What Next?

Dear Friends and Faithful Supporters;

I hope this letter finds you well!  It’s been quite a while since I posted anything on this blog and many of you may be wondering what is going on with me and Wales. As you may remember, I traveled to Newport in April and May of 2014 to get to know the Church there better and prepare for ministry (I used my own funds for this exploratory trip).  However, approval of the congregation’s work visa application has not come (it was not denied, but after many months it has not been approved either).  In January I began seeking youth ministry positions in the States again, while still hopefully waiting for work visa approval.

What’s Next?

In May, by God’s incredible grace, I was offered and accepted an associate minister position with the Warrenton Church of Christ in Warrenton, VA.  I am very excited for this opportunity and thankful for God’s faithful provision, though I am sad that for now I will not be able to return to minister with my brothers and sisters in Newport.  My official start date with the Warrenton congregation was July 1^st and I certainly covet your prayers for this Church, these teens, and this ministry (check out more at www.mywcoc.org)

What About the Money?

Just as important as what I’m doing next, I wanted to write to all of you about the money you so generously gave to support my work with the Newport Church of Christ in Wales.  This new position with the Warrenton congregation has left me in a unique position in regards to the money given me to do mission work in Wales.  In addressing this, I wanted to make sure I honored each of you, your intentions in giving, and the opportunity for ministry these funds provide.  To resolve this slightly awkward situation (and with the insight of the elders at Brooks Avenue Church of Christ) we have developed three options for what to do with the money:

1) Return your money to you to use in whatever way you believe best*;

2) Forward the money you gave to the Newport congregation to further the work and witness of the Church there;

3) Have the money you gave follow me to Warrenton, VA where I plan to eventually use it for short-term mission work in Newport with the teens and congregation there. 

*Any tax issues that arise because of the return of money you took a deduction for would be your sole responsibility.

So part of my purpose in writing this is to ascertain which of these three options you prefer for the money you gave.  I have no preference in the matter either way, but I do want to assure you that I will do my utmost to make sure the money is used to the glory of God wherever it goes.

You can contact me to let me know your preference via e-mail, via Facebook message (Christopher Abernethy), or by phone (please contact Brooks Ave. CofC at 919-821-2400 to get my e-mail address or cell number).  If you could please let me know of your decision by September 31, 2015 that would be most appreciated.  I will do everything I can to make you aware of these options beforehand, but if I have not heard from you by that date I will go ahead and forward the money as I think best.  If you have any questions or would like for me to clarify anything, please just let me know.  Again, I am so thankful for the faith you have shown in me through each gift and in our great God and Father!  I look forward to what God will do in me next.

Sincerely in Christ,

Chris Abernethy

Christmas, Advent, and Waiting

         I finally got a day off of work where I'm not sick and thought it might be a great time to blog and share some thoughts with ya'll.  You read that right that I now have a job again (I'm working for a hardscape company that builds patios, firepits, retaining walls, etc.).  God continues to provide everything I need in this time of waiting and wondering, just as He has the past three years.
         Speaking of waiting...my thoughts have been drawn back to reflect on waiting a lot recently as Advent comes around again (you see what I did there? :)).  If you're not familiar with the Christian season of Advent it is a word that literally means "coming" and is a time of reflection, repentance, and joyful expectation leading up to Christmas (there is a great Advent devotional book I've used the last two years called Watch for the Light).  One of the most important themes of Advent is that of waiting and expectation.  God's people waited long in anticipation of God's coming redemption.  Christians celebrate this coming each year at Christmas, but also continue to wait in hope for Christ's return (or Second Advent).
          Dennis Conner's sermon at Brooks Avenue Church of Christ this past Sunday really helped bring to the surface my ruminations on waiting (it is not that I haven't thought an awful lot about waiting in the last three years, but it sort of comes and goes over time).  He spoke about Simeon and Anna, two elderly Jews who had waited long to see God's Messiah come (Luke 2:25-38).  They both were overjoyed at baby Jesus' presentation at the Temple and knew that God was finally doing a great thing.  Yet it occurs to me that all we get to see is the end result, not all that led up to it.  They spent year upon year wondering, hoping, seeking the revelation of God's Anointed.  How tired and discouraged did they get?  How often did they think they were close, only to find out they were wrong?  What did they do to maintain hope in God and to really live throughout all this time?  One thing seems certain: if they had not been attentive to God, looking and watching and trusting in Him to act, they would probably have missed Jesus (being just another peasant baby at the Temple.  But they were! and so they saw something few others paid attention to.  How many things do we miss because we're not paying attention to God?  Waiting, if it does  nothing else (which of course it does) helps us pay attention to Him.
           I can't decide how similar my waiting is to that of Simeon and Anna.  Unfortunately I don't have much new to report in that regard as the year comes to an end (see the message I've included below from some of the folks in Newport).  But I am reminded and convinced anew that God is calling me to wait for His action, and to know that waiting on Him is worthwhile.  And this waiting is not passive or stagnant, but active and attentive.
          So as you look towards Christmas here in just a few days I want to encourage you to keep praying with me and also to wait: not just for me to leave the country, but to wait and watch for God.  He is still coming.
                                                                       Merry Christmas,
                                                                       Chris

