Gratitude

Following the North American Convention, I celebrated July 1 with the removal of a cataract from my right eye. After a week of dining hall duty at Warner Memorial Family Camp, I’m ending July with cataract removal in my left eye.

Dr. Stout found me “wiggly and talkative” the first time, a better patient the 2nd time around. Such an eye procedure is now more a minor happenstance, in no way comparing with my mate’s 17 stents and CHF complications. In both cases, he performed his tasks with patience and skill. My greatly-improved eyesight is enough to please Dr. Stout with what he achieved.

A devout Catholic, Randy Stout is one of four partners at our Southwest Eye Clinic. All are devout Christians; the Senior Partner (who did my wife) is a devoted Wesleyan. He works enough to maintain his livelihood and devotes the remainder of his time to short-term Medical Missions.

Although I spent much of my life in hospital visitation, I had only minimal experience with my own physical rehabilitation. Thus, it was with interest that I approached the delicacy of repairing my eyes. I have thought often of all the things that could happen in the aging process; within I always thought, “I’d rather lose anything, but my eyesight.”

I came through this month with new appreciation for the strong skills and knowledgeable caring of these Men of Medicine. It creates a 7.6 Richter scale earthquake of appreciation within my mental and emotional processes. Such delicate work boggles my mind. Even more, it heightens my sense of obligation to God, both for His “Amazing Grace” and for the generous blessings life has shared with me.

It makes me aware of people who lack such blessings. Many live in places that offer few of the benefits I take for granted. It ignites an awesome sense of gratitude within. Like everyone else, I complain about $4 a gallon gasoline, and other such absurdities. Yet, honesty requires that I confess that at the poorest levels of my life, I am wealthier and far more blessed than many who live elsewhere - if for no other reason, just because I was born in America.

I read once about the “Chaff Finch,” a Robin-sized songbird that brings its beautiful song from Europe. People delight in its pleasing melody. Yet, people find it has one misfortunate characteristic--it occasionally forgets how to sing. The forgetful little Finch sometimes needs an understanding friend to carry it back into the woods, where the wild birds teach it to remember its song. If it does not re-learn its song, it may die of depression.

The push and shove of daily life sometimes gets depressing and disorienting. Like the Chaff Finch, we may forget to sing our songs of gratitude. After wearing trifocal glasses for 34 years, I am delighted with my renewed sight (20/20 in one eye and at least 25/20 in the other). It is a new opportunity to stay productive, writing and serving for a few more years, and at this late date, it appears I will only need minor help for reading (time will tell).

The church helps us rediscover God’s music of grace and hope. Walking with God, we learn to sing again. Once again, life becomes worth living. My lifelong friends, Wade and Betty Jakeway, used to sing a composition Wade wrote entitled “I Learned to Live Again. In their faith, they found hope--a bright new tomorrow with God-and-others--the place where I want to spend the rest of my life.
Filled with gratitude, Wayne

A Pilgrim's Progress

My wife and I recently spent a few days quietly strolling with Dr. Barry Callen. We relished this intimate walk with Barry, a longtime peer and fellow sojourner. Our casual journey took us back to Craig Beach, OH, and from there to western PA, central KY, Chicago, and his years in Anderson, IN.

Now retired as Anderson University Professor Emeritus, Dr. Callen served numerous educational posts within the Church of God, including distinguished service teaching and administering at the Anderson School of Theology (ASOT). He now serves part-time as Special Assistant to the General Director of Church of God Ministries--charged by the General Assembly to handle the interim affairs of the Assembly between its annual sessions.

We slowly read our way along Pilgrim Callen’s pathway. Sometimes we stopped to reminisce and contemplate on how we remembered things. Eventually, I finished reading aloud to my appreciative spouse this newest AU Press biography. Neither of us ever studied under Dr. Callen. We traveled in quite different circles within the church, yet our adult working years paralleled like two railroad tracks.

When Barry first launched, I had my own personal reservations, although he was both likable and competent as a scholar. Since that time, I have read many of his works and my library holds many of his volumes, which I value. I relish his work and recognize a kindred spirit.

