Why Ephesus and Laodicea Still Speak to Us in the Netherlands

Johann and Louise: Training Disciples to Make Disciples in the Netherlands Last week I had the privilege of teaching on a theme that has become increasingly important for the faithful interpretation of the Scriptures in the secular West, namely reading the New Testament with both our Old Testament Ear and our Old-World Ear. When we allow Scripture’s own story and the ancient world’s cultural cues to inform our reading, our understanding is biblically and culturally informed and the messages of Jesus to the churches in Revelation come alive with remarkable clarity. In the first session we listened to Jesus’ words to Ephesus, a church fiercely committed to orthodoxy yet in danger of losing the very love that was meant to be their distinguishing mark. In the second we turned to Laodicea, a wealthy and confident church whose tepid spiritual condition was mirrored by their famously lukewarm water supply. In many ways these two congregations mirror the responses we often see here in the Netherlands: some believers retreat into a guarded, insular pursuit of truth, while others adopt a syncretistic approach in which “all paths lead upward,” or they quietly capitulate to the surrounding culture. During the break between the two lectures, I spoke with an attendee who kindly shared her conviction that all religions ultimately lead to the same god. We had a thoughtful and respectful conversation, not about doctrines or rituals, but about the radically different gods at the heart of these faiths and how incompatible these visions ultimately are. It was one more gentle confirmation to Louise and me that the Lord has called us to serve here in Heiloo, where people are genuinely open to honest dialogue about faith—often more open than they realise. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all who responded so generously to our recent appeal for support through SAMS-USA. Our account has risen from $11,000 to $17,000, a remarkable encouragement to us. We are still some distance from meeting our full need, but we are profoundly grateful for every gift and every prayer. Your partnership makes this ministry possible, and we do not take it for granted. There is a window of openness here in North Holland—an attentiveness, even a curiosity—and it may not last forever. But for now, the fields truly seem white for harvest. Pray with us that we will make the most of this moment, listening well, loving faithfully, and bearing witness to the One who walks among His churches still. With gratitude and hope, Johann & Louise van der Bijl Support Us Johann and Louise spent two years helping to develop the St. Frumentius Seminary in Gambella, Ethiopia. They then worked in Southern Africa, serving in seven southern African countries, while continuing to work with the Diocese of Egypt, North Africa through engaging in a disciple making movement in order to grow the body of Christ. They are now serving in Heiloo, the Netherlands. We are sent  through the Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders, a missionary sending community, engaging in building relationships with the worldwide church to experience the broken restored, the wounded healed, the hungry fed, and the lost found through the love and power of Jesus Christ.  Support SAMS Copyright © 2016 Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders, All rights reserved. www.sams-usa.org      Our mailing address is: PO Box 399 Ambridge PA 15003 Attention to: Johann and Louise van der Bijl Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

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