race relations & CLC

I read a great article in Newsweek about the recent meltdown by comedian Michael Richards that's certainly worthwhile. It's about time we acknowledged that racism is still a problem in America, but it also makes me thankful for our local church body of believers.

CLC isn't perfect, even in this racial arena (the fact that we're a multi-cultural church doesn't mean there isn't room for growth and understanding among races and cultures) - but I'm 'proud' of the fact that we are working together and worshipping together in love and harmony.

Are you seeking to understand, not just to be understood?

family & holidays

We've been enjoying my in-law's, Jim & Ellie Hansen, for the Thanksgiving holiday - they drove over from Detroit on Thursday and we've been eating like there's no tomorrow ever since (don't you hate that part of holidays!). Yesterday afternoon was the best though, as the four of us went to the Rosemont Theater for the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular" with the Rockettes. It was absolutely fabulous, and the closing Nativity scene was breathtaking.

I'm a pretty typical guy when it comes to entertainment, but this is something I'd recommend to any family - just great fun! And in the lobby before the show I ran into an old preacher friend I hadn't seen in about 20 years, so that was fun, too!

I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with good food, good conversation, and fun times with the people you love most - that's what holidays are all about.

a few more shots of the trip...enjoy!

pictures from our Philippine orphanage experience! Check it out!

Check out these pictures from the 'Family Circus' ministry in Davao-

icing on the cake...

Well, the ministry time is over for this trip to Davao City, Philippines, and that's a really GOOD feeling. It's been as intense a trip, ministry-wise, as I ever recall, so today's opportunity to relax and do a little sightseeing and shopping is much appreciated by the whole team.

Last night's service at the "Releaser of Life Family Church" was one of the highlights of our trip, and definitely the icing on the cake. This church is one of the most-progressive I've seen anywhere in the world - less than 4 years old, they already operate their own 24-hour television station, bus ministry, radio outreach - you name it, they seem to be doing it. Their worship was off the charts (I'll have video clips to show CLC) and the response after I preached was so wonderful. Our entire team became the altar ministers and people came forward to receive prayer, healing & prophetic ministry for a long time afterwards - it was anointed and fun!

Afterwards, with the pressure/responsibility of ministry over, our team went to McDonald's for an American-style meal, and we howled with laughter as we shared stories of the previous five days of ministry. My personal favorites were of the team member who used her curling iron in a 220-volt outlet and it literally burnt-off her bangs - she said it just went 'sizzle' and smoke covered her head like a cloud. Since no one packed any scissors under the airline security precautions, she combed over her hair much like a balding man's 'comb-over' and then used fingernail clippers to cut her bangs! The whole team has given her the nickname of Benny, but I'll let them explain that one to you!

The other great story came from Sunday morning when we split into four groups to minister at four different churches, with some of the ladies preaching/sharing from the stage for the first time ever. One of our sisters was preaching excitedly and pointing her arm forward repeatedly to make a point, when, on one of her arm extensions her ring flew off her finger and hit some child in the face! Needless to say, we aren't letting her live that one down, either.

Now it's morning about noon here and while the ladies are finishing up an outing to the beach (I stayed behind with our host, Missionary Ken Sandberg), and he just dropped me at his house to use the internet for this blog, then switched on ESPN, where to my astonishment, da BEARS were playing the NY Giants, live - and we just took the lead late in the 3rd quarter! So I'm finishing up this blog and watching my favorite team - it just doesn't get any better than this! How's that for the perfect finish to a great missions trip? See you in Chicago soon-

a more complete response to Ted Haggard's fall (or the fall of any leader)

My good friend, Dr. David Shibley of Global Advance just sent us an email response to the tragedy of last week, and, as usual, it's such a well-reasoned, spiritually-sound, Biblical response I felt it was worth sharing with you. In fact, I plan to sit down with our pastoral staff upon returning from this trip to the Philippines and go through this line by line with them. Thank you, Dr. Shibley, for saying so well what needs to be said to all of us in ministry!

Read and heed:

• 
  Dear Pastor Jerry and Chris,
  
  Some time ago in an interview with Ministry Today magazine I was asked, “What will be a marked difference in ministering in the 21st century?” I responded, “Trust will be harder to gain and easier to lose.” The revelations of this last week have only underscored this sobering truth.
  
  I’ve waited a week since the tragic news regarding Ted Haggard to respond. Like every other believer, I needed time to pray and to process what had just happened to all of us. Almost all the pastors I’ve talked with say that this latest scandal felt much like a slug to the stomach with a baseball bat.
  
  God help us if we do not learn from this. God help us if we do not change from this.
  
  Before any further comments we should go to God’s Word, asking for His grace to process these events biblically. The following passages are from the New American Standard Version. Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of applicable verses; just several that have come to my spirit in the wake of this latest tragedy.
  
  Behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out (Num. 32:23).
  
  Loving kindness and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other (Psa. 85:10).
  
  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able; but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it (1 Cor. 10:12-13).
  
  Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted (Gal. 6:1).
  
  Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. Brethren, pray for us (1 Thess. 5:22-25).
  
  To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power; in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess. 1:11-12).
  
  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
  
  It’s right to grieve whenever any general is wounded and removed from action. Our love and prayers are with Ted, his family, and the church family of New Life Church. I am heartbroken for what this means to the cause of Christ. Ted was a champion for evangelism and missions. This is a time to mourn, walk in humility, pray, search our own hearts, reflect and recognize our profound, constant need for the grace of God.
  
  While I do not know Ted well, I have considered him a friend for many years. I served with him on the board of directors of a highly respected missions organization headquartered in Colorado Springs. I preached at New Life Church years ago, and I can only imagine the pain that church is suffering.
  
  Of course, all of us suffer the reverberations when a high profile leader falls. Ted was one of our most capable spokesmen. My heart is burdened not only for New Life Church but also for the National Association of Evangelicals, the World Prayer Center, many Christian publications and the very future of the Christian witness in our nation. Ted had given strong leadership to all of these.
  
  His famous saying was that by cooperating with other churches, a united witness for Christ should “make it hard to go to hell” from any city. Again, I grieve for the tarnishing of the name of Christ not only in Colorado Springs but across the world.
  
  Precautions
  
  Here are some recommendations I shared with our staff to help protect us against the attacks of the enemy. These are not in any order of importance and this is not a comprehensive list.
  
  Repent immediately of all known sin.
  Bracket your day with time in God’s presence.
  Be filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit.
  Keep short accounts with God; have no unconfessed sin in your life.
  Develop a personal prayer team.
  Humble yourself daily before the Lord.
  Restore fallen brothers and sisters.
  Stay focused on your mission.
  Establish true accountability with a trusted accountability partner.
  Love Jesus with all your heart.
  Don’t give anger a foothold.
  Put on the whole armor of God.
  Abide in the vine (Jesus).
  Pray for grace to wear favor well.
  Hate sin and acknowledge sin.
  Be sure your spouse knows where you are when you have “free time.”
  Know who you are in Christ.
  Know who you are (what the “natural man” is capable of) outside of Christ.
  Contemplate the consequences of sin.
  
  Some Lessons and Observations
  
  God’s character is perfect and so unimpeachable that He is more interested in exposing sin than He is concerned with any supposed “need” to protect His reputation. We have been humiliated, not God. One ray of encouragement is that since this did not catch God by surprise this humiliating exposure will, by His grace, lead to deep examination by the church’s leadership and large scale repentance. This can pave the way for true revival.
  
  When a person seriously commits himself to fulfilling the Great Commission, he will be in the devil’s crosshairs. Of course, this does not mean we retreat from evangelism and missions. It does mean we realize this is a real war with real casualties. In the last few years I have witnessed how the enemy has aimed his big guns at those who have brought leadership to world missions. Among those I know personally who were wounded in spiritual combat:
  
  · Two men who led strategic, growing missions ministries committed adultery. Both are now in the process of being restored. One’s marriage was saved, the other ended in divorce.
  
  · A man who was once a major charismatic missions leader became embittered, embraced New Age ideology, participated in “channeling” and was killed after the car he was driving swerved out of control for no apparent reason.
  
  · A prominent writer with a vision and strategy to see an entire nation transformed for Christ became so disillusioned that he has taken an extended sabbatical from ministry.
  
  · Ted Haggard was a fresh, hopeful, influential – yes, “life giving” – voice for evangelical Christianity. Now, at least for several years to come, that voice and influence are silenced.
  
  We must pray more for each other and learn how to better protect our comrades from the enemy’s attacks.
  
  Even after all the emphasis on leadership, there remains a great leadership shortage in the body of Christ. Very few men can fully appreciate the emotional toll it took to pastor a church of 14,000 people, feel the weight of a multi-million dollar debt on a new worship center, serve as president of the National Association of Evangelicals, be the prime mover and visionary for the World Prayer Center and the World Prayer Team, be a consultant to heads of governments, write numerous books and articles, speak on behalf of millions of Christians, occasionally host or be the guest on international Christian television programs, speak in many conferences and serve on the boards of several strategic ministries. But our leadership shortage is such that when we see a highly gifted man like Ted, we gladly let him assume all of this. After all, it appeared that Ted was giving admirable leadership in each of these arenas.
  
  I have watched this happen twice now, in two different decades. Two men with exceptional gifts and anointing felt obliged to simultaneously lead two, three or even four large ministries. Both men experienced colossal spiritual attacks, succumbed to those attacks and lost their moral authority to lead.
  
