About a week ago I was waiting in a doctor’s office.  Since my phone battery was running low, I decided to find something to read instead.  On top of the pile of various magazines on the table was a children’s book titled Aesop’s Fables for Children. ‘What a refreshing idea!’ I thought and proceeded to flip through the pages. I ended up enjoying many stories that I grew up listening to.  One of the stories in particular had left an indelible mark on me as a young girl, and I was thrilled to have the chance to be reminded of the lesson that story had taught me.  It’s the story called “the Wind and the Sun.”
Here is the story as found on one internet site:
One day the Wind and the Sun were disputing which was the stronger. Suddenly they saw a traveler coming down the road, and the Sun said: "I see a way to decide our dispute. Whichever of us can cause that traveler to take off his cloak shall be regarded as the stronger. You begin." So the Sun retired behind a cloud, and the Wind began to blow as hard as it could upon the traveler. But the harder he blew the more closely did the traveler wrap his cloak round him, till at last the Wind had to give up in despair. Then the Sun came out and shone in all his glory upon the traveler, who soon found it too hot to walk with his cloak on.
The moral of the story: gentleness and kind persuasion win over force and harsh confrontation.
Of course, if you talk to my children, they will say, “there is no way our Mom got the moral of that story.  She didn’t practice that principle on us as we were growing up!”   I admit that many times I was too demanding on my children.  I was quick to confront them about their mistakes as if they would be ruined for life if I did not correct them as their Mom.   It is only through the grace of God that they turned out pretty normal!  My children may not agree, but I am trying really hard these days. I pray I will become a gentler and kinder mother (and wife!) each day with the Holy Spirit working in me.
This story also made me think of the song, “Your kindness, Lord,… leads me to repentance…,” which comes from Romans 2:4.  “Do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”  Jesus doesn’t use guilt to get us to repent although He could. Instead He uses kindness!  His kindness leads us to repentance, obedience, and a broken heart for Him.
Just as God draws us in with His kindness, the only way that we are going to reach the lost world around us is through kindness. Strong historical arguments, great theology, and powerful personal testimonies – they are all good ways to bring someone to Christ. But the best way to draw, attract, or introduce someone to Christ is through kindness, His kindness!  I pray and encourage everyone to practice kindness toward others throughout the upcoming week.  First it should begin amongst our family members and our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Then it should be carried with us wherever we go as an ambassador for Christ.  May we witness lives being transformed as we share His kindness!

From Pastor Sara’s Heart
June 9, 2013

We would not have been able to remain at NCFC today without God's promise that He will always be with us to the ends of the earth. Therefore, who would not fear God, and who would not praise God's name?  All praise and glory be to God, who with infinite grace and mercy is guiding our church.
We see many of our church members striving towards unity by encouraging one another even with differing opinions and feelings. In this, we have assurance that NCFC can remain as a church that 'makes disciples of all nations to give glory to God.’ Our church, focused on the gospel, desires to continue in advancing God’s kingdom through evangelism and missions with the dream of seeing His kingdom fully come here on earth as we await the return of our Savior, Jesus.  Nevertheless, we apologize for not having been able to tend to the needs of our struggling church members due to many issues needing our immediate attention. In the future, we will serve our church members with more humility, care and prayer.      
The resignation of Pastor Jamie, who steadfastly served with us for the past 23 years, brings NCFC much sorrow and sadness. However, we pray with earnest hearts that God will be with Pastor Jamie and continue to use him for His glory.
The Board of Elders would like to share our official position and clarification on several issues related to Pastor Jamie's resignation.
Firstly, no official documents prepared by or speeches made publicly by the Board of Elders in the past have contained the term 'embezzlement' in reference to Pastor Jamie.  Nevertheless, it is our sincere regret if these baseless rumors and assumptions by people both in and outside of NCFC have caused any damage to Pastor Jamie's reputation.
Secondly, should any information in official documents prepared by the Board of Elders be revealed as inaccurate, we will share the corrected information publicly.
Thirdly, we will offer Pastor Jamie payment toward his retirement that includes the retirement pension funds already paid to date and the amount equivalent to his salary for the remaining months of his sabbatical. We regret not being able to provide more generously due to the current difficult financial situation of our church. We pray for God's abundant blessings upon Pastor Jamie.    
Fourthly, we will repay the loan given to us from Covenant Christian School (CCS) after appropriate adjustments.
Other remaining issues not referenced above will be settled as soon as possible through discussions with Pastor Jamie.  Please pray for the Holy Spirit to guide the process so the outcome will be honoring to God and the church. 
Again, we would like to thank Pastor Jamie and Dr. Kim for serving our church for the past 23 years.  We pray expectantly for God's guidance to be upon Pastor Jamie, Dr. Kim, Jeremy, Stephanie and Elliott and for God to receive even greater glory through them in the future.
A farewell reception for Pastor Jamie will take place at VA campus at 5pm next Sunday, June 23rd.  Please join us to honor and remember Pastor Jamie and his years at NCFC. 
Lastly, we know that God, and only God, will receive glory through everything. Considering how all things in this world are under God's providence and plan, we eagerly pray for 'all things to work together for good' so He alone will receive all the glory through New Covenant Fellowship Church and Pastor Jamie.

June 16, 2013

NCFC Board of Elders