Whirled Views with Dan Burrell

Because I’m not General McChrystal (who, in my opinion, should be fired), I have no problem criticizing the way we are executing the War in Afghanistan.  As someone who has had friends killed and injured in the “Wars on Terrorism”, I’m not simply a passive critic.  My friends tell me of the huge ordeal they must endure to do what would be (in previous wars) and should be (in these) routine exercises in killing the enemy and destroying their hiding places.  They are often told that they can’t attack a suspected terrorist/taliban hiding place because it might contain civilians.  In at least one case, the soldiers approached it, having been denied permission to destroy it, and when they did, the Taliban fighter opened fire killing one soldier and wounding others.  A simple, 60-second missile attack would have saved the life of an American soldier — but it was not politically correct to do so.

Additionally, even those we are bent on “liberating” have a hatred for our faith, our values and our culture that is every bit as extreme as those who crashed planes across our landscape on September 11th, nearly a decade ago.  Take a few moments and read THIS article from Mindy Belz at World Magazine.  It certainly makes me ask the question, “Why are we fighting to liberate people who despise us?”.  I, for one, would have no interest in sending my sons into a battle where their lives would be risked so that those we are protecting could call for the murder of our Christian family.

If we’re not going to fight this war right — then bring the boys home.  This is ludicrous!

I always said that today’s CGM/Contemporary Church has as much potential to become a caricature as did the polyester-suit/pompadoured pastors and the first/second/last-stanza hymn singing of the past did.  Well, here it is.  Funny video HERE with some interesting irony unintentionally included.

As I’m currently looking for additional teaching opportunities on the collegiate and graduate level, several school have required that I submit a one-page philosophy of education.  Sometimes I think that few people involved in their area of vocational pursuit — even ministry — have taken the time to consider the philosophy behind doing what they do.  Philosophy precedes process and process precedes product, so I think that developing a sound philosophy should be a priority for all of life’s pursuits from marriage to family to work to recreation to entertainment and more.

With that in mind, I’m going to post my (extremely) brief philosophy of education that I’ve been submitting to the Christian universities and colleges with which I’ve been dialoguing.  It is certainly not exhaustive, but it a condensed precis of my larger view of the underpinnings of the educational process.

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A proper philosophy of education begins with an acknowledgment that Truth exists and education is the process whereby we uncover Truth.  Gaebelein noted that, “all truth is God’s truth.”  The professional educator with a Biblical worldview should see Truth as the source, object and goal of the educational process.  The teacher is the guide between the student and Truth and pedagogy is the conduit that the professional educator uses to connect the student to Truth.

A Biblical philosophy of education should be holistic and should encompass the head, heart and hands.  Whether dealing with the psychomotor, cognitive or affective domains, the teacher must challenge the student – through pedagogy, curriculum, methodology, philosophy and application – to consider the Source, the consequences and the potential of Truth across the academic disciplines.  A sound curriculum exalts God in that His character and nature are revealed in Creation and knowledge.  Indeed, the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” and our life meets God’s plan and purpose for His creation when we “acknowledge Him in all our ways.”  It is not enough to teach students what they should know or even how to use educational objectives and truths, but they should be instructed to use them in ways that glorify the Author and fulfills His plans for their lives.

Even in a secular or public arena, a philosophy of education based on a core belief that there is a God and that He matters (absolute Truth) will change the dynamics of how a curriculum is approached without having to be overtly parochial.  Indeed, instruction offered by an instructor with a Biblical worldview will note the attributes of order, purpose, design and affect that all lead to the conclusion that “chance” is an insufficient explanation for what we observe in and know about creation.

Every facet of education, should be driven by sound philosophy and encompasses the spectrum from curriculum to pedagogy to discipline to communication to evaluation and more.  What one accepts as Truth will determine one’s philosophy.  Philosophy drives principle.  Principle leads to application.  Application influences behavior.  Thus outcomes and Truth are intrinsically interconnected.  Behavior is reflective of our beliefs.

A Biblical view of education requires more than a good curriculum or even noble objectives.  It demands a fundamental commitment to and knowledge of the Word of God as the foundation for all that the educator seeks to accomplish.

