Friday, January 27
Brazil
The history of the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPIB) has been one of learning how to relate two fundamental elements in the life of the church: mission and theology. Sometimes they appear to be mutually exclusive: good theologians grow in the knowledge of God but do not produce fruit; good missionaries produce fruit but do not grow in the knowledge of God.
Organized in 1903, the IPIB has always been concerned with growth in the knowledge of God. With scarce resources, in 1905 its first seminary was founded in Sao Paulo. Later, others were established in Londrina and Fortaleza. In 1999, the Brazilian Ministry of Education began giving accreditation to theology courses. The IPIB closed the existing seminaries and obtained accreditation in 2009 for its new Theological Faculty in Sao Paulo. The church recently purchased a huge property near Sao Paulo where the Theological Faculty will be installed. The IPIB longs to have pastors prepared to guide their flocks into the knowledge of God.
The IPIB also has adopted a new missional theological education project. Maintaining a balance between missionary passion and theological reflection can sometimes be difficult in the Brazilian context. As neo-Pentecostalism has exploded, some denominations are attracting adherents by offering a theology of prosperity and success in exchange for offerings. Although it may not be as popular, the IPIB offers a theology based on knowledge and the grace of God, who saves grace-fully without money and without price.
The IPIB desires to produce fruit, growing in the knowledge of God while elaborating a missional theology, faithful to Scriptures and passionate about Missio Dei.
— The Rev. Gerson Correia de Lacerda, pastor and former stated clerk and seminary president, IPIB
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) People in Mission
Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil: Rev. Dr. C. Timothy Carriker, curriculum designer, education consultant, Marta Carriker, delegations coordinator * Rev. Joshua Vis, professor of biblical studies, Instituto Ecumenico de Pos-graduacao, Methodist University of Sao Paulo, Kimberly Vis, team ministry * United Presbyterian Church of Brazil: Farris and Thelma Goodrum, seminary professors, evangelism and social outreach, Center of Theological Formation Richard Shaull
PC(USA) Agencies' Staff
Margaret Hall Boone, GAMC
Anthony Booth, GAMC
Randy Bowman, GAMC
Let us pray
Lord God, we give thanks for the IPIB. Thank you for guiding it throughout its history. We ask that you continue to bless it so that it may be a fruitful church on Brazilian soil. We ask the Holy Spirit to move in the IPIB so that it will seek to serve you more and more. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 88; 148
First Reading Genesis 17:15-27
Second Reading Hebrews 10:11-25
Gospel John 6:1-15
Evening Psalms 6; 20