Friday, August 26, 2005
empty nest
Phillip left for the University of Vermont this morning. The weather cooperated by raining all night, causing us to be delayed to the airport so he had to take a later flight.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
We're back!
Mattsson-Boze
The travel times are long, especially when you are coming back. But things went well on the trip. We were in Buenos Aires, that great city, in Salta (la linda, they call it, because of its location in the mountains), in Libertador General San Martin (which isn't pleasant at all), and in Cachi, high in the Andes after a beautiful trip that takes you up to 3500 meters as you follow the switchbacks up.
It was important to be there, especially in the absence of Jose and Sara Gonzalez. They are in Sweden, where it appears Sara is in her last days.
I'm quite concerned about the G12 system they are using in some of the churches. It's as if they have replaced biblical church structure with something a man received in a dream. I believe in eldership, not hierarchy. But there seems to be no room for biblical models in the g12 movement. They also put great emphasis on an initiation rite called encuentro, as if the church is some kind of secret society.
I hope we can see some progress toward an equilibrium.
The travel times are long, especially when you are coming back. But things went well on the trip. We were in Buenos Aires, that great city, in Salta (la linda, they call it, because of its location in the mountains), in Libertador General San Martin (which isn't pleasant at all), and in Cachi, high in the Andes after a beautiful trip that takes you up to 3500 meters as you follow the switchbacks up.
It was important to be there, especially in the absence of Jose and Sara Gonzalez. They are in Sweden, where it appears Sara is in her last days.
I'm quite concerned about the G12 system they are using in some of the churches. It's as if they have replaced biblical church structure with something a man received in a dream. I believe in eldership, not hierarchy. But there seems to be no room for biblical models in the g12 movement. They also put great emphasis on an initiation rite called encuentro, as if the church is some kind of secret society.
I hope we can see some progress toward an equilibrium.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Argentina
Mattsson-Boze
On Friday, Phillip and I go to Buenos Aires. We have a teaching in Jose C. Paz on Saturday evening, and two meetings (Flores and Insuperable) on Sunday.
We are tourists on Monday, and go to Salta on Tuesday. From there we will be in Libertador and later in Cachi. We will be in Salta itself on the weekend.
On Friday, Phillip and I go to Buenos Aires. We have a teaching in Jose C. Paz on Saturday evening, and two meetings (Flores and Insuperable) on Sunday.
We are tourists on Monday, and go to Salta on Tuesday. From there we will be in Libertador and later in Cachi. We will be in Salta itself on the weekend.
Rahab
Mattsson-Boze
Last Sunday I preached on the Faith of Rahab at Anoka Covenant. I was surprised at the laugh I got when I said, "I wish she had been a schoolteacher or a nurse." The point is that Rahab acted on what she believed (that history was flowing with the Israelites, and they were going to conquer). Rahab turned from her prostitution, married, and was integrated literally into the history of Israel and the body of Christ. She welcomed the spies instead of rejecting them.
So Faith welcomes and protects God's messengers. Faith sees the future and acts in accordance with it. Faith leaves the life of sin behind. Faith takes hold of the "scarlet thread"--that is, it trusts in the blood of Christ. Faith integrates itself with the people of God.
Last Sunday I preached on the Faith of Rahab at Anoka Covenant. I was surprised at the laugh I got when I said, "I wish she had been a schoolteacher or a nurse." The point is that Rahab acted on what she believed (that history was flowing with the Israelites, and they were going to conquer). Rahab turned from her prostitution, married, and was integrated literally into the history of Israel and the body of Christ. She welcomed the spies instead of rejecting them.
So Faith welcomes and protects God's messengers. Faith sees the future and acts in accordance with it. Faith leaves the life of sin behind. Faith takes hold of the "scarlet thread"--that is, it trusts in the blood of Christ. Faith integrates itself with the people of God.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Back from Honduras
Hot and hotter.