I had a wonderful brief trip to C uba two weeks ago.  I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been there, but I believe it’s been between eight and ten times over the last eight years.  The Lord is blessing His work there in spite of difficult circumstances.

I cannot give many details in my blog as it is just not advisable considering the nature of what our brothers in Christ are doing for the sake of the Gospel.  I can tell you that I was able to visit with multiple leaders and believers and they church there is strong and growing.  They have a vision for the Lord’s work and a love for their country and her citizens.  They are not discouraged and see opposition as part of the job description there.  They are incredibly resilient and innovative.

Because some of you send assistance to me in advance, I was able to take a variety of tools that they are now already using in their places of worship.  I was able to secure mp3 players and tambourines for several of the pastors which are used enthusiastically in services.  Daily needs — food, clothing, shelter — we also met during my trip there.

Always, the Body there sends words of thanks, appreciation and concern.  They desire to hear what the Lord is doing in the States and they are so grateful to hear that they have brothers and sisters who remember them in prayer and concern.  Their lives are very difficult in many ways, but they do not complain and they are incredibly generous and concerned for others.

I do have a more detailed and specific report available.  If you would like to receive a copy of this via email, please drop me a note at WPBDoc@aol.com and I’ll send you a file report with much more detail.

A special thanks to all of you who sent love gifts.  All them were taken and safely distributed.  What you provided is already making a BIG difference in the lives of others.  I wish you could be there as I do my small part in extending your blessings.

If you have questions about what the Lord is doing in our island nation to our South, please contact me.  The needs are tremendous and the blessings even greater!

I wanted to give everyone an update on my ongoing project in C uba.  I have been trying to get back over there to meet with some over our team since mid-January.  Obviously, the loss of my job in Miami proved to be a set-back, but thankfully, I have been able to put what I needed together and am ready to return the first week of April.  I have tapped into my savings a bit, made my reservations, have my itinerary and I’m ready to go!

Some of you have given to make it possible for me to help equip the planters there with necessary training and supplies and it never ceases to amaze me to see how God provides.  I received two wonderful financial gifts from a reader of this blog who is planting a church in the Philadelphia area.  I got a gift from some former church members that was a real blessing.  Today, I had lunch with a dear senior adult lady who said she wanted to give me a “little bit” for my C uban ministry and then proceeded to write out a check for $5,000!  The cool thing was that this was the exact amount I had asked God for in the previous 24 hours to complete one phase of the project we have going on.  The government paperwork is in progress to make all of this legal and we look forward to seeing this next project completed.  God is doing incredible things across this island nation.

I am taking two suitcases full of supplies and I want to list a couple of items I still need in case someone out there has the ability to help me with some items.  I need an electronic blood pressure kit (that would work on a child) for one of the pastors, a decent electric guitar with a small amp, any small musical instruments (tambourine, latin instruments, violin, flute, clarinet), small DVD player, and a decent laptop computer.   If you can provide one of those items, just drop me an email at dlburrell@liberty.edu and I’ll give you instructions on where to send it.

Please pray that I will have an effective and “uneventful” trip and that the brothers and their families in this wonderful country will be blessed and equipped for ministry as I meet with them.

A few times over the years, I’ve spoken or blogged about my concern that one of America’s most “prestigious” (arguable) and “historic” (inarguable) evangelical schools of higher learning was shifting so far to the left that it would eventually join the annals of fine schools that became apostate with the passage of time.  Schools like Harvard and Yale were once intended to train students for ministry and to have a Biblical worldview.  More modern examples might include Baylor and Davidson.  None of these examples would fit within the mold of even a moderately Biblical institution of higher learning at this time.

So when I saw THIS article, I was saddened to see that the suspicions of folks like me are now being codified and supported by empirical evidence.  Wheaton has a new president.  We can only hope that he responds to this drift with the strength and focus of an Al Mohler or Paige Patterson.  Few colleges have been able to reverse a dive toward liberalism and modernism — most success stories are found in the ranks of seminaries.

Take a look at the article HERE and stay informed as to the battle that is going on across America for the philosophy and worldview of the next generation.

