[DCE Youth] [Area B & C] Paul's MMF E-Letter 07.03.06 - Two Pastor's Personal Mission Stories - "My Faith Ablaze!" Workshops Offered
Krentz, Paul
krentztx at txdistlcms.org
Mon Jul 3 15:37:11 CDT 2006
Paul's MMF E-Letter <*}}}><
July 3, 2006
Area B & C (Circuits 21, 25, 30)
Texas District, LC-MS
<mailto:Krentztx at txdistlcms.org> Krentztx at txdistlcms.org
800.951.3478
Mobile: 512.769.6734
<http://www.txdistlcms.org/krentz/>
www.txdistlcms.org/krentz/
Two Pastors - Two Personal Mission Stories
Mission is the corporate work of the Church, but it is also the personal
work of individuals. This issue looks at two missional pastors, one retired
- Rev. Ray Schkade of Giddings and one active - Rev. Russell Nehbut, Pastor
at St. John Hamilton. Here are their stories in their own words:
Rev. Ray Schkade: "In my 50 plus years as a pastor, I have had some unique
experiences witnessing for Christ in public places. Like the time on a
family vacation in our camper, when our children went to each camp site in
the state park, extending an invitation to join us for Sunday worship
outside our camper (our son, with his guitar, led in the singing of some
well known contemporary hymns.). Of the 20 some participants, one man later
returned to ask if he had heard me correctly. Did Christ pay for the sins of
each person in the world, no matter how great the sin? When I assured him
that this was true, he started crying, embraced me, stated that he had
planned to take his own life that evening because of the burden of his sin,
and thanked me for the good news that he was forgiven in Christ.
That happened some thirty years ago.
On Saturday, June 3, 2006 (Pentecost Weekend), our family, this time
including 6 grandchildren, was vacationing in a beach condo a short distance
from Port Aransas. We had spent several hours at the beach that afternoon,
enjoying the water, building sand castles, and tossing a beach ball.
It was getting dark; "grandpaw" was tired, and so I headed back toward the
condo, leaving my family at the beach.
The walkway from the beach to our room led past a hot tub filled with young
people. As I was walking past the hot tub, a young man invited me to join
them. When first I resisted (an old man in a hot tub filled with young
people?) others in the group encouraged me to get in the hot tub with them.
So I did. These young people, all of them polite, friendly, and respectful,
were having a good time.
The initial conversation between us focused on where each of us lived. I
then asked them where they go to school and most of the responses identified
universities in Texas. One of the young men then asked me where I had gone
to college. My answer: "I graduated from Concordia Seminary, Springfield,
Illinois. I am a Lutheran minister." That brought some surprised responses
from the group, now that they had a preacher in their midst. To the A & M
student present, I indicated that I had been the guest pastor at Holy Cross
Lutheran, College Station, several Sundays ago.
This generated some discussions about Christianity, questions about the
difference between Lutherans and Roman Catholics, the importance of Christ
in our lives, etc.
Suddenly, the young man who had initially invited me to join them, turned to
me, looked me in the eye, and asked the question that really shook me up:
"WILL YOU BAPTIZE ME?" My response: "ARE YOU SERIOUS? His answer: "I AM VERY
SERIOUS". My next question: "RIGHT NOW...IN THE POOL?" Answer:
"YES...RIGHT NOW...IN THE POOL."
For a few moments, there was silence on my part, as my brain tried to
process the "theology" on Baptism that I had learned over the years. I was
thinking to myself that "the seminary didn't teach us how to respond to a
request for baptism from a stranger in a swimming pool", when it suddenly
occurred to me (was it the prompting of the Holy Spirit?) that the few
"preachers" on that first Pentecost Day who baptized thousands didn't have
time to enroll them in confirmation, teach them from Luther's catechism, nor
review with them the doctrines and confessions of the church.....so, after a
few introductions about the sacrament of baptism, I baptized this young man
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST...followed
by the exchange of a few "high fives".
But it didn't end there. Another young man asked me to baptize him...and
then another...and then another...and then another...and then another...and
then two of the young ladies asked me to baptize them as well. Six guys.
Two girls. Each of them very serious. All of us joining in hugs and high
fives when it was finished.
It was one of the most awesome and sacred experiences of my life. I will
never forget it. And there is no doubt in my mind and heart and soul that
these polite, sincere young people have been touched by the Holy Spirit.
