In this Issue
| • | Work as Mission |
| • | Spiritual life week at LCC |
| • | Conference Proclaiming the Gospel in Contemporary Lithuania |
| • | A Word from Dr. Marlene Wall, Interim President |
| • | Upcoming Open Events at LCC |
Feature Stories
(Editor's note - In addition to teaching Statistics, Business Research, and Business by the Book (by the Bible) instructor Odebiyi teaches seminars for churches preparing leaders and business people to consider the place of faith in the workplace.)Much has been said about the need for Churches to do more in the area of evangelism, but much hasn’t been mentioned on the need to prepare the congregation for workplace mission. First, we have to realize that our work is a mission; a mission for God and a mission to man. God wants His children to steward His creation. This was the same mandate given to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Genesis 1:28, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." God has given us the responsibility of taking care of the earth as He would want it. This should be the reason and ‘mission statement’ for our work. As we go about our respective occupations, we need to realize that we are on a mission for God.
Our work is a mission for God, which translates into a mission to man. Our workplaces are meant to be a channel for God to reach out to the human race; a channel of His compassion, love, mercy and hope. This makes our place of work a missions field.
We spend most of our waking hours at work. Our colleagues at work may best be considered our neighbors. We relate with our colleagues at work more than our next door neighbors! Our congregation’s sphere of influence is mostly at their workplaces. Therefore our congregation’s lives and conduct should serve as light and salt to the people out there in the world. If the Church is serious about evangelism that is effective, then, now is the time to train up Church leaders to understand and prepare their congregation for missions in the workplace.
During the week of March 28th, the Spiritual Life Team at LCC International University will be hosting a Spiritual Life Week on campus. The main theme which student leaders suggested for the week is, “Relationships.” We have planned a series of daily events to engage the students, staff, and faculty of LCC in a discussion of this very broad topic. Monday, March 28: Identity
This event will be an ice cream social with a skit performed by students, short video presentation, and a discussion led by two staff members about how we discover and define our identity based on how God sees us.
Tuesday, March 29: Family
For Tuesday, we have organized a panel discussion. The panelists have been asked to answer the question, “How has your relationship with your father, or lack of relationship, affected your perception/understanding of God as the Father?”
Wednesday, March 30: Friendship
Coffeehouses are always a popular event at LCC. Our coffeehouse will emphasize sharing the gifts and talents God has given us, such as drama, music, and poetry, to worship Him and fellowship with one another.
Thursday, March 31: God’s Word
During the lunch hour, we will have tables in two of our main buildings, and we will be giving away free New Testaments and brownies to anyone who wants them.
Friday, April 1: Romantic Relationships
Since this event is taking place on April Fool’s Day, we have decided to call this event, "Fool's in Love.” This will give students a chance to ask questions of a panel of married staff/faculty and their spouses.
Saturday, April 2: Community
We will finish the week with a Community Pancake Dinner.
Our hope for this week is that it will not only be something our Christian students want to attend, but that these events will also be outreach to the non-Christian students on campus.
What issue in church life is common to leaders across the denominations of churches? Evangelism is core to the mission of the church. This year’s Congregational Development Conference at LCC invited active believers and especially church leaders to discuss the theme together and to consider it from some new perspectives. Though the message of the gospel is the same the Church uses different media, different venues in different generations in order to interact with those who do not yet believe.In addition to main sessions focused on our interactions with the world, and how we see God at work in the world around us, there was an interesting round table discussion on the gospel and hospitality. Speakers made the point that hospitality opens the door for conversation and good hospitality does not put the host on a much higher level than the guest.
Participants from locations across Lithuania and from more than 20 congregations were divided into groups for discussion. They also participated in practical seminars such as workplace as mission, and using art, social media and social justice as evangelism.
The conference was also an excellent place for building relationships through which a new ministry to children of prison inmates is beginning. Separate ministries to children and to prisoners were happening, but now they will find a common thread.
To view news article about the event and more photos please click here.
This year we celebrate 20 years of LCC presence in Lithuania. It is truly remarkable to see God’s provision over these years – in the way that obstacles were overcome in the early years of development, in the generosity of many Christians around the world who have given resources of time and money toward the mission of LCC, in the trust that is placed in LCC each year by students and their parents. We are grateful to be partners with you in the mission of the Church in this region of the world, always striving to be an institution of Christian higher education that demonstrates a Christian community of respect, grace, and perseverance.In the words of our Board President, June Michealsen, “The Board of LCC International University is deeply committed to the Christian mission and vision of LCC. Board members recognize the importance of partnerships with you, leaders of faith communities throughout the region, and value relationships begun by Kyle Usrey. We pray that in the coming years LCC will continue to host events, like the congregational development conference, which encourage spiritual leaders. We are mindful of the challenges you face serving Christ in the region and seek to support you in any ways we can.”
Although we are in a period of transition, our mission statement remains the same: LCC International University provides Christian liberal arts education within a diverse learning community that transforms people for servant leadership. Our goals as a Christian liberal arts institution are the development of thoughtful citizens, the development of character, and the development of a Christian worldview.
In a world that is hurting because of poverty, war, slavery, earthquakes, it is good to be reminded that we serve a God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). And it is good to remind ourselves of our responsibilities as Christians to live as salt and light in our corner of this world. May we at LCC be found faithful to this end.
April 8-9 Academic Conference "Volunteerism and Philanthropy: Ideal or Ideology?"
May 23-26 Hospital Chaplaincy Nora Aušrienė, director of Chaplain Services Chicago, Illinois
May-June Mission in the workplace: Part 1 for church leaders, Part 2 for business persons - Femi Odebiyi, LCC Instructor
Feedback
Contact by mail:
Sharon Brubaker, Assistant to the President for Church Relations in Europe
LCC International University
Kretingos 36, Klaipėda LT-92307
Lithuania
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