"Hi Chris, thanks for the birthday greetings. As it was on a Sunday this year and also our usual monthly fellowship meal I was spoilt by everyone and it made my day extra special. I really thought that you would be here with us by now but the Lord obviously has other plans. I know how hard this is for you as your whole life is on hold. We just have to keep plugging away at the powers [that] be and hope they run out of questions soon and that the whole visa issue can be sorted out. Hope you and your family have a blessed and peaceful Christmas season and that 2015 will be the year that you finally get [to] join us in Newport. The younger generation have a desperate need right now and it would be great to have someone who can relate to that need. We continue to keep you in our prayers. With love in Him Ken And Annette"

9 Ways to Encourage the Church in the UK

Dear All,

I’m afraid I don’t have anything new to share about the immigration application with the British government.  I continue to covet your prayers for this and for the whole process of pursuing ministry in Newport.  However, as I mentioned at the end of my last blogpost, I want to offer some ways that you and I as Christians in the United States can help the Church in the United Kingdom grow and thrive.  I've put together a list of nine practical ways you can help, or can encourage help for the Church in the UK below.  Please prayerfully consider these and any other ideas you may have.  You never know what opportunities God might give you if you're paying attention.

As a quick footnote, I want to offer this article about some of the mistakes Americans can make when doing mission work or trying to support Christians in other countries.  We can easily make a mess of things and not even realize it if we don’t think critically about the context and unintended consequences of our work: http://dbouchelle.blogspot.com/2013/12/frequent-missteps-of-americans-in.html  (from the blog of Dan Bouchelle of Mission Resource Network)

“Of course, I don’t mean you should give so much that you suffer from having too little.  I only mean that there should be some equality.  Right now you have plenty and can help them.  Then at some other time they can share with you when you need it.  In this way, everyone’s needs will be met.  Do you remember what the Scriptures say about this?  ‘Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.’”

                                                                                        -2^nd Corinthians 8:13-15 (NLT)

Top 9 Ways to Help (Practically)

9. Learn More

Take time to learn more about the British Church, their cultural context, and history.  You won’t know how best to serve until you learn a little more.  Here are a couple websites to start learning:

-The Christian Worker (like the Christian Chronicle for the UK; check out their directory of CofCs in the UK)

-Wikipedia (Wikipedia’s page on the UK; very informative)

-Current Events (story from the Telegraph about the decline of Christianity in the UK)

8. Meet Some British People

They are among us, lurking in the shadows….not really.  Actually, there are a large number of British visitors, students, and immigrants in the USA at any given time (about 680,000 this past year).  Look for opportunities to meet them and talk with them about their home and (where possible) about their faith.  You could learn a lot.

7. Trade Your Preacher

I know many of you have been looking for a way to ‘nicely’ get rid of your local preacher.  Well, here’s your opportunity! (just kidding, but really…). I have heard of a least one situation where a congregation in California and one in the UK swapped preachers for a 6 month to 1 year time period.  See if your preacher and his family would be interested in a temporary change of venue.  You never know, you might learn a lot from a British preacher as well.

