TEAM UNITY

Have you ever been a part of team? Maybe you were asked to join a church committee or perhaps you are a teacher, a member of the faculty. Athletes aren’t the only ones called to experience the team dynamic. The corporate arena is inundated with opportunities to work in unison with others with different skill sets toward a common goal. This is the intriguing part to me, the differences. One might hope those joined together to form a unit fulfilling a common interest might share similarities creating a cohesiveness from the start. Yet, it has been my experience this is seldom the case.

Think of it, a football team would hardly be effective with 11 running backs, not one good wide receiver or quarterback among them. The same principle holds true for a choir or band, teachers or corporate teams. We need the visionaries and the dreamers, the pragmatists and the realists, the listeners and the mouthpieces, the leaders and the followers, they all play a part. Separately, there may be discord in their setting, but brought together, particularly when there is a realization of the gifts they bring, a harmony can evolve.

The keys to experiencing this unity and balance is in knowing what you bring, knowing what you offer and what you do not. Recognizing your gifts as well as the gifts of others. Where yours end and theirs begin. Most of all, we must recognize all gifts are God given and to be used to glorify Him. When we serve God as a team, in this sense, we are acting as the church in the world, one body many members, each reliant on the other.

As my family and I were driving through the country, we came across a picturesque site. It was a rusty old shed, doubtfully used for anything anymore, barely standing next to the gnarliest yet distinguished old tree, not a leaf upon it. Covering the ground was the intimation that spring would soon arrive in a wide spreading patch of daffodils, their brilliant yellows spectacular against a backdrop of winter grays and rusted metal. Deep in the meadow these elements fixed themselves intertwining each other with a sense of belonging. Apart from one another, there was no story to tell, but together in harmonious splendor, they were a team, not detracting from the next, but adding to it.

The effervescent yellow blossoms, so positive and upbeat, with nary a clue how short lived her contribution would be to the team. The old shed no longer consulted for much, now a tremendous support for the vines which would cross through him, remnants of which still dangled beneath the roof. He was a battered and rusty spectacle, but his incredible support of the vines to come were only secondary to the crotchety old tree, hundreds of years old now leaning her heaviest branches on his rooftop, propping up the old girl. Her leaves would render her heavy calling many tiny creatures and birds to nest in her comfortable branches soon. They always make her feel useful and needed as well. She is so grateful for her team.

I am too. Each of us comes together with a bit of knee knocking, wondering what we bring. Soon we will realize there is something God has specifically woven in each of us, a fiber runs through our fabric. Like the vines run through the shed, we will be connected as one, knitted together into a single garment blanketing our Bosnian family. Like the picturesque scene in the country, we will be drawn to that which God will create. Not by the gifts of one, but by the gifts of the whole, woven as one . . . BJ's mercy, Leland's authenticity, Lynne's encouragement, Sandy's goodness, John's gentleness, Janet's devotion, Nancy's caring, Kathy's love . . . and so much more. More than we know at this point, maybe more than we'll ever know. And, that's okay.

This is our team. And, I love them. BJ, Leland, Lynne, Sandy, John, Janet, Nancy, & Me. Please pray for our unity, strength and endurance. Pray that we will grow our gifts, embrace our limitations, and surrender all to our Lord and Savior.

In One Peace,
Kathy

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ro 15:5-6

FISHERS OF MEN

At Northpoint Church, we have a relationship with a number of strategic partners around the world, like The Evangelical Church in Capljina, Bosnia - international churches led by indigenous pastors, such as Pastor Bernard, who align with the North Point model. These partnerships are developed through strategic consulting, team trips, and various other resources to help them create churches that unbelievers love to attend. The long-term goal of these relationships is to help these churches become flagship models that will influence other churches within their countries to rethink the way they do church. In post war torn Bosnia, I would render to say a new layer was added to the primary mission of leading others into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Throughout our years together in partnership, we have seen, not just the hearts of the unchurched or unbelievers moved by what is happening through the leadership of Pastor Bernard and his congregation, but the churched as well. Walls which divided cities, villages, a country and a people, also created ethnic and religious barriers, making forgiveness an impossible virtue. Tolerance had no moral position in a country divided. Yet, in a small, unique and unprecedented oasis found on the banks of the Neretva, Muslims (Bosniaks), Croates (Catholics), Serbians (Orthodox) along with our Evangelical brothers and sisters have found a place where all are welcome. Come as you are. God will meet you there. No questions asked. You are forgiven. We are all forgiven. Here you will find love. Pure and simple. And, Peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding.

