Desert Highway Ministries

“Turning A Blind Eye” – or Not Seeing Those Among Us

Duane Gryder — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:38:55 +0000

“Turning A Blind Eye” -
or Not Seeing Those Among Us

The idiom turning a blind eye is used to describe the process of ignoring unpopular orders or inconvenient facts or activities. The phrase to turn a blind eye is attributed to an incident in the life of Admiral Horatio Nelson. Nelson was blinded in one eye early in his Royal Navy career. In 1801, during the Battle of Copenhagen cautious Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, in overall command of the British forces, ordered Nelson’s forces to withdraw. Naval orders were transmitted via a system of signal flags at that time. When this order was drawn to the more aggressive Nelson’s attention, he lifted his telescope up to his blind eye, said he saw no signal, and ordered his forces to continue to press home the attack. – Wikipedia

I do not know if many of us are a deliberate in ignoring the cultures around us as much as we are just not aware they exist. It is the distinctions of these cultures that make it necessary for US Missionaries and new church planters to reach out to areas that have been ignored or unreachable by the traditional church approach. It is interesting to note that Jesus told the disciples that when they received the power of the Holy Spirit, He did not just say they would be witnesses to the whole world, but instead listed the Holy City, the culture they considered God’s people, the culture within them that they despised and ignored, and then to the rest of the world.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 NKJV

Recently in a North Texas District Church Planting and Development board meeting we were introduced to a couple who have been working in the Gulf Latin District but have a real burden to work with a whole group of people who are missed in Hispanic churches. They are the second and third generation Americans who desire to go to an English speaking church but still within the context of thier culture. Instead of recognizing this need we expect people to either be Hispanic and go to Spanish speaking churches or to adapt their culture to ours if they speak English. This ignores the needs of a growing number in our society. Their culture is distinctive and actually has much to offer to the rest of society. Planting a church can meet this need, but also educating some of our other congregations to this need and how to incorporate it into their churches can also meet this need. We did this in a church that I pastored in a community that was seventy percent Hispanic, but the need is neglected in many of our communities.

Another pastor friend of mine was moved by the Lord with a burden for law enforcement officers only to find there was a blue line that the civilian minister is seldom allowed to cross. They have their own distinctive culture and are often by nature and by training suspicious of anyone from the outside crossing that line. Seeing that problem, David left pastoring and went to Police Academy. He now serves as a pastor and works for the local police force. Many times he has been allowed to work with officers in the Dallas/Ft Worth area because he is on their side of the line. We cannot really plant a church to meet this need. We can do some educating in some congregations to meet this need, but by at large it will require pastors like David and the men we send from US Missions as chaplains to work within this culture on their side of the line.

Then there is the culture that God has called me to walk among, the biker culture.

Yes, I know, there are a lot of lawyers and doctors and normal people who ride motorcycles and have not bought into the biker culture. That is true, but even many of those dabble in a culture that is foreign to the every day American. It is a culture that is in many ways controlled by what is called the one percenters. Some call them outlaw bikers and others just call them hard core bikers. Either way, their motorcycles are not just a luxury that they own, but rather a part of a lifestyle that they have chosen. If the one percent is accurate, which it probably is not, then with the amount of motorcyclist approaching nine million, that would leave about eighty to ninety thousand bikers in America. The traditional church is not geared to reach into this world anymore than it can easily cross the blue line into the police culture.

To reach into a culture, you have to understand that culture. Did you know that the driving force that was the foundation of the hard core biker culture was combat veterans who came home and had a hard time adapting to the normal way of life. They had learned to depend on a small band of brothers for their very existence. They had learned to live on the edge of danger. They also were ready to party and celebrate without restraints. They expected a man to be what he says he is, nothing less and nothing more, and they wanted to know that they could trust those who were standing behind them.

They were men who had seen betrayel and were not going to let that happen to them again. Words like brotherhood, honor, respect, loyalty, etc. are key words within the biker culture that are not just defined as platitudes, but expected in practice and often enforced with brute force if you do not live up to those words. In a do or die attitude they began to build protocol and methods for making what they wanted to work within their own world. They are one of the most secretive portions of society and most do not even realize how organized they are. You do not just walk up and start ministering to these guys. You have to slowly earn the right to speak and you have to be proven as trustworthy.

