Archive: You Ought to Know…

by Steve | Jul 9, 1977 | Archive - 1977

Archive: You Ought to Know…

News of special importance, interpreted in the light of Scriptural Christianity

GOODBYE TO WORLD MISSIONS

Alan Walker, prominent United Methodist from Australia, has been named Director of the World Evangelism Committee for the World Methodist Council. In an interview published in the May 27, 1977 Texas Methodist/UM Reporter, Walker said:

… We must rediscover the power of conversion and then change the way we view “world mission.” The missionary era—that glamorous business of sending someone across the world—is over. Yet world mission is just being born, in the sense that our world is everywhere: in the next house, or on the next street. Nor can there any longer be “sending” countries and “receiving” countries. There are just all of us sharing what we have. …”

Thus a prominent church leader dispenses with the idea of world m1ss1ons outreach aria boldly declares invalid the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, which begins with these words: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19a)! Such thinking, prevalent within the World Council of Churches, has greatly influenced our United Methodist world missions policy over the past decade—during which our world missionary force has declined to less than 650.

How strange for an “evangelist” to announce no more need for missionary outreach at a time when billions of people around the world have not heard the name of Jesus Christ and are therefore perishing! Many United Methodists believe that this is a time for every Christian community to be sending MORE missionaries out into the world.

HELP IN PLANNING FOR YOUR CHURCH

Ever feel like your church needs a better sense of direction? Ever think, “we ought to plan for the future?” The UM Board of Global Ministries has designed a kit to help. Materials include 68-page workbook, cassette tape, work sheets, wall charts, etc.

You begin by looking at what your church is doing now, and what it has done. Then needs of the community are examined, priorities, goals, and programs are set.

The kit does affirm the importance of Biblical goals and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. However it is theologically neutral, so UM evangelicals will find it adaptable.

Cost is $20.00. Order from: Service Center, Board of Global Ministries, Attn.: Mrs. Robert Owens, 7820 Reading Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45237.

SOCIAL ACTION MAGAZINE DIES

Later this year, the UM Board of Church and Society will suspend publication of engage/social action. “The magazine was reported to have failed in a recent effort to raise its circulation substantially above the 6,000 level,” reported UM Communications. The magazine has been ecumenical, co-sponsored by UM Church, United Church of Christ, and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) social agencies.

22 UM SCHOOLS IN DEEP TROUBLE

Without daring to list specific names, a 15-member National Commission on UM Higher Education has announced that almost one-fourth of the 107 colleges and universities related to The UM Church are “in serious financial difficulty.”

It is not known whether the commission report made reference to the disappointment expressed by many United Methodists that church-related schools often lack evident Christian distinctives, both in doctrine and lifestyle.

Recently a professor at one UM-related colleges known to be in trouble, told Good News that in 11 years the college had not had one chaplain who stressed the importance of knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

HOW RICH THOU ART!

Denominational boards and agencies have a large source of income which is not affected by fluctuations in giving from local churches. The following investments were accumulated mostly from gifts left by United Methodists in the past, wanting to perpetuate the work of the church. In an exclusive story, the Texas Methodist/UM Reporter for May 20, 1977 reported the following investments:

$520,000 – Board of Discipleship. ($50,000 unrestricted).

$410,000 – General Council on Ministries (unrestricted).

$995,000 – Board of Church and Society.

$1,860,000 – Church and Society Building Endowment Fund.

$1,145,000 – World Service Permanent Fund.

$3,625,000 – Board of Trustees Funds.

$25,000,000 – Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

$107,000,000 – Board of Global Ministries.

$500,000,000 – Board of Pensions.

“Earnings from investments are important parts of the operating budgets of most agencies,” said TM/UMR. “The Board of Church and Society, for example, depends on earnings for nearly half of its budget.”

These investments provide some UM agencies, especially Global Ministries and Church and Society, with leverage to use in protesting policies of companies in which the church holds investments. Such investments also provide bureaucrats with a hedge against accountability, for income from these sources is not affected by fluctuations in giving from local churches. Protected from protest with its secure investments, an agency can run roughshod over the feelings and wishes of annual conferences and local churches, without fearing a decline in giving resulting from abrasive advocacy of causes alien to the people.

