LLMF

EB

20

13

2 8 11feature history news

women in

ministry

A fellow member of a local Christian organization

sent me an email criticizing “liberal churches”

that ordain women. The email struck me as

ironic because I’ve never considered the Free Methodist

Church to be on the liberal side of the theological spectrum

even though key FMC founder B.T. Roberts wrote an 1891

book supporting women’s ordination.

I later heard a radio program in which a theology pro-

fessor answered questions about difficult-to-understand

scriptures. When the discussion turned to women serving

as pastors, the professor declared that the Bible allows

only men to preach. Oddly enough, the professor and the

radio station are affiliated with an institute founded by D.L.

Moody, whose ministry was influenced by two Free Method-

ist women. (Read more online at fmchr.ch/fmmoody.)

As members of a church with a legacy of women serv-

ing as teachers, evangelists and pastors, how should we

respond to other Christians who accuse us of being unbibli-

cal? Perhaps we should mention that the church’s position

is based on the Bible, not on shifting societal standards.

Like Roberts, this issue’s authors make a biblical case for

women in all areas of ministry.

This magazine is designed to be

interactive. Please share your ministry

stories at facebook.com/fmcusa and

comment on articles via Facebook or

at llcomm.org. Whatever your gender,

let’s serve God together. [LLM]

Managing Editor Jeff FinleyLead Designer Erin EckbergWriter/Photographer Michael MettsCopy Editor Dawn McIlvain StahlInternal Communications Andrea Anibal Project Manager Julie InnesPublisher Jason ArcherBusiness/Operations Ben Weesies

Spanish TranslationEzequiel Alvarez Jazmin Angulo Janeth Bustamante Carmen HoseaJoe Castillo Karen KabandamaJennifer Flores Samuel LopezGuillermo Flores Rodrigo Lozano, Coordinator

LLM: Light & Life Magazine (ISSN 0024-3299) was established in 1868 by the Free Methodist Church. Pub-lished monthly by Light & Life Communications. © 2013 Free Methodist Church – USA, 770 N. High School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46214. Views expressed in articles do not necessarily represent the official position of the Free Methodist Church. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations, no portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version unless otherwise indicated.

Whole No. 5248, Vol. 146, No. 2Printed in U.S.A.Member: Evangelical Press Association,Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability

Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, IN, and additional mailing offices.

Postmaster, send address changes to:Light & Life Magazine, 770 N. High School Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46214

1 [openers]

LLML I G H T & L I F E M A G A Z I N E

“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” — John 1:4

D e v e l o p i n g E a r n e s t C h r i s t i a n s S i n c e 1 8 6 8

Website: www.llcomm.orgEmail us: www.llcomm.org/staffNews and submissions: jeff.finley@fmcusa.orgAdvertising: ben.weesies@fmcusa.org

Address all correspondence to:Light & Life Magazine, 770 N. High School Rd.,Indianapolis, IN 46214 (317) 244-3660

Based on the Bible

To receive Light & Life in Spanish, please contact our office: (800) 342-5531 or ben.weesies@fmcusa.org.

LLM | Feb 2013

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Read more about women in ministry at llcomm.org

1] Do you use QR codes?

Scan this box with your smartphone to

read more articles on this issue’s theme.

2] More Discipleship

Each week in February, find a new article by

Henriët Schapelhouman.

CORRECTION:

Laureen Livingston’s first name was

misspelled on Page 10 of the January

2013 issue. LLM regrets the error.

Jeff FinleyManaging Editor

i

B Y J O Y M . O . I R E L A N D

LLM | Feb 2013

The unexpected road to ordination led me to the Free

Methodist Church. Any denomination with “free” in the

name would surely free a woman for joyful obedience,

right? Indeed! The integrity of both word and deed has

provided encouragement and empowerment to follow the call

of God above all else.

As I reflect on several life experiences, I realize that ordina-

tion should not have come as such a surprise to me. uuu

My experiences have included concep-

tion under conditions deemed

“miraculous” by medical professionals,

understanding and receipt of saving

faith at a young age, teenage attrac-

tion to the beauty of priestly and holy

living described in Leviticus, empower-

ment in the Spirit to break bonds of

generational sin, and encouragement

toward ministry even by Christians

who oppose women in that arena.

