Letter from the Church Council
“For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God beforehand that we should walk in them”. Ephesians 2:10
This is a favorite scripture passage of mine. I meditate on how God created me and each of us by His intention before time began to do a specific work according to our specific giftings. This should guide us when we seek ways to determine our priorities. First, and foremost, our plan should line up with God’s will. Jesus said, “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” John 15:16 We should know that God has chosen and appointed us for a particular area of service. Our goal should be to produce fruit that “remains” after us. Things like money and influence are needful, but they must never be our goal or our heart’s desire.
A lot of young people come through my door. Many are seeking to know what job to go after, what opportunity might be available, how to determine priorities for their future lives. How can I advise them to establish the right priorities? I think as we get to know ourselves better, we focus on our strengths and things that make best use of our God-given skills. I encourage them to consider what brings them the highest return and reward or what they enjoy most doing.
These are the core gifts to which we should put effort. According to the 80/20 rule, we should focus 80 percent of our effort toward the top 20 percent of the list of nobler activities we enjoy. Jesus said we are to give our attention to activities that bear the most fruit. This also works for us as we prioritize our work as a corporate body, the Arusha Community Church.
Might Christ’s calling in the Great Commission, Matthew 28:19, 20 be to reach some of the 29 unreached groups in Tanzania? Council leadership has been discussing how it might be possible, and the benefits it would bring to us as a body, to send or support local Tanzanian missionaries to work among the unreached. As a way to explore this theme, some are taking the Kairos course to seek a ‘world view’ on the state of Christianity today, and the work remaining. We also are exploring to give support to young Tanzanian missionaries called to reach the Alagwa, Sonjo and/or some coastal groups in Kilwa who are 99% Muslim.
These recommendations come from different African Inland missionaries, some who
worship with us. Through supporting these people, we will invite them to visit us that we learn about the people they are serving and become ‘alive to mission’. ACC Council wants ACC corporately to fulfill God’s calling by enhancing our members’ awareness of and engagement in mission, thus to be obedient as a body to the furtherance of the gospel. Can an interdenominational body support workers from one denomination over another? My understanding is yes, prayerfully, and I am encouraged that the African Inland Mission is itself made up of missionaries from diverse Christian denominations like ACC who also put their differences behind them to serve together.
Meditate on Hebrews 13:21: “May God make (me/ACC) full of every good work and ready to do His desires, working in (me/ACC) whatever is pleasing in His eyes through Jesus Christ; and may the glory be given to Him forever and ever. Amen!
Erwin Kinsey, Council member