But I got a lot done in Honduras. It was gratifying when a woman (with blue hair!) talked to me about the advice I had given her about her daughter on a previous trip. The girl had been ensnared by a cultic group, and the mother had been pestering her. I told her to lay off and pray instead. The daughter was back within two weeks, and has resisted the efforts of the other group to re-enlist her. I had forgotten about the situation. It was nice to hear that God helped them.
The correspondence school has over 300 students, and they seem real serious about their theology. Several have gotten bachelor's certificates through an American school, and I reviewed the books they use. They are serious, and require good thinking. I spoke in their annual convocation, giving 3 one hour sessions.
We reviewed the social projects, and have decided to pull back on our nurse and our gardens coordinators. These projects have run for a long time, and we think they have produced change. But now people need to take responsibility themselves. The government has also increased their health presence in the communities. We will continue to provide medicines in the village medicine cabinets and also seeds for gardens. The sewing project will continue. We see more spiritual results from the sewing schools.
I'm planning to return in February. I expect to work with at least 4 different groups over a period covering 3 Sundays.
We had an especially effective meeting in Corozal, in the Garifuna church. The electricity had gone out, so we were in candlelight and couldn't "preach". But God helped me to tell some missionary stories and then present a challenge to respond to God's call. The church was quiet. Usually I have to struggle with children's noise. But evidently the darkness and the softness of the situation had a calming and receptive effect that can only be described as precious.
But I got a lot done in Honduras. It was gratifying when a woman (with blue hair!) talked to me about the advice I had given her about her daughter on a previous trip. The girl had been ensnared by a cultic group, and the mother had been pestering her. I told her to lay off and pray instead. The daughter was back within two weeks, and has resisted the efforts of the other group to re-enlist her. I had forgotten about the situation. It was nice to hear that God helped them.
The correspondence school has over 300 students, and they seem real serious about their theology. Several have gotten bachelor's certificates through an American school, and I reviewed the books they use. They are serious, and require good thinking. I spoke in their annual convocation, giving 3 one hour sessions.
We reviewed the social projects, and have decided to pull back on our nurse and our gardens coordinators. These projects have run for a long time, and we think they have produced change. But now people need to take responsibility themselves. The government has also increased their health presence in the communities. We will continue to provide medicines in the village medicine cabinets and also seeds for gardens. The sewing project will continue. We see more spiritual results from the sewing schools.
I'm planning to return in February. I expect to work with at least 4 different groups over a period covering 3 Sundays.
We had an especially effective meeting in Corozal, in the Garifuna church. The electricity had gone out, so we were in candlelight and couldn't "preach". But God helped me to tell some missionary stories and then present a challenge to respond to God's call. The church was quiet. Usually I have to struggle with children's noise. But evidently the darkness and the softness of the situation had a calming and receptive effect that can only be described as precious.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Preaching
Mattsson-Boze
I will preach at the Bible Church in Oskaloosa Iowa in the morning on July 10. Doug Smiley is the pastor.
In the evening I will preach at one of two churches that Jim Hartman pastors. He lives in Union, Iowa.
On July 17 I will preach (on Rahab the Harlot) at Anoka Covenant Church.
I will preach at the Bible Church in Oskaloosa Iowa in the morning on July 10. Doug Smiley is the pastor.
In the evening I will preach at one of two churches that Jim Hartman pastors. He lives in Union, Iowa.
On July 17 I will preach (on Rahab the Harlot) at Anoka Covenant Church.
Honduras
Mattsson-Boze
Tomorrow, Wednesday, I leave for Honduras. On Monday Bob Kallam will come and join me for meetings in the La Ceiba area. He will stay on with a team from his church doing a building project.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, I leave for Honduras. On Monday Bob Kallam will come and join me for meetings in the La Ceiba area. He will stay on with a team from his church doing a building project.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Switch to Argentina
Mattsson-Boze
Phil and I have canceled the Africa trip because of security issues and the fact the the costs were getting to be very very high. Instead, we are going to Argentina from July 29-August 13. We plan to be in Buenos Aires and the province, and then go north to Salta and Jujuy. We're hoping to have a youth conference one weekend because I want him to use his Spanish as much as possible.
