elder Monthly Message
elder letter ~ july 2010
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life (Psalm 138.7)
When we call on God during our time of trouble, plead His promise of deliverance but not receive it, and continue to be oppressed by our trouble until we are in the very thick of the center of trouble, we may tell ourselves “don’t bother the Lord anymore” or “give up”.
When Martha said to the Lord “if you had been here, my brother would not have died (John 11:21), Jesus replied to her lack of hope with His great promise “Your brother will rise again” (John 11:23). The Lord has made me experience some deep valleys, as well as some high mountain tops, and when I have trusted Him, He has always delivered me. Not when or how I wanted Him to, but His deliverance was always better than my way would have been. And through it all, my faith has been strengthened and my trust in Him has increased. Prayer was always the answer. Prayer always gave me peace; but sometimes the peace came very stubbornly because my trust was not strong enough, or I had let doubt creep into my heart.
When we walk in the center of trouble and are tempted to think like Martha, that we are past the point of ever being delivered, our Lord also answers us with a promise from His Word: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.”
Although His answer seems so long in coming and we continue to walk in the midst of trouble, the center of trouble is the place where He preserves us, not the place where He fails us. The times we continue to walk in seemingly utter hopelessness are the very times He will stretch out His hand to us. So never lose hope; always trust in our wonderful and faithful Lord.
In Christ’s Name and in His service,
Ron Jones
ELder letter ~ June 2010
A few years ago a close family friend, Kim Saxton, finally convinced me to set some goals. So, now at the start of every year I write down my goals and really try to discern what the Lord would have for me over the next 12 months.
Well this year I am doing something different-midyear goals-and the goal for me this summer is clear:
Over the next three months I am going to lead my family as we walk together in the spirit of 1 Corinthians 13.
We, as a family, are going to go the extra mile for each other in love, patience, kindness, and perseverance.
Can you imagine if you took every member of your family and lifted them up in a spirit of love and kindness? How about if everybody in your family did the same for you?
How sweet would life be under those circumstances?
In 1 Corinthians it says that this is ..."the most excellent way." Yet for many of us, we tend to treat perfect strangers with more kindness and with more respect than the people with whom we are truly sharing life with.
I'm not sure what leads family members to take each other for granted or what causes distance between us and our loved ones.
But I do know that with the truth of the scriptures and some good, solid prayer we can all have the kind of relationships that God desires for us.
And what better place to start than at home?
In His service, Tom Frankl
Elders letter ~ May 2010
I have enjoyed running since January 1, 1980; yes, the only New Year’s Resolution I have ever made, and I have kept it! I remember on that cold January day I could barely go a block without almost collapsing; however, 1980 I made running a priority. I ran before work, during lunch, and on weekends. When I traveled for work, I would do the long runs on the day of arrival. By December 1980, I ran my first marathon and was happy with the results. However, my marathon days are over! I have to admit though that what I do now I consider jogging instead of running.
Does God challenge us to exercise? Consider the following three verses. Are these exhortations to start an exercise program?
• 1 Timothy 4:8 “For physical training is of some value…”
• Hebrews 12:1 “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
• Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Did you notice the “…” used to finish 1 Timothy 4:8? The rest of the verse is “…but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” The analogy is made to running, but the exercise program God wants you to start (or continue) is not for physical exercise, but spiritual resulting in godliness. A passion for running may be good; however, a passion to be fully devoted followers of Jesus is so much better.
Rick Hill
Elder mailed Letter to body - March 2010
Dear SCBC Family: March 19, 2010
These are exciting days at SCBC as we see God’s hand working through His people. As Elders, we often hear of wonderful results when the ministries and people of SCBC introduce people to the love of Jesus and grow them into fully devoted followers of Him.
Through the communication cards we have been receiving great reviews on our two unique Worship Services format. The youth ministry continues to grow and touch more young people for Christ. Our Growth Groups and Food Network classes are helping us mature in our faith. Our feedback about the DDP has been successful with people spending time each day in God’s word. The Grand Prix event and Awana program as well as the Parents class are impacting our young families. Celebrate Recovery continues to impact people dealing with their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. The new College Age group has had a strong start. Men’s and Women’s ministries continue to encourage our adults to live more like Jesus. It is easy to see why we are so excited and for this we thank and praise God for His blessings and faithfulness.
The Lord is also allowing us a significant opportunity to trust Him even more on the subject of SCBC finances. As you can see in our weekly bulletin, our budget deficit is increasing.
A few years ago the Elders learned a valuable lesson as we listened to our congregation. It was communicated to us that in the future, the Elders were asked to be more transparent regarding the challenges we face.