6. Write a Letter of Encouragement

Find the address of a congregation in the UK (see Christian Worker website above) and write a letter of encouragement to them.  Tell them you are praying for them.  Ask about their worship, ministry, and outreach.  You never know what impact you might have (and postage is no more than about $2 for a regular letter sent to the UK from the US).

5. Take a Trip to the UK

Many of you have been looking for an opportunity to visit Europe on vacation.  Why not visit the UK, and add a Church of Christ to your list of places to visit (preferably when someone is there)?  Your presence would be a significant boost to many congregations in the UK and you never know what connections you might make.

4. Plant a Seed

Do you know a young person who is considering missions?  Or maybe someone who is retiring and looking for meaningful retirement work?  Or maybe someone who is looking to do a non-ministry job in a foreign country?  Talk with them about helping buildup the Church in the UK!  You might not be able to go yourself, but you could plant the seed in someone else’s heart with God’s help.

3. Plan a Mission Trip

Talk with your youth, college, or senior minister about a short-term mission trip to the UK.  It can be relatively inexpensive with some good planning (check out my favorite airline for Europe, Aer Lingus).  Remember that medical missions or building houses are probably not necessary in a highly developed country like the UK.

2. Give Money

This could be to a missionary or to a specific congregation in the UK.  There is a great need for this as it is quite expensive to live in the UK.  Ask me if you’d like some suggestions for missionaries or congregations to support in the UK.

1. Pray for the Church

Finally, make sure to pray for the Church in the UK.  They need our prayers so much and truly God is the One who can accomplish most there.  Make sure to pray specifically for things like: strength, unity, their relationships with outsiders, deeper knowledge of the Gospel, and encouragement.

Sincerely in Christ,

Chris

5 Reasons Not To Give Up On The United Kingdom

Ever since I started this journey towards sharing the Gospel with young people in the UK (and even before that), I've noticed something interesting about mission work in Europe: mainly that it is almost non-existent.  Perhaps non-existent is too strong a term, but in comparison to the vast numbers of missionaries and resources being expended to win people to Christ in places like Africa, India, and Central America, non-existent seems an appropriate word (I do know of a handful of people and Churches from the States working in the UK and Europe).  I believe there is a general assumption

St. Woolos Cathedral in Newport, Wales

that stands behind this within the minds and hearts of many American Christians: Christianity in Europe is a lost cause.  And after spending some time there and studying the culture I can understand the roots of this belief.  Europe is often called “Post-Christian” or “completely secular,” because many people there are not interested in Christianity or are even antagonistic towards it.  Hundreds of Church buildings stand empty, and hundreds more will soon as their congregations dwindle into the grave.  It is a fight just to survive for most congregations, and few converts have been seen over the last 15-20 years.  But has God given up on Europe?  Does He want us to give up on the soul and the people of Europe?  Let me humbly offer five reasons why I think we shouldn’t give up on United Kingdom or Europe.  But first, a brief update on immigration.

Unfortunately, the sponsorship certificate has not yet been approved for the Newport Church of Christ.  I heard recently from them that they continue to go back and forth with the immigration folks, particularly in the areas of hierarchy (which Churches of Christ are suspiciously lacking in the eyes of the UK government) and accounts.  Please continue to pray for me and for the Church in Newport as they try to sort things out and as they struggle with the financial burden of this process.

One of the things recently which inspired me to share these five reasons was a reflective piece in the Christian Chronicle newspaper entitled “The Faith I Have Found in ‘Post-Christian’ Europe” by Erik Tryggestad (check it out by clicking on the article title).  He speaks about a recent trip he made to

visit Christians in Brussels, Belgium and the way that he was encouraged not to give up on Europe.  In truth, I am not nearly as familiar with the rest of Europe as I am with the United Kingdom (I’ve briefly visited Spain, Ireland, and Italy) and so the five reasons I offer here going to be from a British

context (however, I think many if not most of these are transferable to other parts of Europe).  So here are my top five reasons not to give up on United Kingdom (or Europe):

1. Christianity is not dead, yet.  I am reminded of a quote from the very silly Monty Python’s “The Holy Grail” in which a character yells: “I’m not dead, yet!”  This is also true of Christianity in the UK.  It’s true that the Church has fallen on hard times here, but it’s not done-for yet.  I have been amazed by the resiliency of Churches in the UK and the way that they “soldier on”                                                                 despite great adversity.

