Feast of Mark, Evangelist (Tuesday of the Second Week of Gracetide)

MARK
Evangelist
Red Vestments

Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, you enlightened your Church through the inspired witness of your evangelist Mark. Grant that we, firmly grounded in the truth of the gospel, may be faithful to its teaching both in word and deed. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

First Reading: Isaiah 52: 7-10
Psalm: 57
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 6-11, 18
Gospel Reading: Mark 1: 1-15

Proper Preface
It is indeed right and salutary
that we should at all times and in all places
offer thanks and praise to you,
O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord.

You established that the mystery of our salvation
should be made known through the holy scriptures,
the work of authors chosen and inspired
by the light of the Holy Spirit.

In this way, the words and deeds of the Savior,
written in the pages of the eternal Gospel,
have been entrusted to the Church to become a fertile seed
which bears the fruit of grace and glory forever.

We who have received this Gospel unite with Saint Mark,
whose memory we celebrate today,
and together with the angels
sing the unending hymn of praise.

Biography: The second Gospel was written by Mark, who, in the New Testament, is sometimes called John Mark. Both he and his mother, were highly esteemed in the early Church, and his mother's house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for Christians there.

Mark was associated with both Paul and Barnabas (who was Mark's cousin) on their missionary journey through the island of Cyprus. Later he accompanied Barnabas alone. Avaliable evidence indicates that Mark settled in Egypt, becoming the Bishop of a small Christian community in Alexandria. There he died, having planted the seeds of what we today call the Coptic Orthodox Church.

THE SECOND WEEK OF GRACETIDE - Bread of Life (29 May 2005, Cycle A)

SUNDAY PROPERS

Prayer of the Day
Lord Jesus Christ,
you give us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death.
May our eucharistic worship help us to experience more deeply the salvation you won for us
and the peace of the kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Years A, B, and C
First Reading Exodus 16: 1-12
Psalm 78: 24-29
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 11: 23-34 (for a shorter readings, end at 11:26)
Gospel Reading John 6: 41-49

Proper Preface
It is indeed right and salutary,
that we should at all times and in all places
offer thanks and praise for you,
O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God.

You fed your people with manna from heaven
in the midst of their desert sojurn
yet you spared not their lives from death
for you desired to give us Christ alone as the true living bread and food of eternal life.

Christ gave himself as nourishment for the journey
which leads us to meet you face to face;
and so he has become our consoler amid the sorrows of this age,
the holy pledge of the eternal banquet and the seed of a glory that will never end.

As we await the return of the Savior,
we acclaim him with faith and joy,
and join with the angels and the saints,
in singing this hymn to the glory of your name.

WEEKDAY PROPERS
The Prayer of the Day from the Sunday may be used, a votive collect may be said, or an extemporaneous collect based on the readings of the day may be offered.

First Reading Gospel Reading
M Acts 23: 23-35 Matthew 4: 12-17
T Feast of Mark, Evangelist
W Acts 24: 1-21 Matthew 5: 1-12
T Memorial of Cornelius the Centurion
F Acts 24: 22-27 Matthew 5: 17-20
S Open for Local Commemorations

Meditation on the Readings - May 27

Friday of the First Week of Gracetide

First Reading: Acts 23: 12-22
Gospel Reading: Mark 1: 35-45

In his travels, Jesus encounters a man who is afflicted with leprosy. Jesus cures him. Jesus sends him away and tells him not to tell anyone about what happened.

In his travels, Paul is faced with interrogation, rejection, attempts on his life, and (as we know from history) his own death.

Thus, between our two readings today, we have a valuable moral lesson to show, and an answer to the question, "Why didn't Jesus want anyone told about what he was doing?"

All to often (at least, for our own comfort), our lives are thrown for curves and dips that we are unable to anticipate and that we are often unable to comprehend. For many people, when their lives sink to this level, prayer for a miracle is their only hope - and when that hope fades, so does their faith.