As you all know, the world wide recession has impacted businesses, governments, families, and also churches. With the recession in progress, the Elders established our present fiscal year budget (July 2009 to June 2010) of $1,782,555 based on current giving up to that time. This budget was intended to maintain the existing ministry and staff level. Even with this conservative approach, our contributions are running consistently below budget as you can see in the graph below.
At the current trend the budget deficit is projected to be about $207,000 at the end of the fiscal year. It is currently at $115,000 and continues to increase. This deficit will significantly impact SCBC’s ministry ability.
The Elders have been tracking the finances and taken action to reduce the deficit. These actions have included:
• Freezing staff pay
• Shifting some more of the cost of staff health care to the staff
• Reducing the department budgets and cutting back ministry
• Seeking more congregational support for events
Although this world offers no confidence, Jesus is our confidence. He has made it clear that He will build His kingdom, and we are offered the opportunity to participate with Him. The Apostle Paul offered the Gentile churches an opportunity to help build Christ’s kingdom by partnering with the Jewish churches in Judea through financial offerings. Paul used a bit of irony to encourage the Corinthians to give and pointed out the “rich generosity” of the Macedonian churches even in their “extreme poverty.”
Jesus taught, “So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?’ … Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
As we are challenged to Worship, Serve, and Grow, realize that this is a great opportunity to partner with Him and be blessed.
We believe God’s challenge to us is to be like the Macedonians and give incrementally more, and the Elders have committed to increase their personal giving. We ask that those who currently are not giving should prayerfully consider what the Lord would lead you to give consistently. We also ask that those who do currently give consider prayerfully what you can give additionally. An increase of 10% in giving will not completely solve the deficit problem, but will allow us to finish the fiscal year without considering reduction in staffing. Such an increase would mean for example, if you are already giving $500 a month, then it would mean an additional $50 per month. If you are already giving $2,000 per month, then it would mean an additional $200 per month.
The Elders are not asking the congregation to do something that they are not willing to do; therefore, each Elder has committed to increase their giving by 10%.
Our church has a rich heritage praying and fasting to help us trust God at times of great challenge and now is such an opportunity to pray, fast and depend completely on the Lord. The Elders believe that, as God’s people, we will prayerfully, faithfully, and sacrificially rise up to meet this challenge head on. We are trusting God to move in our hearts and to help us end the year meeting our budget. We are asking all of us to do our part and to trust God to do something amazing among us.
May He bless you in a mighty way as He finds you faithful to Him,
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20
SCBC Elders
Ted Brondos Brian Cecy Bill Dauphin
Tom Frankl Rick Hill Rob Johnson
Ron Jones Dave Michelson Dan Pierson
2 Corinthians 9:1-9 2 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 3 Matthew 6:31-33
Elders Message ~ April 2010
The significance of a name…
This past Palm Sunday we heard a report from the India team as they ministered to kids in the poorest part of the world. Each team member had an opportunity to share their personal story. One man on the team named Larry shared with great enthusiasm that he learned how to say…”My name is Larry” in the local dialect. Every time he introduced himself in their native tongue the kids would yell with excitement. After hearing his experience I began to think about the power each of us has in our story and the significance of our names being written into the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Revelation 13:8 references the eternal registry of those that have said “yes” to Jesus. Revelation 3:5 says this divine journal contains those whom Jesus will confess before the Father. That promise gives all of us joy and comfort as we look to the future. But, it also makes us mindful of those without Christ.
In a few short days we will be celebrating the reason we have eternal hope. Easter marks the most significant event in the history of mankind. When God sent His Son Jesus to take on the form of human flesh, dwell among us and then triumphantly defeat death on a cross, He provided each of us the cure for our own personal cancer of sin. Why would He do that? There is only one explanation, and it is because of God’s great love for us. He offered what was most precious to pay a price we could never pay. Our sins were paid for once and for all at the cross.
One of my favorite verses that describe how God feels about us is in Jeremiah 31:3 where He says…”I have loved you with an everlasting love”. What a wonderful picture of how God feels about you and me. He closes that verse by saying…”Therefore with loving-kindness I have drawn you”. How is God drawing you to Himself today? Is He going to use you this Easter season to be an instrument of invitation to others who don’t know the Savior?
I trust this Easter will be special for you as you celebrate the message of hope and that your name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Let’s be a church that invites others to be recorded there as well.
