MISSION CONNECTION ~ A MISSION RESOURCE FOR GLOBAL NAZARENE MISSION LEADERS ~ Friday, 1 November 2013
Feature Story
Connecting the Dots
As a 25-year veteran of the Hollywood film and television business, Brian Bird’s mission as a writer, producer, and creative media professional is to illuminate the power of great ideas through the medium of “Story”—whether the message is destined for the really big screen at the multiplex or the big screen at home.
On October 19, 2013, Bird was the keynote speaker at the 15th Annual Media Fellowship International Praise Brunch, where his topic was “Ten Commandments for How to Be a Christian in Media.”
While the topic might seem a bit unusual for Nazarene Missions International leaders, we believe that, as you read, you will find nuggets of truth that will benefit you, your family and friends, your tasks in NMI, and other ministries in which you might participate.
How do you connect the dots between what Brian Bird said and your role as an NMI leader?
Thou Shalt Know Why Before You Figure Out How.
“Are you called? Is it your mission? Not everyone who would like to be called is. Likewise, not everyone who is called, answers. But if you are called and it’s confirmed by other people you trust, then you are selling yourself, the world, and God short by not striving to be the Michelangelo of your field.”
Thou Shalt Speaketh a Language They Understand.
“We have to stop speaking Christianese. We have to care about the communications process, not just be obsessed with the profundity of our message and hearing ourselves talk.”
“Also, can we please stop talking about the Cultural Civil War? Jesus didn’t bludgeon people into the Kingdom, He loved them in.”
“Folks, when we communicate God’s grace—and not our political and moral agenda to people—the world falls silent.”
Thou Shalt Be in the Business of Loving People.
“I’m not just talking about the audience, the great unreached masses. I’m talking about the people we have to work alongside to get the message out.”
“It took Jesus three years of living with those hard-heads for His message to take hold. Let’s not be so impatient. We need to keep loving people, even if they reject our message.”
Thou Shalt Be Part of the Conversation.
“What we need to acknowledge that there is a giant media conversation going on throughout the world, which is going to happen with or without us.”
“We should just be asking GREAT QUESTIONS—questions that stir up cravings in people, that drive them closer to God, that get them to engage with their neighbors or coworkers around the water cooler.”
“That’s what great art always does—it asks great questions. But it doesn’t always have to answer them. That’s what people and relationships are for.”
Be God’s Typist.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.~—John 1:1
for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the holy ones.~—1 Corinthians 14:33
Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation,~—Hebrews 5:9
Thou Shalt Respect the Path to Power.
“The point is we need people in positions of authority who have earned the right to be there. They need to know what they’re doing.
They need to be trained to know the difference between a good and bad script, or between professional and mediocre production values. It’s not acceptable just to say, ‘It sounded good to me.’”
“It’s a very exciting time—but also a little scary—and one that requires us to step up to the plate. We need to seek Solomon-like influence and be fearless in pursuit of positions where we can make a difference, all the while respecting the path to power because it is fraught with danger. A little like Esther had to do to keep the
Jews from being wiped out.”
Thou Shalt Know the Difference Between Excellence and Mediocrity.
“I’m a writer and not a painter or a sculptor, but I believe Michelangelo was merely doing what we’re all supposed to do. If we believe we are created in God’s image, then we contain ‘DNA’ from the ONE who created the heavens and the earth.”
“And if that’s true, art should not just be reduced to something WE DO in the utilitarian, ‘how-do-we-win- people-to-Christ?’ sense. It should be WHO WE ARE in the ‘I-want-to-be- more-like-the-Father-who-created- me’ sense.”
“Artistic endeavor should bubble out of us as an expression of thanksgiving to God and as a reflection of His attributes and loving- kindness to the world around us.
Thou Shalt Tell Great Stories.
“We have no better example of the importance of storytelling than our Savior. Jesus Christ knew that in order to capture people’s hearts and imaginations and to communicate His truths, He had to sit them down and tell them stories.”
“The message has be part of the storytelling process. It has to be so organic, that to pull it out would be like pulling one thread out of a tapestry and watching it all fall apart.”
Thou Shalt Copy.