Paul was not spared hardship, and he repeatedly told the followers of Jesus that neither would they be spared hardships. Hardship and pain is a part of the growing process, and it is often the worst part of it, because we have a hard time understanding why our loving God can be what we describe as cruel or inhuman towards us. And yet, we always re-echo the words in the Church, "Your ways are not my ways, says the LORD."

The Lord indeed has his own ways about things, and like you, I struggle daily with elements of his will and his plan for my life.

So, what does all of this have to do with why our Lord did not want the cured man to go and tell everyone about what happened? After all, such a publicity jolt would be great, right? Well, not really... and here is why.

Too many Christians today have marketed the 'miracle-working power' of the Gospel (TM). While I'l never disagree that our God is a miracle-working God, he is neither compelled to or ready to work what we want in every case, because often our will runs contrary with his. And yet, today, I can tell you from personal experience that I have attended funerals of individuals whose corpses were surrounded by wagging heads, each saying in turn, "If s/he had only had enough faith..."

Death, dying, pain, and suffering are inevitable parts of living. It comes with the territory of human existence, because we are subject to the fallen nature and incinations of our Fathers. To proclaim God's miracle working power to the near-exclusion of doctrine (save miracle doctrines) and to the exclusion of repentance... this makes a mockery out of the true nature of the Gospel. The Gospel is set forth for guidance in faith, repentance, and right living. Through it and the remaining Scriptures, we are equipped for every good work we are enflamed to do.

The Gospel is confirmed by signs and wonders, but it is not a gospel of signs and wonders. The Gospel is so much deeper! Praise God!

And remember, the next time you are in the room with a 90 year old woman of faith who is dying... her death to this world is just as much a miracle as any healing... for through death her body is released, and through grace and faith she is delivered from everlasting death... there is no greater gift, no more impressive miracle, than to be preserved faithful through difficulty and brought to everlasting life.

PLEASE NOTE: There will probably be no further Meditations/Reflections until next Wednesday, though the proper for Gracetide 2 will be posted later this evening. Please pray for the safe travel of Father Lyons and Bishop Davis as they journey back to Tennessee for a weekend of fellowship with some of our Synod's new friends.

Memorial of Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

Thursday of the First Week of Gracetide

STEPHEN, Deacon and Martyr
Red Vestments

Prayer of the Day
Lord of Glory, we give you thanks for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and proclaimed your glorious truth. Grant that we, like Stephen, may serve you faithfully, endure hatred and spite, and pray all who persecute us for the sake of your holy name. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.

First Reading: Acts 7:55 - 8:1
Psalm 3
Gospel Reading: Matthew 23: 34-39

(For Vespers, Acts 6 is suggested for the reading. At Lauds, Acts 7: 1-54 is suggested for the reading.)

Biography: The name Stephen means “crown”; he was the first disciple of Jesus to receive the martyr's crown. Stephen was a deacon in the early Christian Church. The apostles had found that they needed helpers to look after the care of the widows and the poor so they ordained seven deacons. Stephen is the most famous of these deacons.

God worked many miracles through Stephen and he spoke with such wisdom and grace that many of his hearers became followers of Jesus. The enemies of the Church of Jesus were furious to see how successful Stephen's preaching was. At last, they laid a plot for him. They could not answer his wise argument, so they got men to lie about him, saying that he had spoken sinfully against God. Stephen faced that great assembly of enemies without fear. In fact, the Bible says that his face looked like the face of an angel.

Stephen spoke about Jesus, proclaiming that He was the Saviour that God had promised to send. He scolded his enemies for not having believed in Jesus. At that, they rose up in great anger and shouted at him, but Stephen looked up to Heaven and said that he saw the heavens opening and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

His hearers plugged their ears and refused to listen to another word. They drug Stephen outside the city of Jerusalem and stoned him to death. The saint prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” and then he fell to his knees begging God not to punish his enemies for killing him.