2.  There is enormous potential for rebirth.  I believe that the Church in the UK shares a good deal of the blame for where it finds itself now.  Too many times throughout history the Church (I speak generally of the Christian Church) has chosen power over love, money over service, and cultural conformity over counter-cultural living.  Perhaps it is good that the Church here has been so humbled, because now it has the opportunity to become again what it is supposed to be.  God, I believe, wants to renew the Church in the UK if we will let Him.  It is from this place of deep humility that God will lift us up (the American Church has yet to learn this).

3.  The world is coming here.  If you want to reach those from the Middle East with the Gospel, come to the UK.  If you want to reach those from South and Central Asia, come to the UK.  If you want to reach those from Africa, come to the UK.  This may seem counter-intuitive, but so many immigrants are coming to the UK every day from these regions that the UK is becoming a great place to reach them.  Not only is the UK closer and safer than many of these countries, but you have the opportunity to share the Gospel openly with them instead of in secret (as you would have to in many countries).  And not only is this true in London, but more and more cities like Cardiff and Newport are receiving large numbers of immigrants.  The world is coming to the UK.

4. If we give up on the UK, we give up on the next generation in the US.  It is true that Europe and the US are two very different places and the US will probably not exactly follow the path that Europe has taken.  However, there are just too many similarities between the way teens and young adults in America are thinking and the general thought processes that dominate Europe to ignore.  The Church in the US needs to engage the very significant conversations going on in the UK right now (like “what is true?”, “who is God and what really matters to Him?”, “what does my faith have to do with my everyday life?”, and "why does the Church matter?" for example) so that it has something to say to teens and twenty-somethings in the States.  The Church can’t ignore this group forever and the UK has plenty to teach us about how to engage with our ever more post-modern culture.

5.  God has not given up on the UK.  If ever there was a nation God should have given up on it was Israel.  Yet we find these words of God spoken through Hosea to God’s people: “How can I give you up, Ephraim?  How can I hand you over, Israel?... My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.  I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim.  For I am God, and not man—the Holy One among you” (Hosea 11:8a, 8c-9).  God's heart is turned to compassion when He sees the brokenness of the people He loves (that is not to say that God's love excludes His judgment at times).  And God sees things that we don't see.  Again and again throughout history He turns evil into good, and the impossible into possible for the glory of His name.  I believe that God wants to do this in the UK, and His Spirit is at work if we will trust Him and seek Him.

Hope these five reasons encourage you not to give up on the UK either.  I don’t know what will ultimately come of my pursuit of doing youth ministry in the UK, but I am hopeful that God is at work there.  Next time I blog I hope to offer a few practical ways you can help the Church grow and thrive in the UK and Europe.  Until then…

Sincerely in Christ,

Chris

End of Summer Update

"A man's steps are directed by the LORD.  How then can anyone understand his own way?"                                                                                                                                                 -Proverbs 20:24

 Dear All,

The above verse has come to mind often as of late.  It helps me understand why I have so much trouble making sense of life and ministry sometimes.  Sorry it's been such a long time since I blogged on here.  I get to talk with some of you in person often, but I know for many of you this is one of the main ways you are able to keep up with me and ministry in Wales.  Still, I wanted to wait until I had something worth sharing before I blogged again.

For those who are wondering, I am still in the United States (Raleigh, NC to be specific).  It has been a busy summer working with the North Raleigh Church of Christ as their interim youth minister (they have finally found a replacement, so my last day is actually this Sunday).  On top of this I've spent a week at Carolina Bible Camp and attended two weddings in Texas (yes I went to another wedding in Texas).  Despite the busyness of my summer, I have had little to report in the way of immigration news.  It has been a very slow process, and unfortunately my communication with the Newport congregation has been very limited.  In fact, until recently I did not have much to report, because I did not know what there was to report.

But I am thankful to report that the work visa (or sponsorship) application has been made and paid.  I did not realize before, but apparently the application fee is a rather hefty 536 pounds (approximately $860).  All this has now been done and the Church is waiting to hear back from the immigration office (one of which happen to be in Newport).  This is, unfortunately, less progress than I would like to report.  Yet it is significant and important.  Once the sponsorship is approved, it will allow me to make my personal application for a religious worker visa (which can be good for up to 3 years).  I hope all will be approved before the end of 2014.

