Category: Martin Schlomer

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by Martin Schlomer

Over the past 40 years, the evangelical church has invested a lot of effort in leading people toward spiritual maturity. The pathway consisted of attending church, serving in various ministries, praying for others, sharing your faith, reading/memorizing/mastering Scripture, and attending a small group Bible study. If you followed these disciplines, then you were told that you would mature. The church has called this pathway “discipleship.”

Starting in the late 1980s and to the present day, more and more people began asking the question: “Is this all there is to spiritual maturity? It feels like we’re missing something very important. As important as these disciplines are, this path feels like it’s little more than dos and don’ts. Where is the real change of heart, not just the change of behavior?” As far back as 1978, Richard Foster wrote, “The desperate need today is not for more intelligent people nor gifted people, but for deep people.” What was/is missing? Thomas Ashbrook said it best when he wrote:

Discipleship was aimed at equipping the believer for ministry. Character development worked at Christian integrity and behavior. Ongoing spiritual formation targets much more: lifelong transformation of the whole person into the image of Christ, in the context of a deep relationship with God.” (Mansions of the Heart, 11)

This “lifelong transformation of the whole person into the image of Christ, in the context of a deep relationship with God” is what the Elders want to lead Elim into. But what does this look like? Is there a pathway we can follow that will lead us further into this kind of transformational change? Absolutely!

In December 2010, the Elders adopted as one of our five strategic objectives the commitment to develop an intentional process/pathway of spiritual transformation whereby those who attend Elim are being conformed to the image of Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit and in the context of community. As a result, in January I began working with a team of people who are prayerfully studying the Scriptures as well as some writings from church history to come up with an intentional pathway that we will recommend to the Elders. The goal is to have everyone experience an ongoing process of genuine change that is formed by the Scriptures, informed by the wisdom from church history and empowered by the Spirit.

What will this process look like for Elim? We know that it will include moving people into a deeper understanding and experience of the following areas:

·         Experiencing God’s grace and forgiveness.

·         Embracing our identity in Christ and enjoying God as our Father.

·         Dealing with spiritual warfare.

·         Serving Christ out of a heart of love, not out of a heart of guilt and condemnation.

·         Connecting in and experiencing community.

·         Engaging in a deepening abiding relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.

As you can tell, there is a lot of work and prayer needed. Please pray for this process. We need to be discerning and led by the Holy Spirit as we go through it. We are at the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey!

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by Martin Schlomer

In 1957, Theodor Seuss Geisel, who was widely known author of children’s books under the pen name Dr. Seuss, published his holiday classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The Grinch was an angry, bitter cave-dwelling catlike creature with a heart that was two sizes too small. He lived on the summit of the snowy Mount Crumpit looking over Whoville, home of the joyful and warm-hearted Whos. Jealous of their joy and Christmas spirit, he hatches a plot to steal their Christmas presents, holiday hams and decorations. In doing so, he would “prevent Christmas from coming.” Despite his success, he discovers that Christmas comes to Whoville just the same. Reality dawns on him that Christmas is more than gifts and decorations! He heart grows three sizes larger and he returns all of the gifts, holiday hams and decorations and he is warmly embraced by all of the Whos in Whoville.

In the current economic times, we hear many friends and strangers who—in the midst of struggling to make financial ends meet—mourn over the thought that there may not be any gifts this year. It is not uncommon to hear them say; “There will not be any Christmas this year.” While they may not have the bad attitude of the Grinch, they share the beliefs of the Grinch: Celebrating Christmas requires—or is greatly enhanced by—opening presents. I must be honest, I like giving and receiving presents as much as the next person. However, is the giving and receiving of gifts the place where the joy of Christmas is most experienced? If so, we need to take some steps back and come up with some creative ideas to change this! The place of where we most experience our joy in this incredible season must be found in slowing down and connecting with Jesus along with family and friends. I offer the following ideas.

