fresh reflection

             Thoughts jotted in LA airport last Sun am.

 

         Its interesting to spend a morning sitting in Los Angeles International Airport. You literally see the world go by, “every nation, tribe and tongue” so to speak and in many ways that theme of “global  faith” has typified these ten days for me.

 

   Meeting Firouz and Carina with their children, Andrew and Crista Rose; his commitment to reaching Farsi speaking Iranian people is enormous, both locally and globally. To visit the studio in Anaheim, where he and his team make tv programmes and construct web sites that will reach millions of people was a privilege for me. Pray for this strategic ministry. I sense that this is the frontline of spiritual ministry and prone to attack.

 

   Staying with Pastor Neil and his wife (and ministry assistant!!) Nancy was an opportunity to get an insight into the Calvary Chapel denomination, founded by Chuck Smith in Costa Mesa, not too far away. There are many Calvary Chapels now. I was interested in the amount of authority given to the Pastor in theses churches in that not only is he the Pastor but also the Chairman of the Board. Good gig I reckon. Maybe not!  I hope to be able to stay in touch.

 

    One of the most fascinating insights from Rick Warren in Saddleback was this vision he has for a Global PEACE plan. I found this to be inspirational and worth further thought. The idea that local churches make up the most extensive network for spiritual and social change in the world. Rick told us he had just written an article for a special edition of Forbes Business Journal saying exactly that.  To say that your local church can have a local and a global impact is not at all far fetched in this day and age. It has caused me to reflect on the nature of our mission as a church.

 

      Here is Ricks thinking; he has identified the biggest problems in the world; 1) spiritual emptiness, 2) egocentric leadership, 3) extreme poverty, 4) pandemic diseases, 5) poor education/ illiteracy.  Then he encourages us to look at the ministry of Jesus and to do what he did in addressing these giants in our world. So the PEACE plan identifies what our priorities in ministry should be. P= plant and partner with churches to reach people.  E= equipping leaders. A= assisting the poor. C= caring for the sick. E= educating the next generation.

 

       The challenge is for the church to be on the frontline, both locally and internationally doing these things, primarily through teams and partnerships to see the global giants addressed. I am encouraged by what we already do in Ukraine and in our own community. I also recognize that there is still so much to do. I am very encouraged by the growing emphasis on the poor in the ministry of our fellowship.

 

      And the time at Fuller was also stimulating. Walt Wrights emphasis on the importance of character in those who lead. Eddie Gibbs gracious manner and encouragement  to lead a church differently at each stage of its growth. All very helpful.  The journey continues.

 

Gordon McDade