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Sleepless before Seattle
09/04/05
"When [Paul] came to
Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not
believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him
to the apostles… so Paul stayed with them… Acts 9:26-28
The Seattle Leadership Conference
is only a few days away! God must be planning "something in [those]
days that [we] would never believe, even if someone told [us], (Acts
13:41) because Satan is furiously attacking so many of us. Sadly in this “age
of letters” a new memo, bulletin article or “open letter” often comes up
on our various websites seemingly attacking brothers instead of exposing
Satan’s schemes. Most agree that our fellowship’s disunity has caused each
of us many sleepless nights.
Let me begin by praising the LA
Elders and Evangelists for their recent letter to all the churches entitled, "Call
To Brotherhood Unity And Revival." (August 28, 2005) This letter is a
humble call for discipling congregations around the world to join together in a
worldwide revival. The Portland Church has gladly joined the LA Church because
we fully agree with the accompanying "Statement of Unified
Brotherhood." At our Jubilee in Portland just two weeks ago, I was very
moved and honored to be invited to a Saturday afternoon meeting with Al Baird,
Bruce Williams, Steve Johnson, Doug Arthur, John Louis, and Mike Fontenot (all
speakers at Portland) to “as a team” discuss how this “Statement” of
“core beliefs,” all of us have held so dear for many years, might be worded.
I so appreciate their incorporating my suggestion made in my Friday night speech
for a Brotherhood Day of Prayer and Fasting for Unity. The LA leaders are
suggesting Friday, October 7, 2005.
I fully realize that much of the
turmoil of the past years was caused by my leadership sins and shortcomings, or
a bitter reaction to them. I hope and pray that brothers will extend forgiveness
for my sins that hurt them and mercy so I may be a part of a rebuilding team to
gather the churches into a brotherhood that could evangelize the world in the
21st century. I fully understand that Biblically to receive forgiveness, I must
extend to those that hurt me this unique Christian grace. These past few years
have been extremely difficult. Through Christ, I too must conquer my “bruised
ego,” “my over-defensiveness for my ministry” and then extend respect and
forgiveness to those with whom I presently have disagreements.
Last week I received a phone call
from my friend Mike Taliaferro. He asked several pointed questions concerning my
article "The Portland Story." I realize from that conversation
what I wrote could be misunderstood by even my friends. To give Mike a
background for my thoughts, I shared with Mike about all the calls from weak,
hurting disciples received weekly. We simply want to help these wounded souls as
well as to be arm-in-arm with all who desire revival in our churches and to see
the world evangelized. I then shared with him my admiration for his “faith and
guts” in God’s work in San Antonio as well as his life-long work in Africa.
I felt much closer to Mike after our conversation. How awesome it will be for us
all to be in Seattle to talk face to face! These heartfelt interactions are such
a “balm” for hurting relationships. Tragically, many of us leaders have some
relationships still strained or separated by "fear" with
other leaders. Therefore, let me suggest the need of the hour are "Barnabases"
who are willing to be bridges between brothers to override fear thus reconciling
a "Paul to the apostles." (Acts 9:26-28)
Let us not forget the angel’s
words to "General Joshua" when Joshua asked "Are you for us
or for our enemies?" The angel answered, "Neither, but
as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." Then Joshua
humbly fell on his face in reverence and said, "What message does my
Lord have for his servant?" If all of us in Seattle
"sign-up" to be "on the Lord’s side" and ask "what
message does God have for me his servant?" then God may well do the humanly
impossible and unify all discipling ministries through His atoning blood shed on
the cross! Then the Scriptures will prove true, "God grants sleep to
those He loves. (Psalm 127:2)
Kip McKean
Elders-In-Training
Response to Sleepless in Seattle
It has been an exciting ride these past two years here in Portland, Oregon! We
too commend the L.A. Church and their decision to introduce a vehicle to assist
in helping churches to return to the standard of the Bible. We are so grateful
for all the ways God has allowed the two of us to not only serve the
congregation here in Portland, but also help others from different towns,
cities, states, and countries. Hardly a day that goes by without a call from a
brother or leader in another congregation asking for help and wanting to come
visit Portland. Every week there are at least ten people visiting to “see”
the Portland Church. God is being glorified through the efforts of all the
brothers and sisters here in Portland who have not only made it their goal to
please God through seeking and saving the lost, but also have worked hard to
help the saved stay that way! It is also a pleasure to work as gospel partners
in the Lord with the other House Church Leaders and the McKeans. Each individual
in this team leadership group has genuinely laid down their lives for both
disciples and non-Christian friends in so many ways. Through God using the
unwavering faith and church builder expertise of Kip and Elena, we definitely
have developed and forged a strong leadership group here full of mutual respect,
cooperation and love between all of us. Perhaps our most special time of the
week is our discipling partner time on Sunday evenings. The Bertalots, Untalans,
and McKeans all get discipling, both correction and encouragement from each
other! We are truly best friends. Pray for God to unify the churches so this
lost world will be won for Christ!
Bob Bertalot & Tony Untalan
Elders in Training
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