From My Heart (Paul)
I recently had the honor of participating in the funeral
service of a very special friend. This man has been a
very major part of my life and ministry. When I first
moved back to Nebraska God sent this man (and others also)
to be an example, encourager, and advisor to me. Through
this man’s life I have come to see how important
it is to reach out to the following generation. I realize
that many of those ahead of me are now finishing their
courses, and now I am in the position that they once held.
I now need to find those in the “coming generation”
when the Lord is preparing to lead His people in the years
to come. The church and leaders of tomorrow are now being
trained and equipped for their time of service.
I see the ministry of CRC as one of investing in the growth
and preparation of tomorrow’s leaders. I believe
that our great nation is at a spiritual crossroads, and
the next generation must rise and be light and salt. Pray
for me that my life will be a Christ-like example for
those around me.
From My Heart (Chas.)
Isn’t America great?!!
…I would have loved to have read your mind in response
to that question. Chances are, that question produced
a fairly strong “yes” or “no.”
Likely, this past year, with the election has accentuated
each of our views of this nation.
I asked that question to elicit in you an honest view
of our country. Regardless of whether you are pleased
with the election results or not, one thing is clear:
Homeland Security cannot stop the war of cultures that
is taking place in America today.
I find it interesting that the polling data showed that
the vast majority of rural America voted Republican and
the vast majority of urban America voted Democrat. This
isn’t just true by states. It’s also true
by counties. Even in the red states, the urban counties
were primarily blue, and vice-versa.
As a person who continues to study rural and rurban ministry,
this is a clear sign to me that there truly is a distinction
between the agrarian and the urban mindsets.
Their values are different. Their priorities are different.
The way they view the world is different.
Realize, however, that neither mindset is all right or
all wrong. Both the urban mindset and the agrarian mindset
have qualities that are biblical and unbiblical. One thing
is for sure, however: They are vastly different.
Realize, as well, that there are Christians in both camps
of mindsets. And there are non-Christians in both.
Therein lies my point. We live in a tumultuous time, when
cultures are colliding and emotions are rising. Most importantly,
we live in a time when the unbelieving world desperately
needs to see how the Christ we serve can bring peace and
unity in the midst of almost polarizing diversity.
Most of the clash of the urban and agrarian mindsets takes
place in the vicinities surrounding the urban areas. This
is where a great deal of the mixing of these two cultures
brings conflict. The need for unifying efforts is greatest
in those areas.
Many small communities that are near metropolitan areas
or just off of major interstates are experiencing this
clash of cultures, as the urban-minded business people
begin open businesses and/or live in agrarian-minded communities.
This causes conflict in those small communities. The lost
people in these communities need to see how Christians
from both mindsets can be unified.
The churches in these areas are also mixed; full of people
from both mindsets. This causes conflict in those churches.
The communities in which these churches exist desperately
need to see how the Body of Christ can be harmonious in
their faith and action. Sadly, many of these churches
end up showing their communities that Christ apparently
doesn’t make any difference, as they split or fragment
over what appear to be “power struggles” in
the church. Often, these “power struggles”
are really culture struggles, where people who love the
same Lord see things from two different sides of the same
coin.
Not only do communities and churches find themselves in
this agrarian vs. urban mindset conflict, but so do many
marriages. Those marriages are mixed; one from an urban
background and mindset and the other from an agrarian
background and mindset. How the world needs to see Christian
couples overcome these differences and learn to work in
harmony with each other.
It’s quite possible that I have stirred up a hornets’
nest with my broad strokes here, but that’s fine.
Perhaps it will spur us to grapple with the issues that
the 21st Century American Church needs to grapple with.
If you want to learn more about the agrarian and urban
mindsets and how they create conflict, please consider
yourself invited to attend any or all portions of The
PRâRI Course this coming June. I guarantee you won’t
be disappointed with what you learn.
FOOTPRINTS
Size 8—Paul
I am truly blessed to have such a wide range of activities
involved in my ministry. Each season brings with it different
opportunities and activities. This past spring and summer
I spent a lot of time outdoors moving and preparing the
CRC grounds and facilities for the summer camps. Our 40
acres are very beautiful, and it is very rewarding to
watch children, youth, and adults come and enjoy the beauty
of God’s creation.
