in·teg·ri·ty

noun

1. the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
   
   
2. the state of being whole and undivided.

Integrity has two definitions according to this dictionary entry. Not long ago, I posted an article on this first definition (see part I here).

As I reflect further on leadership and integrity, the second definition strikes me as vital in our increasingly polarized world… 

in·teg·ri·ty
the state of being whole and undivided. 

This idea of being whole or undivided reminds me of the biblical idea of shalom The word appears about 250 times in the Old Testament, and it serves three primary purposes:

1. Around 10% it functions as a form of greeting or farewell, like in the conclusion of Ezra 4:17.
2. 25% of the time, it describes a condition or connection characterized by tranquility, lacking conflict or strain. For example 1 Samuel 7:14.
3. The remaining nearly 65% of the time it centers on the idea of wholeness, growth, and particularly, comprehensive well-being across economic, relational, and physical situations. A clear illustration of this is found in Jeremiah 29:7, where it urges: "And seek the peace and prosperity (shalom) of the city I have sent you to. Pray to the LORD for it, because your well-being (shalom) is tied to its well-being (shalom)."

This weekend, in church, we had a message that highlighted the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5). What struck me in reflecting on integrity was a portion of the sins listed in Gal 5:20: 

enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions

Wow! We so often focus on the evils surrounding this set but boy our world really struggles in these areas. And, the Christ following world has a lot of room to grow in this arena.

Recently I watched a U.S. presidential debate and the candidates who stood out to me as I was reflecting on integrity were the ones who showed the most temperance, steadiness, and stable demeanor. They rose above the fray in my estimation and avoided the childlike taunting of one another.

This is the kind of leadership behavior Jesus looks for in his followers and especially those who calls to lead: one’s who have integrity of heart and mind, people who embody the biblical vision for shalom.

As I mentioned in part I, as we grow deeper and deeper in Christ, he transforms us to lead in ways that exhibit his shalom for our relationships, our community, our churches and the world. This type of integrity inspires me!

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
— Romans 12:2 

In Christ,

Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.

jhandley@asianaccess.org
@jwhandley
@jwhandley

 

More Information

• See Integrity, part 1 here
• Integrity definition courtesy of Oxford Languages

 

Japan (MNN) – Global workers in Japan have announced a new name to describe their role and vision.

Japan (MNN) – The term “missionary” carries many connotations. A3, formerly Asian Access, began sending missionaries to Japan over 50 years ago. Since then, Japanese Christians have taken leadership of A3’s work in Japan. Global workers remained to support and partner with the Japanese Church, but the label of “missionary” no longer fit their role, says Robert Adair.

In the context of Japan, “missionary” brings up images of the post-WWII generation of missionaries. They were seminary-trained, bilingual, church planters who eventually discipled local leadership to take responsibility of the new congregations. As Japanese Christians began to lead A3 Japan, the global workers felt they needed a new name.

“So we started searching for a term that we could use to describe ourselves that still we were cross cultural workers committed to reaching the lost working with the Japanese church,” says Adair.

“We are 100% committed to coming alongside the church in Japan and working with them.”

As the team carefully reviewed their values and commitments, one descriptor rose above the rest.

“The term we’ve landed on is A3 missional partners,” says Adair.

This new term has helped to refocus and communicate the vision of the missional partners in Japan.

“I think for our staff, they feel good that it describes who we are. And that’s been encouraging for them,” says Adair. “And it’s a good way for us to identify ourselves within the broader A3 movement.”

While A3’s ministry has expanded far beyond Asia, the missional partners continue to serve the Japanese Church. A new collaboration with SIM International has also allowed the team to welcome new missional partners from around the world.

“It’s our role to partner with what God’s doing in Japan, to partner with what the church is doing in Japan, for missional purposes,” says Adair.

What can you do?

The Japanese are one of the largest remaining unreached people groups worldwide. How can you find your place in the story and pray for Japan?

Adair says, “Japan’s a place that has not been responsive to the Gospel. But just praying that the work, the effort, of our team and others here in Japan, that we’d see fruit, that God would open hearts, and that we would see Japanese people respond to the Gospel.”

Pray that A3’s missional partners will work well with the Church in Japan and support their Japanese brothers and sisters in growing the Kingdom of God.

Are you interested in becoming a short-term or long-term missional partner? For further information, visit go2japan.org.

 

Listen to the broadcast (story starts at 2:39)

Direct Link: https://a3-media.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/audio/mnn/4-5min-Aug30-2023.mp3

 

More Information

• This story by Emily Roth was originally published on 30-Aug-2023 by Mission Network News:
  https://www.mnnonline.org/news/missionaries-to-japan-choose-new-name/
  
• Download the audio file: https://a3-media.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/audio/mnn/4-5min-Aug30-2023.mp3
• Header image courtesy A3.

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Mission Network News exists to inform multitudes about stories that matter and empowers them to take action that changes lives. Join over 1 million radio and internet users each day. Hear stories of what God is doing around the world – and how you can be involved. Each MNN broadcast includes pray, give, or go opportunities that help you find your place in the story. Sign up at mnnonline.org to receive daily news in your inbox. Or check out MNN on social media and share them with others. MNN is a ministry of OneWay Ministries.

 

India (MNN) — Displacement camp conditions expected to worsen with monsoon onset, raising disease risk.

India (MNN) — Suffering intensifies in displacement camps as India’s leaders ignore the mounting crisis in Manipur.

State officials were supposed to gather on Monday to resolve differences between the warring Meitei and Kuki people groups. Manipur’s governor never called the session to order.

Meanwhile, doctors warn that conditions in 253 displacement camps will worsen with monsoon onset, raising disease risk. Tens of thousands of people fled Manipur’s capital when clashes began three months ago.

“We’re dealing with immediate relief needs [now] but imagine 50- to 60,000 displaced people. We need to help them sustain [themselves] physically, mentally, and spiritually,” says Pastor Mang*, a Kuki church leader connected to A3.

Ongoing fighting makes it nearly impossible to reach people in need. Meitei militants killed three young Kuki men while they were sleeping on Friday night.

“Meitei militants come and attack our villages; they use all kinds of mortar bombs and whatnot,” Mang says.

“As believers, we understand that we need to forgive. But how can we reconcile when they keep on attacking [us]?”

Pray for an immediate end to the violence in Manipur. Send physical relief through one of the missions agencies listed here. Over 300 Christian buildings have been destroyed.

“This conflict has united Christians all over India. In Delhi, evangelical churches – including the Catholics and Anglicans – join hands together in protest against what’s happening in Manipur, the persecution and the hardships that our Christian brothers and sisters are going through,” Pastor Mang says.

  

*Name withheld for security purposes.

