I was fortunate to grow up in an area inhabited by numerous ethnic peoples. I remember the Zwar family that came into our church in my boyhood, emigrating from Germany during the pre-WWII years (I still see a family member occasionally). I remember our “turmoil” because these solid Christian people kept brewed beer in their basement--strange to our “teetotaller” church.
Since that time, I have enjoyed many such friendships. One was longtime Church of God minister Ewald Wolfram--a preacher’s preacher (but an emigrant from East Prussia)! I think today of pastor Mike Stadlemayer, a solid second generation American kid who grew up in West Michigan after I left. Now a longtime pastor, Mike’s dad and mom were Rudy and Elsa whom I remember for our years together in Warner Memorial Church Camp. They emigrated from what is now part of Poland--early 50s. I still look forward every year at church camp to seeing the Robert Malzon’s of Benton Harbor, who have a great story, and a warm testimony. In California I met Eva Fisher whose war pilgrimmage still haunted her, in spite of her safe American surroundings.
So, when I found a prepublication copy of this soon to be published history, I was delighted--People of Faith in Turbulent Times, a history of the Church of God in Eastern Europe. This is a pilgrimmage of faith that many of my friends, and some of your friends, were part of. Thus, it is a book of great interest, written by the lovable Dr. walter Froese, retired professor of Church History at the Anderson School of Theology.
A Canadian, the story comes partially out of the rootage of his beloved wife, now deceased. As Dr. Froese tells it, “so very much of what happened in World War II actually seemed to mock much of the faith treasured so deeply by Church of God believers. The overall political developments, especially in the late 1930s and early 1940s, with the emphasis on racial differences, the desire for domination of one country over another, and the rampant hate propaganda towards other human beings required for fighting and killing in a war–all this posed challenges to many believers in their faith in God as Lord of everything and in their conviction that God's will for all of God's children is love towards everyone.
Despite such difficulties, however, the Church of God lived on, as Dr. Froese reveals. It is that story that he tells in his forthcoming volume from Reformation Publishers, People of Faith for Turbulent Times, a history of the Church of God in Eastern Europe. I predict this will be a popular volume across the Church of God, read by many, and treasured by those who find their values shared in the sojourn of these many different people over such a wide area of Europe. Thank you, Dr. Walter Froese!
Faith and values are still treasures today.
this is Warners World,
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Wayne
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
New Books
I have been involved with books all of my adult life. As a boy, I loved to read, being much like the reading mother I lost twelve years ago. Thus, I am blessed in my retirement, to be involved with Reformation Publishers and involved with some of the newer books that interest the Church of God.
When pastors meet next week in Winchester, KY--Pastors’ Fellowship--they will be introduced to several new books in the church, and at least one new author. Of special interest to me are two new books by my friend Dr. Bill C. Konstantopoulos of Johnson City, TN.--”Bro. Bill“ to friends and parishioners.
Since 1995, I have sat frequently under the ministry of “Bro. Bill"--one of our finest pulpiteers. My family has been abundantly blessed by his gracious pastoral abilities, his perceptive mind, and his overflowing love. It has been with special pleasure that I have previewed two new books--The God Who Is and Leadership, Laity, and Heresies.John Stott suggested the kind of God we believe in and the convictions we hold about God, His being, His actions, and His purposes, determine the kind of sermons we preach.” “Bill K” further suggests, these determine the way we live and what we live for, and he modeled everything he proclaimed.
The God Who Is introduces you to the God of the Bible. The current generation is caught up in a storm of change,innovation, and cultural warfare; we whirl this way and that--an evolutionary whirlwind, and like every generation we need to hear from God. We stands in need of a prophetic voice, if it we maintain our souls in the Katrina of social destruction.
This 101 page book will speak to you, if you are at all open to ideas--like "God" and so-called “spiritual issues.”
Bill’s other book Leadership, Laity, and Heresies is a Bible study rooted in the little book of Jude, but Bill ranges broadly through the writings of Paul and Jesus as he speaks to topics suggested by the title, and to some of the issues we currently face today, some of which people find controversial. It is aimed at the fellowship of believers--leaders and laity.
I don’t ask you to agree with everything the book says; I do ask that you read with an open mind and a willingness to think. I will be very surprised if he does not strike a very responsive chord with many of you across the church--you will be better people for your reading; I am a more spiritually sensitive person for reading these two brief volumes--roughly 100 pages each.
I recommend them because I know the character and integrity of this so-called "man of God." Preachers frequently come cheap these days, but this author is authentic--unadulterated and trustworthy. He is a wholesome personality, a loving and grace-filled Christ-follower, and he has an excellent mind.