Aside from working with the summer camps, I still am Pastoring
at Stockham Community Church. Other activities include
counseling, community involvement, several weddings, and
two funerals.
This fall I will continue preaching and teaching at Stockham,
teach two youth Bible Studies (one in Giltner, one in
Aurora), two home Bible Studies and one Men’s Study.
Please continue to pray for me as I lead my family, church,
and the ministry of CRC.
Size 12—Chas
In regard to my ministry with CRC, The PRâRI Course
kept me busy through June. Day Camps and Travel Camp kept
me hopping, with teaching Jr. High Day Camp, co-teaching
Travel Camp, leading worship for all camps, and handling
the volunteer staff training. Following camps, I’ve
been busy preparing for and promoting The PRâRI
Course for June 2005. I recently returned from trips to
Denver Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Chicago),
and Dallas Theological Seminary.
I will continue to prepare for The PRâRI Course
and finish the research project I started almost a year
ago.
In regard to York Evangelical Free Church (YEFC), I recently
finished a sermon series on the book of Galatians and
am now in the middle of a series looking at our new Vision
Statement. I continue to groom people for Elder positions
and develop discipleship materials. Kristen and I are
enjoying counseling couples inside and outside the church.
SUMMER CAMPS
Travel Camp
This year’s Travel Camp went to the Black Hills,
Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons. Our theme was “A
Time to Stand” and our studies were from the book
of Joshua. We had 50 campers and they were great to be
with. Our staff for T-C 04 was Paul & Kathy, Chas,
Natalie Nauman, Clayton & Sandy Kliewer and Amanda
Shaffer. Each of these were of great help and blessing
on the camp. I continue to be amazed at how God continues
to use Travel Camp in such special ways.
Junior High Day Camp
Junior High Day Camp went well with about 70 campers,
again, this year. Our theme was “Forever Friends,”
where we looked at four characteristics of lasting and
loving friendships.
For activities, we spent time on CRC grounds, spent a
day at Lovewell Reservoir, went to a Super Screen movie,
went roller-skating, had a cookout, and enjoyed some water
games.
The campers were a joy to have and the volunteer staff
and interns were wonderful, helpful, and effective in
ministry. A huge “thanks” to them all!
Elementary Day Camp
We had over fifty campers in our 3rd & 4th and 5th
& 6th grade camps. Our theme this year was “The
Incredible Journey”, a study from the book of Exodus.
We compared their experience to our spiritual deliverance
and walk with the Lord. The camps went well and our staff
was excellent. We seek to clearly present the Gospel in
each of our camps, so please pray that the seeds sown
will bear fruit in the lives of our campers.
ARBOR ACRES COOPERATIVE TRAINING PROGRAM
The PRâRI Course (Chas.)
The PRâRI Course went off without a hitch. The
summer interns (Natalie Nauman, Clayton and Sandy Kliewer)
did a fantastic job with the childcare. The students of
the course were very supportive of their time with us
and excited to return to their respective places of influence
to put in a good word for the course.
Already, I have six students signed up for the 2005 course
(June 6-15). So, my trips to promote the course on campuses
were fruitful. I continue to see increased interest and
support for the course among the seminary professors,
administration, and students.
This is somewhat of a make-or-break year for The PRâRI
Course. So, I would greatly appreciate your prayers for
the Lord’s direction and for His will to be done
in regard to this course.
CRC FACILITY NEEDS
We are presently evaluating our ministries and facilities.
We know that we need more space for our summer camps and
for our Rural Pastor Training Course. We are seeking the
Lord’s direction on what kind of facility to pursue.
Other needs that we have are:
A storage shed for our outdoor equipment—i.e. games,
balls, nets, etc.
A shed to store our canoes (one is 17 ft) and other recreation
equipment including our go-karts and travel camp trailer.
Our lodge building needs a new roof
If you have any buildings that are not being used and
would meet our needs, we would greatly appreciate the
use of them.