Meditation on Today's Reading (25 May 2005)

Wednesday of the First Week of Gracetide

First Reading - Acts 22:30 – 23:11
Gospel Reading - Mark 1: 21-34

Today, we continue hearing the account of Paul's arrest and interrogation in Jerusalem, and strangely enough we find ourselves cheering on the Pharisees today, at least for a moment.

In the ongoing disputation between the Pharisees and Saducees, Paul is spirited away by the Roman tribune, obviously not impressed with the way that the proceedings went on.

We must keep in mind that, while both parties shared power, there was a vast difference between them. The Pharisees had a belief in angels, the soul, and the resurrection. The Saducees did not. How the two of them managed to co-exist is beyond me, but they were able to at least partially put aside their differences, especially when they were able to jump on someone's case.

In this particular instance, Paul was too smart for them.

So, what do we take away from this particular incident? Paul was an intelligent man. He knew how to use his gifts, his God-given gifts, to ensure his saftey in accord with God's plan. Paul would go on to influence many more on his trip from Jerusalem to Rome... he would share faith with them, fellowship with them, and love all those whom Christ, through him, had nourished in the many Churches he planted.

In short, God was not ready to call him home, and used his own talents to ensure that his ministry continued, even though it was under duress.

Are we ready to do likewise for God's kingdom? Are we ready to be arrested and persecuted for him? Our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world are already answering a call to faithfulness in persecution. Are we ready to follow that example? Are we prepared to sacrifice freedom for the Gospel that Christ imparts to us?

May we pray, this day, that we are.

ESV Deuterocanonicals

While I generally find the English Standard Version to be a very usable version of Scripture and am very pleased that our communion of churches has adopted the ESV for liturgical use, I am greatly disappointed with one particular item: the lack of inclusion of the Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal writings, which I understand were included in Bibles up to and including the 1611 King James Version and even beyond.

Is the ESV editorial board planning to include the Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal writings? If so, is such a project underway? If so, when is the anticipated date of completion? The most immediate address of this oversight would be greatly appreciated!

Bishop Craig M. Davis
Presiding Bishop
Christian Church, Synod of St. Timothy

Meditation on the Gospel for 5/23/05

At the Divine Liturgy

First Reading Acts 22: 22-29
Gospel Reading Mark 1: 14-20

Today we begin, in earnest, the observance of the daily discipline of the season of Gracetide. During this long season, we will be hearing for quite some time from Mark's Gospel. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, we will be celebrating the feast days of many saints, but on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, for this year, Mark is our man.

Today as we embark on this journey, we are given a stark and simple presentation of the Gospel. It is a call to repentance in anticipation of the coming of the Kingdom of God. Mark was a simple man, and he appears to have been preaching to simple people. All too often I hear about the Gospel of John and Paul when, in fact, I believe Mark is the best place to start a new-Christian in their walk with Christ.

Mark is the portrait of simplicity. It is neither a theological masterwork nor an ethnically-nuanced tome. It is a simple Gospel written for God's people... filled with many messages that are simply put.

Today, as Mark recounts the calling of the first disciples, we can her the simplicty of Jesus' words echoing down to us, calling us to a life that is converted - sanctified, if you will - day by day in the deep well of the mercy and love of God made manifest in Christ Jesus. That love will lead us, in accordance with the will of God, to our destiny in Christ... whatever it may be.

For Paul, that destiny was pain, suffering for the faith, and ultimately giving his life as a witness to the love of Christ. Today, in our first reading from Acts, we begin to get a sense of how this took shape, and the great forbearance that Paul had through his abiding trust in the unshakable love of Christ and the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Is the simple message of Mark enough for us today? Are we willing to put aside those things that hinder us from following his simple, "the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel"?

In the weeks to come, we will hear other words, echoed simply by Mark's writing: "You are the Christ!" from Peter, or "whoever does not believe will be condemned" from our Lord himself. Are we ready to read, hear, learn, mark, and inwardly digest these and the other words of God, written by Mark, or will we turn away and seek another Gospel?

