- Jenny J, who teaches at the Evangelical School for the Deaf in Puerto Rico.
- Jim O, who is working on construction and fixit projects at Jenny's school.
- David J, who is visiting Jenny and helping Jim.
- Bethany J, who is spending this semester in South Africa, working on her nursing degree through Azusa Pacific University.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Pray For Our Overseas Travelers
Souper Bowl Party
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A Dialogue Between Emergent & Established Leaders
I just don't know what to do. I try to work with our young leaders but it's hard. They use inappropriate language and they are always goofing around. I always feel like I'm walking on egg shells with them. I ask for receipts for reimbursements and they seem to think I'm unspiritual or don't trust them. They don't understand that we ask for their own protection and we need those receipts for IRS standards. They just hate structure. They need to work harder and be stronger -- you know, drink less coffee. And what's really scary is their fuzzy theology and reluctance to share Christ.
Unison:
I'm really worried about the future of the church.
Younger:
It is so hard to work with older leaders. It feels like they want to control everything. I just feel like they don't get it. They are always asking me for receipts and numbers when I want to focus on spiritual transformation - on changing the world. They preach these canned sermons without saying what they really feel. The thing that really frustrates me is that they don't seem to care about people - or not enough. It seems like they are always hiding behind a position and they don't care about the poor. I've tried to talk to them about it - to explain where I'm coming from - but it takes me two weeks to get an appointment to sit down with them. They are too busy and...
Unison:
They just don't listen.
Older:
I mean, it seems that unless I have my shirt un-tucked they completely disregard what I'm saying. And, it's not like I'm obsessed with structures, tax receipts, and numbers - but I do want to see the church survive and infrastructure is a part of that. And I want to be faithful to God and multiply our numbers. Why is that so hard to understand? I care about the language we use because it says something about who we are. One of the things I love about Friends is that we've always lived differently than the world. Can't we at least be different enough and disciplined to use appropriate language? Is that too much to ask?
Unison:
We're called to be in the world - not of the world.
Younger:
I mean, we're Friends. Friends have always stood up for marginalized people - sharing the Gospel by living differently than the world. Can't we at least be different enough to put people before numbers? Is that too much to ask? We are always fixated on things like tax receipts and numbers and people's lives aren't being transformed. I'm always being asked how much I "share my faith." But they don't seem to understand that, for me, sharing my faith is sharing my life. If I've been born again through faith in Jesus, my whole life should be different. So, I let my life speak. As St Francis said, "Preach the Gospel always - and if necessary - use words." The Gospel's not about words or structure - its about God's saving love. It's mysterious and can't be contained in a structure. It's...
Unison:
Organic, mysterious.
Older:
They are always throwing buzz words around. Honestly, those words scare me; they are fuzzy and make for fuzzy theology and a lazy ecclesiology. Yes, God is beyond our understanding and we may not know everything - but as Evangelicals, we believe that there are certain truths about God that are revealed and indisputable. From our beginning, we have been committed to the centrality of Christ and the authority of scripture. If we give those up, what do we have left? It feels like this commitment is eroding with the younger leaders. It's not like I don't want to pass the baton onto younger leaders, but I worry about their commitment to Christ and to scripture. I don't want the Evangelical Friends to become just another liberal voice claiming to be about love when there is nothing loving about watering down the Gospel. It's not that I don't care about the poor but I lived through the 60's. I've seen a focus on social ills without declaring Jesus' power to transform people. I watched this fail to bring lasting transformation. Social justice without the Gospel and power of Jesus ultimately fails to transform lives. I will not trade in truth for a social Gospel.
Unison:
It all comes down to sharing the Gospel.
Younger:
Why do social justice and truth have to be pitted against each other. Why does caring about justice have to be a slippery slope into a social Gospel? Why are they so afraid of those words. Jesus did just fine caring for those in need and holding on to truth.
I don't think they understand that - to my generation - the mystery, compassion and justice of God is what draws us to the Gospel. I want God to be seen in the fullness of God's glory: that Jesus came, died, and rose from the dead so that we might have eternal life - but that life begins today and it is for everyone - and this God who came and was incarnated is a God who is with us and who cares about the physical realities of the poor and enslaved in this world. Like James said, faith is nothing unless it is lived out and religion that pleases God is to care for orphans and widows in their distress. I care for the poor because I believe the Bible is authoritative - not despite it. God cares who made my t-shirt and flip flops. For me, seeking justice is glorifying God - it is a response to the uncontainable hope of the Gospel. And I think that seeking justice will draw my generation to Jesus.
