An Undistracted Restatement: Strategies for moving toward the unreached in 2006 Remix

On January 8th I made an announcement at the end of a sermon. I know the announcement hasn't been forgotten. However, I am afraid that the sermon probably has. I believe that it is right and that it is God glorifying for every person at FCC to make an intentional effort to move toward the unreached and the unevangelized in 2006. I am writing this from the Bethlehem Pastor's Conference in Minneapolis, MN. This seems to be a theme thus far in the conference.

In light of these things, I want to remind you of the sermon. I think it's content is important, because it was through years of coming to grips with the content of this sermon that ultimately drove the announcement at the end. Read. Review. Remember. Respond.

I want to plea with you to be move your prayers and your income and your lives in some way toward the lost people of the world - particularly toward the unevangelized and unreached peoples.

I do want to make this clear on the outset - my call for you to move closer to the unreached is not necessarily a call to leave your vocation and to become a full time missionary. I want to be careful not to overstate that point (as some of you may indeed be called to do just that) and I do not wish to understand that point and demean the work that you do every day - as you seek to exalt Christ in the employment that he has called you to.

That being said here are several ways that you can move toward the unreached 2006:

1. Understand what ought to drive us: Love for God's glory, love for Christ.
The fight to find a soul-satisfying love for the glory of God will ultimately drive you toward others.

- Isaiah 26:8
- Romans 9:17
- Isaiah 66:19 (a promise to send messengers)
- Isaiah 12:4

As you begin to read through the Bible this year, look for how many times God's glory and his name and fame among the nations are mentioned and talked about throughout the entirety of the Scriptures. Read it. Think about it. Meditate on the reality of that truth, and ultimately believe it and in believing it, live for it.

2. Allow your heart to meditate on both the Glory and terror of the Gospel.
The Gospel is that on which everything is based.

Why did the Son of God come to earth and to his final hour and ultimate death?
John l7:1 "Father, the hour has come; glorify thy son that the Son may glorify thee."

This is a heavenly plan to glorify the Godhead in all the work of redemption!

And why will Jesus come again in the great day of final judgment?
2 Thessalonians 1:9-10, "Those who do not obey the gospel will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints and to be marveled at in all who have believed..."

Unless we begin with the sovereign majesty of God and his ultimate devotion to his own glory above all else, our missionary theology and strategy and motivation will become man-centered and will in the end degenerate into a powerless sentimentality. We need to think about the reality of redemption and the reality of the consequences of unbelief. Romans 10:11-17.

3. Valuing Eternal Treasure more than earthly gain and comfort. Hebrews 12:25-29 helps us to recognize the fact that all will be shaken. That is a promise. My deep desire is that this congregation experiences the incredible joy of knowing what it means to have a life that's laid down. I deeply want this congregation to be known for its joyful sacrifice for the Kingdom of God. So seek ways to put your Treasure in heaven. Base your choices on Eternity.

4. This will require you to travel toward need, not ease. (Hebrews 13:12-16) Rather than seeking ways that you can make your family and your life more comfortable this year - why not seek ways to engage you and your family in the needs of others. As you seek to involve yourself in the life of others (in your workplace, neighborhood, intentionally going outside of your cultural circles) then your heart will be open to those who are without the Gospel.

- Involve your family in prayer walks in the Reddick Neighborhood.
- Consider taking your family vacation in a foreign country (read the Orme's Story here).
- Every person here with children has deliberately put your child in a sport or some sort of arts. What if you talked together as a family about laying down a sport or a lesson (or whatever) and used that time and that money to pray for or give to an unreached people group? Perhaps this time and money could be used to serve as a family (visit a nursing home or serve in some way).

5. Intentionally help your family move away from being America-exclusive.
Think in terms of all peoples.

- Learn about other places on the globe. Geography is important.
- Learn about other peoples of the earth, especially those that are yet unreached with the Gospel. (Global Prayer Digest, Joshua Project.net,) Adopt a people group as a family.
- Missionary prayer cards. Take one per week and pray at meals for that missionary and the field on which they serve.
- Missionary Biographies. Read them and talk about it with your family!
- Don't limit vocational conversations with your children to just the US. Don't assume that your kids will live and work here.
- Try ethnic foods (with your kids) ? and make those meal times a time to discuss cultural differences and to help your family understand that we're not the only language or culture. We pray for the country and the peoples in the country whose food we're eating.

6. Pray this prayer:

Father, am I (and my family) exactly and strategically where you want us in light of your harvest and of the unreached peoples of the world?

Albert Mohler on 'Brokeback'

I wanted to post a link to an article that I very much commend to all who read this Blog. Anything that Al Mohler writes is worth reading, whether you agree with him or not. However, this particular essay on the recent 'agenda' movie 'Brokeback Mountain' is more than insightful.

As I am coming to realize the value and the necessity of deep male friendship, my heart resonates with the truth that Mohler articulates so well, as my spirit revolts against the godlessness of a society that wants to call evil good.

Read it for yourself here.

Grief and Gladness

This is a the letter that is going out to everyone at Faith Community Church. Grief and gladness.


To our dear and beloved Family at Faith Community Church,

Renee' and I are truly experiencing all that Paul meant when he said that he was sorrowful, but always rejoicing. For those who have not heard our news, I want to take this opportunity to let you know:

On December 18th, 2005, the Anderson family was appointed as C&MA missionaries to Mongolia. This means that as of May 21st, 2006 I will no longer be able to serve as your pastor at Faith Community Church.