REFLECTIONS FROM SUMMER INTERNS
We would like to thank God and everyone who supported
us for this opportunity to serve the area youth. It was
an amazing experience and we know God worked out His will
at CRC. We have so many memories and were so blessed by
the children and staff we worked with.
Not only did we see the camper’s faith grow, but
ours was challenged and strengthened as well. God gave
us the desire to continue ministering to youth in our
future. We faced some challenges over the course of the
internship and God came through in a real way to take
away our anxiety.
Clayton & Sandy Kliewer
This past summer was truly a blessing to be an intern
here at CRC. There were so many different ages & aspects
of camp throughout the summer. Each group was unique and
fun in their own way. I especially enjoyed the volunteers
in the “SummerFun” program. They did a lot
of service projects throughout the summer and it was a
joy working with them. I grew a lot this summer and feel
so fortunate to have gotten the chance to meet and work
with so many great youth!
Natalie Nauman
TRAVEL CAMP 2005
Next year’s Travel Camp will be going to salt
Lake City, Bryce and Zion National Parks, the Grand Canyon,
and Mesa Verde (Indian cliff dwellings). The dates for
T-C 05 are July 25-Aug 5. The cost will be $400. We need
a $50 deposit and a registration form to secure a spot.
We will begin taking registrations after January 1.
TRIP TO ISRAEL
The Evangelical Free Church of Grand Island is hosting
a tour of the Holy Land on Mar 10-19, 2005. The cost is
around $2000 per person. If you are interested, you may
contact Rev. Paul Hofrichter at 308-382-1898. They need
to know by the end of December.
Email us [arboracres@hamilton.net] if you
would like to
receive CRC's
Update Letters
via email.
Volume 29, Issue 1
Spring 2004
FROM THE HEART
From My Heart (Paul)
This past week has been one, which has
changed my life forever. I have preached, taught, counseled,
and believed Biblical truth for many years, but I have
now experienced some of them in an incredible way. Our
family found out that our precious little granddaughter,
Marley Joy, has some very serious problems. Her brain
did not develop correctly and thus she faces some real
challenges ahead. In one moment of time, with one doctor’s
report, our lives changed, and we experienced one of life’s
greatest sorrows, yet without anger, despair or fear.
I found that God does indeed give a peace that passes
understanding. In the midst of our tears, our family sensed
God’s grace and we realized that Marley is with
us for a reason. We will seek to use her life as a platform
to display God’s grace and glory. Our family is
committed to the truth that "all things work together
for good" because we love God, and are seeking His
purposes. We look forward to God’s unfolding of
His will in our lives. Please pray for Marley, Marley’s
parents, Jerod and Natalie and for us, that our loving
God may use our lives in a very special way.
From My Heart (Chas)
April 1, 2004 marked my 10 year anniversary
at CRC! I am so grateful to the Lord for giving the opportunity
to minister and grow here. The friendships that Kristen
and I have made have been wonderful, and the chance to
work with the Naumans has been such a blessing.
When we started at CRC, we came not only
because of the diversity of the ministry but also because
it was rural in nature. We had ministered in rural Colorado
and believed the Lord was calling us to continue serving
Him in rural America. We never dreamed we would have the
opportunity to also help train other pastors for rural
ministry.
There have been so many blessings in
the ministry here. We have gained friends who have loved
us and encouraged us for the long haul. No doubt, in a
metropolitan setting, after ten years, we would have seen
hordes of friends come and go. We are so very thankful
for opportunity to minister to people who we have known
for ten years and will likely know for years to come.
Another blessing has been the Midwest
environment in relation to raising a family. So many healthy
values are held here that have long been forgotten or
forsaken in most big cities. No doubt, there are challenges
here, but Kristen and I can think of no better place to
raise our children.
Also, the opportunities for me in ministry
have been broad and fulfilling. I have enjoyed every year
of my ministry at CRC and am grateful for the freedom
to try, fail, and succeed at new and long-standing ministry
programs. If I had been in a typical church ministry,
I would not have been afforded the opportunity to follow
my ministry passions to near the extent that I have at
CRC.
