NEEDNews Winter 2011
Coming of Age- NEEDinc finally congealing?
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Dear friends, family, faithful supports, and people we don’t know yet,
Mentoring young leaders continues to expand as I nurture new young men, while maintaining my relationships with “older” leaders (in their late 30s – mid-40s). The questions we discuss are oddly more basic and substantial as our Christian culture moves further away from its rich Biblical consciousness. Most of these men are New England grown, others live across our globe, and some from our church. Speaking of which, a new role has emerged for me- member of the Pastoral Support Team. (Sounds more like an MS Outlook file to me.) My mother moved to a Nursing Home in early June. Since then, our home life has become a little more restful and a little more service oriented; we are still involved in mom’s daily life . It is a peculiar feeling to visit people who cannot remember you were there yesterday. Starr and I minister to as many as we can in the Dementia Wing of the Amherst Nursing Home- counseling staff, praying with patients, distributing Life Savers, and just listening; some staff are actually reading CLUELESS CHRISTIANITY. Starr and I celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary on June 5th. Well, not exactly; but we did have a wonderful dinner together at our beloved Lakehouse in New Hampshire. Thank you Galbraiths! Starr continues to minister to a few professional women in the community as their touchstone- she is the one they consult on questions of significance and insignificance. They have become good friends for one another. Not unexpectedly, there are also a number of older, godly Christian leaders seeking her wisdom & counsel. We are both questioning our cognitive abilities to remember what we just forgot to remember; and our energy levels do not have quite the stamina they once did. Nonetheless, we still have much to offer and continue to be formidable weapons together in the hands of a Holy God. We like that. Continue to pray for us as we disrupt the powers of this world and transform normal people into a powerful, influential community of faith. A.k.a.- Merry Christmas! Gary & Starr
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MERRY CHRISTMAS! This has been one of those more memorable years of our lives. In ministry, I have finally completed writing a book- CLUELESS CHRISTIANITY ~Christians living in a postChristian something. Sales have been v-e-r-y good, and reactions have run from WOW, to this is quite comprehensive, to monumental work, to how long did this take to write? Now NEED’s Board wants a 2nd Edition, “More filling/Less fat.” This! In the midst of working on The Whiskey Chronicles, EmPulsive Thoughts, and On the Matter of Renewing the Soul. After that we are translating four of NEED’s training courses into books as well; two aimed at Christian growth, two designed for normal people and us. My brain is beginning to revolt, and my fingers are in pain already. But writing seems like an appropriate activity for this phase of our ministry development.|
Clueless Christianity Having an Impact
It came as no surprise that many Christians want to tell people about their faith but have little idea how to do it. They are no longer comfortable with commando raids, four point outlines, or even inviting people to church. Church services have become so foreign to those who have never visited one. This book’s suggestions on HOW Christians can immerse themselves in society (chapters 7-10) were found to be the most helpful. It was a great evening. On a broader scale, sales of CLUELESS continue to increase as readers tell their friends about it, often giving a copy to them as a gift. Nonetheless, more marketing needs to be done to broaden sales. Pray we can find someone to head up that aspect of our ministry. Books are no simple things to crank out. I need to move on to imagine other faerie fancies. Not unexpectedly, many people want it on Kindle- and thus will it be formatted. Look for it soon, on a Tablet near you! Others asked for an abridged version. Thus a Second Edition is in the works- “Less fat- More Filling.” A Team is working on it as I write. If you haven’t read CLUELESS CHRISTIANITY, I encourage you to pick up a copy and read it. It is available on Amazon.com, or in your church library. It they don’t have a copy, get them one. Or, just wait for the Kindle offering in early 2012.
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At a recent Book Signing it was amazing to witness the excited acceptance of the ideas set forth in CLUELESS CHRISTIANITY. The gathering was both inter-generational and wide-ranging in educational levels. All showed great appreciation for the summaries of the historic influences that shaped the interface between the secular society and the church. “Nice to have it all in one place.” But most were refreshed by the suggestion that our interplay with our non-Christian neighbors and work associates is the context for the gospel. There was also great response to viewing the gospel as offering something versus demanding something. Once Christ’s grace and forgiveness are offered, the demands become our natural responses. Repentance, something we humbly desire to do; obedience converts to love.
| Davis Christmas 2011 – yes, our tree eats the living room…, again. |
We did it again. The Christmas Tree that Ate New York is in our living room. And that’s the way we like it! We l-o-v-e to celebrate this season with everyone we meet. If we can drag them away from their busy shopping schedule, we always have hot buttered rum or mulled cider on the stove. Our home is bright with life- a celebration of Jesus Christ entering our reality for the first time…, and the second time. Looking back: looking ahead. Keeps things in perspective.
Right now, Starr is cuddled up on the couch with two of our grand-children- ‘Bekah & James (aka- “Duke”), feeling as loved as she could be. I’m sitting in our living room in front of “The Tree,” (see right) enjoying Christmas music & a cup of warm cider. Does it get any better than this!?! Well, yes it does. As I get older in life I wish I could see just one year without strife riddling our world with bloodshed and sorrow; I wish I could wipe away all tears. But I know that is not my place. I’ve just become far more sensitive to my own sinful inclinations, as well as sensing the effects of humanity’s sinful, global rebellion.
But throughout the Davis house there remains a stillness, mixed with excitement. The stillness surrounds the remembrance that the God of the universe became flesh. The IS an astonishing thought. And the excitement, well, you know- the whole Christmas gift exchange, end-of-year giving to others (with no thought of tax deductions), the gatherings of friends & family, and, of course, the expectation of s-n-o-w.
So in the midst of all that swirls around us throughout the year, and especially in this season, let us all live in the ever-so-brief moments of joy to the world, and peace- on earth. 
Merry Christmas,
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