This move is something that has been coming for some time. For those who are interested and were not a part of Sunday?s service, I will be glad to share the time line in more detail. God has been speaking to us and moving us in this direction ever since our return from Mongolia in 2003. With confirmation after confirmation, an impossible path has been made possible for us and we rejoice in the Lord's leading and the privilege of serving in an underserved part of the world, for His Kingdom and for His glory.

That being said, our entire family is deeply grieved over the fact that we will not be in a place to serve here in the same capacity that we have over the past thirteen years. I am having a difficult time coming up with the words to express how much we will miss all of you - and how much I will miss being your pastor. I must say that I do understand the cross today more than I ever have in all my life. As I saw your tears on Sunday, and fought to control my own, I was reminded that the corn of wheat must die to bear fruit (John 12:24). He who loves his pastorate will lose it (John 12:25 - my very liberally paraphrased application). I know how I must die; how we all must die. But in this death, I know that this church will live. I wish to point you to all of the promises of God that are true when a death takes place. I know they're true. I want you to know they're true. This past week has been the most difficult week in my pastoral ministry. The calm I have is in knowing that our lives which have been intertwined together over the past thirteen years will be forever together with Jesus. We are going for a time so that others who have yet to hear of His Name will be able to join us in that day. May the Lamb receive the travail of His soul.

I give you every assurance that I know this is the will of God for my family. In doing this each of you can be reassured that this is the will of God for our church. The leadership (elders and deacons) is waiting on the Lord while beginning the process of seeking His will for a new pastor. I have every confidence in these men of God. I know that God will grant the wisdom and the grace for all of us to walk through this season.

In closing, please know that our intent is not in any way to disappear from your lives and traipse off to the other side of the world. William Carey, called the father of modern missions, referred to the mission field as a deep mine, and he said he was willing to descend into that mine if those at home would 'hold the ropes.' Our partnership with you is the same. We need you to hold the ropes - more than ever, just as we will continue to hold the ropes for you. Our partnership with you will last a lifetime; our fellowship for eternity.

We love and appreciate each one of you.

For His Renown,

Bernie Anderson
Pastor/Teacher

Better than Beans and Broccoli

Here is what I believe to be a self evident, Biblically supported, blatantly obvious truth:

If you are a Christian, you must spend time in the Word and you must spend time in Prayer. It is non-negotiable, imperative, no exceptions.

It is not legalism. It is simply necessary. Some may say 'overstatement'. I say 'Essential'. There are some in this easy-going Christian culture of ours that would say that requiring anybody to do (or not do) anything is legalistic narrow-mindedness. After all, we are free in Christ. Don't stifle freedom by requiring people to read the Bible.

Here is why making a requirement of regular time in the Bible and regular time in prayer is not legalism at all:

1. The reason we are to be in the word and in prayer is not to win or to secure our salvation. Jesus does that through His death and shedding of blood and resurrection.

2. We would never consider it legalism to require our children to eat or to drink. Nor is it legalism to require our children to eat or drink certain things and to refrain from eating and drinking other things. Some kids would eat only sugar and candy until they barf. Jelly beans and chocolate will always be more exciting than beans and broccoli. However, the fact remains; a person will eat almost anything rather than die - even if the thing that's eaten will kill in the end. It is not legalism to require your soul to feed on the word of God. It is food. It is 'more to be desired than gold - yeah than much fine gold, and it's sweeter than candy (honey and the honeycomb). It is not legalism to prohibit your soul from feeding on other things (movies, music, books, etc.). I am not here to tell you what kinds of things which should or shouldn't feed your soul (that's another Blog for another day, perhaps). I am saying that if you don't feed on the Word, your soul will seek satisfaction in a million other things that are more interesting or more exciting or more titillating than the Bible. It is not legalism to lay down some things that are not healthy in order to feed on that which is "perfect and revives the soul". (See Psalm 19)

3. It is not legalism to spend time every day getting a greater vision of the One who is your Redeemer. The Scriptures reveal God. God reveals Himself in the scriptures. The main action of the Christian life is to know and love and enjoy God. There is no way to do this apart from the Scriptures. The issue here is that for your flesh, the Scripture is an acquired taste. Like certain foods or exercise, it is something that you must partake of in order to love. Read the Bible with a worshipful heart, looking for God and the attributes of God as you read, trusting the Spirit of God to reveal Himself to you and you will 'delight in the law'. You will long for it, like a child longs for nourishment. That longing is not legalism. It is evidence of Christ's righteousness.

4. It is not legalistic to seek out encouragement and hope. (See Romans 15:4) I want to have hope and I want to have encouragement. It is not the least bit legalistic to lay aside things and to sacrifice time or to get up earlier or to not work as much or to rearrange my time and my schedule and my entertainment in order to spend ample time in the Word. This Word will be far more eternally encouraging than "Survivor" or an MP3 player or MSNBC or a romance novel or the million and a half other things that I could do instead of reading the Bible and spending time with God. So, to say "no" to myself and my need to be entertained and to say "yes" to spending that time in the Scriptures is actually and ultimately saying yes to my own personal joy for now and for all of eternity. That's not legalistic. That's growing in grace.

My prayer for the new year is that we will embrace our walk with God through Jesus Christ and that we will absolutely order our lives around the Word and prayer. That's a challenge. But it's worth it.

Here are a couple of helps for those who'd like to take the plunge and read more of the Bible this year:

Try the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plans.

I prefer the traditional plan. However those who are more linear than I may like the Book-at-a-time plan. Check it out!