Ministry Archives - Page 3 of 3

October 31, 2019 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Discipling Across Genders and Generations

Driving home from church events last week, I listened to a sermon series by Philip De Courcy on my radio station. In his expository teaching on Titus 2:1-5, De Courcy explained discipleship between older and younger women in the church. One recurring phrase of De Courcy’s resonated with me: “the church’s job is to disciple across genders and across generations.”

What does discipling across genders and generations look like in my life? My starting point is Jesus’ sending words in Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” My decades’ long discipling project changed focus as my two children, a son and a daughter, launched as young adults. Much as I would love to hop a plane and be a missionary elsewhere, I live in the northern Minnesota woods. Now that I am an empty nester, how does God challenge me to disciple across genders and generations?

Across Genders

The football hit my leg as I spoke. Sitting in the front row, Jacob listened and focused on me even as he tossed the football in the air. Then he missed the catch. After it bounced off my leg, I picked it up and set it behind me. Jacob obviously sat where he could not be distracted by peers, held eye contact with me (so much so that he dropped the football) and paid attention.

God, why me?! Our youth director asked me to give the middle-school lessons on Wednesdays. I can’t do this! I don’t have the physical comedy skills to get their attention. My language is old; my references, slang, and language patterns are far removed from these kids. That antsy energy that I used to get in trouble for? They have that too! I don’t want to shame them or discourage them from listening and growing in Christ. Help me, God to serve in your name and teach from your truth only. In Jesus’ name.

After background checks and other paperwork, volunteers from local churches participated in a mentoring lunch program at our public middle school. Each assigned to 1-3 kids at a time, volunteers spent three lunch periods in a row playing board games, enjoying seasonal-themed activities, and talking with the middle schoolers. On my first day, I met “Lexi” (not her real name). Lexi ate her pizza and talked, spilling out anecdotes of family dysfunction, neglect, and gender dysphoria. I connected with her on places of my own family wounds, but mostly I listened as she poured out her story. Later, I relayed concerns to the school counselor in charge of the mentoring program, who assured me that Lexi was receiving regular and professional counseling.

Dear God, you love “Lexi” so much! Please help her to realize that she is your precious child, created in your image. Please protect her in that chaotic household. Make her aware of your love and guidance. Dear Jesus, please let me love with your love and listen with your patience. In Jesus’ name.

“Sorry, guys. David [our youth director] called and texted every man he knew, but he couldn’t find a man to lead your group tonight. I am their last choice so you are stuck with me.” I introduced myself to the 8th and 9th grade boys’ small group on a recent Wednesday night. This fun group of young men surprised and humbled me as they discussed how they spent time with God.

God, thank you that these young men are yours. Keep them loving and following you, and please bring a male group leader to challenge and encourage them. In Jesus’ name.

Across Generations

Titus 2:3-5 spells out how older women should teach younger women. Mature Christian women have blessed me (thank you, Mom and Maryanne!) and now, as an empty nester, I want to bless others that way. Before we moved, I volunteered in MOPS as a mentor mom and now I occasionally return to speak. In my current location, I mentor informally or when moms contact me.

Lord God, teach me to open my heart and schedule to mothers and wives who need encouragement and direction from you, Lord. Help me to always point them to the truth of Jesus. In your name.

In my new church, I co-lead a small group of middle-school girls in youth group. Last year, we had sixteen 5th-8th graders; this year our list includes eight 6th-8th graders. We discuss the lessons, share from our hearts, and pray together.

Dear God, you know and love these girls. Please keep drawing them to you and deepen their relationship with you. In Jesus’ name.

Six months ago, Pastor Mark gave a kick-me-in-the-butt sermon (my words, never his) about loving your neighbor. God used that to convict and motivate me to meet and serve the family at the end of our gravel road. I now spend time helping 93 year-old, bedridden, cancer-ravaged Edith. As a nurse, the diarrhea and diaper ministry is doable, but listening to anger and cursing are not my choice of ministry. When I hear Christ’s name yelled in hostility, my strategy is to sing “Jesus loves me, this I know . . .” Turns out Edith’s mother sang that song to her eighty-some years ago, and now it seems to calm her.

Lord, once again you sent me where I didn’t want to go. Forgive me for resisting. Change my heart to love and serve my neighbors in your name. In Jesus’ name.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:19 to “go and make disciples of all nations” includes all genders and generations. May God affirm our identity in Him, teach us to obey, and ground us in His love as He sends us to disciple across genders and generations.

Lord, teach me, humble me, and use me to minister in your love. Please send me to disciple across genders and generations. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

August 2, 2019 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

A Machete, a Boy, and an Invitation to VBS

The blade glinted in the son, the sharp point rotating on the asphalt, as the boy spun the knife handle. This was vacation Bible school, or VBS, that summer staple of churches across the United States. I have volunteered with many church VBS programs, across two states, multiple denominations, and two decades. But never have I dealt with a machete-wielding kid at VBS!

A child should have a footlong hot dog, not a machete blade stretching over a foot long! Why did he have the knife? Was he going to use it on himself or on the vacation Bible school (VBS) kids?! My internal safety alarms triggered, I walked quickly toward him. Although aware of my presence, he did not look up, but continued to spin the dangerous blade.

Concerned for his safety and curious about his motive, I finally got close enough for him to hear me. “Hi, what’s your name?”

“Isaiah.” His face resolute and his eyes on the knife, Isaiah (not his real name) spoke softly.

