St. Augustine, FL 2004: Whether it was camping trips, candy bars, late nights, early mornings, love, mercy, letters, correction, preached messages, or various other innumerable provisions, this ministry began with a commitment to making the truth available at whatever cost. Though much more amply supplied today, the ministry remains committed to this typically thankless task.
Excerpts from Trent’s historical letters candidly and anonymously offer flavors and insights from real-time and real-life origins. Hop aboard these instructions and confessions in mid-stream, below, and see if they help you, too. In this excerpt Trent writes to a brother upon the dawning of the final iteration of his ministry:
From Trent Ling:
Yes, sir, you are a hard-working scheduler, planner, brother, studier, etc. One of my goals in keeping a tight-knit schedule and getting a million things done is to keep it simple when it involves other people. Therefore, Siauw and I are available at our house every day but Friday at 9PM. Generally, nothing can ever get in the way of this schedule unless Jesus returns!!! It’s easy to administer and easy to remember–so plan accordingly, please. In addition to 6 nights a week, we are open by arrangement. For example, sometimes we will double-date with people on Friday Night, and I can meet people for breakfast, lunch and dinner (at home) as arranged in advance. Beyond that, our weekend schedule is pretty predictable too, and it is easy to work people in there, if necessary. Bottom line on scheduling is that most people can be set after 9PM Saturday-Thursday.
Concerning meeting people’s needs, consider the following. As disciples, our goal is to help people to know God. In addition, it would be really great if others wanted to help people, too. But, let me tell you a secret. My schedule follows my ministry because my job follows my ministry because my life follows my ministry. I expect as we grow (and I expect to grow beyond our current manageability), that not everyone we hoped would be at a certain gathering will be there. We will have to teach this one day, but let me give you an example. We cannot tell Sophie on 08/23 that we will get to her on 09/02 so that everyone can be there. I think that’s called religion, tradition, something bad like that. I am hoping that people’s hearts will be fully into helping people. If that’s the case, then we will do whatever it takes to help people, including getting a handle on the affairs of our lives so that we might have the time, the opportunity, and the availability to help. I expect to study with people in a way that meets them where they are, whatever that takes. Therefore, we will get to it with Sophie on Thursday at 9PM with the invited disciples and visitors. No one else that I know of can help or be helped, unless they insist and Sophie assents.
Anyway, we just need to stay on the same page, here. I am not saying that everyone needs my schedule. Perhaps it would be better if someone had mornings free, and someone else had afternoons free. I do not know, but scheduling will get more difficult, and just as in the Bible, God will use people’s schedules to test their hearts.
Love you, and love your love for the people–keep it up!!!
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For those of us that have been around for a while, these Archived Letters are so nostalgic and they’re encouraging. It is encouraging to see how the Spirit works since many letters that were written years ago can be written to others now and are very applicable. The Spirit is consistent. The message doesn’t change. The standard doesn’t change. The Bible doesn’t change.
Concerning the specifics of this e-mail. I am very grateful for my schedule. My schedule can be challenging at times but it has provided me the chance to gather with the ministry and others almost 100% of the time since 1999. Usually if I miss a gathering it’s due to one’s illness or a conflicting commitment that I choose not to miss. I very rarely have ‘work conflicts’ in regard to my schedule. “Thank You” Amen!
I could never forget this picture, this was the trip where I was baptized in the ocean, if memory is right. Boy those were the days, I loved serving at camping, the meals, and doing the smores with the kids and Meme each night ! what a ball we had. I remember laying in the tent with Kimy and Jules , laughing and laughing, that is a memory I will never forget! The crafting times with Meme and the kids, and some of the girls.
Thank you Trent for that time in my life. Of all the churches I attended before coming here you were the one to teach me the Cross and teach me the Bible. If we could only go back to 2004. hum…………
To those days…. Plum
Because Jesus is my life now (Colossians 3:4), my daily schedule should reflect that I take a real interest in what really matters to God, which is clearly the advancement of the His kingdom. My time is no longer my time. My time is now God’s time, so as a responsible steward, I have to use it wisely and effectively to be Old Faithful and touch as many a people as He allows me to touch with His mighty power. I want to resemble Jesus and be a life-giving, constantly flowing spring of water.
To have a time set for everything is the coolest! Like you all have heard – there’s time for everything 🙂 When God is the focus in your lives, you will do everything wholeheartedly, give your full attention to what you’re doing, undivided! That’s why to have a schedule that follow your ministry is it! It will be so unattractive when you’re meeting with Sophie and your mind is at home because you do meet her by the rule, obligated to do so. Trust me, that attitude won’t help or benefit anyone around you; it will only give you a “check” marked on your schedule – meeting with Sophie, checked!
I remember those memorable camping trips! We would go to a forest away from any electronic advice, well very few of those, spend 24/7 together near the fires around the campgrounds for 3 or so days and come out of it with so many lessons. Your letter is more to do about how the few workers of the field can be efficient and reliable. These lessons remind me of a time where I wasn’t so efficient and reliable, I’m really God stepped in, what a mess I was, my “yes” wasn’t a “yes” and my “no” flip flopped too! Always have to be on guard for thing slike this so it’s good to post letter as reminder. Thanks for sharing!
Selfishness is so ravaging. To have a pure hope and love from God the Father and not see the lack of commitment and love that He is looking for is greatly humbling. I have not been everything this letter is looking for. Instead I have been someone trying to throw off everything that hinders. Yet even after that I must be a committed minister – one who loves unconditionally. He has given me the heart, I pray I can get it directed right (with His help). God must get this from me!