Third Reformed, Pella

I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1)

Launching into the third segment of the clergy renewal program – learning from other congregations, I took this past weekend and Monday to do an in-depth visit with Third Reformed in Pella, Iowa.

3rd’s brief story: Rev. Kevin Korver is the Senior Pastor and he has been there 11 years. Before he came, the church had made the decision to relocate to what was then the edge of town (it is not anymore). Bathed in prayer and visionary leadership, the congregation has grown to around 2,000 worshipers.

What I observed: I spent all of Sunday morning on TRC’s campus, sitting in on most of every worship service, seeing the children’s areas, and just soaking it in. I spent all of Monday absorbing from the staff in their prayer meeting and in extensive conversations with Jason Nelson (Executive Director for Ministry) and with several other key staff people over lunch, including Bev Brand (Shelly Nelson’s mother).

Here are some blog observations:

Place

Third’s building seeks to foster a “Third Place” in people’s lives. Everyone needs place to sleep and call home (1st place), place to work (2nd place), and place to develop meaningful relationships and experiences (3rd place). The entire campus is laid out to be such a place.

Worship space is broad and shallow. Seating around 750, the intent is not to worship any larger than that number, so people can see each other and connect better. Thus, they have 3 services – see below – to accommodate 2,000 people. The space behind the sanctuary is wide and open for both overflow and fellowship. There is a small chapel for smaller gatherings.

Varieties of nooks around the church have couches and end tables to provide incidental space for conversation and prayer.

A coffee and café provides space for food and fellowship on a small scale. You can drink free coffee during church fellowship, or head to the coffee bar for espresso, latte, smoothies, and light menu fare. By the way, the free coffee is the best church coffee I’ve ever had!

A book store and small library are nearby giving space to engage your mind and ideas and vision.

The children’s area is in a window-less basement, but full of light and creativity. It’s both fun and interactive – engaging the senses of the children.

The third phase of their building is now under construction (12 million dollars) and will provide more spaces for adult education, prayer, a smaller worship auditorium, and a specific area dedicated for 24/7 prayer.

As Trinity proceeds, it may be wise for our planners to take a walk through this facility. I am most grateful to Casey, the leader of the facility ministry team, for taking me around the facility. Casey is a life-long member of Third and has seen all the changes. While admitting some times were hard, he is extraordinarily blessed to be part of what God is doing and would welcome any of you to visit him.

Pace

One of the things I wanted to observe is how Third does a morning worship schedule with 3 services. I expected it to be a rush-rush morning, but the pace was surprisingly pleasant, with no over crowding and no crammed spaces. Here’s their morning schedule:

8:10 Blended Worship (mostly hymns, sometimes with a praise team, occasionally with an organ).

9:30 Contemporary Worship

11:00 Contemporary Worship

During the school year, Sunday School takes place during both 9:30 and 11:00 worship. This alleviates overcrowding in children’s areas. Families are asked to generally commit to one of the two Sunday Schools.

For a long time, I have wanted to maintain the one Sunday school hour format, but I really probed their staff about concurrent Sunday school (do children come to worship? Do adults go to Sunday school? What about teens?, and the like). They all agreed that while there are trad-offs, this model works well.

In Trinity’s case, both our size and facility limitations may cause us to consider three morning services. Perhaps there is something to learn from Third’s morning schedule.

I also watched how Kevin walked through the morning. Instead of going to the back of the church to have a quick handshake with everyone, he stayed up front. People who wanted to come could, and he spent time with each one, staying until the sanctuary emptied, often praying with each person. I really enjoyed observing his pace with the congregation – “walking slowly through the crowd.”

Prayer

When you ask the staff people about what they attribute Third’s experience to, they all resolutely return to prayer. Bev Brand told me the stirring story of how a group of people prayed fervently for 10 year for revival and for the Holy Spirit to come on Third in a powerful way. The land was prayed over. The building was prayed over. Even in their new building, people wrote out prayers that are tucked into the foundation, ceiling joists, and wall studs. Everywhere you look there were neon scraps of paper with prayers written on them. The new addition will feature a 24/7 prayer area with varieties of focus.

