Definition of a Hero:
How would you define a hero? A hero is not a perfect person, or necessarily filled with moral perfection. A hero is not a Greek or Roman mythical champion such as those men you might find written about in Plutarch’s Lives of Noble Greeks & Romans. A hero is not a modern Sports great such as Kobe Bryant, Albert Pudjols, and Tim Teboe. A hero is not a superhero like Captain America, Spiderman, and Superman. Here are two simple definitions: A hero is “a man who exhibits extraordinary…greatness of soul, in connection with any pursuit, work or enterprise” (From: the Oxford Shorter Dictionary), or “any man noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose; especially one who has risked or sacrificed his life” (From: the American Heritage Dictionary). Moreover, it should be pointed out that a hero is a man, and a heroine is a woman with heroic tendencies.

Attributes of a Christian Hero:
Moving beyond a generic definition, what are some descriptive attributes of the Christian hero? Heroes may suffer, but they rise and overcome adverse circumstances (like Columba). Heroes are sometimes persecuted, yet they make courageous stands for Christ (like Polycarp). Heroes sometimes bleed and die as martyrs, yet they live on through their disciples, exploits, and writings (like Ignatius). Heroes typically do not think of themselves as “heroic”, yet they persevere through the difficulties of life and they don’t easily give up (like Patrick). Put simply, Christian heroes are “ordinary men who by God’s grace accomplish extraordinary deeds for the expansion of Christ’s kingdom.” For this reason, reading Christian biographies can be a life-changing practice because these stories encourage, inform, inspire, and motivate.

A Contest of Epic Proportions!
Can you name all seven of the Christian “heroes” pictured in our banner above? If you want to win a prize, bring your guesses to the Men’s Advance conference for a drawing on Friday night (February 10, 2012). Write your guesses on a 3 x 5 inch card (plus your name) for a chance at winning a copy of the book Heroes written by Ian Murray. Give your card to the Master of Ceremonies (Benjamin Serven) before the end of the first session. We’ll put all of the cards into a hat at the beginning of the second session and the first card drawn out with all seven correct answers wins the book! You must be registered for the conference and present at the drawing to win the prize. Will you take me up on this challenge?

–Pastor Marcus Serven

In his sermon on Luke 2:9-14 John Calvin proclaimed,
“Since the angel invites us to rejoice at the coming of Christ, not in any ordinary way but with unbounded delight, let us make the most of the message. What can we say about this joy” If we involve ourselves in worldly pleasures and are wholly absorbed by our own wants, we will never rejoice in the grace of Christ. Let the shepherds instead be our example. Their earthly lot did not change, despite the fact that they had heard the angel’s word and had witnessed the birth of God’s Son. They went back to their flocks exactly as before; they continued to live as poor men, guarding their herds. In terms of the flesh and of this passing world they gained nothing from the privilege which we read about here. For all that, they were full of joy. Theirs is a lead we should follow. For although the gospel might earn us neither wealth nor fame, and although it might not bring us gratification or amusement, nevertheless, we should be glad that we are the objects of God’s favor. That is where true blessing and happiness lie, and where real rest is found.”

Source: John Calvin, Songs of the Nativity: Selected Sermons on Luke 1 & 2, Translated by Robert White (Originally published in French, Geneva, 1562; Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust. 2008), 141-142.

The interest for our annual Men’s conference is growing day by day. This year we will meet on February 10-11, 2012. Be sure to check out all of the details on the “Men’s Advance (2012)” page. Not only can you get all of the necessary information for the conference, but you can also register online.

You won’t be disappointed. We have a strong and timely theme, two experienced speakers, some excellent meals, beneficial discussion groups, and a great book table! Also, this year we will feature the Winton Family as our conference musicians. They will offer a FREE concert for the entire family on Saturday evening, February 11 (7:00-8:30 PM).

Be sure to register soon!

Let us rejoice in the goodness of God for preserving his people through many trials and tribulations. Think of God’s promise to His people when you recall the Pilgrims: “He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.” (Psalm 111:5)

Our theme this year is is “Heroes: Why we must have them, and why we must tell their stories”. The simple fact is that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary deeds for Christ’s kingdom. I’m glad that this is the case, because that means that God can use me and you to accomplish his eternal purposes–what a privilege this is! Therefore, all Christian fathers and mothers have the God-given opportunity to tell thier sons and daughters of “the glorious deeds of the LORD and his might, and the wonders that he has done.” (Psalm 78:4) This is covenantal evangelism at its clearest. We trust God for the results as we seek to fulfill our duties by faith. (cf. Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 29:29; Acts 2:39; Ephesians 6:4)

The music all weekend long will be provided by the Winton Family, and they will be featured on Saturday night in a FREE blugrass concert for the entire family! Join us this coming February for some stirring music, great food, and beneficial messages.