The words of God to the prophet

Jeremiah come to mind: “Before I

formed you in the womb I knew you,

before you were born I set you apart”

(Jeremiah 1:5).

Yet, years of study and experience

have taught me that the ministry

freedom I currently experience would

not have been mine had I been born

even one generation earlier. Only

two years after the Free Methodist

General Conference of 1974 (when a

resolution to give women equal status

with men in the ministry of the church

passed unanimously), God brought

me into being.

Tireless AdvocacyIt is no small thing to be part of

a denomination’s first generation of

female pastors who have not known

ordination restrictions. I find myself

not only grateful for those faithful

1974 delegates but also indebted to

countless others who fought toward

that end for prior generations. B.T.

Roberts, one of the founders of the

Free Methodist Church, was a vocal

proponent well over a century before

the historic 1974 vote. The church’s

“Statement on Women in Ministry”

(online at fmchr.ch/wministry) clearly

states this truth:

As early as 1861, when the

church was just one year

old, the minutes of the Gen-

esee Convention report the

discussion of women preach-

ing. … Bishop B.T. Roberts

believed strongly in the

equality of men and women.

He argued that women

should be working shoulder

to shoulder with men in

building the kingdom of God.

He tried to lead the denomi-

nation toward the ordination

of women.

Roberts advocated for women’s

ordination until his death. He asked

this thought-provoking question in

“Ordaining Women” (1891):

If those who stood high

as interpreters of Reason

and Revelation, and who

expressed the prevailing

sentiment of their day, were

so greatly mistaken on a

subject which we now think

so plain that it does not

admit of dispute, that every

man has a right to freedom,

is it not possible that the

current sentiment as to the

position which woman should

be permitted to occupy in the

Church of Christ may also be

wrong?

It’s a fair question. If church lead-

ers were wrong about slavery, could

they also be wrong regarding women

and the church? Roberts was bold

enough to acknowledge human frailty

and was willing to ask this question

and explore its implications, evidenc-

ing that ours is an impassioned

history founded on a conviction of

equality and tireless advocacy.

Yet Roberts was not the first to

3 [feature]

LLM | Feb 2013

Jesus thoroughly

and intentionally

empowered women.

challenge the societal status quo of

women. The Gospels illustrate how

Jesus’ life and ministry did the same

through:

l the embryonic Christ within

Mary’s womb that made her

the only human source of Jesus’

DNA

l the ministry of wholeness and

healing without reservation (Mark

5:21–42; Luke 13:10–13)

l parables featuring women wor-

thy of emulation (Luke 15:8–10;

18:1–8)

l the inclusion of women among

disciple ranks (Luke 8:1–3,

10:38–42)

l women’s capacities in theological

discussion, understanding and

evangelism (Matthew 15:21–

28; John 4:4–42; 11:21–44)

l a woman providing burial anoint-

ing (Matthew 26:6–13; John

12:1–8)

l women being the first people to

witness and proclaim the resur-

rection (Matthew 28:1–10;

John 20:11–18)

The list could continue, but the

point is clear. Jesus thoroughly and

intentionally empowered women. In

the book “Beyond Sex Roles,” Whea-

ton College professor emeritus

Gilbert Bilezikian terms Christ’s

work in relation to women

as “the fullness of redemp-

tion” inaugurated most fully

through “the community of

reconciliation, God’s family:

the church.”

Within this new covenant

community, the effects of

the fall are fully reversed, as

most poignantly exemplified

through the men and women

(Acts 1:13–14) present for

the fulfillment of Joel’s proph-

ecy at Pentecost (Acts 2:1–21). This

common anointing paved the way for

Lydia

(Acts 16:11–15); Priscilla

(Acts 18; Romans 16:3–4; 1 Cor-

inthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19);

Phoebe, Mary, Junias, Tryphena and

Tryphosa (Romans 16); Nympha

(Colossians 4:15); “the lady chosen by

God” (2 John); and countless others

called to exemplify Galatians 3:28.

