This is the third and final post in a 3 Part series on Partnering For A Change by Glen Forsberg. This series is taken from a message that was given on the opening day of the 2006 FCA International Convention in Monterrey, Mexico.
A story from my personal heritage illustrates, I believe, what God is seeking today.
My birth mother was Cora Forseth, eldest sister of Bob Forseth and his siblings. She passed away at age 25, leaving my dad with three young boys, of which I (at four and a half years) was the eldest. My brothers were then only three years and one year old.
About two years later, our dad married Elizabeth (Betty) MacKay. At 26 years of age, she was brave enough to embrace Dad, the farm, and three hungry boys. In any language, this was a tall order and a significant wonder. She became the only mother I ever actually knew.
Mom was a pragmatist. We found that out as early as her honeymoon. She and Dad had enjoyed only two days at their cabin when my aunt (where we three boys were staying) loaded us into the car and took us three miles to visit the honeymooners! As we drove into the yard of the lakeside cabin, we spotted a long row of canned blueberries all lined up on the veranda. The newlyweds had been picking berries, and Mom had canned them in anticipation of feeding three boys through a cold winter.
Over the next two years, we were pleased to welcome two sisters into the family. Mom never addressed us boys as her “stepsons.” We were her sons. Mom was never our “stepmom,” she was our mom. Our little sisters were never “half-sisters,” we were whole siblings. The Forseth family members from Dad’s first wife (my birth mother) were always included in our family. Some of them, in fact, drove great distances to attend Mom’s funeral just this past January (2006). She was 79. It was apparent to everyone throughout her whole long life that she carried an attitude of inclusion. Mom’s life assured us that we all belonged.
Moving Toward the Future
How can the FCA be an inclusive fellowship as God desires? Here are seven suggestions:
1. Develop creative ways and means for the FCA to associate, connect, and embrace viable national fellowships outside Canada and the United States. This convention (in Monterrey, Mexico) is a start in the right direction.
2. Embrace the multicultural church at home. The Acts 6 solution invited immigrants on board. We are currently experiencing some of this in Fort McMurray as we discover the leadership gifts of many nationalities that have come to work in the oil industry.
3. Teach traditionally trained ministers to recognize spiritual leaders who have come up through a nontraditional route, such as the business world.
4. Encourage a global vision in local church communities.
5. Embrace leadership from all generations: youth, young adults, middlers, seniors. The “extreme generation” has a boldness for Christ that we all need. Seniors have wisdom to offer, and they are also getting more and more active in short-term missions.
6. Join with other churches in your region-of whatever denomination or group-to impact your county, state, or province.
7. Follow the cloud of God’s glory. Encourage dynamic structures. Be Spirit-dependent servants, rather than masters.
As we stretch the curtains wide, we will realize that our mission is not to gather people to serve the tent, but to prepare the tent to serve people. We must prepare to lengthen cords. Stronger and longer cords support the larger tent. We must drive larger and longer stakes deeper into the earth. This suggests human leadership with firm convictions and great personal security.
Christ is the center pole, the nonnegotiable center of everything. It is from this anchor point that we prepare “to spread out on the left and the right” (Isa. 54:3), considering every direction before locking in on any one. Let’s prepare for bold steps-the future is beckoning!
Which of these 7 suggestions strikes you the most?
What other ways would you add that the FCA can continue to connect to advance the kingdom of God?
Glen Forsberg, is pastor of McMurray Gospel Assembly, Fort McMurray, Alberta, and has served as Chairman of the Fellowship of Christian Assemblies Canada and now serves as an Executive Member of the FCA in Canada.
