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.
“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 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?
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