I was saddened last week to hear that one of the young men who had been in my church in Charlotte had been killed on duty in Afghanistan last week.  Noah Pier came from a wonderful family that was just the typical, all-American, kind of people everyone would love to have as their next door neighbors.  Ten children, active in church and ministry, home-schooled, hard-working dad, loving and devoted mother, a rolling dust-storm of laughter, crises, enthusiasm, drama and excitement.  Every interaction I had with them over my years as their pastor, I watched them work to see God’s hand in their life, seek God’s direction in their situation and want God’s best for their family.

Noah was a typical teenage guy in many ways.  Tall and lanky, trying to “find himself”, struggling with the typical adolescent demons, but driven by something deep within him that wanted to make a difference.  At times he could be shy and deferential.  At other times, he’d be in your face and on a mission.  The Marine Corp was a place that could be both a destination and a necessary instructor in his life and I wasn’t surprised to hear that he had joined.

When I heard that Noah had been killed by an IED in the Marjuh offensive, I lost my breath.  Just the Saturday before, the family had called a prayer meeting at 3:00 p.m. and I had stopped to pray for him with many others.  I thought of his mother, an incredible mother with a passion for her kids to turn out right that is exemplary and just grieved for her.  His dad’s face came to my mind — a man of the kind of work ethic that made this country great.  Quiet and strong.  Then I thought of the siblings — Tara — a young mom who would deliver a premature baby just hours later as the stress of her loss hit her — she has always been one of my favorite former teens and I am so proud of the fine wife and mother she has become.  Luke — who struggles with a horrific illness with bravery and the demeanor of his dad.  Shawn — an independent and deeply sensitive sister.  Kate — the older sister with a sweet family.  Mark — the young man who is now the oldest male sibling.  Each kid’s face came to my mind.  And I know I joined a thousand others who cried out to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord — why Noah?  Why THIS family?”  No answers come now of course — we don’t have the privilege of time and perspective and knowledge of God’s master plan and schedule.  And even if we did, would anyone be less heartbroken for this dear family?

The story of Noah’s death and journey home can be found HERE.  Read it and then pray for the thousands of other grieving families who have also paid this price and pray again, for the Piers.  Then hug your sons — regardless of their age.  Thank God for the men and women who are in uniform today so that we can sit in our comfy recliners watching mindless TV while stuffing our faces with junk food and griping about Washington politicians.  When you see a soldier in uniform in the airport or on the street, thank them.  When you hear someone speak of Islam as a religion of “peace” and who think the best way to engage these animals is through sanctions and endless ‘dialogues’ and who thinks that terrorists are people on whom reason will work — think of three letters — I. E. D.

Mark, Vickie and family — you are loved and we are praying for you during these difficult times.

It’s time for a brief update.  As you can tell, I’ve been silent for a while on this blog.  No, I haven’t given up blogging.  There are just seasons in life when it is better to be still and listen quietly for God.

Scripture asks the question, “How can two walk together unless they are in agreement?”  It is that principle that has led to a discontinuation of my ministry at New Testament Baptist Church and Dade Christian School.  As the Executive Pastor and Vice-President, I knew when the Senior Pastor resigned last fall that I would either need to be a candidate for the Senior Pastor’s position or would need to be looking for a new position.  Within a few weeks, it became abundantly clear to me that I would not make an appropriate candidate to be the new Senior Pastor there due to significant differences in philosophy and theology.  I began looking for new opportunities while being willing to stay until a new Senior Pastor was called, but a few weeks later, it became necessary to go ahead and leave the ministry now rather than later.

We do not have a place to go, but we are seeking the Lord’s direction as to our future.  I’m very grateful to have my work with Liberty University to help us financially during this transition and while it does not cover nearly all of our needs, it is more than many have who are in the same position as are we.  In fact, the Lord blessed with a promotion at LU last week and I am now a faculty mentor for their online team.  We are exploring several other options and we look forward with faith and confidence in the Lord.  When men let you down, the Lord never does.  Sometimes we preach about living by faith; other times God asks us to actually do it.

In the meantime, I’ve picked up a few speaking opportunities, will continue my works as an adjunct professor at a couple of schools and am occupying myself with other interests and pursuits.  If your church or school needs a pulpit fill, a marriage or training conference or someone to do some in-service training for your school faculty or education ministry, feel free to contact me at dlburrell@liberty.edu.   I’ve got tons of fun and exciting workshops that I’ve done all over the country and I’d be happy to send you a list of them.