 

Listen to the broadcast (story starts at 1:35)

Direct Link: https://a3-media.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/audio/mnn/4-5min-Aug23-2023.mp3

 

More Information

• This story by Katey Hearth was originally published on 23-Aug-2023 by Mission Network News:
  https://www.mnnonline.org/news/indias-leaders-ignore-mounting-crisis-in-manipur/
  
• Download the audio file: https://a3-media.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/audio/mnn/4-5min-Aug23-2023.mp3
• Header image depicts homes in the Manipur hills. Photo courtesy of Jakfoto Productions/Flickr.

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Mission Network News exists to inform multitudes about stories that matter and empowers them to take action that changes lives. Join over 1 million radio and internet users each day. Hear stories of what God is doing around the world – and how you can be involved. Each MNN broadcast includes pray, give, or go opportunities that help you find your place in the story. Sign up at mnnonline.org to receive daily news in your inbox. Or check out MNN on social media and share them with others. MNN is a ministry of OneWay Ministries.

 

 

in·teg·ri·ty

noun

1. the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
   "he is known to be a man of integrity"
   
   
2. the state of being whole and undivided.
   "upholding territorial integrity and national sovereignty"

What about Charisma?

As I was being interviewed the other day about my thesis / book on Polycentric Leadership, I received some pushback on one of the primary themes discovered in my research: Charisma. It was a fair question as there is so much in our world today that screams everything that is wrong with bad leadership. I don’t know about you but I’m tired of celebrity pastors, narcissist leaders, and running into people with egos run wild.

Interestingly enough, my research revealed something different when it comes to charisma, something that is actually quite biblical when it comes to leadership. When I studied this term it had more to do with character and a walk with God than it had to do with being winsome and a larger than life personality:

It involves strength of character, trustworthiness, and a faithful presence.

You can learn more about this theme on my site: PolycentricLeadership...

More importantly though is what this means for Christ-Centered leaders today. Everywhere I go people are leery of gurus, chiefs, and others who have no moral center. In essence, their lives lack integration. To be integrated is to have integrity at your core and this can only be fully found in our rootedness in Jesus.

It’s why we at A3 focus so much on our Love Relationship with God and Growing in Christ-Like Character.

Christ at the Center

Without Christ at the center, it’s tough to grow in character and integrity. But, with him, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26), and we grow in the fruit of the Spirit:

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
— Galatians 5:22-23 

People are attracted to leaders who display this type of integrity. They are trustworthy and can be counted on. This is what charismatic leadership is really about: a depth of spiritual life that lends itself to solid character. And, as you’ll discover if you look to my research on the site above, it’s also verified in leadership studies, especially the GLOBE Study. 

As we look to leaders in the future of our world, our country, our churches, etc., let’s be on the lookout for these qualities in our leaders. As we follow Christ, we will bear much fruit because we will display his character to the world. 

And our world is desperate for these kinds of leaders today!

In Christ,

Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.

jhandley@asianaccess.org
@jwhandley
@jwhandley

 

More Information

• Cover photo by Connor Simonson on Unsplash
• Integrity definition courtesy of Oxford Languages

 

Wisdom from A3/Philippines Alumnus Lito Sampan

Walking in the wilderness.

“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”
— Exodus 13:21-22

Just like the Israelites, when God saved us; He did not only promise the Promised Land but also allowed us to walk in the wilderness. He will also allow us to face the “Red Sea” to cross. He will make us experience asking for bread and water.

But be encouraged because, in all of these situations, God is with us.  He will make His presence felt by us!

Yes, as we start another day of uncertainties, let’s not be afraid but be assured that His presence is with us. Like the pillars of cloud and fire, He has His way of guiding, providing, and protecting us as we journey and faces the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Let’s put our total trust and confidence in Him. Just like Joshua and Caleb, let’s wholeheartedly follow Him. Let’s fully trust and obey Him.

O Lord, make my heart in tune with your ways as I continue marching to the “Promised Land” Amen.

 

Pastor Lito Sampan
A3/Philippines

 

More Information

• This article was reposted with permission from Pastor Lito Sampan and originally appeared in his devotional, Morning Brew, March 13, 2023.
• Header photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

 

WILL YOU JOIN US?

The last few weeks I traveled throughout the Muslim world. And, as this picture of the Hagia Sophia reminds, the call to prayer goes out 5 times per day. Every time I’m in that part of the world, I have vivid memories of living in Istanbul and traveling throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia as well as Bangladesh and Indonesia. I even heard the call to prayer while in India last week as well.

Pray for God's disciple-making movements

On this trip, my own prayers were kindled afresh for what God is doing in this part of the world today. I met with some of the world’s most effective disciple-making movement leaders who are doing incredible work. One has nearly 6,500 leaders in their network. The other is working across more than 60 countries where Muslim’s live in significant numbers.

Pray for movement leaders

As A3 looks to help these movement leaders, I ask you to pray for us. They are seeing people come to Christ in vast numbers and it’s exciting but their concern echoes much of what I hear across Asia: we need Christ-like leaders. Unfortunately, for most of them, the groups they have reached out to have not been that helpful because they haven’t adapted to the local cultural contexts, or they just use a cookie cutter approach to training.

Pray that A3 can effectively come alongside these leaders

These leaders seem thrilled with the prospect of working with A3 because we adapt to every country that we enter. We work with the local leaders to re-design and re-tool what we have at our disposal to help them best equip the movement of our Lord in their nations.

Let's unite in prayer for the Muslim world

So, I’m issuing a different call to prayer today. Would you join me in praying for the Muslim world?

Pray that the Lord’s favor is on us as we lean more and more into these regions to best equip leaders for the fast-growing churches and churches to be (underground, house church, and disciple-making movements).

God is doing a special work in these lands and your prayer would be most appreciated!

In Christ,

Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.

jhandley@asianaccess.org
@jwhandley
@jwhandley

 

More Information

• Photo credit: Photo by Luna Zhang on Unsplash

 

India (MNN) — Meitei-Kuki clashes could extend to neighboring states, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

India (MNN) — Analysts say violence in India’s Manipur state could soon spread. The warring Meitei and Kuki people groups have ethnic ties to communities in neighboring states, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

At least 180 people have died in Manipur’s unrest, and over 60,000 are on the run. A3’s Pastor Mang* says the conflict, ongoing since May, is largely hidden from the outside world.

“My younger brother works in the police department, and he says that the shooting stops around 3, 3:30 in the afternoon, but around 5, 5:30, or 6 [pm], the shooting continues,” Pastor Mang says.

“The situation in Manipur is not getting better. It’s getting worse by the day.”

In the latest attack on a Kuki community, “one of our village volunteers passed away, and three sustained injuries,” he adds.

Political opponents criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his inaction. Modi’s only remarks about Manipur came last month after a Meitei mob paraded two Kuki girls naked and then raped them.

“For the Meitei, exposing themselves naked is to show their deepest anger and hatred,” Pastor Mang says, explaining why assailants may have chosen this attack style.