Phil and I have canceled the Africa trip because of security issues and the fact the the costs were getting to be very very high. Instead, we are going to Argentina from July 29-August 13. We plan to be in Buenos Aires and the province, and then go north to Salta and Jujuy. We're hoping to have a youth conference one weekend because I want him to use his Spanish as much as possible.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Phillip's speech
Mattsson-Boze
Phillip's speech at the graduation ceremony had a tone of thankfulness to those who had invested in his life, and a desire to be worthy of that investment. His voice was just a little nervous for about 5 seconds, and then he relaxed. It was clear and carried well to the audience of something around 5000 people.
We are very proud of him.
Phillip's speech at the graduation ceremony had a tone of thankfulness to those who had invested in his life, and a desire to be worthy of that investment. His voice was just a little nervous for about 5 seconds, and then he relaxed. It was clear and carried well to the audience of something around 5000 people.
We are very proud of him.
Monday, June 06, 2005
the Great Commission
Mattsson-Boze
I hope there isn't a tendency to make the Great Commission say, "Stay at home and invite your neighbor to church."
Jesus said we should make disciples of all nations. It is too easy to think in terms of our immediate local needs when the calling is to reach the entire world. Reaching out to others is good at a local level, but the reaching is done with a 4 foot pole in your own county. We need a 25 foot pole to reach far beyond the people that merely benefit us locally.
Last year, I was given grace to pray with over 150 people who publicly confessed Jesus as Lord. The people we taught prayed with many more than that, probably numbering well up in the thousands. For example, a pastor started a church in Sudan that has 120 baptized believers. Another opened up a new village in India, and has 40 believers. Most of the people we taught don't speak English and don't know how to use the internet to inform us. But they are constantly praying with people for salvation, and are constantly teaching them so that they grow in faith.
The Great Commission says that going, we should make disciples of all nations. Let's not limit that to making disciples of people who are just like us. The challenge is much bigger.
I hope there isn't a tendency to make the Great Commission say, "Stay at home and invite your neighbor to church."
Jesus said we should make disciples of all nations. It is too easy to think in terms of our immediate local needs when the calling is to reach the entire world. Reaching out to others is good at a local level, but the reaching is done with a 4 foot pole in your own county. We need a 25 foot pole to reach far beyond the people that merely benefit us locally.
Last year, I was given grace to pray with over 150 people who publicly confessed Jesus as Lord. The people we taught prayed with many more than that, probably numbering well up in the thousands. For example, a pastor started a church in Sudan that has 120 baptized believers. Another opened up a new village in India, and has 40 believers. Most of the people we taught don't speak English and don't know how to use the internet to inform us. But they are constantly praying with people for salvation, and are constantly teaching them so that they grow in faith.
The Great Commission says that going, we should make disciples of all nations. Let's not limit that to making disciples of people who are just like us. The challenge is much bigger.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
News as of today.
Mattsson-Boze
Charles Okongo surprised me by being accepted into an MBA program in Uganda. He will study for one year.
We established a pilot program in Patagonia with Sergio Jerosimich. It will run for 6 months in cooperation with 4 or 5 churches.
Phillip was eliminated in the first round of regional finals in Tennis. This ends his high school tennis career. He has done well. The guy who beat him went on to beat the guy everybody was afraid of.
We have a breakfast on June 4 for Minneapolis area people interested in the Herald of Faith. Steve Fitzpatrick is coming in from California. We will have a board meeting afterwards.
Last week, Vijay held a seminar for pastors in India, with about 25 attending. He taught my material on Colossians.
Over the last few weeks, Pablo Munoz, a pastor in Argentina, has been teaching my material on Romans 12.