Read him devotionally, or spend some leisure time reading with him; you will be blessed. He will enrich your experience and leave you with a new appreciation for God,the Bible, and spiritual values.
Bill’s new Warner Press publication on “the Holy Spirit” will be available at the North American Convention in June, but I am waiting--not patiently--for his autobiographical story of his pilgrimage from Greece to life in America.
I suggest you check him out!
From Warner’s World
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Wayne
When pastors meet next week in Winchester, KY--Pastors’ Fellowship--they will be introduced to several new books in the church, and at least one new author. Of special interest to me are two new books by my friend Dr. Bill C. Konstantopoulos of Johnson City, TN.--”Bro. Bill“ to friends and parishioners.
Since 1995, I have sat frequently under the ministry of “Bro. Bill"--one of our finest pulpiteers. My family has been abundantly blessed by his gracious pastoral abilities, his perceptive mind, and his overflowing love. It has been with special pleasure that I have previewed two new books--The God Who Is and Leadership, Laity, and Heresies.John Stott suggested the kind of God we believe in and the convictions we hold about God, His being, His actions, and His purposes, determine the kind of sermons we preach.” “Bill K” further suggests, these determine the way we live and what we live for, and he modeled everything he proclaimed.
The God Who Is introduces you to the God of the Bible. The current generation is caught up in a storm of change,innovation, and cultural warfare; we whirl this way and that--an evolutionary whirlwind, and like every generation we need to hear from God. We stands in need of a prophetic voice, if it we maintain our souls in the Katrina of social destruction.
This 101 page book will speak to you, if you are at all open to ideas--like "God" and so-called “spiritual issues.”
Bill’s other book Leadership, Laity, and Heresies is a Bible study rooted in the little book of Jude, but Bill ranges broadly through the writings of Paul and Jesus as he speaks to topics suggested by the title, and to some of the issues we currently face today, some of which people find controversial. It is aimed at the fellowship of believers--leaders and laity.
I don’t ask you to agree with everything the book says; I do ask that you read with an open mind and a willingness to think. I will be very surprised if he does not strike a very responsive chord with many of you across the church--you will be better people for your reading; I am a more spiritually sensitive person for reading these two brief volumes--roughly 100 pages each.
I recommend them because I know the character and integrity of this so-called "man of God." Preachers frequently come cheap these days, but this author is authentic--unadulterated and trustworthy. He is a wholesome personality, a loving and grace-filled Christ-follower, and he has an excellent mind.
Read him devotionally, or spend some leisure time reading with him; you will be blessed. He will enrich your experience and leave you with a new appreciation for God,the Bible, and spiritual values.
Bill’s new Warner Press publication on “the Holy Spirit” will be available at the North American Convention in June, but I am waiting--not patiently--for his autobiographical story of his pilgrimage from Greece to life in America.
I suggest you check him out!
From Warner’s World
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Wayne
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Waste of Destructive Conversation
It is dishonest for right-wing commentators to insist on an equivalence that does not exist, writes Eugene Robinson, and I would suggest, or anyone for that matter.
Robinson suggests the dangers of political violence in this country come from one direction primarily -- the right, not the left. The vitriolic, anti-government hate speech that is spewed on talk radio every day -- and, quite regularly, at Tea Party rallies -- is calibrated not to inform but to incite. My “deaf” neighbor sits on his back porch with his radio blasting loudly proclaiming such commentators quite frequently.
It makes me quite aware that we should all take to heart quite seriously the words of Jesus. What was it he said about the issues of the heart coming out of the mouth? Seems to me a lot of people are stuffed full of a lot of garbage they would rather not admit to, judging by what comes out of their mouths.
Such talk destroys a lot of trust and builds up no one (except the speaker's pocketbook).
That’s my take on it for today. Wayne
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
Robinson suggests the dangers of political violence in this country come from one direction primarily -- the right, not the left. The vitriolic, anti-government hate speech that is spewed on talk radio every day -- and, quite regularly, at Tea Party rallies -- is calibrated not to inform but to incite. My “deaf” neighbor sits on his back porch with his radio blasting loudly proclaiming such commentators quite frequently.
It makes me quite aware that we should all take to heart quite seriously the words of Jesus. What was it he said about the issues of the heart coming out of the mouth? Seems to me a lot of people are stuffed full of a lot of garbage they would rather not admit to, judging by what comes out of their mouths.
Such talk destroys a lot of trust and builds up no one (except the speaker's pocketbook).
That’s my take on it for today. Wayne
walkingwithwarner.blogspot.com
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