Pastor’s Corner January 2007

The following was published in our monthly newsletter, the Redeemer Report.

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My prayers for the Saints at Redeemer for 2007

I am committed, as your pastor, to praying for these five things every day in 2007

1. That each member of Redeemer would make family worship a regular practice in 2007.

We are a community of redeemed people. We are redeemed from the penalty of sin and to a glorious relationship with our God through Christ. We are redeemed to glorify, praise, and worship God! Our gathering on Sunday’s to worship together is to be the climax of a week of worship each of us as individuals and families partake of. In response to God’s great grace to us, let us make intentional times of worship the norm for us. Specifically, I am praying that each Redeemer family would appoint special, regular (at least 3 times a week), times to gather as a family to pray, read Scripture, and sing praise to God. We are commanded to constantly immerse our families in the teaching of God’s Word (see Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Ephesians 6:4). May this be a year where we take this very seriously- every single member and family of Redeemer! John Knox encouraged his congregation with these words-

Within your houses, I say, in some cases, you are bishops and kings; your wife, children, servants, and family are your bishopric and charge. Of you it shall be required how carefully and diligently you have instructed them in God’s true knowledge, how you have studied to plant virtue in them, and [to] repress vice. And therefore I say, you must make them partakers in reading, exhorting, and in making common prayers, which I would in every house were used once a day at least. – John Knox

If you will commit to regular times of family worship, it will absolutely transform your lives.

2. That each member of Redeemer would function as a biblical peacemaker in their relationships in 2007.

I have learned during these past 10 years of pastoral ministry that little is known in the wider Christian community about biblical conflict resolution. As we, the pastors and elders, have committed to teaching these principles in our church, I’ve been blessed to hear about how so many of you have been implementing this teaching in your relationships. I believe a congregation of committed “biblical peacemakers” can be used of God to change whole communities. So, it is my prayer that each of us would become committed to practicing and promoting biblical conflict resolution, starting with our closest personal relationships and extending it to our church, school, communities, city, etc. The principles for biblical conflict resolution are stated well by a wonderful ministry aptly called “Peacemakers”: Glorify God , Get the Log out of Your Eye, Gently Restore and Go and be reconciled (on the web, go to www.peacemakers.net click around, loaded with great teaching). Biblical peacemaking is counter-culture, transformational, practical stuff. What is more common to the fallen human experience than conflict? Unfortunately, just as common is the way we, even Christians, handle conflict. If each of us would strive after God’s glory in our relationships, imagine the great effect this would have! What would be a greater manifestation of God’s redemption than individuals who humble themselves before one another and seek God’s glory in every relationship they have?

Our church unity and cohesiveness will grow stronger and thus become more effective in our wider community if we commit to biblical peacemaking in all our relationships. Remember, Jesus didn’t say the world would know we are Christians because of our programs. They will know we are Christians by our love for one another (John 15).

3. That each member of Redeemer would become a zealous promoter of parish-life at Redeemer in 2007.

Redeemer was planted as a “parish-type” ministry. It was the vision of the founding pastor and families to see a church planted which included multiple ministries aimed at discipling whole families and
eventually, whole communities. Redeemer is your church! Your family! Be proud (biblically proud, of course) of her! Be a promoter of her! Share your excitement about what God is doing here by participating in the body life of the church to the fullest. Share your excitement about our church with people you meet. While suburban America has not been very favorable toward “neighborhood” churches, I think that is changing as people feel more and more disconnected from others. Churches that reflect a holistic ministry and discipleship approach are poised gain traction. I have always believed a parish-type ministry is the most biblical way to be a transforming agent in culture. Redeemer now has a community growing up around us. The existing membership has an opportunity to establish Redeemer as one of the “neighborhood” churches the community can look to for spiritual guidance and support. The sharing of this vision is important, but it must already be happening in a real way in our midst. We have a wonderfully committed membership. My prayer is for us to become even more integrated and family-like, even in the midst of steady growth. Keep in mind God’s church growth strategy as displayed in the book of Acts:

Acts 2:42-47 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. [And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. [ And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Let us continue, by God’s grace, to build and strengthen our community by remaining committed to worship, scripture, fellowship, and proclamation of the gospel.