It confirmed some of the things we have been trying to do at Trinity and re-energized my own commitment to prayer.

Missions

One of the chronic concerns about larger churches is that they lose their focus on missions. At Third, this is not the case at all. In fact, it has spurred deeper involvement in mission. Their aim in missions is to develop long-term relationships with the places they serve with. So they have build a school in Haiti and send two or more groups a year to help. Over 200 people just returned from two different weeks in Mexico, where they worked with a housing agency to help build homes and bless the people. Another place of deep involvement is central America. Over 15% of their worshiping body will be out of the country this year on international service projects. And, before embarking on the third phase of building, they dedicated the first 25% of the project to missions – well over $1 million.

Governance

Perhaps the most significant new piece of learning for me was the time spent with Jason Nelson. He walked me through Third’s governance. This might sound boring, but it was absolutely energizing to me – how do you unleash the church for growth without getting bogged down in the minutia.

Third transitioned to a system similar to Trinity’s in some ways – a smaller leadership team and an expanded consistory. But they chose to use a very clear style of governance, known as “Policy Governance.” This is way too technical for some blog readers, but our leaders will be interested in seeing their handbook on it, which they were most gracious to share with me. It is the same system that the RCA has been encouraging churches to consider. It uses a style of policy governance known as the “Carver Governance.” A couple of main themes include the chief role of the top leadership group to focus almost entirely on what the “ends” of the church are (goals) and then unleash the ministry areas and teams and consistory to utilize “means” to accomplish those ends.

What this has meant for Third is an effective structure that gives great freedom to develop new ministries, but within clear guidelines.

Next up….

Indepth visit with David Izenbart and Living Springs Community Church (multicultural), and with Bob Bouwer and Charlie Contreras of Faith Reformed (church growth without losing focus on service to others).

Fore! Report

In a slight oversight, I failed to mention recent golf scores....


As proof that I have not been golfing much on sabbatical, Bill Muilenburg defeated me twice in recent weeks, both by stellar margins. My only slight claim at success came at the hands of Chuck Lubbers, who shot a 51 to my 50. Even a nice birdie on number 6 couldn't salvage his round. I had the (non)distinct privilege of recording a grace-filled 8 on the par 3 number 2 - and that was without losing a ball in the water.

Clergy Renewal - Part 3

The Renewal Program has three main components - rest and renewal (this is happening throughout the time frame), connecting with the global church, and learning from other congregations.

The global connections portion is completed, although I still am digesting the profound impact on my life and you'll likely see more entries reflecting that.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be visiting other congregations for more in-depth visits (click on church name for link to their website):

Third Reformed, Pella, Iowa. Kevin Korver is the Senior Pastor. Third has undergone significant growth along with a re-location over a decade ago. There are many friendship and family ties between Third and Trinity. I have known some of the staff for many years. Jon Nelson was discipled at Third while attending Central. Shelly Nelson grew up at Third and her mother is on staff. Her family is greatly involved in a ministry in Haiti started at Third. And Rob Vande Lune grew in Pella, attending Third during high school. Somethings I hope to interact with: relocating without losing focus, multiple services and children's ministry, 24-7 prayer ministry, weeknight worship, healing prayer services, building momentum with all generations.

Living Springs Community Church, Glenwood, Illionois. David Izenbart is the senior pastor. LSCC's calling card is "To be a multi-cultural spirit filled church that radically blesses our community and beyond." David and I both hail from Wisconsin and NWC and Fuller Seminary. He is also a past youth intern at Trinity during his NW days - 1985-1989. Somethings I hope to interact with: reformed in theology and charismatic in ministry, welcoming new cultures into a historically Dutch congregation, launching an intensive leadership training ministry to raise up new leaders for the church and kingdom.