In the BeginningWhy did Jesus live so radically

in relation to women? He was fully

committed to following the lead of

His Father as best illustrated in

the Creation narrative. We read in

Genesis 2:18, “It is not good that the

man should be alone; I will make him

a helper as his partner” (NRSV).

Understanding the Hebrew word

ezer (translated as “helper” here) is

key. Though some assume subordi-

nation of helpers, the term actually

denotes alliance or partnership. Help-

ers provide assistance to people in

need as evident when ezer is used to

describe God’s action (Psalm 30:10,

54:4, 72:12) or to name those who

become Israelite leaders (2 Chroni-

cles 12:9; 25:4, 31; Nehemiah 3:19;

Psalm 89:19; Ezekiel 11:1). In the Old

Testament, presence of an ezer is

good (1 Kings 20:16; Daniel 11:34),

while the lack of one is bad (2 Kings

14:26; Psalm 107:12; Isaiah 31:3,

63:5; Jeremiah 47:4). God’s origi-

nal intent for joint rule and oneness

(Genesis 1:26–30) is beautifully and

powerfully displayed through this little

Hebrew word.

[feature] 4

LLM | Feb 2013

God’s original intent

was for joint rule

and oneness.

Grateful RecipientThanks to the gracious intent of

our Creator, the redemptive mission

of our Savior and Lord, and Roberts’

unwavering conviction, a sacred

space existed for me — as a sopho-

more at Seattle Pacific University — to

explore divine nudges as I evaluated

discontent over my initial major. As I

continued to discern the call, I

received opportunities resulting in

election to spiritual leadership posi-

tions. I had a place to go when God

transformed my graduate-study aspi-

rations from law school to seminary.

Professors dared to confirm within

me the presence of pastoral gifts and

graces hidden by dissenting voices.

A man was ready to love me and

empower my ministry call all the way

into marital partnership. A pastor and

a denomination willingly guided me on

the unexpected road to ordination.

The blessed result of all of these

influencing people and places is a

woman gratefully freed for joyful

obedience. [LLM]

5 [feature]

www.fmfoundation.org

i Joy M.O. Ireland, a Free Methodist elder in the New South Conference, serves as assistant chaplain at Asbury University.

Connect to

the Free

Methodist

Church on

iPhone,

iPad, or

Android.

Use your

phone or

tablet to

search the

Apple App

Store or

Google Play.

LLM | Feb 2013

Our church celebrates when God calls women to ministry and leadership in

the church.

First, the whole gospel for the whole person and world restores the place

of women to God’s intent in creation. God created humanity — male and female — in

God’s image. God gave this humanity responsibility to care for creation. God then called

this arrangement — the man and the woman together reflecting God’s image, repre-

senting God’s presence, and acting on God’s behalf — “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

When the man and woman sinned, this creative intent suffered sabotage. As a

result, for the woman: “Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you”

(Genesis 3:16). Under the power of sin and death, the woman became subordinate.

But now, under the power of grace, there is new creation as far as the curse is

found. This gospel envisions the man and the woman assuming their God-designed,

complementary responsibilities in the world.

Second, Jesus’ life and ministry lead us to welcome women as full partners in His

ongoing mission. For example, Jesus related to foreign and unclean women as He

did to men (Mark 5:25, John 4:1–42), accepted women as disciples (Luke 10:38),

allowed women to support His ministry (Luke 8:1–3), and appeared to women first

after His resurrection.

Third, Paul, whose writings are often interpreted to oppose women in ministry,

likewise clearly follows his Lord in partnering with women. Paul declares that in Christ

the common social categories that exclude some no longer apply (Galatians 3:28).

He cites Junia as a prominent woman apostle of his day (Romans 16:7) along with

other women (Romans 16:3,6).

Paul also adopts the common social models of his day. He calls the husband head of

his wife, but he cites the headship of Christ as the husband’s example (Ephesians 5:23).

Christ, as head, sacrifices self and dies for His subordinate (Ephesians 5:25–29). Paul

endorses the model but then qualifies it to transform the relationship entirely.

