Thursday, October 29, 2009
What i've learnt by Josh Dbaull
I’ve learned that people are constantly in transition, but rarely ever where they actually are at the moment.
When and where are simple instructions, but being on time can distract us from the beauty of the world around us. Take your time, enjoy the road, skip along the path whenever possible.
When talking to a friend about life, and the way they wish it were, not only is the grass greener on the other side, the air is better, the fence looks prettier and they have cookies. Don’t argue, slap them in the face and help them move on.
When it comes to family, get to know them, if at all possible adopt them, you never know when they could be gone for good. Our families are the best link we have to our past and the only people who have a responsibility to stick with us in the future. But always be on the lookout for that new family that might live right next door, don’t be shy to adopt them either.
People and institutions are much more apt to forgive than to give permission, I think this is why people who innovate and transform our world get into the circumstances that create their character. They simply start to pray with their legs.
Never turn down a drink under any circumstance, I learned this from reading Mark Twain.
Often the most appropriate thing for one to say in situations where someone is in real need of good advise is to say that which is utterly cliche, for it usually happens to be the more truthful thing one can say. To listen first and to speak later, to be present in a real sense, to simply be there when there is nothing else one can do or say.
In I have learned much about the gift of life from movies, ‘Terminator II’ for example, when a machine learns to value human life, maybe there is hope for the rest of us. This was influential for me when I was in the second grade.— ‘The Shawshank redemption’, where I came to know the beauty of music and thought as something that no one can ever take away.—’Life as a house’, where the father in the movie says he always thought of himself as a house, it didn’t need to be big or beautiful it just needed to be his, if he were a house he would want to be built on rock facing the sea.—’Schindler’s list’ which taught me about humanities inhumanity.—’Finding Forrester’, which taught me that no one is beyond hope, that a life wasted can be turned around in an instant.—’The Lord of the Rings’, which taught me about friendship and sacrifice. These thoughts may sound strange but if I am completely honest, many movies have guided my moral compass in more profound ways than the churches I have spent so much time in over the years ever have.
I’ve learned that the world is both much more tragic, simple and detestable than I ever thought possible while at the same time it remains much more peaceful, complex, and beautiful than I can comprehend.
People are mysteries, who they are and who they believe themselves to be are at such odds with each other, they stand as a paradox, we love until there is only pain, and then in that same instant there is no more pain, only more love.
I have learned that the mysteries life might be better thought about in rhythms . Nature has it’s rhythms, sunsets and sunrises, winters and summers, high tide and low tide, weather patterns, growing seasons, etc. But we humans are out of rhythm, we are constantly at odds with the rhythms of nature attempting to make the earth bow to our whims, we are in such need of rescuing .
I have learned much about Theology, and could discuss the principles of advanced (insert here)-ology but that from all that studying, writing, arguing and head-knowledge I have learned very little about God.
I have learned that discipleship is a Christian’s political responsibility, and that living in community is essential to the life of the Church, for without the courage that is given to the body of Christ from other members of that body one cannot expect live out the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. There is much, much more to this statement, but most of these sound bites are relatively short, so I will leave the why questions to your imagination, (IN OTHER WORDS I TRUST YOU)
These are a few things that I have learned, I wish I took more time to reflect upon where I have come from, maybe these thoughts may provoke you dear reader to reflect for yourself.
Peace
When and where are simple instructions, but being on time can distract us from the beauty of the world around us. Take your time, enjoy the road, skip along the path whenever possible.
When talking to a friend about life, and the way they wish it were, not only is the grass greener on the other side, the air is better, the fence looks prettier and they have cookies. Don’t argue, slap them in the face and help them move on.
When it comes to family, get to know them, if at all possible adopt them, you never know when they could be gone for good. Our families are the best link we have to our past and the only people who have a responsibility to stick with us in the future. But always be on the lookout for that new family that might live right next door, don’t be shy to adopt them either.
People and institutions are much more apt to forgive than to give permission, I think this is why people who innovate and transform our world get into the circumstances that create their character. They simply start to pray with their legs.
Never turn down a drink under any circumstance, I learned this from reading Mark Twain.
Often the most appropriate thing for one to say in situations where someone is in real need of good advise is to say that which is utterly cliche, for it usually happens to be the more truthful thing one can say. To listen first and to speak later, to be present in a real sense, to simply be there when there is nothing else one can do or say.
In I have learned much about the gift of life from movies, ‘Terminator II’ for example, when a machine learns to value human life, maybe there is hope for the rest of us. This was influential for me when I was in the second grade.— ‘The Shawshank redemption’, where I came to know the beauty of music and thought as something that no one can ever take away.—’Life as a house’, where the father in the movie says he always thought of himself as a house, it didn’t need to be big or beautiful it just needed to be his, if he were a house he would want to be built on rock facing the sea.—’Schindler’s list’ which taught me about humanities inhumanity.—’Finding Forrester’, which taught me that no one is beyond hope, that a life wasted can be turned around in an instant.—’The Lord of the Rings’, which taught me about friendship and sacrifice. These thoughts may sound strange but if I am completely honest, many movies have guided my moral compass in more profound ways than the churches I have spent so much time in over the years ever have.
I’ve learned that the world is both much more tragic, simple and detestable than I ever thought possible while at the same time it remains much more peaceful, complex, and beautiful than I can comprehend.
People are mysteries, who they are and who they believe themselves to be are at such odds with each other, they stand as a paradox, we love until there is only pain, and then in that same instant there is no more pain, only more love.
I have learned that the mysteries life might be better thought about in rhythms . Nature has it’s rhythms, sunsets and sunrises, winters and summers, high tide and low tide, weather patterns, growing seasons, etc. But we humans are out of rhythm, we are constantly at odds with the rhythms of nature attempting to make the earth bow to our whims, we are in such need of rescuing .
I have learned much about Theology, and could discuss the principles of advanced (insert here)-ology but that from all that studying, writing, arguing and head-knowledge I have learned very little about God.