Unfortunately, it was not an isolated incident. “Two of our (Kuki) young girls who work [at a] car wash were raped and then killed,” Pastor Mang says.

“Their [bodies are] still lying in the morgue; the family cannot collect the [bodies for burial].”

Religious ties complicate the chaos. The Kuki are predominately Christian, while Meitei are majority Hindu. However, the ethnic conflict extends beyond faith lines.

As explained here:

The Kuki and Meitei communities both have legitimate historical grievances and claims to land and resources in the region. … The conflict in Manipur involves a complex interplay of factors that cannot be reduced to a single group’s actions.

Ask the Lord to intervene and end the violence in Manipur. “God is the only one who can stop this madness right now,” Pastor Mang says.  

*Name withheld for security purposes.

 

Listen to the broadcast (top story)

Direct Link: https://a3-media.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/audio/mnn/4-5min-Aug07-2023.mp3

 

More Information

• This story by Katey Hearth was originally published on 07-Aug-2023 by Mission Network News:
  https://www.mnnonline.org/news/concern-grows-as-manipur-violence-set-to-expand/
  
• Download the audio file: https://a3-media.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/audio/mnn/4-5min-Aug07-2023.mp3
• Photo credits:
  • Inset: Photo of burnings in Manipur, courtesy Bibles For The World
  • Header image courtesy of Jakfoto Productions/Flickr

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Mission Network News exists to inform multitudes about stories that matter and empowers them to take action that changes lives. Join over 1 million radio and internet users each day. Hear stories of what God is doing around the world – and how you can be involved. Each MNN broadcast includes pray, give, or go opportunities that help you find your place in the story. Sign up at mnnonline.org to receive daily news in your inbox. Or check out MNN on social media and share them with others. MNN is a ministry of OneWay Ministries.

 

Japan (MNN) – A declining, aging population in Japan means both businesses and churches need guidance through the transition of leadership.

Japan (MNN) — Japan’s population dropped last year at a record rate. The population has been in steady decline since 2008. The average age of business owners is over 60, and many do not have anyone to take over their business when they retire.

Takeshi Takazawa with A3 says, “They’re healthy, to a degree, but they know that they cannot continue the same way of doing business for the next 10 years. Then what do you do?

“They are stuck in having trouble developing the succession plan or finding the successors.”

This problem of succession affects Japanese churches as well. Takazawa says, “We have existing about 1000 Bible-believing churches in Japan, and they face exactly same thing in the business.”

A3 guides both businesses and churches through the transition of leadership and provides mentorship for the next generation of leaders.

“We help each congregation, each older pastor. We help through seminars, cohort, helping them to identify the vision and the mission that God has given to a particular congregation beyond the existing senior pastor,” Takazawa says.

Once a transition plan is decided, A3 continues to facilitate communication, offer resources, and invite the Holy Spirit into every step. They see times of transition as invitations for people to draw nearer to God and seek His help. This process requires prayer.

Takazawa says, “I encourage you to pray for Japan, the people in the churches, pastors, leaders, Christians, going through this major change. Intercede for us so that we would go deeper with God through this transition.”

If you are a business leader, consider partnering with A3 to encourage and mentor others in business around the world. Learn more here.

 

Listen to the broadcast (story starts at 1:37)

Direct Link: https://a3-media.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/audio/mnn/4-5min-Jul31-2023.mp3

 

More Information

• This story by Emily Roth was originally published on 31-Jul-2023 by Mission Network News:
  https://www.mnnonline.org/news/aging-japanese-businesses-and-churches-seek-successors/
  
• Download the audio file: https://a3-media.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/audio/mnn/4-5min-Jul31-2023.mp3
• Header image photo by Aditya Rao on Unsplash.

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Mission Network News exists to inform multitudes about stories that matter and empowers them to take action that changes lives. Join over 1 million radio and internet users each day. Hear stories of what God is doing around the world – and how you can be involved. Each MNN broadcast includes pray, give, or go opportunities that help you find your place in the story. Sign up at mnnonline.org to receive daily news in your inbox. Or check out MNN on social media and share them with others. MNN is a ministry of OneWay Ministries.

 

BY EDMUND CHAN

"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
— Matthew 28:18-20 

Someone has said, “We have taken the basics for granted for so long that we don’t remember the basics any more.”

I am indebted to the late David Mays for his write-up on the domestication of the Great Commission. Here’s a succinct, adapted version of it.

We are fully aware that the main verb in Matthew 28:18-20 is “make disciples” (Gk. matheteuo). 

Now, ‘matheteuo’ can be either an intransitive verb, (meaning to become a disciple); or a transitive verb (meaning to produce a disciple). 

In this text, ‘matheteuo’ is a transitive verb (i.e. to “make disciples”). 

Now, grammatically, a  transitive verb requires an object to complete the thought. You can’t just say to someone, “Go call…”.  It doesn’t make a complete thought until you say, “Go call your father,” or “Go call the doctor,” etc. 

Similarly, you can’t just say “make” without an object. Make what? The thought is incomplete. So, we complete the thought with “make disciples”. And thus, we remind one another, “We are not to just make converts; we are to make disciples”. 

That’s good. Except that it misses to a large extent what Jesus really meant!  

In this case, we assume that  the object of the verb is “disciples” - so, the main imperative is to “make disciples”. 

Here’s where the minor grammatical glitch has a huge unintended impact that distracts us from the true meaning of Jesus’ words. 

*You see, the word “make” is NOT in the original Greek.* 

The word in the Greek text is ‘matheteuo’ (a verb meaning “to disciple”).  

But to the early translators, “disciple” is not a proper verb. It’s a noun. So, it’s translated in the verbal form, by adding the word “make”. 

Now, the unintended result is this—“go (a participle), make (a perceived transitive verb), and  disciples (the object that completes the transitive verb)”. 

In other words, here’s the error and unintended consequence. 

Through this unintended grammatical glitch in the English translation (“make” being the transitive verb and “disciples” becoming the object that competes the verb) the phrase “all nations” is inadvertently downgraded to being just a prepositional phrase. A prepositional phrase is a qualifier or modifier. It is subordinate to the main thought (and quite easily overlooked!). 

BUT in fact, “DISCIPLE” is the transitive verb (not a noun), and “ALL NATIONS” is the object that completes the verb!  

As such, the true missiological imperative in the Great Commission (i.e.“DISCIPLE ALL NATIONS!”) is regrettably marginalised. 

And without this missiological impetus, then the call to “make disciples” is often merely relegated to a Bible Study or a knowledge transfer in a classroom! And also, in many of our churches today, “the NATIONS” is given a low priority, and relegated at best to “a missions week” or “a missions month” in the church. 

	"Disciple the nations!" — Matthew 28:18-20

But the original Great Commission to “DISCIPLE THE NATIONS” is what made it so radical!  

Disciple All Nations? Really?