NORTH DAKOTANS PROTEST ERA BOYCOTT

Speaking out against the pro ERA position taken by the United Methodist Women, some North Dakota United Methodists have petitioned their annual conference:

WHEREAS, The United Methodist Church adopted the theme: “Committed to Christ-Called to Change,” and

WHEREAS, The Church exists to make Christ known and bring Christ’s message of love and forgiveness, Justice and mercy to all people, and

WHEREAS, the 74 directors of the Women’s Division of The United Methodist Church did vote contrary to this at their semi-annual meeting in Atlantic City on April 22-25, to ban national meetings in states that have not ratified the Equal Rights Amendment, and urged the Board of Global Ministries to do the same, and

WHEREAS, The above directors did encourage their 1.2 million members of the United Methodist Women to avoid taking vacations in or making trips to states opposing ERA, further deciding to send word of this ban (boycott) to governors, mayors and state legislators in the offending states, (United Methodist Newscope, April 29, 1977) and

WHEREAS, a ban or boycott Is not a tool to be used by any church to force people to vote against their conscience, and WHEREAS. Some states have rescinded their prior ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment as the dire consequences of the proposed amendment have become better understood, and many other states are considering rescinding, while some State Legislatures ratified by one vote under pressure from the White House, and

WHEREAS, This action is contrary to Methodist tradition and to the Gospel and will bring untold harm to The United Methodist Church, not only in the states involved but throughout the entire church,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED That the North Dakota Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church at Grand Forks, North Dakota, May 26-29, 1977, do protest this action of the 74 directors of the Women’s Division of The United Methodist Church to boycott all states who have not ratified the Equal Rights Amendment, and are using the name of The United Methodist Church to do so.

Both the UM Boards of Church and Society and Global Ministries now advocate boycotting those states which have not approved the Equal Rights Amendment.

GOOD NEWS MAGAZINE WINS FOUR AWARDS

There were 338 editors and writers and publishers at the 29th annual convention of the Evangelical Press Association. On award night, Good News received these citations:

• First Award of Merit, general category.
• Second place photo story, “With Christ in the Rockies.”
• Fourth place editorial, “Hiding in the Church.”
• Fifth place reporting, coverage of 1976 General Conference.

The competition involved a variety of evangelical publications from many groups and denominations.

NEED A NEW MINISTER?

A church in Utah suggests a novel way to get a new minister—use a chain letter! The dissatisfied church board should send a chain letter “to six other churches also tired of their ministers. Then bundle up your minister and send him (or her) to the church at the top of the list in the chain letter. Add the name of your church at the bottom of the letter. Within a week you will receive 16,435 ministers, and one of them should be a dandy.”

THE CULTS: COMING ON STRONG

 “Churches throughout the western world are not prepared for facing the problems raised by a new wave of cults, ” said delegates at a recent conference held at the Belgian Bible Institute by Evangelical Alliance. “There are an estimated 3,000,000 Americans, mostly in their late teens, who are involved in up to 1,000 new religious cults such as the Divine Light Mission, the Children of God, Hare Krishna, or the Unification Church of Sun Myung Moon.”

A reliable resource concerning cults is: Spiritual Counterfeits Project, P.O. Box 4308, Berkeley, CA 94704. Phone (415) 548-7947. An outgrowth of the “Jesus Revolution,” SCP is countering cults, using Christians converted out of them. Their newsletter for May 1977 contains a helpful listing of books that analyze Transcendental Meditation (TM) from a Biblical perspective. They especially recommend these three: TM Wants You by David Haddon & Vail Hamilton. Baker, Grand Rapids, MI, 1976; The Case Against TM in the Public Schools by John E. Patton. Baker, 1976; The Transcendental Explosion by John Weldon and Zola Levitt. Harvest House, Irvine, CA.

Archive: Reading About World Hunger

by Steve | Jul 8, 1977 | Archive - 1977

Archive: Reading About World Hunger

By Patricia H. Sprinkle  

Jesus said, “… know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31) That certainly applies to hunger. When we first look at the enormity of the world hunger problem, having only a few scattered facts, we may be overwhelmed and oppressed by a conviction that nothing can be done. We only begin to see what can be done as we bite off one piece of the problem at a time, believing God gives no challenge to any generation that cannot meet with God’s guidance.

A good place to begin is by reading about hunger, digesting our information prayerfully, and discussing it with others. Listed below are some books, magazines, and newsletters you may want to investigate. This list is not exhaustive, and readers are invited to submit additional suggestions to Good News.

One suggestion: when you’ve finished with a book or magazine, pass it on. You might begin a Hunger Shelf in your church library.

What Do You Say to a Hungry World? by Stanley Mooneyham, World Vision (Word Books, $6.95 hardcover). One of the best basic looks at the overall problem, incorporating both statistics and human stories told with Christian compassion.

New Hope for the Hungry? by Larry Minear, Church World Service (Friendship Press, $1.95 paperback). Basic facts about world hunger plus steps being taken by church and government to combat it. Brief and easy to read.