Was it just a coincidence that this group of young people would invite, yes,
insist that this old codger join them that evening? I don't think so. I
have a feeling that the Holy Spirit had a lot to do with it.
I wish I had the names, phone numbers, addresses of these eight young people
in order to follow up on this sacred act. But I don't. Whatever happens
now, I will have to leave up to God. Will you join me in prayers for these
eight young people? I don't know their names....but God knows. And this I
do know and believe: I know
WHOSE they are. The ball is in your court, Holy Spirit. Stay close to
them."
Rev. Russell Nehbut: (from "The Eagle", the parish newsletter of St. John
Lutheran Church, Hamilton, TX) "...I want to share some exciting news which
is happening at this very moment. I have just concluded making travel
arrangements for a mission trip this summer to China. I know it was
somewhat of a surprise for many when I traveled to Russia last year. It is
possibly a surprise for many that I will be in China by the end of June. It
may also surprise you and possibly raise some questions when I let you know
that after Easter next year, I will in all likelihood be traveling to Africa
or Cambodia. I have shared very openly that it is my desire to use my
vacation each year to travel to different mission fields to gain a fuller
understanding of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod's mission work around
the world and to be a source of encouragement to the men and women who serve
in these distant lands as an extension of our congregation's ministry
through the LCMS.
I will tell you in all honesty that I did not fully understand our synod's
current focus and strategy on missions until I was able to spend time in
Russia with our LCMS missionary, Rev. Brent Smith. The goal of our mission
work is to support and enable our partner churches to become self-sufficient
and be self-supporting church bodies. To this end we don't send ordained
pastors to shepherd congregations but rather to assist in training pastors
and lay people in the Christian life and mission...While in China, Tammy,
Josiah and I will travel from Hong Kong to Macau and then onto the mainland.
We will have an opportunity to meet with Lutheran Christians openly on the
islands, but secretively on the mainland.
The goal of this trip is twofold. While Tammy and Josiah will work
primarily with the Lutheran school in Hong Kong teaching English, I will
spend my time preaching and teaching in congregations and teaching pastors
of congregations. In doing this, we will seek to support and encourage our
fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who do not experience the religious
freedoms we enjoy every day.
Secondly, I am confident the better informed I am personally as to the
mission work of the Synod, the better equipped I am to inform and teach our
congregation. St. John has a vital ministry here in Hamilton, but the
ministry of the church does not stop with the city limit sign. If our
congregation is to truly impact the world for Jesus Christ, we musts lift
our eyes off of ourselves and see those in distant places and take a
proactive stance to missions.
Making Ablaze! Personal
In light of the fact that 2 out of every 3 people in the world today have no
relationship with Christ, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and its 29
partner churches worldwide have initiated a mission movement to reach 100
million people with the Gospel by the year 2017. However - Ablaze! only
becomes a movement when it shows up in the daily life of individual Lutheran
Christians and LCMS congregations. A movement is defined as: "a group of
people with a common ideology who try together to achieve certain goals;" or
as "a series of actions advancing a principle or a particular end;" or even
"a change in the location of troops, ships, or aircraft for tactical or
strategic purposes." In other words, for Ablaze! to genuinely be a
movement, God's people need to:
1. Have a shared set of evangelism and mission values as they work toward
this goal.
2. Be engaged in a series of actions which would lead toward accomplishing
that goal.
3. Strategically reposition God's army of believers to tactically move
toward accomplishment of the goal.
The Goal of Ablaze!
The goal is 100 million "Critical Events" by 2017. A "Critical Event"?
What's that you ask? Do I even want to have a Critical Event?
A Critical Event is defined by LCMS World and North American Mission this
way: "When one Lutheran Christian gives witness about Jesus of the hope that
is within him or her to another person so that person may encounter Christ."
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has made a formal commitment with its
partner churches around the world to have 100 million Critical Events by the
500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. LCMS World Missions says "We
are not counting baptisms or conversions. We are counting the number of
Gospel seeds planted. We depend on the Holy Spirit to work the miracle of
faith. Our North American goal will be 50 million, as our partner churches
throughout the world have already adopted 50 million as their goal." The
Texas District has stated its strategy for Ablaze! this way: Making the
priority of reaching the lost an absolutely unavoidable issue for
congregations, pastors, commissioned ministers and lay leaders through every
event, activity, resource, PR effort and process the Texas District engages
in with congregations.
