2013 May.pdf - International Baptist Convention

We Are Not Home Yet
Contents
Highlights
Volume 51, Issue 1
“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but
having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance.
And having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on
earth” (Heb. 11:13).
Discipleship Focus of
Leadership Conference .......... 4
Men’s Conference –
Only the Strong Survive ......... 5
Highlights Turns 50! .............. 5
Learning about Team Leadership
– A Book with No Words .7
Make Plans to Attend
Interlaken 2013 ..................... 8
Partnering in the Gospel
with the Baptist Union of
Moldova ................................ 9
IBC / BEFG Discuss Legal
Status .................................. 10
IBCM Meets in Fort Worth,
Texas ................................... 11
IBC Finances Need Your
Attention ............................. 12
Executive Council Meets
at MLC ................................ 12
News from the Churches ..... 13
Highlights
Published by the International
Baptist Convention
Am Dachsberg 98,
60435 Frankfurt/Main,
Germany, Phone: +49
(0) 69 9540 8505, Email:
admin@ibc-churches.org
www.ibc-churches.org
Jimmy Martin, General
Secretary
Judith Lynn Maxwell, Editor
Cover photo:
Judith Lynn Maxwell
On the Cover:
Palacio Arabe in Torremolinos
• The people of God have always been outsiders.
From Abraham – called to go to a place outside
of all he had ever known – to Moses – called
to bring 2 1/2 million slaves out of Egypt to go
to a land that was promised them – to the Apostle
Paul – called as a messenger to reach people
he once considered outcasts, God’s people
are challenged never to be completely settled
where they are.
The place we should consider HOME is a place
where we have never been. The writer of Hebrews
recognizes this tension of the saints of the
Old Testament – “strangers and exiles on earth”
is his description. Peter referred to Christ-followers
as “strangers and exiles” also. We are challenged
not to become so “at home” in our culture
that we no longer are salt and light to a
tasteless and dark world.
IBC churches intuitively understand something
of what it means to live in a place that is not their
own. We recognize that, for most in our churches,
we are indeed “strangers and exiles.” But regardless
of where we are there is always a pull
to create what is familiar to us and to associate
with others who are “like us.” Without knowing
it, we build walls that Christ died to tear down
– walls of culture and race and social standing,
walls of worship forms and preferences. We too
easily lobby for our way of looking at things and
doing things because our way seems to be the
best way. In so doing, we isolate ourselves from
the very people Christ calls us to reach. We can
also isolate ourselves from brothers and sisters
in Christ. We can unwittingly allow what should
be one of the greatest strengths of the church
in evangelism – our unity in diversity – to deteriorate
through misunderstanding, division, and
lack of genuine love and become a stumblingblock
to a watching world. Remember what Jesus
said “By this all men will know that you are
my disciples, if you love one another.”
David Pederson, in his helpful book, Expatriate
Ministry: Inside the Church of the Outsiders, speaks
with admiration of the Apostle Paul’s church
planting achievements. Paul traveled more than
10,000 miles, crossed distinct cultural barriers,
worked in several large metropolitan areas and
finished his work in perhaps 15 years with “no
place left in these regions” (Rom. 15:23). How
was he able to evangelize all the regions of Asia
Minor and Greece Pederson suggests God’s timing,
unbelievable courage, and passion for the
Gospel, as well as other factors. One key, however,
was that Paul’s target group was the expatriate
and cross-cultural community. He did not
reach every person, but he was able to touch
larger society by focusing largely on expats and
diverse people groups who became key to the
spread of the Gospel.
We should find encouragement that when
IBC churches welcome and touch people from
around the world we are planting Gospel seeds
that, like the mustard seed of Jesus’ parable, may
sprout and multiply to every corner of the world.
IBC churches, as small as 20 or less and as large
as 750, are finding the world at their doorsteps
through English-language ministry. An Afghani
refugee and and wife come to Christ in Bulgaria...
a Chinese citizen hears the Gospel in Lubbock,
Texas... a U.S. military member comes to Christ
while serving in Europe and feels called by God
to plant a church to reach others like himself...
an Iranian Muslim finds Christ in Ukraine and devotes
his life to reaching others from his country
by starting Bible studies in universities across the
country. This is the potential of IBC churches – to
be more than merely oases where English-speakers
find respite and encouragement, although
they are that also. IBC churches can be launching
pads for reaching the world that God is bringing
to our doorstep.
Of course there are challenges to being God’s
people – a spiritual enemy and barriers from the
outside like legal, language, economic, and cultural
complexities. There are also challenges from
the inside like division over leadership styles and
personalities and worship styles and egos and
prejudices.
The IBC, through its churches and our combined
work together, is touching lives around
the world with the Gospel. We are not doing it
perfectly, and we want to do it better, but we
are making a difference. The real story is people
changed and churches growing – God’s kingdom
expanding. Wherever you serve, be encouraged
that you are a vital part of God’s work.
Through your prayers and giving and participation
you are a part of our partnership in Moldova,
the poorest country in Europe, but a country
where the Baptist union is seeking to plant
evangelical churches in every village. Read about
some of our recent projects there (see page 9).
I am grateful for the leadership of Bill Tully, who
coordinates this partnership. You are part of our
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