Isaiah was not enrolled in VBS. On the other side of the asphalt were fifty VBS kids squealing, playing, and running around on a sunny day. Trays of watermelon and yogurt packets filled the snack table. The inflatable house, tie-dye crafts, and water games were set up on the church’s back field that bordered Isaiah’s house. What kid would not want to join that?!

Isaiah eventually opened up and started talking with me. The VBS director then walked over carrying the leather sheath, which Isaiah had dropped on the ground by the inflatable house. Isaiah reluctantly handed his weapon over to the VBS director, who slid the blade into the long leather sheath and handed it to me.

After a short conversation with mild-mannered Isaiah, I realized that he posed no threat. Instead, he was a normal ten-year-old, trying to get attention and join the other kids. And Isaiah’s method of doing that was to grab the coolest thing in his garage and bring it to show the other kids. He didn’t want to answer my questions about the knife, but he became interested when I asked if he wanted to join us. “Do you have anyone at home that I can ask about you coming over to play with us?”

“Yeah, my mom and grandma.”

“What if we bring the knife back and ask if you could come to vacation Bible school?” Holding the sheathed knife, I walked Isaiah home and told him about VBS. When we got to his yard, he went straight for the garage, but I called him back. “Isaiah, let’s go to the front door so I can talk with your mom and grandma about you coming to join us.”

Just then a large man walked out the garage side door. Before I had a chance to explain, he snarled at Isaiah, “I told you not to touch this!” Isaiah hung his head and slumped into a porch chair.

Realizing that this was probably Isaiah’s grandfather and the owner of the weapon, I held out it out to him. As he took the knife, I launched into a description of VBS and an invitation for Isaiah to join us. “We go until 12:30 today and then we have three more mornings of VBS. We just need someone to come over and sign him up.” I tried to be welcoming, but looking at Isaiah as he sat with his head lowered, I feared that there would be punishment and no chance of Isaiah coming to VBS.

“That is up to his mother,” the grandfather said, pointing the boy into the house. Then he turned and carried his machete into the garage.

I walked away with a heavy heart, realizing that no gentle invite or encouraging words would convince Isaiah’s family to let him join us. I prayed that God would intervene to bring Isaiah to our fun-filled VBS playground.

During snack time, our pastor joined us outside. Apparently, Isaiah had been out with the machete the previous day. Pastor Mark had met Isaiah, walked him home, and then spoken with his mother and grandmother. They had no idea he was out of their yard with the machete. Pastor was surprised to hear that Isaiah had come back with the knife, given his mother’s anger about the first incident. Pastor Mark had also invited Isaiah to VBS, but his mother didn’t sound like she was interested in sending him. We did not see Isaiah again that week.

Lord, you know and love this young boy. I pray that you minister to his lonely heart. Bring him into fellowship with you and with others who love you. Please protect him from punishment or hurt. Lord, instead of playing with knives, bring this precious boy to the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). Grow this boy up to understand how alive and active your word is (Hebrews 4:12). Lord, teach him to serve you, that he would wield the sword of your word to your honor and glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

January 31, 2019 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Thank You, MOPS Craft Coordinator

I am not a crafter. When I am at an event that includes a craft-project, I get antsy and wonder how long it will take and how long it will take me. Crafts are an exercise in frustration for me. I don’t enjoy putsy work that requires me to do things precisely or creatively, especially if I have the pressure of a time limit. I much prefer to purchase someone else’s item and appreciate the artist’s creativity.

Amber, our MOPS group (Mothers of Preschoolers) craft coordinator, thankfully gave me a different perspective. Amber presented options and helped me see creative possibilities that I would never have considered. The quintessential craft lady, Amber translated the world of art projects into reasonable projects for me, a craft-impaired person.

When our small group was called up to the supply table, I positioned myself at the end of the line so I could hear how to do it. Amber had worked tirelessly to prepare all the supplies ahead of time. She had cut and stained boards, printed mini-posters, and created options for different styles. Although I was a mentor mom, in crafts I was far behind the artistically talented moms at my table. I dreaded the decisions. What did it matter if I choose a rustic dark frame or a painted white one? I didn’t know what I wanted, didn’t think I needed it, and certainly didn’t want to fuss over it.

This was one of our last MOPS meetings in the spring. Amber had prepped everything in amazing detail and printed out instructions. Of course, I needed extra help. I watched the inspired moms at my table apply their creativity to the project, hoping to learn from them. Eventually, I chose a Bible verse poster and made the wood-framed wall-hanging. Little did I realize how meaningful that project would later become.

I wondered what to do with the wall-hanging. My husband and I were moving that summer, and we needed to downsize everything. I almost gave the project away, knowing that everything we owned would be packed up for 6 months to a year as we constructed an addition onto our cabin. Living out of a suitcase for the first 4 months, I somehow I found that wall-hanging in our boxes of stuff relegated to an unfinished room. I saw the project and then read through the Bible verse:

The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts. Psalm 28:7a ESV

Reading that verse, chosen long ago from Amber’s tabletop of colorful options, I recognized my need to apply those words to my construction-zone frustrations. I pounded a nail into a 2×4 and hung up the verse in our bare toilet stall. Little did I realize how poignant and meaningful that verse would become over the next six months. My husband ended up with an acute illness lasting almost two months, which required lots of time in that room, to phrase it tactfully. During the long-lasting construction projects, I also had plenty of time to memorize and meditate on that Bible verse.

Thank you, Amber, for giving us physical reminders that stir our hearts to grow closer to God. You may never realize the impact your projects make on individual lives, but I pray that you keep sharing the artistry and creativity God designed in you.