However, Critical Events don't happen at the level of Synod or District -
they happen at the individual level. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 tells us "This is
good, and pleases God our Savior, {4} who wants all men to be saved and to
come to knowledge of the truth." Both of these passages tell us that the
salvation of each and every individual is at the center of God's heart. If
we are to be about God's work in the world - it is therefore at the center
of our hearts as well. Paul tells us in Philemon 6 "I pray that you might
be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding
of every good thing we have in Christ."
8 Ways to start making Ablaze! Personal
1. Visit the www.friendshipablaze.com
<http://www.friendshipablaze.com/> website for personal and congregational
resources to assist you in developing your own witnessing plan.
2. Encourage your congregation to invite your Mission and Ministry
Facilitator from the Texas District to do a personal witnessing training
event for your congregation or a group of congregations in your area (See
the article below about "My Faith Ablaze!" workshops being offered)
3. Ask those who plan your adult education to offer a Bible Study on
personal witness
4. Commit to participate in such a study when it is offered
5. Begin a life of evangelistic prayer. Ask God: "Lord who is it
that you want me to share Jesus with?" Then pray "Lord be my strength and
my wisdom as I share Jesus with _______." Ask God weekly to show you to
whom He is sending you.
6. Create opportunities to be around unchurched people. It is too
easy for many of us to spend time only with our churched friends. That way
you can both model and talk discipleship.
7. Begin to talk about what Jesus means to you with those who already
know him. It's good practice for learning how to speak confidently about
him to an unchurched person
8. Find accountability partners with whom you can share stories and
pray together for your Critical Events.
My Faith Ablaze! - A Training Event to Help Lutherans make Ablaze! Personal
Ablaze! has the noble and God pleasing goal of 100 million "Critical Events"
by 2017. A "Critical Event" is defined by LCMS World Missions as follows:
"When one Lutheran Christian gives witness of the hope of salvation that is
theirs because of Jesus Christ to another person so that person may
encounter Christ and respond."
In order for this to happen, individual Lutheran Christians need to develop
a passion and love for those who don't know Christ and then develop the
skills and commensurate comfort level to share Jesus with unchurched
friends, neighbors, colleagues and relatives.
I have a newly developed and field tested workshop called "My Faith Ablaze!"
a 3 hour workshop that I have already begun sharing in Area B and C
congregations. I would be most happy to come and share it in your church.
A single congregation or group of congregations in a circuit or area might
consider offering "My Faith Ablaze!" Contact Paul Krentz @ 800.951.3478 or
email me at Krentztx at txdistlcms.org <mailto:Krentztx at txdistlcms.org> if you
would like to investigate further. I can email you a promotional PowerPoint
presentation which can be shared with leaders or shown on screens before
worship.
CAMPUS MINISTRY SURVEY CARD ONLINE!
The campus ministry survey card is on line in a PDF format that can be
completed directly in the opened window. There are four forms to each
8.5x11.5 sheet just as there have been on the hard copy form from previous
years. When typing the information into the form, the information appears
as typed. When you get to the section that asks what year the student is
in, you must tap the space bar in the appropriate check box and an "x" will
appear. If you need to remove it, just tap the space bar again and it will
be removed.
Once you have completed the form, you must print the form before proceeding
any further. Once the form is closed the information is gone. The form
cannot be saved for future reference. This is the way this program works
and we cannot change it. Once you have printed the form, click on the
"clear form" button/bar and begin a new set of information. Copy and paste
this link into your web browser for accessing the form.
http://www.txdistlcms.org/forms/CampusSurvey.pdf
<http://www.txdistlcms.org/forms/CampusSurvey.pdf> .
If you would prefer to receive the form as a word document attachment that
can be used as a form, that once completed can be saved and emailed back to
Carole Stevenson, please contact her through her email address:
cms121 at txdistlcms.org <mailto:cms121 at txdistlcms.org>
College is a critical time for students and early and personal contact is
critical for campus ministry effectiveness. Campus ministers want to extend
and continue your ministry to your students as they come to their
universities and colleges - to offer them a community of their peers who
share their faith tradition.
Reminders:
* Only report students leaving the home area who will not be able to
attend their home church while away at school.