Faith Church, Dyer, Indiana. Bob Bouwer is the senior pastor. Bob and I were both raised in the same church and nurtured in faith by the same pastor - his dad Bill. Faith's passion has been to be a seeker targeted congregation without losing its reformed roots. In their extensive building campaigns, the dedicated certain portions to missions locally and globally (something Third, Pella, also did). Somethings I hope to learn: building and sustaining a gifted team, reaching out without dumbing down, unleashing the creative gifts of lay people in the arts.

As time allows, I'll also be visiting with Mike Pitzenberger of Christ Memorial in Holland, Michigan. Mike serves with Steve Vander Molen, and I'd like to explore with them the nature of care-giving as a congregation grows.

This season of the program will offer the most immediate learning opportunities in the short term future.

The Master’s Touch

[Note: There were certain moments in Japan that were worth pondering a little deeper, and I’m using some reflection time to enjoy those moments a little longer. This is one such moment.]

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

It was just an ordinary keyboard – nice, basic, but nothing necessarily grand about it. We first heard it as background music accompanying another instrument – nice, basic, but definitely in the background. It was what you would expect from your basic electronic keyboard. It wasn’t supposed to be anything more.

Until she touched it.

Dr. Juyeon Kang, Assistant Professor of Music at Northwestern College and world-class pianist, was traveling with the NWC Drama Team on this trip. When possible, she performed along with them. But at Yukinoshita Congregation in Kamakura there was a small problem: they have no piano. They have a grand pipe organ, but no piano.

On June 1st, at a welcome dinner, a guest brought in the simple keyboard to accompany a flute. After dinner, they asked Dr. Kang to play. A world-class pianist, used to the finest instruments, answers a request to play an electronic keyboard.

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” arranged to classical format, streamed from the small speakers and filled the room. For four minutes, a keyboard became a grand piano and everyone stopped in their tracks. It had ceased to be a background instrument and transformed into a concert grand.

The fifty or so people gathered stopped all they were doing and hung on every note, hearts gathering around the glory of Christ in the beauty of the moment.

The moment froze for me as I pondered God’s work in each of our lives. Most of us would see ourselves as rather ordinary people – mere background noise to the world’s cacophony of activity.

Until the Master Potter touches.

He takes what seems to be rather ordinary pieces of pottery and clay and molds them into beauty unmatched and purposes beyond belief. As C.S. Lewis once said, “There are no ordinary people.” For those known by Christ are being transformed day by day into something extraordinary.

In the hands of the Father’s touch, you are far from ordinary. Start believing it today.

June 15 - Re-entry and Loss

Jet-lag hit us hard, but not nearly as hard as opening our e-mails and seeing the news of more dear saints going home to Jesus.

We knew that both Fran Duven and Lois Hector were not well, and that for them, the hope of heaven was an eager anticipation, having lived many years. Yet, it is hard to not have been in town to say good bye to these dear saints in the Lord. I will never forget the night I took sixth grade boys to visit Fran, and her joy at telling them her life story, and their amazement at her recollection of the past. And Lois was continually counting the blessings of her life. She would often sing parts of the hymn "Count Your Many Blessings" during our visits - whether it was recalling God's faithfulness in their ministry or family, she was always so grateful for all that she had experienced in life.

Then we learned of tragedy in the Herda family, with the accident that took Dave's life. How our hearts go out to the Mars family and Andy and Jessica, and Nick and Leah. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating weddings and graduations. Our hearts ache with Brenda in the sudden and tragic loss of her husband.

And then on Friday more tragedy. Mike Vander Meulen also died in a tragic accident while driving truck. It seems too much to bear, and again our hearts ache with Peggy and long for God's grace in this sudden sorrow.

There are many of our sisters and brothers in Japan who are reading this blog, and I invite us all to join in prayer for these families who have lost dear loved ones.

In the coming days, I hope to include some reflections on the global experience in Japan and invite you to check back.

June 9-13 – Culture, History, and Fun!

From the Korver’s we headed on Saturday, June 9, to explore Tokyo on our own. A small-town Iowa family of 6 in a city of 12 million! I love an adventure, and, thankfully, my family put up with me for the quest to explore the unknown.

