SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #158 ---- 1/22/01
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
Title: "REACHING MY CITY" (#2 ---- "Fundamental Principles About City
Searchers (C)-- Knowing Gods Purpose
Dear Friend and Partner in Ministry:
For the third consecutive week I greet you from the great city of Kiev,
Ukraine, where Jo Ann and I have been ministering since January 5th with
St. James Bible College. Leading a group of nine fantastic students
from a Christian university in Missouri, we spent the first week
ministering in churches, to graduates of St. James, and to homeless
children being housed in a short term facility preparing them for entry
into orphanages.
This past week we all attended classes at St. James during their first
week of Spring semester classes as I taught a class of 43 seniors on the
subject of Reaching Your Cities Through Strategic Ministry and
Prevailing Prayer. Friday afternoon we took our team back to Vienna,
Austria, where the next day they flew home to the United States. Sunday
Jo Ann and I returned to teach a second week at St. James before flying
home.
BACK-TRACKING HISTORY:
Years ago during the very earliest years of my ministry experience in
the early 1960s I became intrigued with the significance of proper
names, both of people and places. Little did I know that this curiosity
would help prepare me to teach certain biblical principles in various
countries as I do today.
I remember, for example, doing a series of studies on the subject of
Satan where I began to trace the meanings and names of the various
gemstones identified with his wearing apparel. (Incidentally, the list
appears only three times in the Bible ---- once in detailing the
breastplate of the high priest Aaron, one in describing the covering for
Satan, and the other when identifying part of the foundation of the New
Jerusalem in Revelation. Give that some study and see where it takes
you.)
Another such study put me on the floor for hours at a time trying to
create a genealogical chart from Adam to Jesus. Little did I know that
the months-long study would actually have practical application to where
I am today in eastern Europe. But here I sit today in a land that
traces its long history back to Noahs son, Japheth.
Sometimes we in America forget that we do not have a history like the
people of Europe and Asia with a relatively pure and unmixed lineage.
We also forget that neither do we have a history that is a thousand or
more years old as these people do.
True, many of us in America can trace our roots to some European or
Asian location, as I can. But we find our lineage thereafter scattering
in many directions.
Take mine, for example. Im a lot like an old barnyard cur dog ---- a
real mixed breed. You can follow my lines back to ancestors in
Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Wales, Germany, Hungary, Russia, and Ukraine
---- some say even Italy.
Well, when you trace the heritage of the people of this region of the
world, you find they all can be linked back thousands of years. They
are a hearty bunch, accustomed to hardship, fierceness, and national
pride. (Frankly, I wish western bureaucrats would take time to study
the history of this region; it would make political and economic
dealings much easier, just by simple understanding.)
UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS:
Perhaps because Im more relaxed, unafraid, and at home this time than
in 1995, but it seems that I have learned more this trip than the last.
1. I have been especially fascinated by how many churches there are in
Kiev and how large some of them are. Six years ago there were probably
a dozen to fifteen non-Orthodox churches (Im speculating); today there
are over 100, and many of them are some of the fastest growing churches
in the world. Last Wednesday night we attend the midweek services of a
charismatic church that doesnt even have its own building. It meets in
a theater building in the downtown area of Kiev.
With a 70 to 80 voice choir and a praise team that included five
singers, a bass guitar, a violin, a standard guitar, a keyboard, drums,
a soprano sax, an alto sax, a second percussion person, and two
trumpets, we were part of a crowd of nearly 2,000 in an almost packed
auditorium. Pastored by a black pastor from Africa who speaks fluent
Russian, they run about 7,000 every Sunday with three services. The
church is six years old.
2. I have also been amazed by the evangelistic fervor of the people.
Ive written about this earlier, but it is absolutely astounding to see
how the Gospel is being proclaimed in the Ukraine, and how churches are
growing. These people have a commitment, a courage, and a fearless
boldness that will likely embarrass the vast majority of Christians in
America, even the most seasoned and impassioned American evangelists.