Bread for the World by Arthur Simon (Eerdmans, $1.50 paperback). A more comprehensive and complex look at the hunger picture written by one engaged in urging Christian citizen action.

Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered by E. F. Schumacher, economist (Harper & Row, $2.75 paperback). The first bestselling book on economics in years! Well written, it takes a hard look at systems that surround us and asks basic theological questions about them.

How to Live Better On Less: A Guide for Waste Watchers by Barbara Jurgensen (Augsburg $3.95 paperback). A delightful compilation of practical tips for moving from the consumptive to the abundant life. Easy to read, easier to follow.

More–With–Less Cookbook by Doris Janzen Longacre (Herald Press, $4.95 paperback). Spiralbound cookbook put out by Mennonite Central Committee to give tasty, economical, less-consumptive recipes in all categories. Also contains introductory sections giving hunger facts, information on nutrition, and theological reasons for cutting back on what we eat.

MAGAZINES/NEWSLETTERS

War on Hunger: A Report from the Agency for International Development. Tells what our government is doing about hunger abroad.

Bread for the World, newsletter. Issued monthly as part of a membership package for organization with the same name. It is a “Christian Citizens Coalition” to fight hunger. Its newsletter keeps members up to date on pending legislation and related issues.

Archive: One Way Camp

by Steve | Jul 7, 1977 | Archive - 1977

More than tumbleweeds and cactus thrive in the Texas panhandle. Each summer several hundred youth invade the “One Way” Camp

Archive: “One Way” Camp

By Diane Knippers

Can you imagine teenagers spending six hours a day in Bible study, seminars, and worship? That’s what happens for five days each summer as UM youth explore the Biblical basis for Christian living.

Evangelical pastors, including supporters of Good News, started “One Way” Camp in 1970 to meet the spiritual needs of teenagers being reached for Christ through Lay Witness Missions. By its second year it was the largest youth camp sponsored by the Northwest Texas Conf.

Over the years the purpose of the camp hasn’t changed according to Rev. Jim Smith, camp director. Last summer over 30 of the 280 campers made commitments to full-time Christian service.

After camp a youth committee representing each district is elected to plan retreats during the year. They publish a four-page paper, “One Way Path,” with news of youth events and articles of interest to teens.

Camp “graduates” are eager to serve as camp counselors. One former camper said, “God is a living reality in my life through One Way Camp experiences …. “

Archive: Some Bible Study Plans and Resources

by Steve | Jul 5, 1977 | Archive - 1977

Archive: Some Bible Study Plans and Resources

suggested by the Editor of Good News (Charles W. Keysor)

The Holy Scriptures are amazingly rich! Study in almost any part of God’s written Word can be “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)

The following are some of the specific studies which I have found exciting during my nine and one-half years as pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, Elgin, IL, and for the past three years teaching a Sunday morning Bible study class for seminarians and their wives attending The United Methodist Church in Wilmore, KY.

1. Sermon on the Mount. A profound body of truth requiring careful analysis and discussion. Care is needed to avoid superficial ethicism, and to see the full range of Biblical doctrine found directly and indirectly involved in this great teaching of our Lord. (Our seminary class worked each Sunday from early September to May and barely covered Matthew, chapters 5 and 6. So allow plenty of time!)

2. Parables and Miracles. A study of almost any length can be made, focusing on either the parables or the miracles of Jesus. These can be combined to study a parable one week and a miracle the next, in alternation.

3. James. The strongly ethical nature of James’ message makes it ideal for discussion, especially for those having a first experience with depth Bible study. The leader should be well-versed in Biblical doctrine, to bring out the implications underlying some of the ethical emphasis in James. For example, James’ teaching regarding faith and works must be seen in the light of the full range of Biblical teaching on this subject.

4. Psalms. A great treasure-house of study material. Leader should select Psalms of different types. Allow ample time for providing background and for discussion. Ask class members to choose a favorite Psalm-use these as your study guide.

5. Revelation, chapters 1-3. Letters to the seven churches make for a rich study. The remainder of Revelation is highly speculative and should be attempted only by those having considerable depth knowledge of the Old Testament, as well as broad knowledge of the New Testament and its doctrines.

6. Pastoral Epistles. I and II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, I and II Thessalonians. Each of these makes an excellent study, with special emphasis on such doctrines as Christ’s return, the nature of the Church, and Christian leadership.

7. The Nature of God and Mankind in Proverbs. This is a “topical” study, tracing a doctrinal topic through one portion of Scripture. This can be done also in Psalms and elsewhere.

8. The Holy Spirit in the Bible. Get a concordance and check out every reference to the Holy Spirit from Genesis to Revelation. Trace the operation of the Spirit through the whole Bible. A long study, but highly important in a time when study of the Holy Spirit is too often limited to Acts.