For the early Jewish disciples it is mind blowing. They were responsible to take the whole Gospel to the whole world (including the Gentiles, the ones they didn’t like!)  

The Great Commission does not command us to make disciples of people in our own culture. Its primary  thrust is to go and disciple all the other peoples, of diverse tribes and tongues. 

There is a big difference between “making disciples” and “DISCIPLE the NATIONS”. And the clear responsibility to go across language and cultural boundaries to disciple the nations has been neglected.  

The Great Commission has been Domesticated

We have micro-managed Discipleship by our diminished understanding of “Make Disciples” in Matthew 28:18-20—and thus, unfortunately, the Great Commission has been domesticated!  

May the Lord help us to bring back MISSIONS in our DISCIPLESHIP! 

Let’s get missional!

It is imperative that we re-engage in a biblical Missions Discipleship with clarity, courage and compassion!  

Have a blessed pilgrimage ahead.

Rev. Edmund Chan
A3 Faculty Member

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"I believe that the test of leadership is found in the third generation. It involves mentoring leaders who would reproduce leaders. This is why I thank God for A3! It is an outstanding movement that's strategically committed to sustainable leadership development! Mentoring leaders. Multiplying disciples. YES!!!”

Rev. Edmund Chan
Leadership Mentor, Covenant Evangelical Free Church, Singapore
Founder, Global Alliance of Intentional Disciple-Making Churches

 

Reverend Edmund Chan is a seasoned disciple-making pastor. The Leadership Mentor in Covenant Evangelical Free Church, Edmund is widely regarded as an insightful Bible expositor and a wise mentor of Christian leaders. In 1995, he launched the annual Intentional Disciple-Making Church (IDMC) Conferences, which have drawn over 1000 pastors and disciple-making leaders from more than 150 churches from over 18 countries. He also serves on the advisory councils of several Christian organizations. Edmund has authored Built To Last: Towards A Disciple-making Church, Growing Deep in God, Mentoring Paradigms and Growing Deep in Faith. He graduated summa cum laude from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with an MA (Missions). He is married to Ann Chan, who serves as an Associate Pastor, and they have two adult daughters, Amanda and Belicia. 

 

More Information

• A3 Faculty
• Photo credits:
  • Cover photo by Worshae on Unsplash
  • Inset photo by Orlando Allo on Pexels

By Rod Denton, Equipping The Next Generation

For twenty years Douglas Hyde was a member of the Communist Party in England before he renounced Communism and joined the Catholic Church. He then wrote a book called Dedication and Leadership to explain what Christians can learn from the Communist’s attitudes and methods.

One day he was conducting a leadership training course for a group of Communists in London and ended his lecture by saying that the Communist Party could take anyone who was willing to be trained in leadership and turn them into a leader, The one qualification was that the would-be leader must be willing to be trained.

As Douglas stepped down from the rostrum, he met Jim who was eagerly awaiting to speak to him. Douglas said,

“As I looked at Jim, I thought that I had never seen anyone who looked less like a leader in my life.”

In a voice that contained a distressing stutter, Jim who was “very short, grotesquely fat, with a flabby white face and a cast in one eye” said,

“Comrade, I want you take me and turn me into a leader of men.”

The rest of the chapter describes the unfolding story of how Jim, the most unlikely person, grew to become a national leader in the trade union movement and that his death was of sufficient importance that it was reported on the front page of the Communist newspaper. Jim’s transformed life proved that it was true that the Communist Party could take anyone who was willing to be trained and turn them into a leader.

I now recall that the book, Dedication and Leadership had an unusual impact on my life and caused me to undertake a deeper study on the way Jesus took a group of ordinary men who made themselves available to Him and proceeded to live extraordinary lives. Like the story of Jim, so with the disciples, their lives of leadership amazed the people around them.

In Acts chapter 4 we read of the impact that the preaching of Peter and John had on the crowds. “Many believed in their message so that the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.” But Peter and John were put in jail and questioned. “By what power or name did you do this?” Peter replied by boldly speaking about Jesus.

The religious leaders were amazed at the impact with which Peter and John spoke. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were UNSCHOOLED, ORDINARY MEN, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Jesus had taken unschooled, ordinary men (the literal translation of these words is UNGRAMMATICAL IDIOTS) and transformed them from followers into powerful leaders.

Not only did the book Dedication and Leadership challenge the way I saw the people in my church, but the words that were spoken of Peter and John by the religious leaders caused me to realise that to see the people in my church as Jesus saw them would mean seeing them all as emerging leaders instead of followers. With this perspective, the words of Jesus to His followers on various occasions took on fresh meaning. For Jesus taught His followers to see themselves as emerging leaders, people of influence, in the world in which they lived, and not followers.

Consider the following:

1. “You are the SALT of the earth.” Matthew 5:13
   Salt is an agent of influence in that it adds flavour to its surroundings, promotes healing and preserves all that is good.
2. “You are the LIGHT of the world.” Matthew 5:14
   Light is an agent of influence in that it removes darkness and helps lost people find their way.
3. “The kingdom of heaven is like the YEAST a woman uses in making bread.” Matthew 13:33
   Yeast is an agent of influence in that although it is small in size, it can transfom an unusually large amount of flour into bread.

Douglas Hyde, in his book, explained how the Communist Party saw every member not as followers but as emerging leaders in the world in which they lived. Jesus saw His disciples not as followers, but as emerging leaders in the world in which they lived. And there came a time that I chose to see the people in my church, not as followers, but as emerging leaders in the world in which they lived; in their neighbourhood (see my article, "Pastor Your Neighborhood"), in their extended families, and in their places of employment and study. And the real issue that I faced was not whether the people in my church were leaders or not, but rather what kind of leaders were they going to be.

So, church in many ways was transformed into a leadership training school:

1. People grew to understand that they were called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and the yeast in the bread.
2. Sermon time was not a lesson for followers, but an equipping time for emerging leaders.
3. Leadership training courses took a place of priority in the life of the church.
4. Small groups became a place where leaders emerged and responsibilities were delegated, as groups multiplied.
5. Short term mission teams were raised up and sent out to nearby countries to have real life cross cultural experiences.
6. International speakers were brought in to conduct leadership conferences in our church.
7. Church prayer meetings were conducted outside the four walls of our church and in strategic locations around the surrounding community. People were instructed how to pray for their non Christian friends.

Just like Douglas Hyde and Jesus, I continually affirmed the fact that God takes ordinary people to do extraordinary things as they make themselves available to Him. I called people to choose to be a leader (a person of influence) in the world in which they lived.

In his book, Douglas Hyde quoted the concluding words in Karl Marx’s book, The Communist Manifesto.“You have a world to win.”  Interestingly, Jesus in His final words to His disciples before His ascension said something similar. “…go and make disciples of all nations.”

And they both knew that it would only happen if their followers were equipped to be leaders in the world in which they lived.