* Include the city location and the full name of the school the
student will be attending.
* Home addresses and phone numbers are very important so that campus
ministry leaders can contact students right away. Cell phone numbers are
even better if they are easy for you to get. If not please include the home
phone number.
Mail completed forms to the District Office: Attn: Carole Stevenson, 7900
E. Highway 290, Austin, TX 78724. If you have any questions please call
Carole at (800) 951-3478.
Lutheran Service Book Workshops
This fall the LCMS Commission on Worship and Concordia Publishing House are
offering over 280 workshops throughout the United States and Canada to
introduce the new Lutheran Service Book (LSB). Each workshop will be three
hours in length and will be held from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday
mornings.
Workshops have been carefully scheduled so that most congregations will have
choices as to which dates to attend a workshop in their area. These
introductory workshops are designed to appeal to a broad range of
individuals, including:
* pastors
* church organists and pianists
* choir directors
* Sunday School teachers
* church secretaries
* members of the Church Council and Board of Elders
* other interested leaders and lay members
* anyone who loves to sing!
In addition to highlighting both what is familiar and what is new in LSB,
trained workshop presenters will lead participants in actually using many of
LSB's worship resources during the workshop.
Participants will also receive "A Guide to Introducing LSB," containing not
only the materials that are presented during the workshop but also a number
of helpful resources and suggestions for introducing Lutheran Service Book
in a variety of congregational settings. This guide will become a valuable
tool in the coming years as LSB is introduced at the local level.
The cost for the workshop is $20 per person. This includes:
* a copy of Lutheran Service Book-Pew Edition (an $18.50 value)-
allowing participants to "thumb" through the book (the first time for many)
and begin the process of experiencing this significant worship resource.
* instructional sessions with the presenter and the musician who
will lead the participants in singing.
* a copy of "A Guide to Introducing LSB."
Sample copies of other LSB editions will be on hand for browsing and review,
including:
* LSB Accompaniment for the Hymns.
* LSB Accompaniment for the Liturgy.
* LSB Altar Book.
* LSB Agenda.
* LSB Three-Year Lectionary, Series C.
* LSB One-Year Lectionary.
Workshop registration and payment by credit card can be made by clicking on
the link below.
click to begin online <http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops>
registration process
22 Texas District sites include: Abilene 9/23/2006 Zion
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-001> Lutheran Church TX-001 Amarillo 10/28/2006 Trinity
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-002> Lutheran Church TX-002 Beaumont 10/28/2006 St.
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-003> John Lutheran Church TX-003 Bishop 10/7/2006 St.
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-004> Paul Lutheran Church TX-004 Bryan 9/16/2006 Bethel
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-005> Lutheran Church TX-005 Copperas Cove 10/21/2006 Trinity
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-006> Lutheran Church TX-006 Dallas 9/23/2006 Zion
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-007> Lutheran Church TX-007 Denton 11/11/2006 St.
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-008> Paul Lutheran Church TX-008 El Paso 10/21/2006 Zion
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-009> Lutheran Church TX-009 Friendswood 11/11/2006 Hope
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-010> Lutheran Church TX-010 Giddings 10/21/2006 Immanuel
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-011> Lutheran Church TX-011 Granbury 10/7/2006 Our
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-012> Savior Lutheran Church TX-012 Hewitt 9/30/2006 Peace
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-013> Lutheran Church TX-013 Houston 10/14/2006 Trinity
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-014> Lutheran Church TX-014 Lubbock 11/4/2006 Redeemer
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-015> Lutheran Church TX-015 Mc Allen 9/30/2006 St.
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-016> Paul Lutheran Church TX-016 Midland 10/7/2006 Grace
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-017> Lutheran Church TX-017 Mount Pleasant 10/21/2006 Good
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-018> Shepherd Lutheran Church TX-018 Plano 10/28/2006 Lord
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-019> of Life Lutheran Church TX-019 San Antonio 9/30/2006 Shepherd
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-020> of the Hills Lutheran Church TX-020 Spring 10/21/2006 Trinity
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-021> Lutheran Church TX-021 Weatherford 9/23/2006 Trinity
<http://www.lcms.org/ca/worship/lsb_workshops/01/seminar_detail.asp?semid=TX
-022> Lutheran Church TX-022
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