9. Topical Study: Prayers of the Bible. From the Scripture select certain prayers. Study them for what they reveal about 1) God, 2) the person praying, 3) principles for effective prayer.

10. Hard Places in the Bible. Invite each class member to bring in one passage of Scripture that he or she finds difficult to understand. Then study and discuss each, seeking illumination of the Holy Spirit.

11. Gems of the New Testament: Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians. Each offers a rich and rewarding study, especially for mature Christians.

12. Two Treasures From Romans: chapters 8 and 12. A long and rewarding study can be done in each chapter. The Holy Spirit is especially prominent in chapter 8; the ideal Christian life is sketched in chapter 12.

Those wanting real depth in Bible studies will need to use commentaries which, instead of including all the Bible, concentrate on one or several related books of the Bible. A great variety exist; some are solidly Biblical, others dangerous because they operate off humanistic presuppositions and tend to interpret the Scripture in terms of humanistic philosophy, rather than letting the Bible speak for itself.

Here are a few valuable commentaries and study helps.

Barclay, William, The Daily Study Bible Series. Westminster Press, Philadelphia, PA. These small commentaries contain a wealth of helpful material about key Biblical words and ideas. Generally excellent, but occasionally include questionable interpretations.

Douglas, J. D., Editor, New Bible Commentary. Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Ml. Top quality, single volume commentary covering the whole Bible. Excellent scholarship, solid theologically. If you have to  get only one commentary, this would be a good choice.

lnterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL 60515.

This distinguished evangelical publisher has produced a number of highly useful, theologically reliable commentaries focusing on specific portions of the Bible. Serious Bible students will find these enormously useful and should keep up to date on new offerings.

Lenski, R.C.H., Commentaries on The New Testament. Augsburg, Minneapolis, MN. Twelve volumes with technical data but deep insights valuable to serious Bible students.

Leupold, H. C., Exposition of Psalms. Augsburg. Superb study of all 150 Psalms.

Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount. (2 vols.) Eerdmans. A superb commentary for those wanting depth analysis of the Sermon on the Mount. Profound, practical, sound theology.

New International Commentary on the New Testament. Eerdmans. Fourteen volumes have been published on the New Testament, with three more projected. New Testament is covered in great depth. Orthodox, with first-class scholarship. For more serious students. Theological training helpful. (To date four volumes have been published in this series in the Old Testament; no final number has been projected.)

Tyndale Bible Commentaries. Eerdmans. 20 vols., New Testament; 10 vols. so far, Old Testament. Smaller, less technical commentaries covering entire New Testament and part of the Old Testament. Excellent, thoroughly reliable theologically.

Ladd, George Eldon, The New Testament and Criticism. Eerdmans. An excellent book to help explain the various kinds of Biblical criticism taught in our seminaries and expressed in the teaching materials produced by our denomination. If you really want to discover how the Bible’s authority has been undermined by humanistic scholars, read this book.

Phillips, J. B., The Ring of Truth. Macmillan, New York, NY. An outstanding Bible scholar writes about the authenticity of the Scriptures. Important in a time when many stress Scripture’s UN-reliability.

Schultz, Samuel, The Old Testament Speaks. Harper and Row, New York, NY. A companion introduction to the Old Testament, combining broad overview, excellent scholarship, plus good introduction to basic messages and themes of the Old Testament.

Tenney, Merrill C., New Testament Survey. Eerdmans. An overview of the New Testament by an outstanding orthodox scholar. A “must” for one wanting a broad and deep understanding of the New Testament, its content, and background.

Traina, Robert A. Methodical Bible Study. Privately published by Dr. R. A. Traina, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY. A helpful, practical guide to Bible study by a master teacher.

Eerdmans’ Handbook of the Bible. Includes maps, brief commentary, articles on books of the Bible, and various Biblical themes. Highly recommended as an all-purpose tool.

Eerdmans’ New Bible Dictionary. Excellent in every way. Thoroughly orthodox, with an awareness of various Biblical criticisms.

Nave, Orville J., Naves Topical Bible. Southwestern Co., Nashville, TN. A useful listing of all Scripture references given for many topics, such as “faith,” “judgment,” etc. Excellent help. Nelson’s Complete Concordance. Thomas Nelson, New York, NY. Lists all word references in Old and New Testaments. Revised Standard Version. Extremely useful.

Zondervan ‘s Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Ml. Useful illustrated work. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Abingdon, Nashville, TN. Excellent and authorative for users of King James Version. Includes Hebrew and Greek so these can be used by anyone without language skills.