We stayed in the New Takanawa Prince Hotel, just a 5 minute walk from the Shinagawa train station. One of the things we had fun exploring was how easy it is to get around massive urban areas with efficient mass transit.

Saturday and Sunday we experienced Tokyo culture and history. We attended a martial arts demonstration in Shinukju area. And we enjoyed a “Tokyo Morning Tour” by bus, seeing the entire city from Tokyo Tower (tallest structure in Tokyo), witnessing the ancient Shinto Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace and East Gardens, along with driving through contemporary Tokyo’s shopping district, called the Ginza.








On Monday, we explored sites outside of Tokyo, taking a tour to Mt. Fuji and Hakone regions. The weather only gave us glimpses of Japan’s tallest peak, but the views into the lush Japanese countryside were incredible. The tour included a ride on a lake as well as an aerial tram to the top of a small peak. We returned to Tokyo via bullet train.

One remarkable blessing is that the members or our family that get motion sickness endured 8 modes of transportation in only 48 hours and didn’t get sick – bus, train, subway, car, boat, aerial tram, bullet train, and air plane!

Tuesday was an unscheduled day and we decided to let the kids choose the events. It was a no-brainer. Having now overdosed on culture and history the choice was easy – Tokyo Disney Sea! It was an absolute blast. School in Japan was still in session, so the crowds were minimal – no more than a 5 minute wait for any ride. It was a great family way to end our experience.









June 13 was the longest day repeated backwards. We left for the airport at 11 a.m. Our plane took off at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday from Tokyo and landed at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday in Detroit! Yep, we landed before we took off. And it still took us nearly 30 hours to get home.

June 7&8 – Korver Kindness

“…partnership in the Gospel…” (Philippians 1:5)

The official part of the exchange now over, we enjoyed two amazing days with Ron and Ruby Korver. Ron came to Japan in 1946 and never left. Ruby, native to Japan, has a remarkable story of her journey into Christ. Together they have formed an enduring partnership in Christ’s work for the salvation of the people of Japan.

It is beautiful to watch them labor side by side for Christ.

In our two full days with them, we shared much time together relaxing and seeing their part of Japan. The kids’ favorite was, of course, the beach, but we also visited a garden and museum area once owned by Emperor Hirohito. On Friday, we journeyed out to Enoshima – an island not far from Kamakura and Zushi. Ascending to its highest point by escalator and elevator, we took a leisurely stroll back down to the ocean.

In our stay with the Ron and Ruby we were all very grateful for their life of ministry and open hearts to sharing life with us. What was impressed upon our family was seeing the fruit of ministry over a life-time of commitment to Christ. They spear-headed the fellowship exchange program in retirement and are overjoyed to see it continue. They also continue to hold Bible studies in their home, which have been an incredible blessing to the believers.

Would you pray a prayer of thanks for their tireless effort for Christ? And then pray for them as they make important decisions on their own future. They intend to decide soon whether to live full time in Japan or in Green Bay, WI, where some of their children live.

Here are some pictures of our time at the Korvers:

June 6 – Christ in Yokohama & Dutch Bingo

[NOTE: The next several entries were posted after our safe return of June 13. Due to lack of internet access we were unable to make updates.]

During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (Acts 16:9)

The morning brought good-byes at the church, and the 2007 Fellowship Exchange between Trinity and Yukinoshita Congregation has come to an end. In our hearts we immediately made plans for what we will do when our sisters and brothers visit us in Orange City.

The NWC drama team headed to Yokohama Union Church for a morning performance to preschool children and their parents. The Opgenorth’s tagged along.

Ken & Linda are both ordained pastors in this unique ministry to the international community. Yokohama has a significant number of English speaking people from various parts of the world, and this church is one of the oldest Protestant churches in Japan, dating to the 19th century. Linda graduated from Hope and Ken graduated from Dubuque and is ordained in the PCUSA. The Union Church is an English-speaking congregation, making it quite unique that a Japanese pastor preaches to an English congregation.