Paul makes two statements (1 Corinthians 14:34–35; 1 Timothy 2:11–12) that

seem to contradict the entire flow of the salvation story, the example of Jesus and

Paul’s other statements on the role of women. Whatever Paul meant should not nul-

lify the clear indications from elsewhere in Scripture. [LLM]

Women — Servants, Pastors, Leaders

[bishops] 6

Bishop David Kendall

To read more from Bishop Kendall, visit fmcusa.org/davidkendall.

i

LLM | Feb 2013

This gospel envisions the man and the woman assuming their God-designed, complementary responsibilities in the world.

The Free Methodist Church roots its stance on ministry leadership and gen-

der in scriptural precedent.

Jesus elevated women by rejecting relational double standards

(Matthew 19:1–12; John 8:1–11). He contradicted the rabbinic teaching that women

earned God’s favor vicariously through husbands and sons. He argued instead that

blessings came from obeying God’s Word (Luke 11:28).

Jesus taught mixed-gender crowds (Matthew 14:21, 15:38), affirmed Mary as

His student (Luke 10:38–42), and talked theology with Martha (John 11:20–27).

He revealed His Messianic identity to a Samaritan woman who became an evangelist

(John 4:4–42). At Jesus’ instruction, women announced His resurrection to other

disciples (Matthew 28:9–10; John 20:17).

Cleopas and his walking companion acknowledged “our women” in Jesus’

entourage (Luke 24:22–24). Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14; Mark 1:30; Luke

4:38–39), Mary Magdalene (Matthew 27:55–56; Mark 15:40–41; Luke 8:2), Mary

and Salome (Matthew 27:55–56; Mark 15:40–41), Joanna and

Susanna (Luke 8:3), and Martha (Luke 10:40; John 12:2) were called

diakonos, the same word used for male church leaders (Acts 6:1–6).

Philip’s daughters prophesied (Acts 21:9). Other women led

during worship services (1 Corinthians 11). Priscilla taught Apollos

(Acts 18:24–26) and earned Paul’s commendation along with Phoebe

the deaconess and Junia the apostle (Romans 16).

While some say Paul constrained women’s ministry roles, others

argue he was addressing specific problems. As Paul wrote, “There is

neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and

female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). [LLM]

Beth K. Armstrong, a Gonzaga University doctoral candidate, serves as an associate pastor at Opportunity Christian Fellowship (Spokane Valley, Wash.). Her dissertation addresses clergy gender equity.

SCRIPTURE:

Matthew 8:14, 14:21,

15:38, 19:1–12,

27:55–56, 28:9–10

Mark 1:30, 15:40–41

Luke 4:38–39, 8:2–3,

10:38–42, 11:28,

24:22–24

John 4:4–42, 8:1–11,

11:20–27, 12:2, 20:17

Acts 6:1–6, 18:24–26,

21:9

Romans 16

1 Corinthians 11

Galatians 3:28

Pro-Women Precedents

7 [foundation]

B Y B E T H K . A R M S T R O N G

LLM | Feb 2013

covered

“Mary Magdalene” by Leonardo Da Vinci

Jessie Ragatz Booth ordination, 1974 (Photo courtesy of Marston Memorial Hisorical Center)

A t a time in U.S. history when women could not vote and few women

worked outside the home, the young Free Methodist denomination

made a radical statement of biblical gender equality by supporting

women evangelists. As the denomination grew and developed, women began

to take on the additional roles of annual and general conference delegates,

deacons and ordained elders.

The first two women delegates, Clara Wetherald of Michigan and Anna

Grant of Indiana, were appointed to the 1890 General Conference and

became the standard-bearers for women in ministry. Wetherald preached

several times during the conference, but women’s ordination was still defeated.

As a result, B.T. Roberts wrote “Ordaining Women,” an 1891 book that still

speaks to debates regarding gender roles in marriage and ministry. Roberts

emphasized, “Men had better busy themselves in building up the temple of

God, instead of employing their time in pushing from the scaffold their sisters,

who are both able and willing to work with them side by side. All restrictions to

positions in the church based on race have been abolished; it is time then that

those based on sex were also abolished.”

Roberts died in 1893, and when the “woman issue” was again brought up

at the 1894 General Conference, it was again defeated. It wouldn’t be until

1911 that women were ordained as deacons and 1974 that women were

ordained as elders.