Dr. Callen brought scholarly wealth to our body of church literature. Aided by his latest volume, we strolled the path with him, and contemplated thoughtfully about own journey. Before reaching the last page, we felt the satisfaction that comes with knowing and understanding this Pilgrim’s Progress in a more intimate and personal way than ever before.

It is an autobiography worth reading. It is scholarly in detail, and it is filled with a biblical understanding of life in the church, even if repetitious for some. At times, I found a sense of humor I did not realize he enjoyed. I discovered his deep feeling with-and-for people. He offers some great quotes and tells some great stories, (cf. “Never Have Your Dog Stuffed” p14). Best of all, he loves God and the Church of God with unmatched passion.

Barry. Callen has become the most prolific author in Church of God publishing history. One day, I believe he might very well be credited by scholars--perhaps the church--with providing us “the guiding light” that ultimately confirmed our century-old quest for holiness and unity and helped us regain our equilibrium as a body deeply rooted in Evangelical and Wesleyan church history.

Without doubt, D. S. Warner remains our Patron Saint. Warner’s preaching and “preaching pen” (“The Gospel Trumpet”) launched us as a reformation of the Church of God. He became the “flower” attracting differing theological species of “Bee’s” that currently hive together under the Church of God umbrella.

When Warner stepped outside of denominationalism, he was ahead of his time. However, like The Pope, Warner was not infallible. Some of his “Revelation” theology left us trying to find our way out of the come-outism of writers like F. G. Smith, Lillie McCutcheon, Richard Bradley, and Lowell Stultz.

The main body of the church has moved on, growing its roots deeply into sound historical soil, led by scholars such as O. F. Linn, Adam Miller, Marie Strong, Boyce Blackwelder, Leslie Ratzlaff, Barry Callen and others. Nonetheless, misunderstanding contributes today to a lack of identity and purpose as a Reformation Movement of the Church of God. Barry has spent his academic life helping heal that breach.

Much healing is still needed. The Church needs a wholesome understanding of the biblical message of the biblical Apocalypse of John. While Callen’s volume is a personal journey and not a biblical theology, it is a noteworthy read: A Pilgrim’s Progress, The Autobiography of Barry L. Callen. AU Press, 2008, Anderson, IN (available at Reformation Publishers). I recommend it as worth your time and effort.
Wayne

Walking Man

Walking Man tells some of the modern missionary experiences of one man in Latin America. Published by The Quilldriver, this $10 soft-cover book ($12.95 by pp mail), is a journey in the abject poverty that often accompanies delinquent behavior. In this case, it led to Narciso Zamora’s eventually becoming an Assembly of God Christian.

His journeys led him to the Church of God, Anderson, in 1984. His story reveals treks over the mountains and through the jungles of Ecuador, Peru and Chile--raw, primitive, often the first time to hear the story of Jesus.

Walking Man became a walking evangelist, clocking more than 1,000 miles of mountainous terrain, day and night. Traveling with minimal personal items, his preaching bible, and a packet of tracks, he walked, upgraded to a mule, then to a horse, in humble circumstances. Most of his literature came from Christian Triumph Publishers of Corpus Christi, TX--people whom I have associated with for a half-century or more.

I made a point to meet Narciso at our North American Convention, after lerning he would be present one day only. I met an ordinary looking man, a small-statured Hispanic (native Peruvian who speaks little English). His demeanor showed nothing of the self-serving, public-relations driven behavior that we North Americans often parrot. What I observed was a quiet, confident, humble, “what you see is what you get,” his qualifications being “himself.”

Reading Walking Man I found passion seldom practiced in American discipleship, humility beyond description (by our standards). Here was a man going into jungle villages for the very first time, and into urban church plants, with equal success. In cautious and simple language, Narciso describes the miraculous sides of ministry, as well as the impoverishment sometimes experienced when literally “living by faith” in his God.