People are coming to Christ constantly.
Ukraine is now sending missionaries to other countries, including the
United States. One graduate of St. James recently moved to Portland,
Oregon to minister to the thousands of Russians and Ukrainians who have
migrated to that region. Eight percent of Russias non-Orthodox
churches are pastored by men from the Ukraine.
3. I have also been thrilled by the quality of the students in my
class. We thought our class #106 was great in 1995, and it was. But,
this class is a delightful surprise ---- all 43 or so members. Even
though we have students from only two countries, (Russia and Ukraine,
and possibly Moldova), their vision goes far beyond those borders.
And you should hear them pray! Oh, my goodness! How pitiful our
praying in America sounds! Have you ever heard young people cry out to
God in unison in America? Have you ever heard them cry out with loud
voices? Not in arrogant display, but in passionate burden. Have you
ever seen 43 students weep for their cities? For their lost friends and
family? For their country?
I can count on one hand during my 45 years of ministry the times when I
saw and heard such praying. There is an ebb and flow to it that could
not be choreographed by a human being. It is as if the Holy Spirit is
conducting a great orchestra of intercession as they cry out to God in
thanksgiving for His sovereignty and power, and thank Him for His
faithfulness and blessing, then petition Him for the lost, the sick, the
hurting. I would have to say that, even though they dont know it, they
are experiencing moments of genuine revival with the presence of God
revealing His goodness to them.
This past Thursday morning was an example. As noted before, I am
teaching on Restoring Your Nation and Reaching Your Cities Through
Strategic Ministry and Prevailing Prayer. Two days earlier I asked
each student to give the name of any city that God had really pressed
into their hearts. We ended up with about twenty cities.
Because we were short on time, I asked for one person to volunteer to
pray. One young man about 20 years old who is a youth minister in a
nearby town began to pray. And before you knew it, all the students
were either on their feet, on their knees, or bowed before the Lord
beseeching Him for those cities.
As this young man began to soften his praying into a spirit of serene
trust and thankfulness to the Lord, the entire group did the same, and
it all ended with a holy quietness punctuated only by an occasional
whisper, Slava Bogu (Praise God), an agonizing groan or a muffled sob.
It was a holy moment in a holy place before a holy God.
And He was pleased.
WHATS SO SIGNIFICANT:
Now, what is the significance of those three observations? At first I
didnt think much about it, but then I began to realize that what I was
seeing in this city of Kiev must surely have something to do with Gods
purpose for the city.
Which brings me to the point of this weeks letter ---- Knowing Gods
Purpose For Your City. Many people dont believe that there is such a
thing, but I do. Ive found too many examples in scripture and have had
too many personal experiences to not believe it.
Is it possible that the reason there are so many churches in Kiev, many
of the Christians here are filled with such evangelistic fervor, a major
evangelical denomination sends its new missionaries here for language
training, my students pray the way they do, and St. James Bible College
even exists here is because it all connects somehow with Gods purpose
for Kiev?
I believe there is a connection.
Kiev is located on the Dnipro River, the main river through Ukraine. On
one side of the river it is a flat plain; on the other is the hilly
region. There is a legend that the Apostle Andrew came to this area,
stood on a hill overlooking the Dnipro and, with his hand holding a
cross high in the air, proclaimed, Behold these hills. The grace of
God will shine upon them and there will be a great city here wherein God
will put up a great many churches.
I dont know if the legend is true or not. Many evangelical Christians
discount or even scoff at the legend, primarily because they believe it
was created by the Orthodox Church as a way to use the existence of many
Orthodox churches as proof of Gods blessing. It is true that there are
hundreds of them, going at least as far back as 988 A.D. when Prince
Volodymyr introduced Christianity as the state religion. Shortly
thereafter the Church of Our Lady of the Tithes was built. To the
Orthodox Church that was the fulfillment of Andrews prophecy.