As many of you realize, this has been quite a lengthy process for me.  It was, in fact, two years ago this November that I first traveled over to Wales and Scotland to meet two churches (and subsequently broke my wrist in the process).  I admit that it has been far slower of a process than I would have liked, both because of raising support and because of immigration.  This has been especially frustrating with lack of communication over this summer and feeling like I have little to be doing in preparation while I wait.  Still, I believe it is something worth continuing to pursue and work towards.

However, in the midst of this waiting and wondering, I have decided to consider other ministry possibilities in the States this fall.  Over the last year and a half I have not looked into other opportunities because I believed that youth ministry in Wales was where God was calling me and I didn't think it fair to pursue other positions while preparing to go to Newport.  I still believe God can use me for His Kingdom in Newport (indeed He may use me there for years to come...), but I have decided to open myself up to consider other places God could use me in the meantime as I continue to pursue working with the Newport Church.  I want to allow God to tell me "yes" to Newport again, or to lead me elsewhere if He will.  I hope that this is truly faithful, though I admit I have doubts.

So I ask all of you to continue to pray earnestly for me.  I know God hears our prayers and will work through them according to His purpose and goodness.  Pray that God would give me discernment and that He would lead me into effective ministry in the right place, with the right people, at the right time.  Pray for me that I will have continued patience and perseverance.  Pray that God will bring about a speedy process in immigration and in my moving over to Newport.  And pray that I would prepare and be prepared well.

Thank you so much for your support and your prayers!

Sincerely in Christ,
Chris

P.S I welcome your thoughts or reflections on any or all of this.  Feel free to contact me in whichever form you think best.  Thanks!

Two Things

            Two things I'd like to share with you (my faithful readers) this week.  One is informative and one is reflective.  Most of all, I seem to have made a habit of this whole blogging thing and I find that I just keep doing it.  Strange...
            First the reflective.  A couple weeks ago I got to be a part of the wedding of two very close friends.  I've known Anne Weaver and Bob Kessler for almost 10 years now, and I have been so blessed by their friendship.  I don't really like the term "best friend," because it feels like I have to choose a winner for the "friendship contest."  But these two people are the closest I come to having "best friends."  I've gotten to walk with them through most of their long courtship; I've hurt with them and rejoiced with them all along the way, and was so excited to hear about their engagement last year.  Celebrating the beginning of their marriage and just being together with them is something I've been looking forward to all year, even if it meant cutting my possible time in Wales a little bit short.  It was such a blessed weekend as I not only got to rejoice with Bob and Anne, but also with so many friends I haven't seen in a long time.

                                                  Check out some more amazing pictures here!

             I'm sure Bob and Anne probably got tired of hearing the word "finally" during the weekend (it was a rather long courtship, after all), even as I got tired of hearing that I had "flown all the way from Wales to be at the wedding" (though, of course, there is some truth in that).  The long wait, along with the celebration, have gotten me thinking about something else.  Christ's return and the redemption of Heaven and Earth are described as a wedding in Revelation.  Jesus is the groom and the Church (His people) is the bride.  It is a powerful image to me, and the Kessler/Weaver wedding (among others) has given me deeper insight into what God is doing.  That wedding (God's with His people) will be the greatest party and the most satisfying feast.  And we're in it!  We are both bride and bridesmaid: bride because we are lovingly redeemed by Christ; bridesmaid because we also celebrate alongside others who are united with Christ.  I got to experience what it is like to be a friend of the bride/groom this past week and it has given me a much deeper appreciation of several different verses in Scripture (i.e. John 3:29-30).  It also has given me a better comprehension of what the wait for Jesus' return is all about.  In one sense our wait for Jesus' return is Him continuing the long courtship, or perhaps the extended engagement, for God has very much already decided on us.  Perhaps we are the ones who are still struggling somewhat with indecision.  Bob and Anne's courtship was long, but as I reflect on what I know of it, I can't see that it would have been better any other way.  Maybe God's (very) long courtship is the same way.
             Now for the informative bit.  As I mentioned, I am back from Newport and continuing to work towards a religious worker visa so that I can stay for a more extended time period.  Please continue to pray for me and for the Church as we try to work towards this together.  As I work and wait towards this end, I wanted to let you know what I'm doing this summer.  After a good bit of prayer and consideration I decided to rejoin North Raleigh Church of Christ for the summer.  I am continuing to work with them as an interim youth and family minister.  They are moving through a difficult time of transition (continuing to search for a youth minister and now with their pulpit minister retiring) and could probably use all the help they can get.  Please pray also for them in this time of transition: that they would trust God, seek renewal, and draw together in love.  Also pray for me as I seek to serve them well.
              Just thought I'd try to share with you from several different angles here as the summer begins.  I will try to continue posting to keep you updated and share what I'm contemplating.