Let's walk this journey, beloved, with Mark. Let us walk the journey with him, and let us pray that we may embrace his simplicity of faith and directness of reason, as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Feast of Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist (Tuesday of the First Week of Gracetide)

In the Timothean Rite, all saints days are celebrated in the Gracetide season to ensure the integrity of the Incarnation and Paschal Cycles of the Church Calendar. Over the next few weeks, on Tuesdays, we will be celebrating the Feasts of the four Evangelists. On the first Tuesday of Gracetide, we celebrate Matthew.

MATTHEW, Apostle and Evangelist, Martyr
Red Vestments

Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, your Son our Savior called a despised tax collector to become his apostle and evangelist. Help us, like Matthew, to respond to the transforming call of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

First Reading: Ezekiel 2:8 – 3:11
Psalm: 19: 2-5
Second Reading: Ephesians 2: 4-10
Gospel Reading: Matthew 9: 9-13

Biography: Jesus called to Matthew saying, "Follow me," and Matthew stood up and followed Him, becoming one of the twelve apostles. As a tax collector, he was a social outcast, but Jesus welcomed him into the apostolic band. Matthew brought many of his former associates to meet Jesus, showing them that the love of the Messiah extended even to them.

The name "Matthew" means "gift of the Lord." Mark and Luke, in the story of his calling, name him "Levi." Perhaps Levi was his original name, and he received a new name from Jesus when he became a disciple. (It has also been suggested that he was simply a member of the tribe of Levi.)

The Scriptures are silent about Matthew's life after Pentecost. Later accounts of his life vary, some reporting that he was martyred, others that he died a natural death, but from the earliest time, the Church has commemorated him as a martyr.

THE FIRST WEEK OF GRACETIDE - Word of God (22 May 2005, Cycle A)

GRACETIDE: An Introduction

Gracetide is a season in which we meditate on the life we are to live in the grace of Christ, anchored by the Word of God and the regular celebration of the Eucharistic Mystery, and built up with the teachings of the Savior.

Throughout this season, teaching on life, doctrine, and faith is shared with us as we grow together to the fullness of the Kingdom that Christ has promised to us. Also during this season, the festivals of many saints of the New Testament are celebrated, as are the celebrations of other notable Christians whose examples we are called to emulate.

During Gracetide, green vestments are worn on Sundays and weekdays of the season, signifying the life, growth, and vitality of the Church. Red and White vestments are used on the festivals of the saints. The Hymn of Praise is sung on all Sundays and Feasts.

SUNDAY PROPERS

Prayer of the Day
Blessed Lord,
you have given us the gift of the scriptures
that we may be instructed in your truth.
Grant that we may hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest your word,
embrace the truth of our faith,
and hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

First Reading Isaiah 55: 6-11
Psalm 119: 89-96, 105-112
Second Reading Hebrews 4: 12-13
Gospel Reading Matthew 24: 34-35

Any Eucharistic Prayer for General Use may be used.

WEEKDAY PROPERS

The Prayer of the Day from the Sunday may be used, a votive collect may be said, or an extemporaneous collect based on the readings of the day may be offered.

First Reading Gospel Reading
M Acts 22: 22-29 Mark 1: 14-20
T Feast of Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
W Acts 22:30 – 23:11 Mark 1: 21-34
T Memorial of Stephen, Deacon and martyr
F Acts 23: 12-22 Mark 1: 35-45
S Open for Local Commemorations

(NOTE: In the Timothean Calendar, The Most Holy Trinity is celebrated on the Sunday preceeding the First Sunday of Advent, and is considered as a Sunday (and Week) outside of time.)

Meditation on Today's Scriptures - May 20

From the Divine Liturgy of the Friday in Pentecost Week
First Reading: Acts 21: 27-40
Gospel Reading: John 17: 17-23

The High Priestly Prayer nears it's conclusion. Today, the matter of unity is at the heart of Jesus' prayer for his Church.

How much it must sadden our Lord that matters such as language and terminology have divided his holy bride, the Church. How much it must sadden him that we have handed over our imperishible inheritance for earthly battling and warring over insignificant things.