So what do you see when you look around your church or mission organisation? For what you see will determine the impact of what you seek to achieve.

 

This article is reposted with permission and was originally published on May 21, 2023 here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/its-important-what-you-see-followers-emerging-leaders-rod-denton/ 

_________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rod Denton has served as a pastor and as a teacher in the development of emerging leaders in Australia and 9 different countries across Asia with A3. He now serves as a consultant for Rod Denton Equipping The Next Generation. Follow Rod on LinkedIn

email: denton.eng@gmail.com
LinkedIn: roddenton686855b
blog: roddentoneng.com.au

 

More information:

• See other posts by Rod Denton here...

 

Vietnam (MNN) — Congregations that previously kept to themselves now put the love of Christ on full display.

Vietnam (MNN) — Technology drives industry, which supports the economy and people in turn. When technology advances, every subsequent link in the chain improves as a result.

For example, steam engines propelled the first industrial revolution in the 1700s. Today, “smart” devices power Industry 4.0. A3’s Joe Handley says, “We’re moving into a period of automation; there’s all that talk about A.I. impacting multiple fields.”

Adaptation varies widely. In Vietnam, “Some churches were not up to speed with the digital revolution. Especially once you got outside the big cities, the capacity to engage online was really limited,” Handley says.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced churches to adjust. More about that here.

“Vietnam shut down; they went on a pretty strong lockdown that impacted them economically [and] their ability to meet as churches,” Handley says.

Today, congregations that previously kept to themselves now put the love of Christ on full display. “They’re reaching out to their neighbors with food, shelter, and community,” Handley says.“They’re able to reach out digitally via different platforms.”

Vietnamese believers can expand their reach moving forward using skills they gained during the pandemic. Sharing the Gospel or meeting online allows Christians in rural communities to overcome traditional barriers like space and time.

Praise God for providing the technology that allows believers to connect with each other and with people in need. Pray that new believers stand firm in their faith while facing family rejection, evictions, and beatings.

“Modern challenges that the church face[s] include pressure from the government, and there are other dynamics at play that impact them as well,” Handley says.

“The church has been growing about two percent per year, which is not too bad considering the dynamics they’ve been facing.”

The work that the Body of Christ has been doing in the community helped pave the way for good relationships between the government and churches, which enabled BGEA Festivals to take place in March.

 

Listen to the broadcast (story starts at 1:35)

Direct Link: https://a3-media.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/audio/mnn/4-5min-Jul14-2023.mp3

 

More Information

• This story by Katey Hearth was originally published on 14-Jul-2023 by Mission Network News:
  https://www.mnnonline.org/news/churches-in-vietnam-adapt-to-industry-4-0/
  
• Download the audio file: https://a3-media.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/audio/mnn/4-5min-Jul14-2023.mp3
• Image credits:
  • Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Dương Nhân/Pexels.
  • Inset photo of woman on a bicycle courtesy Sarah N/Pixabay

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Mission Network News exists to inform multitudes about stories that matter and empowers them to take action that changes lives. Join over 1 million radio and internet users each day. Hear stories of what God is doing around the world – and how you can be involved. Each MNN broadcast includes pray, give, or go opportunities that help you find your place in the story. Sign up at mnnonline.org to receive daily news in your inbox. Or check out MNN on social media and share them with others. MNN is a ministry of OneWay Ministries.

 

“It is an amazing season in Vietnam right now; the spiritual hunger is very high post-pandemic.”

Vietnam (MNN) — The Gospel reached Vietnam over a century ago. Yet Christians still don’t have a prominent presence in the Communist country.

“Historically, Vietnam has gone through waves of church growth and waning times,” A3’s Joe Handley says.

Typically, most Vietnamese believers keep to themselves for fear of persecution. More about that here.

However, fear turned to compassion during the pandemic. “The Church started reaching out, meeting people’s needs physically, and that gave [them an] opportunity to share the love and truth of Christ,” Handley says.

Believers received unexpected favor as a result. “The government started noticing how the Church was reaching out to the communities, and that created a positive vibe,” Handley says.

“Instead of seeing churches in an antagonistic light, they saw them as cooperative amid the COVID reality.”

Then, favor turned to Gospel opportunity. “The Vietnamese government endorsed and gave permission for the Billy Graham Association to hold a couple of festivals in the country,” Handley says.

“The most recent one had phenomenal success; they had 4,500 people accept Christ in a crowd of around 25,000 people.”

Pray for endurance as Vietnamese Christians disciple new believers. “Right now, they’re doing the follow-up with those 4,500 people across the country,” Handley says.

“It is an amazing season in Vietnam right now; the spiritual hunger is very high post-pandemic.”

 

Listen to the broadcast (story starts at 1:39)

Direct Link: https://a3-media.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/audio/mnn/4-5min-Jul06-2023.mp3

 

More Information

• This story by Katey Hearth was originally published on 06-Jul-2023 by Mission Network News:
  https://www.mnnonline.org/news/pandemic-creates-gospel-opportunity-in-vietnam/
  
• Download the audio file: https://a3-media.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/audio/mnn/4-5min-Jul06-2023.mp3
• Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Katherine McCormack/Unsplash.

---

Mission Network News exists to inform multitudes about stories that matter and empowers them to take action that changes lives. Join over 1 million radio and internet users each day. Hear stories of what God is doing around the world – and how you can be involved. Each MNN broadcast includes pray, give, or go opportunities that help you find your place in the story. Sign up at mnnonline.org to receive daily news in your inbox. Or check out MNN on social media and share them with others. MNN is a ministry of OneWay Ministries.

 

It warmed my heart being with the A3 alumni in the Philippines recently.

"if you have faith the size of a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible to you!"
— Matthew 17:20

Their stories reminded me of the truth of Jesus’ words above: Small is Big.

Testimony after testimony, so many shared how the A3 community process changed their lives and ministries.

Pastor Angel shared how he is now mentoring 20 younger leaders and supervising 6 different churches.

Pastor Lito talked about how A3 is different, we’re not about more information but rather transformation!

Pastor Dennis shared about the power of his small group.

Pastor Noel called it an awakening and shared how much his wife is blessed by how he is.

Pastor Eniong described the A3 community as a haven for him.

Pastor Terry mentioned how her marriage was strengthened and her and her husband serve in synergy together now.

Pastor Nelson shared how his vision and mission were refined and strengthened.

Pastor Robert shared how his church has returned to 90% capacity which is unusual after the pandemic today. They are focusing on making a difference, one family at a time, which birthed during his time with A3.

The Power of the A3 Process

Story after story affirmed the essence of A3 and the power of the process.

Finally, while not present with us, Pastor Jason has now seen more the 130 different disciple-making fellowships or churches launched during the pandemic. He learned about this movement approach to church planting during A3 and applied it so fruitfully during and now following the pandemic.