• Plan to attend a Christmas Eve Candle Light service. This is a great time to calm our minds, focus our hearts and celebrate the birth of Jesus with family and friends. Elim’s candle light service will be at 7:00. Nursery will be provided for pre-school and under.
• Participate in community family activities that are inexpensive or free. Check out these ideas: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2013449909_holidayfestivals25.html
• As a family, spend some time planning your Christmas meal. The Schlomer family has done this the last two years and it was a lot of fun! Every person is responsible for planning and cooking their part of the meal! Afterwards, everyone helps with the clean up!
• As a family, bake some Christmas cookies and drive around looking at Christmas lights while you eat cookies and drink hot chocolate.
• Bake a cake on Christmas Eve and celebrate Christ’s birthday the next day.
• Buy a couple of new family games to play Christmas Day. Invite another family over for dinner and enjoy a great time of family games.

There are more ideas out there waiting to be discovered! Ask your friends and family. If you have family members who were alive during the depression in the 1930s, ask them to share their stories of how they celebrated the holidays and then incorporate those ideas into some new family traditions! If you don’t have family members who were alive during that era, go to a retirement home and visit some of the residents. Listen to their stories and experiences. In doing so, you have no idea how much joy you will give to them. Celebrating the birth of our Lord is much larger than the giving and receiving of gifts! Go forth and CELEBRATE!

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by Martin Schlomer

The economy is on everyone’s mind these days. It seems like everyone is running for cover and trying to hang onto what they have, because they’re not sure if they will still have it next month. Jobs and discretionary income are scarcer than a deer in hunting season!

This raises the question, “How is Elim handling this financial storm?” The short answer is: better than most churches! However, we have experienced a 6.5% decrease in giving year-to-date over last year. At the end of September 2009 Elim’s income was $213,475. For the same period this year, our income was $199,353.

Have we had to reduce our ministry spending? While we are being very cautious, we have not had to deny any person or ministry the funding that is needed. While our spending is $8,000 under budget, we have spent $12,002 more than we have received so far this year. Gratefully, we have had sufficient reserves to cover these expenses.

Where do we go from here? First, as elders and staff, we will continue to proceed with financial caution. This means we will closely monitor and restrict discretionary spending. In addition, in two weeks the elders and Stewardship Team will propose a budget for 2011 that is approximately $18,000 less than the 2010 budget. This will bring it more into line with our present income reality and projections.

Second, I want to encourage all of us to a life of faith. As followers of Jesus, we are to eagerly embrace His teaching regarding handling wealth and money and use this teaching to shape our financial priorities and stewardship, rather than fear. Scripture calls us to pursue a path of responsible simplicity, not consumerism; joyful, radical generosity, not fear.

Scripture tells us of one group of churches who lived out this joyful and radical generosity in a way that stunned the apostle Paul …

And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.  For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)

All I can say is, Wow!” This is a joyful and radical generosity that is a result of an encounter with Jesus! They loved Jesus, trusted in His provision and pressed forward with overflowing joy even though they were enduring extreme poverty!  Nothing—including fear—was going to rob them of the joy of helping out and doing their part.  No wonder they rocked Paul’s world! This is what happens when Jesus has our hearts … and our checkbooks.

In these difficult and uncertain times, how is your joyful generosity? Is it crippled by fear and uncertainty, or is empowered by the joyful freedom that comes from confident reliance on Christ? I encourage all of us to follow the example of the Macedonians and give ourselves first to the Lord and then to living in the freedom and joy found in God’s will for us.

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by Martin Schlomer

This fall, the Elders and ministry leaders decided to stay at one service. Having one service keeps everyone together, hearing the same message at the same time with the same passion! This is the first time we that we believe we will be able to comfortably enjoy one service due to the increased seating capacity from replacing the back wall with a movable wall.September will be a trial run to see how well this seating works on a longer-term basis. In October, the Elders and ministry directors will then evaluate how well this is working.

In Children’s Ministries, we will continue to run Discipleland, a program designed to disciple our children in their relationships with Christ. This ministry will continue to run through the fifth grade during the worship service. Because the classes have grown we will be splitting them to accommodate additional children.

In Adult Ministries, we will offer adult seminars as teachers are available. These seminar classes will run from 8:45-9:45 a.m. On October 3 Harold Eash will begin a series on 1 Corinthians. As of this moment, no child care is available. However, if you are available to help, please see Cheryl.