It has taken me years to get to where I am, and I am just on the fringes in a few areas, but God is opening doors through the relationships we have built. It has been as though the Lord has allowed me to go through cultural training over the last four years so that I can better understand where He has sent me. I have followed in the footsteps of those who have worked here, too, and I have received an eduction from those within this world. I have to be careful not to spend all my time working with church people and ignoring spending the time with these guys that is so needed. I have to be there for them when they call. I have to have God provide opportunities for contact in a real and personal way. I have to go to them, both the bikers of the one percent and motorcyclists of the ninety-nine percent. I am compelled by the Spirit.

It would have been so much easier to have worked in Jerusalem and just stayed a pastor. Or to at least be assigned in Judea where I could extend what God has given me to work within the church world and sit beside my peers. It would have been so much easier to turn a blind eye to these others. But instead, I am working on a foreign mission field right here next to you and many of you did not even know it was there. I am working in your Samaria and Jesus loves them. So do I.

In His Service,
Duane
————————–————————––
R. Duane & Janet Gryder
Motorcycle Chaplain
AG US Missions -Acct# 2605988
Desert Highway Ministries
HonorBound Motorcycle Ministries – National
HonorBound Motorcycle Ministries – Texas
————————–————————––
“The individual activity of one man
with backbone will do more than a
thousand men with a mere wishbone.”
– William J. H. Boetcker
————————–————————––

The Example of Jesus – Do We Follow It?

Duane Gryder — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:32:35 +0000

Time and time again, I hear Christians talk about the need to be Christ-like. Philippians 2:5 even says for us to “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” He is our perfect example and our goal for the way we think and the way we do things. And yet, we seldom implement His methods or His way of treating both the religious and the lost. Often pastors and church members are careful to not have any contact with the lost, less they give the appearance of evil by association. We are much more comfortable with surrounding ourselves with those who are just like us. But was that the example of Jesus? This is Jesus:

There are some rough
looking guys out there!

Matthew 9:10 And while He was reclining at table, a large number of tax-gathers and NOTORIOUS SINNERS were of the party with Jesus and His disciples. (WEY)

Matthew 9:11 The Pharisees noticed this, and they inquired of His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with the tax-gatherers and NOTORIOUS SINNERS?” (WEY)

Matthew 11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they exclaim, ‘See this man! –given to gluttony and tippling, and a friend of tax-gatherers and NOTORIOUS SINNERS!’ And yet Wisdom is vindicated by her actions.” (WEY)

Matthew 21:31 Which of the two did as his father desired?” “The first,” they said. “I solemnly tell you,’ replied Jesus, “that the tax-gatherers and the NOTORIOUS SINNERS are entering the Kingdom of God in front of you. (WEY)

Matthew 21:32 For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and you put no faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the NOTORIOUS SINNERS did put faith in him, and you, though you saw this example set you, were not even afterwards sorry so as to believe him. (WEY)

Mark 2:15 When He was sitting at table in Levi’s house, a large number of tax-gatherers and NOTORIOUS SINNERS were at table with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many such who habitually followed Him. (WEY)

Luke 5:30 This led the Pharisees and Scribes of their party to expostulate with His disciples and ask, “Why are you eating and drinking with these tax-gatherers and NOTORIOUS SINNERS?” (WEY)

Luke 7:34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, there is a man who is overfond of eating and drinking–he is a friend of tax-gatherers and NOTORIOUS SINNERS!’ (WEY)

Luke 7:37 And there was a woman in the town who was a NOTORIOUS SINNER. Having learnt that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee’s house she brought a flask of perfume, (WEY)

Luke 15:1 Now the tax-gatherers and the NOTORIOUS SINNERS were everywhere in the habit of coming close to Him to listen to Him; (WEY)

Luke 15:2 and this led the Pharisees and the Scribes indignantly to complain, saying, “He gives a welcome to NOTORIOUS SINNERS, and joins them at their meals!” (WEY)

Luke 19:7 When they all saw this, they began to complain with indignation. “He has gone in to be the guest of a NOTORIOUS SINNER!” they said. (WEY)

Yes, I see that people perceived Jesus, who had no sin, as a drinker and glutton (Matt. 11:19) because of those who he associated with. We know that this description by those who hated Him was not true. It did not stop him from spending time with them. Obviously there were things about Jesus that attracted these people to be with Him. I dare say that a lot of that had to do with how He treated them. There was something about Jesus that made them feel comfortable sitting down and talking with Him and inversely, there was something about Jesus that allowed Him to be able to sit down to eat with them. I do not know if He was comfortable sitting down with them, scripture does not say, but He did it. I believe His compassion for them was greater than any lack of comfort that He may have had.

