And the things you have heard me say in
the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable
men who will also be qualified to teach others.
(2 Timothy 2:2)

Season’s Greetings from Amsterdam! We trust that God is an ever-present source of joy and hope to you during this volatile time of the year… As for us, it seems that we can identify a bit more intimately with some of what Jesus, Mary, and Joseph had to go through in Bethlehem, at the time of the original “nativity scene.” Our ministry facilities on the Herengracht are still a bit of a mess—like the lowly stable in which Jesus was born—with sawdust and globs of plaster all around, tools scattered in the various corners, and a chill in the air from the lack of heating installation. As with most renovation projects (at least most Amsterdam renovation projects), things never seem to run quite according to plan, schedule, or budget. Thus, our community is still in “exile” as we await completion of the renovation process so we can move into our new space (please pray with us for an efficient conclusion to everything, hopefully before the end of the year)…

Even so, ministry in Amsterdam is far from stalled. In fact, it seems that we’re gaining momentum throughout this admittedly awkward period of our church’s history!

One of the more significant events from the last month was our church’s first ordination service. On Friday, November 10 (followed by a separate church-wide recognition on Sunday, the 12th), Todd Watkins and I were officially recognized as pastors for Zolder50. Of course, the two of us have been acting more or less in this same capacity for a couple of years already—since the departure of the church’s founding pastor in July of 2003—but it seems that the ordination last month brought some closure to a work that God has been doing in our lives and in our church for the last few years.

Perhaps it would help to explain a bit more of the process by which Great Commission Ministries (and its association of churches) recognizes its church leaders. There is a wide range of practices and procedures for establishing Biblical leadership in churches today—and honestly, it seems that there should be some room for allowance of different practices and procedures among different streams of Christianity—but pastors in the Great Commission movement are recognized primarily on the basis of character development. More than formal education (i.e. seminary), more than vocational choices (i.e. “full-time” versus “volunteer” ministry), more than adherence to a specific set of denominational guidelines—pastors in our church culture are recognized on the basis of practical experience and, most significantly, development of godly character such as befitting church leaders (outlined in sections of the Bible such as 1 Timothy chapter 3, Titus chapter 1, and 1 Peter chapter 5). Thus, in essence, Todd and I were trained and tested through our experience in actually leading the church in Amsterdam over the last few years (together with a more experienced pastor, Joe Dunn, on-site for the first year and then coaching from afar for another year and a half). And as it seemed that the Holy Spirit had given us sufficient grace to develop and lead the church—which indeed seemed to become clearer over the last year or so—it seemed appropriate, for Joe and for the entire congregation, to formally recognize Todd and I for the positions to which God had apparently already raised us. Therefore, the ordination ceremonies in November were a chance for the church to lay hands on us and pray for us, in formal recognition of what God has already been doing in our lives. At any rate, the ordination was a special event for me, personally (it was also neat that my parents could be there to witness the occasion). And, to be honest, I think that the ordination has also had a somewhat subtle, subconscious effect on the church as a whole, as well.

Since the ordination last month, I’ve had several conversations indicating that others have been impacted with the idea that they, too, could be used by God to help lead the church (and new church plants) in the future. In particular, I’ve had conversations with one young man from my home group and two other young men from another home group that I’ve been coaching—all Netherlanders—who have expressed interest, ambition, and availability for playing a more significant role in helping to lead the church (and/or new church plants), developing and learning how to pastor as they go. Going against the natural Dutch aversion to being one of the “tall trees that catches a lot of wind” (an old Dutch proverb, basically reinforcing a cultural value of anonymity), these young men are stepping up to play a key role in leading God’s church in the Netherlands.

Without a doubt, this is something to be excited about! We’ve long recognized that one of the greatest needs in the world today—and particularly in Europe—is spiritual leadership. And it seems in recent weeks that the Lord of the Harvest is being faithful to send out workers into His harvest fields (Matthew 9:37-38)! Please continue to pray with us for this process of leadership development—and particularly the development of European pastors—within our church. And please pray for Todd and me, in our role as pastors for these potential pastors—and for the church as a whole—shepherding these people’s lives effectively, through the power and wisdom of God.

Thank you for everything that you give to make this ministry possible. Your faithfulness and sacrificial generosity remind us of Someone else, whose gift to the world is remembered at this time of the year. We wish you a very merry Christmas, and a happy New Year. Thanks again, for everything!

Eric