January 2008 Update

Hi folks,

Greetings and every blessing for 2008 as God continues to work out his purposes - even through me and you! Let me give you a brief overview of the past couple of months since my last posting on 20 November.

Thanksgiving in the USA is a big event and we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to give thanks for the Lord's many blessings. We were so pleased to have Tanya and Jonathan Nace from Indianapolis and Aaron Fussner from Marion come and visit us for Thanksgiving. The Naces had served with us in New Zealand and with Tanya now working for Global Partners (Wesleyan World Missions) we had much to talk about! Aaron is always pleased to visit Asbury Seminary as this is where his parents first met back in the late 1970s.

In the month following Thanksgiving through until Christmas I concentrated on my dissertation. This is on the topic of "Discover your Wesleyan DNA". I had almost a month to read, research, take notes and begin to map out my first two chapters (to be about 80-90 pages). It was an excellent time and with no classes and few interruptions it was a rare opportunity to get stuck into my topic. The dissertation will outline why it is vital for churches and denominations to know and appreciate their heritage and how they can participate in the wider Body of Christ with integrity and authenticity. Also how they can know what has long been cherished in their church over the years. I have been examining the theological worldview and distinctives of John Wesley (1703-1791) through his own writings and the myriad of books written about him to distill the nature of his unique theological synthesis and emphases.I have learnt so much and my aim is to develop a NZ curriculum that I can teach. This teaching will be part of my research, and through a testing instrument I will be able to test the benefits, or otherwise, of "discovering your Wesleyan DNA". I have been in touch with a number of folks back home on this topic and have especially appreciated advice and comments from Dr Felix Tan, Dr Keith Rowe, Dr Allan Davidson and Pastor Brett Jones.

Advent and Christmas is a special time here in Wilmore. On the weekend of the first Sunday of Advent there was a major civic event with most citizens gathered for the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Main Street by the local mayor. Then in the evening all shops and churches were open for interactive activities, free give aways (especially Christmas cookies and hot apple cider)and special music. The culmination was a service in the United Methodist Church attended by over 1500 people. I was impressed by the partnership in all this of civic, business and church.

Pastor Brett Jones was able to briefly call on us for a couple of days before Christmas. He and Kristen and children had only just arrived in Michigan to visit Kristen's Mum and Dad, Chris and Marcia Hinterman (special friends to the NZ Church).We appreciated Kristen allowing him to come down to Kentucky and, as you can imagine, we lost no time in talking and talking and talking about our New Zealand mission work, Asbury Seminary and all that we had each been experiencing since June.

By Chistmas Day the seminary had emptied out and in the Beeson apartments we were left with my Scottish colleague, Ian Wills, and his family. After very well attended Christmas Eve services at the Free Methodist Church (where we regularly attend) we were surprised to learn that American churches don't have a Christmas Day service. Kind of like a story without a punchline! Anyway we shared hospitality on Christmas Day with Duane and Patricia Brown and children and later with Absom and Lara Joseph and children. Both Duane and Absom are Wesleyan students and in the final stages of completing their Ph.D studies after many years. We had a good time and the day wasn't so bad weather wise - cold but sunny.

The following day (Boxing Day but no-one around here knows what that is about) we got a rental car and headed to Florida. I have a new admiration for Americans and their long distance driving. The trip took us about 15 hours and getting through Atlanta was frustrating with the freeways clogged with holiday traffic. However other than that we had a good run with Jane helping me with some of the driving. We loved seeing the Wright family at Brooksville which is the Wesleyan Retirement Village. Dr Wayne and Victoria are the parents of Beth Fussner who serves with us in New Zealand. It was also a treat to have the Wrights grandchildren Annie Wright (visiting from NZ) and Aaron and Nathan Fussner visiting along with other family. It was great to see them all and enjoy hospitality and special prayers of blessing from Dr Wright as we left.

We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit Cape Canaveral. A real experience and very well set up telling the story of American space travel since the late 1950s. Then we had a day at Sea World, probably Florida's main attraction other than Disney World. The display by Orcas, seals and dolphins were remarkable and especially the highlight of swimmers in the water with the huge Orca working together.