Do not get me wrong, we must keep our standards high and our lifestyle pure. It is in fact by doing this that we become light and salt. But what good is light if it is never shined into the darkness and what good is salt if it is not spread around? What is it you must do to make yourself able to sit down with notorious sinners? …to shine your light into the darkness around you? Do you need to figure out how you can realign your schedule so that you can sit down for coffee with those in your community that do not live a Christ centered lifestyle? How do YOU follow this example of Christ? Is this really part of being Christlike?

R. Duane Gryder
Motorcycle Chaplain
AG US Missions
Desert Highway Ministries
HonorBound MM Texas
HonorBound MM National

Seeing Clearly

Duane Gryder — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 22:11:10 +0000

I just received a new pair of riding glasses. It is always interesting when I get a new lenses with a new prescription. I measure how well they work with five factors. I see how well I can see to read a book, road signs, and license plates for the first three. The last two are leaves on trees and high line wires. The first three are obvious, especially since I spend a lot of time reading to study as a minister and on the road as a motorcycle chaplain. The last two come from when I first started wearing glasses. I was in the third grade and we picked up my new glasses at the optometrist in a larger town 70 miles away. I will never forget that ride home. I did not know that I had poor eyesight before and thought every one saw things the way I did. Then, for the first time, I saw leaves on the trees without having to climb the tree to see them. It was also the first time I saw the high line wires that stretch between the poles on the side of the road. I saw a lot more things for the first time, but these two just stood out in such an amazing way to me as a boy in the third grade.

It is amazing to me how often we all can look at the same things and see only within our own limited perception. Take the men that Janet and I often minister to. Most people only see bikers that are weekend riders, others see what we used to call “thugs” and misfits. If you look closely you will see a deeper culture that is totally foreign to most Americans even though it is right here in the middle of them. A culture that is a small percentage of Americans, but a culture that millions are dabbling in the hedonistic portion without understanding all of the culture. Although it may seem perverted, there is an entire honor system with true bikers. They have a respect and loyalty to one another that would rival what the church should be. And they honor those of faith who live it out and are not phony. Phony is just not accepted in this culture. Yes there is major immoral behavior and you can get hurt entering this culture and not playing by their rules, but should we be surprised that the unsaved would be immoral? When I look at these guys I see so much potential that others seem to not see. Just like the high line wires. It is there, they just do not see it through their lenses.

For inmates, many only see them from having seen prison movies or something like that. We see men just like the rest of us that have made mistakes. In the prisons, we have ministered to bankers, lawyers, head high school coaches, and even preachers. Often they are actually more open to the gospel than church people.

Because I do see this, my heart breaks for them. I care for them as much as anyone I ever pastored when I was a pastor. I cry when I intercede for them. I rejoice with them when they have a victory. I am moved with compassion for these tattoed up men, just as you are when you see the starving orpans in a missionaries presentation. These are the lenses God has given me, and I am as thankful for seeing this way as I was as a third grade boy seeing highline wires for the first time.

Odessa American Article

Duane Gryder — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 08:48:47 +0000

Kick startin’ a ride of faith

BY DANIEL SKOLFIELD

April 14, 2007

At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Duane Gryder works full-time with the HonorBound Motorycle Ministry, traveling nationwide on his 99 Vulcan Nomad in a Christian Outreach. Gryder,54, is one of nine ordained motrcycle chaplains with the Assembly of God U.S. Missions. His wife, Janet travels with him across the nation and has been a partner in his ministry for 35 years.     (Kevin Buehler | Odessa American)

Motorcycle Chaplain preaches acceptance, honor to bikers

The Rev. Duane Gryder has preached in church pulpits, prisons and foreign countries — he even sang with a contemporary Christian band in the early ’80s.

While the 54-year-old Assemblies of God minister could reach a comfortable plateau in his ministry, Gryder is hitting the highway full throttle with a passion for the estimated nine million bikers in the United States.

A NEW KIND OF MINISTRY
Hammer down with his bike, Bible and bride of 35 years, the Odessa man is one of nine motorcycle chaplains with the Assembly of God U.S. Missions. “We’re all ordained ministers who have been pastors — I’m basically a missionary that works with bikers,” he said.