Small is Big… Look at what a mustard seed like investment can grow into!

I praise God today for what he is doing through the A3 community. It’s so encouraging to sit with our alumni and see how God is working in their lives, their communities and their nations.

Thank you for your prayers and support making all of this happen!

In Christ,

Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.

jhandley@asianaccess.org
@jwhandley
@jwhandley

 

More Information

• The A3 Process
• Essence of A3

Many of you have been praying for the follow up work in the South of Vietnam after the Franklin Graham Festival in Ho Chi Minh city. Thank you!

• Here’s was our last report: Thousands Come to Christ in Vietnam
• And see the Billy Graham Association report here: A Historic First for Evangelistic Events in Vietnam

Our partner tells us that they are working among the hundreds that made up the 4500 people and their families and friends who came forward during the two nights of preaching in the outdoor arena.

Our friends are stirred by the response of the attendees. Rarely is such an event like this allowed to be held, and pastors and church members are making the most of this window of opportunity.

“I personally cannot remember any such event being allowed in Vietnam in the last 15 years.”

Most of the organizers of the event were graduates, and their aspirations are climbing now as a team to see more of it throughout the country.  Vietnam has a population of almost 100 million. So, it is a happy thing for me to sense the rising of their expectations toward whole nation saturation.

Here is a comment that I just received from the National Director:

Dear Rev. _______,

Thank you for your email.

Regarding our post-Festival follow-up, we’ve been doing discipleship for all new believers among local churches. We are also motivating local churches to do prayer, evangelism and discipleship locally to lead more people to Christ Jesus. We thank God for the positive responses from church leaders and members to focus on that target.Most of our friends are joining in this movement. We thank God for that.

Prayer Requests:
1. All new believers to become more mature and experience God more and more in their new journey with Christ.
2. The raising up of new generations of leaders.
3. God’s provision for our alumni to have gathering for fellowship, encouragement and motivation for unity and partnership for mission in Vietnam.
4. God’s provision to continue our work in country.

Thank you for your prayers and support. You are making a difference and I, as well as our teams, are grateful!

With hope for Vietnam,

Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.

jhandley@asianaccess.org
@jwhandley
@jwhandley

 

More Information

• Photos courtesy Decision Magazine

 

Hello Everyone! It's inspiring being here at the Japanese garden at San Diego's Balboa Park.

A Reminder to Pray for Japan & JCE7

It reminds me to ask you to pray for Japan. These are exciting days, and this September, the Japan Congress on Evangelism (JCE7) is going to be happening. And A3 is super involved!

Faith to Double the Christian Population

We want to see the Christian population double in Japan over the coming years. And we ask for your prayers! We'll be gathering in the month of September (Sept 19-22) near Nagoya—people from all across the country—to pray for Japan and to talk about doubling the Christian population. So keep us in your prayers.

I'm grateful for you, and if you ever get a chance, come down here to San Diego, this is a beautiful Park—very peaceful. Love it here!

With hope for Japan,

Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.

jhandley@asianaccess.org
@jwhandley
@jwhandley

 

More Information

• Header photo of Balboa Park's Japanese Friendship Garden in San Diego by Soly Moses: https://www.pexels.com/photo/japanese-friendship-garden-san-diego-15994932/

 

Our Missionaries Have a New Name!

For several years, you’ve become familiar with new ministry streams such as A3.business and Young Professionals. But today, I am excited to announce that our missionaries in Japan have a new descriptive name. They are now calling themselves “Missional Partners”.

  

In 1967, A3 launched in Japan as a missionary sending organization partnering with local Japanese churches. Our original call was to send North American young people to teach conversational English, partnering with Japanese churches for evangelism and church planting. There have been many ministry innovations in A3, but missionaries are still coming alongside Japanese churches and pastors to partner.

Today, A3 is a global network of leaders, but we always remember our roots. This is a significant A3 incarnational ministry that I want you to know about. And to announce their new name, as the word “missionary” has unfortunately for some begun to take on negative meanings.

Partnering with the Church in Japan to multiply disciples

Robert Adair, A3’s missionary director in Japan, and his team were brainstorming potential names that better reflect their role as cross-cultural workers within the broader A3 movement. The more they talked, the more one name rose to the top of their list.

“The name 'Missional Partners' sums up our ministry stream concisely and understandably. We are a team of cross-cultural workers partnering with the church in Japan and A3 Japan specifically to reach the 99% of Japanese people who do not know Christ. We are partnering with God, through the church in Japan for the sake of the gospel. The name is a natural continuation of ‘My vision is to empower your vision’* as well as Scrum Dendo the old summer program, plus the collaborative and evangelical focus A3 has had in Japan for over 56 years.

Missional Partners comprise the team of global workers collaborating directly with the church (in Japan) for the sake of the gospel. We believe that the Holy Spirit is leading the church in Japan and hope that our skills, gifts, talents, and resources can be used to help pursue the vision God has given the Church in Japan.”

Partnering with SIM International

I am thrilled that this unique missional partnership with SIM-USA in 2011 has now grown to include SIM International. It is possible to send Missional Partners to Japan from any country where SIM has a presence! Missions is from everywhere to everywhere. Our team on the ground in Japan will be more effective and more fully represent the global church as we receive "A3.MPs" from more countries outside of North America. We already have our first A3.MP from East Asia and are hoping to receive our second later this year.

And Robert reports that we have two units approved to come in the next year or so and several others moving through the inquiry process. By the end of July, we will already have ten potential A3.MPs in Japan from four countries on vision trips, exploring their call.

A3 + SIM = go2japan

If you know of anyone interested in serving as a Missional Partner in Japan, please send them to go2japan—a website for potential missionaries to explore Japan.

Join everyone in the A3 community as we celebrate this long-time ministry with a new name of Missional Partners.

With hope for Japan,

Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.

jhandley@asianaccess.org
@jwhandley
@jwhandley

 

More Information

• Read about the missional partnership between A3 and SIM
• go2japan: https://go2japan.org
• SIM International: https://sim.org 

* My vision is to empower your vision." — Our founder Ken laid the foundation on solid ground with a keen focus on Christ-like leadership and a famous story from our history of asking Pastor Takaichi Murakami his vision for Japan. After Rev. Murakami shared for sometime, he turned to Ken saying, “What’s your vision as the missionary God sent to Japan?” And, Ken quickly added, “My vision is to empower your vision!” That foundation laid the groundwork for the deep seated values of A3: empowering indigenous leaders for the vision God had given them!

 

BY STU LYNCH

Busy church leaders need practices and perspectives that will help them stay healthy and fruitful for the long haul and finish well in life and ministry. My calling is helping leaders connect more deeply with God as they explore various life-giving perspectives and practices. One of the life-giving practices that many busy leaders I know struggle with is in observing a weekly Sabbath.

Here are seven things I’ve learned about practicing the Sabbath that might bless busy leaders reading this today.

