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LEADERSHIP LETTER ARCHIVES
A MONTHLY READING
FOR ALL ARC LEADERS
Thoughts on Poland
I’ve recently returned from a 12-day visit to Poland that was quite full and quite fruitful. Let me reference I Peter 2:5: “You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” That beautiful image of “living stones” is a good way to frame my service to God’s people in Poland.
Marek Kiewra is a visionary leader and our main ARC leader in Europe. Next year we will have an international leader’s conference October 18-20, 2007 at their newly renovated center in Karkowice (car-whoa-veetz-ah) (pop. 40) which is near the “metropolis” of Gryfow (griff-ohv) (pop. 7500). The center is in a genuinely lovely setting – hills, fields, lake, rustic village, forest, etc. This was my ninth visit to Poland in the past 10 years. Marek has been in the U.S. with us about that many times. The fitting together of our stone with theirs has been wonderful. Our faith and works have mutually encouraged each other (Romans 1:12), God’s Spirit pressing His life through us to each other, often into languishing areas of spiritual need. The shape of their stone has been fitted together with our particular shape by the sovereign grace of God—and it has been wonderful.
Recently I read a book entitled “Team of Rivals” by Doris Goodwin. It’s a remarkable account of the leadership skill of Abraham Lincoln and the way he built and led a team of leaders that helped navigate our country through its most severe national test. The team he built was not primarily friends and “like-minded”—rather they were rivals and philosophically different. The book is long but worth the time and energy especially if you are in leadership. After reading the book I am in awe of the kind of leader that Lincoln was. I shared some of these insights during the various leadership sessions in Poland. I hope to share more of them with you in future correspondences and conferences.
Marek has a great leadership team—Andrew K., Andrei M., Janusz S., Stascek B. and Soevik A. His wife, Marysia, is a great leader of women also. The ministry center is run by Eddie and Renata Kopava and they are perfectly gifted for the task. As I’ve observed this group over the years and seen the fruit of their life together and ministry, I want to pass on to you my observations and conclusions regarding their fruitfulness. Here they are:
1. A clear sense of calling to a particular area Marek believed that God had called him to plant a church in Gryfow. Many people told him it would fail. He kept going, based on a sense of divine calling.
2. A commitment to regular corporate prayer Marek and two women converted from the Jehovah’s Witnesses prayed every morning at 6 a.m. for years. Even when nothing seemed to be happening, they prayed with persistence as in Luke 18:1-8. Jesus told this “parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Lk. 18:1, ESV). They maintain a strong posture of corporate prayer.
3. A sacrificial posture of outreach to the poor, the homeless, the addicted, prisoners and children. Though they operated from very limited financial resources themselves, they have made this a ministry priority and God has blessed them as He promised in Isaiah 58.
4. A well balanced team of leaders Marek has been quite cooperative with the Holy Spirit in the assembling of this team. The mix of teaching and pastoral giftings as well as evangelists and deacon types has made this team both diverse and equipped for the vision that they’ve been given.
5. Loyalty and love Marek is deeply committed to his leaders both in spiritual oversight and financial assistance. They have learned how to wash each other’s feet.
6. Unity and humility Marek and his team have diligently reached out to other leaders in their area and made conferences available at little to no cost and they have promoted unity in substantial ways. They have acted humbly, believing God has called them to build with His people wherever and whenever possible.
We are all called by God to be fruitful in a particular geographical location. I’m praying for the grace of God in your lives in:
Seattle WA Denver CO Spooner WI St. Paul MN Port Huron MI Hazlett MI Bedford Twp. MI Toledo OH Elyria OH Findlay OH Dayton OH Mansfield OH Perry Twp. OH Colonial Heights VA Tampa FL West Orange NJ Boston MA Brownsburg IN Baltimore MD Belo Horizonte, Brazil Sao Paulo, Brazil Manaus, Brazil Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Maues, Brazil Gryfow, Poland Swidnice, Poland Bogatynia, Poland Accra, Ghana Caparo, Trinidad
We have been planted by God in these areas and others that are too numerous to mention (especially Brazil). Paul spoke these words to beleaguered churches in Galatia:
“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:9-10).
There is a due season ahead for all of us as we continue to do good among God’s people and out to His beloved broken world.
In Christ, Ned
P.S. Make plans to be in Poland next October 18-20. I think God wants to meet with us there and envision us together with Marek and his team for their mission within Poland and outward to many other European countries.
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