Despite being denied ordination for more than 100 years, women worked

tirelessly to promote the gospel. Women evangelists established churches

around the country, and women missionaries traveled the world, often dying

on the field. The spread of Free Methodism is largely due to women’s service.

While the names of many of these women have been forgotten, their work

lives on. Their impact on Free Methodist education, ministry and missions

continues to be immense. [LLM]

A Legacy of Women in Ministry

[history] 8

B Y C H R I S T Y M E S A R O S - W I N C K L E S

LLM | Feb 2013

For more of Christy Mesaros-Winckles’ extensive research into FM women’s history, visit freemethodistfeminist.com.

Sabra Dyas is a Free Method-

ist pastor with a calling to the

marketplace.

Dyas is the president and founder

of Main Street Ministries. The Pella,

Iowa–based organization helps people

integrate their faith into all areas of their

lives — including their careers. uuu

B Y J E F F F I N L E Y

LLM | Feb 2013

ministermainto

street

“We’ve separated the workplace

and God’s place for too long,” Dyas

said.

The ordained elder previously

volunteered as a chaplain at the

Kansas hospital where her husband,

Cliff, worked as the facilities director.

“One day I was walking the hall-

ways and realized our workplaces

are places that are hurting places.

People have a really difficult time liv-

ing out their faith,” she said.

Dyas started workplace Bible

studies that resulted in a Tribune,

Kan., church plant. She sensed the

Lord taking her pastoral ministry in a

new direction.

“I just realized my heart was for

the workplace,” Dyas said.

When Dyas and her husband

helped friends Todd and Niki Burch

move from Kansas to Iowa, they

believed God was calling them to

Pella too.

“We knew the Lord was leading

us out, and we thought at that time

it was probably going to be a church

plant,” Dyas said. “I went to Pella,

spied out the land and realized that

it was a really entrepreneurial town

that was open to new ideas and new

thoughts.”

After three months of seeking

God’s direction through prayer, she

decided to launch Main Street Min-

istries in Pella. Instead of serving a

traditional congregation focused on

Sunday gatherings, Dyas leads an

organization that reaches workers

on weekdays through programs

such as Lunch-n-Learn in which

small groups of people meet over

the lunch hour or at breakfast. Main

Street provides a year’s worth of

material discussing a variety of

topics.

“Our first lesson is faith versus

success — what it takes to be suc-

cessful in the business world versus

what it takes to be successful in your

walk with the Lord and how those

two intertwine,” Dyas said.

Since Main Street Ministries

began in November 2010, discus-

sion groups have formed in multiple

states. Two books, “Faith at Work”

and “Faith at WorkBook,” have

spread Main Street’s message of

integrating faith and livelihood. The

group’s Power Text ministry sends

scriptural encouragement via text

message to hundreds of people.

“It’s actually been amazing watch-

ing people come alive spiritually and

to begin to see their places of work

as a field that God has given them,”

Dyas said. “When they’re called to

work, they’re called to be His

ambassadors right there in the

midst of their work.”

Dyas shared Main Street’s vision

and training material with five Free

Methodist annual conferences last

summer.

“This is something

that every single

church could use as

an outreach tool to

set up in their own

communities,” she

said. [LLM]

[action] 10

LLM | Feb 2013

main When we’re called to work, we’re called to be God’s ambassadors right there in the midst of our work.

For more information about Main Street Ministries, visit msministry.org.

Phot

o co

urte

sy o

f Ins

pire

d St

udio

s Cr

eativ

e

11 [news]

Free Methodists will join

female pastors from other

denominations April 11–14

at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes

Park, Colo., for Come to the Water

2013.

Gateway Conference Superinten-

dent Lucia Delamarter will speak on

the theme of “Run With the Spirit”

during the closing worship service

April 14. The following day, she is

scheduled to become president of the

event sponsor, Wesleyan Holiness

Women Clergy.