“The point is, if you’re working on a book, read the top five best novels you can get your hands on, Christian or secular. If you’re writing a screenplay, rent the top five movies that deal with similar content and study them, break them down, see what the writer, director, or producer accomplished, and then use those examples as a springboard for your own project.”
Thou Shalt Leave the Door Open Behind You.
“This means being a champion for those who come after you. This means being proactive about giving an opportunity to a new generation.”
“I have actively tried to mentor as many young people as I possibly can.”
“Mentoring is how you outlive yourself. It’s also how you clone yourself and your values, by being champions for someone else.”
“And how you answer the question: ‘How am I spreading the good news
of Christ?’ should be, ‘I’m lighting fires under others to carry on the influence and message I believe in.’”
Thou Shalt Know that God Was—and Is—a Writer.
“Once, when I was stuck on a script late at night, it struck me...that God chose to leave us a record of His revelation, His guidelines for life—all the spiritual truths we would ever need...in the form of a Book. God was a WRITER...The Writer...The First Writer.”
“I got very excited and started remembering just how much a writer God is...the AUTHOR of life... the AUTHOR of the universe.”
“That night, God impressed these words on my heart: ‘I was a writer... so you be a writer.’ That’s a little intimidating. I’m not sure I’m quite that good...so I keep a little yellow Post-It on my computer terminal that reads...‘Be God’s Typist.’~~Excerpted from an article from ASSIST News Service (ANS) To read the entire article, click here: www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/ s13100096.htm
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From the President
Giving from Our Resources
There are two Bible stories of giving that come to mind as I write this. The first is the story of the widow and the pot of oil and flour she used to provide a meal for the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17). The second is the example of the widow giving her two low-value coins as she entered the temple (Luke 21).
For NMI, the November, December and January focuses on Thanksgiving Offering, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM), and Volunteer Ministries respectively. Sure, NMI is concerned with the raising of funds for World Evangelism Fund through the Thanksgiving Offering. There is, however, more to “Giving” in NMI than finance.
Our resources extend beyond finance.
The NMI objective of Giving is based on giving from our resources. Our resources extend beyond finance. It is therefore appropriate that the three areas of Thanksgiving Offering, NCM, and Volunteer Ministries are sequential in our calendar. As we bring from our financial resources, we are also encouraged to consider giving of other resources—time, gifts, skills, and talents:
• Pray (and give) for the projects requiring support from NCM.
• Ask yourself if you have gifts and skills to take part in a
volunteer ministry.
• Give time to pray, donate your time to volunteer, give
from your finances to support those who “Go” as career missionaries. There is more to giving than finance.
Of the two stories to which I referred at the opening of this short article, only one involved money. The point was not that the widow gave two low-value coins, but rather that she gave from her resources and her all.
Let us continue to support World Evangelism Fund, but let us also look and seek the Lord for how He would have us give from all of our resources.
Philip Weatherill Global NMI President
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Council Input
Compassion Tree for Christmas
Many churches decorate a Christmas tree in their worship center or foyer during the Advent and Christmas season. This year, how about decorating a Compassion Tree?
Instead of traditional ornaments, hang Child Sponsorship cards that have information about children who need to be sponsored. To get cards, follow these instructions.
1. Contact the Child Sponsorship office by phone (800-310- 6362) or e-mail them at cs@ncm.org and ask for hard profile cards you can hang on a tree. Child Sponsorship will make a reservation of children’s information (you determine the number of cards you would like), and they will print and mail the cards to you.
2. You can then add a length of ribbon or yarn to attach it to the tree. The card will already have a hole.
3. Make a sign for the tree that instructs people how to sponsor children (see information below).
4. Child Sponsorship will send paper profiles of the same children. When a sponsor chooses a profile card from the tree, they go to a table to complete the sponsoring process. They (or the person coordinating this) should find the corresponding paper profile card in the binder of all of the children’s profiles. Then they will fill out the application on the right-hand side of the profile. The person in charge will tear off the perforated portion of the application, keep that portion, and give the sponsor the rest of the child’s paper profile, which will include information not included on the hard profile card.
5. After collecting all applications at the end of the promotion, the person coordinating this activity will mail the applications to Child Sponsorship.