I have learned that discipleship is a Christian’s political responsibility, and that living in community is essential to the life of the Church, for without the courage that is given to the body of Christ from other members of that body one cannot expect live out the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. There is much, much more to this statement, but most of these sound bites are relatively short, so I will leave the why questions to your imagination, (IN OTHER WORDS I TRUST YOU)
These are a few things that I have learned, I wish I took more time to reflect upon where I have come from, maybe these thoughts may provoke you dear reader to reflect for yourself.
Peace
Monday, October 26, 2009
Positives, Negatives, Neutrals
Every ministry leader needs to be a positive. They also need to know who the positives, negatives, and neutrals are both in official leadership and unofficial leadership in their ministry.
Positives
Positives are people who do gospel things in gospel ways for gospel reasons. They are trusting, supportive, and encouraging. They build bridges and mediate conflict. Positives bring organizational health, work for the good of the gospel over any single issue or cause, and are a blessing because they humbly want the gospel to win. Positives are prone to turn neutrals into positives, while they also work to neutralize negatives. In the Bible, positives are often referred to as shepherds.
Negatives
Negatives are people who do ungospel things in ungospel ways for ungospel reasons. They are distrusting, unsupportive, discouraging, and contentious. They burn bridges, are wounded by bitterness from past hurts, and are often the center of criticism and conflict. Negatives bring organizational sickness, division, and trouble because they are proudly more interested in their cause winning than the gospel and the good of the whole. Negatives tend to draw other negatives toward themselves as factions, and they also prey on neutrals in order to increase their own power and control. In the Bible, negatives are often referred to as wolves.
Neutrals
Neutrals are followers who are easily influenced. They are prone to being unsure, confused, and fearful. Neutrals are often caught in the middle when there is conflict between positives and negatives. A neutral becomes a positive or negative depending upon who their friends are, whom they listen to, what information they have access to, which books they read, and which teachers they look up to. In the Bible, neutrals are often referred to as sheep.
Sadly, in most ministries, the negatives are the most vocal, most exhausting, and most distracting, as well as the least likely to contribute to growth and health. Though they are few, they are often loud and difficult, spreading—as Paul says—like gangrene through the church body (2 Tim. 2:17). Practically, this means that even a few negatives working together can become quite difficult. The Bible reveals that negatives often pair up like two barrels on a gun, as was the case with Jannes and Jambres opposing Moses, Sanballat and Tobiah opposing Nehemiah, and Hymenaeus and Alexander opposing Paul.
How to Stay Positive
For a ministry to remain positive, three things need to occur.
First, the senior leader and the other official and unofficial leaders who wield the most influence must be positives. Further, they must be continually exhorted to remain positives. This means that even when they deal with negative things, they do so in a positive way for the glory of God and the good of his people.
Second, the negatives must not be allowed into leadership. If they are in leadership, official or unofficial, they must be rebuked. Titus 3:10–11 describes this rebuke: "As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned." Too often negatives are tolerated for too long; the longer their sin is tolerated, the more toxic the ministry culture becomes. Therefore, unrepentant negatives need to be brought through formal church discipline after their negativity has been documented and addressed; this process may end with their removal from the ministry, if needed. Ministry leaders are often reticent to deal so forthrightly with negatives; however, the longer they are tolerated, the more neutrals they infect with their gangrene.
Third, the neutrals need to be lovingly and patiently informed that they are in fact neutrals and that they need to take responsibility to not give in to negatives. Additionally, neutrals cannot be allowed into ministry leadership because they are prone to be influenced rather than be influencers. Sadly, neutrals are often nominated for and voted in to ministry leadership because they tend to be nice people who are likeable because they are amiable and easily influenced. But they are prone to work toward consensus rather than lead and are therefore not helpful for moving a ministry forward into innovation and growth. Change is controversial and requires someone who is a strong positive to build consensus for change and who is also able to neutralize the negatives rather than being influenced by them.
Positives
Positives are people who do gospel things in gospel ways for gospel reasons. They are trusting, supportive, and encouraging. They build bridges and mediate conflict. Positives bring organizational health, work for the good of the gospel over any single issue or cause, and are a blessing because they humbly want the gospel to win. Positives are prone to turn neutrals into positives, while they also work to neutralize negatives. In the Bible, positives are often referred to as shepherds.
Negatives
Negatives are people who do ungospel things in ungospel ways for ungospel reasons. They are distrusting, unsupportive, discouraging, and contentious. They burn bridges, are wounded by bitterness from past hurts, and are often the center of criticism and conflict. Negatives bring organizational sickness, division, and trouble because they are proudly more interested in their cause winning than the gospel and the good of the whole. Negatives tend to draw other negatives toward themselves as factions, and they also prey on neutrals in order to increase their own power and control. In the Bible, negatives are often referred to as wolves.
Neutrals
Neutrals are followers who are easily influenced. They are prone to being unsure, confused, and fearful. Neutrals are often caught in the middle when there is conflict between positives and negatives. A neutral becomes a positive or negative depending upon who their friends are, whom they listen to, what information they have access to, which books they read, and which teachers they look up to. In the Bible, neutrals are often referred to as sheep.
Sadly, in most ministries, the negatives are the most vocal, most exhausting, and most distracting, as well as the least likely to contribute to growth and health. Though they are few, they are often loud and difficult, spreading—as Paul says—like gangrene through the church body (2 Tim. 2:17). Practically, this means that even a few negatives working together can become quite difficult. The Bible reveals that negatives often pair up like two barrels on a gun, as was the case with Jannes and Jambres opposing Moses, Sanballat and Tobiah opposing Nehemiah, and Hymenaeus and Alexander opposing Paul.
How to Stay Positive
For a ministry to remain positive, three things need to occur.
First, the senior leader and the other official and unofficial leaders who wield the most influence must be positives. Further, they must be continually exhorted to remain positives. This means that even when they deal with negative things, they do so in a positive way for the glory of God and the good of his people.