Deborah Somerville, senior pas-

tor of McPherson (Kan.) FMC, will

participate in a panel discussion on

preaching. Workshop leaders will

include Kathy Callahan-Howell, pastor

of Winton Community FMC in Cincin-

nati, on “Exploring Publishing: Sending

Your Ideas to a Wider Audience”; and

Linda Scandrett Green, assis-

tant pastor of Cornerstone

Christian Fellowship in Omak,

Wash., on “Responding to

the GLBT Community.”

Past participants said

Come to the Water pro-

vides valuable information in

workshops and meaning-

ful connections with other

female pastors.

“I live in a rural area

so worshipping with hun-

dreds of other women

ministry leaders makes

me feel not so alone as a

woman pastor and as a

Free Methodist,”

Scandrett Green said.

Callahan-Howell

also said she has been

blessed each time she

has attended the event

because of the opportu-

nity to worship with so

many other women who

share a call to ministry.

Other participating

denominations include

the Brethren in Christ Church, the

Church of God (Anderson, Ind.), the

Church of the Nazarene, the Evangeli-

cal Friends Church International, the

Salvation Army and the Wesleyan

Church.

Callahan-Howell said Come to the

Water is unlike other conferences for

women in ministry.

For evangelical ordained women,

she said, “This venue stands unique.

So many of our sisters who believe in

women’s ordination come from much

more liberal viewpoints. I enjoy dia-

loguing with women who understand

the Bible to affirm women’s role in

ministry, yet still hold an orthodox

view of Scripture, from a Wesleyan

Holiness perspective.” [LLM]

Women Clergy to Meet in the RockiesB Y J E F F F I N L E Y

For more information, visit fmchr.ch/cometowater.

LLM | Feb 2013

[news] 12

WALKEMEYER ENERGIZED TO SERVELong Beach, Calif.

Larry Walkemeyer, the lead pastor of Light & Life Christian Fellowship North, was

recently elected as one of three stationed superintendents in the Free Methodist

Church of Southern California. The Azusa Pacific University alumnus will oversee

the conference’s central region. Visit fmchr.ch/walkemeyer for Michael J. Metts’

feature story about Walkemeyer.

FULBRIGHT SELECTS WACHTERRoscoe, N.Y.

Allen Wachter — a veterinarian, State University of New York associ-

ate professor, Free Methodist pastor, and correspondence instruc-

tor for the denomination’s Ministerial Credentialing Services — has

been selected as a Fulbright Specialist by the J. William Fulbright

Foreign Scholarship Board. He is being considered for two projects

in Sub-Saharan Africa. Visit fmchr.ch/fswachter for details.

MANDARIN AT MOUNDFORDDecatur, Ill.

Moundford FMC is reaching out to the Chinese-American population of central

Illinois while also educating other community members who would like to write

and speak Mandarin Chinese. The church basement is home to the Sunrise Chi-

nese School, which recently received extensive coverage by the Herald & Review.

Visit fmchr.ch/moundford to read the Herald & Review story.

FM CHARITY HELPS SANDY SURVIVORSGarfield, N.J.

Takin’ It to the Streets, founded by FM Pastor Ron Hampton, served

more than 1,200 residents of Garfield and surrounding townships

with clothing, toiletries, blankets and other donated items following

Hurricane Sandy. Many FM congregations contributed to the effort,

which received coverage in The Record (online at fmchr.ch/njservice).

The Rest of the Story

Want to find in-depth stories of remarkable Free Methodists? Visit fmcusa.org.

We want to hear from you!

Tell us what your church is doing to impact lives in the United States and around the world. Submit your story at fmcusa.org/ yourstory.

i

LLM | Feb 2013

13 [world]

Free Methodists in the southern Philippines

reported extensive losses from a devastating

typhoon.

Super Typhoon Bopha (also known as Pablo within the

Philippines) killed more than 1,000 people and left thou-

sands more homeless. The island of Mindanao suffered

the heaviest damage from the storm.

Bishop Jim Tuan received reports of severe damage to

many FM church buildings and parsonages in the Agusan

Del Sur, Surigao Del Sur and Davao regions of Mindanao.

The typhoon destroyed one church and parsonage while

blowing the roofs off six other church buildings.

“It is sad to hear about the situation of our church

buildings, parsonages, members’ homes and rice fields.