Flyers for NCM Gift Cards also make wonderful ornaments for the tree. Your church members may may purchase gift cards from the NCM Web site and give them as gifts. Imagine the impact in the lives of families around the world who receive the benefit of these ornaments! To download the flyers, click here: www.ncm.org/toolbox/promotion/giftcard.
Of course, every tree needs gifts under it. Ask individuals to pack Crisis Care Kits (CCKs) and School Pal-Paks (SPPs), then place them under the tree. Decorate the bags with colorful bows.
After the holidays, box and ship the kits according to directions posted here: www.nazarenemissions.org/Stories/docs/Giving/ Compassion/CCK_Instructions_2012.pdf for Crisis Care Kits, and here: www.nazarenemissions.org/Stories/docs/Giving/Compassion/ schoolpalpaks.pdf for School Pal-Paks.
Begin promoting your Compassion Tree before the Advent season, so people will be prepared and have CCKs and SPPs packed. Pray for the children and families around the world who will receive hope and help because your people take the ornaments and respond generously.
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Children's Page
Church Hosts Children’s Faith Promise
Kings Mountain First Church of the Nazarene hosted a Children’s Faith Promise Sunday on September 22, 2013.
We served them mango curry with rice, pumpupdums with spicy mango chutney, and rasgulla. They drank hot chai tea with milk and sugar. It was exciting to see that most of the children tried the food and many of them discovered they liked it! One little girl asked for more of “that curddie.”
A grocery store in my area has an aisle for ethnic foods, and they had Indian food. We have a large Indian population in our area, and I come in contact with them often, as I work at a bank. I asked some of them about rasgulla, and a few days later they called me to one of their stores and had a can for me. When the
man at the store learned what I was doing for children at my church, he wanted to help me (even though he was of another faith)! God has helped me to develop relationships with the Indian population here in my community. They are not interested in attending my church yet, but they like to talk to me about India. They also try
to teach me a phrase in their language when I tell them I will be speaking at a church. God is good.
There were several adults who came to help serve and “taste” the curry. (They enjoyed the food too!)
Christi Cummings, Kim Carroll, and Doug Sisk helped to organize the event; and the women and I dressed in Indian saris. (Whenever I travel, I always buy clothes for the ladies on the stage to wear.)
We talked about children in India, then we colored in an Alabaster Coloring book.* We talked about how important it was for everyone to give to World Evangelism Fund because it helps missionaries to go and share the story of Jesus around the world. I gave each child a bag
and talked about the scripture in 2 Samuel 24:24 where King David said to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
I asked the children to perform extra chores around their houses to earn money for World Evangelism Fund. I then explained that their working for the money will make their offering more special because it “cost” them something—their time. They will bring their offering back in one month.
It was a good day, and I think the kids and adults enjoyed themselves. The grandmother of a four-year-old said the little girl had dusted her house and even asked her neighbor if she could dust her porch so she could earn money for her missionary.
We set the children’s goal for World Evangelism Fund at $150.00 because they were asked to earn the money not to just ask for donations.
“Verily, I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
Donna Spivey-Sisk Kings Mountain, North Carolina
* Available at www.nazarenemissions.org/Stories/docs/Discipling/ MCC/alabasterColoringBook.pdf
~~~
Youth Page
Florida Teens Experience
Cross-cultural Ministry Through
‘Amazing Race: Mission Edition—Take 2’
“I never expected to do what we did this weekend. I learned how hard and how dedicated you must be to serve as a missionary” is how college junior Brandon Innis of Homestead, Florida, described “The Amazing Race: Mission Edition––Take 2.” The event, held October 18-20 at Lake Placid Camp & Conference Center in Florida, was the second time that Nazarene Missions International (NMI) from the three Florida districts collaborated in sponsoring the event.
Dr. Kathy Mowry, intercultural/religion professor at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee, and five of her students assisted NMI leaders from the North, Central, and Southern Florida districts. According to Southern Florida District NMI President Dennis Moore, “The event was for students who are serious/mature in their Christian walk and who are deliberate in seeking God’s call for their life.”
