Zambian Mission, Chipata, Zambia, Africa, Missionary John Holtz

"Some on one side, some on the other"

The shelter shades the visiting pastors as they listen to the sermon
being preached at the installation service of
Pastor Shamwanga. Pastor Cappy Shamwanga, seated,
listens to Pastor Mpule's sermon based on Exodus 17:8-13

He told the story as if he'd been there. Not just as an observer but as a participant.

With arms held high, he reenacted the scene: two men holding up the arms of another.

The speaker was Rev. George Mpule. He was preaching at the installation of Rev. Cappy Shamwanga. What a day it was!

People were gathered.
A pig was slaughtered.
Food was prepared.
Songs were sung.
Gifts were given.

Pastor Mpule iterated the events found in Exodus 17, the text for his sermon. Moses is standing atop a hill. The Israelites are fighting the Amalekites. But what really makes us sit up and reread what we just read just to make certain that we really did read what we thought we just read (you might want to read that again) are these words...

"As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning..." (v.11)

One army succeeds if two arms are raised?
The same army loses if the same two arms are lowered?

Were it not for a Spirit who is Holy and a faith which is certain and a Scripture that is inerrant, we'd think the story unrealistic -- dare I say -- even a bit "hokey."

A most appropriate text to preach to a parish that is recieving a national pastor for the first time in their history!

There's a war out there! Don't let your new pastor take on the enemy all by himself!

With lively animation, Pastor Mpule encouraged the people in the parish to "prop up" their new pastor. By working together and working with their pastor they will be holding up the prophets hands!

The Vice-President of the LCCA, Pastor David Baloyi, installs
Pastor Shamwanga on the 27th of November 2007.
The installation service took place at Chipeuka Village.

It will if you are familar with a much beloved hymn entitled "Hark the Voice of Jesus Crying" (CW #573):

    If you cannot be a watchman
    Standing high on Zion's wall,
    Pointing out the path to heaven,
    Off'ring life and peace to all,
    With your prayers and with your off'rings
    You can do what God demands;
    You can be like faithful Aaron,
    Holding up the prophet's hands.

Wait a minute...this verse mentions one person who helped hold up Moses' hands, but what about the other? Wasn't there...

Yes! But the hymn verse never mentions his name! Didn't this person help Moses just as much as Aaron did?

I'm not advocating that we rewrite the hymn verse, but it simply reminds us of the reality: though some people work hard and work for the LORD, they seldom, if ever, get acknowledged. They seldom, if ever, get thanked. Let me give you an example on the day of that installation. The one who were called to stand before the people were the pastors. They were all introduced and even a little background information told about each one of them. However...

The elders of the Tigwirizane Parish Union listen attentively to their
responsibilities as well as to God's promises as Pastor David Baloyi, speaks to them.

The names of the men who butchered the pig were not announced;
The women who cooked the meat and stirred the nsima were not introduced;
The members of the choirs who sang the songs were not acknowledged;
The ones who swept the grounds and cleaned the church were never mentioned;
The ones who built the rain/sun shelter weren't even thanked.

It's not that any of these people were looking for recognition. Even though their work for a large part went unnoticed by many, it did not go unnoticed by God. "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." (Hebrews 6:10).

The application in the sermon was appropriate. However, let's take note of something that could very easily be overlooked:

Long before the sermon was preached and before their pastor was officially installed, the people were already standing alongside their new leader! Some on one side, some on the other! Propping up and holding up the prophet's hands!

No fanfare, no recognition, no acknowledgement. An unspoken understanding that even the most sinewy of arms get tired! So the people humbly and quietly took their place alongside the one holding up the staff of God. Some on one side, some on the other.

Who knows just how much you are quietly and faithfully doing in your home congregations. Attending meetings, setting up chairs, preparing the Lord's Table, serving as ushers, cooking food, fixing broken pipes, running errands, etc. This work may be exhaustive but this list isn't! It doesn't even begin to highlight all the work that is being done -- by you and by others -- in congregations as the spiritual war rages on. It may very well be that the only one who notices what you do is the Lord. But like the ones who killed the pig and cooked the meal, you are doing it for the Lord, not for a pat on the back. The One who deserves the spotlight is Jesus Himself.

Like Aaron and like ahhh, what's that guys name...oh, yes...Hur, you've not only been propping up the arms of your pastor, but you've also been propping up me "with your prayers and with your off'rings."

You may never be asked to stand in front of a group to be acknowledged and you may never have your name in print; but none-the-less, the One who knows of your deeds is...our Lord Jesus Christ! Amazingly, the very One who doesn't remember our sins (Isaiah 43:25) remembers our work!

Today and everyday, it is good that we remember His work! Some might say that the things that held up the arms of the Crucified Christ were two nails -- one on one side, one on the other. Though they were there in all of their cruelty, the more we survey the wond'rous cross, the more we realize it was actually love that held those hands there. A deep love for you and me.

It's hardly enough, but thank you for being my partner in missions. Thank you for propping up my arms. Like Mose's, they grow tired. Though the warfare is long, it's a comfort to know that there are many Aarons and Hurs alongside me...

December 2007 Communiqué