Message from Tim - 2 of 3
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From 1992 to 1993 we were involved in ministry training. Through an ostensibly negative experience (the church eventually closed due to their espousal of a blatantly humanistic model for church growth), God has provided me with valuable lessons for practical ministry. In addition to the opportunities for teaching and preaching, our time in this work has provoked me to faithfully critique cultural influences, sending me fleeing to a church growth model based on the principles of Sola Scriptura. God is truly gracious. In spite of our natural tendencies to devise our own systems, He often shows great patience: forbearing the rod, correcting us gently.
In 1993 God led us to step out by faith again. To provide for the family, I had been teaching in the public school system. It was clear to us that I would need to devote myself entirely to discovering our financial support for ministry in France. Once again, our God provided. He did so through the prayers and support of family, dear Christian brothers and sisters, and through His churches. The list is too great to share; and it seems patently ungrateful to pass over so many. Yet, the Lord knows each one; their sacrifice is not ignored. The constraints of such a ministry presentation will not allow me to honor each worthily.
We arrived in Cahors, France in March of 1996. Plans had been to work with Paul Dedeyan in a church he had started several years prior to our arrival. As we were preparing to come to France, it became urgent for him to return to the Paris area. The Lord allowed us to step in and to continue establishing this work. He allowed us the cherished opportunity of training leadership. From 1996 through 2001 (minus a nine month furlough) we worked alongside Albert Marino. He has since taken over that work as pastor. Lord willing, as Albert's probationary internship ends next year, the church will call him as their pastor. We have every reason to hope that will be the case. Albert is doing a wonderful work. Most recently he has seen two men turn to Christ under his leadership.
When speaking of what they have done on the field, the temptation for missionaries is to trot out the numbers. I will not engage in head counting. This is not because it would reflect poorly on me. In God's providence, France is truly in a stage of pioneering. For several reasons, historically and culturally, France is hard ground. We are called upon to till and plant seed, reaping the growth that God grants. I will not engage in head counting because it is my fundamental belief that, as Jonah would have it, salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). I cannot see into the hearts of men. While I can, and do, give credence to credible professions of faith, I will not presume to affirm categorically that which God alone will judge (John 2:23-25; Acts 10:42; 1 Peter 4:5; et al.). A true work of divine grace produces love and desire for God (Ps. 42:1; 73:25-26). Fruit is the outward manifestation of God's work of grace (John 15). The means of testing (1 John 4:1) such divine operations cannot be reduced to the all too frequent practice of lining someone up on the "Four Spiritual Laws".
We are encouraged after these six and a half years in France. We have seen several profess Christ; several follow him also in baptism. We have united in fellowship with several based upon their professions of faith and obedience to Christ. We keep church records. We follow up; and do not eschew record keeping in an attempt to dismiss our responsibility. I have spoken of these joys and trials in our newsletters as the Lord has worked. As a missionary, I do not keep a ledger with "my totals", as if that were somehow the measure of either success or failure. Finally, every affirmation I make concerning spiritual work must be tempered by my humble acknowledgment that I am not like Christ, knowing "what is in man". We defer to God alone for categorical affirmations.
Many interactions we have known are simply not within the scope of empirical qualification. How does one aptly speak of spiritual growth? We look for signs; we see certain manifestations. Yet those signs and manifestations are not themselves the spiritual reality. Description is difficult. In the end, we have to raise our hands and acknowledge our limits. Yet, there is infinitely more than that. What joy it has been to equip young men such as Andrew, who before we arrived in France was without Christ. What joy it has been to disciple young men like Remy, called on daily in his medical training to give an answer for the reason that is in him (1 Peter 3:15). It has been wonderful to share that communion and sense true spiritual life gained for eternity. Equally rewarding has been our work with Albert. Seeing God transform his life, seeing God create certain convictions through His Word--independent of opinions I might proffer--has touched me beyond expression. These are graces that God alone gives. To Him alone we give glory.
God's design for worldwide evangelization is His Church. Quaint as it me seem, this biblical truth needs to be reiterated. Much of evangelicalism, much missiology, has abandoned sound teaching on the importance of individual ecclesiai (assemblies, NT word for churches), emphasizing instead parachurch organizations. God in His sovereignty will use any means He sees appropriate. He uses vessels of clay. He is often gracious in saving through methods, messages, and men that do not have His divine sanction (Philippians 1:15-18). One should not, however, infer from God's sovereign prerogative that we are free to adopt unbiblical models for evangelism. One need but skim the pages of the New Testament to understand the essential role played by churches. Sinners were regenerated by the preaching of the cross (the keryma, preaching of the crucifixion and resurrection of the Messiah). That message was proclaimed by gifted men sent out by Christ and recognized by the churches. Believers were incorporated into assemblies (ecclesiai). Every aspect of Christian experience was lived out as a member of a church. In the teachings of Christ and his apostles, working out one's salvation in the context of a congregation is never considered an option. Indeed, the only instances of formerly communing individuals outside the church are grave disciplinary cases; and then we are told to consider such individuals as unbelievers (Mt 18:17; see also 1 Cor. 5).
I do not share this in order to establish my importance. I am daily aware that God does not need me or anyone else. I am amazed that God would use me. Furthermore, I do not share these thoughts by way of criticism for other ministries. I will have plenty to account for when I one day stand before my King. I share them because they are convictions. They are the underlying assumptions that direct our ministry.
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