There will be plenty of time to write about what I’ve learned and perspectives on ministry that I’ve personally experienced over the last year or so, but now is not the time for that.  For now, I’m going to recharge my batteries and excitedly look for a place of ministry where I fit and where there is an unflinching commitment to a Biblical worldview, philosophy, and theology.

….well, not me, but our project in C uba.  It kills me not to be able to tell you everything that the Lord is doing in the island nation off our southern shores, but I simply can’t put the incredible national pastors there in danger of scrutiny or worse.  The picture at the left is one of the nicer houses that is used for a house church.  Imagine over 40 such “projects” with which we are involved.

I don’t cry “wolf” and I don’t constantly beg for funds to continue the work that the Lord has dropped in our laps there, but from time to time I like to remind folks that they can be part of what is happening in churches in this difficult country.  The Lord has given us incredible resources to do what we are doing from the most unexpected sources over the years and several of the readers of this blog have been very instrumental in what God is doing there through their participation in giving.

I have a special license that allows me to travel there and I plan on going again in about 7 weeks.  I also have government permission to provide special “humanitarian” assistance.  Both of these permissions expire in late March, so I need to take advantage of the opportunity now.

Right now, I’m in need of around $10,000 to complete one major project and to take care of some of the personal/family needs of which I am aware among various leaders.  Because we’re just a few hours away from the end of 2009, I realize that some may be looking for ways to “even up” their charitable giving for the year.  If you would be interested in helping, you can send a tax-deductible gift to:

Grace Baptist Church
Attn: C uba Project
533 East Rollins Street
Moberly, MO 65270

Gifts must be postmarked by midnight, December 31st for credit against this year’s taxes.  You will receive a tax statement for your donation.  100% of your donation goes directly to the needs.  I don’t ask others to help when I don’t personally help — I give thousands each year and I’m sending another $1,000 personally for this project need.

If you can’t give, please pray.  God is doing great things there and it’s one of the highlights of my ministry to be partners with the national leaders there in the Lord’s work.  The picture to the right is a group of new believers who are walking down to a river to be baptized during one of my trips to C uba in 2009.  None of the pastors or leaders have their face toward the camera, but you are seeing a “shadow” of some of the most incredible men I’ve ever known.   If you want private details, give me a call or drop me an email and I’ll be glad to give you more specific information.  If you can give, be assured that every single dollar makes a difference in a country where $1 a day takes care of a family and what we spend on a single meal for our family at a fast food restaurant would care for an entire pastor’s family for a month.  I hope you will prayerfully consider doing whatever the Lord lays on your heart to encourage these dear friends.

Thanks for loving our brothers and sisters “down south”!

Dan

We gave up trying to keep up with all our friends and family via a Christmas card list several years ago, so if you’ll indulge us, we use this blog to give an annual ‘report’ on the comings and goings of the Burrell clan.

2009 was our first full year back in Florida since 1999.  Florida really is a paradise this time of the year and we watched with interest the reports of heavy snow in many parts of our country recently while we enjoyed temperatures in the 80’s.  This has been yet another interesting year in the ministry and we continue to learn to trust in the Lord and not in man as we serve Him.  Dan remains as the Executive Pastor of the New Testament Baptist Church with campuses in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale and the Vice-President of Dade Christian Schools (Miami) and The Master’s Academy (Ft. Lauderdale).  Due to a tough local economy, He is now find also serving as the COO and CFO for the ministries on about 50% of the pay he was making last year.  In addition, he is also doing most of the preaching for our ministries as our Senior Pastor resigned in October and left in November to become the full-time president of Davis College in Binghamton, NY.

Anyone who knows how these things work realizes that at whatever point a new senior pastor is called for this ministry, I will need to move to have found another place of service as there is the potential for confusion and unclear lines of authority that can arise as the new pastor comes on board if the “interim” pastor remains.  Therefore, we are currently actively searching for our next place of ministry.  We are in a position where we must try to get out from under a house that has dropped by nearly 40% in value and which we can no longer afford, so pray that we can find someone who will attempt a short-sale with the bank.  We are facing personal and financial challenges that we did not anticipate, but are confident that the Lord will unfold His plan for our lives in the coming months.  Stayed tuned to this blog as we find out what our next assignment will be.  We’ll keep you posted.