At 6 foot 2 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds, the longhaired Gryder works full-time with the HonorBound Motorcycle Ministry, traveling nationwide with his 99 Vulcan Nomad to spread a Christian message.

HonorBound is unique from other ministries, Gryder said, in that they are committed to local churches.

“Most of what bike ministries have done in the past is just evangelism, but we want to take it to the next level and take these guys who are getting saved and get them plugged-in to churches,” he said. “It’s one thing to get them saved, but it’s another thing to mature them as disciples of Jesus Christ.”

Although Gryder and his wife Janet receive monthly support as Assembly of God missionaries, the couple crosses denominations to speak at Baptist, Methodist, Disciples of Christ and Presbyterian churches with the biker ministry.

“Chaplains, by the nature of who they are and what they do, work across denominational lines,” he said. “My main focus is getting these guys saved and into a church.”

A motorcycle rider since he was “a young guy,” Gryder said he has found his niche reaching the biker groups though it took some persuading to leave his church job in McCamey.

“It took four years for me to say yes, but I had an opportunity with this to make a national impact,” he said.

ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT
Labeled in a culture that is territorial, very loyal, mostly patriotic and big into partying hard, Gryder said many bikers, even Christian ones, shy away from churches because of ridicule. “A lot of times they don’t feel comfortable — we’re trying to build a nationwide database of churches that are biker friendly,” he said.

Being part of the HonorBound ministry itself requires a commitment to following Jesus through a church — making it more than just a hangout for motorcycle fans.

“They have to be drug-, alcohol- and tobacco-free for a year and a pastor has to sign off that they faithfully attend and financially support the church. They also have to attend a personal evangelism course so they can reach someone for Christ,” Gryder said. “I’m about training people for ministry.”

The Rev. Darrell Trout, senior pastor of Harvest Time Church, said he has known the Gryders for years and began supporting the biker ministry right from the start.

“It’s very effective — it reaches out to a lot of people,” he said. “Our church was really open because I have the mindset as a pastor that what we do outside of the church is more important than what we do within it.”

Trout said his church is open to accepting people from all avenues of life — something Jesus was known for in his earthly ministry.

“We feel like (Jesus would) be hanging out with the biker riders in the out and out,” Trout said. “Bikers should be able to walk right in and sit on the front row with their tattoos on their neck or arm and not be looked down on.”

MORE THAN A BIKER BUDDY
Motorcycle Chaplain Mark Rittermeyer from Lakeland, Fla., said the group participates in national rides and rallies to build a consistent rapport with bikers they’re hoping to influence. “We do various bike events at local churches and anywhere else. Basically wherever they’ll gather bikes, we’ll show up,” he said.

The chaplains’ life-style evangelism provides opportunities to share hope in a personal faith in Christ, Rittermeyer said.

“There will be an accident, a death, a fire, some traumatic experience that happens, and they don’t know who to call on. But they remember the preacher guy, and they call us,” he said. “We share with them that there is hope beyond their situation.

“Our goal is not to take people out of church but to disciple them so that they will remain in church and be a productive part of it,” he said.



Desert Highway | |

God’s Oath… Or Mine?

Duane Gryder — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 08:09:19 +0000

MY OATH TO YOU…

I received this poem from a friend:

MY OATH TO YOU…

When you are sad…………….I will dry your tears
When you are scared………..I will comfort your fears

When you are worried……….I will give you hope
When you are confused…….I will help you cope

And when you are lost………And can’t see the light
I shall be your beacon………Shining ever so bright

This is my oath………………..I pledge till the end
Why you may ask?…………..Because you’re my friend.
……………………………………..Signed: GOD

I do not know who wrote this poem, but I am glad that it stirred up my thoughts. When I read this, I thought, “How beautiful and how real this is of our God.” But then I thought about how God actually does these things.You and I both have heard so many times that you and I as Christians are the hands and feet of God on this earth. While you and I are not literally His hands and feet, we all realize that God uses people to accomplish His work on this earth in so many ways. Yes, I know he uses miracles, but isn’t the fact that His people do such wonderful things a miracle in itself?

MY OATH TO YOU…

When you are sad…………….I will dry your tears

I will not turn my back on you during your time of sorrow. I will not depend on my ability to understand why you are crying. I will not make you justify your tears to me. I myself have cried and I will just be there for you because you are hurting.

