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May 5, 2024 Eastertide
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I had the great privilege of participating in the ACNA delegation to Manila, Philippines April 20-25 for the signing of a Concordat of Full Communion between the International Conference of the Philippine Independent Catholic Churches of Jesus Christ (ICPICCJC) and the ACNA. This was an historic moment as a part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church too often torn by schism was stitched back together in answer to the High Priestly prayer of Jesus in John 17. The Filipino hospitality of our hosts was quite warm (as was the weather), the times of worship and prayer were marked with life-giving vitality, and the concluding Eucharist for the signing and sealing of the Concordat was glorious. We had the joyful opportunity to experience a demonstration of Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:4-6. “There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Since returning to the States, I have reflected a bit on this experience and have recognized three Kingdom realities that were at work during this ministry trip. I share them with you now as a reminder that these realities are principles that should always mark our Gospel ministry regardless of the immediate context. TRUST This Concordat had been prepared and agreed to over five years ago. Numerous delays in signing it ensued due to the global pandemic, restrictions on international travel, and obstacles to the Philippine delegation in obtaining visas to travel to the States for the signing. For years, we worked and waited in trustful anticipation that God would make a way for this Kingdom work to come to fruition. True to his word, God overcame all earthly obstacles and limitations by the power of his Spirit to accomplish this good work. Perhaps today you are facing some areas of your life or ministry that have seemed to be “on hold” for too long. Perhaps you have grown susceptible to the lies of the enemy that what God has promised you “will never happen”. Remember, God is faithful and he does not lie. He makes all things beautiful in his time. We can trust him! “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:3-6
TEAM It was a source of great joy and encouragement to work with everyone involved in the process leading up to the signing of this Concordat. Many worked behind the scenes at both the Diocesan and Provincial levels over five years to bring this to fruition. The mutual encouragement and practical support of all of the members of the ACNA delegation was a great blessing. From Jesus’ sending out of the 72 to the example of the missionary journeys in the Book of Acts, Scripture reveals that the work of the Kingdom is best done in partnership with others. In pairs we experience mutual support and encouragement. In broader teams, we see the effectiveness of multiple giftings and broader counsel and have the opportunity to raise up new people into their leadership callings. We must not succumb to the temptation to “go it alone” for whatever reason. Team is God’s method. Developing the people of God in their giftings and callings requires collaboration and pays dividends as teams share the load and protect us from burnout. “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 TIME A great deal of time went into the development of this Concordat and a very intense season of time in travel (two days of 30+ hours of travel) and meetings were necessary to bring it to completion. Yet, at the heart of all of this, time was given to attend to God in prayer and worship and to build relationships with our Filipino brothers and sisters. Kingdom work flows through relationships, first with God and then with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Neither can be overlooked without true detriment to the fruit of our labors. There is a place for the diligent work of the Marthas of the world without losing the importance of our first love as the Marys who sit intently at Jesus’ feet. Remember the priority revealed in Jesus’ initial calling of the apostles after spending a whole night in prayer…first to be with him before being sent by and for him. “And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.” Mark 3:13-15 Early in my ministry, I was deeply impacted by the works of E. M. Bounds on prayer. In his work Power Through Prayer, he writes in the vernacular of his day using the term “men” inclusively. We would rightly read it today as “men and women”. He states: “The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men… What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use -- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men -- men of prayer.” Loved ones, wherever we live and labor today in God’s vineyard, whatever the challenges we face, whatever the hope in God’s goodness that calls us forward, let us be by God’s grace a people of trust who labor in teams and give our time to attend to him and his people. As we yield ourselves continually to him and his gracious working in and through our lives, may there be increasing unity in Christ’s body that results in Kingdom fruitfulness blessing the people around us and glorifying our Father in heaven. Please pray with me:
“O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace to take to heart the grave dangers we are in through our many divisions. Deliver your church from all enmity and prejudice, and everything that hinders us from godly union. As there is one body and one Spirit, on hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so make us all to be of one heart and of one mind, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and love, that with one voice we may give you praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God in everlasting glory. Amen. Your servant and fellow witness for Jesus’ sake, +Mark
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