Be on the look out! There will be more information coming soon…

–Pastor Marcus Serven

Consider some wise counsel on this subject from two godly men…

From the Protestant Reformer, Dr. Martin Luther:
“Therefore a Christian should follow a different practice. When he sees the mote in his brother’s eye, he should go look at himself in the mirror before passing judgment. He will then find beams in his eye big enough to make hog troughs. Consequently he will have to say: What is this anyway? My neighbor has done this once in a quarter, a half, a whole year; but I have become so old and have never yet kept the commandments of our Lord God, yea, I transgress them every hour and moment. How can I be such a desperate rascal? My sins are nothing but large oaks, thirty feet tall; and I allow the paltry motes, the specks of dust in my brother’s eye, to irritate me more than my large beams! But this should not be. I must first see how to get rid of my own sins. This will keep me so busy that I shall forget about the motes.” (Martin Luther, What Luther Says, Weimar Edition 52, p. 524)

From the English Puritan, Thomas Watson:
Question: “How do we know when we have forgiven another?”
Answer: “When we resist all thoughts of revenge; when we will not do our enemy’s mischief, but wish well to them, grieve at their calamities, pray for them, seek reconciliation with them, and show ourselves ready on all occasions to come to their aid in distress.” Also… “We are not bound to trust an enemy; but we are bound to forgive him.” (Thomas Watson, Body of Divinity, Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, p. 581)

–Pastor Marcus Serven

Organization & Speakers:
The Jon and Candy Summers family and their support team did a superlative job of organizing it, promoting it, and staffing it. The speakers were both challenging and encouraging. We heard rousing presentations from Voddie Baucham, Reb and Beverly Bradley, John Dwyer, Douglas Phillips, Bill Potter, and Herb Titus. What a line up!

Curriculum Fair:
Besides that, there was a full exhibit hall with over fifty vendors. Our own family ministry, the Genevan Foundation for Cultural Renewal, had a booth at the conference where we sought to encourage the recovery of family discipleship and promote resources for family worship—Hymnals, Psalters, and instructional CD’s. Most of our church families were in attendance as well, so that it was a joy to run into dear friends throughout the conference.

Lots of Books!
For me one of the great blessings of a gathering like this is in being able to peruse the wares of all the book vendors. I picked up two helpful volumes on family discipleship: (1) Family Religion, by Matthew Henry (Christian Focus Publications), and (2) The Godly Home, by Richard Baxter (Crossway). Both are reprints from the Puritan era and contain a wealth of practical instruction. Here are a few thoughtful quotes on training children from Matthew Henry,

“Let parents and governors of families make conscience of instructing their children, and servants, in the forms of sound words…Tell them why you read the Bible with so much veneration…Tell them why you make conscience praying to God so solemnly every day…Tell them why you observe the Lord’s day, and make such a difference between that and other days…Especially tell them of their baptism…Tell them of the corruption of their nature, which needed cleansing; and of the grace of God in Christ, in which there is cleansing virtue.” (Matthew Henry, Family Religion, 92)

“It is good to have an interest in the prayers of those who are of the spiritual seed of Jacob, that seek God and know how to wrestle with him, and to improve that interest for ourselves and our children…A treasury of prayers laid up for our children may stand them in better stead than thousands of pieces of gold and silver laid up for them.” (Matthew Henry, Family Religion, 99)

This is good and earnest advice from a godly man. I thank God for the CHEF Conference and the abundant resources and wise speakers that are made available every year.

–Pastor Marcus Serven

Randy, Cody, and Jesse Winton have been playing bluegrass music together for the past four years–and they are really talented. They will certainly give us some foot-stomping, hand-clapping, God-glorifying music! Feel free to invite your friends and relatives. The concert begins at 7:00 PM on Friday night.

Attendance and Speaking Times:
This year we had ninety-seven men and boys attend the Men’s Advance (Feb. 25-26th). I was very pleased with the turnout. Moreover, it was a great privilege for me to work with Dr. Derek Carlsen. He exemplified the doctrine of “Perseverance” through the way in which he met the difficult challenges of his own life—these he related to us with several gripping stories. Especially interesting was his bold and principled stand against tyranny within his native country of Zimbabwe. All six talks are listed on Sermon Audio. You can find the link here. I truly hope you enjoy them!

Mrs. Elise Carlsen, Derek’s wife, also spoke with our wives and daughters at a special gathering at my home on Saturday afternoon. Elise challenged the women to trust God in the midst of persecution, suffering, and trials. As you might imagine this is not easy thing to do, but Elise illustrated this kind of trusting attitude from the events of her own life! It was quite powerful.

Discussion Groups:
One aspect of the Men’s Advance that makes it very different from many other Christian conferences is the group discussion that follows every session. Our discussion groups were led by Al, Bill, Chris, Dan, Jeff, and Paul. In these six groups the men and boys weren’t allowed to simply “sit and soak”, but were encouraged to apply all that they had heard. In short, we learned how to persevere in our own personal faith, in our own homes, and in God’s kingdom work—especially when life gets difficult.

Excellent Meals:
Besides the speaking times, we had some excellent food. From my informal survey I learned that most of the fathers enjoyed the Beef Stroganoff with garlic-roasted green beans that we were served on Saturday evening. Whereas the boys enjoyed the deep-dish pizza we received on Friday night. At all four meals there was an abundance of food and extra side dishes—salads, rolls, salsa, tortillas, vegetables, and deserts. No one went away hungry! Special thanks go to Angie, Beth, Carrie, Cheryl, and the dynamic duo of Melissa TD and Melissa W. There were lots of kitchen helpers this year—both young and old—to assist in the serving and clean-up. Thank you one and all!

Family Concert:
As we already knew from 2009, the concert with the Lautenschlager family on Saturday night would be superb—and it surely was! They led out with a number of hand-clapping and knee-slapping American folk songs and concluded with several bluegrass favorites (ie: “The Orange Blossom Special”). I noticed that there were lots of budding young musicians crowded around Daniel, Katie, Shoney, and Zach after the concert asking questions. The closing dinner and concert drew well over two hundred twenty-five people. It was a fine conclusion to our whole event.

I will post the important details for next year’s Men’s Advance (2012) later in the springtime–dates, theme, and speakers. Be on the look out!

–Pastor Marcus Serven