In His service, Dan Pierson
Elders message ~ March 2010
Even though I’ve been a believer for almost 40 years, the power and the promise of verses such as Jeremiah 29:11-12 (NIV) never ceases to amaze me. “I know the plans I have for you, announces the Lord. I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come. Then you will call out to me. You will come and pray to me. And I will listen to you.”
God’s sovereignty, His kingly exercise of power over His Kingdom, is most apparent when we look at the events in life that happen to us, His children. Good & bad, big & small, these happenings are all part of His perfect & loving will for all of us.
If you’re like me, when something good happens, you usually don’t cry out “Why God, why me?” On the other hand, we tend to question God about the bad things that overtake us; the death of a loved one, serious health problems, financial setbacks, the loss of a job, the loss of a home. Yes, bad things do happen to good people! But why? Unfortunately, or just maybe fortunately, we’ll never know or understand the real reason until we get to heaven.
As it is for many of you, these last 2 years have been the toughest of my family’s life. Thankfully, we’re hanging onto God’s promise that’s found in the later part of Jer. 29:11 and worth repeating; “I do not plan to harm you… I will give you hope for the years to come.” Hallelujah!
These are promises that we, as a church family, can use to remind one another of God’s love and perfect plan for each of us. And we’re also called to pray for each other. What great ways to fulfill God’s command – that we “love one another”! And what a great and easy way to Serve!
Because of His Mercy & Grace!
Brian Cecy
Elder Message ~ Feb 2010
TIME
No one living knows exactly how much time he or she has in which to do things, to enjoy family times, to work, to help others, or to seek after the goals of life. Many of us, especially the younger set, go about life as if there is no end.
Time, the time we are given here on earth is limited and really points out to us that we could have a long time or a very brief time yet to live.
The Bible teaches us to “redeem the time”. I find the Amplified Version helpful for Colossians 4:5:
“Behave yourselves wisely—living prudently and with discretion—in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.”
Also, from Ephesians 5:16:
“Making the very most of the time—buying up each opportunity—because the days are evil.”
I want us at SCBC to hear clearly these words and ask God to help us to redeem the time He has given us to live our lives for Him. I want our behavior to reflect what great things God has done for us, and to see God’s great salvation through Christ Jesus.
“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. “ Psalm 90:12
Bill Dauphin
elder message ~ Jan 2010
When I watch the countdown for the beginning of the New Year, I have to wonder why people cheer so loudly when the ball touches the mark. Is it because they are happy the old year and its problems are done? Or perhaps they hope they are starting with a clean slate. Or perhaps they look forward to new opportunities and hope.
People often make lists of positive things to do including losing weight, eating healthier, eliminating things that don’t work, exercising more, getting more rest, or other actions intended to improve one’s physical and mental health in the New Year. While those things may help us in this lifetime, wouldn’t it be better to resolve to do that which would please God by giving us a healthier relationship with Him and have eternal significance?
A lawyer was testing Jesus about what to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus turned the question around and asked him what he read in the law. The lawyer answered Jesus saying, “You should love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus replied, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.” (Luke 10:25-28) That’s a good starting point--what Jesus taught us we should do.
Are we spending significant and consistent time in God’s word and in prayer? Do we worship often and regularly? Do we give God our time, talent, and treasure?
How about our neighbors? Are we loving and serving others? Do we model good Christian behavior? Do we live lives of integrity? Do we encourage others and put others first? Do we live as if God is watching us waiting to say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
Perhaps that is where we should begin our New Year’s resolutions.
Ted Brondos
Elder message ~ December 2009
"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, to a virgin named Mary, pledged to be married to Joseph, a descendant of King David. And the angel told her “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”" Luke 1: 30-35
When we gaze upon the stars at night and see the incredible beauty, complexity and vastness of God’s creation, it should make us realize how very great God is. And that He gives us so much worth & value and that He would make the amazing sacrifice of sending His son to die for us as an atonement for our sins is truly the greatest miracle and act of love of all eternity. His mighty works and all that he has done throughout human history; and that He foreknew and provided His plan of salvation before He created the heavens and the earth is beyond human capacity to completely comprehend. Let us have peace for what the Lord has done for us. Let us have peace, comfort and joy in knowing that Jesus gave himself freely because of His love for us.
By reaching out and inviting those in our neighborhoods and communities who have not yet experienced God’s family, His remarkable love and plan for eternal salvation through Jesus, to our Santa Cruz’n Christmas event, we will please Him.
In His name, Ron Jones
Elder Message ~ November 2009
"In ALL things, give thanks..."