Second, the negatives must not be allowed into leadership. If they are in leadership, official or unofficial, they must be rebuked. Titus 3:10–11 describes this rebuke: "As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned." Too often negatives are tolerated for too long; the longer their sin is tolerated, the more toxic the ministry culture becomes. Therefore, unrepentant negatives need to be brought through formal church discipline after their negativity has been documented and addressed; this process may end with their removal from the ministry, if needed. Ministry leaders are often reticent to deal so forthrightly with negatives; however, the longer they are tolerated, the more neutrals they infect with their gangrene.
Third, the neutrals need to be lovingly and patiently informed that they are in fact neutrals and that they need to take responsibility to not give in to negatives. Additionally, neutrals cannot be allowed into ministry leadership because they are prone to be influenced rather than be influencers. Sadly, neutrals are often nominated for and voted in to ministry leadership because they tend to be nice people who are likeable because they are amiable and easily influenced. But they are prone to work toward consensus rather than lead and are therefore not helpful for moving a ministry forward into innovation and growth. Change is controversial and requires someone who is a strong positive to build consensus for change and who is also able to neutralize the negatives rather than being influenced by them.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Hardout
Hardout Community Services is a not for profit organisation being set up by the Logan Community Church of the Nazarene. The first three projects it is working on relate to the Samoan Tsunami.
If you would like to see more please check it out at www.hardout.org
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Results of Poll
Results of Poll:
What do you believe is the greatest hinderance to growth facing the Australian Church of the Nazarene?
Top Five Answers (voters could vote for more than one issue):
1) No clear Vision for the future (73%) 11 votes
2) Apathy and Other Reasons (both 60%) 9 Votes each
3) Stuck in the Past (53%) 8 Votes
4) Ageing Congregation (40%) 6 votes
5)Lack of Pastors (24%) 4 Votes
Any thoughts or opinions on these results?
(See full results below)
Lack of Pastors
4 (26%)
Lack of Lay Leaders
3 (20%)
Lack of Good Holiness Preaching
2 (13%)
Ageing Congregations
6 (40%)
Not Enough Hymns Being Sung
0 (0%)
No clear Vision for the Future
11 (73%)
Nothing, we are doing fine
0 (0%)
Nobody Cares about Holiness anymore
2 (13%)
The Emerging Church
1 (6%)
New Contemporary Worship Music and it's Influence
3 (20%)
I am Not Sure
0 (0%)
Stuck in the Past
8 (53%)
I Don't Care
0 (0%)
Apathy
9 (60%)
Other Reasons not listed
9 (60%)
What do you believe is the greatest hinderance to growth facing the Australian Church of the Nazarene?
Top Five Answers (voters could vote for more than one issue):
1) No clear Vision for the future (73%) 11 votes
2) Apathy and Other Reasons (both 60%) 9 Votes each
3) Stuck in the Past (53%) 8 Votes
4) Ageing Congregation (40%) 6 votes
5)Lack of Pastors (24%) 4 Votes
Any thoughts or opinions on these results?
(See full results below)
Lack of Pastors
4 (26%)
Lack of Lay Leaders
3 (20%)
Lack of Good Holiness Preaching
2 (13%)
Ageing Congregations
6 (40%)
Not Enough Hymns Being Sung
0 (0%)
No clear Vision for the Future
11 (73%)
Nothing, we are doing fine
0 (0%)
Nobody Cares about Holiness anymore
2 (13%)
The Emerging Church
1 (6%)
New Contemporary Worship Music and it's Influence
3 (20%)
I am Not Sure
0 (0%)
Stuck in the Past
8 (53%)
I Don't Care
0 (0%)
Apathy
9 (60%)
Other Reasons not listed
9 (60%)
POSSIBLE INFLUENCE OF GENETIC FACTORS ON SIN, SANCTIFICATION, AND THEOLOGY by Burton Webb and Keith Drury
An Abstract:
"Emerging evidence in both the scientific and medical literature seems to indicate that several addictive behaviors some Wesleyans traditionally have recognized as sinful may be linked to mutations in specific genetic sequences. Although this does not necessarily indicate a cause-effect relationship, it does raise interesting questions regarding the nature and inheritance patterns of these behaviors. Genetic predispositions toward alcoholism, smoking, drug abuse, and gambling have all been suggested. Schizophrenics are more likely to commit petty crimes and assault than the general population. Some research supporting a genetic link for homosexuality has been in the literature in the last several years. This paper will explore the theological implications of this genetic research by raising important questions for Wesleyan theologians to consider: To what extent is an individual culpable for sin influenced by genetic factors? Should genetic predispositions change the church’s view of sin? If we learn to manipulate genes, will "genetic sanctification" be possible?
For the full paper click here: http://didache.nts.edu/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=771&Itemid=
"Emerging evidence in both the scientific and medical literature seems to indicate that several addictive behaviors some Wesleyans traditionally have recognized as sinful may be linked to mutations in specific genetic sequences. Although this does not necessarily indicate a cause-effect relationship, it does raise interesting questions regarding the nature and inheritance patterns of these behaviors. Genetic predispositions toward alcoholism, smoking, drug abuse, and gambling have all been suggested. Schizophrenics are more likely to commit petty crimes and assault than the general population. Some research supporting a genetic link for homosexuality has been in the literature in the last several years. This paper will explore the theological implications of this genetic research by raising important questions for Wesleyan theologians to consider: To what extent is an individual culpable for sin influenced by genetic factors? Should genetic predispositions change the church’s view of sin? If we learn to manipulate genes, will "genetic sanctification" be possible?
For the full paper click here: http://didache.nts.edu/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=771&Itemid=
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Global Leadership Summit
This weekend was Adelaide's turn to attend the Global Leadership Summit, and this year was probably one of the best yet! I attended with a number of our board members and church leaders, and it was also good to see Ps. Doug and a crew from Gawler there too.