The 76 students and youth/mission leaders who attended the event were divided into 4 tribes. The Trevecca student leaders then created four learning tracks that led the teams to a simulated overseas evangelical assignment in the “Land of Sheerala.” Adult leaders served as village inhabitants, including people working in an orphanage, a chief, a sheriff, and a witch doctor. The four teams were given a variety of preparatory training skills in theology, medicine, and survival before being sent “overseas” (Lake Placid).
Dr. Mowry spoke four times to the group, illuminating Luke 4 as an example to follow in living and reaching others for Christ. She also met separately with adult leaders providing background and information on teaching and working with the “iGeneration” (middle and high school students).
The event closed with a special Sunday anointing by Dr. Mowry of those students who desired to commission themselves to a life of service to God. Fourteen students chose to be anointed.
Brandon Innis concluded, “I learned not to be so task-oriented when it comes to God’s service. You have to build on personal relationships and put God and others first.”
Dennis Moore Southern Florida District NMI President
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News and Announcements
Meet Jeanette Littleton
The newest face around the NMI Office is Jeanette Littleton. A Kansas City native, Jeanette has 30 years of experience in communication, primarily in the fields of writing and editing. She is not new to Nazarene circles or to our mission endeavors.
“Some of my favorite memories of being raised in Dundee Hills Church of the Nazarene include the mission programs,” she says. “I loved reading the missionary books, and I was enthralled when missionaries talked to us and showed us slides of their ministries.”
Jeanette served at the Global Ministry Center in the 1990s in Nazarene Youth International and Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International and later served as an editor at Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City (a division of Nazarene Publishing House). Over the years, she has authored or co-authored several NMI missions books for children and youth.
Jeanette looks forward to not only helping the NMI team in communications, but in being a communications link for you. As administrative assistant to NMI Director Daniel Ketchum and NMI Senior Administrator Rob North, she is eager to be a prayer and practical supporter for you in your NMI ministry.
September ‘Funding the Mission’ Report Is Available
The “Funding the Mission” Report for September is attached at the end of this document.
General Treasurer Marilyn McCool wrote recently, “We are grateful to report that at the close of Fiscal Year 2013, the WEF received was 100.18 percent of the General Board-approved forecast and only 0.64% less than 2012 WEF receipts. God continues to bless our denomination through His faithful people and churches.
“As we begin a new fiscal year, we are aware that we have increased the forecast by 2 percent and are relying on the Lord to meet our needs as we strive together to steward the resources He provides for the mission of the Church of the Nazarene. We have much for which to give Him praise!”
Fast Facts in Multiple Languages
2013 NMI Fast Facts, which reflect denominational statistics from 2012, are now available on the NMI Web site in English, French, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. To view these documents, visit this link: www.nazarenemissions.org/10149/ story.html.
Many NMI leaders find the Fast Facts beneficial when giving overviews of what the Church of the Nazarene is doing globally, explaining how World Evangelism Fund directly or indirectly supports the many ministries of the denomination, and promoting upcoming mission events, especially Faith Promise.
The statistics for 2013 are just beginning to arrive at the Global Ministry Center. The 2014 NMI Fast Facts will be available in late April.
~~~
November
World Evangelism Fund
Southern Florida Obtaining Harvesters
Editor’s Note: Southern Florida District NMI President Dennis Moore included a Thanksgiving Offering announcement in his district’s NMI newsletter that explains the role for each of us in that powerful ministry. He has graciously allowed us to reprint it, so you can adapt it for your church.
Urgent financial assistance is needed from the 18,000 Nazarenes attending our 85 churches. The Thanksgiving growing season has been overwhelming, and harvesters are desperately needed for immediate service.
If we had thousands of acres growing wheat—wouldn’t we want the best equipment to yield the highest number of bushels for our harvest?
The truth is we ARE “soul-winning” farmers, and there is a huge harvest to reap. Instead of thousands of bushels, there are thousands of souls waiting for eternal harvesting in every corner of our world.
Giving generously to the Thanksgiving Offering (World Evangelism Fund) in our churches is a way we help secure harvesters (missionaries and more) to reap millions of souls for God’s eternal kingdom. Southern Florida needs to raise over $500,000 for our “harvesters.” Make an eternal difference with your gift!