This is a book young and old can read, enjoy, and profit from. Udelia’s powerful testimony reveals both the wonders of medical science and the glory of an omniscient God. You will not want to miss the story of a solitary traveling evangelist, singing hymns at the top of her voice while going through a particularly dangerous area -and the reason why a gang of thugs decided not to victimize her.

I am short on mysticism and long on reason, but I found renewed faith in hiking through the book with Narciso. We went from Peru to Equador, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil (not to mention Cuba, Germany and the USA). In his wake, Narciso leaves numerous churches planted, and a multitude he loved, served, and lifted.

Narciso and Eudelia press forward to establish a Training Center from which church planters will spread out across South America. He does not walk alone. Adult sons, Gerson and Eliezer (both married) now expand their active roles of adult ministry.

At the end, Michael Cassidy, founder of African Enterprise, adds a thoughtful after-word on evangelism. You want a missionary adventure? This is an adventure in cross-cultural missions at its core.

Quilldriver is a new enterprise in Clarksville, AR. It is the ministry of Donna Schillinger. Donna is the granddaughter of my longtime friend Evelyn Anderson. When a Texas pastor, and Editor of the Texas State Bulletin (1960s), I visited, and worked with, Corpus Christi based Christian Triumph publishers. Donna’s great grandparents were Lyle and Una Janes, founders of Christian Triumph publishing company. I deeply admired them for their faithful publishing ministry and their devotion to Spanish Ministry. I appreciate them even more today.

Readers of this blog can search Narciso using www.walkingman.ws. or Quilldriver, Walking Man, or Narciso Zamora. If know if I could find him, you can. I hope you enjoy the descriptive journey as much as I did.
Wayne

Individual Integrity

Integrity is one element of good character. It crosses the full socio-political spectrum, for without it all other views and values remain useless Stephen Carter calls integrity a pre-political virtue. It comes first in the list of human virtues because it gives meaning to all the rest of what we say and believe (Integrity/Harper Collins/1996/xl).

Social integrity results from individuals of integrity. Following such social viruses as the Enron scandal, educational centers began examining the issues of ethics and values. This revealed a problem that Associated Press called “ubiquity.” Cheating was everywhere, launching red hot dialogue for educators.

Duke University expelled 9 MBA students and gave out lesser punishments to 37 others--one of the nation’s largest cheating ever. The US Air Force Academy expelled 18 students for cheating. Ohio University reported "rampant and flagrant plagiarism” by graduate Engineering students. An MIT Dean of Admissions fabricated her resume thirty years ago, to obtain her job.

A Rutgers study of 32 universities revealed widespread cheating: 56% of MBA students; 54% of graduate students in engineering; and 45% of law students. Undergraduates in these schools proved even worse: business students, 74%, with 68% of students in other fields admitting to cheating (AP/5-19-07/IvyJungle.org).

Combating cheating proves difficult and costly, it loses tuition dollars, cretes bad publicity, and finds lawsuits defensive to defend. Dave Hardin, an ordinary guy from Kentucky. He teaches school during the week and preaches on weekends. I’ve never met him face to face, but recently he wrote something that caught my breath.

“Our country has rid itself of all principals and standards,” Hardin declared, “everything is evaluated according to its ‘situation. ‘” I have no reason to discount Dave. Nor, do I find him jaded and cynical. The prevalence of cheating gives all of us reason to discount our futures. Why?

Hardin looks at our kids, my grandkids and yours, and sees the future of America. Is it too much to suggest that the the shortest distance between happy homes, trusting neighbors, secure jobs, and homeland security is intentional honesty?

Avoid the very appearance of evil. Be what you appear to be. Deception and dishonesty create untrusting communities and unsafe environments in our global communities. A glance at the daily news suggests the obvious: the average individual places little value on integrity, ignoring the truth that cheating builds distrust and destroys our foundations.

Trust remains foundational to a healthy society. It requires a “bottom line.” Without integrity, there can be no trust. What future can we anticipate, if deception contaminates business, politics, and government, from the classroom to the White House?

If dishonest cheaters flood the mainstream of our society, why do we wonder that broken relationships and scandalous debacles flood the airwaves? A successful society begins with good relationships. Otherwise, we build on shifting sand and irrelavant truth.