The congregation has had three buildings in its history. It’s first sat up to 500 people in a very European-looking large church (I think during the period of many foreigners living here and few churches). That building was eventually given to start Ferris School. The building was destroyed in the epic earthquake of 1923 that destroyed most of Yokohama.

The church’s second building was also destroyed, but this time by a bomb from a US raid in World War II. Ironically, it was the only bomb that fell in that entire neighborhood during the fire-bombing that occurred.

The church then met in a variety of locations through the years and in 2004 the congregation built a beautiful facility with 84 chairs. Although small in size, it has a thriving pre-school ministry and very capable pastoral leadership. To my eye it seems primed for growth.

The team performed three short “Ancient Plays” and ate a wonderful lunch. After lunch, just before leaving, the team performed an enacted prayer for Ken & Linda’s ministry. The prayer they want answered was “We are praying for a partnership with an American church to do a week of VBS in Yokohama and for the Holy Spirit to fill this place.”

The enacted prayer was beautiful and many tears streamed down the faces of Ken and Linda.

Could he be a man in “Macedonia” calling out to Trinity?

One of the unique things about partnering with this congregation is that there is no language barrier with the children they are reaching out to. Something to pray about.

Another interesting part of the visit was seeing the architecture of the church. The Barker’s and Opgenorth’s immediately saw some qualities we thought were beautiful for Trinity – large hewn wooden beams, loads of natural light, stone floor, elegant (but portable) furniture, and a unique way every member’s participation was seen in the design of one window.

Finally, we met a 1992 NWC grad (pictured, but I cannot remember her name). She brought with her the 1992 yearbook and it was fun to see old pics of people like Rick Scholtens and Kris Korver.

The afternoon was spent with Beth Bonnema (her married name is Japanese and I forgot it). On one side of her family, Beth is a first cousin to Marlys Van Aartsen. On the other side, she is a first cousin to Paul Aykens.

Beth came to Yokohama in the early 1960s on an RCA short-term volunteer program (3.5 years) and never left. She met a man who would become a Japanese Baptist minister, and they were married. Her husband died, and she stayed in Japan. Now she is retired and took our family around Yokohama for the day.

We saw a museum detailing the presence of Westerners in Yokohama and then enjoyed the modern down town. Because the earthquake and war destroyed much of the city, the down town was rebuilt with lots of planning and is a very modern city. Among other sites, we traveled to the top of Landmark Tower (the tallest building in Japan), rode the giant Ferris wheel called “Cosmo World,” and a fun little roller coaster called Spinning Coaster.

Thanks, Beth, for a great day in your city!

Then it was back to Zushi by train and we relocated to Ron and Ruby Korver’s, where we’ll spend Thursday and Friday.

June 5 - Sayunara

And the tears begin....

But they are tears of joy for a faith being made strong.

Today is the last official day of the exchange. Since the NW team is going to a school to do the same material, we use the day to do a little laundry and spend some time at the beach before heading out to a sayunara party at the church.

Andrew loves all the different cars we are seeing. Yesterday's picture was of him in the tiniest Nissan we've ridden in. We actually fit five people in that car! Today's picture is of him Hideki's Jaguar, at the opposite end of the size chart :).

There's also a picture of Julie trying on the kimono the girls are bringing home from Japan.

The sayunara was a very special time indeed. Once again, the ladies of the church out-did themselves with an extravagant meal. We enjoyed lots of fellowship, followed by various piano players stepping up to play songs. There were many tears of joy from our time and sadness that this portion is over so soon.

I will hope to have more posts on the deeper things the Lord is showing me on this journey to Kamakura, but one thing is very evident - Yukinoshita Church is growing as a congregation as more young people are becoming involved. The faith of the long-time members is rich the life. And there seems to be an even stronger outward focus for ministry. A joy permeates the people we have met, and a deep hunger for the Lord is prevalent among them.

This is likely my last post for several days, as we're moving on June 6 to the Korver's. They do not have Internet access, so the blog will need it's own sayunara!