This October trip will be a very special prayer trip, unlike those in the past. It is the first time we will make the near two day jaunt (with the boost of a 6 hour time difference) since hearing of the changing relationship between Northpoint Community Church, our home, and The Evangelical Church, our strategic partner. It is a bittersweet time. Our partnership has been a successful one. And, like every student must some day leave the nest to fulfill their true purpose, every bird must eventually learn to fly on its own, Northpoint will move on, looking for other partners in other parts of the world; where there is a need and a desire to create relevant church environments, which will draw people back to the heart of Christ or perhaps draw them there for the very first time.

The "bitter" comes when we realize our times together are now limited. We wonder, like the uncertainty that comes with each of life's crossroads, "Will they think we have forgotten them?" As a college student pulls away from his family home, so much excitement and wonder, challenges and growth opportunities, in store, yet how many thoughts and emotions, positive and negative swirl through the graduate's head as well as those left standing on the curb. But, speak to Pastor Bernard, a man full of faith and he remembers our God is faithful.

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." Isa 49:15-16

Pastor Bernard knows God is true to His promises. Our invested time together was to create a flagship model and as we came alongside him and his amazing team, we watched them build their vessel. The ship is ready to set sail! This is the "sweet" part. The Evangelical Church is strategically positioned to fulfull the Great Commission in their own part of the world, "to make disciples of all nations" (Mat 28:19), to follow Jesus and become "fishers of men" (Mat 4:19). Hallelujah!


We are so excited to go and be with them, to encourage them in this transitional time full of questions and unknowns, not knowing how God is going to do it, just that He will! The reality is whomever God calls to this church through these amazing vessels of His love and grace, they most likely will not have the income to support the church. Few do, as the unemployment still hovers around 50%. But, we know our God is mighty and sovereign and when we surrender our plans to Him, He will show us the way.

Please pray with us, for us, for them. We are grateful for your support in any way - of this trip, of the Evangelical Church. Praise God for all He has done to bring us to this day, for all of His abundant blessings. May the name of Jesus become famous in this region so wrought with the need of His healing touch.

In His grip,
Kathy

WHO WILL GIVE THE BLESSING?

We are a prayer team headed to Bosnia to support and encourage a partner church, The Evangelical Church of Capljina, which has faced seemingly insurmountable odds, personally as individuals and together as a congregation. The building structure itself has been stoned as little as two years ago. These are a people who have been persecuted, hated and oppressed. Why? Because they love Jesus and they worship Him in a contemporary setting which is as unfamiliar as the land to which we travel. It would be understandable if our brothers and sisters questioned God's provision over the years, both during the war and since. Rebuilding and finding hope among the hopeless has been an indescribable journey.

Now, I want you to picture a familiar setting - your family, clamoring around the dinner table, maybe you are the child, perhaps all grown up, now the parent. Capture the visual in your mind's eye. It could be a special occasion, Thanksgiving? Christmas? The children are jockeying for position. No one is taking the seat at the head of the table, but no one quite knows who's going to sit there, or it could be a given, a non-issue. Finally, everyone is settled in, even the family pet is positioned to receive renegade morsels of runaway goodness. Then, comes the question? "Who will give the blessing?" I know in my house, this usually ends the clamor. Silence falls upon the scene followed by the ritual of eyes darting around the table in chaotic triangular patterns. Finally, someone offers. The food is blessed. God is praised for his provision, and the evening continues without incident.

Last April, I had the opportunity to visit our amazing church family in Capljina for my second trip. As we gathered for a prayer meeting, again I was humbled at how my brothers and sisters pray, so slow to petition but quick to praise and give thanks. At the outset, Pastor Bernard suggested we begin with only praise, all of us, in unison. I ask you once again to picture a setting. There were maybe 15 - 20 people, 8 of us American, all praising El Elyon, God, Our Most High, for who He is, for all He has done, for all He is going to do, for His Providence, for being who He says He is, for delivering His promises, and on and on we went for several minutes in grateful praise and different languages. I don't believe there was a dry eye in the house afterward. Who will give the blessing? Indeed! We all will. And, God will bless us in return. He already has.

I have often said, I don't know who is blessed more by these mission trips, the short-term missionaries, our brothers and sisters we are supporting, or those who support us through prayer, financial support, and encouragment. I just know we are "Blessed by Bosnia." Who will give the blessing? We all will. Won't you join us?

https://ssl.northpoint.org/ssl/globalx/giving.html

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Psalm 150:6

Slava Bogu!
Kathy