Our Life Together Vol. 3, Nr. 38, September 23, 1975

This is one of the "heavy" calls to radical commitment that came periodically from Ken. I didn't disagree and still don't, Jesus calls us to radical commitment. In this article Ken discusses enemies of the cross who are Christians and a part of the church. The problem that makes them enemies of the cross is that they have not suffered the cross in their own lives. They are still culturally part of the secular world even though they make all the proper professions of faith.
This is a beautiful piece by Larry Clark about an intimate time with God. Larry was (is?) a great writer. He tells of this experience in such a way that I almost feel like I am there with him. It certainly makes me hunger for an experience like this. Even though this is a personal experience and not a "how to" article, his discussion of speaking in tongues puts the use of this gift into proper perspective. Of course many of us have had wonderful experiences like this, but I appreciate Larry sharing this one with us.
Children were always important to the church and the community. God blessed us with a lot of them. The "School for Young Children" was an important ministry in the church and still is. The school was a commercial enterprise (non-profit) that operated within all of the governmental regulations. It was professional and still is, but that was never the motivation. The motivation was to minister to our children. In doing so, many of our adults were trained in this ministry and were able to make a living. It was a great win-win ministry.

Last week, my wife's sister died. This week one of my young members' mother died. Death is a reality. Ruth Jamison wrote a beautiful little piece. I assume that she also placed the little devotional article with it. This is still helpful 35 years later.
I remember Joyce Carter very well although it is probably 30 years since I have seen her. This is another touching little article. It illustrates how seriously our people really took the responsibility to me ministers wherever they were. I think that most of us really saw our secular jobs as ministries. That was one of the very beneficial side effects of the community.
Here is a delightful little picture. Once again you see the emphasis on children. I think that we not only loved the children, but we took seriously the words of Jesus, "Unless you become as children you cannot enter the Kingdom of God." (I probably shouldn't have used quotes --the are unchecked and are by memory.)