This is not to say that there are not truly serious theological differences among Christians, but our Lord most certainly wants us to be united with his prayer for our unity, that we might overcome our sinful divisions and begin the process of convergance and unity.

So often, I hear Christians yell out about how they won't have anything to do with people who are not of their denomination or jurisdiction. How will we ever come to an understanding of our separated brethren unless we talk, converse, and seek to understand?

How many people have been discouraged from joining the Body of Christ at the sight of our divisions?

How many convergences and healings have been derailed by individual whim, personal pomp, and ecclesiastical lunacy?

Will we, the people of God, begin seeking that godly unity, not comprimising the truth - but preaching the truth in love, that is in accordance with the High Priestly prayer of Jesus?

I pray that we will.

May God bless the reading and hearing of his holy Word.

Rob+

New Altar Edition of the Divine Liturgies of the Synod is in Preparation

Over the weekend, the Synod of Saint Timothy made some modifications to the Western Rite format for the Divine Liturgy and adopted the Eastern Rite, in honor of Saint Titus, for provisional usage. In order to assist in providing this material to the clergy for local use, the Commission for Liturgy and Worship has begun two new documents, revised Altar Editions for both Western and Eastern Rite liturgies, together with supporting material (general use Eucharistic Prayers for the Western Rites, complete Anaphora for the Eastern Rites) that is needed at the Altar.

These documents should be ready sometime in June for download from the Synod's website.

It should also be noted that several individuals have volunteered to assist in compiling the propers into a managable format, and these will be avaliable in the months to come, both online and in printed form.

Those interested in participating more deeply in discussion on the Divine Liturgy and other Liturgical Matters of the Synod are welcome to join the Timothean Rite e-group on Yahoo! Groups. You will find a link on the Links page of www.christiansynod.org.

A Prayer for Pentecost inspired by the Syriac Tradition

As we continue in this octave week of Pentecost, I came across a wonderful prayer for Pentecost in the Syriac tradition. I here present a redaction and some comments:

O Holy Father,
in the fullness of time, you sent us your only Son.
You gave us life through his death and resurrection
and filled us with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of adoption,
through whom we call you “Our Father”.
On this feast of Pentecost,
in which we commemorate the descent of your Holy Spirit
upon his disciples in the Upper Room,
make us worthy to celebrate you with joy and holiness and fill us with your Holy Spirit.
We thank you, O Father, now and forever. Amen!

God has sent to us his only-begotten in this the end of the ages, at the time and in the way appointed and prophesied. In all this, the working of the Spirit has been known. It is the Spirit upon whom we call to pour out upon us the merits of Christ's death which lead to resurrection - this is our adoption, an adoption by grace into the family of God which allows us to call God not simply "Father" or "Our Father" but "Abba!". While Pentecost is the birthday of the Church and the commemoration of the descent of the Spirit, it is also a time of great celebration - a time to revel in the peace and joy of our salvation, and to recognize the indwelling of the Spirit in our lives.
Truly, with our Syrian brothers and sisters, we join in giving thanks to God for these great gifts, the gift of our redemption and sanctification, won for us through Christ, and proclaimed with joy by us, the adopted sons and daughters of God.

To God be glory forever!

Meditation on Today's Gospel-

From the Divine Liturgy of the Thursday in Pentecost Week
First Reading: Acts 21: 15-26
Gospel Reading: John 17: 13-16

"I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one."
John 17: 15, ESV

Today in this portion from the High Priestly prayer of our Messiah, we hear the words that so often cause us trouble and concern... we are not to be taken out of the world, simply preserved - protected - from the enemy.

Today the enemy walks among us in many deceptive ways. He comes among us as the preacher promising miracles in exchange for gospel comprimises and personal financial gain. He comes among us as the too-good-to-be-true doctrine that warms our hearts for a season, but that erodes for an eternity. The enemy invades pulpits, altars, and congregations across the nation and around the world... and we permit it to occur, even encouraging it at times.