One of the Ten Commandments declares “thou shalt not lie.” Yet, every Madison Avenue spin doctor knows how to detour around that. Meantime, “truth in advertising” remains a radar gun (a law on the statute books) we use our fuzz busters to avoid.

There is a cure, but it requires a fundamental change in the human heart. A society that values façades and appearances more than factual truth finds integrity too high a price to pay. Truth that is merely relative and contextual, challenges few people to find their “bottom line” for living.

Treating our neighbors (others) as we treat ourselves offers a good place to begin, taught Jesus (the founder of our faith. This single teaching would improve the quality of life on planet earth dramatically. Treating our neighbor’s like we treat ourselves will go a long way in helping us rediscover individual integrity.
Wayne

Independence Day Weekend

Battle Creek again celebrated Independence Day weekend with another Balloon Fest, now a longstanding tradition. The USAF Thunderbirds made their traditional appearance, but I did not see the Blue Angels (Navy) or the Canadian Snowbirds as in some other years.

It is a colorful spectacle--an inspiring sight--to stand in my driveway sometime after a 6:30 launch, coffee in hand, and watch dozens of gaudily-decorated balloons pass overhead. On occasion, they pass low enough to clearly observe the people riding in the balloon baskets and give them a friendly wave.

I stand in an upstairs window and watch the T-birds performing their intricate maneuvers over Kellogg Airport a couple miles to the west. Frequently, one or more planes will scream past directly over our house at speeds approaching the speed of sound.

There is a degree of pride and patriotism in all of this. And yes, I am proud to be an American, and deeply humbled. For several years running, my wife had occasions to feed the young pilots--learning to know them as the fine young men they are.

I am thankful to God that he privileged me to be birthed in America--not Zimbabwe, or Tibet, or elsewhere. I find inspiration in reading early American history, and especially that of our founding fathers.

One of my favorite historical writers is Joseph Ellis, author of numerous volumes on that brotherhood of our founders. Ellis describes our American creation--by our founding fathers. He suggests they achieved some success. They won colonial independence, and they established a nation-sized republic, a place on the globe where popular consent prevails by rule of law.

They established a state some insist is secular and others claim is Christian. The truth may be somewhere in between. Stephen Carter, a consummate legal scholar, and a devout Christian, insists that America should have no official religion. He does state, “it also should not be officially secular.” He reasons that if we as a nation commit ourselves to the proposition that we owe no moral obligation to anything higher than ourselves, we will certainly make the moral slide that much faster.

If we are neither secular (as Carter suggests), nor a theocracy (Iran, for example), at least we are neutral in matters of religion, or should be. We allow our citizenry to be any one of numerous Protestant or Catholic denominations, or an atheist for that matter.

While founding America within a Judaio-Christian framework, our founders also established separation of church and state. In following this, we protect the personal rights of both religious and non-religious citizens, as well as those non-traditional faith values of others, such as Muslims and Jews.

Our founding fathers established sovereignty in multiple, with overlapping authorities, as opposed to the single sovereignty of England’s King George. This gives a role to the President, certain functions to Congress, and other functions to the Courts.

Although they failed to settle the slavery issue, or to resolve and implement an appropriate Indian settlement, Ellis recognizes that our founders did in fact institutionalize channels for dissent, guaranteeing certain individual civil and human rights.

We can say America’s founders failed because of slavery, Indians, women, equal economics, et al, writes Ellis, but he says that is not necessarily so. Rather, he insists, they established a context for resolving those issues and the rest is up to us.

It took the nation 80 years, and the Civil War, to make slavery illegal. It remains up to us to continue to take seriously our share in such resolutions and protect the basic human rights appropriated in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.

America’s founders developed in an age when they would have been otherwise confined because they lacked aristocracy. Ellis concludes slavery, women’s rights, and voting qualifications became the dogs that did not bark--in deference to the more compelling need to rally around “the cause” - separation from the British Empire.