The Thanksgiving of 1996 was the darkest Thanksgiving in the history of the Johnson family. Terry and I sat by the bedside of Tim, our six year old son, as we ate Thanksgiving dinner served by the nurses at Stanford's Children Hospital. Tim was too sick to eat anything as his small body was being pumped full of chemo drugs to fight the aggressive Leukemia cancer which was racing to kill him. No holidays or vacations in the treatment schedule could be afforded in this struggle between life and death. The doctors informed us it would be a two-year battle using an arsenal of chemo and radiation treatments. Our tears flowed freely as the doctors told us they must amputate Tim's left arm to save his life. Our family, friends, and church community all carried our grief and sorrows that Thanksgiving season.
Two years of treatment passed and Tim's battered body slowly returned to good health.
One day, I saw the sparkle return to Tim's eye when he said, "You know, I am ALMOST GLAD that I got sick because so many GOOD THINGS have happened!"
From the mouth of a child comes the wisdom of God.
"Create in me, a thankful heart, oh God."
Rob Johnson
Elder Message ~ October 2009
January 1965 I left my home in Phoenix, Arizona and drove to the University of California at Berkeley. Although I had no idea of its political climate, I quickly learned that I was outside of the political norm - I either had to either hide convictions or defend my convictions.
When became a Christian at Berkeley in January 1967, I learned quickly that I was outside of the religious norm. I either had to either hide my Christianity or learn to defend my faith.
I learned that Daniel was a young adult exiled to Babylon. Although he was outside the political and religious norm for Babylon, he refused to conform to the foreign culture. As a result God honored his convictions and in the end he was healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. I adopted Daniel 1:8 as my life verse.
1 Peter 3:15b states, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." This is good guidance as we go about our daily lives regardless of whether we are in the "norm" of our communities.
Rick Hill
Elder message ~ September 2009
I am extremely excited about Santa Cruz Bible Church’s 8 week Small Group launch!
In my 16 years here at the church, I can honestly say that my most significant growth has always come through small groups.
For my first 3 or 4 years at the church I always avoided small groups. I would sit in the pews and think I was getting “enough” from the pulpit on Sundays.
While I certainly was learning a lot, I can’t honestly say that I was turning that new knowledge into growth.
It wasn’t until I finally accepted Steve Clifford’s invitation to join his men’s group that I experienced the amazing change and transformation that a small group can bring.
For the first time I was receiving personal accountability, a biblical perspective from people who knew me, and the prayer support of other believers from our church body.
Before I became part of a small group, I would “run” everything I had learned by one source: me, myself, and I.
After joining the group, I could bounce what I had learned off of the other 4 guys in the group, and also hear their perspective on the scriptures as well as the teaching we had all been exposed to.
Because they knew me and cared for me, they could offer valuable insight that helped turn my new found knowledge into actual transformation.
I was actually becoming more and more of the person I wanted to be—all because of the accountability and prayers of my small group.
I would like to encourage everyone at SCBC to get involved in a small group this fall. If I can be of service in any way or if you have any questions about being in a small group—PLEASE do not hesitate to get in touch!
You can reach me at tomfrankl@earthlink.net
I hope to see you in a small group soon!
Tom Frankl
Past letters
August 1, 2009
Recently a friend emailed me and next to his signature at the end was this Old Testament verse in Isaiah. "Those who have never been told about Him will see, and those who have never heard of Him will understand." Isaiah 52:15
This promise is repeated again in Romans 15:21 by the Apostle Paul as a reminder to all of us there is a day coming when everyone will understand and acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Until that day arrives, you and I have a call upon our lives to take every opportunity God gives us and to make Him known to those that we come in contact with. As a church body, our desire for SCBC is to be a place where people are introduced to Jesus. From there they can begin a life long journey of growing in His love and experiencing the peace that only comes through a relationship with the Savior.
There is no question that we are living in trying times of economic uncertainty as well as civil unrest around the world. We don’t have to look farther than our own neighborhood to meet people that are hurting and looking for answers to life’s problems. They are in desperate need of peace. At SCBC we serve the One who said…”I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
On behalf of the elders of SCBC, we hope that you are tapping into the peace that Jesus offers us each day of our life. How are you doing with trusting in Him with your worries, your anxieties and your finances? If you are not already doing so…let me encourage you to begin each day this month of August to spend some quiet time each morning to thank God for His everlasting love for you. Thank Him for the peace and eternal security He gives you because of what Jesus did on the cross. As you ponder all that He has done for you, ask Him to challenge you to take a step away from what is comfortable to live more obediently for Him. He may even lead you to talk with a neighbor or friend about the greatest gift mankind has ever received…eternal life through Jesus.
In His service,
Dan Pierson