In the world today we suffer greatly because we exchange our priceless faith for a tarnished, worldly faith - one with no power to save. This is the great deception of Satan. So many people pray to be removed from the world in the day of tribulation, and yet Christ prays not for our removal but for our faithfulness.

How do we, then, choose to respond?

Will we respond in the grace of God bestowed upon us in Christ Jesus, or will we exchange our incorruptable inheritance for the corruption and lies of the enemy?

For my part, I pray that I will keep the faith of the Scriptures in the company of the fathers of our faith. I hope you will choose the same, firmly trusting that our Lord's prayer from which we read today is intended to all who have been called according to his purpose.

May peace be upon you as you read Christ's holy Gospel this day and always.

Father Rob

Pentecostal Blessings

Excerpted from +Chuck's Church Militant Prayer Letter

Dear Friends in Christ,

For many in the U.S. the word "Pentecostal" implies a branch ofChristianity descended from John Wesley fervent anglicanism butdisplayed today without Wesley's faithfulness to the historic church,the liturgy and the sacraments.

All Christians though are the inheritors of "Pentecostal" Blessings...

Pentecost is a reversal of the Tower of Babel. The curse of languages and the divisions of men so they cannot conspire against heaven are in principle reversed by the outpouring of the spirit and in fact reversed through the spread of Christ's kingdom.

As agents of Christ's kingdom we are agents of the Spirit to assault the kingdom of Satan.

Pentecost - as Bishop Michael reminded me - likewise refers to thegiving of the Law upon Sinai. There, God delivered his law upon stone tablets. But with the coming of the Spirit, God's law is written upon our hearts by the Spirit.

Pentecost is also the remebrance of the first fruits of the harvest.

Those 3000 who were gathered into Christ's Church on Pentecost were a restoration ... 3000 were slain on the day Moses gave the Law. Judgment broke out and death was the result of Israel's rebellion.

On Pentecost 3000 were restored to the New Israel, Christ's Body on that day when the Law was written on men's hearts.

These 3000 are the first fruits of the greater harvest of the kingdom as the church moves through the world in obedience to Christ's command.

Go forth, friends in Christ, in the blessing of Pentecost...

Knowing that your labors reverse the curse of sin,

Confident that God will write His law upon the hearts of those you reach out to in the power of Christ,

Expectant because the Lord who gathered in the first fruits is now reaping the whole harvest!

Amen and Amen.

Lord guide us, protect us, empower us.

Pour out upon us your Pentecostal blessings that Jesus Christ might be glorified, His kingdom spread through all the earth, and the nations blessed in Him!

+Chuck Huckaby

Those who feel lead to pray for +Chuck's ministry in Rural Tennessee are encouraged to join his Church Militant Prayer Letter an egroup that receives prayer requests and intercedes for this ministry.

EXCLUSIVE interview opportunity with the ESV Translation committee

Have a specific question about the English Standard Version translation? Here's your opportunity to ask specific questions of the ESV's translation oversight committee.

May I suggest one... "When will the Deuterocanonicals be complete?"


+Chuck

New Links at the The Synod of Saint Timothy website

Fr. Rob+ our webmaster has been hard at work adding new links for your edification...

Specifically:

The Fourth River Project

Preparing the way for the River of Life to enter into North Korea, The Fourth River Project is led by Father Ben Torrey, great-grandson of the famous evangelist R. A. Torrey, who is a presbyter of the Evangelical Apostolic Church of North America.


Fr. Rob's Question Box The site focuses on answering questions from seekers.

Not to be outdone, Deacon Greg has created a new site called Catholic-Christians Online a forum based website dedicated to conversation among all Catholics, Roman and non-Roman.

Last but not least,

Saint Moses the Black Theological Seminary

Saint Moses the Black Theological Seminary is an outreach of the Old Catholic Orthodox Church, and has agreed to accept students for ministry from the Synod of Saint Timothy.

+Chuck

Mega Church ReMix - Rev. Magazine

12,000 member "Community Church of Joy" is having to reinvent itself...