He calls America’s founding a group portrait. The success of the individual (Bill of Rights) came in protection of the whole (Constitution). It was not simply Washington or Jefferson, it was Clay, Lincoln et al. Our citizenship incorporates us into the process as part of that group responsible for protecting what our founders set into motion.

The past 8 years have challenged my pride in America. The current administration’s international diplomacy left much to be desired. I have observed faulty public policy and the proliferation of special interest groups, and much more. I watch the T-birds fly overhead and mostly see fuel being guzzled at an all-time record cost, and that troubles me.

On the other hand, I am proud to have a share in an America that offers political freedom, social equality with justice for everyone coming to our shores--regardless of class, color, and creed.
America‘s diversity is more lovely and inspiring than the colorful balloons that compete in our annual Balloon Fest. As an American, I take pride in being part of something many people in other parts of the world only dream about.

I am indebted to that group who dared to come together as our founding fathers. That was audacity, filled with hope and faith. I am cautiously filled with the audacity of that hope, although we face many problems.

Moreover, I am responsible to those who follow in my footprints--to leave them a place where there is “liberty and justice for all.” God bless America, and may I not hinder his blessings.
Wayne

2008 NAC is not 1883

I began attending NAC (Anderson Camp Meeting) 1952. Counting loosely, my wife says I have not missed more than 2-3 at most (you can count them on one hand). I realized as far back as the mid-60s that I no longer needed to attend NAC; I had everything I needed in the FtW-Dallas Metroplex.

I was back in seminary after 15 years on the field. I led a small but successful and growing upscale suburban church. The Metroplex offered every caliber of church consultant I could imagine to need, the people that “Anderson” called in for special occasions. However, I believed in my church family. Every June I made my annual pilgrimage to MI to help my children maintain my roots, and we attended GA & Camp Meeting.

I’m no longer actively pastoring, I vote absentee ballot--miss the discussions, good and bad--but my mate and I spent our 2008 pilgrimage in the Reformation Publishers book nook, fellowshipping, enriching our own souls and contributing wherever we could.

In one of our earlier years we had no money to go. We went only after enduring a WesTex hail storm (softball size). We were driving our Studebaker to the house with my friend Russ Harlow announcing on radio KGKL “no bad weather,” while we experienced hailstones caving in our windshield.

When I called our Insurance Adjuster, he came out, counted the dents and damage. We collected 50 cents a dent. Then, he said: “Leave the car out in the sun. It will pull out most of the dentst” (it did!!!) We collected $181.50 and had our travel money for Anderson.

That has been the story of our lives, but NAC is no longer what it was. On occasion, we were there en mass--40,000. WE Reed once laughed and told Jim/Helen Curtis about the large lady in his office just ahead of them. She plopped herself down on the couch and said, “Lawsy, Mr. Reed, this humanity is getting to me.” She meant the Midwest humidity. Reed, still laughing, agreed “this humanity is getting to me.” Such was life at NAC!

Fast forward to 2008 and Jim Edwards welcomed us, reminding us that we have “always done things together.” The first NAC (1883) was microscopic compared to what it became--a few flying ministers, families, and friends, gathering for worship, dialogue, and “futuring.” That same year Sebastian Michels ran the Dining Hall out of his own pocket. From then until the mid-or-late 60s GT Co/Warner Press owned the grounds and picked up the short-fall for ongoing encampments.

FINALLY, the church (GMA/later GA) assumed some ownership, and accepted some accountability, other than just “bossing” it. That became the primary responsibility of the Executive Council (now Chog Ministries) who administered interim business between annual conventions.

I find much need for improvement of Convention Week, but experience suggests--with some certainty--that the current discussions on the NAC, CONGREGATIONALISM, etc are NOT attempts to manage from a monolithic top. Church of God Ministries (a structure we put in place in 1996) is soliciting better support and participation from the church (but it is like trying to corral a herd of grazing cows, or wandering sheep). They are seeking our discussion, our cooperation, and our accountability, while they try to do what we have designed for them.