This years Summit had a real mix of topics and speakers. There were the usual mega church pastors, but there were also people who work in social justice and politics as well as a business innovator who doesn't work within Christian circles at all.
Stand outs for me this year included business man Gary Hamel, Presbyterian pastor Tim Keller, Dave Gibbons who runs a multi-campus church and authors Chip and Dan Heath.
This year the GLS saved the best for last however with Harvey Carey, who runs a truly innovative church in Detroit, Michigan.
A few of the speakers focused more on the social justice side of the Church, with speakers from Compassion, kiva.org and Good African Coffee. While the topics were interesting and worthwhile I certainly got the most from pastors and church leaders who spoke about creating and maintaining a dynamic church culture, and even used the 'C' word a little - change!
Every year the GLS is an encouragement, a challenge and a shot in the arm, and this year was even more so!
I'd like to think our D.S. and D.A.B for making this a priority and for providing funding to help us get there.
As I mentioned, Harvey Carey was the speaker who influenced me the most throughout the Summit - which is really saying something since he was the final speaker, and let me tell you, I was DONE!
Harvey spoke about the challenge for pastors to be equippers, and to help our church members to take ownership of the work of the Kingdom. He used a great analogy, talking about football players who get in a huddle at the beginning of the game, but then never leave that huddle to actually go and play the game. This really spoke to me. Carey went on to talk about the area he worked in in Detroit, and as he talked I found myself more and more inspired for the area that God has placed our church in at Croydon Park.
if anyone is interested, I know some people with the DVD copies of this year's Summit and I'd be happy to see about loaning them to anyone who missed out. I would also encourage you to make time for next year's GLS, for yourself and your church leaders.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Even Sweeter: Locals welcome new coffeehouse ministry in Poland
By Gina Grate Pottenger on Sep 29, 2009Poznan, Poland––When they opened the coffee shop for a test run on September 19, Everett Tustin and his wife Rhonda didn’t know what to expect. The missionary couple in Poznan, Poland, along with their eight volunteers, hadn’t been able to advertise the event, but had simply mailed 100 invitations to friends and acquaintances, baked trays of sweets, scheduled several musical artists and prayed.The candle-lit “Sweet Surrender” venue had seating for 43 guests. Fifteen minutes after opening, Tustin counted 75 people. When live music began at 7:30 p.m. and the count had hit 150, guests continued squeezing in.
“Everybody was so happy, there was so much laughter in the rooms and so much talking,” said Mission Corps volunteer Katie Fitch, who served as a barista for the night. “We had neighbors that didn’t know each other at all just sitting around tables talking and laughing and having a good time.”
It wasn’t long before the team ran out of clean serving cups, glasses and trays. Tustin washed load after load of dishes to keep up with the orders. By the end of the night, an estimated 200 people had sampled drinks, desserts and enjoyed the conversation and live music that continued until 10 p.m.The Poznan shop will open formally as soon as a contstruction permit to repair the front steps is approved, but “if Saturday is any indication at all, the Lord has a big plan in mind,” said Tustin.
The first Sweet Surrender coffee house opened for ministry 10 months ago in Gdansk, Poland, designed to build relationships and minister to the needs of people in the neighborhood with the love of Christ. In Poznan, those relationships were brewing well before the soft opening.
One young Polish woman poured out hours of volunteer time as the shop’s business manager. Another woman who knew the mayor’s wife put in a good word for the coffeehouse when its paperwork got hung up in red tape.
An accomplished musician who performs throughout Europe agreed to play at the soft opening, and asked if he could appear there again. A local coffee house supplier offered to train the staff for free.
A woman in Rhonda’s ladies’ fellowship had recently closed her own coffee shop and sold her coffee machines and serving pieces to the ministry for half-price. Much of it was less than a year old.
“It’s neat to see how each person who’s become connected with the shop has really just been lit on fire about volunteering and helping in any way they can,” said Mission Corps volunteer Lindy Bennett. “They’re drawn to Christ in this place.”
Lindy Bennett (left), a Mission Corps volunteer from Bryan College Station, Texas,
performed for Sweet Surrender guests on Sept. 19.
Coffeehouses, pubs and restaurants are where many of Europe’s young people meet with friends to talk about life and sometimes spirituality and faith, no matter what faith they do or do not claim. To the team, it offers a natural venue for sharing life and faith with Polish neighbors.
“The coffehouses present a non-threatening method of presenting the gospel,” said Northern Euope Field Strategy Coordinator Philip McAlister. “They give opportunity to make contact with people and provide a pleasant atmosphere in which to have spiritual conversations.”
Housed in the ground floor of a 100-year-old apartment building, Sweet Surrender is located a block from Poznan’s central crossroads. One of the main tram routes passes close enough that the building shakes when the trams go by.
“It’s obvious in the faces of people that we see on the tram or walking on the street that nobody looks happy and there’s a lot of hurting people,” Fitch said. “I think that if we can get to know them we can share with them the answer to their pain.”
Katie Fitch, Mission Corps volunteer, Pittsburgh, California, was overwhelmed
with drink orders at the soft opening.
In the city of 600,000 people, there are no other coffee houses near Sweet Surrender, although they are numerous in the city square about 20 minutes away. Sweet Surrender is also one of the few coffee houses in Poznan offering live music, conversational English classes, art exhibits and Christian worship services on Saturday evenings.
Formerly an apartment, the coffee house has four different rooms, so it will remain open during worship services. Guests can relax in adjacent seating areas or slip into the service where a dozen people meet each week. There’s room for about 25, so when the worshippers outnumber available seating, they’ll add services on weeknights.
“There’s been a lot of curiosity and buzz about this shop,” Bennett said. “They’re just curious… about how odd it is to hear that the church would come in the form of a coffee shop. They have been truly receptive to what is going on here. That’s what’s making this really effective.”
This article is from Engage magazinehttp://www.engagemagazine.com/Home.aspx
Do you think this model would work as we seek to engage with our communities?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Neo-Fundamentalism and The Modern Inerrancy Debate
Hi People,
Here are two great articles i recommend to read!