"Thank you" to all of you who
have made our ministry over the past 10 years possible,
fulfilling, joyful, and (I pray most of all) fruitful.
FOOTPRINTS
Size 8 - Paul
This past winter has been a very rewarding
one for me spiritually. The Bible studies that I have
taught have been of great help to me. I have been a learner
as well as a teacher. My weekly schedule included three
adult studies, one men’s study, three youth studies
plus one adult Sunday School class and preaching. In addition
to my regular studies, I was involved in two weddings
and three funerals. I was also privileged to be one the
three speakers at the Pleasant View Bible Church Missions
Conference. I greatly enjoyed this past winter’s
studies and now look forward to the coming summer ministries
of CRC. Please pray for the CRC staff as we begin our
summer programs.
Size 12 - Chas.
CRC ministry throughout the winter months
has primarily been consumed with The PRâRI Course
(see article). I have been busy promoting and planning
the course itself and, also, putting together a nation-wide,
random survey to validate the primary content of course
(The Five Roots of Effective Rural and Rurban Ministry).
I have also done some counseling, speaking, and singing,
from time-to-time. Now, I am starting to kick into summer
gear and plan for our upcoming camps.
I will spend the bulk of this article
updating you on my ministry at York Evangelical Free Church,
as much has transpired. First, having met in the City
Auditorium for the past 12 years, the church has recently
moved its meeting location. The offices are still rented
at 608 Grant Ave. For meeting purposes (worship, Sunday
school, groups, etc.) the church has a two-year lease
on a business building located at 1713 Lincoln Ave. It
used to be the Total Tan and Fitness center. It’s
across the street from Lovegrove grocery store, on the
North side of the railroad tracks. It will seat close
to 120 (about 40 more than we could seat in the small
basement room of the auditorium) and is suiting our needs
and purposes quite well, I believe. One of the members
said, "We’re no longer the underground church."
This is true and the added visibility and accessibility
have brought a number of visitors and new families. I
believe there is a growing excitement among the church
about how God might use us to reach the lost in York County.
In other church news, the Board has recently
formulated a new vision statement which is well-suited
to the giftedness and identity of the church. Also,
we are just finishing a short series called "Passionate
about the Christ." We handed out a few hundred flyers
to those exiting "The Passion of the Christ,"
inviting them to attend the series on answering various
questions regarding Jesus. Though we only had a few takers,
the series has been great for me and beneficial, I believe,
for the church. On April 18, we will be baptizing 4 people.
One of them is a young lady who committed her life to
Christ after the sermon on April 4. Last, I am intensely
discipling two men in the church. One of them is being
groomed as a possible Elder. The other believes he is
being called into ministry of some sort. I am excited
to pass on parts of my seminary education to them, at
a steal of a price. I do covet your prayers, however.
The enemy has certainly taken notice of what the Lord
is doing through our church and the few other evangelical
churches in York, and he is hard at work to dismantle
what has been taking place.
SUMMER CAMPS
Elementary Day Camp
Our Elementary Day Camp will take place
July 5-16. The theme for this year’s camp is "The
Incredible Journey," Studies from the books of Exodus
and Joshua. The ages for this Day Camp are those entering
grades 3 through 6.
For those entering grades 3-4 the dates are July 5, 7,
9, 13, 15. For those entering grades 5-6 the dates are
July 6, 8, 12, 13, 16. The times each day are from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $15 per camper. Each camper
should bring a sack lunch, drinks are provided. The activities
include games, canoes, go-karts, obstacle course, archery
(grades 5-6), a nature talk, and singing and devotions.
To register fill out a registration form and mail to CRC.
For more information call CRC at 849-2606.
Junior High Day Camp
Our Junior High Day Camp will take place
June 29-July 2. The theme for this year’s camp is
"How to Be a Forever Friend." Junior High Camp
is for those entering grades 7-9. The cost is $35 per
camper. Our activities this year will include swimming,
tubing at Lovewell Reservoir, Skate Island, the Lied Super
Screen in Hastings, and all of the activities at CRC.
