Centre. Open to international students through it’s partnership with York St John University, KTC provides a good grounding in theology through a 10-month course of study validated as the first year of a UK degree. Set in a close-knit worshipping community, working in teams and receiving daily discipleship, while encountering God, KTC equips students to think theologically, live reflectively and make a difference in the world. KTC is a ministry of the Salt & Light UK family of churches. www.saltlight.org/ktc
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NEWS FROM THE NATIONS
‘Francophonia’
2011 is the 10th anniversary of the Destinée family of churches in Frenchspeaking Europe. It started with 3 churches in the Paris region and a church plant in Troyes with Bob and Muriel Whitchurch and through them the adventure with Salt & Light began. Today Destinée is 17 churches in the three European countries: Switzerland, Belgium and France, with an overall apostolic team. The team is committed to evangelism through church planting, and is praying for 10 more new churches over the next 2 years. Five new churches are being developed, including one in Italy. Formation Josué, a 3-year leadership training programme, starts in 2011. A large majority of those in the 10-40 window are French-speakers. Destinée is already involved in several African countries but needs more workers! The Destinée team is led by Jean and Agnes Pillonel (Marseilles, France). Marc and Sara Walther are churchplanting in Lausanne, Switzerland. Jean and Marc serve on the International team. www.saltlight.org/destinee
uk
The UK is in a significant transition. Initially prompted several years ago by a series of challenging prophetic words, the so-called ‘2020vision’ sets out a dream to become a family of churches that ‘pioneer, proclaim and transform – together’. Accompanied by 4 goals the vision has been tremendously well-received by leaders and churches. A major review of training is under way, leading the establishing of a much more strategic training framework. Steve Thomas, Dave Richards, Vic Gledhill and other ‘fathers’ are now mainly engaged in the wider world, and so the UK work is led by Mark Mumford and a new UK team. Mark and Nesta Mumford (Derby, UK) lead the UK team and Mark is part of the International Team. www.saltlight.org/europe
International Leaders Conference 2012 15-19 February 2012 Oxford, UK