Neo-Fundamentalist
http://www.crivoice.org/neofundamentalism.html
The Modern Inerrancy Debate
http://www.crivoice.org/inerrant.html
Let me know your thoughts...
Here are two great articles i recommend to read!
Neo-Fundamentalist
http://www.crivoice.org/neofundamentalism.html
The Modern Inerrancy Debate
http://www.crivoice.org/inerrant.html
Let me know your thoughts...
Monday, September 28, 2009
NazCare Updates: Seminary refuge for flood displaced persons, Taytay, Manila
From NazCare:
Three hundred people, displaced by the recent floods in Manila, spent the night on the campus of Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary. People are returning to their homes to salvage whatever they can, but will likely return to APNTS who are providing whatever assistance they can to these families and individuals. Please pray for the Church as it responds with compassion and loving concern to those affected.
Please continue to pray for all of these, as well as our mission personnel, and for the relief efforts the Church is undertaking at this time.
NazCare welcomes any financial contributions to NCM's partnership with local disaster relief efforts in Manila, which will be used to provide direct assistance to those impacted by typhoon Ondoy.
More news will be provided as updates arrive.
Three hundred people, displaced by the recent floods in Manila, spent the night on the campus of Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary. People are returning to their homes to salvage whatever they can, but will likely return to APNTS who are providing whatever assistance they can to these families and individuals. Please pray for the Church as it responds with compassion and loving concern to those affected.
Please continue to pray for all of these, as well as our mission personnel, and for the relief efforts the Church is undertaking at this time.
NazCare welcomes any financial contributions to NCM's partnership with local disaster relief efforts in Manila, which will be used to provide direct assistance to those impacted by typhoon Ondoy.
More news will be provided as updates arrive.
Envisioning Replant: Practical Issue - Prt 5 of 5 (by Scott Thomas)
Seriously explore a name change (Prov. 22:1; Eccl. 7:1).A name change can communicate a change in focus, in approach, in product. A change in name can be effective if the product lives up to the change.
If the only change taking place is the name, it will not produce the desired results.
Changes need to be in place (or ready to launch) prior to a name change!
What does your name communicate to the community in which it ministers?
Do you believe your denominational label (or lack of one) is contributing to or detracting from your mission?
Determine the cultural valuation of a denomination. Is it honored or dishonored in the community?
This could be the greatest point of conflict in an existing body that has associated itself with a denomination both corporately and individually. Members of a church are prone to say, "I've been a Methodist (et al) all my life."
Likewise, a person may be adamant about not being a particular denomination. Neither position is healthy. With whom will your church be affiliated?
Leading a church through a name change must be led by the mission statement. If your mission statement is "Retaining Our Members for Life," you may not want to explore a name change. If it is "Penetrating the Darkness - Sharing the Light," a name change may be imperative.
Determine if a relocation is profitable.
Is the church located in a growing area?
Where is the fastest growing area in your community?
What are the most densely populated areas in your community?
What are the demographics of the ten-mile radius around your meeting place?
How equipped or called is your church to minister to the residents in your church location?
What are the three most desirable locations for a meeting place for your church?
What equity does your church building have?
Would relocating create more opportunities for ministry and outreach?
Would relocating free assets for ministry or place a greater financial strain on ministry?
Is the church located in a growing area?
Where is the fastest growing area in your community?
What are the most densely populated areas in your community?
What are the demographics of the ten-mile radius around your meeting place?
How equipped or called is your church to minister to the residents in your church location?
What are the three most desirable locations for a meeting place for your church?
What equity does your church building have?
Would relocating create more opportunities for ministry and outreach?
Would relocating free assets for ministry or place a greater financial strain on ministry?
Fearlessly Lead the Replanting Process (1 John 4:18).
Prayerfully determine if God has called your church to enter a replanting at this time. Do you feel God is calling you to replant your church?
Once affirmed, lead fearlessly through the rough waters, people jumping overboard, seasickness, and mutiny among the crew. Many people (including leaders and even spouses) will become disoriented, discouraged, and dissenting. Lead the body patiently, lovingly, but firmly—just as Jesus would. But don't lead fearful of losing popularity, friendship, or a comfortable, secure job. A manager is a pleaser of people. A visionary leader is a pleaser of God.
Do you have the visionary, God-called leader in place?
If so, does he have the support of the leadership?
If not, where will you begin to look for a shepherd leader with the skillset to replant your church?
Prayerfully determine if God has called your church to enter a replanting at this time. Do you feel God is calling you to replant your church?
Once affirmed, lead fearlessly through the rough waters, people jumping overboard, seasickness, and mutiny among the crew. Many people (including leaders and even spouses) will become disoriented, discouraged, and dissenting. Lead the body patiently, lovingly, but firmly—just as Jesus would. But don't lead fearful of losing popularity, friendship, or a comfortable, secure job. A manager is a pleaser of people. A visionary leader is a pleaser of God.
Do you have the visionary, God-called leader in place?
If so, does he have the support of the leadership?
If not, where will you begin to look for a shepherd leader with the skillset to replant your church?
Center your faith in God (Matt. 17:20).
Reject the temptation to have faith in your resources, your givers, your buildings, or even your idea. Have faith in God's ability to honor his name by his body becoming more obedient to the principles of Scripture.
Follow God's calling even if it threatens being tossed into the lion's den (Daniel 6). God will shut the mouths of the hungry lions (and disgruntled members) if he is calling you to replant a missional church for his glory. It is his church—Christ is the head.
Reject the temptation to have faith in your resources, your givers, your buildings, or even your idea. Have faith in God's ability to honor his name by his body becoming more obedient to the principles of Scripture.
Follow God's calling even if it threatens being tossed into the lion's den (Daniel 6). God will shut the mouths of the hungry lions (and disgruntled members) if he is calling you to replant a missional church for his glory. It is his church—Christ is the head.