Charles Okongo surprised me by being accepted into an MBA program in Uganda. He will study for one year.
We established a pilot program in Patagonia with Sergio Jerosimich. It will run for 6 months in cooperation with 4 or 5 churches.
Phillip was eliminated in the first round of regional finals in Tennis. This ends his high school tennis career. He has done well. The guy who beat him went on to beat the guy everybody was afraid of.
We have a breakfast on June 4 for Minneapolis area people interested in the Herald of Faith. Steve Fitzpatrick is coming in from California. We will have a board meeting afterwards.
Last week, Vijay held a seminar for pastors in India, with about 25 attending. He taught my material on Colossians.
Over the last few weeks, Pablo Munoz, a pastor in Argentina, has been teaching my material on Romans 12.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Patagonia
Sergio Jerosimich is in the US. He will come to Minneapolis this Sunday and go back to New Jersey on Tuesday. This gives us a chance to talk about the work in Patagonia.
I am looking for stronger cooperation among the churches in Comodoro Rivadavia. Sergio's church isn't strong enough to maintain a program in the interior, but if he can get cooperation among the churches, we might be able to start quite a few works in the interior.
I am looking for stronger cooperation among the churches in Comodoro Rivadavia. Sergio's church isn't strong enough to maintain a program in the interior, but if he can get cooperation among the churches, we might be able to start quite a few works in the interior.
Uganda/Sudan
Mattsson-Boze
Security seems poor for Nimule, Sudan. It has deteriorated significantly in the past two weeks. But Labone, which is directly north of Kitgum, Uganda, is more secure.
We have decided to make the final decision on the trip on June 15. Ultimately, we have to hear from God. But we believe that one of the ways in which He speaks is through the situation on the ground.
I've never let security hinder me. The first time I went to Kitgum, about 1999, they had burned a bus on the road I traveled the previous day. I was there by choice during the ebola crisis in Gulu. We have driven through rebel territory several times, and once had a breakdown there. The last time I was in Kitgum, there was shooting right outside my room. Fear wants to get hold of you, but we have decided to do what we feel God has led us to do in spite of those fears.
We need prayer and we need wisdom.
Security seems poor for Nimule, Sudan. It has deteriorated significantly in the past two weeks. But Labone, which is directly north of Kitgum, Uganda, is more secure.
We have decided to make the final decision on the trip on June 15. Ultimately, we have to hear from God. But we believe that one of the ways in which He speaks is through the situation on the ground.
I've never let security hinder me. The first time I went to Kitgum, about 1999, they had burned a bus on the road I traveled the previous day. I was there by choice during the ebola crisis in Gulu. We have driven through rebel territory several times, and once had a breakdown there. The last time I was in Kitgum, there was shooting right outside my room. Fear wants to get hold of you, but we have decided to do what we feel God has led us to do in spite of those fears.
We need prayer and we need wisdom.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Sudan
Mattsson-Boze
Moses Okeny reports that he is visiting 3 places in southern Sudan regularly. He has good contact with the military, and has seen many come to Christ. He has about 120 people in his church (80 men, and 40 "female" in his quaint way of speaking).
He recently moved into Sudan (or rather "New Sudan") after the peace accords had been signed. His family is with him. But he still needs to travel by military convoy.
We are investigating the security situation because of our planned trip in August. Phil and I will go together with my nephew Joel Mattsson-Boze and possibly Milton McElvain. But we will give careful consideration to the security issues. We have good contact with the intelligence people in the Ugandan army, and Moses is known to the military in southern Sudan as well. Both groups are quite sympathetic to what we are doing in training village pastors.
When I was in Nimule, Sudan a few years ago, we heard the soldiers doing their drills at 5 in the morning, singing Christian songs.
Moses Okeny reports that he is visiting 3 places in southern Sudan regularly. He has good contact with the military, and has seen many come to Christ. He has about 120 people in his church (80 men, and 40 "female" in his quaint way of speaking).