That accountability is mutual, at all levels, like a marriage; it is mutual submission of two equals (Eph. 5:22). It is up to us to talk to one another--listen to one another--mutually decide who we are and what we are going to do--and do it.

Technically, we began as a form of Presbytery (eldership), with few permanent congregations. The buck stopped at Warner’s desk. That transferred to EE Byrum, the succeeding Editor and to F. G. Smith.

S-l-o-w-l-y we changed from a “flying ministry” (itinerant-traveling) to “permanent congregations.” Although F.G. Smith defined us as “charismatic polity” in practice, but he was hurt when resistance built against his come-out theology and the Assembly replaced him as Editor in Chief and rejected HM Riggle as his successor--too much samo-samo.

The GA turned a corner by electing CE Brown, a historian. Brown rooted us in history rather than as an exclusive “last reformation.” The church continued to reject Smith’s come-outism of Revelation et al as “standard Church of God teaching.” Today, only a minority pursue that theology.

Our struggle with our anti-organization bias (and autonomy) are not new, but we continue to “find our way” with our congregational polity. We are still seeking better ways of expressing our quest for holiness and unity, but too many have not yet realized their own need to think through the process and be more biblical (than biased).

The consumerism of our culture pushes each of us toward autonomy--self-seeking without accountability. Those still espousing “come-out theology” and exalting the “The Last Reformation” are especially suspicious of organization and anything that smells to them like sectism (denominationalism).

For the most part, the Anderson Church of God is looking (not always actively) for ways to compliment and cooperate with God’s larger church, as opposed to separating from, and castigating them as “Babylon.”

Congregational polity (government) guides who we are and how we cooperate in completing our mission--both biblically and as taught by our best theological minds. NAC has greatly evolved over 125 years, and it should continue to change. Either we minister to the culture--as the people of God--or we forget the whole affair.

Lloyd Moritz offered one proposal (see his Chog Blog) for adjusting our annual meeting, one I find offering some real possibilities. It is up to us to “find the answer.“ The role of NAC is changing, as are our relationships and means of communication. Who and what we become, no longer depends upon D. S. Warner and Company.

We may be guided by our early pioneers, but the ball is in our court, whether you attend or abstain the NAC. They were then; we are now, and God is looking to us to step up to the plate and bat for Him.

This is not 1880; it is 2008! We may, or may not hit a homerun, but let us forward the work that has been done. Let us be His People. Let us stay under His leadership. Let us cooperate with, and complement, any and all that seek Kingdom purposes. Let our only competing be in erasing the Kingdom of Satan. May we fulfill the task(s) He has for us in 2008.
Wayne

My View of 2008 - NAC

NAC 2008 - here-n-gone…Wow!
There is much to think about; I returned home too tired even to think. Slowly absorbing what others were writing, my responses are multiplied. I found sufficient negatives--and--numerous positives. So, what’s new! Is my water glass half full or half empty?

The City of Anderson welcomed us heartily. We were not the 20-30-40,000 visitors we used to be across the 50 or so Conventions I’ve enjoyed. I also opposed some aspects of meeting annually in Anderson, editorializing and voting against building Warner Auditorium (the Beanie) in the 60s. It may have been the “world’s largest roof-raising job” but it slowed our regional expansion and growth outside of the Midwest--a “mission” issue long discussed in some quarters outside Mid-America.

Those who contrived the construction “misled” the Assembly in the costs and transitioning (there’s no other word for it and some admitted the hard sell). We ultimately paid a handsome price for it, but we used it as well. In 1968, my Wesleyan friend Bob Zuhl participated in the “uniting” service of the Pilgrim Holiness Church with the Wesleyan Church in that Auditorium. It served many an AU graduation, a few Free Methodist Conventions et al…as well as us.

In spite of its good usage, it thwarted the natural seeding process of the church into other areas outside Middle America, keeping us focused in a small-town just outside Indianapolis and leaving us with a “small-town“ mindset. Although native to the Midwest, my early years were outside the Midwest and always with the “outsiders” view--a small-town kid who discovered a larger urban world.