Envisioning a Replant: Leadership, Mission, Values - Prt 4 (Scott Thomas)
Define Church LeadershipIdentify the top three or four lay leaders of the church.
What will each of their roles be in leading change?
What resource or encouragement do they need to more effectively help guide the ship?
Do they fully understand the vision for replanting a missional church?
How could they lead organized groups of men as you work through this process of change? Try to identify at least six key positions of leadership.
Staff Leadership
Does the staff (if applicable) need to redefine their job descriptions to accommodate the changes desired?
What role will they play in the leading of the body?
What knowledge or encouragement do they need to be effective in their redefined roles?
Does the staff (if applicable) need to redefine their job descriptions to accommodate the changes desired?
What role will they play in the leading of the body?
What knowledge or encouragement do they need to be effective in their redefined roles?
Board, Officers, Elders
Identify the governing structure of the church. Is it congregational rule, elder rule, deacon/trustee rule, pastor directed?
Determine if the structure is a biblical model and if it is functionally healthy.
Examine the qualifications of the church officers according to 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5. Work through the process for purging the existing appointed leadership if necessary.
Whom do you believe God has appointed as lay leaders in your church?
Identify the governing structure of the church. Is it congregational rule, elder rule, deacon/trustee rule, pastor directed?
Determine if the structure is a biblical model and if it is functionally healthy.
Examine the qualifications of the church officers according to 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5. Work through the process for purging the existing appointed leadership if necessary.
Whom do you believe God has appointed as lay leaders in your church?
Establish a Clear Mission (Prov. 29:18)
Write (and rewrite) a mission statement that is easily understood and easily repeated, and that reflects exactly what will guide the church when determining the value of ministries (establishment and continuance). An example of a mission statement is adapted from Willow Creek: "Turning unchurched people into fully devoted followers of Christ." Another example is "Making True Disciples" (our former statement) and "Penetrating the Darkness - Sharing the Light" (our current statement).
What are the values of the church that could be incorporated into a mission statement (evangelism, discipleship, worship, etc.)?
Write out a first draft:
Can it be recited easily?
Is it easily understood by non-theologians?
Who could be given the responsibility of forming the mission statement?
Write (and rewrite) a mission statement that is easily understood and easily repeated, and that reflects exactly what will guide the church when determining the value of ministries (establishment and continuance). An example of a mission statement is adapted from Willow Creek: "Turning unchurched people into fully devoted followers of Christ." Another example is "Making True Disciples" (our former statement) and "Penetrating the Darkness - Sharing the Light" (our current statement).
What are the values of the church that could be incorporated into a mission statement (evangelism, discipleship, worship, etc.)?
Write out a first draft:
Can it be recited easily?
Is it easily understood by non-theologians?
Who could be given the responsibility of forming the mission statement?
The mission statement acts as a filter for all ministries. Is this specific ministry contributing to or taking away from the God-given mission statement?
How will ministries be dissolved without creating division among the body?
How open are the leaders of ministries to exploring other ways of doing things to be more effective in your mission?
How will ministries be dissolved without creating division among the body?
How open are the leaders of ministries to exploring other ways of doing things to be more effective in your mission?
Communicate your mission statement often in as many avenues as you can.
Publish it on everything (bulletins, business cards, letterhead, websites, pens, etc.)
Preach the mission statement in detail at least once a year. Exegete every word. Include it in preaching regularly.
Determine Core Values
Your core values are the foundations which allow you to build all other ministries. Core values are expressed by the term "We will," not "We might." For instance, we will worship God passionately. We might have communion.
Think of ways you could creatively and visually express those core values to the body.
Publish it on everything (bulletins, business cards, letterhead, websites, pens, etc.)
Preach the mission statement in detail at least once a year. Exegete every word. Include it in preaching regularly.
Determine Core Values
Your core values are the foundations which allow you to build all other ministries. Core values are expressed by the term "We will," not "We might." For instance, we will worship God passionately. We might have communion.
Think of ways you could creatively and visually express those core values to the body.
Envisioning a Replant: Prt 3 (by Scott Thomas)
EnvisionEnvision what the church could be if no pre-existing traditions existed. Dream big. Now add God to the equation. Dream again. Then dream short-term to see the immediate needs of the body.
Envision what the worship gathering could be (Acts 2:42-47).
Attitude of body during worship
Music
Prayer
Teaching
Communion
Children
Exaltation of God
Incorporation of arts
Envision what the evangelism could be (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
Who can you reach immediately?
What attitudes toward evangelism need to change?
Where or how could you boldly make an impact with the gospel?
What steps of faith need to be taken to reach the unchurched and the unsaved?
How could your youth evangelize?
How could households evangelize together?
What worldwide impact could you make as a body (i.e. foreign missions)?
How are you going to be an eternal value to your community?
Who can you reach immediately?
What attitudes toward evangelism need to change?
Where or how could you boldly make an impact with the gospel?
What steps of faith need to be taken to reach the unchurched and the unsaved?
How could your youth evangelize?
How could households evangelize together?
What worldwide impact could you make as a body (i.e. foreign missions)?
How are you going to be an eternal value to your community?
Envision how education and discipleship could be effective (Acts 2:42).
How will it become a passionate pursuit of the body ("continue steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine," Acts 2:42)?
What resources (people, qualities, gifts) do you have in place to launch greater disciple-making?
How will the fathers and heads of households (single moms, etc.) be trained to be the priest and spiritual head of their homes?
How will the older men and women teach and interact with the younger men and women? (Titus 2)
Will the age groups be segregated (children, youth, singles, college, married, etc.) or will they be integrated into the body?
What role will small groups play?
What training will be needed to help develop disciples who are passionately pursuing Christ?
How will it become a passionate pursuit of the body ("continue steadfastly in the Apostles' doctrine," Acts 2:42)?
What resources (people, qualities, gifts) do you have in place to launch greater disciple-making?