Our brochure explains what to bring each day, and where
we will be going. If you do not have a brochure or need
more information, call us at CRC, 849-2606.
Travel Camp
This year’s Travel Camp theme is
"A Time to Stand," a study in the book of Joshua.
The dates are July 27-Aug 5. We will be visiting Evans
Plunge, Mt. Rushmore, Wind Cave, Yellowstone, Jenny Lake
in the Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole, and a white water raft
trip on the Snake River. The cost is $375. If you have
any questions, call us at 849-2606.
ARBOR ACRES COOPERATIVE TRAINING
PROGRAM
Working Together to More Effectively
Bring the Way to Out-of-the-way Places The Pastors’
Rural and Rurban Immersion Course
The PRâRI Course 2004 is set for
June 7-16, with 4 students, 3 wives, and 4 kids. This
will be a big leap for us with the 4 kids coming. One
of the students is currently a pastor in a rural church
in Montana and learned about our course on the Internet.
One is a student at Denver Seminary. Two are students
at Dallas Seminary.
Last year we only had 2 pre-schoolers
who only needed daycare. This year we have a 15, 14, 11,
and 10 year old. This is a significantly more difficult
situation. Finding one or two college age students or
other adults to minister to them and chaperone them for
9 hours each day for 8 days is a feat in itself. On top
of that, lining up activities for them that will be enjoyable
and Christ-honoring makes the challenge seem impossible.
If you have any suggestions or interest in helping with
this in any way (chaperoning, planning, contributing to
the cost), please let Chas. know. He would be greatly
blessed.
For Chas., this past number of months
has been a blur, in terms of what he’s learning
about research. He has been working with Dr. John Reed
at Dallas Seminary to conduct a nation-wide, random survey
of rural and Rurban pastors to see if the core ministry
principles that we teach during the course (The Five Roots
of Rural and Rurban Ministry) really are valid. Having
never done a survey before, it has been a learning experience
in the highest measure. Many have helped him and
he is nearing the final stages of preparation. His hope
was to have the results before the 2004 course. This,
however, is not likely to happen. Too many details, with
too little time. He hopes to complete the project sometime
during the summer.
The PRâRI Course has been a major
undertaking for CRC and has been a financial strain to
boot. Yet, we believe the course and content are valuable
and needed. If you have any interest in sitting in on
any of our sessions, let Chas know. We would be happy
to have you. Check our website for schedule and topic
details.
"One of the most significant issues
in my many years of being a seminary professor has been
our inability to help students who by choice or circumstance
become pastors of rural or rurban churches. In June of
2003 I had the privilege of visiting The PRâRI course
directed by Chas Bauer. The course is well researched
and organized. The instructors are veterans, relational
and practical. The immersions are really the best part
of the course. Dallas Seminary is pleased to recommend
the course to our students and alumni."
John W. Reed, PhD
Senior Professor of Pastoral Ministries, Emeritus Counter
Culture Update
Counter Culture Update
"Counter Culture", CRC’s
youth Bible teaching ministry, was offered in both Giltner
and Aurora this past school year. These studies are designed
to help Christian youth better understand the Bible and
how it relates to their lives. This year both groups studied
the book of Proverbs. The Aurora study met on Wednesday
mornings at the Jay Hunnicutt home, and the Giltner study
met at the Paul Nauman home.
CRC Facilities Available
If any individuals, families, groups,
or churches would like to use the CRC facilities they
are available upon request. If you are interested, give
us a call at 849-2606.
The lad meant well
As they parted, a father in Dallas gave
his first-grader some change to "give to God."
Later, the dad discovered that his son still had the money.
"Why didn’t you give that money to God?"
the dad asked.
"He wasn’t here today," the lad answered.
Our real situation
Author C. S. Lewis became a Christian
late in life, but he is well-known for his brilliant interpretation
of Christian theology and Christian practices.
According to Lewis: "Our lifelong
nostalgia, our longing to be reunited with something in
the universe from which we now feel cut off, to be on
the inside of some door which we have always seen from
the outside, is no mere neurotic fancy, but the truest
index of our real situation."