I have lived to see the Beanie deconstructed and we are back where we were--mid-60s. We meet as a restructured (1996) Assembly--better organized, streamlined, but essentially the same. We no longer assemble on our own national site, but come as guests of a growing University we helped create. Trying to regroup--after some tumultuous years that we need to release--we struggle with ironing the wrinkles out of our cooperative ministries.

Looking back at our 2008 week together--WOW! After being overwhelmed with the program dominance of Chog Ministries through the weekend (necessary as they are), I spoke to Dr. Cynthia James after her sermon, and greeted her with, “A preacher has come among us!”

Dr. Paul Shepherd may have missed the text for some on closing night, but for me he punched home his concept of wholeness. I found it “wholesome”! Between Shepherd and James, I found Rod Stafford’s message ably illustrated but ordinary, except for his emotionally charged video climax (delivered by his deceased brother Gil). The church lost its leading theological light, but I lost a longtime friend.

Worship music improved from 2007 (a site change could vastly improve the sound and God has never needed a hearing aid!) The worship style at times bordered on a poor imitation of exhibitionism. Services were too focused in overly packaged talent with inadequate congregational participation. This year saw an improved focus on God--less focus on the worshipper in words and music, leading to more worshipful adoration directed Godward. Conferences of every sort were in abundance. One could meet almost any need one might bring--spiritual, educational, mental, or emotional. For me, the individuals I encountered were the plus factor.

I anticipated meeting Narcisco Zamora, from Ecuador-Chile. I did, and obtained an autographed copy of his Walking Man bio. I am now reading of his travels on foot and otherwise up and down a 1,000 mile stretch of South America. Tommie Mosely profoundly inspired me with his witness from his wheel chair. His inspiring song blessed me. A later encounter “challenged“ me when he remembered me by name.

I gloried in sitting in Anderson, IN., heartland USA, taking communion with believers simultaneously with so many around the globe--part of the service led from OKC USA, along with live video clips from global sites. CBH utilized their facilities well, but I wondered why only 300 congregations agreed to participate.

Sarah Blake introduced herself to me last year. This year I yelled at her on the street, (met her father and even her guide dog wagged his tail for me). I admire this vibrant young, partially-sighted female seminarian, advocate for people with problems. Society views her as “handicapped;” I see wisdom beyond her years and a “whole” person.

Robert Bixler, of CA, and I sat and visited for a longtime, talking about the role of the Bixler family in our history et al. I knew Robert‘s father Leon--a gifted pastor-printer many years ago. I helped connect Robert with Dale Stultz at the Historical Society. I am personally blessed by younger leaders like Lloyd Moritz, NW Area Administrator. Lloyd‘s skills and energies push me to paddle harder to keep pace, but his friendship and wisdom lifts and encourages me.

One highlight came from a chance conversation at a lunch table--perhaps a further friendship. David and Maxine Kimble--Grand Cayman. David, a Canadian, married Maxine, a Caymanian, the great sailors of the Carribean. It recalled my own visit in the islands. Our last sighting came when David called out from the crowd as we had seated ourselves on the Trolley, en route to the Heritage Hymn Sing.

Other names float around as I sip from my partially-filled glass--not half empty. The events of 2008 were unimaginable at that first encampment in 1883, Bangor, MI! The message of holiness and unity retains its powerful appeal--trans-denominational, ethnically diverse, and global).

Transforming our culture will come as we are transformed. Transformation is a personal experience, both individual and social in its net-working processes. The role of NAC is changing, as is everything else. Networking will continue--that’s what people. I dare to participate in NAC as a part of that vital networking. What happens now is like what happens after Sunday morning church--the service begins--continues.

Around the globe, we are thousands of points of light, each dissipating a certain darkness. We are old; we are young. We hate loud music; we love “all kinds” of worship music. We are God’s people on mission, comfortable with our diversity as we network with God’s people of various names, theologies, and strategies, but we gather around Jesus Christ--God’s anointed one. We do our best to follow His commandment--love one another.

As we network in His love, I believe the best is yet to come………..
Wayne