How will the fathers and heads of households (single moms, etc.) be trained to be the priest and spiritual head of their homes?
How will the older men and women teach and interact with the younger men and women? (Titus 2)
Will the age groups be segregated (children, youth, singles, college, married, etc.) or will they be integrated into the body?
What role will small groups play?
What training will be needed to help develop disciples who are passionately pursuing Christ?
Envision an Acts 2 commitment to fellowship (Acts 2:44-45).
In what ways will the body seek to meet the needs of one another (spiritual, social, financial, physical)?
What attitudes need to change to be sacrificially generous with time, money and resources for the encouragement and edification of the body?
How will the body serve one another actively and responsively in an unprompted way?
What will the membership requirements be? How will it communicate a covenantal commitment?
In what ways will the body seek to meet the needs of one another (spiritual, social, financial, physical)?
What attitudes need to change to be sacrificially generous with time, money and resources for the encouragement and edification of the body?
How will the body serve one another actively and responsively in an unprompted way?
What will the membership requirements be? How will it communicate a covenantal commitment?
Envision an effective youth and children's ministry.
Will they be integrated into the church ministry? If so, how?
How will families be strengthened through the student ministry?
How will the youth be encouraged and trained to evangelize their friends?
What role will the heads of households play in the student ministry?
Who (person or groups) will lead the youth and children's ministry?
What facility changes are needed to communicate the value of children and youth?
What other positions of leadership need to be filled to be effective?
What leadership development with the students will be put into place?
What programs or customs need to be extracted from the youth and children's ministry to avoid distractions from the ministry goals?
Will they be integrated into the church ministry? If so, how?
How will families be strengthened through the student ministry?
How will the youth be encouraged and trained to evangelize their friends?
What role will the heads of households play in the student ministry?
Who (person or groups) will lead the youth and children's ministry?
What facility changes are needed to communicate the value of children and youth?
What other positions of leadership need to be filled to be effective?
What leadership development with the students will be put into place?
What programs or customs need to be extracted from the youth and children's ministry to avoid distractions from the ministry goals?
Envision an equipping staff (Eph. 4:11-13).
What changes need to be made with the staff (paid or volunteer) to meet the church's goals?
Are the staff members doing the ministry or leading people to do the ministry? If they are doing the bulk of the ministering, how will they develop the body to do the work of the ministry?
Are you over-staffed or under-staffed to meet both financial obligations and the development of lay people (taking responsibility for ministry)?
What changes need to be made with the staff (paid or volunteer) to meet the church's goals?
Are the staff members doing the ministry or leading people to do the ministry? If they are doing the bulk of the ministering, how will they develop the body to do the work of the ministry?
Are you over-staffed or under-staffed to meet both financial obligations and the development of lay people (taking responsibility for ministry)?
Envision a body not reacting to finances to determine God's call (Matt. 6:24).
How will faith in God calling a body to reach out to the community and world be weighed against financial responsibility and stewardship?
If mortgages or debts exist, how will they be paid off in a realistic way over a reasonable time period?
What attitudes or practices about money and finances need to be changed?
Is a budget in place? Is it a true reflection of the church's giving and spending (balanced budget)?
What expenses can be cut immediately to be redirected toward the church's mission?
Is the body (especially the leadership) making decisions based on finances or on God's calling?
What creative ways can you generate more income without sacrificing resources, biblical principles, or expending paid personnel?
How will faith in God calling a body to reach out to the community and world be weighed against financial responsibility and stewardship?
If mortgages or debts exist, how will they be paid off in a realistic way over a reasonable time period?
What attitudes or practices about money and finances need to be changed?
Is a budget in place? Is it a true reflection of the church's giving and spending (balanced budget)?
What expenses can be cut immediately to be redirected toward the church's mission?
Is the body (especially the leadership) making decisions based on finances or on God's calling?
What creative ways can you generate more income without sacrificing resources, biblical principles, or expending paid personnel?
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Life After Church: God's Call to Dissillusioned Christians
So i finished reading this book a few months ago and as i was tidying up my book 'collection' i came across it and it got me thinking about dissilussioned christians (once again)
It is worth a read.
Life without Chruch. It's getting easier to imagine.
And maybe you already left. A leaver, one among a growing number of them, committed to Jesus, not an institution.
Whether Sunday mornings find you alone in a bedroom or isolated in a church of thousands this book is a call to a unifying task, to be the church. A church that Lives and Breathes, a church that births breathing and Living to the fullest.
I am longing for a church that facilitates and imparts life to all that are apart of her.
I am desiring a church that is more than a place for worship on sunday but a dynamic organism inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit.
A church that does not use holiness as a weapon of judgement and power over people, but a cup of cold soothing water for a parched, sin dryed soul seeking somethin more than an institutional lip service.
There are dissillusioned christians sitting in our pews each sunday, some of them we would never suspect.
May the Gospel draw each of us dissilussioned or not into something deeper than cliche words and meaningless verbage towards another level of love and service for Jesus.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Replanting: The Story (prt two by Scott Thomas)
The Puritan IdeaIn October of 2002, I felt the strong tug of God to become more effective in reaching the unchurched and in structuring the mission of the church more in line with the historical model of the apostles mainly found in the Book of Acts. As a Reformed Baptist, I have read extensively about the Reformation of the church and about the Puritans. Their goal for the church was to renew it back to the pattern of the Bible and away from the traditions of their culture.
The Dream
I dreamed of a body that loved the Lord, loved his word, loved the church, and loved the calling from God to be instruments of righteousness in their community. I dreamed of a people who practiced spiritual holiness, rather than judging others for their lack of adherence to man-made rules. I dreamed of marriages that visibly demonstrated the relationship of Christ and the church. I dreamed of homes that were led by the Holy Spirit, by godly heads of households and by the Scriptures.
I dreamed of a church that had influence in its community: spiritually, morally, evangelistically, and socially. I dreamed of a church that served willingly and enthusiastically according to their spiritual gifts, passions, and God-given abilities.