When you are scared………..I will comfort your fears

      I will not judge you because of your fear, nor will I say that your fears are unfounded. God understands that man fears and his Word gives comfort to us in our fear over and over again. He does not condemn us of sudden fear, but rather says “Do not be afraid of…” what ever has caused our fear. He does not deny that the fear is real and neither will I. I, too, have been scared and I will just be there for you because you are afraid.

When you are worried……….I will give you hope

      I will not just say, “Don’t worry, be happy.” I will help you find hope in the situation you are in. I will help you look past the obstacles that stand before you and to see what is beyond the difficulties of today. I will help you see how God can use even these problems for your good in the future. I have fretted over things, also, and I will just be there for you because you are worried.

When you are confused…….I will help you cope

      If I know the answer to your confusion, I will give it to you freely. If I can not answer your questions, then I will help you find the answer you need. I have no doubt that Jesus has the answer to every problem that you or I could ever face. Too many times I have been confused and had to find the answer in Him and I will just be there for you because you are confused.

And when you are lost………And can’t see the light
I shall be your beacon………Shining ever so bright

     Nothing ever seems so bad as being lost in the dark and not being able to find your way. All of these other things find their way into our emotions. We find ourselves sad, scared, worried, and confused. The only way out of darkness is light and whatever light I have in Him to share; I will shine to light your path. I know what it is like to be lost and not know which way to go and I will just be there for you to help you find your way in the dark.

This is my oath………………..I pledge till the end

      This is not an empty promise, but a life long commitment. I am joined with you in this walk and will not abandon you when things get tough. I will not leave you for others who seem to have it all together. I will not hop from friend to friend looking for something better. I will just be there for you because we need each other.

Why you may ask?…………..Because you’re my friend.

      This passage rings true when Jesus tells us that WE should lay down our lives for our friends.

      John 15:12-14 NKJV This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

      I love the way this is paraphrased in “The Message”: “This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you.”

     NOW BACK UP ONE VERSE and realize what this does for us… Jesus has just spoken of us being part of Him. He is the vine and we are the branches. We are not to be separate in purpose, but rather part of the same plant. Life for us depends on us staying connected to the vine. And He says. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

     My joy being full is dependent on my being God’s functioning parts in this oath to you. The vine provides what is necessary for the branch to produce the fruit, but the vine does not produce fruit, the branches do. God makes this promise to you and then he gives the rest of us the ability to carry it out.

In His Service, R. Duane Gryder
————————————————————————————
R. Duane & Janet Gryder           Motorcycle Chaplain
Assembly of God U.S. Missions           Acct. # 2605988
PO Box 13383          Odessa, Texas          79768-3383
telephone: 432-366-0909          mobile: 432-557-8417
————————————————————————————-
ebenezerstone@hotmail.com   www.deserthighway.org
Join our email newsletter list – Send a blank email to:
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A voice is calling,
          “Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness;
      make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.”
      ……………………………………………………..Isaiah 40:3
————————————————————————————

God’s Oath… Or Mine?

Duane Gryder — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 08:08:14 +0000

MY OATH TO YOU…

I received this poem from a friend:

MY OATH TO YOU…

When you are sad…………….I will dry your tears
When you are scared………..I will comfort your fears

When you are worried……….I will give you hope
When you are confused…….I will help you cope

And when you are lost………And can’t see the light
I shall be your beacon………Shining ever so bright

This is my oath………………..I pledge till the end
Why you may ask?…………..Because you’re my friend.

……………………………………..Signed: GOD

     I do not know who wrote this poem, but I am glad that it stirred up my thoughts. When I read this, I thought, “How beautiful and how real this is of our God.” But then I thought about how God actually does these things.You and I both have heard so many times that you and I as Christians are the hands and feet of God on this earth. While you and I are not literally His hands and feet, we all realize that God uses people to accomplish His work on this earth in so many ways. Yes, I know he uses miracles, but isn’t the fact that His people do such wonderful things a miracle in itself?

MY OATH TO YOU…

When you are sad…………….I will dry your tears

     I will not turn my back on you during your time of sorrow. I will not depend on my ability to understand why you are crying. I will not make you justify your tears to me. I myself have cried and I will just be there for you because you are hurting.

