PASTORING IN ISRAEL

July 2001 [An electronic periodical on the Jewish Christian scene in Israel, written from a Reformed point of view. News about events in Israel and the ministry in which Pastor Baruch Maoz is involved.]

BLESSINGS AND TRIALS

Grace and Truth Congregation seems to have entered a time of difficulty at the same time that we are witnessing encouraging progress. On June 30 we held a triple baptism - one of those baptised was a 73 year old with a clear, sweet testimony to divine grace. It was a time of rejoicing in the goodness of God as we partook of Communion together and worshipped him who is ever worthy of our praise. Another contact, serving a life sentence, has been visited over the years and has requested baptism. A recent interview with him did not show signs of a work of God in his heart, only a sincere intellectual comprehension of the Gospel. We have, therefore, elected to bide our time, pray for him, teach him and await a clear work of God in his heart.

On Tuesday, July 17, the church discussed and approved the Elders' recommendation to excommunicate a member who chose to move in to live with her intended husband (they were very recently married), confessed to taking liberties to which only married couples are entitled, and shown no sign of repentance. There are in our congregation a good number of fine, eligible, godly young ladies and very few men of marriageable age. This poses an ongoing temptation for many of the women, draining their emotional and spiritual resources as they deflect advances from unbelievers who are attracted by the gracious femininity of our young women. Pray with us for Mira (a pseudonym), the excommunicated congregant, and for our young people, who are beginning to play an increasing role in the life of the church.

A family and a single mother have recently joined us. They were converted in the CIS and, knowing no better, had begun attending a Russian Orthodox church. The views of truths they imbibed there were less than helpful and often contradictory to what they intuitively believed, but they had no means by which to measure truth because they were never taught to use the scriptures. The single mother attended a worship service at Grace and Truth and brought the family on the following Sabbath. They proved to be eager listeners and, as Nadiya (a pseudonym) said later, they were left at the end of the service confused and troubled: what they had heard was so fundamentally contrary to everything they had learned - could it be true?! And yet, it rang true with what they had always believed in the deeper recesses of their hearts.

They were also troubled by the clear call to holiness and to the kind of sacrifice that the pursuit of holiness requires. Responding to such a call would mean that they would have to change patterns of behaviour and some moral codes. Yet - once again - the call resonated with their hearts and, for the first time in their lives, they could see the truth demonstrated from scripture. Pray for us as we seek to assist these dear people to grow in grace.

Reoccurring pressures from the musicians, all but one of whom have come from Charismatic backgrounds, have come to a boil. They are now threatening to leave the congregation unless given a free hand to introduce whatever songs they deem right, have more time for solos and choir performance and alter the style of our music. Some of the Elders do not seem to grasp the implications of what our beloved brethren are demanding, nor of capitulating to their ultimatum. Their bitterness has impacted some others in the church, who have grown critical of our Reformed practice. We need grace and wisdom to deal with these situations in a manner that will best honour the Lord and serve the people. Your prayers are sought.

Sophia (real name, 56 years of age), who has served us faithfully as our worker among the deaf, is leaving to join her two married daughters in the USA. Her assistance has been inestimable and greatly blessed by God. She will now be replaced by 26 year old "Nadia". Please remember "Nadia" and this important aspect of our congregational ministry.

Two of our young ladies leave on July 19 for 10 months of Bible School in the United Kingdom.

BARUCH MAOZ

Baruch is battling tiredness. Since returning to the office he has had to deal with managing HaGefen as well as the work at the church. Nights are becoming shorter and days longer and more concisely packed. He often returns home after midnight and is up early in order to cope with the work on his desk. Time for prayer, study and personal worship has been abbreviated and meditation has simply become an impossibility.