The city of Kiev, however, existed hundreds of years before that church
was built. Having been settled centuries earlier by a variety of
Slavonic tribes. According to Nestor in his book, The Tale of Bygone
Years, Kiev was initially founded by three brothers (Kyi, Schek, and
Khoryv) and their sister (Lybid). The three brothers took the hills and
Lybid took the plain area across the river. Kyi, the older brother, was
selected as ruler, and the seat of Prince Kyi was on Zamkova Hill
overlooking Podil.
Then, beginning in 988 as noted earlier, churches began to spring up
rapidly throughout the area.
Even during the years of Communist oppression, many churches survived,
and even grew in many cases. When Communism took control, one of two
things happened to the churches. Either they had to register with the
state and abide by very strict no proselytizing or evangelizing rules,
or they were disbanded or forced to go underground.
Many churches chose to register. They were classified as traitors by
the other believers. In 1995 when we were here I talked with the senior
pastor of one of the largest churches in the area at that time. He told
me that the reason they chose to register was that they knew, when
Communism fell, that churches needed to be already visible and
immediately ready to minister to the people. By registering, they could
keep their buildings and retain their identity and existence.
So, today you have churches that still labeled as registered and non
registered. You have Baptist, pentecostal, charismatic, Messianic,
Salvation Army, Presbyterian, Adventist, and others. You have
traditional and contemporary. You have those affiliated with some type
of union as a denomination, and those that are independent. You have
several Bible schools and seminaries in Kiev. Its almost like America.
As a result, with many people there is often an enormous problem with
animosity and competitiveness between churches and leaders. Even
between missionary agencies. Many are trying to overcome it. Others,
however, would rather be right than be loving. They would rather
remain divided (forgetting Scriptures admonition about a house that is
divided against itself) than try to come together in unity and reach
their city.
They have forgotten that there is purpose that is greater than their own
for this city. God has a bigger one ---- and a better one.
A CITYS GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE:
Earlier last week as I stood in my class, I asked if anyone had an
intense burden for any particular city. Over half the class did. We
wrote the names of those cities down on the chalkboard, as I mentioned
earlier ---- about 20 different cities, towns, and villages.
Then, I shared my conviction that God has a purpose for every city in
the world, no matter how large or how small. Most of them had never
thought of that, and were surprised. You could see the lights going on
in their minds as the pondered the possibilities of such a thing
actually being true.
I reminded them of the cities of refuge which Joshua put in place, the
cities Joseph established for surplus storage for times of famine,
Jerusalem the city of peace, the cities of praise, etc. Last Friday one
young lady told our translator, I never realized God loved my little
town and had a purpose for it. And I am overwhelmed that He wants to
use me to reach my town for His glory!
That made my day.
This week Ill tell them how they can discover Gods purpose for their
city.
HOW TO KNOW GODS PURPOSE FOR MY CITY:
In your case, however, Ill do it now. These are thoughts that come
both from what I believe to be biblical principles and also from my own
experience where I have been involved in developing strategies for
reaching the community in which I lived at the time.
There are two types of preparation ---- personal and tactical.
In regards to personal preparation, the steps are obvious ---- decide
youll enter your city (Acts 9:6; Acts 1:12), go to the upper room
and wait on God (Acts 1:13-ff), ask God to show you areas where you need
to repent and then do it, spend time in Gods Word and study the issues
of cities, fast, develop your ideas and principles on the subject, and
pay the price to become a spiritual leader in your city.
When it comes to tactical preparation, there are also two types ----
searching out and identifying, and then strategy development.
One of the first things to do in searching out and identifying
conditions and targets, is to study the origin, history, patterns, and
significant events in your city.
Basically, you need to try as best you can to answer these questions:
1. Who ---- who founded the city? Who did what at significant times in
its life?
2. When ---- when did this take place? When was the city founded?
When did a particular tragedy or victory take place?
3. Why ---- why did the city take form? Why did that event happen?
4. What ---- what were the circumstances involved? What was the
outcome?