4. That each member of Redeemer would care more about Christ’s opinion of him or her than the opinion of close friends and our immediate Johnson County culture in 2007.

Let’s face it, there is an incredible amount of discontentment in our culture, despite enormous wealth. We as Christians are not immune. Envy and Jealousy can creep in to our fellowship if we are not careful to seek joyful contentment with all God has blessed us with. There is a fable of an eagle which could out fly another, and the other didn’t like it. The latter saw a sportsman one day, and said to him: “I wish you would bring down that eagle.” The sportsman replied that he would if he only had some feathers to put into the arrow. So the eagle pulled one out of his wing. The arrow was shot, but didn’t quite reach the rival eagle; it was flying too high. The envious eagle pulled out more feathers, and kept pulling them out until he lost so many that he couldn’t fly, and then the sportsman turned around and killed him. Brothers and sisters, if we fall in to envy and jealousy, the only person or thing we will hurt is ourselves.

Phillippians 4:11-13 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

My prayer is for each Redeemer member to be overwhelmed with God’s generous provisions for us individually and collectively to the point we are not as tempted to compare ourselves with those who “have less” or “have more”.

5. That each member of Redeemer would begin to align their financial “house” with the will of God in 2007.

Somewhat related to my fourth prayer request, I will also be praying that each Redeemer member begin to align their finances with God’s Will. Specifically, that each of us would recognize that we realize God owns everything and has made us stewards of some of it. There are 2350 verses on how to handle money and possessions in the bible. Jesus said more about money than almost any other subject. The Crown Ministries study material notes three reasons for Jesus frequent references to the handling of money: 1. How we handle money effects our fellowship with the Lord. 2. Possessions compete with the Lord for first place in our lives. 3. Much of life revolves around the use of money. Our culture promotes slavery to stuff. My prayer is that each of you be free from such thinking and begin to liberate yourself from slavery to stuff and slavery to debt. To be used of God in an impacting way, we have to address this idol of our day in our own lives. Jesus says it very plainly – “If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? (Luke 16:11)”

Brothers and sisters, I know turning financial priorities around can be difficult and painful, especially getting out of debt. It could mean downsizing, liquidating, and curbing spending. In the end, however, being a faithful steward will yield rewards that far outweigh any perceived satisfaction or enjoyment “stuff” provides. I am confident that most Christians want to give more money to the Lord’s work but can’t because of their debt problem. Imagine if each Redeemer member faithfully sought the Lord in this area and became more and more debt free. Not only would more funds be available for the Lord’s work here and abroad, there would be a lightening of a burden that defeats our spirit. Ultimately, debt is slavery (Proverbs 22:7), and slavery never feels good.

My prayer is that each of us would begin to model this simple practice: Give-Save-Live. Regarding our financial practices, we would give first. The first check we write is to the Lord’s work. The second matter would be to put some money away for future giving and living. Thirdly, what is left can be used for living now. I used to have this priority list jumbled to be Live-Give-Save. If I had any left over after living, I’d give a little. Rarely would I be able to save. I suspect many of you know what I’m talking about. Here is a verse that has literally changed my view of financial stewardship, not to mention my life!

1 Chronicles 29:11-12 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

You may feel your situation is hopeless, but it is not. Make changes according to God’s Word and just see how God works in your situation to make changes and provisions you never thought possible.

Brothers and sisters, Shari and I are so very blessed to be part of this church. I feel that I am the most privileged pastor in the world. My love for each of you compels me to pray these things for you with great expectancy regarding what the Lord will do through us, as a church, in 2007 and beyond. In the Lamb,

In the Lamb,
Pastor Tony Felich