  We now need to ask if such a high profile was all born in the heart of God. I’m sure Ted saw each of these as opportunities to advance the Gospel. But such a bright spotlight piercing the eyes so much of the time can produce temporary “blindness” – as it evidently did in Ted’s life. I am not impugning Ted’s motives in accepting all these assignments. But the lesson for us is, “Are we bearing the cross the Lord has ordained for us, or are we carrying some loads that may not be our God-given assignment?” Remember, Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you.”
  
  When men carry unusually heavy loads, they may be deceived into thinking God has cut a special deal with them and they can indulge their flesh in ways that would be unallowable for others. Remember that godly men like Samson, Saul and David all bought into this lie. The lesson for us: What “indulgences” are we allowing as some kind of emotional “reward” for the load we are carrying?
  
  Lee Grady and Gordon McDonald have written incisive articles that will help you, as they did me, wade through the aftermath of this sad episode in American church history.
  After we have prayed, reflected and repented of any and all sin the Holy Spirit reveals, let’s move on and get back into the battle. We cannot let disappointment and discouragement derail us.
  
  Finally, let’s be comforted again by God’s unchanging Word:
  
  “If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim. 2:13 NLT).
  
  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:57-58).
  
  Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen (Jude 24-25).
  
  
  
  David Shibley, President
  GLOBAL ADVANCE
  P.O. Box 742077
  Dallas, TX 75374-2077
  http://mail.clctoday.org/exchange/pj/Inbox/www.globaladvance.org

this one can't be described...just had to be here

In fact, I was here and I still can't process everything I saw and experienced at the "Family Circus" ministry in Davao City, Philippines! Patterned after Bill Wilson's "Metro Ministries" in New York City, this small team of dedicated volunteers and their American Assembly of God missionary director are reaching over 3,000 kids every weekend for Christ!

Our team gathered at their small center in downtown Davao City about 7am in order to assist with distributing bread & juice (the only breakfast most of these kids will receive) before the opening service at 8am. I watched (and took some great pictures that I hope to have posted here by next week)

as over 600 kids filed in very orderly to take their seats in anticipation of the service - and as soon as the service began, I was overwhelmed!

What amazed me was seeing these little children, raised in dire poverty and almost all of them from non-Christian families, sang boisterously and joyously song after song from the Scripture! It was incredible - not only to hear them singing God's word as worship, but then to enter into a series of games and competitions in which little bitty kids were able to QUOTE God's Word, again, in many cases because it had been set to music for them and they sang it back. I've seen a lot of things in children's ministry through the years, and of course, children are a major priority at CLC, but I was blown away by this group.

Then came the most exhausting part, as our team of 8 CLCers inflated over 600 balloons and fashioned them into different kinds of balloon animals or hats and then stood in the heat & humidity as we distributed the balloons and a little candy to each child as they exited the service. The line seemed to stretch forever, single-file, until each child had been touched and our whole team had melted into a happy but exhausted puddle of tears and sweat. This much is for sure, you would have been proud to be identified with our group of ladies. Even the team of 4 from Texas who came for the Global Advance conference said they had never seen anything like our team and how everyone worked together in love and joy. Kudos, CLC!

It's simply one of the greatest privileges in my life to be able to serve you as pastor. Can't wait to see you all again!

one down, two to go

Well, the first 'assignment' of this missions trip is now complete - the 3-day pastor's conference sponsored by Global Advance in Davao City, Philippines was attended by more than 1,450 pastors and leaders from throughout Mindanao island and it was one of the most incredible conferences I've ever been a part of. It seemed every session brought fresh truth and practical insights to the delegates, but even more importantly, there was a wonderful work of the Holy Spirit each day as we closed. After the final session of the conference today, the Global Advance team, comprised of 4 people from Dallas and the 8 of us from CLC laid hands on every senior pastor present, and then they joined us to lay hands on every delegate in attendance. It turned into one of those 'God-moments' that can never be fully described - only experienced. I believe that lives were changed and that new anointings were released as we prayed together, and it was one of my greatest joys in ministry to be a part of it all.

After some much-needed rest tonight, we'll participate tomorrow in two different ministries to children - one called "Family Circus", which is patterned after Pastor Bill Wilson in New York City, and currently reaching over 20,000 children each week. We'll be there for the first of several services they operate on Saturday, and then later in the afternoon visit an orphanage operated by our hosts for this week, Ken and Cris Sandberg of Calvary International. I'm sure both visits will be a much different experience from these past three days.

Then on Sunday morning our CLC group will split into 4 groups to minister in as many different local churches, before coming together that night for one final service in the Philippines as a team. I can't wait to hear the reports as our ladies experience preaching the Word here to the always-receptive Filipino congregations!

