The world isn’t as simple as Christians are good; non-Christians are bad. In fact, we Christians often do horrible things, and some non-Christians do good works that put many of us believers to shame. Our lines, we find, just don’t match up with the real world. Reality is more blurry.

In the tenth chapter of the gospel of Luke, Jesus sent out his specially chosen missionaries to carry a message of peace and salvation to the world. “We’re the good guys,” the disciples must have been thinking, “and we’re going out to face the evil people.” But then Jesus said something really weird. As he was giving instructions, Jesus said, “If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him” (Luke 10:6).

“Hold on a second, Jesus. A man of peace? Out there? I thought we were the ones carrying the message of peace! What do you mean that we might find people out there who already have peace?” the disciples must have thought.

Luke used the word peace somewhat interchangeably with the word salvation. It referred back to the Old Testament idea of shalom. This peace was much more than only the absence of war. Shalom meant a harmonious community filled with happiness, security, plenty of food, and cooperation—the way the world was supposed to be. So it’s quite striking that Jesus told his disciples that this shalom might already be out there in the world.

While the disciples had drawn a very clear line between themselves (good) and those to whom they were sent (bad), Jesus was constantly blurring these lines. The Pharisees thought they had it all figured out—God loved those who scrupulously kept all the rules. But when Jesus came, he spoke well of tax collectors, prostitutes, half-bred Samaritans, and sinners. He even told the Pharisees that those “dirty” people were entering the kingdom ahead of them (Matt. 21:31).

Here’s the point: Christians don’t have a monopoly on God.

Did you ever play the board game Monopoly? It’s called “Monopoly” because by the end of the game, if you make it that far, one person has all the wealth and properties. That’s what a monopoly is. In economics, it happens “when a specific individual or an enterprise has sufficient control over a particular product or service to determine significantly the terms on which other individuals shall have access to it.” In short, one person has all the stuff.

The disciples of Jesus always seemed to think that they had a monopoly on what God was doing. So when the disciples saw outsiders casting out demons (“bad” people doing a good thing), Jesus taught them, “Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40).

God is at work in strange and unexpected places. He’s not just the God of the church; he’s the God of creation. He’s not just revealing himself to those who confess the name of Jesus Christ; he’s revealing himself to those who haven’t even heard of Jesus before. John Wesley called this “prevenient grace” which simply means “the grace that goes before us.” In other words, long before any of us ever heard of Jesus or trusted in him for our salvation, he was already quietly at work in our lives.

That should impact the way we relate to the world. Rather than being the know-it-alls that are bringing truth to a pagan land, we can approach nonbelievers in humility, recognizing that they too have God at work in their lives.

So, Now What:
Commit yourself this week to listening and seeing…lend an open ear to someone who has a story to tell (which is everyone). Perhaps you can jump-start a conversation by asking simple questions like, “Where did you grow up?” or “What do you do for a living?” As the conversation progresses, you might be able to ask deeper questions, such as, “Do you think of yourself as being a spiritual person?” But don’t force it!
Commit yourself to listening rather than directing the conversation. And as you listen, ask yourself if you see evidence of God already at work in this person’s life…and then join him in his transforming love for all!

[from Here After, Merge Series, by Jeremy Summers & Greg Coates]

What would happen if we would center our words, thoughts, and deeds on things that matter?  What would we talk about?  How would we spend our money?  How might our schedules be prioritized if we were focused on heaven?

For starters, we would love God more.  When we realize all of what God has done for us, we should appreciate Him more.  Reflect on what it means that God sent His one and only Son to forgive our sins.  Think about all of the blessings God’s hand has delivered to your doorstep.  Allow gratitude to swell in your heart and mind when considering God’s mercy withholding from you all of the judgment you deserve.  All of this and more will foster a deepening love for your Creator.  Focus your life and love on Jesus.

Second, we would love others more.  Tasks and events may be important, but people matter most.  There will be millions watching the Super Bowl game and commercials every winter.  Thousands of parties will be planned around the spectacle of the game itself.  Friends will be gathered in living rooms all over the world to chomp on chips and root for their favorite players.  The Super Bowl gathers many together.  There is nothing wrong with this.  Yet, what might be better is if we gathered together and went through life together because we cared about each other, not because we need an excuse to get together.  In other words, in this case – do we love others or do we love a sporting event?  I think I know the answer and the intent is not to create analysis paralysis.  To be clear, love Jesus and others more than you love yourself.  Love them more than you love the temporary things of life.