5. How ---- how did it come into existence? Etc.
You may not think these questions and their related answers are
important, but I am convinced they are for several reasons, three of
whom are . . . .
First, when I study the origin, history, and significant events of my
town, I begin to see a pattern developing that helps me see where it has
been, why it acts the way it does, and where it may be headed. I begin
to get a sense of Gods possible purpose for my city.
Second, it helps me understand the problems in my city, because it is my
opinion that every significant societal problem is either a perversion
of or a reaction to some aspect of Gods purpose for my city.
Finally, I believe every significant problem in my city is because there
was an intentional or unintentional violation of Gods purpose for my
city.
When I can figure out what Gods purpose is, then it gives me some
tremendous insight into how to deal with the issues, reverse the
downward spiral, and reach my city for Christ.
The question comes, then, as to where do I go to find information about
my citys origin and history?
1. History books. Depending on how old your city is, you can usually
find at least references to your city in history books. The most likely
place to find such books are public libraries, school libraries
(universities, high schools, etc.), and used bookstores. Sometimes even
church libraries.
2. Public Records. Your county, district, or state government offices
will almost always have documentation that goes back even further than
your city. The office of deeds and legal documents is usually the place
to go. Simply tell them you want to see the documents that pertain to
the formation of your city or town.
3. Newspaper offices. Almost all newspapers keep copies of back issues
of their papers in the morgue file. If they are modernized, these may
now be stored on micro-fiche film or on computers.
4. The Internet. With multiplied millions of pieces of information now
accessible on the internet, it is very possible you could find
information about your city by doing a search. I started to call it a
simple search, but it could very well become rather complex.
5. Talk to long-time residents. Many stories have been handed down
from one generation to another. Find some of those people, take a note
pad or a tape recorder along, and ask them to tell you all they know
about your town. Ask them specific questions about when churches
started, when the big fire or flood took place, who the politicians
were, etc.
6. Look for personally owned documents and pictures. Many of these
older people have letters, photos, family Bibles, post cards, and
scores of other items handed down to them that would give you a picture
back into the history of the town or city. I have an abundance of such
items my grand parents saved from 150 years ago pertaining to a little
town where I used to live ---- pictures of the great fire, the Spring
Grounds and all.
7. Old buildings. Sometimes old buildings will have files of le
ewspapers, pictures, and other interesting memorabilia stuck away in
the attic, the basement, or closets.
I remember going into an old bank building in downtown St. Louis, MO.
that was about to be demolished for a new building. A member of my
church was the head maintenance engineer for the company that bought it,
so we were able to go in and spend several days going from one floor to
the next. On one floor we discovered a bonanza of old theater posters
and photographs.
Nobody remembered that years ago there had been an old vaudeville
theater there. Believe it or not, I even found a stack of scores of old
large black and white pictures of Hitler and of the Nuermburg trial.
(Forgive the spelling!)
8. Use your imagination. There are lots of other ways to gather
information.
IN CONCLUSION:
I realize this may not have been a particularly inspirational letter of
encouragement at first glance. However, I hope it will become so to
you, my friend.
You see, if you dont have a sense of destiny for your city which comes
out of Gods heart to redeem it, you really should move on and do
something else. The main reason He has you where you are is to reach
your city, town, or village. If thats not a part of your agenda, then
why stick around?
So, I pray that this letter encourages you to ask God to give you a new
love and vision for your city.
Also, perhaps the stories of these students here in Kiev will motivate
you as well.
Finally, maybe the suggestions I made will be an incentive for you to
get out of the office, and go find out everything you can about your
city and what makes it tick ---- before it self destructs.
Have a great week. Next week I plan to write from Kansas City, MO or
maybe even from my own little cedar sided house in the woods outside the
town of Collins.
In His Bond,
Bob Tolliver ---- Romans 1:12
Copyright January, 2001. All rights reserved.
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Hang in there! I'm with you!
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