Sincerely in Christ,
Chris

Back In The United States of America

         For those of you who don't already know, I arrived back in the States this past Wednesday.  It was a long trip back (as I knew it would be), but thankfully was shorter than it could have been (I did stand-by on an earlier flight back to Raleigh when my plane was delayed two hours).  I'm thankful to be safely back in Raleigh, which, as always, seems a more beautiful and vibrant city after I have been away for a while.  But I also miss the lush, ancient hills and ridges of Wales, with the nearly endless sea always close at hand.  Like when I would leave Abilene for Raleigh (or vice-versa), I always felt I was leaving one of my homes behind.
           A lot can happen in a year.  I was reminded the other day of a conversation I had with a friend last summer about relationships, marriage, and all that.  He was not dating anyone at the time and we mused about what the past had brought and what the future might bring.  Now a year later he's engaged and looking forward to marriage.  A lot can happen in a year.
           That being said, a lot can NOT happen in two months.  My parents can testify to my frustration the other day as we drove around Raleigh and I noticed that one of my "favorite" apartment developments in-progress had barely changed at all in the two months I was away in Wales (this is probably a bit of an exaggeration).  God and time change many things, but some slower and some faster than we would prefer.
            I say all of this, in part, as a reflection on my time in Wales and, in part, as an introduction to what may be next.  It appears that I will be back in the United States till at least September.  This is not exactly according to my plans or preferences.  Newport Church of Christ hosts their Holiday Bible School (HBS) at the end of July with the help of some Lipscomb students and then joins other churches for British Bible Camp (BBC) in early August.  I would really like to be back for these two important times, but I am persuaded that my visa paperwork will probably take longer than that.  Still, I am more and more looking forward to joining my brothers and sisters in Newport long-term.  There is a great deal of opportunity for God's Kingdom to grow and mature there, and I am looking forward to being a part of that in the ways God calls me.  I suppose I will have to wait a bit longer yet.  Hopefully I will let you know soon what I will be up to this summer, but I will just say for now that I trust God it will be good.

I think I'll close with five lessons I learned during my past two months in Wales:

1.  Listening to God is hard work, but it is one of the most important things we can do.  To really listen to God takes a lot more work than it sounds like.  There are so many things (in myself and outside) that get in the way.  Still it is worth the hard work to know God's heart and voice.
2.  The Gospel is the core of who we are as Christians.  It is both simple and incredibly complex.  I spent a lot of time thinking about and trying to understand the Gospel while I was in Wales.  It was hard to get beyond what "I already know."  But as I did get beyond this with God's help, I gained a better understanding, which I know will be essential to ministry wherever I am.
3.  God is faithful, and He expects us to be faithful.  God reminded me again and again during my time in Wales that He is faithful.  This was so important as I felt quite overwhelmed at times and didn't know what to do.  But as I continued to seek Him,  God also continued to pound into me that He expects me to be faithful where I am with what He has given me.
4.  Hospitality is huge.  Not only did I receive enormous hospitality from Christians in Newport/Cardiff, I also saw them extending "excessive" hospitality to others.  Surely this is an important part of what it means to live as a Christian, and one that we have not always honored within the American Church.
5.  Culture is cool.  I continue to be blessed and amazed by the opportunities I have been given to really dig into different cultures, comparing and contrasting their idiosyncrasies and personalities.  I look forward to doing this far more in the future.

Sincerely in Christ,
Chris