Some fantastic Thanksgiving Offering/World Evangelism videos are free at:
and
Dennis Moore Southern Florida District NMI President
~~~
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
November 3, 2013 *
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is around the corner (see note below). A master for prayer bookmarks (there are eight different versions on the sheet) to copy and distribute to your congregation is available on the IDOP Promotional Ideas of the NMI Web site: www.nazarenemissions.org/Stories/docs/Praying/IDOP/IDOP_Bookmark.pdf.
* Traditionally we have promoted this event as the second Sunday of November. We have asked the ministry that promotes IDOP (and that noted November 3 as the day of the event) if the first Sunday of November will be the date for IDOP for the future and will let you know what they say. Keep in mind that your church can commemorate the event any time that works for your church calendar; we just want your people to pray for those who are suffering as a result of their faith.
Gail Sawrie Editor
~~~
December
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Following a Natural Disaster—Service Ideas
On May 26, 2013 (the Sunday after a tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma), Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene prepared for corporate prayer with the following hymn and responsive prayer.
“God, We’ve Known Such Grief and Anger”
IN BABILONE 8.7.8.7 D (“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy”)
God, we’ve known such grief and anger as we’ve heard your people cry. We have asked you, “How much longer?” We have sadly wondered, “Why?” In this world of so much suffering, may we hear your word anew: “I will never leave you orphaned; I will not abandon you.”
By your grace comes resurrection; by your love, you cast out fear. You give strength and sure direction as we seek to serve you here. You give comfort to the grieving, and you bless the ones who mourn. May we trust in you, believing out of chaos, hope is born.
Hope is ours for, God, you love us! You have claimed us by your grace. And through Jesus, you have called us to bring hope to every place. In each rescue worker’s caring, in each faithful volunteer, In each Christian’s love and sharing, God, we glimpse your kingdom here.
Tune: Dutch melody, arr. by Julius Rontgen (1855-1933) Text: Copyright © 2002 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Copied from Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Upper Room Books, 2009). Web site: www.carolynshymns.com Permission is given for use of this hymn for local church use.
Responsive Prayer
Pastor:
Angry wind, Swirling pictures, Hearts amazed beyond belief. In an instant, Dreams blown away!
As your people sift through the rubble and as the victims are laid to rest,
Congregation:
Jesus, speak peace.
Pastor:
As displaced people long for home and church leaders continue to assess the damages,
Congregation:
Jesus, speak peace.
Silence
Pastor:
Speak peace and hope over families and communities devastated by sudden loss.
Congregation:
Jesus, speak peace.
Silence
Pastor:
Speak peace and unity over diverse groups of people, so they would come together for greater provision, just distribution and effective rebuilding.
Congregation:
Jesus, speak peace.
Silence
Pastor:
Speak peace and protection over rescue workers as they reach out to those who are suffering.
Congregation:
Jesus, speak peace.
Silence
All:
You are the Prince of Peace. You are the Resurrection and the Life. You are strong to save.
Our hope and trust are in You. Amen.
Adapted by Pastor Brad Estep Kansas City, Missouri
~~~
January
Volunteer Ministries
Work & Witness Trips that Any Church Can Do
We’ve had small churches ask how they can get involved in Work & Witness (W&W) without going overseas. Here are some suggestions:
• One Heart—Many Hands projects that are domestic—our district team to the 2013 project before General Assembly was sponsored by our district Nazarene Youth International.
• Trips to work at the Fawn Grove Compassion Center in Fawn Grove, Maryland—we’ve done this the last two years, taking a team and a truckload of Crisis Care Kits from our district NMI convention.
• Trips to the Cherokee Indian reservation in North Carolina and Sun Valley Indian School in Arizona—our W&W coordinator showed video of all these trips and shared churches how could get involved.
• Disaster Relief—our disaster relief leader shared the kinds of training relief workers need. We have sponsored disaster relief training at the district campground last summer and want to provide additional training.
Teresa Hodge East Tennessee District NMI President
A civilization flourishes when people plant trees
under which they will never sit.~~Greek Proverb
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Global Nazarene Missions
Church of the Nazarene
Global Ministry Center
17001 Prairie Star Parkway
Lenexa, KS 66220
Phone: (913)577~0500
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