elder letters
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
Special Elder letter - dec 16, 2009
Dear Santa Cruz Bible Church Family,
As the year comes to an end, we look back with much gratitude on the amazing things that God has done in 2009. SCBC has become a place of outreach where all of Santa Cruz can come to learn about the unconditional love of Jesus. As part of this, our church family has created two extremely successful outreach efforts: the Fall Festival and Santa Cruz’n Christmas - where our community experienced the love of Jesus in a fresh and new way. At each event, we had well over 300 volunteers from our church body! What a wonderful testimony to the work that you all decided to do together.
We have multiple reasons to be encouraged and celebrate what God has done at SCBC, but we also need to honestly address the challenges of future ministry efforts for the kingdom. At present our finances have fallen behind our projected budgetary needs by about $80,000 with six months of our fiscal year remaining. Because we are a family, the Elders would be remiss by not bringing this to your attention and addressing it as we should.
The Elders are aware that times are tough, but it is our responsibility to make you aware of the SCBC finances. God is not limited by a recession. He is the ultimate Provider, and it is a biblical mandate to faithfully give of all our resources – time, talent and treasure. Therefore, the Elders have agreed that we will take the lead and model what we are now asking of you all. The Elders are committing to increase our giving not just in December, but for the rest of the fiscal year. We request that each of you ask God what additional offering He would have you give for Him in December and throughout the fiscal year.
Our mission at SCBC is to “introduce people to the love of Jesus and grow them into fully devoted followers of Him." We have had an exciting year where God has used us to reach our community and now we look forward with great anticipation to all God has in store for our church family in 2010. Join us as we all partner together this coming year to make Santa Cruz Bible Church a place where people can experience the love of our Savior in an authentic and exciting way.
In His service,
Your SCBC Elders
"One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works."
Psalm 145:4-5 NIV
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
July 2009
There is exciting news we want to share with the SCBC church family. We're launching a new church!
It was not in our original plans to launch a church separate from SCBC, but it has become apparent that both SCBC and Elevation will grow and flourish more if Elevation is launched as a new church plant. The Elders have invited Elevation to launch, and the Elevation leadership is fully and excitedly in agreement. This is a positive and powerful plan for even more effective ministry since most new believers are being won in new church plants. We believe this decision is a kingdom win orchestrated by God.
SCBC has supported the birthing of Elevation for the past 18 months and by the time Elevation launches, our church will have generously and sacrificially invested approximately $400,000 into this kingdom effort. This has allowed Elevation to achieve a firm foundation, to build a solid leadership team, and place an effective worship leader and a skilled teacher for the ministry. SCBC will generously support us through the remainder of 2009 through the use of the Student Center and the funding of our ministry as previously budgeted.
Under the leadership of Chuckk Gerwig and Omar Spence, the Elevation Ministry has grown in numbers and in maturity as a ministry and we see many people's lives being changed by Jesus. Seeing the fruit produced from this ministry that has eternal value has affirmed the decision for SCBC to partner with Elevation 18 months ago. We praise and thank God for His great faithfulness in these results.
The Elders along with the Elevation leadership fully agree that now is a good time to launch Elevation as their own church. So starting January 1, 2010, Elevation will launch out as its own independent church here in Santa Cruz with a vision of reaching the less reached people in less conventional ways.
The January 2010 start date will give Elevation 6 months to find a facility, build partnerships, seek funding, and accomplish all that is needed in a church plant. This 6 month period will greatly help Elevation to have a positive launch for this important work of God. Elevation will continue to meet here on the SCBC campus weekly in the months before the launch.
These are exciting days for the Elevation Ministry and SCBC and we invite you to pray for them as they take the next step in their exciting journey. The SCBC Elder Board and the SCBC church family will be looking forward to hearing all God is going to do in and through the lives of people in the Elevation Ministry. So join us in prayer as we celebrate the birthing of yet another new church from Santa Cruz Bible Church.
SCBC Elders
Spring 2009
Dear SCBC Family,
These are exciting times at Santa Cruz Bible Church. As spring arrives, there is a sense of newness in the air. And with this newness comes bold changes as we prepare our church for healthy kingdom growth in the lives of our congregation.
When reflecting on our leadership over the last few years, we have all heard statements such as these: “We have had elders, board elders, ministering elders, and the council of elders. I just don’t understand the leadership structure—I’m confused!”
As SCBC elders, our focus is on providing effective leadership while maintaining a governance structure that is not afraid to make needed changes. Our goals will always include strengthening our church to accomplish ministry, build the body, and reach the lost. With that said, we want to explain our recent change to SCBC governance.
First let’s take a short look back. SCBC has been and is now governed by elders; we believe this to be the biblical pattern for Christ’s local church. Until about four years ago SCBC was governed by one group of men called elders. That system worked well with the exception of one problem. There was little rotation and some men served for an exhausting period of time often measured in decades.
To fix this issue, the elders created two groups of men. They were the board elders and the ministering elders. The thinking was that the board elders would provide the governance and the ministering elders would be involved in ministry and be “pre-qualified” to join the board for elder rotation on and off the board. This system proved functionally difficult, and to rectify the situation, the elders reorganized to a council of elders (COE). In this system all elders were on the COE and those with specific gifts for governance served on the board. This structure proved to be even more confusing to the elders in the COE who were not on the board, as well as the SCBC staff and the congregation.
The Bible gives men the title of elder when they are qualified, appointed, and fulfilling the office as elder in local church governance. As a result, the elders have decided that our original structure is the biblical approach. Consequently SCBC will now move to a single set of elders composing the board of elders and providing governance for SCBC.
The other COE elders, although no longer having the title of “elder,” are men that deserve our honor and respect. They will continue to be involved in ministry, and they remain men of wisdom with whom the elders will seek council on critical decisions in the future of SCBC.
Also, to fix the original problem of elder rotation, the SCBC by-laws will be revised to give each elder a one-year term renewable up to 6 years. After the 6th year, a mandatory year long sabbatical will be required.
The elders want to express our appreciation for the service of those men on the COE who have served the Lord faithfully. We would also like to thank the wives of these men who have come alongside them in ministry and have been a continued blessing to our church. These men are: Steve Andrews, Fred Barnes, Dave Boschen, Pete Broesamle, Michael Hanson, Al Linder, Dick Payne, Jim Traumiller, Jim Williams, and Joe Wolfe.
Going forward, your elders are: Ted Brondos, Brian Cecy, Bill Dauphin, Tom Frankl, Rick Hill, Rob Johnson, Ron Jones, Dave Michelson, and Dan Pierson.
As we shared at the beginning of this letter, these are exciting times at our church. To quote a past chairman of our elders, Al Linder…”The best days of SCBC are ahead of us.” This is truly the heart of our staff and elders! We believe God has positioned this church to make a dramatic impact on our community. We are excited for this coming season as we strive to reach people for Christ and for our body to serve the Savior and grow in dependence on Him.
God has called us all to be in unity as we serve together and that is why we covet your prayers. We all need to fast and pray for the Lord to direct us as we lean on Him and not on our own understanding.
It is an honor as elders to work side by side with you and our staff with great expectation that God will answer our prayers. Let’s stand together as we remain obedient to Him in this kingdom effort to introduce the people of Santa Cruz to Jesus and His life changing message of eternal life.
In His service,
SCBC Elders:
Ted Brondos
Brian Cecy
Bill Dauphin
Tom Frankl
Rick Hill
Rob Johnson
Ron Jones
Dave Michelson
Dan Pierson