We are giving priority for the local churches rather than

our members since, at this time, our funds are very lim-

ited,” Tuan said.

According to International Child Care Ministries, none

of the ICCM-sponsored children, leaders or staff were lost.

One of the five ICCM projects in the path of Bopha was

dramatically affected. Many families in the area around

Agusan lost houses, belongings and crops in the torrent.

The homes of five ICCM-sponsored children were

destroyed while the homes of many ICCM children and

staff flooded.

Elizabeth Langam, Elim Farm manager, reported the

typhoon damage resulted in 80 percent of the trees being

severely damaged.

“The devastation in the Philippines after Super Typhoon

Bopha ranks with some of the worst I have seen, “Bishop

Matthew Thomas said. “Having lived in the Philippines and

served the Free Methodist Church there, I am familiar

with many of the churches that have been damaged. It

is unimaginable what kind of winds and torrent of rain

poured through there.”

The Bishops’ Crisis Response Fund assisted affected

Free Methodists in the region with relief, temporary reset-

tlement and reconstruction. The fund allows the church to

act quickly when Free Methodists are in distress. Dona-

tions can be made by going to give.fmcusa.org and select-

ing “Bishops’ Crisis Response Fund.” [LLM]

Relief Fund Aids Typhoon Recovery

Residents of the southern Philippines check the damage to a Free Meth-odist Church member’s home. (Photo courtesy of Bishop Jim Tuan)

LLM | Feb 2013

“Character in a saint means the disposition of Jesus Christ persistently

manifested.” — Oswald Chambers

Everyone has a unique God-given story to tell. What’s your story

and call?

God called me into leadership and pastoral ministry. Remem-

bering His call steadies me while living through difficulties and trials.

We grow through challenges. After God calls, He often gives us opportuni-

ties to become like Jesus. The greater the call, the more character building

God requires. According to Gary Chapman, “The message of the Bible is that

God loves us as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us as we are.”

Women and men in ministry can learn from Ruth, King David’s great-

grandmother. She experienced character training in preparation for her

life’s calling. After she lost everything, she decided to stick with God and her

mother-in-law, Naomi. They returned to Bethlehem, where she worked the

fields and provided for Naomi. As a woman and a foreigner, Ruth lacked

status, but God called her to be in the line of David and Jesus.

We want the great call but often resist the necessary character workout

to prepare us to answer the call.

Jesus had the greatest call and character. Even though He was perfect,

God gave Him character-building opportunities. After His baptism (His minis-

try commissioning), the Spirit led Him into the desert for 40 days of testing.

Jesus’ call preceded hardcore training. Our call to ministry — whether great

or small — usually leads to intense character training. God’s character devel-

opment continues throughout our lives.

Great character develops in Jesus’ presence — especially during trials. Jesus

victoriously answered His call. We can too when we follow and obey Him. [LLM]

Henriët Schapelhouman, a Pacific Northwest Conference pastor, is the president of Semper Vita Institute and the author of “The Story Lives,” thestorylives.com.

GROUP DISCUSSION:

[1] Do you know your call?

[2] Have you allowed God

to grow your character?

A Great Call Requires Great Character

[discipleship] 14

B Y H E N R I Ë T S C H A P E L H O U M A N

Did you know a new disciple-ship article is posted to our website each week? The four monthly arti-cles are perfect for use in your small group or as a weekly supplement to individual study.

LLM | Feb 2013

“Ruth and Boaz” by Gustave Dore

“THE FEMALE PASTOR”Bishop David Kendall and Karen Strand

Winslow ask: “Is There Room for She in

Shepherd?”: fmchr.ch/femalepastor.

STATEMENTThe Free Methodist Church’s “State-

ment on Women in Ministry” is avail-

able online and as a PDF:

fmchr.ch/wministry.

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Read more about what Free Methodists and other Bible scholars have to say about women preaching and leading.

“ORDAINING WOMEN” B.T. Roberts’ 1891 book reveals long-

time FM support for women serving

as pastors: fmchr.ch/btordaining.

“WHY NOT WOMEN?” This book looks at women’s ministry

roles in Scripture, history and today’s

global church: fmchr.ch/whynotwomen.

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[resources]

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