Last but certainly not least, the Young Adult Ministry will meet for their Sunday morning study from 8:45-9:45 at Starbucks (near Sports Authority) where for another month they will continue to wrestle with the ideas in the book, Under the Overpass, taking on a new chapter and verse study after that has been completed. In addition to their Sunday morning times, they meet on Friday evenings and will be going through The Truth Project.

On Wednesday evening, September 29 AWANA will kick off its brand new year. Three weeks later, we will launch KidReach on Wednesday afternoons, in partnership with Zeiger Elementary, to tutor at-risk kids. It is our prayer that we will see many of these kids engage in the AWANA ministry. To help facilitate this effort, we will offer dinner to make the transition to Wednesday evening’s AWANA easier and more inviting.

The first week of October will mark the beginning of the next cycle for our small group ministries. The Tuesday morning Women’s Bible Study, led by Helen Eash, will start a study by Anne Graham Lotz called, “Pursuing More of Jesus.” This study will dive into John 10-21. The Tuesday evening Women’s Bible Study, led by Kim Schlomer, will take on the gospel of John as well as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John. In addition to the Women’s Bible studies, community groups will begin around the same time. Sign-ups for all of these will begin September 12!

Youth Ministries (a.k.a.“Common Ground Student Ministries”) has a lot planned!  Junior and Senior High will meet every Sunday to connect with God and grow together in their relationships with one another.  We will do a large group/small group model.  This means there will be a teaching time followed by a small group time to process what was taught.

In addition to Sunday nights the senior high will be doing midweek small groups.  Our hope is to have five senior high small groups.  The junior high girls are going to have a small group that meets on Sunday night before youth group.  There will be many additional activities and trips, so be sure to look at the Common Ground student ministries page on the website and download the events flyer for this fall.

It’s tough to believe September is already here! It seems to have taken everyone by surprise this year. At Elim, it seems like we are always “mixing things up” in an effort to better accomplish Christ’s mandate for this Body: To grow PASSIONATE, LIFELONG FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST!

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by Martin Schlomer

How should we listen to a sermon? Do we listen in the same way we listen to a college professor, some late night talk show host, or a motivational speaker?

In the late 1700s pastor and evangelist George Whitefield was used by God to fan the flames of The Great Awakening Revival. One of his sermons was called “How to Listen to a Sermon: Keys to getting the most out of what the preacher says.” As I read what this man had to say, it serves as a great reminder to all of us regarding how we should listen to a sermon so as to get the greatest benefit.

Enjoy!
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Keys to Getting the Most out of What the Preacher Says
By George Whitefield

Jesus said, “Therefore consider carefully how you listen” (Luke 8:18). Here are some cautions and directions, in order to help you hear sermons with profit and advantage.

1. Come to hear them, not out of curiosity, but from a sincere desire to know and do your duty. To enter His house merely to have our ears entertained, and not our hearts reformed, must certainly be highly displeasing to the Most High God, as well as unprofitable to ourselves.

2. Give diligent heed to the things that are spoken from the Word of God. If an earthly king were to issue a royal proclamation, and the life or death of his subjects entirely depended on performing or not performing its conditions, how eager would they be to hear what those conditions were! And shall we not pay the same respect to the King of kings, and Lord of lords, and lend an attentive ear to His ministers, when they are declaring, in His name, how our pardon, peace, and happiness may be secured?

3. Do not entertain even the least prejudice against the minister. That was the reason Jesus Christ Himself could not do many mighty works, nor preach to any great effect among those of His own country; for they were offended at Him. Take heed therefore, and beware of entertaining any dislike against those whom the Holy Ghost has made overseers over you.

Consider that the clergy are men of like passions with yourselves. And though we should even hear a person teaching others to do what he has not learned himself, yet that is no reason for rejecting his doctrine. For ministers speak not in their own, but in Christ’s name. And we know who commanded the people to do whatever the scribes and Pharisees should say unto them, even though they did not do themselves what they said (see Matt. 23:1-3).