He recently moved into Sudan (or rather "New Sudan") after the peace accords had been signed. His family is with him. But he still needs to travel by military convoy.
We are investigating the security situation because of our planned trip in August. Phil and I will go together with my nephew Joel Mattsson-Boze and possibly Milton McElvain. But we will give careful consideration to the security issues. We have good contact with the intelligence people in the Ugandan army, and Moses is known to the military in southern Sudan as well. Both groups are quite sympathetic to what we are doing in training village pastors.
When I was in Nimule, Sudan a few years ago, we heard the soldiers doing their drills at 5 in the morning, singing Christian songs.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Phillip
Today Phillip was one of the honorees at his high school, graduating with highest honors. The other day in the scholarship assembly he received two scholarships to help him go to the University of Vermont.
I'm pleased with the excellence at the Anoka schools. Phil is among the best, and has taken challenging courses. He's doing microbiology now. He's also on the soccer team and captain of the tennis team.
As I mentioned before, he is one of the graduation speakers.
I'm pleased with the excellence at the Anoka schools. Phil is among the best, and has taken challenging courses. He's doing microbiology now. He's also on the soccer team and captain of the tennis team.
As I mentioned before, he is one of the graduation speakers.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Friday, May 13, 2005
Latter Rain
Mattsson-Boze
I'm think a bit about the accusation that latter rain people are "neo-montanists." The Montanists were people in the early centuries of the church who relied on the Holy Spirit more than on the Scriptures. Certainly there are people like that around today, but our tradition has always been to let the Scriptures judge any prophecy or ministry.
The lists of things they accuse latter rain-ers of seems silly. I grew up in the revival and didn't see those things. I'm sure they existed, but my father stood against them. He had the wisdom to not throw out the baby with the bathwater.
I believe in prophetic and apostolic ministries, though I'm nervous about the titles that people are claiming for themselves these days. Especially the self-named group called the Supreme Council of Prophets and Apostles that Ralph Winter makes reference to.
The Scriptures are always in first place. Any current apostles cannot and should not hold a candle to the original 12. They certainly do not supercede them.
I'm think a bit about the accusation that latter rain people are "neo-montanists." The Montanists were people in the early centuries of the church who relied on the Holy Spirit more than on the Scriptures. Certainly there are people like that around today, but our tradition has always been to let the Scriptures judge any prophecy or ministry.
The lists of things they accuse latter rain-ers of seems silly. I grew up in the revival and didn't see those things. I'm sure they existed, but my father stood against them. He had the wisdom to not throw out the baby with the bathwater.
I believe in prophetic and apostolic ministries, though I'm nervous about the titles that people are claiming for themselves these days. Especially the self-named group called the Supreme Council of Prophets and Apostles that Ralph Winter makes reference to.
The Scriptures are always in first place. Any current apostles cannot and should not hold a candle to the original 12. They certainly do not supercede them.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Uganda/Sudan
Mattsson-Boze
Charles reports increasing violence in northern Uganda, and reports of another group opposed to President Museveni that is forming in Ethiopia.
We also have activity in Sudan that impedes the work somewhat. In spite of this, the churches move forward. People recognize that Faith is the only real security. We are watching the situation carefully.
Charles has been asked to raise up churches for the Foursquare movement in Sudan.
This weekend he will speak at the University on a Christian approach to business. In July he will speak at the principal military school on morality in the military.
Charles reports increasing violence in northern Uganda, and reports of another group opposed to President Museveni that is forming in Ethiopia.
We also have activity in Sudan that impedes the work somewhat. In spite of this, the churches move forward. People recognize that Faith is the only real security. We are watching the situation carefully.
Charles has been asked to raise up churches for the Foursquare movement in Sudan.
This weekend he will speak at the University on a Christian approach to business. In July he will speak at the principal military school on morality in the military.
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