Dear Friends:

I recently noticed the last phrase in II Corinthians 2:14: “…thanks be to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” (italics added)

In Every Place

As we live upon the earth, our lives should always release the fragrance of the Lord in the specific places where we live and visit.

I quickly admit that I like and use cyberspace more than most. I love the ability to work anywhere. Today, anyone can work in the mountains, at the beach, in a coffee shop, or any other place and upload the file from anywhere to anywhere. Beautiful.

But every gain also imposes a loss. And, one of the losses of this modern era is place. To be anywhere and everywhere is to be nowhere.

And, that brought sweet release of their lives and gifts for the benefit of that place.

Relocating is certainly not a sin. But is it significant that Jesus was born, and lived his earthly life within, a very small dot on the planet? In fact, most historic leaders have lived and died in vital connection to a place.

Life in the Centrifuge

Have you noticed that the pace and rhythms of modern life seem to have a spinning effect? They pull us away from the core. I am astonished that so much conversation today is rooted in mass culture. We talk about television shows, websites, celebrities, new products, Internet societies (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), and global trends (environmental, political, economic, and even in worship).

But we don’t talk as much about place. I do not remember the last time I heard anyone talk about a block party, a prayer meeting, a dinner time family conversation, an evening of fellowship with the neighbors, a community work project, or a school board meeting.

I don’t even remember the last time someone told me about a local church service.

It often seems like there is no one right here, right now. It seems that everyone has been pinned to the spinning wall of modern life’s centrifuge.

Living without the IWI

Someone recently told me that she didn’t know how to go through a summer without the International Worship Institute. While I appreciate the love and honor for an event the Lord chose to use, her comment made me wonder if that very sentiment is why the Lord has now hit our “pause” button.

Is it time to “manifest the sweet aroma” of the Lord in our own neighborhood, city, or region? What about our own family?

Perhaps the “break” from the IWI is a good time to see “if it works” on a smaller scale. Maybe this is a chance to take the temperature in our own home, small group, or community.

Let me encourage you to invest in the place where you live. That is not to say you shouldn’t invest in international efforts – I believe we should. That is not to say we should ignore the global economic and geo-political convulsions. We should know enough to pray.

But, I do think we should consider the issue of our place on the planet. I recently heard Bible teacher Charles Simpson say, “Humility is the portal for God’s purpose.” Asking your neighbors to come over for dinner requires humility. After all, we might be rejected. They might “contaminate” the spiritual purity of our home.

However, perhaps it is that very humility which will become a portal of God’s purpose in our specific place.

What do you have to lose?

Maybe the Lord will give you a breakthrough into a larger purpose.

Finally, I do think this is part of why the Lord has directed us to bless and encourage the regional worship institutes. Rather than convening one large event, as most of you know, we are working with the April Northeast Worship Institute in the Philadelphia area and the July Unveiled Worship Institute in Dallas.

All of the WorshipInstitute.com leadership team members are planning to be in each event. We would love to see and have fellowship with you.

May God bless you and empower you to release the fragrance of life in Christ in every place where you walk. Please let us know if we can help you in any way in your place.

Just because we are somewhat silent doesn’t mean that we’re shutting down or disconnecting. We are all focused on seeking the Lord in our local place, but we remain committed to walking out our friendship with each of you.

And, although we almost never mention finances, I do want to tell you that we continue to need the financial support of our friends. We have downsized as much as possible, but we do have ongoing expenses. For example, our support of the regional institutes is as vigorous as possible and is funded only by the gifts of our friends. 

So, thank you for anything you can do financially. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Ed Chinn, Executive Director