Third, we would sweat the small stuff less.  It’s true that we all navigate life in “white water.”  The pace of life does not allow us to discern what is important and what is not.  Everyday life is a blur.  We make a big deal out of things and events that won’t last.  We find ourselves in discussions that seem important, but really won’t matter five minutes after they conclude.  Perhaps we need to implement the meaning of Philippians 4 more.  It is kind?  Is it true?  Is it right?  Think on things that are important.  Mine for the “gold” of life’s important stuff and throw away the “dirt.”

I will be watching the Super Bowl even though God’s favorite team will not be on the field this year – the Colts.  However, I want Jesus Christ to be the “Super” focus of my life and witness always.

- Dr. Jim Dunn

• Urban Pastor’s Symposium at Indianapolis Bethany Wesleyan Church, in which there were networking opportunities as well as motivational appeals to ramp up our urban ministry efforts. At that event, Rev. Jim Weinmann, Senior Pastor of Indianapolis Evanston Wesleyan Church, was introduced to Rev. Kenaze Navarre, Haitian Pastor who was planning to start a Haitian Church in Indianapolis. Out of that event, these two Pastors have partnered together to start a new Wesleyan Haitian ministry – Metanoia (The First Haitian Wesleyan Church) at the Evanston Campus.

• A Community Health Fair was jointly sponsored by ICD and Indianapolis Calvary Family Wesleyan Church, under the leadership of Rev. Barry Dixon, Pastor. This was an excellent opportunity to reach this urban Eastside Community with a free Health Fair. Several ICD Churches also sent volunteers and partnered in this event, including Indianapolis Trinity, Indianapolis Bethany, Indianapolis Eastlawn, Noblesville Lakeview and the Indianapolis Sanctuary Church.  Since then, the Calvary Family Church has started a new Food Pantry that feeds many people from the community one Saturday per month. The Indianapolis Bethany Church, under the ministry of Rev. Eric Key, has begun a Clothing Outlet ministry to their community. Bethany Church is also partnering with a neighboring American Baptist Church in compassionate ministries.  Noblesville Lakeview Church, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Carol Schenck, has a growing Food Pantry ministry that has helped underprivileged families in their community.

• The Indianapolis Sanctuary Church, under the leadership of Lead Pastor Rev. George Martin has joined The Wesleyan Church as an Affiliate. Rev. Martin also serves on our District Urban Initiative Task Force.  We are resourcing the Sanctuary Church in their Urban ministry efforts, as networking opportunities are being provided in partnership with Wesleyan Community Based Ministries. Rev. Martin and his new Youth Pastor recently attended the Pre-CCDA Conference Wesleyan Community Based Ministries event in Indianapolis, along with other Urban Initiative Task Force members.  Great networking took place there!

• The Indianapolis Eastlawn Church has started a not-for-profit Urban Ministry Corporation to facilitate their new outreach ministries to their community. Their Urban vision has increased over the last year, as they have initiated this new vision for Eastlawn Community Ministries. They particularly have a growing Men’s Basketball ministry to the community, as well as Bible Studies for unchurched men and women, along with other initiatives that they are presently working on. Assistant Pastor Tyler Smith, as well as Mechelle Polter and Thomas Johnson are leading this new Urban thrust for Eastlawn, under the Pastoral leadership of Rev. David Cox.

The Urban Initiative Task Force now returns to strategizing about the implementation of an Indianapolis Urban Ministry Center.  This Urban Center will be designed to provide a Worship Center that is multi-ethnic.  At this site, as well as others around the Indianapolis region, Community Based Ministries will be provided for the following:

• ESL
• Job Corp
• Tutoring
• Health Care Center
• Financial Planning
• Clothing & Food Ministries
• Legal Counseling & Services
• Immigration Counseling & Services
• Urban Ministry Training

Stewardship Outreach Strategies, under the leadership of Dr. Rich Schenck and the Urban Initiative Task Force, will continue to facilitate this and other new Urban Ministry Planting efforts, as we work with the ICD Evangelism & Church Growth Board. Other ministries we are partnering together on are as follows:

• Wesleyan Community Based Ministries/Department of Spiritual Formation Training events;
• Partnering with Noblesville Lakeview Wesleyan Church to start a new Ministry Worship & Training Center at the Indiana Wesleyan University Indianapolis North Education Center Campus;
• Community Based Ministry Outreach Symposiums across the District; and
• Exploring other Urban strategies for our additional Urban areas of the district.