4. Be careful not to depend too much on a preacher, or think more highly of him than you ought to think. Preferring one teacher over another has often been of ill consequence to the church of God. It was a fault which the great Apostle of the Gentiles condemned in the Corinthians: ‘For whereas one said, I am of Paul; another, I am of Apollos: are you not carnal, says he? For who is Paul, and who is Apollos, but instruments in God’s hands by whom you believed?’ (1 Cor. 1:12; 2:3-5).

Are not all ministers sent forth to be ministering ambassadors to those who shall be heirs of salvation? And are they not all therefore greatly to be esteemed for their work’s sake?

5. Make particular application to your own hearts of everything that is delivered. When our Savior was discoursing at the last supper with His beloved disciples and foretold that one of them should betray Him, each of them immediately applied it to his own heart and said, ‘Lord, is it I?’ (Matt. 26:22).

Oh, that persons, in like manner, when preachers are dissuading from any sin or persuading to any duty, instead of crying, ‘This was intended for such and such a one!’ instead would turn their thoughts inwardly, and say, ‘Lord, is it I?’ How far more beneficial should we find discourses to be than now they generally are!

6. Pray to the Lord, before, during, and after every sermon, to endue the minister with power to speak, and to grant you a will and ability to put into practice what he shall show from the Book of God to be your duty.

No doubt it was this consideration that made St. Paul so earnestly entreat his beloved Ephesians to intercede with God for him: ‘Praying always, with all manner of prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and for me also, that I may open my mouth with boldness, to make known the mysteries of the gospel’ (Eph. 6:19-20). And if so great an apostle as St. Paul needed the prayers of his people, much more do those ministers who have only the ordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit.

If only all who hear me this day would seriously apply their hearts to practice what has now been told them! How ministers would see Satan, like lightning, fall from heaven, and people find the Word preached sharper than a two-edged sword and mighty, through God, to the pulling down of the devil’s strongholds!

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by Martin Schlomer

Over my past 16 years at Elim, I have been privileged to be in the homes of many people. One thing I have noticed is everyone has their own sense of decorating style and taste. If you want a modern utilitarian style, check out the Wibowos’ home. It’s so incredible an article titled “Magic Mountain” was published about it in the architectural Dwell Magazine.

If you prefer a more exquisitely classical style, check out the McCulloughs’ home. Or if you want a down-to-earth home where you can kick back on the couch with your shoes on, check out the Wellers’ home.

We all have unique tastes. However, when you’re in another person’s home, what matters most is not their sense of style, but the relationship you have with them, the life you share in Christ.

Last September, we started on a journey to raise money to pay for some mundane but much-needed capital improvements at Elim. Our goal was to raise $30,000 by June. I am here to celebrate that as of last Sunday, May 23, the Lord has provided $27,866 toward this goal – through you! We are within $2,200 of our goal. Thank you for your sacrifice!

Two weeks ago we asked two individuals who have demonstrated a proficiency in interior decor to help us choose the color and pattern of our new carpet. With great fear and trepidation they took on the task and made their choice. Last Friday, I ordered the carpet. (At the same time I suggested that these two unnamed individuals should go into witness protection!)

In approximately 6 weeks, I predict you will walk into our meeting place and you will notice that something looks very different. As you gaze upon this new carpet, I know there will be those who will say, “I love it! These mystery people made a great choice!” Others may think, “Who chose this carpet? Why did they select these colors and this pattern?”

Many considerations went into selecting the quality of the carpet, along with the colors and pattern. Two big considerations were durability and the ability to hide stains. Other considerations included matching other assets, such as the chairs.

The bottom line: Some people will like it. Others may not. After all, we all have our own unique decorating styles and taste. As we travel this path together, I just wanted to remind everyone to please be gracious in their speech, as well as thankful in their heart for God’s provision through everyone’s sacrifice.

In addition to laying new carpet, in a few weeks we will also begin rebuilding the stage as well as the back wall. We will need your patience as we go into this dusty remodeling process. We will also need your help! Bob Hedge, the project manager, will make pleas for help on specific days as we tear out the stage and build a new, larger, single-level platform.

Under the leadership of Christ, you have been exceedingly generous! I look forward to celebrating with you this great accomplishment to the glory of our Lord.

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