However the main reason for our trip to Florida was to attend the Wesleyan Youth Convention "Set Apart". Over 6,000 young people and their supporters had travelled from all over the states and some other countries to share in worship, workshops and listen to excellent speakers. The music was thunderous and I had the privilege on stage of bringing multi-cultural greetings from New Zealand and offering a prayer. Certainly the young people responded when I mentioned "Middle Earth"! We were thrilled to catch up with friends, including Josh and Becca Bowlin from NZ, Tanya and Jonthan Nace and Brent Dongell, and also for Jane and me to meet up with so many of our Wesleyan leadership friends including Craig and Tammy Dunn, Mark Gorveatte and others. There was plenty of opportunity to promote our New Zealand work and I was especially pleased to spend brief time with Jeff Eckhart from Kentwood Community Church who was soon to leave for NZ to be the keynote speaker at "Ignite" Youth Camp.
The whole "Set Apart" experience was new to us and the organisation impressive, although with such vast numbers and hotel accommodation there isn't the intimacy we are used to in much smaller Kiwi camps and conventions. That said I am inspired by what such gatherings can achieve and will be raising the possibility of a four yearly youth convention in the South Pacific region. What a thrill to think about hundreds of Wesleyan youth gathering in places like Brisbane and Auckland. I wish when I was a teenager and young adult there had been large and exciting events - it would have helped me in my faith development.

Then it was the long trip back home - this time only 14 hours as we had no congestion through Atlanta. The next day, 1 January 2008, it snowed for the first time and what a magical atmosphere it was. All the children come out of the Beeson apartments and there were many snow fights and fun had by all. The only problem was it was so cold! The bonus was that school was due to start again the following day but was cancelled due to the snow and ice conditions. Joy oh joy for all the children! Since then we have only had a light flurry of snow today but more is expected soon. Fortunately we don't get the massive snows that many northern states get - but enough to have some fun. Certainly for us Kiwis in America snow around the house is a great experience.

On 3 January I went with my Beeson colleagues to Houston(via Atlanta). Our purpose was to visit a range of interesting churches and this was certainly the case. Chapelwood United Methodist support a Saturday night "Mercy Street" church which is focussed on recovering addicts. About 300 people were there and some great testimonies were given about help to overcome a range of addictions. What a wonderful ministry for any church in the John Wesley tradition to undertake. On the Sunday morning we visited the massive Lakewood Community Church (48,000 members - America's largest church). Joel Olsteen, a young pastor who promotes the prosperity gospel, preached and even asked us Beeson pastors to stand. Surrounded by security we met Joel and his wife and mother after the service. Then it was on to United Methodism's largest African American church. A typically energetic service and the church has a remarkable social service ministry. Then there were other church plant successes and insightful sharing by their pastors. We also visited pub context outreach and heard about street ministries in the tough areas of Houston. It was a full on four day experience and although the "Bible Belt" context and size of churches was so different to what I am used to there were lots of learnings and note taking for East City Wesleyan and the WMCNZ.

Since getting back I have been in preaching class with Dr Tory Baucum, an Episcopal Priest and Asbury Ph.D graduate who is pastor of Truro Episcopal Church in Washington. This is one of the denominations largest churches and is currently seeking to leave for similar reasons to what happened to us evangelical Methodists seven years ago. Tory is a very interesting man and his preaching insights on exegesis and delivery are worth listening to very carefully. At present I am working on two exegesis and sermons ready for presentation in class later this month.

Next month, we are off to Orlando (Florida again) for a ministry conference and then an extended mission trip to Hungry and Romania. Watch this space for an update in early March.

As I write we are conscious of the New Zealand "Ignite" youth camp having just finished in Auckland and also the South Pacific Wesleyan Convention in Melbourne. We would love to have been at these important events - next time!

Thank you for your interest and and prayers for my study time and learnings and also support for our family. It is deeply appreciated.

In Christian Service

Richard Waugh