Unison:
I just want to see the Gospel spread. I want God's people multiplied. I want God to be glorified. I want to see the church thrive and grow in the next generation and the one after that. I just want to see Jesus: right here, right now.
2010 EFCSW Annual Conference
The 2010 Evangelical Friends Church Southwest (EFCSW) Annual Conference began on Friday, January 29, at Canyon Hills Friends Church, pictured above, with an early morning session for potential church planters, followed by a Representatives Session focusing strictly on the dynamics of the contemporary relationship between Emergent and Established leader generations. My next post will be the text of the opening dialogue between an Older and Younger leader. After the reading we were asked to break into small groups to discuss issues related to generational differences. I thought it was helpful and worthwhile. My group consisted of Iris and Jen, staffers who are emergent leaders from Rose Drive Friends (a congregation of about 2,000 on a weekend), my wife, Gina, and our Associate Pastor, Judy. This was followed by a panel (pictured below), whose members answered questions about intergenerational ministry. The members included Tweed Moore of Citrus Heights Friends, Rebecca Tucker of Midtown Friends, Sumatra Sean and Joe Ginder of Long Beach Friends, and Chris Ward and Matthew Cork of Yorba Linda Friends.
The afternoon Representatives Business Session included these items:- EFCSW Staff Reports from Superintendent Stan Leach, Director of Multiplying Ministry (missions and church planting) Alan Amavisca, and Friends Center Director Kent Walkemeyer and Friends Center Associate Director Judith Shoemaker. Judy, also our church's associate pastor, presented on her work developing a coaching system and the Friends Equipping And Training System (FEATS).
- The Nominating Committee's report was approved, with concern that no Arizona church representation was included.
- EFCSW Director of Corporate Stewardship Jeff Davis presented the financials and new budget. 2009 was a very difficult year, with lots of reserves being used up. The 2010 Church Health and Growth budget corrects this, coming in at 16.4% under 2009, totaling $603,751. The 2010 Missions budget is 15.8% lower than 2009, at $585,594. The 2010 New Church Development budget is 17.2% lower at $270,421. The 2010 Friends Center budget is 37% higher, because of new self-funding program costs, like FEATS, coming in at $131,450.
- The Elders Board presented the 2010 First Fruits Recommendation. First Fruits is the way local churches cover the cost of EFCSW's Church Health and Growth Budget (Missions, New Church Development and Friends Center receive most of their support separately). The 2010 First Fruits percentage will remain at 5.5%, same as last year's level. The Elders Board also presented for approval a request from the Retirement Living Board to lay the board down as its mandate as constituted is now being handled, in essence, by EFCSW staff and local churches and local pastors and staffs.
- The Board of Recording and Commissioning presented Pastor Jeff Jernigan of Corona Friends Church for approval as a Recorded Friends minister. The BRC also presented an update on a pilot program for Recording candidates, including a revised Handbook for Recording.
The evening found us just down the road at Rose Drive Friends Church, enjoying tasty beef and a compelling message from Superintendent Stan Leach. I Tweeted Stan's outline in the moment, and I Twote: "The Roles of a Cross-Cultural Gospel Missionary: Learner, Servant, Friend, Story Teller. From Stan Leach's EFCSW dinner keynote address." Former missionaries to Central America were honored for their work and commitment.Monday, February 1, 2010
Women Church Planters
Rebecca Tucker, pastor of newly formed Midtown Friends in central Sacramento, is beginning a series on women church planters. Check it out.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Serve Day 2010 Glendora Friends Food Garden
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Serve Day Update
Sunday, January 24, 2010
A Note of Thanks from The Gideons

Thursday, January 21, 2010
The Golden Illusion vs. Faithful Living
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
A Good Sign

Monday, January 18, 2010
"Why We're Not Getting Married"
"Why We're Not Getting Married"
It's hard not to notice that cohabitation without marriage is a growing societal problem, so I'm reading up on this trend.



