1. Sabbath-keeping changed me.

Up until about five years ago, I didn't have a particular idea of what it meant to have a Sabbath day or to keep Sabbath. Over a period of time, my wife, Hilary, and I began to experiment with what that meant and have a personal practice of Sabbath keeping. For me, that's been really life changing. I find that I’m now working from a place of sustainable rest instead of continually feeling a need for more and more rest from my work!

Several people have influenced my thinking on the subject, including Pete's Scazzero, the founder of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, and Ruth Haley Barton, founder of the Transforming Center. Scazzero’s simple definition of Sabbath is a 24-hour period set aside once a week to stop, rest, delight, and contemplate.

So basically, the idea is to:

• STOP all your paid and unpaid work;
• REST your body, mind, soul, and spirit;
• DELIGHT in the many God-given gifts—the things that you find life-giving and enjoyable;
• and CONTEMPLATE and COMMUNE with God.

You might like to spend a little bit of extra time praying and reading God's word, perhaps go outside to enjoy a bit of God's beautiful creation, engage in a favorite recreational activity, or hang out with close friends and family ... Just remember to stop, rest, delight, and contemplate.

2. The basis of Sabbath-keeping centers on respecting our God-given limits.

Of course, we see from Exodus chapter 20 verses 8 to 11 where God says:

“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the lord your God…. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

You might be wondering what this old-fashioned commandment has to do with busy life in the 21st century. Sabbath keeping is really all about respecting the timeless limits God gives us for our own benefit and blessing. It’s a weekly time to lay down all our paid and unpaid work trusting that God can get along just fine without our ‘help’ for 24 hours. Ignoring this life-giving Sabbath rhythm of rest and work is just as unhealthy today as it was in biblical times!

3. Sabbath is best practiced with others.

For the Jewish people, Sabbath was always a community practice. if at all possible, practicing or observing Sabbath with others will make all the difference in the world. Hilary and I began exploring this practice together and continue to observe it together. Find one, two, or a few journey companions to explore Sabbath keeping with and graciously encourage one another to continue exploring even when you encounter various challenges. If there are young children in your household, try to discover what would make Sabbath-keeping fun and life giving to them. Persistence in Sabbath-keeping will bear abundant fruit among you and your journey companions!

4. Sabbath is not just a regular day off.

There are important differences between a Sabbath day and a day off. One is that a regular day off just means I'm not getting paid for my work, but I keep on working. I do the laundry, I do some cleaning, I catch up on yard work, and pay some bills. That's a day off, but a Sabbath is quite different. What makes it really different is how we approach it in community and also the way that we look at things that are life-giving or things that are conversely life-draining. If you’re blessed by two days off every week, you can use one for catching up on your unpaid work, and the other for a true Sabbath day of rest. If you only have one day off per week, you’ll need to be a bit creative in managing your unpaid work, but it will be well worth the effort to make sure you protect your one day off for true Sabbath rest!

5. Sabbath involves choices about what you do and don’t do.

There are many things I will do on the Sabbath. I enjoy gardening and, because I find it life-giving, I’ll do a bit of gardening on a Sabbath. But if I have a really big yard job or gardening chore, I won't do that because it slips over into being work for me. I guess my hard and fast rule is that if there's anything I have to do, I won’t do it on a Sabbath! For me particularly, email is something I just don't touch on the Sabbath. At the bottom of my emails, I even alert others of my practice: “Please note I only access email on Sunday through Thursday.”  I also turn off my WhatsApp notifications because I'm on several very active groups and it gets me all wound up if I look at those. We can remember the bottom line for Jesus was that Sabbath was made for the man, not man for the Sabbath. I find that perspective really freeing!

6. Pastors face extra challenges in practicing Sabbath.

Quite frankly, for those of us who are vocational Christian ministers, Sunday isn't really a day of rest at all. So for us, it's better to practice and observe Sabbath on another day. For example, Hilary and I are currently observing our Sabbath every Saturday. We know others who begin their weekly Sabbath early Sunday afternoon after church responsibilities are finished and end early Monday afternoon. The main thing is having a regular and consistent 24-hour period that works for you.

7. Everyone needs to find a way to keep the Sabbath that works for them.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula here. Sabbath keeping is a principle we need to apply balancing personal and community aspects, and our practices will look different from one person to another. In essence, it's all about finding what works for you in the community and season of life you’re currently in. Find what’s life-giving to you and do more of and avoid the things you find life-draining if you possibly can! I hope these thoughts will be helpful and freeing as you consider exploring Sabbath keeping yourself! May the Lord bless you on this grace-filled journey!

Here’s a link to a 15-minute talk by Pete Scazzero called Practicing Sabbath Delight that I’ve found quite helpful. You can also listen to some of my thoughts via the link below. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, as well. Please drop me an email at slynch@a3.email.

Stu Lynch

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Stu Lynch has served with A3 since 1989. He and his wife, Hilary, work in partnership with ReachGlobal (EFCA) in Birmingham, UK, where they serve locally restarting a church in a multi-faith community with many Asian people. Regionally Stu offers resources, coaching, and spiritual accompaniment to church planters with a focus of helping leaders stay healthy and fruitful for the long haul and finish well in life and ministry. Email him at slynch@a3.email.

 

More Information

• Listen to Stu share about Sabbath keeping (audio 7 mins)
• Practicing Sabbath Delight by Pete Scazzero (video 15 mins)
• Cover photo of hammocks by Chris Thompson on Unsplash

 

We have shared a few brief video clips from our recent session in Jakarta for A3/Indonesia. Pastor Pangki & his wife Irene shared how A3 has impacted them. Take a look...

Pastor Pangki & Irene: How A3 has impacted us...

Hello Everyone! My name is Pastor Pangki from Jakarta, Indonesia, and I'm here with my wife.

A3 is helping me to understand who I am, what's the purpose of God in my life and in my calling.

By A3, I could understand and think globally rather than think internally and local church only. And, because also, in that interaction with each other, I could understand my friends. Love and generosity is the principle in A3 that I experience—equipped to be equipped, strengthened to be strengthened, generosity, grace, kindness, and humility. A3 is letting me to [have] good leadership in my calling and understand how to plant [churches], implement, and evaluating my calling in ministry by understanding good governance, accountability, and sustainability of my calling. A3 enhances my network globally. A3 led me to have a big vision in my calling. A3 taught me how to follow the process.

Thank you. God bless you.

Hello, Everyone! My name is Irene. I'm Pangki's wife. What I get from A3 as a wife to a pastor, I feel equipped because I can interact with my friends in A3. And I thank you for everyone who trained in A3 because they are already being agents of blessing to us in A3. In A3, we learn about how strengthening is our friendship.

Teramakasi... Thank you very much!

watch video on YouTube

For more impact testimonials, visit us online at A3Leaders.org. 