When you are scared………..I will comfort your fears

     I will not judge you because of your fear, nor will I say that your fears are unfounded. God understands that man fears and his Word gives comfort to us in our fear over and over again. He does not condemn us of sudden fear, but rather says “Do not be afraid of…” what ever has caused our fear. He does not deny that the fear is real and neither will I. I, too, have been scared and I will just be there for you because you are afraid.

When you are worried……….I will give you hope

     I will not just say, “Don’t worry, be happy.” I will help you find hope in the situation you are in. I will help you look past the obstacles that stand before you and to see what is beyond the difficulties of today. I will help you see how God can use even these problems for your good in the future. I have fretted over things, also, and I will just be there for you because you are worried.

When you are confused…….I will help you cope

     If I know the answer to your confusion, I will give it to you freely. If I can not answer your questions, then I will help you find the answer you need. I have no doubt that Jesus has the answer to every problem that you or I could ever face. Too many times I have been confused and had to find the answer in Him and I will just be there for you because you are confused.

And when you are lost………And can’t see the light
I shall be your beacon………Shining ever so bright

     Nothing ever seems so bad as being lost in the dark and not being able to find your way. All of these other things find their way into our emotions. We find ourselves sad, scared, worried, and confused. The only way out of darkness is light and whatever light I have in Him to share; I will shine to light your path. I know what it is like to be lost and not know which way to go and I will just be there for you to help you find your way in the dark.

This is my oath………………..I pledge till the end

     This is not an empty promise, but a life long commitment. I am joined with you in this walk and will not abandon you when things get tough. I will not leave you for others who seem to have it all together. I will not hop from friend to friend looking for something better. I will just be there for you because we need each other.

Why you may ask?…………..Because you’re my friend.

     This passage rings true when Jesus tells us that WE should lay down our lives for our friends.

     John 15:12-14 NKJV This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

     I love the way this is paraphrased in “The Message”: “This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you.”

     NOW BACK UP ONE VERSE and realize what this does for us…
Jesus has just spoken of us being part of Him. He is the vine and we are the branches. We are not to be separate in purpose, but rather part of the same plant. Life for us depends on us staying connected to the vine. And He says. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

     My joy being full is dependent on my being God’s functioning parts in this oath to you. The vine provides what is necessary for the branch to produce the fruit, but the vine does not produce fruit, the branches do. God makes this promise to you and then he gives the rest of us the ability to carry it out.

How Do You Differ Your Sermons, Illustrations, Examples, Style?

Duane Gryder — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 17:49:10 +0000

How Do You Differ Your Sermons, Illustrations, Examples, Style?

A minister friend of mine whose husband is a prison chaplain emailed me and asked me this question…

“Duane, when you preach in prison, how do you differ your sermons, illustrations, examples, style?”

This is how I answered.

The only way I can speak about how I “differ” in ministry is to look at the ways I minister.

    I “preach” the same for the most part wherever I am in a preaching setting, ie. church, church services in prison, a chapel service at Teen Challenge, church service in Africa or Mexico, etc. I may at times use different illustrations and examples depending on what will relate to the people I am speaking to. The same could be said for teaching in a class room setting. I am who I am and my “style” is my style. I do not try to be someone different. I believe people see right through when you are not yourself or you try to “do” a particular style. In fact, in prison I think they are even more aware of anyone who is trying to be something they are not. They can recognize a con job a mile away.

    When I preach it is predominately lecture, but even then I generally will find a way to interact and get responses from the crowd or single out individuals for a response. When I teach I prefer to use a discussion style teaching environment. I ask and answer questions. Groups of four to forty are better for this than a large congregational setting. In the prison this has worked very well once you have earned the respect of the men you are teaching and have made them feel comfortable sharing and asking questions in front of others. The biggest difference in prison is that you usually have more time to preach or teach than you do in a typical church setting. That and the fact that no one can get up and leave if the clock strikes twelve.

    I might add that I do my best to communicate in vocabulary that a twelve year old can understand no matter who i am speaking to. If I do that then those with a college education understand as well as those who are young in either age or education. Too many people think using more advanced vocabulary makes them sound smart. My assertion is: What good does that do if I have not taught everyone? Two events made me re-think my ways and adapt to this way of teaching. One was in a church where a deacon came up to me after the service in a small community and said to me, “That was a great message, but only half of the people here understood what you said.”   The other event was in a prison when I used the KJV during a teachings session. One of the more educated inmates asked me afterward why I would use the KJV when the majority of the men in the room did not understand the language used. From then on I have concentrated on using simpler vocabulary as best I can. It has become my habit even when I write.   Sure. I do not write or sound as smart as some of my peers, but I do communicate and that is my goal. I will let my peers be admired as the super intellectuals. That does not matter to me as much as communicating to the masses.