Dan is blessed with a wonderful team of pastors and department heads at the ministry where he currently serves and even though the church is in transition, it is great to see people coming together for the good of the church and the work of the ministry.  He also became a full-time contracted associate professor with Liberty University (formerly he was an adjunct) and he teaches Discipleship, Leadership and Bible Teaching for Liberty University Onlines graduate program through their seminary.  It adds 20-30 extra hours to his work week, but he really enjoys this and would be quite happy to land on a college campus in the future.  He also continues his work with Boston Baptist College where he serves as an adjunct each January and where he also serves on the Board of Trustees.  He also serves on the board of Davis College and is part of a new speaker’s bureau that features men like Marvin Olasky, Warren Smith, Alex McFarland and Eric Metatexas and specializes in apologetics and worldview.  He took two trips to Cuba where he continues to work with a wonderful team of national pastors.

Julie helps Dan with his Sunday adult Bible fellowship class on Sundays and keeps the kids organized and on task at home.  Katie is now continuing her education at home and Josh keeps a pretty busy schedule as an active middle schooler.  She spent a week in Charlotte over Labor Day to be with our dear friend and Dan’s former administrative assistant, Cindy Smith, who had major cancer surgery.  They talk frequently as Cindy continues her regimin of chemotherapy and experiences the joys of being a grandmother in the midst of her health journey. She enjoyed a couple of months in Lake Lure with some of the kids as well and we also all went to Missouri to be with Dan’s family over the 4th of July with a couple of days spent in Branson.

Nathan has been working as a system administrator for the church and school IT department for the last 18 months, but made a big announcement recently and has decided to return to Liberty University this January to complete his bachelor’s degree.  He’s rarely at home for any extended time as he has an active social life and is a major gym rat with his daily workout and basketball games.  Dan has really enjoyed working on the same campus with him and they have regularly grabbed lunch together a day or two each week.  As the family has realized that big changes are ahead, the time seemed right for him to head back to Lynchburg and finish off that degree.

Megan graduated from Dade Christian School in May and enjoyed a wonderful senior trip with her classmates to Washington, DC and New York City.  Dan was able to be a chaperone for the trip, so they had a great father/daughter time for a week.  She is quite the photographer and did quite a few photo shots ranging from senior pictures to publicity photos to weddings.  She has a Facebook page of her work.  After working this fall as a school photographer for Lifetouch, she is also heading to Lynchburg to begin her studies at Liberty University in January.  Too bad dad doesn’t get a tuition break as a professor for having his kids there, but student loans and side jobs will keep them going.  She is looking forward to having a college experience with her big brother — they are very close.

Katie is working on her schooling at home these days.  She hit the big thirteen this fall and will be taking her 13th birthday trip with mom before long.  She enjoys cooking and texting her friends and collecting Bella Sera cards.  She takes PE with a great home school group each week and has been taking some art classes as well.  She loves to sing and is a member of the school choir at The Master’s Academy and has enjoyed singing at local stores, church and a nursing home.

Josh is in 7th grade at The Master’s Academy and is a constant cyclone of energy.  He’s the early riser of the family and loves the trampoline and anything with a trigger.  He’s recently expressed an interest in taking kick-boxing lessons and so we’re looking for the right program to offer that outlet.  He and dad have a weekly breakfast “date” at a local restaurant for discipleship and hanging out time.  He’ll be turning 13 this spring and is already planning his 13th birthday trip out west to do some hiking and exploring.

All of our kids are maturing physically and spiritually and in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty, having a strong family, good health and kids that are making you proud and giving you joy is a tremendous blessing and more that we could ever desire.  Please drop us a line at our regular email addresses and let us know how you all are doing.  Dan, Julie, Nathan and Megan are all on Facebook and we enjoy that network sight to keep us in touch with hundreds of friends.

We look forward to 2010 with a sense of anticipation and confidence and our prayer for you is the best of God’s blessings on you and yours in the year to come.

Expecting His Best!

Dan, Julie, Nathan, Megan, Katie and Josh (and Zoe the dog)