And if you didn't get a chance yet to catch the other brief video clips from Jakarta, you can find those links below.

Let's pray with Heny that God will use His servant leaders to impact not just Indonesia, but all the world!

Blessings from Indonesia,

Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.

jhandley@asianaccess.org
@jwhandley
@jwhandley

 

More Information

• Photo credits: Image of Jakarta skyline by Aeira Atelier on Unsplash
• Watch Pastor Pangki & Irene's video... https://youtu.be/OU5GltnpmFE
• Sister Heny's video clip: A3 changed my mind about the world and about the ministry
• Pastor Yoel's video clip: Thank you for the chance that's given for us!
• Janice Munemitsu's vido clip:  A3 cohort is building a safe, trusted community.

 

 

“‘Creation care?’ Isn’t that just about planting trees and picking up litter? What’s that got to do with multiplying transformational Christian leaders and churches?”

That might well have been my response a few years ago because throughout most of my 18 years of ministry in Japan, almost 5 years in Singapore, and my early years in ministry in the UK, I didn’t give much thought to caring about the environment. I assumed that was someone else’s job while I invested in leaders who would bring God’s transformational work to a needy world.

The thing is, I didn’t stop to consider and connect the dots to understand what transformation includes. Scripture says God was pleased through Christ to “reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven” (Colossians 1:20), a transformation that includes the restoration of all our relationships—with God, ourselves, others, and, yes, the natural world of creation.

Creation as a context for deeper discipleship

I began to realize that my picture of discipleship and Christ’s desire to be Lord of all was too small. Yes, I had heard Christ wants to be Lord of my time, talent, and treasure, but what about my travel, my tastes, and my technology? I began to see the natural world as a context for showing me where I had idols in my life.

My idols led me to ignore how my consumer choices, such as my use of plastic, affected those around the world. People who have done the least to cause environmental degradation are the ones who most often suffer from the consequences, such as living amongst trash and burning piles of plastic, plastic from packages I might have bought for myself or even my ministry.

The importance of creation for the church

Important as reducing our use of plastic is, being aware of creation is more than recycling. An awareness of creation opens up new doors as we think strategically about the future of the church. A 2021 survey of 10,000 young people across the globe revealed that 75% said that they think the future is frightening in terms of the climate.¹ What response is the evangelical church offering of Christ-centered hope and Christ-motivated love-in-action? A 2020 survey in the UK indicates that 9 out of 10 Christian young people are concerned about the environment but only 1 out of 10 think the church is doing enough.²

These are the future leaders of the church—if they want to continue to be involved in it.

An invitation

God is inviting us to go deeper in our personal discipleship and in our ministry as church leaders. What are we noticing about the needs around us, from the increasing climate-related crises to the lack of hope many young people are experiencing? Bringing an awareness of creation—both its impact on humankind and our impact on it—is an invitation where God asks us to look at how deep our discipleship is and how sustainable our strategic plans are.

• Are we looking not just 5 years ahead, but 55?
• In what ways can we imagine a different future, a more just future for all people around the globe, a future where people and planet can both thrive?

No simple answers, but actions that lead towards solutions

There are no simple answers, but there are actions that lead towards solutions. I am keeping this in mind as I begin coaching ministry leaders around creation awareness. I propose letting the Holy Spirit guide us through our curiosity as we ask questions and notice what is happening around us and within us:

• What connections do we see to what we already care about and what is appropriate and sustainable, both for us and for the planet?
• What could be some small courageous step to take, and how might God’s grace allow us even to fail and try some other approach?
• As we ask these types of questions, how might such a process lead us to encounter Christ more deeply and live for Him more fully?

Crisis? Opportunity!

Maybe we have heard how the word “crisis” also means “opportunity.” The climate crisis is perhaps the church’s greatest opportunity to hear God’s invitation to be part of bringing healing to all our relationships—our relationship with God, ourselves, others, and the created world. In the face of environmental problems that seem impossible, the words of Ken Wendling, the founder of what has become A3, ring in my ears:

“Impossible? I love the word impossible!”

I invite you to dream with me what God might do with this incredible, “impossible” opportunity for the church. Please email me to explore together how a greater awareness of creation might enhance the transformation you hope to see in your ministry context. I’d love to hear your answers to the questions I’ve asked above.

Hilary Lynch

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Hilary Lynch has served with A3 since 1989. She and her husband, Stu, work in partnership with ReachGlobal (EFCA) in Birmingham, UK, where they serve locally restarting a church in a multi-faith community with many Asian people. Regionally she offers resources and coaching for ministry leaders curious how to care well for people and our environment. She is getting her doctorate in Practical Theology and in her free time she is learning how to garden and hoping she won’t kill her houseplants. Email her at hlynch@a3.email. 

 

More Information

• Photos courtesy Getty Images 
• Inset: Hilary & Stu Lynch with family (2022) photo courtesy Hilary Lynch
• kiki kanji courtesy Takeshi Takazawa and Hearken Creative Services

 

Endnotes

1. Hickman, C., Marks, E., Pihkala, P., Clayton, S., Lewandowski, R. E., Mayall, E. E., Wray, B., Mellor, C. and van Susteren, L. (2021) ‘Climate Anxiety in Children and Young People and Their Beliefs About Government Responses to Climate Change: A Global Survey.’, Lancet Planet Health, 5 (12), pp. e863-e873. doi: 10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00278-3.
2. Youthscape Centre for Research and Tearfund, 2020. Burning Down the House: How the Church Could Lose Young People Over Climate Inaction . Available at: https://www.youthscape.co.uk/research/published-research/burning-down-the-house [Accessed 30 Mar. 2023].

 

The last few days we've posted a few reports from our recent session in Jakarta for A3/Indonesia. Here's another one from Heny about her A3 experience and what she learned at this session...

Heny: Things I learned the most from this A3 session...

Hello! My name is Heny. I'm from Indonesia, and I joined with A3 from the module 1 until now. I most think I learned about planting churches, about generosity, and [it] changed my mind about the world [and] about the ministry. [This was the] most thing I got from A3.

And I hope A3 will impact not [just] Indonesia, but all of for the world. God bless A3!

watch video on YouTube

For more impact testimonials, visit us online at A3Leaders.org. 

And if you didn't get a chance yet to catch the other brief video clips from Jakarta, you can find those links below.

Let's pray with Heny that God will use His servant leaders to impact not just Indonesia, but all the world!

Blessings from Indonesia,

Joseph W. Handley, Jr., Ph.D.

jhandley@asianaccess.org
@jwhandley
@jwhandley

 

More Information

• Photo credits: Image of Jakarta by Afif Ramdhasuma on Unsplash
• Watch Sister Heny's video... https://youtu.be/OU5GltnpmFE
• Pastor Yoel's video clip: Thank you for the chance that's given for us!
• Janice Munemitsu's vido clip:  A3 cohort is building a safe, trusted community.