I dreamed of a church body that had a burning passion to share the gospel in their city, their state, their nation, and their world and to be a vital link for the establishment of churches all across the world. I dreamed of a body that had an insatiable thirst to encounter God in a real, personal, and intimate way.
The Recurring Nightmare
But was it just a dream? Could it be realized? Was I stuck in an endless continuum of leading one self-centered, apathetic, prideful, spiritually-arrogant, biblically-ignorant church after another with no real lasting change? I have always abhorred contented mediocrity, and yet I found myself again in an average church with an above-average indebtedness and a below-average love for one another. That was not exactly what I had hoped for. My own spiritual enthusiasm had grown average itself—and that was on a good day. Had my dream become instead a recurring nightmare of mundane Christianity? I was discouraged and disappointed with myself.
My discouragement did not lead to hopelessness. I fought through the overwhelming struggles to make financial ends meet with the clear call of God to be more spiritually effective. My top priority was to meet with God but that meeting was often overshadowed by meetings with refinancing organizations, with bankers, with creditors, with private loan resources. I felt as a church we had become more responsive to the call of finances than we were to the call of God. I had never made decisions based on finance, until this time. The financial demands were high ($16,000 per month mortgage) and the resources were weak (primarily low enrollment in the affiliated Christian school).
A Whole New Church
I felt the only way to be effective and remain faithful to this church (having served for less than a year at that time) was to start a new church in our youth center with a whole new approach to church ministry. I presented the idea to my pastoral staff. Their response was mixed, but they believed in me and hung on to that even though they couldn't fully catch the vision I had received from God.
They were enthusiastic, however, about the possibility of doing ministry like the New Testament instead of in accordance with the much-too-common phrase heard around the church, "This is the way we've always done it." No one really knew why we did it that way; it was just familiar and comfortable to the staff and congregation.
As a staff, we worked on details and vision for the new church, now called The Encounter Church. It was a regular part of our weekly staff meetings. In fact, it was the most fervent part of our meetings. I passionately worked on ideas for our new church plant and shared them with staff at our subsequent meetings.
First Approval
In January 2003, the church officers (highest ruling body at the time) approved the starting of The Encounter Church. I am not sure they fully knew what it was about, but at least they accepted the idea enough to pursue it from a church-wide basis. I announced it at the annual church business meeting in mid-January and held my breath when I said it would be a church, not just a Bible study.
Very little excitement was generated from that meeting. I guess they had heard unusual ideas at those business meetings before. Perhaps they never came to fruition and they were expecting (hoping?) this one would die as the others. Their silence to me, however, was the primitus annuo (first approval) that we needed to go forward.
God Changes The Plan
One unsettling incident happened in the early spring of that year. Tyler (the student pastor) and I were visiting a church member in the hospital. The hospitalized lady was not available for another hour. While waiting for her, we went to lunch and discussed the ideas we had for the new church. We were both caught being more interested in The Encounter Church than we were in discussing our current church.
I stopped and looked at him and said, "Do you realize we have been talking about Encounter for over an hour and we are both filled with energy and zeal. Do you think that would be true if we had been discussing our original church?" He was silent. I did not realize at the time how that incident would be a seed that would not germinate for a few months.
In May, Tyler and I went to Seattle to attend a church planting conference and to view a couple of churches in that area who held to a similar vision to the one we were pursuing. After attending a 100-person church on Sunday morning and a 1,700-person church in the evening, I pulled Tyler aside and asked him if he felt God was calling us to plant a new church or if he was calling us to replant our current church. He didn't know what to say.
I had heard the disconcerting statement that 3,500 churches in America are closing their doors every year. I had also heard the alarming statement that the church planting organization we were there to learn from (
During the conference and immediately afterward, I sensed a clear call of God to get into the replanting of churches in America, beginning with our church. That is all God had used me to do in the previous pastorates and I had acceded to that calling. I didn't know the extent of that call and I didn't know it included our current church, a 60-year-old church with a rich history.
A Missional Church on Purpose
Many churches had indeed started out as missional churches. To be missional means that the individual members and the body as a whole understand and follow their calling from God to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ fervently to as many people as the Holy Spirit would lead. It means that we are engaged in personal relationships with the lost on purpose in order to show them the love of Christ and how he sacrificed his Son to die for our sins so that we could escape the condemnation already placed upon us as sinners by birth. It is not unusual for a church to lose their vision—our church was no exception.
In general, the congregation where we served did not spend time with unbelievers. In fact, every effort was done to ensure that we would come out from among them and remain separate. Our accompanying Christian school sometimes fed that separatist philosophy. Our church had become a church that had been trained to rapidly identify the lost (by outward appearances) and run from them, fearing their personal holiness would be stained by some contagious strain of sin.
Church Business Is Not The Mission
This church had become an institutional church and I had no interest in running an institution. That would be crazy! It had become a church business staying busy under the roof of the church, and had forgotten that our business is to share Christ with those who have never been under the roof of the church. Our mission is to share Christ with others who, when redeemed themselves, will be affected in such a profound way that they will in turn share Christ with their lost acquaintances, relatives, and friends.
Before my tenure, our church had contracted a consulting firm, and their conclusion was that it was a church for the "already churched community." We had to become personally missional and not leave the evangelism up to the paid staff and the foreign missions program, in which the church found inordinate pride.
A Whole New Church, Again
God called me to lead this church to become a whole new church. We did not try to turn the Winnebago around in a tight cul-de-sac, but we rather traded it in for a whole new vehicle. Jesus said we can't put a new patch on an old garment. Instead, we start again brand new so that Christ's message will be as fresh now as it was in 33 A.D. (
“And who would patch an old garment with unshrunk cloth? For the patch shrinks and pulls away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger hole than before. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. That way both the wine and the wineskins are preserved.” (Matt. 9:16-17 NLT)
To be continued.
Everlasting God - New Life Worship
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