    All of that said, there are times when I preach and teach in settings that are not typical or traditional settings. Those are settings that are more similar to what Dr. Brad was talking about that he has in the cafe. In those settings I do not usually have a prepared message, notes, or even a bible. You do not preach at, but rather answer questions. It is risky in some ways, because you are on the spot and must spend as much time listening to both the person and the Holy Spirit at the same time. The Holy Spirit will use their background and ways of understanding to guide you in how to communicate to them. What is most essential here is having the respect as a spiritual leader from the people you are speaking to. This is done either by spending time with them and earning their respect or by having someone they respect vouch for you. The later is the way I do ministry in the tattoo parlor in El Paso. I might add that I do not know how the Holy Spirit gave George, the owner, the respect for my ministry that he as. He contacted me and not the other way around. I think it was just a pairing that God did for both he and myself. God does that part.   George hand picks people who are showing they are susceptible to the gospel but do not trust traditional ministers. He brings them in to meet me and may say something like, “You have a lot of questions and this is the guy with the answers.” (Talk about being put on the spot) Then there is a time of them checking you out to see if they can trust you and a bonding time.

In His Service,
R. Duane Gryder
————————————————————————————
    R. Duane & Janet Gryder          Motorcycle Chaplain
    Assembly of God U.S. Missions           Acct. # 2605988
    PO Box 13383          Odessa, Texas          79768-3383
    telephone: 432-366-0909          mobile: 432-557-8417
————————————————————————————-
    ebenezerstone@hotmail.com   www.deserthighway.org     Join our email newsletter list – Send a blank email to:
              deserthighway-join@associate.com
————————————————————————————
    A voice is calling,
            “Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness;
        make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.”
        ……………………………………………………..Isaiah 40:3
————————————————————————————

Book Review: Off Road Disciplines by Earl Creps

Duane Gryder — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:09:15 +0000

Book Review: Off Road Disciplines by Earl Creps

     The full title of the book is “OFF ROAD DISCIPLINES – SPIRITUAL Adventures of Missional LEADERS. Since I am someone who likes to keep the rubber on the pavement and the shiny side up, I found the title of this book quite intriguing. “Off Road Disciplines” is written much in the same style as Donald Miller’s “Blue Like Jazz” or Peter Greig and Dave Roberts’ “Red Moon Rising.” His message is something that many of us in the same age bracket as the author can relate to, but way to many are afraid to step out and follow.

     The book is broken down into two self declared sections, one about personal disciplines and the other about organizational disciplines. Both written from the perspective of the author based on his own self discovery of the need for these disciplines. I would lean toward application of all of these principles to both personal and organizational disciplines. The principles of death, truth, perspective, learning, witness, and humility should be equally applied to our organizations as well as to each of us personally. The principles of assessment, harmony, reflection, opportunity, sacrifice, and legacy should also be practiced on an individual level if they are to ever be real on the organizational level

     In going “off road”, the author has much bigger goals than just returning the church to being missional, but also being unified in mission across cultural and generational barriers. I particularly, found his emphasis on assessment in chapter seven to be a critical portion of this text. His question of “If we worked for a missions agency, would we still have jobs?” is one that many ministry leaders need to be asking. “Missional” is the key to Earl’s writing like “purpose” is to the PDL folks. In seizing opportunity he sees the need to not only love, but to like others to be effective in the mission when he says, “Like catalyzes love, and love grows the capacity for mission in every form.” He speaks again of the importance of focusing on the mission when he speaks of sacrificing personal preferences for the sake of the mission. “Grace is free, mission is not.”

     I would recommend this book to any and all. Both young and old should read this book, especially since it offers good solutions to reconciling the differences between the two. I would however note that some of the more traditional practitioners among us may need an interpreter for some of the sections of this book. The legacy of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ must be passed on, along with the traditions of the Word of God, but it may not include all of the traditions of men. It never has before and it will most likely not happen this time. As Earl, himself, responded about passing the baton to the next generation, “…no one else is coming.” So I am not asking any to abandon their spiritual disciplines for a new set, but rather to add these off road disciplines to those that they already practice.