As we continue to strategize and implement our goals for Indianapolis, in partnership with local churches that have a vision to reach deeper into their local communities to plant new ministries, and in some cases beyond their communities, the following goals are emerging out of the needs being addressed:

1. To provide resource and training opportunities to those preparing for community based ministries, particularly those involved in cross-cultural and urban ministries;
2. To keep current with present demographics and emerging trends, problems, and potential ministry opportunities in our Metropolitan region;
3. To educate the church at large, bringing to an increased awareness, of the need to take the Gospel to the physically and spiritually disenfranchised in our communities; and
4. To work in conjunction with District and Denominational leaders as we partner with churches in our region to strategize and implement local and regional ministries.

Dr. Rich Schenck
Director, Stewardship Outreach Strategies
Indiana Central District of The Wesleyan Church
lakeviewwesleyan@att.net
www.indianacentral.org

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Before you ever think about multiplying small groups, leadership development needs to be on your mind. Without leadership, small groups stagger from week to week, struggle to keep discussion moving, and grow stale in the vision for their group. Apprenticeship is the lynchpin for successfully reproducing small groups in your church or ministry for the hopes of drawing more and more people into a friendship with Jesus and others. It’s is one very useful way to develop small-group leaders, because it involves spending time with one another, intentionally observing and reflecting on experiences, and moving toward the goal of actually leading another small group.

Dave and Jon Ferguson of Community Christian Church in Naperville, Illinois offer a very helpful twist on one popular model of helping emerging leaders catch the vision. Imagine the “I” in this model is the small group leader, while “you” is the apprentice. You may want to read through this a couple of times before moving on; it’s is not only a wonderful model for developing apprentices, but a wonderful model for developing anyone.

I lead, you observe, we talk.
 I lead, you help, we talk.
 You lead, I help, we talk.
 You lead, I observe, we talk.
 You lead, someone else watches, we talk.

The twist here – and the trickiest part as well — is the last two words of each phrase: we talk. Reflection is one of the most important things that we can do to help others develop. Intentionally talking and listening to another person seems so simple, and yet it’s a critical piece that’s left out of so much training. Here are three areas vital to the reflection process:

1. Help emerging leaders grow in their strengths. Some leaders will have the ability to ask good questions and lead discussions, while others are going to be stronger in their ability to create hospitable and friendly environments. Help your leaders to know how their gifts and strengths can best be used in a small-group environment.

2. On the flip side, it’s important to help your apprentices identify weaknesses. It may not be their natural inclination to be a welcoming person or to be a good facilitator at first, but identifying blind spots and weaknesses will help the leader to develop the assets that are crucial to leading a small group.

3. With those two things said, the last important reflection point in an apprenticeship is to help leaders move towards crucial assets that make up a healthy small group leader. What I mean by that is: While a leader will always have strengths and weaknesses, all small group leaders need to develop the ability to catch and cast vision, facilitate life-giving conversation, and create an environment that can bear the weight of friendship, conflict, and time.

This model may take some time to really take root in your church, but a healthy and growing small-group ministry survives and thrives where leadership development is intentional and consistent. God transforms apprentices into leaders, especially as leaders help them to see God’s vision for growing friendships with Jesus and others.

Tim Balow lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and works in multiple roles with social media, small-group ministry and the internet campus ministry of ShoutChurch.tv.

3.     When the Bible has the answer to the question. The goal of a Christian community is to hear from God. Most often, He speaks to us through His Word. When a question comes up allow the Bible to speak. That is, turn to a passage of Scripture and tell the person asking the question what God tells us in Scripture. God’s response is always the right response, whereas our opinion may miss the mark.