After years of epitomizing the "seeker sensitive" approach to church growth and creating a massive edifice, the church finds itself at a crossroads and increasingly ineffective in reaching the unchurched.

What's lacking is substance despite the size.

In a humble move to deepen the spirituality of the church, CCOJ turns to the form pastor of "St. Tom's" in Sheffield, England... a church built on radically different assumptions about how the Body of Christ functions.

“I discussed [the idea of a successor] with other pastors across the country. But it was in Washington, D.C. that I felt the ground shaking all around me. ‘Why would anyone want your church?’ a pastor there responded. ‘Anyone who is serious about ministry today does not want to be stuck raising money for maintaining buildings and mortgages. They want to be on the cutting edge of making a difference.’

As hard as it was to hear, I knew what he had just said was right.”Kallestad slowly became certain that the church-growth methods he knew, wrote about in his doctorate, and used to build a megachurch, weren’t working anymore—not even cutting-edge methods of entertainment evangelism. “In our zeal to attract seekers, we became very presentational,” he said. “We believed no one wanted to give anything, no one wanted to sing anything, no one wanted to be known—all of the ‘seeker principles.’ In my spirit, I knew that the old principles and practices, including those for seekers, weren’t working. And I was dying inside.”

In an ironic providence, CCOJ may be returning in some fashion to elements of its Lutheran heritage which were sacrificed as not "seeker sensitive". It would be easy to criticize CCOJ for "throwing the baby out with the bath water". Instead, let us thank God that Pastor Kallestad has assembled such a large number of seekers. Now may God give the church grace to see seekers transformed into catechumens and disciples. And may we have grace to do the same.

May God bless all those devoted to the renewal of Christ's Church.

+Chuck

IRAN - Christian convert waiting for his apostasy trial asks for prayers

From the article...

Hamid Pourmand, a Protestant clergyman who was born a Muslim, was moved from Tehran’s Evin Prison in an armoured car two days ago, May 16, to his home town of Bandar-i Bushehr (southern Iran), where an Islamic court will hear charges of proselytising and apostasy against him. He could get the death penalty and be hanged.

Some of Pourmand’s relatives were allowed to briefly see him before his departure, but the prisoner was not permitted to speak with them. Witnesses say however that, gazing at them silently, he mouthed the words, “Please, pray for me.”

Reverend Pourmand, who converted to Christianity in 1980, is a member of the Assemblies of God.

Now he is charged with proselytising and apostasy. The judges accuse him of being part of “an underground church for many years, a church through which many people have betrayed Islam and joined Christianity”. (emphasis added)

Previous reports indicated that his trial was moved to this rural district to avoid scrutiny by international observers and the press.

"Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body." Hebrews 13:3 ESV

May the Lord Jesus Christ have pity on our brother in Christ and protect and deliver him.

Posted by +Chuck

New Bishops

The synod has come and gone, and we have two new Bishops. It was a great time to know one another and to grow in Christ. Many thanks especially to Mar Michael and Rabin Thuma and the congregation of Mar Demetrious Antiochene Catholic Church. OT blogs forthcoming after I recover from my trip. God is very good. Car troubles delayed my return, but I was blessed in finding an honest mechanic who did not try to rip me off in my time of need. Between my secular work, and life as a parent, I am attempting to study the book of Acts. Recently I read of an Episcopal Bishop who did this and attempted to model his life on the apostles and revealed in the Book of Acts. It sounds like a good beginning.

May the blessing of God and his shalom be with you all.


+Mar Michael Abportus

Welcome to the Blog for the Synod of Saint Timothy!

On behalf of your Christian brothers and sisters in the Synod of Saint Timothy, we welcome you to our newly-established blog on the World Wide Web.

This blog will allow you to read about the various thoughts of our clergy by means of reflections, sermons, and teachings they have developed, either for local use, or especially for this website.

Please stop by from time to time and have a look-see. We think you'll find something here for your soul.