All of you can be very proud of the CLCers here representing us so well - they have worked tirelessly, prayed fervently, and shown genuine love selflessly in situations that have stretched us all well beyond our comfort zone. Please continue to pray for us as we complete these final two assignments, and we'll see you back at CLC soon.

awesome, wonderful, unbelievable

there are just no words to describe how this trip is going - in every way, it is exceeding all our expectations! The women of CLC are 'doing us all proud' with their loving & anointed ministry to the Filipinas in the women's conference, and the impact they're having is amazing. At the Global Advance conference for pastors, we're seeing not only real receptivity to the training and teaching, but even a wonderful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The conference includes pastors from many different denominations, so at the end of the first day I gave an invitation for 'non-charismatics' who wanted to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit to come forward, and dozens of them did, and they were filled! Yesterday the Executive Director of Global Advance, Dale Witt, gave a strong message about the Kingdom of God and whole auditorium exploded in prayer and a powerful move of the Holy Spirit continued for a long time as Filipinos repented on behalf of their nation and cried out to the Lord together. It was indescribable!

Then early this morning I was awakened with a phone call (forgot to shut my cell phone off) confirming that Bishop Joseph Garlington will be a guest speaker at CLC for our "First Love Conference" in January! Joseph is one of my all-time heroes, and this news was worth the wake-up call at 2:40am!!! You won't want to miss - mark your calendar now for January 13-15 when he and Pastor Richard Heard will be ministering!

I'll keep you updated on the remainder of our journey - thanks for praying - it's working!

off to the Philippines

Well, after our two services this morning, my wife and I and a team of six other CLCers will be off on a 36-hour journey to Davao City, Philippines. We were invited to participate in a Frontline Shepherd's Conference by Global Advance and my wife and the ladies from CLC (Pastor Pat Johnson, Judy Fiala, Terrilyn Franklin, Courtney Franklin, Connie Schmaedeke and Regina Williams) will also be leading a simultaneous women's conference. Already over 1,500 pastors have pre-registered, and we're expecting capacity crowds!

After the conference, we'll also serve in one of the largest children's ministries in the world (similar to Bill Wilson's ministry - they're reaching over 20,000 children in Davao weekly!) and a Philippine orphange before splitting up on Sunday to minister in four different churches.

This will be our first visit back to the Philippines in over 23 years (we served as missionaries there with our former denomination back in the early 80's), and I'm 'pumped' about it. All of us on the team will appreciate your prayers, not only for travelling safety and acclimation to the climate, etc. - but especially for the anointing that will make the ministry time effective.

I'll hope to keep you updated regularly with pictures and reports, so check in often!

grieving & responding to Ted Haggard's fall

I'm guessing by now you've heard the allegations regarding Pastor Ted Haggard of New Life Church in Colorado Springs. Ted is not only the (now resigned) President of the 30-million member National Association of Evangelicals, and founding pastor of the 14,000 member New Life Church, but he is also a man I have highly respected - a 'mentor' to me through his writings, teachings and example. Our church has close ties to New Life Church; we've taken our entire pastoral staff to their annual pastor's conference; and two of my children have completed their twentyfourseven internship program.

So, as you can imagine, I've been grieving since the story first broke this week. It seems throughout the day and even whenever we awoke during the night, my wife and I could only think of Ted, his precious wife Gayle, his children and the church family there. Until I received word this afternoon that the Overseers definitely concluded otherwise, I had chosen to believe that he was not guilty of all the allegations. However, I felt it important for me to respond to those in our congregation who may be wondering about still 'another' Christian leader falling publicly. There are several lessons for each of us:

First, let's never underestimate our frailty, or the power of sin to deceive. Ted is one of a handful of ministers that I would least expect to be embroiled in this kind of scandal. For him to be involved in any level of sexual sin tells me that (a) none of us is immune to sin; and (b) our ability to be deceived by sin is a fact, and all of us must be on guard at all times. Read what Paul had to say in 1Corinthians 10:11-12

Second, let's understand that any and all men of God are just that: men of God. Our confidence and trust must always ultimately remain on with the Lord, not the vessels He uses. Do not allow your faith to be shaken by any man's failure. The Biblical principles and truths that I've learned through Ted's ministry are still true, no matter the weakness and failure of the one who delivered them.

Thirdly, thank God for the wisdom of an independent, external Board of Overseers who now are helping New Life Church through this unbelievably sad time and difficult process. That's why I'm so thankful for our governmental structure at CLC that also places such responsibility in our Board of Directors who likewise keep us accountable, set our pastoral salaries, and protect our membership should the unthinkable ever occur here. I want that protection for this church!

Finally, can we not compassionately put ourselves in the place of that congregation, staff, and family in Colorado? I urge everyone reading this to take time to pray for our friends there at New Life and for Pastor Ted and his family - for restoration, healing, unity, and favor.