What will lead a person to change?

I came across some old notes that I had taken and saw this quote. I'm not sure to whom it should be attributed - or in which book it is. But it's on page 159 of that book. ;-(

A human being will not change his personality pattern, when all is said and done, unless he is forced to do so by his own suffering. ...

Requests from the outside will effect only temporary change in the cloak of the personality.... The human ego ... very much fears the profound insecurity that comes when its style of life is shaken.... fortunately life goes on and brings a portion of suffering as a penalty for every neurotic attitude. When this misery becomes so great to the individual that the individual is willing to give up his wrong attitude, he has arrived at the state of desperation which ... is prerequisite for any cure at all.

The 23rd Psalm Explained

• The Lord is my Shepherd ... (that's relationship)
• I shall not want ... (that's supply)
• He causes me to lie down in green pastures ... (that's rest)
• He leads me beside the still waters ... (that's refreshment)
• He restores my soul ... (that's healing)
• He leads me in the paths of righteousness ... (that's guidance)
• For His name sake ... (that's purpose)
• Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ... (that's testing)
• I will fear no evil ... (that's protection)
• For You are with me ... (that's faithfulness)
• Your rod and your staff they comfort me ... (that's discipline)
• You prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies ... (that's hope)
• You anoint my head with oil ... (that's consecration)
• My cup is running over ... (that's abundance)
• Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life ... (that's blessing)
• And I will dwell in the house of the Lord ... (that's security)
• Forever ... (that's eternity)

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The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not cover you.

Baptism in Germany

A couple of weeks ago, our church in Rudersberg held a baptismal service. Five individuals decided to take the step of demonstrating their "yes" to Christ, and Christ's "yes" to them. It was a great moment for these guys and also for the church.

Our church in its rented facilities, does not have a baptismal pool. But we are located right across the street from the community swimming pool. With a little persuasion, we were able to have the pool opened just for our church at 8:00 am -- before the opening hours for the public.

Then at 9:00 am our church had breakfast together at the church, putting up tables in the sanctuary. The one draw back, the worship service is then held with everyone sitting around tables. It's great for fellowship. But it does take a bit of getting used to if you're the speaker or singing in the praise team.

Lifecycle of a Church

I was asked to speak to our German pastors about the lifecycle of a local congregation. Since the original lifecycle theory by Larry Greiner in 1974, there have been number additions and adaptations for both secular business and non-profit organizations (e.g., churches). But the basic premise is the same. All organizations, just like humans, will go through different phases of development. In order to grow, a person will go through a crisis as he/she enters into the next phase of life (cf. Erik Erikson).This is also true of any organization. How one resolves the crises will determine further growth. Often, the solutions to past crises become the seeds for the next crisis in an organization.

One of the best adaptations for the church comes from George Bullard. He contends that there are 10 phases of life. (see graphic, click for larger view)

Every church can find itself in a stage in its lifecycle. Every stage has its unique characteristics. Bullard groups the various characteristics into four groups. Each of the four groups of characteristics should be present in a healthy, mature church. The four categories are:

• Vision – The current understanding of God’s strategic direction cast by leadership and owned by members. Includes vision, leadership, mission, purpose, core values.
• Relationships – Processes by which people are converted, assimilated, grow spiritually, utilise gifts, and develop leadership. Includes relationships, experiences, discipleship
• Programs – Provision of ministries, services, activities, and training. Includes events, ministries, services, activities.
• Management – Administration of resources, decision making, formal and informal culture, openness to change. Includes management, accountability, systems, resources.

The chart below identifies where the major emphases are or are not.

July Newsletter is online

Just a quick note -- our newsletter is online for downloading. Go to www.rosson.cc and follow the link for newsletter.

And if you're really impatient and want to rely on my memory, you can click here and come directly to the pdf file.

Happy Independence Day!

Well, today's not a holiday in Europe. But we all have reason to celebrate the freedoms that we have in America and Western Europe. Although we don't write much about it, it is always present in our minds that many of the Eastern European countries did not permit the freedom of religion until 15 years ago. Even today there are constant reminders that such freedoms are not to be taken for granted.

The reason for our letter, however, is to thank donors for the gifts they gave to World Missions and our ministry. It is only with the prayers and support from people like you. Thank you for making this ministry possible.

Just because the academic year is over in Moscow, that doesn't mean we don't have anything to do. June has been a very busy month for us. I (Tom) had a series of speaking engagements in Neulußheim, Denkendorf, Rudersberg and the Eurasian Leadership Summit in Kniebis. And when I wasn't speaking, I often provided the translation.

Additionally, I currently serve as chairman of the European Education Committee and had the privilege of organizing the biennial European Educators Conference (which was also held in Kniebis). One of the results of the conferences was the creation of the "European Education Manifesto", a vision statement that outlines the core values of our ministerial training initiatives.

Family Life has been busy, too. During the first week of June, Colin and Kevin had a great week a camp. Claudia and Brianna went also to the same camp for a "snooper" night. (Brianna is in the starter group, so all of the beginners went for a night.) While the twins were gone, Claudia and I were able to get away for a one-day excursion to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary.

Again, we appreciate your prayers for our budget with World Missions. The fact that you are partnering with us is an answer to prayer. We are grateful that God has allowed us to stay "on the field" despite poor exchange rates and rising inflation.

One of Germany's Finest Spots

For our anniversary, Claudia and I spent a couple of days in Lindau, Germany. Located on Lake Constance next to the Austria border, Lindau is a small island town complete with lake front hotels, promenades, small alleys, restaurants, shops, and old churches. There are ferries to Austria and Switzerland regularly throughout the day. Somehow this idyllic setting had escaped my attention in the 19 years that I have been associated with Germany. It's a great place to visit -- but only in the summertime.

May News from Moscow

Commencement in Moscow
On May 19, 2007, The Eurasian Theological Seminary held its third Commencement Ceremony. This cohort was our largest graduating class since the initial graduation five years ago — nearly triple the number from 2006. This year's graduating class has representatives from Russia(Ural Mountains Region, North Caucasus and Moscow, Ukraine (Nova Kakhovka, Kirovograd), Moldova, and Armenia. It was also the first year that we graduated students from our extension program.

The speaker was an ETSM Alumni (2002). Pastor Aghajan Pogosyan, Senior Pastor of 2 successful churches he planted in Novokuiboshevsk, Russia. One of the congregations is Russian, the other is Armenian. Aghojan reported how God is blessing both congregations with visitors and converts on a weekly basis. Aghojan and his wife Venera both studied in the very first group of ETSM between 1998 and 2002 and graduated at the dedication of the newly built facility in May 2002.

Peacemaking / Conflict Resolution and “Quakeproofing” Your Church
This past week, ETSM hosted the long anticipated seminar on Biblical Approaches to Conflict Management and Peacemaking / Quakeproofing Your Church with Richard Pettit and Nick Park. As any experience leader knows, interpersonal conflict is a normal part of working with people. Richard and Nick shared with us how pastors and church leaders can best work with conflicts in our churches and ministries.

This seminar was an eye opening experience for many of our pastors and church workers. Remember, many of our pastors are 1^st generation converts who do not have the privilege of growing up with Christian models of handling conflicts in a manner that will glorify God. (And just because one grows up in America doesn’t necessarily mean that our churches will automatically do better.)