About the author: Earl Creps is the director of the Doctor of Ministry program and associate professor at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS) in Springfield, Missouri. He has been a pastor, ministries consultant, and university professor. He earned a PhD from Northwestern University and a doctor of ministry degree in leadership at AGTS.

R. Duane Gryder
Motorcycle Chaplain
AG US Missions
www.deserthighway.org

I do not want my faith to be D.O.A.

Duane Gryder — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:36:34 +0000

I had a friend that suffered loss a while back that left him in a bit of a bind. I prayed for him, but when I did the Lord had me give him a gift instead of just praying. I was thinking about this today and this scripture came to mind. I wonder how many times we are made aware of needs and pray a prayer of “faith” which we intend to meet that need but do not pray a prayer of “faith” that asks the Lord if we are to do something. I particularly like the wording from the Message paraphrase.

James 2:14-26 The Message ¹⁴ Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? ¹⁵ For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved ¹⁶ and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup – where does that get you? ¹⁷ Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? ¹⁸ I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.” Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove. ¹⁹ Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That’s just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? ²⁰ Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands? ²¹ Wasn’t our ancestor Abraham “made right with God by works” when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? ²² Isn’t it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are “works of faith”? ²³ The full meaning of “believe” in the Scripture sentence, “Abraham believed God and was set right with God,” includes his action. It’s that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” ²⁴ Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works? ²⁵ The same with Rahab, the Jericho harlot. Wasn’t her action in hiding God’s spies and helping them escape – that seamless unity of believing and doing – what counted with God? ²⁶ The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse.

I especially like this last phrase:

“Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse.”

I want to offer a living sacrifice to the Lord not a corpse.
He may tell me that prayer is what I need to do…
If so… I will be diligent in prayer that the need be met.
He may tell me to do something more than just pray.
May I always be listening to know when to do which one.

In His Service,
R. Duane Gryder
————————————————————————————
R. Duane & Janet Gryder           Motorcycle Chaplain
Assembly of God U.S. Missions           Acct. # 2605988
PO Box 13383          Odessa, Texas          79768-3383
telephone: 432-366-0909          mobile: 432-557-8417
————————————————————————————-
ebenezerstone@hotmail.com   www.deserthighway.org Join our email newsletter list – Send a blank email to:
          deserthighway-join@associate.com
————————————————————————————
A voice is calling,
          ”Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness;
      make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.”
      ……………………………………………………..Isaiah 40:3
————————————————————————————

Back In Prison Again

Duane Gryder — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 20:02:16 +0000

There are not a lot of churches that have biker preachers do services this time of year so I have been going back to prison the last three weeks now. I had not been back in this unit for a year and I realized how much I really do love these guys. The neat thing is that although my memory is horrible for names I have been able to call many of them by name. When I do call them by name or mention something I remember about them personally they light up and say “I cant believe you remembered.” I don’t tell them that I cant believe it either. I figure that is just a way the Lord blesses them. I had been invited to a Christmas party tonight, but like I told my wife, I cant give them presents but I can be there for them. We gave them free hallmark cards again this year to send their families and on the 23rd we will take a tree into the unit and each of the guys will get to hang an ornament on in. It will remain in the gym for services until after Christmas.

One of the guys that went in with us for the first time was heard saying, “These guys are just like you and me.” Folks, this is the truth. Sure there are the bad seeds, but for the most part just guys like you and I that made bad choices and got caught. Even some of the bad seeds have been transformed by the Word of God. One of the prison people was telling me about one of the guys I visited with the other day. He was constantly in trouble until 2000. The chaplain reached out to him and got him to come to our ministry. Since then he has only gotten in trouble twice. Both of which were minor.

The first four words of Romans 12:9 in the NIV are so true:

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”

SINCERE! It has to be real. Real love is nothing something you can just have. It is not something you can work up. It is God given! The love that we can have for a prisoner, or a homeless person, or some tattooed up old biker is not something we can take credit for ourselves. It comes from God Himself. Isn’t it odd how all the things that He commands us to do and be, He provides for us in the first place? He is not trying to make us “do” something. He is just trying to get us to “be” what He made us and use what He gave us.

There is a cure! His name is Jesus.
Try not to keep Him in a manger,
     on a cross, in a tomb, or
         just some future coming event…
He is best when applied today just as He IS.

In His service,
Duane